The 2025 annual report of the Office of the Auditor General has revealed that many Parish Development Model (PDM) priorities are not aligned with local government work plans, leading to funding gaps, budget deficits and stalled implementation. Handing over the report to Speaker Anita Among, the Auditor General Edward Akol said the mismatch between national…
Emmanuel Sserunjogi, of the National Unity Platform (NUP), has retained his seat as mayor of Kawempe Division after defeating the ruling NRM flag bearer, Farouk Buliime, in the just-concluded local government elections. According to results announced by the Kawempe Division returning officer, Jennifer Kobusingye, Sserumjogi polled 23,718 votes, while Buliime garnered 18,485 votes. However, the…
Fredrick Ruhindi, the MP-Elect for Nakawa East, has revealed that he defeated National Unity Platform’s Waiswa Mufumbiro, fair and square, in the hotly contested race. Many people had expected Mufumbiro, who remains incarcerated at Luzira Prison, to win. However, Ruhindi sprung a surprise in the eyes of many when he won the race. Speaking to…
Goldmine Finance has been stopped from removing a telecommunications mast owned by Towerco of Africa Uganda in Bugolobi, Kampala, pending the hearing of an appeal. Towerco of Africa Uganda, formerly Ubuntu Towers Uganda, is a licensed provider of telecommunications infrastructure. It constructed a mast on land at Plot 35, Princess Anne Drive, Bugolobi. The land,…
President Museveni has instructed newly elected Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) representatives to Parliament to serve primarily as “observation posts”. Museveni, who is also commander-in-chief of the UPDF, made the remarks on Tuesday while presiding over the election of UPDF representatives to the 12th Parliament at the Land Forces headquarters in Bombo. During the Defence…
The Chief of Defence Forces, Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, is set to officially join the 12th Parliament as one of the 10 representatives of the army. The Army Council convened today at Bombo Barracks to elect its representatives to Parliament. The meeting, chaired by President Museveni, was still ongoing by the time we went to press….
By John Musinguzi Deep felt congratulations, comrade Gen Yoweri Museveni, Uganda’s ninth president, for winning the contest for your ninth term in office: 1986 to 1990, 1990 to 1996, 1996 to 2001, 2001 to 2006, 2006 to 2011, 2011 to 2016, 2016 to 2021, 2021 to 2026, and now 2026 to 2031. May you rise…
Sarah Bireete, the executive director of the Centre for Constitutional Governance (CCG), has been released on Shs1 million cash bail after spending about a month in detention. Bireete, who appeared at Buganda Road Chief Magistrates’ Court today, was ordered to deposit her passport with the court and was barred from leaving the country without permission….
The Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) has asked Parliament to approve Shs 10 billion to buy a helicopter to monitor national parks, rescue animals, and quickly transport veterinary doctors to injured wildlife. The request raised eyebrows among MPs, who questioned whether the figure includes maintenance, fuel, insurance and crew costs, or whether it only covers the…
Government has said National Unity Platform (NUP) leader Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine, is free to move and return to his home, dismissing claims that he is being hunted. The minister for Information and National Guidance, Dr Chris Baryomunsi, said the continued deployment of security personnel at Kyagulanyi’s home in Magere is purely for surveillance…
Andrew Benon Kibuuka, a prominent actor and playwright has been trapped in a dispute between two ladies over a piece of land he owns in Kasanje, Wakiso. Court records show that Sheila Shemererwa paid money to Sarah Kagonyera for purchase of the the land but the transaction collapsed after vacant possession was never delivered. Kibuuka,…
President Museveni has dismissed a Daily Monitor article that claimed Uganda has achieved nothing in the last 40 years under the National Resistance Movement (NRM), describing the assertion as false and misleading. Museveni made the remarks today while addressing supporters during celebrations to mark the 40th Liberation Day at Kololo Independence Grounds in Kampala. He…
The High Court has overturned tax assessments worth Shs1.24 billion that Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) had imposed on Britania Allied Industries Limited. In a detailed ruling, Justice Susan Odongo said URA acted “unfairly” and “unlawfully” by retrospectively changing its interpretation of customs law after approving Britania’s imports for nearly a decade. The dispute arose from…
