Category: Daily Monitor

Uganda will receive over $5.1 million (Shs17.5 billion) to support a new health initiative that seeks to transform adolescent HIV care and mental health services.

The US National Institutes of Health (NIH) has awarded the CUNY Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy (CUNY SPH) a $5,115,391 (Shs17,503,868,100) grant to fund the Streams project (Streamlined Treatment and Evidence-based Adolescent counseling and Medication Support), in Uganda that will be led by Philip Kreniske, an assistant professor at CUNY SPH.

Implemented in 24 rural clinics, Streams will integrate HIV treatment support with mental health care and economic empowerment for adolescents living with HIV in Uganda.

It aims to close persistent mental health gaps among young people, boost adherence to antiretroviral therapy, and develop scalable models for adolescent HIV care in sub-Saharan Africa.

‘Adolescents living with HIV face unique and intersecting challenges that go beyond clinical care,’ said Proscovia Nabunya from Washington University, who is collaborating on the project.

Despite major gains in HIV testing and treatment, adolescents remain one of Uganda’s most vulnerable groups, lagging behind adults and children in achieving viral suppression.

Data from the Ministry of Health shows that stigma, depression, economic hardship and a lack of youth-friendly services contribute to treatment drop-offs.

Rural facilities often lack integrated mental health care, leaving depression and anxiety, key drivers of poor adherence, largely undetected and untreated.

For adolescents living in poverty, mental health struggles are compounded by economic stressors such as school dropout, unemployment and food insecurity, all of which increase the risk of treatment interruption.

‘The programme will prioritise early detection and management of depression and anxiety, ensuring that young people receive the mental health support they need to remain in care,’ said a press release from CUNY Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy.

‘It will also integrate economic empowerment initiatives designed to ease financial stress, build resilience, and promote self-reliance among adolescents. In addition, the programme will provide HIV treatment support tailored to adolescents’ developmental needs, with a strong focus on adherence, peer networks, and youth-friendly services.’

‘Streams stands on the shoulders of giants,’ said Dr Kreniske. ‘From the biomedical breakthroughs in HIV treatment and Pepfar’s historic distribution, to Uganda’s adaptation of mental health programmes, our aim is to combine these proven tools. By leveraging simple mobile technology, we can integrate mental health, economic empowerment and medication support into a single, powerful system for youth.’

The findings are expected to directly inform Uganda’s adolescent health and HIV strategies, offering evidence for integrated care in resource-limited settings.

If successful, the model could guide national guidelines and be replicated in other African countries facing similar challenges.

The investment comes as donors and governments increasingly recognise the need for integrated approaches to adolescent health.

Traditional vertical programming, where mental health, economic support and HIV care operate in silos, has struggled to deliver lasting improvements.

Globally, mental health is now seen as a key determinant of HIV outcomes, with depression linked to lower adherence rates and higher viral loads, and economic stress exacerbating these risks.

Streams aims to break this cycle through coordinated interventions at the primary health care level, demonstrating that integrated models can be both effective and feasible in low-resource settings.

The initiative also comes at a critical moment when the future of the US President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (Pepfar), a cornerstone of HIV funding in Africa for more than two decades, faces uncertainty as Washington debates its reauthorization.

For countries like Uganda, which have relied heavily on Pepfar support, there is growing pressure to adopt sustainable, locally anchored solutions. It is believed Streams could offer a blueprint for such transitions, contributing to the global goal of ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.

A Senior Four student at Olila High School in Soroti City West, gave birth on Monday during her first Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE) paper.

The 21-year-old experienced labour pains during her geography paper.

She was rushed to Soroti Health Centre III, where she gave birth to a baby girl before returning to do her biology paper in the afternoon.

“I thank God that He has relieved me from this pain and also managed to go back for my second paper and I hope to succeed,” she said.

After completing her second paper, she returned to the facility at about 5:30pm to attend to her baby.

She explained that the pain was so sharp that she could not stand sitting for the first paper as she only wrote her name and random number then went to the health facility.

With a smile on her face, the student bravely said she will pass and hopes to be a doctor in future

Ms Joan Apolot, a midwife at Soroti Health Center III, confirmed that the girl arrived at the facility with due labour and gave birth to a baby girl at exactly 1:05pm weighing 1.9kgs.

