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PROTEST VOTE: Politics shapes the taxes you pay ­– NUP’s Jamal Mukuve tells Bukooli North

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PROTEST VOTE: Politics shapes the taxes you pay ­– NUP’s Jamal Mukuve tells Bukooli North

In his quest to become the next Member of Parliament for Bukooli North in Bugiri district, Jamal Mukuve Ayagalachi, a leader of the National Unity Platform (NUP) in Busoga region, has encouraged members of the business community in Kapyanga Sub County to participate in the politics of the country because it directly affects them.

“I want to remind you that politics, which you are avoiding, shapes the taxes you pay, the markets you operate in, and the opportunities you get. I want you to step into political spaces—not as observers, but as decision-makers,” Mukuve told mourners at a burial in Kagali village, Kapyanga Sub County.

At another burial ceremony in Bukonde, Namayemba Town Council, to bid farewell to Jennifer Kafuko, who succumbed to cancer, Mukuve lamented that Ugandans die due to the lack of radiation machines at the Uganda Cancer Institute; President Yoweri Museveni and his regime found it appropriate to award MPs with Shs100 million each—money that could have saved countless lives.

“This is no longer just about politics—it’s about life and death. I urge you to cast a protest vote—not out of anger alone, but out of purpose and clarity. Ask yourselves, are your leaders there for personal gain or for you?”

In Muwayo Town Council, Mukuve reminded the community that a whole parish of over 10,000 people is given Shs100 million—as a loan—while one MP receives Shs100 million as a gift, despite already earning a salary. What kind of leadership places one individual above 10,000 citizens? he wondered. This is the injustice we must end, he vowed.

He called on the people in Bukoli North to vote for leaders who stand with the common person and reject selfish leadership. “We should embrace a future built on justice, equity, and people-centred governance,” he said, urging people to vote for him as area MP and Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu as President of Uganda in 2026.

EXPLAINED: how political organisations become criminal organisations – the case of uganda’s National Resistance Movement, PART II

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EXPLAINED: how political organisations become criminal organisations – the case of uganda’s National Resistance Movement, PART II

By Oweyegha-Afunaduula

Is National Resistance Movement (NRM) a Criminal Organisation?

As pointed out above, politics and crime can be and are frequently intertwined. When this is the case political organisations and criminal organisations are also intertwined with complex networks. In this article I aver that the National Resistance Movement (NRM) in Uganda sas a criminal organisation. I, therefore, want to detail how NRM in Ugandaemerged as a criminal organisation during its days in the bushes of Luwero, and persisted and perfected itself as such during the long reign of President Tibuhaburwa Museveni in what appears to have been family rule. I assert that before and after it captured political power in Kampala it was itself captured by criminals, who used it to protect and advance their interests at the expense of Uganda and its indigenes.

Ugandans will remember that when the NRM Supremo, Tibuhaburwa Museveni opened up to multiparty politics and offered himself for electoral politics, the illegal bush war organisation, NRM, was registered as a political party under the name National Resistance Movement Organisation (NRMO) to legally participate in local council, parliamentary and presidential elections of 2006. However, the owners of NRM preferred to remain NRM rather than adopt the registered name, NRMO). In other words, the party, NRMO, was rejected for the illegal NRM. The illegal NRM, with its armed wing called National Resistance Army (NRA), is what reigned havoc in the bushes of Luwero against the Uganda Peoples Congress regime between 1981 and 1985. The political and the military combined as political military to commit a lot of crimes, including killings and robberies of banks, cooperative unions,cooperative societies,Uganda Cooperative Transport Union (UCTU), Uganda Cooperative Bank and Uganda Commercial Bank.According to the severally incarcerated Dr Kiiza Besigye, a bush war hero, 500,000 people were killed in the Luwero Triangle. Ultimately, most cooperative unions and societies collapsed and their money and properties disappeared in thin air. UCTU, Uganda Cooperative Bank and Uganda Commercial Bank were sold off but the proceeds were not publicly announced.

The NRM/NRA was refugee-heavy, meaning that many of the crimes were committed because the refugee fighters had no blood relations with any indigenous group of Ugandans in the Luwero Triangle. While it was said many went back to Rwanda and Mulenga in Eastern DRC many remained, and even occupying high positions in government, army, intelligence services, police and prisons as well as para-military groups. They raided banks, cooperative unions and cooperative societies in and outside the Luwero Triangle and stole money and properties.  They ransacked the industries of Jinja in Busoga and stole even equipment of some industries. It was claimed that some were ferried to Rwanda.

Many refugees continued to belong to NRM/A. Even if the NRM and NRA became separate institutions they maintained their umbilical cord.  During the NRM/A’s making of the Uganda Constitution 1995 between 1991 and 1994, many refugees participated in the exercise. Their interests were taken care of by the constitutional draft ascribing all power and authority to the President, knowing fully well that the reigning President did not belong to any indigenous group of Uganda. They even made Banyarwanda anew indigenous group of Uganda, which the British colonial government and the succeeding post-colonial governments never did. This was criminal since it created a leeway for refugees in power in Kampala to unfairly access opportunities, resources, nationality, citizenship and sovereignty of Uganda. This created a superior “indigenous” group. This was criminal because an exogenously oriented group was constitutionally stealing the nationality, citizenship and sovereignty of Uganda. Besides, since the people set to dominate the socio-political, socio-economic, socio-cultural and ecological-biological spaces were ethnically related to them, an advantage was being created for them constitutionally, which was criminal. Therefore, the domination of every sector of the economy of Uganda by people belonging to the new constitutionally created indigenous with ecological, biological, cultural and physical attachment to the land explains the inequities and injustices reigning today in every sphere of human endeavour and the apartheid-like governance, which now predominates in Uganda. 

