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The national senior women’s cricket team – Victoria Pearls – did not do anything special to draw first blood in the Victoria Twenty20 International Series against visitors Canada in Lugogo on Monday.

Yes, they expectedly bowled out the North Americans for 67 runs in 19 overs before chasing the total for a seven-wicket victory with 48 balls to spare.

But the day was engineered by medium-pace bowler Kevin Amuge. The 20-year-old picked up her player-of-match accolade with grace and delight after she garnered four wickets for 14 runs on her best day in T20 Internationals.

‘I am so happy. I want to thank my teammates,’ Amuge said. ‘We came up with a plan and that’s the plan we followed in this particular game.’

She made her T20I bow only in June during the Kwibuka T20 Peace Cup in Kigali, Rwanda. And only her debut statistics: figures of 5/19 against Sierra Leone are better than Monday’s.

In nine T20Is, Amuge was humbled to shine in front of her home audience on a cloudy afternoon with two catches to supplement her bowling craft.

‘I want to dedicate this award to captain Janet Mbabazi and the rest of the players because they kept motivating me, because whenever they hit, they kept telling me to come back and work harder,’ she added.

The five-match Series which resumes this morning is for Canada to seek growth on their visit to Africa. Canada has played just 21 T20I matches since 2019 and so facing Uganda and later a tour of Tanzania gives coach Rizwan Cheema’s much-needed playing time.

And there are areas to work today. ‘We are glad to be here and we are enjoying the weather,’ remarked Canadian skipper Amarpal Kaur who top-scored for her side with 18 runs off 31 balls.

Canada was frustrated with the bat further by Immaculate Nakisuyi (2/15), Naome Amongin (1/11) and Sarah Akiteng (1/15) while Consy Aweko (0/10) picked a maiden in her three-over spell.

‘We bowled really well according to our plan but we didn’t execute our batting plan. I think we will take positives from our bowling. It’s a good batting wicket, we just need to,’ added Kaur.

Kaur will hope the opening batters in Achini Perera, Vandana Mahajan and Jasmina Oldham can offer a better start. But of course, Mbabazi are looking at getting better too.

“We want to make sure there’s a plan and we just have to be intentional about where the bowling, creating pressure, trying to pick the wickets,’ stated Mbabazi who led the successful chase with four boundaries in a 34-ball 37.

‘We should have batted for a maximum one wicket or no loss,’ added Mbabazi. The Pearls lost wickets but Nakisuyi (15 off 16) and Rita Musamali (9 off 12) did just enough to end the tie in less than 150 minutes.

CANADA WOMEN’S TOUR OF UGANDA

VICTORIA T20 BILATERAL SERIES

TUESDAY AT LUGOGO (10AM)

2nd T20I: Uganda Women vs. Canada Women

RESULT

Canada Women 67/10 Uganda 68/3

(Uganda Women won by 7 wickets with 48 balls remaining)

VICTORIA PEARLS SQUAD: Janet Mbabazi (C), Esther Iloku, Immaculate Nakisuyi, Rita Musamali, Stephanie Nampiina, Proscovia Alako, Kevin Awino, Consy Aweko, Sarah Tino, Sarah Akiteng, Naome Amongin, Kevin Amuge, Jimia Mohammed, Teddy Oyella

After a shocking diagnosis at just 32, Justine Tebyasa fought through fear, chemotherapy, surgery, and radiotherapy to reclaim her life. Today, she shares her journey to inspire others and highlight the importance of early detection, treatment, and family support.

Every October, as the world turns pink to raise awareness about breast cancer, thousands of women in Uganda are reminded of the fragility and preciousness of life. Behind every statistic is a mother, sister, or daughter who has faced fear and chosen hope. One such woman is Justine Tebyasa, who was just 32 when she received a life-changing diagnosis.

In October 2015, Tebyasa visited her family doctor’s clinic with her three-month-old baby and eight-year-old daughter, both of whom were suffering from the flu. While there, she decided to undergo a full-body check-up.

