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The Opposition National Unity Platform (NUP) is facing fresh divisions in Mukono District after two political heavyweights declared interest in the Mukono Municipality parliamentary seat ahead of next year’s general election.

District chairperson Rev Peter Bakaluba Mukasa has announced his bid to unseat the incumbent legislator Betty Nambooze, accusing her of failing to meet the expectations of voters. His decision has deepened fault lines within NUP, which is already grappling with disputes over its flagbearer selection process. The cracks first appeared when Rev Mukasa lost the party ticket for the district chairperson seat to former Mukono South MP Johnson Muyanja Ssenyonga.

Stung by the defeat, he declared he would run for the Mukono Municipality parliamentary seat as an independent, though he insists he remains ‘NUP-leaning.’ Mr Ssenyonga, on the other hand, had initially expressed interest in returning to Parliament by contesting in Mukono South. That constituency has attracted several aspirants, including NUP-leaning hopeful Wilson Male, former Makerere University guild president Robert Maseruka, Dr Living Robert Kikulwe, and Merhab Nalumu. But during a party mobilisation rally in Nakifuma on July 27, NUP’s vice president for Buganda Muhammad Muwanga Kivumbi revealed that the party had convinced Mr Ssenyonga to step aside in Mukono South and instead contest the district chairperson seat.

The announcement exposed deeper rifts, with some NUP supporters questioning the fairness of the decision. Mr Julius Nkangi, a party supporter in Mukono South, said Mr Kivumbi’s statement undermined the democratic spirit of the vetting process. ‘We have different aspirants competing for the party flag in Mukono South. Declaring that Mr Ssenyonga should step aside in favour of young people creates the impression that the ticket is being handed to Robert Maseruka. That is unfair,’ he said. Others, such as Mr Bernard Ssempaka, the councillor for Nakifuma-Naggalama, also voiced concern. ‘In a party that values democracy, no leader should declare a flagbearer before the vetting process concludes,’ he noted.

Counter-accusations

Rev Mukasa himself has accused the party of sidelining him despite his contributions. ‘I have supported NUP diligently. Unlike others who shout at rallies, I quietly write cheques and stand by the party. It is unfair to treat me as an outsider,’ he argued. But Ms Nambooze, who doubles as Mukono District NUP chairperson, fired back, accusing Rev Mukasa of undermining the party’s work at the district level. She accused him of failing to set up a district service commission for three years. ‘The party president asked him to operationalise the commission, but he refused. This weakened our efforts in health and education and drained our struggle against the NRM government,’ she said.

Despite the accusations, Rev Mukasa attended the vetting exercise for the district chairperson seat in early August but lost out to Mr Ssenyonga. Soon after, he confirmed his independent bid for Mukono Municipality, claiming he had consulted with party leadership. ‘The party allowed me to contest in a constituency of my choice, just as they asked Hon Ssenyonga to switch roles. I remain loyal to NUP, and I will mobilise independents to support our president, Hon Robert Kyagulanyi, even as I contest in Mukono Municipality,’ he said. However, Mr Kyagulanyi, the NUP principal and presidential flagbearer, has repeatedly stated that the party will back only official cardholders, not independents.

This hardline stance casts doubt on Rev Mukasa’s claim of continued loyalty. Mukono Municipality has been under Opposition control since its creation, with Ms Nambooze as its only MP. But her grip is now under threat, not only from Rev Mukasa but also from a crowded field of contenders. So far, the race has drawn Dr Sarah Daisy Nabatanzi Sonko of the NRM, Allan Mawanda of the Democratic Front, George Fred Kagimu of DP, independent Andrew Ssenyonga, and independents Daniel Lugoloobi and James Katete. More aspirants are expected to join in the coming months.

BACKGROUND

The clash between Ms Nambooze and Rev Mukasa is not new. The two first faced off in 2006 for the Mukono North constituency. Rev Mukasa initially won but was later thrown out by the Supreme Court over electoral malpractice, paving the way for Ms Nambooze’s by-election victory in 2009. When Mukono Municipality constituency was created in 2010, Ms Nambooze shifted there and has retained the seat ever since. Rev Mukasa meanwhile moved to Mukono South, winning in 2011 but losing the seat to Mr Ssenyonga in 2016. He later ran for the district chairperson position in 2021, winning on the NUP ticket.

