Blog

Shakira has praised Tyla after the South African singer joined her on stage for a surprise performance during the New York stop of the Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran World Tour.

The pair performed Shakira’s global hit, “Hips Don’t Lie,” at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, surprising fans who packed the arena for the concert.

Videos of the performance quickly spread across social media, showing the two artists dancing barefoot and sharing the stage as they performed the hit together.

The memorable moment did not end when the music stopped. After the show, Shakira took to Instagram to thank Tyla and shared a clip from their performance.

Tyla, you are amazing!!! Thank you for joining me on stage last night!!! Iconic!!! Let’s do it again!!!

Tyla later reposted Shakira’s message on her Instagram Story, extending the exchange beyond the concert itself.

Shakira’s invitation to “do it again” has since sparked speculation that the pair could reunite for another performance or even collaborate on new music. For now, neither artist has announced any plans beyond their appearance in Brooklyn.

The surprise duet formed part of the North American leg of Shakira’s Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran World Tour, which recently became the highest-grossing tour by a Latin artist.

Fyno has shared his side of the story after police arrested him over a missed performance, saying a disagreement over his payment led to the incident.

The Ugandan singer-songwriter explained that a promoter booked him for an event, but he arrived later than expected.

Before he could perform, the promoter handed him the remaining balance of his fee. Fyno said he immediately realized the amount was less than what they had agreed.

Instead of taking to the stage, he chose to leave.

I reached the venue late, and the promoter gave me less than the agreed balance, so I decided to leave without performing.

According to Fyno, the promoter later contacted him and invited him to another event, saying it would give him a chance to perform and settle the earlier disagreement.

When he arrived, however, Fyno says he found police officers waiting for him instead of a concert.

The officers arrested him over allegations that he accepted payment for a performance but failed to appear on stage. He spent the night in police custody before the two sides resolved the dispute.

Police later confirmed the arrest and said both parties had reached an understanding.

The issue has now been sorted. Fyno reached an agreement with the promoter and was released on police bond.

Fyno has since regained his freedom after settling the matter with the promoter.

Fyno explains the circumstances that led to his arrest.#SanyukaUnCut #SanyukaUpdates pic.twitter.com/un6jJjTmKt

— Sanyuka TV (@sanyukatv) July 22, 2026

Ask many Ugandan football fans to name clubs in the English Premier League (EPL) and chances are they will rattle off Manchester United, Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea or Manchester City without hesitation.

Ask the same fans about clubs in the Uganda Premier League (UPL), however, and the conversation often becomes much shorter.

That contrast has long fueled conversations about the need for Ugandans to give more attention to their own league, and Selecta Jeff is the latest public figure to make that appeal.

The renowned DJ took to X, formerly Twitter, where he said he plans to follow the UPL this season and encouraged other football lovers to do the same.

Am gonna try and watch the Uganda Premiere League games this season. It is high time we support our very own. Much as we love the EPL, we have got to support & encourage our own talents.

Jeff’s message echoes a similar appeal singer Pallaso made in June 2025 when he reflected on the passion Ugandans show for English football and challenged fans to extend that same enthusiasm to the local game.

Speaking at the time, Pallaso pointed out how Premier League match days unite football lovers across the country and wondered what Ugandan football could become if supporters embraced the domestic league with the same energy.

Match days become communal events. People gather in homes and pubs, cheering for teams thousands of miles away. Now imagine if that same energy was directed to our own Uganda Premier League.

Although they shared their views more than a year apart, both entertainers delivered the same message: Ugandan football will only grow if local fans actively support the talent and clubs playing at home.

What exactly do Ugandans stand for, “NO!” or “YES!” to corruption? This is the question coming to the fore as the Minister of Local Government, Balaam Barugahara and his state minister, Justine Nameere, continue with their sting operation into corruption and mismanagement in various districts and cities.

Starting in Eastern Uganda, they have unearthed and exposed pockets of corruption, outright theft and incompetence, winning public support in the process but also attracting alarm, condemnation and push back from some quarters.

