Category: Daily Monitor

Local leaders in Kigezi sub-region have raised concerns over the decreasing bamboo forest cover in Echuya Forest Reserve and are calling for urgent intervention to reverse the trend.

Echuya Forest Reserve sits on the boundary of Kisoro and Rubanda districts and for decades has been known as a bamboo forest because bamboo trees dominated over other species. The reserve covers about 3,403 hectares, with 2,701 hectares in Rubanda and the rest in Kisoro.

It is also habitat for about 10 monkey and baboon species, and over 300 bird species including the highly endangered Grauer’s Rush Warbler. The forest is a key stopover for bird-watching tourists heading to Mgahinga National Park and Bwindi Impenetrable Forest for gorilla tracking.

Recently, most spots that used to host bamboo have been taken over by other tree species. Monkeys and baboons that were always seen climbing bamboo trees next to the Kabale-Kisoro highway are now rarely spotted.

Joseph Nizeye Wa-Senkoko, LCIII chairperson of Kanaba sub-county in Kisoro and member of the Echuya Collaborative Forest Management Committee, said government needs to consider replanting bamboo because it is key in conserving water that feeds major streams flowing into Lake Bunyonyi.

‘While it’s true that bamboo population in Echuya forest reserve is reducing because of colonization by emerging other tree species, there is need for the government and its development partners to initiate a drive of replanting bamboo trees in the area as a way of conserving the biodiversity of the forest. If the bamboo trees are not saved from extinction, wild animals that include monkeys and baboons which have been feeding on bamboo shoots and serving as tourist attractions may disappear,’ Mr Nizeye said.

He added that although residents were encouraged to domesticate bamboo for handicrafts, beehives, furniture, charcoal and building materials, the loss of bamboo in Echuya would trigger a water crisis.

‘Once bamboo trees completely disappear from Echuya forest reserve, there will be a water crisis in the region since bamboo has been instrumental in holding the natural water that serves the community and the wildlife living in the area,’ he said.

Haruna Mutabazi, vice chairperson of the CFM committee in Muko Sub-county, Rubanda, blamed the National Forestry Authority for failing to control illegal bamboo harvesting by investors setting up tourism camps, which has created space for other species.

‘We appeal to the central government to intervene if bamboo tree species are to be saved from extinction in Echuya forest reserve. NFA has disregarded the role of CFM committee members to an extent that they do not invite us for Echuya forest management meetings. CFM committees together with Nature Uganda played a great role in saving Echuya forest from selfish individuals that wanted to introduce Eucalyptus tree species from South Africa while others wanted to use it as Irish potato gardens. The central government should put in place stringent measures to stop illegal bamboo tree harvesting to avoid its extinction,’ Mr Mutabazi said.

Executive Director of NFA, Stuart Maniraguha, said about 30% of bamboo in Echuya has been lost because bamboo is a grass that cannot grow under a forest canopy. When covered, it dries out.

‘What is happening is that nature is trying to redefine and that means that our strict protection of that forest is what would be possible leading to the loss/disappearance of the bamboo. Because if you allow people to do harvesting, then you create gaps that would give in light that will favor bamboo growth. When we realized this trend, in 2021/2022 we started sustainable bamboo harvesting and management and we zoned out areas that were purely under bamboo and we started pruning and thinning activities. We cut out the dry bamboo to allow the new shoots to come up,’ Mr Maniraguha said.

He said the forest is undergoing natural colonization by indigenous species like Macaranga, a process called succession. NFA is now focused on areas that still have pure bamboo, targeting 500 hectares. ‘In 2023/2024, we restored about 80 hectares of bamboo in Bufundi Sub-county in Rubanda district while in Muko Sub-county in Rubanda and Kanaba Sub-county in Kisoro district we did liberation tending i.e. removing all climbers on bamboo and this was done where we found pure bamboo stands,’ he added.

Mr Maniraguha said sustainable harvesting is the only way to keep Echuya’s natural bamboo, locally called ‘Omurugano’. ‘If we strictly close Echuya forest without interventions of such nature then ecology will take its course and the succession will be done and we shall lose the bamboo and grass thus having a tropical forest with those high tropical tree species,’ he said. He added that NFA has renewed CFM committee contracts because they are key stakeholders in forest management.

In March, Kabale University and NFA signed a memorandum of understanding to establish a field research station in Echuya to promote conservation and practical training. Dr Rogers Akatwijuka, Associate Dean of Agriculture and Environmental Science at Kabale University, said the Shs1 billion station will carry out long-term ecological monitoring, conservation education and tourism impact assessment.

