Asianet Pakistan Private Limited

You cannot talk about the entertainers of Uganda’s Independence Day without mentioning the singers who had all of East Africa dancing. Their names were legendary in the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s. Today, icons such as Joseph Mayanja, alias Jose Chameleone; Moses Ssali, alias Bebe Cool; Robert Kyagulanyi, alias Bobi Wine; Julian Kanyomozi; Kabuye Ssemboga, and Edirisah Musuuza, alias Eddy Kenzo, continue to inspire. But what about the pioneers whose names might be unfamiliar to today’s generation?

Do you remember Andrew Kyambadde, Eva Nanyonga, Prof George Kakoma, Prof Ssenoga Zzaake, Fred Masagazi, and Christopher Ssebaduka? Or Dan Mugula, Eclas Kawalya (Joanita Kawalya’s father), Fred Ssonko, Evaristo Muyinda, Hadijja Namale, Elly Wamala, Christopher Kiza, Dr Herbert Ssempeke, and Prof Benny Kalanzi? These were the musical heroes of Uganda’s Independence, bringing glory and recognition to the country. Sadly, most are no longer with us, and those who remain have largely faded from public memory.

The Independence song

Andrew Kyambadde, born in 1940, composed the official Independence Day song titled Uganda Independence. Its chorus resonates to this day: ‘Olunaku olwo lwakitibwa, olunaku olwa October, 9 olunaku olwo lwamuwendo, Uganda tuliyimba. Olunaku olwo mululinde, olunaku olwo mujaganye, olunaku olwo si lwabulijjo, Uganda independent.’ Kyambadde recalls that shortly before the British government handed over power, advertisements were published in the Uganda Argus and on Radio Uganda, inviting people to compose songs to mark Uganda’s Independence.

‘To prove that we were highly valued, they even sent vehicles to pick us from our homes to the National Theatre, where we rehearsed. When Independence Day was drawing near, Moses Kataza and I went to Nairobi, Kenya, to record the song since there were no recording facilities in Uganda,’ Kyambadde says. The song enjoyed tremendous airplay on Radio Uganda and became popular even before Independence Day. On D-Day, October 9, 1962, Kyambadde and Kataza performed it at Kololo as the Ugandan flag was raised, holding the audience spellbound.

From school choirs to East African fame

Kyambadde’s musical journey began in 1959 at Aga Khan Secondary School alongside Fred Kanyike (RIP). His maiden song, Lupiiya Zange, sold for Shs64 in East African currency and became an instant hit. Success led Ibrahim Kaka, a studio owner in Nairobi, to invite him to compose more songs, producing hits such as Ani Alikunkyaya, Monica Nkwagala, and Darling Wange. Before Independence Day, Kyambadde also composed Oba Toyimbe, a song about the Kabaka, performed with Charles Sonko (RIP). Other notable musicians at the time included Fred Kanyike, Fred Masagazi, Eva Nanyonga, Christopher Sebaduka, Charles Sonko, Margaret Nakibuuka, Israel Magembe, and Simon Berunga. Kyambadde laments Uganda’s poor preservation of musical history.

‘I do not know why Radio Uganda does not have archives for our old songs, yet radios in Kenya and Tanzania still preserve tracks by artistes such as Daudi Kabaka, John Mwale, and David Yawanga.’

Elly Wamala: A musical genius

The late Elly Wamala, who had ‘a million’ lyrics and musical notes to his credit, was a musical genius of his time. Already a star by 1957, Wamala composed patriotic songs performed on the first Independence Day. His first breakthrough song, ‘Nabutono’, established him as a household name, with many of his works still appreciated today. Songs such as Sacramento, Viola, Ebinyumu, Welcome Pope, and Namuganyi showcased his poetic artistry.

Journalist Gabriel Buule in a Monitor article, notes that Wamala’s music was ‘a milestone in Uganda’s early music industry, inspiring generations to pursue music professionally.’ Wamala’s daughter, Fiona Wamala, he narrates. He adds: ‘Music must capture the spirit of the people; it is not just sound; it is history.’

Prof George Kakoma

Prof George Kakoma, the composer of Uganda’s National Anthem, was the one of the first trained professional composers in East Africa. Synonymous with Independence, Kakoma composed the anthem on November 22, 1962. A graduate of King’s College Buddo and Trinity College of Music, London, he taught music in the United Kingdom before returning to inspire generations of Ugandan musicians. Bobi Wine, reflecting on Kakoma’s legacy, says:’The anthem was not just a song; it was a call to unity and pride. Every musician today stands on the shoulders of these giants.’