Police have banned processions of supporters during the ongoing presidential campaigns across all political parties, citing reckless and violent incidents on the roads.

Police spokesperson Mr Kituuma Rusoke said on September 30 that they had registered cases of supporters riding motorcycles and driving recklessly as they escorted presidential candidates to campaign venues.

According to Mr Kituuma, preliminary investigations revealed that reckless driving by National Unity Platform (NUP) supporters caused an accident along the Kalagi-Kayunga Road near Namyoya in eastern Uganda.

Police findings indicate that a motorcycle in the convoy of NUP leader Mr Robert Kyagulanyi, who is also known as Bobi Wine, was speeding when it collided with a vehicle from behind. The crash triggered a chain reaction in which several other motorcycles collided. A white Mitsubishi vehicle, registration number UAZ 064H and bearing Mr Kyagulanyi’s campaign images, also rammed into the motorcycles.

Several people were injured and rushed to St Francis Naggalama Hospital for treatment. Others with minor injuries left the scene with their motorcycles.

Mr Kituuma said the accident was registered at Naggalama Police Station, where the involved vehicles were impounded.

‘We issue a strong warning to all political actors and their entourages to strictly observe traffic laws. Irresponsible use of the roads, as demonstrated in this incident that caused multiple injuries, will not be tolerated. Police will enforce strict measures to prevent such conduct and ensure adherence to the law. Political actors are urged to comply fully with traffic regulations to avoid similar incidents in the future,’ Mr Kituuma said.

Presidential campaigns officially kicked off on Monday, ahead of what is expected to be a fierce contest between incumbent President Yoweri Museveni and his main challenger Bobi Wine, in a repeat of the 2021 elections.

The Electoral Commission has released a campaign schedule for all eight presidential candidates to organise rallies across the country while avoiding clashes in locations.

Busiro East MP Medard Ssegona is among the sitting MPs who have been denied the National Unity Platform (NUP) card for the 2026 General Election.

Musician Mathias Walukaga, who doubles as Kyengera town mayor, will carry the party flag in the 2026 General election.

After his vetting by the party electoral commission recently, Mr Sseggona told journalists at the party headquarters that he was more qualified than any other contender for the seat, arguing that the opposition party, led by musician turned politician, Mr Robert Kyagulanyi, has a sense of class and quality.

“Look at me, look at my CV. Why do you have to deceive yourself that there’s a mischievous possibility of the party choosing someone less qualified for this job than me? I have presented my CV, I have presented my ideas, and everybody will agree that I’m more qualified for this job, that’s if they are not drunk or possessed by evil spirits. This party has a sense of class and quality. Does Parliament still make laws? Is there somebody vying for this position as qualified as I?’ the veteran politician and lawyer said.

According to the list Ms Shamim Malende has retained the Kampala Woman MP ticket, while Ms Zahara Luyilika, who has been contending for the same seat, was given the ticket for the Makindye West Constituency, which is currently represented by Mr Allan Aloysius Ssewanyana.

Kampala City lawyer George Musisi was given the flag to contest for the Kira Municipality MP seat, seeking to oust People’s Front for Freedom (PFF)’s spokesperson, Mr Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda, while Zambali Bulasio Mukasa will carry the party flag for the Nansana Municipality MP seat currently occupied by one of NUP’s estranged members, Wakayima Musoke.

Mr Kyagulanyi’s elder brother, Mr Fred Nyanzi, will carry the party flag in the Kawempe South MP race. He was contending for the ticket with Dr Roy Ssemboga, a former (82nd) Makerere University Guild President. The seat is currently occupied by another estranged member, Bashir Kazibwe.

Mityana Municipality MP, Ms Joyce Bagala, lost the ticket to Proscovia Mukisa, who will now face off with Lands Minister Judith Nabakooba of the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM), if the former doesn’t contest as an Independent candidate.

