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The State Minister for Environment, Ms Beatrice Anywar, has urged civil society organisations and development partners working in Uganda’s Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) sector to adopt innovation and enhance coordination with the government to improve service delivery and reach underserved communities.

Speaking at the 15th Annual WASH Civil Society Organisations Forum, held in Kampala from October 2-3, under the theme ‘WASH Innovations for Sustainable Development,’ Ms Anywar said the sector can only achieve universal access through inclusive, locally driven innovations and strong partnerships among all stakeholders.

‘Innovation must be the engine that drives our WASH systems; we need new ideas and approaches that are practical, affordable, and sustainable – but we must also coordinate and account for every effort to ensure no Ugandan is left behind,’ she explained.

The Minister emphasised that innovation must go hand in hand with transparency and adherence to government policy, warning NGOs against acting outside the law.

‘Transparency, coordination, and accountability are not optional; All NGOs must align their work with national frameworks and operate within district coordination systems,’ she said.

While encouraging partners to invest in innovative technologies and community-led solutions, the Minister also cautioned NGOs against charging user fees for water services without government approval, saying the practice is illegal under the Water Act.

‘The Water Act only permits tariffs approved by the Minister in consultation with local governments and communities. No one else has that mandate,’ she stressed.

Ms Yunia Musaazi, the Executive Director of the Uganda Water and Sanitation NGO Network (UWASNET), welcomed the Minister’s call and reaffirmed civil society’s commitment to innovation and accountability.

‘We support government’s position and agree that innovation is central to achieving universal WASH access, but innovation must be local, people-centred, and inclusive,’ she said.

She said Uganda’s WASH sector still faces significant gaps, with over 10,000 villages, 5,000 schools, and nearly 2,000 health facilities lacking access to clean water and sanitation.

‘We cannot fill those gaps by doing business as usual,’ she added. ‘Innovation must go beyond technology – it must include new ways of engaging communities, managing resources, and coordinating our work.’

Ms Musaazi noted that while NGOs contribute over UGX 100 billion annually to WASH services, fragmented implementation remains a major challenge.

‘We need to strengthen coordination – from the national to district level – so that every shilling and every intervention counts,’ she said. ‘Our goal is shared: to make safe water, sanitation, and hygiene accessible to all Ugandans.’

She also called for increased investment in innovation financing and support for youth and women-led enterprises that are already developing low-cost, climate-resilient WASH solutions.

Dr Katja Yvonne Kerschbaumer, the Head of the Austrian Embassy in Uganda, said innovation in WASH must be driven by the needs and dignity of communities.

‘Innovation in WASH isn’t only about technology,’ she said. ‘It’s about restoring dignity, saving time, and giving people ownership of their future. Uganda’s youth and women innovators are already leading the way – they must be empowered further.’

Dr. Kerschbaumer reaffirmed Austria’s commitment to supporting Uganda’s WASH sector through capacity building, knowledge exchange, and targeted investment in innovation.

‘When we invest in innovation, we invest in health, education, and livelihoods,’ she said.

According to the Ministry of Water and Environment, Uganda’s safe water coverage currently stands at 72% in rural areas and 79% in urban areas, while sanitation coverage is 79.9% in rural and 91% in urban settings. However, sewerage coverage remains low, averaging only 18% in most towns.

Ms Anywar noted that poor sanitation and inadequate hygiene continue to cost Uganda heavily, with losses estimated at over UGX 389 billion annually due to preventable diseases and lost productivity.

‘Investing in WASH is not a luxury,’ she said. ‘It’s an economic imperative.’

The event concluded with Rotary Districts 9213 and 9214 signing an MOU with UWASNET to strengthen partnerships for safe water and sanitation for all.

District Governor Geoffrey Martin Kitakule said: ‘Water is our business. As Rotarians, one of our core areas of focus is water and sanitation, because without it, peace, dignity, and opportunity cannot thrive; Together, with partners and communities, we are starting a new journey with the WASH project to make safe water and sanitation a reality for all.’

Street style might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think about Ugandan fashion, but it is definitely one of the most expressive. It is laid-back yet intentional; the kind of style you throw on when you want to be comfortable, but still want to turn heads. And one of the brands taking the lead on this style in Kampala is Speedball, a homegrown label founded by David Mulolo, Bua Marvia, and John Barendse.

