Category: Daily Monitor

Blacks Power kept pace with the leaders of the Startimes Uganda Premier League after squeezing out a 1-0 win over Police in one of two games played at the Hoima City Stadium.

Emmanuel Janan Oketch scored the lone goal to build on the opening 1-0 win over Ntugasaze.

But it is Jackson Nunda who stole the limelight on the day playing a starring role as 10-man Maroons held on for a 3-1 win over Ntungasaze at Kira Road Police Arena for their first their first three points in the Startimes Uganda Premier League this season.

The former KCCA and URA playmaker reminded everyone of his enduring ability scoring the first goal with a defy flick from a corner on 18 minutes.

He then doubled his tally on 37 minutes with a header from an Edward Kabona corner as Maroons showed the gulf in class between them and their newly promoted opponents.

Nunda, who operated as one of two numbers 10s alongside Abel Eturude, was proving to be unplayable and forced Apollo Kagogwe to pull him down in the box with the resultant penalty coolly converted by striker Marvin Oshaba.

But Ntugasaze gradually grew into the game with Ronald Kaye pulling a goal back through Ronald Kaye.

The forward then forced substitute goalkeeper Derrick Were into another sharp save that shaped the rest of the evening with the custodian the difference between Maroons conceding another goal.

Maroons were also forced to play the final half hour with a man less after Kabona was sent off for denying a goal scoring opportunity as the last man but managed to hold on for a first victory this season after a 2-1 defeat to URA on Sunday.

UPL Wednesday results

Blacks Power 1-0 Police

Ntugasaze 1-3 Maroons

Every day, Ugandans use milling machines to grind maize, groundnuts, among other edible seeds and grain, trusting that the flour and paste that come out of the machines are safe for consumption.

But hidden in some of these products could be tiny particles shed by poorly maintained or worn-out milling machines.

As the machines grind, their metal parts wear out, potentially releasing particles that mix with the food being processed. The particles are often too small to see, raising concerns about the long-term health effects of repeated exposure to contaminated foods.

During a sensitisation meeting organised by the Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) on ePortal services for importers, clearing agents, traders and other business operators, consumers asked officials about the safety of grain products such as groundnuts, posho and sugar on the market.

Mr Stephen Moses Tabingwa, a resident of Kaliro District, raised concerns about the safety of food processed using milling machines, questioning whether the machines are regularly inspected.

He also wondered if consumers are protected from possible contamination by metal particles and other harmful substances during processing.

Mr Tabingwa questioned the role of UNBS in ensuring that milling machines used to process foods such as posho and groundnuts do not introduce harmful substances into the food.

He said some millers have abandoned rubber rollers and other safer components for metal parts, which, when worn out, could release particles into the food during processing.

‘Cancer has become a big challenge in Uganda, yet we are eating foods such as posho, groundnuts and sugar. We previously used rubber rollers, but now the metals can enter the food,’ Mr Tabingwa said.

He urged UNBS to strengthen inspection and regulation of milling machines to ensure that food-processing equipment do not expose consumers to contaminants.

He said the growing cancer burden, evidenced by the need for specialised facilities such as the Uganda Cancer Institute, should prompt authorities to pay greater attention to possible sources of exposure in foods.

A visit by this publication to a groundnut mill on Kutch Road in Jinja City found poor hygiene, old processing drums and dilapidated wooden drying tables.

The milling drum also lacked a magnetic filter to trap metal fragments.

The groundnuts are manually sorted to remove stones and other foreign materials before being ground, with the paste later spread on wooden platforms to cool. Small-scale retailers buy the product and repackage it in small white polythene bags for consumers.

The packed groundnut paste, commonly sold to consumers for home use has no labels, including the required Q-Mark and expiry dates.

At Kazimingi in Jinja City, a hub known for posho milling, the situation has changed following intervention by UNBS. Mr Charles Mugoya, a miller in the area, said the machines now have measures to prevent metal contaminants from getting into the flour.

He said millers previously processed posho without magnetic devices to trap metal particles, exposing consumers to contamination.

