Category: Daily Monitor

A 13-year-old Primary Four pupil was shot dead and two other students were injured on Wednesday when security forces opened fire to disperse rioting students in Koboko Municipality.

The deceased has been identified as Buruga Ramathan, a pupil at Nuru Islamic Primary School and resident of Gbulagbulanga cell. He died instantly after being hit by a stray bullet.

Chaos erupted after a violent confrontation between students of St. Charles Lwanga College and Kochi Secondary School, triggered by a recent football match. The rivalry spilled into the streets Wednesday morning, with students blocking the busy Koboko-Oraba road.

According to Emmy Mitala, the Resident District Commissioner for Koboko, a joint team of Uganda Police Force and UPDF was deployed to restore order.

‘The rowdy students started stoning the officers and damaging the patrol vehicle. In turn, officers released bullets to disperse the crowd. Unfortunately, a stray bullet hit Ramathan Buruga, who died instantly,’ said SSP Josephine Angucia, West Nile Regional Police Spokesperson.

Two other students sustained injuries from stray bullets. They include Hamid Mahazim, 16, wounded in his left foot, and Khalifah Rajab, a Senior Four student at Nyarilo Secondary School. All injured students are receiving treatment at facilities including Koboko Hospital.

Police have condemned the violence and opened an investigation under SD Ref 59/24/06/2026.

‘We condemn acts of strikes by students because they are not only illegal but can be destructive and fatal,’ SSP Angucia said. ‘We encourage students to share their challenges and grievances with their leaders and administrators for proper management.’

Uganda’s fight against the Bundibugyo Ebola strain is increasingly being shaped by the majority being imported cases, now standing at 15 out of the country’s 20 confirmed cases originating from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), compared to only five cases resulting from local transmission.

The figures have reinforced concerns that Uganda’s battle against Ebola could continue prolonging the outbreak even as local transmission appears largely under control.

Health authorities say the majority of recent patients have crossed into Uganda seeking treatment, forcing the country to repeatedly activate costly surveillance systems, contact tracing operations and emergency response measures.

The latest developments have prompted Uganda and DRC to launch a joint 90-day cross-border Ebola response plan aimed at tackling the outbreak at its source rather than waiting for infected individuals to enter Uganda. The bilateral framework was launched on Tuesday.

“Uganda and the DRC have launched a bilateral framework to strengthen cross-border collaboration in controlling and mitigating the Bundibugyo Ebola Virus outbreak starting with Aru Territory, Ituri Province where residents frequently cross between the two countries for trade, healthcare and social interactions,” a statement by the Ministry of Health, reads .

Speaking on the rationale behind the intervention, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health, Dr Diana Atwine, acknowledged that Uganda may never completely stop infected people from crossing into the country as long as the outbreak continues in Democratic Republic of Congo.

“We believe we will not be able to stop the inflow of patients because they are looking for care. The best is to make sure we go to the source and work with our counterparts in DRC,” Dr Atwine said.

She said the movement of patients across the border has significantly complicated Uganda’s response efforts.

‘Many patients arrive after interacting with numerous people during their journey, creating extensive contact-tracing workloads for health teams. It is giving us a lot of work to track all those people,” Dr Atwine noted.

“Ebola’s magic bullet is not big science. It is simply to test quickly the potential person who is sick, isolate them and ensure there is less contact with patients. Establishing laboratories closer to outbreak hotspots will reduce delays in diagnosis and help contain the epidemic more effectively,” she added.

She added that the strategy offers a second benefit by reducing the number of Congolese patients travelling into Uganda for treatment.

“It will help us prevent people travelling long distances from DRC to come to Uganda for care and, therefore, causing even more people here to fall sick because they come through taxis and the border,” she said.

Under the arrangement, Uganda plans to deploy approximately 40 health workers at each treatment centre, with two centres expected to become operational initially.

‘One facility will be established in Aru, while another will be located in Kasenyi along the Lake Albert corridor in Rwampara, areas identified as major routes used by travellers crossing into Uganda. A third treatment centre may be established depending on the evolution of the outbreak,’ Dr Atwine explained.

Beyond the public health threat, continued transmission in DRC is also carrying economic consequences for Uganda.

Dr Atwine noted that cross-border trade, transport and business activities have already been affected as authorities intensify control measures.

