Category: Daily Monitor

The Fufa Women Cup is set to have its biggest final yet after rivals Kampala Queens and Kawempe Muslim took advantage in their respective semifinals on Saturday.

The Finance Trust Bank Fufa Women Super League (FTBFWSL) champions Kawempe lost last year’s Cup final to Amus College in Lugogo.

They have earned a bit of revenge by beating the same side 3-0 in the first leg of the semis in Kachumbala. But that will count for nought if they do not complete the double.

Amus is a feisty side so Kawempe coach Ayub Khalifah chose to bring more steel into his midfield by fielding the combative Zainah Nambozo ahead of the sleeky but diminutive Dorcus Kisakye.

The plan to give nothing away on the road worked even better after Jovia Nakagolo opened the scoring for the visitors in the sixth minute. In the 32nd minute, Latifah Nakasi doubled Kawempe’s lead then tripled it in the 67th minute to give Amus a mountain to climb in the second leg.

Later in the day, Kampala Queens (KQ) made home advantage count by beating Lady Doves 2-0 at MTN Omondi Stadium, Lugogo.

A 43rd minute opener by Kamiyati Naigaga was quickly added onto after the restart by Joanitah Ainembabazi in the 46th minute.

Lady Doves will hope to overturn the deficit at home but KQ players have seemed to relish operating under little pressure for months now.

Since it became increasingly clear that they were out of the 2025/26 league title race in March, KQ have quietly rebuilt their confidence and grinded out results. A 2-0 lead will give them further comfort when they travel to Masindi to chase a first appearance in the Cup final.

Biggest final

A less expectant KQ is a dangerous opponent and they could do with some underdog status to save their season after failing to defend their 2024/25 league title. That status helped them draw 1-1 with Kawempe in the league title run-in.

Should both Kawempe and Kampala Queens make the final, it will be the first time direct rivals at the epitome of the women’s game lock horns in the final game of the season.

In the 2017 final, Olila High School – then a rising but unknown quantity beat Asubo Ladies in Busia.

In 2018, Uganda Christian University (UCU) Lady Cardinals beat She Corporate in Sheema. Both sides were competitive then, in an era dominated by Kawempe, but later went on to also win the league in 2019 and 2022 respectively.

In 2019 in Lugogo, mid-table league side Makerere University stunned Lady Doves, which was building a star-studded squad.

In 2023, Uganda Martyrs as expected at the time defeated She Maroons in Kumi while She Corporate defeated Rines SS in the 2024 final in Ndejje.

FUFA WOMEN CUP

SEMIFINAL RESULTS – FIRST LEG

Amus College 0-3 Kawempe Muslim

Kampala Queens 2-0 Lady Doves

Justice Stephen Mubiru, may it please you, my Lord! Thy humble Officer of Court doth seek thine indulgence on a small matter herein disclosed.

Recently, I, in typical idle mode, was closing the day’s proceedings with a lazy perusal of social media when I fell upon two little stories.

In story one, a judicial officer in criminal court asks the accused why he keeps turning up in his court, from year to year.

The accused wryly replies, ‘Your honour, it isn’t my fault that you’re not getting promoted!’ In football, that would be a solid 1-0 scoreline!

Story two was a cartoon in which an angry, frustrated parent is accusing one of his children, called Salary, of remaining a dwarf when all his siblings – Fuel, Taxes, Food Prices, et al, are growing tall and big, becoming giants.

He asks, ‘Why can’t you be like your brothers?’ The two stories sounded oddly familiar. Very close to home. They reminded me of someone, who was it? I scratched my grey head for a while, and then it hit me: ‘Hey, it’s Stevo!’ Then I corrected myself: ‘Er… Justice Mubiru.’

My Lord, I haven’t quite seen you since that very sad afternoon in Rubaga Cathedral a few years ago, about which I daresay no more.

But this is one of the times I should have liked to meet you in private, during after-court hours, when we’ve thrown off all those robes and whatever other courtroom regalia.

Then we sit down in a cafe, just the two of us; I call you Stevo, you call me Tom, and we order good ol’ fashioned coffee and muffins. We ditch English and switch to Luganda. We strike out the ‘My Lord’ stuff, I address you as ‘Mwana Wattu’. Building castles in the air!

Anyway, I read many of your judicial decisions – and shake my head. Too much English. Too much research – this is not Harvard University.

Too many pages. Too much law. Too many legal principles. Too much justice. My Lord, too much of anything is bad! Now look at you: even Johnny-come-latelys who found you at High Court level have left you there. Have you no ambition? People are going places! People are building mansions!

