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A long-running land feud in Mukono District has escalated into a major criminal case after two men were arraigned before the Mukono Magistrate’s Court on allegations of destroying crops, demolishing houses, stealing property worth millions of shillings and forcibly occupying contested land belonging to the estate of a deceased landowner.

Boniface Kayongo, 36, a resident of Lugala in Kampala, and Hamuza Kisekka, 43, of Kiwedde, were remanded to Kauga Prison on Tuesday after appearing before the Mukono Grade One Magistrate Gerald Emwong to answer seven criminal charges linked to the disputed land at Luwunga Village in Mukono District. Court heard that the suspects committed the offences between October and November 2025 on land comprising Kyaggwe Block 167, Plot 81, which is claimed by the estate of the late Joseph Kiwanuka.

The dou was arrested by the State House Anti-Corruption Unit, which has in recent years intensified investigations into alleged land grabbing and fraudulent transactions across the country. According to the charge sheet presented in court, Kayongo, Kisekka and several accomplices who are still at large allegedly embarked on a campaign of destruction targeting crops and developments on the disputed land. Prosecution told the court that in the first three counts, the accused wilfully destroyed extensive food and cash crops belonging to different occupants of the contested land.

Prosecutors alleged that the suspects destroyed banana plantations, sugarcane, cassava, sweet potatoes, maize, tomatoes, eucalyptus trees and other naturally growing trees belonging to Tooli Paul, Kiwanuka Moses and Kayongo Abbas. The prosecution further alleged that the destruction extended beyond crops.

In one of the most serious counts, the accused are said to have demolished three residential houses belonging to Stella Kiwanuka Bernadetta, the administrator of the estate of the late Joseph Kiwanuka. Court documents also implicated the suspects in stealing four metallic water tanks valued at approximately Shs25 million and a water pumping machine worth about Shs10 million.

The final charges relate to the manner in which the land was allegedly taken over. Prosecutors contend that the accused, accompanied by a group of people, forcefully entered the suit property, graded the land and unlawfully took possession despite knowing it belonged to the beneficiaries of the late Kiwanuka’s estate.

They are further accused of remaining in occupation of the contested land in circumstances likely to cause a breach of the peace. Appearing for the State, Senior State Attorney Christine Ayebare informed the court that investigations had been completed but requested additional time to organise witnesses and prepare the matter for trial. The defence immediately sought bail, arguing that the accused had already spent a lengthy period in police custody and were entitled to temporary release pending trial.

Although Magistrate Emwong agreed that the offences are bailable under Ugandan law, he deferred the bail application hearing until July 22, 2026, ordering that the accused remain on remand at Kauga Prison. Before being led out of court, Kayongo challenged the prosecution’s case, accusing the State House Anti-Corruption Unit of falsely implicating him in the dispute. He appealed to the court to independently establish the truth, insisting that the charges brought against him were unfounded. The matter returns to court on July 22, 2026, for the bail application hearing.

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After 16 years at the helm of Centenary Bank, Fabian Kasi handed over the top leadership position to Godfrey Byekwaso on 1^st July 2026. Fabian leaves behind a financial institution that has grown significantly in scale, reach and impact, while remaining grounded in its founding purpose of serving ordinary Ugandans.

Speaking during a farewell engagement with members of the media, Kasi reflected on a journey that has seen Centenary Bank evolve from a largely branch-based institution serving around 850,000 customers into Uganda’s largest commercial bank by customer numbers, serving more than 3.4 million Ugandans.

The occasion was not only a moment of reflection, but also a celebration of succession and institutional continuity.

“We are here to celebrate succession because what is most important is not the change of leaders, but rather the continuation of the vision of the institution,” Kasi said. “The bank is here to stay.”

His remarks reflected a leadership philosophy that has consistently placed the institution ahead of the individual. Throughout his tenure, the focus remained on building a resilient organization capable of delivering value to customers, communities and the wider economy for generations to come.

When Kasi assumed office in 2010, Centenary Bank operated 37 branches, managed a loan portfolio of approximately UGX 400 billion and served about 850,000 customers. Today, the bank boasts 81 branches across Uganda, more than 9,000 agent banking points and a customer base exceeding 3.4 million people.

The growth has been equally evident in the bank’s financial performance. Customer deposits have grown from approximately UGX 700 billion to over UGX 5.2 trillion, while the loan book has expanded to more than UGX 4.1 trillion. Total assets now exceed UGX 8.6 trillion, while profit after tax reached UGX 424.2 billion in 2025. These figures position Centenary Bank among the most significant financial institutions in the country.