“She gave birth normally with no tear or C-section,” Ms Apolot said.

Ms Joyce Aguti, the mother of the student narrated that when she first heard the news of pregnancy in March, she cried in shock but gathered strength for her daughter saying she could not change what had already happened.

“My daughter disclosed to me that she had conceived, I cried but after gathering courage I told her not to abort the child,’ Aguti said.

The student advises young girls to focus on their studies first and avoid temptations.

The Acholi Cultural Institution has joined forces with medical experts to fight the myths surrounding spina bifida and hydrocephalus. Many locals link the conditions to witchcraft and bad omens.

This widespread belief across communities has led to only a few parents and relatives seeking medical attention for children living with the conditions.

Hydrocephalus is a neurological disorder caused by an excessive accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid due to abnormal secretion, circulation, or absorption. It is considered the most common reversible cause of dementia, yet remains an underestimated cause of psychiatric disorders.

Spina bifida, on the other hand, is a neural tube defect (NTD) resulting from a fault in the development of the central nervous system within the first 25 days of pregnancy.

Globally, the incidence ranges between 0.17 and 6.39 per 1,000 live births. Some causes are environmental, while others are medical.

In Uganda, an estimated 800 children are born with the condition each year, according to health officials.

Ms Stella Kijange, the minister in-charge of culture at Ker Kwaro Acholi, said many still believe the condition is caused by witchcraft or a curse.

‘Even if science points otherwise, some still believe it is witchcraft,’ she said. Ms Kijange explained that research has shown spina bifida to be either medical or biological. ‘I urge parents to take their children to health facilities so that they can be attended to by professional healthcare workers,’ she said.

The culture minister also called on relatives of affected individuals to disregard unqualified opinions.

‘A health facility with professional medical staff will provide all the answers you need. So, do not believe what those without a medical background tell you. Your children need treatment, not opinions,’ she added.

A study conducted by the Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus Association of Uganda (SHAU) across 10 administrative units in Acholi involving 300 children found that cultural beliefs linking the conditions to witchcraft were widespread in the region.

The 2024 study covered the districts of Pader, Omoro, Lamwo, Amuru, Nwoya, and Kitgum, among others. Ms Justine Kamakune, the assistant programmes officer at SHAU, said some families believe the conditions is a curse.

‘Some parents believe the condition is linked to a generational curse. They think their forefathers did something bad,’ Ms Kamakune said.

She added that women are often accused of bringing a curse into their marital homes.

According to Ms Kamakune, SHAU has embarked on community sensitisation to ensure that children with spina bifida and hydrocephalus are not stigmatised but supported to complete school.

‘With culture still deeply rooted, 70 percent of women with children suffering from these medical conditions have become single,’ Ms Kamakune said.

‘We want to tell our people that there is no link between spina bifida and hydrocephalus with curses or witchcraft. We want them to understand these are purely medical conditions,’ she said. Mr Julius Ocakacon, a father of a 12-year-old boy living with the condition, said the community continues to link the condition to witchcraft.

‘My son was born on January 8, 2008 in hospital. The midwives came out and told me that my wife had produced a cursed baby boy. But I rejected the notion because I don’t believe in witchcraft. Now Brian is in P7 and will sit for his PLE this year at St Jude Primary School,’ he said.

Mr Ocakacon called for community sensitisation to correct misconceptions.

Dr Daniel Okello, the Gulu City health officer, said: ‘Lets educate these children so that they can achieve their dreams. They can live a normal life like anyone else if they are empowered.”

The Chairperson of the Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC), Ms Mariam Wangadya, has said the Commission is unable to investigate the disappearance of two Kenyan activists who were reportedly abducted last week in the country by suspected plain-clothed security operatives.

Ms Wangadya told this publication that she had received a petition from the families of Nicholas Oyoo and Bob Njagi, who were allegedly kidnapped after attending a campaign rally for Opposition presidential candidate Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, aka Bobi Wine, of the National Unity Platform (NUP).

However, she explained that the Commission cannot take action because the matter is already before the courts.

‘They applied for Habeas Corpus in the High Court. Article 53 of the Constitution bars us from intervening in any matter that is in court, and the moment you file a court action about any matter, then you have taken us out of the jurisdiction,’ she said.

