Category: Daily Monitor

Tragedy has struck the Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary, where 30-year-old chimpanzee Ikuru passed away after a fight with other chimps. The incident has left caregivers and staff in deep sorrow.

Ikuru was last seen during regular feeding times on October 15, but failed to return to her sleeping structure that evening. A search was initiated, and she was found a day later. The autopsy report confirmed that she suffered a major traumatic injury resulting in massive blood loss.

“Ikuru was a truly special individual, and her passing leaves a deep void in our hearts and in the Ngamba family,” said Dr. Joshua Rukundo, Executive Director of the Ngamba Chimpanzee Trust. “We will dearly miss her.”

Ikuru’s life was marked by tragedy from a young age. Born in 1995 amidst the brutal conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo, she witnessed the devastating loss of her mother to the war. Despite her challenging start, Ikuru thrived under the care of the sanctuary team after being rescued and transferred to Ngamba Island in May 1999.

“Her journey from a war-torn forest to a life of safety and happiness at Ngamba is a powerful reminder of both the devastating impact of human conflict on wildlife and the incredible resilience of these animals,” Dr. Rukundo said.

Ikuru was known for her unique personality and behaviors, including clapping her hands to capture caregivers’ attention and her remarkable resourcefulness as a tool user. She will be deeply missed by the sanctuary team and the chimpanzee community.

The sanctuary is providing support to the chimpanzee community and working to ensure the well-being of all its residents. Ikuru’s story serves as a poignant reminder of the urgent need for conservation efforts and the invaluable work of sanctuaries like Ngamba Island.

Ugandan artist Irene Piloya is holding her debut solo exhibition titled Between the Trees at the Latitude 0º Kampala hotel. This immersive seven-week long exhibition invites audiences into a deeply personal yet universally resonant exploration of memory, nature, and transformation.

Working with barkcloth and plant fibres, Piloya fuses material experimentation with psychological inquiry. Her body of work comprises large scale garden installations and intimate biographical prints, all of which interact with their surroundings, shaped by the wind, sunlight, and time itself.

At the heart of Between the Trees is a process driven by both science and symbolism. The artist interrogates the fragility and malleability of memory, its ability to fade, mutate, and persist.

By creating the conditions for the environment to interact with the works, reactions continue even within the exhibition space, allowing viewers to witness these changes in real time.

Organised by Borderlands Art, the exhibition that opened on September 12, and closes on November 2, engages ideas of neuroplasticity, questioning how environmental stimuli and internal rewiring can reshape how we understand home, self, and history.

On display are 61 silkscreen prints on kyenkyen textile under the title Yesterday Is Gone. This collection re-imagines Piloya’s home in Gulu and Kumasi in the same frame. Depictions of domestic and familiar spaces unite a biographical journey nurtured by two ecosystems.

The portraits document the process of making kyenkyen barkcloth paper as a biographical text, paying attention to the daily lives of people living between the trees. Intergenerational knowledge, labour, and caring practices in Uganda and Ghana are archived through this series. Womb I, and Womb II, both made of dawadawa textile, are site-responsive installations responding to both a physical site and a vessel for memory.

These sculptural forms represent birth, after various processes such as harvesting, beating, boiling, dying. The placenta and artwork construct an architectural ghost woven from the disembodied elements of tree bark. They are a homage to the bond shared between generations.

The Daa (Grandmother) kyenkyen textile works, Raw, Sister, and Daughter, evoke the personal experiences of displacement. Fibres trace the complicated effects such experiences have on memory and history. The textiles tell of nights sheltering under trees, sleeping on grandmother’s fabrics. Like those moments in the bush, the installations posit that memory is not a thing we recall, but a space we momentarily inhabit. It makes the invisible architecture of the past momentarily tangible, suggesting that every space is a repository, haunted by the echoes of its former configurations and the lives that passed through it.

