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Reach A Hand uses expressive arts to break menstrual health stigma in schools

By
Our Reporter
-
Students use drama to break menstrual stigma during the “Undo The Taboo” showcase by Reach A Hand Uganda. The performance depicted a girl facing period-related shame, highlighting the urgent need for open.

Kampala, Uganda – Reach A Hand Uganda, through its “Undo The Taboo” and “GN Trybe” initiatives, brought together over 1,000 students from more than 20 schools across the country to highlight the effectiveness of edutainment in menstrual hygiene management as well showcase innovative menstrual products and disposal mechanisms.

Held under the theme “Youth Innovations for Sustainable Menstrual Health and Hygiene,” the event took place at London College of St. Lawrence in Maya. It was attended by key stakeholders including officials from the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Education, teachers, civil society organizations, private sector representatives, and celebrated musicians Allan Toniks and Daxx Kartel, who delivered motivational “Power Talks” on menstrual hygiene.

Expressive arts—including poetry, visual art, dance, fashion, creative writing, debate, and drama—served as tools to challenge menstrual stigma and encourage open conversations on topics often considered taboo in formal or cultural settings. These artistic showcases were held in a competitive format, encouraging creativity and innovation.

Among the highlights were demonstrations of environmentally friendly menstrual management solutions.

Students presented incinerator prototypes made from biodegradable materials like cardboard, and reusable sanitary pads designed for both affordability and sustainability. A panel discussion also addressed the challenges surrounding menstrual health management in schools.

To recognize student efforts, certificates of participation were awarded, and the top three schools received trophies and cash prizes:

● Seeta High School, A-Level Campus – Shs3 million (Overall Winner)

● London College of St. Lawrence – Shs2 million (First Runner-Up)

● The Academy of St. Lawrence – Shs1 million (Second Runner-Up)

Humphrey Nabimanya, Chief Executive Officer of Reach A Hand Uganda, emphasized the role of edutainment in breaking stigma: “Edutainment helps overcome the silence and shame around menstruation. It creates a safe space where learners feel free to share, which addresses a major barrier to effective menstrual health education in Uganda,’’ he said while emphasizing Reach A Hand’s commitment to empower young people through Undo the Taboo and GN Trybe initiatives.

Agnes Ssebowa, Senior Technical Officer for Adolescent and School Health at the Ministry of Health, praised Reach A Hand’s innovative approach: “The Ministry is committed to making every school a safe and supportive environment for all learners. We integrate menstrual health into education because it is a matter of human rights and dignity.”

students engage in a debate.

Students expressed appreciation for the platform: “Talking about menstruation used to make us feel ashamed,” said Luke, a student from London College of St. Lawrence. “But today, it felt normal.”

According to the Auditor General’s report, 2023/24 financial year, 64% of female students miss school regularly due to a lack of menstrual materials and inadequate Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) facilities.

The same report found that 46% of 48 schools visited did not provide emergency pads or any menstrual hygiene management (MHM) support, and many lacked access to clean water, proper sanitation, or disposal facilities.

About Reach A Hand Uganda Reach A Hand Uganda is a youth-led non-profit organization dedicated to empowering young people in Uganda through advocacy, awareness campaigns, and community engagement focusing on key issues affecting youth, including sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), education, mental health, gender equality, and

About GN Trybe

GN Trybe, short for Generation Now Trybe, is a community for the Gen Z (1997–2012) and Gen Alpha (2013–2015). It is a youth-centered behavioral change communication initiative designed to respond to the evolving challenges young people face today. The initiative uses bold and innovative strategies to raise awareness and reduce sexual and reproductive health risks that often limit young people’s rights to quality education, mental well-being, and a healthy, empowered life.

Students use arts to break menstrual stigma during the “Undo The Taboo” showcase by Reach A Hand Uganda. The performance depicted a girl facing period-related shame, highlighting the urgent need for open.

About Undo The Taboo

Undo the Taboo is a campaign by Reach A Hand Uganda to address menstrual hygiene management among young people in Uganda. It aims to raise awareness and eliminate the stigma surrounding menstruation, promote sustainable and eco-friendly menstrual hygiene practices, and advocate for improved access to safe and sustainable sanitation facilities, access to education, and the realization of the right to health, especially SRHR of young women and girls.

