NDC national leader meets Peter Obi, others to finalise 2027 campaign council

National Democratic Congress (NDC) has intensified consultations among its top leaders ahead of the 2027 general elections, with the party’s National Leader, Senator Henry Seriake Dickson, calling for unity among members and stakeholders.

Dickson disclosed this in a Facebook post following a meeting with the party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi; his running mate, Dr Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso; the National Chairman and other senior party leaders.

According to him, the meeting was part of ongoing consultations and deliberations on issues affecting the party and the nation.

He said the latest meeting came two days after an earlier engagement among the party leaders, noting that the discussions were aimed at further deliberations and the finalisation of key decisions ahead of the 2027 polls.

‘Today, I met with our Party’s Presidential Candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, and the Running Mate, Dr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, alongside the National Chairman and other party leaders, in continuation of our consultations and deliberations on issues concerning our Party and the nation,’ Dickson stated.

He added that the consultations were particularly focused on preparations for the unveiling of the party’s Campaign Council ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Dickson’s comments come as political parties intensify preparations for the 2027 elections, with the emergence of campaign structures expected to signal a more coordinated phase of electioneering activities.

The NDC National Leader urged all stakeholders, including aspirants and party members, to put aside differences and work together for the success of the party’s candidates.

‘At this critical stage, I call on all stakeholders, aspirants and members of our great Party to unite, close ranks and work collectively for the success of our candidates at all levels, from top to bottom,’ he said.

The call is expected to reinforce efforts to consolidate the party’s structures as it prepares to campaign for its candidates across the country.

Troops kill 2 terrorists, recover 2 AK-47 rifles, motorcycles in Sokoto

Troops of the Joint Task Force North West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, have killed two terrorists and recovered two AK-47 rifles and three motorcycles during an operation in Rabah Local Government Area of Sokoto State.

The operation followed credible intelligence received in the early hours of Friday, August 28, 2026, about the movement of terrorists conveying hundreds of rustled cattle through the Maikujera general area of the LGA.

A statement by the Media Information Officer of the Joint Task Force, Lieutenant Colonel Aliyu Danja, said troops of Sector 2 moved to intercept the terrorists but encountered an ambush while advancing towards the area.

He said the troops responded with superior firepower, killing two terrorists and forcing others to flee into the surrounding bushes.

‘Subsequent exploitation of the area led to the recovery of two AK-47 rifles and three motorcycles abandoned by the fleeing terrorists,’ the statement said.

Danja added that the rustled cattle dispersed into the bushes during the firefight, saying troops were working with local vigilantes to locate and recover the livestock.

He said the area remained calm and stable as troops continued to dominate the area and maintain vigilance and ensure improved security.

Gaise Baba questions The Headies over ‘sidelining’ gospel music in major categories

Gospel artiste Gaise Baba has criticised The Headies for what he described as the marginalisation of faith-based music, calling for gospel songs to be judged in mainstream categories based on quality and impact.

In an open letter to the organisers dated August 28, 2026, the singer reflected on his experience as a nominee and questioned the awards’ structure.

Gaise Baba, who identifies as a leading voice in Afrogospel, said he has been active in the Nigerian music industry for over 15 years and has the right to speak on the direction of the awards.

He said, ‘As a faith-based artiste, or gospel as it is more commonly called, I have always had an outlook of not being limited in expression or restricted to only religious gatherings; I will engage across the length and breadth of the industry within which I play, in this case, the Music Industry.’

He stated that faith-based artistes should not be limited to religious spaces and should engage fully across the music industry.

He argued that music should be categorised by craft, not content.

According to him, a rap record remains a rap record regardless of whether it addresses money, fame, sex, or faith, and that elements like songwriting, delivery and flow determine the genre.

He said, ‘A rap record is a rap record. It does not stop being rap because of what the artiste chose to rap about. Whether the record is about money, fame, sex, debauchery, or faith, the craft, pen game, cadence, delivery, and the flow are what make it a rap record, not the subject matter.’

