Category: Daily Monitor

The Uganda Bankers’ Association says some banks may have refused to extend loans to 107 Members of Parliament currently facing election petitions as a precautionary measure to guard against losing money.

In a telephone interview on Wednesday, Wilbrod Owor, the executive director Uganda Bankers’ Association, said while it is not an industry-wide position, an election petition represents a financial gamble.

‘I have also just read about it somewhere but there hasn’t been an engagement at industry level. These loans are extended to parliamentarians over their term of office in Parliament maybe they have seen election petitions as a major risk that can make individuals default on the loans,’ he said.

He explained that MPs face multiple financial demands right from their constituencies.

‘Once they join the House, they are normally bombarded by loan shacks, money lenders including fellow members of parliament and banks willing to give them credit facilities but repaying the money sometimes becomes a challenge,’ he said.

After the 2016 general elections, this publication witnessed firsthand a former junior trade Minister and MP from Busoga region in the 9th Parliament scamper for safety from the newly appointed trade minister Sanjay Tanna’s private office at Petro City Kampala Road when the former legislator mistook men in suits walking along the street minding their own business for money lenders trailing him.

Around the same time, conmen duped a fresh MP from Eastern Uganda to pay Shs1.2bn for a house in Kampala whose market price then was valued at Shs300m. The legislator reportedly left parliament more indebted than when he joined the house.

Stories abound of previous MPs who made parliament their safe haven to hide from money lenders who started hunting them down within the precincts of parliament to pay loans acquired to fund campaigns, with the hope that salaries and allowances would pay off the money.

Some MPs who have lost elections, filed petitions against the results and also lost the cases, have found themselves discovering that even below the basement of poverty, there is another basement that has wiped them out of the public eye and their constituencies.

Police in Kampala have launched a manhunt for a gang of thugs who ambushed and robbed two people at the Nsambya traffic lights along Ggaba Road.

The incident, which reportedly occurred on May 6, 2026, at around 11:30am., has sparked widespread public outrage after graphic video footage of the daylight attack resurfaced and went viral on social media on Tuesday, June 9.

According to the Kampala Metropolitan Police Deputy Spokesperson, ASP Luke Owoyesigyire, the victims were intercepted shortly after withdrawing an undisclosed amount of cash from a local forex bureau.

“The incident involved a group of assailants who attacked two victims before robbing them of cash. Upon receiving the initial report, police immediately commenced investigations,” ASP Owoyesigyire said.

He added that detectives from the Kabalagala Police Division have already visited and documented the crime scene, recorded statements from eyewitnesses, and retrieved crucial CCTV footage to identify the perpetrators.

“Efforts to identify, trace, and apprehend all the suspects involved are ongoing. We wish to reassure the public that every effort is being made to bring the perpetrators to justice,” Mr Owoyesigyire added, urging anyone with information to report to the nearest police station.

According to police data, robberies specifically involving cash shot up drastically by 37.2 percent, rising from 573 cases in 2024 to 786 cases in 2025. Out of the 786 cash robbery cases reported last year, only 200 made it to court, while 514 remain under active inquiry.

Furthermore, violent aggravated robberies-where criminals deploy lethal weapons like firearms, knives, machetes, and hammers-surged by 6.7 percent to 2,101 cases in 2025.

The crime report further cements Kampala’s status as the epicenter of robbery syndicates in Uganda. The Kampala Metropolitan Police (KMP) jurisdiction registered the highest numbers of total robberies nationwide. KMP North topped the grim statistics with 1,007 cases, followed by KMP South-where the Nsambya attack happened-with 779 cases, and KMP East with 669 cases. Outside the capital, the Rwizi region (567 cases) and North Kyoga (429 cases) were the most affected.

The re-emergence of the Nsambya video has renewed public pressure on the police to dismantle criminal gangs operating at major city intersections. Security experts continue to urge the public to exercise extreme vigilance and utilize digital banking alternatives when moving large financial sums to avoid falling victim to trailing syndicates.

Mmamba Kakoboza finally joined the Airtel Bika Tournament’s roll of honour after defeating former champions Nkima 4-3 in a dramatic penalty shootout to claim their maiden football title at Muteesa II Stadium, Wankulukuku on Saturday.

After a tense final ended goalless over 90 minutes, goalkeeper Mathias Kigoonya emerged the hero, saving two penalties to hand Mmamba their first championship and the Shs9m winners’ purse before a packed crowd of Buganda Kingdom faithful.

The victory sparked emotional celebrations among the champions, with captain Duncan Sseninde paying tribute to the collective effort behind the breakthrough triumph.

“This victory means a lot to us all as Mmamba Kakoboza clan. This is our first shield. We worked so hard as a clan after so many years,” Sseninde said after lifting the trophy.

