Category: Daily Monitor

The government has commended Bujagali Energy Limited for developing and sharing its Dam Break Emergency Response Plan, and for taking the initiative to educate other actors in the energy sector on how to respond in case of a disaster.

In a speech read on her behalf by Mr Julius Wabula, the assistant commissioner for Hydropower Generation at the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development, Ms Irene Batebe, the Permanent Secretary, said as Uganda continues to expand access to electricity, all hydropower dam operators must ensure their facilities are safely constructed, closely monitored, and equipped with emergency response systems to protect the public in the event of natural disasters.

‘Today’s discussions have reaffirmed one important truth – dam safety and emergency preparedness are not optional. They are integral to sustainable hydropower operations and public safety,’ Ms Batebe said during a sensitisation workshop in Kampala last week.

‘Our power infrastructure along the Nile- from Nalubaale, Kiira, Bujagali, Isimba, to Karuma – forms a critical cascade that supports Uganda’s energy security, economic growth, and regional power trade,’ she added.

The Permanent Secretary emphasised that it is a shared responsibility for all players in the hydropower sector to ensure these facilities are operated safely, continuously monitored, and equipped with robust emergency response systems to address disasters whenever they occur.

The Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan (EPRP) sensitisation workshop for the country’s hydroelectric supply industry was hosted by Bujagali Energy Limited.

According to Mr Alastair McDougall, the general manager of Bujagali Energy Ltd, the event marked a major step toward strengthening emergency readiness across the hydropower sector. It brought together experts, regulators, academics, and emergency response authorities to share insights, build capacity, and enhance collaboration for safer energy operations.

Ms Batebe applauded Bujagali Energy for developing, testing, and openly sharing its emergency plan with the public and relevant agencies. She said this initiative will encourage regular plan reviews, joint emergency exercises, and promote a culture of readiness within the sector. She also argued that community sensitisation and data sharing between dam operators and the ministry should become part of Uganda’s early warning system.

Explaining why Ugandans should care about dam safety, Mr Michael Taremwa Kananura, the chief finance officer of Bujagali Energy, said a dam break could unleash massive flooding downstream, damaging infrastructure, homes, and businesses.

‘Although Uganda has never experienced a dam breakdown, and we don’t anticipate one, our risk assessments identified dam failure as a potential hazard with far-reaching consequences,’ he said.

‘That’s why we designed a response plan to ensure that, if such an event ever occurred, no lives are lost.’

He added that while Uganda and East Africa have not suffered such disasters, similar incidents in Nigeria demonstrate why preparedness is vital.

‘If it happens here, everyone downstream would be affected because all the water stored in one place would be released,’ he warned.

Asked whether Nalubaale Dam, Uganda’s oldest, poses any safety risks, Ms Anne Gitta, who oversees monitoring and maintenance of civil structures at Kiira and Nalubaale dams, said recent studies show the structures remain stable and sound.

She explained that the dams undergo regular safety assessments and instrument readings to ensure they perform as expected, and that emergency plans are in place to prevent ripple effects along the cascade if one dam fails. ‘I thank Bujagali Energy for taking the lead on this sensitisation,’ Ms Gitta said.

Operations

‘It’s critical to understand how dams operate and the risks associated with them. While such incidents are rare, their consequences can be devastating. All operators must work together with relevant agencies, because a dam collapse affects everyone downstream,’ she explained.

She stressed that Uganda must not take dam safety for granted. ‘If it has happened elsewhere in the world, it can happen here too and we must be prepared to respond,’ Ms Gitta said.

Operations

‘It’s critical to understand how dams operate and the risks associated with them. While such incidents are rare, their consequences can be devastating. All operators must work together with relevant agencies, because a dam collapse affects everyone downstream,’ she explained. She stressed that Uganda must not take dam safety for granted. ‘If it has happened elsewhere in the world, it can happen here too and we must be prepared to respond,’ Ms Gitta said.

Daily Monitor’sPhilip Matogo picks the mind of Elly Odoki, finding out whether the Kenyan-based Ugandan stand-up comedian’s talent is as big as the helpings at Kabz Restaurant and Grill.

