Category: Daily Monitor

Kampala traders under the Kampala City Traders Association (KACITA) have written to Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) seeking urgent intervention to address flooding that has caused massive destruction of goods and property damage in the city.

The floods, which occur during rainy seasons, have resulted in heavy financial losses amounting to billions of shillings, with traders fearing for their lives.

KACITA Chief Executive Officer Abel Mwesigye said the association wants KCCA to halt all ongoing construction and renovation works by Ham Constructions on the Nakivubo Drainage Channel pending proper assessment.

“We had to summon and petition KCCA and copy in many other relevant authorities in order to at least have this water drained or pumped out of these arcades and to have a joint assessment to establish what the problem could be,” Mwesigye said.

The traders are also seeking compensation for the losses they have incurred due to the flooding.

Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago has called for a crisis meeting on Monday to resolve the issue, inviting key stakeholders, including the Minister for Kampala and KCCA officials.

Lukwago has previously accused Parliament and NEMA of negligence and conspiracy in allowing businessman Hamis Kiggundu to carry out illegal construction on the Nakivubo channel.

The issue has also attracted the attention of parliamentary aspirant Suzan Kushaba, who petitioned the World Bank over alleged illegal approval of commercial developments along the Nakivubo channel, warning of environmental damage and disruption to livelihoods in the city’s central business district.

In Busuuyi Village, Mayuge district, a community-driven initiative has seen most children attending school after a resolution was passed to prioritise education.

The village, which previously had children engaging in fishing activities during school hours, has seen a significant change since the community resolution was implemented.

Busuuyi Elementary School of Headteacher Mr Christopher Kibade Awo noted that the school was started by parents to help children access education without traveling long distances.

The school, which was established in 2012 with 28 students, currently has 320 students.

“We would like the government to take over this school because right now we can’t afford it due to the bigger numbers which are still increasing day by day,” Rev. Mark Kibade Awo, the founder of the school, said.

The school’s infrastructure is in a poor state, with wooden classrooms posing a challenge during class time.

“We are in a sorry state. During the class time here at our school, we can’t do anything, be it rain or sunshine because we are in the wooden classroom,” Mr. Kibade Awo said.

The school’s fees structure is Shs 55,000 per term, which is a challenge for many parents.

“Our school fees structure starts from Shs 55,000 but still parents find it hard to pay. We have students who have failed to pay that money since the first term but we let them in because parents cry to us,” Mr. Kibade Awo added.

Some parents have appealed for government takeover of the school to provide free education.

“As parents in this community, we seek government takeover of this school because if it comes in, that means our children will get free education,” Ms. Mary Naiga, a parent, said.

The community has received support from Mr. Tsafrir Melamed, CEO of Mig Fish Farm, who has built one block and plans to renovate the wooden classrooms.

The National Planning Authority’s research on the state of education in Busoga sub-region revealed that 40 out of 118 sub-counties do not have public secondary schools, and 34 parishes out of 578 have no public primary school.

The district has 143 primary government-aided schools, 400 private primary schools, 12 government secondary schools, and 64 private secondary schools.

The district inspector of schools, Mr Nathan Wabwire, said the government is in the process of constructing government secondary schools in sub-counties that lack them.

Makerere University professors have been advised to research on projects that have a national impact, instead of writing so many papers and looking for funds for projects that are not applicable in the real world. Speaking during the opening of the Third Biennial International Conference of the African Research Universities Alliance, on October 30, the Minister of Science Technology and Innovations, Dr Monica Musenero Masanza, urged the academicians to translate their knowledge into products, that can create employment and provide economic relief that most African countries need today.

‘Scientists of every nation should understand how they can translate their knowledge into products. We have a stable political leadership in Africa, politicians are waiting to hear a voice from the scientists,” Dr Musenero said.

‘What the continent needs now is economic relief not giving us things,’ she added. Dr Musenero further explained that instead of university professors always relying on their pensions as they head into retirement, they should be looking at the projects created as the fall-back package.

‘Unfortunately, many of them will remain poor, because whenever African professors create new knowledge, they get excited and go exposing it in international conferences and workshops where they give away their ideas free of charge,’ she said.

Asked where the problem lies, she said Ugandan scientists who should be the main drivers of economic growth and national development do not understand how the economy and politics work.

