Category: Daily Monitor

The Deputy Resident District Commissioner (RDC) for Kajjansi Town Council, Mr. Patrick Mubiru, has called for an emergency locus mediation meeting to resolve a long-standing dispute over a 521-acre estate in Wakiso District.

The multi-million-shilling estate, which belonged to the late Ezekeri Makabugo Sempagama Bunjo, spans two villages: Ngongolo ‘A’ and Ngongolo ‘B’.

In a letter dated June 8 to relevant authorities and stakeholders, Mr. Mubiru revealed that his office intervened following a petition from the grandchildren of the late Ham Kisasa. The petitioners accuse the estate’s heir and administrator, Mr. Kezekia Kizito, of mismanaging the property and unfairly distributing their late grandfather’s wealth.

“They further alleged that Kezekia Kizito sold plots on the land without the consent, permission, or holding any discussion with the family members,” the RDC stated.

The dispute escalated during a preliminary meeting held at the RDC’s office in Kitende last week, which Mr. Kizito did not attend. During the tense session, the Local Council 1 (LC1) Chairperson for Ngongolo ‘B’, Mr. Saul Kiwanuka, came under fire after contradicting himself regarding the illegal land transactions.

While Mr. Kiwanuka initially denied any knowledge of the unauthorized land sales, he later performed a U-turn under intense questioning.

“We agreed with him [Kezekia Kizito] through the land dealers, Kabambula, on the portions of land to be sold off together with other residents on the village. I also used to stamp on those land transactions after,” Mr. Kiwanuka confessed to the meeting.

His inconsistent remarks sparked a bitter altercation between him and the aggrieved family members, forcing Mr. Mubiru to schedule an emergency locus meeting for Wednesday, June 10, to de-escalate the situation and find a lasting solution.

Providing context to the feud, Mr. Vincent Ssebawutu, the officially appointed caretaker of the estate, explained that the family had previously agreed on how the land would be shared. During a family meeting on April 25, 2015, Mr. Kizito was directed to divide the land among four households representing their father’s lineage, which halted any further independent land dealings.

However, Mr. Ssebawutu alleges that Mr. Kizito bypassed the family, fraudulently transferred the land titles and Letters of Administration into his own name, and began selling off plots.

“During our last family meeting on May 30, 2015, the family agreed to place caveats on the land until a surveyor could partition it. Instead, Kizito fraudulently partitioned and sold off the land in Ngongolo. He has since avoided family meetings, yet new buildings keep sprouting up on different parts of the land,” Mr. Ssebawutu added.

Land disputes driven by administrative fraud and complicity of local leaders remain a significant challenge in Wakiso District. The upcoming locus meeting will attempt to verify boundaries and review the legality of the current property developments on the contested estate.

President Yoweri Museveni has announced that Uganda has recorded no new cases of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) over the past five days, describing the milestone as a clear sign that the outbreak is now under control.

In his televised address to the nation on the EVD outbreak, on Wednesday night, the President also said a few infections registered in the country were largely due to carelessness. He said Ebola is easier to prevent and manage than COVID-19, which killed over 3000 Ugandans following the 2020 outbreak.

‘The story is clear. Some sick people from Congo came. They were not handled properly, carefully here. That’s all,’ Mr Museveni said. ‘In spite of all that, for five days now, no new cases. It looks as if the fire of Ebola has started going down.’

According to statistics from the Ministry of Health, a cumulative total of 19 confirmed cases have been recorded in the country (Uganda) with two deaths. Of the total cases, 14 are imported cases, and five are Ugandan nationals.

Dr Diana Atwine, the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry, said in the same televised address that up to five patients have recovered after treatment -four Congolese nationals and one Ugandan. But 12 people are still undergoing treatment. The patients are being provided supportive treatment to manage symptoms and complications since there are no approved drugs for the Ebola Bundibugyo Virus Disease.

Dr Charles Olaro, the Director General of Health Services at the Ministry, said of the infected Ugandans, health workers are the most hit -four health workers in one Kampala capital city facility. The other infected Ugandan was a driver.

According to Dr Olaro, the unsuspecting health workers in Kampala Hospital had tried to resuscitate the patient, who they didn’t know had Ebola by then, and in the process had a high-risk exposure to the virus.

Around 100 health workers have, since May 15, been put under quarantine for getting exposed to the virus after treating Ebola patients in their different health facilities in Kampala, according to the Uganda Medical Association.

During the address, the President said the health workers were careless and that they touched the patients without gloves.

