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Ayra Starr has finally broken her silence after worrying fans with a week-long absence from social media.

The Afrobeats star, born Oyinkansola Sarah Aderibigbe, revealed that she underwent major surgery a few days ago, forcing her to step away from the spotlight while she recovered.

In a message posted on her Instagram Story, she apologised for disappearing without warning.

Hey Mobstarrs, I am sorry you are not seeing as much of me as I would like. I had major surgery a few days ago.

Ayra Starr admitted she expected to recover much sooner but faced unexpected complications after the procedure.

I was hoping it would be a quick recovery but it was more complicated than they expected.

Despite the setback, she assured fans that she is getting better and will return when she is fully rested.

I just need a bit of rest and I will be back. Starrgirl is coming so soooon.

Peter Okoye, popularly known as Mr. P, has finally spoken about the fallout between him and his twin brother, Paul Okoye, also known as Rudeboy.

The Nigerian singer shared a video on Instagram, saying he wants to set the record straight after years of speculation about what caused the P-Square split.

Sharing the clip, Peter wrote:

I have watched lies travel farther than the truth. Today, I am finally giving the truth a voice.

In the video, he said many people have discussed the brothers’ fallout without knowing what really happened.

I am going to speak my truth today. I challenge anybody, including my twin brother. Anybody can provide a video.

Peter also revealed that he had previously apologised on the same platform where the controversy began.

I hear a lot of people saying, ‘What exactly happened to this guy?’ because most of you do not even know what happened to us. But today, I am going to say it.

His full account:

Peter and Paul first ended their partnership as P-Square in 2017 after years of disagreements over management, creative control, and family issues involving their elder brother, Jude Okoye.

They reunited in 2021, delighting fans with their comeback, but the reconciliation did not last.

By 2024, fresh tensions had resurfaced, and both brothers have since confirmed that P-Square has split for good.

By Mike Ssegawa | Editor & Publisher, Watchdog Uganda

The Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) recently organized a high-visibility influencer activation trip to Murchison Falls National Park under the #UWAOpenParkDays banner. The goal was straightforward: generate digital excitement ahead of planned free-entry days in September, encouraging young Ugandans and regional travelers to explore their own backyards. Participants threw themselves into adrenaline-fueled ziplining and posed against dramatic Nile viewpoints, flooding social feeds with high-energy reels.

However, the content triggered a sharp debate on X and TikTok. The catalyst arrived when digital commentary account @Uganda_Expozed published a stark comparison contrasting Uganda’s casual influencer videos with Kenya’s highly polished destination marketing. Where Kenya rolls out cinematic 4K aerial showcases of named natural landmarks like Mt Ololokwe, Karuru Falls, and the Ithangune Crater, Uganda offered creators filming their own faces and screaming on ziplines.

Critics quickly jumped in, arguing that Uganda’s self-absorbed approach prioritized individual popularity over genuine travel expertise. Detractors pointed out that the viral videos omitted crucial practical information—such as trip costs, accessibility routes, and vital conservation narratives—potentially undermining Uganda’s long-term competitive edge in East Africa’s fierce tourism market.

Yet, writing off the activation ignores how digital influence actually functions in Kampala. Supporters emphasized that diverse, relatable creator voices reach younger demographics that traditional glossy brochures completely miss. But the true turning point of the campaign’s reach came down to one individual: Christine Nampeera.

Nampeera pulled off a controversial move alongside a colleague that instantly ignited the timeline. In classic Ugandan fashion, the outrage machine went into overdrive. But beneath the online noise, a brilliant marketing outcome occurred: the campaign went entirely mainstream. Before the controversy, millions of Ugandans had no idea #UWAOpenParkDays even existed. Afterwards, virtually every active internet user in the country was talking about Murchison Falls.

Ugandans love drama—we feast on it, dissect it in WhatsApp groups, and turn it into trending topics. Love her or hate her, Nampeera proved one simple truth: if you want to wake up the Ugandan public, you don’t issue a polite invitation—you create a scene.

This debate highlights a critical evolution for Ugandan tourism. UWA does not need to abandon local influencers or blindly replicate Kenya’s corporate marketing style. The solution lies in providing structured guidelines that pair viral relatability with substantive travel information—details on where to go, how much to spend, and why wildlife preservation matters. For now, Nampeera proved that in Uganda, controversy remains the ultimate megaphone, and UWA successfully grabbed the entire nation’s attention ahead of September.