“Even business along those districts is affected because markets have been suspended, flights are suspended and human traffic has significantly reduced around the border,” she said.

She argued that investing resources in controlling the outbreak inside the DRC would ultimately cost less than dealing with prolonged disruptions to trade and economic activity.

However, perhaps no group has felt the impact of imported Ebola cases more directly than health workers.

Several imported cases sought treatment in Ugandan health facilities before Ebola was confirmed, exposing doctors, nurses and support staff and forcing authorities to place large numbers of healthcare workers under quarantine.

Dr Joseph Gavin Nyanzi, the chairperson for Ethics and Professionalism at the Uganda Medical Association, said the outbreak has created anxiety among health workers despite government efforts to support those affected. “A number of our colleagues, doctors and nurses, have been exposed.

Fortunately, government responded by putting all these who had contact with the first Ebola patients under quarantine,” Dr Nyanzi said. Although official figures remain unavailable, he estimated that more than 100 health workers linked to one private health facility alone may have been affected by quarantine measures.

“Several hospitals and clinics where Ebola patients sought treatment have tightened access controls, intensified screening measures and carried out extensive disinfection exercises to prevent further transmission,” Dr Nyanzi said.

Dr Nyanzi said the disruptions have raised concerns among patients seeking routine healthcare services as facilities balance service delivery with infection prevention requirements.

‘The exposure of health workers has disrupted service delivery in some facilities, with hospitals limiting access to non-emergency cases and carrying out extensive disinfection exercises.’

Unlike previous Ebola outbreaks where vaccination played a role in protecting frontline responders, health workers are now relying heavily on prevention and control measures.

He warned that shortages of personal protective equipment remain a concern, particularly in private health facilities.

“Where these protective gears are not available, our colleagues are not really comfortable attending to patients until they are protected,” he said.

The Ugandan government has taken full ownership of the HIV response following shifts in international aid, committing domestic resources to eliminate the epidemic as a major public health threat by 2030.

With a target to end mother-to-child transmission, Uganda now allocates roughly Shs1.9 trillion annually to the national HIV/AIDS response. The Uganda AIDS Commission says Shs1.5 trillion covers the baseline cost of life-saving antiretroviral therapy and laboratory monitoring, while wider epidemic management requires up to Shs1.9 trillion.

Dr Sr Grace Mary Akiror, board member on the UAC, said despite the withdrawal of some external support in recent years, government continues to provide medication free of charge at health centres.

She said the epidemic disproportionately affects women and young girls who often fall prey to exploitation due to socio-economic pressures.

Statistics indicate that 78 per cent of young people affected are girls and women, a vulnerability worsened during school holidays when girls are placed in high-risk environments like serving alcohol or working late in markets.

However, a stark gender paradox exists in health outcomes. While women are more frequently infected, men have higher mortality rates. Dr Sr Akiror attributed this to behavioral factors.

‘You and I are aware that most of these women fall prey not because they want to, but because they are forced to. Others get in knowingly or unknowingly. So, it is within our mandate, you and I, to continuously sensitise the public, including the men, to ensure that protection of each other is key,’ she told journalists in Lira City on Tuesday, June 23, 2026.

Sr Dr Akiror was in Lira with UAC officials to participate in the 2026 Provincial National Widows’ Day commemorated under the theme ‘Justice, dignity and economic power for widows.’

She emphasised that while women and girls remain the most vulnerable, ending the epidemic by 2030 requires personal responsibility, community support, and sustained government funding.

‘And you see, I talked about women having that higher percentage, but again, women, men die more than the women. Why? Women try to adhere to what they have got, and they take their medication effectively,’ she explained.

‘But the men mix with alcohol, non-attendance, even going to the hospital is an issue, and they fall prey. They detract, they don’t take their medicines in time, where a woman becomes very supportive in this area. That’s why the men, they relapse, and that’s why the men die more than the women, much as women are more vulnerable and infected.’

Beyond medical treatment, Dr Akiror said social factors like land grabbing and domestic stigma hinder the fight. Widows are frequently chased from land by relatives, stripping them of economic stability needed to maintain health.

Dr Akiror highlighted that love and support are clinical necessities.

