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During the nationwide accountability Barazas led by _Hon. Barugahara Balaam, Minister of Local Government Ugandans have spoken boldly about corruption. From inflated contracts to extortion for services.

But among the loudest whispers that finally made it to the microphone is the most degrading vice of all.

Sex for jobs. Sex for promotions. Sex for survival at work.

Yes, it was captured. Brave women finally stood up at the Barazas and said it openly  that some officers in District Service Commissions and public offices have turned recruitment into a trap. That the price for a job is no longer just a bribe, but their bodies, their dignity, and their health. This is no longer a secret in corridors. It is now on record.

And it does not end at recruitment. Inside many workplaces, junior officers mostly young women endure a culture of entitlement from some senior officers. “Be close to me if you want your contract renewed.” “Don’t be difficult if you want that promotion.” Those who refuse are transferred, frustrated, or quietly dismissed. Many suffer in silence to protect their families and marriages.

Let us call this what it is: _This is not an affair. It is abuse of power. It is sexual corruption. It is a crime.

Under the Employment Act, 2006, sexual harassment is illegal. Under the Anti-Corruption Act, soliciting a sexual favour as a condition for giving a job, service or promotion is corruption no different from soliciting money.

Why did it take this long to be captured on microphone?

First, victims fear retaliation and shame. Second, reporting systems are weak or compromised how do you report the very person who controls your job? Third, we as a society normalized it, dismissing it as “private matters” instead of the abuse of power it is.

Now that it is on microphone, what shall we do?

This must be our awakening call as a society.

_1. Protect the whistle-blowers:_ Every district, ministry and agency must have a safe, confidential, victim-centered desk independent of supervisors. RDC offices, under the Office of the President, must be open to receive these complaints directly.

_2. Enforce the law decisively:The IGG, Police, and ODPP must treat sex-for-jobs as a corruption case. Investigate, arrest, prosecute, and dismiss. Impunity is what emboldened this vice.

_3. Fix the system: District Service Commissions must be audited. Interviews must be transparent, and every workplace must constitute Sexual Harassment Committees as required by law.

_And to our women:_ You need to be vigilant. You need to be assertive. You need to be able to say NO! Never be compromised. Never be intimidated. Your body is not a currency for a job. Your dignity is not negotiable. A job that costs your dignity is not worth having — and an officer who asks for it does not deserve that office.

To those in public offices who do this: You are corrupt. A government job is a constitutional right based on merit, not a commodity to be traded for sex.

To the victims who spoke: Thank you for your courage. Your voice has broken the silence. Your courage will protect the next generation.

Hon. Barugahara Balaam’s Barazas have given Ugandans permission to speak. But as we fight corruption, let’s pay attention to sexual harassment. Let’s not treat it as a lesser evil.

Imagine it is your daughter, your sister, your wife — desperate for a job, being told to trade her dignity for a chance to serve her country. Imagine her silence, her trauma, her broken spirit.

If we cannot protect our daughters from predators in public offices, then what are we really fighting for?

_For God and My Country.

_The Writer is an Assistant Resident District Commissioner- Iganga District.

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By Denis Jjuuko

Ten years ago, Kampala was all the rage. Uber, the global taxi hailing app launched in Kampala with fanfare. The razzmatazz that comes with a global brand that promises to change the world. All our transport problems, at least in Kampala, would be sorted.

It was cool to order a Uber or arrive at a fancy party in one. If you hadn’t installed the app, you were being left behind. There was no need to buy a car. Uber would sort that at the fraction of the cost. If you had a car, it was so cool to use it as a Uber on your way to or from work. And if you didn’t like your boss, you could quit your job and become your own boss as a Uber driver. It wouldn’t get any fancy than that.

Some people cashed out their savings, bought a few corollas, got their cousins who had previously graduated from university and made them Uber drivers. Side hustle had never been so simple.

Special hire drivers cried. Calls placed to their previous customers went unanswered. The suitor had a new lover. You were exploitative. Uber transported someone to wherever they wanted at the cost of a chapati!

Some young people decided to create Uber for all sorts of things. Looking for somebody to wash your clothes over the weekend, a “uber” was created for that. Need a truck to transport something? There was a “uber” for it. Need a boda? Well, another “uber” was created before Uber itself introduced bodas.

Innovation hubs were full of ideas with young people dressed in hoodies spending all their time trying to create the next Uber. To be fair, it wasn’t just in Uganda. Every new innovation has somebody trying to replicate it for another industry. With apps like Uber and AirBnB and their early global success, other platforms for gig work or sharing were created everywhere. UpWork, Fiverr, DoorDash… the list is endless.

