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The Constitutional Court has ruled that Ugandans have no constitutional right to recall Members of Parliament (MPs) under the current multiparty political system, dismissing a petition that sought to reinstate the right of recall for voters.

In a unanimous judgment delivered by Justice Musa Ssekaana, the court upheld the validity of Article 84(7) of the Constitution and Section 85(2) of the Parliamentary Elections Act, which restrict the right of recall to the defunct Movement political system.

Other justices are: Hellen Obura, Margaret Tibulya, Moses Kazibwe Kawumi and Asa Mugenyi.

‘The right to recall a Member of Parliament shall only exist where the movement political system is in operation,’ the justices stated, affirming the constitutional position.

The petition filed by Shamil Atabua Letia, challenged Section 21 of the Constitutional (Amendment) Act, 2005, which introduced Article 84(7) and Section 85(2). Letia argued that the amendment was unconstitutional because it deprived Ugandans of a fundamental democratic right to hold their elected leaders accountable through recall.

He claimed that the 2005 constitutional amendment unjustifiably reverses or abridges universally accepted democratic principles by barring Ugandans from exercising their right of recall of elected Members of Parliament during the multiparty dispensation.

Letia further argued that the recall right was integral to Uganda’s constitutional design as adopted by citizens during the 1995 Constitution-making process. He asserted that Ugandans, in the 2005 referendum that reintroduced multiparty politics, did not surrender their right to recall.

However, the Attorney General, represented by Senior State Attorney John Natuhwera, defended the amendment as constitutional, asserting that the recall mechanism was tied specifically to the Movement system of government, where MPs were elected on individual merit rather than through party sponsorship.

The respondent submitted that ‘the Constitution being a living document. adapts to the progress in societal norms and values,’ adding that the amendment was intended ‘to clarify what the multiparty political system chosen by the people of Uganda entails.’

The Attorney General also argued that the petition was res judicata, claiming that similar issues had been determined in previous cases such as Nobert Mao vs Attorney General and Ssekikubo and Others v Attorney General.

However, Justice Ssekaana rejected the argument, holding that ‘the issue of res judicata is devoid of any merit,’ as none of the cited cases had addressed Article 84(7) directly. The court thus proceeded to rule on the constitutional questions raised.

In his detailed judgment, Justice Ssekaana emphasised that Parliament has the constitutional power to amend the Constitution by way of addition, variation, or repeal, provided that the proper procedures are followed.

He stated that the 2005 amendment was validly enacted under Article 259 of the Constitution and reflected the realities of Uganda’s transition from the Movement to a multiparty system of governance.

‘At its promulgation, the Constitution was operating under a Movement System of Government and it was clearly providing for a right of recall of Members of Parliament. This constitutional instrument of recall had to be amended to address the new changes,’ the judge explained.

The court found that the recall mechanism was incompatible with party-based politics, noting that the direct right of recall could no longer be exercised in the new political dispensation where members stand for election under their parties.

The court reasoned that under the multiparty system, accountability of MPs should be managed internally within political parties, not directly through voter recall.

‘The political parties should retain the measure and control of their Members of Parliament who were voted into office by virtue of the connection and relations with such political party. It should be up to the political party to find means and ways of removing its members,’ court held.

On the issue of alleged discrimination, the court held that the amendment was not discriminatory, explaining that mere differential or inequality of treatment does not per se amount to discrimination.

‘The differential treatment or inequality of treatment about the right to recall a Member of Parliament under the Movement political system and Multiparty political system is reasonably justified due to the uniqueness of the two political systems,’ Justice Ssekaana ruled.

He concluded that the petitioner had failed to discharge his burden to prove the unconstitutionality of Article 84(7) and dismissed the petition without costs.

‘The Constitutional (Amendment) Act, 2005, which removed the right of recall of Members of Parliament under a multiparty political system, was informed by the change of the political system and was well guided by the national objectives and directive principles of state policy,’ the judgment stated.

The decision reaffirms that Ugandan voters cannot petition to remove MPs before the end of their five-year term, leaving accountability mechanisms to internal party processes and the next general election.

The journey towards a cashless economy remains uneven. Despite record-breaking growth in digital transactions, the amount of cash circulating in the economy continues to rise.

In the 12 months to June, cash transactions, according to Bank of Uganda, rose sharply, underlining the country’s enduring reliance on physical money.

