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WAKISO

Fresh details have emerged surrounding the controversial shooting of a 38-year-old boda boda rider and father of five during enforcement of Uganda’s National Cleaning Day exercise in Wakiso District.

Ronald Juuko Kizito was shot dead on Saturday in Kanaba Zone, Ndejje Division, Makindye Ssabagabo Municipality, while reportedly returning home after completing his night shift at Zzana boda boda stage.

Police Constable Allan Ogwal, attached to Ndejje Police Post, is accused of firing the fatal shot as Kizito approached an enforcement point at about 7:00am.

The shooting has sparked public outrage, with witnesses giving an account that differs from the initial police explanation of events.

According to eyewitnesses, police officers had been positioned at intervals along the road as they enforced the cleaning exercise.

The witnesses said the first officer waved at Kizito to stop, but he was already too close and rode past without stopping.

Ogwal, who was reportedly positioned further ahead and had witnessed the encounter, allegedly opened fire.

The bullet reportedly entered Kizito’s back and exited through his chest, causing him to fall from his motorcycle in the middle of the road.

Fellow officers reportedly took Ogwal away from the scene and detained him at Ndejje Police Post before transferring him to Katwe Police Division, where investigations were taken over.

Kizito’s body was transported to the City Mortuary at Mulago before his family collected it for burial in Bamunanika Sub-county on Sunday.

His elder brother, Suuna Mulema, said he went to Ndejje Police Post after learning about the shooting and was given an explanation that the deceased had refused to stop.

“I reached the scene around midday and went to Ndejje Police Post, where the officer in charge told me that my brother was big-headed, that he was stopped and refused to stop,” Mulema said.

He questioned why police would resort to lethal force if Kizito had allegedly failed to stop.

“I asked him, why not shoot to deflate the tyres and arrest him so he could serve a punishment, rather than ending his life?” Mulema said.

Mulema further alleged that police were portraying Kizito as having attempted to knock down officers in order to justify the shooting.

The family says it was later directed to Katwe Police Station, which had taken over the investigation, and was told to follow up on the deceased’s belongings, including his phone and national identity card.

Mulema said he was issued a letter at Katwe authorising him to collect the body from the City Mortuary and was told that investigations were still ongoing.

However, he said the family has not received any further communication from police since the burial.

EXPECTANT WIFE CLAIM DISMISSED

There were also claims circulating that Kizito had been rushing to hospital to see his expectant wife when he was shot.

But Mulema dismissed the account, saying his younger brother was simply returning from his night shift.

He said Kizito’s wife and children were staying at their family home in Luseenke, Wobulenzi Town, Luwero, and that there was no family member admitted to hospital.

Mulema revealed that Kizito had only moved into a rented room in Kanaba, Ndejje, about two months ago to make it easier for him to work night shifts and get some rest.

Previously, he had reportedly been riding between Kampala and Wobulenzi every night for about five years.

His death has left behind five children, with the eldest currently in Senior One.

The family says Kizito was the sole breadwinner and is now appealing for support to keep the children in school.

They are also demanding a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death and justice for their relative.

POLICE: FORCE WAS NOT PROPORTIONATE

Police spokesperson Kituuma Rusoke confirmed that investigations are ongoing and said Ogwal will be produced before court.

Rusoke said investigators are examining whether the force used by the officer was proportionate to the threat he faced.

“As Uganda Police, the reason he is currently behind bars is that we strongly believe the force he used was not proportionate to the threat,” Rusoke said.

He added that questions surrounding whether the force was legitimate and whether the officer can account for his actions will ultimately be addressed through the courts.

“He will be allowed to defend himself,” Rusoke said.

Rusoke also urged the public not to condemn the National Cleaning Day exercise because of the actions of what he described as one errant officer who allegedly acted contrary to police code of conduct.

On compensation for the bereaved family, Rusoke said he had not yet received a briefing from the police welfare department.

