Category: Daily Monitor

A few years ago, discussions about imports focused on goods crossing borders, customs declarations, and clearing agents. Today, however, many organisations import something far less visible but equally important: services.

Every time a business pays for cloud storage, subscribes to software such as Microsoft 365 or Adobe, hires a foreign consultant, purchases online advertising from Google or Meta, or engages an overseas service provider, tax obligations may arise.

The challenge is that imported services are easy to miss. No truck arrives at your premises. No customs paperwork is filed. The service simply appears on your screen or on your monthly invoice.

Yet from the Uganda Revenue Authority’s perspective, these transactions are real and can create significant tax exposure if not handled correctly.

Imported services are services supplied by a non-resident person or company for use or consumption in Uganda. Common examples include software subscriptions, cloud hosting, foreign consultancy, online advertising, international training, research services, licensing arrangements, and digital platform services.

As organisations become more digital, imported services are becoming part of everyday operations. Unfortunately, many finance teams still underestimate the tax implications attached to them.

Tax authorities pay close attention to imported services because foreign suppliers often have no physical presence in Uganda. Without specific tax rules, income generated from these transactions could escape taxation altogether.

To address this, tax obligations are frequently shifted to the Ugandan recipient of the service. This is where many organisations unknowingly become non-compliant.

The VAT challenge

One of the most common issues involves Value Added Tax (VAT). Imported services may be subject to VAT under the reverse charge mechanism, where the local recipient is responsible for accounting for the tax.

Many organisations assume that because a foreign supplier did not charge Ugandan VAT, no VAT is due. That assumption can be costly.

Other than businesses operating in sectors where VAT is fully recoverable, such Oil and Gas, reverse charge VAT can become a direct cost to the organisation. Banks, insurance companies, SACCOs, and similar institutions often rely heavily on imported software, cybersecurity solutions, and international advisory services, making them particularly exposed.

Technology companies and NGOs are not exempt

Technology companies depend heavily on imported services, including cloud infrastructure, software development tools, Artificial Intelligence platforms, and foreign technical support. While these businesses often focus on innovation and growth, tax compliance can easily be overlooked.

NGOs face a different challenge. Many assume that donor funding or non-profit status automatically removes tax obligations.

In reality, imported services such as foreign consultancy, online subscriptions, research services, and technical assistance may still create tax exposure.

Failure to identify these obligations can lead to unexpected liabilities and difficult discussions with donors when assessments arise.

What about withholding tax?

VAT is only part of the story. Depending on the nature of the service and the applicable tax rules, payments to non-resident service providers may also trigger withholding tax obligations. The correct treatment often depends on factors such as the source of income, available tax treaty benefits, and supporting documentation.

Organisations that focus only on paying the supplier’s invoice often miss this critical step.

Common mistakes

Several mistakes appear repeatedly during tax reviews:

Assuming the foreign supplier is responsible for all tax compliance.

Treating software subscriptions as ordinary operating expenses without tax assessment.

Ignoring small recurring subscriptions that accumulate into significant exposure over time.

Signing contracts without involving finance or tax teams.

Assuming NGOs are automatically exempt from imported service taxes.

Poor coordination between procurement, finance, legal, and tax functions.

Failing to maintain adequate supporting documentation.

Waiting for a tax audit before reviewing imported service transactions.

Individually, these issues may appear minor. Collectively, they can result in substantial tax assessments, penalties, and interest.

What organisations should do

Organisations should conduct a proactive review of all imported service transactions. This review should identify foreign service providers, evaluate software subscriptions, assess consultancy arrangements, review online advertising expenditure, confirm VAT treatment, assess withholding tax implications, and ensure supporting documentation is available.

The organisations that manage imported service taxation successfully are not necessarily the largest. They are simply the ones who ask the right questions before making payments rather than after receiving an audit notice.

The modern economy runs on services, and increasingly those services originate from outside Uganda.

Whether it is cloud computing, artificial intelligence tools, international consulting, or digital advertising, imported services are now essential to growth and efficiency.

But every imported service should prompt one important question: Have we properly considered the tax implications?

Organisations that address this question early are more likely to protect profitability, maintain compliance, and avoid costly surprises in the future.

