Category: Daily Monitor

Dear Diary,

I have been thinking about how, for decades, a specific phrase functioned as the ultimate masculine safety valve. It was always delivered with the casual, practiced confidence of a public service announcement, usually right around the time the emotional temperature in the room threatened to rise above lukewarm.

‘It is just sex.’

Four little words. Simple. Efficient. Structurally sound. Historically, the translation was understood by all parties involved, even if it was never explicitly written down. It meant: Do not expect anything. Do not read into this. Do not confuse physical access with emotional affection, and for heaven’s sake, do not mistake chemistry for commitment. Forty-something-year-old women have heard this specific linguistic waiver so often, across so many generations, that it should be permanently embroidered on decorative throw pillows.

We heard it after spectacular, five-star dates that ended in the early hours of the morning. We heard it after abysmal, painfully awkward dates that should have ended three hours earlier. We heard it after six months of intense, pseudo-domestic cohabitation, and we heard it after precisely six minutes of a fleeting encounter. It was the standard post-script to conversations that felt exactly like relationships, and the epitaph for relationships that, somehow, never quite managed to become honest conversations.

But we have listened.

Now, to be clear, we did not listen in the way men historically expected us to. We did not listen while secretly harbouring a hope that if we just stayed compliant enough, or pretty enough, or quiet enough, the terms of service would change. We did not listen and treat it as a personal challenge to our womanhood, convinced we could be the magical exception that would make him change his mind. Instead, we flipped the script. ‘It was just sex,’ we say now, because frankly, we still want the big O, we just no longer require the emotional loops that came attached to them.

Right now, somewhere in a trendy lounge in Kampala, a man is staring blankly into the middle distance, his drink sweating through its napkin, entirely paralysed by the universe’s sense of irony. The woman he has been casually seeing, the one he genuinely likes, the one who occupies a comfortable, low-maintenance slot in his weekly routine, has just looked him dead in the eye and handed those exact four words back to him.

‘It was just sex.’

Suddenly, he wants context. The man who previously championed the virtues of casual simplicity is now desperately searching for nuance. He wants a deep dive. He wants a retrospective analysis. Frankly, he behaves as though there ought to be a televised panel discussion to unpack the emotional weight of it all. Because as it turns out, that specific set of words sounds entirely different when they are being broadcast from the opposite side of the table.

When he calls her on a whim on a Thursday night, she is not sitting by her phone waiting to be chosen; she is genuinely busy. When he disappears into a black hole of unresponsiveness for four days, she does not spiral into an anxiety-induced frenzy; she simply plans a girls’ weekend in Zanzibar. And when he finally returns with a weak, delayed text, there is no gruelling interrogation waiting for him. There is no emotional investigation. There is no 10-page witness statement carefully prepared and submitted to the high court of relationship justice.

Instead, he is met with a pleasant, breezy smile and the serene, unbothered energy of someone who has simply accepted the terms and conditions of the contract. Entirely. Without footnotes. He wanted absolute freedom. She agreed to the parameters. Now, he is left sitting in the quiet of his own apartment, wondering why that very same freedom feels so remarkably lonely. The truth that a lot of men are currently forced to confront is that they never actually expected women to become fluent in the language of detachment. They expected women to tolerate it because we had to.

They expected us to adapt to it, to complain about it over brunch with our friends, and to clumsily navigate around it while trying to sneakily build a future out of crumbs. They certainly never envisioned a world where we would outperform them at it.

But once a woman realises that not every single physical connection needs to be treated as an investment portfolio for a hypothetical future, something fundamental shifts inside her psyche. The waiting stops. There is just existence, good sex, and a glass of Singleton with her name on it.

The woman who used to spend her Tuesday nights with her group chat, obsessively analysing the punctuation, timing, and existential meaning behind a lazy ‘hey stranger’ text, is now asleep by 10 o’clock. The woman who once spent weeks trying to interpret mixed signals has finally learned to treat them exactly as they are advertised; mixed. And right there, in that exact pocket of absolute clarity, is where the masculine panic begins. The phrase ‘it is just sex’ sounds incredibly empowering when you are using it as a shield to protect yourself from the heavy burden of emotional responsibility.

It allows you to enjoy the benefits of intimacy without paying the tax of accountability. That same phrase sounds considerably less empowering, however, when you realise that what she actually wants is morning glory before her Monday meeting with the boss from hell. Funny how that works. The coin did not disappear. The rules of the engagement did not change overnight. XoXo,

The High Court in Kampala has awarded Shs100 million in general damages to a law student after finding that Uganda Christian University (UCU) acted unfairly and irrationally in handling the transfer of her academic credits from King’s College London.

In a judgment delivered on Friday through the Electronic Court Case Management Information System (ECCMIS), Civil Division Judge Bernard Namanya ruled that the university breached the student’s legitimate expectation and failed to follow fair administrative procedures.

The court found that UCU initially admitted Samantha Mwesigye on the basis of transferred credits from King’s College London but later reversed that position as she neared completion of her studies.

Court records show that Mwesigye joined UCU in 2022 after completing her first year of a Bachelor of Laws programme in the United Kingdom and was admitted to proceed to Semester Two of Year One under a credit transfer arrangement.

However, as she approached graduation in 2026, the university informed her that she was required to complete additional courses, including Bible studies, Legal Writing, Fundamentals of Criminal Law and Constitutional History, as well as obtain a certificate of equivalence from the National Council for Higher Education (NCHE).

