Category: Daily Monitor

Patients at Jinja Regional Referral Hospital will now have their medical records managed electronically after hospital officials rolled out a new digital records system.

Dr Alfred Yayi, a Senior Executive Consultant at the hospital, said the Ministry of Health, with support from development partners, had facilitated the rollout of the Electronic Medical Records system.

According to Dr Yayi, the system applies to all patients seeking treatment at both Nalufenya Children’s Hospital and Jinja Regional Referral Hospital.

Upon arrival, patients’ details are entered into the electronic system and each is assigned a unique patient number. The number will be used during subsequent visits to either facility, eliminating repeated paper-based registration.

Dr Yayi explained the hospital installed a Local Area Network connected to software called Clinical Master, enabling health workers to register patients electronically and share medical information with clinical officers for diagnosis and treatment.

Once a clinical officer examines a patient, any required laboratory tests are requested electronically and the patient is referred to the lab. After tests are completed, results are uploaded into the system and sent directly to the clinical officer for review and prescription.

‘This process of taking patients’ detains and diagnostics are all done electronically without any paperwork that it was before. This is one of the ways to appreciate digital medical transformation systems to save the environment,’ Dr Yayi said.

Hospital officials say the EMR system is expected to streamline records management, improve data accuracy, and make it easier for health workers to access patient histories promptly. It is also expected to reduce errors linked to paper-based documentation and improve overall efficiency.

Asked if the system would share records during referrals to Mulago Hospital, Dr Yayi said there were still challenges. ‘Access to patient information is confidential and currently restricted to Jinja Hospital,’ he said.

Dr Yayi added the hospital is not yet in a position to share patients’ medical records electronically, noting referrals are still handled manually as the system is being developed.

He noted that in countries such as Kenya, discussions are already underway on how to integrate patient data sharing across hospitals.

Dr Yayi clarified that patient numbers are issued only when an individual presents at the hospital for medical attention.

If the oldest players at World Cup 2026 tell a story of endurance, the youngest tell one of promise.

While Cristiano Ronaldo, Luka Modric and Craig Gordon prepare for perhaps their final appearance on football’s biggest stage, a new generation is preparing to make its first impression. Several teenagers are set to travel to North America carrying the hopes of their nations and the dream of announcing themselves to the world.

The contrast is striking. Scotland goalkeeper Craig Gordon will be 43 years old when the tournament begins. Mexico midfielder Gilberto Mora, the youngest player in the competition, will be just 17 years and 240 days old, an age gap of more than 25 years.

World Cups have a rich history of producing teenage stars. Northern Ireland’s Norman Whiteside remains the youngest player ever to appear at the tournament, making his debut in Spain in 1982 at just 17 years and 41 days. Cameroon legend Samuel Eto’o, Nigerian forward Femi Opabunmi and Brazilian icon Pelé were all teenagers when they first stepped onto football’s biggest stage.

History suggests that youth need not be a disadvantage. Pelé arrived at the 1958 World Cup as a little-known teenager and left as a world champion. More recently, players such as Michael Owen, Thomas Mller and Kylian Mbappé used the tournament to announce themselves to the world.

World Cup 2026 presents another opportunity for a new generation to do the same.

The 2026 tournament will feature 22 teenagers. A record 1,248 players will represent the 48 nations, with Tijuana’s teenage midfielder Mora the youngest. Mora will be 17 years and 240 days old on the opening day of World Cup 2026, just six days older than Pelé was at the start of the 1958 tournament. Although he falls outside the all-time top five, he will be the youngest player in North America.

Among the teenagers arriving for World Cup 2026, the next global star may already be waiting.

Gilberto Mora (Mexico) – 17 years

The distinction of youngest player at World Cup 2026 belongs to Gilberto Mora. He plays for Mexican side Club Tijuana. The Mexican midfielder arrives with enormous expectations after rapidly rising through the ranks in one of football’s most passionate football nations. Playing a World Cup on home soil could provide the perfect stage for his breakthrough.

The comparison with Pelé is unavoidable. Mora is only six days older than the Brazilian legend was when he embarked on the tournament that transformed him into a global icon.

Hugo Sochurek (Austria) – 18 years

Only four days beyond his 18th birthday when the tournament begins, Hugo Sochurek represents the future of Austrian football. The midfielder’s inclusion highlights Austria’s growing confidence in youth development and the willingness of national team coaches to trust young talent on the biggest occasions.

