Tyla‘s big night at the South African Music Awards (SAMAs) took an unexpected turn when she began calling fellow artists onto the stage.
The singer had just received the AfriPure International Achievement Award at the 32nd SAMAs, recognising the global impact she has made with her music.
But before settling into her acceptance speech, Tyla called out Cassper Nyovest, Makhadzi, Babalwa M, Zee Nxumalo, Maglera Doe Boy, Langa Mavuso, Lordkez and Xduppy, inviting them to join her.
With the artists gathered around her, Tyla spoke about the music scene that shaped her and the journey that took her from South Africa to international audiences.
She also used the moment to speak about her hopes for greater unity across the continent.
I pray one day to see a unified Africa.
The stage quickly filled with some of South Africa’s biggest and emerging names, representing different generations and sounds within the country’s music industry.
Tyla has spent the past few years building a global career, with “Water” turning her into one of Africa’s biggest international stars.
Her return to the SAMAs, however, brought her back to the industry and artists she grew up around.
Kenya could soon borrow from Uganda’s legal framework on cultural leadership, with communities increasingly studying how Uganda has provided a legal basis for the recognition and operation of cultural institutions, according to Bamasaba cultural spokesperson Hon. Steven Masiga.
Masiga, who is also a legal scholar and historian, says he has been quietly following developments within Kenya’s clan structures and believes several communities are gradually moving towards seeking formal recognition of their cultural leaders by Government.
“I have been to Kenya silently studying the thinking of the clan chairmen and I know what they are up to. They are silently studying the Ugandan law on cultural leadership and very soon Kenya will have its own cultural leaders gazetted and funded by Government,” Masiga told RedPepper.
He pointed to recent cultural activities involving Kenyan political leaders as evidence of the growing prominence of traditional institutions, citing President William Ruto’s highly cultural wedding ceremony for his daughter, where he was surrounded by Kalenjin and Nandi elders.
Masiga argues that although Kenya’s Constitution does not expressly provide for Government-gazetted cultural leaders in the same manner as Uganda’s legal framework, there is constitutional room for communities to preserve and promote their cultures.
“Kenya’s Constitution is not explicitly clear on having cultural leaders gazetted by Government, but under Article 11, communities are allowed to celebrate their culture,” he said.
He added that this cultural recognition is reinforced by provisions under the East African Community Treaty, particularly Articles 117, 118 and 119, which provide a broader regional framework for cooperation in social and cultural matters.
BUKUSU CLANS STUDYING UGANDA
Masiga said he has particularly noticed growing interest among Bukusu clan chairmen in Uganda’s approach to legally recognising cultural leadership.
“I have noted with deep attention that the Bukusu clan chairmen are equally picking lessons from Ugandan law on having a full-blown legal regime on cultural leadership,” he said.
However, he said Kenyan communities would need to take the matter to both county governments and the National Assembly if they want formal recognition of their cultural institutions.
“For them to actualise these noble intentions, County Governments and the National Assembly of Kenya must initiate a cultural bill to that effect,” Masiga said.
He added that Kenya’s approaching national elections could provide communities with an opportunity to put the issue before political candidates and demand commitments towards cultural preservation and recognition.
KING SWILKE IN KALENJIN CLANS
Masiga also pointed to the recent activities of the King of Sebei, His Highness Peter Swilke, in several Kalenjin communities, where he participated in the installation of clan chairmen in areas associated with President Ruto’s home region.
He said such interactions demonstrate the close cultural connections between communities on both sides of the Uganda-Kenya border.
“The Babukusu of Kenya and the Luhya community have extensive cultural links with the Bamasaba people of Uganda and are considered one group. They are also busy studying the Ugandan legal framework on cultural leadership,” he said.
According to Masiga, formal recognition of cultural institutions could help communities preserve their traditions, norms and historical identity while providing a structured relationship between traditional leaders and Government.
“I see no harm in supporting communities that want to have a legal framework in order to support and preserve their culture,” he said.
“I have been contacted by several communities on how to have cultural leaders gazetted and I have always not hesitated to guide them.”
