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Housing Finance Bank (HFB) has engaged customers and stakeholders in Hoima in a customer engagement forum aimed at listening to customer experiences, understanding their evolving financial needs and identifying opportunities to improve the Bank’s products and services.

The engagement brought together HFB leadership, the Hoima Branch team, customers and key stakeholders, with the Prime Minister of Bunyoro Kingdom, Omuhikirwa Andrew Byakutaga, serving as Guest of Honour.

Speaking at the engagement, Ivan Kituka, Head of Distribution and Alternative Channels at Housing Finance Bank, highlighted the Bank’s journey in Hoima since opening its branch in 2023, noting that the Bank’s growth has been significantly shaped by customer feedback.

He explained that HFB initially entered the market with a strong focus on SMEs, but customers subsequently highlighted the need for financing solutions for micro businesses and customers undertaking incremental construction. In response, the Bank expanded its offering to include a dedicated Micro Banking section, providing financing from UGX 200,000 to UGX 50 million to cater for a wider range of customers.

Kituka described customer feedback as “a gift”, encouraging customers to be candid about both their positive experiences and areas where the Bank needs to improve.

He further emphasised HFB’s commitment to strengthening its presence within the community through increased outreach and local capacity. He noted that the Bank has deliberately invested in local talent and expanded its Micro Banking team to take financial services closer to customers.

Kituka also encouraged customers and local businesses to consider becoming HFB Agents, creating additional income opportunities while bringing banking services closer to communities and helping reduce congestion at the branch.

The Prime Minister of Bunyoro Kingdom, Omuhikirwa Andrew Byakutaga, welcomed HFB’s engagement with the community and highlighted the rapid growth taking place across Bunyoro and Hoima.

He noted the region’s increasing opportunities in agriculture, coffee production, housing and enterprise, supported by the area’s fertile soils and growing economic activity. He called for greater access to land titles and affordable financing, particularly for communities seeking to participate in the region’s development.

The Prime Minister also highlighted the significant housing opportunity in Bunyoro, noting the low proportion of residents living in permanent houses, and encouraged greater access to housing solutions such as Zimba Mpola Mpola.

He urged residents to embrace the structured economy and commended Housing Finance Bank for creating employment opportunities for the local community. He also called on the Bank to extend its services further into the farming community and provide affordable financing to enable farmers to take advantage of the region’s economic opportunities.

The customer engagement provided an open platform for customers to share their experiences and recommendations.

Customers were encouraged to embrace HFB’s digital channels, including USSD banking through *225#, allowing customers without smartphones to conduct banking transactions without necessarily visiting a branch.

Agricultural financing was another key area of discussion. HFB highlighted financing options available to farmers, including the large-scale farmer facility at zero interest, subject to applicable requirements, as well as the Agricultural Credit Facility at a subsidised rate of 12%.

The customer experience component of the engagement was supported by Carolyne Agudo, Head Customer Experience, who emphasised the importance of capturing, tracking and resolving customer concerns through the Bank’s established service channels.

Customers were reminded that HFB’s toll-free customer service channel is available to receive and track complaints and feedback, with unresolved matters escalated through the Bank’s service structures.

The engagement also featured customer testimonial from Mr. Embati Williams, Proprietor, who shared how HFB financing helped accelerate his construction project.

Williams explained that after engaging with the HFB team, he opened an account, provided bank statements from his existing commercial bank accounts and completed the loan application process. He said that within less than a month, the facility was approved and disbursed, enabling him to complete a project he had initially planned to undertake over eight years in less than three years.

The feedback session concluded with HFB committing to review and respond to the issues raised by customers.

As Hoima and the wider Bunyoro region continue to experience significant economic transformation, Housing Finance Bank reaffirmed its commitment to supporting customers through housing finance, micro and SME financing, agricultural financing, savings, digital banking, asset financing and other financial solutions.

The engagement reinforced HFB’s commitment to working alongside the people and businesses of Hoima to turn the region’s growing opportunities into sustainable economic progress.

