There is something powerful about saying your dreams out loud, even when they sound impossible, far away, or downright foolish.
Sometimes the things we are meant to become do not make sense when we first speak them into existence. They sound too big for our age, too expensive for our pockets, or too unrealistic for our current reality. To everyone else, they may seem naïve or detached from reality. But there is a strange strength in naming them anyway.
Because where do those dreams come from in the first place?
Perhaps they are born from ambition. Perhaps they are simply the quiet voice of our deepest desires. Or, for those who believe, perhaps they are gentle nudges from the Holy Spirit, whispering a purpose long before we are equipped to understand it. Whatever their source, those dreams deserve to be heard before they are judged.
I have always carried a dream of being in a position to support my peers in the music industry, to create a space where young creatives do not have to suffer the uncertainty that comes with starting out. At first, I thought that would only happen if I became wealthy or if I became a major artist myself.
And honestly, how could I have believed that while pursuing a law degree?
But maybe that is the point.
Maybe destiny does not always require perfect logic before it begins to unfold. Maybe it is a mixture of having a worthy purpose and a little bit of delusion. Maybe you need just enough belief to keep speaking the dream until the stars somehow begin to align.
Because look at this now.
Here I am at Next Media, standing within one of the biggest platform opportunities any Ugandan artist could ask for, becoming one of the bridges between that platform and the brilliant musicians I have encountered along the way.
That is not exactly how I imagined the journey. But it is close enough to prove that dreams do not always arrive in the shape you expect. Sometimes they come disguised as experience. Sometimes they come through service. Sometimes they come through being positioned in the right room at the right time, after years of saying the dream out loud before you could fully explain it.
That is why people should never be ashamed to say what they want, even if they cannot yet explain how they will get there.
The dream may not come in the form you predicted. The route may not match your original map. But there is power in declaration. There is power in speaking life over your future. There is power in telling the world, and reminding yourself, that you are available for something greater.
So maybe the dream was never just about money or fame.
Maybe it was always about impact.
Maybe it was always about building a door for others while walking through one yourself.
And maybe that is how the impossible becomes possible, one spoken dream at a time.
Some debut projects arrive on the back of overnight success. Others arrive after years of quiet preparation. Ali Bomaye: The EP belongs firmly in the second category.
For years, the Congolese-Ugandan creative has been building his name through dance, live performances and collaborations. Now, he finally steps into the spotlight as a solo artist with a self-titled six-track EP that feels less like an introduction and more like the culmination of a long journey.
Born in the Democratic Republic of Congo before relocating to Uganda as a refugee, Ali Bomaye grew up in Kampala immersed in the sounds of Congolese rumba.
Those influences remain at the heart of his music today, but they are far from the only ones.
His debut effortlessly blends rumba, Francophone kompa, Afrobeats and contemporary East African pop into a sound that reflects both his heritage and his upbringing.
It is also a project that embraces language without borders.
Ali sings in English, French, Lingala and Luganda, allowing each song to find the language that best carries its emotion. Rather than feeling experimental for the sake of it, the multilingual approach feels authentic. It reflects the everyday reality of many East Africans whose lives naturally move between cultures and languages.
Before becoming a recording artist, Ali Bomaye first earned recognition as a performer.
Many entertainment fans first encountered him on “Hot Steps Uganda” Season 5, where he finished as the second runner-up. The competition sharpened his stagecraft and confidence, qualities that would later become his greatest strengths as a live performer.
Those strengths earned him appearances at the renowned Nyege Nyege Festival in both 2024 and 2025, where he built a reputation as an energetic and captivating performer long before releasing an official body of work.
While many artists rush to release projects, Ali chose patience.
Work on the EP began as far back as 2020, giving the music years to evolve and mature. Like a slow-cooked meal, every track feels as though it has been given the time to develop naturally rather than being rushed to meet a deadline. That patience is evident in both the production and the songwriting.
Along the way, he introduced himself to audiences through carefully selected collaborations. He appeared on Pryce Teeba’s “Nyege” in 2025 before featuring on “U Let Me Down” alongside Omunubi and Sirdepp later that year. Those records hinted at his versatility, but Ali Bomaye: The EP finally gives listeners a complete picture of the artist behind the features.
The project contains six songs, with only two guest appearances.
