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By confession Deogratius Bbosa should have stopped in Senior Four. Because his parents couldn’t afford his school fees beyond that level. But fate had prepared a route to his dream vocation-engineering. Korean missionaries in Uganda gave him a bursary for his A-Level but the beneficiary schools did not offer sciences. He ended up studying History, Economics and Geography at Wits College, Namulanda. ‘I had no interest at all in arts,’ Bbosa told an attentive class at Mulago High School during a career guidance session by the Global Korea Scholarship (GKS) alumni recently. GKS, rated as one of the most prestigious fully-funded scholarships in the world, it is a tool that enhances international education exchange and mutual friendship between Korea and different countries.

After A-Level, Bbosa’s academic future looked bleak. But while working with the same Korean missionaries, he got a certificate in computer applications at Makerere University. Through the missionaries, another Korean church offered scholarships and Bbosa was one of the beneficiaries. He studied a diploma in Information Technology at Uganda Institute of Information and Communications Technology in Nakawa. That diploma was a stepping stone in his pursuit of further engineering studies.

Fast forward, a visiting professor selected him for a scholarship at Chonnam National University. ‘But impressing the university without Maths and Physics was pretty hard,’ Bbosa remembers. Yet his biggest barrier in Gwangju was language. He was one of only two black students in the engineering class. And all classes in his course were in only Korean. ‘I had studied the Korean language for six months. It wasn’t enough for me to grasp stuff,’ Bbosa said, whose course lasted from 2011 and 2016. He pleaded for an alternative but the professor’s response was plain and simple: ‘English? No.’ Now Bbosa ha to fit in.

Commitment

Bbosa said only faith and commitment helped him overcome the hurdles and score his goals. ‘From the very start, I knew I wanted to do sciences and engineering even after doing Arts at A-Level,’ said Bbosa, the head of IT at the Africa Institute of Music in Lubowa. He said some students quit engineering for business courses which were taught in Korean and English. ‘I almost fell into that temptation because honestly, I hadn’t grasped Korean to the required level. But, I persevered and succeeded because I knew what I wanted. ‘Why I am I telling you all this? Know what you want, stick to it,’ Bbosa said, his closing remarks met with applause from the teenagers who come from equally humble backgrounds. ‘It was by God’s Grace that I got these opportunities, even though it was through a long route.’

How to get there

Derrick Murungi, a Senior Six student studying Physics, Art and Mathematics, asked whether all the courses on the scholarship scheme are engineering courses.

Perhaps he was asking on behalf of his colleagues like Sophia Nantongo, who already has a certificate in computer applications but dreams of advancing in IT.

‘No, there’s a variety of courses,’ Isaiah Masiga, the GKS Alumni chairman, clarified by mentioning some Ugandans who studied nuclear physics in Korea.

From 2009 to 2014, Masiga studied a Master’s in International Development at Korea University. He understands Bbosa’s predicament but allayed the students’ fears by revealing that some universities mix English and Korean.

Muhammad Wandera, a Senior Six student doing Physics, Economics and Maths, wanted to know the basic requirements for application. Seunghee Yi, who was on his last field assignment as in-charge of cultural and corporate affairs at the Korean Embassy in Uganda, emphasised that sciences are a priority. A postgraduate applicant needs to have First class degree or Second class upper while undergraduates need a first grade or a good second grade. Steven Mugera, who studied global studies and social sciences at Pusan National University from 2013 and 2017, added that self-introduction, study plan, sports certificate and recommendation are key in one’s application. The project coordinator with Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) is also proud of how his fluency in Korean language has opened for him countless doors.

Pre-empting cultural shock

Rashid Mutyaba, a History and Religious Studies teacher, who attended the career guidance class, asked about xenophobia and culture shocks Ugandan students may encounter in Korea. ‘Can I find God in Korea? He asked, further alluding to religious freedoms. ‘Are there mosques and churches for the major religious denominations because we usually hear Buddha in Korea and most Asian countries?’ Masiga assured him there are many mosques and churches in Korea. ‘The Global Korean Scholarship isn’t just for Ugandan students. It’s for all countries. You will find students from Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Europe, America, and the environment allows them to express their religious freedoms.’ Just last year, the scholarship admitted 2200 students from 142 countries including United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom and USA.

About 51 percent of the Korean population identifies with no religion. But Christianity forms 31 percent while the Muslim population is about 200,000 with about 80 percent foreigners, according to the Korea Muslim Federation. The Muslim community is more concentrated in Seoul and Busan. Regarding xenophobia-the hatred for foreigners-Masiga recalled the days he studied in Korea in 2009. ‘By then there were very few blacks in Korea and the Korean people knew little about Africa. In fact, most thought Africa was one country. Others knew only about Kenya and South Africa. ‘So, you couldn’t blame them if they found your colour strange. Just like we looked at bazungu with a strange eye when we were children.

Unique opportunity

The cohort comprised the best two students in each class, except Senior Four which had four representatives. ‘We share our experiences and offer this guidance to help the students focus on their education and show them the opportunities available in the GKS programme before they choose which one to try,’ Masiga told us. Moses Katende, the director of studies, lauded the initiative as a unique opportunity. ‘This is the first of the many engagements that links our students to scholarships moreover global scholarships,’ Katende said.