Asked to describe his leadership journey in three words, Kasi chose growth, transformation and impact.

Those words are reflected not only in the bank’s financial results, but also in the deliberate investments made to modernize service delivery and expand access to financial services.

“When I joined, the bank was mainly known for long queues,” he recalled.

Addressing that challenge became one of the defining priorities of his leadership. Under his stewardship, Centenary Bank invested heavily in technology and alternative banking channels, enabling customers to access services through mobile banking, internet banking, agency banking and digital platforms.

Today, agent banking accounts for 49% of all transactions processed by the bank, significantly reducing geographical and cost barriers for customers across the country. The institution’s footprint now stretches from major urban centres to some of Uganda’s most remote communities.

Despite the remarkable growth in numbers, Kasi remains most proud of something less tangible.

“The only commodity we sell is trust,” he said. For him, trust has been both the foundation and the measure of success.

The confidence entrusted to Centenary Bank by millions of customers is reflected in the growth of deposits, the expansion of lending and the enduring partnerships forged with government, development agencies, community organizations and private sector stakeholders over the years.

That trust has enabled the bank to deepen its impact among Uganda’s underserved populations. By the close of 2025, more than 2.39 million customers, representing 77.6% of the bank’s customer base, belonged to underserved communities. Through its Mission Critical Portfolio, the bank has extended access to finance for smallholder farmers, women entrepreneurs, youth, refugees and rural businesses across Uganda.

In 2025 alone, the bank supported more than 58,500 smallholder farmers, served over 122,800 microfinance clients and disbursed 118,766 loans to women entrepreneurs. Its agriculture and MSME portfolio has grown to UGX 1.76 trillion, reinforcing Centenary Bank’s position as a key partner in Uganda’s economic development agenda.

Beyond the numbers, Kasi believes leadership is ultimately about people.

One of the greatest lessons from leading a workforce of more than 3,400 employees has been understanding how to inspire, support and lead people from different backgrounds and generations.

“It is important to understand people, we have staff from different generations, including the Gen Z, so you must know how to handle everyone accordingly, ” he noted, reflecting on one of the most significant leadership challenges he encountered during his tenure.

That understanding helped shape a leadership approach centered on inclusion, empowerment and shared purpose.

As he left office, Kasi’s advice to young professionals remained grounded in competence and continuous learning. “Be competent, be result-oriented and know what you are talking about,” he said. “Be able to create solutions and give value.”

He encouraged young people to embrace curiosity and humility, noting that effective leaders do not have all the answers but must be willing to learn from those around them.

For Centenary Bank, the next chapter will be written by a new generation of leaders. For Fabian Kasi, the legacy is already visible in the institution he leaves behind, stronger, larger and more impactful than when he first walked through its doors sixteen years ago.

It is a legacy built on growth, transformation and impact, but above all, on trust.

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Grace Khan says she has finally found peace after one of the most difficult periods of her life.

The singer revealed that her rehabilitation journey has come to an end, describing it as the close of a painful chapter and the beginning of a happier one.

Her personal life has changed just as much.

Grace disclosed that she no longer communicates with the father of her child and does not even know where he is today, saying they have both gone their separate ways.

While some relationships faded, others grew stronger.

Grace thanked God for carrying her through her darkest moments and expressed gratitude to the family members who stood by her throughout the journey.

She also responded to claims that her child’s paternal family has never been part of the child’s life.

Grace revealed that she once spoke to the child’s grandmother before communication eventually stopped.

She insists the family chose to distance itself, not the other way around.

Despite that, she says she has never stood in their way.

If they decide to reconnect with the child or take up their responsibilities in the future, they are free to do so.

Singer Irene Namatovu has defended fellow musician Spice Diana‘s right to sell her property, saying there is nothing unusual about disposing of personal assets when the decision makes financial sense.

According to Irene, it does not matter whether someone bought a property through savings or with the help of a loan. What matters is making responsible decisions that protect one’s financial future.

She believes women should work hard, invest wisely, and build assets instead of depending entirely on other people. In her view, careful planning provides stability when circumstances change unexpectedly.

Irene also cautioned against making financial decisions simply to satisfy other people’s expectations. She argued that those who encourage someone to make costly sacrifices are often the first to step aside when problems arise.

Using Spice Diana’s situation as an example, Irene encouraged people to focus less on public opinion and more on making choices that strengthen their long-term financial security.

For her, financial independence starts with taking responsibility for one’s own decisions.

Irene Namatovu believes a successful marriage begins with trust, not control.

