Author: user user

For some, it is still yet to sink in that Uganda did not pick up a medal at the recent World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Japan.

There were shortcomings for 3000 metres steeplechase runner Peruth Chemutai, while marathoners Abel Chelangat, Victor Kiplangat and Stephen Kissa in that order as well as Stella Chesang all succumbed to the humidity on the Tokyo streets.

A portion of that medal miss is attributed to Jacob Kiplimo and Joshua Cheptegei’s absence. They both opted for 42km races elsewhere with Kiplimo geared for the Chicago Marathon in the USA next weekend.

‘I decided to withdraw from the World Championship to have more time to concentrate on preparations ahead of the Chicago Marathon,’ Kiplimo stated.

That October 12th race in the State of Illinois will be Kiplimo’s second career marathon. ‘Proud to be there and can’t wait to start in Grand Park,’ he added.

Kiplimo is a prolific runner on the road. In February, he reclaimed the 21km world record (WR) after he won the Barcelona Half-Marathon in Spain with a time of 56 minutes and 42 minutes.

The 24-year-old is the first man to run that distance under 57 minutes. Thereafter, Kiplimo produced the fastest marathon debut by a Ugandan – finishing second behind Kenyan Sabastian Sawe with a time of two hours, three minutes and 37 seconds at the London Marathon in England on April 27.

On the all-time marathon list, Kiplimo ranks joint 46th and of all the fastest 50 men ever, he is the only third individual not to come from Kenya or Ethiopia, simply outstanding.

When race organizers for Chicago set up the men’s field, the Ugandan was entered and race talk is skewed towards a rivalry with defending champion Kenyan John Korir.

Last year, Korir emulated his brother Wesley Korir’s 2012 triumph with a time of 2:02:44. Chicago offers a flat course which is always ideal for fast times as well considering the weather forecast is more accurate closer to the race day.

In 2023, the late Kenyan Kelvin Kiptum lowered the marathon WR to 2:00:35 while winning in Chicago. That became the third time in history that the men’s marathon WR was being set in Chicago.

By pitting Korir against Kiplimo and notwithstanding other entries like Kenyan trio Timothy Kiplagat, Amos Kipruto and CyBrian Kotut as well as Belgian Bashir Abdi all who are faster than the Ugandan, a fast race is expected in Chicago.

And granted Kiplimo is still a novice at the 42km distance, his half-marathon WR title equates to a full marathon time of 1:59:46, a performance under Kiptum’s WR. And it explains why he holds much attention.

While preparing, Korir has hinted at beating that WR by Kiptum and in April, he won the Boston Marathon in Massachusetts, USA.

‘I am confident that I will be able to defend my title at the Chicago Marathon this October,’ Korir said in a statement. ‘My training is going well, and I am focused on achieving another personal best time.’

The five men 2022 Abu Dhabi Marathon champion Kiplagat, 2022 London Marathon winner Kipruto, Kotut, Abdi and Kiplimo have all broken the 2:04:00 mark and that bodes well to push Korir or any under the 2:01:00 mark thereby facing Kiptum’s mark.

CHICAGO MARATHON

Date: 2nd Sunday in October (before Columbus Day)

2025 Date: October 12

Location: Chicago, Illinois, USA

Event type: Road

Distance: 26.219 miles (42.195 km)

Established: 1977 (48 years ago)

Course records – Men: 2:00:35 *WR by (Kelvin Kiptum – 2023) | Ladies: 2:09:56 *WR by Ruth Chepngetich – 2024)

