Category: Daily Monitor

During the swearing-in ceremony for his 7th term at Kololo Independence Grounds, President Museveni said this term “Kisanja No more Sleep’, would mainly focus on the ambitious Ten-Fold Growth Strategy. The agenda aims to transform Uganda’s Gross Domestic Product from $50 billion to $500 billion by 2040.

The growth strategy is anchored on massive industrialisation, oil production, commercial agriculture, infrastructure development, science, research, technology and human capital development.

Through community-based poverty alleviation initiatives such as Entandikwa, Naads, Operation Wealth Creation, Emyooga, and Parish Development Model (PDM), government has underscored its commitment to community economic transformation as a step towards the $500b strategy. But is it viable and feasible?

The UBOS 2024 Multidimensional Poverty Report indicated that the Karamoja Sub-region tops Uganda’s poverty at 56.9 percent. This means people in that community cannot access basic health services, basic education and a decent lifestyle. It should also be noted that Karamoja Sub-region has been battling hunger. This questions the success of government poverty alleviation schemes in such areas.

The unemployment problem continues to bite, especially among the youth, forcing many to flee to the Middle East. The rate at which Small and Medium Enterprises collapse is worrying. Urban poverty is also affecting the majority of the population.

The general population has little or no knowledge of the $500b growth strategy, yet community involvement in its implementation is paramount. Hence the Ten-fold Growth Strategy risks chasing big dreams in the air.

Poverty alleviation schemes disburse money to people without equipping them with business or enterprise management skills for sustainability.

A World Bank Poverty by Country Report 2024 indicated that 59.8 percent of Ugandans live in extreme poverty, meaning those living on under $3 per day, accounting for each country’s living costs. This poses questions to government-aided poverty alleviation schemes.

High cost of business and enterprise operations – transport, production, electricity, water, labour, rent and high taxes – all suffocate SMEs, leading to their collapse.

Government must therefore involve the community and sensitise them on their role in achieving the Ten-Fold Growth Strategy. This will enable business people to align their investments.

Government should mentor communities on business and enterprise management skills: accounting, record keeping, cash flow, marketing, sales and branding for sustainability, before handing over money. Enterprises that support the majority of Ugandans must be cemented.

There should be proper data based follow-up on the progress and the stumbling blocks of poverty alleviation mechanisms for informed decision-making. This is better than leaders always claiming that Uganda has attained middle-income status, yet on ground, the case is different.

Agriculture, Uganda’s backbone must be prioritised focusing on value addition and agro-industrialisation, improved road networks needed to enable transportation of products to the market. East African Integration presents a bigger market for Ugandan goods which, if properly utilised can facilitate community livelihood transformation and economic growth.

For the Ten-Fold Growth Strategy to be realised, it must focus on community livelihood transformation for all citizens.

The Uganda U-20 national rugby team secured promotion back to the Rugby Africa U20 Barthes Trophy Performance Division after completing a double over Zambia with a 27-12 victory in Tuesday’s second leg at Wankulukuku.

The result capped a dominant week for the hosts, who had thrashed Zambia 81-0 in Friday’s opening encounter but the second leg proved a much tougher examination. Zambia showed greater attacking intent and forcing Uganda to work for their points.

The Baby Cranes controlled much of the territory and possession but failed to capitalise on several opportunities. Sharif Tibo and Victor Agaba crossed the lines before centre Jacob Abaasa and lock Prince Kakaire secured the result the Baby Cranes needed.

Zambia were a vastly improved outfit from the first meeting, with their backs finding greater space and their attack causing Uganda problems. Kabwe Mulenga and Andrea Ngosa finished off promising moves to give the visitors a reward for their improved display.

Replace Tunisia

Promotion means Uganda replace Tunisia who were relegated to the First Division following a 38-12 defeat to Zimbabwe earlier in the day.

Kenya, meanwhile, were crowned champions after beating defending champions Namibia 33-14 in the Performance Division final. The victory earned Kenya Africa’s sole qualification spot for the World Rugby U20 Trophy, which is scheduled to take place in Chile.

Uganda’s captain Elijah Katinti acknowledged Zambia’s stronger performance while challenging his teammates to improve before stepping up a tier.

