Category: Daily Monitor

The opposition Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) presidential candidate Nathan Nandala Mafabi has urged communities in Teso Sub-region to protect newly announced crude oil deposits, accusing the government of failures in transparency, justice, and resource management.

‘It was confirmed that there is oil here in Teso. Nobody will take your oil when we take power,’ Nandala told campaign rallies on November 21 in Ogom, Kadami and Nyero sub-counties in Kumi District.

In 2021, the government contracted Xcalibar, a Spanish company, to conduct mineral prospecting in Teso, Karamoja and Lamwo.

Their findings are believed to have informed the Ministry of Energy’s announcement of crude oil deposits in Teso.

According to the Uganda Investment Authority, the ministry on November 15, 2024 designated three new oil and gas exploration areas covering 2,244 square miles: the Moroto-Kadam Basin in northeastern Uganda, Lake Kyoga Basin in central Uganda and the Hoima Basin in midwestern Uganda.

UIA added that potential basins span 26 districts expected to be opened for exploration.

Nandala told supporters that Uganda’s biggest challenges were ‘Greed, Injustice and Corruption among others,’ blaming President Museveni for failing to curb graft during his nearly four decades in power.

‘To confirm that they are now stealing daily, they are wasting millions of money advertising a man who has been president for all this time in printing posters, banners and billboards,’ he said ahead of next year’s General Election.

The FDC candidate accused the government of impoverishing communities by ‘destroying’ cotton, once a major cash crop in Teso.

‘Ugandan’s have been made beggars in their own by destroying your cotton which used to make you very proud people. Our cotton is the best and the most expensive in the whole world,’ he said.

He promised to revive ginneries and restore cotton production.

‘We plan to return cotton here and put back our ginneries. This cotton is a cash crop, that means it gives cash. Now that it was killed, now you have no cash. This why you have become beggars,’ Nandala told the crowds.

He also faulted the government for failing to compensate Teso residents for cattle lost during years of conflict, despite court rulings ordering compensation.

‘I want to ask, if justice was in Uganda, why haven’t they respected the court ruling that says you must be compensated for the cows you lost? I am telling you, these people won’t compensate you. If he is serious, why can’t he give you people now,’ he said.

Nandala urged voters to ‘stay away from lies,’ and elect leaders who would ‘come and fight for the rights of the people.’

As many public schools continue to grapple with acute shortages-or complete lack-of staff housing, a Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) official has urged philanthropists to consider partnering with government to construct teacher residences and improve educator welfare.

Speaking on Friday last week during the commissioning of a Shs300m multipurpose hall donated to Mbuya Primary School by the Classic Leader Foundation, Mr Gerald Makamba, the KCCA education officer for Nakawa Division, thanked the organisation for the support but appealed for further assistance targeting teachers’ living conditions.

‘We are so happy that you have constructed a hall for this school, but there are three other critical challenges I request you to help with if there is still that chance,’ he said. ‘Facelifting old structures, digitalising the school, and constructing staff accommodation. Staff welfare is key to effective teaching and learning,’ he added. Mr Makamba said the construction of the hall at Mbuya Church of Uganda Primary School marks a major milestone for the broader education sector. The headteacher, Mr Jonathan Mukinusu, expressed appreciation for the donation and reinforced the plea for teacher housing, revealing that some staff have been forced to sleep in classrooms due to lack of accommodation.

‘About six teachers and two support staff sleep in classrooms. The issue of teachers’ accommodation has been long overdue. Some travel long distances to access the school,’ he said. Mbuya Primary School has 24 teachers, including four in the Nursery section. One female teacher who confirmed that she resides in a classroom with colleagues, said their low salaries leave them unable to afford rental housing. ‘We are about four teachers sharing a classroom. We demarcated it into smaller units using plywood to promote privacy because we have families,’ she explained.

‘I decided to live in a class to save fees for my children. I spend over Shs1.3m on fees every term, yet my net pay is about Shs480,000,’ she added.

While Classic Leader Foundation did not commit to constructing teacher houses, its representative, Mr Priyesh Pravinchandra Shah, said the organisation would continue building multipurpose halls in selected schools as symbols of commitment to education, community empowerment, and philanthropy. ‘What started as a simple donation of exercise books has grown into a powerful nationwide movement reaching more than 10,000 schools across the country,’ Mr Shah said.

‘Our vision expanded from giving materials to expanding minds and communities,’ he added. He disclosed that the foundation currently provides more than 480 scholarships to needy learners annually.

BACKGROUND

President Museveni has pledged to build houses for teachers, the most recent commitment coming in July during the arts teachers’ strike over delayed salary enhancement. The promise is part of government’s strategy to improve teacher welfare.

