Following Uganda Airlines’ historic maiden landing at London Gatwick Airport, Victoria University Vice Chancellor Dr. Lawrence Muganga has called on Ugandans to rise above political biases and embrace a spirit of unity, truth and national pride.

“Fellow Ugandans, with your permission, kindly allow me to share that it is easy to fall into negativity, especially when we see something good coming from someone or a government we may not agree with. But real maturity and love for our country means being able to celebrate what is positive, no matter who is responsible for it,” Dr. Muganga said via X (Twitter) handle.

The milestone moment—when Uganda Airlines safely touched down at London Gatwick at exactly 17:01—was met with fanfare and national pride, but also revealed the persistent divide in public perception, particularly on social media, where accomplishments are often overshadowed by political sentiment.

“We should always try to put positive thinking first and remember to put our country first. That is what true patriotism looks like,” Dr. Muganga emphasized, urging Ugandans to embrace factual understanding and avoid knee-jerk criticism.

He further pointed out the need for accurate information in public discourse, especially from educated citizens.

“As educators, we often feel frustrated when people complete their education yet do not take time to find out accurate information or research what is really going on. This problem shows up clearly when people talk about Uganda Airlines without knowing its actual story,” he noted.

To set the record straight, Dr. Muganga clarified a common misconception:

“To be clear, Uganda once had an airline called Uganda National Airlines, which started in 1977 and stopped operating in 2001. The current Uganda Airlines is not the same company. It is a new airline that was registered in 2018, giving Uganda a fresh start in aviation. Every achievement it makes is new for this company.”

Indeed, Uganda Airlines’ landing in the UK marked not only an expansion of its international routes but also a symbol of national aspiration and progress.

“When Uganda Airlines landed in the United Kingdom for the first time at London Gatwick yesterday, that was a new and historic achievement for this new company,” Dr. Muganga added.

He further noted, “Let us use this as a reminder to educate ourselves and find the facts before rushing to criticize. The best thing we can do is to learn, to stay positive, and to always put our country above personal feelings. That is how we help Uganda move forward.”

The successful flight to London signals not just a new route, but a new chapter in Uganda’s aviation story. As Dr. Muganga aptly put it:

“History made! Uganda Airlines has safely touched down at London Gatwick Airport at exactly 17:01 — marking its first-ever landing on UK soil! A proud moment for Uganda and a giant leap in connecting our Pearl of Africa to the world. Congratulations to Uganda Airlines for making the dream take flight!”

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Activist and law student, Aloikin Praise Opoloje has been named the winner of the EU Human Rights Defenders’ Award 2025. The award, which was presented during a ceremony on 15^th May at the residence of the Ambassador of Sweden in Kampala, is given annually by the European Union to recognise an outstanding contribution by a human rights defender in Uganda.

Ms. Aloikin Praise Opoloje was chosen as the winner in recognition of her courageous activism for civil liberties, accountability, social justice and anti-corruption in Uganda. Born in 1999 in Paliisa district, she is a final-year Law student at Makerere University. She currently serves as the Student Engagement Lead at Open Parly UG, where she organizes student debates on parliamentary issues, and volunteers with the Dwona Initiative, working to combat period poverty and misinformation.

In 2024, Aloikin was actively involved in campaigns addressing political accountability, women’s rights and violations of civic freedoms. Through both grassroots mobilization and digital campaigns, she continues to inspire young people to participate in public life and push for a fairer, more inclusive Uganda.

Receiving the award, Aloikin Praise Opoloje especially recognised the new young generation of human rights defenders in Uganda, saying: “When we call for human rights, we do it passionately and we do it hopefully, for the future we never had and for the past we cannot really talk about”.

Addressing the winner Aloikin Praise Opoloje, European Union Ambassador to Uganda His Excellency Jan Sadek said“In spite of challenges faced, notably being arrested twice and remanded to Luzira prison, you still carry on and encourage young people to be involved in the politics of Uganda, calling for respect of all rights and respect of the law.”

During his address Ambassador Jan Sadek also commended the work of the Ugandan Human Rights Commission: “Chairperson Wangadya deserves a warm appreciation and we recognise her and her dedication, as she is raising her voice on torture, as well as advocating for press freedom and the decriminalization of homosexuality!”.

