Category: Daily Monitor

Fishermen dealing in silverfish commonly known as mukene in Mpigi District have appealed to government for urgent support, saying prolonged restrictions on fishing activities have left many households struggling to survive.

The fishermen raised their concerns during a meeting with the Deputy Chief of Defence Forces, Lt Gen Samuel Okiding, at Ssenyondo Landing Site on Bunjakko Island in Mpigi District on June 18.

The engagement came amid intensified operations by security agencies on Lake Victoria aimed at eliminating illegal fishing practices and restoring declining fish stocks.

For years, authorities have carried out operations targeting illegal fishing gear and methods, which they say have contributed to depletion of fish resources. However, some fishing communities argue that the enforcement measures have disrupted livelihoods, especially for those who depend on mukene fishing and processing.

The fishermen told Gen Okiding that they had been unable to fully operate for the past five months despite participating in government sensitisation programmes on fisheries regulations.

Through their leader, Mr Richard Masanke, the mukene dealers said the restrictions were threatening investments in the sector, including a Shs48 million fish-processing machine acquired to improve the quality of silverfish.

“If fishing activities remain disrupted, that investment could become useless,” Mr Masanke said.

Local leaders called for a balance between conservation efforts and protecting the livelihoods of fishing communities.

Mr Deo Ssendegeya, the LC3 chairperson of Buwama Sub-county, said fishermen support the continued deployment of soldiers on the lake because of their role in fighting illegal fishing.

However, he appealed to government to provide immediate assistance to legitimate fishermen affected by enforcement measures.

New fisheries committees

Gen Okiding used the meeting to unveil a new fisheries governance structure under which seven-member committees will be established at landing sites to replace the dissolved Beach Management Units (BMUs).

He said the new committees would strengthen accountability, improve management of landing sites and protect genuine fishermen from exploitation.

“Some people have been disguising themselves as fishermen while engaging in illegal activities on the lake. The new structures will help identify and protect legitimate fishermen,” Lt Gen Okiding said.

He added that former BMU members would not be eligible to serve on the new committees, saying the move was intended to promote transparency and restore confidence in fisheries management.

Mpigi District Chairperson Peter Kawuki welcomed the reforms, saying they would provide a better platform for fishermen and leaders to address concerns.

“There have been concerns about the way some fishermen were treated, but these committees will provide a better platform for engagement. Leaders should embrace them,” Mr Kawuki said.

He added that under the proposed framework, fishermen would operate within designated working zones, while individual fishermen would be limited to owning a maximum of 10 boats to improve regulation.

Gen Okiding also revealed that government was considering financial support for districts with landing sites to support fisheries development and improve the welfare of fishing communities.

During the visit, security personnel destroyed illegal fishing nets recovered during recent operations.

Gen Okiding said government had consulted the Uganda Revenue Authority, which denied clearing prohibited fishing nets into the country, adding that investigations were underway to identify those importing and distributing illegal gear.

FPU reforms

The Fisheries Protection Unit (FPU) has since 2017 been involved in combating illegal fishing on Lake Victoria. However, in 2023, fishermen demanded that management of the lake be returned to them following continued illegalities under the FPU command.

In December 2025, President Museveni directed the dissolution of landing site committees established under the FPU and ordered reforms in fisheries management.

The directive, contained in a December 26, 2025 letter from Acting Director of Defence Public Information Col Chris Magezi, provided for replacement of the committees with new structures comprising representatives of indigenous fishermen and investors.

The restructuring process is being overseen by the Deputy Chief of Defence Forces and Inspector General, Lt Gen Samuel Okiding, and the Chief of Defence Intelligence and Security, Maj Gen Richard Otto.

The FPU was renamed the 155 Marines Battalion and placed under the command and administration of the UPDF Marines Brigade. Maj Joseph Ssebukeera was appointed commander of the new battalion, while Brig Michael Nyarwa heads the UPDF Marines Brigade.

Tell us, Uganda dala esinga bulaya?

Uganda will always be home. Bulaya is beautiful and has its perks, but nothing beats the warmth of our people, the food, the laughter, and that feeling of belonging. There is just something special about home.

Now that you are part of the club, is marriage truly a bed of roses?

It is definitely a bed of roses, but roses come with thorns. Marriage is beautiful, rewarding, and full of joy, but it also requires grace, patience, sacrifice, and a lot of learning.

There is a talent show in heaven. Which song are you singing?

