Police officers who had been deployed to provide security to National Unity Platform (NUP) president Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu alias Bobi Wine have been arrested following a dispute over payments they claim to have earned while guarding the opposition leader during the election period.

The revelation was made by David Waswa, the head of the Police Counter-Terrorism Division, while appearing before the Public Accounts Committee of Uganda’s Parliament. Waswa told lawmakers that the officers were taken into custody after demanding payment for funds they said were owed to them for providing security to Kyagulanyi during the campaigns.

According to Waswa, the officers insisted they were entitled to allowances for the period they spent protecting the opposition leader, a claim that triggered internal action by the police leadership.

“Their payment has to be effected by the Electoral Commission of Uganda, which appointed them to the job, and not the Uganda Police Force,”Waswa told the committee.

The senior officer explained that the deployment of security personnel to presidential candidates during elections is coordinated through the electoral body, which bears responsibility for facilitation and logistical support during the exercise.

Waswa, who also heads the Counter-Terrorism unit, declined to disclose the exact location where the arrested officers are currently being held, saying he would need to consult relevant authorities before confirming their detention facility. However, he noted that such cases involving security personnel are typically handled internally within the specialized unit.

He added that officers implicated in such matters are often charged under disciplinary procedures within the unit, particularly in cases involving alleged misconduct or breaches of operational guidelines.

During election periods in Uganda, security personnel are routinely deployed to protect presidential candidates as part of arrangements coordinated by the electoral body. These teams are tasked with maintaining order at campaign events and ensuring the safety of candidates amid large gatherings of supporters.

The disputes over facilitation and operational allowances among deployed security personnel are not uncommon during highly demanding electoral exercises, especially when assignments involve long deployments across different parts of the country.

It remains unclear when the detained officers will formally face disciplinary proceedings as internal investigations into the matter continue.

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Thursday, March 12, 2026- KAMPALA — A 16-year-old student and young media entrepreneur, Martin Luther Nyanzi, has formally petitioned the Parliament of Uganda seeking legislation that would allow the government to provide financial support to community-based organisations (CBOs) and local non-governmental organisations (NGOs).
Nyanzi, a student at Kisozi High School in Buddo, believes grassroots organisations play a vital role in delivering services that complement government programmes, particularly in areas such as education, healthcare, youth empowerment, and community development.
Through his petition, the teenager is calling for the establishment of a legal framework that would enable Parliament to allocate funds directly to registered community organisations in order to strengthen their operations and ensure sustainability.
Concerns Over Shrinking Funding
In his proposal, Nyanzi highlights the growing challenges faced by NGOs and CBOs following the withdrawal or suspension of funding from major international partners.
He specifically points to the suspension of support from the Democratic Governance Facility (DGF) and reduced assistance from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), which he says significantly affected the operations of many grassroots organisations.
According to Nyanzi, numerous organisations that had been providing vital community services were forced to scale down activities or close operations entirely due to financial constraints.
“The absence of consistent funding has left many community organisations struggling, yet they provide services that directly impact vulnerable populations,” Nyanzi said during an interview.
He argues that structured government support could help bridge the funding gap and ensure that these organisations continue to deliver services at the grassroots level.
Political Engagement
To advance his proposal, Nyanzi has already engaged several leaders in Parliament.
He recently held discussions with Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa and has also secured support from Kawempe North Member of Parliament Elias Luyimbazi Nalukoola, who has expressed willingness to present the proposal to Parliament as a Private Member’s Bill.
“We are hopeful that the 12th Parliament will consider this proposal and debate a bill that ensures community organisations receive the support they need to continue serving Ugandans,” Nyanzi said.
However, MP Nalukoola noted that the proposal would require careful consideration to ensure it aligns with the current regulatory structure governing NGOs in Uganda.
He emphasised that community organisations should remain complementary partners to government programmes rather than becoming fully dependent on public funding.
Registration of Community Organisations
Under Uganda’s current legal framework, CBOs are registered at the district level through District NGO Monitoring Committees, which operate based on recommendations from Sub-County NGO Monitoring Committees.
The registration process requires organisations to submit a formal application letter, a constitution, a detailed work plan and budget, and proof of payment of the required registration fees.
Authorities also require organisations to renew their operating permits regularly, with penalties imposed on groups that operate without valid permits. Organisations found operating illegally may be fined 10 currency points (Shs200,000) for every month of unauthorised activity.
Rising Young Media Entrepreneur
Born on December 5, 2009, in Kampala, Martin Luther Nyanzi is the son of Simon Ssekaayi and author Joan Vumilia.
Despite his young age, Nyanzi has already built a reputation as an emerging entrepreneur in Uganda’s digital media space.
After completing his primary education at MK International School in 2023, he joined Kisozi High School where he is currently pursuing his O-Level studies.
His interest in media began at the age of 13, when he launched Block FM, an online radio station designed to provide a platform for young people to express their ideas and creativity.
Inspired by prominent Ugandan media personalities such as Don Wanyama and Kin Kariisa, Nyanzi has continued to expand his ventures in the digital media industry.
He currently serves as Chief Executive Officer of APEX Media Services, an organisation focused on digital media production and youth skills development.
Through Apex Digital Skills, he runs training programmes aimed at equipping young people with digital literacy, content creation and media production skills.
His ventures reportedly employ more than 55 staff members, supported by an executive board that includes his mother and investor Isaac Ssegawa.
In addition, he leads The Block Foundation, a non-profit organisation that offers free digital literacy training and employment opportunities to young professionals.
Youth Voice in National Policy
Nyanzi says his long-term vision is to build a major media company in Uganda while empowering young innovators across the country.
His petition to Parliament has drawn attention as a rare example of youth participation in legislative advocacy, highlighting the growing role young people are playing in shaping policy discussions around development and community empowerment.

