Category: Daily Monitor

Police in Buikwe District are investigating an early morning incident in which a motor vehicle was completely destroyed by fire along the busy Jinja-Kampala Highway, with the driver fleeing the scene shortly after the blaze erupted.

The incident occurred on Monday at approximately 5:30 a.m. at Lugalambo, opposite Pine Trees, along the climbing lanes just past Mabira Forest.

According to Sezibwa Regional Police Spokesperson Ms Hellen Butoto, the vehicle, a Toyota bearing registration number UA 131 FD, was travelling from Jinja toward Kampala, reportedly en route to Chan Bond in Kireka.

Preliminary inquiries indicate that the driver noticed a mechanical fault shortly before the fire broke out.

‘It is alleged that the driver informed one of the passengers that the vehicle had developed a mechanical problem. He reportedly stopped the vehicle, prompting the passenger to get out,’ Ms Butoto said.

Moments later, flames were seen emanating from the vehicle’s exhaust pipe before rapidly engulfing the entire automobile.

The driver fled the scene as the blaze spread. By the time police officers arrived, the car had been burnt beyond recognition, and the driver was nowhere to be found.

Fortunately, no injuries or fatalities were reported, as the passenger managed to escape unharmed and provided initial details to the responding officers.

Ms Butoto stated that police in Mabira have launched an investigation to ascertain the exact cause of the fire, the driver’s whereabouts, and the full circumstances surrounding the incident.

Motor vehicle fires along major Ugandan highways have drawn increasing concern from traffic authorities, frequently linked to electrical short circuits, fuel system faults, and severe engine overheating, particularly on steep inclines and climbing lanes like those surrounding Mabira Forest. Similar incidents across the country’s busy transit corridors have previously resulted in total property loss and traffic disruptions, underlining the risks posed by unserviced vehicles during long-distance travel.

In light of the incident, Ms Butoto cautioned motorists to prioritize vehicle safety and routine inspection before setting out on the road.

‘We urge motorists and vehicle owners to ensure their vehicles are regularly serviced and mechanically fit before embarking on journeys,’ Ms Butoto said.

The Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) has cleared 19 general officers to retire from active service, part of a larger exercise that will see many personnel exit the force.

The Acting Director of Defence Public Information, Col. Chris Magezi, announced that the retirement covers all ranks, from generals to privates.

According to UPDF, the list includes 19 general officers, 222 senior officers, 205 junior officers and 1,364 soldiers who will retire from various formations and units across the country.

Among the 19 general officers cleared to retire are; Gen. Katumba Wamala, the Minister for Public Service, Lt. Gen. Charles Awany Otema, Lt. Gen. Charles Angina, Maj. Gen. Godfrey Katsigazi Tumusiime, Maj. Gen. Henry Ndarubweine Masiko, Maj. Gen. Apolo Kasiita Gowa, Maj. Gen. Leopold Kyanda, Maj. Gen. Abel Kandiho, Brig. Edson Muhanguzi, Brig. Sam Omara, Brig. Stephen Kashure, former CMI chief Brig. Charles Bakahumura, former CMI deputy chief Brig. Charles Asiimwe Kahangire, and Brig. Fred Rugadya Akiiki, among others.

The 222 senior officers, from the rank of Major to Colonel, will officially retire during a ceremony scheduled for August 12 at the Joint Services Headquarters in Mbuya.

The date for the ceremonial send-off of the 19 general officers will be announced later “to ensure they are honoured with the dignity befitting their service.”

‘The ceremonies will mark another milestone in the force’s tradition of honouring sacrifice and patriotism. Junior cadres have safeguarded Uganda’s sovereignty, while senior commanders have strengthened Uganda’s role in regional peace and stability. Together, the ceremonies celebrate the courage, discipline and devotion of both categories of personnel,’ the UPDF statement reads.

Ahead of the exercise, UPDF has been conducting financial literacy training for the outgoing officers.

Speaking during a session at Mbuya Military Headquarters last Thursday, Maj. Gen. James Kinalwa, representing the Chief of Joint Staff, urged retirees to plan carefully for life after service.

‘You have been used to a monthly salary, subsistence allowances, office benefits and out-of-pocket facilitation, which may no longer be available once you leave the army,’ Maj. Gen. Kinalwa said. He advised the officers to maintain steady income streams after retirement and avoid selling off assets due to poor financial planning.

Last month, UPDF launched a recruitment drive targeting more than 10,000 new soldiers to address staffing needs.

Under UPDF regulations, the mandatory retirement age is 65 years for generals and lieutenant generals, and 62 years for major generals.

The army said the exercise reflects its commitment to building a professional, disciplined and modern force while honouring the contribution of personnel who have served the country over the years.

Under the UPDF Conditions and Terms of Service, officers are expected to retire once they attain specific age limits without promotion to the next rank. For instance, it is unlawful for a captain or major aged 50 to remain in active service. A captain who fails to attain the rank of major by the age of 40 is expected to retire.

Regulation 28 under Cap 307 outlines the age and promotion requirements. Military sources say the UPDF has on several occasions retained officers beyond the prescribed limits.

Officers from the rank of lieutenant to captain can apply for early retirement at 40 years, while majors may retire at 45 years. Lieutenant colonels are eligible at 47 years, and colonels at 51.

