Category: Daily Monitor

I saw something that would be difficult to explain to most Americans. A boda was carrying another boda. If you grew up in the US like I did, you were raised inside a world engineered for convenience. When something breaks, someone with a truck, a crane, a flatbed, a specialised tool or a laminated safety protocol appears to fix it. We have entire industries built around not having to improvise.

Spend a little time in Kampala and you start to realise how quickly convenience can soften a person. For example, here are a few things many Americans would struggle with if the power went out for a week; building a fire, growing food, sitting still long enough for boredom to produce a useful idea. Meanwhile in Uganda, a power outage is not a civilisational crisis. It is more like an ordinary Tuesday. People adjust. Phones are charged where power exists. Charcoal is lit. Conversations continue.

Someone finds a way.

Yesterday I was walking through our neighbourhood when I saw the kind of logistical solution that makes Kampala endlessly fascinating. A boda had died. Its mechanical spirit had clearly departed this earth somewhere between Kabalagala and wherever its rider had hoped to end up. In the US, this would trigger a sequence involving a tow truck, flashing lights, insurance details, paperwork and a bill large enough to make you reconsider vehicle ownership.

In Kampala, the solution was simpler. Another boda arrived. A short conversation took place. Within minutes, the deceased motorcycle was carefully balanced across the back of the rescue boda like some kind of mechanical piggyback ride. Problem solved. I watched it disappear down the road, and I could not decide whether I was witnessing recklessness, brilliance or a category for which English has no adequate word. The longer I live here, the more I suspect the answer is often all three. Kampala runs on improvisation. Not the cute, decorative kind people celebrate in leadership books, but the practical kind. The kind born from imperfect systems, limited tools and immediate need. If the road is blocked, someone creates a new lane. If the truck will not start, someone finds a rope. If the motorcycle breaks, another motorcycle becomes the recovery vehicle.

There is something humbling about that. In places where convenience is guaranteed, we often confuse comfort with convinience. We assume we are capable because the systems around us rarely ask much of us. But when those systems disappear, many of us are exposed. We know how to call someone. We do not always know how to solve the problem in front of us. Uganda has made me admire a different kind of intelligence; the intelligence of adaptation. The ability to look at the resources available and make something work anyway. It is not always tidy. It is not always safe by American standards. But it is often astonishingly effective.

That boda carrying another boda was not just funny. It was a small moving parable. When the systems around you are imperfect, creativity becomes a daily survival skill. And sometimes that creativity looks like a motorcycle carrying another motorcycle through Kampala traffic. Honestly, it worked beautifully. I am now convinced that if civilisation ever collapses, the global recovery effort will begin with a Ugandan boda rider.

Four people have been charged and remanded to prison over their alleged involvement in an online sex trafficking syndicate that authorities say exploited young women and girls in Kira Municipality, Wakiso District.

The accused, identified as Vivian Kobela, Martha Lubango, Juma Oguti, and Irene Naziwa, appeared before Kira Grade One Magistrate Ivan Seguya on Friday and were charged with multiple counts of aggravated trafficking in persons involving 22 victims.

Court heard that between September 2025 and May 2026, the accused allegedly operated as part of a criminal syndicate in Mbalwa, Kira Municipality, where they recruited, transported, harboured and received victims through fraud, deception, abuse of power and exploitation of vulnerable circumstances.

According to the prosecution, the victims were subjected to sexual exploitation and harmful child labour.

Because the offences are capital in nature and can only be tried by the High Court, Magistrate Seguya did not allow the accused to enter pleas. He instead read the charges to them before remanding them to Luzira Prison until July 2, when the case will return to court for mention.

The court also issued criminal summons against two other suspects, Aminah Nalubega and Madinah Namatovu, who remain at large.

The charges stem from a police operation conducted about two weeks ago at a residence in Mbalwa following intelligence reports about suspected criminal activities.

During the night raid, police arrested at least 28 people and recovered what investigators described as extensive digital broadcasting equipment.

According to preliminary police findings, officers discovered 27 young women aged between 17 and 26 years, as well as one male, inside a heavily enclosed three-bedroom house.

Investigators suspect the premises were being used to produce commercial online adult content.

Police also recovered several exhibits, including laptops, cameras, and 10 specialised adult devices believed to have been used in the alleged operation.