CLEANING DAY CONTROVERSY

Kizito’s shooting has further intensified criticism surrounding enforcement of the National Cleaning Day exercise.

There have been complaints from members of the public alleging that some security officers have forced people out of their homes to participate in cleaning activities, beaten those who resisted and compelled residents to clean roadsides.

Critics argue that such actions go beyond the primary role assigned to police under the guidelines governing the exercise.

With Ogwal expected to face court proceedings, attention now turns to the investigation into whether the shooting was justified and whether the force used against Kizito was lawful and proportionate.

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KAMPALA – Ugandan men looking to keep both HIV and bedroom troubles at bay have been given a rather awkward warning: tell the doctor about your Viagra before getting the HIV prevention jab—or your bedroom plans could turn into a medical emergency.

Dr Flavia Matovu Kiweewa, a Senior Research Scientist at the Makerere University-Johns Hopkins University Research Collaboration (MUJHU), has warned men using Viagra to disclose it to health workers before receiving the long-acting HIV prevention injection Lenacapavir.

The warning comes after scientists identified a potentially serious interaction between Lenacapavir and medicines used to treat erectile dysfunction, including sildenafil—the active ingredient in Viagra. The World Health Organisation also lists sildenafil among medicines whose levels can increase when taken with Lenacapavir.

Kiweewa, who led studies in Uganda that helped establish the effectiveness of Lenacapavir for HIV prevention, said the injection can slow the breakdown of Viagra in the body, leaving higher levels of the drug circulating in the bloodstream.

In other words, she is telling the Viagra squad: don’t just tell your partner—you need to tell the doctor too!

“You need less Viagra if you are on Len because the way Len works, it reduces the breakdown of Viagra and then you are having higher drug levels sustained in your system,” Kiweewa said.

She warned that excessive levels of Viagra could cause dangerously low blood pressure or a prolonged erection, with severe complications potentially becoming life-threatening.

The issue is particularly important because Lenacapavir is administered only twice a year, meaning its interaction with other medicines can persist for months. WHO guidance lists sildenafil, tadalafil, vardenafil and avanafil as erectile-dysfunction medicines that may interact with Lenacapavir.

Kiweewa has therefore urged men not to keep their little blue secret from health workers.

The message is simple: before the jab, come clean about what else is in your medicine cabinet.

Lenacapavir is a long-acting pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) injection designed to prevent HIV infection and is administered every six months.

Uganda has witnessed unexpectedly high demand for the new prevention option, particularly among men. Recent reports indicate that the Ministry of Health is expanding access from the initial 103 facilities as demand continues to grow.

Uganda initially received 19,200 doses through the Global Fund, distributed to 103 health facilities. The drug was first targeted at people screened and found to face substantial risk of HIV infection.

However, health officials say demand quickly spread beyond the initially targeted groups, with many men seeking the injection.

Dr Herbert Kadama, the Ministry of Health coordinator for PrEP, says the ministry has responded by increasing the number of facilities offering Lenacapavir and reviewing guidance so that people who consider themselves at risk can be assessed and potentially receive the injection.

Meanwhile, there are reports that some members of the public are willing to pay for Lenacapavir despite it currently being provided free under the national programme.

Efforts to independently verify those reports were unsuccessful, although Kiweewa says she has personally received calls from people asking whether they could pay to access the drug.

Globally, Lenacapavir has attracted enormous interest because of its twice-yearly dosing. In Uganda, its rollout is currently being supported through the Global Fund.

For men using Viagra, however, the latest advice from scientists is clear: before you get the six-month HIV jab, disclose the little blue pill—because when it comes to drug interactions, the doctor needs to know everything.

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FORT PORTAL – Grief may be the official business at the Tooro royal palace, but come lunchtime, another serious matter takes centre stage: food!

As mourning continues for the late Tooro King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV, hundreds of mourners are reportedly flocking to Karuziika Palace every afternoon, with some arriving as early as 11am to secure their place in the food queue.

