Dr. Eunice Otuko Apio has petitioned Parliament over Ndejje University’s continued withholding of academic transcripts and certificates from former students, saying 102 students have already lost jobs and other opportunities as a result, despite having cleared all their dues with the university.
According to the petition, the affected students say they fulfilled every financial obligation required of them but have still been unable to access their academic documents, leaving them locked out of employment and other opportunities that required proof of their qualifications.
What The Petition Is Asking For The petition asks Parliament to: • Compel the university to release the withheld academic documents without further delay • Investigate whether other students beyond the 102 identified are suffering in silence over the same issue • Require education regulators to establish a clear complaints, escalation, and accountability mechanism for cases like this • Bring the matter to a final resolution • Reimburse the money spent clearing dues for 18 government-enrolled students from Karamoja.
ADVERTISEMENT
Regulator Accused Of Inaction
Dr. Apio says previous appeals to the National Council for Higher Education (NCHE) over the matter have produced little to no action, prompting the decision to escalate the case directly to Parliament.
The petition adds to a growing list of complaints before Parliament’s Education Committee involving university-level disputes over academic documentation and regulatory oversight, with affected students continuing to push for accountability from both their institutions and the bodies meant to regulate them.
CampusBee will continue to follow this story as Parliament takes up the petition.
The family of the late Dr. Samwiri Bulwanyi Senfuma has revealed the plans for the final send-off of their beloved one, whose body was repatriated from Nairobi, Kenya, to Kampala, Uganda, where he will be laid to rest.
Dr. Senfuma passed away on July 31, 2026, at MP Sha Hospital in Nairobi, where he had travelled to seek advanced medical treatment.
He is survived by his ten children: Christopher Senfuma, Milly Nanfuma, Stefano Kirabo Senfuma, Wycliff Bulwanyi, Karlheinz Senfuma, Melissa Bulwanyi Senfuma, Kevin Senfuma, Celestine Senfuma, Geoffrey Senfuma, and David Senfuma.
Dr. Senfuma devoted more than four decades of his life to medicine and compassionate service across Uganda, Germany, and the United Kingdom.
After earning his medical degree from Makerere University and furthering his studies in Germany, he built a distinguished career as a Consultant Psychiatrist.
Despite spending many years abroad, his commitment to Uganda never wavered. He established the Senfuma Memorial Clinic in Masaka and founded the Bukango Semechi Medical Project, an initiative that provided affordable—and often nearly free—healthcare to underserved communities.
He also spearheaded the development of NOVUS, a specialist rehabilitation centre for people battling substance-use disorders, reflecting his lifelong dedication to advancing mental healthcare and public service.
Throughout his career, Dr. Senfuma touched countless lives through his kindness, generosity, and unwavering commitment to his family, patients, colleagues, and community.
His passing has left his loved ones grappling with the unexpected financial burden of repatriating his body from Nairobi to Uganda, alongside the costs of organising his funeral.
According to the family, the funeral programme will begin on Thursday with prayers and an official vigil at 6:00 p.m. at Kako in Masaka.
On Friday, a funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m. at St. Paul’s Cathedral, Kako, before his burial at 2:00 p.m. at his ancestral home in Kako, Masaka.
The case of the estates of the late Zura Mama Kasuku and the late Ahluwalia Guido has become a striking example of how the very institutions entrusted with justice can be accused of denying it. In a petition dated July 16, 2026, members of the Wallia and Ahluwalia families have taken the extraordinary step of appealing directly to President Yoweri Museveni, alleging misconduct by the Administrator General of Uganda, Manzi Victor, and Justice Deepa Verma. Their complaint is not only a family dispute but a broader indictment of how authority can be wielded to silence, exclude, and dispossess.
The complainants — Bunny Wallia, Johnny Wallia, Ronnie Wallia, and Jassie Ahluwalia — open their petition with a stark declaration: “We hereby lodge this legal complaint and request for urgent investigation into the alleged irregular, improper, unlawful and abusive conduct in the processing of the estates of the late Zura Mama Kasuku and the late Ahluwalia Guido.” This sets the tone for a document that is both legal in its framing and deeply personal in its grievances. They accuse officials of manipulating procedures, excluding rightful heirs, and rushing through decisions without consultation. The irony is clear: those charged with safeguarding justice are accused of orchestrating injustice.
