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At the quarterfinal stage, the tournament becomes more strategic, where not only emotion but tactical flexibility, squad depth, and big-game experience play a decisive role. The teams enter these matches fully prepared, while coaching decisions and individual brilliance of star players take center stage. This is where the true title contenders emerge, and every clash becomes a test of composure and who has what it takes to go all the way. Best sports betting site / Meilleur site de paris sportif international / Melhor site de apostas desportivas 1xBet will cover the key matchups, breaking down what to expect from the key knockout-stage showdowns.

France vs Morocco

Odds: France win – 1.619, draw – 4.02, Morocco win – 6.7

Les Bleus are on a 6-match winning streak, during which they’ve averaged almost 3 goals per game. The unstoppable attacking trio of Olise, Dembélé, and Mbappé is leading France towards a third championship title. Kylian has scored 7 goals and is among the frontrunners in the race for the Golden Boot of the tournament in America. But Morocco will certainly not be an easy opponent – the Atlas Lions are on a 34-match unbeaten run that has lasted almost a year. At the Globe Cup, Mohamed Ouahbi’s side held off Brazil’s pressure and went on to send the Netherlands and Canada home. The African team has everything it takes to repeat its Qatar success.

Spain vs Belgium

Odds: Spain win – 1.651, draw – 4.175, Belgium win – 5.88

La Roja have won 4 of their 5 games at the World Football Forum without conceding a single goal. Unai Simón has kept 5 clean sheets and is one of the leading contenders for the Golden Glove. In the round of 16, Spain beat Portugal, shattering Cristiano Ronaldo’s Globe Cup dreams, and are now determined to end Belgium’s 18-match undefeated streak.

The Red Devils were given a boost by their comeback victory over Senegal and went on to thrash the tournament hosts, the US national team, in the round of 16. In the quarter-finals, Rudi Garcia’s men will have to pull off another miracle to stop the unbeatable Spanish side.

Norway vs England

Odds: Norway win – 4.43, draw – 3.855, England win – 1.886

In the round of 16, England withstood the immense pressure at Estadio Azteca and defeated Mexico (3-2), whereas Norway sent Brazil home thanks to a brace from Erling Haaland. The Manchester City striker has scored in every World Football Forum match he has featured in, and given the Three Lions’ defensive problems, he has every chance of extending his scoring run.

England have plenty to offer in response. The attacking duo of Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham is ruthless in front of goal and always ready to punish the opposition’s defense for the slightest mistake.

Argentina vs Switzerland

Odds: Argentina win – 1.785, draw – 3.63, Switzerland win – 5.57

A showdown between teams that love late drama – Switzerland beat Colombia on penalties, while Argentina staged the tournament’s biggest comeback, recovering from 2-0 down against Egypt in less than 20 minutes. Lionel Messi’s magic lit up America’s pitches again, bringing La Albiceleste closer to defending their title. Argentina’s captain has scored 8 goals in 5 games and will start the match against Switzerland as the all-time top scorer in World Football Forum history.

By this stage, only teams that have come through the toughest tests of pressure, resilience, and results remain. Now, favorites must not only justify their status but also find ways to overcome opponents that thrive in the intensity of knockout football. The quarterfinals often separate a strong campaign and genuine title ambitions. Every goal, save, substitution, and tactical move can decide who advances to the semifinals.

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MASAKA CITY — Leaving the comfort of public service for the uncertainties of commercial agriculture is a bold decision that demands vision, resilience and determination. For Mr Ronald Ssegawa Gyagenda, founder and proprietor of Rona Farm, that leap has evolved into a thriving agribusiness that is creating jobs, promoting food security and demonstrating that modern farming can be a powerful engine for wealth creation.

Situated on a 20-acre property at Kabale-Bugonzi Hill along the Kampala–Masaka highway in Masaka City, Rona Farm has grown into a diversified agricultural enterprise integrating poultry, piggery, coffee production, maize processing and farmer training.

Today, the farm stands as a testament to how private investment in agriculture can drive local economic development by creating employment opportunities, adding value to agricultural products and inspiring more Ugandans to embrace farming as a profitable business.

