Category: Daily Monitor

The Archbishop of Church of Uganda, Stephen Kaziimba Mugalu has tasked leaders in the East African region to stop involving youth in their political wars.

The archbishop, who was on Thursday visiting immigrants at Nakivale refugee settlement camp in Isingiro District where the Church of Uganda supported refugees with different essential items, said it is unfair for young people to be involved in fights that lead to loss of lives without any reason.

‘It is very disheartening to leave your homes, relatives and go to different places because of war but as the Church of Uganda, we have already visited and given our contributions. I want to make an appeal to each one of us here and outside the country to ensure that peace is really given attention,’ he said.

He added: ‘People, leaders, every person should ensure things to do with fighting are stopped. Let us promote the spirit of speaking to one another. Because when we fight many other people will suffer.”

His comments come after 95 of National Unity Platform (NUP) supporters were arrested and arraigned before different courts across the country to answer traffic offences, robbery, malicious damage, and unlawful drilling.

‘War is the place where young people who do not know each other, who don’t hate each other fight each other. They are fighting and yet they don’t know each other, they kill each other and yet they do not have any problem,’ he said before adding that ‘but because of the decisions of old people who hate each other who fight each other and don’t kill each other at the end of the war they shake hands and they eat together and the innocent people die for nothing,’

Mr Kaziimba said women and children are usually the most affected during political and civil wars which leave the country without a future.

‘The children, the women die, the youth die so I want to call upon leaders in the great lakes region to please meet and talk to each other about how to end war so that innocent people do not suffer.so that people can come together and agree on the way forward that is what we want because we may come here and pray for you but needs are continuing,’ he said.

The National Field and Emergence Coordinator in the Office of the Prime Minister, Mr John Bosco Ssentamu who looked miserable while responding to the call said the biggest population of refugees in Uganda which is close to 1.9m people is dominated by children.

‘The refugee population in Uganda, 50 percent of them are below the age of 18 so meaning there are a lot of needs in terms of social services. Apart from the children, the next big population are the women and these people come with a lot of needs,’ he said.

Mr Ssentamu said with the decreased support from donor funding, they have struggled to give the refugees necessary essential services.

The government of Uganda in partnership with UNHCR and other agencies, development and humanitarian have tried our best to give them the semblance of life they have been living in their countries of origin. But with donor cuts we are really struggling to maintain these people in a decent environment,’ he said.

According to OPM, as of October 2025, the refugees in Uganda were 1.9 million people and it is estimated that before the end of the year, they will have reached two million people. Nakivale Refugee Settlement camp hosts 273,000 people in Isingiro District.

The Minister for Information and Communications Technology (ICT) and national guidance Chris Baryomunsi has urged public and private universities to help the government to fasten service delivery to its citizens.

Baryomunsi observed that much as all the 68 universities in Uganda are teaching computer science and installing computers in their libraries, the research and innovations they carry out should be able to find space in the policy arena to translate into meaningful interventions that help change society.

‘You cannot say technology is for the Western world. It will find you where you are even if you hide your head in the sand. I have been to countries like South Korea where the doctors are using artificial intelligence to make quick, accurate and better diagnosis of ailments like cancer. How do we bring these technologies into the health sector in Uganda for our health workers to perform better?’ Baryomunsi wondered.

The minister made these remarks while presiding over the 18th graduation ceremony of ISBAT University at Hotel Africana on November 12, 2025 in Kampala, celebrated under the theme transforming higher education by integrating emerging technologies.

‘We are looking at issues of e-government services and digitising and automating government service delivery. We are looking at issues of digital literacy and skilling in Uganda by working and collaborating with universities. We are looking at the issues of innovation, entrepreneurship and cyber security. The question I would like to pose to universities is the role they are playing in facilitating the digital transformation agenda,’ Mr Baryomunsi added.

The 18th graduation of the university was remarkable that the Indian High Commissioner to Uganda, Shri Upender Singh Rawat was part of the 962 graduands and awarded a masters degree in public health.

Ambassador Rawat said he aims at using the knowledge he acquired to enhance relations between Uganda and India’s healthcare sectors.

‘And as a career diplomat for 27 years and a country’s representative, we have to deal with all the subjects in foreign relations. I thought that it’s a good time in the later part of life to gain new knowledge and new expertise and public health and health overall is one of the most important topics that we need to deal with everywhere in the government but also in diplomacy. I took time to gain more knowledge in public health so that I can use it in my work to advance Uganda and India altogether,’ said Mr Rawat who has been in Uganda for two years and five months.

