Category: Daily Monitor

Many Ugandans imagine migration as an instant upgrade, better pay, better life, and better opportunities. Social media reinforces this illusion with filtered photos, curated success stories, and the quiet omission of the pain behind the scenes. Yet for thousands who leave every year, migration becomes something very different: a new wilderness where survival replaces ambition, and silence replaces dignity.

As Europe quietly expands its appetite for African labour, understanding these realities becomes urgent. Because behind the polished language of ‘global mobility’ lies a system that exposes migrants to dangers few Ugandans can imagine. The promise of opportunity is often met with the reality of isolation. For many migrants, the first shock is loneliness. A 2025 European Migration Observatory study found that African workers experienced significantly higher levels of social isolation than any other migrant group.

Many live in shared hostels or cramped employer-provided housing, working long shifts that leave no room for social support. Families at home may assume the silence means success. But silence is often a survival mechanism. The sectors that recruit Africans are the sectors Europeans avoid. Europe’s labour shortages are most severe in the ‘4D’ industries, dirty, dangerous, difficult, and demeaning. These include elderly care, slaughterhouses and meat processing, seasonal agriculture, night-shift logistics, sanitation and cleaning and home-based domestic work

These are not the glamorous sectors displayed on recruitment posters. A 2024 ILO report documented widespread injuries, mental exhaustion, and burnout among migrant workers in these sectors – conditions Europeans themselves refuse to endure. Racism and discrimination remain persistent barriers. European societies are not monolithic, and many welcome diversity – but the lived reality varies sharply across regions. A 2025 EU Fundamental Rights Survey found that Black Africans consistently reported the highest levels of workplace discrimination, racial profiling, and unequal pay compared to all other migrant groups.

Discrimination is rarely overt. It often takes quieter forms: being assigned the hardest tasks, being passed over for promotions, facing subtle hostility from colleagues, and being seen first as a ‘foreigner’ and only later as a human being. Migrant labour is increasingly tied to visas – creating dependency. In many European countries, the work permit is tied directly to the employer. Lose the job, and you lose the right to stay. This structural vulnerability allows exploitation to flourish. Employers know that migrants cannot easily walk away.

A 2024 German Labour Rights Audit found that non-EU workers were four times more likely to report coercion, threats, or unfair dismissals than EU nationals, a reality that should concern any African government negotiating labour agreements. The emotional burden on migrants is invisible but immense. Migrants carry multiple pressures: the need to send money home, fear of disappointing their families, shame of returning without success and exhaustion of maintaining a social media façade. Financial remittances hide emotional remittances – anxiety, depression, and the psychological toll of living between two worlds.

Uganda’s political rhetoric often celebrates migration as a national success story, pointing to the billions of shillings in remittances. But, few leaders acknowledge what migrants must endure to send that money home. The danger is not migration itself – it is unprotected migration. Migration can be transformative when contracts are fair, rights are respected, societies are prepared, and workers are valued. But without bilateral safeguards and strong labour diplomacy, Uganda risks exposing its youth to the harshest corners of the global economy.

This is not a call for fear – it is a call for foresight. Before Uganda embraces labour-export schemes under foreign pressure, we must confront the realities our youth will face abroad. Social media shows the destination; migrants know the journey. If Europe is building new pathways for African labour, Uganda must build protections with equal urgency. Essay 7 – ‘Before You Vote: Uganda Must Decide Whose Future It Is Protecting – Our Youth’s or Europe’s?’ Ciao

At 81, President Museveni still jogs through campaign grounds, sometimes paces long rallies without notes and speaks for hours with the ease of a man decades younger.

In a tightly choreographed, televised dialogue lasting more than two hours on Sunday at Nakasero State Lodge, the veteran leader offered his most personal explanation yet for his stamina, longevity and motivation, rooting both in history, identity and what he called an unbroken mission to ‘secure freedom for Africans.’

The event, dubbed ‘Jazz with Jajja’, was hosted by one of his daughters, Natasha Museveni, and brought together selected young adults in an outreach aimed at engaging a generation that has grown increasingly restless over unemployment, inequality, corruption and political exclusion.

Museveni, who seized power in 1986 after leading a five-year rebellion, is Africa’s third longest-ruling head of state and one of the world’s 10 oldest leaders.

