Heartland declares former manager persona non grata

Heartland FC has distanced itself from its former General Manager, Promise Uchenna Nwachukwu, declaring that he no longer has any link or authority to represent the club in any capacity.

In a statement signed by the club’s Technical Manager, Emmanuel Amuneke, Heartland clarified that Nwachukwu ceased to be part of the club’s management since July 2024. The club noted that recent developments necessitated the disclaimer to prevent the public and football stakeholders from being misled.

‘Mr. Nwachukwu is not authorized to represent Heartland FC in any official or unofficial matters, nor is he permitted to act, speak, or transact on behalf of the club,’ the Owerri-based side said in a statement.

Heartland further warned that any individual, organization, or football body – including the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), the Confederation of African Football (CAF), or FIFA – that deals with Nwachukwu under the impression that he represents the club does so at their own risk.

The club emphasized that it will not be held liable for any agreements, representations, or commitments made by the former official.

Amuneke assured that the club remains focused on repositioning Heartland FC for greater professionalism, transparency, and integrity.

2026 FIBA WCQ: D’Tigress draw France, Germany, Korea

Nigeria’s senior women’s basketball team, D’Tigress, have discovered their opponents for the final qualifying phase of the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2026, following yesterday’s draw held at the Patrick Baumann House of Basketball in Mies, Switzerland.

The four-time African champions will compete in Lyon-Villeurbanne, France, one of the four host cities for the global qualifiers scheduled to take place from March 11 to 17, 2026.

D’Tigress have been drawn in a tough group alongside France, Germany, Korea, Colombia, and the Philippines, as they look to secure a place at the Berlin 2026 World Cup. The qualifiers will serve as the final gateway to the world’s biggest women’s basketball tournament, where 16 nations will battle for glory.

The draw was conducted by Germany’s Marie Guelich and former French captain Endy Miyem, under the supervision of FIBA Secretary General Andreas Zagklis and representatives from participating federations.

Aside from Lyon-Villeurbanne, other host cities for the qualifiers include Wuhan (China), San Juan (Puerto Rico), and Istanbul (Trkiye).

D’Tigress will be hoping to continue their dominance on the African continent and translate it into another impressive global outing as they aim to secure qualification for the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup in Berlin 2026.

The Full Draw:

Wuhan, China: Mali, South Sudan, Brazil, Belgium, Czechia, China

Lyon-Villeurbanne, France: Colombia, Philippines, Germany, Korea, France, Nigeria

San Juan, Puerto Rico: New Zealand, Puerto Rico, USA, Senegal, Italy, Spain

Istanbul, Trkiye: Hungary, Trkiye, Argentina, Australia, Canada, Japan

First Bank urges action to expand financial access, boost innovation

The Managing Director of FirstBank Group, Olusegun Alebiosu, says the bank is committed to bridging financing gaps and leveraging digital solutions to tackle business challenges across key sectors of the economy.

Alebiosu stated this at a breakfast session during the 31st Nigeria Economic Summit, themed ‘Expanding Access to Finance and Driving Growth Across Middle Market and Emerging Corporate Segments,’ held in Abuja on Tuesday.

He said that a prosperous nation is built on the backbone of its real sector, adding that access to finance remains fundamental to unlocking the sector’s full potential.

‘That is why we have placed this subject at the heart of our discussion – to catalyse sustainable growth and inclusion where it matters most,’ he said.

According to him, FirstBank empowers Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and emerging corporates through tailored products and services designed to stimulate growth across their value chains and support Nigeria’s economic evolution.

He stressed that collaboration among policymakers, industry players, and technology partners was vital to achieving lasting impact.

‘By forging partnerships across policy, industry, and technology, we can create an enabling environment that unlocks new opportunities for businesses to thrive. That is the driving purpose of today’s session,’ Alebiosu said.

He highlighted that with a legacy spanning 131 years, FirstBank remains a trusted partner to SMEs and large corporates, offering comprehensive banking solutions that enhance innovation, resilience, and diversification in the economy.

