Category: Daily Monitor

The office of the Director of Public Prosecutions has sanctioned Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Clive Nsiima’s criminal case file in which he is accused of assaulting a female attendant at a petrol station shop in Kyanja, a Kampala City suburb.

Police sources privy to the case confirmed to the Monitor that the suspect’s file was sanctioned and they were to produce him in court on Friday, but the documents were submitted late.

‘We couldn’t make it in time on Friday. Hopefully, he will be produced in court on Monday,’ a source said.

Kampala Metropolitan Police Spokesman Patrick Onyango could either confirm or deny the sanctioning of the preferred charges, but he said they have reached the tail end of their tasks.

ASP Nsiima was seen in a viral video slapping a female shop attendant after she demanded that he pay for the items he and a female friend had picked in on October 7.

The viral video prompted the police to arrest and detain him last week. The spokesman of police, Mr Kituuma Rusoke condemned Nsiima’s action, and he said police were conducting an investigation.

Ms Pellan Atuhumurize, the victim, told the Daily Monitor last week that ASP Nsiima and a woman ordered a pack of condoms and two cans of beers, but they attempted to drive off without paying the bills, prompting her to prevent them from leaving, which angered them, leading to the attack captured on the shop’s CCTV camera.

‘A lady alighted from the car and walked to the counter. She asked me to pack her condoms, which I did. She told me that the money was in the car, so I should follow her and pick it,’ Ms Atuhumurize said.

‘When we reached the car, a gentleman inside the car told me to bring him two cans of Tusker Lite. I went back and brought them.’ Ms Atuhumurize said after handing over the items, the man attempted to drive off.

‘I grabbed his collar to prevent him from driving off without paying the bill. Then he stopped the car and got out. He followed me to the shop. He then started abusing me and other people who were in the shop, the man then slapped me twice,’ Ms Atuhumurize said.

A private security guard attached to Tayari Security, attempted to stop the attack but the police officer continued with his aggression.

The former Police Chief Political Commissar, Mr Asan Kasingye, said on his social media platform that the guard works for Tayari Security, a private security firm he heads.

‘I was the first person to be informed. The security guard you see in the video belongs to @TayarisSecurity. There is even more to this story. I am happy it will be investigated thoroughly. Let the police involve us at the company. For example, a pistol was drawn,’ said Mr Kasingye, a retired Assistant Inspector General of Police.

Vivo Energy Uganda, which owns the petrol station, condemned the attack.

‘We strongly condemn any form of violence or misconduct towards our staff or customers. We are in close contact with the attendant to ensure she receives the support she needs, and we are working with the Uganda Police to ensure the perpetrator is held accountable for his actions,’ a statement by Vivo Energy Uganda reads in part.

Other incidents in the country

Last year, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Julius Ahimbisibwe was suspected of shooting his ex-wife and injured her. Months later, SSP Ahimbisibwe was found dead in his home on suspicion that he had taken his life.

In February 2024, the Officer-in-charge of Alebtong District, ASP Moses Acaye, is alleged to have shot dead a civilian he accused of killing his relative in a mob action incident in Adjumani District.

ASP Acaye is still on the run. Another incident happened in December 2024, when a police officer, Constable Charles Bahati, shot dead a truck driver Julius Ssemwaka at Nakasero in Kampala City. Constable Bahati is still on the run.

Uganda Cycling Association president Sam ‘Mahaba’ Muwonge spent the last week of September watching the 2025 UCI Road World Championships in Kigali and could not stop imagining such a marvel happening in Kampala.

‘What’s happening in Ugandan cycling is encouraging. Being in the World Championship when we didn’t qualify is special,’ said an excited Muwonge as 100 Ugandan cyclists were flagged off for the Jubilee Live Free Race in Nairobi last weekend.

‘Mrs Byaruhanga said this is the third time Jubilee Insurance is sponsoring a Ugandan team for the Nairobi race. It’s a great job they are doing. But I request that instead of Nairobi, let’s have this race in Kampala. Like Kigali gazetted all the roads for the world event, we can have it in Kampala as well,’ Muwonge said.

Of course this is a multi-sectoral, multi-departmental decision to make if such an important event is to happen here.

Feasibility

But how feasible is it? Are the sponsors willing?

‘We are in talks with Jubilee, our main sponsors, to have particular events here in Uganda. And very soon we shall come out with the plans. Hopefully, very soon we shall announce the event to be organised here,’ said Lance Ismael Ssebayiga, director Moonlight Events, who are the Ugandan coordinators of the race.

But the sponsor thinks the journey is still long.

‘This is the second year in a row we are hearing this suggestion and we’re in talks with Moonlight and the cycling association,’ Jubilee marketing and communications manager Camilla Mindru told Daily Monitor.

‘But we needed to build capacity and have a solid ground to start this conversation. We need more organised clubs like Masaka Cycling Club, which has strong structures: a president, a funding source, a medical team and a technical team, etc.’

She said that would give Uganda more chances to win the race once it’s hosted here.

Meanwhile, Mindru added that even as more people enter the Nairobi race every year, the event happens successfully.

‘That means there’s a certain standard they have set and a skillset we need to tap into if we are to organise an equally successful race here,’ Mindru said.

