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When a central government circular leaves a ministry office in Kampala, its true test begins far away—in district headquarters, municipal council halls, parish meetings, and community service centers. It is at these grassroots points that the strength of Uganda’s decentralized governance system is ultimately measured.

In an exclusive interview on Saturday, August 22, 2026, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Local Government, Mr. Ben Kumumanya, called on Chief Administrative Officers (CAOs), Town Clerks, Executive Councillors, and local leaders to strictly abide by the Local Governments Act, government circulars, and administrative directives. Compliance, he noted, directly strengthens the leverage of the Minister of Local Government, Hon. Baram Barugahara Ateenyi, in demanding accountability, improving service delivery, and rooting out graft.

“The adherence of local leaders to the provisions of the Local Governments Act, circulars, and guidelines has helped strengthen the voice of the Minister in ensuring accountability, particularly in the fight against corruption,” Kumumanya explained. He stressed that the law must not gather dust on office shelves, but serve as an active guide for managing public authority and resources.

Circulars: Translating Policy into Direct Local Action

Kumumanya’s call coincides with firm Ministry directives aimed at closing accountability gaps in local governments. Following widespread reports of malpractice among Parish Chiefs and Town Agents implementing the Parish Development Model (PDM), the Ministry issued a stern directive in July 2026 requiring immediate administrative consequences.

“In line with the above, this is to instruct you to urgently institute disciplinary measures against the Parish Chiefs, Town Agents, and public servants involved in the malpractice and remove them from service as stipulated under the relevant rules,” the July directive stated.

By requiring local accounting officers to provide mandatory progress reports on corruption investigations, the Ministry transformed these circulars into binding instruments for enforcement rather than passive administrative mail.

Validating this framework, the Town Clerk of Kira Municipality noted that ministry directives offer crucial legal clarity. “The Act provides the broader legal framework, while circulars provide specific guidance on implementation,” he stated. “When local governments adhere to both, we maintain consistency, clarity of roles, and administrative integrity across all technical divisions.”

Putting Accountability to the Test through PDM and Emyooga

Government flagship initiatives like the Parish Development Model and Emyooga serve as critical proving grounds for administrative compliance. Designed to transition subsistence households into the commercial economy, these initiatives depend entirely on transparent execution at the parish level.

“We must be able to follow the money,” Kumumanya declared. “We must know who received funds, the intended project, and whether results were achieved. Any diversion, extortion, or abuse must be reported and acted upon immediately.”

He emphasized that local leaders are closest to the ground, making their vigilance the first line of defense. When roles and administrative procedures are clearly followed, tracking down missing resources and holding errant officers personally accountable becomes straightforward.

From Statutory Provisions to Grassroots Service Delivery

Ultimately, administrative adherence is measured by public impact. Whether through health access at Sofia Health Centre III in Busia or ongoing infrastructure developments in Entebbe Municipality, statutory compliance directly governs the quality of public amenities.

“A citizen does not measure government by the number of circulars we issue,” Kumumanya observed. “They measure government by the health center they can access, the school their children attend, the road they use, and whether government programs have improved their daily lives.”

Decentralization relies on a clear operational loop: the law provides the mandatory framework, circulars supply actionable guidance, local leaders execute, and citizens exercise oversight. When every actor fulfills their statutory duty, national accountability automatically strengthens.

The directive from the Ministry of Local Government remains unequivocal: statutory provisions and administrative circulars are non-negotiable tools for institutional integrity. For Minister Barugahara, local compliance ensures the Ministry retains the regulatory teeth needed to demand answers, audit performance, and decisively confront corruption.

As Uganda’s decentralization drive continues, success will not be measured by the volume of policy documents printed, but by what happens after a directive is signed—whether public funds remain protected, errant officers face justice, and services dependably reach the ordinary citizen.

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KAMPALA — Retired Brigadier Charles Bakahumura on Sunday joined family, parishioners, and well-wishers at St. Charles Lwanga Catholic Church in Ntinda for a thanksgiving Mass celebrating more than three decades of distinguished service in the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF).

The Mass was celebrated by Fr. Edward Muwanga. Brig. Bakahumura—who formally retired last Thursday after 35 years in active service following an official send-off of 19 general officers at State House—used the occasion to reflect on a long career marked by both trial and grace.

“I served in the UPDF for the last 35 years. Many of my colleagues did not make it,” he told the congregation who gave him a thunderous applause.