MEN’S WORLD RECORDS IN CHICAGO

Steve Jones in 1984

Khalid Khannouchi in 1999

Kelvin Kiptum in 2023

2025 CHICAGO MARATHON

ELITE MEN’S FIELD

John Korir (KEN) 2:02:44

Timothy Kiplagat (KEN) 2:02:55

Amos Kipruto (KEN) 2:03:13

CyBrian Kotut (KEN) 2:03:22

Bashir Abdi (BEL) 2:03:36

Jacob Kiplimo (UGA) 2:03:37

Philemon Kiplimo (KEN) 2:04:01

Geoffrey Kamworwor (KEN) 2:04:23

Huseydin Mohamed Esa (ETH) 2:04:39

Daniel Ebenyo (KEN) 2:06:04

Galen Rupp (USA) 2:06:07

Hiroto Inoue (JPN) 2:06:14

Zouhair Talbi (MAR) 2:06:39

Conner Mantz (USA) 2:07:47

Matt Richtman (USA) 2:07:56

Rory Linkletter (CAN) 2:08:01

CJ Albertson (USA) 2:08:17

Hideyuki Tanaka (JPN) 2:09:27

Patricio Castillo (MEX) 2:10:40

Ryan Ford (USA) 2:11:08

Marc Scott (GBR) 2:11:19

KIPLIMO AT A GLANCE

Date of birth: November 14, 2000

Major events: 5000m, 10000m, Half-Marathon, Marathon

Coach: Iacorpo Brasi, Peter Chelangat

Personal Bests: 12:40.96 (5000m), 26:33.93 (10000m), 56:42 (21km), 2:03:37 (Marathon)

Manager: Federico Rosa

Management: Rosa Associati

KIPLIMO IN 2025

Apr 27, 2025: London Marathon (2nd, 2:03:37)

Feb 16, 2025: Barcelona Half-Marathon (1st, 56:42)

KIPLIMO IN 2024

Dec 31, 2024: NN San Silvestre 10K (2nd, 26:32)

Nov 17, 2024: NN Zevenheuvelenloop (1st, 40:42)

Sept 15, 2024: Copenhagen Half-Marathon (2nd, 58:09)

Aug 2, 2024: Paris Olympics, 10000m (8th, 26:46.39)

May 30, 2024: Oslo DL, 5000m (3rd, 12:40.96)

May 17, 2024: LA Grand Prix, 5000m (4th, 12:52.91)

Mar 30, 2024: World Cross-country (1st, 28:09)

Feb 10, 2024: National Cross-country (1st, 29:04)

Jan 14, 2024: Valencia 10K Ibercaja (1st, 26:48)

UGANDA’S FASTEST MARATHONERS

BEST TIME BY ATHLETE

2:03:37 by Jacob Kiplimo at London Marathon on Apr 27, 2025

2:04:48 by Stephen Kissa at Hamburg Marathon on Apr 24, 2022

2:05:09 by Victor Kiplangat at Hamburg Marathon on Apr 24, 2022

2:05:12 by Filex Chemongesi at Toronto Marathon on Oct 20, 2019

2:05:59 by Joshua Cheptegei at Tokyo Marathon on Mar 2, 2025

2:06:33 by Stephen Kiprotich at Tokyo Marathon on Feb 22, 2015

The gloves are off, and the battle lines are firmly drawn.

Ugandan football finds itself on the edge of a slippery slope as Vipers president, Lawrence Mulindwa, digs in his heels against Fufa’s controversial new league format.

What once looked like a simmering disagreement has now boiled over into an open war that could drag the local game into a bottomless pit.

Mulindwa, who once presided over Fufa for eight years, has come out swinging, insisting the Venoms will not kick a ball under the federation’s freshly minted three-group league structure.

To him, the so-called reforms are not just ill-timed but a direct attack on clubs’ autonomy, stripping them of hosting rights, benefits, and their place at the heart of the competition.

‘Time and again, we raised pertinent issues,’ Mulindwa thundered in a letter dated October 2, 2025, ‘but to our surprise and dismay, Fufa has never formally responded.

Instead, we have been ridiculed, blackmailed, rebuked, and ostracized for demanding legitimate answers to issues affecting the sporting integrity of the League.’

The flashpoint came when Fufa included Vipers in Saturday’s double-header at Namboole – Kitara vs. Vipers and KCCA vs. SC Villa – despite the club’s loud and clear objections.