Although the Uganda Constitution 1995 converted NRA to Uganda Peoples Defense Forces (UPDF), President Tibuhaburwa Museveni wished it had remained NRA, arguing it was historical. However, in practice it is NRA. Trillions of Shillings have been spent since celebrating what is called liberation of Uganda, which is just concealment of the crimes of Luwero Triangle.

The Army and Uganda police, personnel exchange is pursued as normal yet it iscriminal. The Uganda Police is now military-heavy from top to bottom. They have committed crimes either jointly or separately on a continues basis. This has been the case especially in pre-electoral and electoral times, but also in post-electoral times, since 1996. Even if the President knows the propensity of committing crimesis high in these institutions, and in makeshift institutions, such as JATT, hehas disguised the crimes by repeatedly ascribing every crime to the Opposition. In fact, for 40 years, he has continuously referred to the politicians in the Opposition as criminals, even publicly declaredthat he can never hand power to the criminals (Opposition politicians). Even then he regularly organises elections every five years since 1996, which he knows he can never allow the Opposition politicians to win. He single-handedly erects electoral commissions to supervise the elections, but has severally claimed that the electoral commissions have been conniving with the Opposition to steal his votes. One time he claimed that the National Unity Platform of Kyagulanyi Ssentamu connived with the Justice Byabakama Electoral Commission to steal 1,000,000 votes of his, adding that he had concreate evidence of the electoral theft. Besides, way back in 1997, while campaigning in Seeta, Mukono, the President declared that a mere piece of paper (the ballot paper) cannot remove him from power. He added that he is like a quarter pin of a bicycle, which goes in by knocking and comes out by knocking.

Retrenchment of Government Workers

One of the main criminal acts of the NRM/A regime was to retrench what it called deadwood (the old government workers), most of who were never compensated and died from pressure and hypertensions. The NRM/A regime reasoned that it was removing dead wood (the old) to create a small, efficient workforce. Many of their dependants also died because they had no people to provide for them. It was disguised genocide. Apparently soon after the workforce shot up supersonically, with most new workers belonging to the new indigenous group I mentioned above. Those who retrenched the old of yesterday are the old of today, many in their 70s and 80s and are doing everything possible to die in their positions in government. They will not let the young people to replace them. Meanwhile they pay themselves and those they select to lead government institutions astronomical salaries. Ugandans with the required qualifications, expertise and experience are paid peanuts, thereby casting them as if they are slaves of the others who do not have the requisite qualifications, expertise or experience but occupy top positions in the country. This is, of course, criminal.

Criminal Sale of Public Enterprises

Another criminal act was for the NRM/A functionaries to star firms, which never paid taxes. Yet another was the sale of public enterprises, at peanut prices, that ended up being owned by some of the key elements in the NRM/A. They used Indians as fronts. Once owned by them, they stopped paying taxes, or unfairly paid little taxes, and the rest of Ugandans and their firms paid heavy taxes. Nobody, except those who sold public enterprises, knows where the proceeds from the sale of public enterprises vanished to. However, what is known is that many of them became stinkingly rich and declared that the poor will never rule Uganda. Virtually all the hotels that belonged to Uganda Hotels were sold. Many new hotels were established by the big wig the NRM/A (read NRM/UPDF). There isevidence that they either pay little or no taxes to the Uganda treasury. Most of the new hotels belong to members of the first family a few families. One school of thought believes tht with the private-public partnership, one cannot rule out the possibility that a lot of public money is invested in hotels and other enterprises owned by individuals in the NRM regime or their spouses and/or children.

For God and My Country

Further Reading

Alberto Alesina and Salvatore Piccolo and Paolo Pinotti (2017). Organized Crime, Violence, and Politics. Scholars at Havard. https://scholar.harvard.edu/files/alesina/files/app_10_18_17.pdf Visited on 14 April 2025 at 09:29.

Madzima, Jackson (2009). The politics of organised crime in Africa. Institute for Security Studies, 30 October 2009.https://issafrica.org/iss-today/the-politics-of-organised-crime-in-africa Visited on 14 April 2025 at 11:04 am EAT

Marco Di Cataldo, Nicola Mastrorocco, Organized Crime, Captured Politicians, and the Allocation of Public Resources, The Journal of Law, Economics, and Organization, Volume 38, Issue 3, November 2022, Pages 774–839, https://doi.org/10.1093/jleo/ewab015

Shaw, Mark (2019).Organized Crime and Criminal Networks in Africa. Politics, 23 May 2019 https://doi.org/10.1093/acrefore/9780190228637.013.742https://oxfordre.com/politics/display/10.1093/acrefore/9780190228637.001.0001/acrefore-9780190228637-e-742?d=%2F10.1093%2Facrefore%2F9780190228637.001.0001%2Facrefore-9780190228637-e-742&p=emailAupnBmRrr5jdI Visited on 14 April 2025 at 11:25 am EAT

Skarbek, D. The political economy of criminal governance. Public Choice 200, 1–24 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11127-024-01147-3https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11127-024-01147-3#citeas Visited on 14 April 2025 at 09:27 am EAT

Stephen Ellis and Mark Shaw (2015). Does Organised crim exist in Africa? African Affairs, 1–24 Published 17 August 2015.

