The Katuukiro of Busoga Kingdom, Owekitibwa Joseph Muvawala, has in a lengthy and elaborative statement ‘assured Abasoga and the rest of Ugandans that His Majesty William Wilberforce Kadhumbula Nadiope IV is in charge and control of the Kingdom executing his duties as enshrined in the relevant legal regimes and Kisoga culture and norms.’
For close to two months, there has been rising concerns about the whereabouts of the Kyabazinga since his last public appearances in January. Matters were made worse when the First Deputy Prime Minister of Uganda, and Woman MP for Kamuli district, Rebecca Alitwala Kadaga, during a radio talksho with KBS Radio in Kamuli, announced that unscrupulous people had hijacked Obwakyabazinga.
In response, Muvawala said, “The Obwakyabazinga Bwa Busoga is under no control by any other forces apart from the authority and leadership of His Majesty Isebantu Kyabazinga,” adding “The Kyabazinga informs all of us that nobody is bigger than Busoga and our cosmopolitan nature and unity in diversity as Obwakyabazinga is our strength.”
Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja has called on farmers to embrace modern dairy farming technologies and value addition to increase incomes and improve livelihoods.
The Prime Minister made the remarks after touring the Dairy Development and Production Department exhibition stall under the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF) during the 32nd National Agricultural Show.
During the tour, Assistant Commissioner for Dairy, Magona Nathan, showcased the country’s dairy value chain and explained how investment in modern dairy production and processing can transform household incomes.
“At our Dairy Development and Production stall, we are displaying the entire dairy value chain. We have milking machines, chaff cutters, milk cans and improved grasses that boost milk production. We are also teaching farmers how to manage diseases such as mastitis, which affects milk quality, and how to control Foot and Mouth Disease, which is part of a government programme across the country,” Magona said.
He said the department is also equipping farmers with skills to add value to milk by producing yoghurt, ice cream and powdered milk, products that fetch higher prices than raw milk.
“We therefore call upon farmers to visit our stall and acquire knowledge and practical skills that can improve their dairy enterprises,” he said.
Magona noted that Uganda’s dairy industry has recorded remarkable growth, with annual milk production reaching 5.4 billion litres, making the country one of Africa’s leading dairy exporters.He said the dairy subsector contributes significantly to the livestock industry and the national economy.
“In livestock, dairy contributes about 72 percent. We have both domestic and export markets, which provide enormous opportunities for farmers willing to invest in dairy production,” he said.
He further highlighted ongoing government interventions to strengthen the sector, including the Resilience Project, which supports farmers in rural areas with dairy farming knowledge and links them to suppliers of dairy equipment.
Magona also revealed that MAAIF, working together with National Agricultural Research Organisation (NARO), has developed and rolled out anti-tick vaccines to reduce tick infestations that affect milk production.
“We encourage farmers to work closely with veterinary officers so they can access these innovations and improve productivity,” he said.
Speaking after touring the exhibition, Prime Minister Nabbanja commended the ministry for using the agricultural show as a platform to transfer knowledge and technology to farmers.
“This is very nice. Thank you for coming here and supporting our farmers to acquire knowledge and skills regarding dairy. Now it is time for farmers to come and learn these modern skills,” she said.
The exhibition also features demonstrations on milk quality testing and food safety.Opakasi Sammy, Senior Laboratory Technologist in the Department of Dairy Development and Production, said the ministry is demonstrating equipment used to test milk quality as part of efforts to protect consumers and strengthen regulation of the dairy industry.
“We have several pieces of equipment that detect the quality of milk. We are doing this for consumer safety because it is our mandate to regulate milk quality,” Opakasi said.
He urged farmers to observe proper hygiene during milking and avoid practices that compromise milk safety.
“If someone is suffering from tuberculosis, they should not milk cows. Likewise, milk from cows suffering from mastitis should not be consumed until the animal has been treated,” he said.
The 32nd National Agricultural Show, which opened on June 26, runs until July 5 and has brought together farmers, researchers, government agencies and private sector players to showcase innovations aimed at modernising Uganda’s agriculture sector.
