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KAMPALA, Uganda — The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has okayed Dei BioPharma Founder Dr. Matthias Magoola’s plan to develop a lower-cost version of a widely used cancer immunotherapy.

In a letter to Dr. Magoola dated July 14, the FDA sent detailed preliminary comments on PSI-033, its proposed biosimilar to Yervoy, a cancer drug sold by Bristol Myers Squibb.

The comments came ahead of a meeting between the company and the agency set for July 22.

Dr. Magoola, a Ugandan scientist and innovator, who through his Dei BioPharma Ltd. is developing a major manufacturing facility that will make biological drugs and vaccines affordable for local, regional and international markets, will lead the meeting with the FDA.

According to information on the record, the development falls under what the FDA calls a biosimilar development Type 2b engagement, a stage meant to give companies targeted advice on specific issues such as analytical strategy, manufacturing controls and study design.

In a statement, Dei BioPharma said the FDA had indicated that several parts of the development program were achievable, including the proposed formulation, the stability-testing plan, the approach to viral-clearance studies and a manufacturing strategy built on three consecutive commercial-scale batches at the 500-liter scale.

The FDA also signaled that an animal study might not be needed if data show high similarity to Yervoy. And it indicated that a separate clinical efficacy study might not be required if analytical work and a pharmacokinetic study show no clinically meaningful differences — a step that could shorten the path to market. The company would have to justify that approach in any future filing, the FDA said.

Because ipilimumab, the active ingredient, carries a risk of serious immune-related side effects, the FDA advised that the pharmacokinetic study not be run in healthy volunteers and that it collects enough safety data to assess those risks in each treatment group.

“The FDA’s detailed preliminary comments give us a clear, product-specific roadmap for strengthening the analytical package, completing the clinical-pharmacology program and preparing PSI-033 for a future U.S. licensing application,” said Dr. Magoola, Dei BioPharma’s founder. “We intend to address these recommendations with urgency and scientific rigor.”

The demand for the cancer treatment is high all over the world. Bristol Myers Squibb reported about $2.9 billion in worldwide Yervoy sales in 2025, up 15% from the year before. The FDA currently lists no approved ipilimumab biosimilar, meaning Dei BioPharma could be among the first to market in the U.S. — and will depend on its own progress, competing applications and the agency’s review.

Yervoy is not the company’s only target.

Dei BioPharma said it is developing additional proposed biosimilars, including a version of Opdivo, another Bristol Myers Squibb cancer drug that brought in about $10 billion in 2025.

“Our engagement with FDA extends beyond PSI-033,” Dr. Magoola said. “This portfolio approach is central to our objective of building globally competitive biologics-development and manufacturing capacity in Uganda and expanding access to important medicines.”

Dr. Magoola added: “Our dream of making biological drugs available and affordable to more than 80% of countries who cannot afford these medicines is coming to fruition.”

Dei BioPharma has indicated that it aims to submit its application for PSI-033 within about nine months, subject to completing the remaining analytical and clinical work and staying aligned with the FDA.

Dei BioPharma Ltd., a Ugandan-based biotech firm, develops biologic medicines, biosimilars and vaccines and it is working to build competitive pharmaceutical research and manufacturing capacity in Africa. Established in 2014 by Dr. Magoola, the company operates a manufacturing complex at Matugga which is one of Africa’s largest.

The flagship plant was inaugurated in July 2021 by President Museveni and Kenyan President William Ruto.

The company campus occupies more than 250 acres and is designed to produce medicines across a broad range of therapeutic areas — including treatments for malaria, HIV and cancer, as well as insulin, monoclonal antibodies and mRNA-based therapeutics. Uganda’s National Drug Authority licensed the company in May 2024 to begin manufacturing medicines, including non-beta-lactam tablets and hard gelatin capsules.

Dei BioPharma holds more than 100 patents filed with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and is preparing to produce mRNA vaccines to international standards, and it projects the creation of tens of thousands of jobs. Senior officials in the Ugandan government, including the finance and health ministries, have endorsed the plant as a potential engine of economic growth capable of reducing the country’s medicine import costs.

