Category: Daily Monitor

With just a day to Christmas, travellers at various taxi and bus parks in Kampala are stranded and digging deeper into their pockets as transport fares to upcountry destinations skyrocket, including routes to Congo and Rwanda.

Some people are seeking unique travel experiences to escape their busy routines, while others are heading to the countryside to reunite with relatives, enjoy festive meals, and take in the cool breeze of the season.

However, with demand for travel services surging, transport operators have hiked fares, leaving many passengers stressed by the added expense. Last week, operators increased fares on long routes by Shs10,000, but by yesterday, most had doubled the costs.

Ordinarily, passengers travelling from Kampala to Mbarara pay Shs40,000, but are now being charged up to Shs60,000. On some routes, fares have more than doubled. In contrast, YY Coaches have maintained their usual fares.

Mr Musa Kasirye, the operations manager at YY Coaches in Kampala, said: ‘From the beginning, at YY Coaches, we do not increase transport fares, unlike other terminals. This is partly because we don’t incur unnecessary costs such as broker fees, and the fares charged are agreed upon with the Transport Licensing Board (TLB).’

Commuters across several bus terminals and taxi parks expressed frustration over the fare hikes, citing the tough economic conditions.

‘It’s absolutely unrealistic for transport operators to double prices at such a crucial time when we are travelling not only to celebrate Christmas but also to see relatives we have not seen for almost a year,’ said Ms Janice Peruth Apalat, a traveller to Gulu.

Mr Joseph Sakaya, who was travelling to Soroti, said transport operators take advantage of travellers’ desperation. ‘Because they know we are desperate, they increase the fares. I think the government should consider effective alternatives like railway transport to save us from this challenge every year,’ he said.

Another traveller, Mr Johnson Otuke, blamed the fare hikes on terminal brokers who, he said, are exploiting the festive season for personal gain.

However, Ms Abija Nalweyiso, a supervisor at Global Coaches’ bus terminal, dismissed the claims, explaining that the festive season comes with increased operational costs.

‘This time of the year requires extra staffing and vehicle maintenance, and there is also the challenge of returning buses empty to Kampala. These expenses lead to increased fares to compensate for the added costs,’ she said.

The Minister of Works and Transport, Gen Edward Katumba Wamala, last week urged transport operators not to double fares, although he did not entirely bar them from making slight increases during the festive season.

The usually congested streets of Kampala’s central business district were already crowded by mid-morning on Tuesday as thousands of shoppers poured downtown for last-minute Christmas purchases, triggering a tense standoff between formal shop traders and street vendors scrambling for a share of the festive spending.

From Kikuubo and Owino to downtown arcades, pavements were lined with street vendors displaying clothes, foodstuffs, Christmas decorations and household items, leaving little walking space.

Many shoppers opted to buy from street vendors. Several shop traders said business had significantly slowed despite the high foot traffic, blaming it on the surge of hawkers and street vendors, who set up directly at shop entrances and sell goods at lower prices.

‘We open the shops but customers do not enter because hawkers place their goods right at the door and sell at cheaper prices because they do not pay rent or taxes. People buy from them and walk away,’ said Mr Hassan Kato, a cloth trader at French Plaza.

Similar concerns were echoed in Kikuubo, where traders said the Christmas rush has not translated into higher sales.

The hurdles for traders

Mr Reagan Balemeezi, a trader dealing in Christmas decorations in Kikuubo, said competition from street vendors has dealt a heavy blow to shop owners.

‘The streets are flooded with vendors selling the same goods we stock, but at slightly lower prices. Customers stop on the road, buy from them, and never reach our shops. The congestion makes it physically difficult for shoppers to access stores although we hope sales will pick up in the remaining hours to the prime day,’ he said.

Mr Balemeezi also cited political uncertainty ahead of the January 2026 elections as a factor dampening spending. ‘People could be saving in case of emergencies during elections. They fear instability, so instead of spending on Christmas festivities, they are keeping their money.’

Street vendors, however, defended their presence, saying the high cost of living has pushed shoppers to prioritise affordability over comfort.

‘We receive many customers, yes, but most of them are heavy bargainers,’ said Mr Moses Ssentongo, a street vendor selling clothes near City Mall Arcade.

‘People are buying basics like food, children’s clothes and simple shoes. Luxury items are rarely in demand.’ Vendors said shoppers are cautious with spending, often comparing prices across stalls before making purchases. ‘Someone comes with Shs20,000 and wants everything,’ said Ms Aisha Namukasa, who sells foodstuffs on the roadside.

‘They ask for rice, sugar, and soap. People are prioritising essentials for this Christmas, not expensive things.’

Tight budgets

Shoppers interviewed cited tight budgets and fluctuating prices as reasons for crowding downtown early. ‘Prices keep changing as Christmas gets closer so I came early,’ said Ms Grace Nanyonga, a mother of three shopping in Kikuubo.

‘I am buying food and clothes for the children, nothing extra. Things are expensive everywhere.’ Others said flexible pricing on the streets influenced their choices. ‘In shops, prices are fixed, yet on the street you can bargain and save some money,’ said Ms Annet Nayebare, a shopper on Luwum Street.

For travellers heading upcountry for Christmas, the downtown rush has added strain to an already hectic journey. Mr Joseph Ssemanda, who is travelling to Masaka, described the city centre as overwhelming.

