Category: Daily Monitor

Renowned Catholic priest Father John Baptist Bashobora has urged Ugandans to elect leaders with integrity and the capacity to transform communities, calling for ‘genuine, developmental leaders’ ahead of next year’s polls.

Addressing hundreds of Christians during the four-day Kabale Diocese Catholic Charismatic Conference at Our Lady of Good Shepherd Rushoroza Cathedral, the Spiritual Director for the Catholic Charismatic Renewal in Mbarara Archdiocese said political office carries both divine and civic responsibility.

‘We need leaders who influence development, leaders who understand planning, and leaders who work for the people,’ Fr Bashobora said on Saturday night, adding: ‘Do not vote for anyone simply because they give you money. Vote for genuine, developmental leaders who will take this country forward.’

He cited the Minister of State for Finance in charge of General Duties as an example of leadership that contributes to national planning and economic stability.

The annual gathering, which ran from Thursday to Sunday and concluded with Holy Mass, drew believers from across Uganda for prayers, testimonies, and messages centred on unity, faith, and responsible leadership.

Fr Bashobora also reminded current leaders to remain accountable to the people they represent.

‘Those elected must know that their positions are not for show,’ he said, noting that: ‘They are meant to serve the people and to build the country morally, socially, and economically.’

Minister Henry Musasizi, who attended the conference alongside MPs and district leaders, recounted his personal connection to Fr Bashobora, saying the priest prayed for him years ago when he struggled financially at university.

‘I met Fr Bashobora when I was enrolling for my first degree,’ the minister said.

‘I had financial challenges, and he prayed for me. Since then, my pockets have never run dry. God has been faithful,’ he remarked.

Musasizi also praised Uganda’s Museveni-led ruling party for creating what he described as an environment of stability and religious freedom.

‘I thank the NRM government for the peace we enjoy today. People can pray freely, gather freely, and worship without fear because there is security,’ he emphasized.

The conference was attended by several prominent leaders, including Ndorwa East MP Wilfred Niwagaba, Kabale District Woman MP Catherine Ndamira, Kabale Municipality MP Dr Nicholas Kamara and various district and community officials.

Uganda will hold its General Election on January 15, 2026.

Over 200 players that turned up for the 2025 Uganda Table Tennis Championships at Kabojja International School in Buziga this weekend are not only eyeing medals, trophies and prize money, but also points in the national rankings which will guide national team selections.

That’s one of the major reasons even the likes of Jemimah Nakawala, Parvin Nangonzi, Patra Nasirumbi, Judith Mirembe, Patience Anyango, Joseph Sebatindira, who have made records at recent international assignments, did not have the luxury to miss theUganda Open event.

“This is the first ever Uganda Open where players will earn points for national rankings. So it doesn’t matter whether you have played in France, or wherever, if you miss the Open, you miss the points,” said Uganda Table Tennis president Cyrus Muwanga on day one of the event.

“Without rankings, selecting a team for, say the recent Islamic Games, may require trials of around 200 players, which is quite hard. But with the rankings, we may call only the top ten for trials.”

What’s more, UTTA wants to make the Open the biggest event on the local calendar.

“We also made this tournament mandatory to all to help our exposed players to share their abilities and inspiration that even others can rise to the international standards, hence the overall growth of the sport,” Muwanga added.

About 16 clubs graced the tournament that was last played nearly 10 years ago.

Due to limited time, UTTA limited the categories to Under 13, Open, team events (men and women), veterans men and women) and doubles. But in subsequent editions, Muwanga promised more age-based categories.

Ahead of the finals today, the players are fighting for a share of the Shs8m prize money, courtesy of partners like Lakhani Motors and ISure Pay, while the lucky ones might as well win Airtel goodies in a raffle draw.

National Unity Platform (NUP) presidential candidate, Mr Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu on Saturday braved a tense and heavily militarised environment to hold his campaign rally in Gulu City, Northern Uganda.

Mr Kyagulanyi, who arrived from Gulu District after earlier rallies, was blocked along Gulu Airfield Road by joint security forces comprising the UPDF and the Police.

Undeterred, he jumped out of his vehicle and proceeded on foot, accompanied by a small team of party members and his security detail. A scuffle later broke out along the route, during which UPDF soldiers allegedly beat some of his security personnel, injuring several, including his close aide Dan Magic.

Mr Kyagulanyi made a slow procession through the streets of Gulu under tight escort, while residents watched from the roadside-some in fear, others cheering jubilantly.

