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Parliament from 30th June to 4th July 2026, commenced on a five-day induction seminar for Members of Parliament and ministers to equip legislators with the knowledge, values and procedures required to effectively execute their constitutional responsibilities during the 2026–2031 term.

The induction, held at Speke Resort Munyonyo, in Kampala, was officially opened by the Speaker of Parliament, Rt Hon. Jacob Marksons Oboth-Oboth, who urged legislators to uphold integrity, embrace evidence-based legislation and promote results-oriented budgeting while executing their duties.

On the second day of the induction, Maj Gen Henry Matsiko, the Joint Staff Political Commissariat and one of the UPDF representatives in Parliament, delivered a presentation on behalf of the Minister of Defence and Veterans Affairs, Hon. Kiryowa Kiwanuka, on Parliament’s strategic role in defence and national stability.

Maj Gen Matsiko said the 1995 Constitution establishes Parliament as the principal civilian authority responsible for regulating the defence sector through legislation, oversight and budget approval.

“Article 210 empowers Parliament to make laws regulating the UPDF, including its structure, recruitment, discipline, terms and conditions of service, as well as the deployment of troops outside Uganda,” he said.

Maj Gen Masiko said Parliament’s oversight role ensures that the security sector remains accountable while balancing military capability with democratic governance.

Maj Gen Masiko said Parliament plays a critical role in ensuring civilian oversight of the armed forces by making laws, scrutinising defence expenditure and holding security institutions accountable while safeguarding constitutional governance and respect for human rights.

He highlighted the UPDF’s contribution to securing successive electoral processes and defeating insurgencies, saying the force has played a significant role in maintaining peace and stability since the promulgation of the 1995 Constitution.

“Whereas Parliament, through its law-making role, establishes national values and norms, those values and norms must be preserved and defended by the defence and security forces,” he said.

Uganda’s 12th Parliament comprises 555 members, including 10 representatives of the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) who include: Lt Gen Sam Okiding, Lt Gen Sam Kavuma, Lt Gen James Mugira, Maj Gen Henry Matsiko, Maj Gen James Kinalwa, Maj Gen Joseph Ssemwanga, Brig David Robert Gonyi, Col Sylvia Meeme, Col Christine Nekesa and Col Night Ikiriza.

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Bruno K has hit back at critics who accuse him of using vulnerable Ugandans and family disputes to generate attention on social media, insisting his charity work speaks for itself.

The singer, whose Ekiboozi TikTok Live sessions regularly raise money for people in need, says the initiative has so far mobilised nearly UGX 400 million to support vulnerable Ugandans.

Taking to X, Bruno argued that people with large online followings should focus on changing lives instead of criticising those who choose to use their platforms for that purpose.

If you have failed to use your following and numbers to help others then do not fight people trying to do it.

He also revealed the scale of the impact he says the initiative has made since its launch, crediting ordinary Ugandans for embracing the cause and helping transform lives through their generosity.

Also ever since I started Ekiboozi Ugandans have raised close to 400 million all for charity and changing lives of others. Use your internet numbers to lift others.

Over the past months, Bruno has repeatedly turned his TikTok Live sessions into fundraising campaigns, mobilising support for Ugandans facing medical emergencies, school fees, housing challenges and other urgent needs.

While critics continue to question his methods, he insists the lives changed through the initiative tell a different story.

For decades, we have been told to stay in our lanes. In this piece, I do exactly that as a climate change scholar. There is broad agreement among global experts that climate change is one of the greatest challenges of our time. Yet one aspect of this crisis deserves greater attention. The people of Karamoja contribute very little to global climate change, yet they suffer disproportionately from its devastating effects.

Scientific evidence shows that the Earth’s average surface temperature has been rising since the Industrial Revolution. This increase is largely driven by human activities. As a researcher in the KACC Department of Critical Thinking and Alternative Analysis, I argue that Karamoja contributes very little to the causes of climate change, yet its people remain among the hardest hit by its consequences.

