Category: Daily Monitor

Uganda and Burkina Faso delivered the shocks of the Fifa Under-17 World Cup Round-of-32 stage on Saturday, with the Cubs edging Senegal 1-0 before the Burkinabè knocked out holders Germany by the same scoreline.

The two teams are now looking to extend those fairytale runs in Tuesday’s round-of-16 knockout clash that will again provide more room for surprises.

It is for that reason that Cubs coach Brian Ssenyondo expressed optimism about his team’s chances of further progress in the competition where they were never expected to go beyond the group stages at the first time of asking.

“At the back of my mind I knew that knock out stages are easier than the group stages because now anything is possible and the boys will be motivated to go further,” Ssenyondo, never short of optimism, stated ahead of what should be another physical encounter against West African opposition.

Ssenyondo has further been encouraged by the signs of character exhibited by his team that overcame the pain of a last minute 2-1 loss to Canada before forcing a 1-all draw against Chile secured with the last kick of the game.

Consecutive 1-0 wins against France and Senegal have further given credence to Ssenyondo’s belief in his players especially after seeing goalkeeper Edrisah Waibi thwart wave after wave of the Senegalese attacks.

“I think the character and resilience has stood out but overall the team work and putting the tactics of the day into action has also been key.

I credit the boys for that because each game here is handled differently. It’s high quality football here much as its U17 but the football played is far from that.

It is so much high level football so you must do deep game analysis on each opponent and organise the team accordingly because we hardly have training especially with not much time in between games,” Ssenyondo explained.

No Bogere

The Cubs have scored four goals from as many games in the competition thus far and half of those have come from the boot of James Bogere.

The striker is however suspended for the game after accumulating bookings which will be a major concern for Ssenyondo.

Young forward Enock Bagenda who Ssenyondo handed a first team slot at KCCA this season seems the likely replacement having made cameos in three of the four games thus far with the other option that of Derrick Ssozi, scorer of the late equalizer against Chile.

The rest of the team is likely to remain unchanged if Hamuza Sengooba overcomes a knock from the previous game with Brian Jara, Abubakali Walusimbi and Isma Magala expected to provide the blend of steel and creativity in midfield.

The Burkinabes on the other side also view this game as winnable after eliminating tournament hosts Germany courtesy of Mohamed Zongo’s second goal of the tournament.

“We’ll start working tomorrow (Sunday) to figure out how to go into this match, so we’re not caught off guard and can continue our fine form.

Uganda have made it to the Round of 16, which shows what a quality side they are, so we need to prepare accordingly. We played them in a friendly match, but every team has changed their style and appearance since then,” he observed.

That friendly back in March ended in a 3-2 Burkina Faso win in the lead up to Afcon tournament. With the stakes much higher a close game seems a more likely outcome.

The sight of scattered and waterlogged banknotes following the floods that ravaged businesses in downtown Kampala was striking. It laid bare an outdated and risky way of storing money, while exposing how many Ugandans still lack access to formal banking services.

In addition to ravaging properties of mostly traders in the central business district while exposing Kampala’s plan less city infrastructure, it has emerged that the recent floods also damaged some cash.

The culprits, from what BD Life has gathered, were a few traders who keep or hide their last-minute sales in their places of work.

Soggy or moldy paper money can deteriorate quickly and become worthless.

The quality of damp paper money, like the ones a couple of downtown merchants claim, is twice as susceptible to deterioration compared to well-handled and kept currency.

Should the cash be damaged, it will require replacement, but at what cost?

Who picks up the cost?

BD Life could not verify how much in total of the affected merchant’s cash was flooded and therefore risked being rendered useless.

However, in an interview with leadership of the traders, this was not an issue to cause an alarm as most currencies were not exposed to floods despite pictures making rounds of salvaged cash carefully spread for the sun to evaporate the moisture.

