Category: Daily Monitor

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.

Five young men have been remanded to Tororo Main Prison after appearing before the Tororo Grade One Magistrate’s Court on charges related to illegal drug possession, highlighting the persistent struggle with substance abuse among Ugandan youth in urban centers.

Appearing before Grade One Magistrate David Grace Wanda on Friday afternoon, the accused-aged between 20 and 30 years-were charged with possession of narcotic drugs and frequenting a place used for smoking narcotics, contrary to the National Drug Policy and Authority Act.

Prosecution informed the court that on Thursday, August 6, 2026, the suspects were arrested at Children’s Lions Park in Tororo Municipality after being found in possession of smashed and rolled sticks of marijuana without lawful authority. Police records indicate that the suspects were allegedly carrying quantities intended for local distribution.

The accused denied the charge of frequenting a narcotics joint, telling the court that they were at the venue conducting legitimate business, including selling calendars. However, Magistrate Wanda remanded them after ruling that they did not qualify for bail, citing their failure to produce required documentation, including copies of their National Identity Cards, introductory letters from their respective LCI chairpersons, and valid sureties.

Children’s Lions Park has long been identified by local authorities as a gathering point for idlers and commercial sex workers. Across many urban areas in Uganda, public green spaces have increasingly been transformed into illicit hotspots, where high youth unemployment and socio-economic pressures contribute to rising rates of drug dependency, particularly involving affordable narcotics like marijuana.

The suspects were apprehended during a wider intelligence-led security sweep that initially saw more than 19 individuals rounded up, although only five were formally charged following a screening exercise.

The Bukedi South Regional Police spokesperson confirmed that the operation demonstrates law enforcement’s firm commitment to dismantling drug trafficking rings, warning that similar crackdowns will continue across the region. Police further appealed to members of the public to report suspected drug peddling, emphasizing that community cooperation is vital to curbing the growing threat of youth drug abuse.

The Church of Uganda has announced that Archbishop Stephen Samuel Kaziimba Mugalu alongside six diocesan bishops will officially retire in August 2027 after reaching the mandatory retirement age of 65, as stipulated by the Church’s constitution.

According to Mr. Adams Sadiiki, the Church of Uganda Communications Officer, the announcement was made during the 28th Provincial Assembly held at Uganda Christian University (UCU), Mukono, on Thursday, August 6. This marks the highest number of bishops scheduled to retire in a single year in the history of the Church of Uganda.

Those slated for retirement include the Most Rev. Stephen Samuel Kaziimba Mugalu, who serves as the Archbishop of the Church of Uganda and Bishop of Kampala Diocese, as well as the Rt. Rev. Dan Zoreka of Kinkiizi Diocese, the Rt. Rev. Dr. Fred Sheldon Mwesigwa of Ankole Diocese, and the Rt. Rev. Patrick Wakula of Central Busoga Diocese.

The list also includes the Rt. Rev. John Wilson Nandaah of Mbale Diocese, the Rt. Rev. Gaddie Akanjuna of Kigezi Diocese, and the Rt. Rev. Amos Magezi of North West Ankole Diocese.

Under the Church of Uganda Constitution, serving bishops and the Archbishop are mandated to step down upon clocking 65 years of age. Archbishop Kaziimba, who was elected as the 9th Archbishop of the Church of Uganda on August 28, 2019, at St. Paul’s Cathedral, Namirembe, succeeded the Most Rev. Stanley Ntagali in March 2020. Ahead of his upcoming exit, Archbishop Kaziimba is currently conducting a nationwide pastoral and farewell tour across the province.

To qualify for election as a bishop in the Church of Uganda, a candidate must be an ordained priest, at least 45 years old, and hold a recognized bachelor’s degree in theology or a first degree in another field complemented by a theological diploma or postgraduate qualification. Meanwhile, an archbishop candidate must be an active, serving diocesan bishop within the province, at least 50 years old, and under the mandatory retirement age during the election year.

The Church of Uganda currently comprises 39 dioceses across the country. Namirembe Diocese, located on Namirembe Hill in Kampala, remains the oldest, having started in 1897 as the Diocese of Uganda before taking its current name in 1960.

For many Ugandan families, the latest inflation figures are more than economic statistics, they are a daily reminder of increasingly difficult financial choices. As the cost of fuel, electricity, transport and basic food items continues to rise, many households are being forced to choose between paying rent, keeping the lights on, buying food or seeking medical care. Others are reducing meal portions, cutting non-essential spending or relying on debt simply to make ends meet.

