Category: Daily Monitor

Eighty-one suspects linked to the November 1, 2025, coordinated attacks in the Rwenzori sub-region were arraigned on Monday before the High Court in Kasese, charged with terrorism, treason, financing terrorism, murder, attempted murder, and aggravated robbery.

The suspects, including two women, appeared in court amid tight security and were remanded to Mubuku Government Prison in Kasese District until December 23, 2025, when they are expected to reappear for the hearing of their cases.

Chief Magistrate George Mfutindinda presided over the session held at Rukoki Court Chambers. He instructed prison authorities to ensure that any sick suspects receive appropriate medical attention.

‘Prison authorities should allow and ensure that those who are sick receive appropriate medical attention,’ he directed.

The suspects, who appeared anxious and wore ordinary clothes, were not allowed to enter any plea.

They had been arrested in districts of Kasese, Fort Portal, and Bundibugyo before being transported to court for the proceedings. At least three other alleged attackers remain at large.

The attacks, carried out at around 5:00 a.m., targeted military and police installations in Bundibugyo and Kasese districts, while another group attempted to raid two educational institutions in neighbouring Fort Portal City, all close to Uganda’s border with the DR Congo.

In Bundibugyo, militants struck the Malindi and Kakuka UPDF detachments. In Kasese, the Rwenzori East Central Police Barracks was attacked, leaving one police officer injured and a police uni-pot set ablaze.

Assailants also reportedly attempted to raid Canon Apollo Core Primary Teachers College and Nyakasura Senior Secondary School in Fort Portal North City Division.

The militants, mostly young men, were armed with a few AK-47 rifles, and each carried a panga, knife, or catapult. They were dressed in new black gumboots and jackets. Many were found clutching an eggplant and carrying herbs, which they allegedly believed would protect them from bullets.

The arraignment marks a key stage in ongoing investigations into the coordinated attacks, which raised national security concerns across the Rwenzori sub-region.

Have you ever noticed a white, hard substance stuck to your teeth that does not seem to get off, however hard you brush? That is most likely dental calculus. Dental calculus, also known as tartar, is the hard, yellowish or brownish deposit that forms on teeth, especially along the gum line and between teeth.

Formation of calculus is a process that starts with the formation of dental plaque. Plaque is a film of bacteria that forms on teeth within minutes of eating. If not removed within 24-72 hours, minerals from saliva (mainly calcium and phosphate) are integrated into the biofilm and cause it to harden. Once hardened, no amount of brushing or home remedies can remove it.

There are two types of calculus: supragingival (above the gum line, usually yellowish) and subgingival (below the gum line, often dark and more harmful). Some people form tartar at a faster rate due to high salivary mineral content, dry mouth (xerostomia), crowded teeth, smoking, or poor oral hygiene.

Calculus is a big discomfort for some activities enjoyed by adults. However, it is even more insidious because its rough surface traps more plaque, creating a cycle that leads to swollen, bleeding gums (gingivitis), persistent bad breath, gum recession, loose teeth (periodontitis), and even higher risks of heart disease and diabetes complications.

Calculus can only be removed by a professional: a dental surgeon, dental hygienist, or a public health dental officer. During scaling, the dentist or hygienist uses ultrasonic instruments and hand tools to break off the hard deposits.

Root planing smooths the tooth roots when subgingival calculus is present, followed by polishing to leave teeth smooth.

Regular cleaning

Most adults can benefit from professional cleaning every six to 12 months. Individuals with gum disease may, however, need it more frequently, say every three to four months, until their condition stabilizes.

Prevention is simple and effective:

Brush twice daily for two full minutes with fluoride toothpaste, focusing on the gum line.

Clean between teeth daily using floss, interdental brushes, or a water flosser.

Use tartar-control toothpaste containing pyrophosphates or zinc citrate.

Stop smoking or chewing tobacco.

Visit your dentist regularly for early detection and cleaning.

If your teeth feel rough or your gums bleed when brushing, book a professional dental cleaning appointment. The procedure is quick, usually painless, and instantly refreshing.

