Angel, the girlfriend of Jose Chameleone’s son Abba Marcus Mayanja, has broken her silence amid the relationship drama surrounding the couple, insisting that she still loves him despite their recent troubles.
In an emotional message, Angel said she continues to miss Abba Marcus and remains committed to him even while he is in custody.
“I still love him. Even if he’s gone, I still miss him genuinely,” she said.
Angel also appeared to address criticism from people who have been following the couple’s relationship troubles, saying she does not know why people are attacking her without understanding what happened between them.
“I don’t feel like explaining, but all of you coming at me are wrong,” she said.
She further acknowledged that she was wrong to raise questions about the paternity of their expected child, clarifying that she knows Abba Marcus is the father.
“I know I messed up when I said we need a DNA test because it is his,” she said.
According to Angel, the couple have shared a close relationship since they met, describing them as having been inseparable.
“We have been inseparable since we met,” she said.
Despite the tensions between them, Angel said her feelings for Abba Marcus have not changed and that she would continue to care about him even if he no longer felt the same way after his release.
“I don’t care if he hates me when he gets released. He is still the father of my child. I still love him,” she said.
Abba Marcus, the eldest son of Ugandan musician Jose Chameleone, was arrested by Edina Police in Minnesota on August 14, 2026, over allegations of domestic assault.
He was booked on a charge relating to an alleged act intended to cause fear of immediate bodily harm or death and was held at the Hennepin County jail.
The arrest came amid a public relationship fallout between Abba Marcus and Angel, who are expecting a baby.
Before his arrest, Abba Marcus had taken to social media accusing Angel of being controlling and abusive, allegations she had previously made against him. He publicly denied the accusations.
Angel’s latest comments suggest that despite the public fallout and legal troubles, she is not ready to walk away from the relationship, maintaining that her feelings remain unchanged.
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Ugandan gospel singer Damasco Ssesanga is ready to enjoy the rewards of his first solo headline concert after the “Very Weelo” live show delivered a result he did not expect.
The concert took place on August 14 at the Ndere Cultural Centre, marking a major milestone for the singer, who later reflected on the experience during an appearance on Daily Soup.
Damasco began by thanking the Ugandans who turned up to support him, admitting that the response went beyond what he had imagined.
I want to thank all Ugandans who showed up and supported me. I never thought the event would turn out the way it did.
The success of the concert also left him with money that he now wants to put towards his own life.
Damasco made it clear that he already has people who depend on him, including children whose school fees he pays, and he intends to continue supporting them.
This time, however, he wants to use the money he has earned to make changes in his own life.
The money I have made from this event is not going to people in need or anyone facing challenges. Of course, I have people I look after and children whose school fees I pay, and I will continue doing all those things. But this money is for me to change my life.
That decision comes from a desire to see the same kind of impact he has created through his music reflected in his own life.
Damasco does not want to look back years from now and realise that his songs touched people across the country while he remained stuck in the same circumstances.
I do not want a time to come when people say we sang music that touched their hearts and reached far and wide, but our lives never changed.
For him, improving his own life does not mean turning his back on others.
He wants to get himself into a better place so that he can continue helping people from a stronger position.
There are certain things I want to change in my life so that I can help other people when my own life is also in a better place.
Kampala – August 2026 – 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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The Friday evening road accident that claimed two people in Mubende District has reignited anger at government over the delayed road rehabilitation works on the Mityana-Fort Portal Road.
The crash that claimed business executive Kenneth Kaijuka, 45 and his driver Stephen, involved the Nissan Murano in which the family was driving and a Mercedes-Benz Actros heavy goods truck that was heading to the opposite direction at Kagavu, in Kalonga Sub-county, Mubende District. Stephen was also Kaijuka’s brother-in-law, elder brother to the now widow Agnes.
The four children in the vehicle survived, some with fractures. Eyewitnesses attributed the accident to speeding by the truck driver, considering that the poor road condition and the ongoing works.
