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A couple was killed in a road crash on Thursday evening along the Kisoro-Kabale Highway in Kisoro District, police confirmed.

The fatal crash occurred around 6:20 PM opposite Airland Hotel Nyakabande, involving a Mercedes Benz semi-trailer and a blue Bajaj Boxer motorcycle.

Police said the semi-trailer was traveling from Kyanika border toward Kabale when it collided head-on with the motorcycle.

The rider, Sebahinzi Kenneth, 40, and his wife, Sylvia Ntiringanya, 38, who was a passenger, both from Mubuga Village, Gitendere Parish, Nyarusiza Sub-county, died on the spot.

Kisoro District Traffic Officer ASP Ainomugisha Musa said his team visited the scene, recorded eyewitness statements, and documented the incident.

The bodies were taken to Kisoro Hospital mortuary for postmortem examination.

The driver of the semi-trailer fled the scene and remains at large. Both vehicles were impounded at Kisoro Central Police Station for inspection by the Inspector of Vehicles.

Kigezi Police spokesperson ASP Elly Maate described the crash as ‘unfortunate’ and urged motorists to exercise caution.

‘We urge road users to always be careful and take safety precautionary measures while on the road,’ he said, adding that investigations are ongoing.

The crash has heightened concerns over road safety along the busy Kisoro-Kabale Highway, with authorities calling on drivers to remain vigilant.

HARARE. Both Uganda and Nigeria came into this tournament with high hopes, but instead of contesting for a World Cup slot, they now find themselves fighting for pride in the fifth-place playoff final.

For the Cricket Cranes, once tipped among the favourites, the disappointment of missing out on back-to-back World Cup appearances has been softened by two clinical wins over Botswana and Malawi in the second fifth place semifinal.

For Nigeria’s Yellow Greens, a cruel net run rate twist robbed them of a semifinal berth, and they now seek consolation by upsetting an Ugandan side they have never beaten in T20 internationals.

Tale of Missed Opportunities

Uganda’s campaign began with bold ambitions, having qualified for the 2024 T20 World Cup in the West Indies and aiming for a repeat.

But defeats to hosts Zimbabwe by five wickets and a spirited Tanzania by nine runs left their qualification hopes in tatters. A morale-lifting win against Botswana restored some pride before they showcased their depth and professionalism in a commanding victory over Malawi in the fifth-place semifinal on Thursday, October 4.

Captain Riazat Ali Shah insists Uganda want to end on a positive note: ‘It’s been a tough campaign, but we are determined to finish strong. Ending on a high is important for the team and for our supporters back home.’

Nigeria’s broken hearts

Nigeria, on the other hand, looked destined for the semifinals after posting a competitive 148 against Kenya. But their dreams were dashed when the East Africans chased it down in just 13.4 overs to leapfrog them on Net Run Rate (NRR).

They recovered well to brush aside Botswana in the fifth-place playoff semifinal, but the pain of falling short will still linger.

Head coach Abhay Sharma has urged his Ugandan charges to stay focused.

‘The process is bigger than one result. Against Nigeria, we must stay disciplined, because they will be desperate for their first win over us. These are the games that test character, and we must show ours.’

What’s at stake

For both teams, a fifth-place finish may not have been the ultimate goal, but it represents a chance to rebuild confidence before heading home. Nigeria have never beaten Uganda in 11 previous T20 meetings, but coach Steve Tikolo’s Yellow Greens will be desperate to rewrite history in front of what promises to be a lively Takashinga crowd.

Uganda’s dominance in this fixture is clear, but Nigeria’s hunger for a breakthrough could make Satuday’s clash a thriller.

ICC MEN’S T20 WORLD CUP AFRICA QUALIFIER

Saturday – Playoff Fixtures

7th Place Playoff

Botswana vs Malawi, 10.30am – Takashinga

5th Place Playoff Final

Uganda vs Nigeria – 2.50pm – Takashinga CC

3rd Place Playoff

Tanzania vs Kenya, 10.30am – Harare

Final

Zimbabwe vs Namibia, 2.50pm – Harare

Head-to-Head

Uganda vs Nigeria in T20Is

Total Matches: 11

Uganda Wins: 11

Nigeria Wins: 0

Biggest Uganda Win: 77 runs (Entebbe, July 2025)

The Ugandan government has been urged to accelerate the development of a national Artificial Intelligence (AI) policy to guide investment, safeguard data, and protect citizens, as experts warn of rising cybercrime and mounting risks linked to disruptive technologies.

This call dominated discussions at the five-day 14th Annual East Africa Information Security Conference, hosted by the ISACA Kampala Chapter at Speke Resort Munyonyo, under the theme ‘Thriving in the Era of Disruptive Technology.’

ISACA, a global association of professionals in information systems, IT, cybersecurity, governance, data protection, and privacy, has been championing digital trust across the region.