Nairobi conquest

The 2025 Jubilee Nairobi Race last Sunday attracted thousands of cyclists from 20 nationalities. Uganda’s Jordan ‘Schleck’ Ssekanwagi raced to gold in the 75km main race in 1 hour, 30 minutes and 39 seconds, while 2024 Olympian Charles Kagimu came second, just a second later to take silver. Kenya’s John Muchiri came third in 1:33:50.

The duo are slowly writing a story of Uganda’s growing dominance of the race. Ssekanwagi won the inaugural edition in 2019, while Kagimu was the champion last year.

Ethiopia’s Merhamit Hadush won the women’s 75km race in 1:38:25, Uganda’s Maria Aleper took silver in 1:48:55 as Kenya’s Jamila Abdula got bronze in 1:47:28.

Willy Kato and Dominik Mugonda got gold and silver respectively in the Black Mamba category, while defending champion Aziz Ssempijja settled for bronze.

Muwonge wonders how much Ugandans can achieve if they are the hosts.

Under the leadership of Mercy Kainobwisho, Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB) has transitioned from a routine paperwork office into a driver of business formalisation and transparency.

Through digitisation, automation, and public outreach, URSB is redefining how Ugandans register and protect their businesses.

Kainobwisho explains how technology, partnerships, and mindset change are transforming URSB into a model of efficiency and empowerment.

What excites you most about URSB’s evolving role in the business landscape?

Our mandate has grown tremendously, but what excites me most is the transformation it brings to people’s lives.

Registration is more than paperwork; it’s empowerment. When a business registers, it gains a legal identity, credibility, and access to growth opportunities. We are protecting identities, building legacies, and strengthening trust in the economy.

There is a perception that registration is slow and bureaucratic. How are you changing this?

We have dismantled bureaucracy through digitisation and automation. All our records are now digital, and businesses can register and track their progress online without relying on middlemen.

Every transaction is traceable, and nothing goes missing. We have also introduced customer feedback platforms, internal audits, and zero tolerance for corruption. What used to take weeks now takes minutes.

What has been the hardest part of this transformation?

Changing mindsets, both within and among clients. Some staff saw physical files as power, while others preferred manual processes that benefited intermediaries. We had to shift that culture.

We invested in training, technology, and welfare so that staff could embrace automation. Once they understood that digitisation was about efficiency and service, not replacing people, the transition became unstoppable.

How are you bringing registration closer to entrepreneurs?

We have taken it to the people through mobile registration clinics and door-to-door outreach in markets, universities, and innovation hubs. We simplify the process.

When people realise registration can be done instantly and at a low cost, they gain confidence in formalisation. That is how trust is built, through accessibility and reliability.

URSB works closely with other agencies. How do these partnerships add value to businesses?

Partnerships are at the heart of our work. Our current headquarters was built in collaboration with Uganda Investment Authority (UIA) and Capital Markets Authority.

We have integrated systems with NIRA and other agencies to make registration and licensing seamless. We also collaborate regionally and globally, which helps us to break silos and make Uganda’s business ecosystem more predictable.

Technology seems central to your reforms.

Yes, a massive one. Anyone can now register a business or trademark online, from anywhere in the world. We have introduced mobile money and Visa payments, electronic certificates, and instant verification. Soon, we will launch a mobile app to make registration even easier.

Our goal is to make formalisation as simple as opening a social-media account.

Small businesses are the backbone of the economy. What specific support are you offering them?

We work with UIA and the Ministry of Trade to provide incubation, mentorship, and advisory services. We are helping small enterprises to formalise in 47 municipalities, and through our Security Interest in Movable Property, small businesses are using assets like equipment or produce as collateral to get credit.

We also offer business rescue and after-care services to help struggling SMEs recover.

Beyond numbers, how do you measure URSB’s real impact?

Impact goes beyond statistics. When a woman in Masaka registers her business or a young innovator protects an idea and turns it into a thriving enterprise, that is success. We track progress through customer satisfaction, turnaround time, and trust.

Many businesses still operate informally. Why does formalisation matter?

It’s the foundation of business security and growth. It costs as little as Shs100,000 to register a business name, yet many invest millions without securing ownership. By the time they register, the name is often taken.

Formalisation protects your brand, gives access to finance, and allows you to participate in policymaking. It’s no longer optional; it’s essential for survival and competitiveness.

What key reforms should entrepreneurs expect next?

We are rolling out a fully transactional e-licensing portal, a national one-stop centre for business registration and licensing, and a Regulatory Impact Analysis framework to simplify compliance.

We are also setting up a business acceleration and innovation hub for startups. We have reduced registration from 30 days to two hours, and we are now working toward instant registration.

Where do you see URSB in the next few years?

We are moving from being a registry to becoming a catalyst for transformation. By 2030, we aim to be Africa’s leading business registry, a benchmark for innovation, integrity, and service excellence.

We will keep leveraging technology and partnerships to sustain these gains. URSB isn’t just registering companies; we are helping to build Uganda’s economic future.

