Category: Daily Monitor

Men are always told to stay strong, keep moving and carry their burdens quietly. Yet beneath the jokes, bravado and everyday routines often lie fears, doubts, pressures and emotions that rarely make it into conversation. In this candid edition, media personality Gaetano Kagwa reflects on vulnerability, stress, loss, self-doubt and the unspoken ways men navigate their mental wellbeing.

When was the last time you laughed so hard you cried?

Quite recently, actually. It happens a lot on the morning show with Lucky. At least once a week, there will be a moment where we laugh so hard there are actual tears involved.

How would you describe your current mental state?

With the way the world is right now, my mental state is one of amusement and fear at the same time. My current state of mind is basically; try and stay alive, stay coherent, stay organised and keep moving because the world is in such a messed-up place.

What are your silent thoughts made of?

Mostly wondering how much more money URA plans to take from me. Every time I blink, there is a new tax somewhere. At this rate, they are about to start taxing us for breathing.

A mosquito buzzing in your ear or your woman saying, ‘We need to talk’?

The mosquito buzzing endlessly. Every single time!

They say big boys do not cry. How do you deal with loss,Gae?

First of all, thankfully I am not a big boy. But seriously, men cry too. We may have grown up being told to toughen up, but we are still human beings. When things get hard, the tears come. Maybe not publicly, maybe not often, but they come.

What emotion do you find hardest to express?

Vulnerability. Opening up can feel risky because once people know where you are vulnerable, it can be used against you. So sometimes it is easier to keep certain emotions tucked away.

Wama, are men stupid?

Absolutely. We were born that way and we will probably die that way. Men have this incredible talent for taking the simplest things and turning them into complicated puzzles for absolutely no reason. They say men cannot multitask, and when we try, it can be a complete train wreck. But we are also capable of brilliance. Men somehow manage to be the smartest and the dumbest people at the same time.

What is the weirdest thing you have worried about that turned out to be nothing?

Leadership. For years, I thought managing people was not for me. I worried I would be exposed as someone who did not know what he was doing. Yet every time I have been put in a leadership role, I have handled it pretty well.

Who is the first person you call when you need to talk?

Funny I have never had to do that. I try to figure things out on my own first. However, if I absolutely had to call someone, it would probably be one of my brothers.

What is a completely harmless thing that stresses you out?

Monday. Every Sunday morning, I start thinking about Monday and immediately become stressed. Then Monday comes, I get through it and realise it was not that bad.

What is your go-to emotional release practice?

Either I will watch something hilarious like a comical movie or something on my phone, or I will go play squash. A few games of squash can clear my head faster than almost anything else. Other times, I want complete solitude so I can think, reflect and clear the mental clutter.

What makes you feel safe?

Family. Even when I do not say anything, they somehow know when something is off. They show up when I need them, even when I have not asked. It is comforting knowing they are always there in the background.

Which version of yourself brings you the most joy?

Friday evening Gaetano. That is the version that is about to have a cold one or two or three or four with the boys, unwind, laugh and enjoy life with zero judgement and zero pressure. It is beautiful.

‘The little things.’ What does that mean to you?

‘The little things’ are often not so little in reality; they quietly add up into something significant. For me, it starts with something as basic as waking up and being able to move through my day freely. Freedom can feel ordinary because it is part of everyday life, but it is actually one of the greatest things we have. You do not always recognise its value until you see people who have lost it.

The girls say when they call just to check on men, you tell them, ‘Come home.’ True or false?

A little true. Physical presence is comforting. It is nice talking on the phone, but when someone is actually there, it is different. You can talk, connect and simply enjoy being in each other’s company.

What do you wish women understood more about men?

We are generally quite simple. We do not enjoy overcomplicating things, we prefer clarity, solutions, and moving forward. If plans are made, we would rather just follow through than turn them into something heavier or keep revisiting issues that were already settled in 2010. At the core, it is the basics that matter most: feed us, clothe us, ensure the children and the family is good, engage us in things we enjoy, and we are usually okay.

Would you rather never be stressed again or never self-doubt again?

Never be stressed again. A little self-doubt can sometimes help you improve. Stress, on the other hand, just comes with headaches, grey hairs and problems nobody asked for.

