Category: Daily Monitor

Job Brian Ocen, 24, wakes up early each morning and gets ready for his day. Living in Omwonyogweno Village, Abunga Parish, Amugu Sub-county in Alebtong District, Ocen’s first task of the day is to weed maize in the garden, about two kilometres away. After a few hours of digging, he returns home, exhausted though fulfilled. Ocen rests for a short while, enjoying a simple breakfast of porridge and boiled cassava. But his day is far from over. He has another important task ahead of him- sensitising his community about climate change.

Just like hundreds of energetic youth in Amugo and Abako sub-counties, all in Alebtong District, Ocen is passionate about environmental conservation.

They were trained by a local non-governmental organisation, Change Lead Agency Social Support (CLASS), to educate their community on the impacts of climate change. With a backpack full of informational materials, Ocen sets off on his door-to-door campaign. He walks through the village, greeting his neighbours and friends, and sharing his knowledge about climate change. He explains how rising temperatures, changing rainfall patterns, and increased frequency of extreme weather events are affecting their crops, livestock, and overall livelihoods.

‘I start moving door-to-door beginning at 10am up to 6pm from Monday to Saturday, covering on average 10 households. I sensitise people on the dangers of wetland encroachment and bush burning,’ says Ocen. His message resonates with many in the community, who have already begun to experience the effects of climate change first-hand. Alebtong and Otuke have experienced the worst flooding in decades that has left a trail of destruction and despair in the two northern Uganda districts. Data from Alebtong Disaster Management Committee, for instance, shows that at least 66 grass-thatched huts, one semi-permanent house, and five toilets have collapsed.

A total of 2,591 acres of cassava, 2,210 acres of simsim, 566 acres of groundnuts, and 798 acres of maize have been destroyed by the floods triggered by both human-induced and natural factors. This climatic disaster has affected 3,978 households (715 in Adwir, 672 in Okomo, 706 in Alololo, and 796 in Ocokober parishes in Adwir Sub-county; 310 households in Baya and 291 in Oculokori parishes in Omoro Sub-county; 185 households in Amuria, and 162 households in Anara, and 141 in Alebtong parishes in Aloi Sub-county).

Human-induced causes

The Alebtong Disaster Management Committee blames the situation on unregulated charcoal burning, which has led to the removal of trees. This practice reduces the land’s ability to absorb water, increasing surface runoff and flood risk. Other contributing factors include poor agricultural practices such as over-grazing, and cultivation on steep slopes, leading to soil erosion and increased runoff and silting of River Moroto. Destruction of wetlands in the affected areas has reduced the land’s capacity to hold water, leading to flooding, according to Mr Franco Olaboro, the chief administrative officer of Alebtong, who is also the Disaster Management Committee chairperson.

In the face of climate change, youth in flood and drought-prone areas are rising to the challenge, adapting and innovating to protect their communities.

Mr Moses Omara, the executive director of Change Lead Agency Social Support – a youth-focused organisation – says for the last 10 years, the people of Alebtong District have been experiencing extreme weather events, including prolonged droughts and floods. Nonetheless, the organisation in partnership with the sub-county authorities in Amugu and Abako came up with both mitigation and adaptation approaches to fight climate change.

‘So, looking at some of those effects, we had to intervene. One, to focus on adaptation mechanisms. Here we built the resilience of our communities to survive in the face of climate change,’ Mr Omara explains. ‘Secondly, we also came up with intervention in the areas of mitigating the effects of climate change so that in the near future we don’t see it continue to happen like this. We want to do something to reduce the effects of climate change.’ CLASS has trained about 500 young people on climate change adaptation and mitigation through its community youth-friendly structures.

Adaptation strategies

‘And then we’ve trained other members of the community on the causes of climate change. This is because there are some other members of the community who even still believe that climate change is a result of God’s anger. They don’t think it is man’s actions or inactions that are now resulting in some of this,’ says Mr Omara.

‘So, we have designed messages that let them understand that climate change is caused. So another activity that we brought on board is climate advocacy,’ he adds. A structure called the Youth Climate Activists has also been formulated to help create awareness, but also collect issues regarding climate change among the young people.

The young people often bring these issues to the attention of duty bearers to address them. Mr Omara says they have also started encouraging community members to take coping strategies. ‘We want fewer trees to be cut down and if these trees are cut, there should be a replacement. For example, if one tree is cut at least 10 should be planted,’ says Mr Omara. Nancy Atim, a 22-year-old youth climate activist in Akulaum Village, Abongatin Parish in Amugu Sub-county, says they have reached out to different people with information about climate change.

According to Atim, many people have formed themselves into Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs), where they are able to save and borrow from those saving groups to meet their needs. Oryemcan Group in Abongatin Parish has 90 members, including Atim. ‘On February 18, 2025, I borrowed Shs200,000 from the group, which I invested part of in farming. In the first season, I harvested my sunflower, sold it and fetched Shs280,000. During this second season, I may get close to Shs1 million if all goes well,’ says Atim. Mr David Ojom, the chairperson of Amugu Sub-county, says local leaders are also continuously creating more awareness about bad farming practices, further asking the locals to desist from encroaching on protected ecosystems: wetlands and riverbanks.

‘So, we are also seeing some of the community members responding by making sure that they participate in the protection of the wetlands. This means they’re getting the messages. Then we are also seeing young people getting much more interested in polishing their skills, looking for information on climate change,’ says Mr Ojom. Whenever the Department of Meteorological Services under the Ministry of Water and Environment releases a calendar for a particular month, young people in Alebtong share this information among themselves through various social media platforms. ‘When the meteorological department has released a calendar on some of the early warning signs, we share this information with other people so that they get to prepare for the disaster and how they can mitigate the risks,’ says Mr Ocen.

