Category: Daily Monitor

In the quiet villages of Budaka, the promise of quality healthcare is being eroded, not just by medicine shortages or underfunding, but by something far more basic – a place for health workers to live.

At most health facilities, the few available staff quarters are overcrowded, and some health workers are forced to rent or trek long distances to reach their duty stations.

“We cannot realize the vision to have a healthy and productive population that contributes to economic growth and national development when some of these challenges are not addressed,” said Dr Elisa Mulwani, the District Health Officer (DHO).

According to Dr Mulwani, the district has a projected population of 291,391 people, and there is a shortage of staff accommodation, with most facilities able to accommodate only 2 critical staff members.

The health sector staffing level stands at 26 per cent as per the new staffing structure and 78 per cent as per the old staffing structure.

The status of health facility staff accommodation is dire, with some health centers having only one or two units.

For instance, Iki-Iki health center III has only two units, Lyama health center III has one, and Naboa health center III has two.

Some sub-counties, including Tademerii Kamonkoli, Kakoli, Iki-Iki Kachomo, and Kabuna, have no accommodation at all.

The effects of this shortage are far-reaching, with health facilities struggling to operate 24-hour services, leaving patients unattended during nights and weekends.

This has contributed to delays in maternal care, increased referrals, and preventable deaths.

“The severe shortage of staff accommodation continues to undermine service delivery and morale among health workers,” said Mr Emmanuel Pajje, the Budaka District chairman.

‘The severe shortage of staff accommodation, continues to undermine service delivery and morale among health workers’ he said.

The Ministry of Health acknowledges the national shortage of health staff accommodations, estimating that a greater percentage of rural health workers in Uganda lack housing units.

However, progress in addressing the problem has been slow due to the limited budget envelope.

The Budaka district Planner, Mr Shaban Kabise, said that the FY 2026/27 budget will be the second year of implementing NDP1V and the corresponding fourth district local government development plan, which is the first plan to deliver the tenfold Growth strategy and the last plan to deliver Agenda 2030 of the sustainable development goals [SDGs].

According to the first budget call circular issued on September 15, 2025, the district resource envelop as per the MTEF allocations was Shs34.782.303.322 and this was broken into as Wage expenditure allocation for both programme conditional and the district unconditional was Shs22,283.431.955 and development Shs2.203.191.224

However, the envelope is pushed to Shs37,087,364,877 by funds from locally raised revenues, other transfers from Central Government and external financing.

A 35-year-old man accused of stealing a bunch of matooke from his parents’ farm and threatening violence was on Tuesday found dead in Rukungiri District police cells, where he had been detained.

The police spokesman for Kigezi Sub-region, Mr Elly Maate, said Alex Mugarura, a resident of Marumba B village, Kanyinya ward, Southern Division, Rukungiri District, was found hanging dead in what police are treating as a suspected suicide case.

Police said Mugarura had been detained after his 67-year-old father, Mr Charles Kakumu, a resident of Marumba ‘B’ Cell, on Monday (November 10) reported to police a case of theft against his son, whom he also accused of threatening violence.

‘And when they escaped from him, he got infuriated and cut down their banana plantation,’ Mr Maate said.

According to Mr Maate, detectives at Marumba police post intervened to save the situation, which resulted in Mugarura’s arrest and detention.

He was, however, found hanging dead in the cells, with police claiming he used his shirt to commit suicide.

‘Unfortunately, such an adult was threatening violence against his own parents yet it was his responsibility to protect them from any danger. Although this was not the first time the accused was being charged with the same offence, it was ugly for him to take his life while in the police cells,’ Mr Maate said.

Mr Maate further said the scene of the crime was visited by Rukungiri District Grade One Magistrate, the district police commander and his team, as well as a medical doctor who examined Mugarura’s body before it was handed over to the relatives for the burial.

Cases of suspects dying in police cells are common in Uganda, with officers attributing them to suicide.

When heavy rains recently pounded Kampala, they left behind more than just flooded streets and traffic chaos. In the city’s bustling downtown, the floods washed away millions worth of merchandise, leaving traders in despair. What was once a hub of business activity quickly turned into scenes of loss and heartbreak – soaked goods, shuttered shops, and livelihoods swept away in muddy water.

In the aftermath, one question lingered in many conversations: What if we had insurance?

For some, it was a painful realisation that insurance could have offered a lifeline – a way to recover at least part of their losses. But for many, it was a reminder of how little they knew about it. Despite its potential to protect against risks, insurance remains largely misunderstood among traders. Some view it as a savings scheme, while others don’t trust it.

