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A tuberculosis research project worth millions of euros that was meant to strengthen the diagnosis of TB among children and people living with HIV has come under the spotlight after an investigation exposed a trail of unspent funds, repeated delays in financial reporting and procurement weaknesses during its implementation at Makerere University Biomedical Research Centre (MakBRC).

The findings, contained in the Auditor General’s reports covering the period from the financial year ending September 30, 2021 to September 30, 2024, raise questions about project management despite the project receiving unqualified audit opinions throughout the implementation period.

MakBRC, currently headed by Acting Managing Director Prof. Moses Joloba, is a centre of excellence established under Makerere University’s College of Health Sciences to strengthen biomedical research, laboratory services, grants management, health innovations and disease prevention.

The audited project, known as STool4TB, sought to validate an innovative stool-based DNA testing method for diagnosing tuberculosis in children and people living with HIV. Running from October 1, 2020 to October 1, 2024 and funded by the European and Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership (EDCTP), the project received total funding of €2,999,989.25, equivalent to about UGX 12.9 billion at current exchange rates. The STool4TB project was to be implemented in the high TB and HIV burden settings of Mozambique, Eswatini and Uganda with Alberto García-Basteiro as overall Coordinator.

According to the Auditor General, however, project implementation in Uganda was repeatedly undermined by significant amounts of money remaining unspent while financial accountability was consistently delayed.

For the year ended September 30, 2021, the project had a budget of €97,545.30, approximately UGX 420 million. Of this, only €41,175.31—about UGX 177 million—was spent, representing just 42.21 percent utilisation. The remaining €56,370, equivalent to around UGX 243 million, remained unspent. Auditors also established that project management delayed submitting the 2020/2021 financial statements to the Auditor General by four years.

The following financial year painted a similar picture. During the year ended September 30, 2022, the project had available funds amounting to €354,590.34, approximately UGX 1.53 billion. Only €138,107.29, about UGX 595 million, was utilised, leaving €216,483.05, roughly UGX 933 million, idle. The Auditor General further found that financial statements for the 2021/2022 financial year were submitted three years late, denying oversight institutions timely information on project performance.

Auditors also uncovered procurement weaknesses during the same period after noting unexplained variances between estimated costs and contract values in the procurement of three Lesser Lenovo Think Center M70 desktop computers and two PH Lesser Jet printers. The discrepancies were attributed to failure by project management to undertake proper market assessments before procurement.

Although expenditure improved in the year ended September 30, 2023, auditors still found substantial funds lying idle. Out of available resources of €406,699.11, approximately UGX 1.75 billion, only €279,774.09, equivalent to about UGX 1.2 billion, representing 68.79 percent, was spent. An unspent balance of €126,925.02, roughly UGX 547 million, remained parked on Project Bank Account Number 9030008068061 at Stanbic Bank.

Once again, the Auditor General found that project management delayed submitting the 2022/2023 financial statements by two years, warning that such delays deny stakeholders timely information regarding project implementation and performance.

The final audit covering the year ended September 30, 2024 also identified delayed accountability. Out of available funds amounting to €124,925.02, approximately UGX 539 million, only €110,110.51, equivalent to about UGX 475 million, was spent, representing 88.14 percent utilisation. The remaining €14,814.51, about UGX 64 million, was still sitting on the same Stanbic Bank project account.

Auditors further noted that financial statements for the 2023/2024 financial year were submitted one year late, continuing a pattern that had persisted throughout the project’s lifespan.

The Auditor General observed that the repeated delays in submitting financial statements denied stakeholders timely information on project performance, while persistent underutilisation of available resources meant significant amounts of donor funding remained idle instead of being deployed to support research activities.

The Auditor General’s findings are likely to pile pressure on the management of Makerere University Biomedical Research Centre under Prof. Moses Joloba to explain why financial reporting repeatedly fell behind schedule, why substantial project funds remained unutilised despite the importance of improving tuberculosis diagnosis among children and people living with HIV, and whether the weaknesses identified were unique to the STool4TB project or point to broader systemic challenges.

The audit is also likely to raise fresh questions over whether other donor-funded projects managed by the Centre could be facing similar accountability, financial management and implementation shortcomings that are yet to come to light.

