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Fort Portal came alive this weekend as Tusker Lite Neon Raves made their way to the Tooro region.

This past weekend, the Neon Raves returned to the Tooro region with a fresh experience, swapping dance battles for DJ showdowns while retaining the vibrant atmosphere, energy and community spirit that have become synonymous with the platform.

Across Le Rêve Bar, Beer Nyama at Tooro Botanical Gardens and Diplomat’s Lounge, revellers turned up in large numbers to experience a weekend where music, nightlife and culture came together. The familiar Neon Raves atmosphere was unmistakable bright lights, packed venues, energetic crowds and a shared love for great music.

While this edition shifted the spotlight from dancers to DJs, the essence of the Neon Raves remained the same: celebrating creative talent and bringing people together through entertainment.

Throughout the weekend, DJs Mercy Pro, Trizzy Vybz, Selecta Jeff and Edu Mystique kept the energy high as they traded sets that moved effortlessly between Afrobeats, amapiano, dancehall, Ugandan classics and crowd favourites.

Rather than simply playing music, the DJs created an immersive experience, responding to the crowd’s mood and keeping dance floors alive well into the night.

Speaking about the activation, Tusker Lite Brand Manager Sandra Againe said the Neon Raves continue to evolve while remaining true to the brand’s vision of celebrating youth culture.

“Neon Raves has grown into a platform that celebrates the many ways young people express themselves. Earlier this year we travelled across Uganda discovering incredible dance talent, and this weekend we explored another important part of nightlife culture through DJs. Whether it’s dance, music or the experiences that bring people together, we’re committed to creating spaces where creativity thrives and people can truly Own Their Lite.”

The Tooro edition demonstrated the flexibility of the Neon Raves platform, showing that it is not defined by a single format but by the experiences it creates.

For Tusker Lite, the Neon Raves continue to create moments where music, creativity and people intersect, turning ordinary nights into shared experiences.

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By Our Reporter

The legendary All White Party hosted by Zari the Boss Lady is back, in a bigger and better edition. Considered the most sought-after December party, the “Zari All White Party” will be held in a luxurious pop-up at club Motiv, on Portbell Road on the 22nd of December, 2022.

 In this special edition, Zari will host fellow stars from the Netflix show “Young, African & Famous”

“I’m happy to announce that my All-White Party is coming back & bigger than ever! And I’m super excited that some of my friends from Young, Famous & African are coming along to check out Uganda for the first time. It’s all going down on Dec 22 at Motiv. Watch this space for more details! #ZariAllWhiteParty.” Zari announced to her 11.1M Instagram followers.

Known for its bold and elegant appeal, the Zari White Party is the most lavish social event in Kampala nightlife, complete with pop, glam and lots of money as the biggest ballers pull up in the latest cars and pop the most expensive bottles all night long.

Zari will be hosting fellow stars from the “Young, African & Famous” Netflix show including Andile Ncube, Naked DJ, Kayleigh Schwark, Kanyi Mbau, and Swanky Jerry who are all excited to be visiting Uganda and meeting their Ugandan fans. The Zari White Party will also feature a major lineup of entertainment which will be announced in the coming days.

Luc Belaire is the lead sponsor of the event, Nirav Hathi the MD of Double Barrel Beverages the distributor of Luc Belaire in Uganda added “Belaire is all about the boss lifestyle. Rick Ross leads the way to put Belaire as the brand for everyone who’s arrived and made it in life so partnering with Zari was a no-brainer! Zari’s lifestyle and the story are exactly what Belaire is all about, this will be a once-in-a-lifetime experience with all the Netflix stars partying in  Kampala”

Talent Africa’s  Aly Allibhai states “Talent Africa is super excited to be organizing and producing this amazing party, we are looking forward to hosting some of Africa’s biggest stars right here in Kampala. We plan to transform Motiv into the most lit pop-up club you’ll ever see”

The All-White Party is hosted by Zari Hassan and organized by Talent Africa in partnership with Luc Belaire, Jack Daniels, The Famous Grouse, and Kampala Sheraton Hotel.