‘Ebola is an aggressive disease, but in my view, it is not as difficult to fight as either HIV/AIDS or COVID-19. Even AIDS was easy to fight, in my opinion, but COVID-19 was very dangerous because it was spreading through breathing,” the President said. ‘This meant that if I sat with you in a taxi, even if I didn’t touch you, through the air, you could infect me.’

Prevention

Mr Museveni justified why he thinks Ebola is easier to prevent. ‘Now, the good thing with Ebola is that it spreads through contact. If it is spreading through contact, intimate contact, then it’s spreading because of carelessness,’ he said.

The President appealed to Ugandans and people in the region to desist from practices that enable the spread of the disease, such as washing of dead bodies, especially those who died of Ebola-like symptoms.

‘So, therefore, please, we have a lot of work to do. Let’s be very serious. We don’t have to keep playing around. Listen carefully and act. This is easy to stop. We stopped it in the past. We cannot stop it now,’ he added.

The President also warned pastors, one of the most affected categories, against touching sick people, saying God can hear them even when they don’t touch the sick while praying for them.

‘Some of the people who are dying most in some of the areas I don’t want to talk about are pastors and health workers, because of touching,’ he said.

Mr Museveni asked Ugandans to urgently seek medical care or alert health workers if they see Ebola-like symptoms, to prevent the spread of the disease.

‘Handling dead bodies is another big problem. Those customs like washing dead bodies were there, but now that there is danger, if somebody is sick, call the doctors because the doctors can tell you what sort of sickness it is. Don’t just hide and just do it yourself,” he said.

“You now know how Ebola spreads: saliva, blood, sweat, vomit, sperms – Ebola can stay in the man for nine months. This shaking of hands, please…. shaking of hands for what? There is a problem, just wave at people,” he added.

Dr Chris Baryomunsi, the Minister of Health, said Uganda has mounted a strong response against EVD with restrictions on gathering and weekly markets in border districts, among other measures. He also reiterated the ongoing plans by Uganda to work with partners like the World Health Organisation and the DR Congo government to establish Ebola treatment centres in DR Congo. This move, according to the government of Uganda, will reduce importation of cases from DR Congo and speed up the containment of the outbreak in the region.

Ebola Factsheet June 9

Ebola statistics for Uganda (Source: MOH. Summary by Tonny Abet))

New cases

Cumulative cases

Active cases

Deaths

Recoveries

Contacts of patients

Ebola Incubation Period

00

19

(14 imported, 5 Ugandans)

12

02 (imported)

05

783

21 days

What Uganda has done to curb Ebola

Closed border with DR Congo

Put restrictions on public gatherings within Uganda

Enhanced awareness and community engagement on Ebola prevention

Established isolation/quarantine centres

Enhanced contact tracing and isolation of contacts

How Ebola spreads

Blood of infected person

Urine

saliva

faeces

Sweat

Vomit

Unsterilised equipment used by an infected person

Soiled clothing of an infected person

Handling wildlife whether alive or dead (especially bats and monkeys)

Prevention

· Avoid physical contact with anyone showing the Ebola symptoms

· Practice hand washing and maintain good hand hygiene at all times

· Avoid contact with body fluids that include urine, blood, sweat, saliva, vomitus, and stool

· seek appropriate health care services immediately when you experience Ebola-like symptoms

· Handling and burial of dead bodies of suspected Ebola patients should be supervised by the health team

· All public places should institute hand-washing facilities at their premises.

Symptoms of Ebola

High fever

Fatigue

Chest pain

Diarrhea

Abdominal pain

Joint and body pain

Vomiting

Rash

Unexplained bleeding

On a Wednesday evening in August 2017, I opened X (formerly Twitter) to scroll through as I always do.

A breaking news story popped up: a man had been killed by a mob after allegedly attempting to set Café Javas on Parliament Avenue on fire. It was a deeply disturbing evening, trying to make sense of the events. As the evening went by, it emerged that the deceased was one Revence Kato Kalibwani, described as one of the finest minds in Uganda’s tech space.

Bizarre as it sounds, the country had lost a citizen to the mob under very unclear circumstances.

The debate at the time focused on his actions, ignoring the elephant in the room: jungle justice, commonly referred to as mob justice.

Now, nearly a decade later, one of Uganda’s professional sportsmen, Sydney Gongodyo, was attacked in broad daylight and beaten allegedly by mostly boda boda riders.

According to news reports, he was accused of trying to steal a handbag from a woman. However, his family has vehemently denied this allegation, pointing to nearby CCTV cameras that captured exactly what happened in his final moments.

