Category: Daily Monitor

The most prominent son of late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, Saif al-Islam Gaddafi, has been killed, sources close to the family, his lawyer Khaled el-Zaydi and Libyan media said on Tuesday.

The office of Libya’s attorney general on Wednesday said investigators and forensic doctors examined the body of Saif al-Islam Gaddafi on Tuesday and determined that he died from gunshot wounds.

The office added in a statement that it was working to identify suspects and take the steps needed to bring a criminal case.

While Saif al-Islam is well-known in the north African country, especially for his role in shaping policy before 2011, his public profile has receded in recent years.

In 2015, a Libyan court passed a death sentence in absentia on Saif al-Islam for suppressing peaceful protests during the country’s 2011 revolution that ended his father’s rule.

He has also been provisionally charged by the International Criminal Court for alleged crimes against humanity, a case his lawyers failed to dismiss.

In 2021, Saif al-Islam registered as a presidential candidate for a December vote that eventually collapsed amid a political deadlock.

The NRM party secretariat grass root coordinator for Kigezi region, Mr Moses Ntahobari Turyomurugyendo, has urged voters to elect NRM party flag bearers in today’s sub county chairperson and councilor elections, citing effective service delivery as a key reason.

“Failure to elect NRM party flag bearers at sub county level will be a grave mistake in the Kigezi sub region and the country in general because sub counties are the centers of service delivery to the people,” Mr Turyomurugyendo said while addressing the press on Tuesday.

He added that voting for NRM party flag bearers is a way of protecting the party’s gains from national to village levels.

“Since Ugandans elected the NRM party flag bearer as the president of Uganda, the same should be done at all leadership levels to avoid discord,” he said.

The call comes after independent candidates won mayoral seats in Kabale and Kisoro districts, defeating NRM party flag bearers.

In Kabale municipal Council, Emmanuel Byamugisha Sentaro (Ind) retained the mayoral seat after polling 8,270 votes, while in Kisoro municipality, Mbonigaba John, also known as John King, won with 4,189 votes.

Mr Turyomurugyendo attributed the losses to misunderstandings during the NRM party primary elections in Kisoro, but noted that the winners are NRM party members.

“For Kabale, I think people chose to vote for the independent candidate because they trusted his leadership since he has been serving them for the last 10 years. We have no problem with the winner in Kabale municipality because he supports the NRM party although he chose to contest as an independent candidate,” he said.

In Rukungiri district, Mr Boaz Matiita Kansiime (NRM) won the mayoral seat, polling 5,759 votes. Mr. Turyomurugyendo congratulated the people of Rukungiri municipality for voting for the NRM party flag bearer.

The Kisoro district NRM party chairman, Dr. Philemon Mateke, congratulated the winner of the Kisoro mayoral seat, Mr. John Mbonigaba, and urged the people to keep united and strengthen NRM party support.

Some local residents, including Mr. Sillas Tukundane and Mr. Nicholas Kazaniro, attributed the loss of NRM party flag bearers in Kabale and Kisoro to poorly organized party primary elections marred by irregularities, including voting rigging and manipulation of the electoral process.

The controversial vote recount that overturned the outcome of the Masaka City Woman Member of Parliament race has reignited debate over when a recount is legally permissible and whether magistrates’ courts are bound by long-standing judicial precedent.

Chief Magistrate Abert Asiimwe on Sunday declared National Resistance Movement (NRM) candidate Justine Nameere the winner of the Masaka City Woman MP seat after a tense three-day recount exercise, overturning the Electoral Commission’s earlier declaration of Opposition National Unity Platform (NUP) candidate Rose Nalubowa as the duly elected MP.

The decision has drawn scrutiny from legal observers, who argue that the Masaka recount appeared to disregard clear statutory provisions and binding guidance laid down by the High Court more than two decades ago. The same judicial officer had, in two earlier similar applications, refused to preside over the vote recount, citing broken seals on ballot boxes.

When does the law allow a recount?

Section 56 of the Parliamentary Elections Act strictly limits vote recounts to two scenarios: where there is an equality of votes between candidates with the highest tally, or where the margin between the winner and the runner-up is less than 50 votes. In such circumstances, a recount may only be conducted at the request of a candidate, agent, or registered voter, and must be carried out by the returning officer in the presence of a senior police officer after issuing written notice to all interested parties.