If convicted, the accused could face severe penalties under Uganda’s anti-trafficking laws, with death by hanging being the maximum punishment.

Police in Mpigi District have arrested a traditional healer accused of exploiting and allegedly sexually abusing some of his female clients, following a raid on his shrine prompted by complaints from residents.

The suspect, identified as Yusufu Kaweesi, also known as Jjaja Isabirye, was arrested on Thursday during an operation at Kitavujja Cell in Ward C, Mpigi Town Council.

The raid was led by the head of operations at Mpigi Central Police Station, Bumaali Lugona, and the Mpigi Town Council supervisor of traditional healers, Nalongo Nambi Nakasujja.

Speaking during the operation, Nakasujja said authorities had received complaints about the healer’s conduct, prompting a joint operation involving police and local residents.

Kaweesi’s shrine was subsequently closed by Nakasujja in the presence of police officers and community members.

Investigators recovered several items from the premises, including a machete, a dagger, documents believed to contain details of deceased persons, a hair dryer and other items that police said would form part of ongoing investigations.

Lugona said all recovered exhibits had been secured to aid inquiries into the allegations.

A woman who claimed to have narrowly escaped abuse at the shrine told this reporter that she had sought the healer’s services in a bid to resolve a dispute with her landlord.

‘I had gone there looking for help because my landlord was putting me under pressure over rent fees. What happened there left me frightened,’ said the woman, who requested anonymity.

Kaweesi denied all allegations against him and insisted he had done nothing wrong.

‘These accusations are part of a scheme to tarnish my name and destroy my reputation,’ he said.

Nakasujja said the decision to close the shrine was intended to prevent any further alleged wrongdoing while investigations continue.

Police have appealed to members of the public to provide information that could assist detectives handling the case.

The suspect remains detained at Mpigi Central Police Station pending further investigations.

President Museveni’s State of the Nation Address (SONA) yesterday painted a rosy picture of a country transformed by four decades of NRM rule, highlighting economic growth, wealth creation, and peace. However, several critical issues currently dominating public discourse were conspicuously absent from his address. The speech delivered at Kololo Ceremonial Grounds to officially open the first session of the 12th Parliament, largely focused on agriculture, wealth creation, and economic transformation. But many Ugandans had expected the President to provide guidance on pressing national challenges.

One of the most notable omissions was the Ebola outbreak. The disease has already claimed lives and triggered public health measures across the country, including restrictions on large gatherings. The President delivered his address under strict attendance controls aimed at preventing the spread of Ebola. Yet throughout the speech, he did not mention the outbreak or outline government efforts to contain it. Beyond Ebola, stakeholders had anticipated updates on broader challenges in the health sector, including concerns surrounding medical interns, staffing shortages, and healthcare financing. These issues were not addressed. Corruption, another issue that has dominated national debate in recent weeks, also received limited attention.

Corruption

Although the President reiterated his commitment to fighting corruption, he did not directly address ongoing investigations involving former Speaker Anita Among. Critics argue that while corruption continues to cost Uganda trillions of shillings annually, the President stopped short of outlining concrete measures his government intends to implement to tackle the vice. Security matters similarly received little attention. Unlike previous State of the Nation Addresses, where the President detailed security priorities and regional stability efforts, this year’s speech mentioned security only briefly in the context of political and economic integration within Africa.

The tourism sector, which the government views as a key driver of the country’s Tenfold Growth Strategy aimed at expanding Uganda’s economy to $500 billion by 2050, was also left out. Industry players had hoped for assurances on government plans to boost tourist arrivals and strengthen the sector’s contribution to national development.

Education stakeholders were equally left unsatisfied . The sector continues to face numerous challenges, including inadequate infrastructure, teacher shortages, salary disparities, and overcrowded classrooms. Yet the President offered no detailed assessment of the sector’s status or priorities for the next five years.

The word “education” appeared only three times in the speech, with references largely linked to historical accounts and proposed legislation.

Observers also noted the absence of discussion on science, technology, and innovation, sectors that the government has consistently identified as central to economic transformation. Significant public resources have been invested in scientific research and innovation projects, but the President did not provide updates on progress or future plans.

