Uganda Media Centre | MINISTRY OF ICT AND NATIONAL GUIDANCE

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29 September 2025

PRESIDENT MUSEVENI IMPLORES BUSOGA TO SHUN DISUNITY, POLITICS OF IDENTITY

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has cautioned the people of Busoga against disunity and politics of identity, explaining that the National Resistance Movement (NRM) doesn't believe in such, that's why it came up with the four core principles; Patriotism, Pan-Africanism, Socio-economic Transformation and democracy. President Museveni made the appeal on Friday 26 September 2025 while meeting leaders, mobilizers, government officials, religious leaders, informal sector groups and the private sector from Busoga Sub-region at State Lodge Nakasero, Kampala led by Haj. Faruk Kirunda whom the President commended for serving government diligently and the people of Uganda without discrimination in tribe and religion. “This is what leaders are supposed to do and not to divide the people or to promote sectarianism, the President advised”. The President also reiterated that, in Busoga, the government has set up several infrastructures such as good roads and factories to steer development in the sub-region. “It's not true for some people to say that the NRM government has done nothing for Busoga. Many factories have been set up in the subregion in areas like Jinja, Njeru and Masese with the purpose of development,” he said. “Many new roads have been worked on, and the old ones have been or are being rehabilitated like the Jinja-Kamuli road, Musita-Mayuge-Busia Road, Iganga-Mbale, among other roads.” President Museveni assured them that the road from Iganga-Luuka-Kamuli is going to be tarmacked as well as that from Kimaka-Mbulamuti-Kamuli. He also tasked the leaders to sensitize their people to utilize the funds from government empowerment programs well in order to fight poverty. “The government has injected a lot of funds in programs like the Parish Development Model (PDM), Emyooga and SACCOs, among other initiatives. These programs will continue running and the leaders should audit performance of these programs,” he said. “Therefore, you should use this opportunity from the government and work to uplift your lives.” On the issue of electricity, the President said that many households across Busoga have been able to get connected and this is due to the fact the government has been able to set up additional power dams, apart from the Owen Falls Dam and to expand the National grid to all the regions in the country. On the other hand, President Museveni appealed to the people of Busoga to support the NRM and all its candidates in the forthcoming general elections for more development. During the meeting, Ms. Namutamba Resty withdrew from the Luuka Woman Member of Parliament race in favor of Ms. Nabirye Annet, the NRM flag bearer. Also, Haji Jafari Basajabalaba withdrew from the LC 5 race of Bushenyi District in favor of the NRM flag bearer, Tumwebaze Prosper. The President commended them for accepting to withdraw from the race in favor of the flag bearers saying that this is in line with the NRM principles. “Vote for leaders who promote unity amongst our people but not divisionism,” the President said. President Museveni tasked religious leaders who attended the meeting to spread the gospel of peace and unity among believers. He said the peace that was brought by the NRM government, was paramount in the country and Ugandans needed to preserve it in all ways possible. “This peace we are talking about was brought by the NRM after the liberation struggle where even some people in Busoga were part. We fought to bring stability in our country, and I urge you to sensitize our people, especially the youth, to desist from activities that may cause instability in our country,” he noted before wishing them a peaceful election. President Museveni further thanked the Special Presidential Assistant on Press and Mobilization, Haji Faruk Kirunda who coordinated the meeting, for mobilizing and promoting unity among the people in the various areas of the country. The Minister for the Presidency, Hon. Babirye Milly Babalanda thanked the President for sparing some time off his busy schedule to meet the group. On his part, Haji Kirunda informed the President that this delegation from Busoga will work collectively to ensure that the sub sub-region develops and is stable. He also assured the informal sector and vendors that the government will support them so that they are able to fight poverty and create wealth through presidential initiatives under State House. The religious leaders pledged to work with the President and the NRM government and assured him that they will mobilize the faithful to desist from the politics of identity but rather take keen interest in embracing government's poverty alleviation programs. The Busoga religious leaders under their umbrella of the Inter-religious Council though Bishop Naimanhye Paul Mukembo, thanked President Museveni for hosting them and assured him that the clergy is with him for the development and peace of Uganda. He said the prevailing peace and freedom in the country is the reason why they are able to freely worship anytime they want. Bishop Mukembo also noted that as religious leaders they will be visiting rivaling politicians in the sub-region with the purpose of reconciliation. Among the Bishops who attended were Archbishop Emmanuel Obbo from Tororo, Bishop Munene Edward from the Born-Again Faith in Busoga, Bishop Dr. Naimanhe Mukembo from Busoga Diocese, Bishop Suubi Hannington from Busoga East Diocese, Bishop Dr. Kajura Jimmy from SDA Busoga Field, Vicar General Benedict Wakabi from Jinja Diocese, Sheik Bowa Muhamad Hussein the Regional Mufti, Rev. Canon Dikange Lazarus representing Central Busoga; Hon. Daudi Migereko representing Elders and Owek. Richard Mafumo the Head of Busoga Clans, among others.

