The Observer, one of Uganda’s most authoritative and analytical newspapers, is looking for a buyer, Bbeg Media has learned. Pius Muteekani Katunzi, the managing director of The Observer, told Bbeg Media that they had talked to some prospective investors about buying the paper. “We have been in talks with a couple of people. There are…
In Africa, national grid electricity has not achieved universal penetration and is often unreliable. Rural areas are particularly affected, The International Energy Agency estimates 600 million people in sub-Saharan Africa, or 43% of the population, lack access to electricity. The key to development is electricity. Without it, communities must generate their own power for cooking,…
Speaker Anita Among has called for a fight against illicit financial flows that see Africa lose an estimated $88 billion annually. Among made this call while presiding at the African Organisation of Public Accounts Committee (AFROPAC) Conference and Fifth Annual General Meeting at Golden Tulip Hotel, Kampala on Monday, 17 March 2025. “The impact of…
Angola has denied entry to several senior African political figures set to attend a conference hosted by the country’s main opposition party, UNITA. UNITA said it had invited the politicians, including Tanzanian opposition leader Tundu Lissu, National Unity Platform’s Robert Kyagalunyi aka Bobi Wine from Uganda, and Mozambique’s Venancio Mondlane. Botswana’s former President Ian Khama,…
It would not be a stretch to say that the coffee sector is the backbone of Uganda’s economy. It contributes significantly to foreign exchange earnings and supports millions of livelihoods. Last year, the country earned Shs 6 trillion from coffee exports. With more strategic investments, experts believe the country can even earn much more from…
Parliament has approved Shs 60 billion as part of a supplementary request to fund Inspire Africa, a coffee firm run by businessman, Nelson Tugume. Henry Musasizi, the minister of state for Finance (General Duties) told MPs the additional billions are for the completion of standards and certifications, working capital to purchase coffee from farmers, branding…
NBS TV’s Zambaali Bulasio Mukasa has become the latest journalist to enter Uganda’s tumultuous political ring. The deep-voiced news anchor and talk show host made his ambitions public at a rally in Kyebando during the recently concluded Kawempe North by-elections. When Zambaali left the rally, his job was on the line and his political future…
In newly released video footage, Justice Lydia Mugambe was seen pleading with a police officer who had come to arrest her over the suspicion of forcing a young woman to work for her. The officer says: “So, unfortunately I am gonna now arrest you on suspicion of keeping someone in slavery and servitude under the…
At least 850 market vendors have graduated from the digital skilling inititiative under the ausoices of Huawei Technologies Uganda. They include 493 males and 358 females. The intitiative was spearheaded by the Ministry of ICT in collaboration with the National ICT Innovation Hub, MTN Uganda Foundation, Centenary Technology Services (Cente-Tech), and the Uganda Institute of…
Girls out performed boys in the Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education exams released today continuing a trend that has been on for the last ten years. The results show a slight drop in overall performance with 98.8% of the candidates passing in 2024 compared to 99.2% who passed in 2023. At least 54,338 (38.6%) candidates…
Dr Matia Lwanga Bwanika, the LCV for Wakiso has accused the government of abandoning its responsibilities to non-governmental organisations. He was speaking at Katabi during a function organised by the Uganda Buddhist Centre which has helped the community by building boreholes and educating children. “The Buddhist community has done a lot of good work for…
Justice Lydia Mugambe could face life imprisonment in the United Kingdom after she was found guilty of “forcing a young woman to work as a slave” by a UK Court. Prosecutors said Lydia Mugambe “took advantage of her status” over her victim by preventing her from holding down steady employment while forcing her to work…
The decisive victory of NUP’s Elias Luyimbazi Nalukoola in Kawempe North by-election sent one clear message to the NRM: “You had the money and the army but you couldn’t conjure a victory.” Nalukoola garnered 17,764 votes compared to Farida Nambi’s 8,593 votes in an election characterized by violence and intimidation of journalists. If anything, NUP’s…
The Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) has suspended the operation license of Pearl FM (107.9), a Muslim-founded media station, for allegedly broadcasting “alarmist” and “sensational” information related to the Kawempe North by-election. In a letter to the managing director of the station, UCC noted that during their show “Mpulidde Kamenya” yesterday, the presenter Sulaiman Kalule alleged…
