Justice Lydia Mugambe, who faces slavery charges in the UK yesterday denied trafficking a young woman from Uganda to work as her slave. According to British media reports, Mugambe, 49, appeared at Oxford Crown Court where she was accused of taking advantage of the alleged victim in the “most egregious way.” Charges relate to Mugambe’s…
The Prime Minister, Robinah Nabbanja has revealed that the government is seeking an additional Shs 480 billion to bridge the gap created by the suspension of United States Agency for International Development (USAID) funding. While addressing MPs during the Prime Minister’s Time, Nabbanja said the government is also engaging international and local stakeholders, to mobilize…
Next Media has told Charles Mwanguhya Mpagi that he will no longer host the Frontline talk show on NBS TV after the veteran journalist revealed he will contest for the Burahya County parliamentary seat in Kabarole in the 2026 election. Sources have told Bbeg Media that Mwanguhya had written to management indicating that he will…
The arrest of an army general from South Sudan’s main opposition is a “grave violation” of the peace deal that ended a five-year civil war, an opposition spokesperson has told the BBC. Gen Gabriel Duop Lam was arrested earlier this week, along with other senior officials of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement in Opposition (SPLM-IO)….
Next Media has suspended Zambaali Bulasio Mukasa and Victoria Bagaaya for going public with their political ambitions. Senior management, sources told us, asked them to step back before pulling them off air. The length of their suspensions is not clear but we have been told it could be indefinite. However, we have been told that…
The chairperson of the Committee on Climate Change, Lawrence Biyika, has warned of the impending heavy rains and floods resulting from the current heat wave, saying the government should come out with clear mitigation measures. “At the end of the dry season will come a lot of rain with floods. Because of the evaporation on…
Dr Douglas Singiza was once a strong advocate of homosexuality and a vociferous defender of human rights. Don’t laugh. “The discourse on homosexuality in many African countries is silently premised on the notion that sodomy is a capitalistic creation, an offshoot of the individualism of the middle-class elite of Europe. In this respect, homosexuality is…
President Museveni has lambasted the leadership at Kamapala Capital City Authority (KCCA) for not doing enough to ensure a clean city. Museveni expressed his displeasure about the poor state of sanitation in the city while officially opening the first phase of the Kampala Flyover Project along Mukwano Road today. Museveni said: “I see flies everywhere,…
Peering at Justice Dr. Douglas Singiza from the dock as he read his judgment regarding an appeal to have his court-martial conviction overturned, Eron Kiiza let out a half smile and winked at one of his admirers in court. Dressed in a dark blue blazer and a white shirt, the 43-year-old lawyer had the kind…
MTN Mobile Money Uganda has unveiled its new Virtual Card through a partnership with Mastercard, Diamond Trust Bank, and Network International. Following the successful rollout of a similar solution in Rwanda last year, where MTN Rwanda, in partnership with Mastercard, introduced the Virtual Card by MoMo in November, 2024, MTN Uganda is now leveraging that…
Women leaders in local governments and civil society have called on government to ring fence 30 per cent of public procurement contracts for businesses run by women. The women leaders made this call during the Second Women’s Parliament held on Monday, 03 March 2025 at the Parliament of Uganda. They also asked for a policy…
Mumba Kenneth Kalifungwa has officially assumed the role of Chief Executive at Stanbic Bank Uganda, the largest commercial bank in terms of assets, revenue, and deposits. His appointment was first announced in December of last year. “I am delighted to join Stanbic Bank Uganda. With the support of my colleagues and stakeholders, this new role…
The Islamic police in the northern Nigerian state of Kano have arrested Muslims seen eating and drinking publicly, as well as those selling food at the start of Ramadan, when Muslims are supposed to fast from dawn until dusk. The deputy commander of the Hisbah, Mujahid Aminudeen said that 20 people had been arrested for…
MPs have demanded that action be taken against security personnel who attacked and injured Top TV journalist, Ibrahim Miracle, who was covering the nomination of candidates for the Kawempe North by-election on February 26 2025. The Leader of the Opposition, Joel Ssenyonyi, said the journalist was assaulted by individuals believed to be members of the…
The motor-mouthed Andrew Mujuni Mwenda was once one of Uganda’s most celebrated journalists. Mwenda made a name for himself in the early 2000s through his incisive political analysis and bold reporting. His talk show, Andrew Mwenda Live on KFM, was a staple for Ugandans interested in governance and democracy. He often took on the powerful,…
Uganda earned Shs 16 billion every single day from coffee exports in 2024, the highest in the country’s recorded history. According to a report from the Coffee Production and Development Department in the ministry of Agriculture, the country exported 6.44 million bags worth $ 1.62 billion (roughly Shs 6 trillion) between February 2024 and January…
