Former ministers were among the legislators sworn in on Thursday as the composition of the 12th Parliament continued to take shape. The former ministers included Grace Freedom Kwiyucwinyi, the Woman MP for Zombo, and Christopher Kibazanga, the newly elected MP for Busongora South in the Rwenzori sub-region. Speaking shortly after taking the oath, Kwiyucwinyi pledged…
Dr Kizza Besigye, the opposition behemoth who has been in detention for more than one year, is unlikely to regain his freedom before the conclusion of court proceedings against him, the minister of Information Dr Chris Baryomunsi, has said. Speaking to journalists after being sworn in for a fourth term as Kinkizi East MP, Baryomunsi…
The family of the late Sam Kalega Njuba is mourning the death of their son, Steven Kalega Kirimwesa Njuba, who died on May 2, 2026, at Lahey Hospital in Burlington, Massachusetts, in the United States. Kirimweesa was 35 years old, and his death, according to sources, was mysterious. “He complained that he was unwell and…
Katikkiro Charles Peter Mayiga has tasked Buganda’s chiefs at all levels to spearhead efforts aimed at restoring the Buganda Kingdom’s pride and former glory. Mayiga made the remarks during a thanksgiving ceremony and Duwa prayers organised for Kyadondo County chief, Ahmed Magandazi Matovu, at Nalyamagonja near Manyangwa in Wakiso. The function was held to celebrate…
The Kampala Resident City Commissioner (RCC) Umar Lule Mawiya has assured Ugandans and foreign guests of maximum security during President Yoweri Museveni’s swearing-in ceremony scheduled for May 12 at Kololo Independence Grounds. Speaking during an interview ahead of the event, Mawiya said security agencies had intensified preparations to ensure a peaceful and secure environment throughout…
The Uganda Law Society (ULS) has called on the government to respect the safety and independence of journalists, saying the media plays a critical role in strengthening democracy and protecting human rights in Uganda. Speaking during the commemoration of World Press Freedom Day at the society’s offices in Kampala, Audrey Apio Afra, the head of…
Buganda Kingdom has praised its working relationship with the central government, describing it as key to delivering its socio-economic development programmes. The Katikkiro, Charles Peter Mayiga, made the remarks while addressing journalists at his official residence in Mengo ahead of celebrations marking his 13th anniversary in office. “I want to note that there is a…
Katikkiro Charles Peter Mayiga has urged the central government to intensify the fight against corruption and embezzlement of public funds, warning that the vice continues to undermine service delivery and slow economic growth. Mayiga made the remarks at Bulange, Mengo, during a Lukiiko sitting attended by Buganda’s ministers, county and sub-county chiefs, and other kingdom…
Traders at Bugolobi Market in Kampala have raised concerns over the rising cost of fuel, saying it has significantly increased transport expenses and forced them to hike prices of essential goods. The vendors, including food sellers, banana dealers, butchers, fruit traders and boda boda cyclists, spoke to Bbeg Media during Labour Day commemorations at the…
Opposition leaders used the 70th birthday of veteran politician Dr Kizza Besigye to call for a strategic reset in their push for political change in Uganda, signalling renewed efforts to unify and redefine their approach against the ruling establishment. The event, held on Katonga Road in Kampala, brought together politicians from across the opposition spectrum,…
State House has agreed to support mobilisers from the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) so they can become more productive and contribute to the country’s economic growth. Moses Byaruhanga, the senior presidential adviser on mobilisation and political affairs, said this on Wednesday while meeting members of the Patriotic Development Initiatives Limited Mobilisation Team at Kagugube,…
The minister of state for Higher Education, John Chrysostom Muyingo, has urged education stakeholders in Uganda to support government efforts to improve the sector, as exemplified by the late Mukalazi Kizito. Muyingo made the remarks while speaking to journalists during funeral arrangements for Mukalazi, who died on April 24, 2026, after spending three days in…
The Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) has pledged to organise more training sessions for journalists to deepen public understanding of taxation and improve reporting on revenue matters. Myra Ochwo, the assistant commissioner for tax education at URA, made the remarks during a media training for members of the Uganda Parliamentary Press Association (UPPA) at the authority’s…
The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives has asked for a budget of Shs 514.96 billion next financial year, with a large share earmarked for capitalising the Uganda Development Corporation (UDC). Presenting a report to parliament’s budget committee, the chairperson of the committee on trade, industry and cooperatives, Boniface Okot, said the proposed allocation reflects…
MPs have called for the re-establishment of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), raising concerns over slow progress in extending electricity to rural areas. Legislators on the Budget Committee questioned officials from the ministry of Energy and Mineral Development over what they described as limited results despite significant funding allocated in recent years. The concerns were…
MPs have raised concerns over the circumstances surrounding the death of Kalangala Woman MP Hellen Nakimuli, who passed away on Sunday. Legislators from across the political divide told Bbeg Media that her death came as a shock, with some calling for a thorough investigation into the cause and the medical care she received. Paul Omara…
The Uganda Alcohol Policy Alliance (UAPA) has thrown its support behind the government’s proposed increase in excise duty on undenatured spirits below 80% alcoholic content, welcoming a move that would see the rate rise from Shs1,700 to Shs3,500 per litre. Juliet Namukasa, the chairperson of the alliance, said the measure was both timely and necessary….