In an attempt to revive forgotten memories, the series Between the Trees, and Fragility made of kyenkyen textile embarks on a journey to explore how trees can be symbolic spaces to create a feeling of belonging. Manipulating the fibres of the Ghanaian kyenkyen marks time, location, and climate. Like human biographies, the trees tell a story that is not fixed but continually unfolding.

Permission, 2025, is a lubugo textile with sodium hypochlorite paint. Being uprooted reconfigures the social and environmental landscape. It challenges the mind and the integrity of the soil. Counteracting the idea that the mind protects itself by banishing moments of trauma – this work shows the present absence. Inducing a deconstruction of the fabric shows the material capacity of the bark cloth. As the fabric transforms – black to brown – it becomes a metaphor for our own neuroplasticity in turbulent times.

Beyond Transparency, 2025, is an installation of 23 glass jars, sodium hypochlorite dissolved plant fibres, and ropes. It is a metaphorical representation of how the mind restructures itself when exposed to familiar spaces or objects. This is an enquiry into the strengthening or weakening of neural pathways, which can ultimately affect behaviour, thought, and emotions. These effects are influenced by variables such as the concentration of bleach, the temperature of water, the varying amounts of each in every container and the tree bark material. There are transformations occurring in response to external stimuli that are exciting to experience.

‘The processes for making these fabrics, harvesting, boiling, beating and pressing, was learned in the Hemag Forest of Kumasi, Ghana. Throughout that time, Piloya was connected to the biographies of land, challenged by urban growth. While creating the works provokes memories of her own, she recalled experiences from her origins in northern Uganda. Facing times of war, her grandmother would lay down a kikoyi for them to sleep on in the bushes whenever they were running from the rebels. This fabric carried safety and inspired a material canvas for Piloya to narrate parallel stories, between land and life,’ a statement reveals.

‘In a bid to express these memories of familiar spaces, the tree bark is a symbol of protection and perseverance. Like humans, trees also undergo transplant shocks. The wind, sunlight, and decay add another layer of temporality, raising questions about what preservation truly means when time, nature, and memory are all in flux,’ it adds.

The statement further says certain artworks use chemical reactions as a gesture of how humans and nature respond to rupture and displacement. Our brains are constantly adapting to new experiences and environments, and this can affect the way we locate ourselves.

Asked to explain why each hanging textile has a story, holds a memory or preserves a disappearing truth, Piloya responded: ‘To me as an artist, I find it very important to preserve memories of the past and the best way I could document them was through creating these artworks that act as metaphors of the past. Having these layers of information hidden within the works as narratives is also my own way of telling a story of the past.’

On why she has concentrated on the fabrics of the three trees of kyenkyen, dawadawa and mutuba, Piloya replied: ‘I found it quite interesting that all the three types of trees belong to the category of barkcloth, a traditional and ancient textile art from native of Africa particularly in regions like Ghana and Uganda.

All the fabrics made are derived from the inner bark of these trees; kyenkyen from the Antiaris toxicaria tree in Ghana, dawadawa from the Parkia biglobosa tree in Ghana and mutuba from the Ficus natalensis (wild fig) tree in Uganda. They are natural, renewable, and biodegradable textiles.’

As to how these three trees are connected, Piloya said: ‘All the fabrics created from these trees undergo the same technique of creation and in this case, I used the knowledge from Uganda by the locals when making the barkcloth to revive the long forgotten heritage of making kyenkyen fabric from Ghana.’

She added: ‘These are not ordinary everyday fabrics; they hold deep cultural, spiritual, and ceremonial importance within their communities of origin. They are used in rituals, royal functions, festivals, and as burial shrouds for important figures, which was the same case in Ghana.’

Everyone was waiting for Mathias Walukagga’s arrival at the nomination centre when Tolbert Musinguzi, the Wakiso District returning officer, announced him as duly nominated for the forthcoming parliamentary elections.

‘Wait a minute! It can’t be. When did he come in?’, ‘Maybe by dawn, because I’ve been here since 7am, but didn’t see him coming’, ‘Maybe someone represented him at the nomination’, were some of the shocked responses before the Kadongokamu star descended the stairs from the first floor around 1:40pm.

