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ULS condemns police deployment of dogs and forceful arrests at NUP Kawempe campaign

By
Our Reporter
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Police dogs being unleashed on NUP supporters.

The Uganda Law Society (ULS) has condemned the Uganda Police Force following reports and video footage showing canine units, tear gas, and heavy security deployed during a National Unity Platform (NUP) presidential campaign rally in Kawempe on November 24, 2025.

The use of police dogs in a political rally represents a grave breach of the citizen’s right to peaceful assembly, ULS said. 

The rally drew large crowds, some of whom were reportedly not participants but bystanders on nearby roads.

In a statement, ULS Vice President Asiimwe Anthony said, “Unleashing dogs in a campaign rally is a tool of threat, fear and force and this must not be tolerated.” 

He added, “Historically, police dog deployment during public protests carries a deeply oppressive legacy. During apartheid, South African police developed a terrifying police‑dog regime. Law‑enforcement agencies must not revive such tools of intimidation.”

Asiimwe warned that continuing such practices undermines democratic norms and taints the country’s policing record.

Social media videos show police canine units being driven toward civilians, including women and youths standing on the roadside, while officers with batons and shields followed behind.

Security forces reportedly fired multiple tear gas canisters near the Kawempe‑Ttula junction, sending roadside traders, taxi passengers and schoolchildren fleeing in panic. Some youths filming the events on their mobile phones were immediately arrested, while others scattered into nearby alleys.

The arrests were not limited to rally participants; several detained individuals were ordinary pedestrians, boda‑boda riders, or bystanders using public roads near the venue. The police action left a number of NUP supporters injured and forced some to flee, a chaotic scene compared by many observers to historical episodes of state repression.

ULS has called for an immediate and unconditional stop to the use of police dogs at any political rally or campaign, the unconditional release of all civilians arrested arbitrarily in Kawempe during the campaign events, and strict compliance by law‑enforcement agencies with constitutional policing standards that respect human dignity, liberty, and the rights of all citizens.

ULS warned that if state security agencies continue to treat living creatures as instruments of political coercion and detain innocent bystanders, this undermines the very foundation of the rule of law in Uganda.

The recent crackdown in Kawempe, marked by the use of tear gas, water cannons, pepper spray, and police dogs, appears to form part of an escalating pattern of intimidation and suppression ahead of the 2026 elections. The opposition alleges these actions are aimed at discouraging turnout, suppressing dissent and undermining democratic competition ahead of the polls.

The deployment of police dogs, a tactic internationally associated with repression and intimidation, during political rallies shows worry in crowd control practices in Uganda. 

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Uganda launches bold climate-finance agenda as new strategies move ’From Ambition to Action’

By
Francisco Adongo
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Uganda has unveiled a set of climate-finance strategies designed to turn years of policy ambition into concrete action, as the country commits to building a low-carbon and climate-resilient future.

The Government, through the Ministry of Finance, announced the rollout of the National Climate Finance Strategy 2025–2030, a blueprint intended to guide the country’s transition by strengthening governance, accountability, and coordination across public and private sectors. 

Officials said the strategy will direct climate finance toward interventions that not only curb emissions but also protect communities already feeling the impacts of climate change.

The launch also featured the introduction of Uganda’s first National Green Taxonomy, a framework developed to steer investments into environmentally sustainable activities while eliminating the risk of greenwashing. Authorities noted that the taxonomy will help financial institutions, investors and project developers clearly identify what qualifies as genuinely green, ensuring that climate-related funding is spent where it has real impact.

Another key document released is the Country Climate and Development Report, which details how climate change intersects with Uganda’s long-term development vision. The report emphasises that climate action must be central to the country’s aspirations for economic transformation, stressing that unchecked climate risks could undermine decades of progress in agriculture, infrastructure, tourism and human development.

In a move aimed at strengthening the financial sector’s readiness, government also unveiled Guidelines for Mainstreaming Climate Action in Financial Institutions. Officials explained that the guidelines are intended to embed climate-risk assessments and climate-smart investment principles into routine banking and insurance operations. They argued that the financial sector cannot remain on the sidelines as climate impacts intensify.