Crucially, the recount is intended to be an administrative verification mechanism, not a substitute for an election petition. In a landmark ruling delivered on July 7, 2001, then Mbarara High Court Judge Justice FV Kibuuka Musoke set out strict conditions under which magistrates’ courts may conduct recounts.

Byanyima Vs Ngoma-Ngime

The ruling arose from a disputed recount application following the 2001 parliamentary election for Mbarara Municipality, contested between Winnie Byanyima and Ngoma-Ngime, who were separated by just 164 votes. The Mbarara Returning Officer had declared Ms Byanyima the winner of the highly competitive polls. According to the return, she polled 9,980 votes, while her lone opponent poled 9,816 votes.

The Commission published in the Uganda Gazette, Vol. XCIV No. 41 dated June 29, 2001, Ms Byanyima’s name as the winner of the Mbarara Municipality Seat in Parliament, and she was subsequently sworn in on July 3. However, Mr Ngoma-Ngime, through his advocates Kiryowa Kiwanuka and Co Advocates, filed, in the Chief Magistrate’s Court at Mbarara, Miscellaneous Application No. 0034 of 2001.

He, among others, sought an order of the Chief Magistrate’s Court ordering a recount of the votes cast during the Parliamentary elections, in Mbarara Municipality, under Section 56 of the Parliamentary Elections Act 2001. The Chief Magistrate heard the motion on July 3, 2001, and granted the application. She ordered that the recount commence, which happened on July 5.

However, on the same day, Ms Byanyima, through her lawyer, Caleb Alaka, filed a motion in the High Court seeking a revisional order setting aside the Chief Magistrate’s order for the recount. She raised two grounds. Ms Byanyima argued that the magistrate lacked jurisdiction, and that the integrity of the ballots had already been compromised since 21 ballot boxes had their seals broken.

The High Court on July 6, 2001, issued an interim order, staying the recount until Ms Byanyima’s motion was heard and determined. Justice Kibuuka went on to emphatically rule that once even a single ballot box is found unsealed, a recount becomes legally untenable. ‘Where any of those ballot boxes have been unsealed before their presentation before the Chief Magistrate, then, prima facie, the purpose of the recount is not achievable,’ Justice Kibuuka held, describing such an exercise as a ‘sham’ and ‘an abuse of the court’s process.’

He warned that a recount conducted under such circumstances amounts to second-guessing election results, something Parliament never intended when enacting Section 56. In the Mbarara case, 21 out of 66 ballot boxes were found to have broken seals during the recount ordered by the Chief Magistrate. Justice Kibuuka agreed with Ms Byanyima’s lawyer, issuing a stay and later quashing the recount, stressing that a recount must be more secure and reliable than the original count, not less.

Also in his ruling, Justice Kibuuka went on to observe that a vote recount under Section 56 of the Act is intended to serve as a filtering mechanism. He added that it is intended to be more secure and reliable than the first count carried out by presiding officers at the various polling stations in the field at the end of polling time, on polling day. ‘A recount is a legal function, performed under the neutrality of the court in order to untangle the numerical questions of the results. It is intended to be carried out at a higher level of scrutiny and to produce uncontestable figures of the results of each candidate.

What judge said

He added: ‘It is, therefore, difficult to reconcile a recounting of any votes from ballot boxes, which have not been secured in accordance with the law, with those values and aspirations or even with the goals and purposes of Section 56 of the Act. It appears to me that it should take much less than ordinary common sense to know that where any of the ballot boxes presented for a recount are found to be open or unsealed, the purposes of a recount are not achievable. Prima facie, the evidence would have been tampered with and rendered useless.’

The judge went on to state that under Article 61(a) of the Constitution, the Electoral Commission is mandated to ensure regular, free and fair elections are conducted or held. He said an election must be fair to all three parties. ‘The first is the nation. Every aspect of a national election is fair to the nation if it is conducted in strict accordance with that nation’s laws. The second party to which an election must be fair is the candidates who take part in it. Here, the notion of transparency is vital.

An election cannot be fair to the candidates if the results of that election are merely second-guessed,’ the jurist said.

He added:’The third party to which an election must be fair is the voters. There is a need for both transparency and exercise of free will in respect of the choice of a candidate to vote for and the security of the vote after it has been cast. Where the votes given to each candidate by the voters have not been secured in accordance with the law, it will be unfair to the voters to attribute the outcome of an obviously sham recount to them.’