The executive director of Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA), Sharifah Buzeki, has pledged to collaborate with elected political leaders who prioritise service delivery to city residents, while cautioning them against mixing politics with public service. Buzeki made the remarks during the Weyonje clean-up exercise in Lugoba parish, Kawempe division, where she was accompanied by the…
Moses Aleper, the MP for Chekwii County in Karamoja, has raised fresh concerns about the slow pace of development in the sub-region, warning that long-standing infrastructure gaps continue to hold back progress. Speaking to Bbeg Media in an interview at his parliamentary office, Aleper said that despite government interventions, much more needs to be done…
A cross-section of business groups has opposed the proposed tax amendment bills 2026, arguing that the measures are unfair and could disrupt their operations. The entities included the Uganda Hotel Owners Association (UHOA), Uganda Bankers Association (UBA), Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Uganda (ICPAU), Kampala Casino, the Uganda Alcohol Policy Alliance (UAPA), the Uganda…
MPs on the Finance committee have asked the president of the Uganda National Traders Alliance, Godfrey Katongole, to withdraw remarks that they said misled the public by suggesting legislators do not pay taxes on fuel and other utilities. The committee, chaired by Amos Kankunda, confronted Katongole as he presented traders’ views on proposed tax policies…
Mityana South MP Richard Lumu has urged opposition parties in Uganda to prioritise a united push for political transition instead of engaging in internal conflicts that weaken their credibility. Speaking to Bbeg Media at Parliament, Lumu expressed concern over growing divisions among opposition groups that seek to challenge the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM). He…
Opposition legislators have said that achieving full integration of the East African Community (EAC) remains a distant goal, citing major implementation gaps within the ministry of East African Community Affairs. In their alternative budget report, presented by the leader of the opposition, Joel Ssenyonyi, the MPs argue that the region is yet to realise the…
Last week, the leader of the opposition, Joel Ssenyonyi, tabled the alternative budget outlining the key issues that the opposition thinks need prioritisation. Among other issues, Ssenyonyi proposed a significant increase in funding to Uganda’s agro-industrialisation programme in the 2026/27 financial year, arguing that current allocations fall short of national development targets. He said the…
MPs have questioned the government over the poor remuneration and welfare of medical interns, saying they are overworked and underpaid despite playing a critical role in healthcare delivery. The concerns were raised during a meeting of the parliamentary health committee, where the minister of Health, Dr Jane Ruth Aceng, presented the ministry’s policy statement for…
Mulago Hospital has asked Parliament for an additional Shs63 billion to address critical funding gaps, as legislators warned that staffing shortages are worsening service delivery. The MPs on the Health Committee blamed the gaps partly on underperformance in non-tax revenue collections in the financial year 2025/26. Dr Erisa Rutahigwa, the acting committee chairperson and MP…
State House has requested Shs 136 billion as a donations budget for President Museveni’s next financial year. This is contained in the ministerial policy statement for the Office of the Presidency. The figure translates into Shs 372 million every day or Shs 15.5 million every hour. However, the president’s donations budget for next year is…
Equity Bank Uganda has launched a new digital platform aimed at transforming how businesses manage their finances, with regulators praising the move as a step towards a more efficient and inclusive banking system. The platform, dubbed Equity Online for Business, was unveiled at Protea Hotel in Kampala, marking a major upgrade from the bank’s previous…
The Ministry of Water and Environment has requested Shs 4 billion next financial year to meet its printing and photocopying costs as well as to entertain staff. The request is contained in the ministry’s ministerial statement for 2026/27 that was tabled in Parliament last week. According to the statement, the ministry wants Shs 2.3 billion…
The Leader of the Opposition, Joel Ssenyonyi, has criticised the government for selectively bailing out private companies without clear benefits to Ugandans. Ssenyonyi made the remarks on Tuesday during the launch of the opposition’s Alternative Budget Priority Areas for the 2026/27 financial year at Parliament. “Our approach is guided by fiscal discipline, realism and prioritisation,”…
The ministry of Foreign Affairs has confirmed that eight individuals have been transferred to Uganda from the United States under a bilateral migration arrangement signed last year. In a statement, the ministry said the transfer follows an agreement concluded between Uganda and the US in July 2025. The arrangement allows Uganda to receive and process…
Uganda Tourism Board (UTB), the government body responsible for marketing Uganda, has asked for Shs 1.97 billion in the coming financial year to engage influencers, opinion leaders, and market the country on international TV stations like BBC and CNN. The request is contained in the ministerial policy statement for the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife, and…
The chairman of the Uganda Episcopal Conference, Bishop Anthony Zziwa, has urged Ugandans to use the way of the cross as a moment to confront rising levels of evil in society. Zziwa made the remarks during prayers at Old Kampala playground. He said the annual procession should not be treated as a mere ritual, but…
