Detained National Unity Platform deputy spokesperson, Alex Waiswa Mufumbiro has written to the Chief Justice of Supreme Court of Uganda pleading for a temporary release to attend the burial of his wife, who has succumbed to cancer.

In a letter dated April 8, 2026, Mufumbiro, who identifies himself as Accused No. 8 in Criminal Case No. 1363 of 2025 and also faces charges in Criminal Case No. 147 of 2026, says he has been on remand at Upper Luzira Prison since September 2025.

He explains that under the 2025 case, he is charged with unlawful drilling before the Chief Magistrate’s Court at Kawempe, presided over by Her Worship Ddamalie Aguma Asiimwe. Despite filing several bail applications through his lawyers, including a mandatory bail request, he says all attempts have been unsuccessful.

“Under Case No. 1363 of 2025, I am charged with unlawful drilling… and despite several applications for bail through my lawyers, including a mandatory bail application, my requests have not been successful,”he wrote.

While still in custody, Mufumbiro says he was slapped with a second charge of incitement to commit an offence under Criminal Case No. 147 of 2026, now before Chief Magistrate Ainemababazi Doreen. He notes that he is expected back in court on April 10, 2026 for bail rulings in both matters.

The detainee told the Chief Justice that he received news of his wife Edith Katende’s death with “great sadness,” noting she had battled cancer for a long time.

“With great sadness I have learnt of the passing of my dear wife Edith Katende who has been battling cancer for a considerable time,”he wrote.

He added that in her final days, Katende expressed a wish that he be allowed to stand by her and lay her to rest.

“In the final days of her illness… she expressed her last and most earnest wish that I be by her side and that I be permitted to lay her to rest,”Mufumbiro stated.

In an emotional appeal, the National Unity Platform deputy spokesperson asked the Chief Justice to intervene and direct the Grade One Magistrate’s Court at Kawempe to grant him bail, even if temporarily, so he can bury his wife.

“And it is the very reason I have decided to appeal to your office for my temporary release. I pray that you entreat the Chief Magistrate… to grant me bail to be able to bury my wife,” he wrote.

Mufumbiro emphasized that his request is grounded in respect for the law, not defiance of it.

“I approach Your Lordship not as a man who disregards the law, but as a man who is taking the law in its most human and dignified expression to permit me one final act of love for my wife,”he wrote.

He further pledged to comply with any conditions that may be attached to his temporary release.

The letter was copied to the Principal Judge, the Director of Public Prosecutions, the Chief Magistrate of Kawempe, and his lawyers, Alma Associated Advocates.

The judiciary had not yet publicly responded to the request by press time.

Stories Continues after ad

The suspect in the gruesome killing of four toddlers at a Ggaba daycare centre has been committed to the High Court, clearing the way for his trial on multiple counts of murder.

Christopher Okello Onyum, who is accused of carrying out the deadly attack at a Ggaba Early Childhood Development Centre in Kampala, was committed after the completion of committal proceedings in the lower court, which established that there is sufficient evidence to prosecute him.

During the proceedings, court was informed that a recent medical assessment found Onyum to be of sound mind, dismissing earlier claims by his family that he had a history of mental illness. 

The prosecution indicated that although relatives had previously raised concerns about his mental state, the latest sanity report confirmed he is fit to stand trial.

Court also heard that investigators recovered a number of items from the suspect at the time of his arrest, including two American passports, two mobile phones, two laptops, a United States driving permit, a certificate of good conduct and medical documents. These are among exhibits the prosecution intends to rely on during the trial.

The charges arise from the April 2, 2026 incident in Ggaba, a Kampala suburb, where Onyum allegedly attacked and killed four children aged between two and three years at a daycare facility. The victims were identified as Gideon Eteku, Ryan Odeke, Ignatius Sserwange and Kaise Alungat.

Investigations indicate that the suspect had earlier visited the facility under the pretext of seeking admission for a child. He reportedly returned later, paid fees to gain access, and subsequently carried out the attack, shocking both staff and parents.

The incident sparked national outrage and raised concerns over safety standards in early childhood learning centres, prompting authorities to take swift action, including the closure of the facility as investigations got underway.