Most had anticipated possibly the biggest procession that would give the men in uniform a hard time to manage. Because, fame aside, Walukagga has no problem being the man of the moment.

But the Bakoowu singer chose to sneak into the headquarters when almost everyone was blinking, and show up in Musinguzi’s chambers, at just the right time. He called it rope-a-dope style.Sporting his trademark shades, a white traditional tunic, a light blue blazer and a rosary.

‘Others wore suits, but as the Kabaka’s chosen one, I wore a kanzu for cultural reasons,’ Walukagga told an attentive media as his fans chanted. ‘Busiro East hosts four cultural sites, including Naggalabi Coronation site, the forest where the 1900 Agreement was signed, among others.’

Star attraction

The man who boasts as the next Busiro East Member of Parliament (MP), made news by avoiding news. With Ibrahim Ssemujju, Zambaali Bulasio Mukasa, Medard Sseggona, and the likes having been nominated on Day One, Walukagga was Day Two’s biggest celeb. Probably why Ssegona, his direct rival, opted to be nominated a day earlier.

Some came in mini-processions with rowdy fans and family, in Range Rovers, Land Cruisers, and helicopters. Others chose simple but newsy arrivals: bicycles, boda bodas and tuku-tukus. But Walukagga chose neither. His entry was a calculated, silent stunt that shouted loudest once he sprouted after being nominated.

The night prior, the Kyengera Town Council mayor told his TikTok viewers that Nsangi Police wanted to assess his phone to establish whether he does not sponsor the insults against his political rivals via X, formerly Twitter.

‘But I don’t have an X account,’ the Kiwuggulu singer denied on TikTok. ‘I’m only on WhatsApp, Facebook and TikTok. Maybe someone opened an X account in my name to say things I don’t know about.’

Plotting an upset

That National Unity Platform (NUP) flag, which almost guarantees Walukagga a place in the 12th Parliament, could end an era of one of the most revered, consistent legislators of this generation.

Sseggona, an eminent lawyer and lawmaker, with deep roots in Mengo, was Busiro East’s natural choice for three consecutive terms since 2011, regardless which colours he wore, until this year when Walukagga expressed interest in the same post.

Before and after losing the coveted NUP ticket, Sseggona has never wasted an opportunity to prove that the party had blundered in ditching him after ‘a job I’ve so diligently done.’

‘We’ll pray without ceasing that our friends finally admit that I have an edge over them and support me-in good faith. Because unity is strength. I think I have led them well.

They can also continue to learn from me, if they want,’ Sseggona, tone and looks rich in disdain, said moments before his nomination as an Independent candidate. Sseggona was also crucial in NUP’s intricate legal battles, most notably the petition against President Museveni’s victory in 2021. But in this era of defiance and calls for ‘protest votes’, all that may mean nothing to the ordinary voter.

‘Abantu baagala kubakyusa bulamu bwabwe; Ab’enzungu babaddewo naye nga byagaana,’ Walukagga sings in his latest song Uganda Empya (New Uganda), meaning ‘The learned have tried but failed to cause the change people need.’

Isn’t that a retort to his aloof opponent and his fans? Creatives can be tricky in verbal battles. Walukagga may be that Masaka-hailing, half-educated kandongokamu singer, but his ability to cite global intellectuals in his lyrics gives him an unlikely edge over adversaries.

In Uganda Empya, for instance, he sings: ‘Abadde akuba kerere kendeeza, by’okoledde abalonzi bikusuusuute,’ quoting American author Robert Greene’s ninth law of power: ‘Win through your actions, never through argument.’

First surprise entry

‘I’m going to surrender my only phone to the police,’ Walukagga said on TikTok two Wednesday nights ago. ‘But let me hope this isn’t a conspiracy to block my nomination. We shall see whether our police can be used by individuals in shoddy deals.’