The director of research and policy at Bank of Uganda, Dr Adam Mugume, reveals that on average, printing costs of money are in the range of about 20 percent to 30 percent of the face value of the note.

In other words, this means for each Shs1,000 note about Shs200 to Shs300 may be required to print it.

According to Dr Mugume, replacing a damaged Uganda shilling note follows a particular procedure.

He says: ‘If the signatures are visible and the security features can authentically be proved, then the note can be replaced at the Bank of Uganda branch. But if the notes are severely damaged and the security features are unable to be verified, it would be difficult to replace the notes.’

So, the traders at the city centre whose merchandise was either destroyed in full or partially, better be sure that their money which they kept or hid in their stores, was not damaged to a point that the security features are now unrecognisable.

To bank or not?

The formal-informal divide is deeply entrenched in service provision across many economic sectors, according to the United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF).

Further, it is no longer a secret that most economic systems and institutions are designed to serve the formal sector with the expectation that those operating in informal settings must cross to the ‘other side’ for them to count and get served.

An Economic Policy Research Centre (EPRC) study shows that formal financial service providers often cite the high cost and risk of serving people in informal settings.

Meanwhile, potential customers in informal environments still complain about the strict requirements and high costs of joining the formal financial system.

Despite the informal sector employing by far the largest share of the population, estimated at 85 percent in Sub-Saharan Africa and 75 percent in Uganda, only half of the players in informal operations have a bank account according to EPRC findings.

Informal traders also don’t use banks due to lack of trust and financial illiteracy.

Some people view banks as institutions meant only for the wealthy or the educated who work in the formal economy.

Others feel that banking procedures are very complicated, with high minimum balance requirements.

Those operating in urban areas often have to endure poor mobile network coverage when attempting to use digital channels or platforms.

Therefore, the need for systems and solutions to serve the informal sector is undeniable.

It would be unfortunate if people still kept money as part of the merchandise in shops when bank branches are readily available, plus their agents.

Amidst all that, Dr Mugume, referring to traders’ flooded money, believes it is incomprehensible in this age for merchants handling millions of cash to avoid the services of a bank.

‘The role of the banks, among other things, is to protect against loss of cash in unfortunate events like floods, fires or thuggery,’ Dr Mugume tells BD Life.

Not as bad

In an interview with the board member of Kampala City Traders Association (KACITA), Mr Kanakulya JJemba Mulondo, it emerged that whereas some cash was waterlogged, particularly from the sales made after 5 p.m, the biggest damage was on properties and merchandises.

He says: ‘It will be an exaggeration to suggest that traders lost hard cash to floods that ravaged their places of businesses. Many have a proper safe except for a very tiny minority. ‘

He, however, concurs that for those whose money was affected by floods risk counting more losses should the currency get damaged ‘beyond repair.’

Farmers have been urged to prioritise food safety, post-harvest handling and market financing as part of efforts to strengthen agriculture value-chain development.

The call was made by State Minister for Agriculture, Mr Fred Kyakulaga in a speech delivered on his behalf by Mr Julius Twinomatsiko, the coordinator for food and nutrition security at the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries.

This was during the Food and Nutrition Security Marketplace, a function held at Butansi Sub-county headquarters in Kamuli District under the theme ‘Connecting farmers, partners and innovations.’

The minister commended the Kingdom of the Netherlands for embedding planning components and actionable strategies that advance shared goals for improving food security and nutrition in Uganda across its various projects.

‘This gathering is a significant step forward in our collective journey towards enhancing agricultural productivity, food security, nutrition and overall food system transformation in our country,’ Mr Kyakulaga said.

He observed that although Uganda is endowed with favourable agro-ecological conditions that support year-round food production, its potential has not been fully exploited due to limited access to technology, inadequate infrastructure, and poor food production and post-harvest handling practices.

Deputy Ambassador of the Netherlands, Bouwe Jan Smeding, emphasised the need to strengthen food and nutrition systems through inclusive and participatory approaches, saying agriculture remains central to economic development.

