Category: News

The Speaker of Parliament Rt. Hon. Anita Among today joined the Ruparelia Foundation and other partners at Kabira Country Club for the official launch of the upcoming RR Eye Camp in Bukedea District in honour of the late Rajiv Ruparelia.

Rajiv, the son of business magnate Dr. Sudhir Ruparelia, died in a car accident along Busabala Road in May last year.

During the launch, Jyotsna Ruparelia, the director of Ruparelia Group of Companies said this eye camp is special to them because it is in memory of their son, Rajiv who deeply believed in philanthropy.

Speaker Among commended the Ruparelia Foundation, headed by Dr. Sudhir for complementing government programs by bringing services closer to the people, thus serving humanity.

The eye camp, scheduled to take place from Friday, 27th to Sunday, 29th March 2026, at Bukedea Teaching Hospital, aims to provide free eye screenings and basic treatment for at least 2,000 people, conduct 300 cataract surgeries, and 50 specialised surgeries for children, among others.

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Musician Acidic Vokoz has revealed that singer Ava Peace was the one who approached him for their new collaboration.

The two artists recently teamed up on the song “Tobigamba,” which is already gaining traction on local airwaves.

Speaking in an interview with a local television station, Acidic Vokoz explained that Ava Peace personally reached out to him after developing interest in his music.

According to him, the singer even admitted to being a fan of his work, which eventually led to the collaboration.

“Before I worked with her, I used to think she was proud and would make it hard for me, but that was quite the contrary,” Acidic Vokoz said.

He added that his perception quickly changed once they started communicating.

“She welcomed me with open arms and asked us both to work together because she liked my music.”

The singer further revealed that their working relationship has since grown stronger, describing Ava Peace as his closest friend in the Ugandan music industry at the moment.

Veteran Ugandan singer Spice Diana has revealed one of the key secrets behind her long and successful stay in the music industry.

The singer, who has maintained a strong presence in the entertainment scene for nearly 15 years, says she constantly learns from other artists — including those who are just starting out.

Speaking in an interview with a local television station, Spice Diana explained that she keeps an open mind and picks ideas from different musicians regardless of their level of experience.

“I learn from anyone, even upcoming musicians. There is always something I pick from them because they are always bringing something new,” she said.

According to the singer, this willingness to observe and learn from others has helped her stay relevant and adapt to new trends in the industry.

Spice Diana also noted that she maintains good relationships with many people in the music industry, something she believes has played a big role in supporting her career over the years.

In Mubende District, a 24-year-old headteacher at New Hope Academy Nursery and Primary was arrested for allegedly sexually assaulting a 13-year-old pupil.

Thembo Joel, who doubles as the school director, lives in Kyamukona Cell, West Division, Mubende Municipality. The alleged abuse came to light after a concerned citizen reported the matter, saying the boy had been in severe pain following repeated assaults. The tip-off was reportedly based on information from another pupil at the school.

Lameck Kigozi, the Wamala Region Police Mouthpiece says medical checks confirmed the abuse, leading to the immediate arrest of the headteacher, who now faces charges of sexual molestation.

The young victim is receiving medical and psychological support, while police continue investigations. The public has been called on to provide any information that may help ensure justice is served.

The Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces has come out to explain the sudden wave of military checkpoints that appeared across Kampala roads, insisting the operation has nothing to do with opposition leader Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu popularly known as Bobi Wine.

Instead, the army says the joint operation with the Uganda Police Force is meant to crack down on traffic indiscipline, illegal sirens, and vehicles moving without proper registration.

In a statement released Tuesday, Col. Chris Magezi said the UPDF Military Police Brigade had teamed up with traffic police officers to restore order on roads within the Kampala Metropolitan Area.

The operation officially kicked off on Monday, 9 March 2026 and will continue for as long as security agencies deem necessary.

According to Magezi, security teams at the checkpoints are inspecting vehicles and impounding those operating illegally, especially cars without number plates and motorists abusing sirens meant for authorized security vehicles.

“The UPDF Military Police Brigade working together with the Uganda Police Force has embarked on an operation to restore sanity on Ugandan roads, ensure full compliance with traffic regulations by all motorists, impound unregistered or numberless vehicles and curb the illegal use of sirens,” Magezi said.