He said restricting gospel songs to inspirational categories removes them from conversations they deserve to be part of.

‘A rap song with gospel content, considered only within ‘gospel’ or ‘inspirational’ categories and never as ‘rap’, is being quietly removed from a conversation it has every right to be part of,’ he added.

The 18th Headies is scheduled for October 25, 2026, in Toronto, Canada, with nominees across 35 categories.

Afrobeats stars dominate most of the major categories this year.

Gaise Baba acknowledged the introduction of the Inspirational category in 2022 as a positive step, but expressed disappointment over the last edition.

He was nominated in the category, featuring Tope Alabi, alongside Anendlessocean, Mercy Chinwo, Dunsin Oyekan and Limoblaze.

He said his team attended all pre-award activities, yet the category was not presented on stage.

He described the omission as a disregard for the nominated creatives, and noted that other categories were also left out despite a ceremony that ran over five hours.

He said, ‘The Inspirational category wasn’t the only one left uncalled; the same disregard applies to every other category affected. Thirty categories can be called on a night that stretched beyond five hours.’

He urged organisers to ensure every announced category gets stage recognition.

He further questioned the double standard in how songs are judged, asking why records centred on sexual themes could compete for artistic recognition while faith-based songs are confined to one category.

He asked, ‘If a song that explores sexual desire and the objectification of a woman’s body is celebrated for its artistic value and allowed full sway in the industry’s ocean, why should the one on faith be restricted to an aquarium?’

The singer also challenged stakeholders to consider the cultural impact of gospel songs, citing Favour and No Turning Back II as examples.

He asked how many songs in the current year had matched their reach across Nigeria and beyond.

He asked, ‘How many records released in the current year under review have had a greater ‘cultural impact’, across the length and breadth of this country and maybe even beyond, than FAVOR or NO TURNING BACK II?’

For the 2026 edition, Gaise Baba and Lawrence Oyor’s No Turning Back 2 is nominated for Best Inspirational Single, competing with Sunmisola Agbebi, Lawrence Oyor, Sinach, EmmaOMG and Mercy Chinwo.

Ogogo: Farewell to action man in Nollywood

DEATH has no manual or format of operation. The only difference between life and death is that life can be daunting, challenging, or friendly while death has nothing to do with friendliness. It walks with sorrow and tears where ever it goes. Aside from that, both life and death are not selective. They can visit anyone. When life visits, the world will revolve around you with merriness, and when death visits, the world still revolves around you with condolences. The one who enjoys life today should take caution; death is in the pocket. On Sunday, August 23, 2026, the popular Nollywood actor, Alhaji Taiwo Hassan Ogogo put upon a greatness trust. Ogogo omo kulodo gave it all to death after a tough battle with cancer. Between Ogogo and death, it was a survival of the fittest. At the end, death won. The stage 4 cancer inundated and left Nollywood in a somber mood.

History has its ways of preserving and reserving names on its pages. Among the actors whose names are written in gold on the pages of Nollywood history is the late Ogogo. He was among the stars I grew up knowing with relevance until his last breath. Down to the memory lane, Taiwo Hassan Ogogo shined bright in the era of black and white screen television. Ogogo was among the faces one looks out for on a VHS cassette to identify an interesting movie. As a movie lover, laying hands on a cassette to pick intriguing movie relies on the character’s face pasted on the cassette. Late Taiwo Hassan comes first with Yinka Quadri known as Kura in the realm of most preferred actors on the black and white screen.

Ogogo’s relevance in the era of black and white was not based on immoral scenes; his actions and energy on set were more than scintillating, a very thorough, combative character full of street orientation. From all indications, many tough actors playing street boys roles picked from the late legend. He paved the way. From the black and white VHS cassette to coloured screen television with DVD player, Ogogo dominated the scene with diversification from street urchin character to more local roles that reflect customs and tradition. Playing the role of a king, chief, father or chanter in epic movies increased his relevance in the Nollywood. Many movie lovers appreciated the new Ogogo’s transition, featuring in ‘epic-sodes.’ He was relevant among his peers and contemporaries. He was not just a mere actor; he was among the A-lists.

