Category: Daily Monitor

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.

Outgoing Inspector General of Government (IGG) Beti Olive Namisango Kamya has for the first time ever since she was dropped as the country’s top anti-graft watchdog boss, come out publicly to say that she is going to spend more time with her family as she awaits what God has in store.

Ms Kamya, who was dropped last week as the IGG by President Museveni, and replaced by High Court Judge Aisha Naluzze Batala, yesterday told this publication that she would not participate in elective politics but rather lead a private life.

‘For now, I just want to enjoy my family. I plan to enjoy my family, and then I will see what God brings because when you pray, God does things for us. I am not thinking of standing, seeking any elective position for now, but I will engage in politics as a civic duty to campaign for my candidate, pay my taxes, vote, and I will do everything as my civic duty requires, but I will not be seeking election,’ Ms Kamya said shortly after attending a service at Nateete Martyrs Church, Kampala yesterday.

Accompanied by her family, including her children, in-laws, and grandchildren, the smartly dressed Kamya attended a thanksgiving service, where she thanked God for blessing her and enabling her to fulfil her tasks with ease.

‘I came to thank God for his goodness to me.now that I have completed my four years that God gave me as the IGG. I needed to come and thank Him.I want to send my appreciation to the President for allowing me to serve first as a minister, then as IGG, which has broadened my perception of the issues of this country in terms of leadership, service. I have been so blessed,’ she said.

Ms Kamya added: ‘I want to send out positive vibes to everybody in the universe; the new IGG, my colleagues, the deputy IGGs, and the rest of the people in the IG institution I have been working with. It has been a great team.’

Kamya was appointed IGG on July 15, 2021, replacing Justice Irene Mulyagonja, who served between 2012 and 2019. Kamya had also served as the minister for Kampala and minister for Lands, Housing, and Urban Development before becoming the IGG.

As the IGG, Ms Kamya investigated several high-profile officials and government institutions, for example, at the National Medical Stores, Isimba Power Plant, the Karamoja Iron Sheets scandal, and irregularities in the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, among others.

She describe her four-year term as challenging, adding that because of God’s grace, she came out victorious.

‘I have had a very challenging four years, but by the grace of God, I have come out happy that I served, did my best. No job does not have a challenge, likewise the IGG job, but the biggest challenge here is being under-resourced. That institution requires to be funded to work towards the masses’ expectations,’ she said.

Mr Daniel Lusambya Kyazze, a faithful at Nateete Martyrs’ Church, described Ms Kamya as a devoted Christian who has served her people diligently with maximum integrity, hard work, and unwavering love.

‘During her tenure as the minister for Kampala, Nateete got the best roads, and this is just one of the very many good things we have benefited from her as the one person God raised from us. We are grateful to God for the favour he bestowed upon us,’ he said.

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.

In April 2022, while driving home one evening, 42-year-old Everson Bwengye felt a sharp pain in her chest. At the time, she was working as a brand manager with a local beverage company. The pain was accompanied by fatigue.

Later, when she examined her chest, she discovered a lump in her left breast. The next day was packed with work commitments, so she postponed her visit to the hospital. On Tuesday, she visited International Hospital Kampala (IHK) for a comprehensive physical examination.

To her surprise, the results appeared normal. However, the doctor noted her white blood cell count was alarmingly high. When she mentioned the lump, the doctor immediately recommended a CT scan. The scan showed that the lump had spread to her lymph nodes under the armpit.

The doctor’s question, ‘Do you have a family history of cancer?’ left her shaken. She was advised to do a mammogram, but she postponed it, unable to face the possibility of what lay ahead.

Living in denial

When she eventually did the mammogram at Norvik Hospital in Kampala, the results confirmed the doctor’s fears. Still, she sought a second opinion at Kampala Hospital, this time with her sister by her side. A biopsy was performed, and the 10-day wait for results felt like an eternity. During this period, Bwengye’s relatives offered herbal remedies. She began fasting, avoided sugar, meat, and cooking oil, and relied heavily on herbs.

‘I had a very aggressive type of cancer, but I was in denial,’ she recalls.