‘Zambia upped the challenge this time unlike in the first leg where we had it easier,’ Kantinti said. ‘They gave us a good game much as we got a shocker through that early quick try but we now have a responsibility to build on this as we go to a higher tier.’

Kantinti expects significantly tougher opposition in the Performance Division and believes Uganda must raise their standards accordingly.

The Baby Cranes won this tier on home soil in 2015 but their most recent Performance Division campaign in 2023 ended with a seventh-place finish and relegation at the hands of Zambia. This week’s two wins over the same opponents therefore provide a measure of redemption.

Zimbabwe, meanwhile, finished third after recovering from their semi-final defeat to Kenya with a 38-12 victory over Tunisia. The result completed Tunisia’s relegation to the First Division.

Uganda will conclude the tournament with a Test match against Zimbabwe on Saturday at the same venue.

Results

Uganda 27-12 Zambia

Performance Division

Tunisia 12-38 Zimbabwe

Namibia 14-33 Kenya

The High Court in Kampala has convicted the two prime suspects in the murder of former Ndiga Clan leader, Engineer Daniel Bbosa.

Lujja Bbosa Tabula and his co-accused Noah Lugya, alias Fake, were convicted after pleading guilty to the murder charges and confirming to the court that the facts presented by the prosecution were accurate.

Tabula, accused of masterminding the February 2024 assassination, told Justice David Matovu that the charges against him were true and asked the court for forgiveness. Lugya similarly admitted to the offense.

Justice Matovu formally convicted the duo under sections 171 and 172 of the Penal Code Act after state prosecutors Joseph Kyomuhendo, Marion Ben-Bela, and Caroline Tabaro read out the summary of the case.

While Tabula and Lugya accepted responsibility, three other co-accused persons-Harriet Nakiguli, Joseph Nakabake, and Ezra Mayanja-maintained their innocence by pleading not guilty. They are now set to stand trial.

Prosecution details reveal that Eng. Bbosa was gunned down on February 25, 2024, at Kikandwa in Lungujja as he returned home from presiding over a clan function in Katosi. He was traveling in his Toyota Prado alongside his wife, Gladys, and their house help when assailants on a motorcycle targeted his vehicle near his residence.

Following the shooting, local boda-boda riders pursued the fleeing assailants and intercepted them in Bulabega Zone. One of the alleged attackers, Enock Sserunkuma, alias Munaku, was killed by an angry mob. Lugya was rescued from the mob by security forces and rushed to Mulago Hospital for emergency treatment.

Police later recovered an AK-47 rifle from a nearby compound. Ballistic examinations confirmed that the firearm was operational and matched the spent cartridges recovered from the crime scene, while a postmortem report established that Eng. Bbosa died of gunshot wounds.

According to prosecution statements, Lugya confessed that he participated in the killing on the instructions of his uncle, Tabula, and identified the deceased Sserunkuma as the gunman who pulled the trigger. Prosecutors further presented evidence showing that Tabula, who went into hiding shortly after the incident, was apprehended on August 19, 2024, in Namulonge, Wakiso District.

State evidence submitted to the court included CCTV and surveillance footage trailing Eng. Bbosa’s movements, call-data records showing frequent communication between the suspects prior to the attack, and forensic reports. Investigations also revealed that planning meetings had been held between November and December 2023, during which alternative methods-including poisoning-were discussed.

The prosecution established that the murder was fueled by a leadership dispute, with Tabula opposing Eng. Bbosa’s position as head of the Ndiga Clan and claiming the title was his birthright. Tabula allegedly supplied the murder weapon, which he claimed belonged to his grandfather, a former UPDF officer.

The defense is led by Richard Kumbuga, while lawyer Simon Tendo Kabege is watching brief on behalf of Eng. Bbosa’s family.

The court has stood over the matter for sentencing of Lugya and his co-accused.

The Electoral Commission (EC) is grappling with more than 500 petitions arising from the recently concluded Local Council I (LC1) elections, with complaints ranging from widespread allegations of violence and procedural irregularities to disputed results across several parts of the country.

The mounting grievances came to light during a community engagement in Kasangati Town Council, Wakiso District, where local leaders and residents voiced frustration over the conduct of the grassroot polls held on July 28 across more than 71,000 villages nationwide.