29 September 2025

PRESIDENT MUSEVENI LAUNCHES NRM MANIFESTO 2026–2031, CALLS FOR PROTECTION OF GAINS AND DRIVING UGANDA TO HIGH MIDDLE-INCOME STATUS

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, who is also the National Chairman of the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM), has today officially launched the party’s manifesto for the 2026–2031 term. At a grand ceremony hosted at Munyonyo Commonwealth Resort Hotel which drew Cabinet ministers, Members of Parliament, senior NRM officials, party secretariat leaders, under the theme: “Protecting the Gains and Securing a Qualitative Leap into High Middle-Income Status”, President Museveni retraced the NRM’s 60-year historical struggle while also laying out ambitious commitments for the next five years. President Museveni expressed gratitude to the NRM delegates for once again entrusting him with leadership. He noted that the party had not only re-elected him as National Chairman for the 2025–2031 term but also nominated him as the flag bearer for the 2026 elections. “I want to thank you for supporting my candidature, first of all, electing me Chairman of the NRM again for another five years, 2025 to 2031, and then also electing me as flag bearer,” H.E. Museveni said, reminding the gathering that the NRM’s role in Uganda’s liberation stretches back decades. He described the liberation struggle between 1965 and 1986 as a decisive period when NRM leaders risked all to free the country from dictatorship and chaos. The President declared that the NRM’s most important gift to Uganda has been peace and security, which has been assured largely by the people of Uganda—the wanainchi—and the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF). “Our army is very strong. Nobody can bring war here. If you bring war here, we will destroy you,” he stated firmly, drawing applause. President Museveni also cautioned that peace must be distinguished from security. He acknowledged that crime, particularly theft, continues to frustrate citizens and undermine the government’s development programs such as the Parish Development Model (PDM). “People get money for PDM. They buy pigs, goats, chicken—they are stolen. And you find the policemen colluding with the thieves. The judiciary releases them. You leaders should not accept this in your areas,” President Museveni warned. He urged leaders to enforce discipline and reject any culture of leniency towards crime. “Any thief who steals properties of the villages must go to jail and stay there and pay for what he has stolen before he comes out. Be very strict—don’t play around.” Beyond peace and security, President Museveni highlighted three pillars of Uganda’s transformation; development, infrastructure, and wealth creation. He explained that development covers both economic and social infrastructure: roads, electricity, schools, hospitals, and ICT. Wealth creation, however, remains the key to consolidating the NRM’s legacy. “You, the leaders, should really know that to strengthen the NRM more and durably, you must do what we in the student movement did in the 1960s when we started the campaign in the cattle corridor,” President recalled. He narrated how the cattle corridor, once plagued by nomadism and poverty, was transformed through dairy farming campaigns into a prosperous region. “Despite infrastructure challenges, regions like Ngoma and Matongo are now prosperous, with residents owning cars and having money,” H.E. Museveni said. With 40 million acres of arable land, he stressed that Uganda has the capacity to create over 105 million jobs if even 7 million acres are properly utilized. “There will be so many jobs that even refugees in the camps will get out and work,” he quipped. On the matter of employment, President Museveni criticized the outflow of Ugandans to the Middle East in search of jobs. He insisted that Uganda has enough opportunities if productivity is maximized. “People going to the Middle East to look for jobs—what are you going to look for? The Middle East should be coming here to work. You leave jobs here, you go to work in the Middle East,” he remarked, provoking laughter and nods among delegates. The President also highlighted Uganda’s scientific innovations, especially in health. He said that Ugandan scientists have developed medicines for cancer, diabetes, malaria, and other global diseases. “Our people have discovered medicines; we are going to save the world from so many problems,” he said, framing science and innovation as another frontier of Uganda’s transformation. The NRM First National Vice Chairperson, Al-Haji Moses Kigongo, thanked President Museveni for accepting to run again for Presidency and assured him of victory in the 2026 elections. “We are ready. The country is ready. And I can assure Your Excellency that we are going to win the election,” Alhaji Kigongo said. He however cautioned party members against indiscipline and infighting. “If we don’t pull up on discipline, things might be difficult for us. I appeal to you, honorable members, first of all, to love one another. Let us work together. This infighting must stop and stop now. Let us move together as one group,” he urged. The Speaker of Parliament and NRM Second National Vice Chairperson Rt. Hon. Anita Among praised President Museveni’s visionary leadership and consistency, saying the NRM’s evolution from the 10-Point Programme has been deliberate and transformative. “It is now time for us to protect the gains we have registered in the transformation of our beloved country,” she emphasized. The NRM Secretary General Rt. Hon. Richard Todwong explained that the 2026–2031 manifesto, themed “Protecting the Gains as We Make a Qualitative Leap into Higher Middle-Income Status”, builds systematically on past manifestos. Reflecting on the party’s history, Rt. Hon. Todwong reminded members that NRM manifestos have evolved consistently since 1986, beginning with the famous 10-Point Programme that emphasized democracy, security, national unity, elimination of sectarianism, economic independence, and social services restoration. From “Tackling the Tasks Ahead” in 1996, to “Prosperity for All” in 2006, “Peace, Unity and Transformation for Prosperity” in 2011, “Steady Progress” in 2016, and “Securing Your Future” in 2021, the NRM has maintained consistency, he argued. “The size of the economy has doubled in spite of global shocks such as COVID-19 and disruption in external markets,” Rt. Hon. Todwong said, projecting that by the end of FY 2025/26, Uganda’s economy will expand to Shs. 254.2 trillion ($66.1 billion). He dedicated significant time to highlighting achievements from the outgoing 2021–2026 manifesto, which carried the theme “Securing Your Future.” He said: Poverty levels declined from 21.4% in 2016 to 16.1% in 2025, Jobs rose from 258,286 in 2020/21 to 345,039 by 2025, recovering from COVID-19 disruptions and the Ugandan Shilling remained the most stable currency in Africa in 2024/25. He added that factories increased to 50,000, up from 37,559 in 2019/20, export earnings reached $13.3 billion in 2024/25, driven by coffee, gold, dairy, cocoa, and manufactured goods and electricity generation rose to 2,051 MW in 2024, powered by Karuma and Isimba hydropower plants. About health, Rt. Hon. Todwong said life expectancy improved to 68 years from 45 in 1986; maternal and infant mortality drastically declined and UPE and USE boosted school enrollment to 9.1 million learners by 2025, while literacy rates rose to 74%. “These are not just numbers—they are lives transformed,” he said. Looking ahead, Rt. Hon. Todwong outlined the core themes of the new manifesto. He also announced that PDM funding for Greater Kampala Metropolitan will rise to Shs. 300 million per parish, with special grants for persons with disabilities, village leaders, and religious leaders. On education, Rt. Hon. Todwong pledged curriculum reforms to focus on job creators, recruitment of 49,406 new teachers, and progressive salary enhancement for civil servants, including arts teachers. On governance, he reiterated zero tolerance to corruption, decentralization, land reforms, and stronger security guarantees. Regionally, NRM committed to supporting East African political federation, a single currency, and the elimination of non-tariff barriers.