Members of the opposition National Unity Platform (NUP) party in Mawogola North, Ssembabule District, have accused security personnel of targeting their supporters through what they describe as unjustified arrests during the ongoing campaign season.

The latest incident occurred on Thursday evening when police detained Kennedy Ssemwanga, a resident of Mateete Town Council and an outspoken NUP supporter.

He is accused of tearing down campaign posters, including one of President Museveni and another of Dez Byuma, the National Resistance Movement (NRM) flag bearer for Mawogola South.

Gorreth Namugga, the MP for Mawogola South and NUP flag bearer for the same seat, confirmed the arrest and accused police of abusing their authority.

‘Our supporter was arrested simply because they claimed he removed NRM posters from his own home. This is unacceptable, the police should have arrested even the one who put posters on the house without the owner’s consent,’ she said.

Namugga warned that continued arrests could compel NUP to rethink its approach.

‘We have tried to stay calm as NUP, but these continued arrests are pushing us to the wall. If this harassment continues, we may have no choice but to defend ourselves. I call upon all NUP supporters to remain alert and stand their ground,’ she added.

Iddi Ssemata, the NUP flag bearer for Mawogola North, echoed the concerns, claiming the detentions form part of a systematic plan to weaken opposition support.

‘This is clearly a targeted operation against NUP supporters. It is not happening to any other group. If Ssemwanga is not released, we shall take the next step, we cannot allow this injustice to continue,’ Ssemata said.

The tensions in Ssembabule echo similar complaints in neighbouring Rakai District, where NUP candidates allege intimidation and vandalism of campaign materials.

Eriab Sango, the NUP candidate for Kooki County, said his supporters have been warned against moving at night and threatened with arrest.

‘Security personnel are intimidating us and vandalising our posters. This is not a free and fair campaign environment,’ he said.

When contacted for comment, Southern Region Police spokesperson Twaha Kasirye dismissed allegations of political targeting, insisting people like Ssemwanga are in lawful custody.

‘We have transferred the file to the DPP, and in case evidence is found, he will be charged accordingly,’ Kasirye said.

The accusations add to growing concerns among opposition candidates about what they describe as a shrinking political space ahead of the 2026 elections.

The coffee fraternity woke up on Tuesday to heartbreaking news: Emmanuel Iyamulemye, 61, had passed.

With his death, those who knew him closely say, the country lost not just a former managing director of Uganda Coffee Development Authority (UCDA), but a giant whose life was woven into the very fabric of the coffee story.

To many, he was more than a technocrat. He was a teacher, a believer, a fighter, and above all, a man who lived and breathed coffee.

Coffee was not simply his profession; it was his purpose, his rhythm, and, in many ways, his spiritual calling.

He leaves behind his wife, Bridget, their four children, and several others they raised together.

A visionary who carried farmers’ dreams

Iyamulemye’s leadership at UCDA reads like a defining chapter in Uganda’s agricultural transformation.

When he assumed office, he inherited the hopes of millions of farmers, a responsibility he shouldered with humility and fierce dedication.

He steered the creation and execution of the Coffee Roadmap, strengthened coffee legislation, championed quality reforms, and pushed Uganda into new markets.

Earned Uganda its first $1b

Under his guidance, Uganda’s production rose to six million bags, earning the country its first $1b from a single crop and securing its position as the seventh largest coffee producer globally.

He carried Uganda’s Robusta beans to global stages with the devotion of a parent defending a child.

At international coffee meetings, he argued passionately for the proper classification of African coffees.

Agriculture Minister Frank Tumwebaze captured his influence succinctly in a post on X (formerly Twitter): ‘He was bold, firm and intelligent, a pillar of Uganda’s coffee sector.’

These were not just achievements; they were the bricks of a legacy he built one farmer, one policy, and one late-night meeting at a time.

Within the lively community of the National Coffee Forum (NCF), now Uganda’s largest online coffee platform, Iyamulemye was affectionately called ‘Uganda’s largest coffee tree.’ Like a great old tree, he offered shade, direction, and nourishment to a sector that leaned heavily on his wisdom.

Frank Wakabi, of NILEACRED and NCF, wrote with emotion: ‘He was one of the most committed champions our industry has ever known. He lived out the transformation he advocated for.’

He was the kind of leader who remembered the names of farmers, their villages, and even the varieties they grew. He could kneel in a coffee garden, crumble soil between his fingers, and speak about moisture content with poetic ease. To him, coffee was a living organism, one he understood intimately and defended fiercely.

Though celebrated for his boardroom wins, those who knew him say his heart beat strongest among the farmers he served. Rural households, youth groups, and women’s cooperatives were his true constituency.