The triumph ended a wait stretching back more than five decades for one of Buganda’s most prominent clans and added a new name to a competition traditionally dominated by established clans. In recent years, Ngabi Nsamba, Mmamba Namakaka, Ngo and Nkima have all lifted the coveted trophy.

For Nkima, champions in 2018, the defeat denied them a second title despite another resilient campaign that saw them eliminate Mutima Musagi and Ngo en route to the final. Mmamba’s route was equally narrow, edging Kasimba and Kkobe by single-goal margins before holding their nerve from the spot in the decider.

Well-deserved

Nicholas Kabonge was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player while Mbogo’s Nelson Ssenkaatuuka finished as the tournament’s leading scorer with six goals. Nkima collected Shs7m as runners-up, while Kkobe secured third place after defeating Ngo 1-0.

Speaking after the final, David Birungi said the tournament continued to demonstrate the power of sport to unite communities while nurturing talent.

“Congratulations to Mmamba Kakoboza for a well-deserved victory. The Bika Tournament continues to celebrate culture, inspire young people and bring communities together. Airtel remains committed to supporting initiatives that preserve heritage while creating opportunities for talent development,” Birungi said.

Buganda Kingdom Prime Minister Charles Peter Mayiga, described the tournament as one of the kingdom’s most enduring events.

“Through sport, our clans continue to preserve traditions while giving young people an opportunity to develop discipline, character and talent,” Mayiga said as he congratulated the champions and urged the youth to embrace productive pursuits.

Established in 1950, the Bika Tournament brings together clans through sport while preserving a tradition that has endured for more than seven decades.

AIRTEL BIKA FOOTBALL 2026 FINAL

Champions: Mmamba Kakoboza

Runners-up: Nkima

Third place: Kkobe

Final: Mmamba Kakoboza 0 (4) – 0 (3) Nkima

MVP: Nicholas Kabonge (Mmamba Kakoboza)

Top scorer: Nelson Ssenkaatuuka (Mbogo) – 6 goals

Winners’ prize: Shs9m

Runners-up prize: Shs7m

Third-place prize: Shs3m

Participating teams: 40 clans

Tournament sponsor: Airtel Uganda

Former winners

2026: Mmamba Kakoboza

2025: Ngabi Nsamba

2024: Mmamba Namakaka

2023; Ngo

2022: Ngabi Nsamba

2021: Not held/affected by Covid-19

2020: Not held/affected by Covid-19

2019: Mmamba Namakaka

2018: Nkima

2017: Ngabi Nsamba

In the heart of Lango sub-region, a scandal is brewing over the government’s Shs80 billion Cattle Restocking Programme.

Meant to boost cattle farming in Acholi, Lango and Teso sub-regions, the programme has instead become a magnet for fraud, according to an investigation.

Jennti Adong, a resident of Akuki Village, Abela Parish, Aleka Sub-county in Oyam District, thought she was lucky when she was enrolled in the programme. But when her colleagues started receiving messages about money being deposited last week, she was left scratching her head. It turned out someone had changed her phone number to divert the Shs5 million meant for her.

‘I approached the bank, and they told me my account was linked to another person’s name,’ Adong says. ‘I don’t know how they did it.’

Adong’s Wendi account linked to her registered MTN number 0767668248 was registered in the name of another person identified by Pearl Bank Uganda as Adriko Jimmy. This Wendi account is genuine and by June 10, 2026, it had Shs5,000. But Adong does not know the secret pin to this Wendi account except the one for her mobile money wallet.

How Wendi works in the programme Under the Cattle Restocking Programme, the government disburses money to beneficiaries using Wendi, Pearl Bank’s mobile money service platform designed to promote financial inclusion to all Ugandans.

Under the Wendi system, electronic value held by a customer or agent can be used to perform any financial transaction supported within the mobile money’s core system.

Wendi empowers users and groups, particularly those with limited access to traditional financial services, to access, manage, save, invest and pay for various services without requiring a bank account or smartphone, according to Pearl Bank Uganda.

When this reporter inquired about Adong’s issue, a staff member at the Credit Section of Pearl Bank, Lira Branch, indicated that the challenge with that Wendi account was that somebody proceeded to deposit money on it yet it was dormant.

Adong recalled she acquired the SIM Card through her National ID in April 2026. Pearl Bank’s data shows that Adriko Jimmy registered the Wendi account on February 13, 2025.

‘She now has the task to go to MTN Uganda so that they write for her a letter and confirm that yes this is her line, which she acquired through her national ID details. She may also need to verify whether MTN sold her an old line,’ said the bank’s staff.