The solemn mourning grounds have consequently developed a rather unusual afternoon routine – pay respects, join queue, wait, eat and head back into town.

The crowds include children, youths and adults, with some waiting for up to two hours before reaching the serving tables.

And with the numbers swelling, organisers have had to call in scouts and Girl Guides to help organise the hungry mourners according to age and physical size.

Once the food starts flowing, however, the real drama begins.

Some mourners have complained that after spending nearly an hour in the queue, the reward on the plate is not exactly fit for a king.

Geoffrey Byamukama, who turned up at the palace on Tuesday for lunch, was among those left unimpressed by his portion.

“We are told Gen. Muhoozi gave us food, but it looks like this hotel is cheating us,” he complained.

In other words, the mourning may be unlimited, but the serving spoon appears to have its own budget.

The large crowds have occasionally created tensions, forcing police and UPDF personnel to intervene as mourners jostle and tempers rise.

But not everyone believes the food is the main attraction.

Robert Mugabe, a resident of Mt Karukoto, said the meals are providing welcome relief to people around the palace who sometimes struggle to afford a daily meal.

He dismissed suggestions that people were attending the mourning ceremonies simply because of free food, arguing that many genuinely want to pay their respects to the fallen King.

And there is a cultural explanation for the food bonanza.

Kasaija Ernest Kusemerera, who oversees the Omukama’s local security under the Omukumirizi system, said feeding mourners is deeply rooted in Tooro funeral traditions.

Richard Rwabuhinga, chairman of the local organising committee, has also appealed for support, pointing to the huge number of people who have to be fed during the mourning period.

The food queues have nevertheless become one of the most visible features of the mourning period, with palace grounds filling up every afternoon.

For some mourners, therefore, the daily programme appears to have acquired an unofficial timetable:

11am – arrive.
12pm – queue.
1pm – still queue.
2pm – finally eat.
Then – go home and mourn the King.

King Oyo died on August 27, 2026, aged 34, after reigning over Tooro since ascending the throne as a three-year-old in 1995. Tooro has declared a nine-day mourning period once the body arrives in the country on Friday in accordance with its traditions.

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Uganda’s petroleum regulator has been thrown into a leadership transition as Ernest Rubondo, the pioneer Executive Director of the Petroleum Authority of Uganda (PAU), exits the top office after completing his maximum two terms.

Rubondo’s contract expired on August 31, 2026, ending nearly a decade at the helm of the authority at a particularly sensitive time when Uganda is racing towards first oil.

But while his departure had been anticipated, the failure to appoint his substantive replacement before his exit has sparked questions over the recruitment and selection process at the oil regulator.

For now, the PAU directorate has reportedly turned to Otonga Ochan, the Authority’s Director of Finance, to steer the institution in an acting capacity as Government works to settle on a substantive Executive Director.

Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development Irene Pauline Batebe confirmed that the transition is already underway.

“We have now started the transition at the Petroleum Authority of Uganda, where we will soon announce the substantive executive director. But for now, the acting director is in place for that purpose,” Batebe said.

The leadership uncertainty comes despite PAU having advertised the Executive Director’s position in December 2025, approximately eight months before Rubondo’s contract expired.

The recruitment process was therefore expected to produce a successor before the pioneer boss bowed out.

However, that did not happen.

The delay has raised eyebrows in petroleum circles, particularly given the strategic importance of PAU as Uganda prepares to move from oil project development into commercial production.

Sources in the sector have identified Ochan as the acting boss.

Ochan is a Fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants of the United Kingdom and a member of the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Uganda.

He holds a Master of Business Administration from Edinburgh Business School, Heriot-Watt University in Scotland, and reportedly has more than 21 years of experience in strategic planning, financial management, corporate governance, leadership and administration.

Before joining PAU, Ochan spent nine years as Commissioner of Corporate Services at the Uganda Revenue Authority, where he was responsible for Finance, Administration, Human Resources and Information Technology.

