Category: Daily Monitor

A recent fight between the Anglican Church of Uganda and its breakaway faction, the Reformed Church of Uganda, has taken a new twist, with the former warning the latter to desist from misleading the members of the public by using its songs, vestments and other liturgical relics.

The Reformed Anglican Church is set to launch its new West Acholi Diocese headquarters in Lamogi Sub-county, Amuru District, this weekend (July 5).

The launch, to be presided over by Rev Prof Jonathan Kyangasha, the Archbishop of the Reformed Anglican Church Province of Uganda, will take place at Lwalakwar village, Lacor parish, Lamogi sub-county, Kilak South, Amuru District.

According to Rev Patrick Lumumba, the Reformed Anglican Church’s coordinator for the Acholi region, the Reformed Anglican Church has already planted churches in West Acholi in Gulu City, Gulu, Amuru, and Omoro districts.

‘Reformed Anglican Church is an evangelical, apostolic and sacramental church and doctrinally anchored on the Holy Scriptures and Creeds. Just within one month, the Reformed Anglican Church of West Acholi has planted 11 Congregational Churches,’ Rev Lumumba said in a statement.

However, last week, the Diocese of Northern Uganda distanced itself from the developments associated with the Reformed Anglican Church following complaints that some of the new church’s vicars and officials were doing mobilisation in disguise of the diocese. In a statement, the Diocese of Northern Uganda denounced and distanced itself from the new group.

‘The diocese has become aware of the presence and operations of the Reformed Anglican Church in parts of Northern Uganda.

The Church of Uganda does not have any relationship with this group and does not share any mission programmes of the Church of Uganda,’ Rev Samuel Kidega, Diocesan Secretary for the Diocese of Northern Uganda, stated.

‘We wish to inform all Christians, religious leaders, government authorities, development partners, and the general public that the Diocese of Northern Uganda is not affiliated with, connected to, or represented by the Reformed Anglican Church and its activities within Northern Uganda.’

‘Any ministries, fundraising activities, church planting initiatives, ordinations, appointments, etc., conducted by the Reformed Anglican Church should not be interpreted as having the endorsement, approval, or participation of the Diocese of Northern Uganda,’ he noted.

‘Members of the public, local communities, development partners, and church congregations should exercise due diligence when engaging with organisations or individuals claiming affiliation with the Church of Uganda.’

Last week, the Province of the Church of Uganda expressed concerns over the alleged continued use of its liturgical assets and hymns by the Reformed Anglican Church across the country.

Accusing the new church of confusing its faithful across the country, the Church of Uganda said the illegal activities of the Reformed Anglican Church were spreading confusion instead of sowing the seeds of unity among Ugandans.

In a statement issued on June 25, Rev Canon William Ongeng, the Church of Uganda Provincial Secretary, cautioned the Reformed Anglican Church against unauthorised use of the Church of Uganda’s identity and vestments.

‘We are particularly concerned by the unauthorised use of vestments resembling those worn by clergy and bishops of the Church of Uganda, as well as the adoption of Anglican worship traditions and hymns to create an impression of legitimacy,’ Rev Ongeng stated.

According to Rev Ongeng, the Church of Uganda has noted with concern the activities of the Reformed Anglican Church, which have been using Church of Uganda hymns, Anglican liturgical practices, and clerical and episcopal vestments in a manner that is misleading the public into believing that they are part of the Church of Uganda.

‘The wearing of clerical collars, cassocks, episcopal shirts, pectoral crosses, mitres, croziers, and other ecclesiastical insignia by persons who are neither licensed nor recognised by the Church of Uganda constitutes a serious misrepresentation,’ he added.

Inflexible

Meanwhile, the Reformed Anglican Church has remained uncompromising over whether to yield to pressure by the Church of Uganda to refrain from using its hymns, vestments and other worship regalia while conducting prayers and other ceremonies.

According to the Reformed Anglican Church, the Church of Uganda does not possess ownership rights for the vestments, rites and hymns it uses currently.

‘No single Anglican province can claim exclusive ownership of the Anglican faith, its liturgy, episcopal vestments, clerical collars, cassocks, mitres, croziers, or the historic traditions shared by the wider Anglican Communion, unless protected by specific intellectual property rights,’ it said.

According to Rev Canon Kisakye Zac Kalimi, the Provincial Secretary, Worldwide Anglican Church in Uganda, the Anglican tradition, including liturgy, hymns, episcopal vestments, and ecclesiastical traditions, did not originate with the Church of Uganda, and they have been part of the worldwide Anglican heritage for centuries, even before the establishment of the Church of Uganda.