The late Gongodyo has been described by many, especially those in the rugby fraternity, as talented, astute and promising.

His death has once again sparked an outcry about the persistent occurrence of jungle justice in Uganda.

Over decades, Ugandans have become comfortable with taking the law into their own hands, often citing a dysfunctional judicial system as justification.

The disgruntlement stems from suspects acquiring police bond, with many arguing that the temporary release of a suspect causes further anguish to victims and poses a risk to the public.

However, Ugandans ought to remember that police bond and judicial bail are constitutional rights to which every citizen is entitled, regardless of the accusation before them.

Mob action continues unabated simply because the State has failed to place stringent social sanctions on this criminality.

The cycle is always the same: a person gets accused of a crime, boda boda riders gang up and beat them to the point of near death, or sometimes death itself.

Police, with little regard for emergency response, shows up and simply loads the body, sometimes still alive, onto the back of a pickup and drives off to the national mortuary.

Often, no arrests are made, and where they are, no meaningful sanctions are given to culprits.

Gut wrenching testimonies shared across social media decry the total disregard for the law and the impunity exercised by some members of society.

This lawlessness will not only cost more lives but will plunge the country into anarchy faster than we may think. Stamp out mob action or risk anarchy!

A storm is brewing within the corridors of power across Africa following revelations that the United States government is tightening its grip on lifesaving health assistance, conditioning vital aid on broad access to domestic surveillance data and extractive rights to pathogen samples.

An assessment by Human Rights Watch (HRW) released on June 8, 2026, reveals that seven bilateral health agreements signed in late 2025 with Uganda, Ethiopia, Kenya, Mozambique, Nigeria, Rwanda, and Liberia come with troubling, unprecedented conditions that jeopardize national sovereignty and human rights.

According to the report, these deals grant the US sweeping surveillance powers over local health systems, unannounced inspections of medical facilities, and direct access to biological samples and data. Officially, Washington claims these measures ensure compliance with the Helms Amendment-a controversial US law that bans foreign assistance funds from being used for abortion services.

However, rights groups and global health experts argue that the clauses mask a deeper agenda of strategic extraction for Western pharmaceutical development.

“These agreements are a ticking time bomb,” said Ms Julia Bleckner, senior health researcher at HRW. “The US is trading health security for data and samples, leaving vulnerable populations to pay the price.”

Secret pacts and sovereignty fears

The agreements were negotiated under strict secrecy, with details only surfacing recently through whistleblowers, leaks, and Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests in the US. Washington has reportedly refused to disclose the full scope of the deals, sparking outrage among African civil society organizations (CSOs) and policymakers.

The inclusion of Uganda in these pacts raises the stakes for a country heavily reliant on donor funding to run its public health sector, particularly in HIV/AIDS, malaria, and tuberculosis management.

“Development aid should empower nations, not create dependencies or serve as a vehicle for strategic extraction,” Zimbabwe’s Information Secretary, Mr Nick Mangwana, told HRW, echoing a sentiment reverberating across the continent.

Historically, US foreign aid agreements have required compliance with domestic US laws, including the Helms Amendment. However, HRW notes that the late 2025 agreements take enforcement to an aggressive level. Compliance is now policed through extensive surveillance without proper privacy safeguards. More critically, the contracts state that a country’s failure to provide this data could result in the total withdrawal of funding.

For nations like Uganda, Nigeria, and Ethiopia, this creates a precarious situation where access to lifesaving medications for millions of citizens could be cut off with as little as 180 days’ notice.

Pathogen mining and pharmaceutical profits

Beyond the Helms Amendment enforcement, the agreements with Uganda, Rwanda, Ethiopia, Nigeria, and Mozambique explicitly reference “specimen sharing arrangements.” This clause legally binds recipient countries to provide the US with biological samples and data of detected pathogens with epidemic potential as a strict condition for continued health funding.

The exact terms of these pathogen-sharing arrangements have been shielded from the public. However, a draft template of the terms published by Emily Bass, an acclaimed journalist, HIV/AIDS expert, and activist, indicates that there is no guarantee African countries will receive equitable or affordable access to diagnostics, vaccines, or treatments developed from their own biological resources.

Furthermore, HRW warns that the terms of this pathogen-access system threaten to undermine ongoing, delicate negotiations at the World Health Organization (WHO). The WHO has been working to establish a global Pathogen Access and Benefit-Sharing System that commits member states to a fairer distribution of healthcare goods derived from shared pathogens. Analysts say the US is using its financial leverage to bypass these multilateral frameworks in favor of bilateral extraction.