While giving his keynote address titled transforming higher education by integrating emerging technologies, George William Nyombi Thembo, the Executive Director of Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) reminded higher institutions of learning how the world is living through a period of rapid technological change, unlike anything humanity has ever experienced.

My Nyombi added that artificial intelligence, data analytics, virtual reality, and other emerging technologies are writing the rules of every industry such as healthcare to finance and manufacturing to creative arts. Education, especially higher education, Nyombi reiterated, cannot and must not remain on the sidelines of this transformation.

‘Traditional lectures, fixed curricula, and standardised assessments no longer align with the dynamic, personalised and digital fast world that students inhabit. Education, pedagogical approaches and other approaches have been disrupted. The lecturer and professor who used to be the depository of knowledge will see these becoming more of facilitators of learning other than spewers of knowledge because it has been democratised and put on the web. Today’s learners are digital natives and live in an ecosystem of constant information, connectivity, and instant feedback. To remain relevant, higher education must evolve from a model of simple knowledge transmission to one of knowledge creation and application. Emerging technologies are the catalysts to make this revolution possible,’ Mr Nyombi said.

For his part, Varghese Mundamattam, Chairman, board of directors of Isbat university said higher institutions of learning cannot transform in isolation but through multi-sectoral partnerships to match the trends of emerging technologies.

‘Strong partnerships with industry, government and civil society provide real problems for students to solve, internships that build practical skills and pathways to research to translate into public benefit. Strong academy partnerships also help universities remain up to date with current technological evolution,’ Mundamattam said.

In Uganda, the ICT sector contributes approximately nine percent of the country’s GDP and employs approximately 1.3 million citizens with an annual growth of approximately 15 percent. Yet, one major challenge that remains is the gap between what industries need and what traditional institutions and education systems produce.

It should also be noted that all universities in Uganda produce over 700,000 graduates into the job market, yet according to the Uganda Bureau of Statistics national housing and population census report, unemployment in Uganda stands at 12.3 percent, with 42.6 percent of Uganda’s youth between 15 to 24 unemployed, not in education or training.

If someone had told me a few years ago that I’d one day be shaking hands with the Pope, I’d have laughed, sipped my tea, and asked them to pass the chapati.

But here we are – from Kampala’s dusty roads to the Vatican’s marble floors, and yes, I actually met the Pope. I didn’t go to Rome for confession or a photo op.

I went to demand justice. When you’re a survivor of sexual abuse, meeting the Pope isn’t just surreal, it’s strategic. It’s standing face-to-face with centuries of power and saying, ‘Holy Father, it’s time for holy accountability.’

As a survivor of sexual violence, I have spent years pushing for the Church to move beyond apologies toward accountability. Through Ending Clergy Abuse (ECA), a global network of survivors, advocates, and human rights defenders from more than 30 countries, we’ve called on the Vatican to enact one clear, non-negotiable policy: a universal zero-tolerance canon law. That means if any member of the clergy, bishop, priest, or nun, is found guilty of sexually abusing a child or vulnerable adult, they are defrocked, reported to civil authorities, and permanently barred from ministry.

No second chances. No quiet transfers to new parishes. No protection for predators disguised as mercy. For too long, the Church has responded to scandals by moving abusers instead of removing them, often from Europe to Africa, Latin America, or Asia. In doing so, it exports pain, not healing. As a Ugandan survivor, I’ve seen what that means on the ground: communities blindsided by ‘new priests,’ children left unsafe, and survivors left voiceless. So when our small delegation was invited to meet Pope Leo, it felt like history cracking open. We walked into the Apostolic Palace carrying years of anguish and a simple message:

‘Your Holiness, we don’t just need empathy. We need a system.’

To his credit, Pope Leo listened. He asked questions. He didn’t rush us. For the first time, I felt that the Church wasn’t just tolerating our presence, it was hearing our pain. I left the meeting with hope. Not the naïve kind that waits for miracles, but the kind that builds momentum. The kind that says: Now that you’ve listened, let’s act. Our request was concrete: Adopt a universal zero-tolerance canon law for clergy who commit sexual abuse. Appoint a liaison, a trusted Vatican representative who will work directly with survivors and legal experts to craft the right policy language.

Set a timeline for reform.

Because time, for survivors, is not a luxury. Every delay is another betrayal. The pope acknowledged the enormity of the problem and the need for systemic solutions. That in itself was progress. But listening is only the first step. Change happens when compassion becomes codified. The Catholic Church has 1.4 billion followers across every continent. It cannot preach equality in faith but practice inequality in justice. In the United States, bishops adopted a zero-tolerance policy in 2002, and it has helped.

But why should that protection stop at borders?