Uganda is an interesting country; there is seldom unanimity on anything even where facts are right in our faces. Everyone has an opinion on anything. We make a step forward and two back. We set out to fix something but when sections of the public resist, we step back. The result has been back and forth in fighting the corruption monster despite strong political will and the means to do so.

But in this year of our Lord 2026, during the “No sleep, no corruption!” term, these half steps must be stopped.

For long, Uganda’s fight against corruption has suffered from a familiar problem: plenty of talk and discussion, alarm and anger over individual cases and little action. Ugandans are very loud about corruption, in an enabling environment for free public discourse on anything, but how come that corruption remains unchecked year in, year out?

Every year, audit reports expose abuse of public resources. Commissions of inquiry produce volumes of recommendations. Politicians make speeches. Technical investigations drag on for months or years.

Files disappear into bureaucratic corridors. Cases collapse on technicalities. Meanwhile, roads remain impassable, health centres lack medicines, schools deteriorate, and wananchi continue paying the price.
The result has been a dangerous public perception that corruption is discussed endlessly but rarely confronted decisively and that, perhaps, there is no political will to end it. That is why the hands-on actions by the ministers have generated such intense public interest. As if it’s an oddity that no one expected. This is despite the clear directive of President Yoweri Museveni at swearing in that the current term in for no sleep and no corruption. How did skeptics think that this directive was going to take effect? By magic or heavenly beings coming down first? The directive was for everyone to own and act upon, starting with officials directly under the command of the President and then everyone else in their respective capacities.

I know for sure that there have been previous sting operations by some commendable officials but Balaam has introduced something Uganda’s anti-corruption campaign has often lacked, and that is visibility.

For the first time in a long time, citizens are seeing senior government officials leave their offices, visit project sites, question those responsible, and demand immediate accountability in full public view.

The significance of this should not be underestimated. Corruption thrives in obscurity. It flourishes where there is distance between decision-makers and ordinary citizens. It grows when technical reports remain inaccessible in filing cabinets while communities continue suffering from poor service delivery and unmet expectations with political and socioeconomic implications.
Balaam’s approach has disrupted that comfort zone.

His critics, particularly technocrats, argue that investigations should precede public action. They raise legitimate concerns about due process, technical evaluations and the rights of public officers. Those concerns deserve consideration. However, there is another side to this debate.

For years, Uganda has relied almost exclusively on procedure. We have trusted systems, investigations, committees and reports. Yet corruption remains one of the greatest obstacles to national development.

Clearly, the problem has mestastised with this old approach. To solve it, another approach had to be applied. An approach that involves “boots on the ground” and demonstrating practically how audit and public accountability is done.

While care must be taken to act based on facts and to respect the rights of the officials in the respective administrative units, some things are visible even to the naked eye. It doesn’t require documents to see that there is no value-for-money. How the corrupt think and thrive is that they take everyone else for fools; that the ordinary citizens are not enlightened enough to audit and see for themselves that funds allocated do not correspond with work done. Take the case of that bridge constructed with timber and said to have cost Shs60million in Bulambuli. Was the timber shipped from Mars to cost that much? You look at a road and it’s lined with soil where there should be murram. Do you need a report and boardroom discussions to see that?

Conveniently, engineers and district officials aren’t doing enough to inform the public about works and projects being undertaken in their areas. This is done deliberately to keep people from asking question. The bigger problem is that district leaders (not all of them) are in cahoots with the technical branch whom they appoint and who are not transferable and are answered to them. In the end, because of the immense power that elected leaders have over these technocrats, they exert pressure on them for kickbacks and irregular allowances that eat into contract sums allocated for works. The result is substandard work and a populace desperate for services. For such officials, this a normal routine that they don’t want to see disrupted as long their own pockets are full and they are four wheel drive cars and getting treatment at government expense. It’s impossible to bet on such officials to do something about the grand theft and inefficiency from which they benefit.

Hence, need for radical measures that will awaken everybody and make all unserious officials reconsider their priorities in office. I saw political leaders from Western region opposing Balaam’s work. Can they assure the world that there is nothing wrong in their areas that requires attention? What are they hiding?