For months, Tebyasa had been suffering from recurring fevers, but her malaria tests always returned negative. She had also noticed small lumps under her left armpit, which she at first, dismissed as a breastfeeding infection, especially since her baby refused to feed from her left breast.

‘My children have never liked the left side; they always preferred the right, which made my chest look unbalanced. I thought it was simply milk that had overstayed in the breast,’ she recalls.

However, her doctor had a different opinion. He advised her to undergo a biopsy, which left her feeling deeply unsettled. She went to St Catherine Hospital, where samples were taken and sent to MK Labs. The one-week wait for the results felt like an eternity.

‘I could not eat. Instead, I spent all my time on the internet, reading about breast lumps and terrifying myself,’ she says.

The diagnosis

When the results were ready, Tebyasa asked her husband and sister to accompany her. The report did not mention the word “cancer,” so for a brief moment, she felt a sense of relief. However, the doctor soon explained that she had invasive ductal carcinoma, a form of breast cancer.

‘My heart sank. My sister wailed as though I were already gone. But the doctor reassured me that with the right treatment, I could overcome it. That gave me hope because I had a three-month-old baby, and I wanted to live for her.’

Tebyasa’s paternal aunt had also suffered from breast cancer, which increased her own risk due to family genetics. The doctor emphasised that the disease would require aggressive treatment.

Facing the cancer institute

At the Uganda Cancer Institute, Tebyasa underwent additional tests to determine the stage of her cancer and to assess whether her vital organs, such as her lungs, heart, and kidneys, had been affected.

‘It took two weeks to complete all the investigations. Fortunately, the cancer had not spread to any organs, although it was already at stage IIIA,’ she says.

However, due to the overwhelming number of patients at the institute, she had to wait another week to see a doctor and receive a treatment plan.

By January 2016, the treatment plan was finalised: she would undergo three cycles of chemotherapy, followed by surgery to remove her left breast, then radiotherapy, and finally another three cycles of chemotherapy.

The harsh side of chemotherapy

Chemotherapy was extremely challenging. ‘Some drugs were available at the institute, but others had to be purchased from outside, which was very expensive,’ she explains.

The treatment caused mouth sores and severe burns along her digestive tract, making it almost impossible to eat. ‘I forced myself to eat because I knew I had to stay strong. My family was my biggest source of support,’ she says.

At this point, Tebyasa moved back to her parents’ home. She had already stopped breastfeeding her baby after receiving the diagnosis.

‘I did not worry about my children because they were well cared for by my parents and my husband’s family. All I had to do was focus on surviving.’

Surgery and radiotherapy

After three rounds of chemotherapy, Tebyasa underwent a mastectomy to remove her left breast. Soon after, she was flown to Aga Khan Hospital in Nairobi for radiotherapy since the radiotherapy machine at the Cancer Institute had broken down.

She spent six weeks in Nairobi for treatment. ‘It was tough. My immunity was so low, and emotionally I hit rock bottom. Losing my breast and my hair shattered my self-esteem. I avoided visitors, had mood swings, cried over small things, and often lashed out in anger.’

A survivor’s new life

By February 2017, Tebyasa had completed her treatment. She was then placed on daily hormone suppressants and scheduled for regular reviews; first monthly, then quarterly, and eventually yearly.

Today, she is a nine-year breast cancer survivour.

‘I learnt that treatment does not work if you are in denial. You must accept your fate and commit to the treatment. That is what kept me alive. Now I counsel cancer patients for free because I know exactly what they go through.’

She has also made significant lifestyle changes. ‘I observe my diet and prioritise my health. I want to live long enough to see my children grow.’

Like many survivors, her biggest fear is a relapse. ‘It scares me whenever a doctor orders an extra test outside the usual routine. My heart races because I dread hearing that the cancer has come back.’

