Category: Daily Monitor

Uganda has for years experienced a shortage of blood for transfusion to patients. According to the Uganda Blood Transfusion Services (UBTS), 10 percent of Ugandans who urgently need blood do not get it due to shortage in supply.

The UBTS Executive Director, Dr Dorothy Kyeyune Byabazaire, attributes the shortage to a lack of donors and limited financing.

Dr Byabazaire says the country requires 500,000 units of blood annually, but only

439,000 units were collected last year.

The World Health Organisation recommends that a country should collect blood units equivalent to at least one percent to three percent of its population annually to meet basic national health needs.

However, the UBTS officials say they have failed to meet this target.

A major cause of the shortage is the overreliance on pupils and students to donate blood while they are at school. They contribute about 80 percent of the blood supplied to health facilities.

During school holiday periods, health facilities across the country face acute shortages of blood.

UBTS officials say they are compelled to heavily depend on pupils and student donors because many adults are reluctant to donate blood.

Blood donation campaigns conducted by UBTS and its partners are usually hindered by the hesitancy of many people because of several factors.

Some people who are eligible to donate blood wrongly fear that they may develop health complications after doing this noble act.

There is also reluctance by some to donate blood because they are scared of knowing their HIV status, given that all potential donors are required to undergo an HIV test, among others.

Others hesitate to donate blood because of claims that some unscrupulous health workers sell the blood, which is supposed to be given free of charge to those in need of it.

Health facilities need blood to save the lives of patients, such as those suffering from anaemia, mothers after childbirth complications, accident and trauma victims, among others.

Unfortunately, because of the blood shortage, lives that could have been saved have been lost on several occasions.

To save lives, we call upon the public to donate blood. Do not leave this cardinal civic duty to pupils and students.

Adults must lead the way in ensuring health facilities have blood.

The Ministry of Health and UTBS must also step up efforts to educate the populace on the importance of donating blood.

People must be informed through all means of communication about the process, who is eligible, and how often one can donate blood.

People should be reassured that it is safe for those who are eligible to do this duty to humanity.

The Ministry of Health and UTBS must also ensure blood donated by the populace is not sold by unscrupulous health workers.

Furthermore, the government must also give UTBS the funds required to conduct its duties.

Uganda has once again completed another successful electoral cycle. The President, Members of Parliament and leaders at different levels have received mandates from the people to govern for the next five years. The excitement of victory, however, should quickly give way to a more important question: What exactly are these leaders expected to achieve?a

Citizens do not elect leaders merely to occupy offices, attend meetings or engage in political contests but rather to solve problems.

Above all, Ugandans expect their leaders to lead the fight against poverty and create opportunities for prosperity.

This is why the country’s elected leaders can be viewed as a battalion mobilised for a common mission.

The country’s greatest enemy today is not political competition but poverty. For nearly four decades, Uganda has invested heavily in building the foundations necessary for economic growth. The country enjoys relative peace and stability, improved road networks, expanded electricity coverage, fertile agricultural land, abundant water resources and a youthful population. These are advantages many countries would envy.

However, foundations alone do not create prosperity. Roads do not reduce poverty unless they help producers reach markets. Electricity does not create wealth unless it powers factories, agro-processing facilities and businesses.

Fertile land only becomes valuable when it is used productively to generate marketable output. Infrastructure and public investments achieve their purpose only when they support production and income generation.

This is where politics and economics meet. Political leadership should not be viewed only through the lenses of legislation, oversight and representation. While these constitutional roles remain essential, leaders must also embrace the responsibility of mobilising communities toward productive economic activity. Their role should extend beyond distributing resources and responding to community requests. They must help citizens create wealth.

Unfortunately, many political leaders find themselves trapped in a cycle of responding to individual financial needs such as school fees, medical bills, burial expenses and fundraising drives. While these demands are real, they are symptoms of a larger problem.

Communities that remain economically vulnerable will continue looking to leaders for short-term relief instead of building long-term solutions.

The consequence is a political culture where poverty reproduces itself. Some politicians may even find comfort in maintaining impoverished electorates because poor communities are often easier to influence through handouts and short-term incentives. Yet such an approach ultimately hurts everyone.

A poor community means lower productivity, weaker local economies, reduced tax revenues and inadequate public services. No leader can truly prosper while presiding over a struggling population.

Prosperity, therefore, should become the principal measure of leadership success. But also prosperity does not emerge by chance. It is created when individuals, households and businesses produce goods and services that meet market demand. This understanding should guide government priorities over the next five years.

Initiatives such as the Parish Development Model (PDM), agricultural commercialisation programmes, industrial parks and value-addition projects should not be viewed as isolated government interventions.

