Category: Daily Monitor

Dolphins Swim Club topped the 10th edition of the Kenya Aquatics National Swimming Long-course Championships held May 29-31 at Kasarani, Nairobi.

The Kampala-based club had 31 athletes and topped the points table with 370 points to finish ahead of fellow Ugandan side Sailfish Swim Club (266.5) and Kenya’s Braeburn (160) while last year’s winners Gators – also from Kampala – were fourth with 133.5 points in a competition that attracted over 650 swimmers from about 80 clubs.

‘I am happy with the performances because the swimmers prepared very well for this,’ Dolphins coach Tonnie Kasujja said.

‘This was a path towards our own Ugandan Nationals where we also expect to do very well especially if we take this power and resilience into the competition.

Imara Aquatics were the other Ugandan side in the top 10 with 79 points to finish eighth. Sailfish were also the best boys’ team with 142 points.

‘It has been a great lesson in terms of managing races as we swam heats and finals. We have also taken lessons in terms of recovery of swimmers and the selection of races.

“We came to see that our athletes perform better and expose them to the kind of swimmers they will meet in regional competitions. This is a long course competition and we do not have one like this in Uganda,’ Imara coach Ezra Kalali, said.

Dolphins were also top of the medals chart with 28 gold, 20 silver, and 15 bronze medals while Sailfish followed with 19 gold, 12 silver, and 11 bronze medals. Gators with five gold, 14 silver, and 10 bronze medals placed 12th in this table while Imara had four gold, 10 silver, and one bronze medal to place 14th.

‘It has been a challenging and learning experience. The pool was quite cold but the format of the competition is great because if you qualify for the finals, you have an opportunity to make better times,’ Sailfish’s Karen Mwangi, said.

Torpedoes had three gold, four silver, and four bronze medals. Otters produced two gold, three silver, and three bronze medals while Aqua Akii had one gold and one bronze medal.

Gators’ Berekiah Lutaaya started the roll of honours with gold in the 12-13 boys’ 1,500m freestyle with a time of 21:19.38. With 19:42.95, his brother Benjamin Lutaaya got silver over the same distance in the 16 and Over boys’ category while their teammate Immelman Akubu got silver in the same race for the 14-15 year old boys with a time of 19:35.64.

10-11 Years

Sailfish’s Audrey Nyonyintono bagged gold in the 10-11 girls’ 400m IM (6:37.88), silver in the 200m butterfly (3:17.02), and bronze in the 100m fly (1:20.69) while Otters’ Valeria Nassozi got silver in the 200m backstroke (3:06.06).

Despite qualifying as sixth seed, Gianna Opolot who represented Sailfish, bagged the 10-11 girls’ 50m backstroke silver in 37.30 plus bronze in the 50m fly (34.79), 400m freestyle (5:48.80), and 100m free (1:09.59) while her male teammate Emmanuel Mutebi was third and fourth in the boys’ 50m fly (35.60) and 100m free (1:12.59) respectively. Their male teammate Seth Kabogoza got bronze in the boy’s 50m back in 39.56, silver in the 100m back (1:24.50), and fourth place in 200m back (3:02.87).

Reuben Ssekabembe bagged bronze for Dolphins in the 10-11 boys’ 50m breaststroke (41.81).

Sailfish showed their team prowess with silver in the 10-11 girls’ 4x50m medley relay and the mixed 4x50m medley relay ahead of Gators.

Sailfish boys got gold from their 4x50m medley relay ahead of Dolphins. Gators won the age group’s mixed 4x50m free relay ahead of Dolphins.

Sailfish also won both the 10-11 girls’ and boys’ gold medals in the 4x50m, 4x100m and 4x200m free relays. They also won the mixed 4x100m free relay.

12-13 Years

Berekiah’s long distance form continued into the 12-13 boys’ 800m free gold (11:16.17).

Dolphins’ Malachi Ssali bagged silver in the 12-13 boys’ 200m fly (3:05.44). Malachi’s preliminaries’ time was a 2:52.52 that competed fairly with the 2:44.79 from winner AbdulKadir AbdulKadir of Mombasa Aquatics.

This age group saw NextGen Multi Sport Academy Kenya’s Don Ndirangu (top with 30 points) plus the Ugandan duo of Kristian Bwisho from Imara Aquatics and Elijah Ayesiga (both ranked third on 18 points) of Torpedoes renew their rivalry. Ndirangu and AbdulKadir were largely dominant. Bwisho started with 50m back (32.77) silver.

In the 100m free Uganda’s best finishers were Dolphins’ Manuel Ssemanda (1:00.86) with bronze, Ayesiga (1:02.78), and Bwisho (1:03.01) in fifth despite being best qualifier in 1:00.70.

Manuel got silver in the 50m (27.59), 200m (2:17.84), and 400m (5:09.52) freestyle events. In the 400m, Marc Kaliisa (5:20.05) – who swims for Gators here but represented Aga Khan Academy Mombasa – edged Malachi (5:22.21) to bronze.

Bwisho got 50m breaststroke silver (35.99) ahead of Ayesiga (36.46) and Otters’ Shane Mugenyi (36.79). He also got 200m IM (2:37.88) silver ahead of Ayesiga (2:37.97) and his gold came in the 200m breaststroke (2:49.96) head of Ayesiga (2:54.13) and Mugenyi (3:03.42).

Ayesiga also won the 100m breaststroke (1:17.65) gold ahead of Bwisho (1:18.17) and Mugenyi (1:21.18).

Ayesiga got 100m fly silver (1:07.07). Manuel (29.29) took the 50m fly silver while Ayesiga settled for bronze (29.44). Jeremiah Ssempijja also bagged a point for Imara after finishing fourth in the 12-13 boys’ 400m IM (6:05.14).

Otters’ Nisha Pearl Najjuma was best qualifier in the 12-13 girls’ 50m backstroke (35.88) but finished fourth (36.08) in the final just ahead of Imara’s Gabriella Eleanor Nakimuli (36.34).