However, the military spokesperson also moved to quickly dismiss speculation spreading online that the sudden roadblocks were part of a security plan to arrest Bobi Wine.

Magezi said the claims were misleading and insisted that the opposition leader was not the target of the security deployment.

“This is therefore to dismiss insinuations from some quarters that the snap checkpoints mounted by the Military Police and Uganda Police traffic corps are an effort to apprehend NUP leader Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu. No one is looking for or interested in the NUP leader,” he said.

Bobi Wine leads the National Unity Platform, Uganda’s main opposition party, and speculation about security deployments often sparks political debate online.

But according to the UPDF, the checkpoints are simply part of routine enforcement measures that have been carried out before to improve road discipline and combat crime carried out by rogue motorists.

Security agencies are now urging all drivers and boda boda riders to cooperate with officers on the ground.

Motorists have been advised to follow instructions issued by Military Police and traffic officers to ensure smooth traffic flow and maintain law and order on the roads.

Kampala – The Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) has dismissed allegations that recently mounted joint military–police checkpoints around Kampala are intended to track opposition leader Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, popularly known as Bobi Wine.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the military said the operation is aimed at restoring discipline on Ugandan roads and enforcing traffic regulations rather than pursuing political targets.

The checkpoints, which began appearing on major highways leading into and out of the capital on March 9, have triggered widespread speculation among members of the public. Some observers suggested the deployment could be linked to the opposition leader and his party, the National Unity Platform (NUP), particularly following the contested January 2026 presidential elections.

However, UPDF Acting Director of Defence Public Information Col. Chris Magezi said the security operation is focused on enforcing road safety measures and curbing traffic-related offences.

“The UPDF Military Police Brigade, working with the Uganda Police Force, have embarked on an operation to restore sanity on Ugandan roads, ensure full compliance with traffic regulations by all motorists, impound unregistered or numberless vehicles, and curb the illegal use of sirens,” Magezi said.

He added that the enforcement measures are not new and have previously been used to address similar violations on Ugandan roads.

Magezi also dismissed suggestions that the checkpoints were mounted to apprehend Kyagulanyi.

“No one is looking for or interested in the NUP leader. The aim of the security forces is to restore discipline, ensure total observance of traffic regulations and curtail criminal activities by some motorists on the roads,” he said.

Despite the official explanation, some motorists have raised questions about the manner in which the operations are being conducted. Eyewitness accounts circulating on social media show security personnel stopping vehicles, searching car trunks and questioning passengers along routes such as Gayaza and Mityana roads.

Some drivers described the searches as going beyond routine traffic checks.

One motorist who shared his experience online said security officers inspected the interior of his vehicle and luggage before allowing him to proceed.

Others have questioned the involvement of the military in traffic enforcement, arguing that the responsibility ordinarily falls under the traffic directorate of the Uganda Police Force.

Uganda has experienced heightened political tensions in recent years, particularly since Kyagulanyi emerged as a major challenger to long-serving President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni. Previous election cycles have been marked by confrontations between security forces and opposition supporters.

Authorities, however, insist that the current operation is strictly a road safety exercise intended to bring order to Kampala’s roads, which are often criticised for indiscipline among motorists.

Security officials have urged drivers and motorcyclists to cooperate with the joint teams of Military Police and traffic officers as the operation continues.

“The enforcement measures will remain in force for as long as necessary,” Magezi said, calling on the public to comply with directives issued at the checkpoints for the common good.

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Six people have been killed and dozens injured in a horrific overnight road crash after a passenger bus rammed into a truck along the busy Gulu–Kampala highway.

The deadly accident happened at around 2 a.m. Tuesday at California Village in Kiryandongo District when a bus belonging to Mega Bus Uganda collided head-on with a Sino truck.

The bus had left Gulu City shortly after midnight heading to Kampala with 53 passengers on board.

Sources at the scene say six people died instantly in the crash including the bus conductor and a toddler who had been travelling with other passengers.

Many other travellers suffered serious injuries as the impact of the collision left the bus badly damaged.