Oil sector

Another major omission was Uganda’s oil and gas sector. The President has frequently used public addresses to update citizens on the progress of oil projects. With first oil production expected in the coming weeks and fuel prices remaining a concern, expectations were high that he would address developments in the sector. However, the President made no mention of oil production timelines, fuel prices, or the broader energy sector.

Infrastructure development also received less attention. While the President provided updates on ongoing projects, he did not announce any major new road projects or transport infrastructure initiatives. Environmental concerns also failed to feature prominently in the address. As the President spoke at Kololo, authorities were reportedly carrying out evictions of residents from wetlands in Busabala. Despite his longstanding advocacy for wetland conservation, the issue was not mentioned. Questions surrounding human rights and the rule of law also remained unaddressed.

The speech came amid continued public concern over allegations of abductions, prolonged detention of political opponents, and broader governance issues. Critics had expected the President to comment on these matters, particularly given the continued detention of Opposition figure Kizza Besigye following his arrest in Nairobi, Kenya in November 2023. Other areas that received little or no attention included natural resources management, agro-industrialisation, and unemployment.

Every budget season, the discussion is usually the same. How do we attract more investment? How do we create jobs? How do we grow the economy? These are important questions.

But perhaps Uganda is overlooking one of its biggest economic assets because it does not look like a conventional investment. It is not a factory. It is not an office block. It is not a technology company.

It is nature. Uganda’s forests, wetlands, rivers, grasslands, wildlife and fertile soils quietly support agriculture, tourism, energy production, water supply and millions of livelihoods every day.

Together, they provide services worth billions of shillings annually, yet they are often treated as obstacles to development rather than assets that make development possible. This mindset is becoming increasingly costly.

When wetlands are encroached upon, flooding becomes more frequent and destructive, as seen repeatedly in Kampala and other urban centres.

When forests disappear, water catchments become degraded, affecting both water availability and hydropower generation. When soils lose fertility, farmers face declining yields and rising production costs.

The Kiteezi landfill disaster was also a painful reminder that poor environmental management carries serious human, economic and public health consequences.

Environmental degradation is no longer a distant concern discussed only by conservationists. It is increasingly affecting livelihoods, businesses, infrastructure and national development.

Nature performs functions that governments and businesses would otherwise have to replace at enormous cost. Around the world, countries are beginning to recognise the value of what economists call natural capital.

Just as businesses invest in machinery and technology to improve productivity, governments are increasingly investing in ecosystem restoration, watershed protection and sustainable land management because they generate long-term economic returns.

Global investment is already shifting in this direction. Climate finance, carbon markets, biodiversity funding and nature-based solutions are attracting growing levels of public and private investment.

Countries that protect and restore natural assets are positioning themselves to access these opportunities while strengthening resilience against climate change.

Uganda is well placed to benefit. Few countries possess such a rich combination of fertile agricultural land, freshwater resources, biodiversity and favourable climatic conditions.

Tourism contributes significantly to Uganda’s economy and depends heavily on healthy ecosystems, wildlife and landscapes.

Agriculture, which employs the majority of Ugandans, also relies directly on healthy soils, reliable rainfall and functioning watersheds.

Beyond traditional sectors, nature-based investments are creating new economic opportunities in sustainable forestry, climate-smart agriculture, ecosystem restoration, waste-to-value enterprises, renewable energy and carbon projects.

These sectors also offer growing employment opportunities for young people, particularly in rural areas where livelihoods remain closely tied to natural resources.

Yet much of this potential remains underutilised. Too often, environmental protection is viewed as a cost rather than an investment. Development and conservation are presented as competing priorities.

In reality, they are deeply connected. No economy can thrive while destroying the ecosystems that sustain it. The way forward is not to choose between development and nature. It is to plan development better.

This means enforcing environmental regulations more consistently, restoring degraded wetlands and forests, integrating natural capital into public investment decisions, and supporting communities and businesses already investing in sustainable land use, climate-smart agriculture and ecosystem restoration.

This does not mean Uganda should stop developing. Far from it. The challenge is to pursue development in ways that strengthen rather than undermine the natural systems that support prosperity.

Protecting wetlands, restoring degraded landscapes, improving soil health, promoting sustainable agriculture and investing in watershed management should not be seen as environmental luxuries.

They are economic necessities. The theme for World Environment Day 2026, ‘Inspired by Nature.

