Category: Daily Monitor

The government has pledged to improve access to clean water, sanitation, and menstrual hygiene facilities in schools across the country in a bid to curb dropouts and keep girls in education.

The pledge was made by the First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for East African Community Affairs, Ms. Rebecca Alitwala Kadaga, alongside the Minister for Youth and Children Affairs, Dr. Mercy Faith Lakisa. The leaders were speaking during the national commemoration of the Day of the African Child held at Nawansaso Primary School in Kamuli District on Monday.

The national celebrations, held under the theme ‘Ensuring universal access to water, sanitation and hygiene for every child in Uganda,’ had been postponed from its original June 16 date following an Ebola outbreak in the region.

The event followed a Children’s Parliament organized by Plan International at the Kamuli District headquarters. During the sitting, young learners presented a comprehensive position paper detailing the pressing challenges affecting their welfare and education.

Annet Blessing Kyomunda, a Primary Four pupil from Kinaitakali Primary School who served as the chief guest representing her peers, urged the government to equip schools with adequate Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) facilities. Kyomunda emphasized the need for designated safe spaces where girls can privately change and dispose of sanitary pads.

“When we have access to clean water, safe sanitation facilities and proper hygiene, we become healthier, safer and better able to learn and achieve our dreams,” Kyomunda told the congregation.

In her address, Kyomunda also advocated for practical hands-on training to enable learners to make reusable sanitary pads, stricter enforcement of laws against open defecation, and enhanced positive parenting through open communication, guidance, and counseling.

The young parliamentarians further raised critical concerns surrounding widespread child labor, rising teenage pregnancies, forced early marriages, inadequate school feeding programs, and persistent negative social norms that force children out of the classroom. In a poignant moment during their presentations, the learners questioned why the government readily provides free condoms to the public while free sanitary pads for schoolgirls remain unprioritized.

Responding to the children’s demands, Dr. Lakisa assured the gathering that the government is actively reinforcing measures to safeguard child rights nationwide. She highlighted ongoing policy interventions, including the implementation of the National Safeguarding Guidelines for Children and the Children Participation Guidelines.

“We are here to be your voice. Your issues, concerns, and advocacy will be addressed, especially with the girl child champion, Mama Kadaga, here for you,” Dr. Lakisa said.

On her part, Ms. Kadaga reaffirmed her personal commitment to championing the welfare of the African child, promising to lobby for free sanitary pads, safe changing facilities, and aggressive protection against defilement, forced marriages, and child exploitation.

“My commitment to children is total and unconditional,” Ms. Kadaga stated. “We shall follow up your concerns, work with development partners, and ensure your rights are protected so that you can enroll, stay, and complete school.”

The Electoral Commission (EC) yesterday nominated candidates for parish and ward Local Council II (LC2) elections across the country, paving the way for campaigns that begin today.

In a statement posted on its official social media platforms, the EC said the election of Parish/Ward (LC2) chairpersons, as well as the nomination and approval of parish executive committee members, will be conducted according to the published electoral programme.

The commission said nomination forms for aspiring LC2 chairpersons were issued during the display exercise conducted between July 30 and 31.

EC spokesperson Julius Mucunguzi clarified that only those elected to the Local Council I (LC1) executive committees, including chairpersons, are eligible to contest for LC2 chairperson positions.

However, he said members representing Special Interest Groups (SIGs) are not eligible because they already attained leadership through those structures.

‘The people eligible to contest for the LC2 chairperson position are members of the LC1 executive committee, including the chairperson, except those representing Special Interest Groups.

After the chairperson is elected, six committee members are nominated to serve on the executive committee,’ Mr Mucunguzi said.

The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Local Government, Mr Ben Kumumanya, said the LC1 and LC2 structures remain the foundation of Uganda’s decentralised governance system by bringing leadership and decision-making closer to communities.

He said the structures enable citizens to identify development priorities, monitor public service delivery and hold leaders accountable.

‘As Uganda prepares for the Parish/Ward (LC2) elections, citizens have another opportunity to strengthen this democratic foundation by electing leaders of integrity, competence and commitment to public service. The Ministry of Local Government continues to champion decentralisation as an effective approach to promoting good governance, accountability, inclusive development and citizen participation,’ he said.

Why LC2 matters The LC2 is the second tier of Uganda’s lower local government structure and operates at parish level, linking village councils (LC1) to sub-county administrations.

Among its key responsibilities are resolving local disputes, hearing appeals from LC1 courts, mobilising communities for government programmes and coordinating development initiatives at parish level.

The LC2 also serves as a local council court, handling minor civil and community disputes through a quorum of five members, including at least two women.