New Battle Over Uganda’s Opposition LeadershipUganda’s political landscape has once again been thrust into controversy following a legislative initiative seeking to fundamentally change how the Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in Parliament is selected.
What appears on the surface to be a constitutional reform has rapidly evolved into a fierce political contest, with critics questioning whether the proposed amendment is genuinely intended to deepen democracy or strategically remove the current Leader of the Opposition, Hon. Joel Ssenyonyi.
At the centre of the debate is Buyaga West County MP Hon. Denis Namara, a legislator affiliated with the Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU), who has formally notified Parliament of his intention to introduce the Administration of Parliament (Amendment) Bill, 2026.
The proposed legislation seeks to amend Section 8 of the Administration of Parliament Act by allowing both opposition and independent Members of Parliament to elect the Leader of the Opposition instead of leaving the appointment to the largest opposition party.
If enacted, the proposal would significantly reshape Uganda’s parliamentary opposition structure and redefine one of the country’s most influential constitutional offices.
The Timing Raises Political QuestionsThe proposal has emerged just days after Chief of Defence Forces and PLU Chairman Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba publicly declared that he intended to remove Joel Ssenyonyi from the position of Leader of the Opposition.
Through posts on X, Gen. Muhoozi announced that the process of appointing what he described as “our own Leader of the Opposition” had already begun, assigning PLU Secretary General and Kasambya County MP David Kabanda to spearhead the initiative.
The close proximity between these political declarations and the proposed legislation has inevitably fuelled speculation that the amendment is less about institutional reform and more about altering the balance of power inside Parliament.
Whether coincidence or coordinated political strategy, the optics have intensified national debate.The Existing Constitutional FrameworkUganda’s current parliamentary arrangement is straightforward.
The office of the Leader of the Opposition belongs to the political party with the largest numerical representation outside government.
Once elected by voters, Members of Parliament do not individually elect the Leader of the Opposition. Instead, the largest opposition political party formally appoints its parliamentary leader.
Following the 2021 General Election, the National Unity Platform (NUP) emerged as Uganda’s largest opposition party, making Joel Ssenyonyi the legitimate holder of the office under the existing legal framework.
The proposed amendment seeks to fundamentally alter that principle by extending voting rights to independent Members of Parliament and other opposition legislators.
Supporters describe the proposal as expanding democracy.Critics view it as diluting party mandates that voters themselves determined during elections.
Ssenyonyi’s Anti-Corruption Profile
Joel Ssenyonyi has built much of his political identity around exposing alleged corruption, scrutinising public expenditure and demanding greater government accountability.
As Chairperson of Parliament’s Committee on Commissions, Statutory Authorities and State Enterprises (COSASE) before becoming Leader of the Opposition, Ssenyonyi gained national recognition through high-profile investigations into government institutions.
His continued criticism of public spending and alleged abuse of office has earned him praise from sections of the public while simultaneously attracting fierce resistance from ruling party supporters and political rivals.
Supporters argue that the current campaign against him is a reaction to his uncompromising oversight role.
His critics, however, insist the issue is about improving internal democracy within the opposition.
Constitutional Reform or Political Engineering?
Every democracy has the right to review and improve its laws.Constitutional and legislative reforms are healthy when they strengthen institutions rather than individuals.
The challenge arises when reforms appear to target a specific office holder instead of addressing long-term institutional weaknesses.
Many constitutional scholars argue that reforms should be undertaken calmly, transparently and through broad national consensus—not during periods of intense political confrontation.
If changes are perceived as being designed to remove particular leaders, they risk undermining public confidence in Parliament’s independence.
The Opposition’s Resistance
Several opposition political parties, including the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC), Uganda People’s Congress (UPC), Alliance for National Transformation (ANT) and others, have expressed concern over the proposal.
They argue that allowing broader parliamentary voting could weaken party discipline, create competing centres of opposition authority and ultimately fragment Uganda’s multiparty democratic system.
For them, the office of the Leader of the Opposition belongs to the voters who determined parliamentary numbers not to political negotiations after elections.
Their concern is that changing the rules midway may establish precedents capable of weakening future opposition leadership regardless of which party holds the largest bloc.
