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Members of Parliament on the Committee on Physical Infrastructure have confirmed that the national Digital Number Plate System is fully operational and effectively tracking vehicles, shifting their scrutiny toward implementation costs and production efficiency.

The validation followed an on-site inspection at the Police Command Centre in Naguru on Friday, October 2, led by Committee Chairperson, Mr Mwine Mpaka. The visit was arranged after legislators raised questions regarding whether the security and tracking functions of the project were delivering their intended results.

Concerns had surfaced on September 28 during parliamentary hearings, prompting the committee to demand practical proof beyond administrative reports. Two days later, Senior Command officials presented operational metrics to the committee, with Police Director of ICT, AIGP Felix Baryamwisaki, testifying that law enforcement had successfully tracked and recovered 337 out of 375 reported stolen motor vehicles-a 90 percent recovery rate.

To independently verify these figures, committee members visited the Naguru facility to test the system using their own vehicle registration plates rather than relying on pre-packaged demonstrations.

‘Yes, indeed, we have established that cars and motorbikes can be tracked. The issue of digital number plates is clearly important. We just need to see how we can improve the system,’ Mr Mpaka stated following the demonstration.

During the inspection, lawmakers observed live vehicle identification procedures, data processing workflows, and tactical integration with police field operations. Addressing previous privacy and data sovereignty concerns raised during hearings, UPDF Representative in Parliament and Deputy Chief of Defence Forces, Lt. Gen. Sam Okiding, confirmed that the system’s data management infrastructure is strictly housed within national borders.

‘One thing for sure is, the whole country needs the digital number plate system. As a Committee, we are looking at the cost and the capacity of the contractor. Other than that, no one is against the project,’ Mr Mpaka noted.

The Naguru visit followed a prior parliamentary inspection of the central digital number plate manufacturing plant. During that tour, MPs inspected manufacturing lines, raw material stocks, and installation workflows.

Factory management confirmed that the plant operates at a daily output of 2,500 number plate kits (50,000 per month), which has effectively cleared previous issuance backlogs. The facility employs over 300 Ugandan workers directly and supports an estimated 900 auxiliary jobs, achieving an 80 percent localization rate as East Africa’s first full-cycle plate manufacturing facility.

While Parliament acknowledged significant performance improvements in vehicle tracking and plate fitment turnarounds, the committee indicated that its upcoming report will focus on optimizing institutional coordination, refining police administrative protocols, and lowering costs for motorists.

Tensions within the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) escalated on Friday evening after Chief of Defence Forces and Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU) chairman Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba issued a stern ultimatum demanding a public apology from Minister of Water and Environment Maj Gen (Rtd) Kahinda Otafiire.

Writing in a series of social media posts, Gen Muhoozi lashed out at the veteran bush-war commander following statements Otafiire made in Parliament and during a public lecture at Valley University of Science and Technology in Bushenyi. Muhoozi warned that if Otafiire did not apologize within three days, security forces would arrest him, labeling the elder politician a “nuisance” who ought to be sent to an old people’s home.

The confrontation comes on the heels of Otafiire’s public address to students and staff at Valley University, where he fielded questions from participants David Ninsiima and Mwebembezi Franklin regarding his leadership track record and his stance on the PLU.

Responding to queries about his allegiance, Gen Otafiire distanced himself from the pressure group, insisting he cannot answer for an organization he does not belong to.

“How do you expect a Catholic priest to preach in a mosque? If you want to understand Sharia, don’t ask Archbishop Odama of Gulu. Go to the mosque,” Otafiire remarked. “My dear brother, go to Patriotic League of Uganda and look at their performance… I don’t want to speak on their behalf, so I don’t have to tell lies on their behalf.”

Recalling his history in the National Resistance Army liberation struggle, the outspoken cabinet minister declared that he remains unbothered by political risks, choosing conviction over submission.

“Initially I told you, I fought Idi Amin-was I safe? I fought Milton Obote. I was in Luweero for five years, did I know I’d be here? I would rather die on my feet fighting than live on my knees begging,” Otafiire stated.

He further challenged the youth to demand integrity and substance from national leaders rather than settling for political posturing, arguing that true leadership is defined by how one conducts themselves in society.

“Are you a thief? Are you a liar? Are you a rapist? It’s how you have conducted yourself in society that determines your quality of leadership,” Otafiire told the university audience.

Drawing an analogy on social equity and public policy, Otafiire used road usage to illustrate how government ought to manage national resources fairly.

