Category: Daily Monitor

The business environment remained favorable for investors in September 2025, but purchase and staff costs continued to climb, pushing overall input prices higher.

The Stanbic Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) survey shows that output charges rose for the 13th month as companies passed increased costs on to customers. Prices of key inputs such as cement and paper products went up, while wage bills increased in line with higher employment levels.

The rise in input prices was broad-based across all sectors. Despite rising inflationary pressures, the private sector continued to expand, with the headline PMI rising to 54, up from 53.3 in August. This was the eighth month of improved business conditions. A PMI reading above 50 indicates expansion.

The continued growth was driven by a rise in new business and stronger demand. Companies reported an upturn in output as they adjusted production to meet increased orders.

All monitored sectors, including agriculture, industry, construction, wholesale and retail, and services, recorded growth in output and new business.

‘Private sector momentum remained strong in September, with robust consumer demand driving new orders and output,’ said Christopher Legilisho, Stanbic Bank economist.

‘Businesses remain optimistic about future activity, with expectations of sales and hiring in the next 12 months,’ he said, noting that inflationary pressures persisted as purchase prices, wages, and output charges all rose.

However, Legilisho said business confidence remained high, reflecting optimism about the economic trajectory.

The survey indicated that firms expanded capacity in September to accommodate increased orders, resulting in further growth in employment and input purchases.

Job creation extended to an eighth consecutive month, with most firms hiring temporary workers

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Staff costs also rose, continuing a trend that began more than 18 months ago, as firms attributed higher wage bills to workforce growth.

Meanwhile, Uganda Bureau of Statistics reported that annual headline inflation for the year to September rose to 4 percent from 3.8 percent in August.

Input price inflation, largely driven by higher fuel and utility costs, persisted across all sectors. Similarly, output prices rose as firms sought to recover rising costs.

Nevertheless, the agriculture and construction sectors recorded slight declines in selling prices.

Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago has accused Parliament and the National Environment Management Authority (Nema) of negligence and conspiracy in allowing city businessman Hamis Kiggundu, commonly known as Ham, to carry out illegal construction on the Nakivubo Channel, one of the capital’s main drainage systems.

Speaking to journalists in Kampala yesterday, Mr Lukwago said the channel, classified as a natural resource, falls under the management of Local Government and cannot be leased or alienated to private developers under the Constitution. ‘Nakivubo Channel is supposed to be managed by the Local Government, not individuals. Local Governments are prohibited by law from leasing or alienating any natural resource,’ Mr Lukwago said.

Nema clearance

He alleged that Ham Enterprises obtained two land titles over sections of the channel without securing the mandatory environmental permits from Nema as required by the Environmental Act. A letter from Nema dated August 22 was reportedly sent to the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) executive director, the Office of the Lord Mayor, and the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Water, requesting information about the ongoing works. Mr Lukwago said to date, no Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report or official response has been filed.

‘Nema cannot issue a permit without an Environmental Impact Assessment report. Unfortunately, construction went ahead without these approvals, and that is a serious breach of the law,’ he said. Mr Lukwago added that Ham Enterprises never submitted a development application to KCCA for approval. On August 22, the KCCA executive director issued a letter ordering the company to halt all works pending clearance, but the developer ignored the directive.

The Lord Mayor further accused a section of MPs of deliberately stalling investigations into the matter, despite a directive by Speaker Anita Among to constitute a fact-finding committee led by MP Daniel Kimosho. ‘There is a conspiracy being perpetuated by Parliament. The Speaker directed a fact-finding committee to investigate, but since September, we have not heard from the team,’ Mr Lukwago said.

Efforts to obtain comment from the named institutions were unsuccessful by press time.

He revealed that his office is now pushing for immediate enforcement, including arrests and prosecution of those behind the illegal construction. Mr Lukwago also demanded compensation for traders and residents who have suffered losses as a result of flooding caused by the blocked channel. Traders in downtown Kampala are counting heavy losses following Monday’s downpour that caused the Nakivubo Channel-now under construction-to overflow and flood surrounding arcades. Shops near the main drainage corridor were submerged, destroying merchandise worth millions of shillings.