‘Previously, we milled posho without magnets to trap metal or steel particles. But that changed after UNBS inspected our operations, closing mills that lacked the magnets,’ Mr Mugoya said.

Mr Bashir Mawa, the logistics manager at Kakira Sugar Works in Jinja, said the company follows international food safety standards throughout its manufacturing processes.

‘We have standards, including international standards, that we follow when it comes to food safety. UNBS assessed our processes to ensure that there are measures to prevent metal contaminants from getting into the sugar,’ he said.

Mr Mawa added that the manufacturing process includes metal-detection systems that identify and remove metallic contaminants, making it unlikely for such materials to end up in the finished product.

‘However, some of the new manufacturers have not approached UNBS to monitor their manufacturing processes and check whether they have the necessary metal detectors,’ he said.

Mr Gastone Kironde, the principal inspector for national inspection at UNBS, said manufacturers are also required to regularly validate the performance of their magnetic metal-trapping systems to ensure they are working effectively.

‘You must put nails through the system and check whether they are trapped. This helps us establish the efficiency of the magnetic mechanism in doing its work,’ he said.

Mr Kironde added that manufacturers must employ quality-control personnel to monitor production and ensure that the products meet Uganda standards.

‘We conduct routine market surveillance by sampling certified products to check for iron and other contaminants. Should we find iron or other contaminants, we go to the factory and take action, including closing it where necessary,’ he said.

Mr Kironde urged manufacturers and millers to comply with safety standards for the safety of consumers.

That said, consumers also have a role to play by buying properly packaged and certified food products and reporting suspected violations to UNBS.

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recognises metal fragments from worn or damaged processing equipment as a food-safety hazard and recommends regular inspection and appropriate metal detection or separation measures to prevent contamination.

Q-MARK AWARDING

Mr Gastone Kironde, the principal inspector for national inspection at the Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS), said manufacturers seeking the bureau’s quality mark (Q-Mark) must have mechanisms in place to prevent iron and other metal contaminants from getting into food products during processing.

Uganda Railways Corporation (URC) is planning to expand passenger train services, with extensions to Kyengera, Port Bell and Jinja as it seeks to expand its rail network and provide commuters with more transport options in the country.

The corporation is also pursuing longer-term connections to Bujuuko, Entebbe and the Tororo-Soroti-Gulu corridor under a wider railway development programme estimated at $300 million (Shs1.12 trillion) over five years.

The developments come as the government’s 100-day crackdown on taxis in dangerous mechanical condition (DMC) across the Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area enters its second week, worsening congestion on major routes into Kampala.

Kyengera, Port Bell routes

Immediate metropolitan expansion beyond the existing Kampala-Namanve-Mukono corridor will see extended passenger services between Kampala and Kyengera on Masaka Road, as well as a connection to Port Bell.

In an interview with this publication, Mr John Linnon Ssengendo, the URC public relations officer, said procurement for the expansion is already at the evaluation stage and, if a contract is signed this year, construction could take about 24 months.

‘The Kyengera project will include passenger hubs at Kyengera and Namanve, where commuters from surrounding areas will be able to park their vehicles before travelling into Kampala by train and pick them on return,’ he added.

Mr Ssengendo said the Kyengera and Port Bell projects form part of a wider railway infrastructure component supported by the African Development Bank, which will cover rehabilitation of railway infrastructure, improvement of stations and investment in rolling stock for passenger and freight services.

Other routes

On the eastern corridor, the corporation is preparing to introduce a passenger service between Kampala and Jinja. Mr Ssengendo said URC plans to run a trial service from Friday to Sunday before assessing the possibility of regular services.

‘The Jinja service is expected to initially operate on weekends, with a daily service considered once additional coaches and other facilities are available. We hope this will benefit mostly people who would like to have vacations or weekend tours,’ Mr Ssengendo noted.

He also said the extension towards Bujuuko on Mityana Road under a programme with the European Union (EU) envisages the introduction of electric multiple units to replace the diesel locomotives currently used to haul passenger coaches.

He said the corporation is also considering passenger services towards Entebbe as part of its longer-term plans to diversify rail routes from Kampala.