Challenges

As they are implementing these interventions, young people are also faced with some challenges. For instance, there is limited information on the causes and benefits of climate actions and impacts. There are also limited climate strategies coupled with lack of access to technical resources that would have been part of a coordinated effort to address climate change. In the whole of Alebtong District, climate change experts are not in the villages. In most cases, these experts are only stationed in the neighbouring Lira City or Kampala yet they are needed most in these communities.

Youth Climate Action in Alebtong

500 youth trained by CLASS NGO on climate adaptation and mitigation.

Door-to-door sensitisation campaigns reaching 10 households daily.

Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs) supporting climate resilience.

Tree planting to replace those cut for charcoal.

Promotion of energy-saving stoves to reduce deforestation.

The National Unity Platform (NUP) has removed the privilege to carry the party flag from some of its key leaders, citing lack of loyalty and underperformance, among other reasons. The power to assess and qualify aspirants to carry the party flag was vested in the Elections Management Committee (EMC), which released the list on Monday night.

Some of the notable names denied the honour include Busiro East MP Medard Sseggona, who was replaced by Mr Mathias Walukagga, a folk musician-turned politician; Mr Allan Ssewanyana of Makindye West, who was replaced by the KCCA speaker Zahara Maala Luyirika; and Derrick Nyeko of Makindye East, replaced by Ali Nganda Mulyanyama. The others are Mityana District Woman MP Joyce Bagala, replaced by Proscovia Nabbosa; Rubaga South MP Aloysius Mukasa, replaced by Nassolo Euginia; Wakayima Musoke of Nansana Municipality, replaced by Zambaali Bulasiyo Mukasa, a former journalist.

The party electoral committee overseer, Ms Harriet Chemutai, said their selection of the successful candidates was executed by an eight-member team, with five EMC members based at NUP party headquarters at Kavule in Kampala, and assisted by three commissioners in the sub-regions of Eastern, Northern, and Western Uganda.

‘We were looking for people’s support on the ground and how well they know the party as well as being loyal to what the party believes in,’ Ms Chemutai said.

Ms Chemutai said the aspirants were scored at 60 percent for ground strength, and 40 percent for credentials, including level of education, knowledge of the party, and loyalty to its ideals. Mr Jumah Magatto, the NUP general secretary for Mpigi, said the EMC prioritised candidates who can effectively mobilise the electorate and ensure the party wins the forthcoming general election. Apart from Muwanga Kivumbi, who is the party deputy president in charge of Buganda, and Mukono Municipality MP Betty Nambooze, the other leaders who joined from the DP bloc in 2020 have since been relegated or had the party flag withdrawn from them, even when they are incumbents in their constituencies.

Some analysts have cited their sympathy and leaning towards some of their former DP bloc parliamentary ranks who have since left. The quitters included Mr Mathias Mpuuga, the former NUP party deputy president in charge of Buganda, who left the party and subsequently formed his own political outfit, the Democratic Alliance, before it morphed into Democratic Front (DF). Many other leaders who were close to Mr Mpuuga were torn between moving with the embattled leader or staying a little longer in NUP.

Mr Ssegona, Ssewanyana, and Joyce Bagala, the Mityana District Woman MP, decided to stay in the party and mend fences, but their reception at the party headquarters has always been cold. It was, therefore, not surprising that none of them was given the nod to carry the party flag for the 2026 election despite the experience some of them have amassed.

Ssewanyana, who was denied an NUP ticket to contest for the second term under an NUP ticket, has vowed to run as an Independent in the 2026 elections. He said he did what was required of him to be the best NUP choice but wondered why he was not selected. Mr Ssewanyana said his major enemy is President Museveni, not the Opposition and that he was duty-bound to end the suffering of his electorate from land grabbing, poor education, and unemployment.

‘I once contested as an Independent and they elected me, and the people still have trust in me. I thought I could not contest again, but people have been asking me to and I have to respect their request that I come back because they see able leadership in me,’ he said.

‘We have offered ourselves so much for our party. That is why we endured two years of prison with [Muhammed] Ssegirinya. I have supported the activities of the party, especially in my area. We have registered new members, and we have carried out the core values of the party,” he added.

In June 2021, Mr Ssewanyana, together with the late Ssegirinya, was arrested and detained for nearly two years over accusations of links with the machete-wielding gangs that sprang up in the Greater Masaka sub-region. The duo was charged with murder.

Ms Luyirika, who was preferred over Ssewanyana, said her first major intention was to contest for Makindye West MP before shifting to Kampala Woman MP, but due to chaos, she decided to go back to the Makindye West seat.

‘All my heart was for the people of Makindye West. I have been their leader since my youth. I had submitted my papers to contest for Kampala Woman MP, but during the vetting process, I submitted another application for Makindye West that I had earlier desired. Everything was done transparently and democratically,’ Ms Luyirika explained.

For more than five months, Ms Luyirika has been campaigning and running activities as she was determined to replace Ms Shamim Malende on the Kampala Woman MP seat. But sources privy to the selection process said a meeting that involved top religious leaders and party bigwigs were drawn in to iron out the impasse, creating space for Luyirika, who hails from Makindye West, to be chosen over Ssewanyana. Mr Ssegona, who was denied the NUP ticket, will officially announce his next course of action today. Mr Ssegona says he has a legal background.

