Category: Daily Monitor

For years, poultry farming has offered hope to many Ugandan households as a reliable source of income. From small village homesteads rearing indigenous chickens to large commercial farms supplying eggs and broilers to supermarkets and hotels, the sector has become one of the country’s fastest-growing agricultural enterprises. But increasingly, poultry farmers are fighting a battle they cannot fully control: climate change. Longer dry spells, hotter days, intense rainfall, cold nights, and sudden shifts in weather patterns are all disrupting poultry production. What was once considered a seasonal challenge is now becoming a year-round threat affecting bird survival, feed availability, disease outbreaks, and farmer profits.

Agricultural experts warn that climate change is no longer a distant environmental issue discussed only at international conferences. It is now directly affecting food production systems and threatening livelihoods across Uganda’s agricultural sector. For poultry farmers, the effects are becoming difficult to ignore. ‘When temperatures fluctuate abnormally, birds become stressed, production declines, and disease outbreaks become more common,’ says Aisha Nankya, an agronomist and livestock production specialist in Kampala.

‘Many farmers are still using housing systems that were designed for older weather conditions. Unfortunately, the climate has changed faster than many farming practices,’ she adds. Research published in the journal Discover Sustainability shows that global demand for poultry products is expected to rise sharply by 2050 due to population growth and urbanisation. However, the same report warns that climate change threatens poultry production through water shortages, poor-quality feed, disease outbreaks, and heat stress. In Uganda, where many poultry farmers operate on limited budgets, these climate-related pressures are becoming increasingly expensive.

How extreme heat hurts poultry production

One of the most serious climate-related challenges facing poultry farmers today is heat stress. Unlike humans, chickens do not sweat. During extremely hot weather, they struggle to cool their bodies and instead pant heavily to release heat. This process consumes energy, reduces appetite, and weakens the birds. ‘When birds are exposed to prolonged heat, they eat less feed, grow slowly, and lay fewer eggs,’ explains Dr Samuel Kigozi, an agronomist working with livestock farmers in central Uganda. ‘In severe cases, especially among broilers, you can even record sudden deaths because the birds fail to regulate body temperature,’ he says.

On many poultry farms, farmers have reported increased poultry losses during unusually hot months. Commercial broilers are especially vulnerable because they grow rapidly and generate more body heat. Layers also suffer because heat stress affects egg production and egg quality. Farmers operating in iron-sheet poultry houses without proper ventilation are among the hardest hit. During hot afternoons, temperatures inside poorly ventilated structures can become dangerously high. Some farmers say the weather today is far less predictable than it was a decade ago. ‘We used to know when the rainy season would start and when the dry season would come,’ says Joseph Ssemanda, a poultry farmer in Mpigi District.

‘Now the heat comes suddenly and lasts longer. Even the birds behave differently.’ Changing rainfall patterns worsening disease outbreaks. Heavy rainfall and increased humidity are also creating new problems for poultry farmers. Wet conditions encourage the spread of bacterial infections, parasites, and respiratory diseases. Poultry houses with leaking roofs or poor drainage quickly develop damp litter that exposes birds to infections. ‘When litter becomes wet, ammonia builds up very fast and affects the respiratory system of birds,’ explains Nankya. ‘That is why many farmers see more coughing, eye irritation, and breathing problems during rainy seasons.’

Diseases such as coccidiosis and Newcastle disease are becoming more difficult to control when birds are constantly exposed to stressful environmental conditions. Veterinary experts say climate change is indirectly increasing disease outbreaks because stressed birds develop weaker immunity. ‘When birds are exposed to either excessive heat or cold conditions, their immune system weakens,’ says Dr Kigozi. ‘This means even diseases that were previously manageable can spread faster and cause bigger losses.’

Farmers forced to spend more on housing

As temperatures continue to rise, farmers are increasingly investing in climate-smart poultry housing systems. Agronomists say proper ventilation is now essential rather than optional. ‘A poultry house must allow free air circulation while protecting birds from direct sunshine and heavy rain,’ says Nankya. She advises farmers to reduce overcrowding, raise roofing heights, and install wire mesh sections that improve airflow. Some farmers are also planting trees around poultry units to lower surrounding temperatures naturally.

