Category: Daily Monitor

The government has reopened four of the 12 landing sites in Masaka District that were closed nine years ago, sparking mixed reactions from political leaders and fishing communities. The reopening followed lobbying by the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) flagbearer for Bukoto East Member of Parliament, Ms Sarah Kityo, and Ms Joan Nalule, an aspirant for the Masaka District Woman Member of Parliament seat.

The reopened landing sites include Makonzi, Mitondo, Nakitokolo, and Kisuku, which are all located in Bukakkata Sub-county. While announcing the development on Thursday at Makonzi landing site, the Fisheries Protection Unit (FPU) commandant, Lt Col Mercy Tukahirwa, said the sites are allowed to resume normal operations on condition that fishermen strictly adhere to fishing regulations. She also ordered the immediate removal of roadblocks that had been erected on roads leading to the landing sites to enable smooth operations.

‘If you fail to follow fishing regulations and resume illegal fishing practices, we shall close the landing sites again,’ Lt Col Tukahirwa warned. However, leaders of the National Unity Platform (NUP) in Masaka District have criticised the move, describing it as politically motivated given its timing ahead of the 2026 General Election. ‘Our people at the landing sites have suffered under the FPU. Some have died, while others were maimed after being accused of illegal fishing.

Reopening the landing sites now is meant to hoodwink fishermen into voting for President Museveni and NRM candidates, yet the same suffering will resume after the elections,’ said Mr Francis Kimuli, the Masaka District speaker, said. Mr Kimuli argued that if the government genuinely cared about the fishermen’s plight, the landing sites would have been reopened earlier. ‘This is clearly a political move. That is why all fishermen who attended the function were dressed in NRM T-shirts, and the party’s parliamentary flagbearer was present,’ he said.

He added that district leaders had repeatedly appealed for the reopening of the landing sites due to declining district revenue, but their requests were ignored.

Lt Col Tukahirwa dismissed the allegations, saying claims that she is campaigning for the ruling party are baseless. ‘I am only sensitising fishing communities about fishing regulations and best practices. The President deployed me to fight illegal fishing, and that is exactly what I am doing,’ she said. Mr Peter Ssenkungu, the chairperson of the Masaka District Finance Committee, said the district has lost substantial revenue since the fisheries sub-sector, once a major contributor to the district budget, became largely non-functional.

He said reopening the landing sites has long been a recommendation of the district leadership and would significantly improve revenue collection and household incomes among fishing communities. ‘We welcome the reopening, but we caution fishermen against illegal practices. Let them follow regulations, improve sanitation at the landing sites, and work responsibly,’ Mr Ssenkungu said.

In 2017, the government closed more than 20 landing sites across districts bordering Lake Victoria. Of the 18 landing sites in Masaka District, only six are currently operational. Some of the still-closed sites include Kafuga, Kisamba, Kyondo, Kisonzi, Mumpu, and Mutemante in Buwunga Sub-county, as well as Kyasa, Mumpu, and Kakyukyu in Kyanamukaaka Sub-county. Since the closures, fishermen have repeatedly complained of losing their sole source of livelihood, while local leaders said the district lost critical revenue. Businesses such as bars, shops, restaurants, and fuel stations that operated around the landing sites were also forced to shut down.

Kyabazinga William Nadiope Gabula IV has called for stronger collaboration with international bodies to intensify the fight against teenage pregnancy, warning that the growing crisis continues to undermine the wellbeing and future of young girls in Busoga.

“We want to establish kingdom-driven enterprises that improve standards of living while passing on messages against teenage pregnancies. When we skill and empower men and young women, we reduce idle time, increase productivity, and ultimately lower poverty levels in the sub-region,” Kyabazinga said.

He emphasized that although most interventions focus on girls and women, Busoga is intentionally putting men and boys at the centre of its transformation agenda, positioning them as key champions in the fight against teenage pregnancy and related vices.

“Early teenage pregnancy has become a big challenge and poverty. 70 percent of our Kingdom’s population is youth; these are the future and leaders of tomorrow. It is our collective responsibility to ensure they are morally upright, responsible, and productive citizens,” Kyabazinga said.

