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The International Crimes Division of the High Court has sentenced former Guantanamo Bay detainee Jamal Kiyemba, also known as Abdullah or Tonny Kiyemba, to six years’ imprisonment after convicting him of soliciting or inviting support for the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), a designated terrorist organisation.

In her sentencing decision delivered on Tuesday, Justice Susan Okalany ordered that the four years, two months and 19 days Kiyemba has already spent on remand be deducted from the sentence, leaving him with a remaining prison term of one year, nine months and 11 days.

Kiyemba had been charged with three offences under the Anti-Terrorism Act: rendering support to a terrorist organisation, belonging to or professing to belong to a terrorist organisation, and soliciting or inviting support for a terrorist organisation. But he was acquitted of the first two charges, and found guilty of soliciting support for the ADF.

The court held that the prosecution had failed to prove that he rendered material support to the group or that he belonged to it, but established the offence of solicitation.

During sentencing, Chief State Attorney Jacquelyn Okui argued that the offence was serious because it endangered national security, public safety and public order. She told the court that the ADF has been responsible for killings, abductions, destruction of property, displacement of civilians and widespread fear in Uganda.

Okui further submitted that terrorist organisations rely on external support to sustain their operations and that encouraging such support facilitates terrorism. She noted that Kiyemba committed the offence at Kampala’s Old Taxi Park, a busy public place, and urged the court to impose a custodial sentence of at least seven years to deter similar conduct.

In mitigation, defence lawyers Musa Kabega and Faisal Balikurungi described Kiyemba as a 47-year-old first offender, husband and father of seven children who had served as a cleric at Masjid Taqwa and was the sole breadwinner for his family before his arrest.

The defence told the court that Kiyemba had expressed genuine remorse, undergone treatment for bipolar disorder while in custody and had been rehabilitated during more than four years on remand. Counsel also argued that there was no evidence his actions resulted in recruitment, financing or any act of violence linked to the ADF.

The defence further urged the court to consider Kiyemba’s lengthy history of detention without conviction. The court heard that he spent six months in prison after his 2013 arrest before obtaining mandatory bail, another seven months on remand following a 2014 arrest, and four years and seven months in custody after a 2015 arrest before the charges were withdrawn.

The court also heard that Kiyemba had previously spent more than four years at the United States detention facility at Guantanamo Bay without being convicted and was later issued a clearance certificate.

Justice Okalany said the earlier arrests and withdrawn charges could not be treated as evidence of criminal conduct or aggravating factors. Instead, she said they demonstrated the exceptionally long periods Kiyemba had spent in detention without conviction and were therefore relevant to his personal circumstances during sentencing.

In determining the sentence, the judge observed that soliciting support for a terrorist organisation is inherently serious because it can facilitate terrorism and threaten national security. She added that committing the offence in a crowded public place heightened its gravity.

However, the court found that the offence arose from a single incident and that there was no evidence Kiyemba recruited members, raised funds, provided material support or committed acts of violence on behalf of the ADF. Justice Okalany also considered his status as a first offender, his family responsibilities, his remorse and his mental health condition as mitigating factors.

After balancing the seriousness of the offence against the mitigating circumstances and the lengthy period already spent in custody, the judge concluded that a longer custodial sentence was unnecessary. She therefore imposed a six-year prison sentence effective from the date of conviction and directed that the period Kiyemba spent on remand from May 12, 2022, to July 29, 2026, be credited in accordance with the law.

Before concluding the proceedings, Justice Okalany addressed an administrative error involving two detention warrants held by the Uganda Prisons Service under separate criminal case numbers. She explained that the duplication resulted from a mistake at Buganda Road Chief Magistrate’s Court, where the same case had inadvertently been assigned two different case numbers.

The judge noted that the error had been corrected during committal proceedings in December 2022 and directed the Uganda Prisons Service to recognise that Kiyemba has only one case before the International Crimes Division.

Kiyemba has the right to appeal both his conviction and sentence before the Court of Appeal within 14 days.

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Two years after their highly publicized departure from Theron Music left their music career hanging in the balance, Kataleya and Kandle have revealed the song they credit with bringing them back into Uganda’s music conversation.

The duo says there was a point when they genuinely questioned whether they would ever recover from the uncertainty that followed their exit from the record label.

But that changed with Tompa.

Speaking about the song, Kataleya and Kandle described it as the breakthrough they desperately needed at a time when they were trying to rebuild both their confidence and their careers.

