Category: Daily Monitor

As per Monitor Publication’s assessment of the exercise, while the majority of candidates who emerged victorious subscribed to the NRM party, a good fraction was declared winners unopposed.

In Gulu City’s Queens Parish in Pece-Laroo Division, the Electoral Commission (EC) declared NRM’s Baltham Akera unopposed amidst protest from the supporters of his opponent George Ochan after his candidacy was annulled over irregular nomination.

Whereas Mr Ochan vowed to challenge the results in court, the EC explained that his candidacy was cancelled after learning that he was irregularly nominated since he did not appear in the list of his village’s executive council.

In Arua City, at Old Bus Park/Bazar ward, Mr Abu Juma was elected chairman after the formation of the executive committee, which turned chaotic as members opposed the inclusion of those who are not in the register.

This halted the exercise for some time, and it was later resolved in a meeting where the elections were concluded.

“People wanted to confuse these LC2 elections with the NRM executive committee at that level; that is why they were including members who are in their register,” Mr Mahmood Ijosiga, a member of the NRM Entrepreneurs League, said.

Information shared by Arua City Electoral Commission Returning Officer, Mr Oshurian Ezale, indicates that out of 54 parishes in Ayivu East and West divisions, 36 contestants for the LC2 positions were unopposed.

In Adjumani District, Mr Dominic Ondoga, the former LC2 chairperson for Ciaha Parish, has been re-elected unopposed to serve another five-year term.

Speaking to the Monitor Publication yesterday, Mr Ondoga said he would prioritise engaging relevant leaders to fence the parish office as a measure to curb the rampant theft of government property as well as the push for the fencing of Oliga Primary School.

He also pledged to work with other authorities to ensure that all primary schools in the parish are adequately equipped with desks.

In Soroti City, at Senior Quarters Parish that comprises 11 cells, queues had formed by 10am as residents said they were looking for leaders who could address insecurity, poor health services, and access to government programmes like the Parish Development Model (PDM), Emyooga, etc.

Mr Alex Emuron Esekeya won with 59 votes, beating opponents Andrew Auruku (8 votes) and Patrick Asonya who got 2 votes.

Mr Emuron, who has also played a big role in restoring sanity, security and peace in the area, has pledged to treat residents of Senior Quarters equally and ensure that the elderly remain peaceful, united and secure.

In Oyam District, voters at Abela Parish in Alekt Sub-county elected NRM’s Denis Owani. Mr Owani polled 86 votes, defeating the incumbent, Mr Benson Odongo of the opposition Uganda Peoples Congress party who got 55 votes.

Mr Odongo became LC2 chairman following the death of Gilbert Anek in 2013.

In Malaba Town Council, the elections officer, Mr Simon Okwate, told this newspaper that in most wards, NRM flag bearers went through unopposed.

“Unlike the LC1 elections, the LC2 elections have been the most peaceful elections where my ward supervisors reported no competition for positions,” he said.

In Malaba Ward, Mr Albino Otabong was re-elected to serve his 6th term.

In Budaka and neighbouring districts, the NRM party swept the majority of LC2 chairperson seats. Out of 76 parishes in Budaka, 46 NRM flag bearers went through unopposed, and the remaining 30 were also NRM-leaning.

The Budaka District NRM chairperson, Mr Musa Kyebene, said the ruling party won in almost all parishes. “This win shows the party’s strengths and popularity,” he said.

In Mbalala, the elections were largely peaceful. The incumbent LC2 chairman of Nsoma Ward, Mr Kiti Yahaya, retained his position unopposed.

Meanwhile, in Masindi, Mr Patrick Alimawu, the incumbent chairperson of Western Ward, was elected unopposed after no candidate came forward to challenge him.

Other NRM candidates in Masindi also went through unopposed, including Mr Deogratius Jakisa (Kijura Parish), Mr Muhammad Lukumu (Kamugo Parish), and Mr Ahmed Gunya (Kiruhi Parish).

In Kibaale District, the majority of parish candidates were also elected unopposed.

Ms Jackline Aluhairwe, the district returning officer, said out of the 57 parishes in Kibaale, elections were conducted in only 11 parishes, while 46 parishes did not have elections because candidates were unopposed.

In Fort Portal City, the elections were similarly characterised by limited activity. According to the Electoral Commission Returning Officer, Mr Isaac Byamugisha, the city has 25 parishes, but polls were conducted in only seven, including the Northern Division.

In Mbarara, the EC Returning Officer for the city, Ms Violet Atuhairwe, said: “We have 23 wards in Mbarara City, and we are conducting elections in only two wards because the other 21 went through unopposed.”

In Biharwe West Ward, Mr Johnson Rushegyera Mugisha (NRM) won with 38 votes against Mr Abdul Ssegawa (independent), who garnered 27 votes.