It’s a Sunday. Not this one, but another one. I’m happy you allow that there can be more Sundays than one. Even though this Sunday was distinctly unique.

At around 1pm, the skies seemed to be looking for a reason to turn on their celestial taps and flood the afternoon with their reign.

Which includes rain, wind and the ubiquitous hawker selling umbrellas to all those tired of finding themselves rained upon in one part of Kampala before turning up in the dry part of Kampala soaking wet for a meeting without climate change on the agenda.

The meeting I was going to was at a charming little eatery called Kabz Restaurant and Grill. It’s located in Nalya, above Lynn Internet on the main Nalya Road heading to Namugongo.

These guys serve platters at a price that should also be on the menu. Not accompanying the meals, but for consumption in their own right. Who wouldn’t like to crunch such numbers in accounting for one’s good taste?

Incidentally, I have read that the word ‘menu’ comes from the old French word menu, meaning ‘small’ or ‘detailed,’ which in turn derives from the Latin minutus, also meaning ‘small’ or ‘minute’.

Yet there is nothing small about the helpings at Kabz. My share of food was lionised to make me roar with delight. As usual, I took the fried pork with the chapati, rice, vegetables and an assortment of other goodies redefining the word goodies.

Mariam Mulumba, the hostess of the joint, says the food is better than love by any other name. Kenyan-based Ugandan stand-up comedian Elly Odoki and I then widened our darling eyes, feasting on the idea of the meal before the meal proper showed up on wheels.

Oh, yes, the meals arrive on wheels with a vroom. The ‘v’ in vroom being silent. That way, you make room in your stomach for paradise.

Finding love elsewhere

Odoki is possibly Uganda’s latest comedic export. Most of you have heard of Joseph Opio and Arthur Simeon, the latter being a stand-up comedian based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. He has performed multiple times at Just for Laughs and appeared on HBO and the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. That’s why you probably didn’t catch him on NTV during the week.

In comedy, the world over, prophets are rejected in their hometowns. American stand-up comedian Dave Chappelle got his first big break after moving north of the US border, in Montreal, Canada.

‘I’m one of the few people who came from America to Canada to get a break,’ Chappelle says.

Performing at the 1993 Just For Laughs Festival in Montreal provided him with a larger platform and also connected him to a network of professional comedians who were already cracking wise about the wisdom and value attached to cross-border punchlines. Odoki, also known as Odizzy, did the same. He was born on March 7, 1994 and is a Ugandan Standup Comedian, actor and Events MC.

‘I first hit the big stage in 2014 as a regular at a weekly standup comedy show dubbed Comedy Files Live, at Theatre La Bonita. In the same year, I featured on a DSTV comedy series dubbed Comedy Club Live in Kampala. From there, I performed at various other platforms like Laftaz Comedy Show, where I performed alongside big names like Salvador and Basket Mouth. I also performed at Comedy Store and many others,’ Odoki says.

‘In 2017, I moved to South Africa, where I played on several stages in Johannesburg, Pretoria and Durban such as Goliath and Goliath Comedy Club, Centurion Theatre, Shakers, etc. While in South Africa, I got my first role in a movie called Looking for Love, a Romantic Comedy Drama alongside fellow comedians Celeste Ntuli and Trevor Gumbi,’ he adds.

On returning to Kampala in 2019, Odoki acted in two radio dramas -Sotakai and Akakuunizo. After a hiatus due to Covid-19, and resuming his Bachelor’s Degree in Community Psychology at Makerere University, he returned to actively performing standup comedy in 2023.

‘In 2024, I performed at Punchline Comedy Club’s Invasion, an Annual show that brings big comedians from all over Africa to Nairobi, Kenya. In September 2025, I performed at the Marabou Laugh Fest, a comedy Festival by Kampala’s first comedy club called The Laughing Marabou Stork, in Ntinda. I am currently based in Nairobi but travel frequently to Kampala and other cities to do shows,’ he says.

Making a move

American actor George Clooney said: ‘The slower we move, the faster we die’ in the 2009 movie, Up in the Air. This could explain why Odoki began life as a comedian on the go. ‘In 2017, after moving to South Africa, I rebranded to Elly Odoki (real name) as my stage name to replace Odizzy Omuzibu (nickname) that I used in the early days of my career.

