Category: Daily Monitor

Conservation groups have launched a Shs94 billion ($24.55 million) ‘One Health’ project to safeguard endangered mountain gorillas and strengthen community health systems across the Greater Virunga landscape, officials said Wednesday.

The International Gorilla Conservation Program (IGCP), in partnership with the Greater Virunga Transboundary Collaboration and with funding from the World Bank’s Pandemic Fund, said the initiative will boost preparedness against zoonotic diseases that threaten both wildlife and people living near protected areas.

‘This project will strengthen preparedness, prevention, and response to zoonotic diseases in the Greater Virunga Landscape where the mountain gorillas live and community members interact in the protected areas,’ said IGCP Executive Director Wellard Makambo during the launch in Kabale, southwestern Uganda.

He noted that diseases such as anthrax, Ebola, Covid-19, Marburg, and other respiratory infections have been detected within the region, heightening the need for early warning systems and coordinated health responses.

The Greater Virunga Landscape Coordinator, Paul Hatanga, who also serves as the World Wide Fund (WWF) project lead, said the program will span four districts in the Democratic Republic of Congo, four in Rwanda, and thirteen in Uganda, focusing on disease surveillance, veterinary capacity, and laboratory strengthening.

‘The project will focus on supporting One Health pandemic preparedness, prevention, and response in the Greater Virunga Landscape,’ Hatanga said.

He added: ‘Efforts will be focused on building veterinary and public health capacity to identify emerging zoonotic diseases that could impact both wildlife and humans.’

The World Bank-funded initiative, implemented with partners including Gorilla Doctors and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), seeks to ensure that by 2028, communities and the nature-based economies across the Greater Virunga region are resilient to diseases with pandemic potential.

The launch was attended by district and national officials, including Resident District Commissioners, health officers, and One Health coordinators from the ministries of Health, Agriculture, and Environment.

Dr David Muwanguzi, Principal Public Health Veterinary Officer at the Ministry of Health, and Dr Fred Monje, the One Health focal point officer at the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, welcomed the project and pledged government support for its successful rollout.

Officials said the two-and-a-half-year project marks a major step in linking conservation and public health in one of the world’s most biodiverse yet vulnerable transboundary ecosystems.

Police have launched investigations into the mysterious death of a 25-year-old woman who reportedly sustained severe injuries at the residence of socialite Bryan Kirumira, popularly known as Bryan White, in Kyamula, Makindye Division, Kampala.

According to Kampala Metropolitan Police deputy spokesperson Luke Owoyesigyire, the death of Caroline Nalubwama is being treated with utmost seriousness, and an inquiry file has been opened at Katwe Police Station.

Nalubwama reportedly suffered critical injuries on Monday night and was rushed to Kiruddu National Referral Hospital, where she was pronounced dead on Tuesday.

Her father, Mr Tom Mutyaba, 52, reported the matter to Katwe Police the same evening, prompting immediate action from investigators.

Mr Owoyesigyire said a team of detectives, together with forensic and fire experts, visited the scene to collect evidence, and several exhibits have been recovered to aid the investigation. Preliminary findings indicate that Ms Nalubwama’s injuries may have resulted from a suspected gas explosion at Bryan White’s residence.

Police said a post-mortem was conducted at the City Mortuary, Mulago, while fire investigators retrieved burnt clothing and damaged curtains from the scene.

Bryan White, who also sustained injuries in the suspected explosion, is currently receiving treatment at Mildmay Hospital in Lweza, Wakiso District. Police have since recorded his statement and issued a medical form to support the ongoing inquiry. ‘We have retrieved CCTV footage from the area to help us establish the true sequence of events,’ Mr Owoyesigyire said.

This incident adds to a string of fatal gas-related accidents in Kampala. In October 2024, two people, including an Indian national living in Sembule A Zone, Kabowa Parish, Rubaga Division, died in a gas cylinder explosion while operating an oxygen plant. Authorities continue to warn about the dangers of gas leaks and improper cylinder handling.

The Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) attributes most incidents involving liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) to poor handling either by users or suppliers.

