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The National Peasants Party (NPP) presidential candidate, Mr Robert Kasibante, has pledged to abolish the offices of Resident District Commissioners (RDCs) and Resident City Commissioners (RCCs) if elected as the next President of Uganda.

Speaking to traders and residents at Jinja Central Market Jinja City on Wednesday, Mr Kasibante said such positions are unnecessary and drain public resources that would instead benefit ordinary citizens.

‘The first thing I will do when I take office is to make RDCs and RCCs jobless. The money used to pay their salaries will be redirected to the youth and elderly through direct cash transfers of Shs200,000 to their phones,’ Mr Kasibante vowed, drawing cheers from the crowd.

Mr Kasibante, who hopes to dislodge President Museveni, who has had a grip on power for four decades, argued that the current structure of government is bloated, costly, and inefficient, with several leaders benefiting from taxpayers’ money without delivering meaningful services.

‘We have too many Members of Parliament and Ministers who enjoy public funds while the people lack quality infrastructure, healthcare, and education,’ he said.

The 11th Parliament has a total membership of 529 legislators, representing 46 million Ugandans, with critics arguing that several of them have never said a word on the floor.

Mr Kasibante proposed a leaner government system where each district would be represented by only one Member of Parliament, rather than the current arrangement that allocates MPs per county and a Women representative per district.

He noted that this and many of his reforms would reduce public expenditure and ensure better accountability if he were voted into power in the January 2026 General Election.

‘The RDCs, RCCs, MPs, and Ministers are all enjoying taxpayers’ money that should be used to improve basic services. My administration will end this wastage and corruption,’ Mr Kasibante emphasised.

The presidential hopeful also criticised the widespread corruption in government institutions, promising to implement strict anti-graft measures to ensure that citizens benefit directly from national resources.

‘We have seen how taxpayers’ money is lost through corruption. My government will stop this and ensure that every shilling serves the people,’ Mr Kasbante said.

Addressing the issue of security, Mr Kasibante said that under his leadership, the army would be confined to the barracks, focusing on their core duty of protecting the borders of Uganda and citizens’ property.

He criticised the current practice of deploying soldiers to enforce fishing restrictions on lakes, saying it undermines the livelihoods of poor fishermen.

‘The army should not stop fishermen from working. Fishing is their source of income, and my government will protect such economic activities,’ he said.

Mr Kasibante also condemned what he called police harassment of opposition politicians.

Referring to recent reports of security officers trailing fellow presidential candidate Mr Robert Kyagulanyi, popularly known as Bobi Wine, in a hotel, he said such actions reflect a shrinking democratic space.

‘If they can attack Robert Kyagulanyi in his hotel, then I, Robert Kasibante, could be the next target,’ he warned. ‘We must stop this intimidation and allow all candidates to campaign freely.’

Mr Kasibante concluded by urging Ugandans to vote for leaders committed to service delivery, transparency, and fairness.

He said his government would focus on empowering citizens, not enriching politicians.

Uganda’s Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Zaake W Kibedi, says the East African country can be where the Middle East country currently is in 15 years.

Ambassador Kibedi, who was addressing delegates at the opening of the Fourth Uganda-UAE Business Forum in Kampala on Tuesday, expressed optimism, citing World Bank statistics.

‘The statistics show that in 1970, the economy of the UAE was valued at $686 million, while Uganda’s economy in the same year, was valued at $1.2 billion, meaning Uganda’s economy was bigger than UAE economy in 1970,’ Ambassador Kibedi said on Tuesday.

He added: ‘But now, they (UAE) are at $537 billion; so, when we strengthen this collaboration, then we don’t have to reinvent the will. The ten-fold programme aims at raising Uganda’s economy to $500 billion.’

The Uganda-UAE Business Forum is an annual event organised by the Uganda Embassy, Abu Dhabi and the Uganda Consulate General, Dubai in collaboration with Abu Dhabi Department for Economic Development, Abu Dhabi Chamber and Dubai Chambers to promote investments, trade, tourism innovation and technology transfer.

The inaugural forum in 2022 was held across Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, and Ras Al Khaimah, while the second edition in 2023 took place in Kampala, Uganda. Last year, the third edition returned to Abu Dhabi.

This year’s forum, held in Kampala from October 27-29 under the theme ‘Unlocking Opportunities, Building Bridges through Trade and Investment’, brought together business leaders, private sector representatives, and senior government officials from both countries to strengthen bilateral partnerships in investment, trade, tourism, and innovation, among other areas.

Uganda’s Prime Minister, Ms Robinah Nabanja, while officially opening the summit, said strengthening Uganda-UAE relations is important because it helps to continue a strong bond of economic cooperation and shared vision for sustainable development.

She cited the waiver of Visa requirements between both countries as a ‘great milestone,’ adding that ‘as a result, the UAE has become Uganda’s largest export destination.’

Ms Nabanja described Uganda as ‘the best investment destination in Africa’, highlighting its status as ‘one of the rapidly-growing economies in the world,’ according to the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

She cited the country’s stable currency, a range of tax and non-tax incentives for investors, fertile soils, abundant fresh water, and favorable weather conditions as key attractions for investment.

