Category: Daily Monitor

Think about the hottest girlies you follow on Instagram, Snapchat or TikTok. Now think about them again after this feature. From Kampala to Istanbul, people are embracing cosmetic enhancements, dental makeovers, and body sculpting in the quest for perfection.

This feature explores the rise of modern beauty trends; from glass skin facials and smile makeovers to IV drips and full-body transformations, everyone is chasing fine looks and in 2025, Kampala clinics have been busier than ever.

Maybe it is the influence of social media, or our growing obsession with perfection as a society, but there has never been a time when the desire to look perfect and beautiful has been this intense. You would think make-up, filters, and a good photo editor would be enough, but not anymore. The beauty race has gone far beyond Korean skincare routines and gym memberships.

Today, beauty enhancements are not only about faces. People are getting taller, slimmer, curvier, or reshaping features that God did not quite perfect during the creation process. From smile makeovers to body sculpting, even procedures to change your eye colour or ear shape, there is a solution for almost everything.

And if you think this is something that is only happening in Hollywood, think again. A night out in Kampala will have you doing double takes, wondering how that influencer came back from her ‘social media break’ looking subtly (or not so subtly) different or why that old girl from school, the one who once earned a nickname for her not-so-slim nose, now has a perfectly chiselled one. She completely changed!

The face card

What started as a skincare craze with everyone chasing that ‘glass skin’ look that we see with K-pop stars, with serums and sheet masks, has evolved into something much more complex. Now, it is all about skin boosters, hydra facials, fillers, eye brow lifts, rhinoplasty, and chin contouring. A facial is not just a once-in-a-while indulgence anymore. The goal? Flawless, youthful skin that looks good even without filters.

Procedures we once only saw on TV shows such as Botched are now part of everyday life. You can spot the results while walking down a street in Kampala or at the airport in Istanbul, now known as one of the world’s major plastic surgery capitals. Treatments such as rhinoplasty (nose reshaping) or PRP facials, where your own blood is used to rejuvenate your skin, are slowly becoming part of regular beauty conversations. Even hairline restoration trips to Turkey are no longer just for celebrities; some local clinics now offer similar services right here in Kampala.

Veneers and braces

A bright, perfect smile has also become the latest must-have accessory. Veneers, whitening, and braces are now among the most requested dental treatments.

‘Braces are orthodontic devices placed on the teeth to correct crooked teeth or jaw abnormalities,’ explains Dr Emmanuel Kiwanuka, an orthodontist at Uriel Dental Clinic. ‘They can be metal or ceramic, and they help with both function and appearance.’

According to Dr Kiwanuka, braces are no longer just for teenagers. ‘We see adults all the time now,’ he says. ‘For most people, it is about confidence. When you fix your teeth, you do not just change your smile; you change how you carry yourself.’ He adds that modern diets, which often include soft and sugary foods, have contributed to alignment problems.

‘Many children lose their baby teeth too early, which affects how their adult teeth grow. But beyond that, social influence plays a role. Young people want braces because they have become trendy. Some even wear fake ‘fashion braces’ just for the look.’

On the other hand, the ‘Hollywood smile,’ often achieved through veneers, is also catching on. It is part of the wider shift towards curated beauty, where every feature, from teeth to hairlines, gets a little enhancement. And while some results look a little too perfect to be natural, there is no denying that having pearly white teeth is fast becoming the new standard. These days, a bright smile might just be your ticket to smiling more confidently in public.

Changing eye colour and shaping ears

If you thought teeth were as far as it goes, think again. Around the world, people are also experimenting with ways to change their eye colour, a trend that is slowly making its way to Africa. The procedure, known as iris implant surgery, was originally developed to treat eye injuries and certain conditions but is now being used for purely cosmetic reasons.

It involves placing an artificial iris over the natural one, instantly changing brown eyes to blue, green, or grey. The look can be striking, though it comes with medical risks such as inflammation or vision damage, which is why local experts strongly advise against it.

Even more surprising is the trend of ear elongation and reshaping. While it may sound odd, it has become popular among people who want their ears to appear more symmetrical or refined.

Gym body or surgery?

It is 2025, and a ‘hot body’ is not being built in the gym alone anymore. Surgical and non-surgical body sculpting options are booming. Daphine Tusiime, the head of Plastics at Daphine Medical, says the demand is growing daily. ‘Some of the most common requests we get are for the Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL), Liposuction 360, which targets fat around the stomach, back, and sides, hip dip correction, and breast lifts and reductions,’ she explains.

She adds that even more intimate procedures, like vaginal rejuvenation and hymen reconstruction, are increasingly being requested. ‘People want to feel confident in every part of their body,’ she says. But there are also the unusual requests.