Earlier in the day, security forces had deployed heavily across major streets in Gulu City, with several access roads barricaded using metallic spikes and guarded by armed personnel.

There were also incidents of unidentified groups attacking residents around some streets and at Kyagulanyi’s campaign venue, where they reportedly vandalised music equipment and stoned vehicles before police intervened.

Despite the tension, Kyagulanyi was eventually escorted to his campaign venue amid loud cheers from supporters. However, the crowd remained uneasy, frequently scattering in panic due to the overwhelming security presence.

In his address, the musician turned politician accused security forces of attempting to suppress his campaign by blocking access roads and intimidating his supporters.

‘The Uganda police say they are creating security and stability. In Gulu today, we have more than 1,000 police officers and more than 500 UPDF soldiers. But their assignment is not to give security to the people, it is to make sure Bobi Wine does not campaign in Gulu,’ he told the gathering.

He further alleged that despite the heavy deployment, groups he described as ‘goons’ freely harassed his supporters.

‘Those people wearing yellow T-shirts some of them are soldiers, others police officers, and others are thugs they picked from ghettos. These people were guarded by police, UPDF, and Uganda Prisons,’ he said.

Mr Kyagulanyi told supporters that the intimidation he faces only reinforces the urgency for political change.

‘You cannot stop an idea whose time has come. You cannot stop the people of Uganda. It has been 40 years. Museveni took over our country 40 years ago, and many do not know what happened,’ he said.

Calls for Unity

Kyagulanyi urged the people of Acholi to unite with Ugandans across regions, saying only collective effort can unseat President Museveni, who has been in power for four decades.

‘The next thing we have to do is unite-whether you are from Acholi, Ankole, or Busoga. We must come together because this is a family rule, one man and his family,’ he said.

Kyagulanyi concluded his rally shortly before 6 p.m., although police and army personnel continued to man major streets in the city well into the evening.

Saturday’s events in Gulu City came barely a day after a similar heavy deployment in Amuru District, where Kyagulanyi was blocked from proceeding to Elegu Town at the Uganda-South Sudan border.

On Friday, his convoy was intercepted at Atiak Town Council along the Nimule-Elegu Highway by heavily armed police and military personnel.

The road was sealed off using metallic spikes, water cannons, and armoured trucks, effectively halting his movement. The standoff paralyzed traffic for hours as security forces insisted he would not be allowed to campaign in Elegu.

Tuesday, December 2, marked the 42nd anniversary of the demise of the late Maj Gen David Oyite-Ojok in a helicopter crash. The anniversary would have passed as quietly as all previous ones have done, but for the emergence on social media of a video depicting the home of the late General in a sorry state. As the responses to the clips showed, many are inclined to call out the family for not taking care of the family home, but this is not like any other home. It is the home of an army chief of staff who died while in office and in the line of duty.

He was one to whom many Ugandans should be eternally indebted for his role in the war that led to the ouster of the Idi Amin regime. Ojok was one of the commanders of the Kikosi Maalum, one of the many fighting groups that fought alongside the Tanzania People’s Defence Forces (TPDF) in what we know as the 1979 liberation war, which ended with the ouster of Amin on April 11, 1979. The state of his home does not speak well about us as a country and as human beings.

It begs questions about what we are. Why do we, who live today, do these sorts of things to the legacies of great people who have gone before us? We need to have a rethink. Posterity and humanity demand that we spare a small fraction of our benevolence budgets to support the families of these gallant sons and daughters of Uganda. At a time when the country is still trying to heal from the effects of many civil wars that have been fought, operating as if we are intent on erasing the legacies of the great men and women is to leave open the door to a cycle of bitterness and violence.

Former Kigulu North Member of Parliament Edward Kafufu Balidawa has been calling for the development of local tourism circuits. He has been advocating opening the doors through which the potential of a vibrant domestic cultural and civic tourism can be unleashed. The homes and resting places of demised statesmen are strewn all over the country. The list would include Milton Obote, Paul Muwanga, Benedicto Kiwanuka, Paul Ssemogerere, Andrew Lutakome Kayiira, Gen Tito Okello, Eric Otema Alimadi and a whole range of others. It is time to turn these great people’s homes into museums. That would not only help us maintain their legacies, but also be rewarding in terms of boosting inflows from the tourism industry.

Youngster Alex Yiga scored a stunning long range strike in stoppage time to help KCCA edge Bul 2-1 and open up a three-point advantage at the top of the Startimes Uganda Premier League.