Also speaking, the Group Executive, Commercial Banking, North Division, Mrs. Aishatu Bubaram, said the middle market and emerging corporates are central to Nigeria’s future prosperity.

She described these enterprises as vibrant drivers of job creation, innovation, and diversification across key sectors such as agribusiness, healthcare, digital services, and light manufacturing.

Bubaram noted that despite their potential, these businesses face persistent challenges, including limited access to finance, inadequate advisory support, and fragile operational ecosystems.

‘FirstBank recognises that addressing these barriers is not just a banking imperative; it is a national imperative,’ she said.

According to her, the bank has continued to support enterprise growth and resilience over its 131-year history, reaffirming its commitment to expanding access to financial solutions, deploying technology to unlock opportunities, and forging partnerships that empower businesses.

‘This session is not merely about banking; it is about reimagining how finance can accelerate inclusion, how policy can create enabling environments, and how collective action can turn Nigeria’s vast entrepreneurial energy into shared prosperity,’ Bubaram added.

House of Reps swears in three members

The House of Representatives yesterday swore in three new members – Omosede Igbinedion (Edo State), Felix Bagudu (Kaduna), and Murktar Rabiu (Jigawa).

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Speaker Tajudeen Abbas announced the presence of the new members during plenary.

The three All Progressives Congress (APC) lawmakers were ushered into the Green Chambers by the Clerk of the House, under the Speaker’s watch.

NAN also reports that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had declared Igbinedion the winner of the bye-election recently conducted in Ovia Federal Constituency of Edo State.

Igbinedion polled a total of 77,053 votes to win the election to fill the seat which became vacant in September 2024 following the election of Dennis Idahosa as Edo Stat deputy governor.

Also, Bagudu, who replaced the late Labour Party (LP) lawmaker, Ekene Adams from Chikun-Kajuru Federal Constituency of Kaduna State, polled a total of 34,580 votes to occupy the seat.

The third member, Rabiu, from Garki/Babura Federal Constituency of Jigawa State, polled 38,449 votes to emerge the winner of the by-election.

Organisation of Volleyball Premier League excites Odozor-Onikeku

Newly elected board member of the Nigeria Volleyball Federation, Mrs. Chinedu Odozor-Onikeku, has commended the organization and competitiveness of the just-concluded first phase of the Nigerian Customs Volleyball League, describing it as impressive and a step in the right direction.

Speaking after the event, Odozor-Onikeku rated the league high but noted that there is still room for improvement. She called for the inclusion of Nigerian players who have gone professional abroad, stressing that their experience would raise the technical level and overall quality of the domestic league.

‘So far, so good. We are gradually getting there. This first phase has shown promise, and I believe by the second phase, things will get even better. All the teams have improved, but allowing our professionals abroad to participate will further enhance the game with their exposure and experience,’ she said.

Beyond the on-court performances, Odozor-Onikeku, who is also an AFFAN elected member, took time to advise players on the importance of planning for life after sports.

‘There is life after sport. Athletes must realize that retirement or injury can come at any time. As they earn, they should save and invest wisely to have something to fall back on in the future,’ she cautioned.

The first phase of the Comptroller General of Customs Volleyball League ended with Nigeria Customs Ladies leading the women’s standings, while the Chief of Naval Staff team topped the men’s category.

Oyedele: 98% of workers to be exempted from PAYE

Majority of Nigerian workers will not pay tax on what they earn when the new law takes effect in January.

Chairman of the Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms Committee, Mr. Taiwo Oyedele, said about 98 per cent of Nigerian workers will be exempted from Pay-As-You-Earn (PAYE) .

Oyedele spoke during a session at the ongoing 31st Nigerian Economic Summit (NES31) in Abuja.

Under the new tax structure, he said, poor Nigerians would be exempted from personal income tax, while high-net-worth individuals would be subject to higher rates.

‘The poor will not pay personal income tax,’ he said.

‘Those who earn more and have greater means will pay more. That is how fairness works in a modern economy.’

Oyedele stated that small and low-income companies would also enjoy tax exemptions to strengthen their operations and create more jobs.

