Category: Daily Monitor

The Uganda Women’s Movement has strongly condemned what it describes as the continued harassment and intimidation of veteran politician and women’s rights advocate, Dr. Miria Matembe.

The coalition of activists called on government authorities to respect the rule of law and immediately halt “unlawful raids” on the residences of political figures and civil society actors.

Addressing a joint press conference in Kampala on Friday, women leaders and human rights defenders expressed solidarity with Dr. Matembe following a reported security raid on her home. The group warned that the incident reflects a worrying trend of shrinking civic space and escalating attacks on democratic freedoms in the country.

Dr. Sarah Bireete, the Executive Director of the Centre for Constitutional Governance (CCG), stated that arbitrary home raids and the intimidation of citizens directly violate Uganda’s constitutional guarantees.

“Any allegations against Dr. Matembe or any other citizen should be handled through established legal procedures. We reject actions that undermine due process and violate the rights and dignity of citizens,” Dr. Bireete said.

The movement demanded that security agencies uphold the constitution and cease tactics that infringe on citizens’ privacy and safety.

The incident comes amidst heightened public debate regarding the treatment of government critics and opposition figures. It follows a similar, highly publicized security operation at the home of the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) Lord Mayor, Erias Lukwago.

Speaking at the press conference, the National Unity Platform (NUP) Deputy President for Northern Uganda, Ms. Lina Zedriga, lauded Dr. Matembe as a pioneer whose courage paved the way for women in modern Ugandan politics.

“We are products of Hon. Dr. Miria Matembe’s recruitment. She awakened many women to stand for justice and dignity. We must never submit to vulnerability and fear,” Ms. Zedriga said.

She further criticized security forces for violating the privacy of Dr. Matembe’s family during the operation, terming it an infringement on basic constitutional rights.

Former Leader of the Opposition in Parliament (LoP), Ms. Winnie Kiiza, appealed to religious leaders to break their silence and defend the country’s constitutional values.

“Fear will not protect you. You have been called to stand firm and speak boldly. Religious leaders of Uganda, we as women are watching you. Please do not let us down,” Ms. Kiiza urged.

Adding to the tributes, Ms Penelope Sanyu of Femme Forte Uganda emphasized that Dr. Matembe’s legacy as a champion of gender equality predates modern policy frameworks.

“Long before it was fashionable to speak truth to power, Dr. Matembe did so. Long before gender equality became the language of development partners and policy documents, she insisted that women deserve dignity not as a favor from the state, but as a matter of justice,” Ms. Sanyu noted.

The Uganda Women’s Movement reiterated its commitment to advocating for the protection of civic space and the rule of law, regardless of political affiliation.

By press time, both the police and military authorities had not issued a public statement regarding the operation at Dr. Matembe’s residence.

Lee White is a British-Gabonese conservationist, zoologist, environmental policy expert, and former government minister best known for his work protecting the rainforests and wildlife of the Congo Basin. He served as Gabon’s minister of Water, Forests, the Sea and Environment from 2019 until 2023. He talked to Derrick Wandera about conservation funding cuts, Africa’s forests and the future of protected area.

International conservation funding has faced major cuts in recent years. From your perspective, how serious is the impact of declining aid and charity funding on forest and wildlife protection globally?

I think we’re seeing a transition rather than a complete collapse.

My experience is mainly in Central Africa, particularly the Congo Basin, although I’ve also worked in countries such as Sierra Leone, Uganda and Rwanda. We have seen major reductions in American funding for conservation in the Congo Basin. The US Fish and Wildlife Service, which was previously a major funder, has cut almost all of its funding. Government support has declined significantly.

However, some of that has been replaced by philanthropy. Wealthy donors, including foundations linked to the Walton family, are now looking to invest hundreds of millions of dollars in national parks across Africa.

So the picture is mixed. Some sources of funding are declining while others are emerging.

You have managed large conservation programmes over the years. What has been your experience with donor funding?

Over my career, I’ve raised and managed about $500 million from bilateral donors, multilateral institutions, NGOs, philanthropy and the private sector. Looking back, I believe much of that donor money was actually more negative than positive.

The procedures imposed by donors are often so complicated that spending the money becomes extremely difficult. For example, in a typical aid project it can take two and a half years just to buy a vehicle.

If you’re running a four-year conservation programme, that creates huge operational challenges. Another problem is that donors sometimes change priorities midway through a project. Funding that was promised for one activity can suddenly disappear, leaving significant gaps.

