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Africa’s film industry is attracting fresh international attention as new partnerships, funding initiatives and streaming investments continue to create opportunities for filmmakers across the continent.

One of the biggest recent developments is Afreximbank‘s planned US$1 billion African Film Fund, an initiative designed to finance film production, distribution and exhibition while helping African stories reach wider global audiences.

Industry executive Lavaille Lavette has been appointed to lead the fund.

The investment comes as African producers increasingly collaborate with international studios, distributors and streaming platforms, allowing locally produced films to reach viewers far beyond the continent.

Analysts say these partnerships are helping transform African cinema from a regional industry into a growing global business.

Despite ongoing changes in the streaming landscape, filmmakers continue to adapt by pursuing co-productions, expanding digital distribution and exploring new financing models that reduce dependence on traditional broadcasters.

With new funding, stronger international collaborations and increasing global demand for African stories, industry leaders believe the continent’s film sector is entering a new phase of growth that could create more opportunities for filmmakers, actors and production companies in the years ahead.

Marvel Studios has kicked off the global promotional campaign for Avengers: Doomsday, reuniting three of the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s biggest stars in a special message that has fans counting down to the film’s release.

Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, and Chris Hemsworth appeared together in a video released ahead of Marvel’s return to Hall H at San Diego Comic-Con, teasing what they described as the franchise’s most ambitious adventure yet.

The campaign also unveiled a new concept poster featuring Downey Jr.’s Doctor Doom, offering fans another glimpse of the character following the actor’s surprise return to the Marvel universe in an entirely different role.

Downey Jr., who famously spent more than a decade portraying Iron Man, is now stepping into the role of Victor Von Doom, one of Marvel’s most iconic villains.

The Russo Brothers are directing the film, which will unite the Avengers, the Fantastic Four and the X-Men in one of the MCU’s biggest crossover events to date.

Marvel’s latest campaign has also fueled speculation that the studio could unveil the first official trailer during San Diego Comic-Con, where fans are expecting several major announcements about the future of the franchise.

The Chief of Defence Forces, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, officially opened the annual defence strategic retreat on Saturday at the Defence Intelligence and Security Headquarters in Mbuya.

Gen Kainerugaba chaired the first two days of the three-day strategic conference over the weekend, leading senior military and civilian leaders through performance reviews and coordination discussions.

The conference concludes on Tuesday, when the CDF will present the consolidated strategic priorities to the Minister of Defence, who will formally close the retreat.

This annual exercise is a critical mechanism for reforming the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs’ (MODVA) strategic processes, ensuring alignment with emerging national security priorities ahead of the 2026/27 financial year.

The retreat brings together top UPDF leadership and senior MODVA technocrats, including the Under-Secretary for Finance and Administration, Edith Butuuro, to strengthen UPDF and MoDVA synergy.

This helps to shape the defence expenditure for the financial year 2026/27.

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President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has been commended for his efforts to organise and economically empower ghetto communities across Busoga and the rest of Uganda through the Ghetto Structure Initiative.

The praise was made by the Deputy National Coordinator of the Ghetto Structure Project, Maj. Emma Kutesa, while addressing participants at the Busoga Sub-region Ghetto Structure Leaders’ Retreat held on Sunday, July 12, 2026, at Bishop Willis Centre in Iganga Municipality.

The three-day retreat, held under the theme “Empowering the Ghettos for a Crime-Free Society,” brought together leaders from 131 ghetto depots across the Busoga sub-region.

The retreat forms part of the government’s broader rehabilitation and empowerment programme aimed at transforming ghetto communities, promoting responsible leadership, reducing crime and integrating young people into national development programmes.

The event was organised by the Office of the Special Presidential Assistant on Press and Mobilisation and Deputy Press Secretary to H.E. the President, Alhaji Faruk Kirunda, in collaboration with the Uganda Police Force’s Crime Intelligence Directorate.

Maj. Kutesa applauded AIGP Maj. Gen. Christopher Ddamulira, Director of Crime Intelligence and National Coordinator of the Ghetto Structure Project, for assessing the situation of ghettos in Busoga and recommending government intervention.

“I thank Maj. Gen. Ddamulira for coming to Busoga, assessing the situation in the ghettos and finding it necessary that they receive government support. I also commend Alhaji Faruk Kirunda and the State House Comptroller for their contribution to this project,” he said.

He reminded participants that the Ghetto Structure Initiative was conceived by President Museveni to uplift disadvantaged ghetto youth through social and economic empowerment.

“Many of you previously failed to benefit from government programmes because society viewed you as criminals. President Museveni recognised that challenge and decided to inject funds into your SACCOs so that you could improve your livelihoods.”

