Category: Daily Monitor

A high-profile dialogue to commemorate the United Nations International Day in Support of Victims of Torture descended into chaos on Friday, June 26, after officials from the Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC) clashed with opposition politicians and human rights activists over the handling of torture discussions.

The drama, which saw several participants storm out of the meeting prematurely, erupted during the national commemoration event held in Kampala. The spark was ignited when the UHRC sought to prevent participants from naming individual victims or discussing specific, high-profile cases of ongoing torture in the country.

The confrontation began during the tail-end of the public dialogue when Mr. Harold Kaija, the deputy Secretary General of the People’s Front for Freedom (PFF), accused the panel discussants of “speaking with an almost closed mouth” and deliberately evading the country’s most pressing human rights realities.

Mr. Kaija argued that it was hypocritical for the Commission to gather and speak in platitudes while members of his party, including political activist Sam Mugumya and PFF President Erias Lukwago, continue to endure severe state-vetted brutality.

“Sam Mugumya, who previously spent eight years in a Congolese prison, was abducted in Mbarara in August last year, and to date, we don’t have any trace of where he is. We have received reports that he can’t even walk,” Mr. Kaija charged. “As I speak, our party president, Erias Lukwago, is at Mulago Hospital-not by choice, but following that gruesome abduction which you all witnessed. Yet, all of you here are talking in tongues.”

Before Mr. Kaija could conclude his remarks, the session moderator, Ms. Pauline Nansamba-who serves as the UHRC Director for Complaints, Investigations, and Legal Services-interrupted and blocked him from continuing.

“As UHRC, we are handling those cases on a separate basis, so here we advise that you don’t start naming individual cases,” Ms. Nansamba cautioned.

The intervention further infuriated Mr. Kaija, who questioned the purpose of the dialogue if stakeholders were being gagged from addressing real-time events. Retorting that those currently enabling the torture of the opposition would one day find themselves victims of the same system, Mr. Kaija handed over the microphone and stormed out of the hall.

Ms. Winfred Mugambwa, an activist with Ecofeminist, took the floor next, echoing Mr. Kaija’s frustrations. She accused the Commission of actively suppressing an honest conversation on structural torture.

Defending the Commission’s stance, Ms. Nansamba implored participants to stick to the day’s official theme: “Taking stock of the successes and challenges met in the protection and promotion of the freedom from torture, cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment or punishment.”

The dialogue featured representatives from the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF), Uganda Prisons Service (UPS), academia, and torture survivors, who were invited to evaluate Uganda’s progress in eradicating the vice.

Maj. Gerald Bamwitirebye, the Head of Human Rights for the UPDF, defended the army’s track record, stating that institutional mechanisms have been established to handle excesses.

“We have a complaints desk, a psychosocial department, a human rights department, and compensation arrangements established at the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs/UPDF National Referral Hospital. Human rights adherence is also fully integrated into our training schools,” Maj. Bamwitirebye said.

Assistant Commissioner of Prisons (ACP) Natukunda Aliyo highlighted the strain on the correctional system, noting that the Uganda Prisons Service currently houses 82,785 prisoners-comprising 46.1 percent remands and 56 percent convicts-managed by 23,334 warders.

“We are governed by Article 221 and Cap 325 of the Prisons Act, which mandates us to respect the people we keep and align with international human rights standards. We also actively partner with external organisations to ensure compliance,” ACP Aliyo said.

In a speech delivered by Commission member Mr. Omara Apitta Lamex, UHRC Chairperson Ms. Mariam Wangadya urged citizens to reject all forms of dehumanising acts.

“Article 24 explicitly states that no person shall be subjected to any form of torture, cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment, and Article 44 classifies the right to freedom from torture as a non-derogable right,” she stated.

UHRC Registrar, Ms. Phiona Birungi Kemigisha, added that the Commission remains committed to promptly investigating complaints and delivering timely verdicts for victims.

The fractious dialogue coincided with a nationwide court boycott orchestrated by lawyers under the Uganda Law Society (ULS).

Advocates across the country downed their tools on Friday, accusing the judiciary of failing to protect legal practitioners who have increasingly become targets of state intimidation, torture, and human rights abuses while executing their professional duties.

