Category: Daily Monitor

KCCA men’s volleyball team completed the National Club Championship double with a commanding 3-0 win over Nemostars in the rescheduled final at the Old Kampala Arena on Sunday.

With the initial game played in Gulu forced to end prematurely due to insufficient lighting in Gulu a week ago, the two sides were forced to replay the entire match in Kampala.

The Kasasiro Boys, despite a slow start, recovered from 21-19 to take the first set 25-22 and there was only one winner after that.

Alex Mugoda’s charges dominated the game after that, with Carlos Oumo and Vincent Odeke pacing their serves to trouble Nemostars’ passing.

Esau Ecil, who won the same prize with Nemostars last season, was on top of his game against his former paymasters to make it two in a row for himself.

Setter Edrisa Kijjambu and opposite Muhammad Iga were good options off the bench for KCCA and made a difference whenever introduced.

KCCA wiped the floor with Nemostars in the second set and took it 25-18 to edge ever closer to victory and a rare piece of silverware.

And despite Nemostars’ fightback in the third frame, KCCA held on to run away with it 26-24 and close the contest.

‘We came to serve and defended well throughout the game,’ Mugoda told Daily Monitor after the victory.

Bad day

Nemostars had one hand on the trophy a week ago, leading 2-0 before KCCA forced a postponement by taking the third set in Gulu.

In Kampala, Nemostars were in sixes and sevens. Setter Smith Okumu struggled to connect with Geoffrey Onapa and middle blocker Bernard Malinga.

That came to bite late in the game when George Aporu had trouble executing and it all played in KCCA’s favour.

The 2024 winners came into Sunday’s game on the back of a 3-1 win over Sport-S in the league opener played on Friday but were second best against KCCA.

Double joy

With the victory, KCCA men join their women’s team to complete a double for the season.

Shilla Omuriwe’s side defeated Sport-S 3-0 in Gulu to win the women’s competition.

City Hall will now be home to the two trophies the next one year. And the two pieces of silverware come with tickets to next year’s Africa Club Championships.

The two teams have also sent an early warning to the rest of the field going into the new league campaign.

By beating Sport-S in the semis and Nemostars in the final, the Kasasiro Boys have put everyone on notice.

National Club Championship

Final – men

KCCA 3-0 Nemostars

A total of 18 Senior Four candidates at Cream Field Vocational Senior Secondary School in Nakifuma, Mukono District, are stranded after learning that they were not registered for the Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE) examinations starting today, Monday, October 13.

When this reporter visited the school on Sunday afternoon, no staff member was present. The school administrators had reportedly gone into hiding, with their phones switched off.

The problem stems from the school’s failure to register the candidates with the Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB), a requirement for sitting the national exams. Some of the affected candidates who spoke to the Monitor on Sunday said they discovered that they were not registered with UNEB on Friday, the day they were supposed to be briefed about the exams.

“We arrived at the school and no member of staff was available to brief us. When we contacted the head teacher, we received a shocking revelation that left us stunned,” Ryan Kizito, one of the affected candidates, said.

Despite paying all school dues, including examination fees, and diligently attending lessons and completing courseworks, the candidates are now facing an impossible situation due to the school’s negligence.

Kizito said the school administrators had earlier informed them that they were to sit their papers from a neighboring public school due to lack of a sitting centre number.

“What we have learned now is that only three of our colleagues are fully registered with UNEB and are the ones supposed to sit for the national exams,” he said.

Milly Nakyanzi, another affected candidate, shared her plight, saying they have struggled with academics, revealing that they have been revising notes on their own due to a lack of teachers.

“This, in the new curriculum, means we have to go back to Senior One if we miss sitting national exams,” she said, adding, “We have been lacking teachers and had to look for notes ourselves from other schools in addition to the feeding, which the school abandoned since the beginning of term.”

Parents, who cleared all school dues, stormed the school on Sunday to demand answers from the teachers, but all were absent.

Ms. Nassuuna Mazzi, a parent, expressed her frustration, saying she had paid all the school dues, including the registration fees, and wondered why her son wasn’t registered to sit the exams.

“I started smelling a rat the day we were called for dedication prayers, only to be told that it had been postponed, and to date, it was never conducted,” she said.

The consequences of the school’s failure to register the candidates are severe. If they completely fail to sit for the exams, they’ll have to repeat a whole year or potentially restart from Senior One, a significant setback for any student.

The affected candidates are understandably anxious, feeling their future is being put on hold due to circumstances beyond their control.

As the examination period kicks off, the affected candidates couldn’t help but wonder what the future holds for them.

In Uganda’s education system, the UCE exams are a critical milestone, determining a student’s academic future and career path.