As Hoima continues to evolve from a Town Council to a fully-fledged City, debates surrounding the future of the 6.7-acre Hoima Boma Grounds continue to resurface with renewed intensity. For years, these grounds have faced proposals for redevelopment in various ways.

Among the dangled options have been redevelopment of the facility into a high-level health facility, and/or a modern multi-sports training complex in preparation for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon). The latest push by the National Council of Sports (NCS) requires transfer of land ownership from Hoima City to facilitate construction of a multi-sport facility. Notwithstanding the seemingly innocent good plans, behind these ambitions lie a set of environmental, social, and urban planning concerns that remain largely unaddressed.

In spite of the scale of the proposed infrastructure, a comprehensive Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) has not been brought before the District Council or the public. This omission contradicts both the Albertine Graben Environmental Management Plan (AGEMP) and Environment and Social Safeguards (ESS) that demand environmental safeguards for major projects. Hoima City hosts the regional National Environment Management Authority (Nema) offices, making the lack of environmental scrutiny even more baffling.

At a time when Uganda is committed to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), notably SDG 11 on Sustainable Cities and SDG 13 on Climate Action; failing to prioritize environmental due diligence is inexcusable and threatens the long-term urban resilience of the district eco-system. Hoima Boma Grounds remains the city’s only formal emergency assembly point-a vital asset given the city’s rapid, and often unplanned urban expansion. During football matches for Kitara FC and Buhimba Saints, crowds and traffic overwhelm city centre, highlighting existing infrastructural weaknesses. With the Hoima City Stadium located less than five kilometres away from Kyarwiru (the location of Hoima City Stadium), concentrating two major sports facilities within such proximity could paralyze mobility and disrupt local businesses, including those linked to the emerging oil and gas sector.

At a time when Uganda’s Vision 2040 emphasises resilient, orderly urban development; reducing emergency spaces and worsening congestion would undermine the city’s preparedness and competitiveness. A more sustainable solution lies in distributing large-scale infrastructure across the city. Prioritizing the modern training facility for Hoima West Division would reduce pressure on the central business area while promoting balanced development-a core objective of Vision 2040. Schools such as Parajwoki, Karongo, and Bulemwa, among others already possess playgrounds that could be upgraded and co-utilized, supporting educational co-curricular activities and aligning with SDG 4 on Quality Education.

In addition, shared infrastructure investment across Hoima East and Hoima West Divisions would complement ongoing road network improvements and address decades-old challenges tied to the city’s 400 kilometers of poor-quality roads. Hoima’s development trajectory must be guided by proven planning models. Approaches such as the Garden City concept and incremental planning can help the city manage population growth, protect green spaces, reduce pollution, and integrate recreation areas into residential neighbourhoods.

This aligns with global sustainability principles and Uganda’s national development aspirations. As the debate over Hoima Boma Grounds continues, the question is not whether development should happen-but how it should happen. Uganda cannot afford to have an infrastructure that undermines environmental sustainability, worsens congestion, and/or compromises public safety. The citizens of Hoima deserve development that respects both their immediate needs and the long-term vision of a modern, resilient, and well-planned city.

Arafat Nkoola is always a man of moments.

For much of the 2025 Fifa U-17 World Cup in Qatar, the 20th edition of the annual international men’s youth tournament staged in the Aspire Zone, the Senior Four student of St Mary’s SS Kitende was a quiet figure in Uganda’s frontline. But when the Cubs needed someone to rise to the occasion, Nkoola delivered, even if Uganda bowed out to Burkina Faso 5-3 on penalties after a 1-1 draw in normal time.

Nkoola, who grew up in the fishing village of Katosi in Mukono District, before being discovered in Kaliro District, had featured only sparingly earlier in the tournament.

He came on as a second-half substitute in the 2-1 loss to Canada, replacing Isima Magala but barely imposing himself.

Against Chile, he was introduced in the 57th minute for John Asiimwe as fellow substitute Derrick Ssozi struck a late equaliser in a spirited 1-1 draw.

He then earned a starting berth in the 1-0 win over France, lasting 76 minutes before being replaced by Enock Bagenda. Yet few would have predicted that his biggest moment was still to come.