To cap the reforms, the National Climate Finance Vehicle was launched as a mechanism to mobilize, coordinate and channel both domestic and international climate finance toward priority mitigation and adaptation projects. Authorities described the vehicle as a major milestone, saying it will help close the climate-finance gap and ensure more predictable funding for Uganda’s nationally determined contributions and sustainable development goals.

Uganda’s progress is already attracting external support. The country has secured $100.8 million from the Green Climate Fund for more than thirteen projects, including $4.6 million to bolster readiness and capacity. 

Through its partnership with the Global Environment Facility, Uganda recently received an additional $11.5 million for initiatives aimed at building low-carbon, climate-resilient systems in livestock, energy, water, sanitation, and rural livelihoods.

The recently published “From Ambition to Action” report reinforces these developments, outlining the need to scale up climate-smart agriculture, renewable energy expansion, green infrastructure and climate-informed planning. It stresses that Uganda must embed climate considerations in every sector to protect vulnerable communities and ensure long-term economic stability.

While the new structures mark significant progress, their success will ultimately depend on sustained political will, robust governance, and active participation from the private sector. As implementation begins, the spotlight now turns to how effectively Uganda can translate these tools into real-world resilience and green-growth outcomes.

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Ex-Lira lands official jailed for three years over defrauding Uganda railways land

By
Emmanuel Okello
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Convicted Francis Ateng.

The Anti-Corruption Court has convicted and sentenced Mr. Francis Ateng , the former Principal Assistant Secretary at the Ministry of Lands’ Lira Zonal Office to three years in prison on multiple charges, including abuse of office, fraudulent procurement of a certificate of title, forgery, uttering false documents and conspiracy to commit a felony.

According to court documents, the offenses occurred in January 2018 while Ateng was employed at the Ministry of Lands’ Zonal Office in Lira District.

“The accused, together with others, abused their authority with the intention of defrauding Uganda Railways Corporation (URC) of its land,” the court statement reads.

“He facilitated the irregular issuance of a special certificate of title, arranged for the separation and allocation of the said land, identified brokers, and sold the land to private individuals without following the procedures for disposing of government property,” court noted.

The court further noted that Ateng and his co-accused forged the signature of the then Managing Director of URC, using it to utter false documents that facilitated the transfer and sale of the land.

One of Ateng’s co-accused, Ocen Joseph, had earlier pleaded guilty on the same charges and was sentenced to two years in prison.

The investigations into this land fraud case followed a directive issued by H.E. the President in 2022, tasking the Anti-Corruption Division in collaboration with the Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID) and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) to investigate corruption within Uganda Railways Corporation.

“The directive called for the prosecution of all individuals involved in defrauding Uganda Railways Corporation of its land,” court records state.

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The 1976 Soweto uprising and the NUP/Bobi Wine Kawempe rally canine dogs

By
Our Reporter
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In what one can describe as a rendition of the 1976 Soweto uprising, when the South African Apartheid regime unleashed canine dogs at students demonstrating against school regulation, the Police on Monday, released its canine dogs at the National Unity Platform (NUP) supporters who had gathered to listen to their principal, Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine’s Kawempe rallies.

The NUP Presidential candidate’s rallies in Kawempe North and Kawempe South attracted mammoth crowds in the opposition stronghold area prompting police to use resources available to put the crowd in control.

Earlier on, the Police spokesperson Kituuma Rusoke announced the banning of campaign processions for candidates in a bid to promote orderly and peaceful campaigns across the country as presidential, parliamentary, local government, and Special Interest Group (SIG) activities continue nationwide.

“Processions are prohibited, candidates should find their supporters at the campaign grounds” Kituuma noted in a statement.

Despite the restrictions, supporters continued to gather from the NUP Headquarters in Makerere Kanule to the rally venues, prompting police to fire teargas at several points to break up crowds both during and after the rally.

During Bobi Wine’s first address at the Kawempe Growers Playing Ground, the police unleashed the dogs on standing supporters and fired teargas to disperse the massive crowds that had gathered to listen to Bobi Wine.

The teargas, dogs and ensuing chaos left a number of NUP supporters with a number of injuries, the scene wasn’t any different from his second rally in Kawempe North.