The Bigger Democratic Test
Beyond Joel Ssenyonyi himself lies a far more important national question.Should constitutional offices be redesigned whenever political interests change?
Or should institutional stability remain above short-term political competition?
Democracy is measured not simply by passing laws but by ensuring those laws strengthen institutions, preserve public confidence and protect the will expressed by voters.
Any reform touching one of Parliament’s highest constitutional offices must therefore withstand public scrutiny, legal examination and democratic legitimacy.
InConclusion: Parliament Faces a Defining Moment
The proposed amendment has evolved into much more than a debate over one individual.It has become a test of Uganda’s constitutional maturity, parliamentary independence and commitment to multiparty democracy.
Whether this initiative proceeds or not, the discussion has exposed the growing contest over political power ahead of Uganda’s evolving democratic journey.
The central question now remains:Is this genuine constitutional reform designed to deepen democracy, or is it political engineering aimed at reshaping Uganda’s opposition from within?
Parliament’s response may define not only the future of the Leader of the Opposition but also the credibility of Uganda’s democratic institutions for years to come.
Bakinyumya Douglas Paapa(Political TV Producer & Host – @BDouglasPaapa)
Newlife Academy in Buyende District has reported steady progress in teaching and learning activities, attributing its achievements to the dedication of teachers, the commitment of learners, and continued support from parents, well-wishers and development partners.
According to the academy’s Project Overseer, Pastor Ronnie Zigwana, the school is experiencing encouraging academic growth, with students actively participating in lessons and maintaining positive attendance levels.
“We are grateful to share that teaching and learning activities are progressing very well. The students are actively participating in lessons, attendance is encouraging, and we continue to see positive growth both academically and personally among the learners,” Pastor Zigwana said.
He noted that the commitment demonstrated by teachers has played a key role in creating a conducive learning environment that is helping learners realize their potential both inside and outside the classroom.
“The dedication of the teachers and the enthusiasm of the students have contributed greatly to this good progress,” he added.
Pastor Zigwana also expressed gratitude to parents, friends of the school, and supporters whose prayers, encouragement and contributions have helped strengthen the academy’s educational programs.
“We would like to sincerely thank you for your prayers, encouragement and support. Your partnership has played an important role in making these achievements possible, and we truly appreciate your continued commitment to the work being done at the academy,” he said.
The school leadership emphasized that community involvement remains an important pillar in improving educational outcomes, noting that collaborative efforts between teachers, parents and supporters have helped create a positive atmosphere for learning.
As the academy continues to pursue academic excellence, Pastor Zigwana called upon stakeholders to maintain their support and keep the institution in their prayers.
“Please continue to keep Newlife Academy, the staff and the students in your prayers as we strive for even greater success in the months ahead,” he said.
Education experts have consistently highlighted the importance of strong partnerships between schools and communities in enhancing learner performance, improving school attendance and promoting holistic development among students.
With learning activities progressing smoothly, Newlife Academy remains optimistic about achieving even greater milestones as it continues its mission of nurturing responsible, knowledgeable and God-fearing young people in Buyende District.
Buyende District is grappling with a growing ghost pupil crisis, with the Resident District Commissioner (RDC), Paul Mwidu Kalikwani, warning that inflated enrolment figures have become a widespread practice in some government-aided schools.
Speaking during a parents’ engagement meeting at Wandago Primary School in Ndalike Parish aimed at improving academic performance, Kalikwani said preliminary findings indicate that some headteachers are deliberately inflating pupil numbers to attract larger government capitation grants.
Without revealing the extent of the problem across the district, the RDC described the practice as unacceptable and pledged to investigate schools suspected of manipulating enrolment records.
“My office has ascertained that this has become a common practice in some schools, where headteachers deliberately inflate pupil numbers to attract bigger capitation grants. This is ridiculous and unacceptable,” Kalikwani said.
He noted that enrolment figures reported by some schools do not correspond with the actual number of learners attending classes, raising concerns over the accountability of public education funds.
To establish the scale of the problem, Kalikwani announced plans to conduct a comprehensive audit of school enrolment records and government funding received.
“This is an issue I will audit to the dot and ascertain the total funding received and the corresponding number of pupils,” he said.