Another notable flag bearer is Ms Mercy Marion Alupo, who has been given the party flag to dislodge Speaker Anita Among from the Bukedea Woman MP seat. Alupo is one of the three women running against Ms Among, who were recently sued in a bid to stop their participation.

Nakaseke South MP, Paulson Luttamaguzi Ssemakula, who recently crossed to NUP was also given the flag while Mr Hilary Innocent Kiyaga, alias Dr Hildaman, retained his Mawokota North ticket amidst speculations that he had lost favours with the party’s top leadership.

Mr Lubowa Ssebina Gyaviira was given the ticket to contest for the Nyendo Mukungwe MP seat currently occupied by the former Leader of Opposition, Mathias Mpuuga, who recently broke ranks with the party leadership and formed his own political party, Democratic Front (DF).

Mr Patrick Kutesa was also given the party flag to oust Kimanya Kabonera MP, Dr Abed Bwanika, who is seeking to retain the seat on the DF ticket in the 2026 poll.

NUP spokesperson, Mr Alex Waiswa Mufumbiro, who is currently on remand, was given the flag for Nakawa East Division, currently occupied by Ronald Balimwezo, who is aspiring to unseat Kampala Lord Mayor, Erias Lukwago. Rubaga South MP Aloysius Mukasa lost the party flag to Eugenia Nassolo.

As presidential candidates embark on campaigns ahead of the 2026 General Election, the People’s Front for Freedom (PFF), a party associated with four-time presidential candidate Dr Kizza Besigye, says it is still weighing options on which candidate to support.

Speaking during the launch of PFF’s National Campaign Agenda in Kampala yesterday, the party’s National Convention Speaker, Ms Proscovia Salaamu Musumba, said discussions with the National Unity Platform (NUP) and the Alliance for National Transformation (ANT) are ongoing, with the hope of rallying behind a single Opposition candidate. ‘We have not presented a presidential candidate because we are short of them. No. We didn’t want to be an obstacle to finding a unifying candidate that we would be supporting in this election. Because this election is a do-or-die for the country,’ Ms Musumba said.

She noted that PFF already has a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with ANT, signed in July, committing both parties to support a joint candidate. ‘We informed the country that we do have that memorandum of understanding. But we are also in deep discussions with the National Unity Platform. The discussions may not have gone as expected, but we continue to pursue them,’ she added. ANT’s National Coordinator Alice Alaso said they were still waiting for PFF’s official position on supporting their candidate, Maj Gen (rtd) Mugisha Muntu, who is duly nominated by the Electoral Commission. ‘The engagement is between ANT and PFF. We agreed, in the MoU, to back a joint candidate. So, while PFF did not field a candidate, we have not yet heard their express position about Gen Muntu. We hope they will give us clarity soon,’ Ms Alaso said.

She added that ANT would respect whatever decision PFF makes: ‘Even if they decide to take a different approach, we are comfortable. We prefer to deal with partners who are firm in their choices,’ Ms Alaso The PFF chairperson, Mr Erias Lukwago, acknowledged that the delay in settling on a joint candidate was ‘unfortunate,’ but said the complexity of merging different political platforms had slowed the process. ‘We had hoped that by now we would have a single candidate, but there are many factors beyond our control. Even if we pronounce ourselves on a joint candidate, there remains the challenge of harmonising campaign platforms,’ he said. ‘Each entity has its own symbols, slogans and constituencies. These are issues that need careful management,’ he added. Mr Lukwago assured Ugandans that once consultations are complete, the party will inform the country of its position, whether or not it agrees to a joint front.

Efforts to get a comment from NUP were unsuccessful as party Secretary General Lewis Rubongoya could not be reached by press time. Within PFF, some members have asked the leadership to expedite the process, saying supporters are already demanding clarity. Ms Betty Aol Ocan, the party’s deputy chairperson for northern Uganda, said grassroots members are growing anxious. ‘People ask us which presidential candidate to support, but we have no answers. I told them to wait for this meeting, but the matter is still hanging,’ Ms Ocan said. During the Kampala launch, Ms Musumba also outlined PFF’s broader campaign agenda, stressing that the election is part of a wider struggle for freedom and fair resource distribution.

