Category: Daily Monitor

Husnah Kukundakwe and Condoleezza Thembo Nakazibwe left the World Para Swimming Championships stage in Singapore with enhanced reputations.

The Ugandan representatives hit their time targets and the latter took it a notch further by making the finals of all her four events.

Last Wednesday, her 1:11.76 in the women’s 100m freestyle S8, gave her a 3rd place finish in the heats. She split 34.31 at the halfway mark to lower her own African record (AR) from the 1:12.40 that she managed at the World Series earlier in Indianapolis in April to qualify for Singapore.

In the final, she split 34.43 and finished 8th in a time of 1:12.23, which is her second best performance in the event.

On Thursday, the 18 year old gave her all to clock a 32.49 in the women’s 50m freestyle S8 preliminaries lowering her own 32.58 AR. She further sunk it to 31.93 in the finals, where she missed a podium finish by a whisker.

Russia’s Viktoriia Ishchiulova, swimming under a neutral flag, clocked 31.30 to win the race and was followed by China’s Zhu Hui (31.39) and Italy’s Xenia Francesca Palazzo (31.44) – who also won 100m free bronze behind Great Britain’s Alice Tai and USA’s Jessica Long.

On Friday, Uganda’s Paralympian needed a bit of luck to make the finals but the fortune is always in the preparation and showing up. After placing 9th overall in the heats of the women’s 200m individual medley SM8 with a time of 3:03.72 just ahead of Germany’s Jeanne Maack Mira (3:05.26), Kukundakwe had done her bit. She had not competed in an IM event at the world stage in over a year and an AR was good enough.

But she was brought in as a replacement after Palazzo, who made 2:58.51 in the prelims, withdrew for medical reasons. Kukundakwe finished 8th with a slightly better time of 3:03.51.

In the 100m breaststroke SB8, on Saturday, Kukundakwe’s 1:28.54 got her to her fourth final in four days. Interestingly, she finished 7th with a new personal best of 1:27.37 in the finals and she beat Ishchiulova (1:28.86), who also had silver in the IM.

The 100m breaststroke SB8 AR, however, remains one of those she aims for. It still belongs to South Africa’s retired Natalie Du Toit, who set it at 1:25.95 at the World Championships in Eindhoven Netherlands on August 16, 2010.

Nakazibwe, just 13, also made an impressive 33.61 in the women’s 50m freestyle S9 on Saturday to cap Uganda’s performance at the Championships.

“The swimmers performed very well with 100% improvement. In my opinion it is the best performance for Husnah particularly, if compared to the previous events we have taken part in. We did not do well at the Paralympics in France and that taught us something to work on and since the Series in the USA, we have been registering good positions with excellent times

“We are now looking forward to the Commonwealth Games. Condoleezza is also a mentally strong girl with a huge passion for the sport. Usually, you would struggle with a young girl pushing her up to race at that level, but she managed,” coach Muzafaru Muwanguzi, said.

World Para Swimming Championships

Kukundakwe’s performance

Women 100m freestyle S8: 1:11.76 (African record, prelims), 1:12.23 (finals)

Women 50m freestyle S8: 32.49 (prelims), 31.93 (African record, finals)

Women 200m IM SM8: 3:03.72 (prelims), 3:03.51 (African record finals)

Women 100m breaststroke SB8: 1:28.54 (prelims), 1:27.37 (finals)

Nakazibwe’s performance

Women 50m freestyle S9: 33.61 (prelims)

After nearly two years of wrangles that split Kyadondo Rugby Football Club into rival camps, the High Court has moved to restore order, striking out disputed elections and directing the Registrar of Companies to preside over fresh polls.

In a ruling delivered on July 31, 2025, Justice Patricia Mutesi declared that all 39 original subscribers of the club are equal members, nullifying attempts to sideline some and reduce their voting rights.

The Court nullified the meetings of March 11 and March 18, 2025, and all decisions arising from them. It ruled that the exclusion of some members on grounds that they had subscribed as students in 1999 and were therefore ‘junior members’ was unlawful and discriminatory.

