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By Evans Najuna

KAMPALA –  Uganda and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are set to deepen their economic ties as the two countries prepare for the 5th Edition of the UAE–Uganda Business Forum, scheduled for October 26–29, 2026, in the United Arab Emirates.

Addressing the media on Tuesday at the Uganda Media Centre, Ambassador Zaake Kibedi said the high-level business forum will bring together senior government officials, business leaders, investors, financial institutions, chambers of commerce and other key stakeholders from Uganda and the UAE.

The forum will be hosted across Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah and Fujairah, where Ugandan businesses will showcase the country’s investment and export potential while seeking buyers, investors and strategic partners in the UAE and wider Gulf markets.

According to the organisers, the forum comes at a time when Uganda-UAE economic relations are growing rapidly, with the UAE emerging as one of Uganda’s most important partners in trade, investment, tourism, infrastructure, logistics, agriculture and energy.

Uganda’s trade with the UAE surged to US$4.7 billion in 2025, up from US$2.7 billion in 2024 and just US$600 million in 2018.

The UAE has also emerged as a major destination for Ugandan products, creating opportunities for exporters seeking access to the lucrative Gulf market.

Investment flows have equally increased, with UAE foreign direct investment in Uganda rising from about US$300 million in 2018 to US$3.5 billion in 2025.

The growing relationship is also reflected in the Ugandan community in the UAE, which has expanded to more than 150,000 Ugandans in 2025, compared with approximately 50,000 in 2018.

Ambassador Kibedi said the 5th edition will seek to move beyond speeches and meetings by focusing on actual business transactions, investment commitments, partnerships and market-access opportunities.

Key sectors on the agenda include agriculture and agro-processing, trade and exports, mining and minerals, tourism, infrastructure, energy, logistics and air cargo, manufacturing, financial services and technology.

The forum will also promote Uganda as a competitive investment destination and connect Ugandan producers and exporters with UAE-based buyers, investors and strategic partners.

The organisers said the success of the forum will not simply be measured by the number of meetings held, but by the contracts signed, investments secured, exports generated, partnerships established and jobs created.

Ugandan businesses, exporters, investors, financial institutions, government agencies and other stakeholders have been urged to participate actively in the four-day engagement.

Uganda’s mission in the UAE continues to identify investment and trade opportunities, conduct market intelligence, facilitate business matchmaking and support Ugandan enterprises seeking to penetrate international markets.

The forum is expected to further strengthen economic and commercial diplomacy between the two countries while opening new opportunities for Ugandan businesses to tap into the UAE and wider Gulf markets.

Organisers said the growing Uganda-UAE relationship presents an opportunity to transform existing cooperation into greater trade, investment and shared prosperity.

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Centenary Bank has called for greater awareness, early cancer screening and stronger community action as the Rotary Cancer Run campaign gains momentum ahead of this year’s race.

Speaking at a recent Rotary Cancer Run activation held at St. Francis Nsambya Hospital, Centenary Bank Managing Director Godfrey Byekwaso highlighted the importance of taking action against cancer beyond the annual race, noting that the fight must begin with awareness, education, early detection and collective community action.

“The fight against cancer does not begin on the day of the race. It begins with awareness, education, early screening and our collective community action,” he said.

The call comes at a time when cancer continues to touch families across Uganda, with personal experiences shared during the activation highlighting the human cost of delayed diagnosis and treatment.

Byekwaso noted that many people only seek medical attention when cancer has already advanced, making awareness and early detection critical in changing outcomes. Through initiatives such as the Rotary Cancer Run, communities are encouraged to overcome fear, seek screening and pursue timely medical attention.

“Awareness is important so that people can go for treatment,” Byekwaso emphasised, highlighting the need to create an environment where people feel encouraged to talk about cancer, get tested and seek treatment early.

Centenary Bank’s involvement in the Rotary Cancer Run reflects a commitment to supporting the well-being of the communities it serves. The Bank has now supported 13 editions of the Cancer Run, contributing more than Shs3 billion to the fight against cancer over the years and taking part in over 300 health camps with Rotary across the country.

This year alone, it has committed Shs500 million to the race, on top of more than Shs300 million towards other Rotary activities. The Bank noted that its role in society extends beyond providing financial services to investing in areas such as healthcare, education and community wellbeing.

