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By Brian Mugenyi [email protected]

ENTEBBE, UGANDA — The crisp grey suit and blue tie stood out sharply against the dusty construction corridor.

As heavy trucks lumbered along the Nakiwogo road, site engineers inspected ongoing works while construction teams directed materials under the direct supervision of Municipal Engineer Moses Tumusiime. Standing nearby, Mr. Emmanuel Mugisha Gakyaalo watched a process far larger than a standard road project unfolding before him. He was witnessing years of intricate planning, budgeting, inter-departmental coordination, and public administration taking physical shape.

On a chilly Wednesday morning, before the streets of Uganda’s historic lakeside municipality had fully awakened, the sound of urban transformation was already ringing out. Armed with a notebook, laptop, and audio recorder, I set out to document a story that goes beyond mere asphalt and concrete — a story about the invisible administrative systems that ultimately determine whether decentralisation succeeds or fails.

This is Entebbe Municipality: Uganda’s historic urban anchor, home to State House, the country’s main gateway to the world, and a town carrying decades of national significance under the leadership of President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni.

To a casual passerby, it was simply another road construction site. But beneath the roar of heavy machinery lay a deeper narrative: a story of long-term planning, data-driven decisions, fiscal discipline, and how government policy moves off the page to directly touch citizens’ lives. At the center of this transformation is Mr. Emmanuel Mugisha Gakyaalo, the Town Clerk of Entebbe Municipal Council.

The Administrator Behind the Transformation

By nature and training, Gakyaalo is a career administrator. He thoroughly understands the demanding responsibilities of a Town Clerk — a role honed through years of public service, including previous assignments in Masaka City, where he managed the complex demands of local government.

Unlike political offices, a Town Clerk’s success is measured through functioning systems, not applause:

• Budgets must balance and perform.
• Departments must operate in sync.
• Public resources must be strictly accounted for.
• Services must reach the end user.

Dressed impeccably, Gakyaalo presents the posture of a calm public administrator — a technocrat whose legacy is defined not by political speeches, but by visible, lasting outcomes.

The Technical Engine of Local Government

Under Uganda’s local government framework, the Town Clerk serves as the head of administration and the official accounting officer. The role demands total oversight: managing public resources, executing council decisions, coordinating municipal departments, and enforcing accountability in service delivery. In short, the Town Clerk is the engine room of an urban authority.

For Entebbe, the stakes are even higher. The municipality is not merely a local council; it is Uganda’s primary showcase to the world. Hosting Entebbe International Airport, premier eco-tourism destinations, and vast stretches of Lake Victoria’s shoreline, it faces rapid population and commercial growth. Every upgraded road, every organized market, and every municipal service delivered relies on a rigorous technical chain: planning, budgeting, procurement, monitoring, and reporting.

When Data Drives Development

Modern governance is increasingly powered by evidence. For the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, reliable data generated from municipalities shapes national resource allocation, budget execution, and macro-development strategies.

Local governments provide essential ground-level intelligence on population dynamics, infrastructure gaps, local revenue potential, and service delivery bottlenecks. The Town Clerk acts as the essential bridge connecting grassroots community realities to national policy frameworks. For a gateway city welcoming thousands of international visitors daily, demonstrating orderly urban growth is paramount.

The Financial Engine Powering Growth

Behind every new road lies a robust financial strategy. Under Gakyaalo’s stewardship, Entebbe Municipality’s local revenue collection has demonstrated a significant upward trajectory between the 2024/2025 and 2025/2026 financial years.

Revenue collections rose from Shs 304,249,158 in FY 2024/2025 to Shs 358,717,894 in FY 2025/2026 — representing a growth of Shs 54.4 million.

Monthly performance metrics further demonstrate this fiscal recovery:

• October Collections: Rose from Shs 29.7 million (2024) to Shs 38.9 million (2025).
• May Collections: Surged from Shs 10.6 million (2025) to Shs 36.2 million (2026).

For an accounting officer, these figures reflect enhanced institutional capacity to maintain services, meet civic demands, and absorb urban pressures.

