Category: Daily Monitor

For more than 16 years, Insurance Regulatory Authority (IRA) has steadily transformed one of the country’s most underdeveloped financial sectors into a trillion-shilling industry.

Today, however, IRA finds itself navigating what may be the most consequential governance challenge in its history, and how it emerges from the dispute is the question many Ugandans are waiting to see answered.

At the centre of the storm is former IRA chief executive officer Ibrahim Kaddunabbi Lubega, whose contract expired on May 31, but whose status remains the subject of an ongoing court battle.

The dispute has exposed an unusual contradiction at the heart of the insurance regulator.

Nearly three days after the expiry of his contract, Kaddunabbi still holds out as IRA’s chief executive officer.

Even on its website, as of yesterday morning, despite the increasingly public dispute over who legally controls the regulator’s top office, Kaddunabbi is still listed as the chief executive officer.

Yet at the same time, a June 1 cease-and-desist letter from Dentons, acting on behalf of IRA accuses Kaddunabbi of unlawfully holding himself out as the chief executive officer and demands that he immediately stop interfering with the operations of IRA.

In the letter, Dentons says Kaddunabbi had entered IRA premises on June 1 and convened what it described as an unauthorised assembly of staff while presenting himself as the chief executive officer.

Dentons characterises the conduct as ‘corporate trespass’, an unlawful usurpation of statutory authority and a flagrant abuse of judicial process.

Yet Dentons also escalates the standoff by warning that the former chief executive officer is under active CID investigation over alleged financial and administrative impropriety and could face civil and criminal consequences if he continued to act outside the law.

Denton maintains that Kaddunabbi ceased to hold executive authority upon the expiry of his contract on May 31 and instructs that no stakeholder should recognise any directive or decision issued by him as chief executive officer thereafter.

It also demands that he ‘immediately cease’ from entering IRA’s premises or interfering with its administration, staff, or operations.

Dentons anchors its position on a May 29 ruling by Justice Joyce Kavuma, who held that the question of whether Kaddunabbi’s contract should be renewed was the substantive matter before court and could not be determined through interim orders.

The judge observed that ‘renewal of contract is done by the executive and not the court’, while preserving the status quo pending a full hearing of the case.

The same court documents show that government had already moved to establish interim leadership at IRA.

In a letter dated May 30, Permanent Secretary and Secretary to the Treasury Ramathan Ggoobi appointed Dr Protazio Sande acting chief executive officer for six months, effective June 1, or until a substantive chief executive officer is appointed.

‘I hereby appoint you as the acting chief executive officer of IRA for a period of six months, with effect from June 1 or until a substantive chief executive officer is appointed, whichever occurs earlier. By copy of this letter, the chairperson of the board is directed to ensure that the board issues you (Sande) with a performance agreement containing appropriate targets,’ Ggoobi wrote in a Monday letter.

The IRA board yesterday reaffirmed its support for Sande’s appointment, arguing that his substantive role as director of strategy and market development positions him to ensure continuity of operations and the effective execution of the Authority’s mandate.

In a statement, board chairperson Keto Nyapendi Kayemba said the board was confident that Sande’s expertise, leadership, and institutional knowledge would provide stability at the regulator and sustain the growth trajectory of Uganda’s insurance sector during the transition period.

The result is a public confrontation that has cast a spotlight on governance at an institution long regarded as one of Uganda’s most successful regulators.

Sources indicated that Kaddunabbi’s legal team had served IRA with additional court filings. However, the contents of the documents were not immediately available.

The Kaddunabbi years

Whatever the outcome of the legal battle, few industry players dispute that Kaddunabbi’s tenure coincided with one of the most remarkable periods of growth in Uganda’s insurance sector.

When he took office, the industry was still relatively small and struggling to deepen penetration.

Industry performance reports show that by the end of 2015, total gross written premiums for both life and non-life insurance stood at approximately Shs563.46b, with non-life insurers accounting for Shs464.26b and life insurers contributing Shs99.2b.

A decade later, the industry had crossed the Shs2 trillion mark.

The IRA 2025 market performance report shows that total gross written premiums reached Shs2.024 trillion by the end of 2025, up from Shs1.764 trillion in 2024.

The industry added approximately Shs260.6b in new business in a single year, representing annual growth of 14.8 percent.

The longer-term picture is even more striking. Between 2015 and 2025, total industry premiums grew from Shs563.46b to Shs2.024 trillion, an increase of about Shs1.46 trillion in real value.

This represents cumulative growth of approximately 259.3 percent over the decade.

The expansion was driven by growth across both life and non-life insurance businesses. By 2025, non-life gross written premiums had reached Shs1.002 trillion while life insurance premiums stood at Shs978.54b, underlining the increasing maturity and depth of Uganda’s insurance market.

Industry participation also broadened significantly. More than 1.13 million insurance policies were in force by the end of 2025, reflecting a level of market uptake that would have been difficult to imagine a decade earlier.

