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For some, it is still yet to sink in that Uganda did not pick up a medal at the recent World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Japan.

There were shortcomings for 3000 metres steeplechase runner Peruth Chemutai, while marathoners Abel Chelangat, Victor Kiplangat and Stephen Kissa in that order as well as Stella Chesang all succumbed to the humidity on the Tokyo streets.

A portion of that medal miss is attributed to Jacob Kiplimo and Joshua Cheptegei’s absence. They both opted for 42km races elsewhere with Kiplimo geared for the Chicago Marathon in the USA next weekend.

‘I decided to withdraw from the World Championship to have more time to concentrate on preparations ahead of the Chicago Marathon,’ Kiplimo stated.

That October 12th race in the State of Illinois will be Kiplimo’s second career marathon. ‘Proud to be there and can’t wait to start in Grand Park,’ he added.

Kiplimo is a prolific runner on the road. In February, he reclaimed the 21km world record (WR) after he won the Barcelona Half-Marathon in Spain with a time of 56 minutes and 42 minutes.

The 24-year-old is the first man to run that distance under 57 minutes. Thereafter, Kiplimo produced the fastest marathon debut by a Ugandan – finishing second behind Kenyan Sabastian Sawe with a time of two hours, three minutes and 37 seconds at the London Marathon in England on April 27.

On the all-time marathon list, Kiplimo ranks joint 46th and of all the fastest 50 men ever, he is the only third individual not to come from Kenya or Ethiopia, simply outstanding.

When race organizers for Chicago set up the men’s field, the Ugandan was entered and race talk is skewed towards a rivalry with defending champion Kenyan John Korir.

Last year, Korir emulated his brother Wesley Korir’s 2012 triumph with a time of 2:02:44. Chicago offers a flat course which is always ideal for fast times as well considering the weather forecast is more accurate closer to the race day.

In 2023, the late Kenyan Kelvin Kiptum lowered the marathon WR to 2:00:35 while winning in Chicago. That became the third time in history that the men’s marathon WR was being set in Chicago.

By pitting Korir against Kiplimo and notwithstanding other entries like Kenyan trio Timothy Kiplagat, Amos Kipruto and CyBrian Kotut as well as Belgian Bashir Abdi all who are faster than the Ugandan, a fast race is expected in Chicago.

And granted Kiplimo is still a novice at the 42km distance, his half-marathon WR title equates to a full marathon time of 1:59:46, a performance under Kiptum’s WR. And it explains why he holds much attention.

While preparing, Korir has hinted at beating that WR by Kiptum and in April, he won the Boston Marathon in Massachusetts, USA.

‘I am confident that I will be able to defend my title at the Chicago Marathon this October,’ Korir said in a statement. ‘My training is going well, and I am focused on achieving another personal best time.’

The five men 2022 Abu Dhabi Marathon champion Kiplagat, 2022 London Marathon winner Kipruto, Kotut, Abdi and Kiplimo have all broken the 2:04:00 mark and that bodes well to push Korir or any under the 2:01:00 mark thereby facing Kiptum’s mark.

CHICAGO MARATHON

Date: 2nd Sunday in October (before Columbus Day)

2025 Date: October 12

Location: Chicago, Illinois, USA

Event type: Road

Distance: 26.219 miles (42.195 km)

Established: 1977 (48 years ago)

Course records – Men: 2:00:35 *WR by (Kelvin Kiptum – 2023) | Ladies: 2:09:56 *WR by Ruth Chepngetich – 2024)

MEN’S WORLD RECORDS IN CHICAGO

Steve Jones in 1984

Khalid Khannouchi in 1999

Kelvin Kiptum in 2023

2025 CHICAGO MARATHON

ELITE MEN’S FIELD

John Korir (KEN) 2:02:44

Timothy Kiplagat (KEN) 2:02:55

Amos Kipruto (KEN) 2:03:13

CyBrian Kotut (KEN) 2:03:22

Bashir Abdi (BEL) 2:03:36

Jacob Kiplimo (UGA) 2:03:37

Philemon Kiplimo (KEN) 2:04:01

Geoffrey Kamworwor (KEN) 2:04:23

Huseydin Mohamed Esa (ETH) 2:04:39

Daniel Ebenyo (KEN) 2:06:04

Galen Rupp (USA) 2:06:07

Hiroto Inoue (JPN) 2:06:14

Zouhair Talbi (MAR) 2:06:39

Conner Mantz (USA) 2:07:47

Matt Richtman (USA) 2:07:56

Rory Linkletter (CAN) 2:08:01

CJ Albertson (USA) 2:08:17

Hideyuki Tanaka (JPN) 2:09:27

Patricio Castillo (MEX) 2:10:40

Ryan Ford (USA) 2:11:08

Marc Scott (GBR) 2:11:19

KIPLIMO AT A GLANCE

Date of birth: November 14, 2000

Major events: 5000m, 10000m, Half-Marathon, Marathon

Coach: Iacorpo Brasi, Peter Chelangat

Personal Bests: 12:40.96 (5000m), 26:33.93 (10000m), 56:42 (21km), 2:03:37 (Marathon)