In rural areas, locally available materials such as papyrus mats, banana fibre, and thatch are being used to reduce heat inside poultry structures. ‘These traditional materials are becoming important again because they insulate houses better than iron sheets alone,’ Nankya explains. However, many small-scale farmers struggle to afford improved housing systems. Constructing climate-resilient poultry houses requires money that many farmers do not have, especially after repeated weather-related losses.

Chicks highly vulnerable during cold weather

While heat receives most attention, experts say cold weather also poses serious risks, particularly for chicks. During prolonged rainy periods, temperatures can drop sharply at night. Chicks often huddle together for warmth, increasing the risk of suffocation. Coldness also weakens immunity and exposes birds to pneumonia and other respiratory infections. ‘Brooding management is becoming more difficult because weather conditions are changing suddenly,’ says Dr Kigozi.

‘In the past, farmers could estimate seasonal temperatures more easily. Now you may experience cold nights even during traditionally warm months,’ he adds. Farmers commonly use charcoal stoves, gas brooders, infrared bulbs, or locally made coal pots to provide warmth. But experts caution that poor ventilation while using heating equipment can create dangerous smoke accumulation inside poultry houses.

Climate change affecting poultry feed supply

Climate change is also contributing to rising poultry feed costs. Uganda’s poultry industry heavily depends on maize and soybean products, which are themselves vulnerable to droughts and irregular rainfall. When crop harvests decline due to prolonged dry spells or floods, feed prices rise sharply. According to Nankya, feed now accounts for nearly 70 percent of poultry production costs in Uganda. ‘When maize production falls because of drought, poultry farmers immediately feel the impact through higher feed prices,’ she says.

Some farmers are responding by exploring alternative feed ingredients including silverfish, sunflower seed cake, cassava peels, and black soldier fly larvae. However, experts warn that farmers must ensure nutritional balance when adopting alternative feeds. ‘Poor-quality feed weakens birds further and increases vulnerability to disease,’ says Dr Kigozi.

Water shortages becoming a growing concern

Access to clean water is another challenge becoming more common during extended dry seasons. Poultry birds require adequate water for digestion, cooling, and growth. Layers also need enough water to sustain egg production. ‘When temperatures rise, birds consume more water. If water becomes limited or too warm, productivity declines immediately,’ says Nankya. Experts are encouraging farmers to invest in rainwater harvesting systems using tanks and gutters to improve water availability throughout the year. Regular cleaning of drinkers is also important because contaminated water spreads disease rapidly within flocks.

Farmers urged to adopt climate-smart practices

Agricultural experts believe adaptation will determine whether Uganda’s poultry sector survives future climate pressures. ‘When farmers receive early warnings about heatwaves or heavy rainfall, they can act before disaster strikes,’ says Dr Kigozi. ‘This may involve repairing roofs, improving drainage, storing feed, or adjusting stocking density.’ Biosecurity has also become increasingly important. Farmers are advised to restrict unnecessary visitors, disinfect equipment, install footbaths, and separate poultry from wild birds. For free-range poultry keepers, experts warn against allowing domestic birds to mix freely with wild birds.

The long-held history of the Fufa Women Cup producing a new and different winner each year continues this weekend as Kawempe Muslim battle Kampala Queens (KQ) on Sunday at Fufa Stadium Kadiba.

Kawempe, who won the 2025/26 Finance Trust Bank Fufa Women Super League to bring their haul to six, are in only their second but successive Cup final and seek to complete a double.

They lost last year’s final at MTN Omondi Stadium Lugogo 1-0 to Amus College.

They got to this year’s final after beating Amus College 6-0 on aggregate but it will only count as revenge if they can also overcome KQ.

Jovia Nakagolo silenced any hopes of Amus coming back into the tie by scoring a 23rd minute opener in the 3-0 home win on Wednesday.