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Speaker Among nominated for NRM 2nd National Vice Chairperson 

By
Simon Kabayo
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Speaker of Parliament, Anita Among escorted by her supporter soon after being nominated for the post of 2nd National Vice Chairperson of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) party.

The Speaker of Parliament, Annet Anita Among has officially joined the race for the position of Second National Vice Chairperson (Female) on the Central Executive Committee (CEC) of the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) party.

Among returned her nomination forms on Thursday amid pomp and excitement, accompanied by several senior party figures including the Government Chief Whip Hamson Obua, State Minister for Sports Peter Ogwang, and former Minister of Foreign Affairs Sam Kutesa.

She is set to face off with the incumbent, First Deputy Prime Minister Rebecca Kadaga, in what is expected to be one of the most closely watched contests within the NRM’s internal elections.

Addressing supporters shortly after her nomination, Speaker Among expressed deep appreciation for the overwhelming support she received from party delegates despite heavy rains in the morning.

“I want to express my gratitude to all the delegates from the NRM party who braved the early morning showers to accompany us during the nomination exercise,” she said.

She noted, “I pledge to demonstrate the same level of commitment in promoting the ideals and aspirations of our esteemed party when I am elected as the Second National Vice Chairperson (Female).”

She also extended her appreciation to Ugandans from across the country who have supported her political journey.

“I would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to all Ugandans from every background who have joined us on this journey,” Among noted.

She added, “I urge everyone to come out in large numbers to support the leader of our revolution, General Kaguta Museveni, as he is nominated tomorrow.”

President Museveni’s scheduled for Saturday, July 5, 2025, at the NRM Electoral Commission headquarters.

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Letter to Ugandan stubborn youth

By
Guest Writer
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Sections of NRM youth celebrate after nomination of NRM flag bearer Yoweri Museveni.

When I saw the Ugandan youth escorting Comrade Yoweri Kaguta Museveni to nomination at Kyadondo Road in Kampala seeking to be NRM Chairman to-be and Presidential flag bearer on Saturday June 28, 2025 terrorizing and stealing from their grandparents, parents, relatives and friends, I concluded in fear that there is a shadow of death looming around the country. 

But before this happens, I wish to counsel the youth to read on:

A MAN IS LIKE A TRAIN:

At 20 years he is like the locomotive, it stops at every station.

At 30 years he is like the special hire, it stops only at the large towns.

At 40 years he is like the express, it stops at the big cities.

At 50 years he is like the old locomotive, it stops often to lubricate.

At 60 years he does not leave anymore, it remains in the yard and

A WOMAN IS LIKE THE WORLD

At 20 years, she is like Africa, Semi-explored.

At 30 years, she is like India, Warm, mature and mysterious.

At 40 years she is like America, technically perfect.

At 50 years she is like Europe, All in ruins.

At 60 years she is like Siberia, everyone knows where it is

But no one wants go.

Perhaps each of us in Uganda has heard this adage ‘’when life hands you a lemon, make lemonade.’’ And reading the above statements, I believe the following advice fits in the current political situation.

Young men and women, surely no deal overrides reality and gravity. I have lately, tearfully observed that those killing and being killed on the streets, politically and in broad daylight are our youth especially if one remembers the Gen Z demonstrations in Nairobi and other major cities in Kenya. I, too was once a youth but for me nature handed me very organized, strict and disciplinarian, now deceased parents (the late King’s African Rifles – KAR father Kaloli Wamoto and wife Maria Masibo Mutonyi) supported by an equally cohesive, knitted-together Bagisu community regulated by revered, traditional norms, values, precepts passed down from generation to generation. These elders insisted on ground discipline.

In 1980, I joined UGANDA PATRIOTIC MOVEMENT (UPM) then led by youthful Yoweri Museveni aged 34 years at the time, having been particularly influenced by articulate men like Perez Musamali, Victor Wanyoto, Eriya Watyekyere, Maumbe Mukhwana, Israel Mayengo, Matia Kasaija now Minister for Finance, Planning and Economic Development, the late Ali Muwabe Kirunda Kivejinja, Dr. Kizza Besigye, Fr. Okoth, Jabeli Bidandi Ssali, Eriya Kateregaya, Ruhakana Rugunda, Chrispus Kiyonga, and others.