Through her lawyers from Kampala Associated Advocates (KAA), led by Ferdinand Tumuhaise, Mwesigye challenged the decision, arguing that it was unlawful, irrational and breached her legitimate expectation.

UCU argued that the case was premature and maintained that the student had not formally met all academic requirements for graduation.

However, Justice Namanya ruled that the university’s own admission letter confirmed the credit transfer arrangement and could not later be disregarded without justification.

“The respondent recognised the applicant’s transfer of credits from King’s College London at the time of admission in 2022, but later and without rational basis purported to withdraw that recognition in 2026 when the applicant was on the verge of graduation,” the judge said.

The court also found that UCU had not clearly communicated any requirement for NCHE certification at the time of admission and that such a condition could not be imposed retrospectively.

It further noted that the student had progressed through the programme without objection and had even been cleared to contest for guild leadership, a position requiring satisfactory academic standing.

Justice Namanya held that the university’s actions violated Article 42 of the Constitution, which guarantees fair administrative treatment, and created a legitimate expectation that Mwesigye would graduate without additional conditions.

While the court declined to interfere with the university’s academic mandate, it held that UCU’s decision-making process was unlawful, irrational and procedurally improper.

The court awarded Shs100 million in general damages, saying the student suffered loss, inconvenience and unfair treatment. The award will attract interest at 25 percent per annum from the date of judgment until payment in full, and the university was also ordered to pay costs.

Uganda’s nurses and midwives union has urged the government to reinstate allowances for medical interns, warning that scrapping the payments could undermine healthcare services and patient safety.

The call comes amid growing criticism of a government decision to stop paying monthly allowances to medical interns from August 2026 as part of a plan to integrate internship training into the formal university education system.

Uganda Nurses and Midwives Union (UNMU) President Justus Cherop Kiplangat said withdrawing the allowances would demoralise trainees and ultimately affect the quality of care provided in health facilities.

“As the union representing nurses and midwives, we stand in solidarity with our medical colleagues. We cannot remain silent when a policy that should strengthen health training is instead endangering patients and de-motivating the very workforce meant to save lives,” Kiplangat told reporters on Friday.

His remarks came a day after Vice-President Jessica Alupo said the government would review the decision following weeks of public criticism.

Alupo told Parliament that Cabinet would discuss the proposed Medical Education and Internship Policy before the Health Minister presents a statement to lawmakers.

“We are talking about the positive impact of the deliberate channeling of resources to the human resource development of our country. We can definitely review this policy,” Alupo said.

The issue was raised during a parliamentary sitting where Opposition leader Joel Ssenyonyi questioned how interns would sustain themselves without allowances while being expected to report for duty.

“The government recently suspended public holiday functions to save money. We had already passed that entire budget. Government, let us find this money so that we can pay medical interns,” Ssenyonyi said.

Kiplangat argued that the government should consult health workers’ representatives before implementing changes that directly affect training and service delivery.

He cited the National Education and Training for Health Policy 2025, which identifies poor welfare for interns and supervisors as a factor affecting the quality of training.

“If the government is stating this in her policy, removing allowances for medical interns does not improve welfare. In any case, it worsens it and it should be clear to the government that hungry, stressed medical interns cannot provide safe care,” he said.

The union also pointed to the policy’s emphasis on public interest and patient safety, arguing that trainees working without adequate financial support could compromise healthcare standards.

“An intern working without food or transport money is a patient safety hazard. Mistakes made by hungry personnel will cost Ugandan lives,” Kiplangat said.

UNMU said it fully supports medical interns’ demands for the restoration of allowances and urged the government to prioritise investment in health workers if Uganda is to achieve its Vision 2040 goal of becoming a regional hub for quality healthcare.

“If they want Uganda to become a regional hub for quality health care as envisioned in Vision 2040, then they should pay the people training to deliver that care,” Kiplangat said.

Silence is not always the best answer, especially if it comes at the cost of one’s mental health. And yet too often, we see members of various communities choosing to bottle in emotions, struggles and daily life pressure for many reasons among which is the fallacy that talking about one’s struggles is a sign of weakness, especially for men. However for some, appropriate help is unavailable or unknown.

It is therefore good that June is always highlighted as men’s mental health awareness month. While mental health awareness cannot be left to a singular month, having a set time where it is given extra attention is key in the fight to improve and take care of mental health. According to data released last year by the World Health Organisation, ‘anxiety and depressive disorders are the most common types of mental health disorders among both men and women and suicide remains a devastating outcome, claiming an estimated 727 000 lives in 2021 alone. It is a leading cause of death among young people across all countries and socioeconomic contexts.’

The Ministry of Health’s State of Uganda Population Report 2025 under the theme ‘Mental Health: A Silent Emergency also estimates that about 24.2 percent of adults and 22.9 percent of children are affected by mental health conditions. And yet fewer than one in 10 people who need care receive appropriate support. As we take a deep dive into the second half of the year, it is important to take a moment and check to see that mental health is not being sacrificed at the altar of hard work, provision, responsibility and making ends meet, political ambition, meeting company key performance indicators and other fleeting targets and goals.

To keep the fight for good mental health going, awareness is key. Communities cannot change what they don’t understand. Equally important is a multi-pronged approach and collective participation from all stakeholders. For instance, community leaders must promote initiatives that provide free mental health help for men but also for the rest of the populace. Employers must have provision for mental health promoting programmes for their staff, religious institutions must provide conducive environment for the community to put their mental well-being at the forefront, sermons should carry the message too.

