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Rocky Dawuni Rocks ASOHOM Fashion Gala

Ghanaian singer-songwriter, Rocky Dawuni, known for his signature ‘Afro Roots’ sound, was the centre of entertainment at the MTN Ghana partnered ASOHOM Diplomatic Charity Fashion Gala held last Saturday.

The event, held at the Kempinski Gold Coast City Hotel, witnessed the four-time Grammy nominee entertaining the diplomats to their amazement.

A key feature of the Diplomatic Fashion Gala was the fashion show, which showcased Ghanaian male and female models in different brands wear. Some of the brands which featured their outfits include Seemee, Victoria Grace, Yaayaa, and Complex Department, among others.

Head of the event, President of the Spouses of Heads of Missions in Ghana and International Organisations (ASOHOM), Malika Menne, in an interview, called for a collective approach to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) in Ghana.

She said this year’s Diplomatic Fashion Gala aims to raise funds to support selected non-governmental organisations in Ghana.

‘The Fashion Gala is a fund raising event to support a range of local charities that benefit Ghanaians in urgent need,’ she stressed.

Explaining the reason for the event, the President of ASOHOM and spouse of the Secretary-General of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), Wamkele Mene, said ‘ASOHOM has quietly existed in Ghana for more than forty years and is open to any spouse whose partner is serving as a Head of Mission in Ghana.’

‘Recognising our strength in number, we wanted to organise a significant fundraiser that will support projects related to two Sustainable Development Goals that we, as a group, are passionate about.

‘A gala as unique as the one we are organising is a good way to bring members of the Ghanaian community and diplomatic community together for the benefit of people in need. We are thankful to our members, our spouses’ organisations, our very generous sponsors and the diplomatic and business communities for supporting our efforts,’ she stated.

Health insurance scheme eases burden for families

A new community-based health insurance scheme has given hope to poor parents and their children in Wakiso District. Under the scheme dubbed Renaissance Medical Fund, parents pool together resources to cater for their children’s medical bills whenever they fall sick.

Each parent pays Shs24,000 per child per year to a pool. Parents also have the option of paying Shs500 per week or Shs2,000 per month.

Mr Innocent Luther Kater, the chief executive officer of Pearl Foundation for Human Rights and Development (PFHRD), the charity organisation behind the health insurance scheme, said: ‘We want children to stay healthy and focus on their studies. Some of the children we are supporting have been missing school due to treatable ailments.’ In addition, parents can also benefit from the same scheme at the same cost.”

Ms Marion Nakyeyune, one of the beneficiaries who is enrolled in the scheme together with her two children, said it is a turning point.

‘I used to fall sick so often but I couldn’t receive the required treatment due to financial challenges. When I joined the scheme, I was able to get treatment. My weight has increased from 38kg to 60kg, after receiving the required medical treatment,’ she said.

Ms Rose Namatovu, a mother of three children, who said her husband abandoned her, also praised the scheme. She said the scheme had enabled her to secure treatment for her son, who has sickle cell disease.

‘I have been spending about Shs6,000 per day on his medication. When he gets an attack, he is hospitalised for a week or two. This was costly. His medical bill is now cleared by the insurance scheme,’ she said.

She added that her 15-year-old son is also a beneficiary of the education fund run by the same charity organisation. Mr Robert Mutungi, the deputy chief administrative officer of Kalangala District, one of the areas where the organisation operates, said supporting the education and health of the needy is vital given that it contributes to the country’s human capital development that is needed to spur economic and social growth.

Mr Jairus Mwesigwa, the managing director of PFHRD, said the organisation also initiated a general emergency fund that supports any community member.

‘This fund was able to support several Ugandans during Covid-19 lockdown with hefty medical bills when they were out of work,’ Mr Mwesigwa said.

He called upon President to assent to the National Health Insurance Scheme Bill that was passed by Parliament to ensure universal health coverage. In 2021, Parliament passed the Bill, but the President declined to assent to it due to disagreements among stakeholders.