She added that the situation has been worsened by people who studied arts, who are the politicians, policy makers and the economists who don’t understand the language spoken by scientists and they don’t listen to their advice even when it is good for the economy. Citing the current government’s development strategy, she said that she expects professors to flood her office with project proposals on how universities can help government develop strategies to implement its development agenda in agro-industrialisation, tourism, manufacturing and science and technology.

Use of AI

The three-day Fifth Biennial International Conference of the African Research Universities Alliance opened at Makerere University on Wednesday, attracting vice chancellors and academicians from African universities to discuss how African countries can use Artificial Intelligence to conduct research and innovations transformation.

The Makerere University’s Deputy Vice Chancellor in charge of Academic Affairs, Prof Sarah Ssali, said the gathering is an alliance of 17 African universities, which have pooled resources together to develop research. She added that the occasion contrasts with the past where rich countries funded research to control African countries.

‘Look at ChatGpt, how many people are paying to use it? When you buy a Samsung phone that is money going to Korea to support a job there. We are saying what are we producing for other people to consume so that that becomes income for us,’ she said.

Objective

Makerere University indicates that the alliance is looking at helping African countries develop products and services, which can be consumed by other countries, hence raising revenues across the continent.

The Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB) has cautioned examination centres against malpractice as the Primary Leaving Examinations (PLE) commenced today with briefing.

UNEB Executive Director Dan Odong warned that security teams have been deployed to crack down on culprits, adding that two head teachers have already been arrested for allegedly registering secondary school students to sit PLE.

“We have realized that some primary schools have taken on the practice of registering secondary school students to sit PLE. We have so far found this in Salaama Education Centre Primary School in Kagadi District where five such students were found and Kasasa Primary School in Hoima where 15 such students were found,” Odong said.

The head teachers were arrested, and the students are expected to record statements.

“The reason for this impersonation is to boost the number of first grades. All these are criminal intentions,” Odong added.

UNEB has also warned invigilators and scouts against allowing malpractice, noting that they risk a fine of Shs20 million or imprisonment for five years or both.

This year’s PLE candidature stands at 817,885, representing a 2.5 per cent increment from last year.

The exams will run for two days, starting with Mathematics and Social Studies on November 3, and concluding with Integrated Science and English on November 4.

UNEB has commended Arts teachers for calling off their recent strike, saying the decision will ensure smooth running of PLE.

Construction of the Akii-Bua Olympic Stadium in Lira City has reached 25 percent completion, officials said Thursday, marking a major milestone in Uganda’s bid to host high-profile international sports events.

The Shs470 billion ($125 million) project, launched by President Museveni in January 2026, will provide a 20,000-seat multipurpose stadium equipped with training facilities, a mini-indoor stadium for indoor sports, and halls for conferences, conventions, and workshops at international standards.

Speaking during the launch, Museveni emphasized that the stadium is part of Uganda’s preparations to co-host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) with Kenya and Tanzania, noting that the project would boost national sports infrastructure.

On Thursday, the site was inspected by Dr Patrick Bernard Ogwel, Secretary General of the National Council of Sports, who has overseen the project’s planning and early construction.

‘There have been challenges at the beginning, including missing land titles, but by the grace of God we were able to overcome them. The President assured everyone that this is his project and he will build it,’ Dr Ogwel said.

The stadium’s construction is being carried out by SAMCO National Construction Company, an Egyptian firm, under a 20-month contract signed in December 2024.

Dr Ogwel confirmed that government funds for this financial year have been fully disbursed, ensuring no delays in progress.

‘The government has provided all the money required for construction, and therefore I want to give assurance that there will be no delays by the contractor,’ he said.

During a site visit on Thursday, the Paramount Chief of Lango, Eng Dr Michael Moses Odongo Okune, commended the project.

‘I am very happy with this project because implementation is moving well. I want to thank the government for financing the construction,’ he said.

The project aims to honor Uganda’s first Olympic gold medalist, John Akii-Bua, while creating jobs, promoting sports development, and attracting regional events to the Lango sub-region.

Officials say the stadium will also serve as a hub for youth sports training and provide opportunities for economic growth through tourism and related services.

Minister of State for Sports, Peter Ogwang, said complementary infrastructure, including a training facility at Lira University, will enhance the stadium’s impact.

‘This facility will be the best in the country, supporting athletes and providing modern amenities for all indoor and outdoor sports,’ Ogwang observed on January 29, 2025. .