Would you rather know what people think about you or never be bothered at all?

Never be bothered at all. I have reached a point in my life where I am comfortable with who I am.

What is the most misunderstood emotion men experience?

It has to do with how we as men love. Men love differently. Not less. Differently. I think there is often this expectation that men should love the same way women do, but we are not the same biologically. Women experience emotions differently, and men do too. Hormones play a role in that, so the way we process and express love is not identical.

What mental health hill would you die on?

I believe in treating others the way you want to be treated. If you do not want people to treat you a certain way, then do not treat them that way. It is really as simple as that. I will do the best I can in whatever I take on, but I do not believe in forcing what I cannot give. If I canno do something, I cannot do it. I would rather be honest about my limits than pretend. Otherwise, I would be lying to myself and to you as well. So, I try to live by that principle. Do right, be real, and let things be what they are.

What mental health coping habit should men get more credit for?

We are not really used to asking each other, ‘What is wrong?’ or ‘Are you okay?’ People often say men should open up more emotionally, and maybe that is true in some cases, but in our circles, we do not usually get too deep into each other’s personal struggles unless it is really necessary.

There is a kind of unspoken understanding among men. We know people go through things, but we do not always sit and unpack it with each other. Sometimes you only speak up when things really get to a point where you cannot manage on your own.

Some people may see that as a flaw, but it works in its own way. It is like a quiet system we understand. We do not overstep into each other’s personal space unnecessarily.

Hit us with your most totally random thought. Extra points if it could get you cancelled.

If I fart and it does not smell to me… does that mean it does not smell to anybody else? Or is my nose just used to my own farts?

Next week on June 30, two USA-based organisations, Project Syndicate (www.projectsyndicate.org) which prides itself as ‘The World’s Opinion Page’, and the Meliore Foundation, will host conversation on the topic: ‘Can democracy survive without independent journalism?’ The conversation will cover three areas, namely:

Without Fear or Favour – protecting journalists from legal and political intimidation.

The Accountability Business – finding a new model to sustain serious journalism that holds power to account.

Unflooding the Zone – safeguarding the shared factual basis on which democracy depends. Had this meeting been organised by Africans here in Africa, perhaps the question would have been framed the other way round: ‘Can independent journalism survive without democracy?’

From our side of the universe, the former feeds off the latter. In Africa, it is democracy that protects independent journalism. Without democracy, independent journalism has always been bludgeoned, leaving a trail of blood and tears. Whichever way, both are in many ways akin to the proverbial chicken and egg question. What came first? The chicken or the egg? Independent journalism supports the healthy functioning of democracy while a vibrant democracy guarantees independent journalism. Uganda has over the years witnessed spurts of both. One of the lowest moments of the independent journalism was in January 1973 when Fr Clement Kiggundu, then editor of Munno newspaper was abducted by military men and killed in cold blood. His body was found two days after his disappearance, dumped in Namanve forest near Kampala.

This was just in the nascent stages of Idi Amin’s military dictatorship – two years after he had grabbed power in a putsch.

His ‘crime?’ According to the article, ‘African Witnesses: Fr Kiggundi, In Defence of the Truth’ (www.comboni.org), ‘When then President Idi Amin decided to expel all the Indians from the country, Fr Kiggundu had the courage to write in the newspaper that it was an unjust decision. In defence of the expelled Asians, Fr Kiggundu insisted that all those expelled were not only businessmen, but they included women, children and the elderly.’

Another of his ‘crimes’?

‘It was also believed that besides criticism of the expulsion of Asians, Amin was annoyed with the newspaper’s publication of a litany of complaints by women whose husbands had disappeared without trace. The women organised a meeting in Kampala in November 1972. During the meeting, they accused the government of kidnapping their husbands and taking them to unknown places. Others were discovered dead while those whose freedom was bought were found tortured.’

‘During that meeting, the women appealed to government to stop arresting and torturing innocent civilians. They also asked the authorities to release those in captivity. Government media outlets such as Radio Uganda and the Uganda Argus newspaper shunned the meeting and never gave it publicity. Munno stepped in and gave the women’s concerns prominence.’