Were you once an altar boy? Anti, I see you carry yourself with the suspicious innocence of a man who once rang the bell at Mass. You write judgments as though you’re still holding a candle before the altar.

You approach the Constitution as though it were Scripture. You treat precedent as though it were Church doctrine, and injustice as absolute sacrilege. Very touching, my Lord, but it takes you nowhere. You might have missed your true vocation.

Why didn’t you ‘take the Holy Orders’ instead – become a priest? Or lecture at Harvard? The Judiciary is not a church; it is a Kampala street corner with robes. Be sharp! You must learn the sacred art of survival.

Know when to genuflect before power. Know when to sprinkle holy water on a bad argument and declare it persuasive. Know when to turn legal darkness into constitutional light. Mwana Wattu, you seem to confuse being wise with being clever. Kakati, let me mentor you: A wise judge asks, ‘What is the right thing to do?’ A clever judge asks, ‘What is the useful thing to do?’ A wise judge worries about principle.

A clever judge worries about promotion. A wise judge masters jurisprudence. A clever judge masters promotion architecture and the byzantine ecology of advancement.

A man is abducted by security agencies, tortured, then dumped in your court? The fool is guilty! Remand him immediately.

Deny him bail! Engineer the trial! Your godfather sues a media house for defamation, teach them a lesson – slap some really good millions in damages upon the idiots so that they close shop. An election petition against a ruling party member is before you -dismiss it with costs!

Cut down on everything. The English, cut! The research, cut! The pages, cut, cut! The ethics and integrity, cut, cut, cut! Don’t be Manchester United – playing the best football and coming third in the 2025/26 English Premier League season.

Be Arsenal: playing rough and ugly but getting the 2025/26 Premier League season trophy. Beera mu klass, Mwana Wattu!

Dr Lawrence Muganga (PhD), the Vice Chancellor of Victoria University, and his friend, Frank Gashumba, have been trending on social media over a sympathy stunt that is as absurd as it is manipulative.

Dr Muganga was nominated by President Museveni for the position of State minister for Internal Affairs when he has multiple citizenships: Uganda, Rwanda and Canada. He probably did not know that his citizenship status was a deal breaker.

And Mr Museveni, it seems, did not carry out any background checks on his nominees, which is surprising.

When the Cabinet list was released, Dr Muganga and Mr Gashumba celebrated on social media.

Mr Gashumba has since been fighting tooth and nail to ensure his friend’s nomination does not come to grief.

But there was already a debate on WhatsApp groups and other social platforms that several nominees would not be vetted by Parliament’s appointments committee because of having dual citizenship.

Nonetheless, the committee went ahead and approved veteran diplomat Adonia Ayebare, Calvin Echodu and Shartsi Musherure [who too are said to be US citizens] but rejected Dr Muganga.

He reportedly told the committee he had launched the process of renouncing his citizenship in the two countries.

He is also said to have made a distinctly bizarre claim: That the passport for one of the countries had expired, so he was – by implication – no longer a citizen. The committee’s decision was unfair but still legal.

It prompted Dr Muganga and Mr Gashumba to embark on Plan B: sympathy stunt. In pursuing this option, the two men completely ignored the fact that the Citizenship and Immigration Control (Amendment) Act, 2009, precludes individuals with dual/multiple citizenships from holding offices such as President, Vice President, Prime Minister, Cabinet minister and other ministers. In all, there are 12 offices that Ugandans like Dr Muganga just cannot hold.

In their social media appearances, Dr Muganga and Mr Gashumba barely mentioned the law, largely because it was a very inconvenient truth.

They pushed the narrative that the appointments committee discriminated against Dr Muganga on the grounds that he is Rwandan.

Mr Gashumba singled out Mr Thomas Tayebwa, the Deputy Speaker of Parliament, claiming that he had influenced the committee’s decision to reject Dr Muganga.

Some people will argue that why would Dr Muganga and Mr Gashumba accept the committee’s decision yet it approved the nominations of the other candidates who have dual citizenship?

It is a valid question, but if a man commits murder and is not jailed, it does not mean the next person who murders someone will walk free.

The stunt led to a visit to Seeta, where Dr Muganga’s parents are buried. Journalists and content creators filmed every moment of the drama. Dr Muganga wept bitterly.

Many have asked why the vice chancellor of a university is dying to serve as a minister. My answer is that it is a cushy job. It is not as demanding as the job of a chancellor at a private university.

A university sets high-performance targets, complete with key performance indicators. There is the annual performance review. The pressure to deliver can force you to lay awake in the wee hours of the night, yet you have to get up early in the morning.

By contrast, a Cabinet position in a country like Uganda, where government officials and civil servants generally take a laid-back attitude to work, is a walk in the park. Mr Museveni appoints ministers, but he does not supervise them closely.