He said the programme boosted the ghetto children’s ambition for greater things and enlightened them about making informed career choices earlier. ‘I only pray that the entry standards are considerate of the unique challenges our underprivileged learners face.’ Those challenges include inadequate resources, distractions, among others. ‘If a child from Mulago High School scores 17 points, he is as good as the one in elite schools who scored 20. So, we pray that the criteria considers that.’ Masiga cited the possibility of participating in various online Korean educational programmes at Makerere University. Plus the Korean corner at Makerere, where Ugandans learn basic to advanced Korean language.

As head of internal employment at the Ministry Of Labour, Gender and Social Development, he told the class: work hard, prioritise time, and choose people who add value to you. ‘The Koreans say, pali pali (hurry, hurry!). Be good time managers. As you waste time, children in Korea, China are manufacturing. If you don’t produce, others will produce and sell to you at a price they prefer. Uganda has a very young population. Be creative, be competitive.’

Journalists play a crucial role in elections through information dissemination and voter education, helping citizens understand electoral laws, procedures, candidate platforms, and polling processes. By keeping the electorate informed, they enable voters to make sound decisions when choosing their leaders.

The media is often referred to as the Fourth Estate after the Judiciary, Executive, and Legislature. There is no doubt that it shapes public discourse, facilitates political participation, enhances accountability, and counters misinformation.

As Ugandans return to the polls for the sixth time since Independence, and the fifth under President Museveni, the role of the media remains central. In this election, eight political parties are contesting with the aim of unseating Museveni, though many remain sceptical about their chances of success.

The main concerns continue to centre on the independence of the Electoral Commission (EC), widely viewed as being under the influence of the ruling regime, and the conduct of sections of the security forces, some of whom are accused of serving partisan interests rather than upholding national unity and democratic principles.

The media in Uganda has for years faced significant challenges, including restrictions, harassment, violence, restrictive laws, the digital divide, and competition from the rising tide of misinformation on social media. As citizens head to the polls, the role of journalists should be at the forefront of the democratic process.

The eight candidates representing the eight political parties recognise the critical importance of the media. The National Resistance Movement (NRM), identifies the media as a central tool for communication and national mobilisation.

Its manifesto commits to ensuring that government policies and programmes are widely disseminated through media platforms with nationwide reach. This reflects a strong emphasis on media as a top-down channel for policy communication and a vehicle for demonstrating political accountabilities Beyond messaging, the manifesto highlights infrastructure as the backbone of communication.

Key commitments include: Expanding broadband and mobile network coverage, with government reporting that 89 percent of the population is now served by 3G or higher services.

Providing free Wi-Fi at border posts and upgrading older sites from 2G to 3G. Extending the national backbone fibre network to connect government ministries, local government offices, and other critical institutions.

To implement these objectives, several agencies operate under the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance, including the Uganda Broadcasting Corporation (UBC), Media Council, of Uganda Media Centre, and Vision Group, among others. The government has often voiced concern about what it calls ‘irresponsible’ or distorted media coverage.

President Museveni and State agencies have emphasised the need for more disciplined and centralised communication, particularly in responding to negative reporting and in safeguarding Uganda’s image. This reflects an ongoing tension between State-driven communication goals and the independent media’s watchdog role.

While strong on communication and infrastructure, the NRM manifesto is notably weaker on press freedom and media independence. There are no explicit commitments to protect journalists from harassment, intimidation, or censorship. Mechanisms to ensure media diversity, fairness, or editorial independence are not detailed.

Oversight and accountability in government communication remains limited, with little transparency on the use of public resources for State communication.

Government reports indicate significant progress on infrastructure targets such as broadband expansion, network coverage, and digital connectivity of institutions. Manifesto Week has become a regular platform to showcase these achievements. However, the independence and credibility of such self-reporting remain questionable.

The remaining political parties continue to call for greater press freedom and freedom of expression for both Ugandans and the media. However, their commitments are often vague, with no clear strategies on how these freedoms will be fully protected and promoted.

Maumbe Mukhwana Memorial Vocational Institute, built just two years ago at a cost of Shs3.6 billion, was intended to be a model of technical excellence. The institution, named after liberation hero Jack Maumbe Mukhwana, is one of President Museveni’s nine pledges of vocational institutes.

Today, it is a sign of neglect with no tutors, electricity, water, fence separating the girls’ dormitories from those of the boys, and pit-latrines that overflow forcing students to relieve themselves in the bush. Last week, frustration over the poor state of the school boiled over.

Students locked the principal, Mr James Ulyeni, inside his office for more than five hours, demanding his immediate transfer. Police and district education officials later intervened and convinced the students to let go. They then took him away.

Guild president Bernard Mooli said the students have gone on strike three times since last year, each time demanding the transfer of the principal. Mr Mooli revealed that the school has so many problems, which they have reported to the district authorities, but nothing has been done. He said since reporting back three weeks earlier, students had not had a single lesson.

‘This is supposed to be a skills institute, yet we don’t have practicals. When we go for internship, we struggle,’ he said. Mr Deo Obote, a student, said: ‘We don’t have qualified teachers to teach us. The toilets are full, so sometimes we go to the bush. Some girls are already suffering from infections. Even meals are delayed.’

