Category: Daily Monitor

The victory celebrations that erupted across parts of Kikuube District on Thursday night marked the end of a closely watched by-election. National Resistance Movement (NRM) candidate Paddy Kisembo was elected as the new district chairperson, yet beneath the revelry lies a deeper story of voter apathy, political division, and high expectations for the oil-rich district’s new leader.

Kisembo secured a landslide victory with 26,612 votes, comfortably defeating National Unity Platform (NUP) candidate Fenekansi Timanyire, who garnered 8,712 votes.

The Kikuube District Returning Officer, Emmanuel Twine, announced the final results at 9:41 pm at the district headquarters.

‘Accordingly, as Returning Officer for Kikuube Electoral District and in accordance with Section 147 of the Local Government Act, Cap. 138, I declare Kisembo Paddy, who has obtained the largest number of votes, to be elected candidate for Kikuube Electoral District,’ Twine announced.

The by-election was organized by the Electoral Commission following the tragic death of former district chairperson Peter Banura Araali, who lost his life in a road crash on April 4 this year in Butyamba Cell, Kikuube Town Council.

The election attracted significant national attention, drawing senior government officials and NRM heavyweights to camp in the district during the campaign period. The race was widely viewed as a litmus test of political strength in an area where competition between the ruling NRM and opposition forces has steadily intensified.

While the Electoral Commission (EC) described the exercise as peaceful, concerns emerged over a starkly low voter turnout across many polling stations.

EC Chairperson Justice Simon Byabakama, who personally monitored the exercise, praised the conduct of voters, candidates, and election officials.

‘The election was very peaceful, and as the commission, we did not register a single incident of mishap or misconduct during the polling process,’ Justice Byabakama said.

However, he expressed disappointment over the empty polling booths. ‘I and my colleagues moved around the various polling stations in the district and we saw ourselves how the exercise was going on, but the only unfortunate bit was the low voter turnout in all the polling stations that we went to,’ he added.

Political analysts note that low voter turnout in by-elections has become a systemic issue in Uganda. Voters frequently view by-elections as less significant than general elections, while others point to economic hardships, political fatigue, and limited civic engagement as driving factors for staying away.

In Kikuube, residents expressed mixed reactions post-election. Some voiced confidence in the electoral process, expressing a desire for continuity in development programs. Others remained cynical, arguing that political leaders routinely over-promise during campaigns but fail to deliver once in office.

Kikuube’s strategic position at the center of Uganda’s burgeoning oil and gas industry makes local governance uniquely high-stakes. Residents widely expect district leadership to ensure local communities benefit directly from the massive investments flooding the petroleum sector.

Beyond oil, the new administration inherits a laundry list of local grievances, including dilapidated road networks, inadequate healthcare services, youth unemployment, and unresolved compensation disputes related to oil and gas infrastructure developments.

Speaking to this publication shortly after his victory was declared, Kisembo framed the outcome as a collective win.

‘I want to commend the people of Kikuube and everyone who has participated in this victory. It is not my own victory but the victory for the people of Kikuube and those who believe in me. We do not have time; we are ready to work, go on the ground, and serve the people,’ Kisembo said.

His victory speech shifted quickly toward internal party politics, where he called for reconciliation within the NRM, acknowledging that the grueling campaign period had exposed deep fractures among party supporters.

‘We have gone through a lot, but I want to call on the NRM fraternity and all the people of Kikuube to come on board and put Kikuube first. I want to ask for forgiveness from those whom I have wronged and urge the NRM family to be united because we are a family. Once we are united, we shall be able to work for our people,’ Kisembo urged.

Political observers note that patching up these internal party rifts will be one of Kisembo’s immediate hurdles, as lingering primary disputes often hamstring local governance.

Dr. Rosemary Sseninde, the NRM Director for Mobilisation, echoed the calls for unity, urging party members to pivot from politics to development.

‘After our flag bearer winning the election, it is now time for him to work for the residents of Kikuube. I want to advise party members to end the divisions that they have been having but rather work as a team for the betterment of their district,’ Dr. Sseninde said.