Privacy safeguards ignored

The agreements have also raised red flags regarding patient privacy. The documents allow the use of citizens’ private health data without clear limits, uniform safeguards, or meaningful protections for patient confidentiality. This is particularly dangerous for several signatory African nations that still have weak or non-existent domestic data protection laws.

Alarmingly, the agreements contain no prohibition on this sensitive medical data being shared with US multinational pharmaceutical companies without patient consent. The data grab has already met resistance elsewhere; in April, Ghana abruptly withdrew from negotiations, citing deep concerns over Washington’s overreaching demands for data access.

‘Governments negotiating health assistance agreements with the United States face difficult choices,’ Ms Bleckner observed. ‘They should be wary of terms asking them to sign away their populations’ rights and push for the inclusion of civil society representatives and multilateral global health organizations like the Global Fund in deliberations.’

A shifting aid landscape

The tightening of strings on US aid comes at a time when the global funding architecture is undergoing volatile shifts. Local experts note that unexpected disruptions in aid are already crippling third-sector operations in East Africa.

Speaking on the changing dynamics of international aid, Ms Frida Nakkazi, a communication expert and development professional, previously told this publication that recent work stop orders from donors highlight an unpredictable global landscape. This has left advocacy workers and NGOs grappling with deep uncertainty on how to sustain programs.

‘The truth is, sustainable advocacy relies on funding,’ Ms Nakkazi noted. ‘The landscape of advocacy is evolving, and with the current, unexpected disruptions in aid, there is going to be a lasting impact on the work of development communicators, particularly those who are into advocacy.’

Adding a geopolitical dimension to the crisis, Mr Joel Okao Tema, a seasoned journalist and political analyst, suggested that U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration may have inadvertently played into the hands of African regimes eager to stifle internal dissent. He argued that the broad funding cuts and aggressive terms could help some African governments tame civil society organizations (CSOs) they previously viewed as rogue or overly critical.

With the stroke of a pen, Donald Trump’s termination or conditioning of foreign aid may have hit governments hard, but to CSOs, this is a devastating killer blow, Mr Okao explained.

However, he pointed out that the domestic civic space was already fractured. ‘Long before Donald Trump cut off foreign aid, CSOs in Uganda were already in crisis. Years of negative regulation, intimidation of CSO workers followed by extra-judicial action such as illegal raids on NGO offices, and covert actions… had conspired to undermine and weaken the sector,’ Mr Okao said. ‘Many CSOs that once fought to expand the democratic space have gone silent.’

As Africa grapples with the dual threats of health vulnerabilities and shrinking civic spaces, critics argue the US is prioritizing national and commercial interests over the well-being of millions. Global health advocates warn that if these agreements are enforced as written, the consequences will be dire: delayed treatments, denied care, and a catastrophic erosion of trust in global health systems.

Congratulations, Kiryowa Kiwanuka SC, on your appointment as Minister of Defence and Veterans Affairs.

As Attorney General, yours has been a consequential innings. Much good has been done and much credit is owed to you.

We ask that as you hand over to your successor, you include the following unfinished business.

The Kabaziguruka decision must be urgently and fully implemented. On January 31, 2025, the Supreme Court directed the transfer to the civil courts of all civilians facing trial in the court martial, and necessarily, the release of all persons convicted by the court martial who were challenging their convictions.

More than one year later, no account of compliance has been given and dozens still languish, trapped in legal limbo.

Enforced disappearances: one ministry must own this. At a recent Uganda Law Society (ULS) function, you and former Minister of Internal Affairs Kahinda Otafiire traded blame for failure to account to the families of victims of enforced disappearances.

That public disagreement, in front of the legal fraternity, was itself an indictment. Ugandan families are waiting. The family of Sam Mugumya is waiting. ‘Not my docket’ is not an answer.

We add to this Uganda’s dismal record on torture and safe houses, on which you had a tough time before the UN Committee Against Torture (CAT) in Geneva in November 2022.

Uganda’s third periodic report to CAT is due this year. We await an official account of what happened to Eddie Mutwe.

Unresolved constitutional and electoral reform. The recommendations of the Supreme Court since as early as 2001, regarding transparent tallying processes, militarisation of elections and effective sanctions for electoral offences, all remain unresolved.

The ULS leadership crisis must be resolved, not managed. There is a governance crisis affecting lawyers and, importantly, the appointment of judicial officers.

The AG’s office, as the ministry responsible for the legal profession, cannot be a passive observer of this dysfunction.

