Baby Gloria has entered a new chapter after welcoming her first child with her husband, Jonas Mbaleka.
The gospel singer shared touching photos from the hospital holding her newborn, delighting fans who have followed her journey over the years.
As congratulations poured in, one light-hearted question also emerged across social media: now that she is officially a mother, will she continue performing as “Baby Gloria,” or could a new stage name be on the horizon?
Whether the name changes or not, the newest addition to the family is giving the couple plenty to celebrate.
The State House Anti-Corruption Unit, working jointly with the Inspectorate of Government (IG), has launched investigations into an alleged UGX 1.5 billion corruption scandal involving USMID Additional Financing (USMID-AF) projects in Arua City. The investigations stem from a directive issued by the Head of the State House Anti-Corruption Unit, Brigadier General David Isoke, ordering Arua City authorities to halt payment of UGX 1.5 billion to China Railway Seventh Group Company Limited pending completion of the inquiry.
In a June 24, 2026 letter, addressed to the City Clerk, Brig. Gen. Isoke said the State House Anti-Corruption Unit had received information on June 12 indicating that the Arua City Executive Committee had recommended payment of the money to the contractor as an outstanding balance under the USMID-AF project. According to the letter, the recommended payment was inconsistent with a report by the Contracts Manager, which indicated that the contractor was not owed the claimed amount.
The Unit said investigations were opened to safeguard public funds. The directive followed an extraordinary sitting of the Arua City Council, during which councillors approved payment of UGX 1,596,590,518 to China Railway Seventh Group Company Limited for contractual obligations allegedly arising from works undertaken about two years ago.
The payment relates to claims by China Railway Seventh Group, which implemented World Bank-funded road, street and drainage projects in Arua City beginning in 2022. The company maintains that it was left with an outstanding balance of more than UGX 1.2 billion by the former Arua Municipal Council, an obligation that the city administration inherited. A team of more than six investigators from the State House Anti-Corruption Unit and the Inspectorate of Government reportedly arrived in Arua City last week and is expected to conclude its investigations this week.
Among the officials expected to be questioned are former City Engineer and USMID-AF Project Manager Engineer Anthony Dradria; City Community Development Officer and USMID-AF Project Coordinator Judith Drate; City Clerk David Kyasanku; former Mayor Sam Nyakua; and the current Mayor of Arua City, Lawrence Alionzi. Lawrence Alionzi confirmed that investigators are conducting inquiries in the city but urged the public to allow them to complete their work.
According to a statement by Inspectorate of Government spokesperson Munira Ali, the matter was reported to the Ombudsman, whose office has also taken up the case and is conducting further investigations. The presence of the investigators has reportedly created a subdued mood within the Arua City administration, with some junior staff expressing concern about the implications for ongoing and future projects.
One of the alleged whistleblowers, who requested anonymity, welcomed the investigations, saying they would help prevent the misuse of public funds under the USMID-AF programme. “This should serve as a lesson to the new leadership to do the right thing and not embezzle funds meant for service delivery to the people,” the source said.
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Kadongo Kamu singer Gerald Kiwewa is mourning the loss of his first baby mama, who reportedly passed away on Saturday night.
The tragic news has cast a shadow over the singer’s family, friends, and the wider music fraternity as they come to terms with the loss.
A vigil is currently underway at the home of the couple’s son, Jemba, a music promoter, where relatives, friends, and well-wishers have gathered to pay their respects.
As preparations for the burial continue, messages of condolence have continued to pour in from fellow musicians and fans, who have extended their sympathies to Gerald Kiwewa and his family during this difficult time.
The General Court Martial sitting at Makindye has remanded Major General James Birungi on charges of treachery and offenses related to (in)security.
Birungi, the former Director of the Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence (CMI), now known as the Directorate of Intelligence and Security (DIS), was on Monday arraigned before a panel chaired by Brigadier General Richard Tukacungurwa. He was formally charged nearly a year after his arrest in August 2025.