Schools should have trained counsellors for their learners and government must treat it as the important issue it is. This campaign involves us all. The onus is not only on institutions of learning, employers and mental heath organisations to seek out those amongst us that might not be doing well, it’s on us all. Look out for your mental health and that of the people in your circle of influence.

The Cabinet dropped and on Monday they were sworn in. From the look of things, Uganda has not really changed much. It has simply repainted the old taku, read taxi if you belong to that other generation, and given it a fresh destination sticker. The first thing that hits you is déjà vu. Half the faces look like they have been in government since radios were still furniture. Some ministers have changed portfolios so many times they could introduce themselves like software updates: ‘Former Minister of this, current Minister of that, and available for Whatever-is-left.’

Then there is the size. Banange, the cabinet is impressive in the same way a hippo is impressive, massive, expensive to maintain, and surprisingly slow. With dozens of ministers and ministers of state, you would think the country would operate like a Formula One pit crew. Instead, it is like too many captains on one ship, all fighting over cabins. Somewhere, hardworking technocrats are quietly updating spreadsheets while the titled people are busy cutting ribbons for projects that were supposed to be completed in 2018.

Still, since these people are meant to represent us, the citizens, perhaps it is only fair that we also get a chance to nominate our own dream team. After all, Uganda is full of talent, experience, and highly specialised individuals. So, given the opportunity to appoint a true People’s Cabinet, here is how we would have represented ourselves.

Minister of Finance Eddy Kenzo and Pumla Nabachwa

The Ministry of Finance is arguably among the most important offices in government. After all, money makes the country move, and when there is no money, government officials start speaking in proverbs. Now, our former Finance ministers taught us that one of the most important duties of the office is looking for the money and honestly, who better to head this ministry than a man who has mastered the science of ghost money.

Yes, Eddy Kenzo. The same man who gave Ugandans that legendary financial formula which proved that if you earn Shs5,000, you can somehow save Shs4,000, spend Shs3,000 on food, keep Shs2,000 for transport, reserve another Shs3,000 for emergencies, pay taxes, tithe, and still remain financially stable. If that mathematics confused you, then congratulations, you now understand why he deserves the docket. Uganda needs people who can locate money that does not seem to exist.

Of course, every ministry needs balance, and that is where Pumla comes in. While Kenzo handles invisible resources, Pumla specialises in helping Ugandans survive visible problems….for example, the question of ‘His money, Her money, Our money’. Through podcasts, workshops, and social media, she has spent years translating complicated financial language into advice that ordinary citizens understand. She teaches budgeting, saving, avoiding lifestyle inflation, and building wealth without sounding like she is selling a pyramid scheme.

Together, they represent the perfect combination. Kenzo brings hope, optimism, and equations that challenge the laws of mathematics. Pumla brings practicality, discipline, and enough financial wisdom to rescue citizens from buying iPhone 17 Pro Maxes on salary advances and of course emphasising the gospel of women not giving men money. In these difficult economic times, Uganda needs both miracles and spreadsheets.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs Bad Black and DJ Spinny.

Foreign Affairs is about building relationships, strengthening ties, and making sure Uganda is properly represented abroad. Which is why we have gone with a combination of vibes and brutal honesty: DJ Spinny and Bad Black. DJ Spinny has practically turned Kigali into Kampala’s annex office. Through his events, he has achieved what diplomats spend decades writing communiqués about. Ugandans now travel to Rwanda and somehow end up hosting Rwandans in Rwanda. Entire weekends in Kigali feel like somebody accidentally relocated Bandali across the border. The man has exported Ugandan energy with such efficiency that some people claim.

Through yanos, Afrobeat and enough alcohol to erase colonial boundaries, Spinny has done more East African integration than some official summits. But every ministry needs balance, and for that, we have appointed Bad Black because no one in Uganda communicates with the transparency, confidence and fearlessness of Bad Black. This woman does not understand the concept of diplomatic language. She speaks truth the way boda riders use horns; frequently and without warning. Which is exactly what we need. Imagine IMF officials arriving in Kampala asking where their money went. Under Bad Black, there will be no confusion. My dear, some money reached, some money disappeared, some people enjoyed life.

Why are you acting surprised? Accountability reports would become podcasts. World Bank officials would leave meetings with life lessons and relationship advice. Bad Black is also uniquely qualified because she has lived several lives in one lifetime. Socialite. Businesswoman. Celebrity. Prison reform enthusiast. Motivational speaker. Survivor. Mother. If resilience was a ministry, she would head that too and unlike traditional diplomats who hide behind carefully crafted statements, Bad Black believes in radical transparency. If the economy is struggling, she will tell investors. If ministers are misbehaving, she will tell ambassadors. If there is no fuel in the convoy, she will probably ask for transport money publicly.

Ministry of Tourism Simon Kaggwa Njala AND Kirabo Kisitu.

Tourism is about visibility. It is about making the world notice you and honestly, few people have marketed Uganda to strangers more effectively than Simon Kaggwa Njala and his famous gay interview, even with those pin-hole camera graphics! I do not have actual numbers but I am sure that interview has introduced more people to Uganda than the gorilla mascot roaming the streets of Europe. ‘Why are you gay?’ has probably done more for Uganda’s global visibility than half our tourism campaigns combined. One simple question turned into an international cultural export. Piers Morgan reacted, Elon Musk GIF-ed it, Reddit held conferences and YouTube made remixes.