‘I came to buy food and a few items before travelling home for Christmas, but moving in town is very difficult,’ he said.

‘From the taxi park, hawkers surround you immediately, boda bodas are hooting, and people are pushing from every side. What should take 10 minutes takes almost an hour with a lot of traffic.’

As the festive season enters its final days, with the climax on New Year’s Day, traders fear that without intervention, formal businesses may continue to lose out to informal vendors, while shoppers brace for even higher prices.

On high demand

People are mostly shopping for food items and clothes, especially for children. Children’s clothing dominated foot traffic in shopping arcades and open markets, with parents opting for lower-cost purchases.

In areas such as downtown Kampala and markets, children’s outfits were selling for as low as Shs10,000 to Shs25,000, compared to higher-priced items in established retail stores, where similar clothing was priced Shs40,000 and above.

Children’s shoes were retailing from as low as Shs15,000 to Shs30,000 depending on quality, while adult footwear ranged between Shs25,000 and Shs60,000 in open markets. Similar items in established retail stores were priced significantly higher starting at Shs50,000 (adults) and children from Shs30,000.

With media and social media being the order of business, information has been made available to the general public through various communication channels, including the television, newspapers, radio, and Internet, and these have enabled users to create, recreate, and share content as final consumers. Misinformation is false or somewhat misleading information spread without the intent to deceive. This is in instances where the person communicating is in honest belief that it is correct and true, whereas not. Disinformation is false information that is shared and is deliberately intended to mislead the final consumer(s). From this, we can deduce that this kind of information is directed to harm any person consuming it or to whom it refers.

Malinformation is the information which is based on a fact or set of facts from their original context and it is an exaggeration intended to inflict harm on an individual. With the increased reliance on the Internet and Artificial Intelligence (AI), we have intentionally, unintentionally, or subconsciously consumed this doxed and manipulated information published with a misleading claim. Hate speech, on the other hand, is the communication that encourages violence towards a person or group based on their national origin, religion, or economic class.

Hate speech can include incitement of violence based on social class or political beliefs. From this, we can decipher that hate speech includes verbal utterances, gestures, conduct, writing or displays on various media which incite violence or prejudicial actions against a group or persons on the basis of their membership in the group. With misinformation, disinformation, malinformation, and hate speech, they have generated violence and discrimination against vulnerable members of society, and this in turn causes frustration. More and more measures have been taken to limit this form of communication by the Executive and the Judiciary arms of government.

The essence is not to prohibit the freedom of speech but to prevent hate speech from escalating into something prejudicial and dangerous. Applied then and now, the legal status of hate speech is used as an infringement on freedom of expression against the Opposition and various members of society. The Constitution is clear, specific and emphatic on the freedom of speech and expression, which includes the freedom of the press, media, and opinions. The Supreme Court of Uganda has decided in various cases relating to hate speech and held that in determining hate speech, the communication must promote hatred against an identifiable group, but this communication shall exclude private conversations, and it must be made willfully.

Deriving an understanding from the decisions of the Supreme Court, we can discern that for communication to be referred to as hate speech, it must have the capacity to spite the person being referred to. The question is then, should every deliberate communication with the capacity to create hate against the person being communicated about, irrespective of its truthfulness, be referred to as hate speech, which in essence recedes or does away with their constitutional guarantee to freedom of expression and speech, amidst the statutory and judicial interpretation remaining murky?

Across markets in Kampala, in roadside stalls, and in the family kitchen, what Ugandans eat is tied to culture, cost and convenience. But in recent years a different idea has been gaining attention, that our blood type or genetic makeup, our genotype, can and should influence what we put on our plates. Proponents such as naturopath Dr. Peter J. D’Adamo and regional practitioners like Dr. Ismail Tamale promote eating patterns tailored to blood groups or genetic profiles, arguing that lectins, antigens and acid balance interact with our blood and genes to produce different health outcomes. Meanwhile, geneticists and nutrition scientists caution that the evidence is still emerging and that blanket claims should be treated carefully. This article explains the main ideas, what the science currently shows, and what practical sense this makes for people in Uganda.

Making sense of the genotype idea

Most people first hear about ‘eating for your genotype’ through the popular blood-type diet. In simple terms, it suggests that your blood group; A, B, AB or O, reflects how your ancestors ate and therefore the foods your body handles best today. According to this theory, someone with type A thrives on plant-based foods, type B digests dairy well, type O benefits from more protein, and type AB requires a mix of the two. These ideas have found a home in Uganda through practitioners who tailor them to local foods such as matooke, millet, beans, cassava and Lake Victoria fish.

The more modern version of this idea uses actual DNA testing. Instead of looking only at blood groups, trained nutritionists study small variations in your genes to predict how you process fats, sugars, salt, caffeine and vitamins. The promise is exciting; personalised diets, tailored to the exact way your body responds to food, helping people avoid diseases like diabetes, high blood pressure and obesity. For Ugandans dealing with rising lifestyle diseases, this promise sounds attractive. But scientists and nutrition experts warn that while the future looks promising, today’s evidence is still limited. In other words, genotype-based dieting is a work in progress, not yet a magic formula for health.