“We have joined members of the Uganda Law Society to strike against the way advocates are being treated while carrying out their work,” said advocate Kato Tumusiime. “This is not just about lawyers representing victims of torture and human rights violations; it is about every advocate because we have all become targets.”

The UN International Day in Support of Victims of Torture was established by the UN General Assembly in 1997 and is observed globally every June 26.

While Uganda enacted the progressive Prevention and Prohibition of Torture Act in 2012 to strengthen its legal frameworks, civil society organizations and human rights defenders maintain that a lack of political will and poor implementation have allowed cases of enforced disappearances and state-sanctioned torture to escalate.

The Buganda Road Chief Magistrate’s Court has dismissed two applications by controversial lawyer and activist Male Mabirizi seeking the recusal of the trial magistrate from his criminal case, branding his allegations of bias as “speculative and self-created.”

Chief Magistrate Ritah Kidasa Neumbe ruled on Friday that the grounds advanced by Mr. Mabirizi lacked evidence and were insufficient to establish judicial bias.

Mr. Mabirizi is currently facing four counts under the Computer Misuse Act over alleged offensive social media posts targeting Chief Justice Alfonse Owiny-Dollo (then Principal Judge Flavian Zeija) and Court of Appeal Justice Musa Ssekaana. He denies the charges.

“The grounds advanced by the applicant are speculative, self-created, and unsupported by evidence,” Ms. Neumbe ruled while dismissing the second recusal application. “To allow recusal on such grounds would set a dangerous precedent where litigants could disqualify judicial officers at will.”

The magistrate similarly threw out a third recusal application in which Mr. Mabirizi alleged that she was a conflicted party. The activist argued that the magistrate is a witness in ongoing proceedings before the East African Court of Justice (EACJ), had acted under instructions from the complainant, and had failed to handle the case fairly.

“The grounds advanced are speculative, unsubstantiated, and fail to meet the objective test of bias,” Ms. Neumbe held, adding that judicial independence must be protected from repeated applications intended to derail court proceedings.

Moments after the dual rulings were delivered, Mr. Mabirizi expressed his dissatisfaction, arguing that a judicial officer facing legal proceedings instituted by an accused person cannot claim to be impartial.

“I am not satisfied with your conclusions because I have not yet read the ruling,” Mr. Mabirizi told the court. “A judicial officer who is a witness in a case pending before the East African Court of Justice, has sworn an affidavit, and is liable to cross-examination cannot purport to be independent.”

Following the setback, Mr. Mabirizi renewed his application for mandatory bail, arguing that he has spent more than 60 days on remand without trial, which violates constitutional safeguards.

“The Constitution put a restriction on pre-trial remand. I pray you release me on mandatory bail and they will contact you when they are ready,” he submitted, adding that he had filed written submissions on May 15 and June 10, 2026, to which the prosecution had failed to respond.

He contended that under the law, mandatory bail proceedings should not be subjected to prolonged adversarial hearings.

“When I appeared before you, I applied for bail and the State said I would interfere with investigations, yet the Constitution says you cannot investigate beyond 60 days, and if that happens, release the accused,” Mr. Mabirizi argued.

State Attorney Allan Mucunguzi, who was holding brief for the lead prosecutor Joan Keko, requested an adjournment, stating that he was only instructed to receive the recusal ruling and was not fully acquainted with the case details.

“My instructions today were to receive a ruling for recusal. I am not in personal conduct of this case… I pray for an adjournment until my colleagues return and respond to this application,” Mr. Mucunguzi submitted.

Mr. Mabirizi vehemently opposed the request, citing court practice directions.

“The adjournment practice directions provide that counsel holding brief must appear with full authority to proceed. This is the fourth time this mandatory bail application has been brought to the State’s attention,” he countered.

In her final ruling of the day, Chief Magistrate Neumbe agreed with the prosecution, noting that the principles of natural justice required the State to be given a fair chance to reply.

“The wording of Section 76 of the Magistrates Courts Act does not bar this court from adjourning the case. This matter involves two parties and the rules of natural justice demand that the other party is accorded a chance to respond to the application,” Ms. Neumbe ruled.