The brand is not only setting the trends with street style, but in a way also showing what is possible in Uganda, in as far as creativity is concerned. And in David’s words, ‘we wanted to stand with President Kaguta Museveni in pushing the BUBU [Buy Uganda Build Uganda] agenda!’

We caught up with the trio to talk about their journey, the culture around street wear, and how they are making it cool to wear Ugandan-made fashion.

So, how did Speedball come about?

The idea was born out of friendship and a shared love for creativity. We wanted to create something that represented us; young, bold, unapologetic, but also something that could stand alongside the global streetwear brands we admired. We also wanted to push the ‘Buy Uganda, Build Uganda’ agenda. In our own way, we felt we could contribute to that conversation by showing what is possible at home.

Do you still remember your very first design?

Oh yes, we will never forget it. It was the Wisdom and Power shirt from our Genesis Collection. The design carried the message that wisdom and power come from God. The response blew us away.

People were buying it as birthday gifts, and others were buying in groups just so they could match. It was more than just a T-shirt; it felt like joining a movement.

What gap did you want Speedball to fill on Uganda’s fashion scene?

We realised there was not much in terms of locally designed streetwear that young people could actually relate to. We wanted to create clothes that felt authentic to us, made by people our age, reflecting our own lived experiences. That is why our designs carry this fresh, youthful energy; they come straight from teenagers and 20-somethings who live and breathe this culture.

Streetwear is often tied to culture and community. What influences your aesthetic?

It comes from the things we want to experience ourselves. You know those moments when you see something online and think, ‘Why can’t I have that in Uganda?’ We take that idea, gather our friends, and make it happen. It is about creating experiences as much as it is about making clothes.

Do you think Ugandans are ready to fully embrace streetwear?

Definitely. In fact, Ugandans have always loved streetwear; they just did not have a homegrown brand giving it to them. Now, with new music, events, and creatives putting Uganda on global stages, there is a need for style that reflects that pride. People want something they can wear and proudly say, ‘Yes, this is from home.’

Who is a ‘Speedball wearer’ to you?

The main character. They are bold, creative, problem-solvers who do not just consume but create culture. They stand out. They are the experience.

What has been the most rewarding part of building the brand?

The community. Seeing thousands of people waiting for our drops or events; is surreal. That excitement and love make every late night and every challenge worth it.

What hurdles have you faced?

Resources; getting high-quality fabrics and materials is not always easy. Another is the lack of creative hubs in Kampala where young people can collaborate and build together. But, those challenges only push us harder. We believe in what we are doing, and we know God is backing us, so we keep moving.

Do you feel streetwear brands here get enough support?

No. There is demand because Ugandans love good things. But we need more production spaces, creative hubs, and government recognition of fashion as a serious industry that can compete globally.

If Speedball were a song or album, what would it be?

Kanye West’s Donda. It brought together many different artistes and styles to create something that glorifies God in a way the world had never seen before. That is the kind of energy we want for Speedball.

Which Ugandan celebrity would you love to see in Speedball?

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni. Imagine him in Speedball merch, or even attending one of our events; that would be life-changing for us.

What is the one piece that really represents the heart of your brand?

Our piece from the Random Shi campaign. It is unpredictable, bold, and deeply creative just like us. It also reflects the diverse network we have built, bringing together Ugandans, Rwandese, Japanese, Sudanese, Indians, name it.

How do you want people to feel when they wear Speedball?

They should feel like they belong to a diverse community full of interesting and creative people. Wearing Speedball is not just about clothes; it is about being part of a movement.

What’s next for the brand?

We are excited about December. We will be launching the Speedball Pop-Up, which is not just about shopping our pieces. It is going to be a space for networking, connecting, and celebrating this community we are building.

Miss Tourism Uganda (MTU) 2025 introduced Man of Tourism as a brand-new segment in their pageant this year and brought down the walls. One did not know what to expect of Man of Tourism after decades of getting conditioned to thinking that beauty pageants are strictly a female preserve.

The only events (before Man of Tourism) that come close to resembling a male pageant are the bodybuilding competitions, and even those pull small crowds of mostly bodybuilding enthusiasts. Which might explain why male pageants have historically been shunned by investors, until Man of Tourism.

The night of September 5, proved that men can bring new life to the runways of a beauty pageant in the most unexpected ways.