Lamine Yamal (Spain) – 18 years

Lamine Yamal has spent the last two years treating football’s age records like training cones, with the 18-year-old swerving past them with a grin, a drop of the shoulder and that wicked left foot Spain hope will be fully loaded at the World Cup.

Ibrahim Mbaye (France) – 18 years

France continues to produce elite young talent at an astonishing rate.

Forward Ibrahim Mbaye joins a conveyor belt that has produced some of the game’s biggest stars. Surrounded by experienced internationals, he will have an opportunity to learn while contributing to one of the tournament favourites.

Hamza Abdelkarim (Egypt) – 18 years

Egypt’s Hamza Abdelkarim represents a new generation eager to build on the achievements of those who came before. The young forward arrives with the chance to gain invaluable experience and perhaps become one of Africa’s breakout performers.

Bara Sapoko Ndiaye (Senegal) – 18 years

Just a day older than Abdelkarim, Senegal midfielder Bara Sapoko Ndiaye embodies the confidence and technical ability that have become synonymous with Senegalese football. His inclusion reflects the strength of a youth system that continues to produce players capable of competing at the highest level.

Mladen Jurkas (Croatia) – 18 years, 247 days

Goalkeepers rarely appear among the youngest players at a World Cup, making Mladen Jurkas a notable exception. The Croatian teenager’s selection speaks volumes about the faith coaches have in his maturity and potential despite his tender age.

Ayyoub Bouaddi (Morocco) – 18 years, 252 days

Morocco’s stunning run to the semifinals in Qatar inspired a generation of young footballers. Midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi is among the most promising products of that movement. Comfortable on the ball and tactically intelligent, he represents the future of Moroccan football.

The Uganda Bankers’ Association says some banks may have refused to extend loans to 107 Members of Parliament currently facing election petitions as a precautionary measure to guard against losing money.

In a telephone interview on Wednesday, Wilbrod Owor, the executive director Uganda Bankers’ Association, said while it is not an industry-wide position, an election petition represents a financial gamble.

‘I have also just read about it somewhere but there hasn’t been an engagement at industry level. These loans are extended to parliamentarians over their term of office in Parliament maybe they have seen election petitions as a major risk that can make individuals default on the loans,’ he said.

He explained that MPs face multiple financial demands right from their constituencies.

‘Once they join the House, they are normally bombarded by loan shacks, money lenders including fellow members of parliament and banks willing to give them credit facilities but repaying the money sometimes becomes a challenge,’ he said.

After the 2016 general elections, this publication witnessed firsthand a former junior trade Minister and MP from Busoga region in the 9th Parliament scamper for safety from the newly appointed trade minister Sanjay Tanna’s private office at Petro City Kampala Road when the former legislator mistook men in suits walking along the street minding their own business for money lenders trailing him.

Around the same time, conmen duped a fresh MP from Eastern Uganda to pay Shs1.2bn for a house in Kampala whose market price then was valued at Shs300m. The legislator reportedly left parliament more indebted than when he joined the house.

Stories abound of previous MPs who made parliament their safe haven to hide from money lenders who started hunting them down within the precincts of parliament to pay loans acquired to fund campaigns, with the hope that salaries and allowances would pay off the money.

Some MPs who have lost elections, filed petitions against the results and also lost the cases, have found themselves discovering that even below the basement of poverty, there is another basement that has wiped them out of the public eye and their constituencies.

Police in Kampala have launched a manhunt for a gang of thugs who ambushed and robbed two people at the Nsambya traffic lights along Ggaba Road.

The incident, which reportedly occurred on May 6, 2026, at around 11:30am., has sparked widespread public outrage after graphic video footage of the daylight attack resurfaced and went viral on social media on Tuesday, June 9.

According to the Kampala Metropolitan Police Deputy Spokesperson, ASP Luke Owoyesigyire, the victims were intercepted shortly after withdrawing an undisclosed amount of cash from a local forex bureau.

“The incident involved a group of assailants who attacked two victims before robbing them of cash. Upon receiving the initial report, police immediately commenced investigations,” ASP Owoyesigyire said.