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KAMPALA, Uganda – Political commentator and former intelligence operative Charles Rwomushana has been released after spending more than a day in the custody of unidentified security operatives. He was freed late Sunday night or early Monday, following his dramatic abduction from a live radio programme on Saturday.

Rwomushana confirmed his release in brief remarks to journalists. “Yes I am back,” he said, declining to provide details about where he had been held or the circumstances of his detention and release.

The incident began on the morning of September 5, 2026, at Radio Simba’s studios in Bukoto, Kampala. Rwomushana was appearing as a panellist on the popular Saturday political talk show Gasimbagane ne Bannamawulire (Face Off with Journalists) when a group of armed men in plain clothes entered the premises. Video footage circulating online shows several men dragging him out of the station by his trousers while he clutched a notebook. Colleagues and station staff looked on helplessly as the men took him away in vehicles.

Radio Simba confirmed the removal from its premises at Plot 2, Corporation Rise. The station’s security guards reported that the operatives arrived in Toyota Noah vehicles and gained access after confronting staff. Neither the Uganda Police Force nor the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) immediately claimed responsibility or explained the operation. Police spokesperson Kituuma Rusoke later acknowledged awareness of the incident but said he had not yet been briefed on the motive or detention location.

Rwomushana’s whereabouts remained unknown through much of Saturday and Sunday, prompting concern among media colleagues and the public. Reports indicate he was eventually dropped at his home around 2 a.m. Monday by Special Forces Command soldiers, according to some accounts circulating on social media.

The reason for the seizure remains unclear. Some observers noted that it came shortly after Rwomushana made public remarks questioning General Muhoozi Kainerugaba’s stated intention to run for president in 2031 and related political dynamics. Rwomushana, a polarising figure known for sharp commentary on security and politics, has also been named in prosecution documents linked to the ongoing treason case against opposition leader Dr. Kizza Besigye. Prosecutors allege he attended a meeting in Brussels where discussions about overthrowing the government allegedly took place. No formal charges have been preferred against him in that matter, and he is presumed innocent.

Rwomushana has a history of previous detentions, including in 2016 and during the COVID-19 period, usually followed by release without charges. His latest episode has renewed discussions about the treatment of political commentators and the boundaries of security operations involving media houses.

As of Monday morning, September 7, Rwomushana is free and has spoken with journalists, including media personalities who confirmed speaking with him hours after his release. Official statements from security agencies explaining the full sequence of events are still pending. The incident has drawn attention to questions of due process, media freedom, and the accountability of security forces in Uganda.

Further developments are expected as authorities respond to calls for clarity on the operation that removed a live radio guest in broad daylight.

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Six years after its last edition, the Uganda International Fashion Week (UIFW) made a long-awaited return to the runway on Saturday, September 5th, evening, at the Kampala Serena Hotel.

The grand finale gala brought together fashion enthusiasts, designers, creatives and industry players from Uganda, East Africa and beyond.

The event was run under the theme “Fashion for Impact,” reflecting UIFW’s ambition to position fashion beyond the runway as a pathway to creativity, employment, entrepreneurship and dignified livelihoods.

Opening the evening, UIFW founder and Arapapa Fashion House lead designer- Santa Anzo, said the platform was created to give young Ugandans an opportunity to demonstrate their talent, and be able to connect with stakeholders that might offer opportunities that could shape their futures.

“The Uganda International Fashion Week is here to show how much talent young Ugandans have. We want to give the public a glimpse of that talent and connect these young people to future partners, investors, managers and even mentors,” Anzo said.

She added that the broader vision was to support women and young people in turning their talents and skills into dependable careers and sustainable livelihoods for themselves and their families.

That vision was echoed by Dr Ruth Aisha Biyinzika, coordinator of the “Generating Growth Opportunities and Productivity for Women Enterprises” (GROW) Project, one of the event’s partners.