The Kampala Serena International Conference Centre was filled with families and supporters of the contestants by 7pm. Many of the supporters were university students, as most contestants are university students.

The whole building was buzzing with adrenaline, like a stadium on the night of the big match. There was drumming and clapping and blowing of vuvuzelas, especially at the back. This was a Miss Tourism finale like no other before.

Tall, chiselled, 21-year-olds were a part of the pageant this time, and the crowd, especially the young women, who happen to be the vast majority of pageant goers, were absolutely loving it. And for good reason. The outfits were stunning in a charming way, even to the male attendees.

For instance, to make the suits extra spicy for the runway, the designer had decided to add interesting details to otherwise ordinary suits. For applicability, one could easily see how such simple touches could transform any suit into a unique attire to achieve that extra sharp look on special occasions.

Because why bother attend the pageant if you cannot learn something worthwhile, right? Seeing those 11 young men walking up and down the runway, exuding of confidence and youthful masculinity was refreshing and noble. The organisers thought it was high time to include men in the pageant since the year’s theme was ‘I am my culture’ and men are an integral part of culture.

The idea to introduce Man of Tourism into MTU pageants was announced in March this year. ‘For once, this was a step in the right direction to lift up the boy child, putting the boy child on the pedestal and giving them a platform to shine after decades of social programmes focusing solely on the girl child. Many have complained about the lack of such a program and few have cared to do something about it,’ says Ivan Luggya, one of the MTU bosses.

On August 16, an unveiling event was held at Emin Pasha Hotel to reveal both the male and the female finalists.

The next three weeks leading up to the grand finale on September 5, would be filled with a boot camp where the contestants would be physically and mentally trained to withstand the grueling undertaking that is pageantry. But no matter how tough the boot camp turns out to be, nothing prepares you for several hours of strutting in front of a judgmental crowd while ensuring to smile confidently.

On that runway, these 11 pioneer male contestants for the Man of Tourism crown were walking a path that many would most likely follow going forward. They had been exposed to knowledge about tourism and the confidence to communicate that knowledge for the betterment of the industry. They had been trained on how to dress fashionably to give great first impressions. The men had been trained to hold their shoulders up and look up when talking.

But most notably, the men seemed like they had been put through thorough physical training to accentuate their masculine aspects. Because their bodies were so toned, you could almost see their abs through their fancy jackets. One thing was clear, they would not be left the same by this experience.

One hopes this sets a precedent across social programs that have hitherto focused exclusively on female empowerment. One major switch-up about this year’s grand finale was the lack of monotony from the attendees’ perspective and the luxury of rest on the part of the contestants.

Prior to this year, the girls had to constantly be on stage in one way or another, entertaining, answering questions or showing off their talents.

This time, when the Man of Tourism contestants were on stage, the Miss Tourism contestants were backstage resting their feet from the six-inch heels, catching a breath, and preparing for the next segment, and vice versa.

There was less visible stress, and the dances were more energetic because the contestants were more rested. This alternating action from the male to the female contestants made the pageant more interesting.

Miss Tourism events are notorious for lasting too long (it goes without saying), but somehow this didn’t feel that long because it was a little more entertaining, with each segment leaving you at a cliffhanger point.

It felt like a good movie running two plots to the same anticipated climax. Which is why the drumming and the vuvuzelas never stopped blaring as the crowd cheered for contestants deep into the night.

As the night wore on, the competition got tighter as contestants gave way for the luckier ones. The Q and A session, as always, was a test through fire. Many drop out not because they are not smart or beautiful but because the question is so complicated, almost no one would pass it.

For instance, when you are asked to name of all national parks in the country, while you may know them, saying them while counting them in front of the judges is harder than it seems initially. Compare that to a question that requires you to name the smallest national park and you start to get the picture. The Q and A session is like sports betting. You just cannot prepare enough for it.

And the winner….

As it was clocking 2am, the winners were announced. Isaac Amuriat , 27, from Ngora District in Teso region made history when he emerged Man of Tourism while Karamoja’s Kezia Cindy Nachap, 21, took the crown for Miss Tourism Uganda. The tallest, most ripped, most handsome man won the crown for Man of Tourism while the tallest, daintiest and shapeliest of the female contestants won the crown for Miss Tourism.

While you are never sure who will emerge winner, these two were no surprises at all. They stood out in the area of beauty on top of everything else. When you have been to a few pageants, it becomes clear that this is not always the case. The most unlikely contestants often win.Neither contestant had done well at all in the voting segment.

