DOH: 400 ‘idle’ facilities were already probed

The Department of Health (DOH) has actually been investigating the 400 ‘idle’ health centers under the agency’s Health Facilities Enhancement Program (HFEP), DOH Secretary Teodoro Herbosa claimed on Sunday.

‘Actually, the DOH has been investigating these anomalies way before media picked it up,’ Herbosa said, without specifying any of the findings of the supposed investigations.

During a congressional budget hearing earlier this year, Herbosa said the health centers under the HFEP could be considered the DOH version of the flood control projects of the Department of Public Works and Highways.

The HFEP, launched in 2008, is the DOH’s banner program that aims to ensure that poor and marginalized communities have access to health-care services.

‘Several actions have been taken already, and we continue to do case buildup,’ Herbosa added, again without providing details.

Herbosa made the remarks to expound on the replies of Health Assistant Secretary and spokesperson Albert Domingo during an online interview.

When asked what actions have been taken in relation to the investigation, Domingo said, ‘They are actions meant for mandated investigative bodies and the formal courts of law.’ Findings still under wraps

‘The DOH will disclose them at the appropriate time and before the appropriate legal forum,’ Domingo told reporters in a Viber group chat.

But Herbosa also suggested that the DOH has been ‘looking for options to operationalize nonfunctioning completed health facilities.’

Akbayan Rep. Chel Diokno initially questioned why only 200 out of 600 health centers under the HFEP are functional despite being allocated over P170 billion in the past decade.

However, budget sponsor and Bataan Rep. Albert Garcia clarified that while the HFEP has no ‘ghost hospitals,’ the lack of personnel and health-care professionals to run the facilities made them nonfunctioning.

Garcia also said that the DOH entered into a memorandum of agreement with local governments in ‘good faith,’ as it expected them to provide personnel.

But further discussion of the health facilities was overtaken by other controversies confronting the DOH.

Iloilo Rep. Janette Garin, a former health secretary, particularly questioned Herbosa’s other programs, like the P1-billion proposed budget for the beautification of DOH offices, the P458-million research fund for the DOH, and its planned P7.5-million donation to the World Health Organization (WHO) over three years to other programs.

Garin took special notice of the DOH beautification projects and the WHO donation, saying the funds for these should instead be used for patient care and subsidies for the universal health-care program or to hire more doctors and nurses. ‘The President wants zero-balance billing, while hospitals are asking for bigger funds. But how did [this] pass through the Department of Budget and Management-that there is about P1 billion intended not for hospitals and rural hospitals, but for ‘beautifying’ DOH offices?’ Garin asked.

Marcos says solid cases needed in flood works probe

Despite the strong public clamor to jail all those involved in the flood control scam, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. cautioned against a rushed and haphazard investigation into the scandal to ensure that cases filed are backed by concrete evidence.

Mere accusations and testimonies, even those made in congressional hearings, would not lead to convictions if they do not come with proof, Marcos said.

‘We know many of these people are not innocent. But if you’re going to bring them to court, you must have a very strong case,’ the President told Philip Cu-Unjieng of the Manila Bulletin in an interview to be shown on his ‘BBM Podcast,’ scheduled to begin Monday. A teaser of the latest episode of the podcast was released by the Presidential Communications Office on Sunday.

‘Look, this is what can happen. We rush the investigation. Our evidence is not complete. Our evidence is muddled. But we still go ahead with the filing of the case. The result: We lose the cases. Can you imagine that?’ the President said. ‘I think that would be much, much, much worse.’

The President created the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) last month to investigate all anomalous government infrastructure works, particularly ‘ghost’ and substandard flood-control projects in the past 10 years. Almost a month after the fact-finding body’s three members were appointed, the ICI has conducted numerous closed-door hearings and summoned various officials and contractors linked to the scam. The commission will recommend the filing of charges based on its findings.

In a previous episode of his podcast, the President vowed to go after the ‘big fishes’ in the corruption scandal once the ICI investigation is completed. /cb

Reforms averted N70trn currency printing through Ways and Means -PCFPT Chairman

The Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms (PCFPT) has revealed that without the ongoing economic reforms introduced by President Bola Tinubu’s administration, Nigeria would have been forced to print as much as N70 trillion through the Ways and Means window – a move that could have devastated the economy.