Even when they underperform, they still get paid. And their remuneration and perks are enviable. Many Ugandans can only dream of the allowances a minister, even a junior one, is paid – to say nothing of the SUV for which the taxpayer buys fuel.

Whether Dr Muganga will be appointed remains to be seen. But he and Mr Gashumba owe it to Ugandans to face the truth, however bitter it may be.

Vendors in Wakiso District who have for long complained of lack of workspace can breathe a sigh of relief after the government launched construction of two modern markets worth Shs37 billion.

Construction of the two market projects, Wakiso Central Daily Market and Kawuku Market, will be undertaken by Techno Three (U) Limited and Scaffold Construction Company at a cost of Shs20.3 billion and Shs16.7 billion respectively.

‘When it rains, we don’t work because customers fear the bad access routes within the market that turn muddy,’ Ms Rehema Nakamya, a food vendor in Wakiso Market, said on Saturday.

The market projects are being implemented under the Greater Kampala Metropolitan Urban Development Programme (GKMA-UDP), with funding from the World Bank.

Construction of both projects was launched by the State Minister for Kampala and Metropolitan Affairs, Mr Joseph Kabuye Kyofatogabye, with the help of his Undersecretary, Ms Monica Edemachu.

For many years, vendors at the two markets operated from temporary open stalls, regularly battered by rain and sometimes harsh sunshine.

For mothers, it has been worse. Ms Nakamya said they have been keeping their children under wooden lockers to prevent them from loitering in the markets.

Vegetable vendors are also affected by scorching sunshine, with their produce often spoiling before reaching the market, causing them huge losses.

They are now hopeful that the modern structures will boost sales and increase their profits.

According to the Wakiso District Engineer, Ms Lillian Namutebi, the modern market facilities will have stalls, lockups, freezer rooms, a day care centre, a skilling centre, restaurant facilities, sanitation facilities, parking areas, garbage management facilities, office space, and banking services.

She said Wakiso Central Daily Market, which has been accommodating 400 vendors, will now accommodate up to 800 vendors. Similarly, Kawuku Market will grow from about 370 vendors to over 700 vendors.

‘This means even those affected by ongoing trade order evictions will also get workspace,’ she said.

Mr Henry Magala, the general secretary of Wakiso Market Committee, said sections, especially slaughter areas, have been rotting, producing a malodorous stench.

The condition, he claims, would sometimes scare away clients, especially on rainy days. ‘We are now confident that a person will be able to walk into the market any time,’ he said.

Mr David Mugumya, the chairperson of Kawuku Market, also recounted a similar sorry state of the old market, noting that high-end individuals could not buy from them.

He said they now hope for a better client base since the market is located along the busy highway leading to Entebbe International Airport.

Addressing market vendors in Kawuku on Thursday, Mr Kyofatogabye said he had received reports of vendors dragging politics into the project, with some refusing to register because they subscribe to the opposition National Unity Platform (NUP).

He warned that vendors who refuse to register will be kicked out of the market, encouraging all those who wish to be in the new market to follow the right procedures.

The Vicar General of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Kasana-Luweero, Msgr. Vincent De Paul Mukiibi, has encouraged unmarried teachers to consider marriage, saying some parents have expressed concern about entrusting their children to single teachers.

Msgr. Mukiibi said several parents had approached him with fears that unmarried teachers may pose a greater risk of child abuse, making them uneasy when such teachers are responsible for the care and supervision of their children at school.

He said many parents had confided in him about their anxiety whenever they discovered that unmarried teachers were in charge of their children. He appealed to teachers who are single to consider settling down in marriage and urged those engaging in premarital sexual relationships to embrace holy matrimony.

Msgr. Mukiibi made the remarks on Friday during the Diocesan Teachers’ Day celebrations held at the Luwero Teachers’ SACCO Gardens in Luwero Town Council. He also reminded teachers that the schools in which they serve belong to the diocese and urged them to actively participate in diocesan programmes and activities.

In addition, he advised teachers to prioritise their health by adopting healthy lifestyles. He cautioned against excessive alcohol consumption and encouraged them to prevent lifestyle-related illnesses such as diabetes and hypertension through balanced diets and regular physical exercise.

Msgr. Mukiibi’s comments on child protection are not entirely new in the area. In 2012, Uganda Radio Network reported that the then Bishop of Kasana-Luweero Diocese, now Archbishop of Kampala, Paul Ssemogerere, raised concerns about cases of child sexual abuse in Catholic Church-supported schools within his jurisdiction.

