As President Yoweri Museveni’s ongoing countrywide tour for economic assessment and mobilisation for the Parish Development Model (PDM) , the program has so far improved the livelihoods of many beneficiaries.
With the same intentions as of NAADS, ENTANDIKWA, OWC, EMYOGA the program is economically transforming the livelihood and improving household income.
It has also changed the mindset of the youths politically and economically by owning boda bodas and other businesses.
Whereas each beneficiary is meant to receive Shs.1,000,000/= many PDM SACCO leaders end up paying beneficiaries variation sums less than Shs.1,000,000/=. Others give false information that it is a thanksgiving offer from the President to the voters.
It is also observed that some PDM SACCO leaders pick rich people who pay kickbacks to be beneficiaries abusing the guidelines of the project.
As the President continues to tour districts, the government implementers of this project are planning to present non-beneficiaries of PDM to wash their faces, deceive the President that they have done a wonderful job for the program.
As monitors of this programme, we shall unearth their falsehoods and request the intended beneficiaries to report such people to the authorities.
Baluye is the ONC Coordinator for Buyende district
In a thrilling match at Kyabazinga Stadium, Bugembe, Busoga United secured their first win of the FUFA Big League season, defeating Ntugasaze FC 1-0.
The decisive goal came in the 62nd minute from Mugomba, marking a significant milestone for Busoga United.
This victory is particularly noteworthy as it ends a winless streak dating back to May of this year when they last triumphed over Express FC in the Uganda Premier League.
The win has propelled Busoga United to 13th position on the table, with a total of 8 points from 10 games played.
This marks a promising start for Busoga United as they strive to climb the league standings.
Elsewhere in the league, Blacks Power FC emerged victorious over Paidha Black Angels FC with a 2-0 win.
Booma FC suffered a 0-1 defeat to Buhimba Saints United, while Kataka FC edged out Onduparaka with a 2-1 victory.
In other matches, Kiyinda boys and Kigezi Homeboys played out a goalless draw.
The league action continues next weekend on December 15th, with several exciting fixtures lined up
These will include:
Buhimba vs Blacks Power
Myda vs Booma
Ntugasaze vs Arua Hill
Onduparaka vs Kaaro Karungi
Busoga United visits Gadaffi
As of today, the table standings is as follows:
1. Blacks Power – 19 points
2. Calvary – 17 points
3. Gadafi – 17 points
4. Buhimba – 15 points
5. Onduparaka – 15 points
6. Booma – 15 points
7. Paidha – 13 points
8. Kiyinda Boys – 13 points
9. Kataka – 13 points
10. Kigezi Homeboys 11 points
11. Kaaro Karungi – 9 points
12. Ntugasaze – 8 points
13. Busoga United – 8 points
14. Arua Hill – 7 points
15. Myda – 5 points
Busoga United’s victory comes just days before their official unveiling by the Kyabazinga of Busoga to the people of Busoga on December 15th.
This win serves as a morale booster as they prepare for their clash with the third-placed Gadaffi FC.
The anticipation is building for what promises to be an exciting match.
KAMPALA, Uganda – The race for the 2024/25 Startimes Uganda Premier League title took a dramatic turn on Match Day 11, as Vipers SC soared to the top of the standings, capitalizing on a draw for NEC FC, who slipped to second position.
Vipers solidified their claim to the summit with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Bright Stars, while NEC FC, who were previously perched atop the table, were held to a frustrating 1-1 draw by ten-man URA FC.
The result saw Vipers sail over NEC FC by a single point, with 24 points from 11 matches compared to NEC’s 23.
In a thrilling weekend of action, Express FC pulled off an impressive 1-0 win over KCCA FC at Lugogo, sending shockwaves through the league and further tightening the race at the top.
The victory propelled Express into fourth place, on level points with KCCA (19), who have now sits in the third position after the defeat.
Meanwhile, Wasswa Bossa’s Kitara FC provided the weekend’s most dominant display with an astonishing 6-0 drubbing of Asaph Mwebaze’s Mbale Heroes.