Najjuma’s quick consolation was a 50m breaststroke silver (39.06) while Nakimuli first individual medal was gold in the age group’s 200m backstroke (2:51.90).

Najjuma, who topped the 12-13 girls with 20 points, later added 200m breaststroke silver (3:11.90) and 50m fly bronze (33.57) before her gold medals came in the 100m breaststroke (1:25.91) and 200m IM (2:54.22).

Dolphins’ Jinan Nakato continued her regional dominance in freestyle with gold in the 12-13 girls’ 50m (29.51) and 100m (1:05.88) races. Her teammate Esther Nabirye bagged the age group’s 400m free gold (4:40.42). Nakato, who was ranked third in this group with 16 points, also got 100m back gold (1:17.30) while Nakimuli got bronze (1:21.09).

Dolphins topped the 12-13 girls’ 4x50m medley relay while the boys got disqualified.

They also won the age group’s mixed 4x50m free relay while Imara took the mixed 4x50m medley relay ahead of Dolphins and Gators.

Dolphins returned to gold in this age group’s mixed 4x100m medley and freestyle relays. Dolphins also took gold in the girls’ and boys’ 4x100m and 4x50m free relays.

14-15

Tyrah Muganzi (2:49.18) and Benjamin Ssali (2:36.05), who both represented Dolphins, bagged their first gold medals in the 14-15 girls’ and boys’ 200m fly respectively. Ethan Kunihira, who is attached to Altona in Uganda but competed for Kenya’s Gold Fish Swim School, was third in the boys’ race with a time of 2:42.78.

Muganzi, who was ranked third in the age group with 19 points, added gold in the 100m fly (1:12.31) ahead of teammate Mackayla Ssali (1:13.99) while Benjamin got bronze ahead of Torpedoes Jonathan Kaweesa in the boys’ race. Muganzi (30.65) was beaten to 50m fly gold by 28 microseconds.

Gabriella Opolot bagged the 14-15 girls’ 50m back (33.54) silver for Dolphins ahead of Muganzi (33.63). Dolphins also had Mackayla bag silver in the 400m IM (6:04.93) and 800m free (11:11.88), plus 400m free bronze (5:26.65).

Gabriella then got bronze in 200m backstroke (2:53.15) just five microseconds ahead of Muganzi while in the same race for the boys, Aronda bagged bronze (2:42.66).

Muganzi got silver in the girls’ 100m back (1:17.32) while teammate Sheldon Musiinza (1:13.01) got bronze in the boys’ (1:13.01).

Dolphins’ Theresa Kikambi also bagged bronze in the 14-15 girls’ 200m IM (2:52.88).

Meanwhile Jonathan Kaweesa was second in the 14-15 boys’ 100m free (57.39) while Sailfish’s Jaden Mwase was fourth in the 50m breaststroke (33.98) beating Gators’ Jayson Aronda (34.43) and Kigundu Ssango (35.94), who represented Imara. Jaden later got silver in the 200m breaststroke (2:51.19).

Akubu had bronze in the 400m IM (5:54.38) and silver in both the 400m (4:54.01) and 800m (10:20.04) free. In the 200m free, Torpedoes’ Jonathan Kaweesa finished second (2:14.30) while Benjamin (2:18.52) was third.

Dolphins got gold in the 14-15 girls’ and boys’ 4x50m medley relays. Gators got silver in the latter while Sailfish was disqualified.

Dolphins beat Sailfish and fourth-placed Gators to gold in the mixed 4x50m freestyle relay. Dolphins also won gold in the mixed 4x50m, 4x100m medley, and 4x100m free relay.

Gators took the boys’ 4x100m free relay silver while Dolphins took the girls’ gold in the 4x50m, 4x100m and 4x200m free relays. Sailfish boys took gold in the 4x200m free relay and bronze in the 4x100m free one while Gators and Sailfish boys took 4x50m silver and bronze medals.

16 and Over

Karla Mugisha picked her first point for Imara in the 16 and Over girls’ 50m backstroke (36.59) by finishing fourth and later got silver in the 200m IM (3:03.67).

In the senior boys’ 50m back, Sailfish’s Mathew Mwase clocked an impressive 29.15 for silver while Dolphins’ Pendo Kaumi (30.04) got bronze.

In their 100m free, Kaumi was second (56.34) while Mathew was third (56.66) and his brother Arthur Mwase fourth (56.82). A familiar face for them in Ugandan Olympian Ambala Atuhaire, who was representing Braeburn was seventh (58.46).

Arthur bagged gold in the 400m free (4:33.86) ahead of Benjamin Lutaaya (4:52.83). Arthur also bagged silver in 200m free (2:07.91) ahead of Kaumi (2:10.98) and Atuhaire (2:11.21).

Kaumi added bronze to his medal tally in the 100m fly (1:01.72) and 50m fly (26.81) then gold in the 200m IM (2:26.22) ahead of Arthur (2:27.92).

Gators’ Shaun Murungi (2:26.38) won the 200m backstroke ahead of Mathew (2:31.16) then got silver in the 800m free (10:54.94). Atuhaire won the senior boys’ 100m back (1:03.78) ahead of Murungi (1:05.24), Mathew (1:05.41), and Kaumi (1:05.79).

Tendo Mukalazi bagged Aqua Akii’s lone gold in the 50m breaststroke in a time of 30.06 to finish ahead of Imara’s Larry Graig Feni (30.82) and Torpedoes’ Kyle Kimuli (30.92). Mukalazi was also a subject of controversy when he was awarded third position (23.90) in the 50m free – a race some onlookers thought he had won.

Kimuli got gold in the 200m (2:43.14) and 100m (1:09.11) breaststroke. Gators’ Schwarzkopf Thembo Katende also bagged 200m fly silver (2:37.97).

