Category: Daily Monitor

Suzan Lamunu embodies the mixed emotions shared by many urban residents as the country edges closer to the January 15, 2026, polling day. While she remains hopeful that the electoral process will unfold smoothly, uncertainty clouds her expectations. Lamunu is already contemplating travelling out of Kampala, a precaution influenced by persistent speculation among colleagues and friends that key service, most notably internet access and mobile money platforms could face temporary disruptions.

Such concerns, rooted in past election experiences, have fuelled anxiety among city dwellers who rely heavily on digital services for communication, business, and access to essential needs. With just days to the polls, the mood across the country remains one of a cautious expectation. There are some ongoing talks by some Ugandans, increasingly dominated by speculation about what the election period may bring, including fears of possible internet disruptions reminiscent of previous years. But beyond political outcomes, a more pressing concern is emerging; will vital government services, particularly health care continue to function seamlessly during the election season?

Political commentator Thadeo Lubega observes that the current electioneering apprehension, has created fertile ground for speculation, rumours, and unverified claims, particularly on social media. On the question of whether health services may be disrupted during the election period, Lubega remains cautiously confident that essential care will continue uninterrupted. Drawing from experience in previous poll years, he says there is little indication that health facilities will suspend operations, noting that the preservation of life has consistently remained a national priority.

Nevertheless, he urges Ugandans to remain calm and to refrain from acts of violence, warning that unrest not only threatens public safety but also undermines national development.

”Peaceful conduct by citizens plays a critical role in ensuring that essential services, including healthcare, continue to function normally. I believe that Uganda, as a nation, values life, and I expect health facilities to remain operational under normal circumstances,’ Lubega says.

He cautions, however, that while hospitals and clinics may stay open, disruptions to enabling services particularly internet connectivity could indirectly affect health service delivery. Lwanga explains that modern healthcare increasingly relies on digital platforms, with doctors often consulting colleagues online for specialist advice and referrals.

In an increasingly interconnected global environment, he argues, any interruption in internet services could limit such professional collaboration, potentially affecting the quality and timeliness of care.

Government assures

Sylvia Kirabo, a medical practitioner, downplays fears of election-related disruptions to healthcare services, insisting that the sector will continue operating as normal. She says all government health workers are expected to report to their duty stations, as has been the case in previous election periods. According to Kirabo, health workers have not received any official communication directing the suspension of services on polling day, a clear indication that public health facilities will remain open to attend to patients. She adds that continuity of health care remains a core obligation of the health sector.

Emmanuel Ainebyoona, the Ministry of Health spokesperson, has assured the public that there will be no disruption of health services during the election period, stressing that healthcare is classified as an essential service.

‘All public and private health facilities will remain fully operational during and after the elections. The mandate of health workers is to guarantee uninterrupted access to health services for all Ugandans at all times,’ Ainebyoona stated.

He directed members of the public to continue seeking medical attention from their nearest health facilities whenever necessary, confirming that health workers will be deployed and on duty across the country.

Stock supplies

‘First, you must proactively manage your medications by ensuring you have at least a two-week supply of all prescription and essential over-the-counter drugs at home. This buffer is critical because pharmacies may become inaccessible,’ says Dr Mugisha.

Visit your doctor or clinic immediately to request refills for this extended period. Once secured, store medicines properly in their original containers and take clear photographs of all prescription labels. These photos provide vital information for healthcare workers in an emergency if you are separated from your physical medications.

‘Second, prepare a dedicated emergency kit that goes beyond a standard first-aid box. This kit should enable you to shelter safely at home for up to 72 hours. In addition to bandages and antiseptics, include specialised items such as a tourniquet and hemostatic gauze for serious bleeding, and saline solution or a mixture of water and liquid antacid to soothe skin and eyes exposed to tear gas,’ he says.

Your kit must also contain practical survival items, a minimum of four litres of water per person per day, ready-to-eat food, a solar-powered power bank, a battery-operated radio, and a reserve of cash in small denomination notes to cover expenses if banking services are unavailable.

Communication and transport plan

Develop a detailed plan for communication and transport, as these systems are most likely to fail during civil unrest.

Save all critical contact numbers, for your preferred hospital, a trusted local clinic, and reliable private transport drivers, directly into your phone’s contacts and also write them on a physical piece of paper. Do not rely on having internet access to find them. Furthermore, identify in advance the physical location and safest route to your chosen medical facility. Map out a primary and an alternative back-up route that avoids areas where protests or gatherings are likely to occur. Formalise a support network by designating a family member or neighbour as your emergency check-in contact. Share your entire preparedness plan with this person, including your medication list, chosen hospital, and evacuation routes. Establish a simple daily check-in protocol, such as a pre-agreed text message; if you fail to check in or send a distress signal, your contact will know to try to reach you or alert authorities on your behalf.

Steps to secure your health and safety supplies

It is good to have a fallback position; in case there is need. Dr Edward Mugisha, a general practitioner says that preparing for medical needs requires taking decisive, practical steps now, before any potential unrest begins.

‘The core of your preparation involves three interconnected pillars; securing your health supplies, assembling a comprehensive emergency kit, and creating a robust communication and transport plan,’ he says. These actions are designed to ensure your safety and access to care even if standard services are disrupted.

With election day fast approaching, campaigns have become more intensive and demanding, forcing a growing number of candidates to embark on fundraisers. The Deputy Lord Mayor, Ms Doreen Nyanjura, who is vying for the Mwenge Central parliamentary seat, launched a fundraising drive, calling for support in a bid to have a people-centred and service-oriented leadership, and shared her MTN number on which any contribution should be made.

Mr Basil Bataringaya Rwankwene, who is contesting for the Kashari North parliamentary seat, took to his former school’s Old Boys’ WhatsApp group and appealed for financial support, which he said can be channelled through his shared MTN and Airtel numbers or Centenary Bank account.