Construction officials have since highlighted that overcoming logistical hurdles – from land title complications to procurement delays – has been key to maintaining the project schedule.

‘We are closely monitoring progress and working with the district authorities to ensure timelines are met,’ Dr Ogwel added.

With the stadium expected to open in 2027, stakeholders hope it will become a regional landmark for sports, conferences, and cultural events, while strengthening Uganda’s capacity to host international competitions.

Background

During the January 2026 launch, President Museveni framed the Akii-Bua Olympic Stadium as a project aimed at enhancing Uganda’s international sports profile and strengthening regional infrastructure for athletics and multipurpose events.

In the business world, I have sat on many boards and headed quite a few. Of those I headed, none was more taxing and exhausting as heading the Nation Media Group of East Africa, which includes Daily Monitor newspaper and NTV.

‘Your paper is anti-government and we will show you who has power in this country,’ that is how I was greeted by a government minister. ‘We are going to close your newspaper.’ End of conversation.

With those words ringing in our ears, my CEO at The Monitor then and I left the minister’s office to go and salvage what the police would not take away. This was after the government had shut down The Monitor newspaper in 2002 over a story it didn’t like. Shutting down the paper is one thing, going through the drawers of the journalists one by one is another. One officer stumbled on a gem. This was a photograph of a lady dancing in a nightclub, enjoying herself with one leg up and no underwear. In time, she was appointed a minister.

When, after some time government relented and allowed us to print the newspaper, most of what the police had carried away was returned. But the photograph of the dancing minister never came back. During my tenure of being chairman of Monitor Publications Ltd and NTV, we were shut down three times for ‘being anti-government’. The reason for closing NTV was the most unconvincing. It was alleged that our equipment was too heavy for the mast on top of Kololo hill.

Since we reopened, other equipment had been added to the mast, and it had not yet keeled over. We knew then that a competitor station had a hand in the closure of our station. Every journalist working for The Monitor has on his desk a list of ‘dos’ and ‘don’ts’ and these include: Be factual; do not speculate; be objective; and check your facts, etc. I never attended any session at which Monitor journalists were told to write only anti-government news.

Basis

His Highness the Aga Khan, who owns the newspaper, would never allow the paper to be anti-government. The so-called anti-government accusation is often when the paper writes about a particular minister in government negatively, the minister then finds solace by hiding behind the government for something he did for his own benefit and not that of the government or the country at large.

If The Monitor were to publish some of the stories that a particular newspaper publishes on a daily basis, it would have been shut down permanently a long time ago.

One day, I got a telephone call from the government demanding to know why NTV was showing a gruesome picture of a person shot by the police in a riot. I was told to fire the journalists who had taken that photograph and the person airing the pictures. I strode into the studio every bit the Big Chairman. Soon all the employees in the studio at the time were seated in front of me.

I told them why I was there and what I was going to do. One courageous member of staff stood up and addressed me directly. He said: ‘Sir, before you sack us, we would like to show you what we have not shown to the public.’ When they rolled the reel and I saw the woman holding her intestines, I almost threw up. I stopped the reel and waved off the staff. Then I remained with the director of programmes, who by the look on his face, felt sorry for me.

One day, I was sitting with the CEO in his office when his personal assistant brought an envelope. Inside the envelope was a complete bank statement of a government minister – fat bank account. This came unsolicited. It was sent by a bank employee who wanted the paper to know how illegally rich some of the ministers are. As soon as we saw the statement, the CEO shredded it because, he said, you never know whether this is a trick to catch you with somebody else’s bank statement.

The public has no idea what journalists get to know. What we see in the papers is only 10 per cent of what has been kept out of the papers. A very senior person in government called me to tell me that the President was very upset with one of the journalists and the President wants me to fire him immediately. Coming from that person, I knew it was serious. So I went to The Monitor offices and called the top three people in the company and told them what I was going to do.

One of the three asked if we could meet outside of the office, so we went to a parking yard. Then the person who suggested that we meet outside of the office spoke. He said: ‘Before you sack him, we want you to know that he is very close to the First Family, therefore, go slow.’ I did better than that; I asked the PPS for an appointment to see the President.

