Category: Daily Monitor

Parliament has demanded that the Leader of the Opposition in Parliament(LoP), Mr Joel Ssenyonyi, provides evidence to support his claims that the House recently disbursed Shs1.6b to its commissioners, with each allegedly pocketing Shs400m as a ‘service award.’

Addressing journalists at Parliament yesterday, Mr Ssenyonyi said they had received reliable information that four commissioners were secretly awarded the hefty sums a few weeks ago, channelled through the Parliamentary Sacco to avoid a paper trail.

‘We have been reliably informed that some weeks ago, four commissioners received Shs400m each,’ Mr Ssenyonyi said. He alleged the money was meant to facilitate the commissioners’ political campaigns ahead of the 2026 elections and was processed discreetly to prevent detection.

‘This money was apparently intended to see them through the campaigns. And to avoid a paper trail, this money was received through the Parliamentary Sacco,’ he added. Mr Ssenyonyi further claimed that the beneficiaries had been spreading false information to divert public attention.

‘Now, these people, through their agents, have been recently, and specifically last week, spreading propaganda that I also received a service award. Some of you probably saw those things. Now, this is completely false, and it is meant to be a cover-up for this second service award that the commissioners gave themselves,’ he said.

He distanced himself from any such transactions, insisting that if money was ever wired to his account without his consent, he would immediately return it. ‘Look, even if they sent any such money to my account, I will direct my bank immediately to return that money to the sender.

Why? Because such under-the-table money is illegal. It is irregular. This is a point that I’ve made several times,’ he said. The LoP also challenged the commissioners to seek legal amendments if they believe they deserve financial awards.

‘As we have said time and again, if any of these commissioners want to be awarded and I’ve heard some of them say former leaders have been awarded, former vice presidents, prime ministers, and so on, let them bring an amendment to the law. We have a law called the Emoluments and Benefits of the President, Vice President.,’ he said.

When pressed on evidence, Mr Ssenyonyi insisted he would not make public allegations without sufficient information. However, Parliament’s Director of Communications Chris Obore dismissed the claims as baseless, accusing Mr Ssenyonyi of seeking publicity.

‘Joel Ssenyonyi as the LoP should graduate from seeking limelight to providing leadership,’ Mr Obore told the Daily Monitor.

‘In leadership, working with teams is very important. He cannot keep peddling falsehoods against his team members and expect to be a team leader or member,’ he added. Mr Obore challenged the LoP to produce evidence, stressing that all parliamentary transactions are processed transparently through the Integrated Financial Management System (IFMS). He also accused the LoP of hypocrisy, urging accountability for funds allocated to his office.

‘He is trying to place himself morally above the institution of Parliament, but if he truly loves accountability, let him provide the public with accountability of the money Parliament allocates to his office and also all the money he receives personally from Parliament,’ he said.

‘Parliament needs leaders, not people driven by hubris syndrome,’ Mr Obore concluded. All the four commissioners referred our inquiries for a comment to Mr Obore, with Mr Mpuuga saying: ‘I don’t respond to idiots.’

Background

In 2024, Parliament faced widespread criticism after it emerged that four parliamentary commissioners had each received Shs500m as a ‘service award.’ The beneficiaries included then LoP Mathias Mpuuga, Rubanda Woman MP Prossy Akampurira, Bukooli County MP Solomon Silwany, and Zombo Woman MP Esther Afoyochan. The revelation also ignited internal conflicts within the NUP, with party officials accusing Mr Mpuuga of abuse of office and demanding his resignation.

History will be written on Monday at the Aspire Zone in Doha, Qatar, as Uganda’s U17 national team, the ‘Cubs,’ step onto the Fifa World Cup stage for the first time ever, kicking off their dream campaign in Group K against Canada.

For Uganda, this is more than just a match; it is the realisation of a decades-long dream, secured through a dramatic playoff victory over The Gambia.

For Canada, veterans of eight previous U17 World Cups, the motivation is equally high: they are desperately seeking their first-ever win in the history of the tournament.

Cubs, the history makers

Cubs head coach Brian Ssenyondo leads a dynamic side that has shown glimpses of potential during their pre-tournament training camp in Dubai. The Cubs played competitive friendlies against World Cup-bound sides, securing a draw with Venezuela and suffering narrow defeats to Panama (1-2) and Paraguay (2-3).

The key takeaway from the preparation games is a potent attack coupled with some fragility at the back.

The man to watch for the Cubs is prolific forward James Bogere, the team’s top scorer during qualification who recently bagged goals against Venezuela and Paraguay. Bogere’s partnership with team captain Richard Okello will be crucial in unlocking Canada’s defense.

The team is acutely aware of the global spotlight. Bogere summed up the magnitude of the moment.

‘It’s my chance to show what I can do because you never know it might never come again,’ he said.

Ssenyondo believes the preparation has been sufficient, particularly the friendlies against Latin American opposition. He noted the team’s attacking consistency but pointed to areas needing polish.