For Kikuube’s residents, the election marks the beginning of a fresh mandate. Community leaders maintain that the district requires aggressive investments in education, healthcare, agriculture, and infrastructure, alongside transparency in managing local resources. The incoming chairperson faces the immediate task of filling the vacuum left by Banura, whose sudden demise disrupted several critical district programs.

At 2pm, Juliet’s desk at Walela Primary School in Ayami Sub-county, northern Uganda, is empty.

The 15-year-old Primary Six pupil left home at 6am on June 16 carrying 20 mangoes tied in a black polythene bag, her only meal for the school day.

By break time, she had eaten half. At lunchtime, she shared the rest with classmates who had come to school without food.

Hours later, Juliet was among hundreds of learners who had abandoned lessons because of hunger.

‘When I set off on foot at 6am, I reach school at around 7am,’ she said, her uniform covered in dust from the long walk.

‘Due to lack of midday meal at school, I ensure I carry mangoes which I eat during break time and lunch time. I also share others with friends.’

Walela Primary School is among several government-aided schools in northern Uganda where the school feeding programme depends largely on contributions from parents.

Under the Universal Primary Education (UPE) arrangement, parents are expected to provide food items such as maize flour and beans. But for many households struggling with poverty and unreliable harvests, contributing meals for school children competes with feeding their own families.

When food is unavailable, teachers say the consequences are immediate: pupils arrive hungry, struggle to concentrate and often leave before the end of the school day.

A teacher at Walela said 674 pupils reported to school on June 16, but fewer than 400 remained by break time.

‘Pupils who cannot endure hunger find it challenging to regularly attend lessons. Some come late after breakfast or lunch at home. Those who arrive early start escaping at 10am. By 2pm, nearly half the day’s attendance is gone,’ the teacher said.

Nutrition experts say children require adequate calories and nutrients to sustain concentration, memory and physical growth. Teachers at Walela report cases of dizziness, headaches and frequent illness among pupils who regularly attend classes without meals.

For pupils walking long distances to school, the challenge is even greater.

‘The mangoes help me survive the day, but sometimes when you are hungry, you cannot understand what the teacher is saying,’ said Primary Six pupil Emmanuel Ojok.

At Walela, hunger has also coincided with poor academic performance.

In the 2025 Primary Leaving Examinations, 19 candidates sat for the national exams. None obtained Division One or Two, while only two managed Division Three.

Parents in Ayami Sub-county say many families cannot afford to consistently contribute food because they depend on small-scale farming affected by unpredictable weather.

Ayami LC3 chairperson George Obia said parents should recognise their role in supporting school feeding.

‘They shouldn’t expect magic from the school because our parents so many times have been blaming the teachers for poor academic outcomes,’ he said, adding: ‘But they need to understand that currently the school feeding programme in Uganda is jointly led by government and the parents.’

Efforts to improve learning conditions

Despite the challenges, interventions under the Community Score Card (CSC) initiative have helped improve conditions at Walela Primary School.

The initiative, implemented under the Catalyzing Strengthened Policy Action for Healthy Diets and Resilience (CASCADE) project by a consortium including CARE International and the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN), focuses on nutrition, sanitation and community accountability.

Through the project, Walela received 50 additional desks after community leaders highlighted severe shortages. The school previously had only 42 desks for 814 pupils.

The project also supported rehabilitation of the school borehole, reducing the distance pupils travelled to access water.

Previously, learners walked about 500 metres to a community water source, often creating conflicts with residents.

School authorities say the repaired borehole has improved hygiene for pupils and teachers, although overcrowded classrooms remain a challenge.

Ms Christine Akoli, the Ayami assistant agricultural officer, said the school is also developing a garden to support nutrition.

Despite weather challenges, the school currently grows maize and vegetables to supplement food supplies.

Ms Immaculate Daisy Yossa, Consortium Manager for CASCADE Uganda, said the Community Score Card approach helps communities and service providers identify challenges and jointly develop solutions.