The win saw Kitara move further away from the relegation zone, while Mbale Heroes remain second from bottom, with just 8 points from 11 games.
At Muteesa II Stadium Wankulukuku, SC Villa and Lugazi FC played out an entertaining 1-1 draw, while in Western Uganda at Kakyeka grounds, Mbarara City’s struggles continued as they fell 3-0 to Maroons FC.
The result added to the woes of Mbarara, who are struggling to keep pace with the mid-table teams.Elsewhere, Abbey Bogere’s Bul FC lost 2-0 to UPDF FC, while Police FC bagged a crucial 2-1 win over Wakiso Giants to continue their steady climb up the table.
The latest round of results has had a significant impact on the league standings, with Vipers now leading the table, closely followed by NEC in second.
KCCA, Express, and others in the chasing pack will be looking to respond as the race for the 2024/25 title intensifies.
Standings after Match Day 11:
Vipers SC – 24 points
NEC FC – 23 points
KCCA FC – 19 points
Express FC – 19 points
Kitara FC – 16 points
Police FC – 16 points
Maroons FC – 16 points
UPDF FC – 16 points
Villa SC – 15 points
URA FC – 15 points
BUL FC – 8 points
Lugazi FC – 12 points
Mbarara city -12points
Kitara FC -11points
Wakiso giants – 9points
Mbale heroes – 8points
Bright Stars – 6points
With the league heating up, the battle for supremacy looks set to be an exciting one as the teams head into the next round of fixtures.
The ministry of health has announced that it will in 2025 start malaria vaccination in 105 districts as part of the ongoing Big Catch Up Campaign under the theme “Sustaining the Vaccines and Immunization Agenda in Media Narratives.”
Elizabeth Kaijuka, Public Health Specialist, told a media engagement that was organized by the ministry recently that the malaria vaccine is a 4 dose vaccine for adults. Children will receive their 1st dose at 6 months, 2nd at 7months, 3rd at 8 months and 4th dose at 18 months.
“The Malaria vaccine works hand in hand with other Malaria prevention interventions. When combined with other interventions, the burden of Malaria is reduced by 92%,” Kaijuka stated.
Kaijuka was providing an overview of the Malaria Vaccine Introduction into the routine immunization schedule in Uganda.
The Commissioner Health Promotion at the Ministry of Health, Dr. Richard Kabanda said immunization is the backbone of public health interventions.
The Commissioner Health Promotion at the Ministry of Health, Dr. Richard Kabanda has cautioned the public against indulging in reckless behavior especially sexual behaviour.
“During the festive season, youth and adults tend to indulge in sexual behavior, often times, recklessly. Make sure you use preventive measures,” Kabanda told journalists in Kampala.
Adding: “There are many innovations in place like the self test that can help you know yours and your partners status. Always endeavor to know your partners status and use protection.”
“During this season there is a lot of sex that happens, make sure you get the preventive measures. We need everyone safe,” he emphasized.
The ministry organized a media engagement to update journalists on the Big Catch Up Campaign, Commemoration of Expanded Program for Immunization and the introduction of the Malaria Vaccine into the routine immunization schedule in 2025.
Data received so far received for November shows that 88 districts have achieved above 90% coverage for the 2nd dose of Measles-Rubella vaccine in the ongoing Big Catch Up Campaign.
The ongoing Big Catch Up Campaign is held under the theme “Sustaining the Vaccines and Immunization Agenda in Media Narratives.” Kabanda said immunization is the backbone of public health interventions.
The minister of state for energy and mineral development (minerals), Phiona Nyamutoro, has the people of Namayingo district who want to get involved in mineral development to dully register with the ministry and get licensed so as to operate smoothly with government support.
She was speaking to the people o okrict, who are involved in illegal gold mining. She promised to sort out contention between the license holder of the area, Harmony resources LTD, and the local people through engagements to have both mineral rights and land rights harmonised for future cohesion of investments.