Even as a survivor, Tebyasa admits life never goes back to what it was before. ‘Cancer leaves permanent scars. I am less productive than I used to be. My immunity is weak, I experience fatigue and nerve damage, and I went into early menopause. Even though I was self-employed, I could not lift heavy things or work for long hours.’

Lessons from her Journey

Despite the scars, Tebyasa says cancer gave her a new perspective on life. ‘Now I live more intentionally. I know every day is a gift. I have also learnt the importance of early diagnosis. If you notice unusual changes in your body, please do not ignore them. Go for a medical check-up.’

She also believes that community support is critical. ‘My parents, siblings, husband, and in-laws carried me through this journey. Without them, I do not think I would have made it. No cancer patient should walk this road alone.’

‘Cancer is not the end. Yes, it is a tough battle, but with faith, medical care, and family support, survival is possible. I am living proof. I want every patient to know they can fight and win.’

Her journey stands as a reminder to Ugandan families that behind every cancer patient is a story of courage, resilience, and the undying will to live.

Five men have been committed to the High Court to face trial on allegations of financing and aiding the operations of the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), a designated terrorist organisation.

The accused, Abubaker Swalleh alias Mupeeta Isaac, Dog City, Fujo Boxer, or Kivuruge Tom, Sulaiman Nsubuga alias Nkata Ibrahim or Mzee Lweza, Giry Girmaley Batange alias Magufuli, Kalanzi Augustine and Mubiru Anthony alias Aspect appeared before Buganda Road Chief Magistrate’s Court on Monday.

Chief Magistrate Ronald Kayizzi told the accused, “You are hereby committed to the High Court for trial at the next convenient High Court session. Each of you will receive a copy of the indictment, the summary of the case, and the amended charge sheet to prepare your defence.”

The indictment, dated October 2025 and signed by Assistant DPP Thomas Jatiko with the consent of DPP Jane Frances Abodo, charges the five with terrorism financing, membership in a terrorist organisation, and contributing to the resources of a terrorist organisation under the Anti-Terrorism Act, Cap 120.

According to the prosecution, Abubaker played a central role in collecting and transferring funds to support ADF activities between 2018 and 2024 across several countries. He allegedly operated a Binance cryptocurrency account under a false name, through which he received and traded over 24,000 USDT for the benefit of the ADF.

The funds were allegedly used to purchase arms, ammunition, power banks, and other supplies for the group.

According to court documents, Abubaker Swalleh was allegedly recruited into ADF in 2017 after radicalisation at Usafi Mosque in Kampala and later linked up with senior ADF commanders.

Nsubuga, a cleric from Lweza, allegedly received funds from Swalleh and used them to recruit and radicalise youths for the ADF, including suspects in the 2021 Kampala suicide bombings. Batange, Kalanzi, and Mubiru are accused of receiving money to procure firearms from South Sudan and deliver them to Kampala.

The state intends to rely on various evidence, including mobile money printouts, cryptocurrency analysis reports, and charge and caution statements, to prove the charges. Medical reports confirmed that all five accused were mentally fit to stand trial.

If convicted, the offences attract life imprisonment under the Anti-Terrorism Act.

The government has commended Bujagali Energy Limited for developing and sharing its Dam Break Emergency Response Plan, and for taking the initiative to educate other actors in the energy sector on how to respond in case of a disaster.

In a speech read on her behalf by Mr Julius Wabula, the assistant commissioner for Hydropower Generation at the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development, Ms Irene Batebe, the Permanent Secretary, said as Uganda continues to expand access to electricity, all hydropower dam operators must ensure their facilities are safely constructed, closely monitored, and equipped with emergency response systems to protect the public in the event of natural disasters.

‘Today’s discussions have reaffirmed one important truth – dam safety and emergency preparedness are not optional. They are integral to sustainable hydropower operations and public safety,’ Ms Batebe said during a sensitisation workshop in Kampala last week.

