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Mbu Ugandans are pissed.

Bien said a few things on a podcast and, somehow, the entire country entered defence mode. Bien-Aimé Baraza, Kenyan singer and songwriter, member of Sauti Sol, apparently said Ugandan music is for bisawe, and also best enjoyed while digging in the garden.

Except, of course, he did not exactly say that.

But once the internet heard “Ugandan music” and “bisawe tour” in the same conversation, context packed its bags and left. Screenshots were taken. Patriotic essays were written. And musicians began defending Uganda as though Bien had arrived at Entebbe Airport carrying a bulldozer.

Yet beneath the noise, the man said a few uncomfortable truths.

He spoke about an industry model where one hit song can launch an artist into a nationwide tour. And, to be fair, we have seen it happen. Get one song that catches fire, print a banner, call a few promoters and suddenly you are touring Uganda with a catalogue that can fit into one WhatsApp voice note.

Khalifah Aganaga recently tried to recycle the glory of a song about one Nassanga from roughly 10 years ago. The nostalgia came through a TikTok challenge, a remix we did not ask for was released. The memories came. The people, however, appeared to have remained at home.

And speaking of people remaining at home, Salvador recently held a show at the National Theatre and the auditorium’s seats reportedly received more attention than the stage. Mbu there were a few well-wishers, some media people and relatives who had been informed through family channels.

The interesting thing is that Salvador’s show last year also struggled, but at least people knew it was happening. They trolled him, debated ticket prices and posted clips.

This time, the show allegedly struggled so quietly that the trolls missed it.

Which one is worse: having your show flop while the whole country watches, or having it flop and nobody even knows there was a show?

Bien also suggested that Uganda’s music industry exists in a bubble, a model that somehow works here but may not travel very far. He may have accidentally opened a conversation about whether our sound has evolved enough, whether artists are packaging themselves for bigger audiences and whether we are building careers or simply surviving from hit to hit.

Because, if we are being serious, kidandali has remained remarkably committed to its original assignment. The rhythm changes clothes occasionally, but the song often returns wearing the same shoes.

Then there is the question of artistic growth. What exactly is Eddy Kenzo singing about when he says, “Awamidu, let me do, let’s do…”?

Maybe it is poetry. Maybe it is international strategy. Maybe we are simply not ready.

Meanwhile, Pallaso has reportedly been posting motivational, AI-inspired declarations defending Ugandan music with the energy of a man appointed Minister of Musical Affairs. And many Ugandans have responded to Bien as though admitting that the industry has weaknesses is equivalent to surrendering the country.

But why are we so determined to protect mediocrity?

Criticism is not hatred. Saying the music needs better packaging is not saying Ugandans cannot sing. Questioning the hit-song-and-tour model is not an attack on culture. And asking whether our sound has evolved is not treason.

Perhaps Bien did not humble Uganda. Perhaps he merely held up a mirror, and we got angry because the lighting was too clear.

The bigger question is not why Bien said what he said.

It is why Ugandans heard a few truths and immediately started defending the problems.

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To understand whether Karamoja is facing climate change or climate variability, it is helpful to reflect on insights from Professor Oweyegha-Afunaduula. In his work on environmental security, he argues that “the 21st century presents humanity with an unprecedented crisis of climate disruption.” Karamoja, a sub region of Uganda, is undoubtedly experiencing a climate crisis. The critical question, however, is: what kind of climate crisis is it?

As the Department for Critical Thinking and Alternative Analysis at the Karamoja Anti Corruption Coalition, we have observed that aid agencies, NGOs, development partners, and government technocrats predominantly frame Karamoja’s environmental challenges as a problem of climate change, with far less attention given to climate variability. This raises an important question: if these actors are responding to the climate crisis in Karamoja, what exactly are they responding to—climate change or climate variability?

Some may assume that the two terms are interchangeable, but they are not; confusing them has significant implications for policy and programming.

According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), climate change refers to a long term, structural shift in the state of the climate that persists over decades or longer, whereas climate variability describes short and medium term fluctuations, such as extreme dry spells or erratic rainfall, occurring around that underlying baseline.

This crucial distinction brings us back to our central question: Is Karamoja primarily experiencing climate change or climate variability?

We raise this question because Karamoja has endured repeated crop failures, livestock losses, and chronic food insecurity for decades. According to Dr. Damalie Akwango’s 2017 PhD research, the region has experienced climate related crises since the 1920s and persistent food insecurity since 1964. More than half a century later, many households continue to struggle with chronic food deficits despite substantial investments by governments, humanitarian agencies, and development partners.

