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Gov’t summoned over delayed Soroti Regional Hospital construction

By
Emmanuel Okello
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A report by the Committee on Government Assurances and Implementation has faulted the government for dragging its feet on the construction of the long-promised Soroti Regional Referral Hospital, which continues to operate under deteriorating infrastructure.

The committee chairperson, Abed Bwanika, noted that the hospital serves a large population under conditions that threaten both the quality of service delivery and patient safety.

“Soroti Hospital is relying on very old structures that have hampered not only service delivery but also exposed the facility to security risks. Yet it serves over 10 districts with a population of more than two million people,” Bwanika said.

The report highlights several critical deficiencies, including the absence of essential departments such as an Accident and Emergency Unit, a functional Intensive Care Unit (ICU), and the presence of congested operating theatres.

Bwanika presented the report during a plenary sitting on Thursday, August 7, 2025, chaired by Speaker Anita Among. He commended local leaders for securing land for the proposed hospital but expressed concern over government inaction.

“Soroti District Local Government and Soroti University offered 60 acres of land for the project. While some of the land has been used to build a regional blood bank and staff housing, actual construction of the hospital has not yet begun. The hospital also serves as a training ground for medical interns, further straining its capacity,” he said.

He blamed the Ministry of Health for delays in formalising land acquisition from Soroti University, a critical step before construction can commence.

Speaker Among also decried the hospital’s poor state, saying it does not meet the standards of a regional referral facility and even struggles with basic hygiene.

“We do not have a regional referral hospital in Soroti — maybe the name should be changed. When you stand at the gate, the stench is overwhelming because they lack trucks to remove garbage,” she said. “Soroti Hospital cannot even conduct major operations.”

Sarah Opendi, Woman MP for Tororo District, called on Parliament to prioritise the hospital in the upcoming national budget, citing its strategic importance.

“The hospital still functions like a district hospital. Yet, recently, we celebrated its doctors for successfully separating conjoined twins. But when you see the theatres they’re operating in, you could shed tears,” she said.

In response, Minister of Health, Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng, said the ministry is working on acquiring a land title for the new hospital but admitted that there is currently no funding for its construction.

“Constructing a new hospital requires funding. We have asked the Ministry of Finance to mobilise resources. Until that is done, we cannot proceed with construction,” Aceng stated.

“We have been engaging with JICA [Japan International Cooperation Agency] for possible support, but until we get a response, we do not have a clear way forward,” she added.

The committee’s report also raised concerns about Kilembe Mines Hospital in Kasese District, which has remained in ruins for five years following devastating floods from River Nyamwamba.

Although the government had pledged Shs2 billion to rebuild the facility, the report reveals that no meaningful progress has been made. The hospital previously served over 50,000 people from six sub-counties in Kasese.

Minister Aceng clarified that construction at Kilembe Mines Hospital was put on hold until an investor is secured to revamp the mines and River Nyamwamba is properly desilted.

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Parliament Report reveals shocking pay disparities among local gov’t leaders

By
Our Reporter
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The signpost of Mubende District.

Parliament has uncovered major disparities in the remuneration of political leaders across local governments, with some Sub-county councilors earning as little as Shs35,000 per month, while their counterparts in cities and municipalities earn up to Shs250,000.

This revelation is contained in the Report of the Committee on Government Assurance and Implementation which assessed the status of assurances to fully operationalize newly created cities.

“The Committee noted gross variations in the remuneration to Political Leaders at both City level and Local Governments,” the report reads in part, adding that the findings were “demonstrated by the huge disparities in the salary structures.”

The Committee, chaired by Abed Bwanika, expressed concern that the salaries of new city leaders and staff are still meager and not commensurate with the rising cost of living.

“This is no different from the report by the Ministry of Local Government when appearing before the House Committee on Public Service on March 26, 2024,” the report adds.

According to the report:

 · Sub-county Chairpersons earn Shs 400,000,

 · Sub-county Councilors earn Shs35,000,

 · Municipal, City, and District Councilors earn Shs250,000,

 ·Speakers and their deputies earn between Shs300,000 and Shs600,000,

 ·City and District Executive Committee members earn Shs600,000,

 ·City and District Chairpersons earn Shs2 million monthly.

The situation is not much better in districts like Mbarara, where:

 ·Executive Committee members earn Shs700,000,

 · Speakers and Deputy Speakers also earn Shs700,000,

 · Councillors take home Shs 250,000, all figures before tax.