The truth behind lectins, antigens and food reactions

One reason the blood-type diet became popular is the claim that plant compounds known as lectins can ‘clump’ or irritate the blood cells of certain blood groups. This clumping is called agglutination. In the laboratory, some lectins can indeed react differently with different blood types. But the laboratory environment operates under controlled conditions very different from real cooking and digestion. Most lectins in foods are destroyed by soaking, boiling, steaming or fermenting.

It means that foods such as beans, peas and groundnuts, which are staples on many Ugandan tables, rarely cause the kind of internal reactions suggested by strict blood-type diets. Scientists agree that while lectin behaviour in a test tube is real, translating that into strict rules like ‘type O should never eat beans’ or ‘type A must avoid meat entirely’ is not supported by solid human studies. There is also growing interest in the role of secretor status, meaning whether your body releases blood-group markers into your saliva and digestive fluids. Secretor status can influence gut bacteria and digestion, and it may one day help fine-tune personalised diets. But it is still too complex to translate into simple ‘eat this, avoid that’ lists for the average person.

How food really interacts with our genes

Many people are told that genes ‘wear out’ or weaken because of poor eating habits. The scientific explanation behind this idea is more complex but also more hopeful than it sounds. Food can influence how genes switch on or off through processes known as epigenetics. The body also experiences metabolic strain when exposed to too much sugar, deep-fried foods, or excessive starch. These stresses may, over time, contribute to obesity, high blood pressure, or diabetes, conditions that are rising sharply among Ugandans. However, none of these changes mean that your genes physically break down because you ate chapati instead of cassava, or because your blood type ‘rejects” a certain food. What the science truly confirms is that reducing processed foods and increasing natural foods supports healthier gene expression for everyone, regardless of type A, B, AB or O.

What local practitioners say

In East Africa, Dr Ismail Tamale is one of the strongest promoters of genotype-based eating. He has adapted global ideas into local advice using foods that Ugandans recognise and can access. His approach resonates with many people who prefer culturally familiar guidance over Western calorie charts or imported supplements. However, nutritionists and scientists caution that although Dr Tamale’s teachings inspire healthier eating for some, the strict food lists often lack strong evidence. They advise Ugandans to ask questions whenever they encounter clinics that promote ‘genetic diets,’ especially ones that promise quick weight loss or dramatic healing.

Nutritionist Ivan Philip Baguma from the Amicable Nutritionist explains that gene-based dieting has real scientific potential but remains too young for sweeping conclusions. He points out that while certain genes clearly influence lactose tolerance or how the body handles fats, diet response involves far more than genetics alone. Lifestyle, income, stress, cooking methods, physical activity, and gut bacteria all interact to shape how a person reacts to food. Baguma adds that in many Ugandan households, people share meals as a family, and food budgets are already tight. Expecting each family member to eat according to separate genetic guidelines would be unrealistic for most families, especially in rural communities where food variety is limited.

Nutritionist Amanda Twebaze agrees, noting that many of the proposed genotype diets are too restrictive to follow over a lifetime. ‘These diet types are also quite stringent and limited in variety and so become unsustainable over a lifetime. It is important to notice what foods make your body feel good or what foods slow you or give you uncomfortable symptoms so you stay away from them, but in general, following the healthy plate portioning and healthy food pyramid should be the standard. If there are specific nutrition or health goals, nutrition specialists should be contacted to help formulate meal plans or diet plans that manipulate food to reach the specific said goals.’

What Genotype science can and cannot do today

Nutrigenomics (the science of how food interacts with our genes) is steadily advancing. It has already helped people with specific medical conditions such as lactose intolerance, certain vitamin deficiencies, or rare metabolic disorders. But it is not yet able to tell the average Ugandan exactly how much matooke, rice, cassava, beans, groundnuts, or meat they should eat.

Many companies exaggerate the power of genetic tests because it helps them sell diet plans and supplements. They often claim to know the perfect proportion of carbohydrates or fats for your body, or they argue that certain foods are ‘toxic” for particular genetic types. Baguma warns that ‘such bold claims are not supported by large-scale scientific research. When improvements occur, they are usually the result of eating more plant-based meals, avoiding excessive oil, and reducing salt and sugar, not the genetic matching itself.’

What actually works for Ugandans?

For now, the most reliable advice remains surprisingly simple, according to Baguma. Ugandans benefit most from eating more of the foods our grandparents grew up on: vegetables, fruits, legumes, nuts, small fish, lean meats, and traditional grains. Cutting down on sugary drinks, deep-fried fast foods, and imported processed snacks has a bigger impact on health than any genotype chart currently available. ‘When someone suspects a specific genetic concern such as lactose intolerance, gluten sensitivity, or a strong family history of heart disease, then targeted testing can be appropriate. A single test that answers a clear medical question is far more useful than broad genetic panels offered by commercial wellness centres,’ he says.

The take-home

Eating according to your blood type or genes is a fascinating idea with real scientific potential. One day, personalised nutrition may play a major role in preventing disease. But today, the claims being sold to the public often go beyond what science can prove. Blood type alone cannot dictate an entire diet, and most lectin or antigen theories do not translate into strict food bans for Ugandans. For now, the safest and most sustainable path is guided by common sense: eat more whole foods, watch portions, stay active, and seek medical advice when you have specific symptoms or risks. The conversation around genotype diets should continue but always be grounded in evidence, local culture, and realistic access to food.