‘By creating this feedback loop, the project ensures that public services are not only available but also responsive to the actual needs of the community,’ she said.

For pupils like Juliet, however, the biggest obstacle remains unchanged.

A school day without food can mean a day without learning.

Undisbursed external debt rose sharply during the first quarter of 2026, reaching $5.39b (Shs20.3 trillion) by the end of March, according to Ministry of Finance.

This was a rise of more than 44 percent from $3.74b (Shs14.1 trillion) recorded at the end of December 2025.

Undisbursed debt refers to loans that have been approved and signed but whose funds have not yet been used.

Although these loans are intended to finance development projects, delays in using them create challenges, requiring government pay commitment fees on unused funds.

Data from the Ministry of Finance indicates that the increase was mainly caused by several new loan agreements signed during the quarter.

Among the projects contributing to the rise were Enhancing Agricultural Productivity and Market Access Project, Karuma-Tororo Transmission Line Project, Water Supply and Sanitation Project, Laropi-Moyo-Katuna Road Project, and Development Response to Displacement Impacts Project II.

Undisbursed debt increased across all categories of lenders. Commitments from private creditors rose from $140m to $960m (Shs3.6 trillion), while loans from multilateral institutions increased from $2.99b to $3.58b (Shs13.5 trillion), while those from bilateral lenders rose from $610m to $850m (about Shs3.2 trillion).

During the period, the Ministry of Finance indicates that total public debt rose slightly from $34.86b to $34.98b (Shs131.6 trillion) due to new borrowing, continued loan disbursements, and changes in currency values.

Domestic debt remained the largest share of the debt portfolio, increasing to $19.1b (Shs71.9 trillion), while external debt rose slightly to $15.88b (Shs59.7 trillion).

Multilateral lenders still key

Multilateral institutions such as the World Bank, IMF, and African Development Bank remain Uganda’s largest lenders. By March 2026, multilateral creditors accounted for $10.4b (Shs39.1 trillion), representing 65.5 percent of Uganda’s external debt.

Among bilateral lenders, China’s Export-Import Bank remained the largest creditor with outstanding loans of $2.08b (Shs7.8 trillion).

Within the private sector, Stanbic Bank had the largest exposure at $820 million (Shs3.1 trillion).

Concessional loans

Government continues to rely mainly on concessional loans, which carry lower interest rates and longer repayment periods. Concessional debt accounted for $8.83b (Shs33.2 trillion), representing 55.6 percent of the external debt portfolio.

The increase was largely supported by additional funding from development partners, including the World Bank, African Development Fund, and Islamic Development Bank.

Debt servicing costs

Despite the increase in debt, debt servicing obligations eased during the quarter, with external debt service repayments falling from $416m (Shs1.56 trillion) to $288.3m (Shs1.08 trillion).

The weighted average interest rate on public debt also declined from 9.5 percent to 9 percent. Domestic debt remained much more expensive, carrying an average interest rate of 14.6 percent compared to 2.3 percent for external debt.

Risks remain manageable

Government says Uganda’s debt risks remain largely manageable, with more than 90 percent of public debt carrying fixed interest rates, reducing exposure to sudden increases in borrowing costs.

However, the sharp rise in undisbursed debt has raised concerns about delays in implementing government projects.

Analysts warn that if project execution does not improve, Uganda could continue accumulating debt without fully benefiting from the investments the loans are intended to finance.

Permanent Secretary and Secretary to the Treasury Ramathan Ggoobi said the publication of the debt bulletin supports government efforts to improve debt transparency and strengthen public financial management.

While debt indicators remain relatively stable, experts say faster implementation of development projects will be critical to ensuring borrowed funds generate economic growth and deliver benefits to Ugandans.

Inadequate funding for staff recruitment and aging infrastructure remain major challenges facing the Uganda National Institute for Teacher Education (UNITE) as the institution transitions from diploma training to university degree programmes.

UNITE Vice Chancellor Prof Betty Akullu Ezati revealed the challenges on Thursday while leading members of the UNITE Council and administrators on an assessment visit to the institution’s Kabale Campus.