He reminded participants that despite Uganda’s discovery of oil, it is a temporary resource, whereas agriculture remains the most sustainable and rewarding enterprise supporting families, communities and the nation.

‘Today is a day to connect, learn, and be inspired through our participatory integrated planning approach, which shows how people can meaningfully contribute to improving their own livelihoods,’ Smeding said.

Ms Judith Okuonzia Tomma, the deputy project manager for the SNV INCLUDE Project, highlighted challenges such as soil fertility loss, low yields, pest and disease outbreaks, all of which hinder food production and resilience.

‘While the INCLUDE Project focuses on livestock production, INSPIRE supports crop production and small-scale irrigation. Our work focuses on improving soil health, promoting value addition and enhancing access to both input and output markets,’ she explained.

Ms Christine Isanga Kimbugwe, the vice chairperson of the Greater Kamuli Cassava Cooperative, reported significant progress through innovations and empowerment from the SNV Marketplace, noting improved market connections due to better post-harvest cassava handling that eliminates aflatoxins.

‘Because farmers now practise proper post-harvest handling, our cassava is clean and aflatoxin-free. We currently supply over 50 tonnes monthly, and when the Dei BioPharma vaccines factory opens in Kamuli, we will supply cassava as raw material, transforming livelihoods,’ she said.

Ms Florence Muyama Wakoba from Bukalasa Women’s Group in Bududa testified that the Netherlands-supported projects have liberated women economically and reduced poverty, helping stabilise homes.

The Kawempe Magistrates Court has set December 5 for the ruling on mandatory bail for National Unity Platform (NUP) supporters, who have been on remand for over 60 days.

The court presided over by Grade One Magistrate Damalie Agumasiimwe heard arguments from both sides on Tuesday, with the prosecution and defence presenting their cases.

Prosecution led by resident chief state attorney Sharon Nambuya and Bruce Twongirwe informed court that they were ready to proceed with the case.

“We are ready to proceed as we have already disclosed,” Nambuya said.

However, defence lawyers led by Samuel Muyiizi argued that the accused persons had exceeded the constitutional remand period and were entitled to mandatory bail.

“The accused have already clocked more than 60 days on remand except the eleventh accused person Olivia Lutaaya. We are applying for mandatory bail,” Mr Muyiizi told the court.

The State objected, arguing that the accused who was absent could not apply for bail.

“It would be prejudicial for the accused who is not in court to apply,” prosecutors argued.

However, Magistrate Agumasiimwe clarified that the constitutional threshold had been met.

“The fact is that the accused have clocked the mandatory period without trial. They can apply for bail,” she ruled.

Defence lawyer Alex Luganda laid out the specific remand periods for each accused, citing the Constitution in support of their application for bail.

“A1 and A2 (Mr Edward Ssebufu alias Eddie Mutwe, Mr Kivumbi Achileo) have been on remand for 90 days. A3 to A7 (Mr Tasi Calvin alias Bobi Giant, Mr Edwin Sserunkuma alias Eddy King Kabejja, Mr Lukenge Sharif, and Mr Yasin Nyanzi and Mr Tonny Kawesi, have been on remand for 70 days, A8 and A9 (Mr Alex Waiswa Mufumbiro and Doreen Kaija) for 68 days, and A10 has been on remand for 68 days,” he said.

Luganda cited Article 23(6) of the Constitution, which states that where a person is on remand for a triable-by-magistrate offense for a period exceeding 60 days, any magistrate before whom such a person appears is commanded to release such an accused on such conditions as the court may deem fit.

But Ms Nambuya insisted that mandatory bail was not automatic.

“The right to apply is not a guarantee to grant,” she argued, urging the court to consider public safety, victims’ rights, and the nature of the offence.

“Unlawful drilling is a security-related offense and their activities cause threats to the public,” Ms Nambuya said, adding that several accused hold senior positions in NUP.