Once again, the response to the call for nominations for the HRD Award highlighted both the range of human rights issues but also the vibrancy of activism in the country.

Also shortlisted for this year’s award were Hussein Kato Muyinda, lawyer and environmental rights defender, and Norah Kobusingye, a vocal defender of women’s rights. Mr. Muyinda was nominated for his inspiring work on environmental protection, as the co-founder of the Earth Rights Initiative he has been in the forefront of the struggle for environmental justice. Last year he was elected General Secretary of Climate Action Network Uganda (CAN-U). Ms. Kobusingye was nominated for her bold stand against corruption and gender-based violence. She is also both the co-Executive Director at Freedom Hive Uganda and CEO of Good Future and Hope.

Speaking before the award announcement, Ambassador of Sweden to Uganda Her Excellency Maria Håkansson thanked the three shortlisted candidates for their courage to shine a light on violations and abuses of human rights, and underlined the responsibility of the Ugandan state under international law to respect, to protect and to fulfil human rights for all its citizens, including taking measures to protect Human Rights Defenders.

Background

Human Rights Defenders (HRDs) are individuals who, individually or with others, act to promote and protect universally recognised human rights and fundamental freedoms in a peaceful manner. These include civil and political rights as well as economic, social and cultural rights. Examples of HRDs include journalists, bloggers, members of human rights NGOs, academics, lawyers, trade unionists, representatives of indigenous communities. The work of HRDs is essential for encouraging the respect for human rights as recognised by international human rights standards and agreements, and to secure accountability. The HRDs’ rights to freedom of expression, association and assembly need to be safeguarded to enable them to defend others.

An individual eligible for the EU HRD Award is nominated by another individual or organisation. Human Rights organisations active in Uganda were invited to nominate candidates for the award. Candidates were assessed by a panel composed of human rights experts of different European Embassies and the EU Heads of Mission.

Past winners of the EU HRD Award include Mr Gerald Kankya (2012) of Twerwaneho Listeners Club; Mr Geoffrey Wokulira Ssebaggala (2013), former Coordinator of Human Rights Network for Journalists (HRNJ); the three joint winners (2014) Ms Gladys Canogura of Kitgum Women Peace Initiative, Assistant Commissioner of Police Christine Alalo, Head of the Uganda Police Family and Child Protection Unit, and Mr Mohammed Ndifuna, Director of the Human Rights Network Uganda; Dr. Livingstone Sewanyana (2015), Founder & Executive Director of the Foundation for Human Rights Initiative (FHRI); Robert Sempala (2016) of the Human Rights Network of Journalists (HRNJ); Ms. Pamela Angwech (2017) Founder & Executive Director of the Gulu Women’s Economic Development & Globalization (GWED-G); two joint winners, Ms. Margaret Arach Orech, Founder and Director of the Uganda Landmine Survivors Association (ULSA) and Mr. Peter Sewakiryanga, a pastor with Kyampisi Childcare Ministries (KCM) in 2018; Mr William Amanzuru (2019), an environmental rights defender and founder of Friends of Zoka; Mr Aimé Moninga (2020), Founder of Men of Hope and an advocate for the rights of male survivors of sexual violence in conflict; and Ms. Rita Aciro (2021), Women’s Rights Defender and Executive Director of the Uganda Women’s Network (UWONET); Ms. Primah Kwagalah (2022), Executive Director of the Women’s Pro-bono Initiative; Ms. Agather Atuhaire (2023) Team Leader at Agora Discourse; Academic Cartoonist and Activist, Mr Jimmy “Spire” Ssentongo in 2024.

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Uganda, South Sudan and the Central African Republic (CAR) have signed a series of bilateral and tripartite agreements to develop cross-border road infrastructure and expand air connectivity.

The agreements have been concluded today, 15th of May at the end of a three-day Tripartite Ministerial Meeting held in Kampala, hosted by Hon. Gen. Edward Katumba Wamala, Uganda’s Minister of Works and Transport. The meeting brought together transport and infrastructure ministers from the three nations to strategize on collaborative infrastructure development and regional trade promotion.

The initiative follows an earlier engagement in March 2025, where Gen. Katumba Wamala led a Ugandan delegation to Bangui, the capital of the Central African Republic, to engage officials on the cross-border infrastructure project. The outcome was the agreement to convene the tripartite meeting in Kampala.