The result at the Fufa Technical Centre in Njeru lifted KCCA to 20 points, three ahead of a chasing park that includes Vipers, SC Villa and Police.

It was also achieved the hard way with KCCA having to come from behind to secure the three points after Bul midfielder George Kasonko gave his team a 37th minute lead.

It followed KCCA’s failure to deal with a corner with Kasonko allowed time and space to shoot from close range.

Bul should also have been further ahead by half time but striker Karim Ndugwa struck the post when allowed to run onto a through ball with KCCA goalkeeper Antony Emojong caught in no man’s land.

KCCA improved in the second half with Lazaro Bwambale causing problems for Nicholas Mwere through his pace, dribbling and crossing.

Another teasing delivery then led to a 57th minute equalizer when Ashraf Mugume’s header was parried by goalkeeper Tom Ikara into the path of Saamy Ssebaduka to bundle the ball into the net.

But just when the game seemed destined for a draw substitute Yiga stepped up with a dipping shot from close to 35 yards out to deliver victory.

The result will pile more pressure on Bul coach Abbey Kikomeko whose team has now lost three straight games after defeats to UPPC and Kitara to leave them languishing in 11th position with 10 points after nine games.

President Museveni has cautioned citizens against listening to politicians opposing the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) government, emphasising their role in maintaining Uganda’s peace.

Addressing leaders of the NRM grassroots structure from Lango Sub-region at Lango College on Sunday, December 7, 2025, the NRM presidential flagbearer, who has been in power since 1986 when he shot his way to State House through a guerrilla warfare, highlighted the importance of stability, urging citizens to prioritise the country’s progress.

Mr Museveni, 81, said his administration, working hand-in-hand with other auxiliary forces like Amuka militia, has been able to bring peace to Uganda, arguing that ‘we are not in leadership looking for anything but the future of Uganda and Africa.’

‘And all these people who are challenging the NRM, nobody has contributed anything to that peace. So, you, the people of Lango, you must be very serious. It’s not a joke. You cannot go and play around with Uganda. Uganda is not something to play around with,’ he said.

His remarks come amid ongoing political tension in Uganda ahead of the fast-approaching 2026 General Election wose presidential campaigns started peacefully but have gradually degenerated into violence with police and military accused of brutalizing some of Mr Museveni’s opponents.

Mr Museveni, who has ruled Uganda for close to 40 years and is still seeking re-election in the 2026 General Election, said through his sweat and that of other fighters, God has finally blessed Uganda with peace.

‘Therefore, anybody who does not want to contribute to that peace, that’s up to him. This is their own mistake. We are not people to be used. They think that we are just people to be played around with. We are loyal to the fraternity, but of course, we know how to fight also,’ he warned.

President Museveni said the NRM government has done a lot for Uganda, warning that even God will not be happy with those who cannot appreciate the NRM’s efforts.

‘People who are playing around should really be very careful. In 1985, when we arrived here (Lango), we found people being slaughtered by a boy called Ojuku. He was killing people here. In 1986, we had to clear that group of Ojuku, then deal with the Kony, Lakwena, the cattle rustlers and we don’t appreciate those efforts. We would not be happy with that type of lack of appreciation!’ he reiterated.

However, Mr Museveni’s critics accuse his government of runaway corruption, impunity and human rights abuse, with hundreds of opposition supporters in detention on different charges, which the opposition claim are trumped up.

The opposition also accuses Mr Museveni of perpetuating the crimes he accused past governments of as he championed a five-year rebellion, which he claimed would mark a fundamental change and not a ‘mere change of guards.’

The Speaker of Parliament, Ms Anita Among, appealed to the people of Lango to support President Museveni’s re-election bid, citing his significant contributions to Uganda’s development.

She highlighted key appointments, including the Minister of Gender, Labour and Social Development, Minister of Health, and Government Chief Whip, as evidence of Museveni’s affection for the Lango community.

Show of appreciation

The Bukedea Woman MP stressed that Mr Museveni’s leadership has yielded tangible benefits for Lango, urging citizens to reciprocate with their votes. She praised Museveni’s commitment to the region’s development.

The Government Chief Whip, Mr Denis Hamson Obua who doubles as NRM’s northern Uganda vice chairperson, made a passionate plea for the government to prioritise road infrastructure development in Lango.

He highlighted the dire state of roads in the sub-region, noting that less than 5% have been tarmacked.

Longstanding challenge

Mr Obua, who is the Member of Parliament for Ajuri County in Alebtong District, emphasized that the poor road network is hindering economic growth and access to essential services in Lango.