‘The objectives include the provision of opportunities to university staff and students to undertake research in Echuya forest ecology, biodiversity conservation, tourism planning and management as well as socio-economic impacts of the protected area,’ Dr Akatwijuka said. Research will focus on forest ecology, climate change, watershed management and ecosystem changes.

Former Kisoro LCV chairperson Abel Bizimana welcomed the move, saying studies will help conserve Echuya, believed to be the water catchment area for crater lakes in Kisoro, Rubanda and Kabale.

‘I implore Kabale University researchers to take keen interest in establishing why certain tree species have emerged in Echuya forest reserve taking up space and overshadowing the bamboo forest cover that has been a characteristic of Echuya forest reserve,’ Mr Bizimana said. He added that the planned takeover of Echuya by Uganda Wildlife Authority as a national park will boost conservation based on research findings.

The Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) Executive Board has approved EUR 650.75 million (approximately Shs2.6 trillion) in financing for Uganda’s Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) project. This marks the largest single-project funding ever approved by the bank for Uganda.

The historic milestone was reached on the sidelines of the 51st IsDB Group Board of Governors’ Annual Meetings, held in Baku, Azerbaijan, from June 16 to 19, 2026, under the theme, ‘Regional Integration for Sustainable Prosperity.’

Dr Ramathan Ggoobi, the Permanent Secretary and Secretary to the Treasury (PSST), who led the Ugandan delegation as Temporary Governor, affirmed the government’s commitment to achieving full financial closure for the multi-billion-shilling railway project by November 2026.

The SGR is a strategic flagship venture aimed at modernizing Uganda’s transport infrastructure, reducing freight costs, and improving regional trade links with neighboring East African countries.

According to official details, the new IsDB funding will target critical infrastructural nodes along the network. Specifically, it will finance the construction of the 553-meter Jinja Nile Bridge, the 2.12-kilometer Mbuya-Kampala tunnel, and six major stations including Tororo, Iganga, Jinja, Lugazi, Kampala East, and Kampala City. Additionally, the funds will construct three mechanical workshops in Kampala East, Jinja, and Tororo.

By the end of May 2026, Uganda and the IsDB maintained eight active public operations (loans and grants) valued at USD 896.55 million, heavily dominated by the Integrated Transport Infrastructure Services Program.

Other ongoing IsDB-funded projects in the country span crucial sectors, including the upgrading of several national roads (such as the Muyembe-Nakapiripirit and Rwenkunye-Apac-Lira-Acholibur routes), the construction of the Masindi Port Bridge, irrigation schemes in Unyama, Namalu, and Sippi, vocational education, and the establishment of regional oncology centers in Arua and Mbale.

Speaking at the Governors’ Round Table, Dr. Ggoobi commended the bank for launching the IsDB Concessional Fund (ICF) in 2026. The fund aims to boost concessional financing to 15 per cent of annual approvals, bridging the gap between rising global debt and sustainable development.

“This fund is crucial in light of declining traditional foreign aid flows, both in volume and reliability, which has widened the financing gap,” Dr Ggoobi noted.

He urged multilateral lenders to reform, calling for a global financial architecture that is more inclusive, adaptive, and responsive to the needs of member countries.

In a fresh bid to curb the staggering number of motorcycle-related fatalities on Ugandan roads, the Traffic Police directorate is planning to partner with tech platforms to stream road safety campaigns directly to boda boda riders and their passengers.

The development was revealed by Traffic Police spokesperson, SP Michael Kananura, during the closure of the six-month ‘Beera Ku Digital’ skills training programme for riders in Kampala on Friday.

According to SP Kananura, conventional sensitization methods like radio and television have failed to yield the desired behavioral change among riders due to the fast-paced nature of their job.

‘Motorcyclists are very busy, and they may not listen to us on radio or television,’ SP Kananura said. ‘We are going to engage the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) and other partners to see how best we can integrate road safety messages into these digital platforms so that riders and passengers can access them directly.’

The shift to digital communication comes at a time when the boda boda sector remains the leading contributor to the country’s grim road safety record. Recent Annual Crime and Traffic Safety reports consistently rank motorcycle accidents as the top killer on Ugandan roads.

SP Kananura revealed that the situation has escalated into a severe public safety crisis, with motorcycles now dominating accident logs.

Out of every 10 recorded road crashes in Uganda, eight are motorcycle-related.

Authorities frequently intercept single motorcycles carrying between three to five passengers.

A majority of fatalities are attributed to severe head injuries because riders either completely shun helmets or opt for cheap, substandard alternatives.

Beyond road safety, the police believe digital tracking and registration on these platforms will help combat urban motorcycle thefts and boost passenger security by creating a digital footprint for every trip.

