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,

What began as a church friendship that grew into a faith-filled romance that led to a surprise proposal at Sisiyi Falls and a wedding built on love, prayer and unwavering commitment.

The moment Joshua Menya dropped to one knee at Sisiyi Falls in Bulambuli District, Mariam Mutyembu did not wait to hear the question.

She already knew her answer.

‘I did not even let him finish,’ she recalls with a laugh. ‘The moment I saw what was happening, I had already said ‘yes’.’

Years later, it remains one of the defining moments of their love story, a story that began not with grand gestures or dramatic romance, but with simple conversations after church.

A church friendship

Back in late 2015, Joshua and Mariam were just two members of the same congregation. After every service, Joshua would often check on her, asking whether she had enjoyed the fellowship. At first, they were simply friends. Neither imagined those brief exchanges would one day lead them to the altar.

‘It was in 2016 that we became really close,’ Joshua says.

As their friendship deepened, so did their faith journey. They spent time together, prayed together, and slowly discovered shared values that shaped their bond.

Friendship to forever

For Joshua, Mariam stood out for more than her beauty.

‘She was understanding, hardworking, God-fearing and loving,’ he says. ‘I saw a helper in her.’

Mariam admired Joshua’s devotion to God and steady character.

‘He was caring, focused and passionate about his faith,’ she says.

A key turning point came when Joshua expressed interest in meeting her parents, a sign Mariam took as more than casual affection.

Still, neither of them rushed the process. The relationship grew quietly, anchored in faith and patience.

Sisiyi Falls: The moment everything changed

To Mariam, the church outing to Sisiyi Falls felt like any other day of fellowship. To Joshua, it was the moment he had been preparing for.

When he got down on one knee, everything shifted.

‘Oh my God, I could not believe it,’ Mariam says. ‘I did not wait for him to ask. I had already said ‘yes’.’

The proposal became the turning point, not the beginning of love, but the confirmation of what had already been growing for years.

Wedding without debt or pressure

When wedding planning began, Joshua and Mariam agreed on one principle; live within their means.

They set a budget of Shs36m and committed to avoiding debt.

‘We wanted something we could afford comfortably,’ Joshua says.

Friends, family, church members and workmates all contributed to fundraising efforts that made the day possible.

Most of the budget went into food and décor, with the wedding held in Mbale to keep costs manageable.

No planner, just community and faith

Instead of hiring a professional planner, the couple relied on friends who helped coordinate everything, from logistics to ceremony flow.

Because both the introduction and wedding were handled closely together, planning required teamwork and trust.

Rehearsals with groomsmen at church added humour to the process.

‘They told me I still had time to change my mind,’ Joshua jokes.

But like many weddings, theirs had its challenges.

The tailor failed to deliver on time, and some décor items were not provided as agreed.

But the couple chose not to dwell on the setbacks.

‘We focused on joy,’ Mariam says simply.

The day it all became real

For Joshua, nothing compares to seeing Mariam walk into church as a bride.

‘She looked beautiful,’ he says.

For Mariam, the most emotional moment was exchanging vows.

‘It was so lovely looking at each other as we repeated the vows,’ she says.

The celebration continued at Crown Suites Hotel in Mbale, where joy filled the reception.

A surprise appearance from Mariam’s best friend, Irene, who flew in from Italy, made the day even more special.

‘Joshua knew, but he did not tell me,’ she says. ‘I was overwhelmed.’

Lessons they took into marriage

Premarital counselling helped shape their understanding of marriage. Joshua learnt about faithfulness, partnership and family life.

Mariam remembers one lesson most clearly, ‘leave and cleave,’ a principle that redefined how she viewed marriage.

A love that was quiet before it was strong

Today, Joshua and Mariam’s story stands as a testimony of patience, friendship and faith.

A love that did not rush. A bond that did not break. And a proposal that arrived at Sisiyi Falls, only for Mariam to answer before the question was even finished.