Yet another ‘crime’?

‘Fr Kiggundu was covering the killing of Kiwanuka, and Amin was afraid that he might discover too many things.’ One of former Prime Minister Benedicto Kiwanuka’s sons recalls his father talking about a conversation he had with Fr Kiggundu during a lunch, shortly before both were abducted and killed by armed men linked to the State. Kiwanuka reportedly said: ‘We cannot abandon our country because we are menaced. If we have to die, better to die as martyrs.’

Fifty three years on today, Uganda’s independent journalists are back to covering the same stories of abductions of citizens. Of mothers and wives wailing about their missing sons and husbands. Some of the abducted citizens are missing after five or so years on (presumably dead), others are languishing in prisons in stalled trials, and others are seen (or out) with stories of torture.

Are we learning the same lessons?

Clearly, our journalism – and our democracy (or whatever we want to call it) – may not be where it was in 1973 – at least not yet. But the parallels in the stories are not lost. If journalists are writing the same stories of abductions, torture, disappearances, mothers and wives wailing, etc and facing (or not facing) the same risks, is this what is sometimes described as a time warp? Whatever the case, journalism and democracy live in a symbiotic relationship which makes the question of whether one can survive without the other neither here nor there.

The Commonwealth Lawyers Association (CLA) has strongly condemned the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) over the recent arrest of prominent opposition figure and lawyer Erias Lukwago, warning that the military’s actions threaten the fundamental fabric of the rule of law in Uganda.

In a scathing international statement issued on Friday, June 26, 2026, the CLA voiced grave concerns regarding the escalating state interference in the high-stakes treason trial of veteran opposition leader Dr Kizza Besigye and his co-accused, Hajj Obeid Lutale.

Mr Lukwago, who serves as the joint leading defense counsel for the duo, was detained by the UPDF on June 15, 2026. In a rapid succession of events that has drawn international scrutiny, his co-lead counsel, seasoned Kenyan lawyer Martha Karua-who is authorized to practice in Uganda-was subsequently denied entry into the country and held incommunicado at Entebbe International Airport.

The international legal body stated that the targeted actions against Mr Lukwago and Ms Karua represent a gross violation of established international standards guarding the independence of the legal profession.

“The right to legal representation is a cornerstone of the rule of law and a fundamental guarantee of a fair trial,” the CLA statement reads. “The targeting of defense counsel – through arrest, detention, or charge – in connection with their representation of a client strikes at the heart of the administration of justice.”

The CLA threw its weight behind an earlier protest by the Uganda Law Society (ULS), reinforcing that the military has absolutely “no role whatsoever in intimidating, threatening, or arresting members of the Bar for performing their constitutional and professional duties.”

The ongoing treason trial against Dr Besigye, a four-time presidential contender, has kept the political climate tense. Legal analysts view the state’s aggressive maneuvering against the defense team as an attempt to cripple the opposition leader’s legal shield. By cutting off access to regional legal heavyweights like Karua and locking up local counsel like Lukwago, the state faces accusations of undermining judicial fairness.

To anchor its rebuke, the CLA cited multiple international covenants that Uganda is a party to, including Clause 16 of the United Nations Principles on the Role of Lawyers. The UN charter explicitly mandates that governments ensure lawyers can perform their functions without harassment and are free to travel and consult with clients both at home and abroad.

Furthermore, the association referenced the 2023 Commonwealth Declaration of Goa and the International Bar Association Standards, both of which strictly prohibit administrative, civil, or penal sanctions against legal practitioners for doing their jobs.

“No lawyer shall suffer or be threatened with penal, civil, administrative, economic or other sanctions or harassment by reason of his or her having legitimately advised or represented any client or client’s cause.” – Principle 8, International Bar Association Standards

The CLA has joined local advocates in calling upon the Chief Justice of Uganda to step in and forcefully guarantee the security of all counsel, judges, and litigants under Article 128 of the Constitution of Uganda, which protects judicial independence.

The international body concluded with a firm list of demands to the Ugandan authorities, insisting that the government:

Ensure the treason trial of Dr. Kizza Besigye and Hajji Obeid Lutale proceeds without any further interference with their legal team.

