Category: Daily Monitor

President Yoweri Museveni has announced that Uganda has recorded no new cases of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) over the past five days, describing the milestone as a clear sign that the outbreak is now under control.

In his televised address to the nation on the EVD outbreak, on Wednesday night, the President also said a few infections registered in the country were largely due to carelessness. He said Ebola is easier to prevent and manage than COVID-19, which killed over 3000 Ugandans following the 2020 outbreak.

‘The story is clear. Some sick people from Congo came. They were not handled properly, carefully here. That’s all,’ Mr Museveni said. ‘In spite of all that, for five days now, no new cases. It looks as if the fire of Ebola has started going down.’

According to statistics from the Ministry of Health, a cumulative total of 19 confirmed cases have been recorded in the country (Uganda) with two deaths. Of the total cases, 14 are imported cases, and five are Ugandan nationals.

Dr Diana Atwine, the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry, said in the same televised address that up to five patients have recovered after treatment -four Congolese nationals and one Ugandan. But 12 people are still undergoing treatment. The patients are being provided supportive treatment to manage symptoms and complications since there are no approved drugs for the Ebola Bundibugyo Virus Disease.

Dr Charles Olaro, the Director General of Health Services at the Ministry, said of the infected Ugandans, health workers are the most hit -four health workers in one Kampala capital city facility. The other infected Ugandan was a driver.

According to Dr Olaro, the unsuspecting health workers in Kampala Hospital had tried to resuscitate the patient, who they didn’t know had Ebola by then, and in the process had a high-risk exposure to the virus.

Around 100 health workers have, since May 15, been put under quarantine for getting exposed to the virus after treating Ebola patients in their different health facilities in Kampala, according to the Uganda Medical Association.

During the address, the President said the health workers were careless and that they touched the patients without gloves.

‘Ebola is an aggressive disease, but in my view, it is not as difficult to fight as either HIV/AIDS or COVID-19. Even AIDS was easy to fight, in my opinion, but COVID-19 was very dangerous because it was spreading through breathing,” the President said. ‘This meant that if I sat with you in a taxi, even if I didn’t touch you, through the air, you could infect me.’

Prevention

Mr Museveni justified why he thinks Ebola is easier to prevent. ‘Now, the good thing with Ebola is that it spreads through contact. If it is spreading through contact, intimate contact, then it’s spreading because of carelessness,’ he said.

The President appealed to Ugandans and people in the region to desist from practices that enable the spread of the disease, such as washing of dead bodies, especially those who died of Ebola-like symptoms.

‘So, therefore, please, we have a lot of work to do. Let’s be very serious. We don’t have to keep playing around. Listen carefully and act. This is easy to stop. We stopped it in the past. We cannot stop it now,’ he added.

The President also warned pastors, one of the most affected categories, against touching sick people, saying God can hear them even when they don’t touch the sick while praying for them.

‘Some of the people who are dying most in some of the areas I don’t want to talk about are pastors and health workers, because of touching,’ he said.

Mr Museveni asked Ugandans to urgently seek medical care or alert health workers if they see Ebola-like symptoms, to prevent the spread of the disease.

‘Handling dead bodies is another big problem. Those customs like washing dead bodies were there, but now that there is danger, if somebody is sick, call the doctors because the doctors can tell you what sort of sickness it is. Don’t just hide and just do it yourself,” he said.

“You now know how Ebola spreads: saliva, blood, sweat, vomit, sperms – Ebola can stay in the man for nine months. This shaking of hands, please…. shaking of hands for what? There is a problem, just wave at people,” he added.

Dr Chris Baryomunsi, the Minister of Health, said Uganda has mounted a strong response against EVD with restrictions on gathering and weekly markets in border districts, among other measures. He also reiterated the ongoing plans by Uganda to work with partners like the World Health Organisation and the DR Congo government to establish Ebola treatment centres in DR Congo. This move, according to the government of Uganda, will reduce importation of cases from DR Congo and speed up the containment of the outbreak in the region.

Ebola Factsheet June 9

Ebola statistics for Uganda (Source: MOH. Summary by Tonny Abet))

New cases

Cumulative cases

Active cases

Deaths

Recoveries

Contacts of patients

Ebola Incubation Period

00

19

(14 imported, 5 Ugandans)

12

02 (imported)

05

783

21 days

What Uganda has done to curb Ebola

Closed border with DR Congo

Put restrictions on public gatherings within Uganda

Enhanced awareness and community engagement on Ebola prevention

Established isolation/quarantine centres

Enhanced contact tracing and isolation of contacts

How Ebola spreads

Blood of infected person

Urine

saliva

faeces

Sweat

Vomit

Unsterilised equipment used by an infected person

Soiled clothing of an infected person

Handling wildlife whether alive or dead (especially bats and monkeys)

Prevention

· Avoid physical contact with anyone showing the Ebola symptoms

· Practice hand washing and maintain good hand hygiene at all times

· Avoid contact with body fluids that include urine, blood, sweat, saliva, vomitus, and stool

· seek appropriate health care services immediately when you experience Ebola-like symptoms

· Handling and burial of dead bodies of suspected Ebola patients should be supervised by the health team

· All public places should institute hand-washing facilities at their premises.

Symptoms of Ebola

High fever

Fatigue

Chest pain

Diarrhea

Abdominal pain

Joint and body pain

Vomiting

Rash

Unexplained bleeding

On a Wednesday evening in August 2017, I opened X (formerly Twitter) to scroll through as I always do.

A breaking news story popped up: a man had been killed by a mob after allegedly attempting to set Café Javas on Parliament Avenue on fire. It was a deeply disturbing evening, trying to make sense of the events. As the evening went by, it emerged that the deceased was one Revence Kato Kalibwani, described as one of the finest minds in Uganda’s tech space.