‘I did what I was supposed to do as a legislator. When the time for contesting came, I submitted my papers, so the reason why I have not been selected is a subject for NUP to answer,’ he said.

The interventions to get Ms Joyce Bagala, the incumbent Mityana Woman MP on the NUP ticket, ended in vain, after failing to respond to calls. Ms Baagala was replaced by Ms Proscovia Mukisa, alias Nabbosa, the former Kawempe North NUP victim of torture. Ms Nabbosa, a holder of a Mass Communication degree from Makerere University, says she was selected by NUP due to her strength on the ground, people’s choice, and loyalty to the party principles despite being one of the torture victims during the Kawempe North by-election.

She was among the 22 NUP supporters who suffered injuries on March 3, 2025, during the Kawempe North by-election when they were assaulted by security personnel. The election was won by Elias Nalukoola, but his victory was later nullified after the NRM candidate, Ms Nambi Faridah Kigongo, petitioned the High Court, citing irregularities.

Local government workers under the Uganda Local Government Workers Union (ULGWU) have announced an indefinite sit-down strike starting October 1, 2025, citing government inaction on salary disparities within the public service.

On Tuesday, ULGWU Secretary General Hassan Mudiba said workers were left with no option but to resort to industrial action to compel the government to address their concerns.

‘We gave notice to the government through the head of Public Service and secretary to Cabinet on September 18, 2025, of workers’ intention to undertake industrial action commencing October 1, 2025, pursuant to section 14(a)(b) on serving notices between the government and Labour Union. Unfortunately, the government has not responded to the notice,’ Mudiba told journalists.

Despite a wage bill increase from Shs7.8 trillion in FY 2024/25 to Shs8.6 trillion in FY 2025/26, local government workers categorized under unconditional grant wages did not benefit from the increment, the union said.

Mudiba accused the government of creating ‘salary disparities’ through selective increases, polarizing the civil service and demoralizing employees.

He also criticized the opacity of certain salary structures.

‘Like National Planning Authority (NPA), their salary structures cannot be seen yet there are not even scientists, and I challenge government to make public their salary structure and that of National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA),’ he said.

National Treasurer of ULGWU, Miriam Mukani, said there was still room for dialogue.

‘If government comes up and says let us have a dialogue, there is room. But as of now, since there is no response, there is nothing much we can do other than keeping on the strike until the government realizes that local government workers also matter,’ she explained.

Striking in Uganda is protected under Article 40(3) of the Constitution, which guarantees workers the right to join a union, undertake collective bargaining, and withdraw labor in accordance with the law.

Article 20 further obliges all government agencies and persons to uphold these rights.

Mudiba warned against any form of intimidation during the strike stating that: ‘We would not expect any administrative authority, either Resident District Commissioners (RDCs), Chairperson LC IVs, Chief Administrative Officers, District Police commanders, among others, to interfere, intimidate or harass workers during their peaceful strike.’

Although the Ministry of Local Government has yet to officially respond, the strike is expected to disrupt local government operations nationwide.

Last week, this column argued, in its humble contribution to defining the Uganda we want, that the crisis of the great number of unemployed, unemployable and low-waged needs to occupy more space in public discourse and policy making.

To increase employability, support higher incomes, and undergird long-term development, we need to take a long, hard look at education: how and what we teach our learners.

At the rollout of universal primary education in 1997, the focus was on mass enrolment, but the quality problems were baked in. Some were obvious, in the form of inadequate infrastructure, teachers, and teaching aids. Others were less obvious, like the demand for farm labour, bottlenecks at transitional points upwards, and social dynamics like teenage pregnancy, early marriage and sexual abuse.

Thus, although the student population in Uganda tripled between 1997 and 2014, only one in three of the pioneer UPE class of 1997 made it to the end of primary school in 2003. The expansion of secondary and tertiary education has helped, but major problems of equity, quality, and outcomes remain.

Education is a great leveller and enabler, but without intentional system design, it is probably entrenching socio-economic hierarchies seen anecdotally, in the concentration of better performing schools in the south and central parts of the country. A Unicef study found that kids of the 20 percent richest families are five times more likely to continue to secondary school than those of the poorest 20 percent. Unsurprisingly, this transition is highest in Kampala and lowest in Acholi, which continues to bear the trailing effects of war, disease and destitution.

Means-tested scholarships and a higher per capita investment in public schools in poorer regions (including in teacher accommodation and salaries to attract better teachers) could be among the options considered by policymakers.

Such interventions could also aid in confronting the quality issue. Only one in two Ugandan kids is literate by the end of primary school, and less than one in two are proficient in English and mathematics in secondary school. In the absence of teachers and facilities, including laboratories, the 15 percent proficiency rate in biology among secondary school pupils is unsurprising and perhaps even miraculous.

The quality problem can feel overwhelming, which is why we should consider carefully calibrated nudges and some unconventional interventions. One is to start at the bottom, with early childhood development. Some preschools or kindergartens in Greater Kampala charge more per term than some diploma courses at Makerere University. This is because there are hardly any public preschools and kindergartens (and because parents of small kids are irrational in spending on them).

Investing in early learning should increase retention rates in the education system, improve literacy, and aid vulnerable families, including single mothers in informal employment who often can’t afford child education or care.

The second nudge, to make education more pleasant, is already being considered by the clamp down on corporal punishment. It needs to be complemented by guardrails to safeguard children from other types of harm, including the one in four Ugandan kids who are sexually abused in schools. How do we not have a sexual offender’s register in the year of our lord, 2025?