‘We must show love to those who are infected, because that will encourage them to take their treatment effectively. But if we don’t show love, the stigma aspect makes them step back and not go for their medication,’ she said.

UAC identifies media as a critical partner, tasked with exposing injustices and transmitting accurate health information in local languages such as Leb Lango to reach rural communities.

Rt Rev Prof Alfred Olwa, Bishop of Lango Diocese, said the Church of Uganda is actively creating awareness, visiting patients, and mobilizing support through parish, archdeaconry, and diocesan structures.

‘As Church of Uganda, especially the Diocese of Lango, we have in our structure, in the parish level, the archdeaconry level, and the diocesan level, through the arm of our health department, especially the public health department, we have representatives,’ he said.

According to Bishop Olwa, those representatives create awareness about disease prevention and healthy living, and link up with pastors on the ground.

‘So they are able to visit these patients, they are able to pray with them, they are also able to raise support among Christians where possible,’ Bishop Olwa said.

India and Kenya remained the leading destinations for money sent out of Uganda in 2025 by foreigners working in the country.

However, outbound remittances declined sharply amid growing economic pressures that squeezed household and business budgets.

The Bank of Uganda Cross Border Remittance Dashboard, which tracks remittance inflows and outflows, indicates that money sent abroad fell by 20 percent to Shs1.45 trillion ($402 million) in 2025 from Shs1.8 trillion ($502 million) in 2024.

The decline was also reflected in transaction volumes, which dropped from 2.66 million to 2.12 million over the same period.

The figures suggest that foreign workers, expatriates, migrant communities, and other residents, including Ugandans, who regularly transfer money abroad, reduced their remittances as living costs increased and economic conditions tightened both in Uganda and overseas.

Despite the decline, the ranking of recipient countries remained largely unchanged, with India, Kenya, US, UK and Canada continuing to account for the bulk of funds leaving Uganda.

India remains top destination

India retained its position as the largest recipient of outbound remittances from Uganda, receiving about Shs460b ($124m), more than double the amount sent to any other country.

The outflows were largely driven by tuition payments for Ugandan students enrolled in Indian universities, medical expenses for patients seeking specialised treatment, and payments to suppliers by businesses importing pharmaceuticals, machinery, and vehicle parts.

The country’s dominance reflects India’s growing role as a destination for education, healthcare and trade services used by Ugandan households and businesses.

Kenya’s regional pull

Kenya followed in second place, receiving Shs164b ($44m). Its position reflects strong commercial and social ties between the two countries.

Kenya remains East Africa’s financial hub, with many Ugandan companies maintaining regional banking relationships and making payments for insurance, logistics, and technology services through Kenyan institutions.

Cross-border trade also contributes significantly to remittance flows, alongside family support payments and education-related transfers.

US, UK and Canada complete top five

US ranked third, receiving Shs157b ($42m), followed by UK at Shs103.6b ($28m) and Canada at Shs74b ($20m).

Education continues to be a major driver of transfers to these countries, with Ugandan families paying tuition and upkeep for students pursuing studies abroad.

Transfers are also linked to family support and financial obligations within long-established Ugandan communities living overseas.

The report shows that while the overall sums are substantial, most transactions are relatively small.

About 93 percent of transfers were valued between $0 and $499, with the average transaction standing at $152 (Shs562,400).

The payments typically cover school fees, medical deposits, family support, and settlements between small traders and suppliers.

Digital channels gain ground

The report highlights the growing shift toward digital payments, with digital channels accounting for 57.5 percent of outbound remittances, compared to 42.4 percent through cash-based channels.

Banks handled the largest share of transfers at 57.2 percent, followed by forex bureaus at 29.4 percent and payment service providers at 13 percent.

The growing use of mobile money platforms and digital payment systems is making cross-border transactions faster and more accessible, particularly for transfers within the East African region.

Early 2026 data

Data from the Bank of Uganda interactive remittance dashboard, which was launched in partnership with the International Fund for Agricultural Development, also suggests the downward trend has continued into 2026.

Outbound remittances stood at $38m in January, $36.3m in February, $36.8m in March, and $35.2m in April. India remained the leading destination each month, followed by Kenya, US, UK and Canada.