Uganda, experts said, is at a crossroads: AI is reshaping finance, healthcare, education, and governance, yet cybercrime is spiraling at alarming rates.

‘Artificial Intelligence is increasingly being used as a disruptive technology in the country and needs home-grown data solutions,’ Mr Maurice Taremwa, the president of ISACA Kampala, told journalists on Friday, October 4, 2025.

He warned that while AI brings innovation and efficiency, without a guiding framework, it risks exposing Uganda’s digital economy to vulnerabilities and foreign dependency.

Experts stressed that a national AI policy would not only unlock resources for local startups and innovation hubs but also ensure responsible deployment aligned with Uganda’s unique context and priorities.

Mr Taremwa revealed that Interpol reports show cybercrime in Uganda has risen by over 60% in the past year. He cited high-profile cases where financial institutions lost staggering sums-some cases involving UGX 100 billion (USD 25 million)-through digital fraud, misdirected funds, or system breaches.

‘The money is in the billions-that one is of no doubt; almost all our financial transactions are now digital, and because we live in an interconnected world, criminals are able to act much faster and impact much larger sums,’ Mr Taremwa said.

To guard against this, Mr Taremwa emphasised the three pillars of cybersecurity: confidentiality, which is ensuring sensitive information is accessed only by those authorised; Integrity: Protecting data from unauthorised alteration-Removing just one zero can reduce one million to one hundred thousand and Availability: Guaranteeing access to systems when needed-whether at a petrol station, a hospital, or a bank.

Ms Sharon Kisinde, the ISACA Kampala Board Secretary, highlighted that disruption extends beyond finance and AI. Sustainability and climate-linked projects are increasingly dependent on technology, requiring new approaches to information collection, processing, and security.

‘We are seeing renewable energy and green projects as new fronts of disruption,’ she said. ‘The underlying common factor is information. How we process it determines whether our systems are state-of-the-art and whether they meet the requirements for a better livelihood,’ she added.

She emphasised ethics and integrity in technology use, noting that ISACA’s membership is anchored in principles of confidentiality, integrity, and accountability.

Other speakers stressed the importance of equipping the population with digital literacy and cybersecurity skills.

Mr Bernard Wanyama, past president of ISACA Kampala, revealed efforts to introduce ICT training in schools and conduct awareness drives in the banking and education sectors. ‘Our strategy is to impact those who can support the wider population,’ he said. ‘We train teachers, students, and banking professionals because they are at the points of data collection.’

Mr Eric Sekiziyivu, ISACA Vice President, stressed the need to integrate AI into work sectors while paying attention to compliance: ‘We need to watch the regulator-what are they saying? ISACA will continue to certify more professionals in AI.’

Ms Agnes Lumala, Academic Registrar at UICT, pointed to the success of short courses in sparking student innovations.

Mr Njenga Kahiro of Cyber Security Africa urged for harmonized data protection laws across the EAC to strengthen regional resilience.

On behalf of Dr Amina Zawedde, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of ICT, Ambrose Ruyooka, the commissioner, reassured delegates that the government views ISACA Kampala as a key partner in building digital trust, setting standards, and skilling the workforce through partnerships with academia and industry.

They say life is short but in Kampala, traffic makes it feel much, much longer. A recent report revealed that we lose an average of 52 days every year stuck in traffic jam in Kampala. That is an equivalent of nearly two months of productivity wasted. And that’s before you add the frustration, anxiety, and emotional burnout that have become part of daily life on our roads.

The causes of this agony are no mystery i.e. a poor and overstretched road network, the slow pace of infrastructure development, outdated traffic management systems that still rely on traffic wardens rather than technology, and perhaps most visibly, indiscipline among road users. Anyone who has braved Kampala’s roads knows the chaos all too well. One morning at Wampewo Roundabout, I found myself in the middle of a police operation. Officers were stopping cars to check for unpaid EPS tickets, and permits, right at the roundabout. How can traffic flow when enforcement blocks the very arteries meant to keep the city moving! Sometimes, our methods seem to fuel the very indiscipline they are meant to stop.

Then there are boda bodas! It’s almost impossible to tell whether traffic laws apply to them or if they are the law. Their disregard for lanes, and signals has become so normal that even the police appear to have given up. Reports indicate that 70 percent of road crashes recorded annually in Uganda, involve boda bodas. Behind every statistic is a family grieving or drained by hospital bills.

Kampala traffic can be both stressful and strangely entertaining. Near misses, shouting matches, and daring manoeuvres play out daily like a live action drama. Taxi drivers with bull bars squeezing into impossible spaces, mocking private car drivers with their trademark, ‘which driving school did you go to?’ VIP convoys add another twist with sirens blaring, escorts jumping out to push traffic aside, sometimes even overruling traffic officers. For ordinary motorists, always remember to manage your fuel, lock the doors and ensure wind screens are high enough to protect your valuables. That is life on Kampala’s roads!