The Buganda anthem

Polycarp Kakooza was a man of many talents; author, musician, composer, sportsman, artist, football coach, referee, clergyman, and teacher. At age 25, he composed the Buganda anthem in 1939, inspired by a desire to create a patriotic song reflecting the strength of the Baganda people. His anthem, like Uganda’s national anthem, celebrates love for the motherland and a sense of national pride. A soundtrack of freedom Uganda’s Independence was more than a political milestone; it was a cultural celebration.

The music of these heroes brought the nation together, creating a soundtrack that still resonates today. Annual memorial concerts and social media tributes continue to honour these pioneers. Eddy Kenzo, a contemporary Ugandan artiste, notes: ‘Listening to Wamala or Kakoma reminds us why music is more than entertainment; it is identity, history, and inspiration for the next generation.’ As we celebrate freedom, we remember those who truly sang their hearts out and whose voices continue to shape Uganda’s musical soul.

With artificial intelligence (AI) evolving rapidly each year, its power to solve problems once deemed ‘unsolvable’ is no longer theoretical. From curing genetic diseases to transforming urban mobility, enabling green data centres, and bridging healthcare gaps, AI’s impact is being felt across every major sector.

As the global AI market is projected to reach $4.8 trillion by 2033, the urgency to deploy these technologies responsibly and at scale has never been greater. It’s against this backdrop that the Gulf Information Technology Exhibition (GITEX) Global 2025, taking place from October 13-17 in Dubai, is set to spotlight cutting-edge fields such as biotechnology, physical AI, quantum computing, semiconductors, and sustainable data infrastructure.

Held annually at the Dubai World Trade Centre, GITEX Global has grown into one of the world’s largest tech expos. This year’s edition brings together more than 6,800 tech enterprises and 2,000 startups from 180 countries, showcasing innovations shaping the next decade. Industry giants including Alibaba Cloud, AMD, AWS, HPE, Huawei, IBM, Microsoft, Oracle, and Snowflake will share the stage with newer disruptors such as Cerebras, Datadog, Mitsubishi, and Tenstorrent.

Meanwhile, Expand North Star, the startup showcase running from October 12-15 at Dubai Harbour, connects early- to late-stage companies with over 1,200 investors managing a combined US$1.1 trillion in assets, offering a powerful launchpad for emerging technologies.

For East Africa, and Uganda in particular, these developments represent far more than distant global trends. The region is beginning to carve its own path in AI adoption. Kenya is leading with hyperscale AI-ready data centres boasting 22.5 MW capacity, as well as cloud regions powered by Swahili-language AI models. Uganda, too, is making significant strides.

At Makerere University, the AI Health Lab and the AI and Data Science Centre are pioneering applied research in diagnostics, disease surveillance, agriculture, and urban mobility. Initiatives such as AI for Uganda are working to build the data ecosystems, policy frameworks, and local talent needed to power homegrown innovation.

Participation in GITEX Global 2025 offers Ugandan institutions and companies a platform to showcase these achievements – from locally trained AI systems in healthcare and climate-smart agriculture to collaborations driving ethical and sustainable tech solutions.

As East Africa invests in digital infrastructure, the regional conversation is expanding to include critical themes such as sustainable energy, edge computing, data sovereignty, and regulatory readiness.

Ultimately, GITEX 2025 is not just a showcase – it’s a strategic opportunity for East Africa to define its role in the AI revolution: to move from being consumers of innovation to becoming creators, policymakers, and exporters of technology that can shape the continent’s digital future.

The dust is set to fly in Gulu City as the Rajiv Ruparelia Memorial Rally 2025 kicks off Friday and runs through Saturday.

The event, which marks the sixth round of the Uganda National Rally Championship (NRC), promises to be an exciting spectacle, with drivers showcasing their skills and competing for the top spot.

The rally spans a total distance of 260km, with 132.6km of competitive racing that will test the nerves of the drivers. Among the 27 crews competing in the championship are rally giants Ronald Sebuguzi and Ponsiano Lwakataka, both eager to claim victory.

Other notable competitors include the KCB Bank-sponsored duo of Nasser Mutebi and Oscar Ntambi, Musa Ssegaabwe and Mathias Kiyegga, Duncan Mubiru, Michael Mukula, Julius Semambo, Jaffer Lukenge, Mansoor Lubega, and Bukenya Roald.

The event is not only about the championship but also a tribute to the late Rajiv Ruparelia, a businessman and son of city tycoon Sudhir Ruparelia, who died in a car crash on May 3.