There are diplomats who arrive announcing themselves. And there are diplomats who arrive already working. Zhang Lizhong belongs to the second category. In his typical casual Chinese navy blue shirt, Zhang carries no unnecessary noise. He keeps no performative distance. He returns calls. He listens carefully. He speaks sparingly. And when he speaks, it is…
The High Court has allowed Buildnet to defend a Shs146.3 million claim lodged against it by Fujian Industries Park, a Chinese firm contracted to carry out construction work on some of Buildnet’s projects. Buildnet is a prominent real estate development and management company in Uganda and has done several housing projects in Kampala and neighbouring…
The Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) executive director, Sharifah Buzeki, has warned that all private garbage collection companies operating in the city risk being summoned to explain what she described as persistent poor service delivery. Buzeki said several companies contracted by the authority were failing to meet their obligations despite residents paying the required monthly…
Last week’s parliamentary elections brought some shocks. Ssemujju Ibrahim Nganda was felled in Kira Municipality by NUP’s George Musisi. Abdu Katuntu’s long and tight grip on Bugweri was loosened by NRM’s Sadala Wandera, ending 25 years of his dominance there. Mathias Mpuuga, Medard Sseggona, and Muwanga Kivumbi, three of the most prominent leaders in Buganda,…
The Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) has assessed the progress of the Kiteezi landfill rehabilitation project, with officials saying works are nearing completion. The KCCA executive director, Sharifah Buzeki, has urged residents around Kiteezi to support the project by improving waste management practices, including waste reduction, recycling and proper garbage disposal. Buzeki, accompanied by her…
The National Resistance Movement (NRM) has outlined its key achievements ahead of its 40th Liberation Day celebrations scheduled for Monday, January 26, at Kololo Independence Grounds. This year’s celebrations will be held under the theme, “Tribute to the patriots who ushered in fundamental change.” Addressing the media at the Uganda Media Centre, the minister for…
The Mwanga II Magistrate, Adams Byarugaba, has warned defence lawyers representing nine accused persons in a blackmail case involving Pastor Robert Kayanja to stop what he described as repeated and unjustified excuses that have delayed the trial for years. The accused are facing charges of blackmail and conspiracy, arising from allegations that they attempted to…
Mawokota South MP Yusuf Nsibambi has said he feels voters treated him “like a pig” after he lost his seat to NRM’s Susan Nakawuki on January 15. Speaking to CBS Radio, Nsibambi described his defeat as driven by intrigue and religious influence rather than performance. “In Islam, you can’t allow a pig to die of…
The National Lotteries and Gaming Board (NLGB) has predicted that Ugandans will spend at least Shs 38.6 billion on gambling and betting per day, next financial year. This translates into Shs 14.1 trillion in a year. The projection was disclosed by the board’s chief executive, Denis Mudeni Winyi, while appearing before Parliament’s Finance Committee as…
Stanbic Bank has urged Ugandans to embrace a saving culture as a foundation for achieving long-term financial stability and economic growth. The call was made by Israel Arinaitwe, Head of Personal Banking at Stanbic Bank Uganda, as January draws to a close, a period often marked by financial strain following festive season spending. Arinaitwe said…
The Office of the Auditor General has asked Parliament for Shs 2.4 billion next financial year to roll out a new programme aimed at teaching citizens how to “identify corruption and misuse of public funds.” The money was requested by Stephen Kateregga, the Assistant Auditor General in charge of corporate affairs, while appearing before Parliament’s…
The Democratic Party (DP) has defended President Museveni’s victory in last week’s presidential election, saying the ruling NRM would not have secured the win without the support of their structures across the country. Kennedy Mutenyo, the DP electoral commission chief, said party leaders and supporters deliberately mobilised for Museveni after the party chose not to…
The appointment of Flavian Zeija as chief justice marks the culmination of his long, carefully managed rise through the judiciary and could open a new chapter for a crucial state organ that has increasingly come under public pressure to assert its independence and relevance. Zeija’s appointment follows the retirement of Alfonse Owiny-Dollo on January 18….