“They can interfere with prosecution witnesses since we have already disclosed to the defence.”

She further warned of the political climate. “This is a political season and there is need to take communities in serious consideration and protect them from unlawful activities,” the State submitted.

The prosecution also noted that applicants must still satisfy statutory requirements, including substantial sureties and proof of fixed places of abode. “Mandatory bail is not mandatory as the court must exercise its discretion,” they concluded, insisting there had been no trial delays. “We even had witnesses in court.”

The State also downplayed health-related concerns, stating that the prison facilities have full medical services. “The suspects’ medical condition can be handled well in prison,” they said.

However, the court was later informed that one of the accused, Saudah Madaada, had collapsed in the cells and was in need of urgent medical attention. Magistrate Agumasiimwe announced that Chief Magistrate Roselyn Nsenge had ordered immediate emergency evacuation.

“She has told me she is on medication on and still continuing with it,” Agumasiimwe said. “The Chief Magistrate has called for high evacuation services to ensure she is taken to hospital for specialised care.”

Madaada’s mother was permitted to accompany her to the hospital.

“I have given access to her mother to move with her,” the magistrate said.

The accused are charged with unlawful drilling, conspiracy to commit a felony, and wearing uniforms resembling those of the armed forces, stemming from a February 12, 2025 arrest at NUP’s Makerere-Kavule offices. They deny the allegations.

Businessman and National Resistance Movement (NRM) Entrepreneurs League chairperson, Hassan Basajjabalaba, has urged the government to prioritise a national medical insurance scheme instead of spending taxpayers’ money on the Parish Development Model (PDM).

Speaking on Saturday last week during the burial of his mother, Azidah Basajjabalaba, in Katungu Cell, Ishaka Division, Bushenyi-Ishaka Municipality, Mr Basajjabalaba said Uganda urgently needs a functional medical insurance system to serve ordinary citizens.

‘What I witnessed while treating my mother in Germany, spending 220,000 Euros, almost Shs1b, a common person cannot afford that. I went to Germany 10 times, the UK five times, and South Africa five times. Altogether, that is about $6m. A common man cannot manage that,’ he said.

Mr Basajjabalaba added: ‘I want the President to help us pass medical insurance. In Germany, a person can fall sick, but insurance handles the costs. MPs who are here, when it comes to medical insurance, we are all illiterate. No country functions without medical insurance.’

He urged Ugandans to advocate for a medical insurance system that can save lives.

‘Let us strike for insurance. I beg you, Mr Speaker, if my mother had insurance, I would be paying only about 40 percent of the bill. Tanzania has insurance, people above 70, children aged one to nine, and expectant mothers are treated free of charge,’ he said.

Benefits of medical insurance

Mr Basajjabalaba said many Ugandans are now seeking dual citizenship because they fear high medical expenses at home.

He said once medical insurance is established, the private sector will confidently invest in modern health equipment, knowing they can recover their investments.

‘There is equipment we cannot bring into the country because a common Ugandan cannot afford its services. For instance, the PET scan, worth $9m, is only available at Aga Khan Hospital in East Africa. No one will invest $9m without assurance of returns. Even governments in Kenya and Tanzania have failed to procure it, and I don’t think we shall manage soon.’

Mr Basajjabalaba further argued that for Uganda’s health sector to improve, government must collaborate with private providers rather than relying on public hospitals alone.

‘Government cannot manage hospitals. When I say this, people call me Opposition, yet I am a member of the NRM CEC. The best hospitals worldwide are private. You cannot expect government to run the very best facilities.’

He attributed the inefficiencies in government facilities to equipment maintenance challenges, among others.

He proposed that government significantly invest in the three major faith-based hospitals, Nsambya (Catholic), Mengo (Anglican), and Kibuli (Muslim), to improve national healthcare. Mr Basajjabalaba criticised the PDM, saying it has not yielded tangible benefits for ordinary Ugandans.

