Category: Daily Monitor

The Police in Buikwe District have arrested two people over the death of their two-year-old daughter, who was reportedly tortured.

The suspects, the father and stepmother of the deceased, were picked up after the body of Innocent Sonko was discovered at their home in Gimbo Cell on Saturday, June 13.

Police say the boy had been staying with the two for almost two weeks before her death.

Ssezibwa Regional Police spokesperson, Ms Hellen Butoto, said preliminary findings state that the suspects subjected the child to severe beating s and by pouring hot water on her, resulting in the death.

“Investigations into the matter are ongoing as the suspects remain in police custody. Preliminary findings indicate that they tortured the child and poured hot water on her, resulting in her death. We strongly condemn such actions,” Ms Butoto said.

She disclosed that the suspects will be arraigned before court once investigations are completed.

The body has been taken to Kawolo General Hospital for a postmortem examination as detectives work to establish the circumstances surrounding the child’s death.

Kiyindi Town Council Mayor Amir Kiggundu said the report has left the community in shock.

“We are wondering how such abuse could happen in a community without anyone reporting it to local leaders. Neighbours are the first line of protection for children and should always speak up whenever they suspect a child is being mistreated,” Mr Kiggundu said.

According to Mr Kiggundu, the child’s biological mother had left him in the care of her husband’s co-wife while she went to work.

He urged parents to regularly check on the welfare of their children regardless of who is looking after them.

The mayor also called on fathers to take a more active role in ensuring the safety and well-being of their children and to closely monitor the environment in which they are raised.

“This tragic incident should serve as a wake-up call to parents, guardians and the entire community that protecting children is a collective responsibility,” he added.

Ms Halima Nagujja, a resident of Gimbo Cell, condemned the alleged abuse, describing it as inhumane and heartbreaking.

“It is painful to imagine that someone could harm an innocent child who had done nothing wrong. Parents should always keep a close watch on their children, regardless of the circumstances,” she said.

African Chief Justices have renewed calls for the expansion of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanisms across the continent, arguing that traditional court systems alone can no longer cope with rising litigation and growing case backlogs.

The call was made on Monday during a briefing following the successful transition of leadership of the African Council of Judicial Alternative Dispute Resolution Fora (ACJADRF) from Uganda to Zambia.

The event brought together Chief Justice Flavian Zeija, Chief Justice Emeritus Alfonse Owiny-Dollo, Zambia’s Chief Justice Dr Mumba Malila and Deputy Chief Justice Moses Kawumi Kazibwe.

Speaking shortly after assuming the chairmanship of the continental forum, Justice Malila said African judiciaries must embrace ADR as a critical tool for improving access to justice and reducing delays in the courts.

“Our systems of justice are characterised by delays in the disposal of cases,” Justice Malila said.

He attributed the growing pressure on courts to population growth and increasing disputes, noting that judicial institutions have not expanded at the same pace.

“The levels of litigation have increased due to population growth and dispute levels have increased. The judiciaries have not expanded. Although more judges have been appointed as a way of unclogging the courts, we have to integrate Alternative Dispute Resolution,” he said.

According to the Zambian Chief Justice, ADR offers a more satisfactory outcome for litigants because it focuses on resolving disputes rather than merely determining winners and losers.

“In a formal dispute settlement, the courts will determine but not necessarily resolve a dispute. The role of the courts is to consider who is right and who is wrong, but ADR targets the satisfaction of parties. That is how relationships are preserved,” he explained.

Justice Malila said many African constitutions already encourage the use of ADR and that the forum’s work aligns with that constitutional obligation.

“The purpose is not to pass a vote of no confidence in the courts. Rather, it is to enhance the capacity of our justice systems through ADR,” he added.

Outgoing ACJADRF chairperson and former Chief Justice Alfonse Owiny-Dollo described ADR as an African practice that predates modern court systems.

“ADR is a mechanism and a practice that has always been with us in Africa. The concept is to panel-beat the informal justice system and make it more effective. It has brought relative peace to our communities,” he said.

Justice Owiny-Dollo cited a land dispute that had remained in court for 21 years without a hearing.

“It had taken 21 years and the hearing was not about to begin. I engaged the lawyers and mediated the matter. Within a few months, it was resolved,” he said.

He dismissed concerns among some lawyers that ADR threatens legal practice.

“We have tried to explain to lawyers that ADR is not anti-legal. It actually enhances legal practice because when matters leave the system, lawyers get time to focus on other cases,” he said.

Chief Justice Zeija pledged Uganda’s continued support for the forum and confirmed that Uganda will retain the ACJADRF secretariat.

“I pledge that we shall continue supporting the forum and expand the space occupied by the secretariat in the near future,” Justice Zeija said.

Justice Malila also acknowledged resistance from some members of the legal profession but said public sensitisation and engagement with lawyers would be key to expanding ADR across Africa.

“We have no choice but to make this forum succeed,” he said.

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.