Category: Daily Monitor

Masindi Municipality has entered a new political phase after newly elected leaders from the National Resistance Movement (NRM) and their independent colleagues agreed to form an alliance.

It is aimed at improving cooperation, service delivery, and collective lobbying for increased government funding. The alliance was unveiled during a meeting held at the home of the newly elected Masindi Municipality Mayor, Mr Rogers Amanyire.

It brought together Members of Parliament representing Masindi, municipality division chairpersons, as well as municipal and district councillors. Youth unemployment dominated discussions, with leaders warning that failure to create jobs for young people could fuel crime and social instability.

To address this, the alliance resolved to promote vocational skills training, support youth savings and credit cooperatives (Saccos), and attract small and medium-scale industries to the municipality. Mr Amanyire said the decision to work together reflected a clear message from voters during the recent elections.

‘We heard the voice of the people very clearly. They want leaders to work together and deliver services. This alliance is our response,’ he said.

He added that poor road conditions and blocked drainage channels remain major challenges, with low-lying areas such as Kigulya and Nyangahya frequently affected by flooding. Mr Amanyire said leaders would jointly lobby the central government for increased funding and take a more active role in supervising ongoing projects.

‘We are tired of shoddy work. We shall closely monitor projects ourselves and ensure contractors deliver quality work. Taxpayers deserve value for their money,’ he said.

For years, Masindi District Council sessions have been characterised by political tensions, with disagreements often spilling into the public domain and delaying decision-making.

Residents have repeatedly complained that political divisions slowed development projects and undermined service delivery. The newly elected Masindi Municipality Member of Parliament, Mr Rogers Byamukama, said leaders had reflected on past mistakes and agreed that continued rivalry would only harm residents. ‘We competed during elections, which was normal. But elections are now over. If we continue fighting, it is the people who will suffer,’ Mr Byamukama said.

Mr Solomon Asiimwe, the Karujubu Division chairperson, said the alliance would help build harmony between political leaders and technical staff. That is a move from the disconnected voices they previously had.

Masindi is among the fastest-growing urban centres in the Bunyoro Sub-region, driven by its strategic position along the Kampala-Gulu Highway and proximity to the Albertine oil region. While this growth presents economic opportunities, it has also increased pressure on infrastructure, health services, education, and waste management. Mr Alled Akugizibwe, the newly elected Buruli County Member of Parliament, said coordinated planning was essential. ‘Masindi is growing whether we like it or not.

The question is whether we plan for that growth or allow it to overwhelm us. This alliance is about planning together and acting together,’ he said. Infrastructure development, particularly roads and drainage systems, was identified as a top priority. Central Division Chairperson Fredrick Mandela emphasised the need for community involvement.

‘Government cannot do everything alone. Residents must also change their mindset and help keep the town clean,’ he said.

Health and education were also highlighted as urgent concerns. The Masindi District LC5 Chairperson, Mr Patrick Wobusobozi, said leaders would jointly lobby for improved staffing, medical supplies, and equipment at Masindi General Hospital and other facilities.

‘No single leader can solve these challenges alone. When we move together, our voice becomes stronger,’ he said.

Residents expressed cautious optimism. Ms Sarah Nyamwija, a trader at Masindi Main Market, said unity among leaders would benefit businesses.

‘Traders need peace and better services to operate. If leaders work together, things will improve,’ she said.

However, others called for action. ‘We have heard good speeches before. Fix the roads and control floods, then we shall believe,’ said boda boda rider Mr John Twinomujuni.

Every year on February 2, the world pauses to reflect on the value of wetlands-those often-overlooked ecosystems that quietly sustain life.

This year’s World Wetlands Day, themed ‘Wetlands and traditional knowledge: Celebrating cultural heritage,’ invites us not merely to look at wetlands as ecological assets, but as living archives of culture, wisdom and identity. In Uganda, this theme could not be timelier.

From the papyrus-fringed shores of Lake Victoria to the seasonal wetlands of the cattle corridor, Uganda’s wetlands have long been shaped, protected and interpreted through traditional knowledge systems. Long before policy instruments, environmental impact assessments or Ramsar designations, our communities understood wetlands as sacred spaces, sources of livelihood, and buffers against environmental shocks.

Among fishing communities around Lake Victoria, traditional norms governed when and how fishing could take place, often linked to seasonal cycles and cultural beliefs. Certain breeding areas were respected and left undisturbed, not because of written law, but because of inherited wisdom passed from one generation to the next.

In central Uganda, papyrus wetlands were carefully harvested for crafts, roofing and mats, guided by practices that ensured regeneration rather than depletion. In eastern and western Uganda, wetlands played a critical role in drought resilience, providing dry-season grazing and water for livestock-used wisely and communally.