Settlement of court judgments against government must be expedited. While the Auditor General acknowledges a substantial reduction in unsatisfied judgments, the balance of Shs400 billion is still unacceptable. The Protection of Sovereignty Act: A constitutional test is urgently required.

We commend your massive and rapid work responding to objections to this law. However the Act still carries provisions whose compatibility with Articles 29, 38, and 40 of the Constitution is doubtful.

There is an urgent and critical need for a full consultative review both for guidance to the market and also to avert unnecessary litigation in the Constitutional Court. The regulations to implement the Act should be passed urgently.

The operation of Patriotic League Uganda (PLU) under the leadership of Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba violates the Political Parties and Organisations Act (Cap. 178) (PPOA) To the extent that PLU acts as a political organisation under the PPOA, its leadership by Gen Muhoozi is a breach of the PPOA.

This Act expressly prohibits a member of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) from being a founder, promoter, or member of a political organisation; holding office in a political organisation; or engaging in canvassing in support of a candidate standing for public election sponsored by a political party or organisation.

The recent speakership race and the roll of the PLU says it all. Allocation of Nakivubo Channel to Ham Enterprises is a violation of the Constitution and should be reversed.

Article 237(2)(b) of the Constitution places in public trust all lands preserved for ecological purposes.

The allocation of the channel is a breach of the Constitution, and the building over it is an environmental disaster, as has already been seen in recent flood incidents in downtown Kampala.

It is unacceptable for the Government to use taxpayers’ monies to make good damage done by a private individual.

It is also the highest order of hypocrisy for government to demolish shacks and shanties in Lubigi swamp while ignoring the construction over Nakivubo Channel. Nobody is above the law.

The Advocates (Senior Counsel) Regulations need to be revamped: As mentioned at the burial of Peter Mulira, the revamping of the Advocates (Senior Counsel) Regulations to ensure a process that is fair, transparent and profession-led is overdue.

Mulira practised law with distinction for over five decades and died without being conferred the title. This is a symptom of a broken process.

All the best in your new posting, keeping foremost as always, that you hold public office in trust for the people and that as an advocate, it is fidelity to the law that comes first.

Edward Kato Sekabanja, Paul Mukiibi, Ronald Samuel Wanda, Kato Tumusiime, Henry Onoria, Mafabi Shaidu, Lillian A. Drabo, Peter Arinaitwe, Amanya Timothy, Sarah Bireete, Eron Kiiza, Anthony Odur, Yvonne Mpambara and Phillip Karugaba

A Ugandan construction company has petitioned government and Parliament to intervene in a dispute over a road contract in DR Congo, claiming it is owed more than Shs10.5 billion and that over 100 Ugandan workers faced arrests and deportation.

Tiger Contractors and Architects says it signed a two-year partnership in December 2024 with a Congolese contractor to modernise 20 kilometres of urban roads in Isiro City, Haut-Uele Province.

In a petition dated June 5 addressed to Parliament and government officials, the firm alleges it mobilised personnel, equipment and resources but was never paid the agreed initial $2.88 million, about Shs10.5 billion, for the first phase.

Managing director Mr Austine Moses Ssengendo said the company deployed more than 100 Ugandan workers after being assured of payment and logistical support.

According to the petition, payment was due after mobilising staff and equipment for the first four kilometres.

‘We fulfilled our part by mobilising equipment and over 100 personnel from our country across all sectors of activity,’ the company states.

However, Tiger Contractors claims the Congolese partner failed to provide agreed support, including transport, accommodation, food, medical care and payment for completed work.

As a result, Ssengendo said the firm incurred debts after renting offices, accommodation and buying materials on credit to keep the project running.

He further alleges the Congolese partner repeatedly claimed Kinshasa had not released funds, only for the Ugandan contractor to later learn payments had allegedly been made.

The petition says relations deteriorated and employees faced frequent arrests and interrogations.

‘From that point, hostile actions were clearly directed against our staff and our company,’ the petition reads.

The company alleges some workers were arrested almost daily by police, intelligence personnel and immigration officials, while others were eventually deported.

Ssengendo also claims that despite a contract specifying seven-metre road width, field conditions forced the company to widen sections to nine metres at extra cost. Work was later suspended without clear guidance on how operations would continue.

Tiger Contractors has asked government to help recover the funds and protect its interests, saying the dispute has left it facing losses and pressure from suppliers who provided materials on credit.

Officials from the Ugandan government had not commented by press time. Efforts to reach the Congolese contractor mentioned in the petition were unsuccessful.

