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Kyambogo University Vice Chancellor Prof. Eli Katunguka Rwakishaya has pledged full institutional support to newly elected Association of Uganda University Sports (AUUS) president George Wagoogo as the university prepares to bid to host the 2027 AUUS Games.

Wagoogo, a senior sports tutor and associate professor at Kyambogo University, was recently elected as the fifth AUUS president, marking a major milestone in his long service to university sports. He previously served on the AUUS Executive Committee for four years.

On Monday, the Kyambogo University community held a special ceremony to officially receive Wagoogo. The event was attended by top administrators, including Bridget Mugume, the Dean of Students, who pledged close collaboration with AUUS to promote sports and healthy lifestyles in universities.

‘The Dean of Students’ Office looks forward to working closely with AUUS to promote sports development and a healthy lifestyle. We are in this together, and I believe in our collective strength, knowledge and skills for service to our country,’ Mugume said.

In his acceptance remarks, Wagoogo expressed gratitude to Kyambogo University for the support throughout his election and pledged to leverage the institution’s strategic location, facilities and expertise to advance university sports nationally.

‘I am deeply honoured to stand before you today, humbled by the trust placed in me as AUUS president. Kyambogo University will play a pivotal role in hosting most of the Association’s activities. Together, we shall nurture talent, lobby for more sports infrastructure, and enhance opportunities for our student-athletes at all levels,’ Wagoogo said.

Wagoogo also led a moment of silence in honour of members of the Muni University delegation who perished in a road accident while returning from the AUUS elections.

Institutional backing

Prof. Katunguka, himself a former sportsman, congratulated Wagoogo and assured him of the university’s full backing as he assumes leadership of the umbrella body for university sports.

‘Your role is to promote sports in all universities in the country, not only Kyambogo. But when you come from here, I think the big things will start here,’ Prof. Katunguka said.

‘Sports is not cheap. You will need to mobilise resources, buy equipment and engage partners. But I can assure you of our support and that of the government, which has shown commitment to improving sports at all levels.’

Prof. Katunguka shared personal reflections on how sports shaped his life during his days at Makerere University, noting that active involvement in games such as basketball, table tennis and lawn tennis kept him disciplined and healthy. He encouraged Wagoogo to instill a similar spirit among students and staff to build a vibrant sports culture.

‘Whenever I get time, I still exercise. Sports keeps you alert, fit and disciplined. We hope you can get that spirit of sports into our students. We are lucky that Kyambogo has a department of sports – use it to expand your empire,’ he said.

Eyes on 2027 AUUS Games

The Vice Chancellor’s assurance comes at a crucial time as Kyambogo University prepares to bid for the rights to host the AUUS Games in 2027. The Games bring together thousands of student-athletes from universities across Uganda to compete in multiple disciplines.

Wagoogo’s leadership tenure will run for the next four years, during which he is expected to spearhead resource mobilisation, infrastructure development and discipline reforms across university sports in the country.

Health and fitness experts have called for urgent reforms to curb the rising fatal and other life-threatening incidents in Ugandan gyms and military recruitment exercises. The experts indicated that the incidents highlight critical safety lapses like inadequate health screenings and poor emergency preparedness.

The recent death of 22-year-old Solomon Dono, who collapsed and died during a UPDF recruitment in Apac District on August 15, despite on-site medical aid, joins a troubling pattern that includes businessman Abas Kasagga’s alleged fatal heart attack in a Kampala gym in April. Kasagga was pronounced dead upon arrival at Kibuli Hospital, a nearby facility where he was rushed to. These are not isolated cases. Mustafa Katende’s 2018 gym collapse and the death of Margaret Kabasa during a fitness test in Pallisa in May all highlight the magnitude of the problem.

Many exercise-related incidents are unreported because they are not fatal. ‘As physiotherapists, we usually take exercises as medicine. Just like medicine, you take it according to what is affecting you,’ explains Mr Isaac Kakooza, former president of the Uganda Association of Physiotherapy (UAP), now with Mobile Phyzio Uganda. Mr Kakooza emphasises the importance of understanding one’s health status before starting a fitness routine.