The State House has indicated that several slots for senior presidential advisors and presidential assistants remain unfilled. According to the ministerial policy statement for the presidency for the financial year 2026/2027, at least 27 slots are yet to be filled. For instance, 9 slots for senior presidential advisor (Investment) remain vacant. According to the report,…
The National Leadership Institute (NALI) in Kyankwanzi has missed out on additional funding in the proposed 2026/27 budget, despite strong recommendations from the Presidential Affairs committee of Parliament. The minister for the Presidency, Milly Babalanda, told journalists that several critical items under the Office of the President remain underfunded for the next financial year. Appearing…
Job Richard Matua, the assistant RCC for Arua City, is a vocal supporter of President Museveni and the NRM. For all his shouting, Matua earns Shs 817, 216 per month. This is according to the ministerial policy statement for the Office of the Presidency, which was debated this week in Parliament. At Shs 100 million…
Dr Ezra Suruma is the highest-paid senior presidential advisor in Uganda, records show. According to the ministerial policy statement for the Office of the President for 2026/27, Suruma, a senior presidential advisor on finance and economic planning, earns Shs 100 million every month. Suruma is on a full-time contract. At this rate, Suruma earns five…
Goretti Namugga, the chairperson of Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC), has called for the cancellation of a construction contract at the Uganda Cancer Institute, citing prolonged delays in delivering a planned 350-bed hospital. Namugga, who also represents Mawogola South, made the remarks while meeting officials from the institute at Parliament on Tuesday. She said the…
Uganda’s overall crime rate fell by 10% in 2025, according to the Inspector General of Police, Abas Byakagaba, who attributed the decline to the rollout of the sub-county policing model. Speaking at the release of the 2025 annual crime report at police headquarters in Naguru, Byakagaba said the force would continue implementing the model, which…
TwinBrook Schools has reaffirmed its commitment to nurture the talent of its students through sports. The remarks were made by the school’s administrative assistant and operations manager, Ismail Abusa, during the opening of a futsal football tournament at the school’s campus in Bamba, Wakiso. Abusa told Bbeg Media that the school has invested heavily in…
The Minister of State for Finance (General Duties), Henry Musasizi, has defended the proposed increase in the government’s total resource envelope, saying it is aimed at supporting key priorities for the 2026/27 financial year. Speaking to journalists at Parliament after a meeting of the NRM Caucus,Musasizi said he will present draft budget estimates next week….
The High Court has awarded the Hajj Kasule family of Wandegeya, Shs 30 million in costs in a land trespass case with businessman Haruna Sentongo. The dispute arises from alleged trespass on 0.12 hectares of land located on Block 12, Plot 101 in Mengo-Kisenyi, Kampala. The taxation application was filed by Isaac Kasule of Kasule,…
The Bbaale MP, Charles Tebandeke, has said he will prioritise improving service delivery in his constituency during his second term in parliament. Tebandeke, a member of the National Unity Platform (NUP) and shadow minister for Agriculture, told Bbeg Media at parliament that he will focus on ensuring effective use of public funds, particularly in the…
James Kakooza, one of Uganda’s representatives to the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA), has dismissed a letter by the speaker calling for a fresh election before the expiry of his term. Kakooza told journalists at Parliament that the letter was flawed and could not stand. “I call this letter erroneous because the legitimate processes for…
The Opposition Chief Whip, John Baptist Nambeshe, has called for the introduction of a two-chamber Parliament in Uganda, saying it would improve the handling of public issues and strengthen representation. Nambeshe, who represents Manjiya County in Bududa district, told Bbeg Media at Parliament that the current single-chamber system is overstretched and struggles to process the…
There was a light moment at Parliament when Kalungu West MP, Joseph Gonzaga Ssewungu, briefly took charge of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), drawing smiles and applause from fellow legislators. Ssewungu, who was recently re-elected, assumed the role of interim chairperson during a committee session after the substantive chairperson, Goretti Namugga, stepped out to attend…
Mityana North MP, Mohammed Nsegumire, has called for urgent negotiations between Iran, Israel, and the United States to end the week-long military escalation. Nsegumire made the remarks after Eid al-Fitr prayers at Wandegeya mosque in Kampala. “We call for restraint and urge the parties involved in this crisis to prioritise dialogue rather than continue with…
Speaker Anita Among has invited independent MPs who have expressed interest in working with the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) to attend a leadership retreat in Kyankwanzi. Among, who is also the NRM’s second national vice chairperson, made the announcement while addressing journalists during a meeting with some independent MPs at the party headquarters on…
A number of legislators have expressed mixed reactions to a government proposal to phase out old taxis from Kampala and other urban roads, as authorities push to improve road safety and modernise public transport. The proposal, which is under discussion by the parliamentary committee on Commissions, Statutory Authorities and State Enterprises (COSASE), seeks to enforce…
Parliament has questioned the management of Mulago Specialised Women and Neonatal Hospital over payments of domestic arrears that exceeded the approved budget for the financial year ending June 30, 2025. The query stems from the Auditor General’s 2025 report, which was discussed during a committee sitting at Parliament on Wednesday. Silas Aogon, from Kumi Municipality,…