Museveni turned 81 in September 2025 and is seeking another term in elections scheduled for January 15, 2026, a victory that would entrench his rule close to half a century.

But Uganda is a strikingly young country. More than 75 percent of its population of about 46 million is under the age of 30, placing the nation at a decisive generational crossroads.

‘Stupid Indians and African chiefs’

Museveni faces seven opposition challengers, including his closest rival in the previous election, Robert Kyagulanyi, popularly known as Bobi Wine, whose appeal among younger voters has posed a sustained political challenge.

Yet during Sunday’s exchange, Museveni sought to frame his continued grip on power not as personal ambition, but as historical necessity.

‘What motivates me is because I love myself as a person of the cow clan, as a Munyankole-Muhororo; as a Ugandan, as an African, I love you people. All of you are my children and grandchildren,’ he said.

He traced that motivation back to the 1960s, arguing that global power politics had taught him that weakness invites extinction.

‘We could see from the 1960s that if we didn’t do this or that, we’d be in danger. The world is not kind and if you’re weak, you will disappear. I don’t want my race to disappear or become slaves,’ Museveni said.

In a sweeping historical narrative, he linked Africa’s colonial experience to internal fragmentation and global shifts that ultimately opened space for independence.

‘The people you call Americans are Europeans who went and took the land of Indians because Indians were stupid and not organized,’ he said, before recounting how parts of Africa-South Africa, Zimbabwe and Kenya’s ‘White Highlands’ in the 1950s-were similarly targeted.

Museveni now blames Africa’s colonization on internal divisions among traditional leaders, contrasting that failure with organised resistance elsewhere.

‘Our stupid chiefs failed to defend us because they were fighting against themselves,’ Museveni said, pointing to the formation of the African National Congress in 1912 and the rise of Pan-Africanism.

He credited global events, including the Russian Revolution, the First and Second World Wars, and the emergence of China’s communist government in 1949, for weakening European imperial powers and accelerating African independence.

‘What they wanted was like what happened in America where the indigenous people disappear or survive as second class. This is what I can’t accept,’ he said, emphasizing that: ‘I want you to be free people. I can’t compromise on that.’

Museveni framed his domestic political struggles through the same lens, citing confrontations with past leaders as part of what he called a fight against ‘our own fools’ who stood in the way of liberation.

‘That’s why we started fighting. Like Idi Amin. you don’t know what you are doing and you want to be our president. You don’t know what you’re doing yet we’re at war. We had to say get out,’ the veteran Ugandan leader explained.

‘Museveni on his luck’

The president’s remarks came amid continued criticism from rights groups and opposition figures who argue that his longevity has been sustained by a zero-tolerance approach to dissent and repeated crackdowns on political rivals, an issue Museveni did not directly address during the dialogue.

When asked about his physical stamina, the president on January 4, 2025 turned inward, crediting tradition, diet and ancestry rather than modern medicine or discipline alone.

‘I think I was lucky because my family and African people are very strong,’ he said, adding: ‘The problem were the kings or rulers who were wasting our time.’

He described a lineage largely untouched by colonial structures, noting that his great-grandfather, who died around 1915, never joined the church or colonial administration and remained a cattle keeper.

‘My grandfathers were rich traditional people. My father, Mzee Kaguta, was the first to go to church in 1947, but even then we remained traditional,’ Museveni said before he linked that upbringing to physical endurance.

‘Traditional people are very strong. Stamina from things like looking after cows,’ he said, arguing that military training later felt ‘much weaker than my lifestyle as a tough cattle keeper.’

He contrasted his habits with urban diets.

‘If I had joined the chapatti-eating, it may have been different,’ Museveni said, drawing laughter.

‘I am an original Munyankole who knows English and has studied the world,’ he added, before pointing to family longevity as proof.

‘My uncles have just died. One died at 104. My father died at 97. He was still looking after cows in his 90s,’ he said, adding that even now he prefers cassava and millet over rice.

When his daughter Natasha interjected: ‘What about us who eat chappatis?’ Museveni smiled.

‘For you, God is there. But remember that millet is there,’ he replied.

About an hour into the exchange, Museveni’s tone had earlier softened as he reflected on youth, discipline and desire.