“The good thing is that in all three games, we have scored, which shows our attacking potential. What we need to improve is defending and game management. I believe by the time we play our first match, everything will be in place,’ Ssenyondo said.

Hungry Canadians seek first win

While this is Uganda’s first dance, Canada is looking to end a long-standing, frustrating drought. Despite this being their ninth appearance, the Canucks have yet to register a victory at the Fifa U17 World Cup.

Under Head Coach Mike Vitulano, this generation of Canadian talent is determined to change that narrative.

Canada’s squad draws heavily from professional Major League Soccer academies, alongside several promising players based in Europe, such as defender William Daniels (Leicester City, England).

Vitulano underscored the team’s ambition heading into group action. ‘This group has grown a lot over the past year and our ambition continues to drive us forward,’ Vitulano said. ‘The players are determined to represent Canada with pride and purpose… We’re focused on improving every day and making our country proud.’

The North Americans secured their spot in Qatar with an impressive run in the Concacaf qualifiers, going undefeated with a strong scoring record.

Outlook

Group K is unforgiving, featuring European giants France and tough nuts Chile.

Both Uganda and Canada view this opening fixture as their most realistic chance for a precious three points or, at least, a positive result that could set up a run for one of the best third-place spots in the expanded 48-team tournament.

The match is expected to be a classic contrast in styles: Canada’s structure and physicality against Uganda’s raw pace and energy.

The battle in midfield, specifically how Uganda’s defensive midfielders handle Canada’s attempts to build play, will decide the flow of the game.

Uganda’s attacking moments, spearheaded by Bogere, could trouble the Canadian defense, but Canada’s World Cup experience, even if unsuccessful in the past, will likely lend them an organisational edge.

Fifa U17 World Cup 2025

Uganda vs Canada

Venue: Aspire Zone, Doha, Qatar

Kick-off time: 6:45pm

Streaming: FIFA+ (Worldwide)

TV: SuperSport, beIN Sports

For nearly two decades, pork joints were a rare sight in the dusty town of Yumbe. But over time, a few began to emerge, even in this predominantly Muslim district. While some are located within the town centre, others have appeared in rural areas.

According to the 2024 Census report, Yumbe has a population of 934,340, with Muslims comprising 76 percent and Christians making up about 24 percent. Yumbe is also home to the Catholic Lodonga Minor Basilica, dedicated in 1961, and the Anglican headquarters at Eleke, among other religious institutions. The arrival of refugees and the expansion of Non-Government Organisations (NGO) operations in the district birthed a cosmopolitan township, creating new business opportunities.

As a result, several pork joints were established to meet the growing demand by the new arrivals. However, this development has quietly stirred discontent within the Muslim community, whose faith prohibits the consumption and handling of pork, deeming it a ‘dirty’ delicacy. On Tuesday morning, tensions boiled over into violent protests. A group of Muslim youth, armed with clubs and machetes (pangas), attacked government institutions and Christian-owned businesses in protest against the sale of pork in the town.

Rumours

The unrest was reportedly triggered by rumours that police intended to arrest Sheikh Kassim Abdallah, the Imam of Munir Mosque, who had made claims against the sale of pork in the area. In a video recording circulated on social media last week, Sheikh Abdallah, speaking in the Aringa’ti language, said: ‘Should you (youth) see any pork joint in the town, you should destroy it. Should the police ask you, tell them that I sent you to do it. Pork is a dirty meat. When you take it to the lab, there are worms coming out of it.’ He added: ‘.don’t allow pork joints in Yumbe by all means. You strike, whether using karate, we shall do it by all means. We shall do that. Yumbe is not a place for pork.’

A witness, who requested anonymity for fear of reprisal, told the Daily Monitor: ‘The youth attacked our offices and smashed most of the windows and doors. For years, we have been living in harmony with Muslims. Why should the Sheikh come out with bad statements now?’ He noted that a meeting had been planned to ease tensions following the video at the weekend. Police responded with teargas and live bullets to disperse the protesters. The North West Police spokesperson, Mr Collins Asea, told the Daily Monitor: ‘The incident was reportedly initiated by an individual, who was preaching against other religions. He was mobilising a group of Muslim youth to target and attack establishments selling pork within the town.’

He added: ‘During the unrest, five individuals were injured and are currently receiving treatment at Yumbe hospital. Additionally, one motorcycle was set ablaze and the suspect involved has been arrested. The situation is gradually coming under control.’ The West Nile Regional Secretary of the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council (UMSC), Mr Habib Aluma, however, said the sermon was meant to remind people of their spiritual obligations. ‘It is a small matter that was blown out of proportion by those who exaggerate things. Sheikh Kassim made a good sermon. Everybody is aware that in Islam, we do not eat pork. It does not mean that the animal is haram. Our legislation is about eating or dealing in pork products,’ he said.