From the moment visitors enter the farm, they are greeted by well-organised poultry houses, neatly maintained coffee gardens, modern piggery units and agro-processing facilities that reflect innovation, efficiency and sound farm management.

On Thursday, June 19, 2026, Mr Ssegawa, dressed in a blue overall, moved from one section of the farm to another, supervising workers and monitoring daily operations. To a first-time visitor, he appeared to be an ordinary farm employee rather than the proprietor.

That hands-on approach, however, defines his leadership philosophy.

“People often assume that once you have worked in government, you should not engage in physically demanding work. I am living proof that agriculture is a respectable and rewarding business. I chose to invest in something that creates jobs and benefits the community,” Mr Ssegawa said.

Named after its founder’s first name, Rona Farm currently employs more than 150 workers across its various enterprises, including poultry production, piggery, coffee nursery management, maize processing, administration and records management.

Modern Poultry Farming Driving Productivity

Poultry production is one of the farm’s flagship enterprises.

Rona Farm keeps more than 3,400 layer chickens housed in specially designed wooden structures that provide adequate ventilation, sufficient space and a healthy environment to maximise productivity.

The birds are fed on carefully formulated feeds, including maize bran processed under the farm’s own Buddu Pure Maize brand. They are also grouped into different housing sections named after regions such as Buganda and Tooro to simplify management and monitoring.

Each bird receives about 120 grammes of feed daily, while strict adherence to hygiene, proper spacing and routine health management has significantly boosted egg production.

Ms Prossy Nalumu, a poultry attendant at the farm, says proper feeding remains the foundation of successful poultry farming.

“I encourage anyone interested in poultry farming to prioritise proper feeding. Farmers should never underfeed their birds because good nutrition directly determines productivity,” she said.

Another employee, Ms Florence Tusiime, attributes the farm’s success to its emphasis on cleanliness, adequate ventilation, regular monitoring and continuous access to clean water.

According to farm management, Rona Farm collects more than 900 trays of eggs every day, which are sold at around Shs12,000 per tray, depending on market conditions and purchase volumes.

Investing in Quality Piggery

Beyond poultry, Rona Farm has established a modern piggery enterprise specialising in improved breeds, including Camborough pigs for breeding and commercial pork production.

The pigs are raised in well-designed housing units equipped with water systems and managed under strict biosecurity measures to minimise disease outbreaks. Visitors entering the piggery section are required to disinfect their footwear before accessing the facilities.

Once they attain market weight of between 100 and 120 kilogrammes, the pigs are sold for approximately Shs800,000 or more, depending on prevailing market prices.

The farm also supplies high-quality pig semen at approximately Shs40,000 per package to farmers seeking to improve their breeding stock.

Piglets sourced from different parts of Uganda, including Gulu District, are nurtured at the farm before being sold to farmers starting or expanding their piggery enterprises.

Supporting Uganda’s Coffee Industry

Coffee production forms another important pillar of Rona Farm’s operations.

The farm produces improved coffee seedlings, including KR4, KR5 and KR6 varieties, which are supplied to farmers across the country.

The seedlings retail at approximately Shs5,000 each, depending on the quantity purchased.

Mr Ssegawa believes that Uganda can significantly increase earnings from coffee by prioritising quality management rather than merely expanding acreage.

“Success in coffee farming is not about planting vast plantations alone. What matters is proper management and the income generated from every coffee tree,” he said.

Building a Practical Agricultural Training Centre

Beyond commercial production, Mr Ssegawa envisions transforming Rona Farm into a centre for practical agricultural education.

Plans are underway to establish training programmes targeting university students, secondary school learners, researchers and farmers interested in acquiring hands-on skills in modern agriculture.

“We want students, lecturers, researchers and farmers to come here and learn by doing. Agriculture should not remain confined to classrooms; it must be practised in the field,” he said.

The farm also processes and markets Buddu Pure Maize Flour, supplying households, schools and other institutions while promoting value addition and supporting local manufacturing.

Mr Ssegawa urges Ugandans to support locally manufactured products as a way of strengthening domestic industries and fostering economic self-reliance.

Agriculture as a Pathway to Wealth Creation

Rona Farm has further embraced environmentally sustainable farming through the production of organic fertiliser using black soldier flies. The insects are bred and processed into organic fertilisers while also providing protein-rich ingredients for animal feed.