The third nudge is to redirect the focus of learning away from what learners know to what they can do. The internet has kicked down the door of the ivory tower, making learning accessible to anyone with a connection and cognitive power. Artificial intelligence will outsource even the need to find and sort information to machines/computers.

This will spill over into real-world practical applications. Robots already do much of the heavy lifting and repetitive actions in factories and will continue to do more as their dexterity and manoeuvrability improve.

Much of this disruption is still way off into the future for a middling developing country like Uganda, where urban mass transit, to give just one example, is still powered by two-wheeled maniacal riders. But the times, they are a-changin, and with them we must.

To better prepare our young people for a disrupted world of work, we must destigmatise vocational education, expand apprenticeships to give learners real-world experience, and add life skills to the curriculum, including (possibly compulsory) community service.

The millions of factory jobs that accompanied the industrial revolution in the West and the manufacturing boom in Asia will not arrive uninterrupted in our hinterlands. We must begin to imagine future-proof jobs and reimagine the way we prepare learners for them. An education system from the past can’t prepare us for the jobs of the future.

Police have arrested local musician Patrick Mulwana alias Alien Skin, on allegations connected to the death of Wilfred Namuwaya, alias Top Dancer, a former member of his Fangone Forest crew.

Kampala Metropolitan Police spokesperson Patrick Onyango confirmed the arrest, saying Mulwana reported himself to the director of crime intelligence and was later taken to Katwe police station for statement recording.

“Alien Skin, whose real name is Patrick Mulwana, has been arrested today, October 1, 2025, in connection with the death of Wilfred Namuwaya, alias Top Dancer,” Onyango said. “He is currently at Katwe police where his statement is being recorded.”

According to detectives, Namuwaya’s decision to quit the group had angered its leader, Alien Skin. Before his death, Namuwaya reportedly told investigators that he was abducted and tortured on Alien Skin’s orders.

“They picked me up at my home, claiming that I stole something, and took me back,” Namuwaya recounted before his death. “When they reached there, I was beaten, kicked by several people on orders of Alien, saying; Why did I leave the group?”

A doctor at Ayaan Life Care Medical Center, who requested anonymity, said Namuwaya was brought in the night and abandoned outside with severe internal bleeding beyond their capacity.

“We tried to save him throughout the night before referring him to Mulago Hospital, but he was pronounced dead on arrival,” the doctor said.

Police are hunting for other suspects, including Commander Mdogo, Ibra Kabadiya, and Mijagulo, in connection with the fatal assault.

“The group severely beat Namuwaya and later dumped him at a clinic,” Onyango said. “We are pursuing all those involved.”

Mr David Byamugisha, a neighbor to the deceased, said Namuwaya had worked for Alien Skin for two years before leaving.

“Before he died, he appeared in a video which was trending online where Alien Skin’s men covered his eyes as he (Alien Skin) ordered for his beating,” Byamugisha said. “He was later thrown out in a bad condition.”

Police records link Alien Skin and his group to a string of violent incidents.

In a previous incident, the crew stormed Nsambya Hospital after a colleague was injured in a car accident, demanding medical forms from doctors.

When their demands were denied, they assaulted a doctor and two security guards, leaving three people seriously injured. Alien Skin was later arrested and remanded to Luzira Prison for several weeks before securing bail.

Presidential candidate Mubarak Munyagwa of the Common Man’s Party Tuesday canceled his initial campaign visits to Bugiri and Bugweri districts in the Busoga sub-region, redirecting his efforts to Namuwongo instead.

The unexpected change left residents to go about their normal routines, with no political activity taking place in the two districts.

Speaking via phone, Munyagwa told Monitor that: ‘I have canceled my trip to Bugiri. I’m campaigning in Namuwongo. I will do my tour of the Busoga sub-region next week, starting in Kamuli District on Thursday.’

According to the Electoral Commission campaign arrangment, he is scheduled to be in Jinja District/City on October 1 but the shift makes Kamuli the first district in his Busoga region outreach.

Residents in Bugiri raised concerns over long-standing local issues, including the construction of the Nankoma-Bugiri-Namutumba road and the promised Bugiri central market, pledged by President Museveni during the 2021 campaigns but not yet implemented.

Rebecca Kagoya, a tailor in Bugiri Town, said the lack of local health facilities exacerbates congestion at Bugiri General Hospital.

‘The incoming president should focus on building health centers at the parish level to reduce the burden on the main hospital,’ she said, calling for more health workers and better equipment at lower-level facilities.

She also stressed the need for improved roads, noting that ‘if the roads are improved, it will be easier for every Ugandan to boost their household income.’

Youth unemployment was another pressing concern. Hamisi Waiswa, a resident of Kayango in Kapyanga Sub-county, urged the government to create more job opportunities for young people.

‘If the government creates jobs for the youth, it will help reduce theft and other crimes among young people,’ he told Monitor.

Traders in Bugiri Town raised their frustrations over the delay in constructing the central market. Badiru Kilego, Chairperson of Bugiri Central Market, said poor working conditions continue to affect their livelihoods due to the government’s inaction.

Munyagwa’s campaign, which began in Kampala on September 29, aims to address both national and local concerns as he challenges long-serving President Museveni in the 2026 elections.

The National Resistance Movement (NRM) party presidential candidate, Mr Yoweri Museveni, has taken a swipe at the Opposition leadership in Luweero District, linking the many land eviction cases to weak leadership while announcing a final solution to the Land Fund to pay off the landlords in 2026. Mr Museveni, who launched his 2026 presidential bid during a rally at Bukalasa Agricultural College in Luweero District yesterday, said the land issue was resolved way back when the NRM government through the Constituent Assembly (CA) stood firm on the side of the people, safeguarding the rights of the Kibanja (non titled plot of land) holder.