The STool4TB project was designed to improve TB confirmation rates in children and HIV-positive patients, strengthen disease surveillance, establish a specimen biobank, develop new diagnostic technologies and build a tuberculosis diagnostic research network across high-burden African countries.

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ENTEBBE, August 1, 2026 — Chief of Defence Forces Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba on Saturday unveiled a memorial monument in honour of Lt Col Yonatan “Yoni” Netanyahu at the historic Old Entebbe Terminal, describing the occasion as a symbol of reconciliation and the enduring partnership between Uganda and Israel.

Lt Col Netanyahu, the commander of the Israeli rescue force during the 1976 Entebbe hostage rescue operation, was killed during the mission. He was also the elder brother of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Speaking during the ceremony, Gen Kainerugaba said unveiling the monument at the site where Netanyahu lost his life was both historic and significant.

“It is a great honour and privilege to join you at this historic site as we unveil this monument to Lieutenant Colonel Yonatan ‘Yoni’ Netanyahu, the courageous commander of the Israeli rescue force whose leadership and ultimate sacrifice during the Entebbe raid of July 4, 1976, has become an enduring symbol of courage, duty and selfless service,” he said.

The CDF said the monument was not only a tribute to one soldier but also a reminder of the values of courage, sacrifice and service to humanity.

“Today, this memorial stands not only in remembrance of a distinguished soldier, but also as a tribute to the enduring values he embodied—courage in the face of danger, unwavering commitment to protecting innocent lives, and steadfast devotion to duty,” Gen Kainerugaba said.

He added that memorials preserve history and inspire future generations.

“Monuments are more than stone and bronze. They preserve memory, teach history and inspire future generations. This monument therefore carries significance far beyond commemorating one brave individual,” he said.

Gen. Kainerugaba also paid tribute to the civilian hostages who lost their lives during the 1976 crisis, including Jean-Jacques Maimoni, Pasco Cohen, Ida Borochovitch and Dora Bloch.

“As we gather here, we also respectfully remember the innocent hostages who lost their lives during those tragic events. Their memory remains an important part of this solemn history,” he said.

The CDF also acknowledged Ugandan soldiers who died during the confrontation, while distancing present-day Uganda from the regime of former president Idi Amin.

“We also recognize today the Ugandan soldiers who fought valiantly that day in what they believed was a justified cause. Of course, today we know that the government of Idi Amin, which they served, was a brutal dictatorship that did not represent the Ugandan people in any way,” he said.

He noted that Uganda has since transformed into a constitutional democracy committed to peace and constructive international engagement.

“The events that unfolded here in July 1976 remain one of the most significant episodes in modern history. They occurred during one of the darkest periods in our country’s history. Today, however, Uganda is a constitutional democracy committed to peaceful coexistence and constructive engagement with the international community,” Gen Kainerugaba said.

Reaffirming bilateral relations, the army chief said Uganda and Israel continue to enjoy strong ties built on mutual respect and practical cooperation.

“The friendship between Uganda and Israel extends well beyond the events of 1976. Our two countries have enjoyed good relations for a long time, founded on mutual respect and practical cooperation,” he said.

He said both countries should continue strengthening cooperation in addressing emerging global security challenges while advancing peace, innovation and sustainable development.

“As we look to the future, we remain committed to deepening our cooperation across all areas of mutual interest while working together to advance peace, security, innovation and sustainable development,” Gen Kainerugaba said.

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Only 36% of health facilities licensed as watchdog uncovers procurement and contract management failures

The Uganda Nurses and Midwives Council (UNMC), the statutory body charged with regulating nursing and midwifery services and safeguarding quality healthcare standards in Uganda, has come under intense scrutiny after investigations flagged a string of operational and accountability weaknesses despite the institution collecting billions of shillings during the 2024/2025 financial year.

The findings, contained in the Auditor General’s report for the period ended June 30, 2025, paint a troubling picture of an institution that generated more revenue than anticipated but still failed to fully execute key activities and effectively carry out some of its core regulatory responsibilities.

At the centre of the storm is the Council’s Registrar and Chief Executive Officer, Christine Nimwesiga, who serves as the legal custodian of the registers and rolls of all nurses and midwives in Uganda and oversees the day-to-day management of the Council under the guidance of the Governing Council.

