Category: Daily Monitor

Many times, Sydney Gongodyo was the driving force behind a Black Pirates attack. The flanker in the No. 7 jersey would lead the charge over the gain line, and moments later the fans would rise in celebration as Pirates crossed for a try before the fly-half added the extras.

On Tuesday, that same jersey was retired.

No player at Stanbic Black Pirates will wear the No. 7 shirt again. The club decided in honour of Gongodyo, the 27-year-old Rugby Cranes forward who was buried on Tuesday at his ancestral home in Buweri Town Council, Budadiri in Sironko District, on Heroes’ Day.

Perhaps, a fitting, if not heartbreaking, coincidence for a man who gave everything for club and country and was laid to rest on the day Uganda honours its heroes.

That day, Pirates formed one final rolling maul. There were no points to score and no try-line to reach this time. Instead, teammates carried Gongodyo’s casket shoulder to shoulder, walking him to his final resting place the way rugby players do everything together.

Then they turned back, alone.

Back for duty

The No. 7 jersey stays behind and memories remain but rugby does not stop.

The Union postponed the Uganda Rugby Premiership semifinal between Pirates and Heathens that was originally scheduled for June 7, to allow players, officials and supporters time to mourn.

That time has now passed and the two sides will finally meet on Saturday afternoon at Kyadondo as Pirates marks the beginning of life without Gongodyo.

The circumstances surrounding his death have shaken the rugby fraternity and country at large, sparking wider conversations about mob justice and public safety.

Those questions will not disappear when the whistle sounds and neither will the grief but rugby has a way of demanding presence. Head coach Marvin Odongo faces a challenge of channeling what his players are carrying into something purposeful rather than paralysing to match the demands of a knockout contest.

‘It is a chance to play for Gongodyo, to celebrate his memory in the way he loved most, and to keep alive the dream he helped build,’ Odong and Pirates will be telling themselves.

Good form

Heathens edged Victoria Sharks 20-18 in a tense quarterfinal second leg to advance 26-18 on aggregate. They will acknowledge the occasion but they will also arrive intent on winning.

Pirates, meanwhile, can draw confidence from their own form after their 48-6 dismantling of Walukuba Barbarians in the quarterfinal first leg showcased the attacking quality and physical dominance that made them title contenders.

In the other semifinal, Makerere Impis will be hoping Lady Luck shows up at Kyadondo on Friday. The side that staged a second-leg coup to eliminate Kobs now face a sterner assignment, needing to overturn a 20-11 deficit against Buffaloes. It is a steep hill, but Impis have shown they do not read the script.

2026 UGANDA RUGBY PREMIERSHIP

SEMIFINAL FIXTURES

Friday – Buffaloes vs Impis – Kyadondo, 4.30pm

Saturday – Heathens vs. Pirates – Kyadondo, 4pm

We have once again completed one of Africa’s grand political festivals. The President and legislators stood before cameras with Holy Bibles raised high above their heads, reciting promises polished like campaign posters. Yet somewhere between the oath, the sirens, and the evening banquet, corruption is already outside, warming its engine and checking whether the treasury doors are unlocked.

Africa made a mistake when it abandoned traditional accountability for ceremonies politicians no longer fear. Today’s swearing-in rituals increasingly resemble bridal showers for corruption. African leaders should once again swear under the tamarind tree, where leadership is feared because the oath itself is feared. Under those branches, oaths are not performances for cameras or lawyers, but terrifying confrontations with truth, ancestors, morality, and communal shame before the living, the dead, and the unborn.

The entire community gathers under the tamarind tree, a place of judgement and ancestral witness. Elders arrive carrying staffs darkened by age and wisdom, while old women sit near the front bearing memories of sons lost to war, hunger, cattle raids, and greedy rulers. The drums fall silent. Even dogs wander carefully, as though they too sense spirits moving among the gathering. Then the ritual begins. Goats, bulls, and black chickens are brought before the elders for sacrifice. The politician removes his shoes, watch, and every decoration of pride before stepping barefoot onto the soil because no man stands above the land that raised him.

The oldest elder clears his throat slowly, and suddenly even the wind seems afraid to interrupt the gathering. Then the politician swears before the elders, the community, and the restless ancestors of the land: ‘If I steal money meant for schools, may my children revise for exams using charcoal on banana leaves. If I swallow hospital money while the poor die on cold floors, may every mosquito know my bedroom address. If I build roads only during campaigns, may my convoy sink in mud while goats overtake me on foot.

If I appoint cousins, tribesmen, girlfriends, and drinking partners into public office, may even my own dogs fail to recognise me and bark at me in broad daylight. If I hide public money abroad while villagers drink dirty water with frogs inside, may my cattle wander without return, and may my granaries stand empty even in harvest season.” ‘If I lie before microphones, may my trousers tear loudly at state functions, and may radio presenters replay the sound for seven days.

If I betray service, loyalty, and the trust of my people, may chickens crow my secrets at midnight, may my shadow refuse to follow me, and may the chair of power grow thorns each time I sit on it. If this oath is false, may I return home colder than these slaughtered goats and chickens lying before the shrine.’