Chairman of the committee, Taiwo Oyedele, made this known during an interactive session with journalists and public analysts in Lagos on Friday. He emphasised that the administration’s fiscal and monetary reforms have helped to avert a potential economic catastrophe while restoring discipline to government spending.

‘Without the current reforms, we would not have been able to buy fuel. Dangote Refinery would not have come on board. Without the reforms, the trade deficit would have expanded, the tax-to-GDP ratio would have crashed, and the government would have printed between N60 trillion and N70 trillion,’ Oyedele stated.

He noted that under the current administration, Nigeria no longer prints naira to fund spending, even as the economy continues to feel the effects of excessive monetary expansion under the previous government.

Between 2015 and 2023, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) reportedly printed over N30 trillion through Ways and Means advances to fund budget deficits during former President Muhammadu Buhari’s tenure – a practice widely blamed for stoking hyperinflation and worsening poverty levels.

Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, who also spoke at the event, said inflationary pressures are now easing due to the administration’s efforts to restore macroeconomic balance.

‘We talked about inflation, and we have helped to solve that. Where did it come from? It came from eight years of just printing money not matched by productivity,’ Edun explained.

‘It’s not like when you earn dollars and free the naira alongside it – even that’s better. But what we had before was pure monetary indiscipline,’ he said.

According to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), Nigeria’s headline inflation rate fell to 20.12 percent in August 2025, down from 21.88 percent in July – marking the fifth consecutive month of disinflation.

The NBS also reported that the economy grew by 4.23 percent year-on-year in Q2 2025, up from 3.48 percent in Q2 2024 and 3.13 percent in Q1 2025, largely driven by a rebound in the oil sector and increased non-oil activities.

Since assuming office on May 29, 2023, President Tinubu has rolled out major reforms, including the removal of fuel subsidies and the liberalisation of the foreign exchange market. These moves, though initially painful, have been credited with stabilising the fiscal environment and attracting renewed interest from foreign investors.

Oyedele noted that the fiscal reforms also aim to boost tax revenues, improve compliance, and ensure that public spending is tied to productivity and infrastructure development.

‘We have to magnify our tax revenue to fund infrastructure and spur economic growth. That’s the only sustainable path forward,’ he said.

In line with improving macroeconomic conditions, the Central Bank of Nigeria’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) recently reduced the benchmark interest rate to 27.00 percent, marking the first rate cut in 2025 after three consecutive holds.

Analysts say the combination of fiscal discipline, disinflation, and cautious monetary easing is setting the stage for a more stable growth trajectory – one that avoids the pitfalls of excessive deficit financing through unchecked money printing.

With reforms now showing measurable progress, both Oyedele and Edun stressed that continued policy consistency will be critical in consolidating the gains made and ensuring Nigeria’s economic recovery remains on track.

Cardoso harps on proper cryptocurrency regulation

Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Olayemi Cardoso, has called for a structured and collaborative framework for cryptocurrency regulation in Nigeria, emphasizing that the nation stands to gain significantly from the global digital asset boom-if properly managed.

Speaking at the inaugural CBN Governor’s Lecture Series held at the Lagos Business School (LBS) on Friday, Cardoso reflected on the rapid evolution of digital currencies and the regulatory loopholes that allowed crypto trading to grow largely unchecked in previous years.

He noted that Nigeria has become one of the leading markets for digital asset transactions in the world, with citizens trading billions of naira worth of crypto assets annually. However, he cautioned that the sector’s potential can only be maximized through a clear, transparent, and enforceable regulatory roadmap.’Nigerians can indeed benefit from the crypto revolution, but it must be under a properly regulated environment,’ Cardoso said. ‘Our goal is to foster innovation while maintaining financial stability and protecting investors.’

The CBN governor disclosed that the apex bank, in collaboration with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), is developing a comprehensive framework to govern the use of digital currencies and crypto-based financial products.

The initiative, he explained, seeks to balance innovation with the safety and soundness of the financial system.

