Category: Daily Monitor

The opposition National Unity Platform and independent candidates in the Kalangala District Woman MP by-election race have raised a red flag about the integrity of electoral materials after some black boxes containing ballot papers and Declaration of Results forms arrived with varying serial numbers ahead of today’s polls.

According to Abed Nasser Mudyobole, a member of Parliament for Iganga Municipality who NUP assigned to witness the arrival of electoral materials ahead of Wednesday’s polls, out of the 23 boxes for Mugoye Sub County, 17 boxes have serial numbers different from those on packing lists provided by the Electoral Commission.

‘When we received the materials, we established that 17 black boxes had different serial numbers from those packing lists, an indication that the boxes might have been tampered with, at the EC headquarters in Kampala or during transportation,’ he told journalists in Kalangala on Tuesday.

The affected polling stations include Kasekuro Primary School N-N Playground, Betta Primary School MUI-N Child Care Compound, Bbungo Playground, Kasekuro Primary School O-Z Playground, Betta Primary School O-Z, Bugoma Primary School A-M, Kagulube Parish Headquarters, Maboga Nursery School, Lusozi Buziza Pentecostal Church, Kibanga Landing Site, Bugoma Primary School N-Z, Bumanji Catholic Church, Busanga Primary School, Njoga Landing Site, Kyabwiima Kasenyi Landing Site, Kizira Trading Centre, and Serwanga Lwanga Secondary School.

Mr Habibu Buwembo, the NUP national coordinator, said after detecting the anomalies, they raised the matter with the EC returning officer for Kalangala, Ronald Agaba, who instead referred them to his superiors.

‘He said he can’t take a decision to open the ballot boxes to verify whether what is inside is exactly what is meant to be there. So, as a party we are contemplating withdrawing from this process; that initial stage appears to be fraudulent,’ he said.

Ms Hellen Flavia Nagawa, an independent candidate, had requested the Electoral Commission to postpone the elections and first sort out the issue of questionable electoral materials.

However, EC Chairperson Simon Byabakama, who is pitching camp in Kalangala together with other commissioners, said the questionable boxes are going to be unsealed in the presence of all stakeholders to ascertain the content.

‘We all know that the voters have a right to vote their candidate of choice and candidates too have voters in these affected polling stations. So, as EC we are going to open those boxes in the presence of the agents of candidates, and security to ascertain what is inside,’ he said.

He said a complaints desk has been set up to handle all concerns arising from the electoral exercise.

‘I want to assure all stakeholders in this meeting that any misconduct will be dealt with. If there are any issues you see which are not going on well, you are free to raise them and we get solutions,’ he said.

He said distribution of all electoral materials to the 115 polling stations spread across the island district would kick off at 12:30am so that voters start casting their votes by 7am as provided under the law.

‘We are going to deploy our Biometric Verification Voters Kits machines and a team is already in place to ensure smooth usage of that technology,’ he said.

Faridah Lule, the executive director of Ushahidi Foundation Uganda, an independent election observer, said during the few days her team has spent in Kalangala, they have realized that the EC hasn’t done enough sensitization on the usage of the BVVK machines.

‘Remember many Ugandans had mixed reactions on the usage of BVVK machines during the January General Election. So, we assume even the people in Kalangala have no idea how those machines operate. They were supposed to sensitise voters before they started the process,’ she said, adding, ‘Some people will assume that since the BVVK machines don’t work during the recent General Election they might actually fail even in the by election.’

The seat fell vacant following the death of Hellen Nakimuli in April. Five candidates are tussling it out to replace her, including Irene Nampala, National Resistance Movement flag bearer Aidah Nabayiga, and independents Hellen Flavia Nagawa, Babirye Sharifa Kaala and Susan Nasuuna.

The district has 42,452 registered voters expected to cast ballots from 155 polling stations spread across 64 habitable islands. The number of voters has increased by 2,794 in a space of four months.

Prior to her death, Nakimuli had won the January 15 General Election the seat for a second term with 10,609 votes against NRM candidate Aidah Nabayiga’s 9,245 votes out of the 19,854 valid votes cast.

Chief Justice Flavian Zeija has warned parties in civil litigation against ambushing opponents with witnesses whose statements have not been disclosed before trial, saying the Judiciary has fully embraced a ‘cards-on-the-table’ approach aimed at speeding up case disposal and reducing backlog.

Speaking on Wednesday during a training session for selected judicial officers from Western Uganda on civil trial procedures, Justice Zeija said the requirement for parties to disclose witness statements before hearings is provided for under the Civil Procedure (Amendment) Rules, 2019.

‘With the new Rules, we moved to a ‘cards-on-the-table’ system. Under the amended Order 18, witness statements must be filed and served before the hearing. Thus, no more ‘surprise witnesses’ appearing in the dock to testify for five hours on facts the other side hasn’t seen,’ he said.

The Chief Justice explained that the reforms are intended to make hearings more efficient by allowing courts to focus on cross-examination rather than spending lengthy periods recording evidence-in-chief.

‘The hearings will now focus on cross-examination, not the slow crawl of recording evidence-in-chief. This alone can cut trial times by about 60 percent,’ he added.