Mr Moses Mugabi, a student, said the overflowing toilets, lack of water, and a broken solar system have left the school without electricity or safe sanitation facilities.

He revealed that government-sponsored students pay Shs450,000 per term, while private students pay Shs760,000. Ms Glades Nambozo, another student, said: ‘Last term, I was admitted to the hospital for a week after getting an infection. Many other girls are suffering too.’

Mr Haningtone Bakumba, the senior education officer for Mbale District, said the government was supposed to deploy 15 tutors when the institute was set up. Instead, only the principal and the bursar are permanent staff. He added that the school relies on volunteer instructors who have now gone eight months without pay.

Mr Daniel Kitakuyi, an entrepreneurship tutor, said they have lost the morale to teach. He added that several tutors have refused to report to school this term because of the non-payment. Even the security guard, Mr Mutwalimb Zemwa, has gone 18 months without his Shs90,000 monthly salary.

‘I work day and night, alone, without even a torch. My life is at risk,’ he said. Mr Bakumba added the school’s performance is poor, blaming it on weak administration. He explained that some tutors are often dismissed in the middle of the term, while equipment meant for practical lessons has gone missing. He also revealed that the school is deeply in debt, with suppliers demanding more than Shs160 million. Mr Paddy Khaukha, the Mbale District Education Officer, acknowledged that the students’ grievances are genuine.

He partly blamed the challenges on the principal but also admitted that the district authorities had failed to provide facilities that support proper learning.

‘Where we have reached, to save the institution, the Ministry of Education and Sports should send another principal. Let the current principal be transferred to another place,’ he said.

He added: ‘This is the third time the police have rescued the principal. We don’t want to reach a situation where we have to answer why the principal has been lynched by students. The truce between the principal and students will not last.’

He said the ministry should post permanent tutors to support the school, and urged the government to speed up the process of recruiting them. He noted that the institution is a presidential pledge that should be fulfilled, not mismanaged.

Mr Ulyeni said he is ready to be transferred if the ministry decides so. He denied the allegations against him, arguing that the problems at the school are due to limited government funding, with only Shs55 million sent for the entire financial year. He also blamed the situation on students delaying to pay their fees.

Mr Ulyeni explained that the Shs55 million from government and student fees is what he uses to run the school, but it is not enough to pay tutors, clear supplier debts, or buy materials for practical lessons, which are expensive. He noted that presidential-pledge institutions are not funded the same way as government-aided schools.

He added that he had written to the Ministry of Education about the challenges but nothing had been done. On the issue of pit-latrines, he blamed the problem on heavy rains and the waterlogged nature of the area, which causes the water levels to rise.

Jailed Opposition leader Dr Kizza Besigye has fired off a strongly worded letter to High Court Judge Emmanuel Baguma, demanding to know the law that stops him, as an accused person, from raising his own concerns orally during trial.

The four-time presidential candidate, who is facing treason charges alongside Mr Obeid Lutale and Capt Denis Oola, wrote the letter following a heated exchange in court on October 1.

Besigye insisted on addressing the judge directly despite being represented by a team of 10 lawyers led by Kenyan senior counsel Martha Karua.

The letter

In the letter dated October 2, Besigye accuses Justice Baguma of denying him a fundamental right to be heard. ‘First, you outrightly declined my request because I am represented by lawyers,’ Besigye wrote.

‘Being a person accused of a serious offence, I find it strange and oppressive if I cannot raise a concern directly in open court.’

He further recounts how, after extensive back-and-forth with his legal team, the judge ruled that any personal concerns from the accused could only be submitted in writing, a condition Besigye argues could lead to undue delays. ‘If each time a written submission of the concern has to be made and time fixed for your response, the case may never be concluded,’ he warned. ‘Meanwhile, I remain confined in prison.’

Besigye concludes the three-page letter with a pointed challenge: ‘I request you to point me to the provisions of the law that bar an accused person from orally raising concerns in court during any audience with the judge, even in the presence of their lawyers. Following your response, I will take that law into consideration to guide me.’

The letter follows last week’s tense courtroom standoff, where Besigye rose in the dock before plea-taking to address the judge. ‘A very good morning, my Lord,’ he began confidently, adding that he wished to raise a matter of concern. Justice Baguma quickly interrupted: ‘Are you still represented, or are you putting off your lawyers?’

Besigye clarified that he remained represented but wanted to personally explain the circumstances of their appearance in court. The judge, however, maintained that only his lawyers could speak on his behalf unless they formally withdrew from the case.

Senior Counsel Karua, supported by colleagues Frederick Mpanga and Ernest Kalibbala, urged the court to allow Besigye to speak.

Mr Kalibbala argued: ‘Appointing lawyers does not close the mouth of the party. No law bars any accused person in the dock from raising or responding to issues in court.’

Eventually, Justice Baguma relented but imposed conditions, ruling that Besigye must submit his concerns in writing and return to court on October 8 for a response.

The ruling prompted murmurs among the packed courtroom before prison warders swiftly escorted Besigye and his co-accused out under tight security.