This is just one of many cases. In Abela Parish, 16 people have been nominated to benefit, but discrepancies in their particulars have put the money at risk. Local leaders are implicated, with some allegedly changing names and phone numbers to siphon the funds.

Benson Odongo, Abela LC2 chairman, confirmed that some beneficiaries’ names were profiled without corresponding phone numbers. However, he said this anomaly was being rectified.

On June 10, 2026, our reporter bumped into a man at Pearl Bank, Lira Branch, who revealed that he was trying to withdraw money meant for his supposedly sick wife. But investigations revealed that the programme’s beneficiary called Janet lives in Barocok Village, Abela Parish in Aleka Sub-county. By press time, she was healthy and had not been to a health facility in months.

A local leader in Abela who asked for anonymity because of the sensitivity of the issue revealed that a lot is happening in the programme.

‘There is an old man here called Alfred Ogwang, the father of Jawa. Initially, he was registered to benefit from the programme but his name and phone number were changed. Local leaders are changing the beneficiaries’ names and phone details in order to eat their money,’ said the source.

The government’s programme aims to give each household Shs5 million to buy five animals. But with fraudsters at play, it’s the vulnerable farmers who are losing out. Authorities need to act fast to prevent further abuse and ensure the programme benefits those it was meant for.

Government’s position The Permanent Secretary in the Office of the Prime Minister, Mr Alex Kakooza, last week indicated that the Cattle Restocking Programme was progressing well in Acholi, Lango and Teso sub-regions.

He said the government allocated Shs80 Billion in the 2025/26 Financial Year to implement the programme. Each household in the 33 districts across the three sub-regions is entitled to receive Shs5 million to procure three heifers and two bulls. This means the Shs80 billion budget will cover 16,000 households.

The PS noted that 559 households have so far received Shs2.8 Billion, and an additional 11,504 households have been selected for payment.

‘The beneficiaries are selected at the Parish level by the Parish Development Committee, and the list of beneficiaries is uploaded to the Parish Development Committee Management Information System,’ he told journalists in Kampala on June 1, 2026.

‘Districts have continued uploading beneficiary information to the PDMIS, which is being used for beneficiary selection, verification, and payment processing.’

Mr Kakooza further clarified that no funds are handled by Parish Chiefs or Parish Development Committees, and advised beneficiaries not to sign or thumbprint any document confirming receipt of funds before the money is credited to their bank or mobile money accounts.

‘Implementation has, however, been slowed by delays from four local governments – Lamwo, Nwoya, Pader and Agago – that have not yet uploaded beneficiary lists to the system,’ he added.

‘All district leaders and technical teams are urged to expedite the submission and upload of verified beneficiary data to avoid further delays.’

Police in Mbale City are investigating the suspected suicide of a 16-year-old Senior Three student of Mbale High School whose body was found at her family’s home in Industrial Division on Wednesday, June 9, 2026.

The deceased has been identified as Catherine Nelima, also known as Nisha, a resident of Bukisukye Lower Cell, Bumutoto Ward.

According to Elgon Region Police spokesperson SP Rogers Taitika, preliminary investigations indicate the incident occurred during the day while the teenager was at home.

‘It is alleged that the girl’s mother, Jennifer Kanyunyuzi, 39, a businesswoman, had left the children at home and gone to town for work. Upon returning at about 5:00pm, she reportedly found the other children at a neighbour’s residence before making the discovery that prompted her to alert authorities,’ SP Taitika said.

He said police registered the case as a sudden death and immediately dispatched officers from the Homicide Unit and Scene of Crime team to examine the scene and commence investigations.

‘The body was conveyed to Mbale City Mortuary for post-mortem examination to establish the exact cause of death,’ SP Taitika said. He added that inquiries into the circumstances surrounding the death are ongoing.

SP Taitika urged parents, guardians and schools to pay close attention to the mental health and emotional wellbeing of children and adolescents.

‘We urge members of the public, especially parents, guardians and schools, to remain vigilant about the mental health and well-being of children. Anyone with information that may assist investigations should report to Mbale Central Police Station,’ he said.

The incident has shocked residents and the school community as investigators work to establish what may have led to the student’s death.

According to the Police Crime Report 2025, suicide cases are attributed to complex psychological, social and environmental factors, including mental illness, trauma and extreme stress. A total of 258 cases were registered across the country in 2025. In Elgon Region, where Mbale City is located, 11 cases were recorded in 2025, down from 13 in 2024.

Jordan are enjoying a golden age in their football fortunes after runs to the 2023 Asian Cup and 2025 Arab Cup finals and have no intention of just making up the numbers at their first World Cup.