In addition, the council supports implementation of government programmes such as the Parish Development Model (PDM), immunisation campaigns and community sanitation drives.

Mr Kumumanya said the executive committees at LC1 and LC2 are structured under the Local Governments Act to ensure different aspects of community life are represented through designated office bearers.

‘This structure ensures that residents know where to seek assistance on specific community matters while promoting inclusive, accessible and responsive local governance,’ he said.

He added that lower local council leaders occupy a unique position because they are the closest elected leaders to the people and are often the first point of contact for resolving community concerns.

Police in the Kigezi Sub-region have proposed an inspection exercise for all canoes and engine boats used to carry passengers and goods on Lake Bunyonyi, in a bid to reduce fatal water accidents linked to vessels in poor working condition.

The proposal comes a month after a dugout canoe capsized on Lake Bunyonyi following strong waves, killing John Tumukunde, 45, a primary school teacher and resident of Butebi Village, Nyamiryango Parish in Kabale District.

The body of the deceased was recovered a week after the incident. A 19-year-old female passenger, only identified as Rebecca, who was in the same vessel, was rescued immediately.

‘We have proposed to the officials at the Ministry of Works and Transport to conduct a boat/dugout canoe inspection exercise to ensure that all the vessels on Lake Bunyonyi are in good condition for the safety of the passengers and their goods,’ Kigezi Region Police Spokesperson SP Nelson Tumushime said.

He advised residents to always use life jackets and avoid overloading canoes and boats. He also appealed to the management of transport affairs on Lake Bunyonyi to ensure that vessels in bad shape are replaced. ‘Canoes and boats that are in bad shape should be replaced with new ones to avoid risking the lives of the passengers,’ SP Tumushime said.

However, boat operators say training is more urgent than inspection.

The former General Secretary of the Bunyonyi Boat Operators Association, Brian Niwagaba, said strong waves, not the quality of vessels, are the main cause of capsizing.

‘Training boat and canoe operators on how to manage water waves is more important than the planned inspection exercise for boats and canoes. We have over 100 engine boats operating on Lake Bunyonyi every day on a commercial basis while hundreds of dugout canoes facilitate community members that cross the lake for social activities. The problem is not the quality of the vessels but the strong water waves that challenge the operators leading to the capsizing of the canoes. People using dugout canoes must avoid overloading them,’ Mr Niwagaba said.

Long-time lake users also defended the dugout canoe as a safe means of transport when handled properly.

Silas Mukunde, 54, who has used a dugout canoe for more than 40 years on Lake Bunyonyi, said experience and judgment are key. ‘I have been using a dugout canoe for about 40 years as means of transport on Lake Bunyonyi and I have never had a single accident because I calculate properly water behavior i.e. I cannot roll my dugout canoe when there is too much water wave and wind on the lake waters,’ Mr Mukunde said.

Local leaders are calling for stricter enforcement of safety rules.

In April this year, Rubaya Sub-county LCIII Vice Chairperson Innocent Arineitwe Karibobo said about 20 people die annually on Lake Bunyonyi due to canoe accidents, mostly because of overloading.

‘We lose about 20 people per year because of dugout canoe accidents on Lake Bunyonyi and this is a result of poor adherence to the established safety precautions that include the use of life jackets. Most accidents are a result of overloading the dugout canoe where 8 people squeeze themselves on a dugout canoe that is supposed to transport only 4 people,’ Mr Karibobo said.

‘We need the marine police to ensure that there is no overloading on Lake Bunyonyi and we also appeal to the government to provide enough speed boats that can be used to rescue people in case of an accident,’ he added.

Police say they will continue engaging the Ministry of Works and Transport and local boat operators to agree on safety measures for Lake Bunyonyi.

The Executive Director of the Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB), Mr. Dan Odongo, has spoken out against potential plans to merge the assessment body with the National Curriculum Development Centre (NCDC), warning that such a move would be a “terrible gamble” for the country’s education system.

Speaking during an interview at his office in Kyambogo on August 3, Mr. Odongo noted that while he is currently unaware of any concrete merger plans, any attempt to combine the two statutory agencies would compromise their distinct mandates.

“As far as we are concerned, nothing is cooking in the Ministry of Education because we do not see the need for that gamble to take place,” Mr. Odongo said. “It will be a terrible thing if it happens, but I am not aware that anything like that is being considered.”

He emphasized that both bodies perform highly specialized, complementary roles that require independence.