“He’s driving a VW, me I’m driving a V8… genuine. But then, there should be equality for the rules of the road. Make the road for the ones with cars a lane, a bicycle lane for those who have motorcycles, and then a footpath for the rest of us who don’t have these. That’s what we mean by harmony in society,” he urged.

Otafiire’s comments in Bushenyi followed his maiden parliamentary address as Minister of Water and Environment, where he called for political tolerance and warned against suppressing opposition figures. He cautioned NRM MPs against viewing adversaries as enemies, describing the opposition as “our mirror reflection.”

While NRM spokesperson Emmanuel Dombo on Wednesday welcomed Otafiire’s calls for dialogue, he refuted claims that the party endorses political abductions, placing responsibility on individual actors. Meanwhile, opposition figures like Kira Municipality MP George Musisi commended Otafiire’s rare candor amidst ongoing debate over the alleged disappearance of opposition activists like Sam Mugumya.

The Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development is rolling out a digital system to improve tracking of jobs, employers, labour inspections and worker productivity.

The ministry is in final stages of rolling out the Labour Administration Management Information System (LAMIS), which will bring labour information from districts and local governments onto one platform.

Mr Apollo Onzoma, Assistant Commissioner for Industrial Relations, said LAMIS will strengthen administrative data generation and harmonise labour reporting.

“The system will enable Labour Officers to record and update information on employment, employers, labour inspections and other labour-related activities. Government will use the information to track jobs created and lost and identify employment trends across different districts and sectors,” he said.

He said the system will also improve employer reporting and the flow of inspection information from districts to the ministry.

“I encourage you to approach this training with that responsibility in mind by participating actively, asking questions, working through the different processes and modules, and raising any areas that may be unclear,” he said.

He stressed accurate data entry, saying quality of information will depend on how users enter and manage data.

The rollout comes as government targets about 900,000 jobs annually under the Fourth National Development Plan (NDP IV), which seeks a skilled, productive and competitive workforce.

The information is expected to help government identify where jobs are created, where employment is declining and skills in demand.

Ms Lucie Carlier, Project Manager for the Decent Work and Social Protection Project at Enabel, said modernisation of labour administration through a digital platform started in March 2024.

Mr Joshua Mpairwe, lead consultant at Centric Solutions which developed the system, said LAMIS will be rolled out after issues identified during training are addressed.

Once operational, Labour Officers will use the system to submit district information to the ministry.

While LAMIS will not directly create jobs, it is expected to provide reliable information to guide employment policies and programmes.

The World Food Programme (WFP) and the Government of Uganda have received 6,638 metric tons of rice valued at USD 6.1 million (about Shs22.5 billion) from the Republic of Korea to support school feeding programmes for over 200,000 learners in the Karamoja sub-region.

The food assistance, handed over on Wednesday, September 30, 2026, at the WFP Country Office in Mbuya, Kampala, marks Korea’s largest single-year rice contribution to WFP in Uganda since the in-kind partnership began in 2018. The intervention comes at a time when Karamoja is facing its most severe food security crisis since 2018 following failed rains and crop losses across the region.

Speaking at the handover event, the Minister of State for Primary Education, Ms Phyllis Chemutai, highlighted the crucial role school meals play in keeping children in class, particularly in regions prone to extreme weather and high poverty levels.

“A hungry child cannot learn. Children who come to school hungry struggle to concentrate, fall behind and are more likely to drop out,” Ms Chemutai said. She noted that Karamoja has the highest child poverty rate in the country at 84 percent, alongside an adult literacy rate of just 31 percent, compared to the national average of 68 percent.

The minister further cited the Ministry’s recent National Baseline Survey on School Feeding, which revealed that Karamoja boasts the highest regular school attendance in the country at 98 percent-compared to 81 percent nationally-largely due to home-grown school feeding initiatives reaching nearly 80 percent of schools in the sub-region. She urged school managers and headteachers to safeguard the food, emphasizing that every bag must be accounted for to serve the intended beneficiaries.

WFP Representative and Country Director in Uganda, Ms. Wanja Kaaria, emphasized the urgency of the donation given the ongoing drought conditions in Karamoja, where a school meal often serves as the primary source of nutrition for children.

“This contribution from the Republic of Korea comes at a critical time. Karamoja is facing its most severe food security crisis since 2018. The rains failed and much of this year’s harvest was lost. In a year like this, the school meal is often the only nutritious meal a child will eat all day,” Kaaria stated.