“Our goal is about supporting women enterprises and ensuring that women are guided onto the path of creating comfortable livelihoods and employment opportunities for themselves. We are here to shine a light on the different activities women are undertaking to eradicate poverty, provide for their families and change the status quo,” she said.

On the runway, Ugandan designer and Johnnie Walker influencer- Lincoln Axarya opened the showcase with his brand, AXARYA, presenting contemporary designs built around the idea that fashion can be both comfortable and beautiful.

Other Ugandan designers who took to the runway included Natasha Rubadiri- of Natwe Fashion House, Joanita Nabasegera- of Lulungi Couture, Dutah Muhangi Bomukama, Abbas Kaijuka.

They were joined by an international line-up what included Kenya’s Hellen Tolbert, Nigeria’s Ikpen Yvonne Akwitti, Ghana’s Eunice Blessing, Zimbabwe’s Danayi Madondo, and South Africa’s Kwenzi Nkomo.

The highlight of the evening was India’s Rahul Singh, who added an Asian perspective to the predominantly African showcase.

Despite their different creative identities, the designers shared a strong appreciation for culture and sustainability, drawing inspiration from their heritage and incorporating locally available materials and traditional techniques into collections that blended heritage with contemporary fashion.

The response to the collections was equally telling. According to Anzo, all the designers had sold the pieces they presented on the runway, reflecting the growing appreciation for locally and regionally produced fashion.

Beyond the designs, the evening also reflected UIFW’s commitment to inclusion. Persons with disabilities and refugees participated in different areas of the fashion week, including modelling, design and photography, creating opportunities for a wider range of creatives to develop and showcase their skills.

Mary Nakimuli, a deaf model, said UIFW had been a transformative experience that strengthened her confidence and belief in her potential.

“This has been a very good platform for me because it has built my confidence and made me believe that I can achieve my dreams. UIFW was my first platform to ever walk on, and it has been a game changer for me. I now plan to pursue modelling as a career,” she said.

The models also gained runway training, mentorship and exposure to international fashion standards from industry professionals, including Lincoln Axarya and South African fashion producer Andiswa Manxiwa.

The grand finale was supported by the World Bank Group, Bayimba Foundation, the GROW Project, the International Trade Centre, Explore Uganda, Johnnie Walker and Afros & Mo.

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FORT PORTAL — The death of King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV has not only plunged Tooro Kingdom into mourning but also opened a new chapter for Queen Mother Best Kemigisa, the woman who stood beside the young monarch from the day he ascended the throne.

For three decades, Queen Kemigisa has been one of the most recognisable figures around the Tooro crown.

But with Oyo’s death, what happens to the Queen Mother?

That question is now being quietly asked as Batooro prepare to lay their king to rest and the kingdom looks ahead to a new reign.

Oyo was only three years old when he was installed as King in 1995. His mother, then just 28, became one of the regents entrusted with guiding the young monarch until he came of age in 2010.

For years, Kemigisa was therefore much more than the king’s mother.

She was part of the machinery surrounding the young king, helping guide him through childhood, adolescence and eventually adulthood as monarch.

But according to Tooro cultural traditions, the death of a king also brings an end to the Queen Mother’s active royal role.

Prominent ritualist David Baguma explains that once a king dies, the Queen Mother’s role tied to that particular reign comes to an end and she returns to her own palace.

He says Oyo’s situation was also unusual because he never had a wife or Queen, meaning Kemigisa became his closest female companion within the royal establishment.

“When a new monarch is announced, depending on his age, he will rule with his wife or mother,” Baguma explains.

The new monarch may also have his wife or mother invite sisters to live with her at the palace and assist with household responsibilities.

Cultural expert Rev. Clovis Kyalimpa puts the transition even more dramatically, describing the death of a king as being similar to a “coup” against the reigning Queen.

According to Kyalimpa, the Queen Mother’s status is formally concluded during the king’s burial ceremony, known as Kitabaza.