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President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has paid glowing tribute to the late Rt. Hon. Gen. (Rtd) Moses Ali, describing him as a freedom fighter, peacemaker and development champion whose legacy will continue to inspire generations of Ugandans.

“The late Gen. Moses Ali was a lover of freedom. I came to know this because although he had been with Idi Amin in the coup of 1971, I later heard that Moses Ali was not happy with Idi Amin killing people,” President Museveni said.

The President made the remarks today during a special parliamentary sitting convened to honour the late Gen. Moses Ali, who passed away on Saturday, July 18, 2026, at Nakasero Hospital in Kampala at the age of 87.

Before addressing Parliament, President Museveni laid a wreath on the casket of the Adjumani West County Member of Parliament and former Second Deputy Prime Minister, in the presence of the Vice President, H.E. Jessica Alupo, the Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Jacob Marksons Oboth-Oboth, members of the bereaved family and other dignitaries. The President also took time to console the family before delivering his tribute.

President Museveni recalled that Gen. Moses Ali’s opposition to the excesses of Idi Amin’s regime eventually led to his demotion and exile following the fall of the regime in 1979.

He further noted that the late Gen. Moses Ali actively participated in efforts to overthrow Amin’s dictatorship, working on various fronts alongside other liberation forces, which contributed to Uganda’s eventual liberation.

“I was the first man in Uganda to oppose Idi Amin. I’m here, and I’m not dead,” President Museveni said.

Reflecting on Gen. Moses Ali’s contribution to peace, the President said the veteran leader rejected violence and worked tirelessly to promote dialogue and reconciliation during Uganda’s difficult post-1970s period, helping to lay the foundation for lasting national stability.

On development, President Museveni commended the late statesman for championing key infrastructure projects in the West Nile sub-region, including the construction of tarmac roads and the extension of the national electricity grid, among other transformative initiatives.

The President also challenged leaders in West Nile to sustain Gen. Moses Ali’s legacy by prioritising household wealth creation, saying socio-economic transformation remains the surest path to lasting development.

Summing up the late General’s legacy, President Museveni said Gen. Moses Ali would be remembered for three outstanding qualities: his unwavering commitment to freedom, his pursuit of peace through dialogue, and his dedication to the socio-economic transformation of West Nile.

“I came here to tell you the positive attributes I saw in Gen. Moses Ali: number one, a freedom fighter; number two, a peacemaker; and number three, a development champion,” President Museveni said.

The President concluded by extending his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family, the people of West Nile and the entire nation, praying that Gen. Moses Ali’s soul rests in eternal peace.

Gen. (Rtd) Moses Ali served Uganda in both military and civilian leadership for more than five decades, holding several senior government positions, including that of Second Deputy Prime Minister, and leaving behind a legacy of dedicated public service, national unity and development.

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Uganda’s agricultural sector is undergoing a remarkable transformation, driven by favourable government policies, improved farming technologies, increased investment, and growing demand for agricultural products in regional and international markets. Agriculture remains the backbone of the economy, employing over two-thirds of the population and contributing significantly to export earnings, food security, and industrial development.

The government has prioritised agricultural commercialisation through initiatives such as the Parish Development Model (PDM), Emyooga, UWEP, YLP etc, irrigation development, mechanisation, agricultural extension services, improved seed distribution, and value addition. These interventions have enabled many farmers to shift from subsistence farming to market-oriented production, increasing both productivity and household incomes.Coffee remains Uganda’s leading agricultural export and one of the country’s biggest foreign exchange earners.

Uganda has become Africa’s largest coffee exporter, with growing demand in Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and North America. The government’s coffee expansion programme, improved varieties, irrigation, and farmer training have contributed to rising production and exports.

In addition to coffee, Uganda has witnessed significant growth in the production and export of tea, cocoa, maize, beans, rice, bananas, cassava, sugar, dairy products, fish, poultry, fruits, vegetables, flowers, sesame, vanilla, avocados, and horticultural products. Increasing investment in agro-processing has also boosted exports of processed foods and beverages, creating jobs and adding value to locally produced commodities.