Further north, URC plans to introduce passenger services on the 375km Tororo-Soroti-Gulu corridor once rehabilitation works and supporting infrastructure are completed.

The corporation is also rehabilitating railway lines using concrete sleepers instead of steel ones.

The rehabilitation of the 375km metre-gauge line, undertaken with support from the EU, has faced changes in its completion schedule, having initially been expected to be completed in mid-2023 before the deadline was revised to February 2026 and later to October 2026.

Existing services expanded

While the new routes remain in the pipeline, URC has already increased services on the Kampala-Namanve-Mukono corridor.

Effective August 31, the Corporation introduced a lunchtime trip from Kampala to Mukono at 1.30pm and an additional evening trip to Mukono at 5.30pm.

The Corporation has also introduced an 85-seat executive coach, with passengers required to travel in seats and no standing allowed. The fare is Shs5,000 between Kampala and Mukono and Shs4,000 between Kampala and Namanve.

Under the revised timetable, a train leaves Mukono at 6.30am, stops at Namanve at 7.05am and arrives in Kampala at 7.40am. A morning return service leaves Kampala at 7.50am for Namanve, followed by another Namanve-Kampala service at 8.15am.

The newly introduced lunchtime service leaves Kampala at 1.30pm, reaches Namanve at 2pm and Mukono at 2.10pm before returning at 3pm. In the evening, a train leaves Kampala at 5.30pm for Namanve, followed by a Mukono-Kampala service at 6.30pm and another Kampala-Mukono service at 7.50pm.

Mr Ssengendo said the corporation could introduce further trips depending on passenger demand.

Crackdown tests rail capacity

The expansion comes as some commuters affected by congestion and the shortage of taxis look to rail transport as an alternative.

Ms Edith Nalukwago, a commuter from the Namboole-Kireka area, said travelling by road had become increasingly difficult, with some journeys covering relatively short distances taking up to two hours.

‘The government should put an emphasis on working on railways because it doesn’t have traffic and it reaches in time,’ Ms Nalukwago said.

Ms Gladys Ariho, who has been using the train, said road congestion had not significantly affected her because of her reliance on rail transport, although she had noticed what appeared to be an increase in passenger numbers since the crackdown began.

Mr Adam Muwayi, chairperson of the Namanve-Kireka railway area, said more people were beginning to recognise the benefits of rail transport.

However, URC is yet to establish the actual increase in passenger numbers attributable to the crackdown.

In addition to the 15 passenger coaches, Mr Stephen Wakasenza, the project coordinator for the AfDB Capacity Building Project at the URC, said 10 new locomotives for cargo services and 100 flatbeds are in the procurement process as it seeks to strengthen freight operations alongside passenger transport.

The planned extensions to Kyengera, Port Bell and Jinja, together with longer-term plans for Bujuuko, Entebbe and the Tororo-Soroti-Gulu corridor, would expand the railway network beyond the existing Kampala-Namanve-Mukono passenger corridor.

More coaches

The route expansion and increased trips are being accompanied by plans to increase URC’s passenger fleet.

URC spokesperson John Linnon Ssengendo said the corporation initially had five ordinary passenger coaches, with a train carrying between 600 and 700 passengers on a normal trip.

At an average load of 620 passengers, one train trip carries roughly the equivalent of 44 14-seater taxis.

URC is working to increase its fleet by about 15 coaches, with the first five expected to form part of the initial phase.

‘Two coaches are already being refurbished at the corporation’s Nalukolongo workshop. The additional coaches are partly intended to support URC’s preparations for the African Cup of Nations (Afcon), after which they are expected to remain available for passenger services,’ Mr Ssengendo noted.

He added: ‘Train offers a safer mode of transport; it is faster than the road and only takes a bit longer because we have so many stops. Otherwise, from Namanve to Kampala without stopping is only 12 minutes.’

The remains of Tooro King [Omukama] Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV will arrive in Uganda on Friday morning, setting in motion nine days of official mourning ahead of his burial in Fort Portal on September 12.