Survivors were rushed to Kiryandongo General Hospital where medical teams are battling to stabilise several victims.

Shockingly, reports indicate that the bus driver identified as Kilama disappeared from the scene shortly after the accident and remains on the run.

By the time of filing this report, the Uganda Police Force had not yet issued an official explanation about what exactly caused the crash.

The tragedy comes at a time when authorities are intensifying traffic enforcement operations across the country following a worrying increase in road accidents.

According to Traffic Police spokesperson Michael Kananura, last week alone police arrested 745 motorists during nationwide traffic operations.

Driving defective motorcycles topped the list with 330 cases, followed by riding without helmets with 99 cases.

Other offences included driving with invalid licences with 77 cases, operating vehicles without licences with 72 cases, violating traffic directions with 67 cases, illegal vehicle modification with 53 cases and dangerous loading with 47 cases.

Police have warned that the operations will continue as authorities move to restore discipline and sanity on Uganda’s roads.

Motorists have been urged to obey traffic regulations to avoid accidents and penalties during the ongoing crackdown.

Kampala – The Ministry of ICT and National Guidance has defended the government’s decision to temporarily shut down internet services during the January 2026 general elections, saying the move was necessary to curb misinformation and safeguard public safety.

Speaking during a recent ministry briefing, Permanent Secretary Aminah Zawedde said the shutdown was a precautionary measure aimed at protecting national stability and preserving the integrity of the electoral process.

According to Zawedde, authorities observed a spike in coordinated online campaigns spreading false information in the days leading up to the polls, raising concerns that such content could incite violence and undermine public trust in the elections.

“In the lead-up to the elections, we observed a surge in coordinated efforts to disseminate false information that could incite violence and undermine public confidence,” Zawedde said. “Our priority was to ensure a peaceful environment where Ugandans could vote without manipulated narratives fueling unrest.”

The internet blackout ran from January 13 to January 18, covering the peak of election activities including polling day on January 15.

However, the decision drew criticism from civil society groups and international rights organizations such as Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, which argued that the shutdown undermined freedom of expression and restricted democratic participation.

Government officials, on the other hand, maintain that the temporary disruption was a targeted intervention aimed at preventing the rapid spread of harmful content during a sensitive political period.

Zawedde, a computer scientist who has played a key role in Uganda’s digital transformation agenda, said the ministry sought to strike a balance between security concerns and access to information. She noted that essential communication channels, including emergency services, remained operational through alternative systems during the shutdown.

“This was not about silencing voices but about protecting the public from harmful misinformation during a highly sensitive period,” she said.

The internet shutdown has since attracted attention in Parliament, with legislators including Asuman Basalirwa and Gorreth Namugga demanding clarity on who authorized the directive.

In response, Zawedde said the ministry is prepared to provide explanations to Parliament as part of ongoing oversight and accountability processes.

“We are ready to engage Parliament and provide the necessary information regarding the decisions that were taken,” she said.

Critics argue that the shutdown disrupted businesses, communication services and civic engagement, with some analysts estimating that the country lost millions of dollars in economic activity during the five-day blackout.

Despite the concerns, government officials insist the decision contributed to maintaining calm during the electoral period.

The debate comes as Uganda continues to review its digital governance framework, including proposed amendments to the Computer Misuse Act, aimed at strengthening cybersecurity and regulating online conduct.

As discussions continue, the government maintains that measures taken during the election period were intended to protect national stability while safeguarding the credibility of the electoral process.

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Uganda and Tanzania have jointly unveiled MV New Mwanza, East Africa’s largest locally built freshwater Roll-on/Roll-off passenger vessel (Ro-Pax), in a development expected to significantly boost transport and trade across Lake Victoria.

The modern vessel was unveiled at the port city of Mwanza in Tanzania, marking another milestone in the East African Community’s efforts to strengthen regional connectivity and economic integration through improved water transport infrastructure.

The MV New Mwanza, measuring about 92.6 metres in length and weighing approximately 3,500 tonnes, has the capacity to carry up to 1,200 passengers and 400 tonnes of cargo. The vessel can also transport 20 small vehicles and three large trucks, making it one of the most versatile transport assets currently operating on Lake Victoria.

