Category: Daily Monitor

Ugandan authorities have confirmed the death of a fisher-woman after eight nationals were ambushed while fishing along the River Nile in South Sudan, officials said on Saturday.

The attack occurred on November 27, 2025, when three Arabic speaking armed men in army-green uniforms, resembling those of South Sudanese rebels, opened fire on the group, killing 39-year-old Joyce Peta from Gbari Village, Metu Sub-county, Moyo District.

‘Three unidentified armed individuals attacked the people in their temporary shelters along the river shores,” said North West Nile Police Public Relations Officer Collins Asea.

One person was killed, and others managed to escape but remain unaccounted for, according to police records.

The survivors, including fishermen Savior Lukaja, Ginya Simon, Charles Kenyi, Nataline Kojoa, and fishmonger Rose Asio, 50, returned to Uganda and were treated at Gbari Health Center II before being referred to Moyo General Hospital.

Peta’s body has not yet been recovered, but her one-year and eight-month-old baby was rescued by a Good Samaritan and handed over to relatives.

Authorities are working with South Sudanese forces to locate the deceased and the remaining missing persons.

‘The security situation at the Uganda-South Sudan border is calm,’ said Moyo District RDC Geoffrey Filbert Ocailap, adding: ‘These Ugandans went to fish about 20km into South Sudan. We are taking steps to ensure the safety of our people and have restricted crossings this festive season.’

RDC Ocailap said five individuals initially went missing, with two later found injured and the whereabouts of three others still unknown.

The district security committee has also intensified border patrols and urged communities to report suspicious individuals.

‘The community has a responsibility to identify wrong elements within their midst and inform authorities,’ the RDC added.

On Saturday, Ugandan officials emphasized that the attack occurred outside the country’s territory- and does not reflect domestic security conditions.

Authorities said they would continue to monitor the area closely and coordinate with South Sudan to prevent further incidents.

Past incidents at Uganda- South Sudan border region

August 2009: Armed Sudanese forces attacked and halted MTN construction work at Jale in Moyo District.

September 2009: Seven SPLA soldiers attacked farmers in Gwere Village, Lefori, claiming the land belonged to Sudan.

November 2010: SPLA soldiers arrested 13 farmers in Gwere village, Lefori sub-county, accusing them of encroaching on Sudanese territory and taking them hostage.

March 2012: Nine Ugandan MPs were held hostage by SPLA soldiers in Lefori while conducting a monitoring exercise on disputed land.

March 2018: Gunmen from South Sudan attacked families in Padiga village, Metu sub-county, Moyo District, raiding 836 animals. During the pursuit, a UPDF soldier was killed.

July 2025: The Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) clashed with South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) at Fitina Mbaya and Goboro villages after South Sudanese soldiers allegedly established a detachment 200 metres inside Yumbe District, Uganda.

For a moment, Uganda Cubs made the world stop and listen. Their fearless run at the 2025 Fifa U-17 World Cup peaked with that unforgettable night when they matched France pound-for-pound and beat the 1987 champions and last year’s finalists 1-0 in their final Group K game.

It was followed by another statement performance in the Round of 32 where they eliminated 2023 African champions Senegal. But the fairytale ended in the Round of 16 after a painful 5-3 penalty shootout loss to Burkina Faso, a defeat that brought the journey to a halt but not the lessons.

For a brief spell, the belief grew that Uganda had risen to a level where competing with the traditional giants no longer felt like a dream.

Whether that belief becomes reality remains a debate for the future, but what is clear is that Ugandan talents often burst onto the scene with mercurial promise before their careers flatten along the way.

It is difficult to predict the trajectories of these young Cubs, just as it is easy to foresee several players from that French side graduating to elite leagues or even future World Cups.

There should be curiosity, perhaps even anticipation, about where razor-sharp James Bogere will stand compared to France’s Rembi Himbert seven years from now.

Because for Uganda, playing at a Fifa tournament is often the dream itself. But for mighty footballing nations like France, this is only where the bigger dream begins.Over the decades, the World Cup U-17 has introduced names that would go on to dominate the sport including the greats like Ronaldinho, Andrés Iniesta, Toni Kroos, Cesc Fàbregas to Africans Like Nwanko Kanu to Victor Osimhen and many more.

World Cup U-17 is the first door to global international football while the Fifa World Cup is the pinnacle of football success.

Currently, there are more than 20 players who have managed to follow that golden path from playing at the U-17 World Cup to becoming senior World Cup Champions. Since the 2010 World Cup played in South Africa, success has consistently followed teams with deliberate processes and not mere talent or luck.

Spanish blueprint

Few examples capture this better than Spain’s class of 2010. Seven members of that World Cup-winning squad including Iker Casillas, Xavi Hernandez, Andres Iniesta, Fernando Torres, Cesc Fàbregas, Pepe Reina and David Silva, first wore the national jersey as teenagers at U-17 level.

