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Singer Spice Diana has opened up about reconnecting with her estranged father years after growing up without his support, revealing that although they have since made peace, they do not share a close relationship.

Speaking during an interview on Bukedde TV, the singer recounted an emotional encounter that unexpectedly reunited them while she was performing at a concert.

According to Spice Diana, she immediately recognised her father when he approached the stage to tip her, despite not having seen him for years.

“I was performing on stage when a man came close and gave me money. I immediately recognised him because the last image I had of him was from many years ago when I had gone to ask him to pay my sister’s Primary Seven school fees, and he refused,” she said.

After the performance, the two briefly spoke and exchanged phone numbers. She said they later kept in touch, and she has visited him twice since becoming a successful musician.

However, the Siri Regular singer clarified that their relationship has not grown into a close father-daughter bond.

“We talked, exchanged contacts, and later I visited him. In my Spice Diana era, I have visited him twice, but there is no bond between us,” she explained.

The singer also addressed criticism from some members of the public who have questioned why she continues to help strangers while her biological father has not experienced a similar transformation in his life.

Spice Diana said she chose to forgive both of her fathers and no longer harbours resentment, but believes every adult has the right to live the life they choose.

“I forgave both my dads, and I don’t hold grudges. But when someone chooses to live their life, you let them be,” she said.

She added that her passion for helping vulnerable people stems from her own upbringing, noting that much of the love and support she received came from people who were not related to her.

“I grew up with strangers, and they showed me love and helped raise me. That’s why I will always help the people I meet on the streets because they played a part in making me who I am,” she said.

What started as a podcast opinion has quickly exploded into a full-blown East African music showdown! Kenyan singer Bien has found himself under fire after claiming Uganda’s music industry is holding its artists back from conquering regional and international markets.

Speaking on a podcast, the award-winning singer argued that Uganda’s thriving local music scene makes artists too comfortable, saying one hit song is enough to keep an artist performing across the country without feeling the need to aim bigger.

“In Uganda, one hit song can take an artist around the whole country. You have to be there to understand how that system works,” Bien said.

He contrasted Uganda with Kenya, where he says artists quickly exhaust performance opportunities in cities like Nairobi, Mombasa and Kisumu, forcing them to expand into regional and global markets much earlier in their careers.

Bien went even further, claiming Uganda’s music has become creatively stagnant because many artists are satisfied with pleasing the local audience instead of creating music with international appeal.

But his comments didn’t sit well with several Ugandan stars.

Singer Pallaso was among the first to hit back, taking to X to dismiss Bien’s claims.

“Some say Ugandan music is ‘stuck’ locally even my brother Bien in Kenya. But music is for joy, not just trends or money,” Pallaso wrote.

He went on to argue that great music isn’t defined by how far it travels, pointing to church music as an example.

“Remember church songs? Simple drums, not perfect but still good. Music is personal. Instead of copying Nigerian sounds, let’s explore Africa’s own rich cultures.”

Pallaso also defended Uganda’s music ecosystem, insisting the country embraces different genres and gives more artists a chance to thrive.

“Uganda supports all artists and genres, so more stars rise there than in Kenya,” he added.

The criticism didn’t end there.

During an interview on Galaxy TV, dancehall star Mark Da Urban also dismissed Bien’s remarks, insisting Ugandan artists have always proved themselves on international stages.

He argued that Ugandan musicians are among the most talented in the region and rejected suggestions that they lack ambition beyond the local market.

Enock Mugabi aka iWitness is a Journalist, Seasoned Writer and Music Analyst with a passion for sports.
Connect with him on social media using the links below in bio.

Talk about aiming for the stars! Malcolm Mayanja, the eldest son of singer Weasel Manizo, has thrown down the gauntlet, boldly declaring that he wants to become a bigger music star than his famous dad and he’s giving himself just five years to make it happen.

Speaking during an appearance on Galaxy TV’s Rewind, the ambitious little known singer made it clear that his eyes are firmly fixed on the prize, insisting he’s fully committed to music and ready to build a legacy of his own.

The bold declaration comes just days after his widely talked-about fallout with Weasel. But instead of adding fuel to the family drama, Malcolm chose to eat humble pie, publicly apologizing to his parents and relatives for his past behaviour.

“I want to be musically bigger than my father in five years. I am focused on music, and I publicly apologize to my parents for my wrongdoings. I made a mistake, and I won’t do it again,” Malcolm said.

The aspiring singer also made an emotional plea for a second chance, saying he believes no one can truly succeed without the blessing of their parents.