Regionally, Uganda enjoys a strategic advantage as a major food supplier within the East African Community (EAC) and the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA). Ugandan agricultural products are widely exported to Kenya, South Sudan, Rwanda, Tanzania, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Burundi, and other neighbouring countries. These markets have created strong demand for cereals, fresh produce, milk, poultry products, sugar, and manufactured food products.

Internationally, Uganda benefits from preferential trade arrangements under agreements such as the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), the European Union’s trade preferences, and other bilateral trade partnerships. These arrangements have opened markets for Ugandan coffee, tea, cocoa, fish, flowers, fruits, and organic agricultural products, enhancing the country’s competitiveness on the global stage.

The continued expansion of irrigation schemes, improved rural roads, electricity connectivity, digital agriculture, and private sector investment is strengthening agricultural value chains. Farmer cooperatives, Savings and Credit Cooperative Organisations (SACCOs), and agribusiness enterprises are also enabling farmers to access finance, modern technologies, quality inputs, and reliable markets.

Looking ahead, Uganda’s agricultural sector is well positioned to become one of Africa’s leading food production and export hubs. With abundant fertile land, favourable climatic conditions, a youthful labour force, expanding regional markets, and increasing international demand for quality agricultural products, the sector has enormous potential to drive economic transformation, create employment, reduce poverty, and improve livelihoods across the country.

Agriculture remains central to Uganda’s vision of achieving sustainable economic growth. Continued investment in production, processing, marketing, and export promotion will ensure that Ugandan farmers and agribusinesses fully benefit from the expanding opportunities in regional and global markets.

Exploring Uganda’s Agricultural Background in the 1980s and 1990s, agriculture has long been the backbone of Uganda’s economy, employing the majority of the population and contributing significantly to national income. During the 1980s and 1990s, the sector experienced both severe challenges and remarkable recovery, reflecting the country’s broader political and economic transformation.

In the early 1980s, Uganda’s agricultural sector was in decline due to years of political instability, civil conflict, economic mismanagement, and the collapse of public institutions. Many farmers abandoned commercial production because of insecurity, while poor road networks and deteriorating storage facilities made it difficult to transport produce to markets. Agricultural research, extension services, and input supply systems had weakened considerably, leading to reduced productivity.

Cash crops such as coffee, cotton, tea, and tobacco, which had previously been the country’s major export earners, suffered significant setbacks. Coffee remained Uganda’s leading export crop despite declining production, while cotton and tea industries experienced sharp reductions because many processing factories had closed or were operating below capacity. Livestock production also declined in several parts of the country due to insecurity, cattle rustling, and animal diseases.

Following the National Resistance Movement (NRM) government’s assumption of power in 1986, the country embarked on a broad programme of economic recovery. The government introduced reforms aimed at stabilising the economy, rehabilitating infrastructure, liberalising agricultural markets, and encouraging private sector participation. These reforms were supported by development partners through structural adjustment programmes.

Throughout the 1990s, agriculture gradually recovered. The liberalisation of coffee marketing enabled farmers to receive better prices, encouraging increased production. The rehabilitation of feeder roads improved access to markets, while investments in agricultural research and extension services introduced improved crop varieties and better farming practices.

Farmers increasingly diversified into maize, beans, bananas, rice, horticulture, dairy farming, poultry, and fisheries alongside traditional cash crops. Government institutions responsible for agricultural development were strengthened, and programmes promoting disease control, improved seeds, and livestock breeding expanded across the country. The establishment and strengthening of research institutions contributed to improved technologies for crop and livestock production.

Despite the progress, the sector continued to face several challenges, including limited access to agricultural credit, dependence on rainfall, low mechanisation, post-harvest losses, fluctuating international commodity prices, and inadequate value addition. Most farmers remained smallholders using traditional farming methods, making productivity relatively low compared to the sector’s potential.

By the end of the 1990s, agriculture had regained its position as the foundation of Uganda’s economy, contributing a substantial share of the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), employing more than 70 percent of the labour force, and generating the bulk of export earnings. The recovery laid the groundwork for subsequent agricultural policies and programmes aimed at commercialisation, food security, poverty reduction, and rural transformation.
The agricultural experiences of the 1980s and 1990s demonstrate Uganda’s resilience.