Mr Joseph Mukiibi, a trader at Qualicell Building, said the flooding had worsened because the blocked channel diverted water through their buildings. ‘The recent flooding was terrible because water failed to flow through its usual route, which was blocked. It found its way through our buildings instead,’ Mr Mukiibi said.

Ms Mariam Kisakye, another trader, blamed the flooding on garbage disposal by vendors and roadworks that have obstructed smaller drainage streams from Kampala Road to Nakasero.

Background

Works to cordon off the Nakivubo Channel began on August 16, and KCCA ordered Ham Enterprises to halt all works six days later pending statutory permissions. The authority also demanded the removal of debris and restoration of stormwater flow in compliance with environmental and planning laws. However, civil society organisations and lawyers have since sued Ham Enterprises, KCCA, Nema, and others, citing lack of an Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) and alleged constitutional breaches through presidential directives overriding due process.

Despite multiple warnings, construction has continued without interruption.

Uganda is one of Africa’s fastest-growing economies, expanding at an average of 6.1 percent annually. Agriculture is the backbone of our economy, contributing more than a quarter of our GDP and sustaining the livelihoods of millions of people.

With 6.9 million hectares of arable land, two reliable cropping seasons, and a young, skilled workforce, Uganda is one of the continent’s most competitive investment destinations. This is demonstrated by the $3b in foreign direct investment (FDI) the country attracted last year, signaling strong investor confidence.

At the recently concluded African Food Systems Forum in Dakar, Senegal, I had the opportunity to present the Uganda Legacy Programme. This initiative aims to transform five key agricultural value chains: beef, dairy, animal feeds (maize, yellow maize, and soybeans), and coffee.

Developed in partnership with Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA), the programme is a public-private partnership designed to mobilise capital, de-risk agricultural investments, and provide marketing grants and blended finance. It directly supports our national development frameworks, including Vision 2040 and the Parish Development Model.

As a ministry, we have identified these five value chains as the pillars of Uganda’s agricultural transformation, with the potential to turn the country into a regional food hub.

With the right investments, these sectors can unlock billions in export earnings, create jobs for our youth, and secure food supplies for the fast-growing continent.

Uganda’s per capita beef consumption is far below the regional average, yet demand is increasing across the East African Community and Comesa markets. By investing in improved cattle breeds, modern abattoirs, cold chains, and vaccine production facilities, Uganda can become a regional supplier of affordable, high-quality beef.

Dairy: This is another underexploited frontier. While current exports are modest, Uganda has the capacity to grow production to over six billion litres annually. Investments in integrated dairy hubs, cold storage, and processing plants would allow Uganda to expand its footprint in the regional market, which is worth more than $1.3b. Maize and soybeans are the backbone of the livestock and poultry industries. The region faces persistent shortages of quality feed, which hinders the growth of these sectors.

Strategic investment in feed production, mechanisation, and processing will not only strengthen Uganda’s competitiveness but also boost food security across East Africa.

Coffee: Uganda is already Africa’s largest exporter of coffee, earning $2.2b in just 19 months, which accounts for 60 percent of Africa’s total coffee earnings. However, the real opportunity lies in value addition.

Investing in roasting, soluble coffee production, and branding would allow Uganda to multiply its returns tenfold while moving up the global coffee value chain. We have set a target to mobilise $1.4b in investments over the next five years.

The plan is to allocate: $400m (Shs1.4 trillion) for coffee to scale production and expand value addition. $300m (Shs1 trillion) for dairy to strengthen pasture development, processing hubs, and cold chain facilities. $500m (Shs1.7 trillion) for beef to expand cattle populations, modernise abattoirs, and establish feedlot systems.

$100m (Shs344b) each for maize and soybeans to boost mechanisation, input financing, and processing capacity, particularly for animal feeds.

This investment is designed to leverage Uganda’s comparative advantages, reduce risks for private investors, and position the country as a leading regional supplier of high-quality agricultural products.

Uganda offers one of the most attractive business environments in Africa. Investors benefit from a 10-year corporate tax holiday, exemption from import duties on agricultural inputs, and zero-rated VAT on essential items like seeds and machinery.

The Uganda Investment Authority (UIA) has also simplified procedures through a One-Stop Centre, which brings together 16 government agencies to ensure efficiency and ease of doing business.