‘Why put money into PDM only for people to share Shs1m each? Really, how can someone start a business with Shs1m? They will simply spend the money. In my little knowledge, PDM may not work.’

The Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Mr Thomas Tayebwa, who represented President Museveni, agreed that medical insurance has been delayed and is urgently needed.

‘Medical insurance, I agree with you. We are late. Because when we die, we all go in the same coffins. We must ensure that medical insurance is addressed quickly. We need it, and we need it very fast,’ he said.

The phrase “nobody wake us up, please” was a famous quote by Claudio Ranieri during Leicester City’s improbable 2015-16 Premier League title win.

Ranieri used the phrase to describe the team’s incredible form, which felt like a dream, and his desire for the fans to continue enjoying the experience without the pressure of reality.

After Leicester beat Everton and lifted the trophy, he told fans to “keep dreaming, why wake up?” Juxtapose that scenario from nine years ago with the present day!

Back in April, it was almost enough for the Uganda Cubs to celebrate reaching the Fifa U-17 World Cup for the very first time, winning the qualifying playoff against The Gambia 2-1.

Enjoy the moment

When the moment to rub shoulders with the elite arrived this month, many would have just loved for Uganda to compete and enjoy the moment.

In fact, some could only demand that Uganda makes a habit of qualifying for the World Cup, after all it’s now annual and 48 teams-heavy, up from 24 for the previous nine editions.

It was even much smaller before that, going back to 1985, or even 1977 when this tournament was inaugurated as the Lion City Cup in Singapore.

With every result, the Cubs have shown that they belong here and there is no better way to show it than against Burkina Faso in the round of 16 on Tuesday. The enjoyment phase must be long gone.

Victory here will put coach Brian Ssenyondo among the best eight sides in this age group. Definitely, the pressure is going to go up a notch. How do you deal with it?

First, they must fill the void left by talisman James Bogere. He is suspended after receiving a yellow card in the 1-0 victory over Senegal in the round of 32 on Saturday.

Margins

It is also evident that the margins have narrowed for this team who came through a tight group K with a loss to Canada (1-2), a -1all draw against Chile and a 1-0 victory against 2001 champions France.

Just to emphasize how razor thin the margins might be, goalkeeper Edrisah Waibi had to deliver a performance for the ages to knock out the Young Lions of Teranga.

‘I am proud of my goalkeeper Edrissa. He kept us in the game in those first thirty minutes. When everyone is beaten, you need your keeper to stand big in the goal. The small man today stood big in the goal,’ Ssenyondo said.

Now, Ssenyondo needs to spread his options without Bogere. Derrick Ssozi is one having come off the bench to get the leveler against the gritty South Americans to keep Uganda in the tournament.

‘It’s a knockout stage,’ Ssenyondo noted. ‘Like we played France, two different games but almost of the same kind of magnitude because against France it was a knockout game as well, if you won, you stayed, if you did not win, your home. I believe we know what is at stake – that we need to win to progress – no other chance, and I am certain we shall present ourselves very well.’

Depth

Uganda’s squad depth will be tested after four games in under 10 days. Back to the top. Ironically, Ranieri himself was known for using a different “wake up” call during training sessions.

When players were not paying full attention, he would ring an imaginary bell and say, “Dilly-ding, dilly-dong, wake up, wake up!”

This catchphrase became famous and he even bought the players and staff a small bell for Christmas as a joke. Ssenyondo, known for rings on several of his fingers, does not need a bell.

Tangier’s Grand Stade de Tanger will cast a harsh, honest light on the Cranes Tuesday night as Uganda’s steady rise meets Africa’s top-ranked side in a friendly that feels heavier than the term suggests.

The fixture – the second warm-up in four days – offers Uganda their sternest measure yet of what the Paul Put rebuild looks like against elite opposition.