These practices were not accidental. They reflected a deep appreciation of ecological balance and interdependence. Traditional knowledge recognised that wetlands are not wastelands, but lifelines-filtering water, controlling floods, storing carbon and supporting biodiversity. Today, science affirms what culture has long known.

Yet, despite this rich heritage, Uganda’s wetlands are under unprecedented threat. Rapid urbanisation, industrial expansion, unsustainable agriculture and weak enforcement of environmental laws have led to widespread encroachment. In Kampala alone, wetlands that once acted as natural flood controls have been drained or built over, with devastating consequences-annual flooding, water pollution and loss of livelihoods.

The tragedy is not only ecological; it is cultural. As wetlands disappear, so too does the traditional knowledge associated with them. Burgeoning generations are increasingly disconnected from indigenous conservation practices, while development narratives too often dismiss culture as incompatible with progress.

World Wetlands Day 2026 challenges us to rethink this false dichotomy. Protecting wetlands in Uganda is not just about restoring ecosystems; it is about restoring respect for culture, community and collective memory. Policymakers must go beyond technocratic solutions and meaningfully integrate traditional knowledge into wetland governance. Community elders, cultural institutions and indigenous knowledge holders should not be treated as symbolic stakeholders, but as co-creators of conservation strategies.

Concomitantly, documenting and transmitting traditional knowledge is essential. Schools, universities and civil society certainly have a role in ensuring that cultural heritage becomes a living resource for sustainability, not a relic of the past.

Let us remember that Uganda’s path to environmental resilience may well lie in rediscovering what we already know. When culture guides conservation, wetlands thrive-and so does humanity.

The Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB) has organised a special marking session for the 34 Primary Leaving Examination (PLE) scripts in the Integrated Science subject for learners at Bamure Primary School, Koboko District.

This session, announced by the UNEB spokesperson, Ms Jennifer Kalule, follows the discovery of these scripts in a metallic box in the office of the school’s head teacher on Sunday.

‘UNEB would like to assure the public that the missing PLE scripts of Integrated Science for learners of Bamure Primary School, Koboko District, have been recovered and examiners have been invited for marking and subsequent grading of the candidates,’ Ms Kalule said in a statement released on Tuesday.

Her statement came after the Monitor ran a front-page article titled ‘Forgotten PLE Scripts’, which unearthed the negligence by both UNEB officials and school administration that led to the forgetting of the scripts in the head teacher’s office on November 4, 2025.

Disgruntled parents of the 34 candidates, including 18 boys and 16 girls, joined their children and concerned stakeholders yesterday, storming the school premises seeking an explanation and the fate of their children.

Ms Kalule, in an assurance, said, ‘The Board hereby reassures the parents and candidates of Bamure Primary School, and all concerned stakeholders that the scripts will be marked expeditiously and the candidates graded in time for the selection and placement exercise.’

She added that upon its discovery, the said envelope, for avoidance of doubt, was first handed over to Koboko Central Police Station, who collected it from the school and confirmed that it had not been tampered with, before passing it to UNEB.

‘For quality control procedures, before the release of the results, the Board had established that the scripts of 34 candidates of the said school were missing. The learners were tentatively awarded ‘X’ as a thorough check for the scripts was being conducted at our marking centres, followed by the school,’ Ms. Kalule said.

She added, ‘It is this investigation that led to the discovery of the sealed script envelope, which was found intact in the lockable box for UNEB materials in the office of the Headmaster.’

Police, in a Tuesday statement, said a general Enquiry File has been opened to investigate the circumstances under which the PLE answer scripts envelope for integrated science, random number 819239 of Bamure Primary School, was not submitted for marking, subsequently leading to missing marks for all the 34 pupils.

The statement read, ‘Crime scene was visited, examined, processed, and documented by socco with support from other officers, all under the command of DPC, SP Masereka Michael.’

Some of the implicated officials have already been interrogated, according to the statement.

As Ugandans stepped into 2026, www.monitor.co.ug, Uganda’s most-visited news website, recorded these as the most-read stories in January.

From high-stakes politics and disputed elections to national education updates and global recognition for Ugandans, here’s a look back at January’s most-read stories, ranked by article reads in descending order of popularity:

10. Veteran gynecologist Dr Ignatius James Batwala dies

Dr Ignatius James Batwala, 89, a veteran Kampala gynecologist and former Deputy Prime Minister of Busoga Kingdom, died on December 31, 2025, at his Ntinda home, hours after returning from a burial in eastern Uganda.

Dr Batwala, who had also served as Deputy Minister of Health (1986-1988), collapsed shortly after stepping out of the family car and was pronounced dead en route to Mulago Heart Institute. His private clinic, Fiona Clinic, and decades of public service left a lasting impact on Uganda’s medical and social landscape.

9. Returning officer flees with Nalukoola’s declaration forms

Following the high stakes January 15 parliamentary elections, Elias Luyimbazi Nalukoola of NUP was declared the winner of Kawempe North MP seat with 34,985 votes.