This year’s campaign is focused on raising funds towards the construction of radiotherapy infrastructure, highlighting the importance of collective action in strengthening Uganda’s healthcare system and expanding access to critical cancer care.

The Bank further emphasised that partnerships remain central to creating sustainable impact, with organisations and individuals coming together around a shared goal of improving healthcare outcomes for Ugandans. Every year, Centenary Bank sets aside a share of its net profit for corporate social investment; this year that stood at 2 per cent, close to Shs6 billion, supporting youth, women, refugees, children, the elderly and the business community.

“As a bank, we remain committed to partnerships that create lasting change,” Byekwaso reaffirmed, adding that it would continue its commitment to the radiotherapy initiative.

The Rotary Cancer Run activation therefore serves not only as a mobilisation platform ahead of the race, but also as a reminder that addressing cancer requires sustained action throughout the year. By encouraging early screening, promoting awareness and supporting critical cancer treatment infrastructure, stakeholders are working towards a stronger and more responsive cancer care system in Uganda.

Centenary Bank continues to encourage communities to join the collective effort against cancer and support initiatives that contribute to better health outcomes for individuals and families across the country.

Byekwaso urged individuals, families, companies and institutions to sign up for the Cancer Run, buy a kit from a Centenary Bank branch, mobilise their teams and donate what they can.

“I commend the Rotary fraternity for their relentless commitment, year after year. I invite every Ugandan to walk with us on this journey to run, to give and to care,” he said.

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As Ugandan manufacturers look beyond the domestic market, moving money across borders efficiently is becoming as important as moving goods.

For Mbale-based manufacturer, importer and exporter UKI Uganda Limited, cross-border payment delays have been a challenge as the company expands across East and Central Africa, particularly the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

The company is now leveraging Equity Bank’s regional network to simplify payments, improve liquidity and strengthen its distribution network.

Through the Bank’s interconnected presence in Uganda, Kenya and the DRC, UKI is ale to reduce reliance on third-party payment agents and multiple financial institutions, shortening settlement times and reducing costs.

Equity Bank Uganda Managing Director Gift Shoko said the bank’s growing regional footprint gives businesses an advantage when trading across African markets.

Olivia Mugaba, Head of SME at Equity Bank Uganda, said exporters can use non-resident collection accounts to collect local sales proceeds in markets such as the DRC and transfer funds back to their home country, subject to the required export licences and regulations.

For UKI, making it easier for customers in the DRC to pay directly is a priority.

“Our customers in the DRC need a simpler way to pay for their supplies. Relying on local payment agents takes time and slows down business,” said Anant Kumar Manjithia, Managing Director of UKI Uganda Limited. “We want to test a direct model where buyers in Congo can deposit funds into our account seamlessly, quickly and without extra charges.”

The partnership also extends beyond payments, with Equity Bank Uganda providing customised financial solutions and capacity-building support for UKI’s wider business ecosystem, including distributors and employees.

As intra-African trade expands, partnerships such as that between UKI and Equity Bank highlight the growing importance of efficient financial infrastructure. For manufacturers, faster payments mean better cash flow, quicker stock replenishment and greater capacity to respond to regional demand.

For Ugandan businesses seeking to scale across borders, the ability to move goods and money efficiently could prove just as important as finding new markets.

 

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Members of Parliament call for greater transparency and accountability in granting of tax waivers.
The legislators also wondered whether the current criteria is not abused calling for evidence that companies benefiting from tax relief actually deliver the promised jobs and investments.

The concerns were raised during debate on a statement by the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, Hon. Henry Musasizi on the criteria and procedure for accessing tax waivers and remission under Section 43 of the Tax Procedures Code Act.

Musasizi told the House chaired by Deputy Speaker, Thomas Tayebwa on Tuesday, 18 August 2026 that tax remission is intended for exceptional cases where continued recovery of a tax liability would no longer serve the public interest because of hardship, impossibility, undue difficulty or the excessive cost of recovery.

He said the process involves assessment by the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA), review by the Ministry of Finance and ultimately, approval by Parliament.

But MPs questioned whether the safeguards are sufficient to prevent abuse.
Mbale City Industrial Division Member of Parliament, Hon. Karim Masaba raised concerns about the implementation of the waiver system adding that some taxpayers are granted relief despite apparently having the means to pay.
“When you look at the hardship, it did not come out clear under what hardship,” Masaba said.