Addressing the gathering, the Minister for Local Government, Mr Balaam Barugahara, revealed that veteran politician Ms Gertrude Njuba had petitioned both President Yoweri Museveni and the EC regarding the Nangabo LC1 election, which she stated was severely marred by violence and irregularities.

Mr Barugahara noted that similar grievances from Kasangati Town Council prompted President Museveni on Monday to issue a direct directive for an immediate state intervention to address the rising tension.

“The President directed me to come here and address these issues immediately. We have to concentrate on the 500 cells where elections were not conducted fairly and ensure that the concerns are resolved,” Mr Barugahara said.

One of the most contentious outcomes involves Nangabo village, where 20-year-old Tracy Nalugwa Kibuuka was reported victorious amid controversy. Following discussions during the engagement, stakeholders resolved that the Nangabo dispute should first be reviewed by local party leaders under the guidance of Ms Njuba. The minister urged aggrieved parties nationwide to submit their complaints through official legal channels and seek peaceful resolutions.

Representing the Electoral Commission, Mr Abubakar Kayondo confirmed that the electoral body is currently auditing reports to determine whether the declared results align with ground realities.

“We have so far received more than 500 petitions concerning the LC1 elections. More than 300 cases have been reviewed, and Nangabo is among the key petitions,” Mr Kayondo stated.

According to Mr Kayondo, the commission’s legal team is reviewing each petition to determine appropriate redress. The EC is weighing three primary options to settle the disputes: ordering by-elections, referring contentious matters to the courts of law, or organizing fresh polls in areas where no winner was declared.

Citing Article 61(1) of the Electoral Commission legal framework, Mr Kayondo emphasized that the EC holds the constitutional mandate to ascertain and declare final results based on verified official reports. He assured affected communities that all petitions will be handled expeditiously to restore public trust in the grassroots democratic process.

In today’s fast-moving world, patience has become one of the most underrated business virtues. Many young entrepreneurs begin businesses expecting immediate profits, quick recognition, and rapid expansion.

When results delay, discouragement enters, focus weakens, and many abandon potentially successful ventures too early. Yet history repeatedly proves that sustainable businesses are not built overnight. They are built slowly, carefully, and consistently over time.

Business growth resembles the growth of bamboo. For several years after planting, bamboo shows almost no visible progress above the ground.

To many people, it appears as though nothing is happening. However, beneath the surface, roots are quietly spreading and strengthening. Then eventually, after years of silent preparation, the bamboo rises rapidly. In the same way, businesses require invisible seasons of preparation before visible success appears.

The challenge with modern culture is that it glorifies speed more than endurance. Social media constantly presents images of sudden wealth, luxurious lifestyles, and ‘overnight success’ stories. Unfortunately, many of these stories hide years of sacrifice, rejection, discipline, and perseverance.

Real business success is usually less dramatic and more repetitive. It is built through daily effort, consistent learning, and patient improvement.

One of the greatest misunderstandings among entrepreneurs is believing that business success depends only on money or intelligence. In reality, the entrepreneur’s personal life strongly influences business performance. A disorganised life eventually produces disorganised business decisions. A restless mind weakens judgment. Poor health reduces productivity. Lack of discipline destroys consistency.

This is why successful entrepreneurship begins with personal discipline. Daily habits shape long-term outcomes. In Atomic Habits, James Clear observed, ‘Every action you take is a vote for the type of person you wish to become.’ Success is therefore not merely an event; it is the accumulation of disciplined routines practiced consistently over time.

A balanced daily routine helps entrepreneurs remain productive, focused, and emotionally stable. Beginning the day with prayer and reflection creates mental clarity and spiritual grounding. Prayer provides direction, calmness, and purpose before engaging with the pressures of business. Reflection allows individuals to evaluate priorities and correct mistakes before they become costly.

Physical exercise is equally important. Regular walking, running, stretching, or gym activity improves both physical and mental strength. Many successful leaders understand that the body is an important business asset. A healthy entrepreneur often possesses greater energy, sharper concentration, and stronger emotional resilience during difficult business periods.

Reading also plays a major role in long-term success. Books expose entrepreneurs to new ideas, strategies, and wisdom accumulated over generations. In Think and Grow Rich, Napoleon Hill observed, ‘Patience, persistence and perspiration make an unbeatable combination for success.’ This quotation remains one of the clearest reminders that lasting achievement demands endurance and consistency.

