Category: Daily Monitor

Security agencies in Ibanda District have launched a manhunt for a man accused of killing two women, including his wife, in a suspected domestic violence incident that has shocked residents.

The suspect, a resident of Kyarufubangi Cell in Kanyansheko Ward, Ibanda Municipality, allegedly murdered his wife, Phionah Nsimenta, and a neighbour, Oliver Nalugo, in the early hours of Monday before fleeing.

Ms Monica Nshemereirwe, a sister to Nsimenta, said she received a disturbing phone call from the suspect shortly before dawn.

‘I received a phone call from him telling me that my in-law would come and check on your sister because I have killed her. He told me to come and pick her body before it rotted in the house. It was around 5:30am,’ Ms Nshemereirwe said.

When family members arrived in the area, residents first directed them to a body lying by the roadside, which turned out to be Nalugo.

Ms Nshemereirwe said they then proceeded to her sister’s home, where they found the house locked.

‘We waited for police, who came and broke the door. Her body was found lying in a pool of blood, while her two young children were sleeping nearby. They had no idea what had happened,’ she said.

Residents who spoke t Monitor said the couple had a history of domestic disputes.

Ms Mackline Kyomukama, a resident, said local leaders had repeatedly intervened to reconcile the pair.

‘They often fought and leaders would always intervene. We never imagined the misunderstandings would end this way,’ she said.

Another resident, Ms Hilda Tushabomwe, said fear and insecurity were growing in the community.

‘There is a lot of fear in our area. These days you cannot move around after 9pm because of criminals. Domestic conflicts are also increasing,’ she said.

Mr Emmanuel Tumusiimwe, the husband of Nalugo, said he learnt of the attack through his daughter, who had been with her mother at the time.

‘My daughter told me that Posiano had attacked them, but she managed to run away. We did not know whether her mother had survived until we found her lying in a pool of blood,’ he said.

Mr Robert Tumusiime of the Internal Security Organisation (ISO) in Ibanda appealed to residents to provide information that could lead to the suspect’s arrest but cautioned against mob justice.

‘We ask members of the public to cooperate with security agencies and share any information that may help us track down the suspect. However, they should not take the law into their own hands,’ he said.

Ibanda Deputy Resident District Commissioner Mr Godfrey Guma Nabireba confirmed the killings and said investigations had commenced.

‘We have started investigations into the incident and hope the public will cooperate with us. We shall apprehend him because he is still making phone calls to people, and we are following up those leads,’ Mr Nabireba remarked.

The killings come amid continued concern over violent crime and domestic-related deaths in Uganda. According to the annual police crime report, 9,651 people were killed in homicide cases and traffic incidents in 2025, down slightly from 9,749 deaths recorded in 2024.

If all goes to plan, President Museveni will grace the inaugural Olympic Day Tooke Run this Saturday, June 20, in the western district of Bushenyi, the organisers have announced.

The run precedes the World Olympic Day, which is celebrated globally on June 23 to commemorate the founding of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the revival of the modern Olympic Games in 1894.

Under the theme ‘Move, Learn and Discover for Nutrition Care,’ is organised by the Presidential Initiative on Banana Industrial Development (PIBID), Banana Industrial Research and Development Centre in conjunction with the Uganda Olympic Committee the run will have participants in the 5km, 10km, 21km chasing a share of the juicy prize money of Shs120m.

The Tooke products are a brainchild of Rev Prof Florence Isabirye Muranga, who rewrote nutritional history by adding value to matooke, a staple that was only consumed in its conventional way, boiled or steamed. Her company embarked on more durable, versatile forms of matooke: crisps, biscuits, bread and floor.

‘At school, they taught us that matooke is 75 percent water. But Prof Muranga changed that by making these wonderful products, and more are coming,’ said Tooke ambassador Henry Mugisha during an aerobics workout at Golola Talent Academy in Kawempe-Lugoba.

‘I equally thank President Museveni, the patron of the PIBID and our Prof Muranga. Without her initiative, I wouldn’t have come all the way from Rukiga to be the ambassador of these products.’

‘So, the run is on this Saturday, and His Excellency the President will be the guest of honour, and we are all ready,’ Mugisha announced. ‘To all of you who are my size (he is really massive), look for Golola; he will put you in shape for the run.’

Renowned kickboxer Moses Golola is also gearing up for the run. ‘Ladies and gentlemen, I’m in the final touches of my preparations for the Tooke Run down there in Bushenyi on Saturday,’ said the fighter famous for his comic antics.

‘I’m empowered by the amazing and nutritious products of Tooke: the crisps and biscuits are yummy, the bread very marvellous, and the porridge, oh my God. Golola loves porridge but Tooke porridge is wonderful. Give me some more,’ Golola said, sipping on a jar of porridge.