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KAMPALA — The Ministry of Local Government has raised concern over reports of Public Officers in Local Governments, including teachers, health workers, administrative staff, extension workers and other public servants, who are expressing interest in, or participating in the ongoing Administrative Unit Elections for Local Council I and Local Council II while still holding public office.

In a statement issued yesterday, the Minister for Local Government, Hon. Balaam Barugahara Ateenyi reminded all public officers, Electoral Commission officials, District Election Administrators, Returning Officers, Local Government leaders and the general public of the legal requirement to maintain political neutrality while in public service.

“Public Officers are required to maintain political neutrality in the discharge of their official duties and are prohibited from engaging in partisan political activities,” the Minister said.

“It is important to note that contesting for any Political Office in the multiparty political system entails the articulation of a political agenda or belonging to a political party and hence, is participation in a partisan political activity in every sense.”

The Minister cited Article 176 of the Constitution, which establishes Local Governments as units of Government. Consequently, a person serving in a Local Government is a Public Officer within the meaning of the Constitution and the Public Service Standing Orders, 2021 and is subject to the laws and regulations governing the Public Service.

Minister Balaam further referenced Section 129(5) of the Local Governments Act, Cap. 138, which provides that: “A Public Officer, a person employed in any department or agency of Government, an employee of a Local Council or an employee of a body in which government has a controlling interest, who wishes to stand for Election to a Local Council Office shall resign his or her office at least thirty days before nomination day in accordance with the procedure of the service or employment to which he or she belongs.”

The Minister said, is intended to ensure that all Public Officers remain politically neutral in the performance of their duties and do not engage in partisan political activities that would compromise the impartiality of the Public Service.

He urged all public officers to uphold the integrity, impartiality and professionalism of the Public Service.

“Public officers play a vital role in delivering essential services to the people of Uganda and must remain nonpartisan while in office,” he said.

He further pledged to work closely with the *Electoral Commission, the Ministry of Public Service, the Public Service Commission, District Service Commissions, Chief Administrative Officers and other relevant authorities to ensure full compliance with the law.

He also called upon all eligible voters to “turn up in large numbers, vote peacefully, and exercise their constitutional right to choose their leaders.”

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KAMPALA — Makerere University has announced a major digital transformation that will enable students and graduates to access electronic transcripts and academic certificates online, marking a significant shift away from paper-based processes and reducing the need for physical visits to university offices.

The initiative, unveiled by the Academic Registrar, Professor Mukadasi Buyinza, is expected to streamline academic administration, improve service delivery, and make it easier for employers and institutions to verify academic credentials.

Describing the development as one of the university’s most significant administrative reforms, Prof. Buyinza said the transition to a fully digital system is the culmination of years of efforts to modernise academic services.

“We have one amazing academic process that I can tell you about. All the work from my commission has been geared towards improving efficiency, but the last mile has been the e-process,” he said.

Under the new arrangement, graduates will no longer be required to move from office to office to obtain transcripts or certificates. Instead, they will securely access the documents through a digital portal once the university officially announces the access procedures.

“This means that a student or graduate of Makerere University no longer has to physically move from one office desk to another to obtain academic documents. Instead, through a digital portal and with the access rights that we shall announce, graduates will be able to securely obtain their electronic transcripts and certificates,” Prof. Buyinza explained.

He said the initiative forms part of Makerere University’s broader digital transformation agenda aimed at delivering smarter, faster and more efficient services.

“This initiative reflects our commitment to moving away from paper-based systems towards more efficient, smart and intelligent ways of serving our students,” he added.

Beyond simplifying access to academic records, the university says the platform will also strengthen the authentication of qualifications by introducing a secure electronic verification system.

According to Prof. Buyinza, employers and other institutions will be able to verify certificates and transcripts online, subject to the graduate’s consent.