Industry experts project that a well-regulated crypto market could attract up to $15 billion in foreign direct investment, enhance financial inclusion for millions of unbanked Nigerians, and drive economic diversification amid fluctuating oil revenues.

Cardoso said the CBN-SEC collaboration would focus on strengthening oversight, fostering transparency, and mitigating riskssuch as money laundering and terrorism financing. He added that regulated crypto could also boost stablecoin adoption, citing examples of local platforms already leveraging digital tokens to accelerate payments and settlements.

As Nigeria deepens its transition toward a digitally driven economy, Cardoso reaffirmed the CBN’s commitment to creating an ecosystem where innovation thrives under prudent regulation.

‘By embracing proper regulation, Nigeria can unlock its fintech potential and position itself as a continental leader in digital finance,’ he stated.

House of Reps Minority Caucus boils over leadership

The simmering crisis within the minority caucus of the House of Representatives has boiled over ahead of tomorrow’s resumption of plenary.

Minority Leader, Kingsley Chinda (PDP, Rivers), under threat of removal from a section of minority members, obtained an injunction stopping the leadership of the House and the Minority Caucus from removing him.

He is targeted for removal because of his affiliation with Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Nyesom Wike, it was learnt.

Today, members of the caucus have slated a ‘crucial meeting’ to decide Chinda’s fate.

The meeting, billed for one of the conference rooms in the House of Representatives wing of the National Assembly, is expected to be attended by all caucus members.

The notice of the meeting was signed by leaders of four of the minority parties.

These are: Frederick Agbedi (PDP), Afam Victor Ogene (LP), Muktar Umar-Zakari (NNPP) and Peter Nzokwe (YPP).

But supporters of Chinda are not relenting. They are fighting back under the ‘Active Minority’ group, which claims to have the majority of members.

They have, in fact, prepared for a showdown with the anti-Chinda group.

Defendants in Chinda’s suit are the National Assembly, the Clerk to the National Assembly, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Clerk to the House of Representatives, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), Labour Party (LP), All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA), Social Democratic Party (SDP), Africa Democratic Congress (ADC) and Young Progressive Party (YPP).

Justice J.O. Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court in Abuja issued an interim injunction asking all parties to maintain the status quo pending the determination of the suit.

The notice for the meeting reads: ‘You are hereby invited to an emergency meeting to discuss recent developments in the minority leadership, particularly to review the lawsuit instituted by Minority Leader, Hon. Kingsley Chinda, against all members of minority parties in the 10th House of Representatives.’

The items on the agenda are to prepare a ‘response to the lawsuit instituted by Chinda, against all minority parties and any other business (AOB).’

In an order of interim injunction, the court ordered all parties in the suit filed on behalf of Chinda by Dr. J.Y. Musa (SAN) to maintain the status quo, pending the determination of the suit.

Chinda is seeking ‘an order restraining the defendants, their servants, privies, officers, agents, members, howsoever described, from removing him as Minority Leader of the House of Representatives without compliance with the due process of the law or accepting/recognising any exercise by any person(s) purportedly removing him from his position as the Minority Leader.’

Justice Abdulmalik ruled: ‘It is my considered firm opinion that in order to ensure all the parties listed in these processes have equal playing ground by virtue of their constitutional rights enshrined in Section 36 (1) of the 1999 Constitution (as Amended), as well as the need to protect the res sought in the application, I hereby order as follows: ‘THAT the applicant shall forthwith serve on all the defendants/respondents the Motion on Notice with Suit No:- FHC/ABJ/CS/1936/2025 filed on 16th September 2025, along with all relevant processes filed in this matter, so as not to foist a fait accompli on the outcome of the reliefs sought in this application, which are also exact same reliefs prayed in the Motion on Notice with Suit No: FHC/ABJ/CS/1936/2025.

‘That the hearing of the Motion on Notice with Suit No:- FHC/ABJ/CS/1936/2025 filed on 16th September 2025, shall pursuant to Section 6 (6) (b) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) be expediently resolved on its merit by this Honourable Court for the attainment of Justice in this matter.