And the people roar together: ‘Ayi! So let it be!’

Then, finally, the politician leaps over the carcass of the sacrificed animal, crossing into sacred obligation. The elders release blessings wrapped in dreadful warnings. They invoke the wrathful gods of the land and the restless spirits believed to gather under the ancient tamarind tree whenever truth and leadership are tested. Under the tamarind tree, leadership is not a microphone, a V8 convoy, or sirens scattering boda bodas from the road. It is a fearful covenant between the leader, the community, the ancestors, the soil, and the unseen spirits believed to watch every oath uttered under those sacred branches.

Modern politics has perfected the language of accountability while emptying it of fear. That may be why corruption now walks so confidently through public offices. Under the tamarind tree, however, shame still has witnesses. The oath is not merely spoken; it is carried by memory, ritual, and communal judgement. Our leaders should once again be dragged from the comforts of Kololo and made to swear under the tamarind tree, where lies fear the ancestors, betrayal fears shame, and leadership is measured not by convoys, microphones, or slogans, but by truth, service, and responsibility before the people.

Have you ever met someone, really liked the way they look, dress, smell etc, you immediately start imagining some sort of happy ever after? Naturally you summon the courage to ask them out on a date; they say yes. Your heart does a few cartwheels. The excitement is through the roof. Date night comes, food orders are placed, the lighting is epic, the wine starts flowing and they start talking. Then it hits you.

You are witnessing a crime against human intelligence because every time they speak, you feel a few brain cells poorer. You get dumber by the word. How do you react? Last week, our boy was faced with such an existential crisis. He is an avowed sapiosexual. No; I do not mean those frauds whose online profiles spell out ‘sapiosexual’ right next to a badly lit grey image of Sisyphus pushing a rock. You know, the lot whose main obsession seems to be playing Einstein on apps whose admission criteria is having a pulse, a smartphone and decent internet connection.

Two lines into their profiles and you find a barrage of retweeted Full Figure insults and Kasuku’s latest case of foot-in-mouth disease. No, he is not like that. Our boy is different. He believes that the fate of the human species is perilously hanging on the intellect of people we choose to date and ultimately procreate with. His choice of partners are clearly the kind who at dinner will casually shift gears from discussing the intricacies of the limbic system to offering a blistering critique of the works of Søren Kierkegaard and wash it down with a reflection on Ramathan Ggoobi’s economy that seems to only work for ‘the haves and have-mores’.

We know him as the brother who does not go for dates unless he has exhaustively done a deep dive into his intended’s online life with a comb. You cannot fool him easily. Until that is, last month when on his way to a business meeting in Cape Town, he saw a girl he simply described as ‘a literal portrait of grace and beauty. A dream’. He made the approach. She told him she was going to Kigali for the BAL basketball tournament. He got her number and set up a date on return. And this is where it all seemed to go south.

After the basic pleasantries and superficial talk about their shared love for basketball, the conversation moved to more weighty issues. According to him, she might as well have stayed home because she did nothing but take him through endless loops chasing intellectual shadows. Fed up with trying to understand her, our guy started pushing back with facts. She was irate. He sipped his wine and leaned back. It was, to him, like an invite for an earful about how he does not listen, is inconsiderate and a know-it-all. He called for the bill, ordered for a cab for her and walked. Never to text again.

During our usual drinkup, a nosy fella asked how the date went. He shot back: ‘I absolutely like this lady but that date felt like I was explaining gravity to an excited poodle which merely wanted a belly rub’. He was clearly irate and wanted to vent. He continued: ‘if you do not know something and I show you that you do not know, why then is that gonna break down to: ‘you are a know-it-all’?’ He said he felt drained. Part of me hopes he goes on more dates like this.

The government’s agenda to monetise the economy continues to take shape, with wealth-creation programmes such as the Parish Development Model (PDM) taking the lead. To date, the government has invested close to Shs11 trillion directly into wealth-creation initiatives targeting households in the subsistence economy, farmers, youth, women, and businesses. Keeping this momentum during his budget speech, the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, Mr Henry Musasizi, announced an additional Shs2.4 trillion in wealth-creation programmes.

This is intended to accelerate the monetisation of the economy and further expand the wealth creation initiative. To lift nearly 15 million people out of subsistence farming and into the money economy, Uganda has maintained its previous budget theme. The focus for Financial Year 2026/2027 remains the ‘Full Monetisation of Uganda’s Economy.’ This will be driven by commercial agriculture, industrialisation, services, digital transformation, and market access. Delivered yesterday at the Kololo Independence Grounds, the budget speech made it clear that the government wants to fast-track its ambitious blueprint: growing the economy to $500b over the next 14 years.

The strategy aims to achieve double-digit growth by focusing on the Agro-industrialisation, Tourism development, Mineral-based development (ATMS), including oil and gas), and Science, Technology, and Innovation. It is for this reason that in the 2026/27 financial year (FY), the government has allocated 95.6 percent of discretionary resources to the ATMS and their key enablers. This budget prioritises production, productivity, value addition, exports, and job creation. According to Mr Musasizi, this budget launches Uganda into the ‘Kisanja No More Sleep’.