‘I was young like you. I would also swing girls but remember to fight, study, work and dance once in a while. The problem is that now you’re dancing all the time.’

He urged young Africans to look beyond pleasure and focus on what he described as the continent’s unfinished project in ‘unity and federation.’

For Museveni, longevity, like power itself, is presented not as accident or indulgence, but as destiny shaped by history, culture, lifestyle and an unyielding belief that Africa’s survival still demands his vigilance.

Unemployment in Uganda is not merely an economic statistic; it is a national emergency, a deep structural crisis that strikes at the very soul of our development journey. Beneath the surface of youthful optimism lies a generation teetering between potential and despair. The tragedy is not in the lack of talent, but in the absence of systems that translate that talent into productive opportunity. We have a nation bursting with creativity, yet burdened by inertia.

For too long, we have crafted good policies that remain prisoners of paper, elegant in design, yet lifeless in execution. Uganda does not suffer from a poverty of ideas, but from a poverty of implementation. Our challenge, therefore, is not only to formulate policy but to build the governance discipline to see it through.

At the heart of my manifesto lies a simple conviction: that progress must be measured not by how much we plan, but by how faithfully we implement.

Implementation must become a national culture driven by clear monitoring, data-backed decision-making, and strict accountability mechanisms. Every ministry, agency, and local authority must be held to measurable targets. Governance must move from mere compliance to genuine performance. Transparency, accountability, and ethics must anchor this transformation. A government that demands integrity from its citizens must itself embody it. We must deconstruct the culture of opacity and rebuild public trust through open data systems, merit-based appointments, and citizen participation in oversight.

Good governance is not an aspiration; it is the oxygen of sustainable development. But governance alone cannot propel us forward. We must invest in research, development, and technology, the engines of a modern economy. Uganda cannot afford to be a consumer of other nations’ innovations; we must become creators in our own right. In this digital age, innovation must cut across sectors: from agricultural technology and green energy to fintech, e-governance, and creative industries. Leadership, too, must evolve. It is time to move from posturing to purposeful action.

Leaders must embrace continuous learning, humility, and the courage to reform, to admit when systems fail, and to inspire change from the ground up. Visionary leadership is not about grand speeches; it is about consistent execution and authentic service. Our economic blueprint must also be intelligently localised. Benchmarking global best practices is important, but blind imitation is fatal. Uganda must tailor its policies to local realities, harnessing indigenous knowledge, leveraging regional strengths, and adapting innovation to community context. Strategic collaborations and partnerships, both local and international, must be well-thought-out, purposeful, and mutually beneficial.

The youth remain the heartbeat of our nation and, if neglected, its ticking time bomb. They need not sympathy but opportunity. We must invest in job creation through entrepreneurship, agribusiness modernization, tourism diversification, and creative industry development. Agriculture must move beyond subsistence to become a competitive, technology-driven enterprise. Tourism, our silent giant, must be repositioned as an engine of employment and cultural diplomacy.

Every policy must answer one fundamental question: what does this mean for our young people? Uganda stands at a crossroads between promise and paralysis. The future will belong to those who dare to govern differently: transparently, intelligently, and ethically. Unemployment is not a personal failure; it is a policy failure. And policy failure is a failure of leadership. It is time to fix both.

President Museveni has said the United States’ attack on Venezuela is a wake-up call for Africans to unite and prioritise the issue of the strategic security of the continent. While holding a media engagement with social media influencers yesterday, Mr Museveni said the East African federation would bring unity, which would enable the region to build capacity to defend itself on land, at sea, in space, and air.

‘That was our target in 1963. And Mwalimu [Julius Nyerere, the former president of Tanzania] was going to move, but [former Kenya President Jomo] Kenyatta and [the former Uganda President Milton] Obote decided to remain big fish in small ponds. Some people like that when you are a big fish in a small pond. You feel very big, but when trouble comes, you may not survive,’ Mr Museveni said.