President’s surprise

When I told the President what he was supposed to have said, he looked surprised. In any case, he told me to deal with the other cases and he would deal with that journalist. The President told me that if he wants me to do something for him, he will tell me directly, not through a third party. Likewise, when a minister told me the President was very angry with the same journalist and I must fire him, I was ready with an answer. Ugandans who fall out with the NRM government run to The Monitor to tell their story. I was, therefore, more than amused when our tormentor fell foul of the government and asked The Monitor to promote his candidature.

On those two occasions, the paper was shut down, the order ‘never came from above’.

It was always someone who thought the President would get upset upon reading the article. When the paper quotes a politician on something negative, the said politician says he was quoted out of context. If the paper does not print what the politician said, it is because ‘You Monitor hate the government.’

So heads you lose, tails you lose. I retired from the Group victorious – a rare occurrence in the world of newspapers in Africa.

Barely a month into the presidential campaigns, civil society organisations under the National NGO Forum have called upon the government and security forces to provide a level playing field for the ongoing campaigns.

During a dialogue under the theme ‘Towards a Peaceful Election’, the CSOs said that while there is relative calm at the moment, if not handled carefully, the situation can easily degenerate into open confrontations.

Ms Mariam Wangadya, the chairperson of Uganda Human Rights Commission, said an election is not merely a calendar event, but is a mirror, which reflects the soul of a nation.

‘It reflects the nation’s maturity, nation’s anxieties, hopes, and ultimately the depth of the nation’s respect for human dignity,’ Ms Wangadya said.

She added: ‘And without trust, even a technically perfect election can feel illegitimate. As you all might know, elections are not upheld by ballot boxes. They are upheld by the belief that every citizen matters equally and that people can go to an election without fear.’

Ms Wangadya further said the commission will not stand during this period as simply as an observer, but as a constitutional guardian.

‘Our mandate is anchored in the conviction that every Ugandan, regardless of region, age, gender, ability, orientation, identity, belief, or status, must never feel invisible in their own country and democratic processes. Free and fair elections are not just about procedure. They are about rights, duties, responsibilities, and peaceful inclusion before, during, and after they vote,’ she said.

She said the commission has been and will continue to engage monthly with security heads, not to react to a crisis, but to prevent them.

She said the commission has conducted hotspot mapping nationwide to identify districts and communities most vulnerable to potential violence, misinformation, and rights violations in the context of the 2026 elections.

‘In August, we led a stakeholder review of Uganda’s Universal Periodic Review human rights commitments, ensuring that electoral actions remain aligned with international obligations. Our regional deployments are ongoing, working alongside security, local leaders, civil society organisations, and cultural institutions to reinforce preventive dialogue, not post-conflict response,’ she said.

She also said they have started adding real-time monitoring of the election environment, and ‘I can say confidently a peaceful 2026 is possible if all of us choose responsibility over recklessness.’

Speaking at the same dialogue, Mr Moses Isooba, the executive director of the National NGO Forum, said different actors must respect their line of duty and ensure that human rights are respected during the campaigns and after.

He said elections and human rights are not separate journeys, but on the same roads, and that you cannot reach one without walking the other.

‘A vote cast in fear is not a vote at all. A campaign silenced by violence is not a campaign. It is perhaps a surrender. When we speak of free and fair elections, we are speaking of dignity. When we speak of human rights, we are speaking of the very air that Democrats must breathe to survive,’ he said.

He said there are already a lot of positives to pick inspirations from, especially the ongoing presidential campaigns in many parts of the country have unfolded with a measure of calmness that must not be taken for granted.

The Electoral Commission chairperson, Justice Simon Byabakama, promised a clean election and cautioned that only voters verified through the scientific biometric system will be allowed to vote in the forthcoming general elections.

He said the commission has, in the past, grappled with the cases of multiple voting and that this time, this will not happen because the biometric machines will not give room for such to happen.

‘We are going to make some adjustments in the way elections are conducted at polling stations. We have acquired a new biometric voter verification system. The concept is almost similar to what we used in 2011-2016,’ Justice Byabakama said.

‘The difference now is that for you to be given a ballot paper, you must be biometrically identified and verified. If your thumbprint cannot be read, then your facial features will be used. We must make sure that every ballot issued to a voter is confirmed to have been issued to a verified voter, and that’s the ballot that will go into the box,’ Justice Byabakama added.