Former UCDA spokesperson Laura Walusimbi remembers him as a leader deeply invested in people.

‘We will remember him for his commitment to the welfare of coffee stakeholders, especially farmers,’ she shared.

He could spend hours discussing pruning, pests, soil health, and market timing with growers.

He believed that empowering farmers with knowledge was the surest route to prosperity.

A gentle fighter who meant well

Colleagues in the coffee sector describe him as gentle yet authoritative; a man with a soft voice that carried weight, who worked with discipline, humilit,y and a sense of purpose that inspired many.

Charles Mugoya, a NCF member, said: ‘He gave exemplary service and meant well for Uganda. His legacy in the global and Uganda coffee industry will be remembered for years.’

Even as illness weakened his body, his spirit remained unshaken. He continued following sector reports and guiding colleagues. He bore heavy medical costs bravely and quietly, a testament to his inner strength.

A life rooted in service beyond coffee

Iyamulemye’s contribution extended beyond UCDA. For nearly 30 years, he played an influential role in the Uganda Cooperative Alliance (UCA), strengthening farmer institutions and promoting good governance and financial discipline.

To the cooperative movement, he was not only an expert but a trusted advisor and bridge-builder.

Edwin Tabaro, of Semliki Valley Coffee, wrote: ‘He improved production to six million bags . one of Uganda’s finest public servants.’

He leaves at a delicate moment for the coffee sector, a fact that has sharpened the grief.

As one NFC member remarked: ‘He has left when the wolves have taken over the coffee industry. But he did his part. Now let’s see what the wolves will offer.’

At home, he was a devoted husband, a loving father, and a mentor to many young people. Friends recall warm laughter, thoughtful counsel, and a man who celebrated growth, whether in people or in coffee trees.

His legacy now lives in every coffee farmer, roaster, exporter, and policy-maker touched by his work.

There have been some complaints mainly in the communities living close to lake shores about the harsh treatment they are subjected to by law enforcement personnel when they go fishing on the lakes.

Indeed thousands of them have had to abandon their jobs along the lakes shores on grounds of the reported strict regulations governing fishing these days.

The rules now require that the fishermen are registered, and that they use the right fish nets, among other requirements, to ensure proper sustenance of the lakes and that all forms of aquaculture flourish.

Hundreds of people have been driven out of fishing on the lakes and have become unemployed due to noncompliance with the strict fishing regulations in force.

Some politicians, especially those aspiring to take up leadership positions after the upcoming general elections, have taken advantage of the strict regulations to pledge that when they take over leadership, they will ensure they remove the police and the Uganda People’s Defense Forces (UPDF) personnel from guarding the lakes so that all those people who used to earn their living by fishing can go back to the lakes and fish freely.

On the surface, it sounds like a good idea and a vote winning pledge.

However, a politician who wants to restore unregulated fishing on the lakes in order to create jobs would be grossly mistaken.

Quite a big percentage of our high quality animal protein food is from fish, and if too much pressure is exerted on our water bodies to obtain enough fish for the fast growing population, we will soon run out of fish.

At the time of Independence, in 1962, Uganda’s population was only about six million. The 2024 census recorded a population of 45.9 million.

Wrong gear

If we don’t regulate ‘fish hunting’ on the lakes, given the increased population, the fish will be wiped out within just a few years and still thousands of fishermen will become unemployed. We will also have lost a major source of animal protein, not to mention a big source of foreign exchange.

Due to greed, many fishermen use the wrong fish nets to trap even immature fish. Some have been known to use poison to catch fish. There are cases of armed robbery on the lake. Such bad practices require law enforcement officers, marine police, and, where need be, the support of the UPDF to stop them.

Even under the ongoing strict fishing regulation on the lakes, fish export earnings are already declining.

A quick Google search indicates that Uganda’s fish export earnings declined significantly in 2024, dropping to approximately $107.5m (Shs388b) from $139.8m (Shs505b) in 2023. The drop could be attributed to too much pressure put on the lakes to procure enough fish for the increased population. Much of the fish obtained from our natural fish sources is consumed locally and thousands of Ugandans earn their living as fish traders.

However, the main method currently used to get the fish could best be described as prehistoric and very outdated. It is the Stone Age hunting and gathering method that mankind practiced thousands of years ago.

Expert talks

Paul Ssekyewa, a prominent fish farmer and seed breeder in Masaka City, suggests three mitigation measures.

He says: ‘To keep law and order on the lakes requires the cooperation of the fishermen, policy makers, and law enforcement bodies such as the marine police,’ he says.