Their success was the fruits of two decades of deliberate cultivation. After years of underachievement in the 1990s, Spain doubled down on youth development through a unified football identity codenamed ‘La Filosofía del Juego’ translated to ‘The Philosophy of Play’. This language of possession and intelligence was spoken through Barcelona’s famous La Masia academy to Real Madrid’s Cantera.

By the time those young stars matured, they were collectively synchronized and not just individually gifted. The tiki-taka style that mesmerized the world with two Euros and a World Cup title between 2007-2013 had been rehearsed since their teenage years but the U-17 stage was their first dress rehearsal.

Germany’s rebirth

Germany’s 2014 triumph tells an equally compelling story of what reform and reinvention can do. The Germans suffered a humiliating group stage at the Euro 2000 with only one point. That was a turning point where the German FA decided to rebuild by setting up nationwide academies and advocated for mandatory development structures in every Bundesliga club and intensive education for the coaches.

From that squad, the likes of Toni Kroos who won the Golden ball at the 2007 U-17 World Cup and a few years later, Mario Gotze, another product of this system, scored the winning goal in the 2014 final against Argentina in Brazil, came from.

France’s golden generation of 2018

But besides those two meticulously executed projects that are now struggling to regenerate, there’s this beautiful story of France’s 1998 and 2018 World Cup victories. Decades before Kylian Mbappe was born, France built their now-famous Clairefontaine Centre in 1988.

The facility, call it a factory, spans about 56 hectares with pitches, gyms, classrooms and five-star accommodation. This hub polishes teens between 13-15 years who are subjected to a daily rigorous training routine while pursuing academics. The training majourly focuses on individual technique and tactical awareness.

This facility birthed some great French talents Thierry Henry and Nicolas Anelka who were key to World Cup 1998 and Euro 2000 victories.

By 2018, France could call upon a generation raised to think and play collectively. Though only Benjamin Mendy from the 2018 squad featured at an U-17 World Cup, many others including Mbappé, Pogba, Varane, Griezmann and Umtiti were delivered from that furnace.

As Arsène Wenger once said of the French approach, ‘You don’t just create footballers in France; you educate them in the game.’

Modern lessons

Qatar 2022, too, had some glimpses of this trend with champions Argentina. Several players including keeper Emiliano Martinez and Nicolas Tagliafico played at U-17 before their glory. Martinez was in Nigeria in 2009 and later emerged Golden Glove winner in Qatar including that heart-stopping save against Mbappe in the final minutes.

Morocco, closer to Europe than the Sub-Saharan Africa has adopted a French-like model that is already yielding after becoming the first African country to reach World Cup semifinals and recently won the U-20 World Cup. Morocco is recreating the Clairefontaine with their own $15m King Mohammed VI Academy in Sare. The project launched in 2009 providing intensive football training and a school education to teenagers between 13 to 18-years.

Our own lessons

Stories of rebuilding are not only foreign. Back here, about a decade ago, youth football faced numerous hurdles including limited structure, underfunded and non-regulated academies, age cheating and no clear pathways for talents besides school.

After Uganda was banned for fielding overage players against Rwanda in the U20 AFcon qualifiers in 2016, Fufa got the memo and acted. Their focus shifted to rebranding and restructuring of the Fufa Juniors League that had been launched in 2015.

With support from Fifa, Uganda received critical resources that funded travel for teams on away, salaries for the coaches and support for refereeing and match management.

This move created a clear pathway from grassroots to national teams. UPL teams had to compose U-17 sides to give youngsters a chance for consistent competition and exposure under trained coaches.

It yielded results as Uganda Cubs won Cecafa U-17 twice in 2018 and 2021 and progressed to the respective Afcon U-17 2019 and 2021 finals. A good number of players from that lot graduated into the Uganda Hippos (U-20) and won a silver medal at the Afcon U-20 in Mauritania in 2021 consequently qualified for the 2021 Fifa U-20 World Cup in Indonesia but that never happened as the tournament was cancelled due to Covid.

Some of the youngsters from that lot are now central to the Uganda Cranes, including Allan Okello, Aziz Kayondo and Kenneth Semakula.

The Juniors League seems to have slowed due to financial constraints but Uganda can draw lessons from global projects most especially the French they beat in that historic moment and now Moroccan models.

U-17 graduates to win the senior Fifa World Cup

France (1998)

Emmanuel Petit

Brazil (2002) Ronaldinho

Italy (2006)

Alessandro Del Piero, Gianluigi Buffon, Francesco Totti

Spain (2010)

Iker Casillas, Xavi, Pepe Reina, Andres Iniesta, Fernando Torres, Cesc Fàbregas, David Silva

Germany (2014)

Roman Weidenfeller, Toni Kroos, Mario Götze, Shkodran Mustafi

France (2018): Benjamin Mendy

Argentina (2022)

Emiliano Martínez, Nicolás Tagliafico, Exequiel Palacios

I have listened to discussions and read articles on economic growth during this political season. I’m compelled to write this article to explain how countries grow and ultimately develop. I will also answer ‘whose GDP growth?’ and state what more can be done to further grow our economy.