Kaaria explained that the 6,638 metric tons of rice, equivalent to more than 200 truckloads, forms part of a complete school meals package served alongside locally procured beans and vegetable oil. Under the “Karamoja Feeds Karamoja” initiative, WFP collaborates with the Ugandan government to procure food directly from local smallholder farmers and support schools in creating school gardens equipped with energy-efficient stoves and solar infrastructure.

Over the past nine years, Korea has contributed more than 40,000 metric tons of rice to WFP operations in Uganda, supporting both new refugee arrivals at reception centers and primary school learners.

The newly appointed Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Uganda, H.E. Lee Sang-ho, noted that participating in the handover was a meaningful milestone for his tenure, drawing parallels between Uganda’s current challenges and South Korea’s historical experience.

“Not so long ago, Korea also faced poverty and food shortages. With the support of the international community, we were able to overcome these challenges. Today, Korea is in a position to share what we have received,” Ambassador Lee said. He expressed hope that the donation would provide stability, food security, and hope to vulnerable communities in Karamoja.

The Ministry of Education and Sports confirmed it is currently finalizing the National School Feeding Policy with support from partners to ensure sustainable, structured school feeding across the country.

When Mr Aloysius Katerega lost his home and belongings in a devastating fire at Kaazi-Malanga landing site in Bujumba Sub-county, Kalangala District on May 24, he thought reconstructing the house would help him return to the life he had before the disaster.

‘My wife, who currently is in prison, started the fire out of anger after a domestic brawl, making me lose the house that sheltered us,’ he says.

To survive, he says, he rented a wooden makeshift house at Shs20,000 a month and started using proceeds from fishing to buy timber and other materials to construct another house on his piece of land.

‘I used the money I got from fishing to buy a few pieces of timber and used old iron sheets to set up the structure on my land to do away with renting by September this year,’ Mr Katerega explains.

But before he could complete the new house, another fire struck. On September 21, at about 9.30pm, the fire swept through Kaazi-Malanga landing site, destroying more than 20 houses, including the rental accommodation structures where Mr Katerega was staying.

For the fisherman, who had already spent months trying to recover from the first disaster, the latest fire meant starting over again.

‘I have been hit hard this time round because currently I depend on the charcoal business, which also isn’t that profitable. I have no hope that I will regain the good life I had before May 24,’ he says.

‘I request any humanitarians out there to cushion me from this difficult situation so that I can get back on my feet,’ he adds.

For 74-year-old Justine Nabatanzi, the recurrent fires have also turned a modest recovery into another struggle for survival.

After losing her house in the May 24 fire, Ms Nabatanzi says local residents helped her rent a wooden room and start a small mandazi business from which she hoped to regain some financial independence.

But about three months later, another fire destroyed her home and property before she had recovered. Today, she sleeps in a makeshift shelter.

‘I have no soap, no money, no sugar, and no place to stay. I sleep in the cold as mosquitoes feast on me,’ she says.

Ms Nabatanzi says she cannot afford to rent another house because the money she had was also lost in the fire. She is now left to use polythene bags and burnt cotton clothes as bedding while sleeping on the ground.

‘We haven’t received any relief during this double disaster. Life is getting harder to bear. I am old; I can’t do any hard jobs. I sit in my shelter and wait for any help from Good Samaritans,’ she says.

Her experience mirrors that of other islanders who have lost homes and livelihoods in repeated disasters and have relied largely on fellow residents and local leaders to begin rebuilding their lives.

The Kaazi-Malanga fire outbreak destroyed more than homes. According to local leaders, mobile money outlets, charcoal, fishing net stores, bars, salons and rental units were among the businesses affected.

Mr Ashiraf Ssenoga, the LC1 chairperson of Kaazi-Malanga, says more than 20 houses went up in flames, leaving families with little to return to.

‘My residents have suffered a huge loss. Money, mattresses, phones, food and motorcycles perished in the fire,’ he says.

Mr Ssenoga says the cause of the fire has not yet been established and residents are still waiting for the police report.

He appeals to the Office of the Prime Minister, government agencies and disaster management authorities to support the affected households.

‘Some residents have remained with one cloth, others are back to zero in terms of business, yet they have loans and others are Parish Development Model beneficiaries,’ he adds.

Mr Ssenoga says some residents had previously abandoned fishing to establish small businesses in search of more stable livelihoods, only to lose their enterprises in the fire.

‘We need iron sheets, timber and food because currently some have nowhere to sleep,’ he says.