“For emphasis, illegal mining is culpable by the law and land rights are not mining rights. The Ministry is ready to support all miners that come forth through the legal process,” Nyamutoro said.
“I was encouraged to see the local people unite themselves in Bukooli, Namayingo Cooperative which we shall support to fully get licensed ,operate legally within the area as per the Mining Act 2022 and regulations,” she added.
Renewable energy enthusiasts, service providers, traders, dealers and experts from across Uganda converged in Kaliro district at the Busoga Olwekobaano and Energy Expo held in Kaliro district to showcase the best that there is to offer to the people of Busoga.
The Senior Presidential Advisor in charge of Poverty Alleviation in Busoga, Florence Mutyabule, used the occasion to ask government to invest in the promotion of renewable energy use initiatives in Busoga sub region.
“People promoting the use of renewable energy are getting small money from NGOs and private lenders but this is not sustainable. I ask government to intervene and invest in these initiatives to promote the use of renewable energy in Busoga and Uganda at large,” Mutyabule said.
As a presidential advisor on poverty alleviation in Busoga, I will take this issue to the respective offices and partners, she added. She was responding to the issue raised about the cost of training and skilling people in the use of renewable energy.
She encouraged the people of Kaliro and Busoga at large to use renewable energy because it is clean energy. When we use this renewable energy, it will help us to live healthy lives, she noted, adding, we have seen smoke affecting the health of women who cook with firewood.
She also called on the people of Busoga to participate in the use of renewable energy to eliminate and end energy poverty. “We should educate our people that there is solar, hydro, wind and nuclear energy, and that this energy is cheaper,” she stated.
Global trend – a transition
The President of Busoga Yaiffe, the organizer of Busoga Olwekobaano and Energy Expo, Dr Charles Mbalyohere, Busoga and Uganda should start promoting the use of renewable energy because it is the global trend.
He explained that the expo and the conference aimed at achieving this feat because people need to turn away from using fossil fuels – things like petrol and diesel – to more sustainable sources of energy.
“We expect people to take up renewable energy. People are getting more interested. The prices of renewable energy products are coming down and becoming more affordable.
“We are going to see a trend where people are turning away from cooking with firewood and charcoal to using eco-stoves and pressure cookers. More people are beginning to afford solar systems.
“You just need to have the right size of solar panels to provide you with lighting and other things like refrigeration. We are going to a direction where we talk about value added use; for example solar pumps for irrigation. So we are seeing a change.
“The main challenge is the cost for many people who are in the lowest category of income. We need to still bring the price down for everyone to be able to afford,” Mbalyohere said in an interview on the second day of the expo.
Resource center
In the same spirit of promoting renewable energy in Busoga, Mbalyohere is advocating for the creation of a resource center to be set up and well located in Kaliro town.
“You can equip that place with whatever is needed to demonstrate how to use this renewable energy. You can use this resource center as a springboard to go for outreaches and teach more people about renewable energy.
“Various stakeholders and service providers can use the place as an organizing platform to reach out to the community. You can gather research data using that place as a starting base. Government and other stakeholders can participate with Busoga Yaiffe taking the lead,” he explained.
Local gov’t participation
The Kaliro district Principal Assistant Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), Simon Peter Gabula, who represented his boss the CAO, expressed local government willingness to participate in promoting the use of renewable energy.
Gabula said local government can sensitize people through the relevant foras and at different administrative levels amongst the population. We can integrate this into our programs and bring people from different areas together with the aim of increasing the use of renewable energy, he said.
He added that local governments can demonstrate their commitment by investing in renewable energy directly. We can also reduce in the bureaucracy to promote the use of renewable energy, he remarked.
He noted that at a time when government is chasing people from swamps, solar powered irrigation systems can help farmers do agriculture out of the swamps; especially for those with capacity to get large scale irrigation.