The world in late 2020 was a quiet, anxious place. Streets were emptier, handshakes had vanished, and everyone was figuring out how to connect from behind masks and screens. It was in this global pause, in the town of Masaka, that two paths crossed in the most ordinary way imaginable. Dr Henry Ssekyanzi was in his element. He had just finished his medical internship, that gruelling final test for new doctors, and had channelled all his restless energy into opening his own modest clinic in Kyabakuza.

He was determined to serve his community. To make his clinic even more useful, he had reached out to a nearby government health centre so they could use his space to immunise local children. On the day the nurses came to give the shots, they were accompanied by two supervisors. One of them was Angella Beatrice Nalwanga, a social worker whose job was to inspect health facilities. She walked into Henry’s new clinic, observed the work with a professional eye, and did what anyone does when entering an office; she signed the visitor’s book, noting her name and contact details.

For her, it was routine.

“I saw an organised young man,” she recalls. “I was impressed, but I had no intentions. I did not even get his number.” For Henry, standing there in the middle of his dream coming to life, the moment was far from routine. He watched her quiet, composed demeanor. “She was beautiful,” he says, “but beyond that, she was full of life; smart, respectful, and grounded in faith. Everything about her felt right.” He noticed she had left her number in the book. In a locked-down world where meeting new people was hard, here was a name, a number, and a feeling he could not ignore.

Building a connection

The pandemic meant things moved slowly. Three months passed after that first meeting before Henry gathered the courage to use the number from the visitor’s book. That first call was the start of a new rhythm. “He used to call me every night for long hours,” Angella remembers. “Interesting stories that made me want to listen more.” There were no fancy restaurants or crowded dates, just the growing intimacy of conversation that stretched late into the night. When they finally met in person again, the usual first-date nerves were gone. The foundation had already been laid, word by word, laugh by laugh, over the telephone.

“When he finally visited me at the hotel where I was staying, it felt like I had known him for 10 years,” Angella says. Their dates were simple and heartfelt. One memorable evening at a Masaka hotel lasted for hours because they were so lost in conversation. He learnt she was a swimmer and a runner, deeply committed to fitness. They discovered a shared love for movies. Their dreams for the future, they found, aligned naturally.

The first big test

Just as their relationship was feeling solid and deep, life presented a major challenge. Only six months after they officially became a couple, Henry had to leave Uganda. He had been accepted into a master’s degree programme in Istanbul, Turkey. Suddenly, they were faced with the brutal math of long-distance; expensive plane tickets, confusing time zones that made phone calls tricky, and the simple, aching emptiness of missing someone’s physical presence. It was a test they had not seen coming.

But their love, which had been built so carefully, proved to be resilient. They made a decision; they would not let the distance win. “We travelled whenever we could; Uganda to Turkey, Turkey to Uganda, sometimes at great financial cost,” Henry states. They prioritised seeing each other, turning airports into places of joyful reunion. The depth of his commitment was shown in one decisive act. On one particularly difficult night, when Angella missed him more than words could carry, Henry booked a flight immediately.

By the next day, he was landing at Entebbe. For Angella, that action meant everything. It was love made tangible, a proof that he would move mountains, or at least catch a last-minute flight, to be there for her. These visits transformed Istanbul from a foreign city into a shared treasure. “We are on top of the world whenever we are there,” Angella says with a smile, thinking of their walks and shared discoveries. The distance, as hard as it was, taught them to cherish their time together even more and showed them the strength of their bond.

Proclaiming love to the world

After weathering the storm of distance, Henry knew he wanted to spend his life with Angella. He proposed in two grand ways; the first proposal happened back in Uganda. After his brother’s graduation party, they went with friends and family to Club Ambiance for an after-party. In the middle of the celebration, surrounded by the most important people in their lives, Henry got down on one knee. Angella was completely shocked. He was not done.

The second proposal was even more daring. Angella was at her workplace’s end-of-year party, an elegant all-white affair. Henry dropped her off and said he would pick her up later. In the middle of the party, he walked back in, found her in front of all her colleagues and bosses, and proposed again. This time, she was more than shocked. “I did not know he was that brave,” she laughs, thinking back on his nerve. These public proclamations were his way of showing that the private, enduring love they had built was something he wanted to celebrate with the whole world.

Writing their own rules for a happy marriage

Now married, Henry and Angella have a very clear vision for their life together. They believe in writing their own story. “Our marriage is not borrowed from society’s expectations. It is our own,” Angella states firmly. She describes it as “an open book with plain pages. We are writing our story ourselves.” They are fiercely practical and deeply honest with each other. “We are not the mpankuwe type,” they both say, using a local term for people who are materialistic. They believe in radical honesty, especially about money. “When one is broke, we say it. When one has more, we share,” Henry explains. They see their incomes; from his medical practice and her work,not as “his” and “hers,” but as “ours,” a common fund for their shared dreams and responsibilities.

For nearly two decades, the relationship between President Museveni and Uganda Peoples Congress (UPC) party president Jimmy Akena Obote has oscillated between cooperation and confrontation, defying conventional Opposition politics.

Bound by personal history, political pragmatism, and shifting national interests, the unlikely rapport has seen Mr Akena, son of former president Apollo Milton Obote, at times align with the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM), even as he leads an Opposition party.

