Rickman, real name Derrick Ddungu, says he is ready to play football again at a professional level after years out following an ACL injury.
In an interview with Kasuku, he revealed that he got an ACL (Anterior Cruciate Ligament) injury that weakened his knee and destabilised his football career for many years.
He, however, plans to return very soon to professional football, and we could be seeing him playing in the Uganda Premier League.
In 2016, I got an ACL injury, and I had to take a step away from football for some time. Returning to full form after such injuries is usually hard because it makes you prone to other injuries, as it weakens your knee. But I’m now ready to go again in the UPL. I want Ugandans to see Ddungu, the footballer.
The Chief Executive Officer of the Uganda Electricity Transmission Company Limited (UETCL), Eng. Richard Matsiko, together with the Acting Managing Director of the Uganda Electricity Distribution Company Limited (UEDCL), Eng. Joselynne R. Rwabwogo, have conducted an inspection of the ongoing Greater Kampala Metropolitan Transmission System Improvement Project to assess the progress of works. The project is currently 90.57% complete, with the Maya (Buloba) 220/132/33kV Substation fully completed and other major components progressing well. Ongoing works include the re-conductoring of critical 132kV transmission lines and upgrades to existing substations, activities that require planned outages to ensure the safety of personnel, the general public and the integrity of the transmission system during construction. The project, financed by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) through a JPY 13 billion (about USD 83.3 million) concessional loan to the Government of Uganda, is being implemented by UETCL.
The contractor of the project is the consortium of China Machinery Engineering Corporation (CMEC) and Toyota Tsusho Corporation (TTC). This project is meant to strengthen the capacity and reliability of the electricity transmission network serving the Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area. Speaking during the inspection, Eng. Matsiko acknowledged the inconvenience experienced by customers and expressed appreciation for the public’s patience.
“We understand the inconvenience these planned outages have caused to businesses and residents across the Kampala Metropolitan Area. However, these interruptions are a necessary part of delivering a stronger, more reliable transmission network capable of meeting the city’s rapidly growing electricity demand. We are now in the final stages of implementation and are working diligently to complete the remaining works as quickly and safely as possible.”
The Kampala Metropolitan Area remains Uganda’s largest electricity consumer, with increasing demand driven by urbanization, industrialization and commercial growth estimated at 15% annually. The existing transmission infrastructure is operating close to its design limits, making strategic investments essential to improve network resilience, reduce congestion and enhance the quality and reliability of electricity supply. The project includes: The construction of new substations at Maya and Mukono. Upgrading of existing substations at Kawaala, Mutundwe and Bujagali. Installation of new transmission lines and re-conductoring of existing 132kV transmission lines. Deployment of a mobile substation at Namungoona to strengthen supply reliability across the metropolitan area. Eng. Joselynne R. Rwabwogo emphasized the importance of the project in improving electricity service delivery to consumers. “While customers are experiencing temporary interruptions today, the long-term benefits will be significant. This investment will improve the stability and quality of power supply, reduce network constraints, and enable us to serve customers more efficiently as demand continues to grow.” She sympathized with customers over the planned outages, noting that they were necessary during the project implementation period.
“Unfortunately, during the UETCL grid improvement works, there is intermittent supply as a result. We appeal to our customers to bear with us during this period for a great and better service delivery at the end of the day.” She observed that the improved network resilience will facilitate UEDCL’s ambitious access project that targets to add up to 300,000 new customers annually.
Once completed, the Greater Kampala Metropolitan Transmission System Improvement Project will significantly increase transmission capacity within the metropolitan area, improve grid resilience, reduce the risk of widespread outages and support major economic developments, including industrial expansion and strategic infrastructure such as the planned Buloba Pump Station under Uganda’s oil and gas development programme.
UETCL and UEDCL reaffirmed their commitment to keeping the public informed throughout the remaining phase of the project and appreciated the continued understanding and cooperation of customers as Uganda invests in a stronger electricity transmission network to support sustainable national development.
Olympic champion and world record holder Joshua Cheptegei, the celebrated Ugandan long-distance runner, is the face of I&M Bank Uganda’s ‘On Your Side’ thematic campaign, that is aimed at reinforcing the bank’s commitment to supporting customers and communities through every stage of their journey.
As part of the initiative, Cheptegei was the inaugural guest on ‘A Chat with the CEO,’ podcast hosted by I&M Bank CEO- Robin Bairstow. Held live, at the thematic launch event, at the Kampala Serena hotel, last Thursday, the first episode had Cheptegei reflect on his rise to the pinnacle of global athletics, the people who have supported him along the way, the work of the Joshua Cheptegei Foundation, and why he believes his partnership with I&M Bank is built on shared values of trust, purpose, and community impact.