He said: ‘We are considering tax-exempt stickers for nano businesses to protect them from harassment by state and local government officials.

‘These are the smallest operators – street vendors, petty traders, artisans – they should be allowed to thrive.’

He explained that the tax reforms are designed to protect low-income earners and those living around the poverty line, while ensuring a more equitable and efficient tax system.

‘The more inequality you create, the more time bomb you have,’ Oyedele said.

‘These reforms are designed to strengthen governance around revenue generation, improve accountability, and ensure that tax revenues are effectively utilised.’

According to him, the comprehensive tax reforms, which form part of President Bola Tinubu’s broader fiscal policy agenda, aim to enhance Nigeria’s sovereign credit rating, lower borrowing costs for both government and businesses, and stimulate private-sector investment.

Oyedele said the reform effort was not without personal risk, revealing that he had received death threats because of his role in driving the initiative.

‘Reform is tough,’ he said. ‘I have suffered all kinds of things, including death threats. But I am not scared. I recently celebrated my 50th birthday.

‘Even if anything happens, I have done my bit. The reforms belong to Nigerians. The reforms don’t belong to Mr. President.’

He said the reforms seek to build a fairer system in which wealthy individuals and large corporations contribute more to the country’s development.

‘If we don’t pay our taxes in an orderly manner, we’ll pay them in a disorderly manner.

‘We’ve seen that in the past few years with over N30 trillion printed, which is part of the inflation we’re dealing with and the devaluation of the naira.

‘We don’t want that to happen. We’ve seen countries like Zimbabwe where prices double every other day.’

Responding to concerns that state and local governments might resist the reforms, Oyedele assured that members of the Joint Tax Board (JTB), representing all 36 states and the FCT, were fully part of the committee’s deliberations and had expressed support for the new framework.

According to him, the new system would not deprive states of revenue but would, in fact, help them earn more from the Federation Account without burdening vulnerable citizens.

‘Last year, all the states generated N3.36 trillion from taxes imposed on their people,’ he said.

‘If that N3.36 trillion is not generated in 2026, the states will not do worse. We are convinced that no state will be bankrupt. We can’t do better by not taxing our most vulnerable.’

Oyedele cited recent improvements in national revenue distribution as evidence that the fiscal reforms were already beginning to yield results.

‘Last month, the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) shared N2.2 trillion to the three tiers of government,’ he said.

He also criticised outdated and regressive tax provisions that burden the poor, citing examples such as the so-called ‘wheelbarrow tax.’

‘Some of the tax provisions in our constitution are retrogressive,’ Oyedele said.

‘How will you ask anyone to pay wheelbarrow tax? That is why we have sent ten amendment proposals to the National Assembly to amend sections that need to change in line with the tax reforms.’

According to him, the committee is also working on expenditure reforms to ensure that tax revenues are used efficiently and transparently.

‘We have worked on the expenditure side,’ he explained.

‘We are working seriously on fiscal regimes to ensure transparency and prudence in government expenditure so that Nigerians get full benefits of their taxes.’

Scars & spells: Okello in quiet war for glory

In the minimalist glow of a Kampala studio, where the air hums with the faint echo of distant traffic and the weight of untold stories, Allan Okello sits like a man who has measured every scar.

At 25, he is Uganda’s fleeting wizard – a slightly-framed playmaker in the spirit of the No. 10, conjuring from midfield with the sleight of a poet’s hand: silk passes that unravel defences, free-kicks that curl like unanswered prayers.

His thunderbolt against Mozambique in World Cup qualifying, a 30-yard lash from Jude Ssemugabi’s roll-on pass, still reverberates – Uganda’s 4-0 romp, Okello’s first-half probe blooming into second-half salvation.

He has so far scored in the Cranes’ last three qualifiers, against Guinea, Mozambique and Somalia, each goal an act of resurrection more than celebration.

At the 2024 African Nations Championship (Chan), he emerged Uganda’s top scorer with three goals and some assists as the Cranes reached their first-ever quarterfinals – a tournament that seemed to cleanse him of years of doubt.