I had returned from the Republic of Kenya on 11th March 1979, exactly one month before the fall of Field Marshal Idi Amin Dada to ready myself for the dreaded and revered IMBALU (male circumcision) which surgery I underwent a few months before the December 1980 general elections which culminated into the Luweero Triangle people’s protracted war up to 1986.

I was an indomitable but cautious activist of UPM’s Museveni and group. Cautious as mentioned earlier because my parents (Catholics hence members of the Democratic Party) interrogated me as to where I knew young Museveni from when I had just returned from Kenya. My father, a liberal veteran KAR understood my reasons that UPM was my only cup of tea. I was therefore left to freely do my politically radical things of my youth days but there remained a general community responsibility and rule that we, I mean the youth of the time must be home not later than 7:00 pm without fail.

UPC’s A.M. Obote took over power and later, I retreated from the public eye because in my village in Bukhura – now J.B Nambeshe’s Manjiya constituency in present day Bududa district where I had been nicknamed Museveni which put my life and movements in danger. I relocated to Kampala by train on 6th February 1981 not aware that Museveni and his colleagues had fled Kampala and attacked Kabamba military academy the same day. I survived death because in my brief case I had put my UPM Literature. Some few people were killed at Kireka Army Barracks (now Police Special Investigations Unit) as the train from Malaba was blocked. I survived because the Tanzanian soldiers in the country at the time realized I knew the Kiswahili language.

Kampala was deserted when the train arrived at the main railway station. So, I loitered in the city until I was late and in breach of curfew hours. I was walking towards the line of fire as I was strolling downward to Centenary Park (then known as Yard, a very serious life and death roadblock had been set). Later, I got a menial job at then Coffee Marketing Board (CMB) as I waited for my Swiss Scholarship at Kenya Utalii College Nairobi through Hon. Patrick Masette Kuuya who was a powerful UPC Minister, and his Undersecretary, the late Andrew Kidiya at the then Ministry of Rehabilitation.

Mind you, Politics is nothing unless God’s favor is upon someone. We wanted Obote to fail, but he won and we were forced to be obedient. You can be the same today as you wait for your sweet government, just as I did.

In 1985, the Nairobi Peace Talks (Museveni and Okello Lutwa) found me at Kenya Utalii College. The National Resistance Army (NRA) stormed out of the talks many times. I knew president Moi’s weak spot because I studied with most of his Caterers. He (Moi), the host and chairman of the Peace Talks was determined to steer the talks to a successful conclusion expecting a Nobel Peace Prize. President Moi through his student staff contacted me and the late Joseph Basekezi Ssenyonyi (current LOP and NUP’S Joel Ssenyonyi’s father). President Moi facilitated us to mobilize Ugandan students at Kenya Polytechnic and Kenya Utalii College to stage simultaneous, peaceful (just carrying huge placards) to Harambe House (Kenya’s President’s Office) and at Hotel Inter-continental where the NRA delegates were residing. This was a double score for us students, President Moi and Uganda. In 1986, NRM/NRA had captured power, then again luck handed me the now First Lady Janet K Museveni and her then young family (kids) General Muhoozi was 12 years old at Utalii Hotel (the College’s Practical Unit) where I was a finalist trainee manager attending to them.

My last encounter with a member of the first family was when God’s favor handed me Gen. Caleb Akandwanaho, popularly known as Salim Saleh at the Senior Command and Staff College at Kimaka in Jinja City. My story says this in short: Don’t die quickly. Fight with wisdom, please wait for your good government with good conduct, prayer and peace, not troublesome riotslike what we saw at Nile Avenue where even the former Director of C.I.D Ms Grace Akullo and her son were almost killed.

NabendehWamoto SP (0776658433)

Email: simonwamoto@yahoo.co.uk

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Kyambogo University dismisses Guild President over breach of peace

By
Our Reporter
-
Kyambogo University dismissed the Guild President, Banjamin Akiso.