“The Sitting Allowances per Council or Committee do not exceed 15% of the Local Revenue Collection,” the Committee further noted.

The Committee attributed these disparities to Uganda’s fiscal decentralization system, where local revenue generation directly influences how much political leaders are paid.

The report revealed, “Cities with higher local revenues will have more funds to spend on emoluments of their officials, as opposed to those with less revenue, which not only creates discrepancies in salaries but also demoralizes public servants.”

The Committee warned that these disparities are not only unjust but are also affecting morale and performance in local governments.

“Discrepancies in emoluments and allowances cause a decline in morale among political leaders, especially those in sub-counties with lower local revenues,” the report reads.

It adds, “It becomes difficult to attract and retain competent leaders in such areas.”

The report calls for urgent reforms in the salary structure of local government leaders to ensure equity and sustainability, especially as the country continues to operationalize new administrative units.

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Rotary Governor Kitakule rallies Rotary Club Kitante to expand membership and boost impact

By
Our Reporter
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District Governor G M Kitakule.

Rotary Governor, Geoffrey Martin Kitakule has challenged members of the Rotary Club of Kitante to intensify their recruitment efforts and broaden the club’s visibility in order to sustain its life-changing community initiatives.

Speaking during his official visit to the club on Wednesday, Kitakule commended the vibrancy of Rotary Club Kitante, which boasts 57 members. However, he expressed concern that only about 40% of the members are actively engaged in club activities.

“My challenge is simple. Each member should bring in at least one new Rotarian by the end of the year. Our goal is to grow by 20 members, and with that growth comes more hands for service, stronger leadership pipelines, and the energy to sustain impactful projects,” Kitakule said.

Kitakule emphasized the importance of attracting a younger, more passionate generation of Rotarians who can carry the torch forward and uphold Rotary’s legacy of service and innovation.

He noted, “Let’s bring in young, purpose-driven people who are eager to make a difference. That’s how we ensure continuity and relevance.”

The Rotary Club of Kitante has already made its mark through impactful projects such as providing clean water to communities in Kamwokya and championing support programs for the boy child. Kitakule praised these initiatives but noted they require more visibility to attract meaningful partnerships and inspire others.

“Kitante’s projects speak volumes, clean water for Kamwokya, support for the boy child, these initiatives are changing lives,” he said.

He added, “But we need to amplify them. Visibility is key to drawing in partners and showing others what’s possible.”

On the international front, Kitakule lauded the club for its contributions to the Rotary International Foundation. To date, the club has donated $10,000, with a target of raising another $10,000 by the end of the year.

“That level of giving is commendable. If we hit the $20,000 target, not only will Rotary Club Kitante receive recognition at the District Conference, but it will also help fuel global projects that uplift communities around the world,” he applauded.

Kitakule also urged members to participate fully in upcoming Rotary events, serve with boldness, and remain committed to the club’s mission.

“With growth, visibility, and commitment, Rotary Club Kitante can become a true model of service and leadership. “Let’s show up, serve boldly, and inspire lasting change.”

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Equity Bank expands services to Ugandans in South Africa

By
Our Reporter
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In the photo is the team from Equity Bank Uganda in the white branded t-shirts led by Damali Balungi- International Banking Manager, and Allen Ritah Nanteza- Diaspora & International Money Transfer (IMT) Officer, together with the Diaspora team.

Johannesburg, August 7, 2025.  Ugandans living and working in South Africa now have greater opportunities to invest back home following Equity Bank’s entry into the country, marking the first time the East African financial giant has ventured into the South African market.

The Bank officially introduced its integrated financial services during the Confederation of Ugandans in South Africa event, which the Ugandan Community organised in Johannesburg in partnership with the Uganda High Commission in South Africa.

At the event, Equity Bank Uganda presented financial solutions tailored for the diaspora, including savings and investment accounts, mortgages, and cross-border money transfer services.

Speaking at the event, Equity Bank’s Manager for International Banking, Damali Balungi, said the move was driven by the growing demand among Ugandans abroad to seamlessly connect with financial opportunities back home.

“Our mission here is to give Ugandans in South Africa access to secure and reliable banking services that meet their needs but also enable them to invest back home,” Balungi said.  Adding, “From mortgages to business financing, we want all Ugandans abroad to know that they can be part of their community’s growth story.”