He added that detectives from the Kabalagala Police Division have already visited and documented the crime scene, recorded statements from eyewitnesses, and retrieved crucial CCTV footage to identify the perpetrators.

“Efforts to identify, trace, and apprehend all the suspects involved are ongoing. We wish to reassure the public that every effort is being made to bring the perpetrators to justice,” Mr Owoyesigyire added, urging anyone with information to report to the nearest police station.

According to police data, robberies specifically involving cash shot up drastically by 37.2 percent, rising from 573 cases in 2024 to 786 cases in 2025. Out of the 786 cash robbery cases reported last year, only 200 made it to court, while 514 remain under active inquiry.

Furthermore, violent aggravated robberies-where criminals deploy lethal weapons like firearms, knives, machetes, and hammers-surged by 6.7 percent to 2,101 cases in 2025.

The crime report further cements Kampala’s status as the epicenter of robbery syndicates in Uganda. The Kampala Metropolitan Police (KMP) jurisdiction registered the highest numbers of total robberies nationwide. KMP North topped the grim statistics with 1,007 cases, followed by KMP South-where the Nsambya attack happened-with 779 cases, and KMP East with 669 cases. Outside the capital, the Rwizi region (567 cases) and North Kyoga (429 cases) were the most affected.

The re-emergence of the Nsambya video has renewed public pressure on the police to dismantle criminal gangs operating at major city intersections. Security experts continue to urge the public to exercise extreme vigilance and utilize digital banking alternatives when moving large financial sums to avoid falling victim to trailing syndicates.

Mmamba Kakoboza finally joined the Airtel Bika Tournament’s roll of honour after defeating former champions Nkima 4-3 in a dramatic penalty shootout to claim their maiden football title at Muteesa II Stadium, Wankulukuku on Saturday.

After a tense final ended goalless over 90 minutes, goalkeeper Mathias Kigoonya emerged the hero, saving two penalties to hand Mmamba their first championship and the Shs9m winners’ purse before a packed crowd of Buganda Kingdom faithful.

The victory sparked emotional celebrations among the champions, with captain Duncan Sseninde paying tribute to the collective effort behind the breakthrough triumph.

“This victory means a lot to us all as Mmamba Kakoboza clan. This is our first shield. We worked so hard as a clan after so many years,” Sseninde said after lifting the trophy.

The triumph ended a wait stretching back more than five decades for one of Buganda’s most prominent clans and added a new name to a competition traditionally dominated by established clans. In recent years, Ngabi Nsamba, Mmamba Namakaka, Ngo and Nkima have all lifted the coveted trophy.

For Nkima, champions in 2018, the defeat denied them a second title despite another resilient campaign that saw them eliminate Mutima Musagi and Ngo en route to the final. Mmamba’s route was equally narrow, edging Kasimba and Kkobe by single-goal margins before holding their nerve from the spot in the decider.

Well-deserved

Nicholas Kabonge was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player while Mbogo’s Nelson Ssenkaatuuka finished as the tournament’s leading scorer with six goals. Nkima collected Shs7m as runners-up, while Kkobe secured third place after defeating Ngo 1-0.

Speaking after the final, David Birungi said the tournament continued to demonstrate the power of sport to unite communities while nurturing talent.

“Congratulations to Mmamba Kakoboza for a well-deserved victory. The Bika Tournament continues to celebrate culture, inspire young people and bring communities together. Airtel remains committed to supporting initiatives that preserve heritage while creating opportunities for talent development,” Birungi said.

Buganda Kingdom Prime Minister Charles Peter Mayiga, described the tournament as one of the kingdom’s most enduring events.

“Through sport, our clans continue to preserve traditions while giving young people an opportunity to develop discipline, character and talent,” Mayiga said as he congratulated the champions and urged the youth to embrace productive pursuits.

Established in 1950, the Bika Tournament brings together clans through sport while preserving a tradition that has endured for more than seven decades.