From the rank of second lieutenant to general, an officer may apply for retirement after 14 years of service, while lower ranks become eligible after nine years.

Utility

List of Generals confirmed for retirement

Gen Katumba Wamala

Lt-Gen Charles Otema

Lt-Gen Charlse Angina

Maj General Godfery Katsigazi Tumusiime

Maj Gen Henry Ndorubwine Matsiko

Maj.Gen Apollo Kasita Gowa

Maj Gen Leopold Kyanda

Maj Gen Abel Kandiho

Brig Gen Winstone Byaruhangi

Brig Gen Stephen Tumwesigye

Brig Gen Tom KikoyoKabuye

Brig Sam Omara

Brig Gen Fred Rugadye Akiiki

Brig Gen Mike Samuel Kisame

Brig Patrick Mwesigye

Brig Gen hebert Rwego Mboyo

Brig Gen Simon Nicholas Ocan

Brig Gen Cyil Mawa Muhindo

Brig Gen Charles Bakahumura

Brig Gen Charles Asiimwe Kahangire

The Anti-Corruption Magistrate’s Court in Kampala has committed several interdicted senior parliamentary officials to the High Court for trial over their alleged involvement in the loss of approximately Shs26 billion intended for government donations, community engagements, and corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities.

The accused persons include Mr Chris Ariko Obore, the interdicted Director of Communications, Mr Daniel Adilo, former Director of Human Resources, Mr Leonard Okema, who served as Executive Secretary in the Office of the Speaker between 2023 and 2026, Mr Rajab Kaaya Ssemalulu, former Principal Research Officer, Mr Emmanuel Emuron Okwi, former Principal Protocol Officer, and Mr Vincent Otebata, former Development Officer. Prosecution alleges that the suspects received public funds for parliamentary engagements and CSR activities but failed to implement them, knowing their actions would cause financial loss to the government.

According to the summary of evidence, Mr Adilo allegedly received the largest share of Shs14.1 billion, followed by Mr Obore with Shs5.2 billion, Mr Okema with Shs3.8 billion, and Mr Ssemalulu with Shs1.8 billion. In a separate count, Mr Okwi is accused of taking Shs502 million intended for fuel, subsistence allowances, and transport refunds for central region stakeholder engagements without conducting the activities or returning the funds. Additionally, Mr Obore faces a separate charge of knowingly submitting false accountabilities for Shs2.5 billion allocated for CSR activities between 2023 and 2026.

The Inspectorate of Government (IGG) has also indicted Ms Mareebe Methods, the Chief Executive Officer of the Uganda Parliamentary Cooperative SACCO. State prosecutors allege that Ms Mareebe assisted Mr Obore, Mr Adilo, Mr Kaaya, and Mr Otebata in laundering and benefiting from the illicit proceeds, disguised as personal loans and savings within the cooperative.

This case echoes previous high-profile corruption scandals handled by the Anti-Corruption Division involving the misuse of public funds through dubious accountabilities and institutional SACCOs, drawing sharp public scrutiny to the financial operations of the 11th Parliament.

State prosecutors informed the court that they will rely on extensive oral and documentary evidence when the trial commences. Key witnesses set to testify include officials from Cairo Bank, members of the Parliamentary Commission, police investigators, and prospective CSR beneficiaries from across various districts, including Bukedea, Gulu, Mbale, Arua, Koboko, Soroti, and Rakai.

The IGG plans to tender critical documents in evidence, such as parliamentary payment vouchers, loan agreements, bank statements, forensic examination reports, audit reports on CSR expenditures, and internal correspondence.

“Whereupon prosecution shall contend that the accused persons do not have a valid defense or lawful excuse to the charges and shall pray for the court to convict them as indicted,” stated Ms Brenda Kimbugwe Mawanda, the Assistant Director of Prosecutions in the Office of the IGG, in the summary of evidence.

The State maintained that the evidence collected is sufficient to warrant a full trial. The accused persons now await their trial date before the High Court, where the prosecution will present its full case in an attempt to prove the charges beyond reasonable doubt.

On a bright Saturday morning in Lukung Village, Lebngec Parish, Nwoya District, 14-year-old Primary Four pupil Agenorwot sits outside her home, taking part in a nationwide citizen-led basic learning assessment.

She is the tenth child visited that day by volunteer enumerators from Uwezo Uganda. Agenorwot is among thousands of children aged 4 to 16 assessed across 10,440 households in 29 districts in numeracy, literacy, life skills, and values – regardless of whether they attend school.

When the literacy test begins, Agenorwot reads a passage about “Bora the Cat” aloud in a clear, confident voice, and handles the numeracy questions with ease. However, the newly introduced life skills section trips her up in an unexpected way.

Asked whether a house fire is a problem, and to name two ways to solve it, Agenorwot answers “yes” instantly – she knows fire is dangerous. But when pressed for practical solutions, she falters.

She offers “run” – but cannot explain where to go, which relative to wake first, where the nearest water source is, or whether attempting to save belongings could prove fatal.

A missing piece in daily learning

The moment highlights precisely what the assessment is designed to capture: Agenorwot recognizes danger instinctively, but she has never been taught step-by-step how to respond to it.

