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KAMPALA – Works and Transport Minister Fred Byamukama on Tuesday inspected the delayed Busega–Mpigi Expressway, assuring the public that construction has resumed after government secured additional funding to revive the troubled project.

The 23.7-kilometre dual carriageway, designed to ease traffic congestion along the Kampala–Masaka highway and improve connectivity on the Northern Corridor, commenced in May 2020 and was initially scheduled for completion by December 2026. However, the project has suffered repeated delays due to land acquisition disputes, design changes and funding constraints.

Following the inspection, Byamukama said government was working to eliminate the remaining bottlenecks while ensuring the contractor maintained steady progress.

“Government has since secured additional funding and works have resumed. While we work towards resolving the project’s bottlenecks, we want to ensure that the contractor maintains steady progress towards the project delivery,” he posted on X.

Latest progress reports indicate the expressway is about 47 per cent complete, with nearly 80 per cent of project-affected property owners having been compensated.

The project has, however, come under intense scrutiny after its estimated cost surged from about Shs547 billion to more than Shs1.4 trillion, triggering concerns over value for money.

President Yoweri Museveni subsequently directed the Inspector General of Government (IGG) to investigate allegations of corruption, including claims of embezzlement and irregular route alterations that reportedly inflated project costs.

As part of the ongoing investigations, two engineers — Edward Raymond Kiyaga and Dickens Ahimbisibwe — were suspended.

Construction is being undertaken by a joint venture led by China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC), with works progressing on sections including the Kyengera–Wakimese interchange, where embankment construction and road compaction are ongoing.

The minister’s visit drew mixed reactions from the public. While some praised his active supervision of the project and efforts to protect contractors from alleged interference by corrupt networks, others urged government to expedite construction and address prolonged traffic disruptions along the Kampala–Masaka highway, particularly around Mpigi.

The Busega–Mpigi Expressway remains one of Uganda’s flagship road infrastructure projects, but its escalating costs, missed timelines and corruption investigations continue to raise questions about project management and public accountability.

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Gospel singer Baby Gloria, born Gloria Mulungi Senyonjo, has delighted fans by sharing photos from her maternity shoot, confirming months of speculation about her pregnancy.

For several months, reports had circulated on social media claiming that Baby Gloria was expecting her first child, while others alleged that she and her husband, Jonas Mbaleka, had already welcomed their baby. However, the couple, who tied the knot on 25 August, 2025, remained silent and did not publicly address the rumours.

Today, as she celebrated Mbaleka’s birthday, Baby Gloria posted a series of maternity photos alongside a heartfelt message that read: “Daddy’s Birthdayyy is Today. The present baked in my belly this year.”

The post appears to confirm that the couple are expecting their first child. However, neither Baby Gloria nor Mbaleka has clarified whether the baby has already been born or is still on the way.

Below are photos from Baby Gloria’s beautiful pregnancy shoot.

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The rise of lol esports is one of the most incredible success stories in modern gaming. If you think about it, what started as a competitive scene around multiplayer online battle arenas has grown into a worldwide entertainment industry with millions of viewers, professional organizations, and international tournaments. Even platforms connected to gaming culture, such as db bet, reflect how competitive gaming has become part of make common digital entertainment. Today, League of Legends is no longer just a popular title — it’s a global sport that attracts dedicated fans, analysts, sponsors, and aspiring professionals.

The Foundation of League of Legends Competitive Success

When League of Legends launched in 2009, the game quickly gained attention thanks to its accessibility and planned depth. If you think about it, unlike many competitive games that need expensive hardware or years of experience, new players can start learning immediately while still discovering advanced mechanics as time goes by.

Several factors pitch in to the rapid growth of lol esports:

• Free play access lowers the barrier to entry.

• Regular updates keep the gameplay balanced and fresh.

• An ever-expanding roster of champions creates endless planned possibilities.

• Official developer support helps to host organized tournaments.

Instead, than letting the competitive community grow on its own, Riot Games is investing heavily in professional leagues. If you think about it, this decision creates a stable ecosystem in which players, coaches, organizations and sponsors can develop long-term plans.