The government has called upon lawyers under their umbrella body of the National Union of Lawyers, Judicial officers and Allied Workers (NULJAW), to always offer free legal support to workers who are maltreated by their employers.

Apollo Onzima, Assistant Commissioner for Industrial Action at the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development, said while officiating the 2025 NULJAW Annual General Meeting that it is prudent for lawyers to extend support to vulnerable communities who need legal assistance but cannot afford representation.

‘We know that the Union was formed basically to advocate for their rights and wellbeing but as the government, we hope that they also extend the support to other employees who are aggrieved and communities that cannot afford to hire lawyers,’ he said.

He added that many employees face several challenges including low salaries, working without contracts which results into non-payment but cannot afford to get lawyers in case of any issues.

Onzima asked the lawyers to therefore practice their Union’s vision of upholding the dignity of labour and preserve, strengthen and protect human and labour rights, and save the situations of others.

NULJAW General Secretary Peninnah Tukamwesiga, agreeing with Onzima, pledged to give legal services to aggrieved employees who are affected by errant employers.

Although the Union was formed to fight for lawyers, Tukamwesiga said, ‘it is their responsibility as legal experts to help those in need.’

‘We find that most of the challenges facing the majority of the employees are low salaries arising from working without contracts, and lack of the minimum wage, some workers enter into jobs where they are more qualified, so salaries are very low, among others,’ she said.

She added: ‘Our union has the mission to fully organise and represent workers to have their rights, social and economic interests well-articulated, advocated, promoted, and defended by the Union.’

John Siel Oketcho, the chairman general of the Central Organisation of Federation of Trade Unions (COFTU) said that there is a need for an Industrial Policy which will help the employees while at work.

‘That is why I am advocating to become a Workers MP so that I bring this policy which will safeguard the employee so that they are not fired by the employer at the latter’s will,’ he said.

More pressure is mounting on the government to explain and resolve the ban on Nation Media Group-Uganda (NMG-U) journalists from covering activities of the Presidency, and now Parliament.

Several media stakeholders have condemned the ban, saying it undermines press freedom, right to access of information, and journalists’ role in holding the government accountable to its citizens.

The media groups said the restrictions weaken public access to timely and accurate reporting on matters of national importance. The media organisations stressed that the public’s right to information must take precedence over political sensitivities.

The media bodies warned that the sanctions on NMG-U could set a dangerous precedent and erode public trust in democratic institutions.

Ms Margaret Sentamu, the executive director of the Uganda Media Women’s Association (UMWA), condemned the decision to bar NMG journalists, describing it as a serious violation of media freedom and the public’s right to information.

‘It is unfortunate if you deprive the media of doing their role. You are not only denying their rights but also depriving the audiences who rely on that particular media house for credible information,’ she said.

Ms Sentamu said UMWA would mobilise other media associations to issue a joint statement demanding that the government reverses the decision and restore equal access for all journalists.

She applauded NMG for continuing to source and publish information about the Presidency through alternative channels despite the ban, saying this demonstrated professionalism and dedication.

‘I do not know why they have been blocked, but I think what they have been doing is actually a favour to the President,’ Ms Sentamu said.

She urged the government to reconsider the decision, warning that continued restrictions would set a dangerous precedent and damage the country’s image on press freedom.

The standoff between NMG journalists and government institutions began in March 2025, when reporters from NTV and Daily Monitor were blocked from covering President Museveni’s public events without any official explanation.

The ban later extended to State House activities, leaving the media house unable to directly report on presidential engagements. This week, on Monday, Parliament also stopped NMG-U journalists from accessing its precincts, escalating concerns over the shrinking media space in Uganda.

Mr Robert Ssempala, the executive director of Human Rights Network for Journalists-Uganda (HRNJ-U), raised alarm over the restrictions, describing the move as a serious threat to press freedom in Uganda.

‘It is very absurd that instead of creating platforms and an environment for the media to flourish, we instead are killing it due to reasons that remain unknown to NMG and the media fraternity. That is not healthy and is stifling the very constitutional guarantees for press freedom,’ he said.

Mr Ssempala emphasised that media in Uganda is meant to be independent, critical, and pluralistic, warning that actions undermining these principles strike at the core of the country’s constitutional protection.

‘Anything that is shooting it down is killing the very core of the provisional guarantees for press freedom in Uganda. If NMG has committed a crime, it should be made clear to its management. It should also be known by the public because the media is a public good so we can all seek solutions,’ he added.