Bank of Uganda’s Integrated Annual Report 2024/25 shows currency in circulation grew by 9 percent, from Shs8.21 trillion in the 2023/24 financial year to Shs8.98 trillion.

Banknotes alone rose by 10 percent, from Shs7.98 trillion to Shs8.74 trillion, while coins rose by 4 percent to Shs236b due to ‘higher withdrawals relative to deposits,’ even as both inflows and outflows declined by 5 percent, suggesting more people preferred to hold onto cash than redeposit it.

Bank of Uganda also noted that while inter-bank recycling of currency improved, ‘demand for cash is anticipated to remain strong in line with projected gross domestic product growth of 7 percent in the 2025/26 financial year’.

Under the 2017/22 strategic plan, Bank of Uganda had planned to reduce cash in circulation by 2023, but later conceded that achieving a cashless economy would take some time.

Bank of Uganda director for research, Adam Mugume, has previously said that people have to first gain trust in electronic payments, have their money kept within the banking system, and have a wide distribution of points of sale for the cashless economy to hold.

Surging digital payments

Bank of Uganda data shows that cashless payments have sharply expanded.

For instance, the Integrated Annual Report shows that the value of mobile banking transactions rose by 39.4 percent from Shs11.1 trillion to Shs15.5 trillion, while volumes rose by 20.9 percent to 33.7 million transactions.

The growth was largely due to a 6.5 percent increase in active mobile banking users to 2.1 million.

Agent banking recorded massive growth, with transaction values rising by 76.1 percent to shs29.4 trillion, while volumes rose by 50.5 percent.

The number of agents grew by nearly 49 percent, reaching 22,793 across the country, although the share of active agents dropped to 48 percent due to rapid network expansion.

Payment system operators, who facilitate bill payments, bulk transfers, and remittances, reported an even steeper rise, with transaction volumes rising by 29.1 percent, while values rose by 49.3 percent to Shs57.5 trillion.

The trends, Bank of Uganda says, ‘reflect increased use of digital payments and related funds transfer interlinkages across financial sector agents’.

The numbers tell a story of transformation; digital payment volumes are soaring across all channels, but also reveal resilience in attachment to cash.

‘Although digital payment platforms, including mobile wallets, online banking, and fintech solutions, are growing steadily, cash is likely to stay the main retail payment method in the near future,’ Bank of Uganda report notes.

Mixed progress on cashless vision

The National Payment Systems Act, 2020, set out an ambitious path toward a digital-first economy, supported by Bank of Uganda’s e-Payment Strategy (2022/26).

The central bank has since rolled out major projects, including a third clearing session for the Automated Clearing House, the Real-Time Gross Settlement Replacement, and migration to ISO messaging standards, all designed to speed up retail payments and align systems with global best practices.

But while these reforms have improved transaction efficiency, especially for banks and corporate clients, the benefits are slower to reach micro and small businesses.

The cost of data, unstable connectivity, and low financial literacy remain persistent barriers.

Pricy cash system

The shift to a cashless economy would also be important in managing the cost of cash, which Bank of Uganda says remains pricy.

For instance, during the period under review, the central bank processed Shs12.5 trillion in banknote withdrawals and Shs11.7 trillion in deposits, illustrating the scale of cash handling required each year.

Usage of e-payment has lagged due to a number of issues, with consumers concerned over cyber threats.

Bank of Uganda cites the drop in internet banking usage by 6.6 percent, from 0.96 million to 0.9 million active users, partly due to ‘potential user concerns about the cyber threat landscape.’

The slow adaptation is also related to cost, with mobile money fees and withdrawal charges remaining a deterrent for low-income users.

Transaction costs, Bank of Uganda notes, can consume up to 3-5 percent of small payments, making cash the cheaper and more trusted option.

Cash also retains strong cultural and psychological significance in Uganda.

But Bank of Uganda is betting on the Central Bank Digital Currency, which is currently undergoing different stage tests that could be a game-changer in offering a secure, low-cost digital alternative to cash.

Since Uganda Hockey Association (UHA) elected to have the Independence Tournament out of Kampala, Wananchi had established themselves as Kings and Queens of grass with back to back titles for their men and women’s sides in Mbarara, Jinja, and Masaka.