The case was subsequently adjourned to July 10, 2026, for the State’s response to the mandatory bail application.

“I pray that it is the last adjournment,” Mr. Mabirizi remarked as he was led back to the court cells.

Male Mabirizi is a well-known legal activist in Uganda famous for filing private criminal prosecutions and constitutional petitions against high-profile government and judicial officials. This specific case stems from a long-running feud between Mabirizi and elements of the judiciary, which previously saw him serve an 18-month prison sentence for contempt of court passed by Justice Musa Ssekaana in 2022. The current charges involve alleged cyber harassment and offensive communication targeting top judicial officers via his social media handles.

An 18-year-old woman in Pallisa is under arrest as police probe the disappearance of her infant son.

The suspect, Mercy Kokoi of Okuderia Cell, Pallisa Town Council, is being held at Pallisa Police Station under CRB 277/2026 over suspected infanticide.

According to Bukedi North Police spokesperson ASP Wilfred Kyempasa, Kokoi became pregnant in October 2025 but never named the baby’s father to her family. She gave birth to a boy on May 17, 2026, and lived with her mother, Josephine Ariao.

The case emerged on June 19. Ariao told police she left Kokoi with the baby in the morning and returned around 9 pm to find her daughter alone.

“Upon returning at around 9 pm, she allegedly found Kokoi at home without the child. When asked about the whereabouts of the baby, the suspect told her mother that she had handed the child over to his father,” ASP Kyempasa said.

Family members were suspicious because no one knew the father. Ariao reported the matter to police.

Initially, Kokoi stuck to that story. ‘During initial questioning, the suspect maintained that she had given the baby to the father and could not trace where he had taken the child,’ police said.

But on June 22, her account changed.

According to Mr. Kyempasa, ‘the suspect allegedly told investigators that she did not report the death or raise an alarm, but instead carried the infant’s body and dumped it in a latrine at Agule Central Primary School’ after finding the baby dead at home on June 19.

Scene of Crime officers visited the latrine and documented the site. Police have recorded statements from Ariao and other witnesses and have launched a search to recover the baby’s body.

“The search for the suspected missing body is ongoing, and inquiries into the circumstances surrounding the child’s disappearance and death are still underway,” Kyempasa said.

Walk into almost any casino today and one thing stands out immediately. Rows of colorful slot machines light up the gaming floor with animated displays, exciting sound effects, and enormous jackpots waiting to be won. What many people do not realize is that this global phenomenon began with a remarkably simple machine that could fit inside a small corner of a bar more than a century ago.

The first commercially successful slot machine appeared in the late nineteenth century when American mechanic Charles Fey introduced the Liberty Bell. Unlike earlier gambling devices, it featured three spinning reels and an automatic payout system that rewarded matching symbols. The highest prize came from aligning three Liberty Bell symbols, giving the machine the name that would become part of gaming history.

Its success inspired countless imitations. As slot machines spread across the United States, manufacturers experimented with new symbols, improved mechanisms, and more entertaining designs. During periods when gambling laws became stricter, some machines awarded fruit flavored chewing gum instead of cash prizes. This unusual workaround introduced cherries, lemons, oranges, and watermelons that still appear in many slot games today, long after the gum disappeared.

For decades, players pulled a physical lever to spin the reels. That familiar motion became so iconic that slot machines earned the nickname “one armed bandits.” The name reflected both the single lever on the side of the cabinet and the playful suggestion that the machine had a habit of taking players’ money. Despite the nickname, their popularity continued to grow because they offered simple entertainment that anyone could understand within seconds.

Everything changed during the 1960s with the arrival of electromechanical slot machines. Electricity replaced many moving parts, making games more reliable while allowing larger payouts and new features. Soon after, video technology revolutionized the industry again. Physical reels gave way to digital screens, opening the door to animated themes, multiple paylines, interactive bonus rounds, and creative game mechanics that would have been impossible with traditional machines.