When 19-year-old Doreen Foni fled the violence in South Sudan with her family in 2015, she hoped for safety and a chance to study. But life as a refugee soon proved that survival was only the beginning of her struggle. At Maaji Refugee Settlement in Adjumani District, Foni’s dream of education faded with every passing day.

The nearest school was about 10 kilometres away, too far for many girls to attend. Poverty, long distances, and lack of school materials kept most of them at home. In 2017, she finally enrolled at Zoka South Primary School and began preparing for her Primary Leaving Examinations.

Just as things were looking up, the Covid-19 pandemic struck, shutting schools for almost two years. When classes resumed, her parents could no longer afford secondary school fees. Stuck at home and without options, Foni entered a relationship that led to teenage pregnancy.

‘Life became unbearable,’ she recalls. ‘My parents took me to my boyfriend’s home, but he gave little support. I had to dig in gardens and sell firewood to buy food.’

During her pregnancy, Foni’s health deteriorated and she was diagnosed with anaemia. She gave birth at Adjumani General Hospital – but even then, her dream of returning to school never died. Her parents, however, discouraged her, saying the baby was too young to leave behind.

Foni’s story mirrors the struggles of many refugee girls in Adjumani. Across the district, teenage pregnancies, early marriages, and poverty have robbed hundreds of girls of their education.

According to the Adjumani District Education Office, more than 1,800 cases of sexual violence were recorded in the last five years – 515 of them in 2021 alone.

The figures paint a grim picture of young girls forced into adulthood too soon. ‘Many of these girls are victims of circumstance,’ says Mr Philip Akuku, the district education officer. ‘We’ve seen a rise in teenage pregnancies during and after the Covid-19 lockdown, but we’re working to bring the girls back to school.’ Amid this crisis, a glimmer of hope has begun to emerge.

Organisations such as War Child Canada and the Forum for African Women Educationalists (FAWE) have stepped in with school re-entry programmes that give young mothers a second chance at education. Through the initiative, girls like Foni can now study under the Accelerated Learning Programme, which allows mothers to attend school while their babies are cared for at nearby centres.

‘I’m back in school and hopeful again,’ says Foni with a smile. ‘I want to become a health worker and help others.’

Grace Jua Kalisto, 24, shares a similar story. She dropped out of school after her uncle, who supported her, passed away. Forced into early marriage, she soon became a mother of two, her education dreams shattered. ‘I tried brewing alcohol to raise school fees, but it was never enough,’ she says.

Her turning point came when FAWE set up a child-care facility at Maaji Secondary School, allowing mothers to attend lessons while their babies are cared for nearby.

‘I no longer have to trek long distances to breastfeed. I can attend classes without worry,’ Grace says.

Ms Jessica Abedchan, the deputy head teacher at Maaji Secondary School, says the programme has transformed lives.

‘Attendance has gone up by 60 percent, and the dropout rate has fallen from 20 percent to just five percent,’ she says.

FAWE project officer Nancy Asibazoyo notes that more than 480 girls have so far returned to school through the initiative.

Still, experts warn that more needs to be done. Dr Gerald Amatre, a consultant at the Ministry of Education and Sports, says teenage pregnancies, gender-based violence, and HIV infections continue to threaten the future of many young girls.

‘The average age of first sexual intercourse in Uganda is 17 for girls,’ he says. ‘Many of these should still be in school.’

The foreign legion dominated by Ugandans and Ethiopians won in all the professional categories of the Jubilee Insurance Grand Nairobi Bike Race at the Kenyan capital city on Sunday.

Uganda’s Jordan Schleck Ssekanwagi, upstaged his compatriot and defending champion Charles Kagimu in a sprint finish to reclaim the men’s 75km title and seal a double.

Ssekanwagi, 23, who won the inaugural edition in 2019, finished in one hour, 30 minutes and 39 seconds, one second ahead of Kagimu as the Ugandans, who are training mates at Iten-based Team Amani, ruled the roost.

Kenya’s John Muchiri broke the Ugandan dominance to finish third in 1:33:50.

Ethiopia’s Merhamit Hadush, 20, reigned supreme in the women’s 75km race in 1:38:25, beating Uganda’s Mary Aleper, who settled for second place in 1:46:55 as Kenya’s Jamila Abdula timed 1:47:28 for bronze.

An estimated 3,500 cyclists participated in the fourth edition of the race christened ‘Jubilee Live Free Race.’ Uganda’s contingent was 100 riders heavy.

The event is geared towards providing a competitive arena for cyclists as well as serving a powerful advocacy platform for physical activity, holistic wellbeing and environmental conservation.

The race was watched live from the Race Village at the Nyayo National Stadium by Kenya’s Permanent Representative at the United Nations Environment Program (Unep), Ababu Namwamba, Jubilee Insurance chairman, Zul Abdul and Jubilee Insurance Chief Executive officer, Julius Kipngetich.

Ssekanwagi, who also trains with Team Simbas in Kikuyu, Kiambu County when in Nairobi, described the race as tough especially with the women’s peloton going first.

‘It was somewhat chaotic with women in front of us. We had to weave through carefully and fight for a good position to accelerate and avoid collisions,’ said Ssekanwagi, who battled to catch up with Kagimu, who had broken away in the second of the five-lap race.

