Category: Daily Monitor

Fishermen on Lake Victoria have called for the reinstatement of Beach Management Units (BMUs) at landing sites, claiming that their absence has facilitated illegal fishing practices and weakened community control over the lake.

BMUs, introduced in the early 2000s, were community-based groups tasked with co-managing the fisheries sub-sector in fishing villages by registering boats, enforcing fishing regulations, and monitoring illegal gear at landing sites in collaboration with the fisheries departments in districts. But in 2017, President Museveni disbanded them and handed the responsibility of fisheries enforcement to the military-led Fish Protection Unit (FPU), citing corruption in BMUs.

Now, local fishermen say the vacuum has caused more harm than good.

‘BMU members could know every fisherman operating on the lake and those possessing illegal fishing gear at every fishing village. The soldiers we have today do not operate at the village level, so by the time they arrive at any landing site for an operation, illegal fishers will have hidden their nets or already done the damage,’ Mr Sunday Gerald Kayita, a fisherman in Mazinga said during an interview yesterday. Mr Godfrey Ssenyonga Kambugu, another fisherman and head of the Association of Lake Fishermen and Lake Users of Uganda (AFALU), said the enforcement of regulations on the lake without involving local structures is ‘next to impossible.’

‘Since BMUs were scrapped, there have been no landing site management committees. FPU tried to fill the gap by appointing committees, but those have only created more problems and divisions among us,’ he said. He added that some of the interim committees have been accused of corruption and favouritism, leading to widespread mistrust. ‘The fisheries ministry should redesign BMUs, involve genuine fishermen, and fill the leadership vacuum,’ he added. However, the FPU spokesperson, Lt Lauben Ndifula, defended the army’s role on Uganda’s water bodies.

‘In the past, local leaders at various landing sites worked tirelessly to protect the lake. But today, many fishermen don’t care. They fish right on the shoreline, use pesticides, or build beaches that destroy breeding grounds,’ he said. Lt Ndifula said Lake Victoria is under immense pressure. On Uganda’s side alone, the lake spans more than 13,000 square kilometres, with 6,000 landing sites, each hosting 300 to 500 people. He said more than 1.7 million people now depend on Lake Victoria, compared to a much smaller population decades ago.

He added that increasing population growth, coupled with illegal gear, has strained fish stocks in the lake.

‘Some landing sites that were planned for only 60 boats now have more than 100. Others were planned for 70 boats, but currently have 300 boats. Regulations allow only 50 fishing nets per boat, but some carry over 150 nets,’ he said. Lt Ndifula admitted that BMUs did valuable work during their time, but insisted they were not free from corruption. ‘Some members of BMUs used to work with illegal operators. Those calling for them now are genuine fishermen who love the lake, but we also know others want them back to resume illegal practices,’ he said.

He revealed that FPU is currently having discussions with the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry, and Fisheries to review co-management regulations and explore how BMUs could be reinstated in a stronger, more transparent form.

The Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) has resumed strict enforcement patrols to curb littering and maintain cleanliness across the city as it gears up for the highly anticipated City Festival.

The move is part of a broader campaign to ensure the city remains clean, welcoming, and safe for both residents and visitors.

KCCA Executive Director Hajati Sharifah Buzeki emphasized the importance of proactive measures ahead of the festival.

“We are committed to keeping Kampala clean. Our teams will patrol major streets, markets, and public spaces to ensure compliance with sanitation regulations. Littering will not be tolerated,” she said.

The enforcement efforts will be complemented by public awareness campaigns aimed at educating residents on the proper disposal of waste and the importance of maintaining a clean environment.

“Cooperation from the community is key to achieving a litter-free city,” Buzeki added.

Minister for Kampala Hajati Minsa Kabanda welcomed the initiative, noting that a clean city is not just a matter of pride but also of public health.

“Kampala hosts thousands of people every year during the City Festival. It is crucial that we present our city in the best possible way. A clean city promotes tourism, business, and the overall well-being of our citizens,” Kabanda said.

The City Festival, which attracts visitors from across Uganda and beyond, will feature cultural displays, music performances, health services, and food exhibitions. Ms. Buzeki urged all residents and business owners along festival routes to comply with sanitation regulations and avoid activities that generate litter in public spaces.