According to Kandle, the collaboration with Vinka only happened after several failed attempts to interest her in other songs.

“We sent her a few songs but she didn’t like any of them,” she recalled. “We went back to the studio and created Tompa. When she heard it, she immediately loved it and asked us to record it properly.”

What followed became one of the biggest songs of the year.

The collaboration has since attracted more than 1.4 million YouTube views, introducing the duo to a new wave of listeners while reminding old fans why they had become one of Uganda’s most exciting female acts.

For Kataleya, the song represented much more than commercial success.

“We had gone through a difficult time and Tompa helped bring us back,” she said. “We are grateful to Vinka because she believed in the song and made the collaboration easy.”

The pair also praised Vinka’s professionalism and enthusiasm in the studio, saying her positive attitude made the recording process smooth despite the pressure they were under.

Having rebuilt their momentum, Kataleya and Kandle are now looking ahead rather than behind. The trio are expected to reunite on stage when they perform together at Vinka’s upcoming concert at Lugogo Cricket Oval, bringing full circle a collaboration that helped relaunch the duo’s career.

This angle focuses less on gratitude to Vinka and more on the duo’s resilience and comeback, making it feel like a stronger feature for an entertainment page.

Peter Okoye, popularly known as Mr. P, has become emotional while reflecting on one of the most painful chapters of his life, opening up about how his then girlfriend, Lola, became pregnant when he was 27 and the fallout that followed within his family.

The former P-Square singer shared the story in a recent video posted on his Instagram page, explaining that he chose to announce the pregnancy himself because he did not want someone else to break the news first.

According to Mr. P, he made the announcement during the Soundcity Awards shortly after P-Square received an award.

When I was 27 years old, my girlfriend then, Lola, became pregnant. I did not want the news to break from someone else, so I decided to announce it myself. We attended the Soundcity Awards, and after receiving the award, I dedicated it to God Almighty, our fans, and everyone who had supported us. Lastly, I dedicated it to the mother of my unborn child.

Mr. P alleged that the announcement immediately caused tension behind the scenes, claiming his elder brother, Jude Okoye, and his twin brother, Paul Okoye, also known as Rudeboy, strongly opposed his decision and feared it would damage the group’s career.

He went on to accuse them of trying to convince him to end the pregnancy and making further allegations against Lola.

Immediately after that, Jude and Paul walked out, saying my announcement would ruin our career. They insisted that Lola should abort the baby. They even forged an email to frame her, claiming the child was not mine and accusing her of using the pregnancy to trap me.

Mr. P’s latest claims add another chapter to the long-running public dispute involving the Okoye brothers, which has seen both sides make a series of allegations over their personal and professional relationship.

At the time of publication, Jude and Paul had not publicly responded to Peter’s latest allegations.

Yesterday will forever be etched in my memory. It was a day that began with sorrow and almost ended in tragedy.

I left my home in Komamboga in the morning, drove to Shell Bulenga along Mityana Road, and parked my official car. My best friend and colleague, Hon. Prossy Mwanjuzi, picked me. We were headed to Sembabule via Mpigi – Kanoni – Gomba for the burial of our fallen brother, the late Mark Baingana, Deputy RCC Makindye Division.

We were driving in Hon. Mwanjuzi’s official car. Along the way in Mpigi Town, we connected with our colleagues: Edrine Benesa, Muyambi Moses, Moses Ariho, Paul Kalikwani, and Hon. Gaddafi Nasur. We formed a convoy and drove through Maddu Town Council, where we made a brief stopover for refreshments.

It is at Maddu that we found other colleagues already waiting: Mwami Serwadda, Mukyala Nassimbwa, and Sharon, the ARCC of Lubaga Division. We shared a meal, shared stories, and comforted each other ahead of the painful duty in Sembabule.

After refreshments, we boarded our cars and continued the journey. The mood was sober, but united in service.

Then it happened.
Upon reaching Kirisa, as we were progressing towards Kisozi, our car tyre burst.

Time seemed to freeze. In a split second, the vehicle swerved violently.
But God is great. Hon. Mwanjuzi’s driver, Julius, exhibited extraordinary professionalism and calm. For what felt like 10 minutes of eternity, he fought to control the vehicle as onlookers watched in disbelief. He steered us away from danger, from the ditch, from death itself.

