Category: News

  • Refugee talent to take centre stage at Nsambya exhibition

    Refugee talent to take centre stage at Nsambya exhibition

    Refugees and members of their host communities will display businesses, creative products and vocational skills at a public exhibition in Kampala later this month.

    The two-day event, organised by the Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) Uganda, will be held on September 25 and 26, 2026, at the organisation’s offices on St Augustine Road in Nsambya.

    Organised under the inaugural JRS Uganda Open Days, the exhibition is intended to give the public a closer look at the abilities and enterprises refugees are developing as they rebuild their lives in Uganda.

    Visitors will interact with entrepreneurs working in fashion, design, arts and crafts, catering and other fields. The programme will also include African cuisine, music and cultural performances.

    Some of the exhibitors are former participants in JRS vocational and livelihood programmes who have since established businesses. Current trainees will demonstrate the skills they are acquiring.

    The exhibition is expected to connect the participants with customers, financial institutions, private companies, non-governmental organisations, universities and development partners.

    Ami-Adolphe Mudekereza, the JRS Communications Officer for Eastern and Southern Africa, said the event would help the public understand the organisation’s work and the experiences of the people it serves.

    “We want the Open Day to help people better understand who we are, what we do and the difference our programmes make,” Mudekereza said.

    “It will also showcase the skills, talents, resilience and initiatives of refugees and host communities, while strengthening partnerships and connections.”

    JRS has invited businesses, entrepreneurs, community initiatives and other organisations to register as exhibitors and present their products, services and innovations.

    The Open Days come amid efforts to support refugees beyond emergency assistance by equipping them with skills and opportunities to earn an income. Such interventions can also encourage interaction and economic cooperation between displaced people and their host communities.

    JRS Uganda provides education, livelihood and socioeconomic-integration support. Its other programmes include mental health and psychosocial services, basic-needs assistance, pastoral care, peacebuilding and reconciliation.

    The organisation has operated in Uganda since 1993 and currently works with refugees and vulnerable members of host communities in Kampala and Adjumani.

    Its country director, Fr Paul Kalenzi, SJ, has a personal connection to displacement. He spent part of his childhood in Nairobi after his parents fled Uganda during Idi Amin’s rule.

    JRS was founded in 1980 as a work of the Society of Jesus. Its mandate is to accompany, serve and advocate for refugees and other forcibly displaced people.

    The first day of the exhibition will run from 9am to 5pm, while the second will begin at 11am and close at 5pm. Admission is free and open to the public.

  • Diddy’s Prison Release Date Moved Up Again

    Diddy’s Prison Release Date Moved Up Again

    Sean “Diddy” Combs just got another reason to count down the days.

    Bureau of Prisons records now list February 5, 2028, as the projected release date for the music mogul, moving his expected freedom more than two weeks closer.

    The previous projection had Diddy leaving Federal Correctional Institution Fort Dix in New Jersey on February 20, 2028.

    His projected release date has changed repeatedly since he started serving his sentence. Authorities initially set the date for June 2028 before bringing it forward.

    The latest update comes after the 56-year-old faced a reported altercation with another inmate at Fort Dix. Officials placed him in solitary confinement after the incident, although he has since left isolation.

    Diddy is serving a 50-month federal sentence following his 2025 conviction on two counts of transporting individuals across state lines to engage in prostitution.

    Jurors acquitted him on charges of sex trafficking and racketeering conspiracy, which carried much more serious potential consequences.

    His lawyers have appealed the convictions. For now, though, February 5, 2028, is the date on the books for his projected release.

  • Uganda Media Centre Takes Charge of Official Coverage for King Oyo’s Burial

    Uganda Media Centre Takes Charge of Official Coverage for King Oyo’s Burial

    The Uganda Media Centre (UMC) has taken on a key role in the final farewell of the late King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV after Tooro Kingdom appointed it as the official media partner for his burial.

    The appointment puts UMC in charge of official media coverage from the arrival of the King’s body in Uganda on Friday, September 4, through the funeral ceremonies leading to his burial in Fort Portal on September 12.

