Category: Daily Monitor

In July 2006, at the peak of the Lord’s Resistance Army-led insurgency in northern Uganda, Archbishop John Baptist Odama of the Gulu Catholic Archdiocese visited Joseph Kony’s hideout in DR Congo’s Garamba National Park alongside other religious and government leaders.

Archbishop Odama, who retired in 2023 after 25 years of service, has been pivotal in the restoration of peace and the preaching of peace between the government of Uganda and the LRA, which had greatly terrorised the region.

Travelling to the bush was risky but with a purpose: to restore peace in the war-torn area through advocacy for cessation of fire and eventual peace deal.

While in the bush, he, who was then the leader of the Acholi Religious Leaders Peace Initiative (ARLPI), had physical discussions with Kony and his top commanders.

He believes that a lot of progress has been made since the interface, with many abductees and rebel leaders safely returned home and reintegrated into the community, coupled with the relative peace.

Archbishop Odama rejoices but says the one thing that still bothers him is the fact that Kony has not yet returned home.

During the conversation with Kony, the Archbishop said he spoke to his face, questioning when he will return home, if he cares about the suffering people, and whether he cherishes peace.

”When it came my turn to talk, I challenged him and his commanders against destroying human lives, and demanded to know when he was coming back home, and whether he cherishes the suffering of the people. I questioned why he doesn’t want to abandon the war and come back home.” The clergyman told this publication during an interview.

He recalled saying that he was determined for the worst that will come, because his main interest was to get an answer for people back home.

”I ask you, when will you return home?” But to his dismay, Archbishop Odama received no responses, as Kony timidly looked at him.

We set off from the bush the next day, with no answer to my question, and to date, I am waiting for that response. The best response would be seeing him return home. Archbishop Odama explained.

Even in retirement, the Archbishop Emeritus says his heart still yearns to see Kony out of the bush or wherever he is. ”When will you come home? Answer my question by coming home!”

Archbishop Odama and some clerics did not just risk going to the bush, but also slept in Gulu Main Bus park for several nights with children who were night commuters.

”The children were sleeping in the bus park, in the cold, on the floor. Every evening you see them carrying these boxes on their heads. So we decided to join them, feel what they go through and advance the call for peace,” he said.

”All these efforts were to see an end to the war that had ravaged northern Uganda. My heart pains for the suffering children born in the war situation.” He added.

To Archbishop Odama, the guns have gone silent, but the effects of the war continue to bother the communities of northern Uganda, with children being the most affected.

He says the effects of the war continue to manifest through mental health problems, street children, poverty, and high crime rates.

Look at these children, we call Aguu (relating to street children); where did they come from? These are our children; some returned from the bush, others lost their parents to the LRA war. Why can’t we take them as our own? Archbishop Odama wondered.

He added that: ”What if we all become parents to these children, shall we have them in the street? We should all play our roles and support them.”

The Archbishop Emeritus ‘ love for children is embedded in a slogan, ”nginingini”, to mean little black ants. Until his retirement in 2023, he remains renowned among the children and praised for peace advocacy.

Since that time, the LRA has witnessed massive defections from fighters and abductees.

However, Kony remains tight-lipped on intentions of coming back home. At a recent interview, one of the LRA commanders in the rank of a major said he had been weakened, but was uncertain about returning home.

On June 5, 2026, the government repatriated a group of LRA rebel abductees and combatants from Juba, South Sudan, through the Juba-Nimule Highway, into Uganda, bringing the total number of defectors in the last three weeks to 19.

The LRA launched a brutal insurgency in Northern Uganda in 1987, from Odek Sub-County in the current Omoro District in the Acholi Sub-region.

It is believed that the group abducted more than 30,000 children and young adults; some were recruited into the LRA rebels as ranks while others were turned into sex slaves and porters.

Kony, a former altar boy at a local Catholic Church, has since avoided capture. He is facing war crimes and crimes against humanity charges at the International Criminal Court in The Hague, the Netherlands, for his role in the deaths of thousands and displacement of nearly two million people from their homes during the violence that engulfed northern Uganda for over two decades.

The Parliament of Uganda will on Wednesday resolve on a matter by the government to borrow up to Euro 168,976,354, approximately seven hundred thirty-four billion two hundred two million two hundred fifty-eight thousand shillings, for the development of solar-powered irrigation systems.

The Parliament issued the notice for the motion on its official X (formerly Twitter) page on Tuesday.

”Motion for a resolution of Parliament to authorise government to borrow up to EUR 168,976,354 from the UK Export Finance (UKEF) and Citi Bank for the development of the solar-powered irrigation systems project phase II.” The notice reads.

The motion to be presented by the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development will last 30 minutes.

This is item four on the order paper for the 4th sitting of the first meeting of the first session of the 12th Parliament, which will commence at 10:00 am.

Other items on the order paper include prayers, administration of oaths, communication from the chair and adjournment.

The project

According to information from the Ministry of Water and Environment, the Solar-Powered Water Supply and Irrigation Systems Project is a major initiative commissioned by the Government of Uganda (GoU) through the Ministry of Water and Environment (MWE).

It involves Nexus Green Ltd (UK) as the contractor and is funded by UK Export Finance. This project aims to significantly enhance water access for domestic use and irrigation across Uganda.

The core objective is to increase water supply coverage countrywide for domestic use and support irrigation for improved agricultural productivity.

The project, which promotes the utilisation of solar energy to power water systems, seeks to address water scarcity, mitigate drought-induced food insecurity, and contribute to Uganda’s climate resilience and food security.

The first phase of the project began around 2021 and was anticipated to be completed by 2024, running over approximately three years.