The benefits of prosperity extend far beyond individual incomes. When citizens earn more, government collects more revenue without increasing taxes. These resources can then be invested in essential public services such as healthcare, education, security and infrastructure. At the same time, financially empowered households can access private services, reducing pressure on government facilities and improving service delivery across the board.

Prosperity also ensures that public investments generate meaningful returns. Roads facilitate trade. Electricity powers industries. Agricultural production feeds factories. Businesses expand, jobs are created and communities become more resilient. Economic growth becomes sustainable because it is driven by production and enterprise rather than dependency.

The next five years should not be remembered for political quarrels, endless campaigns or public relations battles. They should be remembered as a period when leaders focused relentlessly on production, enterprise, employment and wealth creation.

If Uganda places prosperity at the centre of governance, many of its social and economic challenges will become easier to address. But if politics remains disconnected from economic transformation, the country risks repeating familiar cycles of poverty and unmet expectations.

The real battle before Uganda is not political but economic. And it is a battle that every elected leader must help win.

Most of the time, people believe they are the primary beneficiaries of their income and the assumption appears reasonable. Income is earned through years of education, professional experience, discipline, business activity, and personal sacrifice. Naturally, the expectation is that the individual generating the income should experience financial progress, stability, and an improved quality of life.

However, the realities of modern personal finance increasingly suggest otherwise.

As economies become more digitised and financial systems become accessible, income has equally become more exposed.

Today’s income earner operates within an environment where salaries and business revenues are immediately met by a wide network of obligations, deductions, repayments, subscriptions, consumption patterns, and social expectations. In many cases, income begins to serve multiple competing interests long before it creates meaningful financial benefit for the actual earner.

This has gradually created a silent contradiction within modern financial life as many individuals remain economically productive yet financially strained. They continue to earn, transact, spend, and maintain financial activity, but without experiencing proportional growth in financial security or long-term wealth accumulation.

The issue is not necessarily low-income levels alone. The challenge lies in the increasing number of access points attached to personal income. Financial institutions access income through debt obligations and loan repayments. Service providers continuously draw from income through subscription-based services, utilities, and digital consumption models.

Social structures equally place pressure on income through family obligations, lifestyle expectations, and the need to maintain appearances associated with professional or social status. Over time, the income earner becomes financially available to multiple external demands while personal financial growth remains secondary.

This explains why many professionals and business owners experience persistent financial pressure despite stable earnings.

The growth of financial inclusion has transformed access to financial services across developing economies. Mobile money platforms, digital banking, instant credit facilities, and online payment systems have improved convenience and participation within the financial sector.

However, while access to financial systems has expanded, financial discipline and income protection mechanisms have not evolved at the same pace for many individuals.

Financial structure

As a result, income increasingly functions as a flow-through mechanism rather than a wealth-building tool. Without a deliberate financial structure, earnings naturally drift toward immediate consumption and recurring obligations instead of long-term financial strengthening.

Increased income, therefore, does not automatically translate into financial stability because higher earnings simply attract higher expenses, broader financial obligations, and greater lifestyle exposure. The long-term effect is financial vulnerability hidden beneath economic activity.

Personal financial management must, therefore, move beyond the simplistic focus on earning more income to sustainable financial well-being, depending equally on how income is retained, protected, allocated, and invested over time. Financial literacy is no longer merely about access to money, but about maintaining control over its purpose and direction.

One of the greatest financial risks facing modern income earners is uncontrolled financial accessibility. The more financially accessible an individual becomes without a clear structure, the more difficult it becomes for income to create a measurable personal benefit. Consumption patterns gradually replace investment behaviour, while short-term financial demands continuously override long-term financial positioning.

This dynamic is particularly visible among working professionals whose incomes sustain multiple layers of responsibility while leaving limited room for savings, emergency preparedness, or strategic investments. The appearance of financial activity often masks underlying financial fragility.

Income, in its ideal form, should perform a developmental role within an individual’s life. It should strengthen financial resilience, create economic options, support long-term goals, and reduce exposure to financial uncertainty.

When income consistently fails to achieve these outcomes despite continuous earnings, the issue often lies not in productivity but in the absence of intentional financial boundaries and allocation systems.

Financial progress depends on ensuring that income not only circulates through obligations and consumption but also contributes toward personal financial advancement.

In modern economies where access to spending has become instant, protecting access to income has become just as important as generating the income itself.

The true value of income is not merely found in earning but in whether it meaningfully improves the financial position of the person earning it.

When the President handed Teso the position of Vice President and a series of other ministerial appointments after the 2021 elections, many Iteso believed the region’s long-awaited dream of unity and development had finally become a reality. However, divisions have since emerged, particularly following the government’s probe of former Speaker Anita Among.

The 2021-2026 term placed Teso in a privileged position after President Museveni appointed Maj (Rtd) Jessica Alupo as Vice President, with Ms Annet Anita Among emerging as Speaker of Parliament, Gen Jeje Abubakar Odongo as Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Mr Musa Ecweru as Minister of State for Works.