Why is this the case? Rising global temperatures are closely linked to industrialization, manufacturing, and intensive economic activity. These processes release large amounts of greenhouse gases, especially carbon dioxide and methane, into the atmosphere (Albergel et al., 2010). Karamoja presents a very different reality. The region has limited industrialization and relatively low economic activity. Its contribution to global greenhouse gas emissions is therefore extremely small.

This argument is supported by Mikhaylov et al. (2020) in their study, “Global Climate Change and Greenhouse Effect.” The authors explain that the warming of the Earth’s surface is mainly caused by burning fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and natural gas. These activities release enormous amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. Karamoja has virtually no industries that emit greenhouse gases on such a scale. Yet its communities continue to face severe droughts, food insecurity, water shortages, and declining livelihoods.

Critics may argue that some Karimojong communities cut trees for charcoal production, which contributes to carbon emissions. That observation is valid. However, critical analysis shows that these emissions remain very small when compared with those of heavily industrialized economies. The scale of responsibility is simply not the same.

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change warns that rising greenhouse gas emissions will continue to intensify climate risks. Communities like Karamoja therefore deserve greater attention.

 Government, NGOs and donors should invest in adaptation, resilience, and Adaptive Capacity. Climate justice requires protecting those who have contributed the least to global warming but continue to bear its heaviest burden.

Ayub Mukisa, PhD
Executive Director, Karamoja Anti-Corruption Coalition (KACC)
Email: ayubmukisa@gmail.com

 

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Speke Resort Munyonyo is delighted to announce the return of its exciting One Day Pony Camp, a fun-filled children’s engagement program designed to introduce young riders to the wonderful world of horses.

Taking place on 11th July 2026, this immersive experience promises a day of learning, adventure, and unforgettable memories in a safe and family-friendly environment.

Parents are invited to mark their calendars and bring their children for a unique opportunity to interact with horses under the guidance of our experienced equestrian team. From first-time riders to children with a growing interest in horse riding, the camp offers professional instruction and hands-on activities that build confidence, responsibility, and a love for horses.

Throughout the day, participants will enjoy comprehensive horse riding lessons, learn the fundamentals of grooming and horse care, and gain practical knowledge about stable management, cleaning, feeding, and equine nutrition. The program also includes training on tacking up, including saddling and bridling, as well as horse handling and essential safety practices.

For beginners, lead-rein pony rides provide a comfortable introduction to riding, while a basic jumping demonstration offers an exciting glimpse into equestrian sport. To round off the day’s activities, children will enjoy a refreshing 45-minute swimming session, making the camp a perfect blend of education, recreation, and fun.

The One Day Pony Camp will run from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Speke Resort Munyonyo and is available at an affordable rate of UGX 100,000 per person.

Event Details;

Event: One Day Pony Camp

Date: 11th July 2026

Time: 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Venue: Speke Resort Munyonyo

Fee: UGX 100,000 per person

Activities Include; 

Horse riding lessons

Grooming and horse care

Stable management and cleaning

Horse feeding and nutrition lessons

Tacking up (saddling and bridling)

Horse handling and safety training

Lead-rein pony rides for beginners

Basic jumping demonstration

45-minute swimming session

Spaces are limited, and early booking is encouraged.

For reservations and inquiries, please call +256 752 711 857.

Join Speke Resort Munyonyo for an enriching day where children can learn new skills, build confidence, make new friends, and create lasting memories through the joy of horses. The organisers look forward to welcoming your family to another exciting edition of our One Day Pony Camp.

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The Uganda Embassy in Addis Ababa has launched a promotional campaign for the 2026 Tusker Lite Rwenzori Marathon to boost tourism and economic diplomacy.

The launch featured a promotional run at Entoto Park that drew more than 500 Ethiopian runners, tourism stakeholders, media figures, and diplomats. The initiative aims to strengthen tourism, people-to-people relations, and regional economic cooperation.