So what is the solution?

My view, after almost 40 years working in conservation, is that African governments must recognise conservation as a valuable investment. Take the Congo Basin rainforest. I consider it the heart of Africa.

It recycles water, generates rainfall, supports the Nile system, feeds the Sahel and sustains major river basins across the continent. If we lose the Congo Basin rainforest, Africa faces a catastrophic future. We could see hundreds of millions of climate and water refugees.

Protected areas should be viewed as critical infrastructure. They generate economic value just as roads, dams and power stations do.

For example, Mont de Cristal National Park in Gabon protects the water resources that supply hydroelectric dams serving Libreville. The value of that water, in terms of electricity generation alone, is estimated at about $30 million annually.

Do we know how much conservation funding has actually declined?

I have not calculated the figures across the entire Congo Basin, but in Gabon I estimate conservation funding has fallen by between 30 and 40 percent.

Additionally, many of the large pledges announced internationally have not materialised. For example, a significant portion of the funding promised for the Congo Basin at the Glasgow climate conference has been reduced or delayed.

Even before recent policy changes in the United States and Europe, only about 50 to 60 percent of promised donor funding typically arrived.

When you look deeper, a considerable share of that money returns to developed countries through consultants, equipment procurement and administrative costs rather than directly benefiting African conservation efforts.

You also mentioned climate finance and REDD+. What has been your experience there?

REDD+ was designed to reward developing countries for reducing deforestation. Gabon generated 187 million tonnes of verified REDD+ carbon credits, validated through United Nations processes.

At the agreed price of five dollars per tonne, the country should have received nearly one billion dollars. Instead, Gabon received only $17 million.

Even that money was not provided directly to the government but channelled through third-party organisations and UN agencies. After four years, only a fraction of those funds had actually been spent. This illustrates a broader problem. Developed countries negotiate agreements and make commitments, but often fail to honour them fully.

Some argue that deforestation, poaching and forest degradation in African countries may be contributing to reduced funding. Do you see a connection?

That may be true in some cases, particularly under mechanisms like REDD+, where payments are linked to reducing deforestation. However, most conservation funding is provided precisely because those problems exist.

Donors fund anti-poaching operations and forest protection because they recognise there are challenges that need to be addressed. In my experience, donors rarely withdraw support simply because a country is experiencing deforestation or poaching.

It’s also important to recognise that many African countries outperform developed nations in forest conservation. Scotland, for example, has only about three percent of its natural forests remaining. Uganda’s forest cover is significantly higher than that.

You argue that African countries must take greater responsibility for conservation. Is that realistic given the limited resources available?

The real question is whether it is realistic to expect developed countries to do it for us. I don’t believe it is. Do developed countries have a moral obligation? Yes. Their wealth was built partly on natural resource exploitation and high levels of pollution. But whether they will fulfil that obligation is another matter.

Ultimately, African countries must recognise the value of their natural resources and lead their own conservation efforts. If we demonstrate leadership, international partners may be more willing to support us.

What local solutions can help sustain conservation programmes such as anti-poaching units and ranger operations?

We need to integrate conservation into broader national development strategies. Protected areas should generate economic value through ecotourism, carbon markets and ecosystem services.

Countries such as Kenya, Botswana, Namibia and South Africa have demonstrated that conservation can support significant economic activity.

The long-term solution is not dependence on aid. It is recognising that forests, wildlife and ecosystems are national assets that contribute directly to economic growth, water security and public welfare. If governments value those assets and invest accordingly, conservation programmes can become more sustainable and resilient.

On any given night along the busy Bukoto-Ntinda road, 29-year-old Godfrey Tindyebwa can be seen expertly maneuvering a motorcycle through the dark.

To a casual observer, he is just another motorist beating the traffic. But closer inspection reveals a remarkable story of sheer grit: Tindyebwa operates the motorcycle’s gear shift lever with a custom-welded hand stick. He is an amputee, riding to survive.

Tindyebwa, currently pursuing a Certificate in Computer Science at YMCA Kampala, lives a double life. By day, he attends lectures; by night, he hits the road to raise his own tuition and personal upkeep.

His grueling journey began in 2006 at a school clinic in Kamwema, Isingiro District. A botched anti-malaria injection triggered a severe medical crisis that eventually led to a diagnosis of bone marrow cancer. In 2016, doctors at Bombo General Military Hospital amputated his leg.

