Category: Daily Monitor

For some, it is still yet to sink in that Uganda did not pick up a medal at the recent World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Japan.

There were shortcomings for 3000 metres steeplechase runner Peruth Chemutai, while marathoners Abel Chelangat, Victor Kiplangat and Stephen Kissa in that order as well as Stella Chesang all succumbed to the humidity on the Tokyo streets.

A portion of that medal miss is attributed to Jacob Kiplimo and Joshua Cheptegei’s absence. They both opted for 42km races elsewhere with Kiplimo geared for the Chicago Marathon in the USA next weekend.

‘I decided to withdraw from the World Championship to have more time to concentrate on preparations ahead of the Chicago Marathon,’ Kiplimo stated.

That October 12th race in the State of Illinois will be Kiplimo’s second career marathon. ‘Proud to be there and can’t wait to start in Grand Park,’ he added.

Kiplimo is a prolific runner on the road. In February, he reclaimed the 21km world record (WR) after he won the Barcelona Half-Marathon in Spain with a time of 56 minutes and 42 minutes.

The 24-year-old is the first man to run that distance under 57 minutes. Thereafter, Kiplimo produced the fastest marathon debut by a Ugandan – finishing second behind Kenyan Sabastian Sawe with a time of two hours, three minutes and 37 seconds at the London Marathon in England on April 27.

On the all-time marathon list, Kiplimo ranks joint 46th and of all the fastest 50 men ever, he is the only third individual not to come from Kenya or Ethiopia, simply outstanding.

When race organizers for Chicago set up the men’s field, the Ugandan was entered and race talk is skewed towards a rivalry with defending champion Kenyan John Korir.

Last year, Korir emulated his brother Wesley Korir’s 2012 triumph with a time of 2:02:44. Chicago offers a flat course which is always ideal for fast times as well considering the weather forecast is more accurate closer to the race day.

In 2023, the late Kenyan Kelvin Kiptum lowered the marathon WR to 2:00:35 while winning in Chicago. That became the third time in history that the men’s marathon WR was being set in Chicago.

By pitting Korir against Kiplimo and notwithstanding other entries like Kenyan trio Timothy Kiplagat, Amos Kipruto and CyBrian Kotut as well as Belgian Bashir Abdi all who are faster than the Ugandan, a fast race is expected in Chicago.

And granted Kiplimo is still a novice at the 42km distance, his half-marathon WR title equates to a full marathon time of 1:59:46, a performance under Kiptum’s WR. And it explains why he holds much attention.

While preparing, Korir has hinted at beating that WR by Kiptum and in April, he won the Boston Marathon in Massachusetts, USA.

‘I am confident that I will be able to defend my title at the Chicago Marathon this October,’ Korir said in a statement. ‘My training is going well, and I am focused on achieving another personal best time.’

The five men 2022 Abu Dhabi Marathon champion Kiplagat, 2022 London Marathon winner Kipruto, Kotut, Abdi and Kiplimo have all broken the 2:04:00 mark and that bodes well to push Korir or any under the 2:01:00 mark thereby facing Kiptum’s mark.

CHICAGO MARATHON

Date: 2nd Sunday in October (before Columbus Day)

2025 Date: October 12

Location: Chicago, Illinois, USA

Event type: Road

Distance: 26.219 miles (42.195 km)

Established: 1977 (48 years ago)

Course records – Men: 2:00:35 *WR by (Kelvin Kiptum – 2023) | Ladies: 2:09:56 *WR by Ruth Chepngetich – 2024)