Ahead of the 2026 polls, the Judiciary held a training and refresher session for judicial officers on how to conduct election disputes. Supreme Court Justice, Prof Lillian Tibatemwa, cautioned the magistrates in attendance against proceeding to conduct vote recounts where a ballot box has been tampered with. ‘Where seals on a ballot box are discovered to be broken, missing, or altered, the recount cannot proceed,’ Justice Tibatemwa warned the magistrates.

Ms Nalubowa’s lawyer, Mr Samuel Muyizi, has since filed a review application before the High Court at Masaka High Court to review the entire vote recount process.

‘The Chief Magistrate (Mr Asiimwe) had vowed to stop the vote recount exercise in case it was discovered that the ballot boxes had defects (tampered with). It is surprising that he went against his word when a ballot box that had its seal broken was discovered,’ Mr Muyizi said. ‘He directed the vote recount to proceed. About 10 ballot boxes were later discovered to be faulty, including two that had ballots for only Ms Nameere and the other boxes found to be empty,’ he added.

Legal analysts warn that the Masaka City vote recount raises serious questions about compliance with these settled principles, particularly regarding the timing of the application, the status of the declared winner, and the integrity of the ballot boxes subjected to the recount. They caution that ignoring binding precedent not only destabilises electoral certainty but risks turning recounts into informal substitutes for election petitions.

January 2026 was long. I was waiting for the month to end so that the elections are forgotten, put to bed as soon as possible. It appears that we have put it all behind us if some small signs that we can move about is anything to go by. Few will forget the internet shutdown as those whose gratification comes from updating their great social status got lost. There was real peace for the rest.

In this country, everyday musings by ordinary people can become policy. I wonder if it will not be better for Parliament this term to declare the election cycle every 10 years. This would save us the misery and anxiety of dealing with these elections every five years. The more cynical people are saying let elections just be over with already, and we move on.

Most importantly, it will give the Electoral Commission time to prepare adequately for Election Day, and not need a near national lockdown for work to be able to execute their duties. It will also help us fully recover from the losses, both visible and invisible ones. The Electoral Commission will also have sufficient time to try and recover from the difficulty of conducting a national election, building their credibility in the process.

That way, there will never again be anyone challenging election results, even as a joke. What if it is done the same time as the national census, every 10 years and we just add one question for each household head to answer. We simply ask who they wish to be president. One house, one vote. There cannot be voter apathy. We find the people in their homes and they answer the question.

Done, with just one question in the census questionnaire quickly processed and we move on. No soldiers needed, just census enumerators. It would save us so much more than money that we can construct more roads and make Kampala great. Imagine that the next time we go to the polls is 2036, if we reject the census idea. We are getting ready to celebrate President Museveni’s golden jubilee as the leader of Uganda.

Amazing 50 years as the President of the Republic of Uganda and happy citizens. We shall be counting incredible gains to protect and much more to come. As some people wish, the President will have seen the golden drop of oil in his lifetime indeed. Surely, we cannot miss 2036 to see this. Everything is beautiful, bigger and better. Yes, even the Parish Development Model will be multiplying at the rate of Shs100m per village every year and by 2036, this would be an impressive amount I cannot dare say per parish, in addition to other benefits for the people.

Talking of benefits, by then, people with no biological school-going age children shall be paid the equivalent of fees for four children as those with children benefit from Universal Primary Education or even universal secondary school. There has to be a way to compensate those who are locked out of such gains based on their circumstance. This is when leaving no one behind makes sense. Onto education. Imagine all the money we shall have saved for the 2031 elections and 2036 if we go the census way.

Mama Janet Museveni can put all that into improving educational standards of children in West Nile and Karamoja. Free school and food in every village to supplement on the parish money and wipe out the tears of poverty from every child. Free milk flowing for school children and eggs too in order to cater for breakfast. Free medicine as well, afforded by the money from our oil that is about to flow in 2026.

This is the real freedom we need, not to just talk. Thank God PLE results are here. They demonstrate that these things such as above can be done. When you see which districts do very well in PLE these days, and where they came from, you know Mama has done a great job in the education sector. There is hope for West Nile. By 2036, the real gains will be in the education of our children and Mr Dan Odongo, the Uneb boss will also still be handing Mama Janet incredible results to work with.

I am only thinking about the money spent on elections, if put in the education sector what miracles there may be. No one needs to retire, everyone stays put and keeps protecting the gains of the past until there is no need to protect anything.

Muteesa II Stadium, Wankulukuku, was transformed into a festival of grassroots football on Saturday as the Edgars Youth Programme staged the 2026 Children’s League.