‘Our power infrastructure along the Nile- from Nalubaale, Kiira, Bujagali, Isimba, to Karuma – forms a critical cascade that supports Uganda’s energy security, economic growth, and regional power trade,’ she added.

The Permanent Secretary emphasised that it is a shared responsibility for all players in the hydropower sector to ensure these facilities are operated safely, continuously monitored, and equipped with robust emergency response systems to address disasters whenever they occur.

The Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan (EPRP) sensitisation workshop for the country’s hydroelectric supply industry was hosted by Bujagali Energy Limited.

According to Mr Alastair McDougall, the general manager of Bujagali Energy Ltd, the event marked a major step toward strengthening emergency readiness across the hydropower sector. It brought together experts, regulators, academics, and emergency response authorities to share insights, build capacity, and enhance collaboration for safer energy operations.

Ms Batebe applauded Bujagali Energy for developing, testing, and openly sharing its emergency plan with the public and relevant agencies. She said this initiative will encourage regular plan reviews, joint emergency exercises, and promote a culture of readiness within the sector. She also argued that community sensitisation and data sharing between dam operators and the ministry should become part of Uganda’s early warning system.

Explaining why Ugandans should care about dam safety, Mr Michael Taremwa Kananura, the chief finance officer of Bujagali Energy, said a dam break could unleash massive flooding downstream, damaging infrastructure, homes, and businesses.

‘Although Uganda has never experienced a dam breakdown, and we don’t anticipate one, our risk assessments identified dam failure as a potential hazard with far-reaching consequences,’ he said.

‘That’s why we designed a response plan to ensure that, if such an event ever occurred, no lives are lost.’

He added that while Uganda and East Africa have not suffered such disasters, similar incidents in Nigeria demonstrate why preparedness is vital.

‘If it happens here, everyone downstream would be affected because all the water stored in one place would be released,’ he warned.

Asked whether Nalubaale Dam, Uganda’s oldest, poses any safety risks, Ms Anne Gitta, who oversees monitoring and maintenance of civil structures at Kiira and Nalubaale dams, said recent studies show the structures remain stable and sound.

She explained that the dams undergo regular safety assessments and instrument readings to ensure they perform as expected, and that emergency plans are in place to prevent ripple effects along the cascade if one dam fails. ‘I thank Bujagali Energy for taking the lead on this sensitisation,’ Ms Gitta said.

Operations

‘It’s critical to understand how dams operate and the risks associated with them. While such incidents are rare, their consequences can be devastating. All operators must work together with relevant agencies, because a dam collapse affects everyone downstream,’ she explained.

She stressed that Uganda must not take dam safety for granted. ‘If it has happened elsewhere in the world, it can happen here too and we must be prepared to respond,’ Ms Gitta said.

Operations

‘It’s critical to understand how dams operate and the risks associated with them. While such incidents are rare, their consequences can be devastating. All operators must work together with relevant agencies, because a dam collapse affects everyone downstream,’ she explained. She stressed that Uganda must not take dam safety for granted. ‘If it has happened elsewhere in the world, it can happen here too and we must be prepared to respond,’ Ms Gitta said.

Residents of Kanungu District in southwestern Uganda are struggling with the poor state of community access roads, which they say has affected their daily earnings.

They attribute the sorry state of the roads to the government’s decision to merge the Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) into the Ministry of Works and Transport, a move they claim has led to inconsistencies in road maintenance and service delivery.

Some of the roads in poor condition include Hamurwa, Rugyeyo-Kambuga road, Kanungu-Nyamirama, Katete-Kihihi, and Kanungu-Rugyeyo-Kabaranga. Mr Martin Byarugaba, a tea farmer and resident of Rugyeyo sub-county, said most of the community roads are in appalling condition, affecting the transportation of agricultural produce to markets.

“The food trucks are forced to load half their capacity so that they can maneuver through the rough roads,” Byarugaba said, adding that the state of the road has been worsened by floods that cut through the roads, creating deep gullies and potholes.

