Category: Daily Monitor

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Dispute reignited by implementation gaps

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

However, growers say implementation has been inconsistent.

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

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

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

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

Farmers warn of declining returns

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Pressure from falling prices and higher taxes

The row comes as growers grapple with declining profitability.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Where does the current impasse leave this population?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The deportation of Kenyan senior counsel and politician Martha Karua from Uganda has triggered fresh criticism from opposition leaders, who argue that the move undermines access to justice and contradicts the spirit of East African integration.

Ms Karua, a former Kenyan Justice minister and presidential candidate, was reportedly denied entry at Entebbe International Airport on Monday as she travelled to Uganda in connection with the legal defence of opposition politician Dr Kizza Besigye and his co-accused, Obeid Lutale.

Addressing journalists at a joint press conference in Kampala on Tuesday at Katonga Offices, leaders from the People’s Front for Freedom (PFF), Uganda People’s Congress (UPC), People’s Progressive Party (PPP) and other opposition groups, PFF Vice Chairperson M Micheal Lulume Bayiga described the deportation as a politically motivated action aimed at weakening Besigye’s defence team.

“We strongly condemn the deportation of Senior Counsel Martha Karua,” opposition leaders said in a joint statement. “Instead of being allowed to execute her professional mandate, she was declared persona non grata and removed from the country.” He said

Mr Bayiga also questioned Uganda’s commitment to regional cooperation at a time when East African Community member states are promoting the free movement of people, services and professionals.

“It should not happen in the 21st century that as we talk about East African Federation, we cannot allow lawyers to move across the East African Community,” one opposition leader said. “What message does this send to Ugandan lawyers practising in Kenya and Tanzania?”

Mr Lulume further argued that the decision could affect the constitutional right of accused persons to legal representation.

“Every accused person has a right to legal counsel of their choice,” the leaders said. “When you block a lawyer from representing a client, you raise serious concerns about access to justice and the fairness of the legal process.” He said

The deportation comes amid growing political tensions surrounding the prosecution of Dr Besigye, a long-time government critic, whose case has attracted regional and international attention.

PFF officials linked Karua’s removal to ongoing efforts to frustrate members of Besigye’s legal team, including Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago, who has recently faced legal and political challenges of his own.

PFF President Michael Kabaziguruka warned that the country was witnessing what he described as increasing pressure on democratic institutions.

“When Parliament is attacked, when the Judiciary is attacked and when power becomes concentrated in one individual, we should all be concerned about the future of our country,” Kabaziguruka said.

UPC President Jimmy Akena echoed similar concerns, saying Uganda risked damaging its standing in the region.

“We talk about East African integration, but we are making news for the wrong reasons, a respected legal practitioner comes to represent a client and is turned away. This is not the Uganda we aspire to build.” He said

Mr Akena added that political competition should not be criminalised and urged authorities to protect the independence of institutions.

“Our politics must be free. We cannot continue seeing political leaders detained while fundamental questions about justice remain unanswered,” he said.

He also demanded an explanation from the government regarding the legal basis upon which Karua was denied entry and called for what they described as an end to political interference in judicial processes.

Background

Karua is among Kenya’s most prominent lawyers and politicians. She served as Kenya’s Minister for Justice and Constitutional Affairs and was a presidential candidate in the 2022 elections. In recent months, she has joined the legal team representing Dr Besigye, whose legal battles have become a focal point for opposition politics in Uganda.

Her deportation has sparked debate about the balance between national security considerations, access to justice and commitments under the East African Community framework, which promotes closer political, economic and professional cooperation among member states.

Mukono District Local Government has intensified efforts to improve education standards, closing four private schools in Nakifuma-Nagalama Town Council for failing to meet minimum requirements set by the Ministry of Education and Sports.

The Monday morning enforcement exercise was led by the Town Council Education Department under Inspector of Schools Ms Irene Cherop, with support from district authorities and local leaders.

The affected schools include Teso Standard Junior School, Creamfield High School formerly Rains High School, Rockview Nursery and Primary School, and Super Quality School.

According to Ms Cherop, the schools had previously received warnings and inspection reports outlining necessary improvements but failed to comply.

‘None of the schools could meet even 20 percent of the required operational standards. We issued several warnings and guidance, but many proprietors failed to take corrective action,’ she said.

She revealed that some schools lacked essential facilities such as toilets, while others operated in dilapidated structures that posed serious risks to learners’ safety and wellbeing.