For Climate. For Our Future,’ is therefore more than a slogan. It is a reminder that nature is not separate from development. It is one of the foundations upon which development depends.

As Uganda looks for new pathways to growth, job creation and climate resilience, it should begin viewing nature not merely as a resource to be consumed, but as capital to be invested in.

Because some of the country’s most valuable assets are not found in bank accounts, factories or trading floors. They are found in the landscapes that sustain life, livelihoods and economic opportunity every day.

Upon returning as the head of the President of the Uganda Archery Federation (UAF), Richard Mcbond Asiimwe is targeting schools to ease the spread of the sport across the country, as required by the National Sports Act 2023.

‘We want to take archery to schools because they have the two most important resources: the players and the facilities. There, it may be easier for us to spread the sport to different parts of the country,’ Asiimwe said upon securing another four-year term of office during the elective assembly at the Uganda Olympic Committee on Saturday.

‘We want to start grooming school children for future Commonwealth Games, Olympics [and other major tournaments].

Asiimwe is also targeting para-archers. ‘They are also a priority because they can represent us in the Paralympic Games.’

Compliance key

UOC and Commonwealth Sport president Donald Rukare commended the archery leadership for prioritising women and PWDs. He, however, implored them to pull all strings to ensure full compliance under the National Sports Act 2023 before the June 7 deadline.

‘We shouldn’t be in sports for titles, or for money. It should be for development of the sport. Thus, your urgent priority now should be securing compliance with the law by June 7. Because if you fail and NCS deregisters you, whatever you are doing here will be in vain.’

UAF became Archery Uganda, to remain a national association, only mandated to handle amateur archery, as per the new Sports Act. (National federations are mandated to handle amateur and professional sport).

The law also requires a national association to cover 50 percent of the districts-at least 73 districts-while federations cover 75 percent, which is 109 districts.

Asiimwe said covering 50 percent is the target, but it will require more government funding. For now, archery is allocated only Shs10m. But if the association does not comply by June 7, it will lose even that little funding.

Meanwhile, Andrew Geno, the association patron, is optimistic the sport will turn that sharp corner and progress.

ARCHERY UGANDA, EXCOM

President: Mcbond Asiimwe

Vice President (admin): Peter Masaba

Vice President (Technical): Sula Blick

Secretary General: Jonathan Cula

Assistant SG: Aisha Namukwaya

Treasurer: Kenneth Opedun

REGIONAL REPRESENTATIVES

Northern: Karim Malish

Eastern: Andrew Oboth Omalla

Central: Josephine Namayanja

Western: Dan Ahimbisibwe

Kampala: Ronald Mwanje

ATHLETE REPRESENTATIVES

Male: Hamza Ndiwalana

Female: Grace Lillian Ekwaro

AFFIRMATIVE ACTION

Woman representative: Maureen Awori

A milk delivery to a feared gate in Sironko District sparked a connection that would grow into handwritten letters, long-distance conversations and years of patience.

For Mac Charles Madoyi and Patricia Onyango, love did not arrive suddenly. It unfolded slowly, one milk bottle at a time.

Although they grew up in the same sub-county of Sironko Town Council, their paths rarely crossed.

Patricia’s father, a retired District Executive Secretary (commonly known as DC), was a man of authority whose home commanded both respect and caution in the community. The compound, marked by a strict gate and firm order, was not a place young people casually accessed.

Madoyi’s family ran a dairy business. His father was known for producing and selling fresh, undiluted milk that had earned loyal customers across the area.

When Patricia’s father learnt of the quality milk, he became a regular customer, a simple decision that unknowingly opened the gate into a story that would define both their lives.

During school holidays between 1999 and 2000, Madoyi often accompanied his father on deliveries. Patricia was frequently the one receiving the milk.

‘At first it was just delivery,’ Madoyi recalls. ‘But I noticed her humility. She was different from what people assumed about children from such homes.’

Patricia remembers it differently, but just as clearly.

‘He used to bring milk during my Senior Four vacation,’ she says. ‘By Senior Six, he had already written me a letter.’

That letter changed everything.

Quiet courtship

Madoyi’s handwritten letter was detailed, expressive and, by his own admission, overly sophisticated.