Amuriat had only received 6.27 percent of the votes and position number 5 while Nachap had only got 2.79 percent of the votes and position 10. But it turns out, behaviour and brain must match the physical beauty or else one’s chances of winning become slim. Amassing the most votes does not guarantee winning. It only guarantees a position in the top five, and then your personality takes it from there.

‘I didn’t win just because I stood out physically. We are judged all throughout the boot camp, where our general behaviour is scrutinized for hard work, time management, humility and leadership skills. I believe I won because I showed leadership skills (I was the team leader in boot camp. I also believe I won because I am humble and respectful,’ Amuriat says.

EgyptAir’s sponsorship includes 12 free air tickets to Miss Tourism.

All the success of the Uganda senior 7s teams can easily be attributed to one man. Tolbert Onyango.

Players have come and left in the last decade but Onyango has been the constant face.

But that has now changed following Wednesday’s announcement from the union confirming that he was stepping down from his role as the team’s head coach.

‘It is with mixed emotions that I write to inform you of the decision by Mr. Tolbert Onyango to step down as the Head Coach of the Uganda National Rugby Sevens Team after an extraordinary 10-year tenure,’ Uganda Rugby Union President Godwin Kayangwe revealed.

‘Onyango has been an integral figure in shaping Uganda’s rugby landscape, and his departure marks the end of a remarkable era,’ he added.

Onyango took on the mantle of the Uganda 7s team in 2015 and went on to transform the setup, helping Uganda to scale heights like never before.

That he is a winner is a no brainer. Uganda has won the Rugby Africa Sevens Championship four times with him at the helm.

The first one, won in Nairobi, Kenya, in 2016 might have come as a surprise but what followed at home in 2017 was a glimpse of what to expect of Uganda in the 7s code of the game.

Two more African titles came in 2022 and 2024.

The 2017 and 2022 victories were special as they helped Uganda secure qualification to the Rugby World Cup Sevens and the Commonwealth Games.

With names like Eric Kasiita, Philip Wokorach, Michael Wokorach, Adrian Kasito, Ian Munyani, Aaron Ofoyrwoth, Desire Ayera, Alex Aturinda, Pius Ogena and Nobert Okeny, Onyango took Uganda places.

Respect

In his decade-long journey, Onyango has earned Uganda respect on the African continent.

His final engagement with the team was the 2025 Rugby Africa Men’s 7s in Mauritius where Uganda finished fifth.

He leaves at a time the team is seemingly going through a rebuilding phase, with new faces joining the set up.

Allan Olango, Mark Osuna, Jones Kamiza, Arnold Ocen, Karim Arinaitwe and Malcolm Okello are some of the new kids on the block.

Their journey, however, will have to be shaped by a different tactician.

The Union has now named Allan Otim as the Caretaker head of the Rugby Sevens team.

‘In light of Coach Onyango’s departure, the Uganda Rugby Union is pleased to announce the appointment of Allan Otim as the Caretaker Head of the National Rugby Sevens Team,’ Kayangwe’s communication revealed.

Otim has worked with Onyango over the years and is expected to continue with the team’s targets.

Making it to the world series remains as Uganda’s biggest target.

‘We are confident that under his guidance, the team will continue to build on this strong legacy and deliver outstanding performances.’

Otim will have his work cut out and comparisons to Onyango will come naturally. It remains to be seen whether he, or any other coach, will be able to fill the big shoes left by Onyango.

Key achievements during Onyango’s tenure at Rugby Cranes 7s:

Africa Men’s 7s Champions – 2016, 2017, 2022 and 2024

2018 – Rugby World Cup Sevens debut

2022 – Qualified for Commonwealth Games, 2020 Tokyo Olympic qualifiers and RWC Sevens.

2024 – African Games champions

The Namasagali Old Students Association (NOSA) has consecrated a beautifully designed mausoleum in memory of the Late Sir Fr. Damien Grimes at Namasagali Chapel in Kamuli District.

The event was a celebration of his enduring legacy and a rallying call for alumni to return, rebuild, and restore the past glory of Namasagali College.

During the ceremony, the alumni raised Shs20m in cash and pledges to support the construction of a new administration block at the college.