Queen Mother Best Kemigisa Akiiki will accompany her son’s remains on a flight from Nairobi to Entebbe International Airport, where the body is expected to arrive at about 10am.

The remains will be there for a brief, private and restricted mourning session with President Museveni before being airlifted to Kyegegwa Airstrip in Kyegegwa District.

No ceremony or entertainment is planned at Kyegegwa. But the body will instead be transferred to a hearse for the monarch’s final road journey to Fort Portal and, ultimately, Karuziika Palace, the seat of Tooro Kingdom.

There will be no scheduled stops along the route, although the procession is expected to slow as it approaches Fort Portal and the palace, according to Minister for Presidency Milly Babalanda, who released the official programme on Thursday.

Members of the public will be allowed to line the route and witness the procession, but security will be tightly managed by police and the army.

The body is expected to reach Karuziika Palace on Friday evening, where the formal cultural reception will mark the beginning of the mourning period.

It is at this point that the return of the king’s remains takes on a deeper significance for the Tooro establishment.

The cultural reception will be led by Omujwera Musuuga Charles Kamurasi, the 80-year-old head of the Babiito ruling clan from which Tooro kings trace their lineage.

Musuuga’s role in receiving the remains comes against the backdrop of recent disagreements within the kingdom over the handling of the late king’s affairs, including conflicting public accounts involving senior kingdom officials.

The disagreements have raised questions about the respective roles of the kingdom’s cultural leadership and the Tooro government-appointed officials, with some of the disputes becoming public in the days surrounding the king’s death.

The funeral programme, however, puts those differences aside for the mourning period.

Meanwhile, from September 5 to 12, King Oyo’s remains will lie in state at Karuziika Palace for official mourning.

Members of the public will be allowed to pay their respects, while prayers will be held each evening.

The final funeral service will take place on September 12 at St John’s Cathedral in Fort Portal City.

Babalanda said ‘mourners are expected to be seated by 8 am., apart from VIPs, with the service and speeches expected to conclude by noon.’

The timing follows Tooro cultural practice, under which kings are not buried in the evening.

After the cathedral service, the remains will be taken on foot to Karambi for the final burial rites, which are expected to conclude by about 2 p.m. A gun salute is also planned in accordance with official funeral protocols.

September 12 will coincide with what would have been Oyo’s 31st coronation anniversary.

King Oyo died aged 34 in the United States and President Museveni said he had been receiving treatment for an aggressive form of cancer.

He became King of Tooro in 1995 at the age of three and was recognized as the world’s youngest reigning monarch.

His nearly three-decade reign made him one of Uganda’s most prominent and admired traditional rulers.

Although Uganda is a republic headed by an elected president, its traditional kingdoms retain cultural and social roles and continue to wield significant influence among their subjects.

Accountants in Uganda have been urged to embrace technology and innovation to improve efficiency, strengthen accountability and remain relevant in the rapidly changing accounting landscape.

The call was made as accounting professionals reflected on emerging issues in the profession and their role in supporting economic and financial decision-making.

Speaking during the 31st annual seminar of the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Uganda (ICPAU) at Imperial Resort Beach Hotel in Entebbe on September 2, the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, Henry Musasizi, said technology was increasingly shaping the profession.

As the world moves towards greater digitalisation, Mr Musasizi said accountants must be prepared to adopt new technologies and innovative ways of working.

“Digital financial management systems, blockchain, artificial intelligence, and other emerging technologies are changing the way financial information is generated, managed, analysed, and used,” he said.

“I therefore encourage the accounting profession to adopt and effectively use modern technologies to improve efficiency, strengthen controls, enhance transparency, and remain relevant in an increasingly technology-driven environment.”

Accountants key to 10-fold growth

Mr Musasizi said the accounting profession has an important role to play in the implementation of Uganda’s 10-Fold Growth Strategy, which seeks to expand the size of the country’s economy to $500 billion by 2040.

The strategy targets key sectors and growth drivers, including agro-industrialisation, tourism, mineral development, science, technology and innovation, alongside other critical enablers of economic transformation.

“Regular assessment of progress will be essential to realising these objectives, and accountants will inevitably play a crucial role in monitoring performance, evaluating results, and providing reliable evidence for decision-making,” Mr Musasizi said.

