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The Electricity Regulatory Authority (ERA) has launched a nationwide inspection of electricity infrastructure, with officials recently visiting the Entebbe substation as part of the exercise.

The inspections aim to assess the viability and challenges faced by Uganda Electricity Distribution Company Limited (UEDCL), which took over operations from Umeme.

According to Julius Wandera, ERA’s Director of Consumer Affairs, the inspections will help understand UEDCL’s operational challenges on the ground.

“We are doing this to try to understand the extent to which our colleagues at UEDCL have moved from the time they took over the network not from a desk report point of view, but from a field point of view,” he explained.

Wandera noted that there were “teething problems” when UEDCL took over, partly because Umeme had reduced maintenance for about four months before the transition in April. “We expect that they should be handling the remedial challenges if there are any,” he added.

During the visit to Entebbe substation, Wandera observed that the substation has an unused capacity of 80 MVA, positioning it to accommodate additional electrical load in the areas it serves.

“This substation here has got the capacity to feed the areas it’s supposed to and it retains a capacity of 80 MVA to be precise right now. That means that it is not consumed totally at all,” he said.

He added that the available capacity implies the substation can support more infrastructure development and added load without strain. “So we can still add on load. We can have more infrastructure coming on board and the load is added and the substation will still handle it,” he noted.

Eng Judith Sengendo Nayiga, ERA’s Director of Technical Regulation, highlighted efforts toward smarter grids and systems for real-time monitoring and feedback.

“Through having systems that are intelligent, we’ll be able to get to where we want,” she said, noting progression from Umeme’s established base.

The ERA officials urged the public to report issues and refrain from celebrating network vandalism.

“Do not celebrate a vandal,” Wandera stressed, emphasizing citizens’ responsibility to curb such acts causing outages. Teams are distributed across Uganda, covering Kampala, West, East, and North, to ensure a comprehensive assessment of electricity infrastructure.

The government is seeking a new law that will require all journalists to obtain official certificates and be registered to work.

The State Minister for ICT and National Guidance, Mr Godfrey Kabyanga, said the proposed press and journalism law will make it compulsory for all journalists to register with a regulatory body before they can be allowed to practice.

He explained that the goal of the proposed law is to bring order to the media industry and remove unqualified people who call themselves journalists without proper training.

Right now, the law already says journalists should register with the Media Council, but very few have done so. Mr Kabyanga warned that the new law will make it a must to have a license to work as a journalist in Uganda. ‘The government wants to replace the current media law. This new law will set up a regulatory body to oversee and guide journalism,’ he said.

Speaking to media owners, journalists, security officials, and members of the Uganda Communications Commission at Bomah Hotel in Gulu City on September 26, Mr Kabyanga said journalism, like other professions such as medicine and engineering, needs to be regulated.

He compared it to a recent move to create a body that oversees human resource officers. ‘Right now, anyone can wake up and say they’re a journalist. That needs to change,’ he added.

Despite Uganda having 280 radio stations and 31 TV stations, fewer than 500 journalists are officially accredited. The Nwoya Resident District Commissioner, Mr Christopher Omara, also raised concerns, saying many media houses are hiring people without the right qualifications.

He accused some of these unqualified reporters, especially at private radio stations, of spreading false or misleading information.

‘Many of these so-called journalists don’t understand the issues they report on. That’s why the quality of journalism is so poor. Media houses need to hire skilled and competent people if they want to improve,’ Mr Omara said.

Local artiste Alien Skin, real name Patrick Mulwana, has been arrested and detained at Katwe Police Station over allegations connected to the death of Wilfred Namuwaya, a former member of Fangone Forest.

This follows several days of the singer’s disappearance, with some of his crew members and fans accusing authorities of holding him incommunicado.

His last public appearance was at President Museveni’s nomination party at Kololo Ceremonial Grounds, where he performed and openly declared his allegiance to the ruling NRM.

According to Kampala Metropolitan Police spokesperson Patrick Onyango, the singer handed himself yesterday to the Directorate of Crime Intelligence before being transferred to Katwe Police Station for questioning.