AIRTEL BIKA FOOTBALL 2026 FINAL

Champions: Mmamba Kakoboza

Runners-up: Nkima

Third place: Kkobe

Final: Mmamba Kakoboza 0 (4) – 0 (3) Nkima

MVP: Nicholas Kabonge (Mmamba Kakoboza)

Top scorer: Nelson Ssenkaatuuka (Mbogo) – 6 goals

Winners’ prize: Shs9m

Runners-up prize: Shs7m

Third-place prize: Shs3m

Participating teams: 40 clans

Tournament sponsor: Airtel Uganda

Former winners

2026: Mmamba Kakoboza

2025: Ngabi Nsamba

2024: Mmamba Namakaka

2023; Ngo

2022: Ngabi Nsamba

2021: Not held/affected by Covid-19

2020: Not held/affected by Covid-19

2019: Mmamba Namakaka

2018: Nkima

2017: Ngabi Nsamba

In the heart of Lango sub-region, a scandal is brewing over the government’s Shs80 billion Cattle Restocking Programme.

Meant to boost cattle farming in Acholi, Lango and Teso sub-regions, the programme has instead become a magnet for fraud, according to an investigation.

Jennti Adong, a resident of Akuki Village, Abela Parish, Aleka Sub-county in Oyam District, thought she was lucky when she was enrolled in the programme. But when her colleagues started receiving messages about money being deposited last week, she was left scratching her head. It turned out someone had changed her phone number to divert the Shs5 million meant for her.

‘I approached the bank, and they told me my account was linked to another person’s name,’ Adong says. ‘I don’t know how they did it.’

Adong’s Wendi account linked to her registered MTN number 0767668248 was registered in the name of another person identified by Pearl Bank Uganda as Adriko Jimmy. This Wendi account is genuine and by June 10, 2026, it had Shs5,000. But Adong does not know the secret pin to this Wendi account except the one for her mobile money wallet.

How Wendi works in the programme Under the Cattle Restocking Programme, the government disburses money to beneficiaries using Wendi, Pearl Bank’s mobile money service platform designed to promote financial inclusion to all Ugandans.

Under the Wendi system, electronic value held by a customer or agent can be used to perform any financial transaction supported within the mobile money’s core system.

Wendi empowers users and groups, particularly those with limited access to traditional financial services, to access, manage, save, invest and pay for various services without requiring a bank account or smartphone, according to Pearl Bank Uganda.

When this reporter inquired about Adong’s issue, a staff member at the Credit Section of Pearl Bank, Lira Branch, indicated that the challenge with that Wendi account was that somebody proceeded to deposit money on it yet it was dormant.

Adong recalled she acquired the SIM Card through her National ID in April 2026. Pearl Bank’s data shows that Adriko Jimmy registered the Wendi account on February 13, 2025.

‘She now has the task to go to MTN Uganda so that they write for her a letter and confirm that yes this is her line, which she acquired through her national ID details. She may also need to verify whether MTN sold her an old line,’ said the bank’s staff.

This is just one of many cases. In Abela Parish, 16 people have been nominated to benefit, but discrepancies in their particulars have put the money at risk. Local leaders are implicated, with some allegedly changing names and phone numbers to siphon the funds.

Benson Odongo, Abela LC2 chairman, confirmed that some beneficiaries’ names were profiled without corresponding phone numbers. However, he said this anomaly was being rectified.

On June 10, 2026, our reporter bumped into a man at Pearl Bank, Lira Branch, who revealed that he was trying to withdraw money meant for his supposedly sick wife. But investigations revealed that the programme’s beneficiary called Janet lives in Barocok Village, Abela Parish in Aleka Sub-county. By press time, she was healthy and had not been to a health facility in months.

A local leader in Abela who asked for anonymity because of the sensitivity of the issue revealed that a lot is happening in the programme.

‘There is an old man here called Alfred Ogwang, the father of Jawa. Initially, he was registered to benefit from the programme but his name and phone number were changed. Local leaders are changing the beneficiaries’ names and phone details in order to eat their money,’ said the source.

The government’s programme aims to give each household Shs5 million to buy five animals. But with fraudsters at play, it’s the vulnerable farmers who are losing out. Authorities need to act fast to prevent further abuse and ensure the programme benefits those it was meant for.

Government’s position The Permanent Secretary in the Office of the Prime Minister, Mr Alex Kakooza, last week indicated that the Cattle Restocking Programme was progressing well in Acholi, Lango and Teso sub-regions.

He said the government allocated Shs80 Billion in the 2025/26 Financial Year to implement the programme. Each household in the 33 districts across the three sub-regions is entitled to receive Shs5 million to procure three heifers and two bulls. This means the Shs80 billion budget will cover 16,000 households.