28 September 2025

PRESIDENT MUSEVENI GRACES YOWERI MUSIC ALBUM LAUNCH

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, in the company of the First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Maama Janet Museveni, yesterday presided over the launch of the Yoweri Music Album at Speke Resort Munyonyo in Kampala. The event was organized by the Uganda National Musicians Federation (UNMF) under the leadership of Edrisa Musuza, popularly known as Eddy Kenzo. President Museveni thanked Eddy Kenzo and Minister of State for Mineral Development, Hon. Phiona Nyamutoro for organizing the creative industry, noting that while the government may not do everything, it can contribute to its growth. He expressed delight at the diversity of the album, which features songs in different indigenous languages representing all regions of Uganda. He explained that when the NRM government took power, it began with basics like health and peace, adding that the creative industry is now thriving because of the stability and good health care the government has ensured. He stressed that the sector had not been forgotten, but rather, with things stabilized, the government is now ready to fully support it. “I am happy for the indigenous songs; the music is very good, I like it. This is a gold mine, and I shall support it,” President Museveni said. He further assured the musicians that the government would enhance its support to the creative industry after the elections. “We shall support you, even if you want 20 or 30 billion, as long as it is a one-time investment,” he noted. In his remarks, Eddy Kenzo expressed gratitude to the President for honoring their invitation, saying the album was prepared as a gesture of appreciation. He acknowledged that the creative industry cannot thrive without peace, which he credited President Museveni for ensuring. Kenzo also hailed the President as “the most hardworking human being I have ever seen,” praising his relentless efforts in holding meetings and driving transformation to guarantee peace and stability in Uganda. Reflecting on his personal journey, Kenzo thanked the President for giving all Ugandans a platform to shine, noting that even as a former street child with little formal education, he has been able to build a successful career from his talent. He further assured the President that the support extended to the Uganda National Musicians Federation has been put to good use. He explained that the funds helped establish regional studios, build common user facilities, and strengthen their SACCO, ensuring that musicians across the country benefit. The album launch was attended by cabinet ministers, Members of Parliament, music promoters, comedians, artists, and other key stakeholders in the creative industry.

27 September 2025

PRESIDENT MUSEVENI, SCIENTISTS DISCUSS PROGRESS IN TRANSFORMING UGANDA INTO A SCIENCE-LED ECONOMY

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni today met a team of scientists and members of the innovation support ecosystem, led by Dr. Monica Musenero, Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, at State House Entebbe. The scientists briefed the President on progress towards the National Resistance Movement (NRM)’s vision of transforming Uganda into a science-led modern economy. They highlighted achievements in the manufacturing of electric vehicles, production of diagnostic kits, standardization of natural medicines, and innovations in machine-building technologies. President Museveni commended the scientists for “finally waking up” to their role in national transformation, assuring them of continued government support for their efforts. On the issue of human capital, the President urged them to move beyond blaming colonialism, emphasizing that Uganda must harness its traditional knowledge, mechanize it, and standardize it in order to create wealth and prosperity. Dr. Musenero thanked the President for his consistent support to science, technology and innovation, noting that her team is on the right track in embracing a science-led approach to development.