According to Mr Ssegawa, agriculture remains one of Uganda’s most effective tools for tackling unemployment, increasing household incomes and driving sustainable economic growth.

“Our young people need productive employment instead of spending most of their time engaged in politics. Agriculture provides skills, creates jobs and generates income for families,” he said.

He also commended President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni’s continued emphasis on wealth creation through enterprise development and practical skills acquisition, saying the message remains relevant in encouraging Ugandans to invest in productive sectors.

“We should focus on practical investments that create jobs and improve livelihoods. Agriculture enables people to work, produce wealth and transform their communities,” he added.

As Rona Farm continues expanding its coffee nurseries, livestock enterprises, value-addition projects and agricultural training programmes, Mr Ssegawa hopes it will evolve into one of Uganda’s leading agricultural demonstration and learning centres.

His journey from government service to commercial farming illustrates the immense opportunities within Uganda’s agricultural sector and serves as a powerful reminder that, with innovation, discipline and commitment, agriculture can be transformed from a subsistence activity into a thriving business that creates jobs, generates wealth and contributes to national development.

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An Open Letter to the EAC Heads of States and Ministers of Education

Warm greetings your excellences: Uganda: President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni-Uganda, President Évariste Ndayishimiye-Burundi, President Félix -Tshisekedi -DRC, President William Ruto-Kenya, President Paul Kagame-Rwanda, President Hassan Sheikh -Mohamud-Somalia, President Salva Kiir Mayardit,  President Samia Suluhu Hassan-TZ, Hon Ministers of Education (Dr. François Havyarimana is the Minister of National Education and Scientific Research- Burundi, Julius Migos Ogamba  Cabinet Secretary for Education- Kenya, Joseph Nsengimana is the Minister of Education-Rwanda, Farah Sheikh Abdulkadir is the Minister of Education, Culture and Higher Education-Somalia, Dr. Kuyok Abol Kuyok is the Minister of General Education and Instruction- South Sudan, Prof. Adolf F. Mkenda serves as the Minister for Education, Science and Technology- Tanzania, Janet Kataaha Museveni is the Minister of Education and Sports- Uganda).

Salaams from Gulu University, Quality Education Consultancy Ltd (QECL), OPUL Skilling Foundation Africa (OSFA), Rotary Clubs of Uganda,Rotary Club of Soroti Central(my club) and Uganda Red Cross Society (URCS). Your Excellencies, East Africa stands at a defining moment in its history,the East African Community (EAC), home to over 300 million people, possesses fertile lands, strategic geographic positioning, abundant natural resources, and one of the youngest populations in the world. 

HEIs in East Africa encompass:Universities, Technical, Vocational Higher Institutions (TVET/Polytechnics) and Specialized Health training institutions, HEIs are estimated to number over 1,400. HEIs in EA are not just education providers they are strategic development engines. Their roles include:Producing skilled labour (engineers, doctors, teachers, technologists) , Driving research and innovation, Supporting industrialization and manufacturing, Strengthening entrepreneurship and SMEs and Enhancing regional integration and mobility. 

The EAC boasts hundreds of universities and tertiary institutions producing engineers, scientists, technologists, entrepreneurs, agricultural experts, and researchers. Yet the linkage between academia and industry remains weak. Too many brilliant ideas remain trapped in dissertations, conference proceedings, and library shelves. Knowledge that is not commercialized is like a seed stored forever in a granary it holds promise but yields no harvest. In the twenty-first century, HEIs must become innovation foundries, industrial accelerators, and knowledge powerhouses. They should function as economic engines rather than academic islands.HEIs that produces graduates without producing solutions is like a well that gives no water despite being full.

Yet, despite these advantages, the region remains heavily dependent on imported manufactured goods, machinery, pharmaceuticals, electronics, chemicals, and industrial inputs. Estimates indicate that approximately 84% of many value-added products consumed within the region originate outside the EAC, while intra-EAC trade remains around a slender 14% of total trade. We are like a farmer sitting on a granary yet borrowing food from neighbors.