M Christine Kobusigye, a banana farmer and resident of Kambuga town council, said the Kambuga-Kanungu town council road has become impassable because it was last rehabilitated six years ago.

“We are counting losses due to exorbitant transport costs because of the poor road network in the district,” she said.

Mr James Muhwezi, a businessman in Kanungu town, said they are forced to increase the prices of their commodities to meet the high transport costs. He blamed the district authorities for neglecting their roles. “The government should intervene before the situation worsens. The roads are surely in poor condition and need to be rehabilitated,” Muhwezi said.

Mr. Godfrey Mujuni, a boda boda cyclist, said the piles of stones on the road spoil their motorcycle tires during transportation of commodities and passengers, forcing them to hike transport costs. “Apparently, we charge between Shs 15,000 to Shs 20,000 to take a passenger within the district and outside the district (Rukungiri town), we charge from Shs 25,000 to Shs 30,000,” Mujuni said.

The Rugyeyo cell LC1 Chairperson, Mr. Jimmy Baheza, said the poor state of roads is worrying both the community and business persons who depend on agriculture to earn a living. “The situation is not good at all. Farmers are lacking access to market centers for the transportation of their agricultural produce because of the sorry state of community roads,” Baheza said.

The Nyakabungo Town Council Mayor, Mr. Frugence Mugisha, said the poor road condition has caused great suffering among road users, affecting the transportation of goods and leading to frequent vehicle breakdowns. “Many other roads across our district are also in poor condition, and their poor state greatly disrupts the local transport network and economic activities,” Mugisha noted.

Mugisha blamed the government for merging UNRA with the Ministry of Works and Transport, saying that during the UNRA era, major roads like Kanungu-Rugyeyo road were regularly maintained and properly fitted with drainage culverts. “The current inconsistency of the ministry of works and transport has greatly led to widespread deterioration of road infrastructure,” Mugisha added.

The Kanungu district speaker, Mr. Frank Byaruhanga, urged the government to always consult local communities before making major policy decisions, emphasizing that people on the ground understand rural challenges better. “The roads are in a very poor state, and locals face a lot of hardships in trying to access market centers. The district should quickly intervene and work on some roads that link farmers to market centers,” Byaruhanga said.

The Kanungu district roads engineer, Mr. Dennis Magezi, said the district did some grading but heavy rains that lasted for three weeks made the roads impassable. He added that they are soon rehabilitating all community access roads in this financial year.

The district chairperson, Eng. Sam Kajojo, said his administration has budgeted Shs 102 million for the rehabilitation of all community access roads this financial year. “Very soon, we shall start working on their roads. We are also overwhelmed by too much rain that is currently hitting the district on a daily basis. These rains destroy roads, making them impassable,” Kajojo said.

Eng. Alison Abenawe, the former UNRA Manager for Kigezi Sub-region and now overseeing roads under the Ministry of Works and Transport, expressed regret over the poor state of the Kanungu-Rugyeyo-Kabaranga road. “The Ministry is aware of the problem, but I am assuring you that plans for rehabilitating roads within this financial quarter are underway,” Abenawe said, adding that by December 2025, the roads will be fully rehabilitated.

A total of 22 Senior Four candidates who missed writing their Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE) examinations, which kicked off last week, will have to wait for a full year to sit the papers, the Uganda National Examinations Board (Uneb) has announced.

Uneb spokesperson Jennifer Kalule said the examinations body only learnt about the candidates’ predicament a day before the national exams began on October 13, making it impossible to include them among those scheduled to sit the papers.

‘We came to know about the matter on Sunday, and exams were for the following day [Monday]. Where do you start fixing them when exams are in the morning?’ she wondered.

‘So it was difficult for us to register them. I wish it were one candidate; it would be okay to help him or her at the last minute. But since they were many, it was really impossible. Remember their schools have no centre numbers. We have also established that their teachers did not submit their continuous assessment and project work to us,’ she added in an interview on Friday last week.