On Monday, UCE candidates will write Geography Paper I in the morning and Biology Paper I (Theory) in the afternoon.

According to UNEB statistics, a total of 432,159 candidates are expected to sit for this year’s UCE exams at 4,308 centers across the country.

Senior Four students across the country begin their Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE) examinations today amid an ongoing teachers’ strike, which has caused uncertainty over the supervision and administration of the national exams.

The examinations, conducted by the Uganda National Examinations Board (Uneb), mark the official start of the 2025 national examination season. Candidates are slated to sit for Geography Paper One in the morning and Biology (Theory) in the afternoon.

The examinations come just days after briefing sessions were held by head teachers last Friday, during which candidates were taken through the rules, regulations, and timetable instructions guiding the conduct of the exams.

Uneb Executive Director Daniel Odongo said a total of 432,159 candidates are registered to sit for this year’s UCE examinations, compared to 379,748 last year, an increase of 12.1 percent. Of these, 52.7 percent are females, while 47.3 percent are males.

The examinations are taking place in 4,308 centres across the country under the theme, ‘Embracing security and holistic assessment of learners in a dynamic environment,’ emphasising the importance of integrity and fairness throughout the examination period.

Uneb attributes the rise in numbers to increased enrolment in both government and private schools, as well as the impact of the Universal Secondary Education (USE) programme. Out of the total candidature, 154,637 candidates (36 percent) are beneficiaries of the USE programme, while 241,246 are privately sponsored.

Additionally, Uneb has registered 679 Special Needs Education (SNE) candidates who require additional support, with 190 specialised personnel deployed to assist them throughout the examination period.

Tension over teachers’ strike

The start of the UCE exams comes at a time when teachers under the Uganda National Teachers’ Union (Unatu) are on an industrial strike demanding improved pay and better working conditions.

The strike, which has stretched into the examination season, has raised concerns about the possible disruption of the supervision process. Uneb acknowledged the teachers’ concerns but appealed to them not to link the industrial action to the conduct of the national examinations.

The Board noted that teachers remain key partners in ensuring the successful administration of national assessments.

‘We ask for their indulgence to join us for a few days to help in the effective assessment of the learners they have taught over the years,’ Mr Odongo said.

Despite the strike, Uneb officials reported that the response from teachers during the preparatory briefings was overwhelmingly positive.

Uneb spokesperson Jennifer Kalule said while the Board had initially required 1,500 scouts to monitor the UCE examinations, nearly 2,000 teachers turned up for the briefing sessions a sign that many are willing to perform their national duty.

‘Over the past two days, the Uneb executive director commissioned various categories of field staff, urging them to maintain vigilance and uphold the sanctity of the examinations,’ Ms Kalule said yesterday.

However, Unatu Secretary General Filbert Baguma maintained that teachers are still on strike and will only resume work after government responds to their demands.

He said the union is unaware of teachers who have volunteered to supervise the examinations and reiterated that the strike remains in effect until further notice. The government has yet to issue an official statement addressing the standoff.

Uneb warns against malpractice

As the exams begin, Uneb has renewed its warning against examination malpractice, describing it as one of the biggest threats to the credibility of the country’s education system.

Mr Odongo said examination security remains a major concern and called on all stakeholders to perform their duties with integrity to uphold the sanctity of the national examinations.

The Board has partnered with various security agencies, contracted professionals, and heads of centres to ensure that all examination materials and processes remain secure.

Uneb cautioned those involved in the administration of the exams against engaging in or facilitating malpractice in any form. The Board also warned members of the public against dealing with fraudsters claiming to have access to leaked exam papers, noting that several suspects have already been arrested and confessed to their crimes.

Mr Odongo said anyone found guilty of illegally gaining or attempting to gain possession of any examination paper or material faces a fine of up to two thousand currency points or imprisonment for up to 10 years, or both, under Section 25 of the Uneb Act, CAP 259.

Teachers, invigilators, or scouts who aid candidates to cheat or fail to stop unauthorised assistance face fines not exceeding one thousand currency points or imprisonment for up to five years, or both.

Uneb warned candidates that involvement in examination malpractice will lead to the cancellation of results for the entire examination.

Odongo said where malpractice is suspected, the Board will summon the candidates and any other individuals involved to appear before it for disciplinary action. Offences such as smuggling unauthorised materials into the examination room, copying or collusion, receiving external assistance, impersonation, or exhibiting disruptive behaviour during the examination will attract severe penalties.