It should be noted that HEIs in East Africa do not have comprehensive, centralized, or harmonized baseline data on these metrics as of 2025. While universities and higher education systems hold some internal metrics, the overall institutional landscape remains fragmented and lacks standardized tracking for revenue and job creation.The primary danger of lacking baseline data on business start-ups, innovations, and job creation in East Africa is blind policymaking. Without empirical data mapping the transition from primary school to HEIs, regional governments risk misallocating resources, misjudging the youth unemployment crisis, and stifling the growth of emerging markets. The absence of a standardized, data-driven ecosystem creates severe structural and economic risks for the region: 

North America led by Silicon Valley, New York City, and Boston remains the world’s dominant startup and innovation region, with more than 71,000 startups in the United States alone and North America generating an estimated $31.5 trillion in combined startup enterprise value and over 112,900 venture-backed startups; Asia ranks second with about $8.9 trillion in enterprise value, driven by ecosystems such as Beijing, Shenzhen, Tokyo, and Bengaluru, while Europe remains a major innovation hub led by London, Paris, and Stockholm. Recent global startup reports show Asia-Pacific as the fastest-growing startup region (+27.4%), followed by Europe (+26.2%) and the Middle East & Africa has lowest globally (+24.9%), reflecting the rapid emergence of new entrepreneurial ecosystems. Innovation accelerators, venture capital networks, research institutions, and technology clusters in these regions generate trillions of dollars in enterprise value, thousands of high-growth firms, and millions of jobs. Their success is strongly linked to education: primary education builds literacy, numeracy, creativity, and problem-solving foundations; secondary education develops STEM, digital, and entrepreneurial competencies; and tertiary education through universities, technical colleges, and research centers produces the scientists, engineers, innovators, and entrepreneurs who create startups, commercialize research, attract investment, and drive economic growth. Global ecosystem rankings consistently identify talent, knowledge creation, and university-industry collaboration as core factors behind startup success, demonstrating that sustained investment in education from primary through tertiary levels is a critical prerequisite for innovation, business acceleration, productivity growth, and long-term revenue generation.

Regions with the lowest levels of startup activity, innovation, business acceleration, and revenue generation are concentrated in parts of Africa, especially fragile and low-income economies in Sub-Saharan Africa, as well as some small island developing states in the Pacific Islands and conflict-affected areas of the Middle East. According to the 2025 Global Startup Ecosystem Report, Africa accounts for less than 1% of global startup ecosystem value, compared with North America’s roughly 55–60%, while many African countries attract less than 0.1% of global venture capital investment.

The paradox is difficult to ignore. East Africa exports raw coffee but imports expensive packaged beverages. We export cotton yet import finished garments. We export minerals but import the technologies that process them. As the saying goes, we continue to “sell the goose and buy back the golden egg.” This economic structure drains foreign exchange, limits industrial growth, and perpetuates dependency. The region has become a supermarket for foreign producers rather than a workshop for its own innovators.

Europe and Asia offers powerful lessons. Following the devastation of the Second World War, universities across countries such as Germany, Netherlands, Finland, and Sweden became central pillars of reconstruction and industrial development. Research universities partnered closely with industries, creating innovation ecosystems that generated patents, startups, advanced manufacturing, and globally competitive products. The result was not merely economic recovery but the creation of a highly integrated regional economy.

The success of the European Union was not built solely on treaties and customs unions. It was also built in laboratories, research parks, engineering workshops, and university-industry partnerships. Programs such as Erasmus+ fostered academic mobility and knowledge sharing, while collaborative research initiatives enabled universities to solve common economic challenges. Europe understood that ideas travel before goods do; knowledge integration precedes market integration.

East Africa can draw a similar lesson. If HEIs in Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan, Somalia, and the Democratic Republic of Congo collaborate on research and innovation, they can become architects of regional value chains. Agricultural scientists can improve food processing technologies. Engineers can design affordable machinery. Pharmacists can develop regional pharmaceutical production, Computer scientists can create digital trade platforms.HEIs can become the intellectual highways that connect East Africa’s economies.

Scripture offers profound guidance. The Bible teaches, “Where there is no vision, the people perish” (Proverbs 29:18). Likewise, the Holy Qur’an reminds us, “Indeed, Allah will not change the condition of a people until they change what is in themselves” (Qur’an 13:11). These passages emphasize that transformation begins with purposeful action. Economic sovereignty cannot be imported; it must be cultivated through knowledge, innovation, and leadership.