‘Our biggest problem is the use of our resources. Each of the regions is well endowed, and we want to ensure that local communities benefit from their wealth,’ she said. She pointed to Karamoja as an example, where minerals such as gold and marble are extracted but processed under brand names like Simba Cement or Tororo Cement. ‘There is no Karamoja Cement, yet those resources come from Karamoja. In our government, that region will have an opportunity to benefit directly from its endowments,’ Ms Musumba said.

BACKGROUND

Past attempts at fronting a joint Opposition candidate have repeatedly collapsed. In 2011, the Inter-Party Cooperation (IPC) disintegrated before the elections, leaving each party to field its own candidate. Five years later, in 2016, the Democratic Alliance (TDA) failed to agree on a single flagbearer, despite months of negotiations. In 2021, efforts to unite Dr Kizza Besigye and Mr Robert Kyagulanyi also stalled, forcing both leaders to pursue separate campaigns.

Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) has unveiled its 2025/26-2029/30 Strategic Plan, projecting that the city will require more than Shs 4 trillion for roads, drainage, flyovers, and transport retooling to ease congestion and flooding.

The new plan builds on the outcomes of the 2020/21-2024/25 strategy, which sought to make Kampala more inclusive, livable, and resilient. While the outgoing plan registered progress, including an increase in paved city roads from 31 percent in 2017/18 to 37 percent by 2023/24, it faced setbacks such as underfunding, the Covid-19 pandemic, and delays in implementation.

An internal review showed that only 35.5 percent of targets were fully achieved, while 25 percent were not met at all. Persistent flooding, poor drainage, and road maintenance gaps remained unresolved.

Against this background, the new five-year plan prioritizes infrastructure. Major interventions include the Kampala City Drainage Improvement Project (KCDIP) worth Shs 447.6 billion to upgrade 80 kilometers of channels and tackle 103 flood blackspots, and the Kampala Flyover Project Phase 2 valued at Shs 337.2 billion to decongest key junctions. In addition, Shs 1.568 trillion has been earmarked for the Kampala City Roads Rehabilitation Project Phase 2 to expand road works and introduce Bus Rapid Transit corridors, while Shs 63.3 billion will support retooling and maintenance.

KCCA manages more than 2,100 kilometers of roads, but only about 770 kilometers are paved, and many of these are in fair to poor condition.

To address this, KCCA has signed deals and launched projects such as the Kampala City Roads and Bridges Upgrading Project (KCRBUP) and the Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area Urban Development Program (GKMA-UDP) to improve connectivity, upgrade infrastructure, and repair potholes.

Speaking at the launch of the strategic plan in Kampala yesterday, Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago acknowledged that the city still grapples with serious challenges, including underfunding, traffic congestion, flooding, poor waste management, and overstretched social services.

‘The plan, however, lays out bold interventions to address these bottlenecks and put Kampala on track to becoming a well-planned, inclusive, and resilient capital,’ he said.

Mr Lukwago added that an evaluation of the outgoing plan revealed that less than half of the targets were achieved, with progress hampered by the Covid-19 pandemic, limited financing, and what officials described as ‘ambitious’ target setting.

‘For instance, while the paved road network expanded from 31 percent to 37 percent, many city roads deteriorated due to insufficient maintenance funds, and flooding in major blackspots remained unresolved,’ he said. ‘The plans are overdue, and therefore we have reflected on our journey, including where we fell short, to ensure we do not repeat the same mistakes.’

KCCA Executive Director Hajati Sharifah Buzeki said the new strategy is designed to align priorities with clear instruments that drive progress and hold the institution accountable to city residents.

‘The new plan, themed Revitalizing Kampala into a Well-Functioning City, identifies five priority objectives: improving economic growth, enhancing inclusiveness and wellbeing, strengthening governance, mainstreaming climate resilience, and building institutional capacity, which we think will be our driver to better service delivery,’ she said.