Unlike the mainland where most fires are blamed on either arsonists or short electric circuits, most infernos in Kalangala are a result of poor storage and handling of fuel, which some islanders keep in their wooden houses.

Fires are persistent

The September 21 fire was followed by another fire at Kasenyi landing site in Entebbe, Wakiso District, at about 2pm on September 22 that affected dozens of households and left residents without shelter.

The incidents came after another fire at Mweena landing site in Kalangala, which destroyed homes and businesses and left 15 residents searching for accommodation as they tried to rebuild their livelihoods.

Police records indicate that Kalangala has experienced repeated fire outbreaks.

Eight fire incidents were reported within five months in 2022, while five were recorded in 10 months in 2024.

The incidents have been reported across all seven sub-counties.

The Kalangala District hazard, risk and vulnerability profile also identifies fire as a recurring hazard.

The 2016 profile recorded 30 fire incidents between 1986 and 2016.

Some of the most destructive incidents in recent years include the Lutoboka twin fires, which destroyed houses, shops and fishing gear and left more than 120 residents without shelter, according to police records.

Police have previously attributed fires in the district to electrical sparks, fuel stored in wooden houses and cooking stoves used inside wooden structures.

The fire at Desire Restaurant, a tourist facility in Kalangala, and that at Lutoboka were attributed to electrical sparks from an electricity meter.

At Mweena, police attributed another fire to a charcoal stove, while a fire at Kifufu village was linked to a wooden house where petrol was stored.

Fire truck response questioned

In January 2025, the Uganda Police Force deployed a firefighting truck to Kalangala and operationalised the Directorate of Fire Prevention and Rescue Services unit in the district following a series of destructive fires.

The Greater Masaka Regional Police spokesperson, Mr Twaha Kasirye, says the move was intended to bring emergency services closer to island communities.

Previously, Mr Kasirye says police could dispatch fire engines from Masaka City and cross Lake Victoria through the Bukakata ferry – a process that could take several hours.

The firefighting truck has since been used in responding to fires, including one that occurred at the offices of Kalangala Infrastructure Services, the Mweena landing site fire and the September 21 Kaazi-Malanga incident.

However, residents have raised questions about its response during the latest fire incident.

Mr Frank Walusimbi, a former LC1 chairperson of Kaazi-Malanga, says residents alerted police at about 9.30pm, but the firefighting truck arrived at around 11pm.

He also alleges that the vehicle encountered difficulties while fighting the fire.

‘It [fire engine] arrived minutes after we had contained the fire. It started extinguishing the other part where there was still smoke, but water got finished and it had to refill,’ he says.

Police, however, point to another challenge: the poor physical planning at various landing sites.

Mr Hillary Nuwahereza, the Kalangala District police commander, says closely packed houses and the absence of access roads sometimes prevent firefighters from accessing the scene.

‘Sometimes we reach on time and fail to reach the spot where the fire is because the houses are too close to each other with no roads to pass through to reach where the fire is,’ he says.

According to Mr Nuwahereza, islanders must also desist from cooking food inside the single room wooden houses where they sleep, which also serve as stores for petroleum fuels for their boat engines.

‘We advise local leaders to identify and establish a place at every landing site where they can put firefighting equipment, including sand to use in case of a fire outbreak, and they should always make sure they enforce such precautions,’ he says.

At various landing sites, Mr Nuwahereza says local leaders must also identify a centralised place away from homesteads where they can keep petrol as one of the measures to curb the rampant fire outbreaks.

‘Storage of items like petrol and charcoal which are the reported key causes of fire outbreaks has to be checked. Such items need to be kept in separate houses, at least 50 metres away from their homes,’ he adds.

Planning for safer landing sites

With fires continuing to expose the vulnerability of landing site communities, local leaders are now considering longer-term measures.

Mr Fred Nsubuga, the LC3 chairperson for Bujjumba Sub-county, says local leaders are considering allocating money for disaster response in the next financial year budget.

‘We believe however small it is, we can at least help our people to have a starting point to revive themselves in case of a fire outbreak,’ he says.

The Kalangala District Speaker, Mr Avius Muwombeefu, says fire outbreaks will be prioritised during the district council’s sitting.

He says the district planner will be tasked with developing physical plans for landing sites and villages to reduce the number of houses destroyed when fires occur.

Utility:

Previous fires in Kalangala District

January 9, 2022: Two people sustained severe injuries when fire gutted buildings in Nkese landing site.

