Category: Daily Monitor

The head of research and service development at the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC), Rebecca Mayanja Mpaata, has advised secondary school and university students to seek sponsorship for technological innovations they develop, in order to contribute to Uganda’s digital transformation agenda under Vision 2040 and the National Development Plan (NDP) IV.

Speaking at the central region interschool competition, a pre-event activity of the ninth National Conference on Communications (NCC), hosted at Isbat University in Kampala on September 29, Ms Mayanja, who represented Christine Mugimba, the head of ICT and research at UCC, encouraged students to create frameworks that would allow their innovations to reach commercialisation. She warned that without such strategies, their ideas risk being taken over by foreign entities that would profit from them.

‘Don’t give up on ideas and innovations you have because they cannot be done by one person. We need a number of partners to have these innovations come to light. You [secondary and university students] come up with vibrant ideas but it stops there. When you have different entities coming together to see what’s being done, there’s an opportunity for different parties to find a role to play to bring the innovation to life,’ Ms Mayanja said.

Organised by UCC, the competition showcased innovative, science-based projects from 17 secondary schools across the central region. Trinity College Nabbingo emerged as the winner and will represent the region at the national stage of the NCC 2025, set for October 2 and 3 at the ICT exhibition in Nakawa.

The NCC, which started in 2010, was designed to bring together academia and industry players to collaborate on solutions to pressing community challenges such as unemployment. Over the years, universities including Makerere, Ndejje, and Kyambogo have hosted central region editions of the conference. The platform not only allows secondary school students to showcase their ideas but also helps the technology and innovation industry identify solutions being developed to address Uganda’s challenges.

Pradeep Kumaar, the director of academic affairs at Isbat University, said the conference is meant to instill advanced scientific thinking, promote technological mindset change, and help students align with the country’s development goals.

‘The government makes plans but national development requires that planning should be executed. The execution should be analysed to see the results and outcomes to be implemented for continuous improvement. It is where there needs to be a linkage between ICT clubs in schools, universities, corporates, and industries so that innovations are nurtured at the grassroots. Youth in Uganda are intelligent but need support,’ Mr Kumaar said.

The winners from each region will exhibit their innovations at the ICT hub in Nakawa during the October 2-3 national conference. The event aligns with Vision 2040, which recognises digital transformation through innovation as a cornerstone of national development.

The State Minister for ICT and National Guidance, Mr Godfrey Kabbyanga Baluku, has said the government may interrupt Internet connectivity during the 2026 General Election if intelligence reports point to attempts to use it to incite violence.

Mr Kabbyanga made the remarks at the weekend in Gulu City during a meeting organised by the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) to sensitise broadcasters from Acholi, Lango, West Nile and Bunyoro sub-regions on new electoral guidelines ahead of the polls. ‘The moment intelligence detects that the Internet will be used to cause violence during the election, we will interrupt connections. Our actions will be guided by intelligence agencies,’ Mr Kabbyanga said.

‘We will not allow anyone to disrupt peace. Do you know that Uganda is the most stable country in East and Central Africa?’ he added.

The minister further said that his ministry and the UCC have the gadgets and authority to restrict access.

‘We have the capacity to interrupt the Internet. You can have your data, but you cannot send any message using your device,’ he said, adding that the government will not sit back as the internet is used to fuel unrest. Mr Kabbyanga also cautioned media houses against violating broadcasting laws.

‘Any radio station or broadcaster that breaches the minimum standards risks being switched off or losing its licence,’ he warned. Uganda has a precedent. On the eve of the 2021 General Election, the government imposed a nationwide internet blackout that lasted about 100 hours, affecting more than 10.6 million users. Maj Gen Felix Kulayigye, the director of public information in the Ministry of Defence and Veterans Affairs, also addressed the meeting, warning broadcasters against using airwaves to destabilise the country.