Article 53 clause 4 (a) of the Constitution states: ‘The [Uganda Human Rights] Commission shall not investigate any matter which is pending before a court or judicial tribunal.’

Ms Wangadya added: ‘Before I even look at their petition, since they filed a court case, we cannot intervene…whatever order I may give or investigation I may take, it will be of no legal consequences by virtual of these provisions…’

Her remarks came shortly after a group of activists, led by Nobert Ochieng Opeto and Tony Njagi, brothers of the detained men, alongside colleagues James Ssuuna and John Owor Masanja, submitted a petition to her office last Friday.

They urged the Commission to act swiftly and compel Ugandan security agencies to disclose the whereabouts of the missing Kenyan nationals. The activists delivered their petition while carrying Ugandan and Kenyan flags.

‘We are calling upon the Human Rights Commission to investigate the circumstances surrounding the arrest and continued incommunicado detention of the two men who had come to attend a campaign rally,’ Opeto said.

He continued: ‘On behalf of the family, we are also demanding the immediate and unconditional release of Oyoo and Njagi from unlawful custody at a military facility.’ They also asked the Commission to issue protective measures to prevent further harassment of the duo.

Background

Oyoo and Njagi were allegedly abducted on October 1 near a fuel filling station in Busoga Sub-region by plain-clothed gunmen, including military operatives and unidentified individuals.

They were reportedly bundled into a Toyota Hiace van, commonly referred to as a ‘drone’, and driven to an unknown location. On October 6, their legal team, led by Eron Kiiza, filed a habeas corpus petition demanding that the two be produced, dead or alive.

As of last evening, the respondents, led by the Attorney General, had not filed a response, despite the matter being scheduled for hearing today.Both the Uganda Police Force and the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) have denied knowledge of the activists’ whereabouts.

The National Unity Platform (NUP) presidential candidate, Mr Robert Kyagulanyi, alias Bobi Wine, has pledged to revamp cooperatives in order to fight rampant poverty in Bukedi Sub-region.

While addressing a rally at Bugola Primary School in Budaka District yesterday, Mr Kyagulanyi said the sub-region has remained poor because the ruling government ‘killed’ the cooperatives in the area.

‘My government will revamp cooperatives that were rooted here and empower farmers and we will treat all Ugandans equal. Most government resources have been plundered by few people leaving the vulnerable Ugandans to suffer. This is the only chance Ugandans have to decide whether to remain in oppression or build a new Uganda,’ he said.

According to the 2024 National Housing and Population Census, Bukedi’s poverty rate stands at 37 percent, compared to the national average of 35 percent. The sub-region is among the poorest, with about 88.3 percent of households still depending on subsistence farming despite government efforts to improve livelihoods.

Government data shows that Bukedi’s per capita income is 43.7 percent, with a GDP per capita of $135 (Shs459,054). On August 22, 2024, President Museveni launched the first Bukedi Development Plan aimed at reducing household poverty. The plan has a total investment budget of Shs657.36 billion, to be implemented between 2024 and 2040. In Phase One (2024 to 2030), Shs177 billion is needed; Phase Two (2031 to 2036) will require Shs352 billion; and Phase Three (2036 to 2040) will need Shs128.36 billion for various development projects.

Mr Kyagulanyi, however, said the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) government has deliberately kept some areas poor. ‘This country is so rich, but it is unfortunate that the state of roads, health sector and education are in deplorable condition in some areas,’ he said. He added that President Museveni is now living in history, and yet we are looking at the future.

‘It’s upon Ugandans to vote either for the past or future, light or darkness, failure or success,’ Mr Kyagulanyi said. Mr Moses Kirya, a farmer from Budaka District, said although the President encouraged them to grow mangoes and cassava, the prices remain very low. He added that the next government should focus on improving the prices of agricultural products.

‘We sell a bag of mangoes at Shs5,000 and Shs2,000 for a basin of cassava. This is too little,’ Mr Kirya said.

The inescapable truth is that the people of northern Uganda, Teso, Sebei, and Bugisu did not invite the wars that devastated their homes, nor did they summon the rustlers who looted their herds. Families lost cattle, land, property, and, in many cases, their loved ones.