With star forward James Bogere suspended for Tuesday’s decisive clash with Burkina Faso, coach Michael Kabali, who first spotted Nkoola in Kaliro before later coaching him again at St Mary’s Kitende, said he knew the stage was set.

‘Nkoola is one of those boys who may look quiet, but when the moment demands courage, he steps forward. I have always trusted him because I have coached him since he was very young. I knew this was his night to show the world what he carries inside,’ Kabali said.

Nkoola repaid that trust with a composed finish in the 56th minute to hand Uganda the lead. But Alassana Bagayogo struck in the 77th minute to take the game to penalties, where the West Africans held their nerve to advance.

Speaking after the match, the teenager described the experience as both uplifting and painful.

‘It was bittersweet. Scoring at the World Cup is a dream, but losing on penalties hurts. Still, I feel privileged to play on such a big stage. It gives me confidence and inspires me to work even harder to achieve more,’ he said.

Nkoola, who?

A B student who scored a second grade in his PLE at Rays of Grace, Nkoola’s journey has been one of steady rise and defining contributions.

He scored the first goal for Rays of Grace Junior School in the inaugural 2019 FUFA Odilo National Championship, a 2-1 victory over Citizen Primary School.

After joining the Rays of Grace Academy in Njeru in 2017 alongside Ibra Ssebagala, Simon Wanyama, Ratiib Gulanyago, Dissan Mwebe and Leonard Kasaanya, Nkoola quickly established himself as one of the brightest young forwards.

He emerged top scorer for Uganda at the 2022 Cecafa U17 Championship in Ethiopia with four goals, though the Cubs missed Afcon qualification after a penalty shootout loss to Somalia.

At club level, he scored a brace to guide the Vipers Junior Team to this season’s FUFA Juniors League title at Kadiba Stadium and was named MVP.

He has also been a standout in schools’ football. As one of the Rays of Grace Academy graduates, he helped St Pontiano Ngondwe qualify for the USSSA Ball Games in Arua for the first time in 27 years, scoring three goals.

A year later, after moving to St Julian Seeta, he shone again, scoring a brace against Mt St Henry’s in the U16 Mukono Zone semi-finals and four goals at the Ball Games II in Kabale.

In 2024 and 2025, he featured for St Mary’s SS Kitende, scoring twice in the national championships in Ngora.

Kabali says Nkoola’s brilliance is far more beyond scoring goals.

‘People talk about numbers, but with Arafat it’s more than that. His teamwork, discipline and his big heart are what make him special. That’s why he performs when it matters,’ the Kitende coach said.

Uganda at the 2025 U-17 W. Cup

Group Stage – Group C

Uganda 1-2 Canada

Uganda 1-1 Chile

Uganda 1-0 France

Finish: 4 points, advanced as one of the best third-placed teams.

Round of 16

Uganda 1-1 Burkina Faso (lost 5-3 on penalties)

Scorer: Arafat Nkoola

Overall Record: 1 win, 2 draws, 1 loss

Goals For: 3; Goals against: 4

Note: This was Uganda’s first-ever appearance at any Fifa tournament.

Nkoola at a Glance

Name: Arafat Nkoola

Born: Kaliro District

Date of birth: Dec. 28, 2008

Position: Forward

Club: Vipers JT

School: St Mary’s Kitende

Joined Rays Academy: 2017

Three prosecution witnesses have given harrowing accounts of the 2019 shooting at Cheap Hardware in Nansana, Wakiso District, during the ongoing trial of six suspects accused of terrorism, murder, attempted murder and aggravated robbery.

The witnesses, whose identities were withheld for security reasons, appeared before the International Crimes Division of the High Court to describe how armed attackers stormed the hardware store on May 29, 2019, opening fire and leaving several people injured and three dead.

The suspects- Mohammad Kagugube, Kamada Walusimbi alias Mudinka, Silman Kisambira, Habib Ramathan Marjan, Muzaifa Wampa alias Kanaaba, and Abdul Aziz Ramathan Dunku are charged with multiple offences including belonging to the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) rebel group, terrorism financing, and robbery.

The group is also accused of attempting to assassinate Works Minister Gen Edward Katumba Wamala in 2021.