Journalists urged

‘We are in a politically charged season. In the next five months, we will see politicians campaigning. We will ensure the country remains peaceful,’ he said, urging the media to promote harmony. Meanwhile, UCC officials reminded journalists that only those accredited by the Electoral Commission will be permitted to cover the elections. ‘Any journalist who is not accredited will not be allowed access to electoral areas. This is to ensure accurate reporting,’ said Mr Medi Kagwa, the UCC manager for social media.

He added that foreign journalists must also obtain accreditation.

‘Those who fail to do so will be handed to security agencies for processing and possible deportation,’ he warned.

In the January 2021 General Election, the government imposed a nationwide blackout that lasted about 100 hours. The shutdown, which began with restrictions on social media platforms before escalating into a full internet cut, affected more than 10.6 million users across the country.

While authorities defended the move as a necessary security measure to prevent unrest, critics said it was a deliberate attempt to stifle dissent and silence Opposition voices during a sensitive political period.

Only 19 percent of Uganda’s population has access to safely managed toilets and basic sanitation facilities, while over seven million people continue to practice open defecation, Mr Timothy Kayondo, Country Leader at SATO I-Trap toilet connection system, has revealed.

Mr Kayondo said millions of Ugandans are forced to rely on unsafe pit latrines or resort to open defecation, posing severe public health risks. Poor sanitation remains one of the leading causes of cholera, dysentery, and other waterborne diseases, which continue to threaten rural and peri-urban communities.

‘Each year, inadequate sanitation contributes to over 13,000 deaths in Uganda, including 7,500 children under the age of five, from preventable diarrheal diseases. Sanitation is not just about toilets; it is about dignity, health, and opportunity,’ Mr Kayondo said.

He added, ‘Through our partnerships, we are ensuring that families have access to affordable, life-changing solutions while also supporting local jobs and industry.’

A 2023 report by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the World Health Organization revealed that five billion people globally still live without safely managed sanitation, while another 419 million practice open defecation. The report also estimated that 2.2 billion people live without safely managed drinking water, including 115 million relying on surface water.

In response, Mr Kayondo has partnered with Luuka Plastics to strengthen local production and ensure a reliable, cost-effective supply of sanitation products to the villages and towns that need them most.

‘The innovation, which can be retrofitted onto existing toilets, is designed to improve hygiene, reduce disease outbreaks, and provide protection for children who are at risk of falling into pit latrines. By offering an affordable way to upgrade existing toilets, SATO devices prevent flies from accessing fecal matter, eliminating a major route of disease transmission. They also seal off odors, making latrines more acceptable to households,’ he explained.

The Ministry of Health estimates that poor sanitation costs Uganda billions of shillings each year in healthcare expenses and lost productivity. With more than 80 percent of the population still outside the ‘safely managed’ sanitation bracket, the stakes remain alarmingly high.

Mr Kayondo also noted that many children have been injured or lost their lives after falling into poorly constructed pit latrines. SATO retrofit devices close off toilet openings, significantly improving safety for young users.

‘Most households cannot afford to construct modern toilets, but with a simple retrofit like this, we can dramatically improve both safety and hygiene,’ he said.

Experts say such affordable, user-friendly solutions can help bridge the sanitation gap, even as government authorities and development partners continue to invest in long-term sanitation infrastructure.

Kakungulu Memorial continued its new hardline stance on how clubs can access hockey players studying at the school.

Though some clubs have not received any formal communication from the school, it is seems the lenient regime of letting players move out freely to represent their clubs in weekend fixtures at Lugogo is suspended – at least for now.

Wananchi HDF (Hockey Dreams Foundation) suffered from this over a week ago. The school declined to let students that represent the side leave the premises on their own ahead of the first leg of their women’s Uganda Cup semifinal with Weatherhead and insisted they be picked by a club authority.

HDF leaders sorted themselves out late and the team had to lose the game 20-0 by forfeiture according to the rules which were designed to deter clubs from giving walkovers.

