Category: Daily Monitor

The Chief Magistrate’s Court in Masaka on Tuesday charged Lwengo District Chairperson Ibrahim Kitatta with four counts including attempted murder and robbery.

Kitatta appeared before Chief Magistrate Simon Ntoroko and pleaded not guilty to all charges.

Prosecution led by Mariam Njuki said the charges stemmed from events that occurred on July 14, 2025, ahead of the recently concluded National Resistance Movement (NRM) primaries.

He is accused of robbing Liyaada Nakanwagi of her mobile phone, attempting to kill David Ssebuguzi, the LC1 chairperson of Kanakulya Zone, robbing him of his mobile phone, and stealing Shs900,000 from one Musa Kataze.

Through his lawyer, Eddie Sansa, Kitatta presented three sureties in court: Vincent Birimuye, the Lwengo District Vice Chairperson; Peregrino Ssenozi, the District Speaker; and Abdul Musa Mpagi, the Town Clerk of Kinoni Town Council, who is also his brother.

However, Njuki objected to the bail application, arguing that Kitatta could interfere with witnesses and evidence.

Magistrate Ntoroko overruled the objection, saying the accused was a responsible public official with a fixed place of abode and had presented credible sureties.

He granted Kitatta cash bail of Shs1 million, while each surety was bonded at Shs10 million non-cash.

The magistrate also urged the prosecution to expedite the case.

‘The state must ensure timely justice for all parties involved,’ he said.

Meanwhile, the complainants expressed dissatisfaction with the decision to grant Kitatta bail, claiming their lives remained at risk due to ongoing threats.

The case has been adjourned to November 20, 2025.

The World Bank wants government to review tax holidays and exemptions because they have failed to deliver the promised investment boom.

Speaking at the 25th Uganda Economic Update in Kampala yesterday, Mr Qimiao Fan, the World Bank East Africa regional director, said with more than 600,000 new labour market entrants each year before 2030 and at least one million annually by 2040, Uganda must seek ways to mobilise more domestic revenue by broadening the base.

This, he said, could be done through closing loopholes and ensuring that high-net-worth individuals and large firms contribute fairly, as well as ‘reconsidering exemptions that erode the base and shift the burden to a shrinking pool of compliant taxpayers’.

World Bank economist Silver Namunane, on the other hand, said that whereas generous tax exemptions and the 10-year tax holiday were intended to stimulate new investments or reinvestments by large firms, this has not succeeded in fostering growth in firms’ fixed assets’.

‘Beneficiaries’ depreciation allowances are 2.6 to 3.3 times higher compared to group firms, indicating that benefiting firms are more likely to replace worn-out assembly lines or add minimal infrastructure rather than significantly expand assets,’ he said.

The 2023/24 Tax Expenditures Report estimates total revenue foregone in tax holidays and exemptions at Shs3.6 trillion, about 1.78 percent of gross domestic product and 13 percent of total tax revenues of Shs27.3 trillion.

Customs duty accounted for the largest share of Shs1.137 trillion, 32 percent of total tax expenditures, while foregone value added tax dropped from Shs1.113 trillion (0.61 percent of gross domestic product) in the 2022/23 financial year to Shs677b (0.34 percent) in the 2023/24 financial year.

Over the years, Finance Ministry data shows, between 2018 and 2023, total tax expenditures rose from Shs2.079 trillion to Shs2.972 trillion, but stayed broadly flat as a share of gross domestic product. While responding to the World Bank proposal, government signalled willingness to adjust but favoured calibration over abrupt repeal.

Acting Ministry of Finance Permanent Secretary and Secretary Treasury Patrick Ocailap, said government needed to ‘broaden the tax base instead of increasing taxes on the people of Uganda, highlighting the need to conduct a cost-benefit analysis of the tax reforms.

‘Rather than eliminate the 10-year tax holiday, we should closely monitor their activities and have a sunset clause for each’, he said.

The World Bank wants Uganda to tighten or scale back exemptions and holidays that are costing between 1.6 and 2 percent of gross domestic product per annum, while delivering limited investment gains.