MEN’S WORLD RECORDS IN CHICAGO

Steve Jones in 1984

Khalid Khannouchi in 1999

Kelvin Kiptum in 2023

2025 CHICAGO MARATHON

ELITE MEN’S FIELD

John Korir (KEN) 2:02:44

Timothy Kiplagat (KEN) 2:02:55

Amos Kipruto (KEN) 2:03:13

CyBrian Kotut (KEN) 2:03:22

Bashir Abdi (BEL) 2:03:36

Jacob Kiplimo (UGA) 2:03:37

Philemon Kiplimo (KEN) 2:04:01

Geoffrey Kamworwor (KEN) 2:04:23

Huseydin Mohamed Esa (ETH) 2:04:39

Daniel Ebenyo (KEN) 2:06:04

Galen Rupp (USA) 2:06:07

Hiroto Inoue (JPN) 2:06:14

Zouhair Talbi (MAR) 2:06:39

Conner Mantz (USA) 2:07:47

Matt Richtman (USA) 2:07:56

Rory Linkletter (CAN) 2:08:01

CJ Albertson (USA) 2:08:17

Hideyuki Tanaka (JPN) 2:09:27

Patricio Castillo (MEX) 2:10:40

Ryan Ford (USA) 2:11:08

Marc Scott (GBR) 2:11:19

KIPLIMO AT A GLANCE

Date of birth: November 14, 2000

Major events: 5000m, 10000m, Half-Marathon, Marathon

Coach: Iacorpo Brasi, Peter Chelangat

Personal Bests: 12:40.96 (5000m), 26:33.93 (10000m), 56:42 (21km), 2:03:37 (Marathon)

Manager: Federico Rosa

Management: Rosa Associati

KIPLIMO IN 2025

Apr 27, 2025: London Marathon (2nd, 2:03:37)

Feb 16, 2025: Barcelona Half-Marathon (1st, 56:42)

KIPLIMO IN 2024

Dec 31, 2024: NN San Silvestre 10K (2nd, 26:32)

Nov 17, 2024: NN Zevenheuvelenloop (1st, 40:42)

Sept 15, 2024: Copenhagen Half-Marathon (2nd, 58:09)

Aug 2, 2024: Paris Olympics, 10000m (8th, 26:46.39)

May 30, 2024: Oslo DL, 5000m (3rd, 12:40.96)

May 17, 2024: LA Grand Prix, 5000m (4th, 12:52.91)

Mar 30, 2024: World Cross-country (1st, 28:09)

Feb 10, 2024: National Cross-country (1st, 29:04)

Jan 14, 2024: Valencia 10K Ibercaja (1st, 26:48)

UGANDA’S FASTEST MARATHONERS

BEST TIME BY ATHLETE

2:03:37 by Jacob Kiplimo at London Marathon on Apr 27, 2025

2:04:48 by Stephen Kissa at Hamburg Marathon on Apr 24, 2022

2:05:09 by Victor Kiplangat at Hamburg Marathon on Apr 24, 2022

2:05:12 by Filex Chemongesi at Toronto Marathon on Oct 20, 2019

2:05:59 by Joshua Cheptegei at Tokyo Marathon on Mar 2, 2025

2:06:33 by Stephen Kiprotich at Tokyo Marathon on Feb 22, 2015

As Uganda steps up efforts to promote the Tourism Sector, the government has recognized 2025 tourism champions for their outstanding contribution to the sector.

The champions were recognised through the Tourism Recognition of Excellence Awards during the World Tourism Day celebration in Arua city over the weekend.

These awards honored both national champions, regional innovators across cultural tourism, agro-tourism, wildlife conservation, and investment.

Some of the people that were recognised include, Sudhir Ruparelia, the founder and chairman of the Ruparelia Group was awarded with a golden flamingo trophy, symbolizing his outstanding dedication to the sector.

Ruparelia owned, Speke Resort Convention center (SRCC) was recognised as International Tourism investment of the year.

The others are; Boniface Kadabara, conservationist, monitoring and evaluation specialist who was recognised as local tourism personality of the Year; Lilly Ajarova, the former CEO for Uganda Tourism Board (UTB) Tourism who was recognised as personality of the Year and CTC Conservation Center in Uganda under the leadership of Thomas Benjamin Price received the transformation Tourism project Award.

Buganda Heritage and Tourism Board was also recognised as a cultural experience award among other recognised entities.

The event which brought together government officials, international guests, and communities from across Uganda and neighbouring countries was commemorated under the theme; ‘Tourism and Sustainable Transformation.’

Speaking at the event, the Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja said that Tourism is more than just a luxury but a key economic engine to the country.