UNITE inherited the infrastructure of five former National Teachers Colleges – Unyama, Mubende, Kaliro, Kabale and Muni – which were phased out and transformed into degree-awarding campuses under the new teacher education framework.

Prof. Ezati said staffing levels remain critically low due to inadequate wage allocations.

“A total of 137 staff, representing only 12.36 percent of the 1,107 required across all UNITE campuses, have been recruited. Due to inadequate wage provisions, many staff at UNITE campuses remain on the payroll of the Ministry of Education and Sports,” she said.

She noted that although the campuses benefited from infrastructure upgrades funded by development partners including Enabel, VVOB and the Islamic Development Bank several years ago, critical facilities still require rehabilitation.

At Kabale Campus, some student hostels and staff houses remain roofed with asbestos sheets, which have long been condemned due to health concerns.

“Some key infrastructure at Kabale Campus, including students’ halls of residence and staff houses, were not renovated and are still roofed with condemned asbestos sheets,” Prof. Ezati said.

She added that the institution’s vision of delivering practice-based teacher education requires further investment in teaching facilities, laboratory equipment and library resources.

“Although our strategic direction is the vocationalisation of teacher education, teaching and learning facilities, laboratory equipment and library resources across all campuses need upgrading to meet the standards of a degree-awarding institution,” she said.

UNITE Council Vice Chairperson Teopista Birungi Mayanja said the institution is expected to play a central role in transforming Uganda’s education sector by professionalising the teaching profession.

She explained that the proposed National Teacher Council will regulate the profession by licensing teachers in a manner similar to lawyers and medical practitioners.

Kabale Campus Dean Annet Komunda welcomed the council’s visit, saying it would help highlight infrastructure gaps requiring urgent attention.

“The visit comes at an appropriate time because some of the challenges affecting the campus, particularly the need to renovate student hostels and staff houses, can now receive greater attention,” she said.

Delivering a keynote address, Prof. James Tumwine, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine at Kabale University, encouraged teacher educators to embrace technological innovations while maintaining critical thinking skills.

“Concentrate on Real Intelligence rather than relying entirely on Artificial Intelligence because it gives students the opportunity to use their brains to be innovative and creative,” Prof. Tumwine said.

Kabale District Principal Administrative Secretary Gordon Manzi and Deputy Mayor Kedress Mutabazi praised the government’s decision to elevate the former National Teachers College into a degree-awarding institution, saying the move would enhance teacher training and stimulate local economic development.

The transition of teacher training institutions into UNITE campuses forms part of broader education reforms aimed at improving the quality, professionalism and relevance of teacher education in Uganda.

Uganda’s fiscal house shows a government that rakes in substantial tax revenues through the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA), yet often finds itself between a rock and a hard place when it comes to allocation efficiency, public trust, and delivering the goods in healthcare and infrastructure.

In the 2026/27 national budget of Shs84.3 trillion-the largest yet-domestic revenues are projected at around Shs44 trillion, with URA tasked to deliver about Shs40 trillion in tax revenue.

Ring-fencing a dedicated slice of these URA collections for citizens to vote on priority projects-like mending potholed roads or stocking health centres-could be the game-changer. It would tighten the screws on accountability, give taxpayers real skin in the game, and ensure public expenditure hits the nail on the head.

The government pursues an expansionary fiscal policy under the National Development Plans and the Ten-Fold Growth Strategy, emphasising agro-industrialisation, tourism, minerals, science, infrastructure, and human capital to monetise the economy.

URA does the heavy lifting, but the tax-to-GDP ratio lingers around 13-14 percent, below targets. Challenges persist: narrow tax base, exemptions letting revenue slip through the cracks, evasion, and reliance on regressive indirect taxes like VAT that hit the little guy hardest.

Digital tools and new measures aim to boost collections, yet they often deliver more bark than bite. The FY 2026/27 budget relies on these revenues plus borrowing, with debt servicing remaining a heavy burden amid rising public debt.