It involves the development of a large number of sites (initially aimed for 687, with some reports mentioning up to 920).

The project is implemented countrywide across Uganda, targeting numerous districts to increase water supply coverage.

Targeted beneficiaries include rural communities and farmers by providing water for irrigation to boost agricultural production.

Others are women and youth who are often disproportionately burdened with water collection and are expected to benefit economically from increased agricultural output, as well as communities affected by water scarcity and drought through directly addressing water access challenges.

The project involves designing integrated water supply systems, including source development, transmission pipelines, and distribution networks; solar-powered pumping infrastructure; installation of solar photovoltaic (PV) systems to generate electricity; deployment of water pumps; construction of storage tanks for collected water; and setting up distribution networks to deliver water for domestic use.

The scorecards from Uganda’s historic tour of Mumbai will eventually find their place in archives.

A commanding 4-0 sweep of the 50-over series against the MCA Colts XI and a respectable return against Mumbai Premier League T20 franchise sides combined for an impressive 5-3 overall record in unfamiliar conditions.

Those numbers alone would have marked the trip as a success.

But long after the runs, wickets and catches are forgotten, May 26, 2026 may be remembered as the day Ugandan cricket quietly changed direction.

At the Dadoji Konddev Stadium in Thane, Cricket Uganda and the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) signed a five-year Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that could reshape not only the fortunes of the senior national team but the entire cricket ecosystem back home.

Uganda did not merely secure another international tour.

It bought a seat at one of world cricket’s most influential tables.

More than matches

For years, Associate nations have struggled to find consistent, quality opposition outside ICC tournaments.

Uganda has made significant strides on the field, qualifying for its maiden ICC Men’s T20 World Cup – the 2024 edition in the USA and West Indies – and steadily building a reputation as one of Africa’s fastest-rising cricket nations.

Yet sustained growth requires more than talent. It requires systems. The partnership with Mumbai provides exactly that.

Under the agreement, both bodies will collaborate on expanding international fixtures, strengthening high-performance structures, developing sustainable player pathways, enhancing coaching and technical expertise, and promoting the growth of women’s cricket.

The Cricket Cranes are already the first beneficiaries.

MCA facilitated Uganda’s eight-match exposure tour featuring four 50-over matches and four Twenty20 contests against representative sides drawn from one of India’s strongest cricket ecosystems.

The tour itself offered a glimpse of what such collaboration can achieve.

Uganda stunned the hosts with a clean 4-0 sweep of the 50-over series, winning by 55 runs, 33 runs, nine wickets and 53 runs respectively.

The T20 challenge proved sterner against teams preparing for the Mumbai Premier League. Uganda claimed one victory but pushed experienced opposition throughout, eventually finishing with a commendable 5-3 overall record across the entire tour.

But perhaps the greater value lies in what happens after this trip.

Plans are already in place for exchange programmes involving coaches, support staff, age-group teams and administrators. MCA are also exploring the possibility of using Uganda as an off-season training base during India’s monsoon months.

For a country where cricket still competes for attention and resources, such opportunities are priceless.

Learning from the best

There is perhaps no better guide for Uganda’s journey than head coach Steve Tikolo.

The Kenyan legend knows exactly what it means to bridge the gap between Associate and Full Member cricket, having featured in five ICC Cricket World Cups.

“It gives us a lot of pleasure to be here in Mumbai and play this type of cricket,” Tikolo said during the signing ceremony.

“I have played here before and I know how tough it can be. The positives that we are taking from here will put us in good stead for the tournaments we have coming up.”

Tikolo sees the arrangement as much bigger than one tour.

“I want to believe it is going to be a non-stop partnership. Mumbai can come to Uganda and Uganda can come to Mumbai. Through such exchanges, both sides definitely get to the next level.”

Cricket Uganda’s Head of High Performance and Pathways, Richard Okia, shares the same vision.

“Our plan is to expose the Under-19s, Under-23s, the senior men’s team and the women’s team,” Okia explained.

“We want to create a holistic environment where every level of our cricket benefits from international exposure.”

That holistic approach could become the agreement’s greatest strength.

MCA president Ajinkya Naik made it clear that the relationship was never intended to be one-sided.

“When ICC Chairman Jay Shah requested us, we didn’t hesitate. Our players love playing against international teams and we are ready to support each other, including through staff exchanges.”

Changing mindsets

Ugandan cricket has never lacked ambition. What it has often lacked is access.

The value of the Mumbai partnership goes beyond batsmen facing quicker bowling and mystery spinners or bowlers testing themselves against stronger batting line-ups.

It could expose scorers to better match operations. It could allow curators to study world-class pitch preparation. Physiotherapists and strength-and-conditioning coaches could exchange ideas.

Young administrators may learn how one of cricket’s biggest associations runs its competitions. Women’s cricket could benefit from greater international interaction.

Perhaps most importantly, players and officials alike could begin thinking differently.

Cricket Uganda chairman Jackson Kavuma revealed that the partnership grew from relationships carefully nurtured over several years.

“When I first came here three years ago, it was just a casual relationship. Little did I know it would grow into something this big that can take cricket to greater heights.”

As a Board, he believes the agreement can transform attitudes.

“We believe this five-year partnership will change the mindset of our players and officials and help grow our cricket.”

That may have been the most important sentence spoken all day.

Infrastructure can be built. Equipment can be purchased.

But changing what people believe is possible often becomes the catalyst for lasting success.

A future already arriving

There is a quiet symbolism that Uganda ended the tour with a seven-wicket defeat after being bowled out for just 70 by Mumbai Triumph Knights NE.

On paper, it looked a disappointing finish. In reality, it underlined the very purpose of the exercise.