At a glance

Groom: Joshua A Menya

Bride: Mariam Mutyembu Menya

Church: City Victory Church, Mbale

Reception: Crown Suites Hotel, Mbale

Officiating Pastors: Pastor Wandera John and Pastor Peter Wamono

Wedding Date: June 30, 2018

Guests: 300

Budget: Shs36m

Theme: Faith. Friendship. Forever.

The Uganda Medical Association (UMA) has rejected a government proposal to maintain full facilitation for government-sponsored medical interns while reviewing support for privately sponsored graduates, warning that the move could negatively affect healthcare service delivery.

The disagreement comes a day after the newly appointed Minister of Health, Dr Chris Baryomunsi, said Cabinet had agreed that government-sponsored interns would continue receiving full facilitation while the Ministry of Health assesses the financial implications of assisting 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. It will continue without disruption,” Dr Baryomunsi stated during the ministry handover ceremony on June 10.

‘We are going to study the financial implications of providing lunch to those who graduate from private facilities, so they meet other costs themselves, but the government can provide lunch to enable them to work.’

However, UMA president Dr Frank Asiimwe criticised the proposal, saying it creates an unfair distinction between interns who perform the same duties under similar working conditions.

“All medical interns undergo the same mandatory training, work in accredited internship facilities and provide the same services regardless of how they financed their education. Interns account for between 70 and 80 percent of frontline clinical work in many public health facilities and therefore play a critical role in sustaining healthcare services,’ he said.

Dr Asiimwe argued that privately sponsored interns face the same financial burdens as their government-sponsored counterparts, including accommodation, transport, meals and professional expenses.

He warned that uncertainty over facilitation could lower morale among young doctors, increase burnout and ultimately affect the quality of healthcare services available to patients.

“The bigger question is what happens to poor patients who depend on public hospitals when the people providing much of the frontline care are demoralised and unsupported,” he said.

In Mulago National Referral Hospital, Dr Asiimwe said interns are often told to eat food intended for patients, yet all interns deserve support regardless of whether they pursued their medical education through government sponsorship or private funding.

‘Interns are officers on probation and should be paid at least 75 per cent of the salary earned by fully qualified medical officers. The effects of this will be felt most by low-income Ugandans who depend on local healthcare because they cannot afford treatment abroad,’

Dr Asiimwe further warned that prolonged disputes over intern welfare could worsen treatment delays, increase hospital backlogs and place additional strain on an already overstretched health system.

The Federation of Uganda Medical Interns (FUMI) secretary general, Dr Allan Okwir, said interns incur substantial costs before deployment, including purchasing medical equipment worth about Shs1 million.

“Why should interns be segregated in payment when we offer the same services and are subjected to the same expectations? Starting medical requirements are already at a high expense of about Shs1 million to be met by the interns,” Dr Okwir noted.

‘This is a demanding calling that you never get time for a side hustle that can aid to support yourself and family. The unbearable emotional fatigue and mental frustration with financial constraints will rather cost the ordinary citizens when they go for healthcare,’ he added.

Dr Okwir said pre-interns would not report for deployment under the proposed arrangement unless the government guarantees equal facilitation for all interns regardless of sponsorship status.

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

To resolve sustainability, the minister acknowledged the need for long-term human resource planning to align health workforce training with the country’s future 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 the Ministry of Education and us that handles training,” he explained.

Under the new guidelines in the National Education and Training for Health Policy beginning in August, the government scrapped the monthly upkeep allowances and mandated that medical students complete a compulsory one-year internship before they can be awarded their degrees.

Currently, medical interns receive a monthly allowance of Shs1million. This is a significant drop from the Shs2.4 million initially agreed upon following a 2021 presidential directive, which followed protracted strikes by medical workers over poor remuneration and working conditions.

Uganda’s doctor-to-patient ratio stands at 1 to 24,000, far below the World Health Organisation (WHO) recommended standard of 1 to 1,000.

