Cabinet has approved the use of the National Identification Number (NIN) as the official Tax Identification Number (TIN) for individual taxpayers.
The move means Ugandans will no longer have to rely on a separate tax identification number, as Government moves to link tax records directly to the national identification system managed by the National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA).
Cabinet says the current TIN system has been affected by outdated and inconsistent taxpayer information, making it difficult to maintain accurate records and enforce tax compliance.
Under the new system, a taxpayer’s NIN will serve as a single identity across Government databases, making it easier for authorities to identify and trace taxpayers.
The reform is also expected to improve tax compliance, curb revenue leakages and simplify interactions between citizens and the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA).
Government will also have greater ability to track taxpayers’ income, including income earned outside Uganda.
The decision builds on ongoing URA reforms under which individual taxpayers have been required to update their registration details using their NIN, while businesses and other non-individual entities use the Business Registration Number (BRN).
Cabinet says the wider goal is to create a reliable and integrated national identification system that can support Government planning and delivery of public services.
Meanwhile, Cabinet also discussed the worsening dry spell affecting Karamoja and neighbouring districts, with communities facing hardship because of prolonged drought.
However, the Cabinet briefing did not provide details of specific relief measures approved for the affected communities.
The reform is part of a wider shift toward integrating Uganda’s tax administration with the country’s national identification systems. Under changes to the Tax Procedures Code Act that took effect on July 1, 2025, individual taxpayers are required to use their National Identification Number (NIN), while non-individual taxpayers use their Business Registration Number (BRN). URA has since been directing taxpayers to update their registration details accordingly.
Previously, the TIN served as a taxpayer’s unique 10-digit identifier issued by URA and was used for tax payments, returns, correspondence and other tax-related transactions. The new arrangement seeks to reduce duplication by linking an individual’s tax identity to the NIN issued by NIRA, while businesses retain a separate corporate identity through the BRN.
Ugandan singer A Pass, born Alexander Bagonza, has shared a message about managing expectations and accepting people for who they are.
In a post on X, A Pass urged his followers not to get angry when people fail to become the kind of person they want or need them to be.
Learn how not to be mad with people for not being who you need them to be.
He acknowledged that people often have expectations of those around them, but encouraged his followers to accept that everyone has their own way of doing things.
A Pass also advised people to protect themselves by limiting the time they spend around those who may not meet their expectations, while focusing more on themselves.
Rather than trying to change everyone around them, he said people should recognise what others are capable of offering and accept it.
Whatever they bring to the table is what they can bring to the table and it is okay.
Learn how not to be mad with people for not being who you need them to be. Some people don’t know how and we have a lot of expectations sometimes but it’s okay to let them be them. Protect yourself but accepting them to be how they are because you can’t change everyone around…
Peter Cullen, the iconic voice of Optimus Prime in “Transformers,” died from cardiac arrest, with lung cancer listed as the underlying cause, according to his death certificate.
Cullen died at his Los Angeles home on August 26 at the age of 85.
The death certificate lists the immediate cause as cardiac arrest due to respiratory arrest. It also identifies a malignant neoplasm in the lower lobe of the lungs as the underlying cause.
The records also list several other significant conditions, including cerebellar metastasis, hypoxia, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, hypertension and hyperlipidemia.
His family had announced his death without initially revealing the cause, saying he died peacefully surrounded by loved ones.
Cullen became synonymous with Optimus Prime after first voicing the Autobot leader in the original “Transformers” animated series in 1984.
He continued playing the character for decades, including in Michael Bay’s live-action “Transformers” movies and the 2023 film “Transformers: Rise of the Beasts.”
Beyond Optimus Prime, Cullen also gave his distinctive voice to Eeyore in the “Winnie the Pooh” franchise.
His funeral is scheduled for September 9 at Forest Lawn in Los Angeles.
A fresh row has erupted in Tooro Kingdom following a meeting of clan heads from across the kingdom, who have unanimously resolved to remove Omuhikirwa Calvin Armstrong Rwomire Akiiki as head of the Kingdom’s administrative arm.
The clan heads, meeting on Wednesday, September 2, 2026, placed the decision at the centre of growing disagreements over the handling of the death, funeral arrangements and succession of the late King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV.
The meeting was chaired by the Omujwera Musuuga of the Babiito royal clan, Charles Kayondo Kamurasi, the senior cultural figure overseeing the traditional funeral and succession rites.