After eight matches across unfamiliar venues and conditions, the Cricket Cranes boarded their flight home with five victories, invaluable experience and a partnership that could shape the next generation.

Captain Fred Achelam perhaps summed it up best.

“As a team, we are really grateful for this opportunity. Win or lose, it is the process that matters. The boys are learning and improving.”

The numbers support him. Five wins from eight matches. A 4-0 sweep in the 50-over series. Young players exposed to pressure situations.

Senior players challenged against quality opposition. Most importantly, another layer added to Uganda’s preparation for future ICC events.

Uganda hopes to host a Mumbai representative side next year.

If that happens, young cricketers in Lugogo, Jinja, Soroti or Gulu may one day share dressing rooms with players raised in one of cricket’s greatest nurseries.

The Cricket Cranes may eventually forget the scorecard from Thane.

They will not forget standing shoulder-to-shoulder with one of cricket’s biggest cricket associations and hearing the words:

“Whenever you need us, please come back.’

For a country still writing its cricket story, that invitation could be the beginning of an entirely new chapter.

UGANDA’S TOUR OF MUMBAI

RESULTS – 50 OVERS

Uganda XI 221/10 | MCA Colts XI 166/10

Uganda XI won by 55 runs

Uganda XI 299/9 | MCA Colts XI 266/10

Uganda won by 33 runs

MCA Colts XI 56/10 | Uganda XI 58/1

Uganda XI won by 9 wickets

Uganda XI 194/10 | MCA Colts XI 141/10

Uganda XI won by 53 runs

Series Result: Uganda win 4-0

RESULTS – T20 GAMES

Uganda XI 112/10 | Mumbai Falcons 118/9

Mumbai Falcons won by 1 wicket

MCA Colts XI 133/9|Uganda XI 134/6

Uganda XI won by 4 wickets

Uganda XI 114/8 |MCA Colts XI 115/5

MCA Colts XI won by 5 wickets

Uganda XI 70/10 | Triumph Knights 74/3

Mumbai Triumph Knights NE won by 7 wickets

THE TALKING POINT

Hidden Gains. The scorecards show Uganda lost the T20 series 3-1. They also show a dominant 4-0 sweep in the 50-over format and an overall 5-3 tour victory. What they cannot measure is the value of competing in unfamiliar conditions, learning new systems and building relationships that may shape Ugandan cricket long after this tour is forgotten.

The morning mist still hung low over the dense canopy of Kikuube District as an unprecedented coalition gathered at the edge of one of western Uganda’s most vital ecological treasures.

Barely a month after the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) officially assumed management of the Bugoma Central Forest Reserve, a major environmental reclamation project breathed new life into the region. On Monday, the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), alongside government agencies, the Bunyoro-Kitara Kingdom, and Hoima Sugar Limited, officially launched a massive restoration programme targeting the degraded landscapes surrounding the historic forest.

The initiative comes as a direct response to a rigorous environmental audit conducted by NEMA. The audit revealed that vital sections of the Kyangwali Integrated Agriculture Project had been severely degraded. This mixed-land-use area-originally earmarked for critical forest conservation, eco-tourism, and the protection of Bunyoro-Kitara cultural heritage-had fallen victim to intense human pressure. Environmental regulators identified charcoal burning, commercial cultivation, and illegal encroachment as the primary drivers behind the ecological compromise of the landscape.

To reverse the damage, NEMA issued an Environmental Restoration Order, legally binding Hoima Sugar Limited to restore the affected conservation zones. Far from a unilateral mandate, the resulting restoration plan-approved in December 2025-was forged through extensive consultations with the Ministry of Water and Environment, the National Forestry Authority (NFA), UWA, Kikuube District Local Government, and cultural and conservation stakeholders. The strategy relies on a mix of natural regeneration and the strategic enrichment planting of indigenous tree species.

‘This restoration programme reflects a shared commitment by all stakeholders to recover and protect the ecological value of the Bugoma landscape,’ stated NEMA Executive Director Dr. Barirega Akankwasah during the launch.

Dr. Akankwasah revealed that the collaborative effort is already yielding tangible results, with three square miles of degraded land successfully restored with indigenous trees. The launch marks the expansion of this exercise to cover all remaining degraded conservation pockets. To guarantee transparency and long-term viability, NEMA has accredited the Jane Goodall Institute Uganda as an independent technical partner. The institute will monitor progress, provide technical expertise, and introduce alternative livelihood programmes to help local communities thrive without depleting the forest.

Originally gazetted in 1932, the 41,144-hectare Bugoma Forest has faced decades of mounting pressure from agricultural expansion and illegal timber harvesting. This new intervention aims to permanently reverse that trend. By rehabilitating these habitats and safeguarding community green spaces, the project secures a sustainable future where economic activities and environmental preservation coexist. As Dr. Akankwasah noted, the restoration will not cease until the ecosystem completely regains its ecological integrity, ensuring Bugoma remains a sanctuary for biodiversity and a pillar of climate resilience for generations to come.

For years, thousands of Ugandan businesses and individuals have carried tax debts that seemed impossible to escape.

A liability that started at Shs10 million becomes Shs20 million. A debt of Shs50 million becomes Shs100 million. Before long, the taxpayer is no longer dealing with a manageable obligation but a burden that feels impossible to overcome. This reality is familiar to many businesses and individuals across Uganda.

It is also one of the reasons why the government has introduced significant tax relief measures that will start on July 1, 2026.

These amendments are not merely technical changes buried in tax legislation. They have the potential to affect thousands of businesses, landlords, professionals, contractors, individuals, and investors.

Beginning July 1, 2026, one of the most significant tax relief measures in recent years will take effect. The government has introduced provisions that could completely erase certain historical tax liabilities and waive billions of shillings in penalties and interest.