Kyambogo University has dismissed the Guild President, Akiso Benjamin immediately, following a disciplinary hearing where he was found guilty of breaching peace, mounting roadblocks, and being insubordinate to university authority.

The dismissal follows a letter signed by Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Eli Katunguka-Rwakishaya noting that his actions are contrary to the Kyambogo University Students’ Regulations 2003 as amended in 2016.

The letter dated July 3, 2025, Prof. Katunguka-Rwakishaya stated that the University Council agreed with the Students Affairs and Welfare Committee’s recommendation to dismiss Akiso from the university.

“After the hearing of the case, the Students Affairs and Welfare Committee’s findings are that you breached peace, mounted roadblocks and you were insubordinate to the University authority as per the University students’ regulations,” the letter reads in part.

However, sections of the university community also fault Katunguka for dictatorship tendencies that he imported to Kyambogo after being rejected by Makerere where both professors Byaramureeba and Luboobi rejected him.

Following the dismissal, Akiso is prohibited from attending academic and extracurricular activities, using any university facilities, or making any representation on behalf of the Kyambogo University Students’ Guild or the university.

The decision marks the end of Akiso’s academic journey at Kyambogo University, and it serves as a reminder to students of the importance of adhering to the institution’s rules and regulations.

However, being the National Unity Platform’s (NUP) Head of Institutions, Akiso’s dismissal has sparked outrage from the party’s leadership. The NUP Principal, Robert Kyagulanyi alias Bobi Wine, described the university’s move as a politically motivated attack on student activism.

“His crime? Leading his fellow students in a peaceful protest against unfair tuition policies targeting students from poor families,” Bobi Wine said.

He accused the regime of weaponizing public institutions to suppress dissent.

“Museveni and his enablers have taken over all public institutions and are doing everything possible to silence any kind of dissent.”

Bobi Wine noted that the party is pursuing legal options to challenge the decision, but also used the moment to rally Ugandans against injustice.

“While we explore legal remedies for this brother, this is a reminder of why we must work hard in unity to put an end to this mess.”

He concluded by praising the dismissed Guild President for his courage.

“I salute you comrade Akiso for remaining strong amidst this ordeal. You did not commit any crime for standing up for justice and fairness. History will be kind to you.”

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Minister Mwebesa commissions 10th National Standards Council

By
Francisco Adongo
-
New Standards Council.

The Minister of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives, Hon. Francis Mwebesa, has officially inaugurated the 10th National Standards Council (NSC), the governing body of the Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS).

The ceremony, held at the Kampala Serena Hotel on July 2, 2025, marked the beginning of a new chapter for the standards agency tasked with promoting product quality and safety across Uganda.

In his keynote address, Minister Mwebesa urged the new board to enhance the role of standards in protecting consumers and strengthening Uganda’s trade capacity.

“I implore you to help businesses comply with standards, through capacity-building programs,” he said.

He added, “You must also conduct regular factory checks where goods are made to ensure that they meet the relevant standards before they are placed on the market.”

He further emphasized the importance of increasing public awareness on certified products and aligning UNBS operations with national development initiatives such as the Parish Development Model and the upcoming National Development Plan IV.

Minister of State for Trade, Gen. Wilson Mbasu Mbadi, echoed similar sentiments, noting that adherence to standards is critical to Uganda’s competitiveness in regional and global markets.

“We must improve our trade through standardisation to foster export promotion, import substitution, and industrialisation,”

Gen. Mbadi said. He called for a robust quality assurance framework that can inspire confidence in Ugandan-made goods.

The newly appointed chairperson of the council, Eng. James Kalibbala, pledged to restore public confidence in the institution while strengthening partnerships across government and private sectors.

“We are committed to repositioning UNBS as a professional and reliable institution that supports the national agenda,” Kalibbala said, adding that rebuilding the organisation’s image would be a priority under his leadership.

Also speaking at the event, the Executive Director of UNBS, Eng. James Kasigwa who also serves as Secretary to the Council, reaffirmed the bureau’s commitment to supporting local enterprises, especially small and medium-sized businesses.

“We are going to hand-hold, train, and empower our local enterprises, especially start-ups and MSMEs, to comply with standards,” he said.

