Category: Daily Monitor

The so-called ‘Authority Derby’ couldn’t have arrived at a more dramatic moment. Friday’s duel between KCCA and URA carries implications far beyond points and league positions.

It comes wrapped in tension, whispers, and managerial uncertainty – all of it orbiting one man. Alex Isabirye must approach this match as if it were his last.

Every decision, every substitution, every minute on the touchline matters. URA’s management is reportedly scanning the horizon for a steadier hand, and only a powerful impression tonight can quiet the swirling rumours. For Isabirye, it is survival through performance.

KCCA revival

KCCA, meanwhile, host the clash with their own frustrations. The 1-0 loss to Vipers at Kitende left them stuck at 11 points from six matches – steady but insufficient for a side with title aspirations.

Coach Jackson Magera wants a response, something sharper, more assertive, and more clinical. The arrival of URA, wounded and wobbling, offers both danger and opportunity.

URA’s struggles are painfully public. Heavy transfer business raised expectations, yet the output has been alarmingly thin. Just one win in six matches – a narrow, nervy, and frankly fortunate 3-2 escape against hapless UPDF – is a poor return for a squad built to challenge.

The rest of the run has been a trail of uninspiring draws: Bul, Nec, Express, Maroons, and Lugazi. Five goals scored, four conceded, eight points earned, and an eighth-place standing that irritates fans and alarms management.

Raised axe

This is why Isabirye stands in the spotlight. With three coaches – Simon Peter Mugerwa (Mbarara City), Jimmy Kintu (Calvary), and Hussein Mbalangu (Nec) – already axed this season, he knows the axe is sharp and the patience is thin. A timid display tonight may well accelerate conversations in URA’s boardroom.

Yet even in decline, URA possess tools that demand respect. Nelson Ssenkatuka’s pace, Nicholas Kabonge’s creativity, Fred Amaku’s power, Joseph Ssemujju’s intelligence, Laban Tibita’s movement – it is an attacking cast built for menace.

But menace has not translated into mastery. The Tax Collectors remain indecisive and blunt in the final third. Against KCCA, precision, decisiveness, and courage will be non-negotiable.

For KCCA, one man could tilt the duel: Ivan Ahimbisibwe. The striker traded URA’s blue-and-white for KCCA’s yellow in July and now faces his former employers with added motivation.

Magera will hope Ahimbisibwe exploits a URA backline that has been fragile, unsettled, and prone to lapses.

Away in Hoima, at Butema Royal Park, freefalling Buhimba United – nine points from six games – host second-from-bottom Mbarara City, who are still reeling from the departure of coach Mugerwa and sit on just two points from six matches. It is a survival battle of its own.

StarTimes Uganda Premier League

Friday

Buhimba United vs. Mbarara City, 4pm

KCCA vs. URA, 8pm

The Government of Uganda has set an ambitious growth strategy for the next 15 years. It’s called the 10-fold growth strategy.

The strategy targets to propel Uganda’s economy from $50 billion to $500 billion by 2040. This growth will be driven by agro-industrialisation; tourism development; mineral-based development including oil and gas; and science, technology, ICT and innovation including the creatives industry (knowledge economy).

My interest is tourism. Uganda possesses vast tourism potential but lots of it has not been harnessed. Although small, Uganda is home to over to 43.9 percent of the world’s mountain gorillas, 7.8 percent of the world’s mammal species, including the unique tree climbing lions and white rhinos, 11 percent of the world’s bird species (1,063 bird species), Africa’s primate capital (Kibale Forest), and variety of butter flies and insects.

The beautiful mountain ranges including the snow-capped Rwenzori Mountain ranges, numerous fresh water lakes and rivers including second largest lake in the world (Lake Victoria) and the source of the world’s longest river (River Nile). The country boasts wonderful cultural heritage assets, friendly climate, fresh food and the friendliest people in the world.

Uganda is green and its terrain makes it an extraordinary destination.

In spite of this abundant asset base, tourism has consistently not received appropriate support. This sector has potential to impact every aspect of the economy, thereby spurring growth in every sphere of the economy. I am happy that at last, Uganda’s tourism is going to receive strong support from government. Leaping from the current $2 billion to $50 billion in annual earnings in 15 years will require a complete change in the way things are done. Government must walk the talk in addressing core issues that have for decades constrained tourism development.

