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Uganda and Kenya have agreed to develop a joint tourism marketing plan that showcases their complementary attractions to regional and international travelers.

The decision was made during a meeting between the Uganda Tourism Board (UTB) and Kenya Tourism Board (KTB) held on the sidelines of the ongoing Magical Kenya Travel Expo in Nairobi.

The three-day expo has attracted over 6,500 delegates from more than 40 countries, including 400 exhibitors and about 5,000 travel professionals. UTB Chairperson, Ms Pearl Hoareau Kakooza, emphasised the importance of collaboration rather than competition, given that Ugandans are the second-largest source of visitors to Kenya, while Kenyans top Uganda’s arrivals list.

“The only way to grow these numbers is through active collaboration, joint marketing, and private-public partnerships,” she said. “Uganda’s gorillas and River Nile, alongside Kenya’s Masai Mara and coastal beaches, can be marketed as complementary products.”

As part of the cooperation, the boards are considering joint roadshows, regional events, and familiarisation trips for tour operators. Kenya has already hosted Ugandan operators at its expos, while KTB has sent travel agents to sample Ugandan tourism products.

KTB Acting Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Allan Njoroge, said Kenya is determined to double the number of Ugandans visiting annually from the current 225,000, making Uganda its top source market ahead of the United States. “Tourists want multi-country experiences, not just one destination. So we must sell each other,” he said.

Uganda has standardised park entry rates for East Africans to match those paid by Ugandan citizens, a move designed to encourage regional travel. The partnership is also expected to feed into preparations for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), which will be co-hosted by Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania.

Both boards believe AFCON presents a major opportunity to boost sports tourism by bundling football with wildlife and cultural experiences. Mr Njoroge emphasised that the two countries are not competing but complementing each other’s strengths.

Concerns about poor health services, dilapidated housing, traffic jams, and weak drainage systems dominated as Alliance for National Transformation (ANT) presidential candidate Maj Gen (rtd) Gregory Mugisha Muntu began his Kampala campaign trail yesterday. After resting on the opening day of campaigns, Gen Muntu, contesting for the presidency for the second time, started in Kawempe Division and later concluded in Kampala Central. In Kawempe, he conducted door-to-door meetings where residents raised key issues.

‘We have a national referral hospital in Kawempe [Kirudu], but care is lacking. Most services are paid for, contrary to what the government says. There is no timely attention to mothers delivering at night. We need a president who will make basic health services free and affordable,’ said Ms Hajarah Nabukenya, a resident of Kawempe Ku Ttano. Mr Joab Atwine, a trader in Kisenyi, cited poor drainage systems that worsen during the rainy season. ‘The city was poorly planned and the president must revisit the drainage system.

When it rains, we are at risk of losing lives. I treated one of my children for typhoid three times last season,’ he said. Mr Imran Kasule, who is living with a disability, asked for inclusivity in government programmes. ‘We are rarely incorporated, despised, and discriminated against. We want free housing and non-interest loans to grow economically,’ he said. Ms Jane Nasanga, a trader, called for tax reforms.

‘Taxes in kilos for textiles and garments are threatening business. Our goods take a long time before clearance at URA. The tax regime must be revised,’ she said.

Mr Joel Wasswa of Kawempe pointed to corruption as the city’s biggest challenge.

‘Much as we cry about poor health, roads, and drainage, the root cause is corruption. Without eliminating corruption, nothing will improve,’ he said. In his address, Gen Muntu pledged to establish a robust transport system to address congestion. ‘The population keeps growing. In 20 years, Kampala could have 16 million people. Without a proper transport system, one will spend five hours in jam,’ he said.

He proposed widening roads, creating bus and ambulance lanes, and introducing rails for small commuter trains linking Kampala to major towns.

He also promised affordable housing through government construction projects. ‘As we build houses, we shall ensure citizens can afford them. If a person has a business, we must create favourable conditions so that they can purchase houses, with payments spread over a grace period,’ he said.

Kampala’s outskirts remain dominated by informal settlements with poor access to sanitation, waste management, and security. The 2024 Population and Housing Census showed that 55 percent of households rent single-room units commonly known as mizigo. According to the National Population and Housing Census (NPHC), Kampala has a daytime population of 2.5 million, with 1.79 million residents, nearly 300,000 of whom lack a household.