Below are excerpts from the interview.
Robin: Joshua, many people see the medals, victories, records, and global recognition. But I’m sure there’s a whole story behind it all! Take us back to the beginning; what was your journey like, from your early days, to becoming a world champion, and to where you are right now?
Cheptegei: Every journey has a start, and when I reflect on my early life, it was in 2014 when I started out and qualified for the African Cross Country Championships. I was 17 by then. I wanted to become a world champion, having seen what Stephen Kiprotich did at the 2012 London Olympics, as well as the 2013 World Championships in Russia. That inspired me to dream of becoming a superstar. Everyone dreams, but the dream goes through several stages, and throughout there will be challenges here and there, and you have to figure out how you’ll solve the challenges along the way.
Robin: Every journey has difficult moments. Was there ever a time when things became challenging enough that you questioned yourself? What kept you going?
Cheptegei: When I was just starting out in my athletics career, it wasn’t easy. I had struggles with equipment, but luckily my mother bought me shoes during the vacation. Many people thought I’d take long to succeed, but I managed to break through within a year. Many people saw the potential in me and supported me. I had my share of struggles before I got people who believed in me, and they helped me.
Robin: What was the turning point that helped you move from being a talented young athlete, into competing and winning at the highest level?
Cheptegei: It was in March 2014 during the Africa Cross Country Championships in Kololo. That was when I made my international debut. Just after that event, I signed up with Global Sports Communication, one of the leading sports management agencies in athletics, representing many international athletes, including legendary runners like Haile Gebrselassie, Kenenisa Bekele, and Eliud Kipchoge, among others. My first outing was in Bangalore, India. That was my first time boarding a plane, and it was a difficult experience because I wasn’t sure of many things. In India, I took part in the TCS World 10km Road Race. It was in May 2014. I finished second. That was the turning point in my career. It gave me motivation because I knew if I went on to win at other games like the Olympics, I could change my community.
Robin: How do you manage the pressure from public expectations, your team’s expectations, and the records you’ve set?
Cheptegei: When the country is counting on you, you look at people who are having a good time while watching their sports heroes with the expectation of them winning gold medals. I remember at the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast, Australia, after winning one gold medal, I was told by the Sports Minister that all the country’s hope was on me to win another gold. I won the race, but I succumbed to injury, and it messed up the whole of 2018. So, despite the pressure, you always have to ask yourself what you want. Family comes first, of course, and I know that when I am on the track, I have to make them happy.
Robin: One thing people admire about you is your consistency. Even after achieving so much, you remain humble, focused, and disciplined; what keeps you grounded?
Cheptegei: I think it’s my community. We have had challenges in the recent past where many talents could not be discovered. But because of government interventions, the story has changed, and everyone can see the medals.
Robin: No one succeeds alone. Behind every achievement are people who provide encouragement, guidance, and support. Who has been on your side throughout your journey?
Cheptegei: Number one is my family. The other is my training partners- because athletics is not an individual sport. Even people who help us at the camps, e.g. cooks, security personnel, physiotherapists, coaches, and the fans, among others. These are all unsung heroes in the sport, and they don’t get enough recognition.
Robin: As athletes grow, they become more than competitors. They become brands, entrepreneurs, investors, and leaders; how has your understanding of planning for the future evolved throughout your career?
Cheptegei: When you want to attempt something, you must be able to understand what you’re attempting. My initial dream was to become a world champion, and then I achieved huge success on the track. That’s why I am now pursuing marathons. For me, the marathon calling has been there for long, and despite having loved the track, I believe it’s time for the marathons. I believe with the support of I&M Bank, I will get better and better.
Robin: Beyond your achievements on the track, many people admire how you continue to stay connected to your roots and the entire nation through the Joshua Cheptegei Foundation.
Tell us more about the foundation, the work it does in Kapchorwa, and what inspired you to start this journey?
Cheptegei: The Foundation is one of the things I dreamt of when I wanted to drop out of my career because of different challenges. When I reflected on those challenges, I said to myself, ‘we must not rob our community of many undiscovered talents.’ I wanted to make many sports heroes. I also wanted to be involved in the welfare of my people in the areas of health, education, and the environment. In that aspect, we have the Elgon Cup Marathon in Mbale City, where we plant thousands of trees in the eastern part of the country, and we do this with different institutions. We also have a football tournament. We do this to identify different talent in the region. The Foundation also supports children in the area of education.
Robin: What advice would you give to young Ugandans trying to build something meaningful, whether in sports, business, or life?