‘For three months, I refused medical treatment and hoped herbs would heal me.’ The fear of death consumed her thoughts. She pictured her funeral and worried about her three children. ‘I became hard on them. I taught them things they had not yet learnt and told them to prepare for the worst,’ she says. Her relationship with her husband also grew distant, as she braced herself for the inevitable.

A turning point

One herbalist encouraged her to run further tests before continuing treatment. The results revealed that her organs were still intact, but the herbalist admitted the herbs would not cure her cancer. He advised her to seek treatment at the Uganda Cancer Institute (UCI). By then, the lump had nearly doubled in size.

Alarmed, she rushed back to the hospital, where the doctor advised immediate surgery to remove her breast. It was a painful decision she had to make with her husband.

After seeking another opinion, she went to the UCI, where a treatment plan was drawn up. She received six cycles of chemotherapy, three weeks apart. However, even after completing them, the lump seemed larger.

Seeking treatment abroad

Determined to find answers, Bwengye travelled to Turkey. There, she underwent four additional cycles of chemotherapy, surgery, and 35 radiotherapy sessions. She was then placed on hormone therapy, which she continues to this day. Despite the painful side effects, Bwengye worked throughout her treatment.

‘Even after chemotherapy in Uganda, I would go back to work. After coming back from Turkey, I resumed immediately,’ she says.

Her resilience, however, was met with unexpected rejection at her workplace. Her responsibilities were gradually reduced, her benefits withdrawn, and she was eventually suspended before her contract quietly expired.

‘This was an indirect way of firing me,’ she says bitterly.

The silent struggles of survivors

For many cancer survivors, workplace rejection is a silent battle.

‘After treatment, you cannot be as productive as before. Many organisations indirectly push us away, yet they boast of supporting cancer through Corporate Social Responsibility,’ she notes.

Surviving cancer does not end with treatment. For breast cancer survivors such as Bwengye, hormonal therapy is essential. She now takes a daily hormone tablet, calcium supplements, allergy medication, and receives quarterly reviews and injections.

‘Not every cancer patient dies of the disease. Many die from depression and lack of support,’ she explains. Survivors often face rejection from relatives, spouses, and workplaces. Meanwhile, the costs of post-treatment medication remain high.

Did you know

According to the Uganda Cancer Institute, about 34,000 new cancer cases are recorded every year, and breast cancer accounts for roughly 2,000 of them. Early detection and consistent follow-up treatment are key to survival, but stigma and financial hardship remain major obstacles for many patients.

Dr Edward Muwonge, an oncologist at UCI, notes that the stigma around cancer still costs lives.

‘Employers need to understand that recovery takes time. Compassion and workplace flexibility go a long way in helping survivors regain confidence,’ he says.

The irony, Bwengye adds, is that while some companies donate generously to cancer campaigns, they fail to support employees battling the disease.

‘It is painful when organisations contribute to cancer awareness but abandon their own staff fighting cancer,’ she says.

Finding strength in vulnerability

Bwengye’s story is one of courage in the face of fear, hope in the midst of despair, and resilience despite rejection. From denial and reliance on herbs to finally accepting medical treatment, her journey underscores the importance of timely medical intervention and emotional support for cancer patients.

She acknowledges that life after cancer is a daily struggle.

‘We live with the reality that we must take medicines for the rest of our lives,’ she reflects.

Yet she continues to fight for her health, for her children, and for the dignity of cancer survivors in Uganda.

Call for compassion

For Ugandans battling cancer, Bwengye’s journey is both a warning and an inspiration. It highlights the dangers of denial and delays in treatment, the limitations of herbal remedies, and the emotional toll of rejection from workplaces and families. But it also demonstrates the strength of the human spirit.

Bwengye continues to share her story so that others may find courage, seek timely medical care, and demand greater support for survivors. Her message is clear: ‘We do not only need medicine to survive cancer. We need love, support, and acceptance.’

Two weeks after the Opposition National Unity Platform (NUP) released the list of its approved parliamentary flagbearers for the 2026 elections, at least 82 aggrieved aspirants who were left out have petitioned the party, challenging their rejection and seeking justice.