Held under the theme ‘Playing to Be Champions,’ the one-day tournament featured age categories from Under-5 to Under-17 and attracted hundreds of young players, parents and coaches from Edgars’ various training centres. For many of the children, it was a rare opportunity to play competitive football in a full stadium setting, while families filled the stands to cheer them on.

Teams from Namugongo, Christ the King High School Bweya (CTK), St Marcelino and Old Kampala took turns on the pitch, each eager to defend titles or make a statement. The atmosphere was lively from early morning, with chants and applause accompanying every goal, save and tackle.

Despite the young ages involved, the competition was intense and well organised. Matches were played with discipline and enthusiasm, reflecting the Edgars Youth Programme’s core values of Care, Love, Order, Best of ability and Time (CLOBT).

Old Kampala emerged as the most successful side of the day, winning four titles in the Under-5, Under-7, Under-13 and Under-17 categories. CTK claimed the Under-9 and Under-15 crowns, while Namugongo lifted the Under-11 trophy.

Several finals were closely contested. The Under-9 decider saw CTK edge Namugongo 2-0 on penalties after a 1-1 draw in normal time, while Old Kampala produced a commanding performance to beat Namugongo 3-0 in the Under-17 final.

National attention

The tournament also attracted national attention. Men’s youth teams head coach Laryea Kingstone was among the observers, moving across the different pitches to monitor the action.

‘I feel good to see such an arrangement. This is the way to go. As I moved around the pitches, I noticed a lot of zeal and hunger for greatness in the players. Above all, they played with passion,’ Kingstone said.

He added that a few players had shown qualities that could be important for the national teams in the future.

Edgars Youth Programme founder and team leader Edgar Watson Suubi said the Children’s League was about developing more than just football skills.

‘At Edgars Youth Programme, we do not only compete for championships. We introduce many aspects of life to these boys and girls through football. We thank the parents for their support and we pledge to continue identifying and nurturing talent,’ Suubi said.

Individual excellence was also recognised. Kian Arthur finished as the Under-9 top scorer, while Austin Ochom was named best goalkeeper in the Under-13 category.

‘I feel very happy to get this award because scoring goals is what I love most. I want to keep scoring and become a big footballer in the future,’ Arthur said.

Ochom credited hard work and preparation for his success, saying the tournament tested both him and his teammates.

The President’s directive, delivered after a high-level meeting with leaders of Uganda Co-operative Savings and Credit Union (UCSCU) and Uganda Cooperative Alliance, and attended by Speaker of Parliament Anita Among, has effectively paused directives that compelled large Saccos to apply for licences.

In the President’s view, cooperatives are not commercial banks, and regulating them as such risks suffocating a movement that thrives on trust, proximity, and community ownership.

‘Bank of Uganda should only oversee the flow of money in Saccos and not take over control through regulations that do not consider the unique nature of cooperatives,’ UCSCU chief executive officer Dr Sylvester Ndiraramukama told Sacco leaders in a circular issued on January 30, outlining the President’s guidance.

To many Sacco managers, the directive felt like a reprieve. But to Bank of Uganda, it reopened a difficult question of how to protect millions of small savers without killing the cooperative spirit.

A sector too big to ignore

The Sacco sub-sector has expanded rapidly, fuelled by government programmes such as Emyooga and the Parish Development Model (PDM).

Billions of shillings now flow through cooperative accounts every year. But the scale of Saccos that have been too big to have a contagion in case of collapse makes Bank of Uganda and the entire financial system uneasy.

For Bank of Uganda, the concern is not the village Sacco collecting weekly savings of Shs10,000, but the emergence of large Saccos whose balance sheets rival those of small, regulated financial institutions.

The Bank of Uganda 2025 Annual Supervision Report indicates that in a survey conducted in 2024, over 90 large Saccos were identified for regulation, of which three – EBO, Kyazanga-Kwegatta, and MADFA, have already been licensed, while four license applications are under consideration.

Yet even as this process advances, it has collided with political and social realities.

Bank of Uganda director of communications Kenneth Egesa notes the central bank is yet to receive any formal communication of the President’s directive on a policy that is grounded in law.

‘We don’t regulate verbally. There are acts and regulations which go through a formal process involving stakeholder engagement and parliamentary approval,’ he says, insisting that Bank of Uganda is regulating only large Saccos; those with capital of at least Shs500m and assets of Shs1.5b, while smaller cooperatives remain under Uganda Microfinance Regulatory Authority.