The new song I am yet to premiere called Mwaba. If heaven is celebrating Jesus, then that is one song I would sing with everything in me.

What is the most bizarre thing a fan has asked you to pray for?

Someone once asked me to pray that their crush would dream about them every single night until they fell in love.

We would like to crown one memer from your WhatsApp status. Who is taking the award?

I think I would not be crowning a memer, but rather the silent viewers. The ones that never react, never comment, never post, but somehow, they know every detail of your life. Those ones deserve a trophy.

What is one question you have always wished someone would ask you in an interview but nobody ever has?

‘Beyond the stage, the music, and the spotlight, who is Levixone when nobody is watching?’ I think that answer would surprise a lot of people.

So, who is Levixone when nobody is watching?

Beyond the stage, I am just Lucas. I love God by loving people, and I serve God by serving people. I enjoy the simple things in life, spending time with family and friends, sharing a good laugh, and finding joy in everyday moments. I am constantly learning, growing, and challenging myself to become a better man.

Music is what I do, but my relationship with Jesus is who I am. Everything else flows from that. At the end of the day, I want my life to reflect God’s love, whether I am on a stage in front of thousands or simply having a conversation with one person.

What is the best part about being you?

Seeing lives transformed through the gift and calling God has placed on my life. Nothing compares to knowing your work is impacting people.

50/50 in relationships. Are you for or against?

I am for 100/100. Two people fully committed, fully invested, and both bringing their best.

Which Kampala street has offended you the most?

Any street that suddenly becomes a parking lot during rush hour. One minute you are moving, next thing you are stuck in traffic for hours.

How many broken hearts did you leave behind when you got married?

Only God knows the number. I just pray everyone healed, moved on, and found their own blessing.

You are delegated to play Cupid for a day, which Ugandan celebrities would you pair just to see what happens?

Let me respectfully pass that one before Ugandan Twitter comes for me.

In your opinion, do opposites truly attract?

Sometimes they do. Differences can be exciting and help people grow, but shared values are what keep a relationship standing when the excitement settles.

Is love really blind?

Love is not blind. Love sees the flaws, the imperfections, and the challenges, then chooses commitment anyway. That is what makes it powerful.

What is something people do in Kampala that confuses tourists?

Giving directions using landmarks that no longer exist. ‘Turn left where you will see a big tree.’ Meanwhile the tree disappeared in 2019.

Who is hardest to convince; landlords, boda riders, or event promoters?

Event promoters, especially when you are asking for the balance after a successful show. Suddenly everyone becomes difficult to find.

If your search history leaked…

I would survive. It is mostly sermons, flights, music ideas, and random questions about life.

Would you renounce citizenship abroad for a ministerial job in Uganda?

My heart will always be for Uganda, but that is a decision I would take to God in prayer first. Purpose should always be bigger than position.

What keeps you up at night?

Thinking about purpose, impact, legacy, and how to reach more people with a message of hope.

Vincent Byamukama has not won any professional golf event in a decade. He last savoured a tournament victory at the 2016 Entebbe Open.

A dig into that history only happened hours after Byamukama became the latest leader of the MTN Pro-Tee Series at Entebbe Club on Thursday.

He carded a round of two-under 69 to move to five-under overall after 54 holes and thereby assume a two-lead over the rest of the field in the quest for the biggest cut of the Shs15m kitty.

And yet, Byamukama had maintained second place initially, with Marvin Kibirige leading on Day One and David Kamulindwa after Day Two.

‘Good tee-shots and putting, that’s all,’ Byamukama described his performance, comprising initial rounds of 69 and 70. ‘My game is just there. When I tee-off and putt well, that’s my weapon.’

He admits Thursday’s round was a difficult one, evidenced by a double-bogey on par-5 Hole No.1 and bogeys at par-4 Hole No.3 and par-3 Hole No.6. ‘At a certain time, I was over par but I came back strong on the back nine,’ said.

‘It (course) was a bit hard, they pushed the stones back on the tees and the greens are tough so you need to be so careful and keeping your shots in play.

And true, Byamukama sunk six birdies in 10 holes; par-4 Holes No.9, No.13 and No.14, par-5 Holes No.11 and No.18 and the short par-3 Hole No.16.

Indeed, he has not tasted glory in 10 years but the 2013 Uganda Professionals Open champion is not under pressure. ‘I am used to finishing anywhere, it is just a game of golf,’ he said ahead of Friday’s closing round.

