Category: Daily Monitor

After his unveiling as Uganda’s candidate for Secretary-General of the United Nations, veteran diplomat Olara Otunnu gave a glimpse of what he intends to do if elected to the world body’s top diplomatic position.

The 75-year-old Ugandan, who was on Wednesday unveiled by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr Vincent Bagiire, at the ministry’s headquarters in Kampala, said his agenda would broadly focus on 10 key issues, including ending conflicts, reforming the Security Council, and governing Artificial Intelligence (AI).

‘There are 10 of them, but let me highlight just a few. First, I say that the Secretary-General of the United Nations, by design, does not wield conventional power. That comes from military strength, a big base of resources, maybe popular support from the population,’ he said.

Adding: ‘The Secretary-General does not have that, but he has something else, which is moral authority. His or her moral authority flows directly from the principles of the UN Charter and the support of member states of the United Nations and the people of the world.’

According to Otunnu, the Secretary-General employs moral authority judiciously and carefully to lead the United Nations, but it has reportedly been eroded, prompting his proposal to do ‘several things’ to revive the role of the Secretary-General.

‘There is a debate about making the Security Council more representative of the world, and that is ongoing; we hope it comes to a successful conclusion soon. There is discussion about the UN bureaucracy, the functional organisation of the UN, and inefficiencies within the organisation that need to be addressed, and so on.’

‘I would thirdly say that all the roles of the UN are important, but perhaps the central mandate is ending conflicts and building peace. In short, we say the peace and security role or agenda of the UN. That is the central, most important role of the UN because the UN was born in the aftermath of the most devastating war the world has ever seen.

Otunnu said the world is in the middle of the information economy, while another transformation is emerging through the growing role and impact of AI, which he described as ‘an incredible blessing to the world’ if harnessed properly, but warned that it could become ‘a curse’ and begin to ‘dominate, rule and control us instead of the reverse.’

He said the UN is the only body that brings the entire world together, while AI affects the entire globe.

Consequently, his agenda is to immediately convene discussions bringing together the private sector, member states, scientists, and AI developers to establish a regime that will govern the development and deployment of AI.

Turning to the environment, Otunnu said there is no part of the world that is not feeling the effects of climate change.

‘The issue of addressing climate change should be nothing but a win-win solution that benefits the whole world. That is what we should work towards,’ Otunnu said, adding that he does not want the United Nations to become ‘a diplomatic ivory tower.’

‘There is need to weave a thread that connects the global to the local, and the local to the global. This time round, we should get somebody who is comfortable moving between these two worlds. So connect the global to the local, and the local to the global.’

The Otunnu Formula

On the attributes the Secretary-General should possess, Otunnu said he or she should be someone who is, by DNA, non-partisan, of goodwill to all, and humble ‘so that his or her ego doesn’t get in the way’, while remaining open to new ideas.

‘So, the Secretary-General should be a good, patient listener, hear everybody out, and not be afraid to put forward ideas. Secondly, obviously, the Secretary-General should be somebody with deep and very broad experience of the United Nations,’ he remarked in Kampala.

He added: ‘By the grace of God, I think there are very few people who have had the good fortune to work as broadly and as deeply at the United Nations as myself, across all sectors of the organization.’

Otunnu pointed to a track record of building consensus and proposing innovative solutions in situations of crisis and deadlock, including what is now known as the ‘Otunnu Formula’, which he said he developed in 1981 and which has since been used in the selection of the Secretary-General, helping to diffuse major confrontations between East and West, among other achievements.

Asked how he plans to advance the interests of the Global South amid concerns that multilateralism is being constrained by the West, and how he intends to promote equitable access to AI, particularly for developing countries, Otunnu described such notions as ‘shorthand’, saying poverty, the environment, climate change, and financing for development affect the entire world.

He said: ‘Similarly, if we are talking about conflict, does it matter whether it is in Ukraine, Iran, Asia, or Gaza? It doesn’t. The impact is devastating and tragic for the people there, and it affects the world. What matters is working together to come up with a common agenda, a common plan of action that benefits everybody.’