Mr Ssempala stressed that the current stalemate, where the government has not clarified its concerns, is creating fear and self-censorship within the media fraternity.

This is the wrong time to be shooting down the messenger, especially the National Media Group. If it has committed any crime, we call upon Parliament and the government to be categorical on what constitutes these crimes and we seek justice,’ he said.

Mr Ssempala urged that such grievances should be channeled through the proper institutions, including the Media Council of Uganda, the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC), or the courts of law, to ensure a transparent and credible resolution.

‘Let the Nation Media Group be heard on this matter and once it is heard, let us know the transparency and credibility of that process. Any verdict will be binding to the Nation Media Group and the wider media fraternity,’ he said.

Mr Ssempala warned that failing to follow due process amounts to abuse of the law and misuse of power, noting the negative impact on journalists operating under fear.

‘It has instilled fear within the fraternity and everyone is acting with a lot of self-restraint, which is not healthy for the media. We are gravely concerned that this is happening at such a time and the due processes are not followed,’ he noted.

Loopholes

The Executive Director of the African Centre for Media Excellence (ACME), Dr George Lugalambi, said the ban on NMG has been exacerbated by the absence of regulatory bodies and agencies meant to handle such disputes between the government and media houses.

He said UCC was supposed to constitute a tribunal to resolve such disputes, noting that had the tribunal been functional, NMG, which subscribes to the Council, would have sought redress through it.

He also pointed out that the Media Council, which could have intervened, is not fully constituted as stipulated by court, leaving the media in turmoil.

‘The absence of the regulatory organs to adjudicate disputes between the media and the State is causing the issues. In the absence of these regulatory bodies, some institutions impose punitive measures on media houses. What NMG is going through is the absence of regulatory bodies, which should have handled the impasse,’ Dr Lugalambi said.

He warned that restricting NMG-U from covering the President and Parliament during this critical election period, when misinformation and fake news spread very fast, is a disservice to the agencies enforcing the ban.

‘Even in the absence of regulatory organs, in a time like this; during elections, it is very critical for our democracy that the public’s access to media is protected. When you delay access to information that the public is entitled to, then there is a problem,’ he warned.

Dr Lugalambi added: ‘Currently, there is a lot of misinformation from those claiming to be journalists. Therefore, denying a legitimate and professional media house which has to inform the public is a loss to agencies that are doing themselves a disservice. Because other people will step in to take over the role and are likely to spread harmful information to the population.’

The President of the Uganda Parliamentary Press Association (UPPA), Mr Samuel Ibanda, said he had written to Parliament to engage the affected journalists.

‘We believe that open communication is key to resolving any standoff, and we are hopeful that we can resolve this issue amicably and in the shortest time possible. We will keep you posted,’ Mr Ibanda said.

The ban has since attracted widespread public outcry, with several Ugandans calling on the government to respect the Constitution and lift the restrictions on Nation Media Group.

They Say

Sedrack Nzaire, President Museveni’s brother

We are tired of wars. I believe in operational harmony, ceasefire, and dialogue. If any mistakes occur, they can be addressed; however, that should not prevent you from carrying out your coverage.

Margaret Sentamu, UMWA boss

It is unfortunate if you deprive the media of doing their role. You are not only denying their rights but also depriving the audiences who rely on that particular media house for credible information.

George Musisi, lawyer and politician

The NMG ban conveys the message that dissenting voices are no longer tolerated and that free media is under pressure. It sends a warning to other media outlets that similar coverage could lead to the same consequences.

Emmanuel Ainebyona , MOH spokesperson

If you are not sure about any news, it always gets clearer when you watch the context packaged by NTV-Uganda. I stand in solidarity with the journalists kicked out from Parliament.

Samuel Ibanda Mugabi, UPPA president

We believe that open communication is key to resolving any standoff, and we are hopeful that we can resolve this issue amicably and in the shortest time possible. We will keep you posted.

George Lugalambi, executive director (ACME)

What NMG is going through is the absence of regulatory bodies, which should have handled the impasse.Even in the absence of regulatory organs…it’s very critical [that] the public’s access to media is protected.

The countdown has reached single digits. In a few days, Uganda’s U-17 national team – the Cubs – will stride into uncharted territory: a Fifa World Cup. Not the senior one yet, but no less significant.