‘We find this unethical and disrespectful,’ Mulindwa stated, blasting the move as a total disregard for the struggles of privately owned clubs that have kept Ugandan football afloat.

Like a striker refusing to play offside, Mulindwa refused to be trapped.

While Villa and Nec have bent under pressure, Vipers have stood firm, refusing to be ‘conscripted’ into fixtures without answers.

In his letter-copied to the Minister of Education and Sports, National Council for Sports, UPL officials, sponsors, fans, and stakeholders-he made it clear.

‘Vipers shall not participate in the new format until our concerns are formally addressed. We shall use all available means within football laws to seek redress and protect our rights.’

Fufa, for its part, has dug in its boots, vowing to press on with reforms it claims will bring ‘renewed competition.’

But with fans already staying away in droves – stadiums recording shockingly low turnouts in the first two match days – the stage is set for a bruising showdown.

This is no longer just a league reform debate – it is a full-blown football war.

And as every fan knows, when two elephants fight on the pitch, it is the grass-Ugandan football-that suffers most.

Tooro Kingdom has launched a youth economic empowerment program in partnership with the Ugandan government, targeting agriculture, entrepreneurship, and skills development for thousands of young people across the kingdom.

The initiative follows President Museveni’s pledge on September 16 to collaborate with Tooro in agriculture, education, sports and tourism, as part of support for the kingdom’s 25-year Development Plan.

‘During our discussion, we explored the Kingdom’s framework and expressed our commitment to supporting it. We also agreed to collaborate in the areas of agriculture, education, sports, and tourism,’ Museveni posted on X.

Tooro King (Omukama) Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV has in recent addresses underlined that the long-term development plan provides the kingdom with strategic direction, identifying agriculture as a cornerstone.

Demonstration farms are being set up to train youth and farmers in modern practices.

Tooro Prime Minister Calvin Armstrong Akiiki said the launch fulfilled Museveni’s pledge made during two meetings with the monarch.

He noted that resources were already being mobilized to ensure the program’s implementation.

‘The first initial batch of the seedlings is going to be purchased by the government, and 90 percent of the gardens have been supported by the government, with the promise of giving 100 percent support,’ Armstrong said.

He added: ‘We thank the president because when we met him in October, he specifically pointed at this project, which we had introduced to him in May. He said in October, it would start by giving us this funding.’

The program will cover all nine counties of Tooro Kingdom, with plans to distribute 3 million coffee seedlings, 2 million cocoa seedlings, and 3 million chickens.

At least 50,000 young people are expected to directly benefit from agriculture support.

Extension workers will guide the selection process for beneficiaries, who will receive seedlings and support to establish gardens within a month.

‘We are distributing coffee seedlings across Tooro Kingdom to encourage youth to actively participate in farming. This program is about providing livelihoods and equipping young people with entrepreneurship skills,’ Armstrong added.

The initiative will roll out in two phases, beginning with distribution of seedlings before establishing nurseries, mother gardens and demonstration farms to guarantee sustainability.

Officials expect the program to boost household incomes for youth-led families and link Tooro’s young people with national wealth creation initiatives such as the Parish Development Model and Operation Wealth Creation.

The launch comes ahead of King Oyo’s tour of the kingdom’s nine counties starting October 6, where he is expected to popularize the program.

For the third time in a row, Robert Kasibante, the presidential candidate of the National Peasant Party (NPP), has failed to show up for his scheduled campaign rallies, leaving many of his supporters disappointed and questioning his seriousness in the race.

On Thursday, Kasibante was expected to hold rallies in Kyenjojo District before proceeding to Fort Portal City for an afternoon address, but was a no-show

In an interview later in the day, Kasibante admitted that while he had set off from Kampala intending to attend the events, he encountered “challenges” along the way that forced him to abandon the journey.

“I had reached Zigote [Mityana district] and got some challenges, so I canceled the journey. Let me see if I can make it tomorrow [Friday] for Kabarole District, where I am expected,” Kasibante explained.