‘The fishermen must be sensitised about the importance of sustaining good fishing practices and observing the law. Secondly there should be periodic restocking of our lakes and other water bodies.’

Ssekyewa says many of their fish stocks are dwindling, without a clear regulation arrangement to restock them and that there should be an arrangement to give each one a break of like six months without fishing periodically to allow the fish to regenerate.

‘And in many countries across the world, millions of fish seeds, native to the various water bodies, are released by governments into the ecosystems to sustain the fish populations,’ he says. ‘Thirdly, we must stop the pressure on our lakes by fish farming. We can create thousands and thousands of jobs by training our youth in fish farming skills since we have a lot of water bodies in the form of rivers and swamps nearly everywhere in the country.’

Ssekyewa goes on to say Uganda is very well endowed with fresh water bodies which can facilitate massive fish production and job creation.

Geographically, Uganda, which is located in Africa’s Great Lakes region, is endowed with 69 lakes and has the greatest amount of fresh water in Africa. Nearly one-fifth of its total area is covered by open water or swampland.

He believes those who lost their jobs due to government efforts to curb overfishing on the lakes can turn to fish farming since it is a gainful occupation.

He has been training several university fisheries students sent to his farm for internship and in his view, such young people need not worry about failing to get salaried employment since they have the skills to set up fish ponds and cages.

Encourage training

‘Many of them come from homes located along swamps and all they need is to be encouraged and facilitated to become fish farmers. Their training must have an entrepreneurial focus as a vital component of their course units. It should include value addition – making fish sausages, smoking, filleting, and making ready to eat fish products like fish balls, fish fingers, and fish crumbs and others.’

Fish customers are nearly everywhere and that fish farmers can form cooperatives and put up strong fish retail businesses in every town. There would be plenty of jobs for people transporting fish on motorcycles and other vehicles to far off markets.

Fish farming has not got the attention it deserves in this well-endowed country.

Ssekyewa says our water resources are our greatest treasure. We have the best temperature for farming such fish as catfish and tilapia. They are not expensive to feed since they find a lot of natural food in the water in the form of worms, algae, insects, and plants.

Ssekyewa says the government should pay as much attention to fish farming as it does to other foreign exchange earning sectors such as coffee farming.

‘Fish farming is not just about poverty reduction, it is also about good nutrition and food security,’ he says.

Apart from providing seed to the farmers, it should also avail to them subsidized quality feeds, especially to commercial fish farmers.

‘All other people interested in fish farming but cannot afford manufactured feeds can turn to locally available feed materials like crop residues and decomposed fruits and livestock droppings.’

Ever wondered who feeds the millions of fish in the lakes?

When sunshine or moonlight is reflected on the water, the insects in the air get attracted to the shining water surface where they get caught and eaten by the fish. Some fish are cannibals and eat their fellow fish while lots of others feed on grass, worms, and other organisms naturally found in the water bodies.

Ordinary people with no formal training in fish farming can start by visiting successful farmers to copy and to seek guidance about fish farming, especially where to get the seeds from. The area agricultural services extension officer can also be helpful especially when it comes to pond construction.

The Electoral Commission (EC) faces scrutiny following a stormy closed-door meeting that uncovered glitches in the certified candidacy forms of a retired brigadier general vying for a seat in the 12th Parliament. The glitches in (Rtd) Brig Gen Emmanuel Rwashande’s nomination papers for the Lwemiyaga Constituency and the EC returning officer’s alleged attempts to smuggle new signatures and names sparked backlash in the meeting and stunned Justice Simon Byabakama and his team.

Incumbent Lwemiyaga County MP Theodore Ssekikubo petitioned the EC on November 14, challenging Mr Rwashande’s nomination. Mr Rwashande is the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) flagbearer. Mr Ssekikubo rejected three names Mr Rwashande had used for his nomination on October 22. One of the disputed credentials belongs to a female voter in another district. Drama ensued in the Tuesday meeting after the Ssembabule District returning officer, Mr Gracious Aryaija, presented a document dated November 11, responding to a non-existent petition.

The Aryaija document contained three new names of Rwashande seconders, replacing the two Mr Ssekikubo questioned on account of not being voters in Lwemiyaga and another one being a resident of Kamwenge District. Mr Ssekikubo and his lawyers had earlier requested EC to stamp every page of the original file that was used in the nomination of Mr Rwashande. When Justice Byabakama ordered his staff to bring the original file, the meeting found that the 10 names used to nominate the NRM flagbearer were different. The chairman didn’t allow Mr Aryaija to speak on the matter and called for calm.

Last evening, Mr Aryaija declined to talk about his role in the alleged forgery and instead opted to give a general comment on the matter before the EC tribunal.