Mr Museveni was responding to a question raised by Ms Marcella Karekye, the director of Government Citizen Interaction Centre at State House, about the lesson Ugandans should learn from the United States of America’s attack on Venezuela. The US military carried out strikes against Venezuela and arrested its President Nicolás Maduro on Friday. Mr Maduro was later flown to the US, where he was charged with terrorism and narcotic trafficking. Venezuela is a member of the Non-Alignment Movement (NAM) and the Global South Movement. President Museveni is currently chairperson of the NAM, which comprises two-thirds of the United Nations members, who are largely from the global south.

Mr Museveni said his government is still learning from the Venezuela incident. ‘You can see the gaps which I am telling you about. Because the Americans are operating from four dimensions. They are operating from the sea. The Latin Americans aren’t there, they don’t have a navy. They (USA) can come in air and space. Now, they are trying to come on land, which is, of course, risky for the Americans. There you come near even me, who has a short range, I can harm you. But there (in space and air), you are at an advantage. You are seeing me in space. I am not seeing you. You are in the ocean, I am not there, and I am here [on land]. This is what we are talking about with the Africans,’ Mr Museveni said.

Mr Museveni also revealed that small and weak countries are vulnerable to attacks from bigger countries, as has been the case in history. ‘You can have small countries, like Denmark, but they have a centre of gravity. When they are in trouble, there is a big boy, like the US, to defend them. Africa has no centre of gravity, and you are here dancing paka kini. It is very risky, very risky,’ he said. In November last year, Mr Museveni raised the same issue and called for the unity of East African countries.

‘That is why I say, you people, why don’t you see how to unite? Because Uganda, even if you want to build a navy, how can you build it? We don’t have access to the sea. The political organisation in Africa is so irrational. Some of the countries have no access to the sea for economic purposes, but also for defence purposes. You are stuck. How do I export my products?’ Mr Museveni said. He urged African countries to jointly invest in space, sea, and air technologies so that they are not caught by surprise by powerful countries.

Nathan Nandala Mafabi, the Forum for Democratic Change Presidential flag bearer, received a hero’s welcome in the Bugisu Sub-region on Saturday ahead of 2026 General Elections.

This was during an event organised at Mbale Cricket Ground in Mbale City to bless him after he declared his intention to contest for the highest office in the country. This marks the first time that Bugisu sub-region has produced a well-known presidential candidate, something which has brought excitement and hope among the people. The event attracted thousands from different parts of eastern Uganda. Retired Bishop of Mbale Diocese, Patrick Gidudu led a team of religious leaders to bless Nandala.

They presented him with symbolic gifts: a Bible, a spear, and a cowhide. They also prayed for his protection and a successful campaign. While addressing the crowd, Nandala reflected on his humble beginnings in the village, saying he understands the challenges faced by ordinary Ugandans such as poor roads, limited access to quality education and health services, and widespread poverty.

‘That is why I am stepping forward to transform the country’s economy and eliminate poverty from our homes,’ Nandala said.

He highlighted his credentials as a respected economist: ‘The world knows me as an economist. I have advised many countries on economic matters. Unfortunately, Ugandan leaders have refused to use my knowledge and that’s why our economy is lagging behind.’ He promised that under his leadership, Ugandans will have money in their pockets.

‘President Museveni has been in power for nearly 40 years. We thank him for what he has done, but what he hasn’t done by now, he won’t do. I’m coming in to correct that,’ Nandala said.

He also said the FDC manifesto includes a plan for each village to receive 100 million shillings for development. He said this will improve standards of living.

With climate change and a growing population applying immense pressure on community water supply systems, they are increasingly struggling to cater to the needs of residents. Climate change causes prolonged dry spells that lead to the volume of water in lakes and rivers, key sources of water for communities, to reduce. This causes a crisis, with locals walking several kilometres in search of water, and the life-sustaining liquid costing an arm and a leg.

Factories and other businesses such as agriculture are also affected, reducing product and, in extreme cases, bringing their operations to a standstill. To mitigate this, we call upon the public and proprietors of businesses to embrace harvesting and storing rainwater. Besides providing a source of water during the dry spell, harvesting rainwater has several advantages. Use of rainwater for domestic and commercial purposes can reduce the amount of money spent on bills from using tap water.

Furthermore, tap water is treated with chlorine and other disinfectants to ensure it is safe for drinking. However, while this makes it safe for human consumption, experts say these chemicals can kill beneficial soil bacteria and microbes if tap water is used to irrigate crops. Experts say rainwater, on the other hand, is naturally soft and free of chemicals, making it suitable for most plants. However, experts caution against drinking rainwater without proper purification because water collected from roofs can contain pollutants from the air, bacteria and heavy metals from roofing materials.