And it looks like he’s not short of star power in his corner. Malcolm revealed that his uncles, music giants Jose Chameleone and Pallaso, have been backing him and encouraging him as he works to turn his dream into reality.

Enock Mugabi aka iWitness is a Journalist, Seasoned Writer and Music Analyst with a passion for sports.
Connect with him on social media using the links below in bio.

Singer Irene Ntale has revealed that she recently underwent surgery to remove 30 fibroids, opening up for the first time about a health battle she has been quietly fighting.

The songstress shared the update on social media while responding to an influencer who had spoken about living with fibroids, using the opportunity to encourage other women facing similar challenges.

“4 weeks 4 days post-op! 30 removed! Vertical incision! Healing very well. The first week was hell! The gas pains after surgery! But after that everything starts to slowly feel normal again. Did my surgery in Uganda,” she wrote.

Ntale disclosed that she underwent an open abdominal myomectomy, a surgical procedure used to remove fibroids while preserving the uterus. She said the operation was carried out in Uganda in June and that her recovery has been progressing well.

Although she described the first week after surgery as the most difficult due to severe post-operative pain, she noted that her condition has steadily improved and she has gradually resumed her normal routine.

Fibroids are non-cancerous growths that develop in or around the uterus. They can cause symptoms such as heavy menstrual bleeding, pelvic pain, frequent urination and, in some cases, fertility complications, although many women experience no symptoms at all.

Ntale’s revelation sparked widespread discussion on social media, with fans and fellow entertainers sending messages of encouragement and wishing her a full recovery.

Her disclosure also reignited conversations around women’s reproductive health, with many applauding the singer for speaking openly about a condition that often goes undiscussed despite affecting many women.

dfcu Limited has warned shareholders and investors that it expects to report a loss for the first six months of 2026, blaming the outcome on rising legal expenses linked to the ongoing Crane Bank case before the English High Court.

In a profit warning issued under Rule 38(3)(c) of the Uganda Securities Exchange Listing Rules, 2025, the bank said its unaudited financial results for the period ending 30 June 2026 will show a loss compared with the same period last year.

According to dfcu, the expected loss is largely the result of substantial legal costs incurred while defending itself in the long-running commercial dispute involving the acquisition of Crane Bank’s assets after the bank’s collapse.

The case was filed in 2020 by Crane Bank Limited and some of its former shareholders against dfcu Limited, dfcu Bank and other parties. The claim challenges the 2017 transfer of selected Crane Bank assets and liabilities to dfcu following the Bank of Uganda’s takeover of the lender.

Despite the anticipated loss, dfcu said its core business remains strong and financially stable.

The bank said its underlying fundamentals continue to improve and insisted that its overall business performance remains on a positive growth path despite the exceptional legal costs weighing on its financial results.

The latest development comes after the English High Court recently issued an important procedural ruling in the case, rejecting key parts of dfcu’s attempt to amend its defence.

Deputy High Court Judge Paul Stanley KC ruled that dfcu could not rely on findings contained in forensic reports prepared by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) as though they were established facts without proving them during the trial.

The lawsuit centres on claims by Crane Bank and its former shareholders that the Bank of Uganda unlawfully took over the bank in 2016 before transferring most of its assets and liabilities to dfcu in January 2017 at what they describe as a significantly undervalued price.

The claimants further allege that the takeover and sale formed part of a corrupt scheme in which concerns over Crane Bank’s financial health were deliberately created to justify the transaction.

In its defence, dfcu has relied heavily on two PwC forensic reports commissioned by the Bank of Uganda after Crane Bank was placed under statutory management. The reports raised several concerns about the bank’s management and financial position.

However, the English High Court ruled that while dfcu may refer to the existence of the PwC reports and the fact that regulators considered them when making decisions, it cannot present the reports’ conclusions as proven facts unless they are established through evidence during the trial.

Judge Stanley said dfcu’s proposed amendments blurred the distinction between allegations contained in the PwC reports and facts the bank intended to prove in court, creating what he described as a “dangerous ambiguity”.

He also warned that incorporating large portions of the reports into the defence would unnecessarily expand the scope of the case, introduce numerous additional factual disputes and make the already complex litigation even more difficult to resolve.

As a result, the court limited dfcu’s reliance on the PwC reports to explaining the context in which the Bank of Uganda and regulators made their decisions, without allowing the bank to treat the reports’ findings as established facts.

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

According to information from family members and people close to her, the social media personality was found dead at her home in Laroo-Pece Division, Gulu City, on Monday night. Authorities are yet to officially establish the circumstances surrounding her death.

Her body was taken to the mortuary for a post-mortem examination as investigations continue.