Amid the announcement, Kampala District Returning Officer Rashid Hasakya fled the tally centre after clashes with supporters of Nalukoola’s closest rival, Faridah Nambi (NRM), before returning moments later to hand over the declaration forms.

Nalukoola hailed his victory, calling it a triumph of the people over attempts to manipulate the results.

8. Ronald Balimwezo takes early lead in Kampala mayor race

In the Kampala Mayor race, NUP candidate and eventual winner Ronald Balimwezo remained ahead of incumbent Erias Lukwago in early tallies, dominating opposition strongholds across Kawempe, Makindye, and Central divisions.

Balimwezo’s performance foreshadowed the end of Lukwago’s more than decade-long tenure. Low voter turnout was reported, yet Balimwezo secured decisive wins in multiple polling stations, while NRM’s Moses Nsubuga performed strongly in select pockets.

7. UCC orders mobile networks to suspend public internet

Just two days before Uganda’s January 15 General Election, Ugandans were thrown into a blackout as the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) directed all mobile operators and ISPs to suspend public internet access, halt SIM card sales, and restrict outbound roaming.

The directive, effective January 13, followed recommendations from the Inter-Agency Security Committee ahead of polls that saw President Museveni win another disputed term. The blackout and restrictions affected voter access to information and reporting and were blamed for failure of biometric machines on voting day.

6. Four Ugandans among 100 Most Reputable Africans 2026

Reputation Poll International recognized four Ugandans in its 2026 ‘Benchmark of Trust, Integrity and Impact’ list: Ambassador Allan Kajik, opposition leader and musician Bobi Wine, energy entrepreneur Dorothy Pinyoloya, and infrastructure finance expert Samallie Kiyingi.

The list celebrates ethical leadership, influence, and social impact across Africa. Bobi Wine was noted for advocacy on democratic reform and youth participation, while Kajik was lauded for diplomatic and development work.

5. Muhoozi stirs social media with photo of ‘captured’ Bobi Wine’s wife

Not fresh to controversy through his inflammatory posts, first son and military chief Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, sparked debate after posting an image of Bobi Wine’s wife, Barbara, claiming she had been ‘captured’ during a military operation.

The posts came after Bobi Wine fled his home and reported harassment by security forces following the January 15 election, in which he finished second.

The incident intensified scrutiny of Uganda’s security operations and raised tensions with foreign diplomats allegedly linked to his movements.

4. Uganda’s 2026 election: Bobi Wine lags behind Museveni in early tally

This was a weblog with election day coverage, which could have drawn even more readers. Its readership was constrained by a nationwide internet blackout. Main issue on voting day was technical glitches with biometric voter verification machines that forced a shift to manual voting, prompting claims from Bobi Wine and other opposition figures that the process was being manipulated.

President Museveni, whose fingerprint failed to authenticate on the voting machine, also vowed to launch a probe to determine whether the malfunction was deliberate by EC insiders.

3. PLE results set for Friday release

The long-awaited Primary Leaving Examinations (PLE) 2025 results were scheduled for release on January 30, 2026, according to UNEB spokesperson Jennifer Kalule. The announcement followed consultations with Education Minister Janet Kataha Museveni, ensuring stakeholders were informed prior to the release.

2. Uganda travellers to pay Shs18m-Shs56m as US expands visa bonds

US-Uganda relations under the spotlight again. The United States placed Uganda among 30+ countries whose citizens must post substantial financial bonds-$5,000 to $15,000-to obtain short-term B1/B2 visas starting January 21, 2026.

The move raised concerns over strained diplomatic ties and the financial burden on Ugandan travellers, particularly for business, education, and diaspora engagement. Analysts noted the policy aligned with US immigration priorities targeting overstays and national security risks.

1. Govt releases dates for 2026 school calendar

Back to school. The Ministry of Education and Sports released the 2026 academic calendar, designating February 2, 2026, as the start of the first term for primary and secondary schools. The dates were later revised due to fears over the post-election environment.

First Term will now open February `10. Permanent Secretary Kedrace Turyagyenda urged strict adherence to the calendar, emphasizing that no school term should be shortened without authorization.

For years, the release of national examination results has followed a familiar and troubling pattern in Budaka District. Each season brings renewed anxiety, heated public debate and, ultimately, disappointment as hundreds of candidates fail to attain the required standards.

Budaka, located in eastern Uganda, is among the districts that registered a high number of failures in the 2025 Primary Leaving Examinations (PLE), whose results were released on Friday.

According to district education records, the area presented 5,454 candidates. Of these, 245 passed in Division One, 1,705 in Division Two, 1,496 in Division Three and 1,123 in Division Four.

However, 758 candidates were graded Division U, while 46 fell in Division X. Beyond the stark figures on the score sheets lies a deeper story of systemic challenges that continue to undermine learning outcomes in the district.