New figures released by Uganda Bureau of Statistics (Ubos) show annual headline inflation rose to 4 percent in July, up from 3.7 percent in June, signalling renewed pressure on household budgets after months of relative price stability. Although overall inflation remains within the Bank of Uganda’s medium-term target of 5 percent, the sharpest price increases have occurred in essential goods and services that account for the largest share of household expenditure. Energy, fuels and utilities recorded annual inflation of 14.9 percent, while transport costs rose 9.3 percent.

Food and non-alcoholic beverages inflation increased to 3.1 percent, driven by higher prices of staple commodities. Fuel remains one of the biggest contributors to the rising cost of living. Petrol prices increased by 29 percent in July, while diesel prices surged by 39 percent. Ubos also reported higher prices for mukene (silver fish), cooking oil, laundry soap, dry Nile perch and vegetables. The July inflation reading is the highest recorded since September 2025 under the Classification of Individual Consumption According to Purpose, the international framework used to measure household expenditure.

Food, housing, utilities and fuel continue to consume the largest share of household budgets, leaving families with little disposable income for healthcare, education and other necessities. Emmanuel Erem, a research fellow at Makerere University’s Economic Policy Research Centre (EPRC), says the latest inflation trends are steadily eroding the purchasing power of ordinary Ugandans, particularly low-income earners. ‘For households, the effect is a reduction in real purchasing power. Unless wages and incomes rise at the same pace, families must spend more to purchase the same goods and services,’ he says.

Poorer households, Erem says, are especially vulnerable because they spend a larger share of their incomes on food, transport, utilities and healthcare. He cites the example of mukene, one of Uganda’s most affordable protein sources, whose price has risen by about 25 percent, from Shs17,691 to Shs22,155 per kilogramme between July 2025 and July 2026. As living costs continue to rise, many households are adopting coping mechanisms with potentially long-term consequences. ‘They may reduce the quantity or quality of food consumed, postpone medical treatment, walk instead of paying transport fares, withdraw children from some school activities or eliminate spending on recreation,’ Erem says.

Inflation, therefore, notes has the potential to translate into poorer nutrition, reduced access to healthcare and a general deterioration in living standards. On the other Erem says the higher fuel and electricity prices ripple through the economy by raising production and transport costs. Small businesses are also feeling the pressure. Many operate on thin profit margins and lack the financial capacity to absorb higher operating costs while weak consumer demand limits their ability to pass those costs on to customers. However, Makerere University Business School Economic Forum director Fred Muhumuza, argues that the official inflation rate does not fully reflect the financial strain facing households.

He explains that inflation is calculated using a basket of about 350 goods and services with different expenditure weights. As a result, essentials such as fuel, electricity, groceries and transport, which households purchase frequently, appear less significant in the headline figure despite having the greatest impact on family budgets. ‘The real prices that have gone up are the ones that touch people the most,’ Muhumuza says. ‘Between December and July, diesel prices increased by 14 percent and petrol by 11 percent, yet inflation is reported at only 4 percent. We feel the impact of diesel every day because it feeds directly into transport costs and the prices of almost everything else,’ he says, noting that inflation becomes more painful when wages fail to keep pace with rising prices.

‘If your income hasn’t risen by at least the rate of inflation, then you are effectively poorer than you were a year ago,’ he says. To illustrate the point, Muhumuza distinguishes between nominal and real income, the amount of goods and services that income can actually buy. ‘If I had Shs10,000 and fuel cost Shs5,000 per litre, my real income was equivalent to two litres. Today, when fuel costs Shs6,500 per litre, the same Shs10,000 buys less than two litres.’ He also points to ‘shrinkflation’, where products retain the same selling price but become smaller. ‘A chapati may still cost Shs1,000, but it is becoming smaller because producers cannot easily increase prices for consumers whose incomes have stagnated.’

The squeeze on household budgets reflects Engel’s Law, which holds that when incomes come under pressure, families protect spending on essentials such as food, rent, transport and school fees, while cutting discretionary purchases such as clothing and electronics. Ubos data shows food already accounts for more than 44 percent of average household expenditure. As fuel and utility costs rise, spending on non-essential goods declines sharply, affecting retailers and other small businesses. The rising cost of living is also raising questions about Uganda’s ambition to grow its economy from $50b to $500b by 2040.