However, May recorded a sharp drop, with outbound remittances falling to just Shs5.49b ($1.46m) across 20,210 transactions, compared with Shs130.2m recorded in April.

The figures highlight the continued dependence on foreign education, healthcare, and regional business services that drive money out of Uganda.

Uganda received $2.5b in inflows while sending out only $402 million, resulting in a net inflow of $2.1b.

For every dollar sent out, more than six dollars flowed in, underscoring the country’s position as a major recipient of international remittances.

US remains the largest source of remittance inflows, contributing $700m, nearly a third of all incoming funds.

This reflects the strength of the diaspora community in North America and its continued commitment to supporting families, investments, and livelihoods back home.

UK and Canada also played significant roles, reinforcing the importance of traditional diaspora markets.

The story does not end in the West. The Middle East, particularly Saudi Arabia and the UAE, contributed a combined $640m.

These inflows highlight the growing influence of migrant workers in the Gulf region, whose earnings continue to fuel household consumption, education, healthcare, housing, and small business development in their home country.

The comparison

While India, Kenya, US, UK, and Canada are the leading destinations for outbound transfers, only three of these countries, US, UK, and Canada, are also major sources of inflows.

India is the largest outflow destination, receiving approximately Shs460b ($124m). However, it does not appear among the major inflow corridors, indicating that Uganda receives relatively little in remittances from India.

Similarly, Kenya, which receives about Shs163b ($44m), contributes only minimal inflows to Uganda despite being a key regional trading partner.

The corridor is therefore characterized by strong outbound economic activity rather than reciprocal remittance flows.

A different pattern emerges for US, UK, and Canada. Although Uganda sends Shs156b ($42m) to US, it receives approximately Shs2.59 trillion ($700m) in return, making the country the largest source of remittances and generating a net inflow of over Shs2.4 trillion.

UK displays a similar trend, sending about Shs1.22 trillion ($330m) to Uganda while receiving only Shs104b ($28m).

Canada also remains a strong net contributor, with inflows of about Shs407b ($110m) compared to outflows of only Shs74b ($20m).

This shows that Uganda’s remittance surplus is heavily supported by diaspora communities in North America and Europe. In contrast, India and Kenya primarily function as destinations for trade- and business-related payments.

This highlights the strategic importance of strengthening diaspora engagement in US, UK, and Canada while monitoring major outbound corridors such as India and Kenya to better understand the economic activities driving these transfers.

Preparations are intensifying across Uganda ahead of the long-awaited Local Council (LC1) elections, with the Electoral Commission embarking on the verification of residents and compilation of village registers as the country prepares for the first nationwide grassroots polls in years.

The Electoral Commission Chairperson, Justice Simon Byabakama Mugenyi, announced that Ugandans will go to the polls on Tuesday, July 28, 2026, to elect LC1 chairpersons. The nationwide exercise will be conducted simultaneously in all 71,214 villages across the country. Following the release of the electoral roadmap, political parties have intensified grassroots mobilisation ahead of the polls.

Western Uganda

In Kabale District, the National Resistance Movement (NRM) publicity secretary, Mr Edison Turyahabwa, said the party had stepped up mobilisation to ensure its flag bearers win the forthcoming LC1 and LC2 elections.

“We are mobilising support to ensure our LC1 and LC2 flag bearers win the forthcoming elections because victory at the grassroots strengthens the party and makes it easier to popularise and implement government programmes,” he said.

However, the National Unity Platform (NUP) chairperson for Kabale District, Mr Derrick Katebire, called on the Electoral Commission to display village registers on time to enable the public to verify voters and prevent electoral malpractice.

“We shall receive applications from members seeking to contest the LC1 and LC2 positions, vet them where necessary, and hope the intimidation of our supporters witnessed during previous elections will not recur,” he said.

In Mbarara City, Mr Adson Oketcho, the LC1 chairperson of Kakiika Cell in Mbarara City North Division, who has served the area for 25 years, said he is seeking another term to build on achievements in road improvement, security and community mobilisation.

‘I have achieved a lot during my leadership, but challenges such as unemployment, insecurity and drug abuse among the youth remain. I also support voting by lining up because it is transparent and helps prevent electoral malpractice,’ he said.

However, Mr Oketcho expressed concern over the increasing commercialisation of politics, saying some candidates had already begun spending heavily to influence voters.