BRIEFLY

What: Olympic Day Tooke Run

When: Saturday, June 20, 2026

Categories: 5km, 10km, 21km

Kit fees: Shs35,000

Venue: Bushenyi District

Start Time: 6am

Prize money: Shs120m

Theme: ‘Move, Learn and Discover for Nutrition-Care’

At least 12 fishermen have drowned while fishing around the Karuma Hydropower Plant in the past two years, local leaders have said.

The fatalities have occurred among fishing communities operating upstream and downstream of the dam in Karuma Town Council, Kiryandongo District, and neighbouring Kamdini Sub-county in Oyam District. According to Mr Patrick Ojok, the deputy chairperson of Kamdini Sub-county, five of the victims’ bodies were never recovered after their canoes capsized or were swept away by strong currents. He attributed the accidents to a combination of bad weather, strong currents and risky fishing practices, including venturing too close to the dam’s spillway gates.

‘We continuously advise fishermen to leave the water during bad weather and to avoid fishing near the dam gates because the risks are enormous. Unfortunately, some ignore the warnings and end up in accidents. The situation has been worsened by a lack of protective gear,’ he said. Mr Ojok spoke during the distribution of life jackets to more than 80 fishermen by Uganda Electricity Generation Company Limited (UEGCL), the operator of the Karuma Hydropower Plant. The life jackets were handed over last Thursday in an initiative aimed at reducing drowning incidents and improving safety among fishing communities around the dam. Local leaders welcomed the intervention, saying it could significantly reduce fatalities on the river.

‘Now that they have received these life-saving jackets, we expect a reduction in accidents and deaths because fishermen will be better protected while carrying out their work,’ Mr Ojok added. Although fishermen are required to operate at least 250 metres away from the spillway gates, local authorities say some venture as close as 150 metres in search of fish, exposing themselves to dangerous currents. The waters around the hydropower facility are known to attract large numbers of fish due to the abundance of plankton and other aquatic organisms. However, experts warn that fishing near a dam is hazardous because water flows can change suddenly depending on electricity generation demands.

Challenges

Mr Bonny Arwata, a fisherman from Dicwinyi Village, said the lack of safety gear had made rescue and recovery efforts difficult whenever accidents occurred.

‘When someone drowns, tracing the body is very difficult because of the speed of the water. Even when a body is washed ashore, it can be hard to locate,’ he said. He expressed optimism that the life jackets would improve safety and increase chances of survival in the event of an accident. Another fisherman, Mr Tonny Obang, said drowning incidents had become common among colleagues who ignored safety guidelines or were caught in rough waters.

‘Every year we lose fellow fishermen. Some move close to the spill gates and get swept away, while others drown when high tides overturn their canoes,’ he said. Mr Enock Kusasira, the UEGCL corporate affairs manager, said the company sought to promote safer fishing practices among communities living around the hydropower facility. ‘We are trying to make fishing safer because local authorities have informed us that several people lose their lives here every year while engaging in unsafe fishing practices,’ he said.

Mr Kusasira said the company shares the River Nile with communities that depend on it for fishing and therefore has a responsibility to support initiatives that enhance both safety and livelihoods. ‘We want every fisherman operating upstream or downstream of the dam to have a life jacket and work safely,’ he said. He also urged fishermen to obey warning sirens, strobe lights and instructions from dam security personnel, especially when spillway gates are about to be opened.

Residents of Central Zone in Lwengo Town Council have welcomed the restoration of electricity after spending nearly three months without power following the breakdown of a transformer.

The power outage had disrupted businesses, government operations and household activities, prompting residents to petition authorities and demand urgent intervention from the Uganda Electricity Distribution Company Limited (UEDCL).

Earlier this month, residents had threatened to pull down electricity poles if UEDCL failed to replace the faulty transformer, saying the prolonged blackout had caused financial losses and increased insecurity in the area.

The outage affected several key government institutions, including the National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA), police, courts, Lwengo District headquarters and the Resident District Commissioner’s (RDC) office.

Residents told this reporter that businesses had suffered as traders relying on electricity were unable to operate, while darkness at night created opportunities for criminals.

Following the complaints, Lwengo District Chairperson Abasi Kizito issued UEDCL a one-week ultimatum to restore power, warning that he would lead residents in protests if the company failed to act.

UEDCL later responded by installing a new transformer, restoring electricity supply to the affected area.

Residents expressed appreciation to journalists who highlighted their concerns and helped draw attention to their plight.

However, they raised concerns about the capacity of the newly installed transformer, saying it appears similar in size to the one that broke down and may not adequately serve the growing demand in the area.

They appealed to UEDCL to consider installing a bigger transformer to prevent another prolonged blackout.

The Deputy Resident District Commissioner (RDC) of Lwengo, Bonny Venture Rwatangabo, confirmed that “normal activities had resumed following the restoration of power.”

He thanked the government for responding to residents’ concerns and addressing the disruption.