Chris King7 joins Ali on “Moko,” while Son of Aboda appears on “Piki Ponki.” Both collaborations feel organic, reflecting relationships built through years of working together under Pyong Recordz. The result is music that sounds natural and effortless. The features complement Ali’s artistic identity while preserving the EP’s deeply personal nature.
The remaining songs belong entirely to Bomaye, allowing listeners to experience his voice, songwriting and cultural influences without distraction.
My standout recommendation from the project is “Piki Ponki.” It is easily the EP’s catchiest record, pairing infectious melodies with excellent vocal performances and polished production. Son of Aboda’s verse, delivered in both Acholi and English, introduces yet another cultural dimension while adding an exciting layer of rap that perfectly complements Ali Bomaye’s performance.
The tracklist includes:
1. Fou De Toi 2. Moko (featuring Chris King7) 3. Juste Là 4. Piki Ponki (featuring Son of Aboda) 5. Naleli 6. Zonga (Come Back)
Speaking about the project, Ali says his vision extends beyond making catchy songs.
I want people to feel freedom, dopamine and African connection. That is the whole point.
It is an ambitious statement, but one the EP largely lives up to. Whether through infectious rhythms, multilingual storytelling or its seamless blend of Central and East African influences, the project celebrates a continent whose cultures continue to inspire one another.
At a time when African music is becoming increasingly global, Ali Bomaye chooses not to chase a single trend. Instead, he leans into his own story, a Congolese artist raised in Uganda, equally comfortable singing in Lingala, French, English and Luganda, creating music that feels both rooted and borderless.
For listeners who enjoy discovering new cultures through music, Ali Bomaye: The EP offers exactly that: six songs that travel across languages, rhythms and identities while remaining unmistakably African.
Released under Pyong Recordz and distributed by RIA Entertainment, Ali Bomaye: The EP is now available on all major streaming platforms, marking the beginning of what feels less like a debut and more like the arrival of an artist who patiently waited for the right moment to tell his story.
The Electoral Commission (EC) has officially concluded the nationwide voter registration exercise for the upcoming Local Council I (LC I), Local Council II (LC II) and Women Council/Committees elections.
The registration exercise, which ended on Friday, 10 July 2026, attracted thousands of Ugandans who turned up at registration centres across the country to enrol as voters ahead of the grassroots elections.
Speaking after the exercise, Electoral Commission spokesperson Julius Mucunguzi described the registration process as successful, saying it was conducted smoothly in most parts of the country with a positive response from eligible voters.
Mucunguzi, however, cautioned that anyone who did not register during the exercise will not be eligible to vote in the forthcoming LC I, LC II and Women Council/Committees elections.
He said the Commission will now move to the next stage of the electoral process, which is the public display of the compiled voters’ register.
According to Mucunguzi, the voters’ register will be displayed on 13 and 14 July 2026 in all villages across the country to allow members of the public to verify their details.
He urged all registered voters to visit their respective villages during the display period to confirm that their names, personal information and polling details appear correctly in the register. He noted that the exercise is important because it allows voters to identify and report any errors or omissions before the final register is used for the elections.
The Electoral Commission says the display exercise is a key step in ensuring that the voters’ register is accurate and credible, paving the way for free and fair grassroots elections.
Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC) Chairperson Mariam Wangadya has resigned from her position.
In a letter dated 6 July 2026 and addressed to President Yoweri Museveni, Wangadya wrote: “I hereby tender my resignation as Chairperson of the Uganda Human Rights Commission. I thank you for the opportunity to serve Uganda over the years in the promotion and protection of human rights.”
She did not give any reasons for her resignation, and by the time of publication, neither Wangadya nor the Uganda Human Rights Commission had issued an official public statement explaining her decision.
Her resignation comes just days after she publicly criticised President Museveni over appointments to the Commission. Wangadya, who has led the UHRC since 2023, accused the President of turning the institution into a “dumping ground” for failed politicians.
She said the President’s appointments showed a lack of respect for the Commission despite its crucial role in protecting the rights of Ugandans.
“When I look at the people he appoints to this Commission, it appears he has turned the Commission into a dumping ground for failed politicians. Politicians who lose elections and run to him for appointments end up being appointed to this Commission,” Wangadya said.
She added: “This Commission has the biggest mandate regarding the rights of Ugandans, but the people you appoint to this Commission do not qualify. Mr President, put respect in this Commission.”
KAMPALA: For decades, DStv was the undisputed king of African television. Whether it was the English Premier League, UEFA Champions League, blockbuster movies, hit series or local entertainment, the satellite giant dominated living rooms from Johannesburg to Kampala.