Justice Mutesi held that the company’s memorandum of association did not distinguish between the subscribers at incorporation, and that they all remained full members entitled to participate in decision-making.

URSB intervention

The ruling followed a series of disputes that began in 2023 when the Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB) investigated and expunged five documents from the Companies Registry.

Among them was a power of attorney granted to James Middleton and Andrew Owor, also a former Uganda Rugby Union president, to negotiate with the Uganda National Roads Authority (Unra) over part of the club’s land on Coronation Avenue.

Other documents included a resolution appointing Middleton, Owor, Jeroline Akubu, Michael Douglas Keigwin and Peter Browser as directors; minutes of a meeting that purportedly appointed the same; and an amended memorandum and articles of association.

Assistant Registrar of Companies Daniel Nasasira ruled that the filings were unlawful and carried out by improperly elected directors. He said the registry’s data migration process was not meant to facilitate structural changes but to transfer existing records.

The executive committee led by Brian Tabaruka had petitioned URSB, accusing the previous leadership of forgery, falsification of signatures and attempts to alter governance structures.

Speaking after the High Court ruling, Tabaruka said the judgment confirmed the concerns his executive had raised from the outset.

‘We welcome the decision. The ruling is clear. URSB will now preside over fresh elections, ensuring neutrality and fairness. Previously, we were excluded but this time, all original subscribers are recognized as members and we finally have the chance to participate,’ he said.

Disputes within the club

The wrangles deepened after the July 2023 elections in which Tabaruka was elected chairman. He and his team accused Middleton and his allies of refusing to hand over the financial accounts and instead diverting funds through parallel bank accounts.

Members of the new executive said payments to the official account were irregular and inadequate, leaving the club struggling.

The disputes escalated when it was discovered that Kyadondo Sports Club (KSC) had been registered as a separate entity in 2012, with a memorandum carrying signatures of subscribers who denied ever signing.

A handwriting analysis conducted in April 2023 indicated possible forgery. Tabaruka and his allies argued that the registration of Kyadondo was part of an attempt to seize control of Kyadondo’s finances and assets.

Contested March elections

Following URSB’s directive that only the 39 original subscribers were members, fresh elections were scheduled for March 11, 2025.

However, controversy erupted when Middleton circulated a list excluding Tabaruka and others, arguing that they had subscribed as students and were therefore junior members without voting rights.

The March 11 meeting collapsed for lack of quorum after boycotts by excluded members. A follow-up meeting on March 18 proceeded under similar conditions and failed to resolve the disputes.

This prompted Tabaruka and Geoffrey Okello to petition the High Court, seeking recognition of all 39 subscribers as equal members and challenging the legality of the March meetings.

The Court’s findings

Justice Mutesi ruled that while Kyadondo’s articles of association provided for different classes of membership, there was no evidence that these categories applied to the subscribers at incorporation. She noted that all 39 appeared together on a single list, with no distinction.

The judge rejected the claim that some were junior members, observing that the articles defined junior membership as applying to full-time students, apprentices or minors who did not play rugby. There was no evidence that those excluded from the March elections fell into that category.

On this basis, the Court declared the March 11 and March 18 meetings null and void. It further ruled that, given the disputes, leadership vacuum and quorum requirements, it was impracticable to hold a general meeting under the existing articles.

Justice Mutesi authorised a hybrid general meeting, allowing members to participate physically or virtually and lowered the quorum to 15 members to make the process workable.

The Registrar of Companies was instructed to preside over the elections, declare all positions on the executive committee vacant, issue a notice within 45 days, and conduct the elections within 60 days of the notice. The Registrar is also expected to receive expressions of interest from candidates and ensure the meeting is widely publicised.

Tabaruka, one of the applicants, described the ruling as a chance for closure: ‘Once the elections are held democratically at the AGM, it will mark the true conclusion of the governance issues that have long troubled the club.’