Others appointed included Kenneth Ongalo Obote as Minister of State for Teso Affairs; Hellen Adoa as Minister of State for Fisheries; Mr Peter Ogwang as Minister of State for Sports; Kenneth Omona as Minister of State for Northern Uganda, and Sidronius Okasai Opolot as Minister of State for Energy.

Residents were excited that President Museveni had entrusted Teso with several high-ranking political positions in the 2021-2026 government. However, Mr Clement Oluma, a private agricultural extension officer in Amuria District, observed that there is little tangible evidence of what the Vice President, the former Speaker, and other ministers have delivered for Teso. Mr Oluma accuses them of creating two rival camps, with bitter public spats often playing out among their junior lieutenants.

‘These fights filtered down to the local governments. There are districts in Teso that the vice President never visited during her first term from 2021 to 2026, and the same was true of the former Speaker. Such fights left the Teso agenda unattended to. Instead, the bigshots concentrated on their constituencies and, even there, focused only on areas where they enjoyed popularity,’ he explained.

Mr Oluma added that despite Teso being placed close to the centre of power, there was no single unifying force through which the people could channel their interests. With a Speaker of Parliament presiding over the House where national budgets are approved, residents had expected key infrastructure projects, including roads in Kumi, Serere, the Soroti-Ochero road in Kaberamaido, and the Greater Amuria road linking to northern Karamoja, to be rehabilitated during the previous term.

He also said apart from Ms Among, who is no longer occupying a prominent position in Teso’s political landscape, the number of ministers from the region has declined. ‘It is now incumbent upon Jessica Alupo to seize the moment and rally Teso towards unity for the sake of development,” he said. In the new Cabinet, the President retained Alupo as Vice President, Mr Ongalo as Minister of State for Teso Affairs, Mr Ogwang as Minister of State for Sports, Mr Opolot as Minister of State for Energy. Mr David Calvin Echodu comes on board as Minister of State for International Affairs, pending Parliament’s clearance regarding his dual citizenship allegations.

Ms Grace Akello, Ms Alupo’s mobiliser in Toroma, Katakwi District, said apart from Mr Ogwang, who was considered a lieutenant in the former Speaker’s camp, the rest of the ministers appointed from Teso enjoy a cordial working relationship with the Vice President. Like Mr Oluma, Ms Akello believes the time has come for the Vice President to unite the region’s reduced ministerial team. She said one of the key priorities should be irrigation projects, particularly as changing climatic conditions continue to affect farmers.

‘I will not cry over the lost 2021-2026 term. With the Vice President still at the heart of government, she can help Teso achieve its goals. We pray that the ongoing restocking programme involving Shs5 million packages is completed as promised,’ Ms Akello said. She added that Mr Echodu, the NRM vice chairperson for the Eastern Region, has a good working relationship with Ms Alupo, increasing the likelihood that political fights which began during the NRM primaries and later escalated into regional divisions, will come to an end.

Ms Akello would also like to see every sub-county equipped with a Seed secondary school, arguing that this would benefit low-income earners who cannot afford fees at some of the traditional secondary schools. Mr Benson Ekwe, the Executive Director of Public Affairs Centre Uganda (PAC), agreed that beyond the political fights, there is always the influence of State machinery. He said it is time for appointed leaders to understand the limits and responsibilities of their positions within the system they serve. He argued that many politicians serving under the NRM are deluded into believing they wield significant power and must demonstrate it to people from their home areas.

‘But that is not the case. They are simply there to create the impression of an inclusive government, which is not always the reality,’ he said.

‘It was during the 2021-2026 term that key road infrastructure projects were removed from the list of national priorities, yet we claimed to have influential leaders at the centre of government,’ Mr Ekwe added. Mr Mark Egadu, a Forum for Democratic Change party supporter and mobiliser in Gweri County, Soroti District, said the divisions in Teso became more pronounced after the region increasingly fell under the control of the ruling party. He argued that before 2016, when the Opposition had a strong presence in Teso, it kept the government under pressure to fulfil its promises.

‘Every concern raised by the people no longer receives the attention it used to receive one and a half decades ago,’ Mr Egadu said.

He added that if it is genuinely in the government’s interest for Alupo to unite Teso, she may succeed. However, if the NRM government continues to thrive on divisions, then ‘my sister Alupo will fail to unite Teso.’

Two Western Uganda-based journalists are nursing severe injuries following their torture by police officers in Mitooma District on Monday.

Mr Hillary Twinamatsiko, a Nation Media Group (NMG) Uganda journalist attached to the Mbarara Bureau, and Ms Sympathy Ahereza of Voice of Ruhinda, were assaulted while investigating allegations of security negligence.