The Beera Ku Digital pilot project-implemented by IMPACT Outsourcing in partnership with Simba Automotives and funded by the UCC’s Universal Service Access Fund-aimed to bridge the digital gap for urban transport workers.

The initiative exceeded its initial targets, training 3,389 riders across the greater Kampala metropolitan area with phase one (December to February) which covered Mukono and Wakiso districts witnessing at least 1,741 riders trained while phase two which covered Kampala City Divisions left 1,648 riders enrolled for the tarining.

The multi-agency training sessions combined digital literacy with crucial state services. The National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) helped riders register for National IDs, while MTN Uganda and Pearl Bank onboarded them onto the Wendi mobile wallet for financial inclusion.

Organizers estimate that through peer-to-peer knowledge sharing within various boda boda stages and associations, an additional 20,000 people were reached indirectly.

Mr James Stephen Mpango, the Manager for Projects Monitoring and Evaluation at UCC, noted that while the commission traditionally focuses on rural communities, schools, and farmers, it became apparent that urban transport workers were being left behind by the digital economy.

Responding to riders’ concerns regarding the high cost of smartphones and internet data bundles, Mr. Mpango urged them to look at the long-term return on investment.

‘Complaints about the cost of devices and data are legitimate,’ Mr. Mpango acknowledged. ‘However, when you look at the trends over the last decade, the cost of digital services has reduced significantly compared to many other commodities. Embracing technology reduces the need for costly travel and paperwork.’

Mr Gideon Nkurunungi, the Chief Executive Officer of IMPACT Outsourcing, emphasized that the training went beyond transport applications to encompass broader livelihood skills.

‘We trained riders on how to use digital tools to access opportunities, save money, invest, and safely apply for loans without falling into predatory traps,’ Nkurunungi said.

Despite the success of the pilot, organizers highlighted that a lack of legal identification remains the biggest roadblock to formalizing the sector. Hundreds of riders remain locked out of digital banking, mobile wallets, and ride-hailing apps simply because they do not possess National IDs-a challenge officials say must be urgently addressed to fully professionalize the boda boda industry.

Police in Kamuli Municipality have launched an investigation into an incident of unlawful wounding after an accidental firearm discharge left two private security guards injured.

The incident occurred on Friday, June 19, 2026, at around 7:00 AM at the premises of Blue Light Guards (U) Limited, located in Bunangwe Zone, Northern Division.

According to Busoga North Police Spokesperson Samson Lubega, the shooting happened while a 23-year-old security guard, identified as Anthony Batanda, was reportedly conducting standard firearm safety checks. A bullet was accidentally discharged from the weapon, striking two of his colleagues.

The victims and current condition

Police identified the wounded guards as Dennis Kabiri, 20, who sustained an injury to his left toe, and Hussein Mugolo, 58, who was shot in the left leg. Both victims were rushed to Kamuli General Hospital, where they are currently undergoing treatment.

“You are required to strictly observe firearm handling and safety procedures at all times to prevent injuries and loss of life,” Lubega said, cautioning all licensed firearm holders and private security personnel. He further warned that police would hold private security company owners accountable for the shortcomings and operational challenges of their recruits.

Families demand employer accountability

Speaking from his hospital bed, Hussein Mugolo, alongside his wife, Nabirye Hussein, expressed deep concern over the financial fallout of the injury. Mugolo is the sole breadwinner for his family.

Ms. Nabirye called on Blue Light Guards (U) Limited for immediate financial and medical intervention, highlighting a systemic issue within the private security sector.

“On numerous occasions, security guard companies have left victims to bear full responsibility after sustaining injuries while on duty. This situation is truly appalling and shocking,” Ms. Nabirye said.

A history of abandonment

The incident mirrors a growing trend of private security guards being abandoned by their employers after on-the-job tragedies in the region.

On March 25, 2019, Jukira Mohammed Lubwama, now 68, was severely injured during a shooting incident at Pita Oil Petrol Station in Kamuli, which claimed two lives. Today, Lubwama relies on crutches for limited mobility and lives in economic hardship in Kyebajatobona Zone, Butansi Sub-county.

Lubwama revealed that his former employers cut off all financial support five years ago, leaving him to rely entirely on public goodwill.

“I am truly humbled that NMG, through Spark TV, acknowledged my situation and provided some financial assistance from viewers during their Kyanaku programme. However, since then, I have been in complete economic hardship,” Lubwama said.

Police investigations into the Bunangwe Zone shooting remain ongoing.