At the heart of the complaint is the allegation that a family meeting was convened on June 12, 2026, without notifying or inviting the complainants. They write: “We were neither notified nor invited to the meeting, yet decisions purporting to bind the entire family were taken.” This exclusion is not presented as a mere oversight but as a deliberate act designed to sideline certain family members. The complainants argue that the meeting was staged to create a veneer of legitimacy, paving the way for subsequent actions that would strip them of their rights. The very next day, certificates of no objection were issued, a speed of bureaucratic action they describe as “suspiciously convenient.” In their words: “The issuance of certificates of no objection on June 15, 2026, without due consultation, demonstrates collusion and abuse of office.”
The complaint goes further, alleging that Administration Causes Nos. 599 and 600 of 2026 were filed before the High Court without informing the rightful beneficiaries. They insist: “We were deliberately kept in the dark, and filings were made before the High Court without informing us, the rightful beneficiaries.” This exclusion from judicial proceedings is framed as a denial of natural justice. The complainants argue that the Constitution guarantees fairness and transparency, yet they have experienced the opposite. They write: “The Constitution of Uganda guarantees fairness, transparency, and accountability in public administration. What we have witnessed is the opposite: secrecy, manipulation, and abuse.”
The paradox is striking. A judge, entrusted with upholding justice, is accused of presiding over a process that denies it. The Administrator General, tasked with ensuring orderly estate administration, is accused of collusion and abuse. The complainants highlight this contradiction repeatedly, pointing to actions that appear to undermine the very principles these offices are meant to protect. They declare: “No one is above the law, and those who abuse their offices must face consequences.” Their words underscore the irony of justice being denied by those charged with delivering it.
The petition is meticulous in its evidentiary approach. The complainants list documents they intend to rely upon, including a newspaper publication in the New Vision dated July 10, 2026, notices and applications in Administration Causes Nos. 599 and 600, files from Administrator General’s Causes Nos. 1258 of 2026 and 3460 of 2011, and documents establishing family relationships and estate properties. They state: “We shall rely on these documents to demonstrate the irregularities and improprieties complained of.” This careful documentation reflects their determination to substantiate their claims and to expose what they describe as manipulation and abuse.
Their requests to President Museveni are sweeping. They call for registration of the complaint, an independent and impartial investigation, examination of all supporting documents, disciplinary or criminal action where misconduct is established, and a written response on actions taken. They write: “We request that this complaint be registered and investigated without delay, and that appropriate action be taken against those found culpable.” By appealing directly to the President, they signal both their desperation and their belief that lower institutions have failed them.
The petition is copied to a wide array of officials, including the Deputy Chief Justice, the Head of Secret Service, the Chief of Defence Forces, State House Legal Affairs, the Foreign Affairs Division, the Anti‑Corruption Unit, and Justice Deepa Verma herself. This breadth of distribution underscores the seriousness of the allegations and the complainants’ desire to ensure transparency. They explain: “We have copied this complaint to relevant offices to ensure transparency and accountability.” The wide circulation also reflects their fear that the complaint might otherwise be buried or ignored.
The complainants’ narrative paints a picture of a process hijacked to serve particular interests. They allege that certificates of no objection were issued without proper scrutiny, that family meetings were staged to create legitimacy, and that court filings were made in secrecy. Their language is uncompromising: “The process has been hijacked, and the estates of our loved ones are being mismanaged.” This accusation is not only about property but about the integrity of institutions. The complainants argue that the manipulation of estate administration reflects a broader pattern of abuse in public office.
Beyond legal arguments, the petition highlights the emotional toll of the dispute. The complainants confess: “We have endured anguish and distress, watching our family heritage being dismantled through irregular and unlawful means.” They describe themselves as victims of a process that has stripped them of agency and dignity. They lament: “Our pleas have been ignored, our rights denied, and our heritage endangered.” These words convey the human cost of what they describe as institutional betrayal. The irony is that those entrusted with justice have become, in their view, agents of injustice.