In Fort Portal City, there appears to be little excitement as political activity remains subdued and campaign materials are largely absent from public spaces. While the ruling NRM party has already conducted internal primaries and selected flag bearers, residents say awareness about the electoral roadmap remains low and more civic education is needed to encourage participation.

Mr Haruna Kibirago, a Democratic Party (DP) supporter in Fort Portal City, said many Opposition parties may struggle to field candidates due to limited preparation time and weak internal party structures.

‘It is unfortunate that our party president has been spending more time associating with NRM instead of organising the internal affairs of DP. As things stand, I am not sure whether our party will front candidates in all areas,’ Mr Kibirago said.

He added that the delay in conducting the elections has created challenges even for parties that completed their internal processes long ago.

‘We need these chairpersons, but the roadmap has come on very short notice. Other political parties may not have enough time to organise their primaries. Even within the NRM, which conducted its primaries earlier, some of the flag bearers have since passed away before the elections could be held,’ he said.

‘I know of about four NRM flag bearers whom we have buried. Political party flags are not inherited, which means the party will have to identify and endorse new candidates to fill those positions before the elections take place,’ Mr Kibirago added.

Mr Alex Mujuni, another resident, welcomed the planned elections but criticised the continued use of the lining-up method of voting.

‘Voting by lining up behind candidates compromises voter privacy. We have seen secret ballots in parliamentary and presidential elections. Government should provide funds for secret ballot voting even at village level. This is about choosing local leaders, not party politics,’ he said.

Mr Robert Baluku, a boda boda rider in North Division, said there is need for increased voter education to avoid confusion during the voting process.

‘Many youths complain about poor services and leadership, but they rarely participate in local elections. This is an opportunity for them to elect leaders who understand community challenges,’ he said.

Eastern Uganda

In the Busoga Sub-region, the Electoral Commission’s regional election officer, Mr Deo Natukunda, said preparations are on course, with activities set to begin next Monday ahead of the July 28 polls. He said all districts in the sub-region will kick off the exercise with the training of polling officials and the distribution of election materials, a process expected to run for five days.

“We are rolling out our programme on Monday, including training polling officials and distributing all the necessary materials to staff. The exercise will last five days,” Mr Natukunda said.

He said each village will have a register update officer to verify residents and update the village register to ensure only eligible residents are included.

Mr Natukunda urged residents to participate in the verification exercise, adding that only those whose names appear on the updated village register will be allowed to line up and vote for their preferred candidate on polling day.

Several incumbent LC1 leaders in Jinja City have expressed confidence ahead of the upcoming village elections, citing their leadership records and strong support from residents. Mr Watmon Okidi, the incumbent chairperson of Kisima 1 Island Village on Lake Victoria in Jinja South Division, has led the fishing community since 1986.

Having served for about 40 years, he said residents persuaded him to seek another term. He added that if re-elected, it would be his final term of office.

“It is not me who wanted to contest again, but because of my good leadership, residents have asked me to lead them for the next five years,” Mr Okidi said. Meanwhile, Mr Henry Batambuze (NRM), the incumbent LC1 chairperson of Main Street West Village in Jinja South Division, who has been in leadership for 20 years, said his tenure focused on promoting government programmes among ghetto youth and single mothers, among others In Mbale City, aspiring LC1 candidates and residents said they are ready for the forthcoming polls, while calling for a free, fair, and transparent electoral process. Mr James Magambo, an aspiring candidate for Link Cell in Northern City Division, said he is prepared to contest on the NUP ticket.

However, Mr Robert Magomu, an opinion leader in Kinyole B Cell, Northern City Division, appealed to the Electoral Commission to ensure Resident District Commissioners (RDCs) do not interfere with the electoral process. ‘RDCs are NRM cadres, yet some masquerade as government officials overseeing elections,’ he alleged.

Meanwhile, Ms Annet Nambozo, an NRM supporter and resident of Mulukhu in Industrial City Division, said women are ready to participate actively in the elections.

‘As women, we shall fully participate in electing our new leaders because village leaders directly affect service delivery in our communities. We want leaders with integrity,’ she said.

West Nile In Arua City, the incumbent LC1 chairperson of Awindiri Cell, Onzivu Ward, Mr Alex Oyer (NRM), said he is confident of retaining his seat, citing his leadership record and support from residents.