However, this year’s edition held over the weekend at Duhaga Secondary School in rainy Hoima, saw Kampala Hockey Club (KHC) Stallions and Weatherhead dethrone Wananchi in the men and women’s categories respectively.

Wananchi beat KHC 1-0 courtesy of a deflection at the post from Innocent Tumukunde when the sides met in the men’s round-robin stage earlier on Sunday.

By the time the sides met, KHC had dispatched hosts Duhaga 5-0, Rockets 1-0, Kyaddondo SS 2-1 on Saturday. They then went on to beat Badgers 4-1 on Sunday in the last round-robin game to ensure nine of their 12 players had scored in the tournament.

Wananchi, on the other hand, beat Badgers 5-1, Kyaddondo 2-0 on Saturday then Duhaga 4-0 before losing 1-0 to Rockets on Sunday.

But before the final which was a goalless affair in the allowed time, the talk of the tournament was Duhaga keeper, Derrick Tumusiime, a Senior Two student who faced and saved three penalty strokes against his team.

‘I have only managed to train these kids for a week and their progress is promising,’ Lucky Arafat, who played in this tournament for Busoga College Mwiri when it was in Jinja in 2023 and now plays club hockey for Makerere University, said.

‘I found most of their sticks broken and I had to improvise with the two I have,’ Arafat said.

Penalty drama

In the final, both sides defended resolutely but KHC should have been out of sight early in the first half. Paul Kayanga was shoved while clean through on goal – albeit from a tight angle – and umpire Julius Sseruyange awarded a penalty stroke.

Alfred Agaba uncharacteristically placed it wide of the mark. In the second half, Kayanga had another opportunity in the circle, turned his back toward goal for an improvised shot but was shoved again. The other umpire Kenneth Tamale thought that was only worth a penalty corner, which Wananchi defended well.

In the ensuing shootout, Richard Ssemwogerere put KHC ahead and the advantage was maintained as Jordan Achaye, the men’s top scorer with six goals, missed for Wananchi.

Agaba converted and Shafik Byamukama halved the deficit for Wananchi. Stewart Kavuma made it three for KHC and Emmanuel Baguma’s strike for Wananchi ricocheted off the post and onto the puncher of his brother and KHC goalkeeper Richard Kaijuka leaving the crowd stunned.

Even with Baguma, who was eventually named best player of the tournament, walking away distraught and Sseruyange ruling it a missed opportunity, Tamale claimed it was a clean strike.

‘The umpire said that by the time I punched the ball, it had gone past the line, but how is that possible if I was standing on the line in the start and then moved forward after Baguma’s attempt?’ Kaijuka wondered in the aftermath.

Captain Jordan Mpiima scored KHC’s fourth and Elias Okello kept Wananchi in contention. James Mugisha had a chance to win it for KHC but missed and Tumukunde leveled matters. In the sudden death phase, Byamukama missed as Wananchi went first in a reversed order but Ssemwogerere could not capitalize.

Baguma gave Wananchi the advantage then Agaba brought KHC level. Okello then missed and allowed Mpiima to win it for his team in the first final they have played since the tournament started going out of the capital in 2022.

Balanced Weatherhead

For the women, Mariam Tara scored twice – one goal in either half – for Weatherhead to win 2-1 over Wananchi in the final. Women’s top scorer Jolly Alimo scored Wananchi’s lone goal and her 7th of the tournament in the final.

Wananchi beat KHC Swans on penalties in Mbarara and Jinja then 1-0 in Masaka last year and were high on expectation. But the Swans had a depleted squad in Duhaga and filled it with students from the school.

Weatherhead, inspired by a balanced midfield of Annet Awat, Anitah Atim, and women’s MVP Hildah Star Balondemu were deserved champions as they beat both KHC and Wananchi 1-0 and Duhaga 5-0 in the round robin on Sunday after beating Kyaddondo 1-0 on Saturday.

UHA Independence Open

Finals

Men: Wananchi 0(5)-0(6) KHC Stallions

Women: Weatherhead 2-1 Wananchi

MVPS

M: Emmanuel Baguma (Wananchi)

W: Hildah Star Balondemu (Weatherhead)

Top Scorers

M: Jordan Achaye (Wananchi) – 6 goals

W: Jolly Alimo (Wananchi) – 7 goals

President Museveni has appointed High Court Judge Aisha Naluzze Batala as Uganda’s new Inspector General of Government (IGG), replacing Beti Olive Namisango Kamya, whose term expired last month.