The world may be becoming borderless, but taxation has not.

A last-minute rush for passports briefly unsettled some members of the Woodball Cranes as the national team assembled for a one-month residential camp ahead of next month’s World Cup in Malaysia.

The players were officially flagged off on Saturday by Uganda Woodball Federation president Paul Mark Kayongo, with the camp set to be based in Bunjakko, Mpigi.

A valid passport is a compulsory requirement for the training camp ahead of the trip to the July 24-30 World Cup in Perlis, Malaysia, and several players were still working to complete the process as the team prepared to enter camp.

Kayongo said the federation would not compromise on the standards expected of national team players, warning that discipline and adherence to the camp code of conduct would be closely monitored.

‘Selection is only the first step. Wearing the national colours comes with responsibility, discipline and sacrifice. We expect every player to respect the code of conduct, commit fully to the programme and represent Uganda in a manner that protects the image of the federation and the country,’ Kayongo said.

The 2026 World Cup will be the 10th World Cup Woodball Championship and is expected to attract leading players from across the world.

Fresh faces, old lessons

The federation is determined to avoid the uncertainty that surrounded the World Cup preparations in 2024, when the team failed to secure funding for the championship in China.

The frustration and restlessness that followed forced the federation to handpick players for the fourth World Cup Beach Woodball Championship in Rayong, Thailand last year.

That team still delivered results, with Thomas Kedi winning silver in the men’s fairway singles. Jackline Naula took bronze in the women’s singles before partnering Christine Birungi for bronze in the women’s doubles.

This time, the federation opted for more competitive trials, with only Birungi retaining her place from the women’s team and Kedi the sole survivor from the men’s side.

KIU’s growing influence

Kampala International University (KIU) has emerged as one of the biggest contributors to the national team, supplying four players, two men and two women.

Shakira Nagudi, Sanyu Mirembe, Bridge Byamukama and Brian Gwaaka all made the final squad after KIU initially had eight athletes among the 29 participants in the first national trials.

Gwaaka topped the men’s qualifiers with 408 strokes during the non-residential training phase, finishing 28 strokes better than 2024 captain Daniel Apita of Uganda Prisons.

Prisons remain dominant in the men’s category with four players; Isaac Ariho, Samson Rugongeza Isaac Nabugere and Apita.

Byamukama, who qualified as the fourth-best player, described his selection as a reward for a demanding six-weekend routine that saw him shuttle between Rushere-Mbarara, where he works with Tomosi’s Farm, and Kyambogo University Peace Park or Luzira Prisons, for training.

‘It is an absolute honour to represent Uganda. I feel great, but most importantly I thank my teammates, the Spartans and everyone who supported us through this journey,’ Byamukama said.

Woodball Cranes final team

MEN: Brian Gwaaka (KIU), Daniel Apita (Prisons), Thomas Kedi (NCWC), Bridge Byamukama (KIU), Samson Rugongeza (Prisons), Isaac Nabugere (Prisons), David Kabugo (KU), Isaac Ariho (Prisons)

WOMEN: Denise Nanjeru (KYU), Christine Birungi (MOPS), Noeline Babirye (UNIK), Joan Mukoova (MOPS), Joyce Nalubega (MOPS), Mirembe Sanyu (KIU), Florence Mukoya (KU), Shakirah Nagudi (KIU)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Education

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

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

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

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

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

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

Health

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

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

Agriculture

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Elsewhere

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

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

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

The East African grain trade is expanding in volume, but struggling with a quieter crisis of trust, where a single inconsistency in quality can decide whether consignments move smoothly across borders or lose value before reaching the market.

As Uganda and Kenya deepen trade ties in maize, beans, sorghum, rice and pulses, the real test is no longer production capacity, but whether standards, financing systems and logistics can keep pace with a fast-growing regional market.

During a high-level business engagement between traders, cooperatives, and policymakers, stakeholders described a sector at a turning point, where traditional trading practices are colliding with new regulatory frameworks, digital systems, and cross-border harmonisation efforts aimed at reshaping how grain moves in the region.

From the policy front, Uganda is framing grain not just as a commodity but as a strategic development pillar shaping regional resilience and long-term economic planning.