With the case now before the High Court, attention shifts to the full trial, where prosecutors will seek to present their evidence against Onyum in one of the most disturbing child murder cases in recent memory.

Stories Continues after ad

According to a special announcement issued by the Centre’s Executive Director, Alan Kasujja the swearing-in ceremony will take place at the Kololo Ceremonial Grounds in Kampala under the theme: “Protecting the Gains, Making a Qualitative Leap into High Middle-Income Status.”

Kasujja emphasized the significance of the event and the scale of preparations already underway.

“Following his election victory, President Yoweri Museveni will be sworn in on 12th May 2026,” Kasujja stated in the official communication.

He added that the ceremony is being meticulously organized to reflect Uganda’s national aspirations and international standing.

“The ceremonies will be at Kololo Ceremonial Grounds under the theme, ‘Protecting the Gains, Making a Qualitative Leap into High Middle-Income Status’,” he noted.

The announcement further highlighted the expected international attention the event will attract.

“Many dignitaries from around the world are expected to attend,” Kasujja said.

Preparations are being spearheaded by a national organizing team to ensure a smooth and successful event.

“The National Organising Committee led by Permanent Secretary in the Office of the President, Hajji Yunus Kakande is busy preparing for the event,” he added.

President Museveni secured victory in the last general election as declared by the Electoral Commission of Uganda with 7,944,772 votes, representing 71.65 per cent of the valid votes cast. At least 11,366,201 Ugandans cast their ballots, representing a voter turnout of 52.5 per cent. Museveni’s closest challenger, Mr Robert Kyagulanyi of the National Unity Platform (NUP), trailed with 2,741,238 votes, representing 24.72 per cent of the total ballots cast.

Stories Continues after ad

The government has secured $540 million (Shs2.1 trillion) in financing from the World Bank to support a nationwide urban transformation programme aimed at improving infrastructure, boosting jobs and enhancing living conditions in rapidly growing towns and cities.

Lands, Housing and Urban Development Minister Judith Nabakooba announced the development while addressing journalists at the Uganda Media Centre, noting that the funding includes an $80 million grant component.

“The Government of Uganda has secured $540 million from the World Bank to finance the Uganda Cities and Municipalities Infrastructure Development Programme,” she said. “This funding will support critical investments in urban infrastructure and services over a six-year period.”

The Uganda Cities and Municipalities Infrastructure Development (UCMID) Programme will run from 2026 to 2031 and will be implemented across 10 cities, 26 municipalities, and 13 refugee-hosting districts. It is expected to directly benefit about 5.6 million people, including 1.6 million in refugee-hosting communities.

According to Nabakooba, the programme is designed to tackle persistent urban challenges that have slowed development in many areas.

“This programme is structured to address key urban issues such as inadequate road infrastructure, flooding, poor solid waste management, and limited employment opportunities,” she said.

She added that the initiative will deliver improved urban roads, better drainage systems, enhanced waste management, and more organized urban spaces to support economic growth.

“We expect this programme to significantly improve mobility, reduce flooding, and create cleaner, more productive urban environments,” Nabakooba explained.

The minister further revealed that the programme is projected to create about 20,000 permanent jobs, including 5,000 specifically for refugees and host communities, while also supporting small businesses and raising household incomes.

“It will particularly benefit the youth and women through increased economic opportunities and improved livelihoods,” she noted.

Providing context on the urgency of the intervention, Nabakooba highlighted the rapid pace of urbanisation in Uganda.

“Currently, 27 percent of Uganda’s population lives in urban areas, and this is growing at a rate of 5.2 percent annually. Urban centres are projected to contribute up to 70 percent of the country’s GDP, which underscores the need for strategic investment,” she said.

She emphasized that the programme will also help ease pressure on Kampala by promoting economic activity in regional cities.

“This initiative will support the decongestion of Kampala by creating opportunities in other urban centres, while also strengthening institutional capacity for urban planning and management,” she said.

On the next steps, Nabakooba indicated that government will finalize legal agreements with the World Bank, conduct stakeholder sensitisation, and begin procurement processes for the planned infrastructure projects.