Your Excellencies, there is a touch of satire in our current predicament. We educate engineers who import basic machine components,we train chemists who import chemicals that could be produced locally. We graduate agricultural scientists while importing processed foods made from crops grown on East African soil. It is akin to owning a bakery but importing bread from across the ocean. Such contradictions should provoke reflection and reform.

EAST AFRICAN  CALL TO ACTION AND FINAL APPEA

 Reform the East African Qualifications Framework for Higher Education (EAQFHE) to East African Council Higher education to spear head business start ups,Business accelerations,Innovations ,job creation and expand of revenue base.

To drive economic sovereignty, the East African Community must reform the EAQFHE into a powerful East African Council for Higher Education (EACHE), transforming HEIs from purely academic institutions into commercial engines that spearhead business startups, accelerators,Innovations ,job creation and expand of revenue base. By rewriting qualification standards to mandate that all graduates must launch practical, scalable ventures or import-substituting innovations, this reformed council will directly tackle the region’s 84% import dependence. Furthermore, by legalizing HEIs-owned intellectual property networks and cross-border commercial hubs, HEIs will diversify their own revenue bases while engineering the highly integrated supply chains needed to aggressively expand intra-EAC trade far beyond the current, slender 14%.This step mimics global benchmarks like the European Higher Education Area (EHEA).The goal should be to move from “publish or perish” to “innovate, patent, produce, and prosper.”

5-10 years Strategic plans of HEIs in EA should Catalyze Innovation, Startups, Acceleration, and Commercialization Hubs

The 5-10 year strategic plans of all HEIs should prioritize transforming their institutions into centers of innovation, entrepreneurship, and commercialization alongside their traditional teaching and research functions. This transformation should be supported through the establishment of innovation and enterprise incubation centers, modern laboratories, workshops, digital infrastructure, makerspaces, and technology transfer units that enable students and researchers to develop, test, and commercialize innovative ideas. Drawing lessons from the success of Stanford University and its role in fostering the innovation ecosystem of Silicon Valley, Ugandan universities should integrate innovation, product development, entrepreneurship, startup creation, and commercialization into all academic programs. This approach will equip graduates with practical skills and hands-on experience to solve real-world challenges, create jobs and enterprises, generate economic value, and contribute meaningfully to EA’s socio-economic transformation and global competitiveness.

Build a Robust HEIs-Industry-Investment Ecosystem

EA governments should institutionalize strong partnerships between HEIs, industry, financial institutions, technology firms, investors, and development partners. The economic influence of Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard University has largely been driven by their close collaboration with industry, research organizations, venture capital firms, and global innovation networks. EA should establish student startup funds, venture financing mechanisms, innovation challenge grants, industrial innovation fellowships, and mandatory entrepreneurship mentorship programs to create a continuous pipeline from education to enterprise creation, employment generation, and economic transformation.

Your Excellencies, the choice before us is clear. We can continue exporting raw materials and importing poverty, or we can harness our universities to create wealth, industries, and opportunities from within. Let East Africa’s Higher Education Institutions evolve from ivory towers into industrial titans; from centers of instruction into engines of production; from repositories of knowledge into catalysts of economic transformation. The future of East Africa will not be built merely in ministries and boardrooms, it will be forged in classrooms, laboratories, research centers, and innovation hubs. The seeds of East Africa’s industrial renaissance are already planted within our universities. It is now time to water them.

Respectfully Submitted,

Dr. OPUL JOSEPH, PhD

Lecturer, Gulu University
Founder, Quality Education Consultancy Ltd (QECL)
CEO, OPUL Skilling Foundation Africa (OSFA)
President , Rotary Club of Soroti Central
Life Member, Uganda Red Cross Society

A Concerned Advocate for Higher Education, Innovation, Industrialization, and Regional Integration in East Africa

 

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Joseph Ngooma says he has no regrets about accepting financial support from renowned traditional healer Sophia Namutebi, popularly known as Maama Fiina, insisting she backed his concert as a fan and nothing more.

The gospel singer addressed the criticism while confirming that all preparations are complete for his concert on July 11 at Lugogo Cricket Oval.