Mr Cleopas Ndorere, the Commissioner for External Trade at the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives, anchored the discussion in a historical context and policy direction, stressing that grain remains central to development, storage systems, and regional stability.

He said, ‘Those of you who do not know the importance or the critical importance of grain, I invite you to reflect on its long-standing role in food systems and resilience planning. It is critical in nutrition, storage capacity, longevity, and regional stability.’

Staples in regional trade

Mr Ndorere emphasized that maize, beans, sorghum, rice, soybeans and groundnuts remain the dominant staples in regional trade, but quality gaps continue to undermine competitiveness and trust between markets.

He noted, ‘What is happening in the trade of grain across our countries is that the quality has been lacking. If you are drying on the ground or on the road, that means there is a compromise on standards.’

He explained that governments are responding through stricter quality systems, harmonised standards, and trade facilitation measures aimed at reducing duplication and improving efficiency.

He said, ‘If the grain is certified in Uganda, it need not be certified again in Kenya. That cuts down the cost of doing business and reduces turnaround time for traders.’

Mr Ndorere also pointed to reforms at border points, including simplified trade regimes for small traders and the gradual shift toward digital clearance systems that reduce delays and congestion.

He added, ‘We are introducing smarter border systems where vehicles and goods are pre-cleared… You simply move through after scanning, reducing unnecessary stops.’

He further noted that small cross-border traders are being formally integrated through simplified documentation systems and trade information desks designed to support informal operators transitioning into structured commerce.

From the market facilitation side, regional grain traders say the biggest challenge is not production, but coordination, aggregation, and predictable markets.

Mr Herbert Kyeyamwa, the country director of the East African Grain Council, framed the sector as both economically vital and structurally fragmented, calling for deeper integration between enterprises across borders.

He said, ‘We are here because of a shared vision of a more integrated, competitive and resilient grain sector in East Africa… the grain sector is not just an agricultural sub-sector, it is the lifeblood of our region.’

Mr Kyeyamwa pointed to ongoing collaborations bringing together Ugandan and Kenyan enterprises to build structured trade relationships and improve market access through business-to-business engagements.

He explained, ‘The Business to Business (B2B) sessions are the engine for trade and collaboration designed to start conversations, concrete trade linkages and eventually sign deals.’

He emphasized that success will not be measured by meetings alone, but by sustained partnerships and improved livelihoods for actors across the value chain.

He said, ‘The success of this mission will be measured not just by the number of trade agreements we sign, but by the long-term partnerships we forge.’

Collective marketing

At the cooperative level, Kenyan farmer organisations say aggregation systems are helping farmers survive volatile prices while improving access to inputs and finance, though structural inefficiencies persist.

Mr Nahashon Kagiri, the chairman of Ngarua Cereals and Produce Cooperative Society in Kenya, described a model built around collective marketing and post-harvest discipline to protect farmers from exploitation at peak harvest periods.

He said, ‘We assist small-scale farmers and medium-scale farmers in production and marketing. The purpose of aggregation is to wait a bit for the market to mature so that farmers can benefit.’

Mr Kagiri explained that cooperatives are increasingly acting as financial intermediaries, providing advances to farmers against stored grain, reducing reliance on high-cost credit sources.

He noted, ‘We can advance up to 60 percent of what the farmers have stored at the current market price. During sales, we recover what we advanced at a small interest of 6 percent.’

However, he raised concerns about inconsistent grain quality across borders, particularly aflatoxin contamination in some consignments sourced from Uganda, which affects market confidence despite strong demand.

He said, ‘In some periods, the maize from Uganda has aflatoxins. Not always, but it happens.’

Despite these challenges, he acknowledged Uganda’s central role in regional food supply, especially during shortages in Kenya’s semi-arid producing zones.

He added, ‘Even if we grow maize, it is hardly enough; that is why most of the maize comes from Uganda.’

On the supply chain and export side, Ugandan private sector actors are increasingly positioning themselves as structured exporters leveraging warehousing, logistics, and compliance systems.

Why transition remains uneven

Ms Oliver Akullo, the quality assurance officer at Erymags Enterprises Limited in Lira City, described a growing export-oriented operation dealing in grains and pulses such as soya, sesame, millet, sorghum, pigeon peas and chia.