Weighing scales are quietly disappearing from markets across Mbale and other parts of Uganda as traders increasingly sell food in small, affordable ‘heaps’, reflecting changing household budgets under cost-of-living pressure.

Economists say the trend signals a shift in consumer behaviour driven by shrinking disposable incomes, even as official inflation figures remain relatively moderate.

Instead of buying in kilograms or bulk quantities, customers now commonly request food worth Shs1,000, Shs2,000 or Shs5,000, forcing traders to break produce into informal portions that match what buyers can afford.

At Mbale Central Market, vendors say the practice has become the new normal.

Ms Grace Nandawula, a 70-year-old tomato and potato trader, arranges her produce each morning into small piles laid directly on sacks.

‘Customers no longer ask for a kilogram; they look at the heap and ask the price,’ she said, adding: ‘They come with small money and say, ‘Give me for Shs1,000 or Shs2,000.’ If I insist on kilograms, they will walk away.’

She said the shift has helped traders keep sales moving despite rising wholesale prices.

‘Sometimes you may think you are losing, but at least you sell something. If you insist on large quantities, you will be left with goods that rot,’ she said on Monday.

Other traders report similar adjustments. Mr Isaac Wanyama, an onion seller, said even wholesale costs have pushed traders to rethink how they sell.

‘Before, a customer could buy half a kilogram or even a full sack. Now most people just pick small heaps,’ he said, adding: ‘If you don’t adjust, you go home with unsold stock.’

For consumers, the system is both a relief and a limitation.

Ms Sharon Nakiwala, a mother of three, said she now buys food for single meals rather than weekly supplies.

‘Everything is expensive, so I just take what I can cook for that day,’ she said.

Mr Daniel Okello, a father of five, said heap buying allows him to control daily spending.

‘With heaps, I can enter the market with Shs2,000 and still find something to take home,’ he said.

However, he noted inconsistencies in the system.

‘Sometimes you don’t know if the heap you are given is the same size as yesterday. It depends on the seller,’ he said.

Economic stress

Uganda Bureau of Statistics data shows inflation has remained around 3-4 percent in recent months, with food inflation relatively lower.

However, economists say such figures do not fully reflect pressures in informal markets where prices fluctuate frequently.

Dr Patrick Byaruhanga, a retired economist at the Islamic University in Uganda, said the shift reflects economic stress at household level.

‘What we are seeing is a shift in consumption behaviour. When incomes are constrained and prices rise, people move from bulk purchasing to micro-purchasing,’ he said.

He said while the system helps markets function, it reduces standardisation and makes price comparisons difficult.

The Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) has acknowledged that informal practices such as heap selling are widespread, especially for fresh produce.

Mr Abubaker Bakulumpagi, Principal Certification Officer and Head of the MSME Division at UNBS, said the bureau is focusing on awareness rather than enforcement alone.

‘We recognise that many small traders operate in informal systems where standard measurements are not always used,’ he said.

He added that UNBS is working with district commercial officers to improve trader education on standards and measurement practices.

Mbale District Commercial Officer Ms Irene Buteme said officers are being trained to engage traders directly in markets.

‘We are now being equipped to go beyond office work and reach them directly in markets and trading centres,’ she said.

Mr Abubakar Musosi, Chairperson of Mbale Central Market, said heap selling has become widespread but needs clearer guidance.

‘We are not saying heap selling should stop, but authorities should help traders balance affordability with fairness,’ he said.

As Uganda’s markets continue to adapt, traders say the disappearance of weighing scales reflects a deeper economic reality: survival now depends on flexibility, not standard measures.

Uganda’s tourism and hospitality industry is experiencing remarkable growth, but beneath the success story lies a persistent challenge of a shortage of skilled personnel caused by the migration of trained workers to better-paying jobs abroad, particularly in the Middle East before the conflicts broke out.

While the number of students enrolling at the Uganda Hotel and Tourism Training Institute (UHTTI) has more than tripled in recent years, many graduates leave the country shortly after completing their studies, creating a continuous demand for fresh talent in hotels, restaurants, tour companies, and other tourism establishments.

The trend highlights both the success of Uganda’s tourism training programmes and the growing global demand for skilled hospitality professionals, amidst a low budget.

Uganda’s tourism workforce

The Uganda Hotel and Tourism Training Institute (College), a government-owned institution, was established to develop human capital for the hospitality and tourism sector. Its mandate includes training industry professionals, conducting research, and promoting sustainable tourism practices that enhance Uganda’s competitiveness as a tourism destination.

Training remains a critical pillar of tourism development because the industry is people-centered. From hotel managers and chefs to tour guides and customer service personnel, the quality of visitor experiences depends heavily on the competence and professionalism of those delivering the services.

Well-trained employees not only improve customer satisfaction but also help businesses adopt new technologies, embrace sustainable practices, and respond to evolving global tourism trends.