However, recent developments suggest that the once-cordial ties may be entering their most strained phase yet. ‘In 2006, Jimmy Akena offered himself as a MP for Lira Municipality by then and we had hopes in him that in 2011, we were going to face the national challenge,’ Mr Jimmy Awany, an Independent candidate for the Lira City West MP seat, told this publication on December 12. ‘But in 2011, we had another UPC presidential candidate, Dr Olara Otunnu, whom we did not support as a party, for reasons best known to my friend, Akena, and his family, and a few members of UPC.’

In 2016, when Mr Akena took the mantle as the party president of UPC, his followers had hopes in him, and they were excitedly preparing for the 2016 presidential election.

‘We were told, you know, we are not yet ready, we need to mobilise; we need to put structures here and there, and we waited, but at the same time we were being instructed to go and not only sit but vote for another candidate, in the name of President Yoweri Museveni, which we did, as his loyal cadres,’ Mr Awany added.

In 2021, party supporters were again approached for the third time to vote for President Museveni because UPC had failed to front a candidate, according to Mr Awany.

‘And we did exactly what our party president and the top brass of the party wanted us to do. Our expectation was that in 2026, we were now going to battle it out with the rest of the other parties across this country, but to our dismay, we started seeing some kind of gimmicks being played here and there,’ he said.

Mr Awany said at this point, he and other members approached Mr Akena, and they discussed his candidature for 2026. ‘Now, when things were getting out of hand, the few of us who are strong-hearted went on the radio, and we stated clearly that the UPC constitution, article 14(3) bars Akena from contesting as the party president of UPC, and secondly as the president of the country, under the Uganda Peoples Congress,’ he explained.

However, the tables turned when Mr Akena was blocked from contesting for the presidency in the 2026 General Election.

The Electoral Commission (EC) disqualified Mr Akena, along with Mr Joseph Ochieno and Mr Dennis Adim Enap, from contesting for the presidential nomination under the UPC ticket, citing their ineligibility to hold a valid UPC party card as required by the party’s constitution.

EC’s decision stemmed from UPC’s internal wrangles, with Akena’s leadership term having expired without a formal extension by the party’s organs. However, while addressing journalists at the party headquarters on December 10, Mr Akena claimed Mr Museveni, who is the NRM presidential candidate, was the mastermind of his disqualification He urged his supporters to vote the other presidential contenders, but not Mr Museveni. There are eight candidates in the presidential race.

‘I want to tell you, Yoweri Kaguta Museveni is responsible for my disqualification, and I have been telling all members who support Akena that Museveni is responsible for my disqualification. Whoever wishes to vote for Akena, please don’t vote for Museveni; rather, vote for one of the other seven candidates. And if you don’t want any of them, write my name, Akena, on the ballot,’ he said.

Mr Museveni had previously praised Akena’s UPC faction, stating he was happy to work with them. However, Mr Akena now claims Museveni is behind his electoral woes.

The once-cooperative duo is now at odds, with Mr Akena urging his followers not to vote for Museveni. In October, President Museveni downplayed Akena’s allegations of his interference in his disqualification from the presidential race, saying he wasn’t even aware of Akena’s candidacy.

‘Not at all, I didn’t even know that Akena Jimmy wanted to stand for president. I just saw it in the papers, I tried to check, and I found that it was mainly a legal problem on their side, so it was legal. It was not political,’ said Mr Museveni.

The Member of Parliament for Lira City East Division previously claimed that he was locked out of the 2026 presidential race for an obvious reason. ‘I had created a pathway which was going to upset or put the 50 plus 1 equation into jeopardy, and that would have changed the whole dynamics of the politics and also changed the dynamics of the interactions which we’re going to have,’ Mr Akena told this publication at his home in Akokoro Town Council on November 11.

He added: ‘And those who are fearing and concerned about what they’re trying to create as a transition, they are fearing that if other players are able to establish themselves among the electorate, it will upset their plans in the future. So, mine is for the people. Whatever happens, if the people benefit, I have no problem.’

This bitter fallout highlights the complexities of Ugandan politics, where alliances are forged and broken with ease. However, senior members of UPC and the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) in Lango have disowned Akena’s remarks, with some declaring support for President Museveni instead.

Mr Joel Okao Tema, a member of FDC, also a resident of Lira City, sharply disagreed.

Mr Okao said it is difficult to believe that the Member of Parliament of Lira City East Division has a valid claim in relation to being blocked from appearing on the ballot paper by anybody.

He said: ‘Scapegoating any individual for his own failure will not address the questions that he needs to address to make sure that he can be on the ballot paper in 2031. Some of these issues are structural issues in the Uganda Peoples Congress.’

‘Some of these issues relate to the requisite academic documents. Some of these issues relate to the internal organisation within the party. I can say here confidently that unless he addresses those issues that are internal, he may still not be able to appear on the ballot paper in 2031, even if that were to be possible,’ he added.

Mr Okao urged citizens to prioritise issues over personal grievances: ‘As the people of Lango, we do not want to be diverted on a wild goose chase. We want to focus on the issues that matter because in the next five years, we cannot be absent from the development discourse and the transitional agenda that this country is already implementing.’

Mr Awany also urged the people of Lango to focus on constructive dialogue and issues that drive progress, rather than getting swayed by emotional appeals. He said the region’s future depends on informed, peaceful, and issue-driven choices.

