Category: Daily Monitor

The first thing that catches your eye at the Buganda Women Convention is the colour. Thousands of women, dressed in brown Gomesi and cream sashes, fill the venue with a sense of pride and purpose. Around them are women from different faiths, professions and communities, each wearing an outfit that reflects their identity. Yet despite the diversity, there is a visible sense of unity. For many participants, this annual gathering has become a platform for learning, networking and empowerment. As a journalist covering Buganda Kingdom affairs, I attended the convention for the first time in 2023. What I initially considered as another assignment on my reporting schedule quickly became an eye-opening experience that changed how I viewed women’s leadership, entrepreneurship and community development.

The excitement that greets the arrival of the Nnaabagereka of Buganda, Sylvia Nagginda, immediately reveals the significance of the convention. Women rise to their feet, singing and waving handkerchiefs in celebration. Their enthusiasm reflects the admiration they have for a woman many regard as a mentor and role model. Watching thousands of women gathered under one roof, I realised that the convention is not merely an annual event. It is a movement that continues to inspire women to pursue opportunities, support one another and contribute to development.

A platform for empowerment

What stood out during my first convention was the diversity of participants. Entrepreneurs sat alongside farmers. Teachers exchanged ideas with market vendors. Community leaders interacted with young women beginning their careers. The gathering served as a reminder of the important role women play in Uganda’s social and economic transformation.

One notable aspect of the convention is the support it receives from male leaders within the kingdom. The Katikkiro of Buganda, Charles Peter Mayiga, has consistently used the platform to encourage women to embrace leadership, entrepreneurship and active participation in development. His message has remained consistent over the years.

“When women are empowered, families, communities and society benefit,” Mayiga has repeatedly emphasised during convention engagements.

Beyond speeches, the convention focuses on practical solutions that women can apply in their daily lives. Discussions centre on entrepreneurship, financial literacy, savings, agriculture, technology and wealth creation. The message is simple, economic independence matters.

Seeing the impact

Over the years, I have listened to numerous testimonies from women whose lives have changed after participating in the convention. Some have established small businesses after receiving encouragement and support from family members. Others have joined savings groups and cooperatives, enabling them to access capital and invest in income-generating activities.

Many have expanded farming enterprises, ventured into retail trade, tailoring and food processing, while others have strengthened their leadership roles within their communities. Their stories demonstrate how access to knowledge, mentorship and networks can create opportunities for transformation.

Celebrating 10 years

During celebrations marking the convention’s 10th anniversary, the Nnaabagereka reflected on the journey that led to its establishment. She explained that although Buganda previously had a general convention, there was no dedicated platform focused specifically on women’s issues.

“Before, there was Buganda Convention, but it would sometimes come after long intervals. Together with Christine Mugerwa, we discussed the need for a women’s convention and agreed to establish one. Today, we are celebrating 10 years,” Nnaabagereka Sylvia Nagginda said.

The initiative was spearheaded by women leaders including Sarah Nkonge Muwonge, Hajati Mariam Nkalubo and others who believed women needed a stronger voice and organised platform within the kingdom. Looking back, the Nnaabagereka acknowledged that the journey was not easy.

“We remember where we started from when things were not easy, but we remained hopeful. The current status of the Buganda Women Convention shows that initiatives built on unity and purpose can be promoted and protected,” she said.

Personal reflection

After attending the convention over the years, I have come to understand why it continues to attract thousands of women. I learnt that this gathering has grown beyond an annual meeting. For many of us, it is now a learning centre, a networking hub, and a mentorship platform all in one. I saw that successful women in business, leadership, and community development regularly return to share their experiences, which has created a culture of peer learning and support. This stressed to me that my breakthrough can become a bridge for someone else.

The Nnaabagereka challenged me directly: If I am to spearhead change in business, agriculture, and the environment, I must start from my own home. I must become a good example and strengthen cooperation with my family members first. I cannot lead change outside if I have not modelled it inside my own house.

The convention’s financial literacy programme encouraged me to strengthen my financial management skills, embrace technology, and actively identify new market opportunities. My good intentions will not feed my family or grow my business without financial literacy.

On health and environmental conservation, the message was clear to me: “We must ensure the trees we plant are protected and allowed to grow.” I learnt that restoration requires ongoing care, not just ceremonial planting. Start the work and then stay for the maintenance.

Sarah Nkonge Muwonge, one of the convention’s pioneers, reminded me that as generations change, more women are coming on board with purpose. I am one of them. I am here to improve my income, develop my community, and transform my country.

Beyond the colourful attire, songs and celebrations lies a powerful platform that equips women with knowledge, confidence and practical skills.

For me, the Buganda Women Convention has been more than an event to cover. It has been a lesson in the power of collective action, mentorship and leadership. As the convention enters its second decade, its message remains clear; when women are equipped with opportunities, skills and support, they become powerful agents of change in their homes, communities and the nation.

Former Kampala Mayor and People’s Front for Freedom (PFF) president Erias Lukwago was expected to appear before a Kampala court on Wednesday, more than 48 hours after armed operatives seized him from his Wakaliga residence and held him at an undisclosed location that Uganda’s military chief Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba repeatedly referred to as his “basement”.

The veteran opposition politician and lawyer was arrested on Monday in an operation that drew condemnation from opposition leaders, lawyers and rights activists, with questions lingering over the circumstances of his detention and the case he could face.

Fresh details obtained by Monitor indicate that authorities have linked Lukwago, one of the defence lawyers for detained four-time President Museveni challenger Dr Kizza Besigye, to the same case in which the opposition leader is facing prosecution and has remained in detention for more than 500 days.