These losses are neither abstract nor equal; they are concrete, measurable, and profoundly unequal. Some families lost hundreds of head of cattle, while others lost only a few. Some lost homes, whereas others lost parents or siblings. Any policy that ignores this variation inevitably perpetuates injustice. While restocking is a development intervention, it is not restitution. Restitution acknowledges both moral and legal responsibility. Justice demands that losses be compensated proportionally before any broad rehabilitation programme is implemented. Otherwise, restocking risks becoming tokenistic, a cosmetic exercise that ignores decades of suffering. It is insufficient merely to provide livestock without recognising those who bore the brunt of neglect and violence. Successful examples from other countries show that compensation can work.

After World War II, Germany provided reparations to victims of Nazi persecution and to affected nations, acknowledging responsibility and offering material support. In South Africa, the post-apartheid Truth and Reconciliation Commission combined financial reparations with education and health support, restoring dignity to victims of systemic oppression. Cambodia’s compensation programmes for survivors of the Khmer Rouge, alongside legal accountability is another example. These cases illustrate that justice and development are not mutually exclusive, but compensation must precede broader interventions. Furthermore, to restock without simultaneously addressing the root causes of ongoing cattle rustling is an exercise in futility. Livestock provided to vulnerable households can, and often will, be stolen if the cycle of raids remains unbroken.

Security reform, disarmament, and cross-community dialogue are indispensable prerequisites for effective rehabilitation. Without such measures, restocking is akin to fetching water in a basket: well-intentioned but ultimately wasted. The moral imperative for compensation is inseparable from practical considerations. Generations of children were denied schooling because their families could no longer afford fees after losing livestock. Many households plunged into poverty, and livelihoods were destroyed. Failing to compensate perpetuates economic inequities and undermines social stability. Genuine peace cannot be founded on silence or token interventions; it must rest upon truth, justice, and equitable recovery. Some critics might contend that full compensation is financially or logistically challenging.

While these concerns are legitimate, they do not absolve the government of its duty. A phased or prioritised compensation programme, targeting first households that suffered the greatest losses, is both morally and practically viable. Development interventions, including restocking, must be complementary rather than a substitute for justice. It is vital to emphasise proportionality, unlike a one-size-fits-all restocking exercise that treats unequal losses as equal, which is fundamentally unjust. A family that lost 200 cattle is not the same as one that lost five. Equitable compensation recognises this difference and aligns with justice and fairness. Moreover, it lays a foundation for lasting peace, for communities that perceive government action as fair are more likely to cooperate in rehabilitation efforts.

Germany, South Africa, Cambodia, and Bosnia demonstrate that acknowledging historical wrongs and compensating fairly can strengthen social cohesion and prevent cycles of conflict. Ultimately, the issue extends beyond cattle alone. It concerns the moral authority of the state and its credibility in peace and national cohesion. The government cannot credibly claim to rehabilitate communities while bypassing the victims of history. To do so risks deepening mistrust and resentment, undermining both reconciliation and security. For genuine peace to take root, compensation must come first. It constitutes recognition of historical wrongs, restoration of dignity, and a prerequisite for sustainable rehabilitation. Only thereafter should restocking and broader development follow. Anything less represents a half-measure that substitutes expedience for justice and risks perpetuating the cycle of loss.

Ugandans risk limiting the impact of research if findings remain confined to academic circles, the Minister for Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, Frank Tumwebaze, warned Tuesday.

Speaking at the opening of the National Dairy Centre of Excellence (NDCoE) at Mbarara Zonal Agricultural Research and Development Institute, Tumwebaze urged researchers to ensure their work addresses community challenges.

‘Do not shelve your research from the public. When you do research and it is not taken up by the community or cannot address their challenges, then it becomes only academic and that is not very helpful in the socio-economic transformation of the country,’ Tumwebaze said.

He directed all research stations under his ministry to organize farmer field days to showcase innovations and new technologies.

‘Not all people know what you are doing. These technologies and innovations need to be accessed in the most convenient way, do not just sit, and that is why you must have farmer field days,’ Tumwebaze added.

The minister also highlighted the need for better animal and crop breeds to sustain food systems, calling for a national breeding policy to curb fake breeds. ‘It is high time the country came up with a breeding policy if we are to improve production and productivity. There are some people who sell fake breeds and in this policy such people would be criminalized,’ he said.