Bobi Wine condemned the joint security operations in a post on his X account, noting that the acts were meant to intimidate his supporters and derail his campaign trail.

“The day began with the usual military hostility unleashed on our peaceful supporters. The intention was to break us down, but guess what? Our people were unrelenting, and they braved all this intimidation to be part of our revolution. Kawempe has made a bold statement. This is the true definition of the protest vote,” Bobi Wine posted.
Following the day’s events, police in a statement said seven security officers sustained injuries, and several security vehicles were also damaged by the crowd, including an ambulance, following an attack on them at the NUP headquarters in Makerere-Kavule, which prompted the force to respond.

“Security personnel responded by using public order measures to control the rowdy crowds. Seven suspects have been arrested in connection with these incidents” the statement read.

Bobi Wine is set to campaign in Mukono Municipality on Tuesday as he continues his campaign trail.

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Gulu Chief Magistrate’s Court remands businessman over forcible entry into Church land

By
Emmanuel Okello
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Businessman Peter Abola.

GULU-The Gulu Chief Magistrate’s Court has charged and remanded businessman Peter Abola Peter over forcible entry into land belonging to St. Luke Church of Uganda under the Northern Uganda Diocese.

According to the prosecution, between October and November 20, 2025, at Koro Abili Village, Labwoc Parish, Koro Subcounty in Omoro District, Abola unlawfully and violently entered the Church’s land in an attempt to take possession of it.

It is alleged that he transported concrete poles, wire mesh, and chain links onto the property and began fencing it off, including the area hosting a Health Centre II owned by the Church, thereby blocking the community’s access to vital health services.

Contested church land.

Abola also allegedly chased away the health centre staff without presenting any lawful court order. Historical records indicate that St. Luke Church of Uganda has occupied the 18-acre piece of land since 1926, during which they’ve established a church, primary school, and Health Centre II that have served the community for decades without dispute until this incident.

Abola has been remanded until December 10, 2025, when the case will come up for further mention.

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Victoria University launches postgraduate diploma to tackle Uganda’s skills crisis

By
Our Reporter
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Victoria University.

Victoria University Kampala has announced the rollout of its revamped Postgraduate Diploma in Higher Education, a programme aimed at addressing Uganda’s widening skills gap and to equip graduates with the competencies needed in an evolving global job market.

The university notes that the qualification is no longer just an academic milestone but a strategic advantage. 

“A Postgraduate Diploma in Higher Education isn’t just a qualification it’s a competitive advantage,” the university said in a statement.

According to recent global education trends, postgraduate enrolment has climbed by at least 21 percent in the past few years. Research also shows that individuals with postgraduate qualifications earn, on average, 19 percent more and have significantly stronger employment prospects compared to bachelor’s degree holders.

Uganda’s job market mirrors this global shift but also reveals a critical challenge. Employers continue to report substantial gaps in key competencies with 22 percent citing a shortage in managerial skills, 19 percent pointing to deficits in customer-care abilities, and 18 percent highlighting a lack of entrepreneurial competence among graduates.

At the same time, employers say many higher-education graduates struggle to meet industry expectations in areas such as digital literacy, problem-solving, and applied pedagogy.

Victoria University says its Postgraduate Diploma in Higher Education is purposefully designed to bridge these gaps.

“By taking the Postgraduate Diploma in Higher Education at Victoria University, you position yourself ahead of the curve, gaining advanced teaching, leadership, digital-pedagogy, and curriculum-design skills urgently needed in Uganda and valued worldwide,” the university emphasised.

The programme blends theory, practical training and digital-learning tools to prepare graduates for modern classrooms, corporate training environments, and education-sector leadership roles. Coursework is supplemented with mentorship from experienced educators, hands-on curriculum development projects, and exposure to innovative teaching technologies.

The university added that the programme is part of its broader mission to transform higher education in Uganda.

“This is where educators are shaped to lead change, drive innovation, and uplift society,” the statement reads.

With Uganda’s youth population growing and competition for skilled jobs intensifying, the university believes the Postgraduate Diploma in Higher Education will play a key role in shaping the next generation of educators, trainers, and academic leaders. Enrollment for the new intake is already open.