The internet created the next major breakthrough. Instead of traveling to a casino, players could now enjoy their favorite games from home. Developers quickly realized they were no longer limited by the size of a physical cabinet. They introduced adventures inspired by ancient civilizations, mythology, space exploration, fantasy worlds, and blockbuster style storytelling. The result was a new generation of slots online that combined casino gaming with the visual quality of modern video games.

Mobile technology accelerated this transformation even further. Today, thousands of slot titles are available on smartphones and tablets, allowing players to enjoy the same experience almost anywhere with an internet connection. Advanced graphics, smooth animations, and realistic sound design ensure that modern mobile games rival many desktop experiences.

Perhaps the biggest change has been the creativity of game developers. Modern slots rarely rely on spinning reels alone. Features such as expanding wilds, cascading symbols, free spins, bonus adventures, and progressive jackpots give every title its own personality. Some games tell complete stories while others reward players with interactive challenges that go far beyond traditional gameplay.

Even with all these innovations, the heart of the slot machine has never changed. The excitement still comes from pressing a button or spinning the reels and waiting to see what happens next. That simple moment of anticipation has entertained generations of players and continues to define the experience today.

As technology continues to evolve through artificial intelligence, virtual reality, and increasingly immersive graphics, casino slots are likely to become even more engaging. Yet every modern game can trace its origins back to a modest mechanical machine created more than one hundred years ago. Few inventions have adapted so successfully across changing generations while preserving the same sense of excitement that made the original Liberty Bell famous.

Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) have been urged to embrace ethical business practices and sound corporate governance if they are to survive, grow and contribute meaningfully to Uganda’s economy.

Speaking in Kampala yesterday at the launch of the 18th edition of the KPMG-Nation Media Group Uganda Top 100 Mid-Sized Companies Survey, Mr Peter Kyambadde, the head of tax and regulatory services at KPMG Uganda, said SMEs remain a critical pillar of Uganda’s economy through job creation and wealth generation.

‘SMEs are at the centre of economic transformation. They drive inclusive growth and create employment opportunities for millions of Ugandans,’ he said.

Mr Kyambadde said businesses that operate with integrity, transparency and accountability are better positioned to attract customers, secure financing and withstand economic shocks.

According to business experts, ethical conduct helps enterprises avoid legal disputes, strengthen their reputation and build lasting relationships with customers and stakeholders.

However, despite their importance to the economy, many SMEs continue to struggle to stay afloat. Ms Oliver Mugaga, the head of SMEs at Equity Bank Uganda, said a significant number of businesses fail within their first few years due to financial and operational challenges.

‘Available evidence shows that approximately 66 percent of Ugandan businesses collapse before celebrating their first anniversary, while nearly 92 percent fail within the first three years,’ Ms Mugaga said.

She attributed the high failure rate to a combination of factors, including expensive borrowing, inadequate financial planning, limited access to affordable credit and weak business management systems.

Ms Mugaga said financial institutions have developed interventions aimed at supporting SMEs, including recovery funds and affordable financing options designed to help businesses weather difficult economic conditions.

Ms Mugaga encouraged entrepreneurs to seek professional advice, improve bookkeeping practices and take advantage of available financing opportunities to strengthen their enterprises.

The Managing Director of Nation Media Group-Uganda, Ms Susan Nsibirwa, said the Top 100 Mid-Sized Companies initiative has over the past 18 years provided a platform for recognising and supporting businesses that demonstrate resilience and growth potential.

She noted that many successful companies started as small enterprises before growing into major players in their respective sectors.

‘For 18 years, this platform has celebrated businesses that began modestly and went on to become industry leaders,’ Ms Nsibirwa said.

She added that supporting SMEs is critical because they account for the majority of businesses in Uganda and play a vital role in employment creation.

‘When we support SMEs, we support the economy. They make up the bulk of businesses in the country and provide livelihoods to millions,’ she said.

A nationwide campaign to improve the lives of vulnerable elderly people has been launched, with organisers calling on Ugandans to rally behind a run aimed at restoring dignity, care and hope to older persons living in difficult conditions.

The initiative, dubbed Run Miles of Love for Our Elders, will take place on August 1, 2026, at Kabale Municipal Stadium. Organised by Save and Heal Uganda, the event seeks to raise funds for elderly people struggling with poverty, chronic illnesses, inadequate housing and social isolation.