“Employers, once given the access rights by the graduates, will be able to verify that this is a genuine credential and that it was issued by Makerere University,” he said.

The digital platform is expected to address long-standing challenges associated with manual processing, including delays, unnecessary travel, paperwork, and difficulties in verifying academic records.

At the same time, Makerere University is reviewing its curriculum to align with the government’s competency-based education agenda, with greater emphasis on practical and experiential learning.

Prof. Buyinza said the university is strengthening programmes to ensure graduates leave with the skills required in today’s workplace, while maintaining the institution’s strong academic foundation.

“We are currently reviewing our curriculum to ensure that we align our programmes with practical, hands-on training that prepares learners for the real world,” he said.

He noted that the reforms will focus more on enhancing teaching methods than overhauling existing programmes.

“There is not much that we are going to change. The foundation has already been established. We are mainly retooling our staff to give a lot more attention to continuous learning exercises, practical assessments and different training models beyond the traditional lecture-based approach,” he explained.

The twin reforms—digitising academic records and strengthening competency-based learning—underscore Makerere University’s commitment to modernising higher education and improving the student experience while ensuring graduates are better prepared for the demands of the modern workforce.

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Former Director of the Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence (CMI) now the Chieftaincy of Defence Intelligence and Security (C DIS), Maj Gen. James Birungi was yesterday remanded to Makindye Military Barracks after the General Court Martial denied him bail over a failure to provide sureties.

Maj Gen Birungi is due to return to court on 31 July 2026 for judgment. He faces charges of offences relating to security and treachery before the General Court Martial sitting at Makindye, chaired by Brig Gen Richard Tukacungurwa.

Maj Gen Birungi, who previously served as Chief of Military Intelligence before his arrest in August 2025, was arraigned alongside several other Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) officers in connection with allegations that fabricated intelligence reports were used to obtain operational funds.

The alleged false intelligence is also linked to security operations in which civilians were shot and wrongly presented as suspected suicide bombers, including incidents at Kalerwe Market and near the Catholic Shrine in Munyonyo during Martyrs’ Day celebrations.

In the same proceedings, the court granted bail to other accused officers.

Brig Gen James Ruhesi was released on bail set at UGX 10m cash and UGX 25m non-cash to be secured by sureties.

Maj Innocent Mugumya, who faces the same charges, was granted bail of UGX 4m cash and UGX 10m non-cash with sureties.

The court also remanded Col David Kidega and Capt Kenneth Labwon Kinyera after they failed to provide sureties.
Both are expected to appear on 31 July 2026.

Lt Paddy Nahabwe was similarly remanded and will appear on 31 August 2026.

Proceedings at Makindye have been conducted under tight security, with media access to the courtroom restricted.

The case marks a significant development in the UPDF’s internal accountability process following a Board of Inquiry, chaired into intelligence and counterterrorism operations.

The Deputy Chief of Defence Forces Lt Gen. Sam Okiding chaired this Board of Inquiry.

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By Brian Mugenyi

[email protected]

KAMPALA, UGANDA — For many Ugandan girls, the journey to education is not only determined by classrooms, teachers or textbooks. Sometimes, it is interrupted by something as natural as menstruation.

Behind the walls of schools across the country is a silent battle — a struggle faced by girls who miss lessons, lose confidence and sometimes withdraw from education because they cannot afford safe menstrual hygiene products.

It is this hidden development challenge that Fred Ssenoga, the Chief Executive Officer of Union Transport Alliance (UTA), wants to confront through an ambitious social enterprise initiative — Union Sanitary Pads, launched under the Kili Clear Campaign.

For Ssenoga, the sanitary pad is not just a consumer product.

It is a tool for restoring dignity.

It is an investment in Uganda’s girl child.

And it is a business opportunity where social impact and economic transformation meet.

Inspired by President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni’s philosophy in Sowing the Mustard Seed that great transformation begins from small but purposeful investments, Ssenoga believes Union Sanitary Pads can grow from a simple idea into a national movement against what he describes as the “monster called period poverty.”