Successful energy expo
To promote the use of renewable energy, various exhibitors were invited and were at hand to showcase their products during the three days. Revelers also strolled in big numbers to purchase, do window shopping and learning about renewable energy products or attend the conference.
“People have been coming to buy products because prices have been subsidized. We also had a conference were experts from different companies and organizations have talked about the use of renewable energy,”
“The message has been the same; let us change from using fossil energy. We have had the health camp. People have come to be treated for all sorts of illnesses. We have achieved what we set out to do. We have had a good turn up; better than what we had last year.”
The Government of Uganda has signed a contract with an Egyptian firm, SAMCO National Construction Company, to build a 20,000-seat Akii Bua Olympic Stadium in Lira City.
The stadium project will cost $129 million and is scheduled for completion within 20 months.
The contract signing ceremony took place at State House Nakasero on Friday, December 6, 2024, hosted by the First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Janet Museveni.
Muhammad Bbaale, the Accounting Officer of NCS, signed on behalf of the Government of Uganda and the National Council of Sports, while Engineer Ibrahim Abdelaziz Mahmoud Mabrouk signed for SAMCO National Construction Company. Solicitor General Pius Biribonwoha witnessed the signing.
During the ceremony, Janet Museveni handed over an 18.455-hectare land title for the stadium’s construction to Ambrose Tashobya, Chairperson of the National Council of Sports.
State Minister for Sports, Peter Ogwang, described the planned Akii Bua Stadium as a state-of-the-art facility in Lira City.
The complex will feature a 20,000-seat main stadium with an athletic track, training facilities with at least two changing rooms, a 2,000-seat multi-sport indoor stadium, a 25-meter semi-Olympic swimming pool, outdoor courts for basketball, netball, volleyball, and badminton, and a 1,000-vehicle parking facility.
The site will include comprehensive infrastructure: roads, utilities, ICT systems, a sewerage treatment plant, landscaping, perimeter fencing, and security systems. Additional facilities include a fully furnished clubhouse for stadium operations, a 60-room hostel, five sports pitches, and a borehole to reduce water maintenance costs.
Ogwang acknowledged that while President Museveni’s 2010 pledge to build the stadium for the people of Lango took time to materialize, it represents one of the NRM Government’s most significant achievements.
“To the people of Lango, I know you have been very impatient about this, but today the stadium is a reality, and we want full votes for NRM,” Ogwang said.
He expressed gratitude to Lira City and District’s local leadership for their support and urged the contractors to begin work promptly while adhering to the project timeline.
Ogwang requested that the First Lady and His Excellency the President formally commission the construction works.
The team is building an identity as a team of the kingdom but Busoga United has found itself in an undesirable sporting position due to poor run of results on the field of play – the team is winless in the eight games so far played in the Big League, managing five draws and three losses as of 6th December 2024. They sit in the fourteenth position on the fifteen-tem log (second from bottom).
To those with little faith, it looks like the team will need divine intervention for it to rise to the top and earn promotion to the topflight league – the Uganda Premier League (also known as the Super League). But the man charged with the running of the day to day administrative tasks of the team, Gulere Daniel, is full of optimism.
In this interview with Busoga Times’ Musa Kikuuno, Gulere expresses faith that things will come good and that Busoga United will play in the Super League next season. Below are excerpts of the interview – read on.
Please tell football fans in Busoga who Daniel Gulere is, what your role on the team is and what you bring on the table of Busoga United.
Gulere Daniel, also known as Sir Isabirye Gulere Daniel, as the current Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Busoga United, brings a wealth of experience in governance and mobilization.
Previously, I served as CEO of Busoga Province in the FUFA DRUM tournament and managed Bugabula County in the MTN Busoga Masaza Cup.
With a FAMACO II graduate, a Postgraduate Diploma in Education, and a Bachelor’s in IT, I am here to lead Busoga United to new heights.
Busoga United has transitioned to now a team that is co-owned by the Obwakyabazinga Bwa Busoga, please take us through this transition journey.
Busoga United has undergone a significant transformation from a high school team to a community club co-owned by the Obwakyabazinga Bwa Busoga.