Simon remained gloriously unbothered, carrying on like a man who had merely asked someone the time. In the attention economy, accidental chaos is priceless, and Simon delivered free publicity money cannot buy. You see, every ministry needs a state minister and we have nominated Kirabo Kisitu. The position was highly competitive, but recent performances forced our hand. Between fashion drama, viral moments, and enough online debates to sustain an entire radio station, Kirabo has given Uganda free screen time. Why spend billions on billboards when one person can make half the internet search ‘Uganda girls’ by accident? Together, Simon and Kirabo represent the future of tourism: maximum visibility, minimum planning, and enough chaos to keep the world curious.

Ministry of Internal Affairs – Kasuku and Alien Skin

Internal Affairs is about maintaining order, understanding the people, and knowing what is happening on the ground. Which is why we have appointed two men with very different but equally important skill sets: Kasuku and Alien Skin.Kasuku, Uganda’s human loudspeaker, has spent years proving that no information is too small and no rumour deserves a peaceful death. While intelligence agencies write classified reports, Kasuku conducts investigations from salons, bars, and YouTube. In a country where people whisper, Kasuku shouts. By breakfast, he already knows who fought, who divorced, who unfollowed whom, and who was seen leaving where.

Because every ministry needs enforcement, we have appointed Alien Skin as state minister. Not because he believes in order, but because he understands disorder better than anyone. The Fangone President commands one of the most loyal armies in the country. These people do not have fans; they have infantry. Ironically, even Alien Skin himself occasionally fights his own soldiers. One day he praises them, the next day he is abusing them publicly, and somehow everybody reunites by evening. It is the kind of confusion that perfectly reflects the country itself. Together, Kasuku and Alien Skin represent Internal Affairs at its finest. One ensures no secret survives, and the other ensures no chaos goes unsupported.

Ministry of Gender – Sheebah and Godfrey Kuteesa

Gender is where everybody has opinions and nobody leaves happy. Which is exactly why we have appointed two people who have spent years arguing from opposite corners of the ring -Sheebah and Godfrey Kuteesa. On one side, you have Godfrey Kuteesa, the commander-in-chief of the boy child. The man wakes up every morning worried about masculinity the way farmers worry about rainfall. In Kuteesa’s Uganda, men are providers, protectors, and decision-makers.

The man speaks about traditional masculinity with the seriousness of someone defending the last cow in the village. Then there is Sheebah. Where Kuteesa says men should lead, Sheebah responds, ‘lead yourself first.’ She has spent years reminding women that they are the prize, they deserve respect, and they should never shrink themselves to make anybody comfortable. Her critics accuse her of teaching women to become difficult. Together, these two would guarantee that the Ministry of Gender remains fully occupied.

Ministry of Defence – Tabz

National security is too important to be shared around. This is one ministry where we are cutting costs. No need for a State Minister, Permanent Secretary, or those people who spend the whole day saying we are monitoring the situation. One man can handle everything, and that man is Ninye Tabz because if there is one thing Uganda has learnt, it is that before intelligence agencies know something, Tabz already has the screenshots. The man moves like he owns shares in everybody’s WhatsApp groups. Cabinet reshuffle? Tabz knows. Parliamentary fights? Tabz knows. Secret meetings? Somehow Tabz knows. At this point, there are rumours that if aliens landed in Nakasongola, Tabz would break the story before the aliens themselves finish parking.

Nicknamed Uganda’s People’s FBI, the man has turned his X account into a national emergency centre. Mainstream media no longer breaks news; they wait for Tabz to tweet and then rush to add logos and grammar. Officials wake up every morning pray not to trend under his account – Ask NaFood. Somewhere in Kampala, senior people lower their voices when discussing sensitive matters, just in case Tabz is hiding inside the Wi-Fi router. And that is exactly why he deserves the Defence ministry. Why wait to be attacked when Tabz can simply tweet the invasion plans three days before they happen? Forget satellites. Forget drones. Our first line of defence is one man, one camera, unlimited bundles, and sources that even the CIA occasionally consults.

A new mini-survey conducted at Makerere University has exposed a glaring gender disparity in career progression, revealing that the number of women climbing both academic and administrative ladders is continuously diminishing compared to their male counterparts.

The one-month survey was conducted by university researchers under the Mainstreaming Gender in Higher Education Institutions in Sub-Saharan Africa (Magnetise) project-a broader three-year initiative.

The preliminary findings indicate that while Makerere University successfully recruits men and women in nearly equal numbers at entry and junior levels, male employees rise through the ranks at a much faster pace, leaving women stagnating at the bottom.

The study, which tracked staff and student progression across all colleges, highlighted a worrying trend, particularly in science-based disciplines. While the number of women in senior positions within the humanities shows some growth-though still falling short of parity with men-the sciences remain heavily male-dominated.

According to the data, women are overwhelmingly concentrated in junior academic roles, such as lecturers and assistant lecturers. Conversely, their male colleagues firmly dominate top-tier positions, including senior lecturers, associate professors, and full professors, alongside key administrative roles.

Speaking at the official launch of the Magnetise project at the university on June 11, Prof James Akwee Acai, the Deputy Principal of the College of Veterinary Medicine and the project’s Principal Investigator, called for an urgent probe into the trend.

“Our preliminary results show that men seem to grow faster in their careers, whether administrative or academic,” Prof. Acai explained.

“Representation at the entry level is almost equal, but as you climb the ladder, the number of men goes up until the top, where you find over 70 percent of positions are dominated by men.”

Prof. Acai questioned whether the blockage is rooted in institutional structures or external social factors.

“The question that is still on the floor is: Is it structural, or are there other factors causing ladies to enter but stagnate at the base and fail to climb the career ladder?”

University officials and gender rights advocates have reacted to the findings, stating that gender inequality must now be treated as a matter of national urgency requiring immediate intervention.