The thirteenth prosecution witness told court that he had been working as a storekeeper at Cheap Hardware when the shooting began.

‘On May 29, 2019 at around 2:00 pm we were attacked by men I did not see,’ he said, explaining that he had been walking through the corridor when he heard gunshots.

‘I turned back running where I was coming from together with the askari. The bullet hit my left shoulder,’ he added.

He said the gunshots came from the front of the hardware shop, but he never saw the attackers because he was fleeing.

He managed to reach a nearby shop where a friend helped him board a motorcycle to Sebbi Hospital for first aid before he was transferred to Nakasero Hospital.

He remained at Nakasero Hospital for two days and later received further treatment at Mulago Hospital.

Asked by trial judge Justice Susan Okalany what happened after he was admitted at Nakasero, the witness responded: ‘I did not know what happened thereafter at Cheap Hardware.’

He also confirmed that doctors removed two bullets from his body.

The defence team, led by lawyers Caleb Alaka and Evans Ochieng, did not cross-examine the witness.

The fourteenth prosecution witness, a former employee of Spartasce Security Company, told court he had gone to deliver food to the guards stationed at the premises when the shooting started.

He said he heard gunshots as he was arranging food containers near the front of the building. Turning around, he saw two people wearing black face masks holding guns.

‘One of them shot at my right hand,’ he said. To escape, he fell underneath a parked truck and began crawling for safety.

‘As I was still crawling, they shot another bullet which hit the truck bouncing to my left leg,’ he recalled.

He said the attackers spent about ten minutes shooting and kept shouting ‘Lay down, lay down’ in Swahili. He saw their boda-like motorcycles but could not see their faces.

When the shooting stopped, he emerged from under the truck and saw several injured people. Police later arrived and took him and others to Mulago Hospital. His injuries were treated and he was discharged the same day. He told court that the trauma from the attack forced him to leave his job.

During cross-examination, lawyer Alaka asked whether he had seen the gunmen. The witness responded: ‘I did not see the gunmen because I was preparing my containers.’

Asked what he saw while under the truck, he said: ‘I saw legs.’

The fifteenth prosecution witness, a 56-year-old real estate dealer, said he had gone to buy cement when the gunfire erupted.

He told court he parked his vehicle opposite the hardware, entered with Shs400,000, and began counting money at the counter.

‘I heard a blast. At first I thought it was a car tyre but when I heard other explosions, I realized it was gunshots,’ he said.

He told court that the cashier fell to the ground and he dropped to the floor as well. As the explosions continued, he overheard the assistant manager asking for keys to the ‘safe’.

‘I heard Jimmy saying the keys were with the manager,’ the witness told court.

He covered his ears but then felt something burning near his lower body.

‘I heard a voice saying that ‘I have been telling you to leave this place when you are not listening,” he testified. The cashier crawled toward the store, and he followed.

According to prosecution, the attack at Cheap Hardware left Jimmy Atukuru, Frank Abaho Mutinda and Amin Bugembe dead.

The assailants allegedly stole Shs38 million from a cashier, used motorcycles to flee the scene, and continued to fire indiscriminately.

The same group is accused of carrying out several other robberies and killings in Kampala and surrounding districts between 2015 and 2021, including the fatal attack on City Shoppers supermarket in Kanyanya and multiple cash robberies.

The group appeared before a panel led by Dr Winfred Nibisinde. Other justices on the panel are Richard Wejuli, Okalany and Vicent Wagona.

The hearing continues November 25.

The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development has granted one of its first small-scale mining licences to the Mubende United Miners Assembly (MUMA) in Kassanda District.

The move seeks to promote responsible and inclusive gold mining, Agnes Alaba, the Commissioner for Geological Survey and Mines, says.

The licence enables MUMA to carry out small-scale gold mining on 100.8 acres of land in Kassanda.

Gold remains one of Uganda’s leading export commodities, contributing significantly to foreign exchange earnings, job creation, and national investment.

Speaking at the launch of the licence acquisition in Bukuya, Kassanda District, Alaba, who represented Energy Minister Ruth Nankabirwa, said the sector has long operated informally, noting that ‘Kassanda and Mubende are among the core centres of gold’.

