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JINJA: The Minister for the Presidency, Hon. Babirye Milly Babalanda, yesterday held a media briefing in Busoga Sub-region to mobilize the public to vote massively for NRM-endorsed candidates in the upcoming Local Council II leadership elections scheduled for Monday, August 10, 2026.

Minister Babalanda expressed gratitude from His Excellency President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, First Lady and Minister for Education and Sports, Mama Janet Kataha Museveni, PS office of the President, Hajji Yunus Kakande and entire staff of office of the President.

She applauded the people of Busoga for turning up and standing with NRM candidates in the recently concluded Local Council I elections, where the NRM registered victory countrywide.

“I thank the people of Busoga for standing with the NRM candidates in the LC1 elections. Let us replicate that same spirit on Monday and vote leaders who will deliver services and support Government programmes,” she said.

The Minister urged all elected leaders, regardless of political affiliation, to place the interests of the people above partisan considerations.

“Every Ugandan deserves quality services, opportunities for economic empowerment, and responsive leadership. These can only be achieved through cooperation and a shared commitment to national development,” Hon. Babalanda noted.

Minister Babalanda directed Resident District Commissioners, Resident City Commissioners, their Deputies and Assistants, Police, and other security agencies in Busoga and across the country to strengthen supervision and security during electoral processes.

She tasked them to protect voters, candidates, and polling officials to ensure that the tragic scenario that happened in Buwenge, Jinja, where lives were lost, does not happen again.

The Minister rallied the people of Busoga and Uganda at large to line up behind NRM-Endorsed candidates who understand the ideology of the NRM and H.E. President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni’s wealth creation agenda and NRM manifesto.

She emphasized that the Parish is the center for delivery of Government wealth creation programmes, especially under the Parish Development Model – PDM.
“Parish leaders are the bridge between Government policy and the households. They are the first to explain Government programmes to the people in the local language,” she said.

Minister Babalanda outlined the key roles of parish leadership:1. Sensitization: Educate households on PDM, Emyooga, OWC, the 4-Acre Model, and other initiatives. Dispel myths and address resistance to borrowing and saving. Mobilize all 7 categories: women, youth, PWDs, elderly, veterans, religious leaders, and the general community. LC II Leadership, Parish Chiefs, LC1 Chairpersons, and Parish Development Committee members lead mapping of households and identification of those in subsistence to move them into the money economy. They do Oversight and Accountability to ensure funds are used for intended enterprises, no ghost beneficiaries or inflated numbers, timely repayment of revolving funds, and regular reporting to Sub-county and RDC offices.

“Therefore, I urge all Ugandans to elect responsible leaders at the parish who are ready to guide and give accountability to wanainchi, since Government is pushing a lot of money for wealth creation programmes at the parish level,” she added.

Citing Section 123(2) of the Local Governments Act, Cap. 138, the Minister reminded voters that the election of Parish/Ward Council Chairperson shall be by the electorate lining behind the candidate nominated for the office, their representative, portrait, or symbols.“Let us turn up in large numbers, remain peaceful, and elect leaders who will work with Government to transform our parishes,” she concluded.

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By Brian Mugenyi

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JINJA — In a changing urban landscape where local governments are increasingly expected to deliver efficient, transparent and people-centred services, Makindye Ssabagabo Municipal Council has embarked on a strategic reflection aimed at strengthening performance, accountability and sustainable development.

The Municipality’s Town Clerk, Mr. Moses Otimong, has challenged municipal leaders and staff to embrace teamwork, innovation and integrity as the foundation for transforming service delivery.

Speaking after a staff retreat held at Jinja Civil Service College in an exclusive interview, Otimong said the engagement provided an opportunity for leaders and technical staff to step away from routine duties, evaluate their achievements, identify challenges and collectively design practical solutions for improving services to the people of Makindye Ssabagabo.

“This retreat provides us with a valuable opportunity to step away from our daily routines, reflect on our achievements, examine the challenges we face and collectively chart a way forward,” Atimong said.

He described the retreat as a platform for strengthening teamwork, improving communication and renewing commitment towards the municipality’s mission, vision and core values.

Building a Performance-Driven Municipality

Otimong told participants that effective service delivery requires every department and individual to understand their role in achieving the municipality’s priorities.