Launching the campaign in Kampala on Friday, Save and Heal Uganda Executive Director Shallon Ahakundire said that many senior citizens, particularly in rural areas, continue to endure hardship despite having spent their lives raising families and contributing to national development.

‘Our elderly people deserve to live with dignity, care and hope. This run gives Ugandans an opportunity to give back to those who sacrificed so much for our communities and families,’ Ms Ahakundire said.

She noted that while development programmes often focus on children and youth, many older persons remain overlooked and face challenges such as poor access to healthcare, loneliness, abandonment and extreme poverty.

According to Ms Ahakundire, proceeds from the run will help provide medical treatment for elderly people battling chronic diseases and support the renovation of unsafe housing.

The campaign has attracted backing from several corporate partners, including MTN Uganda through MTN MoMo.

Speaking at the launch, MTN MoMo Central Regional Business Manager Samuel Osapa said older persons play a critical role in preserving knowledge and cultural values.

‘Taking care of the elderly is important because they are a reservoir of knowledge and wisdom that must be passed on to future generations,’ Mr Osapa said.

He added that MTN Uganda had joined the initiative as both a sponsor and payment partner to facilitate contributions and ensure transparency in the fundraising process.

The President of the Uganda Cycling Association, Sam Muwonge, described the campaign as a timely intervention for a segment of society that is often forgotten.

‘When we support elderly people, we remind them that they still matter and deserve attention, respect and care. Such initiatives help restore dignity and hope,’ Mr Muwonge said.

Approaching 80 years of age himself, Mr Muwonge encouraged older persons to remain physically active, noting that cycling had helped him maintain good health over the years.

The campaign has also received support from Graceous Tours and Travel. Its Managing Director, Grace Baite, pledged both financial and transport support towards the event.

Organisers expect more than 10,000 participants and have appealed to companies, development partners, religious institutions and members of the public to support the cause through sponsorships, donations and active participation.

Beyond fundraising, the run aims to spark a national conversation on the growing challenges facing Uganda’s ageing population and encourage communities to take greater responsibility for the welfare of older persons.

On January 9, a baby girl arrived much earlier than expected. Born at just 26 weeks of pregnancy at Moroto Regional Referral Hospital, she weighed only 700 grammes. Her condition was critical, requiring immediate resuscitation moments after birth before being transferred to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).

Her mother was filled with fear. ‘From the moment Serendipity was born, I thought she would not survive,’ she recalls.

Ninety-five days later, the baby left the hospital weighing 1.6 kilogrammes, breathing on her own and feeding well. Today, she is thriving at home.

Her survival was made possible by Dr Tom Ediamu, a neonatologist at Moroto Regional Referral Hospital and a graduate of the Seed Global Health Neonatology Fellowship programme. For him, this case represents more than just a clinical success; it highlights the possibilities that specialised newborn care can bring to Uganda’s most underserved regions.

However, it also underscores a persistent national challenge; the shortage of specialists trained to care for critically ill newborns.

Uganda’s newborn crisis

Uganda continues to face high neonatal mortality, despite progress in maternal and child health. According to the Uganda Demographic and Health Survey 2022, the country records 22 neonatal deaths per 1,000 live births, meaning about one in every 45 babies dies before reaching one month of age.

Recent estimates suggest approximately 32,000 newborn deaths occur annually. Many are linked to prematurity, birth asphyxia, infections and complications of low birth weight, conditions that are often preventable or treatable with timely specialist care.

However, access to such care remains limited, particularly outside urban centres. Neonatologists are few, and many district and regional hospitals operate without specialised newborn expertise.

For families in remote regions such as Karamoja, survival often depends on distance, timing and the availability of trained personnel, factors that frequently work against them.

A life built in medicine

Dr Ediamu has spent 30 years in medical practice. Before his current posting in Moroto, he served for 28 years at Hoima Regional Referral Hospital, where he gained extensive experience in paediatrics and newborn care.