This past weekend, in the men’s National Hockey League, Badgers had their players stopped from leaving the school and therefore had to field only 10 players in a game they drew 1-1 with Kampala Hockey Club (KHC) Originals on Saturday.

“We have heard that the school is not happy with the discipline of some players. Some of them leave school for matches and after that they go home or return to school at night. We have heard no official communication but we understand there are more concerns about the conduct of the girls and that has affected the boys too,” one Badgers official shared.

Badgers had to play defender Julius Sseruyange in goal and in some moments in the first half he looked a natural as he kept Originals at bay.

However, at the start of the second half, Badgers’ 10-men recollected and a little wave of pressure resulted into a couple of penalty corners. Originals’ keeper Bosco Ochan protested against one and was suspended for five minutes.

Harold Ntale capitalized with his signature slap shot to get the opening goal of the game for Badgers in the 36th minute. This time it was helped towards goal after taking a deflection off Originals runner Joel Muwanguzi’s stick.

Originals’ positive reaction paid off immediately. Habib Sewava fed the ball into Faustine Ojangole, who was playing as a forward. OJ as he is popularly known, froze the defence as he shaped to hit then made a calculated finish at the near post to make it 1-1 in the 37th minute.

From there on, both sides had their chances to win it. Originals were undone by their poor finishing upfront while Ochan returned inspired from his suspension to stop every kind of attack, especially from penalty corners, that Badgers conjured up.

Badgers remain 6th on 21 points – just three points ahead of Originals and two behind 5th-placed Rockets.

Earlier, Thunders relied on second half braces from Swabur Kizito and Robert Lubangakene to beat 9th-placed Weatherhead Titans 4-1 and rise to fourth with 24 points. Andrew Bisoborwa got the latter’s consolation with about four minutes to play.

Meanwhile, a scheduling mix-up with National Council of Sports (NCS) forced Uganda Hockey Association (UHA) to postpone Sunday’s matches to Independence Day – October 9.

Weatherhead were due to meet Rockets while leaders Wananchi were to play Makerere University, and Kampala Hockey Club (KHC) Stallions eyed a goal-fest against bottom-placed Wananchi Wabalozi.

NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE

Results

KHC Originals 1-1 Badgers

Thunders 4-1 Weatherhead Titans

Men’s Table

Wananchi 14 13 1 0 152 19 40

KHC Stallions 14 10 3 1 85 19 33

Weatherhead 14 10 2 2 118 17 32

Thunders 15 8 0 7 53 46 24

Rockets 14 7 2 5 50 43 23

Badgers 15 6 3 6 57 36 21

KHC Originals 15 5 3 7 37 73 18

Makerere University 14 3 1 10 18 63 10

Weatherhead Titans 15 2 1 12 24 73 7

Wananchi Wabalozi 14 0 0 14 4 211 0

‘Jinja makes yet another statement this early! Yes, this is not just any other election, it is a revolution,’ read a post by Mr Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, alias Bobi Wine, on his X social media handle shortly after launching his campaign rallies for the 2026 General Election from Jinja City, Busoga Sub-region, yesterday.

The National Unity Platform (NUP) party presidential candidate drew multitudes of crowds, paralysing Jinja City for the better part of the day. Speaking at Kagoma Town Council in Jinja District, Mr Kyagulanyi told thousands of enthusiastic supporters that a NUP-led government would prioritise the economic empowerment of ordinary citizens, especially those in historically marginalised regions like Busoga. He said the area had suffered decades of exploitation and government neglect.

He noted that Busoga is one of the country’s leading regions in sugarcane farming, yet farmers are consistently paid low prices for their produce, leaving them trapped in poverty. He accused the government of letting sugar millers exploit farmers by offering them low prices for their produce. ‘I will help you get out of economic slavery when we take power,’ Mr Kyagulanyi declared. ‘You have resources, you work hard, but you remain poor. That must change. We can work this out together,’ he said. Mr Kyagulanyi’s manifesto centred around 11 key priorities. He promised to create 10 million jobs, end corruption and establish constitutionalism and the rule of law. The jobs, he said, would leverage tourism at 25.3 percent, manufacturing at 60 percent, as well as sports and creative economy at 14.7 percent.

