Speke Resort Munyonyo brought together leading health researchers, professionals, educators and development partners from across Africa for the 9th annual AFREhealth Conference held from 24 to 26 August 2026.
The three-day conference provided a platform for participants to exchange ideas and explore ways of strengthening health education, research and service delivery across the continent.
Discussions focused on the need for locally developed early-warning systems, greater community involvement and stronger collaboration between researchers, governments and health professionals to address Africa’s health challenges.
Uganda’s Prime Minister, Robinah Nabbanja, who was the guest of honour, challenged delegates to ensure that their work translates into practical improvements in people’s lives.
Nabbanja urged participants to consider how research and innovation can help reduce the preventable 75 per cent disease burden in African countries while ensuring that health workers are properly trained, available and supported to serve communities effectively.
She also called for greater attention to maternal and child health, urging researchers and health professionals to explore ways of helping more mothers access quality maternal care and protecting children from preventable diseases.
The successful conference further showcased Speke Resort Munyonyo’s capacity to host major regional and international gatherings, reinforcing its position as one of Uganda’s leading destinations for conferences and other high-profile events.
The resort provided delegates with modern conference facilities, luxury accommodation and hospitality services throughout the event.
Speke Resort Munyonyo continues to attract regional and international events, supported by what it describes as East and Central Africa’s largest conference facilities.
The resort also offers a range of leisure amenities, including the Calabash Spa and Salon, Speke Gym and an Olympic-size swimming pool, providing guests with a combination of business and leisure experiences.
Police have arrested Asiimwe Christian, also known as Don Chris, a former director of the now-defunct labour recruitment company Sky Pins, over allegations of obtaining money by false pretences and fraudulent labour recruitment.
Police said Asiimwe was arrested at about 2:00am on Thursday, August 27, 2026, at a bar in Zana, Makindye-Ssabagabo Municipality, Wakiso District.
According to police, the suspect is accused of obtaining money from several individuals between 2022 and 2025 by allegedly falsely representing that he could secure them employment opportunities abroad.
The countries reportedly targeted included Canada, the United Kingdom, Qatar and Dubai, among others, with promised jobs ranging from waiters and cleaners to caregivers.
Police said more than 500 alleged victims have so far recorded statements in connection with the case.
According to the complainants, they allegedly paid between Shs5 million and Shs10 million each, depending on the type of job and the country where they intended to work.
Asiimwe is currently in police custody as investigations continue. Police said he will be presented before court in accordance with the law once the investigations are complete.
Police have urged members of the public to exercise caution when dealing with labour recruitment companies and agents, advising them to verify their legitimacy and licensing status before making payments or entering into recruitment arrangements.
Members of the public with information relevant to the investigation have also been encouraged to report to the nearest police station.
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Johnnie Walker has officially launched its new continental campaign- Keep Walking in East Africa, introducing a new chapter in the brand’s commitment to celebrating people who continue to move forward, one step at a time.
Launched at 1420 in Kampala, the campaign is built around a simple but powerful belief: progress is not just about where you are going, but everything it takes to get there.
At the launch, Johnnie Walker unveiled acclaimed Ugandan music star- Joshua Baraka, as the new National Walker and face of the Keep Walking campaign in Uganda.
Baraka’s story embodies the spirit of the campaign, a journey defined not by a single breakthrough, but by the consistency, creativity, courage and self-belief required to keep moving forward.
Baraka is a true representation of how progress is increasingly being defined for many young East Africans; not simply by the big milestones, but by the tangible evidence that their everyday efforts are paying off through personal growth, new opportunities, greater impact and the freedom to build their futures on their own terms.
His appointment will see him take the Keep Walking message beyond Kampala, through a Johnnie Walker-sponsored roadshow, that will go across the country, taking the campaign directly to Ugandans in their communities, and spotlighting the journeys and ambitions that are shaping the country’s next chapter.
The roadshow will culminate into a mega show by Baraka, in Kampala, marking another significant moment in his own journey and bringing together the people who have walked with him along the way.
