Category: Daily Monitor

The mathematics has never been simpler to Kataka but the weight of it has never been heavier. The Mbale City giants go into the final day of the 2025/26 FUFA Big League occupying the last of the four promotion slots and need only to protect what is already theirs.

A win at Soltilo Bright Stars in Bugolobi can end their twenty-five years of chasing for topflight in one afternoon. Lose, and Paidha Black Angels who are a point behind on 47, will be waiting to walk through the door Kataka left open.

The season has been a grind as the Godfrey ‘Toldo’ Awachango’s side slipped out of the top four in the middle stretch of the campaign, forcing their supporters through weeks of familiar anxiety before rallying to climb back.

Their 2-0 win over already promoted Kigezi Homeboyz in their final game in Mbale carried them into the final day with momentum. And they arrive in form and ready but they have been here before to be cautious enough.

What 2022 left behind

In the 2021/22 season, Kataka went into the final match day leading the Big League table but left it in fourth, outside the promotion places following a painful 3-2 defeat to Kyetume in Mbale that left them stranded by a single point. They had only needed to avoid a loss.

The aftermath made it worse as the violence that followed forced Fufa to dock Kataka two points and two goals, a punishment that landed before a ball was kicked in 2022/23. The Mbale side have carried the scars and the memory into every campaign that followed.

Awachango has spoken plainly about what that afternoon cost them and what it gave them. That pain, properly processed, became the foundation of everything Kataka have built since but this weekend is the test of whether it was enough.

A wounded host

The fixture is not kind as Kataka travel to a Bright Stars side that is fighting for their lives just as hard. Bright Stars spent twelve consecutive seasons in Uganda Premier League before being relegated for the first time in May 2025.

They came into the Big League as a former Premier League club adjusting to a new reality but they have not adjusted comfortably.

Sitting 14th on 32 points going into the final day, Bright Stars are not yet safe from a second successive drop. A win over Kataka could keep them in the Big League depending on results elsewhere.

There is no lesser motivation than survival and a side fighting for its life is precisely the kind of opponent that has broken Kataka before.

Elsewhere, Blacks Power lead on 54 points, three ahead of Kigezi Homeboyz, will be crowned champions if they avoid a loss at home to

Ntugasaze are third on 50 but their superior head-to-head record over fifth-placed Paidha mean they have earned maiden promotion as well. Paidha face Nebbi Central in a tough derby that has already rolled on social media. They know that a win and a Kataka slip puts them up instead.

Awachango’s players will know the scores elsewhere but their main job is to make those scores irrelevant.

FUFA BIG LEAGUE

Fixtures

Bunyaruguru United vs. Kaaro Karungi

Nebbi Central vs. Paidha Black Angels

Kiyinda Boys vs. Ntugasaze

Onduparaka vs. Blacks Power

Kigezi Homeboyz vs. Catda

Soltilo Bright Stars vs. Kataka

Young Elephant Academy vs. Wakiso Giants

Mbale Heroes vs. Iganga United

A Makerere University student has developed a disposable female urination device designed to enable women to urinate while standing, a solution he says could help reduce exposure to unhygienic public toilets.

David Kaleebu, the innovator behind the product dubbed Pee-Gal, said the idea was inspired by challenges faced by women, particularly elderly women who find it difficult to squat when using toilets.

‘You realize that most old women cannot squat to urinate and many young women today complain about urinary tract infections because they have to use public toilets which sometimes are not clean. These days women have to work unlike the past when they were at home,’ he said.

Kaleebu explained that the device is a disposable paper funnel that allows women to urinate while standing instead of squatting. The flexible paper material is placed over the genital area to direct urine and minimise contact with toilet surfaces.

A packet contains 15 disposable funnels together with a sanitizer, gel and lotion for personal hygiene after use.

The innovation is among 64 student projects being exhibited by Makerere University’s Department of Visual Communication Design and Multimedia Design at the Margaret Trowell School of Industrial and Fine Arts and the College of Engineering, Design, Art and Technology (CEDAT).

According to Dr Richard Lukenge Kamya, the project lead, the exhibition showcases final-year projects developed by students of the Bachelor of Visual Communication Design and Multimedia programme.

‘This exhibition showcases capstone projects across diverse design disciplines, including branding and packaging, web media, advertising design, print production, photography and videography, and integrated design practices,’ he said.

The exhibition, which opened on June 1, runs until June 6 at the Makerere University Art Gallery.