Chris Kaijuka, Chairman of the Grain Council of Uganda and uncle to Kenneth, vowed to mobilise the people of Tooro and others along the road in a protest procession up to the Parliamentary building in Kampala, saying that this time, they would not be stopped as was with the previous two attempts.
Turning to Deputy Speaker of Parliament Thomas Tayebwa who was in the congregation, Kaijuka named other victims of accidents in the same area, adding that won’t wait for more people to die.
Quoting police sources, Kaijuka said the truck driver tried to dodge a pothole on the road, but that because of the high speed, lost control of the truck and drove to the right lane and the truck hit the saloon, dragging for about 50 metres, and mangling it.
He narrated how the children remained trapped in the wreckage under the truck for four hours, but praised the compassion of one Ivan, a resident in area, who managed to get his voice through the wreckage to communicate with the trapped children.
He was able to ask them for the phone contact of their mother after they told him that she had stayed back in Kampala, a move that finally made contact with the family possible. Four hours later, a careful rescue operation saved the children.
Deputy Speaker Tayebwa apologised for the delay of the works, saying that even as the government had been fighting with the contractor to ensure the road is done.
Works and Transport State Minister Fred Byamukama issued an eight-month ultimatum in June 2026 demanding that the Serbian contractor, EnergoProjekt, finish the delayed reconstruction works by March 2027 or face contract termination.
Tayebwa vowed that should there would be no further delays.
The 86-kilometer Mityana–Mubende section is part of the core strategic highway connecting Kampala to Fort Portal and western Uganda. The works were launched in 2021 with an original completion target of 2024, but the project has suffered several setbacks due to funding constraints and administrative hurdles, according to both the contractor and the ministry of works.
Tayebwa explained that apart from the problems of the contractor, the government also had its contribution to the delays especially regarding financing. He says that money for the completion of the 86-kilometre Mityana-Mubende stretch and upgrade of 14 kilometres of town roads in Mityana had been released to the contractor.
The Works Minister ordered the contractor to immediately grade and maintain the entire rough stretch to ease severe dust, potholes, and traffic stress for motorists while pushing for completion ahead of the strict 2027 deadline.
The rest of the road, that is the 89.3 kilometres of Mubende-Kyegegwa-Kyenjojo, is being worked on by the Ministry of Works and Transport inhouse road construction unit, and Tayebwa says is expected to last another 18 months.
Tayebwa also cautioned against reckless driving, citing that same accident and the recent one in which two NBS journalists were killed at Namulanda area along Entebbe Road.
He hoped that the ongoing motor vehicle inspections by the Ministry of Works and Trasport will go a long way to help reduce accidents, but also asked the police to intensify its enforcement role. Kaijuka’s widow, Agnes, revealed to the mourners that it will be exactly 14 years on Tuesday (burial day) since the two got married at her parents’ home on August 18, 2014.
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KOTIDO, UGANDA — 18 August 2026 — The Archbishop of the Church of Uganda, The Most Rev. Dr. Stephen Samuel Kaziimba Mugalu, has flagged off an emergency food relief distribution exercise in North Karamoja Diocese as the Church intensifies its response to the prolonged hunger crisis affecting communities in the Karamoja Sub-region.
The intervention follows an appeal by the Bishop of North Karamoja Diocese, the Rt. Rev. Simon Akol Aisu, to the Church of Uganda Board of Trustees during its meeting at Nabugabo Holiday Centre in Masaka in July.
North Karamoja Diocese covers Kotido, Kaabong, Abim and Karenga districts.
Following the appeal, the Church of Uganda mobilised support from ACT Alliance, dioceses, institutions, Christians and other partners to provide emergency food assistance to vulnerable households.
The consignment flagged off comprises 45,775 kilogrammes of posho, 45,775 kilogrammes of beans, 800 kilogrammes of soya beans and 400 kilogrammes of silver fish. The soya beans and silver fish will specifically support malnourished children.
