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Buganda Road Court grants bail to Sarah Bireete

By
Our Reporter
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Ms Sarah Bireete.

The Buganda Road Chief Magistrates Court has granted bail to human rights lawyer and governance activist Sarah Bireete after nearly a month in detention over charges related to the alleged unlawful access and disclosure of voters’ data belonging to the Electoral Commission.

The court on Wednesday, led by Grade One Magistrate Winnie Nankya Jatiko, set cash bail at Shs1 million and non-cash bail of Shs10 million. Bireete was also ordered to deposit her passport with the court and was barred from travelling outside the country without prior permission from the magistrate.

The Grade One Magistrate ruled that the accused had satisfied the legal requirements for bail, noting that the offences she faces are bailable and that she has a fixed place of abode. The court further emphasised that bail is a constitutional right and should not be treated as a punishment.

Bireete was arrested on December 30, 2025, following investigations into allegations that she unlawfully obtained and disclosed personal data from the National Voters Register without authorization. Prosecution contends that the data, which belongs to the Electoral Commission, was accessed and shared in violation of the Data Protection and Privacy Act.

She was later arraigned before the court and charged with unlawfully obtaining or disclosing personal data. Bireete denied the charges and has maintained that her work falls within lawful civic and governance engagement.

Bireete will now remain out of custody as she awaits further hearing and determination of the case. The matter returns to court on a date that will be communicated by the trial magistrate.

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Uganda’s export earnings surge to Shs4.5t on strong coffee and gold sales

By
Simon Kabayo
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Uganda coffee ready for export.

Uganda’s export earnings registered a strong year-on-year increase in November 2025, rising to $1.19 billion (about Shs4.5 trillion) from $698.46 million (about Shs2.6 trillion) recorded in November 2024, according to the latest Performance of the Economy Monthly Report released by the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development (MoFPED).

The strong performance was largely driven by higher receipts from coffee and gold exports, which remained the country’s leading foreign exchange earners. The report shows that the value of coffee exports alone grew by 70.8 percent, increasing from $108.91 million (about Shs412 billion) in November 2024 to $185.99 million (about Shs704 billion) in November 2025.

The Ministry attributes the rise in coffee earnings to increased production as harvesting peaked in central and eastern Uganda, combined with improved global coffee prices during the period.

Despite the impressive annual growth, export earnings declined on a month-by-month basis. Receipts fell by 20.4 percent from $1.50 billion (about Shs5.7 trillion) in October 2025 to $1.19 billion (about Shs4.5 trillion) in November 2025. According to the report, the decline was mainly driven by reduced earnings from gold exports, which dropped by 33.7 percent from $964.60 million (about Shs3.65 trillion) in October to $639.26 million (about Shs2.42 trillion) in November.

However, non-gold exports continued to show resilience during the month. Earnings from non-gold exports grew by 3.6 percent, rising to $551.25 million (about Shs2.09 trillion) in November 2025 from $531.85 million (about Shs2.01 trillion) in October. Exports of cocoa beans, tobacco, and fish, among other commodities, supported this growth.

The Middle East remained Uganda’s leading export destination in November 2025, accounting for 42.7 percent of total export earnings, following a $270.06 million (approximately Shs1.02 trillion) increase in receipts from the region. The East African Community followed with a share of 21.7 percent, while Asia and the European Union accounted for 16.9 percent and 13.5 percent, respectively.

Export earnings to Asia and the European Union recorded notable growth compared to the previous month. Exports to Asia rose from $92.2 million (about Shs349 billion) to $201 million (about Shs761 billion), while exports to the European Union increased from $87.3 million (about Shs330 billion) to $160 million (about Shs606 billion).

On the import side, Uganda’s import bill expanded by 36.5 percent on a year on year basis, rising from $1.04 billion (about Shs3.9 trillion) in November 2024 to $1.42 billion (about Shs5.4 trillion) in November 2025. The increase was mainly driven by formal private sector imports, particularly non-oil items such as prepared foodstuffs, machinery, vehicles, and gold.