Reflecting on her relationship with husband Geoffrey Lutaaya, the singer said she has never tried to force him to behave a certain way or dictate the choices he makes.

Instead, she credits their enduring marriage to love, mutual respect, and the confidence they have built in each other over the years.

The couple’s story stretches back to 2001, when Geoffrey welcomed Irene into Eagle’s Production as a young singer. Their professional relationship gradually developed into a romance that has lasted for more than two decades.

During that time, they have celebrated major personal and professional milestones together, including their traditional introduction, marriage, and continued success as members of the Da Nu Eagles Band.

While celebrity relationships often attract attention for the challenges they face, Irene believes lasting commitment depends less on monitoring a partner and more on creating an environment where trust can grow naturally.

That principle, she says, has guided her marriage from the very beginning.

When Geoffrey Lutaaya met Irene Namatovu in the early 2000s, he was introducing a young aspiring singer to the music industry. More than two decades later, he says that meeting also changed the course of his personal life.

The Da Nu Eagles Band singer revealed that he left behind a lifestyle of chasing other women after beginning his relationship with Irene, choosing instead to focus on his marriage and the family they would build together.

Their relationship started as a professional partnership before growing into a romance that has become one of Uganda’s longest-lasting celebrity marriages.

After years of dating, Irene formally introduced Geoffrey to her family, and the couple later married in January, cementing a relationship that had already endured for more than a decade.

Since then, they have continued to perform together while balancing family life and Geoffrey’s time in Parliament. Along the way, they have become one of Uganda’s most respected husband-and-wife music acts.

Lutaaya’s latest remarks offer another glimpse into the values that have shaped that journey. For him, meeting Irene marked the moment he stopped looking elsewhere and began investing fully in one relationship.

MATUGGA, Uganda — The ministries of Finance and Health have backed the Dei Biopharma drug manufacturing plant in Matugga, Wakiso District, to grow into a new engine for the economy and close the gap on a medicine import bill that has drained the country’s foreign exchange for years.

Dr. Ramathan Ggoobi, the Secretary to the Treasury, Ministry of Finance on Monday toured the facility alongside Ministry of Health Permanent Secretary Dr. Diana Atwine, as well as officials from the National Drug Authority and the National Medical Stores.
Government has invested more UGX 700 billion shillings, or about $190 million into the plant, and more money has been allocate to the facility in the new budget under the Science and Technology budget.

On Monday Dr. Ggoobi called the site one of the largest facilities of its kind he has seen and noted that the joint government visit served as a fact-finding mission to assess the scale of the development and ensure value for money.

“People ask if Dr. Matthias Magoola is serious, if he can actually produce the medicine and medical supplies he talks about,” Dr. Ggoobi said, referring to the company’s founder.
“So far, it is always a good surprise when you come here. We are on the right track as far as emerging sectors in our economy, especially manufacturing and the knowledge economy, are concerned.”

Dr. Ggoobi said Uganda spends heavily every year importing medicine it cannot yet make itself. Dei Biopharma already produces around nine generic drugs, including paracetamol and capsules used in cancer treatment, and plans to move into insulin, vaccines and cardiovascular medicine.

If successful, Dr. Ggoobi said, the plant could replace nearly half of Uganda’s medicine imports, keeping money in the country and creating jobs. Thousands of young people are already employed at the site.

He stressed the investment is not a blank check. “The Auditor General audits the project regularly because the government holds a stake in it as a co-investor.” He said a newly appointed panel of about six bankers and scientists, approved by the president, will now vet future rounds of funding before more money is released.

He also pointed to the fiscal prudence of his ministry, noting that the last financial year closed on June 30 with every submitted invoice paid and a balance remaining.

“We cannot develop Uganda by simply growing more potatoes and maize,” Dr. Ggoobi said. “We need emerging sectors of the economy that offer a high return on investment. Science, technology, and innovation is an accelerator industry, and this campus is by far the leader in taking Uganda to another level.”

Dr. Atwine committed her ministry to purchasing what the plant produces. Under the government’s Buy Uganda, Build Uganda policy, she said, the ministry will procure from Dei Biopharma alongside other local manufacturers, giving the company a guaranteed customer as it scales up.

Her ambitions for the plant extend beyond Uganda’s borders. Approval from the National Drug Authority is only a first step, she said. The real goal is for the company’s products to be prequalified by the World Health Organization and other international regulators, opening up markets across Africa and beyond.

Dr. Atwine said it is still too early to expect that everything is working at full capacity, pointing to future increases in human resources, product approvals and the domestic production of active pharmaceutical ingredients, or APIs, alongside localized research and development.