A child in Kampala deserves the same safety as a child in Boston or Buenos Aires. A nun in Nigeria deserves the same protection as one in Rome. This is not a Western issue. It is a global issue, and it demands a global law. ‘Faith without accountability is broken.’ Zero tolerance is not anti-Church. It’s pro-children. It’s pro-justice. It’s pro-truth. Pope Leo has an opportunity to restore moral credibility to a Church that has spent decades struggling under the weight of scandal and secrecy. He can choose to make this era different , to move from apologies to action, from silence to statute.

Because survivors don’t need more meetings. We need measurable change. ‘The times when a Pope could say one sentence and everything was settled are over,’ one of my fellow advocates said. And he’s right. Accountability now requires structure, not statements. To survivors still afraid to speak: you are not alone. To the faithful who feel torn between belief and betrayal: your voice matters. To Church leaders still hesitant about zero tolerance: compassion and consequence can coexist. We don’t want to destroy the Church, we want to help it heal.

When the Church finally protects the most vulnerable, it will rediscover the moral authority it has lost. And when it codifies zero tolerance into canon law, it will prove that repentance is more than ritual – it’s responsibility. When I looked at Pope Leo, I didn’t see a miracle worker. I saw a man standing at the intersection of history and healing. And I told him what I tell the world now:’ Hope is not the end of our story – it’s the beginning of our next fight.’

Because protecting children is not a request. It’s a commandment.

Uganda U-17 head coach Brian Ssenyondo was crystal clear when the Cecafa qualifiers for the 2025 U-17 Africa Cup of Nations began,that his mission was to guide the team to the Fifa U-17 World Cup.

Uganda achieved that goal after a spirited qualification run that took them to the Afcon finals in Morocco in March and later played a playoff victory over Gambia after failing to qualify directly.

At the continental showpiece, the Cubs managed only one win and two losses but they stayed in contention for a World Cup slot through the playoffs.

Even conceding in the first minute against Gambia did not shake their resolve as James Bogere scored twice to seal Uganda’s passage to Qatar.

Ssenyondo’s focus quickly shifted to the global stage. Drawn in Group K alongside seasoned sides France, Canada and Chile, Uganda’s first task was not only survival but be among the best 32 in the world.

The Cubs made a dream start against Canada in the opening game as they grabbed an early 1-0 lead before painfully losing 2-1 in the final minutes.

Against Chile in the second game, Uganda was trailing until the 90th minute but Derrick Ssozi’s last gasp strike kept their hopes alive heading into the final match which was a humongous must-win battle with France.

On Tuesday, the Cubs produced one of the biggest shocks of the tournament, beating the former world champions and last edition’s finalists 1-0.

Initially, this looked like a one-sided affair going by the pedigree of the two nations. But the team’s dreams overcame the fear-factor as Bogere scored again, this time in the 18th minute, to hand Uganda a historic win.

That secured qualification to the round of 32 as one of the best third-placed teams.

The result has stirred excitement and raised expectations back home with Ugandan fans flooding social media to celebrate what many have called the country’s finest footballing moment at youth level.

There is now mounting pressure on Ssenyondo’s side to keep the fairytale going but the coach has tried to shield his young players from external noise while urging calm and focus.

‘It’s good that we won and also played very good, entertaining football,’ Ssenyondo said.

‘Our target coming here was to fight and leave the groups and we have achieved that. Now we just want to enjoy ourselves. We’re going to see what the knockout has to offer but we shall take it game by game.’

The win over France has lifted confidence in the Ugandan camp but the next hurdle is another African powerhouse Senegal whose pedigree at this stage doesn’t match any of the three teams Uganda played in the groups further fuelling Uganda’s expectations.

Senegal are appearing at the U-17 World Cup for the third time after debuting in 2019 and featuring again in the last edition in 2023.

The reigning African champions topped Group C unbeaten, beating Costa Rica 1-0, thrashing the United Arab Emirates 5-0 and drawing goalless with Croatia.

The round of 32 fixture presents both a test of maturity and a chance to show that the Cubs’ win over France was no fluke but for now, Ssenyondo insists, it’s time to enjoy the moment they’ve earned, rightfully.

Police have formally commenced investigations into the former Ugandan honorary consul of Eswatini, formerly Swaziland, Mr Quilino Bamwine, over allegations of obtaining $372,000 (about Shs1.3b) by false pretence in two botched land deals in Kampala.

Detective Senior Superintendent of Police Yona Kule, in a letter to the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA), said Mr Bamwine allegedly defrauded Joel Kakira. He said the contentious transaction involved land in Kololo and Naguru, both in Kampala.