Mr Wilber Twesigye (NRM) won in Rwakishaki Ward with 77 votes against Mr Francis Kahangwa (independent), who got 50 votes.

In Ibanda District, voting was peaceful in several parishes.

Returning Officer Ntamuh Ahas said Buhweju District has 105 parishes, but 67 parishes had unopposed candidates.

“The exercise kicked off at 9am with the arrival of participants, and by noon, the exercise came to an end. We did not register any case of violence,” he said.

In Kamwenge District, returning officer Daniel Nayebare said candidates for the LC2 chairperson’s seat in 28 out of 71 parishes went through unopposed, and the voting exercise was peaceful as voters elected their new leaders.

“All the candidates that went through unopposed belong to the NRM party. The voting exercise is peaceful as we have not registered any cases of violence or disputes,” Mr Nayebare said.

The Rubanda assistant returning officer, Mr Godfrey Arinaitwe, said elections in the 70 parishes in the district were peaceful.

The Kabale District Returning Officer, Ms Aisha Nansubuga, said around 10 candidates for the LC2 chairperson’s seat went through unopposed.

“We have 79 parishes in Kabale District and about 10 candidates vying for the LC2 seat went through unopposed, although they have to appoint their executive committee members. The election exercise has been peaceful with no challenges so far registered,” Ms Nansubuga said.

At the voting exercise that took place at Christ the King Church ground in Kabale Town, Ms Jemimah Kabakira-bo (NRM) retained her position as LC2 chairperson for Central Ward in Kabale Municipality.

She polled 37 votes, defeating her only opponent, Ms Medius Byaruganda (independent), who got 3 votes.

In Mityana Municipality, NRM’s Idi Kisekka won the Katakala Ward seat after defeating two other contenders, Noah Wamalwa and Godfrey Lumu, after garnering 54 votes.

In Mukono, NRM candidates emerged as winners in many parts of Mukono Central Division, though the exercise was marred by allegations of electoral irregularities.

At Fairland Playground in Nakabago, where elections for Ntawo Ward were conducted, Dr Paul Kiwuka got 70 votes, defeating John Ronald Ssebunnya Ssekingo, who got three votes.

However, Mr Ssebunnya rejected the results, accusing his opponent of electoral malpractice. He alleged that Dr Kiwuka influenced voters by offering free transport and claimed that some individuals who participated in the election were not on the official register. Mr Ssebunnya also questioned Dr Kiwuka’s eligibility, arguing that as a government employee, he should not have contested.

In response, Dr Kiwuka dismissed the accusations, maintaining that the election was conducted in a free and fair manner. He denied any involvement in voter bribery or manipulation.

ABOUT THE ELECTIONS

Elections for LC2 chairpersons, also known as Parish or Ward Chairpersons, were conducted in 10,718 parishes across Uganda yesterday, Electoral Commission spokesperson Julius Mucunguzi told the media.

The law provides for an executive committee at parish administrative unit consisting of eleven (11) members including the chairperson, vice chairperson. The law also requires that at least four of these members must be female.

Poverty levels in Busoga have remained a concern, despite the sub-region’s abundant agricultural and natural resources, with stakeholders saying more can be done to lift households out of poverty.

The 2019/2020 Uganda National Household Survey (UNHS) put poverty in Busoga at 29.4 percent, above the national rate of 20.3 percent. However, the latest 2023/2024 UNHS shows that monetary poverty in Busoga declined to 18.9 percent.

Stakeholders believe the poverty rate can be reduced further if the sub-region makes better use of its available resources and expands opportunities for households to earn sustainable incomes.

Mr David Mukisa, the Namutumba District chairperson, suggests that the historical cultivation of crops in different districts should be revived because they have the potential to generate significant wealth.

“Let’s go back to our original setting of emphasising the cultivation of various crops in areas where they flourish best since they are lucrative and see whether residents will remain poor,” Mr Mukisa says.

Mr Mukisa notes that in Namutumba District, one can use two acres of land to grow groundnuts, which can yield Shs10 million in a season.

He explains that groundnuts will always have a ready market because they are multi-purpose.

“This is a crop which can be consumed at home, as well as being utilised in the production of many things, so whoever goes into growing it will make money,” Mr Mukisa says.

Mr Mukisa, who advises residents to grow rice, saying that rice is always in high demand in the country. He says Busoga has a favourable climate for rice growing, but people are reluctant to engage in rice farming despite its potential to become an export crop for the sub-region.

Food security

Mr Rogers Kifuma, the Kaliro assistant Resident District Commissioner, says millet and oranges used to generate significant income for residents, but they have since abandoned growing them.

