Category: Daily Monitor

As Uganda seeks to raise an additional Shs4.8 trillion in revenue through new tax measures in the 2026/27 financial year, debate is growing over who will bear the greatest burden of the reforms.

While government has presented the amendments as necessary for strengthening domestic revenue mobilisation, gender advocates argue that some of the proposed taxes could have unintended consequences for women, particularly those working in the informal economy.

A recent report by the Forum for Women in Democracy (Fowade), Shaping an Equal Future, notes that although some reforms are progressive, others risk widening existing economic disparities.

At the centre of the debate is government’s continued reliance on indirect taxation. Proposed levies on fuel are expected to generate significant revenue, but advocates say they will also increase the cost of everyday economic activity.

Women are particularly exposed to such changes because they make up a large share of workers in the informal sector and are more likely to depend on small-scale trading, public transport and mobile money transactions.

Fowade says higher fuel costs are likely to raise transport expenses for market vendors, caregivers, and women accessing healthcare and education services.

The report also draws attention to unpaid care work. Across Uganda, women spend several hours each day caring for children, preparing meals, collecting water, and performing other household responsibilities.

Rising costs of fuel and basic commodities can make these tasks more expensive and time-consuming, yet advocates say the tax proposals do little to support services such as affordable childcare, clean energy, and water infrastructure.

Another concern relates to government tax incentives for large corporations. Fowade,argues that extending tax holidays reduces resources that could otherwise be directed towards public services.

The report cites the extension of tax incentives for Bujagali Power as an example of revenue that could potentially support healthcare, education, and social protection programmes.

Not all the proposed reforms have attracted criticism, however. The increase in the Pay as You Earn (PAYE) threshold from Shs235,000 to Shs355,000 has been welcomed as a measure that will leave more disposable income in the hands of lower-income workers.

Likewise, the decision to raise the Value Added Tax (VAT) registration threshold from Shs150m to Shs250m, effective July 1, 2026, is expected to ease compliance costs for small businesses while improving tax administration.

PwC’s associate director for tax services, Juliet Najjinda Mutabaazi, says the adjustment reflects the fact that many VAT-registered small businesses contribute little to overall VAT collections while continuing to bear compliance costs.

Businesses with an annual turnover below Shs250m will be eligible to deregister from VAT and avoid monthly filing requirements.

However, some may choose to remain registered to claim input VAT on purchases and investments. Mutabaazi also notes that deregistration does not remove the requirement to issue electronic receipts through EFRIS.

The discussion around taxation has also reopened broader questions about gender-responsive budgeting and public service delivery.

Livingstone Ssewanyana, executive director of the Foundation for Human Rights Initiative, says the success of gender-inclusive budgeting should be assessed through the quality and accessibility of public services.

He argues that persistent shortcomings in service delivery undermine the effectiveness of budget allocations, regardless of the intentions behind them.

The debate has also highlighted concerns about issues that remain inadequately funded despite repeated advocacy.

Sarah Bireete, executive director of the Centre for Constitutional Governance, points to the continued absence of dedicated funding for sanitary pads for vulnerable schoolgirls, arguing that the issue continues to affect girls’ education outcomes.

She also maintains that pay disparities among teachers in government schools remain unresolved.

Four men have been charged with the murder of Uganda rugby player Sydney Gongodyo Gyabi and remanded to prison as police continue searching for other suspects linked to the killing.

The suspects, Obed Mugwisa, 39, a boda boda rider; Elly Mondoni, 33, a delivery agent; Joseph Owino, 30, a private security guard; and Henry Kabugo, 21, also a boda boda rider, appeared before City Hall Court on Friday.

Grade One Magistrate Edgar Karakire informed them of the murder charge but did not allow them to enter pleas because the offence is capital in nature and can only be tried by the High Court.

“This court does not have jurisdiction to try your case because it is capital in nature. I will send you to prison until investigations are complete and you are committed to the High Court for trial,” Karakire said.

The four were remanded to Luzira Prison until June 23 when the case returns for mention.