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

News of her passing has sent shockwaves across social media, where fellow content creators, entertainers, friends and fans have shared tributes, describing her as a vibrant and talented young woman whose videos brought joy to many.

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

READ: Evelyn Mic reveals conversation with Lord Elektra after suicide rumours

The circumstances leading to her death remain under investigation, and authorities have not yet released an official statement on the cause of death.

If you or someone you know is struggling with overwhelming emotional distress or thoughts of self-harm, reaching out to a trusted friend, family member, or a qualified mental health professional can make a difference. Help is available, and you do not have to face it alone.

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Award-winning investigative journalist Solomon Serwanjja is set to begin a new chapter in public service after emerging victorious in the race for LC1 chairperson of Bamutakudde Village in Mukono District.

Serwanjja, who contested as an independent candidate, secured the seat by the narrowest of margins, polling 106 votes against National Unity Platform (NUP) candidate Lule Badru Ssozi Kirwana’s 105.

The one-vote victory capped off one of the most competitive village elections in the district and highlighted just how decisive every ballot can be in grassroots politics.

Best known for exposing corruption and holding public officials accountable through investigative journalism, Serwanjja now shifts from reporting on governance to participating in it.

His campaign revolved around the slogan “Obwerufu n’Enkulakulana” (Transparency and Development), with promises to promote accountable leadership and involve residents more closely in decision-making.

Following the announcement of the results, Serwanjja expressed gratitude to the people of Bamutakudde for the confidence they placed in him.

He pledged to prioritise improving road infrastructure, enhancing village security, expanding access to clean water and creating opportunities for young people while ensuring transparency in the management of community resources.

The election marks Serwanjja’s first elective political office and signals a transition from the newsroom to grassroots leadership, where he says he hopes to translate the principles he championed as a journalist into practical community development.

His victory also serves as a reminder of the weight a single vote can carry, with the contest ultimately decided by just one ballot.

The announcement by Minister Balaam Barugahara that samples in the late Paul Kafeero paternity dispute may be sent to South Africa or the United Kingdom for confirmatory DNA testing has reignited an already emotional public conversation.

Everyone is entitled to seek a second opinion, particularly in a matter as personal and consequential as determining biological parentage. If obtaining an independent test offers reassurance to those directly affected, that is entirely understandable.

However, beyond the family dispute lies a much bigger national question.

What precedent are we setting for Uganda’s scientific institutions?

The DNA analyses that have so far informed this matter were conducted by the Uganda Police Forensic Services and the Directorate of Government Analytical Laboratory (DGAL). These are not private laboratories operating without oversight. They are state institutions established, funded and mandated to undertake forensic investigations on behalf of the country.

If every time their findings are challenged the immediate response is to seek confirmation abroad, what message does that send about the confidence we have in the very institutions we have spent years building?

Strong institutions are not built only when they produce outcomes that everyone likes. They are built by trusting established scientific processes, demanding transparency where questions arise and continuously improving their capacity. If flaws exist, they should be identified through professional peer review, quality assurance mechanisms and, where appropriate, judicial scrutiny, not by creating the impression that a scientific conclusion only becomes credible once it carries a foreign stamp.

The Kafeero matter also deserves to be viewed in its full context.

DNA remains the internationally accepted scientific standard for establishing biological parentage, and nothing should replace that. Yet this case has never existed in a vacuum. During his lifetime, Paul Kafeero publicly acknowledged some of his children in his music. Family members and individuals close to him have, over the years, consistently spoken about aspects of his family life that have remained largely outside the public domain. While such evidence cannot substitute for forensic science, it forms part of the broader narrative surrounding the dispute and, in some respects, aligns with the scientific findings already presented.

This is why the conversation should not simply be about whether another laboratory can repeat the tests. It should also be about how Uganda strengthens confidence in its own forensic systems.

Today it is the Kafeero case. Tomorrow it could be a murder investigation, a land dispute, an election petition or any other matter where forensic evidence becomes central. Will every disputed result now require confirmation in South Africa, the United Kingdom or elsewhere before Ugandans are willing to accept it?

That is not a sustainable path for any country seeking to build resilient institutions.

Confidence in national systems cannot be outsourced. It must be cultivated through investment, accountability, transparency and consistent professional standards. Where legitimate concerns exist, they should be addressed openly through established scientific and legal processes.

As Uganda continues investing in modern forensic science, this moment should challenge us to strengthen our institutions, not inadvertently diminish them.

The Kafeero case may be about one family, but the questions it raises are about the future credibility of our national institutions.

The writer is a Ugandan Journalist, PR & Communication Practitioner whose work spotlights the intersections of Policy & Culture

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