According to the Uganda Insurers Association (UIA) market survey on Insurance Coverage and Needs among KACITA Members and Affiliate Trader Associations, only 4 percent of respondents currently have insurance cover. Awareness, however, stands slightly higher at 16 percent, with the highest rates recorded in Greater Kampala (4.4 percent), followed by Mbarara (4 percent) and Mbale (2.5 percent).

This gap, the report notes, highlights an urgent need for insurers to do more than just raise awareness. They must turn awareness into actual uptake, especially among small and medium sized traders who remain most vulnerable to shocks like floods and fires.

At Nabukeera Plaza, one trader pointed to the waterlogged floors of his shop. ‘All the buildings – Pentagon, Capital, Nabukeera – flooded. We have lost around Shs100 million, as you can see,’ he said.

Nearby, a woman who sells household items watched helplessly as her stock of carpets, towels, and mosquito nets floated away. She had just restocked a day before the flood. Like many others, she resorted to selling what little she could salvage at throwaway prices, hoping to recover part of her capital.

In total, more than 20 commercial buildings were affected, exposing the magnitude of losses traders have suffered and reigniting debate about the role of insurance in protecting businesses from financial shocks.

So, could insurance have saved them? If yes, why do a few traders have it?

Findings from the same UIA report reveal that lack of information is the biggest barrier to insurance uptake – cited by 42 percent of respondents. This is followed by the high cost of premiums (32 percent) and delays in claim payments (12 percent).

Alex Ngirimana, who owns a ladies’ salon in the basement of Parkview Plaza, was among those affected by the recent flooding. He recalls receiving a distressing phone call alerting him that water had submerged his salon.

‘When I got there, the water had already reached halfway up the room,’ he said. ‘A few items were destroyed – the seats, hair extensions, and some other equipment.’

Asked whether insurance could have helped him recover from the loss, Ngirimana admitted he does not understand how it works.

‘I don’t understand insurance or how it operates,’ he said. ‘In Rwanda, I have seen how health insurance works – money is deducted from people every year, and you can actually see the benefit when you fall sick. But here, it’s different. No one has ever come to explain or engage me about it.’

Perceptions

BD Life spoke to Hamza Mutebi, the chief executive officer of SWICO Insurance, said most traders are hesitant to take up insurance due to a perception problem – a matter of believability. He explained that many traders doubt insurers will compensate them when calamity strikes, yet, in reality, 50 percent of what SWICO collects from the public is paid back in form of claims.

’90 percent of those buildings have insurance,’ Mutebi said. ‘The buildings, not the traders because those buildings are mortgaged in banks, and every mortgage must carry property insurance.’

But the challenge lies in perception which can be addressed through experience.

‘You can’t learn how to swim by reading a book about swimming,’ he explained. ‘You have to test the water – step in at some point..’

Mutebi added that SWICO is now working on new innovative insurance products tailored for traders and those affected by market fires and other calamities. The company, in collaboration with the local government and the Kingdom of Buganda, is developing a market-specific insurance product expected to launch early next year.

‘We are working on something specifically for traders that will help them appreciate the importance of risk mitigation.’

Bridging trust and knowledge gap

According to Ibrahim Kaddunabbi Lubega, the chief executive officer of the Insurance Regulatory Authority (IRA), the floods have underscored how crucial insurance literacy and preparedness are for business continuity.

‘We have made insurance awareness and education a top priority,’ he said. ‘We recently acquired a mobile awareness truck that is already moving through various communities – starting with the central region – to engage traders where they are.’

‘Disasters like floods are unpredictable. But insurance provides a cushion when they happen. We encourage every business owner to ask questions, and learn how insurance can secure their enterprises and future.’

He also pointed out that microinsurance products tailored for small business owners already exist and are accessible through SACCOs, market associations, and digital platforms.

‘We’ve encouraged insurers to use simple language and flexible payment options so that even the smallest trader can benefit,’ he noted. ‘My message to traders is this – when an insurance agent approaches you, don’t dismiss them. They are there to help you understand what protection suits your business best.’

On the issue of mistrust, Kaddunabbi clarified that most legitimate claims are paid.

‘In 2024, Shs442.73 billion was paid in claims – representing 43.6 percent of the industry’s total gross written premiums,’ he said. ‘Insurance is built on trust, and we are committed to ensuring that trust is never broken.’

Risk planning

Kaddunabbi notes that disasters like the recent floods are a wake-up call for traders to rethink how they plan for risks.

‘These floods have shown how important it is for traders to think about insurance as a key part of doing business, not as an extra,’ he said. ‘Just like you budget for rent or electricity, you should also plan for insurance. Climate change is not going away,’ he cautioned. ‘The best we can do is prepare.’