It’s these achievements that Kaddunabbi and those who advocate for him believe he deserved another term, which could have extended his tenure as IRA chief executive officer to 20 years.

Even the board, in a statement issued yesterday, acknowledged the significant role Kaddunabbi has played in advancing insurance regulation, market development, and policyholder protection during his tenure.

Yet, for all his contributions, the unfolding transition suggests that IRA is seeking to turn the page and begin a new chapter beyond the long shadow of Kaddunabbi’s leadership.

A test for institutional credibility

Yet the current dispute has shifted attention from industry growth to institutional governance.

The contradiction between Kaddunabbi’s continued listing on the IRA website as chief executive officer, his successful court injunction against the board’s decision not to renew his contract, and the position being advanced by IRA’s own lawyers in court filings highlights the complexity and apparent inconsistency surrounding the leadership situation at IRA.

Dentons argues that Kaddunabbi’s contract expired on May 31 and that any attempt to continue exercising executive authority amounts to unlawful interference with IRA’s statutory functions.

Kaddunabbi, meanwhile, has challenged the process through which the board declined to recommend renewal of his contract, a matter that remains before the court.

Justice Kavuma’s ruling did not renew the contract but instead preserved the status quo while the substantive application is heard. That distinction has become the central legal battleground.

For a regulator whose credibility depends heavily on certainty, compliance, and respect for procedure, the dispute presents a delicate balancing act.

Insurers, brokers, investors, and policyholders alike will be watching closely to see whether the institution can navigate the impasse without undermining confidence in the sector it regulates.

After more than 16 years of largely uninterrupted growth and reform, IRA now faces a challenge that cannot be measured in premium volumes or market share.

Its greatest test may be whether it can resolve a leadership dispute while preserving the institutional credibility that helped build the insurance sector from a Shs563b market into a Shs2 trillion sector just within 10 years.

What the law says

The Insurance Act, 2017, provides that the chief executive officer of IRA is appointed for a term of five years, renewable once, meaning the maximum tenure contemplated under the law is 10 years.

Any tenure extending beyond that period would require a lawful basis under the applicable legal and administrative framework.

Kaddunabbi has served as IRA chief executive officer since 2010, giving him a tenure of more than 15 years.

This has prompted questions about the legal mechanism that enabled his continued stay in office beyond the two five-year terms provided for under the Act.

The issue is less about Kaddunabbi’s performance, which many credit for the growth of the insurance sector, and more about whether the regulator has complied with the spirit and letter of statutory term limits, which are intended to promote accountability, leadership renewal, and good governance in public institutions.

The government expects to save about Shs24 billion annually after suspending funding for national public holiday celebrations beginning Financial Year (FY)2026/2027, the Ministry of Finance has said.

The move is part of the government’s Rationalisation of Government Agencies and Public Expenditure (Rapex) programme aimed at reducing wasteful spending and improving efficiency in public service delivery. Speaking during the launch of the National Budget Month for the FY2026/2027 at the Ministry of Finance yesterday, the Director of Budget, Mr Hannighton Ashaba, said government would no longer finance activities marking several national public holidays. ‘We expect to save Shs24b annually from the suspension of spending on public holidays, which includes Independence Day, International Women’s Day, Labour Day, Martyrs Day, National Heroes Day and Janani Luwum Day,’ Mr Ashaba said while responding to questions from Daily Monitor.

The announcement follows last week’s directive by the Finance ministry Permanent Secretary/ Secretary to the Treasury, Mr Ramathan Ggoobi, that government funding for public holiday celebrations would cease starting next financial year. The decision forms part of wider expenditure rationalisation efforts under Rapex, a reform programme designed to eliminate duplication of functions, streamline government operations and reduce public spending. According to a report presented to Parliament by former Public Service minister Muruli Mukasa in March, the rationalisation programme had by then generated savings of more than Shs773b through reductions in wage and non-wage expenditure, National Social Security Fund contributions, gratuity payments and board expenses.

The launch of the National Budget Month yesterday also provided an opportunity for government to highlight progress in Budget transparency and citizen engagement. Mr Ggoobi said effective budgeting extends beyond the preparation and approval of expenditure estimates and requires active participation by stakeholders throughout the budget cycle. ‘Effective budgeting requires proper implementation to realise intended outcomes. Achieving this calls for meaningful participation of stakeholders throughout the entire Budget cycle, including planning, execution, monitoring and oversight,’ he said. Mr Ggoobi said the National Budget Month initiative, which started in 2018, seeks to promote transparency, accountability and public participation in government budgeting.

He noted that Uganda has continued to register improvements in international budget transparency rankings. ‘Our rating in Budget Transparency improved from 58 percent in 2021 to 59 percent in 2023, compared to the global average of 45 percent. Budget Oversight improved from 59 percent to 67 percent, against a global average of 52 percent,’ Mr Ggoobi said. However, he acknowledged that public participation remains low. ‘Public participation declined from 19 percent in 2021 to 15 percent in 2023, although this remains slightly above the global average of 14 percent. We are optimistic that the ongoing 2025 Open Budget Survey will show improvements in citizen engagement and accountability,’ he added.