Now do you connect the dots? The alleged witch-hunt and the sneaky entry into the nomination centre. Granted, Walukagga sung some awakening songs. The biggest of them being Bakoowu-a depiction of an entirely tired society.

But like we missed his entry into the nomination centre, we didn’t see him joining the political arena, becoming this serious and ambitious. Before his first mayoral term expires, he is already feeling like a member of the August House.

In Parliament Yaffe, Walukagga sings about the declining impact of our Parliament, thus advocating for a House where lawmakers debate in languages they are more comfortable with.

Quite hard, though, in a country that lacks a uniform language, how many interpreters would we need? Perhaps, that baited his detractors into thinking he is uncomfortable with the official language. Or that he lacks the requisite academic credentials for the MP contest.

‘They say I don’t have papers [academic credentials], but I’m in the final semester of my Bachelor’s in Public Administration at St Lawrence University. So which university admits you for a degree without a Senior Six certificate?’ Walukagga said in his inaugural address.

‘I would have responded to that nonsense. And you know me when it comes to quarrelling and countering insults. Only the late Paul Kafeero could do it better. But I chose to ignore that nonsense,’ said the man famed for hits like Tuleppuke, one of his rebuttals to a prominent businessman over a love affair.

When journalists asked Walukagga to recap his inaugural address in English, some of his fans ruled them out. ‘Don’t disturb the man, he’s dressed like a Muganda,’ one interrupted, as if attire dictates lingua. ‘So, which language shall he use in Parliament?’ one journalist asked, echoing a general feeling.

‘Kati muleese bya Sseggona,’ another fan countered, meaning ‘You’re pedaling Sseggona’s claims.’ But Walukagga had no problem with the journalists’ request. Even at the start he had asked: which language should we begin with? And his command of English is just enough.

African legislators have called on Ugandan youth to take an active role in civic education and political participation, emphasising that the country’s future rests in their hands.

Speaking as the chief guest at the University Debate Competition on Political Governance held in Kampala on Friday, Zambian legislator Shacky Timburwa Timburwa commended the level of research, confidence, and engagement exhibited by the young participants.

“The youth were very pragmatic and full of knowledge and research. Uganda is blessed to have such a generation that is both curious and committed to national development,” he said.

Mr Timburwa noted that with young people forming the majority of Uganda’s population, it is vital that they are fully involved in civic education and national planning.

He warned that when youth feel excluded from decision-making, the country risks losing their potential contribution to productivity and stability.

“Having young people willing to participate in political discourse is a blessing, it channels their energy into productivity, empowerment, and contribution to the country’s GDP,” he said.

The event, organized by the Centre for Constitutional Governance (CCG), brought together students from 24 universities under the HOPE Project, aimed at strengthening civic engagement and promoting constitutional values among young Ugandans.

According to Ms Sarah Birete, the Executive Director of CCG, the initiative seeks to nurture a culture of constitutionalism through knowledge, debate, and exposure.

“The purpose of the program is to promote a culture of constitutionalism by equipping young people with knowledge, skills, and platforms for engagement,” she explained.

She added that the theme of the Inter-University Debates, “The Unending Quest for Free and Fair Elections in Uganda Since Independence,” encourages students to research the country’s electoral history, assess progress, and identify challenges to achieving electoral integrity.

Ms Birete emphasized that civic education is a cornerstone of democracy and that young people must understand their role in governance beyond voting.

“We want students to know that it is their duty to engage in governance and promote constitutionalism,” she said. “Civic education empowers them to question, contribute, and demand accountability.”

Cynthia Easter Apiri, a student from Makerere University, said the debates have deepened her understanding of governance and her role in shaping Uganda’s future.

“Political debates on election governance help create civic awareness, which is crucial for youth participation,” she said. “It also pushes us to learn our country’s political history and understand how young people can influence positive change.”

She added that this is a transition phase where young people must prepare to take leadership roles and redefine how government systems serve citizens.

“We are moving into a generation where we have to define the systems ourselves because those before us are moving out, and our role is to reshape governance and ensure it focuses on service delivery and accountability.”