The duo had traveled to Kashenshero Town Council police station to verify a viral TikTok video claiming the station is frequently left abandoned. After interviewing local residents about the security situation, the journalists contacted the Town Council chairperson, Mr Van Allan, for comment. He directed them to his residence.

However, their investigation was violently interrupted.

‘We were moving on a motorcycle and encountered a roadblock on the way to the mayor’s residence,” Mr Twinamatsiko recounted. “They stopped us, confiscated our phones, led us to Kashenshero police station, and put us in cells for over three hours.’

The situation escalated dramatically after they were removed from the cells. Twinamatsiko revealed that three police officers subjected them to a bizarre and painful ordeal, repeatedly punching and kicking them while demanding to know why they were “fighting” the police institution.

“We were forced to eat mandazi (fried bread) while they blocked our noses,” Twinamatsiko added. Their commercial motorcycle (boda boda) rider was subjected to the same violent treatment.

The journalists were subsequently transferred to the Mitooma Central Police Station and hauled before the District Police Commander. In a bizarre legal twist, they were charged under the Computer Misuse Act-a law that was declared null and void by the Constitutional Court in March 2026.

The victims were eventually released on police bond and ordered to report back to the station on June 22, 2026.

By press time, Mr Twinamatsiko was undergoing medical treatment at Kyeizooba Clinic in Bushenyi town, suffering from severe stomach and chest pains resulting from the beating.

Efforts to obtain an official statement from law enforcement have proven futile. Greater Bushenyi Police Spokesperson, Mr Apollo Tayebwa, has repeatedly promised to provide a statement since the journalists’ release on Monday, June 15, 2026, but has yet to do so despite numerous follow-up calls.

Police in Kampala Metropolitan East and Mukono have arrested 40 suspects and recovered 16 motorcycles during coordinated operations targeting criminal hideouts and suspected black spots in Kireka, Bweyogerere and Bukerere.

The operations targeted areas suspected to be used by individuals involved in motorcycle theft, street robberies and narcotic substance abuse.

According to Kampala Metropolitan Police Deputy Public Relations Officer ASP Luke Owoyesigyire, one of the raids was conducted in Kireka Zone C, Namugongo Division, Kiira Municipality, Wakiso District, following intelligence reports about an alleged illegal motorcycle reassembly garage.

‘Acting on intelligence information, police raided a suspected illegal motorcycle reassembly garage where criminals are believed to have been keeping and dismantling suspected stolen motorcycles before reassembling them,’ ASP Owoyesigyire said.

He said 12 male suspects were arrested during the operation, while police recovered 16 motorcycles whose ownership and registration status are being verified.

The recovered motorcycles were taken to Jinja Road Police Station to support ongoing investigations.

Police also conducted operations in Wellspring, Kakajjo and Kazinga Hassan Trabi zones in Kira Division, as well as Bukerere Village and surrounding areas in Goma Division, Mukono District.

ASP Owoyesigyire said the operations targeted suspected criminals involved in street robberies and narcotic substance abuse.

‘The operations targeted suspected criminals believed to be involved in narcotic substance abuse and street robberies. A total of twenty-eight suspects, including three females, were arrested and exhibits of suspected narcotic substances were recovered,’ he said.

The suspects remain in police custody and will be processed in accordance with the law.

Police said the operations are part of ongoing efforts to disrupt criminal networks, recover suspected stolen property and improve public safety in the metropolitan area.

The raids come after Uganda records a decline in overall crime cases. According to the 2025 Annual Crime Report, released by the Uganda Police Force, reported crime cases dropped by 10.2 percent from 218,715 cases in 2024 to 196,405 cases in 2025.

Inspector General of Police Abas Byakagaba attributed the decline to strengthened crime prevention measures and enforcement operations, although police continue to identify motorcycle theft, violent crime and organised criminal activity as key security concerns.

The Uganda Muslim Lawyers Association (UMLAS) has called on security agencies and other state authorities to uphold the rule of law and respect constitutional safeguards following the reported arrest and detention of senior lawyer and political leader Erias Lukwago.

UMLAS President Rashid Ssemambo stated that the Association had taken note of reports surrounding the arrest and detention of Mr Lukwago, a Senior Counsel, President of the People’s Front for Freedom (PFF), and one of Uganda’s prominent legal practitioners.

He urged the authorities to ensure that any actions taken against Mr Lukwago are conducted strictly within the provisions of the Constitution and the laws of Uganda.

‘As an association committed to the promotion of justice, constitutionalism and the rule of law, UMLAS calls upon all relevant authorities to ensure that any actions taken against any citizen, including advocates, are conducted strictly in accordance with the Constitution and laws of Uganda,’ the statement reads.

Mr Ssemambo emphasised that advocates play a critical role in the administration of justice and should be able to perform their professional duties without fear, intimidation or undue interference.