The clan leaders gave several reasons for their decision, with much of their criticism centred on what they described as Rwomire’s interference in matters they consider purely cultural.
One of the major complaints was Rwomire’s alleged role in blocking a meeting that had been organised by the 21-member committee appointed to handle cultural preparations for the King’s send-off and matters concerning succession.
The meeting was scheduled for Tuesday, September 1, but was reportedly disrupted after police officers were deployed at the palace and stopped the gathering.
The clan heads argue that the Prime Minister had no authority to interfere with the committee’s work, particularly because the arrangements involve cultural matters traditionally handled by the kingdom’s cultural institutions.
They also faulted Rwomire for announcing King Oyo’s death on his social media platforms.
On August 27, Rwomire used his official X account to announce that the King had died after a long illness.
The clan leaders contend that an announcement of such importance should have been made through the cultural leadership of the kingdom rather than by the administrative head.
The controversy deepened when Rwomire also announced that the late King had left behind an heir.
The Prime Minister told the public that the King had a son who would eventually succeed him and that the identity of the child would be disclosed at the appropriate time.
However, the head of the Babiito clan, Charles Kamurasi, subsequently said the clan was not aware of any biological heir to the late King.
The issue has since become one of the most sensitive questions surrounding the transition of the Tooro monarchy.
According to the clan leaders, Rwomire should first have notified the head of the Babiito clan before publicly announcing the existence of an heir.
They argue that under Tooro tradition, the cultural leadership is expected to establish the identity of a prospective heir, verify the child and then communicate the matter to the kingdom’s subjects.
President Yoweri Museveni later appeared to reinforce Rwomire’s claim about the existence of an heir.
In a statement, the President said he had been informed by Queen Mother Best Kemigisa that King Oyo had left an heir.
The conflicting positions have fuelled debate over who has the authority to determine and announce the successor to the Tooro throne. Public reports have confirmed that the succession question remains unsettled and that the Babiito leadership has insisted that traditional procedures must be followed.
The clan heads also accused Rwomire of failing to adequately disclose the seriousness of King Oyo’s health condition while the monarch was still alive.
They argue that, as the head of the Kingdom’s administration, Rwomire knew the King was suffering from a life-threatening illness and should have kept the cultural leaders and subjects informed so that they could prepare for any eventuality.
That position, however, contrasts with President Museveni’s account.
The President has said he was aware of the King’s deteriorating health after being informed that he was suffering from aggressive cancer. Government subsequently supported the monarch’s medical treatment abroad, including treatment in Germany and later the United States, where he died on August 27, 2026, aged 34.
Another argument advanced by the clan heads concerns the Prime Minister’s position itself.
They argue that with the death of the King, the appointment of the Prime Minister automatically comes to an end because the Omuhikirwa is appointed to serve administratively under the reigning monarch.
Rwomire, who became the 10th Prime Minister of the restored Tooro Kingdom, is therefore being challenged on whether he retains authority following the death of the monarch who appointed him.
The clan leaders further maintain that the Prime Minister has no authority to supervise, block or monitor the Omujwera Musuuga in the execution of cultural duties.
They argue that the position of the Omujwera Musuuga, as head of the Babiito royal clan, takes precedence over that of the Prime Minister in matters concerning royal cultural rites, the King’s funeral and succession.
But the biggest flashpoint from Wednesday’s meeting was the clan leaders’ rejection of the Government and Kingdom administration’s plan to transport King Oyo’s body from Kyegegwa to Fort Portal on an open carrier.
Under the announced programme, the King’s remains will arrive at Entebbe International Airport on Friday, September 4, at about 10am.
President Yoweri Museveni is expected to receive the body at Entebbe, pay his respects and convey condolences to the Royal Family and the people of Tooro.
The body will then be airlifted to Kyegegwa.
From Kyegegwa, the casket is expected to be placed on an open carrier for a procession towards Karuziika Palace in Fort Portal City, allowing mourners along the route to see the late monarch and pay their last respects.
It is this arrangement that the clan heads have strongly rejected.
They argue that King Oyo was not an ordinary member of the public whose remains should be displayed on an open vehicle during a long public procession.
According to the cultural leaders, the King should be accorded the highest level of respect due to a Tooro monarch.