Justice Naluzze, who currently serves in the Land Division of the High Court, becomes the country’s new anti-corruption chief pending parliamentary approval.

The appointment of the woman, who was appointed a High Court judge in 2023, restores leadership to the watchdog office, which had been vacant since Betty Kamya’s four-year tenure-and that of her deputies-expired on September 22.

Born in 1977, Justice Batala has been appointed to the top graft-fighting role after President Museveni exercised his constitutional powers, presidential assistant for press and mobilisation Faruk Kirunda confirmed Tuesday evening.

Kirunda also said the president retained Kamya’s two former deputies, Dr Patricia Achan Okiria and Anne Twinomugisha Muhairwe, to continue serving in their positions.

‘The names of the appointees have been forwarded to Parliament for vetting,’ he said in a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter).

The Office of the Inspector General of Government (IGG) is a constitutionally established body mandated to promote good governance and fight corruption in public office.

It had been operating without substantive leadership since Kamya’s contract ended, raising concerns about its effectiveness in tackling graft.

Kamya, a former Kampala minister and presidential candidate, was appointed in 2021 and had pledged to ‘name and shame’ corrupt officials.

Her tenure drew both praise for her public advocacy and criticism over limited prosecutions in high-profile corruption cases.

Justice Batala’s appointment comes at a time when Uganda faces persistent public pressure to rein in misuse of public funds and enforce accountability across government agencies.

Since September 22, the office of the IG was virtually toothless and was being administratively run by a Permanent Secretary.

Parliament is expected to vet the nominees in the coming days before Justice Batala formally assumes office.

The IGG earns a monthly salary of Shs36m, with the deputies earning Shs32m. Article 223(7) of the Constitution says the IGG and Deputy IGG shall hold office for a term of four years, but shall be eligible for reappointment only once. The appointment of Justice Batala comes at a time when Uganda loses a whopping Shs10 trillion annually to corruption schemes.

Who is new IGG Batala?

Justice Batala was appointed to the High Court Bench in 2023, and prior to her appointment yesterday as the new ombudsman, she was attached to the Land Division of the High Court. Prior to her being appointed to the High Court Bench, Justice Batala had worked as a prosecutor in the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for about 18 years and rose through the ranks up to the rank of Assistant DPP.

While working as a government prosecutor, she handled cases from the lowest courts (Magistrate Courts) to the highest (Supreme Court) with a record of 80 percent success. Justice Batala was born on June 25, 1977. Before joining the government, Justice Batala was in private practice where she worked with F Mukasa and Co Advocates, where she worked as a legal assistant from 2003 to 2005. In 2020, while a prosecutor in Masaka, she was recognised for her outstanding fight against the cancer of corruption by LASPNET.

Education background

The new IGG holds a master’s degree in Management Studies from Uganda Management Institute, a Post Graduate Diploma in Public Administration and Management, a Post Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice from Law Development Centre (LDC), and a Bachelor’s Degree in Laws from Makerere University.

She studied at Taibah High School for both O-Level and A-Level.

Wetland conservation is the practice of protecting, managing, and restoring wetlands so they can maintain their ecological functions and continue providing benefits to humans and wildlife.

According to the National Environment Management Authority (Nema), wetlands cover about 13 percent of Uganda’s land area.

The same report indicates that Uganda lost roughly 7,500 square kilometres (about 750,000 hectares) of wetlands between 2000 and 2021 – a reduction that represents nearly a quarter of the country’s historical wetland cover.

Other government estimates put current coverage at between 8 and 13 percent, depending on the year and method used. This degradation has been driven mainly by human activities such as subsistence and commercial farming, sand mining, brick-making, and urban expansion. While these activities create short-term livelihoods, they undermine long-term resilience by threatening biodiversity, worsening floods, and polluting water bodies like Lake Victoria and River Nile.

Recognising the seriousness of wetland loss, the National Environment Management Authority (Nema) and other stakeholders have stepped up interventions. These include public awareness campaigns through radio talk shows, posters, and community sensitisation meetings. School outreach programmes are nurturing environmental awareness among young people, while enforcement actions such as evictions of encroachers have been carried out in some wetland areas

For wetland protection to be sustainable, the conversation must go beyond top-down enforcement and occasional awareness drives.