Speaking exclusively to Monitor early Wednesday, police spokesperson Kituuma Rusoke confirmed that Lukwago is in custody at Kiira Division Police in Wakiso District, near Uganda’s capital.

Police told waiting friends and relatives that only his lawyer Medard Lubega Sseggona would be allowed to access him for now, until 1pm when new guidance would be issued by the authorities. His wife, Zawedde Lubwama Lukwago, was among those who had been denied access by press time at 11:30am.

Rusoke, speaking via phone, earlier revealed to Monitor that police were due to prefer charges against him and submit the file to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for review and sanction before court proceedings begin.

Rusoke confirmed that the charges being considered are “treason and misprision of treason.”

The development came after a dramatic operation on Monday morning in which security operatives reportedly entered Lukwago’s bedroom in Wakaliga and took him away.

After a barrage of social media posts about Lukwago’s detention, Gen Muhoozi continued commenting on the matter on Tuesday night, appearing to contradict his earlier suggestions that the opposition politician could be released.

At about 10:06pm, Gen Muhoozi posted: “Lukwago will be in prison for a minimum of 10 years!”

The post came shortly after he had indicated that Lukwago’s release was under consideration following what he described as appeals from his wife, Charlotte Kainerugaba.

“Nothing has made me release Lukwago. No pressure from anywhere. I wanted to keep him in my basement forever! It is just Jesus Christ, the Bachwezi and Charlotte,” the 52-year-old military commander wrote on X.

‘I will HANG Kizza Besigye’

Gen Muhoozi, in a post on his official X (formerly Twitter) account on Monday, made a fresh and strongly worded statement targeting Dr Besigye. He claimed that he would ‘hang’ Besigye if given the opportunity, alleging that Besigye once sought to kill his father and would not escape what he described as ‘punishment he richly deserves.’

Besigye, a longtime opponent of President Museveni, is facing treason-related charges.

Lukwago is part of his legal defence team and also represents him in a separate case against Gen Muhoozi arising from social media posts that allegedly threatened the four-time presidential candidate’s life.

The Opposition political parties have closed ranks to demand the immediate release of Mr Erias Lukwago, one of the lead lawyers in Dr Kizza Besigye’s treason trial.

Mr Lukwago, also the immediate former Lord Mayor of Kampala Capital City, was abducted by men in military uniform from his home in Wakaliga, Kampala, on Monday morning. Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), later confirmed the abduction in a post on his X-handle, saying Mr Lukwago was in military detention.

The latest abduction fits a familiar pattern of Opposition figures who have faced a similar fate and has been roundly condemned by the majority of Opposition political parties this publication spoke to.

At the time of his abduction, Mr Lukwago was preparing to serve Gen Muhoozi with a court order issued by High Court judge Justice Emmanuel Baguma, directing him to file his defence in a case in which Dr Besigye sued him for human rights violations after his abduction from Nairobi, Kenya, and subsequent death threats allegedly issued by the CDF.

Over the years, Gen Muhoozi, also President Museveni’s son, has seemed to take delight in taking on those who cross swords with him or his father.

While the UPDF Act bars serving army officers from dabbling in partisan politics, Gen Muhoozi has thrown caution to the wind, forming a political pressure group directly aligned with the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) party and openly declaring his ambition to succeed his father as President of Uganda. For the Opposition, it is a long, agonising road they must walk, with no light at the end of the tunnel.

Mr Robert Kyagulanyi, aka Bobi Wine, the principal of the National Unity Platform (NUP) party, called Mr Lukwago’s abduction absurd and said this pattern mirrors what his bodyguard Wdward Ssebuufu, alias Eddie Mutwe, endured.

‘On Muhoozi’s orders, military men have raided and abducted Lukwago from his home in Wakaliga before whisking him away in a drone to an unknown destination. The abduction has been confirmed and closely followed by posts on Twitter [X] from Muhoozi, boasting that he has taken him to the ‘basement’ to torture him just like he did to comrade Eddie Mutwe in April 2025! I call upon all of us to reject and resist this brazen impunity,’ he said.

Equally, NUP Secretary General David Lewis Rubongoya called out the CDF to set Mr Lukwago free and urged all Ugandans to condemn the abduction.

‘The abduction of [People’s Front for Freedom] PFF leader, Hon Erias Lukwago is absurd. The lawlessness must be condemned by all people of good conscience,’ he posted.

Mr Patrick Amuriat Oboi, the president of the Opposition Forum for Democratic Change, the party Mr Lukwago once belonged to before breaking ranks to form the PFF alongside Dr Besigye and others, yesterday said the abduction shows that the country has finally hit rock bottom in terms of the rule of law.

‘Well, I think that for a long time now, we have not enjoyed the rule of law and I think this is just reaching its climax,’ Mr Amuriat yesterday told this publication by phone.

He added: ‘What precipitated yesterday was certainly a statement to the nation that the rules don’t apply. And I think this is taking us back in the days when pandagari [board the track] was the order of the day, when disappearances were the order of the day. And I really want to believe that our institutions, the Attorney General, the advisory government and legal matters or Parliament need to rise up to the occasion.’

Mr Amuriat said what Gen Muhoozi is doing is instilling fear in Ugandans who disagree with him by wielding force and guns.

‘I think the bottom line is great fear and the statement being made is ‘dare me and you are going to be in hot soup’. So, what I see happening is loud silence happening among the political elite and resignation on the part of the population, which now feels subdued and that is not good for a country like ours and for a leader who has got his focus and eyes on the presidency of this country,’ he said.