Prof Ruth Nsibirano, the Director of the Makerere University Institute of Gender and Development Studies, stressed that the institution can no longer afford to be complacent.

“Why should we be comfortable when we don’t have women in university leadership, or when we see no female students in certain classes? Let’s come together with different voices, skills, and best practices to move forward in promoting gender equality,” Prof Nsibirano urged.

She noted that the hesitation to place women in top university positions often originates within communities where men resist female leadership. To combat this, she called for concerted external efforts to champion gender equality starting from the school level.

Makerere University is not short of regulatory frameworks. Dr Florence Ebila, from the Department of Women and Gender Studies, noted that the university has instituted several progressive policies over the years. These include: The Gender Equality Policy (2007); The Policy and Regulations Against Sexual Harassment (2017) and The Safeguarding Policy (2025).

However, Prof. Acai argued that having policies on paper is no longer enough.

“We have had policies since the early 2000s, but the real question is: Where is the implementation plan, and how do we track progress? If a policy mandates 40 percent representation for women in leadership, we must be able to measure whether that is being achieved,” he said. He added that the Magnetise project will actively support capacity building and promote exchange programs with European institutions to bridge these gaps.

In a speech delivered on her behalf by Dr. Suzan Mbabazi, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor in charge of Academic Affairs, Dr Sarah Ssali, reaffirmed Makerere’s commitment to gender equality as a core part of its academic, research, and community mandate.

Dr. Ssali highlighted that the university has made “significant strides” by institutionalizing gender equality through specialized bodies like the Institute of Gender and Development Studies and the Gender Mainstreaming Directorate.

“Despite progress globally and locally, we must acknowledge persistent gaps, biases, and inequalities within higher education institutions,” Dr. Ssali concluded, signaling the university’s readiness to confront the issue.

The race to replace the late Hellen Nakimuli has officially taken shape after the Electoral Commission (EC) successfully cleared five candidates to contest in the upcoming Kalangala District Woman Member of Parliament by-election.

The two-day nomination exercise concluded on Thursday at the district headquarters, setting the stage for what political analysts predict will be a fierce battle between the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM), the National Unity Platform (NUP), and strategic independent candidates.

According to Ms. Harriet Kashagire, the Electoral Commission Returning Officer for Central South, six aspirants originally picked nomination forms, but only five successfully returned them to fulfill the requirements.

The final day of nominations saw Independent candidate Ms. Babirye Sharifa Kaala and Ms. Agnes Nasuuna getting cleared by the electoral body. They joined three other contenders who were nominated on Wednesday: Ms. Aidah Nabayiga (NRM), Ms. Irene Nampala (NUP), and another independent, Ms. Helen Flavia Nagawa.

The race features complex internal party dynamics. Ms. Kaala is known to be NUP-leaning but chose to run on an independent ticket after the party card went to Nampala. Similarly, Ms. Nagawa is an NRM-leaning independent who chose to stand after losing to Nabayiga in the party’s primary elections.

Ms Kaala’s decision to run as an independent could trigger internal disciplinary action from her parent party. Article 5, Section 5(c) of the NUP constitution explicitly provides for the automatic expulsion of members who contest against officially endorsed party candidates.

However, speaking shortly after her nomination on Thursday, Ms. Kaala remained defiant, noting that consultations with residents convinced her to stay in the race.

“I realized I am the suitable candidate to represent the people of Kalangala. Added to the consultations I made, I decided to stand as an independent candidate,” Ms. Kaala said. She pledged to focus on revitalizing the district’s tourism and fishing sectors. “Kalangala District is one of the top tourism destinations in Uganda. However, we need to uplift our image, especially in Kalangala Town Council, to attract more visitors.”

The candidates have drawn distinct battle lines, focusing on health, infrastructure, and the island’s delicate fishing economy.

Ms Aidah Nabayiga (NRM): Pledged to lobby the central government to elevate Kalangala Health Centre IV to a fully-fledged general hospital. “Kalangala needs a district hospital so that our people do not continue spending a lot of money seeking treatment on the mainland,” she noted.

Ms Irene Nampala (NUP): The sister of the deceased MP, Nampala promised to carry forward the torch of her late sibling. She emphasized operationalizing new fisheries regulations, ensuring a consistent supply of medicines in health facilities, and empowering women through organized economic groups.

Ms Helen Flavia Nagawa (Independent): Focused her platform on improving the island’s road network and advocating for marginalized groups.

“I will fight for the boy child who has been left behind as girls continue to receive empowerment opportunities,” Nagawa said, while also promising to advocate for silverfish (mukene) fishermen who face stringent regulatory bans.

As the official campaign window opens from June 12 to June 22, top party mobilizers have descended upon the islands to pitch camp, each projecting ultimate victory for the polling day slated for June 24.

The NRM National Mobiliser, Ms Rose Mary Sseninde, stated that the ruling party’s existing dominance in Kalangala’s local leadership structures gives them an undeniable mathematical advantage.

“The President is from NRM, Kalangala has two MPs from NRM, and the district chairperson is also from NRM. We remain with just the Woman MP seat to make it 100 percent NRM leadership. The NRM government works for the people of Kalangala,” Sseninde asserted.

Conversely, NUP Secretary General David Lewis Rubongoya defended the party’s choice of Ms. Nampala, stating that her selection was purely data-driven and backed by local demand.

“We sent our teams to the ground and the people of Kalangala requested us to front Irene Nampala. Although we have been given a short campaign period, we believe our message has already reached the people,” Rubongoya said.