We were told the sharing economy was the new thing. That we didn’t need to own stuff. We could easily share. The problem though with international brands like Uber is that they can wake up and make a decision that affects many people. Like they did when they announced that they will no longer be available in Uganda. And within a few minutes, they were gone. They didn’t even have the courtesy to inform the drivers signed up on their app for at least a week. I believe some were even still processing the news and maybe even parked at malls waiting for clients only to realize that the application had gone mute. I believe those who hadn’t checked their communications platforms restarted their phones several times.

Developing economies like Uganda shouldn’t just allow these brands to come in, do and go as they wish. They can’t just be making abrupt decisions from Silicon Valley. Why couldn’t Uber give time before exiting the country? They could have given a 90-day notice so that their drivers and customers have enough time to prepare. To operate here, the government should force them to follow some rules and regulations.

Usually when they start offering service in smaller economies like ours, there is something they want which isn’t direct revenue. It is global presence that enables them to have an explosive initial public offering on the New York Stock Exchange or attract some funding. Once they achieve those goals, their mission is over and can do whatever they want especially where there is no regulation. In markets where they are regulated, they can’t just wake up and announce that they have closed.

Also, the actions of brands like Uber mean that there is a need to identify our challenges and find applicable solutions. For many years, I wonder whether Uber drivers made any money. The rates were so low prompting many of them to try to negotiate out of the app.

What had made Uber appealing to drivers was the near guarantee of a return trip. Unlike a special hire (cab), the driver would be able to find a customer after dropping off somebody. That increasingly became difficult yet the rates remained low.

When fuel prices went up, Uber didn’t respond appropriately. Apparently, increments had to follow some policy created based on the American or western European economy. Bad roads and traffic jams were never factored in.

Ugandans largely drive old cars which means that they consume a lot of fuel and susceptible to breakdowns. If the roads are potholed, maintenance and repair become costly. An unregulated global brand wouldn’t care much about that while setting rates especially when they don’t own the asset that guarantees their return (25% of each trip in the case of Uber). Regulation of global brands is critical in protecting the interests of users.

The writer is a communication and visibility consultant. [email protected]

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Uganda has taken a major step in forensic science with the development of rapid DNA testing capacity, marking a milestone in disaster victim identification and criminal investigations. The breakthrough was unveiled during the pioneer graduation events of the National Forensic Sciences University (India), Uganda Campus, in partnership with ThermoFisher Scientific HID.

The university hosted a two-day rapid DNA workshop from 16–17 September 2026, the first of its kind in Africa, where test results are delivered in real time. Alongside the DNA workshop, the University staged a Cyber Security and Digital Forensics competition, dubbed ‘Capture the Flag’ to highlight student expertise in tackling modern digital threats.

The Director of the National Forensic Sciences University, Air Commodore K.R. Thaakar, said the advancement of forensic science is aimed at establishing the truth through scientific evidence.

“DNA has become a global standard. Whether it is paternity disputes, sexual assault cases, or murder investigations, in every situation we are looking for the truth,” said Air Commodore Thaakar.

The Director of Forensic Science in the Uganda Police Force, Assistant Commissioner of Police Andrew Mubiru, said the training was important because DNA evidence can help investigators identify possible offenders where credible eyewitness evidence is unavailable.

“In many instances an offence can be committed without credible eyewitnesses. In that case you have to rely on scientific techniques. DNA analysis is key in linking suspects to crime scenes, especially in cases of rape, defilement, and murder,” ACP Mubiru said.

He noted that the techniques are vital in strengthening prosecutions and ensuring justice in courts of law.

He added that the training benefits not only Ugandan students but also participants from across East Africa, including members of the police and Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF).

The workshop also featured expert presentations on statistical probability, DNA mixture interpretation, and the use of advanced forensic software.

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Long delays in accessing Parish Development Model (PDM) funds, alleged illegal deductions, fear of reporting corruption and limited youth representation on PDM committees have emerged as some of the key challenges raised during Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa’s assessment of the programme in Ruhinda North.

Tayebwa, together with district political and technical leaders, spent Wednesday and Thursday meeting residents across the constituency to assess the performance of PDM funds and hear concerns about their implementation.

Several applicants told the Deputy Speaker that they had waited for extended periods after registering for the funds, with some reportedly waiting for up to two years.

Tayebwa said the delays were partly linked to the way the funds are released but stressed that the selection of beneficiaries must be transparent and follow the order in which people applied.

“The money comes in installments; there are parishes which are small, they have given all people and they are now starting the second round. But there are parishes that will take time because every year we give 100 million,” he said.

“If a parish has 1,000 families, it means it will take 10 years to cover them. We have to be patient. But what is important is transparency. If a person applies first, a person who applies after that person should not receive money before the one who came first,” Tayebwa said.

He advised that lists of PDM applicants be displayed on parish noticeboards according to the date of application so that beneficiaries can be selected transparently.

