Category: Daily Monitor

A nationwide campaign to improve the lives of vulnerable elderly people has been launched, with organisers calling on Ugandans to rally behind a run aimed at restoring dignity, care and hope to older persons living in difficult conditions.

The initiative, dubbed Run Miles of Love for Our Elders, will take place on August 1, 2026, at Kabale Municipal Stadium. Organised by Save and Heal Uganda, the event seeks to raise funds for elderly people struggling with poverty, chronic illnesses, inadequate housing and social isolation.

Launching the campaign in Kampala on Friday, Save and Heal Uganda Executive Director Shallon Ahakundire said that many senior citizens, particularly in rural areas, continue to endure hardship despite having spent their lives raising families and contributing to national development.

‘Our elderly people deserve to live with dignity, care and hope. This run gives Ugandans an opportunity to give back to those who sacrificed so much for our communities and families,’ Ms Ahakundire said.

She noted that while development programmes often focus on children and youth, many older persons remain overlooked and face challenges such as poor access to healthcare, loneliness, abandonment and extreme poverty.

According to Ms Ahakundire, proceeds from the run will help provide medical treatment for elderly people battling chronic diseases and support the renovation of unsafe housing.

The campaign has attracted backing from several corporate partners, including MTN Uganda through MTN MoMo.

Speaking at the launch, MTN MoMo Central Regional Business Manager Samuel Osapa said older persons play a critical role in preserving knowledge and cultural values.

‘Taking care of the elderly is important because they are a reservoir of knowledge and wisdom that must be passed on to future generations,’ Mr Osapa said.

He added that MTN Uganda had joined the initiative as both a sponsor and payment partner to facilitate contributions and ensure transparency in the fundraising process.

The President of the Uganda Cycling Association, Sam Muwonge, described the campaign as a timely intervention for a segment of society that is often forgotten.

‘When we support elderly people, we remind them that they still matter and deserve attention, respect and care. Such initiatives help restore dignity and hope,’ Mr Muwonge said.

Approaching 80 years of age himself, Mr Muwonge encouraged older persons to remain physically active, noting that cycling had helped him maintain good health over the years.

The campaign has also received support from Graceous Tours and Travel. Its Managing Director, Grace Baite, pledged both financial and transport support towards the event.

Organisers expect more than 10,000 participants and have appealed to companies, development partners, religious institutions and members of the public to support the cause through sponsorships, donations and active participation.

Beyond fundraising, the run aims to spark a national conversation on the growing challenges facing Uganda’s ageing population and encourage communities to take greater responsibility for the welfare of older persons.

On January 9, a baby girl arrived much earlier than expected. Born at just 26 weeks of pregnancy at Moroto Regional Referral Hospital, she weighed only 700 grammes. Her condition was critical, requiring immediate resuscitation moments after birth before being transferred to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).

Her mother was filled with fear. ‘From the moment Serendipity was born, I thought she would not survive,’ she recalls.

Ninety-five days later, the baby left the hospital weighing 1.6 kilogrammes, breathing on her own and feeding well. Today, she is thriving at home.

Her survival was made possible by Dr Tom Ediamu, a neonatologist at Moroto Regional Referral Hospital and a graduate of the Seed Global Health Neonatology Fellowship programme. For him, this case represents more than just a clinical success; it highlights the possibilities that specialised newborn care can bring to Uganda’s most underserved regions.

However, it also underscores a persistent national challenge; the shortage of specialists trained to care for critically ill newborns.

Uganda’s newborn crisis

Uganda continues to face high neonatal mortality, despite progress in maternal and child health. According to the Uganda Demographic and Health Survey 2022, the country records 22 neonatal deaths per 1,000 live births, meaning about one in every 45 babies dies before reaching one month of age.

Recent estimates suggest approximately 32,000 newborn deaths occur annually. Many are linked to prematurity, birth asphyxia, infections and complications of low birth weight, conditions that are often preventable or treatable with timely specialist care.

However, access to such care remains limited, particularly outside urban centres. Neonatologists are few, and many district and regional hospitals operate without specialised newborn expertise.

For families in remote regions such as Karamoja, survival often depends on distance, timing and the availability of trained personnel, factors that frequently work against them.

A life built in medicine

Dr Ediamu has spent 30 years in medical practice. Before his current posting in Moroto, he served for 28 years at Hoima Regional Referral Hospital, where he gained extensive experience in paediatrics and newborn care.

His transfer to Moroto two years ago placed him in one of Uganda’s most resource-constrained settings, where referral delays, limited infrastructure and high-risk pregnancies are common.