The late Ogogo never relented in his art in the era of LED plasma TV, YouTube, and, of course, Netflix series movies. He never lived in past glory for once throughout his career. He identified his niche from the onset, embraced it, and became most sought after for his roles. He maintained his relevance and championed it. In the words of Isaac Asimov, American author and professor of biochemistry, ‘Life is pleasant. Death is peaceful. It’s the transition that’s troublesome.’ The troublesome transition has occurred in the Yoruba movie industry, a painful one. American writer Isabel Allende, Chilean posits that ‘Just as when we come into the world, when we die, we are afraid of the unknown. But the fear is something from within us that has nothing to do with reality. Dying is like being born: just a change.’ But this change is too heavy to bear, a great loss to the creative world.

We all live to die but to live in the hearts of people is never to die. Ogogo Omo Kulodo will continue to live in the hearts of many for his remarkable impacts on the screen. Like every mortal being, the late Taiwo Hassan has reached the bus stop. He left a footprint that cannot be erased in the industry. Brymo in his Olanrewaju music says ‘Gbogbo eni abi lo ma ku, iwa ti awu lo ma ku’meaning all living souls shall taste death, but what we do while alive will live after us. The death that kills one’s kinsman is speaking in parables. Taiwo Hassan left the screen already; he would forever be a great actor, even in death. Tell Hubert Ogunde, Baba Suwe and others you have played your part distinctively. May your soul continue to rest in peace, not in pieces. Farewell to the action man. Ogogo Omo kulodo.Adieu!

Faulty traffic lights trigger gridlocks, crashes

Residents, motorists, passengers, business owners and traffic officials in parts of Abuja have raised concerns over the failure of traffic lights at some of the city’s busy junctions, saying the situation is creating confusion, causing delays and increasing the risk of road crashes.

The affected locations include parts of Jabi, Life Camp, Phase 3 Junction in Kubwa and Erie Crescent in Maitama, among other areas where motorists have had to navigate intersections without functioning traffic signals.

At some of the affected intersections, there were no traffic officials present to manually control the movement of vehicles, leaving motorists to negotiate their way through the junctions themselves.

The situation became more noticeable during periods of heavy traffic, when vehicles approached the junctions from different directions at the same time.

While some drivers slowed down to allow others to pass, others attempted to move through quickly, resulting in sudden braking, delays and near-collisions.

A resident, Daniel, said the situation had become a daily source of concern, particularly for pedestrians who had to cross busy roads without the clear instructions normally provided by traffic signals.

He said the faulty traffic light at Jabi had made the junction more difficult to navigate, especially during peak hours.

‘Once the traffic light stops working, everybody becomes confused. You have to watch the vehicles coming from different directions before you can move. It is dangerous because not every driver is patient,’ Daniel said.

Another resident, Nuhu, said pedestrians were equally exposed to danger because some motorists approached the intersection without slowing down.

‘When the light is working, pedestrians know when vehicles are supposed to stop. But when it is not working, you have to wait and look in every direction before crossing. Some drivers will still try to pass even when people are crossing,’ Nuhu said.

Several motorists interviewed said the situation had increased pressure on drivers, particularly those unfamiliar with the affected junctions, where they said vehicles sometimes came into conflict.

One of the motorists, David, said drivers were now forced to make decisions based on instinct instead of relying on an established traffic-control system.

‘When the traffic light was working, everybody knew when to stop and when to move. Now, everyone is trying to judge the situation using their instincts. They just move without direction and you as a driver have to be very cautious,’ he said.

David said the absence of functioning signals could encourage aggressive driving, adding that some motorists viewed the malfunction as an opportunity to force their way through the junction.

‘A driver who is patient will wait, but another person will just move ahead because he wants to pass first. Before you know it, two or three vehicles are trying to enter the same place,’ he said.

Johnson, who said he had used the route for a long time, said the problem was not only the faulty equipment but also the attitude of some motorists.