As a performer, I am known for my wit, storytelling and bold social commentary on subjects such as politics, current events, women, popular culture, human sexuality, religion, among others. In 2018, I performed at Mulungushi International Conference Centre in Lusaka, Zambia,’ he reveals.

He eventually settled in Kenya. That land that sprouted comedic blades such as Daniel Ndambuki (Churchill of The Churchill Show) and Ugandan fan favourite, Eric Omondi. Kenyan comedians focus a lot on storytelling and crowd work, building relationships with their audiences in the manner American comedian Aries Spears does. However, with far less rancour and combativeness.

Their performances relate more to serenades. Picture the movie Say Anything where John Cusack’s character, Lloyd Dobler, is standing outside his love interest’s window with a boombox playing Peter Gabriel’s In Your Eyes. Without the boombox and the poetic reference to the audiences’ eyes.

Ugandan comedy, on the other hand, also seeks to connect with its audiences through punchlines, observational humour and social critiques.

Kenya versus Uganda

‘Uganda’s standup comedy industry is older than that of Kenya. And Kenyan comedians really have respect for Uganda, at least in that regard,’ Odoki says.

‘Kenyans have a common language-Kiswahili, that is spoken countrywide. This has played a big role in the growth of their comedy industry because it hits home well, since comedy is about culture and language is a central part of culture.’

This language factor also factors in poetry and other art forms. Swahili has been noted as ‘vital to the East African Community (EAC) because it serves as a lingua franca for regional communication, fostering unity and integration across diverse ethnic groups and promoting cross-cultural exchange.’ Well, that’s what the politicians tell us.

Okay, not all of them. Common Man’s Party presidential candidate Mubarak Munyagwa has pledged to abolish the use of Swahili in Uganda’s education and public systems, proposing to replace it with French, which he argues would open the country to greater international opportunities.

I would have said ‘Asante’ to him, but he seems to be into the ‘Mercies’ of this world. ‘However, there’s a new scene for English Comedy that is fast growing at a time when English standup comedy in Kampala is struggling with very few English Comedy shows. The new English scene in Nairobi has several shows that comedians can perform up to five times a week, thus catalysing their growth. Also, the audiences in Nairobi are more liberal and open to any material. In Uganda, our audiences are still very sensitive to many topics,’ Odoki opines.

‘If there’s one thing to learn [from Kenyan comedy], it’s the Open Mic culture. These are shows where comedians come with new material (jokes), usually free shows, and try them out before a live audience. This helps to work on your material and fine-tune it before taking it to ticketed shows where people pay and want value for their money. Many Ugandan comedians test their jokes on their wives and friends then they take them to a big show. This is very risky behaviour, sometimes suicidal in an art form that is unforgiving such as standup comedy. I can’t speak for the Kenyan comedians but I am sure if they reach Kampala, they will learn something from our industry,’ he adds.

Better than.

The hostess of Kabz was right, the food here is better than sex. Wait a minute, she didn’t say that. But Odoki had one more thing to say about comedy across East Africa. ‘Comedy is culture and comedy is a unifying art form. I believe people who laugh together can live together. In fact, I am planning a show called The East African Community Comedy Gala featuring 10 comedians from all the EAC countries.

There’s a lot to laugh about in East Africa like the recent battle between Tanzania and Kenya in Chan, the recent closure of Uganda-Rwanda border, Salva Kiir becoming chairman of EAC at a time South Sudan was the biggest defaulter of EAC subscription fees at $50m (Shs172b). EAC is funny, and comedy can play a big role in bringing us together as we laugh about our flaws…so as to improve ourselves. Comedy can help create positive competition as no country wants to be the butt of all the jokes in the region,’ Odoki concludes.

Two men, Edison Makwa, 55, and Abdallah Kitakule, 49, have been remanded to Bubulo Prison after being charged with unlawful possession of government drugs and operating a pharmacy business without a license.

The suspects were arrested on October 2, 2025, at Bukigai Market in Bududa District after police received intelligence that government drugs were being openly sold there.