Samalie Nakacwa’s freekick from the right wing slipped through Amus keeper Angella Adeke’s hands for the second in the 69th minute then captain Agnes Nabukenya sealed matters with a shot from outside the box in the 78th minute.

“We are going for it but like we said at the start of the competition, we do not intend to build pressure in the team for this trophy,” Kawempe coach Ayub Khalifah, said.

“It will not be easy because everyone will want to make up for last season’s final but that is what we are here for as coaches.

“The previous rounds showed the girls can manage pressure. Jovia is using her strengths like speed and that fighting spirit well. Latifah has proven to us whenever we put her in midfield that she has the speed on the ball and in mind. Upfront, we see it too but now we want to see it consistently,” Khalifah added.

Tight contest

There is probably no team in the country that knows how to beat KQ like Kawempe do.

But the latter have cause to worry. In the league this season, they have not managed to beat a KQ-side that was low on motivation.

Ahead of the first leg tie in Kawempe, KQ were rebuilding after losing key players from previous seasons but still managed to hold the hosts to a 1-all draw.

The result was identical in the second leg in Lugogo despite KQ having already fallen out of the title conversation and Kawempe needing maximum points to lessen rivals She Corporate’s threat in the run-in.

“Let us see what happens on a neutral ground,” Khalifah said.

KQ recollected themselves and made the finals of the Cup, for the first time ever, after beating 2019 finalists Lady Doves 4-0 on aggregate.

Joanitah Ainembabazi and Kamiyati Naigaga started where they left off in the 2-0 home win on Saturday to also score as they won 2-0 away in Masindi on Wednesday.

“We want to celebrate this achievement, which for us is a big thing then think about the final in the coming days,” assistant coach Shafic Mutebi, said.

If the evidence in that last league meeting is anything to go by, KQ, who need the trophy to save their season, are definitely going to take the game to Kawempe. It is also the kind of game that the in-form duo of Ainembabazi and Naigaga enjoy to play.

FUFA WOMEN CUP – FINAL

Sunday

Kawempe Muslim vs. Kampala Queens, 3pm

In a major push to combat the growing threat of urban environmental degradation, the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) has partnered with UNICEF Uganda to launch a massive environmental campaign targeting school-going children and youth.

The initiative, dubbed the My Green Action Campaign, was officially unveiled at Kitante Hill School. It aims to empower the younger generation to take practical steps against climate change through tree planting, waste management, environmental conservation, and the promotion of sustainable transport.

The intervention comes at a critical time. Kampala regularly ranks among the most polluted cities in Africa, with airborne particulate matter often exceeding World Health Organization (WHO) safety guidelines by up to five times. The crisis is largely driven by unpaved roads, vehicular emissions from secondhand cars, and the open burning of waste.

Speaking at the launch, KCCA Acting Executive Director Benon Kigenyi emphasized that air pollution remains one of Kampala’s most severe yet overlooked public health crises.

‘Air pollution continues to expose residents to respiratory illnesses and other health complications. This should concern all of us, especially young people whose future depends on a healthy and sustainable environment,’ Mr. Kigenyi said.

He noted that the KCCA is actively implementing the Kampala Climate Change Action Strategy, which focuses on transitioning to cleaner transport systems, protecting urban green spaces, and curbing greenhouse gas emissions. “Every tree planted in schools, homes, and communities contributes to a greener and healthier city,” Kigenyi added, urging citizens to protect the city’s vanishing urban vegetation.

The education sector is expected to play a pivotal role in this behavioral shift. Wotakyala Balwana Samuel, the Head Teacher of Kitante Hill School, welcomed the campaign, stating that schools are uniquely positioned to nurture environmentally conscious citizens. He revealed that Kitante Hill has already integrated tree-planting and carbon-reduction awareness into its core school activities.

UNICEF Uganda U-Report Programme Manager, Fatuma Namukose, stressed that because young people bear the brunt of climate change impacts, they must be at the center of the solution.