The Kingdom’s flagship programme, the Men Are the Pillars campaign, mobilizes men as heads of households to champion positive masculinity, protect girls from early pregnancies, prevent gender-based violence, and support families to join the money economy.

Ms Lisa Hedin, SIDA’s Multilateral Partner Coordinator, commended Kyabazinga for accepting to serve as a UN champion for engaging men and boys to end teenage pregnancies and HIV, describing the campaign as a best practice rooted in strong cultural structures.

Ms Kristine Blokhus, the new United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Country Representative, said the initiative had significantly improved community acceptance of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR), particularly in hard-to-reach communities.

According to the 2022 Uganda Demographic and Health Survey, Busoga, 28.4 percent of girls aged 15 to 19 had become mothers, while 5.8 percent were currently pregnant. These figures exceed the national adolescent motherhood average of 23.5 percent, placing the sub-region among the worst-affected in the country.

The delegation also toured the Kyabazinga Initiative’s skilling centre, headed by the Kyabazinga Affairs Minister, Ms Yudaya Babirye. The centre offers free training in hairdressing, ICT, and liquid soap making, specifically targeting teenage mothers and fathers seeking to rebuild their lives and gain practical skills for self-reliance.

Mr Fred Wakibi, the Youth Minister of Butembe Chiefdom, appealed to partner agencies working with Busoga Kingdom to consider expanding the skilling centres to other chiefdoms, explaining that many teenage mothers cannot afford transport to access the training facility in Jinja City.

Lucy Akoli, a community health extension worker (CHEW), spends her days checking on the sick in her village, referring patients to health facilities, and following up with HIV drug defaulters. But until recently, mobility was her greatest challenge.

“I used to walk for hours; three to the Health Centre III, and one to the Centre II. That meant I could only visit one or two people in a day,” she recalls.

On foot, she could cover only five households per week.

That changed a year and a half ago when she received a heavy-duty bicycle designed for rural terrain.

Now, she says, “What used to take me two days, I now do in one morning. We call it the village ambulance.”

Her work has not only become more efficient but also more respected. The bicycle, which she lends to fellow village health team members when needed, has enabled her to run errands, pick up her children from school, and use money she previously spent on transport for better family meals.

“I can feed my family meat, now that I do not have to spend on transport to health facilities and patients’ homes,” she says with a smile.

Akoli is one of hundreds of health workers in Lira and Mayuge districts who received bicycles through a mobility programme supporting CHEWs in rural Uganda. The initiative, developed in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, is designed to bridge the gap between underserved communities and essential health services.

Data that speaks volumes

A recent assessment shared at the Pedal for Change Forum in Kampala highlights the bicycle’s transformative impact. Community health workers have more than doubled their weekly household reach, travel time to facilities has nearly halved, and transport costs have dropped significantly. Many now use bicycles to transport sick patients, particularly in emergencies where ambulances are not available.

For CHEWs such as Akoli, many of whom are women working in physically demanding environments, these bicycles are more than tools of transport. They represent empowerment. Workers now spend more time with each household, improving care quality for chronic conditions and maternal health.

Addressing the mobility blind spot

Specioza Namakula, a monitoring and evaluation expert in the programme, notes that transportation remains an overlooked aspect of healthcare planning.

“For community workers, having a reliable means of movement is the difference between reaching a handful of households or an entire community,” she explains.

As Uganda scales up its national CHEWs programme, the issue of mobility is gaining attention. Dr Diana Atwine, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health, emphasises that tools enabling healthcare workers to reach those in need are essential to improving national health outcomes. So far, about 3,000 of the 21,000 intended CHEWs have been trained, and bicycles have been distributed to 331 workers in Lira and Mayuge.

Dr Atwine notes that the programme is already showing results, with notable declines in both communicable and non-communicable diseases in areas served by mobile CHEWs.

“When you invest one dollar in a community health worker, you get 10 dollars in return,” she says, underscoring the value of low-cost interventions.

What happens without bicycles?