Oweyegha-Afunaduula is a member of Centre for Critical Thinking and Alternative Analysis

NEW DATES: Electoral Commission adjusts Voters’ Register display dates

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NEW DATES: Electoral Commission adjusts Voters’ Register display dates

The Electoral Commission (EC) released a roadmap to display the National Voters Register scheduling the exercise to commence on 17th April 2025 and end on 8th May 2025, however, there has been a change. The Commission on Tuesday announced that this exercise has been rescheduled and will now commence on 25th April 2025 and conclude on 15th May 2025.

Similarly, the display of the Voters Registers for Special Interest Groups (Youths, Persons with Disabilities and Older Persons) which was earlier scheduled to commence on 17th April until 28th April, 2025 has also been rescheduled and will now commence on 25th April and conclude on 8th May 2025.

Further, the display period for the recommendations on inclusions and deletions, if any, from the respective Parish Tribunals in line with Section 26(2) of the Act will now run from Friday, 16th May, 2025 to Monday, 26th May, 2025 at the respective parishes countrywide.

The Electoral Commission appealed to all stakeholders in the electoral process to participate in the display of the Voters Register and follow the guidelines that will be issued for the exercise being conducted in preparation for the 2025/2026 General Elections.

The Electoral Commission is mandated under Article 61 (1)(e) of the Constitution of the Republic of Uganda, 1995, and Sections 18 and 20 of the Electoral Commission Act (Cap 176) to compile, maintain, revise, and update the National Voters Register, and further display the compiled and updated register in accordance with Section 26 of the said Act.

BOOTS ON GROUND: Ruling NRM releases roadmap for primary and structure elections

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BOOTS ON GROUND: Ruling NRM releases roadmap for primary and structure elections

The ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) political and electoral roadmap 2025-26 has been released by the Secretary-General, Richard Todwong, at the party headquarters in Kampala.

The Secretary-General told a press conference that the program will begin next week on April 24th with the expression of interest and nomination for party structure elections at the village level and LC1 Chairperson.

Meanwhile, a group of over 500 youth in Gulu City say they are ready to campaign for the NRM and President Yoweri Museveni in the coming elections due to his endeavours of uplifting the population out of poverty.

In a meeting held yesterday by the NRM Secretary General in Gulu city, the group pledged utmost loyalty to President Museveni for empowerment policies like the Parish Development Model and Emyooga to boost incomes.

“We intend to advance the NRM agenda of socio-economic transformation through the ‘musevenomics’ leadership approach, which blends foresight, regional integration, peaceful coexistence, stability and pragmatic development.”

Todwong asked the cadres to live exemplary lives because many look up to them. ‎”A good cadre preaches love, social order, harmony and hard work to contribute to the nation’s growth and development without blame games,” Todwong said, as he commended the group for engaging in wealth creation through their SACCO.  

ANOTHER ONE: Kadaga wins Africa Good Governance award in Morocco

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ANOTHER ONE: Kadaga wins Africa Good Governance award in Morocco

The First Deputy Prime Minister of Uganda and Minister for East African Community Affairs, Rebecca Alitwala Kadaga, has won an international award in Morocco for her efforts to empower women in Uganda, Africa, and the world.

“Proud recipient of the Africa Good Governance award for my work in women’s emancipation and parliamentary stewardship, transparency, integrity, and accountability,” Kadaga, also the Woman Member of Parliament for Kamuli district, shared the good news on X.

Kadaga said she was ‘humbled by the recognition accorded to me as recipient of the Africa award for Good Governance from the Heritage Times of London.’  She dedicated the award to her electorate in Kamuli, FIDA Uganda, and to members of parliament in the 7th, 8th, 9th, and 10th parliaments of Uganda.

Others on Kadaga’s dedication list are the CWP (Africa) and (International) and IPU, ‘where we broke barriers in Women’s Representation in decision making.’

The award ceremony was held at the Savoy Hotel, Marrakesh, Morocco, on April 12, 2025.  The AfriHeritage Awards celebrated visionary leaders whose commitment to people-centered governance continues to inspire.

IRON SHEETS SCANDAL: Anti-Corruption Court calls for independent examination of Nandutu’s health  

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IRON SHEETS SCANDAL: Anti-Corruption Court calls for independent examination of Nandutu’s health  

Former State Minister for Karamoja Affairs Agnes Nandutu should undergo an independent medical examination at Mulago National Referral Hospital, the Anti-Corruption Court has ordered.

The ruling was made by Justice Jane Okuo Kajuga after court received conflicting claims about Nandutu’s health.