The competition saw Makerere University emerge as the overall winner with 86%, followed closely by Kyambogo University (85%), Kampala International University (83%), Uganda Christian University (81%), and Gulu University (80%).

As Uganda approaches the 2026 General Election scheduled for January 2026, the nation finds itself at a critical juncture in its democratic journey. The upcoming elections present an opportunity to reaffirm the principles of free and fair governance, transparency, and the rule of law.

However, recent developments have raised serious concerns about the state of democracy in our country, necessitating public dialogue, vigilant oversight, and collective action by all stakeholders.

Reports of restrictions on freedom of assembly, arbitrary arrests of opposition figures, and intimidation of journalists paint a troubling picture of an increasingly constrained political space.

Freedom of expression and the right to peaceful protest are pillars of democracy, yet citizens seeking to exercise these rights face intimidation, harassment, and, in some instances, physical harm.

These measures not only undermine public confidence in the electoral process but also erode Uganda’s international standing as a democratic nation and tarnish the credibility of our political institutions.

A healthy democracy thrives on open debate, dissent, and civic participation; without these fundamental rights, governance risks becoming autocratic and disconnected from the people it serves.

Equally concerning is the perceived lack of transparency in electoral management. While the Electoral Commission (EC) has a constitutional mandate to conduct credible elections, allegations of biased practices, irregularities in voter registration, and limitations on independent monitoring threaten the credibility of the upcoming polls.

A fair and transparent electoral process is essential to ensure the voices of Ugandans, particularly the youth and marginalised communities, are accurately represented in government.

Citizens must have confidence that their votes are counted correctly and that the outcome reflects the genuine will of the people. Any perception of electoral manipulation could undermine public trust, provoke social unrest, and diminish the legitimacy of the next government.

The participation of Opposition candidates, notably the National Unity Platform (NUP) party’s Robert Kyagulanyi, alias Bobi Wine, has been met with harassment, legal obstacles, and administrative barriers, restricting meaningful political competition.

Political pluralism is fundamental to democracy; limiting fair competition diminishes public trust, weakens institutional legitimacy, and constrains policy innovation.

It is, therefore, imperative that all candidates, regardless of political affiliation, are allowed to campaign freely, engage with citizens, and present their vision without fear of reprisal.

The electorate deserves to make informed choices based on policies, competence, and vision rather than fear or coercion.

Furthermore, civic education must be prioritized to empower citizens to make informed choices. Many Ugandans, particularly in rural areas, face barriers in accessing unbiased information about candidates and policies.

The media, civil society organisations, and educational institutions have a responsibility to ensure that voters are equipped with accurate knowledge, enabling them to exercise their franchise responsibly and confidently.

This includes promoting understanding of constitutional rights, election procedures, and the role of citizens in holding elected leaders accountable. Civic engagement is not only a right but also a duty; an informed electorate is the foundation of a robust democracy.

Youth participation, in particular, must be encouraged and supported. Uganda has a young population, whose energy, creativity, and ideas can drive progressive governance. Initiatives that enhance political literacy, encourage debate, and provide safe avenues for youth activism are vital.

The future of Uganda depends on engaging this demographic meaningfully in shaping policies and governance structures. Ignoring their voices risks disenfranchisement and societal disengagement.

As citizens, we also bear a collective responsibility. Peaceful engagement, active participation in dialogue, and vigilance against misinformation are essential to safeguard the integrity of the democratic process. Political leaders, civil society actors, and the public must collectively reject violence, coercion, and any attempts to manipulate outcomes, ensuring that the elections reflect the true will of the people. International observers, development partners, and regional bodies also have a role in promoting transparency and accountability, providing technical support, and reinforcing confidence in the electoral process.

In conclusion, Uganda stands at a decisive moment.

The upcoming elections should be an opportunity to demonstrate the strength of our democratic institutions, our commitment to human rights, and our capacity for inclusive governance. A transparent, inclusive, and credible electoral process will not only strengthen governance but also foster national unity, stability, and confidence in our political future.