His transfer to Moroto two years ago placed him in one of Uganda’s most resource-constrained settings, where referral delays, limited infrastructure and high-risk pregnancies are common.

His decision to pursue neonatology came from a desire to strengthen his ability to save critically ill newborns and mentor younger colleagues.

‘I was motivated to acquire additional knowledge and skills to better manage critically ill newborns requiring advanced life support, mentor junior colleagues, and contribute to improving newborn care systems,’ he says.

The fellowship training equipped him with advanced competencies rarely available in regional hospitals, including neonatal ventilation, intubation, surfactant administration and central line insertion.

‘These skills significantly improved survival among extremely premature and critically ill newborns,’ he explains.

Life on the frontline in Moroto

Working in Karamoja has exposed Dr Ediamu to the harsh realities shaping newborn survival in Uganda.

Many mothers travel long distances on foot, motorcycle or overcrowded transport to reach hospital. Some arrive late due to poverty, geographic isolation or lack of nearby health facilities.

By the time they reach care, newborns are often critically ill, having missed early stabilisation.

‘It is not uncommon to receive a newborn who has travelled for hours without adequate warmth or medical support,’ he says.

Inside the NICU, the burden of disease is heavy. Prematurity, neonatal sepsis, birth asphyxia and low birth weight dominate admissions. Many cases are complicated by limited antenatal care or home deliveries.

The unit operates under constant pressure, balancing limited resources against high demand for specialised interventions.

Saving a 700-gramme baby

Serendipity’s case illustrates both the fragility and resilience seen in the unit.

Born following a referral from Kotido General Hospital due to pre-term labour linked to a urinary tract infection, she arrived with severe respiratory distress, feeding difficulties and inability to regulate body temperature. Her condition worsened, and at one point her weight dropped from 700 grammes to 580 grammes.

‘She was critically ill and required continuous support,’ Dr Ediamu recalls.

The medical team provided respiratory support using bubble Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP), antibiotics, blood transfusions, and carefully managed nutrition using expressed breast milk and fortified feeds.

Kangaroo Mother Care was introduced early, promoting skin-to-skin contact to stabilise temperature and improve bonding. Gradually, the baby improved, gaining weight, tolerating feeds and weaning off respiratory support.

After 95 days in the NICU, she was discharged. ‘Seeing a premature baby who once struggled to breathe leave hospital with a healthy mother is a powerful reminder of why we do this work,’ Dr Ediamu says.

Systemic gaps in newborn care

Despite such successes, Dr Ediamu says Uganda’s newborn care system faces major structural challenges. There is a critical shortage of neonatologists, paediatricians and neonatal nurses, resulting in overwhelming workloads and burnout among existing staff.

Many facilities lack essential equipment such as incubators, CPAP machines, phototherapy units and reliable oxygen supply. Weak referral systems further delay access to emergency care.

Infrastructure limitations, including inconsistent electricity and medicine shortages, also affect service delivery.

Beyond the health system, social and economic factors play a major role. Poverty, limited maternal education and low awareness of newborn danger signs often delay care-seeking. In some communities, traditional beliefs continue to influence health decisions.

‘Harmful practices and delayed care-seeking contribute significantly to poor outcomes,’ he notes.

Building expertise at home

Until recently, doctors seeking advanced neonatal training had to study abroad, limiting the growth of local expertise.

The establishment of the Neonatology Fellowship programme at Makerere University in 2019 marked a turning point in strengthening Uganda’s capacity.

The programme was designed to train specialists in the care of premature and critically ill newborns within the local health system. Today, Uganda has only about 10 locally trained neonatologists serving a population of more than 45 million people and more than one million annual births.

While the number remains small, the programme is gradually decentralising expertise from Kampala to regional hospitals.

For doctors such as Dr Ediamu, this shift means being able to deliver advanced care where it is most needed.

A career defined by impact

After three decades in medicine, Dr Ediamu continues to measure success in small but powerful outcomes: newborns who survive against the odds, families reunited, and lives given a chance to begin.

His work demonstrates how specialised skills, when combined with determination and system strengthening, can transform outcomes even in resource-limited settings. For him, neonatal care is not only a medical specialty but a commitment to protecting the most vulnerable lives at their earliest and most fragile stage.