    Its role will cover live coverage of key ceremonies, photography and video production, as well as accreditation for local, national and international media.

    UMC will also distribute official photographs and footage from the proceedings.

    Given the national, regional and international significance of this solemn occasion, Tooro Kingdom is committed to ensuring that His Majesty’s final journey is documented and shared with the dignity, respect and order befitting a King.

    With the funeral expected to attract extensive media attention, Tooro Kingdom has asked journalists, photographers, content creators and media houses to follow the official media coordination arrangements throughout the funeral.

    It has also urged media practitioners to respect the privacy of the Royal Family and those closest to the late King as they mourn.

    King Oyo’s Final Journey Home

    King Oyo’s body will arrive at Entebbe International Airport at approximately 10:00 am on Friday, flying in from the United States via Nairobi, with President Yoweri Museveni expected to receive the remains and pay his final respects.

    A military helicopter will then carry the casket to Kyegegwa District, where a public procession will begin.

    From there, the procession will move through Kyegegwa, Kyenjojo, and Kabarole districts on an open, slow-moving vehicle, giving members of the public along the route a chance to pay their respects.

    The journey will end at Karuziika Royal Palace in Fort Portal City, where the Kingdom will observe the official nine-day mourning period.

    King Oyo died in the United States on August 27, 2026, at the age of 34.

    His burial will take place at the Karambi Royal Tombs on September 12, 31 years after he ascended to the Tooro throne at the age of three.

  • Tooro PM Explains Why Public Was Told King Oyo Was Abroad Studying and Well

    Tooro PM Explains Why Public Was Told King Oyo Was Abroad Studying and Well

    Tooro Kingdom Prime Minister Calvin Armstrong Rwomiire Akiiki has explained why the public was told that the late King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV was abroad studying and was later told that he was well.

    In a statement to the people of Tooro, Rwomiire said the information followed the late King’s express wishes and direction, which he chose to respect while protecting Oyo’s privacy.

    The information communicated to the public that His Majesty was abroad studying, and subsequently that he was well, was communicated in accordance with His Majesty’s express wishes and direction.

    Rwomiire said he considered it his responsibility, as someone serving the King, to honour those wishes and keep his personal affairs private.

    As someone serving him, it was my responsibility to respect his wishes and protect his privacy. I did so faithfully and respectfully.

    He also said he believed King Oyo acted in good faith, maintaining that the King remained confident about his recovery and looked forward to returning home.

    According to Rwomiire, Oyo had hoped to reunite with his people for the 31st Empango and did not want his condition to cause unnecessary alarm.

    He was confident in his recovery and was looking forward to returning home and reuniting with his people for the 31st Empango. He did not want to cause unnecessary alarm among his people.

    Rwomiire Calls for Restraint

    The Prime Minister’s clarification comes as questions continue to emerge about the circumstances surrounding King Oyo’s time abroad and the communication surrounding his health.

    Rwomiire acknowledged that other matters have also raised questions but urged people not to turn the King’s final days into a source of division or controversy.

    He said the Kingdom would have an appropriate time and forum to address matters that require further clarification after the King’s burial.

    For now, he called on Kingdom leaders, cultural leaders, public officials, journalists, commentators and social media users to exercise restraint as Tooro mourns.

    Words spoken in moments of grief can deepen divisions that may take years to repair. Let us choose words and actions that unite the Batooro and reflect the dignity of the Kingdom.

    Rwomiire also appealed for privacy for the Royal Family and those who were closest to King Oyo, saying they should have space to mourn without unnecessary speculation or pressure.

    He urged the people of Tooro to focus on receiving their King with honour and giving him a dignified farewell.

    Future generations will remember not only that Tooro lost its King, but also how we conducted ourselves in this moment of grief.

    King Oyo died in the United States on August 27, 2026, at the age of 34.

    His body is due to arrive in Uganda at 10:00 am on Friday, September 4, ahead of his burial at the Karambi Royal Tombs on September 12.

