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Mike Ssegawa, I have read your defense of Ministers Balaam Barugahara and Justine Nameere carefully. I agree with you on one thing: Uganda desperately needs stronger action against corruption, absenteeism and poor service delivery. But I disagree that humiliating public servants is the kind of disruption our country needs.

As a health professional, I know the reality inside many government health facilities. Workers are dealing with overwhelming workloads, understaffing, medicine shortages, inadequate equipment, poor accommodation and limited resources. Many are exhausted, yet they continue serving patients because people depend on them.

This does not excuse corruption or deliberate absenteeism. Where there is wrongdoing, people must be held accountable. But they must first be heard, investigated and given a fair opportunity to explain themselves.

What concerns me most is the recording and sharing of confrontations on social media. An allegation is not proof. Social media is not a court of law. A minister is not a judge, and a public confrontation is not an investigation.

When a health worker is publicly embarrassed in front of patients and their image is shared widely before the facts are established, the damage to their dignity and reputation can be enormous.

And we must ask: What happens to the patient when the person serving them feels humiliated, threatened and abandoned?

To our health workers, teachers and other government workers: you are not forgotten. You are not all corrupt. You are not all lazy. Your work matters. Please do not abandon the people you serve because you have been mistreated. The patient did not create the shortage of medicines. The child did not create understaffing. Continue serving them while using lawful channels to defend your rights.

To Ministers Balaam and Nameere, I say this respectfully: your fight against corruption is necessary, but your approach matters. Before asking why a health worker is absent, ask why the facility is understaffed. Ask where the medicines are. Ask why there is no equipment. Ask who is responsible for the conditions under which these workers operate.

And Mike, I respectfully ask you: after the cameras are gone, what has actually changed?

Are there more medicines? More staff? Better facilities? Less corruption? Better services? Are patients benefiting?

Ugandans need more than dramatic inspections and social-media videos. We need solutions and measurable results.

Let us fight corruption without destroying dignity. Let us demand accountability without abandoning compassion.

A broken system needs reform—but reform must protect both the citizen who needs the service and the worker struggling to provide it.

Asia Namusoke Mbajja:
Health Professional, Social Justice & Human Rights Advocate | Massachusetts-licensed Life Insurance Producer | Executive Director, People In Need Agency (PINA Uganda)

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KAMPALA — President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has congratulated his grandson, Ruhamya Kainerugaba, after graduating from the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst alongside fellow Ugandan officer Bakyira.

In a message addressed to Ugandans, particularly the “Bazzukulu,” President Museveni thanked God for protecting Uganda and enabling the country to address what he described as its numerous challenges.

Museveni also expressed gratitude for what he described as God’s blessing upon the National Resistance Movement (NRM) and its precursors over the past 60 years.

“Now, God has blessed me with one of my grandchildren, Ruhamya, joining my big family of UPDF, having graduated, with his colleague, Bakyira, from Sandhurst recently,” Museveni said.

He congratulated the two young officers on completing their training at Sandhurst, one of the world’s renowned military academies.

“Congratulations Ruhamya, congratulations Bakyira,” the President said.

Museveni encouraged young Ugandans to consider military service, saying the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) provides young people with a strong foundation.

“Young Ugandans, Army service gives you good foundation,” he said, while also congratulating the parents of the two newly graduated officers.

Ruhamya’s graduation adds another family milestone to Museveni’s long association with Uganda’s military establishment, while his message highlights the importance he places on discipline, service and leadership among Uganda’s young people.

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Uganda’s Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, has arrived in Libreville, Gabon, to attend the country’s 66th Independence Day celebrations alongside a high-level Ugandan delegation.

Gen. Kainerugaba is attending the August 17 celebrations at the invitation of Gabonese President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema, who is also the Supreme Commander of Gabon’s Defence and Security Forces.

Upon arrival in Libreville, Gen. Kainerugaba was received by Gabon’s Minister of Defence, Brig. Gen. Brigitte Onkanowa, and the Chief of General Staff of the Gabonese Armed Forces, Gen. Jean-Bédel Bouka.

Members of the Ugandan delegation, including State Minister for Agriculture Desire Muhooza, Joint Staff–Political Commissariat Maj. Gen. Henry Masiko, and Joint Staff Training and Doctrine Brig. Gen. Wycliff Keita, were also present to welcome the CDF.

The celebrations commemorate Gabon’s attainment of independence from French colonial rule in 1960 and come against the backdrop of growing diplomatic and strategic relations between Uganda and Gabon.

President Nguema visited Uganda in August 2024, where he held discussions with President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni on areas of mutual interest, including trade, defence, tourism and health cooperation. He later returned to Kampala in May 2026 to attend President Museveni’s inauguration.

Gen. Kainerugaba’s visit is expected to further deepen defence and security cooperation between Uganda and Gabon, with bilateral engagements on military collaboration and regional security expected to feature on the sidelines of the celebrations.

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The Member of Parliament representing the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) and Director Human Resource Management at the Special Forces Command (SFC), Hon. Col. Night Ikiriza, has urged students of Kitende Secondary School to embrace patriotism, discipline, integrity and a positive mindset as key values for personal growth and national development.

Col. Ikiriza, who represented the SFC Commander, Maj Gen. Asaph Mweteise Nyakikuru, made the remarks today while delivering a Lecture of Opportunity on patriotism and mindset change at the school.

She told the students that patriotism goes beyond recognition and national symbols, saying it starts with self-respect, discipline, responsibility and good character.

“True patriotism begins with self-love, self-respect and personal discipline,” Col. Ikiriza said, challenging students to take responsibility for their actions both at school and at home and to develop a spirit of initiative rather than waiting to be directed.

Col. Ikiriza reminded the students about Uganda’s difficult past and encouraged them to appreciate the peace the country enjoys while playing a role in protecting it.

She urged the learners to reject tribalism, religious discrimination and all forms of segregation, emphasizing the importance of unity, respect and valuing humanity.

“What is important is the person,” she said.

She encouraged students to embrace government development programmes, East African integration and Pan-Africanism, noting that the future of the continent depends on cooperation and shared responsibility among Africans.

The SFC senior officer cautioned students against negative behaviours, including corruption, theft, bad peer influence, pornography and irresponsible use of social media.

She advised them to remain focused on education and develop the courage, discipline and determination needed to overcome challenges instead of simply complaining about them.

Col. Ikiriza emphasized the importance of resilience and hard work, encouraging students not to lose hope because of temporary failures.

“Someone with determination, a hard worker and a resilient person can never fail to succeed,” she said.

She urged students to appreciate what their parents can provide and avoid being influenced by dissatisfaction and unhealthy comparisons.

“What your father failed to do, you will accomplish,” she challenged them.

Col. Ikiriza noted that Uganda does not only need people who can speak good English but citizens with integrity who can uphold their values and principles even in difficult situations.

In her closing remarks, Col. Ikiriza encouraged the students to work hard, maintain discipline and uphold positive values while considering opportunities to serve the country in government and other sectors.

She reminded them that patriotism is demonstrated through action, responsibility and service, stressing that Uganda’s future depends on a disciplined, focused and value-driven generation.

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