Amid mixed reactions and scepticism over gaps in service delivery, President Museveni launched his 2026 re-election bid at Bukalasa Agricultural College in the Greater Luweero sub-region yesterday.

His ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) party sees Luweero as its cradle, owing to its central role in the 1980s liberation war. Yet, 40 years later, many residents question the slow progress in infrastructure, veterans’ welfare, and social services. In 2021, the Opposition triumphed in this symbolic ‘Mecca’ of the NRM, underlining discontent over unfulfilled pledges.

Observers argue that deliberate programmes such as those rolled out in northern Uganda after the conflict were never extended to Luweero.

‘Like the Northern Uganda Reconstruction Programme that targeted rehabilitation of infrastructure and economic recovery, the people of Luweero missed out on such opportunities,’ Mr Omar Kyagulanyi, a civilian war veteran and former Katikamu Sub-county chairperson, said. Former Minister without Portfolio and Presidential Adviser Abdul Nadduli blamed poor planning and lack of goodwill due to broken promises.

‘President Museveni knows Luweero better than many of the current breed of leaders in his government,’ he said, urging him to take direct charge.

Locals accuse both the government and the NRM leaders of frustrating progress.

‘I will not spare President Museveni because he superintends the top policy-making organs. Greater Luweero has had several sons and daughters in the Cabinet. We have always questioned their relevance if they cannot lobby for affirmative action projects,’ said retired teacher John Mary Kabanda.

The erosion of NRM support was evident in 2021, when the Opposition swept all four parliamentary seats in Luweero and two of four in Nakaseke. ‘It was a protest against our own government,’ said Ms Aidah Nakandi Ssemyalo of Wobulenzi, who recounted how her father, a civilian war veteran, died without compensation. Opposition leaders echo the sense of betrayal. Luweero District Chairperson Erastus Kibirango, a NUP member, said: ‘I don’t believe that the NRM government has a chance to run away from the blame of negligence of an area that procured their victory after a long liberation war.’ He called for a special programme to address Luweero’s recovery.

However, NRM officials counter that progress is being made.

Deputy Secretary General of NRM party Rose Namayanja cited Shs6.1 billion for the district administration block, Shs2.5 billion for Luweero General Hospital, and new mechanised farming equipment. Luweero Triangle Minister Alice Kaboyo pointed to Shs6.1 billion recently disbursed to compensate civilian war veterans and the establishment of 500 factories in the last decade.

Yet electoral data tell a stark story. In 2021, Museveni managed only 27.94 percent (41,166 votes) in Luweero, compared to 70.45 percent (103,782 votes) for Robert Kyagulanyi of NUP party. Both NRM and Opposition supporters cited poor service delivery and unmet promises as decisive factors. Mr Pascal Imarach, the Zirobwe Town Council chairperson and the head of the NRM veterans’ league, admitted mistakes but insisted they will improve. ‘Our people demand effective service delivery. Our people still believe that President Museveni is their tested leader,’ he said.

Lingering challenges

Despite some fulfilled pledges, unresolved land issues dominate local grievances. The government claims to have addressed them through the 2010 Land Act, but residents cite abuses by powerful individuals who override the law. Nakasongola District Chairperson Sam Kigula said about 75 percent of residents are squatters and vulnerable to eviction by absentee landlords.

‘We can only circumvent the land-related challenges if the government rolls out the land fund. Many cannot plan to cultivate land because of insecurity,’ he said.

In Luweero and Nakaseke, land grabbing and illegal evictions are rising. Lawyer Peter Kimanje Nsibambi said his firm is handling more than 200 cases. ‘Despite having land laws that protect Bibanja holders, many are victims of illegal eviction,’ he said.

Government’s defence

The NRM highlights achievements in health, education and infrastructure. In Luweero District alone, 32,722 residents benefit from the Parish Development Model (PDM), backed by Shs31 billion. Access to safe water has reached 87 percent, with 1,436 water sources. The district now boasts 230 UPE schools serving 129,287 pupils and 24 government secondary schools with 46,648 students.

