The Board of Directors of the African Development Bank (AfDB) has approved a grant of approximately $500,000 (Shs1.9 billion) from its Special Relief Fund to support Uganda’s Relief Emergency Response Project.

The funding will provide urgent assistance to communities severely affected by floods and landslides in Bulambuli, Kasese, and Ntoroko districts. Key interventions include the provision of family-size tents for an estimated 1,500 internally displaced persons (IDPs), aiming to improve living conditions in camps sheltering thousands since the disasters.

From August 17-19, 2025, heavy rains in the Mount Elgon subregion of eastern Uganda caused widespread flooding in Bulambuli, Sironko, and Mbale districts, triggering landslides in neighboring Namisindwa district. Local authorities reported five deaths, 50 injuries, and approximately 2,000 homes damaged or destroyed, leaving 5,000 people displaced and affecting a total of 15,000 residents.

“Beyond emergency relief, the project is an investment in dignity, safety, and recovery,” said Mercuria Assefaw, AfDB’s Division Manager for Water Security and Sanitation.

Assefaw added, “Providing decent temporary housing will address critical shelter needs, improve living conditions for displaced families, and stimulate the local economy through procurement and logistics.”

The Office of the Prime Minister will implement the project through the Department of Relief, Disaster Preparedness, and Management. By prioritizing rapid procurement and efficient delivery, the initiative will create opportunities for local suppliers and service providers, contributing to the broader recovery of flood-affected communities.

Project activities are expected to be completed within six months, ensuring timely relief for those in urgent need of shelter. With this support, the AfDB strengthens Uganda’s humanitarian response and contributes to rebuilding community resilience.

“This grant reflects the Bank’s solidarity with Uganda. By providing immediate relief, we aim to restore hope and stability as communities continue their journey of recovery,” Assefaw added.

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President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has pledged that every household affected by cattle-rustling in northern Uganda will receive five cows under a flat-rate compensation plan, a proposal he says will restore livelihoods destroyed by war and raids.

Addressing campaign rallies in Alebtong and Otuke Districts on Thursday, the NRM flag bearer said the new approach, which he has already discussed with leaders from Lango, Teso, and Acholi sub-regions, is designed to be fair and sustainable.

“Regarding cattle compensation, I recently consulted with leaders in Lango. I proposed to implement a flat approach, suggesting that each household receive five cows,” Museveni said. “While some people had reservations about this idea, the wananchi voiced their support, saying Museveni is right. Teso is on board, Lango is supportive, and I am waiting for feedback from Acholi. I have urged government to begin planning for this initiative.”

The President reminded the people that cattle rustling and armed conflict had wiped out the livestock wealth that once sustained households across the greater north, noting that rebuilding this wealth is vital for long-term recovery.

Alongside the compensation plan, Museveni stressed that peace and stability remain the cornerstone of Uganda’s progress. “Nobody will be allowed to disturb the hard-earned peace in Lango,” he declared, drawing cheers from supporters. He added that unity has been central to NRM’s governance since coming to power.

On development, the President said Uganda’s oil revenues, once production begins, will be used strictly for infrastructure and social services. “When our oil comes out, I will not allow it to be wasted on importing whiskey or perfumes. That money will be for roads, the railway, electricity, schools, hospitals and security,” he emphasized.

In Alebtong, Museveni listed government achievements in the district, including electricity connections, 76 UPE schools, 122 private schools, and 7 USE secondary schools. He also cited a maintained murram road from Lira through Aloi, Apala and Alebtong to Abim, which he said will soon be upgraded to tarmac.

He further highlighted wealth creation programs such as the Parish Development Model (PDM), Youth Livelihood Fund, Emyooga, and the Women Fund, which are designed to uplift households.

“Even if the government tarmacks the road, you do not sleep on the road. You go back home, where poverty may still be waiting. That is why we insist that people embrace programs like PDM and Emyooga for their prosperity,” Museveni told the gathering.

Uganda’s confirmed commercial oil reserves lie in the Albertine Graben along the western rift valley. The government, in partnership with international companies, is constructing production facilities and the East African Crude Oil Pipeline to transport crude oil to Tanga, Tanzania. Once production starts, the President noted, revenues will generate billions annually, earmarked for infrastructure and social services.

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The Government of Uganda has declared the ongoing strike by teachers and the planned industrial action by local government workers illegal, warning all those involved to return to duty within a week or risk being treated as having resigned.

In a statement issued in Kampala, the Minister of Public Service, Wilson Muruli Mukasa, said government remains committed to improving public officers’ welfare through phased salary enhancements but condemned the strikes as “uncalled for” and procedurally unlawful.

“The commencement of industrial action by some teachers on 15th September 2025, and the planned strike by Local Government Workers from 1st October 2025, is premature and jeopardises the cordial relationship government has enjoyed with labour unions,” said Mukasa.

According to the Ministry, government has so far invested Shs 2.5 trillion in salary enhancements since the 2018/2019 financial year, prioritising sectors in health, education, infrastructure, innovation, economic recovery, and security.

As of July 2024, a total of 125,276 public officers had benefited from salary increments since 2017/2018, though 66 percent have not received adjustments since 2014/2015. Beneficiaries, excluding the UPDF, are currently earning up to 77 percent of the approved long-term pay targets.

Looking ahead, government has pledged to enhance the pay of humanity subject teachers by 25 percent of the long-term pay target in the 2026/2027 financial year. Salary proposals for primary teachers, public university staff, and other categories earning below 25 percent of the target have been submitted to the Ministry of Finance for inclusion in the national budget.

“Consultations and negotiations on salary enhancement are ongoing, and dispute resolution mechanisms have not been exhausted. No union has obtained the required Certificate from the Public Service Negotiating and Consultative Council,” Mukasa emphasised, declaring the 90-day strike notices invalid.

The Minister instructed all public servants engaged in the strike to resume work without delay.

“All public officers involved are expected to return to work immediately and not later than one week from now. Failure to do so will be considered abandonment of duty, and resignation,” the statement read.

District and city leaders, including Chief Administrative Officers, Education Officers, and Resident District/City Commissioners, have been directed to monitor compliance and enforce disciplinary action where necessary.

Concluding his statement, Muruli Mukasa reiterated government’s pledge to handle salary improvements in a phased, consultative, and lawful manner.

“We appeal to all public servants to continue serving the country with the same zeal and commitment they have always demonstrated,” he said.

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