Justice Zeija said the Civil Procedure (Amendment) Rules, 2019, together with a revamped Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) framework, are among the Judiciary’s key tools for addressing the persistent challenge of case backlog.

‘For too long, the ghost of case backlog has haunted our corridors, eroding public trust in the administration of justice. Under Article 126 of our Constitution, judicial power is derived from the people. Wherever I have gone, the people of Uganda are always demanding a system that is efficient, transparent and timely,’ he said.

The Chief Justice also warned litigants against filing cases and abandoning them, stressing that courts will strictly enforce timelines introduced under the amended rules.

He said a plaintiff has only 28 days after the close of pleadings to issue summons for directions, failure of which automatically leads to the abatement of the suit.

‘The plaintiff has exactly 28 days after the last pleading to take out these summons. If they fail, the suit abates automatically. No applications, no excuses,’ he cautioned.

He added: ‘We are shifting the burden of moving a case from the court’s shoulders back onto the litigants. If a party is not serious about their claim, the law will no longer let them waste our judicial time.’

At least 2.5 working hours per day could be saved for a certain class of travellers if Kampala’s emerging helipad infrastructure becomes fully operational, allowing them to escape the capital’s worsening traffic congestion by opting for air mobility.

A recent World Bank-backed study indicates that on average, at least 2.5 hours are lost daily due to congestion, which is equivalent to 52 lost work hours per year, turning congestion into one of the city’s most expensive hidden economic burdens.

As Kampala continues to struggle with this chronic traffic congestion, vehicle emissions and poor infrastructure, developers have shifted to designing high-end buildings with helipads, allowing helicopters to take off and land directly on top of buildings.

Monitor Publication has assessed the emerging rooftop helipad facilities, including Twed Heights in Nakasero, Kingdom Kampala Phase II, Mulago Women’s Specialised Hospital, Kiruddu National Referral Hospital, Lubowa International Specialised Hospital, and Krish 360 Seven-Star Development, among others.

Twed Heights

On Lourdel Road, adjacent to Nakasero Road, and Kyadondo Road in Nakasero, an upscale Kampala City suburb, a striking 26-storey tower is rapidly transforming Kampala’s skyline.

Rising above the city’s commercial heart, Twed Heights, a development by TWED Property Development Ltd, with a helipad rooftop, signals Uganda’s growing ambition to embrace urban infrastructure and world class real estate.

The building has a Grade A office and hospitality complex, aiming to offer over 75,670 square feet of premium office space, approximately 500 spaces in its parking bays, and 13 high-speed lifts, among other modern amenities.

Speaking about the development, Mr Ian Twebaze, the chief of developments and group operations, said the infrastructure aims to enhance Kampala’s mobility and connectivity by reducing the travel time lost as a result of traffic.

Mr Twebaze asserted the infrastructure incorporates a helipad, designed to international standards, targeting members of diplomatic missions, institutional occupiers, and modern urban users, aiming to promote global hospitality brands, leading to Uganda’s economic growth.

‘While helipad facilities do exist in select locations within Uganda and the wider region, ours represents a new generation of integrated mixed-use developments where aviation accessibility is incorporated into a broader premium business and hospitality environment,’ he said.

The venture is geared toward creating a favourable environment for businesses, guests, and occupants to operate in a secure, technologically-advanced environment, and positioning the city as a competitive regional investment destination.

Helipad opportunities

During a site visit by this publication, the infrastructure looked nearly complete, with the workers busy on the last phase of construction, lighting, engineering, and other grand work testing.

Mr Twebaze noted that the official opening date of the facility would be revealed later. Once open, it will improve high-level business travel and enhance strategic operations, hence complementing existing transportation infrastructure.

‘Once operational, the development will support long-term job creation through hotel operations, facility management, retail, food and beverage, security, maintenance, and associated service industries,’ he noted.

He also projected that the development aims to foster Uganda’s aviation sector through aviation logistics providers, charter operators, maintenance support services, pilot operations, emergency response coordination, and executive transport services.

For the helipad user’s safety, Mr Twebaze said they have incorporated advanced fire and life safety systems, emergency response infrastructure, advanced 24/7 surveillance, and biometric access for high-security areas to ensure readiness for any emergency that may arise during the facility’s use.

He added that the facility also has surveillance systems like cameras and internationally aligned engineering standards to ensure no change to any sabotage, citing that it was worked on by globally experienced consultants, engineers, and technical teams to ensure mandatory safety considerations.

‘The helipad itself is being integrated within a broader operational and safety framework designed to prioritise controlled access, emergency preparedness, structural integrity, and compliance with applicable aviation and building safety requirements,’ Mr Twebaze explained.

Among other security features are modern monitoring and building management systems that aim to support rapid communication, incident response coordination, and operational oversight for the safety of the occupants.

He said all necessary steps have been taken to operate with different stakeholders to ensure the safety of all occupants and visitors, noting that the collaboration will extend to working with the police, medical response, and evacuation procedures, among others.

Kingdom Kampala II Phase 2

Another emerging helipad infrastructure under construction, Kampala II Phase 2, on Nile Avenue, adjacent to Dewinton Road, is aimed at transforming Kampala’s skyline, tailored for executives and international travellers.