Education experts and local leaders point to limited access to quality learning resources as a key driver of Budaka’s persistent poor performance.

Many schools, particularly in rural areas, grapple with overcrowded classrooms, inadequate textbooks and severe teacher shortages, conditions that make effective teaching and independent learning extremely difficult.

Without basic instructional materials, even motivated learners struggle to keep pace with the syllabus, widening learning gaps long before they sit their final examinations.

Teacher shortages remain a major concern. Several schools operate with fewer teachers than required, forcing those available to manage large classes and teach multiple subjects.

‘This limits individual attention for learners, especially those who fall behind at an early stage. Over time, these small gaps grow wider and eventually show up in poor examination results,’ said Mr James Mwigo, a parent in Budaka.

Irregular school attendance is another critical factor. Poverty continues to disrupt education in many households, with some learners missing classes to support their families through farming, casual labour or small-scale trading. Others temporarily drop out due to lack of scholastic materials or meals at school.

‘When learners are frequently absent, continuity in learning is lost, making exam preparation extremely difficult,’ Mr Mwigo added.

Infrastructure challenges further compound the problem. Dilapidated classrooms, a shortage of desks and long distances to school negatively affect learners’ concentration, motivation and overall morale.

Despite the grim picture, education stakeholders in the district say there is room for optimism if targeted interventions are prioritised. Local leaders and school administrators have called for increased teacher recruitment, establishment of school feeding programmes, improved access to learning materials and stronger community involvement in education.

Mr Michael Wairagala, a retired teacher, said early childhood education and remedial teaching for struggling learners are essential to reversing the trend.

‘Budaka’s high failure rates do not reflect a lack of ability among learners. They are a result of systemic challenges that require coordinated action,’ he said.

The head teacher of Budaka Family Helper Project Primary School, Mr Eriya Poli, added that although there was a slight improvement in the latest PLE results, failure rates remain high.

‘This is attributed to several factors, including parents failing to fulfil their responsibilities, lack of staff teachers, inadequate accommodation and the absence of school feeding,’ Mr Poli said.

His school registered only six candidates in Division One. Budaka Senior Education Officer Shania Mugala acknowledged the marginal improvement but expressed concern over the high number of ungraded candidates.

‘The Division U figures are worrying. This has been attributed to teenage pregnancies, lack of feeding, teacher shortages, accommodation challenges and inadequate classrooms,’ Ms Mugala said.

She added that while the results were fairly assessed, multiple underlying factors continue to affect performance, including negative parental attitudes and limited political support for the education sector.

‘Political leaders often discourage parents from contributing towards school needs such as feeding and assessment. Later, blame is shifted to teachers, yet without proper support, meaningful improvement is impossible,’ she said.

Ms Mugala also criticised the automatic promotion policy, adding that many learners progress without adequate assessment.

‘The Education Act clearly outlines the roles of parents, teachers and administrators. Without motivating teachers and addressing basic needs like lunch and scholastic materials, better results will remain elusive,’ she said.

Select areas: Division U figures

Palilisa: 1, 285

Tororo District: 1, 017

Butaleja: 775

Budaka: 758

Kibuku: 741

Butebo: 743

Busia District: 382

Busia Municipality: 122

Tororo Municipality: 99

As technology reshapes economies and societies, women remain largely absent from the spaces where digital systems are designed, built, and governed.

Globally, for decades, access to credit has been treated as a shorthand for economic progress.

The assumption is that when households and businesses can borrow, they can smooth consumption, invest, and grow.

Across Uganda, from small traders and salaried workers to entrepreneurs, the lived experience of borrowing tells a more complicated story.

Loans meant to unlock opportunity often become sources of stress. The challenge is not always the absence of credit, but how borrowing decisions are made once money becomes available.

As banks compete on speed, digital access, and product variety, a harder question is emerging: are borrowers equipped to make sound choices after credit is approved?

The shift underway is less about lending and more about lending and borrowing, better.

It is this gap that Absa says it is deliberately targeting. Speaking at the launch of a customer campaign, Moses Rutahigwa, the Absa director of retail and business banking, said: ‘Most times, when we borrow, we take loans without understanding what the loan is for’.

‘We borrow short-term money to finance long-term needs. We mix business money with personal expenses. Before we know it, the loan moves very fast, and the purpose it was meant for is not achieved.’

His point highlights a systemic pattern, where loans intended for growth are diverted to emergencies.

Working capital is absorbed by household pressures. Borrowers begin optimistically. They borrow well, smiling, but the recovery process becomes painful for both customers and banks.

In this framing, the problem is not credit itself, but credit without clarity.

Industry data reflects both progress and fragility. According to Bank of Uganda, non-performing loans declined to about 3.66 percent as of September last year, reflecting tighter underwriting and stronger recovery processes.