“It took me eight months of sleepless nights and agonizing pain,” Tindyebwa recalls.

Worse still, he had to independently foot a medical bill of nearly Shs20 million. His father, a polygamist, offered no financial backing. Tragedy has long stalked Tindyebwa’s family; he is the de facto firstborn after his mother lost her first child, and she later passed away during childbirth. Despite this, Tindyebwa is now the sole caretaker of his aging father. The family remains alienated from wealthy relatives due to historic disputes over ancestral wealth-ironically, the same wealth that helped fund Tindyebwa’s initial treatment.

Seeking financial independence after healing, Tindyebwa acquired a loan to buy a motorcycle for food deliveries. He chose to ride exclusively at night to minimize the risk of daytime traffic accidents. However, the margins remain painfully low, and Kampala’s roads have not been kind. On December 27 last year, Tindyebwa’s bike lights suddenly failed in Kamwokya. He hit a deep pothole, throwing him violently to the ground. The accident left him with a cracked skull and another mountain of medical debt he is still clearing.

Undeterred, Tindyebwa is looking toward the future. His immediate focus is securing a computer science internship placement this September. Ultimately, he hopes to transition from two wheels to four. He believes that if a well-wisher could help him secure an automatic vehicle, he could safely run Uber or delivery services to change his fortunes.

Police have arrested a 27-year-old man in connection with a viral social media video that allegedly references criminal activities along Banda in Nakawa Division, Kampala District.

The suspect, identified as Solomon Wafula, a resident of Banda Zone III in Banda Parish, was arrested Thursday by detectives attached to Banda Police Station.

The video, which reportedly circulated via X, formerly Twitter, sparked concern among residents who questioned whether security had seen it. Detectives said the suspect was arrested after the video was widely circulated and the public became concerned because it makes references to criminal operations.

‘The video attracted attention, prompting intelligence to verify the claims made in it and identifying any individuals who may have been implicated or exposed by its contents,’ a detective said.

Kampala Metropolitan Police deputy spokesperson Luke Owoyesigyire said the suspect is being probed on the circumstances that led him to record the video and to establish whether he personally participated in any criminal activity.

“We are investigating the circumstances under which the video was made and whether the suspect or any of the individuals mentioned therein have been involved in criminal acts committed along Jinja Road and its surrounding areas,” Mr Owoyesigyire said.

Police emphasized the investigation is still at an early stage as detectives work to establish the authenticity of the claims made in the video, as well as the identities of other individuals allegedly mentioned in it.

Detectives indicate the video began circulating earlier in the week, attracting rapid attention due to alleged references to specific locations and unnamed individuals purportedly linked to criminal activity.

Owoyesigyire warned that while social media remains a vital tool for public communication, it can also be misused to spread content that may endanger investigations or encourage unlawful behavior.

‘Police would like to caution members of the public against producing, sharing, or circulating content that glorifies, promotes, or appears to endorse criminal activity,’ he said. ‘Such conduct is not tolerated and may undermine ongoing efforts to combat crime and maintain public order.’

Another detective from Police Crime Intelligence said they are pursuing leads linked to individuals allegedly mentioned or implied in the viral video.

‘We are profiling the suspect and connecting his records to see whether he has ever participated in any criminal activity,’ the detective said.

With barely a week left for normal registration, Uganda National Examinations Board has tasked heads of centres to ensure all 2026 candidates are registered on time to avoid surcharges.

According to a statement released June 25, 2026 and signed by UNEB executive director Mr Dan Odongo, normal registration for Primary Leaving Examinations, Uganda Certificate of Education and Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education ends Tuesday June 30, 2026.

‘Heads of centres are advised to make use of the remaining time to ensure that all the learners in the respective candidate classes are dully registered so that no learner, who is supposed to sit for this year’s examinations, is left out,’ Mr Odongo advised.

UNEB said late registration will run through July with surcharges: 100% for PLE, and 50% for UCE and UACE candidates. Late fees will be Shs 68,000 for PLE, Shs 246,000 for UCE and Shs 279,000 for UACE.

Odongo cautioned school heads and directors against charging fees not prescribed by UNEB and referring to them as UNEB fees.

Aggrieved parents or members of the public charged exorbitant fees alleged to be UNEB registration fees are advised to report to any police station and file complaints.