His decision to pursue neonatology came from a desire to strengthen his ability to save critically ill newborns and mentor younger colleagues.

‘I was motivated to acquire additional knowledge and skills to better manage critically ill newborns requiring advanced life support, mentor junior colleagues, and contribute to improving newborn care systems,’ he says.

The fellowship training equipped him with advanced competencies rarely available in regional hospitals, including neonatal ventilation, intubation, surfactant administration and central line insertion.

‘These skills significantly improved survival among extremely premature and critically ill newborns,’ he explains.

Life on the frontline in Moroto

Working in Karamoja has exposed Dr Ediamu to the harsh realities shaping newborn survival in Uganda.

Many mothers travel long distances on foot, motorcycle or overcrowded transport to reach hospital. Some arrive late due to poverty, geographic isolation or lack of nearby health facilities.

By the time they reach care, newborns are often critically ill, having missed early stabilisation.

‘It is not uncommon to receive a newborn who has travelled for hours without adequate warmth or medical support,’ he says.

Inside the NICU, the burden of disease is heavy. Prematurity, neonatal sepsis, birth asphyxia and low birth weight dominate admissions. Many cases are complicated by limited antenatal care or home deliveries.

The unit operates under constant pressure, balancing limited resources against high demand for specialised interventions.

Saving a 700-gramme baby

Serendipity’s case illustrates both the fragility and resilience seen in the unit.

Born following a referral from Kotido General Hospital due to pre-term labour linked to a urinary tract infection, she arrived with severe respiratory distress, feeding difficulties and inability to regulate body temperature. Her condition worsened, and at one point her weight dropped from 700 grammes to 580 grammes.

‘She was critically ill and required continuous support,’ Dr Ediamu recalls.

The medical team provided respiratory support using bubble Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP), antibiotics, blood transfusions, and carefully managed nutrition using expressed breast milk and fortified feeds.

Kangaroo Mother Care was introduced early, promoting skin-to-skin contact to stabilise temperature and improve bonding. Gradually, the baby improved, gaining weight, tolerating feeds and weaning off respiratory support.

After 95 days in the NICU, she was discharged. ‘Seeing a premature baby who once struggled to breathe leave hospital with a healthy mother is a powerful reminder of why we do this work,’ Dr Ediamu says.

Systemic gaps in newborn care

Despite such successes, Dr Ediamu says Uganda’s newborn care system faces major structural challenges. There is a critical shortage of neonatologists, paediatricians and neonatal nurses, resulting in overwhelming workloads and burnout among existing staff.

Many facilities lack essential equipment such as incubators, CPAP machines, phototherapy units and reliable oxygen supply. Weak referral systems further delay access to emergency care.

Infrastructure limitations, including inconsistent electricity and medicine shortages, also affect service delivery.

Beyond the health system, social and economic factors play a major role. Poverty, limited maternal education and low awareness of newborn danger signs often delay care-seeking. In some communities, traditional beliefs continue to influence health decisions.

‘Harmful practices and delayed care-seeking contribute significantly to poor outcomes,’ he notes.

Building expertise at home

Until recently, doctors seeking advanced neonatal training had to study abroad, limiting the growth of local expertise.

The establishment of the Neonatology Fellowship programme at Makerere University in 2019 marked a turning point in strengthening Uganda’s capacity.

The programme was designed to train specialists in the care of premature and critically ill newborns within the local health system. Today, Uganda has only about 10 locally trained neonatologists serving a population of more than 45 million people and more than one million annual births.

While the number remains small, the programme is gradually decentralising expertise from Kampala to regional hospitals.

For doctors such as Dr Ediamu, this shift means being able to deliver advanced care where it is most needed.

A career defined by impact

After three decades in medicine, Dr Ediamu continues to measure success in small but powerful outcomes: newborns who survive against the odds, families reunited, and lives given a chance to begin.

His work demonstrates how specialised skills, when combined with determination and system strengthening, can transform outcomes even in resource-limited settings. For him, neonatal care is not only a medical specialty but a commitment to protecting the most vulnerable lives at their earliest and most fragile stage.

Lessons from Karamoja

Living and working in Karamoja has reshaped Dr Ediamu’s understanding of healthcare delivery.

He describes resilient communities despite drought, food insecurity and economic hardship.

Malnutrition among mothers and infants remains common, while transport barriers often delay emergency referrals.

Cultural beliefs and limited awareness of medical danger signs also influence when families seek care.

These realities have reinforced his belief that newborn survival depends on more than hospital-based interventions.

‘Healthcare extends beyond medicine. Survival is shaped by nutrition, transport systems, education and community awareness,’ he says.

The experience has also deepened his appreciation for teamwork, adaptability and community engagement in clinical care.