Wandago Primary School Under Spotlight
The concerns came into sharper focus at Wandago Primary School, where Headteacher Mande Frank Ronald disclosed a significant discrepancy between the school’s official register and the actual number of pupils.
According to Mande, official records indicate that the school has 1,236 pupils, yet the current physical enrolment stands at only 635 learners.”The official register currently indicates a total of 1,236 pupils, whereas the actual count stands at 635, a discrepancy that I find perplexing,” he said.
The headteacher also revealed that he has inherited serious financial challenges following his appointment.
He said the School Management Committee directed him to pay Shs4 million to his predecessor to clear outstanding debts, leaving the school struggling to meet its operational expenses despite government capitation grants reportedly having been released for two terms.
“I am currently operating the school on a borrowing basis. Information from the Education Department confirms that payments for the two terms have already been processed, yet I have been in this situation for the past four weeks,” Mande said.
He further alleged that his predecessor established a private school adjacent to Wandago Primary School, which he believes may have influenced the inflated enrolment figures previously reported.
“I suspect that the school adjacent to ours served as a significant influence in attracting pupils to this school, and following his transfer there was a marked and rapid decline in enrolment,” he said.
The Chairperson of the School Management Committee, Yoweri Ibanda, backed the headteacher’s claims, confirming that the current enrolment does not match the figures contained in the school’s official records.
RDC Orders Accountability
Kalikwani cautioned school administrators against treating public schools as personal property and stressed that outgoing headteachers must properly hand over both assets and liabilities to their successors.
“Cease treating educational institutions as personal properties. It is imperative to transfer both liabilities and assets to the incoming headteacher to ensure proper accountability,” he said.
He vowed to pursue the matter until all missing funds are accounted for and, where necessary, recovered.”I will pursue this matter to the dot and ensure that any funds improperly handled are returned to the school’s account,” the RDC said.
National Challenge
The developments in Buyende mirror a long-standing national problem that has cost Uganda billions of shillings in misallocated education funding.
According to estimates by the Ministry of Finance, ghost pupils cost taxpayers approximately US$11 million (about Shs41 billion) annually through inflated capitation grants.
In response to the challenge, the Ministry of Education and Sports introduced an enhanced Education Management Information System (EMIS) in 2022 to improve learner registration, strengthen education planning and eliminate ghost learners.
However, the persistence of enrolment discrepancies in some schools suggests that gaps in implementation remain.
Education stakeholders say stronger audits, improved digital learner registration and greater accountability among school administrators will be critical in eliminating the ghost pupil phenomenon and ensuring that public education funds reach the learners they are intended to serve.
The Uganda National Examinations Board (Uganda National Examinations Board) has reminded all schools and stakeholders that the grace period for normal registration of 2026 candidates will close on Tuesday, June 30, 2026.
In a press statement issued on June 29, 2026, UNEB emphasized that all learners in candidate classes must be fully registered before the deadline to ensure that no student is left out of the national examination process.
The Board noted that candidates are only considered duly registered once the required examination fees have been fully paid.
The registration fees for the 2026 examination cycle are set at 34,000 shillings for the Primary Leaving Examination (PLE), 164,000 shillings for the Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE), and 186,000 shillings for the Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education (UACE).
According to UNEB, a total of 1,584,519 candidates have so far registered across the three examination levels. Of these, 910,774 (57.4%) are PLE candidates, 479,681 (30.2%) are UCE candidates, and 194,064 (12.2%) are UACE candidates.
The Board further announced that normal registration will officially close at midnight on June 30, 2026. This will be followed by a late registration window running from July 1 to July 31, 2026.
After this period, no further registration will be accepted for any examination level.UNEB also clarified procedures for candidate transfers between examination centres.
Any transfer must be supported by written permission from the Executive Director of UNEB. The school originally registering the candidate must provide an explanation for the transfer, while the receiving institution must confirm its ability to accommodate the learner.
All transfers will be processed exclusively through the UNEB registration office.The Board urged schools and education officials to comply strictly with the registration timelines and procedures to avoid disruptions in the examination process.
For further inquiries, UNEB provided contact numbers: 041-777-3100 and toll-free lines 0800-211-077 and 0800-111-427.