‘I remember telling her that the feelings expressed in the letter were a direct replica of who I am,’ he says with a laugh.

Patricia was not immediately convinced.

‘At first I pretended not to rush into a decision,’ she says. ‘But over time I realised he was serious.’

What followed was a slow but steady courtship built on letters and occasional phone calls from public call boxes, where coins dictated the length of every conversation.

She would wait for his calls in the evenings. He would write carefully crafted letters, sometimes using complex English that left her reaching for a dictionary.

Still, it worked.

‘The English was wow,’ Patricia says, smiling.

Silent support

After Senior Six, Patricia joined National Teachers’ College Kaliro on a government sponsorship, a path Madoyi encouraged her to take.

‘I advised her mother to let her pursue education there,’ he says. ‘Little did she know I was already thinking long-term.’

Their relationship continued through letters and public phone booths. Later, Patricia got her first mobile phone, which made communication easier, though secrecy remained necessary because of her strict mother.

‘She was feared by everyone,’ Patricia recalls. ‘I would sneak out sometimes just to see him.’

Despite the distance and pressure, their bond deepened rather than weakened.

Life shifts and resilience

By 2008, Madoyi had lost his job at Sironko Progressive Secondary School following administrative changes. He relocated and stayed with Patricia, who was then teaching at Nakanyonyi Girls Secondary School in Jinja.

It was a difficult transition, but also a defining one. The couple began building life together without formal family approval.

‘We were focused on survival and growth,’ Mac says.

Introduction

After years of waiting, the couple held their introduction ceremony in November 2013 in Sironko. It was far from a small gathering. A convoy of vehicles arrived, and as word spread, friends and well-wishers poured into the gate. What began as a planned ceremony quickly turned into a large community celebration, with gomesis and kanzus filling the compound.

But behind the celebration were financial pressures.

Patricia recalls tension over bride price arrangements.

‘My parents had asked for four cows, but he brought fewer,’ she says. ‘At one point, there was even talk of cancelling the ceremony.’

She was pregnant at the time and emotionally overwhelmed, but the ceremony went on.

Despite the strain, the couple eventually cleared the balance within months.

The long wait for a wedding

Although the introduction took place in 2013, the wedding would only come a decade later.

Mac says the delay was intentional.

‘We wanted to build a home first,’ he explains. ‘People mocked us for spending on the introduction while renting, but I believed in doing things properly.’

Over the years, their financial stability improved and their support network grew stronger. When the time finally came, friends and colleagues contributed generously, pushing the celebration beyond expectations.

What had started as a modest budget eventually doubled, but the couple says they still ended the ceremony without debt.

The wedding celebration

On November 2023, Charles and Patricia were officially married at Mbale Central Seventh-day Adventist Church.

The church compound was filled with guests, vehicles and emotion.

‘At one point I asked myself if this was really my life,’ Madoyi says. ‘It was overwhelming.’

Some guests even assumed he held a high public office due to the scale of the celebration.

Lessons from counselling

During marriage counselling, the couple says they learnt that perfection does not exist in marriage.

Instead, they were taught patience, emotional support and the importance of building a peaceful home.

Advice to young couples

Madoyi encourages young people to remain focused and patient.

‘Patience, determination and persistence are key,’ he says. ‘Prayer has also been central in my journey.’

Patricia advises young women not to rush into decisions.

‘Always seek guidance through prayer before choosing a partner,’ she says.

At a glance

Groom: Mac Charles Madoyi

Bride: Patricia Onyango

Church: Mbale Central Seventh-day Adventist Church

Reception: Little Venice Hotel, Sironko

Introduction: November 25, 2013

Wedding: November 26 2023

Budget: Approx. Shs30m

Theme colours: Forest green (wedding), light blue (introduction)

Authorities in Namutumba District have resolved to deny Parish Development Model (PDM) funds to residents without pit-latrines as part of efforts to improve sanitation and curb hygiene-related diseases.

The move comes amid growing concern over poor sanitation coverage in the district, where health officials say nearly 38 percent of homesteads lack pit-latrines, exposing communities to diseases such as cholera, typhoid, and diarrhoea.

The directive was announced during the district’s commemoration of National Sanitation Week held at Bugiri Church grounds in Kagulu Sub-county at the weekend.