She noted that the Mineral Development Sub-programme, now housed under the Extractives sector together with oil and gas, aims to increase exploration, exploitation, and value addition.

So far, eight small-scale and one artisanal mining licences have been issued, with Alaba noting that artisanal mining often serves as a pathfinder to key mineral deposits, with many large mining projects starting as artisanal operations.

The artisanal sub-sector employs more than 60 percent of Uganda’s mining workforce. Thus, the licence will be critical in formalizing the sector, which could widen government revenue, with minerals identified as a key driver of Uganda’s plan to expand the economy from $50b to $500b by 2040.

Currently, Kassanda and Mubende have more than 7,500 miners.

John Bosco Bukya, the chairperson of MUMA and Uganda Association of Artisanal and Small-scale Miners, said Solidaridad had been key in supporting the licensing process, which would now help in enhancing competitiveness and sustainable mineral development.

Government has been aligning the mineral sector with international best practices and has committed to supporting the development of artisanal mining and other sectors of the economy by upgrading the cadastral system to link with other information platforms to ease business, including planned integration with land information and environmental systems.

Christ the King Church in Kampala is strategically and prophetically located. Its spiritual significance resonates beyond its sacred walls. The gospel of the Kingdom of God, proclaimed within and the worshipers’ prayer for the grace to do His will on earth as it is in heaven, extends to the nearby political and civic institutions. These include Central Police Station, Central Post Office, Central Bank, Constitutional Square, City Hall, the Parliament and the Main Street.

Contextually, the Church calendar closes with the feast of Christ the King of the universe. It corresponds to the end of time when Christ will return as King, to judge the living and the dead. The feast was introduced by Pope Pius XI in 1925 to provide sound guidance to cultural and political thought and practice. The Pope was prophetically responding to the historical context of political influences of totalitarianism, fascism and atheism and their threats to the religious liberty of Christ’s Church.

Pope Pius XI teaches that Jesus’ kingship is rooted in His relationship to God the Father. Since they share the one and same essence, Christ has power over all creatures. His kingship extends into earthly matters, such as political and civil affairs. In fact, everyone who holds public authority exercises their power through the kingship of Christ. It is for this reason that such authorities are owed respect and obedience (Romans 13:1-2).

The Pope further reminds earthly rulers that they are bound to give public honor and obedience to Christ. At the last judgment, they will be held accountable for their actions in building a just society. “When once men recognise, both in private and in public life, that Christ is king, society will at last receive the great blessings of real liberty, well-ordered discipline, peace and harmony,” he said.

Christians must remember that their heavenly citizenship is to be real, practical, not just a theory. They have a moral responsibility to influence public policy for the common good; and to influence others, basing on Christian values.

The current political, cultural and moral degeneration will only be resolved when Christ becomes the supreme authority over the entire world through the government of God! The politics of Jesus transcend any human political party or ideology. His message is about the government of God that will rule the world to bring about world peace!

‘King of Peace’ is one of Jesus’ titles. Instead of revolution or revolt, He taught and acted peace and nonviolence. During His trial by Pontius Pilate, Jesus said, ‘My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I would not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here’. He, thus, emphasised the divine origin of His Kingdom (John 18:33-36).

Jesus is the king who goes to the extent of weeping for those who reject His sacrificial love and servant leadership. During His triumphal entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, Jesus wept for the City for the same reason. The Jews had a purely political messiah in mind. Paradoxically, though being synonymous with peace, Jerusalem has generally witnessed violence.

According to St. Paul in Galatians 1:3-4, this present evil age, including its governments, is largely influenced by Satan. Though they live in the world, Christians are instructed not to model their lives according to the politics of the world (Romans 12:2). They are called to be ambassadors of Christ’s kingship. Ambassadors are representatives of one government, living in another country.

However, some Christians do not respond to their call to be ambassadors of Jesus’ kingship, either because of fear or entanglement with fame, money, power, and self-aggrandizement and similar motives.

The feast of Christ the King reminds us that the deepest issues facing humanity are spiritual in nature and will require spiritual solutions. Human politics cannot save souls or produce a truly better world to live in. Jesus compared the kingdom of God to the yeast added to the dough to make it rise, to a seed cast into the earth, or to salt that gives food its flavour; he said he had come not to judge the world, but to save it.