‘I take my things slowly. If I win it, well and good, if not, it’s okay. I just need two under or three under to be able to win,’ Byamukama added.

He is ahead of Abraham Ainamani who carded a round of three-under 68 including an eagle on 15th green to move to three-under overall while Kamulindwa is third at -2 overall after shooting 73 including four painful bogeys.

For his round of 68 comprising a horrifying triple-bogey at par-5 Hole No.1 and then six birdies, Bulhan Matovu is in fourth place, a stroke behind Kamulindwa at -1 overall.

DAY THREE LEADERBOARD

1 Vincent Byamukama 69 70 69 208 -5

2 Abraham Ainamani 72 70 68 210 -3

3 David Kamulindwa 72 66 73 211 -2

4 Bulhan Matovu 74 70 68 212 -1

5 Rodell Gaita 69 72 72 213 E

T6 Grace Kasango 74 70 70 214 +1

T6 Andrew Ssekibejja 74 68 72 214 +1

T8 Irene Nakalembe 73 73 69 215 +2

T8 Silver Opio 72 74 69 215 +2

T10 Abbey Bagalana 73 73 71 217 +4

T10 Tom Jingo 73 72 72 217 +4

12 Deo Akope 75 72 71 218 +5

13 Samuel Kato 76 71 73 220 +7

14 Emma Ogwang 73 74 76 223 +10

On June 11, Uganda listened as the Minister of Finance presented the National Budget for Financial Year 2026/2027 at Kololo Ceremonial Grounds. It was a budget about growth, jobs, production, and wealth creation. But one question remained hanging in the air: where are persons with disabilities in this national transformation? Uganda has made commendable progress in laws and policies. The Constitution recognises the rights of persons with disabilities.

The Persons with Disabilities Act, 2020, provides a legal framework for accessibility, participation, and equal opportunity. We have disability representation at all levels. On paper, Uganda speaks the language of inclusion. But in national planning and budgeting, persons with disabilities are still too often given tokenism.

The new budget is a good example. It mentions the National Special Grant for Persons with Disabilities, which has supported thousands of beneficiaries across local governments. This is important and should be appreciated. But a grant is not inclusion. A grant may help a person survive. It does not necessarily open the classroom, the farm, the market, the digital platform, the health facility, or the workplace.

That is the central weakness of the budget. Persons with disabilities appear mainly as beneficiaries of social protection, not as farmers, students, entrepreneurs, innovators, workers, taxpayers, and wealth creators. Yet these are the very identities the budget claims to promote for every Ugandan. Take education. Uganda speaks strongly about inclusive education. But inclusion is not achieved by enrolling a child with a disability in school and leaving the barriers untouched. A learner with a hearing impairment needs sign language support, trained teachers, visual learning materials, and accessible examinations. A visually impaired learner needs braille, screen readers, tactile materials, and accessible science and mathematics tools. Without these reasonable accommodations, the child is counted but not included.

The same applies to agriculture. The government rightly identifies agriculture as central to Uganda’s economy. But where are persons with disabilities in the agrifood budget? Where are the targets for farmers with disabilities in extension services, irrigation schemes, mechanisation centres, cooperatives, agricultural credit, and value chains? Where are adapted tools, accessible farmer trainings, sign language interpretation, braille and audio materials, accessible digital platforms, and deliberate mobilisation through organisations of persons with disabilities?

Wealth creation risks

We see the same risk in wealth-creation programmes such as PDM, Emyooga, youth funds, women’s funds, agricultural credit, and small-business financing. If community mobilisation is not accessible, if forms are not usable, if loan information is not available in formats that persons with disabilities can understand, and if local leaders do not deliberately include them, then these programmes may carry the name ‘for all’ while leaving many behind.

Digital transformation also needs caution. More Internet, smartphones, mobile money and e-government services are good. But digital progress without accessibility creates a new form of exclusion. Government websites, mobile applications, online forms, public information videos, and digital payment systems must be accessible to persons with different impairments. Otherwise, Uganda will build a digital economy where persons with disabilities are connected in statistics but disconnected in reality.

Real inclusion requires a twin-track approach. Persons with disabilities must be deliberately mainstreamed in all national programmes, while disability-specific interventions are also funded. That means budgeting for reasonable accommodation, assistive technologies, accessible infrastructure, inclusive communication, disability-disaggregated data, OPD participation and accountability.