‘Alien Skin, whose real name is Patrick Mulwana, has been arrested today, October 1, 2025, in connection with the death of Wilfred Namuwaya, alias Top Dancer. He is currently at Katwe Police where his statement is being recorded,’ Mr Onyango confirmed.

He added that detectives are also hunting for other associates, including Commander Mdogo (real name withheld), Ibrahim Mukiibi alias Ibra Kabadiya, and Isma Mijagulo, over their alleged role in the fatal assault.

‘The group severely beat Namuwaya and later dumped him at a clinic. We are pursuing all those involved,’ Mr Onyango said.

Namuwaya was reportedly abducted from Ndeeba by Alien Skin’s associates , and taken to the group’s base in Kizungu, Makindye, where he was brutally beaten. Before his death, Namuwaya allegedly told investigators that the assault was carried out on the direct orders of Alien Skin.

Mr Onyango backed this account. ‘Alien Skin allegedly instructed his team to discipline Namuwaya for leaving Fangone Forest without permission. The group severely assaulted him and later abandoned him in Mpomba Zone. He was rushed to Mulago Hospital by a Good Samaritan, where he was confirmed dead on September 22,’ he said.

A doctor at Ayaan Life Care Medical Centre, where Namuwaya was first taken, told Monitor that the victim had suffered catastrophic injuries.

‘He had severe internal bleeding beyond our capacity,’ the doctor, who requested anonymity, said.

‘We tried to stabilise him before referring him to Mulago, but he was pronounced dead on arrival,’ he added.

The Parish Development Model (PDM) has the potential to transform Uganda into a cash-based economy if managed properly, surpassing its current state, experts and political actors revealed.

This comes barely a month after President Museveni completed his countrywide tour, during which he called the programme a complete success.

With Uganda having 70 percent of its population engaged in agriculture, which contributes 24.7 percent to the country’s GDP, experts believe that PDM, the government’s latest poverty alleviation programme aimed at uplifting the 39 percent population from a subsistence to a money economy, could be a game-changer if key reforms are made before it naturally dies like its predecessor programmes.

Former Finance minister Prof Ezra Suruma, who first mooted the PDM idea about 20 years ago, as highlighted in his 2014 book Project MUSE: Advancing the Ugandan Economy, notes that the government rushed the PDM implementation, thereby making it lose its intended focus.

Aim

Launched on February 27, 2022, by President Museveni in Bukedi Sub-region, PDM is the latest government poverty alleviation programme that seeks to transform 39 percent of Ugandan subsistence households into a money economy, enhance their overall quality of life, alleviate poverty, and reduce vulnerability across the country.

The programme has seven pillars: production, storage, processing, and marketing; infrastructure and economic services; financial inclusion; social services; mindset change; parish-based management information system; and governance and administration.

The government injects Shs100 million annually into each parish-based Sacco, where the money is lent to beneficiaries at a one percent interest rate.

A flat amount of Shs1 million is lent to each beneficiary, who starts repayment after three years, turning it into a revolving fund. Between FY2021/22 and FY2024/2025, the government committed Shs3.6 trillion to the programme. In FY2023/24, the vote fell to Shs1.09 trillion, further reduced to Shs1.059 trillion in FY2024/25, before rising again to Shs1.59 trillion in the current financial year.

Poverty vs PDM

By the time of PDM’s launch, an estimated 42 percent of Ugandans were experiencing multidimensional poverty, according to the 2022 Uganda Bureau of Statistics (Ubos) Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI). Three financial years after rollout, PDM had reached 832,746 households, according to the 2024 National Population and Housing Census (NPHC).

Still, 3.5 million households-about 33.1 percent of the population-remained in subsistence. This is the same cohort PDM targeted at launch in 2022, raising questions about whether the programme is moving at the necessary pace. Shadow Finance Minister and Kira Municipality MP Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda argues that the modest budget undermines the project.

‘You cannot give Shs12 trillion to 400,000 government employees in terms of salaries and other things such as cars, and give Shs1 trillion to 14 million poor Ugandans and expect the latter to liberate themselves from poverty,’ he said. Other experts echo concerns that planning gaps have diluted effectiveness.

Mr Aloysious Kittengo, the programme coordinator, financing for development at SEATINI Uganda, observes that anchoring the programme to agro-industrialisation is critical.