‘Some motorists take advantage of malfunctioning traffic lights to drive aggressively. Even when a traffic marshal is controlling the junction, some drivers ignore the instructions and try to force their way through,’ he said.

He warned that such behaviour could easily result in serious accidents.

Passengers who use the affected routes also expressed concern about the situation.

A passenger, Benson, who spoke around Wuse Market, said traffic officials could help control vehicles temporarily but should not be expected to permanently replace electronic traffic signals.

‘The traffic officials are helping, but they cannot be there every time. They can become tired, and there are times when nobody is there, especially late at night or when it is raining heavily,’ he said.

He called on the authorities to repair the faulty lights instead of relying entirely on traffic officers.

‘Having a working traffic light gives everybody a clear instruction. You don’t need to start arguing with another driver over who should go first,’ he added.

Another passenger, Samson, said the problem had affected journey times.

‘Sometimes the distance is not far, but you spend a lot of time at the junction because everybody is trying to move at the same time,’ he said.

At Life Camp Junction, the problem appeared to have persisted for an extended period, with motorists and business owners claiming that the traffic light had remained faulty for more than a year.

The prolonged malfunction has reportedly increased the workload of traffic officials, who have had to manually control vehicles at the busy intersection.

One of the motorists, Aliyu Mohammed, said the absence of a functioning traffic signal had made it difficult to regulate the movement of vehicles.

He said motorists often approached the junction without knowing whether vehicles from other directions would stop.

Another motorist, James, said a functioning traffic light would make motorists more willing to obey traffic regulations.

‘If the traffic light can be fixed, we will abide by the rules,’ James said.

According to him, the problem had contributed to the disorder experienced at the junction.

Another motorist said the faulty traffic light had personally contributed to an accident involving him.

Traffic officials stationed around some of the affected junctions said the malfunctioning traffic lights had significantly increased their workload.

One official explained that when the traffic signal was functioning properly, their primary responsibility was to monitor traffic and intervene when necessary.

‘If the traffic light is working perfectly, there will not be a need for us to walk manually. We can only control and monitor if the traffic light is working perfectly,’ the official said.

He said the malfunction had forced officials to stand at the junctions and manually direct vehicles, adding that the task became physically demanding when traffic was heavy.

‘Imagine standing for hours directing vehicles when the traffic light is supposed to be doing the work. During heavy traffic, it becomes more stressful,’ he said.

The officials said they had communicated the problems to the relevant authorities but claimed that action had not been taken to restore some of the affected signals.

They called for urgent repairs and regular maintenance of traffic-control equipment across Abuja.

The Mandate Secretary, FCTA Transportation Secretariat, Mr Chinedum Elechi on Thursday said the secretariat working with the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and other sister agencies, has commenced a sustained special enforcement operation against traffic light violations, driving against traffic and other road offences across Abuja.

The Secretary, who said that a taskforce to that effect will start patrol and arrest of perpetrators, added that offenders would face the full weight of the law.

Elechi said the enforcement exercise was necessitated by increasing disregard for traffic rules by some motorists, particularly following the expansion of the FCT road network under the urban renewal programme of the administration of the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike.

UEFA Champions League draw throws up marquee ties

Champions League holders Paris St Germain will take on Barcelona and City in this season’s league phase, while record 15-time champions Real Madrid will face Inter Milan and Arsenal after the draw in Monaco set up several mouth-watering clashes.

Luis Enrique’s PSG, who beat Premier League champions Arsenal on penalties in ?the Champions League final in May to retain their title, will host Barca and travel?to City. Their other league-phase opponents are Roma, Aston Villa, Galatasaray, Villarreal, Slovan Bratislava ?and Como.

The league-phase format, introduced in the 2024-25 season, is entering its third campaign.

Real Madrid host ?Inter and travel to Arsenal. They will also face PSV Eindhoven, Roma, RB Leipzig, Shakhtar Donetsk, LASK and ?AEK Athens.