The petitioners insist that accountability is essential. They declare: “No one is above the law, and those who abuse their offices must face consequences.” This assertion reflects their belief that the dispute is not merely about inheritance but about the integrity of Uganda’s institutions. They argue that if officials can manipulate estate administration with impunity, then the rule of law itself is endangered. Their appeal to the President is framed not only as a family matter but as a national concern.
The closing of the petition is marked by unity and determination. Signed by Bunny Wallia, Johnny Wallia, Ronnie Wallia, and Jassie Ahluwalia, the letter affirms: “We stand united in our demand for justice, and we shall pursue this matter until fairness is restored.” Their collective voice underscores the seriousness of their appeal. They present themselves not as isolated individuals but as a united family demanding accountability.
The controversy surrounding the estates of Zura Mama Kasuku and Ahluwalia Guido illustrates broader concerns about transparency and accountability in Uganda’s judicial and administrative systems. The complainants’ decision to escalate the matter to the President reflects both their desperation and their resolve. Whether their appeal will yield intervention remains uncertain, but their words leave little doubt about the depth of their grievances. Their petition is more than a legal complaint; it is a denunciation of abuse and a plea for accountability. They write: “We seek not only the protection of our family rights but also the preservation of the rule of law in our country.”
The case raises profound questions about the role of judicial officers and administrators. How can those charged with delivering justice be accused of denying it? How can institutions meant to protect rights be accused of stripping them away? The complainants’ words highlight this paradox repeatedly. They argue that the very offices meant to safeguard fairness have become instruments of exclusion. Their petition is a reminder that justice is not only about laws and procedures but about trust in institutions. When that trust is broken, the consequences are profound.
In analyzing this case, one sees the tension between authority and accountability. The Administrator General and Justice Verma hold positions of power, yet they are accused of using that power to stifle justice. The complainants’ appeal to the President reflects their belief that only the highest office can restore fairness. Their words are a warning that when justice is denied by those entrusted with it, the legitimacy of institutions is at stake. They insist: “We shall not relent until justice is done and the truth is revealed.” This determination reflects both personal grievance and a broader demand for accountability.
The petition is a powerful document, heavy with quotations and accusations, meticulous in its evidence, and uncompromising in its demands. It illustrates how family disputes can expose systemic issues, how personal grievances can become national concerns, and how the denial of justice by those charged with delivering it can undermine trust in institutions. The complainants’ words resonate beyond their family, raising questions about the integrity of Uganda’s judicial and administrative systems. Their appeal to President Museveni is both a cry for help and a call for accountability.
Whether it will succeed remains to be seen, but the petition itself is a testament to their determination to fight for justice.
Do you have a story in your community or an opinion to share with us: Email us at Submit an Article
If you are the kind of person who enjoys and pays attention to fashion trends in Uganda then the name Kiba shots does ring the bell. I had a one on one with Bahati Johnbosco the man behind the famous and amazing pictures of most celebrities in the country and below is our chat.
FabMc: Great to have you here briefly introduce yourself to our readers
Bahati: Thank you Fab for hosting me. Greetings to you all our most valued readers. My name is JohnBosco Bahati a mechanical engineer turned fashion and wedding photographer at Kiba shots (www.kibashots.com) and Seraphic pictures (www.seraphicpictures.com).
FabMc: How did you develop your interest in photography?
Bahati: Way back in my secondary school through to university I used to hold a small camera that could make me pocket money at school.
FabMc: How long have you been a photographer?
Bahati: I have been a professional photographer for 7 years since 2014.
FabMc: What is the best advice you’ve received as a photographer?
Bahati: My mentor Brett Florens advised me to always either do it for free or for full price and this has always been the basis for the branding and growth of my photography brands.
FabMc: Do you have any formal education as a photographer?
Bahati: I quit Mechanical engineering in 2014 to go to South Africa to professionally train with Brett Florens a Fashion and wedding photographer and he has since become my mentor.