Nandutu failed to take the stand to defend herself against allegations of being in possession of government-owned iron sheets meant for vulnerable youth (Karacunas) in the Karamoja sub-region.

Nandutu is among several high-profile figures implicated in the infamous Karamoja iron sheets scandal that rocked the government last year.

According to prosecution, dozens of iron sheets intended for humanitarian relief efforts in Karamoja were illegally diverted and later recovered from various government officials’ homes — including Nandutu’s.

In court, her legal team claimed the former minister was in poor health and unfit to proceed with her defense, citing severe breathing complications. However, the prosecution presented a contradicting medical report indicating that Nandutu was physically stable and capable of attending court proceedings.

Frustrated by the inconsistencies, Justice Kajuga criticized Nandutu’s lawyers for what she called “a lack of seriousness and professionalism,” and dismissed their request for a private audience to explain the minister’s medical condition.

“This court cannot proceed on speculation. We need verified, independent medical findings,” the judge ruled.

As a result, the court ordered Nandutu to be evaluated at Mulago National Referral Hospital and instructed both her and her legal team to return on May 5th, 2025, with the official report in hand. The case will proceed with the defense hearing based on the results of this examination.

UNETHICAL WEALTH: How immoral money is used to buy indigenes off their land

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UNETHICAL WEALTH: How immoral money is used to buy indigenes off their land

By Oweyegha-Afunaduula

The key issues in this article are indigenes, land, unethical money and immoral money. Le me say something about each of these right away.

Indigenes

Indigenes are people who have biologically, culturally, ecologically and historically belonged to and owned a particular piece of land and environment as a community for centuries. Their culture, emotions, psychology, ethics, ecospirituality, morality and philosophy of life are shaped in relation to their land.

By owning the land, they also own the natural aboveground and belowground resources, including water, fish, plants, energy resources, food resources and minerals thereof. They have sacred places on the land, including burial grounds, which may have existed for centuries.

They organise themselves in families, extended families and clans, which may interconnect with others of the same kind in other families, extended families and clans of the same king. They till the land for survival and sow characteristic crops and also use certain plants to ensure thei health security.  They are unlike people who belong to the nomadic-pastoral energy system, came from elsewhere and are not attached to the land but the cow.

Land

Land is many things in one. Land is the part of the earth’s surface that is not covered by water. It is a composite of soil, water, air, biodiversity and minerals, interacting to provide goods and services that benefit humans and sustain ecosystem functions.

Unethical money

Unethical money refers to money acquired or used in ways that respect moral principles or ethical standards often involving actions such as corruption, exploitation, fraud or unfair business practices. However, the boundary between unethical money and immoral money is thin.

Immoral money

Immoral money generally refers to money earned through illegal or unethical means suchas through prostitution, corruption or other activities, or money used to support such activities. In Uganda, public money is frequently allocated to projects and businesses that are evidently corrupt and anti-country or anti- Ugandans, which is immoral.

Unethical money and Immoral money may be jointly referred to as Black Money. Black money includes all funds earned through illegal activity and otherwise legal income that is not recorded for tax purposes.

Black money proceeds are usually received in cash from underground economic activity and, as such, are not taxed. Recipients of black money must hide it, spend it only in the underground economy, or attempt to give it the appearance of legitimacy through money laundering (Will Kenton, 2024).

In this article, I include, under black money, money extorted by the Executive from Parliament through the ruling party caucus in Parliament and used in deals that are unlikely to benefit the public but select individuals or firms, or which ends up being used in political schemes such as elections.

I also include, under Black Money, money earned from the immoralNyege Nyege music and arts festival in Uganda (Abaho, 2023) because there is no transparency and accountability for the money obtained, although it hotly defended by the Minister for East African Cooperation and the President of Uganda.

Unethical money and immoral money are earned by both unethical and immoral people who do not value ethics and morality of anything and are quick to employ unethical and immoral ways and means of accumulating the money. Often such people are unscrupulous and shameless and do not care what others say so long as they continue to accumulate money unethically and immorally at the expense of society.  Apparently, the unscrupulous and shameless people are very greedy people too.  Greed is the immediate love and desire for riches and earthly possessions. They are intertwined with the State and politics, and will do everything possible to exclude others from the leadership and governance of Uganda.

I have written about Mafias in Uganda, engaged in power struggles, business, money- sharking, money laundering, and other human activities such as racketeering, gambling, prostitution, fraud. drug-trafficking, human trafficking, organ trafficking and extortion. The money they get is both unethical and immoral and is used to achieve unethical and immoral goals and/or emotions. However, increasingly non-mafias looking to become rich in unethical and immoral means are also involved in thse activities.

The immoral and unethical activity I want to focus on is land grabbing where by unethical and immoral moy is being used by people of power or connected to power and often armed to buy indigenes from their land and at peanuts. Many of them are high ranking in the government, the army and the increasingly militarised policemen. Apparently, the people are too poor to resist the money, often given to them forcibly and quickly removed from the land.

Buying people off their land has so far been mainly in the central region of Uganda. However, currently people of the nomadic-pastoral human energy system and with a lot of money and armed are bust grabbing land in Northern Uganda.  Indigenes in Acholi and West Nile are very annoyed. They expected development, but instead they are reaping land grabbing, sometimes involving killing of the local landowners.