The other areas included reducing government expenditure by cutting down the number of administrative units, consolidating national unity and rehabilitating war-torn areas. Mr Kyagulanyi also talked about creating equal access to health, education, water, energy, and public infrastructure. On education, he promised to establish school feeding programmes as well as boost agriculture to ensure food security. He also condemned the government’s aggressive deployment of security forces on water bodies, saying fishermen have been pushed off the lakes-robbing communities of their primary source of income. ‘This region has fertile land and abundant water bodies, but people are starving. It’s not a lack of resources, it’s poor leadership and exploitation,’ he said.

Mr Kyagulanyi also raised concerns over the state of political freedoms in parts of Busoga, specifically where he claimed residents face intimidation for supporting Opposition parties. Mr Kyagulanyi promised that if elected, his government would restore the political and civil rights of all Ugandans, regardless of their affiliations. ‘You deserve a government that listens, not one that silences you,’ he said. Mr Kyagulanyi added that Waiswa Mufumbiro, a ‘son of the soil’ who should have welcomed them to Busoga, is currently in prison. Mr Waiswa, who plans to contest for a parliamentary seat in Nakawa Division, Kampala, was arrested alongside more than a dozen other NUP supporters. They are accused of taking part in an unauthorised meeting, which authorities say was meant to train participants in ‘military exercises, movements and evolutions,’ an offence under Section 45(1)

(b) of the Penal Code Act.

Throughout his address, Mr Kyagulanyi called on the people of Busoga to rise above fear and vote for leadership that prioritises their dignity, rights, and economic wellbeing. He emphasised that under NUP, development would not be reserved for a select few but distributed fairly across all regions. The musician-cum politician also promised to stop land grabbing and guarantee land rights. On governance, Mr Kyagulanyi focused on empowering regional and local governments, while strengthening international ties and positioning the diaspora as a strategic asset to his government. The launch in Kagoma marks the beginning of a nationwide campaign trail that Kyagulanyi says will focus on grassroots communities and building a new Uganda from the bottom up.

Bobi paralyses Jinja

Excitement and anticipation gripped parts of eastern Uganda as hundreds of enthusiastic supporters of the National Unity Platform (NUP) gathered along the Jinja-Kamuli highway to welcome party president Robert Kyagulanyi, popularly known as Bobi Wine. The crowd, largely made up of youth, women, and boda boda riders, braved the scorching sun and lined the roadside hours before Kyagulanyi’s expected arrival, waving party flags and chanting slogans of change. The crowds started swelling along Kayunga Road, the route that Mr Kyagulanyi used to access Jinja from Kampala. Many wore red berets and NUP-branded attire as a show of solidarity and unwavering loyalty to the Opposition leader.

The atmosphere was electric, with drums, vuvuzelas, and music adding to the growing anticipation. During the last election cycle, which was a virtual one due to movement restrictions associated with Covid-19, over 50 people were killed in shootings and suffocation. This was after spontaneous riots engulfed Kampala City and major urban centres, following the violent arrest of Mr Kyagulanyi in Luuka, one of the districts in the Busoga region, during his campaigns there. Yesterday, the heavily deployed security personnel remained unobtrusive, though they diverted some of the supporters when they reached Jinja Bridge, with some opting to use murram roads to access the campaign rally venue, leaving them covered in dust.

The 2025 Masaza Cup quarter-finals kicked off with a flurry of action, leaving three counties with a vital advantage going into the return legs.

Kyaggwe secured the most comfortable lead, dispatching Ssese 2-0 at home in Mukono. David Mugalu broke the deadlock in the 20th minute and James Matege sealed the victory with a stunning strike in the 88th minute.