‘We have had people ask to reduce their foot size so they can fit smaller shoes, or to lengthen their torso by adjusting their spine. Those are medically unsafe and we always advise against them,’ Tusiime says.

Her biggest piece of advice? ‘Always research your doctor. Disclose any underlying health issues before surgery, and never do multiple major procedures at once. The body can only handle so much,’ she warns. Tusiime adds that patients should treat cosmetic procedures with the same seriousness as any other medical operation. ‘People often come in thinking it is like getting their nails done,’ she says. ‘But these are real surgeries, with real risks if not done properly.’

She encourages clients to ask questions about the doctor’s qualifications, the clinic’s hygiene standards, and the recovery process. ‘Do not let social media posts or influencer results rush your decision,’ she says. ‘The safest surgeries are the ones done after careful thought and preparation.’

Beyond vanity

For some, however, cosmetic procedures are more than vanity; they are life-changing. Prim Nyoyozi, a content creator, knows this firsthand. For years, she struggled with obesity, diabetes, and high blood pressure. ‘My feet always hurt, and I was tired all the time,’ she recalls. ‘I was really unhappy. I would have bouts of sadness and I knew I did not want to live like that forever.’

At 140 kilogrammes, even simple activities felt exhausting. ‘A friend told me about gastric bypass surgery and recommended a doctor here in Kampala. I did my research, asked questions, and finally decided to go for it.’ The results, she says, changed everything.

‘After the surgery, my health improved drastically. I now weigh 73 kilogrammes. I am more active, my energy is back, and I feel lighter; both physically and emotionally.’

For Prim, it was never about chasing beauty ideals or fitting into a certain size: ‘It was not about being more beautiful,’ she says. ‘It was about saving my life, about being the best version of myself that I could be.’

The rise of drips and detoxes

Not everyone, however, wants to go under the knife. A growing number of people are turning to IV therapy, a non-surgical wellness trend that delivers vitamins directly into the bloodstream. According to Zahra Hassan from Zaril Spa, IV drips are among their most popular treatments. ‘They help with hydration, skin brightening, energy levels, and even mood balance,’ she explains.

Different formulas serve different purposes. ‘The ‘Snow White’ drip is great for glowing skin, while the ‘Sculpt and Shine’ works best for anti-ageing and body toning. Frequency depends on what you want to achieve; some clients come weekly, others monthly.’ For many, these treatments feel like a shortcut to wellness as there is no surgery, no downtime, just a quick boost and glow.

There is no denying that today’s world puts enormous pressure on people to look a certain way. Filters, influencers, and digital comparisons have made perfection seem achievable and necessary. But whether it is surgery, skincare, or simply self-care, one thing is clear: people want to feel good about themselves. Beauty, for many, is no longer just about vanity; it is about confidence, empowerment, and choice.

At the end of the day, whether you prefer your beauty natural or enhanced, the message is the same: everyone is simply trying to look and feel their best.

And whoever said money cannot buy happiness probably had not seen the glow that confidence (and maybe a great surgeon) can buy.

I have worked with several Founder-CEOs – Individuals who started the company and are also at the helm of those companies. One of their biggest dilemmas is the inability to pluck themselves out of every decision process. It is the inability to let go of the company and entrust a new managerial class with the decision-making process.

This problem also afflicts family businesses as the thin line between family hierarchy and company management structures get blurred.

When you look at things from the Founder-CEOs perspective, you start to understand why they just cannot let go. Although great talent can be hired and entrusted with a business, you cannot bestow conviction upon this great talent, you cannot bestow that obsession with the details.

Founder-CEOs have rare qualities, they understand their businesses in and out, just like a mother understands everything to do with their child. They understand their businesses to the point of developing finger-tip sensitivity, able to detect variations long before a data analyst or monthly profit or loss report gets to reveal such facts.

Thus, Founder-CEOs develop a mistrust for the people they hire – as they do not seem to match up to these same behaviours and standards that the Founder-CEOs have grown and fine-tuned over time.

Thus, even when they hire managers in the top leadership positions, Founder-CEOs maintain grip on most decisions. They become the constraint within the company, second-checking every decision, and micro-managing every bit of the company. I used to judge Founder-CEOs unfairly. But that is until I shadowed them, and realised that without these micro-management tendencies, the businesses would collapse within months of their hands off approach.

One of the things Founder-CEOs quickly learn is that in business, there are no small decisions.

Strategy is not delinked from the tactical and operational. If you close your eye to the small things, they soon grow into the big things. A Founder-CEO I know in Kampala calls this the principle of ‘No-Compromise’, arguing that if one can excel on the small things, the big things will take care of themselves.