During the tripartite meeting held in Kampala, the officials discussed that the robust road infrastructure development project will commence from Uganda, Kampala-Karuma-Arua-Oraba-Kaya-Yeyi-Juba and/or Kampala-Karuma-Nimule-Juba-Kaya-Yeyi-Juba (Uganda to South Sudan); Juba-Mundri-Maridi-Yambio-Yubo-Ezo-Bambouti-Obo-Sibuti (South Sudan to CAR); and Ezo-Source-Yubu -Bambouti (South Sudan- Central African Republic).

The Ministers held and agreed to a phased project development and a joint mobilization of funding for the long-term undertakings of the project from the development partners to fund the project as a regional trade corridor.

A Tripartite Technical Committee (TTC) was formed composed of technical officials from the Ministries responsible for Transport, Infrastructure, and Public Works, Defense and Security, Foreign Affairs, Internal Affairs, and Solicitor General to conduct a joint inspection of the project on the proposed routes, finalize the road alignment, feasibility studies, and joint implementation framework.

At the sidelines of the Tripartite meeting, the Ministers responsible for Civil Aviation of the Republic of Uganda and Central African Republic concluded a Bilateral Air Service Agreement (BASA) and a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on operationalization of the BASA to enhance the aviation connectivity between Uganda and CAR, including planned commencement of Uganda Airlines flights to Central African Republic.

The Ministers expressed appreciation to the visionary leadership of the Heads of State of the Republic of Uganda, South Sudan and Central African Republic as guided on addressing the bottlenecks to infrastructure development and security for connectivity and trade promotion in the region

Uganda’s Minister for Works and Transport, Gen Edward Katumba Wamala, emphasized the importance of the project in fostering economic growth and regional stability.

Representing the Central African Republic, the Minister for Equipment and Public Works; Hon Eric Mathieu ROKOSSE-KAMOT expressed optimism about the collaboration, noting that improved road networks would significantly boost commerce and ease transportation challenges.

South Sudan’s delegation, led by the Minister for Roads and Bridges, Hon. Simon Mijok Mijak, echoed similar sentiments, highlighting the road’s potential to enhance security and economic integration.

Speaking at the event, the Minister for Transport and Civil Aviation of the Central African Republic, Hon. Herbert Gontran DJONO-AHABA observed that a Bilateral Air Service Agreement (BASA) with Uganda, would be very integral in enabling travelers to have easy ways to travel within the region hence reducing travel time.

In attendance were Government Officials and Diplomatic representatives including, Mr. Pius Perry Biribonwoha-the Solicitor General of Uganda, Amb. Brig. Gen. Ronnie Barya-Uganda’s Ambassador to South Sudan, Amb. Farid Kalisa-Uganda’s Ambassador to the Central African Republic, and senior and technical teams from the three countries who witnessed the launch of discussions and agreements that will shape the future of cross-border connectivity, transform transportation across the region, unlock new economic opportunities and strengthen diplomatic ties.

The Ministers have shared insights of the discussions held with President Yoweri Museveni and signed the agreements this afternoon.

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Parliament has passed the Hides and Skins Export Duty [Amendment] Bill, 2025, dropping exemptions that previously allowed the export of glue stock and semi-processed hides and skins without taxation.

Under the new law, all exports of hides and skins, including glue stock will attract a levy of $0.80 per kilogram.

Presenting the Committee report, Amos Kankunda, Chairperson of Parliament’s Finance Committee, noted that the removal of exemptions was prompted by a surge in glue stock exports that had depleted raw materials for local tanneries and hindered value addition efforts.

“The Amendment seeks to enhance availability of raw materials for Uganda’s tannery industry and support local value addition,” he said.

Legislators, however, debated passionately over the classification of “glue stock” products—offcuts of hides processed into a food item known as ponmo for West African markets.

While some Members of Parliament called for the exemption of glue stock to encourage innovation and export diversification, others insisted it should be taxed like any other hide-based product.

“We cannot say someone is exporting hides when they have cooked and packaged them as food. The URA [Uganda Revenue Authority] must assign the appropriate classification,” said Sheema Municipality MP, Dicksons Kateshumbwa.

Attorney General Kiryowa Kiwanuka clarified that the law targets exports classified as hides, not food.