‘What I can say is that it’s true there was a petition against Gen Rwashande, but the petition is before the [tribunal] and the tribunal has heard both sides, and is going to pronounce itself soon,’ Mr Aryaija said. Mr Julius Mucunguzi, the EC spokesperson, yesterday acknowledged receiving Mr Ssekikubo’s complaints and added that the hearing is still ongoing to ascertain the validity of some claims.

‘When people petition the Commission, they allege and state many things. The Commission hears the respondent, the petitioner, and any other people who the complaint or petition touches, including adducing evidence for every claim or allegation one makes, either as a petitioner or as a respondent, ‘Mr Mucunguzi said.

He added: ‘And it is on the basis of the evaluation of the entire hearing, evidence, and law, that then the Commission makes the determination of its decision on the petition, and that’s the standard practice.. The nature of complaints are as valid as they are the complaints themselves, so people will raise all sorts of things.

So the real issue is proving them to the satisfaction of the Commission and to guide its decision.’ A week after the EC concluded the nationwide parliamentary nominations, Mr Ssekikubo wrote to Justice Byabakama, on October 29, requesting to be furnished with certified copies of the academic documents of his rival. Mr Ssekikubio said in the letter that he was doubtful that Mr Rwashande fulfilled the academic requirements to stand for the said seat and added that furnishing him with the document would erase all the doubts. In exercising its transparency, the Commission, on November 7, furnished Mr Ssekikubo with the documents as requested, but included all other documents Mr Gen submitted for nomination.

All hell breaks loose

Upon receiving the documents, Mr Ssekikubo, together with his lawyers of C/o M/s Alaka and Co Advocates, studied the documents and discovered multiple anomalies and immediately commenced preparing a petition challenging Mr Rwashande’s nomination. The lawyers discovered that three of the 10 alleged voters who supported Mr Rwashande’s candidature were not eligible. For example, a one Peter Nahurira, a resident of Lwamatengo Village in Ssembabule District, who was the first to sign on the supporter form, is not a registered voter. Another seconder, Ms Jovia Mpirirwe, who signed second on the form and a resident of the same village as Mr Nahurira, is also not a voter.

The other seconder, Ms Aisah Naziwa, who is listed number five on the form, is not a registered voter in Lwemiyaga. Her voter locator information against her alleged National Identification Number belongs to a one Annet Azuna of Kamwenge District. ‘When we discovered these glitches, we demanded that all the pages of the original documents be stamped to avoid anybody from inserting the new list, which was done,’ Mr Ssekikubo said.

On November 14, the Commission tribunal summoned Mr Aryaija to explain these anomalies. Sources that attended the meeting told Daily Monitor yesterday that Mr Aryaija explained that Rwashande had earlier submitted the names, but he was told about these anomalies and rectified them before the nomination date. This submission was rejected after it emerged that the new names were not part of what lawyers called ‘the file of life’.

The Daily Monitor has also seen the November 11 letter that was allegedly authored by Mr Aryaija, responding to Ssekikubo’s issues. He explained that, ‘On September 19, 2025, Rwashande submitted his documents for verification prior to nomination day, and his candidature account was opened in the application for candidate registration. Supporters were captured, and out of the 10 submitted, only 7 were accepted by the system.’ ‘We advised him to collect more supporters, which he submitted on September 30, 2025 prior to nomination day, as it can be found on the official nomination page of [the] Electoral Commission, where his nomination is supported by 12 supporters from the Electoral Area as per the list here attached, extracted from the official nomination application,’ Mr Aryaija added.

The list attached to his letter shows that three new names were inserted in the spots of the problematic seconders. For instance, Mr Nahurira was replaced by Mr Ndyomugenyi Abert, a farmer and resident of Karushonshomezi Village; Ms Mpirirwe was replaced by Nathan Karakyire, also a farmer and resident of Karushonshomezi Village, while Ms Naziwa was replaced by Mr Ezra Ndibarema, a farmer and resident of Nyamiryango Village. The Commission is expected to further hear this petition, which has thrown (Rtd) Brig Rwashade’s parliamentary dream into shambles. Section 28 (1) (c) of the Parliamentary Elections Act Cap 177 mandates all aspiring members of Parliament to submit a list of 10 supporters from their constituency who second their candidature.

Guideline 4 of the Parliamentary Nomination Guidelines issued by the EC indicates that the nomination papers of all candidates sponsored by a political party or organisation shall be endorsed and SEALED by their political party/organisation. In this case, the guidelines emphasise that the Secretary General of that political party will sign the said papers. Unlike the original Rwashande nomination form, which contains the list of three disputed seconders, which was signed by Mr Richard Todwong, the Secretary General of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) that sponsored him, the Aryaija insertion form was endorsed by an administrative secretary of the ruling party on September 10, 2025.