  • EALA Boss Demands EAC Democracy Reset, Hails Speaker Oboth’s Leadership

    EALA Boss Demands EAC Democracy Reset, Hails Speaker Oboth’s Leadership

    KAMPALA — The East African Community (EAC) has been challenged to rethink and align its democratic and governance systems if the regional bloc is to achieve faster economic transformation.

    The call was made by East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) Speaker Rt. Hon. Joseph Ntakirutimana during a high-level courtesy visit to Parliament Speaker Rt. Hon. Jacob Marksons Oboth at Parliament Buildings in Kampala.

    Ntakirutimana argued that differences in democratic systems across EAC Partner States could complicate the bloc’s efforts to pursue a common regional development agenda.

    “As the EAC, we need to develop faster by aligning our democratic systems. What is democratic to the Democratic Republic of Congo may not necessarily be true to Rwanda, Burundi, Uganda, Tanzania, or Kenya,” Ntakirutimana said.

    He said East Africa needs strong and decisive leadership capable of accelerating development beyond its current pace.

    “We need strong leaders who can push the development effort to move much faster than it is moving right now,” he said.

    The EALA Speaker’s remarks come as the EAC continues efforts to deepen regional integration through political, economic and institutional cooperation among Partner States.

    During the visit, Ntakirutimana also congratulated Oboth on his election as Speaker of Uganda’s 12th Parliament on May 25, 2026, praising him for what he described as an accessible, humble and down-to-earth leadership style.

    “When a friend is blessed by God, you have to celebrate,” Ntakirutimana said.

    He described Oboth as a leader who does not allow his position to distance him from ordinary people.

    “You are a man who doesn’t care about titles; you live simply, are humble, and open-minded,” he said.

    Ntakirutimana further praised Oboth for remaining accessible, saying he could call or send him WhatsApp messages and receive an immediate response.

    The EALA Speaker also credited Oboth for surrounding himself with young people who, he said, were ready to support his leadership.

    “You are equally blessed to have vibrant young people around you who are willing to work for you,” he said.

    Ntakirutimana was accompanied by a delegation that included Patriotic League of Uganda Vice Chairman Michael Toyota, Bukanga South MP Stephen Kangwagye and newly elected Ugandan EALA Representative Fred Bangumya Rwakaizi.

    Beyond the political niceties, the visit also focused on strengthening cooperation between EALA and Uganda’s national Parliament.

    Ntakirutimana pledged EALA’s legislative, policy and information support to Parliament, stressing the importance of close collaboration between the regional assembly and national legislatures.

    In response, Oboth thanked Ntakirutimana for the visit and pledged continued cooperation between Uganda’s Parliament and EALA.

    “As the Parliament of Uganda, we will be there to keep the cooperation going, and we give assurances of our highest consideration of this offer of support,” Oboth said.

    The two Speakers further committed themselves to strengthening bilateral inter-parliamentary relations.

    Oboth also confirmed that he will attend the upcoming EAC Bureau of Speakers meeting, scheduled for October in Arusha, Tanzania, where regional parliamentary cooperation is expected to take centre stage.

    The meeting comes at a time when the EAC is seeking to deepen integration across a region whose member states operate under different political, electoral and governance systems.

    Ntakirutimana’s call for greater alignment therefore places democratic governance among the wider questions facing the regional bloc as it seeks to transform East Africa into a more integrated political and economic community.


     

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  • ELEPHANT TERROR! 70 Jumbos Rampage Through Kitgum, Wipe Out 35 Acres Of Crops As UWA Bosses Sleep on the Job

    ELEPHANT TERROR! 70 Jumbos Rampage Through Kitgum, Wipe Out 35 Acres Of Crops As UWA Bosses Sleep on the Job

    KITGUM — Farmers in Kitgum District are living in fear as about 70 elephants continue roaming communities, destroying crops and threatening to deepen hunger in an area already battling the effects of drought.

    The elephants have been sighted in several parts of Chwa East and other areas of the district, despite ongoing efforts by security personnel and Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) rangers to drive the animals away from populated areas.

    The continued invasion has left farmers asking how long they are expected to watch helplessly as their gardens are turned into elephant feeding grounds.