Manager: Federico Rosa

Management: Rosa Associati

KIPLIMO IN 2025

Apr 27, 2025: London Marathon (2nd, 2:03:37)

Feb 16, 2025: Barcelona Half-Marathon (1st, 56:42)

KIPLIMO IN 2024

Dec 31, 2024: NN San Silvestre 10K (2nd, 26:32)

Nov 17, 2024: NN Zevenheuvelenloop (1st, 40:42)

Sept 15, 2024: Copenhagen Half-Marathon (2nd, 58:09)

Aug 2, 2024: Paris Olympics, 10000m (8th, 26:46.39)

May 30, 2024: Oslo DL, 5000m (3rd, 12:40.96)

May 17, 2024: LA Grand Prix, 5000m (4th, 12:52.91)

Mar 30, 2024: World Cross-country (1st, 28:09)

Feb 10, 2024: National Cross-country (1st, 29:04)

Jan 14, 2024: Valencia 10K Ibercaja (1st, 26:48)

UGANDA’S FASTEST MARATHONERS

BEST TIME BY ATHLETE

2:03:37 by Jacob Kiplimo at London Marathon on Apr 27, 2025

2:04:48 by Stephen Kissa at Hamburg Marathon on Apr 24, 2022

2:05:09 by Victor Kiplangat at Hamburg Marathon on Apr 24, 2022

2:05:12 by Filex Chemongesi at Toronto Marathon on Oct 20, 2019

2:05:59 by Joshua Cheptegei at Tokyo Marathon on Mar 2, 2025

2:06:33 by Stephen Kiprotich at Tokyo Marathon on Feb 22, 2015

President Museveni has urged Ugandans to take charge of their economic destiny by making better use of the Parish Development Model (PDM) to create their own wealth.

PDM is a key plank of President Museveni’s strategy to transform subsistence households into the money economy by promoting economic development in rural parishes and urban wards.

Mr Museveni, while campaigning in Amolatar District yesterday said the programme has the potential to propel millions of Ugandans towards prosperity.

‘So, I am appealing to all Ugandans, chase can (poverty) from your home, and do it by doing something that will bring food on your table but also money in your pocket. And the government has already given you how to start,’ he told a rally at Amolatar Secondary School.

‘This PDM money, Shs100 million per parish. In five years, that is Shs500 million in one parish. And in the third year, the ones who get first, go back to the circle. The money will never come back to the government. It will remain in your parish,’ he said.

About PDM

The PDM is a seven-pillar strategy that focuses on production, processing, and marketing, as well as infrastructure and economic services, financial inclusion, social services, mindset change, and governance.

Mr Museveni emphasised that by tapping into these pillars, Ugandans could unlock their potential and become active participants in the country’s economic growth.

He urged Ugandans to embrace the initiative, saying people can actually take ownership of their economic development and create a brighter future for themselves and their communities.

In February 2022, President Museveni launched PDM as a multi-sectoral strategy for transforming subsistence households into the money economy of the country.

Under this ambitious programme, 30 percent of the allocation to every parish or ward is meant for women, 30 percent for the youth, while older persons and PWDs are supposed to fetch at least 10 percent each.

To increase household food security, incomes and quality of life of Ugandans, beneficiaries are supposed to be organised and supported to, among others, identify, prioritise and respond to their own needs.

However, the government’s implementing agency – the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development – previously said that persons with disabilities or PWDs and older persons are not consuming all their allocations.

‘The report that we have in our ministry is indicating that older persons and persons with disability are not consuming all their money. Some of the monies are being returned or are being given to other interest groups and other beneficiaries,’ Ms Betty Amongi, the Gender minister, told this newspaper in Lira City on September 10.

Unfulfilled pledges

President Museveni said he is aware of the promise he made concerning the upgrade of the Namasale -Amolatar-Ochero-Dokolo road to bitumen.

However, he did not commit on when the government would fulfil the promise. On the issue of resolving the ongoing conflict between the fishing community and the Fisheries Protection Unit (FPU), the head of state said he would first consult leaders in the districts surrounding the water bodies before committing himself.