“This is an offence under the UNEB Act, CAP 259, Section 33. It attracts a penalty of Forty Million Shillings or a term of imprisonment not exceeding ten years or both,” he said.

He warned the board will also withdraw examination centres of such schools, and where the person convicted is a registered teacher, they shall be de-registered according to relevant laws.

On government-sponsored candidates, Mr Odongo noted UNEB will not expect any candidates under UPE, USE or UPOLET to register during the late period as they were required to register during the normal period.

To date, 1,527,867 candidates have registered for all three examinations, compared to 1,416,448 last year, an increase of 7.3 per cent.

Schools can still make amendments where errors are identified by downloading and filling the amendment form on their school portals and returning it to UNEB before registration closes.

After registration, schools will display candidate registers in accessible places to enable candidates and parents confirm registration status and verify data. UNEB will also avail an SMS option. Dates for the display will be communicated by UNEB.

President Museveni has backed a multi-million-dollar proposal by Egyptian investors to construct a state-of-the-art dairy processing facility in Ngoma, Nakaseke District, as Uganda aggressively hunts for new continental markets to absorb its massive milk surplus.

The processing plant, expected to handle up to one million litres of milk daily, is slated to be spearheaded by the Arab Organization for Industrialization (AOI)-a massive state-backed Egyptian conglomerate established in 1975 with vast footprints in manufacturing, renewable energy, and infrastructure.

Speaking during a high-level meeting at State House Entebbe with an Egyptian delegation led by Maj. Gen. Khaled Shokry Ghaith, a consultant to the AOI Chairman, President Museveni noted that the investment aligns with Uganda’s broader strategic shift toward commercial agricultural mechanisation and value addition.

The development comes at a critical time for Uganda’s dairy sector, which has faced intermittent trade blockades and strict quotas from traditional East African Community (EAC) partners like Kenya. By courting North African capital, Kampala is seeking to diversify its export portfolio and process raw milk into high-value powders, cheese, and butter for the broader African market under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

President Museveni revealed that Uganda’s deliberate transition from subsistence to commercial farming has yielded a dramatic boom in milk volumes, positioning the country to compete with global dairy giants.

“We are now producing 5.4 billion litres a year and we are going to overtake Holland,” Mr. Museveni told the delegation, which also included Egyptian investor Maj. Gen. Abdelkader Mohamed Nagy and Mr. Abdel Nasser Mohamed. “With 5.4 billion litres, local consumption is still only about 800 million litres, meaning we have a surplus of about 4.6 billion litres.”

“The transformation from manual to mechanised systems is not a big issue. It is a question of mobilisation and investment because the manual system is the ancient way. We have been keeping cows for the last 7,000 years,” the President added.

Historically confined to domestic consumption or suppressed by colonial-era policies that prioritised cash crops like coffee, tobacco, and tea, Uganda’s dairy sub-sector has undergone rapid commercialization over the last two decades.

Beyond agriculture, Mr. Museveni linked the investment to geopolitics and the management of the River Nile resources-a frequent point of diplomatic friction between upstream East African nations and downstream Egypt.

The President argued that the ultimate protection for the Nile lies in the rapid industrialisation of countries within the tropics, which would lift populations out of poverty and reduce environmental degradation.

“I told Field Marshal President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi that if you are talking about the Nile, there must be socio-economic transformation,” Museveni revealed. “There must be electricity in the tropics so that people stop cutting trees for firewood and engage in modern agriculture like in developed countries.”

To support the proposed one-million-litre capacity plant, the President urged local farmers to abandon traditional free-range grazing, which requires large swathes of land, in favour of zero-grazing and modern pasture management.

“If you grow pasture, harvest it and feed the cows in the shed, one acre can feed eight cows. The yield will be higher because they are eating better,” he noted, adding that the government is actively working on genetic improvements to ensure local breeds produce at least 20 litres of milk per cow daily.

The Egyptian delegation confirmed they had already conducted extensive field assessments in Ngoma-the heart of Uganda’s cattle corridor-and engaged with the Dairy Development Authority (DDA).

Aside from processing, the investors plan to overhaul the local supply chain by introducing automated, hygienic milking equipment to eliminate manual handling, alongside refrigerated transport networks linking farms to cooling centres.

Welcoming the technology, President Museveni directed the Ministry of Agriculture and dairy stakeholders to immediately draft a comprehensive technical proposal mapping out the efficient movement of milk from farms to the planned factory.