The Kalangala Woman MP seat fell vacant following the tragic passing of the former area MP, Hellen Nakimuli, in April. Given the high stakes, the Electoral Commission has issued strong warnings against electoral violence.

Ms Kashagire assured the public that the EC has put in place all necessary measures to ensure a peaceful electoral process across the islands.

“Everybody has been involved to make sure we have a peaceful election. What happens is that there are people who violate the laws and begin to tussle with security personnel,” Ms. Kashagire warned, urging candidates and their supporters to report any grievances directly to the commission rather than taking matters into their own hands.

Mr Rubongoya echoed the call for civility, expressing hope for an election free of the violence and intimidation that has marred previous by-elections in the country.

District leaders and accountability institutions in western Uganda have launched an integrity promotion forum aimed at strengthening transparency, tackling corruption and improving public service delivery.

The 23-member forum, unveiled on Thursday in Bushenyi-Ishaka Municipality, brings together key government and civil society actors to address accountability concerns through a coordinated local mechanism.

Members include the Resident District Commissioner (RDC), Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), district chairperson, Chief Magistrate, Resident State Attorney, officials from the Inspectorate of Government (IGG), the Auditor General’s office, the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP) and civil society organisations.

Speaking at the launch, Dunstan Balaba, Permanent Secretary in the Directorate of Ethics and Integrity under the Office of the President, said strengthening grassroots accountability was critical in the fight against corruption.

“Government sends money to the grassroots for poverty eradication but there are many questions about how it is handled. For example, under the Parish Development Model, some beneficiaries who are supposed to receive Shs1 million end up getting less. Many fear reporting such cases or do not know the reporting mechanisms. We hope this forum will bridge that gap,” Balaba said.

Bushenyi Resident District Commissioner Emmy Ngambirano said the initiative would enhance community participation in promoting transparency and ethical governance.

“Our goal is to review ethical issues, corruption, transparency and accountability across all sectors, deterring corruption at the local level before cases escalate to other agencies. We are based here and understand the issues affecting our communities. If a matter cannot be resolved by this committee, it will be forwarded to the relevant investigative authorities,” Ngambirano said.

District chairperson Prosper Twebaze welcomed the forum, saying corruption allegations had increasingly damaged the district’s public image.

“There have been integrity concerns in our district that have painted a negative image. With this forum, many issues can be addressed internally before they escalate. Some arise from misunderstandings and internal disagreements,” Twebaze said.

Lee Kakonge, chairperson of the Western Ankole Civil Society Forum (WACSOF), said the new platform would provide a structured avenue for addressing accountability concerns.

“True, there have been challenges relating to integrity and accountability, but there was no harmonised forum to address them. Corruption issues have often been politicised in this district. With the political will now demonstrated, service delivery is likely to improve,” Kakonge said.

Officials said the forum is expected to serve as an early warning and response mechanism for corruption-related complaints, while promoting ethical leadership and accountability in public institutions.

Outgoing veteran Finance Minister Matia Kasaija has urged officials at the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development to safeguard Uganda’s economic gains and remain focused on sustaining growth as he handed over office to his successor, Henry Musasizi.

Speaking during a handover ceremony in Kampala on Friday, Kasaija said Uganda’s economy was on a positive trajectory and cautioned against actions that could undermine progress achieved over the years.

“The economy is moving forward and we should not accept anybody or anything that will start pulling us down. We are progressing, and at the end of the day our generation will be remembered for the contribution we made to this country,” Kasaija said.

He thanked the ministry’s political and technical leadership for their support during his tenure and urged them to continue serving the country with dedication.

Musasizi paid tribute to Kasaija, describing him as an honest and dependable leader who earned the trust of both Parliament and the public.

“I have worked closely with Kasaija since 2011 when I joined Parliament. I found him to be a man with a good heart and a man who is sincere. He would never mislead Parliament, even when faced with difficult situations,” Musasizi said.

He credited Kasaija with strengthening the Finance Ministry into one of the government’s most effective institutions and pledged to continue implementing policies aimed at expanding economic growth.

“We have a common responsibility of continuing to grow this economy. No one can achieve this alone. We must continue working together as a team,” Musasizi said.

State Minister for Planning Amos Lugoloobi called for increased investment in physical planning, saying it was essential for managing Uganda’s rapid urbanisation, industrialisation and population growth.

“Failure to plan is planning to fail. We need resources for physical planning so that our growth remains organised and sustainable,” Lugoloobi said.

He also urged Uganda to maximise opportunities under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) by strengthening regional integration and expanding access to export markets.

“We should not be spectators in the continental market. When we produce, we must have markets where we can sell our goods and services,” he said.

State Minister for General Duties Cissy Mulondo praised Kasaija for his contribution to Uganda’s economic development and pledged to support the ministry’s agenda under the new leadership.

“You have taken this country to another level economically. Thank you for the service you have rendered to Uganda,” Mulondo said.

She said she was committed to learning from colleagues and working closely with both political and technical leaders in the ministry.

“I am ready to learn. I am a good listener and communicator. I thank the President for entrusting me with this responsibility and I look forward to serving alongside my colleagues,” she said.

The handover marks the beginning of a new leadership team at the Finance Ministry, with officials pledging continuity in policies aimed at sustaining economic growth, creating jobs and deepening regional integration.

East Africa’s FY2026/27 budgets read like a region trying to walk two tightropes at once: keeping growth engines running while making sure debt does not pull the plug. Across all seven East African Community member states the fiscal story is the same dilemma expressed with different numbers.

