Asianet Pakistan Private Limited

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)

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.

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.

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.

Uganda is one of Africa’s fastest-growing economies, expanding at an average of 6.1 percent annually. Agriculture is the backbone of our economy, contributing more than a quarter of our GDP and sustaining the livelihoods of millions of people.

With 6.9 million hectares of arable land, two reliable cropping seasons, and a young, skilled workforce, Uganda is one of the continent’s most competitive investment destinations. This is demonstrated by the $3b in foreign direct investment (FDI) the country attracted last year, signaling strong investor confidence.

At the recently concluded African Food Systems Forum in Dakar, Senegal, I had the opportunity to present the Uganda Legacy Programme. This initiative aims to transform five key agricultural value chains: beef, dairy, animal feeds (maize, yellow maize, and soybeans), and coffee.

Developed in partnership with Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA), the programme is a public-private partnership designed to mobilise capital, de-risk agricultural investments, and provide marketing grants and blended finance. It directly supports our national development frameworks, including Vision 2040 and the Parish Development Model.

As a ministry, we have identified these five value chains as the pillars of Uganda’s agricultural transformation, with the potential to turn the country into a regional food hub.

With the right investments, these sectors can unlock billions in export earnings, create jobs for our youth, and secure food supplies for the fast-growing continent.

Uganda’s per capita beef consumption is far below the regional average, yet demand is increasing across the East African Community and Comesa markets. By investing in improved cattle breeds, modern abattoirs, cold chains, and vaccine production facilities, Uganda can become a regional supplier of affordable, high-quality beef.

Dairy: This is another underexploited frontier. While current exports are modest, Uganda has the capacity to grow production to over six billion litres annually. Investments in integrated dairy hubs, cold storage, and processing plants would allow Uganda to expand its footprint in the regional market, which is worth more than $1.3b. Maize and soybeans are the backbone of the livestock and poultry industries. The region faces persistent shortages of quality feed, which hinders the growth of these sectors.

Strategic investment in feed production, mechanisation, and processing will not only strengthen Uganda’s competitiveness but also boost food security across East Africa.

Coffee: Uganda is already Africa’s largest exporter of coffee, earning $2.2b in just 19 months, which accounts for 60 percent of Africa’s total coffee earnings. However, the real opportunity lies in value addition.

Investing in roasting, soluble coffee production, and branding would allow Uganda to multiply its returns tenfold while moving up the global coffee value chain. We have set a target to mobilise $1.4b in investments over the next five years.

The plan is to allocate: $400m (Shs1.4 trillion) for coffee to scale production and expand value addition. $300m (Shs1 trillion) for dairy to strengthen pasture development, processing hubs, and cold chain facilities. $500m (Shs1.7 trillion) for beef to expand cattle populations, modernise abattoirs, and establish feedlot systems.

$100m (Shs344b) each for maize and soybeans to boost mechanisation, input financing, and processing capacity, particularly for animal feeds.

This investment is designed to leverage Uganda’s comparative advantages, reduce risks for private investors, and position the country as a leading regional supplier of high-quality agricultural products.

Uganda offers one of the most attractive business environments in Africa. Investors benefit from a 10-year corporate tax holiday, exemption from import duties on agricultural inputs, and zero-rated VAT on essential items like seeds and machinery.

The Uganda Investment Authority (UIA) has also simplified procedures through a One-Stop Centre, which brings together 16 government agencies to ensure efficiency and ease of doing business.

Beyond these incentives, Uganda provides strategic access to vast markets. Investors can tap into EAC, which connects them to 300 million consumers, and Comesa, which extends this to 600 million.

Furthermore, the African Continental Free Trade Area opens up a continental market of 1.3 billion people with a combined GDP of $3.4 trillion.

The sectors we have selected represent Uganda’s strongest comparative advantages and the clearest path to shared prosperity.

The opportunities are compelling, the risks are mitigated, and the incentives are generous. What is needed now are investors willing to join Uganda in shaping the future of Africa’s food systems.

Non-Government Organisations (NGOs) together with the government have launched a safety campaign across landing sites in the island district of Kalangala aimed at reducing water accidents and cases of drowning on Lake Victoria. Hundreds of fishermen and travellers have in recent years drowned in the lake after their boats capsized. Police records show that in Kalangala alone, there were 165 fatal drowning cases and 16 non-fatal incidents last year.

It is these grim statistics that have prompted NGOs to work with the government to commence community safety campaigns across all islands, where most fishermen have been trained in swimming, first aid, and sensitised on the importance of wearing life jackets. Spearheaded by the National Baria’s Association, a new organisation for all workers in the fishing sector, the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (Maaif), Red Cross Uganda, Marine Police, and Swim Safe Uganda, the campaign began in Bufumira Sub-county and moved across all the 64 inhabited islands in Kalangala.