Africa’s standard

Morocco, sharpened for a home Afcon in December, are still the continent’s gold standard.

Ranked 12th globally, they’ve won their last 10 matches, grinding out a 1-0 win over Mozambique on Friday.

Their 2022 World Cup fourth-place run remains Africa’s benchmark, and Walid Regragui’s team rolls with that same efficiency.

Youssef En-Nesyri should spearhead the attack, likely reclaiming the spot from Ayoub El Kaabi after his missed penalty last time out.

Yassine Bounou keeps goal behind a backline missing Achraf Hakimi but steadied by Mazraoui and new boy Anass Salah-Eddine.

Sofyan Amrabat’s steel, Azzedine Ounahi’s glide and Brahim Diaz’s invention add to a side that plays like a mission statement.

Uganda bring grit

Uganda, now 61st in the world, counter with form and grit. Put’s side finished runners-up to Algeria in their World Cup qualifying group and secured Afcon 2025 as Group K runners-up behind South Africa.

Unbeaten in four of their last five, they edged Chad 2-1 on Friday – a workmanlike win, not a spectacle, but one that stretched their legs and revealed character.

Uche Mubiru Ikpeazu’s cool penalty, his first goal in Cranes colours, and Melvyn Lorenzen’s instinctive second-half finish delivered the goods for Uganda.

Lorenzen, returning after his 2016 cameo debut, also bagged his first Cranes goal.

Debutant goalkeeper Denis Kiggundu had a mixed night – gave away a penalty, then saved another – but earned Put’s appreciation.

‘We could’ve been better,’ stand-in captain Jordan Obita admitted. ‘We turned the ball over too easily. Afcon’s quality demands more.’

Put echoed the sentiment: ‘Morocco’s another level. We must be at our best.

Who steps up?

Put is expected to restore experience for this one. Denis Onyango should regain his gloves, while midfielder Khalid Aucho’s return – either in place of or alongside new boy Al Hassan Baba and Kenneth Ssemakula – would steady the centre.

Ikpeazu and Lorenzen have made their cases to start again, though Steven Mukwala and Joseph Mpande push for roles, too.

The spine – Obita, Toby Sibbick and Allan Okello, the latter a second half substitute on Friday – remains firm despite absences of injured Aziz Kayondo and Rogers Mato.

A bigger picture

For Morocco, Afcon 2025 on home soil is a mission. They last won it in 1976.

For Uganda, it’s about charting a new arc. The Cranes reached the 1978 final and made the 2019 round of 16, but Group C – Tunisia (Dec 23), Tanzania (Dec 27), Nigeria (Dec 30) – is no small climb.

Tuesday is not about matching giants stride for stride. It’s about stretching belief. Testing the ceiling. Knowing where the cracks are before December.

And history reminds us it’s not impossible. Uganda famously thrashed Morocco 3-0 at Afcon 1978, and beat them again 1-0 in a 2011 friendly.

Morocco’s two Chan wins – 3-1 in 2014 and 5-2 in 2021 – add colour to a fixture that has never lacked edge.

In Tangier, the Cranes measure themselves against Africa’s best – and find out what their own best might become.

Uganda Cranes international friendlies

Nov 14 result: Uganda 2-1 Chad

Nov 18: Morocco vs Uganda, 10pm EAT

Afcon 2025

Group C matches

Dec 23: Tunisia vs Uganda

Dec 27: Uganda vs Tanzania

Dec 30: Uganda vs Nigeria

A Senior Two student of Naalya Secondary School in Lugazi, Buikwe District, has been found dead in Mukono District after missing for one week.

Merisa Aneza, 15, was reported missing by her mother, Ms Sarah Kamuganga, at Kikoni B Police Station in Wandegeya on November 6. Ms Kamuganga told this publication by phone yesterday that her daughter had returned home from school on October 28 following a one-week suspension and stayed with her for the entire duration.