‘There are specific types of exercises which each individual is supposed to do depending on their fitness level,’ he says, adding:’Some people get these kinds of problems (attacks), because sometimes they don’t go into that length of finding out their state of health.’ The physiotherapist paints a scenario where individuals with pre-existing conditions like high blood pressure or heart problems might unknowingly exacerbate their situation through ill-advised exercise.

‘When someone goes to the gym, the gym first of all is supposed to have a professional who can, for example, take the person’s blood pressure,’ Mr Kakooza asserts. ‘Someone could be having high blood pressure. when you do exercise, your blood pressure also goes up, (meaning the condition can worsen). This means you are not supposed to be doing certain types of exercise,’Mr Kakooza says.

Col David Opeero, the head of the UPDF recruitment team in Apac District, in comments about the death of Dono, says they always do preliminary health checks before the fitness drill and have a robust emergency response system and team, which tried to rescue Dono. ‘During the run, one of the participants collapsed. He was put in the ambulance that was following them, the way we evacuate any other participant who faints in the run,’ he explains.

‘He was brought to the hospital, first aid was administered to him, unfortunately, he didn’t make it, he died.’ Col Opeero further explains that in the recruitment process, ideally there are four stages. ‘The first one is to identify and confirm that we have the right people who are short-listed, then document verification,the third one is the preliminary physical check done by the medical officers, then the fourth one is the short run, and eventually the medical examination,’ he says. Dr Charles Oyoo Akiya, the commissioner for Non-Communicable Disease Control and Prevention at the Ministry of Health, highlights how one can exercise safely.

‘First of all, do a general fitness check by a qualified health worker, know your general health status: heart condition, blood pressure, blood sugar, and so on,’ he says. ‘Secondly, ensure the gym is safe and the equipment is in good mechanical condition. Thirdly, a qualified/ licensed or professional instructor is available to guide you. And forth, first aid services are handy, including emergency referral systems,’ he adds. Mr Kakooza says weightlifting, although essential in muscle strengthening, greatly strains the cardiovascular system (heart and blood pathways), causing a significant concern that should be balanced well with health safety.

Danger signs

‘When you’re lifting something heavy or exerting a lot of force, your body will demand energy. And then when it demands too much energy, of course, it goes hand in hand with demanding more oxygen, and by that, your heart will be required to pump or to overwork so that it can supply that kind of blood. And if it’s overworking beyond its limits, of course, anything can happen to you,’ he explains. Mr Kakooza stresses the significance of recognising one’s limits during exercise. The point of panting, he explains, should allow for continued conversation. Reaching a level where breathlessness prevents speech is a danger sign, indicating an intensity that might be too high. ‘When you’re doing exercises, you can reach a point when you’re panting. That panting has to be at a certain level where you can pant, but while you can still talk.

But when you reach a level where you pant and you cannot even talk, you’re just trying to catch your breath, that’s not a good intensity level,’ he says. ‘If you’re so fatigued so quickly at a simple exertion during an exercise, it’s good to go for a check-up to see why your body demands so much oxygen and you’re not taking it in the way it is required. Usually, it’s good to first see a cardiologist and see whether there’s any problem,’ he adds. The physiotherapist also advises seeking medical check-ups for persistent fatigue during simple exertion, as it could signal underlying health issues. The absence of mandatory health screenings and professional guidance in many gyms is a worrying trend.

‘When they go to these gyms, they don’t even ask those things, they just all of a sudden jump on something and they just start doing without anyone asking them these, without anyone measuring their blood pressure,’ Mr Kakooza laments. UAP, has long advocated for stricter regulations within the fitness industry. ‘It would be good for each gym to have a physiotherapist supervising it. Just like you see pharmacies are supervised by pharmacists. So gyms are also supposed to be supervised by physiotherapists,’ Mr Kakooza advises. He points to the recent regulation by the National Council of Sports mandating physiotherapists in sports clubs, highlighting their crucial role in guiding training, preventing injuries, and managing emergencies.

Echoing the need for greater oversight, Dr Akiya acknowledges that gyms are largely private entities regulated by the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife, and Antiquities. Dr Akiya also reminds the public that physical activity doesn’t solely rely on gyms. Simple activities like walking, jogging, dancing, and sports can be equally beneficial and accessible. For gym owners, Dr Akiya’s message is clear: ‘They must employ professional instructors, physiotherapists, first aiders, etc., and ensure a safe environment within their gym facilities.’