Prosecutor Grace Akite told the court that investigations were still ongoing and that police were pursuing additional suspects.

“We have other suspects still on the run and police are searching for them. We pray for an adjournment to enable police to conclude investigations and arrest other suspects,” Akite said.

According to the charge sheet, the accused and others still at large allegedly murdered Gongodyo on June 5 along Upper Naguru East Road in Kampala with malice aforethought.

Gongodyo, 27, was a forward for Uganda’s national 15s rugby team, the Rugby Cranes, and played for Stanbic Black Pirates Rugby Club.

Police say preliminary investigations indicate he was attacked by a crowd after being falsely accused of stealing a woman’s handbag in Kampala’s Bukoto suburb.

Officers intervened and rushed him to Mulago National Referral Hospital, but he later succumbed to his injuries.

His death sent shockwaves through Uganda’s rugby community, prompting the postponement of Uganda Rugby Premiership semi-final matches.

Uganda Rugby Union President Godwin Kayangwe described the player’s death as a “monumental loss to the sport.”

Authorities say efforts are ongoing to identify and arrest all those involved in the attack.

The killing renewed concerns over mob action in Uganda, where suspected criminals are often attacked by crowds before investigations are conducted. Police have repeatedly warned that such incidents can target innocent people and are sometimes exploited by criminals seeking to settle personal scores or commit theft under the cover of public anger.

The Government of Uganda has downplayed a decision by the State of Kuwait to ban the recruitment of domestic workers from Uganda and 26 other nations, stating that the country has no formal bilateral ties with the Gulf state.

Kuwait’s Ministry of Interior recently announced a sweeping overhaul to regulate its domestic labour sector, restricting recruitment to just 10 approved nations, including South Africa, Ethiopia, the Philippines, India, and Sri Lanka. Meanwhile, Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda, Burundi, and Nigeria are among the 27 countries slapped with a total ban following recommendations from Kuwait’s ministries of foreign affairs and health.

Reacting to the developments, Mr Aggrey Kibenge, the Permanent Secretary of Uganda’s Ministry of Gender, Labour, and Social Development, clarified that the ban does not impact official externalisation programmes.

“Our policy is that we only clear domestic workers to countries where we have bilateral labour agreements. Since we don’t have any agreement with Kuwait, we are not affected. Those who go there must be going on their own,” Mr. Kibenge explained.

While official channels bypass Kuwait, historical data indicates that over 700 Ugandans have previously traveled independently to the Gulf state for employment. The new restrictions underscore the vulnerabilities faced by Ugandans who bypass formal frameworks. Currently, Uganda maintains active bilateral labour agreements with other Middle Eastern and United Arab Emirates (UAE) destinations, including Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Qatar, and the UAE (Dubai).

The Middle East remains a crucial economic lifeline for Uganda, absorbing over 270,000 Ugandan workers over the last decade, primarily in the care and hospitality sectors.

According to data from the Ministry of Gender, Ugandan migrant workers in the Middle East send home approximately $822 million annually (nearly Shs3.1 trillion), accounting for roughly 33 per cent of Uganda’s total inward remittances. Saudi Arabia alone contributes about $350 million to this total, with women making up an estimated 84 per cent of that specific care workforce.

The broader impact of the diaspora was highlighted by the Minister of Finance, Planning, and Economic Development, Mr Henry Musasizi, during his June 11, 2026, budget speech for the financial year 2026/2027. He noted that total global remittances from Ugandans working abroad significantly increased to $2.8 billion in the 12 months to March 2026, up from $1.9 billion the previous year.

Despite these massive economic injections, the labour externalisation industry continues to face high-level political resistance. The Kuwait ban comes on the heels of sharp criticism from President Yoweri Museveni regarding the high number of Ugandans seeking “greener pastures” in Gulf nations.

“You find people going to work in Dubai. What are you going to do in Dubai? A desert? You leave paradise here [in Uganda] and you go to work in those places. It is inferiority complex, ignorance, poor leadership,” President Museveni stated during his State of the Nation Address on June 4, 2026.