This was not the first time Kasibante failed to appear for campaign events. On Wednesday, he was expected in Mubende and Kyegegwa districts but never showed up.

Similarly, on Monday, he missed planned rallies in Mityana and Kasanda districts. Since the official start of the campaign season, the NPP candidate has not conducted a single rally, despite a clear campaign program issued by the Electoral Commission.

Voters in Fort Portal expressed frustration after waiting in vain for the candidate. Some accused Kasibante of lacking an advance team to mobilize supporters, prepare venues, and communicate changes in his schedule.

“We were happily waiting for him so that we could share our demands, in case he got the mandate to lead. He was going to be the first presidential candidate to reach Fort Portal and Tooro sub-region, but now he has not come,” said Joshua Arinaitwe, a resident of Kisenyi in Fort Portal.

Arinaitwe added, “If he has financial challenges, he should declare them openly to Ugandans. The Electoral Commission needs to look into this issue. If he is not able to proceed with the campaign, his nomination should be canceled.”

Political analyst Dan Agaba suggested that Kasibante’s repeated absence could undermine the credibility of his campaign and discourage potential supporters.

“Without actively engaging citizens, experts warn, Kasibante risks being perceived as unserious and unprepared for national leadership,” he said.

Right now, Uganda is experiencing a digital revolution. As internet penetration steadily rises, so does the use of e-commerce, online government services, mobile banking and payment platforms. However all this progress is not without risk, and cyber crime is gradually increasing – especially in rural areas where awareness is low.

To address this issue, grassroot campaigns are stepping in with the goal of empowering rural communities and building stronger awareness among the population. Some have developed innovative solutions to bridge the digital divide and reach out to rural areas so even remote villagers are able to navigate the internet safely.

Cybersecurity Challenges in Rural Uganda

Rural Uganda faces significant barriers to effective cybersecurity education and awareness. It isn’t just that awareness about cyber threats, cybersecurity best practices, or tools like VPN providers is scarce – the problem is reaching people in rural regions that have underdeveloped digital infrastructure, limited electricity, and high data costs.

Many rural dwellers do not own their own devices, and rely on communal device sharing as well as intermediaries for charging. Not only does this increase the risk of unauthorized access, but it also means that information is often passed along second-hand instead of being accessed directly – which causes misinformation to flourish and leads to poor cybersecurity practices.

As things stand there is a rapid adoption of digital tools in rural areas, spurred by initiatives like the UN Capital Development Fund’s program for inclusive digital economies. However that in itself is a double-edged sword as it has outpaced education efforts – leaving rural communities vulnerable and targets for cybercriminals.

Grassroot Campaigns to Promote Cybersecurity

To reach rural communities more effectively, Uganda has turned to grassroot cybersecurity campaigns that meet people where they are, and use more accessible methods. Its National Cybersecurity Strategy 2022-26 got the ball rolling by emphasizing the need to embed cybersecurity in school curricula and build a solid foundation for long-term digital resilience.

The National Information Technology Authority-Uganda (NITA-U) has also stepped up with several campaigns that have a rural focus. One of them was its ‘Be Safe Online’ initiative that engaged schools and community leaders to deliver cybersecurity education to communities with low digital literacy.

Additionally, NITA-U has built community-based tech centers in rural areas under the Digital Uganda Vision to bridge the digital divide, and provide tailored programs on cybersecurity awareness. However its biggest push to enhance rural cybersecurity to date is the freshly launched Beera Ku Guard campaign.

As a collaboration between NITA-U and the Personal Data Protection Offer (PDPO), Beera Ku Guard is a six-month, nationwide public awareness campaign to promote cybersecurity. It intends to target rural communities by using local language messaging as well as rural-friendly communication channels such as radio, television, SMS, community forums and in-person workshops.