The meeting with Inter will see new Real manager Jose Mourinho face one of his former clubs. Mourinho, who returned for a second spell in charge of Real in June, guided Inter to the Champions League title in ?2010 before leaving for the Santiago Bernabeu.

Six-time European champions Bayern Munich’s headline fixtures include a home game?against Arsenal and away trips to Atletico Madrid and Manchester United.

Under new manager Andoni Iraola, six-time European champions Liverpool will ?Inter and Atletico among their standout league-phase fixtures.

The Premier League and LaLiga are the most heavily represented leagues in this season’s competition, with five clubs each.

England’s contingent comprises Arsenal, City, United, Villa and Liverpool, while Spain will be represented by Barca, Real Madrid, Villarreal, Atletico and Real Betis.

United return to Europe’s ?elite club competition after a ?two-season absence and face ?a tricky draw that includes a trip to Atletico and home games against Bayern and Roma.

The league phase begins on September 8, with 36 teams competing ?across eight matchdays through January 27.

The knockout stage starts in February, with ?the final set ?for June 5 at Atletico’s Metropolitano Stadium. The venue will stage the Champions League final for the second time, having previously hosted Liverpool’s 2-0 victory over Tottenham Hotspur in 2019.

While Atletico will host the final, they ?appear ?to have been handed one of the competition’s toughest league-phase draws, ?with Bayern and United due to visit Madrid and a trip to Liverpool also on the agenda.

Meanwhile, former Arsenal forward Thierry ?Henry was named the recipient of UEFA’s President’s Award.

Mauritania’s Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed elected new OIC secretary-general

Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed, a Mauritanian diplomat and former foreign minister, was elected secretary-general of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) on Thursday.

The election was held at an extraordinary meeting of OIC foreign ministers in the Saudi city of Jeddah, which also discussed the issue of Palestinian statehood and recent developments regarding Jerusalem.

Ould Cheikh Ahmed, 66, succeeds Chad’s Hussein Ibrahim Taha, who has served as OIC secretary-general since late 2021 and whose term will officially end in November.

Ould Cheikh Ahmed served as Mauritania’s foreign minister from 2018 to 2022, and as the UN secretary-general’s special envoy for Yemen from 2015 to 2018.

He also previously served as deputy special representative of the UN Secretary-General, and as resident coordinator and humanitarian coordinator for the UN Support Mission in Libya in 2014.

From 2012 to 2014, he served as UN humanitarian coordinator and UN Population Fund representative in Yemen, later holding the same positions in Syria from 2008 to 2012.

In addition to Arabic, Ould Cheikh Ahmed speaks both French and English.

The OIC is the world’s second-largest intergovernmental organization after the UN, boasting a total of 57 member states.

It focuses mainly on issues affecting the Muslim world, including the Palestinian national cause and Jerusalem. (Anadolu Agency)

Clubs are the new flex in Kampala

One of the truest facts about humans is our noisy tribal gene. Ever since God told Adam about the perils of man being alone, humans have always gone out in search of the other. We can hardly exist without the other. We are bu social beings, for all our claims towards nonchalance.

Nowhere has this fact spread off like in this ka city of Bishops and Generals, by other names, known as Kampala. Here in Kampala, we have garbed it in something we now call clubs. Kwegamba it is high school all over again. Okay, depends on the high school. Kitende can ignore…

Forass at Kitovu and Gongos. Some chaps are about to shout – ‘gwe naawe move on, who still talks about their high school?’ But forass, we had clubs such as interact. Okay that one has always had its bu qualifiers. But there was a club for everything, the mathematicians club (can never find a Ugandan motivational speaker here), Debate Club, Scripture Union (the one where Taata Bishop was once a member), Xaverians, Wildlife.

Clubs have always been the spice of high school – especially the handover ceremonies. These bu clubs are always handing-over. Mbu simanya, you are invited to this ceremony where the Club president’s girlfriend is handing over the instruments of power to the Bulindo chick.