A police team led by D/Sgt. Charles Namisi found the suspects selling assorted medicines to members of the public. Upon search, the officers recovered numerous drugs, some of which were clearly labeled “Government of Uganda – For Public Use, Not for Sale.”

The suspects were subsequently arraigned before Magistrate Ivan Maloba at Bududa Court, where they pleaded not guilty to the charges. Magistrate Maloba denied them bail and remanded them to Bubulo Prison until November 4, 2025, when the case will come up for hearing.

Dr. Warren Naamara, Director of the State House Health Monitoring Unit (HMU), said the suspects were caught selling government drugs in the market without any medical qualifications.

“They were arraigned in court and the law will take its course,” Dr. Naamara said.

He expressed concern over the increasing number of quacks operating in different parts of the country, selling medicines without any medical training.

“It’s unfortunate. These people know nothing about medicine, yet they are putting the lives of Ugandans at great risk,” he said.

Dr. Naamara described the theft of government drugs as a “syndicated move,” saying the racket has grown into an organized industry that deprives public health facilities of essential medicines.

“This kind of theft causes artificial shortages in hospitals,” he said.

He also called for the development of more digital applications to help track and combat drug theft across the country, expressing frustration that some suspects who are granted police bond or bail often disappear, making it difficult to bring them to justice.

Despite increased participation, public sector chief finance officers (CFOs) failed to make the cut at the 9th edition of the ACCA-Deloitte CFO Awards.

Speaking during the awards gala in Kampala last week, Mr Sanjay Rughani, the Standard Chartered chief executive officer and the lead judge for the past three years, said none of the public sector nominees scored above 60 percent in the awards that were largely dominated by banking and insurance CFOs.

‘This year, we are not awarding public sector CFOs because they failed to meet the benchmark. They need to do quality work and prepare better for future editions,’ he said.

CFOs from banking, financial services, and insurance continued to outperform their peers from other sectors in the awards organized by the Association of Chartered Certified and Deloitte.

Once confined to financial oversight and compliance, CFOs today play a transformational role, driving financial planning, forecasting, and strategic decision-making, aomng others.

The 9th edition of the CFO Awards attracted the highest number of entries since the awards began in 2017, with Ms Charlotte Kukunda, the ACCA country manager, noting that this year the awards recorded 546 nominations from 63 CFOs, a 30 percent increase from last year.

‘Out of the 63 nominees, 20 were repeat entrants, while 21 were disqualified for not following guidelines,’ she said, noting that banking, financial services, and insurance had 13 nominees, six of whom made the final shortlist.

The awards recognised excellence in nine categories, including Young CFO, SME, Public Sector, Compliance and Governance, Finance Transformation and Technology, Strategy Execution, Sustainability, Leadership, and Not-for-Profit. The tenth category was reserved for the CFO of the Year Award.

Mr Patrick Ayota, the NSSF managing director, challenged finance leaders to go beyond traditional number-crunching and focus on creating legacies that drive long-term value.

‘A CFO sits in a position of privilege,’ he said. ‘Every decision, whether from HR or marketing, converges in finance.

Like the good book says, to whom much is given, much is required. You must have a greater impact than any other department head.’

Mr Peter Ssenyange, PostBank CFO, was the overall winner.

Residents of Kanungu District in southwestern Uganda are struggling with the poor state of community access roads, which they say has affected their daily earnings.

They attribute the sorry state of the roads to the government’s decision to merge the Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) into the Ministry of Works and Transport, a move they claim has led to inconsistencies in road maintenance and service delivery.

Some of the roads in poor condition include Hamurwa, Rugyeyo-Kambuga road, Kanungu-Nyamirama, Katete-Kihihi, and Kanungu-Rugyeyo-Kabaranga. Mr Martin Byarugaba, a tea farmer and resident of Rugyeyo sub-county, said most of the community roads are in appalling condition, affecting the transportation of agricultural produce to markets.

“The food trucks are forced to load half their capacity so that they can maneuver through the rough roads,” Byarugaba said, adding that the state of the road has been worsened by floods that cut through the roads, creating deep gullies and potholes.

M Christine Kobusigye, a banana farmer and resident of Kambuga town council, said the Kambuga-Kanungu town council road has become impassable because it was last rehabilitated six years ago.