This brings us to a difficult but necessary question: Could it be that many interventions have produced limited long term results because they have emphasized climate change while underestimating the region’s long standing climate variability?

Ayub Mukisa, PhD
Executive Director, Karamoja Anti-Corruption Coalition (KACC)
Email: [email protected]

 

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KYANAMUKAAKA, MASAKA — In the high-stakes political battlefield of the 2021 campaigns, Richard Sebamala stood at the dusty Bukunda trading center in Bukoto Central, Masaka District, and made an ultimatum that many brushed off as mere campaign rhetoric:

“If there is no tarmac road at Bukunda, I will not come back to campaign here.”

Fast forward to today, and that high-stakes promise has materialized into blacktop reality. The project marks a historic milestone for Kyanamukaaka Town Council: the arrival of its very first tarmac road, breaking decades of infrastructural neglect in Bukoto Central.

Behind Closed Doors: Bargaining in Parliament
When Sebamala entered the 11th Parliament, the 2021/2022 national budget was already locked. His real push began during the 2022/2023 Financial Year, when the Ministry of Works presented its transport estimates—including 30km of paved road allocations nationwide alongside over 200km of gravel works.

As a member of the crucial Committee on Physical Infrastructure, Sebamala recognized that while most lawmakers focused on unpaved feeder networks, Bukoto Central needed long-term paving.

When committee discussions revealed an opening to reallocate nearly UGX 150 billion toward road development, intense negotiations ensued.

“Everyone was pulling and lobbying to their side,” Sebamala recalls. “It took serious strategic wheeling and dealing to get our share on the floor.”

Through negotiations involving key figures—including State Minister for Works Musa Ecweru, Committee Vice-Chair Robert Kasolo, and Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja—a consensus was forged, carving out a dedicated quota for targeted constituency stretches in the FY 2023 budget.

Data, Grants, and the Groundwork
Lobbying in Kampala was only half the battle. To meet Ministry of Works standards, MP Sebamala personally conducted traffic counts along the corridor, supported by local coordinator Kakembo John and former Ministry of Works Project Manager, Engineer Kisambira.

Simultaneously, Masaka District secured UGX 700 million in transitional grants earmarked to upgrade the Bukunda–Kamungu stretch to first-class murram status—setting up the structural base required for tarmac.

Following the mandatory Defects Liability Period from previous maintenance contracts, civil engineering firm Tehno Buwa Contractor officially mobilized to site.

Key Infrastructure Projects in Bukoto Central
Bukunda – Kamungu Corridor (Kyanamukaaka Town Council)

Milestone: First-ever tarmac road in Kyanamukaaka Town Council

Specs: Double surface seal asphalt layer

Progress: Sub-base and base layers completed; cured to prepare for final sealing

Bukunda – Kaluuma – Ttala – Bulegeya Network

Objective: High-priority unpaved feeder road

Scope: Full grading, earth-to-gravel transition, and culvert installation

Kijonjo – Kiteredde – Kanamusabala Road

Objective: Rehabilitation of previously impassable tracks

Contractor: SEK-B Contractors (Grading, graveling, and drainage works)

A Town Council Transformed
Heavy machinery moved onto the site in 2024. Over the past year, crews laid the heavy sub-base and crushed-stone base layer, leaving it to settle and cure over a six-month window before applying the final double surface seal.

For Kyanamukaaka Town Council, the stretch of asphalt represents far more than civil engineering—it is a catalyst for economic growth, reducing transit costs for agricultural produce and elevating local trade.

Together with secondary gravel networks opened by SEK-B Contractors across Bukunda–Kaluuma–Ttala–Bulegeya and Kijonjo–Kiteredde–Kanamusabala, the arrival of Kyanamukaaka’s first tarmac seals a campaign pledge that reshaped the map of Bukoto Central.

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Industrial progress is often measured by the numbers: tonnes of steel installed, kilometers of pipeline built, or megawatts of energy delivered. But there’s another measure that’s just as important, even if it doesn’t always make the headlines: who gets the opportunity to build that progress.

In Uganda and Tanzania, that story is beginning to change.

For a long time, skilled trades such as welding, rigging, and heavy equipment operation have been seen as men’s jobs. It wasn’t always written down, but it was deeply ingrained in the way the industry worked. Today, that perception is gradually shifting.