President Museveni has endorsed the establishment of the HUVET Bio-Science Park in Mpigi District, a biotechnology project aimed at strengthening Uganda’s vaccine manufacturing capacity and reducing reliance on imported vaccines and biological products.

Speaking during a meeting with a team of engineers and doctors led by investor and engineer Hashem Azimi at State House Entebbe on July 29, Mr Museveni described the project as a milestone in Uganda’s quest for vaccine self-sufficiency and regional leadership in biotechnology.

“I am very happy to receive this wonderful group of investors from Iran. I welcome you, and I will support you,” Mr Museveni said.

The proposed HUVET Bio-Science Park will focus on local vaccine production, veterinary biotechnology and scientific innovation. Government says the facility will strengthen Uganda’s capacity to respond to animal disease outbreaks while enhancing food security and supporting research.

The project is being spearheaded by Mr Azimi, who said the idea originated from a discussion with President Museveni during the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Summit in Kampala in 2008.

According to Mr Azimi, President Museveni challenged him at the time to move beyond trading and invest in manufacturing.

“Today, 18 years later, I stand before you to fulfil that promise. This project is not simply the construction of another factory. It is the realisation of a vision that has matured through years of experience, investment, scientific collaboration and a deep belief in Uganda’s potential,” he said.

Mr Azimi said his years of operating in Uganda exposed him to the heavy economic losses caused by livestock diseases and the country’s continued dependence on imported vaccines.

He said the planned bio-science park would become East Africa’s first fully integrated biotechnology hub dedicated to animal health, food security, epidemic preparedness, biotechnology research and high-value exports.

“Our vision goes far beyond manufacturing vaccines. We seek to establish East Africa’s first fully integrated biotechnology hub dedicated to animal health, food security, epidemic preparedness, biotechnology research and high-value exports,” he said.

He added that the facility is intended to position Uganda as a regional centre of excellence in veterinary biotechnology, serving both the domestic market and the wider African continent.

Mr Azimi also revealed that land for the project has already been secured in Mpigi District, clearing the way for implementation.

The development comes as Uganda accelerates efforts to expand local pharmaceutical and vaccine manufacturing following lessons from the Covid-19 pandemic, when many African countries struggled to access vaccines because of global supply chain disruptions.

According to the African Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), Africa still imports more than 95 percent of the vaccines used across the continent, underscoring the need to strengthen domestic manufacturing capacity.

The meeting was attended by the State Minister for Animal Industry, Bright Rwamirama, as well as engineers and medical professionals involved in the proposed project.

The Ministry of Health has deployed 2,417 medical interns to health facilities across the country, paving the way for their long-awaited placements starting this August.

“The Uganda Medical Internship Committee (UMIC) Secretariat has completed the placement of medical interns for the internship period running from August 3, 2026, to July 31, 2027,” reads the notice to hospital leaders, undersigned by Dr Daniel Kyabayinze, the Director of Public Health, on behalf of the Director General of Health Services at the Ministry.

Dr Kyabayinze said the placement covers all eligible medical interns submitted by the respective professional councils.

The medical interns are from Makerere University, Kampala International University, Gulu University, Busitema University, Soroti University, Lira University, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, among others.

“Accordingly, this letter forwards the list of medical interns placed at your respective hospitals for your information and necessary action,” Dr Kyabayinze stated.

The Ministry gave hospital leaders three instructions.

“Make the necessary arrangements to ensure the internship programme commences on time,” Dr Kyabayinze told the hospital leaders.

“Conduct a facility-level induction and orientation for all medical interns before they begin clinical duties,” he added.

The Ministry also asked them to submit the list of interns who have reported to their hospitals by August 14, 2026.

“All placed interns are required to report to their respective stations on August 3, 2026,” Dr Kyabayinze stated.

Information from the Uganda Medical Association (UMA) indicates that medical interns are essential to the country’s healthcare delivery, given the limited number of medical workers employed by the government.

Medical interns are graduates who have completed their medical degree programmes and undergo internship placements to qualify for a permanent practising licence, according to UMA.

