Hundreds of worshippers were left shocked at Rubaga Cathedral on Monday when a Holy Mass dedicated to the health and freedom of veteran opposition leader Dr. Kizza Besigye and all political prisoners was abruptly postponed.

The service was scheduled for 2:00 p.m. and was to be led by Archbishop Paul Ssemwogerere of the Archdiocese of Kampala. Supporters, clergy, and civil society activists had gathered from across the country to attend.

Just minutes before the Mass was set to begin, screens inside the cathedral displayed a message announcing the postponement. Many attendees had already entered the cathedral and were left waiting without guidance from church officials.

Supporters said they were prepared to pray for Dr. Besigye and for the freedom of all political prisoners, seeing the Mass as a symbol of solidarity amid ongoing political tensions.

In response, the People’s Front for Freedom (PFF), which organized the event, issued a detailed statement to supporters.

“To the supporters of the People’s Front for Freedom, friends of the struggle, and the faithful gathered at Rubaga: We acknowledge the sudden communication displayed on the screens at the Cathedral indicating that today’s Mass, dedicated to praying for the health and freedom of our founding leader, Dr. Kizza Besigye, and all other political prisoners, has been postponed,”PFF said.

The PFF urged calm and patience while highlighting the lack of clarity from church authorities.

“We are aware that many of you had travelled long distances to participate in the Mass, and we recognize the frustration caused by this sudden change. While the reasons for the postponement remain unclear, we urge everyone to remain calm and patient as we await formal and detailed communication from the leadership of the Archdiocese of Kampala,”PFF urged.

The group also reaffirmed its commitment to justice and solidarity.

“Our prayers and solidarity with Dr. Besigye and all those unjustly detained remain unwavering. This setback will not deter us from standing for justice, freedom, and the dignity of every Ugandan. We thank all faithful and supporters for their understanding and steadfastness,”PFF noted.

Dr. Besigye has been detained since November 16, 2024, following his abduction in Kenya and transfer to Uganda where he faces treason and related charges. His prolonged detention has raised concerns about his health.

His wife, Eng. Winnie Byanyima had called on Ugandans of all faiths to join prayers for her husband and all political detainees, prompting the strong turnout at the cathedral.

Many attendees expressed frustration over the lack of communication. Some remained inside the cathedral for hours, hoping for instructions or a rescheduled time. Others gathered outside, discussing the political significance of the Mass and its symbolic role for democratic freedoms in Uganda.

The Archdiocese has not issued a formal explanation for the sudden postponement, nor confirmed when the Mass might be rescheduled.

For many, the Mass was not just a religious ceremony but a public expression of solidarity with one of Uganda’s most prominent opposition leaders.

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The Chief of Defence Forces, Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, has revealed that he will consult President Yoweri Museveni on the race for Speaker of Parliament while declaring corruption Uganda’s biggest enemy.

“As for Speaker and all the other positions you are asking me about, I shall consult Mzee and get back to you,” Muhoozi said.

He added that the biggest problem in Uganda right now is CORRUPTION and that it is the enemy that needs to be defeated.

His remarks come amid growing contestation over the Speakership, with several senior figures declaring interest in the powerful parliamentary office.

Among those in the race are Lydia Wanyoto, Norbert Mao and Persis Namuganza. The incumbent Speaker, Anita Among, is also seeking another term.

Sources indicate that Among recently met President Museveni at State House seeking his backing. However, she was not formally endorsed. The President declined to publicly anoint any candidate, instead urging that party processes be respected.

Claims that an endorsement had already been secured have since been disputed, with some senior members describing the alleged backing as premature and lacking formal approval.

With no clear signal yet from State House, lobbying has intensified across party lines. Muhoozi’s decision to defer to the President underscores the central role Museveni continues to play in determining key leadership positions within the ruling establishment.

Even so, Muhoozi shifted attention to what he called the country’s urgent priority.

“We must defeat corruption,” he stressed.

As consultations continue, the Speakership contest remains open, with the final direction expected to hinge on internal party deliberations and the President’s eventual position.