Background

The dispute stems from the Isiro City road project in Haut-Uele Province. Tiger Contractors says it signed the agreement on December 30, 2024 after negotiations facilitated by Congolese officials. The company is now seeking diplomatic and legal intervention from Ugandan authorities to recover what it describes as unpaid dues and losses incurred.

A suspected Ebola patient admitted to Lira Regional Referral Hospital has tested negative for the virus, bringing temporary relief to the Lango Sub-region amid heightened national surveillance. However, despite medical interventions, the patient ultimately succumbed to liver failure.

The 42-year-old boda boda rider and resident of Lira City was rushed to the facility on June 6, 2026, presenting with severe symptoms mirroring Ebola Virus Disease (EVD). According to medical reports, the patient exhibited a high fever, headache, muscle pain, general body malaise, coughing, and vomiting blood.

In a statement issued on Monday, June 8, the Hospital Director, Dr. Andrew Odur, confirmed that strict Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) were immediately activated upon the patient’s arrival.

‘In line with national Ebola response protocols, the patient was safely evacuated and admitted to the hospital’s isolation unit, where comprehensive investigations were conducted under strict infection prevention and control measures,’ Dr. Odur said.

While laboratory results returned on June 7 confirmed the patient was free of Ebola, his condition deteriorated. Further clinical assessments later established that liver failure was the primary cause of his illness and the dramatic symptoms he exhibited. The hospital administration has since extended its heartfelt condolences to the deceased’s family.

The scare comes at a time when Uganda is on high alert. As of June 8, 2026, the country had registered 19 confirmed Ebola cases, including 14 imported from the neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and five Ugandan nationals. The World Health Organization (WHO) has been actively supporting the country’s response, with Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus previously praising Uganda’s prompt containment actions.

Dr Odur emphasized that since the outbreak was declared, Lira Regional Referral Hospital has drastically strengthened its response mechanisms to isolate and investigate threats rapidly. He urged both health workers and the public to remain highly vigilant, memorize Ebola symptoms, and adhere to public health guidelines.

‘Lira Regional Referral Hospital remains committed to safeguarding public health through early detection, rapid response, and adherence to national disease surveillance,’ Dr. Odur maintained, urging the public to promptly report any unusual symptoms to the District Surveillance Team.

Members of the 12th Parliament are facing severe seating shortages and congestion in the legislative chambers, forcing many legislators to sit on the floor, stand in doorways, or squeeze into the public gallery.

The space crisis is worsened by the massive size of the current Parliament-bloated to over 529 members-compared to the original chamber, which was built during the colonial era to accommodate only about 80 people.

Because seating operates on a first-come, first-served basis, overflowing members of the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) party have frequently spilled over to occupy empty seats on the opposition side.

During plenary sessions on June 10, 2026, Speaker Jacob Marksons Oboth announced that to accommodate the overwhelming numbers, there will be “free sitting” on either side of the House, except for the front benches reserved for ministers and shadow ministers.

The congestion has reignited intense scrutiny over the stalled Shs220.2 billion new parliamentary chambers project contracted to Roko Construction Company. The project officially commenced in July 2017 but remains incomplete despite massive budget allocations.

The directive follows formal complaints from lawmakers, most notably Leader of the Opposition, Joel Ssenyonyi, who has continuously criticized the prolonged delays and questioned why the project has become a “bottomless pit.”

Mr Ssenyonyi previously questioned why the government continues to spend billions of taxpayers’ money renting office space in private buildings while a contractor was already paid to build the new chambers. He had even suggested that Parliament halt approving funds for the project due to a lack of accountability and slow progress by Roko.

Following these complaints during the May 28 plenary, Speaker Oboth-Oboth gave the Clerk to Parliament a two-week timeframe to present a comprehensive status report on the stalled project.

Leaders in Kyotera District have tasked government officials implementing the Parish Development Model (PDM) to abandon English and use local languages, particularly Luganda, during community sensitisation meetings. They argue that the continued use of English is severely limiting public understanding and stalling the progress of the flagship poverty alleviation initiative.

The concerns were raised during a heated district stakeholders’ meeting on Tuesday, June 9, 2026. Local leaders accused some technical officers of failing to effectively communicate crucial operational guidelines to the intended beneficiaries.

Mr Moses Kyewalyanga, the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) chairperson for Nabigasa Sub-county, noted that many residents are unable to fully comprehend the procedures and requirements of the programme due to language barriers.

“Most of the people we serve are ordinary villagers whose level of formal education is limited. When officers stand before them and explain government programmes in English, many leave the meetings without understanding anything,” Mr Kyewalyanga said.