Other innovations on display include Tulye-A, a food delivery application targeting students within Makerere University; Tugabane, an app that enables students to exchange clothes free of charge; and a navigation application designed to help patients find their way around Mulago National Referral Hospital and track medical appointments.

Students have also developed food preservation products made from paper, clay, bamboo and glass, as well as Rola Wrap, a biodegradable wrapping paper for Uganda’s popular rolex snack that contains embedded seeds which can be planted after use.

Additional projects include processed tonto packaged in glass bottles, Campus Roast, a coffee bar concept aimed at promoting coffee consumption among university students, and garbage banking systems that reward users with points that can later be converted into money for depositing recyclable waste.

Dr Kamya said the projects demonstrate how design and innovation can be applied to address practical social, environmental and economic challenges.

The recent reforms under the Magistrates Courts Amendment Act, 2026 increasing the pecuniary jurisdiction of subordinate courts have been welcomed as a significant step toward improving access to justice and reducing backlog in the High Court.

Chief Magistrates’ Courts may now handle matters up to Shs200 million, while Magistrates Grade I Courts may handle claims up to Shs100 million.

These reforms are intended to decongest the High Court and bring judicial services closer to litigants. However, what happens to pending suits that were properly filed before the High Court or other courts before the amendment came into force?

Under Ugandan civil procedure, transfer of suits is not ordinarily automatic merely because jurisdictional limits have changed.

The power to transfer suits is governed principally by the Civil Procedure Act and the Civil Procedure Rules. Consequently, many pending High Court matters may legally continue before the High Court unless: the law expressly mandates transfer, the High Court issues transfer orders, or parties apply for transfer and the court considers it appropriate.

Although the law already provides for transfer of suits, the present reforms create practical challenges that existing procedural rules may not fully address, particularly in stations that are not yet operating under the Electronic Court Case Management Information System (ECCMIS).

The issue is not simply whether transfer is legally possible, but how any transfer process should be implemented fairly, efficiently, and transparently. The Judiciary may still need to clarify: whether certain categories of pending matters should remain in their current courts, whether transfer will occur only upon application or by administrative scheduling, how part-heard matters will be treated, and how physical files will be managed during transition.

One of the cardinal principles of justice is that litigants must know where their matters are being handled. Where files are transferred without proper communication, parties may miss hearings, fail to comply with timelines, or suffer ex parte proceedings and orders.

If transfers are undertaken, a clear notification framework becomes essential. Litigants and advocates should ideally receive: notice of the transferring court; the receiving court; the new case number where applicable; the effective date of transfer; and the next appearance date.

Communication through cause lists, registry notices, SMS alerts, and advocate notifications may be more immediately practical.

A further practical concern relates to case numbering. A matter originally filed as: ‘High Court Civil Suit No. 001 of 2024’ may acquire an entirely different reference upon transfer to a subordinate court. Without a standardized tracking mechanism, tracing proceedings may become difficult for: advocates, registry staff, appellate courts, and litigants themselves.

A dual-reference system would greatly reduce confusion. For example:

‘Formerly High Court Civil Suit No. 001 of 2024, now CMCC No. 108 of 2026.’ This preserves continuity and improves traceability. Similarly, transferred files should ideally contain a transfer summary sheet indicating: pleadings filed, pending applications, interim orders, previous proceedings, and the present status of the matter. The article’s strongest concern relates to physical court file management.

Uganda’s courts have historically faced challenges involving: missing files, incomplete records, misplaced annexures, delayed transmission of proceedings, and damaged documents. These risks become even greater where large numbers of physical files are moved between courts operating outside ECCMIS infrastructure. Strict chain-of-custody procedures are therefore essential.

Practical safeguards may include: file inventory registers, acknowledgment of receipt between registries, sealed transfer packaging, and designated transfer officers. Part-heard matters present perhaps the most delicate issue. Restarting proceedings before another judicial officer may; increase costs, waste judicial time, inconvenience witnesses, and delay justice. In many instances, efficiency and fairness may favor allowing the original judicial officer to conclude substantially heard matters despite revised pecuniary limits.

The Judiciary may therefore need to distinguish between: newly filed matters, partly heard matters, and matters pending judgment. Such distinctions would reduce unnecessary duplication of proceedings.

The reforms increasing pecuniary jurisdiction are progressive and capable of substantially improving access to justice. However, the success of the reforms will depend not only on expanded jurisdictional limits, but also on how transitional issues are managed in practice. The law on transfer of suits already provides an important framework under the Civil Procedure Act.