‘The Kibanja holder should not be evicted by the landlord. The landlord has no power to cut off any piece of land from a Kibanja holder. The landlords complain that Busuulu [annual nominal ground rent] is small, but this is about recognition as a landlord and nothing else,’ he said. When a landlord sells the land to a different person, the Kibanja holder is not affected, according to the land policy. The new buyer simply remains with a piece of paper while the Kibanja holder will remain on the land. The case of Busuulu [an annual nominal ground rent paid by a Kibanja holder] was also resolved and approved by the Lands ministry in Kampala.

”We have landlords that refuse the Busuulu, but plans are in pipeline to have the Busuulu not acknowledged by the landlord to be banked at the sub-county special account. But the long-term solution will be for the government to secure funds to pay off the landlords,” Mr Museveni said, adding: ‘The money in the Land Fund is not enough. We still have many things to do including security, roads, health care, but with the petroleum money that will start next year in 2026, we shall be able to boost the Land Fund.’

After winning the previous general election President Museveni, who addressed a retreat at Kyankwanzi Leadership Institute on April 15, 2021 promised to work with NRM legislators who are the majority in Parliament to resolve the land crisis in the country once and for all, but the issue continues to bother many Ugandans.

He also reiterated his promise to tackle theft of drugs in health centres and fight corruption. ‘ If you had elected good leaders, some of the issues like stealing of drugs could be addressed by those people. But you turned yourselves into orphans by donating the Woman MP seat to a girl called Nabukenya [Brenda], I also hear that the district chairperson and all MPs in Luweero are not NRM , this [is] suicide ,’ he said. Mr Museveni, who is seeking re-election into office for a new term (2026-2031) when Ugandans go to polls on January 12, also spoke against the continued charging learners extra fees under the government free education schemes.

Government introduced the Universal Primary Education (UPE) scheme in 1997 and a decade later added Universal Secondary Education (USE), to enable primary school graduates to enrol in tuition-free secondary schools and vocational training institutions. However, despite the increased learner enrolment and the substantial investment in the education sector, there have been concerns about the high school drop-out rate, the high pupil-to-book ratio, lack of basic instructional materials, among others.

‘The extra charges are illegal and should stop. I am going to be very tough on this. They [school administrators] have been using the pretext of not having enough teachers, this issue is going to be addressed through the additional recruitment of 50,000 teachers,’ he said. For more than two decades, there has been a lack of a clear feeding programme in UPE schools, which has negatively impacted on the scheme, causing massive drop-outs and absenteeism as many pupils cannot stand the biting hunger at school. On many occasions , efforts by head teachers to have parents pay some little money to cater for their children’s lunch have been frustrated by Mr Museveni who viewed it as an extra burden to his voters . He has repeatedly threatened to arrest head teachers who pester parents to pay lunch fees.

Historical background

Luweero was the epicentre of the five-year guerrilla war that ushered Mr Museveni’s government to power in 1986 and he has always launched his campaigns in the district. The area has for three decades largely been loyal to Mr Museveni for a long time and generously contributing to his vote pool and electing ruling party representatives at various levels but residents in the area have remained poor, with some failing to enrol their children in relatively good school .

This explains why the Opposition National Unity Platform (NUP) in the previous general election swept most of the elective positions in Luweero District. NUP won all the parliamentary seats in the area including the district chairperson seat. NUP’s former presidential candidate Robert Kyagulanyi, aka Bobi Wine, also defeated Mr Museveni in the district, after garnering 103,782 votes (70.45 percent) against Museveni’s 41,166 votes (27.94 percent).

Land rights.

‘The Kibanja holder should not be evicted by the landlord. The landlord has no power to cut off any piece of land from a Kibanja holder. The landlords complain that Busuulu [annual nominal ground rent] is small, but this is about recognition as a landlord and nothing else,’- Mr Museveni, the NRM party presidential candidate for 2026 General Election

What Luweero voters want next president to address

Erasto Kibirango, the Luweero District LC5 Chairperson

”We need an affirmative action plan as the people of Luweero. It is true that the government is helping in the completion works for the Luweero Hospital 100-bed facility and the district office block but we need more in the area of budgeting and special projects.”

Alice Nalwanga Katende, Councillor for elderly at Wobulenzi

”We are talking about the government compensation of the war veterans but several of the war veterans say that they have never been compensated. The NRM Mecca has poor road network. This has partly demoralised NRM party supporters.’

Mr Sam Kigula, the Nakasongola District LC5 Chairperson

‘Government had earlier embarked on an exercise to identify areas and landlords willing to surrender land to the government for payment through the land fund but this programme has been slow. The issue of the nuclear plant should also be clearly explained to communities.”

Joseph Kawenja, resident of Makulubita Sub-county

‘Most of the roads in many rural areas are in a very poor condition. We also want the new government after the 2026 election to improve or make better supervision of the different government projects. The people messing up government projects should be arrested and removed from office.’

Hussein Kato, Councillor- Bombo Town Council

”Luweero as a region needs affirmative action in terms of projects. Our NRM leaders are not telling the real facts about the common man’s challenges including the land evictions.’

Annet Nakaggwa, Katikamu Sub-county, Luweero

‘Our roads network is very poor. At times the contractors assigned the duty of maintaining the roads do shoddy work. Many of the roads in Katikamu Sub-county are impassable.’