Mr Prabhat Mishra, the general manager of Crane Management Services Ltd, said a 21-storey tower is projected to be completed by December 2029.

It will have 70,000 square metres of built-up area, three large basement parking spaces, and a helipad to accommodate one helicopter landing on its top concurrently.

Mr Mishra said they were intrigued to include the helipad, not because people have helicopters, but due to increasing city traffic congestion, which leaves several people stuck in traffic, leading to a loss of time, which affects the economy.

‘The economy is growing 7.5 percent every year, the population is growing, and we have fears in the next five years that the traffic jam in Kampala will become so tense it will be a big threat to the business people who may need to be doing urgent work,’ he explained.

Mr Mishra stated that the 14.5-hectare Kingdom Kampala II Phase 2 helipad is designed to facilitate timely movements of ‘classy’ travellers in and out of Kampala, limiting the risks of economic loss, road crashes and diseases associated with air pollution , especially fumes released by vehicles during traffic.

‘Although the government is trying to put in the infrastructure, in the future, due to the increasing number of cars on the streets, the road infrastructure may not be enough,’ he added.

The Crane Management Services general manager noted that they are targeting both officials from the government and the private sector, who may wish to travel for a limited time to meet their commitments such as those from banks, oil companies, telecom companies, and international visitors.

Although helicopter ownership remains relatively scarce in Uganda today, Mr Mishra said the infrastructure itself could trigger future demand and accelerate private and institutional uptake of aerial transport services.

The helipad is positioned to link travellers to different destinations like Entebbe International Airport, Kololo airstrip, and upcountry, boosting the economy, health, and tourism sectors. The building has 14 floors, 42,000 square metres of build-up area, and parking for about 400 cars.

Kiruddu Hospital helipad

During a site visit at Kiruddu National Referral Hospital, Mr Baker Mubiru, the hospital’s public relations officer, told this publication: ‘Despite instituting and testing the helipad at the hospital’s rooftop, we have never received any patients through the skies.’

Being a national referral hospital handling burns and some emergency surgeries, and as Uganda awaits the start of its commercial oil production by the end of the year, Mr Mubiru underscored the urgent need to operationalise the use of the helipad, projecting that the number of burn cases may increase due to the effects.

‘Many countries that extract oil experience a lot of challenges in burns; we may need a fully functional helipad to airlift patients in case of emergencies to avoid losing lives to supplement the ambulances,’ he stated.

The 200-bed capacity Kiruddu hospital in Makindye Division, Kampala, serves as one of the public tertiary facilities managed by the Ministry of Health.

Strict approval process

Mr Vianney Luggya, the spokesperson of the Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA), acknowledged that before the construction of any helipad infrastructure, the body first conducts an assessment to avoid shortcomings in accordance with the Civil Aviation (Heliport) Regulations, 2022.

Section 6 of the Civil Aviation (Heliport) Regulations, 2022, provides that a person shall apply for a heliport construction permit to UCAA, with a detailed design of the proposed construction, including related architectural requirements for approval by the relevant authority; heliport data; and, where applicable, a topographical map of the proposed heliport site.

Mr Luggya said: ‘Safety measures to be followed by the private helipad operators to avoid accidents are diverse, cutting across all safety areas of operations, maintenance, planning and construction, obstacles and safety management.”

The UCAA spokesperson attributed the limited number of helipads in Uganda to difficulties in meeting safety and security requirements and the costs of construction and maintenance, tasking developers to stick to the regulatory provisions.

When asked whether ordinary Ugandans are allowed to own private helicopters, Mr Luggya said it is possible but faces a tough approval process of getting an air service licence (ASL), meeting the general aviation provisions for the certification, registration, and operation of the aircraft, among others.

Building regulatory body silent

However, the National Building Review Board (NBRB) remained silent when asked about the criteria they employed as a regulator before approving helipad building plans for public safety, on the list of approved helipad building plans in Kampala, and recommendations for the effectively checked project.

In the health sector, officials said the helipads are designed to facilitate emergency evacuation of patients from rural health centres to the urban hospitals and from these urban hospitals to Entebbe International Airport if the need arises.

Mr Emmanuel Ainebyoona, the spokesperson of the Ministry of Health, underscored the relevance of helipads in boosting Uganda’s health sector, noting that the ministry is promoting the establishment of air and water ambulances to supplement road ambulances for efficiency.

He said currently, the ministry has an operational helipad at Mulago Women’s Specialised Hospital, International Specialised Hospital of Uganda (ISHU) at Lubowa, and Kiruddu National Referral Hospital.

‘If we have a patient who needs to be evacuated by the helicopter from any location to Mulago Women’s Specialised Hospital or ISHU, they will be able to land,’ Mr Ainebyoona said.

He added: ‘Other major hospitals, mainly in congested settings, will have helipad provisions as per the designs. We are looking at developing air ambulance services.’

Mr Ainebyoona, however, declined to comment on how many helicopters are either proposed or already in place to facilitate air ambulances.

Mukose (not real name), a 43-year-old taxi driver on the Kampala-Mbale highway, wakes up at 3am daily to transport passengers from Mbale to Kampala, a distance of 240 kilometres that takes roughly four to five hours, depending on road conditions.