We call upon the government to encourage and enable more people to harvest rainwater. Currently, many people in rural areas still live in grass-thatched houses, making harvesting of rainwater difficult. Furthermore, many of those who have houses roofed with iron sheets, which are more suitable for harvesting rainwater, do not have where to store this water because they cannot afford tanks, accessories, and the costs that come with setting them up. We, therefore, urge the government to consider facilitating people in rural areas to upgrade their houses from grass-thatched to iron sheet roofs.

The government should also enable citizens to purchase water tanks and accessories. This can be done through giving citizens soft loans to enable them purchase water tanks and accessories and set them up to harvest and store rainwater. The authorities should also consider subsidising the cost of water tanks and accessories so that more people can acquire them.

From colonial relics to eco-conscious innovation, Entebbe is embracing its dual identity as both a historic and modern town, one cherished for its tranquillity. With its lake, gardens, and heritage landmarks, it is not only Uganda’s green lung but also its living memory. ‘We have the capacity to out compete Nairobi and Kigali. We are safe, clean, cosmopolitan, and proud. We just need to tell our story better,’ says Mr Andrew Otage, a tourism technocrat and chairperson of the Entebbe Private Sector Municipal Development Sector. For decades, Entebbe has been Uganda’s front porch, the first hello to the world.

Home to the country’s international airport, the town has welcomed almost everyone from global dignitaries and explorers to backpackers and birders. Yet for too long, most visitors arrived only to leave quickly, heading to Kampala, Jinja, or the gorilla parks in the South west. Today, Entebbe is rewriting that narrative. The once-quiet lakeside town is positioning itself not merely as a gateway, but as a destination, a living tapestry of history, heritage, and nature that captures Uganda’s soul. ‘Entebbe is not just a town,’ says Mayor Fabrice Rulinda, who was born and raised there. ‘It’s home. It’s that place where you come and never want to leave.’ He gestures toward the water, where the evening light turns Lake Victoria into molten gold.

‘We are green, full of water and life. To some people, Entebbe means peace and quiet. To others, it’s entertainment, food, or culture. But to all of us, it’s a slice of heaven, the gateway into Uganda.’ If Kampala is Uganda’s business heart, Entebbe is its green lung, calm, refreshing, and full of breath. With tree-lined avenues and a popular lake-shore, the town carries both the serenity of a coastal retreat and the pulse of a growing city. ‘We’ve stopped looking at Entebbe as just a transit point,’ Mr Otage says. ‘People land here and rush off, not realising how much they’re missing. Entebbe is not a highway; it’s a city of stories.’

He adds:’You can spend two days here and still not finish exploring…From heritage to beaches, from golf to birding, this city deserves to be experienced, not just passed through.’Entebbe’s story is inseparable from Uganda’s beginnings. It was here that the country’s first Parliament, State House, airport, High Court, and golf course were established. ‘This was Uganda’s administrative cradle,’ says Mayor Rulinda. ‘Even Buganda’s early governance reached out to Entebbe.’ Mr Otage adds historical colour: ‘It was once called Port Alice, named after Sir Gerald Portal’s wife. He thought Entebbe was so beautiful it deserved her name. That’s how far back our charm goes.’

Religious and political significance

The town also holds deep religious and political significance. At Kigungu, Catholic missionaries Father Lourdel and Brother Amans first stepped onto Ugandan soil in 1879. At a site once known as Omuti gwe Eddembe, nationalist Ignatius Musaazi held early independence discussions beneath a tree still remembered by locals.

‘Entebbe is a living museum,’ says Mr Charles Magumba, the town’s former clerk. ‘Every road and structure carries a piece of Uganda’s story.’ Giant fig trees tower over families on picnics, and the air hums with birdsong. ‘The gardens aren’t just trees and flowers,’ Mr Rulinda says. ‘They’re part of who we are. We grew up playing there. They connect generations.’ His administration has made environmental stewardship a priority.