“Dei Biopharma needs to be given the opportunity to grow,” she said, and “it must be supported to ensure it achieves its goals.”

Dr. Magoola said he has filed more than 100 patent applications with the US Patent and Trademark Office, covering treatments for cancer, HIV, malaria, tuberculosis, sickle cell disease, diabetes and Alzheimer’s disease. The work has drawn praise from President Yoweri Museveni.

Among the filings is a cancer immunotherapy patent published in February, which the company says targets genetic mutations shared across tumor types rather than a single patient’s own genes. The company claims this approach could eventually bring treatment costs below $100, compared to more than $500,000 for some existing therapies. There is also a patent for a foot-and-mouth disease vaccine for livestock published in January, and two further applications accepted by the US patent office in July.

The company says it also wants to make cheaper generic versions of patent-protected drugs, including the HIV prevention medicine lenacapavir, once it is able to. Uganda’s National Drug Authority has already licensed it to manufacture a handful of biological medicines, among them filgrastim, erythropoietin and trastuzumab.

Dr. Magoola, however, said the site can only run three or four of its eight completed production blocks at a time because it does not have enough electricity. Running at full scale will eventually take up to 80 megawatts.

The plant also uses up to 2 million liters of water a day, with demand growing, and still has no connection to the National Water and Sewerage Corporation utility network.

“We are requesting that the government provide us with stable and sufficient power to run this facility,” Dr. Magoola said, adding that an extension of the national water grid to the site is also necessary.

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The Government of Uganda and the Buganda Kingdom have reaffirmed their commitment to work together to accelerate socio-economic transformation and improve service delivery at the grassroots during a special engagement held yesterday at Mengo.

Speaking at the meeting, the Minister for the Presidency, Hon. Babirye Milly Babalanda, said the dialogue between the central government and cultural institutions remains key to national unity and development.

She conveyed warm greetings from H.E. President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, who remains committed to constructive dialogue and collaboration with all cultural institutions in advancing Uganda’s development agenda.

She noted that the engagement “reflects our shared belief that dialogue, mutual respect and cooperation are essential for promoting peace, national cohesion and the socio-economic transformation of our people”.
Babalanda said Uganda has registered remarkable progress over the last four decades in peace, infrastructure, education, and healthcare. She attributed the gains to visionary leadership, sacrifice and the resilience of the Ugandans.

The Minister reiterated President Museveni’s four pillars for national transformation: Patriotism, Pan-Africanism, Socio-Economic Transformation and Democracy, calling on political, cultural and religious leaders to promote unity and wealth creation.

Minister Babalanda noted the central government recognises the Buganda Kingdom’s role in preserving cultural heritage and mobilising communities for development.

Development cannot be delivered by government alone. It requires the active participation of cultural institutions, religious leaders, local governments, the private sector and citizens themselves,” she said.

As the Minister for the Presidency, Hon. Babalanda pledged continued coordination of government programmes through Resident District and Resident City Commissioners. Working with cultural institutions and local leaders, she said, will help improve community mobilisation, accountability and the impact of government interventions.

She also cautioned against division and misinformation, saying peace and political stability “remain the bedrock of development” for investment, trade, tourism and jobs.

“Differences in opinion should never weaken our shared commitment to Uganda’s prosperity. Instead, they should inspire constructive dialogue and cooperation,” she added.

Minister Babalanda reaffirmed the government’s commitment to a strong and constructive relationship with the Buganda Kingdom and thanked the Vice President, Maj. Jessica Alupo, for leading this delegation and commended the Rt Hon. Katikkiro, Charles Peter Mayiga, and the leadership of the Buganda Kingdom for hosting this important engagement,” she said.

The engagement brought together the Central Government delegation and Buganda Kingdom leadership to harmonise efforts on implementing government programmes and strengthening community partnerships.

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Tolami Benson says she has no plans to chase the perfect Instagram wedding when she marries England footballer Bukayo Saka.

In an interview with The Sunday Times Style, the fashion influencer and internet personality said she would rather enjoy a small, meaningful ceremony than stage an extravagant event for public attention.

It is nice to have things for yourself. I think weddings should be fun, so I’m not like, “Oh my gosh, I need to have the most Instagrammable wedding.” My mum would have a heart attack, but if I could elope, I would. I feel like it starts with you guys, it ends with you guys. Marriage is sacred.

Tolami and Saka got engaged in late 2025 after dating for several years.

While fans eagerly await their wedding, Tolami says the celebration will focus on their relationship rather than social media.

Outside her personal life, Tolami continues to build her profile in the fashion industry through brand collaborations and magazine features.