Toe-to-toe

‘We went toe-to-toe from inside the third lap and I guess I had reserved some power for the sprint finish,’ said Schleck, who defended his Loop Safari Gravel Series title a month ago.

Ssekanwagi, who has been in the country for the last six years, said it’s all about hard work and ‘knowing what you want to achieve’.

He said they had sacrificed a lot, staying away from home just to train in Kenya.

Ssekanwagi noted that the number of cycling communities in Kenya is growing hence the need for more quality races like the Jubilee Insurance race that attracted over 20 nationalities.

‘My dream is to see the region staging the Tour of East Africa or Tour of Kenya,’ said Schleck.

Kagimu, who represented Uganda at the just concluded UCI World Road Championships in Rwanda, was graceful in defeat.

‘Schleck looked stronger at the home straight. This is what we want when a race draws international entries,’ said Kagimu, who also represented Uganda at the Paris Olympics.

He now turns his focus to the Africa Road Cycling Championships scheduled for November in Kwale, Kenya.

Willy Kato won the Black Mamba race followed by Dominik Mugonda and Ssempiijja Aziz.

Caroline Wanjira won the women’s wheelchair race, edging out Merceline Atieno to second place and Rahel Akoth third.

Grand Nairobi Bike Race

Results

Men

John Schleck Ssekanwagi 1.30.39

Charles Kagimu 1.30.40

John Muchiri 1.33.50

Women

Merhamit Hadush 1.38.25

Mary Aleper 1.46.55

Jamila Abdula 1.47.28

Uganda is heading toward the 2026 General Election with millions of citizens unprepared to exercise their democratic right. According to the Uganda Bureau of Statistics, more than 2.1 million Ugandans have turned 18 since the 2021 elections, and around 1.69 million of them are likely registered to vote.

That figure represents an entire generation of new voters. Yet, as things stand, the Electoral Commission (EC) has done little to equip them with the knowledge and confidence they need.

Civic education is the foundation of democracy. Without it, voters head to polling stations unsure of how to verify their details, cast ballots correctly, or even why their participation matters. The result is spoiled ballots, apathy, and mistrust.

The EC cannot continue waiting until campaigns are in full swing to suddenly announce civic education drives. Civic education must begin long before the campaign noise drowns everything else out. Uganda does not lack examples of how this can be done.

In the 1996 elections, NGOs and civil society organisations were given room to conduct voter and civic education. They went to villages, schools, churches, and community halls. They used drama, radio, posters, and face-to-face conversations. They also engaged the security forces, making sure police and military personnel understood their constitutional limits. That effort created a more informed electorate and a more professional security presence.

It showed that when civil society is allowed to work, elections benefit. Why, then, has the government chosen to stifle these initiatives? Why should the EC cling to monopoly control when it clearly lacks the reach and trust that NGOs enjoy at the grassroots?

The Commission will point to ‘limited resources’ and ‘legal mandate,’ but these excuses cannot hide the reality: the government is uncomfortable with independent civic education because it fears empowered citizens.

By sidelining NGOs, Uganda has robbed itself of partners who could have filled the gaps the Commission cannot cover. Other countries treat civic education as a democratic obligation, not a threat. In Ghana, the National Commission for Civic Education runs year-round programmes to keep citizens informed long before elections.

In Kenya, creative campaigns involving theatre and radio dramas have reduced spoiled ballots. South Africa invests heavily in first-time voter education, mobilising schools and universities as hubs of democracy. These efforts strengthen institutions and protect stability. Uganda’s refusal to embrace the same approach raises uncomfortable questions: is the government interested in empowering citizens, or simply in managing them?

Civic education is not only for voters. Security forces benefit too. In every election cycle, they face accusations of intimidation and excessive force.

Structured civic education can draw the line clearly: protect the process, protect the people, but do not interfere. If the police and military understand their limits, voters will feel safer, and elections will be more credible. Time is running out.

With just a few months to the polls, the silence from the EC is deafening. The government, for its part, has shown no urgency to open the civic space for NGOs and civil society to contribute. This neglect raises a serious question: does the government fear informed voters? For a ruling class confident in its record, civic education would be an opportunity, not a threat. Its absence suggests the opposite.

Uganda’s young democracy cannot afford another election where millions walk to polling stations confused, where ballots are wasted, and where trust in the process erodes further.

Over two million new voters deserve better. Civic education should be happening now, in classrooms, on radios, in churches and mosques, in marketplaces, and on social media.

It should be led not just by the Commission, but by the broad coalition of NGOs, religious groups, and civil society actors who have the networks and credibility to reach every corner of this country.

If the EC and the government refuse to act, they will bear responsibility for the confusion, mistrust, and instability that follow.

Ugandans must ask themselves whether these institutions are committed to democracy, or merely to preserving power. Democracy thrives on informed citizens, not manipulated ones.

Dr Fred Muhumuza has taken over VisionFund Uganda (VFU) board leadership as the new chairperson, replacing Mr Fredrick Mwesigye, who led the microfinance institution for the past two years.

The new leadership has set an ambitious target of transitioning the organisation to Tier 3 status by 2028.