Beyond personal growth, entrepreneurs must also understand the importance of trust. Trust is one of the most valuable forms of capital in business. Customers return where honesty exists. Investors support individuals with credibility. Employees remain loyal to leaders they trust. Yet trust cannot be rushed. It develops slowly through consistent integrity and responsible conduct.

In The Speed of Trust, Stephen Covey explains, ‘Trust is the glue of life. It’s the foundational principle that holds all relationships.’ In business, trust reduces friction, strengthens partnerships, and creates long-term loyalty that competitors often struggle to break.

Rest is another frequently ignored aspect of entrepreneurship. Many people wrongly associate exhaustion with productivity. However, continuous stress without recovery eventually weakens creativity, emotional balance, and decision-making ability. Proper sleep, quiet moments of reflection, and time with family help entrepreneurs maintain long-term stability and inner peace.

Perhaps the greatest lesson in business is understanding that growth often happens quietly before it becomes visible publicly. Systems mature gradually. Relationships deepen slowly. Skills improve through repetition. Reputation develops through years of consistent conduct.

A farmer does not plant seeds today and expect harvest tomorrow. In the same way, entrepreneurs must resist the temptation of impatience. Businesses require watering every day through discipline, prayer, reflection, learning, service, integrity, and perseverance.

Eventually, results appear. And when success finally becomes visible, many people will call it ‘overnight success,’ without realising that the roots were being built patiently for years beneath the surface.

There is a profound concept known as ‘paying it forward,’ which is the simple yet radical idea that when you do something good for someone, you hope they will, in turn, extend that same goodness to another. It is not a transaction, but a transmission; a ripple that begins with a single act and expands outward, touching lives you may never meet. This concept leaves the giver feeling fulfilled, not because of recognition, but due to the quiet knowledge that something beautiful has been set in motion. I recently experienced this in a moment that felt both ordinary and sacred.

During the NMG-Uganda shutdown, as I walked through downtown Kampala, the world felt muted, heavy with unspoken collective anxiety. I was lost in thought when I felt a tap on my shoulder. Instinctively, my hand flew to my bag, and I braced myself, convinced I was about to be robbed. However, the gentleman before me was not a thief. He was apologetic, almost embarrassed, for startling me. After his flustered apologies, he introduced himself as one of our readers.

What followed was a story that unraveled me most unexpectedly. He shared that one Thursday, one of those days that feels like the final straw, he had been sitting in deep despair, convinced he had no reason to continue living. In that moment, contemplating a terrifying decision, he was considering the most effective way to end his life. Just then, a stranger, perhaps through a fortuitous act of fate, left a copy of the Daily Monitor on the table beside him. He picked it up, not out of hope, but for distraction. As he flipped through the pages, his eyes landed on an article discussing the futility of ending one’s life. He read it, and to his surprise, it felt like a personal letter meant just for him.

That article, in a way I will never fully understand, changed his mind. In that moment, he resolved to give life another chance, not just for himself, but for those who might one day find themselves in the same dark place. He decided to become stronger, not for glory, but to serve as a beacon for others in their darkest hours.

By the time we parted, I felt something shift inside me. The weight of the shutdown, the isolation, the uncertainty, all seemed to lift, if only slightly. He had come to thank me, but in truth, he had given me something far greater. He reminded me that life is not a series of random events, but a kind of bank where every act of kindness, every word of encouragement, and every moment of connection is a deposit. When the time comes, when we are depleted, weary, and in need, we can withdraw from that account, drawing on the goodness we have stored.

We do not always see the impact of our actions. We may never know whose life we might touch, whose path we might alter, or whose darkness we might illuminate. But that is the beauty of paying it forward. It is not about witnessing the results; it is about trusting the process. It is about planting seeds in soil we may never walk on and believing that something will grow.

Now, here is what I ask of you: Be intentional about your deposits. Speak words that heal. Reach out to someone you have lost touch with. Do small things with great love. You never know who is reading your words, listening to your voice, or watching your actions. You never know whose life you might save with a simple act of kindness.

The man who left that Daily Monitor copy on the table did not know he was performing an act of rescue, but he did it anyway. Today, I challenge you to be the one who metaphorically or literally leaves a copy of the Daily Monitor on a stranger’s table. Be the one who speaks life into a weary soul. The person you help today might just become the light for someone else tomorrow. Life is a bank of goodness, and your deposits matter more than you will ever know.