Uphold the independence of the legal profession to act without fear or favor.

Take immediate legal action against any state actors or individuals who impede lawyers from discharging their professional duties.

Comply fully with international obligations to uphold the rule of law.

The Commonwealth Lawyers Association is a London-based international non-profit organization that promotes the rule of law across Commonwealth member states, ensuring that independent legal professions can serve the public with integrity.

As pressure mounts from both domestic law societies and global watchdogs, the judiciary faces a critical test in reining in military overreach within civilian courts.

The Uganda Women’s Movement has strongly condemned what it describes as the continued harassment and intimidation of veteran politician and women’s rights advocate, Dr. Miria Matembe.

The coalition of activists called on government authorities to respect the rule of law and immediately halt “unlawful raids” on the residences of political figures and civil society actors.

Addressing a joint press conference in Kampala on Friday, women leaders and human rights defenders expressed solidarity with Dr. Matembe following a reported security raid on her home. The group warned that the incident reflects a worrying trend of shrinking civic space and escalating attacks on democratic freedoms in the country.

Dr. Sarah Bireete, the Executive Director of the Centre for Constitutional Governance (CCG), stated that arbitrary home raids and the intimidation of citizens directly violate Uganda’s constitutional guarantees.

“Any allegations against Dr. Matembe or any other citizen should be handled through established legal procedures. We reject actions that undermine due process and violate the rights and dignity of citizens,” Dr. Bireete said.

The movement demanded that security agencies uphold the constitution and cease tactics that infringe on citizens’ privacy and safety.

The incident comes amidst heightened public debate regarding the treatment of government critics and opposition figures. It follows a similar, highly publicized security operation at the home of the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) Lord Mayor, Erias Lukwago.

Speaking at the press conference, the National Unity Platform (NUP) Deputy President for Northern Uganda, Ms. Lina Zedriga, lauded Dr. Matembe as a pioneer whose courage paved the way for women in modern Ugandan politics.

“We are products of Hon. Dr. Miria Matembe’s recruitment. She awakened many women to stand for justice and dignity. We must never submit to vulnerability and fear,” Ms. Zedriga said.

She further criticized security forces for violating the privacy of Dr. Matembe’s family during the operation, terming it an infringement on basic constitutional rights.

Former Leader of the Opposition in Parliament (LoP), Ms. Winnie Kiiza, appealed to religious leaders to break their silence and defend the country’s constitutional values.

“Fear will not protect you. You have been called to stand firm and speak boldly. Religious leaders of Uganda, we as women are watching you. Please do not let us down,” Ms. Kiiza urged.

Adding to the tributes, Ms Penelope Sanyu of Femme Forte Uganda emphasized that Dr. Matembe’s legacy as a champion of gender equality predates modern policy frameworks.

“Long before it was fashionable to speak truth to power, Dr. Matembe did so. Long before gender equality became the language of development partners and policy documents, she insisted that women deserve dignity not as a favor from the state, but as a matter of justice,” Ms. Sanyu noted.

The Uganda Women’s Movement reiterated its commitment to advocating for the protection of civic space and the rule of law, regardless of political affiliation.

By press time, both the police and military authorities had not issued a public statement regarding the operation at Dr. Matembe’s residence.

Lee White is a British-Gabonese conservationist, zoologist, environmental policy expert, and former government minister best known for his work protecting the rainforests and wildlife of the Congo Basin. He served as Gabon’s minister of Water, Forests, the Sea and Environment from 2019 until 2023. He talked to Derrick Wandera about conservation funding cuts, Africa’s forests and the future of protected area.

International conservation funding has faced major cuts in recent years. From your perspective, how serious is the impact of declining aid and charity funding on forest and wildlife protection globally?

I think we’re seeing a transition rather than a complete collapse.

My experience is mainly in Central Africa, particularly the Congo Basin, although I’ve also worked in countries such as Sierra Leone, Uganda and Rwanda. We have seen major reductions in American funding for conservation in the Congo Basin. The US Fish and Wildlife Service, which was previously a major funder, has cut almost all of its funding. Government support has declined significantly.

However, some of that has been replaced by philanthropy. Wealthy donors, including foundations linked to the Walton family, are now looking to invest hundreds of millions of dollars in national parks across Africa.