“These are two institutions that are doing very detailed work. I don’t know countries that have merged them. If you go to Kenya, you see how the two institutions have been strengthened to carry out their mandates,” Mr. Odongo added, noting that proper educational governance requires NCDC to develop the curriculum while UNEB independently assesses it and provides feedback.

The proposed merger is reportedly among the key reforms contained in the forthcoming Curriculum, Assessment and Admissions Bill, one of the major legal instruments shaping the education sector.

Defending the broad initiative, Mr. Brighton Barugahare, the Commissioner in charge of Policy Analysis and Research at the Ministry of Education and Sports, explained that the proposals form part of wider government-wide rationalization reforms aimed at improving efficiency and cutting public expenditure.

However, prominent educationists have expressed strong reservations. Prof. Anthony Mugagga Muwagga, the Principal of the College of Education and External Studies at Makerere University, cautioned that merging the entities would destroy the critical system of checks and balances within Uganda’s learning framework.

Prof. Mugagga described NCDC and UNEB as macro bodies where one acts as a gatekeeper for the other. NCDC designs the curriculum from nursery to A-Level, while UNEB acts as an external validator of the quality of learning.

“If you remove the gatekeeper and then put him inside the house, what will happen?” Prof. Mugagga asked. “We have to be very thoughtful so that we don’t make the same mistakes we made when we liberalized and sold off our commercial banks and other bodies, only to regret later.”

He urged policymakers to establish a clear philosophy behind the proposed reform rather than relying solely on cost-cutting. Suggesting alternative areas for fiscal discipline, Prof. Mugagga said government should look toward reducing expenditure in Parliament instead of starving essential public services.

“One of our priorities should be education,” he advised. “We can afford to cut the budget of Members of Parliament, but you cannot afford to have a generation of tomorrow which is semi-literate, yet they have gone to school.”

Despite these warnings, some stakeholders view the proposal as a practical approach to addressing systemic financial constraints. Mr. Vincent Elong, National Chairperson of the Uganda Professional Science Teachers Union (UPSTU), voiced support for the move, arguing that a unified body could pool resources to plug long-standing budget deficits.

“You realize that there has been a funding gap between both agencies, especially in curriculum review and materials development like textbooks and guides for the A-Level aligned curriculum,” Mr. Elong said. “I believe that the merger will save money, which will be used to bridge this gap.” He nevertheless appealed to the government not to rush the transition and to ensure the unified entity receives adequate funding.

Speculation surrounding the UNEB-NCDC union comes on the heels of recent structural shifts within vocational and health assessment bodies under the Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Act of 2025.

Last year, the Uganda Allied Health Examinations Board (UAHEB) and the Uganda Nurses and Midwives Examinations Board (UNMEB) were integrated into the Uganda Health Professionals Assessment Board (UHPAB). Similarly, in March 2025, the Uganda Business and Technical Examinations Board (UBTEB) and the Directorate of Industrial Training (DIT) merged to form the Uganda Vocational and Technical Assessment Board (UVTAB).

Established in 1973 under Decree No. 7, the NCDC remains the statutory body mandated to design, review, and implement educational curricula across pre-primary, primary, secondary, and select tertiary institutions. UNEB, formally established by an Act of Parliament in 1983 after initiating operations in 1980, serves as the national assessment authority responsible for managing national primary and secondary examinations and conducting educational research to maintain academic standards.

Imagine spending decades building a thriving family business, only to watch it unravel after you’re gone. Siblings fall out over leadership, succession turns into a bitter dispute, and the values that once held the family together begin to fade.

It is a story that has played out in countless family enterprises around the world. Yet it is far from inevitable.

One of the most effective ways to prevent such an outcome is by establishing a family council-a structured forum where family members come together to discuss their shared vision, make important decisions, prepare the next generation for leadership, and resolve disagreements before they become damaging conflicts.

More than a governance structure, a family council helps preserve not only the business but also the relationships and legacy that sustain it across generations.

As Ms Elaine Alowo Matovu, founder of the Musisi Sustainable Business Institute (MSBI), and Ms Linda Mujja of MSBI emphasize, the real challenge lies not in logistics but in the first conversation.

‘That first conversation is the hardest one a family will ever have,’ says Ms Alowo.

Families often hesitate: younger members worry about hierarchy, spouses feel they lack standing, and siblings fear being accused of meddling. In African families, especially, money conversations are layered with respect, loyalty, and tradition.

‘The reason most family systems never get built is not that families don’t want them, but that the first conversation feels too dangerous to start,’ she adds.

Ms Mujja notes that, contrary to expectation, founders rarely initiate these discussions. Instead, next-generation leaders, professionalised siblings, and spouses often see the risks but feel they lack the right to speak.