A suspected case of toxic pollution in River Alupe has left residents of Busia district alarmed after dead fish and livestock were discovered along the riverbanks earlier this week. The river, which supports hundreds of families on both sides of the Uganda-Kenya border, has raised fears of a potential health crisis.

Communities in Buteba sub-county, who rely on the river for drinking water, fishing, and farming, were shocked by the sudden change in the river’s appearance. Residents reported that the water initially had an oily film, then turned green and finally dark.

“Alupe River has always had clear water, but on that morning I saw an oily film. Shortly after, it turned green, and then it became dark,” said Mr Charles Ouma Okitui, a resident of Alupe village. He witnessed fish dying in large numbers and confirmed that a cow belonging to a resident died after drinking the polluted water.

Despite warnings, some residents were seen collecting the dead fish for food. “People are scrambling to pick the fish, but we’re worried it may not be safe for human consumption,” Mr. Okitui said.

The pollution has sparked concerns about the potential health risks associated with using the river water. Mr. Emmanuel Okitui from Amagoro village suspects the pollution may have been caused by a major chemical leak from the Wagagai Gold Mining Company, a Chinese firm investing over $200m in gold extraction and processing.

“Pollution of this magnitude could only have come from Wagagai,” he claimed. However, Mr. Allan Mugarura, the environment officer at Wagagai, denied the allegations, saying the company values the river as much as the community does.

“We need clean water for our operations, so we cannot afford to pollute River Alupe,” Mr. Mugarura said. He added that the company recycles all wastewater through tailing dams and ensures it is reused within the factory.

Local officials have launched investigations into the source of the contamination. Mr. Jimmy Ngolobe, the Busia senior natural resources officer, confirmed that water samples had been collected for testing.

“We’re working with the Ministry of Water and Environment to determine what substance caused the pollution and whether the water poses a danger to human and animal health,” he said.

Environmental activists and local leaders are urging the government to impose temporary restrictions on using the river until test results are released. Ms Mary Birungi, another resident, said the river has been their only water source since boreholes dried up, allegedly due to mining activities.

“We use it for cooking, drinking, and farming. Now we fear for our health,” she said. Ms. Emily Akware echoed the concern, calling for urgent intervention.

“We are appealing to the Ministry of Water and NEMA to investigate and protect the community,” she said.

The incident has raised urgent questions about environmental monitoring around major industrial operations and the preparedness of local authorities to respond to ecological disasters.

The office of the Director of Public Prosecutions has sanctioned Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Clive Nsiima’s criminal case file in which he is accused of assaulting a female attendant at a petrol station shop in Kyanja, a Kampala City suburb.

Police sources privy to the case confirmed to the Monitor that the suspect’s file was sanctioned and they were to produce him in court on Friday, but the documents were submitted late.

‘We couldn’t make it in time on Friday. Hopefully, he will be produced in court on Monday,’ a source said.

Kampala Metropolitan Police Spokesman Patrick Onyango could either confirm or deny the sanctioning of the preferred charges, but he said they have reached the tail end of their tasks.

ASP Nsiima was seen in a viral video slapping a female shop attendant after she demanded that he pay for the items he and a female friend had picked in on October 7.

The viral video prompted the police to arrest and detain him last week. The spokesman of police, Mr Kituuma Rusoke condemned Nsiima’s action, and he said police were conducting an investigation.

Ms Pellan Atuhumurize, the victim, told the Daily Monitor last week that ASP Nsiima and a woman ordered a pack of condoms and two cans of beers, but they attempted to drive off without paying the bills, prompting her to prevent them from leaving, which angered them, leading to the attack captured on the shop’s CCTV camera.

‘A lady alighted from the car and walked to the counter. She asked me to pack her condoms, which I did. She told me that the money was in the car, so I should follow her and pick it,’ Ms Atuhumurize said.

‘When we reached the car, a gentleman inside the car told me to bring him two cans of Tusker Lite. I went back and brought them.’ Ms Atuhumurize said after handing over the items, the man attempted to drive off.

‘I grabbed his collar to prevent him from driving off without paying the bill. Then he stopped the car and got out. He followed me to the shop. He then started abusing me and other people who were in the shop, the man then slapped me twice,’ Ms Atuhumurize said.

A private security guard attached to Tayari Security, attempted to stop the attack but the police officer continued with his aggression.

The former Police Chief Political Commissar, Mr Asan Kasingye, said on his social media platform that the guard works for Tayari Security, a private security firm he heads.

‘I was the first person to be informed. The security guard you see in the video belongs to @TayarisSecurity. There is even more to this story. I am happy it will be investigated thoroughly. Let the police involve us at the company. For example, a pistol was drawn,’ said Mr Kasingye, a retired Assistant Inspector General of Police.

Vivo Energy Uganda, which owns the petrol station, condemned the attack.

‘We strongly condemn any form of violence or misconduct towards our staff or customers. We are in close contact with the attendant to ensure she receives the support she needs, and we are working with the Uganda Police to ensure the perpetrator is held accountable for his actions,’ a statement by Vivo Energy Uganda reads in part.

Other incidents in the country

Last year, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Julius Ahimbisibwe was suspected of shooting his ex-wife and injured her. Months later, SSP Ahimbisibwe was found dead in his home on suspicion that he had taken his life.