Ms Alice Alaso, the Secretary General of Alliance for National Transformation (ANT) party, said what happened to Mr Lukwago is akin to what used to happen in Europe before colonialism set in.

‘They came with the reign of terror. It is no longer something of the 1970s. It is something of the European history because abducting Erias Lukwago and I don’t want us to deal with Lukwago’s abduction as an isolated event,’ she said.

She added: ‘It is something that should be treated in light of the human rights and the increasing intolerance the regime has towards any form of criticism. Whether institutional, the way the Lukwagos are doing, through courts of law, or even individuals expressing different views. And so the regime has become totally scared.’

Ms Alaso wondered whether President Museveni is still at the helm or has relinquished most of his powers to his son.

‘And then, what the CDF has done, has he taken over because, yes, it is a shame to say that there has been a hijack of all institutional powers. And the CDF is now the law, so that should worry all of us. It should concern and worry all of us in this position. Whether you are in the army, or you are in the business sector, or you are in the media, anywhere, nobody is safe. The CDF is wielding a lot of power.

‘So, it looks like President Museveni has already handed over power because, since when does a military chief, who should be defending territorial sovereignty, the borders of the country, begin to have the power to just arrest the citizens and keep them basically without trial? So, it looks like President Museveni already handed over power and we are not in safe hands of Muhoozi. We are heading to very dark days for the country,’ she said.

Is the rule of law dead?

The abduction of Mr Lukwago is reminiscent of the 1970s, when armed military men would storm the homes of those deemed opposed to the government, abduct them, and torture some to death, while those who survived carried the scars of torture to the grave.

Gen Muhoozi has, for much of recent years, waded into controversy, including diplomatic issues that fall under the ambit of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. One thing that stands out is that, over the years, he has walked the talk, especially in dealing with Opposition figures.

Since the abduction of Dr Besigye in November 2024, Gen Muhoozi has repeatedly warned that he would kill the man who treated his father during the five-year bush war that brought President Museveni to power.

It is these threats that earned him a court summon that Mr Lukwago was supposed to deliver before his abduction.

Mr Fred Ebil, the Secretary General of Uganda Peoples’ Congress (UPC) party, said the events taking place are a stark reminder of the 1970s, when dissenting voices were silenced by the barrel of the gun, and prayed that the country doesn’t slip back into the dark old days.

‘I don’t think we should go back to the same politics and security situation of the 1970s where people could be abducted in broad daylight and never to be seen again. So, I urge the government and especially the security personnel, most especially their leaders, to restrain from that kind of political situation that will drag us back to our past. We’ve come a long way and we are not ready to go back there,’ he said.

The Justice Forum (Jeema) party also condemned what it called the unlawful abduction of the former Kampala City Lord Mayor on the very day he was scheduled to serve a court summon on the CDF.

A statement issued by the party said: ‘This incident reflects a disturbing and growing trend in which certain individuals act with impunity, disregarding the laws of this country while presenting themselves as untouchable on account of historical contributions to nation-building.’

It added:’No one is above the law. Those who claim privilege today are not the first to contribute to this nation. The true fathers of our independence, who endured prison, exile, and sacrifice for Uganda’s freedom, never demanded an inch of its land or a share of its resources for personal gain.’

The party said it rejects the distortion imposed upon Ugandans that some people are more equal than others and can act with impunity. ‘Uganda is not a private estate. It belongs to all 45 million Ugandans, who are equal before the law and must equally observe it.

Jeema, therefore,demands the immediate and unconditional release of former Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago within the next 24 hours; calls upon all State agencies to uphold the Constitution and protect citizens from arbitrary detention;urges millions of Ugandans to rise and defend the sanctity and dignity of our country by holding to account all persons who intend to violate the rule of law.

The sanctity of our nation rests on one principle: equal citizenship under the law. We shall not surrender it,’ the statement concluded. We were unable to get responses from the Democratic Party, whose president Norbert Mao is the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, and the ruling NRM party.

David Kamulindwa fired a superb round of five-under 66 to assume a one-shot lead at halfway stage of the MTN Pro-Tee Series at Entebbe Club on Wednesday.

Kamulindwa surged to the top of leaderboard in quest for the biggest share of the Shs15m kitty but his group partner Abbey Bagalana shared a part of the limelight at the par-71 course.

Bagalana, who also made the cut at +5 of the 72-hole championship, carded a beautiful hole-in-one at the par-3 Hole No.12 green, witnessed by Kamulindwa and Tom Jingo.

‘You don’t expect a hole-in-one but as long as you are playing and you do practice, things like that happen,’ said Bagalana, who finished with a round of two-over 73 including three birdies.

Bagalana hit Titleist 2 Black ball into the cup using a Ping S-55 Wedge club. ‘It was the right club and I was in the zone.

My game wasn’t too bad but being that I wasn’t competing, the competitive mood is not there but it is going to come back,’ Bagalana added.

Meanwhile, it is Kamulindwa setting the pace after he struck seven birdies at par-5 Holes No.1, No.11 and No.15, the par-4s No.4, No.9, No.13 and No.14.

His only blemish were two bogeys on the par-3 Holes No.6 and No.16. Following his round of one-over 72 comprising a triple-bogey at the par-4 Hole No.9 on Tuesday, Kamulindwa is at an aggregate four-under.

And he is followed by Vincent Byamukama who maintained second place with a round of 70.

Rodell Gaita is third at one-under overall after shooting 72 while Andrew Ssekibejja and Abraham Ainamani are joint-fourth at level-par overall.