At the heart of Keep Walking is the belief that every step counts. It is about the small steps, the bold decisions, the setbacks, the persistence and the leaps of faith that happen long before the world celebrates the destination.
The campaign will shine a light on individuals across different fields and disciplines who are creating their own paths, challenging convention, building opportunities and continuously moving closer to the people they aspire to become.
This spirit is captured in the campaign’s One Step Closer narrative: the idea that every decision to keep going, every challenge overcome and every small win, is a step towards a bigger ambition.
“Keep Walking is about recognising that the destination is only one part of the story. The real story is everything that happens along the way, the decisions, the risks, the resilience and the courage to keep going even when the path is not always clear,” said Christine Kyokunda, Brand Manager, Johnnie Walker Uganda.
“Joshua Baraka represents that spirit beautifully. His journey reminds us that you do not have to have arrived to know that you are making progress. Every step forward takes you one step closer. Through Keep Walking, we want to celebrate more Ugandans who are on their own journeys of progress and inspire them to keep moving.” She added.
For Baraka, being named National Walker represents another step in a journey that continues to evolve.
“I have always believed that the journey is just as important as the destination. There are so many moments that people do not see, the work, the uncertainty, the decisions, and the small wins that eventually become something bigger. That is what Keep Walking means to me. It is about trusting the journey and continuing to take that next step,” said Baraka.
Beyond music, Keep Walking will celebrate a diverse generation of African creators, entrepreneurs, innovators and cultural voices, whose journeys demonstrate optimism, creativity, community and an entrepreneurial spirit. The campaign recognises that progress can take many forms, from creating opportunities and solving problems to building communities, expressing creativity and pursuing a personal ambition.
The launch of Keep Walking in Uganda therefore marks more than the introduction of a new campaign. It is an invitation to recognise the journey itself.
Because before the breakthrough, there is the work. Before the applause, there is the persistence. And before the destination, there is always one more step.
The Office of the President has recalled Bukwo Resident District Commissioner (RDC) George Owanyi to its headquarters in Kampala pending investigations into ongoing issues in the district.
In a letter dated August 27, 2026, Secretary to the Office of the President Haji Kakande Yunus directed Owanyi to report to headquarters on Friday, August 28, for further consultations and guidance.
The letter said the recall was prompted by “ongoing issues and developments” in Bukwo District that require urgent attention and effective administrative handling.
“It has been noted with concern that the situation in the District has spilled out of your control and in view of the prevailing circumstances therefore, you are hereby recalled to Headquarters with immediate effect,” the letter reads.
The Office of the President further directed Owanyi to hand over the day-to-day responsibilities of the station to his deputy, who will take charge until further communication.
Minister for the Presidency, Hon. Babirye Milly Babalanda, confirmed the recall, saying Owanyi had been summoned to headquarters to appear before the Rewards and Sanctions Committee pending investigations.
“The Office of the President has recalled the Resident District Commissioner for Bukwo District, Mr Owanyi George, to head office in the Rewards and Sanctions Committee, pending investigations,” Babalanda said.
She added that the Deputy RDC would oversee the district’s affairs in the meantime.
“For the meantime, the Deputy RDC will take charge of the station,” she said.
Babalanda also stressed the importance of discipline and teamwork among officials serving under the Office of the President.
“I highly emphasize discipline and teamwork amongst all staff serving under the Office of the President,” she said.
The recall comes as the Office of the President moves to address the issues reported in Bukwo District, with the investigations expected to establish the circumstances surrounding the developments and determine any further administrative action.
The Deputy RDC will remain in charge of the district pending further communication from the Office of the President.
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For Joshua Baraka, the journey has never been just about the big moments.
The Kampala-born singer-songwriter has spent the last few years steadily carving out his place in Uganda’s music scene, moving from intimate performances and early releases to becoming one of the country’s most recognisable young musical voices.
But behind the songs, stages and growing audience is a less glamorous part of the story — the work.