In February 2024, the Officer-in-charge of Alebtong District, ASP Moses Acaye, is alleged to have shot dead a civilian he accused of killing his relative in a mob action incident in Adjumani District.

ASP Acaye is still on the run. Another incident happened in December 2024, when a police officer, Constable Charles Bahati, shot dead a truck driver Julius Ssemwaka at Nakasero in Kampala City. Constable Bahati is still on the run.

A devastating storm swept through parts of Busia District, leaving over 100 residents homeless and causing widespread destruction.

Homes were torn apart, property damaged, and families displaced as strong winds and heavy rains battered the area for hours.

Local authorities are assessing the damage and appealing for emergency support to aid affected communities.

Ms Rehema Nankya, 40, a resident of Sigalame B, Busia District who was one of the affected persons, said the storm blew off the roof her hut.

‘Dark clouds formed, then a drizzle turned into a violent downpour. The wind was deafening, and hailstones pounded everything. I ran inside, but moments later, the roof was gone,’ Ms Nankya said.

The storm flattened homes and farms in Sigalame A and B, Busyechira, Munaka, Hutale, Sifuyo, and Buyukha villages.

Annet Makhoha, 60, said they had prayed for rains to revive their crops, but the storm brought disaster instead.

‘We have no food or shelter now,’ she said.

Ms Demitria Makhoha, 61, said it was the worst storm she had witnessed since 1979, with all her family’s houses and gardens destroyed. Opio Yuda of Sigalame A counted at least 40 homes damaged in his village alone.

Mr Paul Wafula of Sigalame B, whose family of eight spent the night in the open, fears a looming food crisis.

‘This is the third destructive storm in just one month,’ he said.

Last month, other areas across Busia District, including Masafu, Dabani, Buyanga, Busime, Lunyo, Lumino, Masinya, and Masaba were also hit by similar weather events. Villages in Rukaka Parish, Busime Sub-county, such as Bulukuyi, Busahi, Ndegero, and Buhanga, also suffered crop and property damage.

Ms Alice Namudde of Lumuli Village said hailstones destroyed cassava gardens and stripped mango trees bare. In Lunyo Sub-county, villages in Nalwire Parish saw widespread destruction. Masafu Sub-county villages including Busedu, Mawanga, and Bukalikha were similarly affected.

Mr Gabriel Mukisa from Bukalikha said, ‘We wait so long for rain, but when it comes, it’s destructive.’

While some residents blamed the storms on witchcraft and curses, others believe the changing weather is a clear sign of climate change.

Mr David Egesa from Bwaniha noted a shift in rainfall patterns over recent years.

‘We used to have two regular rainy seasons. Now the rain is either absent or too extreme,’ he said, adding that farmers are now turning to drought-resistant crops like cassava and sorghum.

Ms Aggrey Mirembe, a senior district agricultural officer, said delayed planting and crop failure due to erratic weather are becoming more common.

Mr Jimmy Ngolobe, the district natural resources officer, attributed the worsening conditions to climate change and environmental degradation.

‘Rising temperatures and declining rainfall are a result of widespread destruction of wetlands and forests. We must prioritise restoring these ecosystems to stabilize our climate,’ he said.

Uganda’s World Cup dream has reached its final, most improbable chapter – a high-stakes visit to Boukhalfa’s Hocine Aït Ahmed Stadium, where group leaders Algeria await.

The North Africans, already qualified with a game to spare, have been imperious for much of the campaign, with the 2-1 defeat to Guinea in June last year their only blemish.

Stacked against the odds

The Cranes, who arrived in Algeria on Saturday, know the odds are stacked against them: only a convincing win on Tuesday can keep their faint mathematical hope of sneaking into the playoffs alive.

That glimmer of hope was lit in Francistown on Independence Day, when Jude Ssemugabi’s 54th-minute header from an Allan Okello corner earned Uganda a 1-0 victory over Botswana.

The win came on the back of victories over Guinea in March and Mozambique and Somalia in September, underlining the quiet progress Paul Put’s side have made through the campaign.

‘We knew it would be a tough game,’ said Cranes coach Put after the match in Francistown.

‘Botswana were dangerous with long balls, so we had to stay organised. We had chances to score earlier, and I think the victory was deserved.

Botswana gave one hundred percent and were very aggressive, but I am proud of how my players fought. Now, we prepare for Algeria. It will be a long journey and a difficult game, but in football, you never know.’

Caf rule spanner in the works

In truth, Uganda’s challenge goes far beyond the pitch. Caf’s decision to discount matches against bottom-placed teams – following Eritrea’s withdrawal in November 2023 – changed the complexion of the race for the four best runners-up spots.

The new regulation, quietly communicated to member associations in March 2025, means Uganda’s two wins over Somalia no longer count.

In one stroke, six points and three goals vanished from their tally, dropping the Cranes to 12 adjusted points and sixth in the revised ranking – behind Gabon, Cameroon, DR Congo, Madagascar, and Burkina Faso.

Onyango’s first start

That context makes Tuesday’s mission in Boukhalfa as much about pride as possibility.

The Cranes have never beaten Algeria away, and few visiting sides leave the North African giants’ home soil with anything more than hard lessons.