The Uganda Zurkhaneh team has won gold and silver medals at the recent World Cup championships held in Iran, according to officials of the Uganda Zurkhaneh Sports Association. Eddie Gombya, the association’s president, said the achievements marked a major milestone for the sport in Uganda and pledged to further promote Zurkhaneh, as well as wushu…
The Internal Security Organisation (ISO) has asked Parliament for an additional Shs 218 billion in the 2026/27 financial year to boost intelligence gathering and monitor the Parish Development Model (PDM). The request was made by Martha Banura, the deputy director for budget at ISO, while appearing before the Presidential Affairs Committee chaired by Alex Byarugaba…
Winnie Byanyima has appealed to the government to allow her husband, veteran opposition figure Dr Kizza Besigye, to access proper medical care, saying his health is rapidly deteriorating while in detention. Speaking to journalists at their home in Kasangati, Byanyima, the executive director of UNAIDS, said it was inhumane for the state to keep her…
For more than two decades, Fred Mukasa Mbidde, the vice president of the Democratic Party, has been a familiar face on our political stage. Even in a crowd of 1,000 people, Mbidde is unmistakable. He has enhanced eye-brows, dresses smartly, speaks eloquently, is confident, and is battle-hardened. He rose through student politics as a guild…
Frank Bulira Kabinga, the leader of the Revolutionary People’s Party (RPP) and a former presidential candidate, has accused the Electoral Commission chairperson, Justice Simon Byabakama, of declaring what he called fake election results. Bulira received 45,959 votes representing 0.4% of the total valid votes cast, placing him fifth among the eight contenders. President Museveni, the…
When members of the 12th Parliament take their seats in May, two names will quietly mark one of Uganda’s most unusual political reunions. Susan Nakawuki, elected MP for Mawokota South, and Emmanuel Magoola, the MP-elect for Busiro East, will share the same political space after close to two decades of separation, reinvention, and rivalry. Magoola…
Jet Tumwebaze has spent years defending President Museveni’s election victories in court. He was part of the legal team from Kampala Associated Advocates (KAA) that represented Museveni in the 2016 presidential election petition filed by former Prime Minister Amama Mbabazi. But last week, the lawyer found himself on the other side of the fence, crying…
Three days from now (January 22, 2026), voters in Kampala will make one of their most consequential decisions in years: whether to hand Erias Lukwago a fourth term or entrust the city to the National Unity Platform’s (NUP) Ronald Balimwezo. Many have dubbed it the “lawyer” versus the “engineer.” Does the city still need Lukwago’s…
President Museveni has formally received the declaration of his re-election as president of Uganda, pledging to prioritise poverty eradication, economic growth, unity, and disciplined governance in his new term. Museveni, the NRM candidate, secured more than seven million votes according to provisional Electoral Commission figures, representing 71% of the valid cast votes. His closest challenger,…
At around 9.00 PM on January 15, when results from Kira Municipality began coming in on election night, many residents struggled to believe what they were hearing. At Comboni Missionaries Grounds in Kyaliwajjala, where the counting and tallying had been concluded, National Unity Platform’s George Musisi had beaten the incumbent Ssemujju Ibrahim Nganda, with a…
Internet services in Uganda will be shut down today, Tuesday, January 13, 2026, the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) has announced. The move that had been anticipated for days was confirmed by a statement issued by Nyombi Thembo, the UCC executive director. UCC said it had taken the decision following a “strong reccomendation” from the Inter-Agency…
The chairperson of the Electoral Commission, Justice Simon Byabakama, has issued the final guidelines to the public as the country prepares for the 2026 general elections which are just a day away. He said the measures were intended to help ensure a peaceful, free and fair process. Addressing the media during the final demonstration of…