“KCCA’s enforcement teams are equipped to issue fines and take corrective measures against individuals or businesses that disregard the rules,” she said. “This is not about punishment alone; it is about creating a culture of responsibility and pride in our city.”

With a zero-tolerance approach to littering, KCCA aims to make Kampala a model city during high-profile events. Authorities are optimistic that with cooperation from residents, Kampala will host a safe, enjoyable, and clean City Festival for all.

Concerns about poor health services, dilapidated housing, traffic jams, and weak drainage systems dominated as Alliance for National Transformation (ANT) presidential candidate Maj Gen (rtd) Gregory Mugisha Muntu began his Kampala campaign trail yesterday. After resting on the opening day of campaigns, Gen Muntu, contesting for the presidency for the second time, started in Kawempe Division and later concluded in Kampala Central. In Kawempe, he conducted door-to-door meetings where residents raised key issues.

‘We have a national referral hospital in Kawempe [Kirudu], but care is lacking. Most services are paid for, contrary to what the government says. There is no timely attention to mothers delivering at night. We need a president who will make basic health services free and affordable,’ said Ms Hajarah Nabukenya, a resident of Kawempe Ku Ttano. Mr Joab Atwine, a trader in Kisenyi, cited poor drainage systems that worsen during the rainy season. ‘The city was poorly planned and the president must revisit the drainage system.

When it rains, we are at risk of losing lives. I treated one of my children for typhoid three times last season,’ he said. Mr Imran Kasule, who is living with a disability, asked for inclusivity in government programmes. ‘We are rarely incorporated, despised, and discriminated against. We want free housing and non-interest loans to grow economically,’ he said. Ms Jane Nasanga, a trader, called for tax reforms.

‘Taxes in kilos for textiles and garments are threatening business. Our goods take a long time before clearance at URA. The tax regime must be revised,’ she said.

Mr Joel Wasswa of Kawempe pointed to corruption as the city’s biggest challenge.

‘Much as we cry about poor health, roads, and drainage, the root cause is corruption. Without eliminating corruption, nothing will improve,’ he said. In his address, Gen Muntu pledged to establish a robust transport system to address congestion. ‘The population keeps growing. In 20 years, Kampala could have 16 million people. Without a proper transport system, one will spend five hours in jam,’ he said.

He proposed widening roads, creating bus and ambulance lanes, and introducing rails for small commuter trains linking Kampala to major towns.

He also promised affordable housing through government construction projects. ‘As we build houses, we shall ensure citizens can afford them. If a person has a business, we must create favourable conditions so that they can purchase houses, with payments spread over a grace period,’ he said.

Kampala’s outskirts remain dominated by informal settlements with poor access to sanitation, waste management, and security. The 2024 Population and Housing Census showed that 55 percent of households rent single-room units commonly known as mizigo. According to the National Population and Housing Census (NPHC), Kampala has a daytime population of 2.5 million, with 1.79 million residents, nearly 300,000 of whom lack a household.

Youth unemployment is high, with 808,983 aged 15-24 not in employment, education, or training (NEET). Of Uganda’s 25.1 million working-age population (14-64 years), only 9.4 million are employed, 1.7 million of whom are in Kampala. The city faces severe air pollution, largely from heavy-duty vehicles.

Residents’ concerns

Hillary Akayizuka, boda boda cyclist: ‘Police officers flog us like dogs, and yet this is the only employment option we have. Many of us studied and failed to find jobs. The next president should be able to scrap all unnecessary fines and enforcements.’

Johnson Twijukye, army veteran: ‘I have served before in the army, but the circumstances under which one goes to get a retirement pension are crooked. There is a lot of theft that must be addressed because quite a number of mentally ill people on the streets are there due to disappointed hopes in such sectors.’

Imran Kasule, PWD: ‘We are rarely incorporated in government programmes, are despised and discriminated against. We therefore want inclusivity from whoever comes next.’