Vipers’ faithful now chant ‘Ssalongo’ – father of twins in social speak, but also a bearer of doubles, including his first at KCCA – after he tallied 19 league goals from midfield last season, a league-and-cup conquest that etched his name into Kitende’s lore.

And now, with Cranes qualifiers against Botswana and Algeria looming, Okello’s boots tread the thin line between legacy and longing – each touch a stake in Uganda’s slim Fifa 2026 World Cup dream.

Yet as he unfolded his tale on The Game of Life – a YouTube podcast I host – the voice that narrated these glories trembled at the edges, a quiet war etched in pauses and averted eyes.

The Journey

Okello’s journey is no linear ascent, no bootstraps romance. It is football’s brutal arithmetic: subtract a mother’s fierce light at 13, divide by the isolation of Algerian exile, multiply by mentors’ fleeting grace, and what emerges is not triumph alone.

A ledger of losses – witchcraft’s hex, hospital silence, lockdown’s void – balanced precariously by faith’s unyielding thread. ‘God didn’t forget me,’ he repeated, a mantra polished by countless whispered prayers.

From Lira’s carefree streets to Paradou’s shadowed apartments, Okello played not just for glory, but for breath itself. This is the story of a boy who buried his heart on a village hillside – only to unearth it on pitches where every touch became tribute.

The cradle was Lira, northern Uganda’s sun-flayed heartland, where football seeped into Okello’s veins like water through parched soil.

Born the first of four to Patrick Ojom, whose winger’s dash for Pamba FC still fuels fireside yarns – ‘right-footed, position seven, those old ways,’ Okello mimicked with a grin – and a mother whose love was labour incarnate, he grew amid a footballing lineage.

Uncle Bob Obira, the topflight veteran of KCCA and Express, loomed largest: a colossus whose shadow pulled a seven-year-old Okello from village idyll to Kampala’s sprawl.

‘Coming to the city was big, very big,’ Okello recalled, eyes alight with the wonder of it.

Obira’s house became a sanctuary, his training pitch a rite: the boy, small as a sparrow, slotted into adult scrimmages, dazzling with precocity.

‘His (Obira’s) friend said, ‘Who’s this young boy? He is special,” Okello laughed – then paused. ‘At eight, dawn runs – 5 a.m. slogs at my uncle’s – felt like punishment. But Uncle, thank you. I’m making you proud.’

Obira’s creed was simple: every game, give your best. You don’t know who’s watching. The lesson stuck – a compass in chaos.

The Rupture

At 13, in Form One at Kibuli SS, the call came not from father but uncle: ‘Daddy’s busy.’

Homeward bound, five minutes in their town house, then a blur to the village burial ground.

‘They told me to see the person we lost,’ Okello said, voice a thread. The casket’s lid lifted – his mother’s still, swollen face. ‘First time I knew,’ he whispered. ‘No warning.’

Whispers of witchcraft swirled: hexes targeting the boy first – midnight breathlessness, seizures that left him ‘switched off, like dead’ – his mother’s crusade across northern clinics and pastors’ altars the counter-spell.

‘She fought for my health so hard,’ he said, guilt’s barbs surfacing. ‘Looking for pastors, praying. without her, I wouldn’t be speaking now.’

The darkness turned. Her legs ballooned; ‘witchcraft stuff,’ they called it. The moment she got better, they lost her.

‘We almost lost Dad too – he went crazy,’ said Okello. Depression engulfed him – a year without football, life monochrome.

‘Everything ended. I loved her so much.’ He clung to faith’s frayed rope. ‘Keep fighting, keep praying,’ he told listeners. ‘I’m the right example – God didn’t forget me.’

Every goal since has been a dedication: arms skyward, Mom, see me. Pain’s alchemy – loss as fuel, memory as medal.

‘Part of the reason I never gave up football was losing her,’ he said. ‘Mom, I wish you were alive to see where I am right now.’ Faith – that unyielding north star – pulled him through.