Economic growth, whose main measure is Gross Domestic Product (GDP), is the increase in the productive capacity, or potential output, of the entire economy of a country.

The ingredients of economic growth are capital (earning interest), labour (wages and salaries), entrepreneurial (or enterprise) earning profit, and sometimes land (where they have it) earning rent.

Based on GDP and other measures of the economy, I wish to state that Uganda is growing and should be supported by citizens, investors (domestic and foreign), academia, media and others. It is true that in 1986, her total output of the economy was estimated at around $3.9 billion. It has now exceeded $60b as of June 2025 and is targeting $500b by 2040.

Given our history and our location geographically, with most countries suffering a peace and stability deficit all around us, the growth rate has been impressive. Uganda has maintained a growth rate above 6 percent for several decades.

Source of funds

For the private sector, sources of funds include own money, support from friends and family, selling shares on the stock exchange, loans from banks, and sometimes government support. What are the government’s sources of funds to run the country?

Sources include taxes, levies, government investments, sometimes government or its agencies undertake consultancy for other countries or agencies, consular fees, private sector investments (DDI and FDI), exports, grants, and loans.

Let me state that all countries are always seeking investors for their countries. Countries are competing for investors all the time. US President Donald Trump is traversing the globe, wooing investors.

A government has created an enabling environment, and firms have invested; it is expected that they pay taxes, create jobs, bring in technology and sometimes corporate social responsibility, and expand and widen the export base to bring in more foreign exchange.

No government can force an investor on how to enjoy profits and where they should enjoy them. Moral suasion will be required to have investors re-use their money in re-investing in this country.

What more can be done to continue sustained growth for Uganda?

A leadership that keeps ensures peace and stability is paramount.

We need to continue with maintained security to avoid joining our neighbours in the peace deficit. The economy cannot grow without security for people and their property. Money hates noise. It will move away when noise escalates.

Continue efforts in critical infrastructure and power development (roads, power, railways, water, etc.,).

There is need to continue our membership in regional integration for peace and markets. Let us understand that as a country our market is not enough market, more markets continue to be gained by our membership in the EAC, COMESA, and recently AfCTA.

Role of the state and the private sector. The government has cautiously undertaken operations of organisations with government shares to push the private sector development; with the private sector supported to become competitive.

Market-friendly policies should continue to spur private sector competitiveness by promoting competition, standards, exports, investments, tourism, ICT, among others.

Continue investment promotion and facilitation has enhanced the size and quantity of industries and business domestically and for exports. Uganda is ranked by some countries as one of the best investment destinations.

Export promotion and tourism promotion as marketing pivots for the country should continue.

Continued economic and commercial diplomacy efforts by our missions in different parts of the world is important for investments, exports, tourism, and diaspora remittances.

Wishing you peaceful campaigns and elections. I have already voted for peace and stability.

Former Electoral Commission boss Prof Badru Kiggundu has been installed as the third chancellor of Busitema University for a four-year term, pledging transparency and strengthened governance at the eastern Uganda-based government institution.

The swearing-in took place on Friday during the university’s 16th graduation ceremony at its main campus in Busitema Sub-county, Busia District, overseen by Tororo High Court Judge Henry Kaweesa.

University Vice Chancellor Prof Paul Wako said the institution has maintained discipline among students, a factor he credited with a growing enrollment.

‘As we talk now, we have attracted many students from other countries including Sudan, Kenya, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Rwanda, and many others, therefore we want to call upon the government to increase funds for better performance,’ Prof Wako said.

He noted that graduation numbers are steadily rising as 1,600 students completed their studies last year, while this year 1,915 students graduated across different faculties.

Prof Wako also highlighted new vocational skills courses in irrigation, building and concrete practice, tailoring, and plumbing, aimed at equipping youths with employment-ready skills.

‘We introduced these courses to empower the youths to ensure that they can also get employment opportunities rather than waiting to be employed by the government,’ he said.

Despite progress, the vice chancellor flagged challenges including insufficient infrastructure across seven campuses and a severe shortage of faculty staff, currently at only 10 percent.

He called for government support in laboratory equipment and research funding.

Eng Prof Kiggundu, addressing the graduates and staff, pledged to facilitate resources for the university’s smooth operations.

‘I want to appreciate the leadership of this university for maintaining discipline, and producing highly skilled students,’ he said, promising transparency and a collaborative approach with staff and government.

Representing President Museveni, Defence Minister Jacob Oboth Oboth praised the university for using dialogue to maintain peace and urged graduates to uphold professionalism.

‘The NRM government has invested a lot in youth projects because we believe that the youths have the ability to transform this country if they are guided well. Get involved in the youth projects as you wait for your professional jobs,’ Oboth said.