On June 13, Roland Aine took the stage at Central Perk Bukoto for Hear Me Out, a personal milestone for an artist who had spent six years navigating Uganda’s creative ecosystem as a radio host, television presenter, spoken word artist, MC and podcast curator. His journey raised deeper questions about what it means to build a sustainable creative career in a country where poetry still fights for recognition.

Sometimes he was behind one in a radio studio, carefully packaging conversations for listeners he could not see. Other times, he stood beneath stage lights, turning lived experiences into rhythm, pauses and performance. For years, these two worlds existed side by side, feeding each other in ways even he struggled to separate.

Then, for the first time, Roland Aine, better known to many as Roland95, stepped fully into the spotlight with Hear Me Out, his maiden spoken word recital. For a creative who had spent years performing on other people’s stages, the show felt less like a debut and more like an arrival.

‘I have performed on many different stages for years,’ he said. ‘Eventually, I realised maybe I also need a stage for myself, not just for me, but also to create a platform that appreciates art.’

A self-built creative ecosystem

The decision did not happen overnight. For close to six years, Aine has existed in Uganda’s creative ecosystem as a multi-hyphenate talent; radio host, television presenter, spoken word artist, voice-over professional, MC, tutor and podcast curator. His resume stretches across media spaces, from Magic 1 HD and UBC TV to TIDLE Radio and Home FM256, the music and spoken-word-curated online station he co-owns.

But while audiences may have known him for his smooth voice and on-air confidence, poetry came first.

‘Spoken words are what put me on the radio,’ he explained. ‘But these two things have gone hand in hand. Each one has helped the other grow.’

Radio, he says, changed how he performs. Working behind microphones forced him to understand audiences differently, to appreciate pacing, language and the importance of packaging messages so they connected. The result is a performer whose style sits somewhere between conventional poetry and performance art; intentional language, measured delivery, internal rhythms and carefully constructed narratives.

Poetry without borders

His poetry rarely stays in one lane. One moment, he is writing about upbringing and education. Another, politics and social expectations. Sometimes love. Often disappointment. Frequently all at once.

‘I do not like limiting myself,’ he said. ‘Life does not happen in categories.’

That openness is perhaps what made Hear Me Out feel deeply personal. The recital’s title read almost like a request and a declaration simultaneously: Hear me. Listen. Understand. The stories audiences heard were largely his own.

‘There is a political story. There is a social story. There is a career story,’ he said. ‘But really, it’s all about life.’

Some of those stories remain difficult to perform. Aine points to one piece in particular; Matrix Déjà Vu, as among the most challenging. The poem tackles societal expectations, disappointment and uncomfortable truths. The difficulty, he says, is not simply performing the work. It is exposing parts of himself while accepting that not everyone would agree with what they heard.

‘Sometimes you wonder whether people will understand,’ he admitted.

The weight of uncertainty

That uncertainty has followed him throughout his career. Every day, he admits, he doubts whether audiences will connect. Every day, he writes anyway. The hesitation is understandable in an industry where spoken word artists still fight for recognition, funding and sustainable careers.

‘Poetry is challenging,’ he says. ‘You sometimes second-guess yourself because there is very little appreciation for the art.’

The sacrifices have been numerous. Unpaid performances. Financial strain. Family members struggling to understand creative ambitions. Being misunderstood. Yet despite this, Roland keeps showing up.

Perhaps that persistence explains why excitement outweighs fear on the night, although only slightly. Part of it, he says, comes from perfectionism. Another part comes from understanding what was at stake.

‘You do not want to serve people something that will not bring them back.’

The audience that mattered most

The relationship between ambition and family acceptance appears repeatedly throughout Aine’s story. Pursuing poetry was not always the obvious path, particularly when expectations leaned toward more traditional careers. This tension between creative ambition and familial expectation resonates across Uganda’s artistic landscape. Parents who sacrifice for their children’s education often struggle to understand why that education was being channelled into poetry, theatre or music rather than law, medicine or engineering. Aine’s journey mirrors that of countless Ugandan artists who have to justify their existence in spaces that rarely offer financial security. Yet there is also a generational shift underway. Increasingly, young Ugandans are redefining success on their own terms, building portfolios that combine multiple income streams and refusing to accept that creativity and sustainability must be mutually exclusive.

A changing landscape for spoken word

The recital also arrives during an interesting period for spoken word in Uganda. Poetry audiences are growing, albeit slowly. Performance styles continue evolving. Artists increasingly experiment with music, multimedia and theatrical influences in efforts to make the craft more accessible. Aine is part of that generation navigating this transition. He rejects the notion that poetry belongs only to elite audiences.

‘Most of the things we communicate are things ordinary people talk about every day,’ he said.