Government has ordered the immediate closure of the African Centre for Media Excellence (ACME), a respected media training institution in Africa, citing unspecified intelligence reports that its activities “threaten national security.” In a notice dated January 9, 2026, the NGO Bureau suspended ACME’s operating permit under Section 42(d) of the NGO Act Cap 109. The…
The High Court has restrained businessman Naris Nuwagaba and three others from using the name and brand “Team Thorough”, after finding that they infringed on a registered trademark owned by Team Thorough Business Mobilizers Cooperative Savings and Credit Society Limited. In a judgment delivered on December 2, 2025, Justice Susan Odongo ruled that the defendants…
More than 100 election observers under the Ushahidi Foundation have undergone training to prepare them to observe Uganda’s forthcoming general elections in January 2026. The training focused on the role of accredited observers, their conduct at polling stations and how to report irregularities. Jacinta Kasozi, an official from the Electoral Commission (EC), told the trainees…
He was a senior NRM official, and in the early 90s, he worked with Ofwono Opondo at the Movement Secretariat. The official was one of the few who had a landline in his office. One day, after he went for a lunch break, Opondo sneaked into his office, sat on his chair, and proceeded to…
Bishop Grivas Musisi of Dunamis Radio and Prayer Palace is reeling after a one Jed Daniel Kabanda fraudulently obtained more than Shs 487 million from him in 2024 after posing as an official from Uganda Communications Commission (UCC). At that time, Musisi had issues with his broadcasting license, and Kabanda claimed he could make everything…
Political, business and religious leaders in Ntungamo district have commended President Museveni and First Lady Janet Museveni for what they described as wise leadership that has guided Uganda’s transformation. Speaking at a corporate breakfast conference for the leaders held at Ankole Resort and Spa, Pastor Kayanja of Lubaga Miracle Centre, the main speaker at the…
The Director of Criminal Investigations, AIGP Tom Magambo, has warned that security agencies will act decisively against anyone who attempts to disrupt the electoral process, saying there will be zero tolerance for violence or disorder. Speaking two days to the January 15 general elections, Magambo said authorities were working day and night to ensure the…
Security agencies should remain vigilant against any form of vote rigging if Uganda is to hold peaceful elections, Moses Muhangi, an independent candidate for the Kampala Central parliamentary seat, has said. Muhangi told journalists in Kampala today that he had received what he described as “reliable information” about a planned attempt to manipulate votes in…
In 1974, Prof Khiddu Makubuya became the first Ugandan to be awarded a first-class degree in Law by Makerere University. However, before he could be awarded his first-class degree, the leadership of the Faculty of Law debated the matter. Three of them, including Sam Kalega Njuba, a law lecturer then, said in their view Makubuya…
Those of you who have gone to an upscale hotel in Kampala, like Serena Hotel, will have noticed that they now serve Aquelle Mineral Water brand to conference guests. Well, a South African firm, Credscan, claimed that “Aquelle” is its trademark and that Aquelle Beverages, the Ugandan company that makes the water, had infringed on…
President Museveni has urged NRM leaders in the Busoga sub-region to remain humble and embrace humility, unity, and discipline. Addressing thousands of NRM leaders from all Busoga districts at Iganga Girls’ Secondary School on Saturday, Museveni said leadership without humility breeds conflict and ultimately harms ordinary Ugandans, especially the poor. “So please, I ask you…
He was a minister in President Museveni’s cabinet and had a driver who had served him loyally for more than 15 years. He trusted the elderly driver so much and often consulted him on some issues. One day, one of his daughters claimed the driver had made a pass at her. The daughter said the…