He added that the government is exploring ways to create jobs, including constructing factories in every sub-region.

About Kiggundu

After 14 years as head of the Electoral Commission, Eng Kiggundu retired in November 2016.

She speaks with a calmness that feels earned, the kind that comes from years of learning the rhythm of land, animals, and seasons. Ask her to introduce herself to a stranger, and Peace Kayezu takes a moment, as though choosing the truest version of herself.

A family woman who is into farming, recreation and culture. Her friends describe her differently: an inspiration, especially those who knew her at 13 when she was already tinkering with plants and curious about farming.

To them, she is a reminder that passion can be steady, soft, and transformative. Some call her creative, but she shrugs it off. She knows the truth of her life: the land has always spoken to her.

Her story into farming began with a question that kept tugging at her: why do young people think farming is boring? Ten years ago, the thought grew stronger. She watched a generation drift away from the soil and wondered why agriculture lacked excitement in their eyes.

‘They think it’s not fashionable,’ she says.

‘They don’t see value in it.’ She wanted to change that. She wanted a farm where learning didn’t feel like punishment, and where agriculture could be playful and modern without losing its roots.

‘Something you want to do’

Her solution was bold: blend farming with recreation. If young people thought farms were dull, she would build one that felt alive.

At her farm, you milk a cow and then cool off in a swimming pool, plant in the garden and then head to a basketball court and prune an orchard and then take a quad-bike ride.

She wanted farming to feel like something you want to do, not something you escape from. That vision would eventually become Kaynela Farms Limited, a place where agriculture, leisure, culture, and tourism live under one sky.

The name Kaynela itself is a quiet treasure. It comes from her and her children. The dream began much smaller. They started with banana plantations, pineapples, and fishponds. After Covid-19, the economics of matooke shifted; they were giving away more than they sold.

Kayezu did her research and discovered plantain had better returns. They switched, adapted, and thrived. That adaptability became a hallmark of her entrepreneurship.

Today, Kaynela Farms, located in Kayunga, stretches across 200 acres and feels like its own world. The orchard alone is a fruit lover’s passport, with apples, dragon fruit, kiwi, coconut, citrus, grapes, strawberries, as well as vegetables, poultry, rabbits, goats, cows, donkeys, horses, ostriches, and even crocodiles.

There is a black soldier fly station, where protein-rich larvae become sustainable animal feed.

There is an aviary so large and varied that the proprietor only hints at the species inside, smiling as though the mystery is part of the charm. And then there is the sports hub: a football pitch, basketball court, tennis court, volleyball pitch, and netball court.

It feels less like a farm and more like a living campus, a place where farming meets play, culture meets curiosity and a visitor can walk through orchards, pat a llama, eat traditional food, and finish the day enjoying a basketball game.

In her bloodline

Interestingly, Kayezu did not formally study tourism or agriculture. She studied Business Administration. ‘It’s just passion,’ she says. But farming is in her bloodline.

Her mother and siblings are farmers. She was raised in a tempo of planting and harvest, the quiet certainty of soil and seasons. And then there is her partner, Faisal who is born and raised in urban Kampala and craved a village setting somewhere close.

He loves animals while she loves plants which makes the harmony of their work clear and complementary.

To fine-tune their idea, the couple did research and learnt by visiting people within and outside Uganda. Ultimately, they sought to put together a place which would give visitors a semblance of homeliness. She says: ‘When young people come here, they feel like they are home, not in a lodge where you’re restricted.’

That feeling, the freedom to explore, touch, try, and play, is her real accomplishment. She believes agritourism is Uganda’s next frontier. ‘Tourism is changing. People have seen the animals.

After that, then what?’ she asks. Kayezu believes farms can offer experiences traditional tourism cannot: cultural immersion, food storytelling, hands-on participation and authenticity. She adds, ‘If we add agritourism to our itineraries, we will sell better than just safaris. We have cultures that are not talked about.’

GASTRONOMY IS A JOURNEY

One of the most distinctive experiences at the farm is the food, not the taste alone, but the philosophy behind it. Peace Kayezu is particular about calling it gastronomy, not culinary. ‘Gastronomy is a journey from the garden to the table,’ she explains. It begins when matooke is harvested. It continues with the peeling, steaming, wrapping, smoking, and storytelling.

The final meal, eaten on banana leaves, under an orchard, surrounded by the scent of firewood, is part of the narrative. ‘This is not a restaurant in Kampala,’ she says. ‘I want you to feel like you are home in the village.’ The presentation is rustic, beautiful, and meaningful. Banana leaves are abundant at the farm; using them is practical, cultural, and aesthetic.

The juice is fresh from the garden. The food reflects Uganda’s heritage in ways that feel both old and newly appreciated.

Every December, the farm hosts a three-day cultural gastronomy festival from December 24-26 during which chefs from all regions of Uganda are invited to prepare indigenous foods and storytellers to relive traditions.