To be fair, government has made progress. With support from partners like the World Bank and JICA, Kampala is getting new signalised junctions, improved roads, and even a central traffic control centre. Projects like the Kampala Flyover and the expansion of the Northern Bypass are promising. The pressure intensifies during major events. The plot gets thicker as we step into the election period, with political party primaries and campaigns kicking off that draw huge numbers of delegates in different places within the city. For Kampala businesses, that means revenue. For road users, it means gridlock. The costs are borne by ordinary citizens rushing for medical emergencies, deadlines and schedules missed.

The losses go beyond frustration. Billions of shillings annually in wasted fuel, lost man hours, higher vehicle maintenance costs, and disrupted supply chains. According to the World Bank, congestion in African cities can shave up to 5 percent off GDP every year. That’s a cost Uganda cannot afford! The solutions are clear, and they call for better planning of road closures and diversions, switch from manual to smart traffic management systems and a return to discipline in every road use. Because until then, sitting in Kampala traffic will remain what it has always been. A daily tug of war between survival and sanity!

With the retirement of Chief Justice Alfonse Owiny-Dollo approaching, the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) has advertised his position, which falls vacant on January 18, 2026. The 1995 Constitution provides that Justices of the Supreme Court and those of the Court of Appeal/Constitutional Court retire at 70 years, High Court judges at 65, and Registrars at 60. Chief Justice Owiny-Dollo turns 70 on January 18, 2026.

The advert by the JSC, the body mandated to recruit and discipline judicial officers, sets October 20 as the deadline for applications. It was signed by Dr Rose Nasaali, the Commission secretary.

Applicants for the top judicial position, the fourth highest in the country, are required to have at least 20 years of experience, be a justice of the Supreme Court or a court of similar jurisdiction, and have practiced as an advocate for not less than 20 years before a competent court in civil and criminal matters.

The Chief Justice heads the Judiciary, oversees the administration of the Supreme Court and all courts in the country, presides over Supreme Court sittings, and issues orders for the efficient administration of justice. As of June 1, the Supreme Court had 11 justices, the Court of Appeal/Constitutional Court 21, and the High Court 89 judges.

Candidates who previously contested alongside Justice Owiny-Dollo include former Deputy Chief Justice Richard Buteera, who retired after turning 70, and Justice Esther Kisaakye, who fled the country citing security concerns following friction with the Chief Justice over the Robert Kyagulanyi presidential election petition of 2021. Former Principal Judge Yorokamu Bamwine also retired upon turning 65.

Flavian Zeija

The current Deputy Chief Justice, Dr Zeija was elevated from Principal Judge in February. His rapid rise from High Court judge in 2016 to Principal Judge in 2019, and now Deputy Chief Justice, positions him as a likely candidate for the top post.

Mike Chibita

Justice Chibita, 62, is a Supreme Court judge. He graduated from Makerere University with a Bachelor of Laws in 1989 and completed the Bar Course in 1990. He holds a Master of Laws from the University of Iowa, USA.

Appointed to the High Court in 2010, Justice Chibita became Director of Public Prosecutions in 2015 until his Supreme Court appointment in 2019. In 2012, he conducted the re-trial of Masaka businessman Godfrey Kato Kajubi, accused of ritual murder of a 12-year-old, resulting in a life sentence.

Kiryowa Kiwanuka

Mr Kiryowa Kiwanuka, 53, is the current Attorney General and chief government legal adviser, a position he has held for five years. He is a founding partner of K and K Advocates with over 20 years of experience. Before his appointment, he led the firm in high-value commercial litigation.

His practice includes commercial and civil litigation, banking and finance, insolvency, arbitration, and energy law. He has served on boards including the Petroleum Authority of Uganda and the Makerere University Council.

Catherine Bamugemereire

Justice Bamugemereire began her career as a State Attorney in 1993, moved to the Judiciary as a Grade One Magistrate, then Chief Magistrate, and became a High Court judge in 2010. She served in the Anti-Corruption Court and Family Division before moving to the Court of Appeal/Constitutional Court, and was elevated to the Supreme Court last year.

She has chaired two commissions of inquiry into land matters and KCCA, which led to the controversial 2013 impeachment of Kampala’s Lord Mayor. Justice Bamugemereire holds a Bachelor of Laws from Makerere University and a Master in Comparative Law from Southern Methodist University, USA. She has also worked at Shell Mexico LPG and taught at the University of Surrey in the UK.

Christopher Izama Madrama

Justice Madrama, a Supreme Court judge appointed in October 2022, is considered a strong candidate due to his reputation for well-reasoned judgments rarely overturned. He has progressed steadily through judicial ranks.

The recruitment of the next Chief Justice will be the first test for the new Judicial Service Commission, now led by Justice Douglas Siginza, who replaced Justice Benjamin Kabiito after his two terms ended earlier this year. The President, who makes the final appointment, will choose from the list of candidates submitted by the JSC.