Nevertheless, the present reforms expose practical gaps that may require additional practice directions and administrative guidance.

If poorly managed, transfers could create procedural disputes, delays, and confusion.

If carefully implemented, however, the reforms could significantly strengthen efficiency within Uganda’s justice system. Ultimately, court users judge the justice system not only by the correctness of judgments delivered, but also by administrative efficiency, predictability, and accountability.

There was a time when new clubs simply existed to make up the numbers. Ismaili Community have done the exact opposite.

Having announced themselves by lifting the UG20 League title in Entebbe last November after defeating Aboojo by 23 runs, the side has shifted into an even higher gear this season, assembling a squad packed with experience and quality.

National team captain Riazat Ali Shah, premier fast bowler Juma Miyaji and all-rounder Pius Oloka all came aboard, while Cricket Cranes assistant coach Jackson Ogwang joined the technical bench.

The result has been ruthless.

Ismaili finished the Silver Division atop the standings with six victories and one abandoned match from seven outings, collecting 13 points and finishing comfortably ahead of nearest challengers Avengers (10 points).

Their campaign was built on dominance rather than luck. They hammered Avengers by 151 runs, crushed St. John’s SS Mukono by a staggering 307 runs and rounded off their title march with a 106-run victory over Soroti City.

Captain Riazat has led from the front with 310 runs, the highest tally in the division, while vice-captain Junaid Shah has terrorised batters with a league-best 21 wickets.

“We topped the table, won the Silver Division and earned promotion,” club official and player Fazal Karim said. “We believe we can compete with anyone. The target now is to challenge for the Gold Division title as well.”

Built to last

What perhaps makes Ismaili’s rise more impressive is that it appears to have substance behind it.

The club has invested in quality players, coaching and organisation while maintaining a strong community identity through the Ismaili National Council for Uganda.

Their success mirrors a growing trend in Ugandan cricket where ambitious new clubs are challenging the old hierarchy with better planning and professional structures.

The emergence of Ismaili Community and Pak Shaheens this season suggests the competitive gap between divisions is shrinking. But the Gold Division will present an entirely different examination.

The step up means facing established heavyweights with deeper squads, stronger bowling attacks and years of top-flight experience. Winning there requires not only talent but consistency over a long season.

Still, few would bet against a side that has turned almost everything it has touched into gold.

For now, Ismaili Community can celebrate a remarkable journey from newcomers to champions. Next season, they will discover whether their story is just beginning.

A mandatory registration exercise for boda boda operators in Lira City has sparked a dispute between city authorities and motorcycle riders, with officials defending the initiative as a tool for planning and security while some operators describe it as an unlawful tax.

The exercise requires every boda boda operator to pay Shs35,000 annually for registration and issuance of a digital identity card and motorcycle sticker.

According to Lira City authorities, the fee is allocated among production of digital IDs and stickers (Shs15,000), city development programmes (Shs13,000) and boda boda association operations (Shs7,000).

Speaking during a media dialogue organised by the Equal Opportunities Commission in Lira on June 4, Lira City Communications Officer Robert Okello Ayo said the registration aims to improve planning, security and revenue mobilisation.

‘You remember that during the Covid-19 pandemic, we were asked to provide statistics on the number of boda boda operators and market vendors who were affected. We did not have all the data that government wanted,’ Okello said.

He said the city wants to establish an accurate database of operators to support future planning and emergency interventions.

City authorities also argue that the registration will strengthen security by enabling identification of individual operators through digital identity cards.

Okello cited the January 2025 killing of ear, nose and throat specialist Dr Wilfred Olila, who was allegedly transported by an unidentified boda boda rider before being murdered.

‘Up to now, nobody can tell which boda boda was that. As city authority, it is within our mandate to regulate every activity happening within the city,’ he said.

According to city records, more than 3,200 of an estimated 7,000 boda boda operators had registered by June 3.

However, some riders have challenged the exercise, alleging that it was introduced without adequate consultation and is being enforced through intimidation.

The operators claim motorcycles have been impounded and only released after payment of Shs50,000, while some riders allege they were forced to pay registration fees.

‘The exercise is being implemented through coercive and unlawful means, including the deployment of hired bouncers and security personnel who are effecting arbitrary arrests of riders and the impounding of their motorcycles,’ said Steven Okullo, one of the aggrieved riders.