Agro-Industrialisation

Under the agro-industrialisation pillar of the ATMS framework, a total of Shs2.2 trillion was allocated, marking the highest funding ever dedicated to the programme. This historic allocation will primarily fund agricultural research and innovation, including the commercialisation of anti-tick vaccines and the expansion of irrigation for water-for-production. Funds will also be used to enhance agricultural extension services by recruiting more workers and facilitating their outreach to farmers.

Furthermore, the budget will support the provision of high-quality agricultural inputs, post-harvest handling, and storage. These investments will complement ongoing financing for agro-processing, value addition, quality assurance, certification, and the expansion of market access The sole intention of the allocation is to enhance value addition.

Tourism

The tourism sector, which earned the country $1.8b (Shs6.74 trillion) in the 2025/26 financial year, will receive an allocation of Shs567.3b in the next budget. According to Mr Musasizi, this funding will support the continued development of the sector in the coming financial year. Specifically, the money will fund the branding and marketing of Uganda as a tourism and investment destination. It will also develop tourism infrastructure, build highway sanitation facilities, and construct refreshment centres at tourism sites. Additionally, part of the budget will be spent on enforcing hospitality standards, boosting wildlife conservation in national parks, supporting health tourism, and expanding commercial diplomacy.

Mineral, oil and gas

Here, Shs473.51b has been allocated for mineral-based industrial development, mining, and oil and gas. The ministry concerned will use the funds for continued mineral exploration, quantification and certification; the capitalisation of the Uganda National Mining Company; and the establishment of mineral markets and buying centres. It will also cater to the operationalisation of EACOP and the development of the oil refinery.

Science, innovation, technology

Slightly more than Shs1.1 trillion has been provided in the 2026/27 Budget for Science, Technology and Innovation, ICT, and the creative industries. According to the Budget Speech, this will fund the commercialisation of innovations, especially Kiira Motors vehicles, coffee, Dei BioPharma drugs and vaccines, and banana products, and the establishment of a Hi-Tech City. Further, funds will be invested in scientific research and innovation. The budget will also support the expansion of digital infrastructure to increase coverage, reliability, and affordability of the internet, government services, and e-commerce. It will also be spent on the growth of business process outsourcing (BPO) for job creation and the expansion of free-to-air signals.

Security

The government has allocated Shs10.21 trillion to security, governance, and rule of law institutions for FY 2026/27. Priority interventions include the continued modernisation, training, and welfare of the UPDF. The funds will fully equip the National Referral Military Hospital and complete the UPDF Headquarters. Additionally, the allocation will support border security, counterterrorism, and regional peace support operations, while enhancing community policing, crime intelligence, forensics, and CCTV coverage.

The budget will also bolster cybersecurity infrastructure, protect critical national assets, and improve immigration services, NIN/ID enrolment, and e-passport issuance. These efforts run alongside the ongoing fight against corruption and continued cattle restocking in the Acholi, Lango, and Teso sub-regions.

Infrastructure development

Some Shs8.79 trillion has been allocated for transport infrastructure development in the next financial year. The funds will cover the construction of the Malaba-Kampala standard gauge railway and the completion of the rehabilitation of the meter gauge railway. It will further finance the construction, upgrade, and maintenance of national, city, district, urban, and community access roads. The money will also fund the construction and maintenance of strategic bridges, the development of water transport systems such as ferries and ports, and the operationalisation of Kabalega International Airport. In addition, the allocation will support the continued upgrade of regional aerodromes and the expansion of Uganda Airlines.

Energy

Government has allocated Shs2.07 trillion to energy development. This fund will be directed toward expanding generation capacity by commencing the 380-megawatt Kiba hydro-electricity plant, a floating solar plant at Isimba, and 500 megawatts of utility-scale solar in the Elgon and Acholi regions. It will also cater to preparatory work for nuclear energy generation at Buyende, the expansion of transmission and associated substation infrastructure, rural electrification, and industrial power connections.

Health

The government has allocated Shs5.23 trillion to the health sector in FY 2026/27. The funding will focus on maternal and child health, nutrition improvement, expanded immunisation, and the prevention and treatment of non-communicable diseases. It will also fund the provision of essential medicines, the strengthening of specialised healthcare services, the improvement of emergency response systems, and exploration of feasible pathways toward universal health coverage

Water and sanitation

Government has allocated Shs1.013 trillion in FY 2026/27 to further expand access to safe water and sanitation services across the country. The objective is to ensure universal access to safe water and sanitation services.

Education and sports

Government has allocated Shs6.66 trillion to further improve the education of Ugandans. Priorities will be in expanding access to quality UPE and USE, strengthening STEM and vocational education, and improving teacher welfare and training. There will also be emphasis on pre-primary teachers, curriculum reform, strengthening public universities and research institutions. It will also be used in completing critical sports infrastructure for AFCON 27. Beginning FY 2026/27, an additional Shs568.65b has been allocated to enhance salaries for primary school teachers and arts teachers in secondary schools and Business, Technical, and Vocational Education and Training (BTVET) institutions.