He commended ICPAU for its contribution to raising professional standards and building capacity to support Uganda’s economic development.

“The preparation of financial statements in accordance with international accounting standards also enables meaningful comparison of economic and financial performance across countries, businesses, and investments,” he said.

Look beyond numbers

ICPAU President, Mr Timothy Ediomu, urged accountants and auditors from both the public and private sectors to broaden their perspective and embrace the changing role of the profession.

He said accountants could no longer focus solely on recording and reporting financial information but should increasingly position themselves as strategic advisers.

“As accounting professionals, I would like to emphasise the need to harness technology, continuously build relevant skills, uphold integrity and provide trusted, strategic advice as the business environment evolves,” Mr Ediomu said.

Foreign investors are targeting the purchase of 2,000 Ankole cows as part of upcoming multibillion-shilling trade deals set to be finalised during the Nigeria-Uganda Business Forum and Exhibition 2026, scheduled to take place in Kampala on September 9 and 10.

The two-day forum aims to bolster bilateral cooperation between Kampala and Abuja, with about six Memoranda of Understanding currently being finalized ahead of the arrival of Nigerian corporate delegations.

Speaking on Thursday, Dr Sam Omara, the Officer in-Charge of Economic and Commercial Diplomacy at Uganda’s High Commission in Abuja, revealed that a selection of the 23 participating Nigerian companies has expressed intent to acquire 2,000 one-year-old female Ankole cattle. Unlike traditional breeding ventures, the acquisition is focused on harvesting veal, leveraging the unique market appeal of the breed’s meat.

Ankole cattle, recognized for their iconic horns stretching up to three meters, hold deep cultural significance among the Banyankole and Bahima communities and are predominantly farmed across Mbarara, Kiruhura, Isingiro, Lyantonde, and the surrounding Lake Mburo National Park ecosystem.

Dr Omara noted that Ugandan diplomats successfully pitched the unique health attributes of the breed to prospective buyers, emphasizing that Ankole beef contains low cholesterol levels compared to standard livestock options. Medical literature generally cautions against high cholesterol intake from animal products due to its link with cardiovascular complications, making leaner meat options highly sought after in foreign consumer markets.

While market rates for fully-grown Ankole cattle average around Shs3.5 million based on age, weight, and local conditions, the projected valuation places the prospective 2,000-head purchase at approximately Shs7 billion.

Beyond agricultural livestock, Dr Omara disclosed that participating firms have submitted formal letters of intent across manufacturing and infrastructure sectors. Among the notable proposals is a $3 billion public-private partnership for a cement factory alongside an $800 million investment aimed at constructing a fertilizer production plant. Additional Nigerian ventures are eyeing opportunities spanning oil and gas, financial services, media, real estate, pharmaceuticals, transport, and solar irrigation systems.

Commercial air connectivity between both nations has significantly enabled these emerging trade corridors. Uganda Airlines currently operates three direct routes to Lagos, serving as a primary conduit for high-value cargo even during periods of fluctuating passenger volume.

According to diplomatic trade metrics, the national carrier’s transport services have generated $3.5 million over recent months. Concurrently, export flows to Nigeria have seen tobacco top the figures at $17 million, followed by hides and skins at $2.7 million, coffee at $1.8 million, glass products at $1.76 million, and fish exports at $1.7 million. Additional steady exports include palm oil, gold, and powdered milk.

Organizers anticipate that the upcoming business forum will provide a structured framework to secure long-term investments in agro-processing, soluble coffee production, textile manufacturing, and dairy value addition.

Commenting on the commercial prospects, Mr Stephen Asiimwe, Chief Executive Officer of the Private Sector Foundation Uganda, highlighted the strategic advantage of navigating the Nigerian market, citing a shared official language and an expansive market of over 200 million consumers. He noted that key urban centers like Lagos offer concentrated consumer bases larger than many entire national markets.

Ambassador Richard Kabonero, Head of the Economic and Commercial Diplomacy hub at Uganda’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, added that the initiative reflects ongoing diplomatic efforts to assist Uganda’s private sector in expanding its footprint across high-capacity continental markets.