‘If farmers are producing where industries guarantee ready markets, the initiative creates value. Otherwise, production without market access leaves beneficiaries stranded,’ he said. Mr Richard Ssempala, an economist and lecturer at Makerere University, stressed the importance of a whole-society approach.

‘PDM cannot be standalone. Commercialisation gains may be offset by structural bottlenecks such as poor roads, limited electricity, or high medical costs. These reduce household resilience even when farmers succeed at production,’ he said.

Structural concerns

A new study by the Economic Policy Research Centre of Makerere University (EPRC) urged the government to improve fund disbursement timeliness, enhance market access, and strengthen women’s participation. Recommendations include: financial literacy training, faster fund releases, cooperative strengthening, storage expansion, and gender-sensitive enterprise selection.

The EPRC proposals mirror what Prof Suruma had recommended in his book, years before PDM’s implementation. He had suggested training parish leaders through the National Advanced Leadership Institute at Kyankwanzi, preparing them in record-keeping, cooperative management, microfinance, irrigation, and savings discipline. He also recommended manuals for rural cooperative management, produced by the Uganda Cooperative Alliance.

In his later speech at a SEATINI Uganda event in September 2024, Prof Suruma criticised the government for rushing implementation and sidelining these preparatory steps. He argued that the Shs100 million allocations should have been channelled through financial institutions with grassroots infrastructure, not directly through unprepared parish structures.

Political reactions

Nakaseke South legislator Paulson Luttamaguzi Semakula, questioned the logic of disbursing money before putting strong systems in place. ‘If you look at the PDM where he is inspecting empty kraals, it is not helping because how can you start giving people money to liberate them from poverty instead of putting in place systems that work.and even the one million is not given to intended beneficiaries,’ he said.

In response, ICT Minister, Dr Chris Baryomunsi, defended the government.

‘When the President promised that he would start PDM, the question should be did the PDM start-yes it is there. If people are stealing money on the ground, you cannot blame it on the President. He has even directed security to arrest those mishandling it,’ he said. State Minister for Finance (General Duties) Henry Musasizi maintained that the programme is steadily improving rural livelihoods.

President Museveni himself toured all 18 sub-regions between November 2024 and July this year, assessing progress. At each stop, he declared the PDM a success with only minimal challenges, such as theft by parish chiefs.

Beneficiaries speak out

On the ground, beneficiaries report mixed experiences. Peter Mukose, a boda boda rider and tomato farmer from Kaliro District, said: ‘The PDM money helped me in getting extra land for my tomatoes, secured pesticides, and paid labour. Since then, my business has expanded.’ Ms Florence Amoro of Moroto District also invested wisely.

‘I put part of it into business and also bought a cow at Shs500,000, which I later sold profitably. The PDM has improved my family’s livelihood because we are no longer living on empty stomachs. My children are in school, I can dress them, and I can buy medicine when needed,’ she said. But others remain excluded.

Mr Joseph Opio Lometo, the speaker of South Division in Lwechede Village, said his group of 15 people never received funds.

‘They told us we shall receive the money after the election, so we are waiting. Some people benefited but misused it. Some used it for rent or debts,’ he said.

In Bukedi, Busoga, Lango, and Karamoja, field visits revealed reluctance among many recipients to repay, treating the money as a government gift rather than a revolving loan.

Ms Margaret Mudong, the Nakadel Parish Chief, acknowledged the problem.

‘Some are progressing, and some are not. We are telling those who first received the money to plan to return it because their time is done,’ she said.

The PDM remains a contested programme. On one hand, it has enabled households such as Mukose’s and Amoro’s to shift from subsistence to modest commercialisation.

On the other, slow fund release, poor planning, structural bottlenecks, and misuse raise doubts about sustainability.

Experts stress that Uganda’s transition from subsistence to cash-based economy requires more than cash injections. It requires coherent policy alignment with agro-industrialisation, infrastructure improvement, literacy campaigns, and stronger institutions.

About programme

The Parish Development Model (PDM) was launched on February 27, 2022, in the Bukedi Sub-region with the goal of moving 39 percent of Ugandans from subsistence farming into the money economy. The programme targets 3.5 million households and allocates Shs100 million annually to each parish, managed through Savings and Credit Cooperatives (Saccos).