Youth unemployment is high, with 808,983 aged 15-24 not in employment, education, or training (NEET). Of Uganda’s 25.1 million working-age population (14-64 years), only 9.4 million are employed, 1.7 million of whom are in Kampala. The city faces severe air pollution, largely from heavy-duty vehicles.

Residents’ concerns

Hillary Akayizuka, boda boda cyclist: ‘Police officers flog us like dogs, and yet this is the only employment option we have. Many of us studied and failed to find jobs. The next president should be able to scrap all unnecessary fines and enforcements.’

Johnson Twijukye, army veteran: ‘I have served before in the army, but the circumstances under which one goes to get a retirement pension are crooked. There is a lot of theft that must be addressed because quite a number of mentally ill people on the streets are there due to disappointed hopes in such sectors.’

Imran Kasule, PWD: ‘We are rarely incorporated in government programmes, are despised and discriminated against. We therefore want inclusivity from whoever comes next.’

Police in western Uganda have launched a manhunt for a 25-year-old man accused of killing his father and grandmother inside their home on Monday night.

The incident occurred in Bulenge Zone, Kakuba Ward, Katooke Town Council, Kyenjojo District, according to Rwenzori West Police spokesperson SP Vincent Twesige.

Police identified the suspect as Allan Bainomugisha, who fled after the alleged killings. The victims were his grandmother, Molly Teo Tumusiime, 71, and his father, Dragon Bruce, 50.

A police report released Tuesday said Bainomugisha entered his grandmother’s house, where she lived with Bruce, and hid in the ceiling earlier in the evening while the two were at a nearby trading centre.

A granddaughter, only identified as Praise, told police she saw him but did not report it. She later heard Bruce praying at about 10:30 p.m., the last time she heard his voice.

‘After some hours, Praise heard Bruce crying out for help. Shortly after, Teo asked what had happened to him, but she received no reply. She then called her grandson, Muhumuza, to bring her a torch. As she moved to open the sitting room door, the suspect grabbed her,’ the report said.

It added: ‘The suspect then attacked her with a machete, cutting her several times. Muhumuza, who is 12, ran outside to alert his uncle, Ruhamire Joel, who lives nearby.’

Ruhamire told police that when he responded, he found the suspect still in the house. The man threatened to kill him too before fleeing. Ruhamire then reported the incident to Katooke Police Station.

Police officers who visited the scene recovered witness statements, collected blood samples, and conducted postmortems.

‘Tumusiime’s body was found in the doorway between her bedroom and the sitting room, lying in a pool of blood with deep cuts on her neck, right arm, ribs, and back. Dragon Bruce’s body was found lying on his back in his bedroom next to the sitting room. He had multiple injuries, including cuts on his chest, left ear, ribs, and a severe wound on his right thumb,’ police indicated.

Speaking to Monitor, Ruhamire said the killings may have been linked to a land dispute.

‘Shortly after Tumusiime gave land to her son, Bainomugisha came to his father saying he wanted to build a house there. When his father refused, Bainomugisha went ahead and brought construction materials despite the rejection. We suspect this disagreement could have been the cause of the murders,’ Ruhamire said.

He added that the children had earlier seen the suspect hide in the ceiling but did not question him since he often ate and stayed with them.

Police said investigations were ongoing and the hunt for Bainomugisha was underway.

Murders and road crashes claim about 25 lives in Uganda everyday, according to a 2024 annual police crime repoort.

Democratic Party (DP), the country’s oldest political party, will on Wednesday release its list of parliamentary aspirants for the 2026 elections while keeping the process open for new entrants.

Party president and Minister for Justice and Constitutional Affairs Norbert Mao told reporters that 230 aspirants have so far applied to contest on the DP ticket, alongside a record number of candidates for local council positions.

‘The full list will be out Wednesday, and we left our processes open because, as always, DP has been a political orphanage. We are releasing a preliminary list as we are still receiving applications from new candidates,’ Mao said.

He explained that candidate selection is guided by four criteria: ‘the journey of the candidate, their values, education, and skills.’

‘In DP, education is very important because we live in a global world. Our candidates must be able to represent us internationally, not those who spend their time shopping without understanding the issues being discussed,’ he said.

Mao stressed that the party now has representation even in districts where it previously had none, citing Oyam and Kwania.

‘I accept to be the chief campaigner for DP, and I am going to hit the road to face those who have been threatening our candidates. They have no reason to disturb DP candidates,’ he added.