Concerns over corruption and illegal charges also featured during the meetings. Tayebwa said residents should not pay anyone to access PDM funds and encouraged them to report attempts to solicit money.

“There are some of you who are afraid to speak out, fearing that the people you’re reporting are the ones who will come back to ask you to pay it back,” Tayebwa told residents. He added that money repaid under the programme remains available to other members of the community.

“This is your money. If someone doesn’t pay, he is costing you as a group and a community,” he said.

The assessment also uncovered cases involving beneficiaries who received less than the Shs1 million expected under the programme, especially during its initial implementation.

Tayebwa explained to beneficiaries that they are required to repay the amount they actually received but noted that a problem arises where someone signed for Shs1 million but received a smaller amount.

He urged those who received PDM funds during the programme’s initial phase to repay the money so that they can apply for another round.

“If you received PDM money when the programme was starting, I would encourage you to start paying back. After paying, you can apply for the second round, and in the second round, you will receive one million,” Tayebwa said.

Another concern involved youth participation in the committees responsible for managing the programme. Nasasira Ronald, the youth councillor for Kigyende Sub-county, said young people were not adequately represented on PDM committees, making it difficult for them to access their share of the programme.

“When they are selecting PDM committee members, they don’t consider youth, yet 30% of the money is supposed to be for youth. We end up not getting our fair share because we are not represented. We appeal that youth be represented at all committees,” Nasasira said.

Tayebwa directed local leaders to review the composition of the committees and ensure that youth are represented.

“You should review all committees and show the youth who are representing them on the committees. If they are not represented, the committees should be changed to add youth representatives,” he said.

There was also confusion over whether people receiving Social Assistance Grants for Empowerment (SAGE), the government programme providing regular cash support to vulnerable older people, qualify for PDM funds.

“If you get SAGE money, you qualify to get PDM money,” Tayebwa clarified.

Other concerns raised during the two-day consultative meetings included attempts by some people to use identity cards that did not belong to them to apply for PDM funds. There were also reports of beneficiaries who were allegedly misled into believing that the funds did not have to be repaid.

 

 

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The National Youth Cadres Association has launched its Strategic Plan for the Financial Year 2026/2027, outlining measures to strengthen youth participation in Uganda’s socio-economic transformation, advance the Tenfold Growth Strategy and promote environmental conservation.

The strategic plan was launched at Nakasero Primary School playground in Kampala, with the Senior Presidential Advisor on Political Mobilisation, Mr. Moses Byaruhanga, as the chief guest.

Mr. Byaruhanga welcomed the initiative by the youth to organise themselves, saying it would strengthen their contribution to national development.

He assured the youth of the government’s continued support for initiatives aimed at improving their livelihoods and participation in Uganda’s development programmes.

Mr. Byaruhanga commended President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and the NRM Government for implementing programmes aimed at improving the welfare of Ugandans, citing immunisation and Universal Primary Education (UPE) among key interventions.

He said the immunisation programme has helped protect children against killer diseases, while UPE has enabled many young people to access education in Government schools.

Mr. Byaruhanga challenged the youth cadres to take an active role in fighting corruption, particularly in Government schools, health facilities and other public institutions.

“Fighting corruption is part of the responsibility of a cadre,” he said.

He also urged the youth to embrace Government programmes such as the Parish Development Model (PDM), noting that 30 percent of PDM funding is intended for the youth.

However, he observed that the uptake of the funds by young people remains below the targeted level.

“The Government has done its part, but you the youth are not doing enough. You, the youth, do not allow other people to take your money; utilise it for your growth,” Mr. Byaruhanga said.

He advised youth to channel challenges encountered in accessing PDM funds through their leaders so that implementation challenges and any gaps in the application of the guidelines can be addressed.

Mr. Byaruhanga further encouraged the youth to take advantage of the Emyooga programme and use the available financial opportunities to improve their livelihoods.

He pledged Government support to National Cadres SACCOs through the Microfinance Support Centre, saying SACCOs with genuine financing needs, viable expansion plans and good financial discipline could benefit from the available support.

Representing the Head of the State House Anti-Corruption Unit, Mr. Bamwine Mworozi, encouraged the youth to embrace cadreship and uphold the values and responsibilities that come with it.

Mr. Mworozi recalled that he became involved in cadreship in 1991 while at Makerere University, when being a cadre was difficult, saying it was encouraging to see young people embracing the role today.

He said the State House Anti-Corruption Unit remains committed to combating corruption, which he described as a major impediment to national development.

Mr. Mworozi called upon the youth to reject corrupt practices and actively participate in efforts to promote accountability and integrity in public service.

Mr. Ronald Tumuheirwe of the Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets Authority (PPDA) commended the youth for their contribution to environmental conservation and public awareness initiatives, including HIV prevention.