In a statement, Can Kisakye said the vast majority of Anglican hymns were composed by Christians from different countries and generations over several centuries and that they belong to the universal Christian heritage.

‘Where a particular hymn has been copyrighted by its composer or publisher, such copyright should naturally be respected. Furthermore, clerical collars, cassocks, pectoral crosses, episcopal shirts, and similar vestments are not unique to the Church of Uganda. They are widely used by Anglican churches across the world,’ he said.

But Rev Ongweng, in the statement, warned that continued use of the Church of Uganda’s identity, vestments, hymns, traditions, and liturgical practices, hymns, liturgical relics by the Reformed Anglican Church could result in litigation.

‘Any claims or representations suggesting otherwise are false and intended to mislead the public. Should this misrepresentation continue, legal action will be taken to safeguard the integrity of the Anglican doctrine and worship,’ he noted.

However, Can Kisakye said their collective efforts should focus on helping the poor, protecting children and vulnerable persons, promoting justice, and strengthening Christian families instead of allowing differences in church administration to divide the church.

‘We appeal to all Anglican bodies and Christian denominations to pursue dialogue, mutual respect, and peaceful coexistence instead of public hostility. The Church of Christ is strengthened not through division but through love, truth, and faithful witness,’ Can Kisakye stated.

In the 1870s, the Church Missionary Society introduced Anglican Christianity into Uganda under the Province of East Africa. It, however, took approximately 90 years (until the early 1960s when the Province of the Church of Uganda was inaugurated) to become autonomous from the Province of East Africa.

Background

The Reformed Anglican Church in Uganda is a breakaway faction from the mainstream Church of Uganda. The schism emerged following a 2019 leadership dispute in the Kumi Diocese over the election of Rev Charles Oode Okunya. The situation escalated in 2022 when Rev Okunya was consecrated as bishop of the group’s Upper Nile Diocese. This led to disputes over churches, congregations, and property, resulting in takeovers and tense standoffs.

Senior church leaders, including Archbishop Stephen Kaziimba, were also blocked from accessing disputed church premises in the Kumi Diocese until Rtd Bishop John Charles Odurkami was deployed in the diocese to consolidate and unite the Anglican faithful in the diocese. However, when he went to Kumi in early 2019, the situation was not only fierce and rough but also an environment filled with rebellion and rejection.

Without digging trenches along the hilltops and valleys, followed by heavy mulching, pineapple cultivation on the rugged terrain of Maziba Sub-county in Kabale District would be virtually impossible.

For decades, the sub-county has been renowned for its thriving pineapple production. The enterprise’s success even prompted the government to construct a pineapple wine processing plant worth approximately Shs400 million in the area to promote value addition and local employment.

Mr George Akankwasa, 45, the chairperson of the Maziba Pineapple Growers Association and a resident of Kitamba ‘B’ Village, Nyanja Parish, notes that pineapples have become the primary cash crop for nearly 1,000 farmers in the area.

‘Without better farming practices such as digging trenches and proper mulching to control soil erosion and heavy runoff during the rainy season, you cannot sustain a pineapple garden here. Most plots are situated on steep, sloping hilltops and valleys. Farmers in this area have mastered these techniques, which is why we have succeeded,’ Mr Akankwasa explains.

Mr Akankwasa started growing pineapples in 2000 on less than an acre of land. Today, he manages about 10 acres scattered across Nyanja Parish.

‘I harvest about 10,000 pineapples per month, with average farm-gate prices ranging between Shs300 and Shs500 depending on size. I chose pineapple farming because, under good management-which requires organic manure from goats, cows, poultry, and pigs-it yields a monthly harvest throughout the year,’ he adds.

Because the crop is labor-intensive, Mr Akankwasa employs around 40 casual workers weekly to manage mulching, weeding, manure application, and desilting trenches. His team also handles harvesting and carries ripe pineapples from the hilltops to the main road, where they are loaded onto trucks bound for market centers in Kisoro, Kabale, and Rubare.

‘On average, I pay Shs7,000 per day to each casual worker, which has helped me maintain a reliable workforce across my scattered farms,’ Mr Akankwasa says.

Despite his success, he faces ongoing hurdles, including pineapple theft, difficult terrain, crop pests and diseases, poor road networks, price fluctuations, and rising fuel costs. Nonetheless, the proceeds from his farm have enabled him to acquire more land, pay school fees for his children, build a permanent home, and provide local employment.