Birungi was brought to court at around 10:37 a.m. alongside three other Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) officers. Uganda Radio Network understands that the three officers have been charged with murder in connection with the fatal shooting of alleged suicide bombers during security operations.
The incidents relate to the shooting of a woman travelling on a motorcycle near Kalerwe Market and a man near the Catholic shrine in Munyonyo during the Uganda Martyrs Day celebrations. The identities of Birungi’s three co-accused are yet to be confirmed by Red Pepper. Only one Byaruhanga has been confirmed by the time of filing this story.
Media coverage of the proceedings was restricted after journalists were prevented from taking photographs or covering the court session. Major Alex Echeru, the Officer in Charge of Makindye Military Barracks Prison cells, who led the security team escorting Birungi to court, stopped members of the press from photographing the accused or reporting from inside the proceedings.
The General Court Martial remanded Birungi to Makindye Military Barracks until August 3, 2026, when he is expected to return to court together with his three co-accused. The Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) Muhoozi Kaineeugaba earlier removed Birungi from his position as the then commander of the Mountain Infantry Division, just two months after his appointment.
Birungi had been transferred from the Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence (CMI) by CDF, Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, on April 16, 2025. He had swapped roles with Maj Gen Richard Otto in a reshuffle that then saw Otto take over CMI. He was later arrested in August 2025 and accused of giving falsified intelligence information regarding fake petrol and suicide bombers with purposes of obtaining money from the state, according to sources until his production in Court today.
Birungi is among the people who were listed as State Witnesses in the case against Col Dr Kizza Besigye, Obed Lutale as Captain Denis Oola who are accused of treason, plotting to overthrow the legitimate government. Now Birungi is equally facing similar charges that attract death once found guilty like Ggaba Daycare toddlers’ killer Christopher Okello Onyum.
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The populor streamer broke down in tears while sitting alone in a bathroom moments after Portugal lost 1-0 to Spain in the Round of 16, ending what many believe could be Ronaldo’s final World Cup campaign.
As emotions took over, Speed admitted he had believed Ronaldo would finally lift the trophy.
I thought he was gonna win it all. I thought he was gonna win it all, bro. I prayed for it.
The emotional clip spread across social media within minutes, with thousands of fans saying Speed expressed exactly how they felt after watching one of football’s greatest players bow out of the tournament.
Speed has never hidden his admiration for Ronaldo. The streamer has spent years celebrating the Portuguese superstar, making his emotional reaction unsurprising to fans who have followed his journey.
Although Ronaldo has not confirmed his international retirement, Portugal’s exit has sparked widespread speculation that the five-time Ballon d’Or winner has played his final FIFA World Cup match.
Principal Judge, Lady Justice Jane Frances Abodo has urged judicial officers, lawyers and the public to embrace Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) as a faster, less costly and more sustainable approach to justice, as the Judiciary intensifis efforts to promote mediation as the preferred method of resolving family disputes.
Abodo made the call while officiating at the launch of the High Court Family Division’s Case Settlement Fortnight in Kampala, an initiative aimed at increasing the number of disputes resolved through mediation.
She commended the Head of the Family Division, Justice John Eudes Keitirima, judges from other divisions and court staff for supporting the mediation programme, saying the initiative demonstrates the Judiciary’s commitment to improving access to justice.
The Principal Judge said family disputes are often emotional and deeply rooted, making mediation more appropriate than lengthy court battles. She noted that while courts determine legal rights, mediation promotes reconciliation, healing and lasting peace, preventing conflicts from being passed from one generation to another.
Abodo observed that prolonged litigation often leaves families unable to move on with their lives, as some cases last for years and affecting children’s education, access to family resources and relationships among relatives.She urged advocates to advise clients on the benefits of mediation instead of relying solely on litigation and reminded judicial officers that they have a responsibility to explain the advantages of mediation before referring parties to the process.
She has also commended mediators for their professionalism and patience, saying their integrity has contributed significantly to the success of the Family Division’s mediation programme.
Judicial Officers at the Family Division of the High Court listening to the Principal Judge Lady Justice Jane Frances Abodo
Abodo further appealed to the media to continue educating the public about alternative dispute resolution, noting that the Judiciary cannot rely solely on litigation to serve Uganda’s growing population.