For some taxpayers, this could be the fresh start they have been waiting for. For others, it could be a final opportunity to get their tax affairs in order before enforcement becomes more aggressive. The question is: Do you understand what is changing, and more importantly, do you know whether you qualify?

Waiver of tax liabilities existing before June 30 2016

The first amendment provides for a complete and unconditional waiver of tax liabilities that existed as of June 30, 2016. Not just penalties. Not just interest. The entire tax liability.

This means that where a tax debt existed before June 30, 2016 and falls within the scope of the amendment, the liability can effectively be written off. This is a major departure from previous tax amnesty programmes that often required taxpayers to first pay part of the debt or meet specific compliance conditions. This waiver is unconditional because it does not require taxpayers to negotiate settlements or enter repayment arrangements for those qualifying historical liabilities.

Many of these debts have remained on tax records for years with little prospect of recovery. Some relate to businesses that closed long ago. Others involve disputes that were never fully resolved.

Keeping these amounts on the books creates administrative burdens for both taxpayers and tax authorities. Removing them allows everyone to start from a cleaner slate. For businesses that have been carrying these historical balances, this could significantly improve their financial position and compliance status.

Waiver of interest and penalties existing as of June 30 2025

The second amendment may affect an even larger number of taxpayers.

Under the new provisions, interest and penalties that existed by June 30, 2025 will be waived, provided that the principal tax has been paid.

The government is not forgiving the actual tax that was due. The principal tax remains payable. What is being forgiven are the additional charges that accumulated because of late payment or non-compliance. This means taxpayers who settle their principal tax obligations can benefit from the removal of potentially substantial interest and penalty amounts.

I have seen situations where a taxpayer originally owed Shs50 million in tax, but after years of accumulated interest and penalties, the total has doubled. In such cases, the interest and penalties had become a bigger problem than the original tax itself.

The amendment acknowledges a reality that tax professionals encounter every day: once penalties and interest reach a certain level, many taxpayers simply give up.

Instead of encouraging compliance, the debt becomes overwhelming. By removing these additional charges, the government is effectively saying: ‘Pay what you originally owed, and we shall forgive the rest.’

That is a powerful incentive for taxpayers to regularise their affairs. For many taxpayers, paying the principal tax may suddenly become realistic once the additional charges are removed.

What this means for businesses

For business owners, this amendment creates both an opportunity and a responsibility. The opportunity is obvious.

Companies with outstanding tax assessments should review their records to determine whether they have liabilities that qualify for either of these waivers.

A business that takes action early could save millions of shillings. The responsibility, however, is equally important. This should not be viewed as permission to delay future tax obligations.

Tax amnesties and waivers are exceptional measures; they are not permanent features of the tax system.

Businesses that receive relief should use the opportunity to strengthen their compliance processes going forward. That means improving record keeping, filing returns on time, maintaining proper accounting systems, and seeking professional advice where necessary.

The smartest businesses will not simply celebrate the waiver. They will use it as a chance to build stronger compliance habits.

What this means for taxpayers

Many people assume tax matters only affect large corporations. That is far from the truth.

Professionals, landlords, consultants, contractors, and self-employed individuals may also have outstanding tax obligations. For example, a landlord who accumulated rental income tax arrears years ago may find that part of their tax burden falls within the scope of these relief measures.

Likewise, professionals who previously struggled with compliance could benefit from reduced liabilities if they act promptly and understand the conditions attached to the waiver. This is why taxpayers should not ignore these changes because they do not operate a registered company. The impact may be much closer to home than they realise.

Tax waivers are often controversial. Critics argue that they reward non-compliance while compliant taxpayers receive no special benefit.

However, governments around the world occasionally use tax amnesties and waivers as practical tools to improve revenue collection.

Collecting a realistic amount today is often better than chasing an uncollectible amount forever.

By reducing historical tax burdens, the government hopes to bring more taxpayers back into the formal system.

A taxpayer who becomes compliant today is likely to contribute revenue for years to come. While one who is trapped under an impossible debt burden may never return to the system. These amendments are not simply about forgiveness; they are also about expanding future compliance and broadening the tax base.

The biggest mistake taxpayers could make

The biggest mistake would be assuming that these benefits will automatically apply without any action on your part.

Taxpayers should begin reviewing their tax positions immediately. Understand what liabilities existed before June 30, 2016.

Determine whether you have outstanding penalties and interest accumulated before June 30, 2025. Confirm whether principal taxes remain unpaid. Most importantly, engage qualified tax professionals where necessary.

A proper review could reveal savings that significantly exceed the cost of obtaining professional advice. Waiting until the last minute could mean missed opportunities, confusion, and unnecessary exposure to future enforcement actions.

Rare opportunity to start again

Every so often, a tax amendment comes along that changes the position of thousands of taxpayers. This is one of those moments.

The complete waiver of qualifying tax liabilities existing before June 30, 2016 and the waiver of interest and penalties existing before June 30, 2025 represent a rare opportunity to clear the past and move forward.

For businesses struggling under old tax burdens, this could improve cash flow, strengthen financial statements, and restore confidence.

For businesses, landlords, investors, and self-employed professionals, this is more than a legislative amendment. It is an opportunity to clean the slate, restore compliance, and redirect resources from historical tax burdens into business growth, investment, and job creation.

The taxpayers who benefit most will be those who review their records, understand the law, seek advice where necessary, and take action before the opportunity passes.

Dedan Mutatinensi is a tax advisor.

More than 500 villages across five sub-counties in Namisindwa district face imminent danger after massive landslide cracks tore through the area, destroying homes and crops and leaving residents in fear of further devastation.