Rajiv’s impact on the country was significant, spanning key sectors such as education, hospitality, real estate, and corporate business.

“Rajiv’s legacy will live on through this memorial rally, which aims to promote motorsports and give back to the community,” said Sudhir Ruparelia, who will be gracing the event.

The rally will feature various stages, including the Super Special Stage Rajiv Ruparelia, a 1.96 km stage that will be run twice, and the KCB Bank stage. The event is expected to play a decisive role in determining the champions across all categories as the season draws closer to its conclusion.

Ugandan scientists are increasingly conducting genetic tests on people living with HIV (PLHIV) to understand how their genes interact with HIV/Aids drugs and to guide treatment decisions.

However, a new report shows that although 98 percent of study participants want access to their test results, many are not receiving them.

Presenting the findings at Makerere University Medical School on Wednesday, Dr Sylvia Nabukenya, the study’s lead researcher, recommended that participants should be given ‘valuable and clinically actionable’ pharmacogenomic test results to help improve their care.

Pharmacogenomics – the study of how an individual’s genes affect drug response – enables health workers to prescribe the most effective drugs and minimise adverse reactions. ‘Returning pharmacogenomic results involves giving participants clear information on how genes interact with drugs,’ Dr Nabukenya said. ‘This helps them understand their own biology and make informed treatment decisions.’

Uganda currently has about 1.5 million people living with HIV. Dr Nabukenya noted that some patients may need to switch to alternative, often more expensive, drugs based on their genetic profile.

‘They deserve to know why a treatment change is necessary,’ she added.

Issue

The report found that many scientists hesitate to share test results because of the technical complexity of genetic information, lack of translated terminology, and concerns that results could cause anxiety or highlight treatment options unavailable under public health programmes.

Interviews with scientists and community leaders revealed that returning results fosters trust, respect, and hope among participants,especially those managing long-term conditions like HIV.

‘It is a symbol of reciprocity,’ one community leader said, adding that it encourages greater engagement between researchers and participants.

Dr Nabukenya also launched new national guidelines developed to help researchers and institutions safely return pharmacogenomic results. The framework emphasises clear communication, counselling, and linkage to care for participants receiving complex genetic information.

The guidance was developed with input from geneticists, bioethicists, research ethics committees, and PLHIV representatives from several institutions, including the Makerere University Infectious Diseases Institute, Baylor Uganda, TASO, MUJHU, and UCWRU.

‘This will not only support researchers and clinicians in communicating results but also empower participants to become co-creators of knowledge and active decision-makers,’ Dr Nabukenya said.

In today’s fast-paced world, mental health remains one of the most overlooked pillars of human wellbeing, especially in high-pressure workplaces.

Though I am not a public advocate in the traditional sense, my journey through demanding corporate environments has quietly shaped a deep commitment to mental wellness. Behind the scenes, I have witnessed how emotional strain builds, how resilience is tested and how recovery begins not with grand gestures, but with access, empathy, and awareness.

Across industries, whether in service roles, corporate operations, or high-risk environments, one truth remains constant that mental health matters. It is the silent foundation of productivity, safety, and human connection. Yet too often, it is overlooked until a crisis forces us to pay attention.

This year’s World Mental Health Day theme, ‘Access to Services: Mental Health in Catastrophes and Emergencies,’ reminds us that support must extend beyond hospitals. It must be embedded in every workplace and community. Emergencies do not always come with flashing lights. Sometimes, they arrive quietly as burnout, anxiety, or depression.

Mental disorders like depression are more common than we think. They affect people from all walks of life and can be triggered by stress, isolation, trauma, or sudden change. Depression does not always look like sadness, it can manifest fatigue, irritability, withdrawal, or even physical pain.

Many suffer in silence, fearing stigma or judgment. I have seen how emotional strain builds in environments where pressure is constant and support is scarce.

Long hours, high expectations and limited resources can turn everyday stress into something far more serious. When disaster strikes whether it is a workplace accident, personal loss or national emergency mental health support must be ready for the response.

Recovery is possible. I have witnessed it in colleagues who found the courage to speak up, in teams that created safe spaces for dialogue and in organisations that invested in mental health awareness. Recovery does not happen overnight, but it begins with access with knowing that help exists and that seeking it is not weakness but strength.

My friend and I often joke that when we are stressed, one of us goes silent while the other talks at 1,000 words per minute. It is our way of checking in because we have learned to pay attention to each other’s personalities.

Mental maturity teaches you to listen beyond words, to notice shifts in behaviour, and to discern when someone is struggling even if they say, ‘I am fine.