Football, Mutebi, and KCCA

At Kibuli SS, education and football collided. No bursary at first; his father strained to pay.

Coach Hassan Tembo fought for him, negotiating a cut in fees by half. Providence struck: a full bursary, then prominence in the school team with Saidi Mayanja. ‘Coach Abdallah Mubiru believed in me. You need a coach who believes,’ Okello said.

Okello then had an opportunity for trials at – wait for it – SC Villa trials. Well, that sojourn lasted only three days, and neither he nor Mayanja got a look-in.

But in KCCA’s rondo, coach Mike Mutebi spotted the boy’s poetry amid 30 hopefuls: ‘Don’t let that boy in there – sign him straight away,’ Mutebi told Richard Malinga, who had scouted Okello from school football.

A year shadowed the seniors – full drills, junior matches, unpaid but immersed.

Julius Poloto and Ronald Kikonyogo were promoted; Okello waited. After Vipers’ 3-1 loss at Nakivubo, Mutebi said: ‘Be patient. Definitely I’m going to promote you next year. Trust me, trust what I’m doing.’

The boy nodded, but fire simmered. ‘I felt when it was 2-1, I wanted to go inside.’ Mutebi’s retort: ‘Stop being funny, but I like that confidence.’

But he was sold. He had to tie the boy to some agreement. Salary dawn, pre-contract risk: ‘I’m going to take my risk. from my pocket if needed.’ That was Mutebi’s resolve.

Their bond? Paternal, profound – Mutebi’s silence at half-times a trust’s quiet language. ‘When he speaks at half-time, you know you’re doing badly.’

Mutebi has not coached since leaving KCCA in 2019, something that is not sitting well with Okello.

The Vipers player’s plea, who admitted to missing Mutebi, now ached with urgency, pleading with KCCA’s most successful manager to come back to the dugout

‘Not for me as a player but for those young kids outside there that need a really good coach like him. Come back to football and give that another five years or three years. We are going to see another great talent coming.’

While still in charge at Lugogo, Mutebi’s timing was genius. He threw Okello on the bench in a Caf preliminaries match away to Angola’s Primero de Agosto.

It was an Angolan storm for young Okello – bench terror, clearances like thunder. ‘Wanted to kill me,’ he quipped, ‘Agosto was attacking us like we had stolen something.’

He didn’t play that one but Mutebi did bring him on away to Mamelodi Sundowns for a 10-min cameo in the 2-1 defeat: ‘Nothing to lose,’ he told me.

Next was at home vs. Onduparaka: sleepless vigil for Okello, with Poloto the midnight counsel.

He was in the lineup for a home debut, with Mutebi shockingly handing him set-piece duties from his idol Muzamiru Mutyaba. Teammates vowed: ‘We’ll chase – you enjoy.’

First goal: Fanta’s (Mutyaba’s nickname) cross, roofed volley – yellow for shirt-tug joy. He added two more as KCCA romped to a 7-0 victory. ‘I had prayed to God for only one goal, now I had three.’

Two years later he was counting two league titles and as many Uganda Cup trophies, as well as the Cecafa Kagame gong.

Illness ambushed him later in 2019 as a move abroad loomed. He was hospitalised for three weeks without hearing from KCCA: ‘No call, no visit.’ His agent at the time, Isaac Mwesigwa, paid bills.

Paradou exile, and Vipers rebirth

Paradou AC of Algeria eventually got their man, signing the then 18-year-old to a four-year deal in January 2020.

After a painful Covid lockdown, delayed payments and unfulfilled promises of having someone from Uganda live with him as part of his contract, Okello eventually did play some football.

Deployed in positions alien to his abilities, he endured – all he wanted was playing time.

But everything changed when a new coach replaced the one who had given him a lease on life, even if it meant pushing him out of position.

The exile nearly broke him. But Vipers President Lawrence Mulindwa’s call – ‘Come to Vipers’ – offered reprieve.

Treatment of a long standing injury first, then rebirth. ‘He (Mulindwa) said, ‘I know you’re going through a lot. Tell me everything,” Okello recalled. ‘I said, “I’m injured – treat me, and I’ll give you a better season.’