Each beneficiary is entitled to a flat loan of Shs1 million at an interest rate of one percent, with repayment beginning after three years to create a revolving fund.

The Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) has postponed this year’s Kampala City Festival from October 5 to October 12, 2025, following consultations with key stakeholders, including security agencies.

The festival, initially scheduled as a pre-Independence Day celebration, will now take place days later, allowing the city to host the official national Independence Day events.

KCCA Executive Director Hajjat Sharifah Buzeki confirmed the adjustment, saying, “The festival will now take place on October 12 after the official Independence Day celebrations. We shall kick off with a grand procession starting from Buganda Road through Kyagwe up to Kololo Ceremonial Grounds.”

Buzeki added that beyond entertainment, the festival would highlight the Authority’s beautification initiatives, including tree planting along Nile Avenue and other city greening programs.

“The Kampala City Festival is one of the most popular annual social events, attracting thousands of city dwellers and visitors,” she said. “KCCA expects this year’s edition to draw even larger numbers, given the festival’s return after disruptions caused by COVID-19 and other logistical constraints.”

As crowds prepare for the festivities, police have unveiled a detailed plan to maintain order and safeguard the event. Kampala Metropolitan Police spokesperson, ACP Rusoke Kituuma outlined guidelines aimed at preventing crime and ensuring smooth access to Kololo Ceremonial Grounds.

“All people entering Kololo will go through access control checks, and any unauthorised objects will be confiscated,” he said.

Kituuma urged revelers to use designated entrances to avoid delays or inconveniences and cautioned parents to closely monitor their children during the celebrations.

“Take care of your children because we do not want to register cases of abandoned minors, which not only cause distress but also inconvenience the deployed security teams,” he stressed.

Traffic management around Kololo will be tightly controlled, with a security checkpoint set up at Hotel Africana and a map displayed to guide motorists.

Motorists will be diverted to Lugogo bypass for access to Kololo, with cut-off points enforced at Upper Elgon Terrace, Katikati traffic lights, and Prince Charles-Obua Road.

VIP parking will be at Kololo grounds through Elgon and Kololo Police Post Gate, but strictly for vehicles with official stickers. Non-VIP parking will be at City High School and Kabojja Junior School. Kituuma stressed that parking on road reserves is prohibited, and abandoned vehicles will be towed at the owner’s cost.

Kituuma reassured the public that all security agencies have been mobilized in a joint operation to safeguard the festival.

“Security is complete under unity and synergy, and we call upon the public to collaborate with us to make sure the festival is safe and enjoyable,” he emphasised.

With the festival now set for October 12, KCCA and police are urging city dwellers to prepare early, follow the guidelines, and embrace the celebration as both a cultural and civic event that unites the world.

The government has issued a stern ultimatum to striking teachers, giving them seven days to return to class or risk dismissal for abandoning duty.

The teachers, mainly from secondary schools, laid down their tools on September 15, 2025, demanding salary enhancements and fulfillment of past government pledges.

Speaking to the media in Kampala on Thursday, Ministry for Public Service Muruli Mukasa said the ongoing industrial action was unlawful and is in breach of existing labor laws.

“Their strike has disrupted learning in several parts of the country, with pupils and students left unattended barely a month into the third term,” he said.

Mukasa added that government would consider teachers who fail to report back to school within the stipulated period to have voluntarily resigned.

“You are hereby enjoined to call off the industrial action, and for your members especially those who are participating to resume duty immediately and not beyond one week, or else you will be regarded as having abandoned duty and resigned accordingly,” he said.

Minister Mukasa revealed that government has demonstrated commitment to improving the welfare of teachers and other public servants through a phased salary enhancement plan.

“A total of Shs 2.5 trillion has been committed to salary enhancement since the 2018/2019 financial year,” he said.

He added that the government has already drawn up an enhancement plan for the 2026/2027 financial year, which includes a pledge to raise the salaries of humanities teachers by 25 percent of the approved targets.

“These proposals have been submitted to the Ministry of Finance for consideration in the forthcoming budget,” he said.