‘This kind of awareness does not just help in friendships it transforms workplaces. In every industry I have worked in, there is a shared understanding that without mental maturity, we are vulnerable to emotional breakdowns. Depression does not always hit like a storm it creeps in when signs are ignored, when stress is normalised and when people are expected to ‘just cope.’

‘Mental health matters’ is not just a slogan, it is a call to action. It means protecting your whole self-physical, spiritual, and emotional and encouraging others to do the same. We must normalise mental health conversations, train leaders to respond with empathy and build systems that treat mental health as a priority.

Mental health is not just a personal issue, it is a workplace issue, a national issue, a human issue. Let us move beyond awareness and into action. Let us build a culture were asking for help is seen as strength, not shame. Mental health is everyone’s business, and it is time we treated it that way.

The World Bank has said economic growth in Sub-Saharan Africa has maintained momentum amid heightened global policy uncertainty with the region’s growth being projected to reach 3.8 per cent in 2025, up from 3.5 per cent in 2024.

The report has been issued by the World Bank Africa Pulse, which gives an analysis of issues shaping Africa’s economic future produced twice a year. The October 2025 issue states that the 2025 growth forecast has been revised upward by 0.3 percentage point compared to the April 2025 figures.

The projected acceleration in Sub-Saharan Africa’s growth in 2025 is underpinned by improved terms of trade across much of the region, contributing to currency stabilisation and, in some cases, appreciation.

However, on the other hand, the World Bank says despite recent growth, the region has not achieved the scale or inclusiveness needed to sharply reduce extreme poverty or improve the distribution of income. Public service delivery remains weak, and the broader economic environment has struggled to generate sufficient high-quality, well-paying jobs and opportunities for the population.

‘Over the next quarter century, Sub-Saharan Africa’s working-age population will grow by more than 600 million,” said Dr Andrew Dabalen, World Bank Chief Economist for the Africa region.

He added: ‘The challenge will be matching this growing population with better jobs, given that only 24 percent of new workers today land wage-paying jobs. A structural shift toward more medium and large firms is essential to generate wage jobs at scale.’

The World Bank says the East African Community (EAC) exhibits the largest expansion in the subregion, at 4.8 percent in 2024, and it is projected to grow at an annual average rate of 6.7 percent in 2026-27. Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda are the countries with the largest expansions in the EAC.

For 2025, the World Bank says Uganda’s economy is expected to grow at 6.3, percent, Kenya, 4.5 percent, Tanzania 6.0 percent, Rwanda 7.1 percent, Burundi 4.6 percent, Democratic Republic of Congo 5.3 percent, while South Sudan is expected to see a negative growth of -23.8 percent.

In the Africa Pulse, the World Bank states that declining inflation in many countries has allowed for a gradual easing of monetary policy, boosting household purchasing power and creating space for further rate cuts. These favorable conditions are fueling a recovery in private consumption and investment.

However, it says ongoing fiscal consolidation efforts may continue to weigh on overall economic activity, moderating the pace of recovery in some economies.

Due to their relatively low trade exposure to the United States, Sub-Saharan African countries are well-positioned to weather the impact of higher US tariffs. Nevertheless, uncertainty around the implementation and duration of current trade measures remains elevated.

The World Bank explains that this lingering uncertainty, coupled with subdued global investor appetite and a tightening supply of external finance, could constrain growth prospects. Elevated risk of debt distress across many countries in the region leaves them vulnerable to external shocks, limiting their ability to respond effectively to global economic disruptions.

In per capita terms, growth in Sub-Saharan Africa has been insufficient to lead to significantly reduced extreme poverty or improved income distribution.

Real income per capita in the region is projected to grow at 1.3 percent in 2025, up from 1.0 percent in 2024, and expected to reach 1.9 percent by 2026-27. While this marks a gradual recovery from a decade of successive shocks, the rebound has yet to gain strong momentum.

After reaching a peak of 50 percent in 2024, the World Bank points out that poverty-measured at $3 per capita per day in 2021 international purchasing power parity-has been forecasted to drop to 48.4 percent in 2027. The total number of poor people in the region is expected to increase from 576 million in 2022 to 671 million in 2027.

The Tokyo World Athletics Championships may now be three weeks over but the season is not done yet for Halimah Nakaayi.

The 2019 world 800 metres champion Nakaayi feels she still has unfinished business for 2025 and an overview can be made after she competes at the Islamic Solidarity Games in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia next month.

With pretty few races available before Saudi, Nakaayi for a second year running has been privileged to be among the selected few to compete at the lavish Athlos event tonight in New York, USA.