Cheptegei: To the young people out there: always dare to dream, that will always guide you throughout your life. I always ask people to have a God given vision and speak to it. I used to tell friends at school that I always wanted to be a world champion, and whenever I meet them, they remind me about it. The world out there has opportunities in sport and business, so focus on your dream, and before you know it, the world will start cheering you.
Robin: Joshua, you have built a personal brand associated with excellence, integrity, and trust. You are also intentional about the partnerships you choose. What made partnering with I&M Bank feel right?
Cheptegei: The thematic ‘On Your Side’ was inspiring to us. We looked at the values we share, and I believed that a new journey was about to begin, and I know things can get better and better.
Robin: On a lighter note, when you’re not training or competing, what does Joshua Cheptegei enjoy doing?
Cheptegei: I always spend time with my family. I also always spend time checking on my projects. I also spend time reaching out to young people and try to see ways of impacting them. Our people need guidance, so I take time guiding them on different aspects. I also mentor young athletes.
KYANKWANZI: Chief Coordinator of Operation Wealth Creation (OWC), Gen. Caleb Akandwanaho, popularly known as Salim Saleh, has challenged Ugandan industrialists and both local and foreign investors to seize a once-in-a-generation opportunity by putting to use a powerful “machine-making machine” that has been lying idle for years at the Namanve Industrial Park.
Speaking during the signing of a Memorandum of Recognition between Farasi Agricultural Company Limited, The Grain Council of Uganda (TGCU) and Operation Wealth Creation (OWC) at the Kirema Heritage branch of the Gen. Akandwanaho School of Research in Kyankwanzi, recently commissioned by President Museveni, Gen. Saleh revealed that the sophisticated equipment was imported specifically to manufacture machines and spare parts locally.
“The President brought in a machine-making machine that can make any machine and spare parts at the request of the industrial sector many years ago, but it has been lying idle in Namanve Industrial Park,” Saleh said, urging investors to take interest in the facility and use it to drive Uganda’s industrial transformation.
The General said Uganda cannot achieve true industrialisation if such strategic investments remain unused while manufacturers continue importing machinery and spare parts from abroad.
Saleh also clarified that the memorandum signed with Farasi Agricultural Company Limited was not intended to grant the company a monopoly over tractor supply under Operation Wealth Creation.
He explained that OWC already has several partnerships with other tractor dealers, but decided to support Farasi because of its ambitious vision to manufacture a tractor using up to 85 percent locally sourced Ugandan materials.
Farasi, a home-grown initiative, aims to develop an indigenous tractor designed specifically for Ugandan farming conditions. According to Saleh, if the project succeeds, it will create thousands of skilled jobs, promote technology transfer and significantly reduce dependence on imported agricultural machinery.
However, the OWC boss warned the company against focusing solely on selling tractors and spare parts. He advised Farasi to establish regional service centres capable of supporting the entire agricultural value chain, including maintenance services and agro-input distribution.
The National Enterprise Corporation (NEC), represented by Gen. Innocent Oula, pledged full support to the initiative, saying it would assist in manufacturing spare parts whenever necessary and also deploy Farasi tractors on its extensive commercial farms.
The ceremony attracted several senior government officials, including Bank of Uganda Deputy Governor Prof. Augustus Nuwagaba, the Commissioner General of Prisons, the Inspector General of Police, officials from the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs, and representatives from various government agencies, underscoring the strategic importance attached to Uganda’s push for home-grown industrial manufacturing.
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has put Uganda’s music scene in the spotlight after revealing that songs by the legendary Goodlyfe Crew are part of his current playlist.
Mamdani made the revelation during an interview on the Rolling Stone podcast, where he spoke about his growing interest in Ugandan music.
The mayor specifically mentioned Radio and Weasel, the duo behind Goodlyfe Crew, as among the Ugandan artists he has been listening to recently.
“Right now, I have been listening to a lot of Radio & Weasel, who are a duo from Uganda who were running the charts for a long, long time. One of them sadly passed away,” Mamdani said.
The Goodlyfe Crew, formed by the late Mowzey Radio and Weasel Manizo, became a dominant force in Uganda’s music industry, producing several hits that continue to resonate with fans years later.
Among their popular songs are Nakudata, Bread and Butter, Ability and Lwaki Onumya.
Mowzey Radio died in 2018, ending one of the most celebrated partnerships in Uganda’s contemporary music history.
However, the duo’s music has continued to live on, earning new listeners while remaining popular among their longtime fans in Uganda and across the world.
Makerere University has entered a five-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Psalms Food Industries, aimed at strengthening practical training, research, and innovation while equipping students with the kind of skills the job market is actually looking for.