Budget

Parliament in April approved a Shs84.3 trillion budget for the FY2026/2027 under the theme: ‘Full monetisation of Uganda’s economy through commercial agriculture, industrialisation, expanded social services, digital transformation and market access.’ The Budget will be financed largely through domestic revenue collections of Shs44.18 trillion, domestic borrowing of Shs11.97 trillion and external project support of Shs11.27 trillion. The Executive Director of SEATINI Uganda, Ms Jane Nalunga, commended government for increasing funding for agro-industrialisation from Shs1.8 trillion to Shs2.2 trillion.

‘We commend the government for increasing the allocation to agro-industrialisation for agricultural research, inputs, irrigation, extension services, agro-processing and market access,’ she said, adding that effective implementation would be critical to achieving the intended results. The Executive Director of Advocates Coalition for Development and Environment (Acode), Dr Arthur Bainomugisha, called for increased funding to local governments and investments in agricultural productivity and climate resilience.

Meanwhile, Civil Society Budget Advocacy Group Executive Director Julius Mukunda warned that rising public debt and borrowing costs continue to constrain public expenditure and private sector growth. Mr Ggoobi said the government was prioritising domestic revenue mobilisation to reduce dependence on borrowing. ‘We are focusing on mobilising more revenue. If we can raise domestic revenue to about 20 percent of GDP, we shall we shall need less domestic borrowing,’ he said.

Parliament’s Appointments Committee, chaired by Speaker Jacob Oboth Oboth, has rejected the designation of Victoria University Vice Chancellor Dr Lawrence Muganga as State Minister for Internal Affairs over holding multiple citizenships.

A source who attended the vetting and spoke to this publication on condition of anonymity said Dr Muganga failed to convince the Committee he would renounce citizenship of two other countries, Rwanda and Canada.

The Committee, before meeting the nominee, carried out due diligence and found he holds three citizenships: Uganda, Rwanda and Canada. ‘We asked him about the issue of multiple citizenship because we found that he holds three citizenship including Rwandan, Canada, and Uganda. He said that he denounced Rwanda when he became a Canadian and the Committee was convinced but failed to convince us with evidence that he denounced the two citizenship,’ the source said.

Unlike other minister-designates such as Calvin Echodu, State Minister for Foreign Affairs in charge of International Affairs, and Adonia Ayebare for Foreign Affairs, who presented evidence of renouncing US citizenship, Dr Muganga did not. ‘The Committee took some good time discussing Adonia’s issue until he presented the evidence that he had started the process then we cleared him. But Muganga failed to convince us with evidence yet he will be holding a sensitive ministry of the Internal Affairs,’ the source added.

After presenting his CV, Speaker Oboth asked Dr Muganga about his dual citizenship status. Shortly after the session, Dr Muganga addressed reporters and dismissed claims linking him to Rwandan citizenship. ‘Before I came here, I definitely had two citizenships-that’s the Ugandan citizenship and the Canadian citizenship. Like every young person who really aspires to do better, you leave this country and you go to different countries, trying to work there, and you get some money, you help your people you left back home. You help your brothers, your sisters, your parents, and even your friends. So, that is me,’ he said.

He added: ‘Many Ugandans do that. And as I speak right now, there are some who are at the airport leaving the country. Before you know it, they will have citizenship of other countries. But that does not take away one’s love for the country. I am Ugandan…Uganda is my country.’

On May 28, city lawyer and Democratic Front Deputy Secretary General Deric Fredric Namakajo petitioned Parliament through the Clerk’s office seeking to block Dr Muganga’s vetting. He accused him of holding Ugandan and Canadian citizenship and cited Section 19D of the Uganda Citizenship and Immigration Control Amendment Act, 2009, which bars dual citizens from holding sensitive state offices.

Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa, speaking on behalf of Committee Chairperson Speaker Oboth, said four nominees were found with dual or multiple citizenship during vetting.

‘We did a verification with the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and we discovered that we had three colleagues who had dual citizenship, and one colleague who had multiple citizenship. So, we have looked at it extensively, and all of them have approved renouncing their citizenship in the other countries,’ he said.

‘They have taken a patriotic step of choosing Uganda above all. Especially, you know, these are painful decisions that are made. Some of these people have families in those countries. Whatever they have been made in those countries, they send back to Uganda, back to Uganda. But they have taken the painful decision of renouncing their citizenship in other countries. So, we consider that, and we appreciate them for being patriotic,’ Tayebwa added.

Leader of Opposition Joel Ssenyonyi said the law must be followed. ‘If somebody has got dual or multiple citizenship, can they first renounce citizenship of the other countries so that the law is followed. If there can be proof that this person has renounced citizenship of these other countries now, they are solely citizens of Uganda then we can discuss other issues,’ Ssenyonyi said.

There is an unspoken economic system in many families today where financial responsibility gradually concentrates around a single individual.