UGANDAN COMMUNITIES ALSO SEEK GAZETTEMENT
Masiga said the debate is not limited to Kenya, noting that several Ugandan communities are also seeking formal Government recognition for their cultural leaders.
“In Uganda, several communities are struggling to have their cultural claimants gazetted. I will volunteer my support where I can,” he said.
He listed Sebei, Chope, Bugwere and Bunyole among communities seeking to have their cultural leaders formally gazetted by Government.
Masiga urged communities seeking recognition to work closely with local authorities and other stakeholders because local government resolutions can play an important role in the process, particularly in areas where no cultural leader has previously been gazetted.
“We encourage such communities, in order to ease gazettement, to ensure they work closely with stakeholders like local governments since one needs resolutions of such local governments, especially where nobody has been gazetted before,” he said.
ONE CULTURAL LEADER FOR RELATED COMMUNITIES?
Masiga further proposed that Kenya’s 47 counties could potentially have cultural leadership structures tailored to the communities within them, while closely related communities could consider having one cultural leader where their traditions and historical roots overlap.
“Kenya has 47 counties, and each of these counties can have its own cultural leader,” he said.
“However, Trans Nzoia County and Bungoma have similar roots and, to maintain unity, they can have one cultural leader since their norms and mores are the same.”
He also cited the relationship between the Nandi and wider Kalenjin communities, suggesting that their cultural links could support a shared traditional leadership arrangement.
“Equally, the Nandi and Kalenjin are closely related and can have one cultural leader to help in the preservation of the norms and cultures of that community,” Masiga said.
He said the growing interest in cultural leadership should not be viewed as a political competition but as an opportunity for communities to preserve their identity while creating legally recognised structures through which cultural matters can be managed.
With Kenya’s political season approaching and communities increasingly demanding recognition of their cultural institutions, Masiga believes the Ugandan model could offer lessons on how traditional leadership can operate within a modern constitutional and legal framework.
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KAMPALA: The Government has through the Ministry of Agriculture Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF) has unveiled a raft of tough new fisheries regulations aimed at restoring Uganda’s dwindling fish stocks, controlling fishing capacity and cracking down on illegal fishing activities across the country.
The new measures were announced on Thursday, August 20, by the Minister of State for Fisheries, Hon. Robert Migade Ndugwa, during a media briefing at the Uganda Media Centre in Kampala.
The Minister said Uganda’s fisheries sector is facing a serious threat from overfishing, illegal fishing gear, uncontrolled fishing capacity and the destruction of breeding and nursery grounds.
He warned that the continued pressure on the country’s water bodies was reducing fish production, undermining fish processing industries and cutting foreign exchange earnings.
Uganda is endowed with extensive water resources, with open fresh water and swamps covering about 43,479 square kilometres, equivalent to 18 percent of the country’s surface area.
The country’s major fish species include Nile Perch (Mputa), Nile Tilapia (Ngege), African Catfish (Male), Lungfish (Mamba), Tiger Fish (Ngassa), Mukene, Nkejje and other species.
However, the Minister said several fish species are becoming increasingly scarce because of unsustainable fishing practices.
New Rules, New Fishing Regime
According to Ndugwa, the Ministry has completed the development of new regulations following the enactment of the Fisheries and Aquaculture Act, 2023.
The regulations are designed to provide detailed rules governing fishing, aquaculture, fish trade, conservation, licensing and enforcement.
Among the new regulations is the Fish (Fishing Capacity Management) Regulations, 2026, which will control the number of boats and fishers operating on each water body.
The regulations will also determine the size and type of fishing gear allowed for particular fish species.
For silver fish, commonly known as Mukene, the Minister said fishing will be restricted to scoop nets and lift nets during the dark phase of the moon and at least two kilometres from the shoreline.
The regulations will also restrict silver fish fishing to designated landing sites.
“This regulation therefore ensures that the number of fishers and fishing effort is maintained at the required number,” Ndugwa said.
Fishermen Face September Deadline
In a major warning to fishermen, the Minister ordered all fishers to obtain licences before September 15, 2026, after which enforcement will begin against unlicensed boats.
He said the Government would remove boats operating without licences as part of efforts to reduce fishing pressure on the country’s waters.