NDCoE, Tumwebaze said, was partly established to ensure the dairy sector has superior breeds.

Dr Yona Baguma, Director General of the National Agricultural Research Organisation (NARO), described the center as a potential game-changer.

‘This center will boost dairy productivity, improve feeding, breeding and management practices. It will develop superior and resilient dairy breeds and equip farmers with practical skills,’ Baguma said, noting that climate change and population growth require high-yield breeds that can be maintained on a small scale.

Baguma said the ministry intends to invest Shs 50 billion over the next five years to achieve NDCoE’s strategic goals.

Mbarara Resident City Commissioner, Catherine Kamwine, emphasized the need for improved farmer access to technologies.

‘It is good you have brought this center of excellence. Farmers still face challenges like production and storage of pasture, which is now key because of climatic change effects,’ Kamwine noted.

Dairy farming remains a significant economic activity in Uganda. The 2021 National Livestock Census by Uganda Bureau of Statistics estimated weekly milk production at 71.7 million liters, up from 12.9 million liters in 2008, translating to 3.72 billion liters annually.

The Western region contributed 40 percent of production, Central 34.3 percent, and the Northern region the least at 3.7 percent.

Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Clive Nsiima’s career is on the line after the police disciplinary court recommended his dismissal as he battles offences related to the same incident in criminal court.

After convicting ASP Nsiima of behaving scandalously in the police disciplinary court on Friday, he was produced in City Hall Court, a criminal court, and charged with assault and malicious damage of property before he was remanded to Luzira Prison.

ASP Nsiima is accused of assaulting Ms Pellan Atuhumuriize, a shop attendant at a fuel station in Kyanja, a Kampala suburb, on October 7. Ms Atuhumuriize said the police officer assaulted her after she demanded that he pay for the items he and a female friend had picked from the fuel station shop.

The incident was captured on a CCTV camera and the video circulated on social media, prompting his arrest. In a Monday statement, the police said their disciplinary court recommended his dismissal from the Uganda Police Force.

‘He appeared in the police disciplinary court on Tuesday, October 7, and Friday, October 10, where he was charged with behaving scandalously. The court recommended a sentence of dismissal,’ a statement reads in part.

If ASP Nsiima doesn’t appeal the sentence, his case will be submitted to the Police Authority, which has the power to dismiss an officer at the rank of ASP and above. The Police Authority is chaired by the minister of Internal Affairs.

Other members on the Police Authority are: the Attorney General, the Inspector General of Police, the Deputy Inspector General of Police, a senior officer in charge of administration at the headquarters of the Force, and three other persons appointed by the President.

The Minister of Internal Affairs, Maj Gen (rtd) Kahinda Otafiire, has previously expressed his opinion of dismissal of officers, saying it isn’t a good thing since it affects many people beyond the defaulter.

Despite the police disciplinary action, ASP Nsiima was also produced in a criminal court on offences related to the same incident. Unlike many suspects escorted in handcuffs, he walked gracefully with one hand in his pocket, flanked only by plain-clothed officers.

According to the charge sheet prosecution alleges that ASP Nsiima willfully and unlawfully damaged a mobile smartphone, Infinix Hot 10, Blue in colour, the property of Ms Atuhumuriize.

ASP Nsiima pleaded not guilty to the offences before presiding Senior Principal Grade One Magistrate Nicholas Aisu. Senior State Attorney Mercy Yamangusho informed the court that investigations were complete, requesting that a hearing date be set.

‘Investigations are complete, Your Worship. We seek a hearing date,’ Ms Yamangusho told the court. However, Nsiima’s lawyer, Mr Hamza Kyamanywa, rose to inform the court that the complainant and accused had since reconciled, citing Section 160 of the Magistrates’ Courts Act, which encourages reconciliation in certain criminal matters.

‘Your Worship, I am instructed to inform the court that the complainant and the accused have since reconciled.

The complainant has filed an additional statement to that effect. In the circumstances, I seek to apply for bail for the accused. We have three sureties present in court,’ Mr Kyamanywa said.

But the prosecution strongly opposed bail, arguing that the accused’s conduct as a law enforcement officer aggravated the offence.

‘The accused is a police officer whose role is to keep law and order. The fact that he has been charged with an offence of violence against a woman, a girl, for that matter, leaves a lot to be desired,’ Ms Yamangusho stated.

