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Counsel Peter Kabatsi, the lawyer representing businessman Amos Nzeyi has said his client is willing to refund money for the disputed Temangalo land if NSSF no longer wants the property, as the long-running land dispute takes another turn.

The lawyer made the remarks after appearing before Parliament’s Committee on Commissions, Statutory Authorities and State Enterprises (COSASE), which is investigating the status of the disputed NSSF property.

He said Nzeyi was prepared to find a solution to the dispute, including selling some of his land at the prevailing market value to raise money.

“He’s prepared to return the money of the land they don’t want because they have it now,” the lawyer said.

He added that his client could even sell his own land at market value to raise the money, although he said the details would have to be discussed further.

The lawyer, however, said Nzeyi was not prepared to surrender the land on which his home stands.

He argued that forcing his client to give up the property would leave him without a place to live.

According to the lawyer, Nzeyi had previously offered to surrender half of the disputed plot if NSSF allowed him to retain the other half, including the portion occupied by his house.

The lawyer was also questioned about an eviction notice reportedly issued to Nzeyi by NSSF.

He said he had not seen the notice and could therefore not comment on its contents.

The dispute centres on land in Temangalo, Wakiso District, which NSSF purchased in 2008 as part of a 463.87-acre transaction involving Arma Limited and Nzeyi.

The transaction of 11.2 billion shillings later became controversial over the acreage, ownership and possession of portions of the property.

NSSF says Nzeyi was required under a memorandum of understanding to return 104.88 acres containing his house, paddocks and other developments in exchange for suitable alternative land.

The Fund says the required alternative land was never provided, leading to years of negotiations, arbitration and court proceedings.

In 2013, the dispute was referred to arbitration, with NSSF maintaining that the arbitration award upheld the original agreement and subsequent arrangements between the parties.

NSSF later assessed alternative land offered by Nzeyi and reportedly found only about 15 acres suitable for the proposed swap.

The Fund subsequently gave Nzeyi until June 30, 2026, to provide suitable alternative land, warning that it would seek enforcement through court if he failed.

The deadline has since passed, prompting NSSF to return to the High Court seeking enforcement of the land-swap arrangement and eviction from the disputed portion.

The lawyer, however, maintained that the matter had already been determined through arbitration.

He argued that the arbitration process was a court process and that the resulting judgment declaring the memorandum of understanding valid had not been successfully appealed.

“You have to take it,” he said, arguing that parties should respect the court’s decision if they did not appeal it.

The lawyer also questioned the validity of arguments that the memorandum of understanding was not properly sanctioned by the Solicitor General.

He said the matter had already been taken to arbitration precisely because one party had disputed the MOU, and the court ultimately declared it a valid agreement.

The lawyer also told journalists that Nzeyi was currently outside the country and was facing difficulties at the border.

He said he would contact his client to establish whether he would be able to return and appear before the committee at its next sitting.

The Temangalo dispute has remained active for nearly two decades and has also attracted repeated parliamentary scrutiny over NSSF’s acquisition and management of the property.

COSASE recently directed parliamentary police to verify the current status of the land after NSSF Managing Director Patrick Ayota told MPs that an eviction notice had been issued to Nzeyi.

The renewed court action now places the long-running dispute back before the High Court as NSSF seeks to enforce its claimed rights over the property.

Classy socialite Zari Hassan has urged babes to stop treating marriage to a loaded man as the ultimate path to financial security, instead encouraging them to build wealth of their own.

Zari argued that times have changed, with women now increasingly capable of earning, managing and controlling their own money without depending on men to provide for them.

“We have become the rich wives, and it is what it is,” she said.

The mother-of-five who spend their time hoping to find a wealthy partner to rethink their priorities and focus on becoming financially independent.

According to Zari, experiencing financial freedom changes the way a person approaches life because having your own money means you no longer have to depend on someone else to meet your needs.

“One thing about a life where you’ve tested money, you don’t sit around waiting for anyone to save you,” she said.

Zari emphasised that the goal should not be for women to become wealthy simply to compete with men or prove that they can outdo them financially.

Instead, she wants women to have enough financial stability to take care of themselves, whether or not they have a man providing for them.

Her advice comes down to a simple message: women can pursue love and relationships, but financial survival should not depend on finding a wealthy man.

Ugandan rapper Edwin Ruyonga has shared details of an international music opportunity that never materialised, saying his Christian convictions became a stumbling block in discussions linked to Bad Boy Records, the American label founded by Sean “Diddy” Combs.

According to the rapper, conversations with individuals connected to the label had advanced beyond casual interest, with talks of possible collaboration and even a contract finding their way to him through a contact identified as Cedric.

For many artists, such an opportunity would have represented a major breakthrough. For Ruyonga, however, it also raised questions about identity and the values he was willing to protect.

The rapper said the turning point came when one of the people involved in the discussions sought to understand the place of faith in his music.

“He had been hearing a lot of Jesus stuff and wanted to know how important that was to me,” Ruyonga recalled.