Their debut at the global showpiece in Qatar, from November 3 to 27, represents the crest of a rising tide in Ugandan football. They will face France, Chile, and Canada – names that sound as daunting as they are inspiring.

In the searing precision of Doha’s Aspire Zone, the Cubs will discover football’s highest classroom – one shared with future superstars and established youth powerhouses. So, how prepared are they and their rivals?

France calm, calculated, Clairefontaine-d

No drama, no noise – just France doing what young France lads do best: prepare with quiet assurance.

Coach Lionel Rouxel resisted the temptation of far-flung friendlies, instead keeping his World Cup squad at Clairefontaine, the national football temple where French football’s DNA is refined.

A different squad and coach handled the October Uefa U-17 Euro qualifiers against Azerbaijan and Israel, while Rouxel and his Qatar-bound team concentrated on private sessions, tactical drills, and controlled scrimmages at Clairefontaine, refining cohesion and precision away from the public eye.

At the centre of it all is Abdoulaye Camara, their captain and heartbeat. Now on Udinese’s books after coming through Montpellier’s academy, Camara exudes the poise of a young man made for big moments.

‘He’s always in a good mood,’ Rouxel told Fifa.com. ‘But more importantly, he’s a leader who lifts everyone around him.’

While France refined in quiet isolation, the other Group K sides took contrasting approaches to preparation.

Canada’s quiet confidence in the desert

For Canada, the path to Qatar has been about testing limits rather than polishing perfection.

In August, they ventured to Spain for the Albir U-17 Football Challenge, beating the USA 2-1 before defeats to Japan and Morocco – lessons disguised as setbacks.

They regrouped in Dubai in late October for a closed-door friendly with Germany (was due on October 30), a fixture that was less about result and more about readiness.

Coach Mike Vitulano has built a team that plays with structure and speed, balancing North American athleticism with growing tactical awareness.

And in Shola Jimoh, a tricky left-footed winger of Nigerian descent, they have a spark capable of turning matches. Jimoh’s invitation to Canada’s senior camp last year spoke volumes about his promise.

Chile’s silent shadows and flickers of hope

If France prepared in the light and Canada in the sun, Chile have chosen the shade.

Since their qualification as fourth-best in the South American Championship, their build-up has been largely private – a single public friendly, a 1-2 defeat to Uzbekistan in June, and weeks of behind-closed-doors sessions in Santiago.

Coach Sebastián Miranda prefers the solitude of focus, moulding a team that presses high, plays direct, and carries a touch of unpredictability.

Their gem, Zidane Yáñez, named after the French maestro, embodies that blend – quick, daring, and unafraid of imagination.

Uganda learning fast and dreaming bold

And then come Uganda – the newcomers, the romantics, the story everyone wants to see unfold.

In Dubai, the Cubs completed a three-match mini-tournament that said everything about their journey: progress built on persistence.

A 1-1 draw with Venezuela showed maturity; narrow defeats to Panama (1-2) and Paraguay (2-3) revealed both promise and areas to polish.

James Bogere led the charge with goals against Venezuela and Paraguay, his sharp instincts complemented by Simon Wanyama and Abubakali Walusimbi, whose contributions underscored Uganda’s growing attacking belief.

Coach Brian Ssenyondo has emphasised shape, patience, and transitions – the kind of football that rewards belief over reputation.

For him and his players, this isn’t merely a tournament; it’s an education written in sweat, song, and sacrifice.

When the Cubs open their campaign against Canada on November 5, then face Chile on November 8 and France on November 11, it will be a whole new world to them, and to Uganda.

Whether they win, draw, or fall short, they will leave footprints where none existed before – in Qatar’s sand, in Uganda’s history, and in the imagination of every young player back home.

2025 Fifa U-17 World Cup

Host: Qatar

Dates: November 3-27, 2025

Teams: 48

Groups: 12 (four teams each)

Advancement: Top two + 8 best third-placed sides reach Round of 32

Venues: Aspire Zone Competition Complex (group and knockout stages), Khalifa International Stadium (final)

Format: Straight to penalties if knockout matches end level after 90 minutes

Uganda’s Group: Group K – with France, Chile and Canada

Uganda’s fixtures

vs Canada – November 5

vs Chile – November 8

vs France – November 11