Connecting Communities and Commerce

For residents across Kitooro, Kiwafu, and Nakiwogo, infrastructure development represents economic opportunity. A market trader needs reliable transit to move produce. A student needs safe routes to school. A local business owner needs foot traffic and access to suppliers. A road is never just gravel and bitumen; it is an economic lifeline.

While Engineer Moses Tumusiime’s technical team translates blueprints into physical infrastructure, the Town Clerk’s office delivers the administrative machinery required to keep capital projects moving on schedule and within budget.

A short distance away stands Kitooro Market — another flagship symbol of Entebbe’s modern urban landscape. According to Ms. Christine Damalie, the Deputy Town Clerk of Entebbe Municipality, seamless teamwork has been pivotal to this momentum.

“Entebbe has truly become a home for everyone. Through deliberate teamwork, structured planning, and commitment, we are steadily transforming this municipality,” Damalie remarked.

The Quiet Architects of Entebbe’s Future

As Uganda deepens its decentralisation agenda, technical officers remain the primary engine making governance work. While political leaders set policy direction, administrative technocrats build the institutional frameworks that sustain development.

In Entebbe’s ongoing metamorphosis, Emmanuel Mugisha Gakyaalo embodies the quiet, steady arm of public administration — working behind the scenes to turn policy documents into tangible civic reality for every citizen of Entebbe.

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By Mike Ssegawa

KAMPALA – Organisers of the Gulu City Marathon have officially launched the 2026 edition, scheduled for Saturday, December 5, at Kaunda Grounds in Gulu City, with a sharpened focus on HIV/AIDS awareness and broader community health initiatives.
The announcement was made during a media launch highlighting the event’s evolution from a competitive sports race into a major platform for cultural celebration, tourism promotion, and public health advocacy in Northern Uganda.

Francis Gimara, the marathon convener and national chairperson, described the event as far more than a race, positioning it as a catalyst for regional transformation.

“The Gulu City Marathon was born from a simple but powerful belief: that Gulu and Northern Uganda deserve to be seen, experienced, celebrated, and invested in,” Gimara stated. “From a region once defined by conflict to one now celebrated for resilience, culture, enterprise, and opportunity—this is the story we’re running to tell.”

This marks the third edition of the World Athletics-certified marathon. It will feature:
* 42km Full Marathon
* 21km Half Marathon
* 10km Road Race
* 5km Fun Run & Wheelchair Race
Registration is officially open, with organisers targeting record participation following steady growth in previous years.

Uganda Baati Expands Health Impact
A major cornerstone of the event’s social impact is its long-standing partnership with steel manufacturer Uganda Baati.

Building on the success of the 2025 edition—where the Uganda Baati free medical camp treated over 4,000 community members—the company plans to scale up its outreach for 2026 with a concentrated push against HIV/AIDS.

Jackie Tahakanizibwa, Head of Corporate Affairs at Uganda Baati, emphasized the company’s ongoing commitment via its CSR arm, the Safal Uganda Baati Foundation.

“In 2025, over 4,000 people received free medical services courtesy of the Uganda Baati medical camp,” Tahakanizibwa said.

“In 2026, we’re returning with an even bigger outreach focused on HIV/AIDS awareness. We are running for more than medals—we are running for healthier communities.”

Uganda Baati has been a consistent platinum sponsor, previously anchoring the popular 5km track alongside its health initiatives.

A Regional Movement
The marathon continues to draw strong support from both the public and private sectors. Key collaborators include CFAO Mobility and the Rotary Club of Kampala, which supports youth skills development at the Martin Aliker Resource Centre.
Justice and Constitutional Affairs Minister Hon. Norbert Mao, alongside other regional leaders, has previously commended the marathon for uniting stakeholders around common development goals, driving local tourism, boosting businesses, and reframing perceptions of Northern Uganda.
Organised by the Great North Run Company, the event seamlessly blends competitive athletics with rich Acholi cultural displays, music, and social enterprise.

As registration gains momentum, the 2026 Gulu City Marathon is set to be not just Uganda’s premier end-of-year road race, but a vital milestone in the ongoing story of Northern Uganda’s progress and resilience.