She called on local governments to strictly adhere to environmental and social safeguards to ensure the smooth and sustainable implementation of the programme.

“We urge all implementing agencies and local governments to comply with the required safeguards to guarantee the successful rollout of this transformative programme,” she said.

Stories Continues after ad

KAMPALA – Ugandan authorities, cybersecurity experts, and the public are being urged to exercise extreme caution following the discovery of several accounts on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter) that closely mimic the name, image, and identity of prominent businessman Dr. Sudhir Ruparelia.
A search for “Sudhir Ruparelia” on X currently returns multiple profiles using near-identical names and photographs of the tycoon, including:
@sudhirruparelia (appears to be the verified official account, bio: “Chairman Ruparelia Group of Companies Uganda”)
@SudhirRupareli_
@rupareli1
@sudhirs_empire (self-described fan/quotes page with explicit disclaimer: “This is a fan’s page & Not associated with @sudhirruparelia”)
@RupareliaSudh01
@sudhirRupareli3 (using a default profile image)
The proliferation of these accounts — some using deliberate misspellings and minor handle variations — mirrors a well-documented pattern of impersonation scams targeting high-net-worth individuals.
Dr. Sudhir Ruparelia, Chairman of the Ruparelia Group, is one of Uganda’s most successful entrepreneurs, with extensive interests in real estate, banking, hospitality, education, and manufacturing. He has previously issued public warnings about fake X accounts impersonating him, and platform moderators have suspended fraudulent profiles in the past year. Despite these actions, similar accounts continue to appear, raising fresh concerns about coordinated fraud attempts.
Cybersecurity specialists warn that such impersonator accounts are frequently used to:
Solicit investments in fictitious schemes promising high returns
Request money transfers or cryptocurrency payments
Harvest personal and financial information
Promote phishing links disguised as business opportunities
Key warning signs visible in the current search results:
Slight spelling variations in usernames (e.g., missing or added letters)
Use of the tycoon’s official photographs without authorization
Accounts with very low follower counts and limited verifiable activity
Absence of clear “Parody” or “Fan Account” labeling in most profiles (required under X’s impersonation policy)
The official Ruparelia Group has not endorsed any secondary X accounts. The only legitimate channel directly linked to Dr. Ruparelia is @sudhirruparelia.
Public Advisory:
Do not engage with, reply to, or send money to any X account claiming to represent Dr. Sudhir Ruparelia unless it is the verified @sudhirruparelia handle.
Verify any communication through official Ruparelia Group channels or established business contacts.
Report suspicious accounts directly on X using the platform’s “Report” function for impersonation.
Cross-check claims via reputable news outlets or the company’s verified website.
This latest wave of apparent parody and impersonation accounts underscores the growing threat of sophisticated social-media fraud targeting East African business leaders. Law enforcement and platform administrators are encouraged to investigate proactively to protect the public and the reputation of legitimate business figures.
Anyone who has already interacted with a suspicious account is advised to monitor their financial accounts and report incidents to the Uganda Police Force Cybercrime Unit.

Stories Continues after ad

Police have submitted the case file on the Ggaba murder investigation to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), paving the way for the prosecution of the suspect accused of killing four toddlers in Kampala.

Police spokesperson, Kituuma Rusoke said investigators intend to arraign the suspect, Christopher Okello Onyum, but will first await guidance from the DPP on how the case should proceed.

“We have submitted the file and now await guidance from the DPP. Our intention is to have the suspect arraigned in court. Our ultimate objective is to ensure that the victims get justice and that the perpetrator is held accountable,” Rusoke said.

Okello, who remains in police custody, is accused of fatally attacking children at Ggaba Early Childhood Development Centre in Makindye Division on April 2, 2026, in an incident that left four dead and shocked the community.

As investigations continue, detectives have begun examining the suspect’s personal history, including information indicating that he previously lived in the United States before returning to Uganda. Authorities are also assessing reports related to his mental health, with officials saying this will be subjected to professional review as part of the case.

Rusoke further revealed that police are following up on additional claims that have emerged during the investigation, as part of efforts to build a comprehensive case.