‘How come that his preaching labelled him as a person who deserves to face the law? We need more investigations into the matter so that there is no conflict in the district,’ Mr Aluma added. ‘We are restraining the Muslims from such violence. We need to co-exist as humanity because there is religious tolerance. Even if the Christians are few, they are part of the community where we need unity with them.’ The prime minister of Aringa Cultural Institution, Mr Lemeriga Fadhil Kujo, emphasised the need for dialogue between Muslims and Christians, facilitated by the Inter-religious Council of Uganda.

‘We also call upon the armed forces to exercise restraint against unarmed civilians as the situation might escalate beyond control. The Muslims should stop ransacking the properties and businesses belonging to Christians since this will cause irreparable relational damage amongst Aringa people,’ he said. Mr Lemeriga added: ‘Aringa land belongs to us all and we should tolerate each other.’

Moses Omara, who made his name by stopping last year’s losing finalist Ibrah Sejjemba in the 2023 Nile Special National Open Pool Championship in the second round, once again proved his class as the biggest name to qualify for the second stage of this year’s edition.

Omara advanced from Adi’s Spot in Kireka, alongside Pool Association of Uganda (PAU) Electoral Commission chairman Moses Omara, Stephen Ddumba and Derrick ‘Kigatto’ Ntwali, as the national championship moved a notch higher over the weekend.

‘The field is getting tougher each year, but that only makes the victory sweeter. Every player now understands what it takes to reach the grand finale, so I’m just taking it one step at a time,’ Omara said after securing qualification to the regional qualifiers that will be held at the same venue.

High stakes

The attention now turns to Amoo Bar in Namuwongo on November 21 for the regionals, where a hot contest is expected. Former finalist Ian Kanyesige, Greater Mukono’s Ivan Kafureka and Pot It’s Solomon Nkwakira are some of the big names expected to fight for four available regional places.

Meanwhile, in the Jinja region, Rich Rich Bar and Paradise Pub are set to host the last mini qualifiers this weekend. The battle there will feature familiar faces including Eric Mugabo, who already progressed from Vibes Bar, Jinja City lawyer Silas Wasswa, Cyrus Mawejje and Hussein Kato. Only four will advance to the grand finale, raising the stakes for each frame played.

The Mbale region is also racing against time, with top players having until November 22 and 29 to keep their hopes alive. Embassy Lounge and Roof Top Bar will host the final qualifiers before the December 13 regionals at Oak Bar, where the best from Eastern Uganda will converge.

In Mityana, the spotlight will fall on Prime Shooters where the Central Regionals are due on December 5. Teen sensation Farouk Mutumba, who booked his slot from the same venue, will be up against seasoned players such as Abubaker ‘Pacquiao’ Nakabaale and Sharif Ssali in what could be the battle of youth versus experience.

Elsewhere, Scrap Buyers coach Humphrey Nsubuga kept his remarkable streak alive, on course to qualify for yet another grand finale after topping the minis list at Townsend Bar in Ntinda.

Nsubuga, who has never missed a national final, was joined by Upper Volta’s Captain Mustapha Bwire, Innocent Niwagaba and Matthias Tumwebaze.

At King’s Spot in Entebbe, Eria Kimuli emerged as the top cueist and will face Peter Goobi of Pot It in the regionals on November 22. Kimuli qualified alongside Julius Serunjogi, Ronnie Kyeyune and Frank Walela, making Entebbe one of the regions to watch in the coming weeks.

The mini qualifiers continue until November 22, after which 40 venues across the country will host the regionals. From these, 120 men will qualify for the grand finale, while 28 women will make it to their own final.

The top-ranked male players and eight top-seeded women, however, will not take part in the qualifiers, having earned direct entry based on their national rankings. The final will be played on December 21 at Lugogo Indoor Stadium.

SELECTED QUALIFIED PLAYERS

Adi’s Spot, Kireka

Moses Omara

Stephen Ddumba

Derrick Ntwali

Townsend Bar, Ntinda

Humphrey Nsubuga

Mustapha Bwire

Innocent Niwagaba

Matthias Tumwebaze

Prime Shooters, Mityana

Farouk Mutumba

Abubaker Nakabaale

Sharif Ssali

King’s Spot, Entebbe

Eria Kimuli

Julius Serunjogi

Ronnie Kyeyune

Frank Walela

Quality Chemical Industries weathered a tough first half to September, a stretch marked by a stronger shilling and softer demand, but still managed to come out with higher earnings, record cash, and a bump in dividends.

The shilling rose about 4 to 5 percent against the dollar during the period, according to Bank of Uganda.

And because Quality Chemical sells much of its output in sub-Saharan Africa and invoices in dollars, those same foreign sales are converted into fewer shillings on paper.

That is why reported revenue slipped 2.6 percent to Shs148.2b even as the business itself didn’t weaken because of the unusually strong shilling.

If exchange rates had stayed the same as the ones in the first half of 2025, Quality Chemical’s sales would have been about Shs154.6b, roughly 1.6 percent higher.