Details and entry forms are now available on the official Gulu City Marathon website.

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President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has reaffirmed Africa’s determination to sustain peace and stability in Somalia, saying the continent has the capacity and responsibility to secure its future regardless of changing international support.

The President made the remarks today while hosting the Extraordinary Summit of Heads of State and Government of Troop Contributing Countries (TCCs) to the African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) at Speke Resort Munyonyo in Kampala.

Held under the theme: “To Sustain the Stabilisation Process in Somalia,” the three-day summit brought together regional leaders, senior officials from the African Union (AU), the United Nations (UN) and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) to review the security situation in Somalia and strengthen collective efforts to support the country’s stabilisation.

The summit was attended by President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud of the Federal Republic of Somalia, H.E. Prosper Bazombanza, Vice President of the Republic of Burundi, H.E. Omar Abdi Said, Minister of Interior and Acting Minister of Defence of the Republic of Djibouti, H.E. Dr. Badr Abdel Atty, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Arab Republic of Egypt, Lt. Gen. Tigabu Yilma Wondimhunegn, Special Envoy of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, and H.E. Prof. Kithure Kindiki, Deputy President of the Republic of Kenya.

Also in attendance were H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Amb. Bankole Adeoye, AU Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, Mr. Mohamed Abdi Ware, Deputy Executive Secretary of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), Mr. Raisedon Zenenga, Officer-in-Charge of the United Nations Transition Mission in Somalia (UNTMIS), and H.E. Ms. Qurat-Ul-Ain Sadozai, Acting Assistant Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Support Office in Somalia (UNSOS).

The summit followed meetings of the Chiefs of Defence Forces on 29 July and the Ministers of Defence on 30 July,2026 during which participants reviewed the political and security situation in Somalia, the preparedness of the Somali Security Forces, progress in force generation and integration, AUSSOM deployment, air assets and operational capabilities.

Addressing the summit, President Museveni said Uganda’s decision to deploy troops to Somalia was never based on geographical proximity but on principle and strategic necessity.

“Uganda doesn’t have a border with Somalia. Therefore, we decided to involve ourselves in Somalia out of principle and strategy,” President Museveni said.

He explained that Uganda chose to stand with Somalia because it rejected violent extremist groups seeking to impose their ideology on African societies.

“We did not accept the extremist groups who come here and waste our time, saying they want to impose themselves on society. We had similar problems in Khartoum, Sudan,” he said.

President Museveni said Uganda’s intervention was also intended to demonstrate solidarity with neighbouring countries facing similar security threats.

Calling for mutual respect among communities, President Museveni said Africa’s diversity has always been one of its greatest strengths.

“We Africans of this region have a very rich history. We are different, but we don’t try to impose our identity on others. Whatever you are, you don’t impose yourself on me, nor do I impose myself on you.”

Commenting on the withdrawal of support by some international partners, President Museveni said African countries must remain focused on finding African solutions to African security challenges.

“If those Western countries want to pull out, that is their decision. Somalia is not going to be abandoned because of some people outside. We have the capacity. Whether others pull out or not, we shall manage.”

The President drew parallels with Uganda’s liberation struggle, saying African solidarity has historically enabled countries on the continent to overcome difficult moments.

“When we got rid of Idi Amin, it was Tanzania and Mozambique that stood with us. Africans have always supported one another.”

During a closed session, Heads of State and Government received reports from the Chiefs of Defence Forces and Ministers of Defence and reviewed the progress of AUSSOM as well as the prevailing political and security situation in Somalia.

The leaders were informed that the Chiefs of Defence Forces had considered key issues, including the political and security situation in Somalia, the state of preparedness of the Somali Security Forces, progress in force generation and integration, and AUSSOM’s deployment, air assets and operational capabilities before forwarding their recommendations to the Ministers of Defence.

The Summit also received and considered the report of the Ministers of Defence on the African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia together with the Federal Government of Somalia.