JKL Lady Dolphins can confirm their place in the National Basketball League finals with victory over UCU Lady Canons when the two sides face off tonight in Game Four of the semifinal series at Lugogo Indoor Stadium.

The defending champions have won back-to-back games to take a 2-1 lead in the series having lost the opener.

Wednesday night’s 65-61 win saw the four-time champions dig deep and rely on their experience to get over the line and put one foot in the finals.

The Lady Canons led by nine points (34-25) going into the halftime break and despite leading by as many as 14 points at some point, JKL came back in the fourth frame to snatch the victory.

Four-time MVP Hope Akello recorded 20 points, 13 rebounds and five assists in the game while Brenda Ekone registered 17 points and eight rebounds.

For the Lady Canons, Matrina Anyango got a team-high 15 points and collected five rebounds while Shillah Lamunu had a double-double of 11 points and 14 rebounds.

Backs against the wall

UCU’s Game One victory now looks a distant memory, with tonight’s assignment putting the university side in a win-or-go-home situation.

Nicholas Natuhereza’s charges shot three-for-29 from three-point range on Wednesday and will need much better percentages to get past a more experienced JKL side.

The scoring burden has largely rested on Lamunu’s shoulders in the series and more senior players like Bridget Aber and team captain Hajara Najjuko will have to do more for UCU to stay alive.

Stopping Ekone’s transition has also proven a challenge in the last two games and that has seen her score 33 points and help the defending champions take charge of the series.

Akello has also dominated the paint to pour in 36 points the last two games. Limiting the duo could be the start of a comeback for UCU but that is easier said than done.

National Basketball League Playoffs

Semifinal result

Game Three

JKL 65-61 UCU

Game Four, Friday -Lugogo

UCU vs. JKL, 7pm

Opposition stalwart Dr Kizza Besigye yesterday delivered an emotional address before the High Court in Kampala, detailing what he described as his illegal abduction and detention by state agents and questioning the court’s impartiality in handling his treason case. Dr Besigye, together with his co-accused, Mr Obeid Lutale and Capt Denis Oola, appeared before Justice Emmanuel Baguma of the Criminal Division amid chants from supporters who filled the courtroom gallery.

The hearing began at 11:24am when Justice Baguma entered and called the case. Senior counsel Martha Karua led the defence team alongside lawyers Ernest Kalibbala, Fredrick Mpanga, Eron Kiiza, Elias Lukwago, and Simon Nsubuga, representing Capt Oola. Chief State Attorney Richard Birivumbuka reminded the court that during the previous session, Dr Besigye had sought permission to address the bench in writing, which he did on October 3.

Justice Baguma confirmed receipt of the letter and allowed him to speak. Dr Besigye recounted what he called an abduction from Nairobi, Kenya, in November last year.

‘We were kidnapped, brought back to Uganda, and detained in a military facility for four days – yet we are not soldiers,’ he said. He argued that their arraignment before the General Court Martial, which the Constitutional Court had declared unconstitutional, was ‘a blatant illegality.’ ‘We were remanded to Luzira Prison, where we still remain. Even after the Supreme Court declared our detention illegal, we were never released,’ he said. Dr Besigye also accused the court of bias in handling their bail application.

‘Your ruling, my Lord, stunned us,’ he told Justice Baguma. ‘You said the court was unaware of our predicament, yet all documents were before you. That ruling showed either incompetence or bias,’ he added. He revealed that he and Lutale had filed a complaint against Justice Baguma with the Judicial Service Commission, questioning whether it was prudent for him to continue handling their case. Ms Karua argued that justice ‘must not only be done but be seen to be done’ . Justice Baguma said he would deliver his ruling on October 15.

When the Women’s 2025 Africa Rugby Cup kicks off in Nairobi, Kenya next month, Uganda’s Lady Cranes Sevens should’ve acclimatised enough and ready for battle.

The team drove to the Kenyan capital midweek ahead of the 27th edition of the Safari Sevens to be held from Friday through to Sunday.