Bad news for the saboteur networks! Balaam’s operation has the full blessing of President Museveni and is, therefore, unstoppable!

The author is Special Presidential Assistant-Press and Mobilisation/Deputy Press Secretary-State House
Email: [email protected]

Do you have a story in your community or an opinion to share with us: Email us at Submit an Article

Behind many successful DJs is someone who gave them their first real break.

Whether it was an opening set at a major event, a recommendation from a respected colleague or an invitation to perform before a bigger audience, those moments often become the foundation of a career.

Selecta Jeff believes today’s established DJs should continue that tradition by helping the next generation find its footing.

In a post on X, formerly Twitter, the celebrated DJ encouraged his peers to create more platforms for upcoming talent instead of holding on to every opportunity themselves.

As a DJ, normalize putting other DJs on. You are where you are today because someone put you on.

Jeff, however, made it clear that the responsibility does not rest with established DJs alone.

He urged aspiring DJs to make the most of every chance they receive by showing up prepared and delivering performances that justify the confidence placed in them.

On the other hand, YOU (yes I mean you that is being put on), make sure you bring your A-game when they eventually put yo a** on. Do not come out lousy and embarrass me.

With one post, Jeff challenged both sides of the industry.

He reminded established DJs not to forget the people coming behind them, while urging newcomers to be ready when that long-awaited chance finally comes.

Uganda’s energy sector is at a pivotal juncture. For decades, the country’s policy discourse has been dominated by generation—building dams, expanding renewable capacity, and ensuring sufficient megawatts to meet rising demand. 

Yet, as the Africa Energy Forum (AEF) 2026 in Cape Town recently underscored, the conversation is shifting. Transmission, long the neglected sibling of generation, is emerging as the decisive frontier for Africa’s energy transition. 

Without robust transmission networks, generation capacity risks becoming stranded, industrialisation stalls, and regional power trading remains aspirational rather than real.

Uganda’s delegation to AEF, led by Hon Dr Monica Musenero Masanza, Minister of Energy and Mineral Development, seized the moment to position the country as a continental trailblazer. 

The launch of the National Energy Compact under the Mission 300 initiative signalled the government’s intent to accelerate universal access. 

But the real headline was transmission: Uganda’s showcase of the Amari project, the continent’s first Independent Transmission Project (ITP) to reach financial close.

Transmission: The Missing Link

Across Africa, transmission bottlenecks are increasingly constraining growth. Investment in generation has surged, often backed by concessional finance and donor support. 

Uganda itself has added significant hydropower capacity in recent years, notably through the Isimba and Karuma dams. 

Yet the ability to evacuate this power to consumers and industries remains limited. Grid instability, inadequate reach, and outdated infrastructure undermine reliability and competitiveness.

Transmission is not merely a technical issue; it is an economic one. Without modern grids, Uganda cannot fully leverage its generation assets to power industrial parks, support agro-processing, or participate meaningfully in the East African Power Pool. 

Inadequate transmission translates into lost productivity, higher costs, and diminished investor confidence.

Independent Transmission Projects: A New Model

Historically, Uganda’s transmission infrastructure has been financed and developed by government, primarily through the Uganda Electricity Transmission Company Limited (UETCL). 

But fiscal constraints are acute. Competing priorities—from healthcare to education to debt servicing—limit the state’s ability to fund grid expansion at the required pace.

Enter Independent Transmission Projects. Modeled loosely on Independent Power Producers (IPPs), ITPs allow private capital to finance, build, and operate transmission assets under regulated frameworks. 

The Amari project, developed by Gridworks, is the first of its kind in Africa to achieve financial close. Its significance lies not only in bricks and mortar but in demonstrating that transmission can be bankable.

Uganda’s regulatory institutions, notably the Electricity Regulatory Authority (ERA), have played a crucial role. By crafting a framework that balances risk allocation, tariff certainty, and investor protection, they have created conditions for private capital to flow. 