‘We have trained locals on how to survive drowning, help each other during accidents such as capsizing or fire outbreaks at landing sites, and administer first aid before professional rescue arrives,’ Mr Elly Ntegge Wasajja, the chairperson of the association, said. ‘We want to see everyone going to the lake with a life jacket. That way, we can prevent unnecessary deaths,’ Mr Wasajja added. Ms Mercy Namuganza Bazira, the project coordinator, said the campaign that is supported by the International Fund for Fisheries Safety, an organisation based in the United Kingdom, will run for seven years, covering 800 landing sites on Lake Victoria with a budget of £30,000 (about Shs120.6 million).

She said as part of the campaign, over 200 life jackets have already been distributed to fishermen, boat crews, passengers, and islanders. ‘The safety of fishermen means fewer orphans left behind when their fathers drown. We cannot stop accidents entirely, but with the right training, lives can be saved and families stay,’ she said. Four months ago, several islanders escaped death narrowly after their cargo boat got trapped in a fishing net, only to sink after heavy waves hit it near Lwamunyo Island.

They were rescued by fishermen, but neither the rescuers nor the traders had life jackets.

In September last year, two fishermen drowned in Lake Victoria after their boat overturned. A statement from the Association of Fishermen and Lake Users of Uganda (AFALU) showed that pulling up the net from the lake to the boat forced the boat to overturn. Again, last year, an expecting mother on the Banda landing site in Bufumira Sub-county lost her husband on the very day he was supposed to take her to the nearest health facility to give birth. ‘He went out in the evening to cast his nets, but never returned. Around 10 pm, I began to worry, but thought maybe he was still on the lake. In the morning, I received the sad news that he had drowned,’ she said.

On that day, her husband had promised to work late so he could raise money to take her to the hospital for delivery. ‘It was the community that helped me deliver safely. But he was no more,’ she added. Mr Godfrey Senyonga Kambuggu, the chairperson of AFALU, said many fishermen are using the wrong type of life jackets, further placing them at risk. ‘Some jackets cannot support their weight. They end up wearing it for formality; the government needs to help fishermen get the right jacket,’ he said. Mr Silver Ssemugenyi, the Red Cross manager in Kalangala District, said fishermen continue to work under risky conditions.

‘Many boats are worn out, poorly maintained, and their operators don’t wear life jackets. Research shows that 89 percent of drowning deaths result from not wearing jackets. With one, a victim can stay afloat for at least four hours after capsizing,’ he said. The Red Cross is training first aiders at landing sites to offer immediate help before victims are referred to hospitals or health centres. Mr Moses Kalanzi, the chief executive officer of Swim Safe Uganda, said some accidents are inevitable due to weather changes on the lake.

‘Storms and heavy waves will always be part of the lake. But if fishermen know what to do, they can save themselves and others. On every landing site, we are training at least 200 fishermen in water safety and rescue,’ he said. At Kitobo Landing Site, the village chairperson, Mr Musa Buyondo, said leaders are often left supporting bereaved families. ‘Every year we help widows and orphans of drowning victims. Some fishermen still don’t believe in life jackets; they sleep on them or leave them unused. Others think jackets don’t add value to their fishing. This mindset must change,’ he said. He urged the government to make life jackets mandatory for all boat users on water bodies.

Government target

Two years ago, the Ministry of Water and Environment announced that they needed Shs25 billion to implement the National Water Safety Strategic Plan for drowning prevention in Uganda. The government has a target of reducing the risk of drowning among the high-risk communities, and to reduce the number of deaths by drowning in the country by at least 25 percent by the year 2028.

The National Unity Platform (NUP) has expressed interest in joining the Inter-Party Organisation for Dialogue.

NUP’s intention to join the organization they were initially reluctant to is contained in a letter dated 7th October, 2025 that the party’s Secretary General, Mr David Lewis Rubongoya authored to the IPOD’s Secretary of Council of the .

‘As you are aware, Parliament recently passed the amendment to the Political parties and Organisations Act (2005), making it mandatory for all political parties under the National Consultative Forum to either be part of the Inter-Party Organisation for Dialogue (for political parties with representation in Parliament) or the Forum for Non-Represented Political Parties and Organizations,’ Mr Rubongoya’s letter reads in part.

It adds ‘the National Unity Platform would like to sign the MoU given that we are members of the applicable constitutive organ of the National Consultative Forum by law, as we await the decision of the Constitutional Court.’

The request to join IPOD comes almost two weeks after the same party asked the High Court to intervene on the impasse between the government and NUP after the opposition was excluded from receiving the statutory political funding.

‘The National Unity Platform is currently challenging the referenced amendment before the Constitutional Court; we are cognizant that it is the current and binding law.’