Health facilities have also expanded, with 40 public units compared to just five in 1987. The district hospital has been upgraded, alongside operating theatres at Health Centre IVs and maternity wards at Health Centre IIIs. Infrastructure projects include the 29.7km road linking Luweero to Nakaseke via Butalangu and Kiwoko, now 55 percent complete, according to Minister of State for Kampala Capital City and Metropolitan Affairs, Mr Joseph Kyofatogabye Kabuye.

Despite these efforts, scepticism remains over whether development has matched expectations. Many residents still perceive Greater Luweero as neglected.

Political analysts warn that Museveni’s chances of regaining ground depend on addressing core grievances: land disputes, poor roads, and unfulfilled pledges. Unless these issues are tackled decisively, the NRM party risks another setback in its symbolic heartland.

Police in Bushenyi District are investigating the death of a man discovered in a lodge in Ishaka-Bushenyi Municipality on Monday night.

Darius Nyehangane had booked a room at Addex Bar and Lodges in Ishaka Division on Monday evening but was found lifeless on Tuesday afternoon, lodge staff said.

‘We were shocked to find him dead when we went to clean the room,’ said Brenda Kyomugisha, a lodge employee.

Local leader John Patrick Matovu, the Ishaka Division Councillor, urged lodge and hotel owners to verify the identities of guests. ‘

‘If a person does not have proper identification, they should not be accommodated. This helps prevent such incidents,’ he said.

Greater Bushenyi regional police spokesman SP Apollo Tayebwa confirmed the discovery. ‘On Tuesday afternoon, at about 1pm, the body of Darius Nyehangane was found after the lodge owner could not get him to open the door and alerted police,’ he said.

Police investigators, including the homicide team and scene-of-crime officers, recovered financial credit cards in the name of the deceased, SP Tayebwa added.

The circumstances surrounding Nyehangane’s death remain unclear as a postmortem has not yet been conducted. His body is at Kitagata Hospital mortuary awaiting examination.

A case of sudden death has been registered at Bushenyi Central Police Station, and statements have been recorded from lodge management, SP Tayebwa said.

He warned accommodation providers to follow regulations, including maintaining registration books for all guests.

‘Investigations are ongoing. We urge the public to travel with valid identification and act responsibly,’ he said.

The investigation highlights the need for stringent guest verification procedures in lodges and hotels across the region, as authorities seek to determine the cause of Nyehangane’s death.

Uganda is set to introduce a new long-acting HIV prevention drug, Lenacapavir, in 2026 under a United States-funded initiative, offering fresh hope in the fight against the epidemic. The twice-yearly injectable drug, developed by US-based Gilead Sciences, has been shown in clinical trials to prevent more than 99 percent of HIV infections among high-risk groups. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), Uganda is among the 10 high-burden countries selected to benefit through the US President’s Emergency Plan for Aids Relief (PEPFAR).

In a statement yesterday, the US Embassy in Kampala confirmed that the Ministry of Health, in partnership with the US Government, will roll out the drug next year. Priority will be given to individuals at highest risk of infection, including young women, pregnant and breastfeeding mothers, and key populations. US Ambassador William W Popp described the move as a milestone in Uganda’s HIV response. ‘This medicine is an excellent example of how American leadership drives innovation to save lives,’ he said, noting that Ugandan researchers contributed to the clinical studies that informed the breakthrough.

Gilead has committed to lowering costs and sharing intellectual property with generic manufacturers to enable large-scale production and long-term affordability. Officials project that up to two million people in high-burden countries could access the drug by 2028. As of late 2024, Uganda had an estimated 1.5 million people living with HIV, with about 730 new infections recorded every week.

While oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is available, experts believe the new twice-yearly injection will improve adherence and reduce new infections, especially among women and other vulnerable groups. To secure affordability, the US Government and the Global Fund are co-financing an advanced market commitment, with Uganda expected to use about $1.14m (about Shs4b) from its existing Global Fund grant to launch the programme.

Rollout strategy

The Ministry of Health has begun working on a national rollout strategy, engaging with generic drug makers to ensure sustainability. Up to two million people across the 10 beneficiary countries are expected to access the drug by 2028. Dr Herbert Kadama, Uganda’s national PrEP coordinator, said the injection could transform HIV prevention. ‘Since 2017, Uganda has provided oral PrEP to individuals at high risk of HIV. But adherence has always been a challenge, especially for young people and women who struggle to take a pill every day,’ he said. ‘The twice-yearly injection gives us an opportunity to overcome those barriers, reach people who drop off oral PrEP, and strengthen our prevention toolkit,’ he added.