The inferno also destroyed seven houses, with fishing nets and other gears worth millions of shillings destroyed.

March 13,2022: At least eight houses and millions-worth of property perished in an inferno that gutted part of Mwena landing site in Kalangala Town Council.

Eye witnesses attributed the fire to a resident who left a cooking stove unattened inside a wooden house.

March 28, 2022: Fire gutted a restaurant at Brovad Sands Lodge in Kalangala Town Council, destroying property worth millions of shillings.

May 10, 2022: Fire destroyed a section of Lukuba landing site in Kyamuswa Sub-county, forcing 300 residents to spend the night in the cold.

The devastating fire, which was blamed on a charcoal stove that was left unattended near one of the fuel stores, destroyed 104 houses.

Within the same month four wooden kiosks were destroyed by fire that broke out at Bugala B village in Kalangala Town Council.

June 10, 2022: Fire burnt down houses at Mawaala landing site, destroying property worth millions of shillings.

October 12, 2022: Several wooden houses and shops were destroyed by fire at Bubeke-Lwaazi landing site.

October 31, 2022: Fire broke out at Lutoboka landing site in Kalangala Town Council, destroying property worth millions of shillings.

The property included shops, residential structures, a Beach Management Unit office where one outboard engine and other items were being kept.

Caption: Victims of the September 22 fire outbreak at Kasenyi landing site in Wakiso District were left homeless. Photo/David Sekayinga

A high-profile election petition challenging the victory of National Resistance Movement (NRM) candidate Fred Ruhindi in Nakawa East Constituency took a dramatic turn at the High Court after a key electoral official admitted that results from 22 polling stations were excluded from the final tally.

Testifying during cross-examination, Kampala District Returning Officer Rashid Hasakya confirmed to the court that voting occurred at all 22 affected polling stations, but their votes were never factored into the official results that declared Mr Ruhindi winner of the January 2026 parliamentary election.

The admission arose during cross-examination by Farouk Sserukuma, the lawyer representing the petitioner, Alex Waiswa Mufumbiro. Mr Mufumbiro, the jailed deputy spokesperson for the National Unity Platform (NUP), is seeking to overturn the election outcome.

“It is true that 22 polling stations in Nakawa East Constituency were never tallied. Their results were never considered and some forms had some mathematical errors,” Mr Hasakya told the court.

Mr Hasakya further explained to the court that the result forms presented to him during the exercise had been transmitted through the Electoral Commission’s ICT personnel.

Official results published by the Electoral Commission following the January 15, 2026 poll indicated that Mr Ruhindi won the 12-candidate race with 18,555 votes against Mr Mufumbiro’s 15,186 votes.

However, Mr Sserukuma argued that omitting 22 entire polling stations substantially altered the outcome, rejecting the returning officer’s attempt to dismiss the issue as mere clerical oversight. He contended that failing to count validly cast ballots goes to the core of the democratic process and violates governing electoral statutes.

“We are saying, you know, if you do not add up all votes cast for a candidate that cannot be a mathematical error. It goes to the root of the results of that specific polling station or results,” Mr Sserukuma argued, adding that the declaration failed to comply with the Parliamentary Elections Act and related laws.

Mr Sserukuma urged the court to scrutinize each disputed declaration form individually before deciding whether Mr Mufumbiro should be declared the rightful winner. He expressed confidence that the evidence demonstrates non-compliance with the legal framework governing parliamentary elections.

“We are comfortable that indeed this court will agree with us on all forms, that indeed the voting or the declaration of Hasakya Rashid was not in compliance with the Electoral Parliamentary Act, among other laws,” Mr Sserukuma stated.

In his petition, Mr Mufumbiro alleges widespread irregularities, including ballot stuffing and the exclusion of polling stations. He is asking the court to declare that both the Electoral Commission and Mr Ruhindi committed election offenses, to rule that the election violated the Parliamentary Elections Act and the Electoral Commission Act, and to order a fresh election in Nakawa East.

Presiding judge Justice Allan Nshiimye set a strict filing schedule for all parties to submit their written arguments. Justice Nshiimye directed the petitioner to file submissions by October 9, while the respondents must file their responses by October 16. Any rejoinder from the petitioner must be submitted by October 22.

The court adjourned the matter to October 30 for mention, at which point the judge will confirm compliance with the filing deadlines and issue further directions toward the final judgment.

Residents of Omoro District have used rudimentary methods to fix some of the bridges and major access roads that are in a sorry state.