Bizarre as it sounds, the country had lost a citizen to the mob under very unclear circumstances.

The debate at the time focused on his actions, ignoring the elephant in the room: jungle justice, commonly referred to as mob justice.

Now, nearly a decade later, one of Uganda’s professional sportsmen, Sydney Gongodyo, was attacked in broad daylight and beaten allegedly by mostly boda boda riders.

According to news reports, he was accused of trying to steal a handbag from a woman. However, his family has vehemently denied this allegation, pointing to nearby CCTV cameras that captured exactly what happened in his final moments.

The late Gongodyo has been described by many, especially those in the rugby fraternity, as talented, astute and promising.

His death has once again sparked an outcry about the persistent occurrence of jungle justice in Uganda.

Over decades, Ugandans have become comfortable with taking the law into their own hands, often citing a dysfunctional judicial system as justification.

The disgruntlement stems from suspects acquiring police bond, with many arguing that the temporary release of a suspect causes further anguish to victims and poses a risk to the public.

However, Ugandans ought to remember that police bond and judicial bail are constitutional rights to which every citizen is entitled, regardless of the accusation before them.

Mob action continues unabated simply because the State has failed to place stringent social sanctions on this criminality.

The cycle is always the same: a person gets accused of a crime, boda boda riders gang up and beat them to the point of near death, or sometimes death itself.

Police, with little regard for emergency response, shows up and simply loads the body, sometimes still alive, onto the back of a pickup and drives off to the national mortuary.

Often, no arrests are made, and where they are, no meaningful sanctions are given to culprits.

Gut wrenching testimonies shared across social media decry the total disregard for the law and the impunity exercised by some members of society.

This lawlessness will not only cost more lives but will plunge the country into anarchy faster than we may think. Stamp out mob action or risk anarchy!

A storm is brewing within the corridors of power across Africa following revelations that the United States government is tightening its grip on lifesaving health assistance, conditioning vital aid on broad access to domestic surveillance data and extractive rights to pathogen samples.

An assessment by Human Rights Watch (HRW) released on June 8, 2026, reveals that seven bilateral health agreements signed in late 2025 with Uganda, Ethiopia, Kenya, Mozambique, Nigeria, Rwanda, and Liberia come with troubling, unprecedented conditions that jeopardize national sovereignty and human rights.

According to the report, these deals grant the US sweeping surveillance powers over local health systems, unannounced inspections of medical facilities, and direct access to biological samples and data. Officially, Washington claims these measures ensure compliance with the Helms Amendment-a controversial US law that bans foreign assistance funds from being used for abortion services.

However, rights groups and global health experts argue that the clauses mask a deeper agenda of strategic extraction for Western pharmaceutical development.

“These agreements are a ticking time bomb,” said Ms Julia Bleckner, senior health researcher at HRW. “The US is trading health security for data and samples, leaving vulnerable populations to pay the price.”

Secret pacts and sovereignty fears

The agreements were negotiated under strict secrecy, with details only surfacing recently through whistleblowers, leaks, and Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests in the US. Washington has reportedly refused to disclose the full scope of the deals, sparking outrage among African civil society organizations (CSOs) and policymakers.

The inclusion of Uganda in these pacts raises the stakes for a country heavily reliant on donor funding to run its public health sector, particularly in HIV/AIDS, malaria, and tuberculosis management.

“Development aid should empower nations, not create dependencies or serve as a vehicle for strategic extraction,” Zimbabwe’s Information Secretary, Mr Nick Mangwana, told HRW, echoing a sentiment reverberating across the continent.

Historically, US foreign aid agreements have required compliance with domestic US laws, including the Helms Amendment. However, HRW notes that the late 2025 agreements take enforcement to an aggressive level. Compliance is now policed through extensive surveillance without proper privacy safeguards. More critically, the contracts state that a country’s failure to provide this data could result in the total withdrawal of funding.

For nations like Uganda, Nigeria, and Ethiopia, this creates a precarious situation where access to lifesaving medications for millions of citizens could be cut off with as little as 180 days’ notice.

Pathogen mining and pharmaceutical profits

Beyond the Helms Amendment enforcement, the agreements with Uganda, Rwanda, Ethiopia, Nigeria, and Mozambique explicitly reference “specimen sharing arrangements.” This clause legally binds recipient countries to provide the US with biological samples and data of detected pathogens with epidemic potential as a strict condition for continued health funding.

The exact terms of these pathogen-sharing arrangements have been shielded from the public. However, a draft template of the terms published by Emily Bass, an acclaimed journalist, HIV/AIDS expert, and activist, indicates that there is no guarantee African countries will receive equitable or affordable access to diagnostics, vaccines, or treatments developed from their own biological resources.

Furthermore, HRW warns that the terms of this pathogen-access system threaten to undermine ongoing, delicate negotiations at the World Health Organization (WHO). The WHO has been working to establish a global Pathogen Access and Benefit-Sharing System that commits member states to a fairer distribution of healthcare goods derived from shared pathogens. Analysts say the US is using its financial leverage to bypass these multilateral frameworks in favor of bilateral extraction.

Privacy safeguards ignored

The agreements have also raised red flags regarding patient privacy. The documents allow the use of citizens’ private health data without clear limits, uniform safeguards, or meaningful protections for patient confidentiality. This is particularly dangerous for several signatory African nations that still have weak or non-existent domestic data protection laws.

Alarmingly, the agreements contain no prohibition on this sensitive medical data being shared with US multinational pharmaceutical companies without patient consent. The data grab has already met resistance elsewhere; in April, Ghana abruptly withdrew from negotiations, citing deep concerns over Washington’s overreaching demands for data access.