This Founder-CEO will still be found in his restaurant taking orders, monitoring how servers handle a table, the flow of the processes in the kitchen. There is nothing he takes for granted. To some, it borders on a true embodiment of strategic paranoia.

He not only has the nose for opportunity, but he also has the ear for strange noises, and the eye for when small things go wrong.

He is micro-detailed, knowing every part of the process, with all his numbers off head to a rare exactness. If he were to let go, the company would start to suffer over time. It may not be obvious at the start as there will be momentum to ride on, but years down the road, one would notice the missing arm of such a Founder-CEO.

Yet, Founder-CEOs always realise that they must manage transitions, they must prepare for the times when they will not be around anymore. Once, I asked a Founder-CEO – ‘how can we clone you?’ Then with all humility, he confessed – ‘the person that this company needs after me will have to be completely different. That person should not be a clone of me, but one for those times, and one with a sense of the true north of this company.’

It was like the case of Apple Inc upon Steve Jobs’ demise. Apple did not need to pick another Steve Jobs (it would have been an impossible task), but it needed someone like Tim Cook to imbue it with the things it needed most at the time – distribution and supply chain resilience.

Thus, the issue with Founder-CEOs is not in letting go, but in those that commit the mistake of trying to clone themselves. No one can be the Founder-CEO, no one has the context of those trenches, of the storms the company has withered and the character development that happens in those phases.

A Founder-CEO is a creation of unique times and circumstances; they cannot be hired through a job interview. But they could always mentor someone in their stead, someone to take the mantle upon their exit.

Yet, Founder-CEOs should not be deposed while they still have lots to give, while they can still see things that others miss. Of course, there could be scenarios where Founder-CEOs become enemies of their own companies, deterring movement, but in most cases, they possess a rare advantage of knowing this business/industry in ways that the managerial class would never comprehend.

A Founder-CEO once told me of a savings they had made on their fleet. Upon reflection, he noticed that in picking a particular size of fleet, they were losing over $3m in two years. And it was hidden in the details of cumulative fuel consumption due to increased tonnage.

Perhaps, I started to learn that the greatest quality of Founder-CEOs is that they care about their companies, and care is not something that can be faked. It cannot be taught. Care comes from a deep zone. Only those who care can see what others miss and thus drive business progress. And those who care, do not easily let go.

A total of 98 people were arraigned in Dar es Salaam on Friday, November 7, on charges of treason related to violent demonstrations that marred Tanzania’s general election held on October 29.

According to the charge sheet read before the Kisutu Principal Resident Magistrate, the suspects, all aged below 30, face three counts of treason, conspiracy to commit treason, and destroying various infrastructure across the city for three consecutive days starting on election day.

One of the accused, businesswoman Jenipher Jovin Bilikwija, is also charged with leading mobilisation efforts for citizens to participate in the protests for several months before the election, beginning in August.

Bilikwija, 26, who is popularly known as Niffer, is alleged to have encouraged the public to purchase tear gas and smoke-blocking masks from her shop in Sinza, Dar es Salaam, to enable their participation in the demos.

According to Section 39(2)(d) of Tanzania’s Penal Code, treason is a non-bailable offence that carries an automatic death penalty upon conviction.

The demonstrations, which started in Dar es Salaam and spread to Arusha, Mwanza, Mbeya and Dodoma as well as areas in other regions, caused extensive damage to public and private property, including fuel stations, police stations, public offices – including those of the ruling CCM party – commuter buses and shops.

State security forces retaliated in brutal style, shooting protesters, innocent bystanders and passers-by indiscriminately, and it is estimated that the total number of casualties exceeded thousands, with the death toll running into the hundreds.

An official report has yet to be released assessing the precise extent of the damage caused by the protests, which were unprecedented in Tanzania’s election history since the country gained independence in 1961.

‘Most Wanted’

Meanwhile, the government has issued a Most Wanted notice for US-based social media influencer Mange Kimambi, a known critic of President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s administration, whom it believes instigated the protests through provocative social media messaging.

Attorney General Hamza Johari, speaking after President Samia reappointed him in her first official move after being sworn in on Monday, said catching Kimambi, whose outspoken anti-Samia stance has made her a household name in Tanzania over the years, would now become one of his office’s top priorities.

‘She has been openly drumming up local support for the demonstrations that we witnessed, aimed at disrupting the election, and now she’s celebrating the impact of her efforts and even laughing at us from afar on her Instagram platform,’ Johari asserted.

‘This is totally unacceptable… we will get her by hook or crook, using all means at our disposal, including seeking help from the US government to extradite her back to Tanzania,’ he added.

Ever wondered what your favourite people snack on at midnight, who they would swap lives with for a day, or which song they secretly dance to in the shower?