Erem believes the target remains achievable but warns that sustained increases in energy and transport costs could slow progress by raising production costs, reducing export competitiveness and discouraging private investment. He also cautions that persistent inflationary pressures could translate into high interest rates, making borrowing more expensive for businesses and households. Nevertheless, he notes Uganda is not facing runaway inflation. ‘The immediate challenge is not broad-based inflation. It is a concentrated cost-of-living shock driven primarily by fuel, transport and selected food items,’ Erem says. Muhumuza agrees, saying for Uganda to achieve it targeted $500b economy, we ‘need economic growth above seven percent, and eventually double-digit growth’.

Regional perspective

Across East Africa, inflation continues to be driven mainly by food and fuel costs, although the pace differs across countries. Uganda’s annual headline inflation stood at 4 percent in July, the lowest in the region, while Rwanda recorded the region’s highest inflation at 12.9 percent in May 2026, driven by transport, housing and healthcare costs. Kenya’s reached 6.5 percent in July, while Tanzania maintained relatively stable prices, with headline inflation easing to about 4 percent.

After a few months of using an injectable prescription for weight loss, the first change Claire Nansikombi noticed was not physical but mental.

She had long struggled with food noise, but for the first time in her life, thoughts about food no longer dominated her mind. ‘Suddenly I was not constantly thinking about what I had eaten, should not eat, wanted to eat, or how much self-control I needed to get through the day,’ she says as she describes the past year of using Mounjaro as the best 12 months of her life.. ‘My energy levels are higher and the brain fog that once clouded my days has lifted. Some people will laugh when I say this, but the sky looks bluer, the air feels fresher and I wake up excited about possibilities again.’

Life before weight loss

Before the weight loss, Nansikombi, a digital creator and entreprenuer popularly known as Claire on her socials, says she was carrying far more than extra weight. Her health was deteriorating as she was living with high blood pressure, prediabetes, chronic body aches and persistent fatigue. ‘My knees hurt, my back hurt, and everything felt harder than it should have,’ she recalls. Despite the physical struggles, she never saw herself as someone whose life was on hold. She was building businesses, raising her daughter, travelling and creating a life she loved. On the surface, everything looked successful but behind the scenes, Claire knew her health was not on the ideal path.

Finding solutions

When she started taking the injectable treatments in June 2025, Claire was looking for a solution. By then, she had already tried diets, calorie counting, and willpower and exercise programmes. ‘I chose Mounjaro because I had tried everything else and still had not solved the problem,’ she notes. She explains that while it may be easy for some people to lose a small amount of weight, losing 50 kilogrammes is an entirely different challenge. The final straw came after months of intense effort. She was exercising regularly, eating sparingly and doing everything she believed she was supposed to do. Then she stepped onto the scale. ‘I felt hopeful and convinced that all my hard work would finally show up. Instead, the scale said plus two kilogrammes,’ she recalls.

She did not overthink it.

‘I stared at it, picked up my phone, called the clinic, booked an appointment, paid for my first month and started the journey,’ she recalls. What the treatment offered, she says, was a way of addressing the biological aspects of obesity rather than relying entirely on self-control. ‘It feels surreal to have lost more than 50 kilogrammes in one year. I spent more than 20 years trying and failing to lose weight. Finally succeeding at 35 has been one of the most incredible experiences of my life,’ she says.

Unlike many people who struggle with significant side effects, Claire says her experience has been remarkably smooth. ‘Every now and then I get a mild tummy ache on injection day, but that is about it,’ she shares.

Beyond the injection

Claire is quick to point out that medication alone is not responsible for the changes. A strong support system played a major role. Her family encouraged her throughout the process. Her online community celebrated every milestone and the clinic guiding her treatment provided much more than prescriptions. ‘Education is one of the most valuable parts of the journey. Through nutritional counselling, I learnt how to eat balanced meals without starving myself or banning foods I enjoy,’ she explains, saying she still enjoys ice cream, cake, rice, sweet potatoes and posho.

The difference, she says, is that she now prioritises protein and understands how to build meals that support her health.

Psychotherapy also helped her develop a healthier relationship with food and build sustainable habits. Even exercise, something she once disliked, has become part of her daily routine. ‘I walk between 5,000 and 10,000 steps every day. At first I hated it, but now my evening walk is one of my favourite parts of the day,’ Claire says.