Beyond these incentives, Uganda provides strategic access to vast markets. Investors can tap into EAC, which connects them to 300 million consumers, and Comesa, which extends this to 600 million.

Furthermore, the African Continental Free Trade Area opens up a continental market of 1.3 billion people with a combined GDP of $3.4 trillion.

The sectors we have selected represent Uganda’s strongest comparative advantages and the clearest path to shared prosperity.

The opportunities are compelling, the risks are mitigated, and the incentives are generous. What is needed now are investors willing to join Uganda in shaping the future of Africa’s food systems.

The Uganda Cancer Institute (UCI) has received a significant boost in its fight against cervical cancer with a donation of medical equipment worth Shs2.3 billion from South Korea, through the Korea Foundation for International Healthcare (KOFIH).

While handing over the equipment to UCI on Wednesday, Mr Dohoon Kim, the Country Director of KOFIH-Uganda, said the donation, made under their ongoing CANCAP project, will improve the cancer survival rate in Uganda.

‘Through this support, we hope to strengthen the capacity of the Uganda Cancer Institute (UCI), to deliver quality, timely, and comprehensive cancer care,’ he said.

‘But the true success of this project will not be measured by what we have today, it will be measured by how well these resources are maintained, managed, and sustained for many years to come,’ he added.

He also promised to continue supporting Uganda’s health system. ‘Today’s handover is more than a ceremony of transferring equipment. It is a symbol of our shared commitment -a partnership built on trust, mutual respect, and a shared vision of a healthier future for all Ugandans,’ he added.

The donation comprised 21 equipment and items aimed at strengthening cervical cancer prevention, screening, and early detection services in Kampala, Wakiso, and Mbarara districts.

The equipment, among others, includes a heavy-duty ultrasound machine, a gynaecological examination bed and ward screens, an electrosurgical unit, and GeneXpert machines for human papillomavirus (HPV) tests. HPV is the cause of cervical cancer. KOFIH also donated two vehicles and computers to boost coordination and sample collection efforts.

Speaking during the handover ceremony, Dr Charles Oyoo Akiya, Commissioner for Non-Communicable Diseases at the Ministry of Health, applauded the partnership for its role in enhancing Uganda’s capacity to combat cancer.

Dr Jackson Orem, the UCI Executive Director, appreciated the collaboration with KOFIH, describing it as a major boost to the country’s cancer control efforts. ‘This donation will go a long way in promoting early detection and improving access to cervical cancer screening services, especially for women in hard-to-reach areas,’ Dr Orem noted.

Dr Martin Origa, the head of the unit in charge of treating cancers of female reproductive systems, said each week they detect around 15 new cervical cancer cases among women coming to the Kampala-based centre. He said the total number of women developing cervical cancer could be higher since a significant number, especially those far away from the capital city, may not be travelling to Kampala to get the right diagnosis and care.

He advised the public to ensure young girls are vaccinated against HPV to prevent cervical cancer. He said HPV infection is the cause of cervical cancer in women as they get older, a leading cause of cancer deaths in the country.

The government has omitted Bukakkata Sub-county in Masaka District from areas set to benefit from the oil palm project yet to be rolled out.

The Ministry of Agriculture officials said Bukakkata was omitted because of various environmentally sensitive and heritage sites which need to be protected.

According to the final Environmental and Social Impact report for the proposed establishment of smallholder oil palm plantations in Masaka District, most parts of Bukakkata Sub-county were left out due to the concentration of Ramsar and cultural sites.

‘The area has several tourist attractions, including Ramsar, cultural and religious sites like Lake Nabugabo, Birinzi Catholic Shrine, Lake Birinzi, which locals consider very vital and need to be conserved,’ the report reads in part. The report further indicates that after assessment, only small-scale farmers from the 72 villages in three sub-counties of Buwunga, Kyanamukkaka, and Kyesiiga were approved to benefit from the oil palm project expected to kick off in March next year.

Mr Anthony Wanyoto, a communications and knowledge management officer at the National Oil Palm Project, said the assessment and registration of farmers from the selected sub-counties was completed. The targeted beneficiaries were mobilised to form a cooperative society to provide an organisational framework among them to ease access to better inputs and extension services.