The uncertainty. The experimenting. The small wins that rarely make headlines.
That is part of what makes Baraka an interesting fit for Johnnie Walker’s new Keep Walking campaign, which was launched in Kampala on Thursday, with the musician unveiled as the campaign’s National Walker in Uganda.
Rather than presenting success as a finished product, the campaign focuses on the journey towards it — an idea Baraka says he relates to personally.
“I have always believed that the journey is just as important as the destination,” he said at the launch.
For an artist, that journey can be difficult to measure.
There are the songs that connect immediately, and those that take time. There are performances that open new doors, and others that simply provide another night on stage. There are risks that work and others that become lessons.
Baraka’s own rise has been built through many of those steps.
His appointment as National Walker therefore feels less like a sudden arrival and more like another marker along the road.
The Keep Walking campaign’s “One Step Closer” idea centres on exactly that — recognising the small victories, setbacks and decisions that gradually bring people closer to where they want to be.
And Baraka isn’t being positioned only as a musician.
Through the campaign, his story will travel beyond Kampala as part of a nationwide roadshow, with a larger Kampala show planned at the end of the journey.
It is an opportunity for fans to see another side of the artist while also connecting his journey to those of other Ugandans still figuring things out for themselves.
For Baraka, that uncertainty is part of the process.
“There are so many moments that people do not see, the work, the uncertainty, the decisions, and the small wins that eventually become something bigger,” he said.
It is perhaps the most relatable part of his story.
Because long before the sold-out moments, the recognition and the applause, there is usually a person simply trying to get better at what they do.
For Baraka, the next step is already underway.
And if his journey so far is anything to go by, he isn’t in a hurry to pretend he has reached the destination.
KCB Bank Uganda joined government, private-sector and industry leaders at the official launch of the Urbanisation Forum & Homes Expo 2026, setting the stage for a national conversation on housing, infrastructure, investment and sustainable urban development.
The launch, held at EHS Terrace in Upper Kololo, brought together key players from the finance, construction, property, planning and urban development sectors ahead of the main Urbanisation Forum & Homes Expo 2026, scheduled for 5th and 6th September 2026 at Sheraton Kampala Hotel.
The event gathered key public- and private-sector leaders, including representatives from KCB Bank Uganda, Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA), the National Planning Authority, National Housing and Construction Company (NHCC), and construction and property companies.
Delivering the keynote address at the event, the Guest of Honour, Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development, Hon. Persis Princess Namuganza, officially launched the expo and urged stakeholders to rethink construction practices. “Sustainable urban development starts with how we choose to build our environment today. Innovation, green housing, and eco-friendly construction materials must become the pillars of future housing in Uganda. We must encourage and adopt sustainable building methods to safeguard our urban landscapes for generations to come,” Namuganza stated.
Representing KCB Bank Uganda, Miranda Bageine Musoke, Head of Retail, spoke on “Financing Housing, Infrastructure and Sustainable Urban Growth,” highlighting the critical role of accessible and innovative financing in enabling individuals, businesses and developers to participate in Uganda’s growing urban economy.
Uganda’s rapid urbanisation is creating both opportunities and pressing demands for investment. World Bank data indicates that Uganda’s urban population has been growing rapidly. At the same time, previous assessments have highlighted a housing shortfall of more than two million units, with the deficit projected to continue growing as urban populations expand.
Against this backdrop, KCB Bank Uganda emphasised that stronger collaboration among financial institutions, developers, the government, and other private-sector players is essential to unlocking sustainable solutions across the housing and urban development value chain.
“Urbanisation is about creating places where people can live, work, invest and build better lives. Finance is a critical enabler of that vision. At KCB Bank Uganda, we recognise the opportunity to support individuals, businesses and developers with solutions that can help turn viable housing and infrastructure projects into reality. Forums such as this are important because they bring the different players to the same table to have practical conversations about how we finance and build the Uganda we want to see,” Bageine said.