Responding to the decision, Owor, who was among those whose filings were expunged by URSB, said he could not comment in detail. ‘The ruling is clear but I’m not the right person to comment,’ he said.

Efforts to reach other parties were unsuccessful by press time.

Busiro East MP Medard Ssegona is among the sitting MPs who have been denied the National Unity Platform (NUP) card for the 2026 General Election.

Musician Mathias Walukaga, who doubles as Kyengera town mayor, will carry the party flag in the 2026 General election.

After his vetting by the party electoral commission recently, Mr Sseggona told journalists at the party headquarters that he was more qualified than any other contender for the seat, arguing that the opposition party, led by musician turned politician, Mr Robert Kyagulanyi, has a sense of class and quality.

“Look at me, look at my CV. Why do you have to deceive yourself that there’s a mischievous possibility of the party choosing someone less qualified for this job than me? I have presented my CV, I have presented my ideas, and everybody will agree that I’m more qualified for this job, that’s if they are not drunk or possessed by evil spirits. This party has a sense of class and quality. Does Parliament still make laws? Is there somebody vying for this position as qualified as I?’ the veteran politician and lawyer said.

According to the list Ms Shamim Malende has retained the Kampala Woman MP ticket, while Ms Zahara Luyilika, who has been contending for the same seat, was given the ticket for the Makindye West Constituency, which is currently represented by Mr Allan Aloysius Ssewanyana.

Kampala City lawyer George Musisi was given the flag to contest for the Kira Municipality MP seat, seeking to oust People’s Front for Freedom (PFF)’s spokesperson, Mr Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda, while Zambali Bulasio Mukasa will carry the party flag for the Nansana Municipality MP seat currently occupied by one of NUP’s estranged members, Wakayima Musoke.

Mr Kyagulanyi’s elder brother, Mr Fred Nyanzi, will carry the party flag in the Kawempe South MP race. He was contending for the ticket with Dr Roy Ssemboga, a former (82nd) Makerere University Guild President. The seat is currently occupied by another estranged member, Bashir Kazibwe.

Mityana Municipality MP, Ms Joyce Bagala, lost the ticket to Proscovia Mukisa, who will now face off with Lands Minister Judith Nabakooba of the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM), if the former doesn’t contest as an Independent candidate.

Another notable flag bearer is Ms Mercy Marion Alupo, who has been given the party flag to dislodge Speaker Anita Among from the Bukedea Woman MP seat. Alupo is one of the three women running against Ms Among, who were recently sued in a bid to stop their participation.

Nakaseke South MP, Paulson Luttamaguzi Ssemakula, who recently crossed to NUP was also given the flag while Mr Hilary Innocent Kiyaga, alias Dr Hildaman, retained his Mawokota North ticket amidst speculations that he had lost favours with the party’s top leadership.

Mr Lubowa Ssebina Gyaviira was given the ticket to contest for the Nyendo Mukungwe MP seat currently occupied by the former Leader of Opposition, Mathias Mpuuga, who recently broke ranks with the party leadership and formed his own political party, Democratic Front (DF).

Mr Patrick Kutesa was also given the party flag to oust Kimanya Kabonera MP, Dr Abed Bwanika, who is seeking to retain the seat on the DF ticket in the 2026 poll.

NUP spokesperson, Mr Alex Waiswa Mufumbiro, who is currently on remand, was given the flag for Nakawa East Division, currently occupied by Ronald Balimwezo, who is aspiring to unseat Kampala Lord Mayor, Erias Lukwago. Rubaga South MP Aloysius Mukasa lost the party flag to Eugenia Nassolo.

If Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA) sought justice in rejecting the scores of their first netball final they got in the most brutal form after ruthlessly falling to Hotel Africana 25-6 at Maroons Stadium in Luzira Sunday evening.

In the first final on August 31, UCAA came from behind to almost dethroning the defending champions but the match was cancelled after both sides disagreed on the scoreline. Some thought it was 8-8, while others said Africana had won by a point margin.