Allocations follow priorities like ATMS (Agro-Industrialisation, Tourism, Minerals, Science). Security and rule of law take a lion’s share at Shs10.21 trillion. Education gets Shs6.66 trillion for UPE/USE, teacher welfare, and sports infrastructure ahead of Afcon.

Health receives Shs5.23 trillion-still below Abuja targets-for maternal care, medicines, nutrition, and universal health coverage.

Infrastructure and wealth creation programmes spread resources, with overall human capital investments around Shs13.56 trillion including water and sanitation. Yet outcomes often disappoint. Low absorption turns funds into white elephants.

Corruption and leakages siphon off significant portions through scandals and waste-robbing Peter to pay Paul.

Debt pressures crowd out frontline services, leaving rural roads impassable and clinics short. Top-down decisions frequently miss citizen priorities on the ground. Citizens pay through the nose without much say, eroding trust.

It is time to put money where the mouth is. Dedicate 5-10 percent of URA collections-potentially Shs2-4 trillion-to a citizen priority fund. Via secure digital voting, local assemblies, or hybrid platforms with safeguards, Ugandans would allocate for healthcare facilities/medicines, rural roads, water, education infrastructure, or agricultural support.

This turns over a new leaf: boosting compliance when people see shillings fixing their daily realities; aligning spending with ground truths; slashing leakages through oversight; and strengthening the social contract. Precedents worldwide and Uganda’s small pilots prove it works. Implementation needs legal tweaks, independent audits, technical vetting, and phased roll-out to avoid throwing the baby out with the bathwater.

Sceptics fear fragmentation or populism, but guardrails like caps and audits keep it on the straight and narrow.

Uganda’s FY 2026/27 budget lays ambitious groundwork amid growth projections, but persistent inefficiencies, corruption risks, and debt servicing underscore the need for citizen voice. A dedicated fund honours taxpayers, enhances discipline, and delivers visible wins in priority areas.

Parliament and the Executive should pilot this. Let Ugandans steer the ship-it’s their taxes keeping the engine running.

The proof of the pudding is in the eating: responsive governance where every shilling counts. The top-down era has run its course. Giving citizens a real say turns revenues into results they can see and feel.

The Anglican Church of Uganda’s Diocese of Muhabura has appealed for Shs1.15 billion to complete roofing works on its new cathedral currently under construction.

The appeal was made by the Diocesan Bishop, Rt Rev. Godfrey Mbitse, during the signing of a one-year roofing contract with Fabrications System Uganda Limited on Wednesday, June 17, 2026, at the Bishop’s office.

The Shs1,154,852,478 contract was signed by Bishop Mbitse on behalf of the Diocese, while Mr Bipin Loharuka signed for Fabrications System Uganda Limited.

Bishop Mbitse urged Christians and well-wishers across the Diocese to support the project through financial contributions, saying timely funding would enable the contractor to complete the work ahead of schedule.

‘I encourage Christians and well-wishers to give according to what you have so that the roofing of this cathedral is completed in time. Even though we have agreed with the contractor to finish in June next year, if funds are available, they can complete the work this year,’ he said.

He reminded the faithful that ‘there is blessing in giving.’

The Diocesan Secretary, Rev. Steven Ruzaza, urged the contractor to maintain the Christian values of the institution, including avoiding construction work on Sundays.

‘Being a Christian-based institution, we ask you to tell your workers that they are not supposed to work on Sundays. They should also attend services and praise God on Sunday,’ Rev. Ruzaza said.

He also challenged the contractor to deliver quality work and complete the project within the agreed timeframe.

Mr Loharuka, the team leader of Fabrications System Uganda Limited, said the contract covers the supply and installation of structural girders and 3,333 iron sheets.

He pledged to comply with the contract terms and ensure the roofing works are completed as scheduled.

Engineer Benon Nteziryayo, who laid the foundation of the cathedral, said construction of the 3,000-seater facility started in 2020 but was slowed by the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.

He said the complete cathedral project is expected to cost more than Shs5 billion and could be finished within the next two years if resources are secured.