Mr Oyer, who has served as LC1 chairperson for 14 years after assuming office at the age of 23, said his administration has prioritised youth empowerment through skills training in metal fabrication and poultry keeping, helping many young people improve their livelihoods.

“I am ready for the elections and confident of victory because we have worked well with the people,” he said, adding that addressing insecurity, including rising cases of theft and phone snatching, remains one of his priorities.

He also urged candidates and their supporters to conduct peaceful campaigns and observe electoral guidelines, especially since voting will be by lining up behind candidates.

Mr Oyer faces competition from independent candidates Muzamil Omirambe and Rashid Saidi, a former secretary for education and publicity who lost in the NRM party primaries.

Meanwhile, Mr Fred Kabango Turyakira, the LC1 chairperson of Booma Cell, said he would seek another term on a platform of tackling poverty and insecurity through initiatives such as backyard farming and neighbourhood watch programmes.

He, however, added that voting by lining up could be challenging in urban areas, where many residents may not have time to queue for long periods. He also urged the Electoral Commission to intensify voter civic education and warned that commercialised politics could undermine the election of capable leaders.

Central Uganda

In Masaka City, incumbent LC1 leaders and aspirants welcomed the Electoral Commission’s roadmap but called for the timely updating of village registers to ensure all eligible residents participate in the polls.

Muhamad Mustapha Ssempala, the chairperson of Gayaza Cell, said he is ready for the elections but expressed concern over the tight campaign schedule and the lack of an updated voters’ register. “The elections are long overdue, and we welcome the roadmap.

However, the Electoral Commission should update the register to ensure all eligible residents vote. Those who served well will be re-elected, while those who did not meet people’s expectations will be voted out,” he said.

Jamiru Walugembe, the chairperson of Kimaanya B Cell, who has served for more than 30 years, also welcomed the elections but urged the Electoral Commission to update the village registers before polling day.

“It would be risky to conduct elections using an outdated register. We are ready to seek a fresh mandate from the people,” he said.

When Daniel Mwesigye stepped outside his home in Kisaasi one morning, he expected an ordinary start to the day. His car was parked exactly where he had left it the previous night. There were no signs of forced entry, broken windows or vandalism. From a distance, everything appeared normal.

Then he noticed something unusual. The front and rear number plates were missing.

At first, he thought he was mistaken. He walked around the vehicle again, hoping he had somehow overlooked them. But the empty screw holes confirmed the reality. His number plates had disappeared.

What began as confusion quickly turned into frustration. Even more worrying was the realisation that he was not alone.

Residents in several parts of Kampala say cases of missing number plates appear to be increasingly common, with motorists in areas such as Kisaasi, Ntinda and on sections of the Northern Bypass reporting similar experiences.

For some victims, however, the story does not end with the discovery of a missing plate. Instead, it takes a more troubling turn.

The mysterious phone call

Shortly after discovering his missing plates, Mwesigye found a small piece of paper tucked beneath his windscreen wiper. It contained a phone number.

Curious and desperate to recover the plates, he called. The person who answered allegedly claimed to know where the plates were and offered to help him recover them for a fee.

‘I was told to send money if I wanted them back,’ Mwesigye recalls.

What followed was a series of phone calls, instructions and negotiations. Eventually, he says, he was directed to different locations near the Northern Bypass where the plates had been hidden.

By the time he recovered them, he had spent more money than he expected.

More importantly, the experience left him shaken.

‘I never imagined something like that could happen at home,’ he says.

A growing concern for motorists

Across Kampala, stories of missing number plates have increasingly found their way into conversations among motorists and on social media platforms, where drivers share warnings and advice.

While not every missing plate is necessarily stolen, some motorists insist the circumstances point to deliberate removal.

The fact that some victims reportedly receive phone calls demanding payment has fuelled suspicions that organised individuals may be targeting parked vehicles, removing the plates and later seeking money from owners desperate to avoid the inconvenience of replacing them.

Authorities have not publicly confirmed whether the incidents are linked to organised criminal groups, but they caution motorists against attempting to negotiate with unknown callers.

Police urge caution

Traffic police say motorists whose number plates are stolen or go missing should immediately report the matter to the nearest police station.