The 14-seater commuter van he drives belongs to someone else.

The owner pays him Shs30,000 per trip, amounting to Shs60,000 for two trips a day. From this amount, he has to meet all his daily expenses, including transport from his home in Nakaloke to Mbale City, breakfast, lunch and other personal needs.

He is also expected to leave at least Shs30,000 at home daily to provide for his family’s breakfast, lunch and supper.

His return trip from Kampala is usually in the evening. By the time he leaves the capital at around 5pm, heavy traffic congestion often keeps him on the road for hours.

‘I normally reach home around 11pm or midnight and have to wake up again at 2.30am to prepare for the next journey to Kampala,’ he said.

To save money, he often survives on a simple lunch of chapatti and beans, commonly known as kikomando.

Long-distance taxi drivers like Mukose face constant pressure from passengers and vehicle owners.

‘When you drive slowly, some passengers insult you for delaying them. When you increase speed, others accuse you of speeding. Very few passengers speak politely; most simply shout at you,’ he explained.

Whenever the vehicle develops a mechanical problem, the driver is blamed.

‘When the taxi breaks down, the owner insults you for failing to maintain it properly, even when the problem is beyond your control. Yet we are expected to keep the vehicle on the road every day despite the long distances and difficult working conditions,’ he said.

The stress does not end on the road. When Mukose returns home late at night, his wife sometimes accuses him of spending time with other women, yet the delays are caused by traffic jams and the demanding nature of his work.

‘By the time I reach home, the food is already cold. Sometimes I am too tired to eat it even when I am hungry. All I want is to sleep for a few hours before waking up again for the next trip,’ he said.

The taxi driver is not alone. He is among countless men for whom expressing emotional pain is one of the hardest things.

Raised to believe that strength means silence, many continue to carry stress, grief, anxiety and personal struggles in isolation-often with devastating consequences. Behind many smiling faces are untold stories of financial pressure, family responsibilities, relationship struggles and uncertainty about the future. While men are expected to be providers, protectors and problem-solvers, few are encouraged to openly discuss the mental burden that comes with these expectations.

Mental health advocates say the growing number of men experiencing emotional distress underscores the urgent need to break the culture of silence surrounding men’s mental wellbeing.

Men’s Mental Health Month is observed in June to raise awareness, reduce stigma and promote mental wellbeing among men.

‘Many men in Uganda are not simply stressed. They are carrying a whole economy on their backs. Some are formally employed but drowning in loans, while others have titles that sound powerful, yet their bank accounts are on oxygen,’ observes Dr Andrew Muyanga, a psychiatrist and chairperson of publicity at the Uganda Medical Association.

He says the pressures facing men come from many directions, including unstable income, unemployment, debt, relationship strain, family responsibilities, loneliness, alcohol and betting.

‘In many Ugandan homes, a man is expected to provide, protect, decide, pay, perform and remain calm. He must find school fees, contribute to burials, support parents, solve emergencies, maintain respect at home, appear successful in public and somehow never admit that he is tired. That expectation may look like honour from the outside. Inside the mind of a struggling man, it can become a prison with good furniture,’ he explains.

According to the State of Uganda Population Report 2025, about 24.2 percent of adults and 22.9 percent of children are affected by mental health conditions, yet fewer than one in ten people who need care receive appropriate support.

Mental health recovery coach Angela Nsimbi says rising living costs and unemployment have placed enormous pressure on men.

‘In a society where masculinity is tied to the ability to provide, joblessness becomes more than an economic challenge-it becomes an identity crisis,’ she says.

Counsellor Rebecca Chemutai says societal expectations discourage many men from expressing vulnerability or seeking help.

‘This culture of silence has created a hidden mental health crisis among men. Some turn to alcohol and drugs as coping mechanisms, while others become withdrawn, irritable or experience difficulties maintaining healthy relationships and meeting family and work responsibilities,’ she says.

Experts are urging families, workplaces, religious institutions and communities to create supportive environments where men can discuss their mental health without fear of stigma or judgment.

‘Early intervention remains one of the most effective ways of preventing mental health problems from escalating. By encouraging open conversations and timely support, more men can overcome emotional distress and lead healthier, more fulfilling lives,’ Ms Chemutai says.

Sugarcane farmers across Uganda are demanding the immediate abolition of a controversial 5 percent ‘trash’ deduction imposed by millers, saying the practice costs growers an estimated Shs48 billion annually and continues despite a presidential directive ordering its removal.

The Uganda National Association of Sugarcane Growers (UNASGO) says farmers lose between Shs6,000 and Shs10,000 on every tonne of cane supplied to factories through deductions meant to account for leaves, tops and other non-cane materials.

According to the association, the deductions translate into losses of about Shs194 million per day, Shs4.8 billion per month and nearly Shs48 billion annually.

UNASGO chairperson Julius Katerevu said outgrower leaders from Busoga, Bunyoro, Northern and Central Uganda had agreed to push for harmonisation and eventual removal of the deduction within two weeks.