A high-ranking Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) officer at the rank of Brigadier General is under investigation following allegations that he flogged and caned two police officers at Bulucheke Police Station in Bududa District. The General reportedly accused the officers of delaying a criminal case involving his relatives.

According to a police case file (CRB 111/2026), the incident occurred on Tuesday, June 23, 2026, at around 7:40 PM. The army general faces three counts, including assault of police officers on duty, threatening violence, and theft.

A police source revealed that the General, accompanied by his bodyguards, arrived at the station and ordered his guards to summon Detective Corporal David Olar.

‘The suspect stood outside holding a long stick. When the officer approached him and paid compliments, the General grabbed him by his collar, threw him to the ground, and cocked his pistol,’ the source recalled. ‘He furiously demanded to know why his relatives are never handled well whenever they report cases to that station.’

The furious military officer then allegedly ordered D/CPL Olar to lie on the ground before flogging him.

Seeing the assault unfold, Detective Constable Rebecca Nakami, a crime intelligence officer, used her mobile phone to record the incident. However, this drew the wrath of the General and his security detail.

‘DC Nakami got concerned and started video recording the incident. Instead, the General grabbed her phone, slapped her severely, and ordered her to delete whatever she had recorded. He then confiscated her phone,’ a source privy to the investigation stated.

The dramatic incident was witnessed by several civilians who had gone to the station to follow up on their own legal matters. D/CPL Olar sustained knee injuries during the assault and was later treated at a medical facility, where a medical report was filed as evidence. DC Nakami is yet to recover her phone.

The Elgon Regional Police Spokesperson, Superintendent of Police (SSP) Rogers Taitika, confirmed the incident on Thursday, June 25, 2026, noting that joint investigations are underway.

‘It is true. We are investigating the matter,’ SP Taitika said, adding that both the police and the UPDF are jointly handling the inquiry. Sources indicate that the General is yet to be formally summoned to record a statement.

Insiders reveal that the General’s actions stem from a minor traffic accident involving his relative a few weeks ago. The relative had reportedly visited the station multiple times without the investigations being concluded, leading the military officer to take matters into his own hands.

‘The General has a history of attacking police officers, yet no action has ever been taken against him, likely because he is feared,’ an inside source claimed.

This incident highlights a worrying and recurring trend of military personnel raiding police stations and assaulting law enforcement officers in Uganda.

In June 2025, heavily armed soldiers attached to the Presidential Task Force on Land Matters and the Environment raided Wakiso Police Division. Traveling in four Toyota Hiace vans (commonly known as ‘drones’), the soldiers besieged the District Police Commander (DPC) and her personal assistant, firing several bullets after accusing the police of failing to cooperate in a land dispute.

A month prior, in May 2025, soldiers raided Lubowa Police Station, beating up police officers-including the Officer-in-Charge-and civilians. The soldiers robbed victims of money, phones, and government stores after the police declined to detain eight individuals brought in by the military.

Despite police opening serious charges, including attempted murder and aggravated robbery, against the soldiers in the previous incidents, none of those cases have been concluded.

South Africa celebrated a first World Cup knockout berth with jubilant scenes on Wednesday after Thapelo Maseko’s second-half strike secured a 1-0 victory over South Korea, who still have a chance of advancing as one of the best third-placed teams.

Maseko fired into the bottom corner in the 63rd minute to put South Africa, who will face co-hosts Canada in Los Angeles on June 28, on four points behind Group A winners Mexico, who beat the Czech Republic 3-0.

South Korea, who started with talisman Son Heung-min on the bench, have three points.

South Africa had failed to advance from the group stage in their first three World Cup appearances in 1998, 2002 and 2010.

“It was a fantastic experience. It was so tough today, but it was a good game. I think tactically we were very good and it was difficult for South Korea to find space,” South Africa coach Hugo Broos said.

“We scored, then there were 20 minutes of heart-stopping moments. It’s historical, and I’m very happy for the guys. I’ve been working with them for five years.”

South Korea, who enjoyed most of the possession but lacked a cutting edge and inspiration, made the brighter start when Kim Min-jae’s header was cleared off the line by Aubrey Modiba after two minutes, before Lee Kang-in fired over from inside the penalty area shortly afterwards.

South Africa gradually grew into the contest and nearly struck in the 19th minute when Maseko raced onto a through ball, only for Lee Gi-hyuk to produce a superb last-ditch tackle.

Goalkeeper Kim Seung-gyu then made an excellent double save, first denying Thalente Mbatha before smothering Evidence Makgopa’s follow-up effort.