Investment in tourism education also creates skilled employment opportunities that allow communities to benefit directly from tourism revenues.

Ms Caroline Gwiina, quality assurance manager at UHTTI, says student enrolment has increased significantly following the institution’s recent upgrade.

‘Our impact has been tremendous,’ she says. ‘Enrolment increased from about 600 students in 2024 to 1,500 currently.’

The Institute has also expanded its outreach programmes, training more than 500 refugee apprentices, 150 unemployed graduates under the Tourism Workforce Advancement (TWA) Programme, and 250 vulnerable youth from Jinja and Kamuli districts.

With support from the World Bank, UHTTI plans to train an additional 250 students beginning in June 2026. The institution has also conducted food hygiene, food safety, and food preparation training for more than 100 informal-sector vendors in Hoima, Kasese, and Arua.

‘Our mandate is human capital development for the tourism and hospitality sector through skills training and research,’ Gwiina explains.

‘We contribute to the fourth National Development Plan and the government’s ten-fold growth strategy by improving service delivery and increasing visitor expenditure and length of stay.’

The growing demand for trained hospitality workers is reflected in graduate employment outcomes.

Ms Gwiina says 70 percent of graduates secure employment within the first few months after graduation, while nearly 80 percent earn a decent income soon after entering the workforce.

Ms Gwiina says the Institute currently offers more than 20 short courses, three diploma programmes, and four certificate programmes through conventional, apprenticeship, and short-course training models. It employs 123 staff members and has produced more than 5,000 alumni over the years. However, many of these graduates are no longer working in Uganda.

The Middle East factor

UHTTI principal Richard Kawere says the migration of hospitality workers to countries such as the United Arab Emirates has become one of the sector’s defining challenges.

‘During training, we place students in Ugandan hotels for industrial training, and many of them are absorbed after completing their courses,’ Kawere says. ‘But after some time, they leave to work in the UAE and other destinations where salaries are significantly higher.’

While overseas employment opportunities benefit individual workers through higher earnings and international exposure, they create staffing gaps within Uganda’s hospitality industry.

‘After six months, some hotels come back to us requesting more chefs and trained personnel because the staff they hired have moved abroad,’ he explains.

The challenge is compounded by rapid industry growth. A manpower survey conducted by the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) projected that Uganda’s tourism and hospitality sector would require approximately 15,000 additional workers to fill emerging jobs.

Mr Kawere believes the sector’s expansion presents both opportunities and responsibilities. ‘One of the challenges affecting service quality is that some business owners have a limited understanding of hospitality management,’ he says. ‘They are successful business people, but they need additional capacity building in hospitality to meet international standards.’

Tourism’s growing contribution

Despite workforce challenges, tourism remains one of Uganda’s fastest-growing economic sectors.

Mr Kawere notes that tourism was assigned one of the highest growth targets under the government’s Ten-fold growth strategy because of its strong economic returns.

‘The tourism sector was given a 25 percent growth target because studies showed that every dollar invested generates significant returns,’ he says.

Across the country, new hotels, restaurants, coffee shops, and tour companies are emerging, reflecting growing investor confidence in the sector.

‘Everywhere you go, there is a new tourism-related business opening,’ Mr Kawere says. ‘The industry is projected to more than double over the next decade.’

World Bank’s heavy lifting

A major contributor to this growth has been investment in tourism infrastructure, much of it financed through World Bank-supported programmes.

The Competitiveness and Enterprise Development Project (CEDP), funded through International Development Association (IDA) credits, has provided substantial support to Uganda’s tourism sector. The project aims to increase private-sector investment in tourism while strengthening the country’s land administration system.

The Competitiveness and Enterprise Development Project (CEDP) $200 million) approved on May 9, 2013, and effective on June 6, 2014, closed in November 2024.

At UHTTI the administrators say World Bank funding has transformed both training and accommodation facilities.

‘The World Bank has done the heavy lifting of our infrastructure burden,’ Mr Kawere says.

The investments include the expansion and reconstruction of the Institute’s training hotel from 52 to 82 rooms, including a presidential suite, as well as the construction of a modern administration block, lecture rooms, a multipurpose hall, and state-of-the-art training kitchens.

Mr Kawere says Shs35 billion was invested in the Crested Crane Hotel project, while Shs22 billion supported UHTTI infrastructure development and an additional Shs6 billion financed furniture, fixtures, and equipment all contributed by the World Bank. All facilities have been completed and are awaiting official commissioning.

A peak into the future

Mr Kawere says: ‘We have a five-year strategy. When we put all these things together, including government support, we have been negotiating for a slightly fair share of the budget, especially to put in place some of the things that are missing.’

Mr Kawere further stated: ‘Another important aspect is the continuous development of our students’ attitudes and professionalism as they transition into industry. If we are to continue strengthening and growing the institution’s reputation, we expect our graduates to uphold high standards of conduct, professionalism, and excellence in their workplaces and communities.’