‘The key issue is the persistent five percent trash deduction without clear criteria,’ Katerevu said. ‘Farmers are not opposed to quality control, but we want a transparent and uniform measurement system.’

He argued that materials classified as trash are not waste because they are used by sugar factories to generate electricity and produce fertiliser and bagasse.

‘Trash is not waste. It is used to produce electricity, bagasse, fertiliser and manure. Farmers should not be penalised for it,’ he said.

Dispute reignited by implementation gaps

The dispute centres on a directive issued by President Yoweri Museveni on August 6, 2025, ordering millers to scrap the levy following complaints from farmers during a meeting at Kityerera State Lodge in Mayuge District.

However, growers say implementation has been inconsistent.

According to UNASGO, sugar mills in Busoga and Central Uganda continue enforcing the deduction, while factories in the Bunyoro sub-region have complied with the presidential directive.

Robert Atugonza, a farmers’ representative on the Uganda Sugar Industry Stakeholders Council for Bunyoro and Tooro, said growers would engage non-compliant millers, including major processors such as Kakira and Lugazi sugar factories.

‘If they fail to comply, we shall escalate the matter to a national meeting of farmers to decide the way forward,’ he said.

The matter is also expected to be tabled before the Uganda Sugar Industry Stakeholders Council within 21 days.

Farmers warn of declining returns

Growers say the deductions come at a time when the sector is already under pressure from falling cane prices and rising production costs.

Katerevu said farmers were increasingly harvesting immature cane after seven to 10 months instead of the recommended 18 months because of financial hardship.

‘The quality and quantity of cane are both declining. Farmers are harvesting early because they are struggling financially,’ he said.

‘Farmers are slowly losing hope in sugarcane growing. If nothing is done, the industry will continue to decline.’

Busoga farmers’ representative Isa Budhugo accused some millers of exaggerating quantities classified as trash.

‘Even if you weigh it, it cannot exceed 100 kilogrammes, yet they deduct one to two tonnes,’ he said.

CN Sugarcane Growers Association chairperson Twaliki Isabirye called not only for the deductions to stop but also for affected farmers to be compensated.

‘The directive was clear. The deductions should stop, and farmers should be refunded the money that has been unfairly deducted,’ he said.

Pressure from falling prices and higher taxes

The row comes as growers grapple with declining profitability.

Farmers say cane prices have fallen from about Shs175,000 per tonne a decade ago to around Shs125,000 today, significantly reducing earnings.

Concerns have also emerged over the government’s decision to increase excise duty on sugar from Shs100 to Shs200 per kilogramme, with growers fearing millers could further reduce cane purchase prices to offset higher costs.

Kaliro Outgrowers Association treasurer Tananansi Luwolere Walusimbi said many farmers were questioning whether sugarcane growing remained economically viable.

‘Many farmers are considering abandoning sugarcane growing because returns are no longer attractive,’ he said.

Mayuge Sugarcane Growers Association General Secretary Siraje Noah Ganaliwo said uneven enforcement of the directive was creating confusion and unfair competition within the industry.

‘The lack of uniformity creates unfair competition and confusion in the industry,’ he said.

In Bunyoro, where Kinyara Sugar Limited has complied with the directive, farmers say relations with the miller have improved.

Phinehas Kyotasobora, vice chairperson of the Masindi Sugarcane Growers Association, questioned the scientific basis for the deduction.

‘The assumption is that cane contains leaves and roots, but no one has explained how the five percent is scientifically determined,’ he said.

‘If a farmer supplies cane worth Shs10 million, about Shs500,000 is deducted. That could pay school fees, workers and farm inputs.’

UNASGO says it will present a formal position to government and millers if no action is taken within the next two weeks, warning that continued inaction could deepen instability in Uganda’s sugar industry.

Efforts to obtain a comment from Uganda Sugar Manufacturers’ Association chairperson Jim Kabeho were unsuccessful as his known telephone number was unavailable.

The Kabaka of Buganda Kingdom, Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II, has urged leaders and citizens to uphold the rule of law, warning that disregard for legal and cultural frameworks undermines justice, erodes public trust, and threatens stability in society.

In a strong message delivered during a meeting with clan leaders (Bataka) at Bulange, Mengo, on Wednesday, the Kabaka stressed that no individual or institution should place itself above the law.

‘The rule of law is the foundation of justice, accountability, and good governance. When laws are ignored or applied selectively, society suffers and public confidence in leadership is weakened,’ the Kabaka warned.

He emphasised that respect for established laws and cultural institutions is essential for maintaining order, unity, and sustainable development within Buganda and Uganda as a whole.

The monarch expressed concern over what he described as increasing tendencies among some leaders and institutions to disregard rules and procedures.

He urged leaders at all levels to demonstrate integrity, fairness, discipline, and accountability in serving their communities.

The incident comes amid growing concern over the detention of opposition politicians and government critics.

Last week, former Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago was reportedly picked up from his home in Wakaliga and driven away in a Toyota Hiace van, commonly referred to as a “drone.”

Addressing clan heads, the Kabaka reminded them of their unique responsibility as custodians of Buganda’s heritage and values.

‘From the beginning, clan heads have been among the strongest pillars in protecting the heritage of our kingdom. Clans are the foundation of Buganda, and their members are the heart of the kingdom,’ he said.