The affected candidates are from two schools, Cream Field Vocational Secondary School in Nakifuma, Mukono District, which has 15 candidates, and Bizmark High School in Mityana Municipality, which has seven. Only three candidates at Cream Field Vocational SS were registered to sit the final exams.

So far, the affected candidates have missed eight papers which were done last week. Ms Kalule said Uneb managed to assist some candidates whose issues were brought to their attention by October 10.

‘On Friday, October 10 [briefing day], we helped some candidates who had similar issues. I wish we had learnt about those issues at the two schools on October 10. The candidates would have been registered, but on October 12 [the day Uneb received the information], it was too late and there is nothing we can do about it now. Otherwise, I am going to engage my executive director and we shall see, but for now, there is no hope,’ she added.

The affected candidates from Cream Field Vocational SS told Daily Monitor that they had been studying without index numbers and were repeatedly told by the administration to ‘wait until briefing day’, a promise that was never fulfilled.

‘I am sure our directors and head teacher knew that we were not going to sit exams but they kept us in the dark. I personally want to know why they never registered us with Uneb,’ said a visibly upset female candidate who preferred anonymity.

Both school administrators at Cream Field Vocational SS and Bizmark High School are still hiding as police continue to hunt for them.

In November, world leaders, scientists, non-governmental organisations, and civil society will convene in Brazil for the COP30 to discuss priority actions needed to tackle climate change.

For Uganda, like many African countries, where effects of climate change – extreme weather and droughts are disrupting harvests – continue to impact the livelihoods of millions of people who depend on farming, COP is a critical platform for assessing progress on limiting greenhouse gas emissions, agreeing on collective actions to adapt to climate impacts and mobilising financial and technological support for sustainable development worldwide. In the past, Africa has approached the global conversation on climate change merely as a victim of inequitable climate finance.

While it is true that the continent deserves more external funding than it gets, there is need for Uganda and other African countries to demonstrate their ambition and innovation in tackling climate change even with the little domestic resources at their disposal. At COP29 in Azerbaijan, the African Group of Negotiators and leaders urged for equitable climate finance, stronger global partnerships, and urgent action to address the climate crisis. Central to their appeal was the message that the continent is the least responsible for global emissions yet it suffers some of the most severe impacts of climate change, losing an average of five percent of GDP annually to climate disruptions.

During the recent Africa Climate Summit (ACS2) in Ethiopia, for example, African leaders adopted the Addis Ababa Declaration positioning Africa not as a victim but as a key architect of climate solutions, focusing on resilience and green development. Why is this shift in the role of Africa important? Listening to US President, Donald Trump’s remarks at the UN General Assembly over a weeks ago, it was clear that the attitude of major climate change funders such as the US is worryingly shifting. Trump denied climate change, calling it the “greatest con job ever perpetrated on the world”, and refuted the use of renewable energy. Such a position, on top of the Trump administration’s withdrawal from the Paris Agreement and abrogation of most of the US’ international climate finance commitments doesn’t signal any hope to Africa.

There is urgent need for our leaders to undertake internal reforms. Uganda had approximately 30,000km² of wetlands by 2000 but this area has since reduced to around 22,500km² implying a 25 percent loss in the past two decades. In 2015, the Ministry of Water and Environment estimated that Uganda was losing an average of 5,000 hectares of wetlands per year. We continue to lose sizable area of wetlands to large-scale investors and developers, without recourse from relevant authorities. In part, this trend has been enabled by corruption tendencies where authorities are compromised by private investors. A 2024 report by Oxfam, the UK-based global anti-poverty NGO, pointed out another challenge – the lack of accountability for the money that Uganda receives to tackle the climate crisis. According to the study, over a period of six years (2015 – 2021), Uganda is reported to have received in form of grants and loans about $2.2b.