Through its technical training programmes, the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) is creating opportunities for women to train alongside men, complete the same rigorous certifications, pass the same welding assessments, and meet the same industry standards. The focus isn’t on lowering the bar. It’s on ensuring that everyone with the talent and determination has an equal chance to succeed.

Across the 1,443-kilometre corridor, that shift is becoming increasingly visible. More women are stepping into roles that were once considered out of reach, proving through their skill and performance that competence, not gender, is what defines excellence in the industry.

At the core of this project is a commitment to National Content; a strategy designed to ensure that the economic benefits of oil and gas infrastructure remain within host nations. 

While supporting local suppliers remains an important part of the project, EACOP’s long-term impact is also being shaped through investment in people.

Working with institutions such as the Uganda Petroleum Institute Kigumba (UPIK) and vocational training colleges across Tanzania, the EACOP Academy and its tier-one contractors have developed specialized training programmes to equip local talent with practical, industry-ready skills.

Participants earn internationally recognized certifications, including those from the Engineering Construction Industry Training Board (ECITB) and OPITO, in high-demand technical fields such as 3G and 6G coded welding, mechanical maintenance, non-destructive testing (NDT), and heavy equipment operation. These qualifications not only prepare trainees for work on the pipeline project but also give them skills that are recognized and valued across the global energy and construction industries.

EACOP’s National Content team notes that, “Our objective is not simply to build a pipeline, but to build local capacity that outlasts the construction phase.” To date, hundreds of local youths have entered these specialized pathways, retaining vital technical value within host communities.

Historically, heavy lifting operations and pipeline welding suffered from low female representation due to physical stigmas and cultural barriers. EACOP’s Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) framework was established to dismantle these hurdles through targeted recruitment, gender-sensitive camp facilities, and workplace mentorship.

The results are already visible in training yards across Buliisa, Hoima, Sembabule, and Tanga:

Women now represent up to 25% of trainees in specialized midstream technical cohorts, female operators are actively qualifying to maneuver heavy cranes, mobile workshop vans, and rigging setups required for pipe yard logistics.

Trainees are mastering high-precision automatic and manual welding techniques required for the world’s longest electrically heat-traced pipeline system.

For young women entering these programs, the training offers benefits beyond employment, it represents financial independence and leadership. “When people first saw me in a welding helmet, they thought it was too dangerous for a woman,” shares one trainee at UPIK. “Today, when they see my welds pass inspection, they see a qualified professional.”

The ripple effects of gender-inclusive skill development extend far beyond individual career paths. Skilled technicians contribute directly to household income, local business growth, and community development.

Furthermore, as Uganda and Tanzania expand their industrial and energy infrastructure, these internationally certified female technicians will form a permanent talent pool for future projects in civil construction, manufacturing, and renewable energy.

As pipeline assembly and station construction progress toward operational readiness, EACOP continues to roll out additional vocational intakes and supplier skilling programs. By investing in local talent and championing equal opportunity, the project is demonstrating that East Africa’s industrial future will be powered by a diverse, highly skilled workforce.

For the team driving these initiatives, this cultural shift represents the project’s true legacy. As the EACOP Gender Equality and Social Inclusion team summarized: “When you train a woman in technical engineering, you don’t just fill a job role, you transform entire community perceptions of what is possible.”

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KAMPALA | Watchdog Uganda — President Yoweri Museveni has launched a sharp attack on veteran journalist Andrew Mwenda, accusing him and his investigative team of specializing in “spying” on the Head of State. At the same time, Museveni fiercely defended Stephen Nuwagaba, describing him as a traumatized survivor of security force torture rather than a threat to State House.

In a lengthy statement released Monday, Museveni sarcastically noted that Mwenda had “discovered a new national emergency” in the young man, following previous failed attempts to discredit Uganda’s pharmaceutical innovators and label the President senile.

“The great journalist Andrew Mwenda, who specializes in spying on me with his investigative team, could have tried to find out how the young man came to be under my care,” Museveni wrote.

He further questioned why the same investigative unit—which is “always spying on Museveni”—fails to expose corruption within the Parish Development Model, road infrastructure projects, or the illicit sale of government jobs.

Rejection of “State House Siege” Claims

Museveni firmly dismissed media reports alleging that Nuwagaba, a man in his mid-twenties, had laid “siege” to State House or security agencies. Instead, the President explained that Nuwagaba had approached him seeking refuge as a fugitive after being severely tortured, maimed, and threatened with death by rogue security personnel.