“If they are exporting food, the law does not deal with them. However, if URA is classifying them as hides, then they must pay the levy,” he stated.

Parliament ultimately voted to maintain the tax on all hide-related exports, including glue stock, aligning with the broader national push for industrialisation and local value addition.

Parliament Passes Stamp Duty Amendment to Ease Access to Credit

In the same sitting, Parliament also passed the Stamp Duty [Amendment] Bill, 2025, introducing a new “near-duty” classification and scrapping the longstanding Shs 15,000 duty on agreements and mortgage deeds.

Henry Musasizi, Minister of State for Finance (General Duties), explained that the amendment seeks to reduce the cost burden of formalising legal and credit agreements.

“The bill provides for near-duty for agreements or memorandum of an agreement and a mortgage deed,” he said.

Committee Chairperson Amos Kankunda supported the move, stating that the removal of the Shs 15,000 stamp duty would ease the registration of agreements and encourage formalisation of contracts.

“The Committee recommends that the Shs15,000 stamp duty on agreements or memorandum of an agreement should attract near-duty as proposed,” Kankunda stated.

He added that stamp duties on credit-related instruments have been driving up borrowing costs and discouraging private sector growth.

“To support access to affordable credit and promote business growth, the government proposes near-duty on mortgage deeds and mortgage of a crop,” he said.

This position was also backed by Attorney General Kiryowa Kiwanuka, who said the bill responds to earlier concerns that stamp duty was being charged even on employment appointment letters.

“The issue was to remove the duty on any of those registrable memorandum… now you can have your agreement without duty,” he said.

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The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in partnership with the Government of Uganda and Kyambogo University have launched the 2025 Human Development Report (HDR), titled “A Matter of Choice: People and Possibilities in the Age of AI” at Kyambogo University.

The report delivers a sobering global message: after decades of steady gains, human development progress is slowing, and the world is at risk of a development crisis unless decisive action is taken.

Since 1990, UNDP through its flagship Human Development Report (HDR) has challenged conventional thinking about progress by putting people—not economic growth—at the center of development. The 2025 HDR continues this tradition by examining how AI can be shaped to advance rather than undermine human development.

“The 2025 Human Development Report underscores the critical importance of strategic decision-making for Uganda to harness the transformative potential of AI,” said UNDP Resident Representative Ms. Nwanne Vwede-Obahor during the launch. “In alignment with this vision, UNDP remains steadfast in it’s commitment to working alongside stakeholders to support the Government of Uganda in creating an enabling environment for responsible and inclusive AI adoption.”

Ms. Nwanne Vwede-Obahor added “Human development is not predetermined – it is a matter of choice. Let us join forces to shape an inclusive, digital, and AI-powered future that leaves no Ugandan behind.”

Uganda’s HDI shows long-term gains, though inequality persists Uganda’s Human Development Index (HDI) value stands at 0.582, placing the country in the medium human development category and ranking it 157 out of 193 countries and territories. Since 1990, Uganda has made significant progress with a 70.2% increase in HDI, driven by improvements in life expectancy (up by 20.7 years), expected years of schooling (up by 5.8 years), and GNI per capita (up by 158%).

However, inequality remains a persistent challenge. When adjusted for inequality, Uganda’s HDI drops to 0.400, reflecting a 31.3% loss due to disparities in health, education, and income – slightly higher than the Sub-Saharan average but significantly lower than the global average.

Prime Minister Robinnah Nabbanja’s speech, presented by Monica Musenero, Minister for Science, Innovation and Technology said that since adopting the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in 2015, Uganda has been steadfast in its efforts to realize its aspirations. In 2023, Uganda launched an ambitious growth strategy to expand its economy from USD 50 billion to 500 billion by 2040. The 10/4 Growth Strategy is anchored on agro-industrialization, tourism, mineral development, and science, technology, and innovation—what are call the ATMs—to accelerate growth.

 “The Fourth National Development Plan, to be implemented between 2025/26 and 2029/30, is the first of the three five-year NDPs that will deliver this tenfold economic growth. The NDP IV recognizes that human capital development plays a crucial role in unlocking the full potential of individuals and societies, thereby enhancing productivity and the quality of life. It also recognizes that science, technology, and innovation are deep drivers of progress.”