A member of the WhatsApp group, who declined to be named, says: ‘The guy is looking for money; he even calls people at random.’

Mr Samuel Makokha, the People’s Front for Freedom (PFF) parliamentary candidate for Busia Municipality, had his campaigns plunged into uncertainty after he was arrested last month, arraigned before the Nakawa Chief Magistrate’s Court, charged with misprision of treason, and remanded to Luzira Prison.

His wife, Ms Jamelia Kaggwa, says the campaign is still standing, and appealed to friends, family, well-wishers, comrades, and supporters for financial support, saying ‘every contribution helps keep the campaign alive, the message visible, and the hope intact.’

Ms Kaggwa says running a campaign from behind bars comes with extraordinary legal, logistical, and humanitarian costs.

‘Makokha has been stripped not only of his freedom, but of the ability to mobilise funding as well as access to his own bank accounts, leaving him unable to pay legal fees or sustain his campaign.’

Political analysts say fundraising has long been a part of politics, and when done transparently, can be a legitimate way to engage supporters. However, the practice becomes problematic when it is not done in a transparent manner, fuelling perceptions of corruption.

President Museveni has, for instance, traditionally hosted fundraising dinners for the business community at State House, highlighting the blurred lines between patronage politics and money.

Dr Kiiza Besigye, in 2016, and the National Unity Platform (NUP) have currently opted for open public fundraising, which can be a strategic move to build authenticity and contrast with wealthier opponents perceived as ‘buying’ support.

Mr Job Kiija, a governance researcher and policy analyst, says while open fundraising can demonstrate grassroots support, it also risks exposing candidates to pressure from powerful financial interests.

‘The ruling regime’s history of targeting vulnerable opponents suggests that transparent fundraising could be exploited, making candidates more susceptible to compromise. Ultimately, a candidate’s integrity and ground support are their best defences. ‘What is needed is a robust campaign finance law requiring disclosure of funds raised, sources, and expenditures to promote accountability and transparency. This would help level the playing field and reduce the influence of money in politics,’ Mr Kiija said last week.

Cost of polls

Mr Timothy Chemonges, the executive director at the Centre for Policy Analysis (CEPA), says open fundraising by candidates is emerging largely because the cost of running for office has risen sharply, while access to traditional financing party structures, private donors, or personal resources has become more constrained, especially for Opposition actors.

‘In situations where candidates face arrests, account freezes, and even restricted movement, public fundraising becomes a survival mechanism rather than a choice. In that sense, it is understandable, but it also reflects deeper stress within the political and electoral system,’ Mr Chemonges says, adding that the strategy is tenable, but only to a limited extent. He adds that while public fundraising can ‘democratise’ campaign financing and build solidarity, it operates in a largely unregulated space.

‘Without clear disclosure rules, spending limits, and oversight, it risks undermining transparency and accountability in the electoral process.’ Asked if fundraising puts them in a compromised position, especially given how the NRM has allegedly been buying out Opposition candidates, Mr Chemonges says the risk is real.

‘In a political environment where inducements and buyouts are alleged, candidates who depend on ad-hoc fundraising are more vulnerable both to financial pressure and political manipulation. It can weaken autonomy and expose campaigns to influence from actors whose interests may not align with the voters.

‘Of course, I should also emphasise that this trend signals the need for serious reform of campaign finance laws, including fair public financing, clear disclosure requirements, and protection of candidates’ financial rights. Otherwise, fundraising will continue to reflect inequality and pressure in the political arena, rather than genuine democratic competition.’

Mr Henry Muguzi, the director of Alliance for Campaign Finance Monitoring (ACFIM), says the ongoing fundraising strategies mean that the campaign war chest candidates started with is done, candidates have been spending massively, not wisely, and that they did not prepare enough prior to deciding to contest for office .

‘I won’t be surprised if many of them did not even have a budget. Many go into politics without a fundraising team and a fundraising strategy. Politics, being a service rather than a job, should be for people who have reached a level of self-actualisation financially.

‘Candidates who are running broke are peasants who are seeking political positions to get rich rather than to serve. A rich candidate who wants to serve may not run out of money because he may not engage in vote-buying schemes. The ones that are broke now have been engaging in the wanton distribution of largesse to the electorate,’ Mr Muguzi says.

Being an MP comes with a hefty salary and other additional perks, according to information obtained from the Parliamentary Commission.

Each MP is entitled to a monthly salary of Shs25m, a one-off vehicle allowance of Shs200m, a subsistence allowance of Shs4.5m per month, a town running allowance of Shs1m per month, a medical allowance of Shs500,000 per month, a sitting allowance of Shs50,000 for committee meetings, and a plenary sitting allowance of Shs150,000; as well as mileage allowances.

This publication has previously reported that the price of running a well-oiled campaign varies from region to region, but contests for constituencies in western Uganda were the most expensive, ranging from Shs400m to Shs600m.

In a previous interview, the Kigulu South MP, Mr Andrew Kiiza Kaluya, said campaigning in constituencies in eastern Uganda costs between Shs300m and Shs500m.

2016

A 2016 report by Pete Wardle, a WFD associate at Westminster Foundation for Democracy, examined the cost of parliamentary politics in six countries, including Ghana, Kyrgyzstan, Macedonia, Nigeria, Uganda, and Ukraine, with focus on the costs faced by individual candidates and elected Members of Parliament (MPs) – not just during the election period itself, but before and after the election as well.

The report revealed that in all six countries, getting your name onto the ballot paper as a candidate endorsed by a political party can involve very significant payments to the party, in addition to the official deposits and fees payable to the election authorities.

According to the report, the costs tend to be higher with party-list electoral systems, although in Uganda, for example, with a single-member constituency system, it is more expensive to secure a nomination from the dominant National Resistance Movement party than from other parties.