Yesterday, Muhabura Diocesan Sub-Dean, Canon Philip Muhire, said more than Shs800 million has already been spent on the project, which has now reached the roofing stage.

He said much of the construction work has been funded through voluntary contributions from Christians and other well-wishers.

The Diocese called on stakeholders to support the project, describing the cathedral as a major landmark that will serve the church and community for generations.

Government’s decade-long policy of granting tax holidays to selected investors is generating positive returns.

But a study suggests the benefits are concentrated in manufacturing and export agriculture, while construction, transport, and some service sectors are delivering little value.

The findings are contained in the Ministry of Finance Cost-Benefit Analysis.

The study examined the performance of firms benefiting from tax holidays between June 2022 and June 2025, drawing on URA tax data and other economic indicators.

It suggests that tax incentives appear to generate more economic benefits than they cost government, but remain unevenly distributed across sectors.

Tax holidays granted to firms in strategic sectors, the study indicates, generated an overall benefit-cost ratio of 2.49, meaning that for every Shs1 forgone revenue, Shs2.49 was generated.

Export-oriented firms performed slightly less strongly but still positively, generating Shs1.85 for every Shs1.

Manufacturing is a success story

The study found that manufacturing firms generated a benefit-cost ratio of 5.49, the highest among examined sectors, which means that for every Shs1, the economy gained nearly Shs5.49.

The sector was also among the largest job creators, employing 5,880 workers.

The study attributes manufacturing’s performance to its ability to generate value addition, support industrialisation, create employment, and stimulate demand across local supply chains.

Export-oriented agriculture

Agriculture, particularly export-oriented agriculture, also performed strongly, recording a benefit-cost ratio of 4.784, while agricultural firms recorded a ratio of 2.26, which together generated more than 4,400 jobs.

Experts have previously argued that incentives should support sectors capable of transforming the export base.

In sharp contrast, however, construction produced almost no measurable economic return despite benefiting from tax exemptions. The study found that construction registered a benefit-cost ratio of just 0.02, which means that for every Shs1 forgone, only two cents were generated with the employment of only 23 jobs.

Transport and storage performed even worse, with a benefit-cost ratio of zero and only eight jobs.

Several service sectors also performed poorly, with wholesale and retail trade recording a benefit-cost ratio of 0.95, while human health and social work activities recorded a ratio of 0.23, and other service activities recorded just 0.42.

The findings raise difficult questions at a time when government is under pressure to increase domestic revenue.

The study estimates that tax holiday beneficiaries generated substantial economic activity during the period, contributing Shs32.4b in pay-as-you-earn, Shs59.4b in domestic VAT, Shs219.9b in import VAT, and over Shs1 trillion in capital investment.

Combined, firms benefiting from strategic-sector incentives employed approximately 12,602 workers.

Exporter beneficiaries generated Shs6b in pay-as-you-earn, Shs5.7b in domestic VAT, Shs3.9b in import VAT, and Shs236.1b in capital investment and employed about 4,731 workers.

Yet the report cautions against assuming that all these benefits can be directly attributed to tax holidays, with the study finding evidence suggesting that some beneficiary firms were already larger, more productive, and more investment-ready.

The study also identified weaknesses in local value creation, noting that some beneficiary firms had consistently performed below government’s 70 percent local-input benchmark.

In some cases, local sourcing actually declined after firms received tax holidays, with some firms, instead of purchasing more inputs from local suppliers, increasing reliance on imported raw materials and intermediate goods.

The export results were equally mixed, with the report noting that while exporter beneficiaries generally outperformed non-beneficiary firms, there was limited evidence that tax holidays themselves were responsible for improved export performance.

This suggests that factors such as infrastructure, logistics, market access, financing, and production capacity could have played a more significant role in driving exports.

The Ministry of Finance, however, argues that the findings should not be interpreted as a case against tax incentives altogether, but rather as an informed approach to a more targeted and evidence-based method.