The budget has already been approved by Parliament and the Executive. But implementation is still ahead. That is where change can still happen. Newly appointed ministers should not wait for the next budget cycle. Even where their ministry budgets were not designed inclusively, they can issue ministerial directives requiring that at least 10 percent of this financial year’s ministries’ targets deliberately reach persons with disabilities. Since recent census reporting places disability prevalence at about 13 percent, a 10 percent target is modest, practical, and fair.

Parliament, the Equal Opportunities Commission, the National Council for Persons with Disabilities, the National Planning Authority, the Ministry of Finance, local governments, and organisations of persons with disabilities all have a role. They must ask one simple question: how many persons with disabilities are benefiting, and what barriers have been removed? Persons with disabilities are not asking for pity. They are asking for systems that work.

Newly promoted Coventry City will travel to champions Arsenal in the first match of the 2026-27 Premier League season.

The season’s curtain raiser on Friday, 21 August sees the Sky Blues play their first top-flight match in 25 years against the Gunners, who were led to their first Premier League title since 2004 by Mikel Arteta.

Hull City, who went up via the play-offs, host Manchester United on Saturday, 22 August while fellow promoted side Ipswich are at home to Sunderland on the same day.

Manchester City begin life without Pep Guardiola at home to Bournemouth on Sunday, 23 August, who also start the campaign with a new manager in Marco Rose.

Liverpool’s first match under Andoni Iraola, who replaced the sacked Arne Slot after leaving the Cherries, is away at Newcastle on the same day.

Chelsea start life under Xabi Alonso away at Fulham on Monday, 24 August, with the Cottagers also still to appoint a new manager after Marco Silva’s departure.

The new campaign will start on Friday, 21 August – 34 days after the World Cup final in the United States.

The Premier League season will end on Sunday, 30 May 2027, with the Champions League final six days later.

Both the start and end dates of the 2026-27 season are later than usual as a result of the World Cup.

There will be 33 rounds of weekend fixtures next term, with the remaining five taking place midweek.

The Premier League has said the schedule will be designed to “avoid domestic competition clashes with Uefa competition dates, wherever possible”.

A joint-record nine Premier League teams have qualified for European competition next season.

Arsenal, Manchester City, Manchester United, Aston Villa and Liverpool will play in the Champions League.

Bournemouth, Sunderland and Crystal Palace will feature in the Europa League, with Brighton qualifying for the Conference League.

During the Christmas and New Year period, no two rounds of matches will take place within 60 hours of each other in keeping with commitments made to clubs to address congested schedules.

Rather than the traditional three two-week international breaks during the opening months of the season, there will now be two.

September and October’s international breaks will merge into a new three-week break beginning after the weekend of September 19/20, while November’s two-week international break will remain.

As the world commemorates World Refugee Day on June 20, we are reminded of a fundamental principle of sustainable development: meaningful change happens when development is done with people, not merely for them.

Refugees are often portrayed as recipients of aid, yet they possess skills, knowledge, aspirations, and the capacity to contribute significantly to the communities in which they live. Yet, when given the opportunity, they become active partners in development rather than passive beneficiaries.

In Uganda’s West Nile Sub-region, where mobility is often the difference between opportunity and isolation, a new road project is doing far more than connecting communities. It’s laying the foundation for sustainable livelihoods, strengthening resilience, and fostering social cohesion between refugees and host communities.

On February 11 2021, the Government of Uganda signed a grant agreement of up to 3.821 billion Japanese Yen (approximately $36.8 million or Shs109.2 billion) with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) for the implementation of the Project for the Improvement of a National Road in the West Nile Sub-region.

The project aims to enhance the socio-economic infrastructure and realise smooth transport by upgrading the national and feeder roads, as well as a bridge in refugee-hosting areas, thereby contributing to stabilisation of the society and promotion of sustainable economic growth in West Nile Sub-region and northern part of Uganda.

Beyond infrastructure, the project is unlocking broader opportunities, better access to healthcare, education, markets and agriculture; all of which are critical for long-term community resilience and sustainable economic growth.

At the heart of the project is the use of Labour-Based Technology (LBT), a road construction and maintenance approach that prioritises local labour. One wage at a time, refugees and hosts are acquiring practical skills that will remain useful beyond the project life cycle.

By involving communities directly, the project is fostering local ownership, creating ripple effects that promote resilience and self-reliance – reflecting a simple but powerful idea: development becomes more sustainable when people participate directly in creating it.