The government yesterday broke its silence but sent mixed signals on the ban slapped on Nation Media Group-Uganda (NMG-U), stretching back to March. Mr Godfrey Kabyanga, the junior minister for ICT, who spoke on the floor of Parliament following pressure from Members of Parliament on the ban, dismissed claims that the media house had been barred from reporting on presidential activities. ‘I don’t have any communication from the State House and, therefore, NMG is free to go and cover the President,’ he said.

But Mr Faruk Kirunda, the deputy presidential press secretary, took a different line when asked about the ban. ‘To set the record straight: H.E @KagutaMuseveni stopped NMG (parent company of @DailyMonitor, @ntvuganda, @933kfm, etc) from covering him as an individual- after persistent instances of misreporting on him. One such instance was at Kisozi when he hosted MPs on a Wealth Creation tour. NMG management is aware of these problematic instances, which were brought to their attention. But the President didn’t stop NMG from working in Uganda or covering other Government institutions. Moreover, as PPU, we provide press releases and appreciate their use. ..’ Mr Kirunda posted on X.

‘President Museveni is the most media-friendly person. During his reign, he has generously guaranteed freedom of the press and overseen expansion of the sector. However, he has severally complained about biased and unfair coverage to no avail. Media should stick to professional ethics and responsible reporting to avoid unnecessary inconveniences,’ he added. The mixed government responses followed concerns raised by MPs over government restrictions on media freedom, particularly after NMG-U was denied access to cover the President, and now Parliament. Kira Municipality MP Ibrahim Ssemujju on Monday expressed concern over the timing of the Parliament ban on NMG-U journalists, noting that it comes shortly after the reported presidential restrictions. He questioned whether the move was part of a broader attempt to frustrate independent media.

Mr Ssemujju also pointed out that NMG-U has been denied advertising by the Electoral Commission (EC), raising suspicions that government advertising is being channelled only to media outlets supportive of the NRM party presidential flagbearer and frustrating independent and private media houses. ‘The coincidence is what is bothering me. That the President stops Nation Media Group from covering him conducting public business. And then we get this story that the Parliament has also now joined [in the ban],’ Mr Ssemujju said. ‘We must know, is this now an unannounced government policy that you find ways of killing private and independent media in Uganda? If it is not, we need an explanation. We see advertising now going only to the New Vision and other media outlets supporting the candidature of the NRM presidential flag bearer,’ Mr Ssemujju questioned.

His concerns were buttressed by Butambala County MP Muhammad Muwanga Kivumbi, who also tasked the government to explain what sins NMG-U had committed to be banned from covering the two arms of government. ‘Freedom of speech, freedom of expression, access to Parliament by the media is so cardinal, that you can’t just let it rest on the whims of some technocrats here. We even have a gallery, where Ugandans are free to come [and sit to observe parliamentary sessions],’ Mr Kivumbi said. Despite the criticisms from the MPs, Mr Kabyanga maintained that NMG-U was free to cover both Parliament and the President and maintained that no official ban exists.

But Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa chipped in, saying the Minister for ICT is not in charge of the security of Parliament or the President and should not be held accountable. The MPs then turned the heat on the Deputy Speaker to explain why Parliament had banned NMG-U journalists from covering proceedings. Mr Tayebwa on Tuesday promised to follow up with the Clerk to Parliament to establish why the journalists were denied access. Lwemiyaga County MP Theodore Ssekikubo warned that the narrowing of media space, especially during election period, risks silencing public voices.

He observed that media houses had been closed for ‘flimsy reasons’ in the past and urged Parliament and government institutions to ensure transparency and fairness in granting media access. Mr Tayebwa said he was yet to ascertain the circumstances under which NMG-U journalists were barred and pledged to investigate the matter. He said that he had been caught up with work the whole day and that Parliament has accreditation procedures and guidelines which must be followed when accrediting journalists.

Background

The standoff between NMG journalists and government institutions began in March, 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 presents, further escalating concerns over the shrinking media space in Uganda.

Yesterday, Daily Monitor journalists were barred from accessing Parliament after security personnel told them to leave, saying they were following orders. The journalists were instructed to contact the Director of Communication, Mr Chris Obore, who said he had been informed that security operatives were investigating certain matters and would only allow access after investigations were completed. He did not reveal what the security team was investigating regarding NMG journalists.