Maj. Gen. Khaled Abdul Nasser expressed Cairo’s commitment to the venture, stating that the project will foster mutual economic benefits and deepen the historic ties between Uganda and Egypt.

UNICEF is pushing Uganda to act now on water, sanitation, and hygiene, saying poor WASH is fueling child deaths and school absenteeism.

Country Representative Dr Robin Nandy made the call Wednesday at the close of the National High-Level Dialogue on climate-resilient water and sanitation services at Sheraton Hotel, Kampala.

He said focus must go beyond high-profile outbreaks. ‘While Ebola and previous outbreaks of M-pox get national and global attention, there are other diseases like diarrhea and respiratory diseases that are two of the biggest killers of children in Africa that deserve similar attention,’ Mr Nandy said.

‘We know the areas at risk of certain communicable diseases, whether it’s cholera or Ebola. We need to make sure as part of health preparedness, health facilities, schools, and communities in high-risk areas have access to water, sanitation and practice good hygiene,’ he said.

Mr Nandy stressed that WASH also affects learning. ‘WASH is a huge factor that improves school performance and outcomes and the lack of WASH facilities, particularly lack of menstrual hygiene facilities leads to school absenteeism among girls and this declines their performance,’ he said.

But infrastructure alone isn’t enough. After visits to schools and health facilities in southwest and northwest Uganda, he found many WASH systems already broken down.

‘It’s a combination of aspects like infrastructure, human behaviour, accountability and ownership. I visited a number of schools and health facilities where WASH infrastructure were set up but they are now dysfunctional because there was no mechanism for operations and maintenance,’ Mr Nandy said. He urged parent-teacher associations and district governments to budget for running and maintenance costs.

Minister of State for Water Aisha Sekindi said the gaps are wide. In cities, old water systems can’t keep up with growth. In rural areas, ‘approximately 15 percent of improved safe water sources deemed non-functional,’ she said.

‘There is a need for us to unite and respond to these challenges. Lack of access to clean and safe water and proper and safe hygiene and sanitation, particularly for children affects all aspects of their lives and well-being,’ Sekindi said.

Dr Callist Tindimugaya, Commissioner for Water Resources Planning at the Ministry of Water and Environment, said population growth and climate change are stretching resources thin.

‘There are challenges of high population growth, environmental degradation, climate change and rural-urban migration… This raises the need to scale up more partnerships especially with the private sector,’ Mr Tindimugaya said.

The two-day dialogue, organized by the Ministry of Water and Environment with UNICEF, ran June 24-25, 2026 under the theme ‘Advancing climate resilient water and sanitation services for sustainable and inclusive development in Uganda.’

Uganda is now rolling out its WASH National Climate Adaptation Plan 2026-2030 to expand climate-adaptive systems in high-risk districts like Kabong in Karamoja and Sembabule in the cattle corridor.

Top international Pentecostal televangelists Pastor Benny Hinn and Pastor Kenneth Copeland have cancelled their miracle healing crusades in Uganda citing Ebola outbreak fears.

The Miracle Centre Cathedral led by Pastor Robert Kayanja was expected to host Hinn, Copeland and Pastor Paul Enenche this weekend for an event dubbed: “Global Conference on the Holy Spirit.”

In a statement issued by Pastor Hinn’s ministry, organizers said they consulted health experts and followed CDC guidance to postpone the event.

‘Due to the recent Ebola outbreak in regions of Africa, and after careful consultation with health experts, event leadership, and guidance from the CDC, the decision has been made to postpone the Holy Spirit Conference in Uganda, originally scheduled for June 27-29, in the interest of public safety and well-being,’ a statement on Pastor Benny Hinn’s website reads.

Pastor Benny Hinn is known for holding crusades worldwide and has claimed miracle healings, including resurrecting a dead man in Ghana. He was expected to appear with Pastor Kenneth Copeland, one of the world’s richest televangelists, and Dr Paul Enenche, Senior Pastor of Dunamis International Gospel Centre in Nigeria.

The Ebola virus Bundibugyo strain broke out in the Democratic Republic of Congo, killing a dozen people. Some patients travelled to Uganda for treatment. Uganda has confirmed 20 Ebola cases since the outbreak, with 15 imported from DRC, two deaths and 14 recoveries.