Yet, many CHEWs across the country still struggle with mobility.

Caroline Namukasa, a CHEW from Kyotera, says her work is hampered by distance and unreliable boda boda riders, which she occasionally hires with personal funds.

“Sometimes you make an appointment and the boda comes 30 minutes late. That delays everything,” she says. Bushy paths and long treks back home also pose security concerns.

To promote sustainability, the programme includes training local bicycle mechanics in every community that receives bikes. With one mechanic assigned for every 50 to 100 bicycles, health workers have access to timely, affordable maintenance. The bicycles are also assembled locally, further boosting employment and local economies.

The integration of bicycles into Uganda’s healthcare strategy is quietly proving its worth. While challenges remain, especially for health workers yet to receive bikes, the story unfolding in villages like Akoli’s suggests that something as simple as a bicycle can steer a country closer to universal health coverage-one pedal at a time.

The Chief of Defiance Forces (CDF), Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, has urged Ugandans to remain peaceful during the campaign period and as they cast their ballots on January 15, 2026.

Speaking at a pipping ceremony of senior and general officers who were promoted last month to different ranks held at the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs headquarters in Mbuya today, the First Son, who also serves as a senior presidential advisor on special operations, appealed to Ugandans to cast their votes peacefully and go home thereafter, instead of hanging around the polling stations.

According to him, vote counting will be transparent, and it will be done in the open as each contestant’s agents will be present to witness the process.

‘The international observers will be present and so will the media. So, there is no need to hang around saying that they are protecting votes. The process will be transparent,’ Gen Muhoozi said.

His remarks come on the heels of a sustained campaign by the opposition National Unity Platform (NUP) leadership calling on its supporters to protect their votes, accusing Gen Muhoozi’s father, President Yoweri Museveni, who has been in power for nearly 40 years, of vote rigging.

NUP presidential candidate, Mr Robert Kyagulanyi, who is challenging Mr Museveni for the second time, has argued that no law bars voters from hanging around polling stations after casting their ballots.

He has accused President Museveni and his agents of ballot stuffing during previous elections, the latest being the 2021 bloody polls in which he lost.

Riding on the campaign slogan ‘Protest Vote,’ the musician turned politician said Ugandans are legally allowed to stand a few meters away from the polling stations as they monitor and safeguard their election from being rigged.

Gen Muhoozi, however, said there is enough scrutiny to ensure the election process is transparent, free and fair and above all credible.

‘Those who try to cause trouble, as I have heard some people proclaim, will be dealt with swiftly and with all the tools we have at our disposal and in accordance with the law,’ he added.

Gen Muhoozi said UPDF has the internal role to remain vigilant and guard against reactionary groups which may want to cause trouble.

‘We will not accept disturbances or disruptions of any kind against our people; we will take proactive measures and make sure that peace is secured around the clock,’ he said.

To the newly decorated officers, Gen Muhoozi said promotions signify deeper obligations to the nation and their subordinates.

‘This ceremony is not merely a change of insignia or ranks, it represents more responsibility and heavier tasks,’ Gen Muhoozi said.

Citing Luke 12:48 ., Gen Muhoozi said a lot is expected of the newly-decorated officers.

He lauded President Museveni, who is the Commander-in-Chief for his strategic leadership, which he credited for shaping the UPDF into a growing, professional force for peace across Uganda, the region, and the continent.

On behalf of the promoted officers, Lt. Gen Jack Bakasumba, the Chief of Joint Staff and the most senior among them, thanked Gen Muhoozi and Gen (rtd) Museveni for their trust and confidence.

Lt. Gen Bakasumba pledged that the decorated Generals and officers would uphold the UPDF values of integrity, courage, and discipline in their work. He also thanked the CDF for his strategic leadership and mentorship of the entire UPDF.

The ceremony was attended by several high-ranking UPDF officials, including the Commander Land Forces, Lt. Gen Kayanja Muhanga, Commander of the UPDF Air Force, Lt. Gen Charles Okidi and Ms Edith Butuuro, the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs.