Kyaggwe coach, Simon Peter Mugerwa, whose side were losing finalists last year, is determined not to squander the first-leg edge.

“Two-nil is a good foundation, but nothing is decided yet. We played with a champion’s mentality and got the job done. The key now is composure; we will not let this advantage slip away in the return leg,” Mugerwa said.

Despite the loss, Ssese coach Edirisa Walusimbi remains hopeful about the return leg on Saturday at Lutoboka.

Ssese, who finished bottom of their group last year, are aiming to at least match their 2021 quarter-final performance.

“It’s only half-time in the tie. We struggled defensively, but we are a different animal at home. Two goals is a challenge, but it’s a gap we can definitely overturn with the passionate support of our fans,” he said.

In another thrilling encounter, Bugerere claimed a narrow 2-1 victory over 2011 champions Buluuli. Mike Katumwa and Osman Mayanja were on target for Bugerere, while Okello Levis Barasa grabbed a crucial away goal for Buluuli.

Buluuli head coach Nasibu Mukasa is banking on that away goal to keep the tie alive.

“That away goal is a massive motivation for us. We’re going back to the drawing board to fix the defensive errors, and I have faith that we can turn this deficit around in the second leg,” Mukasa said.

Elsewhere, Buweekula secured a win, overcoming Busujju 1-0 thanks to a solitary goal from Shafiq Ssonko. Buweekula is desperate to break a recurring curse after losing five semi-finals in recent years. They will be looking to confirm their semi-final spot in the return leg in Mubende.

Battle of heavyweights

The most anticipated tie of the weekend ended in a goalless draw, with three-time champions Mawokota locking horns with two-time winners Ssingo.

The result means everything is to play for in the return leg on Sunday in Mityana. Mawokota will be hoping for a repeat of their 2013 success, where they defeated Ssingo in the final 1-0. The winner of this heavyweight clash will surely be considered a top contender for the title.

The tournament’s grand finale is scheduled for Saturday, November 1, 2025 at the Hamz Stadium in Nakivubo.

Masaza Cup

Results

Bugerere 2-1 Buluuli

Busujju 0-1 Buweekula

Mawokota 0-0 Ssingo

Kyaggwe 2-0 Ssese

Authorities in western Uganda are searching for six lions that escaped from Queen Elizabeth National Park and have been terrorizing residents near the Mubuku Irrigation Scheme in Kasese District.

The big cats reportedly killed three cows and are believed to be hiding in bushes around the scheme, prompting fear among locals who now avoid tending to their gardens.

‘Our team has been in the area tracking the lions to see whether they can return to the park or be chased back,’ said Bashir Hangi, spokesperson for the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA).

He confirmed that UWA has already paid Shs3.5 million to affected residents as a form of compassion and is guiding them on how to file formal compensation claims.

The lions invaded the scheme in the early hours of September 26.

Eyewitness Abdul Tushabomwe recounted: ‘At first, we heard a very strange roar, which was frightening. I immediately woke up and wanted to go outside, but when I checked through the window, I saw lions. They attacked the cows in their kraal. Of course, I could not risk going out to rescue them; I helplessly watched as the lions killed them.’

Residents say they fear even stepping outside their homes, with crops and livestock at risk.

James Masereka, a local farmer, said, ‘We largely depend on our gardens for food, but now we even fear checking on our crops because of the lions, which we suspect are still within the bushes. We request the Uganda Wildlife Authority to help us move them back where they belong. Otherwise, we are not safe.’

Another affected resident, Rusanganwa, 60, appealed for government support, citing lost income from his cows: ‘I was depending on my cows and their products, like milk, which I sold for income. Now my animals have been killed by lions that earn the government money through tourism. I request that the government compensate me so that I can also survive.’

Police have warned residents to remain vigilant, particularly during early morning and evening hours, and to secure livestock at night.