“We are counting losses due to exorbitant transport costs because of the poor road network in the district,” she said.

Mr James Muhwezi, a businessman in Kanungu town, said they are forced to increase the prices of their commodities to meet the high transport costs. He blamed the district authorities for neglecting their roles. “The government should intervene before the situation worsens. The roads are surely in poor condition and need to be rehabilitated,” Muhwezi said.

Mr. Godfrey Mujuni, a boda boda cyclist, said the piles of stones on the road spoil their motorcycle tires during transportation of commodities and passengers, forcing them to hike transport costs. “Apparently, we charge between Shs 15,000 to Shs 20,000 to take a passenger within the district and outside the district (Rukungiri town), we charge from Shs 25,000 to Shs 30,000,” Mujuni said.

The Rugyeyo cell LC1 Chairperson, Mr. Jimmy Baheza, said the poor state of roads is worrying both the community and business persons who depend on agriculture to earn a living. “The situation is not good at all. Farmers are lacking access to market centers for the transportation of their agricultural produce because of the sorry state of community roads,” Baheza said.

The Nyakabungo Town Council Mayor, Mr. Frugence Mugisha, said the poor road condition has caused great suffering among road users, affecting the transportation of goods and leading to frequent vehicle breakdowns. “Many other roads across our district are also in poor condition, and their poor state greatly disrupts the local transport network and economic activities,” Mugisha noted.

Mugisha blamed the government for merging UNRA with the Ministry of Works and Transport, saying that during the UNRA era, major roads like Kanungu-Rugyeyo road were regularly maintained and properly fitted with drainage culverts. “The current inconsistency of the ministry of works and transport has greatly led to widespread deterioration of road infrastructure,” Mugisha added.

The Kanungu district speaker, Mr. Frank Byaruhanga, urged the government to always consult local communities before making major policy decisions, emphasizing that people on the ground understand rural challenges better. “The roads are in a very poor state, and locals face a lot of hardships in trying to access market centers. The district should quickly intervene and work on some roads that link farmers to market centers,” Byaruhanga said.

The Kanungu district roads engineer, Mr. Dennis Magezi, said the district did some grading but heavy rains that lasted for three weeks made the roads impassable. He added that they are soon rehabilitating all community access roads in this financial year.

The district chairperson, Eng. Sam Kajojo, said his administration has budgeted Shs 102 million for the rehabilitation of all community access roads this financial year. “Very soon, we shall start working on their roads. We are also overwhelmed by too much rain that is currently hitting the district on a daily basis. These rains destroy roads, making them impassable,” Kajojo said.

Eng. Alison Abenawe, the former UNRA Manager for Kigezi Sub-region and now overseeing roads under the Ministry of Works and Transport, expressed regret over the poor state of the Kanungu-Rugyeyo-Kabaranga road. “The Ministry is aware of the problem, but I am assuring you that plans for rehabilitating roads within this financial quarter are underway,” Abenawe said, adding that by December 2025, the roads will be fully rehabilitated.

Wakiso Giants issued a strong statement in the Fufa Big League with a commanding 4-1 victory away to Mbale Heroes, a result that propelled them to second place on the table.

Former Vipers forward Bashir Mutanda was the star of the show, scoring a hat-trick while his former teammate Pius Wanji added the fourth to complete the rout. The result lifted Wakiso to seven points, level with leaders Blacks Power but ahead on goal difference.

In Lira, Blacks Power edged debutants Iganga United 1-0 to go three points clear at the summit. Emmanuel Janan Okech converted a late penalty to hand Michael ‘Skills’ Lukyamuzi’s side a second successive win within a week.

The Lira-based side had earlier defeated Kaaro Karungi 2-0 on Thursday, with Rashid Fazil and Rashid Yakin on target.

Lukyamuzi, who recently replaced long-serving coach Bob Obira, praised his side’s resilience but urged improvement.

‘It was a tight game because they were very organized,’ he said. ‘It’s too early to talk about leading the table, but we need to be consistent and improve in our second phase of play.’

The coach’s arrival appears to have rejuvenated the squad’s confidence and tactical discipline, especially in their defensive transitions and pressing structure.