According to Balungi, Equity Bank Uganda views South Africa as a key link for the diaspora and plans to introduce more financial services to simplify cross-border financial transactions.

She revealed that the Bank will also offer access to secure and reliable banking services that will enable the South African community to enjoy safe banking.

COUSA is an annual event that brings together hundreds of Ugandans living in South Africa. Participants expressed excitement at the Bank’s presence, saying it would make it easier for them to invest and save back home.

Sara Nalumansi, a Ugandan entrepreneur based in Pretoria, welcomed the development. “For years, we have wanted a bank that understands both our home country, Uganda, and South Africa. Equity’s presence here today gives us confidence that saving or even buying property back home will now be simpler and safer.”

Officials from the Uganda High Commission also lauded the bank’s decision to be present at the confederation, noting that the diaspora plays a critical role in remittances and national development.

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Museveni plans to buy Mayuge Sugar Factory for Busoga sugarcane farmers

By
Francisco Adongo
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President Museveni.

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has announced that the government will purchase the Mayuge Sugar Factory for Busoga sugarcane farmers.

The President announced on Wednesday, August 6, 2025, while meeting sugarcane growers, millers, and sugar manufacturers from across Uganda at Kityerera State Lodge, Mayuge.

The move is in fulfillment of the government’s pledge to build a sugarcane processing plant for Busoga sugarcane farmers.

During the meeting, the farmers gave the government a green light to go into purchase negotiations with the sugar factory.

The new ownership model is expected to restore fairness in the sugar industry and ensure that profits return directly to the farmers.

“I pledged to build a sugar factory for you. Recently, the people of Mayuge Sugar Factory came and wanted to sell it to me and give it to the poor people. Do you agree?” President Museveni asked, receiving a resounding “Yes!” from the farmers.

“Okay, we shall negotiate with them and buy it for you,” the President assured.

The meeting brought together key stakeholders from Uganda’s major sugarcane growing regions — Busoga, Buganda, Western, and Northern Uganda — and is part of President Museveni’s wider agenda to reform the agro-industrial sector and uplift communities from poverty.

In the same meeting, President Museveni revealed that the cabinet will decide the fate of CN Sugar Ltd and Shakti Sugar limited which were closed due operational issues. He said the issue should be handled next week on Monday.

On the other hand, President Museveni directed the Minister for Trade, Industry and Cooperatives, Hon. Francis Mwebesa, to ensure the long-awaited Sugar Council is established by the Sugarcane (Amendment) Act, 2023, passed by Parliament in April 2025. He ordered that the names of the council members should be confirmed by next week.

The council is expected to regulate the industry and represent the interests of growers and millers alike.

The council will consist of a chairperson, four representatives of sugarcane out-growers, four from sugar millers, and Permanent Secretaries from the Ministries of Agriculture, Finance, and Trade.

During the same meeting, Mr. Budugo Isa, Chairperson of the Uganda National Association of Sugarcane Growers, expressed concern over the continued deduction of a 5% levy from farmers delivering sugarcane to factories, a cost management charge that was supposed to be scrapped under the new law.

“We had hope in this council, but the Ministry of Trade is taking too long to implement it,” Mr. Budugo lamented.

President Museveni responded firmly, directing that the charge should stop and urged the sugar manufacturers to reject sugarcane deliveries that are mixed with husks and tops, which degrade processing efficiency.

“Can we now agree? Reject the unclean sugarcane,” President Museveni said. “And the 5% charge must stop.”

Minister Mwebesa pledged to enact new regulations in line with the President’s directive. He also disclosed that the government has secured funds to compensate suppliers of the Atiak Sugar Factory, and the payments would be effected next week.

Delving into Uganda’s historical struggles with poverty, President Museveni shared personal insights on wealth creation, the challenges of land fragmentation, and the transformation of traditional communities.

“The idea of transformation was not clear in the 1960s. Some people believed that poverty must exist — that some be rich while others stay poor. I refused that logic,” he said.

“When I went to school, I compared traditional systems with capitalist economies and saw how industrial revolutions changed societies,” he added.

H.E. Museveni said his early efforts in the cattle corridor focused on ending nomadic lifestyles, promoting food production, and introducing income-generating activities. However, the long years of war against Idi Amin disrupted economic progress and led to further land fragmentation, weakening household incomes.

Who should grow sugarcane?