Not because they are necessarily the wealthiest, but perceived to be the most dependable.

In many Ugandan households, the ‘responsible child’ becomes an informal financial institution. They are expected to respond to emergencies, absorb unexpected expenses, bridge income gaps, and provide financial continuity whenever instability arises within the family structure.

What makes this dynamic particularly complex is that the role is rarely assigned formally. It develops through repeated patterns of dependence and reliability. The more consistently an individual provides support, the more the family ecosystem restructures itself around that support.

Over time, responsibility stops being viewed as assistance and starts becoming assumed financial availability.

This trend reflects a broader shift within modern household economics, especially in developing economies where family systems continue to function as primary social safety nets. In the absence of strong welfare structures, accessible healthcare financing, retirement systems, or stable employment opportunities, families naturally redirect financial pressure inward.

The employed or working child, therefore, becomes both an economic participant and an economic stabilizer.

However, while this arrangement may provide short-term survival for families, it can create long-term financial strain for the individual carrying the responsibility.

Many young people today are navigating competing financial realities. On the one hand, they are expected to support their families and consistently meet household needs.

On the other hand, they face growing pressure to build personal financial security in an increasingly expensive economic environment.

This creates a difficult balancing act between obligation and sustainability.

A growing number of working adults are financing multiple households while attempting to establish themselves financially. Salaries are stretched across rent, transport, debt obligations, investments, school fees, medical emergencies, social expectations, and extended family support.

In many cases, income growth does not expand at the same rate as dependency.

Consequently, financial progress becomes delayed as some individuals remain unable to accumulate meaningful savings despite years of employment. Others postpone wealth-building opportunities because disposable income is constantly redirected toward recurring obligations.

More concerning is that some begin normalising financial strain as an unavoidable part of adulthood. Yet financially, this model presents significant risks.

An individual operating without sufficient emergency savings, investment growth, insurance protection, or retirement planning remains economically vulnerable regardless of how responsible they appear externally. Continuous financial extraction without adequate recovery eventually weakens both the individual and the support system depending on them.

The issue, therefore, is not responsibility itself.

Family support remains socially valuable and economically important, particularly within communal societies. The concern arises when responsibility becomes financially centralised around one individual without long-term sustainability mechanisms.

This is where financial literacy conversations become increasingly important.

Modern financial education must move beyond encouraging income generation alone and also address financial boundaries, dependency structures, wealth preservation, and sustainable support systems within families.

Financial responsibility

There is also a need to redefine what financial responsibility actually means.

Responsibility should not solely be measured by one’s ability to continuously provide financial assistance but also by the ability to maintain personal financial stability while offering support in a structured and sustainable manner.

Without this balance, many responsible children risk becoming financially productive for everyone except themselves.

In the long term, a family system that depends entirely on one person’s income is not stable, but a concentration of economic risk.

Questions over the eligibility of ministers holding dual citizenship dominated proceedings yesterday as Parliament’s Appointments Committee began vetting President Museveni’s Cabinet and State ministerial nominees.

The issue surfaced during the appearance of businessman and Trade minister-designate Sanjay Tana before the committee, with legislators seeking clarification on reports that he holds dual citizenship, which would render him ineligible for appointment to a ministerial office under the law. However, committee members said Mr Tana denied the allegations and explained that he is a Ugandan citizen by birth.

”The issue of dual citizenship was raised when Sanjay Tana appeared before us, but he clarified that he does not hold dual citizenship as had been claimed,” Gulu City Woman MP Betty Aol said after the session. She noted that most of the nominees appearing before the committee were already serving ministers, making the vetting process relatively straightforward. ”Sanjay was born in Uganda and has lived and served here. Most of the ministers who appeared before the committee have already been serving, so there were no major difficulties,” Ms Aol, who is also a former Leader of Opposition in Parliament, added. The Appointments Committee, chaired by Speaker of Parliament Markson Jacob Oboth-Oboth, yesterday commenced the vetting exercise as Parliament scrutinises President Museveni’s new Cabinet selections ahead of their formal assumption of office. Parliament’s Director of Communication and Public Affairs, Mr Chris Obore, said the committee’s recommendations on each nominee will be forwarded to President Museveni for consideration.

The Leader of the Opposition in Parliament, Mr Joel Ssenyonyi, also raised concerns about the appointment of individuals who may hold dual citizenship, urging the government to address the matter. ”There has been concern about people who hold dual citizenship, and we are hoping that, just as the issue regarding Hon Kasule Lumumba’s appointment was rectified, this matter will also be addressed,” Mr Ssenyonyi said. The Opposition leader was referring to the earlier controversy surrounding the appointment of former NRM Secretary General Justine Kasule Lumumba as Government Chief Whip despite not being an elected Member of Parliament, a matter that was later corrected. Mr President appointed Ms Lumumba the ICT minister and Dr Jane Ruth the Government Chief Whip.