Dr. Opoku Explains KGL-NLA Deal

First and foremost, I was extremely surprised to read an article from the Fourth Estate shared by Sulemana Briamah, making some comparisons between:

Telecom Business Model and Lottery Business Model of NLA-KGL

Dealers and Agents of Scratch Cards for Telecom companies and Lotto Marketing Companies for National Lottery Authority (NLA).

Comparing lottery business to selling of scratch cards in exchange for commission from Telecom companies clearly shows that Mr. Sulemana Briamah and the Fourth Estate lack full knowledge, understanding, experience, expertise, and competence when it comes to the lottery industry.

For the purpose of clarity, the Telecom Business Model has absolutely no correlation with the Lottery Business Model.

In fact, both business models operate under different industries and are regulated by different authorities.

The Telecom Business Model is under the regulatory body of the National Communications Authority (NCA), whereas the Lottery Business Model is under the regulatory body of the National Lottery Authority (NLA).

The NCA’s laws and NLA laws are completely different from each other, so comparing them is quite dishonest.

Based on their assumptions, can the Fourth Estate and Sulemana Briamah give honest answers to the following questions:

Do the Telecom Companies pay winning tickets to the customers of the scratch cards dealers and agents on daily basis?

Do the Telecom Companies pay 25% commissions based on the money used by the dealers and agents to purchase the scratch cards?

Do the Telecom Companies conduct ‘Scratch Card Draws’ for the customers of the scratch card dealers and agents?

Are the Telecom Companies’ regulators just like the National Lottery Authority (NLA)?

Did Dealers and Agents of Scratch Cards invest millions of dollars into the marketing of the cards?

Did Dealers and Agents of Scratch Cards invest millions of dollars into the I. T infrastructure and system engineering for the sale of scratch cards to the general public with zero investments from the Telecom companies?

Now to the perfect case of the NLA-KGL Deal:

Fourth Estate and Sulemana Briamah should kindly take their time to thoroughly read all the 58 Sections of the National Lotto Act, 2006 (Act 722) and point it out to their followers on Facebook, which section of Act 722 specifically made mentioned of NLA paying commission to a Lotto Marketing Company participating in Online lottery?

Can they indicate which specific Section of Act 722 talks about Online Lottery?

Just like the LMC selling in the kiosks using Point of Sale Terminals are required to pre-pay for the NLA coupons, KGL Technology Limited as an online LMC also pre-pays each quarter for NLA Coupons.

All the money NLA receives from KGL is paid into the Lotto Account as required by law. It is, therefore, the responsibility of NLA to transfer the *net balance* into the Lotto Account on monthly basis to the Consolidated Fund.

The net balance is rightly so because what if there is no net balance in the Lotto Account after payments of Winning Tickets, Commissions, Administrative, and General Expenses by NLA?

If at any point the money in the Lotto Account is not enough to pay winners, the excess can be charged against the Consolidated Fund (Section 33 of Act 722).

However, in practice, NLA has NEVER taken money from the Consolidated Fund to pay winners of national lotto. Also, it does not even make sense to use public funds in the Consolidated Fund to pay winners of national lotto while the country needs funds to take care of very important national projects.

Despite the technology being used by KGL in partnership with the Telecom Companies to sell lottery products, all the monies NLA receives from KGL go into the Lotto Account.

What is the Lotto Account? Let me educate the Fourth Estate, and Sulemana Briamah.

The ‘Lotto Account is any official Bank Account operated by the National Lottery Authority (NLA)’.

What empirical research has Fourth Estate or Sulemana Briamah conducted in the lottery industry particularly Online lottery industry for them to conclude that about 90% of lotto stakers now buy their lotto on their phones directly using short codes (USSD)?

If 90% of Lotto Stakers buy lotto via USSD then how come banker-2-banker lotto operators and agents control 80% of the lottery industry in Ghana?

If 90% buy lotto via USSD, then how many buy lotto via Point of Sale Terminals (POSTs)?

And if only 10% are buying lotto via Point of Sale Terminals (POSTs), then how many are buying lotto via Paper issued by Banker-2-Banker lotto operators and agents?