The trial of suspects in the murder case of Kampala businessman Henry Katanga resumed yesterday, with the lead investigator suggesting a third party may have been present at the scene. The crime scene was Katanga’s master bedroom, where he was found dead on November 2, 2023. ‘My lord, the smears of blood on the wall, the ladder which was in the room. Like, I could not believe that someone could kill themselves and then again touch the wall with their hands. I could also not believe that a retired colonel could fire and have another live ammunition come out during suicide,’ Detective Superintendent of Police (DSP) Bibiana Akongo told Justice Rosette Comfort Kania.

‘You could see a sign of someone trying to mop after that observation, and the room seemed to have had a third party,’ she added.

Her remarks came after Assistant DPP Samali Wakooli asked what made her suspect more than one person was present. She, however, did not identify the alleged third party.

DSP Akongo, the 23rd prosecution witness, testified that while on duty in Kinawataka, she received a call from the Bugolobi OC about a suspected suicide by shooting.

‘We reached the scene of the crime and found the door closed. Otai (Charles, one of the suspects) was standing at the door. The legs were tied together using a gauze. On that same bed, at the edge, there was a pistol, a projectile, and one cartridge,’ she said. When asked what had happened, Otai allegedly told her Katanga had shot himself. He further said the deceased was a retired UPDF colonel and that Katanga’s wife, Molly Katanga, had collapsed on hearing the news and was taken to hospital.

The investigator said Otai later gave police three different versions of events. She added that a depression in the ceiling and a deformed projectile were discovered. ‘The one that hit the ceiling got deformed, but the one that shot the person (Katanga) was never recovered. When you shoot someone, he or she is not a hard rock to make a projectile deform,’ she explained. Her conclusion was that Katanga’s death was homicide, not suicide.

The African Development Bank Group new president, Dr Sidi Ould Tah, who took office on September 1, has unveiled a reform blueprint he calls the ‘Four Cardinal Points,’ which seeks to shape the Bank’s work across the continent-including in Uganda.

At its core, the plan focuses on mobilising Africa’s financial resources by scaling blended finance and deploying innovative instruments such as green and social bonds, with the aim of stretching scarce capital and drawing in private investors.

For Uganda, where firms grapple with high borrowing costs and low long-term financing, deeper AfDB mobilisation could unlock funding for productive investment.

Dr Ould Tah will also reform and consolidate financial systems by prioritizing stronger financial governance, deeper capital markets, and better risk management, and harness demographic transformation by focusing on skilling, digital empowerment, and support for women and youth entrepreneurs.

Uganda’s vibrant tech scene, from mobile-money innovators to a growing startup ecosystem, could benefit from AfDB-backed digital infrastructure, skilling programmes, and venture finance that connect young creators to markets.

He will also build climate-resilient infrastructure and drive value addition by emphasizing focus on renewables, efficient transport corridors, and climate financing.

AfDB support has already helped expand energy access, upgrade trade corridors, and strengthen agriculture value chains, laying foundations for business expansion and export competitiveness.

Ould Tah is credited with transforming BADEA into a high-performing lender, and he is determined to create a more agile, ambitious, and accountable AfDB, where every dollar raised should work harder for Africa’s future.

For Uganda, success will be measured in cheaper capital, stronger institutions, youth opportunities, and infrastructure that can withstand the next shock.

Police in western Uganda have launched a manhunt for a 25-year-old man accused of killing his father and grandmother inside their home on Monday night.

The incident occurred in Bulenge Zone, Kakuba Ward, Katooke Town Council, Kyenjojo District, according to Rwenzori West Police spokesperson SP Vincent Twesige.

Police identified the suspect as Allan Bainomugisha, who fled after the alleged killings. The victims were his grandmother, Molly Teo Tumusiime, 71, and his father, Dragon Bruce, 50.

A police report released Tuesday said Bainomugisha entered his grandmother’s house, where she lived with Bruce, and hid in the ceiling earlier in the evening while the two were at a nearby trading centre.

A granddaughter, only identified as Praise, told police she saw him but did not report it. She later heard Bruce praying at about 10:30 p.m., the last time she heard his voice.

‘After some hours, Praise heard Bruce crying out for help. Shortly after, Teo asked what had happened to him, but she received no reply. She then called her grandson, Muhumuza, to bring her a torch. As she moved to open the sitting room door, the suspect grabbed her,’ the report said.