As Saccos grow, he argues, so do the risks, and a ‘collapse does not just affect a village. It can undermine confidence in the financial system. That is why regulation brings deposit insurance and close supervision’.

Egesa also notes that the central bank has deliberately avoided imposing commercial bank-style rules, tailoring its framework to the scale and activities of large cooperatives. But perceptions on the ground tell a different story.

Many Sacco leaders view licensing as the first step toward losing autonomy, fearing higher compliance costs and a gradual shift away from member control.

Oversight versus control

For Dr Adam Mugume, the Bank of Uganda’s director of research, the issue is less about institutional turf wars and more about systemic stability.

‘Some of the large Saccos are actually bigger than small but regulated financial institutions,’ he notes. ‘There is potential for contagion in the event of a collapse.’

However, he says the President’s guidance offers a possible middle ground; one that reduces systemic risk without full-scale control.

‘That kind of oversight somewhat mitigates the risk of spillover into the rest of the financial system,’ he says on the President’s directive that bank of Uganda should continue overseeing the flow of funds.

It is a delicate balance. Too little oversight exposes members’ savings to mismanagement. Too much control risks undermining a cooperative movement built on voluntary participation and mutual trust.

UMRA executive director Edith Tusubira has signalled a willingness to adjust, saying they will follow both the law and the President’s guidance in improving the sector.

In the corridors of Uganda’s legal system, Daniel Wangutusi moves with the deliberate focus of a lawyer building his practice.

Hours later, under the pulsing lights of a Kampala lounge, the same man becomes “Wangutusi Selector,” his hands gliding over DJ decks, commanding the energy of a room lost in reggae’s steady groove. This is not a case of split personality, but a masterfully conducted symphony of passion and profession, a life built on the twin pillars of a family legacy; justice and music.

To witness Wangutusi in either realm is to see a man completely in his element. The transition, however, is what fascinates. “People often see the two worlds as contradictory,” he says. “One is seen as rigid, bound by precedent and procedure. The other is felt as fluid, driven by emotion and spontaneity. But for me, they are complementary forces. Law teaches you structure and how to argue a case. Music teaches you to feel and how to move a crowd. Both, at their best, are about connection.”

A father’s legacy

The roots of this dual existence run deep, nourished by his father, retired High Court Justice David Wangutusi. The elder Wangutusi is remembered not only for his legal acumen but for his profound, unabashed love for music, a trait that painted Daniel’s childhood in vibrant sonic hues.

“Our home was never silent,” Wangutusi recalls with a smile. “My father had a powerful, well-amplified sound system installed. Music flowed from the car, the balcony, every room. It was his language of joy. He would pull us from our studies to dance, no was not an option. In those moments, he was not a judge; he was a man completely alive in the music.”

This immersive upbringing did more than create a hobby; it forged a worldview. Wangutusi observed that his father’s excellence in court was paralleled by his passion at home. There was no conflict, only a full life. “He showed me that professionalism does not require the suppression of your spirit. He is everything I want to be; respected in his career, and utterly human in his passions.”

The path, however, was not pre-planned. Wangutusi’s own musical journey began as a private exploration at 15, a teenage curiosity that grew into self-taught skill. By the time he entered Kampala International University in 2013 to study law, he was the friend with the “good playlists,” soon graduating to spinning at small parties and birthdays. “It was organic. I never saw it as a career path. It was just something I loved that my friends appreciated.”

The juggling act

The real test came during the demanding years at the Law Development Centre (LDC), where many aspiring lawyers submerge themselves entirely in books. Wangutusi chose a different strategy, one of intentional balance. “I made a conscious decision to not let law school consume my identity,” he explains. “I went to class, I studied hard, but I also went out. I played music when friends asked.

If you do not, you emerge with a certificate but having missed the life that shapes you.”

Today, his weekly schedule is a meticulously planned testament to this philosophy, a dynamic calendar where legal appointments and DJ bookings coexist. His current role is Director at Waling Consults, where he specialises in the evolving fields of data protection, privacy, and energy law. This directorship grants him the autonomy to “work at his pace and time,” a crucial flexibility that enables his unique lifestyle. The most delicate part of Wangutusi’s balancing act is not time management, but identity management. How does one ensure the gravitas of a lawyer is not undermined by the perceived informality of a DJ?

“For me, the line is drawn by context, dress, and conduct, what I call ‘professional etiquette,'” he states. In court and the office, he is “Counsel Wangutusi,” his language precise, his demeanour formal.