He emphasised that no institution can succeed through isolated efforts, saying collaboration among departments remains critical in achieving sustainable development.

“Our greatest strength lies in our ability to work together, support one another and pursue common goals,” he said.

The retreat focused on evaluating where the municipality has come from, where it stands and where it needs to go, with participants expected to agree on practical actions that will strengthen service delivery.

Key areas under review included administration, finance and planning, works and natural resources, education, production, community-based services, public health, trade, industry and local economic development.

The discussions also examined audit findings, risk management and priorities for the 2026/2027 financial year.

A Vision for a Better Municipality

Makindye Ssabagabo Municipal Council’s vision is to become a well-planned, clean and prosperous municipal council, while its mission focuses on providing quality, cost-effective and sustainable urban services.

The municipality’s core values include integrity, dedication, transparency, innovation and determination.

Otimong urged staff members to demonstrate these values in their daily work, saying public institutions must continuously improve in order to meet the expectations of citizens.

He said a modern municipality must be responsive, accountable and innovative in addressing the needs of residents.

Supporting Uganda’s Development Agenda

The Town Clerk further highlighted the municipality’s role in contributing to Uganda’s wider economic transformation agenda.

He noted that urban councils play an important role in supporting industrialisation, tourism, science and technology development as the country works towards expanding its economy.

Otimong said municipalities must position themselves as engines of growth by promoting efficient service delivery, sustainable urban planning and innovation.

“As a municipality which plays an integral role in coordinating Uganda’s transformation agenda, we must strive for service excellence through a competitive, people-centred and innovative approach,” he said.

Renewed Commitment to Citizens

By the end of the retreat, participants were expected to develop shared commitments aimed at improving municipal performance.

These include stronger collaboration across departments, clearer accountability measures, improved financial management and renewed dedication to ethical leadership.

The retreat comes at a time when local governments across Uganda are under increasing pressure to demonstrate value for public resources by ensuring that services reach communities effectively.

For Makindye Ssabagabo Municipality, the message from the engagement was clear: development begins with responsible leadership, coordinated teamwork and a commitment to putting citizens at the centre of governance.

As the municipality moves forward, Atimong believes that a united workforce driven by integrity and innovation will be critical in building a cleaner, better planned and more prosperous Makindye Ssabagabo.

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Ugandan superstar Bebe Cool has pushed back against Kenyan singer Bien-Aimé Baraza’s observations about Uganda’s music industry, arguing that international visibility should not be mistaken for economic success.

Bien recently noted that Uganda has developed a music model in which a strong hit can keep an artist busy with performances across the country for years. While he appeared to acknowledge the model as commercially effective, his comments sparked a wider conversation about whether Uganda’s industry has done enough to export its music beyond its borders.

Bebe Cool, however, sees the equation differently. The Gagamel Entertainment boss argues that Ugandan artists have barely scratched the surface of the money available in their own market and therefore have little reason to treat crossing the border as the ultimate measure of progress.

“In Uganda, there’s still a lot of space and money for artists to make before they even think about leaving the border. They can become billionaires without performing anywhere else.” He said during an X Space called ‘Creative industries as a catalyst for Uganda’s economic development.

For Bebe Cool, the real question is not how many countries an artist has performed in, but what that artist has been able to build from music.

He points to Ugandan musicians who have used earnings from the local entertainment circuit to invest in property, businesses, farms and other ventures, arguing that such investments offer a more tangible measure of success than international headlines or regional popularity.

The veteran musician also challenged the assumption that music industries must become globally dominant to be considered successful. He cited large domestic markets such as China and India, where artists can build substantial careers without constantly relying on international audiences.

“The financial status of artists is determined by the strength of their music in their own country, not necessarily by how far it travels around the world.”

That argument puts Bebe Cool at odds with a growing school of thought in East African music that sees regional and international expansion as the next frontier for artists.

Uganda has produced musicians with strong regional followings, but the country’s music industry remains heavily dependent on its domestic audience. For Bebe Cool, however, that is not necessarily a weakness. He believes the size and spending power of Uganda’s entertainment market already give local musicians a powerful foundation.

