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The management of King’s College Budo is seeking Shs14 billion to construct a new chapel, which will accommodate the ever-increasing student community.

According to the school headteacher, Can John Fred Kazibwe, the construction of the new chapel is expected to kick off next month, and a bigger percentage of the required resources has already been mobilised.

‘The entire project will cost Shs14 billion, but we thank God that very soon, we will be realising this target. We thank the good stewards of the church and individuals who have contributed and continue to contribute towards this noble cause,’ Can Kazibwe said during a fundraising dinner held at the school on October 24.

During the fundraising dinner, Shs888,932,575 was raised in cash and pledges toward a target of Shs1billion. This includes more than Shs705m received in cash and over Shs182m in pledges.

Justification

Can Kazibwe explained that the first chapel was constructed in 1912, but was later expanded in 1959 due to the growing student number, and that the current student population of 2600 necessitates the construction of a bigger chapel to accommodate them.

According to the architectural plan, the new chapel will boast a seating capacity of 3,000, catering for the spiritual needs of the school community.

Mr Kazibwe explained that it is critical to establish religious institutions in schools to nurture citizens of integrity who can be entrusted with public funds without engaging in corruption.

‘The Church needs people of character who can transform their communities. The challenge we have in most developing countries is that people cannot be trusted with public funds. The Church trains people to be honest, have integrity, and feel for others,’ he said.

He expressed gratitude to all those who have contributed to the noble cause.

Vision

Can Kazibwe said the new chapel is envisioned to complement an impressive array of facilities completed over the past four years, which have significantly enriched the educational environment and living conditions for students, such as the newly built Grace House, Australia House, and classrooms.

Former Bishop of Namirembe Diocese, who doubles as the chair of the Board of Trustees of Kings College Budo, Wilberforce Luwalira, was optimistic that the project would be successfully implemented, affirming that where there is a will, there is always a way.

Bishop Luwalira, who represented Namirembe Bishop Moses Banja at the fundraising, encouraged people to support the project as a way of honouring the Lord.

‘Giving is a generous gesture of worship. In fundraising efforts, either to build a church, buy equipment, or build a home for a pastor, we are invited to give, and whenever we give, we honour our God as we affirm that whatever we have comes from the hand of the Lord,’ he said.

Bishop Luwalira cited the example of David in the Bible who saw how people gave generously towards the building of the Temple in Jerusalem, and praised and exalted God. Mr Stuart Mwesigye, a parent, said giving back to the community should be every company’s social responsibility.

All leaders weighed and found wanting should be discarded in the 2025/2026 elections by Uganda’s youthful majority. With more than 75 percent of the population under 30, the country faces a decisive moment. These elections will reveal whether young people become a force for democratic renewal or growing frustration and instability.

The vote comes at a time of economic strain and low institutional trust. For many youth, elections are not just political events but measures of whether democracy can deliver inclusion and opportunity.

A population this young is a double-edged sword. It holds vast potential for innovation and productivity if empowered through education, jobs, and political inclusion.

Yet if young people remain excluded or perceive the process as unfair, grievances can quickly turn into unrest. Nearly half of Ugandan youth are NEET (neither in education, employment, nor training), with unemployment around 16.1 percent nationally.

In regions like Bukedi, NEET rates exceed 60 percent, reflecting deep structural inequality, conditions that will make the 2025/2026 elections a defining test of Uganda’s political and social future. It is fundamentally flawed to view youth as inherently predisposed to violence and impressionability.

Regarding the former, conflict studies show that stability depends less on age and more on how societies manage inclusion, opportunity, and expectations.

Many conflicts are driven by adults acting on unresolved grievances from their youth, revealing that marginalization and perceived injustice persist across generations rather than being a function of age. Additionally, viewing youth as a homogeneous group obscures the diversity of their experiences and capacities.

Uganda’s youth are shaped by intersecting factors such as gender, region, education, and social class. The realities of a university graduate in Kampala differ sharply from those of a rural farmer in Karamoja or a faith-based youth leader in Lira. Policies that treat youth as a single category risk excluding the very groups they seek to empower.

Concerning their supposed impressionable nature, adolescence and early adulthood are indeed phases of heightened cognitive and emotional development. However, openness to influence does not equate to susceptibility.

Young people’s responses depend greatly on context: those with access to education, mentorship, and civic participation tend to develop critical thinking and resilience, while those facing unemployment, exclusion, or misinformation may become more vulnerable to manipulation.