“I met many challenges and many blessings. My wife and I met while I was serving in the army, and it was during this time that we raised our children.” He noted.

Reflecting on his tenure in senior roles, including his time as Chief of Military Intelligence (CMI), Bakahumura noted that while military leadership demands precision, a defining highlight of his career came during Pope Francis’s historic visit to Uganda in 2015, where he helped lead key security arrangements.

“We were facing some security threats at the time, including the tragic assassination of prosecutor Joan Kagezi. It was not an easy time,” Bakahumura recounted. “However, I knew that ultimate protection did not rely on me alone.”
After the visit, the Apostolic Nuncio informed Bakahumura that Pope Francis had granted him a private audience.

“That was the highest honor for me as a Catholic,” he shared. “The Pope prayed for my wife, who was pregnant at the time. Our son, Emmanuel, is here today as a living testimony of those prayers.”

In recognition of Bakahumura’s dedication to his faith throughout his rise in the armed forces, Fr. Muwanga commended the retired brigadier, noting that he serves as living proof that one can occupy the highest public offices without forgetting their Catholic identity and values.

Bakahumura praised the military as a whole, describing the UPDF as a vital institution whose extensive national contributions often go unrecognized by the public.

The thanksgiving event was integrated into the parish’s 10:00 AM service. Bakahumura was among 19 general officers whose retirements were officially presided over by President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, Commander-in-Chief of the UPDF, at State House Entebbe. The broader retirement exercise saw a total of 1,817 personnel discharged across various ranks.

Throughout his 35-year military career, Brig. Bakahumura held several high-profile appointments. He served as Chief of Military Intelligence from 2012 to 2017 before being appointed Chief of Logistics and Engineering—a post he held for seven years, making him the longest-serving chief in that division. His final active military posting was as Uganda’s Defence Attaché to Türkiye.

Sunday’s parish gathering provided a deeply personal and spiritual dose to a military career that spanned defense intelligence, logistics, engineering, and international diplomacy.

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When the last runner crossed the finish line at the fifth Tusker Lite Mt Rwenzori Marathon, Kasese was only getting started.

After a day of endurance, determination and personal triumph, the town traded running shoes for dancing shoes as the Tusker Lite Neon Rave transformed Kasese into one giant celebration. With more than 8,000 runners turning up for the marathon and an even bigger crowd coming out to celebrate, Kasese was painted neon and turned all the way up.

The message was simple: the race may have ended, but the party had just begun.

The Tusker Lite Neon Rave lived up to its billing, bringing together an electric mix of music, color, entertainment and ice-cold drinks. Local stars from Kasese got the crowd going, setting the tone for a night that felt as much like a celebration of the town as it was the grand finale to one of Uganda’s biggest running events.

Then came the headliners.

Cindy Sanyu took the stage and sent the energy levels soaring, delivering the powerful vocals and commanding performance that have made her one of Uganda’s most loved entertainers. Hit after hit, the crowd sang along, jumped in the air and showed off their best dance moves.

Pallaso kept the momentum going, turning the rave into a full-blown party with a catalogue of crowd favorites that had thousands on their feet.

From the first beat to the final song, the atmosphere was impossible to ignore. Kasese had officially turned up the Lite.

And, of course, no Tusker Lite celebration would be complete without the drinks.

From a cold Tusker Lite in hand to the wider Uganda Breweries portfolio, guests had plenty to choose from throughout the night. Whether it was the refreshing taste of Tusker Lite or something more premium like Don Julio, the experience was designed to give revellers the perfect way to unwind after an unforgettable day.

For Sandra Againe, Tusker Lite Brand Manager, the Neon Rave has become an integral part of what makes the marathon experience unique.

“The Tusker Lite Mt Rwenzori Marathon has always been about more than the race itself. The Neon Rave has become a signature part of the experience, giving runners, fans and the people of Kasese an opportunity to come together, celebrate and truly own their Lite. This fifth edition was particularly special to see, with thousands of people showing up, bringing incredible energy and making Kasese come alive. From the local talent to our headline acts, the music, the lights and, of course, a cold Tusker Lite in hand, it was a fitting celebration of an incredible day and a milestone fifth edition.”

But beyond the music, drinks and neon lights, the rave captured something bigger about the Tusker Lite Mt Rwenzori Marathon.