Lessons from Karamoja

Living and working in Karamoja has reshaped Dr Ediamu’s understanding of healthcare delivery.

He describes resilient communities despite drought, food insecurity and economic hardship.

Malnutrition among mothers and infants remains common, while transport barriers often delay emergency referrals.

Cultural beliefs and limited awareness of medical danger signs also influence when families seek care.

These realities have reinforced his belief that newborn survival depends on more than hospital-based interventions.

‘Healthcare extends beyond medicine. Survival is shaped by nutrition, transport systems, education and community awareness,’ he says.

The experience has also deepened his appreciation for teamwork, adaptability and community engagement in clinical care.

A high-ranking Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) officer at the rank of Brigadier General is under investigation following allegations that he flogged and caned two police officers at Bulucheke Police Station in Bududa District. The General reportedly accused the officers of delaying a criminal case involving his relatives.

According to a police case file (CRB 111/2026), the incident occurred on Tuesday, June 23, 2026, at around 7:40 PM. The army general faces three counts, including assault of police officers on duty, threatening violence, and theft.

A police source revealed that the General, accompanied by his bodyguards, arrived at the station and ordered his guards to summon Detective Corporal David Olar.

‘The suspect stood outside holding a long stick. When the officer approached him and paid compliments, the General grabbed him by his collar, threw him to the ground, and cocked his pistol,’ the source recalled. ‘He furiously demanded to know why his relatives are never handled well whenever they report cases to that station.’

The furious military officer then allegedly ordered D/CPL Olar to lie on the ground before flogging him.

Seeing the assault unfold, Detective Constable Rebecca Nakami, a crime intelligence officer, used her mobile phone to record the incident. However, this drew the wrath of the General and his security detail.

‘DC Nakami got concerned and started video recording the incident. Instead, the General grabbed her phone, slapped her severely, and ordered her to delete whatever she had recorded. He then confiscated her phone,’ a source privy to the investigation stated.

The dramatic incident was witnessed by several civilians who had gone to the station to follow up on their own legal matters. D/CPL Olar sustained knee injuries during the assault and was later treated at a medical facility, where a medical report was filed as evidence. DC Nakami is yet to recover her phone.

The Elgon Regional Police Spokesperson, Superintendent of Police (SSP) Rogers Taitika, confirmed the incident on Thursday, June 25, 2026, noting that joint investigations are underway.

‘It is true. We are investigating the matter,’ SP Taitika said, adding that both the police and the UPDF are jointly handling the inquiry. Sources indicate that the General is yet to be formally summoned to record a statement.

Insiders reveal that the General’s actions stem from a minor traffic accident involving his relative a few weeks ago. The relative had reportedly visited the station multiple times without the investigations being concluded, leading the military officer to take matters into his own hands.

‘The General has a history of attacking police officers, yet no action has ever been taken against him, likely because he is feared,’ an inside source claimed.

This incident highlights a worrying and recurring trend of military personnel raiding police stations and assaulting law enforcement officers in Uganda.

In June 2025, heavily armed soldiers attached to the Presidential Task Force on Land Matters and the Environment raided Wakiso Police Division. Traveling in four Toyota Hiace vans (commonly known as ‘drones’), the soldiers besieged the District Police Commander (DPC) and her personal assistant, firing several bullets after accusing the police of failing to cooperate in a land dispute.

A month prior, in May 2025, soldiers raided Lubowa Police Station, beating up police officers-including the Officer-in-Charge-and civilians. The soldiers robbed victims of money, phones, and government stores after the police declined to detain eight individuals brought in by the military.

Despite police opening serious charges, including attempted murder and aggravated robbery, against the soldiers in the previous incidents, none of those cases have been concluded.

South Africa celebrated a first World Cup knockout berth with jubilant scenes on Wednesday after Thapelo Maseko’s second-half strike secured a 1-0 victory over South Korea, who still have a chance of advancing as one of the best third-placed teams.

Maseko fired into the bottom corner in the 63rd minute to put South Africa, who will face co-hosts Canada in Los Angeles on June 28, on four points behind Group A winners Mexico, who beat the Czech Republic 3-0.