In the communiqué issued at the end of the meeting, the Heads of State commended the Troop Contributing Countries for their immense sacrifice in the fight against terrorism and the stabilisation of Somalia. They paid tribute to the gallant soldiers who lost their lives and those who sustained injuries while serving under AUSSOM.

The leaders stressed the need to preserve Somalia’s unity, rebuild national confidence, strengthen democratic governance and state institutions, and promote politics based on shared national interests rather than identity.

To ensure the mission remains operational, the Summit mandated the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the Troop Contributing Countries, working together with the Federal Government of Somalia and the African Union Commission, to establish a joint task force to undertake diplomatic outreach aimed at securing predictable and sustainable financing for AUSSOM during the transition period, including organising a donors’ conference to mobilise financial and political support.

Speaking during the summit, H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, Chairperson of the African Union Commission, reaffirmed the African Union’s commitment to supporting Somalia’s peace and stabilisation efforts.

He said the progress achieved over the years must be safeguarded through continued political commitment, stronger coordination among member states and predictable financing for AUSSOM, noting that peace and stability in Somalia remain critical to the security of the Horn of Africa and the continent as a whole.

President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud thanked President Museveni for convening the summit and acknowledged Uganda’s longstanding contribution to Somalia’s peace and security.

“We appreciate your leadership and convening this second meeting of its kind. Your leadership is highly commended, and we seek your continued support, especially in mobilising the financial resources required for this mission,” President Mohamud said.

The Somali leader also paid tribute to Uganda’s role in supporting his country’s recovery.

“Uganda has stood as one of Somalia’s strongest pillars. Its leadership and support are not taken for granted. You command our deepest appreciation.”

The Kampala summit reaffirmed the commitment of African leaders to sustain the stabilisation process in Somalia through strengthened regional cooperation, enhanced support for Somali security institutions and renewed efforts to secure sustainable financing for AUSSOM as the mission continues to support Somalia’s transition towards lasting peace, security and stability.

 

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KAMPALA, Uganda — Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Local Government, Ben Kumumanya, has cautioned the public against paying money to individuals who claim they can secure them jobs in local governments, describing the practice as illegal and a direct violation of Uganda’s public service recruitment laws.

Speaking in an exclusive interview at the Ministry of Local Government, Kumumanya stressed that recruitment into district, city, municipal, and other local government institutions is governed by established legal procedures that guarantee fairness, transparency, and merit.

“It is illegal to solicit money from job applicants during local government recruitment. No one should pay for a government job because recruitment is guided by the law,” Kumumanya said.

His warning follows reports that fraudsters are targeting desperate job seekers by falsely claiming they have influence over recruitment processes and demanding money in exchange for employment opportunities.

Kumumanya emphasized that appointments to public service positions are based solely on qualifications, competence, and performance during the official recruitment process—not financial inducements or personal connections.

He urged job seekers to rely only on officially advertised vacancies and follow the prescribed application procedures, warning them against dealing with brokers or middlemen who exploit their aspirations for personal gain.

The Permanent Secretary explained that recruitment in local governments is conducted through legally mandated institutions, including District Service Commissions and other authorized bodies responsible for advertising vacancies, conducting interviews, and appointing successful candidates.

According to Kumumanya, safeguarding the integrity of recruitment is essential to improving service delivery, as local governments are at the forefront of providing critical services such as healthcare, education, road infrastructure, water, and community development.

“When recruitment is compromised, service delivery suffers because institutions may fail to attract the right people with the skills, competence, and commitment needed to serve communities,” he noted.

He said the Ministry of Local Government remains committed to promoting accountability, transparency, and professionalism as the cornerstone of Uganda’s decentralisation policy. Strong local governments, he added, depend on capable public servants recruited through fair and competitive processes.

Kumumanya also called upon local leaders, including councillors and other elected officials, to respect and support lawful recruitment procedures instead of attempting to influence appointments outside the established legal framework.

With many young Ugandans actively seeking employment, he warned that unemployment has created opportunities for con artists to exploit vulnerable job seekers through false promises of government jobs.