‘My future dream is to purchase land to rear cattle and goats so I can produce my own organic manure. I would also love to venture into processing, but I fear heavy taxes and the bureaucratic burden of obtaining Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) certification,’ Mr Akankwasa says.

The enterprise offers a critical lifeline to local laborers. Mr Denis Byaruhanga, a casual worker in the area, says the booming industry keeps him employed.

‘If it were not for the pineapple enterprise, I would be unemployed. My main job is carrying pineapples from the steep hilltops down to the main road. I earn about Shs14,000 a day, which adds up to a reasonable monthly income to feed my family,’ Mr Byaruhanga notes.

Local vendors in Kabale Town also credit the sub-county’s farms with sustaining their livelihoods. Mr Nicholas Kamasi, who has vended pineapples alongside Mr Wilber Tumuheki for seven years, describes his daily routine.

‘I ride my bicycle from Kabale Town to buy pineapples from farmers in Nyanja Parish and resell them in town. I sell about 100 pineapples a day, buying each at Shs500 and selling between Shs800 and Shs1,000 depending on the size. Though tiring, it leaves me with a profit,’ Mr Kamasi says, adding that bad roads and high market dues remain their primary challenges.

From a civic perspective, the Maziba Sub-county LCIII Chairperson, Mr Onesmus Mutungye, highlights the environmental benefits of the trade, noting that pineapple canopy and root structures act as effective ground cover.

‘There is visible economic development in Nyanja and Birambo parishes because of pineapple growing. If farmers growing coffee and bananas in other parts of the sub-county adopt trenching and mulching, environmental disasters in our region will be greatly minimized,’ Mr Mutungye says.

He observes that some residents are already uprooting eucalyptus plantations to plant pineapples due to higher profitability, leaving few idle youths in the participating parishes. However, Mr Mutungye urges the government to fully operationalize and support the local wine factory.

‘The government should invest in value-addition technologies to support farming in this area. Boosting the Maziba pineapple wine factory would provide a reliable market and insulate our farmers against price volatility,’ Mr Mutungye states.

For Ugandan creative duo Nsimbi, the move from music to film was less of a departure and more of a natural evolution.

Made up of rapper GNL Zamba and Miriam Tamar, Nsimbi has spent years blending Lugaflow hip-hop, spoken word, indigenous African instruments and global sounds, while building creative bridges between Uganda and audiences beyond its borders.

Their latest project, Infinity, pushes that vision further onto the big screen. The film brings together music, film, fashion, poetry, dance and cultural storytelling in a visually rich musical production rooted in Uganda.

At the heart of the story is a young boy whose journey forces him to confront selfishness and rediscover his connection to community, nature and the universe.

Guided by a wise shaman and his younger sister, he embarks on a transformative journey of healing and self-discovery.

But beyond its fictional narrative, Infinity tells a bigger story – one about Uganda’s creative possibilities and the power of local talent to tell distinctly Ugandan stories for a global audience.

The film was produced entirely with a Ugandan creative team. Matege Rogers directed, while Gashumba handled cinematography. Fashion designer Abaas Kaijuka created the wardrobe, with Nabagala Lilian overseeing choreography and Gats Bulega handling photography. Sound and set design were contributed by Andrew Ahuura “Quad A” and ABM.

The film was written and executive produced by Ernest “GNL Zamba” and Miriam Nsimbi.

That collaborative approach is central to Infinity. Uganda’s landscapes, cultural traditions, fashion and music are not merely used as background decoration – they form part of the film’s visual and emotional language.

‘From the natural scenery to the styling and movement, the production deliberately places Ugandan creativity at the centre of the story, offering audiences a glimpse of the country through the eyes of its own artists,’ the duo noted.

The film’s journey has already extended well beyond Uganda. It has screened at the American Center Kampala, German Cultural Centre and Alliance Française. Internationally, it has traveled to the Mariposa Museum on Martha’s Vineyard in Massachusetts, Micheaux Film Festival in Los Angeles, People’s Film Festival in Harlem, New York, Las Vegas International Black Film Festival, Cleveland International Film Festival, Gasparilla International Film Festival in Miami, San Diego Kids International Film Festival, Albuquerque Film and Music Experience, and Richmond Film Festival.

Its growing international footprint has positioned Ugandan storytelling within conversations happening on global cultural and film platforms.

The film is also set to return to local audiences after receiving a nomination at the UCC Uganda Film Festival. It is scheduled to screen on August 26 at Century Cinemax, Arena Mall, in the 7pm-9pm slot.