The Al-Nashama, or the “noble ones”, have developed into a significant force in the Arab footballing world since Moroccan Jamal Sellami took over as coach in June 2024 and built on the work of his predecessor, compatriot Hussein Ammouta.

Sellami believes the team he has built can deliver a shock similar to Algeria beating Germany in 1982, Cameroon stunning reigning champions Argentina in 1990 and Senegal repeating the feat against holders France in 2002.

“These results open horizons of hope and ambition for the fans, so they can dream,” Sellami, who played for Morocco at the 1998 World Cup, told Arabic sports channel TFK.

“And we too have the right to dream and to strive to be a strong team and present ourselves well.

“Right now, people are asking: ‘Who are Al-Nashama? Where are they from?’ So this is a chance for them to show their capabilities, to stand out in a big way.”

The 55-year-old former midfielder has built a well-structured, disciplined team that utilises their wealth of creative forward talent to hit opponents on the break with a lightning-quick transition.

They will be without Yazan Al-Naimat at the tournament, however, after the dynamic forward, who scored eight goals in qualification, suffered an ACL injury in the Arab Cup quarter-finals last December.

“Yazan is a player who cannot be replaced,” conceded Sellami. “But we will find a combination for the team that can still be dangerous to the opponent, and that also gives us balance in our defensive performance.”

Al-Naimat’s likely replacement, Ali Olwan, has recovered from an Achilles injury sufficiently to take his place in Sellami’s extended squad, and skipper Musa Al-Taamari will be around to torment defenders on the right wing.

The Jordanians have been handed a tough group and will take on Austria and Algeria in San Francisco before moving on to Dallas to face reigning champions Argentina.

While familiar with the style played by Algeria, a friendly against Switzerland in late May will prepare Jordan for Austria and they will finish their warm-up schedule against Colombia in early June to get a feel for South American opposition.

Sellami believes the Austria match will be crucial to the success of Jordan’s campaign – “it sets your path” – and is hoping to have garnered something from the first two games before facing Argentina.

“We hope that by then we will already have earned points, and that this match will be a step toward continuing in the World Cup,” he said.

The scorecards from Uganda’s historic tour of Mumbai will eventually find their place in archives.

A commanding 4-0 sweep of the 50-over series against the MCA Colts XI and a respectable return against Mumbai Premier League T20 franchise sides combined for an impressive 5-3 overall record in unfamiliar conditions.

Those numbers alone would have marked the trip as a success.

But long after the runs, wickets and catches are forgotten, May 26, 2026 may be remembered as the day Ugandan cricket quietly changed direction.

At the Dadoji Konddev Stadium in Thane, Cricket Uganda and the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) signed a five-year Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that could reshape not only the fortunes of the senior national team but the entire cricket ecosystem back home.

Uganda did not merely secure another international tour.

It bought a seat at one of world cricket’s most influential tables.

More than matches

For years, Associate nations have struggled to find consistent, quality opposition outside ICC tournaments.

Uganda has made significant strides on the field, qualifying for its maiden ICC Men’s T20 World Cup – the 2024 edition in the USA and West Indies – and steadily building a reputation as one of Africa’s fastest-rising cricket nations.

Yet sustained growth requires more than talent. It requires systems. The partnership with Mumbai provides exactly that.

Under the agreement, both bodies will collaborate on expanding international fixtures, strengthening high-performance structures, developing sustainable player pathways, enhancing coaching and technical expertise, and promoting the growth of women’s cricket.

The Cricket Cranes are already the first beneficiaries.

MCA facilitated Uganda’s eight-match exposure tour featuring four 50-over matches and four Twenty20 contests against representative sides drawn from one of India’s strongest cricket ecosystems.

The tour itself offered a glimpse of what such collaboration can achieve.

Uganda stunned the hosts with a clean 4-0 sweep of the 50-over series, winning by 55 runs, 33 runs, nine wickets and 53 runs respectively.

The T20 challenge proved sterner against teams preparing for the Mumbai Premier League. Uganda claimed one victory but pushed experienced opposition throughout, eventually finishing with a commendable 5-3 overall record across the entire tour.

But perhaps the greater value lies in what happens after this trip.

Plans are already in place for exchange programmes involving coaches, support staff, age-group teams and administrators. MCA are also exploring the possibility of using Uganda as an off-season training base during India’s monsoon months.

For a country where cricket still competes for attention and resources, such opportunities are priceless.

Learning from the best

There is perhaps no better guide for Uganda’s journey than head coach Steve Tikolo.

The Kenyan legend knows exactly what it means to bridge the gap between Associate and Full Member cricket, having featured in five ICC Cricket World Cups.

“It gives us a lot of pleasure to be here in Mumbai and play this type of cricket,” Tikolo said during the signing ceremony.