Maj. Kutesa urged the leaders to use the structures to mobilise fellow youth to embrace government wealth creation programmes and actively fight poverty.

“Your responsibility is to help your fellow youth join the money economy. Sensitise them to utilise government programmes and improve their livelihoods.”

Fight Crime Through Community Leadership:

Maj. Kutesa challenged the leaders to work closely with security agencies in eliminating criminality within their communities.

“Do not hide criminals. Report them and their criminal plans. Uganda has changed and there is no room for criminality. Anyone who still wants to engage in crime is on the wrong path.”

He assured the leaders of continued government support, noting that additional funding would be provided to well-managed SACCOs.

“The President is ready to inject more funds into your SACCOs, but corruption must be eliminated. Ensure that the money reaches the rightful beneficiaries.”

He attributed persistent poverty to poor utilisation of available resources, theft and laziness, urging beneficiaries to make productive use of government support.

Maj. Kutesa also reminded the leaders that the Ghetto Structure Project falls under the direct supervision of Maj. Gen. Ddamulira.

“Any leader who abuses their office will face the full force of the law.”

He further tasked them with ensuring transparency and accountability in the management of SACCO funds.

“No one who does not belong to the ghetto structures should benefit from these funds. All beneficiaries should have bank accounts so that government support is transferred directly to them.”

Support President Museveni, Youth Urged:

The National Female Youth MP, Hon. Mercy Kanyesigye, urged ghetto youth to continue supporting President Museveni, whom she credited for extending financial empowerment to disadvantaged communities.

“President Museveni does not discriminate. He loves all his Bazzukulu equally, and that is why he extended financial empowerment to the youth in the ghettos.”

She encouraged beneficiaries to use the funds wisely to qualify for additional government support.

Hon. Kanyesigye also challenged the ghetto youth to acquire vocational and technical skills to improve their livelihoods.

“I also come from a humble background. Through God’s grace and hard work, I have reached where I am today. You too can move from grass to grace, but it requires vision, determination and hard work.”

She further called upon youth to protect themselves from HIV/AIDS, avoid drug abuse and continue working with security agencies to maintain peace.

“President Museveni sees great potential in the youth living in ghettos. You have an important role to play in transforming our country.”

The Commissioner-RDC Secretariat in-charge of RDCs in Eastern Uganda, Col. Dhamuzungu Oguli, urged the leaders to use the ghetto structures as instruments for fighting crime and poverty.

He emphasised discipline as the foundation of effective leadership.

“You must observe discipline if your structures are to succeed. Separate criminality from the ghettos and promote responsible leadership.”

He urged leaders to identify habitual criminals and cooperate with law enforcement agencies to take action.

“Know the facts before involving the police. Work within the chain of command and provide accurate information whenever suspects are handed over.”

Col. Dhamuzungu also proposed closer collaboration between Resident District Commissioners (RDCs) and district ghetto leadership by providing office space for district Ghetto Presidents to improve coordination.

Using the Structures to Fight Poverty:

Beyond crime prevention, Col. Dhamuzungu encouraged leaders to mobilise youth into government wealth creation programmes by identifying members’ skills and linking them to appropriate interventions.

He urged communities with access to land to adopt President Museveni’s Four-Acre Model and invest in profitable enterprises such as coffee farming.

He also stressed accountability in managing government resources.

“Proper accountability will encourage the government to continue supporting your structures. Besides the ghetto funds, ensure your communities also benefit from programmes such as the Parish Development Model.”

Leaders Commend Government Initiative:

Kapchorwa RDC Mr. Stanley Bayole, who is also the grandfather of the Busoga Kingdom through family ties, urged youth to embrace commercial agriculture.

“Being in the ghetto does not mean being a criminal. A person living in the ghetto can become a successful entrepreneur, educate children, own businesses and even become a Member of Parliament.”

The Deputy RDC for Namutumba District, Mr. Paul Waiswa, applauded President Museveni and Alhaji Kirunda for strengthening ghetto structures in Busoga.

“Following Alhaji Kirunda’s consultations with His Excellency the President, it was agreed that the ghettos in Busoga required empowerment. Today, this training is equipping leaders with knowledge to improve their livelihoods and become responsible citizens.”

Similarly, Luuka Assistant RDC Mr. Rogers Ntogona thanked President Museveni for extending financial support to Busoga ghetto SACCOs.

“Each ghetto SACCO across the 11 districts and Jinja City received Shs100 million. Many young people have established businesses and abandoned crime.”