As Uganda’s older population grows, gerontologist Dr Arthur Namara Araali is calling for better healthcare, social protection and community support to help older people live with dignity, purpose and independence.

Uganda is one of the world’s youngest countries, making ageing easy to overlook in public discourse. Yet behind the youthful population is another demographic reality, about 2.3 million Ugandans, or five percent of the population, are aged 60 and above.

For Dr Arthur Namara Araali, a gerontologist, researcher and director of Health Nest Uganda, that growing number is a reality the country can no longer ignore.

‘I joined the field of gerontology after recognising that older persons were among the least visible groups in health and social policy despite carrying a heavy burden of chronic disease, poverty and caregiving responsibilities,’ he says.

His academic training and research gradually drew him towards ageing and eventually led him to specialise in gerontology.

But his work has also challenged some of his own assumptions about growing old.

‘What surprised me most was the resilience of older people. Despite limited resources, many continue to care for grandchildren, contribute economically and provide social leadership in their communities.’

Complex needs

In Uganda, a person aged 60 and above is considered an older person. As this population grows, so does the need for healthcare that can address the complex conditions associated with ageing.

‘Older Ugandans are increasingly affected by non-communicable diseases, particularly hypertension, diabetes, stroke, heart disease, arthritis, cancer, vision and hearing impairment, dementia, depression, and other age-related conditions,’ Dr Namara says.

Many live with several of these conditions at the same time, making treatment more complicated and often requiring long-term care.

Yet accessing appropriate services remains difficult. Older people may have to travel long distances to health facilities, struggle with transport, face medication shortages and high healthcare costs, or spend long hours waiting for treatment.

Uganda also has limited geriatric services and few healthcare workers trained specifically in caring for older people.

Those living in rural areas often face the greatest barriers.

But Dr Namara cautions against viewing older people primarily through the lens of illness and dependency.

Many continue to care for grandchildren, support households, preserve cultural knowledge and provide leadership in their communities.

For him, Uganda’s response must, therefore, go beyond treating disease. It should include age-friendly health services, social protection and community support that allow people to grow older with dignity and independence.

A system built around the young

Uganda has invested heavily in specialised health services for women and children, but comparatively little attention has been paid to the needs of older people.

Dr Namara says this reflects the historical priorities of the health system.

‘Health systems in Uganda and many other low-income countries were developed at a time when maternal mortality and child mortality were the most urgent public health concerns.’

Those investments have saved many lives, but the needs of older people received comparatively little attention.

‘Today, Uganda’s population is ageing steadily, yet specialised geriatric services remain limited. Older persons often seek care in facilities that are not equipped to address the complex health challenges associated with ageing.’

The shortage of health workers makes the situation worse. Uganda has about 2.06 doctors per 10,000 people, according to Dr Namara, while even fewer have specialised training in gerontology or geriatric medicine.

As a result, health workers may find themselves managing conditions such as dementia, frailty, falls, multiple chronic illnesses and the effects of taking several medicines at once without adequate specialised preparation.

For older patients, this can mean delayed diagnosis, inadequate follow-up, long waiting times and fragmented care.

‘Healthcare workers are frequently overstretched, making it difficult to provide the comprehensive and patient-centred care that older adults require.’

The gaps extend beyond hospitals. Communities also have limited rehabilitation, mental health, outreach and home-based care services, leaving families to shoulder much of the responsibility.

‘Families, therefore, shoulder a significant burden, often becoming informal caregivers without the necessary knowledge, training, or financial support.’

Dr Namara believes Uganda needs to prepare before an ageing population places even greater pressure on families and the health system.

‘The challenge is not merely to help people live longer, but to ensure they can age with dignity, health, and independence.’

Grandmother who changed his perspective

Working with older people has taught Dr Namara ‘humility, patience and the value of listening’.

‘Ageing is not merely a biological process but also a social and emotional journey.’

One woman, in particular, changed how he understood ageing. She was an 82-year-old grandmother caring for three grandchildren after losing her adult children. She was also living with hypertension, arthritis and declining vision.