Others are possessing mobile phones or communication gadgets in the examination room, tearing answer scripts, submitting multiple scripts, or attempting to substitute examination materials. Mr Odongo reminded the candidates that examinations are not meant to instil fear but to assess what they have learnt over the years and guide them toward their future career paths.

He urged candidates to approach the examinations with confidence and avoid panic, emphasising that success will come through honesty and adherence to the rules.

‘The purpose of the examination is to assess the candidates’ level of achievement and not to fail the learners. It is not an end in itself but a step towards aligning them to their career aspirations,’ he said. He called on candidates to carefully follow instructions, manage their time wisely, and maintain discipline throughout the examination period.

Politics

Uneb also issued a directive warning all examination personnel against engaging in political activities during the examination period.

The Board said those contracted to supervise or monitor the examinations should avoid active involvement in campaigns, rallies, or political mobilisation.

It further urged politicians and aspirants to refrain from holding rallies or meetings on school grounds to prevent disturbances during the ongoing exams.

The Board emphasised that the focus during this period should remain on ensuring a smooth, peaceful, and credible examination process that allows candidates to perform to the best of their ability.

‘This is a critical time for learners who have prepared for years. All stakeholders must ensure the environment remains conducive for their success,’ Mr Odongo said.

Uganda has been chosen to host the 4th Edition of the Digital Government Africa (DGA) Summit in 2026, a move widely hailed as a strong vote of confidence in the country’s digital transformation journey and regional leadership in ICT.

The announcement was made at this year’s Summit held in Lusaka, Zambia, which was officially opened by President Hakainde Hichilema of the Republic of Zambia.

The 2025 edition brought together over 30 African governments, alongside leading technology firms and innovators, to deliberate on the continent’s digital future.

‘We are honored to have Uganda chosen as the next host of the Digital Government Africa Summit. This recognition affirms the progress our country has made in leveraging ICTs to transform public service delivery and improve the lives of our citizens,’ Dr. Chris Baryomunsi, Minister of ICT and National Guidance, said.

He added, ‘The Summit will provide a strategic opportunity to showcase Uganda’s achievements, share best practices, and strengthen continental collaboration in building a digitally empowered Africa.’

Uganda’s official delegation in Lusaka included Hon. Gen. David Muhoozi, Minister of State for Internal Affairs; Dr. Hatwib Mugasa, Executive Director, NITA-U; Maj. Gen. Apollo Kasiita-Gowa, Chief of Immigration; Ms. Rosemary Kisembo, Executive Director of the National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA); and other senior government officials, who together accepted the hosting mantle on behalf of the government.

The selection of Uganda as the 2026 host reflects its steadfast investment in ICT, development of citizen-centric e-Government platforms, and commitment to transparency, inclusion, and innovation.

Dr Hatwib Mugasa, Executive Director of NITA-U, said, ‘Digital transformation is no longer a choice but an imperative. Hosting DGA 2026 positions Uganda at the center of Africa’s digital discourse, allowing us to demonstrate how infrastructure, interoperability, and innovation are powering inclusive growth.

He noted, ‘Uganda’s commitment to digital excellence and its track record in implementing scalable, citizen-centric ICT solutions made it a natural choice for the 2026 host. We are excited to partner with MoICT and NITA-U to make the next year’s Summit the most impactful yet.’

The upcoming Summit will provide Uganda with a platform to showcase homegrown digital solutions, share policy successes, and lead continent-wide dialogue on shaping the next decade of digital governance in Africa.

Dr Mugasa said Uganda’s achievements in areas such as digital identity systems, cybersecurity frameworks, smart service platforms, and digital payment integration were among the key factors behind the country’s successful bid.

The DGA Secretariat, in its announcement, commended Uganda’s ‘commitment to digital excellence and its track record in implementing scalable, citizen-centric ICT solutions’ describing the country as a natural and strategic host for the 2026 edition.

Background

Now in its third year, the DGA Summit has evolved into a high-level, outcome-driven gathering, unlike conventional conferences.

It features pre-scheduled bilateral engagements between governments and technology partners, fostering tangible commitments, projects, and partnerships.

Across Africa, countries are scaling up investment in digital infrastructure to address challenges in public service delivery, economic inclusion, and data governance. Key trends driving this evolution include AI-powered governance, digital ID integration, e-payments, and data protection frameworks.

The country’s readiness to take the lead in hosting the Summit comes at a time when African governments are seeking scalable, inclusive, and citizen-first digital strategies.

The 2026 edition will thus not only be a celebration of Uganda’s progress but also a defining moment for regional cooperation and knowledge sharing. Look at the stories we have had in the past five years.