The mausoleum, a symbol of both religious and educational tourism, is a work of art adorned with elegant tiles, sacred Catholic Church colors, and a tomb designed in a sharp V-shape with a slanted roof entrance.

Chairperson of the old students, Ms Maureen Mwagale, described the mausoleum as a home worthy of the man who touched countless lives through his service and love.

“Fr. Grimes was controversial, yes, but full of conviction,” she said. “Today, we don’t just unveil a building, we consecrate a legacy. This is a sacred sanctuary that must be guarded with the same devotion Fr. Grimes showed to us.”

First Deputy Prime Minister, Ms. Rebecca Kadaga, who presided over the consecration, praised the alumni for giving their founding father and mentor a lasting and dignified legacy. “He now rests in peace, at a place of his choosing, surrounded by the love of those he served,” she said.

Uganda’s Ambassador to Moscow and former State Minister for Karamoja Affairs, Mr. Moses Kizige, urged fellow alumni to uphold the virtues Fr. Grimes instilled – unity, safety, and “service.” “His Sunday ‘Life, Safety, and Welfare Lectures’ remain our compass,” he said. “Let us not deviate, for even asleep, a lion remains a lion. We must, in unison, strive regardless.”

The mausoleum is a testament to Fr. Grimes’ life’s work, values, and vision, and a permanent reminder of what it means to lead with compassion, discipline, and enduring purpose.

Last Wednesday, Dr Kizza Besigye walked into the High Court in Kampala flanked by Obeid Lutale and Capt Denis Oola, his co-accused in a treason case the State has been working on for nearly a year.

His arm shot up and frenetically flashed the V-sign as supporters with access from an upper-floor vantage point both musically and lyrically urged that the veteran politician ‘never surrender[s].’

Across four electoral cycles, from 2001 to 2016, Dr Besigye left his rivals in the National Resistance Movement (NRM) party on tenterhooks with energetic displays at rallies where the V-sign was generously flashed.

After sitting out the 2021 presidential poll, it increasingly looks like he will remain behind bars as candidates barnstorm the country before Ugandans cast their votes in January. On Wednesday, the 69-year-old took what has since been described as a defiant stand in court when he engaged Justice Emmanuel Baguma in a direct exchange.

While there is no love lost between Dr Besigye and Justice Baguma, who the former accuses of being biased, a section of leaders in the Kigezi Sub-region have warned that the continued denial of court bail and detention of the four-time presidential candidate will not be without consequences. Mr Leopold Twesigye, the leader of the Opposition at Kabale District Council, told Sunday Monitor that many people in Kigezi may opt for a protest vote against NRM candidates on account of their son of the soil being victimised.

‘Some people in the Kigezi region have a feeling that denying Dr Kizza Besigye his constitutional right to get bail is total victimisation and abuse of the rights of their son. Some people are opting for a protest vote against the NRM party flag bearers and vote for the Opposition members because they feel their son is being victimised,’ Mr Twesigye said on Thursday.

Protest vote

Statistics from the Electoral Commission (EC) show that, in the 2016 General Election, Dr Besigye polled 161,838 votes in Kigezi against Mr Museveni’s 328,678 votes. Mr Roland Mugume Kaginda, a member of Besigye’s People’s Front for Freedom (PFF) party and former lawmaker of Rukungiri Municipality, disclosed that while some people in the area are planning to boycott the 2026 General Election, others are intent on voting out NRM politicians.

‘Majority of the people in Rukungiri District have already started sidelining the NRM party flag bearers by mobilising support for all the Opposition candidates because they feel the son of the soil, Dr Besigye, is being detained illegally. Two Opposition candidates vying for the post of district councillor in Rukungiri went through unopposed because the NRM party members feared competing with them,’ Mr Mugume said.

Dr Thaddius Nicholas Kamara, the Kabale Municipality lawmaker, reiterated Mr Mugume’s claims. ‘Many people who believed in Dr Besigye’s ideology of agitating for change in government leadership through democratic means feel that his continued detention is malicious. Others believe voting for Opposition leaders in the forthcoming general election will be the only way to show their feelings about the continued detention of the son,’ Dr Kamara said. Mr Daniel Eguma, the executive director Kigezi Human Rights Foundation, says PFF party candidates in Kigezi Sub-region may earn a sympathy vote because of the continued detention of their party leader. Mr Eguma said the impact will be most felt in the urban areas where Dr Besigye is the darling of many. Less so in rural constituencies where support for the ruling NRM party remains strong. ‘It’s a stretch’ Mr Edison Turyahabwa, the publicity secretary for the NRM party in Kabale District, told Sunday Monitor that threats of a so-called protest vote and the Opposition getting a sympathy vote are empty and hollow.