Compared to the previous month, merchandise imports declined by 9.4 percent from $1.57 billion (about Shs5.9 trillion) in October 2025. Formal private sector non-oil imports recorded the largest drop, falling by 10.3 percent from $1.41 billion (about Shs5.3 trillion) to $1.26 billion (about Shs4.8 trillion).

The East African Community and Asia remained the main sources of Uganda’s imports in November 2025, accounting for 30.4 percent and 28.5 percent of total imports, respectively. Within the region, Tanzania was the leading source, contributing 55.2 percent of imports from the EAC, while China remained the dominant source of imports from Asia with a share of 52.6 percent. Other key sources included the rest of Africa and the Middle East, accounting for 19.6 percent and 10.5 percent, respectively.

As a result of stronger export growth, Uganda’s merchandise trade deficit narrowed by 32.4 percent on a year on year basis, declining from $343.7 million (about Shs1.3 trillion) in November 2024 to $232.3 million (about Shs879 billion) in November 2025. The improvement was largely attributed to export earnings growing faster than imports.

However, on a month-on-month basis, the trade deficit widened sharply to $232.33 million (about Shs880 billion) in November 2025 from $74.46 million (about Shs282 billion) in October, mainly due to the decline in export receipts, particularly from gold.

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NRM NEC endorses Among, Tayebwa for Speaker and Deputy Speaker seats

By
Our Reporter
-
Anita Among and Thomas Tayebwa.

The National Resistance Movement National Executive Committee has endorsed Anita Annet Among and Thomas Tayebwa for the positions of Speaker and Deputy Speaker of Parliament ahead of the first sitting of the 12th Parliament.

The decision was taken during a high-level meeting of the party’s top organ, chaired by President Yoweri Museveni at State House, Entebbe, yesterday. 

The endorsement is expected to be formally communicated to the NRM parliamentary caucus, which will meet ahead of the election of Parliament’s leadership.

Among, those who has been Speaker since 2022, was elected unopposed as Bukedea District Woman Member of Parliament. Within party circles, she is credited for steering parliamentary business during the final years of the 11th Parliament and for playing a visible role in mobilising support for the ruling party during the recent elections.

Tayebwa, the Ruhinda North Member of Parliament, was also returned unopposed and currently serves as Deputy Speaker. He previously served as Government Chief Whip and is regarded as one of the party’s key organisers, particularly in western Uganda. Senior party officials have credited him for helping consolidate NRM support in areas that had shown growing opposition influence.

However, Tayebwa’s endorsement comes amid emerging internal competition within the ruling party. Bushenyi Ishaka Municipality Member of Parliament Iddi Basajja, son of businessman and NRM entrepreneur Hassan Basajjabalaba declared interest in contesting for the Deputy Speaker position.

Basajjaba, a first time legislator has presented himself as part of a new generation of leaders advocating for inclusiveness and stronger parliamentary independence. His declaration introduces an unexpected dynamic into a race that had initially appeared settled following the NEC endorsement.

Under the NRM arrangement, the parliamentary caucus will decide whether to adopt the NEC position or allow a competitive contest among interested members. The final decision will be made on the floor of Parliament during the election of the Speaker and Deputy Speaker at the start of the new term.

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Gaming Board, police dismantle illegal machine factory in Soroti, arrest Chinese national

By
Emmanuel Okello
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Arrested China national known as Lin Haiyun and the illegal equipment he has been operating.

Authorities have dismantled an illegal gaming machine manufacturing facility in Soroti Town, arresting a Chinese national in an intensified crackdown on unlawful gambling activities.

The operation, carried out jointly by the National Lotteries and Gaming Regulatory Board and the Uganda Police, targeted a facility in the Opiyal area. The suspect, identified as Lin Haiyun, was operating without a valid license.

“An illegal gaming manufacturing operation was dismantled in Opiyal, Soroti Town, following coordinated action by the National Lotteries and Gaming Regulatory Board and the Uganda Police,” the Board said in a statement.

Officials recovered a large quantity of illegal equipment, highlighting the scale of the operation.