After soaking up the early pressure against a South Korea side that struggled to create clear openings, even with captain Son coming on at halftime, South Africa deservedly found the breakthrough.

Moremi slipped a precise pass into Maseko, who shifted the ball onto his left foot before drilling a low finish into the bottom right-hand corner to send his side into the last 32.

Former Ethics Minister and human rights activist Miriam Matembe yesterday narrowly survived what her family believes could have been a planned arrest or abduction after security operatives reportedly stormed her Luzira home and searched parts of her residence.

According to her husband, Mr Nkemia Matembe, who looked terrified, a group of security personnel arrived at their home on Wednesday morning while Ms Matembe was away.

He said two women clad in civilian clothes entered the house while two armed men in military uniform and another heavily built man in plain clothes remained outside.

‘I was seated having tea, when I saw two plain-clothed women enter the compound. They walked past me through the corridor and headed toward the bedroom area,’ Mr Matembe said.

He added that the women did not respond when he inquired about what they wanted.

‘On looking outside, I saw two soldiers in uniform wearing masks. There was also a tall, heavily built man in civilian clothes standing on the balcony. While the men said they did not want anything, the women remained near the bedrooms,’ he said.

Shortly after learning about the incident, the Monitor contacted Ms Matembe, who confirmed that she was not home when the operatives arrived.

‘I was called and told to watch my steps because of this incident. My life is in danger, and I don’t know what to do at this time,’ she said.

The incident comes amid growing concern over the detention of Opposition politicians and government critics. Asked whether the women knocked before entering the house, Mr Matembe said they did not.

‘The doors were open. One entered through the kitchen side and another came through the main entrance and walked down the corridor. One of them entered the master bedroom. I followed her with my eyes and again asked what she wanted, but she did not answer. She went into the bedroom, looked around and inspected the area near the bed. I did not enter the room with her. After some time, she came out,’ he said.

Mr Matembe said the women later joined the man outside and walked around the house through the kitchen area before returning to their vehicle and leaving.

By press time, Ms Matembe’s whereabouts had not been publicly disclosed. However, highly placed sources told Monitor that security operatives were still searching for her.

‘She is currently in hiding and the military is moving from one place to another searching for her. We don’t know if they will find her or not, but she is a wanted person,’ a source said.

Repeated calls to Col Chris Magezi, the Acting Director of Defence Public Information, went unanswered. Text messages sent to his known telephone number had not been responded to by press time.

Mr Matembe described the incident as traumatic as the manner in which the operatives entered the compound raised concerns.

Possible cause of raid

The reported search of Ms Matembe’s home also comes days after she publicly criticised the manner in which former Kampala mayor Mr Eriasa Lukwago was picked from his home and detained, urging authorities to treat Ugandans with dignity.

Mr Lukwago, the lawyer representing Opposition leader Dr Kizza Besigye, and his aide Obeid Lutale Kamulegeya, was held for two days before being transferred to Kira Division Police Station and later produced in court, where he was remanded.

On August 2, 2025, St Matthew’s Cathedral in Kyamate, Ntungamo, was transformed into a vibrant and emotional setting as guests gathered for a wedding that had been years in the making.

What truly stood out beyond the ceremony itself was the identity reflected in every detail. Fish motifs were everywhere, adorning the photo booth, aisle décor, tables, the bridal platform, and even the wine bottles, creating a cohesive visual theme that tied the entire celebration together.

At the heart of it all were Amos Besigye, known as ‘Fish,’ and his bride, Pereth Nakato, who were part of one half of Ntungamo’s much-discussed twin wedding. Alongside Edward Asiimwe and Priscilla Babirye, the two couples finally marked the end of a journey that began in 2019.

A shared beginning

The story of this twin wedding began with a coincidence but grew into something far more intentional. Babirye and Nakato are twin sisters who, along with their partners Asiimwe and Besigye, were introduced and officially welcomed by their family on the same day in 2019 in Rwampara.

Both men worked for the Ntungamo District local government, and what started as two parallel love stories naturally evolved into a shared dream: a joint wedding that would celebrate their unique bond.

A ceremony was initially planned for 2020, but the Covid-19 pandemic put everything on hold. As restrictions eased, life took separate paths for the couples. Asiimwe and Babirye eventually held their wedding on December 11, 2021, while Besigye and Nakato’s celebration remained postponed but never forgotten.

A love story that started with a simple gesture

Behind the planned twin wedding lies a quieter story, one that began unexpectedly at a burial in Ibanda. Besigye had accompanied a colleague to a funeral when he noticed a young woman standing under the hot afternoon sun without a seat.