For five years, the event has grown beyond a marathon. It has become an experience that brings together sport, entertainment, travel, culture and lifestyle, drawing thousands of people to Kasese and putting the beauty and vibrancy of the region firmly in the spotlight.

The marathon celebrates what people can achieve when they push themselves. The Neon Rave celebrates what happens when, after all that effort, you finally let go and enjoy the moment.

That is the spirit of Own Your Lite.

After months of training, kilometers on the road and the challenge of taking on the Rwenzori Marathon, runners, residents, visitors and music lovers all got their moment to simply have fun.

Some came to see their favorite artists. Others came to dance. Some came to celebrate finishing the race. And many simply came to be part of the experience.

Whatever brought them there, one thing was clear: Kasese was ready to celebrate.

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Formula 1 car racing through a coastal corner at Zandvoort

Formula 1 returns from the summer break at Zandvoort on August 21-23, and the Dutch Grand Prix looks unusually open. Kimi Antonelli leads the championship with 219 points, Lando Norris won the previous race in Hungary, and Max Verstappen has never finished lower than second at Zandvoort since the event returned in 2021. Those three arrive with very different arguments for victory. The race is also likely to attract plenty of attention across sports-betting media, including platforms working with an Afropari partner as part of their wider coverage of major sporting events. Once the cars reach the track, practice and qualifying should provide a much clearer idea of which driver has the strongest chance on Sunday.

Antonelli has built the strongest case over the season

Antonelli has six Grand Prix wins in 2026 and a 50-point lead over Lewis Hamilton. Mercedes has given him a car that has worked in different conditions, and he has regularly converted that pace into points.

Hungary was a useful example. McLaren was faster there, but Antonelli still finished third instead of turning a difficult weekend into a costly one. That consistency is a reason he leads the championship. At Zandvoort, a qualifying mistake can leave a fast car trapped behind traffic for much of Sunday.

Zandvoort presents a different test. The lap is short, overtaking is limited, and starting near the front can decide how much freedom a driver has with strategy. Antonelli therefore needs more than his championship lead; he needs Mercedes to be competitive from qualifying onward.

Norris arrives with a result that changed the conversation

Norris won in Hungary after taking pole, giving McLaren its first Grand Prix victory of the season. It came immediately before the summer break and followed a substantial car upgrade.

McLaren also has recent success at Zandvoort. Norris won the Dutch Grand Prix in 2024, while Oscar Piastri took victory in 2025. That makes Hungary less likely to be dismissed as an isolated result.

Driver	Points	Strongest reason for a win
Kimi Antonelli	219	Six victories this season
Lewis Hamilton	169	Second in the championship
George Russell	160	Two Grand Prix wins
Lando Norris	128	Hungary winner and 2024 Zandvoort winner
Max Verstappen	109	Five straight top-two finishes at Zandvoort

That recent McLaren form will affect race-winner and podium betting if it continues in the Netherlands. A front-row qualifying position would strengthen the case for Norris, while a difficult Friday would make the Hungary result less persuasive. At Zandvoort, where passing can be awkward, qualifying should influence the odds more than it does at circuits with several obvious overtaking zones.

Verstappen has a history that none of his rivals can match

Verstappen won at Zandvoort in 2021, 2022 and 2023, then finished second in 2024 and 2025. His home record stretches across several versions of Red Bull and different competitive situations.

The question is whether the 2026 car can put him close enough to the front again. Red Bull sits behind Mercedes, Ferrari and McLaren in the Teams’ standings, although Verstappen finished third in Belgium and second in Hungary before the break.

His past results make him difficult to leave out of any prediction, but they should not be treated as a shortcut when looking at betting markets. Pole position, podium and race-winner prices will become more informative once qualifying shows whether Red Bull has the pace to keep Verstappen near Antonelli and Norris.

The Sprint weekend gives teams less time to recover

The Dutch Grand Prix uses the Sprint format this year, so teams have only one practice session before Sprint Qualifying. A setup problem that might normally be corrected over several sessions can therefore remain unresolved much longer.

Before Sunday, four details deserve particular attention:

1. whether McLaren keeps the speed it showed in Hungary;
2. whether Antonelli looks comfortable through Zandvoort’s banked corners;
3. whether Verstappen can qualify on the first two rows;
4. whether Ferrari can turn consistent points into a genuine victory challenge.