According to the audit report, UNMC exceeded its revenue target during the year. The Council had budgeted to collect UGX 5.29 billion but ended up collecting UGX 6.688 billion, representing an impressive 126 percent performance. However, despite the strong revenue performance, the audit shows that only UGX 4.457 billion, equivalent to 67 percent of the total receipts, was spent during the year.

The Auditor General further noted that while several activities were implemented, not all planned interventions were successfully executed. Out of the activities for which funds were availed and utilized, 56 activities worth UGX 1.927 billion were fully implemented. However, five activities valued at UGX 0.154 billion were only partially implemented, while one activity worth UGX 0.156 billion was not implemented at all.

The report also raises concerns over compliance with public procurement requirements. Auditors found that the Council did not indicate procurements reserved for registered associations of women and persons with disabilities as required under government procurement guidelines. The omission raises questions about whether the institution is fully complying with affirmative procurement obligations designed to promote inclusion of special interest groups in public contracting.

Even more concerning were weaknesses identified in contract management. The Auditor General established that nine contracts worth UGX 0.706 billion awarded during the year lacked formal appointment of contract managers by the Accounting Officer. Auditors also found that the same contracts had no contract management reports, creating accountability gaps in the supervision and implementation of projects and procurements.

But perhaps the most alarming finding relates to the Council’s core mandate of regulating health facilities and ensuring compliance with professional standards.

The audit revealed that out of 956 health facilities operating under the Council’s jurisdiction, only 347 were licensed during the year. This translates into a performance level of just 36 percent, leaving hundreds of facilities outside the licensing framework that the Council is mandated to enforce.

The revelation is likely to trigger fresh questions about the effectiveness of the country’s nursing and midwifery regulatory regime, especially at a time when the healthcare sector continues to face growing public demand for quality and professional standards.

The Uganda Nurses and Midwives Council was established under the Uganda Nurses and Midwives Act of 1996 as the professional regulatory and supervisory body responsible for ensuring the provision of quality nursing and midwifery services across the country. The institution is expected to oversee standards, maintain professional registers and ensure compliance among health facilities and practitioners.

With billions collected, activities left incomplete, procurement requirements overlooked, contracts lacking proper oversight and only a fraction of health facilities licensed, the Auditor General’s findings are likely to pile pressure on the Council’s leadership to explain how such shortcomings occurred under its watch and what corrective measures will be taken to restore confidence in the institution’s ability to execute its mandate.

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KAMPALA, Uganda — In a rapidly changing entertainment industry where artistes are searching for opportunities beyond Uganda’s borders, Ssenkaali Joseph is emerging as one of the young entrepreneurs working to create bridges between local talent and international audiences.

At just 27 years old, Joseph has built a career around entertainment promotion, talent management and event organisation through his company, Ssenkaali Promotions Ltd, an agency connecting Ugandan creatives with audiences in Dubai and the wider Middle East.

Born on February 12, 1999, in Lukaya Town Council, Kalungu District, Joseph’s journey began in the Greater Masaka region, an area with a strong cultural and musical identity. He attended Kamuwunga Primary School and later Mpeera Secondary School, where his interest in entertainment and creative activities developed.

Unlike traditional promoters who mainly focus on organising shows, Joseph has positioned himself around building long-term opportunities for artistes. Through Ssenkaali Promotions Ltd, he has focused on artiste management, event planning, music promotion, digital marketing, branding and talent development.

The company, which is headquartered in Dubai with operations in Kampala, serves as a link between Uganda’s entertainment industry and the growing East African diaspora community in the United Arab Emirates. Through events, showcases and promotional campaigns, Joseph has worked to create platforms where Ugandan artistes can reach new audiences and establish international networks.

His work reflects the growing importance of diaspora markets in Uganda’s creative economy, with many artistes seeking opportunities to perform, promote their music and build fan bases outside the country.

In 2024, Joseph expanded his contribution to the entertainment sector by founding The Showing Awards, an initiative aimed at recognising achievements in music, digital media, content creation, influencing, modelling and other creative fields.