The event was held under the theme: ‘Accelerating safely managed sanitation for a healthier Uganda.’

The annual sanitation campaign was revitalised by the Ministry of Health in 2025 following its launch in Katanga slum in Kampala, with the aim of mobilising communities to improve hygiene and reduce preventable diseases linked to poor sanitation.

Representing the chief administrative officer, Mr Ali Balimumit, the assistant secretary in the CAO’s office, said the district would use access to PDM funds as leverage to compel households to construct pit-latrines.

‘To fight open defecation, our strict enforcement is that people without latrines will not receive PDM money,’ Mr Balimumit said.

He added that district leaders, the resident district commissioner’s office, and other stakeholders had agreed to enforce the measure during the next round of PDM disbursements.

‘PDM money is meant to improve livelihoods, but some beneficiaries are unwilling to improve sanitation in their homes. We want residents to first meet basic hygiene standards,’ he said.

Officials argue that poor sanitation is undermining government poverty alleviation programmes, with many households reportedly spending PDM funds on medical treatment for diseases associated with poor hygiene.

Mr Paul Waiswa, the deputy RDC for Namutumba, said linking sanitation to PDM eligibility was necessary because open defecation is rampant ‘People have embraced the PDM programme, so we are saying that the first qualification for receiving the money is having a toilet,’ Mr Waiswa said.

The district health officer, Dr James Kirya, warned that open defecation continues to fuel outbreaks of diseases, particularly among children.

‘Children are in hospitals suffering from diarrhoea because of poor sanitation and open defecation. Besides denying them PDM money, we are also going to arrest offenders under the Public Health Act,’ Dr Kirya said.

The district launched a sanitation enforcement campaign in March targeting households without pit-latrines.

Under the exercise, affected homes were initially given 14 days to construct toilets or face prosecution.

The campaign, supported by NGO ALBOH Uganda, has seen vulnerable households receive tools such as spades and pick mattocks to facilitate latrine construction. However, authorities say progress remains slow despite the intervention.

Cultural beliefs

Officials attribute resistance partly to poverty and cultural beliefs. According to local leaders, there are members of a certain clan who traditionally do not use pit-latrines, while others cite religious and cultural reasons for resisting sanitation measures.

Residents, however, say the cost of constructing modern washable pit-latrines is beyond the reach of many poor households. Ms Mary Nairuba, a resident, said constructing a standard washable pit-latrine costs about Shs2 million.

‘How do you expect a poor man living in a grass-thatched house to raise Shs2 million for a pit-latrine?’ she wondered.

Another resident, Mr Waiswa Kisubi of Kagulu Village, argued that denying residents PDM funds contradicts the programme’s guidelines.

‘PDM money has nothing to do with owning a pit-latrine. Government should instead give us enough time to construct them,’ he said.

Residents also appealed to the government to increase access to clean water by constructing more boreholes in underserved communities.

Despite the concerns, authorities have now extended the ultimatum to 21 days for households without pit-latrines to comply, warning that defaulters risk prosecution under the Public Health Act in addition to being excluded from future PDM funding.

Under the PDM initiative, the government sends Shs100 million in revolving funds to each parish annually to help households trapped in the subsistence economy transition into the money economy.

Hello SB, for many car owners, especially in dusty environments or busy urban settings, washing a car feels like basic maintenance done as often as possible. In places such as Kampala, where roads can quickly cover vehicles in dust, mud, and pollution residue, some drivers even wash their cars daily. While cleanliness is important, there is a point where excessive or improper washing can begin to work against the vehicle rather than protect it.

On the surface, washing a car often seems harmless. After all, removing dirt should preserve the paint, not damage it. However, the issue is not just how often a car is washed, but how it is washed and what products or methods are used.

Modern car paint is protected by a clear coat, which is a thin transparent layer that gives the car its shine and shields the underlying paint. Each time a car is washed, especially with rough sponges, dirty cloths, or low-quality brushes, there is a risk of creating micro-scratches. Over time, these tiny scratches accumulate, leading to a dull, faded appearance commonly known as swirl marks.

Frequent washing also increases exposure to detergents. Some cheap soaps or strong household cleaning agents are not designed for automotive paint. They can strip away wax and protective sealants that help repel water, dirt, and UV rays. Without this protection, the paint becomes more vulnerable to oxidation, fading, and staining.

