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Spider-Man: Brand New Day has swung into cinemas with one of the biggest opening weekends in movie history.

The latest Marvel and Sony blockbuster grossed an estimated $927 million worldwide during its debut, including $355 million in the United States and Canada.

The film now holds the second-biggest global opening and the second-biggest North American opening weekend ever, trailing only Avengers: Endgame.

Tom Holland returns as Peter Parker for his fourth solo Spider-Man film, joined by Zendaya as MJ.

Directed by Destin Daniel Cretton, the movie picks up after the events of Spider-Man: No Way Home, following a version of Peter Parker whom the world no longer remembers.

The film also delivered a massive international performance, earning $572 million outside North America.

China led overseas markets with $121 million, helping push the superhero adventure close to the billion-dollar mark in its opening weekend.

Critics and audiences have responded enthusiastically, with the film earning strong review scores and fueling one of the biggest weekends the global box office has seen in years.

Industry analysts say the spectacular debut reinforces Spider-Man’s status as one of cinema’s most bankable superheroes.

The blockbuster opening also gives Hollywood’s summer box office another major boost, with Spider-Man: Brand New Day already emerging as one of 2026’s biggest theatrical successes after just a few days on release.

Tom Holland has opened up about stepping back into Spider-Man’s shoes, describing the experience as both familiar and exciting after years away from the character.

The British actor, who reprises his role in Spider-Man: Brand New Day, said returning to Peter Parker felt like reconnecting with an old friend.

At the same time, he explained that the new film gave him the chance to explore a completely different side of the beloved superhero.

Unlike previous films, Holland said Brand New Day follows a Peter Parker who has lost every personal connection after the events of Spider-Man: No Way Home.

He described the story as more emotional and mysterious, with Peter trying to find his place in a world that no longer remembers him.

Holland also revealed that he played a bigger creative role in the film than ever before.

For the first time since becoming Spider-Man, he joined discussions with the writers as they shaped the next chapter of Peter Parker’s story.

One idea he pitched eventually helped inspire the direction of the movie, giving the team a fresh way to approach the character’s next adventure.

The actor praised director Destin Daniel Cretton for bringing fresh energy to the franchise while staying true to the heart of Spider-Man.

He said the production also returned to filming on real streets instead of relying heavily on sound stages, making the experience feel much closer to filming his first Spider-Man movie.

Holland’s comments come as Spider-Man: Brand New Day enjoys a historic start at the box office.

The Marvel blockbuster has earned an estimated $927 million worldwide during its opening weekend, making it the second-biggest global debut in cinema history behind Avengers: Endgame.

Just weeks after reports of their split dominated entertainment headlines, Diamond Platnumz and Zuchu have given fans something completely different to celebrate.

The celebrity couple has welcomed their first child together, a baby girl, sharing the joyful news in a joint announcement.

Only weeks ago, Zuchu announced that she had walked away from the relationship after years together. She said she planned to focus on her well-being and music career, while Diamond remained silent on the matter.

Their latest announcement has caught many fans off guard, sparking an outpouring of congratulatory messages across social media.

For years, Diamond and Zuchu have captured public attention with their romance, chart-topping collaborations and highly publicised relationship twists.

Now, the arrival of their daughter has added a joyful new chapter to their story.

KAMPALA —Developer and owner Haruna Sentongo has broken ground on a major private investment that could transform taxi operations along one of Kampala’s busiest corridors. His New Entebbe Taxi Park, also referred to as Haruna Entebbe Taxi Park, is rising on 4.5 acres of land right at the front face of the city’s Central Business District.

Speaking to Watchdog Uganda, Ssentongo confirmed the project is fully self-financed and designed to accommodate all taxis plying Entebbe Road. “It is designed to hold all the taxis on Entebbe Road as the new Entebbe-Kampala taxi park,” he said. The entire development is expected to cost a whopping US$50 million once completed.

Construction started earlier this year. Workers are currently casting floors and slabs. Ssentongo revealed that the complex will comprise a series of interconnected blocks labelled A to N, crowned by a large mosque on top dedicated to the Uganda Muslim Tabliq community.