The Government of Uganda and the United States have signed a landmark $1.7 billion (about Shs6.4 trillion) Strategic Objective Agreement (SOAG) to fund Uganda’s health sector over the next five years, spanning 2026 to 2030.

The deal, signed at the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development headquarters in Kampala, establishes a formal framework for implementing shared healthcare commitments between the two nations. It operationalises a preliminary Memorandum of Understanding signed by both governments on December 10, 2025.

Speaking at the ceremony, the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, Mr Henry Musasizi, expressed gratitude for Washington’s sustained investments in Uganda’s public health ecosystem. He noted that American support has historically been vital in preventing and treating HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria, alongside strengthening public health surveillance, outbreak responses, and medical supply chains.

Mr Musasizi emphasized that the $1.7 billion pact signals a pivot toward strengthening overall national health systems, boosting workforce capacity, and improving local planning and financing mechanisms rather than focusing solely on isolated, disease-specific interventions.

A central element of the agreement is the decision by the US government to progressively channel a higher proportion of its funds directly through Ugandan government systems in the form of budget support. Mr Musasizi welcomed this transition, noting that aligning foreign aid with national priorities enhances local ownership, transparency, and the long-term sustainability of development funding.

To ensure strict accountability and value for money, the agreement establishes a Joint Health Steering Committee (JHSC), which will oversee resource allocation, approve new activities, and select implementing partners. Mr Musasizi reminded stakeholders that the true test of the deal lies in achieving measurable improvements in local healthcare delivery.

Representing the US Embassy in Kampala, Chargé d’Affaires Mikaele Cleverley described the agreement as a strong sign of goodwill, respect, and confidence in the Ugandan government. He highlighted that the move toward direct government-to-government funding marks a historic evolution in how Washington delivers bilateral aid, aimed at empowering Uganda to take primary leadership of its public health agenda.

The Ministry of Health strongly praised the transition from traditional off-budget assistance-where funds were managed externally outside national treasury frameworks-to in-budget support managed through local public finance channels.

The Minister of Health, Dr Chris Baryomunsi, commended the policy shift, noting that direct funding through the Ministry of Finance will streamline operations. Dr Baryomunsi observed that while Uganda still faces significant burdens from both communicable and non-communicable diseases, past US partnerships have yielded vital progress. He pointed out that Uganda’s HIV prevalence has dropped significantly from a peak of 18.5 percent in the late 1980s to 5.9 percent today, while overall national life expectancy has rebounded from 43 years during the height of the HIV crisis to 68 years.

Pledging full transparency, Dr Baryomunsi assured the public that the newly committed funds would be used effectively to further reduce maternal and infant mortality rates and improve the quality of life for all Ugandans.

Uganda is courting global investors to tap into its estimated $4 trillion to $12 trillion mineral wealth, as the country seeks to increase mining’s contribution to the economy and position itself in the fast-growing critical minerals market.

Uganda made the investment pitch on Wednesday at the 24th Africa Down Under Conference in Perth, Australia, where governments, mining companies, financiers, investors and policymakers are meeting to explore opportunities in Africa’s resources sector.

The conference has attracted Ugandan officials from the country’s diplomatic mission in Australia, Member of Parliament for the Elderly Ofwono Opondo, officials from the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development and representatives of the Uganda Chamber of Mines and Petroleum.

Mr Humphrey Asiimwe, the chamber’s Chief Executive Officer, told delegates that Uganda’s mining industry is developing rapidly, with significant mineral deposits still awaiting exploration.

He said the country has opportunities across gold, iron ore, graphite, rare earths, copper and cobalt, among other minerals.

“Projects such as Makuutu also provide a tangible connection between Uganda and Australia’s critical-minerals industry,” Mr Asiimwe said.

The Makuutu project in eastern Uganda is one of Uganda’s notable rare-earth mineral prospects and has attracted interest from Australian-linked mining interests.