He encouraged the Bataka to continue promoting and protecting their respective clans while educating members about the importance of their heritage, traditions, and land.

‘We urge clan heads to continue fulfilling their responsibilities by promoting and protecting their clans and teaching members the importance of preserving their identity and ancestral land,’ the Kabaka added.

The Kabaka also underscored the importance of unity and cultural preservation, noting that the clan system remains the backbone of Buganda’s identity. He called upon clan leaders to strengthen cooperation, mentor young people, and safeguard cultural traditions to ensure they are passed on to future generations.

He highlighted several challenges affecting communities across the kingdom, including land disputes, erosion of cultural values, poverty, and youth unemployment.

‘These challenges require collective efforts and responsible leadership. We must work together through dialogue and structured leadership to find lasting solutions,’ he said.

The Kabaka commended the Bataka for their continued commitment to protecting Buganda’s cultural heritage and reaffirmed his support for initiatives aimed at promoting culture, unity, and socio-economic development.

Speaking on behalf of the clan heads, Namwama Augustine Kizito Mutumba said the Bataka remain united under the foundation laid by the Kabaka and previous leaders of the kingdom.

‘The unity that exists among clan heads today has helped us promote and protect the kingdom and its cultural heritage,’ Mutumba said.

He noted that fostering unity remains one of the key responsibilities of clan leaders.

‘It is our duty as clan heads to promote unity in Buganda, from the leadership structures down to the Kabaka’s subjects. This unity has strengthened our ability to preserve and promote our culture through the clan system,’ he said.

Mr Mutumba explained that regular monthly meetings among clan leaders have enabled them to discuss challenges and opportunities affecting both the kingdom and individual clans.

He also highlighted the success of the annual clan football tournaments, which have helped strengthen relationships among clans while promoting cultural identity. The tournaments are spearheaded by the Buganda Kingdom’s Ministry of Sports under Minister Robert Serwanga.

In addition, Mutumba revealed that cultural training programmes, which were suspended during the Covid-19 pandemic, have resumed and attracted more than 2,000 participants.

The programmes focus on teaching Buganda’s cultural norms, traditions, and values, particularly among young people.

He further noted that clan leaders have published several books, magazines, and historical documents aimed at preserving Buganda’s history and guiding future generations.

Among the publications are works on clan structures and lineages, burial guidelines for clan heads, funeral rites and procedures, family leadership, and succession planning.

‘These publications are intended to preserve our history and provide guidance on important cultural matters affecting families and clans,’ he said.

Mutumba, however, appealed to the central government to expedite the payment of outstanding financial obligations owed to the kingdom, arguing that limited resources have affected the implementation of several activities.

‘Our clan members continue to ask about the progress of settling the debt, but we are unable to provide clear answers because we have not been informed about the status of the process,’ he said.

He also raised concerns about delays in handling cases in Buganda courts, saying prolonged legal proceedings have affected development initiatives involving some clans.

‘As clan heads, we want to establish procedures that can help speed up the handling of cases so that disputes are resolved within a reasonable time,’ Mutumba said.

The meeting marked the first official engagement between the Kabaka and clan heads since his illness in 2024, which saw him travel to Europe and Namibia for treatment. More than 30 clan leaders attended the gathering, while a few were unable to participate due to the short notice of the meeting.

The engagement served as a platform for the Kabaka and clan leaders to reflect on the kingdom’s progress, discuss challenges facing communities, and reaffirm their commitment to preserving Buganda’s cultural heritage and promoting development.

The opening match of Fifa World Cup 2026 between Mexico and South Africa was a 2-0 blow to former Azanians on Thursday June 11.

This was an equivalent of the America against Africa. You would expect the support to be split along the inhabitants of the two continents. T

o many bloggers and social media goons from Africa, it was a celebration of Africa’s loss to Mexico in Mexico City.

The league comes at the peak of South Africa’s xenophobia attacks against immigrant labourers in their country. A looming deadline of June 30 was declared for everyone to leave.

In the past years, this was undocumented immigrants, not anymore. The wave is sweeping documented and undocumented immigrants, including asylum seekers, those with citizenship and everyone else.

The killing and physical torture of mainly immigrants has reached the summit. None South African nationalities spared from the hostilities are the nearest permanent neighbours from Botswana, Namibia, Lesotho and Swaziland but not even Zimbabwe or Mozambique.

In all these countries, South Africa shares economic wealth, culture, languages and traditional norms. Exclusively, not the case with other African nationals: Nigerians, Somalians, Senegalese, Ugandans or Ghanaians.

Black natives believe the frustration to get post-apartheid prosperity is blamed on foreigners. And foreigners are not necessarily nationals of other countries in Europe, America or Australia, but those from other African countries far from their neighbours.

The surge of migration from Nigeria, Somalia, other West, East or North African countries, including Uganda, following the all-race post-election era 1994, has left many lives in limbo. Evacuations of hundreds of Ghanaians, Malawians, and Nigerians on buses and planes are seen.

Private families and individuals are leaving in small groups, with many still clearing customs duties.