It added: ‘The suspect then attacked her with a machete, cutting her several times. Muhumuza, who is 12, ran outside to alert his uncle, Ruhamire Joel, who lives nearby.’

Ruhamire told police that when he responded, he found the suspect still in the house. The man threatened to kill him too before fleeing. Ruhamire then reported the incident to Katooke Police Station.

Police officers who visited the scene recovered witness statements, collected blood samples, and conducted postmortems.

‘Tumusiime’s body was found in the doorway between her bedroom and the sitting room, lying in a pool of blood with deep cuts on her neck, right arm, ribs, and back. Dragon Bruce’s body was found lying on his back in his bedroom next to the sitting room. He had multiple injuries, including cuts on his chest, left ear, ribs, and a severe wound on his right thumb,’ police indicated.

Speaking to Monitor, Ruhamire said the killings may have been linked to a land dispute.

‘Shortly after Tumusiime gave land to her son, Bainomugisha came to his father saying he wanted to build a house there. When his father refused, Bainomugisha went ahead and brought construction materials despite the rejection. We suspect this disagreement could have been the cause of the murders,’ Ruhamire said.

He added that the children had earlier seen the suspect hide in the ceiling but did not question him since he often ate and stayed with them.

Police said investigations were ongoing and the hunt for Bainomugisha was underway.

Murders and road crashes claim about 25 lives in Uganda everyday, according to a 2024 annual police crime repoort.

Campaign slogans are never accidental. They tell us not just what a politician promises, but also what they fear losing.

President Museveni’s 2026 campaign message ‘Protecting the gains’ is a revealing one. It forces us to ask, how do you actually protect progress? By holding onto power indefinitely, or by building systems strong enough to outlive any one leader? When Museveni first took power in 1986, he spoke words that electrified a weary country: ‘The problem of Africa in general and Uganda in particular is not the people but leaders who want to overstay in power.’ That pledge of renewal set him apart from the dictators of his time. Nearly four decades later, those words hang over his legacy like both a prophecy and a contradiction. Uganda has certainly registered gains since then; roads, schools, health facilities, and a degree of stability compared to the bloody turbulence of earlier regimes. But stability is not the same as permanence. True progress is only secure when it is institutionalised.

By scrapping term limits and age limits, Uganda has stumbled into the very trap Museveni once warned against turning leadership into personal tenure. If ‘protecting the gains’ is to mean anything today, it must begin with the one thing Uganda has never had: a peaceful, democratic transition of power.

It is legitimacy, not incumbency, that secures a country’s future. Another reality Museveni cannot escape is demographics. Uganda is one of the youngest nations in the world, with over 75 percent of its people under 30. For years, the ruling NRM has leaned on the youth as mobilisers and foot soldiers. But young Ugandans are no longer content to simply serve in someone else’s project. They want agency in shaping their own future. Ignoring their frustration risks

Turning Uganda’s greatest asset into its most volatile challenge.

That is why the 2026 race feels less like another election and more like a reckoning. It offers starkly different paths. Museveni embodies continuity, but continuity of a system that has calcified around patronage and control. His strength has been in reorganising power so thoroughly that even disempowered elites often rally behind him. Yet this continuity has left ordinary Ugandans, despite fertile soils and abundant resources, stuck in poverty that feels both unnecessary and permanent.

On the other end stands Robert Kyagulanyi, alias Bobi Wine, the musician-turned-politician who has become the voice of Uganda’s restless youth. His movement has restored a sense of possibility, proving that Museveni is not invincible. But questions linger. Can raw charisma and street mobilisation translate into the discipline of governance? Uprooting a regime is one task; rebuilding institutions is another. Nathan Nandala Mafabi represents another strand of Opposition politics. In Parliament, he has been a fierce watchdog, relentlessly exposing

Corruption. Yet his style, often confrontational, risks deepening divisions at a time when Uganda needs broad coalitions and an inclusive national vision. Fighting corruption is necessary, but alone, it is not enough. Then there is Gen (rtd) Mugisha Muntu. He offers something rarer in Ugandan politics patience, principle, and discipline. His philosophy is clear ‘The human being is the core of development.’ For Muntu, Politics starts not with roads or ribbon-cuttings, but with rebuilding institutions, investing in education and healthcare, and reviving agriculture. These are not flashy promises, but they speak to the foundations of a sustainable State. Uganda’s options, then, mirror its history. Museveni offers continuity of the system he built. Kyagulanyi offers rupture, powered by youthful energy but still untested. Mafabi offers accountability through confrontation, but without yet a unifying vision. Muntu offers the slow, principled work of reconstruction.