What has perplexed the people is that their cries for justice over land has been received by the silence of the government. They are now saying they will not give votes to President Tibuhaburwa Museveni until he removes the nomadic pastoralists from their land and he begins to show evidence of taking development to their area.

Like in the times of Biblical Prophet Amos in the 8th Century BC, when there was great prosperity, notable religious piety and apparent security, all of which were fed on exacerbated injustice and oppression, in Musevenite times in Uganda, the poor and needy are being oppressed through land grabbing and excessive taxation. Religious observance is insecure and security is more apparent than real. People lose their land and properties easily to the unethical and immoral either in power or connected to power, especially ethnically. Leadership and governance is becoming more and more confusing and geared towards power retention that assuring the people of good leadership and good governance. It is not rare to posit political parties with linkages to power to compete for power alongside the ruling party and the known political parties seeking to provide alternative leadership and governance of and in the country. Injustice, chaos and violence are on the rise as exemplifies by the recent by-election in North Kawempe elections whereby state cushioned criminals were protected by power even when there was evidence that those who reigned havoc belonged to the official terrorising group called JATTI. Billions of unethical and immoral money was spent during that by-election in North Kawempe Constituency.  One wonders how much more unethical and immoral money will be use in the 2026 elections. Political corruption is real although it is hardly mentioned in Uganda.Immoral money and political influence moved together in Italy, France and Germany in 19th and 20th centuries. This has been the case in Uganda since 1996.

There is no evidence that the use of unethical money and immoral money in elections and in land grabbing is about to decrease. So long as political ethnisation, ethnic politicisation and abetting of some illegal activities by power continue, it is unlikely that we shall see less use of immoral money and unethical money in politics and land grabbing, let alone in acquiring certain properties and opportunities or excluding some Ugandans from properties and opportunities for self-aggrandisement of some people, including foreigners.

If we continue like this, Ugandans will have to forget about belonging, ownership, identity, independence, citizenship, sovereignty and nationality. There is a growing school of thought, which holds that the indigenes of Uganda are now third-rate citizens, now being displaced and dispossessed from thei land and everything they called their own.

For God and My Country

Further Reading

deMilked (2024). 25 Unethical Money-Making Strategies that Remain Within Legal Boundaries. https://www.demilked.com/unethical-legal-money-making-ways/ Visited on 7 April 2025 at 14:14 pm EAT.

Erminio Fonzo (2018).  Immoral Money in Italy During World War! The case of Ansaldo.  Researchgate, June 2018. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/325553924_Immoral_money_in_Italy_during_World_War_I_The_case_of_Ansaldo Visited on 7 April 2025 at 14:38 pm. EAT.

He, Z., Lin, W., & He, G. (2024). Immoral money aggravates myopia in intertemporal investment decision-making. Journal of Pacific Rim Psychology, 18. https://doi.org/10.1177/18344909241293834https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/18344909241293834 Visited on o7 April 2025 at 14:05 pm EAT.

Sheillah Abaho (2024). Uganda Government prefers money over morality. D+C 9Development and Cooperation),  November 11 2023https://www.dandc.eu/en/article/although-many-consider-nyege-nyege-festival-uganda-immoral-government-supports-profitable  Visited on 7 April 2025 at 15.00 pm EAT 

Sorravich Kingsuwankul, Marie Claire Villeval (2021). Risk Taking with unethical Money: An Experimental Study. Gate, May 2021. https://www.gate.cnrs.fr/RePEc/2021/2109.pdf Visited on 7 April 2025 at 14:19 pm EAT.

Will Kenton (2024). What is Black Money? Meaning, Definition and Criticism. Investopedia, July 17 2024.

REGIME OF SCANDALS: These mafia-type of scandals will remain the topmost highlights of the NRM rule: 1986 to present

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REGIME OF SCANDALS: These mafia-type of scandals will remain the topmost highlights of the NRM rule: 1986 to present

By Oweyegha-Afunaduula

 Uganda has been oscillating in the pack of the 36 worst-ranked and has on average been among the 24 most corrupt in the world over the past 12 years (Nafula, 2024).The Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) 2023 underscores the gravity of the situation, ranking Uganda 141st out of 180 countries, with a score of only 26. The CPI evaluates the perceived levels of public sector corruption globally, using a scale where zero indicates a highly corrupt state and 100 signifies a very clean on (Kisakye, 2024).

In the last 10 years, big time scandals reflect a persistent pattern of corruption and misuse of public resources, undermining trust in public institutions and highlighting the need for more effective anti-corruption measures in Uganda (Char News, 2024).

According to the Inspectorate of Government, Uganda loses approximately Shs 10 trillion annually due to corruption-related activities. This pervasive vice has eroded trust in the government, diminished infrastructure, caused delays in project implementation, discouraged investments, compromised social service delivery, and, in severe cases, resulted in loss of life (Kisakye, 2024).

Some Scandals involving billions of shillings, such as the coffee deal scandal and the Vinci Lubowa Hospital scandal have involved President Tibuhaburwa Museveni and his NRM Parliamentary Caucus, causing billions of shillings to be siphoned off through Parliament at the expense of social development.

