Category: Daily Monitor

Pressure is mounting on the officials from the Ugandan government and the United States Embassy in Kampala to make public the bilateral health agreement, signed between the two parties last week.

The agreement, among other commitments by both parties to improve Uganda’s health system and prevent epidemics, also obligates Uganda to share its health data with the USA.

This is in addition to the requirement for Uganda to allocate more than $500 million (Shs1.7 trillion) over the next five years to realise specific commitments in the $2.3 billion deal.

This provision on the data-sharing and local contribution, amid the failure of the two governments to make the agreement public, has increased suspicions and privacy concerns among members of the public and the Opposition in Parliament.

While appearing on a KFM radio talk show, the Hot Seat on Wednesday evening, the Ambassador of the United States of America to Uganda, Mr William Popp, defended the bilateral health agreement and said there is no need for alarm over data sharing.

‘So, first of all, this is an agreement that is meant to be results-oriented,’ Mr Popp said.

‘So, a lot of folks are kind of asking, Why do you need this data? Well, first of all, think national statistics. Think national aggregated information. Not individual, not personal information, not my status, not if I went to the doctor.’ The ambassador added that the kind of data they require will help them assess the progress toward the realisation of commitments in the agreement.

‘If 10,000 people are on antiretrovirals in one district, and their rate of infection is going up, then we know we’re not doing as much work as we need to in that area,’ he said.

‘If the amount of new cases in a particular area total is going down, we know that our assistance, both the United States’ assistance and Uganda’s assistance, is having an impact. And that’s also important to know in this memorandum of understanding (MoU), it’s not just the United States investing $1.7 billion, it’s Uganda investing almost $600 million of new money for that total of $2.3 billion,’ he added.

The MoU, signed by Finance Minister Matia Kasaija on December 10 on behalf of Uganda, commits the country to put that money (about $600 million) as its contribution.

Legislators in the dark

But the job of appropriating money is done by Parliament, yet the Leader of Opposition in Parliament (LoP), Mr Joel Ssenyonyi, said legislators were kept in the dark in the discussions leading to the MoU.

‘There’s been no parliamentary scrutiny. There are concerns about data protection, medical data and so on. Our colleagues in Kenya went to court because there was a similar deal signed by the Kenyan government with the US government,’ he told Parliament on December 16.

‘So, citizens went to court, and they said we are concerned about data protection, and court has halted that deal. Why is government not keeping us in the loop if it is so good a deal as it is being portrayed to be? Why do you not want parliamentary scrutiny? We get to know what kind of agreement is this? What is there really so that we are brought up to speed?’ he added.

In response, the Attorney General, Kiryowa Kiwanuka, said they will follow procedures if Parliament wants to know the content of the agreement.

‘If the requirement is for us to bring every agreement that government is going to sign to Parliament, then we should write the law and say so. But otherwise, government reports to Parliament in the manner that is set in the law,’ he said. ‘Every committee interacts with the government agency, and when that time comes, when we are called upon to report on health, we shall report on it. But what I can assure you, right honourable Speaker, is that and honourable colleagues is yes government did sign an agreement, and yes, the agreement is in place, and it is within the law,’ he added.

But the LoP even had more concerns given the requirement for Parliament to pass the budget for the commitments to be realised.

‘When you say that of the $2.3 billion, the US government is going to shoulder a part of it, the rest of it is supposed to be by us. So you have gotten us into that agreement without us cross-checking,’ he said.

‘Where is this money going to be found? Because what that means is we have to look for the money, we either borrow as we normally do, even today we are going to be here borrowing or to say the tax man collect this much and that kind of thing,’ he said.

‘That is why I think it’s prudent that Parliament is not at the tail end because we are always here planning together, budgeting together because of that fiscal obligation on us as a country, and it begins here,’ he added.

Mr Thomas Tayebwa, the Deputy Speaker of Parliament, who was chairing the plenary, said the matter would be handled by the Parliamentary Health Committee.

‘The sectoral committee on health will be looking at these huge sums of money that would be required and, in the process, get to study this agreement,’ he said.

Asked on KFM why they have not made the agreement public, Popp said: ‘Well, it’s a government-to-government agreement, so again, decisions can be made about how much is publicised in terms of details.’

