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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.

Uganda is set to host the fourth edition of the Uganda-United Arab Emirates (UAE) Business Forum later this month, with government officials saying the event will be used to attract new trade and investment partnerships across key sectors.

Scheduled for October 27 to 29, at Speke Resort Munyonyo in Kampala, the three-day forum will bring together senior government officials, business leaders, and investors from both nations to explore opportunities in agriculture, tourism, oil and gas, renewable energy, real estate, and innovation.

Organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in partnership with the Ugandan Embassy in Abu Dhabi and the Consulate General in Dubai, the forum has evolved into a major platform for strengthening economic and commercial cooperation between Uganda and the UAE.

‘The relationship between the UAE and Uganda has grown steadily over the past seven years. Hosting this edition in Kampala reflects our shared commitment to move beyond dialogue toward tangible partnerships,’ said Ambassador Zaake Wanume Kibedi, Uganda’s envoy to the UAE.

‘I call upon Ugandan businesses and UAE investors to register, attend, and convert discussions into long-term ventures,’ he added. According to the ministry, the forum aligns with Uganda’s Vision 2040 and underscores the country’s drive to build a sustainable investment environment.

The event will feature government-to-government, government-to-business, and business-to-business sessions aimed at fostering collaboration, policy dialogue, and market expansion. Participants from the UAE will include representatives from the Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah, and Fujairah Chambers of Commerce and Industry, among others.

The prime minister of Uganda is expected to deliver the keynote address at the opening ceremony. She is expected to highlight ongoing economic reforms and the government’s efforts to strengthen bilateral relations with the UAE.

Milestone

Later, Mr Ramathan Ggoobi, the the Secretary to the Treasury, will present Uganda’s economic outlook, emphasising the country’s resilience and attractiveness to foreign investors. The forum will conclude with a closing ceremony presided over by Gen Jeje Odongo, the minister of Foreign Affairs, marking what officials say is another milestone in Uganda’s economic diplomacy.

In a statement, Ms Margaret Kafeero, the head of the public diplomacy department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, described the forum as ‘a bridge between policy and partnership, where ideas transcend borders and transform into tangible outcomes.’

She added that the gathering not only aims to boost trade but also to promote technological and cultural exchange, reflecting a partnership rooted in mutual trust and shared prosperity. Delegates will also take part in field visits to highlight Uganda’s potential in agribusiness, manufacturing, energy, and innovation, showcasing the country’s capacity to host world-class investment ventures.

Officials said the Uganda-UAE Business Forum has grown into one of Africa’s notable bilateral investment events, having previously been hosted in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah, and Kampala.

The Kampala edition, they added, symbolises Uganda’s rising role as a regional gateway for trade and innovation, and reinforces its strategy of linking diplomacy with enterprise.

I am a 35-year-old diabetic who has noticed changes in my periods. Sometimes I do not get periods at all, and other times my periods are very long. Can diabetes cause this, or could there be other reasons for these irregular periods? Dinah

Dear Dinah,

Diabetes Mellitus (commonly known as diabetes) is a chronic condition that arises when the pancreas either does not produce enough insulin or the insulin produced is ineffective in regulating blood sugar levels.

This leads to elevated blood sugar, which can cause symptoms such as frequent urination, excessive thirst, fatigue, and blurred vision, among others.

Individuals with diabetes may indeed experience irregular periods. This can be linked to various factors, including being overweight or experiencing rapid weight loss, both of which can disrupt menstrual regularity and require further investigation and management to normalise periods.

Additionally, diabetes itself can contribute to irregular periods due to insulin resistance.

Elevated insulin levels are known to interfere with the regularity of menstrual cycles. In cases of type 1 diabetes, reduced insulin production can disturb the hormonal balance that regulates menstruation.

To effectively manage diabetes and help regularise menstrual cycles, it is essential to adopt a balanced diet that is low in fats and sugars, engage in at least 150 minutes of moderate physical exercise weekly, ensure adequate sleep, manage stress, and adhere to prescribed diabetes medications.

At the age of 35, some women may experience irregular periods due to age-related fluctuations in the hormones that regulate menstruation. It is not uncommon for some women to enter menopause earlier than expected.

Additionally, hormonal contraception can also contribute to irregular menstrual cycles.

Despite millions more Ugandans registering to vote in the last six General Elections since 1996, more than three in every 10 of them don’t vote. This boycott rose to four out of every 10 registered voters choosing not to cast their ballots in the last elections in 2021.

Figures from the Electoral Commission (EC) shows that 4.3 million registered voters, on average, have boycotted the polls over each of the last six electoral cycles from 1996 to 2021. Electoral observers and political actors blame this increasing voter apathy on the growing lack of confidence in the electoral system.

They also blame the commercialisation of politics, dull messaging by political players, and low civic education. But officials from the EC have wiped the blame off their shoulders, saying they have always done their best.

The EC spokesperson, Mr Julius Mucunguzi, says the EC has conducted voter education at every election cycle, but the decision to turn up and vote lies in the hands of the registered voters.

‘Voting in Uganda is not compulsory, and no one will take you to court because you did not vote. We have done our part of voter education, where we show the people how to vote. Civic education is done by the Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC). No Ugandan will ever come up and say that I didn’t vote because I did not know that would be illegal, but they have their own reasons,’ he said.