The issues that have consistently been studied and documented are: tourism infrastructure, asset conservation, product development, marketing, skilling, standards, technology integration, research and access to finance for tourism enterprises. If the $50 billion target is to be realised, both government and private actors must learn the culture of sitting together to agree on priorities, and both have to learn to commit to what they agree to do. Government must create an enabling environment for the private sector to thrive, and these have to be given space and support to drive tourism numbers.

Careful planning is needed to avoid mass tourism, and instead focus on value. Uganda has enough assets to tap into various niche markets to drive the right investment and type of visitors. Disorganised growth will only bring chaos and will undermine the long-term survival of the tourism sector. The time has come for universities to direct their research towards solutions that will improve tourism development. PhD and Masters research projects have to be aligned to the national priorities. Our research should inform policy and decision making at various levels.

My view is that the private sector has to be organised around Uganda Tourism Association (UTA), the umbrella association for the private sector. Government has to treat UTA as a partner in tourism development and must involve it in planning, execution and evaluation of priority programmes. This means that government has to engender genuine engagement and collaboration, and provide deliberate financing of the key activities of UTA.

All development partners in tourism have to align their interventions to the sector priorities, and must demonstrate how they contribute in concrete terms. Simply put, if Uganda is to reach anywhere close to the $50 billion mark, it can no longer do business as usual. Everything has to change, and must change immediately! The clock is already ticking towards 2040!

The Kyabazinga (king) of Busoga, William Gabula Nadiope IV has asked parents in Uganda to spare time and stay with their children.

According to the Busoga monarch, this will allow parents to know their kds’ talents and later work towards building them.

The king made the call at Kololo Senior Secondary school play grounds as he launched the World Children’s Day yesterday, celebrated under the theme ”Invest in Uganda’s Children for a better future”.

”As a father and a cultural leader, I have witnessed firsthand the extraordinary potential that lies within Uganda’s children. In Busoga, we believe that raising children is a collective responsibility where every child belongs to all of us. Their success is our success and their future is our future,’ he said.

Uganda has one of the youngest populations in the world, with over half of all children under 17 years of age.

ýAs of October 2025, there was an alarming rise in mental health challenges among students with more than 90,000 cases recorded in Uganda’s capital, Kampala in the past 12 months.

According to Kampala Capita City Authority (KCCA) data, 90,530 cases of mental health disorders were registered between July 2024 and June 2025, marking a 12.2 percent increase compared to the previous year.

Speaking during the World Mental Health Day commemoration lately, Ms Sharifah Buzeki, the KCCA executive director, described the situation as a ”national public emergency.”

She revealed that most common mental health conditions reported in Kampala include epilepsy (29percent), schizophrenia (14percent), anxiety disorders (6.6percent), substance and alcohol use disorders (6.3 percent), and depression (5.3 percent).

The celebrations attracted 200 selected children from across the region who showcased different innovations that could settle the country’s challenges.

Among these included Urban Vegetable farming using recycled materials, reusable sanitary pads production and training, Eco friendly briquettes to replace charcoal, making shoes and crafts from recycled plastic waste and empowering youth through guitar making and music among others.

Dr Robin Nandy, the UNICEF Representative in Uganda highlighted Uganda’s progress in reducing child mortality rate, expanding access to education and introducing child-friendly justice systems.

However, he warned that major challenged still remain noting that four million young people aged 18-29 are not in school, training or employment, representing nearly 40 per cent of the country’s young people.

Dr Nandy further warned over the high rate of teenage pregnancy affecting on in four adolescent girls, which he described as a huge crisis.

‘This is a huge crisis when young girls who are still children give birth to children. I want to thank the Kyabazinga of Busoga for taking up the call against teenage pregnancies in the Kingdom,’ Dr Nandy said.

Mr Edward Kanoonya, the head teacher of Kololo Secondary school, stressed that several threats undermine children’s development, including poor parenting.

‘The word children’s day is a special reminder about our collective responsibility in shaping the future of Uganda through the children entrusted with us. We have a duty to equip the children with the knowledge, skills and values that can make them become better citizens,’ he said.

What children said

Tahia Nakibuuka 12, a pupil in primary seven from Kyaggwe Road primary school in Rubaga said teachers need to be trained thoroughly to guarantee their success.

Joshua Opio, 17, from Kololo SS urged parents to advise the boychild while at home since many face peer pressure and are forced to join certain practices which affect their studies.

”Some boys fail to discover themselves because of lack of confidence, this to joining criminal activities just to fit-in with others,” he said.