‘Globally tourism is contributing around 7 percent of world trade and ranking third among major export categories, tourism has proven resilient, with international arrivals continuing to rise post-pandemic. Uganda, too, has seen significant recovery and growth. In 2024, the country welcomed 1.37 million international visitors, reaching 89.2percent of its pre-pandemic figures, and tourism expenditure surged by 26 percent to Shs 4.8 trillion (approximately USD 1.28 billion),’ Ms Nabbanja said.

She added; ‘This growth presents not only opportunities but also responsibilities, particularly in embracing sustainability and innovation.’

However, she challenged the Tourism Ministry to promote technological innovation, noting that tourism as a central pillar under the National Development Plan (NDP IV) and Vision 2040.

‘The government has laid out an ambitious strategy for a 25-fold increase in tourism earnings over the next decade. This commitment is evident through massive infrastructure investments, including the expansion of Entebbe International Airport, development of Kabale International Airport, upgrades of aerodromes in Arua, Kidepo, Jinja, Kasese, and Kisoro and improvements in road networks,’ Ms Nabbanja said.

She called upon the local communities and the Uganda Wildlife Authority to safeguard this valuable asset and introduce more wildlife species to elevate the reserve’s profile.

Ms Nabbanja highlighted the government’s commitment to offer a favorable investment climate through tax credits and financing for tourism related programs.

In 2024, Ms Nabbanja revealed that the country welcomed 1.37 million international visitors, reaching 89.2 per cent of its pre- Covid pandemic figures, and tourism expenditure surged by 26 per cent to Shs4.8 trillion (approximately $1.28 billion). This growth, she restarted, presents not only opportunities but also responsibilities, particularly in embracing sustainability and innovation.

The Minister of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities Tom Butime, underscored the strategic role Arua city and the entire West Nile sub-region is playing in Uganda’s tourism journey.

However, he recognised the pressing need for infrastructure such as expansion of Arua Airstrip, road improvements, reliable ferry services, calling for accelerated implementation to boost accessibility and competitiveness.

He said that tourism now contributes approximately 5.7 percent to the national GDP and supports over 803,000 jobs.

‘The rise of Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Events (MICE) tourism has also elevated Uganda’s profile on the global stage. As part of the country’s broader ATMS (Agro-industrialization, Tourism Development, Mineral Development, and Science and Technology and Innovation) strategy, tourism is targeted to grow foreign exchange earnings to $50 billion by 2040,’ Mr Butime said.

The Arua Central legislator Jackson Atima called for improved infrastructure such as roads and airfields and reaffirmed the region’s commitment to Uganda’s socio-economic transformation through tourism.

Local artiste Alien Skin, real name Patrick Mulwana, has been arrested and detained at Katwe Police Station over allegations connected to the death of Wilfred Namuwaya, a former member of Fangone Forest.

This follows several days of the singer’s disappearance, with some of his crew members and fans accusing authorities of holding him incommunicado.

His last public appearance was at President Museveni’s nomination party at Kololo Ceremonial Grounds, where he performed and openly declared his allegiance to the ruling NRM.

According to Kampala Metropolitan Police spokesperson Patrick Onyango, the singer handed himself yesterday to the Directorate of Crime Intelligence before being transferred to Katwe Police Station for questioning.

‘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. He is currently at Katwe Police where his statement is being recorded,’ Mr Onyango confirmed.

He added that detectives are also hunting for other associates, including Commander Mdogo (real name withheld), Ibrahim Mukiibi alias Ibra Kabadiya, and Isma Mijagulo, over their alleged role in the fatal assault.

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

Namuwaya was reportedly abducted from Ndeeba by Alien Skin’s associates , and taken to the group’s base in Kizungu, Makindye, where he was brutally beaten. Before his death, Namuwaya allegedly told investigators that the assault was carried out on the direct orders of Alien Skin.

Mr Onyango backed this account. ‘Alien Skin allegedly instructed his team to discipline Namuwaya for leaving Fangone Forest without permission. The group severely assaulted him and later abandoned him in Mpomba Zone. He was rushed to Mulago Hospital by a Good Samaritan, where he was confirmed dead on September 22,’ he said.