Complementing NITA-U’s work, the PDPO will focus on avoiding technical jargon, and translating rights and responsibilities into simple, relatable language. It intends to integrate storytelling, infographics, and interactive quizzes into the Beera KU Guard campaign to make complex concepts relatable and engaging for rural audiences.

Overall this campaign aims to reach at least 70% of Uganda’s population and is the largest grassroots cybersecurity education campaign so far. By instilling basic cybersecurity best practices among rural communities, it plans to educate them on how to safeguard mobile money PINs, avoid malicious links, identify suspicious emails, and secure personal data.

Other organizations have also been reaching out to rural communities. Some have partnered up in building mobile labs with solar-powered computers to reach areas that have low internet penetration and limited electricity supply. Others, such as Unwanted Witness and Civil Rights Defenders, train human rights defenders in rural areas on cybersecurity basics.

What’s Next?

Empowering rural Uganda isn’t something a one-off grassroots campaign can solve, but the Beera Ku Guard initiative is a good start and showcases the government’s commitment to delivering cybersecurity education to its most vulnerable, rural communities. By prioritizing accessibility, cultural relevance, and collaboration with local communities, it is not only lighting the way but laying a solid foundation that future campaigns can build on.

As new and disruptive technologies such as AI are set to enhance cyberthreats by enabling better deepfake videos, more convincing phishing emails, and automated cyber attacks – the need to empower rural Uganda and ensure they can protect themselves is greater than ever before. The grassroots campaigns that are being run are not only essential, but prove that with the right approach it is possible to empower rural communities with the knowledge and skills they need.

Schools in Kibaale, Kagadi, and Kakumiro districts in Bunyoro Sub-region are grappling with acute staffing shortages.

District leaders and education stakeholders attribute the gaps in UNEB performance to the government’s failure to provide adequate funding for teacher recruitment.

According to education officials, the number of teachers is far below what is required to serve the growing student population, making it difficult to deliver quality education.

The Kibaale District Education Officer, Mr John Talagaboine, said some schools have survived by diverting part of the Capitation Grant to pay private teachers.

‘Some schools use the grant to pay private teachers, leaving other activities unfunded. The grant is meant for daily operations, not salaries. Few teachers cannot match the required teacher-to-learner ratio, which affects results,’ he said.

The district is supposed to have 125 secondary school teachers but has only 88 after two retired. At the primary level, the district has 445 teachers instead of the required 556, with 12 retiring this year.

The Kibaale District Chairperson, Mr Godfrey Muhonge Kasanga, said the district has 82 primary schools, with 362 teachers instead of the required 960.

‘Without enough staff, we cannot perform well academically. The workload is too heavy for the few teachers available,’ he said, adding that some learners miss lessons and eventually drop out. At Bubamba Primary School, head teacher Peter Kwemara said six teachers handle all seven classes, forcing the school to hire a private teacher.

‘The same staff also hold offices and other responsibilities, which makes balancing roles difficult. When a teacher is absent, pupils miss lessons, syllabus coverage is delayed, and results are affected,’ he said.

The 2024 UBOS report shows Kibaale has high numbers of out-of-school children. Among children aged 6 to 12, at least 11,902 out of 50,239 were not in school, while 11,009 out of 27,963 aged 13 to 17 were not attending school.

The Kakumiro District chairperson, Mr Joseph Sentahi Senkusu, said many schools have fewer than seven teachers despite high enrolment.

‘The government has restricted the recruitment of private teachers, saying it exploits parents. But without enough teachers, performance will continue to decline,’ he warned.

At Kiriika Primary School in Kakumiro, the head teacher, Mr Augustine Ssekisasi, said the school has more than 900 pupils and only eight teachers. ‘There is a need to stream classes for proper learning, but the structures cannot handle the large numbers. Work overload also affects how we assess learners,’ he said.

Kagadi wage bill

In Kagadi, the Uganda National Teachers’ Union (Unatu) chairperson, Mr Solomon Musinguzi, said the district’s wage bill is too low to support adequate staffing.