On May 7, a group of riders instructed Egaru and Company Advocates to demand suspension of the exercise.

In a letter received by Lira City Council on May 8, the law firm argued that the registration programme lacked adequate consultation and questioned the authority of individuals representing boda boda riders in the exercise.

‘Our clients were never given an opportunity to be heard,’ the lawyers wrote.

The law firm further argued that no council ordinance or directive authorising the exercise had been publicly presented to riders and questioned the legal basis for the collection of the fee.

The dispute has also exposed divisions among boda boda leaders.

Sam Odongo, chairman of boda boda riders in Lira City East Division, denied involvement in collecting money from operators and said the exercise was being conducted by the city council.

However, Lira City West Division chairman Juma Owera said boda boda leaders were actively participating in the registration campaign.

‘Odongo Sam, Okori Moses and I are actively involved in the exercise. So far, 2,400 plus boda boda riders have paid the money,’ Owera said.

He added that authorities had impounded more than 100 motorcycles during the first two days of enforcement.

Former Lango Sub-region boda boda chairman Bodyguard Odongo criticised the exercise and called for greater transparency regarding the collection and management of the funds.

The dispute continues as riders demand clarification on the legal basis of the registration programme and accountability for money already collected, while city authorities maintain that the exercise is necessary for effective urban management and public safety.

The Buganda Kingdom has officially welcomed Ceaser Buyondo Miti as the new head of the Kasimba Clan.

He succeeds the late David Kabazi Ssempuuma, who passed away earlier this week.

The announcement was made today during an unveiling ceremony at Bulange Mengo.

Speaking at the event, the Katikkiro (Prime Minister) of Buganda, Charles Peter Mayiga, expressed relief that the clan swiftly identified a successor. He emphasized that clan leadership remains a vital pillar of Buganda’s cultural and governance structure.

“In our culture, it is crucial that a clan has a leader who connects it to the head of all clan leaders, who is the Kabaka of Buganda,” Mr Mayiga stated.

The Katikkiro explained that the foundation of the Buganda Kingdom rests on three inseparable pillars: the royal family; the clans and the administration.

According to Mr Mayiga, leadership within the royal family and the clans is hereditary, whereas chiefs within the administration are appointed directly by the Kabaka to serve the kingdom.

“If any of these pillars becomes weak, the kingdom cannot stand firmly,” Mayiga warned. “Clans are particularly important because they form a bridge between the Kabaka and his subjects. Our culture and norms are rooted in the clan system.”

The Katikkiro noted that Buganda culture strictly forbids prolonged uncertainty regarding clan leadership. Traditional procedures are initiated immediately following a leader’s death. Each clan follows its unique customs and rituals before presenting the chosen successor to the Katikkiro, who then informs the Kabaka.

Mayiga noted that once a successor is approved, the kingdom can officially proceed with the final burial arrangements of the deceased leader. He urged the newly appointed leader to guide his people with integrity, justice, and patience.

“This leadership comes from the Kabaka and has existed since the reign of Kintu. Serve your people faithfully and uphold the values of the kingdom,” Mayiga advised.

The Kasimba Clan Prime Minister, Edward Brown Lwanga, shared the somber details surrounding the sudden passing of David Kabazi Ssempuuma on Monday.

Mr. Lwanga recalled speaking to the late clan head during the day, only to receive emergency updates later that evening. Mr Ssempuuma was initially rushed to Sebi Hospital in Nansana before being referred to Lubaga Hospital, where doctors discovered high blood pressure complications that had severely affected his brain. Due to an unavailable bed in Lubaga’s Intensive Care Unit, he was transferred to Mengo Hospital, where he ultimately succumbed.

Following traditional protocols, Mr Buyondo-the third-born son of the late leader-was selected as the successor.

In his inaugural address, Mr. Buyondo expressed deep gratitude to the clan and the kingdom’s leadership, including Kabaka Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II.

“I am grateful to all clan members for accepting me and supporting this process,” Buyondo said. “I believe the late clan head would be pleased with the unity that has been demonstrated.”

Hello Yusuf, what you are describing is more common than many drivers realise, especially in vehicles that are regularly used in traffic, on long trips, or in hot climates. A car interior becoming unusually hot, even with windows slightly open, usually means excess heat is entering the cabin from the engine bay, exhaust system, or through reduced cooling and insulation efficiency.