‘Someone walking alone can easily become prey to lions. That is why we caution people against moving alone not only in the early mornings or evenings, but also in isolated places at any time. For school-going children, our request to parents is that they escort them to school so that these wild animals do not harm them,’ said SP Nelson Tumushime, Rwenzori East Regional Police spokesperson.

Authorities continue to monitor the area, urging residents to report any lion sightings to UWA or local security officials.

High Court in Kampala has been asked to intervene in a dispute between the National Unity Platform (NUP) and the government after the opposition party was excluded from receiving statutory political party funding.

NUP, through its Secretary General David Lewis Rubongoya, filed an application for judicial review challenging a directive by the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs dated August 25, 2025.

The directive instructed the Electoral Commission to disburse funds to six political parties, excluding NUP, on grounds that they were not recognised members of the Inter-Party Organisation for Dialogue (IPOD).

In its motion, NUP seeks several remedies, including declarations that ‘the minister’s directive was illegal, ultra vires, irrational, unlawful, procedurally improper, and null and void.’

The party also wants the court to compel the Electoral Commission to release funds to it and issue an injunction restraining authorities from enforcing the directive.

Rubongoya, in a sworn affidavit, told court that NUP has been receiving quarterly statutory funding since the 2021/2022 financial year under Section 14 of the Political Parties and Organisations Act.

He argued that as the second-largest political party in Parliament and an active member of the National Consultative Forum, NUP has a legitimate expectation to continue receiving the funds.

‘The Applicant has been unlawfully, unfairly and unjustifiably excluded by the respondents from all consultations regarding the operationalisation of the Amendment, as well as from the list of political parties entitled to statutory funds,’ Rubongoya stated.

He further said the exclusion has significantly affected the party’s day-to-day operations and preparations for the 2026 elections, including activities leading to the nomination of its presidential flagbearer Robert Kyagulanyi on September 23, 2025.

The Attorney General, representing government, appeared before Justice Collins Accellam on Monday and requested for two days to file a reply to the application.

NUP will then file a rejoinder on Friday, after which the case will return to court on October 10, 2025 for mention.

Meanwhile, lawyers for the Electoral Commission, led by Eric Sabiiti, the Commission’s head of litigation, and Hamidu Lugolobi, asked the court to dismiss the case with costs.

They argued that the application is fundamentally flawed and an abuse of court process citing incompetence, lack of merit, and a frivolous nature.

Sabiiti submitted that the applications were futile and have no chance of success adding that the relief sought was unconstitutional and beyond the High Court’s powers.

He further explained that decisions on political party funding are choices of the political parties themselves and that the balance of convenience favors implementing the statutory provision.

‘The court should dismiss the application,’ Sabiiti said, describing it as an unnecessary strain on the judicial process.

The controversy follows the Political Parties and Organisations (Amendment) Act, 2025, which introduced a requirement that only political parties belonging to IPOD are eligible for government funding.

NUP insists it has never been consulted about the statutory instrument to operationalise the law and has not been availed a copy of the Memorandum of Understanding that other parties are said to have signed to join IPOD.

On September 18, 2025, IPOD held a summit at Kololo Independence Grounds attended by the Democratic Party, Forum for Democratic Change, Uganda People’s Congress, Justice Forum (JEEMA), and the ruling National Resistance Movement.

At the meeting, President Museveni, who had served as IPOD Council chairperson, handed over leadership to Justice Minister Norbert Mao, the opposition Democratic Party president.

According to Rubongoya, NUP was neither invited to the summit nor involved in discussions on the sharing of statutory funds, despite its parliamentary strength.

Justice Accellam has set October 10, 2025 for mention of the case to determine whether the parties have complied with his directions.

Grief has engulfed South Sudanese refugees at Palabek Refugee Settlement Camp in Palabek-Ogili Sub-County, Lamwo District, after a lightning strike killed two refugees and left two others critically injured.

The deceased were identified as Ms Martha Ibalu, 50, a resident of Zone 7, Block 6, and Ms Tereza Eyei, 28, a resident of Zone 4, Block B. They were killed on Sunday afternoon while sheltering from a storm.