If 90% are buying lotto via USSD, then how come Lotto Marketing Companies and Private Lotto Operators and Agents are still actively involved in the lottery business?

Was NLA successful in experimenting with different technology partners to reap full benefits from online sales of its lotto business?

If Fourth Estate and Sulemana Briamah care to know before KGL coming on board, the NLA in partnership with private technology companies FAILED to benefit from online sales of lotto such as ‘Mobi Game 2 Sure’, ‘Mobile 5/90’ , NLA 5/90(*890#) and ‘NLA Soccer Cash’

Has Fourth Estate, as a patriotic CSO, researched on the financial losses NLA incurred during the operations of Mobi Game 2 Sure, Mobile 5/90, NLA 5/90(*896#) and Soccer Cash?

Yes, Keed Ghana Limited paid GHC 10 million as penalty to NLA for piloting *959# without the appropriate 5/90 Online License Agreement, and that was a good decision by both NLA and Keed Ghana Limited.

The general public would also like to know the answers from Fourth Estate and Sulemana Briamah regarding the following questions:

(a) How much Alpha Lotto Limited paid to NLA for illegally operating NLA 5/90 USSD and Web online lottery via *896# for 11 months?

(b) How much Onassis Lotto has paid to NLA for illegally operating NLA 5/90 USSD and Web online lottery via *859#?

(c) How much did operators of www.theb2blotto.com pay to NLA for operating illegally the NLA 5/90 lottery via Web Online?

The answers to the above 3 questions would illuminate the understanding of Fourth Estate and Sulemana Briamah that they are just being unprofessional in their investigations against NLA-KGL deal.

The decision of NLA not to pay commission to KGL is equally supported by Section 2(4), and Section 37(d) of the National Lotto Act, 2006(Act 722).

Also, NLA has NEVER given multiple licenses to companies to operate the same NLA product. Every Online LMC or collaborator is licensed to operate a specific lottery product.

For example:

959 exclusively for KGL 5/90

766 exclusively for Atena

787 exclusively for Wotiriyie

446 exclusively for Daywa 5/39

946 exclusively for Game Park

987 exclusively for Lucky 3

Also, regarding the duration of the license, NLA has signed 10-15 years license agreements with several Lotto Marketing Companies and Private Lotto Operators in 2024.

Don’t forget that Lots Services Ghana Limited and Simnet Ghana respectively have a 15-year and 10-year contract with NLA subject to automatic renewal for another 10-15 years.

It is absolutely FALSE that 80% to 90% of lotto stakers in Ghana have moved to buying lotto online using just a USSD short code on their phone because there is no empirical research supporting this untrue claim.

The business of analogue lotto Kiosks equally owned by private companies and individuals started declining when majority of them decided to sell products on behalf of Banker-2-Banker Lotto Operators and Agents largely due to the attractive 35-40% commission they received from the Private Lotto Operators and Agents as compared to the 25% pay by the NLA.

Again, it is absolutely FALSE for Fourth Estate and Sulemana Briamah to state that, a prime business of NLA which will generate 80% to 90% of the NLA’s revenue has been handed over to one company, KGL.

This kind of argument is fueled by jealousy or envy because KGL started making sales from the bottom before, through huge investments and marketing strategies, they have been able to reach where they are now.

The management of KGL Technology Limited, in the interest of the country, is always very open for reviews and renegotiations when it comes to its License Agreement with the NLA.

It is very misleading for Fourth Estate and Sulemana Briamah to create an erroneous impression that NLA doesn’t know the amount of revenue generated by KGL. So if NLA doesn’t even know how much of its digital coupons(online lotto) KGL sells, then how come Fourth Estate and Sulemana Briamah were able to know that KGL generates GHC 3 billion annually?

If GRA is fully aware of KGL’s revenue, how difficult is it then for NLA as a regulator to know the revenue generated by KGL?

Can Fourth Estate please help their readers and followers on Social media know how much out of that quoted 3 billion was used to:

(a) Pay winning tickets (Prize moneys to Winners of national lotto)?