‘This has escalated early retirement applications-50 staff have already applied, which is worrying,’ he said. Kagadi District chairperson Ndibwami B Yosia admitted that the district has a deficit of 523 teachers across all government schools.

‘School heads are forced to hire private teachers, yet education is supposed to be free. Parents end up paying because schools must operate. The government should revise the teacher-to-pupil ratio and recruit to full capacity,’ he said.

The Kabukanga Primary School head teacher, Mr Enock Matee, said the school’s enrolment has dropped from 500 pupils in previous years to about 150.

‘We were forced to scrap primary seven after losing teachers who were transferred and never replaced. Of the five teachers, only two are on payroll, while three are privately paid by parents. The Capitation Grant is being used for salaries instead of school activities,’ Mr Matee said.

He added that the school also faces infrastructure challenges, with only two permanent blocks and three temporary structures in poor condition.

At a glance

* Kibaale District should have 125 secondary school teachers but has only 88.

* At the primary level, Kibaale has 445 teachers instead of the required 556.

* Kagadi District faces a deficit of 523 teachers across all government schools.

* Kabukanga Primary School has only two government teachers, with three others privately paid by parents.

Association of allied health professionals’ council of Uganda has closed six privately owned health facilities over safety concerns and non-compliance to standards.

Some of the laboratories in the clinics were found to be operated by medical students while others with qualified but without operating licenses from their professions bodies.

But patients found at one of the clinics protested the closure saying their lives have saved since Arua regional referral hospital and Ediofe health centre which they are supposed to go to are far away from them.

‘My baby would have died had it not been this clinic near to us, Arua regional hospital is far away and the bridge to Ediofe health centre is broken. In times of emergency, especially at night, boda-bodas are too expensive and so, these clinics near us do help,’ Ms Brenda Asianzu, a resident of Ezova cell, Ayivu West said on Thursday.

But Mr Michael Mubiru Kayizzi, the Quality Assurance Manager at Allied Health Professionals said they were carrying out the exercise to protect the public.

‘We are here because we are protecting the public, it is the command of the law, to get regulated service,’ he said.

Mr Fred Alionzi, the proprietor of one of the closed health facilities appealed for leniency saying he was the sole breadwinner and could not sit at home.

‘When I completed my studies at school of health, I left huge school balances so I could not sit to get my transcript. And I am working here in order to get money to offset the balances and attain a licence. I could also not sit at home, I had to look for ways of making ends meet,’ Alionzi stated.

An imaging centre was also closed for using unqualified staff, and patients who had been referred for scanning from Arua regional referral were told to leave and their money refunded.

What is demanded?

For one to operate smoothly, requires a clinical officer who works under a supervisor for at least 4 years after school, and pays at least Shs300,000 to get a practicing license.

Lango Sub-region presents both wider concerns and district-specific issues that are likely to influence the 2026 general election outcomes. Recent aerial surveys in Lango Sub-region revealed deposits of minerals, including gold in Aboke and Alito sub-counties, Kole District.

The leaders argue that the government should update and publish a mineral map and provide clear plans for their exploration. Failure to harness these resources for socio-economic growth could become a major campaign issue in 2026, as residents demand jobs, revenue, and infrastructure from mining activities.

Compensation, historical injustices

In Kole District, the community is still waiting for the government to fulfil President Museveni’s 2017 directive to compensate Aculbanya Secondary School with a bus, after the NRA confiscated a school lorry during the insurgency in 1987. Unresolved historical grievances such as this may fuel voter dissatisfaction if not addressed before the elections due in January 2026.

Health services

The state of healthcare remains a top concern, with the communities demanding that Aboke Health Centre IV in Kole and Anyeke Health Centre IV in Oyam be upgraded to general hospitals to serve growing populations. Limited access to quality health facilities is likely to be a key campaign theme in the 2026 General Election.