Unlike farming – a skill her mother patiently demonstrated by hand – household fire is so woven into daily life, present in every meal cooked, that no one had ever turned it into a structured safety lesson.

Her answer is logged as one small data point feeding into a massive national study evaluating what skills Ugandan children possess and where critical gaps remain.

“One of the things we believe in is that all children have the potential to learn and thrive. But for them to learn, the education system – right from the Ministry, district officials, schools, parents, and communities – should be aligned,” said Dr. Mary Goretti Nakabugo, Executive Director, Uwezo Uganda.

Local volunteers, scientific sampling

The Uwezo Uganda 2026 Basic Learning Assessment, conducted across 435 randomly selected villages, seeks to measure whether children can read and count, and whether they are acquiring the life skills and values emphasized in Uganda’s revised curriculum.

Unlike traditional research models, Uwezo relies on local volunteers recruited directly from the surveyed communities rather than a centralized team from Kampala.

“This approach allows parents and guardians to observe the assessment firsthand and receive immediate feedback, fostering a local environment that supports learning beyond the school gate,” says Dr. Mary Goretti Nakabugo, Executive Director of Uwezo Uganda.

Dr. Nakabugo notes that Uwezo has conducted independent assessments in Uganda every two to three years since 2010.

“What is new this year is the addition of a life skills and values component within our large-scale national assessment,” she explains.

To ensure accuracy, Uwezo collaborates with the Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS) to sample districts and villages scientifically. In each selected village, all households are compiled into a list before 24 are randomly chosen, giving every home an equal chance of participation.

Stakeholders demand actionable data

Local education leaders have welcomed the grassroots data-gathering approach to help address gaps in classroom outcomes.

Mr Philip Oryema, Nwoya District Education Officer, emphasizes the need for grounded evidence:

“We are requesting authentic data from the field team so that the information gathered from the community, schools, and individuals can directly inform management decision-making.”

Mr. Boniface Odongo Ochan, head teacher of Olwiyo Primary School in Nwoya District, adds that collaboration among external stakeholders provides crucial support to educators.

“When different reports come in, they inform us on exactly what we need to do to support our learners effectively,” Ochan says.

Uganda’s regional life skills gap

The inclusion of life skills in the 2026 survey comes against the backdrop of troubling regional findings. According to the 2022 Action for Life Skills and Values in East Africa (ALiVE) report, Ugandan adolescents struggled significantly in problem-solving compared to their East African peers.

Jurisdiction

Problem-Solving Proficiency Rate

Regional Rank

Zanzibar

14%

1st (Highest)

Tanzania Mainland

8%

2nd

Kenya

5%

3rd

Uganda

2% – 3%

4th (Lowest)

Data Source: ALiVE Regional Assessment Report.

The regional findings revealed that Zanzibar’s proficiency rate (14%) was nearly seven times higher than Uganda’s. At a full proficiency rate of just 2% to 3%, only two to three out of every 100 Ugandan adolescents assessed could fully demonstrate practical problem-solving capabilities.

By combining traditional literacy and numeracy testing with real-world problem-solving metrics, the 2026 assessment seeks to provide a clearer picture of whether Uganda’s educational environment is preparing children for life beyond the chalkboard.

Kira is changing fast. New tarmac roads now reach places that used to be all dust and potholes. The biggest is the Kira-Kasangati-Matugga Road, a 23-kilometre stretch running from Kyaliwajala through Kira and Kasangati to Matugga, with a branch to Buwate. Nearby, the Kira-Najjera-Bulindo Road is also being upgraded, a stretch that has long been one of the worst traffic points in Greater Kampala.

Together with smaller roads reaching Kiwologoma, Kitukutwe, and Nsasa, these projects are transforming how residents move through the town, cutting commute times and opening up areas that were once cut off during the rainy season.The government has done its part. Billions of shillings have gone into surveying, compensating landowners, laying tarmac, and installing drainage and street lighting.

But a good road does not stay good on its own. Once the contractors pack up and the ribbon is cut, the responsibility for keeping that road in good condition shifts, quietly but firmly, to the people who use it every single day. Look at what usually happens once a new road opens in towns like this. Traders spread their goods onto the tarmac, narrowing the lanes and blocking the drainage channels that were built alongside the road.

Vendors and households dump waste at the roadside instead of walking the extra distance to a proper collection point. Boda boda riders and drivers ignore lane markings, overtake on the shoulders, and turn a smooth, well-planned road into a dangerous free-for-all. Rubbish piles up at junctions and near markets, clogging the very drainage systems that are supposed to keep the road from flooding and cracking during heavy rains. A clean road, in this sense, is not just a swept road. It means drainage channels kept clear so rainwater flows away instead of pooling on the tarmac and eating into the road surface.

It means rubbish placed in proper bins, not thrown from car windows, swept off market stalls, or dumped on the verges after dark. It means walkways and road reserves left open for pedestrians, not built over or blocked by makeshift stalls and parked vehicles.

It means road users actually respecting traffic rules and lane markings, because discipline on the road is its own form of cleanliness. This is where residents, traders, boda boda associations, and local leaders in Kiira, Bulindo, Kasangati, and Buwate all have a role to play.