The minister urged cooperation with the ruling government in educating citizens about their roles, while condemning threats against DP aspirants.

‘Education matters. We need to know people’s skills and academic level, not just pick individuals who have done nothing for the country. The biggest ‘skill’ some people think they have is insulting the government, which is useless,’ he added.

Mao said DP also considers the social connections of candidates to ensure voters are aware of their true character.

‘We have not closed our list of parliamentary candidates because we still have room to listen to people with good cases. All pretenders in Uganda politics will be exposed,’ he said.

Reflecting on the recent months, he said the party had been ‘purified’ and retained true believers. He advised those who lost in primaries not to run as independents.

‘Contesting as an independent is like driving a car without a number plate – if it crashes, how do you report? The election is ultimately a choice between two people. Candidates should focus on serving all citizens, not just themselves,’ Mao said.

Mao has already announced that he will not contest for the presidency in the 2026 general elections.

Christians at St Luke’s Anglican Church in Kirangira, Mukono Municipality, are rejoicing after a court ruled in their favor, allowing them to retain a four-acre piece of land long contested by a private claimant.

The Minister for Lands, Sam Mayanja, had in May 2024 ordered the church’s demolition following claims by James Sserwanga Lwanga, who alleged he inherited the land from his parents in 1985.

The minister instructed Archbishop Stephen Samuel Kazimba Mugalu of the Church of Uganda to oversee the demolition, prompting the church leadership to seek intervention from the President’s Office. The matter was subsequently referred to the courts.

Lwanga filed a case against the registered trustees of the Mukono Diocese in 2024, asserting ownership through documents including Busuulu tickets.

The diocese countered that it had occupied the land since 1974 following a donation from the late Diika Banoba and had maintained a school and church building on the land until 2019, when Lwanga’s claims intensified.

A key factor in the court’s decision was a previous ruling in Civil Suit No. M71 of 1994, which declared Lwanga’s mother a trespasser on the same land.

Acting Chief Magistrate Nassozi Rehema Ssebbowa ruled on September 15, 2025, that the current suit was barred under the doctrine of res judicata, upholding the diocese’s claim.

The church celebrated the ruling on September 27 with a thanksgiving service, during which 64 believers were confirmed by retired Bishop Eria Paulo Luzinda Kizito.

Samuel Ssebadduka, estates manager at St. Luke’s, described the relief felt by the congregation after enduring years of attacks, vandalism, and repeated fence destruction.

‘We have long suffered with these intruders who attacked our Reverend, destroyed windows, and cut barbed wire. But we are now happy and certain that whatever we put onto the land will stay,’ he said of the development.

Rev. Rogers Kityo, head priest at the church, stressed the importance of thorough investigations before issuing public directives. While ‘forgiving’ Minister Mayanja, he suggested an apology would help mend relations with the congregation.

Ruth Banoba, widow of the late Diika Banoba, criticized the slow pace of land transfer processes, which she believes contributed to attempts at land grabbing.

On his part, retired Bishop Luzinda condemned rising impunity in the country, warning against the loss of property to unscrupulous individuals.

Dr Sarah Daisy Ssonko, NRM flag bearer for Mukono Municipality and a church member, urged Christians to ‘utilize church land productively to protect it from grabbers.’

Hamz Stadium, in downtown Kampala, will host the 2025 IBSA Blind Football African Championship Division 2 due October 25-30, the Uganda Paralympic Committee has confirmed.

Five nations: South Sudan, South Africa, Kenya and Senegal have already confirmed entry into the tournament, joining Uganda, the hosts, while Zimbabwe is still navigating the possibility of late entry.

Driss El Mountaqi, a technical delegate from the International Blind Sport Association (IBSA), was in Kampala from September 18-20 and visited two stadiums for inspection.

In blind football, the players can only sense the ball by listening to the rings inside it, hence the need for a quiet environment.

The Moroccan inspector found KCCA FC’s Phillip Omondi Stadium inappropriate mainly due to the noise from the activity around the facility, especially traffic and construction, Patrick Synole, a UPC director administration, told Daily Monitor.

The inspector finally Okayed Hamz Stadium in Nakivubo appropriate to host the event.

‘Hamz Stadium is by far a better facility. Its artificial turf is finer, it has very modern dressing rooms and above all it is insulated from the noise outside the stadium,’ Synole said, echoing the inspector’s assessment.