The ballroom at City Point in Jinja City was filled with celebration, pride and reflection on Sunday as members of Uganda’s Indian community gathered to honor two of their own—Minister of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives Hon. Sanjay Tanna and Tororo Municipality MP Hon. Shyam Tanna.
More than a celebration of political appointments, the event became a conversation about history, identity, investment and the future role of the Indian community in Uganda’s development.
For many in attendance, the recognition symbolized the journey of a community whose roots in Uganda stretch back more than a century.
A story bigger than politics
Taking to the podium, Hon. Sanjay Tanna described the recognition as deeply humbling, noting that it was the fourth event organized by Ugandans of Indian origin to celebrate their appointment to public office.
Shyam Tanna (left), the Tororo Municipality MP and Trade Minister, and his father Sanjay Tanna, also a former MP in Tororo, were celebrated at the event.
He reflected on the sacrifices made by the first Indian settlers who travelled into Uganda when communication was slow, transport was difficult and the country’s interior remained largely unexplored.
“Our forefathers called Uganda home. They built their homes here and settled here,” Tanna said.
He acknowledged the painful chapter of 1972 when Asians were expelled from Uganda, saying many families lost businesses and livelihoods overnight. Yet despite those hardships, many later returned and rebuilt their lives.
That resilience, he said, remains the foundation upon which today’s generation should build.
Beyond business
While recognizing the Indian community’s contribution to Uganda’s economy, Tanna challenged entrepreneurs to look beyond commercial success.
He called on business leaders to deepen their understanding of Ugandan culture and strengthen relationships with the communities in which they operate.
“Our mentality is African because we were born and raised here,” he said. “We must understand the culture of the people around us.”
According to the minister, genuine integration goes beyond charity. It requires respect for local traditions, building trust with neighbours and embracing Uganda as home.
Uganda ready for investment
Using his new role as Trade Minister, Tanna made a strong appeal to investors.
He said Uganda’s improved infrastructure, stable electricity supply and peace have created an ideal environment for investment.
Rather than keeping capital overseas, he urged members of the diaspora to invest in Uganda’s productive sectors.
He pointed to opportunities in agro-processing, dairy, honey production, fruit processing, value addition and manufacturing, arguing that Uganda possesses abundant natural resources that remain underutilized.
Piyush Kotecha, Chairperson Indian Association Jinja, addressing the Indian Community on Sunday.
From pineapples and avocados to milk and honey, he said Uganda has products capable of competing in international markets, particularly in India.
“Uganda is ready for business,” he said, pledging that his ministry would work closely with investors to unlock new opportunities.
‘Kindness is remembered’
If Sanjay Tanna focused on investment, MP Shyam Tanna focused on people.
The youthful legislator challenged the Indian community to match its business achievements with humility and compassion.
Reflecting on public perceptions, he argued that success alone is not enough to earn acceptance. “People remember kindness,” he said.
He encouraged business owners to treat customers, workers and the wider community with dignity, saying even small gestures of generosity leave lasting impressions.
Drawing from his own political journey, Tanna said his election was built not only on his campaign but also on the goodwill created over many years by his late father and grandparents. “The work they did for people is what many voters remembered,” he said.
Uganda is home
Perhaps the strongest message from Shyam Tanna was his insistence that Uganda is no longer simply a place where Indians do business—it is home.
Minister Sanjay Tanna received gifts from Industrialists as he was honored by the Indian community in Jinja
Tracing his family’s history in Uganda to before independence, he reminded guests that many Indian families have lived in the country for generations. “My grandfather’s first passport read British East Africa,” he said.
He described India as the community’s place of birth for many, but Uganda as the land where they have built their lives, businesses and families. He therefore challenged investors to reinvest locally instead of transferring all their profits abroad.
Community service beyond business
The Indian Association used the occasion to showcase its social responsibility initiatives.
Chairperson Piyush Kotecha said the association is targeting the collection of 10,000 units of blood this year through blood donation drives organized with factories and industries across Eastern Uganda.
The association has also partnered with businesses to organize medical camps and other community outreach programmes.