Nominees unveil agenda after vetting

As the vetting exercise continued, several ministers-designate outlined their priorities for the new term, promising reforms aimed at improving service delivery and accelerating economic growth. Third Deputy Prime Minister and minister without Portfolio Rukia Nakadama said she intends to push for stricter monitoring of ministerial attendance in Parliament. ”We want to introduce a roster system indicating which ministers are expected to appear in Parliament. If a minister misses three appearances, we shall report them to the appointing authority,” she said. Her remarks were echoed by Second Deputy Prime Minister Crispus Walter Kiyonga, who pledged to mobilise ministers to regularly attend to parliamentary business.

”We have been elected to articulate the concerns of our people and ensure resources are equitably shared. That responsibility requires ministers to be present,” Dr Kiyonga said. Agriculture minister-designate Frank Tumwebaze, who retained his portfolio, promised continued support for farmers through increased access to affordable financing. ”We shall continue working with the Ministry of Finance and Uganda Development Bank to expand low-interest financing for all categories of farmers, from small-scale to large-scale producers,” he said. Finance Minister-designate Henry Musasizi said government spending would increasingly focus on sectors that generate economic growth. ”We must achieve allocative efficiency and direct resources to sectors that drive economic transformation.

We shall move funding from less critical activities to those that contribute more directly to growth,” Mr Musasizi said. He said his ministry would prioritise implementation of the government’s tenfold economic growth strategy. Minister-designate for Science, Technology and Innovation Jonard Asiimwe emphasised the importance of innovation across all sectors of the economy. ”Innovation is required in every aspect of life, whether in health, agriculture, information technology, or education. It is central to Uganda’s transformation agenda,” he said. Works and Transport Minister-designate Fred Byamukama identified the expansion of Uganda Airlines and the completion of the Standard Gauge Railway as some of his key priorities.

Meanwhile, Local Government Minister-designate Balaam Barugahara vowed to crack down on corruption and poor performance among public servants, while Public Service Minister-designate Gen Edward Katumba Wamala pledged to strengthen efficiency in government institutions. ”Public service is like the gears that run a machine. When the gears function properly, the machine performs well. When they do not, productivity suffers,” Gen Katumba said. The vetting exercise continues today as Parliament considers the remaining nominees before they are formally sworn into office.

Kiryandongo District has approved a Shs48.3 billion budget for the 2026/27 financial year, with local leaders positioning it as a key step toward transforming the largely agricultural district into an industrial and commercial hub by 2040.

The budget, approved by the district council, represents a 1.97 percent increase from the current financial year and prioritises education, health and agricultural transformation as pillars of long-term economic growth.

For decades, Kiryandongo has relied heavily on small-scale agriculture, with most households depending on crops such as maize, cassava and beans for survival. District leaders say the new spending plan is intended to shift the district from subsistence production towards a more diversified and industrialised economy.

Education received the largest allocation at Shs18.1 billion, with funds earmarked for teachers’ salaries, construction and rehabilitation of school infrastructure, and improving learning conditions in public schools.

Mr Johnson Mukusa, an education advocate with the Kiryandongo United Youth Forum, said investment in education was critical to the district’s industrialisation agenda.

‘Industrialization requires a workforce that is educated and equipped with the right skills. Investing in education today means preparing our children and young people for future opportunities,’ he said.

The health sector was allocated Shs9.3 billion to support the upgrading of health facilities, expansion of medical services and improved access to healthcare across the district.

Mr Musa Mugweri, chairperson of Kyatiri B Village, said improved healthcare services would help create a more productive population capable of contributing to economic growth.

Agriculture and production, which remain central to the district’s economy, were allocated Shs2 billion to support commercial farming, improve market access and increase productivity.

‘Industrialization begins with production. Farmers must produce enough not only for their families but also for markets and industries,’ said Kibanda North MP Lenox Ngopek.

District authorities also plan to invest in roads, classrooms, staff houses, administration blocks, health centres, markets, water sources and sanitation facilities.

Officials say improved infrastructure will help attract investment, ease the movement of agricultural produce and strengthen service delivery.

Located along the Kampala-Gulu highway, Kiryandongo has increasingly become a strategic commercial corridor attracting both local and foreign investors. Leaders believe its location gives it a competitive advantage in future industrial development.

Despite the optimism, council discussions highlighted persistent challenges in revenue mobilisation.

Local revenue collection reached only 64 percent of the annual target during the previous financial year, while central government transfers stood at 75 percent. Donor funding, however, exceeded projections, reaching 110 percent of expected revenue.

The figures underscore the district’s continued dependence on external funding and the need to strengthen local revenue collection.

Kiryandongo District Chairperson Nelson Osaga attributed the shortfall partly to resistance by some residents to pay local taxes and limited public awareness about how locally generated revenue supports development.

He also warned that chronic understaffing across several departments could slow implementation of development programmes.

‘Development is not the responsibility of government alone. Communities must participate in planning, monitoring, and protecting public investments,’ Osaga said.

While district leaders acknowledge that the journey to becoming an industrial hub remains long, they argue that the approved budget provides a foundation for future growth.