The President gave a detailed economic analysis of sugarcane production, noting that the average returns — Shs4 million per acre annually — are insufficient for families with small land holdings.

“Sugarcane should be grown by people with large chunks of land. Those with two acres will never get out of poverty with sugarcane, let’s be clear. You, the sugarcane growers, must agree on the minimum land size for one to engage in sugarcane farming,” H.E. Museveni said

He contrasted the income from sugarcane with alternative models, recommending the four acres model for smallholder farmers. This includes growing food crops, coffee, pasture, and engaging in livestock, poultry, fish farming, or piggery.

President Museveni highlighted the case of Joseph Ijara of Serere, who uses only 2.5 acres to generate over UGX 1 billion annually through poultry and zero-grazing dairy farming.

“Ijara sells 310 eggs a day and 320 liters of milk daily. That’s what I have been talking about for years,” the President emphasized. “Another farmer, Nyakana, earns UGX 300,000 daily from eggs — that’s UGX 108 million a year.”

He urged communities to adopt evidence-based agricultural choices based on land size, advising those with smaller plots to avoid sugarcane and instead focus on more profitable, intensive models.

The President also discussed cotton farming, noting that returns are too low for smallholders. He cited large-scale models as viable, recommending prisons and institutions with large landholdings to take on cotton cultivation to support the country’s textile industry.

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NRM Tribunal upholds Gen. Tumukunde’s victory in Rukungiri Municipality

By
Simon Kabayo
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Gen. Henry Tumukunde.

As Akankunda’s petition is dismissed over  lack of evidence  

The NRM Election Disputes Tribunal has upheld the election of Lt. Gen. (Rtd) Henry Tumukunde as the duly elected NRM flag bearer for Rukungiri Municipality, dismissing a petition by Isaac Atukunda who had alleged illegal nomination and widespread electoral malpractice in the July 17, 2025, party primaries.

In a ruling seen by Eagle Online, dated August 6, 2025, the tribunal chaired by John Musiipe, with Elton Mugabi as panel head, Stanley Kangye and Blair Atwebembeire as members, rejected claims of bribery, voter intimidation, and illegal nomination as “general, speculative, and unsupported by sufficient evidence.”

The petition, filed under Petition No. 306 of 2025, evolved from the NRM parliamentary primaries for Rukungiri Municipality, where Atukunda, who garnered 1,646 votes, challenged Tumukunde’s landslide victory of 56,301 votes. Atukunda attempted a political comeback in Rukungiri Municipality after he was humiliated in the Uganda Law Council presidency by Isaac Ssemakadde.

Atukunda, represented by David Kamukama of Credo Advocates, argued that Gen. Tumukunde’s nomination was illegal, citing his 2021 presidential run under a different platform and his alleged non-residency in the constituency. He also alleged election malpractice, including bribery, violence, obstruction of agents, and the procurement of ineligible voters.

However, Gen. Tumukunde, through a high-powered legal team comprising Jude Byamukama, Justinian Kateera, and Andrew Kiryowa, denied all allegations, insisting that he was validly nominated, still a member of the NRM, and that the petitioner’s claims were vague and unsubstantiated.

The tribunal’s first focus was the legality of Tumukunde’s nomination and membership in the party, given his past presidential candidacy.

“The Tribunal is satisfied that there being no proof that the NRM registration process was not followed, the Respondent is a member of the Party,” the ruling reads.

Atukunda had invoked Article 8(4)(c) of the NRM Constitution, arguing that Gen. Tumukunde’s previous presidential run constituted automatic cessation of membership. Nevertheless, the tribunal disagreed, noting that no evidence of a formal dismissal or resignation existed.

“Dismissal of a party member under Article 8(4)(e) is after a fair hearing. The Respondent was never dismissed, and there was no evidence of any hearing.”

Atukunda also argued that Gen. Tumukunde does not originate from or reside within Rukungiri Municipality, making him ineligible.

But the tribunal invoked Section 4 of the Parliamentary Elections Act, which does not require residency as a qualification for parliamentary candidates.

“The Tribunal, while relying on the primary legislation… finds that residency in an electoral area is not a qualification for one to stand for parliamentary elections.”

Atukunda claimed that Gen. Tumukunde’s agents bribed voters with Shs10,000 notes, directed them during the lining-up process, and that violent youths intimidated voters in several cells.