Formal approval from the National Drug Authority (NDA) is required before wider use. Dr Hudson Balidawa, who oversees Global Fund HIV investments, said once authorised, the drug will be available through public programmes and private clinics. ‘Demand is expected to exceed initial projections. While the government budgeted for 17,000 people, assessments suggest up to 67,000 could benefit,’ he said. Preparations are underway to strengthen supply chains and train healthcare providers to meet the expected surge in demand.

Media reports suggest the drug could cost as much as $28,218 (Shs98m) per person annually if procured privately, but Uganda’s partnership with donors is expected to keep prices far lower. Officials stress that lenacapavir is not a cure for HIV but a preventive and immune-boosting treatment that will significantly expand Uganda’s HIV prevention options once rollout begins in 2026

At a glance

How it works: Given twice a year to block HIV infection.

Effectiveness: Clinical trials show more than 99 percent prevention of HIV infections.

Who benefits first: Young women, pregnant and breastfeeding mothers, and key populations.

Global rollout: Backed by PEPFAR and the Global Fund; up to 2 million people in 10 high-burden countries expected to benefit by 2028.

Mr Robert Kasibante, the National Peasants Party (NPP) presidential candidate, has halted his campaign rallies, citing internal challenges. The rallies, scheduled for Wednesday in Mubende and Kyegegwa districts, were canceled due to unforeseen difficulties within the team.

“Our roadmap was interrupted by internal challenges, which made it impossible to proceed with today’s program in Mubende and Kyegegwa,’ said Muhammad Luswa Luwemba, the party’s chief mobiliser. ‘But we remain committed to the people. Tomorrow, the candidate will be in Kyenjojo and Fort Portal City to continue with the program as planned.’

The sudden disruption has raised questions about the candidate’s organizational strength. Insiders hinted at logistical and coordination issues within Kasibante’s team, including inadequate mobilization structures and resource-related delays. Mubende and Kyegegwa, both politically significant in central and western regions of Uganda, were expected to give Kasibante a platform to connect with first-time voters and sections of the rural electorate.

By skipping the two districts, observers say Kasibante risks losing momentum in regions where early visibility is crucial for new candidates. Despite the setback, the campaign team insists that the trail remains on course.

‘We are moving forward with our timetable,’ Luwemba reassured. ‘The people of Tooro should expect us tomorrow, and we shall be there to listen to their issues and share our vision.’

Mr Robert Kasibante, one of the new entrants in the 2026 presidential race, has positioned himself as a candidate for accountability and inclusive governance.

His campaign promises include combating corruption at all levels, promising that public resources would be effectively used to benefit ordinary Ugandans. He pledged to prioritize farmers as the backbone of Uganda’s economy through improved agricultural support and better livelihoods.

The NPP candidate has also promised to roll out youth empowerment programs to create opportunities for young people and emphasized the need to uplift teachers and healthcare workers by improving their pay and working conditions.

Kasibante argued that his vision for Uganda rests on inclusivity, where ‘no citizen is left behind.’ Under his leadership, he says, the NPP would pursue policies that boost coffee production, reduce inequality, improve public service delivery, and drive growth in rural communities.

Uganda aims to attract at least 10,000 Japanese tourists by June 2027, up from fewer than 1,000 last year, following a renewed marketing push at the Aichi Tourism Expo in Nagoya.

The four-day event, held from September 25 to 28, drew over 115,000 visitors and 1,300 exhibitors from 80 countries.

Uganda’s delegation included officials from the Uganda Tourism Board (UTB), the country’s embassy in Tokyo, Buganda Kingdom, and several tour operators.

Speaking at the Uganda stand, Ambassador to Japan Tophace Kaahwa said the embassy is working with Japanese travel associations to position Uganda as a long-haul destination.

‘Last year, according to the Uganda Bureau of Statistics, Uganda received close to 1,000 tourists from Japan. Our anticipation is to grow these arrivals to 10,000 tourists by June 2027. We are targeting the Japanese middle class with disposable income and appetite for cultural, wildlife and nature-based experiences,’ she explained.