A new community-based health insurance scheme has given hope to poor parents and their children in Wakiso District. Under the scheme dubbed Renaissance Medical Fund, parents pool together resources to cater for their children’s medical bills whenever they fall sick.

Each parent pays Shs24,000 per child per year to a pool. Parents also have the option of paying Shs500 per week or Shs2,000 per month.

Mr Innocent Luther Kater, the chief executive officer of Pearl Foundation for Human Rights and Development (PFHRD), the charity organisation behind the health insurance scheme, said: ‘We want children to stay healthy and focus on their studies. Some of the children we are supporting have been missing school due to treatable ailments.’ In addition, parents can also benefit from the same scheme at the same cost.”

Ms Marion Nakyeyune, one of the beneficiaries who is enrolled in the scheme together with her two children, said it is a turning point.

‘I used to fall sick so often but I couldn’t receive the required treatment due to financial challenges. When I joined the scheme, I was able to get treatment. My weight has increased from 38kg to 60kg, after receiving the required medical treatment,’ she said.

Ms Rose Namatovu, a mother of three children, who said her husband abandoned her, also praised the scheme. She said the scheme had enabled her to secure treatment for her son, who has sickle cell disease.

‘I have been spending about Shs6,000 per day on his medication. When he gets an attack, he is hospitalised for a week or two. This was costly. His medical bill is now cleared by the insurance scheme,’ she said.

She added that her 15-year-old son is also a beneficiary of the education fund run by the same charity organisation. Mr Robert Mutungi, the deputy chief administrative officer of Kalangala District, one of the areas where the organisation operates, said supporting the education and health of the needy is vital given that it contributes to the country’s human capital development that is needed to spur economic and social growth.

Mr Jairus Mwesigwa, the managing director of PFHRD, said the organisation also initiated a general emergency fund that supports any community member.

‘This fund was able to support several Ugandans during Covid-19 lockdown with hefty medical bills when they were out of work,’ Mr Mwesigwa said.

He called upon President to assent to the National Health Insurance Scheme Bill that was passed by Parliament to ensure universal health coverage. In 2021, Parliament passed the Bill, but the President declined to assent to it due to disagreements among stakeholders.

Uganda is at a pivotal moment in its development journey. Climate change is no longer a distant threat, it is a present and growing crisis that could undermine decades of progress. According to the World Bank’s Uganda Country Climate and Development Report (CCDR), without decisive mitigation and adaptation strategies, Uganda could see its economic growth shrink by 3.1 percent by 2050, pushing over 600,000 people into poverty and triggering up to 12 million internal displacements.

The report further warns that heat stress alone could reduce labour productivity by 2.4 percent, while climate-related disasters threaten to damage 21 percent of the national electricity network and drive annual road maintenance costs to nearly $26m (Shs88.8b). These figures are not just projections they are a warning highlighting the economic toll of climate inaction. A 2023 report by the International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED) paints an even grimmer picture.

It projects temperature increases of between 1.0°C and 3.1°C by the 2060s, leading to more frequent and severe droughts, floods, and landslides. Uganda’s predominantly rain-fed agriculture on which over 70 percent of the population depends is already feeling the strain. While average annual rainfall remains relatively stable, extreme precipitation events are disrupting planting and harvesting seasons, threatening food security and rural livelihoods. Social and economic vulnerabilities compound the crisis.

According to the Economic Policy Research centre (EPRC) at Makerere University, women and girls are disproportionately affected, with 80 percent of those displaced by extreme weather events being female facing heightened risks of poverty, violence and health complications. Climate change also jeopardizes Uganda’s growing trade integration, as agriculture-based exports face increasing risks from weather variability threatening both market access and export earnings.

A recent dialogue hosted by Makerere University’s Environment for Development Centre emphasised that climate smart agriculture must be backed by stronger extension services and evidence-based policy to safeguard Uganda’s agricultural backbone. In response, Uganda has taken commendable steps.

The National Climate Change (Climate Change Mechanisms) Regulations, 2025, gazetted by the National Environment Management Authority (Nema), establish frameworks for carbon markets, climate finance, and emissions monitoring. These mechanisms aim to attract investment in climate-resilient agriculture, renewable energy, infrastructure, and disaster preparedness offering a pathway to mobilize investment in climate resilient agriculture, renewable energy, and infrastructure. However, success depends on more than policy.

The World Bank CCDR emphasises the need for multisectoral coordination, public-private partnerships, and inclusive climate smart growth strategies that embed resilience across all economic sectors and prioritise vulnerable groups especially youth and low-income earners. Equally important is the need to enhance access to climate data and early warning systems to support timely and informed decision-making.