Rogers Sunday Bwanga, Council Speaker, Nakasongola ‘

‘The new government plan to construct a nuclear plant at Kalungi Sub-county without clear plans on how the families are likely to get displaced poses a big threat. We have one of the poorest road networks in the country.”

Abdul Nadduli, former Cabinet minister

‘We still have many cases of our people that are illegally evicted from land yet they are bonafide occupants pr

Tendo Mukalazi and Jonathan Kaweesa stood out on a weekend where 19 age group meet records were broken at the Dolphins Fast and Furious Gala.

The gala was held last weekend at Kampala Parents School and the aforementioned male swimmers ensured that every time they dived into the pool, they brought down a record in their respective 15 and Over and the 13-14 years age groups. Each record earned one Shs150,000 – a first in domestic swimming.

Aqua Akii’s Mukalazi brought the 100m IM home in under a minute (59.28) to sink longterm club and national teammate Atuhaire Ambala’s 1:01.77. He also drowned Adnan Kabuye’s 50m backstroke 28.76 to 27.62.

With 50m fly holder 27.49 Ampaire Namanya in the pool too, Mukalazi raised levels to 25.83. Then saved the best for last clocking a 23.26 to sink Ambala’s 24.86 in the 50m free, where he led the 15 and Over grid by nearly a body’s length from dive to finish.

“I came out to play team as my club does not have many big guys, but it was all good,” Mukalazi, who was level on 80 points in the end with Dolphins’ Pendo Kaumi, said as he was crowned best male swimmer in the 15 and Over age group as this competition prioritizes medals over points.

“The pool was clean and clear but there were some waves too. Maybe I could have gone faster,” Mukalazi, who skipped the 50m breaststroke which was won by Dolphins’ Ian Aziku, continued.

Peyton Suubi was also dominant among the 15 and over girls winning all five races to amass the maximum 100 points but the 100m IM, 50m breaststroke, and 50m free records eluded her by microseconds. The Jaguar jewel, however, broke the 50m backstroke one, previously held by Daaya Yalonda Mpeera, by three microseconds to 33.64 and 50m fly one, previously held by Charlotte Sanford at 30.75, to 30.36.

13-14 years

Meanwhile, Kaweesa smashed the 100m IM record by four seconds to 1:04.00. He also lowered the 50m breaststroke to 33.42 from 34.24, then 50m back to 29.52 from 30.44, 50m fly to 27.32 from 29.26, and 50m free to 25.86 from 26.39 to top the 13-14 boys and also collect the total 100 points.

Jaguar’s Zara Mbanga topped the 100m IM, 50m breaststroke, and 50m back to top the 13-14 girls. Gliders’ Tyrah Muganzi topped the 50m fly comfortably and the 50m free (swimming from the outer lane).

Both girls had no meet record but the age group still entertained especially in the 50m free which uncharacteristically saw two ties in the top five. Mackayla Ssali came second while her Dolphins’ teammates Crystal Ssemanda and Theresa Kikambi were tied in third. Mbanga and Ozprey’s Gabriella Opolot were tied in 5th while Abigail Mwagale, of Altona, also returned to racing.

“I am taking it one race at a time and hope to get back to my best,” Mwagale, who also missed the Uganda Aquatic National Championships in July, said.

11-12

Otters’ Nisha Pearl Najjuma won three gold medals (100m IM, 50m back, and 50m breaststroke) and amassed 87 points to top the 11-12 girls’ age group. Aquatic Academy’s Mushira Nabatanzi (50m fly) and Dolphins’ Jinan Nakato (50m free with a meet record of 29.14) got the other two gold medals.

Torpedoes Elijah Ayesiga and Kristian Bwisho renewed rivalries in the boys’ category. Ayesiga won the 100m IM and 50m fly (with a meet record 30.76) then Bwisho topped the 50m breaststroke, 50m back, and 50m free (with a meet record 28.31) to win the age group and record 94 points.

9-10 years

In the 9-10 girls, Sailfish’s Audrey Nyonyintono (50m free and 50m fly) and Aya Adams (100m IM and 50m back) took home two gold medals each. Denorah Natabi won the 50m breaststroke.

While Nyonyintono broke a 50m free meet record (32.09), accumulated 87 points and was followed by teammate Natabi on 82, Aqua Akii’s Adams was named group winner as she had two silver medals compared to Nyonyintono’s one silver in 100m IM.

For the boys, Jaguar’s Ashley Kimuli won the 100m IM and the 50m back to top the age group, where he also amassed 79 points. Silverfin’s Arnold Munaka won the 50m breaststroke while Dolphins’ Maynard Mukisa and Aqua Akii’s Tzion Tamale took the 50m fly and 50m free respectively but none of the boys got a meet record.

6-8 years

Altona’s Elisha Rukundo with 92 points three gold medals in 100m IM (1:32.33), 25m free (16.14), and 25 fly (17.98) was the best swimmer in the 6-8 boys category. The first two came with meet records sinking those held by Ethani Ssengooba and David Sine.

In the 6-8 girls’ category, Abigail Keza Muttamba accumulated 97 points and four gold medals, ceding only the 25m free to Sailfish teammate Alma Kirabo. Muttamba’s 25m back triumph came with a 19.33 meet record.

“Seeing that nearly 20 records have been broken this weekend, we believe that the cash has motivated the swimmers to focus on chasing time. I am sure next year we will see even better,” meet director and Dolphins coach Tonnie Kasujja, said after the gala that attracted 810 swimmers.