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The Commercial Division of the High Court of Uganda has ordered M/S Muwema & Co. Advocates to pay $372,300 (Shs1.4 billion)in accumulated rent arrears and mesne profits, Shs50 million in general damages, and to immediately vacate commercial premises at Plot 50 Windsor Crescent Road in Kololo after an exhaustive judicial examination of a contested lease and a disputed option to purchase.

This follows a ruling seen by Eagle Online dated February 20, 2026. 

The decision, delivered by Lady Justice Patricia Mutesi in Civil Suit No. 0621 of 2023, followed a full trial in which both parties presented documentary evidence and testimony concerning the 2014 lease agreement, subsequent correspondence, and the purported exercise of an option to purchase.

At the centre of the dispute was a lease executed on December 1, 2014, between Downtown Investments Ltd and the defendant law firm at a monthly rent of $5,000 plus VAT, subject to a 10 percent increment after the first two years. The agreement contained Clause 5, granting the tenant an option to purchase the property subject to specified conditions and timelines.

Downtown Investments Ltd moved to court contending that the defendants defaulted on rent and continued to occupy the premises after the lease had effectively run its course. The company sought recovery of rent arrears, mesne profits for unlawful occupation, general damages and vacant possession.

In their defence, the defendants asserted that in August 2021, they invoked the option to purchase and that the plaintiff failed to complete the sale. They argued that once the option was exercised, the relationship ceased to be one of landlord and tenant and transformed into vendor and purchaser. On that basis, they maintained that rent was no longer payable and that they were entitled to remain in possession pending completion. They also counterclaimed more than $186,000, allegedly spent on renovations and structural improvements.

Justice Mutesi framed the dispute around key questions, including whether a binding sale agreement arose from the alleged exercise of the option, whether rent remained payable after August 2021, whether the continued occupation was lawful and whether the defendants were entitled to reimbursement for renovation costs.

On the option to purchase, the court subjected Clause 5 to close scrutiny and held that an option in a lease does not by itself amount to a concluded contract of sale. It is merely an offer that must be accepted strictly in accordance with the terms set out in the agreement.

“The option to purchase was conditional and required strict compliance with the timelines and procedure stipulated in the lease,” Justice Mutesi ruled.

The court analysed the correspondence relied upon by the defendants and found no evidence of unequivocal acceptance by the landlord capable of crystallising into a binding sale agreement. The judge underscored a central principle of contract law.

“Acceptance of an offer must be clear, unambiguous and communicated to the offeror. Silence or inaction cannot amount to consent,” she stated.

The argument that ongoing negotiations or expressions of interest displaced the lease was rejected. The court found that the defendants did not fulfil the strict conditions necessary to validly exercise the option within the contractual framework.

“The relationship between the parties never shifted from that of landlord and tenant to vendor and purchaser,” the judge declared.

On the issue of rent, the court held that since no enforceable sale agreement came into existence, the lease remained operative and the obligation to pay rent persisted. Evidence before the court demonstrated substantial arrears had accumulated over time. The court therefore computed rent arrears and mesne profits at $372,300.

Addressing occupation after termination, Justice Mutesi found that once the lease expired and was not lawfully renewed, the defendants’ continued stay amounted to unlawful possession.

“Where a tenant remains in possession without legal right after termination of a lease, the landlord is entitled to mesne profits for the period of such occupation,” the court held.

The award of Shs50 million in general damages was made in recognition of the inconvenience and financial prejudice suffered by the landlord due to prolonged deprivation of its property.

The counterclaim for renovation costs was equally examined in detail. The lease expressly required prior written authorization for structural alterations. After reviewing invoices and other materials presented by the defendants, the court found that they did not demonstrate compliance with the contractual requirement for written approval.

“The lease required prior written consent for structural alterations. The defendants did not prove that such consent was obtained,” Justice Mutesi observed.

The court further noted that even where improvements are made to leased property, recovery of such expenditure is not automatic and must be grounded in clear contractual entitlement. The entire counterclaim exceeding $186,000 was dismissed.

The final orders directed immediate vacant possession of the Kololo property in favour of Downtown Investments Ltd, payment of $372,300 in rent arrears and mesne profits, Shs50 million in general damages, and dismissal of the counterclaim in its entirety.

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