The ambitious timeline targets completion by December this same year. Aerial images of the finished design show a modern multi-building complex with green roofs, landscaped courtyards and a prominent central dome, sitting beside major dual carriageways and dense surrounding neighbourhoods. On-site photos capture the current reality: extensive scaffolding wrapped in green safety netting, stacks of timber, piles of gravel and active formwork as the slabs take shape.

Sentongo’s project aims to bring order to the chaotic informal parking that has long clogged Entebbe Road. By providing a dedicated, organised terminal with proper facilities and a community mosque, the development seeks to ease congestion while offering a permanent home for taxi operators serving the capital-to-Entebbe route.

The fact that this is a wholly private, self-financed venture by one developer underscores the growing role of individual investors in tackling Kampala’s infrastructure gaps. Sentongo has placed his own resources on the line and is moving at speed to deliver the facility before the year ends.

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KAMPALA: A total of 165 women-led enterprises have graduated from the Green Businesses and Jobs for the Green Transformation Project, marking a major milestone in efforts to strengthen women’s entrepreneurship, create green jobs and accelerate Uganda’s transition to a sustainable economy.

The graduation ceremony, organised by Stanbic Business Incubator Limited (SBIL) in partnership with GIZ, the German development agency, and the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development, celebrated the successful completion of Cohorts 1, 2, 3 and 4 of the programme.

It was launched in 2024 under the Women for the Green Transformation in Africa (WE4D) initiative.

The regional programme is being implemented in Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania, supporting women-led enterprises operating in renewable energy, circular economy, waste management, sustainable agriculture, the blue economy and ecotourism sectors increasingly recognised as critical to Uganda’s economic transformation and climate resilience agenda.

Speaking at the graduation, State Minister of Gender, Labour and Social Development Mary Kuteesa, who was represented by Lydia Nabiryo the assistant commissioner equity and rights commended Stanbic and the German government for investing in women entrepreneurs and supporting Uganda’s long-term development agenda.

She said empowering women-led enterprises was essential to achieving Uganda’s Tenfold Growth Strategy, which seeks to expand the economy through increased productivity, industrialization, value addition and job creation.

“Uganda’s Tenfold Growth Strategy will only be realised if we deliberately invest in women-led enterprises that are creating jobs, driving innovation and contributing to environmental sustainability. These businesses demonstrate that women are not only participating in the economy, but are actively shaping its future,” Kuteesa said.

She reaffirmed the government’s commitment to strengthening partnerships that improve access to skills, finance and markets for women entrepreneurs, particularly those operating in emerging green sectors.

“Green enterprises are creating opportunities in renewable energy, sustainable agriculture and waste management while improving household incomes and protecting the environment. This is the kind of entrepreneurship that will drive inclusive economic growth,” she added.

The graduation follows months of intensive training, business coaching, workshops and investment readiness support designed to help women-owned enterprises become more competitive and better positioned to access financing and new markets.

Catherine Poran, Chief Executive Officer of Stanbic Business Incubator Limited, said the graduation represented far more than a certification exercise and reflected the impact of strategic partnerships in driving enterprise development.

“This graduation demonstrates what can be achieved when we invest in women entrepreneurs and provide practical business support. These enterprises are creating jobs, strengthening local economies and building sustainable businesses that are ready for growth and investment,” Poran said.

She said the initiative directly aligns with Stanbic’s purpose, ‘Uganda is our home, we drive her growth’, and the institution’s commitment to empowering women, youth and farmers through enterprise development.

Poran said the programme received more than 400 applications, from which 200 enterprises were shortlisted, with 165 successfully completing the programme representing a completion rate of 82%.

She said participants were given an opportunity to pitch their business expansion plans, outlining how they intend to improve access to finance, scale their operations and increase their environmental impact.

Michael Seng, the WE4D program lead at GIZ said the partnership with SBIL was designed to build resilient women-owned businesses while supporting East Africa’s green transition.