The idea came from local communities and road users.

The communities have so far worked on Pece Bridge on Lakwatomer-Abole-Koro Abili Road and Atyang – Palenga Road. Pece Bridge collapsed following flash floods in June.

Locals put logs atop the damaged Pece Bridge to enable them cross. But the temporary bridge is used only by boda boda riders and pedestrians.

Mr Michael Opio, a boda boda rider in Lakwana Sub-county, said Pece Bridge is the only major road that connects travellers to Gulu City and Palenga Town Council.

”After the bridge collapsed, we experienced difficulties doing our normal business as we use a long route to Gulu City and to Palenga Town Council, about 26 kilometres, unlike crossing the bridge to Gulu City, which is just 14 kilometres,” he told this publication.

Mr Opio added: ”Also from Atyang to Palenga Town Council, after the bridge collapsed, we used to follow a 15-kilometre road, unlike before when we would travel only 7 kilometres to Palenga.”

Mr Moses Ogenrwot from Abole Trading Centre in Labora Sub-county said locals set up temporary wooden bridges to make it easy for motorcycles and pedestrians to cross after Pece Bridge collapsed in June.

”After Pece Bridge collapsed, our business to Gulu City also dropped. We were using a longer route to Gulu City,”Mr Ogenrwot said on Monday.

Ms Paska Aciro said locals are also facing difficulties in accessing health facilities in neighbouring areas such as Gulu City.

”Even if motorcycles and pedestrians are using that temporary wood bridge, many boda boda riders are not willing; they fear, and when we hired them to go to Gulu City, they prefer using Moroto Road, which is a longer distance,’ Ms Aciro told this publication.

”At the same time, when we were given referrals from Lakwatomer Health Centre III to Gulu Referral Hospital, we spent a lot on transport just because we used the long distance of Moroto Road, which is 20 kilometres from our home, and we pay Shs20,000. But when we passed through that bridge to Gulu City, we paid only Shs15,000,” Ms Aciro said.

Seventy-year-old Martin Ongom, a resident of Abole Trading Centre in Labora Sub-county, appealed to Omoro District Local Government officials to expeditiously repair bridges such as Pece on Atyang,-Palenga and Abole-Koro Abili roads.

”I remember these bridges were constructed 16 years back when Omoro District was still under Gulu District, and now is the right time for Omoro District Local Government to take over from there,” he said.

Meanwhile, residents and local leaders of Aremo Sub-county in Omoro District also made minor repairs on a section of Minakulu-Okwir Road.

They fill up the pot holes using murram, and hired a lorry at their own cost to collect murram.

The road in a sorry state has been under Omoro District Local Government for more than seven years.

The district has reportedly taken a long time without conducting repairs on that road. The road connects Omoro to other districts like Nwoya and Oyam.

Residents told this publication that since the bridges collapsed, authorities from the district engineering department came for inspection, but have done nothing so far.

The Omoro District Chairperson, Mr Andrew Obibi Okot, said apart from the floods that damaged the roads and bridges such as Pece Bridge, heavy-duty vehicles have also contributed to destruction of the road infrastructure.

Omoro leader on action taken

Mr Okot said the district would work on the bridge that connects Atyang to Palenga and the Abole-Koro Abili Bridge in the coming months.

”The design for the new bridge on Atyang-Palenga Road is being done by an engineering team from the ministry [of Works and Transport]. The procurement process will be next month, and the work will be kicked off by January next year,” he told this publication.

”While for the Minakulu-Okwir Road, the district will work on it this financial year using Shs1 billion for the road fund,” he said.

Last year, then LC5 chairperson Peter Douglas Okello and Omoro District Woman Member of Parliament Catherine Lamwaka promised to engage the Ministry of Works to ensure the roads are repaired.

They added that government programmes meant to support farmers like the national oilseed project would not bear any fruit if farmers are locked out due to challenges of market access.

Utilities:

Background

Omoro District, found in Acholi Sub-region (northern Uganda), has 884 kilometres of roads under its local management: 303 kilometres under district management and 581 kilometres under community access and lower local government.

The district has a population of 220,593, according to the 2024 National Population and Housing Census report.

Quote

The design for the new bridge on Atyang-Palenga Road is being done by an engineering team from the ministry [of Works and Transport]. The procurement process will be next month, and the work will be kicked off by January next year.” – Andrew Obibi Okot, Omoro District Chairperson

Lord Mayor Ronald Balimwezo has called for compensation of traders who invested money in constructing stalls in markets that government intends to take over.