She noted that the plan was developed through evidence-based planning, rigorous reflection, and broad stakeholder engagement. ‘The next five years mark a deliberate shift towards revitalising Kampala into a well-planned city, with a stronger emphasis on resilience, efficiency, and inclusive growth,’ she added.

According to Ms Buzeki, the plan also incorporates lessons from the outgoing strategy, which achieved 35 percent of its targets, while 7.5 percent of interventions lacked data for assessment.

‘The results were below average, and while we acknowledge disruptions from the Covid-19 pandemic, leadership transitions, and underfunding, we take full responsibility for setting more ambitious and realistic targets this time,’ she said.

‘This strategic plan has been designed not only as a technical document but as a social contract with the people of Kampala. With transparency, accountability, innovation, and citizen participation, we are determined to turn these commitments into tangible results.’

Key highlights of the new plan include transport and mobility, drainage and flood management, urban planning, education improvements in KCCA schools, reducing maternal mortality from 33 to 28 deaths per 100,000 live births, business and employment, among others.

KCCA’s earlier strategic plans, including the 2014/15-2018/19 strategy aligned with Uganda Vision 2040 and the GKMA Development Framework, focused on transport infrastructure, drainage systems, social services, and institutional strengthening.

The subsequent 2020/21-2024/25 plan, valued at about Shs 7 trillion, prioritized road rehabilitation, non-motorized transport, drainage upgrades, waste management, and recycling. While some achievements were registered, funding shortfalls and the pandemic slowed implementation.

A Shs2 million fund allocated for preparations ahead of party presidential candidate Robert Kyagulanyi, also known as Bobi Wine, campaign visit to Namutumba District has sparked sharp divisions among the local leadership of the opposition National Unity Platform (NUP), exposing rifts over control of party resources.

The money, sent by the party to facilitate Thursday’s rally at Ivukula Town Council Headquarters in Bukono Constituency, became the focus of a heated meeting on Tuesday as leaders clashed over who should handle it.

Chris Wakalanga, the district NUP chairperson, announced that the leadership had resolved to appoint a new treasurer, accusing the incumbent, Williamson Menya, of defecting to the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM).

‘Menya was seen participating in NRM primaries and declared his support for NRM on social media. We can’t have someone serving two parties in charge of our finances,’ Wakalanga said.

Menya rejected the accusations, insisting he remains loyal to NUP and accusing his colleagues of a smear campaign.

‘They want me out because I stand for transparency. I’ve served as district treasurer for two years and managed party funds responsibly. They fear I won’t let them misuse the money,’ he said, vowing not to vacate his position unless instructed by NUP’s national leadership.

Solomon Kaswabuli, the district NUP spokesperson, confirmed the appointment of an acting treasurer to oversee rally expenditures.

He also accused Menya of straying from the party’s mission.

‘The leadership will replace him officially after the rally, with guidance from NUP headquarters,’ Kaswabuli added.

The dispute comes as Bobi Wine continues his campaign trail across the Busoga region.

He launched his campaign in Jinja City on September 29 and is scheduled to visit Kamuli and Buyende on Tuesday, followed by Luuka and Kaliro districts on Wednesday, before heading to Bugweri and Namutumba districts on Thursday.

Bobi Wine is expected to address supporters at Nangonde Town Council Headquarters and officially open NUP’s district office in Namutumba Town Council.

Through Bobi Wine, NUP seeks to challenge President Museveni’s decades-long rule in the 2026 elections.

The Presidential Advisory Committee on Exports and Industrial Development (PACEID) has partnered with Arise Kollections to promote cocoa growing for export.

Uganda’s cocoa bean exports hit a record high in February 2025, earning $68.7 million (Shs254 billion), a significant boost to the country’s economy. According to the latest Bank of Uganda report, this represents a 42 percent increase in cumulative revenue compared to the 2024-2025 period.

This remarkable performance marks a milestone for Uganda’s cocoa industry, which has been steadily growing in recent years. The upward trend began in December 2024, when Uganda exported cocoa beans worth $44.2 million, followed by $67.8 million in January 2025.

Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony of the Arise Kollections Leadership and Skilling Centre in Kigogola Village, Kasawo Sub-county, Nakifuma-Mukono District, PACEID Chairman Mr. Odrek Rwabwogo said the partnership will expand market opportunities in countries such as the United Kingdom and the United States of America.

‘We can do aggregation and finance that aggregation as primary production before we can go to secondary production, which is processing, which is what the country requires,’ Mr Rwabwogo said.

He noted that in Uganda, women-headed businesses constitute about 90 percent of the job market, with 64 percent of those businesses owned and run by men. ‘I am happy to see that you are reducing those numbers progressively, and you are doing it in Nakifuma,’ he added.

Prof Gudula Naiga Basaza, a board member of Arise Kollections, said the launch of the 30-acre centre is aimed at promoting agro-industrialisation and facilitating export-ready production.

‘We should stop giving other people the power to control our destiny. A number of times we rely on aid and donations to achieve our goals, but the message here is let us focus on trade,’ she said.

Prof Basaza added that Uganda has about 42.6 percent of youth who are unemployed, with Nakifuma Sub-county recording about 47 percent youth unemployment.

The founder of Arise Kollections and Cocoa Farms, Ms Agnes Kitumba, said the new hub is part of a dream that began 14 years ago in Namugongo, where she ran a smaller half-acre facility.

‘My dream was born to go out there and take the services to our local communities. After 14 years of running a business in town, where we always had to recruit girls from less advantaged societies, we realised the cost of living in town is high,’ she said.

Ms Kitumba added: ‘Our dream is that we can take the opportunity to the rural community and build the community so that we reduce rural-urban migration, where youth think they can only make it when they move to urban areas.’

She also appealed to Ugandan entrepreneurs to embrace partnerships as a key to linking manufacturers and producers with buyers.

Head of Program Development, Quality, and Management at Uganda Agribusiness Alliance (UAA), Ms Mariam Akiror, said their role is to ensure agribusiness entrepreneurs comply with national and international standards along the value chain to remain competitive globally.

‘We were able to bring them together to meet the United Arab Emirates investors, who are interested in different agriculture value chains such as cocoa and ginger,’ she said.

Ms. Akiror added: ‘We are interested in agriculture careers, profiling, and promotion, ensuring that our young Ugandans fall in love with agriculture and begin to look at it as both a career and a hobby, because agriculture is the oxygen of our country.’

Agronomist at UAA, Ms Medias Kukunda, noted that the new centre will support farmers with market linkages for their products.

Currently, major cocoa-growing districts in Uganda include Bundibugyo, Buikwe, Mukono, Jinja, and Masindi. Other significant producers are Hoima, Mubende, Mayuge, Mpigi, Luweero, Masaka, and Kasese. Districts across eastern, western, and central Uganda are also known for cocoa cultivation.

At the beginning of every election season, it is amusing to see especially the media preparing the country for the election. It paints a picture that anticipates the possibility of a stiff and uncertain competition; full of tension and excitement. It ostensibly puts the incumbent President, Yoweri Kaguta Museveni at risk of losing his long-term grip on power. To lend gravitas to the election, the media forms all sorts of special desks, command centres, election coverage teams, and headlines or columns like ‘Decision time Uganda,’ or ‘Uganda decides,’ or ‘Your vote, your future,’ They arrange talk shows and interviews with experts of all walks of life analysing the election. NGOs come up with situation rooms focusing on the election. Opposition candidates are profiled and prominence is given to their strategies and intentions to ‘remove the dictator’ this time round.

They include voter mobilisation and vote protection measures. Yet in what appears like an anti-climax, at the end of the day and after all the mellifluous noise and drama, Museveni is announced winner by the Electoral Commission (EC.) The NRM party he heads takes the lion’s share of seats in parliament and the local councils, leaving the opposition crying fraud. This time round the situation will not be any different. Nothing much has changed in the context in which Ugandan general elections are held under the NRM, since the last election. The NRM is for all intents and purposes a state party. In many instances you can’t tell where the party ends and the state or the government begins. Many public servants are appointed because of their ethnicity and allegiance to the ruling party.