Beneath that improvement, banks still observe weak planning, blurred boundaries between personal and business finances, and loans applied to purposes they were never designed to serve.

The result is a persistent drag on productivity and household stability.

Thus, Absa seeks to reposition financial knowledge as a core growth input rather than a soft add-on.

‘Access alone is not enough,’ Rutahigwa says. ‘Credit, if not well understood and without the right purpose, is not good credit.’

In practice, this means shifting the conversation upstream, before a loan is taken, toward planning, structure, and informed decision-making.

That philosophy is shaping how products are framed. The campaign spans unsecured personal loans, home loans, digital lending, asset finance, and tailored solutions for entrepreneurs and schools.

But the emphasis is deliberately broader than price and speed. The stated objective is to ensure borrowing ‘brings more joy and progress, but not the pressure that sometimes comes with it.’

A central tension in modern banking is speed versus structure. Digital lending has trained customers to expect instant decisions, yet fast money can amplify poor choices.

Rutahigwa argues the two do not have to be mutually exclusive. Delays can carry real costs, missed business cycles, unpaid school fees, or stalled trade.

But speed without purpose only compounds risk. ‘We are not saying just come and borrow,’ Rutahigwa says. ‘Borrow with an informed point of view.’

This thinking aligns with broader regulatory efforts. Bank of Uganda and the Uganda Bankers Association have stepped up financial capability initiatives, from integrating financial education into schools to reaching underserved communities through public platforms.

The recognition is growing that sustainable credit expansion depends as much on borrower behaviour as on lender balance sheets.

For the wider economy, the implications are significant. As more capital flows into households and small businesses, the quality of borrowing decisions will increasingly determine whether credit fuels productive investment or entrenches cycles of distress.

Financial literacy, often treated as peripheral, is emerging as a central driver of resilience.

Coffee entrepreneur Robert Kabushenga pushes the debate further, arguing that responsible borrowing cannot be separated from how well banks understand the people behind loan applications.

He questions whether the industry’s approach to Know Your Customer (KYC) genuinely reflects borrowers’ economic realities.

‘Banks talk about KYC all the time,’ Kabushenga says, ‘but in practice, it is mostly paperwork. Opening an account captures identity, not context. It does not tell you how many enterprises a customer runs or the obligations shaping their financial decisions.’

He notes that weak customer understanding leads to a mismatch between credit products and real needs, particularly for entrepreneurs and farmers. Lenders, he says, often prioritise collateral over cash flows.

‘A farmer comes to borrow to sell coffee, but the bank is more interested in a house in Muyenga,’ he says.

‘That tells you the business itself has not been understood. We keep saying agriculture is not bankable, but have we invested in understanding how agricultural businesses actually operate?’

Kabushenga argues that stronger customer profiling should begin long before a loan is requested. Banks should actively collect and update customer data, track financial behaviour over time, and engage clients early about future financing needs.

‘Call me before I need money and say, if one day you wanted to borrow, this is the information we would require,’ he says. ‘So when the time comes, the bank already understands my business.’

Beyond data, he believes banks should play a clearer advisory role. Lending decisions driven primarily by loan book growth, he warns, risk undermining customer sustainability.

‘The priority should not be how much money you have lent,’ he says. ‘It should be whether you have a quality customer who understands credit and applies it well.’

Financial expert Newton Buteraba locates the borrowing problem at the intersection of risk, timing, and human behaviour.

‘A loan is built around certainty,’ Buteraba, the House of Wealth chief executive officer, says.

‘Repayments are fixed and predictable. But a young business operates on probability. You are still testing the product, the market, and the supply chain. When certainty meets uncertainty, the result is pressure.’

He argues this mismatch explains why borrowing too early can destabilise startups and small enterprises.

At the point a loan is approved, the bank has already defined the repayment path, while the entrepreneur is still figuring out whether revenue will be consistent.

Buteraba also highlights the psychological dimension of borrowing.

‘Most loans are taken under emotional pressure,’ he says. ‘School fees, rent, emergencies, and social obligations create urgency. Short-term relief often crowds out future repayment capacity.’

The imbalance is widened by unequal preparation. Banks approach lending with teams of lawyers, valuers, and risk managers.

Individuals often arrive alone and unadvised. ‘Without guidance, customers negotiate from a position of weakness,’ he says, concluding that sustainable borrowing requires planning before money changes hands.

‘Debt should follow clarity, not urgency. When borrowers understand risk, timing, and obligations upfront, credit stops being a trap and starts enabling growth,’ Buteraba says.

Police in Uganda’s southwestern district of Kisoro have registered a sudden death after a 19-year-old student was allegedly killed by a lightning strike during heavy rainfall, authorities said on Tuesday.

The deceased, identified as Perfect Namara, was struck at around 7:00 pm on February 2, 2026, while inside a house in Kirundo Village, Kasharara Parish, Kirundo Sub-county, according to police.