Minister Mukasa urged that the teachers’ strike does not meet the legal requirements for industrial action.

“No certificate of dispute was issued by the Public Service Negotiating and Consultative Council before the strike commenced, making it unlawful,” he said.

The General Secretary of the Uganda National Teachers Union (UNATU), Filbert Baguma, responded to the warning, saying that government knows where the teachers are and therefore there is no reason for intimidation and threats.

“What we need are the answers and not the threats and intimidation; the industrial action continues,” he said.

As the ultimatum clock ticks, anxiety remains high among teachers who have not resumed their duties since the term started. The standoff between the government and teachers continues, with no immediate resolution in sight.

As Maj Gen (rtd) Gregory Mugisha Muntu, the Alliance for National Transformation (ANT) presidential flagbearer, embarks on his campaign in Mitooma and Rubirizi districts today, residents are eager to hear his stance on issues that have long affected the area.

Bordering Queen Elizabeth National Park, the two districts have faced persistent human-wildlife conflict. Residents want government to erect an electric fence to prevent animals from straying into communities.

‘We want the government to intensify the process of putting up the electric fence to stop the wild animals from invading our communities,’ said Ms Jeniva Nalongo, a resident of Rubirizi. She added that the area’s tourism potential remains underdeveloped despite its proximity to major attractions. ‘Our tourism sector is underdeveloped yet we are surrounded by great features. We need a facility to help us benefit directly from the park.’

Mr John Twesigye Ntamuhiira, the MP for Bunyaruguru County, faulted the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) over what he termed excessive force.

‘Killing people on site in the national park is a very big issue. A warden should use skills to disable an intruder but not kill him. Yes, the person is wrong to enter illegally, but shooting amounts to murder,’ he said. Land ownership remains another thorny issue. Many residents cannot secure land titles because the area is still registered under the defunct Ankole Kingdom.

‘When they digitised the country, it brought out the issue that the whole district is under Ankole Kingdom. People cannot easily get land titles because they are not bona fide occupants,’ Mr Ntamuhiira explained.

He urged government to inject funds into the Road Fund so absentee landlords can be compensated. ‘This way, people who have been on the land for centuries can fully enjoy their rights.’

Poor infrastructure is also a major grievance. Residents cite the long-delayed upgrade of Katerera road, which would connect Rubirizi with Ibanda, Kitagwenda and Kamwenge.

‘Connectivity is a challenge. Kyambura-Katerera-Kabujogyera road has been a big issue and it would be the easiest route to Kampala, besides linking tourists from Kibale to Queen Elizabeth National Park,’ Ms Nalongo said.

Farmers in Ndangara and Nyakiyanja parishes also complain of wild animals destroying crops, while others clash with UWA and the National Forest Authority over access to Kalinzu Forest Reserve.

Speaking ahead of his campaign, Gen Muntu outlined his vision for the region. He pledged to promote a banking system that includes both commercial and development banks. ‘These banks will provide funding at lower interest rates with longer repayment terms, enabling entrepreneurs to create jobs,’ he said.

Health

Gen Muntu emphasised the importance of leaders with ’empathy, honesty and strong organisational skills’ to drive development.

He noted that corruption-free leadership was vital for delivering quality education, healthcare, and efficient transport. He also promised to establish a government-run national health insurance programme to ensure access to quality healthcare for all.

Uganda grit their way through early wobbles before turning on the style to dismantle Malawi by 117 runs in Harare yesterday, booking a Saturday date with Nigeria’s Yellow Greens in the fifth-place playoff final.

After captain Riazat Ali Shah won the toss and chose to bat, Uganda lost Ronald Lutaaya (7) and Robinson Obuya (13) cheaply to slip to 32 for 2. With critics sharpening their knives and Malawi’s dugout growing louder, it needed steel and class.

Enter international debutant Sumeet Verma. The top-order batter announced himself with a breathtaking 88 off 41 balls, peppered with 3 fours and 8 booming sixes. In tandem with opener Raghav Dhawan, who anchored for a gritty 50 off 48 balls, Verma produced a 140-run partnership that flipped the contest. Shah then applied the polish with a late 19 off 8 balls, propelling Uganda to 192 for 3.