Communities at the frontline of wetland use need to become champions of conservation. This requires creative, culturally relevant, and participatory approaches.

First, community radio campaigns in local languages can help reach rural households that depend heavily on wetlands. Radio remains the most accessible medium in Uganda, and localised programmes can foster dialogue and ownership. Second, religious leaders who command influence across faiths should integrate conservation messages into sermons. Framing wetland protection as a moral and spiritual duty can inspire behavioural change. As stewards of creation, believers can be reminded that ‘we are our brother’s and nature’s keepers.’

Third, partnerships with telecommunication companies could embed conservation messages into daily life through caller tunes, SMS alerts, and mobile ringtones. Such innovations make environmental awareness constant and inescapable. Fourth, whistle-blower community networks should be encouraged, with small incentives or recognition for reporting illegal wetland encroachment. Local monitoring is often more effective than distant enforcement agencies.Lastly, the government should provide alternative livelihood options for wetland-dependent communities. Promoting eco-tourism, fish farming outside wetlands, and climate-smart agriculture can reduce pressure on fragile ecosystems while still supporting livelihoods.

In summary, wetlands are more than patches of swampy land; they are Uganda’s life-support systems. They regulate water, provide food, store carbon, and sustain biodiversity.

Allowing them to disappear unchecked is not just an environmental loss – it is a threat to national food security, health, and climate resilience.

Strengthening wetland conservation requires a shift from isolated interventions to inclusive, community-driven strategies backed by strong policy enforcement.

As the Uganda government enacts policy reforms, it must not overlook the need to address climate change effects across the country. The impact of climate change can easily set back the aspiration of attaining middle-income status if not properly addressed. Uganda is the 14th most vulnerable country to climate change globally, and it is ranked as the 163rd in terms of readiness to cope with the impacts, according to facts contained in the Uganda Country Climate and Development Report (CCDR), launched in Kampala by a team of experts from the World Bank.

Measures prescribed

Mr Cyril Desponts, a senior economist with the World Bank in Uganda said to address climate change resilience, it will have to be done sector by sector, including agriculture, energy, and infrastructure, among others.

Agriculture package

Mr Desponts explained that there is a need to promote resilient and productive agriculture and natural resources to achieve lower carbon emissions.

This includes on-farm and landscape measures to promote climate-smart agriculture, increase productivity, support water resource management, and reduce pressures that degrade the environment, and conserve forests and wetlands.

At the farm level, expanding irrigation and improving soil fertility can help counter the expected increase in crop yield variability.

Given the statistical information, he notes that between 2022 and 2050, crop yield could fluctuate between 12 percent and 12.5 percent

Climate change-induced soil erosion is expected to compound this vitality with additional yield decrease ranging from zero to12 percent.

‘Relative negative impacts on crops are concentrated in north and north-eastern Uganda. The country is therefore expected to expand climate-compatible irrigation to moderate yields,’ he said.

It will also need the development of operationalise plans that detail infrastructure needs, establish community-based management irrigation schemes, control water abstraction, monitor compliance, and promote micro irrigation. It is also necessary to raise farmer awareness about soil quality and help to them implement suitable, sustainable practices that can improve soil health. ‘Complementary efforts to transition to grow perennial crops and use drought-tolerant seeds to increase productivity.

Other measures are improving livestock feed systems to improve breeds for about 6.8 million households that own livestock,’ he added

This means heat stress and variable feed source availability will lower livestock production. Therefore, it is important to breed feed that is capable of withstanding climate change shocks. If the government provides means to support improved breeds, this will increase climate resilience, milk production, and increase animal weight.

Restoring degraded wetlands and forest catchments for a natural ecosystem and water storage will also help address climate change. It is a fact that since 1994, up to 40 percent of Uganda’s wetlands have been destroyed due to agricultural land expansion and urbanisation. To curb this, there is a need to establish sustainable management measures through the restoration of forests and wetlands and preservation of the natural ecosystem. The report also highlights efforts for the government to stop unsustainable use of firewood and charcoal sourcing because it leads to deforestation.