Joan Nangobi, the headgirl at Kololo SSS said sensitizations need to be made to parents who give heavy punishments to their children. She said this affects the child’s self-esteem and later to bad performance.

Residents of Sisyi, Lusha, and Buginyanya sub-counties in Bulambuli District are have decried the government’s failure to address the devastating floods caused by large volumes of water flowing from Biritanyi Gorge.

Biritanyi Gorge, located in Lusha Sub-county, features a 60-metre S-shaped road that was carved through the hill to connect the lowlands to the highlands.

Now, the water from the highlands flows over the road surface instead of passing underneath a bridge, causing the residents and the water to share the same path for approximately 60 metres.

This has causes danger, particularly when the volume of water increases during the rainy season, often leading to loss of lives.

Mr Lemeka Magona, a resident of Buginyanya, said the flooding caused by large volumes of water from Biritanyi Gorge has destroyed gardens and other properties of locals.

‘It has also severely affected the transportation of goods, such as onions, which end up rotting in the flooded gardens,’ he said.

Mr Magona added that whenever it rains heavily, Simu Kona-Masila-Bufumbo Road becomes impassable, disrupting the movement of people, goods, and agricultural products in the low-lying parts of the district.

Locals say construct of the road disrupted nature’s ability to absorb the water from the Biritanyi Gorge underground, causing the flooding.

‘Unfortunately, the construction of the road disrupted the natural water flow, and over time, the drainage channels directing the water became obstructed,’ Mr Yasiin Mafabi, a boda boda rider, said.

He said the government should take immediate action to resolve the issue.

‘The government should also prioritise the creation of an alternative route by breaking the rocks in the gorge. This would allow for better transportation of goods to the market,” he added.

Mr James Mwabu, the chairperson of Mugabe Upper Village, said flooding is one of the most pressing issues affecting the people of Elgon North constituency.

He said an estimated 15,000 people are affected in the constituency that has a population of more than 100,000 residents.

‘The flooding disrupts local businesses, forcing traders to carry goods on their heads to cross and or they take longer using the alternative routes through difficult terrain to reach markets,’ Mr Mwabu said.

The village chairperson said the government should break the rocks in the gorge and create a safer and more reliable route for both people and goods.

‘This would ensure smoother transportation to Bulambuli, Mbale, and beyond, improving the lives of the affected communities,’ Mr Mwabu said.

Mr Ronald Kisa, the youth councillor for Bulambuli District, explained that Biritanyi Gorge, which was constructed during the colonial era, has now become a danger zone.

‘The government should involve experts to assess the limestone in the area and use it to stabilise the situation,’ Mr Kisa, said.

Mr James Songo, the chairperson for Buginyanya Sub-county, echoed similar concerns, emphasising the loss of lives and the disruption of transportation.

‘The flooding has cut off access to transport, and when it rains, the water floods the entire area, preventing movement. The situation has been affecting both the upper and lower sub-counties of Bulambuli,’ he said.

The upland sub-counties affected by the flooding include Bufumbo, Bulago, Lusha, Buginyanya, Bumugibole, and Bumasobo, while the lowland sub-counties-such as Sisyi, Kamu, Bulegeni, and Bulambuli Town Council-are also severely impacted during heavy rains.

Mr Songo said the flooding has also caused landslides, destroying gardens and homes in the lower parts of Bulambuli. ‘The government must act swiftly to resettle affected families and create long-term solutions,’ Mr Songo said.

Ms Irene Muloni, the Bulambuli Woman MP, explained that Biritanyi Gorge is part of the Simu Kona-Masila-Bufumbo Road.

She said stones have blocked the drainage channels at Biritanyi Gorge, preventing water from flowing underground.

‘As a result, water is forced to flow over the surface, flooding the middle of the road and creating a serious hazard,’ Ms Muloni, who is also an engineer, said.

She added: ‘Elgon North is known for being one of the food baskets of the region and surrounding areas, but this road is now severely affecting the transportation of goods to the market, causing significant losses for farmers.’

Mr Paul Walimbwa, the district engineer for Bulambuli, said preliminary investigations have shown that the drainage channel has become silted, with many stones and boulders obstructing the flow of water.

‘When there is a lot of water, the drainage system can no longer handle the flow, as the channel has been reduced in size due to silting and the accumulation of boulders,’ Mr Walibwa said.

He further stated that the district would write to the Ministry of Works and Transport to request a technical team to conduct a detailed investigation and recommend solutions, including clearing the silt and boulders from the channel to allow proper water flow.