With players exhausted after a marathon of games on the day, both teams agreed to reschedule the final for September 24.

But in the four weeks in-between, one team seemed to have prepared, while the other rested. Evidence? The performance: Africana led 10-0, eventually winning the first half 15-3 thanks to the clinical pair of goal shooter Doreen Atukunda Kagumire, who is naturally a defender, and goal attacker Victoria Nakazibwe, who converted almost every chance.

Solid, agile and tireless, centre player Christine Zalwango had fluid coordination with her defense, wing attack and the entire forward line.

Despite that amorphous lead, Africana coach Bashir Matovu used the interval to emphasise the need to stick to the game plan, a message especially meant for goal defender Alton Sentongo, who was much later substituted for Ibra Inesko.

In the second half, goal attacker Brenda Namuhoma and goal shooter Joyce Nakirya tried to pull UCAA back into the game, but got limited supply. And UCAA were slow in attack, which gave an advantage to Africana, whose pace, power and accuracy resulted in an emphatic 25-6 victory.

‘We should have won this final last time, but our opponents complained. This time, I am happy that now they can only accuse us of being ruthless on the court,’ said Hamida Ayoub, Africana’s assistant coach, who plays for Busia Greater Lions.

‘We are happy that we have won this title again. We thank our employers at Africana for giving us a chance to train for the games. Such performances also contribute to promotions and pay rise.’

UCAA’s goal defender Henry Mukenya rued the missed opportunity but was graceful in defeat. ‘We left Entebbe to come and fight for gold. But I congratulate Africana for the good performance. We hope to do better next season.’

RESULTS

Africana 25-6 UCAA

OUTSTANDING PLAYERS

Doreen Atukunda Kagumire (GS)

Victoria Nakazibwe (GA)

Christine Zalwango (C)

Alton Sentongo (GD)

As National Unity Platform (NUP) president Robert Kyagulanyi, also known as Bobi Wine, tours the Busoga region to rally support, his party’s flagbearer selection process has triggered outrage and division among supporters in Kamuli and Buyende districts.

Many local voters say they feel betrayed after seeing trusted grassroots candidates sidelined in favour of what they describe as ‘political opportunists.’ Some argue that this undermines the very principles NUP claims to stand for, change, transparency, and inclusivity.

In Buyende District, particularly Budiope West, supporters were dismayed after the party flag was denied to seasoned opposition politician Dr Dominic Wakabi. Instead, it was handed to Mr Anthony Kolobe, a former NRM member now branded by some as an ‘opposition schemer.’

In Kamuli Municipality, another favourite, Mr Silver Segonga, was overlooked in favour of Mr Godfrey Mugoya, also known as Ivalyadhagi, leaving grassroots supporters deeply disappointed.

For the Kamuli District Woman MP seat, many had rallied behind Ms Proscovia Naikoba Kanakutanda, famously known as Ndatike, to pose a serious challenge to First Deputy Prime Minister Rebecca Kadaga. Ms Naikoba has contested against Ms Kadaga three times. However, the flag was controversially awarded to Ms Bridget Babirye, whom critics accuse of abandoning the constituency after her last electoral loss.

‘We expected NUP to front a strong challenger to the President’s Office Minister, Ms Milly Babalanda, who secured the NRM flag under questionable circumstances. Instead, NUP has worsened the situation by selecting weak candidates through a flawed and corrupt vetting process,’ said Mr Farouk Isabirye, a NUP mobiliser from Kidera Sub-County.

Mr Isabirye further criticised the absence of party structures and a credible electoral college to determine flagbearers on merit, warning that the current system demoralises supporters and leaves them ‘ideologically disoriented.’

Dr Wakabi, who has contested multiple times and consistently emerged as a strong contender, also expressed his disappointment.

‘It’s difficult to risk your political capital on a party that doesn’t guarantee fair, merit-based outcomes,’ Dr Wakabi said. He added that the so-called vetting process lacked transparency and credibility, with assessments largely based on phone calls and written recommendations rather than objective, on-the-ground evaluations.