The Government Chief Whip further urged the government to invest in upgrading the roads to improve the lives of citizens.

Call to action

As a senior government official, Mr Obua’s appeal underscores the need for urgent attention to Lango’s infrastructure challenges, according to NRM cadres in Lira City.

Mr Phillip Ogile, the LC3 chairman of Abok Sub-county in Oyam District, believes that Mr Obua’s statement is expected to galvanise efforts to address the longstanding issue.

Mr Museveni faces seven other candidates seeking to eject him from State House in the 2026 General Election.

Mr Museveni’s main contender, Mr Robert Kyagulanyi who’s challenging him for the second time since 2021 has accused him (Museveni) of using state machinery, such as the military, police, Electoral Commission, courts of law and other state coercive insyitutions to frustrate his attempts to mobilise support ahead of the General Election which many political commentators fear will likely be violent like many others before it.

One of my favourite French comedians is called Paul Mirabel. A young man who, if you randomly meet, will not seem like as a comedian. He has a soft voice and a calm personality, almost taken for an introvert. However, once this young man opens his mouth, I cannot stop laughing at his subtle jokes that touches every happy note in me. Mirabel’s jokes do not use abusive words, swearing and profanities used by many standup comedians today, so its a breath of fresh air to find a comedian who can be funny and at the same time is clean in his language.

In an interview, Mirabel talked about how he started comedy. Something was triggered in him when he saw his mother who was divorcing his father, became miserable. He thought by telling her jokes he would make her laugh, and she responded to his humour. This encouraged him to continue making others happy too, with his humour.

I have always admired comedians, as I am someone who does not laugh at every joke. I find people who can make others laugh quite remarkable, it is not an easy affair to stand in front of hundreds of people from different backgrounds and make them all laugh at the same time and to the same jokes. It is not only difficult, but it is an absolute art!

I searched Google to find out who are the most famous comedians are, and in both searches, Dave Chappelle, an American stand-up comedian and actor, came on top of the list. I have watched his shows several times, but it was never my cup of tea. A few minutes within the show, I found myself moving to the next reel. However, this is a matter of taste and he seems to have many followers who adore him. One of my favourite English-speaking comedians is Trevor Noah. He has a strange type of comedy that touches real life. Nonetheless, he formulates it in a way that makes you tell the difference between sarcasm and jokes, and that’s what makes his shows entertaining.

One of my friends who lives in Dubai, and who knows of my fascination with Trevor Noah, surprised me with tickets to see his live performance in Dubai, this was in October 2023, and it was the first time that I purchased an airplane ticket to attend a show, and it was all worth it. The show was held at the Coca Cola Arena in Dubai, we had a VIP balcony compartment and were joined by a few friends, we felt like celebrities sitting in secluded spaces with VIP service. It also had a bird’s-eye view of the Arena where we watched hundreds of seats slowly filling up; it was a full house and tickets were sold out.

The curtain raiser act was also good, but with the appearance of Noah, the Arena went into a frenzy of applause, and it ended with an even bigger round of applause, people hoped he may return the stage, but once off stage, it was over.

Lately, October weather in Dubai, is a mixture of Turkish bath and Sauna, thousands of people leaving the Arena at the same time, cars creating jams and long taxi queues. That night I almost fainted from high humidity, it was a heavy price to pay for a good laugh!

Over the past decade, Uganda’s insurance industry has undergone a quiet but profound transformation. What was once a small, misunderstood sector is now a growing pillar of financial stability for households, businesses and the wider economy.

Between 2014 and 2024, gross written premiums more than doubled, reaching about Shs1.8 trillion in 2024, up from Shs1.6 trillion in 2023. Life insurance has been especially dynamic, expanding faster than non-life. Yet behind these numbers is a deeper story: a decade of deliberate investment in operational resilience.

For years, success was measured mainly by premium growth. That lens is no longer enough. As products become more sophisticated and risks more complex, insurers must answer tougher questions: Can we pay claims quickly and fairly in the face of shocks? Can our systems withstand cyber-risks, fraud and operational disruptions? Are we building trust in a market where penetration still hovers around 2-3 percent of GDP?

Covid-19 pandemic, currency volatility, climate-related losses and medical inflation have all tested the sector. Medical insurance has recorded high loss ratios, showing how thin margins can be. These pressures have pushed a shift from chasing volume to building resilient, efficient operations that can sustain growth.