Let us collectively call on the government, political actors, civil society, and all stakeholders to uphold the values of democracy and provide Ugandans with an electoral process that is free, fair, and reflective of the aspirations of every citizen. Our actions today will shape the political landscape for generations to come.

The drums of politics are beating again across Uganda. The air is heavy with slogans, promises, and propaganda. Candidates have been nominated for various positions, and once again, the season of political excitement has begun. Social media is on fire.

Facebook timelines have turned into political battlefields; TikTok videos drip with mockery, and WhatsApp groups have become war zones where friends and relatives trade insults.

It doesn’t matter whether people have facts or evidence – as long as they can afford data and get a little facilitation, they want to be heard. Many post ignorance in the name of supporting their candidates. Agents of politicians are hard at work – some spreading hope, others spreading hate – all under the banner of ‘supporting their own.’

These days, nothing productive seems to happen in most WhatsApp groups. Candidates who spend heavily on media praise are the ones getting the loudest applause. Every five seconds, their posters flood timelines – not their manifestos or policies, but endless and empty praises.

But dear voter, pause for a moment: the politicians you fight for are not enemies. Before you throw your weight behind any candidate, ask yourself: in whose interest is this person contesting? What is their agenda for the people?

Does it align with your community’s real needs – education, jobs, health care, and dignity – or is it just another political performance?

When campaigns end, when ballots are counted and cameras go off, the same politicians you shed tears and friendships for will often meet, shake hands, laugh together, and sometimes even work side by side in the same government. In Uganda, President Museveni has shown that political rivalry does not always mean personal enmity.

He has maintained cordial relations with Nobert Mao, the Democratic Party president general – once a strong Opposition voice – who now serves as Minister for Justice and Constitutional Affairs, a key position at the heart of national decision-making.

There is also Betty Kamya, who once criticised the ruling party during her time in the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC), yet was later appointed Minister for Kampala, and subsequently Minister for Lands, Housing and Urban Development.

How about Betty Amongi, originally from the Uganda People’s Congress (UPC)? Once a vocal critic of government, she also joined Cabinet and has held key portfolios, including Minister of Gender, Labour and Social Development.

The examples are many.

Across the border in Kenya, history tells a similar story. The late Raila Odinga and Uhuru Kenyatta once faced off bitterly in elections.

Yet in 2018, they stunned the world with their famous ‘handshake’ – a bold act of reconciliation that cooled political tensions and ushered in a new era of unity. Later, President William Ruto and Raila also sought ways to engage and bridge divides, proving that national interest can rise above partisan lines.

Sadly, while the politicians make peace, their supporters remain at war – sometimes until the next election season.

The social fabric of our communities is stretched and torn. Once-close friends become enemies. We forget one of the basic principles of politics: that there are no permanent friends, no permanent enemies, only permanent interests. It’s a worrying trend – a society fighting itself while leaders unite for convenience.

Our communities are left scarred; neighbors stop greeting each other, families split along party lines, and workplaces become silent zones of suspicion.

Social media, which should be a tool for civic education and dialogue, has become a space of bitterness. The moral fabric of our society is slowly being eroded by political fanaticism. Supporting your candidate is not a crime – it is your democratic right. But do so with respect. Debate ideas, not personalities. Promote unity, not hatred.

There is life after politics, and so we must maintain societal harmony and cohesion even as we campaign for our candidates.

Because when elections end, it is we – the ordinary citizens – who must continue living together, sharing markets, schools, water sources, and faith. The next time you feel tempted to insult someone online for their political choice, remember this: the politicians you are fighting for will probably shake hands tomorrow.

Let us not destroy the bridges of our society for people who know how to build theirs. The real victory is not in who becomes President or MP – it is in whether we, as a people, remain united after the ballots are counted.

Security forces in Kasese and Bundibugyo districts have reportedly foiled attacks by unknown assailants armed with pangas and catapults targeting police and army barracks.