There are band performances, dances, bonfires, and cultural exhibitions. When she looks back at everything she has built, Kayezu smiles. ‘I am very happy, proud of the team, and excited for the future.’

The farm establishment is not simply a business to her but a way of reshaping how young people see farming, a place where culture sits on the table, visitors can feel at home, and Uganda’s past and future meet. Before she ends the conversation, she adds one last line- soft, humble, and inviting: ‘Thank you for thinking about Kaynela. And please come and visit so you can have the real experience.’

The Democratic Party (DP) President General has attacked a section of the top National Resistance Movement (NRM) leadership for allegedly defiling several provisions of the cooperation agreement signed by both parties recently.

On Tuesday, Norbert Mao, accompanied by his wife, Beatrice, officially launched his campaign at Obiya Highland Public Grounds in Laroo Division, Gulu City, with a pointed warning to some NRM candidates for attacking him and his family over his decision to join the Pece-Laroo Division race.

A visibly angered Mao expressed disappointment that the NRM fronted candidates in constituencies where they knew the DP had done the same, contrary to the provisions of the cooperation agreement. Such ignorance and confusion, he said, has thrown DP and NRM candidates, including himself, into unnecessary wars. ‘I want to assure our partners of DP, namely the NRM, that some of them have started small wars, which are not necessary.’

Mao, who openly declared support and offered to canvass all constituencies in the sub-region to campaign for DP candidates, said he had learnt that many NRM candidates, including incumbent Members of Parliament (MPs), are worried about losing elections due to what he brings to the table.

‘I know many of them are simply worried, particularly those in Acholi, that ‘we are going to lose elections because Mao is going to be moving around’. I want to assure you, the purpose of this campaign is to get the best possible leaders for our people,’ he said.

‘I want NRM to send the best of the NRM. If you send bad NRM leaders, your party will suffer in the next election,’ he added while giving an example of Aswa County, where Simon Wokorach, the incumbent lawmaker, is alleged to be toiling to explain why he has been silent in the 11th Parliament.

Mao this week said Aswa ‘sent an MP who came and gave a report to the voters, that when you go to Parliament, you just don’t talk anyhow. You have to be told what to say. Now, how can you have such a leader? That’s a scandal.’

Mao believes such a below-par performance has given Patrick Okello Onguti, a DP candidate, a great opportunity to be elected to the 12th Parliament.

After exiting parliamentary politics 20 years ago, Mao reiterated that he was back and that his target is to see the Acholi Sub-region elect 11 strong lawmakers to discuss real Acholi issues.

‘Let’s fight to have the best possible Acholi 11 MPs around me, like we were in 1996. I am among those who qualify to be in the first 11, and for Parliament, I’m there as the team captain.

Where there is a DP candidate, there shouldn’t have been an NRM candidate, and where there is an NRM candidate, there shouldn’t have been a DP candidate. But because many of the NRM leaders failed to understand our cooperation agreement, the President (Museveni) could not insist,’ Mao stated.

Mao is facing the incumbent, Fr Charles Onen, Tony Kitara (NRM), Simon Opoka (UPC), Ceasar Lubangakene and Charles Odokonyo (both Independent), who are all running for the second time, against the Catholic priest, and Wilfred Opobo, a newcomer.

Fr Onen, an NRM-leaning pioneer MP for Pece-Laroo Division, secured a win in 2021 on an Independent ticket with 6,638 votes on the back of flooring 12 other opponents, including Nancy Atimango of the NRM (4,220 votes), Lubangakene, who contested on the NUP ticket (2,557), FDC’s Geoffrey Komakech (1,619), Opoka, who contested on the DP ticket (698), and former MP Emmanuel Mwaka Lutukumoi (1,098), among others.

NRM’s Kitara, who recently won the party flag for the constituency, had hoped to secure an easy run on Fr Onen after fleeing the Bardege-Layibi Division race, from where Mr Martin Ojara Mapenduzi floored him in 2021.

Family attack

Mao’s recent decision to contest in the Pece-Laroo Division in Gulu City has been met with criticism and fear among his opponents, who now fear they could lose elections, alleging that he is a project of the State.

Because of such fights, Mao said some candidates had gone ahead to attack him in their campaigns, accusing him of marrying a non-Acholi-an act socially considered anti-cultural by several sections of the Acholi society.

The political atmosphere in the constituency has grown even hotter in the past two weeks, with Mao’s opponents openly criticising him at the campaigns.

For example, a fortnight ago, Gifter Aber, the Laroo-Pece Division mayoral candidate (NRM), while campaigning alongside NRM’s Kitara in a rally also attended by Bardege-Layibi (NRM) candidate Martin Ojara Mapenduzi, scoffed at Mao for marrying a non-Acholi wife, Beatrice, for which he did not deserve any votes.