Uganda has the natural resources, political will, and international partnerships to lead a green transformation. But the window for action is narrowing. Climate change is not just an environment issue, it is a development challenge, a gender issue, and an economic imperative. By accelerating inclusive climate mitigation and adaptation efforts, Uganda can not only safeguard its development gains but also chart a sustainable and equitable path forward. The time to act is now.

Families facing rare diseases often endure a double struggle: keeping their loved ones alive while navigating a health system unequipped to diagnose or treat uncommon conditions.

For Ms Miria Mukiibi Kibirige, that struggle is a daily reality. She cares for two children living with epidermolysis bullosa (EB), a rare genetic skin disorder causing painful, life-threatening wounds.

When Ms Mukiibi gave birth to her second child, she expected the joy she had with her firstborn. Instead, she was confronted by a mysterious disease. ‘Her skin began peeling off wherever I touched her,’ she recalls.

‘At first, I thought it was temporary, but the wounds only worsened,’ she adds. For months, she sought help at multiple hospitals.

Doctors treated the baby for eczema and allergic reactions, but nothing worked. At 17 months, her child died from complications of the undiagnosed disease.

Two years later, Ms Mukiibi faced heartbreak again. Her third child, Analicia Ayebazibwe, was born with fragile skin that blistered at the gentlest touch. Medical staff struggled to provide care without causing more injuries. Six months later, her fourth child, Abba Mirembe Kibirige, was born with a similar condition.

‘Every day is a struggle. I can’t hug them the way a mother should because every touch brings pain. They are distanced from normal childhood experiences,’ she says.

The children’s condition makes feeding, bathing, and playing difficult. Even soft fabrics or sunlight can trigger blisters, and prolonged friction causes fingers and toes to fuse.

Emotional toll

Ms Mukiibi describes social stigma as a constant burden. ‘People whisper that we are cursed, bewitched, or have offended spirits. Even some doctors treat us as if it’s our fault,’ she says.

Her children cannot attend school because of the condition. Ms Mukiibi spends her days dressing wounds and preventing infections that could turn deadly. A breakthrough occurred when an international organisation assisted in sending samples to India for genetic testing, confirming EB in Abba and Analicia.

‘EB is inherited and can remain hidden for generations,’ explains Dr Umaru Byarugaba, a medical geneticist. ‘Parents can carry the defective gene without symptoms until two carriers have children,’ he adds.

Dr Byarugaba highlights Uganda’s lack of genetic testing facilities and official recognition for rare diseases, leaving families without diagnostic tools, policies, or data.

‘Many rare diseases mimic common illnesses like skin infections or diabetes. Doctors treat symptoms without seeing the underlying cause,’ he says.

Rare diseases in Uganda

The World Health Organisation defines a rare disease as one affecting fewer than 1 in 2,000 people. Globally, more than 7,000 rare diseases impact 300 million people, with 70 percent beginning in childhood.

Currently, there is no cure for EB. Management focuses on preventing infection and minimising skin damage, as even indoor clothing and bedding pose risks.

Ms Mukiibi explains daily care: ‘Bathing must be done by sponging. Every step requires extreme care to avoid new wounds.’

Two approved treatments exist in the US: Zevaskyn, a gene therapy costing $3.1 million per child (about Shs10.5 billion), and a topical cream priced at $600,000 (around Shs2.04 billion).

Option

Her most realistic option is a clinical trial at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, costing $250,000 (about Shs850 million) for treatment, travel, and accommodation.

‘I don’t want to lose another child. Every day I pray for a miracle. Doctors have even told us to give up because the cost is too high,’ Mr Daniel Kibirige says.

Dr Byarugaba adds: ‘Even this trial is not a guaranteed cure, but it is their only chance at survival. Uganda urgently needs to recognise rare diseases, invest in diagnostics, and train health workers. Without action, more children will suffer in silence like Abba and Analicia.’ The story of the Kibirige family underscores the emotional, financial, and social burden rare diseases impose, highlighting the urgent need for awareness, policy, and healthcare investment in Uganda.

Background

Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB) is a rare genetic skin disorder that causes extremely fragile, blistering skin. It affects fewer than one in 2,000 people and currently has no cure.

Even minor friction, sunlight, or contact with clothing can trigger painful wounds. Treatment abroad ranges from $250,000 to $3.1 million (Shs850 million to 10.5 billion), making it largely inaccessible for most families.

Children living with EB face social stigma, cannot attend school, and require constant, intensive care.

The ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) party, in their 2021-2026 manifesto, promised to transform the country’s healthcare system, an essential area for the population.

With the national resources at their disposal to execute the plans, our assessment of their performance discovered a mixed bag of remarkable achievements and glaring shortfalls.