Today, however, that empire is showing serious cracks.
Across Africa, and increasingly in Uganda, MultiChoice’s flagship pay-TV business is battling shrinking subscriber numbers, falling revenues, mounting losses and growing customer anger, while fresh reports from South Africa suggest the company’s new French owners, Canal+, are already restructuring operations following their historic takeover.
According to South African technology publication MyBroadband, MultiChoice is allegedly planning to shut one of its major DStv service centres in Umhlanga, KwaZulu-Natal, after hundreds of workers accepted voluntary severance packages offered by Canal+.
A company insider claimed the remaining employees have been ordered to relocate to another service centre in Durban’s city centre after staffing levels at Umhlanga became unsustainable.
Employees who reportedly objected to the move because of transport costs and personal circumstances were allegedly told the voluntary severance programme had already closed, leaving them with little choice other than relocating or resigning.
Canal+ has declined to confirm the alleged closure, saying neither it nor MultiChoice would comment on anonymous allegations or unsubstantiated claims. The company insisted that any operational decisions would comply with applicable laws and governance requirements.
However, internal communications reportedly seen by MyBroadband indicate that operations at the Umhlanga office are already being scaled back, with shorter Saturday hours and complete closure on Sundays and public holidays.
The allegations do not stop there.
The insider further claims Canal+ has introduced sweeping restructuring measures following the expiry of voluntary severance packages that attracted more than 600 employees.
According to the source, the company has introduced what it calls a Target Operating Model (TOM), flattening management structures, eliminating senior positions and allegedly pushing some employees into lower-ranking roles disguised as lateral transfers.
The insider also alleges that DStv agents across South Africa have been handed aggressive sales targets that are almost impossible to achieve, particularly in smaller towns, with failure to meet them potentially resulting in termination of their agreements.
While Canal+ disputes the allegations, the reported turmoil comes at a time when MultiChoice itself is fighting for survival.
The numbers tell a painful story.
Over the past two years, the broadcaster has lost 2.8 million subscribers, with its customer base shrinking from 17.3 million in March 2023 to 14.5 million.
Revenue has plunged from R58.42 billion to R49.98 billion, while trading profits have been squeezed and foreign exchange losses have piled pressure on operations across Africa.
South Africa still generates about 65 per cent of MultiChoice’s total revenue, but with unemployment hovering around 32 per cent and economic growth remaining weak, many households are abandoning expensive pay-TV subscriptions in favour of cheaper entertainment options.
Industry observers trace DStv’s decline back to 2016, when Netflix expanded globally and fundamentally changed how viewers consume television.
Since then, streaming platforms offering cheaper monthly subscriptions and on-demand content have steadily eaten into DStv’s market share.
Young audiences now spend far more time on YouTube, TikTok, Instagram and other digital platforms, while piracy has exploded across Africa.
MultiChoice itself has acknowledged that piracy continues to grow across all content genres, especially among younger viewers.
At the same time, customers increasingly complain about repetitive programming, frequent subscription price increases and poor customer service.
The company’s response was to invest heavily in Showmax, hoping it would become Africa’s answer to Netflix.
Instead, the platform became a financial burden.
In the 2025 financial year alone, Showmax recorded R4.9 billion in trading losses, almost double the R2.6 billion loss posted the previous year, dragging down MultiChoice’s overall financial performance.
At one point, the broadcaster was technically insolvent after liabilities exceeded assets and the group recorded a staggering R4.15 billion loss during the 2024 financial year.
The company only recovered after selling 60 per cent of its microinsurance business, NMS Insurance Services, to Sanlam, generating R1.2 billion upfront with a possible additional R1.5 billion earn-out and producing a paper profit of R3 billion.
Those proceeds, combined with cost-cutting and lower foreign exchange losses, helped MultiChoice return to an after-tax profit of R1.78 billion and restore positive equity of R1.6 billion.
Yet analysts warn that the company’s shrinking cash reserves remain a serious concern.
The financial crisis ultimately paved the way for Canal+, the French media giant, to take control of MultiChoice in what became the biggest acquisition in Canal+’s history.
By 19 September 2025, all conditions for the takeover had been fulfilled, giving Canal+ effective control of Africa’s largest pay-TV company.
A new board and leadership team have since taken charge, while former MultiChoice Chief Executive Officer Calvo Mawela stepped down from the board, although he continues to play a role in African operations.