Sometimes the President has just been tricked by mafia-like people such as Nelson Tugume, who used the President to secure 21 billion shillings in the Coffee deal, which he then diverted to his own coffee factory, Inspire Africa Coffee in Ntungamo (Kim Aine, 2024).The funds taken by Tugume for his private coffee enterprise is almost higher than the 2023/2024 financial year budget (Shs 22bn) which the government allocated to cater for the allowances of medical interns and senior house officers across Uganda (Kim Aine, 2024). Apparently, Daily Monitor reported on March 19 2025 that the Factory was being boosted by Shs 179 billion, of course with the central role of the President of Uganda and his NRM Parliamentary caucus in the Parliament of Uganda. Given the way Nelson Tugume was able to convince the President to invest large sums of public money in his factory, away from social development of Ugandans, suggested there might be some big names, other than the inconspicuous Tugume, in the Ntungamo coffee factory, sucking public money in an otherwise private enterprise. The Ugandan public is already convinced that the Ntungamo Coffee project is a brewing scandal (Javira Ssebwami, 2025),with the Parliamentary Caucus and President Tibuhaburwa Museveni at its centre.

It will be extremely difficult to fight corruption of every conceivable in Uganda because some openly corrupt deals are immunised by presidential and parliamentary political approval of a Parliament dominated by the NRM Caucus.

One time President Vladmir Putin of Russia said those who fight corruption should themselves be clean. Zero Tolerance to Corruption was President Tibuhaburwa Museveni’s clarion call to fight corruption. Just like he does not refer to the Ten Point Programme as frequently as he used to, he hardly mentionsZero Tolerance to Corruption. Scandals are on the rise. Because it now known the Italian Mafia have penetrated the Ugandan economy, there is no doubt that the Mafia are involved in the robbery chain of Uganda, many times officially.

The case of ghost pensioners to the tune of 24,000 ghost pensioners, which has attracted investigations by the Inspector General of Government (IGG), is not unlike ghost workers in many government institutions. Apparently, the failure of the Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOs). to give a definitive census figure of the population of Uganda, does not augur well for elections in Uganda. It opens the gateway for election scandals in the 2026 Presidential, Parliamentary and Council elections. The Chairman of the Uganda Electoral Commission says the Commission is going to use the 2014 census data while its own register of voters has fewer voters than the register of the NRM members of 20 million or so.

Below are some of the big-time scandals that have, since 1986 when the NRM/A captured the instruments of power through the barrel of the gun, sucked public money away from the social development of Ugandans. Development. Virtually all of them have involved people that take themselves as big weights in the National Resistance Movement (NRM). Clearly, the NRM has extremely few people who can help the country to fight corruption because as Muniini K. Mulera (2024) says corruption is an evil that nourishes the NRM’s rule in Uganda.

The Chain of Scandals in Uganda Since 1986.

Junk Land rovers/Santana UPDF 1988.

UPDF UGX 24 billion Procurement Scandal, Ministry of Defense 1990s

Tax Evasion scandal by President Museveni’s firm – DANZE 1996

Plunder of the Resources of the Democratic Republic of Congo by UPDF soldiers -1997-1998

Sale of Uganda Commercial Bank Scandal – Salim Saleh Akandwanaho.1998

The Theft of UPDF Salaries totalling UGX 1.9 billion, Captain Dan Byakutaga.2000.

The Ghost Soldiers Saga UPDF 2003

Valley Dams Scandal UGX 3,5 billion Former Vice President and Minister of Agriculture, Specioza Wandira Kazibwe, 2003

Global Fund/Gavi Fund Scandal: Jim Muhwezi, Mike Mukula, Alex Musinguzi, 2005.

Katosi Road Scandal (2013/2014)

Junk Chopper Scandals 2000, 2015,

Pension Scam -24,000 ghost pensioners.

Chogm Scandal Former Vice-President Gilbert Balibaseka Bukenya 2007

NSSF UGX 2.7 billion scandal -Former NSSF Managing Director, David Chandi Jamwa, 2009

Ministry of Public Service Scandal 2010

OPM PRDP Scandal Kazinda Former Accountant General, OPM Office 2011.

NSSF-Temangalo Land Scandal Amama Mbabazi, Amos Nzeyi, 2008

Local Council (LC!) Bicycle UGX 4.2 billion Procurement 2014.

ELECTION SCANDALS (SINCE 1996)

Office of Prime Minister Refugee Cash Scandal (2018).

OPM Covid 19 Cash Mismanagement Scandal 2020)

Lubowa Specialised Hospital (2019 and Ongoing) Enrica Pinetti and President Tibuhaburwa Museveni

Vinci Coffee Deal Scandal -Enrica Pinetti and President Tibuhaburwa Museveni

NSSF Scandal Minister of Gender Vs NSSF Top Management UX 6 billion scandal

Uganda National Budget Scandals

Ntungamo Coffee Project Scandal 2025.

For God and My Country

Further Reading

Black Money Newsletter, Issue 14 2014. Uganda Action Aid. 28 Years of Corruption? Citizens Action Against Theft of Our Money Without Shame.https://uganda.actionaid.org/sites/uganda/files/14th_edition_black_monday_newsletter.pdf Visited on 06 April 2025 at 13:15 pm.