‘But I would just come back on the data agreement. To be very, very clear, this is not personal information. There’s a lot of misinformation out there that is claiming, Oh, it’s personally identifiable information,’ he added. On whether the US government considered Parliament scrutiny as important, given their promotion of democracy, Mr Popp said: ‘This is for the Ministry of Finance and the Ugandan government to coordinate with the Ugandan Parliament, of course.’

‘But these are also planning figures. So just like in the US, when we commit to this amount of money, this is on an annual basis. We will also be going to our Congress, notifying them of this executive commitment. And then that money will have to be appropriated by the Congress, and I am sure that’s very similar to how it will be here in Uganda…’ he added.

On Wednesday night, Kampala’s skyline was transformed into a breathtaking canvas of light, worship, and wonder as Watoto Church, together with eleven Born-Again churches, unveiled Uganda’s tallest Christmas tree, marking a historic moment just days before Christmas.

Rising 20 metres into the night sky, the towering tree stood majestically at the Old Kampala Secondary School playground, commanding attention long before it burst into light. From as early as 6pm, believers streamed into the venue, clogging surrounding roads, dressed in festive colours and carrying an unmistakable sense of anticipation.

This was more than an event; it was a powerful gathering of faith, unity, and celebration, drawing nearly 12,000 worshippers from across Uganda and beyond. As dusk settled, decorative lights shimmered across the grounds, but all eyes remained fixed on the giant tree, wrapped in ornaments and promise, waiting for its moment.

Families, youth, and elders filled every corner of the playground as the air buzzed with excitement. By 8pm, the Watoto Church choir, more than 400 voices strong, took centre stage. Dressed in elegant black and white, accented with green, brown, and gold, the choir’s harmonies floated gently into the night. Their calm, angelic voices carried Christmas carols filled with both reverence and joy.

With each song, the line between choir and congregation dissolved. Worshippers rose to their feet, singing along, clapping, and lifting hands heavenward. What began as a performance transformed into a shared prayer, one sound, one spirit. Then came the moment everyone had been waiting for. At exactly 11:40pm, the final note of a carol faded into silence. A countdown rippled through the crowd.

For a heartbeat, darkness fell, then light. The Christmas tree ignited from base to peak in brilliant gold and white, its glow racing skyward like a proclamation. Cheers erupted, applause thundered, and shouts of praise pierced the night as joy spilled freely across the grounds.

Moments later, fireworks exploded over Kampala, painting the sky in red, blue, and silver for nearly 10 minutes. The city felt transformed, darkness overcome by light, noise replaced by harmony. Tears glistened in some eyes, smiles widened on faces, and spontaneous worship broke out as hands lifted skyward in gratitude.

‘It is about unity through Christ,’ said Pr Julius Rwotlonyo, a team leader at Watoto Church Ministries. ‘The Christmas carols and the lighting of the Christmas tree remind us of the true meaning of Christmas, bringing people together and inspiring spiritual transformation.’

He added that despite the divisions facing the nation, Jesus came to unite people beyond all barriers.

He said Watoto Church remains committed to community transformation through faith and service, including support for five babies’ homes: Sanyu Babies Home, Nsambya Babies Home, James Foundation, and Whispers of Love in Iganga.

The event was organised by Watoto Church in partnership with several other churches, including All Saints Cathedral-Nakasero, Deliverance Church Makerere, Community Life Church Busega, Life Church Namasuba, House of Revival Kisaasi, AfriChorus Choir, and Elim Evangelistic Church.

In a message delivered by Ms Allen Kagina, former Unra executive director, the First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Ms Janet Museveni, called on Christians to promote peace, unity, and proper child upbringing as pillars of Uganda’s future. She pledged Shs50 million to support Watoto’s babies’ homes initiative.

As the final fireworks faded and the towering tree continued to glow against the night, Kampala stood illuminated, not just by lights, but by faith. Days before Christmas, the city witnessed more than a celebration; it witnessed history, written in light and praise, proclaiming that the Light of the World still shines.

The unveiling of the Christmas tree precedes Watoto Church’s annual Christmas Cantata, which will also be held at the Old Kampala Secondary School playground. For 40 years, the cantata has been hosted at Watoto Church Downtown, but the growing number of attendees necessitated a move to a larger venue.

The cantata begins today and runs until December 22, with one show each evening starting at 8pm. This year’s production is themed ‘Son of God.’

Civil society and opposition leaders have raised alarm over Uganda’s escalating public debt, warning that the growing loan burden is being shouldered by local citizens at the expense of essential services.