From a period marked by conflict and economic collapse, the country rebuilt its agricultural sector through policy reforms, infrastructure rehabilitation, private sector participation, and renewed investment in research and farmer support. These decades remain an important chapter in Uganda’s agricultural history and continue to influence the country’s efforts to modernise agriculture and improve rural livelihoods. To this every Ugandan ought to engage in agriculture ass we drive Ugandas economy forward

The author is Deputy Resident District Commissioner Kyenjojo

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PARLIAMENT— The Minister for the Presidency and Member of Parliament for Budiope West Constituency, Hon. Babirye Milly Babalanda, this afternoon joined fellow Members of Parliament during a special sitting of Parliament held in honour of the late Rt. Hon. Gen. (Rtd) Moses Ali.

In her remarks, Minister Babalanda said that as the nation mourns, it must also celebrate the remarkable life of a man whose name is permanently inscribed in Uganda’s history.

“Gen. Moses Ali was an outstanding patriot, distinguished soldier, accomplished statesman, and dedicated public servant whose contribution to our country spanned more than five decades. Throughout his life, he remained steadfast in advancing the ideals of peace, unity, and national development,” she said.

The Minister noted that Gen. Ali served the people of West Nile in Parliament for over 20 years. He was first elected MP for East Moyo County in 2001, re-elected in 2011, and later represented Adjumani West County from 2016 until his passing last Saturday.

“His repeated electoral victories reflected the deep trust and confidence his constituents had in his leadership. Even at the remarkable age of 86, they once again entrusted him with the responsibility of representing them in this august House,” Hon. Babalanda said.

“That enduring support spoke volumes about the respect he commanded, his wisdom, and his unwavering commitment to public service.”

Hon. Babalanda told Parliament that the House will greatly miss Gen. Moses Ali’s wealth of institutional memory, wise counsel, and measured approach to debate.

“As one of the longest-serving and most senior Members of Parliament, he enriched our deliberations through his experience, humility, and calm leadership. His ability to foster consensus earned him respect across the political divide and made him a mentor to many younger legislators,” she added.

Beyond Parliament, the Minister said Gen. Moses Ali will be remembered as a champion of peace and national reconciliation.

“At a defining moment in our country’s history, he chose dialogue over conflict by renouncing rebellion and joining the National Resistance Movement under the leadership of His Excellency President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni. That courageous decision helped restore peace in West Nile and strengthened national unity,” she said.

She added that he subsequently served the NRM government with loyalty and distinction in various leadership positions.

On behalf of the Office of the President, Hon. Babalanda extended heartfelt condolences to His Excellency the President, the First Family, the family of the late Gen. Moses Ali, and the people of Adjumani and the entire West Nile region, “who have lost a brother, father, mentor, and a unifying figure.”

“As we bid farewell to this distinguished son of Uganda, let us honour his legacy by upholding the values he lived by — patriotism, peace, unity, humility, courage, and selfless service to our nation,” she said.

“May the Almighty grant eternal rest to the soul of Rt. Hon. Gen. Moses Ali, the ‘Cock of Adjumani.”

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“You have so much potential.”

Few sentences sound more encouraging.

Parents say it to their children. Teachers write it on report cards. Coaches repeat it after training sessions. Friends say it when they believe we are capable of more. It is almost always spoken with love.

Yet hidden within those five words is a danger we rarely talk about.

Potential can become a prison.

Potential is a strange thing because it exists only in the future. It is not who you are. It is who you might become. While there is nothing wrong with striving to grow, there is something deeply unhealthy about living as though your worth is always waiting for tomorrow.

Many of us spend our lives chasing a future version of ourselves that never quite arrives.

“When I get the promotion…”

“When I lose the weight…”

“When my business succeeds…”

“When my music finally takes off…”

“When I have more money…”

“Then I will be enough.”

The tragedy is that every time we reach a milestone, potential simply moves the goalposts. There is always another mountain to climb, another skill to master, another achievement to unlock, and another version of ourselves to chase. Potential has no finish line because possibility itself is infinite.

That is why it can quietly rob us of gratitude.