Bundibugyo Resident District Commissioner (RDC), Rt. Maj John Mugabirwe confirmed that the attacks were carried out on two Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) detachments at Kakuka and Malindi in Bundibugyo District.

He said the incident happened in the wee hours of Saturday morning.

Maj. Mugabirwe said UPDF soldiers at Kakuka Detach managed to repel the attackers, killing five individuals who were dressed in plain clothes and armed with pangas. He added that troops are still moving towards the Malindi Detachment to assess the situation there.

The RDC said none of the deceased suspects in Bundibugyo were found with firearms.

Another attack happened at Kasese police barracks, Rughedabara police post, where four assailants armed with pangas and catapults were killed by security forces and several suspects were detained.

Security has not yet given out details of the attack.

Gunshots were also reported in Fort Portal City as security forces foiled an attack on Canon Apollo Core PTC. According to one of the college staff members who preferred to remain anonymous, the Saturday attack happened at around 6:30 am.

“One of my colleagues had gone out for morning jogging, but saw many people at the school. They told him to go away. When he started running, they also started coming toward him. Soon, he met armed soldiers who later began exchanging bullets,” she said. She also saw two dead bodies at the school gate following the attack.

In my experience as an advocate, one of the most intriguing – yet essential aspects of our legal framework, is estate planning.

On the surface, it looks so basic. Someone dies, leaves behind a fortune and beneficiaries share what is due to them.

However, in the absence of proper planning, it is one of the most complex and exhausting aspects of the law because resolving an issue can take years, if not decades.

Take this simple statistic. At the end of the financial year on June 30, 2024, the Judiciary’s total court case backlog in Uganda was 42,588. Of these, about 41.54 percent were before the Family Division of the High court. A case is considered backlog if it has exceeded two years in the court system before completion.

The figures would have painted a bleaker situation if the Judiciary report of 2023/2024, which was released in October, 2024, included the succession/administration causes and civil suits.

But my estimation as a legal practitioner, given the numerous applications that have been filed for extension of letters of administration/grant of probate, the Family Division will surely have the highest number of cases and certainly case backlog by the end of 2025.

One of the greatest contributors to these escalating case backlog numbers, especially in the Family Division or in family cases, is succession wrangles and disagreements over sharing or distribution of property. But one may ask; how do we find ourselves in that position yet it is well known that one day or maybe in the next minute or hour, one may and can die but no one of us is prepared?

So, when a father or mother dies, leaving behind valuable properties, the children or dependants get entangled in fights over who takes what and how much one should take.

Technically, the properties left behind by a deceased person are collectively called the estate. An estate can include money in the bank and mobile money (e-money), savings (social security), investments, personal goods such as jewellery, art-pieces, cars, shares, land, copyrights, patents, and so on.

So, the untimely but known death occurs when the owner of the estate dies without dividing/distributing the property to those who may survive him/her or technically what is called estate planning. In sum, estate planning is the arrangement of one’s properties or assets for his/her benefit and that of his/her loved ones during and upon his/her death.

Estate planning can be done through writing a will, making a trust, co-ownership of property, formation or creation of a company, as well as gifting.

But the most important of all these strategies is the trust. A trust is a legal relationship or concept through which an owner of property transfers the legal interest/ownership of that property to another person to hold/manage for the benefit of another who may or may not be a relative.

A trust is convenient because there is no need for letters of administration by the survivors. Anyone who has ever followed the process of acquiring letters of administration will attest the level of bureaucracy and frustration they have to go through before completing the process.

Even after the completion of the process, there is always a risk for the estate to end up in the hands of a reckless person or people. But with a trust, there is protection of property from sell and from legal challenges such as fraud and cheating.

Meanwhile, a trust also fosters financial growth and continuity through arrangement of business/affairs to pay less tax, which is generally known as tax planning. The arrangement also provides for the sharing of income/proceeds of the estate instead of capital/factors of production.