Mr Kifuma also millet prices rarely fluctuate, so any pack of it sold in a super section can improve their income.

“Millet and oranges grow well on Kaliro’s soils, but people are no longer growing them. If their cultivation is revived, poverty in Busoga will reduce,”

He observes that Kaliro currently imports many goods without exporting much, not even milk, which was commonly available when the district was a cattle corridor is now scarce. He sees locals have stopped rearing cattle on a large scale, a practice that should be revived.

Mr Kifuma argues that if residents in Busoga should be encouraged to grow food crops, saving money on food will reduce poverty, because they lack enough food despite having large families.

“Government should come up with a law criminalising anybody found without food crops, because this has proved to be another cause of poverty in the area, and do organize will reduce poverty,” Mr Kifuma says.

MAJOR SUGGESTIONS

Revive commercial farming

Grow crops suited to each area

Promote groundnut farming and rice growing

Revive millet and orange farming, large-scale cattle rearing

Encourage households to grow food crops

Promote smaller families

Expand government livelihood programmes such as PDM and Emyooga

Use government funds to boost businesses

Create more jobs within Busoga

Promote annual crops such as tomatoes, watermelons and maize, and invest in fish farming*

Educate children and equip them with skills

Encourage boda boda businesses

Jobs and businesses

Mr Abubaker Walubi, the chairperson of the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) party in Iganga District, says people in Busoga should avoid large families, arguing that having many children leaves families with little or nothing to save.

“These many children we produce in Busoga make us spend more than we earn. Therefore, residents should have fewer children until they are left with cash in their pockets,” he says.

He adds that the Parish Development Model (PDM), Emyooga and other programmes can help eradicate poverty in Busoga.

He explains that the Shs1 million that the government gives to people through PDM can empower them to boost their business.

The Buyende District chairperson, Mr Sharifu Mbinga Muziransa, proposes that each district in Busoga should create jobs for residents so they can earn income and contribute to the development of their local areas.

“For us in Buyende, we are developing a system of ensuring only people born in the district are employed so that they invest in the district because we have found that non-residents simply take the money back to their areas of origin,” Mr Mbinga says.

He stresses that growing annual crops such as tomatoes, watermelons, and maize can also improve the incomes of locals. He also identifies fish farming as an alternative way of fighting poverty in Busoga, given that the sub-region is surrounded by water bodies.

Education and skills

Mr Muatumu Musembya, a retired headteacher who now manages Buwenge Bm Primary School in Jinja District, urges parents to educate their children, saying it gives them a better chance of securing jobs in public offices, providing them with a stable source of income.

“If a child is not educated, there is no chance of serving in public offices when region academic title in set. Therefore, all residents should use schools within their reach to educate their children in preparation for continuous income generation and to prevent gaps in income that may arise upon the retirement of their parents,” Mr Musembya says.

Mr Eric Mutooya, the Busoga Sub-region boda boda coordinator, encourages people to engage in the boda boda industry because it is lucrative.

“On average, a boda boda rider can earn Shs10,000 a day. That is why many of them have been able to educate their children. Those who are jobless can join this sector as there are no academic qualifications required.

“He says that the problem with boda boda riders is reckless spending; otherwise, the money they earn can help increase household incomes in Busoga.

Prayer week

Meanwhile, the Busoga Consortium for Development has begun preparations for the fourth Busoga Prayer Week, scheduled for September 21 to 27. The event brings together religious, political and cultural leaders to mobilise efforts towards reducing poverty and accelerating socio-economic transformation in the sub-region.

The High Court in Kampala has ruled that jailed opposition leader Dr Kizza Besigye could have engaged his preferred lawyer, Kenyan Senior Counsel Martha Karua, remotely through Zoom despite her being barred from entering Uganda.

Justice Simon Peter Kinobe said the Judiciary’s rules on electronic filing and virtual proceedings provide for remote participation in court proceedings by judicial officers, parties and witnesses.

The judge said Dr Besigye’s lawyers could have applied for appropriate directions from the trial court to enable Ms Karua to participate virtually in his treason trial.

‘The court may, on its own motion, or on application by a party, allow proceedings to be conducted virtually. These provisions demonstrate that physical presence within Uganda is not, in every circumstance, indispensable to participation in judicial proceedings,’ Justice Kinobe ruled on Tuesday.

He added: ‘In the circumstances of the present case, the Applicants could have sought appropriate directions from the trial Court regarding remote participation by Hon. Martha Karua, SC, if they considered such participation necessary for the effective preparation and conduct of their defence.’

The ruling comes amid a prolonged dispute over Dr Besigye’s choice of legal representation, which has contributed to delays in the commencement of his treason trial.

On June 22, Ms Karua, who is also a Kenyan politician, was denied entry into Uganda at Entebbe International Airport and declared persona non grata by the Ugandan government.