‘We respectfully urge the responsible authorities to provide timely information regarding the status, location and legal basis of Counsel Lukwago’s detention and to ensure that all constitutional safeguards relating to liberty, due process, access to legal representation and the right to a fair hearing are fully observed,’ he said.

Mr Ssemambo also raised concerns over reports that Mr Lukwago was arrested during a pre-dawn operation in which security personnel allegedly entered his residence after scaling or breaching the perimeter of his home.

‘If accurately reported, such actions raise important questions regarding compliance with constitutional safeguards governing arrest, search, privacy and the inviolability of the home,’ he noted.

UMLAS further expressed concern over public comments attributed to the Chief of Defence Forces, Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, on social media platform X, saying such statements could be perceived as intimidating and potentially undermine public confidence in the administration of justice.

‘Public commentary by persons holding high public office carries significant influence and should therefore be exercised with restraint, particularly where legal proceedings are pending or contemplated,’ he said.

According to Mr Ssemambo, the independence of the judiciary and legal profession depends not only on actual impartiality but also on public confidence that disputes will be resolved through established legal processes and courts of law.

The association stressed that allegations of criminal conduct should be handled through lawful procedures and determined by competent courts.

‘As Muslims and legal practitioners, we are guided by the enduring principles of justice, fairness and accountability,’ UMLAS said, citing Islamic teachings that promote justice and condemn oppression.

The association called upon the Uganda Law Society, the Judiciary, Parliament, civil society organisations, religious leaders and citizens to remain vigilant in defending constitutionalism, due process and equal protection under the law.

‘The protection of lawyers in the lawful discharge of their professional duties is not a privilege accorded to a few; it is an essential safeguard for every citizen who may one day seek justice before our courts,’ the statement added.

UMLAS said it remains committed to promoting peaceful engagement, respect for the law, and the protection of rights and freedoms guaranteed under the Constitution of Uganda.

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Court will deliver its ruling on June 29 in the case in which Ibrahim Kaddunabbi Lubega is challenging the Insurance Regulatory Authority against refusal renew his contract, which expired on May 31.

Few developments have shaken the sector as profoundly. The case comes at an institution that, over the past 15 years, has presided over the remarkable rise of an industry that was once barely understood by much of the Ugandan public.

And the battle over the future of former IRA chief executive officer Kaddunabbi will be decided on whether court agrees with his case that he deserves a contract renewal because of his strong sector performance.

Documents filed in court indicate that Kaddunabbi is asking court to stop his exit and secure another five-year term.

But the IRA board insists that his contract expired and that findings from a special Auditor General investigation justified its decision not to recommend him for reappointment.

Why Kaddunabbi wants a new term

His argument is built around what he describes as a strong record of performance during his five-year tenure.

In Kaddunabbi’s court filings, he says he consistently achieved or exceeded his key performance indicators and was regularly rated highly by the board.

Thus, he argues that these assessments gave him a legitimate expectation that he would be considered favourably for another term.

He points to significant growth in Uganda’s insurance sector during his tenure, as documents submitted in support of his application indicate that gross written premiums rose from about Shs1.18 trillion in 2021 to Shs1.76 trillion in 2024, while industry assets and capitalisation also expanded substantially.

The submissions further credit his administration with strengthening regulation, improving risk-based supervision, modernising insurance laws, operationalising the Insurance Appeals Tribunal, and promoting insurance awareness among the public.

Kaddunabbi also argues that he transformed IRA institutionally by expanding staffing levels, attracting international technical support, overseeing the construction of a permanent headquarters in Nakasero, Kampala, securing ISO certification, and strengthening partnerships with regulators and development agencies.

Therefore, according to documents filed on his behalf, these achievements demonstrate that he not only managed IRA but positioned it as a stronger and more credible regulator.

Beyond performance, Kaddunabbi claims the process leading to the board’s decision was flawed.

He contends that the board decided on February 16, 2026, not to recommend him for reappointment without first granting him a hearing, thereby violating principles of fairness and due process.

He also relies on earlier legal advice from the Attorney General, which reportedly concluded that he remained eligible for reappointment under the Insurance Act despite his previous terms in office. At the expiry of his contract, Kaddunabi had been IRA chief executive officer for about 16 years.

Why the board opposes renewal

IRA submissions before court indicate that the decision not to renew Kaddunabbi’s contract was not presented as a dismissal but rather as the outcome of a statutory reappointment process coupled with the natural expiry of his fixed-term contract.

IRA states that Kaddunabbi was appointed on a five-year fixed term running from June 1, 2021, to May 31, 2026.

Before the expiry of that term, the board resolved on February 16, 2026, not to recommend him for reappointment.

Following that decision, the Minister responsible for Finance directed the Auditor General to conduct investigations into matters concerning Kaddunabbi’s conduct and suitability for reappointment.