The campaign is set to scale rapidly, aiming to reach more than 5,000 learners across Kampala and Wakiso districts through school activations, community outreach, and digital engagement platforms.

‘Young people are not only victims of climate change but also powerful agents of change,’ Ms. Namukose said, noting that the skills gained could shape future green careers.

Furthering the call for sustainable urban mobility, Abdul Wahabu Nyanzi, a representative from Africa Cycling Safari, urged the youth to embrace walking and cycling to reduce the city’s heavy reliance on fossil-fuel-powered transport.

The launch concluded with a symbolic tree-planting exercise on the school grounds, with students pledging to pioneer environmental conservation within their local communities. With Kampala’s population expanding rapidly, stakeholders hope this youth-led movement will provide the vital grassroots momentum needed to clean the city’s air.

At the Umoja Art Gallery, an exhibition of works by six contemporary Sudanese artists offers a window into the soul of a nation shaped by both ancient grandeur and modern turmoil. In a city better known for its role as a regional diplomatic hub than as a destination for African contemporary art, Kampala’s Umoja Art Gallery is playing host this month to an exhibition of unusual resonance. Tales of Kush brings together six Sudanese artists living in diaspora across Uganda, Kenya and beyond, presenting work that spans the territories of abstraction, portraiture and social commentary. The show, which opened on May 30 and runs until June 30 2026, is a testament to the vitality of Sudanese visual culture at a moment when the country itself is convulsed by conflict.

The artists

The six artists, Eltayeb Dawelbait, Ameer Yousif, Abushariaa Ahmed, Nursreldin Eldouma, Galal Yousif, and Mohamed Ahmed Abdel Rassoul, are each navigating what it means to make art far from home.

As the curatorial statement puts it, the exhibition explores ‘the lived realities of travel, the sanctity of family, the scars of conflict, and the profound power of acceptance’. The title, evoking the ancient Kingdom of Kush that flourished in the Nile Valley from around 1070 BC, signals an aspiration to connect contemporary experience with a deeper historical consciousness.

This ambition is particularly evident in the work of Nursreldin Eldouma, who contributes seven paintings under the collective title Whisper of the New Flower. His subjects are women, children and the elderly, rendered in warm earth tones and punctuated by vivid yellows drawn from the Ethiopian New Flower that blooms each September.

In Waiting for Deliverance, a young woman in traditional dress meets the viewer with a gaze that carries the weight of displacement: ‘With the arrival of the flames of war in their villages and the shift from calm to fear and anxiety, this expression becomes evident in the girl’s eyes, reflecting what words cannot convey,’ Eldouma explains.

More overtly political is Resisting Unjustice and Circumstances, which depicts a mother carrying both a child and a basket of fruit, a figure burdened but moving forward. Eldouma describes this as a ‘gentle whisper in the ears of government officials and international organisations, urging them to pay attention and care for this marginalised group,’ with particular reference to the impact of climate change on rural communities.

The history

Yet the show’s historical register is never far away. Eldouma’s A Better Tomorrow, featuring a man resting beside a seated camel, deliberately invokes the Kingdom of Kush, a period of artistic flourishing, iron-smelting and the invention of writing that, he suggests, ‘did not completely disappear; rather, it appeared in customs, traditions, beautiful rituals, and boys’ games.’ The painting’s decorative border employs calligraphic forms still found in Sudanese religious schools, particularly in Darfur, creating a visual continuity across millennia.

A very different sensibility governs the work of Mohamed Ahmed Abdel Rassoul. His ink drawings; What Remains 1, 2 and 3, are exercises in line and restraint, figures emerging from a mesh of threads and ropes that manipulate light and shadow with quiet authority. The effect is contemplative, even somber, as though the subjects are being gradually revealed and simultaneously held back.

‘I find that the lines I create have an inherent duty to continuously move and flow without interruptions,’ Rassoul observes, a credo that suits these delicate, melancholic works.

Elsewhere, Ameer Yousif navigates the space between semi-realism and abstraction, drawing on Sudanese cultural symbols to create works that reward sustained looking.