He went further, questioning whether Kenya’s music industry has necessarily done enough to establish itself beyond its borders to justify comparisons with Uganda.

Bebe Cool challenged Bien to demonstrate how far Kenyan music has progressed compared with Uganda, arguing that Kenyan music has also struggled to make a sustained impact beyond East Africa.

The Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development has said Roko Construction Ltd is the best local company in the country in as far as construction is concerned.

Musasizi made the remarks on Thursday while officiating at the ground breaking ceremony for the construction of Uganda Bureau of Statistics House Entebbe Office Block in Entebbe.

“The project will be completed in three and a half because we have employed the best local company in the country,” Musasizi said.

He said Roko has a proven experience in construction especially structures and that the country has never been let down by the company.

Roko recently completed the construction of a multi-storied Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development headquarters in Kampala.

He urged ROKO Construction Co. Ltd and all stakeholders to complete the project on time, uphold quality standards, and ensure value for money.

UBOS Board Chairman, Dr. Albert Byamugisha, described the project as a major milestone and appreciated Government’s support and funding.

He expressed confidence in ROKO Construction Co. Ltd to deliver a quality facility within the agreed timeline.

He also welcomed Uganda’s bid to host the East African Statistics Bureau at the facility, reaffirming Government’s commitment to strengthening regional statistical cooperation.

Roko Chairman

During the function, Musasizi emphasized the need to modernize statistical systems to meet emerging demands and international standards.

He noted that the facility will support research, innovation, skills development, and improved data management through training hubs, innovation laboratories, and a modern Data Centre.

UBOS Executive Director and Chief Statistician, Dr. Chris Mukiza, said the project marks a new chapter in Uganda’s statistical development.

The facility will host the East African Statistics Bureau, Data Centre, Data Science and Innovation Hubs, training facilities, and offices for census and survey coordination.

He noted that the investment will create jobs, build capacity, promote innovation, and strengthen evidence-based decision-making.

ROKO Construction Chairman, Mark Koehler, thanked the government of Uganda and UBOS for the opportunity, pledging the company’s commitment to delivering a safe, quality, and timely project through professionalism and collaboration.

ABOUT ROKO

For anyone considering doing business in Uganda, think ROKO. ROKO Construction Limited was founded in 1969 and is today one of Uganda’s leading Construction and Civil Engineering Groups.

The late Max Rohrer and Rainer Kohler, with 50 years combined experience in Africa, made a commitment to assist in Uganda’s prosperity and development when they founded ROKO.

Together with technical and commercial directors and over 40 qualified civil and site engineers, Rohrer and Kohler led ROKO to the forefront of the construction industry to emerge as the principal contractor in Uganda, and by 2001, we operated only in Uganda and Tanzania but Uganda has now developed to be a hub for activities in neighbouring countries and we have now heavily invested in Rwanda, Eastern Congo, Kenya and South Sudan.

ROKO Construction Limited had groomed into a self-sufficient company in the majority of construction disciplines and provides employment for an average of 1800 people, placing great emphasis on training its technicians and craftsmen to produce an exceptionally high standard of workmanship. Materials are produced locally and from the Preferential Trade Area wherever possible, and imports are facilitated by ROKO’s association with the SAI Trading Company in Europe.

We have a wide variety and quantity of earthmoving and construction equipment available, including traxcavators, bulldozers, dumptrucks, compactors, dragline/cranes to execute most types of Civil/Road works, together with all equipment necessary for general construction of high-rise buildings.

Projects accomplished since 1969 include Bank of Uganda, Workers House, Village Mall Bugolobi, Acacia Mall, Mestil Hotel, among others.

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Ugandan viral sensation Tenge Tenge is taking his career to a bigger stage after signing a new deal with US-based entertainment company Black Market Records.

The young star, real name Saad Ssozi, shot to fame through his hilarious videos, energetic dance moves and unmistakable personality, quickly becoming one of Uganda’s most recognizable social media personalities.

His popularity has also stretched beyond Uganda, earning him a huge following across Africa and making him a sought-after face for entertainment and brand campaigns.

But Tenge Tenge’s rise has not been without drama. His growing fame has occasionally been accompanied by controversy and intense online scrutiny, putting his young career under the microscope.

Now, the new Black Market Records deal could signal a fresh chapter.