She had travelled to Kampala to join the defence team representing Dr Besigye and Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago, who were facing charges arising from an alleged plot to overthrow the government.

Following Ms Karua’s exclusion from Uganda, Dr Besigye’s trial faced delays as he insisted on being represented by lawyers of his choice, including Ms Karua and Mr Lukwago.

The court has since attempted to provide state-appointed lawyers to represent him, but Dr Besigye has rejected them, insisting on his preferred counsel.

The dispute escalated on July 29 when Dr Besigye collapsed in the court dock after protesting for nearly 30 minutes against the state-appointed lawyers.

He was subsequently rushed to Mulago National Referral Hospital for medical attention.

Mr Lukwago is currently on remand at Luzira Prison on related charges of misprision of treason.

Right to counsel

In his ruling, Justice Kinobe said there was no evidence that Dr Besigye had been prevented from obtaining legal advice from Ms Karua through lawful means, including remote communication.

‘The evidence further does not establish that Hon. Martha Karua, SC, was thereby precluded from advising the Applicants, preparing pleadings, settling legal strategy, consulting with advocates on record or otherwise participating in the Applicants’ defence through lawful means,’ the judge said.

However, the judge cautioned that the availability of virtual proceedings should not be interpreted as removing an accused person’s constitutional right to counsel of choice.

‘The Court must, however, emphasise that the availability of virtual proceedings does not, of itself, extinguish the constitutional right to counsel of choice; rather, it is one of the mechanisms through which meaningful legal representation may, where appropriate, be facilitated,’ Justice Kinobe ruled.

The judge was interpreting Rule 32 of the Judicature (Electronic Filing, Service and Virtual Proceedings) Rules, 2025, which provides for the phased implementation of video conferencing and virtual court platforms.

The rules allow courts, either on their own motion or upon application by a party, to permit proceedings to be conducted virtually.

The four-time presidential candidate and Hajj Lutale had asked Justice Kinobe to declare that they are entitled to be defended by advocates of their own choice, including their lead counsel, Karua.

They had also asked to declare that the blocking, detention and expulsion of their lawyer Karua at Entebbe, and her classification as a prohibited immigrant and as a persona non grata – the sole ground stated being “persona non grata,” which is not a ground recognised by the Uganda Citizenship and Immigration Control Act, Act No. 3 of 1999, was unconstitutional.

They reasoned that the said acts were taken without lawful authority, without any hearing, in bad faith and for an improper and collateral purpose, and were contrary to the constitution.

Dr Besigye’s treason case is scheduled to resume next Tuesday before Justice Emmanuel Baguma.

The prison authorities are expected to furnish the court with a medical report on Dr Besigye’s condition and whether he is medically fit to stand trial.

Prosecution alleges that Dr Besigye, Hajj Obeid Lutale, and Captain Denis Oola participated in meetings held in Uganda and abroad between 2023 and 2024 as part of a plan to overthrow the government.

The three accused persons deny the allegations.

Students say exam pressure is becoming unbearable, blaming it on overloaded revision schedules, public shaming over marks, inadequate counselling, and poor study guidance.

They urge schools to adopt humane academic practices and protect mental health.

During exam season, teachers often rush to complete syllabi, packing 12 hours of non-stop coaching into a single day. By 4pm, your brain is completely fried.

Schools should introduce light revision schedules during mock and final exam weeks, with mandatory breaks.

Dedicating even 30 minutes every Friday to stress-relief activities-like class sports, music, or guided peer talks-would help us recharge and stay focused.

Ivan Kizito, S4, Mengo Senior School

A lot of our anxiety comes directly from how results are communicated. When teachers read out mock marks publicly or warn us about failing Uneb every morning, it creates panic instead of motivation.

Schools need to train staff to give one-on-one constructive feedback. When a teacher sits down with you privately to explain where you missed marks and how to correct them, it builds confidence instead of fear.’

Sarah Akwero, S6, Mengo Senior School

The biggest cause of stress is not knowing how to revise effectively. Many students cram endlessly because they don’t understand Uneb question framing or marking schemes.

Schools should hold practical exam-technique workshops early in the term. Providing past papers alongside clear examiner marking guides gives us a roadmap, taking away the guesswork and fear of the unknown.

Prossy Nalubega, S4, Mengo Senior School

Exam stress doesn’t start and end at school-it follows us home. Parents often demand Aggregate 8 or 20 points without realising how tough the competition is.

Schools should invite parents to pre-exam orientation meetings to sensitize them on how to support their children emotionally rather than piling on unbearable pressure.

Amina Hussein, S4, Kololo Senior Secondary School

In many day and boarding schools, night preps run too late into the night, leaving students with barely four hours of sleep. A tired brain cannot perform well in an exam room.