Milestone day

If the batting was inspiring, the bowling was ruthless. Left-arm spinner Alpesh Ramjani led the charge with 4 for 13, reaching a historic milestone of 100 T20I wickets in just 62 matches – a record that underlines his world-class efficiency with an economy of 4.83. Only one other Ugandan – Henry Ssenyondo has registered that feat with 121 wickets now from 90 innings. Innocent Mwebaze, making his first appearance at this tournament, snared a wicket alongside all-rounder Dinesh Nakrani as Malawi staggered to 75 for 6 in 20 overs.

Coach Jackson Ogwang credited partnerships for the turnaround: ‘We got something we had missed throughout – a big partnership. Sumeet and Raghav rebuilt when we were under pressure, and later our bowlers stuck to their plans. That’s why the margin was so huge.’

Taking responsibility

Man of the Match Verma said he enjoyed the responsibility: ‘The wicket was slow early, but once I got in I backed my intent. Batting with Raghav gave me confidence and I’m glad my debut made a difference.’

Debutant Mwebaze added; ‘I have been prepared and waiting since day one. It felt good to contribute in my first outing, and I’m excited for the final against Nigeria.’

Uganda’s emphatic win not only silenced doubters but also highlighted their depth, grit and ability to respond under fire. With Verma’s fearless batting, Dhawan’s composure, and Ramjani’s milestone, the Cricket Cranes now eye a strong finish in Harare.

World Cup-bound

Elsewhere in Harare, Zimbabwe and Namibia clinched Africa’s two qualification slots to the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup due in Sri Lanka and India next year, and the pair will now face off for the tournament’s ‘Holy Grail’ in Saturday’s grand finale.

Kenya and Tanzania will tussle for bronze in the third-place playoff, while Botswana and Malawi meet in the seventh-place playoff final to avoid the wooden spoon. Uganda, meanwhile, will be eyeing proper consolation by sealing fifth spot when they clash with Nigeria in the fifth-place playoff final on Saturday afternoon at Takashinga.

ICC T20 WORLD CUP AFRICA QUALIFIER

Result – Main Semifinal 1

Namibia 174/6 | Tanzania 111/8

Namibia won by 63 runs

Result – Main Semifinal 2

Kenya 122/6 | Zimbabwe 123/3

Zimbabwe won by 7 wickets

Result – 5th Place Playoff Semifinal 1

Nigeria 166/8 | Botswana 122/7

Nigeria won by 44 runs

Result – 5th Place Playoff Semifinal 2

Uganda 192/3 | Malawi 75/6

Uganda won by 117 runs

The High Court session in which Opposition leader Dr Kizza Besigye was expected to enter a plea on treason charges turned dramatic yesterday as he engaged Justice Emmanuel Baguma in a direct exchange, insisting on speaking for himself despite being represented by a team of 10 lawyers.

The fully packed courtroom was tense, with prison warders and anti-riot police monitoring closely as supporters craned their necks to catch a glimpse of the four-time presidential contender.

The case has become a rallying point for his followers, and Dr Besigye’s rare opportunity to address the judge directly drew murmurs across the public gallery.

As proceedings opened, Chief State Attorney Richard Birivumbuka announced the prosecution’s readiness: ‘The accused are in court and the case is for plea taking. We are ready to proceed.’

But Dr Besigye immediately raised his hand.

‘A very good morning, my Lord; I wish to raise a matter of concern before we proceed with this business,’ he said. Justice Baguma looked up from his notes.

‘Good morning. Are you still represented, or are you putting off your lawyers?’ ‘My Lord, I put off my representing until I finish my submission. I will be brief. It is about our presence here. To give it a background, I would like to inform this court that.,’ he added.

Before he could continue, the judge cut in: ‘We must follow the procedure. Since you are represented, you cannot simply disregard your lawyers.’ The standoff lasted several minutes as the court fell silent. Finally, the judge ruled that Dr Besigye’s legal team must handle his concerns. ‘I have listened to you. I am saying the 10 lawyers represent you, unless they put in writing that they are no longer representing you. I am directing that the 10 lawyers get all the concerns and address them to the court,’ Justice Baguma said.