On Thursday, the Executive Director of the Civil Society Budget Advocacy Group (CSBAG), Julius Mukunda, criticized Parliament’s recent approval of a Shs9.1 trillion loan, saying continuous borrowing is affecting ordinary Ugandans whose taxes are used to pay off debt interest.

‘The government will never fail to pay back the loan and interest, but at whose cost? It is the local Ugandans whose services are forgone for the loan to be paid who are suffering and paying the heavy prices. Shs30 on every Shs100 collected in taxes is channeled to repaying debt interest, which is far higher than the Shs12.5 that was estimated, and this is worrying as the government continues to borrow,’ Mukunda said during CSBAG’s end-of-year press conference in Kampala.

He added that debt servicing now consumes 31.5 percent of domestic revenue, with interest payments growing faster than allocations to health, education, and agriculture.

‘Debt has therefore become not only a macroeconomic concern, but a direct threat to delivery service,’ he warned.

According to the Ministry of Finance, Uganda’s public debt stock reached Shs116.2 trillion ($32.3 billion) as of June 2025, with Shs55.9 trillion externally borrowed and Shs60.3 trillion internally. The debt-to-GDP ratio now stands at 51.3 percent.

Parliament last week approved four loans worth Shs9.6 trillion, including Shs576.8 billion from Korea Export Import Bank for Makerere University science facilities, Shs1.6 trillion from Rand Merchant Bank for infrastructure, and Shs7.1 trillion from Vitol Ballrain E.C. for the Uganda National Oil Company’s projects.

Opposition leader Joel Ssenyonyi warned that the country is ‘entering the red zone’ on debt sustainability.

‘We are no longer borrowing from a point of strength and comfort. we continuously have to live on debt. We have got to be careful how we operate,’ he said.

Mukunda also criticized the government’s reliance on expensive domestic borrowing, which attracts interest rates of 15-17 percent, compared with 2-3 percent for concessional external loans.

‘Interest payments rose to Shs7 trillion in FY2025, up from Shs3 trillion in 2019. For every Shs100 collected in taxes, Shs25 is spent on interest alone. High interest costs limit the funds available for essential services such as health and education,’ he noted.

Uganda’s original budget for FY2025/26 was Shs72.3 trillion, with domestic revenue projected at Shs37.55 trillion.

A recent Shs8.1 trillion supplementary budget raised the total to Shs80 trillion, allocated to development, recurrent, and statutory expenditures across multiple government ministries.

The country’s tax-to-GDP ratio remains at 14 percent, below the Sub-Saharan African average of 18 percent, leaving the government dependent on borrowing and external financing, according to development experts.

Mukunda cautioned that oil revenue, expected to begin in late 2026, may be absorbed by debt repayment if borrowing trends continue.

S and P Global Ratings projects oil production could peak at 230,000 barrels per day by 2030, contributing 1-2 percent of GDP annually.

He urged the government to prioritize service delivery and national content policies, warning that inadequate management could undermine the intended benefits of the oil and gas sector.

‘Most of our people die due to inadequate emergency medical care services in our hospitals, and this is simply not because government doesn’t have enough resources but where these resources are prioritised,’ Mukunda said, highlighting the human cost of debt mismanagement.

The Kabale District Council has given a 6-day ultimatum to their LCV chairman, Mr Nelson Nshangabasheija, to hand over the old pickup he has been using to the office of the chief administrative officer.

The vehicle is to be re-allocated to other departments for effective service delivery.

The council’s demand follows a presidential pledge to provide new vehicles to local government leaders, which was fulfilled last month when 176 leaders across the country received brand new vehicles.

The minister of local government, Mr Raphael Magyezi, had directed that old vehicles previously used by district chairpersons and mayors be handed over to respective speakers of districts, cities, and municipalities.

During a council session on December 17, councillors questioned why Nshangabasheija had not handed over the vehicle.

“Since the LCV chairman Mr Nelson Nshangabasheija is present in this council session, he should be given a microphone to address the council over the matter,” said district councilor for Butanda, Mr Gilbert Niwanganyira.

Nshangabasheija did not respond when given the microphone. Chief administrative officer, Mr Ronald Mutegeki, said he had written to Nshangabasheija about the matter but received no reply.

The council passed a resolution giving Nshangabasheija until Monday to hand over the vehicle. Councilor Moses Bikorwomuhangi described Nshangabasheija’s silence as disrespectful to the council.

“It’s unfair for him to keep using two vehicles at the expense of other departments that do not have any,” Bikorwomuhangi said.