The Bank’s participation reflected its broader commitment to supporting Uganda’s economic development by enabling businesses and individuals to access financial solutions that support investment, enterprise growth and wealth creation.
The Urbanisation Forum & Homes Expo 2026 will provide a platform for stakeholders across the property, construction, housing, investment and SME ecosystems to exchange ideas, showcase solutions and explore opportunities emerging from Uganda’s urban transformation.
The event culminated in the official unveiling of the Urbanisation Forum and Homes Expo 2026, followed by partner recognition and an executive networking reception that brought together industry stakeholders and the media. The main Urbanisation Forum & Homes Expo will take place on 5th and 6th September 2026 at Sheraton Kampala Hotel, providing an opportunity for stakeholders to move beyond conversations and explore practical partnerships, investment opportunities and solutions for Uganda’s rapidly changing urban landscape – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B9nSmDh33mU&t=1s
Vivo Energy Uganda, the company that distributes and markets Shell-branded fuels and lubricants, has launched a synthetic-blend motorcycle engine oil, Shell Advance AX7 10W-40, through the latest “Linya Levo” campaign.
The nationwide initiative introduces a high-performance motorcycle lubricant engineered to help riders travel further on every litre of fuel while delivering superior engine protection under Uganda’s demanding road conditions.
Shell Advance AX7 10W-40 provides extended service intervals by delivering up to 7,000 kilometres between oil changes, effectively extending the routine servicing interval to three to four weeks. These performance gains offer critical economic benefits for Uganda’s riding community, particularly the thousands of boda-boda commercial riders who depend on their motorcycles for daily income. Shell Advance AX7 10W-40 improves fuel economy by up to three kilometres per litre compared to ordinary mineral engine oils, which helps riders reduce their daily fuel costs. Because of its advanced formulation, it offers 36% greater protection against engine wear by reducing friction between critical components, keeps engine pistons 33% cleaner, and provides 29% better thermal protection at high operating temperatures. This maintains peak engine performance and extends the life of the motorcycle. “At Vivo Energy, we recognise that for many Ugandans, a motorcycle is far more than a machine; it is a business, a livelihood, and a family’s primary source of income,” said Joanita Mukasa Menya, Managing Director of Vivo Energy Uganda.
“The “Linya Levo” campaign represents strength, resilience, and the confidence to keep moving forward despite tough economic conditions. We engineered Shell Advance AX7 to work as hard as the people who rely on it, helping riders lower running costs, prevent costly breakdowns, and maximise their daily earnings,” she added.
The Shell Advance AX7 ‘Linya Levo’ campaign aims to promote a culture of proactive motorcycle maintenance across the country. Over the coming months, Vivo Energy Uganda will engage riders, motorcycle mechanics, garage owners, and motoring enthusiasts to highlight the role premium synthetic-technology lubricants play in reducing operational costs.
“We want to reward our riders immediately while helping them protect their investments for the long term,” explained Francis Kayoki, Lubricants Sales Manager at Vivo Energy Uganda.
“To participate, riders must simply purchase a one-litre pack of Shell Advance AX7 10W-40 from any Shell station or authorised spare-parts dealer, peel back the seal, dial *295*3#, and enter the unique product code. Participants instantly stand a chance to win airtime, high-visibility jackets, keyrings, and merchandise relevant to their operations.”
Representatives from the commercial motorcycle sector have welcomed the initiative, noting that fuel expenses and mechanical downtime remain the single largest threats to a rider’s daily take-home pay. By shifting local maintenance culture towards high-performance lubricants, riders can keep their vehicles on the road longer and operate more profitably.
The Shell Advance AX7 ‘Linya Levo’ campaign reinforces Vivo Energy Uganda’s commitment to delivering innovative, value-driven energy solutions tailored to the evolving needs of Uganda’s transport sector – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B9nSmDh33mU&t=1s
American actress and singer Keke Palmer is opening up about her relationship with sex and intimacy after previously joking that she might be asexual.