How the Professional League System Works

Unlike many traditional esports that rely on independent tournament organizers, League of Legends operates through regional leagues connected to international championships.

About Regional Competitions

Professional teams compete throughout the year in structured leagues in different parts of the world. And this is key: regions such as Korea, China, Europe, North America and the Pacific all have their own competitive calendars.

Each division includes:

• About Championship qualifiers

• About International seeds

This consistent format allows fans to follow their favorite teams throughout the season, not just during the occasional tournament.

About International Championships

The biggest moment every year is the World Championships, commonly known as Worlds.

Teams qualify based on their regional performance before facing opponents from around the world. Essentially, because different regions often develop unique strategies and top priorities, international events regularly introduce interesting tactical matchups.

For example, one region might put first aggressive early game composition, while another region focuses on scaling and goal control. Plain and simple, watching these contrasting styles collide is one of the reasons haha ​​esports remains unpredictable.

Why League of Legends Creates Deep Strategy

One of the reasons League of Legends continues to attract millions of viewers is the immense planned complexity behind its simple goal of destroying the enemy’s Nexus.

About Champion Diversity

With over 160 champions available, each draft creates new possibilities.

Professional teams rarely choose champions at random:

One draft decision can affect the overall pace of the game before the first minion even appears.

Important Macro Decisions

Mechanical skills are only part of professional success.

Teams are basically constantly evaluating questions like:

• Should they play against the Dragons?

• is actually Baron worth the risk?

• Should players do split-push or group?

• Is the goal of trading more valuable than fighting?

These decisions occur in a matter of seconds and often determine the outcome of closely contested matches.

What Coaches and Analysts Actually Does

Modern esports organizations are more similar to traditional sports clubs than casual gaming groups.

Behind every successful roster is a staff responsible for preparation.

Typical responsibilities include:

• identifying drafting patterns,

• improving communications,

• developing practice schedules,

• monitoring player performance.

During major tournaments, analysts can review dozens of hours of gameplay to identify small trends in opponents’ decision making.

Around the middle of the season, many fans also scour gaming communities and partner platforms like winwin to keep up with tournament discussions, statistics — and broader esports conversations surrounding upcoming matches.

The Importance of Teamwork Over Individual Skill

Many new viewers assume that professional play is defined by star players who make spectacular mechanical plays.

While key moments do exist, teamwork usually wins championships.

Communications include:

Consider a practical example.

The top laner will pay attention to the opposing Jungler on the bottom side of the map. Instead, than forcing an unnecessary duel, the team directly communicated the information. To be honest, the jungler secures the Rift Herald, the mid laner pushes the wave, and the support builds a deep vision. No extraordinary plays occurred, (for the most part) but the team quietly gained some planned advantages that were then converted into tower and map control.

This coordinated sequence separates elite organizations from mechanically talented but inconsistent teams.

Why Fans Stay Invested Year After Year

Competitive lifespan doesn’t just depend on gameplay.

Riot Games continues to introduce seasonal updates that reshape the professional meta.

Balance changes can:

• strengthen overlooked champions,

• weaken dominant strategies,

• encourage new team compositions,

• reward different goal priorities.

As a result, the competitive environment is rarely boring.

A champion who was considered weak during the spring may become a tournament priority in the fall after some adjustments.

This constant evolution encourages fans to continue learning while giving professional teams new planned puzzles to solve.

One of the main strengths of lol esports is actually its international audience.

Millions of viewers watched the match via the official broadcast available in multiple languages. Think about it this way: fans from across continents discuss drafts (and this is key), player performances and tournament predictions almost instantly on forums and social platforms.

The community has also created:

• strategy which is essentially a strategy guides,

For new viewers, this resource makes understanding the professional game much easier.

For experienced fans, they provide deeper insight into strategizing, economic management, and the evolving metagame.

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President Museveni has declined to assent to the Income Tax (Amendment) Bill, 2026 and the Excise Duty (Amendment) Bill, 2026 returning them back to Parliament for reconsideration, warning that some proposed measures would create unfair competition among businesses, encourage tax avoidance, and negatively affect the economy.