During the 4th sitting of the 12th Parliament on June 10, the leader of Opposition Joel Ssenyonyi urged the government with immediacy to drop the ‘problematic’ policy under the pretext of lack of funds, saying the Shs24 billion that had been passed for public holiday functions be allocated to that.

‘Parliament had already passed that entire budget of about Shs24 billion, so that money is available, and is going to be saved since the government recently suspended public holiday functions to save money. Now that those functions are not going to be held, why don’t we channel that money to the medical interns?’ Mr Ssenyonyi proposed.

Supporters of jailed opposition politician Dr Kizza Besigye on Thursday mid morning, grew increasingly restless after the anticipated commencement of his substantive treason trial at the High Court in Kampala failed to start on time as earlier scheduled.

The hearing had been expected to begin at 11am, but by midday, court had not convened, sparking anxiety among the large crowd of Besigye supporters who had thronged the courtroom.

Led by veteran opposition activist Ingrid Turinawe, supporters, many of them affiliated with the People’s Front for Freedom (PFF), broke into freedom songs as they waited for proceedings to begin.

“Twamuganye Pilato,” the supporters repeatedly sang, loosely translated as “We have rejected Pilate,” with some supporters saying the slogan was directed at the trial process and presiding judge Emmanuel Baguma.

The fully packed courtroom remained lively as the supporters sang and chanted while officers from the Counter-Terrorism Police unit, deployed to maintain law and order, looked on.

At one point, Ms Turinawe shouted, “Hallo, time, time,” drawing cheers and applause from fellow supporters.

By press time, Dr Besigye and his co-accused, Hajj Obeid Lutale and Capt Denis Oola, had not yet been produced in court by prison authorities for the start of the trial.

Earlier, court officials restricted access to the courtroom because of the overwhelming number of people seeking to attend the highly anticipated proceedings.

The courtroom quickly filled to capacity, leaving dozens of supporters, and other court users stranded outside.

The trial, which has attracted significant public and political interest, is expected to proceed once the accused persons are produced before court and the presiding judge takes the bench.

Uganda’s economy is on course for its fastest growth in decades, with government projecting a dramatic expansion driven by the commencement of commercial oil production later this year.

Presenting the National Budget for Financial Year 2026/27 at Kololo Ceremonial Grounds on Thursday, Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development Henry Musasizi said growth is expected to accelerate to 10.2% in FY 2026/27. That would mark Uganda’s first return to double-digit growth since the economic reforms of the 1990s.

‘Most importantly, a larger economy will create more jobs, raise household incomes, expand opportunities for business, and generate the resources required to invest in quality education, healthcare, infrastructure, security, and other public services that improve the lives of Ugandans,’ Musasizi said.

The minister said the projection reflects the success of government’s long-term strategy of investing in security, infrastructure, wealth creation and productive sectors.

Strong economic fundamentals

Despite global trade disruptions and economic uncertainty, Uganda’s outlook remains robust, according to government.

‘The economy is stable. Growth is accelerating. Inflation is low. The exchange rate is stable. Exports are rising. Investment is increasing. And confidence in Uganda’s future remains strong,’ Musasizi told Parliament and invited guests.

The economy is estimated to have grown by 6.4% in FY 2025/26, up from 6.3% the previous year. By June 2026, GDP is projected at Shs250.4 trillion, or $69.3 billion. GDP in purchasing power parity terms is estimated at $197.1 billion. Per capita GDP is projected to rise to $1,420, about Shs5.1 million per person.

Inflation remains under control

Inflation averaged 3.8% in FY 2025/26, compared to 3.5% the previous year, supported by fiscal-monetary coordination, stable food prices and improved fuel supply.

‘Low inflation protects household incomes, supports business planning and strengthens investor confidence. Government remains committed to maintaining price stability as a cornerstone of sustained economic growth,’ Musasizi said.

Investor confidence growing

Foreign Direct Investment hit $3.2 billion in the 12 months to March 2026. Start-ups in Kampala attracted about $30 million in 2025, up from $4 million the previous year.