The study, therefore, recommends moving away from blanket tax holidays and replacing them with performance-based incentives tied to specific outcomes such as export growth, local sourcing, job creation, value addition, technology transfer, and investment levels.

Police in Kiboga District are searching for three suspects while a 17-year-old girl remains in custody following an alleged illegal abortion that led to the recovery of a fetus from a pit latrine in Kajjere Village, Kibiga Sub-county.

The suspects on the run have been identified as Jesca Nakibuule, Justine Nalugo and an unidentified medical worker.

Police said the teenager, whose identity has been withheld because she is a minor, was arrested as investigations continue.

According to Wamala Region Police spokesperson SSP Lameck Kigozi, the case came to light after residents reported suspicions to police, prompting officers to visit the scene.

Police recovered the fetus of a female unborn child from a pit latrine belonging to Wasswa Ibrahim, a resident of Kajjere Village.

‘Preliminary investigations indicate that the 17-year-old allegedly confessed to terminating the pregnancy with assistance from her mother, sister and a medical worker,’ Mr Kigozi said in a Friday statement.

He added that investigators believe drugs intended to induce the abortion were administered twice on June 15, during the day and at night.

Police said the abortion allegedly occurred at about 2am on June 16, after which the fetus was dumped in the pit latrine.

Officers later documented the scene and retrieved the fetus for examination.

Investigators are also examining allegations from residents that family tensions may have contributed to the incident.

According to police, some villagers claimed that Nakibuule had previously been in a relationship with a man identified as Bakuza Brian, who later allegedly became involved with her daughter.

‘Some residents claim the mother had on several occasions expressed anger over the situation, allegedly making remarks suggesting she did not want the pregnancy to proceed,’ Mr Kigozi said.

Police said the three suspects fled the area shortly after the incident and efforts to trace them are ongoing.

Authorities condemned abortion-related crimes and infanticide, warning that such acts are illegal and punishable under Ugandan law.

The teenager remains in custody as investigations continue.

Beneficiaries of the government’s livestock restocking programme in Soroti have been warned against diverting funds meant for purchasing livestock, with authorities announcing strict monitoring to ensure compliance.

The warning affects 598 beneficiaries in Soroti City and Soroti District who are receiving government compensation under the cattle restocking initiative targeting households that lost livestock in past conflicts and cattle raids.

The beneficiaries include female-headed households, child-headed families, persons with disabilities, unemployed youth, former abductees and elderly residents. Each household receives Shs5 million through verified mobile money accounts to purchase three heifers and two bulls.

In Soroti City, 256 of the 350 targeted beneficiaries in the East and West divisions have already received the funds.

Mr Badru Ochengel, the focal person for the restocking programme and Assistant Deputy Town Clerk, said Shs1.28 billion had so far been disbursed and the remaining beneficiaries would receive their funds before the end of the month.

“We have all the data and we shall follow beneficiaries wherever they will be. Just do the right thing,” Mr Ochengel said.

He said a monitoring team comprising the Resident City Commissioner (RCC), the mayor and the town clerk would track the use of the funds to ensure beneficiaries purchase livestock as required.

Meanwhile, Soroti District has so far compensated 342 households under the programme.

District Communications Officer Abraham Ekwaru said the district received approximately Shs2.4 billion for the first phase of the exercise, of which Shs1.7 billion has already been disbursed.

“The compensation is paid directly to beneficiaries after a verification process conducted by district authorities and other responsible officials,” Mr Ekwaru said.

He noted that vulnerable groups were prioritised during the initial phase but stressed that all verified households would eventually receive compensation.

However, authorities have raised concerns over alleged corruption linked to the programme.

Soroti City Resident City Commissioner John Michael Okurut said his office had received complaints of extortion involving some beneficiaries.

He cited the arrest of a town agent from Central Ward in Soroti City East Division who allegedly extorted Shs4.5 million from a beneficiary, leaving her with only Shs500,000.

“I received a complaint that Michael Ewalu, a town agent, had taken the money from a beneficiary. In implementing zero tolerance to corruption, we arrested him and ensured the money was refunded immediately,” Mr Okurut said.