The deployment also comes amid concerns over changes in government policy regarding the payment of allowances to medical interns in the country.

The Police in Luweero District have arrested two suspects and recovered three rolls of electric wire believed to have been vandalised from power installations across the Savannah Region.

A Toyota Starlet vehicle and a Bajaj motorcycle, which were being used by the suspects to ferry the materials, were also impounded and parked at Luweero Central Police Station, where the suspects are being held.

Police said on Thursday that last week’s arrest followed a tip-off arising from numerous vandalism of electrical infrastructure across the Savannah region, which has caused regular power outages in the area.

Savannah Regional Police Spokesperson ASP Sam Twiineamaziima explained that the operation targeted a hideout where the suspects reportedly collect the stolen materials before they are transported to Kampala.

“Preliminary inquiries indicate the recovered wire may have been cut from multiple locations across the Savannah Region and that buyers travelled from Kampala to collect the material,” ASP Twiineamazima said in a statement.

Two suspects, who are former employees of UMEME in greater Luweero, are also on the run in connection with the crime.

The operation, being manned by the Flying Squad Unit and Territorial Police, will reportedly extend to Kampala, where the chain for wider distribution and sale of the stolen electrical materials is being done.

Electricity vandalism remains a persistent challenge in Uganda, with cases of theft and destruction of power infrastructure often leading to costly outages and safety hazards for surrounding communities.

Kenya Pipeline Company (KPC) Plc just handed two of Uganda’s top bureaucrats a board pack and a vote on who runs Kenya’s most important piece of energy infrastructure.

That’s one way to read the July 28th appointment of Ramathan Ggoobi, Uganda’s treasury permanent secretary, and Irene Pauline Bateebe, his counterpart at the energy ministry, to KPC’s board.

The other way to read it: Uganda finally got what it paid for.

When KPC floated 65 percent of itself on the Nairobi Securities Exchange earlier this year, Uganda’s state oil company showed up with roughly $150 million and a list of demands.

Kenya, worried the initial public offering (IPO) might flop without a marquee anchor investor, said yes to all of them.

Uganda walked away with 20.15 percent of the company, at least two board seats, veto rights over pipeline tariffs, veto rights over hiring and firing the CEO, and approval power over dividends, the business plan and anything touching share capital.

Bankers call this a ‘strategic stake.’ Everyone else might call it a leveraged buyout of influence, minus the leverage.

The timing could not be more awkward for Kenya, or more convenient for Uganda.

KPC has been without a permanent chief executive since April, when Joe Sang quit along with Kenya’s petroleum principal secretary and its energy regulator’s boss.

The trio was arrested over an alleged $60 million substandard-fuel scandal involving a tanker that arrived carrying more trouble than diesel.

Kenyan directors reportedly stalled the CEO search rather than run it without Uganda’s nominees in the room, since Kampala’s new veto meant any pick could be sent back anyway. Problem solved: the nominees are now in the room.

Why did Uganda want this so badly? Because it has spent fifty years finding out what happens to a country with no port when the country that owns the port has a bad week.

Kenya’s 2008 post-election violence briefly cut the road and rail arteries carrying fuel to Kampala.

A 2020 trade squabble saw Nairobi throw up barriers against Ugandan exports. More than two billion litres of refined fuel reach Uganda every year, almost all of it through Kenya, and Kampala has never fully forgiven the fact that it doesn’t control a single mile of that route.

Uganda has hedged before. Its crude oil, once destined to flow through Kenya to the port of Lamu, now heads the other way entirely, through the East Africa Crude Oil Pipeline, across Tanzania, a routing decision that had less to do with Tanzanian charm than with Ugandan distrust of Nairobi.

But that pipeline is for oil Uganda plans to sell abroad. For the diesel and petrol Uganda actually burns, there’s no Tanzanian bypass, just Kenya’s pipes, forever.

If you can’t build around the monopoly, the next best option is to join its board.

Uganda tried the confrontational route first and it went about as well as these things usually do.