Young populations are demanding schools, hospitals and jobs. Yet creditors are demanding interest payments on time. New geopolitical shocks mean governments can no longer borrow without thinking carefully about the cost.

That tension runs through every budget tabled by Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, DR Congo and South Sudan. The headline across the region is fiscal consolidation, but the details show each country placing a different bet on what will pull it forward.

Resource envelopes

Uganda’s FY2026/27 budget is about managing the wait for oil while holding the line on discipline. The budget is pitched at about Shs84 trillion, roughly $22.8 billion, a 13 percent rise year on year. Earlier drafts had cut spending by 4.1 percent to Shs69.4 trillion to reduce borrowing and ease interest pressure.

That back and forth captures Uganda’s core tradeoff between immediate needs and long-term stability. The government is channeling money into infrastructure tied to the East African Crude Oil Pipeline and related fuel lines.

Once production starts, GDP growth is expected to push above 7 percent. But debt service already consumes close to 40 percent of the budget, so domestic borrowing is being scaled back to free space for private credit. Tax policy is being reworked to broaden the base and scrap exemptions that yield little in return.

Compliance enforcement is getting tougher. The official narrative is economic transformation through agriculture, mining, oil, tourism and technology, but it is tempered by fiscal caution. Uganda’s EAC contribution rises to $7.3 million, matching Rwanda.

Mr Aly-Khan Satchu, Sub-Saharan Africa Geoeconomic Analyst, views Uganda’s move as strategic.

‘Uganda and Tanzania appear to be trimming their cloth to suit these new uncertain times ahead of what I expect to be a significant growth spurt in the medium term,’ he says. ‘The overarching point is extreme global geopolitical volatility and headwinds and a significant risk around deficit funding.’ In short, cut now to expand later when oil revenues land.

Kenya is taking the opposite tack. Parliament approved a KSh4.7 trillion framework, up KSh435.7 billion from the previous year. The national government receives KSh2.878 trillion while counties get KSh420 billion plus KSh75.69 billion in equitable share. Education received the biggest boost, with KSh64.2 billion more for teachers, universities and Competency Based Curriculum reforms.

Total education allocation now hits KSh767.3 billion, keeping it at about 28 percent of the budget. Infrastructure is second. Roads, rail, housing and metropolitan projects received KSh59.9 billion extra. The Affordable Housing Programme retains KSh139.3 billion after a KSh25 billion top up. Health stays central at KSh167.4 billion for Social Health Authority enrollment and vaccines. Security remains heavy with police at KSh143.19 billion and defense at KSh241.36 billion.

The cost of this approach is fiscal stretch. The deficit widens to 5.3 percent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) from 4.7 percent. Financing needs KSh99.5 billion externally and KSh1.01 trillion domestically. Interest payments are now above 25 percent of the budget, squeezing county allocations and other services.

Kenya also faces the steepest EAC bill at $11.6 million. Satchu is blunt on Kenya’s position: ‘Kenya remains challenged by the debt service load and has apparently hit a wall on the tax side which makes the situation a little precarious.’ The bet is that investments in education and housing create jobs fast enough to offset the debt load.

Tanzania’s TSh61.9 trillion budget, about $21.7 billion, represents a 9.7 percent increase. The Office of the Prime Minister is seeking TSh12.5 trillion, with TSh8.7 trillion for recurrent costs and TSh3.7 trillion for development. The priority stack puts energy security at the top, followed by health and education.

The logic is simple: reliable power unlocks industry and private investment. Domestic revenue mobilization is the other pillar, targeting TSh46.37 trillion from taxes and non-tax sources.

Regional and local governments are expected to collect TSh2.41 billion, pushing decentralization and accountability closer to citizens. Tanzania avoids Kenya-style deficits, relying instead on better collection and administrative reform. Its EAC contribution is $8.2 million, second only to Kenya.

Satchu groups Tanzania with Uganda as countries trimming cloth ahead of growth. The risk is whether domestic revenue can truly replace donor money without slowing private activity or forcing new taxes that hurt consumption.

Rwanda’s 2026/2027 budget, presented by the Minister of Finance and Economic Planning Yusuf Murangwa, includes a total budget of Rwf7.8 trillion. That reflects an increase of Rwf844.2 billion from the previous budget for FY2025/26. The budget aims to support implementation of the National Strategy for Transformation while maintaining public debt at sustainable levels.

‘The increase in expenditure is expected to support strategic sectors including infrastructure development, education, healthcare, agriculture, social protection and job creation, in line with the country’s National Strategy for Transformation,’ Murangwa noted.

Financing will come from a mix of domestic revenues, external grants and loans, with emphasis placed on improving tax collection and using public resources more efficiently. Toward the EAC integration agenda, Rwanda’s contribution is $7.3 million, same as Uganda.

Satchu adds: ‘Of all the EAC countries, Rwanda is the best organised with the most efficient overall governance structure.’ The test is whether efficiency can deliver results with a smaller fiscal envelope compared to its larger neighbours.

DR Congo’s budget has to take course despite the Ebola outbreak testing resilience. In the next financial year 2026/2027, the state budget was revised upward to $21.9 billion from $20.3 billion. Security tops the resource allocation list because of conflict in the east.

Infrastructure and agriculture are stated priorities because roads and farm output are critical for a vast country with weak connectivity. In practice, instability limits delivery and social services receive less than planned.

The four-year-old EAC member state plans to set aside $5.9 million, reduced because it is a serial defaulter with tight fiscal space.