The Gospel does not provide direct solutions to social problems. It does, however, contain useful principles by which concrete responses to different historical situations can be framed. Since social situations and problems change from one age to another, the Christian on each occasion is called to embody gospel principles in the situation of the moment. This is precisely the contribution made by the social encyclicals of the popes.

On the feast of Christ the King, we pray as our Saviour taught us:’ Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.’ (Matthew 6:10)

A power struggle is brewing in Busoga, with the First Deputy Prime Minister, Ms Rebecca Kadaga accusing the kingdom’s Prime Minister, Dr Joseph Muvawala, of undermining her and plotting to weaken her influence in the sub-region.

The duo, once allies in the election of Kyabazinga William Gabula Nadiope IV in 2014, have fallen out.

Ms Kadaga accuses Dr Muvawala, who got the kingdom’s prime minister job after the election of Kyabazinga Nadiope IV, of prioritising personal interests over Busoga’s development.

Ms Kadaga and President Museveni played key roles in resolving unrest arising out of disagreements over the Kyabazinga throne, which lasted about six years.

Kyabazinga wrangles

The death of Kyabazinga Henry Wako Muloki in 2008 marked the beginning of kingship wars in Busoga, with Prince Edward Columbus Wambuzi, the heir of Muloki, facing off against a section of Basoga loyal to Prince William Nadiope, the son of the Kyabazinga Wilberforce Nadiope, whom Muloki replaced.

The Nadiope faction was led by Ms Kadaga, while the Wambuzi group was led by the then Busoga Kingdom premier Wilson Muwereza.

The Kadaga team argued that Muloki’s installation was a temporary arrangement, meant to hold the throne for Prince Nadiope, who was too young to ascend at the time of his father’s death.

They believed Mr Nadiope should have been crowned king after Muloki’s death. However, the Muwereza faction said Muloki’s heir, Prince Wambuzi, should have become king.

Ms Kadaga, the Kamuli Woman legislator who was Speaker of Parliament at the time, tried to use her position to resolve the Kyabazinga conflict but in vain.

President Museveni in response to the conflict between the two groups directed Ms Kadaga to team up with the 11 hereditary chiefs entrusted with the work of electing the Kyabazinga to come up with a substantive king within the shortest time possible and facilitated them for polling, which favoured Mr Nadiope.

Muvawala’s appointment

Ms Kadaga and other stakeholders in Busoga, including Ms Proscovia Salamu Musumba, agreed to pick Dr Muvawala, who at the time was a senior official of the National Planning Authority, to become a prime minister in Kyabazinga Nadiope’s regime.

Ms Musumba said the rift between Ms Kadaga and Dr Muvawala is because he has forgotten those who supported him to become premier. ‘A number of us led by Ms Kadaga sat to select Muvawala as prime minister on behalf of Kyabazinga but he cannot remember this,” Ms Musumba said.

She added: ‘Muvawala now thinks that he is above everybody in Busoga, which is wrong.’ Mr Peter Okocha Kasolo, the Jinja City mayor, argued that both Ms Kadaga and Muvawala have different interests, as far as culture and economic developments are concerned.

‘If you recall the time when Nyege Nyege first came to Busoga, Dr Muvawala was opposed to it as a cultural leader but Ms Kadaga differed from him on grounds that locals were going to earn a lot of money, which would develop the area,” Mr Kasolo said.

At a welcome party organised by a section of people in Busoga in September, Ms Kadaga accused Dr Muvawala of hindering the development of the Kimaka Airstrip.

‘After realising that there is airport construction taking place in Mbarara, Arua and other parts, I told the President that Kimaka in Jinja City should also be considered and he accepted but when the people constructing it went to pick murrum in Buwekula, which we had paid for to put up a runway, Muvawala brought soldiers to stop them,” Ms Kadaga said.

She added: ‘I was informed that he told them that that airport belongs to me and as I talk now, its development stopped.”

Muvawala’s response

While addressing people during the Kyabazinga’s 11th coronation ceremony at the kingdom headquarters in Bugembe, Dr Muvawala warned politicians against dragging the kingdom into politics.