‘Governments negotiating health assistance agreements with the United States face difficult choices,’ Ms Bleckner observed. ‘They should be wary of terms asking them to sign away their populations’ rights and push for the inclusion of civil society representatives and multilateral global health organizations like the Global Fund in deliberations.’

A shifting aid landscape

The tightening of strings on US aid comes at a time when the global funding architecture is undergoing volatile shifts. Local experts note that unexpected disruptions in aid are already crippling third-sector operations in East Africa.

Speaking on the changing dynamics of international aid, Ms Frida Nakkazi, a communication expert and development professional, previously told this publication that recent work stop orders from donors highlight an unpredictable global landscape. This has left advocacy workers and NGOs grappling with deep uncertainty on how to sustain programs.

‘The truth is, sustainable advocacy relies on funding,’ Ms Nakkazi noted. ‘The landscape of advocacy is evolving, and with the current, unexpected disruptions in aid, there is going to be a lasting impact on the work of development communicators, particularly those who are into advocacy.’

Adding a geopolitical dimension to the crisis, Mr Joel Okao Tema, a seasoned journalist and political analyst, suggested that U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration may have inadvertently played into the hands of African regimes eager to stifle internal dissent. He argued that the broad funding cuts and aggressive terms could help some African governments tame civil society organizations (CSOs) they previously viewed as rogue or overly critical.

With the stroke of a pen, Donald Trump’s termination or conditioning of foreign aid may have hit governments hard, but to CSOs, this is a devastating killer blow, Mr Okao explained.

However, he pointed out that the domestic civic space was already fractured. ‘Long before Donald Trump cut off foreign aid, CSOs in Uganda were already in crisis. Years of negative regulation, intimidation of CSO workers followed by extra-judicial action such as illegal raids on NGO offices, and covert actions… had conspired to undermine and weaken the sector,’ Mr Okao said. ‘Many CSOs that once fought to expand the democratic space have gone silent.’

As Africa grapples with the dual threats of health vulnerabilities and shrinking civic spaces, critics argue the US is prioritizing national and commercial interests over the well-being of millions. Global health advocates warn that if these agreements are enforced as written, the consequences will be dire: delayed treatments, denied care, and a catastrophic erosion of trust in global health systems.

Congratulations, Kiryowa Kiwanuka SC, on your appointment as Minister of Defence and Veterans Affairs.

As Attorney General, yours has been a consequential innings. Much good has been done and much credit is owed to you.

We ask that as you hand over to your successor, you include the following unfinished business.

The Kabaziguruka decision must be urgently and fully implemented. On January 31, 2025, the Supreme Court directed the transfer to the civil courts of all civilians facing trial in the court martial, and necessarily, the release of all persons convicted by the court martial who were challenging their convictions.

More than one year later, no account of compliance has been given and dozens still languish, trapped in legal limbo.

Enforced disappearances: one ministry must own this. At a recent Uganda Law Society (ULS) function, you and former Minister of Internal Affairs Kahinda Otafiire traded blame for failure to account to the families of victims of enforced disappearances.

That public disagreement, in front of the legal fraternity, was itself an indictment. Ugandan families are waiting. The family of Sam Mugumya is waiting. ‘Not my docket’ is not an answer.

We add to this Uganda’s dismal record on torture and safe houses, on which you had a tough time before the UN Committee Against Torture (CAT) in Geneva in November 2022.

Uganda’s third periodic report to CAT is due this year. We await an official account of what happened to Eddie Mutwe.

Unresolved constitutional and electoral reform. The recommendations of the Supreme Court since as early as 2001, regarding transparent tallying processes, militarisation of elections and effective sanctions for electoral offences, all remain unresolved.

The ULS leadership crisis must be resolved, not managed. There is a governance crisis affecting lawyers and, importantly, the appointment of judicial officers.

The AG’s office, as the ministry responsible for the legal profession, cannot be a passive observer of this dysfunction.

Settlement of court judgments against government must be expedited. While the Auditor General acknowledges a substantial reduction in unsatisfied judgments, the balance of Shs400 billion is still unacceptable. The Protection of Sovereignty Act: A constitutional test is urgently required.

We commend your massive and rapid work responding to objections to this law. However the Act still carries provisions whose compatibility with Articles 29, 38, and 40 of the Constitution is doubtful.

There is an urgent and critical need for a full consultative review both for guidance to the market and also to avert unnecessary litigation in the Constitutional Court. The regulations to implement the Act should be passed urgently.

The operation of Patriotic League Uganda (PLU) under the leadership of Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba violates the Political Parties and Organisations Act (Cap. 178) (PPOA) To the extent that PLU acts as a political organisation under the PPOA, its leadership by Gen Muhoozi is a breach of the PPOA.

This Act expressly prohibits a member of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) from being a founder, promoter, or member of a political organisation; holding office in a political organisation; or engaging in canvassing in support of a candidate standing for public election sponsored by a political party or organisation.

The recent speakership race and the roll of the PLU says it all. Allocation of Nakivubo Channel to Ham Enterprises is a violation of the Constitution and should be reversed.

Article 237(2)(b) of the Constitution places in public trust all lands preserved for ecological purposes.

The allocation of the channel is a breach of the Constitution, and the building over it is an environmental disaster, as has already been seen in recent flood incidents in downtown Kampala.

It is unacceptable for the Government to use taxpayers’ monies to make good damage done by a private individual.

It is also the highest order of hypocrisy for government to demolish shacks and shanties in Lubigi swamp while ignoring the construction over Nakivubo Channel. Nobody is above the law.