“Women-led green enterprises have enormous potential to create jobs, reduce environmental degradation and build more sustainable local economies. Through this partnership, we are equipping entrepreneurs with the skills, networks and financial readiness needed to grow businesses that contribute meaningfully to Uganda’s economic transformation,” the Michael  said.

The Promoting Green Businesses and Jobs for the Green Transformation Project, forms part of the broader WE4D programme, which is jointly funded by the Government of Norway and the European Union. 

It aims to strengthen women’s economic participation while promoting environmentally sustainable enterprise development across East Africa.

The two-year programme combines classroom training, workshops, site visits and one-on-one coaching to support women entrepreneurs in scaling their businesses and becoming investment-ready.

Judith Kibuuka, the Stanbic Uganda Holdings Limited (SUHL) Exco member who represented the Chief Executive Mark Ocitti said the graduation reinforced Stanbic’s role in enterprise development and women’s economic empowerment, particularly as the Bank celebrates 35 years of positively impacting businesses, farmers, women and youth across Uganda.

She said Stanbic, working with partners such as GIZ, has committed UGX 1 trillion towards priority areas including financial inclusion, enterprise development, infrastructure investment, climate resilience financing and corporate social investment.

“Our objective is to ensure that women-led enterprises are not only trained, but are also connected to finance, markets and the support systems they need to grow into sustainable businesses that contribute to Uganda’s economic transformation,” Kibuuka said.

For many of the graduates, the programme has already begun transforming their businesses. Anne Kayiwa the founder papillon Living a clean energy solutions company, said the training had helped her adopt more sustainable business practices.

“When we joined the training, our consistent question was about money and how we can access funding to grow our businesses but after the mentorship, I can comfortably say the problem was not money. But knowledge on how to run and manage our enterprises, and formalization, which we have successfully learnt.” she said.

Joan Muchiruka, the founder of Iroma honey, said the programme had inspired her to expand her ambitions, enhance operation excellence and boost sales.

“I was encouraged to think beyond my current operations and pursue government certification. The mentorship and feedback have given me the confidence to grow my business further,” she said.

As Uganda accelerates industrialization, expands value addition and seeks to create more jobs, the graduating enterprises are expected to play an increasingly important role in advancing the country’s green economy, strengthening women’s economic participation and contributing to long-term sustainable growth.

However, Johnson Abitekaniza, the Assistant Commissioner Training and Business Skills Development in Ministry of Trade and Industry and Cooperatives challenged the graduates to uphold quality productions and services if they are to stay long in business.

 He noted that they have created a desk to fasten the certification for local enterprises that have been mentored through initiatives like WE4D. 

“I want to challenge you to pay attention to your customer needs. Like some of you having social media platforms, try to respond to client questions and orders. Several SMEs put products on social media but you inbox them and they take over a week to respond to a client. If such a business doesn’t get enough sales, then the problem can not just money, but streamlining operations.” Abitekaniza said.

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President Yoweri Museveni believes soaring bride prices and extravagant weddings are making many young Ugandans think twice about tying the knot.

The President shared the concern on Saturday while attending the Okuhingira ceremony of Kisha Isabel Byanjeru Kaboyo, daughter of State Minister for Luweero Triangle and Rwenzori Region Alice Kaboyo, in Kiruhura District.

Museveni urged the Banyankole community to preserve the cultural value of the traditional Okuhingira ceremony, arguing that it should unite families rather than burden young couples with overwhelming financial demands.

He questioned the growing practice of asking for large sums of money and dozens of cattle as bride price, warning that many couples now begin married life weighed down by debt.

You, the Banyankole, are damaging the population with this thing of Okujugusa (paying bride price). Why ask for 15 cows and millions of shillings? Why are you selling your children? You make young people fear marriage and, unfortunately, some begin their lives together in debt.

Bride price, however, was only part of Museveni’s concern.

He also criticised lavish weddings, saying costly celebrations place unnecessary financial pressure on families and discourage many young people from taking the next step into marriage.