‘The NRM party support in the Kigezi [Sub-]region is massive and cannot be shaken by sentiments of a few individual Opposition leaders. Many people in this [sub-]region have benefited from the NRM government poverty eradication programmes such as the Parish Development Model, Youth Livelihood Funds, Emyooga, the Uganda Women Entrepreneurship Programme, among others. I strongly disagree with those politicians claiming that NRM party flag bearers will lose in the 2026 General Election because of Dr Kizza Besigye’s detention,’ Mr Turyahabwe said. Similarly, Mr Chris Turyomurugyendo, the assistant Resident District Commissioner (RDC) for Kabale District, said the detention of Dr Besigye is not connected with the politics of Kigezi.

90 percent target

‘People from the Kigezi [Sub-]region should not be diverted by some Opposition politicians using the issue of Dr Besigye, and they should continue with their mobilisation strategies to ensure President Museveni and all the NRM party candidates win the 2026 General Election with more than 90 percent. The arrest and detention of Dr Besigye has no negative impact in the politics of Kigezi [Sub-]region because the charges he is facing did not originate from this region,’ Mr Turyomurugyendo concluded. Away from lush greenery and cultivated fields of Kigezi, and to the concrete jungle of Kampala, Dr Besigye wrote a letter to Justice Baguma on Friday.

‘Being a person accused of a serious offence, I find it strange and oppressive if I cannot raise a concern directly in open court. If each time a written submission of the concern has to be made and time fixed for your response, the case may never be concluded. Meanwhile, I remain confined in prison,’ Dr Besigye wrote.

‘Be that as it may, prior to raising my concern in writing, I request you to point me to the provisions of the law that bar an accused person from orally raising concerns in court, touching their trial during audience with the judge in the presence of their lawyers,’ he added. Court is expected to reconvene on the eve of Independence Day-on Wednesday-to consider the concerns Dr Besigye penned.

October 3, 2025 marked a very historic and important celebration in my country Luxembourg. It is the day of our Grand Duke Henri’s abdication and the succession ceremony. On this day, in the Grand Ducal palace in the heart of Luxembourg City, there was formal signing of the Act of Abdication by the Grand Duke, followed by the swearing-in ceremony of his son, Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume, the new Grand Duke of Luxembourg.

There was three days of celebrations to mark the events, with the usual ceremonies and receptions that included institutions in Luxembourg, diplomatic corps and other Royal families from all over the world.

Of course, the general public was not deprived from sharing these festivities.

They caught a glimpse of the Royal family as they waved to the public from the balcony of the Grand Ducal Palace, and as the royal couple was travelling to major cities in the north and south of the country. More people were able to meet and greet them. The last day of celebrations (today) we shall have a Sunday mass with Te Deum at the capital’s famous Notre-Dame Cathedral with the invitation done by the Archbishop of Luxembourg.

Grand Duke Henri and his family, are considered among the richest Royal families in Europe, yet this family remains close to its citizens.

I have lived a few years here before going to live abroad, and in it was one of those years when Duke Henri was still Heir Apparent , that we went with my husband to watch a movie in one of the smaller cinemas in Luxembourg City.

It was a new release and the queue was long, a bit further down the line, and in front of us, Duke Henri was in the same queue with his children.

I pointed out that to my husband as our Duke has very distinguished features that I could easily recognise him, a tall slim and extremely good looking man.

Truly representing all the royal blood that was running in his veins of generations of Dukes and kings and royal families, yet, humble.

He was standing in line, waiting for his turn, no VIP treatment and no visible bodyguards harassing the population. They paid for their tickets and entered the hall with everyone else. If anyone can tell me how many royals with billions of worth, will do the same, there maybe people who have other stories to tell.

I tell what I personally witnessed , my respect for the Grand Ducal family grew tenfold after this experience.

Another thing that strikes me about Grand Duke Henri, is that though he is not yet too old, he is only 70 years old, he decided to relinquish his position and give it to his son.

On that, he said this was a ‘natural process’ and that time had come for his generation to retire.