The chairperson of the finance committee, Mr Richard Mporera, said his committee recommended repairing two vehicles in the district yard to ease execution of district activities.

Councilor Peace Rutarimara asked Nshangabasheija why he closed the CAO’s office, but he didn’t respond.

Mutegeki said the matter had been resolved.

FDC presidential candidate Nathan Nandala Mafabi has promised to address the chronic water crisis in Sembabule District if elected President in the January 15 polls.

During his campaigns in the district on Wednesday, Mafabi said he was shocked to learn that a big section of households in Sembabule still share water with animals despite overwhelmingly supporting the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) for the last four decades.

“If the government were interested in your well-being, it would have invested in providing you with clean, safe water for domestic use and irrigation to improve agriculture, since some of you grow crops and rare animals,” he said while addressing a rally in Sembabule Town. “It’s time for a change, and that’s why I’m here to listen to your concerns and offer solutions.”

Mafabi faulted area leaders, including the former minister for foreign affairs, Sam Kutesa, saying they have not done enough to help the locals get clean water and other basic amenities. “Leaders should be accountable to the people, not just the ruling party,” he emphasized.

“We are going to invest heavily in agriculture being the backbone of our economy, and this will come with more water supply, which will support agriculture and boost agro-processing industries, this will in turn provide jobs to citizens and we address the challenge of unemployment,” he added.

Mafabi also promised to improve household incomes by reducing heavy taxes on essential commodities and empowering villagers with 100m shillings each to boost their livelihoods.

“We shall empower our people right from villages to improve their livelihoods. Each village will get 100m, and this programme will replace the current Parish Development Model, which has failed to reduce poverty levels in communities,” he said. “We’ll also give out seed capital through Cooperative Bank and Agriculture Bank, which will help boost household incomes since the loans will be interest-free.”

Sembabule has long been an NRM stronghold, but service delivery is still wanting, with the district lacking a general hospital and available health centers being ill-equipped and understaffed. Areas like Lwemiyaga County lack better schools, and children trek more than 10 kilometers to access education.

The incumbent district chairperson Patrick Nkalubo, 12 councilors, including district speaker Hajj Erias Kasozi – all from NRM, sailed through unopposed and are waiting to be sworn in as new office bearers.

Mafabi’s campaign trail will continue in Masaka City and Masaka District on Thursday, where he is expected to outline more of his plans for the country.

Spencer Sabiiti loves football but at the beginning of the year, he decided to stop playing it for one reason or another and he opted to try something else: golf.

And almost a year later, Sabiiti feels the decision feels right. This, after he was crowned as the Uganda Golf Club (UGC) Stanbic Mug of Mugs winner at Kitante.

Playing off handicap 25, Sabiiti beat the field with a score of 65 nett on count-back to cap his first overall win in the game of swing.

‘I felt so good and humbled that my game can improve thus far in a short time,’ he told this paper. The signs of a big win were there though.

In November, he was the Group C winner at the Kakira Open in Jinja and did the same at the Seniors Open tournament at the UGC earlier this month.

Such, gave Sabiiti confidence going into the round at the par-72 course. ‘I went for the game open minded and I was very confident. My driver was on point that gave me long distances,’ he explained.

On a course and day he rated perfect, Sabiiti made five pars at the par-5 Hole No.3, par-4 Hole No.7, par-3 Hole No.9, par-4 Hole No.14 and the par-3 Hole No.17.

The icing on Sabiiti cake is that it was baked by his employers where he serves as the chief executive Stanbic Properties. ‘Being a bank staff, I feel it’s a good motivation for me to promote our big blue brand to such a level,’ he added.

For all points from Monthly Mug events collected all year, Rino Kitimbo and Gloria Mbaguta were crowned as the best players at UGC.

UGC STANBIC MUG OF MUGS

TOURNAMENT RESULTS

Overall Winner (M): Spencer Sabiiti 65 nett (c/b)

Overall Winner (L): Zhang Fangyi 70 nett

Seniors Winner (M): John Paul Waigo 68 nett

Senior Winner (L): Rose Azuba 71 nett

Guests Winner: Nyakobi Kamau 57 nett

GROUP WINNERS – MEN

GROUP A

Winner: Yunus Nsanja Bbaale 70 nett

Runner-Up: Devshi Senghani 72 nett

GROUP B

Winner: Isaac Nsereko 67 nett

Runner-Up: Gift Shoko 69 nett

GROUP C

Winner: Qusai Haidry 65 nett

Runner-Up: Alvin Muhimbura 67 nett

GROUP WINNERS – LADIES

GROUP A

Winner: Cathy Wabomba 73 nett

Runner-Up: Wendy Angudeyo 74 nett

GROUP B

Winner: Maureen Nasimolo 72 nett (c/b)

Runner-Up: Rossette Tugume 72 nett

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is redefining how societies operate, from how citizens access services to how governments plan, businesses run, and economies grow.