Despite presidential reservations, externalised labour remains a vital valve for releasing unemployment pressure, providing essential foreign exchange, investment capital, and household income for thousands of Ugandan families.

Legal claims against government have increased sharply over the last three years, reaching Shs6.45 trillion by June 2025, according to the Ministry of Finance Contingent Liabilities Annual Report for the 2024/25 financial year.

The report shows that the value of court cases and other legal disputes involving government institutions rose from Shs4.41 trillion in June 2023 to Shs4.91 trillion in June 2024, representing an 11.2 percent increase.

The figure then jumped to Shs6.45 trillion in June 2025, marking a further 31.4 percent increase within a year.

Overall, legal claims against government have grown by about 46.2 percent over the last three years, highlighting what officials describe as one of the fastest-growing fiscal risks facing government.

In notes published together with the report, Finance permanent secretary and secretary to the treasury Ramathan Ggoobi said legal proceedings had become one of the fastest-growing contingent liabilities facing government, noting that proactive legal risk management was necessary to protect fiscal sustainability.

The latest increase of about Shs1.54 trillion means government faces growing exposure to potential payments arising from court awards, compensation claims, arbitration cases and contractual disputes.

Biggest share

The report shows that ministries account for the largest share of legal claims against government, with claims involving ministries increasing from Shs4.47 trillion in 2024 to Shs6.25 trillion in 2025, representing a 39.7 percent increase.

This rise accounts for most of the overall growth in legal claims recorded during the year and means ministries are responsible for nearly all of government’s legal liability exposure.

According to the report, many of the disputes are linked to land compensation claims, contracts, infrastructure projects and other government obligations that have ended up in court.

The report notes that because ministries implement major government programmes and infrastructure projects, they are naturally exposed to more disputes involving contractors, landowners and service providers.

However, the report says the rapid increase points to weaknesses in contract management and the need for stronger dispute prevention measures.

Agencies register decline

While ministries recorded a sharp increase in legal liabilities, government agencies registered a significant reduction.

The report shows that legal claims against agencies fell from Shs424b in June 2024 to Shs184.2b in June 2025, representing a 56.5 percent decline.

This improvement, the report notes, could be the result of successful court outcomes, settlements of disputes, and better management of legal risks.

The decline demonstrates that effective handling of disputes can help government avoid costly court awards and compensation payments.

Local governments and universities also affected

Although much smaller compared to ministries, legal claims involving local governments also increased during the period under review.

The report shows that claims against local governments rose from Shs9.97b in June 2024 to Shs13.36b in June 2025, representing a 34 percent increase.

Public universities and other tertiary institutions also registered an increase in claims, rising from Shs2.34b to Shs2.64b, an increase of about 13 percent.

The report notes that disputes involving local governments are mainly linked to land matters, employment-related cases and contractual disagreements.

Diplomatic claims

Embassies and missions reported minimal exposure, while referral hospitals reported no legal proceedings during the period under review.

A hidden risk to public finances

The report describes legal claims as contingent liabilities, which means that, whereas they are not yet part of the official public debt, they remain potential obligations that could become actual expenditures if courts rule against government or settlements are reached.

As a result, the current Shs6.45 trillion represents a significant financial risk that could affect future government budgets.

The report warns that if some of these claims are converted into court awards, government could be required to make substantial payments, placing additional pressure on public finances.

Threat to development spending

The growing stock of legal claims could have serious implications for government spending.

According to the report, large court awards and settlements could disrupt budget planning and force government to redirect resources away from priority sectors such as health, education, roads, and other development programmes.

The report warns that unmanaged legal liabilities could crowd out priority expenditures and increase pressure on supplementary budgets.

Why the claims are growing

The report identifies several factors behind the increase in legal claims, including disputes over land acquisition and compensation, disagreements involving government contracts, delays in resolving disputes, and challenges associated with major infrastructure projects.

The report notes that some disputes remain unresolved for years, allowing compensation amounts, legal costs, and interest charges to accumulate.

As a result, the final cost to government can become much higher than the original value of the claim.