‘Clap your hands to thank Tonny Kitara, a true man who grew up in Acholi land and married an Acholi. God bless you abundantly. Others engage and marry foreign women, but they want votes from Acholi women, and may burn them. If you are a candidate who married a non-Acholi woman, who do you expect to give you votes to buy matooke for your wife?’ Aber stated sarcastically.

In response, Mao said he had married his wife for himself, and that he was ready to defend his family against whoever dared to attack it.

‘Whoever hates my wife, hates me, if you hate Mao, come out open, don’t hide under my wife to say I married a foreigner, because if I begin to count those of us who married foreigners, their (NRM) party chairman is not Acholi, the (NRM) party secretary general (Richard Todwong) has a non-Acholi wife, they must desist from slandering my wife,’ Mao reacted.

He added: ‘My opponents are now talking recklessly against me; if you have an issue with Mao, face Mao.’

Below the belt?

Meanwhile, in a widely circulated social media clip, Kitara admitted his frustration with Mao on the grounds that he had engaged in several dark acts, including alleged blackmail. Kitara alleged that Mao approached him to ask him to step down from the race in exchange for a judicial appointment. His alleged decline was not well-received.

‘The only thing that annoys me is the blackmail with which he approached his nominations. On the same day, he and I were nominated. He walked straight to me, and he told me, ‘your issue is giving people headaches. If they appoint you a judge, don’t refuse.

But I responded to him that I am a lawyer and I know judges are appointed, and I have not undertaken any process to be appointed a judge, and when he said I should leave that to him, I said I don’t partake of fraud,” Mr Kitara said.

‘He later went on the radio to state that he had talked with my party chairman (the President) and that I would be given an alternative deployment since he is the president’s favourite candidate, and I felt that was very insulting,’ he added.

On different instances, Mao has always hinted at his political success and his aspiration and capacity to lead the country following a previously signed cooperation agreement between his party and the NRM.

In October, for example, while he addressed DP flag-bearers at the DP headquarters on Balintuma Road, Kampala, Mao did not hesitate to define the party’s multi-million dreams that guide a new covenant seeking to usher in a new (transition) Uganda.

In the manifesto document, the party outlines its vision and protocol in tackling critical issues surrounding the transition dialogue after President Museveni announced recently that he was seeking re-election for the last time.

‘We shall have a new constitution resulting from a negotiated Uganda in which all parts that constitute 16 regions of Uganda feel included as equal shareholders from Ankore, Tooro, Bugisu, Kigezi, Buganda, Busoga, Karamoja, West Nile and the northern region, among others,’ he told the sitting.

Days later, while addressing the congregation at the 13th memorial service of the late Tiberio Okeny Atwoma at Orayng Ojuma ‘A’ South Village in Labongo Amida Sub-county in Kitgum District, Mao hinted that he was primed to become the next head of state based on the ongoing discussions.

‘I am one of the few people who have harvested honey without lighting any fire (smoke), and I am still harvesting it, and nothing stops me from sitting on the seat (presidency), but for now, I don’t want to spill out so many secrets because there are levels of talks, including those that are highly classified.’

‘A good midwife’

On October 22, shortly after being nominated, Mao told journalists that he described himself as a good midwife, hunter and philosopher who delivers transition.

‘In the whole of northern Uganda, I am the only capable leader who is ready and has the capacity to lead Uganda. The trust people will put in me will empower me to be able to sit in the presidential chair. Have hope in this election. So, if you are electing someone, elect someone who is a good ‘hunter’ so that we can move the country forward,’ he said.

He also revealed that the cooperation between the ruling party (NRM) and the party he leads has a lot of secrets in it.

‘Our (DP) cooperation with the NRM has a lot of secrets in it that I will not reveal. I only ask people to trust me with their votes. I am a capable leader. And people should relax, the truth will come out. I am like a respected philosopher. People should have hope,’ he adds.

Kitara also disputed claims that the cooperation agreement provided that NRM should not file candidates in constituencies where DP had earlier filled.

‘I am aware of the cooperation, but that cooperation has not manifested into an alliance, both parties have different structures, headquarters and leadership, including the primary election structures that took both parties different periods. If such a decision is to be made by the party that its members surrender to DP, that would be very unfortunate for the party, and I am very glad that was the decision NRM took,’ Kitara said.

Colour trends are some of the easiest fashion trends to adopt, and not just because they work for a lot of people, but because colours allow you to dive into a trend slowly and easily. And the latest hue trend to jump on is Chocolate brown. This shade is not only rich without being loud, but it is also warm, making it the perfect choice for any setting you might be dressing up for. Whether it is for work, to church or a nice daytime event, this colour is one that you can count on to give you the most stunning look at the end of the day.

It flatters almost every skin tone, works well with pieces you already own in your closet, which means you can also have some colour block options as well, with this trend. It’s also versatile enough to pair with neutrals like cream, white, or grey, yet still holds its own when styled with colours like emerald green, soft pink, powder blue, or mustard.