Therefore, portraying youth as inherently impressionable oversimplifies their agency and overlooks structural conditions that shape behavior. Investing in education, inclusion, and civic empowerment reframes youth not as passive risks but as active contributors to peace, justice, and societal renewal.

Despite challenges, young Ugandans have demonstrated resilience and agency. Youth-led organizations, faith-based institutions, and digital platforms have become active players in peacebuilding and political engagement.

Initiatives such as civic education campaigns, peace monitors, and interfaith dialogues foster transparency and understanding across divides.

Moreover, programmes such as private-public vocational partnerships aim to address unemployment and equip youth with relevant skills. Such programs offer a pathway toward economic inclusion and social stability, provided they are scaled and adapted to reach marginalized districts.

The key to safeguarding Uganda’s peace during electoral processes is rooted in addressing structural exclusion and promoting genuine participation consistently, not only during the electoral cycle.

Electoral laws, party nomination systems, media regulations, and social policies should be calibrated to ensure youth voices are meaningful and not merely symbolic. This approach also entails tackling regional disparities and investing in infrastructure, transport, and digital access, especially in rural and marginalised areas.

When young people feel their aspirations are acknowledged and their voices heard, they are more likely to participate constructively in democratic processes.

Uganda’s youthful population is one of its most significant assets if managed wisely.

Instead of viewing youth as a potential threat, policymakers and society at large should recognise their capacity to be agents of peace, innovation, and social cohesion. The upcoming elections can serve as a catalyst for transformative change, if structured around inclusion, justice, and shared responsibility.

Namuwongo Blazers are struggling to turn good starts to games into victories and now find themselves 2-0 down in the National Basketball League finals.

This follows Sunday night’s 90-83 loss to City Oilers at the Lugogo Indoor Stadium, which left the Blazers with work to do ahead of Tuesday’s Game Three.

The defending champions have heavily relied on their mid-season imports Chad Bowie and Kurt Wegscheider in the two games to pause tough questions for the challengers.

Bowie took charge in Game One, recording 29 points to deliver the victory. And it was Wegscheider who carried the gun in Game Two, shooting 10-for-20 from two-point range and two-for-four from downtown to silence the Lugogo crowd.

He also went 11-for-15 from the free throw line enroute to a game-high 37 points.

The 24-year-old was unplayable all game and kept the 10-time champions in the contest earlier on when the Blazers were firing from all corners.

Rogers Dauna’s lay up was counted after deliberations by the referees and that gave Oilers a 24-23 lead at the end of the first quarter.

Fayed Baale got hot late in the second frame, knocking down three triples as Oilers led stretched their advantage to four points (43-39) going into the halftime break.

Redemption time

Innocent Ochera started Game One on Friday but struggled to impress, scoring three points in 12 minutes.

The guard, however, sparked life into Game Two with his big plays in the third quarter giving the Blazers control of proceedings.

Ochera sank four of his eight three-point attempts and five of seven from inside the paint to record 23 points on the night.

His hand, however, got cold down the stretch in the fourth frame and the Blazers failed to get another hot hand to finish the game.

Joel Lukoji, who led the charge for the Blazers in Game One, went cold on Sunday, managing just five points.

Anthony Chukwurah was dominant in the paint, scoring 17 points and picking 14 rebounds but when the stakes were high in the fourth quarter, he had already accumulated five fouls and on the bench.

Jimmy Enabu recorded 11 points, eight rebounds and five assists but also failed to impact the game in the final moments.

Big task

On paper, Oilers are two wins away from clinching an 11th straight championship. But the Blazers still have the opportunity to make things right.

Victory on Tuesday night would swing the momentum ahead of Friday’s Game Four.

With Bowie having a somewhat quiet night (16 points, five rebounds and six assists) on Sunday, Wegscheider took charge. Veteran Ben Komakech hit three big threes to go home with nine points and five rebounds.

Stephen Nyeko’s charges have work to do in the series and how they close games will be important if they are to have a chance against Oilers.

JKL back in it

JKL Lady Dolphins responded to their Game One defeat by dominating Game Two to level series. The four-time champions relied on MVP Hope Akello and Brenda Ekone to win 52-38.

Akello recorded a double-double of 16 points and 21 rebounds while Ekone had 14 points. The Lady Jaguars struggled for offense on the night and had no player scoring in double figures.

National Basketball League Finals

Game Two results

Women: JT L. Jaguars 38-52 JKL (1-1)

Men: City Oilers 90-83 Nam Blazers (2-0)

It was merry-making at St Mary’s Cathedral, Rubaga, as Christians marked 100 years of the church’s existence. It was established in 1925.