He revealed that IRA is working with insurers to develop products that directly address climate-related risks, ensuring that small and medium enterprises are better protected.

For most traders, the absence of any form of backup plan will continue to cost them. The survey further found that businesses are exposed to multiple risks – theft and burglary (76 percent), fire outbreaks (47 percent), and unstable commodity prices (36 percent) among the most common.

To cope, many rely on personal savings (34 percent) or borrow money (32 percent) to bounce back. Others secure their premises better (31 percent) or join village savings and loans associations (11 percent).

But only 2 percent mentioned insurance as a risk management measure – a statistic that clearly reflects the deep trust gap the sector still faces.

Imagine negotiating a high-stakes deal, one that would decide the fate of climate-stressed communities globally, but in the next room, another group is cutting one that would undo that.

That is the predicament that anti-fossil fuel activists have been facing at the UN’s annual climate conference.

Last year, as COP29 neared its final stretch in Baku, Azerbaijan, tempers flared. Developed nations had failed to commit to an ambitious climate finance package of USD 1.3 trillion per year, prompting delegates and climate activists from developing countries to storm into a pressroom in anger.

The climate negotiations had been hijacked right from the start by fossil fuel lobbyists to push ‘their own agenda.’

‘Do they come to look for solutions or for more clients? Things are already bad, for us but they still want to cash in,’ says Guillaume Kalonji Kayembe, an advocate of the Just Transition and founder of the Rise Movement in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

As COP30 draws closer, a raft of critical climate issues is expected to be discussed in Belém, Brazil, including transitioning away from fossil fuels and scaling up climate finance for developing nations. However, developing nations also want stricter reforms that can keep out the fossil fuel lobbyists from the climate negotiations.

The past three COPs have been hosted by petrostates. This year’s COP will be hosted in Brazil, a country that does not heavily rely on oil due to its diversified economy.

Bad for our business

Mr Harjeet Singh, the Global Engagement Director of the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty, states that the presence of fossil lobbyists at the COP is bad for business.

Mr Ali Adow, the founder of the Nairobi-based think tank, Power Shift Africa, describes the COPs as an ’embarrassment’ where ‘open talks have become a place for backroom deals’ for the fossil fuel lobbyists.

‘Would you invite big tobacco companies to lead discussions in a conference that is looking at fighting lung cancer? The COP is for the climate-affected and those that believe in science and take it seriously. Fossil fuel lobbyists distract us from reaching our climate goal.yet the elephant in the room is fossil fuel and a massive scale-out of renewables,’ he says.

Some fossil fuel lobbyists have clapped back. Mohammed Amid Naderian, who has been working for the Gas Exporting Coalition Forum (GECF), a coalition of 21 gas-exporting and consuming countries, as the Department Head of Economics and Forecasting, has attended several climate summits.

‘One of my roles at COP29, was strengthening collaboration with developing nations. The West has no right to dictate what Africa should do with fossil fuel because it developed because of fossil fuel,’ he says.

His colleague, Abubakar Jibrin Abbas, the GECF Senior Energy Forecast Analyst, notes that Africa still needs fossil fuel because ‘it is still the least emitter of carbon globally and this can still be absorbed by its dense forests.’

But such explanations are merely ‘rhetoric meant to create impressions that all is well,’ says Mr Dickens Kemigisha, the Executive Director of the Kampala-based African Institute for Energy Governance (AFIEGO).

‘COPs have been reduced to mere gatherings. We need an international tribunal put in place to handle this matter. All they (fossil fuel lobbyists) do is peddle eye-watering false climate solutions,’ he says.

Is carbon trading a permit for polluting?

Carbon trading is expected to be contentious at the COP30. Belem, a sweltering city of 2.4 million people located just some 130 kilometers away from the Amazon rainforest – the largest global carbon sink that has been under threat due to logging and mining – was strategically chosen by the Brazilian government for the COP30.

At COP29, significant amendments were made to Article 6 of the Paris Agreement, encouraging countries to buy and sell emission reductions from carbon capture storage projects to meet their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).

This, plus the first-ever global carbon tax, climate analysts say, only focuses on shipping emissions and ignores financing climate-hit countries. They argue that the amendments have loopholes that can still be exploited by fossil fuel industries and lobbyists to continue polluting more under the guise of investing in carbon sinks to compensate for their emissions.

The desperate and sometimes bare knuckle and even bloody fights for a parliamentary seat are driven by many factors, among them a search for a meal ticket or survival, opportunities, influence, power, and glory.