PDM key areas

Production and marketing: Citizens can engage in agricultural enterprises such as coffee, cotton, and maize production, and benefit from government-supported initiatives like the e-voucher system for farm inputs and the e-extension service.

Financial inclusion: The PDM promotes access to financial services, including savings, credit, and insurance, to help households manage their finances effectively and make informed investment decisions.

Infrastructure development: The government is committed to improving infrastructure, such as roads, markets, and water facilities, to facilitate economic activity and enhance the quality of life.

Walking through Republic Street, Naboa Road, Pallisa Road, or Kumi Road in Mbale City, you don’t see the signs of a growing city.

Instead, you see old, cracked buildings with peeling paint and collapsing verandas, once proud commercial spaces now left to rot. Many of these buildings are nearly 100 years old and have been neglected for decades. Some are stuck in complicated ownership battles, with no one taking responsibility to fix or develop them.

Back in 1972, when President Idi Amin forced Asians to leave Uganda, their shops, homes, and plots, including many in Mbale, were handed over to Ugandans through a government body called the Departed Asians Property Custodian Board. But 50 years later, confusion caused by that same board, along with the Uganda Land Commission, has left many of these properties in a legal mess. Some plots have been given to several people at once, leading to constant court cases.

Mr Yasin Kawanguzi, a lawyer and former city leader, said, ‘We see ramshackle buildings in the middle of town because ownership is unclear.

No one invests in property they are battling for in court,’ he said. One example is a building on plots 33 and 35 on Pallisa Road. It was torn down in May 2024 for being unsafe, even though a family claiming ownership protested the demolition.

Over a year later, the prime plot still sits empty at the city entrance.

This problem is not limited to one street. Almost every major road in the city centre, Naboa Road, Bishop Wasike Road, Republic Street, Kumi Road, and Pallisa Road, has buildings stuck in ownership disputes.

Locals call them ‘ghost buildings’, run-down, neglected, and stuck in legal battles. City leaders blame the Departed Asians Property Custodian Board and the Uganda Land Commission for giving out ownership documents to multiple people for the same buildings.

Mr Namugali, a city leader, said, ‘These properties were never properly returned to the city. Some buildings have five or more people claiming ownership, each with a letter from a different government office.’ Because of this, investors are staying away, and the city looks abandoned in some places.

Another example is Plot 29 on Republic Street, where a long-standing dispute continues. The family of the late Zubair Magomu said they bought the property in 1972 and later formalised ownership. But someone else claiming to represent the original Indian owners later showed up with papers and evicted the Magomu family.

Community leader Robert Mudebo said this is a national issue, but worse in Mbale.

He added: ‘One building can be claimed by 10 different people. Who will spend money renovating a property they could lose tomorrow?’ he added. Residents believe the only way Mbale can grow into a modern city is if the government sets clear rules to settle these ownership issues.

Mr Abdulsalam Namonye, who has led the North Road Cell since 1986, said: ‘All over town, buildings are falling apart because of court cases.

The custodian board should fix these disputes instead of letting middlemen profit.’ He also said his building on Plot 8, Kumi-North Road, was taken from him unfairly in 2005.

A past land investigation by the Bamugemereire Land Inquiry exposed how some people used fake claims to grab hundreds of these properties. Mr Joseph Kibande, a senior official from the Ministry of Lands, said the mess is not the ministry’s fault.

‘The custodian board is responsible for these properties. We only help those who have been cleared by the board,’ he said. Attempts to get a comment from the Departed Asians Property Custodian Board were unsuccessful by the press.

The Departed Asians Property Custodian Board, created by a 1973 law, was meant to manage the properties left behind after Asians were expelled. But decades later, the same board is now being blamed for the confusion that has left Mbale’s City centre crumbling.

Background

Mbale was officially declared a city on July 1, 2020. It was one of the first towns to be granted city status in Uganda, with Jinja, Mbarara, Gulu, and others also elevated at the same time. Mbale was previously an urban municipality. The elevation was part of a broader initiative by the government to create new cities.

As Europe doubles down on migration deals with Tunisia, Libya, and Rwanda-and Italy ships asylum seekers offshore to Albania while Britain clings to its Rwanda plan-Uganda is betting on a different answer.

Each of these European policies speaks to the same fear: that Africa’s young people, without economic pathways at home, will head north. Uganda sits at the heart of this tension. More than half its population is under 18, and another 22.7 percent are aged 18-30, according to the Uganda Bureau of Statistics.