Ms Evelyn Anite, the State Minister for Investment and Privatisation, said from the first summit, where we had zero investment between UAE and Uganda, today, we are talking about $3.5b of Foreign Direct Investments (FDI) invested in Uganda; these are all by companies in the UAE.

‘Initially, Ugandans didn’t know how to access the UAE market; now, they know, that is why the business-to-business is happening, Ugandan traders are now able to take their products and trade in the UAE,’ Ms Anite said, envisioning that by the tenth edition of this summit, ‘we shall be very far away.’

‘In ten years, if we have been able to grow to 50,000 factories, we must make sure that we continue with the winning policies that we have put in place,’ said Ms Anite.

She added: ‘We project that with oil and gas, having more electricity, and with the tax and nontax incentives that we have in place, we have a projection of another 50,000 industries coming on board.’

In January, President Museveni visited the UAE, and in May, the UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, visited Uganda.

Their meetings led to the signing of six Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) covering sectors including investment protection, works and transport, diplomatic training and capacity building, joint development, digital transformation, and energy.

The country’s health sector is buckling under a major drop in donor support, with external (donor) funding for the national health budget declining from the high of 49 percent in 2022 to just 23 percent this year. The revelation is contained in a joint report by the Uganda National NGO Forum and the Centre for Health, Human Rights and Development (CEHURD), released yesterday in Kampala. The report indicates that this sharp decline, by more than half within four years, amid insufficient increases in domestic resource allocation to plug the gaps and increasing health needs, has exposed deep structural vulnerabilities, eroded service quality, and left many vulnerable Ugandans struggling to access essential care.

The sector has been heavily relying on donors to provide services to Ugandans. In 2022, the domestic funding towards the health sector was at Shs2.4 trillion, while external (donor) funding was at Shs2.3 trillion. But in 2025, the domestic funding is estimated at Shs4.4 trillion while external funding has declined to Shs1.3 trillion. ‘The reduction in external financing (on-budget) has exposed various systemic risks with immediate disruptions to HIV/Aids [services], maternal health, and essential medicines,’ said Mr Richard Muganzi, the director of programmes at CEHURD, while presenting the report.

‘The limited sources of domestic financing have negative effects on service quality, continuity, and progress toward the Abuja target (of allocating 15 percent of the national budget to the health sector),’ he added. Mr Muganzi also observed the effects of shrinking donor support on the support supervision and accountability drive, signalling poor transition interventions. ‘Many differentiated health service delivery programmes and community-based initiatives have been phased out or scaled down amid shortages in drug supplies, staff attrition, and reduced outreach activities in hard-to-reach areas and among vulnerable groups,’ he said.

The major staff attrition followed the recent abolition of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), which was employing health workers to supplement government efforts in health facilities and community-based programmes, according to doctors. As a result, the report shows, there is increased demotivation and increased workload for staff employed by the government, limited access to HIV treatment and prevention services. The report further shows weak support mechanisms for local implementers and reduced availability of sexual and reproductive health services and gender-based violence interventions.

According to the report, the allocation of the total national budget to the health sector in Uganda has remained significantly low at around 6 percent compared to other countries in the region. Rwanda allocates around 13.5 percent of its budget to health, Tanzania (9.2 percent), Kenya (11 percent), and Ethiopia (7.2 percent), according to the report. The report states that significant debt burden is also limiting the government’s capacity to fund health services, as around 27 percent of the budget is for debt servicing.

Ministry of Health speaks

But Dr Charles Olaro, the director general of health services at the Ministry of Health, said the government is committed to plugging the gaps created by the withdrawal of donors like USAID and the general decline in funding. ‘I am happy to report that the quantified gap of over Shs400b that was left by the US executive orders, especially in the area of HIV/Aids, will be filled by the GoU [Government of Uganda] budget beginning this financial year,’ he said.

‘In addition, at the national health financing dialogue held in May, we committed to ensuring more health funding by being efficient as we pursue more money for health. There is now a greater focus on investing in prevention and community-level services (PHC),’ he said. He added that they are doing more with what is at hand through implementing service integration approaches at all levels to save resources. ‘Uganda, like many other low and middle-income countries that rely heavily on foreign aid, has been affected by the abrupt cuts seen in recent months. It is estimated that external financing will reduce to the tune of 25 to 50 percent in the short to medium term,’ he added.

Dr Olaro also said the domestic financing has been rising over time. ‘I would like to note that the government has made significant allocations to the health sector in the last five years of Shs2.788 trillion in the 2020/2021 financial year to Shs4.486 trillion in 2024/2025 financial year,’ he said. ‘This has had positive effects on the total health expenditure as well. For instance, government health expenditure as a percentage of current health expenditure increased from 15 percent 2018/2019 financial year to 21 percent in the 2020/2021 financial year,’ he added.