After being offered a VIP chair as a mourner, he made a simple decision: ‘I gave her my chair,’ he recalls. ‘I do not even remember where I sat afterwards; I just know I was standing.’

That small act of kindness marked the beginning of something neither of them anticipated. Later, at a bus station in Mbarara, their paths crossed again. A conversation ensued, numbers were exchanged, and a relationship gradually began to grow.

‘I was attracted by her beauty; she was attracted by my demeanour,’ Besigye says. ‘It all started with a chair.’

Years of patience

Rather than rush into marriage, the couple chose patience, shaped by ambition, planning, and personal growth. After their introduction in 2019 and the disruption of Covid-19, they focused on building stability.

‘We sat down and made priorities,’ Besigye says. ‘We wanted jobs, we wanted to build a home, and we wanted to plan properly.’

Nakato, a midwife, says the waiting period strengthened their understanding of marriage.

‘Even during premarital counselling, I realised there was still so much to learn,’ she says. ‘It helped us a lot.’

By the time preparations resumed, Besigye had become a well-known figure in Ntungamo’s local government circles, both as a welfare chairperson and events organiser.

A wedding launch held in June drew more than 400 people, kicking off a remarkable community-driven mobilisation. An initial budget of Shs80m was later revised to Shs100m, with about Shs50m raised in cash and pledges at the launch alone.

From there, the celebration became a collective effort, with residents and planners working side by side to bring the vision to life. The organising committee was chaired by Joshua Namanya.

‘We had people who genuinely wanted to organise,’ Besigye says. ‘It became something bigger than just a wedding.’

Celebration that made a splash

If the love story was remarkable, the wedding’s visual identity was truly unforgettable. Besigye’s nickname, ‘Fish,’ earned from his work as a fisheries officer, served as the creative theme for the entire celebration. Fish motifs were woven into various décor elements, and guests enjoyed fish dishes as part of the catering. ‘That is passion,’ Besigye says. ‘It became a natural part of the celebration.’

A black-and-white colour scheme added elegance, while music, performances, and a lively reception at Home to Home Hotel in Kyahweire kept guests entertained well into the evening. A convoy of more than 100 cars escorted the entourage from the church to the reception, turning the celebration into a grand spectacle as it moved across Ntungamo.

As the festivities drew to a close, what remained was more than a wedding. It was a story of timing, patience, and community spirit coming together in one defining moment.

From a seat offered at a burial, to a chance meeting at a bus stage, to years of waiting and eventual celebration, the journey of Besigye and Nakato reflects a simple truth: love often unfolds slowly, shaped as much by circumstance as by choice.

In Ntungamo, it ended as it began; unusual, memorable, and anchored by a symbol that followed them all the way to the altar: Fish.

A few imperfections

Despite the grandeur of the day, there were minor challenges along the way. Some speeches ran longer than expected, and a smoke machine failed to operate as planned. Yet, these small hiccups were overshadowed by the scale of the celebration and the presence of friends and family who travelled from far and wide.

‘The excitement of seeing everyone come together made it all worth it,’ said Priscilla Babirye. Her sister, Nakato, shares a valuable lesson they learnt during the wedding planning process. ‘I would advise couples to plan together and truly understand each other before the wedding,’ she says. ‘It makes everything more meaningful.’

The exhausted dry uplands in the Kigezi region have forced farmers to turn wetlands into crop gardens during the dry seasons for crop production, despite the government ban.

In October 2023, President Museveni issued an executive order directing the Internal Security Organisation and local authorities, including chief administrative officers, resident district commissioners, parish and sub county chiefs, to ensure strict protection of wetlands in the country. The executive order further noted that 200 meters from lake shores and 100 meters from riverbanks must be left vacant to allow bushes to grow.

But some farmers in the Kigezi sub-region have continuously cultivated the wetlands during the dry seasons, arguing that it is the only land available for crop production to overcome food scarcity during that period.

‘During the dry seasons, all the hilltops and valleys are completely dry and carrying out any crop production activities is next to impossible. For decades, our only remedy has been cultivating in the low lands for crop production to ensure food security in our respective households besides selling the surplus to fix the economic needs such as paying school fees for our children and buying essential manufactured goods such as salt, clothes and medicine in case our family members fall sick,’ Ms Anna Maria Kohumuhangi, an Irish potato farmer in Kabale district said.

She added that stopping them from using the low lands means the government must supply food items during the dry season that normally begins in June and ends in September every year.

Another farmer, Mr Johnson Gumanawe, said government promises of alternative support have not materialised.