The intervention is expected to benefit more than 2,000 people affected by food insecurity.
Speaking during the flag-off ceremony, Archbishop Kaziimba said the prolonged hunger crisis had caused severe hardship among families in Karamoja, with children particularly vulnerable to malnutrition.
“As a Church, we cannot remain indifferent. We are here today because we believe that Christian compassion must be translated into direct, decisive action,” Archbishop Kaziimba said.
He commended ACT Alliance and the participating Church of Uganda dioceses of Mukono, Kampala, Kigezi, West Buganda, Namirembe, Muhabura, Central Busoga and Soroti, as well as other institutions, partners and Christians who contributed to the relief effort.
Speaking on behalf of ACT Alliance, Country Coordinator Irene Anena reaffirmed the Alliance’s commitment to working with the Church and other partners to respond to the humanitarian needs of vulnerable communities.
She emphasised the importance of coordinated humanitarian action to address immediate food needs while also strengthening the resilience of affected communities.
Representatives of other ACT Forum members, including the Rural Action Community Based Organisation (RACOBAO), also attended the flag-off ceremony.
The event was attended by several political and government leaders, including the area Member of Parliament, the Resident District Commissioner and the Kotido District LC5 Chairperson, among other leaders.
Archbishop Kaziimba tasked those involved in the distribution exercise with ensuring that the relief food reaches the intended beneficiaries fairly and transparently, without discrimination based on religion or tribe.
He also called for long-term interventions to complement emergency food relief, including support for local farmers, promotion of climate-smart agriculture, development of reliable irrigation systems and improved preparedness for future climate-related emergencies.
The Archbishop appreciated the Government of Uganda and development partners for their ongoing interventions in Karamoja and appealed for continued support to help affected communities rebuild their livelihoods and strengthen their resilience.
According to Rev. Agaba Andrew, Director of Household and Community Transformation, the relief intervention will extend to Karamoja Diocese on Wednesday.
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Deputy RCC Jackline Kankunda targets illegal petrol station, warns politicians they could be next in corruption crackdown
By Amos Tayebwa Mbarara
The Deputy Resident City Commissioner (RCC) in charge of Mbarara City North Division, Jackline Kankunda, has ordered Mbarara City authorities to demolish illegal structures erected in wetlands, warning that politicians who influence corruption in their areas could also find themselves behind bars.
Kankunda has specifically ordered authorities to scrutinise the construction of a petrol station in Byasiina Wetland near Koranorya Town, along the Mbarara-Masaka Road.
She questioned how a major structure such as a petrol station could be approved for construction in a wetland at a time when the city is claiming to be implementing a wetland restoration programme.
Kankunda accused the Physical Planning Department of Mbarara City Council of approving building plans for structures in wetlands, arguing that such approvals undermine government efforts to protect and restore wetlands.
She made the remarks while addressing a council meeting in Mbarara City North Division.
The Deputy RCC said she recently discovered that a petrol station was being constructed in a wetland along the Mbarara-Masaka Road in Koranorya.
What shocked her most, she said, was that city authorities were simultaneously carrying out wetland restoration operations targeting small-scale farmers growing cabbages in the same area.
Kankunda demanded that the city authorities produce all physical planning approvals relating to the petrol station and other structures being constructed in wetlands.
She said each approval should be scrutinised to establish whether it was issued legally and by the relevant authorities.
If the petrol station is found to have been illegally approved and constructed in the wetland, Kankunda said it should be demolished.
She challenged the city authorities to stop selective enforcement where poor farmers are chased out of wetlands while wealthy developers and politically connected individuals are allowed to construct permanent structures.
“As City, you recently started this thing of wetland restoration, but to my surprise, as you claim to be restoring the wetland but you are still approving the wrong construction in the same wetland,” Kankunda said.
She questioned why cabbage farmers should be treated as the biggest threat to wetlands when permanent commercial structures are being approved in the same areas.