While notable progress was made in expanding primary healthcare and increasing funding for medical supplies, significant gaps remain, with unfulfilled commitments, such as the completion of Lubowa International Specialised Hospital, reappearing in the 2026-2031 manifesto.

Overall, of 17 promises assessed and rated, only around 18 percent (3/17) of health promises were fully achieved, while the majority were either partially fulfilled (11/17) or showed no implementation (3/17).

When each of the items is weighted, the overall achievement is around 50 percent. Our analysis shows there were significant strides made in increasing access to care in communities, with the party reporting the construction of 454 Health Centre IIIs, surpassing the initial target of 331.

Some of these were upgraded from Health Centre IIs (HCIIs), to enhance access in underserved areas, according to the Ministry of Health.

By April this year, the Health Minister Dr Jane Ruth Aceng, had confirmed that 398 were completed, with funding from the World Bank’s Uganda Intergovernmental Fiscal Transfers Programme (UgIFT) and Uganda Maternal and Child Health Improvement Project (UMCHIP) of around Shs720 billion.

Some HCIIs were upgraded to HCIIIs to improve access in underserved areas.

Achievements

Kayunga and Yumbe general hospitals were upgraded to regional referral status, and blood banks were established in Hoima, Arua, and Soroti.

This further improved access to care for complicated cases and addressed death related to the shortage of blood. We also found that advanced equipment, including CT scans and oxygen plants, was installed in major referral hospitals. However, during an April visit to Hoima Regional Referral Hospital, the equipment was found non-operational due to insufficient electricity.

The budget for essential medicines and supplies through National Medical Stores (NMS) rose from Shs258 billion in 2017/18 to Shs537 billion in 2023/24, reducing stock-outs.

The government did this amid the enhancement of salaries for medical workers. However, absenteeism persisted or worsened, according to Ministry of Health reports.

The manifesto pledged completion of Lubowa International Specialised Hospital (ISHU) by June 2021 to curb medical tourism (Ugandans spent $186 million abroad in 2017) and promote regional medical exports. However, construction remains incomplete.

Attorney General Kiryowa Kiwanuka, in an April letter, set a new completion date of June 2026.

‘The anticipated completion date for the hospital is June 2026. While the project experienced delays due to a considerable number of unforeseen force majeure events, including the global Covid-19 pandemic, the government and the developer have, as a cure, agreed to an accelerated works programme to ensure timely completion,’ he said in an April 17 letter to the Monitor.

The promise has been recycled in the 2026-2031 manifesto, amid prevailing concerns by Opposition politicians regarding the transparency in this multi-billion-shilling project.

The NRM, in their previous manifesto, also promised new general hospitals in Wakiso and Kampala to ease overcrowding in KCCA facilities. These were not delivered, despite Kampala’s institutional maternal mortality rate of 213 deaths per 100,000 deliveries-far above the national average of 83.

The manifesto committed to upgrading Kisenyi, Kotido, and Kyegegwa HCIVs to general hospitals. While Kotido and Kyegegwa were upgraded, Kisenyi was not, exacerbating Kampala’s healthcare challenges.

The new manifesto is also silent about the national health insurance scheme which could be essential in bridging gaps in access to health care by reducing heavy out-of-pocket expenditure on health.

In the new manifesto for 2026-2031, NRM said they would construct HCIIIs in sub-counties without them; rehabilitate 40 HC IVs and provide them with theatres, 16 general hospitals, and eight regional referral hospitals.

This was also promised in the previous manifesto, but it was not fully implemented. Apart from this, the party has also promised to renovate old and dilapidated staff houses and construct new ones for health workers.

New promises in 2026-2031

They have also promised to construct, equip and functionalise regional blood banks in regions without them (Masaka, Busoga, Lango, Karamoja and Kigezi) and construct and equip new hospitals.

Masaka and Karamoja were mentioned in the previous manifesto, but were not implemented.

‘NRM will construct the orthopaedic and traumatology centre of excellence at Naguru National Referral Hospital [and] complete construction of Lubowa International Specialised Hospital,’ the manifesto reads.

This is largely recycled from the previous manifesto. There is also an expanded plan for the Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area (GKMA) where the party plans to upgrade and equip health facilities to general hospital status. But this particular promise was made in the previous manifesto and not implemented.

The targeted facilities include Kampala (Kisenyi, Kawaala, Kiswa, Kisugu and Komamboga), Wakiso (Nansana, Kira, Wakiso HCIV, Ndejje HCIV in Makindye-Ssabagabo), Mukono (Goma) renovate and expand Soroti Regional Referral Hospital, and equip Bugiri General Hospital.