Local councils can organise regular clean-up days along the roadside, the way many estates and church groups already do on a smaller scale. Markets and trading centres can enforce proper waste collection schedules instead of allowing rubbish to spill onto the road surface and into drainage channels. Boda boda stages can agree, as some already have on other Kampala routes, to keep to designated lanes and stopping points rather than scattering across the whole width of the road. None of these steps are expensive.

There is also a simple economic argument here. Kiira’s new roads represent a major public investment, and one that took years of planning, land compensation, and construction to deliver. Letting them fall into disrepair through littering, blocked drainage, or general neglect would waste that investment within a surprisingly short time, forcing government to spend even more money on repairs that proper care could have prevented.

The roads are made. The tarmac is down, the junctions are marked, and the drainage is in place. What happens next is no longer in the hands of engineers or ministers. It is up to the people of Kiira, Bulindo, and the surrounding communities to keep their roads clean, and in doing so, to keep them working for everyone.

Uganda is preparing for a potentially wetter-than-normal September-December rainy season, with authorities across key sectors putting preventive measures in place to limit the disruptions that can follow excessive rainfall.

This comes after the Ministry of Water and Environment warned that several parts of the country could experience above-normal rainfall episodes during the period, with the effects potentially extending into early 2027.

In a July 30 weather advisory, the Permanent Secretary Alfred Okot Okidi said the anticipated El Niño could increase the risk of flooding, landslides, infrastructure damage, disease outbreaks and disruption of livelihoods.

Flood-prone lowlands, urban centres with inadequate drainage, river catchments, wetlands and mountainous areas were identified as particularly vulnerable.

Although the exact magnitude and impact of the rains are still being assessed, authorities say the warning provides an opportunity to act before the rains intensify.

The Ministry of Works and Transport says it has already began preventive maintenance on vulnerable sections of the road network and is preparing teams to respond quickly if roads are damaged or cut off.

According to Mr Allan Ssempebwa, the senior communications officer at the ministry, preventive maintenance is being undertaken particularly on the gravel-road network, which can be affected when water from streams and other water bodies flows onto them.

‘We’ve had a continuous maintenance programme that includes drainage improvements, routine gravelling, preparing these networks for adverse effects of the El Niño rains.

Some roads traverse through wetlands, low-lying areas and various water bodies, hence prone to being submerged or washed away,’ he added.

Mr Ssempebwa explained that the maintenance work has been undertaken in areas including Kisoro and the wider Kigezi Sub-region, the mountainous areas of the Rwenzori and Elgon, as well as parts of central Uganda where roads traverse areas near water basins.

‘The ministry has also activated standby emergency response mechanisms at its 24 service and maintenance stations across the country to respond to sections of the road network that could be affected by flooding and other weather-related damage,’ he added.

Weather experts, including World Meteorological Organisation, said El Niño is a natural shift in Pacific Ocean temperatures that recurs every two to seven years, as the trade winds that push warm water westward weaken and the heat spreads back across the ocean.

Kampala’s drainage test

Heavy downpours have repeatedly exposed weaknesses in the city’s drainage system, leaving streets and businesses vulnerable to flooding.

Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) spokesperson Daniel Nuweabiine said the authority is clearing and desilting drainage channels, while also addressing one of the major causes of blocked drains: irresponsible dumping of waste.

He said local leaders and community teams are being mobilised to ensure residents keep their surroundings clean and prevent waste from entering drainage channels.

‘KCCA teams have been working on major drainage channels along Luwum Street, William Street and other parts of Kampala, including the Nakivubo drainage channel, removing accumulated rubbish and soil to improve the movement of stormwater,’ he said.

The authority is also expanding the drainage network in areas where existing channels have struggled to cope with runoff.

Along Ssebaana and Allen roads, Mr Nuweabiine said KCCA has introduced about 18 culvert crossings to drain water into the Nakivubo Channel.

‘Another intervention is an underground drainage culvert along Namirembe Road, which is at an advanced stage of completion. It is intended to improve the movement of stormwater from Luwum Street towards Namirembe Road and into the wider drainage system. KCCA has also worked on river banks in Kabowa to improve water flow,’ he explained.

When rains begin, Mr Nuweabiine said trucks and emergency response teams will be positioned to evacuate water quickly from high-risk areas, including the city centre and Nakivubo Parish.

‘The measures are intended to reduce the duration and severity of flooding in areas that have repeatedly experienced waterlogging during heavy downpours.’

Agriculture

For farmers, the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries urges communities to treat excessive rainfall as a resource that can be harvested and stored for periods of low rains.

Permanent Secretary, Maj Gen David Kasura-Kyomukama said farmers should capture and control the water rather than allow it to damage crops.

He added that farmers can also reduce the risk of crop damage through water harvesting and proper garden preparation. For farmers cultivating on hillsides, particularly in areas such as Bududa, the PS said the focus should be on preventing soil erosion and mudslides.

He advised farmers to use contours and avoid cultivating on loose soils on steep slopes, which can be washed away during heavy rainfall.

‘Don’t cultivate on steep hills in a way that leaves the soil loose, because when there is too much rain, the soil can be washed away and cause mudslides.

Our District production officers on the ground are also helpful in guiding farmers at this time,’ he said.