The Advocates (Senior Counsel) Regulations need to be revamped: As mentioned at the burial of Peter Mulira, the revamping of the Advocates (Senior Counsel) Regulations to ensure a process that is fair, transparent and profession-led is overdue.

Mulira practised law with distinction for over five decades and died without being conferred the title. This is a symptom of a broken process.

All the best in your new posting, keeping foremost as always, that you hold public office in trust for the people and that as an advocate, it is fidelity to the law that comes first.

Edward Kato Sekabanja, Paul Mukiibi, Ronald Samuel Wanda, Kato Tumusiime, Henry Onoria, Mafabi Shaidu, Lillian A. Drabo, Peter Arinaitwe, Amanya Timothy, Sarah Bireete, Eron Kiiza, Anthony Odur, Yvonne Mpambara and Phillip Karugaba

A Ugandan construction company has petitioned government and Parliament to intervene in a dispute over a road contract in DR Congo, claiming it is owed more than Shs10.5 billion and that over 100 Ugandan workers faced arrests and deportation.

Tiger Contractors and Architects says it signed a two-year partnership in December 2024 with a Congolese contractor to modernise 20 kilometres of urban roads in Isiro City, Haut-Uele Province.

In a petition dated June 5 addressed to Parliament and government officials, the firm alleges it mobilised personnel, equipment and resources but was never paid the agreed initial $2.88 million, about Shs10.5 billion, for the first phase.

Managing director Mr Austine Moses Ssengendo said the company deployed more than 100 Ugandan workers after being assured of payment and logistical support.

According to the petition, payment was due after mobilising staff and equipment for the first four kilometres.

‘We fulfilled our part by mobilising equipment and over 100 personnel from our country across all sectors of activity,’ the company states.

However, Tiger Contractors claims the Congolese partner failed to provide agreed support, including transport, accommodation, food, medical care and payment for completed work.

As a result, Ssengendo said the firm incurred debts after renting offices, accommodation and buying materials on credit to keep the project running.

He further alleges the Congolese partner repeatedly claimed Kinshasa had not released funds, only for the Ugandan contractor to later learn payments had allegedly been made.

The petition says relations deteriorated and employees faced frequent arrests and interrogations.

‘From that point, hostile actions were clearly directed against our staff and our company,’ the petition reads.

The company alleges some workers were arrested almost daily by police, intelligence personnel and immigration officials, while others were eventually deported.

Ssengendo also claims that despite a contract specifying seven-metre road width, field conditions forced the company to widen sections to nine metres at extra cost. Work was later suspended without clear guidance on how operations would continue.

Tiger Contractors has asked government to help recover the funds and protect its interests, saying the dispute has left it facing losses and pressure from suppliers who provided materials on credit.

Officials from the Ugandan government had not commented by press time. Efforts to reach the Congolese contractor mentioned in the petition were unsuccessful.

Background

The dispute stems from the Isiro City road project in Haut-Uele Province. Tiger Contractors says it signed the agreement on December 30, 2024 after negotiations facilitated by Congolese officials. The company is now seeking diplomatic and legal intervention from Ugandan authorities to recover what it describes as unpaid dues and losses incurred.

A suspected Ebola patient admitted to Lira Regional Referral Hospital has tested negative for the virus, bringing temporary relief to the Lango Sub-region amid heightened national surveillance. However, despite medical interventions, the patient ultimately succumbed to liver failure.

The 42-year-old boda boda rider and resident of Lira City was rushed to the facility on June 6, 2026, presenting with severe symptoms mirroring Ebola Virus Disease (EVD). According to medical reports, the patient exhibited a high fever, headache, muscle pain, general body malaise, coughing, and vomiting blood.

In a statement issued on Monday, June 8, the Hospital Director, Dr. Andrew Odur, confirmed that strict Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) were immediately activated upon the patient’s arrival.

‘In line with national Ebola response protocols, the patient was safely evacuated and admitted to the hospital’s isolation unit, where comprehensive investigations were conducted under strict infection prevention and control measures,’ Dr. Odur said.

While laboratory results returned on June 7 confirmed the patient was free of Ebola, his condition deteriorated. Further clinical assessments later established that liver failure was the primary cause of his illness and the dramatic symptoms he exhibited. The hospital administration has since extended its heartfelt condolences to the deceased’s family.

The scare comes at a time when Uganda is on high alert. As of June 8, 2026, the country had registered 19 confirmed Ebola cases, including 14 imported from the neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and five Ugandan nationals. The World Health Organization (WHO) has been actively supporting the country’s response, with Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus previously praising Uganda’s prompt containment actions.

Dr Odur emphasized that since the outbreak was declared, Lira Regional Referral Hospital has drastically strengthened its response mechanisms to isolate and investigate threats rapidly. He urged both health workers and the public to remain highly vigilant, memorize Ebola symptoms, and adhere to public health guidelines.

‘Lira Regional Referral Hospital remains committed to safeguarding public health through early detection, rapid response, and adherence to national disease surveillance,’ Dr. Odur maintained, urging the public to promptly report any unusual symptoms to the District Surveillance Team.

Members of the 12th Parliament are facing severe seating shortages and congestion in the legislative chambers, forcing many legislators to sit on the floor, stand in doorways, or squeeze into the public gallery.

The space crisis is worsened by the massive size of the current Parliament-bloated to over 529 members-compared to the original chamber, which was built during the colonial era to accommodate only about 80 people.

Because seating operates on a first-come, first-served basis, overflowing members of the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) party have frequently spilled over to occupy empty seats on the opposition side.