Participants Welcome the Initiative:

Mayuge District Ghetto President Ms. Naikoba Rehema described the retreat as transformational.

“We thank President Museveni for supporting the ghettos and Alhaji Kirunda for organising this retreat. I have learnt valuable business skills that will improve my livelihood.”

She encouraged fellow youth to reject crime and drug abuse.

Iganga District Ghetto President, Mr. Frank Tanaz said the initiative had transformed public perceptions about ghettos.

“Iganga was once labelled among the most violent districts, but through these structures we have encouraged many young people to abandon crime and embrace positive change.”

Meanwhile, Ms. Mutesi Zalika, Commander of Busembatia Depot, said the retreat had equipped participants with practical leadership skills.

“What we have learnt here will be translated into action for the development of our communities.”

Busoga Ghetto Leaders Elect Regional Executive:

The retreat also witnessed elections for the Busoga Regional Ghetto Structure leadership that will steer affairs and management of the subregion,which consists of 11 districts and a City.

According to the Chairperson of the Busoga Ghetto Electoral Commission, Mr. Waiswa Hatim Mpaata, contestants competed for nine regional leadership positions through the lining-up voting method.

The positions included Ghetto Giant, General Secretary, Treasurer, Secretary for Rehabilitation and Empowerment, Secretary for Research, Security and Intelligence, Secretary for Mobilisation, Ghetto Spokesperson, Secretary for Welfare and Secretary for Female Affairs.

Mr. Mpaata announced Mr. Blessing Byakika of Jinja City as the newly elected Busoga Ghetto Giant after defeating Mr. Sserwanga Ahmed of Bugiri District.

In his acceptance remarks, Mr. Byakika thanked President Museveni for transforming the lives of ghetto youth through various empowerment initiatives.

He also appreciated the Office of the Special Presidential Assistant on Press and Mobilisation and the Crime Intelligence Directorate for organising what he described as a free and fair election.

“We thank you for standing with us. Today we are organised because of your efforts. You have nurtured and transformed us into responsible citizens.”

Newly Elected Busoga Ghetto Leadership:

Ghetto Giant: Blessing Byakika

General Secretary: Frank Tanaz

Secretary for Finance (Treasurer): Sserwadda Sharny

Secretary for Rehabilitation and Empowerment: Makanika Fahad

Secretary for Research, Security and Intelligence: Oundo Gilbert

Secretary for Mobilisation: Anisha Takali Nanzala

Ghetto Spokesperson: Bulagala Najib

Secretary for Welfare: Basoma Isaac

Secretary for Female Affairs: Naikoba Rehema

 

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President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni today met the Ambassador of the Republic of Türkiye to Uganda, H.E. Mehmet Fatih Ak, at his Kisozi Farm in Gomba District.

During the meeting, President Museveni and Ambassador Fatih discussed the longstanding bilateral relations between Uganda and Türkiye, with particular emphasis on strengthening cooperation in areas of mutual interest for the benefit of both countries.

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Pastor Martin Ssempa has publicly questioned Makerere University’s decision to house female students in the historically all-male Lumumba Hall, taking to social media to ask how “the mighty Lumumba empire” ended up being turned into accommodation for women, while also questioning whether Vice Chancellor Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe carries what he called “the real DNA of the Great Makerere.”

In his post, Ssempa referenced the recent Paul Kafeero paternity saga, in which DNA testing revealed that only 4 of 25 people claiming to be the late musician’s biological children actually were, using the case as a metaphor to argue that those making decisions about Makerere’s institutions and traditions should similarly be tested against the university’s authentic heritage.

The Context Behind Lumumba Hall’s Use

Lumumba Hall, named after Congolese independence leader Patrice Lumumba, has traditionally been one of Makerere’s male-only halls of residence, alongside Livingstone, Mitchell, Nkrumah, Nsibirwa, and University Hall. It holds a storied place in Makerere’s student culture, particularly through its historic “Lumbox” solidarity with the all-female Mary Stuart Hall, a bond that shaped decades of student life, activism, and tradition on the Kampala hill.

However, Lumumba Hall’s current use by female students is not without recent precedent. The university temporarily relocated Mary Stuart Hall’s female residents to Lumumba in 2024 while Mary Stuart underwent a UGX 10.5 billion renovation, with the arrangement ending once Mary Stuart reopened in August 2025. Around the same period, Complex Hall, another female residence, began its own renovation, with its residents subsequently moved into Lumumba as the next hall in the university’s ongoing rotation of upgrades.

Makerere’s broader renovation programme, which has already restored Lumumba and Mary Stuart Halls, is aimed at addressing the long dilapidated state of the university’s residence halls, a concern MPs on Parliament’s education committee first flagged back in 2019.