Police in Luuka District, Eastern Uganda, have arrested a 22-year-old man accused of killing his father following a dispute over unripe coffee.

Ibra Giraido, alias Mudoola, a resident of Buzaaya Village, Bulongo Sub-county, allegedly attacked his 52-year-old father, Jaliru Sango, with a hoe after being confronted for harvesting immature coffee beans from the family garden.

According to preliminary police investigations, a fight ensued after Sango found his son harvesting immature coffee from his garden, located metres away from their home.

The suspect allegedly became aggressive and chased his father for about 250 meters, past their residence.

Busoga East Police Spokesperson, Mr Samson Lubega, said in the process of the suspect chasing the father and along the way he picked a hoe from a neighbour and hacked him from behind. He died instantly.

‘Along the way, the suspect picked up a hoe from a neighbour’s home, belonging to Ms Edith Naiwumbwe, and struck his father from behind, inflicting a deep cut on the head that killed him instantly,’ Mr Lubega said

Mr Lubega explained that the suspect became extremely violent, threatening and attempting to attack anyone who tried to stop him after killing his father.

He fled the scene immediately, prompting a police manhunt on intelligence from residents. Police tracked him down and arrested him later that evening at a drinking joint in Kiyunga Town Council.

He is currently in police custody as investigations continue, and he will be charged with murder once the inquiries are complete, according to authorities.

Mr Lubega condemned the gruesome incident as a deeply unfortunate case of domestic violence, emphasising that such acts destroy families and community harmony.

He urged members of the public to seek peaceful ways of resolving misunderstandings within families through open dialogue, involving elders, community leaders, or local authorities, instead of resorting to violence that often results in irreversible tragedy.

At the moment, frustration is widespread throughout the African continent. Citizens read about fresh scandals, hospitals that are running low on medications, and politicians who are attempting to alter the law in order to prolong their tenure.

Consequently, many people are now openly wondering if democracy based on the ideologies of Western countries has failed Africa.

This is not the kind of theoretical argument that belongs in lecture halls. It is a lived reality felt in the long queues at polling stations across the continent, where citizens cast their ballots with hope only to see that hope dissolve once results are announced.

Young Africans feel this disappointment most sharply, having grown up in a time when democracy was sold as the guaranteed pathway to prosperity, yet has repeatedly failed to deliver on its promises. That gap between expectation and outcome widens each election cycle.

In countries like Tanzania and Ivory Coast, incumbent leaders have gone as far as blocking strong opponents from even appearing on the ballot. Elsewhere, political power continues to follow tribal patterns rather than national interest.

Presidents nearing the end of their terms rewrite constitutions with ease, turning laws meant to safeguard democracy into tools for prolonging personal rule.

The frustration building among citizens is no longer subtle. Many increasingly believe the ballot box has lost its power to change anything at all, no matter how many people show up to vote. Long ago, even international development organisations recognised the emergence of this crisis.

UNECA’s Africa Governance Report (2005) and the UNDP’s Human Development Report (2002) both emphasised that the focus should be on how democracy might be modified to fit African histories instead of whether or not Africa should democratise. Strong civic institutions are necessary for Western democracy, but colonialism left Africa with weak ones. Today as African leaders struggle to create nations that accurately represent who they are, the effects of that original sin are still being felt.

Weak institutions across many African countries have allowed corruption to flourish, eroding public trust in governance. Studies estimate that the continent loses between $100 billion and $580 billion every year to corruption, money that could transform hospitals, classrooms, and infrastructure.

Public debt has more than doubled over the past decade, yet the quality of services remains painfully inadequate, exacerbating the frustrations of citizens with systems that seem to take more than they give. This growing discontent is reshaping expectations. The young men and women of Africa who happen to be more informed and more connected than any generation before them, are no longer willing to accept excuses.

Technology constantly exposes them to how other societies are governed, confirming that better is not only possible but overdue. They are not rejecting democracy. They are rejecting the idea that a flawed, borrowed model is the best Africa can hope for.