The report highlighted that Uganda’s bureaucrats lack clarity on what climate finance is, do not have a functional framework for tracking and reporting on climate finance inflows from both domestic and international sources, and there is weak coordination of climate finance efforts among state and non-state actors. Strengthening governance and ensuring transparency in climate financing are critical to maximising the impact of resources. The cost of inaction is far greater than the investment required to build a resilient and prosperous future for Africa.

Equally important is for governments to allocate enough funds to innovation targeted at championing climate-smart practices such as drought-resistant crops and efficient irrigation systems to strengthen food security, and mass transportation that relies on renewable energy, waste-to-energy solutions. Africa can no longer afford to wait to be saved. Achieving growth that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs, will take bold aspirations, uncompromising enforcement, frugal use of public resources and innovation.

Research is crucial for modernizing the economy, and institutions must support it, according to Professor Charles Kwesiga, Executive Director of the Uganda Industrial Research Institute (UIRI).

Prof. Kwesiga made the remarks at Uganda Christian University (UCU) during the Research and Innovation Symposium.

“We must support research because it is the only way to modernize the economy in this country. Funding should be considered by the government, whereby private institutions should also receive support in innovation and technology,” he said.

According to Dr.2% of the girls engage in sex before reaching 18 years, due to poverty and peer groups,” he said.

The university has strengthened its research initiatives, committing funds to support researchers at different levels. Under the UCU research fund, professors receive Shs150 million to conduct research and mentor junior academics.

PhD holders receive Shs50 million for up to 24 months to build research teams, and master’s students get Shs15 million to complete and disseminate their theses.

The impact of this initiative was showcased at the research and innovation symposium, where various schools and faculties presented their projects. One highlight was “Olutindo” (The Bridge), a card game developed by a team from the School of Journalism, Media, and Communications led by Prof. James Kiwanuka.

The tool is designed to help parents and teenagers talk about sexuality and relationships more openly, addressing the high rates of teenage pregnancy and school dropouts in Uganda. Prof. Kiwanuka said that during their research, they found that parents often distance themselves and feel shy about discussing sex with their children.

The Vice Chancellor of UCU, Prof. Aaron Mushyengyezi, commended the research directorate for separating postgraduate studies from regular research activities, allowing both areas to grow effectively. “Universities must strengthen the link between research and industrialization if Uganda is to achieve its development goals,” he emphasized.

A section of the legal fraternity has critcised President Museveni for questioning the Judiciary following the acquittal of a suspect accused of threatening to kill a gold investor, Mr Carlos Cohen.

In his letter dated October 3, the President wrote to Chief Justice Alfonse Owiny-Dollo, requesting a review of the case of Joram Itungo, formerly a State House staff.

‘By copy of this letter, I request the Chief Justice to review the case of Joram Itungo. How did he get bail and acquitted in such a serious accusation notwithstanding?’ the President wrote.

The President’s letter has since kicked up a storm in the legal circles, with lawyers describing it as interference with the independence of the Judiciary that is granted by the Constitution.

Article 128 of the 1995 Uganda Constitution states that the Judiciary is independent and cannot be controlled by any person or authority.

‘It really shows how there is no separation of powers. It’s now exceedingly common for the President to direct judges on what to do. You remember the time when he directed them not to grant bail, and the letters regarding the Muslim property wrangles, that is wrong,’ Mr Anthony Asimwe, the vice president of the Uganda Law Society, said yesterday.

Mr Asiimwe warned that such unconstitutional directives have a high chance of eroding the public confidence in the institution of the Judiciary and could make them start looking for justice elsewhere.

Similarly, Senior Constitutional Lawyer, Mr Peter Walubiri said the President used the wrong channels in addressing his grievance.

‘He simply had to appeal to the High Court; that is the normal way of doing things. Also, he should have gone through the DPP to see that an appeal was lodged. But if the President suspected some kind of indiscipline, then he should have filed a complaint with the Judicial Service Commission. That is not the work of the CJ. Why doesn’t he take an interest in people’s trials that haven’t taken place for decades, which is clearly overbearing on the Chief Justice,’ Mr Walubiri said. Another lawyer, Mr Eron Kiiza, also did not have kind words for the President.