Again, this is another rare case of a head of state who knows his capabilities and who could have clung to the throne much longer, yet he let it go. He stated that he left with great gratitude and humility to let the next generation to take over, a new generation in which he had full confidence.

Congratulations Luxembourg, my beautiful country on this wonderful and historic occasion.

We, old men, always feel uneasy when dry bones are mentioned in a proverb – a saying I took lightly in my younger days, but which I understand better now that I am officially an old man. So even if I speak generally, some sensibilities might be slighted! Just thought, though, that I’d help you take a sneak peek behind the curtains and tell you how presidential races play out in sub-Saharan Africa, otherwise called Black Africa.

But before that, I thought it’d be a good idea to point out that, for the record, this is the first presidential race, under the 1995 Constitution, where every contestant is flying a party flag. In the 1996 and 2001 elections, candidates ran on individual merit under the so-called ‘Movement Political System’, which is best described as a fraud, perfected into an art form, and worthy of patent. We’re talking about an elaborate charade, codified into law, and celebrated as reform.

A carefully – and dubiously – choreographed illusion, elevated to statecraft, and marketed as a democratic virtue and political system. In short, the Movement system was a masterclass in political sleight of hand, refined into a part-science-part-art, and paraded as a Ugandan speciality and its initiator – whose name I can’t recall just now – was celebrated as a national genius of rare proportion. Yawn, yawn, pass the salt! So, what should a keen eye look for in this election? Where you have a despotic or fascist government, the challenge usually comes in the form of how to present itself as a proper, democratic outfit to position itself as a good corporate citizen of the international community.

On the whole, it is common practice in Black Africa to have stooge candidates. These are candidates planted in order to give the election credibility, to give an otherwise despotic government a broad, democratic outlook.

This is good diplomacy: a classic example of statecraft aimed at signalling pluralism while retaining control. A tactical exercise in political façade and regime stabilisation. This is an instance of performative democratisation designed to secure both domestic and international legitimacy.

Stooge candidates are less about competition than choreography-carefully staged to sell the illusion of democracy while delivering political mileage to the regime.

Stooges may not have any particular merit worthy of note; but as long as they are in the contest, the ruling party will point to them and tell the whole, wide world, ‘See? This is a competitive democracy; people are free to do as they like – they even challenge the president!’ Then there will be the spoiler candidates: strategically positioned by dominant parties to fragment Opposition support and influence overall vote distribution.

Their presence in the election has, therefore, nothing to do with winning it; they are strategic to the ruling party because they split the Opposition vote and, therefore, make it impossible for the leading Opposition candidate to gain traction.

Candidates like that do not have mass appeal on a national scale, but they will be strong in certain parts of the country where the incumbent is not guaranteed a great performance. They are therefore in it, not to win it, but to spoil it by muddying the waters for the leading Opposition contenders. This tactic reflects a calculated approach to vote management, where additional candidates are introduced to dilute competing blocs.

Candidates like that will have lots of unexplained money during the campaign… and even more after the ruling party candidate has been sworn in. That brings me to the third category: the salesmen. Purely commercial candidates.

They treat elections the way traders treat market stalls: set up shop, display some posters, and wait for the highest bidder. Winning the vote is rarely the goal; cashing out is. Salesmen will, at a critical point, withdraw in favour of some candidate.

For them, democracy is just a bazaar where the ballot paper is not a covenant with the people but a receipt for services rendered. The salesmen see elections not as contests of ideas but as auctions of opportunity. They enter the ballot not to lead the people, but to invoice the process.

In their hands, candidacy is less a calling than a commodity-bought, sold, and withdrawn at the right price. For the salesman, politics is simply business conducted under the cover of democracy. So, good people, take a good, long look at those eight…

The Badman from Kamwokya is seeking to become the ‘baddest’ man for State House. Accordingly, during the week, he was reported to have spoken up for value addition in factories to lift Uganda’s farmers up to where they belong. He added that sugarcane farmers can’t even afford sugar under current government policies.

The Badman’s evident concern for the farmers is familiar. It recalls the movie Head of State, a 2003 American political comedy film about an African-American alderman (Chris Rock as May Gilliam) from Washington, DC, who is now thrust into the US presidential elections of 2004.

During a campaign stop, Gilliam says, [as crowds get more agitated] ‘How many of you work in a city you can’t afford to live in? That ain’t right! How many of you work in a mall you can’t afford to shop in?