The PS noted that 559 households have so far received Shs2.8 Billion, and an additional 11,504 households have been selected for payment.

‘The beneficiaries are selected at the Parish level by the Parish Development Committee, and the list of beneficiaries is uploaded to the Parish Development Committee Management Information System,’ he told journalists in Kampala on June 1, 2026.

‘Districts have continued uploading beneficiary information to the PDMIS, which is being used for beneficiary selection, verification, and payment processing.’

Mr Kakooza further clarified that no funds are handled by Parish Chiefs or Parish Development Committees, and advised beneficiaries not to sign or thumbprint any document confirming receipt of funds before the money is credited to their bank or mobile money accounts.

‘Implementation has, however, been slowed by delays from four local governments – Lamwo, Nwoya, Pader and Agago – that have not yet uploaded beneficiary lists to the system,’ he added.

‘All district leaders and technical teams are urged to expedite the submission and upload of verified beneficiary data to avoid further delays.’

Police in Mbale City are investigating the suspected suicide of a 16-year-old Senior Three student of Mbale High School whose body was found at her family’s home in Industrial Division on Wednesday, June 9, 2026.

The deceased has been identified as Catherine Nelima, also known as Nisha, a resident of Bukisukye Lower Cell, Bumutoto Ward.

According to Elgon Region Police spokesperson SP Rogers Taitika, preliminary investigations indicate the incident occurred during the day while the teenager was at home.

‘It is alleged that the girl’s mother, Jennifer Kanyunyuzi, 39, a businesswoman, had left the children at home and gone to town for work. Upon returning at about 5:00pm, she reportedly found the other children at a neighbour’s residence before making the discovery that prompted her to alert authorities,’ SP Taitika said.

He said police registered the case as a sudden death and immediately dispatched officers from the Homicide Unit and Scene of Crime team to examine the scene and commence investigations.

‘The body was conveyed to Mbale City Mortuary for post-mortem examination to establish the exact cause of death,’ SP Taitika said. He added that inquiries into the circumstances surrounding the death are ongoing.

SP Taitika urged parents, guardians and schools to pay close attention to the mental health and emotional wellbeing of children and adolescents.

‘We urge members of the public, especially parents, guardians and schools, to remain vigilant about the mental health and well-being of children. Anyone with information that may assist investigations should report to Mbale Central Police Station,’ he said.

The incident has shocked residents and the school community as investigators work to establish what may have led to the student’s death.

According to the Police Crime Report 2025, suicide cases are attributed to complex psychological, social and environmental factors, including mental illness, trauma and extreme stress. A total of 258 cases were registered across the country in 2025. In Elgon Region, where Mbale City is located, 11 cases were recorded in 2025, down from 13 in 2024.

Jordan are enjoying a golden age in their football fortunes after runs to the 2023 Asian Cup and 2025 Arab Cup finals and have no intention of just making up the numbers at their first World Cup.

The Al-Nashama, or the “noble ones”, have developed into a significant force in the Arab footballing world since Moroccan Jamal Sellami took over as coach in June 2024 and built on the work of his predecessor, compatriot Hussein Ammouta.

Sellami believes the team he has built can deliver a shock similar to Algeria beating Germany in 1982, Cameroon stunning reigning champions Argentina in 1990 and Senegal repeating the feat against holders France in 2002.

“These results open horizons of hope and ambition for the fans, so they can dream,” Sellami, who played for Morocco at the 1998 World Cup, told Arabic sports channel TFK.

“And we too have the right to dream and to strive to be a strong team and present ourselves well.

“Right now, people are asking: ‘Who are Al-Nashama? Where are they from?’ So this is a chance for them to show their capabilities, to stand out in a big way.”

The 55-year-old former midfielder has built a well-structured, disciplined team that utilises their wealth of creative forward talent to hit opponents on the break with a lightning-quick transition.

They will be without Yazan Al-Naimat at the tournament, however, after the dynamic forward, who scored eight goals in qualification, suffered an ACL injury in the Arab Cup quarter-finals last December.

“Yazan is a player who cannot be replaced,” conceded Sellami. “But we will find a combination for the team that can still be dangerous to the opponent, and that also gives us balance in our defensive performance.”