Kaumi ranked second with 16.5 points while Kimuli (12), Arthur (12), Murungi (11), Matthew (10), Mukalazi (7), and Benjamin Lutaaya (6.5) were all ranked in the top 10 with Atuhaire 11th with six points.

Gators beat Dolphins’ to 4x50m medley gold while Sailfish got bronze.

Sailfish also got bronze in the mixed 4×50 freestyle relay Imara picked silver. Imara bagged mixed 4x50m medley relay gold.

Sailfish led by Karen Mwangi were the lone competition for the mixed 4x100m medley and free relay gold medals. They also took the boys’ 4x50m, 4x100m, and 4x200m free relays. Dolphins claimed the boys’ 4x100m freestyle relay.

Kenya Aquatics National Championships (50m)

How they finished

1- Dolphins – 370

2- Sailfish Kampala – 266.5

3- Braeburn (Kenya) – 160

4- Gators – 133.5

8- Imara Aquatics – 79

21- Torpedoes – 38

22- Otters Uganda – 29

35- Aqua Akii – 7

Authorities in Kibaale District have warned that individuals encroaching on wetlands and forest reserves will face arrest as the district shifts from public sensitisation campaigns to enforcement measures aimed at protecting the environment.

The warning was issued by Assistant Resident District Commissioner Godfrey Asiimwe during a stakeholders’ meeting at the district council hall on Wednesday marking the close of the 2025/26 financial year.

Asiimwe said environmental degradation had become a growing concern in the district, with continued encroachment on wetlands and forest reserves threatening livelihoods, biodiversity and economic activities.

“The time for gentle reminders is over. People have continued to destroy wetlands and forests despite repeated warnings. We are now moving to enforce the law,” he said.

According to Asiimwe, enforcement efforts are in line with government environmental protection policies and a recent presidential directive on wetland conservation.

He said operations would target all offenders, including local leaders accused of failing to act against environmental violations.

“Whether you are a farmer cultivating in a wetland or a leader who chooses to look the other way, the law will catch up with you,” Asiimwe said.

District officials say activities such as wetland drainage, cultivation in protected ecosystems and illegal tree cutting remain widespread despite years of awareness campaigns.

Asiimwe warned that environmental degradation was also contributing to increased human-wildlife conflict as shrinking habitats force animals into human settlements.

“Nature does not attack unless it is cornered. When people clear forests and invade wetlands, they reduce the habitats where animals live, increasing the likelihood of conflict,” he said.

Environmental activists attending the meeting said continued encroachment could have long-term consequences for agriculture and water resources.

Musa Mugira, chairperson of Greater Kibaale Environmental Restoration, said wetlands and forests play a critical role in regulating climate, protecting water sources and supporting agricultural production.

“Our wetlands and forests are not just pieces of land. They regulate our climate, support agriculture, protect water sources and contribute to tourism,” Mugira said.

He warned that continued destruction of natural ecosystems could accelerate biodiversity loss, reduce agricultural productivity and contribute to more erratic weather patterns.

The warning comes amid growing concern over pressure on protected areas as population growth increases demand for land.

Former State Minister for Bunyoro Affairs Janipher Namuyangu said communities in the region were already experiencing the effects of climate-related challenges, including prolonged droughts, floods and declining forest cover.

“Residents of Bunyoro must wake up and conserve the environment. If we continue on this path, we shall face the full impact of climate change,” Namuyangu said.

She called for stricter implementation of environmental protection directives and stronger enforcement against violators.

Some residents acknowledged that land shortages had contributed to encroachment on wetlands.

Henry Mukasa, a small-scale farmer from Kibiito Parish, said he had been cultivating crops in a wetland due to limited access to alternative land but had agreed to vacate the area following government directives.

“I understand the government’s concern and have agreed to leave the swamp as directed. I call upon others occupying wetlands to do the same so that we can protect the environment,” Mukasa said.

District leaders said they would continue working with environmental officers, security agencies and local communities to ensure compliance with conservation laws and restore degraded ecosystems.

In a massive, swift law enforcement operation, the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development, backed by the Mineral Police Protection Unit, has shut down a rampant illegal gold mining operation in Mabuka Village on Bukana Island.

Armed with megaphones and whistles, police ordered an estimated 10,000 artisanal miners and fortune-seekers to immediately pack their belongings and vacate the area. The eviction puts a grinding halt to a chaotic, month-long gold rush that transformed a quiet farming village into a hazardous, overcrowded encampment.

The gold rush began unpredictably just over a month ago when a local farmer, tilling his land to plant banana suckers, struck gold ore. Word of the discovery spread like wildfire across the country. Within weeks, Bukana Island became a magnet for thousands of desperate citizens seeking a quick financial turnaround.

Miners, traders, and laborers converged on the remote Namayingo site from districts as far-flung as Mubende, Kasanda, Kasese and Mukono, Luweero, Bugiri and Jinja.

However, the lucrative enterprise was entirely unlawful. Mr. Cephas Wanjala, the Eastern Regional Mineral Police Commander, confirmed that the sprawling operation lacked the legal mandates required by the state.

“We could not allow these illegal mining activities to continue because the individuals involved were not licensed to undertake mining operations,” Wanjala said during the eviction. “They had also dug pits that posed a serious risk to public safety.”

While the promise of gold offered a temporary lifeline to thousands, the reality on the ground was a looming humanitarian and environmental disaster.

According to mining regulations, open pits must be systematically spaced at least 50 meters apart to ensure structural integrity. In Mabuka, desperate miners completely ignored these boundaries, digging unstable pits right next to one another. This caused severe underground cracking and sudden earth collapses.

The safety compromises quickly turned fatal.

For instance, on May 27, a massive pit collapse killed one miner and severely injured two others and just four days later, another heavily compromised pit caved in, trapping eight miners who were narrowly rescued by their peers.

“We are not going to allow this illegal mining, which poses serious safety and grave concerns, to continue,” Commander Wanjala stated firmly.