Social protection

Government has allocated Shs173.5b for social protection, which will focus on expanding economic empowerment programmes, strengthening labour standards, supporting youth employment initiatives and promoting women’s economic participation. It will also be used to enhancing social protection systems; and establishing a robust labour market Information System. According to Mr Musasizi, Shs13.5 trillion has been allocated to invest directly in Ugandans through health, education, social protection, and water and sanitation next financial year.

Manufacturing

The government has allocated Shs1.03 trillion to the manufacturing programme for FY 2026/27. Priority interventions include industrial infrastructure development, particularly in industrial parks, additional capitalisation of Uganda Development Corporation (UDC) to drive industrial development. Part of the allocation will be spent on value addition to agricultural raw materials and minerals, supporting market access for Ugandan manufactured products and strengthening the functionality of special economic zones. Additionally, it will support industrial research, including the establishment of regional industrial incubation hubs.

Environment

To safeguard the environment and adapt to climate change, the government has allocated Shs494b next financial year. These funds will protect 1.26 million hectares of forest reserves and wetlands. They will also be used for the restoration of 10,000 hectares of degraded wetlands and demarcate critical riverbanks and lakeshores, particularly along the Nile. According to Mr Musasizi, the funds will also upgrade meteorological services and early warning systems to deliver accurate forecasts for agriculture, aviation, and climate monitoring. In addition, Shs361.88b has been allocated to the Contingency Fund to strengthen our national disaster response

Social protection

The government has earmarked Shs173.5b for social protection. This money will fund economic empowerment programmes, protect labour standards, support youth jobs, and boost women’s financial inclusion. The funds will also strengthen social safety nets and build a reliable labour market information system. Overall, Musasizi noted that Shs13.5 trillion will go directly into human capital development through health, education, social protection, water, and sanitation. ‘This investment reflects the government’s conviction that people are Uganda’s greatest asset,” Mr Musasizi said

Justice

Under this programme, some Shs665.55b has been allocated for FY 2026/27 to expand access to justice, further decentralise appellate services, and recruit and deploy judicial officers. Funds will also be pumped into reducing the case backlog through alternative dispute resolution and mobile courts, as well as digitising court processes, case management, and e-filing. Furthermore, the allocation will support strengthening prosecution, forensic services, and anti-corruption efforts, alongside upgrading court infrastructure and circuit operations.

Parliament

Next financial year, the government has allocated Shs1.2 trillion to enable Parliament to fulfil its constitutional mandates of legislation, appropriation, oversight, and effective representation.

Agricultural Credit Facility and UDB

The government has cumulatively capitalised Uganda Development Bank (UDB) with Shs1.6 trillion to provide long-term patient capital to strategic sectors vital for industrialisation and value addition. The government has injected Shs371.7b into the Agricultural Credit Facility to boost farming loans. Commercial banks joined the cause, helping distribute Shs1.35 trillion to over 14,000 farmers. Another Shs47.68b is set for the new financial year.

Uganda’s Electoral Commission tribunal has dismissed a petition challenging the nomination of two candidates contesting for the Kikuube District chairperson seat, clearing the way for the June 18 by-election in the oil-rich western district.

The petition was filed by Philip Mbabazi Burnet, who sought to overturn the nominations of Paddy Kisembo, the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) candidate, and Fenekansi Timanyire of the opposition National Unity Platform (NUP).

Mbabazi argued that the Kikuube District Returning Officer unfairly denied his nomination, citing inconsistencies in his academic qualifications and insufficient supporter endorsements. He also alleged that Kisembo’s and Timanyire’s nominations did not comply with provisions of the Local Governments Act.

However, after reviewing submissions from the parties and the returning officer’s report, the Electoral Commission tribunal dismissed the complaint.

In a ruling signed by Electoral Commission Chairperson Justice Simon Byabakama Mugenyi, the commission said the petition lacked merit.

The tribunal found that Mbabazi presented a Degree of Associate of Arts in Real Estate from a United States institution during nomination but failed to provide certification from the National Council for Higher Education, a legal requirement for foreign academic qualifications.

The commission also established that both Kisembo and Timanyire met the required threshold of supporters for nomination.

“In light of the above observations, the commission found no merit in the petition and the same stands dismissed,” the ruling said.

The tribunal upheld the returning officer’s decision to nominate both candidates.

On Friday, Kisembo welcomed the ruling and called for unity among NRM supporters ahead of the vote.

“I am so excited with this news. Mbabazi had concerns and wanted to be heard. The commissioners listened to all parties and came up with a final decision,” he said.

He urged party members to avoid divisions arising from the dispute.

“The ruling was good on my side but it should not disunite us as a party. This is the right time for NRM members to come together and work for the development of Kikuube,” Kisembo added.

He also appealed to Mbabazi to work with him should he win the election.

“Mbabazi had a good development agenda for the people of Kikuube. I call upon him to collaborate with us if I win the by-election,” he said.