‘This surge signals growing confidence in Uganda’s innovation ecosystem and affirms our emergence as a destination for entrepreneurship, technology and investment,’ Musasizi said.

Remittances from Ugandans abroad rose from $1.9 billion to $2.8 billion over the same period.

Tourism fully recovers

Tourism earnings rose to $1.86 billion in 2025, surpassing the $1.4 billion recorded before COVID-19 in 2018/19. The sector had dropped to $562 million in 2020.

To sustain momentum, government plans increased investment in tourism infrastructure, security and economic diplomacy through Uganda’s missions abroad.

Stable shilling, rising reserves, record exports

The Uganda shilling remains among Africa’s best-performing freely floating currencies. Foreign exchange reserves increased to $6 billion in the year to March 2026, from $3.6 billion a year earlier.

‘We expect the exchange rate to remain broadly stable despite ongoing global uncertainties,’ Musasizi said, crediting UNOC’s direct importation of petroleum products for easing FX pressure.

Export earnings reached $18.04 billion in the 12 months to March 2026, up from $5.93 billion four years ago. Coffee alone generated $2.46 billion, up from $1.84 billion. ‘Exports are the engine of Uganda’s transformation. They generate foreign exchange, create jobs, support enterprise growth and strengthen economic resilience,’ he said.

Strong exports, remittances and investment inflows helped Uganda record a Balance of Payments surplus of $2.47 billion, the highest in 15 years.

Employment and revenue

Formal private-sector jobs grew from 672,300 in FY 2016/17 to over 2.3 million in FY 2024/25, a 245% increase. The services sector now accounts for 50.5% of employment, agriculture 37.1%, and industry 12.4%.

Domestic revenue is projected at Shs35.7 trillion in FY 2025/26, up from Shs32.3 trillion. It financed about 80.9% of the discretionary budget.

‘Increasing domestic revenue is not merely a fiscal objective. It is a sovereignty objective,’ Musasizi said.

Shs84.4 Trillion Budget for FY 2026/27

Total resources for FY 2026/27 are Shs84.39 trillion, funded by domestic revenue of Shs45.96 trillion, domestic borrowing Shs11.97 trillion, refinancing Shs13.97 trillion, external budget support Shs1.22 trillion, and project financing Shs11.27 trillion.

Key allocations: wages Shs9.71 trillion; non-wage recurrent Shs33.28 trillion; development Shs22.05 trillion; debt refinancing Shs13.97 trillion.

With oil production expected later this year and key indicators improving, government says Uganda is entering a new phase of accelerated growth that could transform the economic landscape and livelihoods nationwide.

Finance Minister, Henry Musasizi, says a total of Shs1.140 trillion has been provided in the new Budget for Science, Technology and Innovation, ICT and the creative industries.

Presenting the National Budget for the 2026/27 financial year at Kololo Ceremonial Grounds, the Minister said the priorities under this sector for the financial year 2026/2027 include commercialisation of innovations, especially Kiira Motors vehicles, coffee, Dei BioPharma drugs and vaccines, and banana products.

Under the budget, the government also intends to establish a Hi-Tech City, with an additional investment in scientific research and innovation.

Government also moves to expand digital infrastructure to increase coverage, reliability and affordability of internet, government services and e-commerce.

Minister Musasizi added that focus will also be on expanding the free-to-air TV signal and strengthening intellectual property protection.

Government says to protect intellectual property and artistic works, it enacted the Copyright and Neighbouring Rights (Amendment) Act, 2025.

It also established the Uganda Creatives Revolving Fund to provide affordable financing to SACCOs in the creative economy.

By December 2025, approximately Shs18.99 billion had been disbursed to 50 SACCOs of musicians, benefiting 3,047 individuals, of whom 62 percent are youth and 43 percent are women.

The government says it is also finalising the acquisition of a dedicated home for creative artists to serve as a common-user facility for young talents to create wealth and jobs.