The agreement, signed this week at the university’s main campus, is designed to close the gap between classroom learning and real industrial practice by giving students direct hands-on training opportunities within the food processing sector.
University leaders framed the partnership as part of a broader shift toward practical, industry-focused education, one meant to ensure graduates leave with both academic grounding and genuine workplace experience.
Addressing The Equipment Gap
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Prof. Sarah Ssali said the partnership would help tackle one of the persistent challenges facing practical training at the university, namely limited access to modern industrial equipment. While acknowledging government efforts to strengthen the agricultural sector, she noted that a real gap still exists in the industrial machinery available to students. “There remains a persistent gap in the availability of adequate industrial machinery to bridge the divide for our students,” Ssali said. She added that the agreement would give students access to Psalms Food Industries’ production facilities and technology, complementing the practical training students already receive in university laboratories.
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Industry’s Perspective
Psalms Food Industries Chief Executive Officer Denis Ngabirano described the partnership as an investment in innovation and in Uganda’s future workforce, saying the company is looking to tap into the fresh thinking and analytical skills students bring, particularly in business analytics, research, and technical problem-solving. “We are essentially inviting the best and brightest minds to help us navigate the future,” Ngabirano said.
He argued that partnerships like this one go beyond simple recruitment, framing closer university-industry ties as essential to tackling youth unemployment and ensuring graduates come out with skills that actually match what employers need. Ngabirano also encouraged more private companies to pursue similar partnerships with higher education institutions.
What The Partnership Covers
Over the next five years, the two institutions will focus on three main areas: 1. Structured industrial placements that count toward students’ academic programmes while giving them real workplace exposure. 2. Joint research projects targeting challenges in food science, manufacturing, and industrial management. 3. Specialised workshops and skills development sessions led by industry experts, covering technical competencies not always taught in standard university curricula. University officials expect the partnership to boost innovation, improve graduate employability, and deepen the working relationship between academia and the private sector.
The agreement adds to a broader trend of Ugandan universities pursuing closer industry ties, as institutions look to produce graduates with the practical skills needed to support the country’s industrialisation and economic growth.
Government is preparing sweeping changes to how public university scholarships are awarded and financed, in reforms that could save taxpayers as much as sh6.12 billion a year, according to a New Vision report.
At the centre of the proposal is a shift away from the Public Universities Joint Admissions Board (PUJAB) route into government sponsorship. Instead of the current system, where beneficiaries are assigned a course based on what they chose during PUJAB registration, students would apply for sponsorship directly, and admission would come first.
The changes form part of the proposed amendment to the Universities and Other Tertiary Institutions Act (UOTIA), Cap 262, one of several legal reforms expected to be delivered during the 2026/2027 financial year. President Museveni flagged the amendment during his June State-of-the-Nation Address.
Money is the driver
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New Vision reports that if government suspends meals and accommodation support for sponsored students, its spending per beneficiary would fall by nearly half, from about sh4,500 a day down significantly. Currently, catering for the roughly 4,000 students on government sponsorship costs the state about sh2.16 billion a year in meals alone, and sh930 million a year in accommodation.
Under the reforms, only tuition, functional and research fees would be guaranteed for exceptional and deserving students; feeding and housing costs would fall to beneficiaries themselves.
VCs as accounting officers
A second major change would restructure leadership at public universities to mirror private institutions, where vice-chancellors double as accounting officers. Under the current law, that role sits with the university secretary. A ministry source told New Vision the shift is meant to fix accountability gaps and reduce turf wars between vice-chancellors and university secretaries over control of resources.
Not everyone is convinced. Former Makerere University vice-chancellor Prof. John Ddumba Ssentamu pushed back on the idea, arguing it piles too much onto an already demanding role. Other academics were more receptive. Prof. Eriabu Lugujjo of the Uganda Vice-Chancellors Forum welcomed the broader reform push, saying it was overdue given how long national merit-based admission has been overtaken by students who don’t take up their slots, while others who could pay their way are left without options.
Prof. Celestino Obua, former vice-chancellor of Mbarara University of Science and Technology, raised a different concern: that scrapping government sponsorship in favour of a student loan scheme for all Ugandans, an idea floated earlier by vice-chancellors, could remove the incentive fights over top A-Level grades that currently fuel exam malpractice.
What else is on the table
The draft amendments reportedly also propose folding all government sponsorship programmes into a single National Merit Scheme, under which bursaries would be awarded nationally and through the district quota system, funding tuition, accommodation, meals, and books and stationery. The proposals echo recommendations first floated under the National Higher Education Policy roughly two years ago.