‘. Those who fail to become MPs risk very significant financial losses and/or debts, while those who succeed in becoming MPs face a strong temptation to focus a high proportion of their efforts on ensuring that they recoup the major investments that they have made.’ the report reads.

The Chief Magistrate’s Court at Buganda Road has dismissed an application by the self-exiled Uganda Law Society (ULS) president Isaac Kimaze Ssemakadde seeking to halt criminal proceedings against him.

In a ruling delivered by the former Chief Magistrate Ronald Kayizzi held that the application for stay of proceedings was fatally defective and that the mere filing of a constitutional petition does not automatically suspend criminal trials unless expressly ordered by the Constitutional Court.

‘This Court finds that the initial application for stay of criminal proceedings is fatally defective and incompetent,’ Mr Kayizzi ruled, adding that even on merit, the application would still fail.

Ssemakadde is charged with the offence of indecently insulting a woman, contrary to Section 115(3) of the Penal Code Act. The charge is based on alleged remarks made against Justice Jane Frances Abodo while she was serving as Director of Public Prosecutions.

According to the charge sheet, it is alleged that on November 18, 2024, at the offices of the People’s Front for Freedom in Katonga Village, Kampala District, Ssemakadde, with intent to insult the modesty of a woman, uttered words referring to Justice Abodo as ‘a vagina from Karamoja, a dead wood, a dimwit and a shameless careerist,’ intending that the said words be heard by the former DPP.

Ssemakadde sought to stay the proceedings pending the hearing and determination of his Constitutional Petition in which he challenges the constitutionality of Section 115(3) of the Penal Code Act, the provision under which he is charged.

In his application, Ssemakadde argued that continuing with the trial before the Constitutional Court pronounces itself on the impugned law would prejudice his right to a fair hearing. The application was brought under Section 11(2) of the Magistrates Courts Act.

However, the application was met with a preliminary objection raised by the private prosecutors, Tonny Tumukunde and Joshua Byamazima, who argued that the supporting affidavit was sworn by a person not qualified to do so.

The affidavit in support of the application was sworn by Brian Akandwanaho, who described himself as an advocate instructed to act for Ssemakadde. The respondents produced a letter from the Chief Registrar dated September 10, 2025, confirming that Akandwanaho was not an enrolled advocate of the High Court of Uganda.

‘A non-advocate cannot lawfully assume the role of counsel, nor can he depone to matters that properly fall within the professional conduct of an advocate. The affidavit in issue was sworn by a person who purported to act as an advocate, which renders it defective and inadmissible in law ,’ Kayizzi held.

The court ruled that once the supporting affidavit was struck out, the application was left without any evidential foundation and was therefore incompetent.

In an attempt to cure the defect, Ssemakadde’s lawyers later filed an amended Notice of Motion supported by a fresh affidavit sworn by Rogers Ntale, an advocate of the courts of judicature.

However, the court found that the amended application was filed without leave of court and could not stand.

‘The amendment was not procedural or cosmetic,’ Mr Kayizzi ruled. ‘It was a substantive attempt to reconstruct the entire application and could not be effected unilaterally without leave of court.’

The magistrate further rejected reliance on Section 14A of the Advocates (Amendment) Act, holding that the provision does not apply where a person who is not an advocate purports to act as counsel from the outset.

Even if the application had been procedurally sound, the court held that it would still fail on merit, emphasizing that the filing of a constitutional petition does not operate as an automatic stay of criminal proceedings.

‘The law is settled that the mere filing of a constitutional petition does not, of itself, operate as a stay of criminal proceedings,’ Kayizzi said.

In his final orders, the Chief Magistrate dismissed the application in its entirety, upheld the preliminary objection, struck out the amended Notice of Motion and affidavit, and directed that Criminal Case No. 913 of 2024 proceed in accordance with the law. No order as to costs was made.

The decision clears the way for Ssemakadde to stand trial on the charge of indecently insulting the former DPP over the alleged remarks attributed to him in November 2024.

When Allan Okello speaks about Young Africans SC, he does not sound like a footballer chasing novelty. He sounds like one returning to unfinished business.

‘Playing deep in the Caf Champions League again was a big thing for me,’ Okello told the Daily Monitor on Sunday, a day before he flew to Dar es Salaam for his official unveiling at his new club. ‘It has been a while, and it’s something I’ve always wanted back.’

That longing is rooted in memory. In 2018, still a teenager, Okello announced himself on the continental stage – reaching the group phase and scoring a stunning goal at Alexandria’s Borg El Arab Stadium as KCCA lost 4-3 to Al Ahly, three months after beating the same opponents 2-0 in Kampala.

Stage set

Since then, Africa’s premier club competition has largely passed him by. Vipers SC, for all their domestic dominance, exited at the last hurdle before the group stage this season. The stage Okello craved never truly arrived.

Yanga offered it immediately – a two and a half contract with the Tanzanian champions.

His first continental test in green and yellow comes on January 23 – away to Al Ahly in Egypt. For Okello, it is not irony. It is alignment.

‘Yanga is a club that competes on the continent every season,’ he said. ‘They have ambitions of reaching finals, becoming one of the best teams in Africa, and winning titles. When you look at the squad they have, those ambitions are realistic.’

The meaning

This is where the story shifts from transaction to intention. Early reports chased speculative transfer figures of $300,000 (Shs1.1b), framing the move as a financial landmark.

Yet those close to the deal insist money was never the headline – structure, trajectory, and the platform to perform mattered far more.

‘Our target was a project that offered Okello a good platform to perform and develop well on the continent, and that also made good financial sense,’ his agent, Sultan Atubo of Next Pro Sports, told this publication.

‘Yanga SC, with its story both on and off the pitch, checked that box.’

The persuasion was personal. Yanga president Hersi Said handled the talks himself – a detail that resonated with the player.

‘I spoke with the club leadership, and they showed me the vision, the direction, and where they want to go,’ Okello explained. ‘That convinced me this would be a big step in my career.’