Hamz Stadium, a private venture, replaced the legendary Nakivubo War Memorial Stadium, which was demolished in 2017 for redevelopment by businessman Hamis Kiggundu.

It was launched in June 2024 and has since hosted both legs of the Uganda-Burundi CHAN qualifiers in December, the East Africa Local Authorities Cultural Association (EALASCA) Games in February, the NEC vs Nairobi United Caf Confederations Cup first leg in September, and national events across disciplines.

The only issue with Hamz Stadium is the congestion in the access routes, still due to human and motor traffic. But Synole said

Rogers Mulindwa, the facility chairman, vowed to fix the problem to ensure easy access to-and-fro the stadium, Synole told us.

The inspector also chose Golden Tulip as the official Games hotel.

For different reasons Libya, DR Congo, Zambia, will not attend. But Blind Football Uganda president Muzafaru Jjagwe said everything is going to plan.

The government through the National Council of Sports is funding the tournament.

BRIEFLY

When: October 25-30

Venue: Hamz Stadium, Nakivubo

Host: Uganda

Teams confirmed: South Sudan, South Africa, Kenya, Senegal

Games Hotel: Golden Tulip

Host federation: Blind Football Uganda

Mother body: Uganda Paralympic Committee

Funder: National Council of Sports

The World Bank wants government to review tax holidays and exemptions because they have failed to deliver the promised investment boom.

Speaking at the 25th Uganda Economic Update in Kampala yesterday, Mr Qimiao Fan, the World Bank East Africa regional director, said with more than 600,000 new labour market entrants each year before 2030 and at least one million annually by 2040, Uganda must seek ways to mobilise more domestic revenue by broadening the base.

This, he said, could be done through closing loopholes and ensuring that high-net-worth individuals and large firms contribute fairly, as well as ‘reconsidering exemptions that erode the base and shift the burden to a shrinking pool of compliant taxpayers’.

World Bank economist Silver Namunane, on the other hand, said that whereas generous tax exemptions and the 10-year tax holiday were intended to stimulate new investments or reinvestments by large firms, this has not succeeded in fostering growth in firms’ fixed assets’.

‘Beneficiaries’ depreciation allowances are 2.6 to 3.3 times higher compared to group firms, indicating that benefiting firms are more likely to replace worn-out assembly lines or add minimal infrastructure rather than significantly expand assets,’ he said.

The 2023/24 Tax Expenditures Report estimates total revenue foregone in tax holidays and exemptions at Shs3.6 trillion, about 1.78 percent of gross domestic product and 13 percent of total tax revenues of Shs27.3 trillion.

Customs duty accounted for the largest share of Shs1.137 trillion, 32 percent of total tax expenditures, while foregone value added tax dropped from Shs1.113 trillion (0.61 percent of gross domestic product) in the 2022/23 financial year to Shs677b (0.34 percent) in the 2023/24 financial year.

Over the years, Finance Ministry data shows, between 2018 and 2023, total tax expenditures rose from Shs2.079 trillion to Shs2.972 trillion, but stayed broadly flat as a share of gross domestic product. While responding to the World Bank proposal, government signalled willingness to adjust but favoured calibration over abrupt repeal.

Acting Ministry of Finance Permanent Secretary and Secretary Treasury Patrick Ocailap, said government needed to ‘broaden the tax base instead of increasing taxes on the people of Uganda, highlighting the need to conduct a cost-benefit analysis of the tax reforms.

‘Rather than eliminate the 10-year tax holiday, we should closely monitor their activities and have a sunset clause for each’, he said.

The World Bank wants Uganda to tighten or scale back exemptions and holidays that are costing between 1.6 and 2 percent of gross domestic product per annum, while delivering limited investment gains.

Uganda is set to introduce a new long-acting HIV prevention drug, Lenacapavir, in 2026 under a United States-funded initiative, offering fresh hope in the fight against the epidemic. The twice-yearly injectable drug, developed by US-based Gilead Sciences, has been shown in clinical trials to prevent more than 99 percent of HIV infections among high-risk groups. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), Uganda is among the 10 high-burden countries selected to benefit through the US President’s Emergency Plan for Aids Relief (PEPFAR).