She said, ‘We have a warehouse capacity of 2,000 metric tons and a twin warehouse of 4,000 metric tonnes… and a fleet of trailers with about 35 metric tonnes capacity each, meaning our logistics are highly efficient.’

Ms Akullo noted that while export potential is strong across multiple markets including Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and beyond, operational gaps remain in documentation and trade information flow.

She explained, ‘The limited communication makes it very hard, people do not have enough information on procedures, but if communication improves, we shall be on the same page.’

She also pointed to a shift from manual contracting systems to digital trade platforms that allow buyers and sellers to express interest and formalise agreements more efficiently.

She said, ‘Previously, people used physical paper communication, but now we are going more digital; we can express interest and enter into contracts.’

Across the region, the grain sector is being reshaped by four forces operating simultaneously: policy harmonisation, cooperative aggregation, private sector scaling, and digital trade systems.

‘Yet the transition remains uneven, with quality standards, financing access, and market coordination still defining who benefits most from the growing regional grain economy,’ said Ms Akullo.

As East Africa pushes toward deeper integration, the sector is no longer just about harvest volumes, but about whether systems can reliably move grain from smallholder farms to structured regional and global markets without losing value along the way.

The East African Business Council estimates that trade restrictions cost the region roughly $10 billion every year in lost opportunities. At the continental level, the World Bank’s 2020 report: The African Continental Free Trade Area: Economic and Distributional Effects projects that eliminating non-tariff barriers could increase intra-African exports by more than 80 percent and raise incomes by up to $300 billion by 2035.

The DNA results of the late Kadongo Kamu star Paul Kafeero are set to be released this week, which could hopefully resolve a 19-year-old family dispute, according to a story I read in the Daily Monitor. Balaam Barugahara, the Minister of Local Government, announced that the results will be disclosed on Thursday, June 25, at the police headquarters in Naguru.

This will be a public hearing. It is reported that more than 25 young individuals claim to be his children. What a complicated situation! It is astonishing to think that someone could be deceased for 19 years and still have their family involved in disputes over worldly matters.

Sounds a lot like the wife who wakes her husband up at 2am because they need to talk. She is angry at him for something he did last year and cannot sleep, so she shakes him and tells him to get up and talk.

I honestly think it is sad. Sad that people would disturb the dead like that. What is wrong with children of these days?

No respect for elders, now even the dead! But it also speaks to the fact that dying does not take your problems away.

They will follow you to the grave, and in this case, literally. So please, whatever you do, get your ducks in a row. Take care of your business. Write a will or something; otherwise there will be no resting in peace for you.

I know I speak naively when I say rousing dead bones for property is crazy because these days people will even kill for land and other kinds of property, but seriously, ain’t it crazy that it has come to this?

Fine, let me put myself in the publicly known family’s shoes for some perspective. So, before the father died, we knew who our siblings were, even those from other mothers. Father sings, plays his guitar, becomes famous, meets many fans, among them women swooning over him, maybe sires some children with them, etc. We get to know about these siblings out there.

We do not like them, but we know they exist. Fast forward: the famous singer dad dies, and other unknown people show up and start claiming that they too are his children. And they obviously want a part of his estate. Would we welcome them with open arms, or would we be part of the people asking for the exhumation of a 19-year-old corpse?

Here is another scenario. If you were Paulo Kafeero’s illegitimate child, had never been introduced to the rest of the family or maybe had at some point in time, but had never lived with them. After his death, would you fight this hard to be recognised as his child by the other family if they did not want you?

Me as me, I would not fight. Even if the deceased was the richest man in Babylon, pride would not let me. I would rather die like a broke ninja.

Instead, I would use the anger, bitterness and gift of rejection as fuel to work so hard and make my own money, enough to pay for good therapy and work towards healing and dealing with my daddy wounds. Then, if I were truly the musician’s child, I would probably have a dash of musical talent in me. So, I would write a Kadongo Kamu song about this whole thing or maybe a movie or book.