Some of the newly decorated officers include Lieutenant Generals Jack Bakasumba and Francis Okello, Major Generals James Kinaalwa, Deus Sande, Charles Byanyima, William Bainomugisha, and Christopher Ddamulira; Brigadier Generals Mcdans Kamugira, Fred Zakye, and Paddy Ankunda; among other Generals and Colonels.

Educationists say that although the government took a long time to make changes in the curriculum, they are hopeful that the few changes shaping the curriculum will help to equip students with the right employable skills.

According to the director of Kabojja International School, Mr Ahmed Lwasa, what is required is for the schools to continue supporting students to embrace science and technology as the government continues to provide critical support in the country’s education sector.

Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) is a method of hands-on teaching and learning where students learn to apply academic content by creatively solving real-world problems with innovative design-based thinking to prepare them for future career opportunities.

‘You see, if such a programme is supported by the government, then it can easily enroll in different areas, because now the country has a big number of people who are trained. If these people are supported, they can easily move to rural areas, and they start training,’ he expressed.

He made the remarks while officiating at a two-day third National STEM robotics schools competition at the school in Buziga, a Kampala suburb, where 28 schools participated in a robotics competition.

The National Curriculum Development Centre (NCDC) introduced a competence-based learning curriculum for lower secondary, promoting practical skills aimed at supporting schools to protect innovations that various learners have innovated.

The Academic Registrar at the Uganda Institute of Information and Communications Technology, Agnes Namulidwa Lumala, ordered schools to utilise the services of the Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB) to commercialise and protect the innovations they are producing.

‘We encourage all innovators, mentors and institutions to actively utilise the services of the Uganda registration services bureau, as well as our national Uganda ICT and intellectual property guidelines to ensure that their ideas, their designs, software and technological breakthroughs are properly protected,” she noted.

She said, “These mechanisms provide a secure pathway for innovators to commercialize their work, attract investment, and confidently scale their solutions.”

She said currently, various students in lower and higher learning institutions have come up with various innovations, which abound to solve local challenges facing the community, and these must be protected.

Tariff wars are often justified as necessary to protect or reshore manufacturing jobs and to improve national security. But, according to new research, these conflicts produce another outcome that is largely overlooked: pollution. When global supply chains are forced into inefficient detours, carbon dioxide emissions rise.

In a recent study of the US-China trade conflict’s environmental effects, my co-authors and I found that tariffs have directly increased global CO2 emissions. Based on our calculations, if both sides were to impose a 60 percent tariff on imports from the other – a level consistent with the recent escalations in April – this would lead to a one-time increase in global emissions of nearly 410 million tonnes, roughly the same amount produced by 165 million gas-powered cars (with 1.6L engines) each travelling 10,000kms.

This may seem counterintuitive. Given that China is the world’s largest emitter and has a high carbon intensity, some assume that shifting production out of the country would reduce global emissions. But in many manufacturing sectors, China’s carbon intensity is significantly lower than that of numerous developing economies, and in certain industries it is even lower than that of some advanced economies. In effect, China bears a disproportionate share of the world’s emission-intensive production.

According to the UNCTAD-EORA Global Value Chain database, in 2017 (before the trade war between the US and China began), 33.9 percent of the carbon embodied in US imports originated in China. These emissions did not vanish once tariffs disrupted bilateral trade; they have either been re-imported by the US through costlier domestic production or diverted to third countries. If trade tensions reshape industrial structures in China and the US, the shift of production toward more energy-intensive activities will raise the weighted-average carbon intensity of both economies, even without a change in sector-specific intensities.

Our research shows that the emissions increase caused by structural shifts vastly exceeds the emissions decline associated with slower economic growth. But the impact is more pronounced in third countries. The US merchandise-trade deficit has hovered above 4 percent of GDP for the past decade, implying that the country’s trade war with China has resulted in nearshoring and friendshoring, rather than reshoring. We find that each percentage-point increase in US-China bilateral tariffs causes a 0.1-0.34 percent rise in carbon flows embodied in trade between third countries.