“We are targeting students because education should never stop because of menstruation. Every girl deserves to remain in school with dignity, confidence and good health,” Ssenoga said.

The launch at the Uganda Media Centre, presided over by Uganda Media Centre Executive Director Mr. Allan Kasujja, attracted transport sector leaders, women organisations, development partners, corporate representatives and newly elected Members of Parliament.

A major highlight of the event was the unveiling of Ms. Daina Ampaire as the official face of the Union Sanitary Pads – Kili Clear Campaign.

Ampaire will spearhead awareness campaigns aimed at encouraging schools, communities, companies and development partners to support menstrual hygiene among girls.

“No girl should miss school because she cannot afford a sanitary pad. I am honoured to serve as the face of this campaign, and I will work with Union Transport Alliance and our partners to ensure these products reach schools and vulnerable communities across Uganda,” Ampaire said.

A Shs20,000 Investment in a Girl’s Future

At the centre of Ssenoga’s intervention is affordability.

He announced that schools and learners would access Union Sanitary Pads at Shs20,000 per package, designed to support a learner’s menstrual hygiene needs for an entire year.

The initiative also introduces digital accessibility through mobile payment technology, allowing customers to purchase the products by dialing *289*9#.

For Ssenoga, affordability is the bridge between a girl staying in class and a girl missing her education.

“Union Sanitary Pads are more than a product. They are an investment in Uganda’s girls, women’s health and the country’s future workforce. Every girl who stays in school because she has access to menstrual hygiene products is one more young Ugandan empowered to contribute to national development,” he said.

The Monster Called Period Poverty

Uganda’s menstrual health challenge exists within a wider global development conversation.

According to UNICEF, millions of adolescent girls worldwide continue to miss school, work or social activities because they cannot manage menstruation safely and with dignity.

The challenge is not only about access to sanitary products.

It is also linked to sanitation facilities, menstrual health information, affordability and social attitudes surrounding menstruation.

UNESCO has similarly promoted menstrual hygiene management programmes aimed at creating supportive school environments where girls can participate fully in education.

In Uganda, menstrual health advocates have repeatedly called for stronger investment in keeping girls in school through improved access to hygiene products and education.

During a recent dialogue for health journalists attended by this writer, Ms. Noor Nakibuuka Musisi, Deputy Executive Director for Programs at the Center for Health, Human Rights and Development (CEHURD), emphasised that menstrual hygiene should be viewed beyond a health issue.

According to Ms. Nakibuuka, menstruation is also a matter of human rights, dignity and equality because barriers affecting girls’ menstrual health can limit their participation in education and society.

CEHURD, a Ugandan health rights and human rights organisation, focuses on sexual and reproductive health rights, women and girls’ health, advocacy, research and community empowerment.

Her perspective reinforces the argument that menstrual hygiene is not simply a personal challenge for girls but a national development issue.

A Nationwide Mission Covering Uganda’s Regions

Union Transport Alliance says the Kili Clear Campaign will target communities across Uganda where menstrual hygiene challenges remain pronounced.

The planned coverage includes:

Karamoja, West Nile, Acholi, Lango, Teso, Busoga, Bukedi, Bunyoro, Rwenzori, Tororo, Kigezi, Central Region, Ankole, Sebei and Bugisu.

The intervention comes at a time when Uganda has a large population of school-going girls requiring supportive learning environments.

According to the Ministry of Education and Sports Education Statistical Abstract 2025, Uganda’s secondary school enrolment stands at 2,044,586 learners, with female learners accounting for 51.6 percent.

This represents more than one million female learners, most of whom fall within the adolescent age bracket where menstrual health support remains critical.

For UTA, reaching these communities represents both a social mission and an opportunity to build a sustainable Ugandan enterprise.

Why Investors Should Pay Attention

For investors, Ssenoga’s vision goes beyond sanitary pads.

He believes Union Sanitary Pads represents a model where commercial sustainability meets social transformation.