Because bambi, to quote Michael Jackson, I am a lover, not a fighter. Although these days love is a battlefield and the violent want to take it by force. In fact, wasn’t it Ugandan artist Maro who sang in Luganda that, ‘Love filimu ya masasi. Loosely translated, it means love is an action movie with lots of bullets being fired. Think John Rambo movies.

Anyway, I digress. My point remains that there is no way I am taking part in digging up graves in the name of DNA. I know I sound self-righteous, but I am just saying.

The High Court Civil Division in Kampala has set July 7 to rule in the case in which five members of the Rotary Club of Kampala Ssese Islands are challenging their suspension and subsequent expulsion from the club.

The applicants, Nelson Turyatemba, Ronald Samuel Wanda, Gladys Edwards Namala, John Martin Sekwe and Byamukama Robert dragged the leadership of Rotary International and several club officials to court over what they described as a violation of their rights to a fair hearing.

Through a February letter, signed by the Secretary of the club’s Disciplinary Committee, the affected members were suspended from all club platforms and activities.

However, the applicants challenged the decision by ten members of the club’s top leadership, including President Deborah Itwau Ongwech, Acting Secretary and Board member Bernard Ochan, Board Chairperson Dr Canon Charles Kahigiriza, and Disciplinary Committee Chairperson Medard Muganzi, among others.

This Publication learnt that on Monday, a court session was held at the High Court Civil Division at Tweed Tower in Kampala, in which Justice Bonny Isaac Teko set July 7 this year as the date for delivering the ruling in the matter.

Counsel Kakuru Tumusiime, the lawyer representing the applicants, argued that the suspensions were unlawful and violated his clients’ constitutional and procedural rights.

He is demanding that the expelled members be reinstated into the club, adding that their privileges, of attending the club meetings, fellowships and adding them back to the official WhatsApp forum, would help resolve the wrangles.

‘The Club leadership ignored all the rights provided for in the constitution by terminating the members of the club without following due process,’ Kakuru said.

The applicants are also seeking compensation in general damages, arguing that the club’s actions amounted to violations of their fundamental rights and freedoms, alongside other legal breaches.

Efforts to obtain comments from the Rotary leadership after the court session were unsuccessful, as representatives of the club declined to comment on the matter.

According to a February 24, 2026, letter from the club disciplinary committee seen by this publication, on November 10, 2025, one of the accused members reportedly used abusive language to a fellow club member, which the officials say was against the Club by-laws.

The letter further indicates that on November 10, 2025, one of the suspended members also allegedly performed the club duties without formal instructions, which officials say was against the club’s settings, intended to encourage, instigate and create malicious propaganda, among other claims.

Judicial officers have been urged to avoid wielding the authority of their office when conducting out-of-court settlement mediation sessions and instead adopt a more approachable and humane posture to help parties resolve disputes amicably.

Former Uganda Law Society president Francis Gimara said some judges become overly defined by their positions and carry the aura of judicial authority into mediation rooms, yet mediation requires a less formal and less intimidating environment.

‘There is one thing also: when you become a judge, I say this with a lot of respect, some judges lose the humanity bit of it. The judgeship defines who they are. Everything is: ‘I’m a judge,’ and you rub it in our faces, and we are reminded all the time, and we respect that, and our protocol to training respects that,’ Mr Gimara said.

He added: ‘But we would like you to move from that way of leadership. We are reminding judges that when you go into the mediation room, forget you are a judge; humanise yourself.’

The call was made on Monday during a training workshop for judicial officers on the effective handling of land matters, ahead of a major mediation exercise by the Land Division of the High Court.

His remarks sparked discussion among participating judges, with Justice Christine Kaahwa questioning how far judicial officers should go in lowering the barriers between themselves and litigants during mediation.

‘How far can you lower yourself as a judge because you might overdo it and the public starts to familiarise you, which is not good?’ Justice Kaahwa asked.

In response, Mr Gimara said judicial officers should strike a balance between being approachable and maintaining the dignity of their office.

‘There are things to avoid. Servant leaders share power unlike traditional leaders,’ he said, adding that judges should establish personal boundaries while embracing a more collaborative style of leadership during mediation.

Justice Olive Kazaarwe also sought guidance on how female mediators should conduct themselves, particularly during menopause, which she noted can be accompanied by mood swings that may affect interactions with parties.