Lady Cranes Sevens suffered a heartbreak when major reshuffles at World Rugby altered the Sevens format forcing Uganda Rugby Union to pull the team out of the Challenger Series to concentrate on the fifteens code.

However, with the Africa Sevens returning next month, the Lady Cranes have every reason to battle in Nairobi.

At Safari Sevens, Uganda will challenge for the title they won in 2023 against defending champions Costa Blanca Barbarians, Belgium, Zimbabwe and Kenya Lionesses’ first and second teams.

But the team’s head coach Charles Onen is not shaken.’We’ve a tough contest ahead of us,’ Onen admitted, adding that, ‘We won it in 2023 fell short in 2024 but we want to bounce back and win it as a motivation for the Africa Cup.’

Fastest

Onen has gone for experience in his squad even in the absence of Peace Lekuru as Agnes Nakuya steps in to wear the armband.

Eyes should also focus on Thunderbirds’ youngster Comfort Anganyika who wheeled faster than everyone to scoop the top try scorer’s award in the just-concluded Nile Special National Sevens.

‘We have a good young team that is ready to represent. We were lucky that the players were able to balance playing for their clubs over the weekends and then train on Wednesdays for the team,’ Onen added.

Lydia Namabiro will deputise for the armband. Other players travelling include Yvonne Najjuma, Fazira Namukwaya, Suzan Adong, Grace Nabaggala, Juliet Nandawula, Sandra Amoli, Tina Akello, Racheal Mufuwa and Janat Nandudu.

In the men’s category, Nile Special Sevens newly-crowned champions Walukuba Barbarians and Rugby Cranes will battle for the flag after the Jinja team was invited to take part.

2025 Safari Sevens

Men

Pool A: Kenya Shujaa, French Renegades, UK Select, Walukuba Rugby

Pool B: Shogun, Uganda, Nyati, KCB Rugby

Pool C: Kenya Morans, Zimbabwe, Apache, ReUnion

Rugby Canes team: Allan Olango, Roy Kizito, Jeremiah Ojambo, Fat Moses Watmon, Patrick Okello, Ivan Bulima, Karim Arinaitwe (captain), Gift Wokorach, Jones Kamiza, Shakim Ssembusi, Daniel Otim, Julius Oyuk

Women

Pool A: Costa Blanca Barbarians, Shogun, Kenya Cubs, Mwamba Select

Pool B: Kenya Lionesses, Uganda, Belgium, Tunisia

Lady Cranes team: Agnes Nakuya (captain), Lydia Namabiro, Yvonne Najjuma, Fazira Namukwaya, Suzan Adong, Grace Nabaggala, Juliet Nandawula, Sandra Lona Amoli, Tina Akello, Comfort Anganyika, Racheal Mufuwa, Janat Nandudu

Uganda, like much of sub-Saharan Africa, is living through the harsh realities of climate change. Scientific evidence confirms that global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are rising due to human activities such as burning fossil fuels, deforestation, and unsustainable agriculture.

These emissions are the main drivers of global warming and extreme weather. Yet the people who depend on climate-sensitive livelihoods like smallholder farmers, charcoal burners, brick makers, and fisherfolk are also bearing the greatest burden.

The National State of the Environment Report 2024, released by the National Environmental Management Authority (Nema), shows that several districts are now facing severe climate shocks with unpredictable rains, hailstorms, prolonged dry spells, droughts, and water shortages.

Uganda has recognised these threats in its Nationally Determined Contribution , updated in 2022. The country committed to reducing its GHG emissions by 24.7 percent below business-as-usual levels by 2030, an increase over its earlier target of 22 percent.

Most of the mitigation (about 82.7 percent) is expected to come from agriculture, forestry, and other land use.

Despite these commitments, a significant gap remains in access to climate finance at the grassroots. Large, complex projects dominate the funding landscape, but little of that capital reaches local innovators.

Local Governments, farmer groups, and Community-Based Organizations (CBOs) remain sidelined, despite their deep knowledge of local challenges and solutions. This is the ‘missing link’ in Uganda’s climate response. Grassroots actors are not short of ideas.

Communities in the Mount Elgon region are practicing terracing and tree planting to prevent landslides. Smallholder farmers in the north are adopting drought-resistant seeds, water harvesting, and solar dryers, reducing post-harvest losses.