“This report arrives at a fitting moment for Uganda and the world, as we navigate the transformative potential and challenges of artificial intelligence. AI is both a great opportunity and a great responsibility. Uganda’s journey towards human development is one of resilience, experience, and focus. Over the years, we have witnessed significant advancements in various dimensions of human development, as reflected in the Human Development Index.”

“The transition from the low to medium human development category in 2022 was a testament to our collective efforts in improving the wellbeing of our people. While we celebrate our achievements, we must also acknowledge the persistent challenges—particularly inequality and gender disparities. The 31.3% loss in Uganda’s Human Development Index due to inequality serves as a reminder of the work ahead of us.”

“Gender inequality remains a significant concern, and one I am especially passionate about. Uganda’s Gender Inequality Index of 0.524 and ranking of 141 out of 172 reflect this. While we have made strides in empowering women and girls, there’s still much ground to cover to achieve gender equality. We must redouble our efforts to dismantle systemic barriers and create an enabling environment where every individual, regardless of gender, can thrive and contribute to national development.”

“We must not overlook the environmental challenges facing our planet. While Uganda exerts lower environmental pressures than the global average, our greenhouse gas emissions are growing at a high rate of 3.1% per annum. It is incumbent upon us to adopt sustainable practices to mitigate our impact and ensure a prosperous future.”

“This 2025 HDR is important for Uganda because it underscores a critical truth: AI is not just a technological revolution, but a human development crossroads. The report must be contextualized within Uganda’s current social, economic, and political landscape. It is a call to action.”

“Uganda now has its Digital Transformation Framework, which provides a unified direction for ICT development. With support from partners such as UNDP, we have developed the Uganda Digital Vision. This strategy integrates and improves all ICT strategies and plans. We also launched the Digital Transformation Roadmap in 2023 to guide our transition to a digital economy, focusing on infrastructure, e-governance, and innovation.”

“In addition, we have developed a Big Data Strategy to inform policy decisions, particularly in healthcare, agriculture, and climate resilience. Our AI Framework and upcoming National AI Strategy will guide ethical and inclusive AI deployment in key sectors such as health, agriculture, education, and public administration.”

“Government is committed to strategic infrastructure investment, education, and capacity building. We are ensuring equitable access to internet and digital technologies, particularly in underserved and rural areas. We are also working to build digital literacy and AI skills, especially among women, youth, and marginalized populations.”

“Finally, we are establishing monitoring mechanisms to ensure AI governance frameworks uphold ethical standards and human rights. I hope you had fruitful deliberations in contextualizing the findings of this HDR in Uganda’s context. I am happy to note that relevant ministers and government officials actively participated in today’s discussions.”

AI: A game-changer, though only if Uganda chooses wisely The 2025 HDR emphasizes that artificial intelligence (AI) holds transformative potential for human development, though its benefits are not guaranteed. The report cautions that without strategic choices and investment in human capability, AI could deepen inequality.

For countries like Uganda, this represents both a risk and an opportunity. AI solutions must be tailored to Uganda’s specific needs. This includes integrating local languages, embracing cultural diversity, and focusing on augmenting jobs rather than replacing them to boost productivity.

The report reveals stark gender disparities. Uganda’s Gender Development Index (GDI) is 0.908, with female HDI (0.556) trailing behind male HDI (0.612). The Gender Inequality Index (GII) ranks Uganda 141 out of 172 countries, pointing to persistent inequality in education, labour force participation, and political representation.

On the environmental front, Uganda’s Planetary Pressures–Adjusted HDI is 0.569, only slightly lower than its HDI. This relatively small adjustment (2.2%) suggests that Uganda exerts less pressure on the planet than the average Sub-Saharan country, underscoring opportunities for sustainable development.

The report findings point to the need for Uganda to focus on: Building a complementarity economy: Positioning AI as a tool to enhance – not replace – human work. Driving innovation with intent: Ensuring AI serves public good by embedding equity and inclusion in its development. And Investing in capabilities that count: Strengthening education, digital literacy, and access to AI tools.

With a youthful tech-savvy population, ongoing digital expansion, and a strategic Fourth National Development Plan (NDPIV), Uganda is well-positioned to harness AI to accelerate development, with success dependent on making the right choices today.

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