Initially registered as Busoga United FC LTD under the Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB), a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) on 9th August 2024 set the stage for this transition.
The Kyabazinga was approached and accepted to be the patron on 17th August 2024.
Following a meeting with the Busoga Community on 30th September, an interim board of 8 members was established, including: Hajji Abubaker Walubi, Kawanguzi Geoffrey, Mukoka Yusufu , Atiisa Patrick, Kintonto Ronnie, Nkuutu David Nelson, Mutesi Deborah Christine , Naigaga Sylvia, Daina HT Nyago and Mugabi Samuel.
At the first board meeting on 3rd September, Hajji Walubi was appointed Chairman/President, and Daina Nyago was selected as Vice Chair, with me as the CEO. Despite tight deadlines, we managed to open a club account and honor all fixtures, marking a successful start.
From the look of things, the team seems to have big ambitions – what are some of the future plans that you can share with fans?
We are set to officially launch on 14th December 2024, with ambitious plans for the future. Our goal is to build a professional team with strong governance structures, promoting talent within Busoga, Uganda, and worldwide.
We focus on governance, business, and sport, aiming to transform Busoga through football and establish the most professional club globally.
The team is struggling and the field performance is not good, what are the team’s goals and expectations for the remainder of the FUFA Big League season?
Despite struggles on the field, our aim for the remainder of the FUFA Big League season is to secure our position and prepare for promotion to the Super League next season.
We are building sustainable systems of transparency, accountability, and sponsorship to support the team’s long-term success.
How do you assess the team’s performance so far, and what steps are being taken to address the winless streak?
We acknowledge the current poor performance and have strengthened our technical department by hiring experienced coaches. This will help address the issues and improve the team’s performance.
What was the reasoning behind appointing Charles Ayiekouh Lukula as the new head coach, and how do you think he will impact the team?
Charles Ayiekouh Lukula brings vast experience and player management skills as our new head coach. We believe he will lead us back to our winning ways.
How does the team plan to utilize Eric Ndifuna’s experience and expertise in his new role as assistant coach?
As the new assistant coach, Eric Ndifuna’s tactical expertise will be crucial in boosting the team’s performance.
Are there any plans to strengthen the squad through new signings or transfers, and if so, what positions are being targeted?
We plan to make new signings to strengthen our midfield and striking positions, ensuring a balanced and competitive squad
How will the team balance the need to escape relegation with the desire to develop young players and build for the future?
Our strategy involves mixing young players with senior ones, ensuring immediate results while developing future stars.
Are there any plans to improve the team’s infrastructure, such as the stadium or training facilities?
We aim to enhance Bugembe Stadium and, within our 5-year strategic plan, develop a sports complex for Busoga United.
What message do you have for the fans, who may be feeling frustrated or disappointed with the team’s performance so far?
We assure our fans that we will remain in the Big League. We request patience as we prepare the necessary structures for long-term success.
It is mentioned within football circles that financial insufficiency is one of the many reasons affecting the team, how do plan to address this challenge and have money for the team?
The 14th December launch will tackle financial insufficiency, with several companies promising sponsorships. We have merchandise ready for sale to boost finances and are planning to activate all our social media platforms. We will also establish fan clubs in all 11 districts of Busoga.
The ministry of health reveals that they have signed a UGX 21bn contract with M/s SIRIUS Corporation in Japan to supply and install medical equipment at Soroti and Jinja Regional Referral Hospitals.
The permanent secretary at the health ministry, Dr. Diana Atwine, explained that the deal is under the JICA-funded “Project for the Improvement of Medical Equipment at RRHs in Uganda.”
The Installation will begin in Oct 2025, training & commissioning will be in Nov/Dec 2025 with 3-year maintenance contract, narrated in a post on X, a social media platform formerly known as Twitter.
.”The Equipment includes X-rays, Ultrasound, ENT, Dental, Surgical instruments & more,” she posted.
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