During plenary sessions on June 10, 2026, Speaker Jacob Marksons Oboth announced that to accommodate the overwhelming numbers, there will be “free sitting” on either side of the House, except for the front benches reserved for ministers and shadow ministers.

The congestion has reignited intense scrutiny over the stalled Shs220.2 billion new parliamentary chambers project contracted to Roko Construction Company. The project officially commenced in July 2017 but remains incomplete despite massive budget allocations.

The directive follows formal complaints from lawmakers, most notably Leader of the Opposition, Joel Ssenyonyi, who has continuously criticized the prolonged delays and questioned why the project has become a “bottomless pit.”

Mr Ssenyonyi previously questioned why the government continues to spend billions of taxpayers’ money renting office space in private buildings while a contractor was already paid to build the new chambers. He had even suggested that Parliament halt approving funds for the project due to a lack of accountability and slow progress by Roko.

Following these complaints during the May 28 plenary, Speaker Oboth-Oboth gave the Clerk to Parliament a two-week timeframe to present a comprehensive status report on the stalled project.

Leaders in Kyotera District have tasked government officials implementing the Parish Development Model (PDM) to abandon English and use local languages, particularly Luganda, during community sensitisation meetings. They argue that the continued use of English is severely limiting public understanding and stalling the progress of the flagship poverty alleviation initiative.

The concerns were raised during a heated district stakeholders’ meeting on Tuesday, June 9, 2026. Local leaders accused some technical officers of failing to effectively communicate crucial operational guidelines to the intended beneficiaries.

Mr Moses Kyewalyanga, the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) chairperson for Nabigasa Sub-county, noted that many residents are unable to fully comprehend the procedures and requirements of the programme due to language barriers.

“Most of the people we serve are ordinary villagers whose level of formal education is limited. When officers stand before them and explain government programmes in English, many leave the meetings without understanding anything,” Mr Kyewalyanga said.

He warned that communication gaps could derail the initiative. “PDM was designed to uplift households from subsistence to commercial production. If beneficiaries cannot understand how the programme operates, we risk excluding the very people it was intended to help. Officers should use Luganda or other local languages to make the information accessible.”

Launched by President Yoweri Museveni in February 2022, the PDM is the government’s premier strategy aimed at moving the 39 percent of Uganda’s population living from hand-to-mouth into the money economy. Under the initiative, each of the 10,694 parishes across Uganda receives Shs100 million annually, which is lent to selected beneficiaries to invest in lucrative agricultural value chains and income-generating enterprises.

Despite the nationwide rollout, local leaders argued that many Kyotera residents still lack basic knowledge about its implementation.

However, the Kyotera District Commercial Officer, Mr Mathias Kisekulo, dismissed allegations that technical staff were failing to communicate effectively with communities.

“Our officers understand the communities they serve and are trained to engage beneficiaries appropriately. We continuously assess the situation on the ground and ensure that information reaches the intended people,” Mr Kisekulo countered.

Mr Kisekulo revealed that Kyotera District has so far received Shs23.57 billion under the PDM programme since 2022, with the funds distributed across all the district’s 66 parishes.

The language debate drew mixed reactions, prompting a wider discussion on political accountability. The district NRM vice chairperson, Mr Enos Mugisha, challenged the local politicians to stop shifting blame and take greater responsibility for monitoring activities within their jurisdictions.

“It is surprising that some leaders claim they do not know what is happening in their own areas,” Mr Mugisha said. “You are elected to represent these communities. Demand accountability reports from your sub-county chiefs and parish officials. You should be the first source of information for your people, not the last.”

Mr Mugisha also urged leaders to actively utilise Parish Development Committees to gather information on wider service delivery issues, including education, healthcare, and access to clean water.

On his part, the acting Kyotera Chief Administrative Officer, Mr Mohammad Nfitumukiza, warned civil servants against negligence, promising disciplinary action against those who fail to perform their duties.

“We shall not tolerate complacency among public servants. Any officer who neglects their responsibilities will face disciplinary measures, including dismissal where necessary,” Mr Nfitumukiza warned.

The Kyotera Resident District Commissioner, Mr Apollo Mugume, urged all implementers to uphold transparency and strict accountability to ensure the project yields visible results.

“This is a presidential initiative and the government expects results. Every officer handling PDM funds must remain vigilant and ensure the programme achieves its intended purpose of transforming livelihoods,” Mr Mugume said, adding that rigorous monitoring would continue to prevent irregularities.

Right from its inception in 2022, a section of Ugandans, especially Opposition politicians, have expressed skepticism about whether PDM will succeed where previous wealth-creation programmes faltered. In Kyotera, leaders maintain that bridging the communication gap is the first step toward proving the skeptics wrong.

The killing of Rugby Cranes player Sydney Gongodyo by a mob in Kira in Kampala on Friday has renewed concerns about public safety and the growing incidence of mob justice amid reports of murder, robbery and theft in different parts of the country.

Gongodyo, 27, was allegedly attacked by an angry crowd after being accused of snatching a woman’s handbag.

His death has drawn attention to the security challenges facing communities and the increasing tendency by some members of the public to take the law into their own hands.

The incident comes at a time when security agencies across the country are grappling with cases of murder, violent crime and mob action, even as authorities maintain that the overall security situation remains stable.

In the Kigezi sub-region, police have attributed the rampant murder cases to domestic violence and land-related disputes among community members.

The Kigezi Regional Police Community Liaison Officer, Mr Gilbert Kags Mwebembezi, said most of the murder cases registered in recent months stem from family conflicts and disagreements over land ownership.

According to records at the Kigezi Regional Police headquarters, eight murder cases were recorded in April this year, rising to 10 in May. So far, two murder cases have been registered in June.