The impact of tourism-sector investments extends beyond hospitality training.

At the Uganda Wildlife Education Centre (UWEC), World Bank support has facilitated major infrastructure upgrades that have improved both wildlife conservation and visitor experiences.

Dr Rachael Mbabazi, Assistant Commissioner at UWEC, says the investments have transformed operations.

‘The funding enabled us to expand our hospital, improve roads, upgrade offices, and construct new animal facilities,’ she says. ‘These developments have improved animal welfare, visitor safety, and the overall experience for guests.’

Among the achievements is the upgrade of Uganda’s only National Wildlife Hospital and Quarantine Facility, which features modern laboratories, a pharmacy, a surgical theatre, and a biobank, making it one of the most advanced wildlife healthcare facilities in the region.

The improvements have attracted more visitors. Annual visitation increased from 320,804 visitors in 2019/20 to 660,452 visitors in 2023/24.

Revenue has also risen sharply, with non-tax collections growing from Shs3.2 billion in 2018/19 to Shs6.7 billion in the 2024/25 financial year.

What started as a group of fans organising birthday celebrations, and community rallies in the name of Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, has in less than five years morphed into the most influential political group, spreading its tentacles into all arms of government.

In the latest development, Gen Muhoozi yesterday announced changes to the leadership of the Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU), drafting in senior government officials, including Speaker of Parliament Jacob Oboth and Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa to the Central Committee of PLU as special envoys to Parliament. The two are the leaders of the Legislature, the third arm of government responsible for oversight, appropriation and making laws.

‘Thank you Chairman for the trust…We are going to work hard and ensure the vision of our leader is fully realised,’ Tayebwa responded to the appointment.

Muhoozi also appointed members of the Executive, mostly ministers, to serve in his group, whose leadership structure mirrors that of the National Resistance Movement. The Minister for Defense and Veteran Affairs, Mr Kiryowa Kiwanuka, was appointed as vice chairperson for Buganda. The Minister for Agriculture, Frank Tumwebaze, and his Trade counterpart Sanjay Tanna, were also appointed to the Central Committee. Other members of the Executive that profess allegiance to PLU are government Chief Whip Dr Jane Ruth Aceng and Local Government minister Balaam Barugahara.

The move comes nearly three weeks after President Museveni announced his Cabinet for the 2026-2031 term, from which Muhoozi tapped key leaders. Analysts say the move is a consolidation of power by Gen Muhoozi, who is the Chief of Defense Forces (CDF) and the President’s son. Mr Wandera Ogalo, a constitutional lawyer, argued the leaders of Parliament should have declined the appointments. ‘Both the Speaker and Deputy Speaker are lawyers.

They know it’s unconstitutional for the CDF to constitute anything to do with politics. Not just the Constitution, but the Political Parties and Organizations Act…So these two leaders know it is unlawful for them to be part of that group,’ he said. Mr Ogalo added that while the group maintains it is a pressure group, it in practice bears the hallmarks of a political organisation.

‘We have seen them sponsoring people to stand for office. They even say they have ministers for them in the Cabinet. They even say they have MPs. It is a political organisation. We should stop pretending it is a pressure group. It has not just found the courage to register itself because it wants to ride on the back of National Resistance Movement (NRM),’ he said.

‘It is a test to see what type of Speaker and Deputy Speaker we have. I would expect them to immediately inform the CDF that no, it is not possible for them to belong to this so-called pressure group,’ Mr Ogalo added. The game plan In social media posts that followed leadership changes announcements, Gen Muhoozi emphasised PLU remains faithful to the NRM, and the current government.

‘Our task as PLU is to achieve Mzee’s target of a 500 billion dollar GDP by 2031! I will supervise ALL government departments to achieve that goal,’ he posted on his X handle. Muhoozi explained that his actions have the blessing of the President.

‘Ugandans are beginning to believe that there is method to the madness. In fact the so-called ‘madness’ was probably deception all along. Something Mzee told me to act out 10 years ago,’ he tweeted.

But Ogalo said this is a consolidation of succession plans that have been in the works for decades. ‘The President decided to begin the process of a transition. But he has not been fair to the country. It is manipulative. The transition, is there already’ he said. ‘We have a parallel government which is now seated in the CDF offices…. And the CDFC himself, by the way, has already said on Twitter [X] that he’s going to manage all these ministries. He’s forming a parallel government within, but it will be giving orders and managing from headquarters, while you have another Cabinet in the President’s office pretending to be managing the affairs of the country,’ he added.

