Category: Daily Monitor

The Vice President, Maj (Rtd) Jessica Alupo, has assured Parliament that the detained Amuria District Woman Member of Parliament, Ms Margaret ‘Maggie’ Etilu, will be released by the close of this week to resume her legislative duties.

Ms Alupo made the revelation during a heated plenary sitting on Wednesday, June 10, 2026, chaired by Speaker Jacob Oboth-Oboth. The government’s intervention followed intense pressure from the Leader of the Opposition (LoP), Mr Joel Ssenyonyi, who demanded a formal explanation regarding the whereabouts of the newly sworn-in legislator and other citizens who have gone missing under unclear circumstances.

‘Where is the Member?’ Mr. Ssenyonyi demanded. ‘If she has committed any offense… why is she not produced in court? Where is she being held?’

The LoP also pressed the government over the fate of Christopher Godi (alias King Zale), a National Unity Platform (NUP) mobiliser who was reportedly picked up by the military from Kamwokya on April 21, 2026, and remains missing.

Responding to the opposition’s concerns, Ms Alupo, who referred to Ms Etilu as her “daughter,” confirmed that the legislator is safe, healthy, and in the custody of law enforcement. She revealed that discrete diplomatic efforts had been underway to resolve the matter behind closed doors.

‘She has met some of her family members. She is safe. She is healthy and will be joining us soon,’ Ms Alupo informed the House. ‘We have been speaking to the law enforcement officers, police on phone. Some of them we have met them physically. We did not want to involve cameras. From the messages that we have received… the assurance is that she will be joining us anytime this week.’

Ms Alupo acknowledged that the situation was of grave concern to all lawmakers, irrespective of political affiliation, noting that Ms Etilu’s detention “affects all of us as members of Parliament, as leaders, as Ugandans.”

She suggested that the Attorney General would clarify the legal procedures surrounding the detention at an appropriate time.

A dark legal vacuum

Ms Etilu, a member of the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM), has not been seen publicly since May 23, 2026. She reportedly vanished shortly after leaving the Kampala residence of the former Speaker of Parliament, Ms Anita Annet Among. Her disappearance came amid widening security investigations involving Ms. Among’s political associates.

Her continuous detention without trial has raised serious constitutional questions. Article 23 of the 1995 Constitution of Uganda mandates that any arrested person must be produced before a competent court of law within 48 hours. By the time of the VP’s statement, Ms Etilu had been held incommunicado for over two weeks.

Echoes of past disappearances

The debate in the August House quickly pivoted to the broader, thorny issue of enforced disappearances and the state’s use of unaccountable detentions. Ms Alupo herself recalled that the issue of missing persons has plagued successive Parliaments, explicitly citing the long-standing case of John Bosco Kibalama.

Mr Kibalama, a prominent NUP supporter, went missing in June 2019 after his vehicle was found abandoned along the Kampala-Gayaza road. Despite years of persistent demands from opposition leaders and civil rights groups, his whereabouts remain unknown, and the state has never fully accounted for his disappearance.

The debate also mirrors the high-profile case of Sam Mugumya, a former aide to opposition icon Dr. Kizza Besigye.

Lawmakers noted that Ms Etilu’s case follows a familiar, worrying pattern. Only recently, newly sworn-in MP Justine Nameere was reportedly arrested under similarly opaque circumstances. Furthermore, the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) only acknowledged holding Rev. Fr. Deusdedit Ssekabira over alleged subversive activities days after he had been picked up by unidentified armed operatives in unmarked vehicles colloquially known as “drones.”

Security minister directed to report

To address the recurring crisis of missing persons, Ms Alupo requested the Leader of the Opposition to allow the security apparatus time to compile a comprehensive brief. She requested that the Minister for Security return to the House next week with a formal, definitive statement addressing the specific names raised by the opposition, including Mr. Christopher Godi and past cases.