The training comes as the Land Division of the High Court prepares for a two-week mediation exercise aimed at resolving about 500 land disputes through alternative dispute resolution mechanisms.

Speaking at the event, Justice Prof. Andrew Khaukha, the Executive Director of the Judicial Training Institute (JTI), underscored the need for mediation as a tool to reduce the judiciary’s mounting case backlog.

Citing the Judiciary’s Annual Performance Report for the 2024/2025 financial year, Justice Khaukha said the courts are grappling with approximately 190,000 pending cases, of which about 35,000 are land-related disputes.

He noted that around 8,600 of those land matters are currently pending before the High Court’s Land Division.

‘Assuming the judiciary has all the money and everything is in place, and we make an assumption that a case is concluded every day, which is impossible, it will take us over 8,000 days to conclude the cases at the division,’ Justice Khaukha said.

Meanwhile, at a separate training for selected judicial officers on the handling of criminal matters, Justice Mike Chibita, the chairperson of the Governing Council of the Judicial Training Institute, stressed the growing importance of forensic science in modern criminal adjudication.

‘My Lords and Your Worships, we expect that at the end of this training you will have a functional understanding of forensic science. You will not become scientists. But you must understand what fingerprint identification, DNA analysis, computer forensics, and toxicology reports can and cannot tell you,’ Justice Chibita said.

He added that judicial officers would also be exposed to practical demonstrations of forensic tools and techniques.

Justice Chibita further challenged judges and magistrates to improve their understanding of digital evidence, warning that traditional approaches to electronic exhibits are increasingly inadequate.

‘Printing a screenshot of a messaging application and tendering it as an exhibit is no longer adequate. You must understand metadata, the chain of custody for electronic evidence, and the applicable admissibility standards under Ugandan law,’ he said.

The trainings are part of ongoing efforts by the Judiciary to strengthen the capacity of judicial officers in handling increasingly complex land and criminal cases while improving efficiency in the administration of justice.

As national secondary schools continue to embrace lavish prom and ‘sosh’ parties, a growing number of international schools are deliberately steering away from the trend.

Instead, they describe such events as outdated and inconsistent with their educational philosophy. In recent weeks, schools such as St Juliana High School, Seeta High School, Elite High School and Makindye High School have hosted colourful and costly celebrations featuring music, fashion showcases and high-energy social gatherings. The parties fly in the face of guidelines issued by the Ministry of Education and Sports, which caution schools against practices that may compromise discipline or place unnecessary financial pressure on learners and their families. Despite this, prom-style celebrations continue to gain popularity in many secondary schools.

Students typically arrive in elegant gowns, tailored suits and designer-inspired outfits, transforming school compounds into venues resembling formal social galas. However, administrators in international schools say such celebrations are not central to their learning environment. International schools, on the other hand, are increasingly focusing on structured, value-based events such as graduation ceremonies, themed dinners and parent-student engagements. Mr Ahmed Lwasa, the director of Kabojja International School, said prom parties belong to a traditional school culture that does not align with the operational model of most international schools. ‘Prom is an old-school tradition. We have dispensed with those kinds of parties. We are focused on graduation and transition ceremonies,’ he said.

He noted that most international schools operate as day schools, with learners returning home after classes, unlike boarding schools, where social traditions such as prom parties may emerge more naturally. ‘In many international schools, students go home after school. There is no boarding culture that naturally supports such parties. Instead, we organise graduation ceremonies and sometimes dinners where parents are involved,’ he said. According to him, parental involvement remains central to school activities, making elaborate student-only celebrations less relevant. ‘Everything is guided by vision. We ask ourselves: what is the purpose of the event, and what comes next?

Graduation speeches, for example, are meant to motivate learners for the next stage of life,’ he added. While international schools prioritise structured ceremonies, etiquette and parental engagement, many national schools view prom-style events as an opportunity for student expression and celebration. Mr Lwasa said that where celebrations are held in international schools, they are usually formal dinners rather than parties. ‘If there is any celebration, it is usually a dinner with parents. Students interact with their families in a formal setting. But we do not organise parties like prom or leavers’ events in the traditional sense,’ he said. He added that any additional celebrations are typically initiated through consultation between students and their parents. ‘If students want something, they consult their parents. If parents agree, it can happen. But as a school, we do not prioritise parties,’ Mr Lwasa said.