Timanyire, however, questioned the basis of the ruling and expressed disappointment that Mbabazi would not appear on the ballot.

“It is unfortunate that the petition has been dismissed. I do not know the basis of the ruling, but if Kisembo had lost the case, NUP would have remained the only candidate and been declared unopposed,” he said.

Timanyire said voters should have been given a broader choice of candidates.

“I am not happy because Philip came for nominations and claimed he had all the required academic documents. He was denied the opportunity to contest. I wanted voters to have at least three candidates on the ballot paper,” he added.

Mbabazi’s lawyer, Anatoli Byakora Kaija of Okello Oryem and Company Advocates, said his client was considering further legal action.

“As team Philip, we will not keep silent. We intend to go to court,” Kaija told journalists.

The prospect of a court challenge means the dispute could continue even as campaigns enter their final days.

Kikuube Resident District Commissioner Godwin Angalia called for calm and tolerance among supporters of all candidates.

The by-election was triggered by the death of former district chairperson Peter Banura Araali, who died in a road crash on April 4.

The Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) has announced plans to deploy Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) soldiers in and around Mt Elgon National Park as part of efforts to strengthen conservation and protect the park from continued encroachment.

The move comes amid growing concern over illegal activities inside the protected area, including cultivation, tree cutting and poaching, which conservation officials say are threatening one of Uganda’s most fragile ecosystems. Mt Elgon National Park, which stretches across Bugisu and Sebei sub-regions, has for years been at the centre of recurring disputes between park authorities and neighbouring communities over boundary demarcation and access to resources.

Speaking during a stakeholders’ engagement ahead of the official launch of the Mbale Satellite Centre of the Uganda Wildlife Education and Conservation Centre (UWECC) in Mbale City recently, the UWA Commissioner for Community Conservation, Mr David Musingo, said the authority had sought support from the military to reinforce conservation efforts. Mr Musingo said the UPDF officers, who are currently undergoing training under the 3rd Division in Moroto, would help secure the park and support the enforcement of conservation laws.

‘People want to cut trees and others want to cultivate crops, knowing very well that it is a protected area. We are going to properly mark the boundaries so that our people do not get into trouble. Here we are going to add guns because the people want a hard way. We have invited 4,000 UPDF soldiers to join us to protect Mt Elgon,’ he said.

Justification

He added that UWA personnel had endured years of attacks while carrying out their duties. ‘Our rangers have been speared and others have been killed. I know our people have also been harassed. We are going to quickly use a gun and it will be a bit harder because we cannot watch when our people are being killed,’ Mr Musingo said. Despite supporting stronger enforcement measures, the commissioner emphasised that education and community engagement remained the most sustainable solutions to conservation challenges.

He explained that the newly established Mbale Satellite Centre would serve as a hub for wildlife education and sensitisation, helping communities understand the importance of conservation and the economic opportunities associated with tourism. ‘For me, I believe in the reduction of guns and increasing what you call educators. We need to create harmony, and that is why this centre has been opened,’ he said. Mr Musingo also raised concern over the disappearance of black-and-white colobus monkeys from parts of Mt Elgon National Park, attributing the decline to hunting for traditional Imbalu circumcision regalia.

‘We have lost all the black-and-white colobus monkeys in some areas because of hunting for Imbalu attire. We need to repopulate them again,’ he said. The stakeholders’ meeting also focused on the progress of the new Mbale Wildlife Centre, a facility that UWA officials believe will boost tourism in eastern Uganda and provide an important platform for conservation education.

Located along the Mbale-Tororo highway, the centre has been under construction since 2024. Most of the structures have already been completed, and several animals, including lions, monkeys, leopards, zebras, waterbucks, an ostrich and peacocks, have already been introduced.

The facility is being managed by the Uganda Wildlife Education and Conservation Centre and is expected to function both as a zoo and an educational centre. According to Mr Musingo, the project is intended to attract visitors to eastern Uganda and encourage them to explore other tourism destinations within the Bugisu and Sebei regions. ‘We have brought this facility to bring development to the region. It is going to spur tourism because animals themselves are a teaching aid,’ he said. He noted that Mbale’s strategic location near the Kenyan border and along major transport routes positions it well to benefit from regional tourism.

Mr Musingo revealed that tourism earnings from Bugisu remain significantly lower than those recorded in some of Uganda’s more established tourism destinations. ‘Few tourists are going to Mt Elgon National Park. I saw figures of about Shs10 million a year, yet in places such as Bwindi and Murchison Falls people are getting close to Shs1 billion,’ he said. UWA officials argue that expanding tourism infrastructure and increasing awareness about the region’s attractions could help close the gap. Acting Chief Warden of Mt Elgon National Park Godfrey Matanda backed the proposed military deployment, saying wildlife rangers had suffered repeated attacks while protecting the park.

‘More than 30 rangers have been injured and about five have died. We cannot continue like this. The guns are coming to keep the mountain safe, and for many years UWA has suffered so much in the hands of the locals,’ Mr Matanda said. The tourism sector has welcomed the development of the Mbale Wildlife Centre. Mr Saleh Naminya, the Chief Executive Officer of Casa Uganda Safaris and Lodges, said eastern Uganda had long struggled with limited tourism product development despite possessing significant attractions.