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President Yoweri Museveni has asked two companies – the UK infrastructure firm Globespan Infrastructure and the Ugandan builder SMS Construction – to expand and modernise Entebbe Regional Referral Hospital.

In a directive seen by this reporter, Museveni told the finance and health ministries to work with the two firms to speed up a renovation of the hospital. The aim, the document says, is to raise the number of patients it can treat, add specialised care and bring its older buildings together as a single referral centre.

The hospital, about 40km (25 miles) south of the capital, Kampala, has been under growing strain. It was given regional referral status in July 2019. But it still has only 200 beds, and in 2024 it recorded about 57,000 outpatient visits and 10,500 admissions.

In July 2025, a parliamentary committee summoned the health and finance ministers over the hospital’s condition, after the auditor general reported a shortage of storage space, too few staff and poor services. Members of parliament were told that some medicines were being kept in corridors.

Globespan arranges funding for governments building large projects. It is the lead developer of a new 36,500-seat stadium in Fumba, Zanzibar, being built for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, which Tanzania is co-hosting with Kenya and Uganda.

The stadium has been reported to cost about $150m (£112m), although the figure has been disputed in Zanzibar. It was designed by the UK firm AFL Architects and is being built by the Turkish company Orkun Group. AFL Architects also worked on the Lusail Stadium, which staged the final of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

SMS Construction is a local firm that has worked mainly on health and government buildings. Its projects include a multipurpose building at the Uganda Cancer Institute, with treatment wards, a laboratory and training rooms. It also took over the headquarters of the Inspectorate of Government from Roko Construction, a larger firm that ran into financial trouble.

Choosing a Ugandan company alongside a foreign partner fits a wider pattern. In 2022, Museveni told the prime minister to give government construction work to SMS Construction to help build up local firms.

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ABUJA, NIGERIA — The Deputy President of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) and Afro-Arab Youth Council (AAYC) Coordinator for the West Africa Region, Amb. Akoshile Mukhtar, has been named among the recipients of the 100 Most Influential Progressives Award 2026 in recognition of his outstanding contributions to youth leadership, advocacy, empowerment, and national development.

The prestigious award honours individuals whose work continues to drive positive change through visionary leadership, commitment to good governance, and efforts to create opportunities for young people.

According to a statement from the Office of the Deputy President of NYCN, Amb. Mukhtar’s recognition reflects his continued dedication to youth mobilisation, civic engagement, and fostering a new generation of leaders committed to Nigeria’s growth and progress.

Through his leadership roles, Amb. Mukhtar has championed youth inclusion, strengthened partnerships, and supported initiatives aimed at empowering young people across Nigeria and the wider West African region.

The award ceremony is scheduled to take place on Friday, 31st July 2026, at the Grand Ballroom, Barcelona Hotel, Abuja, starting at 6:00 PM.

The Office of the Deputy President described the recognition as both a personal milestone for Amb. Mukhtar and a reflection of the broader efforts of the National Youth Council of Nigeria in promoting youth development and transformative leadership.

“This recognition is a testament to the collective efforts of the National Youth Council of Nigeria in advancing youth development and impactful leadership across the country,” the statement noted.

Youth leaders, partners, associates, and members of the public have been invited to join in celebrating Amb. Mukhtar’s achievement as he receives the award under the theme: “Voices of Progress, Faces of Impact.”

 

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Kenyan singer Bien has clarified his recent comments about Ugandan music after clips from his appearance on the Let the Cake Podcast circulated online and prompted responses from several Ugandan artists.

Pallaso, Mark Da Urban, and DJ Selecta Jeff were among those who weighed in after excerpts from the interview showed Bien describing Uganda’s music industry as having a business model that works for local artists before saying the country’s sound “does not evolve much.”

The Sauti Sol member has now urged people to watch the full interview, saying the clips that have circulated online do not capture the complete conversation.

A few comments I made on a recent podcast are being shared without the full context.

He said he wanted to share his perspective, not disrespect Uganda’s music industry or the artists who continue to shape it.

I want to be clear: my intention was to share my perspective, not to disrespect Ugandan music or the artists who continue to shape and grow it.

Bien also encouraged people to look beyond the short clips and blog posts that have circulated online.

If you have only seen the blogs or short clips, they do not reflect the full conversation. I appreciate everyone who has taken the time to listen to what I actually said.

He ended his statement by sending love and respect to the music community.

Much love and respect to the music community.

A notorious land grabber in Masaka has been arraigned before court on multiple charges related to alleged illegal occupation of land, intimidation of residents, and destruction of property.