26 September 2025

PRESIDENT MUSEVENI COMMISSIONS KIIRA VEHICLE PLANT

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni yesterday commissioned the Kiira Vehicle Plant in Jinja. The plant is the largest vehicle facility in Africa with a comprehensive motor vehicle production process. Kiira Vehicle manufacturing plant construction started in 2019 up to 2024 when all vehicle production systems were fully installed and manufacturing started in March 2025 by Kiira Motors Corporation with an initial investment of USD 120 million. During the commissioning‎, President Museveni revealed how immense scientific innovations like Vehicle Manufacturing Plant was contributing to the national economic growth of Uganda, saying it employs hundreds of Ugandan engineers and it's posed to save the country USD 800 million from car imports and. He also highlighted its positive impact on the country's balance of trade deficit on vehicles. “These young people I found in the factory have jobs, where would they be working if we didn’t have kiira?” he inquired. President Museveni further revealed how the government intends to expedite iron ore exploration in districts with iron ore deposits to avail high quality steel needed by the Kiira Vehicle Manufacturing Plant and other factories to reduce the USD 900 million spent annually on importation of steel. “We have got some steel factories using scrap, but scrap isn’t good enough for this type of work, therefore it’s these new factories that we are building now that are purifying our iron ore into high quality steel which is needed here. Uganda is fortunate to have some of the biggest iron ore in the world in Kabale and Butogota,” he said. “For the first time the transport sector is beginning to be integrated in the form of the Kiira vehicle plant. This is what is beginning to happen. If we do it successfully, we shall save USD800 million from steel alone.” Additionally, President Museveni rallied Uganda scientists and leaders to focus on production for more sectors of the economy to address the huge hemorrhage of funds into importation. He explained that different sectors of the economy require complementary local production lines of their inputs that he described as vertical and horizontal economic integration needed for Uganda and Africa at large to thrive. ‎He reminded Africans to regain their self-confidence, focus on mechanisation, citing the example of the transformation of the dairy industry, a similar approach needed to produce lithium batteries and other products required for full economic integration.‎ On the other hand, President Museveni confirmed Uganda's invention of diabetes, cancer and malaria cure, among other massive innovations and tasked scientists to venture into traditional solutions and modify them. He also warned Africans of stagnation due to their failure to comprehend and embrace the political economy that governs the evolution of society that includes science and innovation. ‎The Minister for Science, Technology and Innovation, Dr Monica Musenero affirmed the readiness of Uganda's knowledge economy to feed into the qualitative leap by venturing in more value chains. Minister Musenero explained that Uganda's missed 3 phases of the industrial revolution are promptly being covered up through the exponential knowledge economy innovations like Kiira Vehicle Manufacturing Plant and others. ‎‎Makerere University Council Chairperson, Ms. Ronah Magara emphasized the need to enhance collaboration between the academia and policy makers to aid the actualisation of research innovations. She noted that innovations like the Kiira Electric Vehicles began at Makerere University as a research prototype, but the visionary leadership of President Museveni nurtured the idea to the level of seeing the project's success as the maiden local vehicle manufacturing plant in Uganda Ms. Magara requested the President to consider increasing the University research and innovations funds to cover more projects. The National Enterprise Corporation board chairperson Gen. (Rtd) Joram Mugume commended the government for entrusting the army's engineering department to construct the vehicle manufacturing plant which is a proper local content sourcing strategy. Mr. ‎Paul Isaac Musasizi, the Kiira Motors Corporation Chief Executive Officer revealed how the government's direct investment into the automobile industry will expedite the attainment of the 10-fold growth strategy. Mr. Musasizi said Kiira Motors Corporation is now focusing on rolling out a robust business model as they produce quality vehicles that meet the required standards. He explained how the company is aiming to establish a robust industrial value chain for all vehicle inputs. ‎Kiira Motors Cooperation has so far produced 37 electric vehicles and 27 Diesel coaches. It has a production prospect of 2,500 vehicles in the medium term, 5,000 in the long term and 10,000 annual productions by 2030.