After that, she is expected to withdraw from active royal duties, although she may continue serving as a counsellor whenever her advice is required.

Oyo’s death therefore marks the end of an extraordinary chapter for Kemigisa — from young mother and regent of a three-year-old king to the woman who watched him grow into one of Tooro’s most prominent modern monarchs.

But Kemigisa was not the only woman who helped shape Oyo’s reign.

Another key figure was Princess Ruth Nsemere Komuntale, who became Batebe (Chief Princess) in 1996, just months after her brother was crowned.

Komuntale was regarded as one of Oyo’s confidants and remained a prominent figure around the royal family.

Then there was Princess Elizabeth Bagaya, Oyo’s paternal aunt and one of the regents who helped guide the young king during his early years.

Bagaya, now 90, has often been described as a unifying figure within the royal family, particularly during difficult moments of Oyo’s reign.

Under Tooro tradition, a reigning king operates within a wider royal structure that includes his wife or Queen, the head of the Babiito clan known as the Musuga, the Princess Royal, the Prince and, where necessary, a ritualist.

With Oyo gone, that structure will now have to be reconfigured around his successor.

For Queen Kemigisa, however, the transition is deeply personal.

She was the young mother who watched her three-year-old son inherit the crown.

She became his regent, guided him through his formative years and remained a central figure as he grew into the king Tooro knew as Oyo.

Now, with the king gone, tradition dictates that she step back.

The crown moves on. The Queen Mother’s chapter, after three decades in its shadow, comes to an end.

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Popular Indian playback singer Neha Kakkar is set to headline India Day 2026, with the Ruparelia Group joining the event as one of its principal sponsors.

The annual celebration brings together Uganda’s Indian community and other Ugandans to celebrate Indian culture and heritage while highlighting the strong social, economic and cultural ties between Uganda and India.

Kakkar, one of India’s best-known contemporary singers, is expected to be one of the biggest attractions at this year’s celebration. She is widely recognised for her energetic performances and hit Bollywood songs and has also served as a judge on popular Indian singing reality shows, including Indian Idol.

India Day 2026 slated for October 3 at Kololo Airstrip will be headlined by Kansai Plascon Uganda, while the Ruparelia Group has been listed among the principal sponsors. Other partners include Tembo and Lifeline Steels, Airtel Uganda, TyreXpress, Travelog, Bank of Baroda Uganda, Technology Associates, Empire, Inspiring Solutions, Victoria University, Suzuki by CFAO, Africa Global Logistics and BZolutions Global Private Limited.

The annual event has grown into an important platform for cultural celebration, business networking and community engagement, bringing together members of Uganda’s Indian community, business leaders and other guests.

India Day provides an opportunity for the Indian community to showcase its traditions, music, food and culture while highlighting its contribution to Uganda’s development.

For the Ruparelia Group, the 2026 sponsorship builds on its involvement in last year’s celebrations.

The conglomerate was among the organisations that supported India Day 2025, held at Kololo Independence Grounds, where the festivities were combined with a major humanitarian initiative supporting Ugandan children born with congenital heart defects.

The initiative mobilised support for children requiring specialised cardiac surgery in India, with the first group of 50 children scheduled to travel for treatment.

The 2025 celebration also featured Indian music, traditional dances, cuisine and performances by Indian artists, alongside fundraising efforts aimed at supporting the children’s medical treatment.

The Ruparelia Group has maintained a longstanding connection with Uganda’s Indian community and has supported initiatives in healthcare, education, sports, culture and community development through its businesses and the Ruparelia Foundation.

Founded by businessman Sudhir Ruparelia, the group has investments across several sectors, including real estate, hospitality, education, insurance, agriculture and media.

Its businesses include Speke Resort and Convention Centre, Speke Hotel, Kampala Parents’ School, Kampala International School Uganda and Victoria University, among others.

Sudhir Ruparelia has also been involved in community leadership, having previously served as a trustee of the Indian Association of Uganda.

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