In this Friday’s Totally Random section, Gloria Haguma ditches the serious stuff and gets personal (and a little nosy). No filters, no scripts, just a peek into who they really are behind the spotlight.

If you woke up tomorrow and discovered you were invisible for 24 hours, what is the first thing you would do?

I am not saying I am a thief, but for sure, lots of money would go missing and magically appear in the bank accounts of the people and sectors that truly need it the most.

You are running late but you can only grab one thing; your guitar, your shades, or your coffee. Which one wins?

My guitar always wins. Somehow my relationship with it has attracted lots of free coffees and more, I am just a few strums and sips away to a free car from my fans, I hear Lydia Jazzmen got a car from her fans! Lydia Lydia, nkuyise emirundi emekka?

If your beard could talk, what would it say?

‘Look, there goes his nostrils, let’s get in there and tickle him while he sings on stage.”

If you could teleport to any place in the world for lunch, where would it be and what are you ordering?

Right now, that would be in Europe to have lunch with my daughter Sienna. I would eat whatever she wants.

You can time travel to any concert in history, whose show are you sneaking into?

Michael Jackson, without a doubt.

If Uganda had a soundtrack, which three sounds must be in it?

The Baximba drums, Adungu harp and Choral voices.

What is something you believe in or own that people might find unusual?

I own a pendant that I call ‘The innocence’. It has been around my neck for most of my career, and it reminds me of times when I made music simply to touch lives and inspire people.

When was the last time you did something for the very first time and what was it?

Watching my daughter be born, Yooo!! EH!

What is the one thing you have read about yourself and were also shocked by it?

Some journalists once thought I was a rich kid who grew up with a silver spoon [in my mouth]. It was the total opposite for me, but I was not going to let people know that; I wanted my music to speak for itself and earn its stripes due to the magnitude of its craft and my prowess, not my struggles.

What is the weirdest thing you have ever googled out of curiosity?

I typed ”google” in the google search bar.

How many eggs in your rolex?

Two eggs, one chapati.songs will be written about this combo.

Do you spy on your neighbours through the window?

They spy on me in the day, but at night I have a better view of them, they might need to call the cops on me soon.

What is the brokest you have ever been?

Tell me, what is broker than zero?

You are a hot man, on a scale of one to 10, how hot do you think you are?

I will take a seven; my belly is not what it used to be, gravity keeps pulling it down. LOL.

What would your autobiography be called if you had to name it right now?

The King Of Mwooyo.

What is the most ‘Maurice Kirya’ thing you have ever done?

Being myself.

Do you think oli wakitalo nga bwolowoza? Are you special, Maurice?

Blood, I am who I think I am! In my dreams and in reality.

Boxers Fatuma Nabikolo and Angel Katushabe have been excluded from the ongoing Islamic Solidarity Games in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia for lack of mandatory genetic sex test certificates. That means only the two men will fight in Uganda’s name.

According to a Ugandan journalist covering the Games in Riyadh, 25 female boxers from different African countries were affected by this strict requirement.

Egypt, for instance, had fielded only female boxers. And all the eight were barred from competition.

But who is to blame? Was it negligence or malice on the part of the affected federations?

The journalist told Daily Monitor that Sudan, for instance, claims that the communication demanding the mandatory sex tests reached them on October 31. But the organisers say that was just a reminder.

The genesis

World Boxing (WB), the new international governing body that replaced the International Boxing Association (IBA) announced in May that it would introduce mandatory sex testing to determine the eligibility of male and female athletes due to take part in all its competitions. The new policy on ‘Sex, Age and Weight’ aims to ensure the safety of all participants and deliver a competitive level playing field for men and women.

On the same occasion, WB announced that Imane Khelif would not be allowed to participate in the female category at the Eindhoven

Box Cup or any WB event until she undergoes sex testing.

The Algerian made more news at the Paris 2024 Olympics for controversy surrounding her gender than her welterweight gold.

The IBA had banned her and Taiwanese Lin Yu-ting from the World Championship in 2023 because she was deemed ‘not female.’ But the International Olympics Committee (IOC) admitted them into the Olympics, which raised a huge cloud of dust especially when Khelif’s first opponent surrendered within just seconds and cried like a baby.

The IOC despises everything IBA, and in March 2025 announced WB as the new recognised body governing Olympic boxing. Two months later, WB introduced the mandatory sex test, as if to conform to US President Donald Trump’s ‘No Men in Women’s Sports Executive Order,’ which was targeting transgender people. (Trump will still be president during the next Olympics).

August 20, 2025, WB announced on website the ‘Sex Eligibility Policy’ which requires every female boxer to present a legit genetic sex test before entering any competition organised or sanctioned by WB.