Assistant Registrar Juliet Komugisa, who heads the Mediation Registry at the Family Division, said the current Case Settlement Fortnight began on June 29 and will end on July 10, 2026. The exercise, conducted every quarter, has set aside 400 cases for mediation, targeting to fully settle at least 100 disputes using a team of 10 accredited mediators.
She said during the first week alone, 23 cases were fully settled through mediation while seven were partially resolved, leaving only a few issues for judicial determination. Although about 70 mediation sessions did not end in agreements, Komugisa said they should not be viewed as failures because they helped previously estranged family members begin communicating again.
Komugisa revealed that about 70 percent of cases currently under mediation involve applications to extend letters of administration following amendments to the Succession Act that introduced expiry periods for grants.
She explained that once grants expire, administrators cannot access bank accounts, pay school fees, meet medical expenses or manage estate property, making renewal of applications critical. Many of the disputes arise because family members disagree over whether current administrators have properly managed estates.
She added that about 10 percent of the cases involve divorce proceedings, while the remaining 20 percent relate to fresh succession applications, disputes over estate administration and disagreements regarding wills.
According to Komugisa, the Family Division currently has about 170 backlog cases and intends to prioritise older matters through mediation as part of broader efforts to reduce case backlog and improve access to justice.
The head of the Family Division of the High Court, Justice John Eudes Keitirima said the Family Division had deliberately adopted mediation as its philosophy because family disputes require solutions that preserve relationships rather than deepen divisions.
Quoting an African proverb that “a family is like a tree , it can bend but should not break,” Keitirima said the division believes disputes involving family members are best resolved amicably through mediation. He added that the approach is also consistent with biblical teaching, which encourages reconciliation before resorting to court.
Keitirima thanked the Judiciary’s Mediation Registry and the accredited mediators for supporting the programme, their commitment had enabled the Family Division to emerge among the Judiciary’s best-performing courts in mediation.
Professor Andrew Khauka, the Executive Director of the Judicial Training Institute, attributed the division’s success to strong leadership and commitment despite limited resources. He noted that the Family Division has consistently ranked among the Judiciary’s top-performing courts in mediation and recently received recognition from the Chief Justice for its performance.
Khauka, however, appealed to the Judiciary leadership to strengthen institutional support for ADR, noting that many mediators were still awaiting payment despite continuing to offer their services. He said the Judiciary also needs a stronger governance structure to expand and sustain mediation across the country.
MBARARA – Mbarara City authorities have announced that the suspended trade order enforcement exercise will soon resume, warning street vendors and owners of illegal temporary structures to vacate voluntarily before law enforcement returns.
The exercise, which was temporarily halted due to financial constraints, is expected to restart around early August 2026 once the city secures the required funding.
Mbarara City Deputy Town Clerk Simon Ejuwa said the city remains committed to restoring order despite struggling to raise enough money to facilitate the operation.
“The trade order is continuing. The exercise requires a lot of money and we are struggling with where we can get the money. If we get enough revenue resources, we will do what we can. But we also need Central Government intervention because this is a big challenge for us,” Ejuwa said.
He revealed that the next phase of the operation will involve all key stakeholders and include public sensitisation campaigns to help residents understand the importance of maintaining trade order.
“We are going to another phase of the trade order and we are starting soon. We want all the stakeholders to come on board and we sensitise the community about the importance of this trade order,” he added.
A few months ago, Mbarara City carried out a major enforcement operation that saw hundreds of street vendors removed from roadsides and public spaces. Authorities also demolished numerous temporary structures, including churches and business premises that had been constructed without approved development permits.
However, after the exercise was suspended, illegal vending gradually returned to several streets while new temporary structures began mushrooming, particularly on the outskirts of the city, undermining the gains made during the earlier operation.
Ejuwa warned vendors who have returned to the streets to leave before enforcement teams resume operations.
“We still have a challenge because we have people who try to sneak back to places we had cleared during the recent exercise, but I want to assure them that this time we shall arrest them,” he warned.
