Category: Daily Monitor

In the 2026/27 financial year, Uganda is projected to spend Shs33.4 trillion on debt obligations, accounting for about 30-35 percent of the budget.

This places debt servicing at the centre of fiscal planning, with critical sectors such as health, education, and infrastructure competing for the remaining fiscal space.

It is a stark reminder that debt has shifted from being a development instrument to becoming one of the country’s largest expenditure drivers.

Yet beyond the headline figures lies a deeper structural concern. Borrowing itself has become unevenly priced and globally skewed, shaping who develops and who struggles even before projects begin.

In Uganda and much of Africa, debt is no longer about repayment discipline. It is increasingly influenced by an international financial system in which interest rates, credit ratings, and loan conditions determine development outcomes long before implementation starts.

Julius Mukunda, the Civil Society Budget Advocacy Group executive director, says the current debt challenge is rooted in a global financial architecture that disadvantages developing economies from the outset.

He argues that while developed countries often access credit at interest rates below 2 percent, African countries typically borrow at rates ranging from 8 to 15 percent.

Mukunda notes that international credit rating systems further compound the problem by assigning lower ratings to many African economies, which brings about contradictions in climate financing.

Another concern, he says, is the growing burden of commitment fees charged on undisbursed loans.

Uganda is expected to spend about Shs185b on such fees, a trend he believes reflects a debt system that increasingly benefits lenders more than development outcomes.

The impact of debt extends beyond financial markets and into public services, particularly health systems.

Henry Magala, AHF Uganda Cares country program director, observes that debt servicing is increasingly competing with social sectors for scarce public resources.

Magala argues that this trend represents a reverse flow of resources from poorer nations to wealthier creditors, widening global inequality rather than reducing it.

In his view, debt justice is not only an economic concern but also a human rights issue because it affects governments’ ability to provide services.

He warns that failure to meet commitments such as the Abuja Declaration continues to weaken health systems across Africa, with staffing levels in some areas remaining critically low.

To address these challenges, Magala supports the creation of coordinated negotiation platforms for debtor nations.

He believes African countries would secure fairer lending terms if they negotiated collectively rather than individually.

While debt is often presented as a tool for development, questions remain about whether borrowed funds generate sufficient economic returns.

Hilda Tumuhe, the Seatini programme officer for debt and aid, argues that inefficient debt-funded projects can undermine trade and industrialisation.

She notes that delays, cost overruns, and weak implementation systems often reduce the returns generated from public investments.

According to Tumuhe, projects designed to be completed within five years frequently extend to 10 years or more, slowing economic transformation.

Tumuhe also identifies Uganda’s narrow tax base as a key structural challenge.

With tax revenue estimated at only 13 to 15 percent of GDP, the country struggles to finance its development ambitions through domestic resources alone, increasing reliance on borrowing.

Concerns about governance and accountability further complicate the debt debate.

Peninah Nayiga, a Uganda Debt Network research fellow, highlights how procurement inefficiencies and weak project management increase the cost of debt-funded projects.

She notes that infrastructure projects frequently exceed their original budgets, sometimes costing double the initial estimates by completion, which she blames on delays in project execution and weak procurement discipline.

She warns that this cycle creates long-term pressure on public finances, limiting government’s ability to finance new priorities while increasing dependence on debt.

Thus, debt is no longer merely a fiscal instrument. It has become a complex system shaped by global financial inequalities, domestic implementation challenges, and governance weaknesses.

The debate is therefore not simply about reducing borrowing. Rather, it is about rethinking how debt is priced, negotiated, managed, and justified.

Outgoing Minister of Internal Affairs Maj Gen Kahinda Otafiire has criticised sections of the Uganda Police Force over failure to heed his directives.

Speaking during the handover ceremony at the Ministry of Internal Affairs on Thursday, Gen Otafiire said some officers repeatedly ignored his instructions despite several warnings.