Local leaders warn that government inaction could turn the situation into a full-scale humanitarian disaster, as families remain trapped in unstable homes with no safe relocation options.

The widening cracks, fueled by relentless rains, threaten to erase entire communities if urgent intervention is not taken.

Community members say they are living in constant fear, as the cracks widen daily and threaten to swallow homes, schools, and farmland.

With rains forecast to continue, experts caution that Namisindwa may suffer one of Uganda’s deadliest landslide crises without immediate measures to stabilize the area.

Mr Timothy Nashimolo, an elder, said that many families have already been displaced, while others remain trapped in vulnerable areas with limited access to shelter and food.

‘Farmers, whose livelihoods depend on the land, are among the hardest hit, with entire fields of maize, beans, and bananas destroyed, ‘said Mr Nashimolo.

Mr David Okot, Environmental expert, warns that without swift action, the cracks could widen further, putting thousands more at risk.

He says cracks could grow worse and trigger multiple landslides especially as heavy rains continue to pound the area.

A visit by this reporter at the weekend to the area, several homes have been abandoned and some of which have collapsed.

The cracks running through several villages have spread fear among locals and leaders living in the affected villages.

The cracks have also affected some schools, water sources, roads among other infrastructures.

The affected Sub-Counties include Buwabwala, Bumumali, Tsekululu, Mukoto, and Luwa Town Council, where heavy rains on Wednesday intensified the cracks and triggered widespread destruction. Numerous houses have developed deep fissures, while acres of farmland have been buried or washed away by landslides and flooding.

Mr Emma Bwayo, the District LC5 Chairperson, confirmed the situation following a field assessment conducted on Wednesday afternoon.

Accompanied by local leaders, Mr Bwayo visited several villages to evaluate the extent of the damage and listen to residents’ concerns.

‘The cracks are expanding rapidly, and the risk to lives and property is very high. We are working with local leaders to assess the most urgent needs and coordinate support,’ Mr Bwayo stated.

Residents report sleepless nights as the ground continues to shift beneath their homes.

The affected residents and Local leaders are calling for immediate government intervention, including emergency relief supplies and long-term strategies to mitigate the recurring threat of landslides in the mountainous district.

At least 1000 people have been killed by landslides over the past years and out of such deaths, 70 percent were registered in Bududa, which sits on the slope of Mt Elgon.

In 2019, the Ugandan Government launched a resettlement plan aimed at relocating all residents from high-risk zones to Bunambutye in Bulambuli district after the office of the Prime Minister (OPM) bought more than 2,800 acres of land in 2013.

However, progress has been slow, and many communities remain exposed. Those who have been relocated also face challenges in adapting-especially subsistence farmers who struggle to find fertile land for food production.

Mr Bwayo emphasized the need for an urgent government response to save lives and provide a permanent solution for communities living in landslide-prone areas.

‘It is time for the government to treat this matter with the urgency it deserves. We should not wait for people to lose their lives before taking action,’ Mr Bwayo said. He added that a comprehensive report is being prepared for submission to Kampala to seek immediate intervention and support.

Ms Betty Nandutu, the District Councilor, who represents two sub-counties of Tsekululu and Bungati, emphasized that many residents are enduring sleepless nights as floodwaters continue to invade their homes, while others have already lost their crops.

‘If government does not intervene quickly, hunger will become another disaster facing our people,’ Ms Nandutu warned.

Ms Nandutu who is also the District Executive Secretary for Social Services, further noted that the destruction of crops will severely undermine recovery efforts under the Parish Development Model (PDM), since many households had invested heavily in farming as their primary source of livelihood.

Mr Elvis Wamono, one of the affected residents, expressed concern that they have nowhere else to relocate and are currently living in houses with widening cracks. ‘We are sleeping in houses that could collapse at any time. Every day we fear for our lives, but we have nowhere else to go,’ one resident said, appealing to the central government for urgent assistance,’said Wamono.

Mr Bwayo called for immediate evacuation plans, emergency relief support, and long-term mitigation measures to protect communities from future landslide disasters.

Bugisu Sub-region has suffered repeated deadly landslides, especially in Bududa, Bulambuli, Namisindwa, and Sironko districts, with over 1,000 deaths recorded in the past decade.

The worst incidents include several devastating landslides across Bugisu. In 2010, a massive landslide struck Nametsi village in Bududa District, killing more than 100 people and displacing thousands. In 2018, another disaster killed 48 people and more than 500 people displaced following a landslide in Suume village, Bukalasi Sub-county, Bududa district.

August 2017, landslides hit Bufupa parish, Sironko district killing seven people and displacing hundreds.

In 2019, multiple landslides occurred in Bududa and Sironko, killing at least eight people. In 2023, Masugu village in Bulambuli District lost five lives when homes and a classroom were buried. Most recently, in 2024, Bulambuli District suffered another tragedy, with 36 people killed, 100 reported missing, and more than 1,000 residents placed at risk.

Dr Protazio Sande’s story does not start in a boardroom. It starts in Kiryadongo, a village in Kyenjojo District, where he was born on January 27, 1976. From these humble beginnings emerged a man whose journey would defy expectations, proving that greatness is not defined by where you start, but by the courage to pursue a bigger purpose. His father, the late Leo Gafabusa, worked with the East African Post and Telecommunications Corporation. His mother, Restituta Nyanjara, is still alive in her late 80s.

Like many children growing up in rural areas during the 1980s, he did not have access to nursery education.

At seven years old, Sande started school in Primary One at Busaiga Primary School. Although it was a rural school with limited resources, it laid the foundation for a pattern that would follow him through life: excelling despite constraints.