He said the city would not spare anyone, regardless of their social or political status.
“Trade order has no side. Whether one is influential or is in government, the team will close their eyes and make sure that any temporary structure in town is removed,” he said.
Speaking during a recent meeting with officials from the Ministry of Local Government, Ejuwa said the earlier enforcement exercise had already begun transforming the city.
According to him, the crackdown has encouraged more investors to construct permanent commercial buildings, with several multi-storey buildings being developed within just three months after the operation.
He, however, expressed concern over weak prosecution of offenders, saying many suspects arrested during enforcement operations are released because the city lacks a dedicated judicial officer.
“We still have a challenge of prosecuting some of these people who continue to be stubborn. Even if we arrest a good number of people, they get released because, for the court, we don’t have a permanent person for the city alone. We appeal to the court to consider having a permanent magistrate for the city,” Ejuwa said.
Despite the financial challenges, city authorities insist the trade order programme will continue as planned once funds become available.
The Deputy Town Clerk also revealed that the previous enforcement exercise has boosted the city’s local revenue collections.
According to Ejuwa, revenue has increased from UGX 8.4 billion to UGX 9 billion, largely driven by increased building plan approvals and construction permit fees as more investors opt for permanent developments instead of temporary structures.
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A man once declared every New Year’s Eve, “This is my year!” Yet by March, the only thing growing in his life was his WhatsApp status collection of motivational quotes. His dreams were taller than our Crested Towers, but his actions were shorter than a cup. It is painfully true, that many people admire success the way guests admire lions in a zoo, from a safe distance.
The world today is full of dreamers, planners, talkers, and strategy champions. But the greatest difference between those who succeed and those who remain spectators in life is simple: action. Believing in oneself is one of the greatest powers a human being can possess, yet belief alone without movement becomes wishful thinking. Hope is psychologically healthy, but hope without strategy is like trying to harvest maize from a garden that was never planted.
The leadership expert John Maxwell wrote, “Dreams don’t work unless you do.” That statement summarizes one of life’s deepest truths. Every human being desires a better life, greater income, improved relationships, stronger health, and meaningful achievement. Every January, people make resolutions. Then, Gym memberships increase. Business plans are written. Year resolutions are posted online. But by March, many dreams quietly die because they were never matched with disciplined execution and persistence.
Well, Psychologists refer to an important concept called, Psychological capital, which includes hope, resilience, optimism, and self-efficacy. These four pillars shape how people respond to challenges and opportunities. Hope helps people see possibilities. Optimism helps them expect better outcomes. Resilience enables them to recover from setbacks. Self-efficacy gives them confidence that they can succeed. Together, these qualities create the mental strength necessary for growth.
The COVID-19 pandemic taught the world many painful but valuable lessons. Businesses collapsed, schools closed, salaries disappeared, and uncertainty shook every nation. Yet, strangely, the crisis also opened people’s eyes. Many teachers who were confined at home during school lockdowns discovered hidden entrepreneurial talents. Some entered farming. Others started businesses, baking enterprises, poultry projects, boda-boda delivery services, and small retail ventures. What looked like destruction became a doorway to innovation.
History has repeatedly shown that problems often carry hidden opportunities. The author Robert Kiyosaki wrote in, Rich Dad Poor Dad, “In the middle of every problem lies an opportunity.” Indeed, difficult seasons force human beings to think differently. Comfort rarely produces creativity. Sometimes, pressure introduces us to abilities we never knew we possessed.
Faith also plays a critical role in sustaining hope. The Holy Bible, James 2:26 teaches that “faith without action is dead.” This powerful scripture reminds believers that prayer, dreams, and positive confessions must be accompanied by deliberate effort. A farmer may pray for a harvest, but unless he plants seeds, weeds the garden, and waters the crops, prayer alone cannot produce maize. Faith gives courage during uncertainty. Hope strengthens the mind during adversity. But action moves dreams into reality.