The submissions further indicate that Kaddunabbi participated in the investigative process and was allowed to respond to the issues raised. After receiving the Auditor General’s findings and considering his responses, the board reconsidered the matter on May 26, 2026.

IRA maintains that these processes formed part of the lawful and statutory considerations relating to his suitability for another term.

Earlier, Kaddunabbi had secured a court order against his removal, but IRA, in its submissions, contended that the interim order issued on May 29 did not have the effect of renewing, extending, or reviving his contract, nor did it create a legal entitlement to continued occupation of the office.

IRA notes that renewal of a chief executive officer’s contract is an executive function governed by a statutory appointment process and not something that can be presumed merely because a challenge to the board’s decision is pending before court.

IRA, therefore, maintains that the decision not to reappoint Kaddunabbi was based on the board’s assessment, concerns regarding his conduct and suitability that were subjected to investigation and review, and the eventual expiry of his fixed-term contract.

It argues that there was no subsisting contractual right capable of preservation after May 31 and that the office subsequently transitioned to an acting chief executive officer in accordance with the law.

Auditor General investigations

The case against Kaddunabbi is rooted largely in findings contained in a special forensic investigation conducted by the Auditor General following complaints raised by the IRA board.

The investigation examined allegations of financial and administrative impropriety and concluded that several aspects of the Kaddunabbi’s conduct raised governance concerns.

One of the most significant findings relates to salary adjustments. The Auditor General found that Kaddunabbi’s salary increased from Shs46.3m per month to more than Shs60.8m between 2021 and 2025.

The report notes that increases did not follow the Minister of Finance’s guidance requiring salary adjustments to be linked to Bank of Uganda inflation rates and subjected to board recommendation before consideration. Investigators found no evidence that the board formally approved the salary increases.

The Auditor General also questioned payments related to leave benefits, noting that Kaddunabbi received leave allowances amounting to Shs36.8m despite a lack of evidence that he had taken the leave required to qualify for those payments.

Investigators further found that he received Shs87.2m in compensation for untaken leave, a payment they considered inconsistent with both the Employment Act and the terms of his appointment because his contract had expired naturally rather than being terminated.

Another issue concerned travel and per diem payments associated with Africa Reinsurance Corporation activities, in which the Auditor General found that Kaddunabbi received full per diem for several assignments even though IRA policy entitled him to only a fraction of those payments, resulting in what investigators estimated to be a loss of Shs57.4m to IRA.

The report additionally criticised recruitment processes at IRA, in which investigators found that six extra staff members were recruited beyond the number originally advertised and concluded that, although there was general board approval to expand staffing, there was no documented approval for the specific additional positions eventually filled.

Thus, the Auditor General’s investigation became a turning point in the reappointment saga.

The Japanese government has extended a grant of $500,000 (about Shs2.2 billion) to support food security, nutrition and livelihood improvement among refugees and host communities in western Uganda.

The funding, provided under Japan’s Grant Assistance for Japanese NGO Projects scheme, was officially handed over on Monday during a contract signing ceremony between the Embassy of Japan and the humanitarian organisation, Peace Winds Japan.

The grant will finance the second year of a two-year project in Kyaka II Refugee Settlement, which hosts more than 130,000 refugees in Kyegegwa District, the majority of whom fled conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Speaking at the ceremony, Sasayama Takuya said the project aims to strengthen agricultural production, improve nutrition and enhance livelihoods among both refugees and members of the host community.

‘Uganda continues to host one of the largest refugee populations in the world, and stable access to food, income as well as adequate nutrition remains a significant challenge,’ Mr Sasayama said.

He said the project will build on gains made during its first year by expanding crop-processing facilities, strengthening links between farmer groups and agricultural cooperatives, and scaling up nutrition-awareness campaigns across a wider area.

According to the ambassador, the intervention will establish both physical and institutional structures to help communities improve agricultural productivity, increase household incomes and strengthen food security.

Mr Sasayama noted that the initiative aligns with commitments under the Tokyo International Conference on African Development framework, which seeks to promote sustainable agricultural production and community resilience across Africa.

The Country Representative of Peace Winds Japan, Inoue Keiko, welcomed the funding, saying it comes at a time when refugee communities are facing growing food insecurity due to climate change and declining humanitarian support.

‘We realised that we have to utilise and maximise the potential of the refugees, especially by enhancing their resilience,’ Dr Inoue said.

She explained that the organisation’s earlier interventions focused on equipping farmers with climate-smart agricultural skills to improve food security and nutrition, but additional investments were required to achieve sustainable outcomes.

Under the new phase, Peace Winds Japan will focus on strengthening farmer organisations and improving infrastructure that enables refugees and host communities to work together in agricultural production and marketing.