Earning his place

It was not a promise of stardom. If anything, the message was sobering.

‘The boss was very honest,’ Okello said. ‘There are quality players from all over Africa here. Nothing is guaranteed. I have to work hard, earn my place, and when I get the chance, make sure I don’t disappoint.’

That realism matters. Yanga are not a soft landing. They are stacked, ambitious, and unforgiving.

Okello arrives as a competitor, not a crowned centrepiece – but very much as a player the club believes can improve them. Contribution will be demanded, not gifted.

At Vipers, Okello had become the axis. League champion. Top scorer in the 2024/25 Uganda Premier League. The system bent around his left foot. Leaving that comfort required conviction – and respect.

Appreciating Vipers

‘Okello never wanted to leave Vipers on a free,’ Atubo said of the 25-year-old, who had barely six months remaining on his contract.

‘It was the only chance for the club to earn something back for the support they gave him over the last two and a half years.’

After several setbacks at Algeria’s Paradou AC, which had bought him from KCCA in January 2020, Okello spent a year on loan back at Lugogo.

When KCCA chose not to retain him after that loan in 2023, Vipers stepped in, giving him a lifeline and treating his knee before he had even kicked a ball for the club.

What’s in for Okello

‘This is a step up for me,’ said Okello. ‘It’s a learning process, a chance to grow as a player while helping the team achieve its goals.’

Still, the move also made financial and professional sense. Daily Monitor can reveal that Okello’s monthly earnings at Yanga are estimated between $8,000 (Shs29m) and $10,000 (Shs36m), alongside a house, a car, and two annual return tickets.

While Simba SC showed interest, no discussions ever progressed, as Okello had made it clear he wanted Yanga.

Vipers, meanwhile, retained a percentage on any future sale – a small but important acknowledgment of the role they played in nurturing him.

‘Yanga SC checked all the boxes – both on and off the pitch,’ Atubo added.

Yanga not the end goal

Those goals extend beyond Dar es Salaam. Yanga see Okello not as a final product but as a developing asset.

The contract length, the sell-on clause retained by Vipers, and the emphasis on protection on and off the pitch all point to a shared understanding – this is a chapter, not the conclusion.

Context sharpens the decision further. Uganda’s Afcon campaign in Morocco left more frustration than fulfilment.

Okello, like several players, never quite found the platform to express himself fully. Beginning 2026 with a move of this clarity is not cosmetic – it is corrective.

What this transfer ultimately teaches is restraint. African players do not always need Europe to move forward. Sometimes, the most intelligent progression is sideways on the map but upward in meaning.

‘I’m motivated,’ Okello reaffirmed. ‘I want to fight for my place and help the team achieve those continental dreams.’

That is not marketing language. It is the voice of a footballer choosing relevance over romance, challenge over comfort, and Africa’s biggest nights over easy applause.

Okello has not gone to Yanga to hide. He has gone there to measure himself – again – where it matters most.

Okello Fact File

Full Name: Allan Okello

Date of Birth: July 4, 2000 (25)

Place of Birth: Lira, Uganda

Height: 1.79 m (5 ft 10 in)

Weight: 65 kg

Position: Attacking Midfielder

Current Club: Yanga Africans (Tanzania)

Former Clubs: Vipers SC (2023- Jan 2026), KCCA (2016-2020, 2022 loan), Paradou AC (Algeria, 2020-2023)

National Team: Uganda Cranes (Senior debut – since 2019)

Agent: NextPro Sports

Major Honours With KCCA

– Uganda Premier League (2016/17, 2018/19)

– Uganda Cup (2016/17, 2017/18)

– Cecafa Kagame Cup (2019)

With Vipers SC

– Uganda Premier League (2024/25)

– Uganda Cup (2025)

Uganda National Team

– Chan 2024 Quarterfinalist (Top Scorer with 3 Goals)

– Scored in 2026 World Cup Qualifiers vs Guinea, Mozambique and Somalia

Individual Awards

Fufa Male Player of the Year (2019) | Fufa Young Player of the Year (2018) | Airtel Fans’ Favourite Player (2018) | Football256 Player of the Year (2019)

Police have warned political candidates against moving with a personal security team at polling venues ahead of the January 15, 2026, General Election.

‘There have been complaints of security officers being seen in election operations, yet they are not officially deployed by the force commanders and are just being used by candidates. This time, we shall not allow unauthorised security officers in the field. In fact, we shall arrest them,’ said Busoga East regional police spokesperson, Mr Michael Kasadha.

According to Mr Kasadha, the release or hiring of security officers to candidates has also been stopped.

Mr Kasadha explained that in the previous election, candidates were allowed to hire their own security, but this was widely abused.

‘When we allow candidates to have private security, they end up directing them to act in their own interests, even though security is meant to serve everyone,’ Mr Kasadha said.

Mr Kasadha indicated that in cases where candidates, such as ministers, have assigned bodyguards, their role should be strictly limited to protection and not interfere with the electoral process.

He further cautioned security operatives against deploying themselves during polling, emphasising that sufficient manpower has been provided to handle any challenges faced by voters,’ Mr Kasadha said.

‘We have deployed enough security officers who will respond to any challenges that may arise,’ Mr Kasadha added.

According to him, the intensified deployment of police and military patrol officers in the Sub-region is meant to maintain peace, not to intimidate voters.

However, Mr Musa Kabugo, the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) flag bearer in the Jinja South East race, disagreed with the decision to ban candidates from moving with their own security.

Mr Kabugo insisted that the police always fail to protect votes from being tampered with and sometimes conspire with the culprits.

‘Police do not help us when our votes are being tampered with, so they cannot stop me from carrying my own security,’ Mr Kabugo said.

He stressed that threats of arrest will not deter them from maintaining the groups set to guard votes.

Jinja City Mayor, Mr Peter Okocha Kasolo, welcomed the ban on private security groups for candidates during the elections.