The Income Tax (Amendment) Bill, 2026 and the Excise Duty (Amendment) Bill, 2026 were considered and passed by the 11th Parliament ahead of the budget reading and new financial year starting in July 2026.

Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa, who presided over the House sitting on 14 July 2026 said that President Museveni had raised objections to specific clauses in both bills, particularly provisions dealing with withholding tax on betting winnings and a sharp increase in excise duty on single-use plastics.
“The President is against the passing into law of Clause 11 of the Income Tax Amendment Bill, 2026,” Tayebwa said.

Clause 11 sought to introduce a withholding tax on winnings from betting and gaming activities but contained an exemption for winnings obtained from land-based casinos licensed under the Lotteries and Gaming Act, 2016.

Museveni argued that the exemption would create an uneven playing field between different categories of gaming operators while opening opportunities for tax avoidance.

In his communication to Parliament, the President warned that exempting land-based casinos from withholding tax could encourage businesses to restructure transactions in ways designed to minimise tax obligations.

“The exemption creates opportunities for tax avoidance and revenue leakage,” Museveni said in his communication to Parliament.

He further questioned why two businesses engaging in substantially similar economic activities should face different tax treatment.

“There is no justification for exempting one category while taxing the other,” he argued.

The President was also against the proposed increase in excise duty on single-use plastics as provided for in the Excise Duty (Amendment) Bill, 2026. Parliament had approved an increase from the existing rate of 2.5 percent or US$70 per tonne, to 25 percent or USS 1, 500 per tonne, whichever is higher.

While the proposal was intended to strengthen environmental protection measures and discourage plastic pollution, Museveni argued that the increase was too drastic and could trigger unintended economic consequences.

“The proposed increase is substantial and is likely to impose significant cost pressures on manufacturers engaged in the production and use of single-use plastics,” he said.

He warned that higher costs could affect production, investment and employment in the plastics sector.
Museveni also noted that Uganda’s manufacturing sector is not yet fully prepared to transition to alternative packaging materials.

“Viable alternatives to plastic packaging are not yet readily available in Uganda,” he said.
The President recommended further study before implementing the increase as an environmental policy measure.

Beyond the substance of the tax proposals, Parliament also confronted procedural questions over whether the bills should be reconsidered by the new Parliament.

Bbale County MP, Hon. Charles Tebandeke wondered whether the two bills should not return through fresh legislative procedures having been originally considered by the previous Parliament.

“The law assumes that the 11th Parliament that was handling these bills was dissolved and the matter was overtaken by events,” Tebandeke said.

The Deputy Speaker Tayebwa rejected the claim that the President had delayed beyond the constitutional timeline. He reminded legislators that the Constitution provides that, the President must either assent to a Bill or return it to Parliament within 30 days after receiving it.

“The Constitution is very clear, 30 days from the date it is presented to him or her,” Tayebwa said.

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Joshua Baraka has once again thrown his support behind rising singer Imran More, this time helping him secure a performance opportunity beyond Uganda.

During a TikTok Live session, Baraka called on celebrated deejay DJ Spinny to include the fast-rising artist in the upcoming Spinny & Friends party in Rwanda.

Baraka praised Imran More’s talent and urged DJ Spinny to give the young singer a chance to perform before a wider East African audience.

The request did not go unanswered.

DJ Spinny publicly committed to taking Imran More to the upcoming Spinny & Friends party at Gahanga Cricket Stadium, giving the singer a chance to make his performance debut in Rwanda.

The announcement immediately excited viewers, many of whom applauded Baraka for using his platform to create opportunities for emerging talent.

Fans also congratulated Imran More, describing the opportunity as a major step forward in his career and a chance to introduce his music to audiences beyond Uganda.

If the promise is fulfilled, the performance will mark Imran More’s first appearance in Rwanda and another important milestone in his growing music journey.

Business that lapsed with the dissolution of the 11th Parliament has been reinstated.