Police summon Bamwine

‘This is to require Mr Bamwine Quilino to report to the D/CID) Kampala Metropolitan, Room 75 at Central Police Station Building, Kampala, on Thursday, October 30, at 10am to get your side of the story,’ Mr Kule’s letter dated October 21, reads in part.

Mr Vincent Bagiire, the MoFA Permanent Secretary, confirmed receipt of Mr Kule’s letter. ‘…we forwarded the summons to the former honorary consul,’ Mr Bagiire said.

Mr Bamwine’s appointment was revoked last month by the Eswatini ambassador and permanent representative to the African Union, Mr Mahlaba Mamba, who cited ‘allegations ranging from extortion, fraud, and a criminal land transaction.’

Mr Mamba said Mr Bamwine was alleged to have failed to respond to earlier warnings and continued to engage in alleged ‘illicit activities’ despite repeated interventions by Ugandan authorities.

Earlier, Mr Bagiire said they had received the complaints about Bamwine’s conduct and advised the alleged victims to route them through law enforcement agencies.

No diplomatic immunity

Mr Bagiire added that Mr Bamwine isn’t a diplomat, but an appointee of the Eswatini government as an honorary consul, and thus didn’t carry diplomatic immunity.

‘The principle is that no one enjoys diplomatic immunity in their own country. As such, honorary consuls are liable to arrest and prosecution should they offend the law,’ said Mr Bagiire.

Mr Mamba said government authorities and private individuals had filed ‘persistent complaints’ about Mr Bamwine’s behaviour, leaving the embassy with no option but to report the alleged misconduct to relevant authorities, including Uganda’s MoFA.

Efforts to get a comment from Mr Bamwine were futile as his number was unavailable.

Asked if Mr Bamwine had responded to the summons, Police Spokesperson Kituuma Rusoke referred this reporter to KMP deputy spokesperson, Luke Owoyesigire.

When contacted yesterday, Mr Owoyesigire said, ‘Get in touch with CID headquarters; they are the ones handling the matter now.”

Efforts to get a comment from CID were futile by press time yesterday.

Ugandan swimmer Gloria Anna Muzito doubled her gold collection from the Islamic Solidarity Games in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on Tuesday night.

Despite being second seed, Muzito clocked a national record (NR) 55.26, with an opening split of 26.37, to win gold at the expense of top qualifier Gizem Guvenc (55.47) from Turkey and Senegal’s Oumy Diop (57.48).

About 45 minutes later, Muzito got silver in the 200m freestyle clocking another NR 2:04.99 behind Turkey’s Ecem Donmez Ogretir (2:03.89). The 22 year old swimmer whose name Muzito translates to heavy from Luganda is clearly ‘heavy with medals.’

In the 200m, she split 30.24 in the first 50m then 32.16 in the second 50m, built up to 31.81 in the third 50m, and closed out sprinting at 30.78 for her silver. Interestingly, her closing split was faster than Ogretir’s 30.81, but the Turkish swimmer had already given herself a chance with impressive splits in between.

It is impressive how Muzito has managed to medal all through her individual events amidst the pressure of taking part in heats, semifinals, and finals. While at it, she has also been a huge show in the relays.

After winning the women’s 50m freestyle gold on Sunday, Muzito hit the pool again for individual glory on Monday night in the women’s 100m free, clocking 57.29 seconds with a 26.98 opening split to top the second semifinals.

Team performance

Her teammate Tara Naluwoza Kisawuzi was in the first semi but finished 6th clocking 1:01.97 with a 29.31 opening split thereby missing the final.

Earlier on Monday, the team had taken part in the mixed 4x100m medley relay. In the morning heats, Kisawuzi opened with the backstroke leg and clocked 1:15.51 before handing over to male swimmers Tendo Mukalazi and Jesse Ssengonzi who clocked 1:10.21 in the breaststroke and 54.86 in the butterfly legs respectively. Muzito closed it out with a 55.71 in the freestyle for a cumulative time of 4:16.29 to finish second in their heat behind Turkey (4:09.61).

In the Monday evening’s final, the arrangement stayed the same but Kisawuzi lowered her time to 1:14.07, Mukalazi to 1:09.16, Ssengonzi to 53.54 to allow Muzito, who was a bit fatigued for the evening to return in 56.14. The overall time was 4:12.91 to rank 6th.

Mukalazi also took part in the men’s 100m free on Monday morning clocking 53.99 with a 25.84 opening split.