Kamuli resident Ms Shamim Nairuba echoed the frustration, claiming that NUP flag allocations are driven more by favoritism and leadership connections than competence.

‘How does a serious opposition party drop Segonga for musician Walukaga, or sideline Naikoba for Babirye? Are they truly after state power or just promoting personal interests and political drama?’ Ms Nairuba asked.

As discontent brews in the Busoga sub-region, questions continue to mount about NUP’s internal democracy and whether it can live up to its promise of being a genuine alternative to the status quo.

Police have banned processions of supporters during the ongoing presidential campaigns across all political parties, citing reckless and violent incidents on the roads.

Police spokesperson Mr Kituuma Rusoke said on September 30 that they had registered cases of supporters riding motorcycles and driving recklessly as they escorted presidential candidates to campaign venues.

According to Mr Kituuma, preliminary investigations revealed that reckless driving by National Unity Platform (NUP) supporters caused an accident along the Kalagi-Kayunga Road near Namyoya in eastern Uganda.

Police findings indicate that a motorcycle in the convoy of NUP leader Mr Robert Kyagulanyi, who is also known as Bobi Wine, was speeding when it collided with a vehicle from behind. The crash triggered a chain reaction in which several other motorcycles collided. A white Mitsubishi vehicle, registration number UAZ 064H and bearing Mr Kyagulanyi’s campaign images, also rammed into the motorcycles.

Several people were injured and rushed to St Francis Naggalama Hospital for treatment. Others with minor injuries left the scene with their motorcycles.

Mr Kituuma said the accident was registered at Naggalama Police Station, where the involved vehicles were impounded.

‘We issue a strong warning to all political actors and their entourages to strictly observe traffic laws. Irresponsible use of the roads, as demonstrated in this incident that caused multiple injuries, will not be tolerated. Police will enforce strict measures to prevent such conduct and ensure adherence to the law. Political actors are urged to comply fully with traffic regulations to avoid similar incidents in the future,’ Mr Kituuma said.

Presidential campaigns officially kicked off on Monday, ahead of what is expected to be a fierce contest between incumbent President Yoweri Museveni and his main challenger Bobi Wine, in a repeat of the 2021 elections.

The Electoral Commission has released a campaign schedule for all eight presidential candidates to organise rallies across the country while avoiding clashes in locations.

As emojis, memes, and GIFs redefine communication, a new player has emerged. Voice notes are making a comeback.

As voice technology matures, voice notes are becoming a mainstream communication tool-reshaping workflows, boosting accessibility, and challenging the dominance of typing in both personal and professional spaces.

But what is behind this shift, and how are voice notes changing the game?

Voice notes, especially when enhanced with transcription, are emerging as a powerful communication tool-not as a direct replacement for text, but as a more accessible alternative for those who find typing difficult.

According to eMarketer, as of 2025, over 3.5 billion people worldwide use messaging apps at least once a month.

In 2024, an estimated 7 billion out of nearly 150 billion messages sent by WhatsApp users around the world were voice notes, according to the data reporting solutions provider, Demandsage.

In its recent blog, WhatsApp reports that WhatsApp users end 1 billion voice notes per day.

However, this is just the tip of the iceberg, as other global messaging apps with tonnes of monthly users such as Facebook Messenger (1.53 billion), WeChat (1.29 billion), QQ (591 million), and Telegram (550 million), according to Statista, Jan 2024, have incorporated voice note features for their users.

Why are people speaking up?

Emotional connection

‘Voice notes ensure emotional expression, properly conveying feelings and tones such as happiness, disappointment, sadness, and sarcasm,’ Ms Priscilla Martha Nafuna, an avid proponent of voice messaging, shares.

As more interactions shift to voice, writing (or ‘speaking’) with colour, emotion, empathy, and personality is becom more important.