Youth and women entrepreneurs are producing briquettes, eco-bricks, and paving blocks from recycled plastic. These solutions show that Uganda’s communities are not merely passive victims; they can lead both adaptation and mitigation.

Yet these initiatives remain underfunded and poorly scaled, leaving communities to shoulder the climate burden. Unlocking climate finance for grassroots solutions requires deliberate action.

Policymakers must prioritise mechanisms that decentralise resources directly to local communities. Climate funds should be channeled through Saccos, Village Savings and Loan Associations, and farmer cooperatives already embedded in local settings.

These institutions can provide ‘green microfinances’ for affordable items like solar kits, clean cookstoves, water harvesting tanks, and climate-smart seeds.

Partnerships between Local Governments, development finance institutions, civil society, academia, and the private sector can further provide technical capacity, monitoring, and scaling of local best practices.

Such shifts would empower grassroots climate ambassadors such as farmers, women, and youth innovators, who can replicate successful models nationwide. Uganda’s fight against climate change will be won or lost at the grassroots.

By decentralising climate finance, scaling local solutions, and supporting both adaptation and mitigation, the country can move from survival to proactive climate leadership. Addressing this missing link is the only way to ensure no Ugandan community is left behind in the face of a changing climate.

Africa faces a growing mental health and suicide crisis we can no longer ignore. Suicide has become one of the leading causes of death among young people globally, claiming more lives each year than war, homicide, or HIV/ Aids.

Suicide rates here are the highest in the world-11.2 deaths per 100,000 people compared to a global average of 9.0 (WHO, 2021).

In Uganda, an estimated 2,500-2,800 people die by suicide annually (World Bank, 2023), and one in eight lives with a mental health disorder.

Yet the country has fewer than 60 psychiatrists and just over 400 psychiatric clinical officers to serve more than 45 million people. Mental health receives less than one percent of the national health budget, leaving most people without access to care.

The crisis is especially acute among young people, who face unemployment, family breakdown, substance abuse, bullying, and social isolation.

Misconceptions persist-over 60 percent of learners hold false beliefs about mental health, and fewer than half know where to seek help.

Behind these statistics are young lives cut short, families broken, and communities left in anguish. If we remain silent, we risk losing an entire generation to stigma and preventable death.

It was in this reality that the L.I.V.E. Conference 2025 was born. Its origins were personal: during a weekly staff fellowship, two colleagues shared that each had lost a friend to suicide in the same week.

Their grief underscored the urgency- this was not a distant problem but one in our workplaces, families, and communities. That moment planted the seed for this national gathering.

The L.I.V.E. Conference-Listen. Include. Validate. Empower. Because Every Life Matters- was convened to break the silence, spark a national conversation, and bring families, youth, faith leaders, educators, policymakers, and health professionals together to seek solutions and healing.

The inaugural L.I.V.E. Conference 2025 marked Uganda’s first national platform dedicated exclusively to suicide prevention and youth mental health.

Convened on World Suicide Prevention Day (September 10, ), the conference brought together more than 400 participants- including young people, government leaders, health professionals, civil society organisations, faith leaders, academics, the media, and international partners.

Our aims were clear: Break the silence and normalise mental health care. Deliver actionable policy recommendations, including a national suicide prevention policy, and decriminalisation of attempted suicide.

Launch a youth mental health resource hub with practical support, including a toll-free helpline. Build a sustainable network of partners to carry the work forward. This vision was realised through the dedication of the organising committee, the courage of young people who shared their stories, and the support of our sponsors and partners, youth networks, and civil society organisations.

The discussions and panels raised urgent and critical issues: the trauma and stigma faced by families after suicide, the risks and opportunities of digital culture for young people, the need to expand evidence-based therapies such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), and the persistent gap between Uganda’s mental health policies and their implementation.

Our chief guest, Dr Diana Atwine, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health, affirmed that mental health and suicide prevention are central to Uganda’s future. At its conclusion, the conference adopted five urgent national priorities to guide collective action:

Advocate for a national suicide prevention policy.

Decriminalisation of attempted suicide, ensuring care rather than punishment.

Establishment of a government-funded toll-free helpline accessible nationwide.