Yet for Put’s group, this fixture represents both a test of growth and a statement of intent – a chance to measure themselves against Africa’s elite and to carry belief into the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) in Morocco later this year.

The return of legendary goalkeeper Denis Onyango has added emotional resonance to that mission.

Making his first appearance since his 2021 retirement, the Mamelodi Sundowns stalwart – despite not being truly tested – provided both experience and calm in Francistown, marshalling a back line of Toby Sibbick, Elio Capradossi, Jordan Obita and Aziz Kayondo.

‘First of all, I have to thank the team for allowing me back,’ Onyango reflected. ‘After four years of retirement, I was allowed to come back and help where I can.

‘Regardless of whether I play or not, I remain a key member of the team. The coaches have shown trust in me, and I am happy to still play active football with Sundowns.’

Regarding the mission in Algeria, Onyango opined: ‘In football, anything can happen. We do not know what the results in Algeria will be, but we have given ourselves a chance.’

His words mirror the sentiment within the camp – a balance of humility and quiet optimism.

Uganda’s blend of youth and experience has begun to find its rhythm, with players like Ssemugabi, Okello, and Rogers Mato offering attacking spark, while Onyango and the lieutenants in front of him, including captain Khalid Aucho, anchor the team’s leadership spine.

Afcon is the ultimate

While the 2026 World Cup dream may hang by the thinnest of threads, the Cranes’ mission in Algeria is as much about belief and statement-making as it is about arithmetic.

A spirited performance in Boukhalfa could underline the team’s growth and continental ambition, even if qualification ultimately slips away.

‘Now we have 18 points (12 in best four runners-up race) with one game to go,’ Onyango added, reflecting on Uganda’s broader campaign.

‘If we can make the playoffs, it will be great for the team and the country. It is important that we keep winning and stay positive going into the Africa Cup of Nations in two months.’

Uganda will need that same blend of positivity and realism come Tuesday. Against a Riyad Mahrez-inspired Algeria that has already sealed qualification, the Cranes are playing for more than just points – they are playing for progress, pride, and belief.

Fifa 2026 World Cup Qualifiers (Caf)

Final Group G fixtures

October 14

Algeria vs Uganda, Stade Hocine-Aït-Ahmed, Boukhalfa, 7pm

Guinea vs Botswana, Stade Mohamed V, Casablanca, 7pm

Somalia vs Mozambique, Miloud Hadefi Olympic Complex, Bir El Djir, 7pm

Table for best four second-placed teams after Caf rule is applied

Team Pts GD Final opponents

Gabon 16 +4 vs Burundi (H)

Cameroon 14 +9 vs Angola (H)

DR Congo 13 +4 vs Sudan (H)

Madagascar 13 +3 vs Mali (A)

Burkina Faso 12 +4 vs Ethiopia (H)

Uganda 12 +3 vs Algeria (A)

Niger 12 0 vs Zambia (A)

South Africa 11 +1 vs Rwanda (H)

Namibia 9 +1 vs Tusia (A)

Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja used the return of the Kampala City Festival yesterday to promise pothole-free roads to the thousands of city residents who attended.

Ms Nabbanja said road construction works in the city are ongoing and assured residents that Kampala will soon be free of dust and potholes.

‘Road network in the city has improved. I know you like good roads, but potholes will soon become history. The President directed that city roads, including the flyover, Jinja Road, and city centre, from Kubiri to Luweero, Nateete, Masaka, Busega, Mityana, be worked on. Works on roads in the industrial area are ongoing. We have also secured funds to work on Mubende Road,’ she said.

The Prime Minister was accompanied by the Executive Director of Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA), Ms Sharifah Buzeki, and the Minister of Kampala and Metropolitan Affairs, Ms Minsa Kabanda, among other guests. Residents have long complained about the poor state of city roads, prompting the city authority to direct contractors to work both day and night.

Recently, officials from the Ministry of Works and Transport met with contractors whose projects had stalled due to delayed payments. The two sides agreed that the contractors would resume work as the government seeks funds to clear the outstanding arrears. Ms Nabbanja also told city residents that President Museveni had directed an increase in Parish Development Model funds allocated to city Saccos to match the growing population.

During his recent tour of Kampala, the President pledged to raise the amount given to PDM beneficiaries from Shs1 million to Shs3 million. The festival was organised by KCCA.

The KCCA Executive Director, Ms Buzeki, praised the Cabinet and President Museveni for approving the return of the festival.

She revealed that the proportion of tarmacked roads in the city is set to rise from the current 35 percent to 87 percent, while garbage collection will increase from 55 tonnes to 185 tonnes.

Air pollution levels, she added, are expected to drop from 40 microns to 25 microns. Ms Buzeki further added that the city plans to revive bus transport, create more work opportunities for residents, and position Kampala as a key tourist destination for East Africans and visitors from beyond. The last city festival was held in 2019.

The festival drew more than 500 exhibitors who gathered at the Kololo Independence Grounds to showcase their products. KCCA uses the festival to celebrate culture, unity, innovation, and social life.