DOLPHINS FAST AND FURIOUS

NEW MEET RECORDS PER AGE GROUP

6-8 Years

Girls

25m back: Abigail Muttamba (Sailfish) – 19.33

Boys

Elisha Rukundo (Altona): 100m IM (1:32.33), 25m free (16.14)

25m back: Mathew Tendo Ssaka (Silverfin) – 19.13

9-10

Girls

50m free: Audrey Nyonyintono (Sailfish) – 32.09

11-12

Girls

50m free: Jinan Nakato (Dolphins) – 29.14

Boys

50m fly: Elijah Ayesiga (Torpedoes) – 30.76

50m free: Kristian Bwisho (Silverfin) – 28.31

13-14

Boys

Jonathan Kaweesa (Torpedoes): 100m IM (1:04.00), 50m breaststroke (33.42), 50m back (29.52), 50m fly (27.32), 50m free (25.86)

15 and Over

Girls

Peyton Suubi (Jaguar): 50m back (33.64), 50m fly (30.36)

Tendo Mukalazi (Aqua Akii): 100m IM (59.28), 50m back (27.62), 50m fly (25.83), 50m free (23.26)

It might be just as well that this year’s World News Day, on Sunday, was treated as an afterthought by all and sundry in Uganda. The day draws attention to the power of fact-based journalism. The promotion of truth and media literacy cannot be understated, not least because we find ourselves living in a post-truth world where alternative facts, surprisingly, hold sway.

On the eve of this year’s World News Day, the story of Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja reportedly ordering the police to quiz a Galaxy TV journalist, Mr David Mwesigwa, bubbled under the radar. This was after the leader of government business in Parliament erroneously came to the conclusion that Mr Mwesigwa misled President Museveni. While fielding questions from the media following his nomination ahead of next year’s presidential poll, Mr Museveni learnt from the TV journalist that the conditions at Mukono General Hospital, Kayunga Regional Referral Hospital, and Namuganga Health Centre III left a lot to be desired.

Ms Nabbanja says a fact-finding trip she undertook established that the journalist was only partially telling the truth. She now reportedly wants the police to crack the whip, leaving the journalist on tenterhooks. The development highlights the difficulties of doing journalistic work. It is increasingly becoming dangerous to serve as a mouthpiece for the voiceless and afflicted. The ruling elite is invested in perpetuating a narrative that serves the minority.

The Nation Media Group is guided by a bifurcated goal of comforting the afflicted and afflicting the comfortable. Like Mr Mwesigwa, we are acutely aware that a fidelity to the truth typically comes at a price. And we have the bruises to show for it. When presidential candidates kick-started their campaigns on Monday with their sights firmly set on the State House, we were-as has been the case over the past months-shut out of covering the incumbent, Mr Museveni. Our crime remains choosing truth by comforting the afflicted and afflicting the comfortable.

As candidates barnstorm the country over the next 80 odd days, we can only promise to be insatiably curious and resolute in our pursuit for the truth. Everyday. The ball might be dropped on some occasions, but, on the whole, so-called alternative facts will not be our cup of tea. We do not take our calling that demands a fidelity to truth lightly. No. Access to information matters more than ever, not least because there is an infodemic of false information spreading throughout all four corners of Uganda. It is dangerous if choices are made on the basis of this type of information.

So, even in the face of growing flak from the ruling elite, we head into the current electoral cycle with words of encouragement to our journalists-and indeed other independent actors-to be brave while holding all and sundry accountable. We are consciously aware that the braveness has to be matched with impartiality since the public could do with the steady delivery of reliable information. We do not take for granted the fact that the information that our reportage will put out over the next 80 odd days will empower Ugandans to make informed decisions as they participate in a democratic process. This is why we strongly believe that Mr Mwesigwa’s travails should not be treated as an afterthought. Ditto World News Day.

Notable names that were dropped from running for parliamentary seats by Uganda’s largest Opposition party, the National Unity Platform (NUP), remained tight-lipped yesterday on their next course of action.

NUP released on Monday the final list of parliamentary flagbearers, which included shock omissions of some prominent incumbents and endorsements of some people who political commentators have described as novices.

Prominent on the list of those dropped were Bukoto East MP Medard Ssegona, who also chairs the parliamentary Committee on Commissions, Statutory Authorities, and State Enterprises (Cosase). Last evening, Mr Ssegona, who was replaced by singer Mathias Walukaga, the sitting mayor of Kyengera Town Council, said: ‘I have not decided on anything. I will announce my next move tomorrow (today).’ Sitting Makindye West MP Allan Ssewanyana was replaced by Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) speaker Zahara Maala Luyirika, while Mityana District Woman MP Joyce Bagala was replaced by Proscovia Kenisha Nabbosa Mukisa, a new entrant.

Also ejected was Makindye East MP Derrick Nyeko, who has been replaced by Ali Kasirye Nganda Mulyannyama. In Rubaga South, Aloysius Mukasa bows out for Euginia Nassolo, while Bashir Kazibwe cedes Kawempe South to Fred Nyanzi Ssentamu, with Fred Ssimbwa giving way to Sulaiman Kiwanuka in Nakifuma County, Mukono District. Earlier on Monday, NUP party president Robert Kyagulanyi, better known as Bobi Wine, announced the long-awaited list would be released before setting off for his maiden rally in Jinja City. He encouraged those who would not be endorsed to respect the party position and not run as Independents.