UTB Chief Executive Officer Juliana Kagwa highlighted the importance of consistent market visibility saying: ‘We are grateful to our embassy for championing this showcase. The synergy will greatly enable us to increase visitor numbers to Uganda.’

At the expo, Uganda showcased its coffee, the shoebill stork, mountain gorillas, and cultural heritage.

Omulangira (prince) Joseph Mulondo, representing Buganda Kingdom, urged the use of immersive tools such as virtual and augmented reality to appeal to Japan’s tech-savvy tourism market.

Tour operator Sam Mugisha of Bic Tours highlighted Uganda’s safari and cruise experiences.

‘A combination of the big five safari and the boat cruise experience in Queen Elizabeth and Murchison Falls National Parks under the picturesque sunsets is an unrivalled experience in the whole world. We must promote this to Japanese tourists,’ he said.

Officials said the initiative aligns with Uganda’s Economic and Commercial Diplomacy Strategy, launched last year, which prioritises tourism promotion in overseas markets.

UTB projects that such partnerships will help Uganda achieve its long-term ambition of growing tourism arrivals 25-fold by 2040.

As the countdown to the 2026 General Election intensifies, Uganda’s political landscape is shifting from a battlefield of rallies to the theatre of narratives. The question is no longer just who has the best policies, but who can most effectively articulate them to capture the hearts and minds of the electorate. In the new political arena, I would like us to draw from the unlikely source of the Uganda Law Society presidential election. The surprise victory of the ‘legal rebel’ Isaac Ssemakadde was not a fluke. It was a revelation of precision-targeted strategic communication.

His campaign, built on a defiant, action-oriented mantra of ‘Bang the table!’, did not just promise change; it demonstrated the change. This is an approach that every political party must study for them to be triumphant. Ssemakadde identified a clear market gap: a membership (the electorate) fatigued by the talk and hungry for tangible action. His famous phrase, ‘Bang the table!’ was more than a slogan; it was a strategic positioning statement. It was memorable, actionable, and perfectly encapsulated his brand promise of assertive, uncompromising advocacy. His dress code was one that broke away from the traditional legal attire. His record of public interest litigation provided the credibility that backed his brand up.

As Uganda’s diverse political parties gear up for 2026, applying this strategic lens could be the difference between victory and defeat. The National Resistance Movement (NRM) over the past years has fronted the incumbent, whose strategy has historically been one of stability and continuity, communicated through a vast and structured network, ‘Steady progress.’

The challenge beyond 2026 will move beyond listing past achievements to crafting compelling, forward-looking narratives that resonate with the overwhelming young population. Their communication must strategically address the future opportunities, innovation and stability-making them feel inevitable and secure under the NRM umbrella. ‘Protecting the gains’ is a well thought through slogan to drive the incumbent’s 2026 campaign. The Natonal Unity Platform (NUP), fronting itself as the primary Opposition force, bears a strength in its energetic base and powerful grassroots messaging, ‘Foot Soldier.’

NUP faces a strategic challenge to evolve from a protest movement vote, as depicted in the 2021 General Election to a government in waiting. This transformation requires a disciplined, policy-centric communication strategy that expands its appeal beyond its core supporters. NUP ought to leverage its digital savvy to move from mobilising outrage to inspiring hope with a clear, actionable plan for governance. The Forum for Democratic Cchange, Democratic Party, Peoples Front for Freedom , Alliance for National Transformation, among other parties, are at risk of fading into irrelevance amid the NRM-NUP polarisation. The strategic direction of these parties is to have an established strategic plan to communicate to their niche market.

The 2026 elections will not be won by the party that speaks the loudest but by one that speaks the clearest and most convincing truth to the right people. The party that understands that politics is no longer just about patronage and mobilisation but more about branding, positioning, and strategic communication.

President Yoweri Museveni has called on Ugandans to take charge of their economic destiny by harnessing the potential of the Parish Development Model (PDM) to create wealth and prosperity. The PDM is a poverty alleviation program aimed at transforming the lives of millions of Ugandans and propelling the country towards economic growth.