That accessibility appears central to Hear Me Out. The show promised not simply poetry performances but an invitation into Roland’s world: the radio host who discovered performance through language; the artist balancing confidence with self-doubt; the creative still figuring things out while standing on stage pretending he already had.

Future

I think the new chapter has already begun,” he says.

But the question of what comes after lingers. In Uganda’s arts ecosystem, debut performances often generate celebration, yet few artists manage to sustain momentum. The transition from emerging talent to established voice requires more than talent, it demands investment and audiences willing to pay for the work they consume.

Aine appears aware of this reality. His decision to curate his own platform is a lesson many Ugandan artists are learning that self-sufficiency is not a choice but a necessity.

The phrase Hear me Out carries weight beyond the stage. It is a call for patience, for presence, for the kind of listening that transforms words into meaning. It is also, perhaps, a plea, to parents who do not understand, to audiences who do not pay, to an industry that does not always value what it cannot immediately commodify. In a country where artists are often celebrated in death but starved in life, Aine’s journey is a reminder of what it takes to persist; not just talent, but resilience.

Gen Birungi was born in 1973 in Ngoma, Nakaseke District. He attended Ibanda Senior Secondary School for his O-Level and Nyakasura School for A-Level. Maj Gen James Birungi then joined Makerere University Business School, where he graduated with a degree in Business Administration. In 1998, he joined the army as a regular officer before being selected to attend the cadet officer’s course in India a year later. When he returned to Uganda in 2000, Gen Birungi undertook a platoon commander course where he emerged as the best. He was then appointed platoon commander of the Presidential Protection Unit.

Other military courses he studied include: Basic Military Training in Kasenyi, Wakiso District; Anti-tank course in Masaka; Motorised Infantry Commanders’ course; Tank Crew course in Kalama; Company Commanders course in Kalama; Tank Battalion Commanders course in Kalama; Junior Commanders course in Jinja; Senior Command and Staff Course at Uganda Senior Command and Staff College in Kimaka.

Gen Birungi has also held several top positions in the army, including commander Special Force Command (SFC), Chief of Military Intelligence (CMI), since renamed Defense Intelligence and Security (DIS), Mountain Division Commander and Commander Operation Shuja, Company Intelligence Officer in the Armoured Brigade in Masaka, Commanding Officer of the Armoured Warfare Training School at Karama off the Mubende-Fort Portal Highway, Company Commander of Tanks in the Presidential Protection Unit, now Special Forces Command (SFC), Operation Training Officer in the Presidential Guard Brigade, Commanding Officer of Armoured Brigade, and Commanding Officer, Tank Battalion in disarmament in Karamoja.

Others are: Commanding Officer of the battalion to Somalia, Commander of two tank battle groups, Brigade Operations and Training Officer of the Presidential Guard Brigade, Chief of Staff of the Air Force, and head of the South Sudan Security Monitoring Mechanism. Gen Birungi is, however, clocking nearly nine months in detention without trial. He was arrested in mid-2025 on allegations of orchestrating fake terror bombings in Kampala, incidents in which two women were killed. The DIS conducts intelligence operations for the military and often collaborates with the Uganda Police Force (UPF) to combat violent crimes such as terrorism, armed robberies, abductions, kidnappings, and murders.

Maj Gen Richard Otto

Maj Gen Otto is a senior military Officer in the UPDF. Since April 16, 2025, he has served as the Chief of Defence Intelligence and Security. Previously, he served as Commander of the UPDF Mountain Division and also Commander of Operation Shujja, a joint undertaking by the UPDF and the armed forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) to neutralise the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF). Before his UPDF Mountain Division Assignment, Gen Otto was the chairman of the South Sudan Peace Mechanism, an IGAD-sponsored observer mechanism, to ensure adherence to the peace treaties by the protagonists. Previously, he was the commanding officer of the 3rd Division of the UPDF based in Moroto.

Maj Gen Abel Kandiho

He worked at the Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence (CMI) for the bigger part of his military career. He started as an officer and later headed it. Gen Kandiho also worked at Uganda’s High Commission in Kigali, Rwanda, in the early 2000s. Previously, before 2014, he served as the Commander of Makindye Military Barracks, the headquarters of UPDF Military Police. On May 30, 2014, he was replaced in the position by Col Emmanuel Kanyesigye. Kandiho stayed as the deputy Commander.

In December 2021, the United States placed sanctions on Gen Kandiho over alleged involvement in the cases of human rights violations, which he denied. In 2022, he was appointed Chief of Joint Staff in the Uganda Police Force, replacing then Maj General Jack Bakasumba. From the police, Gen Kandiho was appointed Special Presidential Advisor on Classified Operations, a position he held until he was put on the list of generals who are set to retire in August 2026.