Ssengonzi to close

On Tuesday, before her two medals, Muzito first took care of her 200m free heats duties in the morning. She split 30.51, 33.18, 33.25, 32.03 across each 50m to finish third in her heat and as 4th best qualifier. The aforementioned times in the finals show how impressive her improvement en route to bagging silver was.

Meanwhile, Mukalazi took part in the men’s 50m breaststroke heats on Tuesday and clocked 31.16.

Jesse Ssengonzi also made the finals of 100m butterfly that were due (Wednesday night). First he clocked 54.87 in the heats on Tuesday with a 26.00 opening split. Then in the semis, he lowered the 53.32 NR he made in August at the World Championships in Singapore to 53.30 with an opening 24.82 split to go for the final as second qualifier behind Uzbekistan’s Eldorbek Usmonov (52.92).

Hello Paul, my seatbelt alarm keeps beeping even when everyone is buckled up. A mechanic suggested disconnecting the alarm, but I am concerned about safety. Could disabling these systems affect crash protection? Is there a better way to fix faulty seatbelt sensors without compromising my car’s safety features? Joan

Hello Joan, your concern about the beeping seat belt warning alarm is valid. Disabling this alarm, as a mechanic suggested, is not advisable because it is part of the Supplementary Restraint System (SRS), which is crucial for car safety and passenger protection during a crash.

When the seat belt buckle alarm continues to beep, even if all passengers are buckled up, it indicates that the car’s SRS circuit monitoring mechanism does not recognise that all seat belt buckles are fastened.

There are three common causes for the seat belt buckle warning beep: a faulty seat belt buckle switch, a damaged seat occupant detector pad, or a broken belt buckle circuit.

A faulty seat belt buckle switch can trigger the beeping alarm. Each seat belt buckle is equipped with a sensor that detects the metal tongue of the seat belt when inserted into the buckle. This switch sends a signal to the SRS module to confirm that the seat belt is fastened. If this switch is damaged due to corrosion, spills, or dirt accumulation, it may not engage when you insert the seat belt tongue, causing the system to think you have not fastened your seat belt and triggering the false alarm.

A damaged seat occupant detector can also lead to a false seat belt alarm. These pads contain weight pressure sensors to detect whether a passenger is in a seat.

Additionally, a broken belt buckle circuit can disrupt communication between the seat belt buckle switch and the body control module, leading to the erroneous belief that a passenger is not wearing their seat belt, hence triggering the alarm.

Sometimes, these seat pads can expire, be damaged, or fail due to moisture infiltrating them during deep cleaning, mistakenly indicating that a seat is occupied without the seat belt being fastened.

Joan, you should not allow your mechanic to disconnect or bypass the seat belt warning alarm, even if it seems bothersome. Instead, focus on identifying and resolving the underlying issue.

Disconnecting the seat belt warning system can compromise the SRS system’s performance and other safety measures designed to protect you and your passengers in the event of an accident.

In many modern cars, seat belt buckles and seat occupancy detectors assist the SRS and other safety systems in determining which seat belt to pretension, which airbags to deploy, and other safety features such as adjusting headrests to prevent whiplash injuries.

There are effective ways to address the false seat belt alarm problem. Begin by finding a skilled technician to inspect the seat belt buckle system and determine if the issue relates to damaged contacts or circuits. If the buckle switch is dirty or corroded, start by cleaning it with specialised electric contact cleaners.

If the corrosion is severe, consider replacing the seat belt buckles. For circuit damage, a qualified car electrician can perform computer diagnostics to identify and repair or replace faulty circuits. Post-repair testing will ensure normal operation.

To avoid issues with false alarms from a faulty seat belt buckle, try to prevent jet washing the car’s interior, spilling soft drinks while travelling, and neglecting damaged seat belt pretensioner faults, especially after a collision.

Keep in mind that seat belt pretensioner units, such as airbags, are designed for single-use deployment and should be replaced after activation to ensure passenger safety.

Thank you for reaching out, and please prioritise your safety.

African fisheries are facing a significant decline due to overfishing, pollution, and weak enforcement of existing laws, experts warned at the 8th General Assembly of the African Platform for Regional Institutions in Fisheries, Aquaculture, and Aquatic Systems (APRIFAAS) in Entebbe, Uganda.

Mr Yoseph Shiferaw Mamo, Senior Fisheries and Livestock Officer at COMESA and Chairperson APRIFAAS, emphasised that Africa’s fisheries largely depend on traditional fishing systems that ignore breeding seasons and conservation principles.

“Because we are not controlling fishing activities, the resource is going down. Fish breed seasonally, but our fishers continue to harvest even during the breeding season, catching immature fish, affecting the next generation of stock,” he said.