‘THAT all the concerned parties listed in this application shall maintain status quo in respect of the res prayed on the face of the Motion Ex-Parte pending the hearing and determination on its MERIT of the Motion on Notice with Suit No:- FHC/ABJ/CS/1936/2025 filed on 16th September 2025.

‘THAT all the Defendants/Respondents SHALL be served with Hearing Notices in respect of this matter.’

Preparing for a showdown

Pro-Chinda members of the minority caucus under the aegis of ‘Active Minority’ are set for a showdown with their colleagues over the removal plot.

No fewer than 89 members have thrown their weight behind Chinda, vowing to resist any attempt to remove him.

A member of the Active Minority, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said they were prepared to counter the moves by certain interests in the PDP and the ADC bent on replacing Chinda because of his affiliation with Wike.

He said: ‘We have stumbled on a plot by certain leaders in the PDP and ADC to replace Chinda. His only sin is the allegations that he is close to Wike.

‘But I can assure you, we are ready for those sponsored to come to the floor and execute this insidious plan.

‘Our group, the Active Minority, is prepared to resist this because Chinda has discharged his responsibilities as an opposition leader very well.

‘As I speak with you, the Active Minority has a membership strength of 89 members and more members are identifying with us.

‘All opposition lawmakers are about 140, and we have an overwhelming majority to counter any undemocratic move.’

When asked to unveil the identities of the Active Minority, the lawmaker said: ‘We are keeping our identities under wraps until the House resumes. We don’t want to let the cat out of the bag now. Our strategy is also within us until we meet on the battlefield.’

On why they chose to support the minority leader, the lawmaker said: ‘Chinda’s unwavering commitment to upholding democratic principles and advocating the rights of the Nigerians has set him apart as a beacon of hope in times of uncertainty.

‘Chinda has since 2023 vehemently stood against the defection of opposition lawmakers to the APC.

‘One of Chinda’s notable contributions lies in his staunch opposition to members of the opposition defecting to the ruling party, citing violations of constitutional provisions and electoral laws.’

Residents urge Makinde, Ladoja to save them from land grabbers

Residents of about 50 villages under Lafiku Dynasty in Oluyole Local Government Area of Oyo State have urged Governor Seyi Makinde, Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja and other stakeholders to save them from land grabbers.

The residents, who lamented injuries, tension and unrest the land grabbers had caused them, said they would be forced to resort to self-defence if Governor Makinde, Oba Ladoja and other stakeholders failed to do the needful.

They said as law-abiding citizens, they called on the governor and the first-class monarch to assist them, ”because we don’t want to take the law into our hands.”

Addressing reporters in Ibadan at the weekend, one of the affected people, Akogun Saheed Olawoyin from Onifade Ogunkanmi, Lafiku Dynasty, said: ‘We appeal to the new Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Ladoja, who does not tolerate corruption and land grabbing, to assist us through legal means, to chase these people away so that residents can have peace of mind.

‘We want the government to give us a police station because we are too far from Sanyo Police Station. Alternatively, the government can give us an Amotekun division so that residents will enjoy peace and security.’

Narrating their ordeal, Olawoyin alleged: ‘About six years ago, a deposed Baale started disturbing over 50 villages under Lafiku Dynasty. These villages have been there for over 400 years. The land is located at Olojuoro, Olomi, Oluyole Local Government.’

Baale Lafiku, Chief Yusuf Alimi, Baale Okeseyin, Chief Moruf Olaigbe and the Chairman of Landlord Association at Onifade Ogunkanmi Village, Lafiku, said: ‘There was peace and we were living in harmony until the deposed Baale came in 2019.

‘He caused chaos everywhere and started grabbing land belonging to residents. He attacked some, took some to the police station and lied against others.

‘This is why we are appealing to Governor Makinde and Oba Ladoja to rescue us. We don’t want problem. We don’t have thugs to fight for us, except government.’

Norrie records first win since US Open

Great Britain’s Cameron Norrie claimed a first win since September’s US Open, beating Frenchman Arthur Cazaux in a third-set tie-break to reach the third round of the Shanghai Masters.

The British number two was knocked out by Novak Djokovic in the third round at Flushing Meadows and has since tasted back-to-back defeats in Chengdu and Beijing.