The compensation programme forms part of the government’s Shs80 billion cattle restocking initiative targeting households in the Teso, Acholi and Lango sub-regions.

While presenting the 2026/27 national budget last week, Finance Minister Henry Musasizi said more than 2,000 households had already benefited from the programme.

The government plans to compensate 16,000 households across the three sub-regions, with each beneficiary household receiving Shs5 million to rebuild livestock stocks and improve household incomes.

Officials say the programme is intended to restore livelihoods and strengthen economic recovery in communities that suffered significant livestock losses over the years.

The East African Law Society (EALS) has joined growing regional and international criticism of the arrest, detention, and prosecution of outgoing Kampala Lord Mayor and senior advocate Erias Lukwago, describing the circumstances surrounding his arrest and charging with misprision of treason as a threat to the rule of law and the independence of the legal profession.

In a statement issued on June 19 and signed by its president, Mr Ramadhan Abubakar, the regional Bar association expressed concern over what it termed the arbitrary arrest and prosecution of Mr Lukwago, one of the lead defence lawyers for opposition politician Dr Kizza Besigye and businessman Hajj Obeid Lutale.

The EALS, which brings together national law societies and bar associations from across East Africa, said the manner in which Mr Lukwago was arrested, detained and prosecuted raises concerns that extend beyond his individual case.

‘The manner of his arrest, detention, and continued prosecution raises serious concerns that extend beyond the circumstances of one individual. It also raises fundamental questions relating to the confidentiality of advocate-client relations, access to justice, the right to a fair hearing, independence of the legal profession, and the integrity of constitutional safeguards against the arbitrary exercise of public power,’ the statement reads in part.

The lawyers’ body noted that the charge against Mr Lukwago appears to stem from matters connected to his professional role as legal counsel to Dr Besigye and Hajj Lutale.

‘The confidentiality of advocate-client communications is a cornerstone of the administration of justice. It is not a privilege of the legal profession, but a right of the client and a foundational guarantee of the right to counsel and due process of law,’ the EALS stated.

The regional organisation based in Arusha, Tanzania, warned that exposing lawyers to criminal sanctions or intimidation for actions undertaken in the course of representing their clients undermines the legal profession and weakens public confidence in the justice system.

‘A lawyer’s duty is to uphold the law and ensure that every person receives its protection, regardless of the nature of the allegations or the identity of the client. Where legal practitioners are exposed to sanction or intimidation arising from their professional duties, the independence of the legal profession is compromised, and the right of every person to effective legal representation is diminished,’ the statement added.

Mr Lukwago was arrested on the morning of June 15 from his home in Wakaliga, Rubaga Division, Kampala, by military personnel.

After spending two days in detention without access to family members or lawyers, Mr Lukwago resurfaced at Kira Police Station on June 17, before being transferred to Makindye Chief Magistrate’s Court, where he was formally charged with misprision of treason in connection with the ongoing treason case against Dr Besigye.

The court subsequently remanded him to Luzira Prison until Monday next week, when the State is expected to respond to his bail application and further issue directions.

In its statement, the EALS has called upon the Ugandan government and relevant state institutions to guarantee Mr Lukwago’s constitutional rights throughout the proceedings.

The lawyers urged authorities to ensure that his bail application is handled fairly and expeditiously, provide unrestricted access to legal counsel, family members and medical care, and institute an independent investigation into the circumstances of his arrest, detention and treatment while in custody.

The regional body also called for the protection of advocate-client privilege and the independence of the legal profession in accordance with constitutional, regional, and international legal standards.

‘Refrain from any action that undermines public confidence in the impartial administration of justice and the rule of law,’ the statement said.

The EALS concluded by warning that the treatment of political opponents and their lawyers remains a critical measure of democratic governance.

‘The true test of constitutional democracy is not how a State treats those with whom it agrees, but how it protects those with whom it disagrees. Equally, the true test of the rule of law lies not in ordinary cases, but in moments when power is most tempted to depart from legal restraint,’ the statement noted.