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The Ministry of Works and Transport has urged several motor vehicle owners who applied for duplicate number plates after losing their original plates to urgently contact the ministry to facilitate installation of the replacements.

In a notice dated March 11, 2026, the ministry said it has been unable to reach the affected vehicle owners because the contact details registered under their Tax Identification Numbers are either incorrect or unreachable.

The notice, signed by Permanent Secretary Bageya Waiswa, lists several registration numbers whose owners are yet to complete the process of installing duplicate plates.

These include UAU 356Q, UAX 227N, UDY 170W, UBE 313S, UAU 525W, UAX 229N, UAP 303V and UFS 554Z.

“The Ministry of Works and Transport wishes to inform owners of the following motor vehicles that applied for duplicate registration plates following the loss of their original plates to urgently reach out to the Ministry to enable scheduling for the fitment of the plates,” Bageya said in the notice.

He added that the inability to contact the owners has delayed completion of the replacement process.

“The contact details registered against the respective TIN accounts are either incorrect or unreachable, which has made it difficult for the Ministry to contact the owners to proceed with the fitment of the duplicate registration plates,” he explained.

Affected owners have been asked to contact the ministry through email or visit the Motor Vehicle Registration offices in Nakawa, near the headquarters of the Uganda Revenue Authority, to finalize the process.

“The affected owners of the above listed registration numbers are requested to reach us via email or visit our offices to facilitate completion of the registration plate replacement process,”Bageya noted.

Loss of vehicle number plates has been a recurring issue in Uganda, often caused by theft, road accidents, or damage from floods and poor road conditions. In such cases, vehicle owners are required to apply for duplicate plates through the Ministry of Works and Transport before new ones can be installed.

The call by the ministry also comes at a time when Uganda continues to implement reforms in vehicle registration systems, including the gradual introduction of digital and security-enhanced number plates designed to curb crime, improve vehicle identification, and enhance road safety.

Under the digital number plate program introduced in recent years, the new plates are embedded with electronic features that enable easier tracking of vehicles and verification by security agencies. The system is meant to reduce vehicle-related crimes such as theft, cloning of number plates, and misuse of registration identities.

The government has repeatedly urged motorists to ensure their vehicle registration records, including contact details linked to their Tax Identification Numbers, remain up to date to avoid delays in services such as registration, ownership transfers, and replacement of lost plates.

Bageya emphasized that cooperation from vehicle owners is critical in completing the replacement process.

“Your prompt response will facilitate completion of the registration plate replacement process,” he said.

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