The activation is part of the embassy’s implementation of Uganda’s Economic and Commercial Diplomacy Strategy, the government’s Tenfold Growth Strategy, and the 4ATMS framework, which place economic diplomacy at the centre of Uganda’s foreign policy.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and its missions abroad are official partners of the marathon under its Sports Diplomacy Program. The marathon’s international certification allows elite athletes to compete on a globally recognized course, meaning times set there qualify for global races like the Olympics.

Daphine Teddy Nyanduri, first secretary at the embassy, represented Uganda’s ambassador to Ethiopia and permanent representative to the African Union. She said Ethiopia’s international prominence in long-distance running makes it an ideal partner to promote the marathon and position Uganda as a leading sports and adventure tourism destination.

She said sports diplomacy has become an effective instrument for promoting tourism, investment, cultural exchange, and regional integration, adding that the embassy continues to foster partnerships that promote trade and attract investment.

Amos Wekesa, founder of the Tusker Lite Rwenzori Marathon, commended the embassy for its partnership with the private sector. He invited Ethiopians and the international community to participate in the marathon on 22 August 2026 in Kasese, describing it as an opportunity to experience Uganda’s landscapes and cultural heritage.

The event follows a 10-day familiarisation tour to Uganda in May 2026 for Ethiopian tour operators, media influencers, and prospective investors.

Ashu Z-Arada, an Ethiopian participant at the launch, said that while they had long known Uganda as the “Pearl of Africa,” engaging directly with Ugandans inspired them to experience the country firsthand.

Robert Sembule, financial attaché, underscored the strategic value of sports tourism in advancing Uganda’s economic diplomacy, noting that such initiatives attract investment and enhance Uganda’s international visibility.

Margaret Kafeero, head of public diplomacy, praised Uganda’s missions abroad for supporting the international profile of the marathon. She emphasized the significance of the 2024 certification of the marathon by the World Athletics Federation.

“Since 2024, the Tusker Lite Mt Rwenzori Marathon is currently the only Ugandan-run event certified by the World Athletics Federation, making it a world-class marathon that puts Uganda on the international stage,” Kafeero said. “The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is an official partner of the marathon, and through our missions, we promote participation of international runners and influencers.”

The launch coincided with Uganda’s first export of value-added processed beef to Ethiopia through Ranchers Finest Ltd, with approximately 20 tonnes of premium meat products set to be supplied monthly to Ethiopia’s Diamond Hotel and Restaurant Group.

The embassy reaffirmed its commitment to leveraging tourism, trade, investment, and strategic partnerships to strengthen Uganda-Ethiopia relations.

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KAMPALA – A Catholic priest has issued an urgent plea to Ugandans, calling on families to prioritise traditional mediation over DNA paternity testing in a bid to halt a wave of broken homes across the country.

Fr Joseph John Baptist Ssenkaali who is also the assistant judicial vicar of Kampala Archdiocese warned that the surging popularity of scientific paternity verification is escalating domestic conflicts and tearing the social fabric apart. Speaking to reporters in Kampala, the cleric argued that cultural and religious approaches should be exhausted first to preserve family unity.

“We need to go back to our traditional ways of mediation before these DNA cases escalate and destroy families,” Fr Ssenkaali said. “Paternity matters have become very sensitive. Before rushing to tests, let families and elders sit down and resolve these issues amicably through dialogue and cultural processes.”

‘Children are blessings’

The priest who ministers at Mutundwe Parish emphasised that while DNA testing reveals uncomfortable truths, the emotional and social fallout often leads to immediate marital breakdown and long-term trauma for children.

“Children are blessings. We should protect the family unit first,” Fr Ssenkaali added, gesturing passionately during the interview. “Traditional leaders and the church can help mediate so that we don’t lose the fabric of our society.”

A booming, bitter industry

Uganda has seen a dramatic spike in demand for paternity DNA tests over recent years. Private and public testing centres have reported unprecedented volumes as a growing number of men seek scientific confirmation of biological fatherhood.

The trend has sparked a fierce national debate:

• The Fallout: Numerous high-profile marriages and families have collapsed after results revealed non-paternity.