Zulaika Nakabiri was charged before the Masaka Chief Magistrate’s Court alongside Bugembe Edrisa, Dumba Abdu Swaburu, and Makumbi Abbey following investigations by the State House Anti-Corruption Unit in collaboration with Uganda Police and the Office of the Directorate of Public Prosecutions.

The accused persons are alleged to have terrorised residents in different parts of Masaka through acts including assault, criminal trespass, unlawful occupation of private property, and destruction of crops, trees, houses, and other valuables.

Court subsequently remanded Nakabiri and her co-accused until 13 August 2026 as investigations continue.

In a related development, Misaala Cell LC I Chairperson Ntale Godfrey, together with Juuko John, have also been charged and remanded over allegations of theft and conspiracy to defraud members of the public.

The two are accused of exploiting residents seeking support under the Parish Development Model (PDM) by falsely claiming they could help them access government funds.

According to the prosecution, one of the victims, Ntuumwa Elvis, approached the suspects for assistance in applying for PDM funds. Juuko allegedly completed the application in the presence of Ntale and later instructed Ntuumwa to obtain a new SIM card.

After obtaining the mobile money PIN linked to the SIM card, the suspects allegedly took possession of it and withdrew Shs1 million that had been disbursed to the victim.

Ntuumwa reportedly discovered that he had not received the funds and, after failing to obtain a satisfactory explanation from the two suspects, reported the matter during the ongoing “Expose the Corrupt” Baraza held in Masaka. Ntale and Juuko were also remanded until 13 August 2026.

The cases are among several actions arising from complaints submitted by residents during the anti-corruption campaign led by the Minister of Local Government, Hon. Balaam Barugahara, aimed at exposing corruption, abuse of office, and other injustices affecting communities.

Authorities say the ongoing engagements provide a platform for citizens to report grievances, which are then subjected to investigation and, where evidence is established, prosecution.

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For more than a decade, Bad Black was one of Uganda’s most outspoken advocates of skin bleaching, never shying away from documenting her cosmetic journey or defending her decision to lighten her complexion.

Now, the controversial socialite says that chapter of her life has come to an end.

Shanita Namuyimbwa, popularly known as Bad Black, has announced that she is abandoning skin bleaching after 13 years, saying she wants to embrace her natural complexion and allow her children to know the woman behind the public persona.

The socialite made the revelation through a series of emotional posts on Snapchat, where she reflected on the years she spent altering her appearance and declared that she was ready to stop “hiding.”

“I have been bleaching my skin for the past 13 years, but it’s finally time for my children to embrace and see the real woman who gave them life—the woman who has sacrificed everything for them. I’m done hiding,” she wrote.

Bad Black said the decision marks the beginning of a new chapter centred on self-acceptance, adding that she no longer feels the need to alter her skin to feel confident.

“Forget bleaching. I’m done. This is the real me, and I’m choosing to love every part of myself,” she added.

Her announcement comes just weeks after undergoing a Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL) and 360 liposuction procedure, from which she is still recovering. She joked that the cosmetic surgery would be the only enhancement she needed going forward.

“Now that I’m well-shaped with my BBL, why should I pressure myself with skin bleaching? I’m sure I will look so beautiful carrying my BBL with respect and integrity,” she wrote.

As part of the transformation, Bad Black says she is considering wiping her digital footprint clean by deleting photos and videos showing her lighter complexion from Instagram and TikTok.

She described the move as a “rebirth,” saying she wants to reintroduce herself to followers as a woman who proudly embraces her natural melanin.

“I’m also considering deleting all my Instagram pictures because reborn Bad Black is melanin, dark chocolate, sexy mama. I will delete all my TikTok videos to rebrand the new me this August.”

Known for her lavish lifestyle and unapologetic personality, Bad Black has remained one of Uganda’s most talked-about socialites for more than a decade, often making headlines for her relationships, legal troubles, cosmetic procedures and outspoken views.

Her latest declaration has already sparked mixed reactions online, with some followers applauding her decision to embrace her natural appearance while others questioned whether the transformation would be permanent.

For Bad Black, however, the decision appears to go beyond appearance.

She says she wants her children to grow up knowing the woman she truly is—not the image she spent years creating.

“The moment I walked out of that theatre, the masks were off. I am what I always wanted to be,” she wrote.

Whether the decision marks the end of one of Uganda’s longest-running celebrity beauty transformations remains to be seen, but for Bad Black, it represents a fresh start—one she hopes will be defined less by changing her appearance and more by accepting it.

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