By 7am, exhibitors from the business community and food vendors, who had set up their stalls a day earlier, had already arrived to display and sell a variety of goods and services. The event began with a float procession flagged off at Buganda Road by Ms Buzeki.

The procession moved through Kyaggwe Road, Kampala Road, and the Railway Grounds before heading to Kololo for the main celebrations.

Although an afternoon downpour briefly interrupted the event, organisers described it as a sign of blessings. Festivities continued into the night, with revellers entertained by various performances.

One of the shocks of the 2021 General Election came from the newly constituted Jinja South West, where the National Resistance Movement (NRM) candidate Moses Grace Balyeku lost to Timothy Batuwa from the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC). The difference in the number of votes was 1,699. Formerly known as Jinja West, Balyeku had represented this constituency from 2011 when he wrestled it from FDC’s Harry Kasigwa. To become a political force in Jinja, Kasigwa had wrestled it from the NRM’s Henry Kyemba (deceased) in 2001. By the 2006 elections, Kasigwa had buttressed himself in the politics of Jinja so much so that he ensured all the Local Council divisions were under FDC’s control.

In the runup to the 2011 elections, in an effort to wrestle Jinja West from the firm grip of Kasigwa, Balyeku dug into his deep pockets and constructed 120 market stalls in Mpumudde market. He also extended water stand pipes to Kimaka B Village. His success came as no surprise. In 2016, Balyeku easily defended his seat, beating FDC’s Paul Kawanguzi with a difference of 2,742 votes. But Balyeku couldn’t repeat the same feat in 2021 because by that time, he had been involved in some land wrangles.

Land wrangles

Balyeku’s footprints in Busoga land wrangles were exposed in 2018 during the Land Commission inquiry led by Justice Catherine Bamugemereire. The NRM politician was summoned after accusations emerged that he influenced the issuance of a freehold title over plot 24 B Kyabazinga Way in Nalufenya to businessman Thummar Jay Magnalal Patel. This was over a running lease of Jinja Municipal Council and a sub-lease to Tirupati Development. Justice Bamugemereire moved to issue criminal summons after Balyeku snubbed repeated summons by the Commission to provide evidence on the transfer of the land. Justice Bamugemereire also warned Balyeku of attempting to compromise members of the Commission through unnecessary phone calls. As if that wasn’t enough, Balyeku would get entangled in a standoff with then Jinja Resident District Commissioner (RDC) Eric Sakwa, still over land wrangles.

Sakwa, who had appeared before Justice Bamugemereire to pin Balyeku, was thereafter charged with manslaughter. The DPP claimed that between March 22 and April 17, 2020, while in Lwanda Village in Jinja, Sakwa and his co-accused, Bazimbyewa Bumali, alias Chris Umar Dindodi, a resident of Mafubira Zone C in Mafubira Sub-county, Jinja District and businessman Mohammed Simba, alias Meddie, also from the same place, caused the death of Charles Isanga when they stormed his kiosk and tortured him.

The charges were later dismissed by the High Court, but Sakwa said they were cooked by the DPP at the behest of Balyeku. ‘Balyeku is the one who engineered everything; of course, he denies he is the one who does all of that,’ Sakwa said, prompting Balyeku, who owns Baba Television and Baba Radio, to offer a rebuttal.

Balyeku said: ‘I have no problem with Sakwa that necessitates me to go to that level of arresting him. I’m not a police officer, minister in government or army officer, but an ordinary backbencher in Parliament. I don’t have those powers to make the court sit at 4pm.’

When Sakwa was temporarily jailed, there were protests outside the court premises by some civilians who had no kind words for Balyeku. Once the legislator lost to Batuwa, observers familiar with Jinja West politics attributed Balyeku’s loss to the way he handled the Sakwa standoff. Another contributing factor in Balyeku’s downfall was his open support for the removal of presidential age limits from the Constitution. Balyeku had teamed up with Kyaka South MP Jackson Kafuuzi to second the Bill that was tabled by Raphael Magyezi, allowing Museveni’s continued presidency. ‘Age shouldn’t be a factor that hinders the rights and freedom of any Ugandan to vie for the post of President,’ Balyeku said.

A cold shoulder

In the aftermath of amending the Constitution, Museveni rewarded Kafuuzi with the post of Deputy Attorney General. Balyeku was, however, ignored. Even when he lost his parliamentary seat, Museveni didn’t award him with any ministerial job like he did with his NRM cadres who lost in Buganda such as Haruna Kyeyune Kasolo and Ruth Nankabirwa. Still, Balyeku didn’t abandon the NRM; he stood in its primaries and defeated his closest rival, Daniel Kanu, with 9,020 votes against his 2,240 to win the NRM flag for next year’s elections. Other contestants in the race were David Talenga, who placed third with 78 votes. Sakwa trailed in fourth position with 71 votes.

Once he was declared the winner, Balyeku rallied all NRM supporters in Jinja South West to unite and rally behind him. Yet Balyeku’s NRM rivals weren’t contended with his victory, accusing him of importing rowdy youth from other areas, who allegedly threatened voters from participating in the electoral process. Kanu’s petition to an NRM tribunal that handled the disputes that arose from the ruling party’s primaries was thrown out for want of evidence, giving Balyeku a sigh of relief.