For Nsimbi, however, the ambition behind Infinity goes beyond making a film. The duo sees cinema as another vehicle through which Uganda can market its culture, tourism and creative industries – allowing international audiences to experience the country not simply through traditional tourism campaigns, but through music, fashion, landscapes, characters and stories.

That approach reflects Nsimbi’s broader creative philosophy. For years, the duo has used music as a meeting point between Ugandan identity and global culture. Infinity expands that conversation by bringing several creative disciplines into one project.

‘We love film, music and fashion, and Infinity gave us the opportunity to bring all of those worlds together,’ GNL Zamba said.

In an industry where Ugandan creatives are increasingly looking beyond individual songs, performances and traditional artistic formats, Infinity offers a glimpse of what can happen when talent is packaged into a larger creative property.

We are back outside, omo! You know there is this famous narrative that Ugandans, oba Africans, do not read. It is repeated so often that even some of us who spend our lives writing almost started believing it. During our little forced holiday, I honestly thought people would simply move on. I mean, Ugandans have no time. Them Ugandans only read headlines before sprinting to the comment section to educate the author about a story they have not actually finished. But banange, I underestimated you people.

The messages started coming in almost immediately. Friends called in checking on us, strangers sent DMs wondering when the paper would return. Some even confessed that Friday mornings no longer felt complete because The Timeline had disappeared. I will not exaggerate and say the whole country stopped functioning; we still have rent to pay but it was genuinely humbling to discover that this little corner of the newspaper had quietly become part of some people’s weekly routine. So, thank you. Thank you for reminding us that good writing still has a place in Uganda. And since gratitude is important, allow me to also thank the government for generously forcing us to touch some grass.

People realised birds actually sing in the morning, a few even remembered they had children. And somewhere in the middle of all this, Big Eye dropped a tweet that somehow became part of the conversation leading to our return. Only in Uganda can a musician accidentally find himself in media history without releasing a new song, star boss waffe! Watching Ugandans react to Daily Monitor’s closure was perhaps the greatest social experiment this country has produced since somebody convinced us that pineapple belongs on pizza. Everybody became a loyal Daily Monitor reader, even people who normally only encounter the newspaper when someone screenshots a headline into a WhatsApp group started mourning like shareholders.

You could almost hear violins playing in the background. People described the closure as the collapse of balanced journalism while their own browsing history consisted mostly of TikTok dances, football banter and conspiracy theories explaining why rain only falls on weekdays. Publicly, everyone spoke about solidarity and the importance of independent media. Privately, you could almost imagine analytics dashboards being refreshed every 30 seconds to see whether the extra traffic had arrived. Facebook groups that normally spend entire afternoons arguing about fuel prices suddenly transformed into support meetings discussing democracy, press freedom and constitutional values.

Ugandan content truly has range, I do not know why Netflix has not set base yet because we can move from debating whether Rolex should contain cabbage to defending media freedom in under five minutes. Naturally, where there are Ugandans, there will be memes. We process national events the same way our grandparents processed grief with stories. Then, just as everyone had accepted their new reality and began writing lengthy think pieces about the future of journalism, came the announcement that the paper was returning. My favourite groups were those who had not visited the website in months but instantly became ambassadors for quality journalism, we appreciate naye tusaba ku ka subscription.

Of course, because this is Uganda, peace never lasts for long. The celebrations barely settled before the complaints resumed. The website was apparently too slow. The layout had changed. Headlines were too long. Headlines were too short. Somebody even managed to complain about the font before reading a single story. That is when I remembered that complaining is probably our strongest renewable resource. We mourn loudly, celebrate loudly, then immediately return to complaining because consistency matters. However, beneath all the jokes, this episode reminded us of something important. Ugandans actually read. Maybe not every paragraph. Maybe sometimes we stop halfway because someone tagged us in another argument.

Maybe we skim headlines before confidently becoming constitutional lawyers in the comments. But we read. We care. We argue. We laugh. We build communities around stories. And for me as me, the messages asking when The Timeline would return meant more than you probably realise. They reminded me that words still matter, humour still matters, and that every Friday there are people somewhere waiting for a story that helps them laugh at the beautiful madness called Uganda. So yes, tukomyewo. The keyboards are warm again, the satire has returned, and if this country continues producing stories at its current rate which, let us be honest it will, we shall all continue meeting here every Friday. Just do us one favour this time, after reading the headline, kindly continue to paragraph two.

The government has proposed sweeping reforms to bolster the safety of school transport, including mandatory specialised certification for drivers, stricter vehicle inspections, and the expanded deployment of speed cameras, following a wave of fatal crashes involving learners.