25 September 2025

PRESIDENT MUSEVENI URGES NEW ISO RECRUITS TO UPHOLD PATRIOTISM, PAN-AFRICANISM IN SERVICE

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has urged newly trained recruits of the Internal Security Organisation (ISO) to uphold patriotism, Pan-Africanism, and ideological clarity as they embark on their careers in safeguarding Uganda’s sovereignty. He made the remarks yesterday while delivering a lecture of opportunity to 312 ISO trainees at State House, Entebbe. The trainees have been undergoing comprehensive training. The training covered areas such as core intelligence, counterintelligence, counterterrorism, political ideology, Musevenomics as well as media and intelligence studies. “I am sure your trainers have already spoken to you about some of these issues, but there is no harm in repeating them. When you are in the security or defense forces, the first question is: what are you defending, and what are you defending against?” he said. The President reflected on Uganda’s history, observing that the mission of the country’s security forces was not clearly defined at independence, having been created by colonialists to maintain their rule. “Their mission was to maintain colonialism and suppress our thirst for independence. When independence came, the same force was simply handed over to the new government without redefining its mission. That is why we, the student movements of the 1960s, had to take a new path,” President Museveni said. He pointed out that identity politics further crippled post-independence Uganda. “Old parties focused on identity politics. The Democratic Party was mainly for Catholics, the Uganda People’s Congress for Protestants and some Muslims, and Kabaka Yekka for Baganda and some Muslims. For us, we rejected this approach and instead focused on the needs of the people. Our aim was to create prosperity, not to cater for tribal or religious identities,” he explained. The President emphasized the NRM’s four ideological principles of patriotism, Pan-Africanism, socio-economic transformation, and democracy which are framed within the three historical missions of prosperity, strategic security, and African brotherhood. “Our number one priority is patriotism and the spirit of Uganda. Prosperity comes from every adult producing goods or services, not from begging or relying on others. That is why Pan-Africanism is crucial. Africa can support our prosperity far better than Uganda alone,” the President stressed. President Museveni reminded the recruits that Uganda’s survival and success depend on regional integration. “We must ensure that never again will Africa’s existence depend on the permission of others. Economic and political integration is the correct answer to the question of prosperity and strategic security,” he said. President Museveni concluded by urging the new officers to maintain conviction and discipline as guiding values. “By 1986, we had a force of 20,000 NRA fighters backed by millions of civilians, propelled not by mercenary interests but by conviction. I urge you to maintain that spirit. I congratulate you and wish you good luck,” he said. Tackle Sabotage of Government Programs: The Minister of Security, Hon. Jim Muhwezi, commended the President for personally guiding the recruits and congratulated the ISO leadership for preparing a well-equipped new generation of officers. “Let me begin by thanking you, Your Excellency, for sparing time in your very busy schedule to lecture your trainees,” Hon. Muhwezi said. “I also thank and congratulate the Director General of ISO and your staff for equipping this new force with tools that will help our country. This new blood is coming in at a critical time when Uganda is transforming from a poor country to a middle-income country.” The minister warned that the biggest threat Uganda faces today is the sabotage of government programs by corrupt actors. “Programs like the Parish Development Model (PDM), Universal Primary Education (UPE), and others are being undermined. In the case of PDM, some parish chiefs are stealing money that the government has given to help people engage in commercial activities. In UPE, many children start school but very few finish Primary Seven because some teachers and school officers impose illegal charges. This is criminal because the government pays for these children, they are not supposed to be charged,” he highlighted. Hon. Muhwezi urged ISO to decisively address this sabotage. “Once ISO deals with this problem, I believe the country will move forward,” he said. Hon. Muhwezi reminded the recruits of the unique opportunity they had to interact directly with President Museveni. “As you have seen on television, His Excellency lectures officers all over the world and the continent. For you, doing basic military intelligence and being able to meet him in person, you are very lucky indeed. Take this as a foundation for your journey of service to the nation.” ISO Director General, Mr. Arthur Mugyenyi said this new generation of officers represented the future of Uganda’s security. “This intake was carefully selected from 945 potential recruits through a transparent process. Out of these, 312 trainees qualified 207 males and 105 females. They are polished cadres, with bachelor’s, master’s, and diploma qualifications across different fields. We are confident that this new blood will bring professionalism, integrity, and fresh energy into the organisation,” Mr. Mugyenyi said. He revealed that the training had gone beyond tactical skills to include ideological grounding, in line with the President’s philosophy of patriotism and Pan-Africanism. “We have emphasized core-intelligence, counterintelligence, counterterrorism, political ideology, Musevenomics, as well as media and intelligence. The idea is to equip these new officers not only with technical skills but also with a solid ideological foundation to defend and transform the country.” He also disclosed that ISO is working towards establishing a permanent training facility in Nakasongola to sustain and standardize future programs. The new officers are expected to be deployed immediately after their pass-out parade on October 17, 2025, with their first task being to reinforce the protection of Uganda’s sovereignty and ensure that government programs are delivered as intended.