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Naalya student confirmed murdered as police launch full investigation

By
Our Reporter
-
Aneza Merisa, a murdered student of Naalya SS.

Police have confirmed that the body recovered from a swamp in Kyampisi Subcounty is that of Aneza Merisa, a student of Naalya SS, Lugazi Campus, revealing a tragic turn in a case that began as a missing-person report earlier this month.

In a statement on Tuesday, police spokesperson Kawala Rachael said investigators under Kampala Metropolitan North are now treating the case as murder following DNA confirmation.

“The Territorial Police in Kampala Metropolitan North are investigating the murder of Aneza Merisa, a student at Naalya SS, Lugazi Campus,”

Rachael said.

According to the statement, Aneza’s mother, Kamuganga Sarah first reported her missing at Wandegeya Police Station on 6th November 2025. Four days later, on 10th November, a decomposing body was discovered in Musaale Swamp in Namulaba Village, Kyampisi Subcounty, under the jurisdiction of Nagalama Police Station.

“The body was dressed in a navy-blue student skirt labeled ‘Nanyonga VII,’ suggesting that the victim may have been a student,”

the police spokesperson noted.

Because the body was already in an advanced state of decomposition, it was initially buried by mortuary staff in Kayunga. However, detectives later secured a court order to exhume the remains to establish identity.

“DNA samples were extracted and submitted to the Forensics Headquarters in Naguru,”

she explained, adding that the results conclusively matched the missing girl.

With the identity confirmed, police have now intensified investigations to determine how the student was killed and how her body ended up dumped in the swamp.

“With this confirmation, we are now treating the case as a murder investigation. Detectives are following leads to establish the circumstances under which Aneza was killed and her body dumped in the swamp,”

Rachael said.

She extended condolences to the grieving family and reassured the public of the police’s commitment to pursuing justice.

She mourned, “We extend our deepest condolences to the family and assure the public that we are committed to bringing the perpetrators to justice.”

The body was officially handed over to the family for burial on Saturday.

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Old national IDs to remain with owners as NIRA rolls out new cards

By
Emmanuel Okello
-
Bundles of National Identity Cards.

The National Identification and Registration Authority has assured Ugandans that their old National ID cards will remain in their possession even as the country transitions to the enhanced generation of high-tech identification cards.

Speaking during the rollout exercise, NIRA Registrar Claire Olama said the old cards will continue to serve as important personal documents and will not be taken away from their owners. She noted that staff will only apply a small administrative mark to show that the cards have expired while keeping all the information readable.

“Our long-awaited moment has arrived. What we registered for, what we hoped to receive, is now here. We are ready to give out the new, more advanced cards,”Olama said, calling on citizens to turn up with their old cards when collecting the upgraded version.

She explained that the old card remains necessary for confirming identity at the point of collection. 

She said, “You present your old card, we verify that you are the rightful owner, and once we establish that your new card is ready, we capture your biometric details, either your fingerprints or your iris, before issuing the new National ID.”

Olama stressed that NIRA officers are required to return the old card to the owner after placing a single punch in a clear corner that contains no personal data. 

She noted, “The old card stays with you. The mark is only to show that its number is no longer active. It should never interfere with your photo, your barcode, or any detail used for identification.”

She said the simple punch helps distinguish valid cards from invalidated ones without damaging the integrity of the document. 

She said, “In the end, you leave with two cards: your new one, clean and untouched, and your old one with a small mark that confirms it has been replaced.”

Olama encouraged Ugandans to approach the collection centres with patience and orderliness. She added that NIRA teams will continue providing updates and responding to inquiries as the nationwide issuance continues.

NIRA is currently distributing the enhanced National ID cards at designated centres across the country, marking one of the largest identification upgrades undertaken in recent years.

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Works Ministry starts returning delayed land titles to affected owners

By
Our Reporter
-

The Ministry of Works and Transport (MoWT) has kicked off a phase in the long-awaited process of returning residue land titles to Project Affected Persons (PAPs), beginning with land owners along the Busunju–Kiboga–Hoima Road.