Recommendation

Key recommendations from the report and in the panel discussion during the dissemination included strengthening domestic resource mobilisation, enhancing public-private partnerships, improving accountability, investing in primary healthcare, and maintaining partnerships. Specifically in the report, the two organisations said the country should, within one to two years, expand sin taxes, improve budget execution, set up a transparency dashboard, pilot the district National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) design, and secure donor bridge funding.

For the medium-term (three to five years), they advised the country to formalise NHIS pilots; roll-out pooled procurement changes; enact some legal and administrative changes to allow earmarks; begin with motor-insurance and mobile levy pilots. In the long-term (five to 15 years), the country should scale NHIS nationally with indigent subsidies; operationalise a National Solidarity Fund; effect performance-based purchasing and explore vital finance.

‘Building a diversified, predictable, and equitable financing system is essential for universal health coverage. Uganda’s health financing system is at a crossroads requiring effective implementation of reforms,’ the report reads. ‘Donor dependency and fiscal constraints risk reversing health gains. There is need for political will, predictable funding, and equitable service delivery,’ the report reads further.

What officials said

Dr Moses Isooba, executive director of Uganda NGO Forum, said: ‘Development partners’ financing is going to continue to decrease, so our government needs to invest quite substantially in public services like health. Our collective commitment needs to ensure that our investment in health leads to measurable improvement in equity, quality, and access.’ Mr Patrick Mwanja, commissioner of Infrastructure and Social Services Department of Ministry of Finance, said:

‘We have seen the human capital development (which encompasses the health sector) receiving the largest parts of the budget, around Shs11.4 trillion, up from Shs10 trillion in the last financial year, showing growth of 9.6 percent. In the health sub-programme, since 2021, we have seen growth from Shs2.1 trillion to Shs5.5 trillion , and are contributing eight percent of the national budget and an annual growth of about 9.6 percent. So the government is committed to increasing financing. Our focus has been on increasing infrastructure for the health centres, district hospitals, and referral hospitals. But the challenges remain in operationalising these facilities.’

Ms Ruth Ajalo, the head of the strategic litigation programme at CEHURD said: ‘The era of abundant donor funding is shifting, and with it comes an urgent need for innovation, efficiency, and sustainability within our own systems.’ Ms Christabel Abewe, a health financing officer at WHO Uganda Country Office, said: ‘As you know, we’ve been heavily relying on external aid, at least for Uganda.

50 percent of our total expenditure has been from external support. But what we are seeing now is tighter fiscal space from the countries that used to donate to us. And what that means is that they don’t have too much to give to countries like Uganda anymore.’ Mr Julius Mukunda, the executive director of CSBAG Uganda, said : ‘In Uganda, the problem is, people think there is no money. The problem is, we don’t know how to use the money.’

External funding.

The reduction in external financing (on budget) has exposed various systemic risks with immediate disruptions to HIV/Aids [services], maternal health, and essential medicines- Mr Richard Muganzi, the director of programmes at CEHURD.

Parliament this week blocked journalists from Nation Media Group Uganda, including Daily Monitor, from covering the House. It was done willy-nilly and weaselly, through mealy-mouthed references to obscure investigations by “security” — often a blanket reference designed to both intimidate and deflect accountability.

Whoever called the shot lacked the testicular fortitude to own it, as well as the decorum to subject it, even circumstantially, to due process. Isn’t it ironic when lawmakers act outside the laws they write and pass?

Alas, this unparliamentary behaviour in Parliament has been more than a decade in the making. What was initially a box-ticking accreditation process for journalists to cover the House was slowly but surely weaponised to get rid of pesky journalists. Those that remained faced an impossible choice, of reporting and keeping their places on the perch, or doing journalism and facing the consequences. Tellingly, the most critical coverage of Parliament is increasingly coming from activist outfits like Agora, or super-niche ones like Parliament Watch.

Yet Parliament is not alone in wanting to determine who covers it, and how it is covered. It is merely following the example set by the Presidency and several other public entities that seek to criminalise criticism and weaponise access and advertising.

Public officials choosing who covers them and how is the equivalent of school pupils marking their own homework and awarding themselves grades. The rose crown of occupying public office and being paid off the taxpayer’s purse comes with the thorns of accountability and the discomfort of criticism, including that which the officeholder might find offensive.

A public official who finds themselves on the receiving end of coverage or criticism that they find unfair has three options. The first is to demand the right of reply to counter the unfair or incorrect criticism with facts and allow the truth to emerge.

Any self-respecting media house, aware that it’s engaged in an unending pursuit of the best obtainable version of the truth, should stand corrected and provide a clarification or apology to its audience and the concerned official if needed.

Public officials (and private individuals) also have the right to seek legal redress if they have reason to believe that they have been libelled or defamed. This isn’t always perfect, and there are very recent examples of public officials leaning on judges to find for them in defamation lawsuits, or award them extortionate damages — but this at least allows some due process.

Thin-skinned public officials irritated by constant criticism can also return to private life where, unmoored from the public purse and perks of public office, they can enjoy undisturbed peace and quiet.

What they shouldn’t be allowed to do is to use the political, financial and administrative power of their public offices to insulate themselves from accountability, or reward, from the public purse, the praise-singers who see or hear no evil.