Mr Mucunguzi lamented the absence of a law forcing all registered voters to turn up and vote. He said voter turnout is at the mercy of the voters.

‘That is why we always announce the results of elections based on the votes cast by those who turn up,’ he said.

Mr Mucunguzi added that the politicians are currently doing their role of encouraging their voters to turn up on the day of voting because the EC’s role is to manage the electoral process by organising the election and guiding voters, and not engaging in rallying voters.

Several political actors this newspaper spoke to said they have designed and are preaching strong, appealing messages to reverse the growing trend, which leaves a few people to decide the political fate of the 45.9 million Ugandans.

Ugandans under President Museveni have since gone to the polls under adult suffrage six times in 1996, 2001, 2006, 2011, 2016, and in 2021.

The 1996 polls, organised under the Movement system, attracted three candidates, namely incumbent President Museveni, who was backed by the National Resistance Movement (NRM); Paul Kawanga Ssemogerere, a former Foreign Affairs minister under Museveni and Democratic Party leader, who ran under the Inter-Party Forces Cooperation (IPFC) banner, and Mr Kibirige Mayanja, who was affiliated with the Justice Forum (JEEMA).

A total of 8.4 million Ugandans registered to vote in the election, but only 6.1 million turned up for the actual voting, implying that 2.2 million voters, representing 27.5 percent, snubbed the polls. Even those who turned up did not vote properly because the EC’s May 9, 1996, Ugandan Presidential Elections Final Results indicate that 196,190 votes were invalid. But compared to all other five subsequent elections, the 1996 polls had the biggest voter turnout in comparison with the total number of Ugandans who registered to vote.

In 2001, a total of 10.7 million Ugandans registered to vote, which was an increase by 2.3 million from those who registered in 1996. But of the 10.7 million who registered, 7.5 million turned up, implying that 3.1 million voters, translating into 29.7 percent, snubbed the polls.

Ahead of the 2006 polls, the EC registered 10.4 million voters, with 7.2 million turning up for voting, but 30.9 percent snubbing the polls. The number of invalid votes also increased to 295,525, compared to 186,453 registered in 2001. In all six electoral cycles, 2011 registered the second-highest number of voter apathy because 5.6 million voters of the 13.9 million who registered did not turnout, representing 40.3 percent.

The number of invalid votes also rose to 334,548. In the 2016 election, in which Col (rtd) Dr Kizza Besigye last stood against the incumbent Museveni, the EC registered 15.2 million voters, of which 10.3 million turned out, but 4.9 million, representing 32.4 percent, snubbed the polls.

The 2021 General Election, despite attracting 18 million voters, the highest number since 1996, also had the highest number of voters boycotting the vote. Of the 18 million registered voters, only 10.7 million turned up while 7.3 million voters, representing 40.7 percent, snubbed the polls.

Why voter apathy?

Dr Juma Kakuba Sultan, a lecturer in the Department of Political Science at Kyambogo University, blamed the voter apathy on commercialisation of the vote, and detachment of the elite.

‘We have a class of the elite who sit in their offices and choose to detach themselves from the electoral process. For instance, a lawyer says he or she cannot go and vote for a Senior Six dropout to rule them. The monetisation is also a big issue, which is why you see people on polling day being given money to go and vote.,’ he said.

A human rights lawyer, Mr Hassan Male Mabirizi, argued that the existing fragile political climate, coupled with blackmail, voter bribery, and intimidation, discourages the participation of the majority of the voters who comprise the women and youth, especially the first-time voters who represent a significant portion of Uganda’s population.

‘A free and fair election doesn’t begin on polling day; it starts the day after the previous election ends. From the moment a new leader is sworn in, their conduct and the environment they create determine whether the next election will be credible. In functioning democracies, like the United Kingdom or even Kenya, politics is part of everyday life. You don’t often see police disrupting political meetings or arresting leaders for assembling,’ he said.

‘Just look at how the electoral commissions are set up in other countries. In Kenya, for instance, commissioners are interviewed in public, grilled, scrutinised, and selected transparently. But here, we have a one-man show. One individual appoints all the commissioners, and then they’re sent to Parliament for vetting, behind closed doors. Even journalists aren’t allowed to witness the vetting process of the very people who will manage our elections,’ he added.

Mr Erias Lukwago, the mayor of Kampala City, who is also the president of the People’s Front for Freedom (PFF) party, said the voter apathy stems from mistrust because Ugandans no longer believe in the election results.

‘Ugandans believe that a ballot has no value in changing the political landscape of their country, especially in the presidential election. So, the majority will end up boycotting the presidential elections and instead come for other elections,’ he said.

Political observers say reversing this trend will require more than just mobilisation, and will demand deliberate efforts to rebuild public trust and restore confidence in the democratic process.

Gen David Muhoozi, the State minister for Internal Affairs, said: ‘If we all do what we are supposed to do, we shall have a free and peaceful election. But all the actors must play their part, not just the security personnel. The public has both rights and obligations under electoral laws.’