‘Now, among the eight presidential candidates, we have our constitutional right to choose one from them. I want to urge the people of UPC, it is your right to go openly, mobilise for the presidential candidate of your choice. And in this case, we are saying we mobilise for President Museveni, because we still see something in him,’ said Awany.

Another senior member of UPC, Mr Patrick Okwir Jaramogi, said Akena’s woes were self-inflicted. ‘The UPC political party I strongly believe in has made no mistake, but I think people who have held offices have made tremendous mistakes, which unfortunately they want to blame on other people,’ said Mr Okwir.

Mr Akena declined to comment on the criticism directed at him when contacted yesterday. Akena’s wife appointed minister After the elections of 2016, President Museveni appointed Akena’s wife, Betty Amongi, as the minister of Lands, Housing and Urban Development on June 6, 2016 and she held the post until December 14, 2019. Amongi, who is the current minister of Gender, Labour and Social Development, and also Member of Parliament representing Oyam County South, served as Minister of Kampala Capital City, effective 14 December 2019 up to 2021.

However, NRM members have been pushing for her sacking from the Cabinet, alleging that her husband has now become ‘disrespectful and big-headed’.

Marriages of convenience

UPC is not the only political party that entered into a political marriage of convenience with the NRM. A year after the 2021 General Election, the President General of the Democratic Party (DP), Mr Norbert Mao, signed a cooperation agreement with Mr Museveni in July 2022. In the 42-clause agreement, the two parties not only agreed to share political power but also to foster Constitutionalism and the respect of human rights. The DP agreed to cooperate with NRM in supporting the overall governance agenda for the full term (2021-2026) of the Parliament.

Mr Mao was appointed the minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, a position that had been unoccupied for one year. The NRM supported the bid of Mr Gerald Siranda, the secretary general of DP, for a seat in the East African Legislative Assembly (Eala). It was also agreed that the DP would propose up to four individuals for appointment to departments, statutory bodies, and government agencies, the portfolio of which would be discussed and agreed upon in advance by both parties. This publication could not establish if this was implemented.

Officials from the DP, led by the national vice president, Fred Mukasa Mbidde, in April this year, kick-started the process of terminating the agreement after citing the failures of the pact.

This was, however, halted when Mr Mao and Mbide reconciled. Mr Mao opted not to contest for the presidency. He joined the race for the Loro-Pece parliamentary seat in Gulu.

Likewise, Ms Beti Kamya, the founder and former President of the Uganda Federal Alliance (UFA), also benefited from the NRM regime after working with it informally and later joining it directly.

Ms Kamya, a former member of Reform Agenda and FDC, held two ministerial positions of Lands, Housing and Urban Development and Kampala Capital City Authority. She was later appointed the Inspector General of Government.

Before holding these positions and joining the party in March 2020, Ms Kamya was among the top critics of Mr Museveni’s rule, and in 2011, she participated in the presidential elections, where she emerged fifth, 52,782 votes. She had previously served as the Member of Parliament representing Rubaga North Constituency on the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) ticket from 2006 until 2010. She had also pushed for a referendum to trim the powers of the presidency, but the same never materialised as she eventually had an understanding with Mr Museveni.

Uganda has unveiled its first national regional coffee flavour profiles, a move expected to reshape how the country presents its coffee to global buyers.

The Ministry of Agriculture says the ten profiles, six for Robusta and four for Arabica, will help Uganda sell coffee based on its agroecological identity, a system long used by countries like Ethiopia and Colombia.

State Minister for Agriculture Fred Bwino Kyakulaga said the acknowledgement of regional differences is overdue.

‘Uganda is unique, but our agroecological zones are even unique to each other,’ he said.

He noted that climate, soils and local farming traditions shape the flavours in each region, yet Uganda had never formally documented these distinctions until now.

The minister said the scientific mapping behind the profiles opens the door for regions such as Busoga, Masaka, Rwenzori and Mount Elgon to market their coffees as standalone origins.

‘We are now going to market Busoga coffee as a unique coffee, Masaka coffee as a unique coffee,’ he said. ‘There are consumers who prefer such distinct experiences. This can increase prices and even volumes exported.’

He urged farmers not to mix beans from different regions, saying the practice erases identity and weakens market value.

‘We need farmers to know they are holding gold,’ he said. ‘When you mix coffee from Busoga with coffee from Bushenyi, you hide the unique experience consumers are looking for. Please do not mix.’

Kyakulaga added that ecological factors, including resilience to climate stress, reinforce regional differences and should be protected at the source.

He acknowledged Uganda is late to adopt flavour profiling globally, but insisted the shift is timely.

The private sector has welcomed the development as a long-awaited tool for better differentiation.

Uganda Coffee Federation president Robert Byaruhanga said the sector has always known regional coffees differ, but the official profiles give the first clear framework for presenting this to buyers.

‘Coffee from Mount Elgon is not the same as coffee from Rwenzori, or coffee from Bujiri in Busoga,’ he said. ‘The profiles come from a big scientific study, written in a way that’s easy for us to understand. This helps us differentiate and therefore price better our coffees.’

He said the profiles will support branding and competitiveness even though they are not yet mandatory.

‘Profiling coffee and understanding its characteristics is extremely important for marketing,’ he said. ‘As business people, this is what we have been asking government to do.’