The hidden wear

Beyond the paintwork, over-washing can affect other parts of the vehicle. Rubber seals around doors and windows, for instance, can dry out or lose flexibility if constantly exposed to water and strong detergents. This may eventually lead to leaks, wind noise, or reduced insulation against dust and heat.

Underbody washing, while important for removing mud and corrosive materials, can also become harmful if done excessively or improperly. High-pressure water jets used too frequently may force moisture into areas that are meant to remain sealed, potentially accelerating rust in hidden spots if the vehicle does not dry properly.

Electrical components can also be affected if water is repeatedly sprayed into engine bays or sensitive areas without care. While modern cars are designed with some level of water resistance, they are not built for constant soaking.

So how often is too often?

There is no universal rule for how many times a car should be washed, because conditions vary. A vehicle driven on dusty rural roads or parked under trees where birds and sap are common may need more frequent cleaning than one used mainly on clean urban roads.

However, washing a car every day is generally unnecessary unless it is exposed to extreme dirt conditions. For most vehicles, a thorough wash once a week or once every two weeks is sufficient, provided it is done correctly.

The key is not frequency alone but technique. Using clean microfiber cloths, proper car shampoo, and plenty of clean water reduces the risk of scratching. It is also important to rinse thoroughly before wiping to remove abrasive particles such as dust and sand that can act like sandpaper on the paint.

Protecting the car while keeping it clean

Instead of focusing only on frequent washing, car owners should think about protection. Applying wax or modern ceramic coatings helps create a barrier between the paint and environmental contaminants. This means dirt is less likely to stick, and the car stays cleaner for longer.

Parking habits also matter. Whenever possible, parking under shade reduces exposure to UV rays, bird droppings, and tree sap, all of which can damage paint more aggressively than washing itself.

In conclusion, washing a car is not harmful in itself. In fact, it is essential for maintaining appearance and preventing long-term corrosion. However, like many aspects of vehicle care, balance is key. Over-washing with the wrong methods can slowly degrade paint quality and affect delicate components. The smartest approach is not to wash more, but to wash better.

President Museveni has strongly fired back at critics who argue that his government has left Uganda economically stagnant for 40 years, specifically taking aim at a recent political commentary published in the Daily Monitor.

Delivering his State of the Nation Address at the Kololo Ceremonial Grounds on Thursday, Mr Museveni who has been in power since 1986 directly addressed an article authored by political commentator Gawaya Tegulle in the Monitor. Tegulle had claimed that Uganda has been “wandering in the Desert for forty years” under the National Resistance Movement (NRM) administration.

Dismissing the remarks as mendacious and malicious, the President retorted that those who listen to such “liars” are the ones actually wandering in the wilderness. He noted that while many leaders fail to sufficiently amplify the government’s wealth creation message, citizens who embrace NRM programmes are actively transforming their lives.

Pointing out that Tegulle hails from the Bugwere region, one of the poorest areas in Eastern Uganda, Mr Museveni challenged him to visit successful local farmers, such as Maama Nabutono and her husband in Kasasira Town Council, to see real household transformation.

To counter his critics, Mr Museveni outlined five distinct phases of positive development Uganda has achieved since the devastation of the Idi Amin era. These include economic recovery, expansion, diversification-evidenced by the cattle corridor’s thriving dairy sector-value addition, and an emerging knowledge economy focused on automobiles and vaccines.

“What is ‘high sounding sloganeering’ there? These are achievements on the ground,” Museveni argued, urging his critics to look at the bustling Mbale Industrial Park.

The President backed his pushback with macroeconomic data, stating that Uganda has officially graduated from a Least Developed Country to a Lower Middle-Income status.

According to the address, Uganda’s GDP has risen from USD 3.9 billion in 1986 to USD 69.3 billion by the forex exchange method. Additionally, household poverty has dropped sharply from 56.4 per cent in 1992 to 16.1 per cent, average life expectancy has climbed to 68 years, and infant mortality has been reduced to 36 per 1,000 live births.

Reaffirming his latest directive of “no more sleep,” Museveni warned that non-performers driven by personal ego would no longer be tolerated in leadership as the country eyes a projected 10 performer economic growth rate in the next financial year.