In a statement yesterday, the US Embassy in Kampala confirmed that the Ministry of Health, in partnership with the US Government, will roll out the drug next year. Priority will be given to individuals at highest risk of infection, including young women, pregnant and breastfeeding mothers, and key populations. US Ambassador William W Popp described the move as a milestone in Uganda’s HIV response. ‘This medicine is an excellent example of how American leadership drives innovation to save lives,’ he said, noting that Ugandan researchers contributed to the clinical studies that informed the breakthrough.

Gilead has committed to lowering costs and sharing intellectual property with generic manufacturers to enable large-scale production and long-term affordability. Officials project that up to two million people in high-burden countries could access the drug by 2028. As of late 2024, Uganda had an estimated 1.5 million people living with HIV, with about 730 new infections recorded every week.

While oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is available, experts believe the new twice-yearly injection will improve adherence and reduce new infections, especially among women and other vulnerable groups. To secure affordability, the US Government and the Global Fund are co-financing an advanced market commitment, with Uganda expected to use about $1.14m (about Shs4b) from its existing Global Fund grant to launch the programme.

Rollout strategy

The Ministry of Health has begun working on a national rollout strategy, engaging with generic drug makers to ensure sustainability. Up to two million people across the 10 beneficiary countries are expected to access the drug by 2028. Dr Herbert Kadama, Uganda’s national PrEP coordinator, said the injection could transform HIV prevention. ‘Since 2017, Uganda has provided oral PrEP to individuals at high risk of HIV. But adherence has always been a challenge, especially for young people and women who struggle to take a pill every day,’ he said. ‘The twice-yearly injection gives us an opportunity to overcome those barriers, reach people who drop off oral PrEP, and strengthen our prevention toolkit,’ he added.

Formal approval from the National Drug Authority (NDA) is required before wider use. Dr Hudson Balidawa, who oversees Global Fund HIV investments, said once authorised, the drug will be available through public programmes and private clinics. ‘Demand is expected to exceed initial projections. While the government budgeted for 17,000 people, assessments suggest up to 67,000 could benefit,’ he said. Preparations are underway to strengthen supply chains and train healthcare providers to meet the expected surge in demand.

Media reports suggest the drug could cost as much as $28,218 (Shs98m) per person annually if procured privately, but Uganda’s partnership with donors is expected to keep prices far lower. Officials stress that lenacapavir is not a cure for HIV but a preventive and immune-boosting treatment that will significantly expand Uganda’s HIV prevention options once rollout begins in 2026

At a glance

How it works: Given twice a year to block HIV infection.

Effectiveness: Clinical trials show more than 99 percent prevention of HIV infections.

Who benefits first: Young women, pregnant and breastfeeding mothers, and key populations.

Global rollout: Backed by PEPFAR and the Global Fund; up to 2 million people in 10 high-burden countries expected to benefit by 2028.

As the countdown to the 2026 General Election intensifies, Uganda’s political landscape is shifting from a battlefield of rallies to the theatre of narratives. The question is no longer just who has the best policies, but who can most effectively articulate them to capture the hearts and minds of the electorate. In the new political arena, I would like us to draw from the unlikely source of the Uganda Law Society presidential election. The surprise victory of the ‘legal rebel’ Isaac Ssemakadde was not a fluke. It was a revelation of precision-targeted strategic communication.

His campaign, built on a defiant, action-oriented mantra of ‘Bang the table!’, did not just promise change; it demonstrated the change. This is an approach that every political party must study for them to be triumphant. Ssemakadde identified a clear market gap: a membership (the electorate) fatigued by the talk and hungry for tangible action. His famous phrase, ‘Bang the table!’ was more than a slogan; it was a strategic positioning statement. It was memorable, actionable, and perfectly encapsulated his brand promise of assertive, uncompromising advocacy. His dress code was one that broke away from the traditional legal attire. His record of public interest litigation provided the credibility that backed his brand up.

As Uganda’s diverse political parties gear up for 2026, applying this strategic lens could be the difference between victory and defeat. The National Resistance Movement (NRM) over the past years has fronted the incumbent, whose strategy has historically been one of stability and continuity, communicated through a vast and structured network, ‘Steady progress.’

The challenge beyond 2026 will move beyond listing past achievements to crafting compelling, forward-looking narratives that resonate with the overwhelming young population. Their communication must strategically address the future opportunities, innovation and stability-making them feel inevitable and secure under the NRM umbrella. ‘Protecting the gains’ is a well thought through slogan to drive the incumbent’s 2026 campaign. The Natonal Unity Platform (NUP), fronting itself as the primary Opposition force, bears a strength in its energetic base and powerful grassroots messaging, ‘Foot Soldier.’