A doctor at Ayaan Life Care Medical Centre, where Namuwaya was first taken, told Monitor that the victim had suffered catastrophic injuries.

‘He had severe internal bleeding beyond our capacity,’ the doctor, who requested anonymity, said.

‘We tried to stabilise him before referring him to Mulago, but he was pronounced dead on arrival,’ he added.

The gloves are off, and the battle lines are firmly drawn.

Ugandan football finds itself on the edge of a slippery slope as Vipers president, Lawrence Mulindwa, digs in his heels against Fufa’s controversial new league format.

What once looked like a simmering disagreement has now boiled over into an open war that could drag the local game into a bottomless pit.

Mulindwa, who once presided over Fufa for eight years, has come out swinging, insisting the Venoms will not kick a ball under the federation’s freshly minted three-group league structure.

To him, the so-called reforms are not just ill-timed but a direct attack on clubs’ autonomy, stripping them of hosting rights, benefits, and their place at the heart of the competition.

‘Time and again, we raised pertinent issues,’ Mulindwa thundered in a letter dated October 2, 2025, ‘but to our surprise and dismay, Fufa has never formally responded.

Instead, we have been ridiculed, blackmailed, rebuked, and ostracized for demanding legitimate answers to issues affecting the sporting integrity of the League.’

The flashpoint came when Fufa included Vipers in Saturday’s double-header at Namboole – Kitara vs. Vipers and KCCA vs. SC Villa – despite the club’s loud and clear objections.

‘We find this unethical and disrespectful,’ Mulindwa stated, blasting the move as a total disregard for the struggles of privately owned clubs that have kept Ugandan football afloat.

Like a striker refusing to play offside, Mulindwa refused to be trapped.

While Villa and Nec have bent under pressure, Vipers have stood firm, refusing to be ‘conscripted’ into fixtures without answers.

In his letter-copied to the Minister of Education and Sports, National Council for Sports, UPL officials, sponsors, fans, and stakeholders-he made it clear.

‘Vipers shall not participate in the new format until our concerns are formally addressed. We shall use all available means within football laws to seek redress and protect our rights.’

Fufa, for its part, has dug in its boots, vowing to press on with reforms it claims will bring ‘renewed competition.’

But with fans already staying away in droves – stadiums recording shockingly low turnouts in the first two match days – the stage is set for a bruising showdown.

This is no longer just a league reform debate – it is a full-blown football war.

And as every fan knows, when two elephants fight on the pitch, it is the grass-Ugandan football-that suffers most.

Uganda will take on Malawi in a high-stakes ICC T20 World Cup Africa Qualifier fifth-place playoff semifinal on Thursday at Takashinga Cricket Club, in what has been billed as a grudge match.

The Cricket Cranes, ranked 21st in the world at the start of the tournament but now down to 22nd, have endured a roller-coaster campaign – falling to lower-ranked Tanzania (34) and missing out on the coveted semifinals.

Their quest now is not for a World Cup ticket but for pride, ranking points, and a respectable finish.

Team on the rise

Malawi, ranked 54th, have been the tournament’s surprise package. They stunned Kenya – ranked 33rd – by three runs in the group stages and only missed out on a semifinal berth through Net Run Rate (NRR).

Their gritty performances have cemented their status as a rising force and a serious work in progress in African cricket – thanks to the works done by their cricket boss Vivek Ganesan and departed development guru – Arjun Menon (AJ).

Historical edge

Uganda, however, carry the historical edge. In two previous T20I encounters, the Cranes have won comfortably – by 10 wickets in Kigali (2021) and by 7 wickets in Benoni (2023). They also thrashed Malawi by 7 wickets in last week’s warm-up fixture.

But past dominance will count for little today against a side buzzing with confidence.

Assistant coach Jackson Ogwang admitted Uganda had put themselves in an unwanted position.

‘We needed that win yesterday against Botswana after the setback against Tanzania. The only way to fight back is to win the remaining two games. Our problem has been inconsistency – we can’t fire in one match and collapse in the next. If we play with consistency, we’ll win cricket games,’ said Ogwang.