This communication was sent to all stakeholders: member federations, continental and national Olympic committees and media. Uganda joined WB in May.

In September, twelve female boxers from the Dominican Republic, Nigeria, Fiji, the Philippines and the entire five-member French women’s squad were excluded from the World Boxing Championship in Liverpool for failing to present the sex certificates.

FFBoxe-the French Boxing Federation-said the French law prohibits them from conducting the tests domestically or abroad without a medical prescription. Upon WB’s recommendation, they did the tests in a laboratory in Leeds. Despite assurances that results would be delivered within 24 hours, they were delayed. And the boxers missed.

So, what did other WB member countries learn from that ordeal? Perhaps nothing.

Fact vs fiction

‘The issue is all African countries that are participating in the World Boxing competition for the first time have been affected. World Boxing says they first implemented this policy in Liverpool but they have never officially communicated to federations as regards this new development,’ Sula Kamoga, the Uganda Boxing Federation (UBF) vice president, who is in Riyadh, said on a WhatsApp group which includes journalists.

‘We suggested two options for them: having a female doctor physically testing the boxers or to take the girls’ samples to labs [but let them fight]. Since tests take two to three weeks, in case one gets a medal and the test turns out against them then the medal can be retrieved.’

Kamoga said both suggestions were trashed. Absurd. But shouldn’t UBF have avoided this drama?

UBF had applied to WB to compete in the World Championship in Liverpool in September. Their squad included female boxers. So, how had can UBF feign ignorance about the sex test requirement?

And weren’t the French and Nigerian stories enough reminders of WB’s seriousness about the test?

Moses Muhangi, the UBF president gave a slightly different excuse from his deputy’s.

On the same WhatsApp group, Muhangi admitted knowledge of WB’s August 20 communication on the mandatory sex test requirement on women. But he said that was for ‘the inaugural World Boxing Championship, not necessarily for all other competitions as each competition can have different competition rules.’

Despite claiming that boxing at the Islamic Games is neither owned nor sanctioned by WB, Muhangi said the UBF never received any competition manual from WB.

But all that is false. The technical handbook published in July 2024, states explicitly that boxing at the 2025 Islamic Games ‘shall be conducted in accordance with the latest World Boxing Competition Rules and Regulations.’

Muhangi further claimed that all communications regarding the Games were channeled through the National Olympic Committees (NOCs).

‘Everything our NOC asked of us we submitted,’ he said.

‘The NOC was also in charge of registering the participating teams and there’s no single information in regards to eligibility they asked from UBF and was not submitted.’

One journalist also wondered whether Uganda’s chief de mission met the different federations during the preps to brief them on the requirements.

‘We met [with the national federations]. They are looking for excuses,’ Sadik Nasiwu, Uganda’s chief de mission, briefly told Daily Monitor via a WhatsApp text. ‘I’m busy with the team and planning for next events.’ So, who is lying and who is not?

Time factor

Could it have been a time issue? Maybe not. When the French federation was caught offside in early September, it admitted that WB had informed it about the ‘femininity test’ on July 21, almost two months to the competition in Liverpool.

Section 5.1 of the Sex Eligibility Policy, requires all (female) boxers to undergo a PCR (polymerase chain reaction) test ‘or a functional medical equivalent genetic test to determine their sex at birth and their eligibility to compete.’

The PCR test is used to detect specific genetic material-the SRY gene-which reveals the presence or absence of the Y chromosome. If the Y chromosome is detected, then the birth sex is declared male.

The test can be conducted by nasal or mouth swab, saliva or blood.

For standard service, labs generally report results in one to two weeks from the time the sample is received, to allow for processing, quality control, and potential re-testing if the initial sample is not viable.

But there is also the expedited or “rush” option, which can deliver results in as little as the same day or within 24-72 hours, but for an additional fee.

COUNTRY AND EXCLUDED BOXERS

Egypt (8)

Palestine (5)

Chad (4)

Sudan (3)

Uganda (2)

Morocco (2)

Algeria (1)

SP Rachael Kawala has been appointed the new spokesperson for the Kampala Metropolitan Police (KMP), taking over from SSP Patrick Onyango, who served in the position for eight years.

The announcement was made by the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Abas Byakagaba, as part of a wider police reshuffle.

Before her new role, Kawala served as the Wamala Regional Police Spokesperson, where she was recognised for her professionalism, effective communication, and ability to maintain strong relations between the police and the media.

SSP Onyango, who returned to the KMP spokesperson position in 2018 after a brief transfer in 2016, is credited with modernising police-media engagement and enhancing transparency during his tenure.

In her new position, Kawala will be deputized by ASP Luke Owoyesigyire, who will continue supporting the metropolitan communication operations. Meanwhile, Lamek Kigozi has been appointed to take over Kawala’s former role as Wamala Regional Police Spokesperson.