He warned that communication gaps could derail the initiative. “PDM was designed to uplift households from subsistence to commercial production. If beneficiaries cannot understand how the programme operates, we risk excluding the very people it was intended to help. Officers should use Luganda or other local languages to make the information accessible.”

Launched by President Yoweri Museveni in February 2022, the PDM is the government’s premier strategy aimed at moving the 39 percent of Uganda’s population living from hand-to-mouth into the money economy. Under the initiative, each of the 10,694 parishes across Uganda receives Shs100 million annually, which is lent to selected beneficiaries to invest in lucrative agricultural value chains and income-generating enterprises.

Despite the nationwide rollout, local leaders argued that many Kyotera residents still lack basic knowledge about its implementation.

However, the Kyotera District Commercial Officer, Mr Mathias Kisekulo, dismissed allegations that technical staff were failing to communicate effectively with communities.

“Our officers understand the communities they serve and are trained to engage beneficiaries appropriately. We continuously assess the situation on the ground and ensure that information reaches the intended people,” Mr Kisekulo countered.

Mr Kisekulo revealed that Kyotera District has so far received Shs23.57 billion under the PDM programme since 2022, with the funds distributed across all the district’s 66 parishes.

The language debate drew mixed reactions, prompting a wider discussion on political accountability. The district NRM vice chairperson, Mr Enos Mugisha, challenged the local politicians to stop shifting blame and take greater responsibility for monitoring activities within their jurisdictions.

“It is surprising that some leaders claim they do not know what is happening in their own areas,” Mr Mugisha said. “You are elected to represent these communities. Demand accountability reports from your sub-county chiefs and parish officials. You should be the first source of information for your people, not the last.”

Mr Mugisha also urged leaders to actively utilise Parish Development Committees to gather information on wider service delivery issues, including education, healthcare, and access to clean water.

On his part, the acting Kyotera Chief Administrative Officer, Mr Mohammad Nfitumukiza, warned civil servants against negligence, promising disciplinary action against those who fail to perform their duties.

“We shall not tolerate complacency among public servants. Any officer who neglects their responsibilities will face disciplinary measures, including dismissal where necessary,” Mr Nfitumukiza warned.

The Kyotera Resident District Commissioner, Mr Apollo Mugume, urged all implementers to uphold transparency and strict accountability to ensure the project yields visible results.

“This is a presidential initiative and the government expects results. Every officer handling PDM funds must remain vigilant and ensure the programme achieves its intended purpose of transforming livelihoods,” Mr Mugume said, adding that rigorous monitoring would continue to prevent irregularities.

Right from its inception in 2022, a section of Ugandans, especially Opposition politicians, have expressed skepticism about whether PDM will succeed where previous wealth-creation programmes faltered. In Kyotera, leaders maintain that bridging the communication gap is the first step toward proving the skeptics wrong.

The long-awaited promise to beef up Uganda’s aircraft fleet has finally materialized after Uganda Airlines signed a Shs3.7 trillion deal with American manufacturer Boeing to acquire 10 new aircraft.

The agreement was signed in the presence of President Museveni on June 10, with Boeing set to supply the national carrier as part of its long-term growth strategy.

Acting Chief Executive Officer of Uganda Airlines, Mr Girma Wake, signed on behalf of the airline, while Boeing Executive Vice President and Head of Sales for Africa, Mr Anbessie Yitbarek, signed on behalf of the supplier.

Under the agreement, Uganda Airlines will acquire eight Boeing passenger aircraft, each with a seating capacity of 294 passengers, alongside two cargo freighters comprising a Boeing 767 wide-body converted freighter and a Boeing 737 Boeing Converted Freighter.

Officials said the acquisition forms part of a broader government strategy to expand the national carrier’s fleet, increase direct international connections, boost tourism and trade, and position Uganda as a key aviation hub in the region.

Works and Transport Minister Fred Byamukama described the project as a strategic investment that will enhance Uganda’s connectivity with the rest of the world.

‘It is a very expensive project, but the President said that we have no other option. We need to build our own airline. That is how Uganda can be connected to the rest of the world,’ he said.

He noted that the first phase of the agreement will involve the delivery of four large passenger aircraft before the remaining aircraft are delivered.

‘Today we have signed the contract, and they will first deliver four aircraft, each with the capacity to carry 294 passengers at once,’ he said.