“You cannot harass the cabbage farmer along the same wetland when you are approving construction of structures in the wetland.”
Kankunda demanded that the city authorities identify which building approvals were issued from the relevant government offices so that she could follow up each case.
She singled out the petrol station opposite Koranorya Town as a test case for the city’s commitment to wetland restoration.
“There is a petrol station coming up opposite Koranorya town, if you want to restore the wetland and have the budget as council, go and demolish that structure, because it is being constructed in a wetland.”
The Deputy RCC said government agencies cannot claim to be protecting wetlands while selectively enforcing environmental laws.
“You cannot run after these small people who are surviving on the cabbage farming and then you leave these so-called untouchables to mess the wetland, that’s not fair,” she said.
Kankunda subsequently directed that all illegal structures erected in wetlands within Mbarara City North Division be demolished with immediate effect.
CORRUPTION CLAIMS
The directive comes amid allegations that some structures in wetlands were approved by physical planners and environmental officials within Mbarara City Council.
According to allegations raised during the meeting, some officials responsible for physical planning and environmental management have allegedly turned a blind eye to illegal developments because of corrupt deals.
Several city officials have previously faced disciplinary action in the corruption crackdown associated with Local Government Minister Raphael Magyezi.
Among those named in the allegations are Carol Owarugaba, the Mbarara City Physical Planner, and David Sancho, a Natural Resource Officer.
The two officials are reportedly on interdiction over matters related to alleged corruption.
Kankunda said the crackdown on corruption should not stop with technical staff.
She issued a blunt warning to councillors who allegedly use their political positions to influence corrupt dealings in their areas.
The Deputy RCC accused some councillors of conniving with land grabbers and local leaders to facilitate illegal activities.
She warned that political leaders could become the next targets of investigations.
“I want to tell you, mostly some councillors who are influencing corruption in your areas, you connive with land grabbers, you connive with LC chairpersons, you do wrong things and you call yourself a honourable.”
Kankunda said councillors should not assume that their political positions shield them from accountability.
“I want to warn you that Minister Baram has not finished on corruption crackdown. When the time for technical people ends, the politicians will also be probed, so know that you are not safe,” she warned.
Her warning sent a strong message to city politicians as authorities intensify scrutiny of land management, construction approvals and alleged corruption within local government.
COUNCIL WORKS CHAIRMAN TAKES UP THE CHALLENGE
Robert Twiine, councillor representing Rwemigina Ward in Mbarara City North Division, who was recently elected chairman of the Works Committee, backed the push for greater scrutiny of government projects and construction activities.
Twiine said every government road and other infrastructure project implemented in the division must provide value for money.
He pledged not to allow government funds to be misused while he heads the committee.
“Government monies are usually misused due to lack of follow-up by the people in charge of committees,” Twiine said.
He promised that his committee would closely monitor activities relating to wetland restoration in the division.
Twiine said the council would not tolerate illegal structures in wetlands and urged residents and developers to comply with approved building plans.
“No more illegal structures within our wetlands in Mbarara City North Division,” he said.
He also warned residents against conniving with technocrats to circumvent planning regulations.
Twiine urged members of the public to obtain proper building plans before commencing construction.
“I want to urge the public to build with plans. As far as I am the chairperson of works committee in Mbarara City North Division, no construction without a plan. Stop conniving with technocrats and you build structures without plans,” he said.
The dispute now puts the spotlight on Mbarara City’s wetland restoration programme and the officials responsible for approving developments.
Kankunda’s challenge is simple: if the city is serious about restoring wetlands, it must apply the law equally.
That means the small cabbage farmer cannot be chased away while a multi-million-shilling commercial structure is allowed to rise from the same wetland.
And with the Deputy RCC warning that the corruption crackdown could soon move from technical officers to politicians, councillors in Mbarara City North Division have been put on notice.
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Two men have died after being suffocated while attempting to repair a water pump inside a deep underground well in Mityana District.