Another red flag is that the two lists were stamped by NRM on September 9 and 10, yet Mr Aryaija, in his letter, told the EC Secretary that Rwashande submitted the first list on September 19, scrutinised by the EC officials, and asked to correct when he resubmitted on September 30, about three weeks before the nomination. Efforts to get a comment from Mr Rwashande were futile as his known mobile phone number was off by press time. Counsel Nice Gakire of Gakire, Nkunda and Co Advocates, a firm representing Mr Rwashande in the matter, last evening declined comment on the issues at hand and requested to first confer with her client on whether she can go ahead and discuss the petition.

WHAT THE LAW SAYS

Section 28 (1) (c) of the Parliamentary Elections Act Cap 177 mandates all aspiring members of Parliament to submit a list of 10 supporters from their constituency who second their candidature. Guideline 4 of the Parliamentary Nomination Guidelines issued by the EC indicates that the nomination papers of all candidates sponsored by a political party or organisation shall be endorsed and SEALED by their political party/organisation.

In this case, the guidelines emphasise that the secretary general of that political party will sign the said papers. The incumbent Lwemiyaga County MP claims his opponent and NRM flagbearer Emmanuel Rwashande did not present the required number of supporters to endorse his nomination, among others. Mr Julius Mucunguzi, the EC spokesperson, has acknowledged receiving Mr Ssekikubo’s complaints and noted that the hearing is still ongoing to ascertain the validity of some claims.

Government and private stakeholders have been urged to tackle the rising number of preterm births in Uganda, with statistics indicating that more than 200,000 babies are born prematurely every year.

Preterm babies are infants born before 37 completed weeks of pregnancy, often weighing less and with underdeveloped organs such as the lungs, brain, and liver.

Elizabeth Turaha, Founder of Maama Tulia Ministries, highlighted the urgency of the problem, citing the growing numbers and associated health risks.

‘In Uganda, over 200,000 babies are born preterm every year, and prematurity is the second leading cause of neonatal death after birth asphyxia. We have seen that preterm babies are still growing. So, we need to do a lot. We need everyone on board to come and we do this together,’ she said.

‘As Maama Tulia, right now we are focusing on retinopathy of prematurity because we have seen cases of babies becoming blind. So this year we have screened more than 1,500 babies of retinopathy of prematurity, and 300 babies that had retinopathy of prematurity,’ she added.

Ms Turaha made the remarks on Thursday, 20 November 2025, during the announcement of a fundraising partnership with SMACK Pirates Association, an alumni group of St Mary’s College, Kisubi, aimed at raising funds to support preterm babies. The initiative, which takes on Sunday, November 23, coincides with World Prematurity Day, observed annually on November 17.

Explaining the causes of prematurity, Ms Turaha said: ‘For prematurity, the causes, I can say, there are so many risk factors of having a preterm baby. First of all, my case was preeclampsia, high blood pressure during pregnancy. That is one of the causes. And also, if you are young, under 18 years, you have a chance of having a preterm baby. Or if you are sickle cell, malaria, and malnourished, and infections, those are the causes.’

She added: ‘Yes, for the risk factors of prematurity, a baby who is born under 32 weeks, and also this baby may be a low birth weight. And also, if this baby has been on oxygen for more than two weeks, and also infections, those babies can have retinopathy of prematurity.’

Dr Anyase Ronald Amaza, the chairman of SMACK Pirates Association, also stressed the lack of awareness about preterm birth.

‘And we realized that prematurity is something which is neglected. I’m a pharmacist, but I don’t know much about it, surprisingly. Many of our doctor colleagues also don’t know much about it, because they do not work in that sphere. If we, the health workers, are not as aware, then what about the public? That means we need more and more support for them. And when we got to know that Maama Tulia needs support, as pirates, we said we’ll support them,’ he said.

Dr Amaza added: ‘We said, no, we’ll support you the entire way, more than a year, and we shall follow through to ensure that there’s a great impact. Luckily, I’m a medical person, so I’ll follow through the entire time. I don’t know up to when, but I want to see babies have a better life, and if we can save more Ugandans, it will be something great for all of us.’

The upcoming fundraising event is scheduled for Sunday, November 23, 2025, at the Sports Grounds of the International University of East Africa (IUEA), Kansanga, Kampala.

The event will feature a purple ribbon campaign, symbolising solidarity with preterm infants, alongside soft engagement and interactions between fans, teams, and parents. A dedicated Mama Tulia Ministries booth will offer guidance, fundraising support, and educational materials on prematurity, while a Neonatal/Child Health Specialist from the Uganda Ministry of Health will deliver a brief keynote address highlighting national efforts to address preterm births.