The proposals were unveiled on Thursday during a multi-stakeholder workshop organised by the Intelligent Transport Monitoring System (ITMS) Uganda in partnership with the Ministry of Works and Transport, the Uganda Professional Drivers’ Network, the Traffic Police Directorate, and other key players.

Held under the theme “Safe Tours for a Safe Future: Making School Travel Safe Again,” the meeting focused on strengthening enforcement, raising transport standards, and curbing road crashes involving school children.

Addressing participants, the Commissioner for Transport Regulation and Safety and Chief Licensing Officer of Motor Vehicles at the Ministry of Works and Transport, Mr Winstone Katushabe, warned that unsafe vehicles and poor driving habits continue to put young lives at risk.

“Unroadworthy vehicles, overcrowding, and the lack of basic safety features continue to put school children at risk on Uganda’s roads. Safer school transport can no longer wait,” Mr Katushabe cautioned.

He emphasized that drivers entrusted with transporting learners must be held to far higher standards than those required for an ordinary driving permit.

“School transport drivers should undergo specialised certification, defensive driving training, and regular background checks before being entrusted with learners’ lives,” he noted.

Mr Katushabe cited speeding, reckless overtaking, distracted driving, and unqualified operators as primary drivers of crashes involving school transport. To mitigate these risks, he called for safer infrastructure around educational facilities, including designated pick-up and drop-off bays, pedestrian crossings, speed humps, and strict enforcement of a 30km/h speed limit in school zones.

To enforce compliance, the government plans to leverage advanced technology.

“Smart enforcement using speed cameras and Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) technology will help identify traffic offenders and improve compliance around school transport,” Mr Katushabe explained, adding that protecting learners demands a joint effort from schools, parents, transport operators, drivers, and law enforcement agencies.

The proposed interventions come as Uganda battles a severe road safety crisis. Government data reveals that the country records over 25,000 road crashes annually, resulting in roughly 25,800 casualties and between 5,000 and 6,000 deaths-translating to roughly 14 road fatalities every day.

Public outrage over learner safety reached a boiling point last month after 20 pupils and an adult lost their lives in a tragic crash involving a vehicle transporting children from King David Junior School in Kapchorwa. Several other pupils sustained serious injuries.

In response, police have launched countrywide operations targeting vehicles carrying school children beyond their licensed passenger capacity.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Education and Sports revealed that schools have been instructed to implement immediate safety guidelines under the Basic Requirements and Minimum Standards for Educational Institutions.

Ministry spokesperson Mr Denis Mugimba stated that all vehicles transporting learners must hold a valid Private Motor Omnibus (PMO) licence accompanied by Inspection of Vehicles (IOV) certification. He added that school vehicles must be fully roadworthy, and drivers must possess the precise class of permit required for the vehicles they operate.

Mr Mugimba also reiterated the government’s decision to suspend all school study trips and educational tours until further notice while broader consultations and long-term preventive measures are finalized.

Traffic Police spokesperson Mr Michael Kananura confirmed that enforcement operations will be intensified to target violations affecting school transport, focusing heavily on route compliance, speeding, overloading, and smart technology integration.

He added that expanded use of the Express Penalty System (EPS) will enforce greater accountability among motorists.

Highlighting the technological aspect, Mr Steven Turyarugayo, the Public Relations Consultant for the ITMS project, explained that artificial intelligence embedded within the EPS will play a critical role in tracking traffic offenders.

“Through our AI-powered technology, EPS can support improved vehicle identification, monitoring, and enforcement while providing relevant authorities with better tools to promote compliance and accountability. We believe the Express Penalty System will help bring about behavioural change on our roads for the safety of school-going children,” Mr Turyarugayo said.

Ms Persis Namuganza, the State Minister for Lands, Housing and Urban Development, has warned financial institutions to stop what she described as an “ugly and inhumane” practice of seizing people’s properties over defaulted loans.

Speaking while presiding over a post-budget dialogue organised by the Uganda Society of Architects on August 6 in Kampala, Ms Namuganza said it is unfair for banks and other lenders to take over properties developed by Ugandans simply because they failed to pay their loans on time.

This, she said, has pushed many developers into absolute poverty and depression, and has ended up shrinking the entire country’s development agenda.

‘So many commercial buildings have been taken due to failure to complete loans on time. They should give people longer repayment periods,’ Ms Namuganza added.

Her remarks come at a time when majority of Ugandan developers who default on loans are suffering at the hands of banks that later sell off their properties at low market value.