FabMc: Whose work has influenced you most?
Bahati: Brett Florens work has greatly influenced me.
FabMc: What is the one thing you wish you knew when starting your career?
Bahati: I wish I knew how important it was to find an experienced mentor. This not only helps you focus in the right direction but also saves the hustle of learning the hard way.
Bahati and wife Kihunde Margaret
FabMc: Who is your favorite photographer in Uganda?
Bahati: Jjumba Martin and Jeffrey Semakula
FabMc: How would you describe your photography style?
Bahati: I’m a luxury lifestyle photographer. I aim at creating memories of people for generations to come. Above all, I sell an experience
FabMc: Among your works, which one is your favorite and why?
Bahati: The attached 4 images are truly my favorites. This is because I worked with the most talented stylist Mavo Kampala, wonderful makeup artists Peter Russell and Tk Makeup Empire to creatively come up with these looks. All thanks to the models who didn’t disappoint.
Amazing shot of models taken by Bahati
FabMc: What do you consider your biggest success?
Bahati: My wife Kihunde Margaret and our beautiful kids Bahati and Princess are my biggest success. I wouldn’t be the photographer I am if I hadn’t had the full support of my wife.
FabMc: What do you like to photograph most in your free time?
Bahati: I love photographing people. Engaging with people fulfills my dream of being a photographer that creates memories for generations to come.
FabMc: Do you prefer to work for your family and friends or for the people who you don’t know?
Bahati: It’s always the people you don’t know that are always willing to fully support not because of your history but because of what you are able to satisfactorily deliver.
FabMc: Do you prefer to work indoor or outdoor?
Bahati: Both, photography is merely understanding light.
FabMc: What do you do to always stay focused?
Bahati: I have since 2014 dedicated an hour every single day for personal development.
FabMc: What is for you the most rewarding in being a photographer?
Bahati: The compliments from clients thanking me for great pictures and having had an amazing experience working with me are by far the most rewarding and my everyday fuel.
FabMc: In your opinion, what is the difference between a professional photographer and a hobby one?
Bahati: A professional photographer treats photography as a business. He has a professional portfolio that showcases his work (website), has several professional gears, and knows when to use a specific one, he understands the value of timely communication and the power that is in consistency. but above all, he understands that the most important part of the business is delivery so he always delivers work in time. While a hobby photographer photographs for the fun of it.
FabMc: How do you do to stay up to date with the new photography techniques?
Bahati: I dedicate an hour daily for personal growth
FabMc: How do you do to stay up to date with the new photography equipment?
Bahati: I research and keep updated but only buy gear that does the job perfectly not because it’s the latest gear.
FabMc: What equipment is a must-have for you?
Bahati: A full frame Nikon body.
FabMc: What kind of gear do you use?
Bahati: I use a Nikon D810 and Nikon lenses like 85mm, 70-200mm, 24-70mm, Elinchrome and Godox lights, SB 900 flash to mention but a few
FabMc: What is your favorite lens and why?
Bahati: My versatile lens is 70-200mm VRII. It gives me liberty to shoot while not over moving back and forth.
FabMc: What, in your opinion, is more important: a shooting itself or post-production and editing?
Bahati: They are both surely important. I aim at getting it right in camera to save time during post-production.
FabMc: How do you prepare for a shooting?
Bahati: I discuss with the client prior to knowing what they envision, I then create a mood board to help point us in the right direction. I do site visits days before if the shoot will be outdoor. I make sure I double check all my gear a day before the shoot. This helps me to be all set for the shoot.
FabMc: What is the most important while shooting a baby picture?
Bahati: You have to nail the shots within the first 2-5minutes of the shoot. Babies easily get irritated. This simply means testing the light prior to bringing the baby into the shooting space.
FabMc: How do you handle disagreements with clients?
Bahati: I have fortunately not had any so far because I aim at understanding the client’s vision before the shoot.
FabMc: How would you handle a client who is unhappy with your work?