He encouraged the public to report anyone demanding money in exchange for employment in local governments, saying such practices undermine public confidence in public institutions and violate the principles of good governance.

Kumumanya maintained that the fight against corruption begins with protecting recruitment systems from abuse and ensuring every qualified Ugandan has an equal opportunity to compete for public service positions.

As Uganda continues to strengthen decentralisation and improve service delivery at the grassroots, he said maintaining transparency and integrity in recruitment will remain vital to building effective, accountable, and citizen-centred local governments.

His message was unequivocal: government jobs are earned through merit—not bought with money.

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ENTEBBE, Uganda — The Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) has expanded its ex-situ conservation programme with the addition of two African wild dogs at the Uganda Wildlife Conservation Education Centre (UWEC) in Entebbe.

The pair—a male and a female—arrived on Friday afternoon, increasing the number of animal species under UWA’s ex-situ conservation and education programme to 69.

The endangered animals were donated by Conservation Through Commercialization (CTC) and were officially received by Assistant Commissioner Geoffrey Mwedde on behalf of the Commissioner for Community Conservation and Ex-situ Wildlife Services, David Musingo.

Speaking during the handover ceremony, Thomas Price, founder of CTC, said the partnership is intended to strengthen Uganda’s capacity to conserve the endangered species while supporting long-term wildlife management efforts.

Mwedde commended CTC for its continued collaboration with UWA, describing the donation as an important milestone in advancing wildlife conservation in Uganda.

“It is crucial for the Government of Uganda to collaborate with the private sector to enhance wildlife conservation in this country,” he said.

Assistant Commissioner for Ex-situ Wildlife Management, Dr. Recheal, noted that the introduction of African wild dogs will strengthen UWA’s ex-situ conservation programme by providing new opportunities for scientific research, conservation education, and wildlife tourism.

African wild dogs are among Africa’s most endangered carnivores, with their populations declining due to habitat loss, human-wildlife conflict, and disease. Their addition to UWEC’s conservation collection is expected to enhance public awareness of the species while supporting national and regional conservation initiatives.

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KAMPALA, Uganda — Every month, millions of women and girls across Africa experience menstruation—a natural part of life that should never limit their opportunities. Yet for many, it remains a source of anxiety, stigma and financial hardship.

For countless schoolgirls, the lack of access to affordable menstrual hygiene products means missing classes, falling behind academically and losing confidence. For working women, inadequate menstrual support can affect comfort, productivity and full participation in daily life.

Behind every missed lesson and every uncomfortable day lies a persistent challenge: period poverty—a silent crisis that continues to deny many girls and women the dignity they deserve.

Determined to change that narrative, the Union Transport Alliance (UTA) has launched Union Sanitary Pads, an initiative driven by a simple but powerful belief:

Menstruation should never stand between a woman and her future.

The Girl Child at the Heart of the Mission

Across Uganda and the African continent, millions of girls wake up each day with dreams of becoming doctors, engineers, teachers, entrepreneurs and leaders.

Yet every month, many of those dreams are interrupted—not because of a lack of ambition, but because they cannot afford basic menstrual hygiene products.

The challenge extends far beyond the availability of sanitary pads. It is about protecting dignity, restoring confidence and ensuring that girls remain in school with the same opportunities as their peers.

Through Union Sanitary Pads, UTA aims to make quality menstrual hygiene products more affordable and accessible while promoting menstrual health awareness in schools and communities.

According to Union Transport Alliance Chief Executive Officer Fred Ssenoga, the initiative was inspired by the conviction that no girl’s education should be interrupted because of her menstrual cycle.

“Education should never stop because of menstruation. Every girl deserves to remain in school with dignity, confidence and good health,” Ssenoga said.

Women Leading the Change

At the centre of the growing Union Sanitary Pads movement are women who understand firsthand the realities girls and women face every month.

For them, the campaign is about much more than selling a product—it is about restoring confidence and breaking the silence surrounding menstruation.

Union Transport Alliance Ambassador Alice Natukunda says the initiative was designed with the everyday needs of women and girls in mind.

Beyond affordability, she explains, girls need products that offer comfort, reliability and peace of mind.