“I have played here before and I know how tough it can be. The positives that we are taking from here will put us in good stead for the tournaments we have coming up.”

Tikolo sees the arrangement as much bigger than one tour.

“I want to believe it is going to be a non-stop partnership. Mumbai can come to Uganda and Uganda can come to Mumbai. Through such exchanges, both sides definitely get to the next level.”

Cricket Uganda’s Head of High Performance and Pathways, Richard Okia, shares the same vision.

“Our plan is to expose the Under-19s, Under-23s, the senior men’s team and the women’s team,” Okia explained.

“We want to create a holistic environment where every level of our cricket benefits from international exposure.”

That holistic approach could become the agreement’s greatest strength.

MCA president Ajinkya Naik made it clear that the relationship was never intended to be one-sided.

“When ICC Chairman Jay Shah requested us, we didn’t hesitate. Our players love playing against international teams and we are ready to support each other, including through staff exchanges.”

Changing mindsets

Ugandan cricket has never lacked ambition. What it has often lacked is access.

The value of the Mumbai partnership goes beyond batsmen facing quicker bowling and mystery spinners or bowlers testing themselves against stronger batting line-ups.

It could expose scorers to better match operations. It could allow curators to study world-class pitch preparation. Physiotherapists and strength-and-conditioning coaches could exchange ideas.

Young administrators may learn how one of cricket’s biggest associations runs its competitions. Women’s cricket could benefit from greater international interaction.

Perhaps most importantly, players and officials alike could begin thinking differently.

Cricket Uganda chairman Jackson Kavuma revealed that the partnership grew from relationships carefully nurtured over several years.

“When I first came here three years ago, it was just a casual relationship. Little did I know it would grow into something this big that can take cricket to greater heights.”

As a Board, he believes the agreement can transform attitudes.

“We believe this five-year partnership will change the mindset of our players and officials and help grow our cricket.”

That may have been the most important sentence spoken all day.

Infrastructure can be built. Equipment can be purchased.

But changing what people believe is possible often becomes the catalyst for lasting success.

A future already arriving

There is a quiet symbolism that Uganda ended the tour with a seven-wicket defeat after being bowled out for just 70 by Mumbai Triumph Knights NE.

On paper, it looked a disappointing finish. In reality, it underlined the very purpose of the exercise.

After eight matches across unfamiliar venues and conditions, the Cricket Cranes boarded their flight home with five victories, invaluable experience and a partnership that could shape the next generation.

Captain Fred Achelam perhaps summed it up best.

“As a team, we are really grateful for this opportunity. Win or lose, it is the process that matters. The boys are learning and improving.”

The numbers support him. Five wins from eight matches. A 4-0 sweep in the 50-over series. Young players exposed to pressure situations.

Senior players challenged against quality opposition. Most importantly, another layer added to Uganda’s preparation for future ICC events.

Uganda hopes to host a Mumbai representative side next year.

If that happens, young cricketers in Lugogo, Jinja, Soroti or Gulu may one day share dressing rooms with players raised in one of cricket’s greatest nurseries.

The Cricket Cranes may eventually forget the scorecard from Thane.

They will not forget standing shoulder-to-shoulder with one of cricket’s biggest cricket associations and hearing the words:

“Whenever you need us, please come back.’

For a country still writing its cricket story, that invitation could be the beginning of an entirely new chapter.

UGANDA’S TOUR OF MUMBAI

RESULTS – 50 OVERS

Uganda XI 221/10 | MCA Colts XI 166/10

Uganda XI won by 55 runs

Uganda XI 299/9 | MCA Colts XI 266/10

Uganda won by 33 runs

MCA Colts XI 56/10 | Uganda XI 58/1

Uganda XI won by 9 wickets

Uganda XI 194/10 | MCA Colts XI 141/10

Uganda XI won by 53 runs

Series Result: Uganda win 4-0

RESULTS – T20 GAMES

Uganda XI 112/10 | Mumbai Falcons 118/9

Mumbai Falcons won by 1 wicket

MCA Colts XI 133/9|Uganda XI 134/6

Uganda XI won by 4 wickets

Uganda XI 114/8 |MCA Colts XI 115/5

MCA Colts XI won by 5 wickets

Uganda XI 70/10 | Triumph Knights 74/3

Mumbai Triumph Knights NE won by 7 wickets

THE TALKING POINT

Hidden Gains. The scorecards show Uganda lost the T20 series 3-1. They also show a dominant 4-0 sweep in the 50-over format and an overall 5-3 tour victory. What they cannot measure is the value of competing in unfamiliar conditions, learning new systems and building relationships that may shape Ugandan cricket long after this tour is forgotten.

