Category: Daily Monitor

The South Ankole Diocese Bishop Rev Nathan Ahimbisibwe has called for peace in the country ahead of the January 2026 General Election, noting that it’s the only way Ugandan can develop.

Preaching during the Christmas prayers at St Mathew Cathedral Kyamate in Ntungamo Municipality, Bishop Ahimbisibwe noted that there are some citizens wishing to destroy peace of the others.

‘We need peace; peace in families, and peace in the country, peace in our lives as Jesus promised. It is essential to have peace if we are to develop. Paul tells us that if possible we should live with each other, with everyone in peace, peace that Jesus brought to the world that even the church was saved from segregation,’ he said.

He also urged politicians contesting for various positions in the coming elections to promote peace, which the country has enjoyed for some years.

‘There are those people who have become strong catalysts for destroying peace for others, they wish for violence. We need to pray for each other. Everything we have will end, even the leadership, even offices we occupy but the peace of God shall not. Let the coming of Christ in us be a great symbol of peace,’ he said.

Speaking to journalists later after the service, Bishop Ahimbisibwe appealed for strong youth development programs through life changing missions, especially holiday church conferences which he said are key in developing individuals spiritually.

Several politicians, including former Ntungamo Municipality MP, Mr Gerald Karuhanga and Ntungamo District chairperson, Mr Sam Mucunguzi, Woman MP candidate Eng Juliet Kindyahamutima attended the service, also calling for a peaceful election.

‘We have had challenges of violence in our elections. We want a violent free election. This is what brings peace. We can’t talk about peace without talking about human rights. I wish this message reaches everyone. This country is ours all, we must respect each other,’ Mr Karuhanga said.

Bishop Ahimbisibwe further appealed to Christians to engage in work, especially in Agriculture which he said is the epitome of development of the rural population.

Police in Kigezi Sub-region are investigating four separate murder cases after four people were killed in different Rubanda and Kabale districts on Christmas.

Kigezi regional police spokesman, Mr Elly Maate, said Vincent Rwomushana, a 54-year-old resident of Kanyante village, Kibuga Sub-county in Kabale District was waylaid and hacked on the head around 11pm on his way home after drinking alcohol at Hamuhokye trading center.

He was taken to Rushoroza hospital in Kabale town where he was pronounced dead shortly after admission.

Martin Mandela, a resident of Igabiro cell in Mwanjari ward, Kabale Municipality, Kabale District was killed on December 26 at around 2am.

‘It was reported that one Janvier Onorinawe had taken his brother Mandela Martin (now deceased) to a bar for leisure from where he left him. At around 0250hrs, Mandela left the bar. However, as he was approaching home he was cut on the head by yet to be identified assailants. The neighbors heard and moved out to find out what was going on, only to find Mandela lying down and bleeding profusely. A neighbor, one Miguel Innocent, called Onorinawe who took him to Kabale Regional Referral Hospital from where he died,’ Mr Maate said.

Another attack happened in Gwara village, Karukara Ward, Hamurwa Town Council IN Rubanda District where a 22-year-old Valence Arineitwe was stabbed to death by unknown people.

The attack happened on December 25 at around 7:30pm opposite Kikadde’s house at Hamurwa cell, Rubanda District.

‘It’s alleged that on December 25, 2025 at around 7:30 pm, when one Maximiano Atuheire, a teacher and a businessman was in his shop and bar serving his customers, he heard too much noise from Hamurwa main road and that the noise sounded unusual which made him to come out of his bar. He saw one Valence Arineitwe being chased by the suspects whose particulars are concealed not to jeopardize inquiries, while beating/assaulting him up to Kiiza Aron’s bar where he fell and died instantly,’ Mr Maate said.

Police also said a decomposing body of Nelson Nasasira, 31, a resident of Kyarujumba village, Bunyonyi Ward in Hamuhambo Town Council, Rubanda District was found in a neighboring village of Kataraga.