Across the world, impact investors are increasingly supporting businesses that solve social challenges while creating economic value.

Enterprises addressing education, healthcare, gender equality and essential consumer needs are attracting attention because they combine profitability with measurable community impact.

Union Transport Alliance believes its existing transport network provides a strategic advantage in distributing products across urban and rural communities.

The company’s vision is to combine transport, manufacturing, distribution and digital innovation to create a nationwide ecosystem.

Business Partnerships for Social Change

Speaking during the launch, Margret Nasuwa, Brand Marketing Manager at Ruka Pay, said the partnership with Union Transport Alliance represents more than sponsorship.

“Our partnership with Union Transport Alliance goes beyond sponsorship. It is a commitment to investing in girls’ education, women’s health and Uganda’s future. When businesses support menstrual hygiene, they are investing in stronger communities, a healthier workforce and sustainable economic growth,” Nasuwa said.

She added:

“Investing in the girl child is investing in the future of our nation. By supporting menstrual health today, we are helping to build a healthier, better educated and more productive Uganda tomorrow.”

Nasuwa pledged continued cooperation to ensure Union Sanitary Pads reach schools and communities across Uganda.

Growing the Mustard Seed of Dignity

For Fred Ssenoga, Union Sanitary Pads represent a beginning.

A small seed.

A seed of dignity.

A seed of opportunity.

A seed of investment.

His invitation is directed not only to consumers but also to investors, development partners and private sector players who believe businesses can become instruments of national transformation.

“President Museveni’s mustard seed philosophy teaches us that great transformation begins with small investments. Union Sanitary Pads are our mustard seed. We invite investors, development partners and the private sector to join us in growing it into a movement that changes lives across Uganda,” Ssenoga said.

As the Kili Clear Campaign expands, the bigger message is clear:

A sanitary pad may appear small, but for a girl fighting to remain in school, it represents dignity, confidence and a future.

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How Masaka City’s Improved 2026 Presidential Vote Is Energising NRM Ahead of LC I Elections

By Brian Mugenyi

[email protected]

MASAKA CITY, UGANDA — As the National Resistance Movement (NRM) intensifies preparations for the Local Council I (LC I) elections, party leaders in Masaka City say the improved presidential performance registered in the 2026 General Election has injected fresh confidence into efforts to strengthen grassroots structures in one of Uganda’s traditional opposition strongholds.

The renewed mobilisation follows engagements between President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, Masaka City NRM Chairperson and Presidential Assistant for National Mobilisation Rogers Bulegeya, and Masaka City Woman Member of Parliament and State Minister for Local Government Hon. Justine Nameere, who have been discussing strategies to consolidate the party’s support across Masaka City and the Greater Masaka sub-region.

According to NRM leaders, President Museveni’s presidential vote share in Masaka City increased from about 21 percent in the 2021 General Election to approximately 33 percent in the 2026 polls, despite the opposition National Unity Platform (NUP) retaining the city mayoralty and parliamentary seats. They describe the increase as evidence that sustained grassroots mobilisation is beginning to yield results.

For the party, the forthcoming LC I elections are viewed as a critical test of whether those gains can be translated into stronger village leadership, which forms the foundation of the NRM’s political organisation.

Rogers Bulegeya, who coordinated the party’s mobilisation campaign throughout the city ahead of the general election, said the improved presidential vote demonstrates the importance of consistent engagement with communities.

“The 2026 General Election results demonstrated that consistent grassroots mobilisation works. Our focus now is to consolidate those gains during the LC I elections by ensuring every village has active and united NRM structures. Strong village leadership is the foundation for future electoral success,” Bulegeya said.

He said the party is concentrating on strengthening village committees, recruiting young leaders and ensuring every polling village has an active mobilisation team capable of promoting government programmes and engaging residents throughout the electoral cycle.