The Nation Media Group (NMG) and Next Media, two of the leading media organizations in Uganda have withdrawn their journalists from Kawempe North citing safety concerns. In a post on X, Daniel Kalinaki the General Manager (Editorial) at NMG (U) said they were concerned about the increasing attacks on their journalists by security personnel. “We…
Journalists covering the election in Kawempe North by-election today have come under attack from security personnel with some having their equipment confiscated. NBS TV’s video journalist, Wasswa Hassan, was assaulted by gun-wielding men earlier today in Kazo-Angola, Bwaise, according to his colleague Canary Mugume. Wasswa told Bbeg Media that he had gone into hiding for…
To use the tired cliché, “It is the D-Day” in Kawempe North today as voters head to the polls to elect a replacement for Muhammad Ssegirinya, who died in January. The two main contenders are National Unity Platform’s Elias Nalukoola Luyimbazi, a seasoned city lawyer, and NRM’s Faridah Nambi, daughter of the party’s vice chairperson,…
No, I did not stop reading books. I don’t think I could even if I wanted to. There is a lot to read but I wanted to tell you about a special book I stumbled on that I have not in a long time. A dangerous book that can influence your mind, seduce, remind you…
Mengo has instructed its lawyers to sue Sam Mayanja, the minister of state for Lands, over his continued attacks on the kingdom regarding the Kaazi land. Christopher Bwanika, Buganda’s attorney general, told journalists today that they had decided to seek legal redress over Mayanja’s wayward utterances. “We have already instructed a team of lawyers from…
The Uganda Police Force (UPF) is looking for $62 million (about Shs 228 billion) to implement the third phase of the national CCTV project. This revelation was made by the Undersecretary of the Police Aggrey Wunyi while appearing before the committee on Defence and Internal Affairs yesterday. Wunyi said that the project is still at…
In a new twist, Charles Mwanguhya will resume his duties as host of The Frontline on NBS TV, after management considered that his circumstances were unique from those of other employees who have expressed interest in joining local politics in 2026. We reported last week that Mwanguhya had been taken off air after it emerged…
At least 83% of programmes run by USAID will be cancelled, according to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, in what is likely to represent a major reduction in US development assistance to Africa. The cancellation of 5200 contracts follows a rapid six week review into US aid spending by the administration of President Donald…
The Directorate of Citizenship and Immigration has destroyed over 158,000 passports because they have run out of storage space. Simon Mundeyi, the spokesperson of the directorate told journalists that the passpoers were worth an estimated Shs 40 billion. He said another 72,580 passports are set for destruction if their owners fail to claim them while…
More than ten days since Ibrah Miracle, a reporter with Top TV was beaten by security personnel while covering nominations for the Kawempe North by-election, his employer has remained silent. Neither has the media firm extended any firm financial assistance or issued a statement to condemn the brutality of security forces that day. Insider sources…
Police in Kenya have fired tear gas to disperse protesters who tried to occupy a church that was recently given a substantial donation by President William Ruto. The gift to the Jesus Winner Ministry in the Roysambu suburb of Nairobi of Kshs 20m (UGX 570 million) drew criticism from some young Kenyans struggling with the…
A delegation from the Forum of Parliamentarians in the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (PF-ICGLR) is in Uganda as part of a fact-finding mission on peace and security in the Eastern DR Congo. The delegation led by the Speaker of the National Assembly of Zambia and President of PF-ICGLR, Nelly Mutti Butete will…
During a memorial to honour the legacy of the late Eriya Kategaya at Kololo Ceremonial grounds on March 6, Richard Kaijuka told President Museveni that one of the deceased’s wishes was for the president to guide the country through an orderly and peaceful political transition. This statement created uneasiness and murmurs among some of the people…
MPs have criticized security agencies for their interference and excessive force used in the campaigns of the Kawempe North by-election raising concerns about electoral violence and the state’s approach to democracy. The condemnation of the actions of the security forces followed a statement by the Minister of State for Internal Affairs, David Muhoozi to Parliament…
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…