But it proved to be third time lucky in China for Norrie as the five-time winner on the ATP Tour clinched a rollercoaster 6-3 0-6 7-6 (7-5) victory over the world number 70.

After receiving a bye in the first round, Norrie’s first win at a Masters 1,000 event since May, when he won on the clay in Rome, sets up a third-round match against 19-year-old American Learner Tien.

Braekhus Retires In Style By Winning More Belts

Norway’s Cecilia Braekhus ended her illustrious career in style, beating Ema Kozin on points to claim the WBC and WBO light-middleweight titles in her final bout.

The 44-year-old rolled back the years with sharp attacks to the head and body in a dominant performance in Lillestrom.

The judges scored it 97-93, 96-94 and 98-92, as Braekhus became a world champion in a second weight division.

The ‘First Lady’ of boxing fell to her knees when the scores were read out, with head in hands – clearly overcome with emotion, having previously announced that the fight would be her last.

Braekhus – who in 2014 became the first female boxer to hold all four major belts simultaneously – retires with a record of 39 wins, two defeats and one draw.

Has URA failed to tax agriculture?

From the coffee hills of Bugisu to the dairy plains of Mbarara, the farmlands are booming, driving exports, creating jobs, and feeding millions.

Yet, amid this growth, one question lingers: why does Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) collect almost nothing from a sector powering nearly a quarter of the economy?

The URA Guide to Taxation of the Agricultural Sector (2022/2023) indicates that agriculture contributes 23.8 percent of Uganda’s GDP but less than 1 percent of total tax revenue.

It’s a paradox that raises a bigger question: has URA failed to tax agriculture, or has the system failed URA?

Stuck in the past

Part of the problem dates back to 1997, when the Income Tax Act exempted ‘income derived from farming, animal husbandry, and fish farming’.

The goal was noble – to protect smallholders who dominated the post-war rural economy.

But the landscape has changed. Today, agriculture includes large-scale exporters, investors, and processors with turnovers in the billions, all operating under the same exemptions designed for peasant farmers. That gap has allowed the rich to benefit from a policy meant for the poor.

Yet the guide that had been built to help structure proper mechanisms to tax agriculture and associated industries is gathering dust.

URA estimates that government loses between Shs500b and Shs1 trillion each year due to agricultural exemptions and informal operations.

Agriculture may employ up to 70 percent of Ugandans, but tax collections remain dismal.

Out of millions of participants, only 38,528 agricultural taxpayers are registered, a mere 4 percent of URA’s total taxpayer base.

Of these, 96 percent are in crop and animal production, and only 2 percent each are in forestry and fisheries.

In many districts, entire agricultural value chains, from produce buyers to exporters, operate outside URA’s records, yet the law requires every business operator to have a Tax Identification Number.

The situation is worsened by creative accounting, with several agribusinesses classifying their transport, processing, or export activities as ‘farming’ to claim tax exemptions.

URA calls this the ‘loophole economy’, where tax-free farming becomes a disguise for tax avoidance.

The result is a distorted system where major exporters of coffee, tea, and fish, the top foreign exchange earners, pay far less tax than smaller industries like manufacturing or retail.

Little or almost no oversight

The tax regime has been generous to agriculture. Inputs like tractors, fertilizers, seeds, irrigation systems, refrigerated trucks, and dairy equipment are all VAT and duty-exempt.

These incentives sought to modernize farming, but have also opened loopholes for abuse. Some companies import machinery tax-free for ‘farming,’ only to lease it out commercially.

But the issue becomes more delicate because of politics. With most Ugandans reliant on farming, any proposal to tax agriculture is branded anti-poor.

In the Guide to Taxation of the Agricultural Sector, URA concedes that reforms have faced ‘strong resistance and misunderstanding’. But has managed to push through some changes even as some remain unimplemented.

In the Guide URA notes, it is expanding registration under the Taxpayer Registration Expansion Programme and linking commercial farmers to digital tracking systems such as Electronic Fiscal Receipting and Invoicing (EFRIS).

URA also proposes withholding taxes at export points, starting with coffee, tea, and fish, to capture large-scale players without burdening subsistence farmers, which it says would be ‘a balance between fairness and feasibility.’