The awards have brought together creatives from Uganda and Dubai, creating a platform for recognition and networking. The 2026 edition features a Uganda-based event in Kampala, with categories celebrating different players in the entertainment ecosystem, including artistes, DJs, influencers, content creators and promoters.

Known in entertainment circles as Promota Ssenkaali Joseph Kampala, Joseph continues to combine entrepreneurship with entertainment promotion, focusing on creating opportunities for young creatives.

His journey represents the growing influence of young Ugandan entrepreneurs who are using innovation, digital platforms and international connections to expand the country’s creative industry.

As Uganda’s entertainment sector continues to seek global recognition, Joseph’s Kampala-Dubai connection highlights the role of promoters in opening new markets and creating pathways for local talent to compete on the international stage.

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Leaders in the Madi sub-region have appealed to the State House to establish Information and Communication Technology (ICT) laboratories and introduce computer-related courses at the Madi Zonal Presidential Industrial Skilling Hub, arguing that digital skills are now essential for young people seeking employment and entrepreneurship opportunities.

The appeal was made during a stakeholders’ engagement meeting held at the Madi Zonal Presidential Industrial Skilling Hub in Adjumani District on Friday, July 31, 2026.

The hub serves youth from the districts of Moyo, Adjumani and Obongi.

Mr. Geoffrey Filbert Ocaliap, the Resident District Commissioner for Moyo and Chairperson of the Madi Zonal Presidential Industrial Skilling Hub Board, said vocational trainees should graduate with both practical trade skills and digital competencies to remain competitive in the modern economy.

“The world is increasingly becoming digital. Our trainees need computer skills alongside their vocational training,” Mr. Ocaliap said, noting that an ICT laboratory would enable learners to conduct research on emerging technologies while also paving the way for computer studies to be introduced as a new course at the hub.

He described the Presidential Industrial Skilling Hubs as transformative institutions that equip young people with practical skills while awarding qualifications comparable to the Uganda Certificate of Education (Senior Four) level.

Mr. Ocaliap urged leaders across the region to intensify mobilisation so that more vulnerable youth can benefit from the free government programme.

He noted that the growing recognition of the hubs was reflected in the recent recruitment of several graduates into the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) as skilled professionals.

On post-training support, Mr. Ocaliap revealed that the Madi Hub SACCO had received Shs150 million, with Moyo, Adjumani and Obongi districts each allocated Shs50 million to finance graduates starting their own businesses.

However, he cited inadequate facilitation for SACCO executives and district hub committees responsible for monitoring beneficiaries as one of the major challenges affecting programme implementation.

Representing the State House Comptroller, Ms. Jane Barekye, the Special Presidential Assistant on Political Affairs, Mr. Godfrey Longa, commended leaders in the Madi sub-region for their continued support towards the Presidential Industrial Skilling Hubs programme.

He announced that President Yoweri Museveni had released Shs8.8 billion to Presidential Industrial Hub SACCOs across the country to provide start-up capital to graduates.

Each zonal hub SACCO, he said, received Shs50 million, and called upon district leaders to ensure the funds are invested in productive enterprises.

“We want leaders to monitor these beneficiaries so that the money achieves its intended purpose of creating wealth and improving livelihoods,” Mr. Longa said.

He disclosed that 121 beneficiaries from the Madi sub-region had already received start-up capital, with more graduates expected to benefit.

Addressing concerns over delays in loan disbursement, Mr. Longa explained that the verification process was necessary to guarantee transparency and accountability.

He also revealed that State House had expanded the hub’s value-addition component through the construction of a grain milling plant, an animal feed factory and modern grain silos with a storage capacity of 500 metric tonnes.

Mr. Longa urged local leaders to mobilise communities to embrace commercial agriculture to ensure the facilities operate at full capacity and generate more employment opportunities.

On student discipline, he challenged district selection committees to admit only committed trainees willing to complete the programme.

“We need students who are committed to learning because this programme is transforming lives,” he said.

Mr. Longa recalled incidents where some trainees attempted to abandon the programme before later claiming they had been attacked by spirits. He also attributed some withdrawals to health conditions, including Hepatitis B, as well as pregnancy, and called for thorough screening before admission.