And the best part is that this is a unisex colour, which means it could also be used to create a nice couple matching outfit moment. Here is how you can get into the trend.

For your workwear

This colour trend is a great way to add some warmth and character to your office look. So, begin this off with a chocolate brown leather blazer, which you can then pair with some cream trousers, a white shirt and some gold accessories to complete. If you prefer dresses, a brown midi in a knit fabric as this gives a polished office look without being too formal. If you feel like adding a bit of colour to this, but with a bolder look, then you can add a green dress to be layered with your coat.

For the guys, brown suits have made a comeback, and chocolate tones look especially sharp. A well-fitted brown suit paired with a white or light blue shirt looks modern. If a full suit feels too strong, try brown trousers with a crisp shirt or a brown knit polo under a blazer.

Brown also works well in business-casual looks, so think chinos, a button-up shirt, and a brown cardigan or sweater create a smart, relaxed vibe.

Errand days

Brown shines in relaxed outfits, as well, so think wide-leg trousers, flowy sundresses, or soft cardigans for your casual days or if you are heading out for some errands. Or you could try out a chocolate brown slip dress with sandals or a brown bomber jacket over jeans and a tank top for a simple but put-together look.

If you are looking for a more athleisure spin, then think brown leggings or joggers with a matching hoodie, which will give you a relaxed, but still great look.

When it comes to this dress option, chocolate brown really shines for men. A simple brown T-shirt or crewneck sweatshirt pairs easily with jeans, black trousers, or cargo pants. For colder settings, a brown bomber jacket or hoodie feels effortless but intentional.

If you like layering, mix brown with earthy tones like olive, beige, and rust to create a warm, cohesive palette.

Night Out options

For evening wear, look for chocolate brown fabrics with texture like satin, silk, leather, or sheer layers. You can also try a corset top with tailored trousers or a brown leather mini skirt with a fitted long-sleeve top. For your accessories, you have the option of styling your looks with anything metallic or sparkly, which adds all the drama that a nighttime look requires. For evening looks, brown shirts in silk, satin, or linen offer a sleek alternative to black. A brown fitted shirt with black jeans gives a clean, confident look. If you want to take it up a notch, a chocolate brown leather jacket adds edge without trying too hard.

Footwear is a great way to bring in the colour, so try brown loafers, boots, or sneakers, which work with almost everything.

Go in with accessories

Like all trends, if you want to ease into a trend, accessories are the gentlest entry point. So, for your chocolate brown looks, you can get into it with bags, shoes such as heels or sneakers or even sunglasses. The minimal additions allow you to get into this without feeling overwhelmed, but also be able to try on the trend. And the variations with the brown shades make it easy for you to find something that works well for you.

This trend is one of those colours that can quietly transform your style, effortlessly.

You might feel like the holiday season is approaching quickly this year. Christmas lights and decorations are already emerging and brightening up the dark evenings.

Now, as the office parties, celebrations and festive events take place, people will be keen to have fun and get distracted from what may have been a difficult year for many.

At the same time, as someone who advises companies, families and high-profile figures on how to avoid dangerous threats, I would say this is also an important time to raise awareness levels.

Firstly, it gets dark earlier now and muggers, along with other street criminals, do take advantage of the low visibility once daylight fades.

Try to avoid poorly lit areas, whether walking around or parking your car. When there are festive parties going on, thieves can be active especially in bars, restaurants and pubs.

During celebrations, it’s easy to assume friends or colleagues are watching each other’s bags, but often guards get dropped and bags disappear. Even phones left on tables can suddenly get removed by quick hands.

This could be on a street or on public transport. Route selection is important, as is choosing the safest way of getting home. It’s also much better if people can avoid travelling alone. When waiting for a private taxi to arrive, choose carefully where you wait and actively engage your situational awareness when exiting venues and when arriving at your house or apartment building.

Another factor to take into account is that as we get closer to the end of the year, people’s energy levels can dwindle. When people are tired, it can affect their levels of alertness. Should someone look fatigued, it makes them a more inviting target for all kinds of criminals. Try to clock those moments when fatigue sets in and awareness dwindles.

In my training approach, Tri-Tier, there are three levels of training. One of these is resilience. By building your resilience, you become a less appealing target.

Simple practices like the utilisation of your breathing in a focused way and adjusting your posture, can reignite awareness and energy levels. Then, we will use principles and practices from older martial arts traditions, so this resilience and awareness training can be taken to even more subtle levels.

Enhance your home/shop/store security locking mechanism.

Introduce enhanced security locking protocols. Be it padlocks, hand operated locks, etc, one needs reputable locks to secure a home, shop or a warehouse.

If the risk is so high (your house, shop, warehouse has high value items) deploy enhanced due diligence measures (EDD), you can have a warehouse with goods worth Shs1b and you want to use an ordinary padlock.