Profitability drivers

What changed, in a good way, was how much profit Quality Chemical squeezed from each shilling of sales.

Gross profits rose 7.9 percent to Shs63.4b, and gross profit margin surged from 38.6 percent to 42.8 percent.

This means that Quality Chemical earned more from every product it sold as a result of factories running more efficiently, tighter control of input costs, and a shift toward higher-margin products.

‘The current gross margin reflects … global competition and dynamic pricing for our products and key inputs, such as active pharmaceutical ingredients, and product mix,’ Ajay Kumar Pal, Quality Chemical chief executive officer, said in a statement accompanying the results, but warned that shareholders should exercise caution in assuming that these margins will be sustained.

Cash generation

These gains lifted profit before taxes to Shs33.9b from Shs31.9b, but what stood out even more was that day-to-day expenses barely moved.

With costs held steady, each efficiency gain flowed straight through to earnings.

That same discipline showed in how money moved through the business. Cash generated from operations rose to Shs51.4b from Shs9.3b, more than five times higher than the year before, due to faster collection of payments, less money tied up in stock, and on-time payment of suppliers.

Ajay said that the only cash that went out was mainly dividend payments (Shs22b) and ongoing factory investments (Shs10b). ‘As a result, we closed the period with cash and cash equivalents of Shs54.5b, up from Shs48b a year earlier,’ he noted.

Being in net cash gives the company options. It can keep investing, withstand shocks like forex swings or raw-material spikes, and still reward shareholders, without leaning on lenders.

The dividend

That is what the board signaled with an interim dividend of Shs4.2 per share in the first half of the 2026 financial year, up from Shs3.5 per share in the same period in 2025, a 20 percent lift.

The higher payout, backed by strong cash and no debt, shows that Quality Chemical can reward shareholders and still fund growth.

But Ajay warned that shareholders should note that this interim dividend does not set a precedent for future distributions, noting that the company is in a growth phase and may reinvest in its operations and capacity to drive long-term value creation.

Expansion

During the first half of the 2026 financial year, Quality Chemical continued to execute on its growth agenda with the introduction of 16 new products in the private market.

These launches advance the company’s mission to improve treatment outcomes through accessible, affordable, and high-quality medicines.

‘The new portfolio spans key therapeutic segments, including anti-malarials, anti-diabetics, anti-hypertensives, anti-fungals, anti-allergics, and antibiotics,’ Ajay noted.

In line with this commitment, construction has commenced on a second manufacturing facility in Luzira, Kampala.

The new manufacturing plant has an estimated cost of $36m (about Shs133b), an amount that is being financed through a debt facility secured from Stanbic Bank, with the funds dedicated to the construction of a second, World Health Organisation-compliant pharmaceutical manufacturing facility.

The investment is expected to significantly increase production capacity from 1.4 billion to 2.4 billion tablets, support entry into new therapeutic areas, and introduce a state-of-the-art injectable production line.

These additions will enhance Quality Chemical’s competitive position across public and private markets.

The planned sale of the British multinational Diageo’s 65 percent stake in East African Breweries Limited (EABL) for an estimated $2.2b will remain on ice pending an investigation by the Comesa Competition Commission into cross-shareholding by dominant conglomerates in the common market.

Speaking to journalists recently, the regional competition watchdog chief executive officer, Willard Mwemba, said that while there is nothing inherently wrong with cross-shareholding, it may have potentially harmful patterns.

The details, along with the transaction, are not something the watchdog can comment on until its investigation is complete.

‘. there is an ongoing investigation, generally for several beer companies that have cross-shareholding in each other as minority or majority shareholders, which is not a wrong thing. What becomes wrong is what you do with cross-shareholding,’ he said.

Diageo, however, has yet to notify the Comesa Competition Commission, which regulates mergers and acquisitions in the 21-member Comesa states, of the planned sale. Cross-shareholding is where companies invest in each other, creating common ownership and potentially softening marketplace competition.

While it may lead to benefits like attracting more investment, its anti-competitive effects concern antitrust authorities.

For instance, French beverage giant Castel owns a 38 percent stake in AB InBev’s African beer operations outside of South Africa, while AB InBev has a 20 percent shareholding in Castel’s African brewing unit through a 2001 partnership between Castel and SABMiller.

‘There is a pattern of behavior in the market that shows that as a result of cross-shareholding, there can be some coordination,’ Dr Mwemba said in Nairobi, Kenya, during the Comesa Competition Commission annual press conference last month.

Diageo holds a controlling stake in EABL, with subsidiaries in Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania, which represents the UK conglomerate’s largest spirits business and brewing asset on the African market.

Following a review in July of its majority stake in the cross-listed EABL, Diageo appointed Goldman Sachs and Bank of America to explore a potential divestment from East Africa through a model that is light on assets.

However, the deal now rests on the Comesa Competition Commission probe.