How we arrived at 50% assessment

There were 25 promises assessed (see table below). We had most of the information about 17 promises and so these qualified for our rating. Eight promises could not be rated because of insufficient information.

Achieved (A): 3/17 promises = 18%

Partially Achieved (PA): 11/17 promises = 62%

Not Achieved (NA): 3/17 promises = 18%

To calculate the NRM’s overall percentage performance, we evaluated the 17 rated promises out of the 25 assessed. The ratings were broken down as follows:

3 Achieved (100 percent performance each),

11 Partially Achieved (50 percent performance each), and

3 Not Achieved (0 percent performance each).

We then calculated the total performance score by multiplying the number of promises in each category by their respective weights ((3 × 1) + (11 × 0.5) + (3 × 0) = 8.5).

Dividing this score of 8.5 by the total number of rated promises (17) and multiplying by 100, gave an overall performance of 50%.

A new controversy has erupted over the government’s decision to allocate part of Kitubulu Central Forest Reserve in Entebbe to a Chinese investor for building government offices and a shopping mall.

This move has sparked outrage among environmentalists, policy experts, and local leaders.

The $500m (about Shs1.7063t) project, spearheaded by Mr Paul Zhang, the head of Tian Tang Group, is part of a broader plan championed by State Minister for Investment and Privatisation, Ms Evelyn Anite, who said it is aimed at creating an ‘alternative capital city’ in Entebbe.

Ms Anite confirmed that the government had allocated about 150 acres of Kitubulu forest land to Tian Tang Group for what she described as a ‘government campus’, a complex meant to host ministries, departments, and agencies currently renting space in Kampala.

‘The government has allocated land in Entebbe to Chinese investors for the construction of modern facilities, including a five-star hotel, hospital, conference centre, and housing estates,’ Ms Anite said.

‘Unless you are in a government-constructed facility, your office will have to move to Entebbe. The aim is to decongest Kampala,’ she added.

Mr Zhang said construction is expected to commence next month, describing Entebbe’s proximity to the international airport as a ‘strategic advantage’ for investors.

‘Some time ago, I approached the minister with a proposal to build an international conference centre along with other amenities such as hospitals, international schools, and modern housing in Entebbe,’ Mr Zhang said.

‘We believe this will transform Entebbe into a modern administrative hub. He added that his company was facilitated through the minister’s office and was later introduced to President Museveni, who approved the allocation. In July, more than five developers expressed interest in acquiring parts of the forest. The National Forestry Authority (NFA) reportedly issued licences to various private developers to establish eco-lodges within the forest.

During a meeting convened by Entebbe Municipality Mayor Fabrice Rululinda, and attended by the Katabi Town Council Mayor, NFA, and the developers, the forestry body acknowledged that it had allocated sections of the forest reserve to various developers.

Local leaders protest

The decision has angered Entebbe authorities and environmental activists who accuse the government of sacrificing a vital ecological asset for short-term commercial gain. Kitubulu is a protected central forest reserve, gazetted under the National Forestry and Tree Planting Act, and managed by the NFA.

It is one of the few remaining natural habitats on the shores of Lake Victoria, providing a crucial buffer zone that helps maintain water quality and biodiversity. Mr Rululinda condemned the move, saying Entebbe leaders were not on consulted about the allocations.

‘We are not allowing this forest giveaway, that’s clear. It is disrespectful that no one from NFA has ever come to discuss with us or even inform us of any plans regarding this forest,’ he said.

‘We are appealing for the cancellation of all land titles and letters issued in connection with this forest because we are determined to put up a spirited fight to ensure nothing of this sort happens in Entebbe,’ he said.

He added that Kitubulu was not a naturally grown forest but one planted by the people of Entebbe decades ago.

‘This forest was planted by our people, and we had hoped it would be preserved for posterity. Whoever claims to have bought land in that forest has been duped because we will not allow any developer to take over,’ he said.

Mr Rululinda added that his office had written several letters to NFA seeking clarification, but had received no response. ‘All the letters we have seen authorising activities in that forest are coming from NFA. We appeal to them to cancel all permissions because this forest is not for destruction,’ he added.

NFA defends allocation

When contacted, Mr Emmanuel Mangiraguha, the executive director of NFA, defended the authority’s decision, saying the plan for Kitubulu allows for ‘wise use’ through eco-tourism.

‘The forest management plan talks about conservation through wise use. The best way to save Kitubulu is through sustainable utilisation, and eco-tourism is one of those approaches,’ Mr Mangiraguha explained.

He added that developers were given strict conditions before being allowed to operate within the forest.