‘We are aware of the presidential directives on vacating the wetlands but this is not practical because no alternative was provided to the farmers. For decades we have been using wetlands sustainably for crop production during the dry season and during the rainy seasons we utilize the uplands because naturally the wetlands would be water logged. The food produced during the rainy seasons cannot sustain our families during the dry season because less food is produced because of small land holdings in the area,’ Mr Gumanawe said.

He said if government can fulfil the promise of establishing solar irrigation schemes and provide organic manure, that could facilitate them to utilise the uplands during the dry seasons.

Some of the food crops grown in Kigezi wetlands during the dry seasons include Irish potato, beans, peas, maize, and vegetables such as cabbages and carrots, which are the main food for people in the area.

A prominent Irish potato seed producer in Rubanda district, Mr John Karugaba, said stopping wetland cultivation would hurt seed producers too.

‘We encourage the farmers to use quality seed for multiplication in gardens that are located on uplands but because of urgent need for seed during the dry season, some farmers opt to plant them in wetlands. In the dry season I supply about 150 bags of Irish potato seed to the farmers that establish gardens in wetlands,’ Mr Karugaba said.

The Rubanda Assistant Resident District Commissioner, Mr Hillary Bindeeba, said implementation of the executive order was halted after farmers petitioned President Museveni. The farmers requested a powerful irrigation scheme to provide water on the uplands before they vacate the wetlands, and the president accepted their plea.

‘These farmers know that they are operating in wetlands temporarily because they do not have alternative pieces of land where they can carry out crop production during the dry season. Once the presidential pledge of establishing an irrigation scheme in the area is fulfilled, nobody will be allowed to cultivate in wetlands. Wetlands will remain for fish farming, apiary among other wetland-friendly farming practices,’ Mr Bindeeba said.

Kabale LCV Chairman Mr Denis Nzeirwe Ndyomugyenyi said another hurdle is compensation.

‘Some time back, the government issued land titles to the farmers that had picked interest to carry out farming practices in wetlands before it accepted to have wetlands turned into arable land for agriculture. Implementing the executive order means that the government must first compensate the legal land owners,’ Mr Ndyomugyenyi said.

When 17-year-old Sanyu began leaking urine uncontrollably after a prolonged labour, she did not know she was suffering from a childbirth injury.

Like many young women in her community, she believed she had been bewitched. Her family sought help from traditional healers, administered herbal remedies and pursued spiritual interventions, hoping to reverse what they thought was a curse. Instead, her condition worsened.

‘My boyfriend advised me to seek help from a traditional birth attendant. I thought it was witchcraft. My family first took me to witch doctors, and we also tried traditional herbs because we believed someone had bewitched me. The condition only became worse,’ Ms Sanyu recalls.

Today, Ms Sanyu is among a growing number of obstetric fistula survivors in Namayingo District using their experiences to educate young women about the dangers of delayed medical treatment and the misconceptions surrounding the condition.

Health workers say beliefs linking obstetric fistula to witchcraft continue to prevent many women, especially teenage mothers, from seeking timely treatment, leaving them to suffer from a condition that is medically treatable.

Obstetric fistula is an abnormal opening between the birth canal and the bladder or rectum, usually caused by prolonged obstructed labour without timely medical intervention.

The injury results in uncontrollable leakage of urine or faeces and often exposes survivors to stigma, isolation and psychological trauma.

According to the Ministry of Health, more than 200,000 women in Uganda are living with obstetric fistula. After losing her baby during childbirth, Ms Sanyu spent months searching for treatment through traditional means before learning that surgery could repair the condition. She sought treatment in Soroti and Jinja before eventually undergoing a successful operation during a free fistula repair camp in Namayingo.

‘It was my third operation, and this time it was successfully treated,’ she says.

‘I want other girls to know that this is not witchcraft. It is a medical condition, and it can be treated,’ she adds.

Her experience mirrors that of 26-year-old Christine Nachisikwe from Madowa Village. Ms Nachisikwe developed fistula after complications during her second pregnancy.

Having delivered her first child with the assistance of a traditional birth attendant, she returned to the same attendant when labour began during her second pregnancy. However, prolonged labour forced her to seek emergency medical care. Doctors later performed a Caesarean section, but her baby did not survive.

Challenges

Ms Nachisikwe says she began leaking urine.

‘I did not know what had happened to me. I was leaking urine all the time and thought it was witchcraft,’ she says.

The condition eventually contributed to the breakdown of her marriage before she was referred for specialised treatment and successfully operated on. Today, she uses her experience to encourage other women to seek medical help immediately when they experience similar symptoms.

Health experts say teenage pregnancies remain one of the leading factors behind obstetric fistula cases. Ms Abagail Musenero, a registered midwife at Bumonoli Health Centre III, says many adolescent mothers avoid seeking medical care because they fear being judged.