These days when you see the men and women revving their cars on the bypass, expressing frustration over the TukTuks that have conquered one of the lanes, they are rushing nowhere else – but to keep time at the club. Despite all accusations of Ugandans being poor at this time thingie, when it comes to their bu clubs, ehh Ugandans arrive ahead of time, respectful of the dresscode.

Of course, we are not talking about the Kampala Clubs, Makindye Country Clubs of this world, or even the Kabira one. No no, where would one start with the Kampala Club? When the members are talking of the next best offshore investment, where do you start? Mbu your Sacco has launched a school fees product? Or mbu finally you qualify for a government mosquito net? See why it is important to keep things within our paygrades lest we develop ntondo. Because guys will be discussing their land in Kololo, referring to ‘you see, there is that ka land between Karungi’s and Mushanga, that one is my ka plot.’ What will you say? Mbu you have no doubt Nabusugwe is the next big thing.

Guys, guys, do you know how long it took Naalya to become what it is today? More than 20 years. And that was rapid growth. Wait, let’s go back to clubs. We are about to trigger the real estate demons. Anyway, the country now has one more Bishop, they can always cast out those bu things.

The clubs that are rolling heads in Kampala have found a way of repackaging the hobbies for the adults. Whatever your hobby, there is now a club for it in Kampala. Atte these clubs operate like undercover movements for most -if you know you know. Usually it is a friend of a friend who will bring you in. They have informal application processes.

Luckily, this Kampala is one big family. We are all in each other’s business. We know who is raising the other’s children. We know everything in this city. Despite our income differences, when it comes to getting spoilt, the rich and poor in Uganda prefer to get spoilt from the same places. Kasavu-kanyama style.

I have done the kind of intro akin Kadongo-Kamu movement. But it was to soften ground for the harder facts, kati tutandise…

1.Running Clubs

If you do not belong to a Running Club, I advise you pause here, go sign-up for one then you can continue reading this. Because how will you understand the lingo? Do you even know the Mutungo-Bus? What about those bu-chaps with the funkiest names – those ones who say they are drinkers with a running problem. If you have not done a ka-5K or a 20K, surely, this is kutumenya.

There is the Naalya Gutsy Bunch. Nkugambye! These ones I will speak mpola mpola. They will find me on the road and beat me engolo for nothing. All I can say is that whatever you are looking for, you are more likely to find it in a running club. If you seek drama, you will find it. If you seek lugambo, you will find it. If you want fitness, it is there. Gwe just join a running club osilike bwe-kye!

Mbu not to exclude others, the bu-running clubs have become innovative and introduced the walking club segment. It is like the equivalent of Children’s Sunday school. But the goal is that you should be able to upgrade to the running section where all the good things accrue. What good things? Wewe. Shall we teach you everything? Just buy knee braces, and start practicing on a ka-hill.

It is good to join a running club with some pedigree. Either you are the first aider, or the sweeper. Okay, the sweepers have aura in the Running club, or the one in charge of the post-run stretches. Or the crazy one that handles the music. It is a ka-whole society out there. Some of us were exiled for lugambo, ela we are eating mu nsiko.

But one of these days, I will send out an Olive brunch and re-join a running club. I hear these days what they are cooking, is beyond air-frying. Kubanga how could you have lived to be 45 in Uganda when you have never experienced the Kampala-Jinja relay?

Travelled to a random city to participate in a marathon? Do you even know the Nairobi Marathon? The Comrades Marathon? Should I be the one to tell you everything you chaps? About the hot springs in Kasese? As you start the stretch towards Kilembe mines?