The incident occurred on Sunday, August 16, 2026, at about 1pm in Bifuma LC1, Kakindu Sub-county.
The deceased have been identified as Brown Rogers and another man only identified as Rasta.
Police said the two were fixing a water pump at the residence of Bamulanzeeki Mohammed when tragedy struck.
According to Wamala Regional Police spokesperson SSP L Kigozi, Rasta first entered the well to repair the pump but soon developed breathing difficulties due to inadequate oxygen.
His colleague reportedly followed him into the well to help him but was also overcome by the lack of oxygen.
Both men died inside the well.
The incident was reported to Kakindu Police Station by village chairperson Ssemango James.
Kakindu Police was later reinforced by officers from Mityana and the Wamala Regional Fire and Rescue Services team commanded by AIP Sabala Tonny.
The rescue team assessed the scene before retrieving the two bodies from the well.
The bodies were taken to Mityana General Hospital for postmortem examination.
Police have urged people who bring workers into communities to ensure they are introduced to and profiled by local leaders.
Kigozi said the identities of the two men had not been fully established because their employer had not presented them to local authorities for profiling.
Fresh financing, skills and business support set to fuel factories, jobs and local businesses
The Sino-Uganda Mbale Industrial Park is set for a further boost following a strategic partnership between Equity Bank Uganda and Tian Tang Group to expand access to finance, strengthen businesses and create more opportunities across the industrial ecosystem.
Tian Tang Group has built a manufacturing ecosystem supporting more than 2,000 enterprises and providing employment to about 15,000 Ugandans. Through the partnership, Equity Bank will provide tailored financial solutions, including working capital, business loans and corporate banking services to help businesses expand production, invest in machinery and strengthen day-to-day operations.
But the partnership goes beyond financing.
Equity Bank Uganda will also support entrepreneurs and workers through financial literacy and business management training, focusing on practical areas such as cash-flow management, bookkeeping, financial discipline and corporate governance. Stronger financial management will help businesses build credible records, improve their access to formal credit and position themselves for long-term growth.
The benefits are expected to extend beyond the industrial park’s factories. As manufacturing grows, opportunities will increase for local suppliers, transporters, logistics companies, traders, construction firms, food businesses and other service providers within the surrounding communities.
Laurent Zhang, Administrative Manager at Tian Tang Group, said stronger collaboration between industrial enterprises and financial institutions will be important to sustaining growth.
The Managing Director of Equity Bank and the executive leadership of the Bank interface with the representatives from the Tian Tang Group at a strategic engagement
“By strengthening this relationship, we can unlock the financial solutions needed to accelerate enterprise development and drive economic transformation,” he said.
Equity Bank Uganda Managing Director Gift Shoko said the partnership reflects the Bank’s commitment to supporting businesses and individuals as Uganda advances its industrialisation agenda.
“This initiative is dedicated to transforming lives within the local community, which directly aligns with our core mission to champion socio-economic prosperity and sustainable development,” said Mr Shoko.
With more than 50 branches, over 9000 agency banking outlets and over 2000 merchants across Uganda, Equity Bank Uganda brings a broad financial network to the partnership.
For Mbale and its surrounding communities, the collaboration demonstrates how industrial investment, financial inclusion and enterprise development can work together to ensure that economic growth reaches beyond factory gates, to businesses, workers and families across the wider value chain.
According to a statement released by YouTube, views on the platform will now be counted immediately the video begins to play.
The update, which will commence on 24th August 2026, comes after the previous format, where views would be counted on a multiple-view system.
An update to how we count public views across YouTube. Beginning on 8/24/2026, a view will be counted the moment a video begins to play—from the very first frame. This standard will now apply globally across all formats.
Historically, we’ve used multiple view counting systems across different formats. However, we’ve heard that creators want to eliminate this metric confusion and accurately understand their true exposure, which is why we’re making this update!