The new licences will also be species-specific, meaning a licence for Nile Perch fishing will be different from one for Nile Tilapia fishing.
The licences will be independent for each fishing activity, non-transferable and cannot be shared among fishermen.
Fishing Grounds to Be Protected
Under the Closed Fishing Regulations, 2026, fishing activities will be temporarily or permanently closed in particular areas and periods based on scientific research.
Another set of regulations will specifically protect fish breeding areas, with breeding grounds expected to be demarcated and protected from fishing activities.
The Government has also introduced Quality Assurance Regulations, 2026, to improve the safety of fish and fish products for human consumption.
The Aquaculture Regulations, 2026 will guide the management and development of fish farming, while the Fish Maw Regulations, 2026 will regulate the harvesting and trade in fish maw.
The Fish (Co-management) Regulations, 2026 will also streamline the establishment and operation of fish landing committees, including ensuring that only qualified members participate in fisheries management.
Another regulation will guide the stocking and restocking of fish in natural water bodies.
Illegal Gear Crackdown
The Minister listed the rampant use of monofilament nets, locally manufactured illegal fishing gear, excessive use of lights during Mukene fishing and destructive fishing methods among the major threats to the sector.
He also blamed the harvesting of fish from breeding and nursery grounds and what he described as “hurry-up methods” for contributing to declining fish stocks.
Ndugwa further announced the establishment of a Monitoring, Control and Surveillance Unit at the Ministry to strengthen enforcement against illegal fishing.
He said the Government would also intensify crackdowns on markets dealing in immature fish, as well as importers and distributors of illegal fishing gear.
Uganda Targets 1.7 Million Tonnes
The Minister said Uganda currently produces an estimated 750,000 metric tonnes of fish annually, while the Government has set an ambitious target of increasing production to 1.7 million metric tonnes.
Of this target, about one million metric tonnes is expected to come from aquaculture.
Ndugwa said increased fish production would not only boost food security but also support fish processing, trade and foreign exchange earnings.
He called on fishermen, local governments, civil society organisations and the private sector to support the new regulations.
“I call upon all the fishers to apply for licences before the 15th of September 2026 because after that date, enforcement to reduce fishing capacity, including removal of boats that are not licensed, will start,” he warned.
The Minister urged Ugandans to protect the country’s fisheries resources for future generations, saying the sector has enormous potential if properly managed.
The Government is also expected to issue guidelines to support implementation of the new regulations, while further measures are planned to improve post-harvest handling, fish processing and marketing, develop high-value fish products and introduce species-specific management plans.
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Christopher Nolan’s “The Odyssey” has officially made movie history.
The epic has overtaken “Deadpool & Wolverine” to become the highest-grossing R-rated film of all time, earning about $1.35 billion worldwide.
That pushes the film past the Marvel blockbuster, which previously held the record with roughly $1.34 billion.
Based on Homer’s ancient Greek epic, “The Odyssey” follows Odysseus as he battles monsters, gods and danger on his long journey home after the Trojan War.
The box office triumph gives Nolan another massive commercial win, but this one comes with an even bigger prize: “The Odyssey” now stands as the biggest R-rated movie in history.
NCBA Bank Uganda, under its Business Banking Customer Value Proposition (sCVP), in partnership with MAT Abacus Business School, has officially flagged off the NCBA Enterprise Development Program, a one-year initiative designed to equip all NCBA SME customers with the knowledge, practical skills, mentorship and support needed to strengthen their businesses and achieve sustainable growth.
The program was officially flagged off at Fairway Hotel in Kampala, on 20 August, with 50 SMEs participating in the inaugural cohort.
The flag off was attended by NCBA Bank Uganda Chief Executive Officer, Mark Muyobo, alongside Isaiah Kizito, MAT Abacus Executive Programs Coordinator, and participating businesses.
The Enterprise Development Program is structured as a year-long journey that takes participating businesses through several stages, beginning with business gap analysis and diagnosis, followed by selection and onboarding, practical core workshops, coaching and business clinics, graduation and continued alumni support.