Ms Dina Nakombe, the station manager for the Ministry of Works and Transport’s Mbale Branch, said the technical assessment will be conducted to determine whether the channel was originally constructed with concrete.

‘If not, we will recommend that the channel be reinforced with concrete to prevent future flooding,’ she said.

Mandela Group of Companies has recognised Simon Mugabi – the Uganda Badminton Association (UBA), affectionately known as Coach, for his exemplary contribution to sports development in Uganda, particularly badminton.

The award celebrates Mugabi’s professionalism, integrity, and dedication to nurturing talent at all levels, from grassroots to international competitions.

‘Mandela Group honoured me for the seven years I have spent organising the City Tyres East African Badminton Tournament at high standards and exhibiting professionalism,’ Mugabi said. ‘I thank the Mandela Group, led by GM Venkatesh Kumar, for trusting me to deliver. I vow my loyalty and accountability as we continue to uplift sports in Uganda.’

Mugabi’s journey in badminton began in 1976 as a player, followed by coaching in 1986, and later ascending to UBA CEO in 2003. Under his leadership, Uganda has staged numerous high-profile tournaments, including the National Badminton Championships and the City Tyres EA Challenge, and has also promoted para-badminton, giving opportunities to physically handicapped players at the international level – both teams and players winning several medals in due course.

High-level Integrity

Herbert Bashasha, Marketing Manager at Mandela Group, praised Mugabi’s impact: ‘Simon is not only a distinguished and decorated badminton player but also a good administrator with high-level integrity and organisational skills, which has led to the growth of the game in the country.’

Mugabi’s career has taken him across continents, attending African Games, World Championships, Commonwealth Games and Olympics, cementing his legacy. He remains a mentor to young athletes across multiple sports, encouraging passion, discipline, hard work, and determination.

‘Badminton is my major sport, but I am passionate about soccer, athletics, table tennis, squash, and Taekwondo. I want to be remembered as a man who brought the game to the limelight, including para-badminton,’ Mugabi added.

Talking Points

Legacy Builder

Grassroots Hero. Mugabi’s administration elevated Uganda’s badminton profile locally and internationally. Mentor to youth and para-athletes, spreading sports access beyond mainstream players.

AT A GLANCE

Full Name: Simon Mugabi

Nicknames: Coach

Year of Birth: June 17, 1964

Age: 61 years old

Nationality: Ugandan

Clubs Played For: St Jude Jinja, Jinja SS, UCB and Kampala Club

Coaching and Managerial Career: From 1986 up to now (actively involved)

Other Sports: Soccer, Athletics, Squash, Taekwondo and Table Tennis

Administration Roles: Technical Director (1991-2003) and CEO (2003 to-date)

Awards:Nile Special USPA Legendary Award: Simon Mugabi (2018), Mandela Group Excellence Recognition (2025)

Motto / Philosophy: I eat badminton, I sleep badminton

Advice to Young Players: Be passionate, disciplined, hard workers and determined.

Legacy Statement: I want to be remembered as the man who got the game to the limelight including para-badminton.

Climate experts have cautioned the government about the current direct consequences of human activity, which have intensified the frequency and severity of flooding and extreme weather conditions across the country.

According to Mr Aggrey Aluso, the Executive Director of Resilience Action Network Africa (RANA), some of the signs of climate change are already visible in communities, with impacts stretching far beyond the environment to now health.

‘Government needs to adopt a proactive, anticipatory budgets that prioritise and support whole-sum communities, especially those most affected by climate shocks, including flooding,’ Mr Aluso urged the government on Thursday during a workshop by a group of civil society organisations in Kampala.

The caution by Mr Aluso comes at a time when the country is facing a wave of flash floods/ mudslides resulting from the ongoing terrestrial rains.

About three weeks ago, dozens of residents of the Sebei region were killed by mudslides that ravaged the area.

Likewise, human-triggered activities like the redevelopment of the Nakivubo drainage channel by businessman Hamis Kiggundu have resulted in the loss of merchandise worth millions of shillings by Kampala traders due to floods that inundated their shops.

The affected traders are yet to be compensated by the government, though a section of them has since petitioned the High Court in Kampala for redress.

Mr Aluso said flooding has become a global phenomenon, including the USA, the world’s superpower, which in the recent past had its subways flooded despite having the best engineers and proactive thinkers.