Mama Fina is also just a fan like many other fans who wanted to support my gospel music business. She wanted to contribute just like everyone else.

Ngoma said he never understood why some people questioned his decision to accept the contribution, maintaining that he welcomes support from anyone who appreciates his music and ministry.

He even joked that he had not followed up with Maama Fiina after the gesture.

In fact, I just forgot to check on her, but I have to look for her so that she buys some tickets.

Turning to the concert, Ngoma called on gospel music lovers to arrive early, revealing that gates will open at 11 am for what he described as a day of praise, worship, and inspiration.

I want everyone to come early because the gates will be open from 11:00 in the morning. We have prepared a great experience filled with inspiring gospel music, and I believe everyone who attends will be blessed.

With the countdown now in its final days, Ngoma says his focus is on delivering a memorable worship experience as he prepares to take the stage at Lugogo Cricket Oval on Saturday.

The ongoing conversation surrounding the late Kadongo Kamu singer Paul Kafeero‘s DNA results has drawn reactions from across the country, and Pastor Martin Ssempa has now shared where he stands on the issue.

Speaking on Sanyuka TV, Ssempa said he has no desire to take a DNA test because he believes fatherhood extends beyond blood.

I do not want DNA. I am a father of many.

The pastor explained that he measures fatherhood by the love, care, and guidance a person gives, not by genetics alone.

He said his belief reflects Christian teaching, which calls on believers to embrace one another instead of allowing biological differences to define their relationships.

Turning to the Kafeero family, Ssempa appealed for reconciliation following the recent DNA findings.

He urged everyone involved to forgive one another, remain united, and resist the temptation to let the test results create lasting divisions.

According to Ssempa, DNA can establish biological relationships, but it cannot replace the values that hold families together.

The recent decision by Goodlyfe Magic Limited, trading as Radio & Weasel, to withdraw the Radio & Weasel catalogue from the Uganda Performing Right Society (UPRS) has once again brought Uganda’s royalty conversation into the spotlight. The company questioned the royalties it had received and called for greater transparency in the management of its catalogue.

While that matter runs its course, it has exposed a bigger issue: many young artists still do not fully understand what copyright protection, royalty collection, and rights management are meant to do.

The first thing every artist should know is that copyright protection and royalty collection are not the same thing.

The moment you create and record an original song, you own its copyright. Registering your work helps establish ownership should a dispute arise. It protects your rights, but it does not generate income on its own.

Royalties only come into play when your music is commercially used.

Commercial use simply means someone is using your music to support or enhance a business or service. This includes radio and television broadcasts, bars and restaurants playing your songs, concerts, shopping malls, hotels, gyms, public events, and certain digital services.

Every commercial use has the potential to generate royalties, provided it is licensed, reported, and paid for.

The next step is registering your music with a Collective Management Organisation (CMO), commonly known as a royalty collection society.

For most Ugandan artists, joining UPRS is usually the most practical option. Besides collecting royalties from licensed users within Uganda, it also works with similar organisations around the world through reciprocal agreements.

That means if your music is properly registered and used abroad, there is a mechanism through which those royalties can eventually find their way back to you.

An international CMO may also be appropriate, depending on where your career is based. However, for an artist whose primary market is Uganda, a local society generally has a better understanding of the domestic industry, local broadcasters, venues, and music users.

It is therefore better positioned to monitor local usage while still connecting you to the international royalty network.

Understanding royalties, however, is only part of the picture.

Many artists also confuse digital monetisation with royalty collection. They are related, but they are different income streams.

Digital monetisation is the money earned directly from platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube, TikTok, and Boomplay through streams, advertising, and platform-specific licensing. This income is usually paid through your music distributor or digital rights administrator.

Royalties collected by a CMO, on the other hand, primarily come from the public performance and broadcast of your music by licensed businesses and organisations.

A successful artist can earn from both at the same time.

One of the biggest misconceptions is that joining a collecting society means money will start arriving immediately. It does not work that way.

Before royalties can be distributed, music usage has to be tracked. Licensed users, such as broadcasters and venues, are expected to submit music logs showing exactly which songs they played, when they played them, and how often.