Infrastructure and connectivity

The leaders demand adjustments to the Aboke-Bobi road design to link Aboke Market to Anekapiri Market, Ogur, and connect the district headquarters of Lira, Kole, and Apac by tarmac. Roads remain a visible development yardstick, and poor connectivity could influence voting patterns.

Access to electricity

Access to electricity in Lango is just 8.4 percent, which is far below the national average of 18.9 percent (Uganda National Household Survey). Calls for expanded rural electrification are urgent. Politicians will face pressure to show tangible progress on energy access, especially for households, businesses, and schools across the sub-region.

Agriculture and livelihoods

The communities are also demanding government investment in agro-processing plants, livestock farming with improved breeds, veterinary services, market access, and affordable irrigation technologies. With the majority of the voters in the area depending on agriculture, these demands will heavily shape the 2026 electoral debate.

Administrative and land issues in Oyam

The residents of Oyam District are calling for the creation of Aber District, citing a population of 572,000 with 1,169 villages, and 578 kilometres of district roads. There is also the unresolved dispute over 1,000 acres of land occupied by the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) in Loro. The land was originally given during the insurgency, but remains a sore point. These grievances could drive political mobilisation and voter sentiments in 2026.

Industrialisation and jobs

The leaders in Oyam are also lobbying for the establishment of an industrial park to boost employment. Given the high youth unemployment across Lango, this issue is likely to resonate strongly with the voters during campaigns.

Lira City

The city residents are calling for the construction of an airport in Lira Cit, and for this, land measuring about 1.8km by 4km has already been secured in Anai, Lira City, West Division. The locals also demand support for an agro-industrial park and the establishment of a sub-regional driving permit centre. These projects are seen as critical for business growth, trade, and employment, making them potential election issues.

Dokolo County North and South

The communities in Dokolo District want the Dokolo Health Centre IV that currently acts as a district hospital, upgraded to a general hospital. The Lango sub-region has the lowest paved road coverage in Uganda (3 percent), despite the ongoing work on the 191-km Rwenkunye-Apac-Lira road. The residents are also calling for the expedited tarmacking of the 88km Dokolo-Ochero-Namasale road and support for the development of an industrial park. Infrastructure and healthcare deficits remain major voter concerns.

Amolatar District (Kioga County and Kioga North)

The voters in Amolatar District demand a resolution of the conflicts between the fishing community and the UPDF on Lake Kyoga and the River Nile. There is a pressing need to improve electricity access that currently stands at 8.4 percent in Lango, compared to 18.9 percent nationally. The residents also demand investments in agro-processing plants, livestock development, veterinary services, markets, and irrigation technologies. These economic and service delivery issues could influence electoral support.

Alebtong District (Moroto County)

The residents are calling for the upgrading of Alebtong Health Centre IV to a general hospital. Similarly, with the Lango Sub-region’s paved road network standing at below 3 percent, the residents are also demanding the expedited tarmacking of the 120km-long Lira-Aloi-Kotido-Abim road. Likewise, healthcare and transport remain top voter priorities.

Kwania District (Kwania County and Kwania North)

The residents in Kwania are also calling for the upgrade of Aduku Health Centre IV to a general hospital. They also demand a ferry from Nambieso to Kwania, a critical transport link connecting the area to Amolatar. Lack of connectivity and limited healthcare services could shape voter preferences in 2026.

Lira District (Erute North and South)

The leaders in the district are advocating the creation of Erute District from Lira District due to administrative challenges caused by the carving of Lira City divisions from the parent Lira District. Currently, travel between the northern and southern parts of Lira District requires passing through Lira City, highlighting governance and administrative inefficiencies as potential election issues.

In Uganda’s West Nile region, women play a crucial role in agriculture, but cultural norms restrict their ability to own land and other properties. The Lugbara and Alur communities cherish deep-seated cultural values that limit women’s rights, leading to gender-based violence and disputes over land ownership.

“Culture has dictated that women simply enjoy the land user rights but not the right to own land,” says Paska Aliru, a resident of Polota parish in Logiri village, Arua District. “The customary certificate ownership that includes women is a big achievement for West Nile women.”