‘While Africa is cutting trees, we’re planting them. My goal is to grow one million trees in five years,’ he says. Mr Magumba points to the town’s rich biodiversity. ‘Entebbe is a bird sanctuary. You find species here that you won’t find anywhere else…’ Birding alone brings thousands of visitors annually, many spending up to $12,000 (about Shs43.7m) on multi-day expeditions. ‘Nature is our economy… And Entebbe is its capital,’ Mr Otage says. Yet local leaders believe Lake Victoria’s potential remains underutilised. ‘We need to use our lake better,’ Mr Magumba says. ‘There’s room for water transport, marine sports, and even luxury cruises. Imagine connecting Entebbe to Kalangala or Jinja by boat, it’s faster, scenic, and sustainable.’

Mayor Rulinda sees this as part of a broader regional vision. ‘If Jinja, Kampala, and Entebbe work together, we can create a tourism belt that keeps visitors in our ecosystem. A traveller could land here, sail to Jinja, explore the Nile, and return, all within Uganda.’ The vision aligns with East Africa’s growing blue economy strategy, as inland and lakeside cities from Kisumu to Mwanza invest in water-based tourism. ‘It’s not competition,’ Mr Otage says. ‘It’s complementarity. Entebbe offers calm, culture, and the gateway experience.’ Beyond heritage and nature, Entebbe is also positioning itself as a hub for MICE tourism [meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions]. Government plans are underway for a 5,000-seat convention centre, set to be Uganda’s largest.

‘This is an economic game-changer,’ Mr Otage says. ‘Rwanda has one, Kenya has two, but Entebbe will have the ambiance, the lake, the tranquillity, and the accessibility that no other city offers.’ The centre is expected to anchor a 24-hour economy driven by conferences, hospitality, and entertainment. ‘When delegates stay overnight, they spend,’ Mr Rulinda notes. ‘That spending builds jobs and strengthens our local economy.’ Already, Entebbe hosts international gatherings such as the Uganda Law Society’s annual meeting and environmental fora. ‘We are ready,’ Mr Magumba says. ‘We just need to connect infrastructure with vision.’

Despite its growth, Entebbe has not lost its heart. ‘We’re a family,’ Mr Rulinda says proudly. ‘Baganda, Banyarwanda, Nubians, Banyankole, everyone feels at home here. That unity is our strength.’ Mr Otage sees untapped cultural value in that diversity. ‘The Nubian community in Kinyarwanda still brews malwa the traditional way. Tourists would pay to see that. That’s authentic culture, not staged performance.’ He smiles, reflecting on Entebbe’s enduring warmth. ‘What makes this place special isn’t just the lake or the gardens, it’s the people. The way strangers become neighbours. The way calm becomes culture.’

Chaos broke out at Kiwangala Playground in Kisekka Sub-county, Lwengo District on Sunday evening after a confrontation between Bukoto South Member of Parliament Twaha Kagabo and Muhammad Muyanja Mbabaali, during a Buganda-for-Museveni campaign rally.

The incident unfolded as Mawogola West MP Anifa Kawooya took the microphone to introduce Kagabo, who is seeking re-election as an independent candidate.

Mbabaali, who was addressing journalists nearby, rushed to the podium, grabbed the microphone and disrupted the programme.

Mbabaali objected to Kagabo’s introduction, arguing that Kagabo is a registered National Resistance Movement (NRM) member and questioning why an independent candidate was being presented at an NRM event. Heated words followed before Mbabaali slapped Kagabo.

Kagabo attempted to retaliate but was restrained by security personnel and party members as tensions escalated. Kawooya was later seen trying to calm Kagabo amid growing agitation at the venue.

Addressing the incident later, Kawooya said NRM supporters had previously welcomed Kagabo after his departure from the opposition National Unity Platform (NUP), despite his reported association with the first son Gen Muhoozi Kaierugaba-led Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU).

She questioned why he was being sidelined at the rally, adding that she personally had no issue with him, even as an independent candidate.

The confrontation came against the backdrop of an earlier dispute in Ssembabule District, where Kawooya reportedly clashed with former foreign affairs minister Sam Kutesa over alleged support for independent candidates, accusing him of undermining NRM cardholders.

During the chaos in Lwengo, Kagabo was briefly seen dancing, apparently in an attempt to defuse the situation.