‘Every time that matter would come up, we would agree that it is not a flimsy matter. It is a matter that should be presented to this House in black and white,’ the Vice President submitted.

For a 12th Parliament still finding its footing, the high-profile detention of a sitting NRM legislator, alongside the unresolved disappearances of opposition activists, is being viewed by political analysts as an early acid test of the House’s independence and its capacity to hold state security organs accountable to the rule of law.

The Police have recovered 10 rounds of live ammunition and a toy pistol from three suspects believed to be masterminding criminal attacks within Kampala.

The trio, two men and a woman, were picked up from their hideout in Salaama, Makindye Division, Kampala District, on Thursday morning following an intelligence-led operation, Kampala Metropolitan Spokesperson, SP Rachel Kawala said.

“At about 2:00 a.m., police officers on patrol received information about two men who were allegedly involved in attacking people with pangas and were reportedly sleeping in a house located in Zikusooka Zone, Salaama, Makindye Division, Kampala District,” SP Kawala said.

The police team immediately responded and conducted an operation at the suspected premises, leading to the arrest of three suspects, she added.

“During a search of the house, officers recovered a backpack containing a toy gun, a metallic torch, a screwdriver, a sensor, a knife, and several test tubes. Police also recovered 10 rounds of live ammunition, “she disclosed.

The suspects are currently being held at Katwe Police Station pending further interrogation as investigations continue to establish the source of the recovered items and any possible links to criminal activities.

The arrests come at a time when the country is battling a wave of armed violence, with incidents of deaths, injuries and aggravated robberies reported.

For instance, in Agago District, on Tuesday night, Moris Ocana, a businessman in Kalongo Town Council, Agago District, fled with his bag of money.

In Kitgum District, Francis Omona, 32, a businessman and resident of Omiya Anyima Central Panyum Parish, Omiya Sub-County, reported at Omiya Police Station that unknown men armed with a gun and panga on Tuesday night robbed him of Shs8 million.

Aswa East Police Spokesperson, Joe Oloya, said two suspects were arrested and are being investigated.

A series of gun violence has been reported, especially in Gulu City and Gulu District in recent weeks, sending a cold chill among the public.

A group of 14 human rights activists, politicians, journalists and civil society actors has petitioned the Constitutional Court seeking to nullify the recently enacted Protection of Sovereignty Act, arguing that it violates several constitutional rights and freedoms guaranteed to Ugandans.

The petitioners contend that the law, which was fast-tracked through Parliament and assented to by President Museveni, is unconstitutional because it restricts freedom of expression, association, assembly and participation in governance, among other rights.

The petitioners include former Leader of the Opposition in Parliament Winnie Kiiza, Mityana Municipality MP Francis Zaake, Achilla Gift Grace, Kuku Amos, Nabawanuka Elizabeth, Yub Denis, Namara Claire, journalist Arnold Anthony Mukose, Tumuhimbiise Norman, Esomu Simon Peter, Mukiibi Jeremiah, Luwedde Lillian, Bikobere Faridah and Nabukeera Teddy Teangel.

According to court documents, the Protection of Sovereignty Act, No. 7 of 2026, was gazetted as Bill No. 13 of 2026, tabled before Parliament on April 15, passed on May 5, assented to by the President on May 17, and came into force on May 22.

The petitioners argue that the law unlawfully equates criticism of government policy with disloyalty to the country by defining the ‘interest of a foreigner’ as interests not aligned with government policy and the ‘interests of Uganda’ by reference to government policy.

They contend that such provisions subordinate the sovereignty of the people to the Executive, contrary to Articles 1, 2 and 8A of the Constitution, which vest sovereign power in the people and establish the Constitution as the supreme law of the land.

‘The impugned Act criminalises the promotion of interests defined solely by reference to government policy and thereby treats lawful disagreement with the government of the day as disloyalty to the nation,’ the petitioners state.