Satchu calls DR Congo ‘an interesting play sitting at the intersection point of the new AI economy,’ pointing to its mineral wealth that powers batteries and technology. For now, conflict means long-term development goals stay secondary to immediate stability.

Burundi’s 2025/26 budget is Bf5.2 trillion, about $1.77 billion. Figures for 2026/27 are not out yet, but priorities remain infrastructure, agriculture, and basic social projects. Roads and farm productivity matter because most people depend on subsistence farming and connectivity is weak.

Under the new EAC formula, Burundi’s contribution drops to $4.5 million. The relief is meant to improve compliance and keep the country engaged regionally while focusing domestic cash on stability and essential services.

South Sudan’s 2026/27 budget is $87 million are pending. The budget is dominated by public sector wages and debt service tied to oil-backed loans and arrears. Infrastructure is a priority on paper, but receives little resources after recurrent costs are met.

The budget depends heavily on oil prices and donor support, making it vulnerable to external shocks. EAC contributions fall to $5.2 million, reducing default risk but also regional influence. Satchu is harsh in his assessment: ‘South Sudan is the least and has mortgaged the future.’

Private sector retorts

The business community’s verdict is consistent across the region. Priorities are right, execution is not.

Mr.Ahmed Farah, EABC executive director, says: ‘The East African private sector welcomes the EAC Budget Estimates where they prioritise infrastructure, energy, agriculture, value addition, skills and digital transformation. These are the foundations for trade, jobs and improved livelihoods. We, however, must move from budget allocations to implementation. This has been the challenge.’

Farah lists what businesses actually need: lower transport and energy costs, faster border clearance, predictable taxes, affordable credit and fewer non-tariff barriers.

He warns that rising debt service and domestic borrowing must not crowd firms out of capital, ‘especially MSMEs.’ That implementation gap is the region’s recurring theme. Budgets can list Bugesera Airport or oil pipelines, but if non-tariff barriers remain and credit stays expensive, growth stalls.

Pattern

Four patterns stand out across the seven budgets. First, human capital is the consensus. Education and health rank in the top three sectors for everyone except DR Congo and South Sudan, where security and wages take precedence.

Kenya protects education despite cuts elsewhere. Uganda and Tanzania list it prominently. Rwanda uses agriculture and job creation as human capital investment. The driver is demographics. East Africa is young and competitiveness depends on skills and health.

Infrastructure is the growth bet but focus varies by country. Uganda and Tanzania target energy and oil transport to unlock production. Kenya bets on roads, rail and housing to manage urbanization. Rwanda builds an airport and expands power to become a logistics hub. Even Burundi and DR Congo put infrastructure first because poor connectivity blocks trade. Capacity to deliver differs, but agreement on importance is unanimous.

Debt is forcing consolidation. Uganda’s budget is heavily influenced by debt servicing costs projected to consume over Shs33.4 trillion to control interest. Kenya accepted a wider deficit but is near limits.

Tanzania leans on domestic revenue to avoid new borrowing. This marks a shift from deficit-financed expansion in the early 2020s to caution. The risk is slower service delivery amid rapid population growth. The alternative, unsustainable debt, is now seen as worse for long-term stability.

Monetary Union

Layered on top of national budgets is a reset for the East African Community itself. From July 1 2026, EAC contributions will shift from equal splits to a formula-based 50 percent on equality and 50 percent on GDP per capita. Kenya’s bill jumps 67 percent to $11.6 million.

Burundi and South Sudan get relief under the new formula. The idea is to improve compliance and build a community that functions better.

Experts say whether national budgets align with that goal will depend on how much fiscal space each government has after meeting domestic obligations.

That divergence also explains why deeper integration remains stuck. On the delayed implementation of the Monetary Union and a single currency, Satchu was direct: ‘Currency project is for now a pie in the sky thing. There needs to be considerably more fiscal convergence amongst member countries and there has been divergence, and interest rate policies are too far apart. If it was in place it would work like the Euro, but we are very far away.’

The budgets themselves show why. With debt service, deficits and monetary policy moving in different directions, the conditions for a shared currency do not yet exist. For now, national priorities will continue to override regional monetary ambitions.

East Africa FY2026/27 budget snapshot

Country

Budget Envelope FY2026/27

Key Priorities

Main Funding Sources

EAC Contribution

Uganda

Shs84.3 trillion /

$22.8 billion

Oil infrastructure, agriculture, mining, tourism, technology, debt control Domestic revenue, reduced domestic borrowing

Domestic revenue, reduced domestic borrowing, oil future revenues

$7.3 million

Kenya

KSh4.7 trillion/

$36.3 billion

Education, affordable housing, infrastructure, health, security

Domestic borrowing KSh1.01T, external borrowing KSh99.5B, taxes $11.6 million

$11.6 million

Tanzania

TSh61.9 trillion / $21.7 billion

Energy security, health, education,

Domestic revenue mobilization Tax and non-tax revenue TSh46.37T, local collections

$8.2 million

Rwanda

Rwf6,952.1 billion /$5.75 billion

Bugesera Airport, electricity, agriculture, jobs, governance, digital courts

Domestic revenue, performance-based decentralization funds

$7.3 million

DRC

$21.3 billion

Security, infrastructure, agriculture, rural connectivity

Domestic revenue

Constrained by conflict and defaults $5.9 million

Burundi

Bf5.2 trillion / $1.77 billion

Infrastructure, agriculture, basic social development

Domestic revenue

Reduced EAC burden $4.5 million

South Sudan

$87 million

Wages, debt service, limited infrastructure Oil revenues

Donor support

$5.2 million