In the early days of the NRM government, President Museveni routinely summoned senior editors to chew the fat. The conversations were off-the-record or on deep background to allow for candid exchanges.

The journalists circled and probed. The President, confident in his ideology and comfortable in his intellect, parried, explained, counterargued. Some of the editors, like Wafula Oguttu, had been activists and active supporters. Others, like William Pike at New Vision, had given the NRA rebel group an imprimatur of credibility and acceptance. The exchanges gave the editors context; it gave the President and his NRM top brass free intelligence.

Two broad takeaways emerge from the rising contemporary attacks on independent media in Uganda in particular, and civil society generally. First, the NRA/M has lost its ideological and intellectual core that was able to debate its inevitable contradictions internally and cogently respond to criticism externally. The NRA/M wasn’t always an advocate of free press as the advertising ban on the Monitor showed, but there were enough insiders to argue back and show the dangers of a one-sided story. Onboarding opponents and dissidents as converts has expanded the NRM church but diluted its religion and the faith of its adherents.

The second is that as the underlying business model of traditional media shifts away from advertising to reader revenue, the premium on credible and independent media is going to become higher, not less. The onus will fall on ordinary citizens to back — with their wallets, attention, and feedback — those media houses that are best aligned to their world views and act in the broader public interest.

It is admittedly a bit of a self-serving argument, but you get the media you deserve, the information you are willing to pay for, and the media houses and spaces you are willing to fight for.

Court on Wednesday dismissed a mandatory bail application by opposition National Unity Platform (NUP) members Edward Ssebufu, known as Eddie Mutwe, and Achileo Kivumbi, citing lack of jurisdiction to hear the case.

Kivumbi serves as the civilian head of opposition leader Robert Kyagulanyi, also known as Bobi Wine’s, security, alongside Eddie Mutwe.

Delivering the ruling on Wednesday, Kawempe Grade Two Magistrate Steven Waidhuuba said although the two accused had spent more than 60 days on remand without trial, his court could not entertain their application.

‘The applicants have been on remand for 68 days without the commencement of trial and the Constitution mandates that such persons are released unconditionally,’ Magistrate Waidhuuba noted.

‘However, this court has no jurisdiction to grant the application since the matter is before another magistrate who is currently indisposed.’

The magistrate explained that Article 23(6) (b) of the Constitution provides for the release of an accused person on bail if they have been remanded beyond the prescribed period before trial begins.

However, he added that such release must be made by the magistrate before whom the case is pending.

‘The court agrees with the submissions of the defence counsel that this is a human rights matter, but the law equally provides that the application should be placed before the magistrate handling the trial. Therefore, the application is dismissed, and the applicants are advised to reapply before the trial magistrate when she returns from leave,’ Mr Waidhuuba ruled.

He informed the defence that the available dates in the trial magistrate’s diary were November 18, 2025.

During the hearing, defence lawyer Samuel Muyiizi argued that the accused were entitled to mandatory release since they had been on remand since August 14, 2025.

‘Once 60 days lapse without commencement of trial, court is under duty to release the accused. The applicants are presumed innocent and cannot continue to suffer on remand for failure by the prosecution to commence trial,’ Mr Muyiizi submitted.

He added that the trial magistrate, Damalie Agumansiimwe, was too ill to preside over the proceedings and that the defence had been unable to present sureties during previous Zoom session due to technical challenges.

‘The only duty of this court is to set the terms for mandatory bail as the two men are entitled to it,’ Mr Muyiizi argued.

However, State Attorney Sharon Nambuya, assisted by Bruce Twongirwe, opposed the application, arguing that the court had no jurisdiction to hear the case.

‘The trial magistrate made a ruling on October 3 denying bail. Since she is on leave, the accused can only seek a review of that decision and not file a fresh application,’ Ms Nambuya submitted.

The magistrate agreed with the state’s position and dismissed the application.

Background

Ssebufu, Kivumbi, and eight others, including Calvin Tasi, Doreen Kaija, and Alex Waiswa Mufumbiro, are charged with unlawful drilling contrary to Section 45 of the Penal Code Act.

Prosecution alleges that they conducted military-style training at the NUP offices in Makerere-Kavule, Kampala, without authorization from the Minister of Internal Affairs.

The group, all NUP leaders and supporters, were first denied bail by Magistrate Agumansiimwe earlier in October. They have been on remand at Luzira Prison since their first arraignment in August 2025.

Wananchi beat mid-table Badgers 6-3 in Lugogo on Saturday to defend their men’s National Hockey League (NHL) title.

Rivals have been resigned to Wananchi’s triumph for a while but there was still mathematical work for the champions to take care of.

First quarter goals from Innocent Raskara and Emmanuel Baguma set the tone but Badgers tried to make things difficult through quick goals from Cyrus Amanya and Mark Ojok at the start of the second quarter.

But Innocent Tumukunde pulled Wananchi back in front in the 27th minute then cushioned the lead in the 33rd. Amanya pulled one back for Badgers to go into the fourth quarter just 4-3 behind but Wananchi sealed victory with goals from Jerome Owori and Emmanuel Musinguzi then the championship with 46 points and two games to spare. Badgers remain 6th on 21 points.