“The most important thing is giving girls and women confidence. A sanitary product should be easy to use, comfortable and allow someone to move through their day without fear,” Natukunda said.

She believes the campaign is helping to reshape conversations around menstrual health while tackling period poverty.

“Together we can reduce period poverty and ensure every girl remains in school,” she added.

Bringing Menstrual Dignity to Schools

School outreach has become one of the cornerstone strategies of the Union Sanitary Pads campaign.

Through awareness programmes, learners receive menstrual health education while gaining access to affordable sanitary products, empowering them to manage their periods with confidence.

Hope Tukundane, one of the leaders supporting the initiative, says engaging directly with schools has highlighted the importance of combining menstrual health education with product accessibility.

“The growth of Union Sanitary Pads is built around listening to girls and understanding what they need. When we visit schools, we see that many learners appreciate having a product that is affordable, accessible and easy to use,” Tukundane said.

She notes that the long-term vision is to ensure that menstruation never becomes a barrier to education.

Partnerships Expanding the Impact

The campaign’s success has also been strengthened through partnerships with organisations that share the vision of improving menstrual health.

Margret Nasuwa, Brand Marketing Manager at Ruka Pay, says collaboration is essential in addressing the challenges faced by women and girls across the country.

“This partnership is about giving hope to girls and women by supporting access to quality menstrual hygiene products. No girl should miss school because she cannot afford a sanitary pad,” Nasuwa said.

She adds that access to quality menstrual products directly contributes to better educational outcomes, workplace participation and overall wellbeing.

“A girl needs to feel safe, comfortable and confident during her menstrual period. When she has access to a quality sanitary product, she can attend school, participate in class and continue with her normal activities,” she said.

More Than a Product—A Movement for Dignity

For Fred Ssenoga, the success of Union Sanitary Pads will not simply be measured by sales figures or the number of products distributed.

Its true impact will be reflected in the lives it transforms.

It will be measured by the girl who stays in school because she no longer fears her monthly period.

By the woman who goes to work with confidence and peace of mind.

And by communities that embrace menstrual health as a fundamental aspect of human dignity and wellbeing.

Union Sanitary Pads represents a growing African solution to an African challenge—one that seeks to ensure that no woman or girl is left behind because of menstruation.

Because behind every sanitary pad is far more than a product.

There is a girl protecting her education.

There is a woman preserving her dignity.

There is a future filled with opportunity.

 

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The Parliamentary Committee on Physical Infrastructure has heard that a company linked to businessman Godfrey Kirumira has taken possession of land belonging to the Uganda Railways Corporation (URC).

The matter emerged as the committee chaired by Hon. Mwine Mpaka met URC officials led by the Managing Director, Benon Kajuna to examine queries on missing railway wagons, disputed railway land and concerns over procurement and training in the organisation. The meeting took place on Thursday, 30 July 2026.

The land of 1.3 acres sits exactly in front of the Uganda Railways Headquarters in Kampala opposite Victoria University.

Kajuna said that the property was originally leased by the then Kampala District Land Board to Kampala City Council (KCC) for 99 years in 2000.

He added that on 01 June 2006, KCC granted a five-year lease to Philadelphia Trade and Industry Limited.

Kajuna said the company later sought to convert the lease into a 99-year interest but maintained that the process was never completed because a caveat was lodged over the property in 2012.

“There was an intention to extend the interest to 99 years but this did not happen. On 27 April 2012, a caveat was lodged over the property before completion of the proposed extension,” Kajuna said.

However, Mwine Mpaka challenged the explanation saying that the committee had conducted its own investigations and found that Philadelphia Trade and Industry Limited currently holds a 99-year lease over the land.

“We did a search as a committee yesterday and he (Kirumira) actually has 99 years on this land and he is MS Philadelphia,” Mpaka said.

Mpaka added that the committee had conducted a search with the Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB) which revealed that Philadelphia Trade and Industry Limited is owned by members of the Kirumira family.

The committee is expected to meet Kirumira over the matter.