This means Balyeku is once again going to face Batuwa, who changed his political home from the FDC to the National Unity Platform (NUP). When he joined NUP, Batuwa insisted that he wasn’t just interested in retaining his seat but rather to see that the NRM is kicked out of power.

‘They have been promising Ugandans things they can’t deliver. They are the reason why Busoga [Sub-region] has really lagged in terms of development. We need to get them out of power,’ Batuwa said.

A doctor’s touch

In his constituency, Batuwa says, since he is a physician, he has directed his energies in improving the condition of health centres that include Jinja regional referral hospital.

‘In the health sector, I have advocated for two health facilities: Jinja Referral Hospital and Kimaka Health Centre III. Kimaka Health Centre III got an allocation of over Shs300m, which has enabled us to place houses for staff and a wall fence. Staff houses enable staff to deal with cases that emerge at night.

In the entire Sub-region [Busoga], it’s only Kimaka Health Centre III that got support of that nature. In Jinja referral, I have been able to mobilise budget support to fund one of the Intensive Care Units. We now have 10 Intensive Care Units and they are operating. We also have oxygen manufacturing equipment. We are no longer ferrying in oxygen. I managed to secure budget support to secure a scan and to ensure that ours is functional,’ Batuwa said.

In Parliament, Batuwa was among the legislators who authored a minority report asking the House to impose a time limit within which alcohol is sold in Uganda. He argued that the same proposal was supported by Nile Breweries Limited and Uganda Breweries Limited, which are the top alcohol manufacturers in Uganda.

‘Suffice to note is that when Uganda Breweries Limited, Nile Breweries Limited and the Uganda Alcohol Industry Association appeared before the Committee as the major players in the alcohol sector, they welcomed the clause on limitation of time and made a few proposals for adjustment in the time, which we have captured in the recommendation. In addition, the literature review revealed that many countries have prescribed a restriction of time for sale of alcohol, and hence Uganda will not be the first country to restrict the time of sale of alcoholic drinks,’ the minority report reads in part.

Counterfeit and substandard medicines pose significant risks to our health because they may contain incorrect ingredients, have incorrect dosages, or may lack active ingredients entirely. The presence of fake drugs continues to be a major challenge in the pharmaceutical industry, particularly in rural areas, as reported by Ismail Bategeka.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), substandard products are those that do not meet quality standards and specifications, often due to poor manufacturing practices or inadequate quality control.

Falsified medical products deliberately misrepresent their identity, composition, or source. These products are often created and distributed with the intention of deceiving consumers for financial gain.

Substandard and falsified medical products pose significant threats to public health globally. They can be ineffective at treating the illness, as they may contain incorrect ingredients or incorrect dosages. They can even be directly harmful to patients if they contain contaminants or toxic substances. They may be indirectly harmful through increased risk of antimicrobial resistance.

Masindi Town, once known for its quiet streets and thriving markets, is currently facing a deadly invasion from medicine bottles and blister packs lined neatly on some shelves in drug shops. From behind the brightly painted doors of the pharmacies, fake, expired, and substandard medicines, smuggled from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) through porous points in neighbouring Buliisa District, are slipping into clinics and roadside stalls.

In a small rented room in Kijura cell, 29-year-old Jane Afisa clutches a faded photo of her three-year-old son, Brian. Tears well in her eyes as she remembers the day she lost him to malaria.

‘He developed a fever and was vomiting. I rushed to a nearby pharmacy and bought anti-malarial drugs. I gave him the full dose. However, his condition worsened progressively. By the time I took him to Masindi (General) Hospital, it was too late,’ she laments.

A postmortem, performed by the hospital, later revealed that the drugs Afisa had given her son were counterfeit and expired. ‘I thought I was saving my child. I did not know that I was killing him, instead,’ she says.

The drugs were probably brought in through Waaki Landing Site on Lake Albert, smuggled in as part of an underground supply chain from the DRC.

According to the 2024 Annual Crime Report, the Directorate of INTERPOL intercepted traffickers on seven occasions, in which eight suspects were arrested and charged in court.

Four of the suspects were sentenced to fines between Shs10m and Shs20m, one case was dismissed, and one case is still pending in court. On May 6, 2025, five districts bordering the DRC signed an agreement aimed at curbing cross-border crimes.

At the time, Gen Taban Amin, the deputy director general for Special Operations in the Internal Security Organisation (ISO), said the deal would stop cross-border theft of vehicles and livestock, and smuggling, among other crimes.

According to Titus Musiime, Buliisa District’s health officer, records at Buliisa General Hospital indicate that in the last two years, there has been a 20 percent rise in drug-resistant infections.

‘We have many patients who come back after completing the treatment cycle, complaining that the drugs did not work. When we perform laboratory tests, we discover drug resistance. We think this is linked to substandard and fake medication, especially common with antibiotics,’ he says.

According to the National Drug Authority (NDA) Annual Report 2024­-2025, there has been a 21 percent increase in adverse drug reactions (ADR) compared to those received in 2023-2024, mostly from antibiotics, painkillers, and even life-saving anti-malarial tablets. In Bwijanga Sub-county, Moses Kabagambe, a 45-year-old farmer, still walks with difficulty after suffering complications from fake antibiotics. After he developed an infection in a wound on his leg, he went to a local drug store.