The move, however, further angered Mbabaali, leading to renewed physical confrontation. Kagabo was also seen attempting to kick Mbabaali before security intervened again.

Lwengo District Police Commander Richard Asiimwe stepped in and escorted Kagabo out of the venue to protect him from an increasingly hostile crowd of NRM supporters.

Lwengo Woman MP Cissy Namujju Dionizia condemned the disruption, questioning the motive behind the incident and alleging it was intended to weaken NRM support in the district. She also questioned why Kagabo attended the rally while contesting as an independent.

NRM National Vice Chairperson Moses Kigongo, the chief guest at the event, condemned individuals he said masquerade as party members only to disrupt party activities. He warned voters against supporting what he termed ‘troublemakers’ and urged residents to vote strictly for NRM candidates, describing independents as ‘self-seekers.’

NRM chief whip for Buganda region Robert Migadde acknowledged that similar incidents have occurred during the Buganda-for-Museveni campaign but said party leaders are working to resolve internal disagreements.

Deputy NRM Chairperson for Buganda Haruna Kyeyune Kasolo called for unity and condemned what he described as misinformation aimed at dividing party supporters.

Uganda will hold its presidential and parliamentary elections on January 15, 2026.

Detectives at Kira Road Division Police Station in Kampala are investigating the circumstances under which a 64-year-old university lecturer died after his decomposing body was found in his house.

Dr Tom Patrick Mugizi, a resident of Kisota Zone, Kikaaya Parish, Nakawa Division in Kampala District, was found dead on January 3, 2026.

He has been a lecturer at Victoria University and Makerere University Business School (MUBS) in Kampala.

Kampala Metropolitan Police deputy public relations officer, ASP Luke Owoyesigyire, said the lecturer’s death was reported on January 3, 2026, by his sister, Ms Annet Runtemu Nsasiirwe.

She raised concern after repeated attempts to reach her brother on phone from December 31, 2025 proved futile.

‘A neighbour was requested to check on him and found the deceased lying dead in his bed in a decomposing state. The house was found open and there was no indication that any property had been stolen,” ASP Owoyesigyire said.

Police officers later visited and documented the scene, recorded statements from relevant witnesses, and conveyed the body to Mulago City Mortuary for autopsy.

Preliminary findings indicate that Dr Mugizi had a history of chronic illness, although the exact cause of death is yet to be established.

Police said that investigations into his death are ongoing as they wait for the autopsy report to guide further action.

In a statement posted on their X handle, Victoria University described Dr Mugizi as a dedicated and esteemed lecturer.

“His wisdom, humility, and commitment to shaping minds will never be forgotten. Our heartfelt condolences go out to his family, friends, colleagues, and students during this difficult time,” the statement reads in part.

A 31-year-old truck driver and a 30-year-old casual laborer have died after sand collapsed on them at a mining site in Kanungu District.

Police identified the driver as Umar Mbonigaba and the other victim as Simon Izobaryomwe, both residents of Kanyamisinga Village, Nyakashojwa Parish, Katete Sub-county, Kanungu District.

They were pronounced dead at the scene, although only Mbonigaba’s body had been recovered by press time.

Izobaryomwe’s body and an Isuzu Tipper truck, registration number UBQ 884U, were yet to be retrieved by Monday morning following the Sunday evening incident.

According to the Officer in Charge of Kanungu Central Police Station, Ms Esther Nakato, another casual labourer, Junior Tumwebaze, 24, and resident of the same village, survived with injuries following the sudden collapse of sand at the mining site where they were working.

Tumwebaze was rescued by colleagues and rushed to the hospital for medication following the Sunday evening incident.

First responders were seen using rudimentary tools in their search and rescue operation at the site.

Kanungu Resident District Commissioner, Mr Ambrose Mwesigye Amanyire on Monday, January 5, 2026, ordered police to cordon off the mining site until the district security committee announces measures and guidelines to follow at all sand mining sites in the district.

Authorities in the district said more than 10 people have lost their lives in similar accidents in the recent past.

Strict measures had earlier been imposed, including the use of mechanised equipment such as graders to level steep slopes. However, operators and workers continue to rely on casual labour, a practice that has contributed to repeated loss of life.