‘We have a scenario which is unfolding where we have elastic weather patterns of either it’s too hot or too wet. With the increasing temperatures, we have more warm days, causing evaporation, which is why we are having these floods everywhere. You saw the Brazilian flooding that was serious, and also in Kenya, which happened near my home.’ Mr Aluso said.

In the context of resilience, Mr Aluso emphasized that climate change not only creates health challenges but also a major threat to agriculture, with many farmers losing productivity due to unpredictable weather.

‘Climate pressures are forcing people to migrate to urban centers, creating congestion and straining already aggravated physical infrastructure and policies,’ he said

Speaking at the same event, Ms Anne Lumbasi, a senior advisor with RANA-Uganda, said Uganda stands at a pivotal moment in advancing the resilience agenda across climate, health, gender, finance, and food systems.

‘The recent tragedies, such as the November 29, 2025, mudslides in Kwene District that claimed nine lives, and destructive floods in Kampala, highlight the urgency of this agenda,’ Ms Lumbasi said.

Adding: ‘These climate-induced disasters are compounded by weak emergency response systems, fragile health infrastructure, unregulated food systems, persistent gender disparities, and protracted underinvestment in disaster preparedness.’

Wednesday, November 19, 2025, was International Men’s Day. This year’s theme is celebrating men and boys. In Uganda, Mr Mondo Kyateka, the assistant commissioner for youth and children’s affairs at the Ministry of Gender, labour and Social Development, said men should sire children they can afford to take care of, love, care, protect and nurture. This was while speaking at the inaugural Mwami Summit.

The Mwami Summit, which was organised by Reach Out Mbuya Community Health Initiative and Roses of Mbuya Social Enterprise, was under the theme: Empowering men as role models for stronger families and communities. While days such as Men’s Day usually go by unnoticed with very little fanfare, their significance shouldn’t be belittled. That is why initiatives such as the Mwami Summit and other such initiatives that have tailored projects in observance of such days must be applauded and, even better, supported to achieve bigger and better.

In a world where the sanctity and plight of the girl-child has been given much deserved attention while little or none is paid to the boy child, anything, initiative or otherwise that seeks to bridge the gaps created by imbalanced empowerment in the society is welcome. Josephine Kaleebi , the Reach Out Mbuya Community Health Initiative executive director said the summit was to celebrate men’s health, wellbeing and responsible masculinity and enable men and boys from Kampala’s underserved communities to engage in transformative dialogue, wellness screenings, mentorship, and skill building activities.

She said, ‘In many of our communities, men and boys face unique challenges, including mental health stigma, unemployment, lack of positive role models, and social pressures that perpetuate harmful masculinity norms.’ The summit reportedly creates a safe, empowering platform to promote emotional wellness and physical health, champion responsible and respectful fatherhood in relationships, foster mentorship and community leadership, and challenge and redefine traditional masculinity in positive ways.

While the patriarchal nature of our society might seemingly give boys and men an advantage over their female colleagues, it is wrong to neglect the former in regard to ensuring safe spaces for dialogue, mentorship, partnership and meaningful growth. Let us not trivialise this societal need to have whole, well-rounded men. Empowerment has no gender. Every member of society, regardless of their gender, deserves a chance at being adequately equipped to live to their full potential. Only then will they all be able to step up to serve those around them.

I was told that when we visit Europe, it is a glimpse of the past, and when we visit China, it is a glimpse of the future.

This feels true when you experience it firsthand. Recently, I visited Guangzhou, China. This city was clean, fast, and full of opportunity.

But what makes it work is not the tall buildings or the endless shops. It is the planning, the discipline, and the deliberate organisation built over many years.

One thing that stands out in Guangzhou is the discipline behind even the smallest businesses. Shops open on time.

Orders are prepared exactly as agreed. Packaging is neat. Records are kept. This consistency builds trust. What surprised me even more was how confidently they followed up.

Every vendor I left my number with called or messaged with a sales pitch. It taught me something simple. Ugandans are entrepreneurial, but culturally we tend to be modest about selling. Yet in business, silence is a lost customer.

Uganda has raw strengths that China did not have at the start of its rise.

We have a young, tech-savvy population, fertile land, and a vibrant private sector. Our challenge is coordination at all levels.

While large systems like agriculture, digital payments, and regional trade require long-term organisation, SMEs do not have to wait for government reforms to make progress.

We can start where we have control. We can adopt habits that create progress inside individual businesses.