For refugees, such opportunities restore dignity and agency. Their participation challenges common perceptions that refugees are solely beneficiaries of humanitarian aid.

Experience around the world has shown that development initiatives are more successful and sustainable when communities are actively involved. When people help build solutions, they are more likely to take ownership of them, maintain them, and ensure their long-term success.

This participatory approach also aligns closely with Uganda’s progressive refugee policy framework, which promotes refugee self-reliance and encourages development-oriented approaches alongside humanitarian aid. The project, therefore, stands as a live example of how such policies can yield real, shared benefits.

In many refugee-hosting areas, pressure on resources and public services can sometimes create tension between refugees and the host communities. Inclusive development initiatives can help address these challenges by creating opportunities that benefit both groups.

Through the implementation of LBT, refugees and host community members are working side by side toward a common goal. The shared employment opportunities, teamwork, and collective participation in infrastructure development helps build trust, strengthen relationships, and reinforce social cohesion.

While humanitarian assistance remains critical in responding to immediate needs, long-term displacement requires long-term solutions. For refugees who spend years or even decades in host countries, they need opportunities to earn livelihoods, develop skills, and contribute meaningfully to society.

As we commemorate World Refugee Day, this initiative is a powerful reminder that resilience is built not only through what is provided to people, but through the opportunities created for them to participate, contribute, and shape their own futures.

The project’s greatest achievement may not be measured in kilometres of road, but in partnerships it is fostering, and the lives it is transforming.

In the social fabric it has forged, for learning, interaction, finance management skills taught, and meaningful cultural exchanges through safety awareness assemblies, site inspections by the beneficiaries.

In a world facing increasing displacement, such examples show that when refugees are empowered to participate, contribute, and lead alongside host communities, development becomes more than a response to challenges, it becomes a pathway to dignity, resilience, and lasting peace.

Halimah Nakaayi left the United States of America (USA) early this week with disappointment after an unfamiliar result at the Los Angeles Grand Prix in California.

She finished a distant ninth in a time of two minutes and 7.08 seconds, a stark contrast to victory at the same event two years ago.

That was, however, Nakaayi’s first competitive two-lap race of this season. The 2019 world champion’s schedule seems beefed up now.

On Friday, she will run in the women’s 800 metres event at the Wanda Diamond League leg in Doha, Qatar.

It will be another test to measure Nakaayi’s work in camp in Kaptagat, Kenya where she has been training in company of star Faith Kipyegon and coach Patrick Sang.

In Doha, Nakaayi will aim for a season best against familiar competitors like Olympic silver medalist Ethiopian Tsige Duguma and the in-form pairing of South African Prudence Sekgodiso and Vincentian Shafiqua Maloney.

The trio has this season posted under 1:58:00 and that’s the zone that Nakaayi desires to get into with her spikes.

Meanwhile on Sunday, Nakaayi will cross to the Netherlands to compete at the 45th FBK Games in Hengelo, still over the 800 metres. And with her personal best (PB) mark of 1:57.26, a win is realistic in Hengelo.

As well, Keneth Kiprop will be pushed by coach Addy Ruiter to go for victory when he lines-up with Dolphine Chelimo in the men’s 5000 metres race in Hengelo.

‘The target for Keneth is to win,’ Kiprop’s other coach Denis Okudach told this paper. For Chelimo, he is only recuperating from an injury.

Kiprop’s PB over the 12-and-a-half lap race stands at 13:00.49 and in good conditions, he can dip under the elusive 13-minute mark.

‘That would be very nice if it happens,’ added Okudach. Kiprop will be challenged by Dutch Mike Foppen, Eritrean Simon Amanuel and Irishman Darragh McElhinney, all who have posted under 13:03.00.

INTERNATIONAL ATHLETICS – UGANDANS IN ACTION

FRI, JUNE 19

Doha Diamond League: Halimah Nakaayi (Women’s 800 Metres)

SUN, JUNE 21

FBK Games: Halimah Nakaayi (Women’s 800 Metres), Dolphine Chelimo and Keneth Kiprop (Men’s 5000 Metres)

Health workers in Kyotera District are struggling to improve childhood immunisation coverage in parts of Kabira Sub-county, where some members of a religious sect continue to resist vaccination, citing spiritual beliefs and mistrust of modern medicine.

Officials say followers of the Sserulanda Spiritual Foundation, founded by the late Joseph Mugonza, popularly known as Bambi Baaba Baabuwe, remain among the communities hardest to reach during immunisation campaigns.