‘I thank the almighty God I am really blessed to be part of Athlos again, I was given this opportunity because of my consistency in the sport,’ said Nakaayi.

Started by tennis legend Serena Williams’ husband Alexis Ohanian after the Paris Olympics last year, Athlos is a professional female-only track and field meeting series at Icahn Stadium in New York City.

Only six track events are considered; 100 metres, 200 metres, 100 metres hurdles, 400 metres, 800 metres and the mile each with a field of six competitors headlined by an Olympic or world champion.

Athlos empowers and champions women in sport. ‘It was a very unique feeling,’ Nakaayi recalls in the first edition. She met with Ohanian and his daughter Olympia.

‘Traveling by business class, everything was VIP like car services, luxury accommodations, provision of shopping vouchers with $1000, we received very many gifts and empowering women in the sport through celebrating the athletes’ personalities, their stories and performances.’

In the two-lap event, Nakaayi will face familiar faces like Olympic queen Great Britain’s Keely Hodgkinson and country-mate Georgia Bell, Commonwealth champion Kenyan Mary Moraa and Jamaican veteran Natoya Goule-Toppin with hefty prize money on offer.

But it’s more than that for Nakaayi. She was disappointed to clocked one minute and 57.79 seconds in the semi-final Heats at the Tokyo Worlds in Japan but it wasn’t enough to make it to the final.

By performing at Athlos, Nakaayi hopes she can boost her mojo ahead of the Riyadh do.

Meanwhile, Ohanian’s team has this year introduced the women’s long jump with a contest set to happen at Times Square in Broadway and it will be headlined by Olympic and world champion Tara Davis-Woodhall.

ATHLOS

Genre: Outdoor track and field

Venue: Icahn Stadium

Location: New York City, USA

Inaugurated: 2024

Founder: Alexis Ohanian (Serena William’s husband)

Ugandan Competitor: Halimah Nakaayi (800 Metres)

Tomorrow’s Race Time: 3.10am (Kampala) / 8.10pm (New York)

In Uganda, the side hustle is more than a trend, it’s a way of life. From selling handmade crafts to running online businesses, many Ugandans juggle multiple income streams to meet their financial goals. This entrepreneurial spirit has created fertile ground for careers that reward effort over hours and insurance sales is one of the most promising among them.

Insurance agency work aligns perfectly with this culture. Whether pursued as a full-time career or a flexible side hustle, it offers unmatched financial potential and personal growth.

Unlike traditional employment, where income is tied to a fixed salary and rigid working hours, insurance agents earn based on performance. The more clients they serve, the more they earn, creating a direct link between effort and reward.

This model is proving especially attractive in Uganda’s evolving economy. For many, agency work supplements their primary income, helping them cover school fees, invest in property, or support extended family.

For others, it becomes their main source of income, with top performers earning well above the national average. The flexibility to work from anywhere and set your own schedule makes it ideal for parents, students, and professionals looking to diversify their income.

The sector itself is thriving. According to the Insurance Regulatory Authority (IRA), commissions paid to agents and brokers reached Shs42.82 billion in Q2 2025, a notable increase from Shs40.37 billion the previous year.

This growth reflects not only the resilience of the insurance industry but also the expanding opportunities for agents in Uganda. As more people recognise the importance of financial protection, demand for insurance products continues to rise.

Insurance companies have positioned themselves as leaders in empowering agents. Through structured training programmes, mentorship, and leadership development, companies transform determined individuals into world-class financial advisors.

Agents are equipped with the tools and knowledge to succeed from understanding complex financial products to mastering client relationship management.

Agents also qualify for the prestigious Million Dollar Round Table (MDRT), a global association founded in 1927 that represents the top 1 percent of financial professionals. MDRT membership is more than a badge of honour.

It connects agents to a global network of peers, offering access to cutting-edge insights, best practices, and international recognition. This exposure not only sharpens their skills but also elevates their professional standing.

Beyond financial rewards, insurance agents are making a meaningful impact in their communities. They serve as trusted advisors, helping families plan for the future, protect their income, and build generational wealth. In a country where financial literacy is still growing, their role is vital.

By educating clients and offering tailored solutions, agents contribute to a more financially secure Uganda. In conclusion, a career in insurance sales is more than just a job or a side hustle. It is a gateway to financial freedom, personal development, and community impact.

As Uganda’s economy continues to evolve, those who embrace commission-based work are not just surviving, they’re thriving. We believe in rewarding ambition, and our agents are proof that with the right support, anyone can build a successful and fulfilling career.