The meeting aimed to discuss ways to enhance intra-African trade and aquatic products under the African Continental Free Trade Area.

Experts stressed the need for regional cooperation, harmonised policies, and strengthened enforcement to ensure the stability of the sector.

“Fish migration across borders demands coordinated management as fish knows no borders,” Mr Mamo said, highlighting the impact of pollution and unregulated foreign fishing on Africa’s water bodies.

According to the World Wide Fund 2025 report, 26 per cent of Africa’s assessed freshwater fish species are threatened with extinction, with the true number potentially being much higher due to significant data gaps.

Mr Joseph Bwanika, Commissioner of Aquaculture and Fisheries, Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry, and Fisheries, Uganda, emphasized that sustainable production is the foundation of trade.

“Without responding to fishing, Africa’s fisheries-based economies could collapse,” he said, noting that Uganda alone loses nearly 40 per cent of its fish through illegal, unreported, and unregulated trade (IUU).

The Ugandan government is implementing a robust legal framework to regulate fishing activities and address IUU fishing, targeting to raise annual output from 720,000 metric tonnes to 1.7 million tonnes, including one million tonnes from aquaculture.

Ms Hellen Guebama, Senior Fisheries Officer at Africa Union Inter-African Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR), stressed the need for harmonized policies across borders.

“We face challenges of uncoordinated policies and unregulated fishing in shared waterbodies, but through various initiatives, we are supporting countries to domesticate continental policy frameworks and strengthen regional collaboration.”

A host of seasoned lawmakers have quit parliamentary politics, paving the way for new faces in Uganda’s 12th Parliament. Some had served for more than three terms, while others had only a single term.

A survey by Daily Monitor shows that many MPs chose to leave elective politics after losing internal party primaries and being denied the party flag for the January 15, 2026, General Election. Some expressed dissatisfaction, alleging unfair or manipulated party processes, while others said they had served their time and were ready to retire or focus on private ventures.

Baba and Wakikona Bow Out

Long-serving National Resistance Movement (NRM) MPs James Baba of Koboko County and David Wakikona of Bushigai County have quit parliamentary politics, citing health reasons. Both said politics had taken a toll, and they now prefer to retire to their farms.

Mr. Wakikona’s personal assistant, Samwiri Wekoye, told Daily Monitor: ‘He quit the race because he is sick.’

Mr. Baba, 80, a respected West Nile politician, said he intends to focus on his personal businesses and health. Baba joined politics in 2006, served until 2011, and after a brief hiatus as State Minister for Internal Affairs, returned as MP for Koboko County in 2016 and retained the seat in 2021.

‘I had enough time to represent the people of Koboko for three terms. I leave a very satisfied man. We achieved milestones in rural roads, health centers, schools, water supply, and laboratory equipment,’ he said. Baba also committed to cultivating cocoa and coffee in West Nile to fight poverty through high-value crops.

Before politics, Baba served as a civil servant in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, including as Uganda’s ambassador to Japan and Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations in New York.

Successors and Retirements

Baba has groomed Emmanuel Banya (NRM), a former Muni University secretary, who has been declared unopposed for Koboko County.

Similarly, Ruth Molly Ondoru (NRM), 78, MP for Maracha East, said she had served her people wholeheartedly and decided to take a break. Ondoru lost in the recent NRM primaries and chose not to contest as an Independent. She now plans to focus on personal projects, including a church in Okollo.

In Nebbi District, Woman MP Agnes Acibu (NRM) opted out after State Minister Phiona Nyamutoro joined the race. Acibu served one term (2021-2026) and respected the party decision.

Amuria District Woman MP Susan Amero, who has served three terms, also announced she would not seek re-election, citing political stress. In the 2021 elections, she won 20,284 votes against Ms. Rhoda Acen’s 18,341.

For Paul Nsubuga (Busiro North, Wakiso District, NUP), losing the party flag left him worried about repaying debts accumulated during his political career.

Masaka Sub-region

The political situation in Greater Masaka mirrors the national trend of seasoned MPs stepping aside. Mr. Noah Mutebi Wanzala, the incumbent MP for Nakasongola County, said he heeded President Museveni’s message not to contest again after losing the NRM primaries.

‘We need cohesion in our party, and I cannot be the one to cause division within NRM-a party I dearly love. I want to give a chance to my colleague who is holding the party flag to serve,’ he said.

Mr. Wanzala, who has served two terms in Parliament since 2016, lost to Mr. Stephen Tiberondwa Bujjingo in the July 17 NRM primaries, receiving 7,186 votes against Bujjingo’s 10,521. He initially rejected the results, citing irregularities and intimidation, and declared he would run as an Independent. However, after the party election tribunal upheld Bujjingo’s victory, Mr. Wanzala withdrew his candidature.