Blacks Power and Wakiso’s early form has set the tone for what promises to be a fiercely contested Big League campaign, with several traditional contenders already under pressure to respond.

Elsewhere, Onduparaka picked up their second win of the season with a 1-0 home victory over Kataka, courtesy of an early Robert Ochama own goal. The Caterpillars now sit on six points, level with Mbale Heroes after three matches.

At Luzira, Soltilo Bright Stars’ winless run stretched to four games after a 1-1 draw with newcomers Bunyagururu United while Kigezi HomeBoyz and Ntugasaze played out a goalless stalemate.

In Nwoya, Young Elephants enjoyed a 4-2 win over Kaaro Karungi, who have now lost twice in as many games.

FUFA BIG LEAGUE

Results

Blacks Power 2-0 Kaaro Karungi

Onduparaka 1-0 Kataka

Blacks Power 1-0 Iganga United

Soltilo Bright Stars 1-1 Bunyargururu United

Mbale Heroes 1-4 Wakiso Giants

Kigezi Homeboyz 0-0 Ntugasaze

Young Elephant A. 4-2 Kaaro Karungi

Vipers’ uncompromising stance on the new Uganda Premier League (UPL) format bred a congested fixture calendar that threatens to test their endurance, squad depth and championship credentials once they finally return to domestic action.

The reigning champions, who are still embroiled in a high-stakes Caf Champions League tie against Zambia’s Power Dynamos, now face a daunting reality back home.

After boycotting their fixture against Kitara at Namboole in protest of the now-abandoned UPL format, and missing another against Calvary due to continental engagements, the Venoms’ calendar has become a jigsaw puzzle that the league secretariat must urgently solve.

The situation has been compounded by the postponement of their match against UPDF, initially scheduled for Saturday at St Mary’s Stadium, Kitende, as Vipers will be in Kitwe for the return leg against Dynamos.

With the rest of the league already heading into match day four, Ivan Minnaert’s men could find themselves several games behind – and the backlog will soon bite.

UPL bosses on spot

Fufa’s U-turn on the controversial reforms – after immense backlash from clubs and fans – restored the traditional home-and-away format and reinstated clubs’ rights to host-match revenues.

However, Fufa President Moses Magogo maintained that the league would continue from where it had left off.

That ruling means the UPL Secretariat must first pronounce itself on the forfeited Kitara vs. Vipers match before drawing a new roadmap to reintegrate the Venoms into the running schedule.

Depending on that decision, Vipers could either be awarded a loss for their no-show at Namboole or granted a replay, both scenarios carrying significant implications for their title defence.

For President Lawrence Mulindwa, the saga is a bitter vindication of his earlier warnings. He had vowed that Vipers would not take part in a ‘prematurely introduced’ format, and indeed stood by his word even as 15 of the 16 clubs reluctantly agreed to play.

When the Venoms finally resume league action, they will have to navigate a flurry of games in quick succession to catch up with the rest of the pack.

Yet, with their pedigree, depth, and continental momentum, few would bet against them roaring back into contention.

The league defending champions remain heavy favourites to retain their crown – and when they finally return, expect them to come out of the blocks firing on all cylinders.

StarTimes Uganda Premier League

Matchday 4 fixtures

Wednesday

Lugazi vs. URA – Najjembe Stadium, Maroons vs. Calvary – Luzira

Thursday

Bul vs. Buhimba Saints – Njeru

Express vs. KCCA – Nakivubo

Friday

Kitara vs. Mbarara City – Butema

SC Villa vs. Police – Kadiba

Saturday

Entebbe UPPC vs. NEC – Bugonga

Vipers vs. UPDF – St. Mary’s Stadium, Kitende (Postponed)

The fintech sector is redefining financial access and innovation across East Africa. At the heart of this transformation is Vincent Tumwijukye, the chairperson of the Financial Technologies Service Providers Association (FITSPA), a setup bringing together more than 50 licensed payment service providers.

He discusses how FITSPA is tackling cybercrime, influencing regulation, empowering startups, and shaping the country’s digital economy.

Cybercrime is a major concern for financial service providers. How are you addressing this threat?