Working alongside aspiring party leaders, youth groups and local mobilisation teams, Bulegeya spearheaded extensive door-to-door campaigns across villages and parishes, promoting government wealth creation programmes, SACCO formation, youth empowerment initiatives and household economic transformation.

Supporters say the strategy helped reconnect many residents with the NRM’s development agenda and improved interaction between local communities and party leaders.

The mobilisation drive culminated in President Museveni’s campaign rally at Masaka Liberation Square, where thousands of supporters attended alongside senior NRM officials, including former Speaker Anita Annet Among and First National Vice-Chairperson Hajji Moses Kigongo.

Beyond election campaigns, Bulegeya has continued promoting youth empowerment through the Greater Masaka Presidential Industrial Skilling Hub, while supporting communication and public engagement through the NRM Media Secretariat in Masaka City.

The party believes these initiatives complement its grassroots mobilisation by creating employment opportunities and increasing interaction between government programmes and local communities.

At the national level, NRM Director of Finance and Administration Hajjat Medina Naham Ojwanga has urged party members to approach the LC I elections with unity and discipline.

“The LC I elections are critical because they strengthen the party from the village level. We call upon all NRM supporters to remain disciplined, united and peaceful as they elect leaders who will continue mobilising communities behind the party’s development agenda,” Ojwanga said.

Nevertheless, party officials acknowledge that challenges remain.

Limited funding, inadequate logistical support and internal competition for party positions continue to affect grassroots mobilisation in some areas. Leaders argue that increased investment in village structures and local mobilisation teams would enable the party to consolidate the gains achieved during the presidential election.

Bulegeya believes the LC I elections present another opportunity to strengthen the party’s organisation before future national contests.

“Our objective is to strengthen every village structure, support our grassroots leaders and ensure the NRM continues expanding its support in Masaka City. The LC I elections provide another opportunity to demonstrate the strength of our organisation,” he said.

Political observers note that while the NRM still faces stiff competition in Masaka City, the increased presidential vote has provided the party with renewed momentum. Whether that momentum translates into stronger performance in the LC I elections will depend largely on its ability to maintain grassroots mobilisation, preserve party unity and address local community concerns.

For the NRM, the village elections are more than a contest for local leadership—they are the first building block in shaping the party’s long-term political future in Greater Masaka.

 

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By Brian Mugenyi

KYANAMUKAKA, MASAKA — As the evening sun casts a golden glow over the Buddu County arena playground, young footballers continue chasing a dream.

Their boots hit the ground.

Their voices rise with every pass.

Their jerseys carry the pride of a team, but behind the colours lies a bigger story — a story about opportunity, recognition and the power of someone believing in young people.

For Buddu County Team, supported through the engagement of Oscar Fransisco Mutebi under the leadership of Jude Muleke, the sports kits and assistance received were more than materials needed for competition.

They were a message.

A message that talent exists beyond Uganda’s major towns.

A message that young people in rural communities deserve a platform.

A message that leadership is ultimately measured by the lives it touches.

This is the story of Oscar Fransisco Mutebi — the man from Kyanamukaka whose journey from a rural community to national service has been guided by a simple belief: leadership must leave footprints in people’s lives.

 

In Uganda’s public life, leaders are often introduced through their positions.

But Mutebi believes titles alone do not define a person.

The real measure, he says, is what remains after the office, the speeches and the political seasons.

Serving as a Private Secretary at State House and Personal Assistant to the Office of the Presidential Envoy on Political Affairs, Rt. Hon. Edward Kiwanuka Ssekandi, Mutebi operates within the structures of national leadership.

Yet his public engagements have remained connected to ordinary citizens — students, farmers, young people and community leaders.

“For me, it is better to deliver services to people than to walk the grapevine of politics,” Mutebi says.

The statement reflects his leadership philosophy: that public service should be experienced by citizens, not only discussed in government offices.

“It is through serving people that you create a good identity,” he adds.

For him, leadership is not about standing above communities.

It is about walking with them.

“Leadership is about understanding people’s challenges and looking for solutions,” he says.