After hearing both submissions, Magistrate Aisu reserved his ruling. ‘This court will deliver its ruling on the bail application on October 16,’ the magistrate said.

Tom and Sarah Mayambala have been married for five years. Like many couples, they had their share of financial ups and downs in their earlier years of marriage. However, they were determined to build a strong financial future together.

‘We started by having open conversations about our spending habits, financial goals, and expectations,’ the Mayambalas’ recall.

Fist, they created a joint budget that worked for both of them. Much as they were both employed, their paycheques were not the same.

‘We tracked our income and expenses, identifying areas where we could cut back and save. Then allocated our income into different categories, such as housing, food, transportation, and entertainment,’ they shared.

To stay on track, the Mayambalas implemented a system of joint financial decision-making. They discuss every major purchase or financial decision together, considering each other’s opinions and priorities. To this day, this approach has helped them avoid financial conflicts and ensured that they are working towards common goals.

What do you bring to the table?

Lately, the phrase, ‘What do you bring to the table’ has become a common expression in modern relationships.

Some couples are open about discussing and evaluating what each partner contributes to the relationship, whether it is financial stability, emotional support, or other forms of value.

This shift reflects the changing societal norms and expectations around relationships, with many couples prioritising mutual benefit.

House of Wealth’s chief executive, Newton Buteraba, in an interview with BD Life, notes the complexities of couple budgeting, emphasizing that each couple’s approach will be unique.

‘The way a couple handles a joint budget will depend on the couple and how they decide to handle their finances,’ he explains. In some households, both partners work and contribute to the finances, while in others, one partner may be responsible for generating income.

According to Buteraba, ‘Having a clear plan can help couples make progress towards their goals.’ His recommendations are setting financial goals, prioritising needs over wants, and regularly reviewing their budget.

By following these steps, couples can develop a shared understanding of their financial situation and work together to achieve financial freedom.

He adds that financial literacy plays a crucial role in managing a joint budget effectively. Buteraba notes that many couples lack financial knowledge, leading to conflicts and avoidance of budgeting altogether.

Envelope approach

Experts say a practical approach to budgeting is the envelope system, where couples allocate specific amounts for particular expenses and track spending accordingly.

‘Some couples prefer a 50/50 split, while others may choose a different ratio based on their income levels or financial responsibilities,’ notes Buteraba.

‘Find a budgeting approach that works for both partners and helps them achieve their financial goals together.’

This promotes discipline and accountability, enabling couples to identify areas where they might be overspending.

Individual financial autonomy

Buteraba, however, emphasizes the importance of maintaining individual financial autonomy within a marriage or partnership.

‘Having a personal private account allows each partner to manage their finances and make personal purchases without needing to justify every expense,’ he explains.

This approach can reduce stress and tension in the relationship, promoting a healthy and balanced partnership.

According to Buteraba, ‘When couples budget together, it fosters responsibility and accountability,’ he notes.

By working together, couples can identify areas of unnecessary expenditure and make decisions to optimise their spending. This collaborative approach eliminates waste and promotes a more efficient use of resources.

Buteraba emphasizes that budgeting can be a powerful tool for achieving financial stability, reducing stress, and strengthening relationships.

‘By prioritising your spending, creating a clear plan, and working together, you can build a more secure and prosperous future,’ he advises. By managing expectations, promoting accountability, and reducing financial stress, budgeting can help couples mitigate the risks of financial disagreements and foster a more harmonious and stable partnership.

Buteraba illustrates the importance of budgeting when it comes to school fees.

‘If a couple has not budgeted for school fees, the woman might ask the man for Shs3 million for school fees without considering if it’s feasible,’ he says.

However, if they had sat down to budget, they would have agreed on a maximum amount they could spend on school fees, say Shs1 million. This way, they can plan and make informed decisions about their finances.

Similarly, budgeting helps couples manage other expenses, such as household expenses, utilities, and entertainment. By allocating specific amounts for each category, couples can avoid overspending and make conscious decisions about their finances. If a couple has allocated Shs700,000 for food per month, they can track their expenses and identify areas where they can cut back if they exceed their budget.

This promotes accountability and helps them stay on track with their financial goals.

Couple budgeting is a highly personal and dynamic process that depends on individual circumstances, financial goals, and personal preferences.