The applicants further challenge Sections 5, 10, 12, 13 and 2(2)(f) of the Act, arguing that they are couched in vague and ambiguous language, including terms such as ‘interests of Uganda’, ‘disruptive activities’, ‘economic sabotage’ and ‘ideologies inconsistent with the Constitution or which conflict with any culture, customs or norms.’

According to the petitioners, such provisions fail to provide citizens with clear notice of prohibited conduct and grant excessive discretion to prosecutors and the minister responsible for implementing the law.

They argue that this contravenes Article 28(12) of the Constitution, which requires criminal offences and penalties to be clearly defined in law.

The petitioners also challenge what they describe as speech-based offences under Sections 5, 10 and 13, arguing that they criminalise criticism of government policy and suppress the free exchange of ideas.

They contend that the provisions violate Article 29 of the Constitution, which guarantees freedom of speech, expression, publication and access to information.

The petition further attacks provisions requiring individuals deemed to be acting as ‘agents of foreigners’ to obtain ministerial certification before carrying out certain activities.

The petitioners argue that the licensing regime and restrictions on access to foreign funding imposed under Parts III and IV of the Act amount to an unconstitutional restraint on freedom of association.

They also contend that Sections 10 and 12 unlawfully criminalise meetings and public functions organised with foreign assistance, thereby infringing the constitutional right to peaceful assembly.

Regarding political participation, the petitioners argue that several provisions criminalise efforts to influence government policy, mobilise public opinion or shape political outcomes.

‘These provisions strike at the heart of democratic political activity and are inconsistent with Articles 38 and 1(4) of the Constitution, which guarantee citizens the right to participate in the affairs of government,’ the petition states.

The applicants further challenge provisions that grant extensive powers to the minister, including powers to issue licences, impose conditions, conduct inspections and suspend or revoke approvals based on broad grounds such as perceived security threats.

According to the petitioners, such powers undermine the separation of powers doctrine and improperly transfer legislative authority from Parliament to the Executive.

They also argue that the law’s disclosure, reporting and inspection requirements violate the constitutional right to privacy by permitting excessive intrusion into personal affairs, property and correspondence.

The petitioners further contend that the Act discriminates against individuals and organisations receiving lawful foreign support by subjecting them to registration, surveillance and potential criminal sanctions solely because of the source of their funding.

They argue that this violates the constitutional guarantees of equality and freedom from discrimination.

The petitioners are now seeking declarations that the contested provisions are unconstitutional and a permanent injunction restraining the Attorney General, who is the sole respondent, and other government agencies from enforcing or implementing the Act pending determination of the petition.

The Attorney General had not yet filed a response to the petition by press time Wednesday evening.

Authorities at Kanjuki Secondary School, once a top performer in Kayunga District, are struggling to revive the 42-year-old institution amid crumbling infrastructure and dwindling enrolment.

The Church of Uganda-founded school in Kayunga Sub-county was among the best in Greater Mukono in the mid-2000s, with enrolment peaking at 1,500 learners.

Mr Andrew Nsereko, who took over as head teacher at the end of first term, blames the decline on conflicts among past administrators.

‘The decline of this school has been gradual. There has been a lot of intrigue and infighting between past head teachers and parents, teachers and members of the Board of governors,’ Mr Nsereko explains.

He adds: ‘Kanjuki SS has for some time been the Ukraine of Europe. A week before I took over office, the chairperson board of governors, Ms Sarah Nansubuga resigned her position at the height of infighting and conflicts.’

The head teacher says the wrangles damaged the school’s image, pushing parents to take their children elsewhere. Enrolment now stands at about 300.

With fewer learners and poor financial management, Mr Nsereko says meeting running costs has become difficult. ‘Little fees collections because of the small number of learners coupled with poor financial mismanagement, we are finding it hard to renovate the dilapidated infrastructures like classrooms, pit latrines and dormitories,’ he says.