Police data indicates that the majority of the killings were classified as murder by assault, while others involved stabbing, strangulation and mob action.

Mr Mwebembezi said police have intensified community policing efforts to curb the trend through public sensitisation campaigns.

“We are carrying out community policing to sensitise the public about the consequences of committing criminal offences, especially murder. We use FM radio programmes, community meetings, churches and other public gatherings to educate people and discourage criminality,” he said.

The Director of Local Sustainable Communities Organisation (LOSCO), Mr Albert Taremwa, said the murders are also being driven by drug abuse, poverty and gender-based violence arising from misunderstandings among married couples.

Mr Taremwa called for stronger community engagement and enforcement of local governance structures to address the root causes of violent crime.

‘There is a need to intensify community policing to sensitise people about the laws and penalties for various criminal offences as a way of deterring potential offenders. Functional local council systems can also play a key role in combating crime at the village level,’ he said.

He urged community leaders, law enforcement agencies and residents to work together to resolve disputes peacefully and address social challenges that often escalate into violence.

In Kaberamaido District, three suspects have been arrested in connection with the murder of a businessman who was hacked to death.

The deceased, Robert Oseng, 54, a resident of Okorakok A Village in Kaberamaido Sub-county, was killed on the night of June 6, 2026.

According to the East Kyoga Regional Police Spokesperson, Mr Ibrahim Saiga, preliminary investigations indicate that the deceased had an ongoing land dispute with his brothers, a matter that was already before court. He added that the victim had previously received threats to his life.

Mr Saiga said a team of officers visited and processed the crime scene, and a police K9 unit was deployed, which successfully tracked and led to the arrest of three relatives of the deceased, who remain in custody to assist with investigations.

He added that on the night of the incident, the deceased’s wife discovered his body lying in a pool of blood along his usual route home after repeated failed attempts by family members to reach him by phone.

‘An alarm was raised, prompting a police response,’ Mr Saiga said.

Police in East Kyoga have condemned acts of violence and urged the public to resolve disputes, especially those related to land, through lawful channels.

In Serere District, police are investigating the murder of Lance Corporal Ojakol Michael, with two suspects in custody.

The South Kyoga Regional Police spokesperson, Mr Stephen Mukombe, identified the suspects as Mercy Iyogil, a teacher at Olio Primary School, and Stephen Anukun, both residents of Upper Shops in Serere Town Council. The two are being held to assist with investigations.

Ojakol, a UPDF soldier, was allegedly killed last week. His body was found hanging from a mango tree within a school compound while he was on leave in his home village of Agoltom.

In West Nile, residents continue to live in fear amid rising cases of theft and burglary.

In Arua City, on June 2, security forces arrested seven suspected members of criminal gangs during a night operation.

The suspects, mainly young people, are believed to be behind a series of robberies involving the theft of mobile phones, household items and laptops, as well as bag snatching targeting members of the public.

The Police Public Relations Officer for the West Nile region, Ms Josephine Angucia, said authorities have intensified intelligence-led operations against criminal elements threatening the safety of communities.

‘We continue to intensify intelligence-led operations against criminal elements that threaten the safety of our communities,’ she said, urging young people to engage in productive activities instead of resorting to crime.

In a separate incident on June 6, a police officer attached to Nebbi Central Police Station, Mr Joseph Olupot, was shot by a colleague during an arrest operation. He later died at Nebbi Hospital from bullet wounds.

Ms Angucia said four other people, Mr Charles Okecha, Ms Irene Pimer Irene, two-year-old Joy Epifania and Mr Charles Orochi were also injured in the incident.

She added that the officer involved, Mr Sam Okello, was arrested and is assisting in investigations.

In Yumbe District, on June 3, 2026, Mr Arish Afosiko, a resident of Ireke Village in Apo Sub-county, was beaten by a mob and later succumbed to his injuries.

In Adjumani District, on May 30, the Police Public Relations Officer for the North West Nile region, Mr Collins Asea, said a group of about six individuals attacked residents of Pawinnyo Village in Lugongwa Parish, Dzaipi Sub-county.

‘The attackers stole a landowner’s property, taking an ox plough and four oxen, which they later transported to their home village of Sukari in Adidi Parish, Dzaipi Sub-county. The recovered ox plough and four oxen have been exhibited and returned to their rightful owners,’ he said.

In Mbarara City, residents are reporting an increase in cases of theft and house breaking, particularly in the outskirts of the central business area.

Some residents attribute the rise in crime to the recent enforcement of trade order regulations, which they say left a number of people unemployed. Areas identified as hotspots include Kijungu, Kisenyi, Biafra, Kamukuzi, Ruti and Katete.

In a recent security meeting, the Mayor of Mbarara City North Division, Mr Jomo Mugabe, together with security officials, directed LC I chairpersons to register all residents as part of efforts to curb criminal activity.

‘There are small groups of criminals who are terrorising residents, especially at night, but we have intensified our operations and they will be dealt with,’ he said.

Mbarara Resident City Commissioner, Ms Catherine Kamwiine, said security agencies have stepped up operations and community policing to ensure suspects are arrested.

‘We have intensified security operations and community policing to ensure a few wrong elements are arrested. Apart from petty crime, security is calm here,’ she said.

In Ibanda District, the Resident District Commissioner, Mr Godfrey Mbetegyereize, said the security situation in the area remains stable, with only isolated cases of livestock theft reported.

‘There was a racket of livestock thieves, but through coordinated operations we managed to arrest them, and they will be arraigned in court soon,’ he said.

In Jinja District, authorities say the area has recorded no significant incidents of insecurity over the past month, according to the district security committee.