These logs are then matched against the works registered by artists and rights holders. Without accurate logs, it becomes much harder to determine who should be paid and how much they are owed.

The collection process also takes time. Businesses must first obtain licences and pay the required licence fees.

The collecting society must then process the information, deduct administrative costs, and distribute the remaining funds according to its distribution policies. This means royalty payments often take months rather than weeks.

Popularity alone also does not guarantee significant royalties.

A song can dominate social media, weddings, and personal playlists without generating much collectable royalty income if those uses fall outside licensed public performances.

Meanwhile, another song receiving regular licensed airplay across radio and television stations may earn more than many people realise.

This is why young artists should avoid viewing royalties as their primary source of income, especially early in their careers.

Live performances, brand partnerships, merchandise, private bookings, and digital monetisation often provide more immediate earnings. Royalties should instead be viewed as a long-term investment.

Every song you release becomes another asset that may continue generating income years after it was recorded.

Artists also have responsibilities.

Register your works accurately. Keep ownership details up to date. Declare co-writers, composers, and producers where necessary. Understand every contract you sign, and know which rights you are assigning to managers, labels, or publishers.

The recent discussions surrounding Weasel’s catalogue also remind artists that they should actively engage with the organisations managing their rights.

Ask how distributions are calculated. Request statements. Understand the deductions being made. Learn how royalties are tracked and what happens when music usage cannot be verified.

Transparency benefits both artists and collecting societies because confidence in the system depends on understanding how it works.

Perhaps the most important lesson is this: copyright is not a cheque. It is an asset.

Like any valuable asset, it must be properly protected, properly managed, and properly understood. The better informed an artist is, the better their chances of building a music career that continues paying long after the applause has faded.

By Kasemire Christina Mulinde

Congratulations, you are in a relationship.

Except you are really not.

You might talk every day, know their favourite food, spend weekends together, meet their friends, and even argue about the same things couples argue about. But somehow, when someone asks, “So what are you two?” everyone suddenly develops amnesia.

Welcome to the world of situationships, or as Kayda from Love Island calls it, being “exclusive.”

It is basically a relationship with all the emotional responsibilities but none of the official commitment or labels. It is the classic “we are not together, but do not talk to anyone else” arrangement. At that point, just admit you are in a situationship, or even a friends-with-benefits situation.

Honestly, it is easy to see why some people love them. Situationships can feel safe. You get companionship without the pressure, affection without the fear of rejection, and someone to call when you are bored, lonely, or simply need emotional support.

The problem begins when feelings enter the chat. While one person might think, “We are just having fun,” the other is already imagining baby names and a future together. That is where things get messy.

The biggest issue with situationships is not that they exist. It is that many people enter them hoping they will magically transform into something serious. They convince themselves that consistency will eventually become commitment.

But sometimes a situationship is exactly what someone told you it was.

The hard truth is that you cannot negotiate someone into choosing you.

Modern dating has made many people afraid of labels. But sometimes labels are not the problem. Clarity is.

Knowing where you stand should not feel like asking for too much because, at the end of the day, nobody wants to be someone’s “almost.”

Some projects demand your attention. Others quietly earn it.

Republish, with Bowman Aremwaki on vocals and Viktar Tamar behind the production, belongs firmly in the latter category, unfolding like a conversation that grows richer with every listen.

Built on a rich blend of R&B, Afrofusion, Pop and subtle electronic influences, the five-track EP explores gratitude, purpose, love, healing and personal rebirth.

Viktar Tamar provides lush, polished production throughout, while Bowman’s thoughtful songwriting and expressive vocals hold the project together as one cohesive listening experience.

The EP opens with “Feeling,” an uplifting record that encourages listeners to count their blessings, embrace the present and pursue purpose without losing sight of today’s joys.

Bowman proudly declares himself “the sun,” using the metaphor to represent a new dawn, fresh energy and a renewed sense of purpose.

The result is a motivational anthem wrapped in smooth melodies and warm production, creating the feeling of marching confidently toward one’s destiny.

That positive energy carries seamlessly into “Alright,” my favourite record on the project.

Sonically, it carries shades of the polished R&B grooves made popular by Justin Timberlake and Usher. Bouncy, infectious and incredibly easy to enjoy, the song remains rooted in a message of gratitude and happiness.