Look carefully at everything you spend money on – and decide which of them are ‘needs’ and which are ‘wants.’

There is no one-size-fits-all approach, and what works for one couple may not work for another.

For instance, some couples prefer a 50/50 split, while others may choose a different ratio based on their income levels or financial responsibilities. This flexibility allows couples to tailor their budgeting approach to suit their unique needs and financial objectives.

In many households, the partner who manages the finances is not necessarily the one earning the income. The person managing the finances takes care of budgeting, bill payments, and ensures the household runs smoothly. This division of labour can be an effective way to manage finances, as it allows each partner to focus on their strengths and interests. For example, one partner may handle the day-to-day financial tasks, while the other partner focuses on long-term investments and financial planning.

Cultural norms

In many Western countries, couples often share expenses 50/50, while in other cultures, the man may take on more financial responsibilities.

For instance, in some traditional households, the man is seen as the primary breadwinner and provides the bulk of the financial support, while the woman manages the household expenses. The key to successful financial management in a relationship is for couples to communicate openly and agree on a system that works for them.

‘Cultural norms and geographical location can influence the division of financial responsibilities in a relationship,’ says Buteraba.

Income levels

The division of financial responsibilities can also be influenced by individual circumstances, such as income levels and financial goals. Some couples may choose to share financial responsibilities equally, while others may divide tasks based on their strengths and interests.

For example, one partner may be more skilled at budgeting and managing expenses, while the other partner may be more knowledgeable about investments and long-term financial planning.

‘Effective communication and mutual understanding are essential components of couple budgeting,’ emphasizes Buteraba. ‘When both partners are on the same page, it can reduce stress and promote a harmonious relationship.’

By understanding each other’s financial expectations and responsibilities, couples can build a stronger and more stable financial future together.

When couples talk about what each person brings to the relationship, it helps them understand each other better, tackle challenges as a team, and build a stronger relationship.

Since the Mayambalas embraced couple budgeting, they started building an emergency fund, which would cover three to six months of living expenses in case of unexpected events, such as job loss or medical emergencies.

They also began to save for long-term goals, such as buying a house, retirement, and their children’s education.

Upon your retirement, would you rather receive a one-time payment (lump sum) or spread it out over time through smaller repeated installments?

According to BD Life’s survey, seven out of 10 say they will cash out, while the other three indicate that they would rather leave it with the Fund to grow on condition they are entitled to unrestricted regular instalments.

Then there was another set of respondents where the majority preferred to cash out half of their total savings and leave the other half with the Fund to grow it.

When responding to the question about “leave or not to leave” the hard-earned savings, it quickly became obvious that the respondent’s decision was motivated by either fear or growth, and in some cases, uncertainty of what the future holds – fear of the unknown.

While explaining their decisions to either leave or not to leave their savings with the Fund, many said it is informed by the situation they are experiencing at the time, including personal and family pressures that require immediate attention.

They were mindful of potential alternatives, with some appearing unsure of how things would unfold once they took on alternative ventures.

Not many appear to have a clear path forward except banking on hope for a better future.

Some believe the right choice comes from a place of inner peace and a trust in your ability to embrace the path ahead, whether that’s to stay and transform the current circumstances or to leave and seek a better future, no matter the stage you are at in your life.

Research indicates that over 98 percent of NSSF beneficiaries spend their benefits within two years, often using funds for immediate needs, something the Fund’s leadership wants to try to address by urging savers to not take a lump sum but rather leave it to continue growing as they get routine instalments to fix their immediate needs.

When contacted last week, the managing director of National Social Security Fund (NSSF), Mr Patrick Michael Ayota, told BD Life: ‘At retirement, the key attribute anybody should want for the money is safety.

‘At that age, one does not have the runway of a longer life. So it is not prudent to experiment with newer, riskier ventures. NSSF offers both safety and reasonable returns. So it becomes a good vehicle to manage retirement and legacy desires,’ Mr Ayota said.

Regulator’s view

In an interview with the manager corporate and public affairs at Uganda Retirement Benefits Regulatory (URBRA), Ms Lydia Mirembe, the prudent move is to leave your savings to grow while settling for routine smaller payout.