Private sector support
Speaking on behalf of Uganda’s industrial sector, Jay Patel of the MMP Group congratulated both leaders, describing their appointments as a milestone for the Indian community.
He pledged continued support for Uganda’s industrialisation agenda through investment, manufacturing, exports and job creation.
A celebration of identity and responsibility
As the evening drew to a close, the ceremony had evolved into more than a celebration of two political leaders.
It became a reminder of the Indian community’s century-long journey in Uganda—from pioneering traders and industrialists to legislators and Cabinet ministers.
The recurring message from speaker after speaker was clear: with greater representation in public leadership comes greater responsibility—to invest more, create more jobs, strengthen communities and contribute even more to Uganda’s development.
The temporary shutdown of Nation Media Group (NMG) Uganda has reopened one of the most fundamental debates in Uganda’s democratic journey: Can democracy survive where the press operates under fear?
The military deployment to the premises of Daily Monitor, NTV Uganda, Spark TV, KFM, Dembe FM and other Nation Media Group outlets has become one of the most consequential media incidents in recent years. Regardless of the reasons advanced by authorities, the images of armed personnel surrounding newsrooms have raised profound questions about constitutional freedoms, the limits of military authority, and the future of independent journalism in Uganda.
The incident reportedly followed a series of public statements on social media by the Chief of Defence Forces, Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, in which he announced that Daily Monitor and NTV Uganda would be shut down and asserted that he possessed the authority to close any media house in Uganda. Shortly afterwards, security personnel were deployed to Nation Media Group facilities, interrupting broadcasts and limiting newsroom operations.
Whether those statements directly constituted the legal basis for the operation remains unclear. By the time public concern intensified, neither the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) nor other relevant government institutions had publicly outlined the legal framework upon which the shutdown was conducted. That silence has generated widespread legal and constitutional debate.
Uganda’s Constitution guarantees freedom of expression, freedom of the media, and the public’s right to receive information. While these freedoms may be regulated under laws enacted by Parliament, constitutional democracies require that any limitation be exercised through due process, lawful authority, and judicial accountability—not uncertainty or executive discretion alone.
This is precisely why the Nation Media Group incident extends far beyond one newsroom. It touches the very foundation upon which democratic governance rests.
An independent press is not an enemy of the state. It is one of democracy’s essential institutions. Journalists investigate corruption, scrutinize public expenditure, amplify citizens’ voices, and hold leaders accountable. When newsrooms are intimidated, the immediate casualty is not merely journalismit is the public’s constitutional right to know.
Uganda has experienced periodic confrontations between security agencies and sections of the independent media over the years, particularly during politically sensitive periods. Reporters have faced arrests, accreditation suspensions, confiscation of equipment, and restrictions while covering opposition activities. However, the deployment of armed security personnel to one of the country’s largest private media organisations represents a significant escalation that inevitably attracts both domestic and international attention.
Supporters of stronger regulation argue that national security must remain paramount and that irresponsible journalism should attract lawful consequences. Indeed, every democracy recognises limits where public safety or national security is genuinely threatened. Yet such actions must always be transparent, lawful, proportionate, and subject to independent oversight. Otherwise, legitimate regulation risks being perceived as political intimidation.
The timing of this development is equally significant. Uganda is gradually entering another electoral cycle, a period during which access to independent information becomes indispensable. Elections are not judged solely by the casting of ballots but also by whether citizens are free to receive diverse information, hear competing viewpoints, and evaluate those seeking public office without fear or censorship.
History demonstrates that where the press is weakened, democratic accountability weakens with it. Citizens become less informed, public institutions become less scrutinised, and rumours often replace verified facts.
The unanswered questions remain numerous.
What legal authority authorised the military deployment? Was due process followed? Were civilian regulatory institutions involved? Will the affected media houses seek judicial redress? Will Parliament exercise its oversight responsibility over the incident?
These are questions that deserve clear answers—not only for journalists but for every Ugandan who values constitutional governance.
\The true measure of a democratic society is not how it treats media organisations that praise government, but how it responds to those that ask difficult questions.
A confident government should welcome scrutiny because accountability strengthens public trust rather than weakens it. Likewise, the media carries an equally important responsibility to report accurately, ethically, and responsibly.