• The Counter-Argument: Critics and traditionalists are calling for greater caution, tolerance, and a return to foundational social structures.

Fr Ssenkaali is not alone in his anxiety. A growing chorus of religious and traditional leaders have recently weighed in, advocating for African cultural practices of counselling and mediation rather than an immediate reliance on science.

As public discourse intensifies, Uganda remains deeply divided on how to balance modern technology with longstanding cultural values in resolving its most sensitive domestic secrets.

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Ugandan singer Weasel Manizo has revealed that he received Shs285,498 in music royalties from the Uganda Performing Right Society (UPRS), days after the organisation announced the distribution of Shs200 million to musicians and other rights holders.

Weasel shared a screenshot of the mobile money payment on social media and sarcastically captioned it, “UPRS best cheque ever,” a remark that appeared to express disappointment with the amount he received.

Weasel is one half of the celebrated music duo Radio & Weasel, which rose to fame with the late Mowzey Radio through hit songs such as Nakudata, Bread and Butter and Ability. Since Radio’s death in 2018, Weasel has continued to pursue a solo music career while collaborating with other artistes.

The payout comes amid growing debate over how royalties are collected and shared among Ugandan musicians. UPRS recently announced that it would distribute Shs200 million to registered rights holders, a move that coincides with renewed calls for stronger copyright enforcement and the effective implementation of Uganda’s amended Copyright and Neighbouring Rights Act.

However, the announcement has drawn criticism from some industry leaders. During the recent annual general meeting of the Uganda National Musicians Federation (UNMF) at its Mutundwe headquarters, federation president Eddy Kenzo questioned the transparency of the exercise.

Kenzo said UPRS should first explain where the Shs200 million came from and the criteria used to determine how much each musician receives before celebrating the payout. He argued that many artistes still do not understand how royalties are collected or calculated.

“I have seen UPRS announcing that they are going to distribute Shs200 million, but there are still many unanswered questions. Musicians need to know where this money came from and how it was collected,” Kenzo said.

He warned that without a transparent and accountable distribution formula, many musicians could end up receiving only a small fraction of the total amount despite the headline figure announced by the organisation.

UPRS is mandated to collect royalties on behalf of musicians by licensing businesses and other establishments that publicly play copyrighted music. The organisation monitors music usage across platforms such as radio, television and digital services, collects licence fees from commercial users, deducts administrative costs and distributes the remaining revenue to registered rights holders based on how frequently their music is used.

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It took a live chicken, a tuktuk, heartbreak, culture, humour and three rounds of relentless competition to finally separate Uganda’s best dance crew from the rest.

The Tusker Lite Neon Raves national finale, held on Saturday at Next Media Park, lived up to months of anticipation, bringing together 18 dance crews from Hoima, Masaka, Mbarara, Arua, Gulu and Kampala for a showdown that pushed creativity, storytelling and choreography to remarkable heights.

The finalists, who had emerged as the top three crews from their respective regional competitions, arrived with one mission: leave everything on the stage.

They did exactly that.

Long before the first performance, the crews had spent days in camp at Nyungu Ya Mawe, undergoing mentorship sessions with some of Uganda’s most respected dance figures, including Tusker Lite influencers DVD Afroking and Dance Mamweta, alongside members of the renowned Trojans Dance Crew and other industry mentors. The camp sharpened choreography, refined performances and prepared the dancers for the biggest stage of the competition.

When the lights came on, there were no half measures.

One crew walked onto the stage carrying a live chicken as part of a symbolic performance. Costumes, props and elaborate stagecraft transformed every routine into theatre, with the dancers tackling themes that ranged from heartbreak and identity to cultural pride, community, tradition and the importance of mentoring the boy child.

Judging the spectacle was a distinguished panel comprising Dance Mamweta, DVD Afroking, Roy Tumwizire and Gaetano Kaggwa, each bringing a unique perspective on dance, creativity and performance.

According to Roy Tumwizire, what ultimately distinguished the strongest performances went beyond technical ability.