While a few wealthy property owners run to the Commercial Division of the High Court and secure temporary orders stopping the sale – often citing irregular procedures, unfair interest rates, or lack of spousal consent – most small-scale developers end up losing their properties.

‘This must stop with immediate effect and a lasting solution put in place,’ Ms Namuganza said.

‘We need a proper strategy on financial literacy because this has caused health problems, death and the distortion of families,’ she added.

The post-budget dialogue, held under the theme ‘Tracking Housing Commitments in the National Budget,’ brought together government officials, planners, financiers and civil society to address Uganda’s housing crisis.

On the same platform, Ms Namuganza called for orderly and planned development, emphasizing the role of architects in guiding developers before construction.

‘Before construction, people should consider the neighbourhood. A commercial building should not be mixed with residentials. Our country should have proper physical planning,’ she said.

She also raised concern over high costs of building materials, heavy taxes, and restrictions on sand extraction by the Ministry of Environment and Minerals.

‘You must demonstrate affordable housing models and prove to the President that it is possible. My ministry remains committed to supporting the sector,’ she said.

Ms Namuganza further urged architects to promote uniformity in housing, especially in slums, arguing that the current lack of order makes the country look unattractive. She suggested benchmarking with countries like Russia and Canada.

Finance Minister Mr Henry Musasizi, represented by Deputy Permanent Secretary Mr Patrick Ocailap, outlined government expectations for the sector. He cited the need to upgrade informal settlements such as Kivulu and Namuwongo, expand affordable housing, use research to guide policy, and understand real market demand, especially among students.

Ocailap also stressed housing’s contribution to Uganda’s target of a US$500 billion economy by 2040, and called for innovative approaches, lower construction costs, reduced taxation in the building sector, and measures to curb informal housing. He commended the Uganda Society of Architects for organizing the dialogue.

Architect Kenneth Amunsimire, President of the Uganda Society of Architects, said the dialogue aimed to hold government accountable on housing commitments under the National Development Plan.

‘We are here to dialogue and track government commitment to housing in the national budget and to discuss with various stakeholders what can be improved,’ he said.

‘Housing is one of the five pillars of development. We are here together with professional bodies, housing finance, the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Housing, the National Planning Authority, engineers, banks and civil society so that housing is prioritised and the deficit of 2.4 million units is reduced,’ Amunsimire added.

He noted that the Society is celebrating 60 years of existence and raised concern about unregistered practitioners.

‘Only 410 members are registered out of the many who have studied architecture but are not registered. We have a board that disciplines such people. We urge the public to engage a genuine architect or seek help from us to avoid substandard work,’ he said.

Dr Joseph Muvawala, Executive Director of the National Planning Authority, encouraged citizens to prioritise decent housing as a foundation for development.

Paul Mayende, Advocacy Manager at Habitat for Humanity Uganda, said the organization has for over 43 years helped Ugandans access decent housing through interlocking blocks that lower construction costs.

He called on government to reduce taxes on building materials, particularly lower-grade products such as 32-gauge iron sheets.

Officials at the dialogue agreed that addressing Uganda’s 2.4 million unit housing deficit will require coordinated action on planning, taxation, financing, professional regulation and innovative construction methods.

Standing in Kinyole A in the Northern City Division in Mbale City, Joel Namutolo points to a vacant plot marked with a bold sign: “Land for Sale – Shs50 Million.”

What was once predominantly rural land, used for subsistence farming with a plot of 100 by 50 costing about Shs1 million to Shs3 million, has rapidly transformed into high-value property targeted by developers, investors, and homebuilders. The land has become a contested asset due to rising prices, resulting in competing claims and silent tensions among families.

Recently, an incident happened in the city suburb of Namanyonyi Ward in Makudui Village, where a family reportedly broke apart after siblings disagreed over the sale of inherited land, prompting intervention by local leaders.

As urban development pushes deeper into former villages, disputes over ownership, compensation, land use, and planning approvals have intensified.

“We are seeing more cases of family members contesting inheritance rights, siblings dragging each other to court over ancestral land, and disputes between residents and city authorities over planning regulations,” Mr Joseph Mafabi, a land dealer in Mbale City, said.

In 2020, Mbale was among the first municipalities elevated to city status after the Cabinet approved the creation of new cities.

It incorporated seven sub-counties and two town councils from the former Mbale Municipality, significantly expanding its administrative and geographic footprint. The incorporated areas included Nauyo-Bugema and Nakaloke town councils, as well as Bukonde, Lwasso, Namanyonyi, Nakaloke, Namabasa, Bukasakya and Bungokho-Mutoto sub-counties. The expansion has not only redrawn boundaries but also reshaped how land is valued and governed.