Mental and emotional shift

The mother of one says the benefits have extended beyond physical health. Her confidence and productivity have improved and she has regained mental space. ‘Being overweight felt like a second full-time job. I was constantly thinking about food, diets, failure and trying again,’ she says. That burden has disappeared, allowing her to focus more energy on her daughter, her business and the things that matter most. Still, she acknowledges that the journey has not been without challenges. The hardest adjustment has been psychological. Even now, she sometimes catches her reflection and feels surprised.

‘The body changes much faster than the mind. In my head, I am still 124 kilogrammes because my brain has not fully adjusted yet,’ she explains. Losing weight publicly has also attracted opinions from all directions. ‘Everyone has an opinion, and people are often very passionate about those opinions,’ she notes. Claire notes that, fortunately, she has never been one to live according to other people’s expectations. ‘I do what I want and everybody else adjusts,’ she says.

Easy path?

Losing 52 kilogrammes felt surprisingly achievable but required financial readiness. ‘Spending between Shs500,000 to Shs900,000 every month is not exactly effortless. I simply choose which hard feels easier,’ she explains, noting that she believes long-term success depends on building sustainable habits. Claire emphasises that the injections are not a casual treatment. She warns against counterfeit products and self-medication, noting that she has heard from people who encountered serious complications after trying to manage the process without professional guidance. ‘Mounjaro is a serious medication and should always be used under medical supervision,’ she stresses.

Rethinking risks

Claire observes that people spend a lot of time worrying about potential long-term risks, but very few people talk about the guaranteed risks of remaining obese. ‘If I had stayed where I was, I was looking at a future that included diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, declining mobility and a significantly reduced quality of life,’ she shares. When she weighed those realities against the possible risks, the choice became clear: ‘I was comparing guaranteed consequences with possible consequences. The decision made itself. ‘

For anyone considering medical weight-loss treatment, Claire recommends working with qualified medical professionals. ‘Do not attempt the journey alone. Use the medication as a tool rather than expecting magic. And use the time to improve nutrition, mindset and long-term habits,’ she advises. Most of all, she challenges the idea that struggle is somehow more noble. ‘Life is already hard enough,’ she says. ‘We deal with grief, trauma, family problems, financial stress, loneliness, illness, anxiety and countless other challenges every day.’

For her, effective medical support for obesity represented an opportunity she was no longer willing to ignore.

‘You do not get extra points for choosing the harder path,’ she says.

A 35-year-old blogger has been remanded to prison after appearing before the Buganda Road Chief Magistrate’s Court on allegations of sending false distress signals on TikTok, where he reportedly claimed to have stolen Shs7 billion from Hadijah Namyalo Uzeiye, the head of the Office of the National Chairman (ONC).

Abdallah Bogere, commercially known on social media as “True Leader,” appeared before Chief Magistrate Ritah Neumbe Kidasa on Friday. He was formally read the charge of sending false distress signals, an offence contrary to Section 82 of the Uganda Communications Act, Cap 103. Bogere denied the allegations and pleaded not guilty.

The prosecution contends that between August 3 and 4, 2026, within Kampala and Kabale districts, Bogere and others still at large knowingly transmitted false information using TikTok accounts handles @trueleader123 and @Planned Mulekwa. In the video recordings, the accused allegedly claimed that he and his accomplices had stolen Shs7 billion from Ms. Namyalo.

Chief State Attorney Joan Keko informed the court that police inquiries into the matter were nearing conclusion and sought a brief pause in proceedings to update the court on final progress. Ms. Keko submitted that investigations are near complete and prayed for an adjournment so that the state could update the court on the progress of the investigations.

Following the plea, defence lawyer Ms. Lydia Nakimpi immediately moved court to grant her client bail. The proceedings hit a minor procedural query when Chief Magistrate Kidasa inquired whether the defence team had properly uploaded a notice of instructions onto the Judiciary’s Electronic Court Case Management Information System (ECCMIS). Ms. Nakimpi clarified that while the notice of instructions was pending final upload, all primary supporting bail documents had already been successfully submitted to the system.

In support of his bail application, Bogere presented three sureties to the court. Among them was Aisha Bahati, a shoe trader from Kisenyi I, Muzaana Zone, who also serves as the Woman Councillor for Kampala Central Division and identified herself as the accused person’s in-law. The second surety, Zebia Juuko Lwantale, a businesswoman and landlord owning properties along Nakibinge Road in Namugongo, introduced herself as Bogere’s aunt. The third surety was the accused person’s wife, Farihah Namayanja.