‘We now have an opportunity to add this unique wildlife centre to our coffee tourism and cultural experiences. Besides the animals, the setup gives visitors an opportunity to see wildlife in a more natural environment. This is the opportunity we have been waiting for,’ he said.

Benefits of centre

Mr Naminya said the facility would create opportunities for hotels, tour operators and entrepreneurs across the region. ‘To the hotel industry, it is a business opportunity, and for entrepreneurs, more opportunities are going to come up. This is a great opportunity but also exposure for our children,’ he said. Mr Moses Buyera, the head teacher of Mbale Secondary School, said the centre would reduce the costs schools incur when organising educational tours to Entebbe.

‘For schools in Mbale, this has answered the question of where children will be going for tours because we have been hiring buses, incurring a lot of costs and enduring long journeys to reach Entebbe. We hope all the animals will be here so that people will not have a reason to move to Kampala,’ he said. UWA officials also used the meeting to remind communities about regulations governing wildlife management. Mr Annuel Ainemagara, an animal keeper at UWA, warned residents against keeping wild animals without licences or attempting to rescue wildlife without authorisation.

‘It is only UWA-trained rangers and animal keepers who are authorised to conduct wildlife rescues in communities. One of the advantages of having this zoo in the community is that we shall also be rehabilitating animals, and we expect the community to cooperate,’ he said. Some participants, however, raised concerns that require attention if conservation efforts are to succeed.

Mr Mike Mungoma Matepe, a resident of Bulambuli District, appealed to UWA to help communities address increasing crop destruction by birds, particularly among rice farmers.

Retired entomologist and former Makerere University lecturer Peter Kiwuso said there was a need for extensive public awareness campaigns to address fears and misconceptions surrounding the wildlife centre. ‘Some people are saying they are bringing lions to terrorise people and their domestic animals. On the issue of the colobus monkey, we also need to provide alternatives for Imbalu headgear and tails,’ he said.

Mr Dan Mirembe, the officer-in-charge of the Mbale Wildlife Centre, said management plans to introduce additional species, including the Laurent frog, a rare amphibian found only on Mt Elgon and currently facing extinction threats. He urged communities living near protected areas to adopt farming practices that minimise human-wildlife conflict.

‘Communities should learn to adapt to living near conservation areas by planting crops that are not commonly eaten by animals,’ he said.

Social protection advocates, representatives of persons with disabilities and lawmakers have urged the Ugandan government to increase funding for social protection programmes, warning that budget cuts could leave vulnerable groups without critical support.

The appeal came after the government allocated Shs173.6 billion to the social protection sub-sector in the 2026/27 financial year budget, a 57.1% decline from the Shs404.1 billion allocated in the outgoing fiscal year.

Patrick Kiconco Katabazi, the Rukiga County legislator speaking on behalf of the Parliamentary Forum on Social Protection, said government investment in social protection should match efforts to expand infrastructure and other development programmes.

“The government should promote balanced development. As it develops infrastructure and education systems, it should also improve people’s standards of living because no one will utilise the developed structures if people remain vulnerable,” Katabazi told reporters on Thursday.

He criticised the allocation, noting that social protection accounts for only a small share of funding under the Human Capital Development programme despite growing economic shocks and vulnerabilities.

“It is unfair for social protection to account for only 1.3% of the Shs13.6 trillion allocated to the Human Capital Development programme when vulnerabilities remain widespread,” he said.

The budget allocates funds to several programmes, including Shs121 billion for the Senior Citizens Grant, Shs15.5 billion for the newly introduced Child Disability Benefit, Shs7.6 billion for the Social Development Grant and Shs24 million for support to street children.

Esther Kyozira, Chief Executive Officer of the National Union of Disabled Persons of Uganda (NUDIPU), welcomed the introduction of the Child Disability Benefit, describing it as a significant step towards supporting children with disabilities and their families.

“This recognises that children with disabilities face extra costs for care, transport and assistive devices. It means more children with disabilities can stay in school, access care and improve their chances of reaching their full potential,” Kyozira said.

However, she warned against stagnation in future funding.

“We want to see this allocation grow. Experience shows that once some social protection grants are introduced, they remain at the same level for many years. We are requesting government to ensure annual increments,” she said.

Finance Minister Henry Musasizi said the Social Assistance Grants for Empowerment (SAGE) programme had so far benefited 489,673 people through funding amounting to Shs836.1 billion.

He also said 72,772 beneficiaries had received Shs48.5 billion under the National Special Grant for Persons with Disabilities across 171 local governments.

Under the 2026/27 budget, the Senior Citizens Grant is expected to support 305,000 Ugandans aged 80 years and above.

Advocates, however, expressed concern over the government’s failure to implement a Cabinet resolution passed in October 2025 that proposed lowering the eligibility age for the Senior Citizens Grant from 80 to 65 years and increasing the monthly benefit from Shs25,000 to Shs35,000.