According to his management, the partnership comes after two and a half years of negotiations and 12 official meetings between the two sides.

“After two and a half years of talks and twelve official meetings, Black Market Records and Tenge Tenge have finally come to an agreement,” his management said.

The company says its focus will be on building Tenge Tenge’s brand and expanding his career beyond his viral social media presence.

“Black Market Records is very excited to announce the signing of Tenge Tenge, one of Uganda’s most recognisable and influential personalities on social media, and we look forward to an exciting future together.”

For Tenge Tenge, the deal comes at an important point in his career.

Viral fame can be fleeting, but with professional backing, the young entertainer now has an opportunity to turn his internet popularity into a lasting entertainment brand.

From dance challenges and comedy clips to international opportunities, Tenge Tenge’s next move could determine whether he remains Uganda’s viral sensation or evolves into one of Africa’s biggest young digital stars.

Buganda Kingdom Katikkiro Charles Peter Mayiga has challenged Ugandan creatives to stop viewing copyright as the ultimate solution to their financial struggles, arguing that wealth in the creative industry is built through talent, branding and business acumen rather than legal protection alone.

Speaking at Bulange while hosting singer Irene Namatovu and other creatives, Mayiga said although copyright and neighbouring rights are important, they only protect value that has already been created.

“Copyright law is not the one going to make creatives wealthy. Let no one lie to you,” he said.

Mayiga warned that the growing emphasis on copyright enforcement should not distract artists from investing in their craft, building strong brands and creating work that audiences are willing to pay for.

To illustrate his point, he cited Tanzanian music star Diamond Platnumz, recalling his appearance at the Kampala Capital Carnival during Jennifer Musisi’s tenure as Kampala Capital City Authority executive director.

“When Diamond was hired to perform at the KCCA Carnival and got paid in dollars during Jennifer Musisi’s tenure, was it copyright that hired him?” Mayiga asked.

He argued that Diamond’s ability to command high performance fees came from years of developing his music, reputation, stagecraft and commercial appeal, with copyright serving only to protect the value he had already built.

Mayiga also referenced Eddy Kenzo’s performance at the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations in Gabon, saying the Ugandan singer earned that opportunity because of his talent and international profile rather than copyright protection.

“When Kenzo performed at AFCON that was hosted in Gabon, was it copyright that hired him for his services?” he asked.

Describing copyright as a safeguard rather than a source of wealth, Mayiga compared it to a padlock.

“Copyright is just like a padlock on the doorway. When you don’t lock it, it is useless,” he said, explaining that a padlock only has value if there is something worth protecting behind the door.

His remarks come amid renewed debate over copyright and neighbouring rights in Uganda, with artists, producers and rights organisations pushing for stronger enforcement to ensure creators are fairly compensated for the use of their intellectual property.

Mayiga, however, insisted that sustainable success in the creative economy begins with developing talent, maintaining discipline, embracing innovation and treating creativity as a business capable of attracting audiences and investment.

Ugandan officer cadet Andrew Bakira Ruyondo has won the International Sword at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, an award presented to the outstanding international officer cadet at the academy’s Sovereign’s Parade.

A photograph from the ceremony shows Ruyondo in ceremonial uniform standing with family members beneath Sandhurst’s “International Sword” honours board, where his name, listed as A. Bakira, Uganda, now appears among previous recipients from countries including Bangladesh, Thailand, Saudi Arabia, Slovenia, Singapore, Bahrain, and the United Arab Emirates.

The International Sword, also referred to by the British Army as the Overseas Sword, is among the major honours presented during Sandhurst’s Sovereign’s Parade to international cadets. Previous Sandhurst ceremonies have described the recipient as the international officer cadet judged by the Commandant to have performed the strongest overall during training.

Part Of A Notable Graduating Cohort

Ruyondo graduated alongside Ruhamya Kainerugaba, son of Chief of Defence Forces Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, with both among the international and British cadets completing Sandhurst’s officer-training programme, which covers military leadership, field training, tactics, and physical development.

Their graduation continues the UPDF’s long-standing practice of sending selected officer cadets to overseas military academies for training, with Ruyondo’s International Sword win marking a notable individual achievement for Uganda within this year’s international cohort.

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