South Korea, who started with talisman Son Heung-min on the bench, have three points.

South Africa had failed to advance from the group stage in their first three World Cup appearances in 1998, 2002 and 2010.

“It was a fantastic experience. It was so tough today, but it was a good game. I think tactically we were very good and it was difficult for South Korea to find space,” South Africa coach Hugo Broos said.

“We scored, then there were 20 minutes of heart-stopping moments. It’s historical, and I’m very happy for the guys. I’ve been working with them for five years.”

South Korea, who enjoyed most of the possession but lacked a cutting edge and inspiration, made the brighter start when Kim Min-jae’s header was cleared off the line by Aubrey Modiba after two minutes, before Lee Kang-in fired over from inside the penalty area shortly afterwards.

South Africa gradually grew into the contest and nearly struck in the 19th minute when Maseko raced onto a through ball, only for Lee Gi-hyuk to produce a superb last-ditch tackle.

Goalkeeper Kim Seung-gyu then made an excellent double save, first denying Thalente Mbatha before smothering Evidence Makgopa’s follow-up effort.

After soaking up the early pressure against a South Korea side that struggled to create clear openings, even with captain Son coming on at halftime, South Africa deservedly found the breakthrough.

Moremi slipped a precise pass into Maseko, who shifted the ball onto his left foot before drilling a low finish into the bottom right-hand corner to send his side into the last 32.

Former Ethics Minister and human rights activist Miriam Matembe yesterday narrowly survived what her family believes could have been a planned arrest or abduction after security operatives reportedly stormed her Luzira home and searched parts of her residence.

According to her husband, Mr Nkemia Matembe, who looked terrified, a group of security personnel arrived at their home on Wednesday morning while Ms Matembe was away.

He said two women clad in civilian clothes entered the house while two armed men in military uniform and another heavily built man in plain clothes remained outside.

‘I was seated having tea, when I saw two plain-clothed women enter the compound. They walked past me through the corridor and headed toward the bedroom area,’ Mr Matembe said.

He added that the women did not respond when he inquired about what they wanted.

‘On looking outside, I saw two soldiers in uniform wearing masks. There was also a tall, heavily built man in civilian clothes standing on the balcony. While the men said they did not want anything, the women remained near the bedrooms,’ he said.

Shortly after learning about the incident, the Monitor contacted Ms Matembe, who confirmed that she was not home when the operatives arrived.

‘I was called and told to watch my steps because of this incident. My life is in danger, and I don’t know what to do at this time,’ she said.

The incident comes amid growing concern over the detention of Opposition politicians and government critics. Asked whether the women knocked before entering the house, Mr Matembe said they did not.

‘The doors were open. One entered through the kitchen side and another came through the main entrance and walked down the corridor. One of them entered the master bedroom. I followed her with my eyes and again asked what she wanted, but she did not answer. She went into the bedroom, looked around and inspected the area near the bed. I did not enter the room with her. After some time, she came out,’ he said.

Mr Matembe said the women later joined the man outside and walked around the house through the kitchen area before returning to their vehicle and leaving.

By press time, Ms Matembe’s whereabouts had not been publicly disclosed. However, highly placed sources told Monitor that security operatives were still searching for her.

‘She is currently in hiding and the military is moving from one place to another searching for her. We don’t know if they will find her or not, but she is a wanted person,’ a source said.

Repeated calls to Col Chris Magezi, the Acting Director of Defence Public Information, went unanswered. Text messages sent to his known telephone number had not been responded to by press time.

Mr Matembe described the incident as traumatic as the manner in which the operatives entered the compound raised concerns.

Possible cause of raid

The reported search of Ms Matembe’s home also comes days after she publicly criticised the manner in which former Kampala mayor Mr Eriasa Lukwago was picked from his home and detained, urging authorities to treat Ugandans with dignity.

Mr Lukwago, the lawyer representing Opposition leader Dr Kizza Besigye, and his aide Obeid Lutale Kamulegeya, was held for two days before being transferred to Kira Division Police Station and later produced in court, where he was remanded.