‘Education is both a service and a responsibility. While we prioritize quality, safety, and compliance, some proprietors appear more focused on profit than improving the learning environment,’ she added.

Ms Cherop also noted that some operators ignored directives, believing they were shielded by influential connections. She emphasized that enforcement will continue regardless of ownership or affiliations.

She explained that quality education goes beyond infrastructure and includes qualified teachers, proper management systems, adequate learning materials, sanitation, and a safe environment.

The closed schools will only be allowed to reopen after fully addressing the identified gaps and meeting all regulatory requirements.

Nakifuma-Nagalama Town Council Deputy Speaker Hon Nakatebe Milly urged parents to remain calm and transfer affected learners to nearby government or licensed schools that meet required standards. He also warned other non-compliant schools to urgently improve or face similar action.

Mukono District Communication Officer Mr Kaddu Derrick said the exercise is part of a broader effort to safeguard learners and strengthen accountability in the education sector.

‘This should not be seen as punishment, but as a necessary step to protect children and ensure all schools operate within government guidelines,’ he said.

He called on parents to cooperate during the transition and encouraged school proprietors to work closely with authorities to improve facilities and management systems.

District leaders have also intensified community sensitization campaigns to help parents identify quality schools and understand the importance of enrolling children in safe and compliant institutions.

Inspections will continue across Mukono District as part of ongoing efforts to promote quality education, accountability, and learner welfare.

A small footpath snaking through greater Ojentenyang parish after turning off from Kateta, Kyere road visibly brought the journey to Aleplep village in Serere District to a stop. Ahead was Aleplep landing site on Lake Kyoga, its water grey but its ripples striking and appealing from a distance.

Aleplep is one of dozens of communities in Teso that the Bakenyi people have cradled for centuries, making them Teso’s third tribe, a people so unique and true to their ancestry. They are also renowned for their love for fishing expeditions.

The tell tales about Teso sub region can never be complete without mention of the Bakenyi speakers, though lately tucked away in silence in their communities, where intermarriages and changing times are starting to take a toll on their identity, they still hold hope that they will outlive the current tides for the good of their posterity.

It’s here in Aleplep where a couple of elders, mostly above 70, shared testimonies as a tribe settled in the wider catchment dominated by the Iteso.

According to Mr Gerald Mwanika Baligajo, 82, the roots of the Bakenyi date as old as those of the Iteso in Teso.

“We are as old as the Iteso, the difference that makes us look a minority tribe is that, we majorly settled along the lake and Islands and that impacted much on our inability to own a dominion,” Baligajo says.

He says their great grandparents migrated to Teso from Buganda and settled especially around Lake Kyoga belts as early as 1700 and 1800.

“Our major livelihood was fishing, while the Iteso who are said to have migrated here around the same time from Ethiopia through Karamoja, took to cattle rearing and farming. Because our livelihoods differed, we the Bakenye had our niche in fishing expeditions, which is why wherever you find a water body, you will find the Bakenye settled there. The Iteso were pastoralists and farmers, which is why they own vast lands,” adds Baligajo.

Amugema by clan, Baligajo says he belongs to the eighth generation that has lived in Teso since their great fathers set foot in Teso, adding that their great grandparents migrated from Buganda, through Busoga then finally had a stop along Lake Kyoga shores.

‘My immediate family including the grandchildren are over 100 people, majority are all settled and married in Teso, some have intermarried while others are married to fellow Bakenye people,’ he adds.

Baligajo admits times have changed, revealing a culture of segregation cropping up among the current generation of Iteso against the Bakenye, while their great grandparents were receptive and cordial.

“But we have had great union with the Iteso for centuries, which we pray remains unsoiled. The current hate is not so loud but it frightens us because we are a minority group. Even the fishing expedition for which we were once known for, the operations on Lake Kyoga by government against illegal fishing have made us rethink our livelihood to majorly now farming, though we have limited land,” he explains.

Ms Jamilah Nabwire says times have changed. “Even today when it comes to benefiting from government projects, we face segregation,” Nabwire says. “But we are one, we have lived with the Iteso for centuries, but I wonder where the kind of segregation among the current generation of Iteso is cropping from.”