He assured the public that the government has trained security personnel to act with professionalism, discipline, and respect for human rights. But he acknowledged the misbehaviour by some security personnel, urging the public to distinguish between the actions of individuals and the intentions of the government.

‘These misconducts are never acts of the government; they are the actions of individuals,’ he added.

Many Ugandans remain sceptical. The country has a troubled history of militarised elections, with accusations of state-sanctioned violence, harassment of Opposition figures, and suppression of dissent.

In both the 2016 and 2021 elections, security forces were widely accused of intimidating voters, violently breaking up Opposition rallies, and detaining political opponents.

The 2021 election was especially violent, following the arrest of presidential candidate Robert Kyagulanyi, aka Bobi Wine, in November 2020, which sparked nationwide protests and resulted in the deaths of more than 50 people, largely at the hands of security agents. For the last three days, all the eight presidential candidates have not received gross cases of misconduct by the security forces except for minor scuffles that break out during the implementation of the campaign guidelines. Officials from different political parties yesterday acknowledged the gross voter apathy.

The Secretary General of the National Unity Platform (NUP) party, Mr David Lewis Rubongoya, said the party is banking on its strong campaign message to avert the situation.

‘We are preaching to them the importance of voting, especially through the protest vote, which will usher in a new Uganda where we are all treated equally without any discrimination. We are optimistic that the electorate, especially the youths, will pick up the message and turn up to vote on polling day,’ he said.

The Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) party presidential candidate, Mr James Nathan Nandala Mafabi, said he is preaching a strong campaign message and the importance of voting.

‘This country’s leadership can change if we all turn up and vote, and that is the message I am telling the people where I am campaigning because nothing will change unless we all come out and vote massively,’ he said.

Mr Lukwago said: ‘We are now fighting to ensure Ugandans regain their powers given to them by the Constitution in Article 1, which empowers them to decide on who should govern them, and once that is done, we shall restore people’s confidence in the elections.’

Mr Fred Ebil, the secretary general of the Uganda Peoples Congress (UPC) party, said Ugandans should vote massively so that the votes overwhelm and would be too big to be cheated.

Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Clive Nsiima has been remanded to prison on charges of assault and malicious damage to property after he was captured on CCTV slapping a female attendant at a petrol station shop in Kyanja, a Kampala City suburb.

ASP Nsiima was seen in a viral video slapping a female shop attendant after she demanded that he pay for the items he and a female friend had picked up on October 7.

The viral video prompted the police to arrest and detain him last week.

After spending four days in the police cells, the officer was arraigned before Senior Principal Grade One Magistrate Nicholas Aisu at City Hall Court on Monday, October 13. He was remanded to Luzira Prison until October 16 for a court ruling on his bail application.

ASP Nsiima’s lawyer, Hamaza Kyamanywa told the court that the complainant, Pellan Atuhumuriize and the accused officer have since reconciled, and that she had filed an additional statement.

“In the circumstances, I seek to apply for bail for the accused. We have three sureties in court. In the circumstances, we pray that every suspect is still presumed innocent and pray that the accused is granted bail if there’s no objection from the state pending hearing of the case,” Mr Kyamanywa said.

However, senior prosecutor Ms Mercy Yamangusho said she had not gotten the opportunity to look at the sureties. “Counsel has not told the court what the sureties do, and I have seen some two who are younger than the accused, and I think they will not force him to come back for trial. The offence the accused is charged with is violence against a woman, a girl, for that matter. The accused person is a police officer whose role is to keep law and order, and the fact that he has been charged with this offence leaves a lot to be desired,” she said.

According to her, the fact that the victim is a woman is an insult that a police officer, instead of protecting her, chose to assault her.

“This offence has gone viral, it is a public interest offence, and it affects how the public will think about the court. This is impunity of the highest order, where the court has to send a message to the public. The public out there is very bitter. It is for the good of the accused for his bail to be denied. Inquiries are still ongoing, and for those reasons, I reject his bail application to enable us to conclude with investigations and the law to take on,” the state attorney argued.

In his response, the defence lawyer said they had availed documents, including national IDs, indicating the sureties are 37, three years older than the suspect.

“One of the sureties is an ISO officer. I also draw the attention of the court to section 160 of MCA for the parties to reconcile. Courts implore us to reconcile what the accused has already done, and we have told the court. As regards the public bitterness, we pray that the court does not take the state’s submission from the bar, which is not supported. It is the same public that encourages reconciliation. I will end with the presumption of innocence. At this point, the court should not form its own opinions until the evidence is heard. Sureties have not been rejected, and the court should be pleased to take him as one who has fulfilled the conditions for bail,” he said.

The magistrate adjourned the proceedings to October 16 for the court’s ruling on bail.

Ms Atuhumurize told this publication last week that ASP Nsiima and a woman ordered a pack of condoms and two cans of beer, but they attempted to drive off without paying the bills, prompting her to prevent them from leaving, which angered them, leading to the attack captured on the shop’s CCTV camera.

‘A lady alighted from the car and walked to the counter. She asked me to pack her condoms, which I did. She told me that the money was in the car, so I should follow her and pick it,’ Ms Atuhumurize said.

‘When we reached the car, a gentleman inside the car told me to bring him two cans of Tusker Lite. I went back and brought them.’ Ms Atuhumurize said after handing over the items, the man attempted to drive off.