Constructed locally in Tanzania at an estimated cost of Sh120 billion (about USD 50 million), the vessel is capable of reaching speeds of up to 16 knots. This improved speed is expected to reduce travel time between major lake ports. For example, the journey from Mwanza to Bukoba, which previously took between eight and ten hours, is projected to drop to roughly six to seven hours.

The ship will be jointly operated by the Tanzania Shipping Agencies Corporation (TASHICO) and Marine Services Company Limited (MSCL). It will serve key routes connecting Tanzanian ports such as Mwanza, Bukoba and Musoma with Uganda’s Port Bell and Jinja, as well as Kenya’s Kisumu port.

Leaders from both countries have been credited for supporting the project, which underscores growing cooperation within the East African Community aimed at improving regional trade corridors and strengthening economic diplomacy among partner states.

Lake Victoria — Africa’s largest freshwater lake shared by Uganda, Tanzania and Kenya — already plays a critical role in fisheries, passenger transport and regional commerce. The introduction of the MV New Mwanza is expected to further expand these activities by providing safer, faster and more reliable maritime transport.

The development also builds on other recent investments in lake transport infrastructure. Uganda in 2024 commissioned MV Mpungu, a 96-metre cargo vessel designed to transport up to 21 trucks per voyage between Port Bell, Mwanza and Kisumu, helping reduce the cost of transporting goods across the region.

Together, these maritime investments are seen as part of a broader strategy to unlock the economic potential of Lake Victoria while easing pressure on congested road networks that currently handle the bulk of regional cargo.

However, analysts and industry observers note that Uganda may need to accelerate upgrades to some of its lake ports to fully benefit from the new vessel. Facilities such as Port Bell and Jinja may require further modernization to efficiently accommodate larger vessels and increased cargo volumes.

The concerns highlight the importance of synchronizing regional infrastructure development to ensure seamless maritime operations across the shared lake.

Nonetheless, the arrival of the MV New Mwanza presents a major opportunity for Uganda and its neighbors to deepen regional trade, cut logistics costs and expand opportunities in sectors such as tourism, transport and cross-border commerce.

As regional integration efforts gather pace, Lake Victoria continues to emerge as a strategic trade corridor capable of unlocking new economic possibilities for millions of East Africans.

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Security agencies have announced a Shs10 million reward for information leading to the arrest of a prison warder accused of killing four people in a shocking shooting spree in Kiboga District.

The bounty was authorised by Johnson Byabasaija, the head of the Uganda Prisons Service, as the search for the fugitive suspect intensifies.

The manhunt targets Moses Anguyo, a prison warder who disappeared after the deadly shooting on February 23.

According to prison spokesperson Frank Baine Mayanja, the reward is meant to encourage the public to share information that could help security forces track down the suspect.

Authorities say the violence erupted at Kiboga Prisons after Anguyo was reportedly cautioned by his supervisors for using WhatsApp during working hours.

In a shocking turn of events, he allegedly opened fire on his superiors.

During the attack, Assistant Superintendent of Prisons Hope Catherine, who was the deputy officer in charge, was shot dead together with Principal Officer One Bright Akishuri, the third in command at the prison facility.

Police say the suspect later moved to the residence of the officer in charge of the prison intending to attack him.

However, the officer was not home.

Instead, Anguyo allegedly shot and killed the officer’s wife, Sarah Ayebare.

Tragedy struck again when a stray bullet hit Ayebare’s one-year-old son, Salson Nuwagaba.

The child was rushed to Kiboga Hospital but later died while receiving treatment.

After the shooting, the suspect reportedly abandoned the gun before escaping.

Investigators say he entered a nearby shop where he removed his prison uniform, changed into civilian clothes and vanished.

Since then, security teams from the Uganda Police Force, Uganda Prisons Service and the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces have been combing Kiboga and neighbouring areas in search of the fugitive warder.

Authorities have now appealed to members of the public to help track him down.

Anyone with information that could lead to his arrest has been asked to report to the nearest police station or call toll-free numbers 999 or 0800144144.