As Uganda reflects on this latest chapter, one truth remains undeniable: a nation where journalists fear entering the newsroom cannot fully claim to enjoy the freedoms guaranteed by its Constitution.
The debate is therefore much bigger than Nation Media Group. It is about the future of constitutionalism, democratic accountability, and whether Uganda’s commitment to press freedom will remain a living principleor become words confined to the pages of the Constitution.
By: Bakinyumya Douglas Paapa – (Political TV Producer & Host – @BDouglasPaapa)
The Prime Minister of Busoga Kingdom, Dr. Joseph Muvawala Nsekele, has commended public servants in Central Government and Local Government who hail from Busoga for initiating a forum, “Busoga Public Officers Forum (BUPOFU),” which aims at transforming the Busoga community.
He made this commendation while addressing a meeting with these public officers at Civil Service College in Jinja City.
“When you’re developing an economy, you can either choose to develop it at macro level and have a trickle-down effect, or you choose to develop it at micro level. Now, while macro issues will give us stability, micro issues give us improved income. So, you public officers from Busoga, our model should be that each of you should get interested in the home you come from, in the village you come from, in the school you studied at, in your clan, in the churches you pray from, because you are exemplary people.You have two forms of power: Financial power and relationship power. What you say, people listen to. You should be able to listen to the words of the President that a leader in an area should be able to know what is going on around ,” Muvawala advised.
“I want to thank you on behalf of the Kyabazinga of Busoga, His Majesty William Wilberforce Kadumbura Gabula Nadiope IV, that if you come to work, Busoga will work.
“I also thank you on behalf of the President General Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, the President of the Republic of Uganda, that the Parish Development Model will work if all of you get involved.
“The goal of the President of transforming this country can only work when we, the people who are educated, go back and interpret the policies of the government, go back and help ourselves, use our resources to improve,” the Katikiro stated.
“You, the educated in Busoga, use your offices, resources, and networks to invest in Busoga to create jobs and we transform our area. Investors outside Busoga who come from countries not interested in Busoga will not develop Busoga,” Joseph rallied.
Dr. Aggrey David Kibenge, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Labour, Gender and Social Development, who is the Chairperson of Busoga Public Officers Forum, stated that they have gathered in Jinja as public officers who hail from Busoga with a desire to rally every public officer who is serving either government at the Central level or at Local Government level, so that we create a force that can catalyze faster socio-economic transformation for the Busoga sub-region.
“We’re concerned, of course, that when you look at all the indicators of development in the country, the indicators in the case of Busoga are not very good. Whether you look at it from the point of view of Human Capital Development, which may include how healthy our population is, how educated or skilled the Busoga population is, and the productivity of our people. Of recent, you must have heard a lot of concerns that Basoga have been attracted, a significant portion of them, mainly to sugarcane growing, among other things. And in terms of income, as one of the major income activities in the area, it is not translating into improved quality of life of the individual Basoga in this region. It is not translating into children within the region going to school. The pregnancy rate is amongst the highest within this country. So we feel concerned that some of us have been privileged because our parents invested in our education, privileged because we have also gotten employment in government, and maybe that employment and the benefits that come along could be at the disadvantage of some of the others who are not that lucky. So we feel we must give back, and we can only give back to our people by rallying all the privileged public officers within this region to come back and support everybody who is disadvantaged. We have leadership at all levels, faith-based groups, and Busoga Kingdom. Therefore, out of these, we can address the challenges that are facing our people. So that’s the conviction that brings us back,” Kibenge stated.
“We would like to see that various public officers who are serving this country, who are designing programmes that aim at galvanizing action that will ultimately lift this country out of the levels where it seems to have stuck, deploy that same expertise within our area.
“We recognize the fact that the government has come up with a number of programmes, and as I said, to which many of us, even people from this region, have contributed. For example, the flagship Parish Development Model, which is looking at improvement in economic participation and improvement in productivity at the household level. And as we roll out the PDM, we would like to position the public officers, all of whom definitely have a home, presumably within Busoga. And our challenge here has been that for us to achieve the results of government emphasis and investment in PDM, we, the public officers, must be exemplary. And our call to them has been: as we go home to our villages, as we deploy little resources in line with a call of government, are we also checking on our immediate neighbours in terms of uptake of these government programmes?