“Items recovered include three complete fish tables, 90 complete coin slot machines, 428 motherboards, 49 whoppers for coin slot machines, two television screens, and six sacks of assorted spare parts for gaming machines,” the statement added.

The regulator thanked members of the public for reporting the operation and reaffirmed its commitment to eradicating illegal gaming and safeguarding the public.

 “The Board thanks the public for reporting and reaffirms its commitment to eliminating illegal gaming and protecting the public,” it said, urging citizens to continue reporting suspicious activities.

The suspect remains in custody as investigations continue, while authorities maintain heightened surveillance across the country.

The Soroti raid is part of the national campaign recently launched to tackle illegal gambling that threatens both public safety and the economy. For the first time, key state agencies have coordinated closely to restore order in one of East Africa’s fastest-growing industries.

Illegal operators, often using unlicensed slot machines in bars and retail outlets, have been linked to crime, illicit income and rising addiction rates. Families have reportedly lost savings and young people have fallen into debt due to illegal gambling, officials say.

The campaign brings together the National Lotteries and Gaming Regulatory Board, the judiciary and the Office of the Attorney General. These agencies now share information, coordinate operations and expedite legal processes to detect and punish violations efficiently. Specialized courts and trained judges have been introduced to ensure gambling cases are handled swiftly, while penalties for violators are being toughened.

A flagship initiative, #MashineHaramu focuses on identifying, seizing and destroying illegal gaming machines across the country. In 2025 alone, authorities reported that more than 6,000 machines were confiscated and destroyed, setting a regional record.

Authorities are also promoting responsible gaming. Licensed operators are required to implement deposit and playtime limits, provide mechanisms for player self-exclusion, and avoid incentives that encourage unsafe gambling behavior. Annual staff training in responsible gaming principles has been mandated to strengthen compliance.

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Besigye is now well after suffering from minor Diarrhea- Baryomunsi

By
Simon Kabayo
-
Chris Baryomunsi, Minister of ICT and National Guidance.

The Minister of ICT and National Guidance, Chris Baryomunsi, has said embattled Dr. Kizza Besigye is in stable condition and has fully recovered after suffering a minor Diarrheal illness while in custody at Luzira Prison.

He made the revelation today while addressing journalists at the Uganda Media Center.

Baryomunsi said Besigye briefly fell ill a few days ago but was promptly attended to by his personal doctors and has since resumed his normal routine in prison.

“A few days back, Dr Besigye just got some minor diarrheal illness. He was taken by his personal doctors, and he is now well. He is living his usual life within Luzira Prison,” Baryomunsi said.

The minister dismissed claims that Besigye was critically ill or denied access to medical care, saying such reports were inaccurate.

“It is not true that he is seriously sick or that he is unable to access his personal doctors. I have spoken to the prison authorities and I have also personally spoken to his doctors, including his own biological siblings. What I am saying is a matter of fact,” he said.

Baryomunsi cautioned against what he described as exaggeration of Besigye’s health condition, arguing that it fuels unnecessary anxiety among the public.

“While we sympathise with Dr Besigye because he is still in prison, it would be wrong to over publicise his situation by giving out false information,” he added.

He further explained that access to Besigye by family members and doctors is guided by the list of next of kin provided by Besigye himself at the time of his detention.

“The people who bring him food and attend to him are those he listed. They include his doctors and they are in touch with him,” Baryomunsi said.

“I went to his cell by myself last year, 2025. He has a self-contained room and access to television. It is not true that he is confined in a manner that undermines his dignity,” he said.

However, earlier comments by Besigye’s wife, Winnie Byanyima, painted a more cautious picture of his health. Via her X (formerly Twitter) handle, yesterday, Byanyima said Besigye was beginning to respond to treatment, though his recovery remained slow.

“He is responding to treatment, but it is slow and painful,” Byanyima said, noting that her husband had been visibly weak during her recent visit.

She expressed concern that Besigye’s condition had taken time to stabilise, arguing that his recovery underscored the need for close medical attention.

Byanyima has repeatedly called for Besigye to be allowed better medical access and urged the authorities to prioritise his health as legal processes continue.