‘The attendant gave me capsules, which he said would clear the infection. After a few days, my leg began swelling. I was running a high fever. I could not walk. I almost lost my leg,’ he recalls. The doctors informed Kabagambe that the capsules had no active ingredient at all, only starch and colouring.

Smuggled drugs At Runga Landing Site in Buliisa District, small boats cross from the DRC, ferrying fish, fruits, and other items to Wanseko Market. This trade forms the livelihood of several families in the area.

Some locals, though, claim that besides the goods, the boats also ferry drugs, because they are not always inspected at the official customs point.

‘Some traders hide medication inside boxes of deodorants, fuel containers, and other goods. They pass through ungazetted points at night. From Buliisa, they load their merchandise onto trucks or boda bodas to Masindi, Hoima, and beyond,’ says Nicholas Aliganyira, the chairperson of the district health committee.

Along the way, the drugs are repackaged to look like genuine brands, complete with fake seals and expiry dates. In Masindi District, apart from drug shops, fake medicines also circulate openly in informal markets.

On market days, tablets and syrups are spread out on tables alongside vegetables, soap, and sugar.

These tablets include antibiotics, painkillers, and anti-malarial. Some medicine packages have faded labels and missing leaflets, while others are repackaged into small plastic bags.

The common denominator is that the drugs are cheap. Several pharmacists admit that they are struggling to detect these counterfeits.

‘The profit margins in this business are small, and the demand is high. If someone gives you a box of amoxicillin at a cheaper price than the market price, it is tempting.

However, we later discover that some of the drugs do not work,’ says an owner of a drug shop on Station Road in Buliima town council, who asks not to be identified.

These small, mostly unregulated outlets are the last stop in the long journey of the fake drugs. From here, tablets and syrups of unknown quality find their way into people’s hands without checks.

Health workers say that this is where the real danger lies. Dr Alex Felix Ruhuhura, the acting Masindi district health officer, explains that counterfeit medicines can turn a simple illness into a severe health condition.

‘When counterfeit medicines are used for diseases such as malaria, tuberculosis, or HIV, they cause treatment failure, drug resistance, and sometimes death. They also waste resources because patients pay for drugs that do not work and then pay again for proper treatment,’ he says.

For Dr Ruhuhura, the solution starts with creating awareness. People need to know that cheap drugs sold in unlicensed shops are risky.

‘Sometimes wholesalers set very low prices for the drugs they are selling. We do not have the equipment to test the medication before we buy it. Communities, local leaders, and regulators must work together to stop this hidden trade before it claims more lives,’ he notes. Without laboratory equipment, many pharmacies rely on visual checks, which counterfeiters are masters at dodging.

Government reaction

However, the National Drug Authority (NDA) insists that there are no fake drugs in the country. Instead, Abiaz Rwamwiri, NDA’s public relations manager, cautions residents living on the shores of Lake Albert against using drugs from unlicensed traders. ‘We do not have fake drugs. The challenge is that some patients misuse drugs by failing to follow the prescribed dosage, and when treatment fails, they wrongly assume the drugs are fake. Residents and refugees should seek medical care from government health facilities, which are well-stocked with drugs approved by NDA,’ he says.

Besides smuggled drugs coming from across the border, drug shops are also selling expired drugs that have the government seal. Dr Warren Namara, the director of the State House Health Monitoring Unit, says sometimes, the expired drugs are often stolen instead of being destroyed.

‘The drugs are then repackaged and sold, posing a danger to patients. In the 2024/25 Financial Year, equipment and medicines worth about half a billion shillings have been recovered, with several cases currently in court. We have embossed our medicines with clear distinguishing marks, to the extent possible,’ he says.

According to the Parliament Watch, in July 2021, the Cabinet withdrew the Anti-counterfeiting Goods Bill, 2015 from Parliament, stating that there were other laws that can address the gap.

The Bill had been introduced to combat the importation and sale of counterfeit products on the domestic market.

Health officials are urging the government to increase inspections, strengthen border security, and provide drug-testing kits to district hospitals and major pharmacies.

Scope of the problem

Substandard and falsified medical products are a significant global health problem, impacting millions of people and compromising health systems worldwide. These products can be found in all countries, impacting all types of medical products, including life-saving treatments such as vaccines, antibiotics, and cancer therapies.

In 2017, the World Health Organisation estimated that one in 10 medicines in low- and middle-income countries failed quality control tests. The economic burden is also substantial, with billions of dollars lost annually due to ineffective treatments, increased healthcare costs, and loss of productivity.

The issue of substandard and falsified medical products is pervasive and challenging to address due to sophisticated falsification techniques that are difficult to detect and insufficient national resources to respond effectively.

This problem significantly undermines health systems, erodes trust in healthcare, and results in financial losses for both patients and legitimate industries.

The rise in online sales through unauthorised sites has further exacerbated the issue, allowing falsified products to reach consumers more easily. Tackling this problem necessitates robust legal frameworks, regional and international cooperation, heightened public awareness, and stronger enforcement measures.