The PLU, formerly the MK Movement, started in 2022, nine years after former intelligence Chief Gen

David Sejusa alleged there was a plan to groom Gen Muhoozi to take over the presidency, and that officials who opposed the plan faced assassination. President Museveni denied the plot. In its early stages, the MK was branded as a civil outfit where members professed support for causes close to the leader’s heart, mostly promoting patriotism. The group organised rallies and birthday celebrations for their leader in different regions in the country. This quickly transitioned into a mobilisation tool in the run up to the 2026 elections for Muhoozi’s anticipated presidential bid. Gen Muhoozi had through his social media expressed he would contest in the election, plans that collapsed after his appointment as CDF.

In 2024, the group rebranded to PLU, and played a key role in mobilising support for President Museveni in the 2026 election. In its ranks are members of Parliament of the ruling NRM party. While it is registered as a civic organisation on paper, it has been actively involved in politics. It is viewed as both an ally of and a counter force to the NRM party.

At its rebranding in 2024, the former PLU Secretary General David Kabanda, and then NRM Vice Chairperson for Eastern Uganda Mike Mukula disagreed on what vehicle would deliver the long awaited transition. While some like Mukula preferred Muhoozi pursue his intentions under the NRM, he has preferred to strengthen his PLU even while maintaining utmost support for his father’s party and leadership.

For 17 minutes in Houston, the smallest nation ever to reach the FIFA World Cup dared to dream.

Curaçao (kyuor·ruh·sau), a Caribbean island of barely 156,000 people, stunned Germany when 22-year-old Livano Comenencia swept home the country’s first-ever World Cup goal to cancel out Felix Nmecha’s early opener.

Then reality arrived. By the final whistle, four-time champions Germany had romped to a 7-1 victory, inflicting the heaviest defeat of the 2026 tournament so far and reminding football’s newest dreamers just how unforgiving the World Cup can be.

Not quite a country

Curaçao’s appearance in this World Cup has left many football fans scratching their heads.

Unlike most nations at the tournament, Curaçao is not a sovereign state. The island is a constituent country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands, sharing that arrangement with Aruba, Sint Maarten and the Netherlands itself.

Curaçao governs most of its domestic affairs but remains part of a wider kingdom. Yet FIFA recognises it as a separate footballing entity, allowing it to compete independently.

The arrangement mirrors the situation in the United Kingdom, where England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland all compete separately despite belonging to the same sovereign state.

That distinction has transformed Curaçao from a Caribbean curiosity into one of the most fascinating stories of the 2026 World Cup.

A historic journey

Simply qualifying was an extraordinary achievement.

Led by veteran Dutch coach Dick Advocaat, Curaçao navigated a difficult qualifying campaign to become the smallest nation by both population and land area (444 km², 540 times smaller than Uganda) ever to reach football’s biggest tournament.

The squad reflects Curaçao’s deep footballing ties with the Netherlands. Only one player in the 26-man group, Sheffield United winger and former Manchester United prospect Tahith Chong, was actually born on the island, while the remaining 25 were born in the Netherlands and developed through Dutch academy systems before opting to represent their ancestral nation on the international stage.

For many neutrals, Curaçao’s qualification represented one of the feel-good stories of the expanded 48-team World Cup.

Germany deliver a reality check

The fairytale, however, collided with one of football’s most ruthless tournament teams.

After Curaçao briefly levelled matters, Germany exposed the gulf in quality.

Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann said after the match: ‘We really needed this convincing win. We needed this self-confidence. We have to show that we can perform…’

The result was severe, but not unprecedented.

World Cup history is littered with heavy beatings. Hungary’s 10-1 demolition of El Salvador at Spain 1982 remains the tournament’s largest victory, while Hungary’s 9-0 thrashing of South Korea in 1954 and Yugoslavia’s 9-0 win over Zaire in 1974 stand among the competition’s most one-sided contests.

Germany themselves have previous form. Their 8-0 destruction of Saudi Arabia at the 2002 World Cup remains one of the defining routs of the modern era.

The 7-1 defeat was a reminder of the gulf that can exist between established powers and ambitious newcomers.

Advocaat defended the result in calm terms: ‘It’s not a shame to lose 7-1 against a team like this. That team is worth pound 850 million and Curaçao pound 25 million. The joy of the people was fantastic. What we achieved to qualify is already extraordinary.”

How rare is Curaçao’s presence?

Curaçao belongs to a very exclusive club. Only a handful of teams that are not fully sovereign states have ever appeared at a World Cup. The four British home nations have long enjoyed separate Fifa membership, while the Dutch East Indies, then a colony of the Netherlands, competed at the 1938 World Cup.

Curaçao has now joined that short list. For a tiny Caribbean island occupying a constitutional grey area between nation and territory, merely walking onto a World Cup pitch was already a victory.