Beyond the threat of structural collapses, the site was a ticking epidemiological time bomb. The influx of 10,000 people struck an area with zero basic sanitation. Without pit latrines or clean water access, authorities feared an imminent outbreak of waterborne diseases like cholera, alongside grave concerns over highly infectious diseases such as Ebola.

The abrupt closure highlights Uganda’s increasingly stringent enforcement of its regulatory framework. Under Section 10(1) of the Mining and Minerals Act, 2022, it is strictly illegal for any individual or entity to prospect, explore, mine, process, or refine minerals without proper authorization from the government.

Furthermore, the law explicitly dictates that all mineral rights reside with the State, to be managed for the collective benefit of all Ugandans. Those who violate these provisions face steep penalties, including up to 50,000 currency points (Shs 1 billion), five years in prison, or both.

Commander Wanjala clarified that while Mabuka Village sits atop substantial gold deposits, no mining license has ever been issued for the area. The existing exploration license belongs to a Chinese firm, Zhong Hong Limited.

“The license issued for this area is for exploration purposes only and does not authorize mining activities. As such, the Ministry cannot allow gold mining here because it would be contrary to the law,” Wanjala noted.

As police enforced the eviction, the atmosphere turned somber. For many who had invested their life savings into the gold rush, the closure represents financial ruin.

Saida Nabirye, a businesswoman, abandoned her stable food kiosk in Namayingo Town with dreams of upgrading her livelihood. She spent Shs 500,000 to rent a small plot of land and dig a processing pit.

“I came here hoping to earn some quick money from the gold rush to boost my business,” Nabirye lamented, surveying her half-dug, abandoned pit. “I ended up losing all the money.”

For others, the mine was a final refuge from previous economic crackdowns. Muganda Musa, a former fisherman, turned to mining after the military’s Fisheries Protection Unit impounded and burned his fishing gear during operations against illegal fishing.

Sweating and visibly shaken as he packed his meager belongings, Musa expressed deep anxiety for his family’s survival. “The discovery of gold presented me with an opportunity to earn an income. My future looks bleak; I have no other means of supporting my young family.”

Ismael Bogere, who earned Shs 50,000 daily repairing collapsing pits, echoed these frustrations, noting that his sole source of income has vanished overnight.

The eviction has reignited a fierce debate over local resource ownership. Many displaced youth expressed resentment, claiming the government prioritizes foreign investors over impoverished citizens.

“It is a major mistake for the government to allow Chinese and other foreign miners to exploit valuable resources at the expense of local communities,” muttered David Ojambo, a local youth.

However, the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development pushed back against accusations of discrimination. Mr. Robert Mufuuta, the Eastern Region Mines Inspector, clarified that the law does not bar Ugandans from mineral wealth, but emphasizes that order must be maintained.

“Even if you discover gold under your bed, you have no right to extract it unless you have permission from the government,” Mufuuta explained. “The ministry issues mining permits to Ugandans for artisanal, small-scale, medium, and large-scale mining. Anyone interested can apply legally and be granted permission to operate.”

The chaotic evacuation briefly spiraled out of control when organized groups of local youth, armed with sticks, capitalized on the panic.

As miners hurriedly dismantled makeshift tents, these youths targeted wealthy pit owners, looting gold ore, tools, and electronics. The Mineral Police were forced to intervene aggressively to restore order, making several arrests.

“We were tired of the so-called pit owners paying us peanuts,” one youth shouted defiantly as he carried away a stolen solar panel. “We saw an opportunity to take back what they had taken from us.”

While the police have successfully cleared the site, the tension on Bukana Island remains palpable. The government faces the dual challenge of securing the area for the legal license holder while addressing the economic desperation of thousands of citizens now left without a livelihood.

The Buganda Kingdom has officially welcomed Ceaser Buyondo Miti as the new head of the Kasimba Clan.

He succeeds the late David Kabazi Ssempuuma, who passed away earlier this week.

The announcement was made today during an unveiling ceremony at Bulange Mengo.

Speaking at the event, the Katikkiro (Prime Minister) of Buganda, Charles Peter Mayiga, expressed relief that the clan swiftly identified a successor. He emphasized that clan leadership remains a vital pillar of Buganda’s cultural and governance structure.

“In our culture, it is crucial that a clan has a leader who connects it to the head of all clan leaders, who is the Kabaka of Buganda,” Mr Mayiga stated.

The Katikkiro explained that the foundation of the Buganda Kingdom rests on three inseparable pillars: the royal family; the clans and the administration.

According to Mr Mayiga, leadership within the royal family and the clans is hereditary, whereas chiefs within the administration are appointed directly by the Kabaka to serve the kingdom.

“If any of these pillars becomes weak, the kingdom cannot stand firmly,” Mayiga warned. “Clans are particularly important because they form a bridge between the Kabaka and his subjects. Our culture and norms are rooted in the clan system.”

The Katikkiro noted that Buganda culture strictly forbids prolonged uncertainty regarding clan leadership. Traditional procedures are initiated immediately following a leader’s death. Each clan follows its unique customs and rituals before presenting the chosen successor to the Katikkiro, who then informs the Kabaka.

Mayiga noted that once a successor is approved, the kingdom can officially proceed with the final burial arrangements of the deceased leader. He urged the newly appointed leader to guide his people with integrity, justice, and patience.

“This leadership comes from the Kabaka and has existed since the reign of Kintu. Serve your people faithfully and uphold the values of the kingdom,” Mayiga advised.

The Kasimba Clan Prime Minister, Edward Brown Lwanga, shared the somber details surrounding the sudden passing of David Kabazi Ssempuuma on Monday.

Mr. Lwanga recalled speaking to the late clan head during the day, only to receive emergency updates later that evening. Mr Ssempuuma was initially rushed to Sebi Hospital in Nansana before being referred to Lubaga Hospital, where doctors discovered high blood pressure complications that had severely affected his brain. Due to an unavailable bed in Lubaga’s Intensive Care Unit, he was transferred to Mengo Hospital, where he ultimately succumbed.