DAY TWO LEADERBOARD

1 David Kamulindwa 72 66 138 -4

2 Vincent Byamukama 69 70 139 -3

3 Rodell Gaita 69 72 141 -1

T4 Andrew Ssekibejja 74 68 142 0

T4 Abraham Ainamani 72 70 142 0

6 Marvin Kibirige 68 75 143 +1

T7 Grace Kasango 74 70 144 +2

T7 Bulhan Matovu 74 70 144 +2

9 Tom Jingo 73 72 145 +3

T10 Irene Nakalembe 73 73 146 +4

T10 Abbey Bagalana 73 73 146 +4

T10 Silver Opio 72 74 146 +4

After over a year marked by procedural hold-ups, constitutional disputes, and postponements, the High Court is prepared to continue hearing the Shs3.8b fraud case involving the former permanent secretary of the Ministry of Trade, Ms Geraldine Ssali, along with five co-defendants.

According to a hearing notice issued by the High Court, the case will come up before Justice Jane Okuo Kajuga today for mention.

The five co-accused are Igara East MP Michael Mawanda Maranga, Elgon County MP Ignatius Wamakuyu Mudimi, former Busiki County MP Paul Akamba, lawyer Julius Taitankoko Kirya and principal cooperative officer Leonard Kavundira.

Major breakthrough

The development comes days after the Constitutional Court removed a major legal obstacle that had stalled progress of the prosecution.

In a landmark ruling delivered earlier this month, a panel of five Constitutional Court judges declared Section 11(2) of the Human Rights Enforcement Act unconstitutional, holding that courts cannot terminate criminal proceedings and acquit accused persons solely because their non-derogable rights were violated during arrest, detention or investigation.

The justices are Oscar Kihika, Margaret Tibulya, Moses Kawumi Kazibwe, Asa Mugenyi and Musa Ssekaana.

“The Constitution is unequivocal that an acquittal may only ensue upon the conclusion of a trial in which the court has received, scrutinised and evaluated the evidence,” the judges ruled.

The constitutional challenge had arisen from criminal proceedings involving Mr Akamba, who argued that he had been tortured by security operatives and that the alleged violation of his rights entitled him to an acquittal under the contested law.

The court, however, found that the provision undermined the rights of victims and improperly interfered with the criminal justice process.

“The right to a fair hearing is not confined solely to accused persons. Article 28(1) expressly guarantees a fair hearing to ‘a person’ and not merely to ‘an accused’,” the judges held.

The ruling effectively cleared the way for the Anti-Corruption Division of the High Court to proceed with the long-awaited trial. It is alleged that the accused persons participated in a scheme that led to the irregular release and diversion of billions of shillings earmarked for compensation of war-loss claimants.

According to the prosecution, Ms Ssali allegedly abused her office during the 2021/2022 financial year by introducing Buyaka Growers Cooperative Society Limited onto a list of entities eligible for government compensation despite the cooperative not appearing in the approved supplementary budget.

The state further alleges that she authorised payments amounting to Shs3.8b to Kirya and Company Advocates in disregard of established Treasury procedures and financial management regulations. Proceedings have repeatedly stalled since the suspects were committed to the High Court for trial.

Apart from constitutional litigation, the matter also suffered several adjournments arising from procedural applications and scheduling challenges.

The latest setback occurred earlier this month when the hearing failed to take off after state prosecutors were unavailable because they were attending a national prosecution symposium, prompting Justice Kajuga to adjourn the proceedings.

With the Constitutional Court challenge now resolved and all parties formally notified of today’s hearing, attention is expected to shift to the prosecution’s evidence against the six accused persons.

Court records show that the Director of Public Prosecutions intends to pursue charges relating to corruption, causing financial loss, conspiracy to defraud, money laundering and abuse of office.

If the hearing proceeds as scheduled, prosecutors are expected to begin presenting witnesses and documentary evidence aimed at demonstrating how public funds meant for compensation of war victims and cooperatives were allegedly diverted through irregular processes.

Sugar industry stakeholders have expressed concern over government’s proposal to double excise duty on sugar from Shs100 to Shs200 per kilogram, warning the move could depress sugarcane prices and further strain farmers already grappling with rising production costs.

The Shs200 rate is a concession after farmers and industry leaders successfully lobbied against an earlier proposal to raise the duty to Shs300 per kilogram. But growers say even the revised rate will hurt.

‘We pushed for the tax to remain at Shs100 per kilogram because any increase directly affects farmers. Millers deduct taxes before calculating farmers’ share, meaning the burden is eventually passed on to growers,’ said Julius Katerevu, chairperson of the Uganda National Association of Sugarcane Growers, UNASGO.

Katerevu, who also chairs the Greater Mukono Sugarcane Growers Cooperative Society Ltd, urged government to accompany any tax measures with interventions that protect farmers’ incomes and address the controversial 5 per cent sugarcane trash deduction imposed by some factories.

‘Farmers are already operating at a loss and sugarcane supplies are declining. Government should ensure that the cost of production is protected and that growers receive a fair return on their investment,’ he added.

Isa Budhugo, a member of the Uganda Sugar Stakeholders Council, said the proposed hike risks shifting the burden onto farmers because cane prices are tied to sugar prices.

‘Increasing the excise duty on sugar from Shs100 to Shs200 per kilogram will ultimately hurt sugarcane farmers. Since cane prices are determined by sugar prices, the higher tax could either force millers to raise sugar prices or lower the prices paid to farmers,’ Budhugo said.

He noted the proposal comes as farmers grapple with rising costs of fertilisers, agrochemicals and fuel, which have already squeezed profit margins.