That win meant that Wananchi watched the Sunday encounter between third-placed Weatherhead and second-placed Kampala Hockey Club (KHC) with little interest.

The Stallions scored first through Aaron Mutenyo’s rebound after captain Jordan Mpiima’s drag flick had hit the cross bar and returned to play.

But it did not take long for Weatherhead to equalize as a searching ball from Moses Tushabe into the circle was collected and calmly finished by league top scorer Brian Okodi (now 38 goals in 16 matches).

Joel Barungi coolly finished to put Weatherhead in the lead before halftime but Ernest Musumba later equalized to earn the Stallions a draw and push them to 37 points – one ahead of Weatherhead.

Another interesting encounter between the two clubs on Sunday saw their older men’s sides KHC Originals, now in 7th with 19 points, and Weatherhead Titans, 9th with eight points, draw 2-2. Again KHC took the lead but Weatherhead replied with two goals from Andrew Onyango and Vincent Kasasa before the former rescued a point through Benjamin Mkapa.

Badgers are two points behind Rockets, who let Thunders open up a four point lead on them in a 5-2 win on Saturday. Muhammad Babu, Khalifan Kamulegeya, Ezra Mandela, and Swabur Kizito all scored before Thomas Opio pulled one back for Rockets in the 24th minute. Rockets pulled another back to make it 4-2 but Kizito got another goal to break them altogether.

Meanwhile, the other Saturday strugglers’ clash between Makerere University and Wananchi Wabalozi saw the latter win 4-0, to move to 13 points in 8th position, owing to goals from Andrew Ndhaye (2), Timothy Hamya, and Frank Nsubuga.

Swans strike Thunder

But the Makerere Stingers were only avenging a similar loss by their women’s side Eagles to Wananchi HDF (Hockey Dreams Foundation). The latter had only eight players but controlled proceedings against the bottom-placed Makerere and relied on Lillian Nelimma converting four penalty corners to keep their place at the top with 34 points.

With two games left to play for each side this season, Wananchi follow on 31 points after beating 6th-placed Deliverance Church of Uganda (DCU) 9-0.

KHC Swans, now on 26 points, played hockey to match their new red kit as they jumped from 3rd to top scoring side of the women’s season (87 goals in 12 games) after obliterating Thunders 24-0 with 10 different scorers. Their lead strikers Sarah Arinaitwe and Sandra Namusoke scored four apiece as Pauline Ninsiima joined them with a brace.

Lucky Akello bagged a hat-trick and inspired Immaculate Nakku and Margaret Nassiwa to get their first hat-tricks too. Judith Mirembe (2), Joy Sserunjogi, and Pauline Achom also bagged their first league goals of the season while captain Vanessa Abeja scored the other goal.

Meanwhile Weatherhead Gazelles trail the Swans by just two points with a meeting between them to come at the end of the season. The Gazelles beat their clubmates Weatherhead Titans 9-0 with four goals from Thuwaibah Kiggundu, three from Martina Amito, and one apiece for Annet Awat and Hilda Star Balondemu.

NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE

Men

Thunders 5-2 Rockets

Makerere University 4-0 Wananchi Wabalozi

Badgers 3-6 Wananchi

KHC Originals 2-2 Weatherhead Titans

KHC Stallions 2-2 Weatherhead

Women

Wananchi 9-0 Deliverance Church

Makerere University 0-4 Wananchi HDF

KHC Swans 24-0 Thunders

Weatherhead Diamonds 0-9 Weatherhead Gazelles

Men’s Table

Team P W D L F A PTS

Wananchi 16 15 1 0 168 22 46

KHC Stallions 16 11 4 1 109 21 37

Weatherhead 16 11 3 2 128 19 36

Thunders 16 9 0 7 58 48 27

Rockets 16 7 2 7 52 56 23

Badgers 16 6 3 7 60 42 21

KHC Originals 16 5 4 7 39 75 19

Makerere University 16 4 1 11 22 73 13

Weatherhead Titans 16 2 2 12 26 75 8

Wananchi Wabalozi 16 0 0 16 4 237 0

Women’s Table

Team P W D L F A PTS

Wananchi HDF 12 11 1 0 87 6 34

Wananchi 12 10 1 1 67 10 31

KHC Swans 12 8 2 2 89 7 26

Weatherhead 12 8 0 4 78 19 24

Weatherhead Diamonds 12 3 1 8 14 54 10

Deliverance Church 12 3 0 9 18 68 9

Thunders 12 1 1 10 8 128 4

Makerere University 12 1 0 11 4 71 3

At 28 years old, Ms Gertrude Nakigudde, the chief executive officer of the Uganda Women’s Cancer Support Organisation (UWOCASO), noticed a lump in her left breast, but she ignored it for a year because it was not painful.