    Dr. James Musinguzi, Executive Director of the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA), is now facing criticism for failing to adequately address the elephant incursions and protect affected communities, despite the Authority’s responsibility to manage wildlife conflicts and work with security agencies to prevent further harm.

    Kitgum Assistant Resident District Commissioner Geoffrey Oguti said about 40 elephants were sighted on Tuesday in Namokora North, while another herd estimated at between 30 and 40 animals was reported in Palubolo Parish, Ogul Village and along the Ogul-Lunganyura stretch in Orom Sub-county.

    “There are elephants still in Chua East. On Tuesday, there were about 40 elephants in Namokora North,” Oguti said.

    Another group was reportedly spotted around Agoromin and Lujorongole, between Ogul and Lunganyura in Orom Sub-county.

    Authorities also found between three and five fresh elephant footprints in Ladotonen, Kiteng Sub-county, suggesting that more animals could still be moving through the area.

    Oguti said the footprints could belong to elephants that recently left Mucwini.

    “We suspect those elephants are the ones that left Mucwini last week and they are patrolling that area,” he said.

    Last week, six elephants were also sighted around Pugoda East, near Oriyabu Primary School in Namokora, although authorities could not establish whether they remained in the area or had joined another herd.

    For farmers, the elephant invasion could not have come at a worse time.

    The district is already experiencing drought, with families struggling to produce enough food. The destruction of crops by elephants is now threatening to wipe out what little farmers have managed to harvest.

    Herbert Richard Odongo, the LCIII Chairperson of Mucwini East, said elephants destroyed about 35 acres of crops in the area last week.

    The destroyed crops include bananas, cassava and simsim.

    “By yesterday, we had assessed 35 acres of crops destroyed. And as I talk, the GISO is still doing more assessments,” Odongo said.

    He said the biggest concern was hunger, particularly because the affected communities were already suffering from drought.

    “The greatest worry is hunger because the little crops planted are being destroyed by elephants, yet there is drought,” Odongo said.

    Odongo also accused authorities of failing to adequately support some communities affected by the elephant attacks.

    He said government assistance had largely focused on Namokora and Orom, leaving residents in Greater Mucwini struggling to recover from their losses.

    “The whole of Greater Mucwini doesn’t get support when elephants destroy crops. It is mostly Namokora and Orom. So, we have been struggling, and we are appealing to the government to consider our pleas that we are also victims of elephant invasion,” he said.

    For some farmers, the elephants have destroyed more than crops.

    They have destroyed plans for survival.

    Justin Olweny, a simsim farmer in Ogwapoke Village, Mucwini East Sub-county, said elephants destroyed two acres of simsim that he had hoped would help his family recover after drought ruined crops during the previous season.

    “We are already facing drought, so when elephants destroy the little food we have, it becomes very difficult for our families to survive,” Olweny said.

    He appealed to Government to drive the elephants away and compensate or support farmers whose crops have been destroyed.

    Another farmer, Pamela Akidi, said fear has now become part of everyday life.

    Akidi lost an acre of cassava to the elephants last week.

    “Sometimes we hear that they are nearby, and we cannot go to our farms to work. I lost the crop that I expected to earn and feed my children with, and now I am worried about where our next food will come from,” she said.

    The situation has also created a dangerous dilemma.

    Farmers want to protect their crops, but confronting an elephant can have deadly consequences.

    Authorities are therefore warning residents against attempting to chase, trap or attack the animals themselves.

    Oguti urged farmers to immediately alert security personnel and wildlife authorities whenever they see elephants or discover fresh footprints.

    “We call upon the farmers to be careful. If they see any footprints of elephants or they see the elephants, they should report to the forces,” he said.

    Security personnel and UWA rangers are continuing efforts to push the elephants away from populated areas.

    However, with fresh sightings still being reported, questions remain over whether the current response is enough to protect communities and their crops.

    The district is also waiting for feedback from a Parliamentary Committee on Tourism, which visited Tikao on Sunday to assess concerns from communities affected by human-wildlife conflict.

    The Kitgum crisis highlights the growing challenge facing communities living close to wildlife corridors.