The average farm-gate price of sugarcane currently stands at about Shs125,000 per tonne, down from around Shs175,000 a decade ago. Industry players fear the duty increase could exert further downward pressure on cane prices.

Robert Atugonza, chairperson of Masindi Sugarcane Growers Association Limited in Bunyoro, said the formula used to determine cane prices is based on the net sugar price after taxes.

‘The more taxes imposed on sugar, the less money remains to be shared between millers and farmers. The proposed increase of Shs100 per kilogram means farmers stand to lose about Shs9,000 on every tonne of cane supplied,’ Atugonza said.

Atugonza, a council member on the Uganda Sugar Industry Stakeholders Council representing farmers in Bunyoro and Tooro, said farmers are not opposed to taxation but want support measures.

‘We are not opposed to taxation, but the government should avoid overburdening farmers who are already spending heavily on fertilisers, transport and labour. Increasing taxes without corresponding support measures will only weaken the sector,’ he said.

David Christopher Mombwe, chairperson of the Busoga Sugarcane Growers Association, said farmers are effectively bearing the cost of both VAT and excise duty through the pricing formula.

‘Government should first establish who is actually paying these taxes before increasing them. As farmers, we sell raw cane and do not engage in sugar processing, yet the taxes ultimately affect the prices we receive,’ Mombwe said.

Godfrey Biriwali, chairperson of the Greater Busoga Sugarcane Farmers’ Union, warned farmers could abandon cane growing if concerns over pricing and the 5 per cent trash deduction are not addressed.

‘You cannot reap where you did not sow. Government and millers should first implement the agreed cane pricing formula and remove the 5 per cent trash deduction before introducing new taxes,’ Biriwali said.

‘Without action on these issues, we shall embark on a massive sensitisation campaign urging farmers to grow other crops instead of sugarcane. Farmers cannot continue producing at a loss while more deductions and taxes are imposed on them,’ he added.

Uganda’s sugar industry supports thousands of farmers and workers, particularly in Busoga where cane remains a major economic activity.

Industry players are urging Parliament and the Ministry of Finance to reconsider the proposal before it is implemented, warning that failure to address farmers’ concerns could accelerate a shift to alternative crops and further reduce production.

The proposed excise duty increase is among tax measures intended to boost domestic revenue and help finance the Shs84.3 trillion national budget for 2026/27.

Government has allocated Shs2.26 trillion to agro-industrialisation in the same budget, the highest allocation ever to the sector. But stakeholders argue higher taxation on sugar could undermine those efforts by reducing incentives for production and lowering incomes at farm level.

Weighing scales are quietly disappearing from markets across Mbale and other parts of Uganda as traders increasingly sell food in small, affordable ‘heaps’, reflecting changing household budgets under cost-of-living pressure.

Economists say the trend signals a shift in consumer behaviour driven by shrinking disposable incomes, even as official inflation figures remain relatively moderate.

Instead of buying in kilograms or bulk quantities, customers now commonly request food worth Shs1,000, Shs2,000 or Shs5,000, forcing traders to break produce into informal portions that match what buyers can afford.

At Mbale Central Market, vendors say the practice has become the new normal.

Ms Grace Nandawula, a 70-year-old tomato and potato trader, arranges her produce each morning into small piles laid directly on sacks.

‘Customers no longer ask for a kilogram; they look at the heap and ask the price,’ she said, adding: ‘They come with small money and say, ‘Give me for Shs1,000 or Shs2,000.’ If I insist on kilograms, they will walk away.’

She said the shift has helped traders keep sales moving despite rising wholesale prices.

‘Sometimes you may think you are losing, but at least you sell something. If you insist on large quantities, you will be left with goods that rot,’ she said on Monday.

Other traders report similar adjustments. Mr Isaac Wanyama, an onion seller, said even wholesale costs have pushed traders to rethink how they sell.

‘Before, a customer could buy half a kilogram or even a full sack. Now most people just pick small heaps,’ he said, adding: ‘If you don’t adjust, you go home with unsold stock.’

For consumers, the system is both a relief and a limitation.

Ms Sharon Nakiwala, a mother of three, said she now buys food for single meals rather than weekly supplies.

‘Everything is expensive, so I just take what I can cook for that day,’ she said.

Mr Daniel Okello, a father of five, said heap buying allows him to control daily spending.

‘With heaps, I can enter the market with Shs2,000 and still find something to take home,’ he said.

However, he noted inconsistencies in the system.

‘Sometimes you don’t know if the heap you are given is the same size as yesterday. It depends on the seller,’ he said.

Economic stress

Uganda Bureau of Statistics data shows inflation has remained around 3-4 percent in recent months, with food inflation relatively lower.

However, economists say such figures do not fully reflect pressures in informal markets where prices fluctuate frequently.

Dr Patrick Byaruhanga, a retired economist at the Islamic University in Uganda, said the shift reflects economic stress at household level.

‘What we are seeing is a shift in consumption behaviour. When incomes are constrained and prices rise, people move from bulk purchasing to micro-purchasing,’ he said.

He said while the system helps markets function, it reduces standardisation and makes price comparisons difficult.

The Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) has acknowledged that informal practices such as heap selling are widespread, especially for fresh produce.

Mr Abubaker Bakulumpagi, Principal Certification Officer and Head of the MSME Division at UNBS, said the bureau is focusing on awareness rather than enforcement alone.

‘We recognise that many small traders operate in informal systems where standard measurements are not always used,’ he said.

He added that UNBS is working with district commercial officers to improve trader education on standards and measurement practices.

Mbale District Commercial Officer Ms Irene Buteme said officers are being trained to engage traders directly in markets.