BIGGEST WORLD CUP ROUTS

Year Match Score

1982 Hungary vs El Salvador 10-1

1954 Hungary vs South Korea 9-0

1974 Yugoslavia vs Zaire 9-0

2002 Germany vs Saudi Arabia 8-0

1950 Uruguay vs Bolivia 8-0

1938 Sweden vs Cuba 8-0

2014 Germany vs Brazil 7-1

2010 Portugal vs North Korea 7-0

2022 Spain vs Costa Rica 7-0

1974 Poland vs Haiti 7-0

2026 Germany vs Curaçao 7-1

WORLD CUP’S NON-SOVEREIGN TEAMS

Team Status

England Constituent country of the UK

Scotland Constituent country of the UK

Wales Constituent country of the UK

Northern Ireland Constituent country of the UK

Dutch East Indies (1938) Dutch colony

Curaçao (2026) Constituent country of the Netherlands

Uganda’s senior men’s national basketball team, the Silverbacks, will hold a 10-day residential training camp in Kigali, Rwanda, as preparations intensify for the third window of the FIBA Africa World Cup Qualifiers.

According to a statement released bu Fuba Tuesday morning, the team is scheduled to depart for Kigali on June 20 and will remain in camp until June 30 before travelling to Luanda, Angola, for the qualifiers slated for July 2-5.

Head coach Mandy Juruni has named a 12-man squad that blends experienced internationals with emerging talent as Uganda seeks to revive its campaign and keep alive hopes of qualifying for the 2027 FIBA Basketball World Cup in Qatar.

The squad includes point guards Nike Sibande Dejur Jr, Fayed Baale and new kid on the block Edrine Ekau.

Robinson Odoch Opong, Marvin Musiime-Kamali and Blessed Phillip Mbogo have been selected as shooting guards, while Peter Obleng, John Deng Geu and Emmanuel Womala occupy the small forward positions.

Jonathan Komagum, Titus Lual Odeke and Joel Paul Kayiira complete the roster as forwards and centres.

The Rwanda camp is expected to provide Juruni and his technical team with an opportunity to fine-tune systems, build chemistry and assess the squad ahead of the crucial qualifiers in Angola.

Juruni will be assisted by Andrew Tendo and Ben Komakech, while Vincent Etyang will serve as team doctor.

The Silverbacks face a difficult task after losing all three games during the opening qualification window in February. Uganda suffered defeats to Angola, Mali and Egypt, leaving little margin for error heading into the next round of fixtures.

Uganda will open the third window against Angola on July 2 before taking on Mali on July 4 and Egypt on July 5.

Tough road ahead

The qualification process features 16 teams divided into four groups of four, with each team playing the others home and away. The top three teams from each group advance to the second round.

The 12 advancing teams are then split into two groups of six, carrying forward results earned against fellow qualifiers from the first round. Teams play only opponents they have not previously faced, adding six more games to their schedule.

At the conclusion of the second round, the top two teams from each group, together with the best third-placed team overall, will secure qualification for the 2027 FIBA Basketball World Cup.

With Africa allocated five places at the tournament, the Silverbacks know their hopes of making history remain alive.

The upcoming training camp in Kigali could prove pivotal as Uganda seeks to reignite its qualification campaign and keep its World Cup dream on course.

Silverbacks squad

Point Guards: Nike Sibande Dejur Jr, Fayed Baale, Edrine Ekau

Shooting Guards: Marvin Musiime-Kamali, Robinson Odoch Opong, Blessed Phillip Mbogo

Small Forwards: Peter Obleng, John Deng Geu, Emmanuel Womala

Forwards/Centres: Jonathan Komagum, Titus Lual Odeke, Joel Paul Kayiira

The road that winds through Kooki in present-day Rakai District passes through rolling hills, banana plantations and trading centres buzzing with life. Yet beneath the ordinary rhythm of daily life lies a collection of stories that have survived generations.

These are stories of mysterious disappearances, night dancers, graveyard magic and alleged cannibals. For decades, Rakai has carried a reputation that many residents consider unfair, while others insist there must be some truth hidden within the folklore. Even today, mention Kooki to some Ugandans and the conversation may quickly drift to whispers of people who allegedly eat human flesh, resurrect corpses from graves, or lure unsuspecting travellers to their deaths.

But what is fact, and what is fiction? The answer is far from straightforward. Childhood fears rooted in folklore For many people raised in central Uganda, stories associated with Kooki began long before they ever set foot in Rakai. One of the most famous tales was embedded in a children’s poem, ‘Enfa ya Matyansi Butyampa ne munne Golooba Bidandi.’ The poem narrates the mysterious death of Matyansi Butyampa and his companion Golooba Bidandi while returning from Kooki. Along the way, they are said to have encountered night dancers near Kisoma swamp and they disappeared under mysterious circumstances. The locations mentioned in the poem still exist today. For generations of schoolchildren, the poem transformed from a simple literary exercise into what many interpreted as evidence that sinister forces operated in the area.

“We grew up hearing such stories and grew up fearing Kooki,” says Joseph Kato, 80, a resident who has spent most of his life in Rakai. “We heard many stories about cannibals and night dancers.