He encouraged young people to explore opportunities in public procurement, noting that procurements below Shs10 million are allocated to youth enterprises as part of efforts to promote their participation in business.

Mr. Tumuheirwe said PPDA remains committed to supporting Government entities seeking to increase youth participation in public procurement.

Mr. Hafashimana Asimwe, the Kisoro District Youth Chairman representing the National Youth Council, urged young people to focus on issues that unite them rather than those that divide them.

The Chairperson of the National Youth Cadres Association, Mr. Ahumuza Penkson, said the association would use the new strategic plan to strengthen youth participation in national development, including through tree planting and other environmental conservation initiatives.

Ms. Karungi Proscovia, Chairperson of Fairway Village, welcomed the youth cadres to Fairway and expressed support for initiatives aimed at uplifting and uniting young people.

The Chairperson of the National Cadres SACCO, Mr. Nahamya Emmanuel, said the SACCO was established to promote financial inclusion and support young people in improving their livelihoods.

He said the SACCO has already ventured into activities including cattle rearing and operating a retail shop in Kawempe, but identified access to land and adequate office space among the challenges facing the organisation.

The launch brought together youth cadres and other stakeholders committed to strengthening youth participation in Government programmes, environmental conservation, the fight against corruption and Uganda’s broader socio-economic transformation.

 

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The passing of Prince David Kiijanangoma Araali, following the recent demise of King Oyo, brings a profound wave of grief to the nation. This double tragedy signifies not only the departure of two dignified historical personalities but also highlights a systemic erosion of our core human values. Prince David, in particular, will be remembered as an extraordinarily respectful, humble, loving, and peaceful prince.

Historically, African and Ugandan cultures institutionalized unity through profound socio-cultural mechanisms. Among the Batooro, Baganda, and Banyoro, the ritual of Omukago (Blood Brotherhood) served as an unbreakable covenant of peace, much like Imbalu (circumcision) in Bugisu serves as a vital rite of passage into manhood. Similarly, communal labor systems—such as Obuyambi in western Uganda, Bulungi Bwansi in Buganda, and cooperative frameworks in Lango and Acholi—ensured collective socio-economic support.

When conflict arose, indigenous restorative justice systems allowed communities to heal. As Okot p’Bitek (1956) illustrates with Mato Oput, these rituals allowed communities to figuratively “swallow bitterness” together. Internationally, celebrations like Nigeria’s Igbo Iri Ji (New Yam Festival) or Yoruba harvest festivals mandated the sharing of first yields, reflecting what Chinua Achebe (2013) described as a deeply rooted egalitarian spirit. This spirit was historically manifested in Uganda’s education system. In the past, the children of chiefs shared classroom desks at Gayaza High, Kyebambe Girls’, Teso College Aloet, Dr. Obote College Boroboro, and Ntare High School alongside peasants’ children from far-flung villages like Nsagasa in Bunyangabu, Kyanamukaka in Masaka, or Okeka in Nabilatuk.

However, over recent decades, as Anton and Jaco (2024) assert, capitalist modernity has deeply compromised this traditional value system. Modern society now respects individuals purely for their material status, measuring human worth by monetary contributions at fundraisings, weddings, and churches. Education has transformed into a commodified privilege for the affluent, leaving the poor marginalized. Concurrently, traditional kingdoms have increasingly structured their institutions to benefit only a few relatives of the powers that be.

This structural inequality is precisely what Prince David Kiijanangoma recognized and challenged. “Prince Kija” was a calm yet firm reformer who envisioned a Tooro Kingdom that belonged to everyone. Alongside his brother, Prince Charles Nyabongo Akiiki, he represented a rare crop of traditionally well-brought-up Ugandan royals. Prince David fought tirelessly for ordinary Batooro to actively engage in civic affairs and voice their concerns through the kingdom’s structures. Whether speaking on the radio or in person, his message of inclusion and equity never wavered—always delivered with deep humility and intellectual firmness.

Conversely, the digital age has erased traditional paradigms of respect rooted in age and wisdom, shifting public adoration toward financial moguls. Modern digital culture on X, Facebook, and TikTok frequently celebrates toxic rhetoric, vulgarity, derogatory anatomical insults, and weaponized death wishes against opponents. In sharp contrast, Prince Kija (as was commonly called) never responded to ridicule with malice. He maintained a dignified composure, remaining resolute in his pursuit of a reimagined, unifying kingdom.

As the Tooro Kingdom prepares to usher in a new monarch on September 29, 2026, and as Prince David is laid to rest, we celebrate a legacy well fought. Tooro’s institutional rebirth must commence now; this moment should serve as a wake-up call to defend and restore one of Uganda’s oldest kingdoms. Prince David proved that conflict dissolves when leaders choose to listen rather than merely rule.

May Prince David Kiijanangoma Araali’s soul rest in eternal peace.

[email protected]

 

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