Ms Musenero says delayed referrals from traditional birth attendants continue to pose a major challenge.

‘We still have many traditional birth attendants conducting deliveries in villages instead of referring mothers early to health facilities. By the time many women arrive here, they have already developed serious complications,’ she says.

According to her, some mothers arrive at health facilities after enduring many hours of labour, often with severe bleeding, retained placentas or fistula injuries that could have been prevented through skilled birth attendance.

Despite the challenges, health workers say awareness campaigns are beginning to yield results, with more women attending antenatal clinics and opting to deliver in health facilities.

Mr Wilberforce Mukone, a male champion working with Naguru Teenage Centre, says stigma remains one of the biggest barriers preventing young mothers from accessing healthcare services.

‘Many young girls fear going to health facilities because they are ashamed of being questioned about becoming pregnant at a young age; that is why many of them opt for traditional birth attendants,’ he says.

Through school outreach programmes, village meetings and community sensitisation campaigns, volunteers are educating young people about family planning, early antenatal care and safe delivery practices.

Health workers believe sustained community education remains the most effective way to dispel myths surrounding fistula.

Hundreds of fishermen who have operated on Lake Albert in Kagadi District for years now face an uncertain future following a presidential directive aimed at streamlining fishing activities and eliminating illegal fishing practices on Uganda’s water bodies.

Under the new arrangement, more than 500 fishing boats currently operating from eight landing sites in Ndaiga sub-county will be removed from the lake. The eight landing sites will collectively be allowed only 264 fishing boats, with each site allocated 33 boats and a maximum of 100 fishmongers.

The affected landing sites are Kabukanga, Nguse, Kitebere, Songarawo, Rwebigongoro, Ndaiga, Nyamasoga, and Kamiina, all located along Lake Albert on the Uganda-DR Congo border.

To oversee implementation, seven-member management committees have been established at each landing site. The committees are expected to monitor fishing activities, ensure compliance with fisheries regulations, and work closely with government authorities to protect fish stocks.

The committees were launched last week by Kagadi Resident District Commissioner Ms Caroline Nanshemeza, who urged members to remain committed and avoid corruption.

‘Chairpersons should remain determined to execute the roles attached to them, work with the people and report any challenges to the authorities. We shall not tolerate corruption. Anyone found receiving bribes will be arrested and removed from the committee,’ Nanshemeza warned.

She said years of illegal fishing methods, poor waste disposal, and use of unauthorized gear have depleted fish stocks in Lake Albert, threatening the fishing industry.

‘If we do not control poor fishing methods and environmental degradation, we risk losing aquatic life and the livelihoods that depend on the lake,’ she added.

Kagadi District Fisheries Officer Mr Francis Xavier Gwazo said reducing boat numbers is meant to eliminate congestion and curb illegal practices.

‘This initiative will help us prevent poor fishing methods and reduce conflicts arising from overcrowding along the lake shores. Across the eight landing sites, we have had about 800 fishing boats, but these will now be reduced to 264,’ he explained.

He said two or more people can own a single boat but each pays a license fee individually. At each landing site, a maximum of 100 people will operate using the 33 boats. Across all eight sites, 800 people will remain accessing the lake for fishing, compared to over 2,000 previously.

Mr Gwazo said the selection process prioritizes vulnerable groups such as widows, single mothers, and households that depend entirely on fishing.

‘Some individuals owned several boats while others had none. We want to create opportunities for vulnerable groups that have no alternative means of survival. Those with other sources of income can engage in different businesses and support the local economy,’ he said.

He warned beneficiaries against encroaching on fish breeding areas, noting that destruction of breeding grounds has contributed to declining stocks. He also advised committees against water patrols, saying enforcement should be left to marine authorities.

‘For some time, life may become difficult for both fishermen and consumers. Fish prices are likely to increase because supply will reduce while demand remains high,’ he said.

Many fishermen who missed out fear losing their only livelihood. Mr Daniel Aduba of Ndaiga said he was unfairly removed despite initially being selected.

‘I was included among the beneficiaries, but later my name was removed. They told me I am Congolese, yet I have lived and worked here for many years. Fishing is the only source of income I know,’ he said.

Mr John Byaruhanga of Nyamasoga Landing Site said families are stranded.

‘We have spent our entire lives on the lake. Today we are being told to leave fishing and look for other work, but nobody is telling us where that work will come from. We do not own land for farming, and we do not have money to start businesses,’ he said.

Mr Robert Mugenyi of Kabukanga Landing Site said most affected fishermen lack education and capital for alternatives.