Uganda is no exception. With the expansion of e-government platforms, mobile money, digital health, and a vibrant fintech ecosystem, AI is becoming an essential part of the country’s socio-economic development.

But as Uganda advances on this digital journey, a new challenge emerges: how do we secure a world where machines can think, learn, and sometimes outsmart us?

The promise and peril of intelligent machines

AI is enhancing public service delivery through faster decision-making, strengthening fraud detection in banking, supporting disease surveillance, and enabling farmers to access real-time advisory services.

It is a key enabler of Uganda’s ambition to build a modern, efficient, and globally competitive economy.

However, the same technology is also empowering cybercriminals. Across the world, attackers are increasingly using AI to create deepfake voices and videos that impersonate executives and public officials, craft highly convincing phishing messages that evade filters, deploy self-learning malware that adapts to avoid detection, and automate hacking attempts at a scale and speed no human can match.

This is the new face of cybercrime: fast, invisible, and increasingly driven by AI.

A growing attack surface

As more services move online, from tax systems and land registries to Sacco platforms, mobile banking, and digital payments, Uganda’s digital footprint continues to expand.

This growth is positive, but it also creates more entry points for attackers.

Across the region, cyber incidents targeting governments, banks, and critical infrastructure are rising, and Uganda is not immune.

The stakes are high: a single breach can disrupt service delivery, undermine public trust, compromise sensitive national data, and cause major financial losses.

Human behaviour still shapes national security

Even in an era of smart machines, the weakest link remains human. A hurried click on a malicious link, a weak password, or the use of personal devices for official work can open the door to sophisticated attacks.

Cybersecurity is no longer only a technical issue; it is a national culture. Uganda’s digital safety depends as much on citizen behaviour and organisational discipline as it does on advanced technology.

What Uganda must do next

Uganda has laid important groundwork, including the Data Protection and Privacy Act (2019), the National Information Security Framework, and NITA-U’s regulatory efforts. But the AI age demands stronger and more agile responses.

First, national cyber readiness must be strengthened. Manual monitoring can no longer match the speed of AI-driven attacks, so government agencies and critical sectors such as finance, energy, security, health, and ICT need to adopt AI-enabled security tools that detect threats in real time.

Second, Uganda must build a stronger cybersecurity workforce. The national talent gap remains significant, and new skills, such as machine learning security, advanced digital forensics, cloud security, and AI ethics, should be developed through universities, technical institutes, and national training programmes.

Third, cybersecurity compliance must be enforced across all sectors. Security should be treated as a governance priority, not an IT footnote, with regulators ensuring that banks, telecoms, Saccos, health facilities, and tech startups meet required standards.

Finally, public trust must be strengthened through ethical and transparent AI. AI systems used in public services should be secure, auditable, and free from bias.

Clear ethical guidelines can ensure that automation does not undermine privacy, fairness, or accountability.

Cybersecurity as a shared national duty

Cybersecurity is now a civic responsibility, as essential as locking your door. The digital world has no borders, and neither do cyber threats. Protecting Uganda’s digital space requires collaboration among government, the private sector, academia, civil society, and citizens.

Every Ugandan has a role to play by using strong and unique passwords, enabling two-factor authentication, verifying information before sharing it, reporting suspicious activity, and staying cautious with unsolicited messages and links.

These small actions, multiplied across millions of users, form the country’s first and strongest line of defence.

Securing Uganda’s digital future

AI is here to stay. It offers Uganda unprecedented opportunities to improve public services, enhance productivity, and accelerate socio-economic development. But this promise can only be realised if both systems and people are secure.

Cybersecurity is now a pillar of national resilience, economic stability, and public trust.

In the AI era, protecting Uganda’s digital future is not just about defending data-it is about safeguarding national sovereignty, empowering citizens, and ensuring technology remains a force for progress.