“Our teams are looking into all information that has come up in the course of the investigations. We want to ensure that no detail is left out and that justice is fully served,” he said.

According to Kampala Metropolitan Police spokesperson Racheal Kawala, preliminary findings indicate that the suspect had earlier visited the school seeking admission for his child but was advised to return later. He reportedly came back, paid the required fees, and shortly afterwards carried out the attack.

“We confirm a tragic incident where a male suspect stabbed and killed four juveniles at the school,” Kawala said.

The victims have been identified as Ryan Odeke aged one and a half years, Gideon Eteko aged two and a half years, Keisha Elungat aged two, and Ignatius Sseruyange aged two.

Police said ten other children who were in the same classroom at the time were safely reunited with their parents.

The bodies were taken to Mulago City Mortuary for postmortem examination as investigations into the motive behind the killings continued.

Earlier, President Yoweri Museveni directed the Judiciary to fast-track the trial of the suspect and ordered that proceedings be conducted within the community to allow residents to witness justice being served.

Museveni also offered Shs10 million to each of the families of the dead toddlers as condolences which was delivered by State minister for children and youth affairs, Balaam Barugahara. 

The suspect remains in custody as police continue with inquiries while awaiting direction from the DPP.

Stories Continues after ad

Authorities at Mbarara City Council have directed beneficiaries of the Parish Development Model (PDM) to begin repaying funds received under the government program, following the expiry of the agreed grace period.

In an official communication dated March 27, 2026, Justine Barekye, the City Town Clerk of Mbarara City instructed division town clerks and other local leaders to mobilize beneficiaries to start honoring their loan obligations.

“The first PDM loans were issued in December 2022 and as guided by Cabinet, the grace period of 24 months for the loans in this category has since elapsed,” Barekye stated in the notice.

She emphasized the need for immediate action by local authorities to ensure compliance, noting that beneficiaries must begin remitting their installments without further delay.

“With the above background, this is to therefore request you to mobilize and remind beneficiaries in this category to begin paying their loan installments,” the letter reads in part.

The directive further clarified that all repayments must be channeled through the respective PDM SACCO WENDI accounts, under the guidance of the City Commercial Officer.

“All loan repayments MUST be made to the respective PDM SACCOs WENDI accounts as guided by the City Commercial Officer,” Barekye added.

Copies of the letter were shared with key city officials, including the Resident City Commissioner, the Mayor, division mayors, and parish-level leaders, underscoring the urgency of enforcing compliance across all administrative levels.

Launched in 2022, the Parish Development Model is a flagship initiative by the Government of Uganda aimed at transitioning households from subsistence living into the money economy. The program provides financial support through parish-based SACCOs to boost income-generating activities.

In Mbarara City, the program has supported ventures such as poultry farming, piggery, and small scale baking, contributing to improved household incomes. However, authorities acknowledge ongoing challenges, including limited funding in the face of rising demand.

To date, the city has received approximately Shs 7.56 billion under the program, disbursed to 23 SACCOs and benefiting more than 7,000 households.

The repayment phase is critical to sustaining the revolving fund and enabling more beneficiaries to access financing under the program.

The two-year grace period for repayment of the Parish Development Model (PDM) loans expired in March 2026 with individuals subscribing to different PDM SACCOs were directed to make repayments within the next one year.

This revelation was made by the State Minister for Luwero Triangle and National Coordinator for the PDM, Hon. Dennis Galabuzi while appearing before the Public Accounts Committee (Central Government) on Tuesday, 03 March 2026.

“The first batch of money was disbursed in the financial year 2022/2023 because in 2021/2022, there were issues with the money so we more or less discounted it. We are currently reminding parish chiefs and everyone involved in supervision of PDM to sensitise the public on this,” Galabuzi said.

According to the Auditor General’s report, the communication on guidelines for payment of the Parish Revolving Fund (PRF) is at final draft level and yet to be disseminated.

“I advised the accounting officer to prioritise the roles and responsibilities of the high-level policy committee and the inter-institutional PDM technical committee and ensure proper documentation of resolutions and action points,” reads the Auditor General’s recommendation.

Stories Continues after ad