Rather than chasing complexity, it succeeds because it simply feels good. It is the kind of record that reminds listeners to appreciate how far they have come.

From there, the EP shifts into more experimental territory with “Blue Dream,” its most ambitious production.

Blending Pop, Urban and Techno influences, Viktar Tamar constructs an atmospheric soundscape that allows Bowman to paint vivid pictures through poetic imagery.

References to lucid dreams, meditation, diamonds and creative rebirth transform the song into a psychedelic journey from darkness toward enlightenment.

The track remains immersive without becoming inaccessible and showcases the duo’s willingness to push beyond conventional Afrofusion.

The emotional heart of the EP arrives with “Mercy,” a vulnerable exploration of heartbreak and longing.

Bowman captures the pain of separation through lyrics that express an overwhelming desire for a lover’s return. The emotions intensify as memories continue to consume him, eventually reaching declarations of devotion so deep that he would sacrifice everything to bring his partner back.

Bowman’s restrained performance allows vulnerability to take centre stage, making the song one of the project’s most affecting moments.

The project concludes with “Blessings,” a fitting finale that reflects on Bowman’s personal journey through life’s highs and lows.

Declaring that he rides “on the wings of destiny” while carrying “a bag of blessings,” he acknowledges past struggles without allowing them to define him.

Instead, the song becomes a testimony of perseverance, gratitude and purpose.

Its closing tribute to family, supporters and everyone striving toward their dreams leaves listeners with a sense of hope and encouragement long after the music fades.

What makes Republish stand out is its consistency.

Bowman Aremwaki never abandons the themes introduced at the beginning of the project, while Viktar Tamar ensures every instrumental serves the emotion of the song rather than overpowering it.

The result is an EP that feels intentional from beginning to end.

In an era where many artists chase algorithms and instant hits, Republish chooses substance.

It is reflective without becoming heavy, uplifting without sounding preachy and polished without losing its humanity.

For listeners looking for music that can soundtrack quiet reflection, late-night drives or moments of personal renewal, Republish rewards patience.

It is less concerned with chasing trends than creating songs that linger long after the final note, making it an accomplished body of work that stays true to its message from beginning to end.

Brandy Norwood‘s latest public appearance has sparked conversation online, but much of that conversation is not about her music or career. Instead, fans are urging people to stop speculating about her health.

Recent photos and videos of the Grammy-winning singer showed her with a noticeably slimmer appearance, prompting questions from some social media users.

Others, however, quickly pushed back, arguing that no one should draw conclusions about a person’s well-being based solely on how they look.

For many, the discussion immediately brought back memories of the late actor Chadwick Boseman.

Before Boseman’s death in 2020, his weight loss became the subject of widespread online speculation. It was only after his passing that the public learned he had been privately battling colon cancer, a moment many have since pointed to as a reminder of the dangers of judging someone’s health from their appearance.

That memory resurfaced as Brandy’s photos circulated.

Y’all did the same thing to Chadwick Boseman. Just give people grace and say a prayer.

Similar messages soon followed, with many fans urging others not to repeat what they described as one of social media’s biggest failures.

Didn’t we learn from Chadwick? Stop assuming people are sick just because they’ve lost weight.

Others noted that changes in a person’s appearance can happen for many reasons, including fitness goals, lifestyle changes, stress or other private circumstances, and said nobody should feel obligated to explain their body to the public.

As the discussion continued, the focus gradually shifted from Brandy’s appearance to a broader conversation about empathy and privacy.

Many fans argued that concern should never turn into diagnosis, especially when there is no confirmed information about a person’s health.

Brandy has not publicly commented on the online speculation, nor has she suggested there is any health issue behind her appearance. She has continued sharing updates with fans and making public appearances as usual.

One message, echoed by many across social media, captured the sentiment behind the conversation.

Normalize complimenting people without diagnosing them. We learned this lesson with Chadwick. Let’s not repeat it.

For now, there is no verified explanation for Brandy’s slimmer appearance, and none is owed.

What has emerged instead is a renewed reminder from many fans that curiosity should never outweigh compassion, and that assumptions about a person’s health can have consequences long before the truth is known.