Signature Advocates has threatened to sue journalist Stanley Ndawula of The Investigator, an online newspaper, demanding a retraction, apology, and Shs1 billion in damages over allegations he published accusing Mariam Wangadya of corruption, abuse of office, and misusing Shs10.4 billion.

In a notice dated March 13, 2026, the lawyers say the statements shared on Ndawula’s X account and in an online article are false and damaging to the reputation of the chairperson of the Uganda Human Rights Commission.

“Our attention has been drawn to a recent post on your X handle and an article you authored and published online, wherein you make grave, unfounded, and unsubstantiated allegations against our client,” the letter states.

The firm says the claims include accusations of gross maladministration, unilateral determination of salaries, and misappropriation of public funds for personal expenditure, all of which their client denies.

“Our client categorically denies these allegations. The statements you have published are not only factually incorrect, but also calculated to lower our client’s estimation in the eyes of right thinking members of society,” the lawyers wrote.

They argue that the commission’s financial processes are governed by the law and subject to oversight by both Parliament and the Ministry of Finance, dismissing suggestions that Wangadya could personally control or divert public funds.

“To suggest that a single individual can declare public funds as personal money is a gross misrepresentation calculated to incite public odium against our client,” the letter adds.

The lawyers say Ndawula’s actions are actionable under Ugandan law and accuse him of publishing the claims without verifying how the commission operates.

They have demanded that he immediately stop making further statements about Wangadya, publish a full retraction with equal prominence, and issue an unconditional written apology.

In addition, the firm is seeking Shs1 billion in compensation for reputational damage and Shs10 million in legal fees.

“Take notice that if the above demands are not met within fourteen days, we have instructions to institute civil proceedings against you for defamation,”the notice warns.

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Uganda has deepened its economic ties with the Export-Import Bank of China following high-level talks aimed at accelerating the country’s industrialisation and unlocking tenfold economic growth.

The meeting, held in Kampala, brought together Finance Minister Matia Kasaija and a delegation from the Chinese lender led by Vice President Yang Dongning, who are in the country to strengthen bilateral cooperation and support Uganda’s long-term economic transformation.

Kasaija said Uganda’s next phase of development will be anchored on the government’s ATMS strategy, with a strong focus on agro-industrialisation, export expansion and value addition across key sectors. These include traditional cash crops such as coffee, cotton and tea, as well as emerging industries in oil and gas, tourism, and science, technology and innovation.

He noted that Uganda is repositioning its economy to benefit from China’s zero-tariff policy by shifting away from the export of raw materials towards processing, manufacturing and higher-value exports targeting global markets.

Accompanied by Permanent Secretary and Secretary to the Treasury Ramathan Ggoobi, Kasaija expressed appreciation to the Government of China for its sustained technical and financial support across sectors such as transport, energy and health.

In a move expected to boost investment inflows, China EXIM Bank committed to supporting the organisation of a “Uganda Day” in China, a platform that will showcase Uganda’s investment opportunities, link local enterprises to Chinese manufacturers and financiers, and attract potential investors.

Officials said the initiative will form part of a broader strategy to strengthen commercial diplomacy, deepen private sector partnerships and position Uganda as a preferred investment destination on the continent.

Both parties also agreed to scale up support for the development of industrial parks, with emphasis on improving access to land, utilities and logistics infrastructure to enhance productivity and attract large-scale investments.

China EXIM Bank reaffirmed its commitment to Uganda’s growth agenda through a modern and diversified financing framework, including trade finance for exporters and importers, blended financing models, equity investments, and syndicated funding arrangements tailored to strategic projects.

Kasaija underscored the need for flexible financing structures to fast-track priority investments, while both sides highlighted the importance of strengthening technical and vocational education to equip the workforce with skills needed to sustain industrial expansion and meet investor demands.

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Speke Resort Munyonyo has hosted the official launch of the African Rangelands and Pastoralists Women Charter, an event aimed at advancing the role of women in pastoral communities across the continent.

Presiding over the event, the Speaker of Parliament, Anita Among emphasized the significance of the gathering, which also marked the closing of the African Pastoralists Women Gathering that attracted over 200 participants from across Africa, including grassroots pastoralist women, government officials, civil society actors and development partners.

“It is with great honour and gratitude that I preside over both the closing of this historic gathering and the official launch of the African Rangelands and Pastoralists Women Charter,” Among said.

She noted that discussions on pastoralism have often overlooked the critical contribution of women, despite their central role in sustaining livelihoods.

“Oftentimes, discussions of rangelands and pastoralism in Africa focus mainly on men, yet the story is incomplete without women. I commend the organisers for highlighting the central indivisible role of women in pastoralism,” she said.

Among stressed that any meaningful efforts to improve the condition of pastoralists must fully recognise women’s contributions in areas such as animal care, food production, household resilience, and peacebuilding.

“I want to inform you that I am a pastoralist woman myself. I have cattle, so the issues of pastoralist women are pertinent to me,” she added.

The Speaker conveyed greetings from President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, noting his support for the gathering and ongoing government efforts to strengthen pastoralism.

“I bring you fraternal greetings from His Excellency the President, who has blessed this gathering and expressed his full support,” she said.

Among highlighted government interventions aimed at improving pastoral livelihoods, including policy frameworks such as the National Land Policy and the National Climate Change Act 2021, as well as security measures like the disarmament process in the Karamoja sub-region.

“Today, unlike previous years, incidences of livestock theft have significantly reduced, while various government-led interventions are underway to diversify household livelihoods through irrigation and skilling,” she said.

She further underscored the importance of unity among African nations in addressing shared challenges affecting rangelands, invoking the spirit of Ubuntu.

“The future of Africa requires such unity in the spirit of ‘Ubuntu’. I therefore recognise the participation of representatives from Benin, Cameroon, Kenya, South Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda,” Among noted.

Uganda’s rangelands, which cover about 44 percent of the country’s total land area and support more than 6.6 million people, were highlighted as critical to the nation’s economy and food systems, stretching across the cattle corridor from the north-east to the south-west.

Despite their importance, Among acknowledged persistent challenges affecting pastoral communities, including land fragmentation, climate change, limited veterinary services, and weak institutional support systems.

“Women and children disproportionately bear the brunt of these challenges, facing increased workloads and reduced educational opportunities. Urgent, inclusive, and sustainable interventions are essential,” she said.

She called for concrete outcomes from the gathering, particularly in strengthening women’s leadership, securing land rights, enhancing climate resilience, and recognising pastoral mobility as a fundamental right.

“As the Government of Uganda, we pledge to continue creating an enabling environment for pastoralism and rangelands to flourish, strengthen the rights of pastoral communities especially women, and mitigate the effects of climate change,” Among affirmed.

The newly launched charter will amplify the voices of pastoralist women and ensure their inclusion in decision-making processes that shape policies and interventions affecting rangelands across Africa.

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