“The crews that stood out were the ones that remained united throughout their routines. We looked at originality, audience engagement, storytelling and how well every member contributed to the performance. The best teams didn’t just dance; they connected with everyone watching.”

Among the night’s standout performers was RP Dance Crew from Kasubi, whose emotionally charged routine explored heartbreak, healing and learning to love again. Their performance drew sustained applause and had all four judges on their feet.

Then came VBD Dance Crew.

The Kampala-based crew recreated scenes from the Oscar-winning Indian film RRR, complete with a Luganda video jockey, the globally acclaimed Naatu Naatu soundtrack and, remarkably, a tuktuk that rolled onto the stage as part of the performance. The ambitious production blurred the lines between dance and theatre, earning some of the loudest reactions of the evening.

“You could put that performance on any stage around the world and it would still be outstanding,” remarked one guest, himself a dancer, moments after the routine ended.

From Arua, Black Dancers quietly built momentum throughout the competition. Their performances fused popping, breakdancing and contemporary choreography with subtle nods to West Nile culture, creating routines that were polished, measured and deeply engaging. They emerged as one of the competition’s surprise packages.

Masaka’s Ve Dancers, the only all-female crew among the finalists, also left a lasting impression. Led by the energetic Faithful Kibuuka, who has been dancing for just two years, the group captivated audiences with a playful yet emotionally layered performance about infidelity, proving both technically accomplished and theatrically confident.

The finale itself reflected the diversity of Uganda’s dance culture. Music ranged effortlessly from soukous and Afrobeat to amapiano, hip hop and local classics, including Suuna Ben’s Binyanyanyanya, ensuring every region found its rhythm on the national stage.

When the final scores were announced, VBD Dance Crew were crowned national champions, with Black Dancers finishing as first runners-up and Ve Dancers claiming second runners-up.

Perhaps the night’s most touching moment came not from the judges’ table, but from the competitors themselves. As VBD’s name was announced, the loudest cheers came from fellow dancers, many of whom had already been eliminated earlier in the competition. It was a reminder that while only one crew could take home the title, the Neon Raves had fostered a community built on mutual respect and shared passion.

Beyond the competition itself, the Neon Raves reflected a broader shift in Uganda’s creative landscape, where dance is increasingly emerging as a serious cultural and economic force. Once largely confined to music videos and stage performances, dance has grown into an industry of its own, fuelled by social media, live entertainment and a new generation of choreographers and performers who are turning their craft into careers.

It is this evolution that Tusker Lite sought to tap into through the Neon Raves. Rather than simply sponsoring performances, the brand created a platform that travelled across the country, giving dancers from different regions the opportunity to compete, receive mentorship, gain national exposure and connect with the wider entertainment industry.

Sandra Againe, the Tusker Lite Brand Manager, said the decision to invest in dance was rooted in the belief that creativity deserves platforms that allow it to flourish.

“Dance is one of the purest forms of self-expression. It tells stories, celebrates identity and brings communities together in a way that few art forms can. Across every region we visited, we found young people using dance not just as entertainment, but as a language of confidence, resilience and creativity. Neon Raves was our way of recognising that movement, creating opportunities for dancers and celebrating a culture that continues to shape how young Ugandans express themselves.”

She added that the competition was never intended to end with a trophy.

“Our hope is that the conversations, collaborations and opportunities created through Neon Raves continue long after the finale. If more dancers are discovered, more careers are built and more people begin to see dance as a profession worthy of investment, then we’ve achieved something meaningful.”

From Hoima to Masaka, Mbarara, Arua, Gulu and Kampala, the Neon Raves unearthed remarkable talent and celebrated the many ways Ugandans tell stories through movement.

On Saturday night, that journey reached its conclusion.

It was a finale of blood, sweat and emotion. A night of outrageous props, daring choreography and unforgettable performances.

And when the lights finally dimmed at Next Media Park, VBD Dance Crew stood alone as Uganda’s newest champions, but every crew left knowing they had helped elevate dance from competition to culture.

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