Charmar News(2024). Here are Uganda’s Biggest Scandals of the past ten Years. Charmar News, August 28, 2024. https://charmarnews.com/here-are-ugandas-biggest-corruption-scandals-of-the-past-ten-years/ Visited on 06 April 2025 at 14:03 pm EAT.

Chemonges, Timothy (2022). President Museveni defends Uganda Vinci Coffee Deal. Parliament Watch, June 8 2022.https://parliamentwatch.ug/news-amp-updates/president-museveni-defends-the-vinci-coffee-deal/ Visited 06 April 2022 at 15:24 pm EAT.

Daily Monitor (2013). High Profile Corruption Scandals Registered Under NRM. Daily Monitor, February 23 2013https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/high-profile-corruption-scandals-registered-under-nrm-1536538 Visited on 06 April 2025 at 13:20 pm EAT

Damali Mukhaye (2025). Shs 179 billion boost to private coffee factory sparks public outcry. Daily Monitor, March 19 2025.

Derrick Kiyonga (2023). How Corruption Scandals Have Bedevilled NRM govt Over the Years. Daily Monitor, May 21 2023. https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/magazines/people-power/how-corruption-scandals-have-bedevilled-nrm-govt-over-the-years-4241292 Visited on 06 April 2025 at 13:09 pm EAT.

Frank Kisakye (2024). How Corruption Became a Billion Dollar Industry. The Observer, May 28 2024.https://observer.ug/news/how-corruption-became-a-billion-dollar-industry/ Visited on 06 April 2025 at 14:12 pm EAT.

JANE NAFULA (2024). Uganda Lost Shs 30 billion to Corruption in FY 2023-2024 – Say IGG. Daily Monitor, September 09 2024. https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/uganda-lost-shs30b-to-corruption-in-fy2023-24-says-igg-4755738 Visited on 06 April 2025 at 13:40 pm

Javira Ssebwami (2025). Brewing Scandal: Government faces heat over controversial Ntungamo Coffee Project. PML Daily, March 19 2025

Kim Aine (2024). Coffee Scandal: How Nelson Tugume tricked Museveni; diverted Shs 21 billion to Own Factory   in Ntungamo. Chimp Reports, January 25 2024.https://chimpreports.com/coffee-scandal-how-nelson-tugume-tricked-museveni-diverted-shs-21bn-to-own-factory-in-ntungamo/ Visited on 06 2025 at 15:31 pm EAT.

Kizito Simon Njaye (2023). Uganda’s Emerging Scandals or Sagas: Is it time for Government to walk the Talk on the total fight against corruption and graft? Linkedin, https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/ugandas-emerging-scandals-sagasis-time-government-walk-njaye/ Visited on 06 April 2025 at 14:31 pm EAT

Kristof Titeca (202). Who paid the price for Uganda’s refuge fraud scandal (and Who Didn’t? The New Humanitarian, Investigations, 7 December 2022.https://www.thenewhumanitarian.org/investigation/2022/12/07/Uganda-UNHCR-refugee-fraud-corruption Visited on 06 April 2025 at 14:24 pm EAT.

Muniini K. Mulera (2024). Corruption, An Evil that Nourishes the NRM’s Rule in Uganda. Pashion for Humanity, June 11 2024, https://blog.mulerasfireplace.com/engage/corruption-an-evil-that-nourishes-the-nrm-s-rule-in-uganda-22964 Visited on 06 April 2025 at 13:04 pm EAT.

Kalema, Stephen (2019). The Biggest Corruption Scandals in the History of Uganda. Watchdog,30 Nov 2019,https://www.watchdoguganda.com/news/20191130/83610/list-the-seven-biggest-corruption-scandals-in-the-history-of-uganda.html Visited on 06 April 2025 at 13:24 pm EAT.

Zawedde Senteza, Lilian (2024)  How corrupt was Uganda in 2023.  The Independent,February 7, 2024https://www.independent.co.ug/how-corrupt-was-uganda-in-2023/ Visited on 06 April 2025 at 13:50 pm EAT.

CANCER BREAKTHROUGH: Museveni applauds Dr. Magoola for securing U.S patent for cancer treatment

Sam Bamutaze Mwanjje
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CANCER BREAKTHROUGH: Museveni applauds Dr. Magoola for securing U.S patent for cancer treatment

President Yoweri Museveni has commended Ugandan scientist Dr. Mathias Magoola for securing a United States patent for cancer treatment, describing the achievement as a major milestone for Uganda’s scientific advancement.

The President made the remarks after meeting Dr. Magoola, the Founder and Managing Director of Dei BioPharma Ltd, at State House, Entebbe, where the scientist briefed him on the successful patent and his company’s ongoing efforts to manufacture life-saving drugs and vaccines.

“Dr. Magoola has developed medical solutions that not only target cancer but also offer treatment for HIV, and sickle cell disease,” President Museveni said.

On his part, Dr. Magoola informed President Museveni that the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) officially granted and published his patent on February 6, 2025.

He mentioned that the patent covers a novel cancer treatment developed over several years, using guided RNA attached to the Cas9 protein to target and destroy mutated genes responsible for cancer.