Al-Naimat’s likely replacement, Ali Olwan, has recovered from an Achilles injury sufficiently to take his place in Sellami’s extended squad, and skipper Musa Al-Taamari will be around to torment defenders on the right wing.

The Jordanians have been handed a tough group and will take on Austria and Algeria in San Francisco before moving on to Dallas to face reigning champions Argentina.

While familiar with the style played by Algeria, a friendly against Switzerland in late May will prepare Jordan for Austria and they will finish their warm-up schedule against Colombia in early June to get a feel for South American opposition.

Sellami believes the Austria match will be crucial to the success of Jordan’s campaign – “it sets your path” – and is hoping to have garnered something from the first two games before facing Argentina.

“We hope that by then we will already have earned points, and that this match will be a step toward continuing in the World Cup,” he said.

A section of civil society activists, lawyers and governance analysts have petitioned the Inspectorate of Government to investigate allegations that several serving foreign service officers and diplomats may have acquired or used citizenship documentation of foreign states while still in active service.

Signed by Ms Miria Matembe, Job Kiija, Kato Tumusiime, Eron Kiiza and Tumusiime Kakuru, the petitioners said the matter was brought in the public interest and in defense of constitutional governance, integrity in public office, protection of Uganda’s sovereignty, and public confidence in the diplomatic service.

‘We, the undersigned citizens of the Republic of Uganda, respectfully petition the Inspectorate of Government pursuant to Articles 225, 226, 227, 230 and 233 of the Constitution of the Republic of Uganda, the Inspectorate of Government Act, Cap. 31, the Leadership Code Act, and other enabling laws,’ the statement reads in part.

Foreign Service Officers and diplomats serve as official representatives of the Republic of Uganda in foreign states and international organisations. Their offices are inherently sovereign in character and require undivided loyalty, fidelity, confidentiality, and allegiance to the Republic of Uganda.

According to Ms Miria Matembe, it has become a matter of widespread public concern that a number of serving diplomats posted to countries such as the United States of America, Canada, and several European states may have applied for or acquired citizenship of host countries; obtained foreign nationality documentation or immigration privileges inconsistent with their diplomatic status; failed to disclose such status to appointing authorities; and continued to enjoy diplomatic privileges while maintaining divided allegiance.

‘There is further public concern that some officers may have pursued such foreign citizenship arrangements principally to secure personal and family benefits, including subsidized education, immigration advantages, and long-term settlement rights in host countries, contrary to the spirit and obligations of diplomatic service,’ she said.

Article 2 of the Constitution establishes the supremacy of the Constitution, while the National Objectives and Directive Principles of State Policy require integrity, patriotism, accountability, and fidelity in public administration. Article 208 recognizes the duty of state institutions and public officers to safeguard national sovereignty and constitutional order.

Mr Job Kiija, a governance researcher and civic activist, said the allegations raise grave constitutional, legal, ethical and national security concerns.

‘Any acquisition of foreign citizenship by serving diplomats fundamentally raises questions regarding divided loyalty; conflict of interest; national security exposure; impairment of diplomatic independence; and abuse of positions entrusted for the service of Uganda,’ he said.

Mr Kato Tumusiime, a human rights lawyer and civil rights activist, said the alleged conduct appears inconsistent with the Uganda Public Service Standing Orders, 2021, which apply to public officers including Foreign Service Officers.

‘Foreign Service Officers are further governed by the Foreign Service Standing Orders and established diplomatic service regulations, which impose heightened obligations of loyalty, confidentiality, patriotism, fidelity to the Republic of Uganda, and protection of Uganda’s sovereign interests abroad,’ he said.

He added that, ‘These standards recognize that diplomatic officers occupy uniquely sensitive positions involving state representation, confidential negotiations, intelligence exposure, and execution of Uganda’s foreign policy. The acquisition or maintenance of foreign citizenship by serving diplomats is fundamentally inconsistent with the spirit, purpose, and integrity obligations underpinning the Foreign Service.’

Under Section A-1 of the Standing Orders, public officers are required to take the Official Oath, the Oath of Secrecy, the Oath of Allegiance, and the obligation not to undertake any subsequent oath inconsistent with the Oath of Allegiance sworn to the Republic of Uganda.