Okello had spent four months without a club after he agreed with Paradou to mutually terminate his contract with a year of it left following the end of a season-long loan to KCCA.

Mulindwa did. Okello delivered – 19 goals from midfield, a league-cup double, Chan redemption with Cranes, and now a run of goals lighting Uganda’s road to 2026.

Okello, Lira’s son, carries casket shadows and maternal light. Mom, see me. ‘In football’s ledger, he doesn’t just balance – he rises, a colossus as quiet as dawn.

You can watch my full conversation with Okello on The Game of Life with Andrew Mwanguhya on YouTube.

Okello Fact File

Full Name: Allan Okello

Date of Birth: July 4, 2000 (25)

Place of Birth: Lira, Uganda

Height: 1.79 m (5ft 10in)

Weight: 65 kg

Position: Attacking Midfielder

Current Club: Vipers SC (Uganda Premier League)

Jersey Number: 10

Former Clubs: KCCA (2016-2020, 2022 loan), Paradou AC (Algeria, 2020-2023)

National Team: Uganda Cranes (Senior debut – since 2019)

Agent: NextPro Sports

Contract Expiry: June 30, 2026

Major Honours

With KCCA

Uganda Premier League (2016/17, 2018/19)

Uganda Cup (2016/17, 2017/18)

Cecafa Kagame Cup (2019)

With Vipers SC

Uganda Premier League (2024/25)

Uganda Cup (2025)

Uganda National Team

Chan 2024 Quarterfinalist (Top Scorer with 3 Goals

Scored in 2026 World Cup Qualifiers vs Guinea, Mozambique and Somalia

Individual Awards

Fufa Male Player of the Year (2019) | Fufa Young Player of the Year (2018) | Airtel Fans’ Favourite Player (2018) | Football256 Player of the Year (2019)

Many Constitution provisions need second look, says Odoki

Three decades later, former Chief Justice Benjamin Odoki says many provisions in the Constitution need to be given a second look because Ugandans have had 30 years of experience. The Constitution was promulgated on October 8, 1995, after it was enacted by the Constituent Assembly (CA) delegates, following close to two years of debate and deliberations. It replaced the 1967 Constitution. ‘There are many provisions in the Constitution which you may need to look at afresh,’ Justice Odoki said as he participated in a commemorative tree-planting programme to mark the 30-year milestone at the Constitutional Square in Kampala yesterday.

He added: ‘When you wrote that Constitution, you could not have known that things would work like this, could you? How could you anticipate? So now, you are seeing what is happening, make a judgment yourself, and rectify whatever you think has gone wrong. ‘I think the Constitutional review is being mooted where you will be able to say ‘this Constitution was misused by so and so and be quoted.’ Everybody who made views of us was recorded and kept in our archives.’

In 2017, Members of Parliament scrapped the presidential age limit, eliminating the 75-year age cap and lowering the minimum age to 18, enabling President Museveni, then 73, to seek another term. The move followed the removal of presidential term limits 12 years earlier, which paved the way for Museveni’s continued presidency. The initial term and age limits were put in place in the original 1995 Constitution. The 2017 amendment sparked controversy, with heated parliamentary debates and the deployment of plain-clothed Commandos from the elite Special Forces Command (SFC) being deployed in the chambers to eject some dissenting MPs from the House.

Ultimately, 317 MPs voted to pass the Bill, with 97 opposing it and two abstaining.

Justice Odoki, however, said there’s a full chapter about amending the Constitution, and he is not able to say whether it was misused or not. ‘I only wrote what I thought people had said, like when you write a judgment, according to evidence which I got at that time. I don’t have any evidence up to now as to what people want. ‘That’s why I didn’t want to even talk about the constitutional review, which I would recommend, with due respect, but it’s not my job. Yes, you need the constitutional review.’

He was also quick to caution that the Constitution should not be touched unless it is necessary.