He noted that farmers should instead ensure that cultivation takes place in appropriate areas and use measures to slow down and control water movement on slopes to prevent soil erosion and mudslides.

Health

The anticipated rains also raise concern about disease outbreaks, particularly where flooding contaminates water sources, damages sanitation facilities or creates stagnant water.

Dr Dan Kyabayinze, the Director of Public Health, highlighted that the focus should be on preventing contamination and detecting diseases early, particularly in communities where flooding can compromise sanitation and water sources.

‘The measures that the Ministry of Health has previously used remain relevant, including strengthened disease surveillance, providing additional medicines and supplies, chlorinating water sources and intensifying malaria prevention,’ he said.

Dr Kyabayinze added: ‘The ministry has also used health education and community mobilisation, trained Village Health Teams for emergency response, conducted outreach activities and mapped areas considered at high risk of disease outbreaks.’

Uganda last experienced significant El Niño rains during the 2023-2024 season, which brought above-normal rainfall, widespread flooding, damage to roads and bridges, and deadly landslides in various parts of the country, especially in eastern and western Uganda.

The World Meteorological Organisation states that many parts of the world are likely to experience wetter-than-normal conditions, including areas across the Greater Horn of Africa, parts of Central Asia, Southern Europe, Western North America and Southeastern South America.

The question of whether Dr Kizza Besigye’s treason trial can proceed while he remains hospitalised is likely to put Uganda’s constitutional guarantees of a fair trial to a significant test when the case returns to the High Court on Tuesday, August 18, 2026.

Dr Besigye collapsed in the court dock on July 29 after protesting for nearly 30 minutes against the commencement of the treason trial without his preferred defense lawyers.

He was subsequently rushed to Mulago National Referral Hospital, where he has remained in intensive care.

Since the collapse, the trial has been adjourned three times at the request of his state-appointed lawyer, Ms Sylvia Namawejje, who has argued that a criminal trial cannot ordinarily proceed without the physical presence of the accused.

The presiding judge, Justice Emmanuel Baguma, is expected to receive a medical report from Uganda Prisons Service indicating whether Dr Besigye is medically fit to attend and participate in the proceedings.

At the heart of the dispute is Article 28 of the 1995 Constitution, which guarantees an accused person the right to a fair and public hearing within a reasonable time.

Legal experts say the provision does not merely require the State to bring an accused person before court; it also safeguards the accused’s ability to understand the proceedings, follow the evidence and participate meaningfully in his defence.

Advocate Eron Kiiza says Dr Besigye’s absence on account of illness cannot be treated in the same way as an accused person deliberately refusing to attend court.

‘A trial is not a formality performed on an accused – it is something he must be present for,’ Mr Kiiza said, arguing that the right to be present allows an accused to hear the evidence, face witnesses and instruct his lawyers.

Article 28(5), however, provides limited circumstances in which criminal proceedings may continue without an accused person being physically present. These include situations where an accused consents to being tried in their absence or voluntarily absconds after being duly summoned.

The Constitution also allows the court to remove an accused person from proceedings where their conduct makes it impossible for the trial to continue.

That provision could become particularly significant in Dr Besigye’s case because his July 29 protest was disruptive. However, his lawyers and human rights advocates maintain that the disruption cannot be separated from the circumstances surrounding it – particularly his objection to proceeding without lawyers of his choice.

Mr Kiiza argues that Dr Besigye has neither consented to the trial proceeding in his absence nor voluntarily absconded from court.

‘He has not consented. He has disrupted nothing. He is simply unwell – and illness is not misconduct,’ Mr Kiiza said.

Human rights defender Dr Livingstone Sewanyana similarly argues that the physical presence of an accused person is one of the fundamental safeguards of a criminal trial.

He says proceeding without Dr Besigye could render the trial vulnerable to challenge because the accused would be unable to follow proceedings or give instructions to his lawyers.

‘The principle is clear: the accused must be tried in his/her presence and with a lawyer procured by him/her or by the state with his/her consent. So in their absence, it’s a trial in futility as it will be lacking the constitutional safeguards, and it will be an abuse of court process,’ he warned

Adding, ‘The Trial judge should be mindful of the tenets of a fair trial and should they be trampled on, they are subject to appeal.’

The Uganda Law Society has also cautioned against what it described as sacrificing fundamental safeguards in the name of speedy justice.

In a statement issued on July 30, the lawyers’ body cited Article 28(1), warning that haste should not be confused with speedier justice where medical fitness, legal representation and other fair-trial guarantees are at stake.

The stakes are even higher because Dr Besigye faces a capital offence.

ULS president Isaac Ssemakadde has warned that proceeding to conviction and sentencing without Dr Besigye being present and medically fit could result in an appeal.

He cited Article 28(3)(d) of the Constitution and Article 14(3)(d) of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which Uganda ratified in 1995.

‘For a capital offence like treason, the trial cannot meaningfully ‘go on’ to conviction and sentencing without Dr Besigye being present and in full medical fitness to hear witnesses and give instructions to counsel of his choice,’ Mr Ssemakadde said.

Where the dispute gets complicated

The prosecution’s position and the court’s previous conduct suggest that the case is not simply about whether Dr Besigye is physically in the courtroom.