For Uganda, the crisis is not just about corporate balance sheets.
It is increasingly becoming about customer frustration.
Many Ugandan DStv and GOtv subscribers say the service no longer offers value for money.
Some complain of paying for premium bouquets only to be disconnected before their subscriptions expire.
Others allege that they subscribe to one package but receive channels belonging to a cheaper bouquet without explanation.
Customers have also complained about unexplained signal losses, particularly on local television stations, while some allege they have been asked to pay technicians to fix faults they believe should be covered by their subscriptions.
Perhaps the biggest frustration is content.
Many Ugandan viewers argue that DStv and GOtv repeatedly recycle the same movies, series and entertainment programmes.
Channels including TNT Africa, Movie Room, Africa Magic and others are frequently criticised for airing the same content over and over again.
For families already struggling with the rising cost of living, many now question whether DStv still justifies its monthly subscription fees.
Customer care has also come under criticism, with subscribers complaining of delayed responses, unclear explanations and unresolved technical problems.
For now, there has been no announcement that MultiChoice Uganda will close any service centres or cut jobs, and the allegations about the South African restructuring remain unconfirmed by the company.
But the developments south of the border highlight the enormous pressure facing Africa’s once-dominant pay-TV operator.
The Canal+ takeover may bring fresh investment, international expertise and new ambitions, but it also underlines how far MultiChoice has fallen from its glory days.
As streaming services tighten their grip, piracy continues to spread and African consumers demand better value for money, the company faces perhaps the biggest battle in its history.
For many Ugandan households, the remote control has become the ultimate vote. Increasingly, viewers are switching away from traditional pay television in search of cheaper, more flexible alternatives, leaving DStv fighting not only for subscribers, but also for its place in Africa’s rapidly changing entertainment landscape.
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A multi-billion-shilling solar power project hailed as a landmark renewable energy investment has become the centre of an embarrassing accountability row after the Auditor General revealed that Busitema University has not earned a single shilling from electricity sales because of the absence of a clear revenue-sharing agreement and operational framework with the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development.
The findings, contained in the Auditor General’s report for the financial year ending December 2025, expose governance and planning weaknesses that have denied the university revenue from its flagship 4 Megawatt solar power plant, even though the facility has been feeding electricity into the national grid.
The Auditor General found that owing to the lack of a clear revenue-sharing agreement and operational framework governing the solar project with the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development, Busitema University has not earned any revenue from electricity sales.
The revelation has thrown the spotlight on one of Uganda’s most celebrated renewable energy projects, commissioned in 2022 under a bilateral agreement between the governments of Uganda and Egypt.
Constructed at a cost of USD 6.5 million through a grant from the Government of Egypt, the 4MW photovoltaic power station was established at Busitema University’s main campus in Busia District to strengthen renewable energy education while contributing electricity to the national grid.
The project was developed under an agreement between Uganda’s Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development and Egypt’s Ministry of Electricity and Renewable Energy. Busitema University was selected as the host institution before an agreement was signed between the university and the Ministry of Energy, with Busitema University Fund (SMC) Limited operating the project on behalf of the university.
Although the project obtained a grid connection licence from the Electricity Regulatory Authority and a Power Purchase Agreement with the Uganda Electricity Transmission Company Limited (UETCL), the Auditor General says the university has not realised revenue because there is no clear framework defining how proceeds from electricity sales should be shared.
The findings raise fresh questions about why a project designed to strengthen renewable energy education and contribute electricity to the national grid has failed to generate financial returns for the university several years after commissioning.
The audit also exposes wider management challenges at the institution.
According to the Auditor General, Busitema University accumulated domestic arrears amounting to UGX2.024 billion. Out of this amount, UGX1.582 billion related to employees and tax arrears, while graduate fellows’ allowances totalled UGX170.7 million.
The report warns that the outstanding obligations expose the university to the risk of litigation by employees.
Procurement management also came under scrutiny.
Auditors established that the university failed to prepare multi-year procurement plans for two procurements worth UGX2.579 billion, contrary to proper planning requirements.
The report further reveals that 40 obsolete assets had already been recommended for disposal but were never included in the procurement and disposal plan for the 2024/2025 financial year, leaving outdated government property sitting idle instead of being formally disposed of.
Planning failures also emerged as a major concern.