Antitrust experts observe that the transaction is walking right into the minefield of past mega deals flagged as anti-competitive, but also note watchdogs have their work cut out to stop entrenchment by any of the dominant giants, Anheuser-Busch InBev, Castel Group, and Heineken.

‘Our beer industry is highly concentrated; it’s hard not to find these three in the mix. So the Comesa [Competition Commission] has a lot of hard work to do,’ says Ms Pheona Wall, a competition lawyer.

‘Guided divestiture is what the Commission could do, to approve with limitations on shareholding. Like it has to be between 20 percent and 25 percent,’ she adds.

While confirming that its Kenya and Uganda operations remain among the best performing in the Diageo stable of beers and spirits on the continent, the British giant denies it is considering the sale of its East African business.

‘Diageo increased its shareholding to 65 percent just two years ago,’ says David Kimondo, EABL’s head of communications. ‘All this talk of exiting East Africa is speculation, and we do not respond to speculation.’

Delayed approval of the transaction could scuttle Diageo’s gradual exit since 2022 from African markets, which has seen the company complete the sale of its interests in Seychelles Breweries in January this year and Ethiopia’s Meta Abo Brewery in 2022.

Diageo also divested its stakes in Guinness producing operations under license on the West African front in Ghana, Nigeria, and Cameroon.

The Comesa Competition Commission probe presents a significant setback for Diageo, which is still smarting from a $750,000 settlement imposed by the watchdog in September after establishing that the company engaged in anti-competitive business practices in Uganda, Zambia, and Eswatini.

The Commission indicated that Diageo had terminated certain distribution arrangements in Eswatini and Zambia and revised its agreement in Uganda to remove provisions that restricted competition.

On September 30, Diageo’s lawyer James Edmunds signed the agreement imposing the fine.

Dutch multinational Heineken was fined $900,000 in March after investigations into market allocation practices through distribution agreements and arrangements with competitors were found to have violated Comesa Competition regulations.

Since 2021, the Comesa Competition Commission has sparred with Heineken, Diageo, Castel, and Anheuser-Busch InBev (AB InBev), launching investigations over the violation of regulations that relate to restrictive business practices and prohibited practices such as single branding, territorial restrictions in the market, and resale price maintenance.

Industry analysts have said since the announcement of the possible sale, the favoured potential buyers could include Heineken and Castel – two giants already dominant in southern Africa.

AB InBev, which owns Uganda Breweries, is also rumoured to be interested in snapping up the Diageo stake.

However, such an acquisition, experts say, sets up a near monopoly.

‘In Uganda, we have [AB InBev subsidiary] Nile Breweries, which is a rival of Uganda Breweries. Imagine a situation in AB InBev were to buy the EABL stake. This could mirror what happened in the SABMiller-Castel deal,’ says Wall.

In Tanzania, AB InBev owns Tanzania Breweries, the direct rival of Diageo-owned Serengeti Breweries.

One of the biggest cross-share cases in Comesa is the SABMiller-Castel deal in 2012, in which the former wanted to buy Castel out, seeking to end a strategic alliance entered into in 2001 when Castel acquired a 38 percent stake in SABMiller.

On its part, SABMiller took a 20 percent stake in Castel’s Africa beer and soft drinks, which, in a 2017 landmark decision, was flagged by Comesa Competition Commission as a cartel that raised some competition concerns.

Heineken operates in several Comesa member states, including Burundi, DR Congo, Egypt, Ethiopia, Rwanda, and Tunisia, while Castel is present in DR Congo, Ethiopia, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Sudan, Zambia, and Zimbabwe through subsidiaries.

Competition law experts argue that restrictive clauses in the market can lead to concentration and lock out competition, as seen in AB InBev’s market presence in Africa.

AB InBev operates in South Africa, Eswatini, Lesotho, Namibia, Botswana, Mozambique, Zambia, Tanzania, Uganda, Ghana, Nigeria, and Mauritius.

The devastating floods caused by Friday’s torrential rainfall, which destroyed goods in downtown Kampala and left traders counting losses, have been largely attributed to the ongoing construction of the Nakivubo drainage channel by Kiham Enterprise Ltd, a private company linked to city businessman Hamis Kiggundu, also known as Ham.

The development, which initially drew criticism from Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago and environmentalists due to its opaque approval process, has now sparked fresh outrage from traders who lost billions in the floods and blame the disputed project. So, who are the key players?

KCCA Council

The saga that culminated in President Museveni’s letter clearing the Nakivubo Channel giveaway began at the April 3 Ordinary Council meeting of the Authority, chaired by KCCA Speaker Zahara Luyirika. During the meeting, held under Minute No. KCCA/13/68/2024/25, the Council considered a report titled Challenges of Kampala Drainages and Way Forward. Fourteen resolutions were passed regarding the report presented by Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago.

Mr Lukwago urged councillors to pass a resolution directing the KCCA Physical Planning and Building Committees to halt any further approval of Ham Enterprises (U) Limited’s plan to construct over the drainage channel or any other developer seeking to build permanent structures on drainage channels and wetlands. He also called for the arrest and prosecution of Mr Kiggundu and the reprimand of then Acting Executive Director Frank Rusa, who had facilitated the giveaway.