President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni today hosted 33 Spanish student volunteers at State House, Entebbe, following the completion of their community outreach mission in Gomba District.
The students, who are undertaking their fourth annual volunteering mission to Uganda, spent several weeks supporting vulnerable communities through initiatives including the construction of school facilities, improving access to clean water, and visiting vulnerable households. Their outreach programme has been supported by President Museveni and the First Lady, Maama Janet Museveni.
Addressing the volunteers, President Museveni reaffirmed the government’s commitment to transforming Uganda from a pre-capitalist society into a modern money economy, where citizens produce not only for household consumption but also for commercial markets.
“The Government is working around the clock to transform Uganda from a pre-capitalist society to a money economy where people produce not only for the stomach but also for sale so that they earn money. As more people join the money economy, the country’s tax base will also increase,” President Museveni said.
He noted that Gomba District is steadily producing more commercial farmers, describing the trend as evidence that the government’s wealth creation programmes are yielding positive results.
Responding to a question on how Uganda has maintained stability despite conflicts in some neighbouring countries, President Museveni attributed the country’s peace to its guiding ideology of prioritising shared national interests over identity politics.
“We prioritise the politics of interest over the politics of identity. Patriotism means loving Uganda because you need it for your own prosperity. Pan-Africanism means loving Africa because our internal market alone is not enough for our development,” he said.
The President added that the same ideology has enabled Uganda to build strong national institutions, including a professional and inclusive security force.
“When we recruit into the army or the police, we do not ask about anybody’s tribe. What matters is whether you are a good soldier. Unity of Uganda and unity of Africa are our guiding principles,” he said.
Asked what advice he would offer young people, President Museveni urged them to embrace discipline, build stable families, avoid destructive behaviours, and maintain faith in God.
“As young people, avoid alcoholism, avoid womanising, get a family, be disciplined, and if you believe in God, it is an added advantage,” he advised.
The Director of Kelim Foundation, Dr. Harris Kirumira Kalule, whose organisation coordinates the programme locally, thanked President Museveni and the First Lady for their continued support to the volunteers throughout their stay in Gomba District.
He said the students had made a meaningful contribution to community development through projects aimed at improving education, water access, and the welfare of vulnerable households.
Speaking on behalf of the volunteers, Lady Carmen Sillero expressed gratitude to President Museveni for hosting the delegation and for the government’s support, particularly in providing transportation and security during their stay.
She said the assistance enabled the volunteers to reach schools and communities where they successfully carried out their outreach activities and expressed optimism that the partnership between the Spanish volunteers and Uganda would continue to grow in the years ahead.
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Her ex-husband, Rabadaba, has also been mentioned severally by bloggers who claim that he led to Nalongo Maggie’s depression when he effected her deportation from the USA.
In a statement shared on his TikTok, Rabadaba denies all such rumors.
He strongly states that Nalongo Maggie was never deported from the USA but rather decided to relocate and stay in Uganda on personal terms after losing some of her property in the USA.
Maggie was not deported. She actually used to come to the UK for days, a week or two, and go back, but it became more costly since she had unfortunately lost her flat…she opted to go and live in Uganda for her own personal reasons.
The singer also claims the deceased was not depressed and was doing quite fine for herself with her new lover.
These bloggers and TikTokers are saying the late was depressed. But I totally disagree; the late was doing well for herself. She found love again; she was literally married, and I personally was in total approval of it.
I was happy for her for having found love again. I even spoke to her husband when he reached out to me, and I told him I have no issues or qualms with them; I wished them the best.
Rickman Manrick has opened up about his relationship with influencer and dancer Gia Nina, describing it as the most faithful relationship he has ever experienced.
He says the level of honesty and transparency between them has strengthened their bond, adding that they have no problem checking each other’s phones.
Rickman revealed that Gia openly shares with him the messages she receives from men trying to pursue her, including some who claim to be his friends.
He said the openness has helped them build trust and avoid misunderstandings in their relationship.
I know all the people who inbox her and she shows me those trying to hit on her. She shows me the people who say they are my friends but are going for her and if you see me bypass you without saying anything, know that I know what you’re doing.
Rickman noted that he has dated different women with different personalities but believes Gia Nina stands out because of her honesty.
According to him, it is uncommon to find such openness in Kampala relationships, where trust issues are often common.
Rickman also dismissed the belief that relationships inevitably fail once they are made public. He argued that a relationship’s success depends on the character and choices of the people involved rather than the attention it receives.
To illustrate his point, he said even people in highly protected marriages can still choose to be unfaithful, insisting that faithfulness is ultimately a matter of personal values and commitment.