Other wealth creation programs include the Parish Development Program (PDM), Emyooga, Tourism, science, technology and innovation, minerals, oil and gas, tourism infrastructure, agro-industrialisation, mechanisation and animal health, water for production and irrigation, agricultural research and innovation.

Minister Musasizi on Thursday tabled a total budget of Shs84.3 trillion.

Uganda’s Constitution makes a bold promise that no one should disappear at the hands of the State. It declares the right to habeas corpus inviolable. Article 44 elevates it further by placing it among the few rights that cannot be suspended under any circumstances – not war, not rebellion, and not even a national emergency.

The message is unmistakable: in Uganda, the State has no lawful power to hide a citizen from the courts. Yet modern Uganda continues to produce stories that directly contradict this guarantee. Citizens are taken from hotel rooms, homes, political rallies, and public roads – sometimes in broad daylight with eyewitnesses present.

Families search desperately, lawyers file urgent habeas corpus applications, and courts issue orders demanding that the person be produced. But too often, security agencies respond with sworn affidavits denying custody. Then, days or weeks later, the ‘missing’ persons reappear – sometimes visibly injured – in distant magistrates’ courts, ready to be charged. Some have not been seen again, while others like Sam Mugumya have remained missing for months.

This is the painful paradox at the heart of Uganda’s constitutional life: a country that solemnly promises no citizen can disappear continues to allow some to vanish while others disappear for days, weeks, months, or even years. The writ of habeas corpus is one of the oldest safeguards against tyranny. It does not decide guilt or innocence. It simply asks the most fundamental question a constitutional State must answer: Where is the person? If the State has taken someone, it must account for them.

Yet across more than six decades of Uganda’s Independence, the politically significant cases in which habeas corpus ultimately forced the State to account for high-profile detainees remain remarkably few. In 1966, during the constitutional crisis, Grace Stuart Ibingira and four other ministers were arrested and deported to Karamoja. After their case reached the East African Court of Appeal, the government was compelled to produce them from detention.

In 1981, Prof Yoweri Kyesimira was detained without charge under Obote II; habeas corpus proceedings forced authorities to bring him before a court. In the early NRM years, Charles Ogwal-Engola was arrested by NRA soldiers in December 1986 and held for months despite repeated court orders.

Lawyers secured multiple writs, but the military ignored them until a High Court judge reportedly threatened action against military commanders for continued non-compliance. Only then was he finally produced and released after 15 months. In 2021, National Unity Platform party president Robert Kyagulanyi, alias Bobi Wine successfully used the writ to challenge his post-election house arrest. Most recently, Opposition activist Dr Kizza Besigye and his aide Obeid Lutale eventually appeared before civilian courts after sustained legal pressure in which habeas corpus proceedings played a significant role.

Most politically aware Ugandans can recite these cases from memory. They stand out not because the detainees always walked free, but because the State was eventually compelled to answer the court’s demand regarding the whereabouts of the detainees. Success came through persistence and confrontation that made disobedience costly. That hard-earned lesson now appears to be fading from public discussion.

Today, the pattern of abduction, official denial under oath, and delayed production continues with disturbing regularity. Such acts amount to serious violations – including arbitrary detention and enforced disappearance. Where false affidavits are involved, they may also amount to perjury before a court of law. These are not merely political controversies; they strike at the heart of constitutional governance. We must move beyond documenting violations. The Judiciary, the Uganda Human Rights Commission, the legal fraternity, civil society, and ordinary citizens must demand real accountability. Court orders must carry consequences, and public officials who file false affidavits or defy habeas corpus orders must face contempt proceedings and, where appropriate, criminal prosecution. Only then will the Constitution’s promise begin to move from paper to reality.

A constitution is ultimately tested not by the elegance of its promises, but by the obedience of it commands from those who wield real power. Until the simple question, ‘Where is the person?’ receives immediate, truthful, and unquestioned compliance from every arm of the State, habeas corpus will remain what it has too often been in Uganda: a powerful constitutional guarantee still searching for its full meaning.