“This invention presents the first treatment of cancer using a guided RNA-Cas9 complex that disrupts mutated genes and prevents them from repairing, thereby killing the cancerous cells,” Dr. Magoola explained.

He added that unlike existing FDA-approved gene-editing therapies, his innovation is specifically tailored to treat all types and stages of cancer, without harming healthy cells.

He cited that this precision eliminates the severe side effects commonly associated with chemotherapy, antibody therapy, and radiation.

Dr. Magoola revealed that all manufacturing details for the product are complete, and that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requested an approval plan, which he will submit in the near future. Clinical trials are expected to begin before the end of the year.

“All details of the manufacturing of this product have been completed and are ready to go for testing,” he told the President.

Dr. Magoola emphasized that the innovation has both medical and humanitarian significance. With a projected global cancer burden of 35 million cases annually by 2030, his treatment designed to be simple and affordable offers hope to millions, especially in developing countries.

The invention, he noted, represents a potential $300bn market and will be produced at the upcoming multi-billion-dollar vaccine and drug manufacturing facility in Matugga, near Kampala.

“This invention is not just a scientific breakthrough, it is a humanitarian contribution aimed at eradicating cancer globally,” Dr. Magoola said.

REPRESENTATION: Busoga’s political dominance in cabinet: a betrayal of development amid power struggles?

Editorial
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REPRESENTATION: Busoga’s political dominance in cabinet: a betrayal of development amid power struggles?

By Daglous Bakinyumya

Busoga has long been a stronghold of the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM), producing some of Uganda’s most prominent political leaders. Today, the region boasts significant representation in cabinetand high stated positions, with several of its sons and daughters holding powerful ministerial positions. Yet, despite this political dominance, Busoga remains one of the lowdeveloping  regions in Uganda. The question on everyone’s lips is: What is not happening?

Political Power vs. Regional Development

On the surface, Busoga’s political influence within the government should translate into tangible development. The assumption is that having more leaders in key positions guarantees access to better infrastructure, education, healthcare, and economic opportunities for the region. However, reality tells a different story. Roads remain impassable, hospitals are underfunded, schools are in dire conditions, and unemployment is rampant. If political power is meant to serve the people, why is Busoga still lagging behind?

The presence of high-ranking officials from Busoga in cabinet such as  RebeccaKabaga ,  Justine  kasule Lumumba , LukiaNakadama , Moses AshimMagogo , MillyBabalanda and  many others  has not shielded the region from economic struggles. Instead, many leaders appear more preoccupied with personal ambitions, political rivalries, and internal power struggles than addressing the dire needs of their constituents. The competition for influence and position within the ruling party has taken precedence over the unified pursuit of development. The failure to prioritize Busoga’s progress raises serious concerns about whether these leaders truly represent the interests of their people or if they have become comfortable in their positions, disconnected from the struggles of the ordinary Musoga.

The Cycle of Political Loyalty and Neglect

Busoga has remained loyal to the NRM for decades, delivering overwhelming support in every election. In return, the region expected economic empowerment, better public services, and a fair share of the national cake. But what has been the reward for this unwavering support? The sad reality is that Busoga’s loyalty has not translated into meaningful transformation. Instead, the region continues to suffer from chronic poverty, youth unemployment, and underdevelopment, while other regions with far less political representation are making significant strides forward.

One must ask: Is Busoga being taken for granted? Has the government assumed that because Busoga votes overwhelmingly for NRM, there is no urgency to improve its living standards? Or have the region’s own leaders failed to demand more for their people?

A Call for Accountable Leadership

The people of Busoga must rise and demand accountability from their leaders. Political positions should not be viewed as personal achievements but as responsibilities to serve and uplift communities. It is not enough for politicians to attend high-profile meetings and make promises; their legacy should be measured by the impact they have on the ground.

The solution lies in shifting the focus from politics to service. The people of Busoga must challenge their leaders to deliver tangible results. Infrastructure must improve, industries must be established to create jobs, and education must be prioritized. Leaders must stop using their positions for self-preservation and instead use their influence to advocate for policies that directly benefit the people.

A Wake-Up Call to Busoga’s Leaders and the NRM

The time for empty promises is over. Busoga’s leaders must wake up and recognize that their legacy will not be defined by the number of years they serve in cabinet but by the difference they make in the lives of their people. If they continue to ignore the region’s development, history will judge them harshly.

At the same time, the ruling NRM must not take Busoga’s loyalty for granted. The region’s patience is wearing thin, and failure to deliver on key development projects may lead to a political shift in future elections. The government must take deliberate steps to address the economic and social challenges facing Busoga if it hopes to maintain the trust of its people.

Conclusion: The Choice is Ours

Busoga is at a crossroads. Will the region’s political leaders rise to the occasion and champion the development their people desperately need? Or will they continue to enjoy the privileges of power while their constituents remain trapped in poverty?

The people of Busoga must decide. They can either continue to tolerate broken promises or demand real change. The time for rhetoric is over. It is time for action. The leaders have the power, but the people have the voice. And that voice must be heard.

DaglousBakinyumya is Political TV Producer and TV Host – @BDouglasPaapa

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