(b) Pay MTN, Telecel and Airteltigo?

(c) Pay for the service, running, management and maintenance of the I. T infrastructure and systems driving the online 5/90 lottery business?

(d) Pay for marketing costs?

(e) Corporate Taxes to Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA)?

(f) Pre-pay NLA?

(g) Pay NLA Stabilization Fund?

(h)Pay to KGL as Profit?

Has the Fourth Estate ever done an assessment of NLA regarding its:

(a) Increased number of employees which comes at extra cost to the Authority?

(b) Increased amount of money paid to Technical Service Providers?

(d). Increased operations of illegal lottery operators and Agents across the country?

The 25% commission payments alone paid to Lotto Marketing Companies would make it extremely difficult for NLA to make any meaningful gains more than the quoted GHC 350 million by Fourth Estate and Sulemana Briamah.

The current NLA Board and the Minister of Finance are NOT concerned about the Fourth Estate and Sulemana Briamah saga because:

(a). Fourth Estate and Sulemana Briamah have failed to establish any form of Corruption or suspected corruption regarding the NLA-KGL deal.

(b). Fourth Estate and Sulemana Briamah have FAILED to genuinely establish that KGL is taking away a GHC 3 billion business from the NLA.

(c) Fourth Estate and Sulemana Briamah have FAILED to establish any breach of Act 722 and L. I. 1948 in the NLA-KGL deal.

(d). Fourth Estate and Sulemana Briamah have FAILED to prove that the presence of KGL is a threat to NLA.

(e). Fourth Estate and Sulemana Briamah have FAILED to exhibit professionalism and higher ethical leadership regarding their investigations about the NLA-KGL deal.

(f). Fourth Estate and Sulemana Briamah have FAILED to demonstrate their full understanding of the lottery industry.

(g). Fourth Estate and Sulemana Briamah are pushing NLA and the Minister of Finance to incur a judgment debt of over $5 billion against the State regarding the NLA-KGL deal.

Finally, if the Car Owner (NLA) is satisfied with the performance of the Driver (KGL), who are the Fourth Estate and Sulemana Briamah to question the Car Owner (NLA)?

Maurice Ampaw Tips Bawumia… For One-Touch 2028 Victory

Lawyer Maurice Ampaw has said that Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia is the most marketable person for the flagbearer position of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) who has the chance of winning a one-touch victory.

He was speaking during a Movement Television Bekyeremu programme hosted by Gordon Asare Bediako in Accra last Saturday morning.

The lawyer of over two decades experience said Kennedy Ohene Agyapong, one of the contestants for the NPP flagbearer race, is not primed for the position at this time, adding that the tradition of not making it for the first time as a flagbearer is in favour of Dr. Bawumia, who will be presented for the second time against a National Democratic Congress (NDC) first timer.

According to him, ‘I have not been influenced. Dr. Bawumia will win one-touch for the NPP. He will be competing against NDC’s first timers such as Asiedu Nketia or Haruna Iddrisu. Kennedy Agyapong can only win during a second coming, not now.’

On emotional intelligence of Mr. Agyapong, he said ‘when it comes to decency of expression, Ken has a problem.he is haughty. He can easily say he has resigned from the NPP.’

Continuing, Maurice Ampaw alleged that President John Mahama came for the NDC, not for the people of Ghana.

‘The signs of a good play are noticeable in the early stages or in the morning. In the first year of a presidency, there should be signs of urgency or seriousness, something we are not seeing with this government,’ he stressed.

On the current seeming turmoil in the NPP, Mr. Ampaw said it is normal and would subside when the flagbearer is picked, saying, ‘It would then be the turn of the NDC, as the party is saddled with the choice of a successor to President John Mahama and its attendant turmoils.’

Every party, he said, has traitors and the NPP will get such persons in the NDC coming to the former with negative information within their fold.