More On This Update:
Impact on monetization:
This change will not impact creators’ earnings or how they become eligible for the YouTube Partner Program (YPP):
Creator earnings will continue to be based on ”Engaged Shorts views” and “Engaged Watch Hours,” which you can view in YouTube Analytics > Advanced Mode.
There is no change to YPP eligibility. YPP entry requirements will also now be referred to as “qualified Shorts views” and “qualified watch hours” (previously “valid public Shorts views” and “valid public watch hours”).
From 8/24 onwards, you’ll start to see the new view metric applied wherever views are shown on YouTube (which means creators will likely see their total view counts increase faster moving forward).
Starting 8/24, views will count the moment a video begins to play (w/ no minimum watch time) across all formats (VOD, Shorts, & Live). We’re standardizing views to reflect creators’ true exposure across YouTube, making it easier to show their value to brand partners. This update…
KAMPALA — Uganda Electricity Distribution Company Limited (UEDCL) is facing scrutiny over the reliability and cost of its electricity vending system supplied by Spanish technology giant Indra, after recurring software failures raised concerns about customer service and potential revenue losses.
The vending system, which went live on December 4, 2024, is used to process prepaid electricity purchases.
The system has often experienced recurring breakdowns. And towards the end of the month it is always worse.
The failures have raised questions about the system’s reliability, capacity and technical support, especially given the critical role it plays in collecting electricity payments from millions of consumers.
Indra has now Officials have been asked to provide details of the system’s procurement, specifications, certification, supplier and cost.
INDRA’S MULTI-MILLION-DOLLAR UGANDA DEALS
Indra is not new to Uganda’s critical infrastructure sector.
The Spanish technology company was brought in by UEDCL predecessor Umeme at US$2.2 million contract (about Shs8.1 billion) to provide and implement utilities management technology for Umeme.
The project involved the deployment of Indra’s Open SGC and Open SGI systems to support customer management, billing, collection and network incident management.
Indra described then Umeme contract as a major entry into Uganda’s utilities market and part of its wider expansion across Africa.
The company’s Open Utilities technology has also been deployed by electricity and water utilities in several countries, including Ethiopia, Kenya, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
Indra also has another major contract in Uganda involving the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).
The company was awarded a €6.6 million contract, which was about Shs25 billion at the exchange rate applicable at the time, to implement air traffic control and surveillance systems at Entebbe International Airport.
The CAA contract was reportedly awarded through an international tender and was Indra’s first contract in Uganda.
This means the company has had a presence in two highly sensitive sectors — electricity distribution and aviation — where the reliability of technology is critical to public services and national infrastructure.
QUESTIONS OVER UEDCL SYSTEM
The latest concerns, however, are centred on the electricity vending platform now operated under UEDCL.
The system’s recurring failures have raised questions over whether the technology is adequately handling transaction volumes, particularly during peak periods.
Month-end failures are particularly worrying because they can affect customers trying to purchase electricity when household and business demand for prepaid units is high.
A failure in the vending system can leave customers unable to complete transactions, while also potentially disrupting UEDCL’s revenue collection.
The company is therefore expected to explain the cause of the breakdowns and whether the problems are related to the software itself, network connectivity, system capacity or other technical infrastructure.
Questions have also emerged over the procurement process and the value for money delivered by the system.
Indra officials have been directed to provide documentation showing how the system was procured, the specifications it was required to meet, its certification and the amount paid.
The scrutiny comes at a sensitive time for UEDCL, which assumed responsibility for electricity distribution following the end of Umeme’s concession.
The distributor is under pressure to demonstrate that it has the systems and capacity required to manage the national electricity distribution network efficiently.
The vending platform is central to that responsibility because prepaid electricity sales depend heavily on its reliability.
For consumers, repeated software failures can mean frustration, delays and difficulty accessing electricity after making payments.
For UEDCL, prolonged or recurring system failures could translate into delayed transactions, customer complaints and possible revenue leakage.