    For residents, elephants may be protected wildlife, but when the animals repeatedly enter gardens and destroy food, the conservation battle quickly becomes a question of survival.

    And with about 70 elephants still moving through parts of Kitgum, farmers are now asking a simple question:

    Who will save their crops — before the elephants eat the little food they have left?


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  • Chicken Chicken Finally Reveals Wedding Date After August Proposal

    Chicken Chicken Finally Reveals Wedding Date After August Proposal

    Ugandan TikTok creator Chicken Chicken, real name Katongole Anthony, has revealed that he plans to make his relationship with longtime partner Menisha, popularly known as Maama Tiana, official on November 9, 2026.

    Chicken Chicken shared the wedding plans during an interview on Sanyuka Uncut, just days after officially proposing to Menisha on August 25.

    He says the ceremony will be a relatively intimate affair, with only his close friends making the guest list.

    I am only going to invite my friends, so when you do not get an invitation, you are not my friend.

    Chicken Chicken joked about the selective guest list while revealing that he wants around 200 people at the celebration.

    The wedding announcement follows the couple’s August 25 proposal, which marked another public step in their relationship. The two have also built a family together and share a child.

    That affection has also played out publicly, with Chicken Chicken recently putting up a billboard worth more than Shs3 million for Menisha.

  • Financial stability and patience: Kid Fox shares criteria for his ideal partner and future wife

    Financial stability and patience: Kid Fox shares criteria for his ideal partner and future wife

    Singer Kid Fox shocked fans when he revealed that he has never married or fathered children despite spending the past 14 years living in Japan.

    The “Love Is a Good Feeling” singer’s revelation has left some of his fans questioning why he took so long to settle down and start a family.

    Speaking in a candid interview, Kid Fox opened up about his decision to delay marriage and fatherhood, explaining that he wanted to first become financially stable before bringing children into the world.

    According to the singer, he feared having children while struggling financially because he did not want them to grow up facing challenges.

    About giving birth, I wanted to do it when I’m financially stable. I didn’t want to give birth and my kids struggle. Unfortunately, time ran when money had failed to accumulate. So that was my story. Even if I don’t have money now, I will just take shots to give birth.

    Beyond explaining why he remained without children for so long, Kid Fox also opened up about the type of woman he is looking for as he considers settling down.

    The singer said he wants a patient, wise and knowledgeable woman, adding that physical attraction also matters to him.

    I want a woman who is patient with a man, wise and knowledgeable. I’m just looking for a wife. Physically, I want one with a good body shape and a pretty face, aged between 20 and 35.

    Kid Fox was also asked whether he would consider marrying a single mother.

    He said he would not rule out the possibility, but stressed that he would prefer a financially stable partner who would not become a burden to him and would be willing to contribute to building their future together.

    I can still go with a single mother as long as she is beautiful and nice-looking. For a single mother, if you’re financially stable and not going to burden me, and you’re ready to help me, we can survive.

    With the singer now openly talking about finding a wife and starting a family, fans will be watching to see whether his long-awaited search for love finally leads him down the aisle.

    The post Financial stability and patience: Kid Fox shares criteria for his ideal partner and future wife appeared first on MBU.

  • KCCA Rescues 149 Children in Crackdown on Child Exploitation

    KCCA Rescues 149 Children in Crackdown on Child Exploitation

    Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) has rescued 149 children, including 26 boys and 123 girls, during its ongoing crackdown on child exploitation in Kampala.

    In an update shared on September 2, the authority revealed that the latest operation targeted children involved in begging, loitering, hawking and vending on the streets.

    The update also provided details about what will happen to the children following their rescue, with Musulita Children’s Home set to receive them for rehabilitation and psychosocial support.

    In a crackdown against child exploitation, we have this evening rescued a total of 149 children (26 boys and 123 girls) through our ongoing operations.

    Beyond the rescue, KCCA revealed that the children will receive support to prepare them for reunification with their families.

    The rescued children will be transferred to Musulita Children’s Home, where they will undergo rehabilitation, psychosocial support and preparation for reintegration with their families.