Government must act

To reduce future liabilities, the report recommends strengthening contract management systems across government institutions and promoting early dispute resolution mechanisms.

The report also calls for closer coordination between accounting officers, the Attorney General’s Chambers, and the Ministry of Finance to identify legal risks before they escalate into costly liabilities.

The Ministry of Finance believes, the report notes, that better legal risk management will help government avoid unnecessary court cases and reduce the amount spent on compensation and settlements.

Growing concern

The figures reveal a clear upward trend in legal claims against government. In just three years, the value of these claims has increased from Shs4.41 trillion to Shs6.45 trillion, an overall rise of 46.2 percent.

While government guarantees and other contingent liabilities remain largely manageable, the report suggests that legal claims are becoming an increasingly serious challenge to public finances, with Ggoobi stressing that proactive legal risk management, stronger contract administration, and early settlement of disputes would be essential to prevent legal claims from placing additional pressure on government resources.

As Uganda prepares for the 2026/27 budget rollout, government is tightening coordination across ministries to align spending with the ATMS framework: Agriculture, Tourism, Minerals, Manufacturing, Science, Technology, and Innovation.

The shift marks a deliberate move away from fragmented planning toward an integrated development model designed to accelerate the Ten-Fold Growth Strategy.

Government says the goal is to connect investments across sectors to boost productivity, expand exports, and deepen industrialisation.

Agriculture as a driver

At the Ministry of Agriculture, officials say agriculture remains the backbone of Uganda’s industrialisation drive.

Assistant Commissioner for Budget and Finance, Collins Amenya, says focus is on boosting production while strengthening value chains for agro-processing and exports.

Key interventions include scaling up fertiliser use, expanding climate-smart agriculture, improving extension services, and investing in solar-powered irrigation systems.

Government is also strengthening agricultural laboratories, including the National Agricultural Laboratories, to improve certification and compliance with international standards.

‘We are strengthening production systems through modern inputs and institutional reforms to improve quality and expand export opportunities,’ Amenya says.

Other priority areas include expanding palm oil production under the Kalangala model, supporting agro-processing facilities, and boosting fisheries and dairy production, which currently stands at about 5.4 million litres and remains a key export driver.

Tourism

The Ministry of Tourism is betting on destination marketing and infrastructure development to grow earnings in the 2026/27 financial year.

Permanent Secretary Doreen Katusime says increasing arrivals, improving visitor experiences, and extending tourist stay duration are top priorities.

A major boost is expected from preparations for the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon), with government assessing hotels, transport systems, and hospitality capacity.

Beyond Afcon, government is upgrading major tourism sites and conservation efforts targeting wildlife protection, anti-poaching, and human-wildlife conflict reduction, continue alongside heritage site development.

Minerals and energy

The Ministry of Energy is positioning Uganda’s natural resources as a key driver of industrial expansion.

Assistant Commissioner for Finance and Planning, Felix Joel Okurut, says mineral mapping and quantification will be critical in attracting investors and guiding sustainable extraction.

Plans are underway to formalise mineral markets, improve regulation, and expand commercial production in oil and gas, particularly linked to the East African Crude Oil Pipeline.

Energy investments will focus on expanding electricity supply to industrial parks in Nakasongola, Kapeeka, and Kaweweta, alongside major transmission projects such as Masaka-Mbarara and Karuma-Tororo lines.

The Government is also targeting growth in the steel, cement, and graphite industries to support industrialisation.

Science and innovation

Under the Office of the President, the Science, Technology and Innovation Secretariat is advancing research-driven industrialisation. Industrial Value Chains Superintendent Cosmas Mwikirize says the focus is on transforming Uganda from a consumer to a producer of technology.

The emerging automotive industry, which has already begun producing buses locally, is set for expansion, including the development of a locally manufactured SUV platform.

Other priorities include pharmaceutical research, especially herbal-based treatments for diseases such as malaria and diabetes, alongside investments in artificial intelligence, electronics manufacturing, advanced computing, and satellite technology.