She adds: ‘Rather than receive a lump sum payout, the accumulated benefits can stay in the scheme and the retiree purchases a sustainable payout option such as annuities and income drawdowns.

‘These products can preserve the retiree’s benefits or capital while they withdraw the monthly income. Cashing out the lump sum and pushing it into a business can’t be ruled out entirely, but it is quite risky for retirees to start and operate active businesses in their old age,’ Ms Mirembe says.

Although Ms Mirembe believes there is need for some serious research about post-retirement business ventures, some industry players and analysts think that one should have a choice to try other viable options.

One such industry expert is the country manager of Xeno in Uganda, Mr John Muhumuza Kamara.

He says: ‘A saver would best be helped with a new portfolio that allows him/her to optimise his circumstances of how much income they need to live on, what their current assets and obligations are.’

Experts have their say

An expert in retirement benefits, financial and investment sector, Mr Mubbale Mugalya, currently the chairman of the fund managers association in Uganda, tells BD Life that the decision to cash out depends on the status of your health and whether you have a roof over your head or not.

First, he argues that, someone retiring should figure out how he or she would want to spend his or her money once that time comes.

As to whether one should cash out or not, he says it will depend on several factors including the status of their health and whether or not the retiree has a shelter to retire to.

‘For an average person with Shs20 million at retirement, it is likely that that person will cash out instead of relying on Shs2 million to Shs3 million once a year as interest. This kind of return may be unattractive to some who may opt for a small business which they manage themselves.’

He adds that the daily pressures of life determine how one goes about their savings. To other people, it makes sense to go to the village and do farming because they are guaranteed food and shelter.

‘Leaving your money with the Fund or other investment vehicles works best for people with huge savings who most probably by their retirement time already have a roof over their head and can deal with day-to-day pressure fairly easily.

Why struggle?

As for Ms Susan Khainza, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA), and a finance and investment strategist, the wise decision is for you to keep your money where the return is competitive and in this case, she is tempted to stick with NSSF.

She says: ‘I support NSSF’s recommendation that at retirement rather than withdrawing our savings to invest on our own, we can leave our money growing with NSSF, withdraw periodically to fund our expenses, and if possible, live off our interest.

‘As we work, we save with, and our employer contributes a percentage to the NSSF Fund. NSSF invests this money for our retirement on our behalf. We give up this money today, so that in future, we have money to replace the salaries that we shall no longer receive when we retire. We shall use this money to cater for our expenses.

‘One of the reasons that people wish that rather than NSSF investing on our behalf, they withdraw money from NSSF and invest on their own is the belief that they can make more money on their own than what NSSF makes. As an investor, you will need a return to compensate you for the use of your money and the risk that you may lose your money if the investment fails or if inflation reduces the real value of your investment,’ she says.

‘People do not usually think about the fact that the risk of the possible higher returns they are looking for usually comes with a higher risk of losing some, if not all of their savings. As we get older, our ability to take risks is significantly lower than when we were younger. ‘

She continues: ‘We have fewer years, and at times, no years left at all to work to recover the money if we lose it in a bad investment. A person who has retired or is about to retire does not have the ability to take the higher risks that a lot of retirees want to take.

NSSF Act

‘The NSSF Act states that the interest rate declared shall be 2½ percent or higher. This means that our savings are protected. In addition, we get a minimum 2½ percent return. This is not something that we will get outside of NSSF. The investments that savers want to make on their own, such as real estate, are already being done by NSSF on a more professional level.

‘They are offering us a diversified portfolio, so that we are not at risk, as individuals with all our retirement savings concentrated in one asset. Moreover, NSSF has matched the cash flows from the assets they have invested in, to our withdrawal needs over the lifetime of our savings with them. They have walked with us over our employment journey. From the moment we started working, they knew when we were expected to retire and planned their investment decisions accordingly,’ Ms Khainza explains.

Ms Khainza is convinced that at the time when you are no longer working and need cash to fund your expenses, you can withdraw your money at a minimal cost.

‘If I need to sell a piece of land, I need to find a buyer and incur high brokerage fees,’ Ms Khainza notes.

She argues that the return from NSSF is more than adequate to compensate savers for not spending money today, the risk of inflation, to cater for the 2.5 percent minimum guarantee and within the boundaries of the acceptable risk they are able to take because their objective is to ‘fund our retirement.’