The Council rejected Lukwago’s proposal to involve the Inspector General of Government (IGG) in investigating how city tycoons acquired titles on drainage channels and wetlands. Instead, Councillors passed a resolution allowing KCCA to partner with credible local investors to develop and upgrade the city’s drainage system under KCCA’s supervision-citing declining funding from the central government and donors. They also rejected Lukwago’s call to demolish structures built by Ham Enterprises over the Jugula drainage channel. Resolution 12 states: ‘The recommendation that the criminal case against Ham Enterprises Limited be reinstated and Hamis Kiggundu be arrested and prosecuted was rejected.’

Resolution 13 adds: ‘The recommendation that the KCCA Physical Planning Committee and Building Committee be directed to stop any further processes of approving Ham Enterprises (U) Limited plan for construction over Jugula drainage channel or any other developer seeking to construct huge and permanent structures on drainage channels and wetlands was rejected.’

Mr Lukwago told this publication that, in addition to rejecting his proposals, the Council inserted new recommendations that effectively greenlighted the giveaway. He cited recommendation number 6: ‘KCCA explores the option of moving away from traditional methods of constructing open drainages and takes up regulated modern methods of drainage construction, prioritising covering and beautification to combat the persistent problem of flooding.’

He also pointed to recommendation number 7: ‘KCCA partners with credible and able local investors within the respective areas to develop and upgrade the city drainage system under the guidance, approval and supervision of KCCA in view of the fact that funding from the central government and donors was declining.’ In July, Mr Lukwago condemned the NUP-led Council after the businessman cordoned off the area. On July 22, he wrote to NUP Secretary General David Lewis Rubongoya, urging him to take action against NUP councillors. Mr Rubongoya did not respond. Although Mr Rubongoya was unavailable to explain why NUP didn’t act, he earlier told NBS television that the councillors should have consulted more.

He confirmed that the party only learnt of the Nakivubo channel issue when the Lord Mayor wrote to him, by which time it was too late to intervene. The matter prompted the Council to convene a special sitting on August 26. Councillors denied passing such a resolution and accused the Lord Mayor of inciting public opposition against them. However, they did not sue him for defamation. No resolution was passed during the special sitting to rescind the earlier decisions.

President Museveni

President Museveni approved the businessman’s plan four months after the Council’s resolution and instructed Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja to facilitate the Nakivubo Drainage Channel giveaway to Mr Kiggundu. In his directive, the President tasked Ms Nabbanja with helping Mr Kiggundu implement his ‘very good and godly’ proposal. ‘Ham points out the fact that the channel is open, invites people to throw in rubbish, including plastics, feaces, all of which disgust the people contiguous to the channel, leading to blockages of the channel and flooding.

His proposal is imaginative and simple,’ read part of the letter. It continued: ‘Allow him to cover the channel after cleaning it and strengthening it at his own cost. What a godly proposal! How will he recover his money? Simple. Allow him to build properties above it that will bring back the money.’

The directive drew criticism from Mr Lukwago, Opposition leaders, and environmentalists, who warned that it bypassed the mandates of KCCA’s planning department and Nema, allowing Ham to build without oversight. Although KCCA officials, led by Deputy Executive Director Benon Kigenyi, met with the developer and ordered a halt to construction, work continued.

Prime Minister Nabbanja

Upon receiving the directive, Ms Nabbanja facilitated the giveaway and pledged to ensure its implementation. After meeting traders at her office on August 26, she said: ‘The Lord Mayor is looking for relevance because he knows you people watch TV, he thinks he is exposing the government, yet he is exposing himself, but I want to assure you that the construction of this channel will go on as planned.’ The Lord Mayor had earlier warned of catastrophic consequences from what he called ‘illegal structures,’ but his concerns were dismissed.

Speaker Anita Among

In August, the House Committee on Commissions, Statutory Authorities, and State Enterprises (Cosase) attempted to investigate the Nakivubo channel giveaway. However, Speaker Anita Among blocked the inquiry and instead directed the Chairperson of the Sectoral Committee on Infrastructure to lead a four-member oversight visit and report back within 14 days. The Committee, led by Kazo MP Dan Kimosho, visited the site on September 10. To date, Mr Kimosho and his team have not presented their findings to Parliament. (See related story on Page 6)

Background

In 2007, the then Kampala City Council, led by the late Mayor Nasser Ssebagala, approved private developers-Mr John Ssebalamu (under Sebco Trading Ltd), Mr Tom Kitandwe, and Mr Drake Lubega-to build commercial structures above Nakivubo Channel. Mr Ssebalamu, who is Mr Kiggundu’s uncle, was part of a proposal to establish a solar power plant, green spaces, parking yards, and commercial buildings. However, the plan was rejected after it was discovered that the developers had not conducted an Environmental Impact Assessment. Similarly, Ham Enterprises did not secure an Environmental Impact Assessment from Nema.