So the picture is mixed. Some sources of funding are declining while others are emerging.

You have managed large conservation programmes over the years. What has been your experience with donor funding?

Over my career, I’ve raised and managed about $500 million from bilateral donors, multilateral institutions, NGOs, philanthropy and the private sector. Looking back, I believe much of that donor money was actually more negative than positive.

The procedures imposed by donors are often so complicated that spending the money becomes extremely difficult. For example, in a typical aid project it can take two and a half years just to buy a vehicle.

If you’re running a four-year conservation programme, that creates huge operational challenges. Another problem is that donors sometimes change priorities midway through a project. Funding that was promised for one activity can suddenly disappear, leaving significant gaps.

So what is the solution?

My view, after almost 40 years working in conservation, is that African governments must recognise conservation as a valuable investment. Take the Congo Basin rainforest. I consider it the heart of Africa.

It recycles water, generates rainfall, supports the Nile system, feeds the Sahel and sustains major river basins across the continent. If we lose the Congo Basin rainforest, Africa faces a catastrophic future. We could see hundreds of millions of climate and water refugees.

Protected areas should be viewed as critical infrastructure. They generate economic value just as roads, dams and power stations do.

For example, Mont de Cristal National Park in Gabon protects the water resources that supply hydroelectric dams serving Libreville. The value of that water, in terms of electricity generation alone, is estimated at about $30 million annually.

Do we know how much conservation funding has actually declined?

I have not calculated the figures across the entire Congo Basin, but in Gabon I estimate conservation funding has fallen by between 30 and 40 percent.

Additionally, many of the large pledges announced internationally have not materialised. For example, a significant portion of the funding promised for the Congo Basin at the Glasgow climate conference has been reduced or delayed.

Even before recent policy changes in the United States and Europe, only about 50 to 60 percent of promised donor funding typically arrived.

When you look deeper, a considerable share of that money returns to developed countries through consultants, equipment procurement and administrative costs rather than directly benefiting African conservation efforts.

You also mentioned climate finance and REDD+. What has been your experience there?

REDD+ was designed to reward developing countries for reducing deforestation. Gabon generated 187 million tonnes of verified REDD+ carbon credits, validated through United Nations processes.

At the agreed price of five dollars per tonne, the country should have received nearly one billion dollars. Instead, Gabon received only $17 million.

Even that money was not provided directly to the government but channelled through third-party organisations and UN agencies. After four years, only a fraction of those funds had actually been spent. This illustrates a broader problem. Developed countries negotiate agreements and make commitments, but often fail to honour them fully.

Some argue that deforestation, poaching and forest degradation in African countries may be contributing to reduced funding. Do you see a connection?

That may be true in some cases, particularly under mechanisms like REDD+, where payments are linked to reducing deforestation. However, most conservation funding is provided precisely because those problems exist.

Donors fund anti-poaching operations and forest protection because they recognise there are challenges that need to be addressed. In my experience, donors rarely withdraw support simply because a country is experiencing deforestation or poaching.

It’s also important to recognise that many African countries outperform developed nations in forest conservation. Scotland, for example, has only about three percent of its natural forests remaining. Uganda’s forest cover is significantly higher than that.

You argue that African countries must take greater responsibility for conservation. Is that realistic given the limited resources available?

The real question is whether it is realistic to expect developed countries to do it for us. I don’t believe it is. Do developed countries have a moral obligation? Yes. Their wealth was built partly on natural resource exploitation and high levels of pollution. But whether they will fulfil that obligation is another matter.

Ultimately, African countries must recognise the value of their natural resources and lead their own conservation efforts. If we demonstrate leadership, international partners may be more willing to support us.

What local solutions can help sustain conservation programmes such as anti-poaching units and ranger operations?

We need to integrate conservation into broader national development strategies. Protected areas should generate economic value through ecotourism, carbon markets and ecosystem services.

Countries such as Kenya, Botswana, Namibia and South Africa have demonstrated that conservation can support significant economic activity.

The long-term solution is not dependence on aid. It is recognising that forests, wildlife and ecosystems are national assets that contribute directly to economic growth, water security and public welfare. If governments value those assets and invest accordingly, conservation programmes can become more sustainable and resilient.