Addressing a rally in Amolatar District on October 1, 2025, President Museveni emphasised the importance of the PDM in empowering citizens, especially those in rural areas, to break free from poverty and join the money economy.

“So, therefore, what I’m appealing to all of you Ugandans, chase poverty from your home, and do it by doing something that will bring food on your table but also money in your pocket,” he said. “The government has already given you how to start.”

The President highlighted the potential of the PDM, which allocates Shs100 million per parish, to transform the lives of Ugandans.

“This PDM money, one hundred million per parish. In five years, that is five hundred million in one parish. And in the third year, the ones who get first, go back to the circle. The money will never come back to the government. It will remain in your parish,” he explained.

The PDM is a seven-pillar strategy that focuses on production, processing, and marketing, as well as infrastructure and economic services, financial inclusion, social services, mindset change, and governance.

President Museveni urged Ugandans to tap into these pillars to unlock their potential and become active participants in the country’s economic growth.

However, concerns have been raised about the implementation of the PDM, particularly regarding the allocation of funds to vulnerable groups such as persons with disabilities and older persons.

Minister of Gender, Labour and Social Development, Betty Amongi, previously stated that these groups are not consuming all their allocations, with some funds being returned or given to other interest groups.

The President also touched on other issues affecting the region, including the upgrade of the Namasale-Amolatar-Ochero-Dokolo road to bitumen and the ongoing conflict between the fishing community and the Fisheries Protection Unit (FPU).

While acknowledging the promise to upgrade the road, President Museveni did not commit to a timeline for its completion. Regarding the conflict, he said he would consult with leaders in the districts surrounding the water bodies before committing to a solution.

The International Crimes Division (ICD) of the High Court has directed the Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC) to visit Luzira Prison and investigate the conditions under which former Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) commander Jamilu Mukulu is being held.

The order was issued on Wednesday by a panel of four judges as the long-running terrorism trial against Mukulu and 31 others resumed.

When the case was called, defence lawyer Caleb Alaka raised preliminary matters, including an application relating to Mukulu’s detention conditions. He informed the court that Mukulu had previously complained of being denied special food, kept in isolation, and exposed to harsh prison conditions.

The court received a written response from the Uganda Prisons Service, presented by ASP Dennis Arinaitwe, Officer in Charge of Upper Prison. In the response dated October 1, 2025, prison authorities denied allegations of mistreatment, stating that contraband items had been discovered in food brought by visitors, leading to a ban on outside food.

“The prices being high is not true, there are open markets where one can get items at affordable prices,” the response read in part.

The response added that Mukulu declined a self-contained room but was accommodated in a ventilated cell and allowed into the courtyard for exercise. It further stated that he is not kept in isolation but is restricted in line with prison regulations.

Having considered both sides, the judges acknowledged Mukulu’s complaints but stressed that their mandate was to try the criminal charges, not to manage prison facilities. “We have taken cognizance of the complaints and the response,” the panel ruled. “We advise him to use the Uganda Human Rights Commission, which can make relevant recommendations that Uganda Prisons must abide by. As a court of justice, we are here to try the culpability of the accused.”

The panel then issued an order granting UHRC visitation rights to Luzira Prison to assess Mukulu’s detention conditions and prepare a report.

Meanwhile, the prosecution informed the court that 13 of the 38 original accused persons had entered a plea bargain agreement with the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) and were already convicted and sentenced. The defence informed the court that Mukulu and another accused had earlier filed a 2022 application challenging their extradition and the enforcement of their fundamental rights.

The judges adjourned the case to Thursday for parties to agree on facts before the hearing could resume. The case resumes on Thursday, with the parties expected to harmonize agreed facts before trial witnesses are called.

Background

Mukulu, jointly charged with 31 others, faces 20 counts, including terrorism, murder, aggravated robbery, attempted murder, and membership of a terrorist organization. Prosecution alleges that as ADF commander, he issued orders for attacks that left clerics, police officers, and civilians dead in several districts. The group is further accused of robbing firearms, ammunition, money, and property. Prosecution maintains the offenses were carried out with political, economic, and religious aims intended to cause fear among the public and government.