He noted that standards compliance is not just a regulatory requirement, but a gateway to unlocking market access, improving product value, and driving industrial growth.

The newly constituted board comes at a critical time as Uganda intensifies efforts to improve the quality of its locally produced goods and attract international trade opportunities. With rising concerns over counterfeit products and substandard imports, the council’s leadership is expected to play a pivotal role in policy enforcement and public education around product certification.

As Uganda aims to become a regional trade powerhouse, the work of the 10th National Standards Council will be instrumental in building a trusted ecosystem of quality, safety, and competitiveness for Ugandan goods and services.

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UPDF targets 11,500 Ugandans in nationwide recruitment exercise 

By
Simon Kabayo
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Army Spokesperson, Brig. Kulaigye

The Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) has announced the recruitment of 11,500 qualified Ugandans into its ranks, in an exercise scheduled to take place between Monday, July 7, and Friday, July 11, 2025.

The exercise targets both regular forces and professionals across various disciplines, according to Defence and Military Spokesperson Maj. Gen. Felix Kulayigye.

The recruitment will be conducted in two phases: an online application phase and a physical verification and medical screening phase held at designated recruitment centres.

“All aspiring candidates must submit their applications online through the official UPDF Recruitment Portal: recruitment.updf.go.ug,” Maj. Gen. Kulayigye announced.

He added, “Applicants must upload a passport photo, academic documents, and a valid National ID.”

Shortlisted applicants will be published on the UPDF website and at their respective district headquarters. Physical recruitment will follow, covering all 135 districts and 11 cities in Uganda. Those shortlisted will report to designated centres with handwritten applications endorsed by local leaders (LCI, LCII, LCIII) and GISO or DISO, along with academic documents, passport-sized photos, and their National Identity Card.

“The recruitment will be conducted using population statistics from the Uganda Bureau of Statistics as of June 2024 to determine quotas per district and city,” Kulayigye noted.

Target Groups

The recruitment targets two broad categories: general recruits and professionals.

For the regular force, applicants must hold the Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE) and be aged between 18 and 22 years. For Grade V teachers, the age limit is 20 to 25 years, and they must hold a diploma from a recognized teacher training institution.

The Air Force recruitment will be conducted centrally at Kololo and targets a wide range of professionals including: Qualified Pilots and Pilot Instructors with valid private or commercial licenses and a science background. Aircraft Maintenance Engineers with relevant diplomas. Air Traffic Controllers with a BSc and valid rating. Meteorologists with relevant academic backgrounds. Graduates in IT, software engineering, telecoms, computer science, mechanical and electrical engineering. Senior Six leavers with strong science combinations, at least two principal passes and 12 points or more. Applicants for A-Level-based positions must have obtained a minimum of two Principal Passes with at least 8 points and be aged between 18 and 23.

“Professionals, S.6 leavers, Grade V teachers, and Air Force candidates will be centrally recruited at Kololo Ceremonial Grounds,” Kulayigye confirmed.

Eligibility Criteria

All candidates must be Ugandan citizens with valid National IDs, law-abiding, physically and medically fit, and residents of the district where they are applying. Applications must be endorsed by local authorities including LCI, LCII, LCIII, GISO/DISO, and the RDC.

“Let it be clear that recruitment into the UPDF is absolutely free of charge,” Brig. Gen. Kulayigye warned.

He urged, “Do not pay any money to anyone. Report fraudsters to the nearest police station.”

He encouraged women professionals to apply, emphasizing the UPDF’s commitment to equal opportunity.

“We invite all qualified, disciplined, and patriotic Ugandans to take advantage of this opportunity to serve their country. The UPDF stands for patriotism, discipline, nationalism, and Pan-Africanism. We wish all applicants the best of luck,” Kulaigye noted. 

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Equity Bank Uganda Limited delegation pays visit to NMG

By
Francisco Adongo
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Equity Bank Uganda Managing Director, Gift Shoko being welcome by Susan Nsibirwa, Nation Media Group MD Uganda to NMG Kampala head office at Namuwongo as Equity group paid a courtesy.

A delegation from Equity Bank Uganda led by Managing Director Gift Shoko paid a courtesy visit to the Nation Media Group head office in Namwongo, a Kampala suburb.