‘Every developer is required to carry out environmental and social impact assessments, and all this was done,’ he said. Environmentalists, however, insist that the government must suspend all ongoing allocations and conduct a comprehensive environmental audit.

They argue that converting a protected forest reserve into commercial property sets a dangerous precedent. They warn that clearing Kitubulu could worsen flooding in Entebbe, accelerate wetland degradation, and undermine Uganda’s commitments under international environmental conventions.

As the debate rages on, Kitubulu, once a quiet, lush green forest hugging the shores of Lake Victoria, has become the latest battleground in Uganda’s escalating struggle between conservation and commercial development.

Efforts to reach out to State Minister for Water and Environment, Ms Beatrice Anywar for a comment on the ongoing developments in Kitubulu forest were futile as she never picked up our repeated phone calls to her by press time yesterday.

As cancer prevalence and other life-limiting illnesses continue to rise in Uganda, palliative care has become a critical service for alleviating suffering, managing pain, and improving quality of life.

Unfortunately, many patients and families still believe that palliative care is limited or unavailable. In reality, Uganda has made remarkable strides in integrating palliative care into the health system, with multiple access points across the country.

The Uganda Cancer Institute (UCI), working with national and regional partners, is committed to ensuring that patients and their families know where and how they can receive these essential services.

What is palliative care?

Palliative care is a holistic approach that goes beyond medical treatment.

It relieves pain and other symptoms while also addressing psychosocial, spiritual, and emotional needs. It is not restricted to end-of-life care; it can begin early in the course of an illness, even alongside curative treatment.

UCI, together with partners such as the African Palliative Care Association (APCA) and the Palliative Care Association of Uganda (PCAU), continues to advocate for accessible, affordable, and high-quality palliative care for all Ugandans. Through PCAU, palliative care is now available in more than 100 districts across Uganda.

Services are offered in many public health facilities, including national and regional referral hospitals, district and general hospitals, and Health Centre IVs.

This expansion means that even in rural areas, patients may find palliative care closer to home. Families are encouraged to ask at their local health units whether such services are offered.

Specialist organisations

In addition to hospital-based care, Uganda has several hospices and specialist organisations offering comprehensive palliative care. Hospice Africa Uganda (HAU), operating in Kampala, Mbarara, and Hoima, provides outpatient care, home visits, psychosocial and spiritual support, and outreach clinics.

HAU also produces oral liquid morphine in partnership with the Government of Uganda, ensuring access to essential pain relief.

Rays of Hope Hospice in Jinja City serves the Busoga region with home-based palliative care and outreach services. Kabale Christian Care in southwestern Uganda offers holistic palliative services alongside psychosocial support and cancer care assistance.

Joy Health Centre and Hospice in Mbale provides specialist outpatient and inpatient palliative care, home visits, and end-of-life support. Many of these organisations extend their services to patients’ homes, making care more accessible to families who cannot travel.

The role of APCA

The African Palliative Care Association, headquartered in Kampala, plays both a continental and national role in strengthening palliative care.

APCA supports advocacy, training, and policy development, ensuring that palliative care is prioritised in national health systems. Its close collaboration with the Ministry of Health, PCAU, and UCI helps expand service availability and improve quality standards.

Uganda is one of the first African countries to integrate palliative care into its public health system. Public service structures now include positions for palliative care specialists in national and regional hospitals.

Nurses and clinical officers trained in palliative care are authorised to prescribe oral liquid morphine, making pain relief more widely accessible.

Partnerships between the government and NGOs like HAU ensure local production and distribution of affordable morphine, bringing services closer to patients and reducing the financial burden of travelling long distances for care. Patients and families can access palliative care by checking with local facilities such as Health Centre IVs, district hospitals, or regional referral hospitals to inquire about services. They can also contact hospices and specialist organisations directly for information and home-based services.

PCAU maintains an updated directory of accredited facilities across Uganda, while APCA supports regional palliative care initiatives and can link patients to service providers.

Oral liquid morphine, a key pain relief medication, is available in public and NGO facilities, often free of charge.

Challenges

Despite the progress made, only about 11 percent of Ugandans who need palliative care currently have access to it. Some health centres lack trained staff, and awareness among patients and communities remains low. Myths that palliative care is ‘only for the dying’ also discourage timely uptake, leaving many to suffer unnecessarily.

UCI’s role

At UCI, palliative care is integrated into the treatment journey for cancer patients. The institute partners with APCA, PCAU, and Hospice Africa Uganda to expand referral networks and trains healthcare workers in palliative care and pain management. It also advocates for policy and system strengthening to ensure that no patient is left behind.