By 2050, the population is projected to nearly double to 86.5 million. Without jobs, this ‘youth bulge’ risks spilling across borders-feeding Europe’s migration crisis and fueling instability in East Africa.

‘Many youths still get lured onto risky migration routes,’ warned State Minister for Labour Esther Anyakun, noting that of the more than 500,000 Ugandans working in the Middle East, barely half migrated using regular channels.

At the launch of Uganda’s five-year migration governance plan, government representatives described the country as a ‘regional epicentre for migration-a nexus where people migrate to, through, and from.’ Recently, the Cabinet also approved Uganda’s first National Migration Policy (2024), calling it a framework to ‘harness migration for development while minimising the risks of irregular migration.’

It is against this backdrop that policymakers, employers, and civil society gathered in Kampala on September 17 for the launch of Africa Youth Pathways, Resilience and Systems Change (AYPReS)-a and the Partnership for African Social and Governance Research (PASGR).

The program’s target is ambitious: move 30 million Africans, 70 percent women, into dignified work by 2030. In Uganda, one of the first proving grounds, the government has also earmarked Shs5 billion for a Graduate Volunteer Scheme and Shs19.48 billion to revamp skilling centers in the 2024/25 budget.

Making policy stick

Many think-tanks about the youths do believe that Uganda’s jobs crisis isn’t about a lack of ideas but that most ideas never move from paper to practice.

The argument here is that policies often arrive too late, miss political timing, or collapse under budget shortfalls, leaving evidence buried in reports while unemployment festers.

Think tanks like the PASGR argue the answer is the Utafiti Sera ‘research-to-policy’ house-less an academic hub than a pressure valve between evidence and power.

The model maps influence, convenes policymakers early, and pushes research into live debates before the window closes. In Kenya, a similar house helped shape the 2023 Social Protection Act, guided reforms in university financing, and brought agriculture and health evidence into cabinet decisions.

‘The lesson,’ says Rosebella Apollo, a programme officer in research and policy at PASGR, ‘is that evidence changes policy when it’s co-created, politically legible, and timed to the window of opportunity.’ Prof. Paul Bukuluki, a social work researcher and lecturer at Makerere University, warns that evidence without fiscal backing is ‘like planting seeds on a rock.’

Mondo Kyateka, the Assistant Commissioner for Youth and Children’s Affairs at the Labour and Gender Ministry, cautions that if fertility and youth joblessness aren’t addressed urgently, ‘the system breaks down.’ Both argue that the real test is not producing research but wiring it into budgets, protections, and working programs that blunt demographic pressure. That shows the problem is structural and the solution could be systemic.

Skills that work

Uganda’s education system has long churned out certificates without the skills employers need. The result has been many graduates armed with diplomas but no work-readiness. Government data estimates that youth aged 18-30 account for between 64 and 70 percent of the unemployed.

The government is now trying to fix the mismatch. It is rolling out competency-based technical and vocational education (TVET), introducing micro-credentials, recognizing prior learning (critical for refugees without papers), and making workplace placements mandatory to bridge classrooms with industry. Employers echo that view.

‘Youth need action, preparedness, resilience,’ says Evelyn Kisakye of the Federation of Uganda Employers, which is running a Work Readiness program with Enabel to channel graduates into agriculture, tourism, and the green economy. ‘Opportunities exist, but they reward those who show up ready.’

If Uganda succeeds in aligning skills, demand, and social protection, it won’t just create jobs-it could reshape the global migration story. If it fails, Europe’s border walls may prove too thin to hold back the tide.

A 33-year-old man, Mustafar Manirabuka, also known as Katonda, has pleaded guilty to charges of defacing campaign posters of President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni in Busia District.

Appearing before the Busia Chief Magistrate, Thomas Okoth on Thursday, Manirabuka admitted to destroying the posters along Majanji Road in Busia Town on September 22, 2025.

According to the Resident State Attorney, Julius Danx Tuhairwe, the incident occurred on September 22, 2025, when Manirabuka allegedly used a sharp knife to destroy five campaign posters of President Museveni.

While Manirabuka pleaded guilty to the charges, he disputed the number of posters involved.

“It is true I destroyed the posters, but they were four, not five as the prosecution claims,” he told the court.

Manirabuka further explained his motive, stating that he and his family had supported and campaigned for President Museveni for years without any recognition or reward.

“I tore the posters so that the message could reach the President that there is a family in Busia that has campaigned tirelessly for him over the years without being acknowledged,” Manirabuka said.