‘It was alleged that on December 20, 2025 at around 2am at Kyarujumba Cell, one Nasasira Nelson (now deceased) was called by his friend only known as Justus of the same address to go together to burn charcoal in Kataraga Cell which is located a few metres away from Hamuhambo Town Centre. He never returned home. His wife Saviour Nahurira on the following day went to report the matter to the village chairperson and kept on searching for the husband but in vain,’Mr Maate said.

When Nasasira’s brother, Mr Bright Tayebwa, returned home on December 24, 2025 and heard about his disappearance he approached Justus’ brother Balaam seeking information about Justus and Nasasira’s whereabouts.

He requested Balaam to lead him to where their brothers had gone to burn charcoal.

‘On arrival, they were welcomed by a stench and houseflies near the heap of logs and dry eucalyptus tree branches. They went back and informed the local leaders who went at the scene and discovered the body covered with eucalyptus tree branches and notified Bunyonyi police,’ Mr Maate said.

Mr Maate condemned the acts of murder during the festive season and appealed to the members of the public to help the police in identifying the culprits so that they can be arrested and prosecuted.

First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for East African Affairs Ms Rebecca Alitwala Kadaga has dismissed social media rumours claiming that she is critically ill, describing them as false, sponsored, and part of what she termed a growing business of online abuse.

Speaking at her home shortly after attending Christmas prayers at St Paul’s Church, Mbulamuti, in Kamuli District, Ms Kadaga said she was in good health and warned against the reckless use of social media to spread misinformation.

‘I am fine. I am alive. I have just come from church,’ Ms Kadaga said, adding: ‘There are people who are paid to abuse others on social media. If they don’t do it, they are not paid. It has become a big business, and it is sponsored.’

She said she was resting after a period of intense political activity but remained fully engaged in her duties and political mobilisation.

‘I am resting, and it is not a big issue. I am busy doing my work. My voters are still there. You saw how many votes I scored during the primaries. That was a college system; this time it is universal suffrage, and I expect a much bigger margin,’ she said.

Ms Kadaga, who is seeking re-election for the Kamuli District Woman MP seat, said she does not interfere with other aspirants or speak ill of her opponents, stressing that democracy thrives on open political competition.

‘Let the population choose. Give people a chance to decide. If you close the door to competition and then claim to be democratic, that is hypocrisy,’ she said, adding that voters would ultimately decide on polling day.

Her remarks follow widespread online speculation about her health, which her aides say was fuelled by campaign fatigue after an extensive mobilisation drive in support of President Museveni.

Last week, her chief campaigner, Mr Felix Isabirye, said Ms Kadaga was on health leave after spearheading Museveni’s campaign in the Busoga sub-region and later continuing mobilisation in other parts of the country.

There had been circulating reports on social media claiming that Ms Kadaga had been airlifted to Aga Khan Hospital in Nairobi in critical condition.

Ms Kadaga has served in Parliament continuously since 1989, making her one of Uganda’s longest-serving legislators, with more than three decades in national politics.

A village council chairperson in Mbale District in Bugisu Sub-region has died following violent clashes between family members supporting rival political candidates.

The Christmas Day clashes between supporters of the incumbent Bungokho North Member of Parliament in Mbale District, Mr John Faith Magolo and Ms Shafiga Wanyenya, the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) flag bearer for Bungokho North parliamentary seat left at least 10 other family members critically injured, according to police.

Mr Magolo lost the NRM flag to Ms Wanyenya in the party primaries.

The deceased has been identified as Moses Nabendeh, the LCI chairperson of Bubirabi Lower, Wanale Sub-county where the two groups clashed.

Some of the injured are Milton Wabwire, 51, Ronald Waboka, and Andrew Nabendeh, all from the same family.

NUP, independent candidate supporters clash in Mpigi

Mr Milton Nabendeh told this reporter on December 26, 2025, from his bed at Mbale General Clinic-where he was rushed after the alleged attack-that he had been at home enjoying Christmas when he received a phone call from a friend informing him that some people had attacked his father, Moses Nabendeh, and other family members.

‘When I rushed to rescue them, I was also attacked by the same group. The attackers also stormed my parents’ home and destroyed some property at around 11pm,’ he said.