Their message to those in power is that stability alone is not democracy. True democracy exists only when citizens feel seen, heard, and valued. That message is more important than ever today. Africa is at an important turning point. Failing to change, one path keeps on with the boring election ritual.

The other has the courage to reconsider democracy until it finally offers its citizens justice, opportunity, and dignity. Whether democracy is appropriate for Africa is no longer a question. What form of democracy will ultimately be best for Africans is the question.

Once again, Daily Monitor is in trouble, this time over a story in the Sunday paper about alleged recruitment of soldiers into the police force. Maybe it was a welcome bother, for the last six months, Daily Monitor has been in the news mostly with stories alleging that the paper has given up its fight for democracy, and that the shareholders in a fit of commercialism had jumped in bed with the Kampala government. One outcome of this has been allegations of attempt to quash some critical columns and, more famously, the controversial departure of Andrew Mwenda. That was particularly difficult for some of us to take.

So here is Monitor today, once a fearless crusader against corruption and the excesses of the State, being accused of cowardice, and held in contempt by the purists. Interesting. I have always been intrigued by people, and God knows they are in their hundreds, who send emails to editors and journalists, urging them to take on the government, abusing them for letting down the cause by not tackling the Museveni regime hard enough. They will list all the terrible things people in government, and the relatives of the President have done, and then plead with you to ‘please, please, don’t reveal my name, you know these fellows are dangerous, they could kill me or harm my family.’

I always wondered whether those of us being urged to put our necks on the line were immune to death or didn’t have families that could be harmed. But you can never really tell that, because you freely chose to be a journalist and assume the risk that comes with it so they have good reason to expect that you will see your commitment through. They, on the other hand, didn’t. I am a veteran of the battles, and I have very many scars to show for it. But the choices that an independent newspaper like Daily Monitor has to make in the imperfect political situation in Uganda are more complex than most imagine. There is a memorable scene in the 1982 Oscar-winning film Gandhi in which the Mahatma Gandhi character says: ‘There are causes that I will die for, but there is no cause for which I will kill’ (or words to that effect).

Over the nearly 10 years I was The Monitor’s editor, and almost every other day after since I left that job at the end of 2002, I keep asking myself whether it is possible, or even desirable, for it to have Gandhi’s moral certitude. I am no longer sure that there’s a cause for which Daily Monitor should ‘kill’ for, in this case ‘killing’ would mean there’s something out there that is so terrible, the paper should risk its existence to destroy it. Sometimes we journalists assume a certain arrogance about our ability to change the world or end evil. We end up living in a delusional world, where what we do is nothing more than urinating in the face of a hurricane, yet we congratulate ourselves, claiming victories which are only partially ours.

There are many stories that Red Pepper or New Vison will publish, and the powers that be will not even sneer. But if Monitor touched the same stories, hell would break loose. That discrimination used to gall me to near death, but then I would cheer up because such attention suggested that Monitor had something special that the rest didn’t have. However, I also felt-and today more keenly than in the past- that the Monitor fell into a trap. By accepting these exceptional responsivities, it contributed to disempowering Ugandans. Because it was willing to fight so many of their battles, it supplanted the people. It denied them an opportunity to claim a triumph they could call their own.

Monitor fights on

In the end, many people sat back, content to let Monitor fight on, cheering from the sidelines, expressing sympathy and solidarity-and nothing more. Not even buying the paper! The last 15 years have taught me that whatever brave words people will throw up, no daily newspaper has done what the Monitor did. And I don’t expect that that will change any day soon. If that’s the case, what should the Monitor do then? Should it continue the battle of yester-years, or preserve itself to fight future wars?

Today, the paper might be a tad feeble, exhausted by years of lonely combat, but I believe that a Monitor that says only 10 percent of what it used to, is still better than one which says nothing. After the knocks and hits it has taken, and the betrayals, I think the present generation of editors has a job that is very different than ours was. It might be simple, it might be more treacherous. Theirs is just to outlast Museveni and Musevenism. Like the anthill in Chinua Achebe’s Anthills of the Savannah, their lot is to tell the story of the fire that will burn over the Movement and Museveni bush. For ultimately, only the Monitor can do that.