“He has actually been a patient on account of torture and maiming… for many of the months he has been under my care. I had to send him to hospitals in Uganda and abroad to save his life,” Museveni stated, adding that some of the alleged perpetrators are already facing court charges. He noted that Nuwagaba’s mother, a loyal NRM supporter, was also attacked, while his father continues to receive death threats.

A Stand Against Torture

Condemning the practice, Museveni described torture as “immoral, counter-revolutionary,” and a direct betrayal of the sacrifices made by FRONASA and NRA freedom fighters. He insisted that in his 56 years of political struggle, he has never ordered the torture of any opponent, emphasizing that disciplined intelligence gathering—not physical abuse—is the correct approach.

According to the President, Uganda’s core challenges stem from corruption, impunity, and compromised security officials who block vital information from reaching leadership—not a “traumatized, maimed young man.”

He confirmed ordering a discreet investigation into the matter, clarifying that Nuwagaba would still be held accountable if found guilty of personal misconduct, such as lying or extortion.

Response to The Independent

The President’s missive serves as a direct rebuttal to recent investigative reports published by The Independent—a news outlet associated with Mwenda—which questioned Nuwagaba’s growing influence and unhindered access to State House.

Signed “Yoweri K. Museveni, Ssaabalwanyi,” the statement concluded with a call to focus on the nation’s deeper governance issues rather than what he dismissed as “trivialities.”

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Nobat believes no platform or technology will replace live performances as the biggest source of income for Ugandan musicians.

Speaking on Sanyuka TV‘s Vvaawompitewo, the events promoter dismissed the idea that digital platforms or new royalty collection systems can match the money artists earn from performing before live audiences.

In Uganda, the biggest income generator for musicians is live performances. No one should deceive you otherwise. Even if they bring Nyange, or 100 apps, they will not pay musicians money that will make them rich like the money they collect from live performances.

His remarks come as Uganda continues rolling out the Nyange music tracking system, a new copyright technology designed to improve royalty collection by monitoring how often songs play on radio stations, television channels and public entertainment venues.

Even with stronger copyright enforcement, Nobat argued that no digital platform or royalty system can match the earning power of concerts and other live performances.

Nobat’s comments also add to a growing conversation about how Ugandan musicians earn a living in the digital era.

Days earlier, singer Lil Pazo Lunabe argued that YouTube and Spotify generate only modest earnings for most Ugandan musicians, insisting that concerts and live performances remain the industry’s biggest source of income.

Kalifah AgaNaga, however, has offered a different perspective, saying streaming earnings may start small but can accumulate into a substantial amount with patience.

Tanzanian music stars Diamond Platnumz and Zuchu are celebrating the arrival of their baby girl after welcoming their first child together.

The happy news was announced by Diamond Platnumz through his social media platforms on Saturday morning, where he shared a photo taken inside the hospital moments after the birth.

In the picture, the Wasafi Music boss is seen in the maternity ward shortly after Zuchu delivered their daughter, expressing his excitement as he introduced the newborn to the world.

Alongside the photo, Diamond wrote: “Welcome to the world, our precious little angel. You are already loved more than words can ever say!”

The singer also used pink emojis in the post, confirming that the couple had welcomed a baby girl.

The announcement comes just days after speculation intensified over Zuchu’s pregnancy, following a series of social media posts that hinted at the couple expecting a child.

READ: Zuchu Celebrates Diamond Platnumz with Heartfelt Birthday Message, Publicly Acknowledges Their Marriage

ALSO READ: Zari praises Zuchu for “settling” Diamond Platnumz

ALSO READ: Zuchu’s mother speaks out after missing daughter’s secret wedding to Diamond Platnumz

Within minutes of the announcement, fans, fellow musicians and celebrities from across East Africa flooded the comments section with congratulatory messages, praying for the good health of both mother and baby while wishing the family well as they begin a new chapter.

Neither Diamond Platnumz nor Zuchu has yet revealed their daughter’s name or shared additional details about the birth.

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Ugandan gospel singer Baby Gloria, born Gloria Mulungi Senyonjo, and her husband, Jonas Mbaleka, are celebrating the arrival of their first child after welcoming a baby girl on Saturday, August 1, 2026.

The joyful news was first shared by Baby Gloria’s mother, veteran gospel singer Betty Nakibuuka, who announced the birth through her social media platforms.