Pascal Waswa, also 82, observes that current times are spelling difficulty to their survival. “We are no longer a tribe that relies on fishing anymore, and we are now farmers, though we taught the Iteso how to fish.” According to Waswa, Iteso were basically cattle keepers and farmers who barely knew anything about fishing. “Iteso were our customers, in exchange for fish, they would give us cassava and other grains, so in that process of interaction we became friends with their great grandparents.”

Ms Racheal Mwanika, born of Gawa village, Tiling parish, Kobuin sub county, Ngora district, says her worry is that their children have been swallowed into the larger Ateso speaking community. ‘Our children now seem to speak Ateso than they do for the Lukenye as dialect. At school, their children without their knowledge are changing names, just because they want to suit the current tides.”

Vinadi Musana claims the Bakenye are always considered last in programmes like PDM, Emyooga, including now cattle restocking, yet during elections they are quick to reach out.

Mr Pascal Bakisula of Akisim village, Butet Sub County, Pallisa district, says the livelihood of the Bakenye has come under jeopardy. “Outside the lake, we don’t have sizable pieces of land to make ends meet, as an affirmative action, we would request that the government consider establishing for us fishponds and fish cages basically for the Bakenye community to thrive.”

The Bakenyi, historically known as Bakunta or Balunnyanja, trace ancestry to Bantu migrations from the Congo Basin between AD 1000 and 1300 and contributed to formation of Buganda Kingdom. The 2024 National Census placed their population at 101,395, though research by Dr J.Baker Wairama in 2002 estimated about 1.2 million.

Mr Moses Wasswa Sinini, recently elected Bakenyi community leader, Paramount Chief, says segregation is glaringly visible but “this is not the time to point fingers”. He adds they will seek an opportunity to put issues before the Equal Opportunities Commission. With the lake no longer viable, he says alternative enterprises like fish farming and fish cages should be extended to the Bakenyi because “history has it that we have been traditional fishermen over centuries”.

Residents of Busoga Sub-region have been urged to diversify their sources of income instead of relying solely on sugarcane farming, with experts warning that dependence on a single cash crop exposes households and the region’s economy to significant risks.

The call was made on Monday during a business training session under the Generating Growth Opportunities and Productivity for Women Enterprises (GROW) Project, which brought together more than 800 women entrepreneurs from across Busoga in Jinja City.

Busoga accounts for about 35 percent of Uganda’s sugarcane milling capacity and hosts major processing plants, including Kakira Sugar Works.

While sugarcane remains a major source of income for thousands of households, experts say its rapid expansion has contributed to environmental degradation, food insecurity, and economic vulnerability among smallholder farmers.

Speaking during the training, Enterprise Uganda Director General Mr Charles Ocici encouraged residents to explore alternative enterprises and make informed investment decisions based on market opportunities and profitability.

“As many Ugandans appreciate, the Busoga region, including the areas around Jinja City, is known for sugarcane cultivation. The land is suitable for the crop and farmers can earn money from it,” Mr Ocici said.

“However, if that one source of income faces challenges, whether in terms of market demand or processing capacity, the entire region suffers. People should not limit themselves to one crop. They should assess what other opportunities can compete with sugarcane and invest in them as well.”

Mr Ocici advised farmers and entrepreneurs to carry out proper market research before investing in any venture.

“Whatever business you choose, you must understand the market. Do not assume that because there is a sugar processor nearby, your produce will automatically be purchased. Understand the value chain and how it operates,” he said.

The training focused on business planning, financial literacy, market research, record keeping, risk assessment, and enterprise growth strategies aimed at helping women build sustainable businesses.

Mr Ocici also challenged common perceptions about business financing, noting that many entrepreneurs mistakenly believe capital can only come from grants or loans.

“There are many ways of generating capital for a business, but the most important is capital generated through profits and then reinvested. Entrepreneurs should focus on building businesses that can sustain and grow themselves,” he said.

He urged women entrepreneurs to use opportunities under the GROW Project to establish banking records and strengthen their financial credibility.

“Build a banking history. Open and actively use a bank account, make deposits and withdrawals, and establish a financial track record. With that history, you can access bigger financing opportunities in the future,” he said.

Jinja City National Resistance Movement (NRM) chairperson Mr Edwin Lufafa called on participants to apply the knowledge acquired during the training to improve livelihoods in their communities.

“I am calling upon the people of Busoga to utilise the knowledge they have gained and share it within their communities so that together we can fight poverty in our region,” Mr Lufafa said.