The Auditor General found that the university had not finalised the strategic plan aligned to the National Development Plan IV by 1 July 2025, raising concerns over the institution’s long-term planning and alignment with national development priorities.
Despite these governance shortcomings, auditors noted that funds allocated for non-payroll outputs amounting to UGX18.856 billion were fully warranted and utilised. However, implementation remained mixed, with 18 outputs fully implemented while 15 outputs were only partially implemented, suggesting that significant planned activities were not fully achieved.
Ironically, the findings come at a time when Busitema University continues to receive recognition for innovation and research.
The university has distinguished itself nationally through research in sustainable agriculture, HIV self-testing interventions and food security, while the 4MW solar plant has been promoted as a Renewable Energy Centre of Excellence supporting engineering education and contributing power to surrounding communities and the national grid.
However, the Auditor General’s findings suggest that despite the project’s technical success and academic value, unresolved governance arrangements between the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development and Busitema University have prevented the institution from benefiting financially from electricity sales.
The audit also highlights broader concerns affecting Uganda’s public universities, noting that many institutions lack standardised procedures for disseminating research findings to policymakers, local communities, industry partners and other stakeholders. As a result, many innovations remain underutilised, limiting their visibility, practical application and contribution to national development.
The latest report now piles pressure on the leadership of Busitema University and officials at the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development to explain why a multi-million-dollar solar investment that has become a symbol of Uganda’s renewable energy ambitions continues to generate electricity for the national grid without generating revenue for the university that hosts it.
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KAMPALA, UGANDA — Speke Apartments Wampewo has officially solidified its status as a powerhouse in East Africa’s luxury hospitality sector. In a spectacular global milestone, the premium property has been named a 2026 Travellers’ Choice Award Winner by TripAdvisor, placing it comfortably within the top 10% of hotels and apartments worldwide.
The prestigious global recognition is determined by the quality and quantity of genuine traveler reviews and ratings logged on the travel platform over a 12-month period, reflecting consistent, top-tier guest satisfaction.
A Review of Kampala’s Crown Jewel of Luxury
Nestled along Wampewo Avenue in the upscale, highly secure neighborhood of Kololo, Speke Apartments seamlessly bridges the gap between presidential corporate accommodation and leisurely family escapes.
An analysis of the property highlights why global travelers voted it into the top decile:
Palatial, Self-Catering Living:The property features 144 beautifully designed units ranging from one-bedroom layouts to expansive, multi-bedroom penthouses and villas.Each space boasts fully equipped kitchens fitted with ovens, microwaves, and laundry facilities, offering the convenience of a modern home with the service of a 5-star destination.
World-Class Wellness & Leisure:Guests rave about the premium health club, on-site spa treatments, sauna, and steam rooms.The facility also features a large, heated outdoor swimming pool—a rare luxury in Kampala—and a children’s playground, making it incredibly family-friendly.
Strategic Location:Located just a five-minute drive from the Central Business District and close to Acacia Mall and the Uganda Golf Course, it remains the ultimate base for international diplomats and business executives.
With its attentive 24-hour concierge desk, pristine housekeeping, and secure parking, Speke Apartments Wampewo continues to set the benchmark for luxury lodging in Uganda.
Experience Award-Winning Luxury Firsthand:
For bookings and inquiries, contact the reservation desk directly at +256 752 711 704 or visit the property at Plot 19-21, Wampewo Avenue, Kololo.
Former Tanzanian President Mwalimu Julius Kambarage Nyerere and the Senior Presidential Advisor on Defence and Security Matters, Lt. Gen. Proscovia Nalweyiso, were yesterday honoured for their immense contribution to Uganda’s 1981–1986 liberation struggle that ushered the National Resistance Army/Movement (NRA/M) into power.
The recognition came during the hybrid pass-out ceremony for the 18th Intake (2025/2026) of recruits at the UPDF Basic Military Training School in Kaweweta, Nakaseke District.
The ceremony was presided over by President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, who is also the Commander-in-Chief of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF). Held both physically and virtually, it brought together recruits trained at the Kaweweta, Ruhengyere and Butyaba military training schools.
A total of 11,948 recruits successfully completed their basic military training, including 1,741 recruits from the Central African Republic (CAR), who trained alongside their Ugandan counterparts.
During the ceremony, the UPDF recognised exceptional recruits for outstanding performance in various areas of training. Amanya Salwa emerged as the best overall recruit, while Tasi Chrispas, Opoka Richard, Nashemeza Michelle and Frank Loko were also honoured for excellence in their respective categories.