‘There are certain provisions which, if you make, could conflict with the Constitution. That’s the problem. The amendments must be in line with the available laws.

‘We found that there is no Constitution that cannot be amended, but we only argue that it must not destroy its basic character. If they cut off your ear, you may live, but if they cut off your head, it’s a different story. So, there are certain fundamental things in the Constitution which I think should be preserved.’

The Constitution is still young

Justice Odoki noted that the framers of the Constitution had been blamed for making it ‘too detailed’, but to the contrary, it is still ‘young and growing’, adding: ‘We are still learning to see what can work for Uganda and what cannot work for it.’ ‘We were not quite sure what would work for Uganda, that’s why you can say even in a political system, we put there two systems (NRM and multiparty politics), but we didn’t know which would work better. ‘But now it’s for the people of Uganda to judge, not for the former Chief Justice or the former chairperson of the Constitutional Commission. I think you are seeing the momentum now.’

He said he has no qualms about the entire Constitution being changed, especially if the changes are being made by the people and not him, because it is not a personal judgment. On concerns that the Constitution has been used to entrench power and undermine democracy, Justice Odoki said how the Constitution is used is not his business. ‘How you are using the Constitution is not my business; you can put it in your pocket (or) in your wardrobe. That’s your business.’

Asked what he makes of the changes that have happened within the Constitution that he spent time putting together, Justice Odoki said Ugandans have the right to do whatever they want with the Constitution, and he doesn’t form personal opinions on issues of national importance. Ms Sarah Bireete, the Executive Director of the Centre for Constitutional Governance, who was in attendance, said 30 years ago, the Ugandan Constitution was adopted with a vision of a just, democratic, and a united nation, intended to provide a framework for governance that safeguards the rights and freedoms of every Ugandan.

‘It was and it is still a beacon of hope for the future, challenges notwithstanding; however, whereas there has been progress in matters regarding the rule of law, in matters regarding the conduct of people who exercise power over the citizens, there have been numerous challenges as citizens of this country.’ She cited the Constitution’s alleged failure to safeguard the fundamental rights and freedoms of Ugandans, and to resolve challenges like land conflicts and land rights, especially for the poor and the vulnerable.

Cautioned.

“We found that there is no Constitution that cannot be amended, but we only argue that it must not destroy its basic character. If they cut off your ear, you may live, but if they cut off your head, it’s a different story. So, there are certain fundamental things in the Constitution which I think should be preserved.” – Former Chief Justice, Benjamin Odoki

EC SAYS

Mr Julius Mucunguzi, the Electoral Commission (EC) spokesperson, who represented EC chairperson Justice Simon Byabakama, said since the 1995 Constitution was established, Ugandans have been able to exercise the provisions of Article 1 Clause 4 to choose their leaders through regular, free, and fair elections.

Ugandan netizens outraged after police officer filmed slapping supermarket attendant

A section of Ugandans on social media has been left outraged after a video recording showing a police officer slapping a supermarket attendant over unpaid bills went viral.

In the two minutes and 17 seconds of CCTV footage seen by this reporter, the officer who has since been identified as Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Clive Nsiima, attached to Counter Terrorism under Oil and Gas Protection Unit, Kampala Metropolitan Zone, is heard abusively scolding the attendant over a reportedly unpaid bill of Shs 30,000 before smacking her twice.

This reporter has also confirmed that the incident occurred at the Shell fuel station in Kyanja, Kampala, on Tuesday, October 7, 2025.

“…I am parking…have you ever driven such a car?” asks ASP Nsiima, who was dressed in civilian clothes, before turning to another attendant behind the counter and adding:”….do you know she’s there attacking me and beating me over Shs30,000? Even if it is Shs100,000, how much money have I spent here? Do you think I can run away over Shs100,000? Do you know that I can slap you even if this camera is here and we go to court tomorrow?” ASP Nsiima asks before striking the attendant’s face twice.

Her alarm attracted some of the staff who were outside the supermarket, including a security guard, but they seemed helpless as the victim continued wailing.