‘I have issues with them, the police. Some of them were not listening. You tell them, ‘Don’t do this, don’t do this,’ and later you hear they have gone ahead and done exactly that,’ Otafiire said.

Gen Otafiire, who was appointed Minister of Water and Environment, officially handed over office to his successor, Prof Ephraim Kamuntu at a formal function witnessed by the ministry’s technical staff.

Reflecting on his tenure of office, Gen Otafiire singled out the Police Force as one of the institutions that presented him with the greatest challenges.

The veteran politician and former bush war fighter said attempts to steer certain decisions within the force were sometimes frustrated by officers who either disregarded advice or withheld information from the ministry.

‘You remember, I would call them here and ask, ‘Gentlemen, what happened?’ At one point, they denied me information. What they did not know is that I am an intelligence officer. Everything that was happening, I knew. The difference is that I kept quiet,’ he said.

In remarks that drew laughter from some members of the audience, Otafiire said he often chose patience over confrontation, allowing events to unfold naturally.

‘If you want people to hang themselves, give them enough ropes. I knew what was happening and I kept quiet. I allowed events to unfold,’ he said.

The outgoing minister, however, contrasted his experience with the Police Force with that of other agencies under the ministry, particularly the Directorate of Citizenship and Immigration Control and the Uganda Prisons Service, both of which he praised for their performance.

Otafiire strongly defended the current leadership at the Immigration Directorate, crediting them for overseeing reforms in the institution.

He said such officers deserved to be retained rather than replaced.

He specifically endorsed senior immigration officials whom he said had played a central role in transforming the department into a modern and efficient institution.

‘Kambere participated in the transformation of the department. They have institutional memory and are responsible officers. When you bring in new people, it takes time for them to learn the system,’ he said.

The former minister revealed that he had advised against replacing some of the officers with personnel transferred from the military, arguing that continuity was necessary to safeguard gains made in service delivery.

According to him, introducing new officers unfamiliar with the department’s operations could reverse years of progress.

‘During that period, we could easily slip back to what the department used to be. Since they grew within the department and witnessed the transformation, they are best suited to continue with the work,’ he said.

Otafiire also commended the Uganda Prisons Service, describing it as one of the most stable institutions under his supervision.

‘I have no problems with prisons. They have been doing very well. It is the department that has given me the least worry and therefore required the least interference from me,’ he said.

Throughout his speech, the outgoing minister repeatedly emphasised his leadership philosophy of allowing institutions and technical officers to perform their duties without excessive political interference.

‘My style of leadership has always been simple: do your work. I don’t want to do anybody’s work,’ he emphasised.

Addressing Prof Kamuntu, who assumes leadership of the ministry following a recent Cabinet reshuffle, Otafiire expressed confidence in the ministry’s technocrats and senior officials, saying they would provide the support necessary to ensure continuity.

‘Professor, they will help you. I am comfortable with the team here. Some people may be victims of circumstances, but over time things will sort themselves out,’ he said.

He also used the occasion to urge leaders to exercise patience and strategic thinking, likening effective leadership to the hunting style of a leopard.

‘Learn to hunt like a leopard, not a lion. When you go around announcing that you are a lion, everyone prepares for you. A leopard moves quietly. People do not see it coming. That has always been my style of leadership,’ he said.

Otafiire leaves the ministry after overseeing key agencies including the Police, Immigration Directorate, Uganda Prisons Service and the National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA). His successor inherits a ministry at the centre of immigration management, internal security coordination, citizenship administration and prison services.

The handover ceremony was attended by senior government officials, security leaders and ministry staff, who paid tribute to Otafiire’s tenure while welcoming Prof Kamuntu to his new role.

The Judiciary has reaffirmed its commitment to promoting the health and wellbeing of its staff, court users, and surrounding communities by holding a massive health awareness camp at the Mubende High Court.

The initiative, which focused heavily on HIV prevention, eliminating stigma, and encouraging healthy living, comes at a critical time when Uganda is racing against the clock to meet the global target of ending AIDS as a public health threat by the year 2030.