To illustrate his point, Museveni reflected on his own marriage to First Lady Janet Museveni, saying they celebrated the occasion with only a handful of guests instead of organising an extravagant ceremony.

I have 15 grandchildren. I wedded Maama Janet abroad with only eight guests at a luncheon. These extravagant weddings are going to disturb people. I urge religious leaders to address this issue through their preaching.

Museveni called on cultural and religious leaders to help restore moderation to marriage ceremonies by encouraging simpler weddings and discouraging excessive bride price demands.

He argued that traditions like Okuhingira should preserve culture, strengthen families and help young people build stable homes instead of making marriage feel financially out of reach.

BAMUTAKUDDE VILLAGE, MUKONO DISTRICT — For years, Solomon Sserwanja built a reputation by asking difficult questions, exposing wrongdoing and amplifying the voices of ordinary people through investigative journalism. Today, the award-winning journalist faces a different challenge: turning those same principles into grassroots leadership.

On July 28, 2026, residents of Bamutakudde Village in Kyampisi Sub-county, Mukono District, elected Sserwanja as their Local Council I (LCI) chairperson after a closely contested election in which he secured victory by just one vote — 6 to 5.

While the narrow margin underscored a divided electorate, Sserwanja says it also strengthened his resolve to serve every resident, regardless of how they voted.

“I won with a whisker—by six votes to five. That is very promising because it reminds me that leadership is about serving everyone,” he said in an exclusive interview.

For Sserwanja, the election was not the end of a campaign but the beginning of a new responsibility.

“My focus is to make the village grow and develop,” he said.

From Investigative Journalism to Community Leadership

Before venturing into local leadership, Sserwanja had already established himself as one of Uganda’s most respected investigative journalists.

He is the Executive Director of the African Institute for Investigative Journalism (AIIJ) and previously worked with NBS Television, where he earned recognition as a news anchor, reporter and investigative journalist covering governance, accountability and social justice issues.

His career has also included roles at NTV Uganda, UBC TV and KTN News, giving him extensive experience in broadcast journalism across East Africa.

His work has received international recognition. In 2019, he won the BBC World News Komla Dumor Award, one of Africa’s most prestigious journalism honours. He also holds a Master’s degree in Journalism and Communication from Makerere University and was selected as a United Nations Reham Al-Farra Memorial Journalism Fellow in 2018.

Despite these achievements, Sserwanja believes the most valuable lesson journalism taught him was the importance of listening.

“Journalism teaches you to listen. When you listen carefully, people tell you their real challenges,” he said.

It is a philosophy he now hopes will define his leadership in Bamutakudde.

Listening Before Leading

Throughout the interview, Sserwanja’s phone rang repeatedly as residents called seeking guidance on community matters.

Each call reflected the realities of grassroots leadership, where accessibility often matters as much as policy.

At the start of the conversation, he smiled and said, “Are you set? We start.”

The simple remark captured the approachable leadership style that many residents say they voted for.

For Sserwanja, Bamutakudde is more than an administrative unit.

“It is home,” he said. “It is where I belong, and it deserves leadership that listens.”

A Development Agenda Built on Three Priorities

Sserwanja says his administration will focus on three key priorities: skills development, better community planning and economic empowerment.

“Skilling people, establishing village registers and empowering the community through development is my mission,” he said.

One of the first initiatives under consideration is a strategic planning retreat for the newly elected village leadership to identify the community’s most pressing challenges and develop practical solutions.

The leadership is also exploring the establishment of a village financial support framework to strengthen community-driven development initiatives.

“A village cannot develop without planning. We must first understand our challenges and organise ourselves,” he said.

Equipping Young People with Practical Skills

Sserwanja believes sustainable development starts with equipping young people with employable skills.

His proposed training programmes will focus on practical vocational skills such as electrical installation, plumbing and other trades that can enable residents to earn a living through self-employment.

The training sessions are expected to be conducted every Sunday from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., outside church hours to allow residents to participate without disrupting worship.