Twenty four years later, Ms Nakigudde recounts her survival from breast cancer after what she describes as a painful and uncertain journey that began with ignorance and ended with resilience. ‘I felt a small swelling in my breast, towards the armpit, and I did not care much about it because I was young and there was little talk about cancer at that time. The lump kept growing, but it was painless, so I continued to ignore it,’ she said.

Nearly a year later, when the swelling became bigger, she went to the hospital expecting a simple procedure to remove it. However, tests revealed that she had breast cancer, and doctors told her that the only available treatment was to remove the affected breast. ‘I went for surgery, and they removed the breast. After the operation, I underwent six cycles of chemotherapy and hormonal therapy treatment for five years,’ she added. The treatment process was costly and emotionally draining. At that time in 2002, Nakigudde paid Shs1m for the surgery and Shs350,000 for each of the six chemotherapy cycles, excluding the cost of tests such as x-rays, blood work, and the daily medication she took for years.

Ms Nakigudde added: ‘There was little support for cancer patients then, and I was lucky that my employer and family stood with me and partly paid my medical bills. I lost hope at several points during treatment because of the harsh side effects, including fatigue, hair loss. I saw death and no hope, but my life kept getting better with time.’ Despite the uncertainty, Ms Nakigudde survived. Today, she is a mother to a boy at university, happily married, and an advocate for women battling breast cancer.

‘When I was diagnosed, people told me I would never have children. But here I am, a mother and a survivor. After recovery, I dedicated myself to creating awareness and offering counselling to women battling breast cancer,’ she said. In a move to boost awareness and support survivors, the UWOCASO has organised an awareness event scheduled for October 31 in Kampala aimed at raising Shs100m to construct a rehabilitation and skilling centre in Wakiso District.

Speaking to journalists yesterday, Ms Mercy Tayebwa, the board chairperson of UWOCASO, said survivors face trauma and neglect, with most losing their jobs.

‘Survivors need a space where they can receive rehabilitation, skills training, and support after treatment. This centre will help empower women who have battled breast cancer to reintegrate into society,’ she said. According to the Uganda Cancer Institute (UCI), each year Uganda records more than 4,000 new cases of breast cancer, and tragically, many women present when the disease is at advanced stages. Yet, with early detection, up to 90 percent of breast cancers are curable.

Breast cancer remains the second most common cancer among women, accounting for 8.3 percent of all cancers nationwide. In 2022, the country recorded 2,999 new cases and 1,560 deaths, according to Globalcan (2022). Despite rising awareness, over 75 percent of patients still present at advanced stages (Stage III or IV), compared to five to 10 percent in developed countries. Dr Noleb Mugisha, an oncologist at UCI, emphasised the importance of early detection and public awareness.

Dr Mugisha said family history remains the strongest risk factor for the disease, with women who have relatives diagnosed with breast cancer more likely to develop it. He added that while genetic predisposition cannot be controlled, several lifestyle changes can reduce the risk. ‘Maintaining a healthy weight through exercising regularly, avoiding high-fat diets, and reducing alcohol consumption are simple but effective preventive measures. The other thing we should do is make sure we increase our physical activity to burn down excess fat,’ Dr Mugisha said.

He added that breastfeeding for up to two years lowers the risk of breast cancer, while delayed childbirth and unbalanced family planning methods tend to increase it. ‘Many women today delay their first childbirth as they pursue careers, some even after 40 years of age, and that increases the risk. The other thing that can reduce the risk is acquiring proper family planning methods because unbalanced family planning increases the risk.’ Dr Mugisha advised women to regularly self-examine their breasts.

‘We recommend that women check their breasts once every month. Any unusual lump, change in size, or discharge should be reported immediately to a health worker,’ he said. He said women should have their first mammography at the age of 40, adding that screening gives doctors a chance to detect the disease at its earliest and most treatable stage.

Breast cancer

According to the Uganda Cancer Institute, each year Uganda records more than 4,000 new cases of breast cancer, and tragically, many women present when the disease is at advanced stages. Yet, with early detection, up to 90 percent of breast cancers are curable.

The opposition National Unity Platform (NUP) has issued a stern warning to party members in who have defied party rules by running as independents or joining rival political parties ahead of Uganda’s 2026 general elections.

Speaking in Masaka City on Tuesday, while attempting to visit detained NUP members at Masaka Prison, Secretary-General David Lewis Rubongoya condemned members who, after being denied party cards, chose to contest outside the party.

Rubongoya was denied entry to the prison, which was not an official visiting day, but used the occasion to address party discipline.

‘We want to make it clear that once someone chooses to stand as an independent, they automatically cease to be a member of the National Unity Platform,’ Rubongoya said.

‘You cannot claim to support NUP while defying the same party that gave you a platform,’ he added.

Rubongoya also criticized endorsed NUP flag bearers who have reportedly campaigned alongside independent candidates in some constituencies, calling the practice a violation of party regulations.

‘It is unfortunate that some of our own flag bearers are moving with independents,’ he said, adding: ‘This goes against our principles. Once you support an independent, you are working against the party.’

Several high-profile cases illustrate the scope of defections and independent bids in central Uganda. In Masaka City, Sauya Nanyonga is running as an independent for the Masaka Woman MP seat, despite NUP endorsing Rose Nalubowa.