We were shaken. We were in hurt. But we were alive.

By God’s grace and Julius’s skill, we managed to get to safety. We changed the tyre, but the shock had taken a toll. Hon. Mwanjuzi’s blood pressure had shot up dangerously high.

With no option, we evacuated her and drove back to Maddu for urgent medical checkups. After receiving medical attention and ensuring she was stable, we made the painful decision to discontinue with the burial arrangements and head back to Kampala.

Ladies and Gentlemen, I stand here today because God remembered us.
What should have been a fatal accident turned into a testimony. One minute you are on your way to bury a colleague, and the next minute you are fighting to stay alive yourself.

I thank God for spareing our lives.
I thank Julius the driver for his presence of mind and professionalism.
I thank all our colleagues who stood with us in that moment of panic.
And I thank the medical team in Maddu for the quick attention.

To my best friend Hon. Prossy Mwanjuzi: We have been through a lot together in service, but yesterday God reminded us that life is precious. Get well soon, sister.

To the family of the late Mark Baingana: Please forgive us. We tried, but fate had other plans. We will find another day to come and pay our last respects.

Yesterday, death knocked. But God answered the door.
For God and My Country.

KAGENYI LUKKA
DEPUTY RCC KAMPALA CITY – KAWEMPE DIVISION

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Long before he became one of Africa’s biggest highlife stars, Flavour says he experienced a humiliating moment that could have ended his dreams.

The Nigerian singer, born Chinedu Okoli, opened up during a recent podcast interview, recalling how a club manager abruptly stopped his performance to make way for the now-defunct music duo P-Square after they arrived at the venue.

According to Flavour, the incident happened while he was still trying to establish himself in the music industry.

I was performing one time when P-Square came in, and the manager of the place told me to leave the stage immediately.

Instead of arguing, the singer quietly stepped aside and watched what happened next.

I switched off my mic and went and sat down somewhere. Ladies were screaming and cheering wildly the moment Paul of P-Square took the mic and began singing ‘Temptation.’

Watching the crowd’s reaction left Flavour questioning why the audience responded so differently to him, despite performing at the same venue.

I was wondering whether it is not the same music we are all doing because I have been performing there and the crowd had never cheered me that way.

Although the experience embarrassed him, Flavour refused to let it define his career.

Instead, he turned the disappointment into motivation and focused on becoming a better artist.

I didn’t let the experience discourage me. Instead, I took it as a motivation to work harder and now we are here.

Today, Flavour ranks among Nigeria’s biggest music stars, with a career that has produced numerous hit songs and established him as one of Africa’s leading highlife artists.

KAMPALA, Uganda – August 7, 2026: Next Media Services has confirmed that two of its employees lost their lives while another sustained critical injuries following a road accident that occurred in the early hours of Friday along Entebbe Road.

According to a statement issued by the company on Friday, the accident involved three members of staff: Badru Kasirye, Isaac Ndamagye, and Brian “Makona” Ssemanda.

The company said Badru Kasirye and Isaac Ndamagye died in the crash, while Brian “Makona” Ssemanda is currently receiving treatment in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) under close medical supervision.

Next Media said it remains in constant communication with the hospital and will continue providing updates on Ssemanda’s condition as more information becomes available.

The media organization also appealed for privacy for the bereaved families and for Brian Ssemanda and his family as he continues to receive treatment.

“We ask for privacy for the families, and for Brian and his family, as he continues treatment. Updates will follow as they are confirmed,” the company’s management said in the statement.

Further details surrounding the cause of the accident have not yet been disclosed. Authorities are expected to investigate the circumstances leading to the fatal crash.

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KAMPALA | WATCHDOG UGANDA — The High Court Commercial Division has given the green light for the execution and sale of properties belonging to Springs Hotel Limited to settle an outstanding debt of Shs173 million, dismissing arguments raised by the debtor regarding a Shs1 billion valuation of the mortgaged assets.

The decision clears the way for court bailiffs to proceed with the recovery process on behalf of the creditor following prolonged non-payment and failed settlement attempts.

Background of the Case

The dispute stems from a commercial transaction in which Springs Hotel Limited defaulted on its financial obligations. As the arrears accumulated to Shs173 million—including interest and execution expenses—the creditor sought formal enforcement through the Commercial Court to attach and sell the secured properties.