Human capital

The Ministry of Education says skills development is central to delivering the ATMS agenda.

Commissioner for Education Planning Michael Aliyo says AFCON-related investments have already triggered over Shs900b in sports infrastructure.

Nine new training grounds are also being developed in universities and secondary schools, while reforms in Technical and Vocational Education and Training are giving employers a stronger role in shaping curricula.

Over the next three years, government plans to construct 116 new schools and rehabilitate 106 secondary schools.

Transport infrastructure

The Ministry of Works remains central to the ATMS implementation strategy. Key priorities include advancing the Standard Gauge Railway project, completing land acquisition, and financing arrangements ahead of construction.

Road development continues under the District, Urban and Community Access Roads programme, alongside major infrastructure projects such as the Kampala-Jinja Expressway, Kampala Flyover, and strategic oil roads.

Uganda Airlines is also set for further capitalisation to improve regional and international connectivity, while tourism roads leading to national parks are being upgraded to support economic activity.

House Speaker Mr Jacob Marksons Oboth-Oboth has pledged to rally the 12th Parliament to combine efforts with the Executive arm to strictly tackle corruption as repeatedly tasked by President Museveni since he renewed his mandate early last month.

The West Budama North legislator used his opening remarks at the plenary sitting that convened at the Kololo Independence Grounds yesterday to unreservedly empower staff and all legislators to confront and wipe out graft that continues to cripple government entities, thereby frustrating service delivery and obstructing economic growth.

Mr Oboth-Oboth aligned his speech to President Museveni’s clarion call made at the State of Nation Address (SONA) last week, in which strong condemnation was made against corrupt and underperforming government officials like ministers plus accounting officers.

‘I take the privilege of informing you that the members of this 12th Parliament not only heard, but also listened keenly and embraced your words of wisdom,’ Mr Oboth-Oboth pledged after President Museveni delivered his remarks.

Speaker Oboth-Oboth therefore undertook, saying, ‘the fight against corruption and non-performance is not the Executive’s fight alone; it is Parliament’s fight as well. And together, in harmony, as a nation, we will win it.’

Plan to empower committees

In rather specific terms, Mr Oboth-Oboth promised to energise committees of Parliament with the requisite resources to press for accountability in all major units of government in a bid to arrest all financial leakages and other forms of resource abuse.

He added,is ‘The 12th Parliament will focus on public expenditure tracking and budget oversight through the various parliamentary committees, to ensure that public funds are used for the purpose for which they are intended and in line with the approved work plans.’

Considering that the committees of the 12th Parliament are yet to be constituted, all political party whips in Parliament were tasked to swiftly designate and deploy MPs to form both standing and sectoral committees of Parliament.

Ordinarily, committees of Parliament can be viewed as specific smaller working units that are designed to discharge duties or mandates of a specific nature or related matters such as committee on health, budget and trade among others.

Committees shoulder the biggest bulk of Parliament’s work that involves oversight, legislation and accountability.

He also promised to ensure that ‘the relationship between the 12th Parliament and the other arms of government is complementary and people-centred.’

It is against this backdrop that Mr Oboth-Oboth committed to lead a House that fully supports government’s ten-fold development strategy.

‘The 12th Parliament is firmly aligned to the government’s objective of moving the approximately 38 per cent of our population from subsistence to the formal money economy,’ he stated.

He went on: ‘The 12th Parliament will empower its committees to effectively support government programmes through efficient and effective monitoring, especially through the high-impact projects under the National Development Plan IV. These core flagship projects are strategic catalysts for our tenfold growth strategy.’

In entirety, Mr Oboth-Oboth pledged to tackle graft firmly and aligned his promise made in his first speech he delivered shortly after he was elected as Speaker of the 12th Parliament. He promised to restore sanity in the House and wipe out the dirt believed to have been stained on the legislative arm by 11th Parliament Speaker Anita Among.

On May 25th, Mr Oboth-Oboth said whereas it is important to press for sound leadership and accountability from other arms of government, it would be important for Parliament to start ridding itself of graft.