‘I grabbed his collar to prevent him from driving off without paying the bill. Then he stopped the car and got out. He followed me to the shop. He then started abusing me and other people who were in the shop. The man then slapped me twice,’ Ms Atuhumurize said.

A private security guard attached to Tayari Security attempted to stop the attack but the police officer continued with his aggression.

The former Police Chief Political Commissar, Mr Asan Kasingye, said on his social media platform that the guard works for Tayari Security, a private security firm he heads.

‘I was the first person to be informed. The security guard you see in the video belongs to @TayarisSecurity. There is even more to this story. I am happy it will be investigated thoroughly. Let the police involve us at the company. For example, a pistol was drawn,’ said Mr Kasingye, a retired Assistant Inspector General of Police.

Vivo Energy Uganda, which owns the petrol station, condemned the attack.

‘We strongly condemn any form of violence or misconduct towards our staff or customers. We are in close contact with the attendant to ensure she receives the support she needs, and we are working with the Uganda Police to ensure the perpetrator is held accountable for his actions,’ a statement by Vivo Energy Uganda reads in part.

Other incidents in the country

Last year, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Julius Ahimbisibwe was suspected of shooting his ex-wife and injured her. Months later, SSP Ahimbisibwe was found dead in his home on suspicion that he had taken his life.

In February 2024, the Officer-in-charge of Alebtong District, ASP Moses Acaye, is alleged to have shot dead a civilian he accused of killing his relative in a mob action incident in Adjumani District.

ASP Acaye is still on the run. Another incident happened in December 2024, when a police officer, Constable Charles Bahati, shot dead a truck driver Julius Ssemwaka at Nakasero in Kampala City. Constable Bahati is still on the run.

Under the leadership of Mercy Kainobwisho, Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB) has transitioned from a routine paperwork office into a driver of business formalisation and transparency.

Through digitisation, automation, and public outreach, URSB is redefining how Ugandans register and protect their businesses.

Kainobwisho explains how technology, partnerships, and mindset change are transforming URSB into a model of efficiency and empowerment.

What excites you most about URSB’s evolving role in the business landscape?

Our mandate has grown tremendously, but what excites me most is the transformation it brings to people’s lives.

Registration is more than paperwork; it’s empowerment. When a business registers, it gains a legal identity, credibility, and access to growth opportunities. We are protecting identities, building legacies, and strengthening trust in the economy.

There is a perception that registration is slow and bureaucratic. How are you changing this?

We have dismantled bureaucracy through digitisation and automation. All our records are now digital, and businesses can register and track their progress online without relying on middlemen.

Every transaction is traceable, and nothing goes missing. We have also introduced customer feedback platforms, internal audits, and zero tolerance for corruption. What used to take weeks now takes minutes.

What has been the hardest part of this transformation?

Changing mindsets, both within and among clients. Some staff saw physical files as power, while others preferred manual processes that benefited intermediaries. We had to shift that culture.

We invested in training, technology, and welfare so that staff could embrace automation. Once they understood that digitisation was about efficiency and service, not replacing people, the transition became unstoppable.

How are you bringing registration closer to entrepreneurs?

We have taken it to the people through mobile registration clinics and door-to-door outreach in markets, universities, and innovation hubs. We simplify the process.

When people realise registration can be done instantly and at a low cost, they gain confidence in formalisation. That is how trust is built, through accessibility and reliability.

URSB works closely with other agencies. How do these partnerships add value to businesses?

Partnerships are at the heart of our work. Our current headquarters was built in collaboration with Uganda Investment Authority (UIA) and Capital Markets Authority.

We have integrated systems with NIRA and other agencies to make registration and licensing seamless. We also collaborate regionally and globally, which helps us to break silos and make Uganda’s business ecosystem more predictable.

Technology seems central to your reforms.

Yes, a massive one. Anyone can now register a business or trademark online, from anywhere in the world. We have introduced mobile money and Visa payments, electronic certificates, and instant verification. Soon, we will launch a mobile app to make registration even easier.

Our goal is to make formalisation as simple as opening a social-media account.

Small businesses are the backbone of the economy. What specific support are you offering them?

We work with UIA and the Ministry of Trade to provide incubation, mentorship, and advisory services. We are helping small enterprises to formalise in 47 municipalities, and through our Security Interest in Movable Property, small businesses are using assets like equipment or produce as collateral to get credit.

We also offer business rescue and after-care services to help struggling SMEs recover.

Beyond numbers, how do you measure URSB’s real impact?

Impact goes beyond statistics. When a woman in Masaka registers her business or a young innovator protects an idea and turns it into a thriving enterprise, that is success. We track progress through customer satisfaction, turnaround time, and trust.

Many businesses still operate informally. Why does formalisation matter?

It’s the foundation of business security and growth. It costs as little as Shs100,000 to register a business name, yet many invest millions without securing ownership. By the time they register, the name is often taken.

Formalisation protects your brand, gives access to finance, and allows you to participate in policymaking. It’s no longer optional; it’s essential for survival and competitiveness.

What key reforms should entrepreneurs expect next?