Several participants said the training had equipped them with practical business management skills.

Ms Edith Tukahirwa, a businesswoman with nearly three decades of entrepreneurial experience, said the training highlighted the importance of record keeping and customer retention.

“I have been in business for almost 30 years, but I have learned the importance of keeping proper records and maintaining customer relationships. I also learned that the money used in a business should be treated as business money, not personal money,” she said.

Another participant, Ms Maria Nantale, said the training had strengthened her understanding of financial discipline, savings, and accountability.

“We have always had money and resources, but many of us did not know how to save effectively, borrow responsibly, and remain accountable. These are lessons I will share with my team and community,” she said.

The GROW Project is a government initiative funded by the World Bank and implemented by the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development in partnership with the Private Sector Foundation Uganda.

The programme supports women entrepreneurs through business training, access to affordable financing, and shared production facilities aimed at helping enterprises grow from micro to small and medium-sized businesses.

Uganda, like many African countries, has committed itself to a range of regional and international frameworks designed to strengthen investment in key sectors such as agriculture, health, and education.

These commitments include the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP), the Maputo Declaration, the Abuja Declaration, and the Dakar Framework for Action, each of which sets specific spending targets intended to promote sustainable development and improve service delivery.

Despite repeatedly endorsing these commitments, Uganda’s actual budget allocations have consistently fallen short of the agreed benchmarks.

This gap between policy commitments and budgetary priorities raises important questions about the government’s ability and willingness to translate development pledges into tangible financial investments.

Across Africa, the gap between policy commitments and implementation remains persistent. Under the Maputo Declaration, governments committed to allocating at least 10 percent of public expenditure to agriculture; the Abuja Declaration set a target of 15 percent for health; and the Dakar Framework for Action called for a minimum of 20 percent investment in education. Yet many countries have struggled to meet or sustain these spending thresholds, even decades after adopting them.

The recent World Health Organisation (WHO) and the 2024 4th Biennial Review Report by African Union assessments show that the core concerns identified a decade ago largely persist. Most African countries remain below the Abuja target of allocating 15 percent of government expenditure to health, and the African Union’s 2024 Biennial Review concluded that the continent is not on track to meet the Malabo Declaration’s 2025 agricultural financing and productivity goals.

Uganda’s persistent failure to meet international spending commitments is rooted in a fiscal reality that leaves policymakers with little room to maneuver.

A large share of the national budget is pre-committed to debt servicing and externally financed projects before sector allocations are made, leaving limited fiscal space for the government to fund agreed priorities in health, education, and agriculture.

Much of this spending is also non-discretionary, tied to fixed obligations and project-specific financing arrangements that cannot be redirected to other sectors, meaning the government has little flexibility over how the money is spent, even when funding gaps emerge.

In the 2026/27 financial year, the government plans to finance approximately Shs12 trillion through domestic borrowing, equivalent to about 14 percent of the Shs84.3 trillion national budget.

Unlike domestic revenue, external funds are tied to predetermined projects and expenditure categories, limiting the government’s flexibility to redirect resources in response to emerging priorities or changing budgetary needs.

‘Government cannot reallocate it to health, education, or agriculture because it is tied to predetermined projects,’ explains Hilda Tumuhe, programme officer for Debt and Aid at SEATINI-Uganda.

The result, she says, is a growing mismatch between national priorities and available flexible funding. Once debt servicing and project-tied financing are deducted, the government is left with about Shs47 trillion in discretionary resources.

‘This is the money available for the government to flexibly allocate across programmes. But when you compare it to the competing priorities and expenditure demands, the fiscal space becomes very tight,’ she notes.

That pressure is now being amplified by the government’s ambitious tenfold growth strategy, which prioritises productive sectors and key enablers meant to drive economic transformation. At the same time, Uganda must still meet its debt obligations-something that is consuming an increasingly large share of the budget. In FY2026/27 alone, debt servicing is projected at Shs38.4 trillion out of Shs84.39 trillion.

‘We have a shrinking fiscal space in Uganda,’ Tumuhe says.

At the heart of the strain is a domestic revenue base that has not grown fast enough to match rising expenditure needs. While the government continues to set higher tax targets, experts warn that taxation must move in step with economic performance.

Uganda Revenue Authority is expected to collect Shs45.96 trillion in the next financial year 2026/27, up from Shs37.5 trillion this year.