Baryomunsi, however, maintained that the focus should remain on expediting Besigye’s case through the courts.

“What we pray for is that he gets a speedy trial so that his issues are resolved as soon as possible,” he said.

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Court orders vote recount in Kalungu East MP race as Ssempijja challenges results

By
Francisco Adongo
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Yusufu Kiruruuta Nkeretanyi and Vincent Bamulangaki Ssempijja.

The Masaka Chief Magistrate’s Court has ordered a recount of all ballots cast in the Kalungu East parliamentary election in a bid to establish the exact number of votes obtained by each candidate.

The directive was issued by Chief Magistrate Albert Asiimwe following an application by former Minister of Defence Vincent Bamulangaki Ssempijja, who challenged the declaration of National Unity Platform candidate Yusufu Kiruruuta Nkeretanyi as the winner of the January 15 polls.

According to results announced by the Electoral Commission, Nkeretanyi was declared the winner with 15,473 votes, defeating Ssempijja, who polled 13,298 votes. Ssempijja, however, disputed the margin, arguing that it could not be reconciled with the ballot papers contained in the ballot boxes.

In his ruling, Magistrate Asiimwe said delaying the recount would only prolong uncertainty and escalate the dispute to higher courts unnecessarily.

“Delaying this application would mean that the applicant waits to file a petition in the High Court after gazettement, yet a recount would resolve the dispute quickly and at a lower cost,” Asiimwe ruled.

He noted that refusing the application would perpetuate uncertainty among voters in Kalungu East and the wider public.

“Disallowing the application would maintain anxiety among the people and voters of Kalungu East and the state where they are not sure of who their Member of Parliament is,” he said.

The magistrate further observed that election materials were safely stored and that the applicant’s claim of a fictitious vote margin warranted verification through a full recount.

“Considering that the election materials are in safe custody and that the applicant alleges the respondent won with a vote margin not traceable in the ballot boxes, I find that a recount of all ballot papers in all polling stations is the most appropriate solution,” Asiimwe ruled.

He emphasised that the recount would ensure transparency and clarity for all participants in the election.

“Every participant in the election will be in a position to know exactly how they scored in the parliamentary election conducted on fifteenth January, two thousand and twenty six,” he said.

Magistrate Asiimwe declined to award costs to either party, noting that allegations of irregularities were directed at the returning officer and electoral staff who were not parties to the application.

“I cannot be seen condemning the returning officer or the Electoral Commission at large, and neither can I condemn the respondent since it was not his duty to tally and declare results,” he ruled, adding that each party would bear its own costs.

The court ordered that the recount of all ballot papers from every polling station in Kalungu East be conducted at the Kalungu District Electoral Commission offices starting at 3pm the same day (today). The magistrate noted that the timing complied with the legal window provided under the Parliamentary Elections Act for conducting recounts.

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Tororo court upholds Angella Akoth’s election after dismissing Opendi recount bid

By
Simon Kabayo
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Independent candidate, Angella Akoth, who has been declared the winner of the Tororo District Woman Representative race, and outgoing legislator Sarah Achieng Opendi.

The Tororo Chief Magistrate’s Court has dismissed an application seeking a vote recount in the Tororo District Woman Member of Parliament election, effectively affirming the victory of independent candidate Angella Akoth.

The application had been filed by the incumbent MP, Sarah Achieng Opendi of the National Resistance Movement, following her defeat in the January 15 polls. Official results declared Akoth the winner with 78,542 votes, narrowly edging Opendi, who garnered 78,507 votes.

In her ruling, Chief Magistrate Irene Nantebya held that the condition of the ballot boxes made it impossible for the court to rely on them as credible evidence. She noted that several boxes presented before the court showed signs of tampering, including broken seals, a situation she said compromised the integrity of the election materials.

The court concluded that proceeding with a recount under such circumstances would undermine the administration of justice, leading to the dismissal of the application in its entirety.

Opendi’s legal team had argued that irregularities occurred during the tallying process at a number of polling stations and sought a recount to verify the results. However, court records indicate that the state of the election materials raised serious doubts about their reliability, ultimately weakening the case for a recount.