In an effort to stall or challenge the impending attachment, representatives of Springs Hotel contested the execution order, arguing that the mortgaged property carried a high market valuation exceeding Shs1 billion. The hotel management contended that selling such a high-value asset to cover a significantly lower debt was disproportionate and commercially unfair.

The Court’s Ruling

Presiding over the matter, the court rejected the hotel’s valuation objections, ruling that contractual commitments and secured loan obligations must be enforced in accordance with the law.

The judge highlighted that:

• Enforceability of Contracts: A debtor cannot rely solely on property valuation claims to halt a lawful execution where default has been clearly established and remedies under the law remain open to the creditor.
• Auction Process & Surplus Protections: Legal protections exist under mortgage and execution procedures ensuring that properties sold at public auction or private treaty are handled transparently. Any proceeds realized beyond the debt figure of Shs173 million and associated legal costs must be refunded directly to Springs Hotel Limited.

What Lies Ahead

With the court’s dismissal of the hotel’s objection, auctioneers and court bailiffs are set to move forward with advertising and selling the attached assets to satisfy the decree.

Legal observers note that this ruling serves as a vital reminder to corporate borrowers and property developers regarding the strict approach taken by Ugandan commercial courts toward default enforcement and mortgaged security execution.

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Events promoter Abbey Musinguzi, popularly known as Abtex, says all preparations for Ray G‘s concert are complete, with only the audience left to fill Kololo Airstrip.

Speaking during Music Jam Tunyuke on Sanyuka TV, Abtex assured fans that the team had completed all preparations ahead of the August 7 concert.

Preparations are done for Ray G tomorrow.

Abtex urged music lovers from across the country to attend the concert, saying they should expect what he described as “class music.”

Ray G heads into the concert after weeks of rehearsals, promotional tours, and sponsorship announcements, with anticipation building ahead of one of the biggest shows of his career.

Uganda Prisons Service has assured MPs that remand prisoners, including high-profile detainees, have the right to access their own doctors and specialised medical treatment outside prison facilities.

Commissioner General of Prisons Johnson Byabashaija told MPs that prisoners who need specialised care beyond what prison clinics can provide can be taken to hospitals and doctors of their choice.

“If you are a remanded inmate, you have got the right to access your personal physician. We can even take you to facilities of your choice,” Byabashaija said.

He made the remarks while appearing before Parliament’s Committee on Defence and Internal Affairs on Thursday, August 6, 2026, following concerns about the health of detained opposition figures, including Dr Kizza Besigye and former Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago.

The assurance came after MPs questioned whether inmates with serious medical conditions were receiving adequate care while behind bars.

Kampala District Woman MP Shamim Malende raised concerns that some prisoners enter custody while on specialised medication but later rely only on prison medical services.

She asked whether inmates could access their personal doctors without having to seek fresh court orders.

Kalungu West MP Joseph Ssewungu also questioned the handling of medical reports relating to Lukwago, saying reports from health facilities had raised concerns about his condition.

But Byabashaija said the prison service follows medical advice and ensures inmates receive appropriate treatment.

“If we cannot handle your condition, the doctors determine where you should be referred. We can take you to Mulago or any other appropriate health facility,” he said.

12 YEARS WAITING FOR TRIAL

The Commissioner General also sounded the alarm over prison congestion, blaming delays in the justice system for keeping inmates behind bars for years without trial.

He revealed that one inmate has spent 12 years on remand waiting for his case to be heard.

“When somebody is committed to the High Court for trial, the DPP has already examined the file and decided the case should proceed. Nothing happens after that. We have to wait for the court to call the person,” he said.

Byabashaija urged authorities to expand the use of non-custodial measures, saying prison space should mainly be reserved for dangerous offenders.

“We should not have people charged with small land matters in prison. Prison should be reserved for people who are a danger to the security of the population,” he said.

The prison boss also disclosed that Uganda Prisons Service has created a special ward for mentally ill inmates and receives support from Butabika National Referral Mental Hospital.

He said plans are underway to establish a specialised mental health facility for prisoners at Butabika.

Meanwhile, Byabashaija said plans to relocate Luzira Maximum Security Prison have not progressed beyond the proposal stage because government has not yet secured an investor to implement the project.

KAMPALA, Uganda – Parliament has approved a government motion authorising the deployment of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) to the Gaza Strip as part of a proposed international stabilisation mission aimed at restoring peace and facilitating humanitarian assistance.