In a statement released on November 25, 2025, Permanent Secretary Waiswa Bageya said the ministry is committed to resolving the long-standing issue of land titles that were taken over during major road construction projects by the former Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA).

“This exercise is aimed at ensuring that all rightful land owners regain full possession of their residue land titles after the completion of road projects. We understand the frustration caused by the delays, and we sincerely apologise for any inconvenience,” Bageya said.

He explained that the process initially commenced with projects such as the Mukono–Katosi/Kisoga–Nyenga Road, the Kampala–Entebbe Expressway, and the Kampala Northern Bypass, but has now been extended to cover other completed road corridors.

The ministry has invited affected title holders along the Busunju–Kiboga–Hoima Road to report to designated district headquarters for verification and collection.

“Property owners in Kiboga District should report to the District Headquarters on Thursday, November 27, 2025,” Bageya noted. 

He added, “Those in Kyankwanzi District should come on Friday, November 28, 2025, during official working hours.”

He urged land owners to carry their National Identification Cards and a passport photo to facilitate processing.

“We call upon all affected individuals to turn up with the required documents so that this long-overdue exercise can finally be concluded,” he added.

Bageya also assured the public that additional dates will be communicated for property owners affected by other completed road projects across the country.

“The Ministry will continue to issue further communication to ensure every affected land owner is served. We appreciate your patience and cooperation throughout this process,” he said. 

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Tycoon Sudhir, businessman Matovu Yanga named Kampala’s best landlords of 2025

By
Francisco Adongo
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Tycoon Sudhir Ruparelia receiving another award at the past event.

Two of Kampala’s most influential real estate moguls, Sudhir Ruparelia and Haji Muhammad Matovu Yanga have been named among the Best Business Landlords of the Year 2025, an honour recognizing excellence and responsibility in property management across the city.

The award, presented by a consortium of urban development stakeholders and tenant-welfare advocates, celebrates landlords who consistently demonstrate outstanding commitment to high-quality property management and positive tenant relations. According to the awarding committee, the Best Business Landlord of the Year accolade recognizes a landlord who has demonstrated exceptional professionalism, responsibility, and care in managing their properties and relationships with tenants. It honours those who provide safe, well-maintained, and accessible premises, uphold tenant rights, and contribute to a healthy, thriving rental community.

Sudhir Ruparelia, Chairman of the Ruparelia Group, controls one of East Africa’s most expansive property portfolios, spanning commercial arcades, office towers, shopping complexes, hotels, and residential units. His real estate footprint includes iconic landmarks such as Kampala Boulevard, Kingdom Kampala, Crane Plaza, and the Speke Group of Hotels. Tenants have long praised Sudhir for his fair and transparent rental agreements, quick response to maintenance needs, and commitment to providing modern, secure, and accessible commercial spaces. He is widely respected for supporting small businesses, especially during difficult economic periods, and for reinvesting heavily in renovations to maintain international property standards.

Haji Matovu Yanga also known as the king of commercial arcades owns several prime buildings in downtown Kampala, including Yanga Plaza, Yanga Mall, and other high-traffic shopping arcades that support thousands of traders. The award committee noted his strong commitment to maintaining safe and business-friendly trading environments and ensuring affordable rental spaces for micro and small enterprises. Traders also appreciate his prompt handling of tenant concerns and the structured property management teams he has put in place to streamline operations. His arcades are among the most organized in the city, with improved security, sanitation, and accessibility.

The recognition of Sudhir and Yanga shows a huge boost for landlordism in Uganda’s capital at a time when commercial real estate continues to play a vital role in supporting trade, employment, and business growth. Organizers of the award said it aims to encourage landlords across the city to adopt responsible practices that protect tenants, promote fair rent, and build a stable urban business environment.

This year’s honour comes as Kampala experiences rapid expansion in commercial real estate, with rising demand for quality office and retail space. The recognition of the two tycoons reassures tenants and business operators that the city’s leading landlords are embracing international standards, transparency, and tenant-centered management.

Sudhir and Haji Matovu Yanga are expected to receive their trophies at a gala ceremony later this month, where urban leaders, business owners, and real estate players will celebrate their contributions to Kampala’s economic transformation.

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