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Opinion Posts

20 September 2025

CHURCH, RELIGION AND THE WORSHIP OF FALSE TEACHINGS IN UGANDA

Last week, the Independent Electoral Commission, led by Justice Simon Mugyenyi Byabakama, announced a ban on fundraising in churches, mosques and other places of worship during these five months of the general election campaign season. It should be curious that religious institutions and priests have not made noise, but taken it lying low as if during the election God doesn’t need the money from politicians seeking office. However, I am not sure that Byabakama is in position to monitor or prevent politicians or their agents quietly passing financial donations to religious institutions and priests, in which case even a superficial accountability will be hard to obtain. During COVID-19 lockdown 2020-22, priests shifted prayers to people’s homes, where tithe and donations simply got tucked into their personal pockets. This should all be well, after all, over the years, experience has taught us that church, mosque, religion, and priests leading them, have not all been truthful or even correct in universal upliftment, emancipation and liberation of humanity. Religion, of every shade particularly as practiced in Uganda, is mostly superstition, invented to manipulate and control the mind, and keep us in failure. Poor people have donated the only pence they have to their church, mosque, and these days to predator ‘pastors’ who live large lifestyles, only for the givers to beg total strangers for money for food, health, or children’s school fees, while those priests give no damn. Religious faith has for centuries been a business model, often with no start-up capital, that no one has ever told you about or publicly admitted, and it is the reason religious institutions and leaders are rich, opulent yet most of their followers wallow in extreme poverty and want basic necessities of life. Yet it is in seasons like this that the religious, civil society and so-called democracy groups raise the tempo of their dubious activities, in such of money, usually under the dubious claims that Uganda is on the brink of election chaos, violence, and perhaps disintegration. Africans, especially Ugandans, should stop hiding behind prayers as a possible solution to many of the intractable problems we have historically gone through or are currently doing so. The God of Europe, Arab, or Asia, we have worshiped so much since the advent of colonial domination, subjugation and exploitation just like the gods of Africans who did not protect us from foreign predators, do not owe us a miracle just because we avoid our own responsibilities. Ugandans should stop honoring their priests than planning, hard creative work, and productivity. Religion and unquestioned faith are nothing more than mere imagination and manipulation that have built empires around obedience and loyalty. See, it is absurd that in Uganda today we can question the government, state institutions, and their leaders who hold instruments of coercion, yet we cannot vigorously question a man wearing a white collar passing for a religious priest. Churches, mosques and their leaders now raid our government coffers of the taxes you have paid in order for them to live in additional opulence including brand new SUVs, yet public schools and health facilities are not fully equipped, and you blame the government. Now don’t wonder anymore that schools under religious institutions, called “Church Founded” are declining in academic, management and discipline standards, while churches, cathedrals and bishops’ residential houses are expanding and looking really magnificent. And when church-run medical facilities confiscate dead bodies whose owners have not paid up the bills, it is a business model, not philanthropy as we had been made to unquestionably believe. Likewise, when priests refuse to preside over burial of the dead because they are not fully paid up, it amounts to retributive justice.

13 September 2025

NRM MUST CLOSE RANKS; FIRMLY BLOWOUT SO-CALLED INDEPENDENTS

The just concluded NRM primaries to elect flag-bearers from village to parliamentary candidates who are not set to face opposition groups, and the so-called ‘independents’ should now be behind us, especially to the committed party loyalists, regardless of the fallouts. NRM leaders at various levels, must now invite winners and losers to work jointly for harmony, unity and a collective NRM election victory in 2026. Speaker of Parliament, and Second National Vice Chairperson (Female), Member, Central Executive Committee (CEC), Annet Anita Among, the new ‘girl’ on the NRM political bloc, has this week, created, a WhatsApp group, “NRM MP Flag bearers 202631,” pledging, joint and coordinated election campaign, to ensure a most effective outcome, which should be embraced. By Thursday, 318 flag-bearers had joined in. This could be replicated, down the ballot, with appropriate modifications. It is my submission, that in 2025, at the onset of the return to multiparty dispensation, NRM entrapped itself, and the country, by cozying-up to ‘independents’, many of whom, were simply disgruntled political indisciplinados, fair-weatherizes and opportunists. This phenomenon, has now become a thorny curse, in our collective walk, towards a functional multiparty democracy. While persuasion is still inevitable, it ought to be conducted on a case-by-case basis, as an exception to the rule, rather than the general principle, if NRM is to progress forward. The two decades, now, of NRM’s political stitch-ups with ‘independents’, has brought in so little dividends, except to entrench conveyor-belt self-serving convenience, and extremely inefficient patronage. People who are enjoying senior leadership position in NRM, and government like ministers ought to be made to retreat from running as ‘independents, or else be forced out of NRM so as to enforce internal party rules. And in fact, many of these touting being so-called ‘independents’ need the NRM political cover, than NRM needs them. Without President Yoweri Museveni’s personal political cuddling, they are destined to collapse like wet clay. In the more established electoral democracies like Britain, United States, India, Japan, Singapore and South Korea, we have recently witnessed the de-selection and dismissals of errant party leaders including from legislatures. Close-by Uganda, like Tanzania (CCM) and African National Congress (ANC), that the NRM calls ‘fraternal’ and travels regularly for ‘bench-marking’ with, even the slightest disagreement with the agreed party policy position, let alone constitution, attracts heavy sanctions that includes outright dismissal. In the dingy corner of Uganda, even the National Unity Platform (NUP), loosely cobbled has been able to show its former vice president in charge of Buganda, its only base, and Leader of Opposition in Parliament (LoP) Mathias Mpuuga, the exist without much political qualms. Yet in the NRM, many fear to call out these hangers-on, for what they really are, and instead are each, getting emboldened upon losing election, to run as an ‘independent’, and usually receiving covert financial support, from some top NRM leaders. The nomination returns for Isingiro district local government elections, released mid-week, by the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) chaired by Justice Simon Byakama Mugyenyi, where, the district chairperson and all thirty-two councilors were elected unopposed, is indicative of NRM’s support countrywide. If MPs Anthony Akol (Kilak county East) Amuru district and Dr Twaha Kagabo (Bukoto South) Lwengo district, formerly FDC and NUP respectively could boldly discard those tickets to join NRM, there is no reasonable excuse, for the NRM not to boot out its political renegades. Uganda’s multiparty democracy, on trial and tribulation, since 2005, cannot be refined, made more functional, responsive and consolidated, when the political front men and women, are allowed freewheel style each time they lose an election.