The Chief Magistrate, Mr Okoth, remanded the accused to Masafu government prison, pending sentencing and conviction.

Manirabuka, a resident of Busia Town and a Musoga by tribe, had reportedly gone into hiding after defacing the posters near Busia Police Station along Majanji Road.

He was later tracked down by police detectives and arrested on Custom Road in Eastern Division, where he had been hiding.

On the streets and at busy traffic stops, a common sight is hawkers selling traditional remedies for sexual performance. These range from young men in shukas carrying red liquid in jerrycans to vendors peddling mysterious roots. They all promise to solve men’s bedroom issues. Now, a more modern and expensive version of these treatments has emerged; a tablet called Kasumali, which sells for Shs55,000 per dose.

What are performance enhancers?

Sexual performance enhancers are substances, including drugs, supplements, and pills, specifically taken to improve the experience of sexual intercourse. They typically work by increasing libido, improving endurance, or addressing specific issues like erectile dysfunction.

“Many of these products promise solutions for better sexual performance,” explains Dr Joel Ladit, an urologist at Doctors Medical Chambers in Wakiso.

Dr Ladit says these enhancers are available for both men and women, though the demand and market are significantly larger for men. The East African studies carried out in 2024 show that medicinal plants such as mondia whitei (Mulondo) and Warburgia ugandensis are commonly used by traditional healers with the aim of improving virility and sexual performance, although clinical and pharmacological studies are required to authenticate efficacy and safety.

Why sex boosters are on demand

Urologists report a growing demand for sexual performance boosters, driven by several key factors. Dr Ladit notes that the primary reasons men seek these products are for greater stamina and improved erectile function.

‘Many men want to improve their sexual experiences. They often look for products that can help them last longer or improve their erections. This is the main reason why the use of sex boosters is becoming so common,’ Dr Ladit explains.

He adds that some men feel nervous or insecure during sex. They hope these products will make them feel more confident. Other men have a naturally low sex drive and use boosters to increase their interest in sex. These products are also easy to find, affordable, and promise fast results, which makes them very attractive. However, doctors are raising serious concerns about this trend. The most important thing to know is that these products are unregulated. This means no one checks what is in them to make sure they are safe.

Dr Roberts Lugolobi, a consulting urologist at Mulago hospital, warns that many of these supplements contain dangerous and unknown ingredients. He says while he understands people want a quick solution, these products can cause serious harm to a person’s health.

‘Doctors see more and more men using these unregulated boosters. We worry that very soon, we will see many more patients suffering from their harmful side effects,’ he says. Because of these dangers, doctors give a clear recommendation. Instead of using risky boosters, men should speak to a specialised doctor. A doctor can help find the real cause of the problem and offer safe and effective treatments.

Effects of sexual performance boosters

The use of these unprescribed and unregulated sexual performance boosters is associated with a spectrum of significant health risks, both physical and psychological. Dr Jackson Andruga of Grace Care Medical Centre in Kampala, notes that the immediate side effects can range from relatively minor discomforts such as dizziness and headaches to more severe cardiovascular complications, including dangerous fluctuations in blood pressure. These initial symptoms are often just the surface indicators of deeper, more systemic damage that these unregulated substances can inflict on the body.

The danger is particularly acute for individuals with pre-existing conditions, as the boosters can exacerbate their underlying health issues, creating a potentially life-threatening situation. The potential for harm extends to vital organs and cardiovascular health. With prolonged use, the toxic compounds found in some boosters can place an immense strain on the liver and kidneys, the body’s primary filtration systems, potentially leading to irreversible organ damage.

The Pharmaceutical Society of Uganda (PSU) has announced Shs2 million as the minimum standard professional fee payable to pharmacists as their net monthly pay per pharmacy practice setting. Currently, the government does not have a national labour law specifying minimum wage for all employees in the country.

PSU, in a notice undersigned by their Secretary Dr Stephen Lutoti, indicated that the significant resolution was passed by the PSU during their Annual General Meeting held on September 26,2025 at Imperial Royale Hotel, Kampala.

‘As a byelaw subject to the Pharmacy and Drugs Act Cap 309 and recognising the economic rights enshrined under Article 40 of the Constitution of the Republic of Uganda, the PSU resolved that, effective immediately, the minimum standard professional fee payable to pharmacists shall be two million Uganda shillings (Shs2,000,000) as net monthly pay per pharmacy practice setting,’ the notice reads.

‘This resolution aims to uphold fair compensation for the professional services rendered by pharmacists across Uganda. It is noteworthy that this professional fee pertains to the base remuneration for pharmacists’ services and does not encompass additional benefits, allowances, or rewards that may be negotiated or provided based on individual agreements, performance, or organizational policies,’ PSU stated further.