On any given night along the busy Bukoto-Ntinda road, 29-year-old Godfrey Tindyebwa can be seen expertly maneuvering a motorcycle through the dark.

To a casual observer, he is just another motorist beating the traffic. But closer inspection reveals a remarkable story of sheer grit: Tindyebwa operates the motorcycle’s gear shift lever with a custom-welded hand stick. He is an amputee, riding to survive.

Tindyebwa, currently pursuing a Certificate in Computer Science at YMCA Kampala, lives a double life. By day, he attends lectures; by night, he hits the road to raise his own tuition and personal upkeep.

His grueling journey began in 2006 at a school clinic in Kamwema, Isingiro District. A botched anti-malaria injection triggered a severe medical crisis that eventually led to a diagnosis of bone marrow cancer. In 2016, doctors at Bombo General Military Hospital amputated his leg.

“It took me eight months of sleepless nights and agonizing pain,” Tindyebwa recalls.

Worse still, he had to independently foot a medical bill of nearly Shs20 million. His father, a polygamist, offered no financial backing. Tragedy has long stalked Tindyebwa’s family; he is the de facto firstborn after his mother lost her first child, and she later passed away during childbirth. Despite this, Tindyebwa is now the sole caretaker of his aging father. The family remains alienated from wealthy relatives due to historic disputes over ancestral wealth-ironically, the same wealth that helped fund Tindyebwa’s initial treatment.

Seeking financial independence after healing, Tindyebwa acquired a loan to buy a motorcycle for food deliveries. He chose to ride exclusively at night to minimize the risk of daytime traffic accidents. However, the margins remain painfully low, and Kampala’s roads have not been kind. On December 27 last year, Tindyebwa’s bike lights suddenly failed in Kamwokya. He hit a deep pothole, throwing him violently to the ground. The accident left him with a cracked skull and another mountain of medical debt he is still clearing.

Undeterred, Tindyebwa is looking toward the future. His immediate focus is securing a computer science internship placement this September. Ultimately, he hopes to transition from two wheels to four. He believes that if a well-wisher could help him secure an automatic vehicle, he could safely run Uber or delivery services to change his fortunes.

Police have arrested a 27-year-old man in connection with a viral social media video that allegedly references criminal activities along Banda in Nakawa Division, Kampala District.

The suspect, identified as Solomon Wafula, a resident of Banda Zone III in Banda Parish, was arrested Thursday by detectives attached to Banda Police Station.

The video, which reportedly circulated via X, formerly Twitter, sparked concern among residents who questioned whether security had seen it. Detectives said the suspect was arrested after the video was widely circulated and the public became concerned because it makes references to criminal operations.

‘The video attracted attention, prompting intelligence to verify the claims made in it and identifying any individuals who may have been implicated or exposed by its contents,’ a detective said.

Kampala Metropolitan Police deputy spokesperson Luke Owoyesigyire said the suspect is being probed on the circumstances that led him to record the video and to establish whether he personally participated in any criminal activity.

“We are investigating the circumstances under which the video was made and whether the suspect or any of the individuals mentioned therein have been involved in criminal acts committed along Jinja Road and its surrounding areas,” Mr Owoyesigyire said.

Police emphasized the investigation is still at an early stage as detectives work to establish the authenticity of the claims made in the video, as well as the identities of other individuals allegedly mentioned in it.

Detectives indicate the video began circulating earlier in the week, attracting rapid attention due to alleged references to specific locations and unnamed individuals purportedly linked to criminal activity.

Owoyesigyire warned that while social media remains a vital tool for public communication, it can also be misused to spread content that may endanger investigations or encourage unlawful behavior.

‘Police would like to caution members of the public against producing, sharing, or circulating content that glorifies, promotes, or appears to endorse criminal activity,’ he said. ‘Such conduct is not tolerated and may undermine ongoing efforts to combat crime and maintain public order.’

Another detective from Police Crime Intelligence said they are pursuing leads linked to individuals allegedly mentioned or implied in the viral video.

‘We are profiling the suspect and connecting his records to see whether he has ever participated in any criminal activity,’ the detective said.