Respect, fatefully, becomes the very thing that can destroy the family if silence prevails. Language and timing are critical. ‘Telling a founder, ‘We need governance,’ may sound like criticism of decades of work. Instead, framing the conversation around legacy and protection resonates more deeply:

‘Mom, I don’t want us fighting when you’re gone,’ or ‘I want your grandchildren to inherit what you intended, not a court case,’ she explains, noting that listening, empathy, and understanding what the founder values are equally vital.

Founders are often softened by discussions about grandchildren, which explains why some cultures, such as Indian families, structure wealth around supporting the next generation. For instance, in many Indian households, grandparents pay grandchildren’s school fees, freeing the middle generation to build wealth.

African families could learn from such models, including communal living arrangements that echo traditional structures.

Ultimately, building a family council is about courage and love. ‘Silence may feel respectful, but it risks eroding decades of effort. The disrespectful thing would be to watch whatever your family has built slowly bleed away and say nothing,’ Mujja warns.

Councils provide a safe space to discuss sensitive issues such as inheritance, leadership roles, and family values. They reduce conflict by creating agreed-upon rules and strengthen unity by giving younger generations a voice while ensuring spouses and in-laws understand the family’s direction.

Globally, councils have adopted creative models that integrate cultural traditions into governance. In Africa, revisiting communal living arrangements may provide sustainable solutions for education, healthcare, and wealth preservation.

Establishing a council is not just about governance; it is about love, loyalty, and ensuring that what has been built endures for generations.

The sequence of steps is crucial. Many families mistakenly try to establish systems in the wrong order – drafting policies before having honest conversations or rushing to form councils without building trust.

The process must begin with relationships, not paperwork. As Mujja stresses, empathy, patience, and timing are the foundation of successful family governance.

Five recommendations for setting up a family council

Ms Mujja suggests five recommendations for setting up a family council.

One-on-one conversations: Start with informal, private conversations with family members who are the most open, not necessarily the most senior.

‘We often underestimate how much can be learned about people’s intentions or concerns through these informal discussions. Their power shouldn’t be overlooked,’ Mujja explains.

Secondly, obtain the founder’s blessing: Do not underestimate the importance of receiving the founder’s blessings. This, she notes, doesn’t mean you need to get an agreement on anything, but rather, you should seek their support for the conversation about creating a family system.

Thirdly, gather a small group: Assemble a small gathering of core shareholders and a few key voices. In this meeting, do not dive into the main conversation yet. Rather, agree on the importance of having this conversation now. This initial agreement lays the groundwork.

Fourth, call the First Family Council: Once you’ve agreed that the conversation is important, you can formally establish the First Family Council. At this point, you should draft a charter, set a schedule, and outline deliverables.

Fifth, develop policies: Only after completing the previous steps should you consider writing down policies. This should come from the council rather than being dictated by a single professional or leader within the family.

She adds that families that skip any of these steps often face challenges, while those that follow the sequence patiently tend to succeed. Statistical data support this approach.

‘Context is important, as is pace. Often, we feel the need to move quickly; however, these processes typically unfold more slowly than we anticipate. Many next-generation leaders, when allowed to influence, want to expedite the process. They may have read the books, seen the evidence, or attended courses that highlight what needs to happen,’ she explains, adding that they might want to call a family meeting or gather a council right away, but rushing it is counterproductive.

The sequence described can take six to 12 months to complete, which is normal. ‘You are not just building a system; you are also fostering the trust that will support that system. Trust cannot be rushed. If you try to accomplish this in six weeks, you may end up with a system on paper that lacks buy-in, and when the first crisis arises, it will fail without that trust.

Statistics

According to a 2023 PwC report, family businesses in Uganda play a vital role in the country’s economy, accounting for over 70 percent of the Gross Domestic Product. However, a significant number of these businesses fail to transition beyond the first generation.

In fact, the ratio of first-generation to multigenerational family businesses in Uganda is concerning at 4:1, which indicates that most family businesses remain first-generation according to the 2023 PwC report.

A 2025 study by the Economic Policy Research Centre (EPRC), titled “From Generation to Generation: Key Facts on Family Business Survival in Uganda”, emphasizes the need to enhance the sustainability of family businesses in Uganda. It recommends that the government and development partners design training programmes aimed at shifting mindsets and building capacity in critical areas unique to family businesses, such as succession planning, governance, and managing family dynamics.

Side bar

Ms Linda Mujja of the Musizi Sustainable Business Institute (MSBI) explains that what many call ‘resistance’ is often misunderstood. At times, it isn’t resistance at all – it is grief.