That ain’t right! [crowd responds with That ain’t right! with every question] How many of you clean up a hotel… you ain’t never gonna be able to stay in? That ain’t right! And we got nurses that work in hospitals they can’t even afford to get sick in. It ain’t right! It ain’t right. It ain’t right. [to campaign staffers] It isn’t right! [to crowd] That s**t is wrong! It’s dead wrong!’ It makes sense now.

By juxtaposing the conditions of farmers alongside the conditions they find themselves in, he uses contrast to reveal an absurdity. This aberration in the nation, as Badman would sing, reveals farmers who produce what they don’t consume and consume what they can’t produce.

In the process, they even get diabetes from the sweet nothings the government promises them. It’s a cold world (and politics is ice). One in which sugar is no longer a term of endearment. It now represents a bitter reality. Sure, the sugar farmers have the opportunity to transform this situation by electing Badman to do good things.

However, sugar is too sweet a factor to address the sourness in our politics. Badman should instead address himself to the matooke farmers. Because, quite frankly, everything seems to have gone bananas right now. Furthermore, in view of us being what we eat, we have lost it.

But the matooke farmers have not. They do not eat matooke. It is too expensive. So they eat cassava, as nobody has ever advised them to eat cake. The Badman will do well to address the matooke farmers.

That’s because matooke is green, like Badman when asked about fiscal policy. This is a perfect fit. When policy knowledge reflects the conditions which gave rise to that policy, it’s called consistency. And that’s what the Ugandan voter wants.

Consistency implies that when candidates become leaders, they stay in candidate mode. Thereby continuously wooing us towards a better Uganda.

Consistency also means that the taxes we pay square with the incomes we have. It follows simple maths. One plus one equals more when the taxes we pay approximate a less-is-more mentality. In this vein, candidates for the highest office in the land should say less. In this way, the mystery surrounding their ‘intelligence’ remains a mystery. One similar to where all the taxes go. We know Mzee is not eating the money. He only has one white shirt.

The minister in charge of youth would say that white is the new orange, but those are his things. Let him solve those with the fashion police. They have been trying to lock him up forever over his previous ‘one man, one shirt’ policy.

It may sound democratic, but people like Mzee approach fashion the way they approach the truth. They acknowledge its versions and not its absolutism. That is why Mzee has many versions of that one UPM-white shirt he wears like body armour protecting him from a past in which he had to go to the bush due to a failed election.

Being surrounded by Mao, who is suddenly everywhere, he can simulate the green that comes with the bush just in case he needs to take a selfie that shows everyone he is still bush-compliant.

Badman is reportedly going to meet rice farmers next. He understands that some Ugandans call them ‘lice farmers’, courtesy of the Runyankore learnt in The Basement.

Ayeee-yee! Welcome October! Iyaaa-yaa, I see you December! Brethren, this is me doing a traditional dance to welcome the new month. Three more months and boom, we are done with 2025. I think decluttering is always a good way to usher in a new season.

But let us leave aside the old jerricans, car tyres, broken plastic basins etc, that are probably cluttering your house right now, have you tried digital decluttering? Last weekend, my husband left his phone at home.

At some point, I noticed that he was receiving messages from a WhatsApp group that he was no longer involved in.

I got curious and took a look at his other groups (do not worry, he did not mind, we actually know each other’s passwords, unlike those married people who would rather die than let their spouse touch their phone) and what did I discover? He was in not one, not five, not 10 but almost 20 defunct WhatsApp groups.

Later that evening, we went through the groups one by one, exiting and deleting them. One particularly striking one was a group where the members were, wait for it, himself and only himself! And that was because everyone else had already left.

Like me, I am sure you often despair over just how many WhatsApp groups you have to be in for the purposes of work, fundraising and family communication.

Why be in any unnecessary group? If the person you were raising funds for got buried, the photos were shared and the reconciliation of moneys done, it is time to leave the group, or are you hanging around until it is your turn to need a burial committee?

Do you know the term for people who stubbornly stay in groups they should have left a long time ago? Monitoring spirits.

Stop hanging around for gossip and memes and just leave! This will save you the heart palpitations and acute embarrassment of being kicked out of a WhatsApp group once the admins notice that their 100-strong group only has 25 active members and 75 monitoring spirits.

Declutter your WhatsApp groups today and experience freedom!