You’re between going back to one’s country of origin and protecting a job, business or lifestyle in a place where a mere walk out of a residence cannot guarantees one’s life later that day.

From harassment in public transport, schools, to work places and shopping areas. Sarcastic tags like Mugangawane, Makwerekwere referring to foreign African immigrants are forms of identity. Not spared are the intermarried natives and migrants.

The vibrant youthful population orchestrating the violence today, call them the SA bazukulus (grandchildren) born after the 1994 election, don’t want to know the role other countries played in the liberation of their country because they were not there by then.

Where does the current impasse leave this population?

Julius Sello Malema, founder and leader of a prominent opposition party, the Economic Freedom Fighters , a communist and black nationalist political party since July 2013, recently asked.

‘Show me the 300 jobs you created after 300 Ghanaians left!’ It remains to be seen whether the departure of the last immigrant from another African country will create jobs for the natives and reduce unemployment soaring above 30 percent.

For some who have lived and worked in Suid Afrika, Umzansi Afrika, Afrika Borwa, Africa Shipembe (local names used to describe it), we know that the negative work culture of its majority black population, this xenophobia is nothing outside greed and desire to own free property that has not been worked for owned by hard working immigrants.

It will not be different from the past expectations that many Blacks had when claiming independence from the White rule in 1994 under late President Madiba Nelson Mandela.

Like Julius Malema asked for the new 300 jobs, the White population used to tease the Government of National Unity (GNU) of President Mandela.

‘The campaign had promised building a million homes in five years, but it is building five homes in a million years.

Until Black South Africans and the world learn that there is no free wealth but it takes hard work and sacrifice, the departure of other African immigrants from any country in Africa has never wholly improved the economy and livelihood of natives.

It also remains unpredictable if other countries are going to pay back South Africa with an equal pay cheque.

For three decades Africa enjoyed an unusually accommodating financial climate. Donors expanded aid, multilateral lenders supplied concessional funds and China financed infrastructure.

It was no free lunch, but governments could generally look abroad to fill gaps in roads, railways, ports and power.

That climate is changing: deterrence costs money. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and rivalry between America and China have returned defence to the centre of national budgets.

The consequences are fiscal. Advanced economies are trying to rearm while servicing large debts, caring for ageing populations and coping with weak growth.

Something must give and from the look of things, development assistance is a tempting target. Aid will not vanish. Humanitarian crises will still command attention, and multilateral lenders will remain indispensable.

But the era in which development finance could be assumed to become steadily more plentiful is over. Money will now be far tighter, more strategic and more explicitly tied to the geopolitical interests of those who provide it.

Africa feels the squeeze, especially sharply. Its needs are expanding as traditional sources of finance become less generous.

Governments face costly debt-service bills, daunting infrastructure gaps and fast-growing populations.

China, once a powerful alternative to Western lenders, is lending abroad much more cautiously than in the boom years.

Its economic strains, concern about repayment and preference for less risky deals have changed the arithmetic.

The danger is that governments shift the burden indiscriminately on to domestic banks.

Uganda shows it: in 2024/25 domestic debt overtook external debt, and debt service absorbed roughly a third of revenue, as the Monitor Publication reported.

Nor does borrowing in local currency remove the danger. It may avoid an exchange-rate shock, but it concentrates risk in domestic banks and pension funds, binding their fortunes more tightly to an already indebted state.

Local borrowing may spare a difficult foreign negotiation, and deeper domestic capital markets are desirable.

But excessive reliance can crowd out businesses, push up interest rates and create an unhealthy embrace between banks and the state.

The sensible response is not to hunt for the next benevolent lender, but to become less dependent on any lender.

That begins with raising more revenue at home: widening tax bases, reducing exemptions, improving collection and making public spending visible enough that taxpayers see a return. It also requires discipline.

Governments should favour projects that earn or save foreign exchange, resist prestige schemes with opaque contracts and publish their terms.

The African Union has a useful role here. Its institutions can press for common standards on debt disclosure, procurement and project appraisal, reducing the scope for lenders and borrowers alike to hide imprudent bargains.

Continental integration can also make investment more attractive: larger and more predictable markets lower the cost of infrastructure and create opportunities that national borders alone cannot.

None of this means Africa should retreat from external engagement. African governments should welcome the competition, but negotiate with clearer priorities and fewer illusions.

Strategic partnerships are useful only if they advance domestic productivity rather than merely rearrange creditors.

The old development model relied too heavily on the assumption that outsiders would repeatedly finance the next gap. The new geopolitical order makes that assumption dangerous.

The countries best placed to prosper will not be those that secure the largest headlines or the biggest loans.

They will be those that build institutions strong enough to tax fairly, borrow prudently, attract long-term investment and turn external capital into exports, jobs and resilience.

In a world where rich countries increasingly choose between guns and butter, Africa should plan as though neither will be supplied in reliable abundance.

The Kalangala District Woman Member of Parliament by-election was marked by low voter turnout on Thursday, with several polling stations across the island district recording sparse attendance despite voting proceeding largely peacefully.

By midday, many of the district’s polling stations remained largely deserted, raising concerns among candidates and election officials about voter mobilisation and participation.