Mr Kasolo, who is contesting as an independent candidate, noted that managing security during elections is solely the responsibility of the police, not candidates.

‘Ordinarily, the police are entrusted with maintaining law and order, and we must respect that,’ Mr Kasolo said.

Busoga region election supervisor, Mr Deo Natukunda, said at least two police officers will be deployed at each polling station to provide security.

‘But the police can increase this number as maintaining peace is their responsibility,’ Mr Natukunda said.

He advised candidates to follow police directives, as the force is in charge of election security.

A lawyer has accused the Electoral Commission (EC) of unlawfully collecting, processing, and storing voters’ personal data despite not being registered with the Data Protection Office, as required by law.

In a petition dated January 7 and addressed to the EC chairperson, Mr Michael Aboneka argued that Section 29 of the Data Protection and Privacy Act, 2019 mandates all entities that collect, process, or store personal data to register with the Personal Data Protection Office.

Mr Aboneka said the Commission routinely handles sensitive personal information of Ugandans during voter registration and management of the national voters’ register, including biometric data and national identification details such as age, date of birth, and location, hence needs to be registered.

‘However, the Commission is not registered as a data collector, processor, and controller,’ Mr Aboneka states in his petition. He argues that while the EC is a constitutional body entrusted with safeguarding citizens’ data, it must still comply with the country’s data protection framework.

Mr Aboneka has demanded that the Commission immediately register with the Data Protection Office to ensure the safety of his personal data and that of other registered voters.

‘The purpose of this communication is to demand that the Electoral Commission immediately comply with the law. Take note that failure to act shall leave me with no option but to pursue appropriate legal remedies available under the law to ensure full compliance,’ the petition reads.

When contacted, the EC Spokesperson, Mr Julius Mucunguzi, said the Commission is aware of data protection requirements and uses voters’ data in accordance with the law.

‘The Commission is very cognizant of the need for data protection and uses the data collected in line with the laws of the land,’ Mr Mucunguzi said.

He added that Article 61 of the Constitution mandates the EC to compile, maintain, and update the voters’ register, and that the Commission remains open to complaints from citizens regarding its operations.

The Data Protection and Privacy Act, 2019, was enacted to regulate the collection and processing of personal data and to protect the privacy of individuals by requiring accountability from data handlers.

Uganda stands at a crossroads. As voters gather at polling stations, the country faces not only a political decision but a civilisational one. The world is shifting, the global labour race is accelerating, and Africa’s young population has become the most sought-after resource of the 21st Century. Whether we acknowledge it or not, today’s vote will determine how prepared-or unprepared-Uganda will be for this moment. For months, Europe has been quietly reorienting its migration policy towards Africa in response to its demographic collapse. Predictions from the EU Demographic Forum (2025) warn that Europe’s working-age population will fall by over 30 million in the next decade, with demand for migrant labour rising in nearly every major sector. Proposals in the Netherlands, Germany, Italy, and the EU Commission have made one fact undeniable: Africa is no longer being engaged as a partner but as a labour reservoir. This is the context in which Ugandans must cast their vote.

Uganda’s election cannot continue ignoring global realities

Our politics remains dangerously inward-looking. Rallies revolve around personalities. Debates revolve around emotion. Voters are encouraged to choose between continuity and change, between familiarity and promise. Yet none of the major contenders-incumbent or Opposition-has meaningfully addressed the global scramble for African labour. No manifesto explains how Uganda will protect its youth when Europe’s labour demand peaks. No candidate has articulated a plan for negotiating with the world’s ageing economies. This silence is not accidental. It reveals a deeper problem: Ugandan politics is not aligned with global time. While Europe plans for 2035 and 2050, our politics plans for tomorrow’s rally.

Uganda cannot outsource its future under economic pressure

Labour export schemes are often marketed as development tools. Governments benefit from remittances; families benefit from financial support. But remittances are not development. They are the symptoms of a system that exports people because it cannot create dignified livelihoods at home. Uganda’s demographic advantage-one of the world’s youngest populations-can become a blessing or a curse depending on today’s political choices. If we vote without demanding policy clarity, we risk repeating the mistake of history: allowing African leadership to become a silent collaborator in the external exploitation of African youth.

Europe’s internal contradictions will shape the fate of our migrants

European governments may seek African labour, but European societies are divided. Rising populism, economic strain, and anti-immigration politics create hostile conditions for migrants-conditions well-documented in the 2025 EU Fundamental Rights Report, which shows Black Africans facing the highest discrimination rates in housing, employment, and policing. Uganda must, therefore, ask its leaders, who will defend our youth abroad? Who will negotiate fair protections? Who understands the political climate our migrants are entering? Voting without these questions is voting blind.

The real election question

Uganda is not only voting for a president. Uganda is voting for the person who will decide whether our youth become Europe’s demographic solution, whether labour agreements will be negotiated fairly or desperately, whether migration will be a protected choice or an unregulated necessity, whether Uganda will invest in domestic industries or outsource its workforce, and whether the next generation will be empowered at home or scattered abroad. This is bigger than party colours, bigger than personalities and bigger than political rivalry.

Uganda must vote with global consciousness

Today’s vote must reflect a sober truth: Uganda’s future rests not in the hands of Europe but in the choices Ugandans make for themselves. A leader who does not understand global demographic shifts cannot defend Uganda. A leader who does not prioritise youth policy cannot transform Uganda. A leader who does not protect Ugandan migrants can not claim to love Uganda. As you cast your ballot, ask yourself: Whose future am I choosing-Uganda’s or Europe’s? Because the world has already begun its race for our youth. Uganda must decide whether to lead, negotiate, or be left behind.