Regarding transport challenges, he said programme implementers should continue working within available resources as the State House finalises plans to provide transport to the hubs.

The meeting also heard testimonies from graduates whose lives have been transformed through the initiative.

Rehema Jamila, a tailoring graduate from Moyo District, said she received Shs560,000 from the hub SACCO, which enabled her to purchase a sewing machine and tailoring materials before establishing her own business.

She said the enterprise now employs other people and has significantly improved her family’s livelihood.

“My dream is to meet President Museveni and personally thank him for giving me a second chance in life,” she said.

Another beneficiary, Amacha William, a Primary Seven dropout from Lori Village in Adjumani District, said the programme helped him abandon illegal fishing after enrolling for bakery and confectionery training.

William said he initially failed to raise Shs30,000 from his wife to start a small mandazi business but later received support to launch the enterprise. After securing Shs700,000 from the hub SACCO, he expanded the business, now employs six people, has trained more than 20 others in bakery and confectionery, and supplies bread and mandazi across Moyo, Adjumani and Obongi districts.

“I thank President Museveni for giving me this opportunity. Today I can support my family and my next goal is to modernise my bakery by acquiring an industrial mixer and oven,” he said.

The Presidential Industrial Skilling Hub programme, implemented under the Office of the State House Comptroller, provides free vocational training, accommodation, meals and start-up capital to vulnerable youth, enabling them to establish businesses, create jobs and contribute to Uganda’s socio-economic transformation.

 

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The Minister for the Presidency and Member of Parliament for Budiope West Constituency, Hon. Babirye Milly Babalanda, yesterday joined the family of the late Ngobi Fred in Kaliro District to officiate a Thanksgiving service and commission a new family home, where she rallied residents to reject corruption and embrace government wealth-creation programmes to transform their livelihoods.

The event was marked with joy, gratitude and prayer as the family gave thanks to God for His faithfulness and provision throughout the journey of building the home.

Delivering remarks, Minister Babalanda conveyed greetings from His Excellency President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, the First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Mama Janet Kataha Museveni, and the entire staff of the Office of the Presidency.

“A home is more than bricks and mortar. It is the foundation of family values, love, and unity. My prayer is that this home becomes a place of peace, hospitality, and God’s presence,” the Minister said.

She congratulated the family for working as a team to achieve the milestone and commended them for nurturing their children in faith, citing Proverbs 22:6: _“Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.”

Turning to development, Hon. Babalanda urged the people of Kaliro to take a firm stand against corruption, which she said “steals opportunities from our children, delays services, and slows development.”

She rallied citizens to embrace Government wealth-creation initiatives as the surest path to household and community transformation.

“The government has established several wealth creation Programmes, like the Parish Development Model – PDM, Emyooga, Youth Livelihood, Operation Wealth Creation – OWC, GROW, and others. What we need now is to use them with integrity, unity, a spirit of hard work, and a saving culture to turn such resources into wealth, jobs, and better services,” she emphasized.

The Minister noted that no community will be left behind when citizens choose accountability, discipline, and enterprise.

With emphasis on wealth creation, Minister Babalanda urged residents to adopt the 4-Acre Model Concept, a household strategy championed by President Museveni to help rural families escape poverty using limited land intensively.

Acre 1: Coffee or cocoa as a long-term cash crop for stable income, Acre 2: Fruits such as oranges, mangoes, and passion fruit for quick returns and nutrition, Acre 3: Food crops including maize, beans, cassava, sweet potatoes, and vegetables for food security and surplus sales and Acre 4: for Animal pasture to support zero-grazing dairy and other livestock enterprises.

“A well-managed 4-acre farm can generate sustainable income, improve food security, and keep our children in school,” she said.

The Minister further encouraged households to take up backyard enterprises as guided by the President. These include poultry farming for eggs, particularly for Muslim and SDAs communities, and piggery for non-Muslim households, to ensure continuous weekly and monthly income.

The Minister called on the public to trust God in all endeavors.

“When you trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight: Proverbs 3:5-6. When you trust God, there are no regrets and no evil will prosper in your lives,” she stated.

The Thanksgiving ended with prayers for the family and a call for Kaliro residents to use the available Government programmes to build strong homes and a prosperous district.

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