‘AI will amplify everything-the good, the bad, and the dangerous. Security must keep up,’ says Bruce Schneier.

Uganda has been praised by the United Nations and the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) for its progressive approach to migration, with experts saying the country sets a benchmark for the region.

Speaking during the celebration of International Migrants’ Day under the theme ‘My Great Story: Cultures and Development,’ UN agencies highlighted Uganda’s efforts in ensuring migrants are protected, treated with dignity, and integrated into society.

‘Uganda’s new National Migration Policy and the launch of the Global Compact for Migration Implementation Plan (2024-2028) are landmark achievements, aligning national priorities with global commitments,’ said Leonard Zulu, UN Resident Coordinator for Uganda.

‘Uganda’s commitment to safe, regular, and dignified migration sets a regional example through robust policies and collaborative efforts, which uphold the rights and dignity of every migrant,’ Zulu added.

He noted that migration, when managed with care, enriches societies, fuels innovation, and drives sustainable development. ‘This starts with challenging the narratives that dehumanize migrants and replacing them with stories of solidarity,’ he said.

Sanusi Tejan Savage, IOM Uganda Chief of Mission, emphasized the economic and social value of well-managed migration. ‘We all know that well-managed migration is a strategic asset: it strengthens resilience, fuels prosperity, and supports social cohesion,’ he said.

Uganda has been recognised for its leadership in the region, having approved its first-ever National Migration Policy and launched the Global Compact for Migration (GCM) Implementation Plan. ‘IOM Uganda is proud to support Uganda in building systems that ensure migrants can find stability, support their families, and build new futures, while helping communities adapt and thrive,’ Savage said.

Patrick Okello, Commissioner for Refugees at the Office of the Prime Minister, said migration is central to Uganda’s socioeconomic development and regional integration. Uganda hosts nearly two million refugees, the largest population in Africa.

‘Uganda recognizes migration as a catalyst for growth and continues to adopt policies that maximize its benefits while mitigating associated challenges,’ he said, citing economic opportunities, climate change, environmental degradation, and post-displacement as key drivers of movement.

Okello further noted that the country has strengthened efforts to combat irregular migration, human trafficking, and migrant smuggling, ensuring that migration is orderly, systematic, and well-coordinated.

‘Through the national coordination mechanism, Uganda has made significant progress in migration governance and management,’ he said, reiterating the government’s commitment to policies that protect migrants while safeguarding national interests.

Opposition National Unity Platform (NUP) presidential candidate Robert Ssentamu Kyangulanyi, popularly known as Bobi Wine, has appealed to police and army personnel to vote him in the January 15, 2026, presidential elections, promising reforms that reward rather than punish officers who have previously enforced orders against him.

Addressing supporters in Serere Town Council, Bobi Wine urged security personnel to consider their families and livelihoods when casting their votes.

Police and UPDF have repeatedly faced scrutiny over alleged heavy-handedness as Bobi Wine campaigns for 2026 polls.

‘I request you to ask your wives to vote for me. I request you to vote me because I will not hold what you have done against me,’ he said, adding: ‘I promise you a good salary. People of Serere, those people are not our enemies, we shall chase their commanders and promote you.’

He described the officers enforcing actions against him as implementing ‘bad orders from their commanders.’

The NUP candidate also appealed to young people to amplify his message despite intimidation in previous elections and in the ongoing 2025-26 campaigns.

‘I want to ask you the young people, send this message as far as possible, put this in your own language, and tell the people who have not been able to come because of the intimidation, that this is not the mission of Bobi Wine but for all of us and our generation,’ he said.

Criticizing Uganda’s long-term leadership under President Museveni, Bobi Wine highlighted what he described as decades of neglect.

‘The only development that this country has seen was in the first 18 years of Obote and Amin,’ he noted, adding; ‘For the 40 years Museveni has been in power, the roads are pathetic, look at the police station, look at the uniform, no police officer can take their kids to boarding schools.’

He called for national unity across ethnic and regional lines, stressing that tribal divisions have been used to maintain the status quo.

‘President Museveni has stayed in power by divide and rule… I am happy the people of Uganda have been united by the issues at hand. Let’s speak one voice, whether you are Etesot, Musoga, Munyankole, we all have the same problems,’ he rallied.

Bobi Wine outlined his vision for development, pledging to refurbish schools and hospitals, improve infrastructure, and ensure that taxes directly benefit the new generation.