Expansion of government funding for mental health care in national and regional referral hospitals, schools, and workplaces, with a focus on psychosocial support across all districts

Creation of a national youth mental health resource hub to coordinate resources, information, and community action The L.I.V.E. Conference 2025 was not just an event but the beginning of a national dialogue.

It demonstrated that mental health and suicide prevention are central to Uganda’s development, the well-being of its young people, and the hope of its future. It is only the beginning-replacing silence with listening, exclusion with inclusion, stigma with validation, and despair with empowerment.

If even one life is saved, one family finds hope, or one policy protects the vulnerable, this effort will have been worthwhile. Let us continue this work together. To listen, include, validate, and empower. Because every life matters.

Sixty-four-year-old Maria Aliru, a resident of Ozoo Village, Logiri Sub-county in Arua District, is among the many women in West Nile Sub-region who have for a long time been trapped in an oppressive culture that infringes on women’s property rights, including the right to own land.

However, with the advent of the Ministry of Lands’ certificate of customary ownership programme light has appeared at the end of the tunnel. The certificate of customary ownership grants ownership of customary land to women who previously were allowed to use land but not own it. ‘We have norms that have long restricted the woman from owning land and limiting her rights to cultivation, but not ownership as part of property.

This has been inhibitive and repressive. We need a shift from that bad cultural norm,’ she told Daily Monitor last week. Ms Elizabeth Minala, a widow and resident of Polota Village in Logiri Sub-county, said when her husband died in 2019, her in-laws threw her and her two children out of the family home. They also reportedly grabbed five acres of land and other properties that the couple owned. ‘One of the reasons why I was thrown out of my late husband’s home is because of the greed for property, including land. In our culture (Lugbara), women have less protection by society regarding property ownership rights, including the land. My in-laws wanted to own the land left behind by my husband,’ she said in a sad tone.

She added, ‘They also claimed that I had only given birth to girl children. I believe the new land awareness campaign is a good wake-up call for our communities.’ Under the ongoing land awareness campaign conducted by the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development in conjunction with cultural leaders, local governments, and civil society organisations, women and other vulnerable groups are being facilitated to own land in the sub-region. Ms Paska Aliru, a resident of Polata Village in Logiri Sub-county, explained that women who have not gone to school and are less privileged economically are the most affected by the unfair cultural practice.

What the law says

Ms Esther Kisembo, the programmes coordinator at ActionAid Uganda, said: ‘Uganda’s Constitution guarantees land ownership to every citizen without discrimination based on gender. It is unfortunate that in this particular sub-region the women who form the majority of the population under the farming sector know that they have the land user rights but not the ownership rights.’

What local leaders say

The Logiri LC3 Sub-county chief, Mr John Bosco Odama, said land-related wrangles constitute the majority of community disputes across West Nile. ‘It is also true that the cultural rigidities among the Lugbara community restrict women from land ownership. The women use the land but have no ownership rights. But both the cultural leaders and the community are now realising the importance of customary certificate registration,’ he said.

Response from ministry

The Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development Communications Officer, Mr Denis Obbo, said the customary certificate registration of ownership is part of the government’s effort to reduce land-related disputes in areas where land is owned customary and on communal basis. ‘When families get certificates and have proper land demarcations, the conflicts will reduce. The registration opens the land ownership information gap because women have the constitutional right to own land like any other gender,’ he said.

Cultural institution

The Prime Minister of the Lugbara Kari Cultural Institution, Mr Ismail Tuku, said no woman should be robbed of land that belongs to her. ‘….it is the woman who will till the land, use it for animals, and also when the husband dies, she should be allowed to own it because she has the children to take care of,’ he said. The Lugbara Kari Cultural Institution’s pronouncement on harmful cultural practices, gender-based violence, sexual reproductive, maternal and child health, a document detailing several interventions aimed at empowering its people, clarifies the right of the girl child to education and property rights.

The Electoral Commission (EC) on Tuesday summoned agents of presidential candidates and officials from the police to the EC headquarters in Kampala to streamline the ongoing presidential campaign process.

Mr Julius Mucunguzi, the spokesperson of the EC, told this publication in an interview on Tuesday that the meeting, chaired by EC Chairman Justice Simon Byabakama, aimed to highlight the progress of the campaigns, challenges so far, and how to improve the campaign process.