About besigye case

Dr Kizza Besigye, a former personal doctor to President Museveni and one of his longest-serving political challengers, has unsuccessfully contested the presidency four times. In 2024, Dr Besigye was abducted from Nairobi, Kenya alongside his aide Obeid Lutale. The duo is jointly charged with treason. Last year, the State added Capt Dennis Oola as one of the accused persons.

Prosecutors allege that the trio, together with others still at large, between 2023 and November 2024, in various countries, including Geneva, Athens, Nairobi, and Uganda, plotted to overthrow the government by force of arms. The charges stem from their arrest in November 2024 in Nairobi, where Dr Besigye and Mr Lutale had travelled to attend a book launch hosted by Kenya’s former Justice minister Martha Karua.

The accused have since denied the charges.

The treason case is currently at the trial stage. During the prelimary hearing, State prosecutors unsucessfully sought court permission to conceal the identities of six out of the 10 witnesses lined up to testify against the accused. Defence lawyers for Dr Besigye subjected Chief State Attorney Joseph Kyomuhendo to a rigorous cross-examination, exposing sharp disagreements over the legal basis for concealing prosecution witnesses in the ongoing treason trial.

Mr Kyomuhendo, the head of the Anti-Trafficking Department in the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), defended the State’s application to shield the identities of key witnesses. The matter is being heard in the Kampala High Court by Justice Emmanuel Baguma.

The National Resistance Movement (NRM) has intensified its grassroots campaign to reclaim the Kalangala District Woman Parliamentary seat, with senior party officials pitching camp in the island district ahead of a planned visit by President Yoweri Museveni.

On Friday, NRM Deputy Secretary General, Rose Namayanja Nsereko, traversed Mugoye Sub-county, holding village-to-village mobilisation meetings in Bumangi and Bugoma. She was accompanied by Bujumba County MP William Lugoloobi and several local party leaders.

The by-election follows the untimely death Hellen Nakimuli who had retained her seat for the second term in the January 2026 by-election. In the 2021 General Election, the National Unity Platform (NUP) made significant inroads in the Buganda region, including parts of the Kalangala islands. The ruling party is now using this by-election to claw back its historical support in the district.

Addressing residents in Bumangi, Namayanja thanked the islanders for their historical support of President Museveni but acknowledged the growing political competition within the Buganda region. She cautioned voters against electing opposition candidates, arguing that doing so inadvertently isolates communities from central government budgeting processes.

“When people vote against leaders who can directly engage with government structures, it is not the President who loses,” Namayanja said. “The biggest loss is felt by the communities themselves because development programmes and services are delivered through government systems.”

Namayanja pointed out that several development projects initiated during Idah Nabayiga’s previous tenure as Woman MP stalled after she left Parliament in 2021. She argued that the district would have achieved greater progress had Nabayiga remained in office to lobby the state.

The NRM deputy secretary general explained that national resource allocation heavily relies on the ruling party’s internal structures. She noted that community priorities are first vetted within the NRM Parliamentary Caucus before moving to Cabinet and the floor of Parliament.

“Our regions benefit from the national cake through the budget. Leaders who understand government systems and work closely with the ruling party are better positioned to capture and address the concerns of their people,” she added, describing Nabayiga as an experienced legislator who understands Kalangala’s unique challenges.

Bujumba County MP William Lugoloobi echoed Namayanja’s sentiments, describing Nabayiga as the “missing link” for Kalangala’s leadership. Lugoloobi stressed that having an all-NRM parliamentary team from the islands would allow leaders to lobby the central government as a unified bloc, making it easier to secure funding for infrastructure and the local fishing economy.

Namayanja urged NRM supporters to remain united and aggressively recruit from the opposition. “Many who are now serving in the NRM once belonged to other political parties. We do not want any part of Kalangala to lag behind in development,” she urged.

The village-to-village mobilization serves as a precursor to a major ruling party rally scheduled for Monday. President Museveni, who is also the NRM National Chairman, is expected in Kalangala to officially hand over the party flag to Nabayiga and boost the final leg of the campaign.

The Electoral Commission has slated the polling date for June 24, 2026, in a race that is widely seen as a litmus test for the NRM’s strength against opposition forces in the island district.

Landlords in the city where I currently live are an interesting lot. You would think that having enough money to pay your first month’s rent and one month’s deposit would be enough to rent a house but it is not. What they want is to know you, inside and out. The minute you indicate interest in a property the questions come at you like bullets at a protest march in our ‘democratic’ cow-ntries. How many people will be living in the house? Where do you work? How much do you earn? What is your credit history? Do you have pets? If you do, what breed of dog/cat/iguana is it? How many times a day do you have a bowel movement? What is your cholesterol level? On average, how many visitors do you receive a month?