Turning to some men of God, he said ‘some of them are playing double games being in bed with the NPP and simultaneously with the NDC. These days, tithes have dwindled in churches and so some men of God are using prophecies to make money. Kennedy Agyapong who did not believe in men of God and the church has suddenly turned to such persons. They are there to take his money. These same persons would want to turn to Dr. Bawumia. He should avoid them. Such so-called prophets have specialised in conditional prophecies. They prophesise victory but add conditions such as ‘but.”

Ugandan mum faces Shs10b bill for children with rare disease

Families facing rare diseases often endure a double struggle: keeping their loved ones alive while navigating a health system unequipped to diagnose or treat uncommon conditions.

For Ms Miria Mukiibi Kibirige, that struggle is a daily reality. She cares for two children living with epidermolysis bullosa (EB), a rare genetic skin disorder causing painful, life-threatening wounds.

When Ms Mukiibi gave birth to her second child, she expected the joy she had with her firstborn. Instead, she was confronted by a mysterious disease. ‘Her skin began peeling off wherever I touched her,’ she recalls.

‘At first, I thought it was temporary, but the wounds only worsened,’ she adds. For months, she sought help at multiple hospitals.

Doctors treated the baby for eczema and allergic reactions, but nothing worked. At 17 months, her child died from complications of the undiagnosed disease.

Two years later, Ms Mukiibi faced heartbreak again. Her third child, Analicia Ayebazibwe, was born with fragile skin that blistered at the gentlest touch. Medical staff struggled to provide care without causing more injuries. Six months later, her fourth child, Abba Mirembe Kibirige, was born with a similar condition.

‘Every day is a struggle. I can’t hug them the way a mother should because every touch brings pain. They are distanced from normal childhood experiences,’ she says.

The children’s condition makes feeding, bathing, and playing difficult. Even soft fabrics or sunlight can trigger blisters, and prolonged friction causes fingers and toes to fuse.

Emotional toll

Ms Mukiibi describes social stigma as a constant burden. ‘People whisper that we are cursed, bewitched, or have offended spirits. Even some doctors treat us as if it’s our fault,’ she says.

Her children cannot attend school because of the condition. Ms Mukiibi spends her days dressing wounds and preventing infections that could turn deadly. A breakthrough occurred when an international organisation assisted in sending samples to India for genetic testing, confirming EB in Abba and Analicia.

‘EB is inherited and can remain hidden for generations,’ explains Dr Umaru Byarugaba, a medical geneticist. ‘Parents can carry the defective gene without symptoms until two carriers have children,’ he adds.

Dr Byarugaba highlights Uganda’s lack of genetic testing facilities and official recognition for rare diseases, leaving families without diagnostic tools, policies, or data.

‘Many rare diseases mimic common illnesses like skin infections or diabetes. Doctors treat symptoms without seeing the underlying cause,’ he says.

Rare diseases in Uganda

The World Health Organisation defines a rare disease as one affecting fewer than 1 in 2,000 people. Globally, more than 7,000 rare diseases impact 300 million people, with 70 percent beginning in childhood.

Currently, there is no cure for EB. Management focuses on preventing infection and minimising skin damage, as even indoor clothing and bedding pose risks.

Ms Mukiibi explains daily care: ‘Bathing must be done by sponging. Every step requires extreme care to avoid new wounds.’

Two approved treatments exist in the US: Zevaskyn, a gene therapy costing $3.1 million per child (about Shs10.5 billion), and a topical cream priced at $600,000 (around Shs2.04 billion).

Option

Her most realistic option is a clinical trial at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, costing $250,000 (about Shs850 million) for treatment, travel, and accommodation.

‘I don’t want to lose another child. Every day I pray for a miracle. Doctors have even told us to give up because the cost is too high,’ Mr Daniel Kibirige says.

Dr Byarugaba adds: ‘Even this trial is not a guaranteed cure, but it is their only chance at survival. Uganda urgently needs to recognise rare diseases, invest in diagnostics, and train health workers. Without action, more children will suffer in silence like Abba and Analicia.’ The story of the Kibirige family underscores the emotional, financial, and social burden rare diseases impose, highlighting the urgent need for awareness, policy, and healthcare investment in Uganda.