The by-election was called following the death of former Woman MP Hellen Nakimuli in April.

At several polling stations visited by Monitor, including Kibanga Playground, Kibanga Church of Uganda and Mweena Playground, electoral materials and voters were present before polling began, although some stations experienced delays in opening.

At Kiizi Playground polling station, voter Kisitu Sam attributed the low turnout to voter apathy and the migration of residents who previously depended on the silverfish (mukene) trade.

‘Some people lost faith in elections, while others who appear in the Electoral Commission register left Kalangala months ago because they no longer have business here,’ he said.

Kalangala’s economy is heavily dependent on fishing and related activities, with many residents moving frequently in search of work.

Independent candidate Hellen Flavia Nagawa alleged widespread voter bribery and accused security agencies of targeting her polling agents.

‘Voters are being bribed in broad daylight in villages and near polling stations. Our agents are being arrested. Such actions make this election not free and fair,’ she said after casting her vote.

However, Southern Region Police spokesperson Mr Twaha Kasirye dismissed the allegations.

‘It is coming to 1pm and we haven’t arrested any person so far as the claims are circulating. We only request voters to behave well so that we have a violence-free exercise,’ he said.

At Senero Landing Site polling station, fewer than 40 voters had cast their ballots by 11am.

National Unity Platform (NUP) candidate Irene Nampala, who voted at Damba polling station on Bukasa Island, described the turnout as disappointing and called for intensified mobilisation efforts.

‘It is sad that the turnout is low, which means we need to scale up mobilisation so that people come out to vote in the afternoon before the exercise closes,’ she said.

Nampala expressed confidence of victory despite the slow pace of voting.

National Resistance Movement (NRM) candidate Aidah Nabayiga attributed the low turnout to the nature of the district’s fishing communities.

‘Naturally, our voters are fishermen and people involved in agriculture. They first attend to their jobs and later come to vote,’ she said, predicting a strong performance for her campaign.

Voting was also delayed at some polling stations in Bubeke Sub-county following an early morning downpour, while procedural disagreements at Mweena Playground (A-M) polling station pushed the start of voting to about 8:15am.

Five candidates are contesting the seat: NUP’s Irene Nampala, NRM’s Aidah Nabayiga, and independents Hellen Flavia Nagawa, Sharifa Kaala Babirye and Susan Nasuuna.

The district has 45,246 registered voters expected to vote at 155 polling stations spread across 64 habitable islands.

In the January general election, the late Nakimuli retained the seat on the NUP ticket with 10,609 votes against Nabayiga’s 9,245 votes.

Election officials are expected to begin tallying results after the close of voting.

The second instalment of our Chasing Dreams in the Air series, which queried the positioning of the planned Nyakisharara International Airport as a mid-point transit, logistical and refuelling hub between China and Brazil, yielded constructive advice.

Our reportage drew critical attention to the absence of a feasibility study before President Museveni directed Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja to ensure the project materialises.

With two 5.5-kilometre runways and a 3.5-kilometre runway exclusive for Very Important Persons (VIPs), the airport being envisioned to shoot up in Mbarara City is no small beer. To that end, a number of entities have been brought on board.

China Southwest Architectural Design and Research Institute has been tasked to conduct the feasibility study and provide architectural designs.

Hunan Construction and Investment Engineering Company will carry out the engineering works, with Blackrock Uwekeza holding the purse strings.

The on-boarding has, some justice, been framed as a classic case of putting the cart ahead of the horse. Experts we sounded out made it clear that pursuit of international aviation in Mbarara City will remain a pipe dream.

They point to the elevation of the airfield in Nyakisharara and the attendant payload restrictions as a potential spanner in the works.

Ditto queries around the soundness of transiting from either Brazil or China through western Uganda.

Evidently, the decision to ignore such red flags has the potential to hit the Ugandan taxpayer where it hurts most. A decision to course correct, therefore, would be prudent. All of which begs of the question: What happened to the Public Private Partnership Act, 2015?

The institutions that the legislation wills into existence, including the PPP Committee, PPP Unit and project teams, are supposed to ensure the protection of public interest by making feasibility studies in public-private partnerships (PPPs) mandatory. The studies are supposed to ensure technical, economic and environmental viability.

Lamentably, the weight of so-called ‘blue letters’ from President Museveni appears to be upending the guardrails designed to ensure value for money and appropriate allocation of risks to private parties.

Last year, another ‘blue letter’ from Mr Museveni to Ms Nabbanja authorised real estate developer Hamis Kiggundu to construct commercial buildings over a section of the Nakivubo Channel.

No feasibility study was carried out despite 90 percent of Kampala Central being dependent on the nine-kilometre drainage channel that spews out its contents into Lake Victoria, via Murchison Bay in Luzira.

Little wonder, an intervention described as ‘godly’ as well as ‘imaginative and simple’ seems to have instead narrowed the channel’s waterway.

Considerably. All of this shows that ‘blue letters’ should not be allowed to supplant oversight institutions. Procedural due process serves a purpose. And, in our assessment, an almighty one. This should not be lost upon Ugandans. If it is lost upon Ugandans, the country will-as our Chasing Dreams in the Air series alludes-find itself flying without wings.