One of the most likely causes is excessive heat transfer from the engine compartment into the cabin. Normally, a firewall barrier with insulation material separates the engine from the passenger area and limits heat penetration. If this insulation has deteriorated, been removed, or become damaged over time, heat can pass more easily into the cabin. This effect becomes more noticeable when driving in traffic or when the car is stationary, as airflow around the engine is reduced and heat builds up.

Another important area to consider is the exhaust system. The exhaust runs very close to the cabin floor and is protected by heat shields designed to deflect extreme temperatures. If these heat shields are loose, rusted, or missing, heat can radiate directly into the floor area of the vehicle. This often creates a sensation of warmth under the seats or footwell, which gradually raises the overall cabin temperature. In some cases, even a small exhaust leak can increase surrounding heat levels and contribute to the problem.

It is also worth noting that the engine may be running slightly hotter than normal without obvious overheating signs. A partially blocked radiator, weak cooling fan, or failing thermostat can raise under-hood temperatures. Even if the temperature gauge does not show a critical warning, the extra heat generated can still be transferred into the cabin.

Air conditioning efficiency

The second area to consider is the vehicle’s cooling and air circulation system. If the air conditioning is not performing optimally, the cabin will naturally feel hotter even if no additional heat sources are present. A weak AC system, low refrigerant efficiency, or a partially clogged cabin air filter can reduce airflow and cooling effectiveness. When airflow is restricted, hot air is not pushed out efficiently, allowing heat to accumulate inside the car.

In addition, poor air circulation inside the cabin can worsen the situation. Even with slightly open windows, if the internal airflow is weak, heat becomes trapped inside, especially during slow-moving traffic or when driving in hot conditions. The cabin then behaves almost like a closed container, absorbing heat from the sun, engine bay, and road surface all at once.

Another possibility is that the HVAC blend system inside the dashboard is not functioning properly. If the flap that controls hot and cold air mixing becomes stuck or misaligned, it may allow warm air from the heater core area to mix with cooled air. This can result in inconsistent or unexpectedly warm cabin temperatures.

Yusuf, in most cases this issue is not caused by a single fault but a combination of heat shielding, insulation, and cooling efficiency factors.

A proper inspection of the exhaust heat shields, firewall insulation, cooling system performance, and AC airflow condition should help identify the exact cause. Once addressed, the cabin should return to normal comfort levels, even in hot driving conditions.

A total of 118 election petitions arising from the January 2026 General Election have been filed before the High Court, setting the stage for what the Judiciary expects to be a busy season of election-related litigation.

According to Justice Prof. Andrew Khaukha, the Executive Director of the Judicial Training Institute (JTI), the majority of the petitions challenge parliamentary election results.

“Out of the 118 election petitions filed, 107 are parliamentary election petitions, while 11 relate to local council elections,” Justice Khaukha revealed on Thursday during a training session for justices of the Court of Appeal on the handling and disposal of election appeals.

“It’s from these that we expect to process the appeals from the High Court,” he added

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The training comes as the Court of Appeal prepares to handle what is expected to be a significant number of appeals from candidates dissatisfied with High Court decisions. Under the law, the Court of Appeal is the final arbiter of parliamentary and local government election disputes.

Chief Justice Flavian Zeija cautioned the appellate judges to brace for a flood of appeals once the High Court concludes hearing the petitions.

“My lords, I must warn you in advance that you will be getting many appeals. I already know what has been filed at the High Court, and I can tell you that because the law has that cushion that when you appeal, you remain in Parliament; even those who have obviously lost will come here,” Chief Justice Zeija said.

Judiciary records indicate that the current election cycle has registered more parliamentary election petitions than the previous one. During the 2021-2026 electoral cycle, 104 parliamentary election petitions were filed across the country, compared to 107 in the current cycle.

However, the number of local government election petitions has significantly declined. While 49 petitions challenging local council elections were filed after the 2021 polls, only 11 have been lodged following the January 2026 elections.

When contacted about when the petitions would begin to be heard, Judiciary spokesperson Mr James Ereemye last evening simply said: “Soon.”

Judges question Electoral Commission over polling irregularities

The training session also turned into a forum for senior judicial officers to scrutinise the Electoral Commission over alleged shortcomings in the conduct of the January 2026 elections.

Electoral Commission officials, including Head of Legal Ms Jennifer Angeyo and Head of Data Management Mr Ahmed Abdallah Ochama, faced tough questions from the judges regarding the failure of biometric voter verification kits and other electoral challenges.