In 2023 Kenya’s regulator refused to license Uganda’s state oil firm to import fuel on its own terms, prompting Kampala to sue Nairobi at the East African Court of Justice over transit-access rights, plus a side accusation that Kenya’s State House had leaned on the regulator directly.

Presidents William Ruto and Yoweri Museveni smoothed it over in mid-2024 with a deal letting Uganda import independently while still using Kenya’s pipeline, plus a promise, first made in 1995 and repeatedly shelved since, to finally build a pipeline extension from Eldoret to Kampala.

Uganda’s parliament has now lined up $2 billion in financing from the trading house Vitol, partly earmarked for that extension and for buying still more of KPC.

Some Kenyans are unnerved by all this, grumbling online that a foreign government now has a formal say over a Kenyan state company, wherever its head office sits.

Others point out that a bit of outside scrutiny might be exactly what an outfit that just watched its CEO get arrested needs.

Both takes miss the real story, which is less about sovereignty than about pricing risk correctly.

Uganda didn’t take over Kenya’s pipeline. It just stopped paying, year after year, for a dependency it had no say in, and started buying the say instead.

Two people were killed on Tuesday in Bumwenge Town Council, Jinja District, during violence arising from the Local Council One elections held countrywide.

Kiira Regional Police Spokesperson, Mr James Mubi, said violence erupted at Buwenge Progressive Academy Polling Station in Kabi Zone after a group of youths allegedly led by an LC1 chairperson candidate stormed the polling station and disrupted the voting process.

According to police, the group allegedly attacked Electoral Commission officials and security personnel after the candidate reportedly boycotted the election when his rival, Mr Nabikambi Muzamiru, took the lead and was later declared the winner.

“His supporters allegedly returned to the polling station, where they confronted election officials and security personnel, escalating the situation,” Mr Mubi said.

He explained that police officers deployed in the area fired warning shots into the air in an attempt to restore order.

During the chaos, Mr Fred Kalulu, 19, was struck by a stray bullet and died at the scene, while Mr Latibu Ikaali, 23, later died at Jinja Regional Referral Hospital after sustaining gunshot injuries.

The bodies were taken to the hospital mortuary pending post-mortem examinations.

Police have since named two suspects accused of actively instigating the violent confrontation which led to the loss of lives.

Kiira Regional Police Commander Mr Charles Nsaba urged residents to reject political violence and resolve election-related disputes peacefully.

“We urge all communities to shun violence and politics of hate and instead resolve political differences through lawful and peaceful means,” he said.

Meanwhile, Jinja Resident City Commissioner Mr Salim Komakech said all postponed LC1 elections in Jinja City, including those in Alidina Road and Kisima I villages, were successfully concluded without any incident.

The Electoral Commissioner has since ordered fresh Local Council I elections in 1,135 villages after voting failed to take place or could not be completed during the nationwide polls.

EC Chairperson Justice Simon Byabakama said the elections were largely peaceful and successful, with voting completed in 70,079 of the country’s 71,214 villages, representing a 98.4 percent success rate.

The Electoral Commission (EC) has ordered fresh Local Council I (LC1) elections in 1,135 villages after voting failed to take place or could not be completed during the nationwide polls held on July 28.

EC Chairperson Justice Simon Byabakama said the elections were largely peaceful and successful, with voting completed in 70,079 of the country’s 71,214 villages, representing a 98.4 percent success rate.

“The process was generally peaceful, orderly, transparent and well attended by eligible village residents,” Byabakama told journalists at the EC headquarters on Wednesday.

He said polling failed in 1,135 villages, or 1.6 percent of the total, due to disruptions, violence, destruction of polling materials, tied results, disputes over village registers and the death of nominated candidates, among other factors.

“There were, however, a limited number of villages where polling could not take place or be completed due to unforeseen circumstances such as disruptions and interference by some individuals and groups, chaos and violence, destruction of polling materials, tied results, disputes about the voters’ registers, or death of nominated candidates,” he observed.

Byabakama said some affected villages repeated voting on Wednesday where circumstances allowed, while the remaining polls will be conducted on Saturday, August 1.