Consistency in customer service, timely follow-up, better packaging, and proper record-keeping can lift our SMEs significantly, even before the bigger systems catch up.

China’s progress is not perfect. It has its own challenges. But one thing is clear. When China commits to something, it sees it through.

When they build markets, they support them with warehouses, transport, online systems, and financing. They do not treat shops as isolated units. They build full ecosystems around industries. In Guangzhou, a market links to logistics, digital platforms, and banks.

This reflects business principles we often struggle with here at home. Integration reduces costs. Scale increases bargaining power.

Efficiency moves goods faster and opens bigger markets. When the system works, even small players grow because they are not carrying every burden alone.

We visit China for shopping. Maybe it is time we also went for strategy, so that we return with ideas that help our businesses and our country move from potential to real, steady progress.

Hello Paul, my dashboard lights sometimes dim when I switch on the AC or headlights. Could this be a sign of a weak battery, a faulty alternator, or a wiring problem? Is it dangerous to continue driving like this, and what should I check first before taking the car to a garage? Grace

Hello Grace, dimming dashboard lights usually indicate an overloaded charging system in your car. This system consists of three main components: the battery, alternator, and circuit. The charging system powers all electrical consumers in your vehicle, including the lights, air conditioning, audio system, and other convenience features such as window and door switches.

The battery allows the car to start while balancing the voltage. Once the engine is running, the alternator generates power for all consumers such as the ignition system, while it also recharges the battery. The circuit distributes power to all electrical components and consumers, including spark plugs, lights, air conditioning, and audio systems.

If any of the three components (battery, alternator, or circuit) are faulty, you may notice the dashboard lights dimming when you turn on heavy power consumers such as the headlights or air conditioning. An old or weak battery cannot balance voltage effectively when heavy consumers are activated, which may result in slow engine starts and dim dashboard lights that become brighter when you accelerate.

A malfunctioning alternator will not provide enough voltage to charge the battery, leading to issues such as a flashing battery light, dim dashboard lights, and headlights that dim when you accelerate. Additionally, the audio and air conditioning systems may turn off unexpectedly. A faulty circuit may have loose or corroded contact points and battery terminals, which reduces the voltage supplied to consumers and may cause flickering dashboard lights and headlights, along with inconsistent starts. Bad circuits can also disrupt the performance of electrical components or accessories.

It is important to investigate the cause of flickering dashboard lights, as driving under such conditions can be dangerous. If your alternator fails, the battery will not charge, and your car may not start. Low voltage can also affect the performance of critical systems in modern cars, such as the anti-lock braking system (ABS), airbags, and electric power steering (EPS). Loose contacts in your vehicle’s electrical circuit can lead to short circuits or overheating, potentially damaging wire harnesses and battery terminals, and creating fire hazards.

Before visiting a mechanic, there are a few checks you can perform. Open the bonnet and, if possible, have someone tech-savvy help you inspect the battery connections. Look for loose, broken, or corroded connections; greenish or whitish buildup can indicate corrosion. Dirty terminals can often be cleaned with hot water or baking soda, while any broken ones should be replaced and tightened.

When you start the engine, switch on heavy consumers such as the AC and headlights to see if the lights dim further or brighten when you accelerate. This will help determine if the alternator is faulty. If the lights remain dim even when you accelerate, it could indicate a weak battery or loose connections.

Pay attention to any strange noises or unusual lights. A squealing belt noise when you rev the engine may signify a worn or loose viscous drive belt, which can slow the alternator and cause erratic power supply. If you see the red battery or charging light on your dashboard, it indicates an issue with the alternator, possibly due to a bad V-belt or a damaged alternator.

This would be a good time to visit a garage and suggest that the mechanic perform a few tests. They should check that the battery holds a charge of 12.4 to 12.7 volts when the engine is off and remains above 12 volts when the engine is running. Additionally, the mechanic should measure the alternator charging voltage, which should be between 13.7 and 14.3 volts with the engine running.

The mechanic may also want to examine the circuits to confirm proper connections, circuit continuity, and grounding. This inspection process should help identify why your car’s dashboard lights are dimming when you switch on the air conditioning or headlights.

The government has in collaboration with development partners, officially unveiled the second phase of the Local Economic Growth Support (LEGS) Project, which officials envisage will end inequality, poor service delivery, and spur economic development.

The second phase of LEG, which was approved at the tail end of the project’s first phase, will cover 55 districts, and the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) will inject Shs545 billion that will benefit 16 million Ugandans.