Plots that once attracted little attention are now highly sought after. While in some areas a plot goes for between Shs10 million and Shs40 million, strategically located urban plots now cost more than Shs100 million. Ms Christine Mutonyi, a farmer in the Northern City Division, said the pressure has changed community dynamics.

“People who never thought about selling their land are now receiving offers. Families are divided, and even old boundary agreements that were once respected are now being questioned,” she said.

In many of the newly incorporated areas, customary land tenure systems continue to operate alongside formal urban planning regulations, creating friction as land values rise. The result has been a steady increase in disputes involving boundaries, inheritance, and overlapping ownership claims.

Mr Kasim Wabonga, the assistant town clerk for Mbale City, said the main challenge lies in integrating formerly rural areas into urban planning systems.

‘The creation of Mbale City did not change ownership rights. What changed was the administrative status and planning requirements,” he said.

He added: “Many of the incorporated areas were never properly surveyed. Our duty is to ensure development happens in a planned manner while protecting residents’ rights.” He adds that physical planning has become central as roads, housing estates, and commercial developments expand across the city. Ms Aisha Nabwire, a lawyer in Mbale, said many disputes stem from limited public awareness of land procedures. “Many cases before courts arise because people are not aware of the correct legal processes,” she said.

Mr Martin Ojaro, a surveyor, said many families still rely on informal markers such as trees and anthills to define boundaries.

“Most people only seek surveying after conflicts begin,” he said. Mbale City spokesperson James Kutosi said rapid expansion has placed heavy pressure on governance systems.

“Many newly incorporated areas entered the city without proper physical plans or surveyed boundaries, creating fertile ground for disputes,” he said. Mr Kutosi explained that newly incorporated areas entered the city without proper physical plans, surveyed boundaries, or updated ownership records.

This, he said, created fertile ground for disputes when development demand increased.

“The law requires the city to protect road reserves, public land, and planned infrastructure corridors, but some of these spaces had already been occupied or informally allocated over the years,” he said.

Mr Kutosi said the city, through its physical planning office, has resolved several land-related disputes, while others remain under review.

Despite the disputes, residents acknowledge that city status has brought opportunities, including infrastructure development, rising property values, and increased investment interest.

However, experts warn that without stronger land governance systems, the same land driving Mbale’s growth could become its most persistent source of conflict.

Two employees of Next Media Services lost their lives in the early hours of Friday morning, August 7, following a devastating head-on collision along the Kampala-Entebbe Road. A third staff member remains in critical condition.

According to statements released by both the Uganda Police Force and Next Media Services, the victims were identified as Badru Kasirye, a producer, and Isaac Ndamagye, a content creator. Both succumbed to their injuries at the scene.

The third staff member, Brian Ssemanda (popularly known as Makona), sustained severe injuries and is currently receiving treatment in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at Kisubi Hospital.

Traffic Police spokesperson, Superintendent of Police (SP) Michael Kananura, confirmed that the fatal crash occurred at approximately 2:00 a.m. at Namulanda, near the Stabex fuel station.

“Preliminary investigations indicate that the driver of the Toyota Hilux (UAS 976W), travelling from Entebbe towards Kampala, allegedly lost control and drifted into the opposite lane while approaching the Stabex area. The vehicle subsequently collided head-on with an oncoming Toyota Allex (UA 779DE),” SP Kananura stated.

Traffic officers confirmed that while Kasirye and Ndamagye died instantly, two survivors-including Ssemanda and the driver of the Hilux-were rescued and rushed to Kisubi Hospital for emergency medical care.

The bodies of the deceased were later conveyed to the City Mortuary at Mulago for post-mortem examinations.

In an official statement on Friday, Next Media Services confirmed the loss of their staff members and noted that management remains in direct contact with the medical team treating Ssemanda.

The media house appealed to the public and media fraternity for privacy on behalf of the bereaved families and for Ssemanda as he continues to undergo critical care.

SP Kananura added that police inquiries into the exact circumstances of the crash are ongoing, extending condolences on behalf of the force:

“Police extend heartfelt condolences to the families, friends, and colleagues of the deceased, and wish the injured victim a quick and full recovery. Further details will be communicated as soon as inquiries are concluded.”

The tragedy along Entebbe Road comes just days after a horrific crash at Lwera Swamp along the Kampala-Masaka Highway on Monday night, which claimed 14 lives and left four others critically injured.