Lango Sub-region

Mr. Jimmy Akena, MP for Lira City East Division and son of Uganda’s two-time President, Dr. Apollo Milton Obote, has opted out of the 2026 parliamentary race. His presidential ambitions were blocked by the Electoral Commission, prompting him not to return to Parliament.

Six MPs from Lango Sub-region-Moses Ogwal Goli (Dokolo North), Tonny Ayo (Kwania County), Judith Alyek (Kole Woman MP), Docus Acen (Alebtong Woman MP), Christine Akello (Erute North), and James Olobo (Kioga North)-lost in their respective party primaries and are running as Independents. Notably, Mr. Olobo has relocated to neighboring Kaberamaido County, while Ms. Alyek has shifted to Kole County North.

Acholi Sub-region

In Acholi Sub-region, all incumbent MPs were nominated to run in the 2026 parliamentary elections, either on party or Independent tickets.

As the January 2026 polls approach, voters will decide whether to embrace a new generation of leaders or return the old guard to Parliament.

Other regions

In Sebei Sub-region, Water and Environment Minister Sam Cheptoris (NRM) will not seek re-election for Kapchorwa Municipality to spend more time with family. Cheptoris has served two consecutive terms and emphasized his contributions to national development.

In the Ankole Sub-region, at least 16 MPs chose not to seek re-election, mostly from NRM. Michael Timuzigu (Kajara County, Ntungamo District) and Mbwatekamwa Gaffa (Igara West, who attempted to run for Mbarara City Mayor) stepped aside to focus on personal ventures or were blocked by the Electoral Commission.

In Busoga Sub-region, Steven Bakka Mugabi, who lost the NRM flag for Bukooli North MP seat, declined to run as an Independent. He plans to focus on supporting President Museveni and his personal businesses.

Notable MPs who will not return in 12th parliament

Agnes Taaka – Bugiri Woman MP

Ms Taaka Wejuli, born 1980 in Kafufu Village, Bugiri District, is the current Bugiri Woman MP. She attended Kigulu Girls Primary School, Bukoyo Secondary School, Iganga Secondary School, and Makerere University. Elected in 2016, Ms Taaka recently lost the NRM primaries to Eunice Namatende, who switched from the Opposition Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) party to NRM. Ms Namatende secured 52,851 votes against Ms Taaka, who got 21,795 votes in the July internal polls.

Muhammad Nsereko – Kampala Central

In 2011, Nsereko contested for the Kampala Central Division constituency on NRM ticket and won. During the 9th Parliament, he became a vocal critic of the the NRM party. He was branded a ‘rebel MP’ together with three other NRM MPs. They were suspended from the party, which also wanted them expelled from Parliament. In 2014, the Constitutional Court ruled that the quartet should vacate Parliament. That decision was overturned by the Supreme Court in 2015. Mr Nsereko won the 2016 and 2021 polls on an independent ticket.

Tom Butime – Mwenge Central

Rtd Col Butime is a long-serving NRM politician and the incumbent MP for Mwenge Central County in Kyenpio District. Mr Butime has represented the constituency from 2016-2026. He is, however, not seeking re-election. He currently also serves as the minister of Tourism, Wildlife, and Antiquities and as the chairperson of the Historical League on the NRM executive Committee. Mr Butime previously served as the State minister for Communications from January 2005 to February 2006.

Boaz Kasirabo – Kooki County

Before joining Parliament in elective politics in 2016, he served as Laboratory technical officer for infectious Diseases Research Collaboration (IDRC); laboratory focal person for Rakai District; laboratory assistant for Kasaali Health Centre III and a former manager and nursing assistant at Kibaale Community Clinic-both in Rakai District. At Makerere University, Mr Kasirabo attained a Diploma in Medical Laboratory Technology in 2009 and a Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science in 2013.

Gerald Ibanda – Ntoroko County

Mr. Gerald Ibanda Rwemulikya is the incumbent MP for Ntoroko County, having served since 2016. He was initially elected on the NRM ticket (2016-2021). In the 2021 NRM primaries, he lost the party flag to Mr. Martin Mugara, the current State Minister for Tourism, but went on to win the general election as an Independent candidate aligned with the NRM.

For the 2026-2031 term, Mr. Ibanda again lost in the NRM primaries, this time to the current Western Youth MP, Mr. Edward Rugumayo.

Baka Mugabi – Bukooli North

A lawyer and politician, Mr. Mugabi has represented Bukooli North since 2008. He was re-elected in 2011, lost in 2016, and regained the seat in 2021. He recently lost the NRM primaries and will not contest in the upcoming general elections.