Mr Michael Kananura, the spokesperson for the Traffic Directorate, says dealing directly with people demanding payment can complicate investigations and potentially encourage similar incidents.

He says motorists should prioritise making a formal report and obtaining the necessary documentation required for replacement.

‘When such cases are detected during operations, the key issue is whether the matter was reported,’ he says.

Kananura notes that drivers found operating vehicles without number plates may face difficulties if they cannot prove that the loss was reported to police.

Why number plates matter

To many motorists, number plates are simply pieces of metal attached to a vehicle. In reality, they are among the most important identifiers of any vehicle on the road.

Number plates link vehicles to registration records and play a critical role in law enforcement, traffic management and road safety monitoring.

Their absence can create challenges not only for motorists but also for authorities trying to identify vehicles involved in traffic offences or criminal activity.

What the law says

Under Uganda’s Traffic and Road Safety Act, 2020, it is an offence to drive a vehicle without valid registration plates.

Section 30(1) prohibits the use of a motor vehicle that is not properly registered or whose number plates are missing, altered or obscured.

The offence carries a penalty of up to 40 currency points, equivalent to Shs800,000, imprisonment for up to two years, or both.

Authorities, therefore, advise motorists not to continue driving as though nothing has happened after discovering a missing plate.

What to do if your number plate goes missing

If you discover that your number plate has been stolen or lost, officials recommend taking the following steps immediately:

Report the matter to the police and obtain a reference number.

Begin the replacement process through the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA).

Publish a notice in a newspaper announcing the loss, as required during the replacement process.

Submit all required documentation to URA for processing of replacement plates.

Authorities warn that delaying the process can create complications during roadside inspections and enforcement operations.

Replacing number plates can be time-consuming and costly, which may explain why some victims choose to engage with individuals promising a quicker solution.

But authorities warn that paying unofficial ‘recovery fees’ may only encourage further incidents.

For motorists, the lesson is simple: a missing number plate should never be treated as a minor inconvenience.

What appears to be a small piece of metal can quickly become the source of unexpected costs, legal complications and days of disruption.

And until those responsible are identified and stopped, many Kampala drivers may continue parking their vehicles with a new concern in mind, not whether the car will still be there in the morning, but whether its number plates will be.

Myth vs fact

Myth: If your number plate is stolen, you can continue driving while waiting for a replacement.

Fact: Driving without valid number plates can still attract penalties, even if you are a victim of theft.

Myth: Reporting the loss to police is optional if you intend to replace the plates through URA.

Fact: A police reference is required before the replacement process can begin.

Myth: Missing number plates usually find their way back without any action.

Fact: Prompt reporting helps avoid complications and supports investigations.

Myth: You can only be penalised if both number plates are missing.

Fact: Driving with even one missing plate can amount to an offence under the law.

Myth: Paying someone who contacts you is the fastest solution.

Fact: Authorities discourage informal payments because they may encourage repeat incidents and can complicate investigations.

Brazil’s Neymar said he went to the dressing room and shed some tears alone following his return to the side after a gap of 981 days, coming on in the second half during Wednesday’s 3-0 World Cup win over Scotlandin Miami.

The 34-year-old last featured for Brazil in 2023. He suffered a serious knee injury in October that year and has struggled to maintain his form since then. He was initially a doubt for inclusion in Brazil’s World Cup squad.

He then suffered a calf injury last month that ruled him out of Brazil’s first two matches in the tournament. But he finally made his international comeback against Scotland, with the fans chanting his name.

“I went to the locker room, all alone, and I shed a few tears,” Neymar told reporters after Brazil finished top of Group C.

“It’s an immense relief to relive all this. It’s a moment of gratitude. I thank God for being able to experience this again.”

Brazil’s all-time top scorer with 79 goals, Neymar has now appeared in four World Cups, with eight goals and four assists in tournaments since 2014.

“I had been away for a long time so it’s a different team now, I see it with fresh eyes,” he said.

“But I’m very happy to have been able to come back and play in a World Cup and defend the Brazilian national team after so many years.”

Brazil will play the runners-up in Group F in their second-round clash in Houston on Monday.