The global market for critical minerals is projected to exceed $770 billion by 2040, driven largely by the transition to green energy and rising demand for minerals used in technologies such as electric vehicles, batteries and renewable-energy systems.

Despite its mineral potential, Uganda’s mining and quarrying sector currently contributes about 2.2 per cent to GDP.

Under the National Development Plan IV, government aims to raise the sector’s contribution to 7.9 per cent by the 2029/30 financial year.

Mr Asiimwe said Uganda was offering investors an increasingly structured environment in which to assess mining opportunities.

He cited geological data, clarity around licences and ownership, feasibility studies, infrastructure requirements, environmental and social assessments, capital and operating cost estimates, production projections and potential markets or off-takers.

Such information, he said, enables investors to better assess the risks and returns before committing capital to mining projects.

Uganda’s improving regulatory framework, growing infrastructure and strategic location within East Africa also strengthen its investment case, he said.

Its proximity to the mineral-rich Great Lakes region and major regional markets creates opportunities beyond extraction, including logistics, mining services, processing and cross-border mineral value chains.

Seeking private capital

Mr Asiimwe said government was investing in infrastructure to support the sector but called for greater private-sector participation to unlock the country’s mineral potential.

Uganda’s High Commissioner to Australia, Ms Dorothy Hyuha, said the Africa Down Under conference offers an important platform for connecting Uganda’s mineral opportunities with international capital and expertise.

She pointed to Uganda’s relations with the Australian Federal Government, the Government of Western Australia, mining industry players and the wider African diplomatic community as an advantage in opening doors for Ugandan projects.

“These relationships can connect project owners and government agencies with mining companies, investors, financial institutions and technical experts,” Ms Hyuha said.

The diplomatic mission is therefore seeking to turn Uganda’s participation in international forums into commercial relationships that can advance investment in the country’s mining sector.

Regional approach

Mr Opondo called for African countries to consider a bloc approach when participating in major international mining and investment forums.

He argued that countries with neighbouring mineral deposits, shared transport corridors and interconnected markets could gain more by presenting complementary opportunities rather than competing individually for international capital.

“For instance, where Uganda may lack a competitive advantage in one part of the mining value chain, Kenya or Tanzania could provide the required capacity,” he said.

Such an approach, he said, could enable East African countries to offer investors more complete value chains covering exploration, extraction, processing, transportation and access to regional markets.

The Minister of State for Children and Youth Affairs, Faith Mercy Lakisa has warned parents against the vice of sending their children to the streets, using them as sources of making them money.

Ms Lakisa, who is also the Woman Member of Parliament for Alebtong District, said in the two months she has been in office, she has observed that much as authorities like Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) carry out operations to take street children back to their homes upcountry, they are soon returned by those who profit from them.

“Children on the streets are businesses to some parents and this should stop. We cannot tackle the issue of street children without teaching parents to be responsible. You cannot deploy your child on the street because you expect them to make you Shs10,000 in a week or month,” Ms Lakisa said.

The minister made the remarks during a two-day orientation meeting of Members of Parliament under the Uganda Parliamentary Forum for Children (UPFC) on September 2, 2026, at Imperial Golf View Hotel in Entebbe.

The UPFC is a non-partisan parliamentary platform that was established during the Seventh Parliament to create an avenue through which the situation of children, particularly those in difficult circumstances, can be addressed through legislation, policy, resource allocation and oversight.

The forum is the bridge between Parliament, government, children, communities, civil society, development partners and technical institutions and was created to tackle issues of child protection, education, health, nutrition, early childhood development, child poverty, disability inclusion, alternative care, teenage pregnancy, child marriage, harmful practices, children in conflict with the law and meaningful child participation, among others.

While making a keynote address on the role of Parliament in advancing child wellbeing in Uganda, Ms Flavia Kabahenda, the former Woman Member of Parliament for Kyegegwa District, noted that the wellbeing of children is not a social sector issue alone but the core of Uganda’s human capital and Vision 2040.

Yet, she said, the situation remains critical, with 44 per cent of children suffering multidimensional poverty and living in households that spend less than $41.5 (Shs147,600) per month, deprived of basic needs.