NUP faces a strategic challenge to evolve from a protest movement vote, as depicted in the 2021 General Election to a government in waiting. This transformation requires a disciplined, policy-centric communication strategy that expands its appeal beyond its core supporters. NUP ought to leverage its digital savvy to move from mobilising outrage to inspiring hope with a clear, actionable plan for governance. The Forum for Democratic Cchange, Democratic Party, Peoples Front for Freedom , Alliance for National Transformation, among other parties, are at risk of fading into irrelevance amid the NRM-NUP polarisation. The strategic direction of these parties is to have an established strategic plan to communicate to their niche market.

The 2026 elections will not be won by the party that speaks the loudest but by one that speaks the clearest and most convincing truth to the right people. The party that understands that politics is no longer just about patronage and mobilisation but more about branding, positioning, and strategic communication.

The trial of 12 environmental activists accused of staging an unlawful demonstration against the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) took a new turn on Wedensday after the defence rejected a prosecution request to introduce a CCTV footage request letter as evidence.

During the hearing before Buganda Road Court, presided over by Grade One Magistrate Winnie Nankya Jatiko, two police officers narrated how the accused were arrested on Nile Avenue in Kampala while allegedly blocking traffic and carrying placards.

Police Constable Delma Oceng testified that while on patrol duty around Yusuf Lule Road and Nile Avenue, he found a group of protesters seated in the middle of the road.

“They were holding banners, others putting on orange t-shirts and reflectors,” Oceng said. “We parked our motorcycles and told the accused to leave the road, but they refused.”

The witness identified the banners bearing inscriptions against the pipeline, which the prosecution sought to tender as exhibits. Defence lawyers objected, but the magistrate overruled them and admitted the banners, ruling that the witness had properly identified the items.

During cross-examination by the defence led by Mr Samuel Wanda, Oceng admitted he did not personally arrest any suspect but only removed placards from the protesters. He named his colleagues as Aturo Rebecca and Commander Alex Bende. Asked whether wearing an orange t-shirt amounted to an offense, Oceng replied, “It depends on where you are.” He further told the court that, in his view, peaceful demonstration also constituted a public nuisance.

Another witness, Detective Ronald Tayebwa, the investigating officer from the CID department at Central Police Station Kampala, testified that he received the protesters after they were brought in by field officers. “They were seated in the middle of the road, their act was inconveniencing other road users,” Tayebwa said. “When I received them, I recovered seven t-shirts, 18 placards, four banners, and two reflectors.”

Tayebwa added that he interviewed two suspects, Akram Katende and Noah Katiti, who admitted to possessing the t-shirts after reading an online call to join the demonstration and deliver petitions to Stanbic Bank and the European Union. It was during his testimony that the prosecution made reference to a letter allegedly requesting CCTV footage, which the defence immediately opposed.

Defence lawyer Wanda told the court, “We do not understand the letter being referred to in court. It was never disclosed to us, and the witness is not even the author. The state has now brought in another request for evidence CCTV footage which was made on September 8, a few days after we had appeared for the first hearing. This is to fabricate evidence we do not have control over.”

The prosecution countered that the accused persons had not denied signing the statements, arguing that the issue raised was about whether the statements were read back to them. However, the trial magistrate directed the state to ensure full disclosure, saying, “In the interest of justice, prosecution should make disclosures to the defence team.”

The case was adjourned to October 16 for continuation of the hearing, with the 12 activists returned to remand.

Background

The activists, including members of the group Students Against EACOP Uganda, were arrested in August during a sit-in protest at Stanbic Bank’s headquarters in Kampala. They demanded that the bank withdraw financing for the $5 billion pipeline project, citing environmental harm, forced evictions, and unfair compensation of affected communities. Police dispersed the protesters with tear gas before arresting a dozen of them. They were remanded to Luzira Prison in the absence of legal representation and charged with unlawful assembly and public nuisance.

The EACOP project, spearheaded by TotalEnergies and CNOOC, has drawn global criticism, with 43 banks and 29 insurers reportedly ruling out support. Activists say Stanbic’s continued participation violates climate and human rights obligations. The case returns on October 16, when the state is expected to have shared all requested disclosures with the defence.