He cited cases involving rental tax where taxpayers had reportedly sought relief on grounds of illness while continuing to own income generating properties in Kampala.
“Someone has been sick for a while and the minister states that this person is under difficult conditions but the person owns properties in Kampala and those properties are still earning. So, why would they bring such a waiver?” he asked.

Masaba questioned the remission of Pay as You Earn (PAYE) arguing that employers collecting the tax are essentially holding employees’ money on behalf of government and should remit it to URA.

Deputy Speaker Tayebwa similarly questioned the logic of granting relief on withholding tax.

He wondered why a company would be granted an exemption where it had already withheld money that belonged to government.

Jinja South Division East MP, Hon. Paul Mwiru asked the minister to explain the criteria governing tax relief granted following presidential directives, commonly referred to as “blue letters”.

Kabweri County Representative, Hon. Patrick Wakida raised concerns about revenue losses arising from tax exemptions and waivers citing reports by the Auditor General and the Public Accounts Committee.
“Right from 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, it all talks about government losing revenue due to abuse of tax exemptions and waivers,” Wakida said.

He said that the ministry acknowledged that Shs1.3 trillion in waivers could not be accounted for in 2024/25.

The Leader of the Opposition, Hon.Joel Ssenyonyi said the minister’s statement was useful but still contained significant ambiguity particularly around what constitutes hardship.
“When you mention reasons like hardship, illness, inability, and all of these different things, they are ambiguous, and yet they should not be,” Ssenyonyi said.

Ssenyonyi called for post-waiver evaluations to determine whether the intended benefits were achieved.
“You need to establish these waivers that we allowed; what was the impact on the economy? Did they do what we intended?” he said.

Musasizi said the concerns raised by MPs demonstrated the importance of having controls at every stage of the waiver process.

He added that applications pass through URA, the Ministry of Finance and Parliament with the criteria applied at each stage where loopholes are flagged.

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The Deputy Chief of Defence Forces and Inspector General of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF), Lt Gen Sam Okiding, has urged senior military officers to mentor their potential successors to ensure continuity, professionalism and institutional growth.

Lt Gen Okiding made the call during the handover and takeover ceremony for the Commander Reserve Force in Kampala, where Lt Gen Charles Otema Awany, who is due to retire, handed over the command to Maj Gen Joseph Ssemwanga.

“It is important to transit and leave able leaders behind because this will help the Army grow and remain stronger than ever,” Lt Gen Okiding said.

He commended Lt Gen Otema for his 47 years of service to the country, describing his career as a demonstration of sacrifice and dedication.

Lt Gen Okiding particularly praised Otema for his contribution to the pacification of northern Uganda during operations against the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA), including Operation Iron Fist and Operation Lightning Thunder.

He challenged the incoming commander to “hit the ground running” and build on the foundation laid by his predecessor, noting that the Reserve Force is now better positioned to fulfil its mandate than it was at its inception.

Lt Gen Otema, reflecting on his 47 years of service, said leadership comes with the responsibility of preparing the next generation to take institutions forward.

“Leadership is about service, responsibility and preparing the next generation to take the institution forward,” he said, while emphasising the importance of unity and professionalism.

Maj Gen Ssemwanga pledged to build on the achievements of his predecessor and work closely with officers, soldiers and other stakeholders to strengthen the Reserve Force. He also committed to strengthening linkages between reservists and programmes that contribute to national development.

The ceremony was attended by Brig Gen Mwanjje Ssekiranda, Chief of Staff Reserve Force; Brig Gen Kangyenyi, Deputy Inspector General of the UPDF; and commanders from the Reserve Force, among other senior officers.

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Kampala – A young student from Kampala Parents School has put Uganda on the global map after being crowned Mini Miss Universe International 2026. Bracha Anganile Barnabas, a bright and confident pupil at the prestigious primary school along Lugogo Bypass, has emerged victorious in the international children’s beauty pageant.

The achievement marks a proud moment for Uganda’s young talents and for Kampala Parents School, known for its strong academic record and holistic development of pupils. Bracha impressed judges with her poise, personality, talent, and stage presence during the competition that draws participants from various countries.

Mini Miss Universe International is an international platform for children typically aged 3 to 12, celebrating beauty, confidence, talent, leadership, and personality. The grand finale of the 2026 edition is associated with events in Thailand, where winners receive titles, crowns, sashes, and international recognition.