Aim to finish strong

Captain Riazat Ali Shah has urged the team to keep the focus sharp.

‘It was good to see boys show character and get two points yesterday. We’ve given opportunities to everyone and hopefully we will unleash youngster Innocent Mwebaze, who is our future paceman. It hurts that we are out of the tournament, but we must move on and finish strongly,’ said the affable Shah.

With pride and rankings on the line, Uganda must blend discipline with aggression to tame Malawi’s fearless approach. A slip-up could prove costly in the long-term world standings.

ICC T20 WORLD CUP AFRICA QUALIFIER

Wednesday – 5th place playoff semifinals

Nigeria vs. Botswana, 10.30pm – Takashinga

Uganda vs. Malawi – 2.50pm – Takashinga

Main Semifinals

Namibia vs. Tanzania – 10.30am – Harare SC

Zimbabwe vs. Kenya – 2.50pm – Harare SC

Head-to-Head (T20Is):

2021, Kigali: Uganda beat Malawi by 10 wickets

2023, Benoni: Uganda beat Malawi by 7 wickets

2025 Warm-up, Harare: Uganda beat Malawi by 7 wickets (non-ranking)

The government is seeking a new law that will require all journalists to obtain official certificates and be registered to work.

The State Minister for ICT and National Guidance, Mr Godfrey Kabyanga, said the proposed press and journalism law will make it compulsory for all journalists to register with a regulatory body before they can be allowed to practice.

He explained that the goal of the proposed law is to bring order to the media industry and remove unqualified people who call themselves journalists without proper training.

Right now, the law already says journalists should register with the Media Council, but very few have done so. Mr Kabyanga warned that the new law will make it a must to have a license to work as a journalist in Uganda. ‘The government wants to replace the current media law. This new law will set up a regulatory body to oversee and guide journalism,’ he said.

Speaking to media owners, journalists, security officials, and members of the Uganda Communications Commission at Bomah Hotel in Gulu City on September 26, Mr Kabyanga said journalism, like other professions such as medicine and engineering, needs to be regulated.

He compared it to a recent move to create a body that oversees human resource officers. ‘Right now, anyone can wake up and say they’re a journalist. That needs to change,’ he added.

Despite Uganda having 280 radio stations and 31 TV stations, fewer than 500 journalists are officially accredited. The Nwoya Resident District Commissioner, Mr Christopher Omara, also raised concerns, saying many media houses are hiring people without the right qualifications.

He accused some of these unqualified reporters, especially at private radio stations, of spreading false or misleading information.

‘Many of these so-called journalists don’t understand the issues they report on. That’s why the quality of journalism is so poor. Media houses need to hire skilled and competent people if they want to improve,’ Mr Omara said.

Tooro Kingdom has launched a youth economic empowerment program in partnership with the Ugandan government, targeting agriculture, entrepreneurship, and skills development for thousands of young people across the kingdom.

The initiative follows President Museveni’s pledge on September 16 to collaborate with Tooro in agriculture, education, sports and tourism, as part of support for the kingdom’s 25-year Development Plan.

‘During our discussion, we explored the Kingdom’s framework and expressed our commitment to supporting it. We also agreed to collaborate in the areas of agriculture, education, sports, and tourism,’ Museveni posted on X.

Tooro King (Omukama) Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV has in recent addresses underlined that the long-term development plan provides the kingdom with strategic direction, identifying agriculture as a cornerstone.

Demonstration farms are being set up to train youth and farmers in modern practices.

Tooro Prime Minister Calvin Armstrong Akiiki said the launch fulfilled Museveni’s pledge made during two meetings with the monarch.

He noted that resources were already being mobilized to ensure the program’s implementation.

‘The first initial batch of the seedlings is going to be purchased by the government, and 90 percent of the gardens have been supported by the government, with the promise of giving 100 percent support,’ Armstrong said.

He added: ‘We thank the president because when we met him in October, he specifically pointed at this project, which we had introduced to him in May. He said in October, it would start by giving us this funding.’