According to him, the assailants were armed with sticks, clubs, empty bottles, and pangas.

Mr Nabendeh added that they sustained injuries and were rushed to Mbale General Clinic on a boda boda for treatment.

Unfortunately, his father passed away on December 26, 2026, at the same clinic where he had been rushed with severe injuries.

Mr Wabwire, a brother to the deceased, said they were at the trading centre relaxing when they were attacked by some of the members of their own family who accused them of supporting a rival candidate.

Information gathered indicate that both the victims and the attackers belong to the same family. One faction supports Ms Wanyenya, while another faction backs Mr Magolo.

Ms Wanyenya said that on Christmas Day they staged Christmas soccer tournament in her honor, and everything went well during the celebration.

However, later that night, when her supporters returned home, they were attacked by panga-wielding supporters of her opponent. She noted that several of her supporters were injured and are currently admitted to hospital, but her team refrained from retaliating.

‘There was another fight that broke out in a different area, where one supporter of my opponent attempted to cut one of my supporters. In the process, he missed and instead injured his own father, who was rushed to hospital but unfortunately later died. He intended to cut his brother, who is my supporter, but ended up cutting his father instead,’ Ms Wanyenya explained.

Ms Wanyenya condemned the violence, stressing that both she and her opponent have supporters within the same family. She further stated that in Budwale Sub-county, she was attacked by her opponent’s supporters, marking the second such incident in just two weeks.

She said that about five of her supporters were injured in the December 25, 2025 attack.

She appealed to police to investigate the attack.

‘This politics should not cost lives. We need to put our people first in order to avoid bloodshed during this campaign,’ she said.

However, Mr Magolo told this reporter that his supporters were attacked by the supporters of Ms Wanyenya and most of them were badly injured.

‘The attackers used sticks and clubs, leaving several people wounded. He noted that five individuals were seriously injured. We need to call on our supporters because this is not a do-or-die matter. We are the same people,’ Mr Magolo emphasized.

Mr Magolo added that two weeks ago, his supporters had also been attacked, describing the repeated assaults as acts of criminality. He called on security agencies to take charge in the constituency to prevent further attacks.

A detective at Mbale-Busoba Central Police Station, who requested anonymity, said they have arrested about 10 suspects, including some of the injured, to assist with investigations.

The source added that police recovered exhibits such as blood-stained pangas and clothes from one of the suspects’ home.

The body of the deceased was taken to Mbale City Mortuary for a postmortem. The suspects are currently detained at Mbale-Busoba Central Police Station as investigations continue.

Mr Samuel Asiimwe, the Elgon Regional Police Commander, confirmed the incident, saying that additional security personnel will be deployed in the area to prevent further clashes.

Mr Moses Wambogo, the NRM Chairperson of Mbale District, said there is a lot of pressure in Bungokho North Constituency.

He confirmed that the people attacking each other are from the same family.

He directed police to investigate the matter and urged the public to remain calm.

‘We condemn what happened. We want police to bring the culprits to book to answer for their actions. The party condemns any form of violence,’said Mr Wambogo.

Ms Wanyenya is contesting against four men for the Bungokho North Constituency. They include the incumbent, Mr Magolo (Independent), Hussein Wazemba Wachagi (Independent), Moses Wambede (Independent), and Aliyi Kizamba (FDC).

First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for East African Affairs Ms Rebecca Alitwala Kadaga has dismissed social media rumours claiming that she is critically ill, describing them as false, sponsored, and part of what she termed a growing business of online abuse.

Speaking at her home shortly after attending Christmas prayers at St Paul’s Church, Mbulamuti, in Kamuli District, Ms Kadaga said she was in good health and warned against the reckless use of social media to spread misinformation.

‘I am fine. I am alive. I have just come from church,’ Ms Kadaga said, adding: ‘There are people who are paid to abuse others on social media. If they don’t do it, they are not paid. It has become a big business, and it is sponsored.’

She said she was resting after a period of intense political activity but remained fully engaged in her duties and political mobilisation.