Whichever path Ugandans choose, the stakes could not be higher. The median age in this country is just 15. If the post-Museveni era collapses into chaos or slips into populist cycles, it is young Ugandans who will pay the price. But if we seize this moment to rebuild institutions and refocus on citizens rather than personalities, Uganda could finally unlock the vast potential that has always been within reach. In that sense, ‘protecting the gains’ is not about freezing time or defending one man’s tenure.

It is about ensuring when leadership changes as it must, the country keeps moving forward. The truest legacy President Museveni could leave, after nearly 40 years in power, would be to oversee Uganda’s first peaceful handover of power. That would be the boldest infrastructure project of all: an orderly democracy.

Ministry of Finance has underscored the importance of digitisation the tax system for enhanced compliance.

Speaking at the 25th Uganda Economic Update 2025, acting secretary to the Treasury Patrick Ocailap, said digital systems, such as digital tax stamps, have been impactful tools in taxing everyday products and widening the tax base.

‘The use of digital systems is great for our country and will help URA collect more revenue, such as digital stamps on everyday products that we find in the supermarkets,’ he said.

The World Bank, in partnership with the Ministry of Finance and Uganda Revenue Authority (URA), yesterday launched the 25th Uganda Economic Update under the theme ‘Increasing Uganda’s Fiscal Space through Improved Revenue Mobilisation and Enhanced Efficiency of Spending and Service Delivery.’

The report highlights how technology and stronger governance could help Uganda close its revenue gap and improve service delivery.

Mr Ocailap underscored the role of digital stamps that have been visible in enhancing tax compliance under the excise duty regime.

Introduced in 2019, digital tax stamps are designed to protect the supply chain of excisable goods such as beer, spirits, wine, soft drinks, bottled water, cement, and tobacco.

Each product is affixed with a unique stamp that can be traced and authenticated, enabling URA to verify tax compliance and curb illicit trade.

The system is implemented by SICPA Uganda under the aegis of URA and the Ministry of Finance. Manufacturers and importers are required to use stamps as their goods move from production or importation into the market.

By mid-2023, URA reported that more than 1,100 manufacturers and over 300 importers had enrolled on the platform, up from just 200 in 2019.

Ms Francisca Ayodeji, the World Bank country manager, said Uganda’s expanding tax base and improving compliance are critical to creating the fiscal space needed to invest in health, education, and social protection.

‘By working together, we can ensure that reforms in revenue mobilisation … translate into tangible improvements in service delivery,’ she said.

The latest Economic Update emphasises that revenue mobilisation must be paired with efficient and transparent public spending, noting that collecting more taxes alone will not create the fiscal space Uganda requires unless funds are directed to priority areas.

Democratic Party (DP), the country’s oldest political party, will on Wednesday release its list of parliamentary aspirants for the 2026 elections while keeping the process open for new entrants.

Party president and Minister for Justice and Constitutional Affairs Norbert Mao told reporters that 230 aspirants have so far applied to contest on the DP ticket, alongside a record number of candidates for local council positions.

‘The full list will be out Wednesday, and we left our processes open because, as always, DP has been a political orphanage. We are releasing a preliminary list as we are still receiving applications from new candidates,’ Mao said.

He explained that candidate selection is guided by four criteria: ‘the journey of the candidate, their values, education, and skills.’

‘In DP, education is very important because we live in a global world. Our candidates must be able to represent us internationally, not those who spend their time shopping without understanding the issues being discussed,’ he said.

Mao stressed that the party now has representation even in districts where it previously had none, citing Oyam and Kwania.

‘I accept to be the chief campaigner for DP, and I am going to hit the road to face those who have been threatening our candidates. They have no reason to disturb DP candidates,’ he added.

The minister urged cooperation with the ruling government in educating citizens about their roles, while condemning threats against DP aspirants.