“There have been causes that these public officers have surprisingly contributed to. As I said, the public officers mobilized largely online and contributed UGX 120M to the Royal Wedding. And we later came up with another cause where we needed to support Jinja Regional Hospital with key equipment that for a long time they were unable to procure, where we contributed UGX 20M, and the money was used through Busoga Health Forum. So, such causes like these give us satisfaction and the conviction that where you are organized, it’s very easy to overcome challenges that we see in our communities.”
Dr. Safina Kisu Musene, who also hails from Busoga and is a Commissioner for Health Education and Training at the Ministry of Education and Sports, stated: “We, the public officers, believe this forum will help us to address the challenges in our region. When we move around Uganda as public officers, you will find some other regions doing very well because people that come from those areas go back and support those regions. So that’s why we said these issues that are always being raised — that poverty is high in Busoga, that teenage pregnancies are high in Busoga, that sometimes parents from Busoga don’t take good care of their children, that children fail to continue with education because they lack scholastic materials — so we said, let’s mobilize ourselves. How can we help a child of Primary One to complete the education cycle? How can we help a father, for those who work with agriculture, to ensure that they have model farms and have adequate food in their home? So those are some of the reasons why we initiated this forum.”
Rt. Rev. Professor Grace Lubaale, Bishop of Busoga Diocese, called upon these public officers to ensure that they are the pathway of development rather than a blockage to development in Busoga if we are to transform Busoga.
The Parish Development Model (PDM) continues to transform livelihoods across Uganda by empowering households with capital to invest in income-generating activities. One such success story is that of Namulondo Sarah, a 28-year-old resident of Kitayunjwa Village, Kitete Ward, Kidera Town Council in Buyende District.
Namulondo is a member of the Kitete Ward Kidera Town Council PDM SACCO. During the 2023/2024 financial year, she received Shs1,000,000 under the Parish Development Model.
She invested the funds in livestock farming by purchasing two young bulls worth Shs1,500,000, supplementing the PDM grant with Shs500,000 from her personal savings earned through farming.
With dedication and proper care, the bulls matured into strong oxen. She then began hiring them out to fellow farmers for ploughing services, creating a reliable source of income.
Through disciplined saving, Namulondo was able to purchase her own ox plough, further expanding her farming enterprise.
The additional income has enabled her to meet her family’s daily needs, including paying school fees for her children, demonstrating the positive impact of the Parish Development Model on household incomes and livelihoods.
Namulondo expressed her gratitude to the Government of Uganda and President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni for introducing the Parish Development Model. She said the programme has significantly improved her family’s standard of living and created opportunities for sustainable economic growth.
Her story illustrates how strategic investment, combined with government support, can empower rural households to build resilient livelihoods and achieve greater financial independence.
The author, Mr. Michael Waiswa Baluye, is the ONC Coordinator for Buyende District.
At least 28 youths have been arrested in Iganga District during a police operation targeting illegal drug use and related criminal activity in parts of the municipality and surrounding areas.
The operation was carried out in Bikadho Zone and Bugumba ‘A’ in Iganga Municipality, together with Bulubandi Central ‘B’ in Nakigo Sub-county, following repeated complaints from residents about rising cases of disorder, theft and violent conduct allegedly linked to drug abuse.
Police said officers recovered pieces of suspected marijuana during the raids, which were later recorded as exhibits to aid investigations.
According to security officials, the targeted areas had increasingly become a concern for both local leaders and residents, who accused some youths of engaging in drug consumption, street violence and nighttime disturbances that have affected businesses and public safety.
Authorities noted that the crackdown is part of ongoing district-wide operations aimed at dismantling illegal drug networks and discouraging substance abuse among young people.
Police added that investigations are ongoing to determine whether some of the suspects were connected to the distribution and sale of narcotics within the affected communities.
The suspects remain in custody as they await screening and possible prosecution under Uganda’s narcotics laws.
Security agencies have since pledged to sustain similar operations in other parts of Iganga to address what officials describe as a growing drug problem among urban youth.