Little wonder that the Electoral Commission yesterday flagged off a whopping 2,700 plus candidates to fight for the 519 parliamentary seats across the country, with the campaigns expected to end on January 13, 2026, ahead of the January 15 polling date. Eight of these 2,711 candidates were cleared to join the 12th Parliament after the EC declared them unopposed.

The 519 seats include 353 for direct constituency, 146 District Women, and 20 for Special Interest Groups, including five each for the Youth, Persons with Disabilities, Workers, and Older Persons.

The MPs elected will join the 556-member 12th Parliament, alongside 10 representatives from the Uganda People’s Defence Forces and other ex officio members. For the upcoming election, 1,283 candidates will run as Independents, while NRM has fielded 514, NUP 297, FDC 214, and DP 94, while the remaining candidates are distributed among the smaller parties.

Costs of the races

But the battles for securing these seats do not come on a silver platter. Ahead of the campaigns, Daily Monitor would later establish from several MPs from different regions that the price of running a well-oiled campaign varied from region to region, but contests for constituencies in Western Uganda were the most expensive, ranging between Shs400m and Shs600m.

Campaigning in constituencies in Eastern Uganda, according to the Kigulu South MP, Mr Andrew Kiiza Kaluya, costs between Shs300m and Shs500m. But there are also huge rewards for winning these hot seats, as being an MP in Uganda comes with a hefty salary and other additional perks, according to information obtained from the Parliamentary Commission.

The heavy perks

Each MP is entitled to a monthly salary of Shs25m, a one-off vehicle allowance of Shs150m, a subsistence allowance of Shs4.5m per month, a town running allowance of Shs1m per month, a medical allowance of Shs500,000 per month, a sitting allowance of Shs50,000 for committee meetings, and a plenary sitting allowance of Shs150,000; as well as mileage allowances.

A seasoned city banker who asked not to be named thinks the clamour for MP seats is ‘a lack of economic opportunities’. He maintains that many people look at politics as a ‘meal ticket’, hence its do-or-die diktat.

He believes if there were a threshold imposed on who can contest, for example, demanding that one must be a billionaire, chances are the quest for parliamentary seats would carry less allure.

‘If these people had economic opportunities, they would not battle for these seats like it’s a do-or-die. If politics were ceremonial, had token pay and no corruption deals, people would not be so desperate to win it at costs,’ he says.

Mr Chrispin Kaheru, an Independent Election analyst and member of the Uganda Human Rights Commission, says politics in Uganda is not a contest for ideas, but ‘a contest for survival. Parliamentary elections feel like do-or-die battles because they carry both power and livelihood’.

He adds: ‘For many candidates, winning that seat will mean access to social status, income, and may be influence that are not easily available elsewhere in the economy. Politics seems to have become the most reliable ladder to opportunity, and elections become a scramble for limited foothold in a very small lift.

‘At another level, our politics still reflects personal-based networks more than institutional or ideological competition. So, a seat in Parliament isn’t just an individual win, but a victory for a whole web of dependents, supporters, and financiers who expect a return on their investment. Losing, therefore, can feel like collective bankruptcy.’

Mr Kaheru says. A 2021 report by the Alliance for Finance Monitoring notes an increase in overall campaign spending compared to previous elections at the parliamentary level, ranging from Shs50m for the lowest spender to more than Shs3.5b for the highest spender. The report found that the majority of spending was in the form of cash donations dished out for reciprocity on Election Day. Daily Monitor previously established that in Western Uganda, a candidate seeking to grab a parliamentary seat can spend up to Shs4b Mr Elioda Tumwesigye, the former minister for Science, Technology and Innovation, on June 20, 2019, wrote, reminding President Museveni of a promise he reportedly made to rescue him from campaign debts totalling Shs850m, which he piled up during a by-election campaign for the Sheema Municipality parliamentary seat in July 2018.

Mr Kaheru also adds the psychology of visibility to the lust of quests for a parliamentary seat, noting that politics in Uganda confers identity and relevance to the players. He says: ‘Once you have been ‘Honourable,’ life outside that title can feel invisible and that drives desperation; yet, beyond the drama and high stakes, these contests also reveal something positive – the intensity of political participation.

‘Ugandans take elections seriously because they know that whoever holds parliamentary office shapes their daily realities, including paying school fees, medical bills, and meeting funeral costs, among others. The challenge, therefore, is not the passion, it’s how to channel that passion into peaceful, policy-driven competition rather than winner-takes-all politics.’