In a bid to strengthen citizen participation in the 2026 General Election, political parties and civil society organisations in Tooro and Rwenzori sub-regions have rolled out a grassroots mobilisation campaign aimed at tackling voter apathy. The initiative seeks to encourage eligible voters to take part in the election.

Local leaders said the Electoral Commission (EC) voter register contains a large number of citizens, but many do not vote. They said this growing voter indifference threatens not only political outcomes but also the spirit of democracy.

Statistics from the EC show that in the 2021 General Election, in Tooro and Rwenzori, there were 1,347,702 registered voters but only 852,530 voted. Nationally, voter turnout was also low, with 18.1 million registered voters, but only 10.7 million cast their ballots, representing a 59 percent turnout. For example, Kabarole District had 107,428 registered voters in 2021, but only 65,479, about 61 percent, participated in the polls. ‘We are moving door-to-door to remind people that their vote matters. Our goal is to ensure that no registered voter stays away from the polls. When citizens participate fully, our democracy grows stronger,’ Ms Victoria Businge Rusoke, the State Minister for Local Government, who is also the Kabarole District NRM chairperson, said.

Ms Rusoke explained that a new structure has been established, with 30 coordinators in each of the 347 villages from 15 lower local governments in the district, and each coordinator will be responsible for mobilising 10 voters to ensure that every registered voter participates in the polls. She added that community sensitisation meetings and civic education campaigns will continue throughout the district to remind people that democracy depends on their active involvement.

The Alliance for National Transformation presidential candidate, Maj Gen (rtd) Mugisha Muntu, said in his campaign, he has focused much on talking to voters directly so that they get solutions to their problems and be able to vote.

‘Our strategy is not about the size of the crowds we attract. It is about ensuring that our message reaches the people. We want voters to understand our solutions to their personal problems so that they make informed choices at the ballot box,’ he said. The National Unity Platform Tooro Regional Coordination, Mr Innocent Natukunda Bitariho, said the rising voter apathy is a signal that people feel that their votes no longer count. ‘We are educating and inspiring citizens to understand that staying home helps the status quo.

Refusing to vote is not neutrality, it’s surrender. We are encouraging people to turn their anger, disappointment, and pain into a peaceful protest vote,’ Mr Bitariho said. He added that party flagbearers and members have been tasked to engage in community dialogues to sensitise voters that democracy is not a one-day event. ‘The majority of non-voters are young people who feel abandoned, and we are reconnecting with them through sports, music, and digital campaigns, showing them that their frustrations can become a force for transformation through the ballot. Don’t protest by staying home. Protest by voting,’ he said.

Mobilisation strategy

Last Friday, leaders from Rwenzori and Tooro launched a mobilisation strategy using the structure of Generation Seven to combat voter apathy. The State Minister for Primary Healthcare, who is also the Fort Portal City North Division MP, Ms Margret Muhanga, said many people, including educated elites, often assume that election outcomes are predetermined, a misconception that fuels low voter turnout. ‘Some people have told me they have never voted because they believe the outcome is automatic. But it’s not automatic. Every vote counts. We must all mobilise our friends and neighbours to go and vote. How can your preferred leaders win if you stay home on election day?’

The former chairperson of Generation Seven, Mr Gilbert Olinga, said voter apathy is worrying. ‘It is unfortunate that millions of registered voters do not participate. During previous elections and by-elections, many eligible voters stayed home in NRM primaries. We want to change that narrative,’ he said. Mr Olinga added that the Generation Seven network, which brings together about 1.4 million members nationwide, plans to reach communities directly through youth-led mobilisation, civic education, and door-to-door engagement to inspire a sense of ownership in the electoral process.

Mr Peter Byakuyaba, from Tooro Net, a civil society organisation, said the EC is mandated to carry out voter civic education, but this has not been adequately done.

‘As a country, we have many challenges, including unemployment, internal party conflicts, poor service delivery, and presidential candidates are not addressing issues. I have not seen a candidate talk about policy; they make pledges,’ he said. Mr Joshua Tusiime, from Kichwamba Sub-county, an NRM supporter, said he lost faith in the independence and fairness of the EC.