‘Education matters. We need to know people’s skills and academic level, not just pick individuals who have done nothing for the country. The biggest ‘skill’ some people think they have is insulting the government, which is useless,’ he added.

Mao said DP also considers the social connections of candidates to ensure voters are aware of their true character.

‘We have not closed our list of parliamentary candidates because we still have room to listen to people with good cases. All pretenders in Uganda politics will be exposed,’ he said.

Reflecting on the recent months, he said the party had been ‘purified’ and retained true believers. He advised those who lost in primaries not to run as independents.

‘Contesting as an independent is like driving a car without a number plate – if it crashes, how do you report? The election is ultimately a choice between two people. Candidates should focus on serving all citizens, not just themselves,’ Mao said.

Mao has already announced that he will not contest for the presidency in the 2026 general elections.

Opposition stalwart Dr Kizza Besigye has asked the High Court to allow him to personally raise concerns in his treason proceedings, prompting debate over the extent of a represented accused person’s right to speak in open court.

The four-time presidential contender, who is jointly charged with Hajji Obeid Lutale, told Justice Emmanuel Baguma that he had a matter of concern that he wished to present before the court could proceed with the plea taking.

“A very good morning, my Lord. I wish to raise a matter of concern before we proceed with this business,” Dr Besigye said after being recognised by the presiding judge. Justice Baguma responded by reminding the accused that he was represented by counsel, including senior lawyers Martha Karua, Frederick Mpanga, and Ernest Kalibbala, among others. “We must follow the procedure,” the judge said. “Since you are represented, you cannot simply put off your lawyers.”

But Dr. Besigye insisted: “I put off my representatives until I finish my submission. I will be brief. It is about our presence here. To give it a background, I would like to inform this court…” Before he could continue, Justice Baguma asked him to pause and later ruled that his legal team of 10 advocates should first capture and present his concerns formally.

“I have listened to you, and I am saying the 10 lawyers representing, unless they put in writing that they are no longer representing you. I am directing that the 10 lawyers get all the concerns and address them to court,” the judge ruled.

Senior Counsel Karua then intervened, noting that the court had given them only a few minutes to consult, and they had not received adequate instructions.

“Our client still wants to raise the concerns by himself, and he believes it is within your powers to hear him,” Karua submitted. Counsel Mpanga added that the size of the defense team made quick consultations difficult. Defense lawyer Ernest Kalibbala argued that an accused person never loses the right to directly speak to the court merely because they have legal representation.

“While it is true we are a team of ten lawyers, the accused retain overall authority to determine any of the matters over which they want to be spoken for by their lawyers,” Mr Kalibbala submitted. “Appointing lawyers or legal representation doesn’t close the mouth of the party. Otherwise, in all cases, all parties would cease to exist in the face of legal representation. There is no law that bars any of the people in the dock from speaking in court by raising or responding to any issues. Our prayer is that you allow Col. Besigye to raise any issues he wishes to.”

After hearing from both the accused and his defense team, Justice Baguma ruled that Dr. Besigye could only raise his concerns in writing. “I have listened to Besigye and his lawyers that he wants to raise his concerns, but on condition that they are raised in writing. I am giving you until Friday and come back here on October 8 for my response,” the judge directed.

The development is the latest in the drawn-out treason proceedings, which stem from allegations that Dr. Besigye and Hajji Lutale conspired to overthrow the government. Both men deny the charges and remain on remand. The case has also been marked by sharp disputes over judicial impartiality.

Earlier this month, Dr. Besigye and Hajji Lutale refused to appear before Justice Baguma for their second bail application, accusing him of bias and insisting that the case should instead be handled by the International Crimes Division of the High Court, where they were first committed. Their lawyers, led by Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago, argued that Justice Baguma should disqualify himself, citing remarks they said showed prejudice. The judge rejected that application, ruling that the question of recusal had already been disposed of in August.

With the new directive, the court will reconvene on October 8 to hear the written concerns from Dr. Besigye and his legal team, alongside the pending issues in the treason case.

Background to the case

The duo faces a charge of treason together with Capt. Denis Oola from the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF), to which the state alleges was committed with others still at large between 2023 and November 2024, in various countries, including Switzerland, Kenya, and Uganda, contrived a plot to overthrow the government.