Now that Najjera-Bulindo roads are done, wait for all the running clubs that are gonna mushroom. We shall see the results in Family court…

2.Book Clubs

It is in Kampala that I proved the Pareto Principle; you are bound to find the same ardent members in the running clubs frequenting the book clubs. The beauty with Kampala is that people know how to morph into new personalities. The Naggayi of a Running club will not be the Naggayi of a Book Club. She will be a different person. Era when you meet her in a Book Club, drop your familiarity and always allow her to reintroduce herself. Because in the book club, she is going to be spitting post-colonial theory, telling you about Mukisa’s take on Spivak’s ‘Can the Subaltern Speak?’ She is going to be telling you about Deleuze and Guattari’s ‘Body without Organs’. See, now you people are already lost-lost. But that is club life; you have to be lost for the first weeks. You know when those bu-Rotary chaps start singing, ‘For he’s a jolly good fellow…’

That is the same story of the Book Clubs. It is refutations and arguments. It is wondering whether Marx would have made the same arguments had he not encountered Hegel. Whether Lacan’ objet petit a applies. Atte do not get me started on the Audre Lorde and Simone Beauvoir movement. For these Book Clubs, they will see Foucault in every Kampala pothole, Class struggle in everything.

But, but people, this should not stop you from joining the Chapters Over Java (I have heard bu-good stories). My only ka-advice for the book club aspirant members, at least go and also cook them with how you love to read Haruki Murakami with a Cortado in hand, and John Coltrane playing in the background. Do not die in the movie – Kampala clubs are for ‘drying’ yourself. Okay Nabachwa?

3.Travel Clubs

Yours truly gave up on travel clubs. Because the hardest thing to coordinate is group travel. But do not tell that to the Corporate girls in Kampala. There is a stage in corporate where you must upgrade to the Euro-travel group. If your salary has not yet upgraded you into this club, that means you have had career stagnation.

Once you dey enter middle management, develop mastery of corporate lingo, know how to check in, circle back, work on low-hanging fruits, the next thing is the Euro-trip. First you do the Western wing, return home. Then do the Eastern wing. And finally sum it up with the Asian one. In that specific order.

Because next time we meet for a wine-tasting, and we start talking about the experience in Florence, do not be thinking we are talking about Florence in Finance. Do not develop ntondo when we are describing the bu hangouts in Phuket. In the meantime, at least know about the Aurora lights. And have some good mastery of the entry-luxury brands. Tell them about your current obsession with The Coach bag. Like you just saw it, and you admired the seams. But meantime, Jinja is not out of reach, Fort Portal is here to stay. You can even go to Kisoro and do some hiking.

4.Hiking Clubs

Huh. At this point my friends could accuse me of picking on them. Because some of them have belonged to each of these clubs. Okay, simple story – Uganda has mountains, lovely scenery and the best way to experience it is on foot, with nothing more than hiking gear. Ehh banange hiking gear.

Kale there is a whole hiking language. Mbu simanya acclimatize. Mbu fleece blanket, mbu simanya layering. Atte summit night. Kwegamba. But trust Ugandans, there is nothing we have not done. Hiking clubs are some of the most-enduring of communities. Because spending a night with some strangers on a mountain will surely draw you close to them.

Nga I have not forgotten my Rwenzori-family, the chaps with whom we trekked to the peak. Shout-outs to Nazyo and Albo on the glacier. Even when those chaps are 90 years old, I will remind them. Okay even Miti-the ka man who rolled the car… need I say more about the beauties of the hiking club? Chatham house rules… even the skills of showering with wipes. The other secrets, you have to be inside the clubs to know them.

5.Gym and Artificial Turf Clubs

I was about to include the ‘Sauna and Spa’ clubs, then my editor (I heard her ka-voice), she was like – ‘gwe Ian, that’s not our target audience…’ Yiiiyi kale boss baby. But ehh, the bu-artificial turf clubs, those are like proper possessions. There is one in Ntinda frequented by doctors. Mbu you find a doctor rushing from hospital because he is the captain at his artificial turf. Ugandans will dodge paying a loan, but they always pay club memberships on time.

Atte do not get me started on the Arsenal supporters of Nansana. Those clubs like my ka-editor’s voice says, are not within the aspirations of this handsome and wealthy writer. They can announce their presence on those village loud-speakers. Abawagizi ba Arsenal e ntwe ntwe… There is even another ka club simanya Decadenians – mbu oba they meet to just demolish ears and fish.