She was in the house with her father, George Bitwite, and her sister-in-law, Gloria Tuyisishimye, when lightning struck, rendering all three unconscious.

After regaining consciousness, the father discovered that his daughter had died at the scene.

Kigezi regional police spokesperson ASP Elly Maate confirmed the incident, saying the case was reported at Kirundo Police Station by George Irinatwe, 46.

‘It is very unfortunate to lose such a young life. Police were promptly informed, and our officers, together with medical personnel, attended the scene to verify the details,’ ASP Maate said.

‘The body of the deceased remains at the scene pending arrangements for a postmortem examination. Inquiries are ongoing, and we extend our deepest condolences to the bereaved family,’ he added.

Police said the victim was a resident of Kirundo Village in Kisoro District. No further injuries were reported following the incident.

Lightning strikes are a recurring hazard in parts of Uganda, particularly during the rainy season.

The natural phenomenon results from electrostatic discharges between charged regions within clouds or between clouds and the Earth, producing intense flashes of light and thunder.

According to government data, more than a dozen people are killed by lightning annually in Uganda, often during heavy rainfall.

Authorities have previously urged communities to observe safety precautions during storms, including avoiding open spaces and unsafe structures, as investigations into the Kisoro incident continue.

Youth leaders from districts that make up the Eastern Uganda electoral area last Wednesday elected Dr Wanyama Judas Thadeo as the 12th Youth Member of Parliament for the Eastern Region.

The process began last week on Tuesday, with delegates arriving at the Islamic University in Uganda (IUIU) in Mbale City, where candidates engaged delegates to canvass for votes.

Mr Wanyama, the ruling NRM party flag bearer, was declared the winner by Mr Deo Atukunda, the Eastern Uganda returning officer. He garnered 1,174 votes, defeating his closest rival, Mr Timothy Kivunike Kadaga, an Independent, who polled 497 votes.

Mr Omaria Emmanuel (Ind) got 438 votes, Mr Masawi Ivan (FDC) polled 19 votes, Mr Wandukwa Simon Gyabi (NUP) secured nine votes, while Ms Nambozo Josephine, another Independent and the only female candidate, received none.

Mr Wanyama, who replaces Mr Bernard Odoi, the Eastern Youth MP in the 11th Parliament, thanked party delegates for the support and urged the youth to now focus on developing the region.

‘I am grateful that we have achieved victory for the position of Youth MP for Eastern Uganda. Politicking is now done, and I pray that we work together for better service delivery,’ Mr Wanyama said shortly after his declaration.

Some delegates said the new MP should prioritise raising key issues on the floor of Parliament, including unemployment, high school dropout rates, early pregnancies and early marriages, to secure practical solutions. Mr Cypriano Gisamu, the secretary for finance of Ikumbya Sub-county in Luuka District, said young people need opportunities to improve their welfare.

‘Many youths are struggling.We need ventures that can enable us to solve the vice of unemployment. Most of our girls and boys are dropping out of school due to poverty,’ Mr Gisamu said.

Mr Masawi Ivan, who also contested on the FDC ticket, said Eastern Uganda remains one of the most marginalised regions.

‘We have seen several reports pointing out Eastern Uganda as one of the most marginalised regions, only ahead of Northern Uganda,’ Mr Masawi said.

Another delegate, Mr Martin Mutambo, said the new MP should lobby for industrialisation and advocate equal opportunities for youth from all regions.

‘As youths from the East, we want a leader who will represent us, not himself. We have papers, but no jobs,’ he said.

During polling, there were reports of electoral violence, open voter bribery and cases of ghost delegates. Police arrested two youth who were found in possession of fake delegate cards.

Mr Edim Francis, a delegate from Soroti City East Division, said the process was flawed, alleging that money was openly distributed at the polling station in the presence of electoral officials, police and Electoral Commission staff.

‘This election was not fair. Money was being distributed and ghost voters were ferried in,’ Mr Edim said. However, Mr Atukunda said the exercise was peaceful and well managed, adding that it was conducted at a single polling station.

‘There were six candidates, and the winner has been declared. This marks the end of the exercise, and the process was successful,’ Mr Atukunda said.

The elections for regional youth representatives were held on January 28 across various regional electoral centres, with the ruling NRM winning in all regions.

In Central Uganda, NRM’s Mr Begiira Samuel was declared winner after garnering 1,001 votes, defeating Mr Kulabako Edward (NUP), who polled 12 votes; Mr Bbale Andrew (DP), who got two votes; Mr Nazimuzra Isaac (Ind), who secured 46 votes; Mr Ssentamu Churchill James (Ind), who polled 34 votes; Ms Nawanyanga Gloria (Ind), who got four votes; and Mr Jjagwe Tony Raymond (Ind), who received one vote.