‘By every conventional measure, she was vulnerable and in need of support. However, what struck me most was not her illness but her strength.’

During one conversation, she told him: ‘I may be old, but I still have people who depend on me.’

‘That statement changed my understanding of ageing.’

Despite chronic pain and financial hardship, the woman cultivated a small garden, cared for her grandchildren and remained a source of wisdom in her community.

‘What made her story particularly powerful was that she never saw herself as a burden. While others viewed her as someone needing assistance, she viewed herself as a caregiver, provider, and mentor.’

For Dr Namara, the experience meant healthy ageing is about more than the absence of disease.

‘It is the ability to maintain dignity, purpose, independence, and meaningful relationships despite the challenges that come with growing older.’

Ageing is not helplessness

One of the biggest barriers to improving the lives of older people, Dr Namara says, is society’s perception of ageing.

‘Many people assume that ageing automatically means sickness, dependence, weakness, or irrelevance. In reality, growing older is a natural stage of life, and many older persons remain active, productive, and engaged well into later years.’

He also rejects the idea that all older people experience ageing in the same way.

‘Some people remain physically and mentally healthy into their eighties and nineties, while others may develop health conditions much earlier. We need to move away from stereotypes and recognise the diversity, capabilities, and contributions of older persons.’

Investing in older people, he says, should not be seen as competing with investment in younger generations.

‘Healthy ageing benefits the entire society. Older persons are caregivers, custodians of culture, sources of wisdom, and important contributors to community development. Supporting them is not charity; it is a social and economic investment.’

When families are overwhelmed

Families often struggle to care for older people, particularly when they face dementia, disability or chronic illness.

Dr Namara says families should respect older people’s independence, involve them in decisions and address their emotional needs, not just provide food, shelter and medication. Caregiving can also cause stress and financial strain, while stigma may lead to isolation. He condemns the abandonment of older people, reminding society that ‘ageing is not someone else’s problem. If we are fortunate, we will all grow old one day.’

Preparation is key

Dr Namara founded Health Nest Uganda to address gaps in services for older people, focusing on healthy ageing, preventive care, research, advocacy and caregiver support. He believes preparation for old age should begin early, with lifestyle choices made decades before retirement.

However, individual responsibility alone is not enough. Uganda also needs stronger geriatric services, community-based care, social protection and age-friendly infrastructure. As the country’s older population grows, Dr Namara says ageing should be seen as a sign of progress rather than a burden. He remains optimistic that Uganda can avoid a crisis if it starts preparing now.

The security forces have impounded and freely distributed several bags of charcoal to the local community of Nwoya District following a recently announced ban on the transportation of charcoal into the country.

Forth Infantry Division Public Information Officer, Major Bilal Katamba, said the exercise followed a directive issued by Maj Gen Busizoori to repurpose charcoal seized from illegal dealers by distributing it to communities affected by the environmental damage associated with charcoal burning.

”The charcoal was distributed to residents of Anaka Town Council and Agungu Village in Purongo Sub-county, Nwoya District.” Maj Katamba said on Thursday evening.

The move was intended to support communities whose livelihoods have been affected by deforestation caused by illegal charcoal burning, reechoing an order issued by the commander while meeting charcoal dealers and security this Tuesday.

‘You are receiving this charcoal because your livelihoods and surroundings have been severely impacted by deforestation driven by illegal dealers,’ Maj Gen. Busizoori said.

He mobilised residents to take an active role in protecting the environment and conserving natural ecosystems, while calling for stronger cooperation between communities and security agencies in combating illegal logging and charcoal burning.

Maj Gen Busizoori encouraged residents to provide timely and actionable information to security agencies about individuals involved in illegal logging and charcoal burning in their areas.

Meanwhile, the owners of the impounded charcoal were handed over to the Nwoya District Police Commander for investigation.

On Tuesday, the security issued an order banning transportation of charcoal into Uganda, a drive triggered by defiance of the Presidential Executive Order Number 3 of 2023 banning commercial business.

Some charcoal dealers claimed that they were cutting trees and transporting charcoal from South Sudan, a defence the security said was unrealistic and threatening the neighbouring country’s security and environment.

Enforcement remains a challenge

Despite the ban and enforcement operations, illegal charcoal production has continued in parts of northern Uganda.