The concern is further aggravated by the fact that acquisition of citizenship through naturalization in many foreign jurisdictions ordinarily requires the applicant to take an oath of allegiance to the foreign state, which may directly conflict with the oath of allegiance sworn by Foreign Service Officers to the Republic of Uganda.

Activists say the alleged conduct also raises serious concerns under the Leadership Code Act, which imposes duties of honesty, integrity, transparency, and avoidance of conflicts of interest upon leaders and public officers.

On Monday this week, four of the 81 Cabinet ministers and ministers of state missed taking oath after they were red flagged on accusation of possessing multiple citizenship contrary to Section 19(d) of the Uganda Citizenship and Immigration Control Act, which bars dual citizens from holding sensitive state offices including Cabinet and State Minister positions.

Among these were Dr Lawrence Muganga, nominated for State Minister for Internal Affairs despite possessing citizenship in Uganda, Canada and Rwanda; Ambassador Adonia Ayebare, nominated for Minister of Foreign Affairs while holding Uganda and American citizenship; Shartsi Kutesa Musherure, nominated for State Minister for Finance (Microfinance) while also holding Uganda and American citizenship; and Calvin Echodu, nominated for State Minister for Foreign Affairs (International Affairs).

Judicial officers have been urged to keep abreast of emerging trends in criminal prosecution, particularly the growing use of technology and scientific evidence, to prevent miscarriages of justice.

The call was made on Wednesday by Chief Justice Flavian Zeija during a training programme for judicial officers from Northern Uganda organised by the Judicial Training Institute (JTI), the Judiciary’s training arm.

In remarks delivered on his behalf by Deputy Chief Justice Moses Kawumi Kazibwe, Justice Zeija said criminal trials have become increasingly complex due to advancements in technology and investigative methods.

“The criminal trial process today is far more complex than it was a decade ago. The modern judicial officer must navigate an environment where criminal investigations, digital communications, CCTV footage, electronic records, financial tracking systems, and computer-generated evidence are becoming increasingly common before our courts,” he said.

He noted that judicial officers must acquire sufficient knowledge to properly assess scientific and electronic evidence while safeguarding constitutional rights and fair trial guarantees.

The two-day training has brought together more than 100 judicial officers from Northern Uganda and features experts from various institutions within the criminal justice system.

During one of the plenary sessions, Justice George Okello, the resident judge of Patongo High Court, cautioned fellow judicial officers against relying unquestioningly on expert evidence, saying some reports presented in court may be inaccurate.

“There was a time I handled a case where a 20-year-old boy had been charged with aggravated defilement involving a 16-year-old girlfriend. This should have been simple defilement, but because the medical officer had tested and found the accused HIV-positive, the charge had to be aggravated,” Justice Okello said.

He explained that he sought a second medical opinion regarding the accused’s HIV status after developing doubts about the report.

“But I decided to get a second opinion from Luzira prison on the HIV status of the accused person, and they told me he was negative. I decided to conduct my own independent testing, and the results were still negative. I was so mad at the medical doctor who apologised and said he had given the testing process to an intern doctor,” he said.

The training comes at a time when criminal cases continue to dominate the Judiciary’s workload.

According to the Judiciary Annual Performance Report for the 2024/25 financial year, criminal matters remained the largest category of cases handled by courts across the country. A total of 125,686 criminal cases were registered during the period, while 118,883 were concluded.

Despite the progress, Chief Justice Zeija noted that criminal cases continue to account for the largest portion of the Judiciary’s case backlog, with 14,675 matters still pending determination.

At an earlier session, Deputy Chief Justice Kazibwe reminded judicial officers of their role as the ultimate guardians against injustice.

“Needless to re-echo is that as judicial officers, we are the final safeguard against injustice, turning constitutional promises into reality. We must uphold high standards of fairness, human rights, and constitutionalism, especially for vulnerable groups such as the elderly, pregnant women, juveniles, children, and persons with disabilities,” he said.

He warned that administrative shortcomings such as late court sessions, disrespectful conduct, wrongful remand, and delays in processing case files often result in human rights violations.

“I urge everyone to approach this training openly, ask questions, challenge assumptions, and learn to apply human rights principles in daily judicial work. This will boost public confidence, promote constitutional governance, and help us fulfil our oath to deliver justice impartially,” Justice Kawuma added.