He completed primary school in 1990 with a first grade. That grade could have opened doors to prestigious schools like Nyakasura or St. Mary’s College Kisubi, but without the fees, his family had to choose a cheaper government school 17km away-Kyenjojo Senior Secondary School.

The distance was too far to walk daily from home, so Sande and his elder sister rented a room in town. When rent became unaffordable, they moved in with their grandmother, six kilometres from school. For four years, from Senior One to Senior Four, he walked 12 Km a day-six in the morning, six in the evening.

It paid off. In 1994, he sat his O-Level exams and became the first student in the school’s 20-year history to get a first grade.

His hard work paid off. In 1994, he sat for his O-Level examinations and became the first student in the school’s 20-year history to earn a First Grade.

‘I remember going to pick the results with my mother, the excitement was overwhelming after years of paying fees late, often being sent home, and studying through uncertainty,’ he recalls.

The then headmaster, Mr Patrick Adyeeri Rwebembera, became a father figure, allowing him to sit exams even when the fees were unpaid. Then, for A-Level, his brothers, who had left school to work and run a business, pooled resources to send him to Nyakasura School.

‘It was a step up. Boarding at a school of that standard felt like a privilege. But on the eve of my final exams, I fell ill. I pushed through, going to the sick bay for injections and coming back to write papers,’ he recalls.

The illness took a toll, and he scored 15 points in History, Economics and Geography. It was not enough for government sponsorship, and his family was disappointed.

Rather than give up, he took a year off to teach in schools around Kyenjo to raise money. With support from his brothers, he enrolled at Makerere University in 1998 for a Bachelor of Social Sciences, majoring in Economics. He graduated in 2001, narrowly missing a first-class degree by 0.04 points. By then, he wanted to become a teacher.

His first job was with an NGO called Innovative Vision Uganda, through a connection made by his brother, a policeman. ‘The pay was low, but it was a start. A year later, Professor Augustus Nuwagaba, who had taught me at Makerere, offered me a role at REEV Consult, one of Uganda’s larger research firms,’ he shares.

At REEV, Sande worked as a research associate. But when projects slowed down, Makerere called him back as a teaching assistant in the Department of Economics.

‘Teaching was where I felt at home. I rose quickly from teaching assistant to assistant lecturer to lecturer by 2010. I coordinated exams for the entire faculty for years without a hitch and acted as head of department at times,’ he recalls.

Insurance node

The next turn came in 2012, when the Insurance Regulatory Authority of Uganda (IRA) advertised for an assistant director of Research and Market Development. Over 20 people applied for one position. Sande applied, was interviewed, and two weeks later, he was selected.

Joining the IRA meant entering the corporate world after years in Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), research, and academia.

‘I immediately enrolled for professional qualifications with the Chartered Insurance Institute of the UK, and became an Associate of the Chartered Insurance Institute within five years-a tough course few in the market complete,’ he recalls.

In 2018, after an organisational review created the Department of Strategy and Market Development, he became acting director. By 2019, he was confirmed as director of strategy and market development, until last week when he was appointed IRA’s Acting chief executive officer.

That 360-degree view-NGO, research, academia, regulator-has shaped how Sande sees institutions. It also pushed him towards his doctoral research. As he interacted with boards at higher levels, he observed a pattern where well-structured public agencies were underperforming despite having the right policies and funding on paper. He wanted to know why.

For his doctorate, he studied the role of board governance in the performance of public agencies in Uganda, focusing on six agencies under the Finance Ministry. He interviewed 31 people-board chairs, CEOs, board secretaries, heads of strategy, plus oversight bodies such as the Office of the Prime Minister, Auditor General, Parliament, and governance experts. He also reviewed minutes, reports, and audit findings.

The core finding was what he calls the ‘governance paradox.’

‘Public agencies often have excellent governance structures documented, but in practice, those structures are undermined. Boards appear compliant on paper but are weakened by three realities,’ he notes.

Sande’s discoveries

First, political influence in appointments. Laws say boards should be appointed based on qualifications. But in practice, political connections often override merit. This leads to boards lacking the technical expertise needed for real oversight, with management guiding the board instead of the other way around.

Second, ritualistic governance. Many boards meet quarterly as required, receive reports, and give approvals, but focus on formalities rather than results. The study found instances where strategic plans were discussed’ in 5-10 minutes.

Third, lack of independence and accountability. Some board members are captured by CEOs, holding pre-meetings to pass issues without scrutiny. And crucially, boards are supposed to monitor management. But who monitors the board? Most do self or peer evaluations with no teeth, so everyone passes, regardless of actual performance.

From this, he concluded that performance in public agencies hinges on three things: who is appointed-merit-based, skilled, independent members drive better outcomes; what boards do such as actively engaging strategy and holding management accountable versus rubber-stamping; and how boards are held accountable. Without external accountability, complacency sets in.

His recommendations

Sande’s recommendations are practical.

‘Make governance certification a prerequisite for board appointments, even for former politicians. Insist on technical skills relevant to the sector,’ he notes.

Correspondingly, separate governance from politics in practice, not just on paper. And institutionalise independent board evaluations tied to real performance indicators.

At IRA, he’s applied this thinking directly. The insurance sector in Uganda is private, so boards face stricter shareholder pressure. But IRA still faces governance challenges, particularly around the fit and propriety of board members. Some companies want to appoint relatives of shareholders who lack competence.

‘IRA subjects all nominees to fit and propriety tests and has rejected those who don’t meet the bar,’ he asserts.

Regulatory changes he has helped drive include requiring at least 50 percent of board members to be resident in Uganda, ensuring more than 50 percent of boards are independent non-executives, and shifting to a risk-based capital regime. Under risk-based capital, insurers face capital charges for risky underwriting.