School administrators should enforce strict sleep schedules during exam periods and ensure students get proper, nutritious meals to keep their energy and concentration levels high.

Daniel Ochen, S4, Kololo SSS

Examinations should be made normal to students by giving out more small tests/assignments along the way before the final examinations.

Rachael Ahimbisibwe, S5 Mbarara High School

Teachers should actually teach us how to revise, not just say ‘go revise’. Half of us don’t even know how to study properly, we just panic and reread the textbook’. A proper session on revision techniques would help.

Christopher Gumisiriza, S3 St. John’s Rutsya Secondary School

It is honestly stressful when teachers pile on more work right before exams. Some free periods or light days closer to exams would help way more.They should at least give us a chill period before exams, not extra homework.

Rebecca Natumanya, S2 Kaberebere COU Secondary School

Examinations shouldn’t all be put in the same week. Like, why do I have Mathematics, Chemistry and History finals back to back?

A day gap should be given for proper revision instead of cramming everything at once.

Maurice Ainamani, S5 St. John’s Rutsya Secondary School

Let us talk to someone if we’re stressed, without it being a whole thing.

A counsellor or even just a teacher we trust can do better, without everyone finding out or it going on some record. Sometimes we just need to vent before we explode.

Elijah Ddumba, S6 Mbarara High School

Reading out marks or ranking students after examinations in class makes it worse. Some of them are already anxious enough without being compared to everyone else out loud.They should approach a student at a time to advise where to do better and not publish their failures.

Esther Nakibuule, S3 Kaberebere COU Secondary School

Schools should be giving us continuous tests to get us used to exams, so that by the time exams come, everything is normal to us’

Agatha Nantale, S5, Bishop Cyprian Kihangire SSS, Luzira.

They should give students sample papers and corrections all the time.

Slavia Okumu, S5, St John SSS. Bweyogerere.

Schools should be giving us at least one resting day in between the exams, not back-to-back exams

Joyce Babirye, S4, Brothers of the Sacred Heart Project Uplift Mutungo Biina

Schools should 1st understand how each of us is treated at home, before giving us exams. Some students do a lot of chores at home and barely have time to read, which brings exam pressure, hence stressing us.

Brian Ayesiga, S2, Luzira SSS.

Schools should help us get used to papers through regular assignments to help ease the pressure that comes with exams

Uganda Railways Corporation (URC), in partnership with the Ministry of Works and Safe Way Right Way, has launched a safety campaign dubbed ‘Safe Tracks. Safe Roads. Safe Lives’ aimed at averting railway crashes at level crossings.

URC Managing Director Mr Benon Kajuna said the campaign targets motorists, drivers, cyclists, pedestrians and communities living and operating along the railway reserve.

‘Accidents involving trains and road users in Uganda and globally are relatively few compared with those involving other modes of transport, especially road transport; however, they can be destructive when they occur, resulting in serious injury, loss of life and property, and the damage they cause,’ Mr. Kajuna said.

He expressed concern over rising disregard for safety at crossings. ‘We have noted with concern that many road users continue to disregard instructions from the level crossing guards, pedestrians along the corridor and on the railway lines,’ Mr. Kajuna said.

As a short-term measure, he announced that all high-risk level crossings across the country will be fitted with manual barriers. ‘All high-risk level crossings across the country will be fitted with manual barriers as a short-term safety measure to strengthen control and reduce the risk of accidents, while long-term solutions are being pursued, with the automation of level crossings remaining our long-term objective,’ he added.

The campaign follows several incidents and near misses at level crossings.

On December 19, 2025, a fatal crash at the Wankoko level crossing in Bugolobi, a Kampala suburb, involving a Commuter Train Service travelling from Kampala to Namanve and a private motor vehicle claimed the life of American national Savannah Gardner.

Last month, a bus carrying students and teachers from Mwebaze High School which was coming from Mukono towards Jinja collided with a train at Namumira Level Crossing in Mukono District, resulting in one fatality and multiple injuries.

Sgt David Mwanje, the Officer in-Charge of Railway Police at Kyetume and Namumira level crossings, who was seen in a viral video flagging down the ill-fated bus, recounted the incident.

‘The train had reached and had reduced its speed because there is a stage around that place where passengers embark on the train,’ Sgt Mwanje said. He added that after realising the bus was going to hit the train, he survived by falling into a trench.

He said he had stopped taxis, trucks and boda boda riders, but the bus failed to stop. Sgt Mwanje theorized that the driver refused to stop because he had ‘some issues’, or thought that he was a policeman on a routine traffic stop that would see him penalized.