It is important to engage the private sector in scaling up climate-positive agriculture and agribusiness. This includes sustainable forest management and nature-based tourism, including farmers using early-maturing and drought-tolerant seed.

Energy and infrastructure sector

Climate shocks could damage the country’s power networks since most of the power lines are exposed to landslides and flood risk. The road networks, too, are exposed to the same climate change dangers. The statistics indicate that 45 percent of national district roads are vulnerable to floods and landslides. This leads to a high cost of road maintenance estimated to be 13.6 to 26 million US dollars by the year 2040, with associated road delays costing $2.6 million to $3.5 million in labour hours lost.

The solution is for the government to build climate-resilient and low-carbon infrastructure system.

In the face of the multiple challenges in as far as infrastructure is concerned, the government will need to invest $33.98 billion to develop climate-resilient transport infrastructure. In the energy sector, the report highlights that Uganda has about 1.2 billion barrels of oil reserves, but exploiting the oil and gas involves risks.

This calls for a low production cost below $30 per barrel. Environmental sustainability to control emissions is required. Ms Joy Mubale from TotalEnergies explained that dealing with the oil production in the Albertine region requires dealing with the communities, meaning conserving the environment is key.

The population depends on agriculture, fishing, and the Murchison Falls National Park is within the region. They have projects that help the communities to devise ways of promoting climate resilience, including the use of agricultural inputs and climate-resilient seeds.

Climate positive urbanisation

To ensure economic growth in the cities to keep pace with the growing population, the government is required to develop climate-resilient, low-carbon urban centres. This requires integrating climate considerations into investments in cities, water transport, energy, natural-based solutions and waste management, and health services.

Urban investments should boost the adoption of lower carbon emissions. Urban planning must reduce exposure to flooding and heat effects, meaning building materials used must not increase heat. For the above solutions to work well, the country will need coordinated effort in mobilising climate finance. The World Bank effort towards the climate change initiative provided $70 billion for the global initiatives, and for Uganda $28.1 billion (about Shs112.9 trillion) is needed for its national climate plan.

Apart from climate finance mobilisation, the country needs to improve the weather forecasts and disaster preparedness. This includes expanding and upgrading the meteorological monitoring networks by establishing a climate data system. This can allow the collection of data, storage access, and analysis from diverse sources, which can be used to make decisions.

Background

The Uganda CCDR highlights how the country can achieve its development goals while addressing climate change effects. It examines the links between climate risks and sustainable growth, emphasising the economic challenges the country faces on its path to upper-middle-income status by 2040. Without urgent action, climate change could drive income losses for up to 80 percent of the poorest households, reduce labour productivity, damage infrastructure, and cause significant GDP losses by 2050.

The report calls for integrating climate action across all sectors, strengthening disaster risk management, unlocking climate finance, and catalysing private sector participation. It identifies investment opportunities in climate-smart agriculture, renewable energy, solar-powered irrigation, nature-based carbon solutions, green construction, and electric mobility. Mobilising the estimated $28.1 billion needed for Uganda’s national climate plan will require strong private sector engagement.

CCDR for Uganda

The CCDR highlights that without urgent action, climate change could drive income losses for up to 80 percent of the poorest households, reduce labour productivity, damage infrastructure, and cause significant GDP losses by 2050.

A 28-year-old manicurist at Mabirizi Complex in Kampala has been remanded to prison on allegations of burying President Museveni’s campaign poster underground and engaging in hate speech.

Vincent Ngabo, a Rwandan by nationality and resident of Najjanankumbi, Rubaga Division in Kampala, appeared before the Entebbe Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday on charges under the Computer Misuse Act.

Although there was no prosecutor present in court, the state accuses Ngabo, an upcoming musician, of using a TikTok account under the name “Tutu the Man” to share information claiming that President Museveni, who came to power through a coup 40 years ago, continues to rule Uganda through dictatorship.

Ngabo, who is accused of committing the offences between August and September 2025, is also alleged to have criticised Mr Museveni, 81, for trying to promote his son, Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, to replace him, despite the presence of a competent youth leader, Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, also known as Bobi Wine, who is a presidential candidate of the largest opposition party, the National Unity Platform (NUP).

The state characterised Ngabo’s statements as ridiculing, degrading, or demeaning to the person of the president, which promotes hostility against him as the head of state.