Elizabeth Minala, a widow and resident of Polota village, knows firsthand the struggles of women in her community. After her husband’s death in 2019, she was thrown out of her marital home and denied ownership of the land.

“I believe one of the reasons why I was thrown out of my late husband’s home is because of the greed for property, including land,” she says.

Uganda’s Constitution guarantees land ownership to every citizen without discrimination based on gender. However, in the West Nile region, women are often unaware of their rights. Esther Kisembo, Programs Coordinator at ActionAid Uganda, notes that the land awareness camp is a sensitization platform to empower communities about their land rights and customary land registration process.

“Uganda’s Constitution guarantees land ownership to every citizen without discrimination based on gender,” Kisembo says. “It’s unfortunate that in this particular sub-region, the women that form the majority of the population under the farming sector know that they have the land user rights but not the ownership rights.”

Local leaders are taking steps to address the issue. John Bosco Odama, the Logiri LC3 Subcounty Chief, acknowledges that land-related wrangles are a major source of community disputes in the region. “The women use the land but have no ownership rights,” he says. “But both the cultural leaders and the community are now realizing the importance of customary certificate registration where women are allowed to register ownership.”

The Ministry of Lands, Housing, and Urban Development is working with partners, including ActionAid Uganda, FIDA Uganda, and Eastern and Southern Small Scale Farmers Forum, to promote customary certificates registration and land awareness. Denis Obbo, the Communication and Information Officer at the Ministry of Lands, notes that the initiative aims to formalize land ownership and empower communities, especially women, to claim their rights.

The Lugbara Kari Pronouncement, a document detailing several interventions aimed at empowering the Lugbara people, clarifies the right of the girl child to education, property inheritance, and women’s land-related rights. As the government and partners work to address the issue, women in West Nile are hopeful that their struggles will soon be a thing of the past.

The Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) presidential candidate, Mr Nathan Nandala Mafabi, has urged residents of Iganga District to vote him, promising to lead a corruption-free government with a focus on grassroots development.

While speaking to residents in Nkaatu Igamba, Northern Division, Iganga Municipality yesterday, Mr Mafabi emphasised that tackling corruption at the local government level would be his top priority if elected president.

Mr Nadanala argued that many of the challenges affecting service delivery and development in Uganda originate from mismanagement and embezzlement within local councils and district offices.

According to Mr Nandala, funds meant for roads, health centre, schools, and community projects are often stolen or misused before reaching the intended beneficiaries.

By cleaning up corruption at the grassroots, Mr Nandala believes national development will become more efficient, transparent, and impactful.

‘Each year, government officials steal Shs10 trillion. If elected President, I will recover that money and redirect it to real development, starting with the villages,” Mr Nandala said.

He further pledged to upgrade Nakavule Hospital into a referral facility, citing its strategic location in the Busoga Sub-region, which also serves Bukedi and the surrounding areas.

Mr Nandala also said he will replace the Parish Development Model development Saccos, allocating Shs100 million to each village annually.

‘In my government, I will start by developing villages, then parishes, because true development begins at the grassroots,’ he added. He promised to establish an industrial park in Iganga to boost employment and economic growth.

On healthcare, he committed to ending ‘medical tourism,’ stating that no government official, including Members of Parliament and ministers, would seek treatment abroad.

Mr Nandala also said he will revive cooperatives across the country, abolishing university tuition fees to enable more students to access higher education, construct staff housing for civil servants, provide free electricity connections, reduce power tariffs, and tarmac all roads across Uganda

‘The people will be connected to the power grid without paying connection fees, and electricity will be affordable,’ he said.

Local leaders in Iganga welcomed his message but stressed the urgent need for a president who can tackle unemployment, corruption, poor service delivery, and the lack of security in urban areas.

Mr Lubega Yusufu, an aspiring district councillor for Iganga Central Ward, called for improved street lighting, noting that darkness in the municipality had become a security risk.