In Kalungu District, Aisha Waliggo, who lost NUP primaries to Shakira Namiiro Zzinga, joined the Democratic Front party and secured its endorsement for the same seat.

In Bukoto Central, Alex Kalinzi Ntamu has filed as an independent candidate, alleging that his NUP card was stolen by Jamil Kivumbi. Meanwhile, Isaac Tumusiime Museveni of Lwemiyaga County defected to the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) on the final day of nominations, pledging support to NRM candidates.

Rubongoya accused those abandoning the party of prioritizing personal gain over the NUP mission.

‘We must protect our struggle and ensure that only genuine NUP candidates carry our message,’ he said. ‘Unity and discipline are what will win us victory.’

Uganda will hold its General Election on January 15, 2025 to vote a new president and parliamentarians.

The promise by the Government of Uganda (GoU) that it will meet a target of adding slightly under 650 midwives to its payroll in the Financial Year (FY) 2025/2026 is reassuring. It signals much-needed intent to focus minds on the urgent need to improve birth outcomes and experiences in the country. While maternal and neonatal deaths have, in recent years, dipped, with a 2023 World Bank report putting the latter at 18 per 1,000 live births, deeply troubling failures in maternity services still stick out like the metaphorical sore thumb.

It is refreshing that-at last week’s staging of the fifth National Safe Motherhood Conference in Kampala- the GoU acknowledged that the sheer number of birth traumas and deaths still gives obstetrics in Uganda a bad rap. Grave shortcomings in maternity services are still the order of the day at various units, including but not limited to those in the GoU’s care. The failure to guarantee patient safety has led to a number of preventable deaths and injuries at a range of maternity units. The rise in medical mistakes has particularly been deeply disturbing, with a number of severe vaginal tears reported.

The GoU reckons that a new structure that was approved for health centre IIIs (HCIIIs) and health centre IVs (HCIVs) will considerably improve birth outcomes and experiences. Thanks to the new structure, up to 200 midwives will be added to the roster of national and regional referral hospitals. It’s not just the central-level institutions that are primed to get a much-needed tonic. Each of the country’s 146 districts is also set to get, on average, three midwives apiece. As noted earlier, this is commendable. The bump in the number of midwives should, however, not be treated as a magic wand.

Maternal and neonatal deaths in Uganda can be traced back to a range of other problems. Not just inadequate staffing. Weak leadership is writ large in Uganda. It has predisposed maternity services in the country to other attendant problems. Take, for one, the almost palpable lack of monitoring. The poor collaboration between clinicians can also be traced back to feebleness in leadership. A strong leadership would ensure there is openness, and it would, doubtlessly, actualise learning from medical mistakes.

With the proportion of caesarean section deliveries increasing, the country needs strong leadership now more than ever before. Caesarean section deliveries are known to present challenges by the truckload. Our leaders should be alive to such crucial yet seemingly ‘trivial’ details. Things like expectant mothers being heavier than ever before, older than ever before, point to changing demographics that must not be overlooked. Of course, the staffing vis-à-vis unmanageable workloads matter a great deal, too. The numbers say so. Last year, 2.2 million pregnancies were recorded in Uganda.

This represented an increase from the 1.5 million pregnancies recorded in 2023. More bodies are definitely needed in the maternity units. As is the leadership.

The GoU should outrightly resist the temptation to rest on its laurels, even as data shows that inroads are being made. The Uganda Demographic Health Survey 2022, for one, shows that maternal mortality declined to 189 deaths per 100,000 live births. In 2016, it was 336 deaths per 100,000 live births. All things considered, this is a telling drop. But look deeper and you will see that there is work to be done.

A consignment of 60,000 biometric voter verification machines arrived in the country on Monday, marking a major step in preparations for Uganda’s January 15, 2026, General Election. Justice Simon Byabakama, the Electoral Commission (EC) chairperson, who led officials to receive the equipment, said the machines will verify voters using fingerprints and facial recognition, particularly for those whose fingerprints cannot be captured. The consignment, part of 109,142 units procured from Simi Valley Company, is expected to enhance the credibility of the 2026 polls.

Justice Byabakama said each polling station will receive two machines to ensure efficiency and reduce disruptions such as those experienced in 2016 and 2021.

‘The new devices are designed to function efficiently even under difficult conditions. We are going to embark on extensive training and voter education to ensure both polling officials and the public understand how the kit works,’ he said, adding that the remaining units will arrive in the country by the end of November.

How the machines work

The EC will demonstrate how the biometric machines work at a later date, but according to the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA), biometrics involves ‘the measurement and analysis of unique physical or behavioural characteristics, especially as a means of verifying and identifying an individual.’ These characteristics include fingerprints, palm prints, iris and retina scans, voice patterns, and DNA profiles.

When applied in elections, biometric voter registration and ID systems help detect duplicate registrants, confirm voter identity and eligibility, and prevent multiple voting or identity theft. Uganda first applied biometric verification during the 2016 polls, using the Biometric Voter Verification System (BVVS) to authenticate voters via fingerprints. The national voter register was compiled using biometric data extracted from the National Identification and Registration Authority (Nira).