Speaking to this reporter earlier this year, Mr Aggrey Kibenge, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development, said there are still disagreements hindering the plan to have the national law on minimum wage.

‘Minimum wage is not yet resolved. It is at Cabinet level and we are waiting [for their resolution]. It has never been concluded,’ Mr Kibenge said. ‘There is a question of making sure that you take care of all dimensions; you don’t only think about the workers, you also think about the employers. That balance, I think, is what they have not yet sorted out.’

But PSU, in their September 30 notice, asked employers and organizations engaging the pharmacists to respect the resolution. They also indicated that subject to Uganda’s labour laws and contracts entered into, additional benefits and allowances can be provided to complement the professional fee.

‘All members of the PSU are expected to comply with this minimum professional fee standard and bring it to the attention of persons/ organizations that engages pharmacists,’ the society stated.

‘As part of applying for annual membership certificates and certificates of practice, pharmacists are required to provide a copy of their employment/engagement contract reflecting adherence to this standard. Contracts can be contract of Services or contract for services that should be in compliance with the Employment Act,’ they added.

Each year, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) gathers the world’s leaders in New York to deliberate on pressing global issues. This year’s meeting comes at a moment of disruption; political regimes in superpower nations are shifting, international priorities are tilting toward peace and security, and social services risk being sidelined. For Africa, this disruption is not merely a challenge it is a wake-up call.

For decades, Africa has relied heavily on the developed world to finance its priorities in health, education, and infrastructure. The dependency created a cycle in which donor agendas often shaped African policy, while domestic priorities were left underfunded. Much of the aid and loans were consumed by administrative costs or burdened with conditionalities that undermined sovereignty. As Kwame Nkrumah once said, ‘Political independence is only the prelude to a new and more involved struggle for the right to conduct our own economic and social affairs.’ That struggle is still with us.

The global order itself is evolving. The financing of development is being redefined, with donor fatigue and economic slowdowns in the Global North limiting external resources. Simultaneously, Africa is no longer the same continent that emerged from colonialism decades ago. Today, Africa holds vast mineral wealth, fertile soils, and one of the most favourable climates for renewable energy. Most importantly, it is home to the world’s youngest population, over 400 million youth aged 15-35, projected to double by 2050. This demographic reality gives Africa not just energy but bargaining power.

Yet power without unity is fragile. Africa’s minerals, oil, and agricultural potential can strengthen its leverage in negotiations, but only if countries act collectively. The African Union and regional blocs must step forward as strong institutions that articulate one voice on trade, financing, and global governance. As Julius Nyerere reminded us, ‘Unity will not make us rich, but it can make it difficult for Africa and the African peoples to be disregarded and humiliated.’

The disruptions shaping today’s world may be Africa’s opportunity. As global powers focus inward, whether on security concerns, migration, or climate shocks, Africa can reposition itself not as a recipient but as a partner. With over $4 trillion in local capital available in African pension funds, banks, and sovereign wealth funds, the capacity to finance infrastructure and social services exists within the continent itself. What is required is political will, accountability, and the courage to mobilise domestic resources.

Institutions like the IMF and World Bank have long shaped Africa’s economic pathways, often keeping countries in cycles of debt and dependency. The time is ripe to imagine and build African-led alternatives: strong regional development banks, sovereign funds, and financial instruments that respond to African realities rather than external prescriptions. At UNGA, Africa must send a clear message: that its sovereignty is not negotiable, and that true partnerships must respect the continent’s priorities. This means proper negotiations on mineral value chains,climate justice financing, and fair-trade terms. It also means ensuring that social services, health, education, and jobs remain central even as peace and security dominate global headlines.

Africa’s young population is both its greatest challenge and its greatest opportunity. Ten to 12 million youth enter the labour market each year, yet only about three million formal jobs are created. If Africa invests in education, health, and innovation, this demographic wave can fuel economic transformation. If neglected, it risks becoming a source of instability. The disruption of today is therefore Africa’s chance to reclaim its sovereignty. It is a call to own its economy, take charge of its health systems, and design education that serves its people.

With minerals beneath its soils, favourable conditions for agriculture and energy, and a youth population ready to lead, Africa holds more bargaining power than ever before. But unity is the key. The African Union must rise to its mandate, and regional blocs must present common positions. Only then can Africa negotiate from strength, not weakness. The world is shifting, but so is Africa. UNGA is not just a global stage; it is a mirror reflecting how prepared Africa is to step forward. This is the moment to transform disruption into sovereignty, dependency into self-determination, and potential into power.