‘I am resting, and it is not a big issue. I am busy doing my work. My voters are still there. You saw how many votes I scored during the primaries. That was a college system; this time it is universal suffrage, and I expect a much bigger margin,’ she said.

Ms Kadaga, who is seeking re-election for the Kamuli District Woman MP seat, said she does not interfere with other aspirants or speak ill of her opponents, stressing that democracy thrives on open political competition.

‘Let the population choose. Give people a chance to decide. If you close the door to competition and then claim to be democratic, that is hypocrisy,’ she said, adding that voters would ultimately decide on polling day.

Her remarks follow widespread online speculation about her health, which her aides say was fuelled by campaign fatigue after an extensive mobilisation drive in support of President Museveni.

Last week, her chief campaigner, Mr Felix Isabirye, said Ms Kadaga was on health leave after spearheading Museveni’s campaign in the Busoga sub-region and later continuing mobilisation in other parts of the country.

There had been circulating reports on social media claiming that Ms Kadaga had been airlifted to Aga Khan Hospital in Nairobi in critical condition.

Ms Kadaga has served in Parliament continuously since 1989, making her one of Uganda’s longest-serving legislators, with more than three decades in national politics.

President Museveni has disbanded the Fisheries Protection Unit (FPU) and all Landing Site Committees across Uganda.

The directive was confirmed on Friday in a statement issued on X (formerly Twitter) by Col Chris Magezi, the Acting Director of Defence Public Information (DDPI) at the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs/UPDF.

According to the statement, President Museveni directed the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, to immediately dissolve all landing site committees on Uganda’s lakes following persistent controversies and complaints from fishing communities.

Col Magezi said the dissolved committees will be replaced by new ones composed of representatives from indigenous fishing communities and investors operating at the landing sites.

He added that the Deputy Chief of Defence Forces and Inspector General (DCDF/IG), Lt Gen Sam Okiding, and the Chief of Defence Intelligence and Security (CDIS), Maj Gen Richard Otto, have been tasked to oversee the formation of the new committees within a period of three months. In the same directive, the Fisheries Protection Unit has been restructured and renamed the 155 Marines Battalion, which will now operate under the command and administration of the UPDF Marines Brigade.

Maj Joseph Ssebukeera has been appointed the Commanding Officer of the newly formed 155 Marines Battalion, while the UPDF Marines Brigade continues to be commanded by Brigadier Michael Nyarwa.

Lt Col Mercy Tukahirwa, formerly attached to the Fisheries Protection Unit, has been transferred to the Office of the Senior Presidential Advisor on Defence and Security (SPADS), Lt Gen (Rtd) Proscovia Nalweyiso.

According to the statement, Lt. Col. Tukahirwa will undertake other duties in her new assignment.

Concerned that excessive alcohol consumption during working hours is crippling household productivity, the Minister of Security, Rtd Maj Gen Jim Muhwezi, has urged local leaders in Rukungiri District to urgently enact bylaws banning daytime drinking to protect the success of the Parish Development Model (PDM).

Addressing Christians during Christmas Day prayers at Kasoroza Church of Uganda in Nyakagyeme Sub-county, Muhwezi said uncontrolled alcohol consumption has become a major obstacle to government programmes aimed at eradicating poverty at the household level.

The minister, who was accompanied by his wife Susan Muhwezi and family members, expressed concern over what he described as worrying levels of alcohol consumption among men, women, youth, and the elderly.

‘People are over-drinking during working hours. To my surprise, I also saw women busy drinking. This increasing consumption of alcohol by men, women, youth, and the elderly needs to be regulated through bylaws and strong fines for anyone caught drinking during working hours because the rate of alcohol consumption in our community is worrying,’ Muhwezi said.

He noted that while local leaders and religious leaders are actively sensitising communities about the Parish Development Model (PDM), the challenge of alcohol abuse has not been adequately addressed.

‘This problem needs urgent attention from every stakeholder because it is making the implementation of government programmes aimed at eradicating poverty at the household level very difficult,’ he said, urging leaders to prioritise alcohol control bylaws.