‘The government is advising us to engage in other economic activities, but most of us have been fishermen all our lives. We do not have capital to start businesses and we do not have land for agriculture. Without support, many families will sink deeper into poverty,’ he said.

Ms Sarah Ayesiga, a fish trader, appealed for a transition plan.

‘We support our children through selling fish. If only a few traders are allowed to remain, many women will lose their income. Government should first provide alternative opportunities before removing people from the lake,’ she said.

The Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, Mr Henry Musasizi, recently read the National Budget speech for the Financial Year (FY)2026/2027. The Budget has both some hits and misses. I will start by highlighting what I think are its positive aspects.

The recent economic performance and outlook are positive. The economy is doing well, growing at 6.4 percent and nominal GDP is estimated to increase to $69.3b.

The projected GDP growth of 10.2 percent in FY2026/2027 is good, although it might be overly ambitious.

This is considering the conflict in the Middle East, which has resulted in significantly higher global oil prices, coupled with the recent Ebola outbreak in DR Congo , which has been a public relations and communications crisis for the country, negatively impacting our tourism sector and economic activity in general.

This is irrespective of whether commercial oil production commences during this period, which will almost certainly strengthen economic growth.

Under its FY2026/2027 financing strategy, government plans on expanding alternative sources of financing, including Public-Private Partnerships, venture capital, innovative instruments such as SUKUK, and listing of commercially viable public enterprises on the stock exchange.

If implemented, this will go a long way in reducing the pressure from government’s traditional funding sources such as government securities, which could lead to lower interest rates in these instruments and have a knock-on effect on interest rates in the economy as a whole.

It could simultaneously deepen our financial and capital markets by expanding the fixed income instrument menu and diversifying the investor pool as well as increasing the counters on the Uganda Securities Exchange (USE), which hasn’t had an Initial Public Offering (IPO) in years.

Capital markets can provide a platform to raise large-scale, long-term capital, a necessity if government is to achieve its tenfold growth strategy. I now want to highlight some of the misses. On top of the list is percentage of the Budget that debt servicing is going to consume.

At Shs33.4 trillion, this is 39.6 percent of the total Budget, a massive increase from Shs27.5 trillion in the current fiscal year.

Of this total amount, interest payments alone equate to Shs12.35 trillion. Interest payments as a percentage of government revenues are 26.87 percent, up from roughly 25 percent in the current fiscal year.

So, this means that for every Shs1,000 that government earns, Shs269 goes towards paying interest on loans. This is a worrying trend, as these statistics present a more realistic picture about how sustainable our national debt is, rather than the more commonly referenced debt to GDP ratio, now at a reported 53 percent.

Under the new tax policy measures, government has introduced a five percent withholding tax on interest payments made by Ugandan companies to foreign financial institutions whom they have borrowed from.

This is a major ‘own goal’ for several reasons. It will either discourage capital inflows or increase the cost of doing business, or both. Financial institutions such as commercial banks are the largest recipients of such foreign funding, most of which is lent to Ugandan companies and individuals.

Financial institutions are likely to reduce such borrowings because of the additional costs or pass on these costs to these customers, making borrowing more expensive. It must be noted that these capital inflows have played a part in the stability of the Uganda Shilling, as they are typically disbursed in foreign currency.

When it comes to the Budget allocations, the amounts provided for the tourism sector and mineral development, mining, oil and gas, are relatively small, considering they are key pillars of government’s ATMS tenfold growth strategy.

Tourism receipts increased to $1.86b in 2025, putting it in the top three net-foreign exchange earners for the country. H

owever, it is only with a more intentional approach that the sector will grow, as it has the potential to be the top foreign exchange earner. Uganda is naturally endowed but adequate funding, focus and promotion is what will help it will realise its full tourism potential.

This is over and above the enablers that government has put in place. When you analyse the amount allocated to mineral development, mining, oil and gas, most of it goes towards oil and gas.

And yet Uganda’s mineral potential far exceeds its oil and gas sector potential, being blessed with deposits of precious metals, iron ore, rare earth elements, uranium, base metals, 3Ts and industrial minerals.

Mining is capital-intensive, so it is imperative that government allocates enough funding for geo-data generation, exploration and development. Lastly, I want to highlight our general budget planning and the consistent use of supplementary budgets. Supplementary budgets are not merely financial adjustments.

They are a test of how credible the original Budget was, how well government institutions planned for predictable obligations, and whether additional resources are resolving avoidable planning gaps.

History shows that they repeatedly cater for predictable expenditures such as wages and institutional arrears.

Further to this, the associated additional funding requirements for supplementary budgets also contribute to the constant increase in domestic borrowing.