‘When a founder hears the next generation proposing new structures, policies, and systems, what they often hear beneath the words is: you are getting old, you will one day be gone, and I am preparing for a world without you. Nobody wants to hear that,’ she says.

Drawing from personal experience, she recalls: ‘My father passed away over 30 years ago, and only now are we beginning to sort through his estate. My mother often said, ‘Your father wanted this,’ but we were never there to hear it ourselves. What I came to understand is that she was holding on to what mattered most to her. Until she was ready to let go, she wasn’t ready. That’s grief. When you recognise grief, you must respond differently – not with defensiveness or force, but with compassion.’

Sometimes, reassurance is needed. Mujja notes that saying, ‘I’m not trying to replace you. I’m trying to honour you by ensuring what you built lives on beyond you,’ can transform the conversation. The founder realises that you’re not after their chair – you are after their legacy. And legacy, she emphasizes, is very different from memorialisation. ‘You can memorialise someone when they’re gone, but legacy must be built while they are still here.’

That is why tough conversations matter. Legacy requires patience, sensitivity, and a step-by-step approach. Families often make the mistake of trying to build everything at once – the Council, the Office, the statement.

Mujja advises starting small, with education. Every family cares about its children, and an education fund is easy to understand, emotionally resonant, and immediately beneficial. It becomes the template for everything else.

Once that system works, families begin to trust the process. They see that rules don’t kill love – they protect it. Predictability becomes a gift, and when the next step is proposed, it is no longer a theory but an extension of a pattern they have already seen succeed.

‘Change in families is quiet, almost invisible if you don’t know what signs to look for,’ Mujja adds.

One of the clearest signals is when the founder casually references the new structures in everyday conversation. That’s when you know the system has truly taken root.

The Uganda Local Governments Association (ULGA) has cautioned against proposals to recentralize recruitment of public servants, warning that the move would weaken decentralization and slow down service delivery.

ULGA Secretary General Richard Okuku said the country’s decentralization policy is founded on bringing power and services closer to the people, a goal that would be undermined if local governments lose authority over hiring in key sectors.

‘Uganda’s decentralization policy is about bringing power and services closer to the people. If we take away recruitment from local governments, we risk reversing those gains,’ Mr Okuku said.

The association acknowledged concerns surrounding some District and City Service Commissions, including allegations of bribery, nepotism, political interference, manipulation of recruitment processes, and delays in appointments.

ULGA emphasized that such acts are illegal and should be investigated and punished.

However, the body maintained that these challenges should not justify transferring recruitment powers back to the central government.

‘The answer to abuse is not to take recruitment away from local governments, but to strengthen institutions, enforce integrity, and improve transparency,’ Mr Okuku said.

District and City Service Commissions are responsible for recruiting staff who deliver essential services, including teachers, health workers, engineers, and administrative personnel.

ULGA noted that weakening these commissions would directly affect service delivery across the country’s 145 local governments.

He warned that shifting recruitment to the Public Service Commission could lead to delays, reduced responsiveness, and an overburdened central system.

‘Recentralization may appear to offer uniformity, but it risks creating a slower and more distant system that does not respond to local needs,’ he said.

ULGA also argued that corruption would not necessarily be eliminated by moving recruitment to the centre.

‘Moving recruitment to the centre does not guarantee that corruption will end. It may instead become less visible and harder for citizens to challenge,’ he said.

To address existing challenges, the association proposed reforms including proper vetting and training of commission members, digitization of recruitment processes, and improved transparency in job advertisements, shortlisting, and interviews.

It also called for stronger oversight mechanisms, protection of whistle-blowers, and clear separation of roles among district councils, Chief Administrative Officers, and Town Clerks.

ULGA urged government, Parliament, and oversight institutions to support reforms that strengthen decentralisation rather than reverse it.

‘District and City Service Commissions should be strengthened, not abolished; cleaned, not condemned; supervised, not suffocated,’ Mr. Okuku said.

The debate comes amid ongoing discussions on improving accountability and efficiency in public service delivery across Uganda.

Troubled former Speaker of Parliament Anita Among on Tuesday made her first public appearance in 83 days, attending a parliamentary plenary session virtually via Zoom.

The session was chaired by Deputy Speaker, Thomas Tayebwa. Although Ms. Among did not actively participate in the debate, her virtual presence significantly reduces her risk of losing her Bukedea District Woman Representative seat over absenteeism.