His approach, he says, ‘makes the artist more profound in thinking and extracting the visual inventory that the artist received from contemplation of the culture or cultures that he learnt about.’

The works on display include pieces from his Dialogue series, as well as Sudanese Features, Movement and Strength of a Woman. Abushariaa Ahmed’s contribution is among the most visually exuberant; mixed-media works such as Under the Water, The Revolution and the Migration series combine semi-abstraction with Nubian ornamental motifs and occasional Arabic calligraphy. Galal Yousif, a painter and muralist working across watercolour, acrylic, ink and mixed media, draws inspiration from his childhood village on the Nile.

‘I am inspired by large and small details, the decorations, ornaments, the strong African colours,’ he says.

His works include The Black Stork and the Crises, The Daughter and the Mother and the evocatively titled When Home Is No Longer Home. Perhaps the most materially distinctive voice in the exhibition belongs to Eltayeb Dawelbait, who has lived and worked in Nairobi for 25 years. His practice transforms discarded wood, metal and paper, old doors, kitchen drawers, hinges and plates, into enigmatic three-dimensional portraits that evoke ancient faces and collective memory.

His process of layering colour and then scratching back into the surface to reveal hidden tones is a form of archaeological excavation in miniature. Each of his works, identified by code rather than title, carries the weight of Sudanese heritage rendered in found materials.

Shock and fear have gripped residents of Mutai Village along the Jinja-Kamuli Highway following the gruesome murder of an unidentified man suspected to be a police officer.

The deceased was discovered lying lifeless by the roadside early Friday morning by residents heading to their gardens at dawn. The victim was found in a pool of blood with a shattered helmet nearby, drawing panic and large crowds to the scene.

Preliminary police investigations indicate that the victim was ambushed during the night by unknown assailants. Because the victim’s motorcycle was missing from the scene, detectives believe he was assaulted and robbed before being killed.

During the examination of the body, investigators recovered a Uganda Police Force T-shirt, raising strong suspicions regarding his profession. However, no identification documents were found on him.

Detectives were further puzzled by a unique detail: the victim was wearing multiple jackets at the time of his death. Near the body, police recovered two wooden sticks believed to be the murder weapons, alongside clothing items suspected to belong to the assailants. A sniffer dog was deployed to track the attackers, though no immediate leads were established.

The incident has intensified local outcries over a sharp rise in violent crime along the highway, particularly in the Nsuube and Kagoma stretches. Local leaders note that criminals frequently exploit the dark, forested areas bordering the road to ambush vulnerable travellers.

“This place has become a death trap,” said Rajab Kakande, the Defence Secretary of Mutai Village. “Criminals hide in the forest and attack unsuspecting travellers along the highway. We have repeatedly raised concerns, and the stretch from Jinja Roundabout to Kamuli urgently needs increased security deployment.”

The boda boda community, which frequently utilizes the route at night, expressed deep vulnerability following the attack.

Salim Muwaata, the chairman of boda boda riders in Jinja District, confirmed that the area has evolved into a criminal hotspot.

“Many riders now live in fear as attacks are becoming frequent, especially at night. We are calling for increased patrols to protect road users,” Muwaata urged.

The brutal killing has left the Mutai community deeply shaken, with many questioning how such a violent assault could occur unnoticed along a major highway.

By press time, the body had been transported to the Buwenge Health Centre IV mortuary for a postmortem examination. Police have intensified efforts to formally identify the deceased, establish his connection to law enforcement, and track down the fleeing suspects.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The victims and current condition

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

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

Families demand employer accountability

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

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

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

A history of abandonment

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

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

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

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

Police investigations into the Bunangwe Zone shooting remain ongoing.

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

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

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

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

A self-built creative ecosystem

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

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

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

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

Poetry without borders

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

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

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

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

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

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

The weight of uncertainty

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

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

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

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

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

The audience that mattered most

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

A changing landscape for spoken word

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

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

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

Future

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

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

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

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