01 September 2025

UGANDA IS NOT HOMOPHOBIC; WE ARE ONLY AGAINST THE DELIBERATE PROMOTION OF THIS DEVIANT BEHAVIOR

On 15th August 2025, four of their colleagues attacked them accusing them of promoting homosexuality tendencies amongst the student community. School administration was quick to react, and the four boys weren’t harmed in any way. Since then, some human rights defenders have castigated government making all manner of accusations. The saddest accusation was that Uganda is beginning to weaponize the Anti Homosexuality Act 2023. On May 2, 2023, the Parliament of Uganda passed the Anti-Homosexuality Act 2023, which had been returned to parliament for more improvement. President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni accented to the bill. Hell broke loose largely from the Global North, which was calling the leadership in Uganda all manner of names. World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) announced the withdrawal of their support, and more sanctions were being planned until President Donald Trump assumed office as President of the USA and things changed dramatically. To them, curtailing the promotion and funding of LGTBQ campaigns within our communities is to commit gross human rights abuses like committing genocide. For the record, Uganda and Ugandans are not homophobic. For clarity’s sake, Ugandans have never killed their few homosexuals that exist within their communities. In fact, they treat them as unfortunate people with deviant behavior and then manage them with care and sympathy. The Anti-Homosexuality Act 2023 is intended to manage homosexuals in a way that can lead to rehabilitation and restoration. The Act, more importantly, curtails the deliberate campaign of spreading homosexuality among our children. For some time now, some entities from the Western world were funding the promotion of this vice among our poor and vulnerable communities using many uncouth approaches. They take advantage of our poor and needy communities, where they will throw some money, but with clear conditions that the recipients must promote LGBTQ campaigns among our people especially children. Of course, this behavior is not in our norms, and those assigned to promote it on behalf of the global community tend to land into problems that are at times fatal. The values of a society are significant because they determine the contents of its norms, which help maintain social order. Each value has a corresponding norm, or put differently, all norms express social values. Every individual, every family, and indeed, every society has principles and standards that are appreciated and held in high regard, as well as those that are abhorred. In fact, the main social challenges Uganda is facing are drug abuse by the youth and not homosexuality, i.e., alcoholism and drug consumption. However, Uganda has put in place laws and regulations to handle such challenges. Our Penal Code offers effective punitive measures to curtail such challenges. Besides, there are institutions and organizations that are professionally and technically equipped to counsel and guide such victims. Rehabilitation centers have been put in place. There are some that are run by the government and others by private organizations. They tackle such victims of abuse. Butabika National Referral Hospital has been expanded and equipped to handle victims of drug abuse. Therefore, it is not right for human right defenders to keep throwing themselves around with condemnations every time we take decisions that are meant to protect our social values. As a country, we took firm resolutions to refuse the idea of promoting the Gay Agenda to be part of our human development. To those that thought that by freezing us out of their development loans, we would bend on our knees and repeal the Anti homosexuality Act, must have now realized that that was a wrong idea. It is years now down the road and we are going strong economically. Finally, it is a wrong belief among our Western friends to think that to be civilized and humane is to swallow the Western way of life; to be barbaric and cruel is to be non-western. There is a racist tinge in this cultural rhetoric that presents the particular as universal. It echoes the spread of Christianity during the colonial encounter: African religions were called satanic. To have faith was to be Christian. As Africans, we have no identity except as carbon copies of "Western men." The Western effort to shape African nations and societies in their own image is written all over the place for everybody to see. While many Western actors in these endeavors genuinely believe they have our best interests at heart, and while they have many local allies who share their vision, they are not any different from their colonial ancestors who came here claiming to spread the three Cs: Christianity, Commerce, and Civilization. These efforts to shape us according to their fancies show contempt for our uniqueness. Africa needs to be given space to shape its future. The writer is the Acting Executive Director Uganda Media Centre