The result has been more responsible risk-taking and improved profitability across the industry.

Lessons

Looking back, Sande says three things have been essential: adaptability, integrity, and learning from every role.

Research sharpened his analytical skills, while teaching gave him the ability to communicate complex ideas for hours. Regulation gave him exposure to corporate and international standards.

He advises young professionals not to settle and to stay open to opportunities. But he’s blunt about what matters once you are in the door: deliver value, not just credentials.

‘You don’t get what you deserve. You get what you bargain for,’ he says. Bargaining, in his view, is shown in reliability, going beyond the 5 pm clock-out, and delivering before deadlines. Above all, protect your integrity.

He has also learned to navigate organisational politics. ‘Never try to outshine your boss,’ he says. Learn where authority lies and respect it. Understand the people around you, because sometimes the people you least expect will undermine you. Do not to fight other people’s wars when you are new.

Currently, Sande is a founding member of KIND Initiative for Development, a community NGO in Kyenjojo.

He chairs the School Management Committee at St. Paul Day and Boarding Primary School, Kitagobwa, and sits on the board of Insurance Training College. He reads widely on corporate governance, trying to understand why oversight fails even when structures exist.

On May 8 2026, he graduated with a Doctor of Philosophy at Uganda Management Institute (UMI).

In 2000, Ebola broke out in Gulu District. I was in Primary Five at the time, living in Masindi, a district that borders Gulu. I vividly remember that Masindi had not yet recorded a single case of Ebola when the then district chairperson, the late John Nyakoojo Majara, announced that some Ebola patients would be transferred from St Mary’s Hospital Lacor to Masindi Regional Referral Hospital. Demonstrations erupted across the district as residents opposed the proposal. It was not long before Ebola patients were ferried to Masindi, likely as a measure to decongest Lacor hospital. Although I was still young, I could sense the tension, panic, and uncertainty that hung heavily in the air. In Gulu, the situation was far worse. The district had become the epicentre of the outbreak. Three student nurses contracted a mysterious disease, which was later confirmed to be Ebola.

The trio later succumbed to the disease. Then fear spread rapidly through the hospital. Health workers were overwhelmed, some retreating in fear while others fled for safety. It was at this critical moment that Dr Matthew Lukwiya, the then medical superintendent of Lacor hospital, was called back from Kampala, where he was pursuing further studies. Like an army caught off guard by a sudden ambush, the hospital was in disarray when he arrived. Staff morale had collapsed, and many medics did not know how to confront the deadly virus before them. One of Dr Lukwiya’s greatest hurdles was restoring confidence among a frightened workforce. He reminded his colleagues of their calling: to save lives, even in the face of grave danger. Through leadership and courage, he rebuilt a team that was prepared to confront Ebola head-on.

The Ebola outbreak lasted from August 2000 to January 2001 and resulted in 425 confirmed and probable cases, claiming the lives of 224 people, including 17 health workers, among whom was Dr Lukwiya, 42. On one fateful day, Dr Lukwiya was called to attend to an emergency involving a health worker named Simon Ajok, who was critically ill in the isolation ward. Ajok was vomiting blood and desperately attempting to leave the ward. Responding immediately, Dr Lukwiya rushed in wearing protective gear. It was only after getting close to the patient that he realised he had forgotten to secure his protective goggles, leaving him vulnerable to exposure. In the days that followed, he developed a high fever that was initially suspected to be malaria, but subsequent tests confirmed that he had contracted Ebola.

It is widely believed that he got infected while responding to the emergency involving Ajok, who died shortly after. On December 5, 2000, Dr Lukwiya died. His death was a devastating blow to Gulu and to Uganda’s medical fraternity, but it was not the end of the fight. Inspired by health workers who continued serving despite enormous risks, Uganda persevered until the country was declared Ebola-free in January 2001. Since then, Uganda has faced several other Ebola outbreaks, but the lessons learned from the tragedy of 2000 have strengthened the country’s response capacity. Despite the challenges that continue to confront the healthcare system, the Health ministry has repeatedly demonstrated resilience in detecting, containing, and suppressing outbreaks before they spread widely through communities.

Even then, we should not be tempted to depend on martyrs to tackle epidemics. The biggest Ebola deaths Uganda has recorded were 224 in 2000. While in DR Congo, it was 2,299 deaths between 2018 and 2020; 3,596 deaths in Sierra Leone in 2014 and 2016. More than two decades later, Dr Lukwiya remains a symbol of selfless service. When fear drove many to retreat, he stepped forward. His story is not merely one of death during an epidemic; it is a story of extraordinary courage, unwavering faith, and a commitment to humanity that continues to inspire Uganda and the world. As we remember Dr Lukwiya, we also honour the many medical practitioners, some of whom have lost their lives in the fight against infectious diseases.

The credibility and scope of the defence forensic analysis in the murder trial of businessman Henry Katanga came under renewed scrutiny after a defence witness admitted he never examined the injuries sustained by key murder suspect Molly Katanga and could not determine the position in which the deceased died.

Appearing for a fourth round of cross-examination at the High Court before Justice Rosette Comfort Kania, the retired forensic pathologist, Dr Sylvester Onzivua, faced sustained questioning from Chief State Attorney Jonathan Muwaganya over what he described as critical gaps in the expert’s analysis of the circumstances surrounding Katanga’s death.

The prosecution sought to distinguish between establishing the cause of death and investigating the circumstances under which a death occurs.

‘In death investigations, the position of the body is itself evidence,’ Muwaganya told court, adding that the location of a firearm, blood patterns and the overall appearance of the scene are all critical elements in reconstructing how a person died.