Antonelli enters the weekend with the best season record, Norris with the most recent win, and Verstappen with the strongest history at Zandvoort. On current evidence, Antonelli is the narrow favourite, but the gap between the three is small enough that qualifying can change the order before the Grand Prix begins.

 

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Bold Fashion Week made its debut with a showcase of leading fashion talent from Uganda and across Africa, in partnership with I&M Bank and Johnnie Walker.

The runway show was held on Friday, August 21, at Motiv Kampala, attracting designers, socialites, fashion enthusiasts, critics and creatives, for a night centred on fashion, music and entertainment.

Guests arrived in eye-catching African-inspired looks, ranging from vibrant prints and flowing silhouettes to polished statement pieces. African themed music kept the atmosphere lively as guests posed for photos, took in the looks around them and caught up ahead of the show.

The showcase featured Ugandan brands- Axarya, Discreet Street x Local, Good Fibre, Joan Jade, Kifahari, Kwesh, Lamara, Ofumbi and Shurea Yasmin, as well as Nigeria’s Yemi Shoyemi.

According to Lincoln Axarya, the increasing number of platforms for African designers reflects an industry steadily evolving into a sustainable commercial sector.

“The fashion scene across Africa is improving and becoming more profitable. We are seeing more designers build strong brands and approach fashion with a greater commercial focus,” Axarya said.

“There is still a lot of room to grow, but the industry is moving in the right direction. The talent is there, and with the right investment and support, fashion can create jobs, grow businesses and open up new markets.”

This growing economic opportunity is part of what attracted I&M Bank to Bold Fashion Week. The bank sees the creative sector as an important part of Africa’s growing economy, particularly as more creatives turn their ideas into businesses.

“I&M Bank is proud to support Bold Fashion Week because we see fashion as more than creativity. It is a catalyst for entrepreneurship and an important contributor to Africa’s expanding creative economy,” I&M Bank Head of Marketing and Corporate Communications, Annette Nakiyaga, said.

The bank also aims to support entrepreneurs at every stage of their journey, from establishing and expanding enterprises to exploring new markets and opportunities.

“We are especially encouraged by the strong presence of women in the fashion industry. Supporting women entrepreneurs as they start, grow and scale their businesses is an important part of our commitment at I&M Bank,” she added.

Meanwhile, on the runway, some of the continent’s top models presented looks from the participating brands. The show provided designers with a platform to showcase their work to a wider audience while giving guests a closer look at the creativity behind the brands.

Johnnie Walker was part of the experience, welcoming guests with cocktails as they arrived. Its involvement also connected with Afro Exchange, the brand’s platform for bringing together different players in Africa’s creative industries.

For the designers, however, the opportunity did not end when the final model left the runway. The following day, Saturday, August 22, Bold Fashion Week partnered with Kampala Artisan Market for a retail marketplace, giving guests the chance to buy pieces from the designers featured during the week.

The marketplace connected participating brands directly with customers, creating an avenue to convert runway exposure into sales.

Africa’s fashion industry is evolving from informal tailoring into a structured economic sector. Driven by a youthful population, urbanization and digital innovation, designers and brands are increasingly positioning fashion as both a commercial enterprise and a powerful expression of culture.

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NAIROBI, KENYA — Rosemary Kimwatu Koech, the Head of Data Protection at KCB Bank Group, has died suddenly at her home in Ngong, Kenya.

Koech reportedly died on Friday morning, according to reports, bringing to an abrupt end a career spanning nearly two decades across law, public policy, technology, fintech and data protection.

The circumstances surrounding her death remain unclear.

Her family had not, at the time of the report, publicly disclosed the cause of death, leaving relatives, colleagues and members of Kenya’s technology and banking communities mourning her while awaiting further information.

Koech was a key figure in data protection at KCB, having joined the banking group in June 2022 as its Data Protection Officer after leaving Safaricom PLC, where she served as Public Policy Manager.

She was elevated to Head of Data Protection in June 2023, placing her at the centre of the bank’s efforts to ensure compliance with data protection requirements and the responsible handling of personal information.

Her role was particularly significant in an era when banks and other financial institutions handle vast amounts of sensitive customer information, ranging from identification details and financial records to transaction information.

Was Koech’s death connected to any breach, loss or compromise of KCB customer data? Is clients’ information at risk?

This is a story for another day.

Before joining KCB, Koech worked at Safaricom from 2020, building on an earlier career that combined legal practice, public policy and the technology sector.