“When people acquire practical skills, they create opportunities for themselves and improve the livelihoods of their families,” he said.

Water and Security Among Immediate Priorities

Beyond skills training, Sserwanja says improving access to clean water is a key priority.

He hopes to work with partners and development stakeholders to establish a borehole for the village.

“Clean water is essential. People cannot fully concentrate on development when they are struggling to meet basic needs,” he said.

He also intends to champion the installation of street lighting, arguing that improved security would create a safer environment for residents and support local business activities after dark.

Knowing Every Household

Another flagship proposal is the creation of a comprehensive village register.

According to Sserwanja, accurate community data is critical for effective planning, service delivery and ensuring that no resident is left behind.

The register would document households, identify community needs and improve coordination with institutions such as the Electoral Commission.

“Good leadership begins with knowing the people you serve,” he said.

Creating Local Economic Opportunities

Sserwanja also wants the village to become more economically self-reliant.

He revealed that Bamutakudde Village Catering Services has already been registered to provide services within the community, while plans are underway to establish an events management company.

He pledged to mobilise residents to fully utilise government programmes such as the Parish Development Model (PDM) by ensuring they understand available opportunities and how to access them.

The Real Test Begins Now

Winning by a single vote may have earned Solomon Sserwanja the mandate to lead, but he acknowledges that elections alone do not define leadership.

His success will ultimately be measured by whether young people acquire new skills, families gain access to clean water, local businesses grow and residents feel heard.

For a man whose journalism career was built on listening to ordinary citizens, he now faces the challenge of proving that listening can also transform a village.

In Bamutakudde, the ballots have been counted. The real work has only just begun.

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BENI, Democratic Republic of Congo — President Félix Tshisekedi of the Democratic Republic of Congo has donated 10 brand-new Toyota Land Cruiser utility pickup trucks to the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) serving under Operation Shujaa, in recognition of their role in the joint campaign against the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) insurgents.

The vehicles were handed over during a ceremony in Beni by North Kivu Governor Maj. Gen. Somo Kakule Evariste, who represented President Tshisekedi.

The governor said the donation reflects the Congolese government’s appreciation of the strong military cooperation between the DRC and Uganda in combating the ADF, whose attacks have claimed thousands of lives and displaced communities in eastern DRC and western Uganda.

“The President appreciates the excellent working relationship between the governments of the DRC and Uganda, as well as the joint operations being conducted by the FARDC and the UPDF against the ADF terrorists,” Maj. Gen. Evariste said.

He noted that the vehicles would enhance the mobility and operational effectiveness of the joint forces as they intensify operations to eliminate the remaining ADF fighters and restore lasting peace in eastern DRC.

The governor also commended the joint efforts of the Forces Armées de la République Démocratique du Congo (FARDC) and the UPDF, saying the partnership had significantly improved security and stability across North Kivu and Ituri provinces.

The vehicles were received on behalf of the UPDF and the Government of Uganda by Maj. Gen. Stephen Mugerwa, Commander of the UPDF Mountain Infantry Division and Joint Task Force Commander of Operation Shujaa.

Speaking at the ceremony, Maj. Gen. Mugerwa conveyed appreciation from President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, Uganda’s Commander-in-Chief, and the Chief of Defence Forces, Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, thanking President Tshisekedi for what he described as a generous gesture that underscores the strong partnership between the two countries.

He reaffirmed the commitment of the UPDF and FARDC to continue pursuing the ADF until the rebel group is completely dismantled.

“We shall not rest until the ADF terrorists are completely defeated and lasting peace is restored in eastern DRC,” Maj. Gen. Mugerwa said.

Achievements of Operation Shujaa

Since its launch in November 2021, Operation Shujaa has recorded significant gains in the fight against the ADF.

According to military officials, the joint offensive has restored relative peace in many parts of eastern DRC, enabling thousands of internally displaced people to return to their homes. The operation has also led to the rescue of numerous abductees, the neutralisation of several senior ADF commanders, and the degradation of the group’s operational capabilities.