It is one of the biggest challenges facing the financial sector today, and it’s constantly evolving.

To combat it, we have created a multi-stakeholder consortium that includes Uganda Bankers Association, Bank of Uganda, Financial Intelligence Authority, UCC, and the police that facilitates real-time information sharing, maintains fraudster blacklists, and conducts regular training sessions.

By pooling expertise, we can identify emerging threats early and respond collectively. We also follow the Central Bank’s guidelines on penetration testing, ensuring members conduct regular system audits and work with certified cybersecurity consultants.

Beyond technology, we emphasize staff and customer awareness because security is as much about people as it is about systems. Our goal is to make our infrastructure robust so that attackers find it impenetrable.

How do you engage with regulators to shape the fintech landscape?

We work hand in hand with Bank of Uganda, Uganda Communications Commission, and the National Payment Systems Council to develop forward-looking policies that balance innovation with consumer protection.

We played an active role in the National Payment Systems Act, which established a solid foundation for fintech operations. We are now exploring frameworks that allow non-licensed fintechs to collaborate with licensed institutions, encouraging innovation, while maintaining regulatory oversight.

We aim to ensure policies evolve as fast as the technologies driving the industry.

What are the biggest challenges fintechs face today, and how are you helping overcome them?

Regulatory uncertainty, limited access to capital, and cybersecurity threats.

Many of our laws, like the Financial Institutions Act and the 2013 Mobile Money Guidelines, were crafted before fintech innovation took off, so they don’t always reflect current realities.

We want flexible and adaptive regulations that can accommodate emerging business models.

We are also promoting digital literacy to help users confidently engage with fintech services, which builds trust and fuels adoption.

We are working closely with Bank of Uganda and other stakeholders to create an environment that supports innovation, investment, and responsible growth.

What fintech innovations are you most excited about right now?

Innovations that are empowering communities directly, especially digital solutions for savings groups, or ‘circles.’

These platforms digitise traditional community finance models, allowing members to save, borrow, and manage their money more efficiently while keeping ownership within the group.

We have seen a remarkable impact among women in these groups; some now save multiple times a week and access loans at just 2 percent.

This empowerment translates into tangible benefits like increased agricultural investment and improved livelihoods.

We are also seeing innovation in micro-insurance, addressing low insurance penetration, currently below 2 percent.

Over the next few years, we expect rapid growth in tech-driven insurance products that make coverage accessible and affordable for millions.

How are you supporting fintech startups and entrepreneurs?

Our focus is to help startups grow sustainably and responsibly. We offer platforms for networking, mentorship, and capacity building, and partner with organisations like aBi Trust to promote ESG standards and investment readiness.

We also organize events that bring innovators and investors together. For instance, we have an upcoming conference that will showcase promising fintechs and foster regional collaboration.

Financial inclusion remains a major goal. What role are you playing?

Fintechs are the single most powerful driver of financial inclusion today. Services like mobile money, digital lending, and agent banking have connected millions previously excluded from formal finance.

We now see new partnerships and incubators equipping entrepreneurs with global knowledge and capital. These programs are helping fintechs expand beyond Uganda and position the country as a regional fintech hub for East Africa.

Your last word!

The next two to three years will be transformative. 5G technology, increasing smartphone ownership, and cheaper internet will unlock new opportunities in digital payments, lending, and insurance. We will continue focusing on four pillars: innovation, talent development, investor engagement, and communication.

We will also maintain close collaboration with government and regulators to ensure policies keep pace with change. The fintech journey is built on resilience and collaboration. If we sustain this momentum, we will build a secure, inclusive, and globally competitive digital economy.

A total of 22 Senior Four candidates who missed writing their Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE) examinations, which kicked off last week, will have to wait for a full year to sit the papers, the Uganda National Examinations Board (Uneb) has announced.

Uneb spokesperson Jennifer Kalule said the examinations body only learnt about the candidates’ predicament a day before the national exams began on October 13, making it impossible to include them among those scheduled to sit the papers.

‘We came to know about the matter on Sunday, and exams were for the following day [Monday]. Where do you start fixing them when exams are in the morning?’ she wondered.