With barely a week left for normal registration, Uganda National Examinations Board has tasked heads of centres to ensure all 2026 candidates are registered on time to avoid surcharges.

According to a statement released June 25, 2026 and signed by UNEB executive director Mr Dan Odongo, normal registration for Primary Leaving Examinations, Uganda Certificate of Education and Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education ends Tuesday June 30, 2026.

‘Heads of centres are advised to make use of the remaining time to ensure that all the learners in the respective candidate classes are dully registered so that no learner, who is supposed to sit for this year’s examinations, is left out,’ Mr Odongo advised.

UNEB said late registration will run through July with surcharges: 100% for PLE, and 50% for UCE and UACE candidates. Late fees will be Shs 68,000 for PLE, Shs 246,000 for UCE and Shs 279,000 for UACE.

Odongo cautioned school heads and directors against charging fees not prescribed by UNEB and referring to them as UNEB fees.

Aggrieved parents or members of the public charged exorbitant fees alleged to be UNEB registration fees are advised to report to any police station and file complaints.

“This is an offence under the UNEB Act, CAP 259, Section 33. It attracts a penalty of Forty Million Shillings or a term of imprisonment not exceeding ten years or both,” he said.

He warned the board will also withdraw examination centres of such schools, and where the person convicted is a registered teacher, they shall be de-registered according to relevant laws.

On government-sponsored candidates, Mr Odongo noted UNEB will not expect any candidates under UPE, USE or UPOLET to register during the late period as they were required to register during the normal period.

To date, 1,527,867 candidates have registered for all three examinations, compared to 1,416,448 last year, an increase of 7.3 per cent.

Schools can still make amendments where errors are identified by downloading and filling the amendment form on their school portals and returning it to UNEB before registration closes.

After registration, schools will display candidate registers in accessible places to enable candidates and parents confirm registration status and verify data. UNEB will also avail an SMS option. Dates for the display will be communicated by UNEB.

President Museveni has backed a multi-million-dollar proposal by Egyptian investors to construct a state-of-the-art dairy processing facility in Ngoma, Nakaseke District, as Uganda aggressively hunts for new continental markets to absorb its massive milk surplus.

The processing plant, expected to handle up to one million litres of milk daily, is slated to be spearheaded by the Arab Organization for Industrialization (AOI)-a massive state-backed Egyptian conglomerate established in 1975 with vast footprints in manufacturing, renewable energy, and infrastructure.

Speaking during a high-level meeting at State House Entebbe with an Egyptian delegation led by Maj. Gen. Khaled Shokry Ghaith, a consultant to the AOI Chairman, President Museveni noted that the investment aligns with Uganda’s broader strategic shift toward commercial agricultural mechanisation and value addition.

The development comes at a critical time for Uganda’s dairy sector, which has faced intermittent trade blockades and strict quotas from traditional East African Community (EAC) partners like Kenya. By courting North African capital, Kampala is seeking to diversify its export portfolio and process raw milk into high-value powders, cheese, and butter for the broader African market under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

President Museveni revealed that Uganda’s deliberate transition from subsistence to commercial farming has yielded a dramatic boom in milk volumes, positioning the country to compete with global dairy giants.

“We are now producing 5.4 billion litres a year and we are going to overtake Holland,” Mr. Museveni told the delegation, which also included Egyptian investor Maj. Gen. Abdelkader Mohamed Nagy and Mr. Abdel Nasser Mohamed. “With 5.4 billion litres, local consumption is still only about 800 million litres, meaning we have a surplus of about 4.6 billion litres.”

“The transformation from manual to mechanised systems is not a big issue. It is a question of mobilisation and investment because the manual system is the ancient way. We have been keeping cows for the last 7,000 years,” the President added.

Historically confined to domestic consumption or suppressed by colonial-era policies that prioritised cash crops like coffee, tobacco, and tea, Uganda’s dairy sub-sector has undergone rapid commercialization over the last two decades.

Beyond agriculture, Mr. Museveni linked the investment to geopolitics and the management of the River Nile resources-a frequent point of diplomatic friction between upstream East African nations and downstream Egypt.