The morning mist still hung low over the dense canopy of Kikuube District as an unprecedented coalition gathered at the edge of one of western Uganda’s most vital ecological treasures.

Barely a month after the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) officially assumed management of the Bugoma Central Forest Reserve, a major environmental reclamation project breathed new life into the region. On Monday, the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), alongside government agencies, the Bunyoro-Kitara Kingdom, and Hoima Sugar Limited, officially launched a massive restoration programme targeting the degraded landscapes surrounding the historic forest.

The initiative comes as a direct response to a rigorous environmental audit conducted by NEMA. The audit revealed that vital sections of the Kyangwali Integrated Agriculture Project had been severely degraded. This mixed-land-use area-originally earmarked for critical forest conservation, eco-tourism, and the protection of Bunyoro-Kitara cultural heritage-had fallen victim to intense human pressure. Environmental regulators identified charcoal burning, commercial cultivation, and illegal encroachment as the primary drivers behind the ecological compromise of the landscape.

To reverse the damage, NEMA issued an Environmental Restoration Order, legally binding Hoima Sugar Limited to restore the affected conservation zones. Far from a unilateral mandate, the resulting restoration plan-approved in December 2025-was forged through extensive consultations with the Ministry of Water and Environment, the National Forestry Authority (NFA), UWA, Kikuube District Local Government, and cultural and conservation stakeholders. The strategy relies on a mix of natural regeneration and the strategic enrichment planting of indigenous tree species.

‘This restoration programme reflects a shared commitment by all stakeholders to recover and protect the ecological value of the Bugoma landscape,’ stated NEMA Executive Director Dr. Barirega Akankwasah during the launch.

Dr. Akankwasah revealed that the collaborative effort is already yielding tangible results, with three square miles of degraded land successfully restored with indigenous trees. The launch marks the expansion of this exercise to cover all remaining degraded conservation pockets. To guarantee transparency and long-term viability, NEMA has accredited the Jane Goodall Institute Uganda as an independent technical partner. The institute will monitor progress, provide technical expertise, and introduce alternative livelihood programmes to help local communities thrive without depleting the forest.

Originally gazetted in 1932, the 41,144-hectare Bugoma Forest has faced decades of mounting pressure from agricultural expansion and illegal timber harvesting. This new intervention aims to permanently reverse that trend. By rehabilitating these habitats and safeguarding community green spaces, the project secures a sustainable future where economic activities and environmental preservation coexist. As Dr. Akankwasah noted, the restoration will not cease until the ecosystem completely regains its ecological integrity, ensuring Bugoma remains a sanctuary for biodiversity and a pillar of climate resilience for generations to come.

For years, thousands of Ugandan businesses and individuals have carried tax debts that seemed impossible to escape.

A liability that started at Shs10 million becomes Shs20 million. A debt of Shs50 million becomes Shs100 million. Before long, the taxpayer is no longer dealing with a manageable obligation but a burden that feels impossible to overcome. This reality is familiar to many businesses and individuals across Uganda.

It is also one of the reasons why the government has introduced significant tax relief measures that will start on July 1, 2026.

These amendments are not merely technical changes buried in tax legislation. They have the potential to affect thousands of businesses, landlords, professionals, contractors, individuals, and investors.

Beginning July 1, 2026, one of the most significant tax relief measures in recent years will take effect. The government has introduced provisions that could completely erase certain historical tax liabilities and waive billions of shillings in penalties and interest.

For some taxpayers, this could be the fresh start they have been waiting for. For others, it could be a final opportunity to get their tax affairs in order before enforcement becomes more aggressive. The question is: Do you understand what is changing, and more importantly, do you know whether you qualify?

Waiver of tax liabilities existing before June 30 2016

The first amendment provides for a complete and unconditional waiver of tax liabilities that existed as of June 30, 2016. Not just penalties. Not just interest. The entire tax liability.

This means that where a tax debt existed before June 30, 2016 and falls within the scope of the amendment, the liability can effectively be written off. This is a major departure from previous tax amnesty programmes that often required taxpayers to first pay part of the debt or meet specific compliance conditions. This waiver is unconditional because it does not require taxpayers to negotiate settlements or enter repayment arrangements for those qualifying historical liabilities.

Many of these debts have remained on tax records for years with little prospect of recovery. Some relate to businesses that closed long ago. Others involve disputes that were never fully resolved.

Keeping these amounts on the books creates administrative burdens for both taxpayers and tax authorities. Removing them allows everyone to start from a cleaner slate. For businesses that have been carrying these historical balances, this could significantly improve their financial position and compliance status.

Waiver of interest and penalties existing as of June 30 2025

The second amendment may affect an even larger number of taxpayers.