The group is known for its emphasis on spiritual healing, prayer, fasting and herbal remedies, with some adherents reportedly rejecting government-led health interventions, including childhood vaccination.

‘It has completely hindered our work,’ Kyotera District Health Officer Dr Edward Muwanga said in an interview on June 16.

‘We are dealing with a group that deliberately isolates itself whenever immunisation teams arrive. Children who should be protected from birth remain highly vulnerable,’ he added.

Uganda’s routine immunisation programme requires children to receive vaccines against diseases such as polio, measles, tuberculosis, hepatitis B, diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus and rotavirus before the age of two.

Health experts warn that failure to vaccinate exposes children to preventable illnesses that can cause severe complications, disability or death.

‘Measles can lead to pneumonia and brain swelling, while polio may cause lifelong paralysis. These are life-threatening diseases, yet entirely preventable,’ Dr Muwanga said.

According to district health officials, some sect members avoid vaccination teams by remaining indoors or moving away from their homes during outreach activities.

‘Others become openly hostile. You cannot easily engage them, let alone convince them,’ Dr Muwanga said.

Ms Flavia Nabulya, the officer in charge of Ndolo Health Centre II, said vaccine resistance has complicated efforts to meet immunisation targets.

‘Our role is to provide services, not to force them. We immunise those who come willingly, but when a whole section of the community refuses, it affects public health,’ she said.

Some members of the sect defend their position, arguing that spiritual faith and traditional remedies offer sufficient protection.

‘Our faith teaches us that God created the body perfect. Introducing vaccines defiles that purity. We trust what our elders have always used…herbs and prayer,’ one member said on condition of anonymity.

A young mother from the group said she had never vaccinated her children.

‘I have never taken my children for immunisation, and they are strong. We believe diseases come when faith is weak,’ she said.

Health officials attribute such attitudes partly to misinformation about vaccines.

‘When immunisation coverage drops, diseases we had controlled can return. We risk reversing years of progress,’ Dr Muwanga warned.

Authorities have intensified community engagement efforts involving local leaders, religious leaders and health educators in an attempt to improve vaccine acceptance.

However, not all members of the Sserulanda faith agree with claims that the sect opposes immunisation.

Mr Charles Baguma, a longtime follower, dismissed the allegations and said members of the faith participate in government health programmes.

‘Those allegations are not true. We take our children for immunisation and we work closely with health workers like any other community. In fact, we have Rwabayambi Health Centre III, which provides medical services to our people,’ he said.

Mr Baguma argued that individuals refusing vaccination may not necessarily belong to the sect and accused critics of unfairly targeting the religious group.

‘We are educated, law-abiding and civilised people. Like everyone else, we want our families to be healthy and our children to have access to proper healthcare,’ he said.

Health officials say continued dialogue and community trust-building will be essential if vaccine coverage is to improve in the area.

For Kyotera’s health teams, the challenge goes beyond delivering vaccines. It is also about overcoming beliefs and misinformation that continue to stand between children and life-saving protection.

Police have reduced the number of its officers deployed at the Parliament of Uganda, from the current 400 to about 200, with the rest being taken back to the police headquarters for further redeployment.

Officials say the reduction follows reassessment of the security situation and the frugality promised by the new Speaker of Parliament, Marksons Jacob Oboth Oboth.

Shortly after being elected Speaker, Oboth had promised to review Parliament’s budget and redirect some of what he called wasteful expenditure to committees and other departments that need the money more.

Chris Obore, the Director of Communications and Public Affairs at the parliament, confirmed the reduction in the number of police officers and said this fulfils the promises made by the speaker.

‘I think to understand the reduction in the number of police personnel here should be understood in three contexts. One, you need to listen to the speaker, the new speaker, and what he says. He’s been consistently, since elected, kept saying he would operate on financial frugality.” He explained.

”So, by reducing the number of police, we achieve in that direction what we promised. Two, the reduction is always done in consultation with the police authorities. And if that happens, it means the police authorities are satisfied with the numbers required here, because they are the ones who assess the security threat levels,’ Obore said.

He, however, did not say how many forces the parliament exactly has, but said they could be more or less.

‘Normally, we report the round figures. There could be 205, but you say 200. There could be 199, you can say 200. So let’s go with that,’ he said.

Obore said Parliament and Police authorities agreed that not all the four hundred officers were needed, after a careful analysis of the security situation in the Parliament, neccesitating the reduction.