The Annual Auditor General’s Report for the year ended 31 December 2025, the Petroleum Fund Annual Report for the year ended June 2025 and investigation into the destruction of Zoka forest and several petitions was among the business reinstated.

Lawmakers adopted a motion to reinstate the lapsed business during the sitting of the House on Tuesday, 14 July 2026.

Napak District Woman Representative, Hon. Faith Nakut moved the motion citing Rule 245 (2) and (4) of the Rules of Procedure which authorises Parliament to reinstate, by resolution, within the first 14 sittings of the first session, business that lapsed in the previous Parliament.

Nakut said that reinstating the lapsed business, such as the Attorney General’s report will enable MPs identify loopholes in government expenditures and make recommendations.

“It is in the 2024/2025 financial year that our national budget significantly increased from Shs52 trillion to Shs72 trillion. It is therefore, good that the relevant committees look into some of these issues,” Nakut said.

She added that Parliament ought to audit utilisation of the Shs484 billion drawn from the Petroleum Fund to construct Hoima City Stadium.

“Given the materiality of the issues therein and the risks involved, it is a report that this House cannot let go,” said Nakut.

Speaking about reinstatement of petitions, Nakut said that they form an integral representation mandate of Parliament hence the need for Parliament to conclude them.

“Petitions are a critical means in which the public can communicate to government through MPs. There is need for resolutions for these petitions, otherwise, it will be a breach of the mandate of Parliament,” she said.

Hon. Isaac Otimgiw (NRM, Padyere County) supported the motion but urged Parliament to find ways of ensuring that committees are given ample time to carry out their oversight mandate.

“In Kenya, the Parliament there dedicates time specifically for committee meetings and field visits, which is not the case with Uganda. Committees require ample time to enable them complete their work,” said Otimgw.

Hon. John Baptist Nambeshe (NUP, Manjiya County) also welcomed the motion, and he called on the legislators to ensure that the reinstated business should be completed.

Hon. Jesca Ababiku (NRM, Adjumani District) said that completion of parliamentary business avoids cases where important matters are not concluded because of late presentation.

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Parliament has passed a resolution urging the Government to review its university undergraduate sponsorship programme and increase the number of sponsorship slots allocated under the District Quota Scheme to improve access to higher education for students from poor, disadvantaged and rural communities.

Hon. Martin Ojara Mapenduzi (NRM, Bardege-Layibi Division), who moved the motion during the House sitting on Tuesday, 14 July 2026 chaired by Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa, argued that the current allocation no longer reflects Uganda’s growing student population and has failed to address inequalities in access to public university education.

The resolution calls on Government to review the distribution of the 4,000 annual government sponsorship slots, particularly by increasing the share reserved for the District Quota Scheme, which currently receives 896 places out of the 1,000 slots allocated under the affirmative action schemes.

According to the motion, Government allocates 3,000 sponsorships, representing 75 per cent of the annual intake, through the national merit scheme, while the remaining 1,000 slots are shared among the District Quota Scheme (896), the Sports Scheme (40) and the Special Needs Scheme (64).
During consideration of the motion, members amended its heading to expressly include the Sports Scheme and Special Needs Scheme after concerns that the two affirmative action programmes had been omitted despite being referenced in the body of the motion.

Hon. Alex Ndeezi (NRM, PWDs), appreciated the proposal and called for amendments to ensure that persons with disabilities, and the sports scheme is taken care of. He also called for the proposal to be effected this year.

Hon. Laura Kanushu (NRM, PWDs Female) welcomed the motion and urged government to give greater attention to learners with disabilities.
“There can never be a vulnerable student more than that with special needs. If there are people who need a sponsorship at the universities more than anyone else, it is the students with disabilities. So we cannot afford to leave them out,” she said.

She also proposed that priority be given to students who attended public schools, particularly Universal Primary Education (UPE) and Universal Secondary Education (USE) schools.
“The children who go to the public schools are the most needy ones.”