They insist that subjects who wish to view the body should do so at Karuziika Palace, the official seat of the Tooro Kingdom, where the royal funeral rites will be conducted.
The position has created a potentially significant clash between the Government-backed funeral programme and the cultural leadership responsible for traditional rites.
The latest Tooro programme, however, maintains that the body will travel from Kyegegwa towards Karuziika Palace on an open carrier to allow people along the route to pay their final respects.
Karuziika Palace will subsequently become the centre of the official cultural mourning period.
The Kingdom has announced a nine-day mourning period, during which the body will remain at the palace before being taken for burial at the royal tombs.
The late King is scheduled to be buried on September 12, 2026, a date that coincides with the 31st anniversary of his coronation.
The disagreement comes at a delicate moment for Tooro.
King Oyo died in the United States on August 27, 2026, ending a reign that began in 1995 when he ascended the throne at only three years old.
He later became one of the world’s most recognised young traditional monarchs and remained on the throne for more than three decades.
Tooro Kingdom is made up of nine counties: Kyaka, Mwenge North, Mwenge South, Bunyangabu, Ntoroko, Kibaale, Kitagwenda, Burahya and Fort Portal.
The King’s death has therefore triggered not only a national period of mourning, but also a major cultural transition, with questions over funeral rites, the authority of the cultural leadership and the identity and succession of the next Omukama now at the centre of attention.
The final journey of the late King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV is gathering momentum, with the government and Tooro Kingdom preparing for what is expected to be a major state-supported burial attended by dignitaries from Uganda, Africa and beyond.
Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja on Tuesday chaired a meeting to coordinate the government’s preparations for the official burial of the Tooro monarch, who died in the United States on August 27, 2026.
The King’s remains are expected to arrive in Uganda on Thursday at about 10am before being taken to Fort Portal and later to Karambi, where he will be buried.
Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities Minister Tom Butime, who attended the meeting said the late King had an extraordinary impact on people despite his young age.
“Uganda is lucky. We had a celebrity, if you wish. He died at 34, but he touched many lives and many hearts of Uganda, Africa and indeed the world,” Butime said.
Butime said the fact that Oyo died in the United States has made the repatriation process longer and more complicated.
“It is a very long process from the US to Uganda, to Fort Portal, to Karambi, the burial site,” he said.
Tooro Prime Minister Calvin Armstrong Rwomire said the kingdom is preparing for a huge influx of mourners and dignitaries once the King’s remains arrive.
He said the arrival of the body will also trigger the formal nine-day period leading to the burial.
“Once he arrives, then we start counting nine days. We’ve already spent more than seven days in the process,” Rwomire said.
The funeral is already attracting international attention, with several traditional leaders expected to travel to Tooro to pay their final respects.
Rwomire said four kings from Nigeria are expected to attend, while two kings from the Democratic Republic of Congo, and the Eswatini King have also communicated their intention to come.
And the list is growing.
“Every other day, we’re getting numbers increasing,” Rwomire said.
With the expected arrival of foreign kings, government officials, friends and other mourners, the kingdom faces a major logistical and protocol challenge.
Rwomire said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will need to play a major role in handling the international guests.
“It’s going to be a logistical nightmare, and Foreign Affairs has to get involved at some point to support us with the logistics and protocols,” he said.
The scale of the expected attendance has turned the burial into an event of national and regional significance, with preparations expected to involve multiple government agencies.
The government is working alongside the Tooro Kingdom to ensure that the late monarch receives a befitting official burial.
As the remains make their way home, the focus is now shifting to the King’s final journey from the airport to Fort Portal and ultimately to Karambi tombs where the people of Tooro will bid farewell to their young monarch.
Sheebah is making one thing clear: fans can have opinions about her, but she does not want them making parenting decisions for her.
The Ugandan singer found herself at the centre of a privacy debate after sharing a video celebrating her son’s first day at preschool on X on September 2, 2026.
The post was largely met with warm reactions, with Sheebah opening up about how emotional the milestone felt and how much it meant to see her son’s father show up for the occasion.
Oh God… yesterday was so emotional. 🥹❤️My baby officially started preschool. What?! I have a son who goes to school now 😂🥹 But what touched me most was watching his father extend his flight just to be there for his very first day of school, taking him and his sisters himself.… pic.twitter.com/tt8lWtXIfr
Sheebah, who has spoken about growing up without a father or father figure, said watching her son experience an involved dad brought an unexpected sense of healing.