The collaboration between ERA, UETCL, and Gridworks reflects a pragmatic recognition: Uganda cannot afford to rely solely on public resources to modernise its grid.

Uganda’s Advantage

The economic implications are profound. Reliable transmission unlocks industrial growth by ensuring factories have steady power. It enables regional trade, allowing Uganda to export surplus electricity to neighbours while importing when needed. It reduces system losses, improving efficiency and lowering costs for consumers.

For Uganda, where electricity access remains below 60%, transmission expansion is central to inclusive development. Rural electrification, often hampered by the high cost of extending grids, becomes more feasible when private capital is mobilised. 

Moreover, modern transmission networks are essential for integrating renewable energy, particularly solar and wind, which require flexible grids to balance intermittency.

Uganda is well positioned to lead. The country has a track record of private sector participation in generation, with IPPs contributing significantly to installed capacity. 

This experience has built confidence among investors and regulators alike. The Amari project now extends that logic to transmission.

Financial close under a bankable structure sends a powerful signal: Uganda can attract long-term private capital into grid infrastructure. This is not a trivial achievement. 

Across Africa, transmission has been viewed as too risky, too complex, or too politically sensitive for private investors. Uganda’s success challenges that orthodoxy.

The Role of Finance

Finance is the lifeblood of infrastructure. At Stanbic Bank Uganda, our purpose— “Uganda is our home, we drive her growth”—guides our commitment to strategic sectors. 

As part of Standard Bank Group, a lead sponsor of AEF 2026, we see energy as central to Uganda’s economic transformation. Partnering with investors, utilities, and regulators, we aim to mobilise capital that bridges infrastructure gaps.

Projects like Amari demonstrate the catalytic role of finance. By structuring deals that are bankable, transparent, and aligned with regulatory frameworks, financiers can unlock global pools of capital. 

Uganda’s challenge is not the absence of money; it is the ability to present credible projects that meet investor expectations. Amari shows this is possible.

Looking Ahead

Transmission is no longer the forgotten frontier. For Uganda, it is the next chapter in the energy story. Success will require scaling beyond pilot projects, replicating the Amari model, and embedding private participation as a norm rather than an exception.

The stakes are high. Without modern transmission, Uganda risks underutilising its generation assets, constraining industrialisation, and missing opportunities in regional trade. 

With it, the country can power factories, electrify homes, and position itself as a hub in East Africa’s energy landscape. Uganda’s energy future will not be unlocked by generation alone. 

Transmission is the bridge between potential and prosperity. The Amari project is proof that Uganda can build that bridge—and in doing so, chart a path for the continent.

The author is Executive Vice President – Energy & Infrastructure at Stanbic Bank Uganda

 

Do you have a story in your community or an opinion to share with us: Email us at Submit an Article

Abantu 4 bafiiridde mu kabenje ku luguudo lwe Masaka – Kampala ku kyalo Matanga awayitibwa Ndikuttamadda.

Akabenje, kabaddemu emmotoka okuli

– Fusobox body – 02 MVs UBQ 238Q ne

– Tuleera Macedec Benz – CGO.9638AF/19/CGO.6561AA/19.

Kigambibwa Tuleera Macedec Benz yabadde eva Masaka okudda mu Kampala wabula bwe yatuuse e Matanga ku kasozi, yabadde egezaako okuyisa emmotoka endala, kwe kuyingirira emmotoka endala MV UBQ 238Q.

Fusobox body yabadde eva Kampala okudda e Masaka.

Abantu 4 bafiiriddewo omuli

– Dereeva Syaunswa Kanyamunyu eyabadde avuga Tuleera Macedec Benz

– Abalala 3 nga bali mu Fusobox body ssaako n’okulumya omuntu omu.

Emirambo gy’asindikiddwa mu ddwaaliro e Masaka ssaako n’omuntu eyafunye ebisago naye ali mu ddwaaliro lye limu afuna bujanjabi.

SP Kasirye Twaha, omwogezi wa Poliisi mu bitundu bye Masaka, agamba nti okunoonyereza kukyagenda mu maaso – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eT1X9bTTH6A&t=3s