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A disagreement over the upcoming LC I elections has ended in tragedy after a 30-year-old man was allegedly killed during a campaign-related altercation in Kasese District.

The deceased, Masereka Nelson, was a resident of Kisanga Village in Maliba Parish, Maliba Sub-county.

According to the Rwenzori East Regional Police spokesperson, ASP Elly Maate, the incident happened on the night of July 25, 2026, at around 9:50 p.m.

Police say Nelson became involved in a heated argument with a man identified only as Sowedi over the forthcoming LC I chairperson elections. What began as a verbal exchange quickly escalated into violence.

Investigators allege that Sowedi picked up a stone and hit Nelson on the forehead, causing him to collapse. The suspect is further accused of continuing to assault him while he lay on the ground before fleeing the scene.

A friend rushed the injured man to a nearby drug shop for first aid and later informed his family. The following morning, relatives transferred him to Rukoki Hospital, where doctors pronounced him dead at about 5:00 p.m.

Police later traced the suspect to Bunyangabo District, where he was arrested while in hiding. He is expected to be transferred to Hiima Division to face prosecution.

The killing comes just days before Ugandans head to the polls to elect LC I chairpersons in more than 70,000 villages on Tuesday, July 28, 2026.

Police have since appealed to the public to avoid violence and resolve political differences peacefully, reminding candidates and their supporters that elections should not cost lives. Investigations into the murder are still ongoing.

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Following the success of Spice’s concert at Lugogo Cricket Oval on 9 May, Safari Beats has honoured Next Media with a certificate of appreciation and teased another major international event.

The concert organisers presented the award during a visit to Next Media Park on July 27, thanking the media house for its extensive coverage before, during and after the event.

Safari Beats credited Next Media, through its brands NBS TV and Sanyuka TV, for helping the concert reach a wider audience.

We truly appreciate Next Media because it gave us the best coverage. This certificate is a small token of appreciation to express our gratitude. Without their support, the event would not have been as successful as it was.

The organisers also revealed that Spice’s trip to Uganda was about more than the concert.

They said the Jamaican dancehall star first came as a tourism influencer to showcase the country’s attractions before performing for her fans.

Spice came as an influencer to promote Uganda’s tourism, but we could not let her leave without performing for her fans. That is why we organised the concert. The bigger goal was to showcase Uganda, which is why she visited Bulange and other tourism destinations.

Safari Beats added that it is already planning another major international event and promised fans another global star in partnership with Next Media.

We are preparing something special for the fans. Another international artiste is coming soon, and together with Next Media, something big is on the way. We are not ready to reveal all the details yet.

Receiving the certificate, Next Media thanked Safari Beats for the recognition and pledged to continue supporting future events.

We are grateful to have been part of the Spice show and proud that it was such a success. We look forward to continuing this partnership because they have promised something even bigger, and Next Media will definitely be part of it.

IGANGA — Iganga Deputy Resident District Commissioner (RDC) Ahamed Lyavala has strongly criticised Parish Chiefs who petitioned the RDC’s office over the ongoing Parish Development Model (PDM) community barazas, describing their actions as “a display of ignorance” and warning them against undermining established government communication channels.

The remarks were made during a meeting convened by the Iganga RDCs following a series of community barazas organised by the office of the Senior RDC, Eric Ssewandigi, to monitor the implementation of the Parish Development Model across the district.

The meeting was attended by Deputy RDC Ahamed Lyavala, Assistant RDCs, Parish Chiefs and other local government officials.

Addressing the gathering, Senior RDC Eric Ssewandigi reminded Parish Chiefs of the proper hierarchy of communication within government, saying their conduct amounted to insubordination.

He emphasised that public officers are expected to follow established administrative procedures when raising concerns rather than resorting to actions that undermine government programmes.

Deputy RDC Lyavala cautioned Parish Chiefs implicated in what he described as the PDM “mess” that they could face legal consequences if found to have breached public trust.

“Godfather and godmother syndrome will not help you. Simply do your work and be humble. The petition against the RDC is a display of ignorance, and it will not help you because you are already in breach of public trust,” Lyavala said.

He urged public servants to focus on delivering services to the people instead of engaging in unnecessary conflicts with supervising authorities.

Meanwhile, Senior RDC Eric Ssewandigi confirmed that the PDM community barazas will resume after the conclusion of the Local Council I (LC I) election cycle, noting that the engagements remain an important platform for monitoring programme implementation and addressing community concerns.

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Katy Perry has criticised the White House after it used her hit song Firework in a TikTok video about military strikes on Iran without asking for her permission.

The White House posted the video on its official TikTok account, pairing footage of the strikes with Perry’s 2010 hit.

The post quickly sparked criticism online, with many social media users questioning the decision to use the song in that context.

Perry soon responded, making it clear that she had nothing to do with the video.

I am deeply appalled and angry to see ‘Firework’ used on the White House TikTok account as a backing track for video footage of military strikes. I did not approve this, I was not asked, and I absolutely do not condone it.

The pop star said she wrote Firework to inspire hope, courage and self-belief, not to accompany scenes of war.

To see a message of self-worth and upliftment weaponized to soundtrack destruction and violence is a complete violation of everything my song stands for.

Her statement quickly drew support from fans, who said the song’s message conflicted with the images shown in the video.

Perry joins a growing list of musicians who have pushed back against the use of their music in political content without permission.

Ariana Grande recently criticised the White House for using her song “Bye” in an immigration-related TikTok video, while Kesha objected after officials used Blow in a military-themed post.

Sabrina Carpenter, Olivia Rodrigo and Céline Dion have also spoken out after their music appeared in political or government-related content without their approval.

The latest dispute has reignited debate over how governments and political organisations use popular music on social media, especially when artists say those posts conflict with the message behind their songs.

Popular Ugandan couple Miriam Tarinyeba Tusubira, the CEO of Infotrust, and her husband, JB Halera, the CEO of JB’s Tailored Fashionz, have dismissed rumours claiming that JB secretly married another woman.

While on Sanyuka TV, the couple said the allegations are nothing more than social media gossip.

The rumours gained traction online after some users claimed the couple’s recent vacation photos were an attempt to hide problems in their marriage.

The couple, however, insisted their relationship remains strong and said they have no interest in proving anything to social media.

We have nothing to prove to social media.

They said they remain happily married and have no plans to separate despite the rumours.

The couple added that marriage is about standing by each other through every season of life, and they remain committed to supporting one another through both good and difficult times.

For many, Etania Mutoni‘s life looks exciting. Between international trips, career milestones, and a growing brand, she appears to be living the dream.

Behind the highlights, however, she says success has come with loneliness.

Months after the success of her Becoming Life of the Party show in April, the media personality and DJ revealed that she has not properly been home since 4 April.

She left for Nairobi immediately after the event and has spent the months since travelling for work.

Chasing your dreams is just a lonely path really… It leaves you often wondering if everything will pay off eventually and even then you are not certain, so you just turn to God.

Etania admitted that she misses her family, friends, and the comfort of home, saying that building a brand often demands complete commitment despite the uncertainty.

You invest in your brand… you reach your dreams, and then you realise there is still more you want to accomplish. Then you start chasing that!

Her reflections offer a glimpse into the reality behind a life that many admire, showing that every achievement often comes with sacrifice, uncertainty, and the determination to keep going.