There are some things that heal you in ways you cannot explain.
But amid the congratulations, some followers raised concerns about the amount of information the video revealed about the child, including details that appeared to identify his school.
One commenter specifically urged Sheebah to think about her son’s privacy and safety, warning that sharing such details publicly could have consequences.
Sheebah has now responded, and she is not backing down.
In a playful but firm message, the singer acknowledged that public scrutiny comes with celebrity life, but said her son is where she draws the boundary.
But when it comes to my baby, that is where the line is. You do not get to decide what school my baby goes to, whether I share it or not, how I raise my baby, or what I believe is best for my Baby.
Sheebah added that people are free to watch, gossip, speculate and analyse her life, but she does not believe that gives them a say in personal decisions involving her son.
You can have your opinions, but the decisions belong to me.
She ended the message with a dose of humour, telling her followers they can stay interested in her life, but should know where to draw the line.
Just do not cross into raising my baby for me. Thank you so much.
Sheebah had earlier promised to discuss the emotional experience in greater detail on her “Let’s Talk About It” podcast.
President Yoweri Museveni has explained why Uganda’s crude oil is classified as “sweet”, as the country moves closer to commercial oil production and its long-awaited entry into the international oil market.
Museveni made the remarks during a supervisory visit to Uganda’s oil facilities in the Albertine region, where he was briefed on the progress of the country’s oil production infrastructure.
The President said he had initially wondered why Uganda’s crude was being described as “sweet”, jokingly asking whether there was sugar in the petroleum.
“I asked my people, is there sugar in the petroleum? Why do you call it sweet?” Museveni said.
He said he was later informed by the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Energy Irene Pauline Batebe that the term “sweet” refers to crude oil with a low sulphur content.
In the petroleum industry, crude oil is generally classified as either sweet or sour depending on its sulphur content. Sweet crude contains relatively little sulphur and is generally easier and less costly to refine than crude with high sulphur levels.
Uganda’s crude is also known to be waxy, meaning it requires heating during transportation to keep it flowing through the pipeline.
Uganda has officially branded its crude as “Uganda’s Waxy Sweet Crude”, a designation intended to identify the country’s oil in the international market.
Museveni also used the occasion to caution against wasteful spending once oil revenues begin flowing.
He said the expected oil revenues should be invested in long-term infrastructure and productive assets rather than luxury consumption.
Museveni said Uganda should use the money to build power infrastructure, including hydroelectric power stations, expand the railway network and undertake other projects that would benefit future generations.
He said the country’s approach should be to use oil wealth to create “durable capacity” rather than spend the revenues on imported luxury goods.
The development comes as Uganda’s multi-billion-dollar oil project approaches the production stage, nearly two decades after commercially viable oil reserves were first confirmed in 2006.
The country is developing two major oil fields Tilenga in the Buliisa area and Kingfisher in Kikuube, alongside the 1,443-kilometre East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP), which will transport crude from the oil fields in western Uganda to the Tanzanian port of Tanga for export.
Tilenga is expected to be the larger of the two projects, with peak production projected at about 190,000 barrels per day, while combined national peak production is expected to exceed 200,000 barrels per day.
The oil developments are being undertaken by joint venture partners including TotalEnergies and CNOOC Uganda, alongside the Ugandan Government and other partners.
With the central processing facilities, production infrastructure and EACOP advancing towards completion, Uganda is increasingly positioning itself to transition from an oil explorer to a crude oil-exporting country.
Uganda’s oil journey has taken nearly 20 years, having been slowed by regulatory processes, financing challenges, infrastructure requirements and environmental concerns.
The completion of the oil infrastructure is now expected to bring the country closer to its first commercial oil production, potentially marking one of the biggest changes in Uganda’s economy and export sector.
The journey will begin in the Albertine region, where crude from the Tilenga and Kingfisher oil fields will be produced and processed before entering the 1,443-kilometre East African Crude Oil Pipeline, or EACOP. The heated pipeline will carry the crude from Uganda through Tanzania to Tanga Port on the Indian Ocean.
At Tanga, the crude will be loaded onto tankers and shipped to international buyers and refineries. Where will the oil go? Who will buy it? Who gets the money? And what do Ugandans actually get from it?