Mr Simon Sonny Wejuli, a Human Resource for Health practitioner, describes parliamentary elections as ‘quite important’ because they define how laws will be made, and what the future of politics will be. These, among other roles, including being able to vote on decisions or put in place laws or policies that govern how the country is run, make them ‘very important’. ‘The people we choose to represent us need to be people of substance, those who understand what the people want and how best the country can be managed, and not be manipulated. In the past, MPs have been manipulated a lot by both ends of the spectrum; so, we need MPs with substance,’ he opines.

‘MP elections are very important because if you have stooges who can’t even reason in Parliament, and aren’t intelligent enough to reason things out and make decisions that positively affect the well-being of the people, then you are choosing the wrong people,’ Mr Wejuli says.

Mr Mike Buster Nandala, a technician, says parliamentary elections have recently become an issue of importance to almost every person in society, and have attracted many people, some of whom end up using up their savings and selling off their property in desperate bids to ensure they are elected. Mr Nandala says majority of the candidates aim at ’empowering themselves financially’, and other factors like attainment of social status, show of support for their political leaning, and participation in decision-making, among others, come into play.

Unemployment has emerged as the biggest concern for residents of western Uganda, according to a new study by Twaweza’s Sauti za Wananchi, a non-governmental organisation that tracks citizens’ views on governance and public services.

The survey, conducted between February and March 2025, found that 41 per cent of respondents in western Uganda cited unemployment as their most pressing issue.

This makes unemployment the region’s leading concern, ahead of other challenges such as hunger and poor health services. While this report shows unemployment is generally a nationwide problem, its prominence varies across regions.

For instance, Greater Kampala and the central region did not find it the most pressing issue, and rather reported the high cost of living as the most pressing issue, while both eastern and northern regions reported hunger as their biggest pressing issues.

In fact, unemployment ranked lowest among northern Uganda’s list of priorities, unlike in the West, where it stands out as the biggest threat. The findings come amid growing political debate over perceptions of privilege in western Uganda, the home region of President Museveni.

This alleged perception has since compelled several political figures to urge residents of western Uganda to vote out the incumbent regime, claiming that the regime has created a perception that people from western Uganda are doing well, while only a section of them truly benefit, and the majority remain in poverty, like many other Ugandans.

Such claims have been common from National Unity Platform (NUP) President Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, alias Bobi Wine, who has on several occasions called on residents from western Uganda to vote out Mr Museveni, arguing that he has presented a misleading picture of the people.

Similarly, while addressing the media at the National Economic Empowerment Dialogue (NEED) headquarters, 2021 presidential candidate Joseph Kizza Kabuleta, warned Ugandans not to think that the Ankole sub-region is exempt from suffering like other regions, attributing this to what he described as bad leadership and segregation by the incumbent government.

Kabuleta’s claim, like Kyagulanyi’s, was that, like any other region, a considerable number of people in Ankole are trapped in a vicious cycle of poverty, but a certain privileged few cover up the situation to make it appear as if all people from western Uganda are living a better life. According to the Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS) 2024 Census Report, the unemployment rate among the working-age population (15 years and above) stood at 12.3 per cent.

Of particular concern is youth unemployment, with 42.6 per cent of individuals aged 15-24 classified as Not in Employment, Education, or Training (NEET). Beyond unemployment, western Uganda also reported hunger and health services as its most immediate pressing issues, each standing at 38 per cent and 35 per cent respectively. Furthermore, the study revealed that western Uganda reported having land/property issues more than any other region.

The only region that comes close to western Uganda when it comes to registering land issues is the Northern region. In the past, a section of Mbarara Municipal Council leaders protested what they described as rampant cases of land grabbing and corruption in the area. These leaders argued that these land grabbers were impeding the development of the proposed city.

On Tuesday, November 4, the spectre of religious intolerance reared its ugly head in Yumbe District. Muslim youth, incited by reckless and inflammatory utterances made by an imam, went on the rampage in Yumbe Town.

Shortly after Sheikh Kassim Abdallah, the imam of Munir Mosque, in a video widely circulated on social media, told Muslims to destroy Christian-owned pork joints in the town, Muslim youth ran amok.

Armed with clubs, stones, and machetes, the Muslim youth attacked Christians, their businesses, and other establishments associated with Christians. Several people sustained injuries, but thankfully, no lives were lost. However, properties worth millions of shillings were destroyed.

According to some of the victims, they were also robbed of their belongings. This unfortunate incident violated Article 29 (c) of the Constitution which states: ‘Every person shall have the right to freedom to practice any religion and manifest such practice, which shall include the right to belong to and participate in the practices of any religious body or organisation in a manner consistent with this Constitution.’