‘We are now being equipped to go beyond office work and reach them directly in markets and trading centres,’ she said.

Mr Abubakar Musosi, Chairperson of Mbale Central Market, said heap selling has become widespread but needs clearer guidance.

‘We are not saying heap selling should stop, but authorities should help traders balance affordability with fairness,’ he said.

As Uganda’s markets continue to adapt, traders say the disappearance of weighing scales reflects a deeper economic reality: survival now depends on flexibility, not standard measures.

Uganda’s tourism and hospitality industry is experiencing remarkable growth, but beneath the success story lies a persistent challenge of a shortage of skilled personnel caused by the migration of trained workers to better-paying jobs abroad, particularly in the Middle East before the conflicts broke out.

While the number of students enrolling at the Uganda Hotel and Tourism Training Institute (UHTTI) has more than tripled in recent years, many graduates leave the country shortly after completing their studies, creating a continuous demand for fresh talent in hotels, restaurants, tour companies, and other tourism establishments.

The trend highlights both the success of Uganda’s tourism training programmes and the growing global demand for skilled hospitality professionals, amidst a low budget.

Uganda’s tourism workforce

The Uganda Hotel and Tourism Training Institute (College), a government-owned institution, was established to develop human capital for the hospitality and tourism sector. Its mandate includes training industry professionals, conducting research, and promoting sustainable tourism practices that enhance Uganda’s competitiveness as a tourism destination.

Training remains a critical pillar of tourism development because the industry is people-centered. From hotel managers and chefs to tour guides and customer service personnel, the quality of visitor experiences depends heavily on the competence and professionalism of those delivering the services.

Well-trained employees not only improve customer satisfaction but also help businesses adopt new technologies, embrace sustainable practices, and respond to evolving global tourism trends.

Investment in tourism education also creates skilled employment opportunities that allow communities to benefit directly from tourism revenues.

Ms Caroline Gwiina, quality assurance manager at UHTTI, says student enrolment has increased significantly following the institution’s recent upgrade.

‘Our impact has been tremendous,’ she says. ‘Enrolment increased from about 600 students in 2024 to 1,500 currently.’

The Institute has also expanded its outreach programmes, training more than 500 refugee apprentices, 150 unemployed graduates under the Tourism Workforce Advancement (TWA) Programme, and 250 vulnerable youth from Jinja and Kamuli districts.

With support from the World Bank, UHTTI plans to train an additional 250 students beginning in June 2026. The institution has also conducted food hygiene, food safety, and food preparation training for more than 100 informal-sector vendors in Hoima, Kasese, and Arua.

‘Our mandate is human capital development for the tourism and hospitality sector through skills training and research,’ Gwiina explains.

‘We contribute to the fourth National Development Plan and the government’s ten-fold growth strategy by improving service delivery and increasing visitor expenditure and length of stay.’

The growing demand for trained hospitality workers is reflected in graduate employment outcomes.

Ms Gwiina says 70 percent of graduates secure employment within the first few months after graduation, while nearly 80 percent earn a decent income soon after entering the workforce.

Ms Gwiina says the Institute currently offers more than 20 short courses, three diploma programmes, and four certificate programmes through conventional, apprenticeship, and short-course training models. It employs 123 staff members and has produced more than 5,000 alumni over the years. However, many of these graduates are no longer working in Uganda.

The Middle East factor

UHTTI principal Richard Kawere says the migration of hospitality workers to countries such as the United Arab Emirates has become one of the sector’s defining challenges.

‘During training, we place students in Ugandan hotels for industrial training, and many of them are absorbed after completing their courses,’ Kawere says. ‘But after some time, they leave to work in the UAE and other destinations where salaries are significantly higher.’

While overseas employment opportunities benefit individual workers through higher earnings and international exposure, they create staffing gaps within Uganda’s hospitality industry.

‘After six months, some hotels come back to us requesting more chefs and trained personnel because the staff they hired have moved abroad,’ he explains.

The challenge is compounded by rapid industry growth. A manpower survey conducted by the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) projected that Uganda’s tourism and hospitality sector would require approximately 15,000 additional workers to fill emerging jobs.

Mr Kawere believes the sector’s expansion presents both opportunities and responsibilities. ‘One of the challenges affecting service quality is that some business owners have a limited understanding of hospitality management,’ he says. ‘They are successful business people, but they need additional capacity building in hospitality to meet international standards.’

Tourism’s growing contribution

Despite workforce challenges, tourism remains one of Uganda’s fastest-growing economic sectors.

Mr Kawere notes that tourism was assigned one of the highest growth targets under the government’s Ten-fold growth strategy because of its strong economic returns.

‘The tourism sector was given a 25 percent growth target because studies showed that every dollar invested generates significant returns,’ he says.

Across the country, new hotels, restaurants, coffee shops, and tour companies are emerging, reflecting growing investor confidence in the sector.

‘Everywhere you go, there is a new tourism-related business opening,’ Mr Kawere says. ‘The industry is projected to more than double over the next decade.’

World Bank’s heavy lifting

A major contributor to this growth has been investment in tourism infrastructure, much of it financed through World Bank-supported programmes.

The Competitiveness and Enterprise Development Project (CEDP), funded through International Development Association (IDA) credits, has provided substantial support to Uganda’s tourism sector. The project aims to increase private-sector investment in tourism while strengthening the country’s land administration system.

The Competitiveness and Enterprise Development Project (CEDP) $200 million) approved on May 9, 2013, and effective on June 6, 2014, closed in November 2024.

At UHTTI the administrators say World Bank funding has transformed both training and accommodation facilities.

‘The World Bank has done the heavy lifting of our infrastructure burden,’ Mr Kawere says.