At the time, Bishop Ssemogerere said several cases were going unreported in Catholic-founded schools in Luwero. He made the remarks after learning of allegations that a teacher at St Augustine Primary School in Zirobwe Sub-county, Luwero District, had sexually abused a Primary Six pupil.

According to the report, Bishop Ssemogerere said the incident was the fourth such case brought to his attention. Speaking to URN, he urged the Ministry of Education and the Police to work together to establish the extent of child sexual abuse in Luwero schools.

Kasana-Luweero Diocese covers Luwero, Nakaseke and Nakasongola districts. It oversees more than 150 pre-primary, primary, secondary and tertiary institutions.

Bishop Ssemogerere also recommended more rigorous background checks for teachers seeking employment in Catholic Church-supported schools, arguing that educators entrusted with learners are expected to uphold high moral standards.

More than 360 newly elected local government leaders in Namutumba District have begun their five-year term facing growing public demands for improved service delivery, better accountability and closer cooperation with technical staff.

A total of 368 lower local government leaders were sworn in this week across the district amid concerns over poor roads, inadequate healthcare services, limited education infrastructure and persistent tensions between politicians and civil servants.

Speaking after administering the oath of office, Deputy Chief Administrative Officer Abdul Waweyo warned elected leaders against engaging in conflicts with technical officers, saying such disputes undermine service delivery and district operations.

“The drums of politics, propaganda and trading insults are over. We do not want to see offices becoming battlefields because someone wants to attract the loudest applause,” Waweyo said.

He urged politicians to focus on addressing community needs and maintaining a productive working relationship with government staff.

“If there is no good collaboration between technical officers and politicians, service delivery will not take place,” he said.

Waweyo reminded the leaders that they were accountable to voters and would be judged on their ability to deliver tangible results.

“People’s eyes are on you. We expect hard work, not fights with technical staff. You must prove that you deserve the trust that wananchi placed in you,” he added.

The officials sworn in include 20 sub-county chairpersons, 20 speakers, 20 deputy speakers, 20 vice-chairpersons and 22 committee chairpersons, among other local government leaders.

The elections further cemented the dominance of the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) in the eastern Uganda district. Of the 20 elected sub-county chairpersons, 19 belong to the NRM, while only one, from Mazuba Sub-county, represents the National Unity Platform (NUP).

The outcome has prompted debate over the level of opposition representation in local governance structures.

Abdallah Kasalawo, a former Forum for Democratic Change parliamentary candidate for Busiki North Constituency, argued that the near absence of opposition voices could weaken oversight and accountability.

“Without dissenting voices to scrutinise budgets, procurement processes and government programmes, these councils may fail to effectively represent the interests of the people,” Kasalawo said.

He warned that councils dominated by a single political party risk becoming less effective in monitoring public expenditure and service delivery.

Residents, meanwhile, say they expect the new leaders to prioritise key development challenges that dominated the election campaign.

Peter Galimwifuba, a resident of Ivukula Sub-county and supporter of the National Unity Platform, said communities want action on roads, healthcare, education and youth unemployment.

He also challenged claims that politicians are largely responsible for disputes with technical staff.

“The Deputy CAO says politicians fight technical staff, but in many cases it is the technical officers who frustrate politicians,” Galimwifuba said.

According to local leaders, inadequate road funding, poor transport infrastructure, weak accountability systems and the lack of seed secondary schools and Health Centre IIIs remain among the district’s most pressing concerns.

Amuza Wamugere, the newly elected chairperson of Bugobi Sub-county, said poor infrastructure continues to affect access to essential services.

He noted that some students travel up to 14 kilometres to attend secondary school in neighbouring Butaleja District because the sub-county lacks a government seed secondary school.

“I have entered office, but my biggest challenge this term is inadequate road funding from the central government and poor healthcare services,” Wamugere said yesterday.

The new leaders now face the challenge of translating campaign promises into tangible improvements as residents demand better roads, schools, health facilities and greater accountability in the use of public resources.

Reigning Airtel Masaza Cup champions Buweekula will begin the defence of their title against former champions Kyaddondo on Saturday at Mubende NTC as Buganda’s flagship football tournament kicks off its 2026 season.

The opener launches a campaign expected to run through October and feature 104 matches across the kingdom.

At the official handover of team uniforms and competition rules at Bulange Gardens, Buganda Prime Minister Charles Peter Mayiga urged counties to embrace unity and fair competition.

“Football brings that unity. When we are together no one can defeat us. But I call upon organisers to exercise integrity. We don’t want boardroom wins this season,” Mayiga said.