Rubanda County West MP, Hon. Bruce Balaba said that evidence since the introduction of the District Quota Scheme shows that students admitted from rural schools often outperform their counterparts admitted with higher grades through the national merit system.
“There is evidence that the children from the rural schools who come with slightly lower grades… when they reach the university, they perform better than those with excellent grades from the other schools,” he said.

Balaba also proposed that half of all district quota sponsorships be reserved for science programmes, noting that about 90 per cent of students admitted under the scheme currently pursue humanities courses. He further suggested increasing the district quota allocation while reducing the proportion reserved for the national merit scheme.

Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa, directed that implementation of the resolution should follow the Rules of Procedure, which require ministers to submit an action-taken report to Parliament within 60 days.

In the motion, Mapenduzi argued that although between 60,000 and 80,000 students qualify annually for admission to public universities, Government sponsorship has remained capped at 4,000 students over the past five years. He contended that the majority of the beneficiaries come from top-performing schools that are largely attended by students from well-to-do families.

Mapenduzi further argued that while the District Quota Scheme was introduced in 2004 to address inequities created by the national merit admissions system, its allocation of 896 slots based on district population disadvantages rural districts with smaller populations, leaving poor, disadvantaged and underprivileged students marginalised.

Parliament resolved to urge Government to review the programme and increase the number of slots allocated to the District Quota Scheme to enable more poor, disadvantaged and underprivileged students to benefit from government-funded university education.

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Uganda’s television industry is home to some of the most talented and captivating personalities on screen.

While professionalism, charisma, and confidence define great presenters, there are those whose beauty and screen presence leave a lasting impression every time they appear before viewers.

This week, Sanyuka Pick unveils its editorial selection of the 10 Most Beautiful Television Presenters in Uganda, celebrating women who continue to captivate audiences with their elegance, style, confidence, and undeniable on-screen appeal.

1. Florence Nampijja

Graceful, confident, and effortlessly elegant, Florence Nampijja claims the top spot. Her natural beauty and commanding screen presence continue to set her apart.

2. Haffy Powers

Bold, fashionable, and full of personality, Haffy Powers brings confidence to every appearance, making her one of Uganda’s most recognisable television faces.

3. Isabella Tugume

With timeless beauty and remarkable poise, Isabella Tugume remains one of the most admired presenters on Ugandan television.

4. Diana Nabatanzi

A household name for years, Diana Nabatanzi continues to impress with her beauty, charm, and enduring appeal.

5. Prim Asiimwe

Elegant, polished, and effortlessly stylish, Prim Asiimwe earns her place among this year’s top five.

6. Tashi Hubby

Known for her striking features and impeccable sense of style, Tashi Hubby continues to attract admiration from viewers.

7. Lynda Ddane

Lynda Ddane’s radiant smile, confidence, and vibrant personality have made her one of television’s standout presenters.

8. Hellen Menta

Energetic, confident, and undeniably beautiful, Hellen Menta continues to win over audiences with her lively on-screen presence.

9. Phayma

One of the industry’s rising television personalities, Phayma combines confidence, elegance, and beauty that continue to attract growing attention.

10. Sandra Lian

Completing this year’s list is Sandra Lian, whose elegance, composure, and natural charm continue to make her a favourite among viewers.

As always, beauty is subjective. This ranking reflects Sanyuka Pick’s editorial opinion, taking into account each presenter’s overall screen presence, style, confidence, public appeal, and lasting impression on viewers.

Do you agree with this year’s rankings? If not, who would make your Top 10?

Up to $300,000.

That is how much Davido says he spends every month, a figure that does not even account for his wife, Chioma Adeleke, or the rest of his household.

The Nigerian Afrobeats superstar made the revelation during a livestream with streamer Davrel, offering fans a rare glimpse into the financial demands of life at the top.

I spend between $200,000 and $300,000 every month and that does not even include my wife’s expenses or the rest of my household.

Davido added that the estimate also excludes some of his biggest purchases.

It also does not include expenses for the purchase of luxury cars and jewellery.

Based on current exchange rates, the singer’s monthly spending is roughly equivalent to between UGX 740 Million and UGX 1.11 Billion, before factoring in luxury acquisitions.