Bahati: It has never happened but just in case it happens at Kiba shots we give 100% refund guarantee.
Bahati a mechanical engineer turned fashion and wedding photographer
FabMc: Describe your typical working day.
Bahati: I wake up in the morning, pray and play with my kids, then head to the studio to shoot usually between 2-3 shoots a day. The clients select their images and head back home where my post production takes place up to 2 am.
FabMc: If you could advise someone who wants to start a career as a photographer, what would you say?
Bahati: I advise anyone out there to find a mentor who is already in the position that they want to be. This will save you time and money.
FabMc: What’s your favorite food?
Bahati: I love posho and fish
FabMc: If you could choose three people to invite for a dinner party, who would they be and why?
Bahati: Kihunde Margaret (my wife), Renzioni Hill (Events planner that welcomed me with open arms) Brenda Kirumira (A premium Kiba shots client turned out a family friend)
FabMc: Share something your readers wouldn’t know about you.
Bahati: I’m a very funny guy but this you can only witness when you book a shoot with Kiba shots.
FabMc: If you had to describe yourself in three words, what would they be?
Bahati: Loving, caring, trusted.
FabMc: If you could choose celebrity parents, who would you choose?
Bahati: I admire Brenda’s parenting
FabMc: Tell me something about your love life
Bahati: I have loved my wife Maggie for over 15 years. We are blessed to have two beautiful children Bahati and Princess.
FabMc: Tell me 3 things you can’t stand about men?
Bahati: Not creating time for family, Love for football, and having many children outside marriage.
FabMc: Favorite artist and favorite song?
Bahati: Silver Kyagulanyi his gospel song OLUNAKU LUNO is amazing
FabMc: According to you who is the best politician in Uganda and what do you like about him or her
Bahati: Sadly I’m not political, I’m a businessman.
FabMc: Your last remarks to your fans and readers as well
Bahati: To the Kiba shots fans, we love you back. Many thanks to my clients, I bless the Lord for you. Once again, thank you for hosting me. Kiba shots (www.kibashots.com) and Seraphic pictures (www.seraphicpictures.com) forever. Find us on social media @kibashots and @seraphic_pictures
Parliament has adopted President Yoweri Museveni’s recommendations on the Excise Duty (Amendment) Bill, 2026 and the Income Tax (Amendment) Bill, 2026, retaining a lower excise duty on single-use plastics and removing a tax exemption for winnings from land-based casinos.
The proposals were in two separate Bills returned by the President to Parliament for reconsideration.
On the Excise Duty (Amendment) Bill, Parliament approved the recommendation to retain the excise duty on single-use plastics at 2.5 per cent or US$70 per tonne, whichever is higher, instead of the previously passed 25 per cent or US$1,500 per tonne.
Presenting the report of the Committee on Finance, Planning and Economic Development during plenary on Tuesday, 04 August 2026 chaired by Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa, committee member Hon. James Kakooza (NRM, Older Persons’ Representative) said members agreed with the President that the higher tax should only be considered after a comprehensive study on its impact on the plastics industry.
“The committee agrees with the President that an increase in the excise duty on single-use plastics from 2.5 per cent or US$70 per tonne, whichever is higher, to 25 per cent or US$1,500 per tonne whichever is higher should be stayed until a thorough study is undertaken to ascertain its impact on the industry,” Kakooza said.
He said the committee supported expanding the tax to cover more single-use plastic products while preserving exemptions for multiple-use plastics, sanitary pad packaging, vacuum food packaging and pharmaceutical products. The committee also recommended that the finance ministry undertake a comprehensive study on plastic taxation and report back to Parliament within six months.
However, Hon. Gyaviira Lubowa (NUP, Nyendo-Mukungwe Division) opposed reconsideration of both Bills, arguing that the 12th Parliament lacked the legal authority to revisit legislation passed by the dissolved 11th Parliament and that they should instead have been reintroduced through a fresh First Reading.
“It is, therefore, irregular to consider Bills that were already passed by the 11th Parliament before it was dissolved,” Lubowa said.