He notes that infrastructure built for 1,500 students now lies unused. ‘When I was posted to this school, I found that most parents want to pay school fees in kind. Parents say they want to supply cassava in exchange for school fees. Additionally, the bursary scheme had badly been abused. I found that almost every member of staff had a student under bursary scheme and I tried to streamline how bursaries are given,’ the former Mukono High deputy head teacher says.

Security is another challenge. ‘We want to build a perimeter wall around the school, but we lack the financial resources to do so even when the ministry wants us to implement that,’ he says. Burglary incidents have been reported due to the lack of a fence.

Despite low numbers, Mr Nsereko says academic performance remains vibrant because the school still has committed teachers, though they are not enough.

New Board of Governors chairperson Mr Moses Mukeera says the fall was avoidable.

‘The problem with Kanjuki SS is that those who were in administration failed to address its challenges well, which led to its near collapse,’ Mr Mukeera says.

He adds that the BOG has met stakeholders including Mukono Diocesan leaders, parents and district officials to chart a revival path. ‘We want the B.O.G to pass a resolution asking the government to enroll the school under the Universal Secondary Education programme as one way of attracting more learners because most parents in the area are peasants who cannot afford the high tuition fees,’ he says.

Kayunga District senior education officer Mr Ronald Mukiibi backs the proposal. ‘The school needs a stable administration to attract more learners. The emergence of many secondary schools in the Kanjuki SS’ catchment area has also affected our enrolment. My advice to the school management is to ask government to enroll it under USE programme,’ Mr Mukiibi says.

Dr Dan Bubaale, the district education officer, urges the new head to unite stakeholders.

‘The school has the potential to get more students given the many primary schools in its catchment area,’ Dr Bubaale says. Since its establishment, the school has had five head teachers.

District records show Kayunga has 1,776 government primary teachers in 167 schools and 400 teachers in 13 government secondary schools, plus 236 private primary and 19 private secondary schools.

Patients at Jinja Regional Referral Hospital will now have their medical records managed electronically after hospital officials rolled out a new digital records system.

Dr Alfred Yayi, a Senior Executive Consultant at the hospital, said the Ministry of Health, with support from development partners, had facilitated the rollout of the Electronic Medical Records system.

According to Dr Yayi, the system applies to all patients seeking treatment at both Nalufenya Children’s Hospital and Jinja Regional Referral Hospital.

Upon arrival, patients’ details are entered into the electronic system and each is assigned a unique patient number. The number will be used during subsequent visits to either facility, eliminating repeated paper-based registration.

Dr Yayi explained the hospital installed a Local Area Network connected to software called Clinical Master, enabling health workers to register patients electronically and share medical information with clinical officers for diagnosis and treatment.

Once a clinical officer examines a patient, any required laboratory tests are requested electronically and the patient is referred to the lab. After tests are completed, results are uploaded into the system and sent directly to the clinical officer for review and prescription.

‘This process of taking patients’ detains and diagnostics are all done electronically without any paperwork that it was before. This is one of the ways to appreciate digital medical transformation systems to save the environment,’ Dr Yayi said.

Hospital officials say the EMR system is expected to streamline records management, improve data accuracy, and make it easier for health workers to access patient histories promptly. It is also expected to reduce errors linked to paper-based documentation and improve overall efficiency.

Asked if the system would share records during referrals to Mulago Hospital, Dr Yayi said there were still challenges. ‘Access to patient information is confidential and currently restricted to Jinja Hospital,’ he said.

Dr Yayi added the hospital is not yet in a position to share patients’ medical records electronically, noting referrals are still handled manually as the system is being developed.

He noted that in countries such as Kenya, discussions are already underway on how to integrate patient data sharing across hospitals.

Dr Yayi clarified that patient numbers are issued only when an individual presents at the hospital for medical attention.

If the oldest players at World Cup 2026 tell a story of endurance, the youngest tell one of promise.

While Cristiano Ronaldo, Luka Modric and Craig Gordon prepare for perhaps their final appearance on football’s biggest stage, a new generation is preparing to make its first impression. Several teenagers are set to travel to North America carrying the hopes of their nations and the dream of announcing themselves to the world.