The July 29 proceedings showed the difficult balance the judge must strike between the accused’s constitutional rights and the State’s interest in having a criminal case determined without unnecessary delay.

Justice Baguma had directed the prosecution to call its first witness after rejecting defence objections over the absence of Dr Besigye’s preferred lawyers.

The prosecution then called Mr Andrew Wilson, alias Orlando, an American national, as its first witness.

Before the witness could meaningfully testify, however, Dr Besigye began protesting from the dock, repeatedly banging his fists on the wooden surface and demanding that the proceedings stop.

Prison officers eventually restrained and handcuffed him. He continued protesting before his voice faded and he collapsed.

The incident transformed the courtroom from a setting for the commencement of testimony into an emergency scene, forcing an abrupt halt to the proceedings.

Dr Besigye’s preferred lawyers include former Kenyan Justice Minister Martha Karua, who has been barred from accessing Uganda, and Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago, who is himself in Luzira Prison facing a related charge of misprision of treason.

The prosecution alleges that Dr Besigye, Hajji Obeid Lutale and Capt Denis Oola participated in meetings in Uganda and abroad between 2023 and 2024 as part of a plot to overthrow the government. The accused deny the allegations.

What happens next?

The medical report expected could provide the immediate answer.

If Dr Besigye is found medically unfit, the court is likely to face pressure to adjourn until he is sufficiently recovered to participate in the proceedings.

If he is declared fit, the court could direct that the trial resumes immediately, potentially reopening the question of how his objections over legal representation should be handled.

The more difficult constitutional question would arise if the court attempted to proceed substantially with the trial while Dr Besigye remains medically incapable of participating.

That could turn the case into a broader legal battle over the limits of judicial discretion, the meaning of personal participation in a criminal trial and the extent to which the right to a fair hearing can be protected while courts seek to prevent delays.

For the prosecution, the case is about bringing serious allegations of treason to a conclusion. For the defence and human rights advocates, it is about ensuring that the State does not secure a conviction at the expense of constitutional safeguards.

The Tuesday`s court decision may therefore determine more than the next hearing date. It could establish an important precedent on how Uganda’s courts should handle criminal trials when an accused person becomes medically incapable of participating in proceedings.

At the weekend, the Minister of Health, Dr Chris Baryomunsi, checked on Dr Besigye and said that he was steadily recovering.

“I paid a visit to Dr Besigye this morning at Mulago Hospital, where he is hospitalized. He is steadily recuperating, and I wish him a quick recovery. I thank the team of medical workers that are attending to him.’Dr Baryomunsi posted on his X handle.

A child comes home unusually quiet. Another suddenly dislikes going to school. A girl becomes withdrawn. A boy’s behaviour changes dramatically. A teenager starts making excuses to avoid certain people. We ask, ‘What is wrong?’ The child answers: ‘Nothing.’ But what if there is something terribly wrong?

Across homes, schools and communities, children experience bullying, sexual abuse, violence, humiliation, manipulation and threats. Some are abused by people they should trust. Others are mistreated by older students, teachers, caregivers or domestic workers. Yet many remain silent, not because they have nothing to say, but because they are afraid of what will happen after they speak. Sometimes, the person hurting them has already warned them: ‘Tell anyone and you will regret it.’ ‘If I hear it, I kill you.’

Parents often tell children, ‘Always tell me the truth or speak out.’ But what happens when a child actually tells us something unpleasant? If the first response is shouting, beating, humiliation, condemnation, or immediately passing judgement, the child learns: ‘telling Mum or Dad the truth is dangerous.’ This does not mean parents should tolerate wrongdoing. Children must learn accountability. If a child steals, lies, bullies another child or breaks a rule, there must be consequences. But accountability should not destroy communication.

Parents should deliberately tell their children: ‘You can tell me anything. I may become disappointed or angry, and there may be consequences when you have done wrong, but I will never reject you because you told me the truth.’ Then parents must demonstrate it. When a child finally discloses something serious, listen before interrogating. Stay calm. Thank the child for telling you. Tell them clearly that the abuse or wrongdoing is not their fault. Ask what they need to feel safe.

Most importantly, do not promise secrecy when the child is in danger. Explain that you may need to involve responsible adults or authorities to protect them and that they will be safe. Children should know several safe adults they can approach: a parent, relative, teacher, school safeguarding person, counsellor, religious leader or another trusted adult. Schools cannot simply tell students, ‘Report abuse,’ and leave them exposed to retaliation. There should be confidential reporting mechanisms, trained safeguarding personnel, clear procedures for handling complaints, and practical measures to protect children who report abuse.

A student should not have to identify the person they reported publicly. If a perpetrator discovers that a particular child reported them, the school must take responsibility for protecting that child or the whistle-blower, not to leave the child to face retaliation alone. Discipline perpetrators firmly, but protect victims and witnesses carefully, and strengthen the protection system around them.

This is where courage is required. If a child says: ‘Daddy, Uncle, a teacher or someone I trust is hurting me,’ our first response must not be, ‘How can you accuse him?’ or ‘Why didn’t you tell us earlier?’ Instead say: ‘I am glad you told me. I believe you. You did the right thing by telling me. You are not responsible for what happened. We will help keep you safe.’ The child’s safety must come before protecting an adult’s reputation. You can teach them other reporting procedures or places. In Uganda, children can also report abuse through Sauti 116 or the police helpline at 911, which provides confidential support and links children to appropriate protection and referral services.