Earlier, URC Spokesperson Mr John Linnon Ssengendo said preliminary findings indicated that the bus driver failed to comply with traffic instructions at the crossing.

Authorities say the ‘Safe Tracks. Safe Roads. Safe Lives’ campaign will include public sensitization, increased deployment of crossing guards, and stricter enforcement at high-risk points along the railway corridor.

Ntare School, one of the country’s most prestigious secondary schools and a cradle of some of the region’s most influential leaders, celebrated 70 years of excellence, late July, with the anniversary serving as both a reflection on its distinguished past and a renewed commitment to shaping future generations.

The celebrations brought together hundreds of former students, education leaders, government officials and development partners to honour the school’s legacy, while mobilising support for its future.

Current headteacher Saul Rwampororo said the milestone goes beyond commemorating the institution’s history. ‘This anniversary is about reconnection and shared purpose,’ Rwampororo said during the launch of the celebrations.

‘It gives us a moment to reflect on our proud history while also engaging alumni and partners to help shape the next chapter of the nature story.’ He said the school remains committed to the values of discipline, integrity and service that have defined it for seven decades.

According to Mr Rwampororo, the anniversary presented an opportunity to strengthen partnerships that will support infrastructure development, mentorship programmes and improved learning opportunities for future generations.

The celebrations were also a rallying point for the Ntare School Old Boys Association (NSOBA), whose leaders say the occasion is a call for alumni to invest in the institution that helped shape their lives.

NSOBA chairman Apollo Kashanku described the 70-year milestone as more than a celebration of past achievements.

‘As Ntare marks 70 years of excellence, we are reflecting on a legacy built on discipline, integrity and service. More importantly, we are reaffirming our commitment to the future, inviting all alumni and partners to be part of what comes next,’ he said.

Kashanku said the celebrations offered former students spread across Uganda and the world an opportunity to reconnect while inspiring the next generation of leaders.

Over the years, Ntare School has earned a reputation as one of Uganda’s leading centres of learning and leadership.

Its alumni include President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda and former Rwandan President Paul Kagame, whose time at the school has often been cited as a symbol of the institution’s regional influence.

The school has produced a long list of prominent public figures, including former Prime Minister Amama Mbabazi, former deputy premier Eriya Kategaya, former ministers John Nasasira, Elioda Tumwesigye, Tarsis Kabwegyere, Fred Ruhindi, James Nsaba Buturo, Richard Kaijuka, current Internal Affairs Minister Prof Ephraim Kamuntu, Prof Charles Kwesiga, Lt Gen Fred Mugira, and many others.

Other distinguished alumni include former Rwandan Deputy Prime Minister Patrick Mazimhaka, educationist Prof Elly Katunguka and retired Justice Jotham Tumwesigye.

The school’s influence extends beyond politics, with former students making significant contributions in medicine, engineering, academia, diplomacy, literature, entrepreneurship and sports.

With its enduring motto, Better Your Best, Ntare School hopes the platinum jubilee will inspire both its old boys and current students to continue pursuing excellence while preserving the values that have defined it as one of East Africa’s most celebrated schools.

Members of Parliament from the Lango Sub-region on Monday toured the Akii-Bua Olympic Stadium in Lira City to get first-hand assurance that the mega facility will be ready to host matches during the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.

The delegation, led by Lango Parliamentary Group Chairperson Mr. Patrick Ogwang Obura, inspected the sprawling construction site, assessed workmanship, engaged the contractor’s technical team, and listened to concerns from the local community.

What they found, the lawmakers said, was encouraging. The Shs470 billion stadium being built by Egyptian firm SAMCO National Construction Company is advancing steadily.

“We have gone round it. We have seen the work in progress. We have seen very steady work that is promising,” Mr Ogwang Obura told journalists at the site.

He thanked President Museveni for fulfilling a pledge to the sub-region and commended the contractor.

“As chairman, Lango Parliamentary Group, once again, I want to thank the President for promising Lango and for fulfilling it. You can stand here and see a mega project of the stadium. We also want to thank the leadership of SAMCO, and the technical team, for ensuring that this project is delivered,” Mr. Ogwang Obura said.

Timeline pushes into 2027

Project Manager Eng. Mohammed Nazih told the legislators that works had reached the 75 percent mark as of Monday.

But MPs cautioned that the initial December 2026 completion date cited to Parliament may no longer hold.

“The Project Manager, we have seen the progress you’re making. It is promising, though in Parliament, we are told by December you would be done with this project. But from this visit, we are now learning that this may go up to January or February,” one legislator noted.

The contractor’s revised schedule shows construction began on May 3, with completion now set for February 2, 2027 – just weeks before AFCON kicks off.

Access road and community concerns

The inspection also exposed infrastructural gaps. While a 1.8-kilometre access road to the stadium has been built, MPs found its width inadequate for the expected traffic of vehicles and spectators.