 

The story of Oscar Fransisco Mutebi begins in Kyanamukaka, Greater Masaka.

It is a community where agriculture remains central to family livelihoods, where young people search for opportunities and where ordinary citizens work every day to create better futures.

This environment shaped his understanding of community needs.

His supporters describe him as a leader who believes transformation begins at the grassroots.

A young person given an opportunity today can become a source of inspiration tomorrow.

A learner encouraged today can become a professional tomorrow.

A farmer supported today can improve a family’s future.

“Young people have talent, but talent needs support. When you give young people opportunities, you give society a better future,” Mutebi says.

 

At the Buddu County arena playground, football tells a story familiar across Africa.

It is a game of dreams.

It is a pathway for discipline.

It is a place where young people discover confidence.

Through his support towards Buddu County Team under Jude Muleke, Mutebi provided sports kits and other assistance aimed at strengthening grassroots football.

For the players, the support was not simply about uniforms.

It was about being recognised.

It was about knowing their efforts mattered.

In communities where young talent often struggles because of limited resources, such support can become the first step towards bigger possibilities.

 

The story of Mutebi’s community engagement extends beyond sports grounds.

At St. Mugaga Secondary School, a government-established institution in Greater Masaka, a flat-screen television donated to learners became more than an electronic device.

It became a window.

A window connecting students to events beyond their immediate surroundings.

During the FIFA World Cup, students from St. Mugaga Secondary School and Molly and Paul Schools gathered to watch matches ahead of the final between Spain and Argentina.

The school environment transformed.

Students celebrated goals.

They waved Uganda flags.

They sang popular Ugandan songs including King Saha’s “Ebiseera” and Pallaso’s “Bikyuuka.”

But for Mutebi, the moment carried a deeper purpose.

“Technology should not only be used for entertainment. It should help young people understand the world around them,” he says.

He encouraged learners to follow current affairs, embrace reading and use technology as a tool for knowledge.

“A well-informed learner becomes a responsible citizen,” he says.

 

For Deo Ssembatya, the Head Prefect of St. Mugaga Secondary School, the experience changed how students viewed global events.

“I had watched World Cup games on small phones before, but seeing the players on a big screen at school made me feel part of the global tournament,” he said.

He said Mutebi’s message challenged students to look beyond classroom examinations.

“The message from Mr. Mutebi taught us that education is not only about books. We must know what is happening in the world.”

For the learners, the greatest lesson was not football.

It was possibility.

 

Beyond education and sports, Mutebi’s engagements have extended to agriculture and wealth creation.

In Greater Masaka, he has encouraged communities to embrace commercial agriculture, including coffee production, as a pathway towards improving household incomes.

For many rural families, coffee is more than a crop.

It is school fees.

It is healthcare.

It is a family’s investment in tomorrow.

“When you empower a family, you empower a community. When you empower communities, you strengthen the country,” Mutebi says.

 

During the recent presidential election period, Mutebi participated in grassroots mobilisation activities supporting National Resistance Movement structures.

He worked alongside local leaders, including Kyanamukaka Town Council Mayor Hon. Zainab Nakidde, and participated in community engagement activities.

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni was declared winner with 71.65 percent of the vote according to official election results.

But Mutebi believes leadership must be judged beyond election numbers.

“Politics comes and goes, but service remains. The most important thing is whether people’s lives are improving,” he says.

 

The story of Oscar Fransisco Mutebi is not only about State House.

It is about a young footballer standing proudly on a playground.

It is about students discovering that the world is within reach.

It is about farmers believing their efforts can create better futures.

It is about communities finding confidence through support.

The greatest question about leadership is not always:

What position did someone hold?

The bigger question is:

Whose life became better because they were there?

For Oscar Fransisco Mutebi, the answer lies among the people.

Because when the noise of politics fades, when titles disappear and positions become history, what remains is the human impact left behind.

And from Kyanamukaka, a quiet message continues to grow:

Leadership begins with humanity.

 

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