We are rolling out a fully transactional e-licensing portal, a national one-stop centre for business registration and licensing, and a Regulatory Impact Analysis framework to simplify compliance.

We are also setting up a business acceleration and innovation hub for startups. We have reduced registration from 30 days to two hours, and we are now working toward instant registration.

Where do you see URSB in the next few years?

We are moving from being a registry to becoming a catalyst for transformation. By 2030, we aim to be Africa’s leading business registry, a benchmark for innovation, integrity, and service excellence.

We will keep leveraging technology and partnerships to sustain these gains. URSB isn’t just registering companies; we are helping to build Uganda’s economic future.

Counterfeit and substandard medicines pose significant risks to our health because they may contain incorrect ingredients, have incorrect dosages, or may lack active ingredients entirely. The presence of fake drugs continues to be a major challenge in the pharmaceutical industry, particularly in rural areas, as reported by Ismail Bategeka.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), substandard products are those that do not meet quality standards and specifications, often due to poor manufacturing practices or inadequate quality control.

Falsified medical products deliberately misrepresent their identity, composition, or source. These products are often created and distributed with the intention of deceiving consumers for financial gain.

Substandard and falsified medical products pose significant threats to public health globally. They can be ineffective at treating the illness, as they may contain incorrect ingredients or incorrect dosages. They can even be directly harmful to patients if they contain contaminants or toxic substances. They may be indirectly harmful through increased risk of antimicrobial resistance.

Masindi Town, once known for its quiet streets and thriving markets, is currently facing a deadly invasion from medicine bottles and blister packs lined neatly on some shelves in drug shops. From behind the brightly painted doors of the pharmacies, fake, expired, and substandard medicines, smuggled from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) through porous points in neighbouring Buliisa District, are slipping into clinics and roadside stalls.

In a small rented room in Kijura cell, 29-year-old Jane Afisa clutches a faded photo of her three-year-old son, Brian. Tears well in her eyes as she remembers the day she lost him to malaria.

‘He developed a fever and was vomiting. I rushed to a nearby pharmacy and bought anti-malarial drugs. I gave him the full dose. However, his condition worsened progressively. By the time I took him to Masindi (General) Hospital, it was too late,’ she laments.

A postmortem, performed by the hospital, later revealed that the drugs Afisa had given her son were counterfeit and expired. ‘I thought I was saving my child. I did not know that I was killing him, instead,’ she says.

The drugs were probably brought in through Waaki Landing Site on Lake Albert, smuggled in as part of an underground supply chain from the DRC.

According to the 2024 Annual Crime Report, the Directorate of INTERPOL intercepted traffickers on seven occasions, in which eight suspects were arrested and charged in court.

Four of the suspects were sentenced to fines between Shs10m and Shs20m, one case was dismissed, and one case is still pending in court. On May 6, 2025, five districts bordering the DRC signed an agreement aimed at curbing cross-border crimes.

At the time, Gen Taban Amin, the deputy director general for Special Operations in the Internal Security Organisation (ISO), said the deal would stop cross-border theft of vehicles and livestock, and smuggling, among other crimes.

According to Titus Musiime, Buliisa District’s health officer, records at Buliisa General Hospital indicate that in the last two years, there has been a 20 percent rise in drug-resistant infections.

‘We have many patients who come back after completing the treatment cycle, complaining that the drugs did not work. When we perform laboratory tests, we discover drug resistance. We think this is linked to substandard and fake medication, especially common with antibiotics,’ he says.

According to the National Drug Authority (NDA) Annual Report 2024­-2025, there has been a 21 percent increase in adverse drug reactions (ADR) compared to those received in 2023-2024, mostly from antibiotics, painkillers, and even life-saving anti-malarial tablets. In Bwijanga Sub-county, Moses Kabagambe, a 45-year-old farmer, still walks with difficulty after suffering complications from fake antibiotics. After he developed an infection in a wound on his leg, he went to a local drug store.

‘The attendant gave me capsules, which he said would clear the infection. After a few days, my leg began swelling. I was running a high fever. I could not walk. I almost lost my leg,’ he recalls. The doctors informed Kabagambe that the capsules had no active ingredient at all, only starch and colouring.

Smuggled drugs At Runga Landing Site in Buliisa District, small boats cross from the DRC, ferrying fish, fruits, and other items to Wanseko Market. This trade forms the livelihood of several families in the area.

Some locals, though, claim that besides the goods, the boats also ferry drugs, because they are not always inspected at the official customs point.

‘Some traders hide medication inside boxes of deodorants, fuel containers, and other goods. They pass through ungazetted points at night. From Buliisa, they load their merchandise onto trucks or boda bodas to Masindi, Hoima, and beyond,’ says Nicholas Aliganyira, the chairperson of the district health committee.

Along the way, the drugs are repackaged to look like genuine brands, complete with fake seals and expiry dates. In Masindi District, apart from drug shops, fake medicines also circulate openly in informal markets.

On market days, tablets and syrups are spread out on tables alongside vegetables, soap, and sugar.

These tablets include antibiotics, painkillers, and anti-malarial. Some medicine packages have faded labels and missing leaflets, while others are repackaged into small plastic bags.

The common denominator is that the drugs are cheap. Several pharmacists admit that they are struggling to detect these counterfeits.