Although the product had not yet been distributed to farmers, the revelation prompted district authorities to call for a thorough inspection of all remaining supplies expected to arrive in the district before acceptance and distribution.

Uthuba directed officials to ensure every consignment undergoes proper verification to protect farmers from receiving poor-quality inputs that could affect production and waste their investments.

The incident has sparked concerns over whether similar expired or near-expiry products could have reached other districts covered by the nationwide project.

With UCSATP being implemented across 69 districts, questions are now emerging over the effectiveness of monitoring systems and whether all supplied agricultural inputs are being subjected to adequate quality checks before reaching beneficiaries.

The project, which became effective on June 25, 2024, is one of government’s biggest agricultural interventions, with a budget of USD 350 million (about Shs1.3 trillion) from the World Bank.

It is designed to increase agricultural productivity, improve market access and support farmers facing climate-related challenges through interventions such as climate-smart seeds, modern irrigation systems, mechanisation centres, improved roads and better links to markets.

Under the programme, farmers contribute 20 percent of the cost of agricultural inputs while government subsidises the remaining 80 percent.

The initiative provides farmers with various inputs including pesticides, fertilisers, spray pumps, personal protective equipment and other farming equipment aimed at promoting climate-smart agriculture.

However, the Nebbi incident has raised uncomfortable questions over whether the systems meant to safeguard farmers and ensure value for money are working effectively.

The Director of Farmer to Farmer Distributor, Nicholas Alele Jesse, who is among the suppliers involved, expressed regret over the discovery and said the company would work with relevant authorities to establish how the expired sample ended up in the consignment.

Alele said investigations would help identify gaps and prevent similar incidents from happening again.

Resident District Commissioner Robert Abak also called for stronger inspection, accountability and verification measures to ensure only approved and quality inputs are delivered to farmers while protecting public resources.

District agricultural officials indicated that the first phase of UCSATP implementation in Nebbi is expected to benefit about 100 farmers from Watagataga and Merber farmer groups involved in coffee and soybean value chains.

Officials have encouraged more farmers to organise themselves into groups so they can benefit from the more than 250 available slots under the programme.

The project is being overseen by a leadership team headed by National Project Coordinator Eng. Okanya Boniface, with expectations that it will significantly transform Uganda’s agricultural sector.

However, the expired input scare has created a credibility test for the project managers and suppliers involved.

As farmers wait for climate-smart support promised under the programme, questions remain over who failed to detect the expired products before they reached district officials.

Was it a supplier failure, weak supervision by project officials, or gaps in MAAIF’s verification processes?

The incident has also opened another debate around complaints from some suppliers and contractors who claim delays in payments by the project have affected their operations.

Some suppliers argue that delayed payments could strain relationships between contractors and project managers, potentially affecting timely delivery of services and supplies.

With billions of shillings involved and thousands of farmers expected to benefit, stakeholders are demanding that UCSATP authorities tighten oversight to ensure the project does not lose public confidence over avoidable quality-control failures.

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Health workers in Soroti city have been warned against using government-issued motorcycles for personal errands, including ferrying passengers like girlfreinds, ferrying harvest from their gardens and visiting drinking joints.‎

‎City officials said the motorcycles donated  to health facilities is to improve outreach and service delivery, but not for workers to misuse them for their private activities.‎

‎The motorcycles were dispatched to the city by the Ministry of Health under the immunization program to help health workers carry out immunization and other services. They were handed over to the officers in-charge of different health centers including Kichinjaji, Arapai, Eastern division and then the city health educator.

‎Joseph Mwesigwa, the deputy town clerk of Soroti City, emphasized during the handover that health workers should handle the motocycles carefully and use them for the right purpose they were sent for.‎

‎”Dont take them for ferrying maize from your gardens, picking girlfriends and please have them serviced on time,” Mwesigwa emphasized.‎

‎‎According to Noah Okiror, the Soroti City Health Officer, the motorcycles have been provided to help health workers extend services to even the most remote areas for immunization.

‎  He urged that every child who is a resident of Soroti City should receive the vaccination they deserve and at the right time especially with this initiative. ‎

‎”Some of the diseases children suffer from are vaccine preventable like measles, yellow fever polio etc, so by getting this motorcycles we hope to improve and stage a serious fight against the vice,” Okiror said.‎

‎Steven Omoding, the Soroti City Assistant Resident City Commissioner, cautioned the beneficiaries to use the motorcycles responsibly and not to abuse them, adding that anyone found misusing them will be named and shamed.‎‎

He also said they expect to see health workers in the field and to receive reports showing a reduction in immunizable diseases.  ‎‎Omoding added that they would not want to lose any motorcycle, noting that it would be unfair, yet the purpose of providing them is to save lives.‎‎”Yamaha engines are very good for motor boats, fishmongers love them so much and therefore be very careful with the safety of yours,” Omoding cautioned.‎

‎Meanwhile Soroti and Kapelebyong districts have also recieved 4 motorcycles respectively, communications officer confirmed on a phone interview.