How businesses can adapt

Therefore, businesses should make their apps and services compatible with multiple voice assistants to be accessible through many ‘voice-gateways. This ensures that customers can interact with you regardless of which voice assistant they use.

Voice messages capture sighs, laughter, pauses, the nonverbal cues that get lost in text. They are small acts of love, according to recent 2025 insights from Time magazine, as audio/voice offers intimacy during distance.

Mark Nsamba, a Gen Z from Jinja highlights that voice notes are more engaging as they deliver a sense of someone being present on the other side in comparison to text messages.

Emotional connection and expression is a crucial aspect in communication, and this is largely attributed to voice rather than words.

The Albert Mehrabian’s 7-38-55 communication model shows that 38 percent of communication comes from tone of voice, which is minimal in text or words (at 7 percent).

From a business perspective, Ms Brenda Nafugo, a florist and events business lady, notes that voice messaging provides a personal and humane touch for the clients.

‘If a customer has a concern with an order, receiving a friendly voice message from a support team or business owner apologising for the inconvenience and providing a solution feels much more human and also makes the client feel valued.’

Convenience

Voice messaging is faster, as it only involves hitting the record button, speaking, and releasing the icon to send.

‘With typed messages, I find myself making grammatical errors and misspellings, but with the voice notes, I get to communicate quickly without having to worry about the errors and autocorrect or edits that I would have to do on re-reading the message,’ says Josephine Nankya, a business owner.

A 2017 study by Stanford University indicates that, on average, a person speaks 125-150 words per minute, compared to 40 words per minute when typing. One tap records a stream of thought before self editing kicks in.

Unlike typing, audio can be recorded while cooking, commuting or walking. This multi-tasking appeal and convenience is greatly suitable for persons with very busy schedules.

‘Voice messaging provides an inclusive means of communication while using social media platforms such as WhatsApp, especially for us with visual impairment,’ says Lawrence Ssematimba, a person living with visual impairment.

‘With the voice note feature in place, approximately 2.2 billion people living with visual impairment globally (as per the World Health Organisation Report 2023), have been catered for, in terms of ease and access to communication.

‘Voice notes are more accessible and quicker for elderly people rather than typing,’ says Favour Nantambi.

‘I remember, after showing my 68-year-old grandmother how to send voice notes, this became her go-to means of communication, and the phone calls too became minimal.’

When voice notes don’t cut it

Unsung etiquette guidelines for voice notes are that these should be brief. ‘Beyond five minutes, that is a phone call, Ms Nankya says.

‘When there is a lot to be said, many people tend to send several but brief voice notes,’ she adds.

When communicating with new people, supervisors or superiors, voice notes are not the ideal means of communication unless they have been previously agreed upon or accepted by the parties involved.

Koboko Municipality has been named among six global cities set to benefit from a $3 million (over Shs11b) fund supporting city-led projects that boost economic inclusion for migrants and refugees, the Mayors Migration Council (MMC) announced in New York.

The investment, channeled through the MMC’s Global Cities Fund for Migrants and Refugees (GCF), will provide each city up to $500,000 (more than Shs1.8b) over two years, alongside technical support from international partners.

Other beneficiaries include Boston in the United States, Kanifing in The Gambia, Manta in Ecuador, Quezon City in the Philippines, and Turin in Italy.

Koboko, which lies in Uganda’s West Nile region and hosts more than 64,000 urban refugees and forced migrants, has been developing green jobs for women and youth through briquette making, composting and clean energy kiosks.

Local leaders say these initiatives power livelihoods, reduce pollution and create sustainable income in communities affected by displacement.

‘Thanks to the support of the Global Cities Fund for Migrants and Refugees, Koboko Municipality will accelerate climate resilience while opening new economic opportunities,’ Koboko Mayor Wilson Sanya revealed on Monday.

Through what the municipality calls its ‘Waste to Wealth’ project, Sanya said, environmental challenges will be turned into livelihoods.

‘We will power a green, circular economy with briquette making, composting and clean-energy kiosks,’ he explained.