The tournament has invested heavily in administration and safety, with team managers trained in football administration, media personnel prepared for competition coverage and medical staff receiving refresher courses. Organisers also trained an additional 540 stewards for pitch management, bringing the event’s operational workforce to unprecedented levels.

Airtel renews commitment

At the launch, Airtel Uganda Managing Director and CEO Soumendra Sahu reaffirmed the telecom’s long-standing support for the tournament, describing it as a key platform for talent development and social impact.

He praised the Kingdom leadership for sustaining grassroots football structures that continue to nurture young players and unite communities.

Sahu said the tournament had evolved beyond sport into a platform for driving social change through initiatives such as HIV/AIDS awareness campaigns and community outreach programmes.

‘We are honoured to continue this partnership, which drives football development while uniting communities around meaningful social impact. The tournament has grown into a powerful platform for positive behavioural change, using the game to champion HIV/AIDS awareness, the Emmwanyi Terimba campaign, and other community programmes that are improving lives and strengthening social wellbeing across the kingdom,’ Sahu said.

Airtel has remained a consistent supporter of Kingdom initiatives including the Kabaka Birthday Run, Bika Tournament, coronation events and the Masaza Cup.

He said the partnership reflects a shared commitment to service, unity and youth development, urging the public to continue supporting Airtel in return.

Growing

Buganda Minister of Youth, Sports and the Arts Robert Sserwanga said the 2025 edition attracted more than 385,000 spectators and generated over 10 million social media engagements.

“Our calendar starts from Gombolola competitions and schools as well as the Masaza Cup. We are starting a journey of 104 games until October,” Sserwanga said.

Masaza Committee chairman Ronald Mulondo said county leaders are committed to a smooth competition after the controversy that followed last season’s third-place play-off.

“All counties are ready to compete, but we must follow the kingdom’s pillars above our loyalties. The Masaza Cup helps raise issues of federalism and nurture talent,” Mulondo said.

Champions confident

Buweekula coach Ibrahim Kyobe, formerly assistant to title-winning coach Felix, is backing his team to repeat last season’s success.

“We want to defy the odds and defend our trophy. We have added hungry players,” Kyobe said.

Among Buweekula’s attacking options are Peter Ssemyalo, Martin Seguya, Fred Tumwesigye and Charles Musisi, while key returning players include Patrick Kagulire, Shafiq Ssali, Brian Muwayire and Eliezer Feni.

But Kyaddondo captain Trevor Kalule said his side is targeting a return to glory after last winning the trophy in 2008.

“We expect good results and need our fans to back us,” Kalule said.

This year’s sponsors include Airtel, Centenary Bank, Nirvana, UNAIDS, Uganda Aids Commission and Plascon.

Airtel Masaza Cup

Opening fixture

Saturday, June 13, 2026

Buweekula vs Kyaddondo

Mubende NTC, 3pm

Groups

Masengere: Kyaggwe, Mawokota, Bulemeezi, Gomba, Ssese, Busiro

Bulange: Buweekula, Buluuli, Busujju, Kyaddondo, Buddu, Buvuma

Muganzirwazza: Ssingo, Bugerere, Kooki, Kabula, Butambala, Mawogola

An Audit into Uganda’s remand homes and the national rehabilitation centres (RRCs) has exposed serious gaps in the juvenile justice system, with children being held beyond the legal remand period, facing limited access to healthcare and education, and living in overcrowded facilities.

The new value-for-money audit report on the management of remand homes and the national rehabilitation centre under the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development (MoGLSD) paints a troubling picture of a system struggling to rehabilitate and reintegrate juvenile offenders. According to the report by the Auditor General, Mr Edward Akol, as of December 2025, Uganda operates seven remand homes: Fort Portal, Mbale, Naguru, Gulu, Masindi, Arua, Kabale, and one National Rehabilitation Centre, Kampiringisa, mandated for the protection, rehabilitation, and reintegration of juveniles in conflict with the law.

However, Mr Akol revealed that these facilities are grappling with significant challenges, including overcrowding, aging infrastructure, inadequate health units/sickbays, lack of access to education, and inadequate rehabilitation services. The RRCs in Uganda are vital to the juvenile justice system because they provide safe custody, rehabilitation, and reintegration services for the juvenile offenders (JOs). The audit revealed that 41 percent of juveniles charged with minor offences had stayed on remand beyond the legally recommended three months under Section 94(5) of the Children Act. Similarly, 45 percent of juveniles facing capital offences had exceeded the six-month remand period.

The report indicated that out of 9,204 JOs admitted to the facilities during the period the audit was conducted, 5,757, representing an average of 63 percent, lacked social inquiry reports-critical documents required by courts to understand a child’s family and social background before determining appropriate intervention. ‘This delayed court proceedings lead to overstay on remand. In addition, the resettlement of juveniles upon release becomes a challenge due to scanty information of the child’s social and family background,’ Mr Akol noted.