‘We must start with ourselves. As they say, charity begins at home. We cannot hide from accountability of government resources, yet we expect it from other agencies and departments. That will not work,’ he told Parliament late last Month.

In the same manner, his deputy Mr Thomas Tayebwa, who also served with Ms Among, acknowledged that the House required sanitising.

‘I promise honourable colleagues that I know all the corners of the House. I know where we need to meet. I know where we need to maintain the status quo,’ he said last month.

Speaker Oboth-Oboth also aligned his speech to President Museveni’s persistent call for uptake and proper implementation of the wealth creation programs such as Emyooga and the Parish Development Model (PDM).

‘In addition, Members of Parliament will strengthen oversight of government wealth creation and development funds under the Parish Development Model, Uganda Women’s Entrepreneurship Programme, Emyooga, among others,’ he said.

Museveni presses opposition

Minutes after he took to the stand, Mr Museveni tasked all legislators, both in opposition and ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) party, to be result-oriented. He vowed to crack a tough whip on opposition legislators that may appear reluctant in the push against graft and abuse of state resources.

‘The ones of the NRM, I will struggle with them. But even those in opposition, as long as you are getting allowances from Parliament and you don’t go to check on what is happening [state-funded programs], I will ask the Attorney General to see how I can deal with you also,’ Mr Museveni said.

He added, ‘If you don’t want to monitor [government programs and how they are performing], then don’t take the allowances, so say. So, it seems I have got a legal basis where to demand performance from both the NRM and opposition.’

In response, House Speaker Mr Oboth-Oboth said: ‘On behalf of Parliament, I pledge to effectively apply our mandate to realise all your progressive intentions for our beloved country and its gallant citizens.’

Hello Paul, a friend mentioned wheel bearings. What are they and how do they wear out? Can they affect safety if ignored? Esther Nankya

Hello Esther, wheel bearings or hub bearings are components fitted in the knuckle or wheel carrier. They are designed to allow your wheels to rotate easily with little friction while carrying the weight of the vehicle. Wheel bearings are positioned in the wheel hub assembly. They are designed to carry the stress of constant loads, road shocks, and high rotational speeds. Wheel bearings help to support the vehicle weight, facilitating free spinning of wheels while reducing friction.

Wheel bearings also keep the wheels aligned to ensure vehicle stability and good handling. Although wheel bearings are designed to last many years, over time they need to be replaced due to a few factors. During operation, wheel bearings succumb to normal wear and tear due to high mileage.

Contaminants that penetrate the wheel bearing casing such as water, mud, or dust will eventually cause failure. Wheel bearings can also be damaged by sudden stress or impact when you drive fast over potholes, hit road curbs, or after a collision during accidents.

Poor installation or failure to tighten wheels correctly during repairs can lead to a wobble which damages wheel bearings. An overloaded vehicle also stresses the wheel bearings as they carry weight beyond their design limit, which leads to premature failure.

There are a few signs which can help you tell that your car’s wheel bearings are worn out. As you increase speed, you may experience a humming, grinding, or growling noise which steadily increases as you drive faster.

Shaking or vibration sensation can be felt in the steering wheel or vehicle body at certain speeds when the front or rear axle wheel bearings are worn out. Damaged wheel bearings can also cause uneven tyre wear. This can be corroborated during garage inspection if the mechanic detects uneven tyre surface wear when the wheel is rolled on the floor.

Wheel bearing wear can also be detected by a mechanic when they rock the wheel and detect excessive sideways play. In some rare cases, worn out wheel bearings can cause the ABS warning light to appear on the dashboard. This is because many modern cars have the ABS wheel speed sensors integrated with the wheel bearings, while most of them read notches that are built on the wheel bearing casing. A damaged or incorrectly spinning wheel bearing will distort ABS sensor readings and cause the ABS fault light to display.

Worn out wheel bearings can affect car handling and road safety by reducing steering precision and vehicle stability. Bad wheel bearings lead to abnormal tyre wear and increased braking distance or reduced performance.