His answer, he said, was straightforward.

“I told him, ‘Jesus is the way, the truth and the life to me,’ and that conversation died.”

The rapper suggested that his strong Christian message may have made the partnership difficult to pursue, effectively bringing the discussions to an end.

Looking back, Ruyonga says he has no regrets.

Over the years, the rapper has built a career that blends hip-hop with faith-based themes, often making his beliefs central to both his music and public image. He says that commitment was not something he was willing to dilute, even for a potentially career-defining opportunity.

“Even when I came back, they still reached out to me through Cedric. They gave me a deal, I looked at the deal, and I realized why some of the people who do these deals never go anywhere,” he said.

For Ruyonga, success has never been solely about access to major labels or global connections. Instead, he says, it has been about remaining authentic to who he is.

His story offers a different perspective on the music industry, where artists are often faced with choices between opportunity and personal conviction.

Rather than viewing the failed deal as a missed opportunity, Ruyonga appears to regard it as a moment when his priorities became clear.

For him, the international deal was negotiable; his faith was not.

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V&A Sherry welcomed Mitchelle Daka, Uganda’s first-ever Miss Universe Uganda, alongside first runner-up Kimberly Jael Aremo and Top Supermodel Teopista Aromach, to Uganda Breweries Limited (UBL) headquarters in Luzira, celebrating their achievements and Daka’s historic crowning as the country’s first Miss Universe queen and Face of V&A 2026.

Crowned on August 1, 2026, Daka will become the first Ugandan to compete at the Miss Universe competition in its 75-year history when she represents the country in Puerto Rico in November. Her visit to UBL marked the beginning of a new chapter in her journey as she takes on her role with V&A Sherry.

“We decided to host the queens to show them where the amazing V&A Sherry is made, to show our support and congratulate them upon winning. They will be going to the global pageants, and we promise to keep supporting them as they represent our country on the global stage,” said Roy Ronald Tumwizere, Brand Manager, V&A Sherry.

V&A had selected Daka as its Face of V&A before the Miss Universe Uganda finale, recognising her qualities and potential ahead of the historic competition. Her victory has since given the partnership greater significance, with V&A supporting her through the milestones ahead.

For V&A, Daka’s story reflects its “Yours to Share” philosophy; the belief that achievements and meaningful moments are better when shared. As Face of V&A and brand ambassador, Daka will carry this spirit through her reign and her journey on the global stage.

Welcoming the queens, UBL Marketing Director Catherine Ndungu congratulated Daka and all the women who participated in the inaugural competition, applauding their courage to represent their communities on a national platform.

“First, allow me to say that you all look so beautiful. I and the team here are very proud of you, and we are excited to see what the partnership with Miss Universe Uganda means for the brand.”

UBL Head of Spirits Hilda Aguti also congratulated the queens and commended the Miss Universe Uganda team for creating a platform aligned with V&A’s commitment to women’s empowerment.

“We congratulate you for winning, and we would like to see what our partnership with the Miss Universe platform is going to be like beyond the run. We appreciate the good work done by Joram and team because it is in line with what V&A stands for- women empowerment.”

The queens also toured the UBL brewery, met members of the company’s leadership and saw where V&A Sherry is made, giving them a closer look at the people and environment behind the brand.

Joram Muzira, Director of Miss Universe Uganda, acknowledged V&A’s support for the inaugural pageant and its women empowerment agenda.

“We are so grateful to V&A Sherry for supporting our cause to empower women. We are so excited that they chose us at our maiden event, and our queens will be bearing the flag at the global stages, starting with Mitchelle at the Miss Universe pageant in Puerto Rico in November.”

For Daka, the visit was also a moment to celebrate a partnership that began before she wore the crown. She thanked V&A for believing in her and choosing her as Face of V&A before she became Miss Universe Uganda, expressing hope that the partnership would be mutually beneficial.

As Daka prepares to represent Uganda on the Miss Universe stage, V&A Sherry will continue to support her through a year of new milestones and experiences. For V&A Sherry, welcoming the queens was a celebration of women, their achievements and the possibilities ahead.

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The Uganda Medical Association (UMA) has welcomed the granting of bail to eight doctors detained in connection with the ongoing dispute over medical interns’ deployment, but says the fight for better working conditions is far from over.

UMA Vice President Dr Wilberforce Kabweru said the association was pleased that the eight doctors had been released on bail by Uganda Road Court, describing the development as a source of relief to the medical fraternity. The interns were remanded on Friday last week for being public nuisance and disrupting traffic contrary to section 67(1)e and 1(a)of the Road Act Cap 346.

It is alleged by prosecution that the accused on August 12, along Parliamentary avenue, disrupted traffic when they held placards reading ‘say no to neth policy’, ‘No pay, no reporting’, ‘For the good of all Ugandans, pay medical interns ‘. According to the presiding Magistrate acts threatened to cause danger and inconvenience traffic.

However, Kabweru said the bail does not end the concerns that led to the current standoff between medical professionals and government.