The investments include the expansion and reconstruction of the Institute’s training hotel from 52 to 82 rooms, including a presidential suite, as well as the construction of a modern administration block, lecture rooms, a multipurpose hall, and state-of-the-art training kitchens.

Mr Kawere says Shs35 billion was invested in the Crested Crane Hotel project, while Shs22 billion supported UHTTI infrastructure development and an additional Shs6 billion financed furniture, fixtures, and equipment all contributed by the World Bank. All facilities have been completed and are awaiting official commissioning.

A peak into the future

Mr Kawere says: ‘We have a five-year strategy. When we put all these things together, including government support, we have been negotiating for a slightly fair share of the budget, especially to put in place some of the things that are missing.’

Mr Kawere further stated: ‘Another important aspect is the continuous development of our students’ attitudes and professionalism as they transition into industry. If we are to continue strengthening and growing the institution’s reputation, we expect our graduates to uphold high standards of conduct, professionalism, and excellence in their workplaces and communities.’

The impact of tourism-sector investments extends beyond hospitality training.

At the Uganda Wildlife Education Centre (UWEC), World Bank support has facilitated major infrastructure upgrades that have improved both wildlife conservation and visitor experiences.

Dr Rachael Mbabazi, Assistant Commissioner at UWEC, says the investments have transformed operations.

‘The funding enabled us to expand our hospital, improve roads, upgrade offices, and construct new animal facilities,’ she says. ‘These developments have improved animal welfare, visitor safety, and the overall experience for guests.’

Among the achievements is the upgrade of Uganda’s only National Wildlife Hospital and Quarantine Facility, which features modern laboratories, a pharmacy, a surgical theatre, and a biobank, making it one of the most advanced wildlife healthcare facilities in the region.

The improvements have attracted more visitors. Annual visitation increased from 320,804 visitors in 2019/20 to 660,452 visitors in 2023/24.

Revenue has also risen sharply, with non-tax collections growing from Shs3.2 billion in 2018/19 to Shs6.7 billion in the 2024/25 financial year.

What started as a group of fans organising birthday celebrations, and community rallies in the name of Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, has in less than five years morphed into the most influential political group, spreading its tentacles into all arms of government.

In the latest development, Gen Muhoozi yesterday announced changes to the leadership of the Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU), drafting in senior government officials, including Speaker of Parliament Jacob Oboth and Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa to the Central Committee of PLU as special envoys to Parliament. The two are the leaders of the Legislature, the third arm of government responsible for oversight, appropriation and making laws.

‘Thank you Chairman for the trust…We are going to work hard and ensure the vision of our leader is fully realised,’ Tayebwa responded to the appointment.

Muhoozi also appointed members of the Executive, mostly ministers, to serve in his group, whose leadership structure mirrors that of the National Resistance Movement. The Minister for Defense and Veteran Affairs, Mr Kiryowa Kiwanuka, was appointed as vice chairperson for Buganda. The Minister for Agriculture, Frank Tumwebaze, and his Trade counterpart Sanjay Tanna, were also appointed to the Central Committee. Other members of the Executive that profess allegiance to PLU are government Chief Whip Dr Jane Ruth Aceng and Local Government minister Balaam Barugahara.

The move comes nearly three weeks after President Museveni announced his Cabinet for the 2026-2031 term, from which Muhoozi tapped key leaders. Analysts say the move is a consolidation of power by Gen Muhoozi, who is the Chief of Defense Forces (CDF) and the President’s son. Mr Wandera Ogalo, a constitutional lawyer, argued the leaders of Parliament should have declined the appointments. ‘Both the Speaker and Deputy Speaker are lawyers.

They know it’s unconstitutional for the CDF to constitute anything to do with politics. Not just the Constitution, but the Political Parties and Organizations Act…So these two leaders know it is unlawful for them to be part of that group,’ he said. Mr Ogalo added that while the group maintains it is a pressure group, it in practice bears the hallmarks of a political organisation.

‘We have seen them sponsoring people to stand for office. They even say they have ministers for them in the Cabinet. They even say they have MPs. It is a political organisation. We should stop pretending it is a pressure group. It has not just found the courage to register itself because it wants to ride on the back of National Resistance Movement (NRM),’ he said.

‘It is a test to see what type of Speaker and Deputy Speaker we have. I would expect them to immediately inform the CDF that no, it is not possible for them to belong to this so-called pressure group,’ Mr Ogalo added. The game plan In social media posts that followed leadership changes announcements, Gen Muhoozi emphasised PLU remains faithful to the NRM, and the current government.

‘Our task as PLU is to achieve Mzee’s target of a 500 billion dollar GDP by 2031! I will supervise ALL government departments to achieve that goal,’ he posted on his X handle. Muhoozi explained that his actions have the blessing of the President.

‘Ugandans are beginning to believe that there is method to the madness. In fact the so-called ‘madness’ was probably deception all along. Something Mzee told me to act out 10 years ago,’ he tweeted.

But Ogalo said this is a consolidation of succession plans that have been in the works for decades. ‘The President decided to begin the process of a transition. But he has not been fair to the country. It is manipulative. The transition, is there already’ he said. ‘We have a parallel government which is now seated in the CDF offices…. And the CDFC himself, by the way, has already said on Twitter [X] that he’s going to manage all these ministries. He’s forming a parallel government within, but it will be giving orders and managing from headquarters, while you have another Cabinet in the President’s office pretending to be managing the affairs of the country,’ he added.