His temporary elevation comes at a crucial moment for the petroleum regulator.

Under Rubondo, PAU oversaw the regulatory aspects of the development of Uganda’s major petroleum projects, including the Kingfisher and Tilenga oil fields and the East African Crude Oil Pipeline.

Batebe described Rubondo’s tenure as one of the most consequential periods in Uganda’s petroleum history.

“Mr. Ernest Rubondo was the inaugural executive director of the Petroleum Authority of Uganda, where he has served judiciously for 10 years,” she said.

The Government says the Kingfisher Development Area, operated by China National Offshore Oil Corporation, is about 80% complete, while its preparedness for first oil stands at 98%.

Kingfisher is expected to be ready for first oil by the end of September and is projected to produce about 40,000 barrels per day at peak.

Meanwhile, the TotalEnergies-operated Tilenga project is expected to produce approximately 190,000 barrels per day at peak, while the East African Crude Oil Pipeline is reportedly 92.7% complete.

The incoming substantive PAU boss will therefore inherit a regulator facing one of the biggest transitions in its history — from supervising petroleum project development to regulating actual commercial production and marketing of Uganda’s crude.

The authority will also continue overseeing national content, technical standards and other areas across the petroleum value chain.

Government says Ugandan enterprises have so far secured contracts and business opportunities worth about US$2.27 billion out of approximately US$7 billion invested in the sector.

At the same time, Government is preparing for a third petroleum licensing round covering the Kadam-Moroto, Lake Kyoga and Hoima basins.

SUCCESSOR ROW

Despite the early advertisement of the PAU top job, the substantive appointment remains pending.

The Ministry of Energy had earlier indicated that recruitment was underway, but the process had not been concluded by the time Rubondo left office.

Sources have previously indicated that geologist and geoscientist Fred Kabanda is among those being considered for the powerful position.

Kabanda previously served as Assistant Commissioner for Oil and Gas Development and Production in the former Petroleum Exploration and Production Department.

He currently heads the Non-Renewable Natural Resources Division at the African Development Bank’s African Natural Resources Management and Investment Centre.

Reports have claimed that Kabanda’s name was forwarded to the appointing authority, President Yoweri Museveni, although this has not been independently verified.

It also remains unclear whether Kabanda is the leading candidate or whether his name was formally submitted to the President.

The uncertainty has fuelled speculation within petroleum circles, with reports pointing to an internal contest among senior PAU officials.

There have also been media reports of a struggle involving some of the Authority’s directors, many of whom possess the academic qualifications and sector experience required for the top job.

However, the exact nature of the reported internal contest remains unclear.

With Uganda edging closer to first oil, the pressure is now on the Ministry of Energy and the PAU Board to end the leadership limbo and install a substantive Executive Director capable of steering the regulator through the country’s most critical phase of petroleum production.

Batebe has not given a specific date for the appointment, only saying the substantive Executive Director will be announced soon.

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KAMPALA

Businessman Christian Asiimwe, popularly known as Don Chris, has been sent to Luzira Prison over allegations that he fleeced 127 desperate job seekers after promising to secure them jobs abroad.

Asiimwe, 32, appeared before the City Hall Magistrates Court on Wednesday, where Senior Principal Grade One Magistrate Nicholas Aisu read to him a staggering 127 counts of obtaining money and goods by false pretence.

The prosecution alleges that Asiimwe collected millions of shillings from job seekers after claiming that he could secure them employment in countries including Canada and Luxembourg.

The charges are contained in seven separate charge sheets, with each sheet listing about 20 complainants.

The alleged offences were committed between 2023 and 2025 in Ntinda, Nakawa Division, Kampala.

According to one of the charge sheets, Asiimwe is a director of Sky Pins Tour and Travel Company, which the prosecution alleges he used as part of the recruitment arrangements.