Resilience is equally important in the journey toward success. Observe a child learning how to walk. The child falls repeatedly, sometimes painfully, but keeps attempting again and again. Eventually, the same child who once struggled to stand begins running around the house creating noise and confusion. Human growth works the same way. Failure is not the opposite of success; it is part of the process.
The celebrated leader Nelson Mandela once said, “I never lose. I either win or learn.” One business failure or a rejected proposal should not bury a person’s destiny. One rejection utterance should not destroy confidence. One unsuccessful interview should not define a lifetime. Many successful entrepreneurs failed repeatedly before they achieved breakthrough success.
Fear, however, remains one of humanity’s greatest enemies. Fear whispers dangerous lies into the human mind: “You are not good enough,” “You will embarrass yourself,” or “Others are better than you.” Sadly, many dreams die not because people lacked talent, but because they feared beginning.
An ancient Chinese proverb wisely states, “A journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.” The first step may appear small, uncomfortable, or uncertain, but it carries enormous power. Every successful company, every great business, every influential career, and every respected leader once started as a small idea in someone’s mind.
Self-efficacy, the belief that one can succeed, is essential. People who believe they can overcome obstacles often perform better than equally talented individuals who constantly doubt themselves. Confidence does not mean arrogance. It means trusting that with effort, learning, discipline, and persistence, improvement is possible.
Unfortunately, toxic and negative people often weaken this confidence. Some individuals criticize every dream, mock every ambition, kill every innovation and predict failure before efforts even begin. Spending too much time around chronic negativity is like planting flowers in acidic soil. Personal growth requires environments that encourage possibility, accountability, and positive thinking.
The motivational speaker, Les Brown famously declared, “Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you’ll land among the stars.” Those words encourage people to dare greatly rather than live small lives imprisoned by fear and excuses. You could have heard, “Eat the biggest toad!”
In conclusion, life rewards movement. Dreams that are never acted upon remain fantasies. Hope without strategy becomes empty excitement. Faith without work becomes idle imagination. But when belief, resilience, faith, discipline, and action combine, extraordinary transformation becomes possible. The world does not belong to those who merely wish. It belongs to those who dare, who rise after failure, who silence fear, and who take the first courageous step. Believe in yourself. Hope positively. Pray faithfully. Think optimistically. But above all, act relentlessly.
The writer is the General Manager Commercial Banking at Centenary Bank.
China’s growing influence on the world stage is increasingly being recognised through its economic success, global development efforts and expanding role in promoting international stability, according to analysts.
As the Communist Party of China (CPC) marks its 105th anniversary, experts say the country’s transformation from one of the world’s poorest nations into the world’s second-largest economy reflects decades of consistent leadership, long-term planning and a strong focus on development.
The anniversary has also renewed discussions about the CPC’s role in shaping modern China since its founding in 1921, when the country was struggling with foreign occupation, widespread poverty and political instability. The Party was established with the goal of improving the lives of the Chinese people and restoring the country’s national strength.
More than a century later, China has become a global economic powerhouse, recording significant achievements in science, technology and infrastructure while dramatically improving the living standards of its population. The country is also increasingly viewed as a key player in global trade, diplomacy and efforts to maintain international stability.
According to China Daily, China’s modernisation has not only transformed the country itself but has also become a source of inspiration for developing nations seeking their own paths to economic growth and prosperity.
Michael Borchmann, the former head of the European and International Affairs Department in Germany’s Hesse state, said China’s progress has been driven by the CPC’s long-standing commitment to putting people’s welfare at the centre of development.
He said one of the country’s greatest achievements was enabling the Chinese people to reclaim control of their future after decades of foreign domination and hardship.
“A defining feature of this transformation has been that the Chinese people took their destiny back into their own hands. They cast off foreign humiliation and oppression, successfully lifted hundreds of millions out of poverty, and regained their national confidence,” Borchmann said.
He added that China’s development experience offers important lessons for Africa and other countries in the Global South.
“China offers lessons and inspiration to Africa and the Global South. Its growth is an inspiration for Africa,” he said.