But despite all those stories, I never personally caught anyone eating human flesh,” he says.

Kato says certain families were often singled out by communities and labelled as cannibals without concrete evidence. “The stigma was so strong that some of their children struggled to find marriage partners within the area. People feared associating with them,” he reminiscences. Such labels, he says, could follow a family for generations.

When rumours become dangerous

The consequences of such allegations have sometimes turned deadly. Residents still recall an incident around 2010 involving a builder only identified as Baker, who reportedly disappeared in Ddwaniro Sub-county. After several days of searching, his body was allegedly discovered in a forest near a home belonging to individuals long suspected by villagers of practicing cannibalism. What followed illustrates how quickly suspicion can escalate. According to several accounts from residents, a community meeting drew hundreds of people.

During the gathering, an elderly man identified as Ssozi was accused of involvement in cannibalistic practices. Witnesses say the crowd interpreted some of his remarks as a confession. Before police could intervene, mob action took over. The old man was killed, while relatives fled the area. Years later, no publicly available forensic evidence has emerged proving that the family practised cannibalism. Yet within local memory, the incident remains one of the strongest references cited whenever the topic resurfaces.

“It became accepted as truth because of what happened, not because evidence was produced,” says one local leader, who preferred anonymity.

Unexplained stories persist

Other incidents have further fuelled the mythology. Residents in Kibaale Town Council still speak about a case from around 2013 involving a pregnant woman, who reportedly disappeared after seeking directions in an unfamiliar area. Versions of the story differ significantly depending on who narrates it. Some claim she entered a home and never came back. Others insist she was murdered and dismembered. However, no publicly documented investigation conclusively established cannibalism as the cause. Like many stories passed down through oral tradition, details have become increasingly difficult to verify over time. Yet the rumours endure. “The problem with such stories is that every person adds something new,” says a retired teacher in Rakai. “Eventually, nobody knows where the facts end and imagination begins.”

The mystery of disturbed graves

Among the most enduring beliefs is the claim that some individuals possess supernatural powers enabling them to remove corpses from graves without disturbing the soil. Stories circulate about graves appearing intact while human remains mysteriously disappear. Anthropologists and cultural historians note that similar beliefs exist in many African societies where traditional spirituality coexists with modern religious beliefs. Such narratives often emerge when communities struggle to explain unexplained deaths, missing persons, or grave disturbances. “There is no scientific evidence supporting claims that bodies can be removed from graves without physical disturbance,” says Tom Mulindwa, a cultural researcher familiar with folklore in central Uganda. Yet in Rakai, the stories continue to circulate, passed from one generation to another.

The restaurant rumours

Perhaps the most sensational claims are those suggesting that human flesh is secretly sold in some eating places and consumed by wealthy clients. The rumours are widespread and often repeated with certainty. Yet no documented criminal case in Rakai has ever conclusively proven the existence of a commercial market for human meat. Law enforcement officials over the years have occasionally investigated reports involving suspected ritual murders and human sacrifice in different parts of Uganda, but evidence linking restaurants to organised cannibalism remains absent. Still, the stories persist because they speak to deeper fears within society. “People often fear what they cannot see,” says a local elder. “When something terrible happens and there is no explanation, rumours fill the gap.”

Reality Vs perception

For Justine Kobusingye, the councillor representing Kibaale Town Council at Rakai District Council, the district’s reputation is largely a product of exaggeration. Raised in western Uganda, she arrived in Kooki as a teenager already carrying the fears many outsiders associate with the area. “I came here believing the stories,” she says. “But after living among the people, I realised much of what is said is based on rumours.” She recalls one incident in which villagers spread claims that a family was keeping a human body inside their house. Curious, she visited the home herself. “I found the family peacefully having lunch,” she says. “They had no idea that people outside were accusing them of such things.” The experience changed her perspective. “I can only believe someone is a cannibal if there is actual evidence,” she says. “There must be proper investigations, forensic examinations and proof. Stories alone are not enough.”

Why the myths survive

Experts argue that legends of cannibalism often thrive in societies where oral tradition remains strong. Historically, accusations of cannibalism have been used across the world to stigmatise rival communities, isolate certain families, or explain mysterious disappearances. In Rakai, the stories may also reflect broader fears surrounding witchcraft, ritual practices, death and the unknown. What is remarkable is not that the stories exist, but that they have survived despite decades of social change, education and technological advancement.

Today, younger generations increasingly question the tales that frightened their grandparents. Yet as night falls across parts of Rakai and conversations gather around village fires, the old stories still find willing listeners. Whether rooted in historical events, exaggerated memories or pure folklore, they remain woven into the identity of Kooki. And so, the question continues to linger in the minds of many Ugandans: are the cannibals real, or are they simply ghosts of a collective imagination? For now, the answer remains hidden somewhere between myth, fear and the search for evidence.