They behave like party officials shamelessly carrying out programmes intended to perpetuate the NRM in power and by extension, disadvantage the opposition. The election is merely a smoke screen whose outcome is predetermined. It is simply a ritual without spiritual connotations. It aims to portray the ruling party and president as democratic. It legitimises the government and its actions as representative of the people. For instance, an elected government, has the mandate to commit Uganda and its assets when borrowing from multilateral lending organisations like the World Bank. A military junta or unelected cabal is viewed as parochial without the power to speak and act for the majority.

The unfettered access to public finances, especially through corruption which noticeably increases towards an election, grants the NRM a war chest that makes the party competitively unassailable. It can even be used to buy off the opposition or create its own weak opposition parties to give the semblance of a competition. Then in many instances most government programmes financed by the taxpayer are portrayed as a favour from the NRM government. There is a concealed promise of more services if the people vote for the government and vice versa. The late John Nagenda once wrote that the people of northern Uganda did not deserve any government services because they did not vote for the NRM! Secondly, the EC which conducts the election is appointed by Museveni who is also a candidate in the election.

Even with all the aesthetics performed in long, black, branded gowns that give a magisterial look of people managing a free and fair process, the slant towards the incumbent and NRM is difficult to ignore. You have a legislature teeming with ruling party MPs. It’s speaker has made it abundantly clear that she serves for the pleasure and comfort of the president. She would never pass a Bill that disadvantages him. This coupled with opposition MPs who are held hostage to privileges like per diem means that you can hardly get meaningful laws from the legislature. Not even laws like electoral reforms that disadvantage the project to perpetuate the incumbent in power. The Judiciary is not very different. The appointments are by the President. He has made it clear at every opportunity that the best judicial officers are those who ‘understand’ the history of the country; the ones nicknamed ‘cadre judges.’

This history is crafted to show NRM as the best thing that has happened in this country since sliced bread. Museveni has always reacted angrily to judgements that don’t go the way he wishes. He has derogatorily advised that judges should concern themselves with matters of ‘who stole a chicken’ and not issues of management of the state. A lot of their actions suggest that they have understood him. The continued incarceration of very many opposition National Unity Platform (NUP) supporters abducted and jailed without charge. Many have appeared in courts visibly tortured. The baseless denial of bail to Dr Kizza Besigye, Obeid Lutale and others says a lot about the Judiciary. It makes it unimaginable to assume that this institution in its current state can rein in the ruling party if the opposition sought relief in case of a bad election.

Like NRM began as a military movement, so it has remained albeit with minor tweaks. As is with the proverbial duck, NRM walks, talks and quacks like a military organisation. The national army and increasingly militarised police force is firmly in NRM’s grip and behave like enforcement departments within the party. They view threats to the NRM as threats to the country and defending the NRM as defending the country and vice versa. When doing so, the opposition is the enemy to be crashed. We have already seen police officers angrily tearing posters belonging to the opposition and opening fire where the people resist this awful behaviour. They take shelter under all sorts of misinterpretations of the law, especially the Public Order Management Act, to block the opposition from campaigning and reaching out to the electorate. Meanwhile, the NRM is escorted during processions and campaigns freely. In such an environment to speak of holding a free and fair election is outlandish and irresponsible.

Grief has engulfed South Sudanese refugees at Palabek Refugee Settlement Camp in Palabek-Ogili Sub-County, Lamwo District, after a lightning strike killed two refugees and left two others critically injured.

The deceased were identified as Ms Martha Ibalu, 50, a resident of Zone 7, Block 6, and Ms Tereza Eyei, 28, a resident of Zone 4, Block B. They were killed on Sunday afternoon while sheltering from a storm.

Reports indicate that the two women had gone to a nearby bush to burn charcoal when tragedy struck. They had sought shelter under a tree when they were hit by lightning.

Their bodies were taken to Puluda Health Centre III for post-mortem examination.

Two other victims, Mr James Lokiek, 39, a resident of Zone 4, Block 8, and Ms Elizabeth Amuna, 35, a resident of Zone 7, Block 6, survived but sustained serious injuries. They are receiving treatment at Paluda Health Centre III.