Maama Tulia, a non-profit organisation, works with vulnerable mothers of premature babies by addressing their physical, economic, spiritual, and emotional needs. Ms Turaha said the organisation aims to screen 5,000 babies this year, expanding services to hospitals in Central and Western Uganda, including Buera Hospital in Kasese and the Chinese Hospital in Naguru.

President Museveni yesterday commissioned a $50 million (Shs180.49b) starch factory in Namasagali Sub-county, Kamuli District during his re-election campaign .

The factory is owned by Dr Matthias Magoola, the founder of Dei Biopharma, an entrepreneur who the President has praised by for his innovative spirit. The facility, established by Dei Biopharma, will produce starch, glucose, and maltose for pharmaceutical and food industries, with plans to extract more than 100 derivatives from cassava, maize, and potatoes.

This project is part of a larger $10 billion (Shs36.09b) investment plan to establish a biotech hub, including a 1,000-bed hospital for sickle cell and cancer treatment, and a vaccine facility. President Museveni revealed that he has been supporting Mr Magoola’s pharmaceutical ventures, including a malaria cure, financially. Mr Museveni also warned Basoga against infighting, urging them to appreciate and support progressive individuals instead of frustrating them.

‘I met this young man through his uncle, and I helped him when he had issues with India. I facilitated his legal work, and now we appreciate his innovation and should support him,’ he said.

The incumbent also encouraged Dr Magoola to forgive those who doubted him, adding that some people didn’t take him seriously in the past. “I don’t know why Africans don’t like innovation; they are used to sleeping. Africans like to criticise. Congratulations, Magoola, but forgive everyone disturbing you. That’s how I also started fighting, and people thought I was mad,’ Mr Museveni said. Dr Magoola said the investment is meant to make Uganda competitive in drug manufacturing by reducing dependence on imported inputs.

He noted that almost 99 percent of the starch and other ingredients used in tablet and capsule production are imported, making African pharmaceuticals expensive. ‘We are among the first companies in Africa to manufacture our own pharmaceutical ingredients…The facility aims to make quality medicines affordable for Ugandans and Africans, creating jobs and driving industrial growth,’ Dr Magoola said. He added that the plant will require 500 metric tonnes of cassava daily, opening a stable and lucrative market for farmers across Busoga, Bukedi, Lango and Teso sub-regions.

President Museveni also promised to establish an industrial park in Namasagali once he is re-elected. He was campaigning in Kamuli District. He also added that industrialisation is the way to go as the country strives to solve the problem of unemployment. ‘Industrial jobs currently triple those of the government. Therefore, if you assure me of land, an industrial park will come to Namasagali as requested, ”Mr Museveni said. The President said the already established industries in the country are employing 1.3 million people compared to 480,000 jobs being occupied by civil servants.

The First Lady and Education minister, Ms Janet Museveni, added her voice to Mr Museveni’s call for support. ‘I request you to tell your neighbours and friends to support NRM. It has got a strong pillar for service delivery,” Ms Museveni said, adding: ‘I can honestly assure you that education will improve year by year.”

The First Deputy Prime Minister and Kamuli Woman MP, Ms Rebecca Kadaga told Kamuli residents that her political grievances caused during the NRM structure elections in August ended.

‘The disagreements we had were forgotten in the interest of the party. So let’s support our president,” Ms Kadaga, who lost in her re-election bid for NRM’s Second National Vice Chairperson (Female) in the Central Executive Committee, said. She also urged President Museveni to intervene in the reopening of Busoga University, among others.

First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports Janet Kataaha Museveni has praised students, staff and partners of the Mulago School of Health Sciences, saying Uganda’s progress in health-care delivery depends on a skilled and ethical workforce.

Her message, delivered by State Minister for Higher Education John Chrysostom Muyingo during the 17th graduation ceremony of the Uganda Institute of Allied and Management Science-Mulago, reaffirmed government commitment to strengthening health-training institutions.

Ms Museveni said the graduates’ success reflected the sacrifices of parents, the dedication of lecturers and the resilience of learners who continue to choose health service as a national calling.

‘Each graduand stands as proof that the training offered here meets national standards and responds to the health-care needs of our nation. This is what the public expects from you,’ she said, adding that the progress achieved reflects Uganda’s long-term investment in health education.

She noted that modern, well-equipped learning environments were essential for producing health workers capable of meeting complex demands, describing the groundbreaking of a new classroom block and administration building as a major step toward expanding Mulago’s training capacity.

‘A modern and conducive learning environment is essential for producing competent allied health professionals,’ she said.