The program will cover all nine counties of Tooro Kingdom, with plans to distribute 3 million coffee seedlings, 2 million cocoa seedlings, and 3 million chickens.

At least 50,000 young people are expected to directly benefit from agriculture support.

Extension workers will guide the selection process for beneficiaries, who will receive seedlings and support to establish gardens within a month.

‘We are distributing coffee seedlings across Tooro Kingdom to encourage youth to actively participate in farming. This program is about providing livelihoods and equipping young people with entrepreneurship skills,’ Armstrong added.

The initiative will roll out in two phases, beginning with distribution of seedlings before establishing nurseries, mother gardens and demonstration farms to guarantee sustainability.

Officials expect the program to boost household incomes for youth-led families and link Tooro’s young people with national wealth creation initiatives such as the Parish Development Model and Operation Wealth Creation.

The launch comes ahead of King Oyo’s tour of the kingdom’s nine counties starting October 6, where he is expected to popularize the program.

At least 25 Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) are lined up for signing at the third Uganda-Russia Intergovernmental Commission on Economic, Scientific and Technical Cooperation and Business Conference due in Kampala from October 7 to 8.

Uganda’s ambassador to Russia, Moses Kizige, said more than 23 MoUs have been processed, noting that while not all will be signed next week, some will be referred for further consideration.

‘Some of the MoUs pending include a draft agreement on bilateral military and technical cooperation; and mutual protection of classified information, among others,’ Kizige revealed at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs headquarters in Kampala on October 1.

He added: ‘Those that have been cleared and are ready include a draft agreement on computer attacks and response to computer incidents, and mutual recognition of academic qualification, among others.’

Vladlen Semivolos, Russia’s ambassador to Uganda, said the Russian side of the Commission will be headed by Bella Cherkesova, the deputy minister of digital development, communications and mass media, while Uganda’s Foreign Affairs state minister Henry Okello Oryem will lead the Kampala delegation.

‘Russia and Uganda actively cooperated on the preparation of a number of bilateral agreements, including; MoU on cooperation in the field of agriculture, among others, and are hopeful that some of them will be signed on the margins of the upcoming summit,’ said Semivolos.

Adding: In particular, there is interest to establish in Uganda an electric cable-producing plant, as well as to organise, on the basis of its facilities in Russia, the professional training courses for Ugandans with basic knowledge of the Russian language, legislation, and history of the Russian Federation.’

He further stated that his country had been informed about the interest in supplying bulldozers, pipe layers, excavators, and loaders for projects in the field of extraction of minerals, constructing gas and oil pipelines, roads, bridges, dams, buildings and structures.

‘There are also plans of East African Motor Supplies Limited and Auto Tune and Engineering Limited to establish the large-scale assembly of Urai vehicles in Uganda to meet the needs of East African Community (EAC) member states.’

Semivolos said holding the session in Kampala underscores the particular importance both countries attach to the development of their cooperation in trade, economic investment and other areas, sanctions on Moscow notwithstanding.

‘Russia is the most sanctioned country in the world. the sanctions were imposed by a small group of countries who consider themselves as rulers of the world,’ said Semivolos, noting that to-date, ‘at least 30,000 sanctions’ have been slapped on his country.

Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the US and EU have rolled out sweeping sanctions, including a July price cap on Russian oil, to weaken Moscow’s war effort.

The bloc has also banned 22 more Russian banks and over 100 non-EU shipping vessels that comprise a part of Russia’s ‘shadow fleet’, tankers that operate outside of standard international maritime regulations.

Background

The upcoming summit builds on an agreement signed by both countries on May 19, 2015, in Kampala, and a second commission held in Moscow on May 23, 2018.

Uganda has since pressed for a third session, an issue raised with President Museveni during his July 26, 2022, meeting at State House Entebbe with then Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.

Museveni directed that Uganda host the third session in the last quarter of 2024, but financial constraints stalled the plan.

The Electricity Regulatory Authority (ERA) has launched a nationwide inspection of electricity infrastructure, with officials recently visiting the Entebbe substation as part of the exercise.

The inspections aim to assess the viability and challenges faced by Uganda Electricity Distribution Company Limited (UEDCL), which took over operations from Umeme.