Uganda’s housing market is shifting. Young professionals are pooling funds to buy rental units, families are opting for off-plan projects with flexible payment plans, and more buyers are asking how their homes can double as investments, whether through long-term rentals or Airbnb. It is a fast-moving landscape, and standing right at the intersection of dreams and dynamics is Mary Mugoya, a sales executive at Fakhruddin Properties, who has built her career by treating each home not as a transaction, but as a story waiting to unfold.

She does not just talk about square footage or finishing. She listens. On a property tour, she might pause at a window and say: ‘This is where the morning light will pour in,’ or gesture toward a backyard and add: ‘Perfect for tenants or a small Airbnb Garden if you want income.’ For her, real estate is not just about selling structures but helping Ugandans secure both homes and futures. That outlook has carried her from her teenage fascination with Mbale’s estates to her present role as a professional guiding clients through the realities of Uganda’s property market.

Planting the seed

Her journey began long before she sold her first house. As a teenager, she would stroll through the organised neighbourhoods of Busamaga, Namakwekwe, Senior Quarters, Maluku, and Half London, admiring the homes and imagining the lives unfolding within them. She recalls: ‘I used to imagine the families inside. What meals they were sharing, which children were playing in the yard. I knew early on that I wanted to be part of creating those spaces.’

While her peers aspired to careers in medicine or law, Mugoya’s curiosity about houses and neighbourhoods quietly prepared her for the career she would later embrace. Her first professional nudge came from an engineer-contractor who served as her boss. He recognised her eye for detail and advised her to take real estate seriously. ‘He told me, ‘Mary, you should study real estate properly.’ That advice shaped my direction,’ she says. She went on to pursue a degree in real estate at Makerere University Business School (Mubs), and soon after, she was mentored by Rachel N. Kakungulu, a trailblaser who straddled tourism and property.

Kakungulu broadened Mugoya’s perspective, teaching her that selling real estate was not just about square metres, but about lifestyle, experience, and community. Those lessons became part of her ethos when she later joined Fakhruddin Properties under the guidance of Haidry Qusai, who offered her the platform to refine her craft and carve out her own space as a professional. Fakhruddin Properties is a leading reputable property developer from the United Arab Emirates, with a diverse portfolio of properties and a track record of delivering property and facilities management solutions across industrial, commercial and residential properties.

Finding her home

Her baptism by fire came sooner than expected. Covering for colleagues one day, she encountered a client who was abrasive, dismissive, and constantly comparing Ugandan apartments to those in Nairobi, Kenya’s capital. ‘He insulted guards, sneered at apartments, and kept saying, ‘this is not up to Nairobi standards.’ I almost gave up,’ she admits. But she stayed calm, kept showing him the sites, and listened to his complaints with patience.

To her surprise, the man returned that same evening and made a purchase.

‘That was my baptism by fire. It taught me resilience. In real estate, patience and professionalism always pay.’ It was also the moment she knew she was exactly where she belonged. Over the years, Mugoya has learnt that the real heart of her work lies in the site visit. She insists that no brochure, no matter how glossy, can replace standing inside a property. She says: ‘People need to feel the space. It is not enough to see photos, you have to stand in the living room, hear the sounds of the neighbourhood, and ask yourself: ‘Can I imagine my life here?”

Site visits, she explains, help clients connect emotionally to a home while also revealing practical truths. Buyers can assess whether rooms are truly spacious, whether there are signs of water damage, and if the neighbourhood is too noisy for comfort. They can measure spaces for their furniture, envision possible renovations, and get a sense of the environment- schools, shops, public transport, and the general character of nearby properties. Mugoya has watched countless faces soften during these visits, as if a spark has been lit. ‘That’s when I know they have found their home,’ she says. For her, site visits are not simply about due diligence; they bridge the gap between dream and reality.

Service beyond sales

As Uganda’s market has matured, so has her purpose. She recognised a profound truth: a property transaction is not the conclusion of a need, but the genesis of a new set of responsibilities and aspirations. This insight led her beyond the familiar terrain of sales to the strategic field of Property Management at the Global Institute of Property Studies. This was not merely an addition of skills, but a fundamental expansion of her vocation. She transformed her role from a facilitator of deals to a steward of legacies. She now manages properties for the distant diaspora, ensuring their connection to home is not lost to miles. She advises investors with the acumen of a strategist, decoding the language of yields and occupancy rates.