‎‎Emmanuel Opio, the Communications Officer for Kapelebyong District, thanked government for the timely support, saying the motorcycles will enable medical teams to mobilize communities to embrace vaccination against immunizable diseases and ensure a healthy Kapelebyong district.

‎‎Over time many officials have always misused government motorcycles and vehicles by using them for personal errands and leisure. On weekends, many officials tend to misuse the equipment on what it has not been intended for.

‎‎Historically, there have been issues with officials misusing government motorcycles and vehicles for personal activities, particularly on weekends resulting in their be in bad condition.

‎‎The Ministry of Health in Uganda distributed 642 motorcycles to health workers to boost immunization. Supported by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, this initiative targets remote areas. Health workers use them to reach islands, hills, and refugee-hosting communities.‎‎‎

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A long-running dispute between Kyambogo University and a group of its former students has reignited questions over what actually qualifies someone to teach in Uganda’s secondary schools, with the university insisting that a Diploma in Sports Management was never meant to produce classroom teachers.

The graduates, who joined the university in 2017 and are led by Haruna Muwanguzi and Julius Kimanje, say they enrolled expecting to come out as secondary school Physical Education teachers. Instead, they were awarded Diplomas in Sports Management, a qualification that has since been rejected by the Ministry of Education and Sports, the Education Service Commission, and other potential employers when the graduates sought jobs as PE teachers.

Kyambogo University sees it differently. According to Vice Chancellor Prof. Eli Katunguka, the graduates completed exactly what their academic records show, an accredited Diploma in Sports Management, not a teacher training programme. He explained that any reference to a Diploma in Physical Education and Sports Management was the result of an admission error corrected early in the course, and clarified that PE falls under the department of education while sports management sits in the department of sports science.

What Actually Makes Someone A Teacher

Education expert Prof. George Wilson Kasule weighed in on the dispute, explaining that knowing a subject well is not the same as being trained to teach it. He described teacher education as a distinct professional pathway that combines subject knowledge with the skills needed to run a classroom, plan lessons, and assess learners.

Kasule pointed out that every recognised teacher training programme includes a set of compulsory foundation courses, among them the psychology, sociology, and philosophy of education, alongside pedagogy, curriculum studies, education management, assessment, guidance and counselling, and educational technology. He added that supervised teaching practice, where trainees are placed in real schools to teach under supervision, is another core requirement student teachers must complete.

A review of the graduates’ transcripts reportedly shows four semesters heavy on sports management, sports administration, and various sports disciplines, plus general courses like communication skills and computer applications. None of the professional education courses Kasule described, including teaching practice, appear on those transcripts.

Katunguka has also pushed back on the graduates directly, asking them to specify which teaching subjects they would actually present for registration, since their diploma was never structured as a teacher education qualification in the first place. He suggested the push for recognition may be linked to how competitive and well paid PE positions have become in secondary schools, where the subject is now treated among the science-related disciplines.

Katunguka’s advice to the graduates has been to treat their Diploma in Sports Management as a stepping stone rather than a teaching credential, and to enrol for a proper education degree that includes Physical Education and other recognised teaching subjects if they want to join the profession.

The graduates, however, are standing their ground. They have written to the university requesting a meeting with the Vice Chancellor and are pushing for two things: formal letters confirming their qualification is valid for employment and further studies, and compensation for what they call wasted years, lost earnings, and emotional distress.

Muwanguzi told Uganda Radio Network that the group is still waiting on the university’s response, maintaining that they enrolled and completed the programme genuinely believing they were training to become PE teachers.

The National Council for Higher Education (NCHE) has since stepped into the matter, writing to Kyambogo University on 3rd July 2026 asking it to respond to the graduates’ complaints. NCHE says it has not yet made any determination on the merits of the case, noting only that Kyambogo had previously been accredited to run a Diploma in Physical Education and Sports Management back in 2010, and a separate Diploma in Sports Management and Administration in 2015.

That history is now central to the graduates’ questions, as they seek clarity on why they ended up with a qualification that appears distinct from either of the two programmes NCHE says the university was accredited to offer.

CampusBee will follow this story as it develops.