Following traditional protocols, Mr Buyondo-the third-born son of the late leader-was selected as the successor.

In his inaugural address, Mr. Buyondo expressed deep gratitude to the clan and the kingdom’s leadership, including Kabaka Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II.

“I am grateful to all clan members for accepting me and supporting this process,” Buyondo said. “I believe the late clan head would be pleased with the unity that has been demonstrated.”

Hello Yusuf, what you are describing is more common than many drivers realise, especially in vehicles that are regularly used in traffic, on long trips, or in hot climates. A car interior becoming unusually hot, even with windows slightly open, usually means excess heat is entering the cabin from the engine bay, exhaust system, or through reduced cooling and insulation efficiency.

One of the most likely causes is excessive heat transfer from the engine compartment into the cabin. Normally, a firewall barrier with insulation material separates the engine from the passenger area and limits heat penetration. If this insulation has deteriorated, been removed, or become damaged over time, heat can pass more easily into the cabin. This effect becomes more noticeable when driving in traffic or when the car is stationary, as airflow around the engine is reduced and heat builds up.

Another important area to consider is the exhaust system. The exhaust runs very close to the cabin floor and is protected by heat shields designed to deflect extreme temperatures. If these heat shields are loose, rusted, or missing, heat can radiate directly into the floor area of the vehicle. This often creates a sensation of warmth under the seats or footwell, which gradually raises the overall cabin temperature. In some cases, even a small exhaust leak can increase surrounding heat levels and contribute to the problem.

It is also worth noting that the engine may be running slightly hotter than normal without obvious overheating signs. A partially blocked radiator, weak cooling fan, or failing thermostat can raise under-hood temperatures. Even if the temperature gauge does not show a critical warning, the extra heat generated can still be transferred into the cabin.

Air conditioning efficiency

The second area to consider is the vehicle’s cooling and air circulation system. If the air conditioning is not performing optimally, the cabin will naturally feel hotter even if no additional heat sources are present. A weak AC system, low refrigerant efficiency, or a partially clogged cabin air filter can reduce airflow and cooling effectiveness. When airflow is restricted, hot air is not pushed out efficiently, allowing heat to accumulate inside the car.

In addition, poor air circulation inside the cabin can worsen the situation. Even with slightly open windows, if the internal airflow is weak, heat becomes trapped inside, especially during slow-moving traffic or when driving in hot conditions. The cabin then behaves almost like a closed container, absorbing heat from the sun, engine bay, and road surface all at once.

Another possibility is that the HVAC blend system inside the dashboard is not functioning properly. If the flap that controls hot and cold air mixing becomes stuck or misaligned, it may allow warm air from the heater core area to mix with cooled air. This can result in inconsistent or unexpectedly warm cabin temperatures.

Yusuf, in most cases this issue is not caused by a single fault but a combination of heat shielding, insulation, and cooling efficiency factors.

A proper inspection of the exhaust heat shields, firewall insulation, cooling system performance, and AC airflow condition should help identify the exact cause. Once addressed, the cabin should return to normal comfort levels, even in hot driving conditions.

A total of 118 election petitions arising from the January 2026 General Election have been filed before the High Court, setting the stage for what the Judiciary expects to be a busy season of election-related litigation.

According to Justice Prof. Andrew Khaukha, the Executive Director of the Judicial Training Institute (JTI), the majority of the petitions challenge parliamentary election results.

“Out of the 118 election petitions filed, 107 are parliamentary election petitions, while 11 relate to local council elections,” Justice Khaukha revealed on Thursday during a training session for justices of the Court of Appeal on the handling and disposal of election appeals.

“It’s from these that we expect to process the appeals from the High Court,” he added

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The training comes as the Court of Appeal prepares to handle what is expected to be a significant number of appeals from candidates dissatisfied with High Court decisions. Under the law, the Court of Appeal is the final arbiter of parliamentary and local government election disputes.

Chief Justice Flavian Zeija cautioned the appellate judges to brace for a flood of appeals once the High Court concludes hearing the petitions.

“My lords, I must warn you in advance that you will be getting many appeals. I already know what has been filed at the High Court, and I can tell you that because the law has that cushion that when you appeal, you remain in Parliament; even those who have obviously lost will come here,” Chief Justice Zeija said.

Judiciary records indicate that the current election cycle has registered more parliamentary election petitions than the previous one. During the 2021-2026 electoral cycle, 104 parliamentary election petitions were filed across the country, compared to 107 in the current cycle.

However, the number of local government election petitions has significantly declined. While 49 petitions challenging local council elections were filed after the 2021 polls, only 11 have been lodged following the January 2026 elections.

When contacted about when the petitions would begin to be heard, Judiciary spokesperson Mr James Ereemye last evening simply said: “Soon.”

Judges question Electoral Commission over polling irregularities

The training session also turned into a forum for senior judicial officers to scrutinise the Electoral Commission over alleged shortcomings in the conduct of the January 2026 elections.

Electoral Commission officials, including Head of Legal Ms Jennifer Angeyo and Head of Data Management Mr Ahmed Abdallah Ochama, faced tough questions from the judges regarding the failure of biometric voter verification kits and other electoral challenges.

Justice Oscar Kihika expressed concern over recurring electoral management problems, saying they had eroded public confidence in the Commission.

“The mistakes are made every time; it’s like you don’t learn from your previous mistakes. The citizenry does not have confidence in the Electoral Commission; how can this be remedied?” Justice Kihika asked.

The judge also criticised the limited role played by candidates’ agents during tallying exercises, arguing that the process often excludes meaningful participation, particularly by opposition representatives.

“The agents in that room are literally passengers. They are not involved in the process. What they do is look at the screen and compare the figures being displayed with what they have,” he said.