He said UMA will continue engaging government to ensure that medical interns are given proper and meaningful contracts before they are required to report to their duty stations.

According to Kabweru, the contracts issued to interns did not provide adequate clarity on the terms and conditions under which they were expected to work.

He said the absence of clear commitments, particularly regarding financial support, has made it difficult for some interns to confidently take up their placements.

Kabweru argued that medical interns, like any other workers, require resources to enable them to report to their workplaces and carry out their duties.

He said government should clearly state what support will be provided, including allowances and other resources necessary for interns to secure accommodation, food and transport.

“If they give us that contract without any terms, it means we can as well just walk away,” Kabweru said,

He stressed the need for government to make clear and binding commitments.

He said a contract should not simply require interns to report for work without spelling out the obligations of the employer and the support available to the interns.

Kabweru further urged government to take the matter to Parliament so that legislators can debate the concerns surrounding the internship arrangements and make a clear decision.

He said the association wants a solution that will allow the affected doctors to report to duty with certainty about their welfare and working conditions.

Kabweru said this would ultimately benefit patients because doctors would be able to concentrate on providing medical care rather than worrying about how they will meet basic living expenses.

The UMA official said the association remains ready to negotiate with government and find a lasting solution to the dispute.

He stressed that while the granting of bail had brought relief, it was only one part of the broader issue, with the association still demanding meaningful action on the contracts and welfare of medical interns.

UMA’s position comes amid continued pressure over the deployment of medical interns, whose services are critical to hospitals and other health facilities across the country.

Kabweru said the association hopes government will reconsider its position and address the concerns so that the affected doctors can return to work under clear and fair conditions.

On Wednesday, August 12, after Opposition Leader Joel Ssenyonyi raised concerns over the ongoing dispute between government and medical interns.

Ssenyonyi told Parliament that doctors and medical interns across the country could go on strike if government fails to resolve the issue of their facilitation.

He said he had received a letter from the President of the Uganda Medical Association warning stakeholders of a planned industrial action if the government does not address the concerns within 14 days.

The dispute follows government’s decision to scrap the Shs1 million payment previously provided to each medical student undertaking internship.

The Health Minister Dr., Chris Baryomunsi responded in the house, urging interns not to disregard their deployments on account of the government’s policy. He threatened that medical interns who fail to report to their assigned duty stations by Saturday, August 15, 2026, risk losing their internship placements.

The Deputy Speaker of Parliament Thomas Tayebwa urged the Minister to speed up the consultations and give Parliament a clear position on the matter.

Tayebwa asked Baryomunsi to take the issue to Cabinet on Monday and return to Parliament with a final position on Tuesday.

Under Uganda’s medical education and internship policy, medical students must complete a mandatory supervised clinical internship before they can receive their university degrees.

Police investigating the death of actress Hayden Panettiere have ruled out foul play or suspicious circumstances, although authorities are still working to establish what caused the sudden death of the 36-year-old star.

Panettiere, who became a familiar face through her roles in “Heroes,” “Nashville” and the “Scream” franchise, died on Sunday in Greenville, South Carolina.

Emergency responders went to an apartment complex after receiving a call about an unresponsive woman and found the actress in cardiac arrest.

Despite efforts to revive her, she died at the scene.

What Police Have Discovered

The initial investigation has not uncovered anything to suggest that another person played a role in Panettiere’s death.

Authorities have also found no suspicious circumstances surrounding the actress’s final hours.

An autopsy found no trauma that contributed to her death, but the examination did not provide an immediate answer to the question of what caused it.

Officials are now waiting for additional testing before announcing the official cause and manner of death.

Reports surrounding the emergency call have raised questions about a possible overdose, but authorities have not confirmed that an overdose caused Panettiere’s death.

From Child Star to Hollywood Favourite

Panettiere started working in entertainment when she was a child, appearing in commercials and television productions before landing the role that would make her internationally famous.

In “Heroes,” she played Claire Bennet, a teenager who discovers that she can heal from serious injuries.

The role turned Panettiere into one of the most recognisable young stars on television and helped establish her as a major Hollywood name.

She later found another major role in “Nashville,” where she played country music star Juliette Barnes.

Her performance earned her two Golden Globe nominations and allowed her to showcase her singing alongside her acting.

Film audiences also knew her as Kirby Reed in “Scream 4.”

She returned to the character years later in “Scream VI,” giving fans one of her most popular roles another chapter.

She Had Recently Told Her Own Story

Panettiere had also become increasingly open about the difficult experiences that shaped her life away from the screen.

In her memoir, “This Is Me: A Reckoning,” she discussed addiction, postpartum depression, motherhood and the pressures that came with growing up in the public eye.

Her willingness to speak about those experiences gave fans a more personal look at the woman behind the characters they had watched for years.

News of her death has since prompted tributes from former co-stars, friends and other Hollywood figures, many of whom remembered Panettiere for her talent and the energy she brought to her work.

She leaves behind her daughter, Kaya, while authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding her death.