Local leaders speak out

Mr Robert Kambugu, the Masaka deputy Resident District Commissioner, said his office has not received any information regarding the project. ‘We are mandated to mobilise people and sensitise them to embrace developmental projects, but the line ministry has not yet communicated to us,’ he said in a telephone interview yesterday. Mr Henry Kabuye, the vice chairperson of Kyesiiga Sub-county, said he received information about the project through some farmers in the area.

‘I have learnt that the number of farmers selected is small compared to those ready to embrace the project. I think these are issues we could address as local leaders if they fully involved us in the project,’ he said. The Masaka oil palm project is part of the greater Masaka hub, which covers districts on Lake Victoria shores, including Kyotera, Masaka, Kalungu, and Kalangala.

The project

The project targets 4,000 hectares of land in the district and prioritises small-scale farmers with one to four acres of land. In the neighbouring Kyotera District, BIDCO Uganda Limited – the project implementing firm, has already established a nursery bed for oil palm seedlings, which it will supply to both the nucleus estate and outgrowers across the region.

Oil palm farming in Masaka District was introduced in 2003. However, the project has not yet kicked off due to challenges, most especially the opposition from politicians and residents, which prompted the government to relocate the project to Kalangala District. Other districts like Buvuma, Namayingo, Bugiri, and Mayuge have embraced oil palm farming, and more districts in central, eastern, northern, and West Nile regions are yet to be considered under the second phase of implementation of the project.

President Museveni has urged youth from Africa and the Arab world to embrace collaboration and partnerships rather than division if they are to collectively drive development and transformation in their countries.

While officiating at the Afro-Arab Youth Congress 2025 Speke Resort Munyonyo yesterday, President Museveni, in a speech read by Third Deputy Prime Minister Rukia Nakadama, said young people hold the power to solve their challenges through constructive partnerships.

‘As you engage, remember that your network is your net worth, because the friendships and partnerships you make here have the power to outlive this event. Become bridges of collaboration that can build communities and transform nations,’ he said.

He added, ‘To the young people gathered here, strive to understand the dynamics of the world you live in, because the future is shaped not by chance but by the clarity of your ideology and the strength of your conviction. We encourage the youth to share ideology and commonalities instead of divisions.’

Youth in Africa continue to face significant challenges, including widespread unemployment, poor-quality education that does not align with the job market, poverty, rapid urbanization, limited political participation, and the worsening effects of climate change such as food insecurity and displacement.

Youth unemployment remains a major crisis. According to an African Development Bank Group brief titled Jobs for Youths in Africa (October 2024), one-third of Africa’s nearly 420 million youth aged 15-35 were unemployed. The number of youth lacking an economic stake is projected to reach 263 million by 2025.

The report cites a mismatch between education systems and labor market needs, limited formal jobs, and the prevalence of low-wage, precarious work. It calls for investments in skills development and entrepreneurship as key solutions.

Similarly, youth in the Arab world also grapple with high unemployment, underemployment, and limited access to quality education and economic opportunities.

Mr Museveni said that such challenges can only be addressed through cross-regional collaboration among youth from both Africa and the Arab world.

Mr Abbas Agaba, Secretary-General of the Afro-Arab Youth Council (AAYC), said this year’s conference theme-Amplifying Youth Voices for Peace, Unity and Prosperity-will guide the four-day discussions.

‘We face common challenges of youth unemployment, limited access to resources, climate change, and the need for stronger democratic institutions. Our youths are not a burden; they are the backbone of development. They are not the leaders of tomorrow but of today,’ he said.

The State Minister for Youth, Balaam Barugahara, said the government has placed youth empowerment at the center of national transformation.

‘The government has implemented programmes aimed at harnessing the potential of young people, including ICT innovations, enhancing innovation capacity, and establishing the National Youth Council. This reaffirms that youth are not a problem to be solved but a solution to the challenges,’ he said.

He added that Uganda continues to lead in advancing youth cooperation and inclusion at both regional and global levels.

‘With the East African Community, Uganda is working to harmonise youth policies, promote cross-border innovations, and enhance mobility. At the African Union, Uganda aligns with Agenda 2063 and the Africa Youth Charter, ensuring youth participation in governance, climate action, and peacebuilding.’