He said villages where voters’ registers were destroyed, vandalised or stolen will conduct fresh registration of eligible residents on Thursday, July 30, followed by display of the register on Friday, July 31, before voting on Saturday.

In villages where polling was disrupted by violence or chaos but the register remains intact, voting will also be held on Saturday.

For villages where nominated candidates died before polling, fresh nominations will be conducted on Thursday, followed by campaigns on Friday and voting on Saturday.

“Nominations shall only be conducted to fill the vacancy created by the deceased candidate,” Byabakama said.

He clarified that candidates who had already been duly nominated would not be required to undergo the nomination process again.

The nationwide LC1 elections attracted candidates from political parties and independents.

Byabakama said some disruptions occurred after people whose names did not appear on the Village Residents’ Register attempted to vote using only national identity cards.

“In accordance with the applicable electoral laws, only persons whose names appeared in the Village Residents’ Register were eligible to vote. As a result, those who were turned away disrupted the electoral process, leading to the calling off of elections in some villages,” he said.

He appealed to residents in the affected villages to remain peaceful during the repeat polls and warned individuals planning to disrupt the exercise.

“We would like to send out a strong warning to all those characters who may be planning to cause violence and chaos to disrupt these repeat and residual elections that they stand warned and the long arm of the law will be firmly applied against them,” Byabakama said.

He said the Commission remains committed to concluding the remaining electoral activities in accordance with the Constitution and electoral laws.

President Museveni, the Commander-in-Chief of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF), has promoted 301 senior and junior officers and confirmed the ranks of another 172 in one of the military’s latest leadership appointments aimed at strengthening command and operational effectiveness.

The promotions and confirmations were announced by the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs in a statement issued on July 28.

Acting Director of Defence Public Information Col Chris Magezi said the promotions, approved by Museveni, cover General, Senior and Junior officer ranks across the force.

According to the ministry, 83 officers who had been serving in acting appointments were confirmed in their substantive ranks, while 89 probationary Second Lieutenants were confirmed as full Lieutenants.

Among the senior officers, Acting Maj Gen Joseph Musoke Ssemwanga was confirmed in the substantive rank of Major General.

Five Brigadier Generals were promoted to the rank of Major General. They are Chris Musinguzi Bagonza, Chief of Staff – Land Forces; Godwin Karugaba, Joint Staff Logistics; Michael Nyarwa, Commander of the Marine Brigade; Richard Karemire, Joint Staff Formal Education, Sports and Culture (JS FESC); and David Robert Gonyi of the Air Force.

The Defence Ministry said the promotions form part of a broader exercise intended to strengthen leadership at every level of the military and ensure continuity in fulfilling the UPDF’s constitutional mandate.

“The Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs together with the Uganda People’s Defence Forces extend their congratulations to all the officers upon their elevation,” the statement said.

The ministry said the appointments are expected to enhance command efficiency, leadership continuity and operational effectiveness across the UPDF.

Nation Media Group (NMG)-Uganda is set to resume full operations exactly one month after it was shut down on June 28, bringing to an end weeks of disruption following a military operation that forced its television and radio stations off air and rendered its newspaper operations inaccessible.

The reopening follows a series of high-level engagements involving President Museveni, first son and Chief of Defence Forces Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba and NMG majority shareholder Rostam Azizi, the Tanzanian businessman whose investment vehicle, Taifa Limited, this year acquired a controlling 54.08 percent stake in NMG, East Africa’s largest independent media conglomerate.

Announcing the planned resumption of operations, Nation Media Group PLC Chairman Joe Muganda said the media house would progressively restore services across its television, print, radio and digital platforms.

“As we return to serving you, our focus remains the delivery of trusted and balanced journalism across all our platforms,” Muganda said in a Tuesday statement.

He added: “We appreciate the patience and understanding shown by our audiences, clients and partners during this period and appreciate your continued trust and confidence in our brands.”

In a separate statement, Taifa Group, welcomed the reopening as it reaffirmed its backing for the company’s editorial mission.