‘The profit margins in this business are small, and the demand is high. If someone gives you a box of amoxicillin at a cheaper price than the market price, it is tempting.

However, we later discover that some of the drugs do not work,’ says an owner of a drug shop on Station Road in Buliima town council, who asks not to be identified.

These small, mostly unregulated outlets are the last stop in the long journey of the fake drugs. From here, tablets and syrups of unknown quality find their way into people’s hands without checks.

Health workers say that this is where the real danger lies. Dr Alex Felix Ruhuhura, the acting Masindi district health officer, explains that counterfeit medicines can turn a simple illness into a severe health condition.

‘When counterfeit medicines are used for diseases such as malaria, tuberculosis, or HIV, they cause treatment failure, drug resistance, and sometimes death. They also waste resources because patients pay for drugs that do not work and then pay again for proper treatment,’ he says.

For Dr Ruhuhura, the solution starts with creating awareness. People need to know that cheap drugs sold in unlicensed shops are risky.

‘Sometimes wholesalers set very low prices for the drugs they are selling. We do not have the equipment to test the medication before we buy it. Communities, local leaders, and regulators must work together to stop this hidden trade before it claims more lives,’ he notes. Without laboratory equipment, many pharmacies rely on visual checks, which counterfeiters are masters at dodging.

Government reaction

However, the National Drug Authority (NDA) insists that there are no fake drugs in the country. Instead, Abiaz Rwamwiri, NDA’s public relations manager, cautions residents living on the shores of Lake Albert against using drugs from unlicensed traders. ‘We do not have fake drugs. The challenge is that some patients misuse drugs by failing to follow the prescribed dosage, and when treatment fails, they wrongly assume the drugs are fake. Residents and refugees should seek medical care from government health facilities, which are well-stocked with drugs approved by NDA,’ he says.

Besides smuggled drugs coming from across the border, drug shops are also selling expired drugs that have the government seal. Dr Warren Namara, the director of the State House Health Monitoring Unit, says sometimes, the expired drugs are often stolen instead of being destroyed.

‘The drugs are then repackaged and sold, posing a danger to patients. In the 2024/25 Financial Year, equipment and medicines worth about half a billion shillings have been recovered, with several cases currently in court. We have embossed our medicines with clear distinguishing marks, to the extent possible,’ he says.

According to the Parliament Watch, in July 2021, the Cabinet withdrew the Anti-counterfeiting Goods Bill, 2015 from Parliament, stating that there were other laws that can address the gap.

The Bill had been introduced to combat the importation and sale of counterfeit products on the domestic market.

Health officials are urging the government to increase inspections, strengthen border security, and provide drug-testing kits to district hospitals and major pharmacies.

Scope of the problem

Substandard and falsified medical products are a significant global health problem, impacting millions of people and compromising health systems worldwide. These products can be found in all countries, impacting all types of medical products, including life-saving treatments such as vaccines, antibiotics, and cancer therapies.

In 2017, the World Health Organisation estimated that one in 10 medicines in low- and middle-income countries failed quality control tests. The economic burden is also substantial, with billions of dollars lost annually due to ineffective treatments, increased healthcare costs, and loss of productivity.

The issue of substandard and falsified medical products is pervasive and challenging to address due to sophisticated falsification techniques that are difficult to detect and insufficient national resources to respond effectively.

This problem significantly undermines health systems, erodes trust in healthcare, and results in financial losses for both patients and legitimate industries.

The rise in online sales through unauthorised sites has further exacerbated the issue, allowing falsified products to reach consumers more easily. Tackling this problem necessitates robust legal frameworks, regional and international cooperation, heightened public awareness, and stronger enforcement measures.

A few months ago, political parties were deep in the process of internal primaries, selecting flag bearers for various elective positions. These positions range from members of parliament and mayors to councillors and representatives of special interest groups, including persons with disabilities (PWDs).

Peace Ikiriza, a 40-year-old woman who hails from Namabale Village in Kassanda District, who is deaf and non-verbal, was among those who stepped into the political arena, contesting for the position of district female councillor representing PWDs, in the National Resistance Movement (NRM) party primaries.

It was a courageous bid that highlighted both the possibilities and the persistent challenges facing PWDs in the country’s political process.

Ikiriza’s attempt to enter local politics came through the college system, the electoral process used for special interest groups in Uganda. While the system is meant to ensure representation, it has also been criticised for limiting wider voter participation and being susceptible to manipulation.

Speaking through a sign language interpreter, Ikiriza described the process as ‘tough and exhausting.’

‘I was competing with another woman, who is a little person. I began saving money for the campaign two years ago. My husband, siblings, and friends also chipped in, helping me with the costs,’ she says.

Despite being non-verbal, the mother of three, who lives in Maganjo, Wakiso District, with her family, ran a grassroots campaign. With the help of interpreters and visual materials, she managed to put her message across.

As the founder of the Deaf Girls and Women Rights Network and an advocate with the National Association of Parents with Deaf Children (NAPADEC), the politician is no stranger to pushing boundaries. However, this time, she found resistance not just from the outside world, but even from within the disability community.