To address this, the Lango Parliamentary Group said it will push for negotiations with Uganda Prisons Service to acquire neighboring land to widen the road.

Lawmakers also flagged the need for a formal profiling and compensation exercise for community members affected by the project, to ensure all legal and social obligations are honoured before momentum toward AFCON 2027 is lost.

The group thanked the technical teams, contractor, and local community for their cooperation, describing the stadium as more than infrastructure – “a unifying symbol for football fans and residents alike” – that will rise under the watch of the City Mayor and the Resident City Commissioner.

About the project

The Akii-Bua Olympic Stadium is financed by the Government of Uganda, with the National Council of Sports as client. President Yoweri Museveni flagged off construction of the 20,000-seat facility on January 29, following the contract signing with SAMCO on December 6, 2024. The contractor was given 20 months to deliver.

Once complete, the stadium will feature a 20,000-seat main bowl with an athletics track, training facilities with at least two changing rooms, a 2,000-seat multi-sport indoor arena, a 25-metre semi-Olympic swimming pool, and outdoor courts for basketball, netball, volleyball and badminton.

Other components include a 1,000-vehicle parking facility, a fully furnished clubhouse, a 60-room hostel, five sports pitches, a borehole, plus roads, utilities, ICT systems, a sewerage treatment plant, landscaping, perimeter fencing and security systems as Lira positions itself to host continental football in 2027.

At least 25 percent of learners in Ugandan schools miss school due to violence, according to a report by a lecturer at Makerere University.

Eddy Joshua Walakira, a professor of Social Work, Children and Youth, says corporal punishment tops the list of forms of violence meted out at school.

‘Despite various interventions to end violence against children, the vice is still very much entrenched. A quarter or 25 percent of school children, or 1 in every 4 girls and 1 in every 6 boys, miss school due to violence,’ Mr Walakira said.

‘The most common form of violence is corporal punishment, followed by emotional violence. Sexual violence is not widespread, but mostly it affects girls, although some boys are also victimised. There is also a lot of bullying.’

Mr Walakira’s report came during a two-day National Good School Symposium organised by Raising Voices from June 30 to July 1, 2026. The symposium was held under the theme, ‘Together creating good schools where every child can thrive.’

According to Prof Walakira, violence within the school environment affects both boys and girls and is mainly triggered by teachers obsessed with good grades, followed by some students.

‘Violence is mostly from teachers within the school system, but peer-to-peer violence is also common,’ he added.

‘The way forward is to improve the school culture to do away with the belief that children can’t perform well without being caned.’

He explained that violence against children affects their academic performance and general growth, emphasising the need to prevent the vice effectively to promote a violence-free school environment.

According to him, sensitising teachers and learners and reactivating measures to punish the perpetrators of violence could help solve the problem at hand.

He advised schools to embrace positive discipline to substitute violent corrective measures.

Prof Walakira’s call is for teachers to strive to find out the cause of a child’s poor performance, so that necessary support can be rendered.

‘Find out why the child is performing poorly. It could be that the teaching is not good, or the student comes to school when they are hungry, or the learning environment is not conducive. There could be a whole range of factors,’ he explained.

In response, the Minister of State for Primary Education, Ms Phyllis Chemutai, acknowledged that violence against children remains an issue of concern.

‘Recently, a teacher boxed a student to death. Rape and sexual harassment still exist,’ he said.

‘My prayer is that the teachers respect their code of conduct and respect girls. Their work is to teach, not to rape or harass the learners. During my school days, some teachers could send girls to take books to their homes and end up abusing them sexually. The question is, how do we build a culture where violence is rejected even when no one is watching?’

Mr Hassan Mulusi, a technical advisor on violence against children at Raising Voices organisation, asked educationists to be intentional in ending violence against children.

‘Government has made commitments to prevent violence against children in schools, civil society has interventions in schools, and we would like to share how those interventions are impacting a child. The learners, too, have a role to play in ending violence,’ he said.

Mr Mulusi noted that the good school tool kits that Raising Voice developed and distributed to about 2500 primary and secondary schools in a bid to end the issue at hand.

‘The kits have empowered learners with information that encourages them to speak out in case they are confronted with violence among others,’ he said.

UNICEF report

A recent United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) report mirrors Mr Walakira’s findings, showing that most children in Uganda have experienced physical violence that threatens and halts their holistic and positive development – 59 per cent of girls and 68 per cent of boys.

Mr Mondo Kyateeka, assistant Commissioner for Youth and Children’s Affairs at the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development, said it is the responsibility of everybody to ensure that children are safe, thrive, learn, and progress through school.