Lubowa also criticised government’s shifting position on plastics, saying it had sent mixed signals without carrying out sufficient studies. He argued that adopting the President’s proposal would result in a foregone Shs208 billion in expected revenue.
In a separate minority report, Hon. Karim Masaba (Indep., Industrial Division) supported retaining the lower tax rate but rejected the expanded exemptions.
“I agree with the President’s proposed rate of 2.5 per cent or US$70 per tonne. Additionally, this minority report sets out my divergent position on the tax exemptions created by the President’s proposal and the significant revenue loss that would result from its adoption,” Masaba said.
He argued that while the lower rate was acceptable, widening exemptions for multiple-use plastics and pharmaceutical packaging would reduce expected revenue from Shs208 billion to Shs3 billion, costing government about Shs205 billion.
The Minister of Finance Planning and Economic Development, Hon. Henry Musasizi, disputed the minority’s revenue estimates, saying the loss would be only about Shs7 billion.
“In a nutshell, I am of the considered opinion that the President’s proposal is in the right direction. The process of arriving at this decision evolves; we can have a position today as a government but when new information comes another position can be formed,” Musasizi said.
Hon. Patrick Nsamba (NUP, Kassanda County North) argued that after evicting people from wetlands in the name of environmental protection, government should not appear to be relaxing its stance on plastics.
Parliament, nevertheless, adopted the President’s recommendations.
The House also approved the President’s proposal on the Income Tax (Amendment) Bill, 2026, removing the exemption from withholding tax for winnings from land-based casinos while retaining the exemption for winnings paid under the national lottery.
Hon. Maximus Ochai, Chairperson of the Committee on Finance Planning and Economic Development, said exempting casinos would create tax loopholes.
“The committee examined the Income Tax (Amendment) Bill, 2026 and the President’s request and agrees with the President that the exemption granted to land-based casinos will create unnecessary opportunities for tax avoidance and revenue leakage since it establishes different tax treatment for substantially similar gaming activities solely on the platform through which they are conducted,” he said.
He added that removing the exemption would protect the projected Shs65 billion in revenue by ensuring equal tax treatment for all betting and gaming operators.
Despite the objections, Parliament adopted the committee’s majority reports and the President’s recommendations, maintaining the lower plastics excise duty while ensuring winnings from land-based casinos remain subject to withholding tax alongside other betting and gaming activities.
Do you have a story in your community or an opinion to share with us: Email us at Submit an Article
Kampala, Uganda — Stanbic Bank Uganda has become the first financial institution in the country to integrate with China’s Cross-Border Interbank Payment System (CIPS), enabling Ugandan businesses to make direct, faster, and lower-risk payments in Chinese Yuan (RMB).
The move is expected to significantly cut foreign exchange exposure and streamline settlement for the billions of dollars in annual trade between the two countries.
Uganda imported USD 3.3 billion worth of goods from China in 2025, compared to USD 118 million in exports. The new system is expected to help exporters to access Chinese buyers more efficiently and reduce the cost of doing business for importers.
Presiding over the launch at the inaugural Stanbic–China Trade Forum in Kampala on Tuesday, Minister of State for Industry David Bahati said the platform addresses long-standing payment and data challenges in Uganda–China commerce.
“China is one of Uganda’s most significant bilateral partners. This solution removes key bottlenecks and opens practical pathways for deeper industrial and commercial collaboration,” Bahati said.
Globally launched by the People’s Bank of China in 2015, CIPS is the official clearing and settlement infrastructure for cross-border RMB transactions.
Andrew Mashanda, Standard Bank Group’s Head of Business and Commercial Banking for Africa Regions and Offshore, said the development aligns with their broader strategy to power the continent’s economic trajectory with trade being a key driver.
“Africa–China trade has been a key driver of growth across the continent. The next chapter will be defined not just by trade volumes, but by what we build together — manufacturing capacity, value addition, and infrastructure,” Mashanda said.
With Uganda increasingly becoming a gateway into East Africa’s fast-growing regional economy, Mashanda said, “We must continue unlocking investment opportunities for Chinese partners and create an environment conducive to shared prosperity.”