The head teacher of Naalya SS, Lugazi, Ms Rita Mutaawe, when contacted yesterday requested that this publication visits the school for more details on the nature of the suspension.

The father of the deceased , Mr Martin Anogyerire, picked up Aneza from school and dropped her off at Kikoni, where the mother resides. Ms Kamuganga explained that on November 4, Aneza left for school dressed in uniform and used a motorcycle to meet her father, who was supposed to take her back to school, at his place near Bahai in Kawempe Division. Six hours later, Mr Anogyerire called Ms Kamuganga, asking why their daughter had not reached him, since he had planned to escort her back to school. Aneza never arrived, and two days later, her mother reported the matter to the police.

‘I went to Kikoni B Police Station and reported the case of missing child and left the matter before police to investigate,’ Ms Kamuganga said. She added that the next day, police detectives visited her residence and recorded statements from neighbours. ‘One of the neighbours had a camera, they retrieved the footage and it showed the daughter moving on foot but at a distance,’ she said.

On November 10, photos of the deceased circulated on social media, indicating that she had been killed and dumped in Musaale Swamp, Namulaba Village, Kyampisi Sub-county, Mukono District. Local authorities said due to the advanced state of decomposition, mortuary staff in Kayunga buried the body in a cemetery. Two days later, the parents of the missing child learnt of the body recovered in Nagalama and suspected it could be their daughter, though it remained unconfirmed.

‘I immediately went there, looked at the body and identified her as my daughter, I almost collapsed, local leaders held me up and took me to Nagalama Police Station to make another statement,’ Ms Kamuganga said. Before she got wind of the whereabouts of her daughter, witnesses reported that the body was dressed in a navy-blue student skirt labelled Nanyonga VII, suggesting the victim may have been a student. The specific school was not immediately identified then, and police engaged nearby institutions to establish whether they had any missing learners.

Police investigating matter

The Kampala Metropolitan Police Deputy Spokesperson, Mr Luke Owoyesigyire, said police are investigating two separate incidents, both being handled at the Kampala Metropolitan East regional headquarters. ‘The first is a case of a missing juvenile reported at Wandegeya Police Station on November 6, 2025, in which Sarah Kamuganga reported the disappearance of her daughter, Aneza Merisa. The second incident, under investigation at Nagalama Police Station, involves the recovery of a decomposing body from Musaale Swamp in Namulaba Village, Kyampisi Sub-county, on November 10, 2025,’ he said.

Mr Owoyesigyire added that although some people claiming to be the parents of the deceased have identified her, police have not yet handed over the body to the alleged family, as DNA testing is required to confirm the identity. ‘As part of the ongoing investigations, police have applied for a court order to guide the exhumation of the body. Samples will be extracted for DNA analysis to determine whether the remains are those of the missing child, Aneza Merisa,’ he said.

Fellow Ugandans,

In a previous column, I argued that Uganda’s transformation privileges science at the expense of the humanities. Nowhere is this clearer than in the rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI) as we head toward the 2026 elections. AI is reshaping political life globally. In China, it monitors citizens through facial recognition. In the United States, it micro-targets voters. Across Africa, governments are experimenting with AI-driven policing, while activists quietly explore its power to organise. Uganda is no exception.

On the surface, AI promises efficiency. Electoral rolls can be digitised, results tallied faster, and voting secured. If governed well, AI might strengthen transparency. But the same tools can be turned inward against citizens. Algorithms can scan social media for ‘subversive’ content, track activists, and predict protests.

AI does not just watch dissent; it anticipates it. Protests could be disrupted before they begin, leaders profiled before they speak. Ironically, AI can also serve the opposite purpose. It can map safe routes for protesters, generate slogans, and spread messages faster than any organiser. Imagine citizens receiving real-time alerts on police movements or encrypted AI-generated strategies to outmanoeuvre surveillance. AI is not just a tool of control; it may also amplify resistance.