Themed and structured events

Some schools, including Mengo Senior School, have reportedly discouraged or limited such events, opting instead for formal academic ceremonies and structured school programmes. At Vienna College International, administrators say their approach is focused on themed and carefully supervised events . Ms Susan Nuwatamba, a school administrator, said international schools organise formal dinners and graduation ceremonies designed to bring together students, teachers, and parents. ‘We have graduation ceremonies and welcome dinners. These are not just parties. They are structured events that bring students, teachers, and parents together,’ Ms Nuwatamba explained.

‘In addition, the students develop themes and work with administrators to plan. We may hire an events company for lighting, décor, and entertainment, but everything is structured,’ she said. Ms Nuwatamba explained that students are involved in planning the events through committees, working closely with school administrators. Vienna College has previously organised themed events such as ‘Christmas in August’, allowing students to explore cultural and seasonal concepts within a controlled educational environment.

‘One year it can be a red-carpet night, another year a black-and-white dinner. The aim is not just entertainment but etiquette and learning,’ Ms Nuwatamba said. She added that etiquette training is often incorporated into such events, with schools partnering with organisations such as the Uganda Etiquette Centre to teach students social skills. ‘If you are invited to a formal dinner, you should know how to behave. We teach them dining etiquette, how to sit, how to eat a three-course meal and how to interact respectfully,’ she said.

Cost and structure

Ms Nuwatamba added that most international schools fund the events, unlike some national schools where students contribute towards the costs.

‘For welcome dinners, the school usually covers the cost. For graduation ceremonies, students may contribute to gowns and other logistics. These are part of the school programming. They are not extra parties,’ she said.

Keeping up with trend

Although international schools appear to look down on prom celebrations, many national secondary schools continue to embrace prom-style events, particularly for Senior Four and Senior Six students. Often organised as farewell events marking the completion of academic cycles, the parties have become key highlights on school calendars. However, critics argue that the growing emphasis on fashion, luxury dressing, and entertainment risks overshadowing the academic purpose of schooling while creating financial pressure on parents and students.

My former primary school, from where I earned the only First Grade in the entire sub county, no longer exists. The land that once housed its classrooms is now occupied by a fuel station, following a crisis it was ill-prepared to handle. In 2007, officials from an organisation approached the school management with what appeared to be a life changing opportunity.

They promised to connect the school to international donors to support infrastructure development, exchange programmes, and even pay fees for learners. To establish credibility, the organisation introduced another beneficiary school in Mukono, with which we held debating competitions, board games, and other activities that built rapports among learners and school leaders. The only requirement was Shs50,000 subscription fee per learner.

Many parents embraced the idea and paid for their children. Funds were handed over to the intermediaries, who promised to return once numbers increased, to allow donors plan properly. They never returned, their phones went off, and the promised donor support never materialised. The school management was left in a dire situation. They had to compensate parents for the lost money. Then, School fees ranged between Shs15,000 and Shs30,000, meaning some students had to study for a year without paying fees. The financial burden crippled operations. Teachers went unpaid, resources dwindled, and within a few years, the institution collapsed, partly because of their inability to manage this crisis.

While this scam occurred nearly two decades ago, the crises facing educational institutions, from universities to daycare centres today, is even more complex. The rise of digital communication means crises spread faster and attract greater public scrutiny than ever before. Crisis management data compiled by AMW indicate that nearly three-quarters of organisations have experienced reputational incidents, underscoring the reality that crises are no longer exceptional occurrences. Every institution, regardless of size, should expect and prepare for potential crises. Many crises rotate around student welfare, fire outbreaks, deaths, disease outbreaks, strikes, security concerns, among others, which affect public trust. Fortunately, some higher institutions manage them through public relations offices.

The challenge becomes more pronounced in secondary and primary schools, where communication responsibilities often fall entirely on head teachers, proprietors, or other administrators who may have little or no training in crisis communication. In many cases, panic becomes the first response, triggering issuance of contradictory statements, avoid engagement with key stakeholders, or failure to communicate, which often damages institutional reputation more than the incident itself. Many school leadership structures position the head teacher as the face and voice of the institution, expected to comment on everything, from academic performance to crises. However, majority lack basic training in crisis communication.