The Assistant Resident District Commissioner, Mr Samuel Kawuta, who is also a member of the security committee, said there had previously been isolated cases of thuggery in the sub-counties of Butagaya and Kakira, but security forces responded swiftly and arrested suspects to restore calm.

‘There had been cases of attacks on people by some criminals in Butagaya and Kakira a month ago, but our security team went on the ground and acted quickly to avert the situation by arresting suspects,’ Mr Kawuta said.

However, Mr Kawuta expressed concern over what he described as the release of suspects by some top government officials, despite being identified by communities as repeat offenders.

He noted that such actions, he said, contribute to the recurrence of crime in affected areas.

In Busoga North, police say the security situation remains generally calm despite isolated criminal incidents reported in some parts of the region.

The Busoga North Police spokesperson, Mr Samson Lubega, said security agencies have intensified intelligence-led operations, community policing and patrols to prevent crime and apprehend suspects involved in criminal activities.

“We continue to work closely with the public through community policing structures to identify and deal with criminal elements. We encourage residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious persons or activities to security agencies in time,” Mr Lubega said.

He noted that while cases of theft, assault and other crimes are occasionally reported, police have strengthened surveillance and response mechanisms to ensure public safety.

Mr Lubega urged the public to avoid mob justice and instead allow security agencies to investigate and prosecute suspects through the legal process.

He also appealed to local leaders and communities to support crime prevention efforts by sharing information that can help security agencies detect and prevent crime before it occurs.

“We want to assure the public that security remains a priority. We shall continue conducting operations and working with all stakeholders to maintain peace and security in the region,” he added.

Spate of armed killings in Gulu, Omoro leave security puzzled

One person has died while four others have been injured in Omoro district following four separate incidents of armed robberies in the past month.

The Daily Monitor has established that neither a gun nor a suspect has been recovered since the incidents.

On May 11, unknown assailants, during a heavy downpour, raided Lalogi police station at about 8:30 PM and broke into the unit of one of its officers, 50-year-old Beatrice Awor, attached to Lalogi sub-county police station.

The armed assailants reportedly attacked Awor in her house when it was heavily raining and started strangling and assaulting her before grabbing her rifle and fleeing with it.

According to police, the victim’s (Awor) uniport was open, and she was seated inside on a mat when the assailants entered and overpowered her.

‘The assailants managed to escape with the gun No. UG POL 48014235-15938 with 30 rounds of ammunition. A case of aggravated robbery entered at Lalogi police station vide Sd ref: 14/11/05/2026 and now Omoro CRB 320/2026. Suspects unknown, the hunt is on to recover the gun,’ a police statement says.

According to security sources, on May 27, a businessman was robbed at gunpoint in Lalogi Town Council, less than 200 meters from the Lalogi police station.

Although the armed robbers made off with more than Shs10M, leaving him unarmed, a food vendor survived an attack four days later when a group of armed robbers, reportedly three in number, sprayed bullets at her and a bodaboda rider who carried her from her home in Rom cell, Abuga parish, Abuga sub-county, Omoro district.

The food vendor, identified as Gloria Ajok, who operates at Lacor Centre in For-God parish, Gulu City, was robbed of her handbag while the boda bodas rider survived with serious injuries when the bullet pierced through his stomach at about 10:00 PM, according to sources.

Before a conclusive finding by security could be arrived at over the June 1 shooting, on June 3 (Wednesday), residents of Koch-Ongako Trading Centre in Koch Ongako Sub-County, Omoro district, were left in shock when three armed men raided a mobile money shop and killed its agent before fleeing with an unspecified amount of money.

This publication established that the incident occurred a few minutes past 8:00 PM. According to eyewitnesses, the robbers riding on a motorcycle parked in front of the shop and advanced to the counter under the pretence of depositing money before opening fire on the attendant.

‘One of them remained on the motorcycle, and two entered the shop, inside which two other clients were transacting,’ Alfred Ojok, a boda boda motorist at Koc Ongako trading centre, explained.

According to Ojok, the robbers shot at the agent five times in the chest when he declined their orders that he should hand over all the cash in his safe.

“The robber with the gun stood by the door and shot the agent multiple times. His accomplice went behind the counter and grabbed the money. The shots also injured the two other clients,” Ojok added.

The Mobile Money shop is located 400 metres from the Koch-Ongako police station.

On Thursday, Mr Amiir Magulu, the Omoro district police commander, declined to comment on the incident, citing ongoing investigations.

Mr Christopher Okello, an eyewitness, says that at about 8:40 PM, unknown assailants dressed in black jackets with caps gained access to a mobile money shop and they opened fire and that the victim, Raymond Onen, was shot in the chest and leg.

He said that the robbers sped off towards Koch Goma in Nwoya district and that the injured victims were evacuated to St Mary’s hospital, Lacor, for medical attention.

‘The shop owners started closing their shops and went into hiding when the incident occurred. The agent, Onen, who operated a shop called Multi-Com Enterprises, died shortly of bullet injuries after being attacked by armed men while operating mobile money.’ He stated.

‘Police officers rushed to the scene, unfortunately, the attackers had already fled. They were pursued, but the police lost track of them at the Koch-Goma Town Council, where they disappeared.’ He added.

According to police, the assailants used a motorcycle Hero Hunter to exit the scene after executing their mission.

‘The victim, Onen Raymond, was rushed to St Mary’s Hospital, Lacor, on Boda boda for medical attention, but unfortunately, he was pronounced dead. The assailants were dressed in black jackets with caps, and they used a motorcycle. They were also armed with an SMG AK47 rifle, and they exited the scene of the crime unidentified through the back.’ David Ongom Mudong, the Aswa West police spokesman, said.