In June 2024, police and the NFA arrested 12 suspected illegal charcoal dealers during operations in Amuru and Gulu districts and impounded more than 900 bags of charcoal.

The suspects were accused of violating Executive Order No. 3, with some allegedly found cutting trees and producing charcoal inside Kilak Corner Forest Reserve.

The Ministry of Water and Environment says it is implementing a Forestry Management and Sustainable Charcoal Value Chain initiative with the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development, supported by the European Union and implemented with the Food and Agriculture Organisation.

The programme includes establishing wood-energy plantations, rehabilitating degraded forests, promoting more efficient charcoal kilns and encouraging cleaner alternatives such as solar energy, liquefied petroleum gas and improved cooking stoves.

In 2024, the then State Minister for Northern Uganda Rehabilitation, Kenneth Omona, said the government had withdrawn forest produce movement permits in greater northern and eastern Uganda, while working with the Uganda Revenue Authority to strengthen monitoring of cross-border charcoal trade.

The Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, has told retiring senior military officers not to view retirement as an exit from national service, but rather as a transition into civic leadership.

Speaking at the UPDF Joint Services Headquarters in Mbuya, Kampala, during the retirement ceremony for 222 senior officers comprising of Colonels, Lieutenant Colonels, and Majors under Batch 16. Gen Kainerugaba tasked the officers to serve as community anchors, leveraging their skills to mentor younger generations, foster peace, and support local development.

‘I encourage you to see this not as the end of service, but as a new phase in your contributions to the country. I urge you to remain ambassadors of patriotism, discipline, and the unity of our people,’ he said.

Gen Kainerugaba offered counsel on navigating the financial transition into civilian life, cautioning the officers to safeguard their benefits.

‘I encourage you to use your retirement benefits wisely, plan carefully, invest prudently, and maintain financial discipline,’ he said.

He commended the retiring officers for their service, praising them for laying a firm, resilient foundation that continues to anchor the transformation of the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF).

He noted that the UPDF’s growth from a historical liberation movement into one of the continent’s most respected defence forces is a direct result of their dedicated leadership.

‘These achievements rest on the foundation laid by committed officers, such as those we honour today.’

Gen Kainerugaba highlighted how the army has expanded its capabilities beyond conventional warfare to meet contemporary national challenges.

He noted that as the security landscape grows increasingly complex, the Force must remain technologically capable, adaptable, and prepared to counter emerging threats, ranging from terrorism and cybercrime to climate-related disasters.

Gen Kainerugaba also acknowledged the overarching support of the Government of Uganda and the Commander-in-Chief, President Yoweri Museveni, in building a capable defence force while ensuring outgoing officers remain integrated into the broader fabric of national development.

Maj Gen James Kinalwa, who heads the Joint Staff – Human Resource Management, said the retirement is part of UPDF’s personnel renewal strategy, saying it opens a door rather than closing one.

Among the notable names in Batch 16 were Col Kajungu Rutinampora, Col David Mugisha, Col Henry Turyatunga, Col David Richard Edingu, Col Ganson Monday, Col Amos Rutaremwa, Col Deo Mandevu, Col Daniel Omoding, Col James Karyebare Kato among others.

A government inspection tour intended to assess service delivery in Masaka District has unearthed divisions within the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) in the Greater Masaka Sub-region.

The Minister of Local Government, Mr Balaam Barugahara, accompanied by his deputy and Masaka City Woman MP, Ms Justine Nameere, early this month spent a week monitoring service delivery in Masaka City, districts of Masaka, Rakai and Sembabule.

The tour was designed to assess government programmes, engage local leaders and receive feedback from residents.

Instead, political attention shifted to a heated baraza (public community meeting) in Masaka City, where long-running differences between Ms Nameere and the Masaka City NRM chairperson, Mr Rogers Buregeya, erupted in full view of hundreds of residents.

The meeting took an unexpected turn when a Masaka-based businesswoman, Ms Cissy Nanyange, accused Ms Nameere of failing to pay more than Shs150 million allegedly owed for coffee seedlings supplied during the minister’s election campaign late last year.

Mr Siraje Nsanja, a political scientist, says these conflicts stem from unresolved conflicts from NRM party primaries and cliques that emerged after the January general elections.