However, the tribunal found the evidence lacking.

“The allegations of election malpractices are general in nature and lack specificity,” the panel ruled.

The Panel added, “The Petitioner did not specify the agents of the Respondent who carried out the said acts or whether they did so with the authority and/or knowledge of the Respondent.”

Even if the irregularities occurred, the tribunal found they were too few and geographically limited to impact the overwhelming vote difference.

“Even if accepted as true, the alleged irregularities occurred in a limited number of polling stations and would not… materially alter the margin of 2,896 votes between the two candidates,” added the Panel.

The tribunal concluded that the petitioner failed to prove all claims to the required standard.

“Having failed to prove the allegations to the required standard, the Petitioner is not entitled to the reliefs sought,” the ruling states.

As such, the election of Gen. Henry Tumukunde as NRM flag bearer for Rukungiri Municipality was upheld, and the petition was dismissed in full.

This ruling strengthens Gen. Tumukunde’s grip on the NRM ticket ahead of the 2026 general elections, removing a major legal hurdle and affirming his political rehabilitation within the party.

For Atukunda, the ruling underscores the stringent evidentiary burden required to overturn party primaries, especially under the NRM’s 2025 Election Regulations that prioritize finality and internal discipline.

“The decisions of the Tribunal are binding on the parties and the NRM Electoral Commission, ensuring certainty, finality and internal discipline within the party’s electoral dispute resolution process,” the panel noted.

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CHAN 2024: Cranes eye comeback against Guinea after poor start

By
Our Reporter
-
Cranes undergoing training.

After a disappointing start to the TotalEnergies CHAN 2024 campaign, joint co-hosts Uganda Cranes resumed preparations with a recovery session held on Tuesday evening at the FUFA Stadium, Kadiba, Kampala.

The Cranes suffered a 3-0 defeat to Algeria in their opening Group C match on Monday night at the Mandela National Stadium, a result that left fans and players equally disappointed, and a poor show again could see the team fail to qualify for the next stage of the tournament.

Turning their focus to Friday’s crucial clash against Guinea, the team regrouped at the newly built Kadiba facility, located in Mengo, Rubaga Division, Kampala. The FIFA-funded project, launched in 2018, is one of the modern football infrastructure additions to Ugandan football.

The technical staff on the team used the session to address the shortcomings from the Algeria match, with a key emphasis on sharpening attacking efficiency and improving defensive shape and concentration.

Group C action continues on Friday, August 8th, with Algeria facing South Africa in the early kickoff before Uganda squares off with Guinea in the second fixture of the day. This encounter could prove pivotal in the Cranes’ quest to reach the knockout stage.

Uganda Cranes has played against Guinea before. Most recently, they played a FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier on March 25, 2025, at the Mandela National Stadium in Kampala, where Uganda won 1-0. Prior to that, they also faced each other in a World Cup qualifier in Morocco, where Guinea won 2-1. They also played each other in a 1976 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match.

Full Uganda Cranes Squad – CHAN 2024

Goalkeepers: Denis Kiggundu [Vipers SC] Joel Mutakubwa [BUL FC] Chrispas Kusiima [Kitara FC]

Defenders: Arnold Odong [SC Villa] Nicholas Mwere [BUL FC] Gideon Odong [NEC FC] Herbert Achai [KCCA FC] Rogers Torach [Vipers SC] Lazaro Muhindo [KCCA FC] Hilary Mukundane [Vipers SC] Kizito Gavin [KCCA FC]

Midfielders: Joseph Youngman Marvin [Vipers SC] Elvis Ngonde [SC Villa] Patrick Jonah Kakande [SC Villa] Allan Okello [Vipers SC] Joel Sserunjogi [KCCA FC] Enock Ssebagala [Vipers SC] Abdu Karim Watambala [Vipers SC]

Forwards: Jude Ssemugabi [Kitara FC] Ivan Ahimbisibwe [KCCA FC] Arafat Kiza Usama [KCCA FC] Yunus Junior Sentamu [Vipers SC] Reagan Mpande [SC Villa] Emmanuel Anyama [KCCA FC] Shafik Nana Kwikiriza [KCCA FC]

To entice the team, President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni pledged a staggering Shs 1.2 billion for every match they win in the tournament, meaning they missed the money after losing the first match.

Kenya head coach Benni McCarthy has urged his players to remain focused and keep their eyes on the prize as they prepare to face Angola in their second Group A match on Thursday [today].