The improved security situation has allowed schools to reopen, revived cross-border trade between Uganda and the DRC, and facilitated major infrastructure projects, including the construction and rehabilitation of key roads such as Beni–Kasindi, Beni–Biakato, Biakato–Mangina, and Luna–Komanda.

Military officials say the enhanced transport network has boosted trade, with the volume of cargo trucks crossing between the two countries increasing from about 13,000 per month to more than 30,000.

Background

Operation Shujaa is a joint military offensive conducted by the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) and the Forces Armées de la République Démocratique du Congo (FARDC) against the ADF in the eastern DRC provinces of North Kivu and Ituri.

The operation was launched in November 2021 following deadly ADF-linked bomb attacks in Kampala. In response, President Museveni pledged to pursue the militants into their strongholds. Subsequent discussions between Presidents Museveni and Tshisekedi led to the establishment of the joint military campaign, which has since become one of the region’s most significant cross-border security operations against the terrorist group.

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For many people, alcohol is part of a night out.

For DJs, Sir Aludah says, it often becomes part of the workplace.

The award-winning DJ has opened up about what he describes as one of the least discussed challenges in the DJ industry, arguing that constant exposure to alcohol can quietly lead to addiction.

Writing on X, he explained that DJs rarely work in environments where temptation is absent.

Whether they perform in clubs, bars or at major events, alcohol surrounds them throughout the job, and many even receive drinks as a sign of appreciation.

Alcohol addiction in DJing is one of the least talked about struggles in our industry.

Aludah says that environment can gradually convince some DJs that drinking gives them confidence, removes fear and helps them perform better behind the decks.

Walking away, he argues, is only half the battle because the job never changes.

The hardest part about quitting is not making the decision to stop. It is having to walk back into that same environment night after night where the temptation never leaves.

Sir Aludah ended by reminding people that addiction often looks different from the outside, urging greater empathy for those trying to overcome it.

Unless you have lived it, it is difficult to understand just how hard that battle can be.

Alcohol addiction in DJing is one of the least talked about struggles in our industry.

We’re surrounded by alcohol every single day. Every gig & every event. it’s even often handed to DJs as a gesture of appreciation. Over time, many of us start believing it gives us confidence,…

— Sir. Aludah 👑 (@DjAludah) August 2, 2026

The Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) Battle Group 45 has conducted a leadership training session for commanders and key staff at its headquarters in Embresso, Barawe, aimed at strengthening command capacity and enhancing operational effectiveness under the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM).

The training brought together Forward Operating Base (FOB) commanders, their staff, and Battle Group key staff serving in the Barawe Sector.

While officiating at the training, the Battle Group 45 Commander, Colonel Justus Musenene, underscored the importance of operating within the mission mandate to effectively achieve operational objectives.

“Every commander must understand and operate within the mission mandate. This is the foundation for achieving our operational objectives while maintaining the confidence of the population we are here to protect,” Col Musenene said.

He reminded the commanders of their responsibility to protect civilians and maintain the prevailing security and stability in the Barawe Sub-sector, noting that effective leadership remains central to mission success.

Col Musenene also encouraged officers to embrace continuous professional development to enhance their competence and improve operational performance.

“Leadership is a continuous learning process. Keep developing your knowledge and skills because a better leader builds a stronger and more effective force,” he noted.

The Commanding Officer of the 145 Infantry Battalion, Lieutenant Colonel Geoffrey Ochan, urged officers to prioritise their health and personal well-being, emphasising that good health is essential for operational readiness and effective service delivery.

The training covered a wide range of professional subjects, including command and control, military discipline, decision-making, the fundamentals of officership, food safety and personal hygiene, and the responsible use of social media during military operations.

Participants welcomed the initiative, saying it had enhanced their leadership knowledge and operational awareness.

“The training has equipped us with practical leadership skills and refreshed our understanding of command responsibilities. We look forward to more sessions of this nature.”

The training reaffirmed Battle Group 45’s commitment to professionalism, discipline, and mission success under AUSSOM by strengthening command effectiveness.

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