Islam prohibits the consumption of pork, but that does not mean Muslims are entitled to prevent Christians and other non-Muslims from partaking of it. Yumbe is predominantly Muslim, with those who subscribe to the Islamic faith comprising 76 percent of the population and Christians making up 24 percent. However, this too does not give Muslims in Yumbe the right to run roughshod over Christians and other minority groups.

We, therefore, call upon the public, irrespective of their faith, ethnic group, political affiliation, and race, to always be tolerant. Instead of spreading hate, let us embrace love. In cases where individuals or a group feel disgruntled, they should not take the law into their own hands, but instead use legally established channels to seek redress. Religious, cultural, and political leaders are considered role models by many people, and they should, therefore, be exemplary.

They should weigh their words to avoid inciting hatred, intolerance, and violence. A few words uttered by an influential religious, cultural, or political leader can spark, like in the case of Yumbe, needless violence and destruction.

Leaders should instead use the influence that they hold over people to promote peace and unity. They should work towards improving the lot of members of their communities, even if they do not belong to the same religion, tribe, or political party. Sectarianism should be shunned because all it does is impede the development of the country.

The 2025 Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education (UACE) examinations commenced yesterday across the country, with science students sitting their Physics Paper One in the morning and Physics Paper Two in the afternoon, as their Arts colleagues did their History examination, English, and Kiswahili languages.

According to the Uganda National Examinations Board (Uneb), the examinations started on time and were conducted smoothly, without any major incidents. Addressing journalists in Kampala, Uneb Spokesperson Jennifer Kalule said all the examination materials were distributed to 2,844 centres across the country without major incidents. ‘The first day has gone smoothly. We thank the weather and field staff for ensuring timely delivery,’ Ms Kalule said.

She warned the public against engaging in examination malpractice, stressing that offenders would be prosecuted under the Uneb Act, which carries penalties of between five and 10 years’ imprisonment. ‘Anyone apprehended will be dealt with in accordance with the law. We have zero tolerance for malpractice,’ she said. At Soroti Secondary School, with a total of 641 candidates started their exams at exactly 9am. Mr Charles Peter Opolot, the director of studies at Soroti Secondary School, said despite the timely delivery, one of their candidates, Remedius Ogwang, didn’t appear for the examination. Mr Patrick Emokor, the principal education officer of Soroti City, acknowledged that compared to UCE exams, UACE examination papers arrived early. ‘So far, we are doing well. I will assess the situation as the day goes on, otherwise, there are no shortages, no late deliveries,’ he said.

At Soroti Municipal Secondary School, Mr Rogers Mboizi said they began at 9am with 17 students sitting for their Physics Paper One out of 75 who registered for the UACE exams. In Apac, in the greater Lango Sub-region, the UACE kicked off smoothly, without glitches, according to the area secretary for education and health, Mr Sam Opira. In the neighbouring Kwania, there was also no reported incident of the late arrival of examination materials as witnessed in the PLE. However, while schools were dead quiet, the Lira City streets were noisy as several parliamentary candidates launched of their campaigns. The Uneb area supervisor for Tororo District, Ms Beatrice Akware Lumonya, said the examinations started at 9am in most of the 16 sitting centres.

She told this newspaper that most of the head teachers were at the distribution centre by 7:30am and this made it easy for them to handle the distribution exercise faster. ‘Unlike in the UCE where we had over 36 sitting centres, this time round the sitting centres were few and this made us handle it faster starting with the farthest,” Ms Lumonya said. She cautioned those managing the exercise and also candidates against examination malpractice. In Mbale City and the neighbouring district, Mr Rogers Taitika said they had not registered any case of malpractice. When this publication visited schools in western Uganda, there were no registered cases of delays in delivery of papers.

At Nyakagyeme Secondary School in Rukungiri District, the head teacher, Mr Denis Mukunzi, said they registered 23 candidates. ‘The candidates are already doing their first exam. So far the situation is still normal and we ask God to keep us well so that we can go through this exercise in a peaceful manner,’ he said. At Katurika Secondary School, in Rukungiri District, the head teacher, Mr Sam Muguruza, said the school is prepared for the exercise. At Kashenyi Secondary School in Rukungiri District, Rev Ivan Mwongyera, the head teacher, said the school registered 67 candidates and they all turned up for briefing on Friday last week. ‘The situation at the school is calm and our candidates are already in the examination room for their first exam.