The statistics

One in 10 people in Uganda has the sickle cell gene. In northern Uganda, one in five people has the gene, and the national gene prevalence is at 13.3 percent. Every year, 20,000 babies in Uganda are born with sickle cell anaemia, and 30 to 45 percent of them die before their fifth birthday. The disease is the leading cause of admissions at the paediatric ward in Mulago National Referral Hospital. Today, there are over 5,000 patients that are attending the sickle cell clinic in Mulago Hospital alone, but many children are undiagnosed and do not even contribute to these statistics.

It is against this background that the Ministry of Health (MoH) in Uganda has launched a national sickle cell disease (SCD) screening programme for newborns to ensure early identification and management. The initiative, aims to screen every infant, provide essential care, and build capacity for long-term management. The program includes providing screening tests, ensuring access to lifesaving drugs like hydroxyurea, and developing new tools like clinical charts and health passports to track and manage the disease.

Treatment and care

According to Dr Ruth Namazzi, a paediatric hematologist at the Department of Pediatrics and Child Health of Makerere University College of Health Sciences, when a child is diagnosed with the disease, they get daily antimalarials coupled with penicillin for the first five years of their life, which act as a prophylaxis against infections such as pneumonia.

‘The children then receive full vaccination, which includes pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV), Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) vaccine, and meningitis.

At nine months, the children start taking hydroxyurea, get nutritional support including folic acid, and get crisis management, stroke prevention, and transfusions where necessary. The caregivers are given education on the things that trigger painful crises, symptoms, how to manage, and where to seek care.’

Joining the school community

Due to the increased comprehensive care and treatment given, more children with SCD are surviving beyond the age of five years and this necessitates them to go to school. However, sickle cell disease (SCD) affects school attendance and children who are affected by the disease can be absent for a month in every term because of the frequent hospital admissions.

‘Since they are chronically absent, this affects their academic performance, and social and emotional challenges like stigma. These challenges stem from physical symptoms, the need for frequent medical appointments, and a lack of understanding, all of which impact their quality of life, concentration, and overall school functioning,’ she says.

The disease is associated with a high economic burden when it comes to treatment, poor quality of life, and effects on cognition and the ability to concentrate in school due to the painful crises. Dr Namazzi therefore, advocates for an integrated school health intervention that would support children with the disease.

‘We need to revisit the school health programme because the current guidelines do not favour the children with SCD. There are times when they get a painful crisis on the day of final exams and are unable to write. The ministry should rethink giving such a student the exam they miss so that they do not have to repeat the whole year.’

She also notes that until today, many children with SCA face stigma at school and it is perpetrated by the teachers and the learners. There is always a myth that stops them from going to school because most people in the community say they would die by the age of 14. About 40 percent of the people in Uganda do not know about the disease.

‘The target keeps shifting. Those who pass the 14 year bar are reminded that they would die at 20 which is very wrong. We get reports that these children are excluded from some school activities and the school nurses do not attend to them after their working hours yet the painful crisis can happen any time.’

One woman’s experience

Her mother had always told her that she is not defined by sickle cell disease and was always confident that she can brave through every storm until her primary three teacher shuttered her confidence. Ruth Mukiibi Nankanja (51) started school at a time when there was no sportswear and both boys and girls were required to take off their uniforms during the PE classes that were usually held in the morning. She then brought a medical letter to her teacher asking that she remain in her uniform during the PE classes.

‘The teacher announced before the whole class that I was not going to be part of the classes anymore because I had sickle cell disease. That I had to remain in class and watch over other pupils’ uniforms.’

After the announcement, her classmates avoided her. They refused to talk or sit with her and kept reminding her that children with sickle cell disease died early. There was another child at her school who had the disease, and she died when she was in Primary Six.

‘This worsened the stigma. Children kept reminding me that I was going to die just like my colleague. My mother had told me to be strong, but from that time, I stopped telling people that I had SCD because I feared being isolated, and I wanted to fit in.’

Nankanja recalls hard times at university when she would get joint pains and when asked she would say she fell or twisted her ankle. One time, she got a very painful crisis but had to lock herself in the room struggled to reach her painkiller without anyone’s help.

‘I always had everything I needed in case of a crisis but because I had not told anyone, I self-administered the painkiller. The first attempt was in a wrong place and the skin bulged. I still have a scar from that incident. On the second attempt, I administered the injection and in a few minutes, I got relief and sought the help of a nurse.’

She missed a paper during her final exams at campus because of a crisis but recalls that getting to do it was a wearisome process that required her to go up to the senate with medical forms.

The better experience

In contrast, Tracy Katusiime (23) believes she got her best support from the school community. As a sickle cell champion, everyone at her school knew about her condition, and many times she got special treatment because of that.

When she joined the secondary level at St Peters’ Nsambya, her hip joints became so painful, and so she needed crutches to walk.

‘I always tell people I have sickle cell even if they do not ask me. It saves me from a lot of trouble.’

She adds that, ‘When the school got to know about it, they made a special arrangement that I had to just go to the library for my meals. Even the security person at the school gate knew about my condition.’

In senior three, her classroom was supposed to be upstairs but since she was walking on clutches, it was shifted to the ground floor. When the time came for her to sit her UNEB exams, she was accepted to have her sweater on since the mornings were cold. This is the kind of treatment children living with SCD need to help them get through the school system, but not many of them get this chance. Children with SCD need to drink a lot of fluids to prevent pain crises, which further increases the need to urinate.

‘We find ourselves frequenting the washroom, which may be irritating to teachers. Many teachers do not have information about the disease, so they do most of the things out of ignorance,’ Katusiime says.

Breaking the silence

‘There are forms that parents fill when their children are being admitted into schools. However, many of them do not disclose the medical conditions of their children. We sometimes think they are making excuses for not doing some things at school only to find out when the children get painful crises and we do not know where to start from,” says Mudi Kangave, the national chairperson of the private teachers’ platform.

Dr Joseph Rujumba, a Lecturer in the Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, School of Medicine, Makerere University notes that it is important for children and adolescents to know about their sickle cell status early enough.