Regulation and risk management have tightened, pushing insurers to strengthen governance and adopt data-driven decision-making.

The product mix has evolved, with life and health gaining ground and providing households with better tools to withstand shocks. Bancassurance, agency networks and digital channels have broadened access, but also demand stronger systems, cybersecurity and integration with banks and mobile money platforms.

Inside companies, automation and analytics are gradually replacing paper-heavy processes. Policy approvals that once took weeks are moving towards hours; claims are becoming more transparent, traceable and timely. At the same time, investment in people, actuaries, risk managers, data experts, and frontline staff is reinforcing a culture of ethics and customer focus.

The next decade will bring new tests: climate risk, medical inflation, and cyber threats in an increasingly digital landscape.

To navigate this, the sector must double down on operational resilience: sustained investment in technology and cyber-security; responsible use of data to price risk and detect fraud; stronger collaboration among insurers, regulators and partners; and relentless focus on the customer.

If Uganda maintains this trajectory, future growth figures will reflect more than commercial success. They will signal an insurance sector capable of protecting people, supporting businesses and underpinning long-term development, a sector whose operational resilience turns risk into a platform for shared progress.

Makerere University deputy Vice Chancellor in charge of Academic Affairs, Prof Sarah Ssali, has emphasized the importance of disseminating research findings to the public to achieve a wider impact.

Speaking at the launch of the College of Business and Management Sciences (Cobams) Working Paper Series 2025, Prof Ssali urged researchers to engage with the community and share their findings to inform policy formulations.

“Organise community barrazas, town hall meetings and invite members of the public and various stakeholders and disseminate the findings, let the people be engaged and then go on to write policy briefs that will inform policy formulations,” she said.

Prof Ssali stressed that many valuable research studies are conducted, but they often remain confined to academic journals, limiting their potential impact.

She applauded CoBAMS for fostering academia-government-industry linkages, which facilitate joint research, informed decision-making, and policy formulation.

“I am pleased to note that the academia from the College of Business and Management Sciences, involved the respective Government Ministry, and Industry partners. The academia-Government-Industry linkage will lead to joint research, joint publications, informed decision making and policy formulation, and enhance pathways for more research collaboration and networking,” she said.

Prof Ssali highlighted Makerere University’s commitment to becoming a research-intensive and innovation-driven institution, aligning with national and global development priorities. She commended CoBAMS for establishing and funding research grants for faculty members, yielding remarkable results.

The launched Working Paper Series 2025 contains over 60 papers produced by CoBAMS researchers in FY2024/2025, addressing pressing issues such as Uganda’s refugee policy, substance use among young women, and corruption’s impact on tax fairness. Several papers have already been published in peer-reviewed journals, demonstrating the college’s research excellence.

College Principal, Prof Edward Bbaale, explained that researchers engage with the community before and after conducting studies to ensure relevance and impact.

“Before conducting these research we first engage the public to understand their problems and help us ascertain if indeed the problem statement speaks to the challenges we are intending to solve. After the findings are out, we again engage the communities and government during dissemination,” he said.

Prof Ssali noted that each paper aligns with a Sustainable Development Goal (SDG), with Uganda facing implementation challenges due to financing, coordination, and data gaps.

“The alignment of research and working paper series undertaken by CoBAMS to the SDGs is timely and commendable,” she said, emphasising the importance of research in informing policy and driving development.

Vipers moved top of the league standings despite a 1-1 draw away to Nec on Friday.

Captain Milton Karisa came off the bench to equalise in the second half to cancel out Mustapha Kizza first half.

Kizza beat Alfred Mudekereza from the spot in the 22nd minute after Livingstone Mulondo fouled Innocent Media in the 18-yard area.

Karisa who replaced Taddeo Lwanga three minutes to halftime equalised a with a good finish off a lay off inside the area in the 50th minute.

The Venoms are now on 17 points, same as KCCA, Villa and Police who have played eight games with the champions having a game in hand over the Jogoos and Kasasiro and two over Police.

A point moves NEC to eighth position with 11 points having won just two matches this season.

At Bombo, hosts UPDF returned to winning ways following a 2-0 win over Lugazi.

Emmanuel Ochen and Joseph Janjali scored for the army side in the 15th and 48th minutes respectively.

Paul Kiwanuka’s charges are now on nine points from as many matches 12th position while Lugazi drops to 13th, same points but inferior head-to-head.

Action continues on Saturday with Maroons hosting record winners SC Villa at Luzira before BUL take on KCCA at Njeru on Sunday.