This duality reveals the deeper challenge. AI is not inherently good or bad; its meaning depends on who controls it.

For Uganda, the danger lies in mistaking technological efficiency for political transformation. A society can be perfectly efficient and perfectly authoritarian at the same time. Here, the sidelining of social sciences becomes dangerous. Scientists may build algorithms, but only philosophers, ethicists, and historians can ask the deeper questions: What happens to freedom of assembly when protests can be predicted? Who owns citizens’ data, and who profits from it?

As 2026 approaches, Uganda’s political transformation will not be shaped only by rallies and manifestos but also by invisible codes running beneath them.

If left solely to governments, AI may harden control. If seized thoughtfully by citizens, it could expand freedom. The real transformation is whether Ugandans choose to treat AI as a platform for fear – or for hope.

Even after beating Amus College 2-1 at home in their Finance Trust Bank Fufa Women Super League (FTBFWSL) meeting on Saturday, Kawempe Muslim were distraught for conceding a late goal.

Those are the standards they have set in a bid to claim the title. Prior to this match, the side had kept three clean sheets in a row and had conceded just three goals.

But after going down to Jazira Amiya’s own goal – a deflection off Agnes Nabukenya’s freekick, Amus reacted by going direct with long balls to their striker Shayline Opisa.

Kawempe defended resolutely and even doubled their lead after Samalie Nakacwa cleared a corner kick for Dorcus Kisakye to go on a run.

Kisakye combined with Shadia Nabirye, Latifah Nakasi, Krusum Namutebi, and Nabukenya in a sweeping team move that ended with the latter making it 2-0 in the 79th minute.

But Amus again reacted by pushing another body upfront. A freekick that both teams thought should have gone their way saw Amus win a corner that Dorine Aujat converted after a clearance by Kawempe keeper Saidah Namwanje.

“Amus played with intent but ceded the midfield to us and that allowed us to control most of the game,” Kawempe assistant coach Moses Nkata, said.

“It is unfortunate that we conceded in the end because I thought we also defended well until that freekick that should actually have been awarded to us,” Nkata added as they moved to 19 points in seven matches.

Despite the presence of his boss Hon. Patrick Opolot Isiagi, Amus coach Frank ‘Video’ Anyau sat about five metres behind his bench and communicated to his assistant Moses Ssekasana through a member of their technical team.

“I am not feeling well currently and you can see that I am not lively as I am known to be.

“But matches between Kawempe and Amus are always tight like this and are either decided by goal or end in draws. Today, they were tactically smarter but we are waiting for them at our home,” Anyau said, referencing their 1-all draws in the league last season and the 1-0 win over Kawempe in the Fufa Women Cup win at the end of the 2014/15 season.

Kobusobozi firing

Elsewhere on Saturday, Makerere University held She Corporate to a 0-0 draw at home while St. Noa Girls Zana beat Olila High School 2-0 away in Soroti and Lady Doves got their first win of the season at home to Asubo Ladies.

Two first half goals by Resty Kobusobozi kept Doves in control and took last season’s top scorer to five goals this term. Doves added another in stoppage time through Docus Kwikiriza but Bridget Nabayaza ensured a dramatic end by pulling one back for Asubo eight minutes into stoppage time.

The 3-1 winner Doves now have six points like Makerere while She Corporate are 3rd, five points behind Kawempe. St. Noa’s first clean sheet of the season propelled Tonny Mawejje’s team to 4th level on nine points with Amus.

On Sunday, two first half goals from Catherine Nagadya gave Kampala Queens a 2-0 win over Uganda Martyrs Lubaga. The win keeps KQ just two points behind Kawempe.

FTBFWSL RESULTS

Kawempe Muslim 2-1 Amus College

Makerere University 0-0 She Corporate

Lady Doves 3-1 Asubo Ladies

Olila HS 0-2 St. Noa Girls

Kampala Queens 2-0 Uganda Martyrs