However, that initial rollout was marred by an Internet outage on polling day, forcing officials to revert to manual verification. Justice Byabakama said lessons from previous challenges informed the latest procurement.’In areas with limited access to electricity, these machines have a power bank which will keep them on, and we procured two per polling station, so in case one breaks down, the other continues to be used and the voting continues,’ he said.

Timing questioned

The procurement comes amid renewed debate over electoral integrity. Some political actors have linked the move to persistent allegations of vote rigging in past elections. President Museveni, who has ruled Uganda since 1986, has repeatedly claimed, without evidence, that the National Unity Platform (NUP) rigged the 2021 elections. Speaking during a thanksgiving ceremony for the late Gen Aronda Nyakayirima in Kampala on September 12 last year, Mr Museveni accused NUP of stealing up to one million of his votes.

He did not provide evidence but challenged NUP to take him to court. Mr Museveni was announced as the winner of the 2021 elections with 6.01 million votes against NUP leader Robert Kyagulanyi’s 3.6 million. However, in Buganda Sub-region, Mr Kyagulanyi, alias Bobi Wine, defeated the incumbent by 614,677 votes, garnering 1,453,535 votes to Mr Museveni’s 838,858. The National Resistance Movement (NRM) also lost several parliamentary seats.

The NUP victory made it the largest Opposition party in Parliament with 57 MPs. Mr Museveni later repeated his claims in March this year after NUP’s Elias Nalukoola defeated the NRM’s Faridah Nambi in the Kawempe North by-election. The President directed the Directorate of Criminal Investigations to probe alleged ballot stuffing and result manipulation.

While addressing a religious event at Kololo on May 25, Mr Museveni insisted that voting should be halted wherever biometric machines fail. Political players and analysts have questioned the timing of the EC’s procurement of the machines, and the short window for testing and training. Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) spokesperson John Kikonyogo said the machines should have been acquired much earlier.

‘Some of us did study engineering, so we know how machines misbehave. That is why we needed these machines to be procured early and even used as pilot studies in the by-elections we had, like in Kawempe North,’ he said. ‘But as we speak, we don’t know how the machine works, how many people it can handle in a minute, yet some polling stations have more than 900 voters,’ he added Dr Juma Kakuba Sultan, a lecturer of Political Science at Kyambogo University, acknowledged that technology enhances credibility but warned about operational lapses.

‘The use of technology is important since it helps in ensuring accuracy and people do not question the election results. But since we saw some faulty machines in previous elections, we needed to understand the efficiency and effectiveness of these and the competency of the people who are going to use them, so I doubt they will deliver a credible election,’ he said.

Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) secretary general Fred Ebil said his party supports technology that promotes transparency but is concerned about implementation. ‘UPC welcomes any initiative that aims at eliminating vote rigging that has undermined the credibility of the elections, but our concerns are in areas where there is poor Internet and no electricity,’ he said.

EC defends the rollout

EC spokesperson Julius Mucunguzi dismissed concerns about timing, saying three months is sufficient for training and deployment. ‘The Commission believes the three months are enough to train its staff, who will use these machines, so there is no need to worry. We shall roll out a massive media campaign and teach Ugandans how these machines work, and I want to assure the country that they will be deployed and work effectively,’ he said.

The procurement coincides with Parliament’s pending debate on proposed amendments to the Electoral Commission Act. Justice and Constitutional Affairs Minister Norbert Mao has proposed changes to Section 12(1) to formally authorise the EC’s use of biometric systems in managing elections. Mr Mao told this publication in July that his proposal is part of broader electoral reforms aimed at eliminating ballot stuffing, ghost voters, and double voting.

‘We have been using these biometric machines in previous elections, but the only change coming is to make it compulsory, and in these amendments, we shall leave no option of excluding the biometric verification,’ he said. ‘The committee chaired by [Kinkizi East MP and ICT minister] Dr Chris Baryomunsi will soon report to the Cabinet, and then we will go to Parliament,’ he added. Mr Mao said the new law will create offences for election officials who preside over discrepancies between ballot counts and biometric records.

The EC maintains that the new biometric voter registration and verification systems will streamline the electoral process, reduce fraud, and ensure every registered voter can cast their ballot once – and only once. By linking biometric voter data to each individual’s unique fingerprints and facial features, the system will allow faster verification and help eliminate duplicate registrations, thereby improving the integrity of Uganda’s elections. Justice Byabakama said the Commission’s goal is to make the 2026 elections more transparent and efficient.

BACKGROUND

In the 2021 General Election, the Electoral Commission deployed the Biometric Voter Verification Systemto to identify voters at polling stations. However, the system encountered widespread technical and logistical challenges on polling day. Many machines failed to start or froze midway, forcing presiding officers to revert to manual voter verification. In several districts, especially rural areas, polling opened late because devices could not connect to the network or recognise fingerprints. The Electoral Commission attributed the failures to a nationwide Internet shutdown ordered for ‘security reasons.’