On the issue of land management, Kajuna said URC had repeatedly written to the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development seeking the return of land titles retained following the privatisation process but had not received a response.

He noted that the corporation may be compelled to apply for special certificates of title using available documentation should the matter remain unresolved.

He said that as a way of safeguarding their land, they will undertake boundary reopening, title migration, re-surveys and action against illegal titles, while revealing that more than 24,600 encroachment cases have been identified along railway corridors.

Kajuna added that government has invested over Shs100 billion for the rehabilitation of the metre gauge railway and Shs105 billion for the acquisition and rehabilitation of rolling stock and other critical railway infrastructure. He said the investments are expected to improve freight operations, enhance passenger services and restore confidence in rail transport as a cost-effective mode of moving cargo.

On railway safety, Kajuna said the corporation has intensified interventions aimed at reducing accidents along the network including upgrading level crossings, installing boom barriers, deploying crossing guards at high-risk locations and conducting public awareness campaigns to promote safe use of railway infrastructure.

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By Evans Najuna

KAMPALA – Ugandans faced another cost-of-living squeeze in July after fresh figures from the Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS) revealed sharp increases in the prices of essential utilities, piling more pressure on already stretched household budgets.

The latest Consumer Price Index (CPI), released on Friday, July 31, 2026, shows that monthly headline inflation rose by 0.2 percent, driven mainly by higher water charges, electricity tariffs and fuel prices.

Water charges delivered the biggest shock, soaring by a staggering 17.5 percent in just one month. Electricity tariffs also increased by 2.2 percent, while motorists paid more at the pump as petrol prices rose by 1.9 percent, diesel by 1.3 percent, and cooking gas by 1.5 percent.

The biggest increase was recorded under the Housing, Water, Electricity, Gas and Other Fuels category, which rose by 2.0 percent, making it the fastest-growing household expenditure in July.

Transport costs also increased by 0.5 percent, while Ugandans spent more on furnishings, household equipment, personal care products, restaurants, accommodation services, health care and clothing.

Despite the spike in utility costs, there was some welcome relief for consumers as food prices continued to fall.

UBOS reported that inflation for food crops and related items declined by 1.5 percent, largely due to lower prices for matooke, tomatoes, pineapples, Irish potatoes and onions.

Matooke prices dropped by 14.8 percent, pineapples plunged by 24.0 percent, tomatoes fell by 7.2 percent, Irish potatoes declined by 7.1 percent, while onions became 3.3 percent cheaper.

Economists say the increase in utility prices is partly linked to seasonal factors. Between mid-May to mid-August, many parts of Uganda experience a prolonged dry spell that lowers water levels in rivers and reservoirs. The reduced water availability increases demand while limiting supply, resulting in higher water charges.

The same dry conditions also affect hydroelectric power generation, as reduced water levels lower generation capacity. This can tighten electricity supply at a time when demand remains high, contributing to upward pressure on electricity costs.

Overall, the mixed price movements left monthly headline inflation at 0.2 percent for July, meaning Ugandans paid more for utilities and transport but benefited from cheaper prices for several staple food items.

UBOS publishes the Consumer Price Index at the end of every month to monitor changes in the prices of goods and services consumed by households across the country.

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Northern Uganda-based TikToker Mercy Lucky Lakisa, popularly known as Macy through her account @23macy3938, has died.

Family members and people close to her say she was found dead at her home in Laroo-Pece Division, Gulu City, on Monday night. Authorities have not yet officially established the circumstances surrounding her death, and her body has been taken to the mortuary for a post-mortem examination as investigations continue.

Who She Was

Before her death, Macy had built a following on TikTok through lifestyle and entertainment content. She was also a familiar face within Gulu’s entertainment scene, having appeared as a video vixen in the remix of “My Bebe” by Big Mosh and Laxzy Mover.

News of her passing has spread quickly across social media, with fellow content creators, entertainers, friends, and fans sharing tributes describing her as vibrant and talented, with content that brought joy to many who followed her online.

Her family is expected to communicate burial arrangements in the coming days.

No official statement on the cause of death has been released, and the circumstances remain under investigation.