The availability of CIPS in Uganda, Stanbic Bank Uganda Chief Executive Mumba Kalifungwa said, marks a major step in modernising trade facilitation and reducing reliance on intermediary currencies.
“The system will give Ugandan businesses a competitive edge and significantly contribute to government’s efforts to grow the economy ten times to reach USD 500 billion by 2040,” said Kalifungwa, adding that direct RMB settlement through CIPS reduces FX volatility, speeds up transactions, and strengthens commercial ties with Chinese companies.
Ugandan traders importing from China will also benefit from Stanbic Bank’s partnership with ‘Guomao’ a platform linking local businesses to one of Beijing’s major trading districts to expand sourcing and market access opportunities.
Do you have a story in your community or an opinion to share with us: Email us at Submit an Article
Uganda’s Parliamentary Committee on Education has expressed sharp displeasure with Kyambogo University Vice Chancellor Prof. Elly Katunguka after he failed to appear before it twice in a row over allegations that the university enrolled government-sponsored students on a diploma programme never accredited by the National Council for Higher Education (NCHE).
The matter stems from a petition MPs on the committee received from aggrieved students, who accuse Kyambogo’s top management of admitting them onto a two-year diploma programme whose courses had not been accredited by NCHE.
The students, who were on government sponsorship, say their concerns were raised as early as orientation week but were ignored, with the university proceeding to graduate them with qualifications the regulator does not recognise.
ADVERTISEMENT
The university reportedly continued enrolling students onto the same programme in subsequent years.
Two Missed Appearances
The matter was first tabled before the Committee on a Friday, with complainants present and Kyambogo represented by its Deputy Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration. Prof. Katunguka, as Vice Chancellor and the university’s chief executive, was not present, prompting the Committee to push the matter to a resumption session the following Wednesday, attended by Education Minister Peter Ogwang, Permanent Secretary Kedrace Turyagyenda, and representatives from NCHE and Kyambogo.
At that session, MPs were again unhappy that Kyambogo sent representatives from the Office of the Academic Registrar rather than the Vice Chancellor himself, a choice several MPs described as inappropriate given the seniority of the officials present, including the Minister and Permanent Secretary. Some MPs characterised Katunguka’s continued absence as disrespectful to the Committee.
Several MPs argued that the university’s continued enrollment on an unaccredited programme amounted to a loss of government funds, since taxpayer money had gone toward sponsoring students on a programme not recognised by the regulator. A section of MPs proposed that an arrest warrant be issued to compel Katunguka to appear before the Committee, while Minister Ogwang appealed for leniency.
MPs also noted that Katunguka had not responded to a letter from NCHE seeking an explanation on the unaccredited courses, which some members cited as further evidence of the university’s failure to engage with the regulator on the matter.
NCHE Under Fire Too
Ogwang and Turyagyenda told the Committee that beyond ministry-level engagement, a full investigation into the unaccredited programmes would need to be carried out by NCHE, adding that similar issues could exist in other academic programmes that have not yet come to light.
That response drew criticism from UPDF Representative Gen Henry Matsiko, who questioned NCHE’s own effectiveness in the matter, pointing out that the regulator had taken about four months to communicate with Kyambogo after receiving the students’ complaint before demanding an explanation from the Vice Chancellor.
Some MPs used the session to call for a wider inquiry into other institutions facing similar complaints, specifically naming the Mengo-based Ernest Cook Ultrasound Research Institute/University, which is the subject of a separate petition before the Committee over the authenticity of its qualifications. CampusBee will continue to follow developments in this matter as the Committee’s inquiry proceeds.
With just four weeks to the 2026 Uganda International Fashion Week (UIFW), organisers of the week-long event will this Thursday (tomorrow), hold a national conversation, on X, exploring how Uganda’s creative industries can unlock economic growth, create jobs and build sustainable careers for young people.
Ugandan music icon- Bebe Cool, will join ARAPAPA boss and Founder of Fashion weeks in Uganda- Santa Anzo, for the second edition of the Uganda International Fashion Week Webinar Series, that will run from 5pm to 6 PM (EAT).