Justice Oscar Kihika expressed concern over recurring electoral management problems, saying they had eroded public confidence in the Commission.

“The mistakes are made every time; it’s like you don’t learn from your previous mistakes. The citizenry does not have confidence in the Electoral Commission; how can this be remedied?” Justice Kihika asked.

The judge also criticised the limited role played by candidates’ agents during tallying exercises, arguing that the process often excludes meaningful participation, particularly by opposition representatives.

“The agents in that room are literally passengers. They are not involved in the process. What they do is look at the screen and compare the figures being displayed with what they have,” he said.

Justice Kihika cited his experience as a former practising advocate representing the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM), recalling an election petition arising from the Kayunga District Woman MP by-election involving Harriet Nakwedde of the largest opposition National Unity Platform (NUP) against NRM’s Andrew Muwonge.

“Had that matter gone to the merits, the nonsense that was happening at the tally centre was very shameful. The tallying process was actually hijacked, figures were turned around, and there were a lot of games,” he said.

The High Court in Mukono and the Court of Appeal both dismissed Ms Nakwedde’s petition on the technicality of having filed it outside the stipulated time of seven days.

Responding to the concerns, Mr Ochama promised to provide feedback on the issues raised.

Justice Musa Ssekaana also highlighted discrepancies in declaration forms as a major source of election disputes and proposed reforms aimed at improving consistency and transparency.

“I propose that we have one original declaration form, and the rest be carbon copies if we are to resolve these discrepancies,” Justice Ssekaana said.

For a team already assured of a place at Afcon 2027, the Uganda Cranes find themselves in a strange position.

The destination is guaranteed. The journey is not.

That is why the cancellation of this week’s friendly matches against Tanzania and Madagascar in Morocco feels more significant than the scorelines ever would have been.

The games were never about results. They were about information. They were about evidence.

They were about discovering where Uganda stand before the continent arrives on East African soil next year.

Resisting comfort

Cranes coach Paul Put has spent much of his tenure resisting comfort.

The Belgian understands that hosting an Afcon can create a dangerous illusion.

Qualification is already secured, but competitiveness is not.

Uganda do not have the luxury of waiting until 2027 to discover their weaknesses.

The Morocco camp was supposed to help answer questions.

Could in-form Allan Okello cement his role as the creative reference point around which this team is built?

Which local-based players are ready for the next level? How far has the squad progressed since the last international window?

Timing matters

Against Tanzania and Madagascar, Uganda would have found at least some clues. The timing matters.

Uganda’s Afcon qualifying campaign begins in September, but unlike most nations, the Cranes are not playing for a place at the finals.

They are playing to sharpen themselves for them. Every international window between now and 2027 is therefore less about qualification and more about construction.

Instead, the Cranes arrived in Morocco only to learn that public-health concerns linked to the Ebola outbreak, mostly in neighbouring DRC with just a handful cases in Uganda, had led to the cancellation of both fixtures.

The squad travelled. The coaches prepared. Then the football disappeared.

Real test

Put needs opponents. He needs minutes. Above all, he needs evidence.

The real test now belongs to Fufa.

The federation cannot recover these two matches, but they can respond to their loss.

Replacement fixtures, if still possible within future windows, become even more important.

The technical team may also need longer camps and more deliberate planning to compensate for the missing game time.

September will arrive. October will arrive. The road to a home Afcon will continue regardless.

The Cranes have lost two matches. What they cannot afford to lose is focus and momentum.

That, more than any cancelled fixture, would be the real setback.

Insurance Regulatory Authority (IRA) is facing one of the most serious leadership crises in its history, with allegations of financial and administrative impropriety against outgoing chief executive officer Ibrahim Lubega Kaddunabbi.

The crisis has escalated into a multi-front battle involving the Auditor General, Ministry of Finance, IRA board, lawyers on both sides of IRA, Kaddunabbi, High Court, and criminal investigations.

At the centre of the dispute is the decision by the IRA board not to recommend the renewal of Kaddunabbi’s contract, a decision that has triggered litigation, competing legal interpretations, administrative directives, and accusations of contempt of court.

The crisis intensified after the Permanent Secretary and Secretary to the Treasury, Ramathan Ggoobi, requested the Auditor General to conduct a comprehensive investigation into claims raised by board chairperson Keto Nyapendi Kayemba concerning financial and administrative impropriety at the IRA.