The crude that leaves Uganda is not the petrol or diesel that motorists put in their cars. A refinery takes crude oil and separates and processes it into different products.
These can include petrol, diesel, kerosene, jet fuel, LPG, lubricants and other petroleum and petrochemical products.
That is why Government’s oil plans go beyond simply exporting crude. Uganda wants to develop a refinery and related infrastructure so that more value can be added to its petroleum resources and finished products can be supplied to Uganda and regional markets.
Now, who gets the oil money? This is where it gets interesting. Government will not take 100 per cent of the money from every barrel. Under the production-sharing arrangements, oil companies recover eligible costs according to their contracts.
Government then receives money through royalties, taxes, its share of profit oil and State participation. The profit oil, the oil left after allowable cost recovery is shared between Government and the companies according to the relevant agreements.
Government’s petroleum revenues are managed under a legal framework that includes the Petroleum Fund at the Bank of Uganda, while royalties are subject to provisions for sharing with local governments. So don’t expect an oil cheque at your doorstep.
There is no single fixed percentage such as “Government gets 60% and companies get 40%” for every barrel. The actual sharing changes depending on the production-sharing agreement, costs recovered, production level and the applicable fiscal terms.
Uganda’s Petroleum Authority (PAU) currently estimates Uganda has about 6.5 billion barrels in place, of which approximately 1.4 billion barrels are recoverable under current conditions. At a projected peak production rate of around 230,000 barrels per day, PAU says the discovered resources could last roughly 25–30 years, although its more recent UNOC material puts the planned lifecycle of the current Tilenga and Kingfisher reserves at 25 years. Additional exploration and development of contingent resources could extend this period.
Tilenga is designed for 190,000 barrels per day, while Kingfisher is designed for 40,000 barrels per day, giving a combined peak of about 230,000 barrels per day.
In both Tilenga and Kingfisher, the partners are: TotalEnergies that owns a 56.67% share, CNOOC with 28.33% and UNOC (Uganda) which takes 15%. The shares are (participating interests) in the oil project, not shares of the money from every barrel sold.
So imagine they are opening a shop together with Shs100. TotalEnergies puts in Shs56.67, CNOOC puts in Shs28.33 and Uganda/UNOC puts in Shs15. That is what the 56.67%, 28.33% and 15% mean.
It does not mean that when one barrel of oil is sold, TotalEnergies automatically takes 56.67% of the selling price and Uganda takes 15%.
When the oil is produced and sold, Uganda gets money through several channels. Oil is produced , oil is sold, money comes in and the Government takes its legally agreed payments, the remaining profit is shared according to the petroleum agreements.
Uganda’s main sources include: Royalty where the oil companies pay Government a royalty for producing oil. Government’s share of profit oil, which is after allowable costs are dealt with, the remaining oil/profit is divided between Government and the companies according to the production-sharing agreement.
Taxes where the oil companies also pay taxes on their taxable profits and other applicable taxes. Then, Uganda’s 15% participation through UNOC. UNOC is a partner in the projects. Because Uganda owns that 15% participating interest, Uganda also participates commercially in the project.
The 15% is not Uganda’s total share of the money earned from selling the oil.The exact amount Uganda will receive from each barrel cannot be stated as one simple percentage, because it depends on royalties, recoverable costs, the production-sharing formula, taxes, production levels and other fiscal terms.
Then how does the ordinary Ugandan benefit? Oil needs drivers, engineers, builders, security guards, caterers, cleaners, suppliers, technicians and many other workers.
Ugandan companies can supply transport, food, accommodation, construction materials, engineering services, security and other goods and services. The Government’s share of oil revenue can support infrastructure and public investment like electricity, roads, railway investment can reduce transport costs, irrigation can support agriculture.
Government also wants more than crude exports. UNOC is also expected to take on a bigger commercial role as Uganda moves into production.
So the real oil story for the ordinary Ugandan is not simply “Uganda has oil.”
Grammy-winning South African star and international DJ headline a cross-border celebration of Afro-house, culture and Ugandan hospitality
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Kampala is preparing for an afternoon of Afro-house, culture and cross-border entertainment as South African Grammy Award winner Zakes Bantwini and international DJ and producer FKR headline Vuma Piano at Méstil Gardens on November 7.
The event will bring together leading names from Southern and East Africa’s music scene, with the two international acts joined by some of Uganda’s top DJs for a celebration that organisers say will connect Mzansi’s distinctive sound with Kampala’s vibrant entertainment culture.