The ruling prompted a flurry of submissions from the defence.

Senior Counsel Martha Karua rose first. ‘The few minutes you have given us are not sufficient to receive instructions. Our client still wants to raise the concerns himself, and he believes it is within your powers to hear him. We cannot cite any law that bars a represented person from speaking in court without dismissing his lawyers. We plead with the court,’ she said. Lawyer Ernest Kalibbala stressed that legal representation does not remove the accused’s personal right to speak.

‘While it is true we are a team of 10 lawyers, the accused retains overall authority to determine any matters he wishes to speak on,’ Mr Kalibbala argued.

‘… No law bars any accused person in the dock from raising or responding to issues in court,’ he added.

The judge softened slightly but set conditions.

‘I have listened to Besigye and his lawyers that he wants to raise his concerns,’ Justice Baguma said. ‘But on condition that they are put in writing. I am giving you until Friday, and you will come back here on October 8 for my response,’ he added. The ruling drew whispers among the packed audience before warders moved Dr Besigye back into custody under tight guard.

The dramatic exchange is the latest turn in the long-running treason case against Dr Besigye and co-accused Obeid Lutale, who are accused of conspiring to overthrow the government. Both men deny the charges.

Earlier this month, they refused to appear before the same judge for their second bail application, accusing him of bias.

Their lawyers, led by Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago, have consistently sought Justice Baguma’s recusal, a request the judge has rejected.

What next

With the new directive, the court will reconvene on October 8 to consider Dr Besigye’s written concerns, alongside pending issues in the treason proceedings. Until then, the Opposition figure and his co-accused remain on remand.

The National Unity Platform (NUP) presidential candidate, Mr Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, aka Bobi Wine, has promised to establish value addition factories across Uganda to support farmers and improve their incomes.

While addressing a crowd at a well-attended rally in Bulumba Trading Centre in Kaliro District yesterday, Mr Kyagulanyi said one of the main reasons farmers remain poor is because they do not benefit fully from their produce.

He added that the lack of value addition facilities to improve quality and attract high profit margins had left farmers in losses. Mr Kyagulanyi cited an example of the cotton ginnery in Bulumba, which he said used to help local residents earn more money through processing their cotton locally.

Mr Kyagulanyi also observed that the ginnery once served as a valuable economic driver for the area, but has since become dormant, allegedly due to neglect and poor policies by the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) government.

‘This ginnery in Bulumba was helping residents get more money from cotton because there was value addition right here. But now it has been made inactive by the NRM government,’ Mr Kyagulanyi said.

‘People work so hard to grow crops, but they earn very little because they are forced to sell raw materials instead of processed goods,’ he added. In Jinja District, he said Uganda’s cotton production has been falling due to low yields and abandonment of the crop by farmers.

Uganda’s cotton sector was liberalised in 1994 when the lint marketing board was disbanded.

Mr Kyagulanyi pledged that his government, once elected, would not only build value addition factories in every region of the country, but would also ensure there is a ready market for processed goods.

According to Mr Kyagulanyi, this will create jobs, raise household incomes, and reduce poverty across rural Uganda.

Mr Kyagulanyi also highlighted the challenges faced by sugarcane farmers in the Busoga Sub-region. He expressed concern that although sugarcane is widely grown in the area, farmers remain poor due to low prices offered by millers and middlemen.

Mr Kyagulanyi decried the situation where sugarcane farmers cannot even afford to buy sugar for their own households, despite being the producers of the raw material.

‘It is heartbreaking that people in Busoga grow sugarcane, but the prices remain extremely low. Yet, sugar and other products made from sugarcane are very expensive. Many of the very farmers who grow it cannot afford to buy even a kilo of sugar for tea,’ he said. Mr Kyagulanyi called on the people of Busoga and all Ugandans to make a protest vote against the current government, which he accused of failing to support the ordinary citizen.

Key issues

Kaliro District faces several development challenges, including the alleged selling of government jobs, particularly in education and local government.

Poor road infrastructure, especially in rural areas, limits access to markets, schools, and health services. Access to safe water remains low, with many communities relying on unsafe sources. In the education sector, poor performance is driven by a lack of qualified teachers and limited learning materials.