According to Julius Wandera, ERA’s Director of Consumer Affairs, the inspections will help understand UEDCL’s operational challenges on the ground.

“We are doing this to try to understand the extent to which our colleagues at UEDCL have moved from the time they took over the network not from a desk report point of view, but from a field point of view,” he explained.

Wandera noted that there were “teething problems” when UEDCL took over, partly because Umeme had reduced maintenance for about four months before the transition in April. “We expect that they should be handling the remedial challenges if there are any,” he added.

During the visit to Entebbe substation, Wandera observed that the substation has an unused capacity of 80 MVA, positioning it to accommodate additional electrical load in the areas it serves.

“This substation here has got the capacity to feed the areas it’s supposed to and it retains a capacity of 80 MVA to be precise right now. That means that it is not consumed totally at all,” he said.

He added that the available capacity implies the substation can support more infrastructure development and added load without strain. “So we can still add on load. We can have more infrastructure coming on board and the load is added and the substation will still handle it,” he noted.

Eng Judith Sengendo Nayiga, ERA’s Director of Technical Regulation, highlighted efforts toward smarter grids and systems for real-time monitoring and feedback.

“Through having systems that are intelligent, we’ll be able to get to where we want,” she said, noting progression from Umeme’s established base.

The ERA officials urged the public to report issues and refrain from celebrating network vandalism.

“Do not celebrate a vandal,” Wandera stressed, emphasizing citizens’ responsibility to curb such acts causing outages. Teams are distributed across Uganda, covering Kampala, West, East, and North, to ensure a comprehensive assessment of electricity infrastructure.

Police in western Uganda have launched a manhunt for a 25-year-old man accused of killing his father and grandmother inside their home on Monday night.

The incident occurred in Bulenge Zone, Kakuba Ward, Katooke Town Council, Kyenjojo District, according to Rwenzori West Police spokesperson SP Vincent Twesige.

Police identified the suspect as Allan Bainomugisha, who fled after the alleged killings. The victims were his grandmother, Molly Teo Tumusiime, 71, and his father, Dragon Bruce, 50.

A police report released Tuesday said Bainomugisha entered his grandmother’s house, where she lived with Bruce, and hid in the ceiling earlier in the evening while the two were at a nearby trading centre.

A granddaughter, only identified as Praise, told police she saw him but did not report it. She later heard Bruce praying at about 10:30 p.m., the last time she heard his voice.

‘After some hours, Praise heard Bruce crying out for help. Shortly after, Teo asked what had happened to him, but she received no reply. She then called her grandson, Muhumuza, to bring her a torch. As she moved to open the sitting room door, the suspect grabbed her,’ the report said.

It added: ‘The suspect then attacked her with a machete, cutting her several times. Muhumuza, who is 12, ran outside to alert his uncle, Ruhamire Joel, who lives nearby.’

Ruhamire told police that when he responded, he found the suspect still in the house. The man threatened to kill him too before fleeing. Ruhamire then reported the incident to Katooke Police Station.

Police officers who visited the scene recovered witness statements, collected blood samples, and conducted postmortems.

‘Tumusiime’s body was found in the doorway between her bedroom and the sitting room, lying in a pool of blood with deep cuts on her neck, right arm, ribs, and back. Dragon Bruce’s body was found lying on his back in his bedroom next to the sitting room. He had multiple injuries, including cuts on his chest, left ear, ribs, and a severe wound on his right thumb,’ police indicated.

Speaking to Monitor, Ruhamire said the killings may have been linked to a land dispute.

‘Shortly after Tumusiime gave land to her son, Bainomugisha came to his father saying he wanted to build a house there. When his father refused, Bainomugisha went ahead and brought construction materials despite the rejection. We suspect this disagreement could have been the cause of the murders,’ Ruhamire said.

He added that the children had earlier seen the suspect hide in the ceiling but did not question him since he often ate and stayed with them.

Police said investigations were ongoing and the hunt for Bainomugisha was underway.

Murders and road crashes claim about 25 lives in Uganda everyday, according to a 2024 annual police crime repoort.