She also praised President Kaguta Museveni’s leadership for prioritising stability, peace and national empowerment.

UIAHMS Principal Rose Nassali highlighted the institution’s growth into a centre of excellence serving 3,725 learners across five academic departments.

She said Mulago now operates at a dual and distinctive status within Uganda’s TVET landscape, a shift driven by institutional reform, improved governance and sustained investment.

‘This new dispensation has opened doors to greater innovation, stronger governance and expanded opportunities for the learners we serve,’ she said.

Nassali reaffirmed the school’s mandate as a National TVET Health Training provider but raised concern over staffing shortages.

She said Mulago’s substantive staffing stands at only 13 percent despite government recruitment and promotions.

‘We have 77 staff members supported through Governing Council appointments, but this remains far below what is required for an institution of this size and mandate,’ she said, appealing for additional deployment and praising existing staff for ‘exceptional teamwork and dedication.’

Commissioner for Health Education and Training Hajati Safina Musene said the planned classroom block would expand learning space, research opportunities and skills laboratories.

‘The classroom block we plan to construct gives us hope that we will soon have adequate classrooms, administrative facilities and skills laboratories to support research, innovation and practical excellence,’ she said.

Musene noted that hostel space remains insufficient despite government interventions, adding: ‘The facilities we have are not yet enough, but we pray that with time, accommodation will be adequate for the over 5,000 students who want to join this institution and reside here.’

Urging graduates to uphold professionalism, she said: ‘Serve our clients-both healthy and not healthy-with dignity, pride and excellence. They are the reason we train you.’

Aboojo CC and Ismaili Community clash for the ultimate T20 crown, in the UG20 2025 final at the lakeside oval in Entebbe this Sunday at 2pm, after a season that has literally traversed the entire country, producing drama, skill, and unforgettable moments.

Aboojo CC stormed into the final with a thrilling, rain-affected nine-over semifinal against favourites GM Sugar. Early jitters saw them slump to 18/2, but roving captain Pascal Murungi and Amos Ahura rebuilt with composure and courage.

Murungi’s 57 off 26 balls, a display of fearless strokeplay, turned the contest, while sharp fielding by Fortunate Alijuna and key wickets from Brian Asaba stifled GM Sugar’s chase, leaving them 21 runs short.

Raw firepower

‘We’ve been playing so well in the T20s; we want to keep bringing our A game each and every time we get a chance,’ Murungi said. He recalled the defining moment of the season against GM Sugar in a rain-shortened nine-over contest: ‘We had a discussion in the change room-stay calm, trust our skills. I kept my head down, targeted some bowlers, and we executed. That’s the approach we carry into Sunday.’

Ismaili Community, on the other hand, relied on experience and discipline to see off Avengers in a tense low-scoring semifinal. Early setbacks at 52/2 were steadied by Pervaiz Ali’s vital 40-run innings, helping the team post a defendable 121.

Avengers seemed on course at 35/0, but Ismaili’s bowlers, led by tournament standout Ghulam Hunzai (23 wickets), tightened the screws, backed by sharp fielding, eventually skittling the opposition for 109/7.

Experience is key

‘The last seven matches we have been winning, and momentum is high and on our side,’ Hunzai said. He added that experience would play a key role in the final: ‘Young Aboojo swing the bat and take chances, but in this game, experience matters-and that’s where we have the upper hand.’

Sunday does indeed promise a thrilling contrast: Aboojo’s aggressive batting and fearless fielding versus Ismaili’s disciplined spin attack and tactical experience.

With Murungi in confident form after returning from the Zimbabwe Premier League plus the likes of experienced Ivan Thawithemwira, Joseph Baguma and Matthew Musinguzi, Aboojo will be buzzing. For Ismaili, Hunzai’s men including Kamran Walid, Junaid Khan and Cricket Cranes skipper Riazat Ali Shah, will be banking on their clinical winning streak.

A fair crowd is anticipated for this beautifully-scripted season-ender.

UG20 2025 LEAGUE

Fixture – Final

Aboojo CC vs. Ismail Community,

2pm – Entebbe Oval

Results – Semifinals

Aboojo 94/3 GM Sugar 73/5

Aboojo won by 21 runs

Ismail Community 121/10 Avengers 109.7

Ismaili Community won by 12 runs

Talking Point

POWER CLASH

Spin Battle. Aboojo brings raw firepower led by Murungi’s fearless batting. Ismaili counters with spin wizards Hunzai and Junaid Khan, whose combined 40 wickets have been pivotal in controlling tight matches. Sunday promises a masterclass in contrasting styles: audacious strokeplay versus calculated discipline.