In an interview, Mr Emmanuel Okot, the Omoro resident district commissioner, said that no suspect has since been apprehended by security forces following the four incidents and that neither the stolen police gun nor the guns used in the attacks have been recovered.

‘The preliminary information about the mobile money shooting on Wednesday is that they raided the shop and robbed an unspecified amount of money, and we are informed that the robbers had two guns.’ Mr Okot said.

According to Mr Okot, the Wednesday evening incident is one of the several armed raids recorded in the district in the past month.

‘This is not the first time, remember the incident of May 11th when they grabbed a gun from Lalogi police station, and on the night of Idd fete, a businessman was robbed in Lalogi by gunmen, and then the woman who was shot at in Abuga several days ago,’ Mr Okot explained.

‘We are pursuing the robbers with the joint efforts of the police and the UPDF soldiers. Yesterday, when the incident occurred, UPDF soldiers arrived at the scene first after we alerted them,’ Mr Okot said.

In Omoro’s neighbouring Gulu district and Gulu City, a wave of violent gun attacks has put security on tenterhooks, prompting an operation aimed at reining in the armed criminals that are now said to be causing sleepless nights among the business community.

Earlier on, the UPDF 4th Division commander, Maj. Gen Felix Busizoori told the media that the UPDF was working with other security agencies to curtail the increasing gun violence in the region.

The army links the attackers to armed cartels operating across Lango, West Nile and Acholi sub-regions.

Whereas Gen Busizoori said all efforts had been put in place and that they were determined to apprehend the culprits, this publication has established that none of the guns used in the five different armed robberies in Gulu City and Gulu district has been recovered.

Mr David Ongom Mudong, the Aswa West regional police spokesman, said that a joint counterforce had been established to investigate the surge in gun violence in the region.

Although he did not detail the development for fear of jeopardizing the investigations, he confirmed that the army and the police had jointly deployed.

It is also established that while the gun recently grabbed from a security guard at LT Energy Petrol Station in Laliya Trading Centre, Kasubi Ward in Gulu City has not been recovered, the suspects who were captured on CCTV cameras are yet to be apprehended.

The fuel station incident left Ronald Obedi, a security guard attached to Samurai Security Services, dead when three masked assailants stormed the LT Energy Limited on May 5.

Ten days later, a businessman identified as Wilfred Ojok was shot dead by armed robbers at Paromo cell, Paduny parish, Awach Town Council in Gulu district on May 16.

Ojok was shot at about 9:00 PM when he attended the shop on behalf of his father, Silas Komakech.

Victor Otori, an eyewitness and a resident of the same village, said that a scuffle ensued between the unidentified suspects and the shopkeeper after the former tried to break the counter and access money.

The Daily Monitor established that whereas one of the suspects entered the shop to confront the attendant, his armed accomplice stood outside and placed all the merry-makers who were drinking in front of the shop, at gunpoint.

‘Preliminarily, we have established that the two men, allegedly dressed in raincoats, came to the shop and one entered inside, disguised to be a buyer while his accomplice remained outside at the verandah and placed people who were playing cards outside the shop at gunpoint.’ A police report stated.

However, the one who entered charged towards the counter and grabbed the money, but the deceased resisted by fighting back, prompting his colleague to shoot at him during a tense altercation, it said.

Past incidents

1.April 30. Michael Komakech, a mason in Gulu City robbed of Shs3 million by an armed boda-boda rider at Wii Layibi, a Gulu City suburb.

2.May 2: Armed robbers waylaid Morris Onen Onna and robbed him of his motorcycle, UG Boss registration number UFM 917 C, at For God, located about 500 meters from the St Joseph’s Cathedral in Gulu City.

3.May 4. Denis Kilama, a security guard attached to Corporate Security Ltd, is held for robbing Sh5 million from a businessman in Gulu City.

4.May 5. Fedenaldo Ocora, a bodabodas rider, is robbed of his motorcycle registration UGD 940F by unknown gunmen Keyi ‘B’ Cell via Kabedopong trading centre.

Newly-appointed ministers took oath of office yesterday, promising to defend the Constitution, serve diligently, give objective counsel to the President, and keep official government matters strictly confidential. We congratulate the ministers upon their appointment and passing the vetting process. The time for merry-making is over. They should now earnestly embark on the duties that the appointing authority has designated them to do. The members of the new Cabinet should bear in mind that they are civil servants, accountable to the citizens of Uganda. They should conduct themselves as servant leaders, not kings and queens, lording it over the populace.

A key task that the ministers must tackle immediately is the rampant corruption that has bedraggled the National Resistance Movement (NRM) government through the more than 40 years it has been at the helm. Uganda loses an estimated Shs10 trillion annually to corruption. This is money that, if put to the right use, can facilitate the improvement of education and social services. This money can be utilised to build more roads and other infrastructure and maintain the existing ones. Infrastructure such as roads and electricity grid are essential for the proper functioning of the country’s economy. It is, therefore, imperative that the ministers zealously fight corruption to ensure the economy flourishes to enable people to have jobs and alleviate poverty. Ministers must desist from using their offices and the authority given to them to illicitly enrich themselves to the detriment of the nation.

They must not pay lip-service to the fight against corruption but be shining examples to the populace. It is also imperative that the ministers understand that they were not appointed to serve only supporters of the ruling NRM party, but all Ugandans. All people should be served equitably, irrespective of their political, religious and ethnic affiliations. The current unfortunate trend where government officials derisively dismiss genuine complaints over poor social services by supporters of the Opposition should stop. People must not be marginalised and treated as second class citizens just because they support Opposition parties. Uganda operates under the multiparty political dispensation, so it is not a crime to be a member of or support the Opposition.