‘Whether the Shs48.3 billion budget will be enough to turn those ambitions into reality remains to be seen. For now, we are encouraging residents, business leaders, and development partners to work together as the implementation begins,’ Osaga said.

For many persons with disabilities in Nebbi District, the challenge is not simply living with a disability but navigating a society where information, education and public services often remain out of reach.

For people with visual impairments and hearing disabilities, communication barriers continue to limit access to opportunities, leaving many excluded from education, healthcare, economic programmes and community decision-making processes.

Advocates say the inability to access information in accessible formats amounts to a denial of fundamental rights guaranteed under Uganda’s Constitution.

According to Charles Lemiza, the district’s Education Officer in charge of Special Needs Education, communication barriers remain one of the leading causes of low school completion rates among learners with disabilities.

“Generally, there are very low completion rates among learners with disabilities, with very low transition rates from Primary One to Primary Two since parents and teachers give less attention to learners with disabilities,” Lemiza said.

He noted that only a small proportion of learners with disabilities complete their education.

Lemiza said challenges are particularly severe for learners with visual impairments in rural districts such as Nebbi District, where trained teachers, assistive technologies and inclusive learning materials remain scarce.

“Nebbi has limited numbers of teachers trained in ICT and inclusive teaching methods. Access to screen readers and braille materials is also limited, placing learners with disabilities at a disadvantage when adopting digital learning tools,” he said.

The situation has been compounded by the absence of sustained training programmes for teachers.

According to Lemiza, the last major sign language training for teachers was conducted between 2018 and 2019 under the Discretionary Development Equalisation Grants programme, during which more than 60 teachers received training.

However, the programme was later phased out, creating a significant gap in schools’ ability to support deaf learners.

“Without accessible communication, persons with disabilities are excluded from education, health and economic programmes. The lack of accessible information is linked to poor literacy and high dropout rates,” Lemiza said.

He added: “In health facilities, the same pattern appears; no interpreters, no materials in braille or audio formats, and patients relying on family members to translate.”

For disability rights advocates, the consequences extend beyond education.

Ronald Onenchan Jarach, programme manager at the Nebbi Women with Disabilities Association, said communication barriers contribute directly to poverty and social exclusion.

“Households with persons with disabilities are more likely to experience poverty without targeted inclusion measures,” Onenchan said.

He argued that while disability inclusion is frequently discussed in policy circles, implementation often falls short.

“People talk about inclusion, but when development activities come, persons with disabilities are not fully involved. They are integrated into systems without addressing their specific needs,” he said.

According to Onenchan, stereotypes and discrimination continue to affect participation in community programmes, while children with disabilities often receive lower priority in education and family decision-making.

The challenges are also visible in local governance.

Marylin Onyai, Town Clerk of Thatha Division in Nebbi Municipality, said many persons with disabilities miss out on development opportunities because information and services are not designed with accessibility in mind.

“People with disabilities are not always deliberately excluded, but barriers prevent them from accessing activities and information,” Onyai said.

“Government and development partners need to design strategies that respond to the specific needs of different categories of persons with disabilities.”

Grace Owiny, the female district councillor representing persons with disabilities, said exclusion begins at an early age.

She noted that children with disabilities in rural communities often study in poorly resourced schools that lack trained teachers and accessible learning materials.

“Access to assistive devices remains limited because of the high costs involved, particularly in rural areas,” Owiny said, adding: “In Nebbi, there is no specialised resource centre for the blind, and there is limited access to white canes and braille materials, making it difficult for children with disabilities to access quality education in this digital era.”

Advocates say improving inclusion will require investment in sign language interpretation, braille resources, assistive technologies, teacher training and accessible public information systems.

Until then, many persons with disabilities in Nebbi will continue facing barriers that prevent them from fully participating in education, employment and community life.

The Catholic Diocese of Kasese was this year selected to animate Uganda Martyrs Day celebrations at the Catholic Shrine in Namugongo on June 3, marking a historic return after nearly two decades. However, this year’s celebration was later postponed after President Museveni announced the outbreak of Ebola Bundibugyo virus disease when the diocese was in the final preparation stages. The Diocese of Kasese, under the ecclesiastical province of the Archdiocese of Mbarara, is one of the four metropolitan archdioceses in Uganda. The last time the Kasese Diocese animated the annual pilgrimage celebrations was in 2005.

The Uganda Episcopal Conference entrusted the organisation of this year’s celebrations to the Archdiocese of Mbarara, which in turn selected Kasese Diocese to take charge on behalf of the province that also comprises the dioceses of Fort Portal, Hoima, and Kabale. Of these, Fort Portal Diocese was the most recent to animate the celebrations in 2022. For many faithfuls in Kasese Diocese, this year’s opportunity to animate the national celebration is both historic and spiritual. That is especially because Bishop Emeritus Egidio Nkaijanabwo, who led the 2005 celebrations, is still alive to witness his successor preside over the same sacred occasion. The diocese had adopted the theme: ‘Christ is Alive in You and Me’ drawn from Galatians 2:19-20, which was to guide pilgrims and worshippers throughout the celebrations.