Hinn’s ministry said the gathering will be rescheduled: ‘While we are disappointed by this delay, we fully support this precautionary measure. We are encouraged to report that discussions are already underway to reschedule this historic gathering, with new dates presently being considered for late September or October.’

The US government has temporarily restricted entry of travellers recently in Uganda, DRC and South Sudan, requiring 21 days of health monitoring. Last month, Uganda’s Ministry of Health issued tough guidelines on gatherings in Kampala Metropolitan Area and other areas, warning that close physical interaction and uncontrolled crowd mixing ‘may facilitate transmission of Ebola infection where an infected person is present.’

The Senior Principal Magistrate and Officer-in-Charge of City Hall Court, Mr. Nicholas Aisu, has petitioned the Chief Registrar of the Judiciary, accusing Kampala Deputy Lord Mayor, Ms Faridah Nakabuugo, of orchestrating the forceful release of dozens of female suspects from court custody before they could take their pleas.

The shocking allegations are contained in a letter dated June 25, 2026, in which Mr. Aisu details what he described as a “disturbing incident” that disrupted judicial proceedings and left court officials stunned.

According to the letter, the incident followed a joint operation by the Uganda Police Force and the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) enforcement team, which resulted in a massive sweep of arrests.

Mr. Aisu noted that the court received an unusually high number of suspects on the day, forcing court administrators to temporarily separate female suspects from their male counterparts to ease congestion and facilitate orderly processing.

“The number was quite overwhelming given our facilities here; however, they were manageable going by the numbers we always attend to in this court on a daily basis,” Mr. Aisu wrote.

Approximately 93 adult female suspects who had already been arraigned were isolated and kept in a meeting room within the KCCA premises with permission from management, while the male suspects were being processed in open court.

The magistrate alleges that just as arrangements were finalized for the women to appear before the court to enter their pleas, Ms. Nakabuugo intervened and intercepted the judicial process.

“We were stunned when the Hon. Nakabuugo Faridah, Deputy Lord Mayor, obstructed their appearance before court and, working with some hooligans she had mobilized, forcefully freed all the female suspects who were set to appear before court this afternoon,” the letter reads in part.

Mr. Aisu stated that as a result of the interference, court proceedings were severely disrupted, paralyzing dozens of criminal cases scheduled for the day.

“Court was thus unable to take plea in all cases,” he noted, describing the development as an unprecedented breach that raises serious concerns about interference with the administration of justice.

“The incident has stunned all stakeholders. I bring this to your attention and seek your guidance over the same and to curtail future reoccurrences,” the petition added.

The letter was copied to the Registrar for Magistrates Affairs and Data Management, the Chief Magistrate of Buganda Road Court, Senior Magistrate Edgar Karakire, and attached to the official court file.

If substantiated, the allegations could trigger severe legal ramifications regarding the obstruction of court processes and the unlawful handling of suspects awaiting trial before judicial officers.

When contacted by this publication for a comment, Ms. Nakabuugo questioned how this reporter had obtained the magistrate’s letter and promised to get back with a formal response. However, she had not done so by the time of publication.

Several former Kyambogo University students, who graduated in 2019, have accused the university of dropping the ball in resolving a long-running dispute over the title of their academic qualification, a matter which has now cast a long shadow over their employment prospects.

The former students, admitted in 2017 through the Joint Admissions Board (JAB) system under a Ministry of Education and Sports scholarship scheme, say they were placed on a teaching pathway for a Diploma in Physical Education and Sports Management, with the clear understanding that they would qualify as teachers upon completion.

Instead, they graduated in 2019 with a diploma in sports management, a qualification they argue does not reflect the teaching role they signed up for.

‘We applied for physical education and sports management. We studied it. But at graduation, we were given sports management certification,’ said Mr Haruna Muwanguzi, one of the affected graduates.

‘At no point were we told the programme had changed,’ he added.

Mr Muwanguzi explained that the cohort, numbering 28 students, studied for three years between 2017 and 2019, only to discover the change in the programme’s nomenclature at graduation.

He added that repeated attempts to get clarification from the university over several months had hit a brick wall.

According to the graduates, the problem did not end with their intake alone. They claim a second cohort of about 18 students was admitted to the same programme the following year (2018), before the course was later discontinued altogether.

The issue has since been escalated to the National Council for Higher Education (NCHE), which acknowledged receipt of their complaint in 2025, but added that the programme was not accredited at the time.