The Harambee Stars opened their campaign with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over DR Congo on Sunday and will be in a strong position to reach the knockout stages if they collect another three points against the Angolans.

Despite the wave of optimism and confidence following the victory, McCarthy has insisted that nothing has been achieved yet.

 “Nothing is done yet. That was just one win — an important one — but we have to remain focused. We faced a very tough opponent and worked hard to get that result, but we shouldn’t let it get into our heads,” McCarthy said.

“The focus now shifts squarely to Angola and the ambition is the same — go in and fight for maximum points.”

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PS Ggoobi warns against budget manipulation & corruption as accountants meet at Munyonyo

By
Simon Kabayo
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PSST-Ramathan Ggoobi.

Speke Resort Munyonyo— The Permanent Secretary and Secretary to the Treasury (PSST), Ramathan Ggoobi has warned government Accounting Officers over what he termed “budget games” deliberate manipulations in the budget process that risk undermining service delivery and fueling corruption.

Speaking during a high-level meeting convened by the Ministry of Finance, Planning, and Economic Development (MoFPED) at Speke Resort Munyonyo on Wednesday, Ggoobi revealed that the ministry had detected disturbing trends in how some Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) were misappropriating budget allocations.

“The budget process itself has become a source of corruption. We have identified tricks like ‘Padding Play’, where MDAs ask for more funds than needed, and the ‘Crisis Card’, where officials make alarmist claims to secure extra allocations,” Ggoobi said.

He added that Procurement Officers, HR personnel, and Accountants were under increased scrutiny for facilitating these manipulative practices. MoFPED Budget Analysts have now been directed to intensify budget review mechanisms and stamp out such practices.

“These games are a gateway to corruption. They must stop,” he warned.

The meeting brought together Accounting Officers from central ministries, local governments, Uganda’s missions abroad, regional referral hospitals, and public universities — all tasked with ensuring effective execution of the government’s ambitious Shs72 trillion budget for FY 2025/26.

Chaired by the Head of Public Service and Secretary to Cabinet, Lucy Nakyobe, the meeting sought to align government entities on financial discipline, performance, and transparency in service delivery.

“You must deliver services equitably and on time. Guard against committing a government without adequate resources,” Nakyobe told the officers. “There must be zero tolerance for the creation of domestic arrears. Do not commit beyond cash limits.”

Nakyobe emphasized the need for urgency in project implementation and the publication of clear service delivery standards.

“Fast-track procurement, define your performance standards, and restore citizen trust by being accountable,” she added.

The government is under mounting pressure to ensure value for money amid growing public frustration over persistent service delivery failures and financial wastage. This meeting, therefore, marked a critical step in tightening oversight as the country embarks on a crucial fiscal year.

Representatives from Local Governments voiced concerns about continued delays in service delivery and limited wage allocations that are hindering the recruitment of essential staff.

“We are now focusing on results. Officers who fall short of expectations or engage in budget manipulation risk disciplinary sanctions,” Ggoobi cautioned.

Uganda’s top finance officials are advocating for a cultural shift, one where transparency, efficiency, and ethical leadership become the foundation of public financial management.

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CDF Muhoozi to arrest Lands Minister Sam Mayanja over Kaazi land dispute 

By
Our Reporter
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Gen. Muhoozi and Minister Mayanja.

The Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) General Muhoozi Kainerugaba has declared his intention to seek the arrest of the Minister of State for Lands, Sam Mayanja, over what he described as interference with military command and the improper handling of Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) officers.

Via his X (formerly Twitter) handle, Muhoozi wrote, “I will request Mzee for the arrest of the Minister of State for Lands!” referring to President Yoweri Museveni, the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces.

Muhoozi was concerned about the reports that a UPDF Brigadier had been summoned to appear before the Lands Minister in connection with the contested Kaazi land in Wakiso District.

“We are going to arrest one of our Brigadiers for appearing in front of a Minister, I hear. The next time anyone, except the President and Commander‑in‑Chief, dares to call any officer or man of UPDF for a case anywhere without my authority, we shall arrest them,” Gen. Muhoozi warned.

His revelation follows an intensifying dispute over the 120-acre Kaazi National Scouts Camping Centre claimed by both the estate of the late Kabaka Daudi Chwa II and the Uganda Scouts Association whose legal ownership Minister Mayanja sought to clarify in a petition dated July 25, 2025.