‘So it was difficult for us to register them. I wish it were one candidate; it would be okay to help him or her at the last minute. But since they were many, it was really impossible. Remember their schools have no centre numbers. We have also established that their teachers did not submit their continuous assessment and project work to us,’ she added in an interview on Friday last week.

The affected candidates are from two schools, Cream Field Vocational Secondary School in Nakifuma, Mukono District, which has 15 candidates, and Bizmark High School in Mityana Municipality, which has seven. Only three candidates at Cream Field Vocational SS were registered to sit the final exams.

So far, the affected candidates have missed eight papers which were done last week. Ms Kalule said Uneb managed to assist some candidates whose issues were brought to their attention by October 10.

‘On Friday, October 10 [briefing day], we helped some candidates who had similar issues. I wish we had learnt about those issues at the two schools on October 10. The candidates would have been registered, but on October 12 [the day Uneb received the information], it was too late and there is nothing we can do about it now. Otherwise, I am going to engage my executive director and we shall see, but for now, there is no hope,’ she added.

The affected candidates from Cream Field Vocational SS told Daily Monitor that they had been studying without index numbers and were repeatedly told by the administration to ‘wait until briefing day’, a promise that was never fulfilled.

‘I am sure our directors and head teacher knew that we were not going to sit exams but they kept us in the dark. I personally want to know why they never registered us with Uneb,’ said a visibly upset female candidate who preferred anonymity.

Both school administrators at Cream Field Vocational SS and Bizmark High School are still hiding as police continue to hunt for them.

Ugandan teams capped a successful week of separate international assignments with silver at the 2025 ITTF Africa Championships in Tunis and gold at the ITTF World Hopes Week and Challenge in Sheffield.

Losing the women team’s final 3-0 to giants Egypt did not hurt Jemimah Nakawala, Parvin Judith Nangonzi and Judith Mirembe after all they had achieved beyond expectation.

By reaching the quarterfinals, the teenage trio had already hit the main target of qualifying for the 2026 World Team Championships in London, the first time in Uganda’s history.

But the girls under the guidance of 1996 Olympian Paul Mutambuze, added three more victories, including a 3-2 against hosts Tunisia in the quarterfinals, and 3-1 against favourites Nigeria in the semis. Could they upset Egypt as well in the final? Maybe. But they fell 3-0. And it was okay. The silver medal-Uganda’s first at this level-was an upgrade of the bronze they won in Addis Ababa in 2024.

Nakawala and Nangonzi had already won a historic bronze at the doubles after defeating an overly experienced South African duo in the quarterfinals.

But it was no surprise Nakawala was voted most improved player on the continent following a nearly flawless display.

Uganda Table Tennis Association president Cyrus Muwanga was in Tunis witnessing history happening. ‘This is the first time Uganda has achieved this. And I thank Nakasero TT Club and TT Kids. I also request the government to consider sports like ours which don’t need many billions but a little more funding so that we can improve our results.’

Meanwhile, Joseph Sebatindira topped the boys at the World Hopes Week and Challenge after winning all his four matches in Sheffield, England.

Sebatindira, the Africa Hopes champion, was eventually ranked the best U12 player among 17 boys who graced the world event while his teammate Patience Anyango ranked eighth among 18 girls.

The event, which is an ITTF initiative to identify and groom youngsters, started with a five-day training camp for players from USA, Japan, New Zealand, Italy, Argentina, Canada, Australia, Nigeria among others and climaxed with the competition over the weekend.

Sebatindira and Anyango, who also played at the 2024 edition in Paraguay, were coached by Alvin Katumba and Mary Tendo Balyewunya of Nakasero Table Tennis Club, the same stable that produced Nangonzi and Nakawala.

SELECT HOPES RANKINGS

BOYS

1 Joseph Sebatindira, Uganda

2 Jacob Kordus, USA

3 Lucas Alexandre, New Zealand

4 Chirag Pradhan, USA

5 Pietro Campagna, Italy

GIRLS

1 Kaede Neya, Japan

2 Zhi Yu Eng, Malaysia

3 Olivia Wang, Canada

4 Emma Yang, USA

5 Chanuki Karawayasam, Sri Lanka