Among them, only one incumbent-Mr Aloysius Mukasa, the Rubaga South MP-has petitioned the party after being dropped in favour of Ms Euginia Nassolo. The rest of the dissatisfied aspirants have announced plans to contest as Independents against NUP’s chosen candidates.

On September 29, NUP formed a four-member tribunal committee chaired by Dr Moses Kanaabi, with members Mr Johnathan Elotu, Mr Marvin Saasi, and Ms Fatuma Cassim, to handle complaints from the aggrieved aspirants.

The committee was given two days after the release of the list to receive petitions. Speaking to this publication yesterday, Mr Elotu, who is also NUP’s secretary for legal affairs, said of the 82 petitioners, 46 came from the central region, 32 from the eastern region, and four from the northern and western regions combined.

He explained that after receiving the petitions, the committee follows two steps: first, reviewing the evidence to determine which cases are valid, and second, holding hearings where all parties are invited to present their arguments.

‘Last week we had a hearing from eastern Uganda; we called all the aggrieved and the candidate being challenged to hear from both sides. We are still processing the information to hear from central, western, and northern Uganda. We are currently scrutinising the petitions. After our stiff process of hearing, we will be able to confirm the legitimate NUP winners,’ Mr Elotu said.

When asked when the final results would be released, Mr Elotu said: ‘The role of the committee to make the recommendations to the NUP executive board will determine the next fate to come out with the final lists.’

What the petitioners say

Mr David Musiri, who was aspiring for the Makindye West seat, expressed his disappointment over the selection process, arguing that it undermines loyal party members. ‘After the release of the results, when I was missing on the list, everyone was shocked. Maybe there was a slight mistake. Ms [Zahara] Luyirika, who was selected, had been vetted for the Kampala City Woman MP. Her selection undermines our core values and integrity,’ Mr Musiri said.

Mr Robert Ssekidde, alias Tuff B (Makindye East) said: ‘In my petition I expressed the desire to know why a person who was given a card had not shown interest in it but had just shifted three days to vetting. His education credentials were questionable.’

Ms Zuraika Nalukenge Ssekito challenged the selection of Ms Veronica Nanyondo to represent the party in the Bukomansimbi Woman MP race, arguing that she had withdrawn her signature during the Shs1.7b service award saga that led to the attempted impeachment of Mr Mathias Mpuuga as a Parliament commissioner.

‘If the party is talking about a leader being reliable and understanding the party’s core values, they won’t have made such a decision. I have been an NUP district registrar; I have followed all the party’s core values,’ Ms Nalukenge said.

Other petitioners are Ms Faustina Nalubega Bitaano (Mityana Woman MP) and Ms Juliet Nanteza (Wakiso District Woman MP), among others.

The replacement of Beti Kamya as Inspector General of Government (IGG) with Justice Aisha Naluzze Batala has generated wide debate, not least because Kamya’s tenure was anything but quiet. For four years, she gave the IG institution unusual visibility in public life, confronting corruption in ways that unsettled even those at the very top.

Kamya’s most memorable initiative was the push for a lifestyle audit, a proposal that public officials should account for their wealth against their income. It was a bold idea that went to the heart of Uganda’s corruption problem. Yet it was publicly dismissed by President Museveni, who warned that lifestyle audits could be ‘politically disruptive.’ In another moment, when Kamya proposed extending IG investigations into the military, she was bluntly told to keep her hands off the army.

These interventions may not have produced prosecutions, but they succeeded in one vital respect: they forced corruption into the national conversation, and proved that the IG office could not be ignored. Just as importantly, Kamya used her platform as IGG to challenge Ugandans to rethink their own complicity in corruption. She warned against the culture of idolising public officers who suddenly acquire wealth, treating them as symbols of ‘success,’ while dismissing honest officials who live within their means as ‘dull’ or ‘lacking drive.’

By exposing this social glorification of quick riches, she shifted the debate from government failings alone to society’s responsibility in normalising graft. It was a brave confrontation with a cultural mindset that fuels corruption as much as weak enforcement does.