VFU, a subsidiary of VisionFund International, the microfinance arm of World Vision-operates a network of 26 branches across the country.

The leadership transition, held in Kampala on October 3, also marked the commissioning of VFU’s new head office in Kamwokya, relocated from Makerere-Kavule, both Kampala suburbs. The move was described as ‘a symbol of growth, renewal, and commitment to excellence.’

VFU chief executive officer, Ms Mercy Sande Ainomugisha, said the new office and board transition mark a pivotal moment in the organisation’s governance structure as it prepares to implement its 2026-2028 strategic plan.

‘These, among others, include sustainably impacting 469,592 children while aligning our footprint with World Vision Uganda area programmes, and transitioning into a Micro-Deposit Taking Institution (MDI) Tier 3 by 2028,’ she said.

Ms Ainomugisha added that VFU has been undergoing a brand refresh and introduced the company’s new brand mantra: ‘bold, innovative, financial inclusion.’

Outgoing chairman Mr Mwesigye, who heads into retirement, said VFU has long been working toward attaining MDI status. ‘I pray that the incoming leadership ensures this strategy is realised,’ he said.

Dr Muhumuza reaffirmed the organisation’s plans to transition to Tier 3 by 2028, saying it will depend on the team’s collective effort.

‘We want to expand our services to all Ugandans through innovation, digital transformation, and partnerships as key enablers for the journey ahead,’ he said.

MDIs value hits Shs10 trillion

Ms Edith Tusubira, the acting commissioner for Microfinance Regulation in the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, said the ministry regulates over 2,000 MDIs across the country, with a combined portfolio of about Shs10 trillion.

‘Transitioning to Tier 3 means we shall be handing VFU over to another regulator, the Bank of Uganda, and we are sure you shall perform very well. The new head office is going to increase your visibility and take you places,’ she said.

About Dr Muhumuza

Dr Muhumuza holds a PhD from the University of Manchester and has been involved in development policy research, analysis, formulation, and review for over two decades. He has also pursued a parallel teaching career at Makerere University, Nkumba University, and African Bible University.

He has undertaken assignments in public policy as both researcher and practitioner, worked as an economic advisor to the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, and previously served as a Research Fellow at the Economic Policy Research Centre (EPRC). He has also held senior roles at KPMG Uganda and the Financial Sector Deepening Uganda (FSDU).

When Prof Sarah Ssali walked into the ivory towers of Makerere University more than two decades ago as a young lecturer, few would have imagined that she would one day rise to occupy one of the institution’s highest offices. Last month, Prof Ssali etched her name into the 100-year history of Uganda’s oldest university as the new deputy vice chancellor for academic affairs (DVC-AA), replacing Prof Umar Kakumba, whose tenure was not renewed.

Her appointment not only signals a new phase in Makerere’s leadership but also reinforces a long-overdue conversation about gender and representation in higher education, as she is only the second woman in a century to sit among the institution’s top three administrators, after the vice chancellor and deputy vice chancellor in-charge of finance and administration. ‘It is interesting that in 100 years I am only the second female Deputy Vice Chancellor.

This shows that while we’ve made some gender gains, progress is still much slower than it should be.’ Prof Ssali said in an interview with Daily Monitor. Following her announcement, the news reverberated not only through the corridors of Makerere but across the region. But the journey to this appointment was neither quick nor straightforward.

The position of DVC-AA carries with it enormous responsibility, and Makerere, true to its tradition, subjected applicants to a demanding and rigorous vetting process.

Candidates had to present evidence of outstanding academic scholarship, a strong record of administrative leadership, extensive research output, proof of mentorship at postgraduate level, and broad international networks. For many, such requirements would have been overwhelming, but for Prof Ssali, the process became both a test of patience and a journey of rediscovery.

She recalls that it took her several months to put together her application, combing through past records, old research projects, and student supervision reports, only to realize that she had accumulated far more achievements than she had ever stopped to celebrate. It was a reminder, she said, of how important it is for scholars to keep meticulous records and to remain conscious of the networks and partnerships that enrich their academic careers.

She is convinced that many women, despite being equally qualified, hesitate to apply for such positions because they fear stepping out of the safe zone and competing with men at the very top. In her case, she decided to take the risk, and her courage has now paid off.

Appointment, gender representation

Her appointment carries immense symbolism not just for Makerere but also for women across the country who aspire to leadership.

In her own words, it is both a privilege and a burden, saying she is acutely aware that as one of the very few women in such a position, her performance will be judged through a harsher lens than that applied to her male counterparts.

‘When a man fails, he is simply described as a bad manager; but when a woman fails, people are quick to generalize it as evidence that women cannot lead,’Prof Ssali Noted.

For this reason, she carries the appointment as a trust, not only for herself but also for the many young girls and women who see in her story a possibility for their own.

It is this realisation that has made her deeply humbled by the flood of congratulatory messages she has received from across the globe, many of them accompanied by reminders that she must keep academic standards high, defend merit, and do her very best.

Her plans for the university

The office of DVC-AA is at the very heart of Makerere’s identity as a university. It is here that teaching, research, curriculum development, graduate training, quality assurance, and student welfare converge.