‘They should unite, use this opportunity and vote for what they believe in. This could be the last elections we are going to have, because Museveni is old, he can’t traverse this country, that is why they are blocking me,’ he said.

He compared Uganda’s approach to national development with that of India and China, urging citizens to prioritize national interest over ethnic divisions.

‘When it comes to matters of development, they build for the sake of their country,’ he observed.

The popstar is widely seen as the main challenger to Museveni’s bid to extend his rule beyond 40 years in next year’s election.

Uganda’s pool scene may have seen limited individual action this year, but the Nile Special-sponsored National Open finale promises fireworks.

With a car, a pool table, and cash prizes up for grabs, 128 of the nation’s best cueists are ready to test their skill, and their fortune, at Lugogo this Sunday.

History suggests that in this championship, luck often outweighs form. In the tournament’s 14-year history, no player has ever successfully defended their title, and this year, defending champion Mansoor Bwanika enters the finals struggling with form and health, leaving the door open for a new winner.

The qualifiers have already produced shocks. Two-time former champion Fahad Ssewankambo was eliminated at Casablanca in Wandegeya, while former national team captain Habib Ssebuguzi also failed to make the cut.

Yet a new wave of talent is emerging. Players like Glorious Ssenyonjo, Joseph Rwotokanya, Moses Omara, Julius Ssemanda, Kenneth Odong and Ian Kazibwe have shown they can challenge the favourites and are capable of causing major upsets in the grand finale.

Among the 128 qualifiers, only five-Bwanika, Ceaser Chandiga, Alfred Gumikiriza, Amos Ndyagumanawe and Jonan Turigye, are former champions, making this year’s tournament wide open.

With other top seeds such as Ibrahim Kayanja, Glorious Ssenyonjo and Simon Lubuulwa in the mix, this year’s finale is set to be fiercely competitive.

Observers agree that the luck of the draw will play a pivotal role. Early matchups could see top seeds eliminated before the quarterfinals.

Hungry contenders

Seeded number one, Joseph Kasozi comes into the grand finale with a point to prove. Fresh from his victory at the PAU Grand Open in Fort Portal, Kasozi has been ruthless all season and is hungry for the prize car.

After last year’s semifinal loss to eventual champion Mansoor Bwanika, an 8-2 defeat he is eager to avenge, Kasozi will be hoping to go one step further this time.

Ceaser Chandiga arrives as one of the favourites. Although he narrowly missed out on winning the league with Upper Volta, finishing behind Roxberry, Chandiga had a strong season, placing third at the PAU Grand Open after a 6-4 semifinal loss to Kasozi.

Chandiga has dominated weekly competitions and regional tournaments across Kenya, Zambia and Zimbabwe. In July 2025, he claimed the Commonwealth Heyball Championship in Mauritius and also competed at the Joy Heyball International Open.

This year, he has taken steps into the Ultimate Pool Professional Series at Premier Suite, Bolton, UK, showcasing his growth on the international stage.

Defending champion Mansoor Bwanika has had a difficult year. Since winning last year’s championship by edging Ibra Ssejjemba 7-6 at Lugogo, his prize car was involved in a crash in Masaka.

Bwanika’s health has also been a concern, forcing him to miss national team trials for the squad that competed at the African Ultimate Championships in South Africa.

With form not on his side, defending the title will be a steep challenge. In a tournament where no champion has ever repeated, perhaps only a miracle could see him retain the crown.

Azali Lukomwa, last season’s quarterfinalist, is another player to watch. A fighter by nature, Lukomwa combines grit with precision and is among the most in-form players heading into Lugogo.

Having recently joined Roxberry, he is ready for what he describes as the ‘fight of my life.’ Though he rarely participates in weekly competitions, preferring money races against individuals, his ability to rise to big occasions makes him a serious contender.

Ibra Ssejjemba, the Roxberry captain, is also seeking redemption. Last year, he squandered a promising advantage and even missed the awards ceremony in disbelief. With a supportive team behind him and a lethal cue in hand, Ssejjemba remains one of Uganda’s top players. Despite an early second-round exit at the PAU Grand Open in Fort Portal at the hands of Paul Kalema, he has the skill and, crucially, the luck of the draw needed to compete for the elusive car this year.

Top seeds – men

Joseph Kasozi

Mansoor Bwanika

Ibra Ssejjemba

Ibrahim Kayanja

Ceaser Chandiga

Glorious Ssenyonjo

Azali Lukomwa

Simon Lubuulwa