Speaker Anita Among has called on Ugandans to be champions of environmental conservation in their communities. She made the call yesterday while presiding over the House noting that the country is experiencing, unusually high temperatures. “This is a reminder that climate change is real and unless we take deliberate mitigation measures, we remain at risk,”…
The BBC is seeking a rising star of African journalism for the BBC News Komla Dumor Award, which is now in its 10th year. Journalists from across Africa are invited to apply for the award, which aims to uncover and promote fresh talent from the continent. The winner will spend three months at the BBC…
The minister of State for Higher Education, John Chrysostom Muyingo, has said a team from the ministry have gone to the school in Soroti where a student died under mysterious circumstances last week. His remarks followed Speaker Anita Among’s instructions for the government to investigate and present a report on the recent cases of deaths…
The passing of Bulaimu Muwanga Kibirige, affectionately known as BMK, in September 2021 marked the end of an era for one of Uganda’s most illustrious entrepreneurs. BMK’s journey from humble beginnings in Masaka District to establishing a vast business empire, including the renowned Hotel Africana in Kampala, has been well documented in his memoirs: My…
The Uganda Development Bank (UDB) has reported significant year-on-year growth for 2024, showcasing robust performance across key metrics. According to its financial report for 2024, the bank’s loan portfolio grew to Shs 1.67 trillion, a testament to UDB’s continued commitment to fostering Uganda’s socio-economic development. The Bank’s total assets grew by 3%, from Shs 1.67…
Phew! Have you caught your breath yet? 2025 is threatening to be the shortest 12 months we have ever had in a long time. Nearly every day brings with it an event whose impact will take years to unpack but we have to move on quickly because of what happens next. A quick rundown! Besigye…
The Appellate Division of the East African Court of Justice (EACJ) will today hear an appeal filed by four civil society organizations seeking to reverse a judgment made by the First Instance Division of the EACJ that the case had been filed out of time. The case was brought following continued environmental and human rights…
Molly Katanga, who is facing murder charges at the High Court, was last week denied bail for the third time, despite her deteriorating medical condition. Justice Rosette Comfort Kania ruled on Thursday that the seriousness of the murder charge against her outweighed any personal circumstances. The judge said she should stand trial while on remand,…
When Benedict and his family arrived in Uganda from the Democratic Republic of Congo in late 2024, Jesuit Refugee Services became his compass, offering more than just food aid. The English lessons he received turned a foreign place into a navigable pathway to independence. So last week’s news of the closure of the organization set…
Parliament has amended its rules of procedure to provide for election of the four backbench commissioners dropping the current system of selection by parties. The House Committee on Rules, Privileges and Discipline, which reviewed the current rules and provided suggested amendments, said this would “give MPs greater control over the election of commissioners, reducing the…
We reported yesterday that the US government was planning to lift sanctions slapped on Speaker Anita Among and ministers Agnes Nandutu and Mary Goretti Kitutu. We also reported that the new Donald Trump administration was planning to reinstate Uganda’s AGOA status, which Joe Biden suspended in December 2023. Our highly placed sources in the government…
Former FDC leader, Dr Kizza Besigye, has been slapped with fresh treason charges at Nakawa Chief Magistrates Court. Besigye was wheeled into court at 9.30 am today amid tight security. He was charged alongside Obeid Lutale and UPDF officer Capt. Denis Oola. Besigye’s lawyers and many of his supporters were caught unaware of the development…
Sources within the government have told Bbeg Media that they have received signals that the Donald Trump administration could lift sanctions imposed on senior Ugandan officials by the Biden government last year. Some of the beneficiaries of this move, sources said, are likely to be Speaker Anita Among and ministers Agnes Nandutu and Mary Goretti…
For the second consecutive year, Ankole sub-region registered the highest number of theft cases in Uganda, according to the 2024 Annual Crime Report released by police yesterday. The sub-region topped the theft charts in 2023. The 2024 report shows that a total of 61,529 cases involving theft of any kind were registered by the police…
On Friday, February 14, Ugandans were shocked when retired Colonel Dr. Kizza Besigye appeared in court looking gaunt and frail. Dr. Besigye was offered a chair to sit by a prison warder as he waited for the hearing of his trial in court to proceed. He seemed visibly out of breath and had lost a…
A family law expert Dr. Diana Musoke has warned that the Marriage Bill, 2024 has the potential to destroy the institution of marriage if enacted into law. Dr. Musoke said the proposals in the bill seek to discourage the country’s long held perception on the purpose for which marriages exist. She questioned why the Bill…
Dembe FM may have reopened on February 14, but its ardent listeners would have noted that something was missing: the big names that made it soar to high levels. Where is Isaac Katende popularly known as Kasuku? Where is Sam Gombya, Ssenga Nantume? The radio has retained some old-timers like Shafik Kayima and Mike Sebalu….