The Auditor General attributed the delays in the administration of juvenile justice to poor coordination among institutions, including the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, the Judiciary, and the Internal Affairs ministry.

Outstanding gaps

Healthcare access remains inadequate, with only 143 of 203 JOs sampled getting medical check-ups immediately on admission. All eight remand and rehabilitation centres audited lacked a resident medical practitioner or health personnel, contrary to Rule 11(1) of the Children’s Home Rules, 2013, which requires the RRCs to employ the services of a registered nurse as a full-time staff member.

To fill the void, informal working arrangements with nearby government medical facilities, where doctors and other medical personnel visit when needed, have taken root. The report further revealed gaps in nutrition support for juveniles with chronic illnesses, with some children on long-term medication failing to receive specialised diets. Eighteen juveniles, representing nine percent, were not provided with a specific menu/diet tailored to their medical conditions, which can jeopardise or complicate existing health conditions. Mr Akol revealed that six (75 percent) out of eight remand homes and rehabilitation centres are operating beyond their recommended capacities, with congestion levels ranging from 110 percent to 229 percent. Fort Portal and Mbale remand homes were identified as the most overcrowded, housing juvenile populations of 129 percent and 122 percent above their individual recommended holding capacities of 45 each.

The other challenges included staffing gaps and delays in the resettlement of JOs who had completed their committal orders. At the time of the audit (October 2025), 115 (29 percent) out of 413 juveniles at the centre had completed their committal orders but had not yet been reintegrated into their communities. The report also highlighted poor recreational facilities in most remand homes, with only Arua and Kampiringisa having sufficient outdoor playgrounds for games such as football and volleyball. The rest mainly relied on indoor games like ludo.

Access to education also remains another major challenge, with the report indicating that, at Kampiringisa National Rehabilitation Centre, only 35 out of 140 juveniles who expressed interest in formal education were attending either primary or secondary school due to a lack of on-site educational facilities. ‘Although skilling programmes were being offered in hairdressing, tailoring, shoemaking, and agricultural activities, other skilling activities like carpentry and tailoring were not offered due to a lack of modern and functional equipment. Some equipment, dating as far back as the 1950s, was dilapidated and unsuitable for effective skills training,’ Mr Akol noted.

He also noted that despite the enactment of the Children Act in 1997, Uganda has never developed specific regulations to guide the management of remand homes and rehabilitation centres, creating inconsistencies in operations across facilities. The Auditor General highlighted inadequate funding of Shs640 million annually (less than 0.3 percent of the overall budget of the MoGLSD) to the RRCs (financial years (FYs) 2022/2023-2024/2025), which affected the effective management of the RRCs.

Interventions

Justice and Constitution Affairs minister Norbert Mao explained that the government is working around the clock to solve major challenges in a phased manner. For the issues of delayed justice, Mr Mao noted that the government, in collaboration with development partners, has initiated the establishment of court spaces within remand homes. He explained that the government is putting in place diversion programmes which aim at redirecting children who have committed minor offences away from the formal justice system. Among others, the government aims for judicial officers to visit remand homes and conduct special juvenile sessions.

‘We have set a target as the administration of justice programme to reduce this backlog in the justice system to 15.2 percent, and we expect to achieve that in the Financial Year 2029/2030,’ Mr Mao said, adding that non-custodial sentencing, bail reforms, and infrastructure expansion are ongoing to reduce the numbers in the facilities. Mr Mao further noted that the MoGLSD is exploring verification of the age of juveniles to weed out adults from remand homes, and the construction of the Moroto remand home to decongest other remand homes like Mbale is in the final stages.

He, however, stated that when it comes to reintegrating the children, some families are unwilling after their detention.

‘Sometimes when children are in prison, parents feel a sense of relief. When we return these children home, families often have a negative attitude and do not want to receive them.’ Then junior Youth and Children Affairs minister in the MoGLSD, Mr Balaam Barugahara told this publication on May 6 that the government is already taking steps to address challenges in juvenile remand homes, including removing unsafe infrastructure, expanding skilling programmes, speeding up trials, as well as plans to establish more remand homes to reduce the congestion.

‘We need to have more remand homes, at least in every district or every sub-region,’ he stated, adding that the ministry is advocating to the government that magistrates have special sessions in a remand home for speedy trials. Mr Barugahare, now the Local Government minister, also noted that the government agreed to increase skilling programmes, as well as give them startup capital after they are integrated into communities. He consequently urged the community to embrace juvenile offenders after they are released and integrated into communities.