In Western Uganda, NRM flag bearer Mr Tumwebaze Mwine was declared the duly elected Youth Member of Parliament after defeating eight other candidates with 1,557 votes. NRM’s Elma Kapel Challa was also declared the elected Youth MP for Northern Uganda after garnering 1,245 votes, while her closest contender, Ms Wacha Elizabeth Shakira of UPC, polled 343 votes.

The Electoral Commission (EC) has set February 4 as the new polling date for the election of the Butebo District LC5 chairperson and directly elected district councillors, following the suspension of the exercise over gross irregularities. The entire country was scheduled to elect LC5 chairpersons on January 22.

However, the exercise in Butebo District descended into chaos, forcing the EC to halt all district-level elections. What was expected to be a routine local government election instead spiralled into violent scenes marked by destruction of property, massive ballot stuffing and the breakdown of the electoral process.

The unprecedented decision to suspend polling raised serious concerns about the integrity of elections and political stability at the grassroots. Butebo was among the districts slated to elect local leaders on January 22, but the process degenerated into disorder across several areas.

In a January 22 statement, the EC announced the postponement of all elections in the district, including those for district chairperson, directly elected district councillors and district women councillors, citing widespread disruptions that made credible polling impossible.

EC chairperson Justice Simon Byabakama said polling materials, including ballot papers, had been tampered with, destroyed or lost during violent confrontations, undermining the exercise.

‘The Commission informs the general public that it has received reports of serious interruptions to the electoral process in Butebo, which resulted in the damage to and loss of critical electoral materials, including ballot papers,’ the statement read.

‘These incidents significantly affected the polling process in several sub-counties across the district. In view of the above, and in order to safeguard the integrity of the electoral process, the EC has taken the decision to postpone the elections for all elective positions in Butebo,’ the EC added.

The Commission later announced that a new polling date had been confirmed.

According to the EC roadmap, which designated February 4 as the polling date for local government council elections at sub-county, town council and municipal division levels nationwide, the Commission has now appointed the same date for district-level elections in Butebo.

The EC says voting would be conducted by universal adult suffrage and would take place at all polling stations across the district from 7am to 4pm. The Commission called upon all stakeholders and voters in Butebo to participate peacefully and observe electoral laws and guidelines.

‘The Commission calls upon candidates, their agents, supporters and the people of Butebo to remain calm and maintain peace,’ the EC indicates.

The Commission noted that disruptions had compromised the integrity of the election process, leaving the Commission with no option but to suspend the entire exercise until conditions allowed for a peaceful and credible vote.

The Butebo LC5 race has attracted several candidates, including Mr James Okurut (Independent), Mr Sam Keddi (NRM), Mr Isaac Kimbugwe (Independent) and Mr Yassin Lobba (FDC).

The district has 165 polling stations and about 69,000 registered voters. Mr Bulaimu Bwaliwonaki, a resident of Kabwangasi Town Council, told Daily Monitor that violence erupted after the EC delivered electoral materials that were tampered with.

‘We were surprised when we closely scrutinised the materials only to discover that they had brought fewer ballot papers, with only one declaration form instead of the eight required,’ he said.

‘People began raising concerns across the entire district, with reports of some polling stations receiving pre-ticked ballot papers. This sparked widespread protests,’ Mr Bwaliwonaki added.

He cited areas including Kanyum, Kachulu, Kanginima, Butebo Town Council, Kashebai, Kiruluma, Obokora and Odipanya, where candidates’ agents were allegedly chased away.

Ms Beatrice Agudo, a candidate for district councillor representing Butebo Town Council and Kabilai, said her agents were severely beaten, with some admitted to health facilities.

‘We intercepted a box full of pre-ticked ballot papers, yet the materials delivered earlier already had anomalies, including fewer declaration forms and ballot papers,’ Ms Agudo said.

She added that her counterpart, Mr Edward Ojulu, who was contesting for district councillor representing Butebo Sub-county, was also beaten and was receiving treatment at Pallisa Hospital. We were unable to verify this by press time. Ms Agudo also cited an incident in Kashebai A and B, where a presiding officer allegedly issued five ballot papers to a single voter, triggering serious confrontation.

‘At Odipanya Polling Station, officials attempted to replace a box containing pre-ticked ballot papers with the one initially delivered,’ she said

‘This was broad daylight theft of the people’s decision. The EC’s decision to postpone the elections was therefore welcome.’ She criticised the slow response by security agencies despite reports being made to the EC in Butebo.

Another voter, Mr Abubakar Namunyi, also expressed disappointment, describing the exercise as marred by ballot stuffing, violence and destruction of voting materials.

‘The chaos in Butebo is being engineered by some prominent individuals in the district, but we shall not allow a few people to decide on behalf of the people of Butebo,’ Mr Namunyi said.