Dr Inoue said nearly 70 percent of both refugees and nationals living around the settlement depend on agriculture for their livelihoods but continue to face increasing food insecurity driven by climate shocks and reductions in international aid.

She expressed optimism that the project would strengthen community resilience and improve the livelihoods of vulnerable households in Kyaka II.

Uganda hosts more than 1.8 million refugees, making it one of the world’s largest refugee-hosting countries, with most refugees originating from the Democratic Republic of Congo, South Sudan and Sudan.

Over the last five years, the insurance sector has nearly doubled in size, crossed the Shs2 trillion premium mark, attracted stronger capital, produced new market leaders, and expanded into segments that barely existed a decade ago.

Yet despite this growth, one stubborn reality remains unchanged: insurance penetration remains among the lowest in the region – under 1 percent.

Insurance Regulatory Authority (IRA) Market Performance Reports covering the period between December 2021 and December 2025 show a market that is growing rapidly in value but still struggling to embed itself in the daily financial lives of most Ugandans.

The numbers are impressive. IRA data shows that gross written premiums have risen from approximately Shs1.19 trillion in 2021 to Shs2.02 trillion in 2025, representing cumulative growth of about 70.3 percent over the period.

The industry added more than Shs836b in new premiums in just four years.

Annual growth remained consistently strong, rising by 21.2 percent in 2022, 11.1 percent in 2023, 11.9 percent in 2024, and 13.1 percent in 2025.

The momentum has continued into 2026. The IRA’s first-quarter 2026 Market Performance Report shows industry premiums reaching Shs603.9b, up from Shs571b recorded during the same quarter in 2025, representing growth of 5.8 percent.

But behind the headline figures lies a much bigger story. The insurance market in 2026, according to quarter-one performance details, is fundamentally different from the one that existed in 2021.

Life is reshaping the market

Five years ago, the industry was overwhelmingly dominated by the general insurance industry. Motor insurance, fire insurance, and large commercial risks generated most of the industry’s revenue.

Today, life insurance has emerged as the sector’s principal growth engine and is rapidly approaching parity with non-life business.

The shift is one of the most important developments revealed by IRA reports.

In 2021, life insurance accounted for approximately Shs395.9b in premiums, equivalent to about 33.3 percent of total industry business.

By 2025, life insurance premiums had surged to Shs979.7b, representing a growth of about 147.4 percent.

During the same period, non-life premiums increased from Shs664.7b to approximately Shs1 trillion, representing a growth of about 50.9 percent.

While both sectors expanded, life insurance grew nearly three times faster. The result has been a dramatic change in market structure. Non-life business accounted for nearly 56 percent of industry premiums in 2021. By the end of 2025, its share had fallen to 49.5 percent.

Life insurance, meanwhile, increased its share from 33.3 percent to 48.3 percent over the same period.

In practical terms, Uganda is no longer simply a general insurance market. It is increasingly becoming a life insurance market.

Rise of individual life products

The latest quarterly data suggests that this transition is accelerating.

According to the IRA’s first quarter 2026 report, life insurance premiums grew by 26 percent year-on-year to Shs272.1b.

By contrast, non-life contracted by 2.9 percent to Shs319.7b.

Without the strong performance of life insurance companies, overall industry growth during the quarter would have been significantly weaker.

The rapid growth of life insurance has been driven largely by the expansion of individual life policies, savings-linked products, group credit insurance, and health-related life business.

Individual life business has become the dominant class within the life segment.

IRA data shows that individual life generated approximately Shs457.4b in premiums in 2025, accounting for 46.7 percent of all life insurance business.

Health and medical-related life products contributed Shs267.3b, equivalent to 27.3 percent of life premiums.

Group credit insurance accounted for Shs91.7b, while group life generated Shs51.1b.

The growth of these products suggests broader changes in the outlook of the economy.

New leaders emerge

The rise of bancassurance has enabled insurers to distribute products through banks and financial institutions. Increased lending has expanded demand for credit life products.

Growing household incomes among segments of the middle class have also created demand for savings and investment-linked insurance products.

These shifts have produced a new generation of market leaders. IRA reports show Jubilee Life, Prudential, and ICEA Life have emerged as dominant players in life insurance.

Together, the three companies now control roughly 70 percent of the life insurance market.

Jubilee Life alone accounted for approximately 25.9 percent of life premiums in 2025, while Prudential controlled about 24 percent and ICEA about 20.1 percent.

Their growth over the past five years has been remarkable. Jubilee Life increased premiums by more than 250 percent between 2021 and 2025.

Prudential’s premium income grew by approximately 148 percent, while ICEA more than tripled its business over the same period.

Non-life remains the backbone

The transformation has not been confined to life insurance.

Non-life business remains the largest single segment of the market and continues to generate the majority of claims activity.

Motor insurance remains the largest non-life class, accounting for approximately Shs216.4b in premiums during 2025.