Through the program, SMEs will receive practical support in areas including business planning, financial management and other critical capabilities required to strengthen their operations and become more bank-ready. Participants will also benefit from one-on-one and group coaching designed to help them translate the knowledge gained into practical actions and measurable business progress.
Upon completion, participants will graduate from the program with continued access to an alumni network, mentorship opportunities and potential access to NCBA’s financial solutions to support their next phase of growth.
Speaking at the event, Muyobo, said: “At NCBA, we believe that supporting SMEs goes beyond providing access to finance. It is about helping business owners build the capabilities, structures and confidence required to grow sustainable enterprises. This partnership with MAT Abacus allows us to take a more holistic approach by walking alongside entrepreneurs throughout their growth journey. We are excited to welcome the first 50 businesses into the program and look forward to seeing them translate this experience into stronger, more resilient and bank-ready businesses.”
On his part, Kizito noted that, “We are delighted to partner with NCBA to equip SMEs with practical tools, knowledge and mentorship for real business growth. The program will be tailored to each business, meeting entrepreneurs at their current stage and supporting them throughout their growth journey to build stronger, more sustainable and bank-ready businesses.”
The program reflects NCBA’s commitment to supporting the growth of Uganda’s private sector by addressing some of the key challenges that SMEs face as they seek to formalise, scale and access opportunities for growth.
The inaugural cohort marks the beginning of a broader program that will support more SMEs over time, creating a growing community of entrepreneurs who can learn from one another, access mentorship and build stronger businesses.
The partnership between NCBA and MAT Abacus brings together NCBA’s expertise in financial services and business support with MAT Abacus’ experience in enterprise development, creating a practical platform through which SMEs can access the tools and guidance needed to move their businesses forward.
As the first cohort begins its journey, the Enterprise Development Program aims to create lasting impact not only by helping individual businesses grow, but also by contributing to a stronger and more resilient SME ecosystem in Uganda.
NCBA Bank Uganda Limited is a subsidiary of NCBA Group PLC, East Africa’s largest bank by digital customer numbers. With an asset base UGX1.2T and a strong liquidity profile, NCBA bank combines extensive corporate and retail banking experience with leading innovations, offering products from mobile banking, asset finance to tailored investment solutions. Focused on relationship management and customer success, NCBA empowers clients to achieve financial goals while supporting regional economic growth.
“Get Rich or Die Tryin’” had made him one of the biggest names in music. G-Unit was taking over hip-hop, and 50 Cent was rapidly turning his success into something much bigger than an album.
Then came the G6.
More than 20 years later, 50 Cent and Reebok brought the sneaker back, giving fans another chance to own a piece of the G-Unit era.
They did not have to wait long to see how much interest remained.
The G-Unit x Reebok G6 dropped on August 20 in its original red, white and blue colourway, with a $130 price tag. Within two hours, it had sold out on Reebok’s website.
When G-Unit Was Everywhere
The original G6 arrived during one of the biggest periods of 50 Cent’s career.
He had gone from being hip-hop’s hottest new star to building an entire brand around G-Unit. The name appeared in music, fashion and pop culture, while the group itself became one of the most recognisable forces in the industry.
The Reebok partnership fitted naturally into that world.
For fans, the sneaker was another way to connect with the G-Unit lifestyle. Buying a pair meant buying into the same culture that surrounded 50 Cent’s music, his crew and the larger-than-life image he had built.
The G6 eventually disappeared, but the memories attached to it did not.
Twenty-Three Years Later, It Was Back
Reebok returned to the original formula for the 2026 release.
Instead of giving the G6 a major makeover, the company brought back the familiar design and branding that made the shoe recognisable in the first place.
That decision placed the release firmly in the nostalgia market, and the timing worked.
Early-2000s fashion has returned to the mainstream, while hip-hop fans who grew up during 50 Cent’s peak are now old enough to revisit the things that shaped that period of their lives.
For younger buyers, the sneaker offered a connection to an era they know through music, videos and the legacy of G-Unit.
The G6 Did Not Stay on the Shelves for Long
When the sneakers finally went on sale, the response came quickly.
The G6 sold out on Reebok’s website in under two hours.