Under Article 83(1)(d) of the Constitution and the Parliamentary Rules of Procedure, any legislator who misses 15 consecutive sittings without written permission from the Speaker faces the loss of their parliamentary seat. The Clerk to Parliament, Mr Adolf Mwesige, recently emphasized this requirement during the 12th Parliament orientation, noting that members must obtain prior written approval or provide a satisfactory explanation to the relevant parliamentary committee for any absence.

As of August 4, the 12th Parliament had conducted 12 sittings-including major events such as the election of the Speaker and Deputy Speaker, the State of the Nation Address, and committee designations-all of which Ms. Among had missed.

Video footage and photo grabs from Tuesday’s session showed Ms. Among appearing alongside other legislators. Background details, including wall curtains beside windows, suggested she attended the sitting from a private residence or an enclosed location.

Her appearance comes amid reports that she has been under house arrest since May 16, following a security raid on her Nakasero-based residence. Ms. Among, who led the 11th Parliament, became the subject of joint security and Inspectorate of Government (IGG) investigations shortly after taking her oath for the new term, following allegations of widespread corruption and illicit enrichment.

The independent probes, sanctioned by President Museveni and executed by Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, began with the Nakasero raid and were followed by searches at her Munyonyo home and her office at Parliament. Security agencies also impounded several of her high-end vehicles, including a newly acquired Shs3.4 billion Rolls-Royce Cullinan. Although the IGG concluded its investigation and submitted findings to the President, Ms. Among has not yet been charged in court.

Meanwhile, seven parliamentary staff members suspected of involvement in related schemes were arrested, charged before the Anti-Corruption Division of the High Court with self-enrichment and causing financial loss, and subsequently interdicted. They include Chris Obore (Director of Communications and Public Affairs), Daniel Adilo (Director of Human Resources), Rajab Kaaya Semalulu (Principal Research Officer), Okwi Emmanuel Emuron (Principal Protocol Officer), Vincent Otebata (Capacity Development Officer), Leonard Okema (Executive Secretary, Office of the Speaker), and Stella Itute (Office Supervisor, Office of the Sergeant-at-Arms).

Parliamentary officials clarified that virtual attendance is permissible under House regulations. The Acting Director of Communications and Public Affairs, Ms. Grace Gidudu, explained that the Rules of Procedure allow legislators to attend sittings remotely. She noted that a Zoom link is created and shared, allowing any MP who wishes to attend virtually the liberty to do so.

Virtual proceedings were formally integrated into parliamentary operations during the ninth Parliament in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The rules were amended following directives from then-Speaker Rebecca Alitwala Kadaga to enable Parliament to conduct business remotely via designated digital platforms.

However, Rule 250(4) of the Parliamentary Rules of Procedure stipulates that virtual participation requires official authorization, stating that participation from outside the Chamber through a digital platform only takes effect upon a proclamation or authorization by the Speaker.

It remains unclear whether Ms. Among obtained formal clearance from the Speaker to attend Tuesday’s session online. When contacted, Clerk to Parliament Adolf Mwesige declined to comment on the matter.

Border Districts Maintain Despite Uganda Being Declared

Although Uganda was officially declared Ebola-free on July 28, health and security officials in border districts say surveillance will remain strict amid continued Ebola cases in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Districts sharing borders with the DRC – Kasese, Bundibugyo, Ntoroko, Kagadi and Kikuube – have kept preventive measures in place due to constant cross-border movement for trade, health care and family visits.

While announcing the end of the outbreak, Minister of Health Dr Chris Baryomunsi said Uganda would not lower its guard.

“Although Uganda is now Ebola-free, our work does not stop here. We will continue strengthening surveillance, maintaining preparedness across the country, particularly in border districts, and working with neighboring countries to safeguard the health and wellbeing of our people,” Dr Baryomunsi said.

Bundibugyo: Only one official border point open

Bundibugyo Resident District Commissioner Rtd Maj Jones Mugabirwe, who also heads the Ebola task force, said all illegal entry points have been closed.

“We closed all the illegal entry points and remained with only Busunga. All movement through this point is monitored. We shall not relax our measures because Ebola cases are still being reported in DR Congo and people continue to die,” Mugabirwe said in a telephone interview on Thursday.

Bundibugyo is separated from the DRC by River Lamya, with Busunga as the official crossing. Many residents have relatives and gardens across the border and some still use porous routes.

At Nyahuka Health Centre IV near the border, Dr Ezra Namanya said about 40 percent of patients treated at the facility come from the DRC.

‘All patients and visitors are screened at the facility entrance for fever and other signs and symptoms of Viral Hemorrhagic Fevers, and patients are then triaged at the Outpatient Department to ensure early identification and isolation of any suspected cases,’ Dr Namanya said.