Speaking on Raven-Symoné and Miranda Pearman-Maday’s Tea Time podcast, Palmer clarified that she does not identify as asexual. Instead, she said she simply does not feel as sexual as society often suggests people should.
Palmer explained that attraction, for her, often starts with a mental connection and meaningful conversation. She also said that once that connection disappears, her sexual interest can fade with it.
She added that her earlier comment about being “almost 100% sure” she was asexual was a joke and said she was trying to express that she does not relate to what she sees as society’s expectations around sexuality.
The man whose voice helped define “Transformers” for more than four decades is gone.
Peter Cullen, the legendary voice actor behind Optimus Prime, has died at the age of 85.
Cullen died peacefully at his Los Angeles home on August 26, surrounded by family. His family has not disclosed the cause of death.
He first voiced Optimus Prime in the original “Transformers” series and continued to play the character for decades, including in the live-action films.
His deep, commanding voice became inseparable from the Autobots’ leader and remained one of the few constants as “Transformers” moved from animation to a global blockbuster franchise.
Cullen also voiced Eeyore in several “Winnie the Pooh” productions, adding another beloved character to his long career.
For “Transformers” fans around the world, however, his name will forever bring back one voice and one character: Optimus Prime.
Two weeks into an ambitious 4-month nationwide activation, KCB Bank Uganda‘s “Kyaddala ne KCB, Season 2” campaign is building unmistakable momentum, with its savings-and-financial-inclusion caravan already crisscrossing Eastern and Northern Uganda before turning toward the West and, ultimately, the streets of Greater Kampala.
Running from 1st July to 31st October 2026, the initiative shifts the conversation from simply holding money to active financial inclusion and consistent saving, which are within reach of every Ugandan, whether they are a market vendor in Kiseka, a boda rider in Kansanga, or a smallholder trader in Arua.
At its core, the campaign breathes life into KCB Bank Uganda’s brand promise: “For People. For Better.” Rather than expecting everyday Ugandans to walk into formal branches, KCB Bank Uganda’s teams are setting up interactive, community-based sessions right where people live and work. Market vendors, boda riders, and neighborhood shopkeepers gather for practical financial literacy guidance, hands-on digital support, and on-the-spot account setup.
Kyaddala ne KCB Season 2 ensures every Ugandan has an account that actually serves them. Whether it’s a young person opening their first account, a parent protecting their child’s future, or a customer reactivating a dormant account, this campaign is about putting practical financial tools directly in people’s hands.
The initiative delivers tangible benefits tailored to the real-life needs of different community members. Students and young entrepreneurs opening a KCB Bolt Account receive a full waiver on maintenance fees throughout the campaign period, removing a common financial barrier for first-time account holders. Parents opening a Cub Account for their children secure built-in life insurance coverage at no extra cost, turning routine saving into long-term family security.
Existing customers with inactive or dormant accounts are given a clear, rewarding path to bring them back to life. By reactivating their account and transacting, they gain access to free transactions alongside medical insurance coverage. Furthermore, new-to-bank customers transacting for the first time via the KCB Mobi App or by dialing *244# enter weekly draws to receive free airtime and data bundles, making digital banking rewarding from day one.
Speaking on the philosophy behind the initiative, KCB Bank Uganda’s Head of Marketing and Communications, Noela Byuma, framed the campaign as part of a broader cultural shift the bank is working to embed. “Kyaddala ne KCB is about delivering the practical value of true financial inclusion and literacy directly to where Ugandans live and work. By equipping communities with real financial tools, hands-on digital support, and rewarding everyday banking with benefits like fee waivers, insurance coverage, free airtime, and data, we are transforming saving into a rewarding lifestyle,” Byuma said
The energy behind this year’s campaign is rooted in the success of its predecessor. The inaugural “Kyaddala ne KCB” campaign ran for four months, from 4th July to late November 2025, and set a high bar for what a sustained, nationwide savings drive could achieve – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B9nSmDh33mU&t=1s
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