In the second count read by the magistrate, the prosecution alleges that Ngabo, alias uploaded a music video titled ‘Muvuzi wa Taxi’ in which he is seen unpinning President Museveni’s campaign poster before burying it underground.

The state claims the song contains hate speech.

The message in the song highlights how President Museveni, who has ruled Uganda since 1986, should leave power for others to lead, which has been viewed by the state as an attempt to spread indecency and promote hostility against Mr Museveni, who is seeking another term in the 2026 General Election.

Entebbe Grade One Magistrate, Ms Lillian Mazimwe, remanded Ngabo to prison until October 17, 2025, citing the absence of a state prosecutor in court during the proceedings.

Ngabo now becomes the seventh TikToker charged with offences related to hate speech against President Museveni and his family, or close associates.

The government has omitted Bukakkata Sub-county in Masaka District from areas set to benefit from the oil palm project yet to be rolled out.

The Ministry of Agriculture officials said Bukakkata was omitted because of various environmentally sensitive and heritage sites which need to be protected.

According to the final Environmental and Social Impact report for the proposed establishment of smallholder oil palm plantations in Masaka District, most parts of Bukakkata Sub-county were left out due to the concentration of Ramsar and cultural sites.

‘The area has several tourist attractions, including Ramsar, cultural and religious sites like Lake Nabugabo, Birinzi Catholic Shrine, Lake Birinzi, which locals consider very vital and need to be conserved,’ the report reads in part. The report further indicates that after assessment, only small-scale farmers from the 72 villages in three sub-counties of Buwunga, Kyanamukkaka, and Kyesiiga were approved to benefit from the oil palm project expected to kick off in March next year.

Mr Anthony Wanyoto, a communications and knowledge management officer at the National Oil Palm Project, said the assessment and registration of farmers from the selected sub-counties was completed. The targeted beneficiaries were mobilised to form a cooperative society to provide an organisational framework among them to ease access to better inputs and extension services.

Local leaders speak out

Mr Robert Kambugu, the Masaka deputy Resident District Commissioner, said his office has not received any information regarding the project. ‘We are mandated to mobilise people and sensitise them to embrace developmental projects, but the line ministry has not yet communicated to us,’ he said in a telephone interview yesterday. Mr Henry Kabuye, the vice chairperson of Kyesiiga Sub-county, said he received information about the project through some farmers in the area.

‘I have learnt that the number of farmers selected is small compared to those ready to embrace the project. I think these are issues we could address as local leaders if they fully involved us in the project,’ he said. The Masaka oil palm project is part of the greater Masaka hub, which covers districts on Lake Victoria shores, including Kyotera, Masaka, Kalungu, and Kalangala.

The project

The project targets 4,000 hectares of land in the district and prioritises small-scale farmers with one to four acres of land. In the neighbouring Kyotera District, BIDCO Uganda Limited – the project implementing firm, has already established a nursery bed for oil palm seedlings, which it will supply to both the nucleus estate and outgrowers across the region.

Oil palm farming in Masaka District was introduced in 2003. However, the project has not yet kicked off due to challenges, most especially the opposition from politicians and residents, which prompted the government to relocate the project to Kalangala District. Other districts like Buvuma, Namayingo, Bugiri, and Mayuge have embraced oil palm farming, and more districts in central, eastern, northern, and West Nile regions are yet to be considered under the second phase of implementation of the project.

Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago has accused Parliament and the National Environment Management Authority (Nema) of negligence and conspiracy in allowing city businessman Hamis Kiggundu, commonly known as Ham, to carry out illegal construction on the Nakivubo Channel, one of the capital’s main drainage systems.

Speaking to journalists in Kampala yesterday, Mr Lukwago said the channel, classified as a natural resource, falls under the management of Local Government and cannot be leased or alienated to private developers under the Constitution. ‘Nakivubo Channel is supposed to be managed by the Local Government, not individuals. Local Governments are prohibited by law from leasing or alienating any natural resource,’ Mr Lukwago said.

Nema clearance

He alleged that Ham Enterprises obtained two land titles over sections of the channel without securing the mandatory environmental permits from Nema as required by the Environmental Act. A letter from Nema dated August 22 was reportedly sent to the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) executive director, the Office of the Lord Mayor, and the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Water, requesting information about the ongoing works. Mr Lukwago said to date, no Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report or official response has been filed.