Simulation results confirm that reduced US imports from China are largely replaced by imports from Southeast Asian or Latin American economies, where many industries have higher carbon intensities than in China. The US essentially swaps one supplier for another – only to increase the world’s emissions. This is not to say that Southeast Asia or Latin America should not attract investment or pursue growth. Under normal circumstances, an economy’s carbon intensity follows the environmental Kuznets curve, rising in the early stages of development and then declining in the later stages, as cleaner technologies diffuse.

But trade conflicts disrupt this balance. High tariffs undermine economic performance in the US and China, pushing them left along the Kuznets curve, toward the phase where emissions rise rather than fall. The current US-China trade relationship is thus a ‘high-emissions’ one that externalises pollution and erodes the world’s capacity to fight climate change. This is why we advocate a ‘green’ trade relationship, with trade policy and climate goals explicitly aligned – for example, by lowering barriers to low-carbon technologies and recognising that tariff reduction can be a form of climate cooperation when it facilitates cleaner trade flows and discourages carbon-intensive production.

Uganda’s Afcon 2025 preparations have entered the phase coaches quietly value most – the sorting, the testing, the subtle narrowing of ideas.

Saturday’s 2-2 draw with AS Far Rabat was not an ending, nor a verdict, but a useful pause.

Paul Put now perhaps has clearer evidence of what works, what fades, and what still needs tightening before facing Tunisia in their Group C opener in Rabat next Tuesday.

Against one of Morocco’s strongest club sides, the Cranes showed early personality.

You can’t switch off

Denis Omedi’s opener and Ivan Ahimbisibwe’s second-half equaliser spoke to a team willing to play, willing to compete, and comfortable enough to ask questions of a serious opponent.

Put liked the courage and the mentality. He did not like the second-half lull, though – the loss of control when the game drifted away from Uganda’s grip.

‘We played with courage and mentality but not happy with the second half ball situation,’ said the Belgian, finalist with Burkina Faso at the 2013 Afcon finals.

Serious business

That balance – encouragement without indulgence – is likely to define selection against fellow Afcon finalists Gabon on Wednesday.

This will not be about repeating line-ups, but about refinement. Several Europe-based players could be available, and Put is expected to shuffle with purpose rather than experiment for its own sake.

The friendly against Gabon, a side with greater international edge than Far, offers a sharper rehearsal.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang remains their reference point – a talisman whose movement and finishing punish hesitation.

Even when Gabon are uneven, Aubameyang gives them menace, a constant reminder that mistakes at Afcon level are rarely forgiven twice.

Much needed test

For Uganda, this is precisely the test required. Tunisia, Tanzania and Nigeria will not wait politely.

Gabon’s pace and experience demand defensive organisation, midfield discipline and concentration across 90 minutes – areas Put has repeatedly flagged as decisive.

Saturday’s match also allowed a glimpse of Uganda’s evolving midfield triangle, with Bobosi Byaruhanga and Travis Mutyaba in front of captain Khalid Aucho.

Omedi, leading the line, looked increasingly assured, his goal reward for movement rather than force.

U-17 World Cup youngster James Bogere’s rare start fitted into this broader assessment.

The teenager’s movement, confidence and willingness to combine hinted at promise rather than conclusions.

He created chances, missed a couple, and faded late on – a familiar arc for a young player tasting senior international tempo.

The bigger picture is that Uganda now have depth, not that one player must carry expectations.

Wednesday is therefore about calibration. Put will want rhythm without recklessness, sharpness without overexposure.

Those who missed the Far match due to club duty – Jordan Obita, Aziz Kayondo, Toby Sibbick, Elio Capradossi, Timothy Awany, Melvyn Lorenzen and Uche Ikpeazu – could be folded in. Allan Okello is also expected to return to the starting picture.

Beyond Gabon lies Tunisia on December 23, a fixture that rarely forgives lapses in structure or patience.

The Rabat draw showed Uganda can compete. The Gabon test will show whether they can control, adapt and endure.