That demand turned the re-release into more than a trip down memory lane. Twenty-three years after the original drop, people were still willing to pay for the same shoe that carried 50 Cent’s name at the height of his G-Unit reign.
For 50 Cent, it is another successful return to a chapter of his career that helped shape early-2000s hip-hop.
The G6 is back, the first drop is gone, and fans who missed it will now have to wait and see whether another release follows.
The global artificial intelligence (AI) race is creating winners, billion-dollar companies and increasingly powerful technology. But it could also leave ordinary consumers paying more for their next smartphone.
As tech giants race to build and expand AI data centres, they are buying enormous quantities of the chips and memory needed to power them.
That growing appetite for hardware is now putting pressure on the same supply chain that smartphone, laptop and other electronics makers depend on.
In other words, the battle to dominate AI could eventually show up on the price tag of your next gadget.
The Competition for Hardware
AI systems require enormous computing power.
Behind every chatbot, image generator and increasingly powerful AI tool sits a vast network of data centres packed with advanced processors and memory.
Tech companies are spending billions to secure that hardware.
But they are not the only ones who need it.
Smartphone and computer manufacturers also depend on chips and memory to build their devices.
As AI companies snap up more of those components, the competition for available supply could push costs higher.
When Higher Costs Reach Consumers
Those rising costs have to go somewhere.
Manufacturers can absorb them, but that can cut into profits. The other option is to pass at least part of the increase on to consumers.
That means your next smartphone or laptop could become more expensive, even if you are not particularly interested in AI.
The irony is hard to miss.
AI promises to make our devices smarter and more useful, yet the race to build it could also make those same devices harder to afford.
Princess Diana’s brother, Charles Spencer, is preparing to tell his own version of her story.
Nearly 30 years after Diana, the former Princess of Wales, died in a Paris car crash, Spencer is releasing a new book titled “Swan Song: Diana, My Sister.”
He says years of books, reports, and retellings have allowed inaccurate versions of his sister’s story to take hold.
Now, he wants to put his own memories on the record.
The book will tell Diana’s story through the eyes of the brother who knew her before she joined the British royal family and became one of the world’s most famous women.
“Swan Song: Diana, My Sister” arrives on September 22, 2026.
AFRIMMA is back after a two-year break, and Davido has taken an early lead.
The Nigerian superstar picked up five nominations, the highest number on the 2026 African Muzik Magazine Awards list, putting him at the front of a race packed with some of Africa’s biggest names.
His album, “5ive,” earned a nomination for Album of the Year, while his collaboration with Omah Lay, “With You,” secured spots in both Song of the Year and Best Collaboration.
Davido also earned nominations for Artist of the Year, Best Male West Africa and the Crossing Boundaries With Music Award.
But as Davido leads the continental race, Uganda has also secured a notable presence on this year’s list.
Uganda Lands Nine Representatives
Joshua Baraka leads Uganda’s tally with two nominations.
He will compete alongside Eddy Kenzo in the Best Male East Africa category and also earned a place in the AFRIMMA Fans’ Choice Award.
Winnie Nwagi will compete for Best Female East Africa, while 207 earned a nomination for Music Producer of the Year.
Uganda’s representation, however, goes beyond the music categories.
Masaka Dance Kids and Ghetto Kids will battle for Best African Dancer, Patrick Salvador Idringi enters the race for Best Comedian, and Bebe Cool earned recognition in the AFRIMMA Timeless Impact Award category.
Educate Uganda rounds out the country’s representation with a nomination for the Community Impact Award.
From Music to Community Work
The nominations give Uganda representation across several sides of African entertainment and culture.
Artists, producers and dancers dominate much of the list, but the inclusion of Salvador and Educate Uganda takes the country’s presence beyond the traditional music categories.
Joshua Baraka, meanwhile, stands as Uganda’s most-nominated representative this year with two chances to win.
The Race Now Moves to the Fans
Davido may lead the overall nominations, but the competition remains tight.
Burna Boy, Diamond Platnumz, and Black Sherif each picked up four nominations, setting the stage for a competitive return for AFRIMMA.
The awards and music festival will take place on September 12 in Dallas, Texas.
Before then, the nominees will look to their supporters, as voting is now open.