Worn out wheel bearings can also damage the hub assembly due to overheating. Occasionally, severely worn out wheel bearings will cause excessive wheel wobble and, in extreme cases, lead to catastrophic separation of wheels from the vehicle, a very dangerous situation.

It is highly recommended that you have your car inspected at a garage when you detect bearing noise or excessive wheel play. Consider replacing a worn wheel bearing as early as possible to avoid further costly damage or a compromise of your car handling and road safety.

The much-anticipated treason trial of opposition veteran Dr Kizza Besigye and his aide, Hajj Obeid Lutale, failed to take off on Thursday after the two accused persons did not appear in court.

The High Court in Kampala had scheduled the hearing for the commencement of the prosecution’s case, but proceedings were halted after it emerged that only the third accused, Capt Denis Oola, had been produced before court.

A team of defence lawyers led by Kenyan lawyer Martha Karua and Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago immediately objected to the trial proceeding in the absence of Dr Besigye and Hajj Lutale, arguing that such a move would violate constitutional guarantees to a fair hearing.

“I notice that only Capt Oola is in court. Dr Besigye and Hajj Lutale are not here. I don’t know the explanation the prisons have,” Ms Karua told court presided over by Justice Emmanuel Baguma.

“I do know the Constitution doesn’t allow the trial of an accused in absentia unless with his or her consent or where that person conducts themselves in a manner that warrants so,” she added.

Justice Baguma then directed prison authorities to explain why the two accused persons had not been produced in court despite the matter having prior been scheduled for today.

Responding to the judge, Assistant Superintendent of Prisons Emmanuel Hiire said the two accused had declined to attend court.

“My Lord, the accused persons are not present, citing pending issues between the lawyers and court,” ASP Hiire told court.

The prosecution team, led by Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions Thomas Jatiko, indicated that it was ready to proceed with the trial and had lined up two witnesses to testify.

However, the absence of the two principal accused persons meant the hearing could not continue.

Capt Oola, who was present in court, also raised concerns about what he described as restrictions imposed by prison authorities on his interaction with his co-accused and lawyers.

“My Lord, I have my personal concern I want to raise. The last time you were here, you told lawyers they are free to access prison. This has not happened. It is very hard to interact with my co-accused. The prison is making it very hard, yet we are jointly charged,” Capt Oola said.

His remarks were met with loud foot-stamping from court users in a show of support.

When Justice Baguma sought clarification on the challenges the defence team was facing at Luzira Prison, Mr Lukwago objected, saying the lawyers could only raise those concerns in the presence of their clients.

The dispute follows complaints raised by the defence team on Wednesday, in which they accused prison authorities of frustrating trial preparations by denying them access to electronic devices such as laptops and projectors needed to review the prosecution’s evidence with their clients.

The lawyers also argued that the one week granted by court to review the voluminous prosecution evidence was insufficient.

Faced with the absence of Dr Besigye and Hajj Lutale, Justice Baguma adjourned the matter to June 30 and ordered prison authorities to ensure the accused persons are produced in court on that date.

“A1 (Dr Besigye) and A2 (Hajj Lutale) are not in court and we can’t proceed without them. Court will issue a production warrant for June 30,” Justice Baguma ruled.

Education is frequently regarded as essential for development, prosperity, and national change. Governments around the world spend significant funds on education, with Unesco suggesting that at least 20 percent of a country’s national budget be allocated to it. These efforts aim to create citizens who can positively impact society. Yet a key question persists: what kind of individual should education aim to develop?

Education should do more than just enable people read, write, and succeed in exams. It should also develop individuals who are disciplined, responsible, patriotic, and of integrity. A genuinely educated person combines knowledge with character. Academic achievement alone, without moral values, can pose serious risks to a country like Uganda.

Corruption remains a major obstacle to Uganda’s social and economic development. Therefore, education should promote honesty, accountability, and a strong sense of public service. It is essential that educated individuals recognise that leadership involves serving the people not personal gain. Education should promote national unity. Uganda, with its rich cultural diversity, still faces divisions rooted in tribe, religion and politics that challenge social cohesion.