Mr Balimwezo said traders in markets including St Balikuddembe (Owino), Nakawa, Bugolobi and Nakasero had raised ownership concerns during his previous engagements when he served as Shadow Minister for Kampala and a member of the Presidential Affairs Committee overseeing KCCA.

His remarks came Thursday during day two of a meeting between KCCA officials and traders’ representatives, where market leadership, ownership, revenue collection, utilities and traders’ welfare were discussed.

He said although the markets sit on KCCA land, some traders had invested in constructing stalls, giving them a stake.

“They spent money on constructing some of these stalls, and therefore they must be compensated if government wants to take over the markets,” Mr Balimwezo said.

“You cannot remove a landlord from his shop because you want someone to take it over,” he said, urging government to provide compensation funds in the national budget.

KCCA Executive Director Sharifah Buzeki said the Central Executive Committee (CEC) will discuss ownership of stalls before determining the way forward.

“We have to assess the situation and see where the challenges are coming from and the way forward,” she said.

She said KCCA was preparing to conduct elections in markets where leadership terms or structures remain unresolved and would announce dates soon.

“We are going to postpone the 14 days elections sensitization because we have realised that several markets needs sensitization on electing their leaders,” she said.

Mr Balimwezo called for quarterly engagements between KCCA and traders and urged traders to resolve internal disagreements.

“This cannot be done when we are not united as the administration and technical team. I have the responsibility to supervise whatever is happening in the city,” he said.

Nakasero traders raise leadership concerns

Ms Zaituni Nakiganda, a trader from Nakasero Market, accused previous leaders of blocking traders from accessing KCCA officials.

“We have not conducted any election in Nakasero Market. We have been waiting for the baraza, but now they have announced the elections,” she said.

She also raised concerns about revenue collection and harassment, and questioned why traders pay to use toilets despite separate operation arrangements.

Mr Nsolo Yasin, Owino Market representative, said traders face uncertainty over land ownership.

“We need to know the landlord of Owino because we are working but we do not know the owner of the land,” he said.

He also flagged an electricity debt of about Shs400 million despite regular payments, and questioned management of three toilets that generate significant daily revenue.

Traders call for daycare

Ms Aisha Nakigozi, another Owino trader, called for a daycare facility within the market for traders with young children.

She also called for review of the list of traders affected by floods.

“Some Owino traders were affected by floods, yet they considered only shop owners. We request that if there is compensation for floods, the investigations should be revised because the majority were affected and were not on the list,” she said.

Police in Iganga are investigating an aggravated robbery and kidnapping incident at Kigulu Trading Centre in Bukaye Parish, Nakalama sub-county.

The victims, who were allegedly kidnapped and robbed, are employees attached to Kombucha Energy Drink’s Iganga branch.

Busoga East Police spokesperson Michael Kasadha identified the victims as Waiswa Damulira, 40, a driver, and Kenneth Twinamasiko, 32, a salesman.

It is alleged that the two had travelled to Kaliro, Bulumba and Buyuge to supply drinks using their company vehicle, a white Toyota Hiace, and had collected Shs5.51 million in sales.

Mr Kasadha said the two were intercepted by five armed assailants travelling in a white Toyota Wish as they returned to their company in Kigulu.

‘Two of the assailants were dressed in civilian clothes and wore URA reflector jackets, while the other three were dressed in UPDF-like uniforms. One of them was armed with a rifle,’ Mr Kasadha said.

He said the victims were forced out of their company vehicle, bundled into the Toyota Wish and driven towards Mayuge, where they were robbed of the sales money and other valuables.

‘The suspects robbed them of Shs5.51 million in sales cash, a Samsung smartphone, an Itel mobile phone, an ATM card and a national identity card,’ he said.

He said the victims were later dumped in Mayuge District, from where they reported the incident to police. Their company vehicle, which had been abandoned at the scene, was recovered and secured by police.

He said the victims are in good health and that the case was registered at Iganga Central Police Station under SD Reference 125/01/10/2026.

He said intelligence teams in Iganga, Mayuge, Bugiri and Namutumba districts had been alerted to track down the suspected Toyota Wish and establish whether it was linked to similar recent incidents in the region.

He expressed concern over the resurgence of highway robberies targeting businessmen, saying the incidents appeared to follow a similar pattern, involving Toyota Wish vehicles, military-style attire and strategic interception along highways.