In the DJ box, he sheds the symbolic robes, but not his core professionalism. “There is a way I carry myself, the language I use, even how I engage with the crowd. I am aware that I represent not just myself, but the legal profession. I cannot act in a way that would bring my primary career into disrepute.”

This conscious separation extends to his wardrobe. Except for his early Wednesday gig, where he goes straight from work, he always returns home to change. The suit is a uniform of one profession; his smart-casual DJ wear is the uniform of another. “The physical act of changing clothes is a psychological signal. It helps me switch modes completely.”

Fatigue and preconceptions

The lifestyle is rewarding but not without its strains. The primary challenge is physical and mental fatigue. A late Monday night at Safari Maze is often followed by an early Tuesday morning in court. “You learn to function on less sleep, to be sharp when you need to be. Coffee helps,” he jokes, before turning serious. “But it is sustainable only because the DJing is energising, not draining. It is my release. If it felt as a second job, I could not do it.”

The second, more subtle challenge is societal perception.

“There is an unspoken expectation that lawyers should occupy a certain social stratum; certain clubs, certain hobbies. Being a DJ in bars can challenge that stereotype.”

He has encountered surprise, sometimes skepticism, from both legal peers and nightlife patrons. “I have had people I meet as a DJ do a genuine double-take when they are later introduced to ‘Counsel Wangutusi ‘ in a legal setting. The cognitive dissonance can be amusing.”

Yet, this very friction has become a professional advantage. His nightlife network has organically bled into his legal practice. “Some of my best clients, artistes, event managers, bar owners, come from the music scene. They see me in both worlds and trust me because I understand their industry from the inside. My passion has become a bridge to my clients.”

A life in harmony

A crowning moment of validation came in 2025, when he was selected as the DJ for the annual Justices Dinner. There, surrounded by the Attorney General, judges, and senior legal minds; the very embodiment of his day-world, he provided the night’s soundtrack.

“It was a full-circle moment,” he says. “To have my passion welcomed into the heart of my profession was incredibly affirming. It signalled that the two identities could not only coexist but be celebrated together.”

For Wangutusi, the question is never “lawyer or DJ?” It is “lawyer and DJ.” His life argues against the monolithic professional identity. A typical day; waking at 6.30am, working a full legal schedule, perhaps arguing in court, then unwinding by curating a musical journey for a crowd, is not a schism, but a harmony.

“I cannot claim to have perfected either art,” he concludes thoughtfully. “Law, as music, is a continuous learning process. Each new case is like a new song, you learn its structure, its nuances, how to present it. One uses statutes and precedents; the other uses beats and basslines. But the goal is similar; to create something resonant, to make an impact, to find the rhythm in the structure.”

The 2025 KPMG African CEOs (chief executive officers) Outlook survey results released yesterday indicate that unlike past years when it was believed that Artificial Intelligence (AI) would create job cuts, several CEOs now view it as a tool that is sharpening employee efficiency.

The report compiled by audit firm KPMG titled: ‘KPMG Africa CEO Outlook: A new wave of business confidence quietly taking shape across Africa,’ which was released yesterday, indicates that 71 percent of the 130 African CEOs who were interviewed last year are investing in generative AI, talent, ESG, and cybersecurity as the top four forces shaping their strategic priorities.

Mr Stephen Ineget, the country manager of KPMG Uganda, explained that 71 percent of the CEOs interviewed, believe AI is driving growth and resilience in their companies, while 88 percent of them expect to increase employee head count, with AI complementing human capabilities. He added that 79 percent of the CEOS reported that they are navigating their national regulatory environments smoothly and also focusing on expanding their businesses across borders through regional integration and intra Africa trade. ‘AI is making people more efficient, as you continue investing in AI, it frees people from routine jobs to do more meaningful work. For instance, instead of recruiting graduates to do data analytics, you recruit them to analyse strategy because AI has already done the trends,’ he said.

Now in its 11th year, the survey forms part of KPMG’s global CEO Outlook, which includes insights from 1,350 CEOs across 11 markets. According to this year’s report, regional integration and cross-border collaboration are emerging as growth accelerators, with African CEOs increasingly prioritising intra-African trade and market expansion aligned to AfCFTA opportunities. Despite global economic uncertainty and geopolitical tensions, African CEOs are optimistic about their own organisations’ growth prospects. This is according to the KPMG 2025 Africa CEO Outlook Survey, which captures the perspectives of 130 CEOs across Southern, East, and West Africa.