    The crackdown comes as KCCA continues enforcing the Kampala Capital City Child Protection Ordinance 2022, which prohibits the use of children for activities such as begging, hawking, and vending.

    The public update also carried a warning for anyone who continues to involve children in such activities.

    Anyone found using children to beg, loiter, hawk, or vend is committing a crime and will face up to six months in jail or pay a fine determined by court.

    KCCA ended the message with a short warning to anyone who might ignore the ongoing crackdown.

    Do not be caught off guard.

  • DIRTY SECRETS BEHIND UBER SHOCK EXIT! How Ugandan Drivers, Cash and “OFF-APP” Deals Sunk Ride-Hailing App

    DIRTY SECRETS BEHIND UBER SHOCK EXIT! How Ugandan Drivers, Cash and “OFF-APP” Deals Sunk Ride-Hailing App

    For a company that revolutionised how Ugandans moved around Kampala, Uber’s sudden departure may look like an ordinary business decision.

    But beneath the official language of a “thorough review” lies a more complicated story about cash, commissions, driver behaviour, cheap fares, fierce competition and a business model that struggled to fully control the market it created.

    Uber switched off its Ugandan operations on September 2, 2026, ending about a decade of operations in Kampala. The company has not publicly blamed competition, driver behaviour or profitability, saying only that it had reviewed its business priorities and decided to wind down operations in Uganda and Nigeria.

    Yet the Ugandan experience exposes one of the biggest problems facing global ride-hailing platforms: an app can connect the customer and driver, but it cannot always control what happens after they meet.

    UBER BECAME THE MATCHMAKER, NOT THE MARKETPLACE

    The original promise was simple.

    A passenger opens the app, requests a ride, gets a fare, meets the assigned driver and completes the transaction through the platform.

    But in Kampala, some drivers and passengers increasingly found ways around that system.

    A passenger could request a ride through the app, the driver could arrive, and instead of completing the journey under Uber’s terms, the two could negotiate privately.

    The app had done its job — it had introduced them.

    After that, the relationship could move offline.

    That effectively turned Uber into a matchmaker rather than the marketplace.

    The phenomenon is not merely anecdotal. Academic research into Kampala’s ride-hailing economy has documented drivers using platforms to find passengers and then attempting to renegotiate fares or establish direct relationships outside the app. The research describes this as a form of “platform decay”, with drivers seeking to escape commissions and platform controls while retaining access to customers.

    That creates a brutal business problem.

    Uber spends money developing the technology, maintaining the platform, attracting customers, providing support and generating demand.

    But if the driver and passenger use Uber to meet and then complete future transactions privately, Uber pays for the marketplace while someone else captures the value.

    THE CASH CULTURE PROBLEM

    Uganda also presented another challenge for Uber’s original digital model — cash remained king.

    The more a platform depends on transactions taking place inside its digital ecosystem, the more valuable cash becomes as an enemy of that model.

    Some drivers preferred cash because it gave them immediate access to their earnings and reduced dependence on the platform.

    The result was a curious contradiction: Uganda had embraced smartphone-based ride-hailing, but parts of the business remained deeply rooted in the old informal transport economy.

    The technology was digital.

    The behaviour was often analogue.

    THEN CAME THE COMMISSION BATTLE

    Drivers also had another reason to look beyond the app: commissions.

    In 2019, the Smart Online Drivers Association petitioned Parliament over what it considered exploitative practices in the ride-hailing industry, with the association specifically protesting Uber’s 25 percent commission.

    Drivers argued that they were being squeezed between commissions, fuel costs and relatively low fares.

    That tension was hardly unique to Uber.

    Research into Kampala’s platform economy has similarly found that once commissions, fuel and mobile-data costs are considered, the economics for some digital drivers can become significantly less attractive than the headline earnings advertised by platforms.

    The equation was therefore becoming uncomfortable:

    Customers wanted cheaper rides.

    Drivers wanted higher earnings.

    Platforms wanted commissions.

    Something had to give.

    KAMPALA GOT TOO COMPETITIVE

    Uber entered Uganda in 2016 as the big international name in app-based transport.