Ms Kabahenda’s presentation highlighted that only 10.3 per cent of children under five have birth certificates, limiting legal identity and access to services. Among children under five, 26 per cent are stunted, 2.9 per cent are wasted, 10.2 per cent are underweight and 30.4 per cent are anaemic.

One in four children experience sexual violence before 15 years while one in four girls give birth before turning 18.

“Investing in children is not charity or a favour. With 50 per cent of our population being children, how we legislate, budget and oversee today determines whether Uganda reaps a demographic dividend or faces a demographic disaster. The law is on our side, the data is clear and the budget opportunity should be made. Parliament must move from passing laws for children to securing accountability for children’s wellbeing,” Ms Kabahenda said.

Ms Kabahenda also decried government’s unfulfilled promises, where the Ministry of Education and Sports pledged to give sanitary pads to girls in government schools during the 2015/2016 campaigns, a promise that has never been fulfilled.

“Increase and protect child protection and early childhood funding, legislate to strengthen school retention by approving school feeding policy, sanitary pad banks to keep girls in school, and re-entry for teenage mothers,” Ms Kabahenda urged MPs in the 12th Parliament.

On the situational analysis of children in Uganda, Mr Sande Alex Bashaija, the Senior Probation and Welfare Officer at the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development (MGLSD), said parenting, specifically child neglect, is not only the most reported category of violence against children but that a significant proportion of children are left alone or under the care of another young child.

“Harsh punishment is an acceptable way of disciplining children in the majority of homes. Male involvement in child care and protection is very low, while parental engagement in activities such as reading and looking at their books, telling stories, singing and playing with their own children is very low,” Mr Sande said.

For his part, Mr Timothy Opobo, the Executive Director at the AfriChild Centre, said much as Uganda has strong policy foundations in place, such as the National Integrated Early Childhood Development Policy (2016), the National Child Policy (2020) and a newly Cabinet-approved Early Childhood Care and Education Policy, implementation on the ground has not yet kept pace with these commitments.

“Uganda’s enrolment lags well behind its East African neighbours, despite comparable income levels, pointing to a policy and financing gap rather than a resource constraint alone. Kenya has integrated early childhood development into its national education system with direct government support and financing. For Uganda, out of more than five million children who are eligible for early childhood development, only 433,258 were enrolled,” Mr Opobo said.

According to the 2024 Uganda Bureau of Statistics National Population and Housing Census report, of Uganda’s 45.9 million total population, children between zero and 17 years are 22.2 million, representing 48 per cent of the total population, while adolescents between 10 and 19 account for 11.4 million. The census report also noted that children under 15 years accounted for 19.4 million.

Police in Kamuli District have arrested one suspect after recovering a substantial quantity of suspected government drugs and medical equipment labelled “Government of Uganda – Not for Sale” from premises in Kamuli Municipality.

Busoga North Regional Police spokesperson Samson Lubega said the recovery followed intelligence received by police regarding the alleged unlawful possession and suspected sale of government medical supplies in the area.

A police team acted on the information and conducted searches at identified premises, leading to the recovery of assorted drugs and medical equipment bearing government markings and suspected to have originated from government medical supply channels.

“Police also impounded a government refrigerator from a motor vehicle suspected to be connected to the matter. The vehicle was also impounded,” said Mr Lubega.

He said that the suspect, Nangobi Lydia, was arrested and is assisting police with investigations, while efforts are underway to trace another suspect who remains at large.

According to Mr Lubega, preliminary investigations indicate that some of the recovered medicines had expired.

“Police are working with relevant authorities to establish the source of the medical supplies, how they came into the suspects’ possession and the circumstances under which they were allegedly stored and offered for sale,” he said.

He said that police are also liaising with the National Medical Stores (NMS), National Drug Authority (NDA) and other relevant health authorities to verify the recovered items and establish the full chain of accountability.

The recovered exhibits have been documented, sorted and secured as investigations continue.

He cautioned members of the public against dealing in government medical supplies marked “Not for Sale” and urged anyone with information regarding the illegal diversion, possession or sale of such supplies to report to the nearest police station.