The NUP’s decision to seek Court intervention came after the Minister for Justice and Constitutional Affairs, Mr Norbert Mao, in August this year, directed the Electoral Commission to only disburse funds to the other six political parties with representation in parliament, with the exclusion of NUP.

The opposition party that currently boasts of the majority opposition representation in Parliament was sidelined on the grounds that it was not recognised as members of the IPOD. The court decision is yet to be delivered.

As the country marks the 30th anniversary of the 1995 Constitution, which was enacted to be the blueprint for transforming economically, politically, socially, and in governance, unresolved and emerging issues have taken centre stage. Scholars and commentators opine that it’s time for a rethink of either a constitutional review or national dialogue. The 1995 Constitution, promulgated on October 8, was hailed as progressive especially with novel additions such as Chapter Four on the Bill of Rights. It was, after all, the result of a comprehensive countrywide consultation by the Uganda Constitution Commission led by now retired Justice Benjamin Odoki and meticulous drafting by the Constituent Assembly composed of the best minds at the time.

It was envisioned as a blueprint to close the door on Uganda’s dark past and enable the nation to progress into a democracy based on the principles of ‘unity, peace, equality, democracy, freedom, social justice, and progress. It provided avenues to cure concerns that had plagued the nation, through principles of sovereignty of the people, separation of powers, good governance, the rule of law, and accountability. While progress has been made, the country stands at a crossroads polarised by toxic politics, poisoned by corruption, divided by inequality, marred by poor service delivery, rogue acts by security agencies, and human rights abuses from 1986 to date, amid fears of the country dangerously backsliding.

Issues such as political transition, land, and citizenship, which the Constitution was designed to address, remain contentious, as new questions related to technology and natural resources raise fresh questions. Former Principal Judge [retired] Justice James Ogoola says a national dialogue is best to forge a way forward. ‘We need a national dialogue to take us to a new age. Things like the Buganda Question, the Busoga Question, the Karamoja Question, and the Youth Question. There are issues on land, and mineral resources are now coming up. The opportunities are immense, but the danger of messing up is also immense. Let’s get a round table where 50 million people will be represented effectively,’ Justice Ogoola argued.

Justice and Constitutional Affairs Minister Norbert Mao said the proposed Constitutional Review Commission was set back by funding challenges but it remains on course. ‘I think the Constitution will have to be reviewed. I can state that that is going to happen in the next term. When I joined the ministry, the major challenge found was money. Having a comprehensive review of the Constitution is very costly. But I proposed to the President an alternative; I proposed that we should just expand the terms of reference of the Law Reform Commission, co-opt some new members and then the Law Reform Commission can do the job of reviewing the Constitution,’ Mr Mao said.

He added: ‘… the issues that keep citizens awake as far as we know are human rights. Others want term limits brought back. There is contention on citizenship. So the Constitutional Review Commission is a political process, but it is also a process that should be a process of rigorous scholarly review of what the Constitution has delivered and what it has failed to deliver.’ Term limits that were locked in to ensure that a President rules for only two terms were purged 20 years ago. With the Executive overreach, there is hardly a parliament to speak about, while the Judiciary is at crossroads as evidenced by the continued keeping of political activists in prison.

Poverty, social injustices and income inequality are grim. The national budget has grown in scope and size- to Shs72 trillion currently-amid fiscal indiscipline, bloated administration, corruption which is the fuel of the clientele patronage system, and poor budget execution. The right to freedom of peaceful assembly and association, provided for in Chapter Four of the Constitution, if for political reasons or to express discontentment with government, is gagged by the Public Order Management Act, or selectively applied such as in the case of police escorting supporters of the Patriotic League of Uganda to protest outside the Germany embassy in July.

While peace and security is the NRM’s unique selling point, the army and intelligence outfits are commanded at the whims of the commander-in-chief, which has also led critics to believe that even in the event of the incumbent losing elections, peaceful change of power is impossible. The country ranks poorly in governance, at 49 percent out of 100, according to the Mo Ibrahim Index of African Governance. Politics is the most lucrative business as politicians engage in budget theft and scheming for commissions during appropriation, while professionals like doctors are paid a pittance. A 2021 study by the Afrobarometer found that 70 percent of Ugandans support the reintroduction of age and presidential term limits.

Dr Kabumba Busingye, a constitutional law don at Makerere University, argued that in the years to come, Uganda must cure the disconnect between the culture of the nation and the provisions of the Constitution.

‘It’s not so much a post-mortem; the patient is dead or dying. We should be already thinking ahead of how a new Constitution might look like. What kind of significant reforms would have to happen; both constitutional and state structure. For all intents and purposes, if you are talking about a CDF who talks about having people in their basement, that is not a state structure you can engage with; it’s a criminal gang with state power. You can’t have a conversation,’ Dr Kabumba argued.