Former West Budama North-East MP and lawyer Fox Odoi-Oywelowo said the government must have a responsive juvenile justice system to prevent children from becoming hardened criminals. ‘We need to make our juvenile justice system just, humane, and tolerant, responsive to the needs of young children. You can’t deal with young offenders like you are dealing with adults,’ Mr Odoi-Oywelowo, who was also the chairperson of the Committee on Human Rights in the 11th Parliament, said.

He added: ‘We must also strengthen the capacity of the social workers. Children must not be completely detached from their families. You maintain some form of semblance of connection to the families and relatives.’

Recommendations

Mr Timothy Opobo, the Executive Director of AfriChild Centre, noted that the challenges highlighted in the Auditor General’s report are long-standing and largely brought by inadequate investment in Uganda’s juvenile justice system. ‘The issue of overcrowding is based on the fact that these remand homes are not enough. Yet children are being brought from across different districts to the few available facilities.’

Mr Opobo emphasised the need for the government to establish more remand homes and rehabilitation centres in the country to decongest the available ones. He also blamed limited funding for poor welfare and logistical challenges affecting the facilities, noting that children are not taken to courts because remand homes lack transport means. ‘There is a need to review the budgets, the budget allocations to these Remand Homes so that they address those logistical concerns, including issues to do with hygiene,’Mr Opobo said.

He further called for specialised personnel to support rehabilitation and mental health services for JOs, highlighting the need for more psychologists, psychiatrists, and social workers to help in rehabilitating the children. Mr Akol highlighted that most of the JOs are mainly implicated in delinquencies of theft, break-ins, sexual-related offences, assault, and narcotic/drug trafficking. Data from the Uganda Police Annual Crime Report 2025 shows that 3,303 juveniles were involved in crime, including 2,908 males and about 400 females, up from 2,268 cases recorded in 2024.

In his recommendations, the Auditor General noted that the historical context of the RRCs, combined with the increase in Uganda’s population, underscores the urgent need for reforms in the juvenile justice system. Adding that although the juvenile system is fulfilling its mandate, Mr Akol noted there is an urgent need for improvements in the management and care of juveniles within the justice system to meet contemporary needs, while upholding the rights of juveniles during their rehabilitation and reintegration into society.

He further emphasised the urgent need for improvements in the management and care of juveniles within the justice system to meet contemporary needs, while upholding the rights of juveniles during their rehabilitation and reintegration into society.

Masindi General Hospital is operating under severe strain, with rising patient numbers, critical staff shortages, and overstretched maternity services, according to hospital management.

Hospital executive consultant Dr Rogers Musinguzi has revealed the facility is handling an unusually high number of maternal cases while operating with less than half of the required workforce.

Dr Musinguzi said the hospital receives an average of 472 mothers every month for delivery, with a striking 372 of those undergoing caesarean section. He noted the high number of surgical deliveries is putting additional pressure on already limited theater staff, equipment, and medical personnel.

‘Most of our deliveries are now by caesarean section. This is not normal for a general hospital. It reflects both late referrals and complications at the time mothers arrive,’ Dr. Musinguzi said.

The consultant added that Masindi General Hospital is also handling about 900 admissions, a figure he described as overwhelming for the available staff and infrastructure.

According to Dr. Musinguzi, the hospital is operating with only 134 staff members out of the required 343, leaving a gap of more than 200 health workers. He said the shortage is affecting every department, but maternity and emergency services are the most affected.

‘In maternity, the workload is extremely heavy. A midwife is supposed to attend to about two mothers, but here one midwife is attending to up to 12 women at a time. This leads to exhaustion and affects service delivery,’ he said.

Health workers reportedly work long hours without adequate rest, a situation Dr. Musinguzi warned could increase the risk of medical errors and burnout. He further revealed the hospital has gone three years without new recruitment of health workers, worsening the crisis.

‘We have not recruited any staff in three years. This has created a dangerous gap in service delivery,’ he said.

Dr. Musinguzi also highlighted severe shortages in key medical positions. The hospital is supposed to have four consultants, but currently has none. Out of 19 medical officers required, only six are available, with one currently on academic leave, leaving just five active doctors handling a high patient load.

‘At times, one doctor runs the entire hospital for 48 hours. This is not sustainable. It puts both patients and staff at risk,’ Dr. Musinguzi said.

The consultant added that such conditions make it difficult to maintain quality care, especially in emergency and surgical cases.

The hospital is also experiencing a significant shortage of nurses. Dr. Musinguzi said Masindi General Hospital requires at least 46 nurses but currently has only 30. This gap has placed enormous pressure on existing staff, particularly in maternity wards where demand is highest.