I am asking the parents to support their children throughout the exercise,’ he said. The Rukungiri District Chief Supervisor, Mr David Kapiira Turyamusima said this year’s exercise started with the distribution of exams, and it was done at 7am to allow candidates in far parts of the district to do their exam in time. ‘The school head teachers and examination distributors arrived in time and we were able to complete the distribution exercise session in time,’ he said. He also urged the public to cooperate with Uneb officials and police. ‘This is a community exercise that needs co-operation and everyone’s participation so let’s cooperate for the smooth running of the exercise,’ he said.

Rukungiri District has 1,198 candidates who are sitting for this year’s UACE exams. Mr Elias Sempa, the head teacher of Welden School Mbarara, said they have 120 candidates, although some have fees balances to clear. Mr Godfrey Ahimbisibwe, the Mbarara area supervisor, said the invigilators will ensure that the exams are done according to the guidelines. The Head teacher of Nyakasura School, Rev Richardson Balinda, said the examinations started on time. He added that the school registered 111 Senior Six candidates for this year’s UACE examinations, and all of them are present.

At Fort Portal Secondary School, the head teacher, Mr Rogers Katerega, said unlike during the Senior Four examinations, this time the exams started on schedule and all 194 registered candidates were present at the school. ‘All our candidates are in good health and are all at school. Even those who don’t have a paper on a given day are encouraged to stay around the school. We don’t want any student to miss an exam, and we are hopeful for the best,’ Mr Katerega said. In Acholi districts of Gulu, Amuru, Nwoya, Omoro and Gulu City, the UACE examinations kicked off well without any incident registered. Mr Richard Irwenyo, the education officer for Gulu City, said: ‘The kick-off was clear, there was no incident this morning and we made sure we assessed all the schools on their preparedness levels.’ We visited Koro Secondary School, in Omoro District where all the candidates were present and started exams at the scheduled time.

According to police, the minor challenges were linked to bad weather, poor roads due to heavy rains currently being received across the region, but were manageable. ‘The UACE materials were safely delivered to the various schools within Uneb gazetted centres. The exercise started well without any major challenges or complaints registered.’

Mr David Ongom Mudong, the Aswa West regional police spokesman said. Kamuli District Uneb Supervisor Oliver Nambi said the papers were duly distributed from the central police station and delivered in time.

‘This time the rain has been polite and a blessing to the A-Level candidates and the teachers to supervise have called off the strike, so the manpower is enough’ ‘My appeal to the head teachers is to ensure smooth running of the exams and also give defaulting candidates concession as registered candidates and leave it to Uneb to withhold their results,’ Ms Nambi said.

Kabukye Muslim Secondary School Kamuli Head Teacher Saleh Isabirye said expressed excitement, saying those city exams at the school were pineer candidates. Candidates from Kyabazinga College and Central College Kamuli said the first paper was favourable and well balanced. At Ndejje Secondary School in Luweero District, where a total of 229 candidates are sitting for UACE, the exam papers arrived on time with no registered incidents affecting the candidates, according to the school’s head teacher, Mr Davidi Banabas Ssenkungu.

At Luweero Secondary School, where a total of 188 candidates registered for UACE, the morning rains did not disrupt the exam as the candidates embarked on their first set of exam papers said Mr Ronald Kato, the school head teacher. In Masaka City and Masaka District, the exam coordinators said the candidates at their respective centres had a smooth start for the first set of the UACE papers.

At Masaka Secondary School where a total of 710 candidates registered for UACE, the school registered a smooth start for the first set of exams yesterday according to the head teacher, Mr Ahmed Mukiibi.

‘We have had a smooth start on the first day with all candidates expected for their respective papers reporting on time,’ he said. At Kijjabwemi Secondary School, another government aided secondary school in Masaka District, the head teacher said the centre registered 156 candidates, with all those who were supposed to have their exam papers arriving on time for the papers.

In Mityana District, exam centres that include MUMUSA High School and Mityana Standard High School, the candidates reported early, with the exam material transported to the respective centres on time, according to the exam coordinators.

The Anti-Corruption Court has halted proceedings against State Minister for Finance (Planning and Economic Development) Amos Lugoloobi in the Karamoja iron sheets case, bringing an end to his two-year legal battle.

Presiding judge Justice Jane Kajuga formally terminated the proceedings after the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) entered a nolle prosequi, a legal notice signifying the state’s decision to discontinue prosecution.

“This morning, as stated by counsel for the state, the matter was coming up for further defence hearing,” Justice Kajuga said while delivering her brief ruling. “We have not proceeded because a nolle prosequi has been presented by way of termination of proceedings.”

Justice Kajuga noted that under Article 120 of the Constitution, the DPP has the authority to determine whether to proceed with or withdraw criminal charges.

“Having proceeded with the nolle prosequi, the proceedings stand terminated,” the judge ruled.