In a joyous mass at a function presided over by President Museveni and attended by hundreds, church and the surroundings were adorned with beautiful decorations of white, yellow and blue, while beautiful flowers created a stunning visual tapestry that welcomed parishioners and visitors alike.

As the clock struck 9am, thousands of Christians began to gather, dressed in their finest attire. Men donned crisp suits and traditional wear while women radiated elegance in their colourful dresses. Bursting with energy, children clutched their parents’ hands and their faces lit up with curiosity and joy.

Outside the cathedral, those who missed entering the church due to the large numbers observed the mass on the screens. Families and friends exchanged warm greetings, their laughter mingling with the soft sound of hymns that floated through the open doors. Inside the cathedral, the joyous sounds of the choir echoed throughout the sanctuary, harmonising beautifully with the rhythmic beating of drums, setting the tone for a day of celebration.

The voices rose in unison, singing hymns of praise that resonated with the walls of the historic cathedral. President Museveni, who addressed the congregants, urged Christians to work hard and drive both the spiritual and economic transformation to improve the Christian livelihoods. He called on the priests to encourage Christians to engage in developmental projects like agriculture.

‘You Christians, priests, you must be hard-working; you must work. Even St Paul in the Bible said those who don’t work should not eat. Influence people by what you do, not what you say. People will learn from you,’ Mr Museveni stated.

He commended the Church for preaching his anti-poverty campaign. He particularly cited Kabale Diocese and its Bishop Callist Rubaramira and Rev Can Nathan Ahimbisibwe, the bishop of the newly-created South Ankole Diocese of the Church of Uganda, among other religious leaders who have spearheaded this campaign. He wondered why poverty still existed amongst the faithful yet the Christians and Muslims dominate Uganda’s population.

‘Besides doing what the Lord told you – to love the Lord with all your heart and love neighbours as you love yourself – I emphasise that you work to support the Church, State and families. I am not impressed by a Christian living in poverty, yet they can get out of it,’ the President said.

The mass was also attended Prime Minister Robinah Nabanjja, ministers, legislators and local government officials. The Buganda government was represented by Katikkiro (prime minister) Charles Peter Mayiga and Prince David Wasajja, among other officials Leaders of Catholics, Anglicans and Muslims were among the thousands who attended the historical mass, among other dignitaries.

Key issues

The Church condemned land grabbing, and called for peaceful elections. In his message to Christians before leading the mass, Kampala Diocese Archbishop Paul Ssemogerere recounted the significance of Rubaga Cathedral since its consecration in 1925, pointing out that it transformed millions of believers spiritually and socially. He reaffirmed that the Church will continue thriving as it navigates the modern era. ‘We reflect on the deeper message of faith and hope the cathedral symbolises.

It has stood through times of joy and trial, colonial times and independence, social changes, and now the globalised and digital age. May it continue to inspire holiness, unity, and love for God and country,’ Archbishop Ssemogerere prayed. He, however, expressed fear about the increasing cases of grabbing of Church land, stating that it hinders the Church’s projects.

‘The Church is in an intense land-grabbing crisis; the land that was given to us by the government, the Buganda Kingdom, and other generous people is continuously being taken by people who don’t fear to touch the wealth of God,’ Archbishop Ssemogerere said. He further stated: ‘Land grabbing does not only affect the church land but also other institutions and private individuals.

Mr Museveni, we encourage you and your government to continue doing well for the common goal of all Ugandans without discrimination.’ He called for peace, harmony and justice as Uganda heads to the 2026 General Elections, appealing Ugandans to peacefully vote for the leaders of their choice.

Archbishop Ssemogerere urged political, religious, and community leaders to provide proper guidance on maintaining peace and unity to avoid conflicts, for Uganda to continue shining as the ‘Pearl of Africa’.

Kabaka on constitutional reforms

In his message, delivered by Buganda’s Prime Minister Mayiga, Kabaka of Buganda Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II acknowledged the Church’s influence in the spiritual and social transformation of Ugandans. He called for continued preaching against injustices and human rights violations. ‘We call upon the Church to continue with advocacy against human rights violation, discrimination based on tribe, religion and political affiliations,’ Kabaka Mutebi said.

He also advised the youth not to be misled by those in power and involve themselves in corruption, expressing fear that Uganda’s political future is being destroyed due to the quality of leaders we have, who only priorities their selfish interest at the expense of suffering Ugandans. ‘This is the right time to combine our voices to ask the leaders to engage in dialogue on injustices, fair distribution of Uganda resources, and constitutional review for a better future,’ Kabaka Mutebi added.