The resulting Special Investigation Report, signed by Auditor General Edward Akol on May 15, 2026, found several instances of irregular conduct involving the Kaddunabbi.

The Auditor General found that Kaddunabbi increased his salary from the amount originally approved by the Minister of Finance, despite a clear ministerial directive that any future adjustment would only be considered based on Bank of Uganda inflation data and after recommendation by the board.

The report found no evidence that the board ever formally considered or approved the chief executive officer’s salary increments.

Yet his monthly salary rose from Shs46.34m to Shs60.85m between the 2021/22 and 2025/26 financial years. The Auditor General concluded that the salary increases did not comply with the Minister’s conditions regarding inflation and approval procedures.

Investigators also established that Kaddunabbi received leave allowances despite evidence showing that in some periods he had not taken leave, contrary to the Human Capital Management Manual, which only permits payment of leave allowance when leave is actually taken.

The report identified Shs24.3m paid as leave allowance despite leave not being taken, Shs36.8m received irregularly as leave allowance, and Shs87.18m paid as compensation for untaken leave after expiry of his contract.

The Auditor General concluded that the Shs87.18m payment was inconsistent with both the Employment Act and the chief executive officer’s contract because there had been no termination of employment and no evidence that leave had been denied.

A separate finding related to Kaddunabbi’s role as a non-executive director of Africa Reinsurance Corporation (Africa Re) found that Africa Re’s contract and board charter provided extensive benefits to directors, including business-class travel, accommodation, daily subsistence allowances, sitting allowances, and reimbursement of expenses.

Despite this, the Kaddunabbi obtained full per diem payments from IRA for several Africa Re engagements in Cairo, Abuja, Johannesburg, and Kigali.

The report concluded that because the activities were already fully sponsored, the IRA Human Capital Manual only entitled him to 30 percent of the normal per diem. Instead, full per diem was paid, resulting in a quantified loss to IRA of Shs57.4m.

The Auditor General further found that six additional staff members were recruited beyond the positions originally advertised. Although management relied on a broader board resolution following a job evaluation exercise, investigators found that the specific additional recruitments had never been explicitly discussed or approved by the board.

The Auditor General put the resulting loss at Shs647.6m in salaries and benefits after six staff were recruited without documented Board approval.

The investigation found that 39 people were recruited for 30 approved positions, with six excess hires lacking justification, resulting in significant unplanned recurrent expenditure for the Authority.

Board decides against renewal

Against this backdrop, the IRA board resolved not to recommend renewal of Kaddunabbi’s contract.

The dispute reached a critical point after the board’s decision of February 16, 2026, declining to recommend him for another term. That decision became the subject of an application before the High Court.

Board sources say the decision flowed directly from governance concerns raised by internal audit reports, subsequent board deliberations, and the Auditor General’s findings.

Court issues interim order

On May 29, 2026, Justice Joyce Kavuma issued an administrative interim order restraining the board and IRA from implementing or giving effect to the decision not to recommend Kaddunabbi for renewal pending hearing of the substantive application.

In a crucial passage that has since become the centrepiece of competing legal arguments, the Judge held that the issue of renewal remained the substance of the main application and that renewal of contract was an executive function rather than a judicial one.

Court, therefore, preserved the status quo while directing respondents to file affidavits and return to court.

The ruling has subsequently been interpreted differently by the opposing camps. Kaddunabbi’s lawyers maintain that the order froze implementation of the board’s decision, while IRA argues that the order did not amount to a renewal of the expired contract.

Board moves to fill the vacuum

Despite ongoing court proceedings, the IRA board moved swiftly after the expiry of Kaddunabbi’s contract on May 31, 2026, recommending the appointment of Protazio Sande, IRA director of strategy and market development, as acting chief executive officer effective June 1.

The appointment was communicated through the Ministry of Finance and accompanied by a board press release announcing the transition.

The board justified the move as necessary to ensure continuity of operations and maintain regulatory stability of the insurance sector, arguing that Sande’s institutional knowledge and experience would ensure uninterrupted discharge of IRA’s mandate while a substantive chief executive officer is appointed.

Kaddunabbi’s lawyers fight back

Kaddunabbi’s legal team at Arcadia Advocates immediately challenged the appointment.

In a strongly worded Tuesday (June 2) letter to Ggoobi, the lawyers argue that court had preserved the status quo and that the board and Ministry of Finance had acted unlawfully by creating and filling an office of acting chief executive officer, while the case remained pending.