Mr Asad Lukwago, a partner at KPMG, who presented the report, said CEOs across all sectors interviewed presented positive sentiments about generative AI, talent retention, and positive prospects of their company expansion. He added that most CEOs from countries that bounced back from the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic anticipated economic growth in their countries. Asked what excites the CEOs about generative AI, Mr Lukwago explained that unlike developed countries where infrastructure has been developed to facilitate the use of AI, in developing countries, lack of infrastructure, electricity, and use of obsolete computers are some of the basic reasons why AI cannot be fully deployed in the current circumstances.

Ms Judy Rugasira, a panellist at the webinar, said in the property industry, the human being is still the face of their industry because they delayed deploying AI in their operations. Ms Sarah Arapta, the managing director of Citibank, observed that CEOs remain optimistic about the African market because of its underpenetrated and underbanked middle class. She added that banks have also been instructed to promote financial inclusion and leverage the emerging financial systems, and African CEOs have learnt in uncertain conditions, which have made them resilient.

India’s development partnership will continue to prioritise capacity building, knowledge exchange, infrastructure support and people-centred projects, Upender Singh Rawat said in a speech during celebrations to mark the 77th Republic Day.

It is my honour to welcome you to the 77th Republic Day of India. Today, we celebrate not only a constitutional milestone in India’s democratic journey but also the enduring friendship between India and Uganda – a partnership built on mutual respect, shared values, and common aspirations. Seventy-six years ago, the people of India gave themselves a Constitution that affirmed dignity, justice, liberty and equality for all.

Those ideals have guided India’s development and engagement with the world, including our relations with Uganda. Over six decades of diplomatic ties – marked last year by the 60th anniversary of India-Uganda relations – our partnership has grown deeper and more diversified: political understanding, development cooperation, trade and investment, defence collaboration, cultural exchange, and strong people-to-people links. Development cooperation and capacity building lie at the heart of our relationship.

India remains a reliable partner in human-resource development through programmes that build skills and knowledge across sectors. Under the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) programme, India has trained thousands of Ugandan officials and professionals in areas such as healthcare, agriculture, banking, cyber technologies, journalism, auditing and public administration. This year, Uganda has over 150 civilian ITEC slots, and over 250 slots overall have been allocated for short and medium-term civilian and defence training.

Bespoke courses have directly benefited Ugandan officials: Resident District Commissioners attended specialised livelihood promotion training; Ministry of Agriculture staff participated in courses at the National Institute of Agricultural Management (MANAGE), Hyderabad; engineers from Uganda Electricity Distribution Company gained technical training; and journalists from Uganda took part in familiarisation programmes in India. These sustained investments in human capital strengthen institutions and unlock local potential.

As we say in Luganda: ‘Omuliro tegusibwa mu katiro ke kimu,’ meaning: ‘You cannot light a fire with a single spark,’ – a reminder that sustained, collective effort is needed to build capacity. Defence cooperation is a key pillar of our partnership. Military training exchanges and the Indian Military Advisory Training Team (IMATT), present in Uganda since 2010 and reinforced with a new team from July 2025, underscore our shared commitment to regional stability and security and to building the capabilities of Ugandan defence institutions.

Education links continue to expand. This year, 32 Ugandans received fully-funded scholarships from the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) to study at premier Indian universities. The National Forensic Sciences University’s first overseas campus in Jinja – which commenced its first full academic session in October 2025, offering courses in forensic sciences, cyber security and homeland security – is a tangible example of institutional collaboration that will benefit Ugandan students and professionals for years to come.

We have robust medical cooperation and medical tourism, with support from the Indian Association Uganda and other partners, Indian hospitals facilitate complex surgeries for Ugandan children. Last year, the High Commission donated physiotherapy equipment to Soroti University. High-level exchanges have steadily strengthened political trust between our countries. Visits by Indian and Ugandan leaders and ministers in recent years have advanced cooperation across trade, investment, environment and multilateral engagement, and provided momentum for concrete projects on the ground.

Trade and commerce between India and Uganda have seen steady progress, and India is the fourth-largest trade partner for Uganda, with total bilateral trade well in excess of $1b over the last few years. The India Trade Show and Exhibitions last year highlighted Indian products and fostered business ties. The India-Uganda Joint Trade Committee and policy dialogues opened avenues for deeper economic engagement. India’s Duty-Free Tariff Preference (DFTP) scheme for most Ugandan exports remains an important instrument to boost Uganda’s trade potential and diversify its exports.