A child struggling with substance use, serious emotional difficulties, harmful behaviour or another complicated problem needs help, not rejection or parents’ abandonment. This is your DNA. We can say: ‘What you did is wrong, and there will be consequences. But I am still here to help you make it right.’ That is not weak parenting. It is responsible parenting, while encouraging them to be accountable for their actions. Our children need parents who are firm enough to set boundaries but safe enough to approach when life becomes difficult. Sometimes a child’s voice is not disrespect. It is a cry for help. Let us be the adults who listen to our children.

Caregivers and expectant mothers at Masaka Regional Referral Hospital can now breathe a sigh of relief following a decision by management to start utilising the new maternity and child complex.

The multibillion complex, whose construction commenced in 2015, has been idle after government failed to secure additional funds to equip the facility and have it operational.

According to Mr Robert Mpanga, the principal hospital administrator, they secured some funds and decided to occupy the complex to serve the growing population of people seeking maternity services from the regional referral hospital.

Initially, the project was expected to be completed in 2017 at a cost of Shs10b, but changes in the designs to include an intensive care unit pushed the cost to Shs12.2b.

Mr Mpanga, during an interview on August 8, said the decision to occupy the new complex has completely changed the working environment for the staff, caretakers and mothers seeking services at the hospital.

‘The expectant mothers and caregivers can now enjoy enough space without fear of being crowded in the wards.’

He added ‘The bed space is enough, though we still need to get some beds to fill the space since some beds were too worn out to be carried to the new building.’

Congested ward

In the old maternity ward, caregivers occupied corridors and their rising numbers forced the hospital management to improvise with tents.

The hospital management had earlier indicated that they needed Shs600m for utilities and another Shs2b for equipping the complex.

Mr Mpanga, said they are still looking for more funds to refurbish the old maternity building so its use is repurposed.

Mr Swaibu Makumbi Sulambaya, one of the health activists in Masaka region, welcomed the development, saying: ‘We are happy that after a long wait now mothers can have a decent facility’.

Ms Agnes Nankya, one of the mothers who seeks antenatal services from Masaka Regional Referral Hospital, expressed joy about the developments, saying she is optimistic that this will improve maternal health service delivery in the region.

‘I was so happy to find the new maternity ward open last week. The old ward had discouraged many of us from conceiving again.’

This Publication has learnt that the ICU equipment given to the hospital by the government, during the Covid pandemic is also lying idle in the hospital store awaiting installation in the complex.

Currently, patients have to seek ICU services from either Kampala or Mbarara both located over 100km away.

‘ICU and other planned services will gradually be offered since we are now using the complex.’ Mr Mpanga added

The complex, when fully operational, will also have two fully equipped theatres, a gynecology unit, antenatal and neonatal centers, labour and post-natal wards. That is coupled with a pediatric and nutrition units plus adolescent health units.

HOSPITAL HISTORY

Constructed in 1927, Masaka Regional Referral Hospital serves eight districts – Masaka, Rakai, Lyantonde, Lwengo, Ssembabule, Bukomansimbi, Kalungu and Kalangala, taking care of more than two million people.

Situated on the Mbarara-Kigali highway, it is the first point of call for patients, mainly accident victims from Burundi, Rwanda, the DR Congo and Tanzania.

Consequently, the hospital’s average daily contact with patients is 1,800 and about 360 admissions daily, of which a minimum of 40 are new deliveries.

Local leaders and residents in Bughendera County have renewed calls for the creation and operationalization of the proposed Bughendera District, expressing concern over prolonged central government silence despite previous commitments.

Stakeholders had expected the new local government unit to become operational ahead of the 2026 General Elections, particularly after the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) Parliamentary Caucus resolved on September 11, 2025, to back its creation, subject to parliamentary approval.

However, nearly a year after the resolution and subsequent consultative drives conducted by the Ministry of Local Government, the proposal remains stalled.

For over 16 years, residents of the mountainous enclave in Bundibugyo District have awaited the realization of repeated presidential pledges dating back to 2010.

Mounting frustration

Speaking to this publication in an interview on Tuesday, Mr Moses Bagamba, the Ngamba Sub-county district councillor, noted that the protracted delay has left both political leaders and the community in uncertainty.

“Government assured us that following the NRM Caucus resolution and ministry consultations, the proposal would be tabled before Parliament for approval before the elections. Since then, everything has gone quiet. Neither the Cabinet nor Parliament has spoken about it,” Mr Bagamba said.

He emphasized that carving Bughendera out of Bundibugyo District remains the area’s top development priority due to its difficult, mountainous terrain, which severely complicates decentralized service delivery.

“Our county is largely hard to reach. An independent district would allow us to receive a direct budget, plan according to local priorities, and improve infrastructure. The current district road allocation is far too insufficient,” Mr Bagamba added.

Service delivery deficits

Leaders point to severe gaps in basic infrastructure across the county’s 14 lower administrative units, noting that eight still lack a government-aided secondary school, while existing primary schools and health centres remain in poor condition.