Afcon 2025

Build-up matches

Saturday result

AS Far Rabat 2-2 Uganda

Wednesday, December 17

Uganda vs Gabon

Afcon Group C matches

Dec 23: Tunisia vs Uganda

Dec 27: Uganda vs Tanzania

Dec 30: Uganda vs Nigeria

Uganda Electricity Distribution Company Limited (UEDCL) has secured a five-year $50 million (about Shs180 billion) financing facility from Absa Bank Uganda to expand and modernise the country’s electricity distribution network, in a move aimed at improving power reliability and meeting rising demand.

The loan, signed on Monday at the UEDCL tower in Nakasero, will finance large-scale grid upgrades, construction of new electricity substations, smart grid initiatives, and network reinforcements. UEDCL said the investments will reduce technical losses and enable the utility to unlock suppressed electricity demand by the end of 2026.

In a press statement the company said the financing will also support the integration of renewable energy into the national grid while strengthening electricity reliability to support Uganda’s industrialisation agenda.

UEDCL Board Chairperson, Ms Lynda Ochieng-Obbo, described the deal as timely, noting that it is the company’s first major private-sector financing since assuming responsibility for electricity distribution nationwide.

‘This agreement is a sign of confidence in UEDCL and the government’s broader efforts to establish a standard framework for public agencies to access private capital,’ Ochieng-Obbo said.

The UEDCL Managing Director, Paul Mwesigwa, said the investment will enhance the reliability and efficiency of electricity supply, contributing to improved affordability for consumers.

‘This investment will enhance the reliability and efficiency of the electricity supply system, cementing our role in supporting Uganda’s economic growth,’ he said.

Mr Mwesigwa added that the Electricity Regulatory Authority (ERA) approved the loan and allowed it to be included in the tariff structure to help make the distribution segment financially sustainable. The facility attracts an interest rate of eight percent, lower than the prevailing market rate of 28 percent, inclusive of VAT.

Absa Bank Uganda Managing Director, David Wandera, said the financing aligns with the bank’s long-term commitment to supporting infrastructure development across Africa.

‘Reliable power distribution is fundamental to Uganda’s industrialisation, competitiveness, and inclusive growth. By partnering with UEDCL at this critical phase, we are supporting a more resilient and future-ready power distribution network aligned with Vision 2040 and the National Development Plan IV,’ Wandera said.

The financing comes amid growing public concern over intermittent power outages and unending blackouts reported in several parts of the country since UEDCL took over electricity distribution from Umeme.

The loan also comes against the backdrop of significant infrastructure gaps inherited by UEDCL on April 1, following the end of Umeme’s concession. According to the company’s five-year strategic plan, Mr Mwesigwa, while speaking with the Monitor by the start of the month, said UEDCL requires about $950 million to fully stabilise and expand the electricity distribution network.

In its first year of operation, the utility received approval to spend $74 million, funds he says have already been secured, and has ordered network equipment worth more than $134 million, enough to sustain operations for the next 18 months.

UEDCL was established in 2001 following the unbundling of the Uganda Electricity Board and is mandated to own and operate the country’s electricity distribution network spanning more than 33,000 kilometres. The company received its electricity distribution licence in December 2024 after the expiry of Umeme’s 20-year concession.

The recently released GSMA Digital Economy Report is very instructive on Uganda’s digital journey over the years. Uganda has made remarkable progress in expanding digital infrastructure. Today, our nation stands at 96 percent 4G population coverage, a milestone reflecting years of sustained investment, collaboration, and commitment.

The report also shows that Uganda’s mobile broadband coverage now outperforms both the East African at 78 percent and Africa at 81 percent of populations being covered by broadband. This is proof that strategic investment over time truly pays off. Yet, the report also reminds us that coverage alone does not equal connection. This report presents a new challenge to tackle. The Usage Gap. Uganda’s usage gap is 75 percent, East Africa at 79 percent and Africa at 72 percent.

Even with near-universal 4G availability, three out of four Ugandans living within mobile broadband coverage are still not using it. This ‘usage gap’ stems from challenges that go beyond network infrastructure.