‘We are entering into political season but please don’t bring your politics into Kyabazingaship. Therefore, if you have been defeated, don’t accuse us,” Dr Muvawala said.

He emphasised that the kingdom will back politicians who support it, implying officials would prioritise those who contribute to Busoga’s growth.

Civil society organisations have expressed concern over religious sectarianism that they said has increased in Kigezi Sub-region in the ongoing electoral process.

The executive director of Kigezi Human Rights Foundation, Mr Daniel Eguma and the chief executive officer of Kick Corruption out of Uganda, Mr Robert Kakuru, last Wednesday cautioned locals against voting for candidates based on their religious affiliations.

‘….the leaders of the different religious groups are mobilising their followers to elect political leaders from their faiths regardless of the manifestos being presented to them by candidates vying for different political seats. If this trend is not addressed, it may deny the citizens a chance of electing able leadership that can cause development in the area,’ Mr Kakuru said.

Mr Eguma accused the Electoral Commission of not doing enough to stop the vice. ‘If the citizens are fully educated on their rights in an electoral process, sectarian tendencies in the electoral processes will be fully addressed,’ Mr Eguma said.

The Kabale District NRM party publicity secretary, Mr Edison Turyahabwa, acknowledged that religious sectarianism is weakening the party and asked President Museveni to address it.

‘There is need for urgent intervention if the NRM party support is to remain solid in this area,’ Mr Turyahabwa said. The spokesperson of the Electoral Commission, Mr Julius Mucunguzi, said that religious sectarianism is against the law.

‘Creating awareness about the dangers of religious sectarianism should not wait for elections. Voter civic education, civic awareness must be a continuous process not only done by the Electoral Commission because, according to the Uganda Constitution, Uganda Human Rights Commission is the body mandated to undertake civic education and the Electoral Commission undertakes voter education.

The issue of civic awareness of people knowing their responsibilities as citizens requires everybody. Those blaming the arrangement forget that they are supposed to be part of the solutions,’ Mr Mucunguzi said.

The Director of the Justice and Peace Commission for the Kabale Diocese, Fr Balthazar Ndyomugabe, said they would intensity their civil education efforts.

‘Religious sectarianism is just a symptom of lack of civic education. Fighting poverty in communities is one way of empowering community members to avoid religious sectarianism.’

Bul’s rise from a mid-table afterthought to a genuine title force has been steady rather than sudden and now it has produced the one thing every club covets, a place in the league’s record books.

They have been close before, finishing second by one point to Villa in 2023/24 and third behind Nec and Vipers last season.

Since December 14, 2024, the Jinja side went 25 league matches unbeaten in a run that set new standards in local football’s recent history.

The run included 15 victories and ten draws where the edible oil makers netted 36 goals and conceded only 12.

That remarkable streak finally ended on Thursday afternoon when Kitara handed BUL a 1-0 defeat courtesy of Jimmy Kalema’s 11th-minute goal in Hoima. But before that loss, here is how BUL built the run.

The countdown started last December at Kitende in their 1-1 draw with Vipers, a club whose own famous 31-match home unbeaten run was ended by BUL in 2023. And in a twist that enriches the poetry of this record, Buls streak began against Vipers, the same club whose 31-match home unbeaten run was famously ended by Bul in a thrilling 3-2 upset at Kitende in 2023.

Bul ended their streak and now Vipers were first to feel the weight of Bul’s. They say football has its own cycles and now BUL are at the prime of one.

They have taken points in every possible manner. There have been tense stalemates at Nec and against Express, patient wins at home to Maroons, and a gritty comeback at UPDF where they squeezed out a 3-2 victory in the kind of chaotic away match that often resets unbeaten runs.

There have been controlled home displays like the 4-0 dismantling of Lugazi and the 3-0 dispatching of Mbale Heroes.

They have won at traditionally tricky grounds such as Wakiso, beaten title rivals like Vipers, Kitara, and SC Villa, and kept their nerve in suffocating games where the only route to survival was concentration.