Muhwezi added that such bylaws should be passed immediately to allow more time for productive work under the PDM and to reduce daytime idleness.

‘We want the bylaw to be passed quickly in our district, and we shall push it to all local governments across the country,’ he added.

The minister further urged residents to embrace government programmes intended to uplift households economically.

Meanwhile, the Venerable Ronald Natuhwera, the Archdeacon of Nyakagyeme Archdeaconry in North Kigezi Diocese, called on Christians to reflect on the true meaning of Christmas and to desist from immoral behaviour.

‘Many people, instead of reflecting on the birth of Jesus Christ and kneeling before their Saviour, have engaged in abhorrent acts such as murder, prostitution, adultery, and abuse of alcohol, all of which contradict the teachings of Jesus,’ Ven Natuhwera said.

He also urged parents to prioritise education, describing it as a key driver of transformation.

‘I have seen many children graduating from institutions outside our archdeaconry, yet none are from here. We need to ask ourselves what went wrong. Let us educate our children because education is the key to unlocking the world’s problems,’ he said.

A senior four student was beaten to death in the wee hours of Boxing Day in what police have described as a case of mob attack in Luweero Town Council.

Jeremiya Mwesigwa, 18, a student at Everest Secondary School in Luwero, was killed at around 3 am at Kasana Market Zone after allegedly being caught snatching mobile phones from revellers returning from Nimrod Beach along Kasiiso Road.

According to police, the teenager was chased down, caught, and fatally assaulted by an unidentified mob while residents were still in the Christmas holiday spirit.

“The victim was waylaid by an unknown group of people returning from celebrations and was accused of snatching mobile phones,” said ASP Sam Twiineamazima, the Savannah Regional Police spokesperson.

Police officers, including the regional scenes of crime team, homicide unit, and uniformed personnel responded to the scene to document evidence. Investigators photographed the crime scene, drew a sketch plan, and recovered key exhibits including a stone, a blood-stained stick used in the attack and two button mobile phones found in the deceased’s pocket.

The body was taken to Luwero Hospital Mortuary for a post-mortem while statements were recorded from witnesses and the victim’s mother, a resident of Kiwogozi LC1.

Police revealed that Mwesigwa was repoted to be a known habitual offender in the Kasana area who had recently been released from prison on robbery charges.

However, authorities strongly condemned the mob action, warning that such attacks endanger lives and undermine the rule of law.

“We urge the public to report crimes through official channels rather than taking the law into their own hands,” Mr Twiineamazima said.

Investigations are ongoing, with police tracing the owners of the recovered mobile phones as they work to identify and apprehend those responsible for the killing.

The incident has cast a shadow over the Christmas holiday period in Luweero, highlighting the persistent challenge of mob action in communities across Uganda.

Mwesigwa’s killing adds to Luweero’s alarming mob action statistics, with 22 people killed through vigilante violence in 2024 alone, according to the recently released Police Crime Report. The district recorded 86 murders in 2024, making it the second-deadliest district in the country.

Even more troubling, police records show that between 2019 and 2024, a staggering 127 people have been killed in mob attacks in Luweero, highlighting the deep-rooted nature of the problem. In November alone that year, the district saw seven cases of mob action, demonstrating the severity and frequency of vigilante killings.

The rampant mob justice in Luweero has been linked to a growing mistrust of law enforcement and frustration with the justice system. The causes of mob action are primarily linked to thefts, especially of motorcycles, which are rampant in the district. According to the Annual Crime Report, 138 motorcycles were stolen and 20 others were robbed in 2024 in Luweero, ranking the district in the sixth position with the highest motorcycle theft cases across the country.

A senior four student was beaten to death in the wee hours of Boxing Day in what police have described as a case of mob attack in Luweero Town Council.

Jeremiya Mwesigwa, 18, a student at Everest Secondary School in Luwero, was killed at around 3 am at Kasana Market Zone after allegedly being caught snatching mobile phones from revellers returning from Nimrod Beach along Kasiiso Road.

According to police, the teenager was chased down, caught, and fatally assaulted by an unidentified mob while residents were still in the Christmas holiday spirit.