Instead of appreciating how far we have come, we become consumed by how far we still have to go. The student forgets they once struggled to read because they are focused on becoming a graduate. The entrepreneur forgets the courage it took to get started because they are comparing themselves to billionaires. The artist forgets that creating a single song was once a dream because now they are chasing platinum plaques.

Potential has a cruel way of making today’s victories feel like yesterday’s expectations.

Over time, that mindset begins to reshape how we see ourselves. Perhaps the greatest lie potential tells us is that who we are today is merely a stepping stone to someone more important.

But what if the person you are today deserves appreciation too?

Not because you have finished growing, but because growth is not the only measure of a meaningful life.

Some people become so addicted to their own potential that they never enjoy their actual lives. Every accomplishment becomes a checkpoint instead of a celebration. Every success feels temporary because each achievement is immediately replaced by another expectation. They become perpetual projects instead of people.

Ironically, those who are constantly praised for their potential often carry the heaviest burden. They become afraid of making mistakes because mistakes do not fit the image of someone “destined for greatness.” They fear ordinary days because ordinary feels like wasted talent.

Eventually, they stop asking, “What makes me happy?”

Instead, they ask, “Am I living up to my potential?”

Those are not the same question.

One is about fulfilment. The other is about performance. They may sound similar, but they lead us in very different directions. One asks whether your life feels meaningful. The other asks whether you have done enough.

Potential is a wonderful servant because it reminds us that we can improve, learn, and become more than we were yesterday.

But it is a terrible master when it convinces us that who you are today is never enough.

If your identity is built entirely around who you could become, you will never make peace with who you already are. Growth should inspire gratitude, not replace it. Ambition should expand your life, not postpone it.

Perhaps the healthiest people are not the ones who squeeze every drop from their potential. Perhaps they are the ones who understand that becoming more should never require believing they are currently less.

There is nothing wrong with reaching for tomorrow.

Just do not become so obsessed with the person you are trying to become that you forget to appreciate the person who has already survived enough to get you here.

Potential is a gift, but only when it does not stop you from recognising that, even today, you are already someone worth becoming.

Only 11 of Uganda’s 51 national sports organizations have secured full registration under the country’s new sports legal framework, leaving dozens of federations at risk of losing government funding and official recognition in the 2026/2027 financial year. The National Council of Sports (NCS) announced the registration status on Monday following a nationwide compliance verification exercise conducted across 135 districts and a technical review by the NCS Board concluded on July 17.

Under the National Sports Act, Cap. 151 and the National Sports Regulations, 2025, only fully registered national sports organizations will qualify for government funding administered through the NCS. “Beginning Financial Year 2026/2027, Government funding administered through the National Council of Sports shall only be extended to National Sports Organizations that have completed registration under the National Sports Act,” NCS General Secretary Dr. Ogwel Bernard Patrick said in a statement.

The 11 organizations that met all statutory requirements, including governance standards, financial accountability and nationwide representation, were issued one-year renewable registration certificates.

They include the Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA), Netball Uganda, Federation of Uganda Basketball Association (FUBA), Uganda Athletics, Uganda Boxing Federation (UBF), Uganda Chess Federation, Uganda Table Tennis Association, Uganda Tennis Association, Badminton Uganda, Uganda Dance Sport Federation and the Pool Association of Uganda.

Seven other organizations were classified as substantially compliant and will undergo an additional one-month verification to confirm active citizen participation across districts following legal guidance from the Attorney General. They include the Uganda Rugby Union, Uganda Golf Union, Uganda Aquatics, Uganda Woodball Federation, Uganda Squash Rackets Association, Federation of Motor Sports Clubs of Uganda and Kabaddi Federation of Uganda. Meanwhile, 14 sports bodies were found to be non-compliant with key legal requirements, including governance structures, district representation and administrative systems.

The organizations have been granted a final 30-day period to address the deficiencies before their certificates of recognition are revoked. The affected federations include the Uganda Volleyball Federation, Uganda Cycling Association, Uganda Weightlifting Federation, Uganda Handball Federation, Uganda Hockey Association, Uganda Judo Association, Uganda Gymnastics Federation, Uganda Baseball and Softball Association, Uganda Archery, Uganda Ludo Federation, Uganda Skating Association, Uganda Climbing, Uganda Zurkhaneh Association and the American Football Federation of Uganda.