A 2022/2023 survey by Makerere University’s Urban Action Lab found that Arua City, Koboko and Gulu together host more than 87,000 urban refugees and forced migrants.

Sanya stressed that municipalities must not be sidelined in migration and climate debates.

‘This initiative shows that mayors and cities must be at the center of solutions to both migration and climate crises-not on the sidelines,’ he said.

The MMC said cities generate more than 80 percent of global GDP and provide migrants with better access to diverse labor markets, healthcare, and entrepreneurial opportunities than refugee camps or rural areas.

‘Mayors continue to deliver solutions that include in their local economies those who are often overlooked,’ said MMC Executive Director Vittoria Zanuso, adding that: ‘We are proud to help cities turn migration into a competitive advantage, unlocking prosperity not just for newcomers, but for all.’

Migrants say opportunities in urban centers like Koboko are vital. ‘I came to Koboko in order to get social amenities like schools, health care and do business because life in the camp is not easy,’ said Salome Jackline, a refugee.

She added: ‘The refugee agencies supported us well at the arrival time, but now they expect us to engage in businesses for self-sustainability.’

Despite their contribution, many migrants face barriers such as limited access to work authorization and financial services, or vulnerability in the informal economy. Advocates warn these obstacles undermine prosperity for both newcomers and host communities.

About the fund

The MMC fund is backed by partners including C40 Cities, UN-Habitat, the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), Metropolis and United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG).

The latest grants build on the council’s 2024 Clinton Global Initiative pledge to invest in economic inclusion for migrants and refugees in cities worldwide.

The Opposition National Unity Platform (NUP) is facing fresh divisions in Mukono District after two political heavyweights declared interest in the Mukono Municipality parliamentary seat ahead of next year’s general election.

District chairperson Rev Peter Bakaluba Mukasa has announced his bid to unseat the incumbent legislator Betty Nambooze, accusing her of failing to meet the expectations of voters. His decision has deepened fault lines within NUP, which is already grappling with disputes over its flagbearer selection process. The cracks first appeared when Rev Mukasa lost the party ticket for the district chairperson seat to former Mukono South MP Johnson Muyanja Ssenyonga.

Stung by the defeat, he declared he would run for the Mukono Municipality parliamentary seat as an independent, though he insists he remains ‘NUP-leaning.’ Mr Ssenyonga, on the other hand, had initially expressed interest in returning to Parliament by contesting in Mukono South. That constituency has attracted several aspirants, including NUP-leaning hopeful Wilson Male, former Makerere University guild president Robert Maseruka, Dr Living Robert Kikulwe, and Merhab Nalumu. But during a party mobilisation rally in Nakifuma on July 27, NUP’s vice president for Buganda Muhammad Muwanga Kivumbi revealed that the party had convinced Mr Ssenyonga to step aside in Mukono South and instead contest the district chairperson seat.

The announcement exposed deeper rifts, with some NUP supporters questioning the fairness of the decision. Mr Julius Nkangi, a party supporter in Mukono South, said Mr Kivumbi’s statement undermined the democratic spirit of the vetting process. ‘We have different aspirants competing for the party flag in Mukono South. Declaring that Mr Ssenyonga should step aside in favour of young people creates the impression that the ticket is being handed to Robert Maseruka. That is unfair,’ he said. Others, such as Mr Bernard Ssempaka, the councillor for Nakifuma-Naggalama, also voiced concern. ‘In a party that values democracy, no leader should declare a flagbearer before the vetting process concludes,’ he noted.

Counter-accusations

Rev Mukasa himself has accused the party of sidelining him despite his contributions. ‘I have supported NUP diligently. Unlike others who shout at rallies, I quietly write cheques and stand by the party. It is unfair to treat me as an outsider,’ he argued. But Ms Nambooze, who doubles as Mukono District NUP chairperson, fired back, accusing Rev Mukasa of undermining the party’s work at the district level. She accused him of failing to set up a district service commission for three years. ‘The party president asked him to operationalise the commission, but he refused. This weakened our efforts in health and education and drained our struggle against the NRM government,’ she said.