As a result, schools often provide conflicting accounts of events, with different staff members speaking independently to the media before establishing a common understanding of what happened. Instead of convening a crisis management committee to assess the situation and agree on key messages, institutions sometimes react emotionally and defensively. I recently watched a news story about a school where a learner died mysteriously in a security guard’s room. It is the matron who spoke to the media while the head teacher went in hiding, and other staff members were attacking journalists to stop them from recording footage.

This incident highlighted institutions’ unpreparedness for communication challenges that involve crises. Previously, a school crisis would remain within the local community. Today, a single video, photo, or social media post can reach millions of people within seconds. While many schools face financial challenges to run communication departments, a crisis will not send a notification when coming. They can begin by investing in communication training for head teachers, deputies, and other key admins, establish crisis response committees, develop communication protocols, and prepare basic crisis management plans before emergencies occur.

Public relations practitioners and academic institutions can also support to design specialised crisis management training for school administrators. Schools invest years in building trust among parents, learners, staff, and communities. In today’s digital environment, that trust can be tested within hours. Crisis communication training is, therefore, no longer an optional leadership skill, but rather an essential component for building and maintaining reputation for learning institutions.

Makindye Chief Magistrates Court has further remanded opposition powerhouse and former Kampala Lord Mayor, Erias Lukwago, after the presiding magistrate deferred her ruling on his bail application, citing chaotic courtroom conditions and an overwhelming number of complex procedural issues.

In a high-stakes legal twist, the trial magistrate announced that the long-awaited bail decision will instead be delivered electronically via the Electronic Court Case Management Information System (ECMIS) within the next 24 hours.

The chief magistrate Sarah Basemera ordered that Lukwago return to court physically on June 30, 2026, for the mention of his case. Crucially, this date aligns with the scheduled court appearance of his high-profile client, four-time presidential candidate Dr. Kizza Besigye. The convergence of both opposition kingpins’ legal battles is expected to draw massive security deployments and intense political interest, setting up a potentially explosive dual showdown at the courthouse.

The Chief Magistrate noted that the environment inside the courtroom had become completely untenable, forcing the abrupt adjournment. She added that her chambers required additional time to systematically review the extensive legal arguments raised by both the defense and state prosecutors during a heated morning session.

Addressing journalists at court, lead defense counsel Medard Lubega Sseggona expressed frustration over the delay but urged supporters to remain calm while they await the digital notification. Sseggona also raised red flags over Lukwago’s deteriorating health in custody, drawing grim parallels to past high-profile detainees.

“Her Worship the Chief Magistrate advised that her ruling is not ready. Owing to the sensitivity of the case and the environment, she undertook to deliver the ruling by email via ECMIS within 24 hours,” Sseggona said. “It’s not pleasant news to us. We have only remained brave because we are duty-bound to be brave.”

Sseggona added a stark warning regarding Lukwago’s medical condition:

“Meanwhile, for the Honorable Lukwago, the health situation gets worse day by day. We had a German national who was denied bail in Kalangala and died. We had the Honorable Muhammad Ssegirinya, who kept telling courts that he was in bad health, and they refused until it was too late. We have put all these materials before court, and we trust that the court will understand.”

The case took on a broader regional diplomatic dimension following revelations that prominent Kenyan politician and lawyer Martha Karua, who had traveled to Kampala to join Lukwago’s defense team, was blocked by state operatives.

Sseggona fiercely condemned the state’s actions, describing it as an affront to both the law and the spirit of regional integration.

“An accused person is entitled to have a lawyer of his or her choice from anywhere; that’s why there is room for accreditation,” Sseggona noted. “I know that the Honorable Martha Karua has not been denied entry but detained at the airport and deported. It is not within the spirit of the East African Community. As a professional, I am deeply concerned.”

Both Lukwago and Besigye continue to battle serious state charges that their supporters have roundly labeled as politically motivated maneuvers to cripple the opposition ahead of future political contests. All eyes now shift to the ECMIS portal for the crucial bail verdict.