The courtesy visit, held on Thursday July 3,2025, is part of a series of meetings that the Bank is holding to help strengthen media collaborations.

Accompanying Mr Shoko was Olivia Mugaba, Equity Bank’s Head of SME Banking, Clare Tumwebaze, Head of Marketing and Communications.

The team was received by Nation Media Group Uganda MD Susan Nsibirwa flanked by Hajara Batuka, NMG Head of Marketing, Allan Chekwech, the Managing Editor, Daily Monitor, George Kihuria, General Manager, Finance and Sam Barata, NMG General Manager, Commercial.

Ms Susan Nsibirwa highlighted NMG’s East African footprint, including Daily Monitor, NTV, KFM, and The East African, indicating areas of collaboration and channels of partnership in spreading the Equity Bank story not only in Uganda but also in East Africa.

She also expressed gratitude for, amongst others, Equity Bank’s three-year strong Top 100 sponsorship and banking support for socio-economic initiatives around the country.

On his part, Equity Bank’s MD Gift Shoko pointed that the Bank is currently serving 2.3 million customers in Uganda, and the key focus areas are agricultural, trade, Small and Medium Enterprises, retail and manufacturing sectors and Energy and Environment among others.

Other areas that the Bank is currently focusing on the provision of social protection for refugees, affordable credit for youth and women and farmers.

Both parties agreed to explore content collaborations, advocating for impactful storytelling on youth and women’s initiatives and a commitment to mutual growth, with plans for future dialogues.

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Liverpool star Diogo Jota dies in car accident

By
Our Reporter
-
RIP Diogo Jota, Liverpool star.

Liverpool star Diogo Jota has died at the age of 28 after his Lamborghini careered off a road in northern Spain – just two weeks after he married his childhood sweetheart.

The Portuguese forward was travelling in the supercar with his younger brother Andre, 26, a fellow professional footballer who also died in the crash in the early hours of this morning.

The tyre of the Lamborghini, reportedly a £150,000 Urus SUV, is said to have blown out while overtaking on the A-52 at Cernadilla near Zamora in northwestern Spain, close to the border with Portugal.

The supercar came off the road, rolled and then burst into flames at around 12.35am, also igniting the surrounding vegetation. The emergency services were called but the brothers could not be saved.  Police say they don’t yet know who was driving.

Liverpool FC said in a statement that the club is ‘devastated’ by the tragedy and that Diogo’s family, friends and fans had suffered an ‘unimaginable loss’. Flowers and tributes are being laid outside Anfield today, with many fans in tears.

Jota had just married Rute Cardoso, the 28-year-old mother of his three children and partner since the age of 16. He had described himself as the luckiest man in the world to be her husband, sharing moving footage of their wedding day in his final Instagram post on Wednesday afternoon.

The couple married on June 22 in Porto, the footballer’s home city. Rute shared more wedding day pictures in a social media post yesterday and said: ‘My dream come true.’ Jota replied in the comments: ‘I’m the lucky one.’

The Lamborghini crash happened on the A-52 in the province of Zamora. The Spanish dual carriageway is a key route taken by drivers after leaving northern Portugal as they head for the ports of Santander and Bilbao or drive north-east towards France.

Emergency services in the Castilla and Leon region confirmed the crash and two fatalities at around 12.35am on Thursday morning.  Diogo and Andre’s deaths were then confirmed by the Portuguese Football Federation at around 8am.

Cristiano Ronaldo, Jota’s friend and teammate and Portugal’s greatest player, said today: ‘It doesn’t make any sense. Just now we were together for the national team, you were just married. To your family, to your wife and children, I send my condolences and wish them all the strength in the world. I know you will always be with them. RIP. Diogo and Andre. We will all miss you’.

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UPDF commissions Shs13.2b Modern Auditorium at Singo with support from US gov’t

By
Simon Kabayo
-

The Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) yesterday received a state-of-the-art auditorium at the International Peace Support Operations Training Centre (IPSO TC) in Singo, constructed by the United States government under the Global Peace Operations Initiative (GPOI).