Background

Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB) is a rare genetic skin disorder that causes extremely fragile, blistering skin. It affects fewer than one in 2,000 people and currently has no cure.

Even minor friction, sunlight, or contact with clothing can trigger painful wounds. Treatment abroad ranges from $250,000 to $3.1 million (Shs850 million to 10.5 billion), making it largely inaccessible for most families.

Children living with EB face social stigma, cannot attend school, and require constant, intensive care.

’Decentralise Teacher Recruitment, Deployment’

Non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in the education sector in the Northern region, have urged government to decentralise teacher recruitment and deployment system.

According to them, the decentralised teacher recruitment and deployment system offers better prospects for improving learning outcomes, teacher accountability and retention than the existing centralised system with its many associated challenges.

A press conference convened by Northern Network for Education Development (NNED) and the Complementary Basic Education (CBE) Alliance and facilitated by School for Life (SfL) and partners in Tamale, disclosed that the existing teacher recruitment and deployment policy in Ghana operates on the basis of a highly centralised system, noting that it involves reporting teacher vacancies in schools to the Ghana Education Service (GES) headquarters through the District and Regional Education offices.

‘The GES HQ post the teachers directly to the schools. This top-down approach, according to a SfL (2023) study has not delivered the expected improved learning outcomes,’ they stated.

They noted that a study showed that whilst the existing teacher recruitment and deployment strategy and related policies are well intended, the outcomes have been undesirable.

‘The strategy and related policies have not been able to address the equity concerns as 68% of the vacancies in this study still remained in rural areas. The quality of basic education was found to be low as 4 out of 6 districts had over 70% of the students who took the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) in 2020 obtaining aggregate 30 and above. The centralised recruitment and deployment of teachers was found in the study to be ineffective, as some teachers posted to schools and districts managed to secure reposting to other schools and districts of their choice drawing on their political connections,’ they said.

The NGOs lamented about the statistics units of the District and Regional Education offices which are poorly equipped without internet connectivity, computers, cameras and other ICT facilities.

‘This has hindered the roll-out of the GES, Education Management Information System (EMIS). Under the limited investments in technology, the teacher recruitment and deployment functions are better handled at the decentralised level of the GES. The current centralisation of teacher recruitment and deployment is associated with bureaucratic red tapeism and delays. This does not make room for local teacher demands due to force majeure or other local circumstances requiring immediate actions to be handled expeditiously. These flexibilities are only efficient and effective with a decentralised teacher recruitment and deployment system,’

Mr. Zulyaden Amadu, Project Manager, School for Life, addressing journalists in Tamale, said the centralised deployment of teachers has weakened the decentralised accountability structures in the GES, adding that District Directors are powerless.

‘Teachers enter and exit districts at will because they deal directly with officers at the GES HQ. The District Offices merely serve as conveyer belts for processing salaries for teachers, with limited capacity to monitor and discipline teachers. The centralised system of deploying teachers has affected the GES Language of Instruction (LI) policy. The LI policy was approved in 2004 through a government white paper, and stipulates that the medium of instruction at the lower primary school level (KG1-P3) should be the dominant local language or playground language of the child. The policy prescribes that at the upper primary level (P4-P6), English should be taught as the medium of instruction (L2) while Ghanaian language is taught as a subject. However, many of the teachers posted from the HQ hardly speak the local language and are therefore unable to implement the LI policy in the schools where they are posted,’ he noted.

He hinted that the centralised deployment of teachers will potentially impact learning where pupils-trained teacher ratio between rural and urban schools are likely to increase as well as the possibility of many more teachers facing mental health and psychosocial challenges which cannot be discounted.

According to him, the NGOs recommend to the Ministry of Education and Ghana Education Service a decentralised teacher recruitment and deployment system so that once the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning gives financial clearance for the recruitment of teachers, the recruitment and posting of teachers should be done at the District Education Offices (DEOs), because they have local knowledge of the teacher situation and are therefore better placed to deploy teachers than the current centralised system.