The ministry in March secured Shs422.26 billion to support the expansion of Uganda Airlines’ fleet, at a time when the national carrier was grappling with aircraft shortages and operational disruptions on key international routes. The funding, part of a supplementary request of Shs1.696 trillion approved in December last year, was earmarked for the acquisition of 10 new aircraft aimed at strengthening the airline’s capacity and route network.

The airline has in recent months faced fleet constraints that affected its long-haul operations, including the temporary suspension of some international routes, and has been operating with a limited number of aircraft, making it vulnerable to disruptions caused by maintenance schedules and technical issues.

In February the airline was forced to cancel flights to Nigeria, London and Mumbai in India after some of its aircraft developed mechanical issues. This came after two of Uganda Airlines’ long-haul A330neo jets, which operate routes to the UK, UAE, India and Nigeria, were taken out of service for unscheduled maintenance.

By the time of the cancellation, the airline’s A330neo had been grounded since January 11 and required a new or spare engine. Another A330neo, grounded since February 19 following an engine borescope inspection, revealed cracks on the engine blades and required maintenance repairs.

As part of solutions to bridge the aircraft gap, the airline secured a Boeing Dreamliner from Ethiopian Airlines and temporarily resumed long-distance flights, underscoring the urgency of fleet expansion.

The money, secured through borrowing, was reflected in the Ministry of Finance’s February Performance of the Economy report. The report indicates that, as a result of the borrowing, government operations during February resulted in net borrowing of Shs1.22 trillion, exceeding the programmed target of Shs985.85 billion.

At the signing ceremony, Mr Byamukama said the expansion will significantly reduce Uganda’s dependence on transit hubs in other countries and increase direct flights into the country.

‘This means Uganda will be connected directly to the rest of the world. We shall bring many investors directly to Uganda. Previously, investors had to transit through other countries and make several stopovers. With the addition of these aircraft, we shall have more direct routes and connections,’ he said.

He disclosed that government is expected to make an initial payment of Shs460 billion as part of the implementation process.

‘Tomorrow, we are going to make the first deposit of Shs460 billion. The entire project will cost about Shs3.7 trillion. This money comes from taxpayers’ contributions through government revenue collections, which the President directed should be invested in expanding Uganda Airlines,’ he explained.

The minister emphasized that the aircraft acquisition aligns with government’s broader infrastructure development agenda, which includes the expansion of Entebbe International Airport and the completion of Kabalega International Airport in Hoima.

He expressed optimism that the investments would significantly increase tourist arrivals and enhance Uganda’s competitiveness in international aviation over the next decade.

‘We are finalizing Kabalega Airport and expanding Entebbe Airport. We know that within the next ten years, Uganda will be where it should be in terms of aviation development,’ Byamukama said.

He also revealed government plans to eventually introduce domestic air services to improve connectivity within Uganda.

‘Once we stabilize the expanded international operations, we shall embark on domestic flights so that Ugandans can easily fly to destinations such as Gulu, Kotido, Kidepo and Mbarara,’ he added.

Byamukama credited President Museveni’s leadership and strategic vision for driving the country’s aviation development agenda.

‘We thank the Government of Uganda and His Excellency the President for his wise leadership and for continuously giving directives that place Uganda on the map and expand the country’s economic development,’ he said.

The signing ceremony also marked the beginning of what both parties described as a long-term partnership between Uganda Airlines and Boeing.

Boeing Vice President of Sales for Africa, Anbessie Yitbarek, pledged the company’s commitment to supporting Uganda Airlines beyond aircraft supply through technical expertise, training and capacity-building programmes.

He said Boeing would work closely with Uganda Airlines to ensure sustainable growth and operational excellence as the airline expands its fleet and route network.

According to Uganda Airlines, the planned acquisition will substantially increase the airline’s capacity to serve regional, continental and intercontinental markets while supporting Uganda’s economic transformation agenda.

The airline noted that the additional aircraft will facilitate trade, tourism, investment promotion and cargo transportation, directly contributing to the implementation of Uganda Vision 2040 and the country’s aspiration of attaining sustainable middle-income status.

The ceremony attracted several high-profile government officials, including Minister of Finance Henry Musasizi; former Works and Transport Minister Gen. Katumba Wamala; former Finance Minister Matia Kasaija; Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Works and Transport Waiswa Bageya; and Permanent Secretary and Secretary to the Treasury Ramathan Ggoobi.

Also in attendance were Uganda Airlines Board Chairperson Priscilla Mirembe Sseruka and board members; Boeing Commercial Sales and Marketing Africa representative Herb Wallen; and Chargé d’Affaires of the United States Embassy in Uganda, Mikael Cleverley, among other distinguished guests.