Bridging the usage gap matters because the benefits extend far beyond the telecom industry. The GSMA modelling shows that the right digital reforms could unlock Shs14.6 trillion in additional economic value by 2030, delivering an estimated 1.79 million new jobs. Digital access opens doors to education, healthcare, financial services, markets, and government services as creators and contributors to the economy.

It is these and more services that Uganda needs to digitise, create value and accelerate usage. Terminal devices like Smartphones, laptops, and consoles remain expensive for many households and businesses. This is because of various reasons, including effects from the disrupted global supply chains. The industry is collectively engaging with various stakeholders to take affirmative action on taxes on entry level devices.

GSMA analysis finds that entry-level smartphones are priced at $38.91 (about Shs137,000) in Uganda. This price equates to 39 percent of monthly GDP per capita, and 96 percent of monthly GDP per capita for the poorest 40 percent of the population. Taxation contributes to 35 percent of smartphone cost. The GSMA report recommends adding four million unique mobile Internet (broadband) subscribers by 2030.

This would reduce the mobile Internet usage gap by seven percent and contribute to the NDPIV 2030 objective of 45 percent population using the Internet.

As more people enter the digital economy, we must take care of each other’s digital safety by addressing the digital skills gaps, building trust in digital services and tools. It is important to integrate digital skills literacy in our daily lives as families, teams and organisations.

Uganda’s digital journey has reached a critical inflection point. Yes, we have built an exceptional physical foundation. But without meaningful usage and robust protection against digital threats, much potential remains untapped. This is the true promise of a connected Uganda.

Members of two top elite clubs, Kampala Club and Fast and Furious Runners’ Club, are in shock after their member and her 13-year-old daughter were abducted by armed people dressed in civilians before they were driven off to unknown place. Efforts to trace Ms Sarah Nambogo and daughter’s whereabouts have not yet yielded fruit since Friday last week when they were abducted at Kampala Club in Kampala City.

‘We are deeply concerned by the reported abduction of Sarah Nambogo, our member, taken this morning from her workplace at Kampala Club. We call upon @PoliceUg (Uganda Police Force) to urgently investigate and secure her safe return. We are committed to support all lawful efforts to ensure her safety,’ reads a statement by Fast and Furious Runners’ Club. Ms Nambogo’s abduction was captured on video by her colleagues. She alongside her daughter were taken to a van and driven off to unknown place.

They join a long list of people who have been disappeared by armed people in Uganda. At first, most of the victims of abductions were members of the Opposition or those with security-related cases. Ugandan laws prohibit illegal arrests and detention of anyone, but most of these incidents have been going on unabated. Kampala Metropolitan Police spokesman Rachael Kawala said they hadn’t established her whereabouts since Saturday.

‘By yesterday (Saturday), we were still verifying about her whereabouts,’ Superintendent of Police Kawala said yesterday.

Of recent, security personnel, business people and foreigners have joined the long list of victims of disappearance and abductions. Fast and Furious Runners’ Club members said they would continue their efforts to trace the whereabouts of their member.

‘Our spirits remain undampened. We continue to hope and believe that Sarah Nambogo and her daughter Christella will be safely reunited with us,’ their statement reads. The National Unity Platform and several other groups have been complaining about abductions of their members with several of them missing since November 2020.

Mr Bob Njagi and Mr Nicholas Oyoo, both Kenyan nationals, who were illegally detained for 38 days in Uganda, said they were held alongside 150 others, including Mr Amos Rwangomani, a National Resistance Movement cadre, Mr Moses Kasiba, a former Flying Squad Unit operative, six Nigerians and a South African, at SFC facilities at Kasenyi, Wakiso District. President Museveni later confirmed that the Kenyans were being held in a ‘fridge’. He ordered their release after the intervention of the Kenyan government.

Mr Rwangomani was arrested at Mulago in Kampala City. His relatives contacted the Minister of Internal Affairs, Maj Gen (Rtd) Kahinda Otafiire to help them find their loved one. During the Sam Kalega Njuba Memorial Lecture in Kampala City, Gen Otafiire said Mr Rwangomani’s relatives went to court to order the government to produce him in court, but the Attorney General said they didn’t know where he was.