Post-Script:

In Kampala, your only family is your club. Your family is not your wife or children. They also belong to some club. You could find nga your wife is in mother’s union. Your husband is in the potbelly club. Your children are in Japanese Manga clubs. Find a club, commit to a club, cause all your drama in a club, and let your secrets die in a club. Until some ka-nosy Ortega eavesdrops on a whisper. Oba we also start a ka-Ortega club? Naye what shall we do? Attack other clubs? Uganda Club Hating Club. Huh UCHC… sounds like something Mzee would fund…

INEC publishes particulars of gov’ship, state Houses of Assembly candidates tomorrow

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) will tomorrow, Saturday publish personal particulars of governorship and State Houses of Assembly candidates ahead of the 2027 general election.

In a phone interview with Nigerian Tribune, the INEC Deputy Director, Publicity), Wilfred Osilama Ifogah, said the date would not be tampered with since it was in the revised timetable and schedule of activities for the 2027 general election.

The commission fixed the date in line with Section 29(3) of the Electoral Act, which provides for the action within 21 days of receipt just as the public campaign by political parties for governorship and State Houses of Assembly candidates begins 9 September, 2026.

In its revised timetable, INEC scheduled the online upload of the names, personal particulars, and other required information relating to the nominated governorship and State Houses of Assembly candidates between Saturday, July 18 and Saturday, August 8, 2026.

The exercise was extended to Tuesday, 11th August, 2026.

INEC National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Kudu Haruna, said the action was taken after appeals by political parties for additional time to complete the process.

On August 1, the commission had earlier published personal particulars of presidential and National Assembly candidates.

The window of opportunities to withdraw and replace presidential and National Assembly candidates by political parties closed on Saturday, 22 August, 2026.

Meanwhile, last day for submission of nomination forms (EC13A,13B,13C,13D and 13E) for presidential and National Assembly candidates by political parties is also fixed for tomorrow, Saturday, August 29, 2026 in line with Section 30(1) of the Electoral Act, 2026.

It would be recalled that party primaries where candidates were produced held between April 23 and May 30, 2026.

Presidential and National Assembly elections have been fixed for Saturday, 16th January 2027, while Governorship and State Assembly elections will hold on Saturday, 6th February 2027.

Nigerian Navy Inaugurates 3 Solar-Powered Boreholes for Gombe Community

The Nigerian Navy on Thursday inaugurated three solar-powered boreholes in three communities across Gombe local government area of Gombe State, as part of its efforts to strengthen civil-military relations.

The project was implemented under the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas Special Intervention Quick Impact Project, in honour of Rear Admiral Shehu Usman Gombe (Rtd).

Daily Trust reports that the project brings succour to residents of Gombe metropolis, who are facing acute shortage of water supply, due to the failure of the state Water Board to provide pipe-borne water to the residents.

In his speech, the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, represented by Director of Project Implementation, Monitoring and Evaluation, Rear Admiral Mohammed Dahiru, said the project comprised three solar-powered boreholes, each with a 10,000-litre overhead water tank and perimeter fencing.

According to him, the project was part of the Nigerian Navy ‘s Civil-Military Cooperation initiative, demonstrating the Navy’s commitment to supporting communities beyond its traditional role of securing lives and property.

Rear Admiral Dahiru stated that the special quick impact project was launched in 2024 to strengthen the Nigerian Navy’s civil-military cooperation mandate, describing the three projects as another milestone in the Navy’s civil-military cooperation efforts.

Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, represented by the Commissioner of Special Duties, Shehu Yarima Abdullahi, commended the Nigerian Navy and the facilitator of the project, Rear Admiral Shehu Usman Gombe (rtd), for brining the project to the state.

Represented by the commissioner for special duties and regional integration, Alhaji Shehu sh Yarima-Abdullahi, the governor said the government was always ready to partner with initiatives that promote meaningful development.

He called on residents of the community to take ownership of the facilities by ensuring their proper utilisation.

On his part, facilitator of the project, Rear Admiral Shehu Gombe, said the initiative was his modest way of giving back to his community.

He said two additional similar projects would be provided in another area of Gomeb LGA in the near future.