Under the new provisions, interest and penalties that existed by June 30, 2025 will be waived, provided that the principal tax has been paid.

The government is not forgiving the actual tax that was due. The principal tax remains payable. What is being forgiven are the additional charges that accumulated because of late payment or non-compliance. This means taxpayers who settle their principal tax obligations can benefit from the removal of potentially substantial interest and penalty amounts.

I have seen situations where a taxpayer originally owed Shs50 million in tax, but after years of accumulated interest and penalties, the total has doubled. In such cases, the interest and penalties had become a bigger problem than the original tax itself.

The amendment acknowledges a reality that tax professionals encounter every day: once penalties and interest reach a certain level, many taxpayers simply give up.

Instead of encouraging compliance, the debt becomes overwhelming. By removing these additional charges, the government is effectively saying: ‘Pay what you originally owed, and we shall forgive the rest.’

That is a powerful incentive for taxpayers to regularise their affairs. For many taxpayers, paying the principal tax may suddenly become realistic once the additional charges are removed.

What this means for businesses

For business owners, this amendment creates both an opportunity and a responsibility. The opportunity is obvious.

Companies with outstanding tax assessments should review their records to determine whether they have liabilities that qualify for either of these waivers.

A business that takes action early could save millions of shillings. The responsibility, however, is equally important. This should not be viewed as permission to delay future tax obligations.

Tax amnesties and waivers are exceptional measures; they are not permanent features of the tax system.

Businesses that receive relief should use the opportunity to strengthen their compliance processes going forward. That means improving record keeping, filing returns on time, maintaining proper accounting systems, and seeking professional advice where necessary.

The smartest businesses will not simply celebrate the waiver. They will use it as a chance to build stronger compliance habits.

What this means for taxpayers

Many people assume tax matters only affect large corporations. That is far from the truth.

Professionals, landlords, consultants, contractors, and self-employed individuals may also have outstanding tax obligations. For example, a landlord who accumulated rental income tax arrears years ago may find that part of their tax burden falls within the scope of these relief measures.

Likewise, professionals who previously struggled with compliance could benefit from reduced liabilities if they act promptly and understand the conditions attached to the waiver. This is why taxpayers should not ignore these changes because they do not operate a registered company. The impact may be much closer to home than they realise.

Tax waivers are often controversial. Critics argue that they reward non-compliance while compliant taxpayers receive no special benefit.

However, governments around the world occasionally use tax amnesties and waivers as practical tools to improve revenue collection.

Collecting a realistic amount today is often better than chasing an uncollectible amount forever.

By reducing historical tax burdens, the government hopes to bring more taxpayers back into the formal system.

A taxpayer who becomes compliant today is likely to contribute revenue for years to come. While one who is trapped under an impossible debt burden may never return to the system. These amendments are not simply about forgiveness; they are also about expanding future compliance and broadening the tax base.

The biggest mistake taxpayers could make

The biggest mistake would be assuming that these benefits will automatically apply without any action on your part.

Taxpayers should begin reviewing their tax positions immediately. Understand what liabilities existed before June 30, 2016.

Determine whether you have outstanding penalties and interest accumulated before June 30, 2025. Confirm whether principal taxes remain unpaid. Most importantly, engage qualified tax professionals where necessary.

A proper review could reveal savings that significantly exceed the cost of obtaining professional advice. Waiting until the last minute could mean missed opportunities, confusion, and unnecessary exposure to future enforcement actions.

Rare opportunity to start again

Every so often, a tax amendment comes along that changes the position of thousands of taxpayers. This is one of those moments.

The complete waiver of qualifying tax liabilities existing before June 30, 2016 and the waiver of interest and penalties existing before June 30, 2025 represent a rare opportunity to clear the past and move forward.

For businesses struggling under old tax burdens, this could improve cash flow, strengthen financial statements, and restore confidence.

For businesses, landlords, investors, and self-employed professionals, this is more than a legislative amendment. It is an opportunity to clean the slate, restore compliance, and redirect resources from historical tax burdens into business growth, investment, and job creation.

The taxpayers who benefit most will be those who review their records, understand the law, seek advice where necessary, and take action before the opportunity passes.

Dedan Mutatinensi is a tax advisor.

More than 500 villages across five sub-counties in Namisindwa district face imminent danger after massive landslide cracks tore through the area, destroying homes and crops and leaving residents in fear of further devastation.

Local leaders warn that government inaction could turn the situation into a full-scale humanitarian disaster, as families remain trapped in unstable homes with no safe relocation options.

The widening cracks, fueled by relentless rains, threaten to erase entire communities if urgent intervention is not taken.