‘Nema cannot issue a permit without an Environmental Impact Assessment report. Unfortunately, construction went ahead without these approvals, and that is a serious breach of the law,’ he said. Mr Lukwago added that Ham Enterprises never submitted a development application to KCCA for approval. On August 22, the KCCA executive director issued a letter ordering the company to halt all works pending clearance, but the developer ignored the directive.

The Lord Mayor further accused a section of MPs of deliberately stalling investigations into the matter, despite a directive by Speaker Anita Among to constitute a fact-finding committee led by MP Daniel Kimosho. ‘There is a conspiracy being perpetuated by Parliament. The Speaker directed a fact-finding committee to investigate, but since September, we have not heard from the team,’ Mr Lukwago said.

Efforts to obtain comment from the named institutions were unsuccessful by press time.

He revealed that his office is now pushing for immediate enforcement, including arrests and prosecution of those behind the illegal construction. Mr Lukwago also demanded compensation for traders and residents who have suffered losses as a result of flooding caused by the blocked channel. Traders in downtown Kampala are counting heavy losses following Monday’s downpour that caused the Nakivubo Channel-now under construction-to overflow and flood surrounding arcades. Shops near the main drainage corridor were submerged, destroying merchandise worth millions of shillings.

Mr Joseph Mukiibi, a trader at Qualicell Building, said the flooding had worsened because the blocked channel diverted water through their buildings. ‘The recent flooding was terrible because water failed to flow through its usual route, which was blocked. It found its way through our buildings instead,’ Mr Mukiibi said.

Ms Mariam Kisakye, another trader, blamed the flooding on garbage disposal by vendors and roadworks that have obstructed smaller drainage streams from Kampala Road to Nakasero.

Background

Works to cordon off the Nakivubo Channel began on August 16, and KCCA ordered Ham Enterprises to halt all works six days later pending statutory permissions. The authority also demanded the removal of debris and restoration of stormwater flow in compliance with environmental and planning laws. However, civil society organisations and lawyers have since sued Ham Enterprises, KCCA, Nema, and others, citing lack of an Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) and alleged constitutional breaches through presidential directives overriding due process.

Despite multiple warnings, construction has continued without interruption.

All is set for the inaugural Independence Marathon (IM) this Thursday, October 9, as Uganda marks 63 years of self-rule with a unique blend of patriotism, fitness, and philanthropy.

Organised by Team Matooke, the marathon builds on the theme Do It For Mama and will feature four race categories – 42.2km, 21.1km, 10km, and 5km – drawing both serious and social runners.

Beyond celebrating national pride and promoting fitness, participants will also be running for safe motherhood, with part of the proceeds going towards supporting the maternity ward at Entebbe Hospital.

Competitive segments – 42.2km and 21.1km – will be open exclusively to recreational runners who belong to running clubs, with prize awards reserved for them.

‘Elite professionals can take part,’ said Robert Kabushenga, the event coordinator and two-time Comrades finisher, ‘but only in a non-competitive capacity.’

The 42.2km full marathon will start at International School of Uganda (ISU) in Lubowa, with runners expected to arrive by 5am and set off at 6am sharp for effective route management. Parking will be available at the venue, with organisers emphasising strict and elaborate procedures to ensure safety and smooth coordination.

The 21.1km half marathon will begin at Voice Mall, Bwebajja, where runners usually find the first water stop during the monthly Kla-Ebb runs. Parking will be at Taibah International School, about 500 metres down the valley. The half marathon will start at 6:30am.

For the 10km and 5km categories, runners and walkers will start and finish at Lake Victoria Primary School, Entebbe, with a 7am flag-off. All races will finish at the aforementioned venue.

‘To ease movement after the races, a complimentary shuttle service will operate, ferrying participants back to Bwebajja and Lubowa at intervals to collect their vehicles,’ added Kabushenga.

Hydration, nutrition, medical support, and vibration stations will be available at all major points along the route – including Lweza, Kigo, Kajjansi, Bwebajja, Kisubi, Nkumba, Kitubulu, Victoria Mall, Church Road, and the finish venue.

With fitness, national pride, and safe motherhood at its core, the Independence Marathon aims to become an annual celebration of Uganda’s independence – one where citizens not only run for health and country, but also for a cause that saves lives.