In that sense, Kamya raised the IG office’s profile higher than many of her predecessors. She brought a politician’s instinct for publicity into an institution often seen as sleepy and technical. Under her, the IG was suddenly on the front pages, its voice shaping debates in Parliament and on the streets. To many Ugandans, she embodied the frustration they feel about entrenched corruption, and her sharp warnings resonated widely. Yet visibility is not the same as victory.

Despite her energy as IGG, few ‘big fish’ were convicted. Critics argued she politicised the office. Supporters countered that she was hemmed in by a system that shields the powerful and leaves the IGG fighting with one hand tied behind her back. Both perspectives contain truth. Now enters Justice Batal. Where Kamya was a politician, Batala is a career prosecutor and judge.

For nearly two decades, she worked at the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, earning a reputation for diligence, integrity, and a high conviction rate. More recently, at the High Court’s Land Division, she dealt with some of Uganda’s most corruption-ridden disputes. Her appointment signals a deliberate pivot: from political visibility to legal precision. But Batala will not be starting from scratch. She inherits an IG institution that, thanks to Kamya, is once again in the public eye.

The challenge is to build on that renewed profile by producing results in courtrooms, not just headlines. Ugandans are weary of anti-corruption theatre. They want convictions, asset recoveries, and proof that no one is above the law. The hurdles remain formidable. The IG still struggles with a backlog of cases. Political shielding of senior figures has undone many brave investigations.

Whistleblowers lack protection. The very independence of the office is tested by the fact that its leadership is presidentially appointed. Batala may have the temperament and the tools, but her ability to bite will depend on how much leash she is truly given. The story, therefore, is not of Kamya’s failure but of the two stages of a struggle. Kamya dragged corruption into the light and confronted society’s dangerous admiration for illicit wealth.

Batala must now carry the baton, converting that visibility into a prosecutorial bite. If she succeeds, Ugandans may finally believe that the IG is not only a watchdog but a guard dog capable of defending the public interest. The baton has been passed from one sister to another. The question is whether the institution, not the personalities, will be allowed to run.

Pupils of Ndese Church of Uganda Primary School in Nakifuma County, Mukono District have been studying in classrooms without roofs since last year. The school management said it lacks the funds to repair the classrooms, whose roofs were blown off during a storm last year.

Mr Archer Samuel Kadhume, the head teacher, said whenever it rains the pupils have to relocate to another classroom or staff room until it stops.

”The school faces a big challenge of inadequate classrooms after the heavy rain and storm destroyed two classrooms last year,” he said during an interview at the weekend.

He added: ‘Since November last year, I have made frequent visits to the district headquarters seeking support, but they always told me that they will consider our school in the next financial year.’

Haruna Musoke, a Primary Seven pupil, explained the hardships they go through while studying in a roofless classroom.

‘Our studies are always interrupted during the rainy seasons. Lessons are sometimes postponed when it threatens to rain. Learning cannot go on when it rains heavily because we fear that the whole building may collapse.’

Alice Namakula, another pupil, said: ‘The sunshine also affects some of us, and we keep on moving to where there is a shade to continue with lesson.’

‘We urge the government to support us so that we enjoy our studies just like other pupils in other schools. Nothing can stop us from performing well when we study in a good environment,’ she added.

Mr Andrew Mukasa, who lives near the school, said: ‘The longer they take to renovate the classroom, the weaker it gets, putting children’s lives at risk. I wonder why the district and government cannot rescue our school.’

The vice chairperson of the school management committee, Ms Rose Kyeyune, said all classroom structures are in a sorry state and need urgent attention. The Mukono District Education Officer, Mr Rashid Kikomeko, said they are aware of the poor state of the school and efforts are underway to support it. ”We do not have funds at the moment,” Kikomeko said.

About the school

Ndese Church of Uganda Primary School, built in 1942, faces serious challenges.

Last year, all 82 pupils who sat for the Primary Leaving Examinations (PLE) failed to score a first grade because of problems such as poor infrastructure and a shortage of learning materials.

The school has more than 300 pupils who study in only two classroom blocks. The main block is the one which was recently damaged. There is also a small separate structure that serves as the head teacher’s office.