In a video posted online, Nakibuuka captured the newborn resting peacefully in a baby cot while the child’s grandfather looked on from a distance.

She accompanied the clip with the caption: “It’s a baby girl, hallelujah.”

Although the new parents had not officially announced the birth by the time of publication, Baby Gloria gave fans a hint earlier on Saturday when she shared a video reflecting on the final days of her pregnancy.

The arrival of the baby marks a new chapter for the couple, who tied the knot earlier this year in a ceremony that attracted widespread attention from the gospel fraternity and their supporters.

Following the announcement, fans, fellow musicians and well-wishers flooded social media with congratulatory messages, wishing the couple and their newborn daughter good health and a lifetime of happiness.

The couple is yet to reveal the baby’s name or share further details about the birth.

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The Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) and Senior Presidential Advisor for Special Operations, Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, has appointed Brig. Gen. Asaph Mweteise Nyakikuru as the Acting Commander of the Special Forces Command (SFC), replacing Maj. Gen. David Mugisha, who is preparing to leave for strategic military studies abroad.

As part of the changes, Brig. Gen. Nyakikuru has been elevated to the acting rank of Major General with immediate effect. Maj. Gen. Mugisha is expected to depart in the coming months to attend the National Defence College (NDC) course abroad. According to the UPDF Acting Spokesperson, Col. Chris Magezi, Gen. Muhoozi commended Maj. Gen. Mugisha for his “outstanding tour of duty as SFC Commander” and wished him success in his strategic security studies. He also congratulated Acting Maj. Gen. Nyakikuru on both his appointment and promotion.

The latest appointment comes barely two days after the Special Forces Command implemented a wide-ranging reshuffle across its formations and directorates as part of an ongoing effort to strengthen leadership and prepare senior officers for higher responsibilities through professional military education. On Friday, Brig. Gen. John Mango Baraza was appointed Chief of Staff of the SFC, replacing Brig. Gen. Paul Wanyera Namawa, who will attend the National Defence College in Uganda.

The handover was presided over by Acting Maj. Gen. Nyakikuru, who urged officers taking up new assignments to embrace teamwork, professionalism, and commitment to service. The reshuffle also saw appointments to several key positions, including Director of Political Commissariat, Commander of the 16 Service Brigade, Commander of the 2 Protective Agents Brigade, Commandant of the VVIP Training School at Sera Kasenyi, Commanding Officer of the 6 Infantry Battalion, and Commandant of Fort Samora Machel Training School.

Other postings include Deputy Director of Operations, Commander of the 804 Motorised Infantry Brigade, Director of Personnel Policy, Commanding Officer of the 2 Infantry Battalion, an administrative appointment in the Directorate of Operations, and SFC Public Information Officer. Major Jimmy Omara was also selected to attend a one-year course at the Kimaka Senior Command and Staff College and will be replaced by Captain Julius Kabandize.

According to the UPDF, the changes are part of routine efforts to develop officers through professional military education in preparation for higher leadership responsibilities. Maj. Gen. Mugisha has commanded the Special Forces Command since 2022, when he succeeded Brig. Gen. Felix Busizoori, who now serves as Deputy Commander of the UPDF’s 3rd Infantry Division based in Moroto.

The Special Forces Command is responsible for the security of President Yoweri Museveni and the First Family. Previous commanders of the elite unit include Maj. Gen. Don Nabasa, Maj. Gen. Sabiiti Muzeeyi Magyenyi, and Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, who also previously served as Commander of the Land Forces.

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Diamond Platnumz never hesitates to pay to get into the room with stars he considers to be ‘above his pay grade’ and, according to his longtime manager and strategist SK Sallam, the gamble has repeatedly paid off.

Narrating an incident, Sallam points to Diamond ft Neyo’s 2017 hit song ‘Marry You’ revealing that the Tanzanian spent at least $6,000 (Shs 21M) to meet up with the American star singer.

READ: Diamond Platnumz on collaboration with Wiz Khalifa?

ALSO READ: Spice Diana – Diamond Platnumz: What are they up to?

ALSO READ: Busta Rhymes names Diamond Platnumz the African Michael Jackson

That meeting eventually resulted in the collabo which propelled Diamond’s career to another level.

Sallam travelled to Nairobi ahead of Ne-Yo to meet his team, establish a relationship and pitch the idea of a collaboration. It was an expensive mission, but one Diamond was willing to finance.

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