School administrators, teachers, parents, and fellow pupils have celebrated Bracha’s success. Kampala Parents School, established in 1975 and part of the Ruparelia Group, emphasizes academic excellence alongside extracurricular activities that build confidence and character. Bracha’s win is seen as a reflection of the school’s balanced approach to nurturing well-rounded children.

In a statement shared with Watchdog Uganda, sources close to the family described Bracha as a hardworking student who balances her studies with passion for performing arts and public speaking. Her victory is expected to inspire other young girls across Uganda to pursue their dreams with determination.

Uganda continues to make strides in pageantry, recently crowning its first Miss Universe Uganda. Bracha’s international mini title adds another layer of national pride at the children’s level.

Congratulations have poured in from education stakeholders and pageant enthusiasts. Bracha Anganile Barnabas now carries the Mini Miss Universe International 2026 crown, representing Uganda with grace on the global stage.

Watchdog Uganda celebrates this young star and wishes her continued success in her reign and future endeavors.

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More than 700 delegates expected at the 2nd International Conference on Curriculum Development.

By Brian Mugenyi

[email protected] | Watchdog Uganda

KAMPALA, UGANDA — The National Curriculum Development Centre (NCDC) is marking 50 years of shaping Uganda’s education system with a bold shift toward artificial intelligence, innovation, practical skills, and forward-looking curriculum reforms.

To commemorate the golden jubilee, the Centre will host the 2nd International Conference on Curriculum Development from August 20 to 21, 2026, at the Speke Resort and Convention Centre in Munyonyo, Kampala. The conference is themed: “Innovative Curriculum Approaches for Sustainable Education in a Globalised World.”

The high-level gathering brings together curriculum experts, researchers, policymakers, educators, assessment bodies, and international development partners to tackle emerging trends and systemic challenges in education.

Rethinking Education for the Modern Era

Speaking ahead of the conference, Dr. Bernadette Nambi Karuhanga, Director of NCDC, emphasized that global shifts are forcing education systems to adapt rapidly.

“The answer increasingly requires us to rethink not only what learners know, but what they can do with what they know,” Dr. Karuhanga stated.

She noted that modern employers demand adaptability, creativity, collaboration, and problem-solving alongside core technical knowledge—qualities traditional rote learning fails to deliver.

“Curriculum cannot remain static in such an environment,” she added, reiterating that Uganda’s competency-based learning model is designed to ensure students apply knowledge to real-world scenarios.

Integrating AI and Technology Ethically

Addressing the rapid rise of digital tools, Dr. Karuhanga stressed that technology must enhance—not replace—the learning experience.

“The question for education will not simply be whether learners should use technology, but how we prepare them to use it intelligently, creatively, ethically, and responsibly,” she observed. “Technology should strengthen learning rather than replace the essential human relationships at the heart of education.”

The conference will cover 11 thematic areas:

• ICT and Artificial Intelligence

• Sustainability & Global Citizenship

• Competency-Based Education & TVET

• Indigenous Knowledge Systems

• Climate Change & Green Jobs

• Entrepreneurship & Instructional Innovation

• Inclusivity, ECE, & Teacher Training

Strong Global Representation

Dr. Richard Irumba, NCDC Deputy Director of Research, Consultancy, and Library Services—who also chairs the organizing committee—revealed strong global interest in the event.

Out of 130 submitted papers, 77 were accepted following a rigorous double-blind peer-review process. The accepted research includes contributions from scholars and practitioners across more than 11 countries, with over 700 physical and virtual delegates confirmed.

Government Backs Hands-On Learning

Supporting the initiative, Dr. John Chrysestom Muyingo, Acting Minister of Education and Sports, called for a decisive push toward practical education and digital literacy.

“Hands-on education is the way to go,” Dr. Muyingo asserted, emphasizing that Uganda needs an education framework capable of translating knowledge into production, innovation, and economic opportunity.

A Turning Point for Ugandan Education

The two-day conference will feature keynotes from global and regional educational leaders, including Prof. Benson Banda, Dr. Tony Devine, Dr. Mary Goretti Nakabugo, and Dr. Anna Greene.

As NCDC celebrates a half-century of service, the conference serves as a strategic gut-check for the nation: is the curriculum keeping pace with a rapidly evolving world? For experts meeting in Munyonyo, the consensus is clear—the learner of tomorrow must not merely memorize knowledge, but must be empowered to think, create, adapt, and solve.

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