‘This,’ he says, ‘helps them to have the myths confronted early enough to build their confidence. It helps them find peers within the health care, school and community systems. From there, they will find role models and form networks that provide them with information that will help them thrive.’

‘These warriors need not just medicine but dignity and a sense of belonging,’ says Dr Phillip Kasirye.

Sickle cell disease is not just a medical challenge. It is a national call to action to improve awareness, student accommodations, teacher training, and greater public empathy. No child should suffer in silence simply because of the genes they carry.

When Allan Okello speaks about Young Africans SC, he does not sound like a footballer chasing novelty. He sounds like one returning to unfinished business.

‘Playing deep in the Caf Champions League again was a big thing for me,’ Okello told the Daily Monitor on Sunday, a day before he flew to Dar es Salaam for his official unveiling at his new club. ‘It has been a while, and it’s something I’ve always wanted back.’

That longing is rooted in memory. In 2018, still a teenager, Okello announced himself on the continental stage – reaching the group phase and scoring a stunning goal at Alexandria’s Borg El Arab Stadium as KCCA lost 4-3 to Al Ahly, three months after beating the same opponents 2-0 in Kampala.

Stage set

Since then, Africa’s premier club competition has largely passed him by. Vipers SC, for all their domestic dominance, exited at the last hurdle before the group stage this season. The stage Okello craved never truly arrived.

Yanga offered it immediately – a two and a half contract with the Tanzanian champions.

His first continental test in green and yellow comes on January 23 – away to Al Ahly in Egypt. For Okello, it is not irony. It is alignment.

‘Yanga is a club that competes on the continent every season,’ he said. ‘They have ambitions of reaching finals, becoming one of the best teams in Africa, and winning titles. When you look at the squad they have, those ambitions are realistic.’

The meaning

This is where the story shifts from transaction to intention. Early reports chased speculative transfer figures of $300,000 (Shs1.1b), framing the move as a financial landmark.

Yet those close to the deal insist money was never the headline – structure, trajectory, and the platform to perform mattered far more.

‘Our target was a project that offered Okello a good platform to perform and develop well on the continent, and that also made good financial sense,’ his agent, Sultan Atubo of Next Pro Sports, told this publication.

‘Yanga SC, with its story both on and off the pitch, checked that box.’

The persuasion was personal. Yanga president Hersi Said handled the talks himself – a detail that resonated with the player.

‘I spoke with the club leadership, and they showed me the vision, the direction, and where they want to go,’ Okello explained. ‘That convinced me this would be a big step in my career.’

Earning his place

It was not a promise of stardom. If anything, the message was sobering.

‘The boss was very honest,’ Okello said. ‘There are quality players from all over Africa here. Nothing is guaranteed. I have to work hard, earn my place, and when I get the chance, make sure I don’t disappoint.’

That realism matters. Yanga are not a soft landing. They are stacked, ambitious, and unforgiving.

Okello arrives as a competitor, not a crowned centrepiece – but very much as a player the club believes can improve them. Contribution will be demanded, not gifted.

At Vipers, Okello had become the axis. League champion. Top scorer in the 2024/25 Uganda Premier League. The system bent around his left foot. Leaving that comfort required conviction – and respect.

Appreciating Vipers

‘Okello never wanted to leave Vipers on a free,’ Atubo said of the 25-year-old, who had barely six months remaining on his contract.

‘It was the only chance for the club to earn something back for the support they gave him over the last two and a half years.’

After several setbacks at Algeria’s Paradou AC, which had bought him from KCCA in January 2020, Okello spent a year on loan back at Lugogo.

When KCCA chose not to retain him after that loan in 2023, Vipers stepped in, giving him a lifeline and treating his knee before he had even kicked a ball for the club.

What’s in for Okello

‘This is a step up for me,’ said Okello. ‘It’s a learning process, a chance to grow as a player while helping the team achieve its goals.’

Still, the move also made financial and professional sense. Daily Monitor can reveal that Okello’s monthly earnings at Yanga are estimated between $8,000 (Shs29m) and $10,000 (Shs36m), alongside a house, a car, and two annual return tickets.

While Simba SC showed interest, no discussions ever progressed, as Okello had made it clear he wanted Yanga.

Vipers, meanwhile, retained a percentage on any future sale – a small but important acknowledgment of the role they played in nurturing him.

‘Yanga SC checked all the boxes – both on and off the pitch,’ Atubo added.

Yanga not the end goal

Those goals extend beyond Dar es Salaam. Yanga see Okello not as a final product but as a developing asset.

The contract length, the sell-on clause retained by Vipers, and the emphasis on protection on and off the pitch all point to a shared understanding – this is a chapter, not the conclusion.

Context sharpens the decision further. Uganda’s Afcon campaign in Morocco left more frustration than fulfilment.

Okello, like several players, never quite found the platform to express himself fully. Beginning 2026 with a move of this clarity is not cosmetic – it is corrective.

What this transfer ultimately teaches is restraint. African players do not always need Europe to move forward. Sometimes, the most intelligent progression is sideways on the map but upward in meaning.

‘I’m motivated,’ Okello reaffirmed. ‘I want to fight for my place and help the team achieve those continental dreams.’

That is not marketing language. It is the voice of a footballer choosing relevance over romance, challenge over comfort, and Africa’s biggest nights over easy applause.

Okello has not gone to Yanga to hide. He has gone there to measure himself – again – where it matters most.