NCS also announced enforcement measures against several organizations that failed to comply with the law. The Uganda Wrestling Federation, Uganda Taekwondo Federation, Scrabble Association of Uganda and Uganda Fencing Association failed to submit any compliance documents before the June 7 deadline. The council said it has initiated legal proceedings to revoke their recognition. In a separate case, the Uganda Dragon Boat Federation and Uganda Canoe Kayak Federation are under investigation after allegedly submitting falsified audited financial statements on two occasions.

The NCS Board resolved to reject their registration applications and revoke their recognition under Section 12(3)(d) of the Act unless they provide satisfactory explanations. The council further disclosed that appeals lodged before the Minister of State for Education and Sports by the Uganda Boxing Federation and the Uganda Professional Boxing Commission had been dismissed. The minister upheld the recognition of UBF as the country’s sole national boxing governing body, reaffirming that the law permits only one national federation to administer each sports discipline.

The Uganda Paralympic Committee was exempted from the current registration exercise following advice from the Attorney General, pending amendments to the law to align it with its international governance framework. Despite the strict enforcement measures, Dr. Ogwel assured athletes, coaches and technical officials attached to non-compliant federations that they would continue receiving support for international competitions and athlete development.

He said the National Council of Sports would facilitate national team participation through the Uganda Olympic Committee, the Uganda Paralympic Committee or other lawful arrangements to ensure athletes are not disadvantaged by the administrative failures of their governing bodies. Officials of organizations whose recognition is ultimately revoked will no longer operate as national governing bodies but will instead remain private promoters of their respective sports without authority to represent Uganda or access public funding.

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We have become a society that is impatient with almost everything.

We want food delivered in minutes. We skip advertisements. We watch movies at double speed. We scroll past videos if they do not capture our attention within the first three seconds. Waiting has become something to avoid rather than something to appreciate.

Perhaps that impatience has quietly followed us into our relationships.

We no longer seem interested in discovering people. We want to know everything immediately. We want deep conversations on the first date, daily phone calls by the second week, matching profile pictures by the third month, and conversations about forever before we have even experienced an ordinary Tuesday together.

Somewhere along the way, we stopped allowing relationships to unfold.

Instead, we began trying to force them to bloom.

The irony is that we spend so much energy chasing the emotional peak of a relationship that we forget what happens after we get there.

Every relationship has an exciting beginning. There are butterflies, mystery, and late-night conversations that somehow make five hours feel like five minutes. Those moments are beautiful, but they were never meant to last forever.

They are the spark, not the fire.

Yet many of us treat the spark as the destination. We rush toward maximum intensity as quickly as possible, and when life naturally settles into something quieter, we mistake peace for boredom.

Perhaps nothing is actually wrong.

Perhaps we have simply confused excitement with depth.

Depth takes time. Trust takes time. Understanding takes time. You cannot microwave familiarity. You cannot fast-forward loyalty. You cannot rush knowing how someone reacts when life stops being easy.

That is why relationships may be more like barbecue than fireworks.

Anyone can throw meat onto a blazing fire and cook the outside quickly. It may even look delicious. But anyone who loves barbecue knows the flavour is not created by heat alone.

It begins with the seasoning.

The spices need time to sink in. The meat needs time to rest. Then comes the slow fire, which patiently transforms everything that careful preparation has already begun. Great barbecue is not memorable because it cooks quickly. It is memorable because time changes it.

The best part is that none of this can be rushed. What makes the meal unforgettable is often the patience that nobody gets to see.

Maybe people are the same.

We rush into labels before we have built understanding. We rush into promises before we have experienced disappointment together. We rush into forever before we have survived an ordinary season of life.

Then we are surprised when everything begins to feel… ordinary.

But ordinary was never the enemy.

Ordinary is where real relationships are built. It is in the quiet evenings when there is nothing exciting to post online. It is in the conversations that do not change your life but slowly reveal who someone really is. It is in shared routines, small acts of kindness, and the comfort of silence that love quietly matures.