The company will now have to demonstrate that the system is stable, properly supported and capable of handling Uganda’s growing electricity customer base.
The scrutiny of the Indra-supplied system also comes amid wider concerns about UEDCL’s preparedness, including rising electricity distribution losses.
UEDCL officials recently reported that energy losses had increased to about 18.5 percent, compared with approximately 15 percent at the time of the handover from Umeme.
The combination of rising losses and vending system problems is likely to increase pressure on UEDCL to prove that its operational and technological systems are ready for the demands of running Uganda’s electricity distribution network.
LEADERSHIP QUESTIONS DEEPEN
Beyond the vending system concerns, questions are also being raised about UEDCL’s leadership and governance at a time when the utility is expected to demonstrate that it is fully prepared to manage Uganda’s electricity distribution network.
Several key positions remain vacant or occupied in an acting capacity.
The UEDCL board is also not yet fully constituted, raising concerns about oversight, accountability and the ability of the utility to make long-term strategic decisions.
Among the senior positions affected is that of Managing Director, currently occupied in an acting capacity by Joselynne Rwakakooko.
UEDCL ED Rwakakooko
The leadership gaps have fuelled calls for the Ministry of Energy to move quickly and ensure that UEDCL gets a fully constituted board and substantive heads of key departments.
Critics argue that prolonged acting appointments can weaken accountability, particularly when an institution is undergoing a major transition and facing operational challenges.
The leadership question comes as UEDCL grapples with rising distribution losses, technology concerns and the need to make major investments in the network.
NEW INDRA BOSSES UNDER PRESSURE
Meanwhile, at Indra Group, the company’s newly appointed leadership is now under pressure to ensure that concerns surrounding its Uganda operations do not cast a shadow over the new management’s tenure.
Indra Group underwent a major leadership change this year, with Ángel Simón taking over as Chairman and Josep Maria Recasens becoming Chief Executive Officer.
Indra Group underwent a major leadership change this year, with Ángel Simón taking over as Chairman
Simón, born in Manresa, Barcelona, in 1957, brings more than four decades of experience in infrastructure, energy, environment and public services.
He previously served as Chief Executive Officer and later Executive Chairman of AGBAR, where he oversaw the company’s transformation and international expansion.
He also served as Executive Vice President of Suez between 2013 and 2022 and Executive Vice President of Veolia from 2022 to 2024.
From January 2024 to May 2025, Simón was Chief Executive Officer of CriteriaCaixa.
He has served as Chairman of Indra Group’s Board of Directors since April 2026.
His arrival places a highly experienced corporate leader at the top of Indra as the company faces questions in Uganda over the performance of its electricity vending technology.
The other key new face is Recasens, who took over as Chief Executive Officer this year.
The other key new face is Josep Maria Recasens, who took over as Chief Executive Officer this year.
Born in Girona in 1976, Recasens is an industrial engineer with extensive experience in the automotive industry.
He spent 19 years at SEAT, part of the Volkswagen Group, before joining Renault Group, where he rose through senior strategy and business development roles.
At Renault, he became General Manager of the Group’s Iberia operations in 2023 before being appointed CEO of Ampere, Renault’s electric vehicle and software subsidiary, in 2025.
He also served as President of the Spanish Association of Automobile and Truck Manufacturers from June 2024 to June 2026.
The new Indra leadership now inherits a company with major interests in Uganda, including technology deployed in the electricity distribution sector and a substantial aviation contract.
With UEDCL’s vending system now facing scrutiny over recurring software failures, the spotlight is likely to remain on whether the technology is delivering the reliability and value expected from a major international technology provider.
For Indra’s new bosses, the challenge is to ensure that problems associated with existing systems are addressed decisively and do not become a stain on their new tenure.
For UEDCL, the bigger question is whether its leadership structure, governance and technical capacity are strong enough to deal with the mounting challenges facing the electricity distributor.
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