Byaruhanga noted earlier support from the EU, Danish government and agencies such as ABI and the International Trade Centre, which helped Uganda prepare for global rules, including the European Deforestation Regulation. Through these efforts, 1.65 million farms have been mapped, with work now expanding to about four million coffee-farming households.

‘It is very hard work, but it’s being done,’ he said. ‘The template has been made, we just have to follow it to the end.’

With global buyers demanding traceability and clearer origin identities, the profiling marks a new chapter for Uganda’s coffee story.

Commissioner for Coffee Development Gerald Kyalo said Uganda is steadily preparing for the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), expected to take effect on December 31, 2025.

‘We have already mapped 1,650,000 farmers and their gardens,’ he said, noting that government and partners, including the Danish Embassy through ABI, have funded the work.

He said Uganda has established a government-managed national data warehouse to store all farmer information needed for compliance.

‘The data warehouse is where information will be kept, accessed and managed. Anyone intending to do traceability will use this government system,’ he said.

Kyalo added that Uganda has approved five traceability service providers, a requirement for exporters targeting the EU. The EUDR demands geocoordinates and mapped boundaries for every farm supplying coffee.

‘To meet EUDR demands, we must register farmers, have a data warehouse, and have a functional traceability application. All three are in place,’ he said.

He said the system has already been piloted in several regions with positive results.

‘We are ready for traceability as a country. The systems have been tested and they are working very well,’ he stated.

Assistant Commissioner for Coffee Production Rauben Keimusya said Uganda’s production trend shows strong momentum toward the country’s target of 20 million bags by 2030.

He noted that Uganda closed the last coffee year with 8.2 million bags, the highest in two decades and worth $2.2 billion in export earnings.

‘We believe we can reach 20 million bags. The progress we are seeing is real, and the investments in production and productivity enhancement are paying off,’ he said.

He said mobilising farmers into organized groups is a central strategy.

‘Farmers in organisations produce twice as much as those working alone. We want 70 to 85 percent of farmers to join structured groups. Right now we are at just 30 to 33 percent,’ he said.

Keimusya said Northern and Eastern Uganda are emerging as key production zones, supported by millions of disease-resistant seedlings, organic fertilizers and expanded extension services. These efforts, he added, will lift output over the next two to three years.

He said Uganda’s liberalised coffee system is helping revenue reach the growers.

‘Last year, farmers received 83.5 percent of the export price, something not seen anywhere else on the continent,’ he said.

He noted expansion across the value chain, with exporters rising to 205, roasteries from 3 to 105 and local buyers doubling to 2,500 within a year.

Keimusya pointed to collaborations with the EU, research bodies and private investors, including the planting of 80,000 acres by private farmers and new wet-processing facilities in Robusta regions.

Looking ahead, he said the ministry will push for higher productivity, climate-resilient technologies, broader market access and full registration of all coffee farmers by March next year.

‘Our goal is simple, more production, better quality, stronger markets and a visible national coffee brand. Every intervention we make feeds into that direction,’ he said.

The Kabaka of Buganda, Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II, has urged the government to stop the ongoing political violence against Opposition figures ahead of the 2026 General Election.

In his Christmas message issued on December 22, Kabaka Mutebi said it was deeply troubling to witness security agencies brutalising members of the Opposition, a situation he warned undermines the credibility of the electoral process and renders elections a waste of public resources.

‘Many of our people have been harmed, including beatings, preventing candidates from reaching venues where they plan to address voters, and other illegal acts and human rights violations,’ he said.

His remarks come amid heightened tensions, particularly involving members of the National Unity Platform (NUP), who have reported increased security interference during ongoing campaigns.

One of the most notable incidents occurred earlier this month when security officers blocked NUP presidential candidate Robert Kyagulanyi from accessing his scheduled campaign venue in Gulu and allegedly assaulted him and his supporters. This incident followed another in Kayunga District, where police used water cannons and tear gas to disperse his rally. A day earlier, security forces had blocked his campaign in Buikwe District.

Similar disruptions were reported in Kampala during Kyagulanyi’s November 24 campaign in Kawempe Division, while police also used tear gas against his supporters in Nakawa Division. Related incidents were reported last week in the Teso sub-region.

Addressing the Electoral Commission, Kabaka Mutebi called for impartiality and action.

‘Our colleagues in the National Electoral Commission, we ask you not only to condemn this issue but also to help impartially, every candidate to convey his message to the voters, without obstruction and harassment of people in any way.We condemn these actions because they do not reflect the integrity or development of the country,’ he said.

The Kabaka also criticised excessive campaign spending, warning that it fuels corruption and undermines national development.

‘The politics and elections we are witnessing now are full of wasteful spending, and we wonder, where does so much money come from? Elections through such circumstances cause people who do not have the ability to reach leadership positions and first pay for the money they spent in the election. This is the source of corruption and undermines the development of our country. Therefore, we encourage you to choose carefully,’ he said.

On climate and food security, Kabaka Mutebi noted that although rainfall has been moderate in November and December, heavy rains are expected across the country.

‘This means that food crops, especially corn and bananas, have been severely affected by the sun. We urge you to re-take the issue of food storage, especially dry food, as a priority in our lives,’ he noted, calling on the government to support irrigation, especially for communities near water sources, and proposed tax reductions on irrigation equipment to make it affordable for ordinary citizens.

Additionally, the Kabaka expressed concern over the rising cases of child disappearances and violent crimes.