Dr Onzivua agreed, saying: ‘The entire appearance of the scene of crime is a critical piece of evidence in a death investigation.’

The witness also accepted that determining the circumstances of death falls within the responsibilities of a forensic pathologist.

‘Is it also in your professional calling to investigate the circumstances of death?’ Mr Muwaganya asked.

‘Yes,’ Dr Onzivua responded.

The exchange later shifted to Molly Katanga’s injuries, which the defence has previously relied on to support its theory of events.

Under questioning, Dr Onzivua acknowledged that although forensic pathologists are trained to analyse wounds and determine whether they are superficial, self-inflicted or caused by another person, he had never been instructed to assess Molly Katanga’s injuries.

‘You were never instructed to do anything in relation to her own wounds, correct?’ Mr Muwaganya asked.

Dr Onzivua replied that he had received no instructions concerning Molly Katanga’s wounds and had focused on interpreting injuries described in the postmortem report.

The prosecution then pressed him on whether his expertise extends beyond examining deceased persons.

‘You confirm as a pathologist your expertise is not restricted to wounds of dead bodies but also wounds of the person involved in crime,’ Mr Muwaganya said.

Dr Onzivua agreed.

The prosecution argued that despite possessing the expertise to analyse injuries on living persons, the witness had not independently assessed the wounds of the key accused person in the case.

Mr Muwaganya also questioned Dr Onzivua about his ability to reconstruct the final moments of the deceased using materials supplied by the defence.

Initially, the witness suggested he had considered blood patterns, DNA analysis and bloodstains found in the room.

However, after repeated questioning, he ultimately conceded that he could not establish whether Henry Katanga was standing, sitting or lying down when he sustained the fatal gunshot wound.

‘So using those two, you could tell whether the deceased died while standing, sitting or lying down?’ Mr Muwaganya asked.

‘No, no, I could not,’ Dr Onzivua replied.

‘For clarity of record, you cannot tell the dying position of the deceased through any of the materials availed to you by your client. Correct?’

‘Correct,’ the witness answered.

The cross-examination further exposed disagreements over conclusions contained in Dr Onzivua’s defence report.

Mr Muwaganya referred the witness to a section of the report stating that Molly Katanga’s blood was all over the room while the deceased’s blood was found only on the bedsheets.

When directed to identify the source of that conclusion in the blood pattern analysis report, Dr Onzivua admitted the information did not appear in the report itself.

Despite the omission, he maintained that his conclusion remained valid.

The prosecution also challenged another conclusion in which Dr Onzivua stated that blood pattern observations irresistibly showed that the deceased, Molly Katanga, battered the deceased before sitting on the bed and shooting himself.

The hearing marked the fourth appearance of the defence expert under cross-examination and came a day after he apologised in court for previously discrediting government pathologist Dr William Male Mutumba, whose qualifications he had earlier questioned.

Molly Katanga is charged with murdering her husband at their home in Mbuya, Kampala, in November 2023. She denies the charge.

Her daughters, Martha Nkwanzi and Patricia Kakwanza, are charged with being accessories after the fact and destroying evidence. Co-accused Charles Otai and George Amanyire also deny the charges.

The trial judge adjourned the matter to June 10 for further cross-examination of Dr Onzivua.

Ugandans living in Germany gathered in Berlin on Saturday for a community Grill Fiesta that blended culture, social bonding and conversations on men’s mental health, as members of the diaspora sought to strengthen ties within their community while raising awareness about a growing public health concern.

The event, supported by the Ugandan Embassy in Berlin, brought together Ugandans from different professional and social backgrounds for a day of networking, cultural exchange and discussions focused on men’s mental wellbeing.

Held as part of Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month, observed in June, the gathering provided a platform for participants to discuss the challenges many men face in seeking support for emotional and psychological struggles.

Organisers said the event was intended to encourage open conversations about mental health and help break long-standing stigma that often prevents men from speaking openly about their experiences.

Representing the embassy, Minister Counsellor Jacqueline Banana Wabyona commended the Ugandan community in Germany for creating initiatives that promote unity, wellbeing and social support among citizens living abroad.

She appeared to suggest that such gatherings strengthen community bonds and complement the embassy’s efforts to engage Ugandans in the diaspora while promoting their welfare and connection to their homeland.

A key speaker at the event, Geoffrey Namara, an epidemiologist with the World Health Organization, praised the initiative for addressing an issue that is often overlooked despite its significant impact on individuals, families and communities.

On his part, Ugandan-born doctor Raymond Luyima told Monitor that ‘creating safe spaces where men can openly discuss mental health challenges is essential in promoting early support-seeking behaviour and reducing the social isolation that many experience.’

Participants shared experiences and reflected on ways communities can support men facing stress, anxiety, depression and other mental health challenges, particularly while navigating life away from home.

Organisers noted that although awareness of mental health has increased globally, men remain less likely than women to seek professional help, making community-based initiatives an important avenue for education and support.

Beyond the discussions, the Grill Fiesta served as a celebration of Ugandan culture, featuring food, music and social interaction that reinforced a sense of belonging among members of the diaspora.

Participants thanked the Ugandan Embassy in Berlin for supporting the event and pledged to continue promoting mental health awareness, community cohesion and social wellbeing among Ugandans living in Germany.

The gathering on foreign soil also reflected the warm and enduring relations between Uganda and Germany, which date back to the establishment of diplomatic ties more than five decades ago.

Over the past six decades, the two countries have built a relationship founded on mutual respect and cooperation, with diaspora engagement increasingly viewed as an important bridge for strengthening people-to-people connections, cultural exchange, and collaboration between the two nations.