The PLU, formerly the MK Movement, started in 2022, nine years after former intelligence Chief Gen

David Sejusa alleged there was a plan to groom Gen Muhoozi to take over the presidency, and that officials who opposed the plan faced assassination. President Museveni denied the plot. In its early stages, the MK was branded as a civil outfit where members professed support for causes close to the leader’s heart, mostly promoting patriotism. The group organised rallies and birthday celebrations for their leader in different regions in the country. This quickly transitioned into a mobilisation tool in the run up to the 2026 elections for Muhoozi’s anticipated presidential bid. Gen Muhoozi had through his social media expressed he would contest in the election, plans that collapsed after his appointment as CDF.

In 2024, the group rebranded to PLU, and played a key role in mobilising support for President Museveni in the 2026 election. In its ranks are members of Parliament of the ruling NRM party. While it is registered as a civic organisation on paper, it has been actively involved in politics. It is viewed as both an ally of and a counter force to the NRM party.

At its rebranding in 2024, the former PLU Secretary General David Kabanda, and then NRM Vice Chairperson for Eastern Uganda Mike Mukula disagreed on what vehicle would deliver the long awaited transition. While some like Mukula preferred Muhoozi pursue his intentions under the NRM, he has preferred to strengthen his PLU even while maintaining utmost support for his father’s party and leadership.

For 17 minutes in Houston, the smallest nation ever to reach the FIFA World Cup dared to dream.

Curaçao (kyuor·ruh·sau), a Caribbean island of barely 156,000 people, stunned Germany when 22-year-old Livano Comenencia swept home the country’s first-ever World Cup goal to cancel out Felix Nmecha’s early opener.

Then reality arrived. By the final whistle, four-time champions Germany had romped to a 7-1 victory, inflicting the heaviest defeat of the 2026 tournament so far and reminding football’s newest dreamers just how unforgiving the World Cup can be.

Not quite a country

Curaçao’s appearance in this World Cup has left many football fans scratching their heads.

Unlike most nations at the tournament, Curaçao is not a sovereign state. The island is a constituent country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands, sharing that arrangement with Aruba, Sint Maarten and the Netherlands itself.

Curaçao governs most of its domestic affairs but remains part of a wider kingdom. Yet FIFA recognises it as a separate footballing entity, allowing it to compete independently.

The arrangement mirrors the situation in the United Kingdom, where England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland all compete separately despite belonging to the same sovereign state.

That distinction has transformed Curaçao from a Caribbean curiosity into one of the most fascinating stories of the 2026 World Cup.

A historic journey

Simply qualifying was an extraordinary achievement.

Led by veteran Dutch coach Dick Advocaat, Curaçao navigated a difficult qualifying campaign to become the smallest nation by both population and land area (444 km², 540 times smaller than Uganda) ever to reach football’s biggest tournament.

The squad reflects Curaçao’s deep footballing ties with the Netherlands. Only one player in the 26-man group, Sheffield United winger and former Manchester United prospect Tahith Chong, was actually born on the island, while the remaining 25 were born in the Netherlands and developed through Dutch academy systems before opting to represent their ancestral nation on the international stage.

For many neutrals, Curaçao’s qualification represented one of the feel-good stories of the expanded 48-team World Cup.

Germany deliver a reality check

The fairytale, however, collided with one of football’s most ruthless tournament teams.

After Curaçao briefly levelled matters, Germany exposed the gulf in quality.

Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann said after the match: ‘We really needed this convincing win. We needed this self-confidence. We have to show that we can perform…’

The result was severe, but not unprecedented.

World Cup history is littered with heavy beatings. Hungary’s 10-1 demolition of El Salvador at Spain 1982 remains the tournament’s largest victory, while Hungary’s 9-0 thrashing of South Korea in 1954 and Yugoslavia’s 9-0 win over Zaire in 1974 stand among the competition’s most one-sided contests.

Germany themselves have previous form. Their 8-0 destruction of Saudi Arabia at the 2002 World Cup remains one of the defining routs of the modern era.

The 7-1 defeat was a reminder of the gulf that can exist between established powers and ambitious newcomers.

Advocaat defended the result in calm terms: ‘It’s not a shame to lose 7-1 against a team like this. That team is worth pound 850 million and Curaçao pound 25 million. The joy of the people was fantastic. What we achieved to qualify is already extraordinary.”

How rare is Curaçao’s presence?

Curaçao belongs to a very exclusive club. Only a handful of teams that are not fully sovereign states have ever appeared at a World Cup. The four British home nations have long enjoyed separate Fifa membership, while the Dutch East Indies, then a colony of the Netherlands, competed at the 1938 World Cup.

Curaçao has now joined that short list. For a tiny Caribbean island occupying a constitutional grey area between nation and territory, merely walking onto a World Cup pitch was already a victory.

BIGGEST WORLD CUP ROUTS

Year Match Score

1982 Hungary vs El Salvador 10-1

1954 Hungary vs South Korea 9-0

1974 Yugoslavia vs Zaire 9-0

2002 Germany vs Saudi Arabia 8-0

1950 Uruguay vs Bolivia 8-0

1938 Sweden vs Cuba 8-0

2014 Germany vs Brazil 7-1

2010 Portugal vs North Korea 7-0

2022 Spain vs Costa Rica 7-0

1974 Poland vs Haiti 7-0

2026 Germany vs Curaçao 7-1

WORLD CUP’S NON-SOVEREIGN TEAMS

Team Status

England Constituent country of the UK

Scotland Constituent country of the UK

Wales Constituent country of the UK

Northern Ireland Constituent country of the UK

Dutch East Indies (1938) Dutch colony

Curaçao (2026) Constituent country of the Netherlands