The strongest relationships are rarely the loudest.

They are simply the ones that were given enough time to marinate.

Maybe our generation does not have a relationship problem as much as it has a patience problem.

We have become so accustomed to instant gratification that we have forgotten some of life’s greatest experiences cannot be rushed.

Friendship cannot.

Trust cannot.

Respect cannot.

Love certainly cannot.

Perhaps we have been chasing intensity when we should have been cultivating consistency.

Because in the end, almost everything worthwhile in life follows the same rule.

The things that last the longest are usually the things that took the longest to become what they are.

Maybe relationships are no different.

Maybe, like great barbecue, they become richer, stronger, and more satisfying when they have been given enough time to marinate.

By Amos Tayebwa

MBARARA – Mbarara City leaders have dismissed as misleading and unverified allegations circulating on social media linking the City Service Commission to job-selling syndicates, while warning the public against fraudsters who extort money by falsely claiming to have influence over recruitment.

The leaders say investigations conducted so far have not established any evidence implicating officials of the Mbarara City Service Commission in soliciting money for jobs, despite reports that several unsuspecting members of the public have allegedly been conned by impostors.

The controversy emerged after claims surfaced on social media alleging that individuals posing as City Service Commission insiders had extorted millions of shillings from job seekers and people seeking transfers within the city’s education department.

Among the alleged victims is Steven Owakunda, who reportedly lost UGX 8 million after allegedly being promised appointment as a Senior Environment Officer in Mbarara City. The money is said to have been received by a man identified only as Wilfred, allegedly a primary school teacher under the Ministry of Education, who reportedly claimed to have connections within the City Service Commission.

Another suspect identified as Ivan allegedly demanded UGX 200,000 from a female primary school teacher, promising to facilitate her transfer to a better school within Mbarara City. A separate complainant is also said to have lost UGX 4 million after allegedly being promised a Human Resource job in the city administration.

However, city authorities insist these individuals are not employees of the City Service Commission and have cautioned the public against falling prey to such schemes.

Mbarara City Council Speaker Bony Tashobya Karutsya condemned what he described as a campaign of misinformation targeting the commission and other city departments.

He acknowledged that fraudsters are taking advantage of desperate job seekers by pretending to have influence over recruitment processes, but stressed that investigations have not found any City Service Commission official involved in the alleged extortion.

“We have thoroughly investigated these allegations and, so far, there is no confirmed case involving any member of staff from the Mbarara City Service Commission extorting money from members of the public,” Tashobya said.

He urged residents to disregard unverified social media claims intended to damage the reputation of the commission and the city administration.

According to the Speaker, some individuals are exploiting the country’s heightened focus on fighting corruption to make baseless accusations against government institutions.

“Some people have seen what is happening in the country regarding investigations into corruption and have started spreading false alarms against government institutions. This is unfortunate. As leaders, we condemn it. Let people do their work without harassment or having their names tarnished without evidence,” he said.

Tashobya further warned conmen masquerading as city officials that recruitment into Mbarara City public service is conducted strictly according to the law.

“Mbarara City does not sell jobs. Recruitment is based on merit, qualifications and interviews—not money. Stop misleading the public,” he warned.

The Secretary to the Mbarara City Service Commission, Domnic Atwiine, also confirmed that the commission has received reports about fraudsters using its name to solicit money from unsuspecting members of the public.

He said the commission has already engaged security agencies to investigate the matter and identify those behind the alleged scams.

“We have received information about individuals falsely claiming to represent the City Service Commission in order to extort money from members of the public. Together with security agencies, we are working to track down those responsible and ensure they are arrested,” Atwiine said.

He emphasized that the commission operates transparently and in accordance with the law, urging the public not to be misled by fraudsters or unverified reports circulating online.

Authorities have advised anyone approached by individuals demanding money in exchange for jobs or transfers to immediately report the matter to police or the relevant city authorities instead of making payments. They reiterated that all recruitment by the Mbarara City Service Commission follows established procedures and that no applicant is required to pay for employment opportunities.

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