‘Some people do not believe that a non-verbal person can represent them. But I managed to create awareness. There are a few deaf people in Kassanda, and most of them have never attended school. I met parents of deaf children and other PWDs who had never seen a deaf person competing with other people,’ she shares.

Ikiriza also worked with Reach a Voice Uganda (RAVU), an organisation that focuses on sexual reproductive health among PWDs.

The challenges

As with other candidates in the race, Ikiriza faced financial hurdles in running her campaign, especially coupled with the fact that she had spent many years without living in Kassanda District. This meant she had to spend a lot of time introducing herself to the people.

‘I did not receive any support from my political party, yet the campaign was costly. I had to move with an interpreter at all times. The interpreter lived in Kampala, and I had to pay him between Shs150,000 and Shs200,000 every day, depending on the distance we had to travel. I also had to buy him lunch and supper daily,’ she explains.

The electoral college has 75 delegates, and the politician decries the fact that she had to spend a lot of money on them.

‘That group is all about money. You need to spend money to bribe them. Sometimes, I would receive calls from them at night, when the interpreter had already left. I could not answer those calls. Some of them have outdated mobile phones that cannot be used for social media. I also had challenges with purchasing data every day to use on WhatsApp,’ she notes.

Ikiriza also opens up about experiencing sexual harassment during the campaign, an issue that continues to plague women in politics across the country.

‘Some men thought that because I am a PWD and a woman, I would be easy to manipulate. It was demeaning. Sexual harassment is real. When you ask someone to campaign for you, he will ask for your body in payment. So, you need to focus. A man will ask, ‘How will I benefit from your success?’ So, that is a challenge,’ she explains.

Ikiriza also points out that the election attracted people who did not have a disability but wanted to take advantage of the rampant corruption in political offices. She says the electoral college was a stumbling block to her bid.

‘Some people who had four fingers on one hand came in to say they were disabled. They were made delegates in the electoral college. Some claimed to be PWDs simply because they had undergone surgery. Then, there was the negative attitude. PWDs look down on deaf people. They would de-campaign me, saying if I were elected, the district would have to hire an interpreter,’ she adds.

Ikiriza’s journey into politics was not just a public challenge; it was a personal one, too. Initially, her husband, who is also deaf, opposed her decision to contest. But, over time, he saw her passion and commitment and eventually offered his full support.

‘He does not believe in politics. He really hates it. I had to stand my ground and tell him that I needed to serve my people. He agreed to support me but asked me to remember that I have a family to take care of as well. I thank him because he understood the situation,’ she says.

Way forward

Though she did not win the party flag, the politician remains undeterred. With a growing platform as a disability rights advocate, she has set her sights on the future and is not backing down.

‘That was just the beginning. I will contest again in 2030. Even if I live in Kampala, what is important is that I have a social network. Instead of living in the village, doing nothing, I can lobby for development from Kampala. It is only a two-hour drive to Kassanda, and I go there every weekend. I got 30 votes out of the 75 from the electoral college, so I cannot forget my people,’ she vows.

While she learnt many things on the campaign trail, Ikiriza knows that for now, she does not have the power to change anything.

‘There are people who have been in offices for many years but have failed to create an impact with the PWDs. So, we need to empower PWDs to take up political office. We need people who can work for our people. That is my dream; empower PWDs in Kassanda, instead of keeping quiet,’ she explains.

Ikiriza believes that the college-based electoral system for PWDs needs reform, because it leaves too much room for exclusion. It is time that the PWDs voted directly.

‘The major issue is inclusion. Some PWDs are empowered while others are not. The PWD MPs focus more on their electoral collages, which brought them to power, instead of focusing on developing the PWDs in the villages. So, the electoral college system has not helped us. We should be voting in our regions, with regional representatives,’ she advises.

Ikiriza is now concentrating on her advocacy work of empowering deaf women, who she says face oppression from their families and other people.

‘On the campaign trail, I met several girls who had nothing to use during their periods. That was my inspiration to start a project that makes reusable pads. Most of the time, I use my money to buy the materials. I hope that one day, a Good Samaritan will stand with me,’ she notes.

Ikiriza’s story is one of determination, resilience, and hope. It is a powerful reminder that representation matters and that inclusion should not be a privilege, but a right. As Uganda moves forward in its democratic journey, voices like hers must not only be heard, but they must be supported, empowered, and protected.

The Indian Association of Uganda and the High Commission have partnered with the Ruperalia Group this year to organise the annual Diwali food festival involving all Indian sects in Uganda.

During the interview on Saturday, Paresh Mehta, the Chairman of the association said the Indian community in Uganda and their high Commission together with Speak Resort, have organized this year’s festival scheduled for Sunday, October 19 at Speke Resort Munyonyo, as an occasion to attract all the sects in the country, to showcase India’s varied regional delicacies, cultural and tradition and well as promote the culture of unity in diversity and also strengthen their cultural heritage.

‘Diwali is an Indian festival that is celebrated in all corners of the world, including in the United States. In Kenya government has gazetted it as a public holiday, and at State House Entebbe, in the past the President has organized Diwali celebrations for the community. We have been celebrating this festival under an umbrella association,’ he said.