Reports indicate that the two women had gone to a nearby bush to burn charcoal when tragedy struck. They had sought shelter under a tree when they were hit by lightning.

Their bodies were taken to Puluda Health Centre III for post-mortem examination.

Two other victims, Mr James Lokiek, 39, a resident of Zone 4, Block 8, and Ms Elizabeth Amuna, 35, a resident of Zone 7, Block 6, survived but sustained serious injuries. They are receiving treatment at Paluda Health Centre III.

The September 28 incident brings the number of South Sudanese refugees killed by lightning strikes since November 2024 to 16, with 36 others injured.

On November 3, 2024, at about 5:30 pm, 14 refugees, 12 children and two adults, died after they were struck by lightning while seeking shelter from the rain at a UN World Food Programme (WFP) food distribution centre in Zone 8, Block 2. Another 34 were seriously injured in that tragedy.

Mr Joe Oloya, the Aswa East Region Police spokesperson, said the victims in Sunday’s incident were caught in the rain while in the bush.

‘It is alleged that on September 28, 2025, at around 4 pm, the victims went to Ajaogala village to burn charcoal. After a while, it started raining and they took cover under a tree where lightning struck them, two died on the spot and two survived,’ he said in a statement issued Tuesday evening.

He added that police detectives are investigating a case of sudden death by lightning.

With the threat of thunderstorms still looming, the Uganda National Meteorological Authority (UNMA) has urged Ugandans to avoid using mobile phones during storms to reduce the risk of lightning strikes.

According to UNMA, the electric circuit in a mobile phone could attract lightning. The authority has issued the warning to help the public minimize risks.

Dr Bob Alex Ogwang, the Executive Director of UNMA, further advised Ugandans to put contingency measures in place to reduce the loss of life from such natural disasters.

Lightning is a powerful natural phenomenon caused by electrostatic discharges between charged regions in clouds or between clouds and the Earth, producing intense light and sound.

Speaking at Kayunga Regional Referral Hospital after touring the facility last week, the Prime Minister, Ms Robinah Nabbanja, said it was because locals voted NRM-leaning leaders into office that they had ‘such a good hospital.’ She said Mukono Municipality, ‘which always votes for Opposition, doesn’t have such a health facility because [Betty] Nambooze doesn’t come to us to request such developmental projects.’ The prime minister’s utterance is quite unfortunate coming from a senior leader of government, which is charged with delivering equitable social services such as education and medical care to citizens countrywide irrespective of their religious, ethnic, and political affiliations.

The government does not need to wait for ‘requests’ to conduct its duties, which citizens pay a lot of money in taxes for. It is incumbent upon the government and its officials at all levels to ensure that all regions of the country have properly functioning schools, hospitals. Roads, bridges and ferries on water bodies must also be in good condition. Furthermore, access to clean water is a fundamental human right that the government should uphold. The responsibility also lies with the government to ensure the safety of the wananchi and their properties. These responsibilities must be fulfilled by the government irrespective of whether Mukono Municipality MP Betty Nambooze, who is a member of the National Unity Platform, or any other top area leader has pointed out a shortcoming or not.

The government employs thousands of people who can easily alert it to challenges experienced by specific areas around the country. What the prime minister uttered recently is similar to remarks made by other National Resistance Movement (NRM) government officials over the years whenever people from areas led by Opposition-leaning leaders complain of poor social services. The disgruntled locals are derisively told that they are reaping the fruits of their choices, with government officials saying, things would have been better had they supported the NRM party.

This is unacceptable. People should not be deprived of services owed to them simply because they do not support the party in power. Being a member of the Opposition is not a crime. It should not be used as an excuse to deprive people of their rights and relegate them to second class citizens. We call upon all candidates– those affiliated with parties and independents– standing for the various positions, from the local government to the presidency, to bear in mind that if they are elected into office, they should treat all people equitably.