The President argued that the ultimate protection for the Nile lies in the rapid industrialisation of countries within the tropics, which would lift populations out of poverty and reduce environmental degradation.

“I told Field Marshal President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi that if you are talking about the Nile, there must be socio-economic transformation,” Museveni revealed. “There must be electricity in the tropics so that people stop cutting trees for firewood and engage in modern agriculture like in developed countries.”

To support the proposed one-million-litre capacity plant, the President urged local farmers to abandon traditional free-range grazing, which requires large swathes of land, in favour of zero-grazing and modern pasture management.

“If you grow pasture, harvest it and feed the cows in the shed, one acre can feed eight cows. The yield will be higher because they are eating better,” he noted, adding that the government is actively working on genetic improvements to ensure local breeds produce at least 20 litres of milk per cow daily.

The Egyptian delegation confirmed they had already conducted extensive field assessments in Ngoma-the heart of Uganda’s cattle corridor-and engaged with the Dairy Development Authority (DDA).

Aside from processing, the investors plan to overhaul the local supply chain by introducing automated, hygienic milking equipment to eliminate manual handling, alongside refrigerated transport networks linking farms to cooling centres.

Welcoming the technology, President Museveni directed the Ministry of Agriculture and dairy stakeholders to immediately draft a comprehensive technical proposal mapping out the efficient movement of milk from farms to the planned factory.

Maj. Gen. Khaled Abdul Nasser expressed Cairo’s commitment to the venture, stating that the project will foster mutual economic benefits and deepen the historic ties between Uganda and Egypt.

UNICEF is pushing Uganda to act now on water, sanitation, and hygiene, saying poor WASH is fueling child deaths and school absenteeism.

Country Representative Dr Robin Nandy made the call Wednesday at the close of the National High-Level Dialogue on climate-resilient water and sanitation services at Sheraton Hotel, Kampala.

He said focus must go beyond high-profile outbreaks. ‘While Ebola and previous outbreaks of M-pox get national and global attention, there are other diseases like diarrhea and respiratory diseases that are two of the biggest killers of children in Africa that deserve similar attention,’ Mr Nandy said.

‘We know the areas at risk of certain communicable diseases, whether it’s cholera or Ebola. We need to make sure as part of health preparedness, health facilities, schools, and communities in high-risk areas have access to water, sanitation and practice good hygiene,’ he said.

Mr Nandy stressed that WASH also affects learning. ‘WASH is a huge factor that improves school performance and outcomes and the lack of WASH facilities, particularly lack of menstrual hygiene facilities leads to school absenteeism among girls and this declines their performance,’ he said.

But infrastructure alone isn’t enough. After visits to schools and health facilities in southwest and northwest Uganda, he found many WASH systems already broken down.

‘It’s a combination of aspects like infrastructure, human behaviour, accountability and ownership. I visited a number of schools and health facilities where WASH infrastructure were set up but they are now dysfunctional because there was no mechanism for operations and maintenance,’ Mr Nandy said. He urged parent-teacher associations and district governments to budget for running and maintenance costs.

Minister of State for Water Aisha Sekindi said the gaps are wide. In cities, old water systems can’t keep up with growth. In rural areas, ‘approximately 15 percent of improved safe water sources deemed non-functional,’ she said.

‘There is a need for us to unite and respond to these challenges. Lack of access to clean and safe water and proper and safe hygiene and sanitation, particularly for children affects all aspects of their lives and well-being,’ Sekindi said.

Dr Callist Tindimugaya, Commissioner for Water Resources Planning at the Ministry of Water and Environment, said population growth and climate change are stretching resources thin.

‘There are challenges of high population growth, environmental degradation, climate change and rural-urban migration… This raises the need to scale up more partnerships especially with the private sector,’ Mr Tindimugaya said.

The two-day dialogue, organized by the Ministry of Water and Environment with UNICEF, ran June 24-25, 2026 under the theme ‘Advancing climate resilient water and sanitation services for sustainable and inclusive development in Uganda.’

Uganda is now rolling out its WASH National Climate Adaptation Plan 2026-2030 to expand climate-adaptive systems in high-risk districts like Kabong in Karamoja and Sembabule in the cattle corridor.