However, the students say no substantive update, report or conclusion has been provided by the regulator since then.

‘We followed up several times, but there has been no response [from NCHE] on the progress of the investigation,’ Mr Muwanguzi said.

‘We feel abandoned and in limbo.’ The students further allege that NCHE recently told them the university had not responded to correspondence sent by the regulator, leaving the process stuck in the mud.

Attempts to reach NCHE for a detailed update were unsuccessful. We reached out to the NCHE spokesperson, Mr Saulo Waigolo, who insisted that the council could not comment formally on the matter.

‘The case is still under investigation and so the council cannot comment on it,’ said Mr Waigolo, said.

However, the regulator confirmed that the programme had not been accredited at the time the graduates applied and were admitted for studies. Kyambogo University did not respond to specific questions on the matter. However, the institution has rejected claims of wrongdoing.

Speaking through its principal communications officer, Mr Reuben Twinomujuni, the university said the programme originally cited by students as diploma in physical education and sports management had undergone a review that resulted in a change of nomenclature to diploma in sports management.

He said students were informed upon admission of the available programme and they proceeded to study and graduate accordingly.

‘What they studied was a diploma in sports management. They were informed and they completed their studies,’ he said.

According to him, this means the diploma in physical education and sports management was non-existent at the time the students were admitted.

Mr Twinomujuni added that communication between the department and the academic registrar supported the admission and programme alignment, and maintained that students raised no formal objections during the course of study.

He also added that employment challenges among graduates were a nationwide uphill battle, not unique to this cohort.

However, Mr Muwanguzi insisted that he had repeatedly been rejected by employers, who questioned the relevance and recognition of his qualification.

‘Everywhere I go, I am rejected. Employers see my diploma and dismiss me. My qualification is not recognised by anyone, not the Ministry of Education, not the Teachers Service Commission, not any employer in Uganda,’ he said.

Another former student, Mr Julius Kimanje, also described the experience as a ‘betrayal’ and called for institutional accountability.

‘In August 2017, I earned a government sponsorship to pursue a diploma in physical education and sports management at Kyambogo University. My family was proud. My village celebrated. But now, it’s seven years of rejection. Seven years of watching others build careers while I remain stuck,’ he said.

While some of the affected graduates agreed to speak on record, others declined, citing fear of possible repercussions from the university.

Several students said they were unwilling to be identified or to comment publicly, alleging that there had been threats linked to the dispute. Those allegations could not be independently verified.

However, in a separate professional assessment, the General Secretary of the Uganda National Teachers’ Union (Unatu), Mr Filbert Baguma, said the matter reflects broader structural cracks within teacher training and subject combinations required for registration.

Mr Baguma explained that for one to be registered as a teacher in Uganda, they must have two recognised teaching subjects, and that challenges arise where programmes fail to align with this requirement.

‘Sports management is not one of the teaching subjects. For teaching registration, you need two teaching subjects. If you do not have them, you cannot be registered as a teacher by the Ministry of Education and Sports,’ he said.

Mr Baguma advised the affected graduates to pursue further training aligned to recognised teaching subject combinations if their goal is classroom teaching, or alternatively build careers within sports management administration.

‘In some cases, the easier option is to continue and upgrade within sports management,’ Mr Baguma said.

‘Otherwise, you go back and obtain the required teaching subject combinations if your goal is teaching.’

The Unatu chief also cautioned that planned progression from diploma to degree level requires consistency in subject combinations, warning that switching disciplines midstream can create roadblocks down the line in professional practice. It is important to note that admission letters issued to students contained provisions requiring acceptance of the terms and conditions of admission.

Through this acceptance, students consented to study the programme as offered at the point of entry, rather than the initial programme title they later received after completion.

Attempts by Monitor to obtain a formal comment from the Ministry of Education and Sports to ascertain why students were admitted to a programme the university says did not exist were unsuccessful. Repeated phone calls to ministry spokesperson, Mr Dennis Mugimba, went unanswered, and in some instances, calls were cancelled.

A follow-up WhatsApp message seeking clarification also received no response. Similarly, the Minister of State for Higher Education, Mr John Chrysestom Muyingo, did not respond to phone calls or WhatsApp messages seeking comment on the matter.

The Education ministry permanent secretary, Ms Kendrace Turyagyenda, was also contacted, but said she was in a meeting and did not subsequently respond to further messages or a request for an in-person meeting.