The awards were named after distinguished leaders whose service has significantly contributed to Uganda’s security, military development and regional liberation efforts. They included President Museveni, the Chief of Defence Forces, Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, Mwalimu Julius Nyerere and Lt. Gen. Proscovia Nalweyiso.
President Museveni has on several occasions paid tribute to Mwalimu Nyerere for his unwavering support to Uganda’s liberation movements and his pivotal role in promoting regional peace and stability. Likewise, Lt. Gen. Nalweyiso is widely recognised for her pioneering and strategic role during the NRA bush war. She is celebrated as East Africa’s first female star general and remains the highest-ranking female officer in the UPDF.
Presenting the outstanding recruits, the Chief Instructor of the UPDF Basic Military Training School–Kaweweta, Col. Joseph Okello, said the awards were intended to honour exemplary performance while preserving the legacy of distinguished leaders.
“Your Excellency, Sir, I am here to present to you the five recruits who excelled in various fields during the training. These awards are named after distinguished leaders and guests from Uganda and East Africa whose contributions continue to inspire excellence,” Col. Okello said.
Award Winners:
-Order of the Commander-in-Chief Award (Best Overall Recruit): Amanya Salwa
-Chief of Defence Forces Award (Best Field Performance): Tasi Chrispas
-Order of the Queen Award (Best Academic Performance): Opoka Richard
-Lt. Gen. Proscovia Nalweyiso Award (Best Female Recruit): Nashemeza Michelle
-Mwalimu Julius Nyerere Award (Best Allied Recruit): Frank Loko
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KAMPALA: Bukalasa Agricultural College, one of Uganda’s oldest agricultural training institutions, has come under the spotlight after the Auditor General uncovered glaring management failures that have left equipment lying idle, key assets falling apart, planning grinding to a halt and millions of shillings tied up in unpaid receivables.
The findings, contained in the Auditor General’s report for the financial year ending December 2025, expose weaknesses in governance, financial management, procurement and institutional planning, piling pressure on the college management to explain why critical systems meant to support teaching and learning have been allowed to deteriorate.
Gelvan Kisolo Lule is the Principal of Bukalasa Agricultural College, a premier agricultural training institution located in Wobulenzi, Luweero District, Uganda.
The audit reveals that receivables at the college skyrocketed from UGX22 million in the year ended 30 June 2024 to UGX244.51 million by 30 June 2025. According to the Auditor General, the sharp increase reduced the college’s resources required to provide educational services, raising concerns about financial management and revenue recovery.
The Auditor General also found that the college lacked proper controls to monitor the use of equipment purchased using public funds.
According to the report, management had no system for documenting equipment usage logs, maintenance schedules, access controls or equipment downtime reports, making it difficult to monitor how the equipment was being used and maintained.
As if that was not enough, auditors established that much of the equipment was underutilised, while several important assets had fallen into a state of disrepair.
Among the assets singled out were the college school bus, the baler machine used for cutting grass and staff houses, all of which were found to be in poor condition despite being important resources for the institution.
The report further exposes procurement weaknesses after it emerged that Bukalasa Agricultural College does not have a full-time Procurement Officer. Instead, the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF) assigned an officer to support the college only on a part-time basis, a situation that raises concerns about the effectiveness and timeliness of procurement operations.
Planning at the institution was equally found wanting.
Auditors established that after the previous strategic plan expired in the 2023/2024 financial year, the college failed to develop a new strategic plan to guide its operations, leaving the institution without an approved roadmap for implementing its programmes and achieving its long-term objectives.
Even the annual work plan was found to have gaps, with two activities lacking performance indicators or targets, making it difficult to measure progress and determine whether planned objectives were being achieved.
Financially, the college had budgeted to receive UGX8.068 billion during the year but realised only UGX7.695 billion, representing 95 per cent of the expected revenue. The resulting UGX372 million shortfall, according to the Auditor General, negatively affected implementation of planned activities and delivery of expected services.
The audit also found that the college failed to comply with statutory reporting requirements.
According to the report, Bukalasa Agricultural College did not prepare its annual report or revenue reports as required by law. As a result, the annual report, together with the audited financial statements and audit report, was not submitted to the Minister as required under the Act, raising fresh concerns over accountability and transparency at the institution.
The report paints the picture of an agricultural college struggling with weak planning, inadequate oversight and poor asset management, despite being expected to produce the skilled workforce needed to drive Uganda’s agro-industrialisation agenda.