With the dismissal of the application, the court upheld the declaration made by the Electoral Commission, confirming Angella Akoth as the duly elected Woman Member of Parliament for Tororo District.

The ruling brings to a close a closely contested race that was among the tightest in the district, decided by a margin of just 35 votes. Akoth’s win reflects a strong showing by independent candidates in the area during the January elections.

Akoth is now expected to complete the remaining electoral formalities ahead of taking her seat in the Eleventh Parliament thus a new chapter in Tororo District’s representation.

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Uganda records Shs951.6b fiscal surplus in December, misses monthly target

By
Simon Kabayo
-

Uganda recorded a fiscal surplus of Shs951.59 billion in December 2025, falling well below the planned surplus of Shs1,720.4 billion for the month, according to preliminary figures released by the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development.

The figures are contained in the Performance of the Economy Report for December 2025, issued by the Ministry of Finance, which shows that weaker-than-anticipated revenue inflows combined with higher government spending narrowed the surplus.

Total revenue and grants collected in December amounted to Shs4,085.10 billion, missing the monthly target of Shs4,480.83 billion by Shs395.73 billion. Domestic revenue contributed Shs3,924.70 billion, while external grants totalled Shs160.40 billion. Of the grants received, Shs106.8 billion was project support, while Shs53.6 billion was provided as budget support, including funding under the Intergovernmental Fiscal Transfers Programme.

Domestic revenue collection stood at 91.3 percent of the target. Tax revenue reached Shs3,788.59 billion, with shortfalls registered across major tax categories. Non-tax revenue performed even lower, amounting to Shs136.11 billion, which was Shs80.67 billion below the planned level.

“The shortfalls were mainly due to delays in the remittance of Pay As You Earn by some local governments during the transition of payroll systems, reduced external financing for specific projects, increased illicit alcohol production, and changes in the composition of imports that affected taxable items,” the Ministry report states.

Despite the weaker performance in December, cumulative domestic revenue collections for the first half of the 2025/26 financial year showed improvement. Between July and December, the government raised Shs16,877.73 billion, equivalent to 94.1 percent of the Shs17,931.29 billion target. This represented a shortfall of Shs1,053.56 billion but marked an 8.69 percent increase compared to the Shs15,528.94 billion collected during the same period in the previous financial year.

Government expenditure in December totaled Shs2,456.91 billion, exceeding the planned Shs2,314.5 billion by Shs142.41 billion. Spending on goods and services accounted for most of the overrun, reaching Shs795.73 billion, which was 130.5 percent of the approved budget for the month.

Compensation of employees amounted to Shs493.13 billion, below the planned level, while social benefits were also underspent by Shs54.68 billion. Interest payments stood at Shs388.34 billion, in line with projections and covering both domestic and external debt obligations.

The report further shows that government investment activity increased during the month. Net acquisition of non-financial assets reached Shs676.6 billion, surpassing the planned Shs445.93 billion, largely reflecting higher spending on public infrastructure projects.

The Ministry notes that revenue performance continues to be influenced by donor flows and compliance challenges in certain sectors, including illicit trade. As the country enters the second half of the 2025/26 financial year, the December results highlight the pressure on revenue mobilisation amid sustained spending demands.

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From pain to relief: Bugweri residents find hope at free medical camp

By
Our Reporter
-
Bugweri residents flock the medical camp.

Bugweri, Uganda – For over a month, Hamida Kagoya, 80 could barely sit without pain. Her back ached relentlessly, and with no money to seek treatment, she endured the discomfort in silence.

“Sometimes I cannot even sit properly. The pain from my back is too much,” she whispered, her eyes reflecting exhaustion and resignation.

Kagoya, a resident of Busesa sub-county is not alone. Access to affordable medical care in Bugweri remains a challenge. While government health facilities exist, patients are often examined only to be sent to private clinics for medicine, a cost far beyond the means of many residents.

Her suffering, and that of hundreds like her, found relief on January 24, 2026, when the Rotary Club of Kampala South organized a free medical camp at Busesa Mixed Primary School. For the first time in weeks, Kagoya left with hope, her pain eased by professional care and attention.