She had previously served as Head of Public Policy and Legal and Regulatory Specialist at Oxygène Marketing Communications and held senior legal and regulatory positions at technology and fintech companies, including WayaWaya and MODE.

Her career began in marketing before she moved into industrial relations and legal practice. She later worked as a Legal and Administrative Officer at Caritas Nairobi before transitioning deeper into the technology industry.

Beyond her corporate responsibilities, Koech was actively involved in Kenya’s technology and digital policy ecosystem.

At the time of her death, she served on the Board of Trustees of KICTANet, was a board member of the Association of Fintechs in Kenya and served as a director and board member at KeNIC TLD.

She also chaired the Data Protection Working Group at the Kenya Bankers Association and served as an operational board member of Legal Hackers as a volunteer.

These roles placed her at the centre of discussions surrounding data protection, fintech, internet governance, cybersecurity, regulation and responsible use of technology.

Her career increasingly focused on the growing challenge of protecting personal information as Kenya’s digital economy expanded.

At KCB, she was part of the leadership responsible for navigating data protection compliance within one of East Africa’s largest banking groups.

Her legal background, combined with experience in telecommunications, technology and financial services, positioned her to deal with the complex regulatory issues surrounding the collection, processing and protection of personal data.

Koech’s professional journey also reflected the changing nature of legal and regulatory work in the digital economy, where technology, business and public policy increasingly intersect.

She held a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Nairobi and an Advanced Diploma in Public Relations from the Chartered Institute of Public Relations.

Her contribution to Kenya’s digital sector had previously earned her recognition among influential women in digital transformation.

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The World Athletics Label Road Race, Tusker Lite Rwenzori Marathon, transformed the Rwenzori subregion into a weekend-long festival, drawing thousands of local and international runners, tourists and party enthusiasts for a packed programme of sport, culture and nightlife.

More than 6,000 people from at least 32 countries took part in this year’s marathon, with runners abandoning their beds as early as 4 am on Saturday to prepare for the 42km, 21km, 10km and 5km races.

But the action had started long before race day. The marathon weekend opened on Friday evening with a cultural dinner hosted by the Uganda Tourism Board (UTB), bringing together visitors and local stakeholders for an evening celebrating the region’s culture and tourism potential. The programme also included a morning shakeout run led by Gulu Marathon, giving runners a chance to loosen up and explore the area before the main event.

Across Kasese, the atmosphere had been building for days. Bars and popular hangouts were filled as visitors streamed into the town, while hotels reported increased bookings ahead of the marathon.

Content creator Gloria Assimwe said the energy in the town was impossible to miss.

“Kasese has been alive since we arrived. The hotels have filled up, the hangouts are packed, and everywhere you go, people are talking about the marathon,” she said.

A race with a party soundtrack

While elite and serious runners pushed themselves across the longer distances, the 5km Fun Run delivered perhaps the most colourful entertainment of the day. For many participants, it was less about the stopwatch and more about the experience.

Groups of runners and walkers carried portable speakers, turning sections of the route into moving dance floors. Participants sang along to their favourite songs, danced in sync and stopped occasionally to capture the moment for social media.

The fun run brought together fitness enthusiasts, tourists, content creators and partygoers, creating an atmosphere closer to a street carnival than a conventional road race. By the time many participants crossed the finish line, the celebrations were far from over. UTB Marketing Manager Francis Nyende said the marathon is becoming an important platform for developing tourism in the Rwenzori subregion while creating opportunities for businesses and communities.

“The marathon goes beyond sports tourism. It helps diversify tourism products while bringing valuable revenue into the area,” Nyende said. “Such events are important as the country works towards its long-term development and tourism goals.”

He said events such as the Rwenzori Marathon give visitors a reason to travel beyond Uganda’s traditional tourism circuits, encouraging them to experience the country’s landscapes, culture, hospitality and entertainment.

One more party to go

The weekend is set to end on a high with the Neon Rave concert, where musicians Ray G, Cindy Ssanyu and Fik Fameica are expected to headline a night of music and partying.

Tusker Lite Brand Manager Sandra Againe said the concert was designed to extend the marathon experience beyond the finish line.

With thousands of visitors already in the region, the concert is expected to provide one final burst of energy after a weekend that has blurred the lines between a sporting event, tourism showcase and entertainment festival.