‘If there were higher security threats, maybe the police would advise otherwise. The fact that they have gone with that decision means they are satisfied equally, and that serves the promise of the Speaker that he would prefer to live humble and be efficient,’ Obore said.

Sources at Parliament who did not want to be named said the police officers have been given until the end of the week to vacate Parliament and report back to the headquarters at Naguru.

Obore on his part said deployment of the forces normally takes immediate effect from the time of announcement.

He, however, neither confirmed nor denied whether the directive for immediate vacation of the parliament had been issued.

‘Forces operate on directives, not as civilians who behave on procedural matters. I am sure when a commander-in-chief issues directives, they are always with immediate effect. That’s what I understand with police deployments,’ he said.

Apart from guarding the parliament, VIP and VVIP officers are deployed to guard and protect both the homes of top parliamentary leadership, including the Speaker, the deputy, LoP, and the parliamentary commissioners, among others.

Our attempts to get clarifications on who will be deployed and retained were unsuccessful because the police spokesperson, Rusoke Kituuma, did not respond to our calls.

Obore, on his part, said it is the duty of the police to know who is deployed where and to guard who.

‘First of all, you see, VIP protection is done at the VIP directorate, so I will not go into the determination of who has what protection is not entirely parliamentary. It has different levels of analysis, of threat assessment, and the appropriate deployment,’ he said.

As the world marks World Refugee Day on June 20, we are reminded that behind every refugee statistic is a human story of courage, loss, resilience and hope. This year’s theme, ‘Until everyone is safe’, is both a reminder and a call to action. It reflects the reality that millions of people around the world continue to be forced from their homes by conflict, violence and persecution in search of safety. Uganda hosts more than two million refugees and asylum-seekers, making it one of the largest refugee-hosting countries in the world. Behind this statistic are individual stories of courage, loss, resilience and hope.

Every day, people continue to seek refuge from conflict, violence and persecution. In the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), insecurity and violence in the eastern part of the country continue to uproot families. Many have undertaken long and dangerous journeys, facing numerous hardships along the way, including the fear of disease outbreaks before finally reaching safety in Uganda.

To the north, South Sudan continues to experience political uncertainty, localised violence and climate-related shocks. Thousands of people have crossed into Uganda in search of protection and stability for themselves and their children. Further afield, the conflict in Sudan has now entered its fourth year. What began as a political and military crisis has evolved into one of the world’s most severe humanitarian emergencies. Millions displaced, families separated, and countless lives disrupted. Uganda has received many of those fleeing the violence, adding to the growing humanitarian needs across the country.

Each of these people matters. They are not numbers in a report or statistics in a news headline. They are mothers, fathers, children, students, teachers, farmers and entrepreneurs whose lives have been upended by circumstances beyond their control. Like all of us, they seek safety, dignity and the opportunity to rebuild their lives. Seventy-five years ago, in the aftermath of the Second World War, the international community adopted the 1951 Refugee Convention, establishing the right of people forced to flee to seek safety and protection. In doing so, it made a promise that those escaping conflict, violence and persecution would not be left without refuge. That promise remains as relevant today as it was then.

The right to seek asylum means legal protection. It means shelter, healthcare and education. It means the opportunity to work, contribute to society and live with dignity. Most importantly, it means hope – the hope that displacement does not have to define a person’s entire future. Uganda deserves recognition for keeping this promise alive. For decades, the country has maintained an open-door policy that has offered refuge to people escaping conflict and persecution. Equally deserving of appreciation are the host communities that have welcomed refugees into their villages and towns, sharing land, schools, health facilities and other public services despite facing challenges of their own.

But the responsibility does not rest with Uganda alone. Supporting refugees is a collective responsibility. Until everyone is safe, we must continue to safeguard access to asylum and pursue policies rooted in fairness, humanity and dignity. We must continue supporting host countries and communities that demonstrate extraordinary generosity. We must invest in solutions that enable refugees to move beyond survival toward self-reliance and inclusion. And we must reject fear and misinformation in favour of empathy, solidarity and facts.

Until everyone is safe, development partners and stakeholders will continue delivering on the promise made years ago – that people forced to flee have the right to seek safety and protection. This World Refugee Day, even without public gatherings, we can all play a role. We can stand with refugees. We can support the communities that host them. We can defend the right to seek safety. And we can remember that in an increasingly uncertain world, the promise of protection was never meant for a few. It was meant for all of us. Until everyone is safe, the work is not done.