Chemistry in defence

The spine of their defence has been their goalkeeping department that started with Joel Mutakubwa who featured in 17 of the 18 matches keeping 10 clean sheets in that stretch when he was still available for before leaving the club.

His departure ushered in his predecessor-now-successor, Tom Ikara who fit in with little fuss this season playing all their six games so far while producing four clean sheets and only two goals conceded. The handover could not have been cleaner.

In front of them, Bul have relied on a backline that has barely changed.

Skipper Walter Ochora and Nicholas Mwere missed matches only when suspended as both served eight and ten bans during that period but whenever available, they were automatic choices. Mwere played 16 of the 25 and Ochora 14.

Then there is Hillary Onek, the model of dependability who has, remarkably, missed only one match in the entire 25-game run. His availability alone has held the structure together.

Stability, shared responsibility

The midfield has been just as consistent. Pascal Ngobi and Martin Aprem have featured in 20 matches during the run and both have played in all six games this season.

Ngobi, in particular, has been on the pitch for every minute so far, a reflection of how much stability he brings to BUL’s transitions and ball recovery.

Up front, it has been more of a collective team effort rather than one prolific scorer because while Karim Ndugwa, who joined at the start of the run, played 14 of 18 matches, scoring eight goals, he has had a quiet start to the new season.

As he slowed down, Jerome Kirya rose to the moment. A central figure in this project, Kirya has featured in 22 of the 25 matches and in the last six has contributed two goals and three assists.

New signing Seiri Arigumaho added fresh energy, scoring two goals in his first two full starts, giving Bul a new threat as the second phase of the unbeaten run unfolded.

Even the academy graduates have played their part. Swabiri Mpassa and Isaac Musiima have both featured in 16 matches, while Salim Sowedi and Tom Babalanda have been steadily integrated with seven and three appearances respectively, all at the start of the year during the run.

The conveyor belt has kept the squad fresh without disrupting the identity.

Surviving Kikomeko’s disruption

The unbeaten run also had to withstand the turbulence that followed the Uganda Cup defeat to Kitara in Bul’s only loss in this period.

The chaos of that match left Kirya, Ochora and Mwere facing suspensions and coach Abbey Kikomeko also received a six-month ban but the team held steady.

First assistant Simeone Masaba maintained the rhythm, winning four of the five remaining matches after April 29 and securing a goalless draw against URA before leaving for the Uganda Cubs camp.

James Magala then oversaw two wins over Maroons (1-0) and Buhimba Saints (3-0) and a solid draw at Mbarara City.

Home return key

Their record might have been even stronger if they had not spent a difficult spell playing home matches at Lugazi. During that stretch, they managed just one win, four draws and two 2-0 defeats to UPDF and Mbarara City.

‘It affected our season,’ Bul’s chief executive officer Joseph Mutaka admitted. And the numbers back him up. Returning to Njeru restored the rhythm they needed in the unbeaten run.

They have played 13 home games in Njeru, won nine and drew four.

Early travel, organization

Bul’s attention to detail has also shown in how they handle away fixtures. They travel early, settle early and manage the environment before a ball is kicked.

Their long trip to Hoima this week likely began three or four days prior, something that is not out of luxury but organisation. Mutaka sums it up calmly:

‘Our chairman has emphasised early planning. Before matches, we always ensure players are in camp on time.’ Little details but they have produced big returns.

STARTIMES UGANDA PREMIER LEAGUEBul – 25 resultsNec 1-1 BulBul 0-0 ExpressBul 3-0 BuhimbaMbarara City 1-1 BulBul 1-0 MaroonsBul 0-0 URAUPDF 2-3 BulBul 1-0 MaroonsBul 1-0 VipersNec 1-1 BulBul 4-0 LugaziWakiso Giants 1-2 BulBul 0-0 PoliceKCCA 1-2 BulBul 1-0 SC VillaMbarara City 0-0 BulBul 2-1 URABul 1-0 KitaraBright Stars 0-2 BulBul 3-0 Mbale HeroesExpress 0-2 BulBul 1-1 Wakiso GiantsLugazi 1-2 BulBul 1-1 NecVipers 1-1 BulNumbers game15 wins, 10 draws, 36 goals scored, 12 goals conceded