A fundamental attribute about a trust is that it regulates how income/trust fund should be invested. If the deceased wished to have his estate help an organisation for the underprivileged, nothing the trustees can do to overturn it.

What’s more, given the clear mandate a trust thrusts upon the trustees, it leaves little room for disputes in succession or administration.

However, that is not to say a trust deed is unamendable; it can be modified accordingly with time to address issues of the times.

The Ministry of Works and Transport (MoWT) has implored local leaders and communities in Pallisa and Kumi districts to protect the newly-completed town roads by ensuring proper waste disposal, among others.

The call came as the ministry officially received the completed selected town roads in both districts, a combined stretch of nearly 20 kilometres following their completion.

The Shs146 billion project, which was financed by the government and implemented by Arab Contractors, covers 7.5kms in Pallisa and 12.2km in Kumi.

It provides critical links to the Soroti-Mbale, Pallisa-Kumi, and Pallisa-Kamonkoli national roads, and brings improved access to markets, health centres, schools, and businesses, leading to higher customer turnout and reduced transport costs.

The milestone comes at a crucial time for Uganda’s rapidly expanding towns. Mr Allan Ssempebwa, the senior communications officer in the MoWT, on Wednesday, said: ‘The project represents a major milestone in Uganda’s efforts to improve urban infrastructure, enhance connectivity, and foster socio-economic transformation across growing towns.’

Earlier, during the handover ceremony, Mr Godfrey Bihemaiso, the assistant commissioner of Road Construction and Rehabilitation in the same ministry, hailed the project as ‘a demonstration of the government’s commitment to improving infrastructure and unlocking development potential across the country’.

‘This achievement shows the government’s resolve to expand urban connectivity and improve living standards for Ugandans,’ Mr Bihemaiso said.

He added: ‘These roads are public assets that belong to all of us. Let’s keep them clean, avoid dumping in drains, and protect the surface from damage, so that this investment serves our communities for generations.’

Mr Salah Radwan, the general manager of Arab Contractors, expressed satisfaction with the project’s outcome.

‘We’re proud of the quality of work delivered and remain committed to undertaking more large-scale projects,’ he said.

Background

The World Bank’s 2018 report noted that Uganda is urbanising at an unprecedented pace, with the number of urban residents expected to quadruple from 6 million to over 20 million by 2040.

The Masindi Chief Magistrates’ Court has sentenced four men to seven years and three years, respectively, for illegal entry, hunting, and unlawful possession of wildlife products in Murchison Falls National Park.

Albert Oyirwoth and Albert Odwoka were sentenced to seven years after pleading guilty to the three counts. They were arrested on October 19, 2025, by Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) rangers from the Delta Marine Post in Kafundo area within Murchison Falls National Park, as they transported buffalo meat in two canoes.

Upon their arrest, Oyirwoth and Odwoka voluntarily guided rangers to a place where five buffalo heads and additional meat were recovered.

Patrick Oromcan and Richard Ochendi were sentenced to three years for illegal entry into the park and killing a bushbuck. They were arrested by rangers on September 20, 2025, from Kololo Ranger Post within Murchison Falls National Park.

While delivering the sentence on October 30, Chief Magistrate Kosia Kasibayo noted that poaching remains prevalent and poses a serious threat to conservation and Uganda’s tourism-driven economy.

“The sentence is intended to deter similar actions and preserve the integrity of Uganda’s national parks,” Kasibayo emphasised.

UWA has welcomed the court’s ruling, noting that justice has been served.

“These sentences send a clear message that wildlife crime will not be tolerated,” said Mr Bashir Hangi, UWA spokesperson.

He added, “Illegal wildlife trade threatens animal populations and undermines conservation gains. We have strengthened surveillance, intelligence gathering, and law enforcement, and we urge the public to support efforts to protect wildlife and desist from illegal activities against nature.”

He stressed that UWA remains committed to working with the justice system, security agencies, communities, and partners to eliminate poaching and safeguard Uganda’s biodiversity for present and future generations.