The Police Spokesperson, Rusoke confirmed the appointment of SP Kawala and said SSP have been taken to Press and Publication department.

Observers say Kawala’s appointment signals a renewed focus on timely public communication, media engagement, and fostering trust between the police and Kampala’s residents.

Background

The Kampala Metropolitan Police is Uganda’s largest police command, responsible for maintaining law and order across the capital and its suburbs. The spokesperson’s office plays a critical role in disseminating updates on security, law enforcement operations, and community policing initiatives.

Uganda’s export sector is steadily evolving, with efforts to improve both domestic consumption and international competitiveness gaining momentum, according to Mr Odrek Rwabwogo, chairman of the Private Agribusiness and Commerce Initiative for Export Development (PACEID).

Addressing stakeholders in the agribusiness sector in Kampala on Friday, Mr Rwabwogo highlighted a key challenge: domestic consumption of high-quality coffee remains low, largely due to prohibitive equipment costs and taxation.

“To make good espressos or cappuccinos, 60 percent of a coffee machine’s price, which ranges between Shs20 to Shs30 million, is tax,” he said.

“When you consider that there are roughly 1,700 restaurants in Mukono, Entebbe, and Kampala, the high costs limit the local market’s growth.”

He emphasized the need for a holistic ecosystem to boost consumption.

“If restaurants had easier access to machines and could buy locally roasted coffee, the market would expand. This is not just about machines; it is about education, awareness, and creating demand for refined Ugandan coffee,” Mr Rwabwogo explained.

PACEID’s strategy focuses on both international and domestic markets.

“We are taking single-origin coffee from Uganda to retail outlets and restaurants abroad. The more people know our coffee, the more they know about the country, and the more they want a refined product, not just green coffee,” he noted.

Ms Brenda Katarikawe, PACEID’s director of markets, elaborated on the upcoming International Buyers Week.

“This event is designed to bring together international buyers in one space in Uganda, to understand us deeper, our products, our culture, and our facilities. It is an opportunity to showcase Uganda beyond the raw materials,” she said.

Preparation for the event includes training local producers to meet international standards and providing access to finance through programs like Uganda Exim Ltd, which supports small and medium-sized exporters.

“We are trying to ensure that 1,000 SMEs can participate, even if they have existing debts or collateral locked elsewhere, as long as they possess export-ready products,” Mr Rwabwogo explained.

Standardization remains a priority.

PACEID has collaborated with the Directorate of Industrial Training (DIT) and other agencies to train local producers on 13 key products, ranging from cassava to tea.

“The learning curve is steep, but by breaking the country into zones and equipping producers with the knowledge, we are transforming their capacity to export,” Mr Rwabwogo said.

He also underscored the importance of integrating marketing, sales, and customer feedback at a national level.

“A country functions like a company. Trade, foreign affairs, and other institutions must operate as a cohesive sales and marketing unit to support our exporters. We are building a trade house to streamline this process and improve aggregation, ensuring that buyers know exactly what is available in Uganda, in what quantity, and under what terms,” he explained.

Mr Rwabwogo and Ms Katarikawe remain optimistic about Uganda’s export sector.

“The country is growing, and our businesses are competing. We just need to continue improving execution, integrating technology, and maintaining momentum,” Mr Rwabwogo said.

“International Buyers Week is a platform to show that Uganda is ready to meet demand and that our products are not just commodities, they represent our people, our culture, and our capability to deliver quality,” Ms Katarikawe added.

PACEID plans to scale trade hubs, enhance market awareness, and expand international engagements, particularly across Europe and West Africa.

“We are building for our children and grandchildren. If Uganda can sell what it produces in the way the market wants it, we can ensure sustainable growth and employment for the next generation,” Mr Rwabwogo concluded.

Creator journalism is the buzzword in media circles today as ‘creators’ rise above citizen journalists to occupy space in the information world, and as legacy media struggles to find new footing in a disrupted business model and changing audience dynamics.

The term ‘citizen journalism’ has been around much longer, and ‘legacy journalism’ even much longer. Many people are, however, unable to clearly distinguish between the three.

Let’s start with the last one. Legacy journalists are the media folks you have always known. They report mostly for newspapers, television stations, radio and online media platforms. They wear press jackets and caps, carry notebooks and pens (or tablets), camcorders, microphones, voice recorders, etc.

They are the ones you see hovering around news events trying to interview newsmakers and witnesses, or ‘importantly’ strutting around important events. They are the ones listening intently to speeches by politicians and other public figures. And on a lighter note, if you are in Uganda, then they are the ones sometimes being beaten by security forces as they cover elections or political activities of the Opposition.