In the petition addressed to Brig. Gen. Henry Isoke, the head of the State House Anti-Corruption Unit, Mayanja accused powerful individuals of trying to illegally appropriate the land and called for the cancellation of land titles he believes were fraudulently acquired. He argued that the land was originally held under private mailo by the late Kabaka and was never lawfully restituted to the Buganda Kingdom under the 1993 Restitution Act.

Mayanja recommended that 100 acres be officially returned to the Uganda Scouts Association and 20 acres to the estate of Prince G.W. Mawanda, a descendant of the Kabaka, as part of an effort to protect youth institutions and historical rights.

“After thorough legal and historical review, the claim by the Daudi Chwa II estate is the most legally grounded,” Mayanja wrote, insisting the Uganda Land Commission rectify the records.

The dispute has since taken a political and military twist, with Muhoozi framing Mayanja’s actions as a breach of military protocol. His demand for the Minister’s arrest has raised eyebrows and debate on the limits of civilian authority over military institutions.

Analysts say the standoff could evolve into a wider test of Uganda’s governance framework, particularly regarding the independence of institutions, land governance, and the military’s role in civil affairs.

Minister Mayanja, for his part, has remained firm on his legal stance, stating his duty lies in protecting public land and upholding the Constitution.

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Equity Bank propelled my business from struggles to success — SME leader Kanyike

By
Francisco Adongo
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Nuhu Kanyike testifying during the Unilever-Equity Bank partnership launch at Sheraton Hotel Kampala.

Running a business in Uganda comes with no shortage of challenges. For many small and medium enterprises (SMEs), survival often means navigating delayed financing, cash-handling risks, and limited access to key markets. Nuhu Kanyike, Managing Director of Falkan Investments Ltd, experienced these struggles firsthand until he partnered with a bank that not only understood his pain points but also shared in his vision for growth.

Kanyike’s journey with Equity Bank began in 2017 during a critical period in his career as a Unilever distributor. Frustrated by delays in renewing a bank guarantee with a previous provider, “I had waited for weeks and couldn’t get any help,” he said.

He was introduced to Equity Bank by a fellow distributor, and within a week, everything was sorted. “I had my guarantee sorted at the Equity Bank. They handled everything quickly and professionally,” Kanyike recalls.

That was the start of a new chapter for his business. For SME distributors like Falkan Investments, Equity Bank’s responsiveness and tailor-made financial products have been game changers. The guarantee facility enabled the business to access Unilever stock on flexible 17-day payment terms, easing working capital pressures and supporting sustainable growth. “Equity didn’t just offer credit- they provided a solution that worked for my cash flow cycle,” Kanyike reflects.

But the true impact of Equity Bank lies in how it integrates digital innovation with practical SME needs. Before joining Equity, Kanyike’s sales team handled large amounts of cash after every trip, creating delays and safety risks. “We would spend hours counting money in the warehouse. It was risky and tiring,” he said. But through Equity Bank’s agency banking network with over 9,310 ‘Equi-Duuka’ gents, his field teams now deposit cash in real time with local agents, eliminating security risks and saving valuable operational hours. “That one change has streamlined our operations and enabled us to scale faster,” he notes.

Now, his team deposits money directly with Equity Bank agents in the field, and it reflects instantly in their accounts.

“It has saved us a lot of time and removed the stress of carrying cash,” he added.

This system has also allowed the business to expand into new areas like Ishaka and Karenga, which were previously avoided due to the risks of transporting money over long distances. With agents available across the country, the company’s trucks now return without any cash on board- money is deposited and secured on the spot.

Beyond transaction support, Equity Bank has also provided flexible working capital loans, allowing Kanyike to stock up when needed and pay back within a month. “Even when we need short-term funds to meet monthly sales targets, I can rely on Equity to provide credit I can repay within a month. That kind of agility is essential in our line of work,” Kanyike shares.

For Kanyike, Equity Bank is more than just a lender. “They understand how SMEs operate and give us tools that really make a difference,” he said.

His story highlights the importance of banks going beyond traditional services. “Uganda’s SMEs need partners who listen and offer real-time solutions. Equity Bank has done that for us,” Kanyike concluded.

As more entrepreneurs look for ways to grow, Kanyike’s experience shows that with the right financial partner, small businesses can overcome challenges and succeed.

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