Don’t drink and drive.

Traffic police will be on the roads to enforce behaviour while on the road but this alone is not good enough. Self discipline is the deal. Don’t rush, leave early, drive safely and reach home in peace not in pieces. Stop and stretch every two hours. Avoid night driving where possible. Hydrate with juices and water as much as possible. Shop early.

Fake products are entering the market now. Fake in terms of adulteration, weight, expiration, etc. To avoid buying counterfeit products, shop early and shop from reorganised places.

Where possible, obtain a receipt. Avoid street purchases, especially when goods appear cheaper than the average market price

Leave someone in your house.

If the whole family is going to the village for festive season celebrations, try to leave an adult at home. If impossible, secure guarding services from private security companies. The bad guys are monitoring you.

Situational awareness refers to the ability to perceive and understand your environment, recognise potential hazards, and predict their impact. It involves being mindful of your surroundings, identifying changes, and responding appropriately to maintain safety.

Genuine security agencies will endeavour to secure us but they also have limitations. The best police officer is yourself. Appreciate your surrounding.

Lastly, information contributes a lot in the space of security and safety. We can get information through social media, electronic and print media. Listen to radios and follow what’s happening within the region, the locality and the nation as whole.

Christmas and end year are just two days. Don’t lose your life because of two days when you have managed to keep safe for 360 days.

Safety and security is everyone’s responsibility. Do your part and the police will do its part.

Uganda’s Judiciary says it resolved more than 19,000 small claims worth nearly Shs5 billion in the 2024/2025 financial year, an outcome senior officials say demonstrates the growing impact of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) in easing pressure on the country’s courts.

According to the Judiciary’s Annual Performance Report, a total of 19,211 small claims were concluded, enabling the recovery of Shs4.63 billion without a single full hearing.

Principal Judge Lady Justice Jane Abodo said the results underline the importance of ADR and the Small Claims Procedure in reducing congestion and accelerating justice delivery.

‘As judicial officers, the most powerful tools to decongest courts are the Small Claims Procedure and plea bargaining. These mechanisms save time, reduce costs, and deliver justice faster for ordinary Ugandans,’ she said on Saturday.

She made the remarks while addressing judicial officers attending training in judgment writing, criminal and civil trial procedures, active case management, and ADR at the Judicial Training Institute (JTI) in Kampala.

Despite the gains, the caseload remains heavy. As of October, courts across the High Court and Magistrates’ Courts were handling a backlog of 39,000 cases.

‘These are not just numbers, they represent human lives on hold. A land case filed in 2018 should not be getting its first hearing in 2025. An accused person should not spend five years on remand for an offence whose maximum sentence is seven years,’ Justice Abodo said.

She called on judicial officers to adopt an ‘ADR mindset,’ examining every case for settlement potential from the moment it is filed, before committing it to lengthy trial processes. She said court-annexed mediation, plea bargaining and Settlement Fortnight should become central to service delivery across all stations.

‘Real value for money is measured in cases that end in mediation, plea bargains, consent judgments, or well-reasoned judgments. When we do these things consistently, backlogs will reduce, public confidence will grow, and we will have delivered justice to Ugandans,’ she said.

Justice Andrew Khuaka, Executive of the Judicial Training Institute, said the ongoing national training is intended to strengthen knowledge of amendments to the Civil Procedure Rules, which were updated in 2019.

‘The rules introduced innovative measures on representation, case management procedures, considerations for representative actions, and summonses for directions, all aimed at modernising the Judiciary,’ Justice Khuaka said.

He added: ‘The rules also enhance the powers of registrars, giving them more authority to manage cases efficiently. The training is intended to familiarise judicial officers across the country with these rules and ensure their effective application.’

Justice Khuaka said the reforms are designed to shorten timelines for case disposal and improve efficiency, aligning judicial practice with the constitutional mandate to resolve cases expeditiously.

Uganda’s netball team, the She Cranes, last night extended their unbeaten run to three games in a row, edging hosts Scotland 53-51 at the ongoing Netball Celtic Cup.

The Scottish Thistles were no easy match as they held the She Cranes to a tight contest in the first three quarters.

The final quarter was when the She Cranes extended their lead and finally won the contest by two goals.

With each team playing three fixtures in the round robin format tournament, Uganda leads the log with six points, followed by Scotland and Wales, who are tied on four points.

Northern Ireland and Zimbabwe are also tied on two points, while Namibia is yet to clinch a point.

She Cranes shooting ace Mary Nuba was named player of the match against Scotland, while shooter Shadiah Nassanga and centre player Maggie Bagala clinched the award in the Namibia and Northern Ireland fixtures, respectively.

The She Cranes will take on Zimbabwe this evening before facing Wales on Sunday for their final game of the tournament.

Result

Uganda 53-51Scotland

Saturday’s fixture

Uganda vs. Zimbabwe