Diocese roots Rev Fr Landus Bwambale, the Vicar General of Kasese Diocese, said when the diocese was established in 1989, it had only nine indigenous priests serving alongside Bishop Nkaijanabwo and six missionary priests from the White Fathers congregation.

Today, the number of diocesan priests has grown to more than 70. He explained that the diocese currently has 13 parishes and two pastoral centres. Fr Bwambale also dismissed claims that evangelisation in Kasese originated from the Democratic Republic of Congo, saying the Catholic faith instead spread from Mbarara Archdiocese, specifically through Lugazi Parish in Bunyaruguru, where people from Kasese used to cross for catechism classes.

‘The priest in charge of the parish, Fr Yohana Balyebuga, later crossed to Kasese in the 1930s and established the Church at Nsenyi. This became the first Catholic church in Kasese District,’ he said. Fr Bwambale added that the first residential catechumen at Nsenyi was Augustino Muhindo, who was baptised in 1939 and later became the first Mukonzo Catholic priest after his ordination in 1958. ‘He is well remembered in our diocese for spreading the Catholic faith. He endured the difficult mountainous terrain of Kasese and established many local churches at the time. Present-day Kasese Diocese was still under the Tooro Kingdom, and the king had already embraced Christianity,’ he said.

He further explained that after the government created Kasese District in 1974, residents began demanding for the separation of Kasese from Fort Portal Diocese, which was then under the leadership of Bishop Sarpio Magambo. ‘Around the 1980s, we experienced insurgency in this area. Many people lost their lives and there was a lot of confusion, making it difficult for Bishop Magambo to frequently cross to Kasese,’ Fr Bwambale said.

On July 4, the United States will commemorate the 250th anniversary of the signing of one of history’s most significant documents, the Declaration of Independence. We mark this milestone by celebrating American history and the enduring partnerships that have shaped our future.

In Uganda, we’ve launched Freedom 250: The American Edge-a campaign that honours over 60 years of collaboration and charts a course for the next 250 years.

The American Edge is the competitive advantage that comes from 250 years of American innovation, entrepreneurship, and the relentless pursuit of excellence. It’s the spirit of America’s founders, who believed that free people with curiosity and hard work, can solve any problem. That spirit didn’t stop in 1776.

The Wright brothers proved humans could fly in 1903. And last month, Artemis II took us further in space than any human has gone before.

Today, US companies lead the world in Artificial Intelligence, biotechnology, and space exploration. The American Edge isn’t for Americans alone.

When Ugandans partner with American businesses, study at US universities, or collaborate with US researchers, they access world-class technology, cutting-edge research, transparent business practices, and professional networks to compete globally.

Our partnership has deep roots. From 1909, when US President Theodore Roosevelt helped document Uganda’s biodiversity, to 1952 when Professor William Senteza Kajubi became the first African Fulbright scholar.

During my nearly three years as US ambassador, I’ve witnessed this partnership deliver real results. When Ebola struck in 2025, the US stood shoulder-to-shoulder with Uganda.

We deployed US experts, provided diagnostic support, and worked with Ugandan health professionals to contain the outbreaks in less than 90 days.

We’ve also invested in the future. In January this year, we opened the new American Center-a state-of-the-art free public space showcasing the best of America to thousands of Ugandans every year.

We’ve also enhanced collaboration with Ugandan authorities to combat visa fraud, protecting border security and the integrity of legitimate travel.

American companies continue to create jobs and strengthen trade and investment. American philanthropic organisations, like the Rockefeller Foundation, set the global standard for responsible international partnership, establishing the Uganda Virus Research Institute in 1936.

American-founded community organisations like the Rotary and the Lions Clubs and US faith-based charities embody the American commitment of service to our neighbours.

In the health sector, where the United States remains Uganda’s largest partner, we signed a $2.3 billion Memorandum of Understanding representing critical co-investment in Uganda’s health security over the next five years.

This partnership sustains the decades-long American work to help eradicate HIV, malaria, and tuberculosis, as well as stop deadly outbreaks.

On May 27, the State Department allocated an additional $80 million to expand the ongoing response to the Ebola outbreak to more than $112 million in US support for the Ebola response in two weeks. Together, we are saving lives-not just in Uganda, but around the world.

The American Edge thrives in education too. Over 6,000 Ugandan alumni of US exchange programmes have come together under the US Exchange Alumni Network-applying American best practices in their communities. Scientists across Uganda use American computing power to unlock genetic codes of diseases. And our commercial diplomacy is bringing more US investment, including SpaceX’s cutting edge Starlink Internet services to millions of Ugandans.

Freedom 250 is a reflection on the past and a launchpad for the future. My time as US Ambassador is concluding, but the relationships that have been forged between our nations are lasting.

Together, we can build a future that benefits both our people. Here’s to the next 250 years of friendship, partnership, and shared prosperity.