‘You cannot tax an economy that is not doing well. Growth and revenue mobilisation have to move hand in hand,’ she says.

But Uganda’s tax structure adds another layer of complexity. A large share of revenue comes from indirect taxes-such as fuel levies and consumer goods taxes-which cut across all income groups. These taxes are often met with public resistance, especially when citizens feel service delivery does not reflect what they pay.

Beyond this, questions persist over tax exemptions and incentives granted to investors, with critics arguing that some may be costing the country more than they deliver in return. Tumuhe says closing these leakages and rationalising tax expenditures could unlock significant resources without increasing the burden on ordinary citizens.

Attention is also turning to emerging revenue streams, particularly oil. Government expects about Shs1.4 trillion from the Petroleum Fund in FY2026/27-modest in comparison to overall spending needs, but potentially significant if directed strategically. Yet experts caution that revenue growth alone will not fix Uganda’s fiscal challenges.

According to Tumuhe, the real test lies in how efficiently public resources are used. Persistent delays in project implementation, procurement bottlenecks, weak oversight, and corruption continue to drain value from public spending especially in debt-financed projects.

‘Improving public investment management could create additional fiscal space without necessarily increasing revenue collection,’ she argues.

Education

Government has allocated Shs6.66 trillion to the education sector, prioritising the strengthening of STEM and vocational education, improving teacher welfare, and expanding access to Universal Primary Education (UPE) amaong others.

To enhance service delivery, government rolled out the National Costed Service Delivery Standards, a framework aimed at improving budgeting, accountability, and monitoring.

However, stakeholders argue that implementation remains weak, with many schools still receiving funding below the levels required to effectively deliver quality education. Reports suggest government often falls short of minimum service delivery standards. Under the framework, the capitation grant is set at Shs23,000 per pupil and Shs123,000 for learners with special needs.

‘There is growing public frustration over government priorities, particularly in social service delivery,’ says Jenice Ishimimaana, head of advocacy and communications at Uganda Debt Network.

She argues that despite government’s characterisation of the budget as a people’s budget, many Ugandans expected greater investment in essential services such as education and health.

She further notes that although funding for UPE has been increased over the years, many schools are yet to receive the promised allocations, while the current funding levels remain insufficient to effectively deliver free and quality education.

Health

The health sector has been allocated Shs5.23 trillion, targeting maternal and child health, nutrition, immunisation, prevention of non-communicable diseases, and provision of essential medicines.

Despite the funding, the sector receives only about 6.2 percent of the national budget, well below the 15 percent Abuja Declaration target, leaving households burdened with out-of-pocket healthcare costs and the system dependent on donor support.

Agriculture

The government has allocated Shs2.26 trillion to the Agro-Industrialisation programme to support agricultural research, innovation, extension services, irrigation, agro-processing, value addition, and market access.

While the funding reflects government’s commitment to agricultural transformation, analysts question whether it is sufficient given the country’s fiscal constraints.

Economist Fred Muhumuza argues that many international spending targets were set decades ago under different economic conditions.

‘Many of these commitments were made over 20 years ago. A lot has changed, and even countries that made such pledges are struggling to meet them because the realities on the ground have changed,’ he says.

According to Aloysious Kitengo, programme coordinator at SEATINI, many of the gaps begin at the negotiation stage, where weak representation undermines the ability to effectively domesticate international commitments.

‘This all starts from negotiations. Most of our negotiators are not present in these discussions, which is why it is hard to domesticate these commitments,’ he says.

He adds that even where budget allocations appear aligned to agreed thresholds, questions remain over whether they translate into real sector outcomes.

‘When you say you’re supposed to allocate 10 percent according to the Maputo Protocol, they will tell you, ‘We have money here, we have money this side.’ When we calculate, it looks like the percentage is met on paper, but the question is: are they delivering on the objectives of the sector? Are they responding to the real needs that would actually help achieve that target?’

Elsewhere

Christina Namubiru, a Research Associate at the Civil Society Budget Advocacy Group, says while some countries are gradually improving, most are still falling short of their commitments.

‘Countries like Rwanda allocate about six percent or so, but for us we have never even gone beyond five percent. So that puts us at a disadvantage. Every time we go for those meetings and commit that we shall allocate 15 percent to health or 10 percent to agriculture, back home when we plan, it doesn’t come out as expected,’ she says.

She adds that while international commitments remain important, stronger domestic prioritisation is urgently needed.