‘I stopped voting in 2011 because I don’t believe the results reflect the will of the people. The EC seems biased, and until I see real change, I won’t waste my time lining up to vote,’ he said. Ms Olivia Kagabe, an FDC member in Kiko Town Council, Kabarole, said voting has become meaningless, arguing that outcomes are predetermined and that the voices of ordinary citizens are ignored.

EC speaks out

However, the EC said it is impartial in the conduct of its duties. The Kabarole District Returning Officer, Mr Rogers Kasoro, said the EC has already embarked on a voter education campaign in the district and other parts of the country to encourage participation in next year’s elections. ‘We are using radio, social media, and public gatherings to create awareness. The presidential voting day is set for January 15, 2026, and the public is already aware of this date,’ Mr Kasoro said.

He appealed to all eligible voters to participate in the forthcoming elections.

EC statistics

Statistics from the EC show that in the 2021 General Election, in the Tooro and Rwenzori sub-regions, of the 1,347,702 registered voters, only 852,530 voted.

Nationally, voter turnout was also low, with only 10.7 million of the 18.1 million registered voters casting their ballots, representing just 59 percent.

The Uganda Woodball Federation (UWbF) entered a new chapter on Friday as Paul Mark Kayongo was sworn in for another term as president, promising to transform the sport into a national and continental powerhouse.

The brief ceremony at the federation headquarters in Nakulabye drew officials from the Ministry of Education and Sports, the National Council of Sports (NCS), corporate partners and new executive committee members. It marked the beginning of what Kayongo called ‘a new era of success’ driven by growth, international competitiveness and improved governance.

Kayongo said Uganda holds the franchise to manufacture woodball equipment for the African continent, yet the country still struggles to satisfy even its local market.

‘We are sitting on a gold mine. The machines are already here. We just lack space to set up a proper plant. The market is in abundance across Africa. We only need government support to produce equipment that matches the international standard,’ he said.

Uganda currently produces what Kayongo described as ‘grade three’ equipment, though a Chinese-donated production line sits idle at Ndejje University due to infrastructure challenges.

Kayongo celebrated the sport’s impressive growth, noting that national teams have competed at eight World Cups, earning second and third places in global rankings, even while the sport remains in what officials describe as an ‘infancy’ stage.

Growth on the continent

Kayongo, who also serves as Africa’s Vice President for the world woodball body IWbF, is keen on spreading the game beyond its borders.

‘This is a sport for all. Whether you have one leg or one arm, whether young or old. It promotes teamwork and inclusivity,’ he said.

His goals for the new term include a multi-sport complex approved in principle by President Museveni, an archive and Hall of Fame, expansion of research and rehabilitation programmes and a sustainability strategy driven by new partnerships and revenue streams.

Kayongo warned that the sport still battles major challenges including limited funding, misconceptions from the public, hooliganism among some athletes, gambling influences and ‘misuse of social media’.

‘My re-election is a mandate to restore integrity and make woodball a sport for everyone,’ he said.

The introduction of the New Sports Act further requires federations to operate on a regional basis, stretching already thin budgets.

‘We must diversify revenue and government must consider increasing the federation’s budget. Our overall performance depends on how well we navigate these challenges,’ he urged.

Govt urge integrity, grassroots

Representatives from the Ministry of Education and Sports and NCS applauded the federation for exceeding the required 75% district coverage and positioning woodball in schools.

Gilbert Orikiriza, the Ministry’s Education Officer, hailed progress but warned against leadership vices.

‘One of the things that has made federations fail is greed. Leaders must remain objective and guided by the vision,’ he said.

NCS Senior Sports Officer Sarah Anne Nankya emphasised compliance with the constitution and the New Sports Regulations, including strict anti-doping measures.

‘Don’t violate your powers. Govern with excellence and ensure woodball reaches all districts,’ she advised.

New woodball executive committee

President: Paul Mark Kayongo

1st Vice President: Lukman Kiirya

2nd Vice President: Enid Nyendwoha Joy

General Secretary: Adam Kato

Assistant GS: Gloria Koli

Treasurer: Matthias Kalema

Technical Director: Fredrick Busuulwa

Public Relations Officer: Johnson Were

Male club rep: Ramadhan Shaineh Nagoso

Female club rep: Sylivia Kembabazi

Moses Aliro scored twice as URA edged UPDF 3-2 in a five goal thriller that kicked off match-day five action of the Uganda Premier League at Nakivubo Stadium on Wednesday.