Officials from the IsDB led by their country manager, Dr Mouchili Mayoua, joined by their Ugandan counterpart, recently concluded a tour that covered eight districts in Western, Eastern, Northern, and Central Uganda, where they inspected key investments, engaged beneficiaries, and gathered insights to guide the next phase.

The nationwide supervision and closure mission was aimed at assessing the progress, impact, and sustainability of the LEGS Project.

Implemented in 17 districts under phase one, LEGS, officials said, has delivered transformative investments in agriculture, infrastructure, financial inclusion, and community enterprises. Government and its development partners have already confirmed that LEGS Phase II will expand interventions to 55 districts.

The team commenced their tour in Ntoroko District, where they inspected major investments, including the Kimara Valley Dam, a 68,000-cubic-metre reservoir serving more than 250 households and 5,000 head of cattle.

The 1.7-billion-shilling valley water tank was constructed in Kimara LCI, Butungama Sub-county with a 60-million-litre capacity tank that features a solar-powered automated pumping system that delivers water to overhead storage tanks and six animal troughs, along with an administration block and protective fencing.

It is designed with environmental safeguards and ensures clean water access while promoting climate-resilient livestock and crop production.

Its construction was in response to the unending crisis that had struck the area due to the negative impact of climate change, which resulted in prolonged drought. Officials said that the construction of this water facility saved the locals who were living in a dire situation, while competing for contaminated water with animals.

They also toured the Butungama Livestock Market and the Karugutu Subcounty Women’s SACCO, which received maize and rice milling machinery-the backbone of local value addition.

The Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) of Ntoroko District Mr Moses Agum, has revealed that the continuous construction of good access roads and clean water projects is key to improving the living standards of residents.

‘As district leadership, we are determined to sustain the achievements registered under the LEGS project, particularly the community access roads that have enhanced connectivity and stimulated local trade,’ he said.

The delegation also visited the Butungama Livestock Market and the Karugutu Sub-County Women’s SACCO, which received an agro-processing facility with maize and rice milling machinery to ensure value addition.

In Bunyangabu District, the delegation observed and later informed that a significant number of Ugandans had benefited from the two components of agricultural productivity and (community enterprise financing. Through the Microfinance Support Centre, Shs976m was disbursed to over 3,200 community members, boosting enterprise growth and household incomes.

Rwimi United Development Association showcased a rice processing plant that has elevated agro-processing and created jobs. Kageera Banana Farmers Association benefited from 40 market stalls and two open sheds.

Relatedly, Bunyangabu Bee Keepers Cooperative received Shs270m to strengthen honey production and value addition.

Dr David Siriri of the Millennium Promise Alliance urged farmers to continue utilising the 50/50 Input Voucher Scheme, which has supported 2,218 farmers in accessing improved inputs and increasing yields.

Local leaders, including RDC Mr Nicholas Kamukama, applauded LEGS for boosting incomes and urged communities to embrace a mindset change to tap into development opportunities fully.

Across Kabarole, Ntoroko, Bunyangabu, and Kyejonjo districts, MSC disbursed over Shs8b, supporting enterprise development.

Kyejonjo, officials learnt, excelled in artificial insemination with over 500 inseminations and a 75 percent success rate, while fertiliser use rose from 600 to 1,000 bags per season due to the voucher system.

In Central Uganda, the mission reviewed interventions in Nakasenke and Gomba Districts.

In Nakasenke, leaders commended LEGS for contributing to a drop in poverty levels from 20 percent in 2017 to 13.5 percent. The delegation inspected access roads, solar schemes, market sheds, and the Kinono Piped Water Supply System, which is expected to serve over 25,000 people.

Local leaders recounted past hardships, including long unsafe walks for water and livestock losses due to drought-challenges that the new system is expected to significantly ease.

In Gomba, the team visited the Kifampa Milk Collection Centre, Maddu Market Sheds, and Lwakibira Dam. IsDB’s Br. Denis Okumu praised the quality of infrastructure and encouraged farmers to adopt improved cattle breeds for better production.

Cooperative member Zanika Scovia highlighted how the new milk collection center has improved storage, market access, and earnings.

Speaking during the tour, Dr Mayoua assured continuous support to the Government of Uganda through the upcoming LEGS Phase II, which is set to expand interventions to 55 districts across the country.

The new phase will build on the successes of LEGS I, deepening the impact of local economic growth and resilience among communities.