“I discharge him with immediate effect.”

The court further directed that all funds deposited as bail, along with any certificates of title or other securities lodged by the minister, be refunded. His sureties were also discharged from their obligations.

“Mr Lugoloobi, you are a free man,” Justice Kajuga declared, before commending both the prosecution and defence for their professionalism throughout the case.

Mr Lugoloobi was arrested and indicted in June 2023 on two counts of dealing with suspect property, after allegedly diverting 700 iron sheets meant for vulnerable communities in the Karamoja sub-region.

He was among several ministers and government officials implicated in the Karamoja iron sheets saga, in which relief materials procured under the Office of the Prime Minister were allegedly distributed to politicians and other government actors.

During his defence earlier this year, Mr Lugoloobi denied wrongdoing, maintaining that he was being unfairly targeted. He told court that he had already returned the iron sheets following a directive from President Yoweri Museveni.

“As per the President’s directive, I returned 300 iron sheets that were not yet used, and for those that were already in use, I bought new ones and delivered them to OPM stores,” Mr Lugoloobi said during his testimony.

He further argued that the documents from the Office of the Prime Minister did not specify that the iron sheets were meant exclusively for Karamoja, and that it was common practice for legislators to receive such materials for community support in disaster-hit areas.

Mr Lugoloobi also questioned why other ministers who received similar materials – including Finance Minister Matia Kasaija and State Minister Henry Musasizi – were not prosecuted.

In 2023, the DPP, Justice Jane Frances Abodo, declined to sanction files against several other top government officials, citing lack of sufficient evidence.

With Tuesday’s ruling, all criminal proceedings against Minister Lugoloobi have officially been brought to an end.

The East African Community (EAC) has recorded a remarkable 28.4 per cent increase in international merchandise trade, reaching $38.2b (Shs129 trillion) in the second quarter of 2025.

This impressive growth is attributed to a surge in exports, which rose by 40.5 percent to $18.6bn (shs69.9 trillion), driven by rising global demand for EAC products.

The EAC’s trade performance reflects the region’s growing competitiveness and resilience in global markets, according to the latest EAC Quarterly Statistics Bulletin.

Imports grew by 18.8 percent to $19.6bn (Shs6.6 trillion) resulting in a narrowed trade deficit of $0.9bn (Shs3 trillion), down from $3.2bn (Shs10 trillion) in the same quarter of 2024.

The EAC’s trade with other African countries expanded by 42.9 per cent to $9.3bn (Shs31 6 trillion) accounting for 24.5 percent of total trade.

Intra-EAC trade also grew by 24.5 percent to to $4.6bn (shs15.6 trillion), representing 12.1 per cent of total trade. The top export commodities for the EAC were copper, precious stones and metals, coffee and tea, mineral fuels, and ores, accounting for 79.6 per cent of total exports.

China remained the leading source of imports, contributing $4.7bn (shs15.9 trillion) or 24.2 per cent of the total.

The EAC’s trade performance was also influenced by strong demand from other countries, with exports to China, the United Arab Emirates, South Africa, Hong Kong, and Singapore accounting for 62.8 per cent of total exports, up from 40.1 per cent a year earlier.

The narrowing trade deficit is a positive development for the EAC region, with the trade deficit narrowing significantly from $3.2bn (Shs10.8 trillion) to $0.9 bin (Shs3 trillion).

“The EAC Secretariat remains committed to fostering a conducive environment for trade and investment, enhancing value addition, and promoting shared prosperity across partner states,” the bulletin noted.

The EAC region faces inflationary concerns, however, with the Annual Headline Inflation standing at 22.7 percent in June 2025, up from 13.7 percent a year earlier. The increase is attributed to rises in South Sudan and Burundi, which recorded inflation rates of 179.4 per cent and 34.1 per cent respectively.

In terms of monetary developments, short-term interest rates increased across most EAC Partner States in Q2 2025, except in Kenya. The EAC money supply (M3) grew by 19.1 percenr year-on-year in Q2 2025, driven mainly by a 19.2 percent rise in credit to the private sector.

The region’s trade growth is expected to continue in the coming quarters, driven by the region’s strategic location, abundant natural resources, and growing consumer market.

However, the region must address the challenges of inflation, infrastructure deficits, and non-tariff barriers to ensure sustainable and inclusive growth.

Overall, the EAC’s trade performance in Q2 2025 is a positive development for the region, with the growth in exports, narrowing trade deficit, and expanding intra-African trade pointing to a positive trajectory for integration and sustainable growth.

“With the right policies and investments, the EAC can unlock its full potential and achieve its development goals,” the bulletin added.