NUP suffered a blow following the release of a similar list of endorsed aspirants for the local government and mayoral races as many who were dropped decided to run as Independents, while others joined rival political parties. Despite the shake-up, several Kampala heavyweights have been re-endorsed to carry the party flag. Ms Shamim Malende remains Kampala Woman MP flagbearer alongside Mr Alex Waiswa Mufumbiro for Nakawa East, Mr Joel Ssenyonyi (Nakawa West), Mr Abubaker Kawalya (Rubaga North) and Mr David Lewis Rubongoya (Kampala Central).

Kiboga keeps Ms Christine Nakimwero Kkaaya as the District Woman parliamentary candidate. In Mityana, Mr David Kalwanga Lukyamuzi remains flagbearer for Busujju County, while Francis Butebi Zaake retains that for Mityana Municipality. Kassanda District maintains aspirant Flavia Nabagabe for Woman MP seat, and Mr Frank Kabuye for Kassanda South. Butambala keeps both Ms Aisha Kabanda and Mr Muhammad Muwanga Kivumbi, while Gomba maintains incumbent Mr Godfrey Ssaazi for Gomba East.

In Mpigi, musician-MP Hilary Kiyaga, better known as Hilderman, stays on for Mawokota North, while the current district chairperson, Mr Martin Ssejjemba, takes the flag for Mawokota South, but the woman representative seat is to be reviewed. Buvuma’s District Woman MP, Ms Suzan Mugabi, and Kalangala’s Hellen Nakimuli also remain in place. In Kalungu District, Mr Joseph Gonzaga Ssewungu retains Kalungu West as Mr Yusuf Kiruuta replaces Mr Francis Katabaazi Katongole in Kalungu East.

Masaka District keeps Ms Joan Namutaawe as Woman MP aspirant and Mr Evans Kanyike in Bukoto East, but Dr Abed Bwanika and Mr Mathias Mpuuga have been dropped in favour of Mr Patrick Kuteesa for Kimanya Kabonera and Mr Lubowa Ssebina Gyaviira for Nyendo-Mukungwe. Bukomansimbi maintains Ms Veronica Nannyondo for the Woman MP’s seat and Mr Geoffrey Solo Kayemba for Bukomansimbi South, while Ms Christine Ndiwalana is replaced by Mr Nsereko Kayongo in Bukomansimbi North. Wakiso District retains Ms Ethel Naluyima for the Woman MP race, Mr Muwada Nkunyingi for Kyadondo East, Mr David Sserukenya for Makindye Ssabagabo and Mr Charles Matovu for Busiro South.

Fresh faces in Wakiso include Mr George Musisi for Kira Municipality, Ms Joyce Nabatta Namuli for Entebbe Municipality, Mr Ronald Ssemaganda for Busiro North and Zambali Bulasio Mukasa for Nansana Municipality. In Luweero, Ms Brenda Nabukenya, Mr Hassan Kirumira, Mr Robert Ssekitooleko and Mr Denis Ssekabira all retain their flags for the Woman MP race, Katikamu South, Bamunanika and Katikamu North seats respectively. Nakaseke District remains unchanged, with Mr Paulson Luttamaguzi Ssemakula and Mr Allan Mayanja keeping their Central and South flags.

Sea change in Kasese

In Kasese District, NUP made significant changes in its parliamentary flag bearers ahead of the January 2026 General Election. While the party fielded five candidates in the six parliamentary constituencies in the 2021 General Election, this time, it has endorsed candidates in all six constituencies, but dropping all the old ones, except one.

Kasese District NUP party chief Brian Basisa said: ‘Some of the people have since ventured into other activities. Others were not serious with the struggle.’

Only Ms Fatuma Katembo Kamama will once more contest as Kasese District Woman MP. In Busongora South, NUP has endorsed Mr Jackson Mbaju, who previously contested as an Independent in 2021 and later carried the NUP flag in the 2022 by-election.

The new flagbearers in Kasese include Mr Bwambale Tinkasimire (Bukonzo East), Mr Shahidu Tuhakaba Muhindo (Bukonzo West), Mr Jonan Bwambake (Busongora North), Mr Robert Muthoma (Kasese Municipality). Former flagbearers who were dropped include Mr Phillu Amon Kahungu (Bukonzo East), Ms Fatuma Cassim Sidrat (Bukonzo West), Mr Michael Masereka (Busongora South), and Mr Augustine Monday (Busongora North). Mr Basisa said Ms Sidrat now serves as deputy secretary for the NUP Women’s League (western region), while Mr Michael Masereka defected to FDC, and Mr Sam Baluku abandoned mobilisation. Mr Kahungu distanced himself from the party early on.

He said Mr Monday failed to secure nomination fees.

Meanwhile, in Masindi Municipality (Masindi District), the incumbent flagbearer, Mr Rodgers Kanti, lost the flag to newcomer Mr Steven Wandera, who beat two contenders, including Mr Job Arinaitwe. Mr Wandera expressed gratitude for the endorsement, saying it reflected the party’s trust in him. However, Mr Kanti, who has been NUP’s face in Bunyoro since its inception, expressed disappointment after losing the flag, saying the party failed to reward his years of sacrifice and financial investment.

Supporters react…

Amos Twinomujuni

I don’t think the process was fair as it was not competitive and some of us are not aware how it was done. Here in Mbarara, we would get better candidates if the selection was open to the public.

Anita Tibyangye

I think NUP made a better decision to have a team that chose people to compete for these political positions. But it would have been better if the public got involved in choosing them because this team may get easily compromised in the process.

Ali Buyende

We don’t know some of these flagbearers. There is no wider consultation of the grassroots people. I will support any Opposition candidate because we are tired of the NRM corrupt and human rights abuse.