Despite the accusations, Rev Mukasa attended the vetting exercise for the district chairperson seat in early August but lost out to Mr Ssenyonga. Soon after, he confirmed his independent bid for Mukono Municipality, claiming he had consulted with party leadership. ‘The party allowed me to contest in a constituency of my choice, just as they asked Hon Ssenyonga to switch roles. I remain loyal to NUP, and I will mobilise independents to support our president, Hon Robert Kyagulanyi, even as I contest in Mukono Municipality,’ he said. However, Mr Kyagulanyi, the NUP principal and presidential flagbearer, has repeatedly stated that the party will back only official cardholders, not independents.

This hardline stance casts doubt on Rev Mukasa’s claim of continued loyalty. Mukono Municipality has been under Opposition control since its creation, with Ms Nambooze as its only MP. But her grip is now under threat, not only from Rev Mukasa but also from a crowded field of contenders. So far, the race has drawn Dr Sarah Daisy Nabatanzi Sonko of the NRM, Allan Mawanda of the Democratic Front, George Fred Kagimu of DP, independent Andrew Ssenyonga, and independents Daniel Lugoloobi and James Katete. More aspirants are expected to join in the coming months.

BACKGROUND

The clash between Ms Nambooze and Rev Mukasa is not new. The two first faced off in 2006 for the Mukono North constituency. Rev Mukasa initially won but was later thrown out by the Supreme Court over electoral malpractice, paving the way for Ms Nambooze’s by-election victory in 2009. When Mukono Municipality constituency was created in 2010, Ms Nambooze shifted there and has retained the seat ever since. Rev Mukasa meanwhile moved to Mukono South, winning in 2011 but losing the seat to Mr Ssenyonga in 2016. He later ran for the district chairperson position in 2021, winning on the NUP ticket.

Residents along the 8.4-kilometre Kabale-Lake Bunyonyi tourism road are accusing contractors of extending mark stones beyond agreed boundaries, sparking fears of illegal land acquisition and unfair compensation.

The road, launched on June 14 by Deputy Speaker of Parliament Thomas Tayebwa and Works Minister Gen Katumba Wamala, is being built by Egyptian firm Samcrete Egypt Engineers and Contractors. It is expected to take between 18 months and three years to complete.

‘We agreed to the first land measurement, but later the boundary was extended beyond the mark stones, affecting my house which is now at risk of collapsing,’ said Mariam Akacungura, a resident.

She added: ‘I have nowhere to go and I am appealing for government assistance.’

Another landowner, Jeniffer Turinawe, said she bought her land for Shs40 million but was compensated only Shs37 million.

‘The amount given does not reflect the actual value of my property,’ she told Monitor.

Several residents accused officials of making them sign compensation documents without clear explanations.

‘We needed to be sensitized,’ said Agness Sucess, who lost farmland to the project. She said the demolition of houses and loss of agricultural land had left families stranded.

Community Liaison Officer Brian Nicholas Okabaki said Samcrete had cleared bushes and begun works up to five kilometres from Kabale town, but admitted challenges remained.

‘We have encountered unresolved compensation issues. We urge government to expedite payments to avoid delays,’ he said.

Okabaki denied accusations of land grabbing, saying extended pegs were meant to provide sufficient working space.

From the government side, Engineer Alison Abenawe, the Works Ministry’s Kabale station manager, confirmed most residents had been paid but also acknowledged disputes.

‘Some issues have arisen from the contractor going beyond the original boundaries. While this was done to create more space for construction, it has caused distress among residents,’ he said. He assured alignment would be reviewed and landowners’ concerns addressed.

Despite the government’s assurances, residents say compensation and communication remain inadequate.

They are demanding a transparent process that protects livelihoods as the road, intended to boost tourism at Africa’s second deepest lake, progresses.