Rwanda’s Minister of Youth, Sandrine Umutoni, emphasized the role of young people in rebuilding Rwanda and urged youth in Afro-Arab nations to recognize their central role in national development.

Participants at the conference are also discussing plans to establish the council’s permanent headquarters on 50 acres of land donated by President Museveni.

‘The futuristic complex will include a modern office block, an international-standard hotel, a sports stadium, a cultural heritage center, and a University of Science and Technology. This is more than a building; it’s a dream city that will stand as a beacon of unity, cultural exchange, and youth empowerment,’ Mr Agaba said.

The Afro-Arab Youth Congress 2025 is expected to mark a turning point in strengthening Afro-Arab relations, with Kampala serving as the birthplace of new policies, initiatives, and youth-led solutions to global challenges.

The National Social Security Fund (NSSF) says it has the resources to finance major infrastructure projects across Uganda if the government issues an infrastructure bond.

An infrastructure bond is a financial instrument that allows investors to fund the construction and maintenance of public projects such as roads, railways, airports, and utilities.

Such bonds are typically issued by governments or state-owned enterprises to raise long-term capital and offer investors regular interest payments along with a return on their principal investment.

The proposal comes at a time when Uganda has halted or slowed work on at least 27 major road and bridge projects, owing to a funding shortfall of Shs2.47 trillion for the 2025/26 financial year.

The affected projects include critical transport routes for oil, trade, and national connectivity.

Ministry of Works and Transport indicates that 18 projects have stalled due to delays in government-funded financing, while another nine have been affected by government’s failure to provide timely counterpart funding for externally financed projects.

A report by the Economic Policy Research Centre notes that although infrastructure spending remains high, persistent delays in completing key projects, including energy, transport, and logistics, threaten to undermine their intended economic impact.

‘During the 2025/26 financial year, the challenge is no longer prioritization but execution. Without timely delivery, infrastructure meant to unlock growth risks becoming a fiscal burden, limiting benefits from completed projects,’ the EPRC report states.

Speaking ahead of the inaugural All-Africa Summit due for November 5-7, NSSF managing director Patrick Ayota, said the Fund has already engaged government on the proposal, noting that they have the resources to fund infrastructure projects.

‘We have approached the Minister to issue us an infrastructure bond so we can invest in these major projects. Uganda’s GDP stands at $61b, while NSSF’s portfolio is $17.4b, representing 13 percent of the economy. We have the capacity to invest in infrastructure development,’ he said.

A 28-year-old manicurist at Mabirizi Complex in Kampala has been remanded to prison on allegations of burying President Museveni’s campaign poster underground and engaging in hate speech.

Vincent Ngabo, a Rwandan by nationality and resident of Najjanankumbi, Rubaga Division in Kampala, appeared before the Entebbe Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday on charges under the Computer Misuse Act.

Although there was no prosecutor present in court, the state accuses Ngabo, an upcoming musician, of using a TikTok account under the name “Tutu the Man” to share information claiming that President Museveni, who came to power through a coup 40 years ago, continues to rule Uganda through dictatorship.

Ngabo, who is accused of committing the offences between August and September 2025, is also alleged to have criticised Mr Museveni, 81, for trying to promote his son, Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, to replace him, despite the presence of a competent youth leader, Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, also known as Bobi Wine, who is a presidential candidate of the largest opposition party, the National Unity Platform (NUP).

The state characterised Ngabo’s statements as ridiculing, degrading, or demeaning to the person of the president, which promotes hostility against him as the head of state.

In the second count read by the magistrate, the prosecution alleges that Ngabo, alias uploaded a music video titled ‘Muvuzi wa Taxi’ in which he is seen unpinning President Museveni’s campaign poster before burying it underground.

The state claims the song contains hate speech.

The message in the song highlights how President Museveni, who has ruled Uganda since 1986, should leave power for others to lead, which has been viewed by the state as an attempt to spread indecency and promote hostility against Mr Museveni, who is seeking another term in the 2026 General Election.

Entebbe Grade One Magistrate, Ms Lillian Mazimwe, remanded Ngabo to prison until October 17, 2025, citing the absence of a state prosecutor in court during the proceedings.