He added that the impact that the partnership between the Association, High Commission and the Ruperalia group has created on some of their projects such as blood donations and free heart surgeries for Ugandan children, has generated a lot of demand for the celebration as a flagship festival for the community living in Uganda.

Asked to explain the significance of the festival, he said among the Indians, they celebrate it as victory of good over evil, light over darkness and knowledge over ignorance. He added that Diwalu brings together all communities, reconnects families and friends, contributes to social harmony and fosters a sense of belonging.

‘It is a festival that transcends religion and geography, offering a universal message of hope, renewal, and togetherness, and reminds people of the enduring power of light through times of darkness. It is also a time for new beginnings in business, personal growth, and spiritual enlightenment,’ he said.

According to Sasi Nair, the secretary of the association said the festival is an inherited Indian culture of celebrating victory over darkness. He said it is a way of encouraging their community to always be righteous and nurture the younger and future generations to keep alive the culture of good behavior for future generations.

‘We inherited the culture of good behavior which we have to pass onto our children and the next generations. We have so far registered more than 100 food stalls and over 15 cultural performances from various Indian regions and every diaspora community will be represented,’ he said.

He added that Ugandans and international communities are free to attend and witness some of the biggest Indian cultural performances and also experience various flavors of rural India.

According to Mohammed Vaheed, the Treasurer Indian Association, Diwali is a word derived from Skanskrit to mean celebration of lights and it is a major Hindu festival celebrated as a sign of victory over darkness. During the festival, people light lamps, décor. During Diwali, people light lamps, decorate their homes, exchange gifts, and enjoy festive meals and Indian delicacies.

Every day, across the West Nile Sub-region, desperate teachers seeking to borrow money throng financial institutions for loans. Some of these teachers have multiple loans. They are trapped in a vicious cycle of debt.

Financial institutions ask for security in the form of ATM cards, academic documents, and land agreements, although some teachers claim their money is deducted unfairly even after they have completed payments as per agreed terms.

One of the teachers at Teremunga Primary School, in Koboko Municipality, Mr Henry Adutia, claimed that he is expected to pay more than Shs10m by Premier Credit Financial Services after picking a loan of Shs900,000.

‘I picked the Shs900,000 loan in 2017 and made a top-up of Shs600,000, and it increased to Shs1.5m in 2019, payable in a period of 70 months. They have been deducting Shs143,000 monthly. This is exploitation,’ he said on Tuesday.

Another teacher, Mr Henry Dramaza, a resident of Maracha District, who borrowed Shs2.9m from Bayport Financial Services Uganda in 2015, payable for a period of 60 months, said he ended up unfairly paying Shs10,650,000 million.

Some of the teachers said they are forced to borrow multiple loans because they have to take care of their families and dependants, which creates a big strain on their meagre finances.

The Uganda National Teachers Union Chairperson for Terego District, Mr Gabriel Eriku, said several financial institutions in West Nile exploit teachers.

He advised the teachers against borrowing multiple loans from financial institutions or money lenders to avoid such occurrences.

Recently, the Terego District Woman Member of Parliament, Ms Rose Obiga stormed the offices of Premier Credit Financial Services in Arua City to protest ”unfair treatment’ of Mr Justine Inima, a teacher who claimed he was being cheated by the financial institution.

Mr Inima, who reportedly borrowed Shs1 million from the financial institution, alleged that officials of the financial institution claimed he still owed them money even after completing repaying the loan and accruing interest.

‘These poor people are being cheated. I will drag you people before the Bank of Uganda and the Ministry of Finance to explain,’ Ms Obiga said.

The Koboko District Education Officer, Koboko, Mr Wayi Dragamulai, advised teachers to live within their means.

‘Do not borrow the lifestyle of other people, and loans should be picked with focus and investment. It is not good to borrow loans for marriage purposes,’ he said.

In Obongi District, the Chief Administrative Officer, Mr Benson Otim, said: ‘We have got a problem with financial institutions that come to our civil servants, mainly teachers, to deceive them. Once the teachers get the money, the loan doesn’t get completed. As a result, we don’t see teachers in the classroom because they escape from loan officers.’

Responses

When contacted for a comment, Bayport Financial Services Uganda official Francis Okalebo, said: ‘We do not speak to the media over the phone.’

The loan officer of Premier Credit Financial Services in Arua City, Ms Brenda Angucia, said she was occupied with other activities and not ready to offer a statement about the matter.

‘We are handling the matter and will get back to you later because I am still busy,’ Ms Angucia told Monitor. She had not responded to our reminders about the matter by press time.

The Micro Finance Institutions and the Moneylenders Act Cap 6, prescribe a maximum interest rate of 2.8 percent per month or 33.6 percent per annum on the principal or actual sum of money advanced to the borrower, according to the available legal notice by the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development.

In July 2022, the government of Uganda implemented a 300 percent salary increase for science teachers. This boosted the gross monthly salary of a graduate science teacher from approximately Shs1.1 million to Shs4 million and that of a Grade V science teacher from approximately Shs796,000 to Shs2.5 million.

This policy created a significant pay gap with arts teachers, who did not receive a corresponding increase and earn a lower gross salary. Currently, arts teachers are on strike, demanding that their salaries be increased to correspond with that of their science counterparts