Former Gender minister and Uganda Peoples Congress (UPC) stalwart Betty Amongi is among those who were dropped from their ministerial positions in the Cabinet reshuffle that was announced on Tuesday last week. Her dismissal, however, came as a surprise to many people since she was seemingly one of President Museveni’s trusted ministers and held several ministerial dockets. But some critics said they had warned her and several others from the Opposition, who were hobnobbing with the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) party that they risked being used and dumped.

The former Oyam South Member of Parliament, who is also the wife of the UPC president, Mr Jimmy Akena Obote, served as the minister of Lands, Housing, and Urban Development (2016 to 2019) and minister of Kampala Capital City Metropolitan Affairs (2019-2021) before being posted to lead the Ministry of Gender, Labour, and Social Development, where she served until May 26, 2026.

The relation between President Museveni and Akena and his wife was considered very cordial to the extent that when Mr Akena married Ms Amongi on April 7, 2013, President Museveni reportedly contributed Shs50 million towards the ceremony. Mr Akena married Ms Amongi at a colourful ceremony held at Minakulu Primary School, Minakulu Sub-county in Oyam District. President Museveni was the chief guest at the ceremony, which was attended by many dignitaries.

Mr Akena reportedly paid a bride price of 20 heads of cattle, Shs20 million and 12 goats. Also, back in 2015, Mr Museveni revealed that Akena’s UPC faction was close to forming an alliance with the NRM party. According to Mr Jimmy Awany, a UPC supporter in Lira City and a friend of Mr Akena, after the agreement was sealed, Mr Akena, a son of former President Milton Obote, urged his supporters to vote for Mr Museveni in the 2011, 2016 and 2021 elections. However, things fell apart in the build-up to the 2026 General Election, with Mr Akena joining the race for the presidency.

The Electoral Commission eventually disqualified him from the race. His wife, Ms Amongi, also abandoned her home county of Oyam South and relocated to Lira City where she contested against NRM’s Dr Jane Ruth Aceng in the race for the Lira City Woman MP seat. However, she lost the race. Ms Amongi polled 26,199 votes against Dr Aceng’s 38,074 votes, according to data from the Electoral Commission. On the streets of Lira City, some people are now questioning if Ms Amongi is a victim of the Akena-Museveni sweet-bitter relationship? In the new Cabinet, UPC’s Santa Alum, the Oyam South Member of Parliament, was been appointed as State minister for Economic Monitoring in the Office of the President.

Mr Akena, however, said UPC party was not consulted in regard to Ms Alum’s appointment. UPC said in a statement that Ms Alum’s acceptance of the appointment would be regarded as an individual decision, and not a position taken by the party. ‘UPC further clarifies that while the party has submitted a proposed framework for possible future structured political engagement and discussions with the National Resistance Movement (NRM), no active cooperation agreement, governing arrangement, or formal working partnership presently exists between the two parties,’ the statement reads in part. Mr Akena said the proposed framework submitted by UPC is subject to discussion, consultation, mutual agreement, and the resolution of outstanding issues identified by the party as necessary prerequisites for trust and meaningful engagement.

‘UPC, therefore, remains an independent political party in Opposition, guided by its constitutional structures, principles, and long-standing commitment to constitutionalism, democratic governance, national unity, social justice, and practical people-centred development. ‘The party will continue advancing its own political and policy positions through Parliament, public engagement, and its broader national structures, while maintaining cordial and constructive working relationships with fellow representatives of the people of Uganda in the 12th Parliament across the political divide,’ he said. Mr Jacob Ocen, the NRM spokesperson in Lango Sub-region, said the party’s leaders cannot transact any political and governance-related businesses with Mr Akena’s UPC faction because ‘they do not honour agreements.”

‘First of all, during and after the elections, there were some UPC factions President Museveni was calling ‘UPC Museveni’ and ‘UPC Akena’. UPC Akena was a defiant faction who were saying don’t vote for Museveni and UPC Museveni were campaigning for Museveni,’ he told Daily Monitor last Thursday. The team of ‘UPC Museveni’ included among others, Ms Alum, now appointed State minister for Economic Monitoring, and Mr Chris Ongom, a former UPC regional vice chairperson for Lango Sub-region. ‘When you look at the current situation, it means Museveni has shifted allegiance from Akena by opening a new chapter of dealing with UPC,’ Mr Ocen explained, adding: ‘Akena said in a statement that they were not consulted on the appointment of Santa Alum, yet according to NRM, they were no longer relevant.

This means they’re completely out of the alliance.’ Ms Amongi recently expressed gratitude to the people of Lira City for their support, while also alluding to the alleged political interference that characterised that election. ‘I assure them of my continued commitment to working with the people, listening to them, standing with them, and pursuing the vision we have consistently shared,’ she said. The former Gender minister added: ‘However, politics has a way of teaching difficult lessons: the impunity and undemocratic methods used against opponents can, in time, return to haunt them. That is a lesson all politicians should reflect upon.”