‘The facility will continue to conduct routine Continuous Medical Education sessions on Viral Hemorrhagic Fevers to keep staff updated on case definitions, surveillance, infection prevention and control measures, and emergency response procedures,’ he added.

‘Through continuous vigilance, regular surveillance activities, and strict adherence to infection prevention measures, the facility remains prepared to detect and respond rapidly to any potential cross-border public health threats while safeguarding patients, healthcare workers, and the surrounding community,’ he said.

Ntoroko tightens lake and river patrols

In Ntoroko, authorities are watching Lake Albert and River Semuliki where numerous ungazetted crossing points exist.

Resident District Commissioner Patrick Ssonko Kisekwa said Congolese nationals must use designated entry points and undergo screening.

“As a district, we are very strict on everyone crossing from DR Congo into Uganda. They must go through proper screening. Although there are many crossing points, our soldiers continuously patrol River Semuliki and Lake Albert because some people attempt to cross at night between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m. Our marine teams are on standby to ensure no gaps are left in our surveillance,” Kisekwa said.

Security has been reinforced at Trasami, Haibale and Kayanja II crossing points with UPDF deployment.

Kagadi: SOPs to continue at Lake Albert

Kagadi borders the DRC via Lake Albert in Ndaiga Sub-county, where fishermen from both countries interact regularly.

Resident District Commissioner Caroline Nanshemeza said screening will continue despite the national declaration.

“We call upon our people to continue observing the SOPs because we border the DRC through Ndaiga, which continues to expose us to the risk of Ebola. Screening at our border points will continue,” Ms Nanshemeza said.

She said weekly markets will reopen but with screening and other preventive measures enforced. All health facilities, including Kagadi General Hospital, remain equipped to handle suspected cases.

“This outbreak was a wake-up call to all community members that life is worth saving, and that can only be achieved through vigilance and adherence to the recommended public health procedures,” she said.

Ms Nanshemeza also stressed the need to strengthen Kagadi General Hospital and construct a Health Centre IV at the Kagadi-DRC border in Ndaiga.

Kikuube: Challenge of 24 illegal landing sites

In Kikuube, officials say porous landing sites on Lake Albert pose the biggest risk.

Resident District Commissioner Godwin Angalia Kasigwa said the district has more than 24 illegal landing sites used for cross-border movement without screening.

“We have only two official crossing points at Songa and Sebigoro. These entry points are heavily manned by security personnel and surveillance teams who screen everyone entering the country,” Mr Kasigwa said.

He added that travelers sometimes cross at night to avoid checks.

“As a border district with the DRC, we face many challenges, but we are not relaxing any of our measures. We are screening not only for Ebola but also maintaining security because of the ADF threat. We have a Marine Unit deployed on Lake Albert, we are closing all illegal crossing points, and our security teams will continue conducting patrols,” he said.

Health facilities near the border, including Sebigoro Health Centre III and Kyangwali Health Centre IV, have isolation units and trained staff for screening.

Mr Kasigwa said all Ministry of Health guidelines on Ebola surveillance, screening and infection prevention will remain in force.

Officials say strict vigilance will continue until Ebola transmission in the DRC is fully contained.

Kasana-Luweero Catholic Bishop Lawrence Mukasa has called for a radical shift from symbolic tree planting at functions to large-scale, targeted reforestation, warning that Uganda risks desertification if the current approach continues.

Speaking during Bethany Land Institute Day and the commissioning of environment caretakers at Nandere Hill in Nyimbwa Sub-county over the weekend, Bishop Mukasa said the long-held practice of guests planting a single tree at ceremonies adds very little to the national effort to restore the environment.

‘The monumental trees planted at functions add little to our cry to save mother earth, already destroyed by indiscriminate tree cutting in our respective areas,’ he told guests. ‘If we targeted supplying a tree seedling to each person that has attended our respective functions for planting in a particular area, a big impact will be realized.’

He said while the original idea behind monumental planting may have been noble, it has not kept pace with the scale of environmental destruction in the country.

Target devastated areas, not ceremonies

Bishop Mukasa urged government, local leaders and civil society to identify specific degraded areas and organize communities to plant trees collectively, with the goal of turning them green again.

‘We are also taken a step back by our planners including infrastructure developers that deliberately cut down trees without replacement,’ he said. ‘Almost on a daily basis, you find trees that have long existed cut down by workers attached to the Electricity companies among other developers. We should be better planners to save the environment.’

He rallied all stakeholders – government, developers, the Church and communities – to take responsibility as ‘environment actors’ rather than spectators.