The new facility, valued at $3.7 million (approximately Shs13.2 billion), is located at the International Peace Support Operations Training Center (IPSOTC) and is expected to significantly enhance the UPDF’s training and operational readiness for international peacekeeping missions.

With a seating capacity of over 1,500 personnel, the auditorium is equipped with advanced audiovisual and IT infrastructure. It also includes dedicated office space, storage facilities, and conference rooms, making it a versatile resource for hosting workshops, strategic meetings, and other large-scale UPDF engagements.

The facility was officially handed over by Mr Palmer Phillip, Director of GPOI.

Speaking at the handover ceremony, the UPDF Chief of Joint Staff, Lt Gen Jack Bakasumba, expressed gratitude to the U.S. government for its enduring support, particularly in promoting peace and combating terrorism in the region and beyond.

“This partnership with the United States, which dates back to 2007, has significantly strengthened our capacity in foreign missions,” Lt Gen Bakasumba said.

He reaffirmed Uganda’s dedication to international peace, stressing the UPDF’s readiness to deploy wherever required.

Brig Gen John Patrick Otongo, Commandant of IPSO TC, commended the engineering teams for their commitment to completing the facility. He acknowledged the vital roles of Lt Gen Bakasumba and Mr Palmer, who first conceived the idea for the auditorium in 2018. He further thanked the U.S. government for its extensive contributions to the UPDF, particularly in infrastructure and equipment development.

Representing the U.S. government, Lt Col Chris Noumba, Defence Attaché to Uganda, hailed the handover as a significant milestone in strengthening military-to-military cooperation.

“This auditorium reflects the strong ties between our two countries and Uganda’s unwavering role in advancing global peace,” he said.

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PostBank’s Wendi disburses Shs1t to PDM beneficiaries

By
Our Reporter
-
PostBank's Wendi executives.

Wendi, the innovative digital wallet developed by PostBank Uganda, has disbursed an unprecedented Shs1 trillion (about $260 million ) to beneficiaries of the Parish Development Model (PDM).

“We received about Shs500 billion in January this year. As we speak, 100% of that money has been disbursed to all the parish SACCO group accounts, and more than 90% has already reached the individual beneficiaries,” George William Kiyingi, PostBank’s Head of Agent Banking and Fintech Distribution, stated.

“We got another Shs500 billion at the beginning of June and all of that has been dispatched from the bank,” he added.

Wendi has revolutionized access to financial services in rural Uganda, according to Kiyingi.

 “Before Wendi, beneficiaries had to travel long distances — sometimes from Nakapiripirit to Moroto or from Pallisa to Mbale — just to open bank accounts. Now, all you need is a national ID and a phone, and you’re registered in minutes,” he explained.

The platform has successfully onboarded over 1.3 million PDM beneficiaries since 2024, a number that continues to grow.

A crucial aspect of Wendi’s success is its seamless integration with the Parish Development Management Information System (PDMIS), the government’s centralized digital platform for PDM loan management.

“Since February 2024, before any disbursement happens on Wendi, the system automatically checks with PDMIS to verify whether the loan has been approved. If it hasn’t been cleared in PDMIS, the payment fails,” Kiyingi noted.

This integration guarantees transparency, accountability, and prevents errors in disbursement.

Beyond individual beneficiaries, Wendi also reinforces financial governance at the SACCO (Savings and Credit Cooperative Organization) level. Each group account is jointly controlled by three leaders — a chairperson, secretary, and treasurer — requiring unanimous approval for any transaction.

“If even one doesn’t approve, the transaction is rejected,” Kiyingi emphasized, ensuring robust oversight.

Wendi’s impact extends beyond just disbursements; it actively encourages savings and facilitates loan repayment. “We offer up to 10% annual interest on savings made through Wendi,” Kiyingi said, highlighting the incentive to cultivate a savings culture across Uganda.

PostBank plans to offer follow-on loans via Wendi for beneficiaries who successfully repay their initial PDM loans. “We want to move people from subsistence to sustainability,” Kiyingi affirmed, seeing Wendi as more than just a payment channel but a tool for lasting empowerment. PostBank aims to further expand Wendi’s reach across Uganda, striving for comprehensive financial inclusion.

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