Indian companies and the diaspora continue to invest in Uganda, creating jobs, building enterprises and contributing to social services – a living testament to South-South cooperation in action. The Indian diaspora in Uganda has been a vital partner in our shared progress. For over a century, the community has been woven into the social and economic fabric of this country – contributing to commerce, healthcare, education and philanthropy. It is the result of sustained effort, as we say in Luganda: ‘Ebibala by’omusaayi tebibalira munafu,’ meaning, ‘Fruits of labour do not ripen for the lazy.’

Your entrepreneurship and commitment to Uganda’s development strengthen the bonds between our peoples and are rightly a source of pride for both nations. At the multilateral level, India and Uganda share a common voice for the Global South. Together, we champion equitable development, the reform of global governance institutions, and the peaceful resolution of conflicts. Uganda’s leadership in regional peace and its constructive role in global fora are deeply valued by India, including its current chairmanship of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM).

This year, India will host the 18th BRICS summit as part of its BRICS chairmanship. We will also engage and welcome Uganda as a BRICS partner nation since January 1, 2025. I would like to congratulate Uganda for the successful and peaceful conduct of its recent general elections. Peaceful democratic processes are essential for stability, growth and the strengthening of institutions. A brief and important announcement, January 27, 2026: President of the European Council António Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen were chief guests at this year’s Republic Day celebrations in Delhi.

We note with great interest the conclusion of the India-EU Free Trade Agreement. Described by the European Commission president as the ‘mother of all’ trade deals, its conclusion yesterday marks a significant milestone in India’s external economic engagement. Prime Minister Narendra Modi hosted EU President von der Leyen and European Council President Costa to elevate ties and jointly address geopolitical and trade challenges. This long-awaited FTA is expected to open new vistas for cooperation across trade, defence and security, climate action, critical technologies and a strengthened rules-based global order.

Its qualitative impact on India’s overall two-way engagement will create fresh opportunities that India and its partners, including African partners like Uganda, can seize to deepen economic and strategic linkages. Looking ahead, our relationship holds immense promise. India’s development partnership will continue to prioritise capacity building, knowledge exchange, infrastructure support and people-centred projects. We will work side by side with Uganda to create opportunities for trade, industrialisation, agricultural modernisation, digital innovation and climate-resilient development.

The NFSU campus in Jinja, expanding ITEC engagement, scholarships, business delegations, and continued defence collaboration are the scaffolding on which deeper cooperation will be built. On this Republic Day, we also recall the spirit of India’s cultural and civilisational diversity. The Republic Day Parade in New Delhi – this year themed on the 150 years of Vande Mataram- celebrates our cultural heritage, artistic creativity and unity in diversity. It reminds us that democracy and development are sustained by citizens’ active participation, the courage to innovate, and the humility to serve.

I thank our partners today – Bank of Baroda, Bank of India, Airtel, Tata Group, Bajaj Auto and Ashok Leyland – for supporting this event and for their significant operations in Uganda. They are showcasing their products here, and I encourage you to visit their displays. I also thank our partners for today’s programme: the management of Sheraton, members of the Indian community who supported us, and above all, my entire team at the High Commission, who have worked tirelessly.

In closing, let me reiterate India’s friendship and gratitude to Uganda – to its government, institutions, business community and people of all communities who welcome and work with us. Our partnership has matured into a relationship of trust and shared purpose. Together we can advance mutual prosperity, regional stability and a stronger voice for developing nations on the world stage.

Arsenal booked their spot in the League Cup final by beating Chelsea 1-0 at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday thanks to an injury-time goal by former Blues attacker Kai Havertz, sealing an aggregate 4-2 win over their London rivals.

After a cagey first hour of the semi-final second leg, with each goalkeeper making only one save, Chelsea coach Liam Rosenior switched to a more attacking formation by bringing Cole Palmer and Brazil winger Estevao off the bench.

They were followed by Alejandro Garnacho – scorer of both Chelsea’s goals in Arsenal’s 3-2 first-leg win at Stamford Bridge – as the visitors went in search of the goal they needed to level the aggregate score.

But Mikel Arteta’s men held out against the pressure before Havertz scored the only goal of the game in a breakaway move in the dying seconds.

In their first League Cup final since 2018, the Premier League leaders will face either Manchester City or Newcastle United who play their semi-final second leg on Wednesday with City 2-0 ahead from the first leg.