While introducing himself during the court proceedings, Bogere identified himself as a businessman involved in social media creation, adding that he currently works with Senior Presidential Advisor Peace Mugamba. Ms. Nakimpi urged the court to consider the three individual substantial sureties and exercise its discretion to release her client on temporary freedom.

However, the state strongly objected to handling the bail hearing immediately, arguing that law enforcement required time to perform background checks on the details provided by the defence. Ms. Keko argued that the prosecution was not ready to respond to the application, noting that while they had been served with Local Council letters and business address details for the applicant and sureties, time was needed to verify them before making an authoritative response.

Ms. Nakimpi countered by requesting that should the magistrate grant the state’s request for verification, the adjournment be kept as short as possible to prevent extended detention.

Chief Magistrate Kidasa subsequently remanded Bogere and adjourned the matter to August 17, 2026, when the prosecution is expected to deliver its response to the bail application following the verification of the sureties’ credentials.

The Tax Appeals Tribunal has reopened a tax dispute involving more than Shs13.16b, giving businessman James Mansa a fresh opportunity to challenge an assessment by Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) after finding that his lawyer’s absence from a scheduled hearing was caused by unavoidable professional commitments while representing the Electoral Commission in the 2026 Presidential Election Petition before the Supreme Court. The decision sets aside an earlier order that had dismissed the appeal and effectively restores the dispute for hearing on its merits. The dispute stems from a tax assessment issued by URA against Mansa amounting to Shs13.16b.

His appeal challenging the assessment had been dismissed in January after his lead counsel failed to attend the hearing.

URA had argued that the assessed liability had immediately become due and payable, clearing the way for enforcement and recovery measures. Mansa subsequently returned to the Tribunal seeking reinstatement of the appeal under Section 26(4) of the Tax Appeals Tribunal Act, which allows the Tribunal to revive an application dismissed for non-attendance where it considers it appropriate to do so.

Document before the Tribunal indicates that in his application, Mansa had argued that the absence of lead counsel was not intentional, noting that lawyer had, on January 19, 2026, received instructions to represent the Electoral Commission in Presidential Election Petition No. 1 of 2026. The petition, he noted, required urgent consultations with the Electoral Commission, the Attorney General and other stakeholders, preparation of affidavits, compilation of evidence and filing of responses within strict constitutional timelines. The Tribunal heard that because of those obligations, counsel was unable to personally attend the hearing scheduled for January 22.

Court records show that the lawyer’s chambers had, on January 20, 2026, attempted to keep the Tribunal informed of the scheduling conflict by sending another advocate from the same chambers to explain why lead counsel could not attend. The following day, the firm formally wrote to the Tribunal requesting an adjournment. Despite those efforts, the request was rejected and the appeal was dismissed when lead counsel failed to appear on the hearing date. However, in seeking reinstatement, Mansa argued that the failure to attend resulted entirely from exceptional circumstances beyond counsel’s control and should not deprive him of the opportunity to contest a tax assessment.

He maintained that there had never been any intention to abandon or delay the proceedings and that he had consistently demonstrated willingness to prosecute the appeal. URA opposed the application, arguing that the explanation had already been presented when the adjournment request was made and rejected, arguing that the taxpayer should have made alternative arrangements to ensure legal representation and that reopening the matter would undermine the Tribunal’s earlier decision refusing the adjournment.

However, the three-member Tribunal comprising Chairperson Crystal Kabajwara and members Stella Nyapendi Chombo and Proscovia Rebecca Nambi noted that the material placed before it was more detailed than what had been available when the request for adjournment was initially considered. The Tribunal observed that a supplementary affidavit explained, in considerable detail, the extent of counsel’s involvement in the election petition, noting that it had found that this additional material demonstrated the exceptional nature of the scheduling conflict.

Its also examined the taxpayer’s conduct before the appeal was dismissed and found no evidence that Mansa had ignored the proceedings or deliberately sought to delay the case. Instead, it observed that another advocate from counsel’s chambers had appeared before the Tribunal ahead of the hearing to explain the circumstances, while a formal application for adjournment had also been filed. Although those steps did not justify postponing the hearing at the time, they demonstrated that the taxpayer had not abandoned his appeal.