Justice Kihika cited his experience as a former practising advocate representing the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM), recalling an election petition arising from the Kayunga District Woman MP by-election involving Harriet Nakwedde of the largest opposition National Unity Platform (NUP) against NRM’s Andrew Muwonge.

“Had that matter gone to the merits, the nonsense that was happening at the tally centre was very shameful. The tallying process was actually hijacked, figures were turned around, and there were a lot of games,” he said.

The High Court in Mukono and the Court of Appeal both dismissed Ms Nakwedde’s petition on the technicality of having filed it outside the stipulated time of seven days.

Responding to the concerns, Mr Ochama promised to provide feedback on the issues raised.

Justice Musa Ssekaana also highlighted discrepancies in declaration forms as a major source of election disputes and proposed reforms aimed at improving consistency and transparency.

“I propose that we have one original declaration form, and the rest be carbon copies if we are to resolve these discrepancies,” Justice Ssekaana said.

For a team already assured of a place at Afcon 2027, the Uganda Cranes find themselves in a strange position.

The destination is guaranteed. The journey is not.

That is why the cancellation of this week’s friendly matches against Tanzania and Madagascar in Morocco feels more significant than the scorelines ever would have been.

The games were never about results. They were about information. They were about evidence.

They were about discovering where Uganda stand before the continent arrives on East African soil next year.

Resisting comfort

Cranes coach Paul Put has spent much of his tenure resisting comfort.

The Belgian understands that hosting an Afcon can create a dangerous illusion.

Qualification is already secured, but competitiveness is not.

Uganda do not have the luxury of waiting until 2027 to discover their weaknesses.

The Morocco camp was supposed to help answer questions.

Could in-form Allan Okello cement his role as the creative reference point around which this team is built?

Which local-based players are ready for the next level? How far has the squad progressed since the last international window?

Timing matters

Against Tanzania and Madagascar, Uganda would have found at least some clues. The timing matters.

Uganda’s Afcon qualifying campaign begins in September, but unlike most nations, the Cranes are not playing for a place at the finals.

They are playing to sharpen themselves for them. Every international window between now and 2027 is therefore less about qualification and more about construction.

Instead, the Cranes arrived in Morocco only to learn that public-health concerns linked to the Ebola outbreak, mostly in neighbouring DRC with just a handful cases in Uganda, had led to the cancellation of both fixtures.

The squad travelled. The coaches prepared. Then the football disappeared.

Real test

Put needs opponents. He needs minutes. Above all, he needs evidence.

The real test now belongs to Fufa.

The federation cannot recover these two matches, but they can respond to their loss.

Replacement fixtures, if still possible within future windows, become even more important.

The technical team may also need longer camps and more deliberate planning to compensate for the missing game time.

September will arrive. October will arrive. The road to a home Afcon will continue regardless.

The Cranes have lost two matches. What they cannot afford to lose is focus and momentum.

That, more than any cancelled fixture, would be the real setback.

Insurance Regulatory Authority (IRA) is facing one of the most serious leadership crises in its history, with allegations of financial and administrative impropriety against outgoing chief executive officer Ibrahim Lubega Kaddunabbi.

The crisis has escalated into a multi-front battle involving the Auditor General, Ministry of Finance, IRA board, lawyers on both sides of IRA, Kaddunabbi, High Court, and criminal investigations.

At the centre of the dispute is the decision by the IRA board not to recommend the renewal of Kaddunabbi’s contract, a decision that has triggered litigation, competing legal interpretations, administrative directives, and accusations of contempt of court.

The crisis intensified after the Permanent Secretary and Secretary to the Treasury, Ramathan Ggoobi, requested the Auditor General to conduct a comprehensive investigation into claims raised by board chairperson Keto Nyapendi Kayemba concerning financial and administrative impropriety at the IRA.

The resulting Special Investigation Report, signed by Auditor General Edward Akol on May 15, 2026, found several instances of irregular conduct involving the Kaddunabbi.

The Auditor General found that Kaddunabbi increased his salary from the amount originally approved by the Minister of Finance, despite a clear ministerial directive that any future adjustment would only be considered based on Bank of Uganda inflation data and after recommendation by the board.

The report found no evidence that the board ever formally considered or approved the chief executive officer’s salary increments.

Yet his monthly salary rose from Shs46.34m to Shs60.85m between the 2021/22 and 2025/26 financial years. The Auditor General concluded that the salary increases did not comply with the Minister’s conditions regarding inflation and approval procedures.

Investigators also established that Kaddunabbi received leave allowances despite evidence showing that in some periods he had not taken leave, contrary to the Human Capital Management Manual, which only permits payment of leave allowance when leave is actually taken.

The report identified Shs24.3m paid as leave allowance despite leave not being taken, Shs36.8m received irregularly as leave allowance, and Shs87.18m paid as compensation for untaken leave after expiry of his contract.

The Auditor General concluded that the Shs87.18m payment was inconsistent with both the Employment Act and the chief executive officer’s contract because there had been no termination of employment and no evidence that leave had been denied.

A separate finding related to Kaddunabbi’s role as a non-executive director of Africa Reinsurance Corporation (Africa Re) found that Africa Re’s contract and board charter provided extensive benefits to directors, including business-class travel, accommodation, daily subsistence allowances, sitting allowances, and reimbursement of expenses.

Despite this, the Kaddunabbi obtained full per diem payments from IRA for several Africa Re engagements in Cairo, Abuja, Johannesburg, and Kigali.

The report concluded that because the activities were already fully sponsored, the IRA Human Capital Manual only entitled him to 30 percent of the normal per diem. Instead, full per diem was paid, resulting in a quantified loss to IRA of Shs57.4m.

The Auditor General further found that six additional staff members were recruited beyond the positions originally advertised. Although management relied on a broader board resolution following a job evaluation exercise, investigators found that the specific additional recruitments had never been explicitly discussed or approved by the board.