He alleged that some polling officials had been compromised and were found with pre-ticked ballot papers. At the EC offices in Butebo, heavy security deployment was observed as police and the army patrolled hotspots to prevent further violence. Senior police officers from the region held a nearly four-hour meeting with candidates after calls to suspend the exercise intensified.

Aspirants speak

Mr Keddi said the irregularities were unacceptable. ‘The exercise was marred by massive rigging even before polling day. A large number of ballot papers were impounded, already pre-ticked,’ Mr Keddi said.

He said the EC’s suspension decision, though drastic, was necessary to protect the credibility of the process.

‘The chaos we are witnessing is being caused by high-profile individuals pursuing personal interests. Right from the NRM primaries, I have faced such challenges,’ he said.

Mr Okurut said he was disappointed by the suspension, citing the financial burden.

‘The EC’s decision to suspend the elections completely disorganise us. Running as an Independent candidate is costly, and the resources we have committed are substantial.’

Persistent flooding in Ntoroko District has once again highlighted deep inequalities in access to quality education after several flood-affected primary schools registered poor performance in the recently released Primary Leaving Examinations (PLE) results. According to the PLE results, only five candidates from Ntoroko District attained First Division.

Since the beginning of 2025, floods have submerged classrooms, staff houses and learning materials, forcing learners to abandon permanent school structures and continue studying in makeshift tents, where many remain to date. Some of the affected schools include Masaka, Umoja and Rwangara Primary Schools, where flooding destroyed property and disrupted learning.

At Umoja and Rwangara, pupils have been studying in temporary tents after classrooms were partially submerged. Schools in Kanara and Butungama sub-counties, which were among the worst hit earlier in the year, recorded mainly Second and Third Division results.

Education leaders attribute the poor performance to prolonged displacement, poor learning environments and repeated disruptions to the school calendar. At Masaka Primary School, the head teacher, Mr Vincent Asiimwe, said the school registered 28 candidates, none of whom attained First Division.

‘Out of the 28 candidates, 17 passed in Second Division, 10 in Third Division and one candidate did not turn up for the exams,’ Mr Asiimwe said.

He compared the performance with 2024, when the school produced one First Division candidate with Aggregate 10, despite similar challenges.

‘With the persistent floods, I believe we have performed fairly well. Parents want First Division, but given our situation, this was very difficult because we did not complete the syllabus properly,’ he said.

Mr Asiimwe explained that the school closed before the end of the first term, conducted mock examinations in the second term while teaching in flooded classrooms. This culminated in low concentration levels, even in the third term. ‘For the whole of last year, all school structures, including staff quarters, were submerged. We shifted and erected tents, and that is where learners have been studying.

Even when schools reopen, that is where we expect to continue from,’ he said. He added that the learning environment continues to undermine learners’ potential.

‘If the environment were conducive, these children would perform much better. Some pupils miss classes whenever their communities flood and families relocate to safer places,’ he said.

Flooding has also caused a sharp decline in enrolment at Masaka Primary School, from 695 pupils in 2024 to 342 in the third term of 2025, as displaced families moved away with their children. At Umoja Primary School, the head teacher, Mr Benson Ajuna, said flooding has crippled learning for years, with many buildings at the school partially submerged since 2019.

‘Since schools reopened after Covid-19, our pupils have been studying under tents at Rwenyena IDP camp. This learning environment is the main reason for our poor performance,’ he said.

In 2025, the school registered 30 candidates, with 29 scoring Second Division and one scoring Third Division. In 2024, all 21 candidates attained Second Division. ‘For me, these results are good, considering what we go through. But parents want First Division, which we can achieve if learning conditions improve. We need permanent school structures,’ Mr Ajuna said. At Rwangara Primary School, five out of 43 candidates attained First Division, while 38 scored Second Division.

In 2024, four flood-affected schools, Umoja, Rwangara, Kachwakum and Kamuga, were forced to share one examination centre at Rwangara Primary School. Out of 86 candidates who sat PLE, none attained First Division; 76 scored Second Division, seven scored Third Division and three missed the examinations.

Although Ntoroko District registered 1,408 Primary Seven candidates in 2024, with 125 pupils (nine percent) attaining First Division, educationists say district-level performance masks the hardships faced by learners in flood-prone communities.

In 2023, Rwangara Primary School, which served as an examination centre for flood-affected schools, registered 56 candidates, three of whom attained First Division.

Education leaders say this shows that learners in flood-prone areas can excel if provided with stable learning environments, adequate infrastructure and timely government intervention. Head teachers, parents and community leaders have called upon government, humanitarian agencies and development partners to prioritise the construction of permanent, flood-resistant school structures and to relocate schools from high-risk flood zones.

‘These children are not failing because they are weak. They are failing because the system has failed to protect their right to learn,’ said one teacher, who asked not to be named for fear of reprimand.