Katabazi said implementing the reforms would require an additional Shs252 billion but argued that failure to provide the funding leaves many older Ugandans vulnerable.

“This non-funding leaves the majority of older persons aged 65 years and above without any form of pension cover and vulnerable to poverty,” he said.

On the first Tuesday of this month, while travelling from the Bwaise interchange on the Northern bypass, specifically heading to the Nambole Interchange, we encountered an unexpected traffic jam near the last curve before the interchange. It quickly became apparent that the queue likely originated at the interchange or possibly from Bweyogerere, which is a common destination for many drivers in this area.

As we approached the curve, I noticed that the driver of the double-cabin pick-up truck had to brake suddenly from a speed of about 80 km/h. We managed to come to a safe stop, and I was grateful for that. However, I immediately started to worry that a larger vehicle, like a heavy goods truck or large bus, following closely behind us, might not be able to stop in time. The size and weight of those vehicles, combined with the possibility that their drivers might be distracted, could lead to a more dangerous situation.

Thanks to divine intervention, the increasing number of cars behind us managed to come to a stop safely. However, as we continued moving forward at a slow pace, we reached the final curve of this section 45 minutes later and noticed that a Volkswagen Golf hatchback had been crushed by a lorry that couldn’t stop in time. The impact from behind caused the hatchback to collide with another truck in front of it. As a result, it sustained damage to both the rear, which shattered the back windshield, and the front, and crumpled the hood.

During my postgraduate studies in transportation engineering, I became aware of the potential dangers we had narrowly avoided. I observed many accidents while moving on such freeways abroad, since they are with numerous freeways and expressways, where sudden traffic queues often form, forcing vehicles travelling at high speeds to halt abruptly. This experience made me grateful. On straight stretches of road, attentive drivers may spot these queues early enough to brake in time, especially on gently sloping sections.

However, on curved segments, the situation is much more hazardous due to limited visibility, which can prevent drivers from recognising the impending danger until it’s too late. However, these developed countries, which boast extensive freeways and expressways, have attempted to allay the likelihood of accidents by implementing systems that alert drivers to potential dangers, such as traffic queues, at least half a kilometre in advance. They achieve this through digital screens that display real-time conditions ahead or updated speed limits; failing to comply with these limits may result in fines.

Additionally, emergency response teams on specific expressways place warning signs about traffic slowdowns or accidents from considerable distances. One of the most cost-effective solutions would be to deploy traffic police to slow down vehicles before they reach these congested areas. Without such measures, the risk of accidents may increase, and many lives could be at stake, especially considering that a significant portion of the vehicles on these routes are heavy goods trucks.

The government has introduced a tax holiday for developers of hotels and other ultra-luxury tourism facilities as part of new measures aimed at boosting investment in the tourism sector.

Presenting the National Budget for the 2026/27 financial year at Kololo Ceremonial Grounds on Thursday, the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, Mr Henry Musasizi, said the incentive will target investors developing high-end tourism facilities in Uganda.

Under the new measure, foreign investors will qualify for the tax holiday if they invest at least $10 million (approximately Shs37.7b), while Ugandan investors must invest a minimum of $5million (approximately Shs18.8b).

‘Introduction of a tax holiday for developers of hotels and other ultra-luxury tourism facilities investing at least USD 10 million for foreign investors, and $5 million for Ugandan investors,’ the Minister said while outlining tax measures approved by Parliament.

Mr Musasizi noted that Foreign Direct Investment remained strong at USD3.2 billion in the twelve months ending March 2026, which reflects growing investor confidence in Uganda’s economy.

He emphasized that investors are increasingly showing interest in Uganda’s small and medium enterprises, adding that, ‘Kampala-based start-ups attracted about USD 30 million in 2025, up from USD 4 million the previous year, signaling growing confidence in the country’s innovation ecosystem and emergence as a destination for entrepreneurship, technology, and investment.’

The announcement comes as the government continues to highlight the recovery of the tourism sector following the COVID-19 pandemic.

Mr Musasizi noted that tourism receipts increased to USD1.86 billion in 2025, up from USD1.4 billion recorded in 2018/19 before the pandemic. The sector had fallen to a low of $562 million in 2020 at the height of the COVID-19 disruptions, during global travel restrictions.

‘This remarkable recovery from the lowest receipts of $562 million recorded in 2020 demonstrates growing international confidence in Uganda as a destination for business, investment, and leisure,’ he said.

The Finance Minister noted that tourism remains one of Uganda’s most important export sectors, generating foreign exchange, creating jobs, and supporting thousands of enterprises across the country.

The government has allocated Shs567.32 billion to the tourism sector in the next financial year, with priority areas including branding and marketing of Uganda as a tourism and investment destination, tourism infrastructure development, and improvement of hospitality standards.

‘Priority interventions also include construction of highway sanitation facilities and tourism site refreshment centres, hospitality training, conservation, and wildlife protection to increase the wildlife population across the National Parks.

Other planned interventions include promotion of health tourism and strengthening economic and commercial diplomacy through Uganda’s missions abroad.