The September 28 incident brings the number of South Sudanese refugees killed by lightning strikes since November 2024 to 16, with 36 others injured.

On November 3, 2024, at about 5:30 pm, 14 refugees, 12 children and two adults, died after they were struck by lightning while seeking shelter from the rain at a UN World Food Programme (WFP) food distribution centre in Zone 8, Block 2. Another 34 were seriously injured in that tragedy.

Mr Joe Oloya, the Aswa East Region Police spokesperson, said the victims in Sunday’s incident were caught in the rain while in the bush.

‘It is alleged that on September 28, 2025, at around 4 pm, the victims went to Ajaogala village to burn charcoal. After a while, it started raining and they took cover under a tree where lightning struck them, two died on the spot and two survived,’ he said in a statement issued Tuesday evening.

He added that police detectives are investigating a case of sudden death by lightning.

With the threat of thunderstorms still looming, the Uganda National Meteorological Authority (UNMA) has urged Ugandans to avoid using mobile phones during storms to reduce the risk of lightning strikes.

According to UNMA, the electric circuit in a mobile phone could attract lightning. The authority has issued the warning to help the public minimize risks.

Dr Bob Alex Ogwang, the Executive Director of UNMA, further advised Ugandans to put contingency measures in place to reduce the loss of life from such natural disasters.

Lightning is a powerful natural phenomenon caused by electrostatic discharges between charged regions in clouds or between clouds and the Earth, producing intense light and sound.

The 2025 Masaza Cup quarter-finals kicked off with a flurry of action, leaving three counties with a vital advantage going into the return legs.

Kyaggwe secured the most comfortable lead, dispatching Ssese 2-0 at home in Mukono. David Mugalu broke the deadlock in the 20th minute and James Matege sealed the victory with a stunning strike in the 88th minute.

Kyaggwe coach, Simon Peter Mugerwa, whose side were losing finalists last year, is determined not to squander the first-leg edge.

“Two-nil is a good foundation, but nothing is decided yet. We played with a champion’s mentality and got the job done. The key now is composure; we will not let this advantage slip away in the return leg,” Mugerwa said.

Despite the loss, Ssese coach Edirisa Walusimbi remains hopeful about the return leg on Saturday at Lutoboka.

Ssese, who finished bottom of their group last year, are aiming to at least match their 2021 quarter-final performance.

“It’s only half-time in the tie. We struggled defensively, but we are a different animal at home. Two goals is a challenge, but it’s a gap we can definitely overturn with the passionate support of our fans,” he said.

In another thrilling encounter, Bugerere claimed a narrow 2-1 victory over 2011 champions Buluuli. Mike Katumwa and Osman Mayanja were on target for Bugerere, while Okello Levis Barasa grabbed a crucial away goal for Buluuli.

Buluuli head coach Nasibu Mukasa is banking on that away goal to keep the tie alive.

“That away goal is a massive motivation for us. We’re going back to the drawing board to fix the defensive errors, and I have faith that we can turn this deficit around in the second leg,” Mukasa said.

Elsewhere, Buweekula secured a win, overcoming Busujju 1-0 thanks to a solitary goal from Shafiq Ssonko. Buweekula is desperate to break a recurring curse after losing five semi-finals in recent years. They will be looking to confirm their semi-final spot in the return leg in Mubende.

Battle of heavyweights

The most anticipated tie of the weekend ended in a goalless draw, with three-time champions Mawokota locking horns with two-time winners Ssingo.

The result means everything is to play for in the return leg on Sunday in Mityana. Mawokota will be hoping for a repeat of their 2013 success, where they defeated Ssingo in the final 1-0. The winner of this heavyweight clash will surely be considered a top contender for the title.

The tournament’s grand finale is scheduled for Saturday, November 1, 2025 at the Hamz Stadium in Nakivubo.

Masaza Cup

Results

Bugerere 2-1 Buluuli

Busujju 0-1 Buweekula

Mawokota 0-0 Ssingo

Kyaggwe 2-0 Ssese