Ngabo now becomes the seventh TikToker charged with offences related to hate speech against President Museveni and his family, or close associates.

A section of Ugandans on social media has been left outraged after a video recording showing a police officer slapping a supermarket attendant over unpaid bills went viral.

In the two minutes and 17 seconds of CCTV footage seen by this reporter, the officer who has since been identified as Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Clive Nsiima, attached to Counter Terrorism under Oil and Gas Protection Unit, Kampala Metropolitan Zone, is heard abusively scolding the attendant over a reportedly unpaid bill of Shs 30,000 before smacking her twice.

This reporter has also confirmed that the incident occurred at the Shell fuel station in Kyanja, Kampala, on Tuesday, October 7, 2025.

“…I am parking…have you ever driven such a car?” asks ASP Nsiima, who was dressed in civilian clothes, before turning to another attendant behind the counter and adding:”….do you know she’s there attacking me and beating me over Shs30,000? Even if it is Shs100,000, how much money have I spent here? Do you think I can run away over Shs100,000? Do you know that I can slap you even if this camera is here and we go to court tomorrow?” ASP Nsiima asks before striking the attendant’s face twice.

Her alarm attracted some of the staff who were outside the supermarket, including a security guard, but they seemed helpless as the victim continued wailing.

Reacting to the video, the Director of Criminal Investigations, AIGP Tom Magambo, condemned what he described as “such isolated behaviour” by the officer.

“Be assured that an internal investigation is ongoing to guide further action. The [police] PRO Kituuma Rusoke will provide more updates on the matter,” he added in a post on X.

A source within police said ASP Nsiima has since been arrested after the attendant filed a case of assault and threatening violence at Kensington police post in Kyanja, Nakawa Division, Kampala.

As Uganda prepares to face Botswana in a crucial 2026 Fifa World Cup qualifier today in Francistown, all eyes will be on a battleground that often dictates football outcomes – the midfield.

While goals win games, it is in the engine room where matches are controlled, dictated, and often decided.

For Uganda, the trio of Allan Okello, Travis Mutyaba, Ronald Ssekiganda, Bobosi Byaruhanga, and Kenneth Semakula will be tasked with a delicate but vital mission – to impose tempo, manage transitions, and unlock Botswana’s physical midfield structure.

And make no mistake, Botswana’s midfield will be anything but accommodating.

Botswana coach Morena Ramoreboli has assembled a squad heavy on grit and home-grown cohesion.

The Zebras’ midfield features a compact, hard-working unit made up of Gilbert Baruti, Ronaldo Fortune, and Kutlwelo Mpolokang – all based at Mochudi Centre Chiefs, which gives them club-level chemistry to translate into the national team.

They are joined by Lebogang Ditsele and Thero Setsile, both known for their aggressive pressing and physical duels in the Botswana Premier League.

Add to that the experienced Gape Mohutsiwa, who plies his trade at Mouloudia Club d’Oran in Algeria, and you have a unit that thrives on disrupting rhythm, breaking down play, and forcing turnovers.

For Uganda, that means any attempt to settle into a passing rhythm will be under constant threat.

In contrast, Uganda’s midfield is built less on brute force and more on technical discipline, positional awareness, and game intelligence.

Ssekiganda brings an all-action presence, often deployed as a box-to-box disruptor. His energy will be critical in matching Botswana’s physicality. Alongside him, Semakula – currently with Al Arabi SC in Kuwait – adds defensive balance and composure.

Often the shield in front of the backline, Semakula’s ability to read danger and recycle possession will be essential to resist Botswana’s pressing traps.

But the key orchestrator is returning Byaruhanga, currently at Oakland Roots SC in the USA. A deep-lying operator by nature, Bobosi can turn into Uganda’s metronome.

Add Okello, if he can escape the attentions of Botswana’s ball-hunters and get time on the ball, Uganda will gain the ability to stretch the game, play through the press, and feed the attacking trio.

Coach Paul Put will likely urge his midfielders to keep it simple early on – short passes, maintain shape, absorb pressure.

Transitions will be key. Botswana, though combative, can be caught out of shape when pressing fails. That is where Okello’s anticipation and outlet passes can spring Uganda’s wide men or launch counter-attacks through the middle.