The X Space that will be hosted by award-winning journalist- Canary Mugume, is expected to bring together creatives, entrepreneurs, policymakers and the public, to examine the growing role of the creative economy in Uganda’s development.
The X space will run under the theme ‘Creative Industries as Catalysts for Uganda’s Economic Transformation,’ and shall explore how fashion, music and other creative sectors can create employment, stimulate entrepreneurship and innovation, promote exports, strengthen Uganda’s national brand, boost tourism and contribute more significantly to the country’s economic growth.
With more than two decades of experience building one of Uganda’s most successful music brands, Bebe Cool is expected to share practical insights on transforming creative talent into sustainable businesses.
Drawing from his journey in music, brand building and audience development across Africa, Bebe is expected to further guide on what it takes for creatives to build long-term careers and commercially successful brands.
The discussion will also draw on global research and insights from UNESCO, and other internationally recognised institutions, to examine the growing contribution of the creative economy to national development and why investment in creative industries is becoming increasingly important around the world.
Santa said that this X Space conversation is intended to prepare creatives for opportunities beyond the runway and encourage them to view creativity as both an artistic pursuit and a viable business.
“UIFW has always been about much more than fashion and style. It is about creating opportunities, building sustainable businesses and empowering young people to earn a living through their creativity. This X Space being part of that journey, we want creatives to hear directly from industry leaders like Bebe Cool, who have successfully built lasting brands, and inspire them to see the creative industry as a powerful driver of economic transformation.” She spoke.
The X Space forms part of UIFW’s pre-event engagement programme, which is designed to spark meaningful conversations around fashion, entrepreneurship and innovation ahead of the main event.
The first webinar, held on Zoom, focused on Fashion for Impact, exploring how Uganda International Fashion Week is transforming fashion into a catalyst for job creation, entrepreneurship, trade, tourism, investment, and sustainable economic growth beyond the runway.
The UIFW 2026 Fashion & Business will run from August 31to September 5, 2026, and tickets for the Grand Finale Gala are already on sale via MTN MoMo using the App, or by dialing *165*20/#. Registration is via fashionweek.uifwglobal.com.
SC Villa captain David Owori has died after reportedly being attacked by suspected thugs near his home in Makindye, the club has confirmed.
In a statement released on Tuesday, SC Villa said Owori had been receiving treatment at Case Clinic following the attack but later succumbed to his injuries.
“It is with profound sorrow that we announce the untimely passing of our captain, David Owori, who had been receiving treatment at Case Clinic following an attack by suspected thugs,” the club said.
Reports indicate that Owori was attacked at around 8pm on Monday by unknown assailants near his residence in Makindye. He was rushed to Case Clinic in critical condition, where doctors fought to save his life before he passed away.
Owori will be remembered as one of the key figures behind SC Villa’s memorable 2023/24 Uganda Premier League title-winning campaign, which ended the club’s 20-year wait for a league championship and secured a record-extending 17th league crown.
His death has sent shockwaves through Uganda’s football fraternity, with tributes pouring in from teammates, fans and the wider sporting community.
Lil Pazo has defended Kalifah Aganaga after some critics described the Nassanga Festival Mukibira as a flop.
Speaking on Next Radio, the singer insisted the concert succeeded because the people who attended bought tickets instead of entering for free.
He argued that many people judge concerts by crowd size without asking the more important question: did the show make money?
Lil Pazo contrasted Kalifah’s concert with some events in Kampala, where organisers transport people to venues and allow them in for free to create the impression of a packed show.
He questioned the value of filling a venue if most of the crowd did not contribute to ticket sales, maintaining that revenue matters more than appearances.
Lil Pazo, who features alongside Eddy Kenzo, Weasel, and Winnie Nwagi on the Nassanga Remix, believes ticket sales, not crowd size, determine whether a concert succeeds.
About UGNEWS24
UGNEWS24 is a Uganda local news service, a product of
SOLAVIA GROUP LIMITED,
Reg. No. 80048169153974.