At the weekend, Moses Kaggwa, the Ministry of Finance acting director of economic affairs, said government and the entire value chain were reviewing tax policies to find a workable approach for taxing agriculture.

‘The review aims to provide a clear understanding of the modalities and basis for taxing the sector,’ he said.

The government invests close to or more than Shs2 trillion in agriculture annually, but the returns, as noted by Secretary to the Treasury Ramathan Ggoobi, are negligible in terms of taxes.

UPL reforms, boycott leave game in ruin

Ugandan football now finds itself caught in a storm with no shelter in sight – a battle of power, pride, and principle playing out on a pitch that’s growing colder by the day.

In a game where both sides refuse to blink first, it’s the soul of the sport that’s taking the beating.

The curtain was supposed to rise on a new chapter of the Uganda Premier League (UPL) on Saturday at Namboole, but instead, all that unfolded was an unsettling silence and a painful reminder of how far the game has strayed.

Vipers, led by the defiant Lawrence Mulindwa, stayed true to their word and never showed up for their match against Kitara – a bold protest against the controversial new league format imposed by Fufa.

And when KCCA edged SC Villa 2-1 in the second fixture, it was a victory drowned in apathy, played before empty stands and an echo of fan disapproval reverberating across social media.

The much-hyped ‘double header’ turned into a disaster. Kitara’s players were left awkwardly warming up in what looked more like a training drill than a league match. Vipers, firm in their earlier objection, never appeared – exposing the depths of division that now threaten to tear Ugandan football apart.

The new league format, spearheaded by Fufa President Moses Magogo, splits the season into three phases, with points reset after the first round and double headers introduced throughout.

It’s a system widely criticized by stakeholders and fans alike – described by Mulindwa as a ‘gamble with football’ that disregards logic, fairness, and financial investment.

Mulindwa vows

‘This format is not only confusing but a total mockery,’ Mulindwa fumed in a recent interview.

Mulindwa’s rhetoric has been blunt and unambiguous. ‘I want to assure Ugandans that I can’t be intimidated, bribed, corrupted. If you want to dismiss Vipers out of Ugandan football, I have no problem. Me, I don’t feed on football, it is football that feeds on me. But Fufa feeds on football, you remove football and they will not exist.’

He added a stern warning: ‘If they are not willing to listen, I am not ready to bow down. This is the beginning of the struggle, if they don’t consider their position, we shall fight. Don’t expect to change my mind because where they are taking is gambling, manipulation of football, match fixing.’

While Fufa has promised increased investment, including Shs3.4b injected into the league, Mulindwa remains unconvinced.

‘Even with those billions, some clubs are still walking away with less than ten million. And we, the league and cup champions, haven’t even received our prize money from last season,’ he revealed.

Empty win

KCCA’s win over Villa – once a fixture that brought the country to a standstill – now felt like a formality.

Ivan Ahimbisibwe opened the scoring with a composed finish in the 31st minute, Villa responded through a Najib Yiga penalty, but substitute Umar Lutalo curled home a late free kick to seal the 2-1 win.

Still, the lifeless atmosphere and the glaring absence of fans said it all – the league has lost its spark.

To make matters worse, StarTimes, the league’s broadcast partner, has yet to televise any matchdays under the new format – reportedly due to a breach of contract. For a format that promised greater visibility, Ugandan football is now being played in the shadows.

With SC Villa reluctantly playing under protest, and KCCA far from their fluent best, the quality of football has also suffered. The opening two matchdays have done little to inspire confidence in the so-called ‘reforms’.

Until both parties climb down from their high horses and meet at the negotiation table – perhaps during this two-week international break – Ugandan football remains stuck in a stalemate.

And unless the government or an independent mediator steps in, the league risks sliding into irrelevance, leaving behind nothing but broken dreams and unplayed matches.

This rupture risks a long-term erosion of confidence. Sponsors watch nervously as fixtures dissolve into controversy. For now, the only certainty is uncertainty.

StarTimes Uganda Premier League

Results

Kitara vs. Vipers (boycotted)

KCCA 2-1 SC Villa