‘We hear more and more about people who have children who disappear and are never seen again. Later, we read in the newspapers that some children were brutally murdered and mutilated. We thought such acts were gone, but they are back again,’ he said, urging parents to protect their children, especially during the holiday season, and called on law enforcement agencies to intensify efforts to safeguard lives and property, particularly in light of recent nighttime attacks by armed criminals.

Residents of Nakasongola District are mourning the loss of two community leaders who were killed in a fatal hit-and-run crash on Tuesday.

The deceased have been identified as David Semanda, 35, a Gombolola Internal Security Officer (GISO), and Mande Robert, 60, the LC I Chairperson of Lwanga Village in Nakasongola Town Council. The two died on the spot after a vehicle rammed into their motorcycle on the Nakasongola Army Barracks Road in Molwe Village at 7PM.

According to the Savannah Regional Police Spokesperson, ASP Sam Twiineamazima, the victims were riding a motorcycle, with Semanda as the rider and Mande as the passenger. They were heading towards Nakasongola Army Barracks when they were hit from behind by a speeding vehicle travelling in the same direction.

‘The impact was severe, and both victims died instantly. The driver did not stop to render assistance and fled the scene,’ ASP Twiineamazima said, adding that police are actively pursuing leads to identify and apprehend the suspect.

He further confirmed that a team of officers visited the scene and that investigations are ongoing. The bodies of the deceased were taken to Nakasongola HC IV Mortuary for post-mortem examinations.

The tragic incident has cast a shadow over what should have been a joyful festive season for the families of the victims and the wider Nakasongola Town Council community, where both men were respected leaders.

The crash adds to growing concerns over road safety during the festive season, a period often marked by increased traffic, night travel, and a rise in fatal road crashes.

Police statistics consistently indicate a spike in road carnage during the Christmas and New Year period, commonly attributed to speeding, drink-driving, and reckless road use.

Police in the Savannah Region have appealed to members of the public who may have witnessed the incident or have information about the suspect vehicle to come forward and assist investigations. Authorities have also reminded motorists to observe speed limits, avoid driving under the influence of alcohol, and exercise extra caution, especially at night.

‘As we celebrate the festive season, motorists are urged to prioritise safety over speed to prevent further loss of life,’ police said.

Leaders of five different political parties that subscribe to the Inter-Party Organization for Dialogue (IPOD) have condemned the security brutality on different candidates and their supporters in the ongoing campaigns.

The five secretaries general in the December 24, 2025 joint statement released as the IPOD Christmas message said the ongoing security brutality undermines the entire electoral process and erodes public trust.

They include Dr Gerald Siranda of the Democratic Party (DP), Richard Todwong of the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM), Fred Ebil of the Uganda Peoples Congress (UPC), David Alira of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), and Mohamed Kateregga of the Justice Forum (JEEMA).

‘IPOD unequivocally condemns any acts of brutality, excessive force, or intimidation by security agencies during political campaigns and electoral activities. Such actions undermine public trust, democratic principles, and the right of citizens to freely participate in political processes,’ said Dr Siranda, who is also the IPOD Council Chairman.

Dr Siranda whose party signed a cooperation agreement with the NRM, also condemned candidates and their agents who allegedly provoke security operatives.

‘We urge you to conduct yourselves responsibly by adhering to the agreed-upon standards, guidelines, and codes of conduct governing campaigns and desist from violence,’ said Dr Siranda whose party president, Norbert Mao, serves as Justice Minister in the NRM government.

Mr Todwong, in a rejoinder, said it is not right for the security agencies to brutalise the members of the opposition because the NRM view them as competitors, and not enemies.

‘We condemn in the strongest terms possible the violence that was reported in some parts of the country which was meted against candidates and their supporters.we call upon our supporters, wellwishers and believers to refrain from using violence,’ he said.

UPC’s Ebil said that violence only affects the peace that the country has cherished for some time.

‘We don’t want to go to the worst experiences we had because we remember the 9th September 1977 execution at Clock Tower that took prominent Civil Servants.we must cherish this peace, especially to the young generation that never experienced bad times because some of us who were their during Amin’s regime we saw it.we now see soldiers beating up people meaning we can go back in old dark days,’ he said.

Their condemnation coincides with a section of religious and cultural leaders who have urged security operatives, particularly the military and police to stop brutalizing citizens who don’t agree with policies of the current regime that has been in power for nearly four decades.

National Unity Platform (NUP) Presidential candidate, Mr Robert Kyagulanyi and his supporters have been mostly targeted by the military and police as he (Kyagulanyi) moves around the country seeking for votes in a second attempt to unseat President Museveni, 81, who has been in power since 1986 when he shot his way to State House through a five-year guerilla warfare.

The most horrific attacks by security operatives have happened in the last two months, mostly during stand offs between Mr Kyagulanyi’s supporters and security operatives who have on several occasions blocked or disrupted his rallies under unclear circumstances.

Some people lost lives during such violent clashes, with police accusing supporters of the musician turned politician of violating electoral laws and rules.

In their joint IPOD members said, ‘We in the strongest terms possible condemn the violence that has been recorded in the various parts of the country and as we move towards the end of the campaign, these may increase. We therefore call upon all candidates, supporters, security forces, citizens and every one to restrain themselves and keep peace for the good of all people.’