The Auditor General put the resulting loss at Shs647.6m in salaries and benefits after six staff were recruited without documented Board approval.

The investigation found that 39 people were recruited for 30 approved positions, with six excess hires lacking justification, resulting in significant unplanned recurrent expenditure for the Authority.

Board decides against renewal

Against this backdrop, the IRA board resolved not to recommend renewal of Kaddunabbi’s contract.

The dispute reached a critical point after the board’s decision of February 16, 2026, declining to recommend him for another term. That decision became the subject of an application before the High Court.

Board sources say the decision flowed directly from governance concerns raised by internal audit reports, subsequent board deliberations, and the Auditor General’s findings.

Court issues interim order

On May 29, 2026, Justice Joyce Kavuma issued an administrative interim order restraining the board and IRA from implementing or giving effect to the decision not to recommend Kaddunabbi for renewal pending hearing of the substantive application.

In a crucial passage that has since become the centrepiece of competing legal arguments, the Judge held that the issue of renewal remained the substance of the main application and that renewal of contract was an executive function rather than a judicial one.

Court, therefore, preserved the status quo while directing respondents to file affidavits and return to court.

The ruling has subsequently been interpreted differently by the opposing camps. Kaddunabbi’s lawyers maintain that the order froze implementation of the board’s decision, while IRA argues that the order did not amount to a renewal of the expired contract.

Board moves to fill the vacuum

Despite ongoing court proceedings, the IRA board moved swiftly after the expiry of Kaddunabbi’s contract on May 31, 2026, recommending the appointment of Protazio Sande, IRA director of strategy and market development, as acting chief executive officer effective June 1.

The appointment was communicated through the Ministry of Finance and accompanied by a board press release announcing the transition.

The board justified the move as necessary to ensure continuity of operations and maintain regulatory stability of the insurance sector, arguing that Sande’s institutional knowledge and experience would ensure uninterrupted discharge of IRA’s mandate while a substantive chief executive officer is appointed.

Kaddunabbi’s lawyers fight back

Kaddunabbi’s legal team at Arcadia Advocates immediately challenged the appointment.

In a strongly worded Tuesday (June 2) letter to Ggoobi, the lawyers argue that court had preserved the status quo and that the board and Ministry of Finance had acted unlawfully by creating and filling an office of acting chief executive officer, while the case remained pending.

They contend that Ggoobi lacks authority under the Insurance Act to appoint an acting chief executive officer and that the board relied on provisions of the Human Capital Management Manual that allegedly do not create the office of acting chief executive officer.

They further argue that the appointment violates court’s preservation order and threatens contempt proceedings if the decision is not withdrawn.

Arcadia also accuses IRA and its lawyers of selectively quoting the High Court ruling and misrepresenting its effect. In a separate communication, the firm rejects Dentons’ interpretation of the ruling and warns that further actions taken contrary to the order could attract contempt proceedings.

Dentons responds aggressively

IRA’s external lawyers, Dentons Advocates, responded with an equally forceful cease-and-desist letter, accusing Kaddunabbi of entering IRA premises without authorisation on June 1 and falsely presenting himself as the chief executive officer despite the expiry of his contract.

Dentons maintains that court did not renew Kaddunabbi’s contract and that the ruling explicitly recognises that renewal remained an unresolved issue reserved for determination in the substantive case.

Dentons characterises Kaddunabbi’s actions as corporate trespass, unlawful interference with statutory functions, usurpation of authority, and a potential abuse of judicial process. They demanded that he immediately cease entering IRA premises or interfering with management and operations.

They warn that ‘your client, who is presently under active investigation by [CID] following adverse findings of financial and administrative impropriety against him, ought to know that such lawless conduct will inevitably attract severe civil and criminal sanctions’.

The tone of the exchange underscores the extent to which the dispute has moved beyond a routine employment disagreement into a full-scale institutional confrontation involving competing claims to authority within IRA.

CID drawn into the conflict

The dispute has now extended beyond employment and governance issues into the criminal sphere. Dentons copies its cease-and-desist correspondence to the Director of Criminal Investigations and expressly warns that if investigations establish administrative impropriety, criminal liability should arise.

Simultaneously, correspondence from the opposing side has also been copied to CID, suggesting that both camps are positioning themselves for possible criminal investigations linked either to audit findings or alleged violations of court orders.

Although no criminal charges are known to have been filed, CID has become a stakeholder in a dispute that began as an employment matter.

Ggoobi under pressure

The Ministry of Finance, through the Ggoobi, initially triggered the Auditor General’s investigation after receiving allegations from the IRA board chairperson.

Now the same Ministry finds itself drawn into a separate controversy over the appointment of an acting chief executive officer. Kaddunabbi’s lawyers argue that Ggoobi exceeded his statutory powers and unlawfully intervened in the management of IRA.

Meanwhile, the board insists that the appointment was necessary because the chief executive officer’s five-year term had expired and IRA could not operate without a substantive accounting officer.

Ggoobi, thus, finds himself at the intersection of two related but distinct disputes: alleged financial impropriety and the legality of IRA’s leadership transition.

The Insurance Act limits the IRA chief executive officer to two five-year terms, or 10 years. Yet Kaddunabbi has led IRA since 2010, serving for more than 15 years.

This has raised questions about the legality of his continued stay beyond the statutory limit.

The debate is not primarily about his performance, but whether IRA complied with term-limit provisions designed to promote accountability, leadership renewal, and good governance.

What happens next?

The future of IRA now depends on several parallel processes unfolding simultaneously.

Court must determine whether the board lawfully declined to recommend Kaddunabbi for renewal and whether subsequent actions by either side violated the interim order.

The Ministry and the board must also decide whether to pursue recoveries, disciplinary measures, or other administrative actions arising from the Auditor General’s findings concerning salary adjustments, leave payments, Africa Re expenditures, and recruitment practices.

At the same time, the possibility of criminal investigations remains open as allegations of financial loss, abuse of office, and unlawful interference continue to circulate among the parties.