‘We have stepped up operations, including snap checks at Magamaga, Nakalama, Mayuge and Bugiri, and urge business people to avoid carrying large sums of cash late in the evening and report suspicious Toyota Wish vehicles,’ he said.

Following months of persistent blackouts and mounting public outcry, electricity distributor Uganda Electricity Distribution Company Limited (UEDCL) has unveiled a major network improvement plan designed to boost supply reliability for over 80,000 customers across Greater Kampala and surrounding districts.

The initiative was launched during a nationwide stakeholder engagement campaign aimed at addressing chronic supply disruptions, deepening partnerships with local leaders, and soliciting direct consumer feedback while key distribution network upgrades are underway.

The consultative engagements kicked off in Kira Municipality, an epicenter of frequent power cuts, where company executives briefed stakeholders on the immediate and long-term investments designed to clear network congestion and keep pace with soaring power demand.

Addressing the gathered leaders, Isaac Katewanga, UEDCL’s Acting Chief Commercial and Operations Services Officer, noted that direct dialogue is critical to resolving the ongoing grid challenges.

“We are engaging local leaders to explain the causes of the current supply interruptions, update them on ongoing projects and work together on practical solutions,” Mr. Katewanga said, acknowledging public frustration over recurring outages while reiterating the company’s commitment to stabilizing the national grid.

A central element of the distributor’s recovery strategy involves upgrading the transformer at the Kawanda Substation, a targeted intervention expected to relieve capacity constraints for consumers in Naalya, Kyaliwajala, and nearby neighborhoods by the end of 2026. UEDCL has also begun splitting the overloaded Seeta-Bukerere distribution line to stabilize voltage levels, ease feeder congestion, and shorten restoration times during unexpected line faults.

In tandem with these major overhauls, emergency measures are actively being deployed, including the installation of extra transformers in heavily loaded pockets, the replacement of overstretched hardware with higher-capacity equipment, and the rapid replacement of compromised poles and conductors.

Samson Tondo, UEDCL’s Head of Engineering Services for the Central Region, detailed that the interventions will directly improve service delivery for residents and businesses spanning Kira, Namugongo, Kyaliwajala, Bulindo, Kitukutwe, Nsasa, Nabusugwe, Naalya, Kasangati, Najjera, Nakwero, Bukerere, Sonde, and adjoining communities.

Mr. Tondo added that UEDCL is coordinating with the Uganda Electricity Transmission Company Limited (UETCL) to support broader transmission expansion plans intended to boost Greater Kampala’s transmission capacity from 80 megawatts to 200 megawatts.

Beyond the capital region, UEDCL is moving forward on several strategic infrastructure projects. These include constructing new substations in Magigye, Kigo, and Nakasero, along with upgrading established sub-stations in Kireka, Busunju, Kakiri, Mubende, Jinja Industrial, Kabaale, and Mbale. Comprehensive power line refurbishments are also progressing across Mityana, Masaka, Kasese, and Bushenyi. Company estimates indicate that upon completion, these combined works could push network reliability to as high as 98 percent.

However, utility management cautioned that widespread vandalism continues to undermine grid stability, with equipment theft and damaged assets repeatedly leaving whole communities in the dark and disrupting critical business operations.

“We need communities to become our eyes and ears,” Mr. Tondo appealed, urging residents and civic leaders to immediately flag any suspicious activity around electrical installations.

Alongside security threats, UEDCL raised the alarm over a surge in connection scams targeting prospective customers seeking fast-tracked services.

Jessica Zziwa, Head of Commercial and Operations Services for the Central Region, cautioned consumers to strictly process transactions through verified banking channels or official mobile money platforms.

“Do not pay cash to anyone claiming they can speed up your connection. Report suspected fraud immediately,” Ms. Zziwa warned.

The Kira outreach brought together more than 100 local stakeholders, including Kampala East Regional Police Commander ASP Justus Tashobya, who promised sustained security support to protect utility infrastructure and apprehend vandals targeting the network.

Namugongo Division Mayor Moses Haumba commended the consultative approach, highlighting it as an essential step toward restoring public confidence in the utility provider.

“This engagement gives local leaders a platform to raise concerns, understand the challenges and work together to improve service delivery,” Mayor Haumba said.

Faced with rapidly rising electricity demand in Uganda’s expanding urban centers, UEDCL is relying on this blend of capital investments, community vigilance, and law enforcement support to safeguard the grid and power long-term economic activity.