You read their byline against stories in the newspapers the next day, or on online website minutes after the event or as the event goes on.

You watch them on television screen during the hourly or evening bulletin reporting about events they covered. Or you hear their voices out of radio stations’ top of the hour news bulletins.

Legacy journalists are the trained, professional mass communicators that for years have brought us news and information before the advent of social media. They are guided by a code of ethics that defines dos and don’ts.

They may not always follow the code to the letter, but they can be brought to account for professional errors and misdemeanours through a professional standards body or courts of law.

What about citizen journalists? These are mostly faceless; they can hardly be picked out of the many people in a given place holding aloft smart mobile phones taking photos or recording videos of an accident scene, a political rally, a village fight, etc. In short, ‘.citizen journalism involves ordinary people reporting events as they happen, often without a formal structure. Citizen journalism prioritises immediate, on-the-ground coverage.’

Citizen journalists publish their content on social media platforms in either text, video or picture formats – or all the above.

The most important role (usually unconscious) is that they record events that would otherwise have gone unrecorded or unobserved because they happen in places and at fleeting moments where formal journalists may not reach, or may never have been present.

Key disadvantage of citizen journalists is that they tend to be biased since they may only record what they fancy. They will only show you the leg of an elephant that looks like a tree stump, not the whole elephant! Their reports also ‘.may lack accuracy, objectivity, and proper fact-checking due to the absence of professional training.’

Now to the new fad – creator journalism. How does it differ from the two, particularly from citizen journalism? Well, ‘.creator journalism is a newer model where individuals build a personal brand and community to produce content that can include news, analysis, and commentary.

Whereas citizen journalism prioritises immediate, on-the-ground coverage, creator journalism focuses on building an authentic, trusted personal connection with an audience to deliver information.’

Creator journalists are also known as ‘influencers’.

They share their content on social media platforms in formats they fancy, and accompany it with commentary spiced with their images or videos, thus blending their personality with the content they share. Not all influencers focus their content on hard news or explanatory journalism. Others stick to social issues – soft journalism – like relationships, cookery, etc.

Creator journalists come with advantages and disadvantages. They ‘.fill gaps left by traditional news media, often with more flexibility and less editorial oversight. [However]…this can blur the lines between personal commentary, news reporting, and marketing, and raises questions about how to maintain journalistic integrity within this model.’

Today, we live with all the three journalists every time we consume information. Citizen journalists may deliver immediacy from areas considered ‘news shadows’ and creator journalism may deliver unrestricted news and commentary outside the straight jacket of traditional journalism. However, legacy journalism is what holds the trust card, even when it sometimes flounders.

Health authorities have issued a strong warning urging the public to avoid self-medication when treating malaria, as a surge in deaths linked to improper drug use has raised alarm in local communities.

Sr Clare Ataliba, a Senior Nursing Officer at Budondo Health Centre IV in Jinja North Division in Jinja City, stated that many of the patients referred to the facility from lower health centres suffer from the effects of self-medication for malaria.

“Self-treatment practice not only delays the proper diagnosis but also increases the risk of drug resistance, making future treatments less effective,” Sr Ataliba said.

According to Sr Ataliba, approximately 66 percent of patients seeking medical care are diagnosed with advanced malaria complications due to self-medication and unfinished doses.

Mr Clive Hilary Taremwa, a Medical Clinical Officer, Program Officer Health at Sajida Foundation in Jinja City, said self-medication, especially for malaria, can be dangerous and is not recommended.

“Self-medication can lead to misdiagnosis of sickness or mistake it for another illness resulting in improper type of drugs for the patient,” Mr Taremwa said.

He added that self-medication can lead to overdose use or misuse of antimalarial medications, contributing to drug resistance, especially if taken without medical supervision.

Mr Taremwa urged the public not to be convinced by the signs of body weakness presenting malaria symptoms and start taking malaria medication without testing.

Mr Michael Muwangunzi, Assistant Governor of Jinja Rotary Club Metro, stated that the initiative aims to raise community awareness in rural areas about the dangers of self-medication, which can ultimately lead to loss of life.

Mr Vincent Onyango, the President of the Rotaract Club of Jinja, revealed that the club has partnered with Malaria Partners Uganda, the Busoga Kingdom, Jinja City authorities, and several other agencies to strengthen community health awareness.

According to Professor Peter K Waiswa, Board Chairperson of the Busoga Health Forum, malaria remains a major public health threat in the Busoga Sub-region.

“Malaria contributes to stillbirths, stunted growth in children, and other serious health complications due to severe blood loss,” Prof Waiswa said.

He emphasized that Busoga records the highest number of malaria-related deaths in the country, with Mayuge in the lead.