She even steps into the realm of aesthetics, assisting with interior design, understanding that the soul of a property influences its value as much as its square footage. ‘I do not just sell property. I help clients look after it, shape it, and maximise its value,’ she explains. This philosophy acknowledges that a property is a living asset; it must be nurtured, adapted, and understood in the context of a life and a financial plan. This holistic approach has forged a new kind of relationship, one built not on a single transaction, but on generational trust.

Clients return not out of habit, but because she has become their strategic partner in wealth-building. In a market often characterised by fleeting interactions, she has built a practice on the deep, resilient foundation of fidelity. Her position affords her a unique vantage point, making her a seismograph of the nation’s economic and social shifts. The growing popularity of off-plan buying reveals a collective leap of faith in Uganda’s future, a bet on developers as nation-builders, fraught with both ambition and risk. She sees mortgages as more than loans; they are keys to class mobility for salaried workers, though the heavy lock of high interest rates keeps many doors shut.

The rise of group investments among young professionals is a modern-day adaptation of the communal tradition, a powerful, collective defiance against individual financial limitation. And the nascent promise of rent-to-own models speaks to a silent struggle, offering a flicker of hope to those marginalised by traditional finance. The most significant shift she observes is in the very psyche of the buyer. The question, ‘How do I make this house pay for itself?’ Is not merely a financial query; it is the mantra of a new, pragmatic generation. It signifies the fusion of home and enterprise, where a roof must also be a revenue stream.

Yet, amidst this fervor, she stands as a voice of seasoned wisdom.

‘Property is not a quick fix,’ she cautions. In a world chasing instant returns, her counsel is a call for introspection. She understands that land and brick are woven into the deepest layers of personal and cultural identity in Uganda. Her final advice is not about market trends, but about human nature: ‘Listen to your needs, think long-term, and not rush.’ In this, she does more than sell or manage property; she anchors ambition to foundation, ensuring that the pursuit of profit never eclipses the profound, lifelong significance of the investment.

Principles

Through it all, her values have remained steady. She believes in listening deeply to uncover what clients truly need, even when their initial requests mask a different reality. She has learnt to tell the truth, even if it means advising a client to wait for another project. She stays resilient in the face of difficult encounters, viewing each as a lesson. And she keeps faith in a profession that demands patience and grace. For her, the greatest reward has never been the commission slip but the phone call that comes years later, when a client says, ‘Mugoya, thank you. That house changed our lives.’

Looking ahead, Mugoya wants to mentor young women entering the real estate field and raise the bar for customer service in Uganda’s property sector.

‘This is a male-dominated industry, but women have an edge in empathy and detail. I want more women to see that this is a space for them, too,’ she says.

She also hopes to expand her expertise in management, investment, and design, ensuring Ugandans not only survive but thrive in a housing market that is becoming increasingly diverse, competitive, and creative.

The High Court in Kampala has dismissed a petition filed by Mr Jimmy James Michael Akena, the leader of the Uganda Peoples Congress (UPC) party, challenging the Electoral Commission’s decision to bar him from running for president on the UPC ticket in the 2026 elections.

In a ruling delivered via email on October 1, 2025, Justice Bernard Namanya upheld the EC’s decision, citing constitutional breaches and binding court orders that rendered Akena ineligible for nomination.

“It is practically impossible for this court to order the Electoral Commission to nominate Hon. Jimmy James Michael Akena as a UPC presidential candidate for the General Elections 2025/2026 because the nomination exercise is already closed,” ruled Justice Namanya.

Justice Namanya further ruled that Akena’s attempt to extend his presidency during a virtual delegates’ conference on July 26, 2025, was unlawful, having been convened in defiance of an interim court order.

“It is highly doubtful as to whether UPC could legally convene a delegates’ conference in contravention of the order prohibiting the convening of the virtual Extra-Ordinary Delegates Conference,” he said.

However, the judge granted UPC relief by blocking the Electoral Commission from enforcing its declaration that the party’s executive committee had expired, allowing the party to field parliamentary and local council candidates.

The Electoral Commission had disqualified Akena, along with Joseph Ochieno and Dennis Adim Enap, from contesting for the presidential nomination under the UPC ticket, citing their ineligibility to hold a valid UPC party card as required by the party’s constitution.

Akena had petitioned the court, seeking a court order to compel the Electoral Commission to include his name on the presidential ballot for the 2026 elections, thereby overturning the Commission’s decision to bar him from contesting on the UPC ticket.

The petition stemmed from UPC’s internal wrangles, with Akena’s leadership term having expired without formal extension by the party organs.