Okay, the last three questions are not usually asked by landlords, I am just showing you how invasive they are. But this is only Part One of the examination.

Part Two is determining whether you are able to pay this rent forever more, and this is where you are most likely to fail. Normally, landlords do not care if you are doing business or digging graves, as long as they get their money every month. However, landlords here do not have the energy to play cat-and-mouse games at the end of the month. As a tenant, you have to prove that you are earning three times your rent.

If Income ÷Rent is not = 3 then the answer = X, that is, no house for you. You see, they cannot fathom the idea of you eating Indomie noodles for a whole month or walking to work because you have spent all your money on rent.

You and your money will be turned away, because they care. Brethren, this is how you can easily find yourself homeless. That is, unless you are willing to share a house with strangers of unknown mental health or live in a basement like a mole, coming up a few times a day to experience sunlight and fresh air.

God punish poverty.

For millions of Ugandans, the Fifa World Cup is more than a football tournament. It is a month-long celebration of passion, debate, dreams and heartbreak.

But with the 2026 Fifa World Cup being hosted across the United States, Canada and Mexico, fans in Uganda have once again found themselves embracing a familiar World Cup tradition – sacrificing sleep for the love of the game.

The significant time difference between East Africa and North America means many matches kick off long after midnight in Kampala, with some stretching deep into the early hours of the morning.

Several of the tournament’s marquee fixtures are being played at a time when most Ugandans would ordinarily be asleep, leaving supporters with a difficult choice between rest and football.

As expected, football is winning.

Across Kampala and other towns, sports bars, restaurants and video halls have adjusted their operating hours to meet growing demand. Giant screens remain illuminated deep into the night as supporters gather to watch the world’s biggest stars battle for football’s ultimate prize.

Business

For business owners, the unusual kick-off times have created an unexpected opportunity and everyone is looking to tap into the tournament by increasing sales of food, drinks and coffee to the football enthusiasts staying awake through the night.

For working Ugandans, however, coping strategies have become an essential part of the World Cup experience.

Many are carefully selecting which matches to watch live, prioritising games involving African nations or traditional football powerhouses.

Among them is Kampala-based lawyer Joel Otim, who stayed awake until the early hours to watch Brazil’s entertaining 1-1 draw with Morocco despite the match kicking off at 1am local time.

‘The matches are tough to keep up with because of the time differences. The water breaks also make each half longer, but I have to watch regardless,’ Otim told the Weekend Monitor.

Like many football enthusiasts, Otim has embraced daytime naps and shorter sleeping hours during the tournament.

Others have simply accepted that fatigue will be part of daily life until the World Cup comes to an end.

Not everyone, however, has found the late kick-off times disruptive.

Merchandise

Racheal Mbabazi, a sales agent and route merchandiser in Kampala, says her regular sleeping pattern has made it easier to keep up with the action.

A Manchester United supporter backing Portugal at the World Cup, Mbabazi says she is already accustomed to sleeping late and waking up early.

‘I am not a heavy sleeper. On any other day, I sleep around midnight and by 5am I am awake,’ Mbabazi said.

‘So, watching the World Cup hasn’t affected my sleep or work in any way.’

While supporters like Mbabazi have adapted comfortably to the unusual schedule, many others have found it difficult to stay awake for entire matches.

For Busia-based enforcement officer Elly Abaho, balancing work responsibilities with late-night football has proved challenging.

A passionate Arsenal supporter backing France at the World Cup, Abaho admits that staying awake for entire matches has become increasingly difficult.

‘Staying up waiting for games has been a big ask for me. Sometimes I sleep off, wake up in the middle of the night to catch the games and by the time they are done, it is already time to go to work,’ Abaho said.

Holiday time

Jemimah Nakiyimba, a student at Makerere University, who is currently on holiday, counts herself among the fortunate ones.

With no academic commitments demanding her immediate attention, she has been able to follow the tournament without worrying about early mornings.

‘Sleep can wait. The World Cup is on and every match writes a new chapter in football history. It’s an opportunity to witness the world’s stars and that does not come around every day,’ Nakiyimba, a staunch Chelsea and Brazil fan, said.

‘It helps that we are on holiday now, so it is a bit easier for me.’

Catching up instead

Not every supporter is willing – or able – to stay awake until dawn.

Fortunately, advances in technology have made it easier than ever to remain connected through highlights, match replays and condensed game packages.

For supporters unable to watch matches live, catching up on highlights has become part of the morning routine, ensuring they remain part of the conversations that dominate workplaces and social gatherings throughout the tournament.