‘To consolidate the achievements, they [NRM] registered in Masaka, they have to resolve disagreements that accrued from party primaries, otherwise, they could end up losing the trust they had gained. I believe that even some members are not happy with the new converts from Opposition National Unity Platform party, who are in a very short time assigned key roles in party structures even before their loyalty is tested for some good time,’ he adds.

Mr Nsanja says Masaka, unlike other sub-regions, currently lacks senior NRM members to serve as mediators between the conflicting parties.

‘The top leaders are still young people, who have risen from positions of mobilisers. So, they lack that capacity of settling these disputes themselves,’ he says.

Some NRM supporters interviewed for this article expressed confidence in Mr Buregeya’s leadership, describing him as more accessible and closely connected to grassroots structures. Others defended Nameere, arguing that political rivals were using the public forum to damage her reputation.

Ms Nanyange said during the baraza that she had unsuccessfully sought payment for months and had resorted to raising the matter during the public community meeting.

The allegations immediately overshadowed discussions on service delivery and turned the baraza into a politically charged confrontation.

Ms Nameere denied responsibility for the debt, arguing that procurement and distribution of the seedlings had been handled through other individuals, including Mr Buregeya.

She maintained that she had been unfairly targeted by political opponents in Masaka City seeking to tarnish her reputation following her appointment as minister and said no documentary evidence directly linked her to the disputed transaction.

As supporters of both leaders (Nameere and Buregeya) traded accusations, Mr Barugahara intervened, calling for calm and reminded participants that the tour was intended to evaluate government services rather than settle political disputes.

To prevent the disagreement from escalating, Mr Barugahara reportedly engaged the Office of the State House Comptroller to verify the complaint and facilitate a resolution.

Within less than 24 hours, the disputed payment was reportedly processed, ending the financial dispute, although not the political fallout.

Meanwhile, Mr Buregeya rejects Ms Nameere’s claim that she had no dealings with Ms Nanyange, insisting the businesswoman had supplied coffee seedlings after previously working with Ms Nameere during the NRM primaries without receiving payment.

But Ms Nanyange confirmed she received the Shs10million for coffee seedlings she had earlier supplied to Ms Nameere .

However, Ms Nameere has not answered phone calls from this publication since last week to respond to allegations levelled against her, neither has she replied text messages to her known telephone number.

The confrontation has fuelled debate over the state of the NRM in Masaka, where the party is attempting to regain political ground after years of Opposition dominance.

Although the NRM improved its performance during the January general elections and recently won 47.3 percent of local council positions in Masaka City, according to Mr Buregeya, disagreements among senior leaders are threatening to overshadow all these gains.

He argues that the party’s recent grassroots successes were achieved largely through the efforts of local mobilisers rather than minister Nameere’s leadership.

The political tensions continued during the ministers’ visit to Rakai District, where residents accused former Defence minister Vincent Ssempijja, Ms Nameere’s father, of attempting to evict more than 600 households from a disputed piece of land.

Mr Barugahara reportedly intervened by contacting Ssempijja and urging him to halt the planned evictions while the matter was being addressed. Residents said the intervention helped calm the situation.

Despite the controversies, Mr Barugahara sought to project unity at the conclusion of the tour.

‘We have capable leaders in this region who can resolve such misunderstandings. Where disagreements arise, we shall continue to encourage dialogue because our focus should remain on serving the people,’ he said.

His remarks highlighted the challenge facing the NRM as it seeks to improve service delivery while managing increasingly visible internal rivalries.

Political observers say the internal NRM party disputes in Masaka reflect a broader struggle for influence within the ruling party rather than simply a personal disagreement.

Masaka has for long been an Opposition stronghold, but the NRM made some inroads during the January general election, winning majority of the district chairperson and parliamentary seats in the sub-region.

For example, the NRM won constituencies including, Bukoto Mid-West, Bukomansimbi South, Bukomansimbi District Woman MP, Kalangala Woman MP, Mawogola County South, Lwemiyaga County, Mawogola North, Kabula County, Lyantonde District Woman MP, Kyotera County, Kakuto County and Kalungu District Woman MP, Bujjumba County and Kyamuswa County.

Whether the reconciliation efforts initiated during the visit will hold remains uncertain, but the events in Masaka demonstrated that maintaining unity within the NRM may be just as important as competing against the Opposition in the years ahead.