Speaking before the Defence and Internal Affairs Committee on September 10, during the presentation of the Forensic and Scientific Analytical Service Bill 2025, Nema’s Executive Director, Barirega Akankwasa, said there is no ongoing construction, describing the activities as mere unblocking of the channel. ‘Current activities are limited to unblocking the existing channel-removing silt and soil. The proposed upgrade has not commenced, as KCCA and Nema have not approved the designs or environmental impact assessments,’ he said.

He added: ‘We have automated our systems to process applications swiftly. For Kiham Enterprises, we’ve completed the scoping report review and are awaiting their formal application for an assessment certificate. There’s no delay.’ On Monday, traders sued KCCA and Mr Kiggundu, seeking a court order to halt the ongoing construction and demanding government compensation for their losses. Mr Lukwago also said he is urging councillors to pass a resolution halting the construction. Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja, however, cleared the works to proceed-albeit under clear supervision.

Timeline

April 3, 2025: Ordinary Council meeting discussed challenges of the Kampala drainage, authorised KCCA to partner with local investors within the locality to develop the drainage channels, and in the same meeting rejected a recommendation that IGG investigates the circumstances under which some tycoons acquired titles on some of the drainage channels.

April 10, 2025: Special Council Meeting discussed the Ham deal.

July 2, 2025: Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago writes to NUP SG Lewis Rubongowa to take action against NUP councillors.

July 25, 2025: Ham sent his Nakivubo channel redevelopment plan to President Museveni.

August 2, 2025: Museveni wrote to Nabbanja, approving Ham’s plan and directed that he be helped to execute the project.

August 16, 2025: Ham seals off Nakivubo Channel to commence construction.

August 19, 2025: Among wrote to Cosase halting probe into Ham dealings.

August 22, 2025: Cosase begins probe into Ham dealings.

August 26, 2025: Cosase summons Ham, Nema, and KCCA to explain the deal.

August 26, 2025: Cosase halts investigations into the giveaway of the Nakivubo channel.

September 10, 2025: Nema ED Barirega Akankwas denies approving the Ham project.

October 31, 2025: City floods, destroying goods worth billions of shillings.

November 3, 2025: Council demands construction be halted.

November 4, 2025: Nabbanja insists construction must go on as issues are being resolved.

Overcrowding at Masaka Regional Referral Hospital maternity ward has forced management to improvise tents to accommodate caregivers, Daily Monitor has established. Previously, caregivers could occupy corridors within the maternity ward to help the mothers, but rising numbers can no longer allow them to sleep inside the ward. Masaka Regional Referral Hospital Administrator, Mr Robert Mpanga yesterday confirmed the development, saying they provided the tents to address the current congestion inside the maternity ward.

‘The tents in the compound of the maternity ward house caregivers, but not mothers as it is perceived by the public. As management, we decided to have care givers housed out of the ward to create more space for more mothers that seek services at the facility,’ he explained during an interview on Wednesday.

The situation has been exacerbated by the government’s delay to complete the multibillion Maternity and Child Complex whose construction has dragged on for a decade due to delays in releasing funds.

Initially, the project was expected to cost Shs10b, but changes in the designs to include an intensive care unit have since pushed the cost to Shs12.2b. The hospital management had earlier indicated that they need Shs600 million for utilities and another Shs2 billion for equipping the complex. Mr Mpanga said they are currently mobilising local funds to ensure that the complex is utilised.

‘The structure is magnificent, but we cannot occupy it when we cannot pay the utility bills, once we address that, we shall be in position to shift and solve that issue of congestion,’ he added.

The Monitor has learnt that the multibillion ICU equipment which the government donated to the facility during the Covid-19 pandemic is also still lying idle in the hospital store due to delayed completion of the same complex where it is supposed to be installed.

Currently, patients have to seek ICU services from either Kampala or Mbarara both located over 100km away. The hospital management’s decision to house caregivers in the tents has however attracted bitter reactions from health activists in the Masaka Sub-region, who say that it is risky given that the current wet season is characterised by heavy rain, which sometimes last several hours.

Mr Swaibu Makumbi Sulambaaya, a health rights activist, asked the government to swiftly intervene and ensure the new maternity and child complex is operationalised. ‘The new maternity and child complex was aimed at decongesting the old maternity ward constructed in 1950s, but the project has taken long to be completed ,’ he said, adding ‘ In 2017, some of the hospital administrators allegedly mismanaged Shs5 billion meant for the same project, but were simply transferred to other hospitals. Let them be hunted down to refund the money and save our people from sleeping in tents.’

Once completed, the facility will also have two theatres, a gynecology unit, antenatal and neonatal centres, labour and post-natal wards. It will also have a pediatric, nutrition and adolescent health units, all with modern equipment. This complex was set up to decongest the old maternity ward, which has outlived its purpose.