Prof Ssali believes that education is not only about the content delivered in classrooms, but also about the environments in which learning takes place. She argues that the difference between a graduate of Makerere and one from Oxford is not always the curriculum itself but the conditions of study.

‘A student who spends three or four years in broken lecture rooms, with malfunctioning projectors, inadequate chairs, dirty washrooms, and no access to clean drinking water, cannot emerge with the same sense of dignity and seriousness as one who has studied in a carefully maintained and stimulating environment, ” she said.

To remedy this, she said that is slated to work hand- in -hand with management and the strategic plan of the institution to introduce a Lecture Room Essentials Checklist, a tool that will track whether basic requirements in teaching spaces are available and functional. She said while such details may appear minor to outsiders, she insists that they are critical in shaping how students perceive their learning experience and how much they respect the knowledge being imparted.

Alongside improving the physical environment, she is also committed to deploying technology as a means of enforcing accountability and enhancing academic standards. She explained that the biometric system, which has long been used to track administrative staff attendance, is being extended to lecture rooms to ensure that lecturers are present and punctual, while students will use the Student Attendance Management System app to register their own attendance.

This, she believes, will create a culture of mutual accountability between lecturers and learners, explaining that the two have been pin-pointing figures against each other over absenteeism. Additionally, she indicated that they are going to strengthen the Student Evaluation of Courses and Teaching tool, which allows students to assess their lecturers in structured ways. This, she notes, is a better alternative to the often uncoordinated complaints and casual social media commentary that have previously shaped perceptions of teaching quality.

Prof Ssali’s vision is not confined to undergraduate teaching. She is deeply concerned about the imbalance between Makerere’s undergraduate and postgraduate output. Currently, she points out, 87 percent of Makerere’s graduates are at undergraduate level, while only thirteen percent are postgraduates. For an institution that aspires to be research-led, such figures are unsustainable.

Her strategy is to strengthen graduate training by improving supervision, instituting mechanisms that minimize the time students spend lingering in incomplete programs, and ensuring that academic programs are re-accredited to meet current global and local needs.

She also intends to make better use of Makerere’s more than seven hundred Memoranda of Understanding with international universities and research institutions, which, beyond financial benefits, often carry opportunities for equipment, technical support, and visiting scholars.

For her, MoUs should move from being ceremonial documents to instruments of real academic growth. Having served on committees that dealt with student affairs and quality assurance, she has seen first-hand the struggles many students face, whether it is financial stress, mental health challenges, or the lack of meaningful mentorship.

She laments that many students end up looking to celebrities and social media influencers as role models, often with problematic consequences. She believes universities must reclaim their responsibility in shaping students’ intellectual and social lives.

As part of this, she plans to strengthen counselling services and reduce the stigma that surrounds seeking mental health support. She is also passionate about sports, which she regards as an integral part of holistic student development. Reflecting on her own student days, she recalls how sports anchored and balanced them, yet today, despite Makerere having excellent facilities, student participation remains low. She wants to revive a vibrant sports culture, not just for competition but for the discipline, resilience, and community it fosters.

Challenges encountered

Balancing such an expansive vision for the university with her personal life is not without its challenges. Beyond her academic persona, Prof. Ssali is a wife, a mother of two, a grandmother, and guardian to seventeen children whose welfare and education she supports. She admits that she, too, grapples with the same issues that many parents face school fees, responsibilities, and the daily challenges of family life.

Yet she believes these experiences ground her and make her more empathetic, especially towards students struggling with similar pressures. Her story, she insists, should inspire young girls, particularly those who doubt themselves because they did not attend elite schools. She is quick to remind them that she did not go to Uganda’s most celebrated secondary schools. She studied at Tororo Girls and later Fairway in Mbale, and yet through commitment and persistence, she has risen to one of the highest positions at the country’s premier university.

Who is Prof Ssali?

Prof Sarah Ssali is an accomplished scholar in the field of social sciences. She has taught and conducted research for decades, producing influential work on issues of health, governance, and women’s empowerment. As a professor, she is admired for her mentorship of young academics and her dedication to advancing scholarship that speaks directly to Uganda’s socio-economic realities. Her academic credentials speak for themselves. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Social Sciences, a Master’s degree in Gender Studies, and a PhD in International Health and Development.

Over the course of twenty-three years, she has lectured, researched, and administered at Makerere, serving as Director of the Institute of Gender and Development Studies, editing five international journals, participating in thirty-eight research projects, and publishing forty-six peer-reviewed articles alongside eight book chapters. She has supervised twenty-seven graduate students, including PhDs, and has sat on the University Council since 2010, chairing committees on quality assurance, student affairs, and staff development. Beyond her academic contributions, she has served in various leadership roles within the university, demonstrating the competence, resilience, and integrity that prepared her for her new appointment.

Beyond Makerere, she sits on boards such as the National Curriculum Development Centre Governing Council, the Uganda Institute of Bankers’ Senate, and previously chaired the advisory board of the Carnegie-funded Next Generation Social Science in Africa programme. For her, success will not just be measured in policies passed or buildings constructed but in the young people whose lives are transformed within the university’s walls. She carries the quiet but firm conviction that women can, and must, lead in spaces that have long been male-dominated.