‘All of us must play our part. Things don’t just happen, but they are made to happen. We must be the architects of a non -violent ecosystem that will support children to stay in school,’ he said while wondering why only about 800,000 children complete the primary school level cycle in a country where 2 million babies are born annually.

‘You need to ask District Education Officers, school inspectors, the teachers, teachers, and parents, are we being accountable?’ he questioned.

Ms Blessing Nahurira, S6, St Joseph’s Secondary School Nkoni, Lwengo district, says a good school goes beyond having good buildings and large compounds, but promotes a conducive environment where students are given platforms to share their ideas and concerns.

Violence-free environment

Doreen Kemigisa of Tooro High School in Fort Portal City says a good school is violence-free and embraces positive discipline.

Child rights in Uganda are primarily protected by the 1995 Constitution, the Children Act, and key regional and international treaties.

The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), which Uganda ratified in 1990, commits to protecting children’s rights to survival, development, protection, and participation, and the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (ACRWC).

Police in Jinja City have arrested a 41-year-old man accused of impersonating a freelance journalist with Nation Media Group (NMG), the parent company of Daily Monitor and NTV Uganda, among others.

The suspect, identified as Edwin Mayende, a resident of Buyanja B Village, Bukungu Town Council in Buyende District, was arrested in the Golf Course area of Jinja City on Monday.

Among the documents found on him was a curriculum vitae (CV) indicating that he studied at Elgon View Primary School, Seeta College Mukono and Tororo Progressive Academy. He later attended the Uganda Institute of Business and Media Studies in Kampala, where he obtained a diploma in Business, Media and Journalism.

Kiira Regional Police spokesperson James Mubi said Mr Mayende was found in possession of forged documents.

‘He has forged documents, including a national ID and a workers’ ID. He has been masquerading as a freelance journalist working with Daily Monitor,’ Mr. Mubi said.

Police said they moved to verify his claims with both the local bureau and NMG headquarters.

‘We engaged the bureau chief of Jinja City, Daily Monitor, to verify whether he was a staff member, but he had never been part of the organisation. We also went ahead to verify with the headquarters in Kampala, and he was not in the database,’ Mr Mubi said.

A backpack containing several items was also recovered and is being examined as part of the investigation.

‘Our Crime Intelligence team is thoroughly interrogating him because we have to establish other criminal activities he may have been involved in,’ Mr Mubi said.

Mr Mubi warned against impersonating journalists or using forged documents to commit crimes.

‘These are the people who snatch mobile phones and can even go ahead to rape our people. These are the people involved in criminal activities,’ he said.

He said the suspect will be arraigned once investigations are complete.

‘When our inquiry is complete, he is going to be taken to court and remanded to Kitalya,’ Mr. Mubi said.

He also appealed to young people to shun crime. ‘This is an appeal especially to the youth: be productive and do lawful activities. You will not succeed if your aim is to commit crime,’ he said.

Mr. Mubi said police are committed to keeping Jinja safe for residents and visitors.

‘Our aim is to make Jinja the number one tourist destination in Africa. That is why we do not treat any case as minor. Whether a case is minor or major, to us it is major,’ he said.

The Uganda Meteorology Authority recently confirmed what most people are feeling. It is the dry season, and the sun will be up in the sky bright and early, almost every day. It is also the season when the air will be thin and most likely to be polluted with dust, owing mostly to the condition of our roads.

This all comes after the country won its fight against the Ebola outbreak, which required many to maintain social distancing and extreme hygiene.

The Ministry of Health has encouraged schools to apply the standard operating procedures as a way of preventing infections for this hemorrhagic fever, which has caused untold havoc in neighboring countries.

In addition to this, the prevailing weather situation could also lead to an explosion of a recurring ailment – influenza or flu and cough, which can be disruptive to a learner’s life.

Several learners are asking to return home to rest and recover, while others may also be hospitalized.

Those on treatment are juggling numerous remedies, from various syrups to tablets and intravenous fluids; most do not avail. Others, desperate for a break, have resorted to unconventional treatments, including concoctions.

Many parents are wondering whether this ailment is immune to the various conventional remedies. They are anxious to hear from health professionals, who they hope can avoid turning this into a money-spinning exercise, instead of finding a viable cure.

In a situation where everyone who is coughing is suffering from a viral infection that is spread through antibiotics that seem to mask the source of the bacteria, there is increased anxiety when the remedy is not curing the ailment.

So, what is being done to avoid illness altogether appears radical as teachers and parents are once again emphasizing the use of face masks among the school community to avoid infections.

Apart from this, schools and parents, where possible, should encourage learners to consume honey as a preventive remedy in the case of a cough.

Recommended by health workers and nutritionists, lemon and ginger can be provided in warm drinks, particularly for those who do not usually suffer from ulcers.