‘This doesn’t look good with the Judiciary. But Museveni has the machinery to investigate if there was corruption involved; he needed to file a complaint to the JSC and not to the Chief Justice. He should be open-minded if he wants justice.’

According to court documents, the prosecution alleged that Mr Itungo conspired with a security guard, Abraham Eramu, to murder the investor in exchange for a Shs36m reward. Court documents further showed that on August 5, 2023, the investor, Mr Cohen, a Portuguese national, reported for his usual work chores at his Ntinda-based gold refinery known as Feldstein Trading refinery.

As he was going about with his work, unknown people from security agencies and the Financial Intelligence Authority (FIA) stormed his office. They began to search his office and allegedly went away with $52,000 that he had kept in his safe deposit box.

Following the alleged harassment, Mr Cohen wrote to the then Inspector General of Police, Mr Martins Okoth Ochola, and also copied in President Museveni, who regretted the incident but promised to take stern action.

Mr Itungo was arrested on allegations that he conspired with security personnel to kill the investor. But in his judgment, Buganda Road Court Chief Magistrate Ronald Kayizzi, acquitted him because there was no evidence of a meeting of minds between Mr Itungo and the security guard, Mr Eramu.

‘The essence of criminal conspiracy is proof of agreement. For the court to rule that there was an agreement in cases of conspiracy, the conspirators must have agreed to carry out an illegal act. The minds of the conspirators must have met,’ Magistrate Kayizzi held.

The magistrate stressed that under Ugandan law, conspiracy requires an actual agreement between two or more people to commit an unlawful act. ‘In this case, Eramu himself rejected the alleged assignment. There was no agreement,’ he explained. He added that there was no independent evidence corroborating the alleged plan.

Two-time champions Ssingo have booked their place in the 2025 Masaza Cup final, where they will face Buweekula on November 1 at Hamz Stadium, Nakivubo.

Ssingo sealed their qualification with a 2-1 aggregate victory over Bugerere after a goalless draw at Ssaza Grounds in Mityana. Their 2-1 win in the first leg proved decisive in a contest that saw both sides finish with 10 men.

Buweekula, meanwhile, overcame Kyaggwe 4-3 on penalties after a 1-1 aggregate draw to return to the final for the first time since 2012. The dramatic semifinal second leg at Bishop’s SS Mukono was played under heavy rain on a waterlogged pitch, but it drew a capacity crowd that witnessed one of the most intense matches of the season.

Collins Ssemmanda gave Buweekula hope with the only goal of the day, levelling the tie 1-1 on aggregate, but the shoot-out brought heartbreak for the home side. Calvin Peter Emayu fired his penalty over the bar, and captain Julius Kalule Kato’s effort was parried away by Buweekula’s goalkeeper to end Kyaggwe’s dream of reaching a second consecutive final.

It was sweet revenge for Buweekula, who had been eliminated by Kyaggwe at the same stage last season.

Buweekula head coach Felix Ssekabuuza could not hide his delight after the victory.

‘This win means everything to us. We have worked hard all season, and beating Kyaggwe – a team that stopped us last year – makes it even more special. Now we shift focus to the final. We respect Ssingo, but we are coming for the trophy,’ Ssekabuuza said.

This will be Ssingo’s sixth appearance in the Masaza Cup final. They have won the Buganda Kingdom tournament twice, while Buweekula – who have lost two previous finals – are still chasing their maiden crown.

The tournament is sponsored by Airtel Uganda, Pilsener King, Centenary Bank, among others.

Airtel Masaza Cup

Semifinals (2nd leg) results

Kyaggwe 0-1 Buweekula (Agg: 1-1, Pens: 3-4)

Ssingo 0-0 Bugerere (Agg: 2-1)

Finals

Ssingo vs Buweekula

November 1, 2025 – Hamz Stadium, Nakivubo