THE HOSPITAL

Constructed in 1927, Masaka Regional Referral Hospital serves eight districts: Masaka, Rakai, Lyantonde, Lwengo, Ssembabule, Bukomansimbi, Kalungu and Kalangala. It takes care of more than two million people. Being on the busy Mombasa- Kampala-Mbarara-Kigali highway, makes it the first point of call for patients, mainly accident victims. Consequently, the hospital’s average daily contact with patients is 1,800, with about 360 admissions daily.

The Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) have announced the recruitment of Local Defence Unit (LDU) personnel in six districts of Rwenzori and Tooro following a series of deadly attacks in the two sub-regions at the weekend.

The Director of Defence Public Information, Maj Gen Felix Kulayigye, said in a statement yesterday that the recruitment exercise will commence on November 10, in Kabarole District and will process 100 applicants per district.

‘To be able to qualify, one has to have a minimum formal education of S.4 or its equivalent, letters of recommendation from the LC1 Chairperson, Defence Secretary, and DISO/GISO, be a resident of the area without a criminal record, disciplined, and not engaged in other employment,’ the statement reads in part.

Eligibility

Eligible candidates must be Ugandan citizens aged 18 to 25, physically and medically fit, willing to volunteer, and residents of the respective districts. Successful recruits will be transported to a UPDF training school for formal induction. The beneficiary districts include Kamwenge, Kabarole, Bunyangabo, Kasese, Bundibugyo, and Ntoroko. The recruitment follows coordinated attacks by suspected Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) rebels on military and police installations last Saturday in Kasese, Bundibugyo, and Fort Portal. The assaults claimed the lives of a UPDF officer and a woman at the Malindi and Kakuka army detachments in Bundibugyo District.

The attackers also set several soldiers’ houses ablaze before fleeing. Targets also included Nyakasura School and Canon Apollo in Fort Portal City, police barracks on Kilembe Road in Kasese Town, and a police post in Rugendebara, Kikongo Town Council, Kasese District. Local media reported that at least 30 suspected assailants were killed in retaliatory security operations. Security agencies have condemned the attacks and reassured the public that the situation is under control, with additional deployments and heavy security measures instituted to prevent further incidents.

BACKGROUND

This is not the first time LDU recruitment has followed security threats in the region. In 2023, President Museveni directed the recruitment of local defence personnel in Rwenzori Sub-region after suspected ADF rebels killed three people, including two foreign tourists, and set their vehicle ablaze in Queen Elizabeth National Park, Kasese District.

Namuwongo Blazers could make history tonight by becoming the only team to ever outsmart City Oilers in a National Basketball League series. Since their promotion to the top flight in 2013, Oilers have never lost a series and have gone on to win 10 titles in a row.

But all that can end on Wednesday.

The Blazers lead the best-of-seven series 3-2 and are 40 basketball minutes away from league glory. Dominant in the last three games, Stephen Nyeko’s charges managed to get themselves out of a two-game deficit and into the lead.

They now have the momentum and the crowd behind them to end Oilers’ supremacy. And if they did not have the know-how to win the title in 2022, they have since added that to their roster, with the arrival of four former Oilers stars.

Tonny Drileba’s return from injury brought calm and composure into the team, helping the side manage and close games late in the fourth quarter.

Must win

Andrew Tendo’s charges have struggled to beat the Blazers’ defence in the last three games, with Chad Bowie and Kurt Wegscheider greatly limited. The Blazers now have it in their hands and can close the contest and start celebrations.

Drileba, Jimmy Enabu, James Okello and Ivan Muhwezi formed the formidable Oilers team that dominated Ugandan basketball for a decade.

The quartet is now in the red of Blazers and cannot wait to get one over their former paymasters, with whom they separated unceremoniously.

Okello had his best performance of the finals in Game Five, scoring 17 points and collecting eight rebounds as the Blazers won 71-68 to put one hand on the trophy.

Enabu and Muhwezi have also had their moments in the series. Their championship mentality and leadership will be key in Game Six.

What’s left for Oilers?

That the Oilers are in the final after the dismal regular season they had is some sort of miracle itself. But the record champions know how to win and cannot be written off until the title has been handed over.

The poor form of captain Titus Lual and Fayed Baale has played a big part in the team’s struggles in the series.

Lual has had to come off the bench since returning from injury while Baale lost his place in the starting line up of Game Five following multiple lowkey performances.

Will the two show up to take the burden off Bowie and Wegscheider in Game Six? They have the capacity and now have their backs against the wall.

Veteran Ben Komakech, Moses Maker, Joseph Chuma and Edgar Munaba are the other key pieces that must shine for Oilers to stay alive and force a Game Seven.

The Blazers will know that losing Game Six and handing the momentum to a perennial winner like Oilers could prove costly in Game Seven.

National Basketball League

Finals – Men

Game Six

Wednesday, Lugogo

City Oilers vs. Nam Blazers, 7pm