Fire insurance follows closely behind at Shs199.1b, while medical insurance generated Shs162.7b.

Engineering insurance contributed approximately Shs102b, reflecting continued investment in infrastructure and construction projects.

Together, these classes continue to form the backbone of Uganda’s general insurance industry.

Pressures on profitability

However, IRA reports reveal growing pressures beneath the surface.

Unlike life insurance, which benefits from long-term savings products and relatively predictable claims patterns, non-life insurers operate in a highly competitive environment characterised by rising claims costs, increasing commissions, and significant reinsurance expenses.

Motor insurance remains particularly challenging. The class continues to experience high claims frequency, aggressive pricing competition, and persistent concerns about fraud.

Medical insurance is also facing pressure as healthcare costs continue to rise.

Fire and engineering insurance, although important sources of premium income, require substantial reinsurance protection, reducing the amount of premium retained by local insurers.

These pressures have created a situation in which premium growth does not always translate into stronger underwriting profitability.

The industry increasingly points to investment income as a critical contributor to overall financial performance, especially during periods when underwriting margins come under pressure.

The battle for market share

The competitive landscape within non-life insurance has also changed significantly over the last five years.

IRA reports show that Sanlam Allianz and Old Mutual General have emerged as the industry’s dominant general insurers.

Each controls slightly more than 20 percent of the non-life market.

Britam, ICEA General, Goldstar, Alliance, and Liberty General have also strengthened their positions, while several smaller players have struggled to keep pace with the industry’s consolidation.

The trend suggests that scale is becoming increasingly important.

Larger insurers are better positioned to absorb claims volatility, invest in technology, attract skilled personnel, and comply with increasingly demanding regulatory requirements.

Microinsurance’s quiet revolution

One of the most surprising developments identified in the IRA reports is the explosive growth of microinsurance.

In 2021, microinsurance premiums amounted to just Shs657m. By 2025, the segment had grown to approximately Shs7.3b, representing a growth of more than 1,000 percent in just five years.

The momentum has continued into 2026.

According to the quarter one 2026 report, microinsurance premiums increased by 168.4 percent compared to the same quarter in 2025.

The growth reflects insurers’ efforts to reach previously underserved populations through mobile technology, Sacco partnerships, agricultural insurance products, and embedded insurance models.

Although the segment remains small in absolute terms, it offers one of the clearest indications of where future growth may come from.

Trouble in HMO segment

The picture is less encouraging for Health Maintenance Organisations.

IRA reports show that HMO premiums fell sharply from approximately Shs69.9b in 2024 to Shs30.1b in 2025.

The decline continued into the first quarter of 2026, when premiums fell by 61.6 percent compared to the corresponding period a year earlier.

The reasons are likely to include rising healthcare costs, claims inflation, portfolio restructuring, and broader market adjustments.

Whatever the causes, the figures point to a segment undergoing significant stress.

The penetration paradox

Yet the most important question facing the industry remains unanswered.

Why does insurance penetration remain low despite such strong premium growth?

The answer lies partly in scale. Although Shs2.02 trillion in premiums represents a major achievement, it remains small relative to the economy, which is now valued at more than Shs227 trillion.

Insurance has grown, but the economy has grown too. As a result, insurance premiums still account for less than 1 percent of gross domestic product.

But the penetration challenge runs deeper than simple arithmetic.

Much of the industry’s growth has been concentrated among customers already connected to the formal economy.

Corporate medical schemes, group life policies, bank-linked insurance products, government-related business, and large commercial risks continue to account for a substantial share of premium growth.

These products generate revenue for insurers but do not necessarily expand insurance ownership among ordinary households.

The next frontier

For millions of Ugandans working in agriculture, informal trade, transport, and micro-enterprise, insurance remains largely absent from everyday financial decision-making.

Many people still encounter insurance only when purchasing a vehicle, obtaining a loan, or fulfilling a contractual requirement.

Insurance remains a compliance product rather than a lifestyle product. Trust also remains a challenge.

Consumer surveys consistently point to concerns about claims settlement, limited understanding of policy terms, and a perception that insurers are reluctant to pay claims.

Whether justified or not, these perceptions continue to affect demand.

The last five years have demonstrated that the insurance industry can grow.

The next challenge is determining whether it can broaden.

IRA data paints a picture of a sector that is larger, stronger, and more sophisticated than it was in 2021.

Life insurance is booming. New market leaders have emerged. Microinsurance is expanding rapidly. Premiums have crossed the Shs2 trillion mark.

Yet the industry’s long-term success will ultimately be measured not by how much premium it collects from existing customers, but by how effectively it reaches the millions of Ugandans who remain uninsured.

The first phase of growth was about building the industry. The next phase may be about building trust, relevance, and inclusion.

That will determine whether the insurance sector merely grows bigger or finally grows deeper.