Among those listed as complainants is Namuwonge Takia, who allegedly parted with Sh5 million after Asiimwe promised to secure her a job in Canada.

Another complainant, Scovia Birabwa, allegedly paid Sh7 million for a promised Canadian job.

Kevin Kamakune is alleged to have paid Sh5 million after being promised employment in Luxembourg.

The prosecution further alleges that Naijuka Giporous paid Sh5.2 million for a Canadian job, while Ddamulira Lawrence allegedly paid another Sh5 million for employment in Luxembourg.

Other complainants named in the charge sheets include Kasujja Abasi, Tsongo Augustine Mulhibanda, Tumushabe Catherine, Ssemanda Rogers, Bayiga Barbra, Babirye Aisha, Nantongo Stella, Orukuma Samuel, Otebenyango Moses, Samanya Maimuna, Walusaga Alone, Awor Femia, Olemukol Stephen Adupa, Nakabito Ziadah and Lukyamuzi Patrick.

The prosecution alleges that the amounts allegedly obtained from the job seekers ranged between Sh5 million and Sh10 million.

In several counts, Asiimwe is accused of representing to the complainants that he had access to overseas employment opportunities, despite allegedly not having the promised recruitment opportunities.

The allegations have painted a disturbing picture of desperate job seekers allegedly parting with huge sums of money in pursuit of lucrative opportunities abroad.

The charges were brought under Section 285 of the Penal Code Act, Cap 128, relating to obtaining goods by false pretence.

However, Asiimwe denied all the charges when they were read to him in court.

Principal State Attorney Miriam Akite told court that investigations into the matter had been completed and asked the magistrate to set a hearing date.

Magistrate Aisu subsequently ordered that Asiimwe be remanded to Luzira Prison until September 21, 2026, when he is expected to return to court.

The case comes amid growing concern over fraudulent recruitment and travel schemes targeting Ugandans desperate to secure jobs and better opportunities abroad.

Security agencies have repeatedly warned the public about individuals and companies demanding large sums of money in exchange for jobs, visas and travel arrangements that may not exist.

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For years, the music industry has been fixated on what comes next. New sounds, emerging artists and evolving production styles have dominated conversations, but singer Cindy Sanyu believes audiences are slowly finding their way back to the past.

According to Cindy, older music is enjoying renewed relevance as listeners rediscover the depth, writing and storytelling that characterised an earlier era.

“The audience is appreciating the older music, older writers and the older content,” Cindy said.

She argues that the renewed interest is not simply a case of nostalgia. Instead, she believes it is partly a reaction to what audiences have been exposed to in today’s music landscape.

Cindy, who rose to prominence during the era she is defending, admits she could be biased but maintains that the music of her generation offered more than catchy beats.

“Because I come from the same era, I will argue that music before is better than music right now,” she said, adding that the difference goes beyond production and instrumentation.

Cindy made the remarks during Grace Nakimera’s press conference, where she was explaining why she believes Nakimera’s comeback matters.

For Cindy, the real strength of older music lies in its substance: the writing, messages and stories woven into songs.

She believes audiences have now been exposed to an endless stream of contemporary music, with new artists and sounds appearing almost constantly. That saturation, she suggests, is creating room for listeners to rediscover music they may have overlooked or taken for granted years ago.

“The audience has had a taste of the new artist everywhere, but now they are looking for something older, which has now become the new,” she said.

It is a curious twist in the cycle of music. What was once considered old is becoming fresh again, with yesterday’s sounds finding a new audience among today’s listeners.

As older songs resurface and audiences reconnect with familiar voices and forgotten hits, Cindy sees the trend as more than a passing revival. To her, it signals a growing appreciation for music that has something to say and stories worth remembering.

“Older music has become the new ‘new,’ and people are starting to appreciate it more,” says Cindy Sanyu.#SqoopUpdates pic.twitter.com/AaXn5C8gk4

— sQoop (@sQoopUG) September 1, 2026

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