Equally significant was the Tribunal’s finding that January 22, 2026 marked the first occasion on which counsel had failed to attend proceedings, which supported the conclusion that the absence arose from exceptional circumstances. The panel observed that while law firms have a duty to organise their work efficiently, unavoidable scheduling conflicts in matters governed by rigid constitutional timelines should not automatically extinguish a party’s right to be heard. Thus, according to the Tribunal, those considerations favoured reinstating Mansa’s appeal noting that the broader interests of justice required the dispute to be determined on its merits rather than through a procedural default.

The Tribunal also noted that any inconvenience occasioned by the delay could adequately be addressed through an award of costs rather than permanently shutting out the taxpayer. Thus, it consequently set aside the dismissal order, reinstated the appeal and directed that the dispute proceed to a substantive hearing. The decision means URA’s disputed Shs13.16b assessment against James Mansa will now face a full hearing before the Tax Appeals Tribunal, where both the taxpayer and the revenue authority will have the opportunity to argue the merits of the assessment.

Judicial officers issuing court orders that derail Uganda’s strategic oil and gas developments risk sabotaging the nation’s economic transformation, the Chief Justice has warned, framing such acts as tantamount to treason.

Speaking at the conclusion of a three-day tour of oil and gas sites in Buliisa and Hoima districts, Dr. Flavian Zeija urged judicial officers to serve as facilitators rather than obstacles to the country’s petroleum ambitions, emphasizing that legal disputes must be resolved expeditiously to avoid costly delays.

“It would be equivalent to treason for a judicial officer to put an injunction stopping the progress of an oil project because of any dispute. I want to urge judicial officers to be an aid to oil development rather than stepping on it,” Dr. Zeija said.

To mitigate litigation bottlenecks, Dr. Zeija revealed plans by the Judiciary to establish a specialized Environment and Infrastructure Division. This dedicated bench will handle disputes tied to major national works, complemented by specialized training for judicial officers to ensure cases are managed without stalling nationally strategic investments.

The warning comes on the heels of an appeal by Bank of Uganda Governor Dr. Michael Atingi-Ego, who cautioned that litigation must not jeopardize Uganda’s journey toward its First Oil target-a milestone central to achieving the government’s tenfold economic expansion strategy.

“There are going to be many issues to be settled because more players are coming into the sector, and disputes are inevitable. What we do not want is for court disputes to delay the production and export of Uganda’s oil,” Dr. Atingi-Ego noted during the joint tour.

Infrastructure progress accelerates ahead of first oil tyarget

The judicial delegation’s field visit highlighted substantial progress across major upstream and midstream installations aimed at commercializing Uganda’s crude reserves before the end of the year.

At the Tilenga Project in Buliisa District, the Central Processing Facility (CPF) has reached 68 percent completion. Designed to treat and prepare crude for export, the facility holds a maximum capacity of 190,000 barrels per day.

Andrew Ssenabulya, Senior Facilities Engineer at the Petroleum Authority of Uganda (PAU), explained that project developer TotalEnergies EandP Uganda and its contractors have agreed on a phased commissioning approach to guarantee output deadlines. Although the CPF features two processing trains, technical evaluations confirmed that commercial export can successfully start using a single operational line without disrupting timelines.

According to PAU Manager for Cost Monitoring Angela Nalweyiso, international oil companies have so far poured over US$12 billion into capital expenditure spanning exploration, appraisal, and field development. TotalEnergies EandP Uganda has already drilled 228 of the 420 planned production wells under the Tilenga license area.

Highlighting domestic benefits, Uganda National Oil Company (UNOC) Chief Corporate Affairs Officer Tony Otoa reiterated the commitment to local participation across the energy value chain.

“As the Uganda National Oil Company, we are keen on many aspects of the sector, especially local content. That is why we have many Ugandans working with oil companies,” Mr. Otoa said.

EACOP nears final stretch

Concurrently, construction on the 1,443-kilometre East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) has advanced to 91 percent completion. The electrically heated, insulated, and buried 24-inch pipeline will transport Uganda’s waxy crude from Kabaale in Hoima District across 296 kilometres in Uganda and 1,147 kilometres in Tanzania to the Chongoleani Marine Storage Terminal near Tanga Port.

Briefing the delegation on Wednesday, EACOP Deputy Managing Director John Bosco Habumugisha acknowledged that while external supply chain disruptions slowed momentum slightly, the pipeline remains on course for completion.

“In terms of overall completion, we are now at 91 percent. We could have been at about 94 percent, but several external factors affected project implementation. Nevertheless, the project remains on track, and we are optimistic that by the end of the year we shall have completed the remaining works and be ready for First Oil,” Mr. Habumugisha said.