Community members say they are living in constant fear, as the cracks widen daily and threaten to swallow homes, schools, and farmland.

With rains forecast to continue, experts caution that Namisindwa may suffer one of Uganda’s deadliest landslide crises without immediate measures to stabilize the area.

Mr Timothy Nashimolo, an elder, said that many families have already been displaced, while others remain trapped in vulnerable areas with limited access to shelter and food.

‘Farmers, whose livelihoods depend on the land, are among the hardest hit, with entire fields of maize, beans, and bananas destroyed, ‘said Mr Nashimolo.

Mr David Okot, Environmental expert, warns that without swift action, the cracks could widen further, putting thousands more at risk.

He says cracks could grow worse and trigger multiple landslides especially as heavy rains continue to pound the area.

A visit by this reporter at the weekend to the area, several homes have been abandoned and some of which have collapsed.

The cracks running through several villages have spread fear among locals and leaders living in the affected villages.

The cracks have also affected some schools, water sources, roads among other infrastructures.

The affected Sub-Counties include Buwabwala, Bumumali, Tsekululu, Mukoto, and Luwa Town Council, where heavy rains on Wednesday intensified the cracks and triggered widespread destruction. Numerous houses have developed deep fissures, while acres of farmland have been buried or washed away by landslides and flooding.

Mr Emma Bwayo, the District LC5 Chairperson, confirmed the situation following a field assessment conducted on Wednesday afternoon.

Accompanied by local leaders, Mr Bwayo visited several villages to evaluate the extent of the damage and listen to residents’ concerns.

‘The cracks are expanding rapidly, and the risk to lives and property is very high. We are working with local leaders to assess the most urgent needs and coordinate support,’ Mr Bwayo stated.

Residents report sleepless nights as the ground continues to shift beneath their homes.

The affected residents and Local leaders are calling for immediate government intervention, including emergency relief supplies and long-term strategies to mitigate the recurring threat of landslides in the mountainous district.

At least 1000 people have been killed by landslides over the past years and out of such deaths, 70 percent were registered in Bududa, which sits on the slope of Mt Elgon.

In 2019, the Ugandan Government launched a resettlement plan aimed at relocating all residents from high-risk zones to Bunambutye in Bulambuli district after the office of the Prime Minister (OPM) bought more than 2,800 acres of land in 2013.

However, progress has been slow, and many communities remain exposed. Those who have been relocated also face challenges in adapting-especially subsistence farmers who struggle to find fertile land for food production.

Mr Bwayo emphasized the need for an urgent government response to save lives and provide a permanent solution for communities living in landslide-prone areas.

‘It is time for the government to treat this matter with the urgency it deserves. We should not wait for people to lose their lives before taking action,’ Mr Bwayo said. He added that a comprehensive report is being prepared for submission to Kampala to seek immediate intervention and support.

Ms Betty Nandutu, the District Councilor, who represents two sub-counties of Tsekululu and Bungati, emphasized that many residents are enduring sleepless nights as floodwaters continue to invade their homes, while others have already lost their crops.

‘If government does not intervene quickly, hunger will become another disaster facing our people,’ Ms Nandutu warned.

Ms Nandutu who is also the District Executive Secretary for Social Services, further noted that the destruction of crops will severely undermine recovery efforts under the Parish Development Model (PDM), since many households had invested heavily in farming as their primary source of livelihood.

Mr Elvis Wamono, one of the affected residents, expressed concern that they have nowhere else to relocate and are currently living in houses with widening cracks. ‘We are sleeping in houses that could collapse at any time. Every day we fear for our lives, but we have nowhere else to go,’ one resident said, appealing to the central government for urgent assistance,’said Wamono.

Mr Bwayo called for immediate evacuation plans, emergency relief support, and long-term mitigation measures to protect communities from future landslide disasters.

Bugisu Sub-region has suffered repeated deadly landslides, especially in Bududa, Bulambuli, Namisindwa, and Sironko districts, with over 1,000 deaths recorded in the past decade.

The worst incidents include several devastating landslides across Bugisu. In 2010, a massive landslide struck Nametsi village in Bududa District, killing more than 100 people and displacing thousands. In 2018, another disaster killed 48 people and more than 500 people displaced following a landslide in Suume village, Bukalasi Sub-county, Bududa district.

August 2017, landslides hit Bufupa parish, Sironko district killing seven people and displacing hundreds.

In 2019, multiple landslides occurred in Bududa and Sironko, killing at least eight people. In 2023, Masugu village in Bulambuli District lost five lives when homes and a classroom were buried. Most recently, in 2024, Bulambuli District suffered another tragedy, with 36 people killed, 100 reported missing, and more than 1,000 residents placed at risk.