Educational institutions ought to foster a shared national identity and encourage students to value diversity while striving for common goals. An educated Ugandan should view all fellow citizens primarily as Ugandans, not solely as members of different ethnic or religious communities. Moreover, education should cultivate critical thinkers and problem solvers. Our country faces many issues, including youth unemployment, environmental degradation, poverty, and rapid technological advancement. The nation requires graduates capable of innovating, generating jobs, and devising practical solutions, rather than just looking for jobs. Education must promote creativity, entrepreneurship, and lifelong learning.

Another concern is excessive government spending. Public resources are frequently diverted to luxuries and non – essential activities, while vital sectors lack sufficient funding. Education should teach the importance of prudence, efficiency, and responsible management. Both citizens and leaders need to recognise that public funds are public property and must be managed wisely. Education should also foster active and responsible citizenship. A democratic society relies on informed, engaged citizens who are prepared to hold leaders accountable. Schools must teach civic responsibility, respect for the rule of law, human rights, and involvement in community growth. An educated citizen should not stay silent when witnessing injustice, corruption, or abuse of power.

The family, religious organisations, and wider community also influence character development. While it cannot be solely the responsibility of schools, educational institutions are uniquely equipped to influence attitudes, values, and behaviours during young people’s formative years. As Uganda aims for higher middle – income status, education quality should be assessed not just by exams but also by the character of its graduates. The primary aim of education is to cultivate individuals who are competent, ethical, patriotic, innovative, and dedicated to the common good.

The future of our nation relies not just on the number of individuals we educate, but on the quality of the people that education cultivates.

Uganda requires citizens who will contribute positively – building instead of destroying, uniting instead of dividing, and serving instead of exploiting.

This ideal embodies the true goal of education and underpins the foundation of national transformation.

It is barely a week since the conclusion of the Junior Golf Series by NCBA Bank in Uganda.

To set the stage for the higher class of players, the financial institution this week launched the 2026 season of the NCBA Golf Series, with an opening leg at Uganda Golf Club (UGC) in Kitante this weekend.

An East Africa’s premier amateur golf tournament, it is back with bigger competition and continued focus on talent development.

‘It’s a moment that not only celebrates the sport of golf but importantly affirms our shared commitment to community and sports development in this country,’ remarked NCBA Bank Uganda executive director Julius Konyani during the launch at UGC.

‘We began the 2026 season with an electrifying start in Kenya and we are thrilled to bring the momentum to Uganda, a country which has consistently demonstrated passion for the sport, exceptional talent and a growing golfing catch-up,’ he said.

The Series also takes place in Kenya, Tanzania, and Rwanda, with a focus on long-term investment in human potential for this region where talent is discovered, nurtured and celebrated.

‘Beyond providing a high-quality tournament experience, it has created valuable opportunities for emerging golfers to test themselves against top talent and gain exposure at a regional level. We are delighted to once again host this prestigious event,’ said UGC board of directors chairman Paul Nuwagaba.

A field of more than 120 players is expected at the par-72 course on Saturday, with another leg to follow at Entebbe Club on October 3 with winners set to represent Uganda at the grand finale in Nairobi, Kenya later in the year.

‘We at NCBA Bank believe that golf is more than just a game. For us, it is a teacher of values, discipline, resilience, persistence and focus. And all these align perfectly with our brand but more than that, golf has become a vehicle for transformation, unlocking opportunities for players and fostering community development,’ added Konyani.

A part of the Series’ community impact will include partnering with Pendeza Uganda, a charity organization which helps vulnerable families and children, with water purifiers.

’40 families will receive water filters that will help them provide safe water and ensure the reduced burden that water borne diseases may impact on them,’ Pendeza Uganda executive team lead Christine Walubo said.

‘What may seem like a simple gift will have a lasting impact on the lives of the people that we serve,’ she added.

The Series marks its fourth anniversary this year, emerging from a board idea in 2022. Last year, Uganda had seven qualifiers for Nairobi including a junior Gabriel Amani.