“I never imagined this could happen,” she said, her face lighting up as doctors attended to her needs.

Among the beneficiaries was Rukia Mutesi, 63, a mother of four who had endured constant eye pain for two years. Visits to hospitals in neighboring Iganga district offered little help, only a prescription for spectacles she could not afford. At the camp, specialists examined her eyes and provided free spectacles, restoring both her vision and independence.

“The pain never stopped. Now I can see clearly, and I can live without fear,” Mutesi said, tears of joy streaming down her face.

The medical camp attracted over 1,500 residents, a number that underscores the urgent need for accessible healthcare in the district. Emmanuel Mukwenda Mugisha, project coordinator for the Rotary Club, said the turnout reflects the desperation many face in seeking medical attention.

“Healthcare should not be a privilege reserved for when organizations organize events. Every person deserves care every day,” he said.

The initiative, supported by a Rotary Global Grant, offered a wide range of services including maternal and child health, immunization, dental care, eye exams, cancer screening, and general medical consultations. In addition, 400 women received free sanitary pads, while girls were trained to make reusable pads to promote menstrual hygiene. Expectant mothers benefited from 500 mama kits distributed to support safe deliveries and reduce maternal risks. Organizers also provided financial literacy training to help families manage limited resources.

Geofrey Martin Kitakule, the district governor, described the camp as a crucial complement to government health services, emphasizing that the overwhelming turnout signals a broader need to prioritize public health.

Over the past three years, Rotary Club medical camps have provided free care to more than 250,000 people, positively impacting communities across Bugweri and neighboring districts.

“This camp is more than medicine. It is hope, dignity, and a chance for residents to live healthier lives,” Mukwenda said.

For Kagoya and countless others, the camp was more than a momentary relief. It was a lifeline, a reminder that even in hardship, compassion and care can bring healing.

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Besigye is slowly responding to treatment —Winnie Byanyima

By
Simon Kabayo
-
Dr. Kizza Besigye.

Embattled Dr. Kizza Besigye is beginning to respond slowly and painfully to treatment, his wife Winnie Byanyima has revealed.

Byanyima, who visited her husband last Friday, described a frail Besigye struggling with basic movements and living under harsh conditions that she said are undermining his recovery.

“When I visited Dr. Kizza Besigye… he was beginning to respond, slowly and painfully, to treatment. We are very grateful to his personal doctor, who has been braving traffic and repeatedly driving to Luzira Maximum Security Prison to check on him, because prison officials have refused to take him to the private clinic where full and proper medical care can be provided,” she said.

She said Besigye was so weak he could not walk from his cell to the visitors’ reception and had to cling to walls to avoid falling. He was returned to what she described as an oven hot, dark, bedbug infested cell after the visit. In eight hours, he had eaten only a small piece of yam and half an avocado, a sign of deteriorating strength, she said.

“This is not care. This is punishment,” Byanyima said in her statement, adding that Besigye is being deliberately denied the medical care he trusts and requires.

Byanyima’s comments illustrate rising frustration among Besigye’s supporters and family over what they call denial of adequate health care and repeated refusals to allow him treatment at a private clinic where more comprehensive care could be provided. She argued that his basic rights, including access to timely medical attention, are being violated and demanded his immediate release on bail and unrestricted access to proper medical care.

The Uganda Prisons Service has disputed claims that Besigye’s condition is critical, urging Byanyima to stop politicizing the matter. Prison officials said Besigye’s recent health concerns were being managed and that his overall condition was not as serious as some reports suggested.

Earlier reports indicated that Besigye was transferred from Luzira to a medical facility in Bugolobi Village Mall under heavy security as his health deteriorated. That transfer raised concern among supporters and rights activists, who said it highlighted serious risks to his well-being.

Byanyima emphasized that under Ugandan law, Besigye is innocent until proven guilty, questioning why he has been denied bail multiple times even as his health falters. She said denying him access to family and proper health care amounts to cruelty and inhuman treatment that endangers his life.

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