After skilling, youth need to commercialise their skills by creating businesses but many struggle to access financing. Daily Monitor’s Joan Salmon spoke to Nelson Mugisha Mulera, the Head of Enterprise Development and Financial Inclusion, Equity Bank Uganda on how banks power youth enterprises.

How important is financial literacy in helping youth utilise bank financing, and what role should banks play in providing that education?

Financial literacy and education are essential for young people who wish to use bank financing effectively. We see them in two dimensions: literacy-knowing how to manage your money-and education-understanding how to grow it and manage a business sustainably. At Equity Bank, we create a sustainable financial journey for every client.

The opportunities that exist within the banking system are immense compared to those with moneylenders or microfinance institutions. Banks allow structured repayment-over, say, three or four years-making credit more manageable and less stressful.

Many young people find bank paperwork intimidating, but this documentation protects both sides’ interests . We encourage young people to build long-term credibility with the bank.

One inspiring example is a young man who started with only Shs400,000 four years ago. When he first approached us, he lived in a small boys’ quarters. Today, he owns a fully built home and a vehicle-all thanks to consistent saving and partnership with a financial institution.

Financial literacy also changes mindsets. Many grow up believing banks are rigid or unkind, but once they understand how saving works-even as little as Shs1,000-they begin to see the value of discipline. They learn to spend on needs rather than wants and to control lifestyle inflation even after their income increases. We provide this training free of charge. The only thing we ask for is logistical support-perhaps a venue for the session. We’ve conducted trainings under trees and in crowded corridors simply because people were eager to learn.

Those who undergo financial literacy training become less risky borrowers. They understand why saving, investing, diversifying, automating payments, and maintaining good governance matter. Banks are well placed to offer this education because we interact with people from all walks of life. From this exposure, we’ve learnt that those with less formal education often take bigger risks and grow faster, while the more educated tend to overanalyse and delay decisions. Financial literacy helps bridge that gap-encouraging smart, informed risk-taking.

How can banks design products that meet the aspirations of young entrepreneurs?

Banks must innovate to meet young people where they are. When I was at university, I saved Shs,1,000 of my pocket money each time with a certain financial institution, which allowed small deposits. Eventually, I saved Shs7,000, bought ice cream, sold it, and built capital of Shs350,000 within four months. That simple opportunity shaped my entrepreneurial mindset.

At Equity Bank, we’ve shifted from traditional banking halls to digital banking, because today’s youth want instant, mobile solutions.

You can now dial 247# on the Equit Bank app to access loans from your phone. We also realised that what young people need to know about money isn’t taught in school. So, we partner with like-minded organisations to extend financial literacy. For example, we’ve trained over 10,000 refugees and provided Shs2-3 billion in loans.

Our Youth Loan product offers up to Shs5m without collateral-the group itself acts as security. If one member defaults, the whole group is affected, which fosters accountability. For women, our EquiMama product provides Shs3m or less with no collateral, recognising that many women lack land ownership. We also tailor loans for refugees, giving them access to up to Shs5m to grow small enterprises.

All these products arise from research, customer engagement, and partnerships with development partners. We are constantly evolving to match the mindset of young entrepreneurs-creative, ambitious, and digitally savvy.

Many young people don’t trust banks. How are you rebuilding that trust?

Trust is central to banking. Everyone wants to know that the money they deposit today will still be there tomorrow. Firstly, we removed ledger fees (monthly fees). If you deposit Shs10,000, it remains untouched-and even earns interest. Young people also fear losing collateral, but we’re not in the business of selling property as it is also a costly venture. We lend responsibly because we know that some collateral is for the family. Collateral simply ensures commitment.

For those without assets, we’ve introduced digital micro-loans where your borrowing history builds trust over time. Finance is built on trust, and digital systems help reinforce it.

Distrust often stems from experiences with unregulated moneylenders who exploit borrowers. Banks, on the other hand, are heavily regulated by the Bank of Uganda, which ensures professionalism and transparency. With continued interaction, young people will see that banks truly have their best interests at heart.

What policies or initiatives could enhance youth access to financing?

The Bank of Uganda has introduced a national curriculum on financial literacy and business development services, which is an excellent step.

Equity Bank also partners with development organisations to understand young entrepreneurs and influence policy accordingly. Our trainers visit markets and refugee camps to engage business owners and enhance their skills.

We’ve developed inclusive products like health insurance for market women and boda boda riders. For just Shs3,000, one can access coverage worth up to Shs3m. These innovations stem from observing real customer needs. Equally important is information dissemination. In the past, banks didn’t prioritise communication, but we’ve learned that people perish for lack of knowledge. By explaining what we offer and why, we empower individuals to make informed financial decisions.