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KAMPALA: Kawempe National Referral Hospital (KNRH) has been thrust into the spotlight after the Auditor General exposed a string of management failures, including the hospital’s failure to use the government’s e-Afya electronic system to manage vaccines and medicines, even as staff reportedly complain that the much-publicised platform is faulty and offers little help in their day-to-day work.
The findings, contained in the Auditor General’s report for the financial year ending December 2025, paint a worrying picture of weak procurement, poor planning, critical staffing shortages and persistent service delivery failures at one of Uganda’s busiest referral hospitals.
At the centre of the report is the hospital’s failure to use the Ministry of Health’s e-Afya Electronic Medical Records (EMR) and Health Management Information System to manage vaccine and medicine inventories.
The Auditor General found that there were challenges in the management of vaccines and medicines, including inappropriate storage of vaccines and medicines, inadequate records for vaccine utilisation and failure to use the e-Afya system to manage vaccine and medicine inventory.
The audit findings come amid complaints from some hospital staff that the e-Afya system has persistent technical challenges and does not adequately support their work despite being promoted as a solution for digital management of patient records, laboratory services and pharmacy inventory. However, while staff have raised concerns about the system’s functionality, the Auditor General’s report specifically cites the hospital’s failure to use the system as one of the weaknesses affecting medicines and vaccine management.
The report reveals that the hospital also fell short in procurement compliance after failing to indicate procurements reserved for registered associations as required under Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets (PPDA) guidelines. Consequently, no contracts were awarded to registered associations, contrary to the regulations.
Auditors further found that the hospital failed to execute one procurement worth UGX 18.755 million, delaying delivery of the goods, works or services that patients were expected to benefit from.
The Procurement and Disposal Unit (PDU) was itself found struggling with a lack of training needs assessments, inadequate performance reporting and inadequate staffing, shortcomings that affected its overall performance.
Planning failures also featured prominently in the report.
Auditors established that actual funding during implementation of the hospital’s strategic plan fell short of projected costs by 56 per cent, affecting execution of planned activities.
Out of 28 sampled strategic plan targets, only 17 targets, representing 61 per cent, were fully achieved, while six targets, equivalent to 21 per cent, were only partially achieved. Another five targets, representing 18 per cent, could not even be assessed because the underlying activities lacked proper and measurable performance indicators.
By November 2025, the hospital had only prepared a draft strategic plan for the next implementation period, but it had not yet been approved by the National Planning Authority, exposing the risk that hospital activities may not align with Uganda’s National Development Plan.
The Auditor General also established that the hospital’s Budget Framework Paper and annual budget were only 76 per cent compliant with National Development Plan III outputs, indicating continued weaknesses in planning.
Financially, Kawempe National Referral Hospital received an approved budget of UGX 23.642 billion, all of which was warranted. Of this, UGX 22.199 billion was utilised, representing an absorption rate of 94 per cent.
The hospital also surpassed its revenue target, collecting UGX 619 million against a planned UGX 500 million, representing 24 per cent above the budgeted revenue.
Auditors reviewed implementation of 13 sampled non-payroll outputs worth UGX 6.212 billion and found that 12 outputs were fully implemented, while one could not be assessed because it had not been properly quantified.
Despite spending billions, patients continued to face serious service delivery challenges.
The report identifies delays in conducting blood tests within expected timelines, congestion, non-functional equipment, inadequate medical equipment and insufficient maintenance budgets among the obstacles affecting patient care.
Staff shortages remain equally alarming.
Out of an approved establishment of 938 positions, only 440 posts, representing 47 per cent, were filled, leaving 495 positions, or 53 per cent, vacant, piling enormous pressure on the available health workers.
The hospital has also been slow in implementing previous audit recommendations.
Out of six recommendations contained in Parliament’s report on the Auditor General’s report for the financial year ended 30 June 2021, only two recommendations, representing 33 per cent, had been fully implemented, while four recommendations, equivalent to 66 per cent, remained only partially implemented.
The latest audit findings now place the hospital’s management under intense pressure to explain why procurement weaknesses, planning failures, medicine management gaps, severe staffing shortages and poor implementation of previous audit recommendations continue to persist. They also reignite debate over the effectiveness of the e-Afya system, with staff questioning its functionality while auditors fault the hospital for failing to use it in managing medicines and vaccines.
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