“The victim was waylaid by an unknown group of people returning from celebrations and was accused of snatching mobile phones,” said ASP Sam Twiineamazima, the Savannah Regional Police spokesperson.

Police officers, including the regional scenes of crime team, homicide unit, and uniformed personnel responded to the scene to document evidence. Investigators photographed the crime scene, drew a sketch plan, and recovered key exhibits including a stone, a blood-stained stick used in the attack and two button mobile phones found in the deceased’s pocket.

The body was taken to Luwero Hospital Mortuary for a post-mortem while statements were recorded from witnesses and the victim’s mother, a resident of Kiwogozi LC1.

Police revealed that Mwesigwa was repoted to be a known habitual offender in the Kasana area who had recently been released from prison on robbery charges.

However, authorities strongly condemned the mob action, warning that such attacks endanger lives and undermine the rule of law.

“We urge the public to report crimes through official channels rather than taking the law into their own hands,” Mr Twiineamazima said.

Investigations are ongoing, with police tracing the owners of the recovered mobile phones as they work to identify and apprehend those responsible for the killing.

The incident has cast a shadow over the Christmas holiday period in Luweero, highlighting the persistent challenge of mob action in communities across Uganda.

Mwesigwa’s killing adds to Luweero’s alarming mob action statistics, with 22 people killed through vigilante violence in 2024 alone, according to the recently released Police Crime Report. The district recorded 86 murders in 2024, making it the second-deadliest district in the country.

Even more troubling, police records show that between 2019 and 2024, a staggering 127 people have been killed in mob attacks in Luweero, highlighting the deep-rooted nature of the problem. In November alone that year, the district saw seven cases of mob action, demonstrating the severity and frequency of vigilante killings.

The rampant mob justice in Luweero has been linked to a growing mistrust of law enforcement and frustration with the justice system. The causes of mob action are primarily linked to thefts, especially of motorcycles, which are rampant in the district. According to the Annual Crime Report, 138 motorcycles were stolen and 20 others were robbed in 2024 in Luweero, ranking the district in the sixth position with the highest motorcycle theft cases across the country.

Police in Namayingo District are investigating circumstances surrounding a road crash that claimed the life of a 38-year-old Electoral Commission staff on Christmas Day.

The crash occurred at 10am at Walumbe Cell, Nambugu Ward, in Namayingo Town Council, on the Namayingo-Musita road.

According to the Busoga East Regional Police Spokesperson, ASP Michael Kasadha, the crash involved a Toyota Hiace commuter taxi (UBA 289H), a Toyota Harrier (UA 129CE), and an unidentified motorcycle.

‘The drivers of the two vehicles and the motorcycle rider have not yet been identified and are currently on the run,’ ASP Kasadha said.

He identified the deceased as Ochieng Nicholas, an Electoral Commission supervisor and a resident of Mpano B Cell, Bulamba Ward, Namayingo Town Council.

‘Preliminary investigations indicate that the motorcycle was travelling from Namayingo Town towards Mayuge, while the Toyota Hiace was coming from the opposite direction. The Toyota Harrier was joining the main road at low speed from the same side the motorcycle was approaching. In an attempt to avoid colliding with the Toyota Harrier, the motorcycle rider reportedly lost control, veered into the right hand lane, and collided head on with the oncoming Toyota Hiace,’ ASP Kasadha said.

ASP Kasadha said Ochieng, who was a passenger on the motorcycle, sustained a compound fracture and was rushed to Shalom Medical Centre, where he was later pronounced dead.

Traffic officers visited and documented the scene of the accident.

The Toyota Hiace and Toyota Harrier have since been impounded and are parked at Namayingo Police Station pending inspection. Police said the motorcycle involved in the crash has not yet been recovered.

ASP Kasadha said efforts are underway to trace and apprehend the motorcycle rider and the drivers of the two vehicles.

Preliminary police findings point to reckless riding by the motorcycle rider as the likely cause of the crash.

Police have urged road users to exercise caution, especially during the festive season, when traffic volumes are typically high.