The motion, tabled by the Minister of Defence and Veteran Affairs, Hon. Kiryowa Kiwanuka, was approved during the plenary sitting chaired by Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa on Thursday, August 6, 2026.

Seeking Parliament’s approval under the Constitution and the UPDF Act, Kiwanuka said the deployment aligns with Uganda’s constitutional obligations and international commitments to promoting peace and security.

“The deployment is consistent with our National Objectives and Directive Principles of State Policy, particularly Objective XIII, which mandates Uganda to promote regional and international peace, security and cooperation,” the minister said.

He added that the mission would operate under strict humanitarian principles, with the UPDF contingent remaining neutral, complying with international humanitarian law, protecting civilians and operating solely under the mandate of the proposed Stabilisation Mission.

According to the government, Uganda’s participation will also strengthen the country’s international standing while contributing to peace and stability in the Middle East through a multinational force established following United Nations Security Council Resolution 2788 (2025).

Despite broad support for Uganda’s role in international peacekeeping, several legislators expressed concern over the manner in which the motion was presented and called for greater parliamentary oversight of the country’s expanding peace support operations.

The Chief Opposition Whip, Hon. Paul Mwiru, speaking on behalf of the Leader of the Opposition, argued that Members of Parliament needed more time to scrutinise the proposal before making a decision.

“I would only wonder whether it is not procedurally right that you adjourn, give us some time to address our minds to the motion and also use our technical officers to review the previous deployments we have made,” Mwiru said.

He maintained that Parliament was being asked to make a decision with significant national and international implications without sufficient time for consideration.

Deputy Speaker Tayebwa acknowledged that although the Defence Minister had submitted the motion earlier, its omission from the Order Paper was due to an oversight on his part.

“The Minister for Defence brought this motion much earlier. He did his part. So, it was an oversight on my side for not putting it on the Order Paper,” Tayebwa said.

He explained that the matter required urgent consideration because key decisions regarding the international mission were expected over the weekend.

Hon. John Baptist Nambeshe (NUP, Manjiya County) supported Uganda’s participation in peacekeeping missions but insisted that Parliament should first receive reports on ongoing deployments in the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Somalia and South Sudan.

“We would be required as the Legislature to know the performance of our peacekeeping missions in these countries,” Nambeshe said.

He also cautioned that Gaza presents unique operational challenges due to urban warfare, where distinguishing between combatants and civilians is particularly difficult.

Similarly, Hon. Patrick Nsamba (NUP, Kassanda County North) urged Parliament not to rush consideration of what he described as “a matter of life and death.”

“The matter of deploying our soldiers to a very risky place like Gaza, where Israel strikes every now and again, cannot be just casually passed here. We have to prepare enough,” he said.

Hon. Joseph Ssewungu (NUP, Kalungu County West) criticised the process through which the motion was brought to Parliament, arguing that the Opposition had not been given adequate time to prepare.

“But your packaging sometimes is a problem,” Ssewungu said. “I am not supporting your motion because it is an ambush on us.”

He also called for detailed information on troop welfare, mission benefits and support arrangements for soldiers’ families before Parliament approved another deployment.

Defending the proposal, UPDF representative Maj. Gen. Henry Masiko dismissed suggestions that the force was unprepared, saying Uganda should take pride in the confidence the international community has placed in its military.

“You should be very, very proud as Ugandans that the Uganda People’s Defence Forces is viewed as the anchor of stability in a sea of turbulence regionally and now globally,” Masiko said.

Hon. John Bosco Tumusiime (NRM, Kashari South County) argued that participation in international peace support operations enhances the professionalism and operational experience of the UPDF.

“By having this opportunity, this national force deployed outside, they are actually acquiring more skills,” he said.

UPDF representative Maj. Gen. David Gonyi said Uganda had both a moral and diplomatic responsibility to contribute to international peace efforts.

“We cannot be in this House and want to live in a peaceful country, yet fail to support the deployment of the UPDF to help members of the community living in the Gaza Strip attain at least some semblance of peace,” Gonyi said.

Seconding the motion, the Minister of State for Public Service, Hon. Lydia Wanyoto, said Uganda has earned international recognition as a reliable contributor to global peace and security, making its participation in the Gaza stabilisation mission both timely and consistent with its long-standing peacekeeping role.

Following debate, Parliament approved the motion, paving the way for the deployment of UPDF personnel to the proposed international stabilisation mission in Gaza.

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