Hello Doreen, a low rumbling sound when driving over 80 KPH should not be ignored, even if the car appears to be running normally. Here are some potential factors that may cause this noise on the highway:

1. Worn wheel bearings: When a wheel bearing is worn out, it can produce a low growling or humming noise. This noise may become more pronounced as you drive faster or when you take corners, due to the weight shifting to the affected side of the tyre.

2. Unevenly worn tyres: Tyres that are unevenly worn, especially those exhibiting feathering, cupping, or separated belts, can also generate a growling noise that intensifies at higher speeds.

3. Wheel alignment issues: Poor wheel alignment can lead to unusual tyre wear, resulting in a rumbling noise.

4. Drivetrain problems: In four-wheel-drive or rear-wheel-drive vehicles, damaged propeller shaft bearings, universal joints, or differential bearings can also cause a low rumbling sound.

It is important to address these issues promptly to ensure your vehicle’s safety and performance.

National Resistance Movement (NRM) candidate Idah Nabayiga has won the Kalangala District Woman MP by-election, according to results declared by district Returning Officer Mr Agaba Ronald.

Nabayiga polled 12,642 votes to defeat five other candidates in the poll held on Wednesday, June 25, 2026.

‘Having added up the number of votes cast as recorded on each Declaration of Results Form in accordance with Section 72 of the Parliamentary Elections Act, I declare that the total number of valid votes cast for Candidates are as follows,’ Mr Agaba said at 1:53 AM.

The results showed Irene Nampala of NUP came second with 7,474 votes, followed by Independent candidate Sharifah Babirye with 244 votes. Flavia Hellen Nagawa, running as an Independent candidate, got 217 votes, while Agnes Nasuuna, also Independent, managed to get 34 votes. ‘Accordingly, as Returning Officer for Kalangala Electoral District and in accordance with Section 72 of the Parliamentary Elections Act, Cap. 177, I declare Idah Nabayiga who has obtained the largest number of votes to be the elected candidate for District Woman Representative to Parliament for Kalangala Electoral District,’ Mr Agaba declared.

A total of 20,611 valid votes were cast. The district also recorded 427 rejected ballot papers, 67 spoilt ballots, and 21,038 ballot papers counted overall.

Nabayiga’s victory hands NRM the Kalangala Woman MP seat after a closely watched by-election on the islands. Her 12,642 votes gave her a margin of over 5,000 votes against her closest challenger from NUP.

The by-election was triggered following a vacancy in the seat following the death of Helen Nakimuli, and drew five candidates from both political parties and the Independent category.

More than 15 ministers and more than 200 Members of Parliament have pledged allegiance to the Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU) as the organisation seeks to consolidate its influence within the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) party.

The show of support came yesterday during the handover ceremony of the PLU secretary general’s office at the organisation’s headquarters in Kampala.

Mr Fadil Twalla, the Tingey County MP, officially took over as PLU secretary general from Kasambya County MP David Kabanda, who was absent. Organisers said Mr Kabanda was attending a youth conference abroad.

PLU chairperson Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba also did not attend the event and was represented by the organisation’s vice chairman, Mr Michael Nuwagira.

Speaking as chief guest, Speaker of Parliament Jacob Oboth-Oboth said the transition was important for both the organisation and the country’s political future.

‘We are here to witness a transition, a transfer of responsibility that carries the full weight of the PLU movement’s future and indeed the future of Uganda,’ he said.

Mr Oboth-Oboth urged the new secretary general to maintain close cooperation with the NRM, noting that many PLU leaders are also members of the ruling party’s Central Executive Committee.

‘The survival of PLU depends on absolute cohesion. You are here to support the NRM government and not to undermine it,’ he said. In his acceptance speech, Mr Twalla pledged to strengthen PLU structures from the village to the national level and prioritise the fight against corruption.

‘Corruption remains the greatest threat to Uganda’s development. Every shilling stolen from government is a school not built, a hospital not equipped and a job opportunity denied to our young people,’ he said.

Mr Twalla said PLU would support efforts to improve accountability in government institutions, local governments and public agencies. Representing Gen Muhoozi, Mr Nuwagira said Mr Twalla was chosen because of his commitment to the organisation and expressed confidence in his ability to strengthen the movement. He also paid tribute to Mr Kabanda for his contribution to PLU’s growth.