Bantwini, one of South Africa’s leading electronic and Afro-house artists, won the 2023 Grammy Award for Best Global Music Performance for Bayethe, cementing his place among Africa’s internationally recognised musical exports.
His Kampala performance is expected to showcase the soulful vocals and electronic sound that have defined his career and earned him audiences across the world.
He will share the stage with Dubai-based DJ and producer FKR, whose music has built a following across Africa and international markets. FKR has released tracks including Mukwano and Lost in Kampala and recently released I’m the One, featuring Miishu and Kori Hall.
With a creative hub in Greece and an international audience centred around Dubai, FKR has developed a musical footprint spanning South and East Africa. His music has also featured on international playlists and radio platforms, further strengthening his profile beyond the continent.
Together, the two acts are expected to give Ugandan audiences an opportunity to experience a sound that increasingly connects African cities and music markets.
But organisers say Vuma Piano is about more than music. The event is being positioned as a platform for cultural exchange and regional tourism, with a special invitation extended to the South African diplomatic community, expatriates and diaspora living in Uganda, as well as visitors from across the region.
The organisers hope the event will encourage visitors to experience Kampala beyond the concert venue, highlighting Uganda’s hospitality, food, creativity and cultural identity.
Title sponsor Ankole Heritage is also using the event to showcase Ugandan enterprise and craftsmanship.
The company, which operates in areas including luxury fashion, agro-processing, meat processing and bean-to-bar chocolate production, says its involvement reflects its interest in supporting platforms that place Ugandan creativity and products on an international stage.
Méstil Gardens will open its doors from 2pm, with the afternoon designed to build gradually from music and brand experiences into the main performances.
Guests will have access to food and beverage experiences, brand activations and other entertainment as the event moves towards sunset. Organisers are also encouraging guests to arrive early and make the most of the afternoon rather than treating Vuma Piano as a conventional evening concert.
Tickets are priced at Sh70,000 for early-bird entry and Sh100,000 at the gate and they are available on quicket.co.ug or *252*4#.
For guests seeking a more exclusive experience, the Ankole Sovereign VIP package costs Sh1.5m for five people and includes premium seating, dedicated service and Ankole Heritage chocolate platters. For Uganda’s entertainment industry, events such as Vuma Piano also offer an opportunity to position Kampala as a destination for international music and cultural experiences, while creating platforms for local talent to share stages with established African artists.
On November 7, Vuma Piano will bring together music, fashion, food and culture in one setting, with Bantwini and FKR providing the soundtrack to an afternoon built around one central idea: bringing Mzansi closer to the Pearl of Africa.
The Public Accounts Committee (Central Government) has questioned officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs over Shs1.3 billion paid to officials at seven of Uganda’s mission abroad for travel within their countries of posting at rates for travel abroad.
The query was raised during a meeting of the committee chaired by Hon. Patrick Oshabe on Wednesday, 02 September 2026. MPs wondered why officials travelling locally within their countries of posting were paid rates intended for foreign travel.
The Permanent Secretary, Vincent Bagiire said the ministry had sought guidance from the Ministry of Public Service arguing that applying Uganda’s domestic travel rates to major cities abroad was impractical. “We did write to the Ministry of Public Service to approve rates of travel abroad for capitals such as Washington, D.C.,” Bagiire said.
He said Uganda’s domestic rates would not adequately cover the costs incurred by officials travelling between cities in countries such as the United States.
“It is not practical for us to say we shall use the local travel rates,” he said citing travel from Washington to cities such as Seattle where he added that accommodation and other costs exceed Uganda’s domestic rates. Bagiire however, noted that the Ministry of Public Service has not responded to their request.
Oshabe directed the ministry to provide documentary evidence that it had formally sought clearance to use the foreign travel rates.
The committee also scrutinised the ministry’s handling of domestic arrears and discrepancies in its financial records.
Samia Bugwe Central County MP, Hon. Richard Wanyama questioned why the Ministry of Defence had made a payment to international organisations on behalf of Foreign Affairs.
The Ministry of Defence paid US$2.76 million towards Uganda’s obligations to the African Union.
Bagiire said the payment was necessary because of Uganda’s participation in the African Union Commission Summit and the ministry’s outstanding obligations.