‘Healthcare workers are exhausted. They are doing their best, but the numbers are simply overwhelming,’ he said.

The high rate of caesarean sections has also raised concern among health experts, who say it could be linked to late referrals from lower health facilities and complications that are not managed early.

A midwife at the hospital, who requested anonymity, described the situation as ‘extremely difficult,’ saying staff often work beyond their limits.

‘You can be handling several mothers at the same time, some in labor, others in surgery recovery. It is very exhausting,’ the midwife said.

According to hospital management, Masindi General Hospital has not received any significant staffing boost in the past three years despite increasing patient numbers. This has widened the gap between demand and available health workers, especially in critical departments such as surgery, maternity, and emergency care.

Masindi District secretary for social services William Mwambu called for urgent government intervention to address staffing gaps and improve working conditions.

‘We need immediate recruitment to save both mothers and health workers from burnout. The situation is critical,’ Mr. Mwambu said.

Masindi General Hospital serves patients from Masindi, Buliisa, Kiryandongo, and surrounding districts, making it one of the busiest health facilities in the region. However, the growing population and increasing number of referrals have not been matched with a corresponding expansion in staffing and infrastructure.

With only 134 staff out of the required 343 and critical shortages in doctors, nurses, and consultants, the hospital is operating under conditions experts describe as ‘near breaking point.’

Gin likes to think of itself as sophisticated. It comes in elegant bottles, talks endlessly about botanicals and somehow sounds more refined than most spirits. Yet in Uganda, gin has achieved something even more impressive: it has become loved. It is the drink that appears at weddings, introductions, birthday parties and celebrations where nobody is entirely sure what is being celebrated. Long before craft cocktails and Instagram-worthy garnishes became fashionable, Ugandans had already embraced gin.

Historians trace its popularity to the colonial era, when imported spirits became widely available across East Africa. One popular account suggests that imported brands arriving after the World Wars became known as ‘war gin,’ a name that gradually evolved into ‘waragi’, now one of the most recognised names in Uganda’s drinking culture.

Whether folklore or fact, the story reflects a deeper truth; few spirits are as woven into Uganda’s social life as gin. That relationship eventually produced Uganda Waragi, a brand so iconic that for many Ugandans, it became their first introduction to alcohol itself. Today, June 13, as the world marks World Gin Day, Uganda celebrates a spirit that continues to evolve with changing tastes.

‘Uganda has gone beyond seeing gin as just another spirit. Consumers have developed a genuine palate for gin,’ says Steven Baguma, Reserve Brand Ambassador at Uganda Breweries Limited.

The country’s affection for the category is evident in the enduring popularity of Uganda Waragi, which has long occupied a unique place in local drinking culture, as well as the growing appetite for premium international expressions such as Tanqueray. Together, they tell the story of a market that is increasingly embracing both heritage and exploration. Consumers are becoming more interested in what separates one gin from another, from the botanicals used in production to the stories behind individual brands.

‘People often see gin as just a clear spirit,’ says Jane Apio, Reserve Brand Mixologist at Uganda Breweries Limited. ‘But gin is actually a blend of botanicals such as juniper berries, coriander, cinnamon and licorice.’

At the heart of every gin is juniper berry, the ingredient that legally defines the spirit. Around it, distillers add herbs, spices, fruits and flowers to create distinctive flavours.

For Kampala mixologist Molly Ayat of Aurous Bar and Restaurant, that character is gin’s greatest strength.

‘All gin starts as a neutral spirit and then gets personality,’ she says. ‘The botanicals are what make every gin different.’

That versatility has helped gin remain relevant across generations. While the classic gin and tonic remains a favourite, bartenders are increasingly experimenting with local ingredients and creative serves.

‘If you have jackfruit, for example, you can make a very nice cocktail with gin and jackfruit,’ says Apio.

Across Kampala’s nightlife scene, gin has become the foundation for colourful cocktails and premium drinking experiences. According to Baguma, consumers increasingly care about more than just the drink itself.

‘People are looking for meaningful experiences,’ he says. ‘The bottle matters, the story behind the bottle matters, the food pairings matter.’

Yet despite all the experimentation, one serve still reigns supreme. Gin and tonic. The gin and tonic blend best shows off the character of gin. It gives you exactly what you are looking for; the freshness, the botanicals and the character.

Perhaps that explains gin’s enduring appeal. It is sophisticated without being intimidating, traditional without feeling old-fashioned and versatile enough to keep reinventing itself.

And in Uganda, where life’s best moments are often marked by gathering together and raising a glass, gin continues to feel perfectly at home. And in people’s breast pockets.