The contrast is striking. Scotland goalkeeper Craig Gordon will be 43 years old when the tournament begins. Mexico midfielder Gilberto Mora, the youngest player in the competition, will be just 17 years and 240 days old, an age gap of more than 25 years.

World Cups have a rich history of producing teenage stars. Northern Ireland’s Norman Whiteside remains the youngest player ever to appear at the tournament, making his debut in Spain in 1982 at just 17 years and 41 days. Cameroon legend Samuel Eto’o, Nigerian forward Femi Opabunmi and Brazilian icon Pelé were all teenagers when they first stepped onto football’s biggest stage.

History suggests that youth need not be a disadvantage. Pelé arrived at the 1958 World Cup as a little-known teenager and left as a world champion. More recently, players such as Michael Owen, Thomas Mller and Kylian Mbappé used the tournament to announce themselves to the world.

World Cup 2026 presents another opportunity for a new generation to do the same.

The 2026 tournament will feature 22 teenagers. A record 1,248 players will represent the 48 nations, with Tijuana’s teenage midfielder Mora the youngest. Mora will be 17 years and 240 days old on the opening day of World Cup 2026, just six days older than Pelé was at the start of the 1958 tournament. Although he falls outside the all-time top five, he will be the youngest player in North America.

Among the teenagers arriving for World Cup 2026, the next global star may already be waiting.

Gilberto Mora (Mexico) – 17 years

The distinction of youngest player at World Cup 2026 belongs to Gilberto Mora. He plays for Mexican side Club Tijuana. The Mexican midfielder arrives with enormous expectations after rapidly rising through the ranks in one of football’s most passionate football nations. Playing a World Cup on home soil could provide the perfect stage for his breakthrough.

The comparison with Pelé is unavoidable. Mora is only six days older than the Brazilian legend was when he embarked on the tournament that transformed him into a global icon.

Hugo Sochurek (Austria) – 18 years

Only four days beyond his 18th birthday when the tournament begins, Hugo Sochurek represents the future of Austrian football. The midfielder’s inclusion highlights Austria’s growing confidence in youth development and the willingness of national team coaches to trust young talent on the biggest occasions.

Lamine Yamal (Spain) – 18 years

Lamine Yamal has spent the last two years treating football’s age records like training cones, with the 18-year-old swerving past them with a grin, a drop of the shoulder and that wicked left foot Spain hope will be fully loaded at the World Cup.

Ibrahim Mbaye (France) – 18 years

France continues to produce elite young talent at an astonishing rate.

Forward Ibrahim Mbaye joins a conveyor belt that has produced some of the game’s biggest stars. Surrounded by experienced internationals, he will have an opportunity to learn while contributing to one of the tournament favourites.

Hamza Abdelkarim (Egypt) – 18 years

Egypt’s Hamza Abdelkarim represents a new generation eager to build on the achievements of those who came before. The young forward arrives with the chance to gain invaluable experience and perhaps become one of Africa’s breakout performers.

Bara Sapoko Ndiaye (Senegal) – 18 years

Just a day older than Abdelkarim, Senegal midfielder Bara Sapoko Ndiaye embodies the confidence and technical ability that have become synonymous with Senegalese football. His inclusion reflects the strength of a youth system that continues to produce players capable of competing at the highest level.

Mladen Jurkas (Croatia) – 18 years, 247 days

Goalkeepers rarely appear among the youngest players at a World Cup, making Mladen Jurkas a notable exception. The Croatian teenager’s selection speaks volumes about the faith coaches have in his maturity and potential despite his tender age.

Ayyoub Bouaddi (Morocco) – 18 years, 252 days

Morocco’s stunning run to the semifinals in Qatar inspired a generation of young footballers. Midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi is among the most promising products of that movement. Comfortable on the ball and tactically intelligent, he represents the future of Moroccan football.

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.’