Areas such as Ngite, Mbatya, Ntandi Town Council, Kisitu, Ntotoro, and Kagughu have no government secondary school. Furthermore, Mbatya lacks a functional health facility, while Ngite relies solely on a Health Centre II unit.

“With a dedicated budget for the new district, we can directly prioritize building schools and upgrading health facilities so that every sub-county benefits, in line with government policy,” Mr Bagamba stated.

His concerns were echoed by Mr Alpha Asuman, the Harugale Sub-county Chairperson, who highlighted the strain on local revenue.

“Harugale Sub-county receives only about Shs4 million annually for routine road maintenance despite managing an extensive road network in mountainous terrain. Creating the district was part of our commitment to voters to fix persistent underfunding,” Mr Asuman said.

Residents have similarly voiced disappointment over the stalled process.

Ms Sarah Biira, a resident of Kisiti Sub-county, said: “We were happy when the government announced plans to create the district because we believed services would move closer. Now, people are losing hope and still traveling long distances to the district headquarters in Bundibugyo town.”

Mr John Baluku, from Mbatya Sub-county, expressed fears that the long-standing promise was being reused for political leverage ahead of the upcoming elections.

“The silence is worrying. We urge the government to explain the delay and expedite the process because Bughendera deserves better service delivery like other new districts,” Mr Baluku said.

Parliamentary process stalled

When contacted, the Bughendera County Member of Parliament, Mr Christopher Kibanzanga, clarified that the proposal is currently at the parliamentary stage, awaiting formal executive action.

‘All arms of government are aware of this issue; the Cabinet is aware, and the NRM Caucus passed a resolution. What is delaying it now is the Minister for Local Government bringing a motion for a resolution in Parliament. Let the voters remain calm-anytime, we shall have our district,’ Mr Kibanzanga said in a phone interview on Wednesday.

Efforts to get a comment from the Senior Minister for Local Government and the State Minister were unsuccessful, as calls and text messages to their official numbers went unanswered by press time.

District leadership reacts

The Bundibugyo District Chairperson, Mr Moses Tibakunirwa, acknowledged the lack of recent communication from the central government, attributing the pause to potential boundary disputes and wider fiscal constraints.

“When the NRM Caucus passed the resolution, momentum was high. However, during consultations, some communities supported the proposed boundaries while others wanted adjustments. Government may have decided to allow time for consensus,” Mr Tibakunirwa said, adding that Bughendera is among several regions seeking district status amidst limited national resources.

Mr Tibakunirwa stressed that whether Bughendera is created or not, Bundibugyo District urgently requires enhanced central government intervention.

“Bundibugyo receives about Shs1 billion annually for district roads, yet we have massive rehabilitation needs. Following the severe 2019 floods, an assessment showed that Shs19 billion was required to restore damaged roads and bridges, but that funding has never been provided,” he noted.

He further criticized central government agencies for inflated infrastructure implementation costs, arguing that district local governments deliver better value for money.

“A ministry can spend up to Shs70 million to construct one kilometer of road, whereas a district local government can execute similar work at roughly Shs15 million. Government should strengthen districts by sending funds directly to local governments,” Mr Tibakunirwa urged.

Boundary petitions and tribal friction

The delay in operationalizing Bughendera District comes against a backdrop of complex boundary disputes and tribal sensitivities that emerged shortly after the NRM Caucus endorsement.

Several petitions were addressed to President Museveni and the Ministry of Local Government opposing the proposed demarcations.

In a three-page petition, the Obudhingiya Bwa Bwamba (OBB) Cultural Institution-through its Prime Minister, Mr Charles Bukantwa-asked the Ministry of Local Government for fairness, claiming that external political interests were driving the split.

Mr Bukantwa alleged that key agitators for the district were not residents of Bundibugyo, but actors from neighboring Kasese District using local politicians as proxies.

“One wonders what interest the people of Kasese have in Bughendera. This is not about service delivery. Communities in the affected administrative units have made it clear that they do not want to belong to the new district,” the OBB petition reads in part.

The petition further cited incidents where flags of the Obusinga Bwa Rwenzururu (OBR) were allegedly hoisted across parts of Bughendera County following the NRM Caucus announcement-areas predominantly inhabited by the Baamba, Babwiisi, and Bavanuma communities.

Conversely, a separate petition dated September 19, led by Rev. Christopher Babiiha on behalf of Ntotoro Sub-County residents, warned President Museveni against altering Bughendera’s boundaries on ethnic grounds.

“Detaching Ntotoro Sub-County on cultural, tribal, or hidden political grounds will strain our inter-community relations with the Bakonzo and undermine peaceful coexistence as guaranteed under Articles 21 and 237 of the Constitution,” Rev. Babiiha stated, arguing that residents’ sole interest lies in accessing decentralised services and employment opportunities.

Following the conflicting petitions, the Ministry of Local Government convened harmonization meetings with cultural leaders and local stakeholders, including a major dialogue at Buhundu Primary School in Bukonzo Sub-County, to resolve the stalemate.

About Bughendera County

According to the 2024 National Housing and Population Census, Bughendera County comprises 99,771 households. The proposed district brings together the Bakonzo, Baamba, Babwisi, Batuku, Bavanuma, and Batwa ethnic communities across 12 sub-counties, two town councils, 65 parishes, and 405 villages.