Yet despite the inconvenience, enthusiasm for the World Cup remains as strong as ever.

Discussions in offices, bars, boda boda stages and markets continue to revolve around title favourites, surprise packages and controversial refereeing decisions.

National team jerseys are everywhere, with supporters proudly wearing the colours of Brazil, the Netherlands, France, Portugal and Spain as the tournament gathers momentum.

Used to the Night Shift

Among those taking the sleepless nights in stride are Uganda’s dedicated NBA followers, who are already accustomed to waking up in the wee hours to watch basketball from North America.

For some sports enthusiasts, the challenge of balancing football and basketball has become even more demanding.

The final whistle of Brazil’s clash with Morocco came only minutes before Game Five of the NBA Finals between the New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs tipped off.

With the game beginning at 3:30am, those hoping to witness the Knicks capture a first NBA championship in more than five decades had little opportunity for rest.

Ironically, the battle against sleep has become part of this World Cup’s identity.

Every tournament leaves behind its own unique memories. In Qatar, fans enjoyed convenient viewing hours and packed schedules that suited East African audiences.

In North America, Ugandans are navigating sleepless nights, endless cups of coffee and groggy mornings.

Yet for many supporters, it remains a sacrifice worth making.

After all, the Fifa World Cup comes around only once every four years.

Sleep can wait. Football cannot.

For years, Uganda has been trying to solve a national contradiction. We are one of the world’s greatest coffee-producing countries. Our hills grow it. Our economy depends on it. Entire districts wake up thinking about it. Yet when it comes to actually drinking the stuff, Ugandans have traditionally looked at coffee the way children look at vegetables. We understand its importance. We simply do not see why we should be consuming it. This has frustrated coffee evangelists for decades. Every few months, somebody stands at a conference podium and announces that Ugandans need to drink more coffee. Charts are displayed. Statistics are quoted. Domestic consumption targets are set. Serious people in suits nod thoughtfully. Then everyone breaks for tea. No coffee machine or kettle anywhere in sight, except maybe one miserable tin of instant coffee.

Which is why I suspect the people behind the new Baileys and Java House partnership deserve some sort of national innovation award. They seem to have finally identified the flaw in the strategy. Others had been marketing coffee to Ugandans. What they should have been doing was marketing alcohol with the coffee. Genius.

The Coffee and Baileys menu is exactly what it sounds like: Java House’s premium coffee culture meeting Baileys Irish Cream’s smooth, indulgent personality. It is less a partnership and more an arranged marriage. And somehow it works.

The launch of this partnership is slated for June 20, at Java House Naguru. Guests will sample the menu and participate in a hands-on treat-making experience.

The menu itself is surprisingly impressive. The Baileys Espresso Shot is coffee that arrives dressed for a Friday night and winks at you as soon as you enter the pub. It is like Kungfu. The Espresso gives you the kick while the Baileys cream massages you to pleasure in one fell swoop. Then there is the Irish Mocha, a luxurious combination of espresso, chocolate and Baileys finished with steamed milk. This drink is akin to a cup of flavourful, spiced tea that delivers an alcohol buzz. It has one mission; happiness. The Classic Baileys Hot Chocolate is equally unapologetic. Rich, silky, creamy. The kind of beverage that makes you thankful for finally making it to adulthood. It is essentially a warm hug that has gone to international school.

Yet the real brilliance of the partnership lies elsewhere. It understands modern Kampala where coffee shops are no longer places where people simply go to drink coffee. Cafes are now de facto offices where people sit with their laptops and work all day. They are dating venues, meeting spots and networking hubs. Cafes these days are essentially less chaotic pubs.

They are places where people order one cappuccino or iced coffee and remain seated long enough to witness three shift changes. The partnership understands that with this many people spending so much time in coffee shops, a section of the patrons will want something more than coffee. Like that nervous young man on the first coffee date with the most beautiful girl he has ever met. A Dutch courage comes in handy.

The partnership plugs into Uganda’s culture of Friday night drinking with a Friday Happy Hour between 6pm and 7pm, offering a buy-one-get-one-free deal. Ugandans have never needed encouragement when it comes to Baileys or any other form of alcohol for that matter. And yet, even the few Ugandans who drink coffee prefer to keep it safe with instant coffee. So, somebody looked at the problem, looked at the solution, and connected the dots. This partnership will likely make a few people sip an espresso they would otherwise never have ordered. And if that is even a possibility, which it is, then perhaps history will remember this moment kindly. After all, Uganda has spent decades trying to get more people to drink coffee. Maybe all coffee needed was a drinking buddy.