‘We also recommend the equitable deployment of teachers requires timely, accurate and reliable data. It is therefore recommended to the MoE and GES to invest a modicum of its resources in equipping their planning, monitoring, data collection, research and records units at the various DEOs and REOs. The staff of these units should also be given refresher training to enable them collect, analyse, store and transmit data on teachers and other education key performance indicators. This will help in improving teacher rationalisation and deployment in Ghana,’ he stated.

‘Given the huge teacher deficits in the rural areas, it is recommended that policies aimed at motivating teachers to teach in rural areas such as the 20% deprived teachers’ allowance, affordable and decent accommodation, accelerated promotion and free modules for continuous professional development should be implemented immediately. These will motivate teachers to accept postings to rural areas,’ he added.

Mukono pupils study in roofless classrooms

Pupils of Ndese Church of Uganda Primary School in Nakifuma County, Mukono District have been studying in classrooms without roofs since last year. The school management said it lacks the funds to repair the classrooms, whose roofs were blown off during a storm last year.

Mr Archer Samuel Kadhume, the head teacher, said whenever it rains the pupils have to relocate to another classroom or staff room until it stops.

”The school faces a big challenge of inadequate classrooms after the heavy rain and storm destroyed two classrooms last year,” he said during an interview at the weekend.

He added: ‘Since November last year, I have made frequent visits to the district headquarters seeking support, but they always told me that they will consider our school in the next financial year.’

Haruna Musoke, a Primary Seven pupil, explained the hardships they go through while studying in a roofless classroom.

‘Our studies are always interrupted during the rainy seasons. Lessons are sometimes postponed when it threatens to rain. Learning cannot go on when it rains heavily because we fear that the whole building may collapse.’

Alice Namakula, another pupil, said: ‘The sunshine also affects some of us, and we keep on moving to where there is a shade to continue with lesson.’

‘We urge the government to support us so that we enjoy our studies just like other pupils in other schools. Nothing can stop us from performing well when we study in a good environment,’ she added.

Mr Andrew Mukasa, who lives near the school, said: ‘The longer they take to renovate the classroom, the weaker it gets, putting children’s lives at risk. I wonder why the district and government cannot rescue our school.’

The vice chairperson of the school management committee, Ms Rose Kyeyune, said all classroom structures are in a sorry state and need urgent attention. The Mukono District Education Officer, Mr Rashid Kikomeko, said they are aware of the poor state of the school and efforts are underway to support it. ”We do not have funds at the moment,” Kikomeko said.

About the school

Ndese Church of Uganda Primary School, built in 1942, faces serious challenges.

Last year, all 82 pupils who sat for the Primary Leaving Examinations (PLE) failed to score a first grade because of problems such as poor infrastructure and a shortage of learning materials.

The school has more than 300 pupils who study in only two classroom blocks. The main block is the one which was recently damaged. There is also a small separate structure that serves as the head teacher’s office.

Accra Hosts Climate Finance Masterclass To Strengthen City Action

Accra has hosted it’s first C40 Cities Regional Leadership Masterclass on climate finance and governance, bringing together political leaders, development partners, and private sector players to discuss how African cities can secure funding and scale up climate action.

The three-day programme, which was held at the Accra City Hotel began on September 30 and ended on October 2, 2025.

The masterclass was organised under the C40 Cities’ Urban Climate Action Programme (UCAP) with support from the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

The sessions focused on strengthening governance, unlocking climate finance, and developing projects that deliver lasting impact in cities.

The Mayor of Accra, Michael Kpakpo Allotey, in his speech revealed that the city faced serious challenges including flooding, rising temperatures, and pressure from rapid urban growth.

He explained that the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) was implementing measures such as better waste management, flood control projects, and clean energy promotion.

However, he stressed that the scale of the risks required stronger coordination and more funding.

‘The complexity of these climate risks demands urgent access to finance and closer collaboration. This masterclass is a vital platform to address barriers to climate funding, strengthen governance, and mobilize resources that reflect the priorities of Accra,’ he noted.