Peter Kagwanja, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Africa Policy Institute in Nairobi, described China’s economic rise as one of the most remarkable development stories in modern history.
He noted that China has moved from being one of the world’s poorest developing countries in the 1980s to becoming the world’s second-largest economy, while expanding its global influence through trade, investment and international cooperation.
Kagwanja said initiatives such as the Belt and Road Initiative, together with the Global Development Initiative, Global Security Initiative, Global Civilisation Initiative and Global Governance Initiative, have strengthened China’s position as a major force in international affairs.
“Through its Belt and Road Initiative as well as its four global initiatives, China has amassed immense global influence, becoming a major player in international trade and diplomacy,” he said.
Kagwanja said Africa can draw valuable lessons from China’s experience, arguing that sustained development is achievable with effective leadership and long-term planning.
“China offers lessons and inspiration to Africa and the Global South. Its growth is an inspiration for Africa. Poverty is not a curse for any civilisation. Africa can also rise and lift its people out of poverty,” he said.
Zimbabwean Pan-Africanist researcher and political commentator Mafa Kwanisai Mafa said the CPC’s 105-year history demonstrates the value of disciplined leadership, strong institutions, accountability and continuous reform in building an effective state.
He said China’s governance experience provides useful insights for developing countries pursuing independent paths to modernisation.
“As nations of the Global South carve out their own sovereign paths to modernisation, the CPC’s century of self-improvement and decades of governance practice will remain an indispensable touchstone for scholarly inquiry, high-level policy deliberation and thoughtful localised adaptation for generations to come,” Mafa said.
Of the 7,362 candidates who applied for diploma programmes at Kyambogo University for the 2026/2027 academic year, only 1,463 were admitted, a combined success rate of roughly 20 percent across both the government and private diploma entry schemes. It is a striking statistic on its own, but Vice Chancellor Prof. Eli Katunguka Rwakishaya says the real concern is what happens to diploma holders after they graduate, when most of them want to upgrade to a bachelor’s degree but find no clear pathway to do so.
The figure forms part of the university’s wider application and admission statistics for 2026/2027, released as of 3rd July 2026, which show that Kyambogo received a total of 43,739 applications across all its entry schemes, a number Prof. Katunguka points to as proof of the university’s continued standing among prospective students.
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Breakdown of Applications and Admissions
According to the released statistics, admissions across the different schemes stand as follows:
National Merit (Government): 386 admitted
Direct Entry Scheme (Private): 19,406 admitted out of 32,390 who applied
Diploma Entry Scheme (Government): 171 admitted out of 2,270 who applied
Diploma Entry Scheme (Private): 1,292 admitted out of 5,092 who applied
District Quota (Government): 178 admitted
Talented Sports Persons (Government): 20 admitted
Persons with Disabilities (Government): 16 admitted
JAB Diplomas (Government): Ongoing
IDEAL Programs (Private): 1,186 admitted out of 2,111 who applied
Graduate Admissions (Private): Ongoing, out of 1,876 who applied
The Direct Entry Scheme continues to account for the largest share of both applicants and admissions, underscoring how central private sponsorship has become to the university’s overall intake numbers.
Beyond the admission numbers, Prof. Katunguka raised a concern that has followed diploma holders for years: the lack of a clear pathway for them to upgrade to bachelor’s degree programmes, even when they have the skills and interest to do so.
He noted that most diploma students eventually want to progress to bachelor’s level studies, but are often held back not by ability but by the absence of structured opportunities to make that transition.
The Vice Chancellor called on stakeholders in the education sector to develop a dedicated scheme to support diploma holders seeking to upgrade, and further suggested building partnerships with private institutions as one practical way to expand these opportunities.
What This Means Going Forward
With admissions for several schemes, including JAB diplomas and graduate programmes, still ongoing, the final intake figures for 2026/2027 are expected to rise further. Prof. Katunguka’s remarks on diploma progression also point to a broader policy conversation within Uganda’s higher education sector, one that could shape how technical and vocational students are supported beyond their initial qualifications in the coming years.
CampusBee will continue to track admission updates as they are released by the university.
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