The high costs associated with standardising and certifying products through the Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) are hindering many agro-processors in northern and north-eastern Uganda, Monitor has learnt.

During a three-day orientation conference for agro-processors dealing in cassava, shea butter, and oil seeds, which began on September 23, many participants expressed frustration over certification costs and delays.

They said these limit market access and suppress production. The conference, held in Gulu City, was organised by the International Trade Centre (ITC), a joint agency of the United Nations and the World Trade Organisation, in partnership with UNBS. It targeted micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) across the Acholi, Lango, and Karamoja sub-regions.

Mr Phillips Okot Ongom, the general manager of Pajule Farmers’ Marketing Co-operative Society, said many small-scale processors are reluctant to pursue certification due to financial constraints.

‘The cost of certification and standardisation is not pocket-friendly, especially considering our low profit margins. The procedures are also lengthy and expensive,’ Mr Okot said.

Ms Nowella Ojara, the team leader at Divine Organic Foods, cited poor budgeting and limited financing as additional barriers to certification. Nearly two years ago, ITC launched the Strengthening Agribusiness Resilience and Competitiveness (STAR) project, funded by the Korea International Cooperation Agency, to build the resilience and competitiveness of agribusinesses and smallholder farmers in the cassava, shea, and oilseed sectors.

However, challenges around product certification remain a major bottleneck, limiting market access, competitiveness, product quality, and safety.

Mr Allan Wayira, STAR project programme officer, said a key challenge is limited access to accurate information and low capacity to comply with certification standards. ‘

Strengthening knowledge and building practical skills are essential for SMEs to comply and grow. That’s why the conference focused on standards compliance, certification readiness, and the implementation of Good Manufacturing and Hygiene Practices (GMP and GHP),’ he explained. But Ms Desire Kenganzi, a certification officer at UNBS, criticised some agro-processors for prioritising profit over consumer safety.

‘Many manufacturers no longer care about quality. They focus on profits and ignore due diligence. If proper certification was followed, toxic products wouldn’t reach the market,’ she said.

She added that processors had been assessed on GMP, GHP, and certification procedures through tailored training. However, certification fees, ranging from Shs500,000 to Shs1,000,000, remain a significant burden for rural enterprises. Mr Michael Ochora, a shea butter processor from Agago District, said knowledge gaps and resource constraints hinder efforts to meet national standards.

‘We lack the practical tools and knowledge to meet both mandatory and voluntary standards. Certification costs make things worse, many genuine processors can’t afford it, so their products miss out on better markets,’ he said.

Hundreds of agro-processors across the region dealing in cassava, shea butter, and oil seeds such as sunflower, simsim, and soybeans continue to lament their lack of competitiveness and market access.

According to UNBS, unless small-scale processors prioritise certification and standardisation, access to external markets will remain limited.

Mr Abubaker Bakulumpagi, principal certification officer at UNBS, said uncertified products cannot compete locally or internationally.

‘Many small-scale processors don’t label or certify their products. Others under-declare ingredients to evade taxes or avoid certification costs, which compromises safety and marketability,’ he said.

Mr Bakulumpagi warned that misleading product labelling and undeclared ingredients pose serious health risks, with uncertified food products contributing to growing healthcare costs and avoidable deaths.

‘People are consuming substandard products unknowingly, and it’s leading to illnesses and fatalities. That’s why we’re losing loved ones, we’re careless with our money and health,’ he added.

UNBS estimates that 54 percent of products on the Ugandan market are counterfeit or substandard, costing the country an estimated Shs6 trillion annually, about three percent of the national budget, in lost revenue.

In October 2024, the Speaker of Parliament, Ms Anita Among, emphasised the need for legal reforms to address counterfeit products.

The proposed Anti-Counterfeit Goods and Services Bill, 2024, aims to rid the market of substandard goods. The Anti-Counterfeit Hub Africa reports that more than half of Uganda’s 45.6 million people cannot distinguish between genuine and fake food products. Traders and manufacturers often exploit consumer ignorance to sell expired or substandard goods.

Complex formalisation process Despite government efforts to promote agro-industrialisation as a path out of poverty, MSMEs continue to face challenges in formalising operations. Processors cited the difficulty of complying with multiple regulatory bodies, including the Uganda Registration Services Bureau, Uganda Revenue Authority (URA), and the National Social Security Fund (NSSF),as additional burdens.

‘Formalisation requires a business environment that supports voluntary compliance. If the costs of formalisation exceed the perceived benefits, no one will make that transition,’ said Mr Ochora.

According to URA data, in FY2019/2020, wholesale and retail trade contributed Shs4.85 trillion (28.35 percent) to total tax revenue. The manufacturing sector contributed Shs3.49 trillion (20.43 percent). Despite these contributions, the formal tax base remains narrow, with modest gains over recent years.

The Uganda Investment Authority (UIA) reported that in FY2021/2022, 2,107 manufacturing firms employed 150,685 Ugandans. While income tax turnover improved slightly, reaching Shs22.1 trillion in 2020/2021, up from Shs19.3 trillion in 2019/2020, compliance remains a challenge.

UIA’s 2023 State of Investment Memo urged the government to simplify the tax regime for SMEs, reduce collateral demands, and create safeguards to encourage formalisation.