Okello Fact File

Full Name: Allan Okello

Date of Birth: July 4, 2000 (25)

Place of Birth: Lira, Uganda

Height: 1.79 m (5 ft 10 in)

Weight: 65 kg

Position: Attacking Midfielder

Current Club: Yanga Africans (Tanzania)

Former Clubs: Vipers SC (2023- Jan 2026), KCCA (2016-2020, 2022 loan), Paradou AC (Algeria, 2020-2023)

National Team: Uganda Cranes (Senior debut – since 2019)

Agent: NextPro Sports

Major Honours With KCCA

– Uganda Premier League (2016/17, 2018/19)

– Uganda Cup (2016/17, 2017/18)

– Cecafa Kagame Cup (2019)

With Vipers SC

– Uganda Premier League (2024/25)

– Uganda Cup (2025)

Uganda National Team

– Chan 2024 Quarterfinalist (Top Scorer with 3 Goals)

– Scored in 2026 World Cup Qualifiers vs Guinea, Mozambique and Somalia

Individual Awards

Fufa Male Player of the Year (2019) | Fufa Young Player of the Year (2018) | Airtel Fans’ Favourite Player (2018) | Football256 Player of the Year (2019)

Suzan Lamunu embodies the mixed emotions shared by many urban residents as the country edges closer to the January 15 2026, polling day. While she remains hopeful that the electoral process will unfold smoothly, uncertainty clouds her expectations.

Lamunu is already contemplating travelling out of Kampala, a precaution influenced by persistent speculation among colleagues and friends that key service, most notably internet access and mobile money platforms could face temporary disruptions.

Such concerns, rooted in past election experiences, have fuelled anxiety among city dwellers who rely heavily on digital services for communication, business, and access to essential needs. With just days to the polls, the mood across the country remains one of a cautious expectation.

There are some ongoing talks by some Ugandans, increasingly dominated by speculation about what the election period may bring, including fears of possible internet disruptions reminiscent of previous years. But beyond political outcomes, a more pressing concern is emerging; will vital government services, particularly health care continue to function seamlessly during the election season?

Political commentator Thadeo Lubega observes that the current electioneering apprehension, has created fertile ground for speculation, rumours, and unverified claims, particularly on social media. On the question of whether health services may be disrupted during the election period, Lubega remains cautiously confident that essential care will continue uninterrupted.

Drawing from experience in previous poll years, he says there is little indication that health facilities will suspend operations, noting that the preservation of life has consistently remained a national priority. Nevertheless, he urges Ugandans to remain calm and to refrain from acts of violence, warning that unrest not only threatens public safety but also undermines national development. ”Peaceful conduct by citizens plays a critical role in ensuring that essential services, including healthcare, continue to function normally. I believe that Uganda, as a nation, values life, and I expect health facilities to remain operational under normal circumstances,’ Lubega says.

He cautions, however, that while hospitals and clinics may stay open, disruptions to enabling services particularly internet connectivity could indirectly affect health service delivery.

Lwanga explains that modern healthcare increasingly relies on digital platforms, with doctors often consulting colleagues online for specialist advice and referrals. In an increasingly interconnected global environment, he argues, any interruption in internet services could limit such professional collaboration, potentially affecting the quality and timeliness of care.

Government assures

Sylvia Kirabo, a medical practitioner, downplays fears of election-related disruptions to healthcare services, insisting that the sector will continue operating as normal. She says all government health workers are expected to report to their duty stations, as has been the case in previous election periods. According to Kirabo, health workers have not received any official communication directing the suspension of services on polling day, a clear indication that public health facilities will remain open to attend to patients.

She adds that continuity of health care remains a core obligation of the health sector. Emmanuel Ainebyoona, the Ministry of Health spokesperson, has assured the public that there will be no disruption of health services during the election period, stressing that healthcare is classified as an essential service. ‘All public and private health facilities will remain fully operational during and after the elections.

The mandate of health workers is to guarantee uninterrupted access to health services for all Ugandans at all times,’ Ainebyoona stated. He directed members of the public to continue seeking medical attention from their nearest health facilities whenever necessary, confirming that health workers will be deployed and on duty across the country.

Stock supplies

‘First, you must proactively manage your medications by ensuring you have at least a two-week supply of all prescription and essential over-the-counter drugs at home. This buffer is critical because pharmacies may become inaccessible,’ says Dr Mugisha.

Visit your doctor or clinic immediately to request refills for this extended period. Once secured, store medicines properly in their original containers and take clear photographs of all prescription labels. These photos provide vital information for healthcare workers in an emergency if you are separated from your physical medications.

‘Second, prepare a dedicated emergency kit that goes beyond a standard first-aid box. This kit should enable you to shelter safely at home for up to 72 hours. In addition to bandages and antiseptics, include specialised items such as a tourniquet and hemostatic gauze for serious bleeding, and saline solution or a mixture of water and liquid antacid to soothe skin and eyes exposed to tear gas,’ he says.

Your kit must also contain practical survival items, a minimum of four litres of water per person per day, ready-to-eat food, a solar-powered power bank, a battery-operated radio, and a reserve of cash in small denomination notes to cover expenses if banking services are unavailable.

Communication and transport plan

Develop a detailed plan for communication and transport, as these systems are most likely to fail during civil unrest. Save all critical contact numbers, for your preferred hospital, a trusted local clinic, and reliable private transport drivers, directly into your phone’s contacts and also write them on a physical piece of paper.

Do not rely on having internet access to find them. Furthermore, identify in advance the physical location and safest route to your chosen medical facility. Map out a primary and an alternative back-up route that avoids areas where protests or gatherings are likely to occur.

Formalise a support network by designating a family member or neighbour as your emergency check-in contact. Share your entire preparedness plan with this person, including your medication list, chosen hospital, and evacuation routes. Establish a simple daily check-in protocol, such as a pre-agreed text message; if you fail to check in or send a distress signal, your contact will know to try to reach you or alert authorities on your behalf.

Steps to secure your health and safeties supplies

It is good to have a full-backpack containing necessities such as food, water, first aid kit, battery-powered radio, flashlight, whistle, cell phone, medications, personal documents, and cash. Keep them in an easy-to-carry bag.

Have a plan for emergencies. Know your community plan.

Stay informed. Monitor local news and weather updates.

Practice safety drills.

Help others if you can.