Reacting to the video, the Director of Criminal Investigations, AIGP Tom Magambo, condemned what he described as “such isolated behaviour” by the officer.

“Be assured that an internal investigation is ongoing to guide further action. The [police] PRO Kituuma Rusoke will provide more updates on the matter,” he added in a post on X.

A source within police said ASP Nsiima has since been arrested after the attendant filed a case of assault and threatening violence at Kensington police post in Kyanja, Nakawa Division, Kampala.

Museveni urges youth to build networks, partnerships for progress

President Museveni has urged youth from Africa and the Arab world to embrace collaboration and partnerships rather than division if they are to collectively drive development and transformation in their countries.

While officiating at the Afro-Arab Youth Congress 2025 Speke Resort Munyonyo yesterday, President Museveni, in a speech read by Third Deputy Prime Minister Rukia Nakadama, said young people hold the power to solve their challenges through constructive partnerships.

‘As you engage, remember that your network is your net worth, because the friendships and partnerships you make here have the power to outlive this event. Become bridges of collaboration that can build communities and transform nations,’ he said.

He added, ‘To the young people gathered here, strive to understand the dynamics of the world you live in, because the future is shaped not by chance but by the clarity of your ideology and the strength of your conviction. We encourage the youth to share ideology and commonalities instead of divisions.’

Youth in Africa continue to face significant challenges, including widespread unemployment, poor-quality education that does not align with the job market, poverty, rapid urbanization, limited political participation, and the worsening effects of climate change such as food insecurity and displacement.

Youth unemployment remains a major crisis. According to an African Development Bank Group brief titled Jobs for Youths in Africa (October 2024), one-third of Africa’s nearly 420 million youth aged 15-35 were unemployed. The number of youth lacking an economic stake is projected to reach 263 million by 2025.

The report cites a mismatch between education systems and labor market needs, limited formal jobs, and the prevalence of low-wage, precarious work. It calls for investments in skills development and entrepreneurship as key solutions.

Similarly, youth in the Arab world also grapple with high unemployment, underemployment, and limited access to quality education and economic opportunities.

Mr Museveni said that such challenges can only be addressed through cross-regional collaboration among youth from both Africa and the Arab world.

Mr Abbas Agaba, Secretary-General of the Afro-Arab Youth Council (AAYC), said this year’s conference theme-Amplifying Youth Voices for Peace, Unity and Prosperity-will guide the four-day discussions.

‘We face common challenges of youth unemployment, limited access to resources, climate change, and the need for stronger democratic institutions. Our youths are not a burden; they are the backbone of development. They are not the leaders of tomorrow but of today,’ he said.

The State Minister for Youth, Balaam Barugahara, said the government has placed youth empowerment at the center of national transformation.

‘The government has implemented programmes aimed at harnessing the potential of young people, including ICT innovations, enhancing innovation capacity, and establishing the National Youth Council. This reaffirms that youth are not a problem to be solved but a solution to the challenges,’ he said.

He added that Uganda continues to lead in advancing youth cooperation and inclusion at both regional and global levels.

‘With the East African Community, Uganda is working to harmonise youth policies, promote cross-border innovations, and enhance mobility. At the African Union, Uganda aligns with Agenda 2063 and the Africa Youth Charter, ensuring youth participation in governance, climate action, and peacebuilding.’

Rwanda’s Minister of Youth, Sandrine Umutoni, emphasized the role of young people in rebuilding Rwanda and urged youth in Afro-Arab nations to recognize their central role in national development.

Participants at the conference are also discussing plans to establish the council’s permanent headquarters on 50 acres of land donated by President Museveni.

‘The futuristic complex will include a modern office block, an international-standard hotel, a sports stadium, a cultural heritage center, and a University of Science and Technology. This is more than a building; it’s a dream city that will stand as a beacon of unity, cultural exchange, and youth empowerment,’ Mr Agaba said.

The Afro-Arab Youth Congress 2025 is expected to mark a turning point in strengthening Afro-Arab relations, with Kampala serving as the birthplace of new policies, initiatives, and youth-led solutions to global challenges.