These latest fatalities highlight the ongoing, deadly challenge of road traffic accidents across Uganda. According to the 2025 Uganda Police Annual Crime Report, the country recorded 26,044 road crashes nationwide-a 3.7% increase from the previous year. Of those reported, 4,602 were classified as fatal, resulting in more than 5,380 lives lost on Ugandan roads over the course of the year.

The Secretary General of Uganda Professional Science Teachers’ Union (UPSTU), Mr Aron Mugaiga, has expressed concern over alleged rising alcohol abuse among science teachers following a rise in pay for these educationists in 2022.

This follows concerns raised by the Kabale District Education Officer, Mr Moses Bwengye. The union has since called for a return to basic professional principles.

‘As a national professional body representing science teachers across Uganda, UPSTU treats matters relating to professional conduct, welfare, and learner outcomes with utmost seriousness,’ Mr Mugaiga said.

The Union leader insisted that while the science teachers’ union recognises the importance of addressing any incidents of indiscipline, such reports should not be used to generalise or stigmatize the entire fraternity of science teachers in Uganda.

He explained that the overwhelming majority of science teachers remain committed, disciplined, and professional and in discharge of their duties, despite working under demanding conditions.

According to Mr Bwengye, the district had lost some science teachers to alcohol-related causes, noting that many continue to spend their enhanced salaries on alcohol, instead of investing the money and concentrating on teaching. The government increased salaries for science teachers starting in the 2022/2023 financial year.

Currently, graduate science teachers now earn about Shs4 million per month, while science head teachers earn up to Shs6.5 million.

Mr Mugaiga suggested that alcoholism ought to be discussed within the broader context of the teaching profession, where some teachers are battling mental health challenges triggered by various factors.

‘Science teachers are currently operating in an environment characterised by increased workloads arising from rising student enrolment in science subjects, intensified practical and theoretical teaching demands, and growing administrative expectations associated with the competence-based curriculum,’ he explained. Mr Bwengye added that teachers face limited access to structured psychosocial support systems and wellness programmes within their workplaces. UPSTU has consistently highlighted that these combined pressures can contribute to stress-related challenges that may affect wellbeing and professional performance if not adequately addressed through supportive interventions.’

Mr Mugaiga noted that while professional ethics and discipline remain non-negotiable obligations for all teachers, issues relating to conduct must also be understood within the wider framework of teacher welfare and working conditions.

One person died on the spot while three others sustained serious injuries on Wednesday morning after a Fuso Fighter lorry lost brakes and crushed a motorcycle at Kyanamira Trading Centre, a few kilometers to Kabale town along the Kabale-Mbarara highway, before overturning.

The Kigezi Region Police Spokesperson, SP Nelson Tumushime, identified the deceased as Gilbert Niwagaba, 39, a boda-boda rider and resident of Kyamugaba Village, Kanjobe Parish, Kyanamira sub-county, Kabale District.

He said the three injured, including the lorry driver, were rushed to Kabale Regional Referral Hospital for treatment, but their identities had not yet been established.

‘It’s alleged the driver of the Fuso fighter lorry which was from Kampala heading to Kisoro lost control at Kyanamira trading center a few kilometers to Kabale town and rammed into a parked motorcycle, killing the rider and leaving three other people seriously injured,’ Mr Tumushime said.

He urged motorists to be cautious on the road.

‘We urge all motorists to obey traffic rules, avoid over speeding, reckless overtaking, and drunk driving. Drivers should ensure vehicles are roadworthy and avoid fatigue on long journeys. Passengers should not allow drivers to drive recklessly. We extend our deepest condolences to the families of the deceased and wish the injured a quick recovery,’ Mr Tumushime added.

Road users along the Kabale-Mbarara highway have now appealed to government to install road safety measures in the area, which they say has become a death trap.

Mr Tunga Muhwezi called for the establishment of road humps at the sharp corners of Kabaraga Hills and at Kyanamira Trading Centre.

‘The authorities at the ministry of works should put in place warning signs along the Kabale-Mbarara highway especially in the sharp corners on the Kabaraga hills to remind the new and old drivers about the dangers of over speeding in such challenging terrain,’ Mr Muhwezi said.

This is not the first fatal accident on the stretch.

In April 2025, a secondary school teacher died on the spot while 13 other passengers sustained serious injuries after a Toyota Hiace mini-bus lost control around Kabaraga Hills and overturned several times. The vehicle was heading to Mbarara City from Kabale town.

In June 2024, a 58-year-old tourist from Germany died on the spot while two colleagues sustained serious injuries after the vehicle they were traveling in lost control and overturned around Kabaraga Hills in Kabale District.