    But it did not remain alone for long.

    Taxify arrived in 2017 before rebranding as Bolt in 2018. SafeBoda expanded from motorcycle transport into car-hailing with SafeCar in 2022, while Faras, Yango and other platforms also competed for passengers and drivers.

    The result was a market where customers could jump between applications depending on price, availability and convenience.

    Uber therefore faced a market in which brand recognition alone was no longer enough.

    And Uganda’s consumers are famously price-sensitive.

    If one application offered a cheaper ride, many customers had little reason to remain loyal to the more expensive platform.

    THE DRIVER RETENTION NIGHTMARE

    For ride-hailing companies, passengers are only half the equation.

    You need enough drivers online at the right time.

    But drivers also follow the money.

    When several applications are available on the same phone, a driver can effectively operate a multi-platform business, switching between apps depending on demand.

    That weakens platform loyalty.

    Research into Kampala’s digital transport economy has found evidence of drivers moving between platforms and even attempting to move customers away from the platforms altogether.

    Uber was therefore not simply competing for passengers.

    It was competing for drivers who were themselves shopping around.

    THE QUALITY CONTROL PROBLEM

    There was another issue that money could not easily solve: service quality.

    As the market expanded, complaints emerged around some drivers’ behaviour and vehicle standards.

    Passengers could encounter dirty or poorly maintained cars, unpleasant smells, aggressive behaviour or drivers who appeared less interested in following the platform’s rules than negotiating their own terms.

    There were also concerns about drivers accepting requests and subsequently trying to renegotiate fares.

    Every such incident damaged the central promise of ride-hailing: predictability.

    Uber’s entire proposition depended on a passenger knowing what they were getting when they pressed the button.

    But when the driver arrived and effectively said, “Let us agree on the price,” the magic of the app began to disappear.

    THE BIGGER PROBLEM: UBER WAS NO LONGER SPECIAL

    Perhaps the most important secret is that Uber eventually stopped being the only major digital alternative.

    When it arrived, it was revolutionary.

    Then competitors copied the model.

    Bolt became a serious competitor. SafeBoda built deep local familiarity. Other platforms entered.

    And unlike traditional businesses, ride-hailing customers can change providers in seconds.

    There is no expensive switching process.

    One app can be deleted. Another can be opened.

    That makes loyalty extremely difficult to maintain.

    UBER’S EXIT IS ALSO ABOUT THE GLOBAL COMPANY

    There is another piece of the puzzle.

    Uber’s Ugandan departure comes at the same time as a much bigger corporate restructuring.

    The company announced plans to cut about 3,300 jobs globally as it reorganises its business and redirects resources toward strategic priorities, including autonomous-vehicle technology. Reuters reported that Uber plans to invest more than $10 billion in autonomous-vehicle technology and partnerships.

    That means Uganda should not be viewed in isolation.

    Uber is making choices about where its capital, management attention and technology investments can generate the strongest returns.

    And the company has already retreated from other African markets, including Tanzania and Côte d’Ivoire, reinforcing the idea that Uber is becoming more selective about where it wants to operate.

    THE ULTIMATE IRONY

    Uber came to Uganda promising to digitise the taxi experience.

    It succeeded.

    But the Ugandan market also Ugandanised Uber.

    Passengers learned how to negotiate.

    Drivers learned how to multi-home across platforms.

    Cash remained important.

    Customers became highly price-sensitive.

    Drivers pushed back against commissions.

    And some transactions migrated outside the very application that created them.

    In the end, Uber may have discovered that building the app was easier than controlling the ecosystem around it.

    The company officially says its withdrawal followed a review of its business priorities.

    But the deeper lesson from Kampala is much bigger.

    A global technology company can bring a world-class platform into an emerging market.

    It can change consumer behaviour.

    It can create an entirely new industry.

    But eventually, the local economy begins changing the platform back.

    Uber arrived as the marketplace.

    After a decade, parts of Kampala had turned it into something else: a matchmaking machine where the most valuable transaction could happen after the app was switched off.


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