They contend that Ggoobi lacks authority under the Insurance Act to appoint an acting chief executive officer and that the board relied on provisions of the Human Capital Management Manual that allegedly do not create the office of acting chief executive officer.

They further argue that the appointment violates court’s preservation order and threatens contempt proceedings if the decision is not withdrawn.

Arcadia also accuses IRA and its lawyers of selectively quoting the High Court ruling and misrepresenting its effect. In a separate communication, the firm rejects Dentons’ interpretation of the ruling and warns that further actions taken contrary to the order could attract contempt proceedings.

Dentons responds aggressively

IRA’s external lawyers, Dentons Advocates, responded with an equally forceful cease-and-desist letter, accusing Kaddunabbi of entering IRA premises without authorisation on June 1 and falsely presenting himself as the chief executive officer despite the expiry of his contract.

Dentons maintains that court did not renew Kaddunabbi’s contract and that the ruling explicitly recognises that renewal remained an unresolved issue reserved for determination in the substantive case.

Dentons characterises Kaddunabbi’s actions as corporate trespass, unlawful interference with statutory functions, usurpation of authority, and a potential abuse of judicial process. They demanded that he immediately cease entering IRA premises or interfering with management and operations.

They warn that ‘your client, who is presently under active investigation by [CID] following adverse findings of financial and administrative impropriety against him, ought to know that such lawless conduct will inevitably attract severe civil and criminal sanctions’.

The tone of the exchange underscores the extent to which the dispute has moved beyond a routine employment disagreement into a full-scale institutional confrontation involving competing claims to authority within IRA.

CID drawn into the conflict

The dispute has now extended beyond employment and governance issues into the criminal sphere. Dentons copies its cease-and-desist correspondence to the Director of Criminal Investigations and expressly warns that if investigations establish administrative impropriety, criminal liability should arise.

Simultaneously, correspondence from the opposing side has also been copied to CID, suggesting that both camps are positioning themselves for possible criminal investigations linked either to audit findings or alleged violations of court orders.

Although no criminal charges are known to have been filed, CID has become a stakeholder in a dispute that began as an employment matter.

Ggoobi under pressure

The Ministry of Finance, through the Ggoobi, initially triggered the Auditor General’s investigation after receiving allegations from the IRA board chairperson.

Now the same Ministry finds itself drawn into a separate controversy over the appointment of an acting chief executive officer. Kaddunabbi’s lawyers argue that Ggoobi exceeded his statutory powers and unlawfully intervened in the management of IRA.

Meanwhile, the board insists that the appointment was necessary because the chief executive officer’s five-year term had expired and IRA could not operate without a substantive accounting officer.

Ggoobi, thus, finds himself at the intersection of two related but distinct disputes: alleged financial impropriety and the legality of IRA’s leadership transition.

The Insurance Act limits the IRA chief executive officer to two five-year terms, or 10 years. Yet Kaddunabbi has led IRA since 2010, serving for more than 15 years.

This has raised questions about the legality of his continued stay beyond the statutory limit.

The debate is not primarily about his performance, but whether IRA complied with term-limit provisions designed to promote accountability, leadership renewal, and good governance.

What happens next?

The future of IRA now depends on several parallel processes unfolding simultaneously.

Court must determine whether the board lawfully declined to recommend Kaddunabbi for renewal and whether subsequent actions by either side violated the interim order.

The Ministry and the board must also decide whether to pursue recoveries, disciplinary measures, or other administrative actions arising from the Auditor General’s findings concerning salary adjustments, leave payments, Africa Re expenditures, and recruitment practices.

At the same time, the possibility of criminal investigations remains open as allegations of financial loss, abuse of office, and unlawful interference continue to circulate among the parties.

What began as an internal governance dispute has evolved into a major test of one of Uganda’s most important financial sector regulators.

The Auditor General has documented irregularities involving salary enhancements, leave payments, travel expenditures, and recruitment decisions.

The Board has acted on governance concerns by refusing to recommend contract renewal.

The courts are now being asked to determine whether those actions were lawful, while lawyers on both sides exchange accusations of contempt, trespass, and abuse of authority.

For IRA, the battle is no longer merely about one executive’s future.

It has become a wider struggle over governance, regulatory credibility, ministerial authority, judicial oversight, and public accountability within the insurance sector.

The eventual outcome will likely shape not only the future leadership of IRA but also public confidence in the institutions responsible for regulating the insurance industry.