30 August 2025

CDF, TAME ERRANT OFFICERS MISUSING SOLDIERS AND FIRE ARMS IN ELECTIONS

As the next election campaign season approaches, the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba should reign in on UPDF Generals, and senior officers, serving and retired, who misuse personal guards to meddle in civil elections. Often, these officers who have connections with military installations around the country obtain unofficial soldiers who they deploy in support of their friends or relatives who are candidates. Without appearing to bad-mouth the UPDF, some are said to be on for hire by politicians in election campaigns. It is unclear how the UPDF reached this low point. In the just concluded NRM internal elections we witnessed such illegal deployments of UPDF soldiers in Busia, Gulu, Butaleja and Sembabule districts where they obstructed candidates, their supporters, and police officers on duty. There was a recently retired General from Karamoja who was so notorious in Busia where police officers were so hapless in the face of his bullying. Earlier, the country had watched in consternation and embarrassment when UPDF got overtly involved including the deployment of heavy military war hardware in the Kawempe North parliamentary bye-election, and act that dented NRM support and image too. Like the ongoing cracking of the whip on suspected corrupt officers including several Generals now in custody as investigations roll, errant behaviour by soldiers in civilian elections is bringing the UPDF into disrepute. For avoidance of any doubt, the official known role of the UPDF in securing stability including during elections is not contested. It is also imperative, that the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Abbas Byakagaba, provides strong and professional leadership and guidance to his officers and men so they can have confidence while in command to calmly withstand bullying and intimidation by these soldiers on illegal personal errands. A timid police officer in command, but unsure of his own orders, trembling and sweating in their uniform before an errant army officer, or irate politician, is a recipe for chaos during an election season, particularly bad on polling day. Similarly, over-board conduct by police officers, especially the District Police Commanders (DPCs) who sometimes take over the role of election officers upon being bribed by candidates, to announce the winners, must be checked. But as the old adage goes, “it takes two to tangle,” and so to have a clean election season, we the politicians, especially candidates and supporters must check ourselves as a collective. While election politics is emotive, in Uganda today, it seems that anything goes, violence, intimidation, blackmail, open bribery, and extortion are all wrapped-up in the name of freedom and democracy. Free speech is a cornerstone of democracy, but we have taken political rabble rousing down the line of slander and defamation against rivals in contests. Harmonization meetings often descend into shouting matches, or break-up even before they start, and so no mutual ground rules to govern the campaigns. Abrasive conduct by candidates and supporters even against the police, law enforcement officers and election officials has become normalized, and so few respect the rules, yet surely Uganda is not a jungle. And with opposition activists on a hostile confrontational path, emboldened by the open mischievous conducts of some elements within NRM, it is hard to see how a trajectory of respect for common rules will be engendered. The NRM is a huge party whose heart beats, but with a weak pulse because those at the centre probably do not feel or believe that they are powerful enough. To bring back discipline in the electoral process, my one pence proposal is that the NRM Secretary General, Richard Todwong, should hand every flagbearer a golden rule on election misconduct. In this era of capricious digital warriors playing by their own rules and constantly conveying mischief, the NRM must, as of necessity, be more alert and two steps ahead to deliver a cleaner election.

23 August 2025

MUSEVENI, NRM CONFERENCES AND PROTECTING UGANDA’S GAINS OF FORTY YEARS

It has been three months of non-stop political activities in Uganda as the National Resistance Movement (NRM) undertook internal electoral renewal of leaders from the villages to national level that is concluding this coming week with the holding of its National delegates Conference. Hopefully, the vetting will weed out the chaff from the wheat so that NRM restores clean leadership that serves the country purposefully and diligently. NRM last held internal elections in 2015, and skipped 2020 due to the COVID19 global pandemic. The meetings, and conferences began on Wednesday this week with the Central Executive Committee (CEC), its apex organ vetting candidates for national offices including President Yoweri Museveni as presidential flagbearer for the 2026 elections. In open-dirty war, is Speaker Emeritus Rebecca Kadaga, on CEC for two decades seeking to maintain her seat, while the current, Annet Anita Among seem determine to inherit the throne. CEC was followed by the meeting of the National Executive Council (NEC) of eight hundred delegates among them all NRM MPs, NRM and local government Chairpersons and the top leadership at the party Secretariat. Tomorrow 24,845 delegates will swamp Kampala to participate in series of elections to choose national leaders of the eight different leagues comprising Elders, Women, Youths, Persons With Disabilities (PWDs), Workers, Veterans, Entrepreneurs, and Historicals which takes place on Monday. At the conclusion of these elections, the delegates will then participate in the two-day National Conference that will end on 28 August 2025 at Kololo Independence Grounds. These events should provide many opportunities, if not windfall, especially for the middle and lower business communities in Kampala, Mukono and Wakiso as NRM delegates whose pockets will be healthy, courtesy of the party, seek accommodation, food, entertainment, transport, and local tourism. Mid-week, NRM unveiled a new portrait of a younger-looking Yoweri Museveni, that will be used for the forthcoming presidential campaigns. Some critics were quick to jeer and sneer, although in the NRM we shall brush it off as being driven mainly by jealousy of potential political bad-losers. Alongside the presidential candidate’s portrait, NRM also launched its forthcoming election campaign theme “Protecting the Gains,” of the last four decades under President Museveni. Over this period, NRM political activities have dominated the ground, media landscape and opinion narratives, which in public relations practice is good. NRM also now seems to have put aspects of election fiasco neatly behind, especially with non-dramatic ways in which its election tribunal handled and disposed off the hundreds of petitions. And maybe, NRM leaders at the top could start considering overall evaluation of its internal elections, including the possibility of amend its constitution to down size its structure, revert to electoral college, and revert to secret ballot elections. With these elections NRM now has close to three million six hundred leaders countrywide, which, if put to effective use should deliver a credible and convincing electoral victory come 12 January 2026. These numbers could also keep in touch with population, mobilize for better uptake of government programs for socio-economic transformation, supervise and monitor effective implementation, and as well detect and curtail corruption incidences early enough, but alas. NRM, could thus, leave its many opponents and detractors including the opposition parties as mere sulking spectators with no credible direction or agenda of their own, although some of them may soon begin to menacingly swing their hockey butts aimlessly. And of course we look forward in disdain to their self-false pompousness as they seek political validation. Nevertheless, as we look towards the nominations for president and parliament by the Justice Simon Byabakama Mugyenyi Electoral Commission, slated in early October for next year’s general elections, NRM as a vanguard party, holding a revolutionary, liberation, emancipation and transformative agenda, must keep to the high expectations it gave Ugandans when it assumed leadership four decades ago.