Stephen Kagwera – Burahya

Mr. Kagwera, the Burahya County MP, did not participate in the NRM primaries for the 2026-2031 term. He has announced his retirement from active politics to focus on personal projects.

Peace Mutuuzo – Bunyangabu

Ms. Mutuuzo has represented Bunyangabu District on the NRM ticket since 2017 and also serves as State Minister for Gender. In the recent NRM primaries, she lost the party flag to Ms. Sarah Kabarokole.

David Aga – Jinja North

A former radio personality and politician, Mr. Aga served as the Busoga Kingdom deputy spokesperson before entering politics. He was elected as MP on the FDC ticket but later switched to the National Unity Platform (NUP).

Henry Kibalya – Bugabula South

Born in 1977, Mr. Kibalya holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Makerere University, where he served as guild president from 2005 to 2006. He represents Bugabula South County in Kamuli District, Busoga Sub-region.

Geofrey Macho – Busia

Mr. Macho, born October 12, 1973, is a teacher by profession and serves as MP for Busia Municipality. He chairs the parliamentary forum on mental health and is credited with constructing schools and a hospital in Busia.

Donald Katalihwa – Mwenge South

Since 2021, Mr. Katalihwa has represented Mwenge South County in Kyenjojo District on the NRM ticket. He lost the recent NRM primaries to newcomer Ms. Mary Kamuli Kuteesa, the only female candidate in the race.

Bashir Kazibwe – Kawempe South

Before entering Parliament in 2021 on the NUP ticket, Mr. Kazibwe worked as a broadcaster and talk show host on both TV and radio. He previously served as president of the Uganda Journalist Association (UJA) and featured in several local films (Ugawood), commonly known as Binauganda.

Victoria Rusoke – Kabarole

Ms. Victoria Businge Rusoke is the Kabarole Woman MP on the NRM ticket. She also serves as District NRM chairperson and as State Minister for Local Government. She previously served as Kabarole Woman MP from 2011 to 2016.

Musa Ecweru – Amuria County

Mr. Ecweru has served as Chief of the Arrow Auxiliary Force, a volunteer force protecting civilians from the Lord’s Resistance Army, since 2003. He successfully contested for the Amuria County parliamentary seat in 2006 and was re-elected in 2011, 2016, and 2021.

Also not returning to parliament

James Baba – Koboko County

David Wakikona – Bushigai County

Agnes Acibu – Nebbi District Woman MP

Susan Amero – Amuria District Woman MP

Sam Cheptoris – Kapchorwa Municipality

Paul Nsubuga – Busiro North County

Nathan Nandala Mafabi – Budadiri West

Mbwatekamwa Gaffa – Igara West

As the January 2026 polls approach, voters will decide whether to embrace a new generation of leaders or return the old guard to Parliament.

Police in Kitgum District are investigating circumstances under which a 30-year-old resident of Ateng village, Labongo Akwang Sub-County, in Kitgum District was found hanging dead inside his brother-in-law’s bedroom.

Godi Onencan reportedly died on Wednesday, a few hours after he was assaulted by his brothers-in-law, following a domestic dispute with his wife.

Police said Onencan’s in-laws attacked him after he assaulted his wife who had returned to her parents’ home when he abandoned their marital home following a domestic fight.

His in-laws had responded to a distress call by his wife who was being assaulted.

Mr Joe Oloya, the Aswa East regional police spokesman, said Onencan was locked in one of the bedrooms after being attacked by his brothers-in-law but was later found dead.

‘It was reported that on November 12, 2025, at around 7pm, the deceased had a misunderstanding with his partner, identified as Lillian Achiro. The incident led to a fight which attracted the brothers of Aciro, who came. They later locked him in one of the houses within their compound. It was not until 12:30pm that they went to check on him, only to find his dead body hanging from a rope,’ Mr Oloya said.

Police are now investigating a case of suicide by hanging. Meanwhile, the body was conveyed to Kitgum General Hospital mortuary for post-mortem.

The incident brings the number of suicide cases registered in East Acholi since the year began to 10.

Nearly all the cases were a result of domestic violence. Other cases were linked to drug and substance abuse and/or mental illness.

On November 4, 2025, a 33-year-old man identified as Mark Ojok, a resident of Googwiri Village, Angagura Sub-County in Pader District, died by suicide when he reportedly jumped into Aswa River while drunk.

The victim reportedly ran and abandoned his friends along the Gulu-Kitgum Road, and climbed over the bridge before plunging five metres into the fast-running water.