This is up from Shs430b that was earmarked for direct investment for the tourism sector in the 2025/26 financial year.

The minister also noted ongoing investments in tourism infrastructure, including development works at the Rwenzori Central Circuit Trail, Kitagata Hot Springs, the Source of the Nile in Jinja, and cultural heritage sites in Moroto and Dokolo.

‘The construction of Kidepo International Airport is also underway to boost tourism in the Karamoja region and investments are aimed at improving visitor experience and strengthening Uganda’s competitiveness as a tourism destination. Twelve regional aerodromes have been maintained to support regional connectivity for tourism and trade,’ Mr Musasizi added.

Marketing push

Mr Musasizi said many achievements have been registered in the tourism sector during the financial year, particularly in marketing Destination Uganda.

‘Uganda’s global tourism visibility is at an all-time high under the ‘Explore Uganda, the Pearl of Africa’ brand, driven by intensified international marketing and participation in major tourism exhibitions across Europe, Asia, Africa and North America,’ Mr Musasizi said.

Adding, ‘Government leveraged global platforms such as the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 in Morocco and the World Travel Market in London to promote Destination Uganda and attract visitors. We also secured bids to host international conferences, strengthening its position in the Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) sector.’

He further noted that under the Economic and Commercial Diplomacy (ECD) strategy, Uganda is already seeing improved performance, including increased tourist arrivals, foreign direct investment inflows and export earnings.

‘Government will continue to leverage its Missions Abroad to market Uganda as a preferred tourism, conference and investment destination, expand market access for Ugandan products, attract strategic investors, and mobilise the diaspora to support national development,’ he said.

Mr Musasizi noted that the Budget aims to accelerate the attainment of the Tenfold Growth Strategy, where government has allocated 95.6 percent of discretionary resources to the ATMS; Agro-industrialisation, Tourism Development, Mineral-Based Industrialisation, and Science, Technology and Innovation, and their key enablers.

The newly appointed Minister of Health, Dr. Chris Baryomunsi, has moved to calm growing anxieties over the medical internship crisis, assuring the public that government-sponsored interns will continue to receive full facilitation while the ministry explores options to assist privately sponsored graduates.

Speaking at the official handover ceremony at the ministry headquarters on Wednesday, June 10, Dr Baryomunsi revealed that the Cabinet has directed the ministry to assess the financial implications of supporting privately sponsored graduates undertaking their mandatory one-year medical internship.

“Those who are on government sponsorship will proceed on internship with full support from the government. There is no disruption. It will continue,” Dr Baryomunsi stated.

“We are going to study the financial implications of providing lunch to those who graduate from private facilities… the government can provide lunch to enable them to work.”

The medical internship program in Uganda has recently faced severe strain, characterized by delayed deployments and protests from pre-interns over allowances. Dr Baryomunsi attributed these persistent bottlenecks to a sharp increase in the number of medical graduates from both public and private universities.

To resolve this sustainably, the minister emphasized the need for long-term human resource planning to align health workforce training with the country’s actual staffing requirements.

“Human resource needs in the health sector should be assessed to see how many doctors, nurses, and laboratory experts we need in the next five, 10, or 15 years so that there is a planned arrangement between us and the Ministry of Education that handles training,” he explained.

Beyond internal planning, Dr Baryomunsi identified managing the country’s current Ebola outbreak as an immediate priority, pledging to strengthen ongoing response and containment efforts.

Dr. Baryomunsi’s appointment marks a return to a familiar docket. He previously served as the State Minister of Health for General Duties from March 2015 until June 2016, before being transferred to other Cabinet portfolios, including a stint as the Minister for ICT and National Guidance starting in 2021.

Leveraging his recent experience in the ICT sector, the new minister promised to spearhead the digitalization of health services and improve public communication. He also issued a stern warning to ministry staff regarding accountability and transparency.

“We need to vaccinate ourselves against corruption. No more corruption, as the President themed this term. We shall improve that expertise to see that the health sector can actually make advances as we integrate technology in our work,” Dr Baryomunsi warned.

The outgoing Minister of Health, Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng Ocero, who has been appointed Government Chief Whip, officially handed over the docket. Reflecting on her tenure, Dr. Aceng highlighted milestones including the successful containment of Uganda’s eighth Ebola outbreak, the expansion of intensive care services, and progress on the Lubowa Specialized Hospital project, which she disclosed is now about 70 percent complete.

However, Dr Aceng cautioned her successor about deep-seated systemic challenges that still plague Uganda’s healthcare delivery. She cited inadequate sector financing, a high disease burden-driven by malaria, HIV/AIDS, non-communicable diseases, and mental health conditions-and critically low health insurance coverage, which currently stands at just 1 percent of the population.

She urged Dr Baryomunsi to prioritize the long-pending National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) Bill, tackle health worker absenteeism, and accelerate the recruitment and retention of specialists.

“That bill is very important for the population,” Dr. Aceng said, while advising her successor to maintain a close, collaborative relationship with ministry technocrats through regular briefings to ensure well-informed decision-making at the Cabinet level.