The Court has sent Dr. Kizza Besigye back to Luzira after it heard the presiding judge, Douglas Singiza, said the former FDC leader was unwell and need not have been paraded in court. “He is unwell and should be taken back to prison. “This is an administrative order. If a prisoner is sick, I can’t…
The European Union Special Representative for the Great Lakes Region, Johan Borgstam, is visiting Uganda as part of a broader mission to the region. The European Union views regional political processes as indispensable in addressing the escalating crisis in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and attaches great importance to Uganda’s central role….
Officials from the Uganda Civil Aviation Authority have told Parliament that the government owes the body Shs 109bn, a factor that has hindered its operations. Fred Bamwesigye, the director general of UCAA, said this money excludes Shs 63bn owed by Uganda Airlines. The officials today appeared before the parliamentary committee on Physical Infrastructure chaired by…
Parliament is looking into a proposal by the government to borrow $190 million (approx Shs 700bn) from Stanbic Bank to facilitate the buyout of Umeme Limited. The proposal was tabled by Henry Musasizi, the minister of state for Finance. The matter was pushed to the Committee on National Economy for review. Umeme started the process…
President Museveni has said incarcerated opposition lynchpin Dr Kizza Besigye does not require forgiveness but a quick trial to get out of his current ordeal. Commenting on Besigye’s predicament for the first time, the president acknowledged the public anxiety surrounding his detention but maintained that the key question should be: “Why was Dr. Besigye arrested?”…
Actors within the civil society space have called for the unconditional release of Dr. Kizza Besigye amid concerns about his failing health. At a press briefing held at the Center for Constitutional Governance, members argued that Besigye’s continued detention was not only a violation of his rights but it was also a slap in the…
Phoebe Kasacha has been a traditional African dancer and performer for decades . In an interview with Bbeg Media Kasacha explained that she learnt traditional dances during her childhood. The mother of two children is still physically active and now she wants to take African traditional dances to the international stage. “I believe other people…
Uganda’s total public debt for the 2023/2024 financial year stood at Shs 54 trillion, implying that, on average, each living Ugandan is indebted to the donors to the tune of Shs 1.1 million. The figure also reveals a strong appetite for borrowing by the government. Broken down, at Shs 54 trillion, it means the government…
Dr. Kizza Besigye’s frail physical appearance in court last week brought some to tears, raising fears that the worst could happen to the opposition behemoth. In a panic, a minister went to visit him at Luzira, and Besigye was finally rushed to a clinic in Bugolobi yesterday amid tight security. His condition remains precarious, according…
The friction between Uganda Law Society (ULS) President Isaac Ssemakadde and High Court judge Musa Ssekaana has escalated into one of the most high-profile legal battles in Uganda’s recent history. On Friday, Ssekaana sentenced Ssemakadde to a two-year prison sentence for contempt of court, deepening the conflict and polarising the legal fraternity. Ssemakadde, who was…
Former Kenya Prime Minister Raila Odinga has lost the bid to become the next chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC). In the vote conducted on Saturday afternoon, Raila was narrowly eliminated from his bid to replace Moussa Faki in the sixth round. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf of Djibouti was voted the seventh AUC chairperson since…
Airtel Uganda and Trace Africa have joined hands to celebrate African Music excellence and digital empowerment. The partnership comes ahead of the Africa Trace Awards to be held in Zanzibar between February 24 and 26. The awards will also culminate the Airtel #SmartaWithData campaign, an initiative to enable customers to make informed decisions about their…
Justice Musa Ssekaana has sentenced Isaac Ssemakadde, the president of the Uganda Law Society (ULS), to two years in prison for contempt of court. Ssemakadde had been accused of using abusive and insulting statements against Ssekaana on social media. The case emanates from a case filed by Mugisha Hashim Mugisha against Ssemakadde. It is alleged…
Dr Kizza Besigye today appeared before Buganda Road Magistrates Court but his physical outlook sent many people into whispers. Dressed in a checkered shirt, a frail-looking Besigye kept glancing at people from the dock without his usual demeanor and confidence. It was clear that he had lost weight. Many people at the court were shocked…
Smart 24 TV, a business-oriented television station, has sent all its reporters on leave to ostensibly enable management make changes in programming. Sources at the TV station told Bbeg Media that the reporters were told to wait for one month when they will be told the next move. “They told us that they are going…
The recent declaration of an Ebola outbreak in Uganda has sent shockwaves through the tourism industry, with tour operators experiencing massive cancellations and financial losses. The Ministry of Health recently announced that a nurse at Mulago had succumbed to the virus while several people had been isolated. Uganda’s tourism sector, one of the country’s leading…
For years, as the chairperson of the Makerere University Academic Staff Association (MUASA), Prof. Augustus Nuwagaba was vocal about his dissatisfaction with certain NRM policies, particularly those related to economic management and poverty alleviation. As an academic and a poverty eradication expert, he frequently questioned the effectiveness of initiatives such as Bonnabagagawale (Prosperity for All),…