“As the majority shareholder of NMG, we fully support the Group’s commitment to fair, balanced, independent and responsible journalism that informs, educates and contributes positively to public discourse. We share the Group’s core mission of positively influencing society and believe that a strong, professional and responsible media plays an important role in supporting national development, good governance and regional integration,” the company said.

Taifa Group added: “This decision demonstrates the value of dialogue, mutual respect and regional cooperation. Taifa Group will continue investing in opportunities that create jobs, strengthen institutions and advance shared prosperity across East Africa.”

NMG’s operations were disrupted shortly after midnight on June 28 when security personnel raided the Daily Monitor premises in Namuwongo and the Kampala Serena International Conference Centre, home to the NTV and Spark TV broadcast studios.

The operation resulted in a power outage that forced NTV Uganda and Spark TV off air at 5am that Sunday, while also disrupting operations across the media group’s television and newspaper platforms, as well as its radio stations, 93.3 KFM and 90.4 Dembe FM.m

The affected NMG premises were rendered inaccessible to hundreds of staff following the crackdown.

The shutdown was instituted on the orders of Gen Muhoozi, citing guidance from President Museveni.

Gen Muhoozi said the action was prompted by what he described as a “sustained blackmail campaign by the media group against the government of Uganda and its leadership, alongside promoting opposition and foreign interests at the expense of Uganda.”

As negotiations gathered pace, NMG on June 30 internally suspended its online presence to create a conducive environment for high-level discussions aimed at resolving the impasse.

On July 1, Azizi met Gen Muhoozi at the Special Forces Command headquarters in Entebbe. The meeting was also attended by Saam Azizi and Ms Georgia Mutagaywa, Chief of Staff of Taarifa Limited, as discussions over the future of the media house continued.

Another breakthrough followed on July 17 when President Museveni hosted Azizi at State House Entebbe.

While the President confirmed the meeting in a post on X, he did not disclose what the two discussed. The meeting nevertheless fuelled speculation that a resolution was imminent.

When this reporter visited the Kampala Serena International Conference Centre on July 15, security remained visibly tight.

About 15 armed infantry personnel were deployed around the premises, with at least two carrying what appeared to be sub-machine guns.

It was not immediately clear when the elite forces that led the June 28 operation handed over responsibility for securing the premises to the infantry personnel.

Neither was it immediately clear when the remaining soldiers would withdraw from the Namuwongo and Serena premises for full resumption of operations.

Throughout the shutdown, access to NMG’s Namuwongo headquarters and Serena offices remained tightly restricted, with journalists and other staff unable to freely access their workplaces.

The closure drew concern from regional media organisations and press freedom advocates, who called for restraint and urged authorities to safeguard media freedom.

NMG Uganda, which has identified itself as “Uganda’s Bold Voice” since the run-up to the 2026 General Election, operates NTV Uganda, the Daily Monitor, The East African, Spark TV, 93.3 KFM, 90.4 Dembe FM, Ennyanda newspaper and the Nation Courier, among other media platforms.

The resumption of operations will mark the end of one of the most significant confrontations between the Ugandan state and the country’s largest independent media organisation in more than a decade.

An overnight fire has gutted an electrical shop in Mbarara City, leaving one person dead and destroying equipment worth millions of shillings.

The inferno at Bishop Wills building on Garage Street in Kakoba Division caused the death of the owner, Fred Tumusiime, 55, who was in the shop at the time of the incident.

Rwizi Region Police Spokesperson SP Samson Kasasira said the resident of Nyakaizi, Kakoba Division, sustained severe burn injuries and was rushed to Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead on Tuesday morning.

‘After we put out the fire, we found out that the owner of the shop, whose name is Fred Tumusiime, was in the shop at the time of the fire.”

Explaining that: ”He sustained serious burns and was critically injured and rushed to Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital by well wishes that got to the scene before us, and as we speak as of today morning he was pronounced dead at around 10 a.m. today.’

Police, Fire Rescue and Services managed to extinguish the fire before it spread to nearby buildings; however, the electrical shop was reduced to ashes.

Investigations into the cause of the fire are ongoing, SP Kasasira said.