Five years of restoration at Nandere Hill

For the past five years, Nandere Hill in Nandere Parish has been the center of Bethany Land Institute’s environmental campaign. The project focuses on rejuvenating lost vegetation and natural forest, and training community members as environment caretakers in ‘integral ecology’ practices.

Fr Emmanuel Katongole, President of Bethany Land Institute, said the Church got involved because environmental degradation is ultimately a human problem that requires formation and mentorship.

‘From mentoring environment caretakers that take charge of nature in their respective areas, we have engaged the community at Nandere in nature related campaigns. The results are fruitful,’ he said. ‘We have successfully rejuvenated a former natural forest land that had almost become extinct at Nandere. Integral ecology activities are active at Nandere and the community outreach programs.’

According to Fr Katongole, integral ecology treats people, society and nature as interconnected. That is why the institute has rolled out training in agro-forestry alongside conservation.

‘The poverty situation in our respective communities, social problems and the environment crisis are not standalone challenges but intertwined to make life complex if not handled as a whole,’ he explained. ‘This is the very reason why we are training farmers in agro-forestry practices. The community must live transformed lives after adapting to integral ecology practices.’

He said caretakers are now taking charge of tree nurseries, soil and water conservation, and community sensitization in their villages.

Government backs skills for income and environment

State Minister for Finance in charge of General Duties, Ms Cissy Mulondo, who attended the event, urged Luweero residents to embrace the Church-led skills to improve both livelihoods and the environment.

‘The Church through Kasana-Luweero Diocese and Bethany Land Institute are providing the skills that only protect the environment but introduce us to smart agriculture practices for improved yields,’ she said. ‘The skills that the commissioned nature caretakers are taking back home should positively impact on their respective communities.’

Ms Mulondo noted that climate change, low farm productivity and poverty are linked, and that agro-forestry can address all three by providing fruit, timber, fodder and soil fertility while sequestering carbon.

A call for collective action

Environment actors at the event agreed that Uganda cannot afford to continue with piecemeal approaches. They proposed that every major function – weddings, graduations, government launches – should include giving each attendee a seedling to plant in a designated area, rather than planting one tree at the venue.

Bishop Mukasa said the Church will continue to mobilize parishes to adopt the model. He argued that saving the environment is also a moral duty.

‘If we do not act now, our children will inherit bare hills and dry rivers. We must move from symbolism to action,’ he said.

Participants were later taken on a tour of the restored section of Nandere forest, where indigenous trees planted by community caretakers are now regenerating.

The day ended with the commissioning of 60 new environment caretakers from various parishes in Luweero District. They were equipped with basic tools and training manuals on nursery management, tree planting and agro-forestry.

Fr Katongole said Bethany Land Institute will expand the program to other sub-counties in the diocese, with the target of establishing at least one model ‘green village’ in each parish by 2027.

Police in Busoga East are hunting for a 68-year-old man who allegedly beat his 78-year-old brother to death in Mawundo Village, Namutumba Sub-county, after a long-standing land dispute erupted into violence over police summons.

The suspect, identified as George Nalugoda, reportedly launched a fatal attack on his elder brother, Patrick Kakaire, shortly after being handed an official notice to appear before law enforcement.

According to the Busoga East Police Spokesperson, Mr Michael Kasadha, Kakaire had lodged a formal complaint accusing Nalugoda of trespassing on his land and damaging his property. Police subsequently issued summons and routed it through the vice chairperson of Mawundo Village Local Council for delivery to the suspect.

However, the intervention intended to resolve the conflict peacefully triggered a tragic turn of events. Upon receiving the document, Nalugoda allegedly stormed his brother’s residence in anger.

“It is alleged that the suspect we are hunting was served with police summons on August 1 after the deceased reported him for trespassing on his land. However, upon receiving the summons, he went to the complainant’s home and allegedly assaulted him, resulting in his death,” Mr Kasadha said.

Mr Kasadha added that Nalugoda punched Kakaire, causing the elderly man to fall heavily to the ground. Distraught relatives rushed Kakaire into his house, where he succumbed to his injuries moments later as the suspect fled the scene. Nalugoda had been scheduled to report to Namutumba Police Station for questioning on August 3, but is now on the run.

This tragic fratricide underscores the growing crisis of deadly land conflicts across the Busoga sub-region. High population density, severe land fragmentation, and ambiguous customary inheritance practices have increasingly driven family members into hostile confrontations.

Local leaders in Busoga have repeatedly warned that boundary wrangles among relatives are shifting from civil disagreements into fatal assaults, often exacerbated when legal notices or local council mediations are served without security precautions.