He said they thought attempts to get a supplementary would delay and that’s how funds came in from defence. “These international organisations are very critical to the country’s foreign policy framework,” he said.
The committee was also informed that the ministry requires over Shs25 billion annually to meet its subscriptions to international organisations and prevent the accumulation of arrears.
Elgon County MP, Hon. Wamakuyu Mudiimi noted that while the ministry’s financial statements reported Shs81 billion in contributions to international organisations, the Board of Survey indicated Shs83 billion.
The ministry’s Head of Accounts, Mubaraka Nsambas, attributed the difference to verification of the figures.
“The figure we captured in the financial statements is what was verified. What is in the Board of Survey was not verified,” Nsambas said.
The explanation prompted further scrutiny from MPs and the Auditor General’s representative, who told the committee that the Board of Survey was prepared by the Accountant General in collaboration with the ministry.
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Young people are an important part of every society, and their health plays a critical role in determining the kind of future a country will have. Yet, changing lifestyles are increasingly exposing young people to two interconnected challenges: unhealthy eating habits and excessive use of mobile phones.
Many young people consume foods high in sugar, salt and unhealthy fats while spending long hours on their phones instead of exercising, resting or engaging in other productive activities. While these behaviours may appear harmless when considered individually, their combined effect can gradually undermine physical, mental and social well-being.
One of the growing health concerns among young people is the consumption of unhealthy foods. Fast foods, sugary drinks and highly processed foods are often attractive because they are readily available, affordable and convenient. However, frequent consumption of such foods without a balanced diet can contribute to poor nutrition, unhealthy weight gain and an increased risk of health complications later in life.
Young people need balanced diets that provide essential nutrients, including vitamins, potassium, zinc, calcium, magnesium, iron and iodine, as well as adequate water. Proper nutrition is particularly important during youth because it supports growth, energy levels, concentration and overall health.
At the same time, excessive phone use has become a major challenge to healthy living. Many young people spend hours scrolling through social media, watching videos, playing games or chatting, sometimes well into the night. As screen time increases, time that could otherwise be devoted to sleep, exercise, face-to-face interaction and other productive activities is reduced.
The problem becomes particularly concerning when excessive phone use interferes with sleep. Young people who stay connected to their screens late at night may struggle to get adequate rest, leaving them tired, less focused and less productive during the day. Over time, this can disrupt healthy routines and make it more difficult to maintain a balanced lifestyle.
Unhealthy eating and excessive phone use can also reinforce each other. A young person may spend much of the day sitting with a phone, eating snacks or fast food while watching videos or scrolling through social media, and then remain awake late into the night. This pattern leaves little room for physical activity, nutritious meals, meaningful social interaction and adequate sleep.
Social media further complicates the situation. Digital platforms have become powerful spaces for advertising and shaping consumer behaviour, particularly among young people. Food advertisements, celebrity endorsements and online trends can encourage young users to associate fast foods, sugary drinks and highly processed products with popularity, entertainment and social status. As a result, food choices may sometimes be driven more by what is trending online than by what the body actually needs.
This is why health and nutrition education among young people is increasingly important. Young people need the knowledge and confidence to distinguish between convenience and healthy choices, and between entertainment and habits that may negatively affect their well-being.
Addressing these challenges requires collective responsibility. Parents and guardians, schools, institutions, leaders and youth organisations all have a role to play in promoting healthier lifestyles. Young people should be encouraged to eat balanced meals, drink enough water, exercise regularly and reduce their consumption of foods high in sugar, salt and unhealthy fats.
They should also develop healthier relationships with technology. This includes setting reasonable limits on screen time, taking regular breaks from devices and, particularly, reducing phone use before bedtime to create enough time for sleep and relaxation.
Technology itself is not the problem. Mobile phones provide valuable opportunities for education, communication, creativity and access to information. The challenge is ensuring that technology serves young people rather than controlling their daily routines. A phone should not become a substitute for exercise, sleep, healthy food or meaningful human interaction.
The health of today’s youth will shape the productivity and resilience of tomorrow’s society. Tackling unhealthy eating and excessive screen use is therefore not simply a matter of individual choice; it is a shared responsibility.
By making better food choices, becoming more physically active, managing screen time and prioritising adequate rest, young people can protect their health today while building healthier, more productive communities for the future.
The author works with the Afro-Arab Youth Council (AAYC).
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