‘We convened a meeting of all agents of the candidates that are currently undertaking presidential campaigns, together with the police to discuss the progress of the campaign period process so far, to hear any issues or complaints that the candidates through the agents may have, receive proposals on how the campaign process can improve and agree on the way forward to ensure that the campaign process is peaceful, follows electoral laws, abide by the campaign programme that was harmonised …,’Mr Mucunguzi said.

He explained that during the meeting, it was observed that, generally, the campaigns, since they started on September 29, have been peaceful and have been conducted in accordance with the guidelines of the EC. In addition, some agents of the presidential candidates complained about the manner in which they are being handled when it comes to accessing venues, noting that police sometimes direct them to use particular routes, which they don’t want to use. He said police officials defended the rationale for the contentious diversions saying it aims to ensure law and order and the security of the candidates, their supporters and the venues. During the discussions, both parties agreed that going forward, any issues that emerge will be discussed and resolved amicably without confrontation, without resorting to violence, or using a language that spreads hate or violence.

‘It is the mandate of the Electoral Commission to ensure that campaigns are organised and are conducted in an atmosphere of peace,’Mr Mucunguzi said. The meeting comes days after leaders of National Unity Platform (NUP) and Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) accused security agencies of deliberately frustrating their campaigns, especially in Busoga Sub-region. The police have always been at loggerheads with some presidential candidates over venues. In 2020, the EC directed the police to stop blocking presidential candidates from accessing scheduled venues to conduct their respective campaign meetings ahead of 2021 General Election. In a letter that was addressed to the former Inspector General of Police, Mr Martin Okoth Ochola, the EC Chairman, Justice Byabakama said police disrupting presidential candidates had triggered confrontations and physical clashes involving security personnel, the candidates and their supporters.

The Uganda Cranes face a defining test today in Gaborone as they take on Botswana in a crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier. With the Confederation of African Football (Caf) expanding direct World Cup berths from five to nine, Uganda’s path to the global showpiece has become more intricate than ever.

On 19 May 2023, the Caf Executive Committee unveiled a new qualification format. Teams were drawn into nine groups of six, with only the group winners earning automatic World Cup tickets.

The four best group runners-up advance to a second-round play-off, with the winner moving on to the inter-confederation play-offs, a final hurdle before reaching North America in 2026.

Uganda currently sits second in Group G with 15 points and a +5 goal difference. While this positions them among the potential play-off contenders, their fate is precarious.

The Cranes must first secure victory over Botswana and hope Mozambique, currently behind with a -3 goal difference, avoids slipping into contention. Their campaign concludes with an away match against table leaders Algeria, who are all but assured of qualification.

Faith abounds

Coach Paul Put has drawn a line in the sand: only players who truly believe in the World Cup dream will be allowed on the flight to Botswana and Algeria.

‘Anyone without belief can stay in Kampala, Entebbe, or wherever. This team needs faith if we are to go forward,’ the Belgian coach declared while naming his 26-man squad for the decisive Group G ties.

The stakes are high: only one Caf runner-up will progress to the inter-confederation play-offs, which will involve six teams from across the globe battling for the final two Fifa World Cup slots.

This mini-tournament, set for March 2026 in Mexico, features two single-elimination rounds that could see Uganda facing elite opponents from Asia, South America, Oceania and North America.

Tough path

The ranking of second-placed teams is unforgiving. Burkina Faso leads Group A with 15 points and a +12 goal difference, while DR Congo tops Group B with 16 points despite fan unrest following a loss to Senegal. South Africa, Cameroon, Gabon, Namibia, and Madagascar are all jostling for top spots or the limited play-off slots, making every point crucial.

Uganda’s position is precarious. The Cranes sit second in Group G with 15 points, four behind leaders Algeria, who need only one more win to secure qualification.

Even finishing second guarantees nothing-only the best four runners-up across the continent enter a play-off. Uganda is currently seventh, meaning the Cranes must win both remaining matches and hope that heavyweights like Madagascar, DR Congo, Cameroon, Burkina Faso and Namibia stumble.

For Put, belief is not empty talk.

‘I am a believer, and I believe in miracles. Let us hope for one,’ he said.