C40’s Regional Director for Africa, Anthony Okoth, stated that African cities faced growing threats from rising temperatures, flooding, water scarcity, and other climate-related risks.

He stressed that with rapidly growing urban populations, political leaders had a central role in shaping policies and partnerships to protect vulnerable communities while promoting green economic growth.

‘Accra is already setting an example in West Africa by boosting energy efficiency, adopting solar power in public buildings, and reforming waste management policies. This kind of leadership shows what cities can achieve when they combine vision with action’ he explained.

The outcomes of the Accra session are expected to guide upcoming masterclasses in Dar es Salaam, Lagos, Nairobi, and Tshwane, aimed at building a network of African leaders committed to climate resilience.

Away day delight for Kyaggwe, Ssingo in Masaza Cup semis

The 2025 Airtel Masaza Cup semi-finals delivered a thrilling day of football drama on Sunday as visitors Kyaggwe and Ssingo stunned their hosts to secure first-leg victories away from home.

In two tactical battles, Kyaggwe edged Buweekula 1-0 in Mubende, while Ssingo came from behind to defeat Bugerere 2-1 in Ntenjeru, leaving both ties delicately balanced ahead of the weekend’s return legs.

Ssenyonga lifts Kyaggwe

At Mubende National Training College grounds, Buweekula and Kyaggwe cancelled each other out in a cagey first half dominated by physical duels.

But the deadlock was broken after the break when Geofrey Ssenyonga struck the decisive goal that handed Kyaggwe a crucial away win and earned him the man of the match award.

Despite Buweekula’s late surge for an equaliser, Kyaggwe’s defense held firm, preserving their narrow lead and giving them a psychological edge ahead of the second leg.

Kyaggwe head coach Simon Peter Mugerwa hailed his team’s resilience under pressure as they chase a second consecutive appearance in the final. “This win means a lot to us because coming here and getting a result was never going to be easy,’ Mugerwa said. ‘We showed great discipline and composure, especially in the second half. Now we must finish the job at home.’

In the other semi-final, Bugerere made a strong start at Ntenjeru when Henry Wamala opened the scoring, sending the home fans into celebration. But Ssingo quickly responded through Shaban Kayondo, who levelled matters before halftime.

The turning point came in the 53rd minute when Bugerere’s Osman Mayanja missed a penalty – a costly mistake that Ssingo ruthlessly punished minutes later. Ismael Rwimitala pounced to score the winner, sealing a 2-1 comeback victory and walking away with the man of the match honour.

With both games decided by a single goal, the semi-final ties remain open heading into the return legs. Fans can expect more fireworks as all four teams – Kyaggwe, Buweekula, Ssingo, and Bugerere – fight for a place in the final at Ham Stadium on November 1.

“What a spectacle from the players and fans here in Mubende today,’ said Kenneth Amanyire, Pilsner King Marketing Representative for Mubende, who attended the Buweekula vs Kyaggwe match.

‘The first leg is now done, but the pressure is still very much on with these small margins of one goal in both games. We encourage all the fans to turn up for the last push to the final because, as Pilsner King, we can’t wait to see which team will finally claim the 2025 Masaza Cup.’

Masaza Cup semi-finals

First leg results

Buweekula 0-1 Kyaggwe (Geofrey Ssenyonga)

Bugerere 1-2 Ssingo (Henry Wamala – Shaban Kayondo, Ismael Rwimitala)

Return legs – Sunday, October 19

Maiden Elite U17 Girls Championship Set For October 14-19

The first-ever Elite U17 Girls Championship, introduced under FIFA’s Talent Development Scheme (TDS), is set to kick off from October 14 to 19, 2025.

The national competition will feature teams from all ten football regions, grouped into two zones, as they battle for the championship title.

In a bid to nurture young officiating talent, matches will be handled by referees from the ‘Catch Them Young’ initiative – a programme designed to train and inspire the next generation of referees.

The championship aims to scout, train, and develop promising young female footballers, providing a pathway for future stars to progress through the ranks of Ghanaian and international football.