What began as an internal governance dispute has evolved into a major test of one of Uganda’s most important financial sector regulators.

The Auditor General has documented irregularities involving salary enhancements, leave payments, travel expenditures, and recruitment decisions.

The Board has acted on governance concerns by refusing to recommend contract renewal.

The courts are now being asked to determine whether those actions were lawful, while lawyers on both sides exchange accusations of contempt, trespass, and abuse of authority.

For IRA, the battle is no longer merely about one executive’s future.

It has become a wider struggle over governance, regulatory credibility, ministerial authority, judicial oversight, and public accountability within the insurance sector.

The eventual outcome will likely shape not only the future leadership of IRA but also public confidence in the institutions responsible for regulating the insurance industry.

“What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make.”

The words of renowned conservationist Jane Goodall framed discussions at the launch of the 2026 Safal Eye in the Wild Photography Competition, where organisers called on photographers to document environmental challenges and conservation efforts across Africa.

The regional competition, themed “Frame Your Future”, seeks to promote environmental awareness through visual storytelling at a time when biodiversity loss, habitat destruction and climate change are drawing increasing global concern.

Speaking at the launch, Steven Asiimwe, chief executive officer of the Private Sector Foundation Uganda (PSFU), said environmental conservation requires greater participation from both the public and private sectors.

“The cause of the environment has not been given as much attention as it deserves, especially from us in the private sector,” Asiimwe said.

He said economic growth and environmental protection should go hand in hand, adding that businesses and communities alike have a role to play in addressing environmental challenges.

The competition is open to professional photographers, amateur photographers and members of the public. Participants may submit photographs taken using either professional cameras or mobile phones.

Jackie Tahakanizibwa, head of external and corporate affairs at Uganda Baati Limited, said photography can help draw attention to environmental issues that might otherwise go unnoticed.

“Scientists warn that nearly one million species around the world are at risk of extinction, largely due to human activity, habitat destruction and climate change,” she said.

“The question is no longer whether our environment is changing. The question is whether we are paying attention.”

Tahakanizibwa said photographs have the ability to communicate environmental realities in ways that reports and statistics often cannot.

“A single image can tell a story that statistics cannot tell. It can inspire action, spark conversations and remind us of what is at stake,” she said.

The initiative is being coordinated through the Safal Group Foundation network across countries where the group operates.

George Mubiru, head of the Safal Uganda Baati Foundation, said the competition aligns with the foundation’s environmental conservation and community development programmes.

“We believe that without this environment, we will not survive. The environment does not owe us anything, but we owe it everything,” Mubiru said.

He said photographs submitted through the competition would contribute to environmental awareness and advocacy efforts.

Selected photographs will be auctioned, with proceeds supporting vocational training and skills development programmes for young people.

The launch was attended by officials from the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), which said photography has become an increasingly useful tool for environmental monitoring and reporting.

“A picture is worth a thousand words. Many actions we take are informed by pictures shared with us by the public,” said Wilbert Ikilai, assistant commissioner for environment education and advocacy at NEMA.

The competition is open to participants from Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, South Africa and other Safal Group markets.

Entries must be accompanied by a 200-word statement explaining the story behind the image and its relevance to conservation. Participants may submit up to three entries.

The overall winner will receive US$3,000, while second and third place winners will receive US$2,000 and US$1,000 respectively.

Organisers have also introduced a public choice award worth US$500 and a youth category for participants under the age of 18.

Submissions close on June 20, with winners set to be recognised at a regional gala event in Nairobi on July 17.

Your Excellency, please accept my profound congratulations on your recent inauguration as President of Uganda and as the current Chairman of the East African Community.

If I were to give you an award, besides being a vanguard for peace and stability in Uganda and the Great Lakes Region, I would recognise you for being the chief promoter of value addition for African commodities/raw materials, foremost campaigner for wealth creation (Entandikwa, Bonna bagaggawale, Emyooga and Parish development model) and lead advocate for African trade promotion (on the global scale) instead of aid, and champion for the economic and political federation of the East African Community.

I toast to your numerous accomplishments, which leave no doubt that you are not only a visionary leader, but a true statesman.

For purposes of this article, however, allow me to focus the spotlight on the East African Community.

On July 7, 2000, the East African Community was revived, and 26 years later, the community has grown in membership from the original three countries (Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania) to eight members, including Rwanda, Burundi, DRC, South Sudan and Somalia.

Unfortunately as the community grows in membership, 26 years down the road, there is no monetary union, and political federation looks like a pipe dream.

Despite 26 years of inspirational speeches, grand summits, joint communiques and declarations made by the East African leaders, there is such a huge contrast between the passionate speeches and any bold steps on the ground to actualize the dream.

Are leaders merely paying lip service to the grand dream of political federation? Can’t they see the numerous benefits for all member States and citizens, or is it that, despite the high-sounding public speeches, privately, preserving individual sovereignty is more important than seeing the bigger picture?

Surely, we have all heard about the concerns and fears of the Tanzanians about their land, but has the Tanzanian government ever held a referendum to ask Tanzanians whether or not they want to politically federate with the rest of the East African countries and they said no?

Has Kenya, Uganda and the rest of the member states ever carried out referenda to ask their people? If the answer is no, perhaps its high time such referenda is high on the East African agenda, ahead of any other business, borrowing a leaf from Brexit where Britain asked the British whether they wanted to exit from the European community.

Instead of this chronic foot-dragging, I suggest that all East African states should hold referenda to ask their people if they want their countries to form the East African political federation.

If East Africans vote ‘yes’, there is no stumbling block to political federation. What will remain will be the legal framework.

That could be a prudent option. The other option would be for two or three willing countries (a coalition of the willing states) to declare a monetary union and political federation, giving time for other countries to join later on.

All member countries do not have to consent on the same day, and at the same time. We must be realistic and pragmatic to get this thing rolling.