The quarterly health camp was held under the theme, ‘Ending AIDS by 2030: Embracing the Role of Women.’ It brought together judicial officers, health experts, justice sector stakeholders, members of the public, and representatives from the Judiciary HIV/AIDS Committee.

Throughout the day, court premises were transformed into a bustling wellness centre. Participants received free medical screening services, attended health sensitization sessions, watched practical demonstrations, and engaged in open discussions about workplace wellness and emerging public health challenges.

Speaking on behalf of the Resident Judge, the Mubende High Court Deputy Registrar, Mr Rogers Binega Kinobe, noted that the justice system often interacts with vulnerable populations who are cut off from routine healthcare. He explained that the initiative was particularly vital because many court users face severe health-related challenges but lack access to reliable health information and testing services.

‘This sensitization and free screening programme is a valuable opportunity for both staff and court users. I encourage everyone to take advantage of the services being offered today because they are intended to improve our wellbeing,’ Mr Kinobe said on Thursday.

The Judiciary HIV/AIDS Committee reiterated that the institution is actively integrating health interventions into its core administrative programmes. This is being achieved through routine health camps, workplace sensitization campaigns, media engagements, and targeted support initiatives for staff living with HIV.

Speaking on behalf of the committee’s chairperson, Deputy Registrar Dorothy Lwanga Ssempala stated that the Judiciary’s efforts are directly aligned with the Presidential Fast-Track Initiative on ending AIDS. Launched by President Yoweri Museveni, the initiative emphasizes testing, treating, and eradicating stigma.

‘The objective of today’s camp is to reduce stigma, prevent new infections, and promote a supportive environment for people living with HIV,’ Ms Ssempala said.

However, officials from the Uganda AIDS Commission (UAC) used the platform to issue a stark reminder that the epidemic is far from over. Despite Uganda’s celebrated success in dropping infection rates over the decades, women and young girls continue to bear a disproportionate burden of the disease due to socio-economic vulnerabilities.

Ms Hope Murungi, an official from the UAC, urged Ugandans to abandon complacency. ‘HIV is still with us and remains a threat. Each one of us has a responsibility to do whatever we can to prevent new infections and support those living with the virus,’ she warned.

Renowned HIV/AIDS activist and UAC Commissioner, Dr Stephen Watiti, commended the Judiciary for using its institutional weight to back the health drive. He implored the public to embrace regular testing, reminding them that a positive diagnosis is no longer a death sentence.

‘When you test positive, it does not mean you are going to die. With proper treatment and adherence to medication, people living with HIV can live long, healthy, and productive lives,’ Dr Watiti said, while calling for an immediate end to discrimination.

To honour those who have succumbed to the virus, the UAC organised a moving candlelight memorial ceremony, reinforcing solidarity with those currently living with HIV.

Beyond HIV, health experts at the camp expanded the conversation to address other pressing public health concerns, noting that Uganda faces a double burden of infectious and non-communicable diseases (NCDs).

Dr Elizabeth Kasirye Omagino warned that infectious diseases like Ebola remain a constant threat in the region. She emphasized the critical importance of hygiene, urging communities to adopt the ‘5 Fs’ approach-safeguarding against disease transmission through Faeces, Fingers, Food, Fluids, and Flies.

Simultaneously, the Executive Director of the Uganda Heart Institute, Dr John Omagino, raised the alarm over the silent rise of lifestyle diseases like hypertension, diabetes, and heart disease across Uganda.

‘As we celebrate progress in the fight against HIV/AIDS, we must also address the growing challenge of non-communicable diseases, which continue to affect many people silently,’ Dr Omagino warned. He advised participants to protect their health through regular exercise, adequate hydration, and balanced nutrition.

The health camp concluded with practical demonstrations, emotional testimonies from individuals living positively with HIV, and the distribution of the Judiciary HIV/AIDS Workplace Policy manual, aimed at fostering a safe, non-discriminatory environment within the justice system.

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.