The victory was the first for four-time champions URA this season having opened the season with four consecutive draws.

The result capped an interesting day’s action that also included Congolese striker Djuma Ikamba scoring both goals in Police’s 2-1 win over Maroons at the Kiira Road Police Arena earlier in the day.

At Nakivubo, URA edged a see-saw game after taking the lead on 25 minutes when Joseph Ssemuju completed a run on the left with a cutback converted by Aliro.

But UPDF equalized almost immediately when the lively Samson Kigozi side stepped a defender before placing the ball beyond URA goalkeeper Chrispas Kusiima on 27 minutes.

George Masembe then restored URA’s advantage in first half added time with a swift turn and shot after corner.

The end to end nature of the game continued into the second half yielding a second UPDF goal when Kigozi was brought down as burst into the box.

Sam Ssekamatte then stepped up to convert the subsequent penalty after 54 minutes.

The striker then wasted a one on one opportunity opting to pass when through on goal and his team was immediately punished at the other end when UPDF captain Bernard Muwanga fouled in the box.

The result lifted URA to sixth with seven points while UPDF are 12th with four points after four games.

Aliro again converted as URA held out for victory.

At the Police Arena, Congolese striker Ikamba took his tally to a league leading four goals in a 10-minute spell in the first half.

First, he held off Maroons defender Borris Onegi to side foot past goalkeeper Hassan Matovu to give Police the lead on 18 minutes.

He then beat the Maroons offside trap and escaped goalkeeper Matovu’s weak challenge before a quick feint sent Onegi to the ground for the striker to roll the ball into an empty net.

Maroons then woke up from their slumber with striker Dickson Niwamanya hauled off for Jackson Nunda on 36 minutes.

Nunda’s ingenuity then saw him run onto a pass on the left side of the attack before cutting the ball back for Rogers Kiwanuka to half the deficit three minutes before half time.

The Maroons fight back then suffered a dent when Norman Odipio was sent off for two needless fouls as his team succumbed to a second loss in four games.

StarTimes Uganda Premier League

Results

Police 2-1 Maroons

URA 3-2 UPDF

The occasion was different but the scoreline was the same as South Sudan beat Uganda 3-0 in the 2025 IBSA Blind Football Africa Division II final at Hamz Stadium on Wednesday.

It was the same scoreline by which Sudan beat the hosts in the opening match on Monday.

Even the scorers were the same. Only that Yona Sabri, who bagged a brace on Monday, this time scored one, while captain Martin Lado, who scored once on Monday, was the man of the match, scoring two goals.

All the goals on Monday came in the first half. In the final, all happened in the second half. The first was a penalty after goalkeeper Moses Musasizi handled the ball outside his box. Lado coolly converted it to give the guests a timely 1-0 lead.

It wasn’t long before Sabri added the second, squeezing the ball between the goalie’s legs. Lado iced the cake with a sublime strike into the roof of the net as Uganda struggled with injuries.

Captain Rashid Ssemakula, who scored brilliantly against Zimbabwe on Tuesday, had a difficult time against the Sudanese before being substituted with a cut above his right eye after a head collision.

Coach Ali Zinda made several changes but no avail.

“The fact that we have lost to the same team twice shows that they are better than us,” Zinda said post-match. “But we are happy for hosting this event and qualifying the Division I, which is a step closer to the 2028 Los Angeles Paralympics.”

Simon Madol Akol, the South Sudan coach, attributed his team’s success to cohesion and determination. He also predicted the future of blind football to be bright.

“I started playing football to prove that even the blind can do something. Now this victory is more testament to that a’d will inspire many more in South Sudan,” said Lado, who was the tournament’s MVP.

Sabri was the top scorer with six goals. Charles Bepo, kept three clean sheets for South Sudan, and emerged the best goalkeeper.

FINAL

Uganda 0-3 South Sudan

Scorers: Martin Lado (2), Yona Sabri (1)