Ugandan recording artist Danra UG is smiling from ear to ear after landing two nominations at Zambia’s prestigious Zikomo Awards 2026.
The exciting recognition comes just days after the singer released her latest Extended Play (EP) project, dubbed UnTamed.
Danra has been nominated in the Best New Artist of the Year and Best Album of the Year categories, with the latter nomination coming for her UnTamed EP.
Following the nominations, the excited singer has rallied her fans and music lovers to support her by voting in both categories as she bids to bring the awards home.
We have been nominated in the Zikomo Awards 2026 and we’re in two categories — Best New Artist of the Year and Best Album of the Year, and that’s the UnTamed EP. Please vote for me and let’s bring this home.
The nominations add to what has already been a promising run for Danra, who a few months ago scooped awards in Rwanda during the Africa Content Creators Awards ceremony.
With her growing recognition beyond Uganda, the singer will now be hoping to continue her winning streak by securing the two Zikomo Awards.
Nigerian singer Fave has criticised a Ugandan event promoter over what she describes as poor treatment and inadequate payment during her recent visit to the country.
The singer, whose real name is Chidozie Godsfavour Ugochinyere, travelled to Uganda earlier this month to headline an event.
Although she did not name the promoter in her remarks, Fave took to social media to express her frustration over how she was handled during the trip.
The singer said her experience was disappointing, particularly because of her affection for Uganda. She claimed she accepted a deal that was significantly below what she believes she is worth, only to be treated disrespectfully after arriving in the country.
Fave also suggested that experiences involving promoters can influence how foreign artistes perceive Uganda, saying some individuals make it difficult for visitors to leave the country with positive stories to tell.
“It’s people like you and that silly promoter that make it hard for people to have nice things to say about Uganda. Brought me to your country for so much less than I’m worth and still treated me like shit,” she said.
Despite her frustrations, Fave said her love for Uganda made her overlook some of the challenges she encountered.
“But I ignored because of my love for Uganda,” she added.
It’s people like you and that silly promoter that make it hard for people to have nice things to say about Uganda. Brought me to your country for so much less than I’m worth and still treated me like shit. But I ignored because of my love for Uganda
Her comments have since sparked conversation among music and entertainment industry followers, particularly about the relationship between international artistes and local promoters, including agreements on performance fees and treatment while artistes are in the country.
Fave is known for songs including Baby Riddim and Mr Man, and has built a following across Africa through her blend of Afropop and contemporary Nigerian sounds.
Her latest comments have, however, shifted attention from her performance to the circumstances surrounding her appearance in Uganda.
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Nigerian singer Fave’s criticism of a Ugandan promoter has sparked a wider debate about the relationship between foreign artistes and local entertainment organisers, after comedian Patrick Salvado challenged her decision to generalise her experience.
Fave, whose real name is Chidozie Godsfavour Ugochinyere, recently visited Uganda to headline an event but later took to social media to complain about what she described as poor treatment and inadequate payment.
The singer said she was brought to Uganda for considerably less than she believed she was worth and was still treated badly, despite her affection for the country.
“It’s people like you and that silly promoter that make it hard for people to have nice things to say about Uganda. Brought me to your country for so much less than I’m worth and still treated me like shit. But I ignored because of my love for Uganda,” Fave wrote.
Her remarks quickly drew reactions from Ugandans, with some questioning why she accepted the booking if she felt the payment was below her value.
Others challenged the singer’s suggestion that her experience represented how people are treated in Uganda, while some social media users dismissed the controversy altogether, joking that the country currently had bigger concerns as it mourns the late Tooro King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV.
Some commenters also questioned Fave’s popularity in Uganda, with a section of users arguing that she was not yet a major name in the local music market.
However, Salvado came to the conversation with his own experience involving the Nigerian singer’s booking team.
Retweeting Fave’s post, the comedian cautioned her against judging an entire country based on the actions of a few individuals.
“Don’t generalize, a few bad apples don’t describe the whole orchard,” Salvado wrote.
He then recalled an attempt to book Fave for his show the previous year, saying the negotiations with her team had become difficult.
According to Salvado, they had initially reached an agreement before Fave’s booking team allegedly accepted another offer and replaced his event with a different deal.
“I needed you for my show last year but your booking team made life hard. After agreeing on terms, you got a better deal that you substituted me for that ended up not working,” he said.
Salvado claimed the booking team later returned to him after he had already moved on with his plans.
“So your team came back to me after I had moved on … but I never came out to say it’s people like you/your team who make it hard for people to say nice things about Nigeria. Tikwe?” he added.
Don’t generalize, a few bad apples don’t describe the whole orchard. I needed you for my show last year but your booking team made life hard. After agreeing on terms, you got a better deal that you substituted me for that ended up not working.. so your team came back to me after… https://t.co/AH1UUTTnXc
His response introduced another dimension to the discussion, suggesting that disagreements between artistes and promoters can arise from both sides of the booking process.
Fave’s complaint followed her recent appearance in Uganda, where she was booked to headline an event. She has not publicly identified the promoter she was referring to in her post.
The dispute has since divided opinion online, with some Ugandans sympathising with the singer over her alleged treatment, while others argue that artistes and promoters should resolve booking and payment disagreements without turning them into broader judgments about an entire country.
For Salvado, the issue appears to be less about Fave’s individual experience and more about the danger of allowing a dispute with one promoter or booking team to define how an entire country is viewed.
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The sons insist that the late Omukama Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV’s Will should take precedence in determining who succeeds the late King.
“We disagree with our own father, and it’s surprising that he has taken that turn. The will of the King, Omukama Oyo, supersedes any will that existed in the past,” the sons said.
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Their remarks come amid growing debate over the succession of the Tooro throne following the death of King Oyo.
SONS DISTANCE THEMSELVES FROM FATHER
The sons said they were concerned by their father’s position on the succession question, arguing that the late King had already made provisions for who should take over the throne.
They accused unnamed individuals of taking advantage of their father’s position and attempting to influence the succession debate.
According to them, the wishes contained in King Oyo’s Will should be respected rather than relying on documents or arrangements that existed before the late monarch’s Will.
The dispute has now created an unusual situation within the royal family, with the sons publicly disagreeing with their own father over the matter.
OYO’S SON FIRST IN LINE
Details that have emerged from King Oyo’s 2022 Will indicate that the late monarch designated his son as the first heir and successor to the Tooro throne.
JUST IN : The sons of Omusuuga Charles Kamurasi have accused unnamed “self-seekers” of hijacking their father, insisting that King Oyo’s will supersedes any prior will and is binding on everyone.
“We disagree with our own father, and it’s surprising that he has taken that turn.… pic.twitter.com/zXZ5farJ10
The Will further provides a succession order in the event that his son is unable to assume the throne.
Under the arrangement, Prince Komwiswa Yoweri is next in line, followed by Prince Nyaika Solomon, and then Musuga Charles Kamurasi.
The succession order has therefore placed Kamurasi at the fourth position in the arrangement outlined in the Will.
‘WILL OF THE KING MUST PREVAIL’
It is this provision that the sons say should guide the transition.
They argue that the late King’s Will is the most recent expression of his wishes concerning succession and should therefore be respected.
Their position effectively puts them at odds with their father, who is himself named in the Will as a possible successor should the preceding heirs be unable to take up the throne.
The sons say they do not want the succession process hijacked by individuals pursuing personal interests.
SUCCESSION BATTLE
The disagreement adds another layer to an already sensitive succession process in Tooro, where the death of King Oyo has triggered discussions about the future of the monarchy.
The Tooro Kingdom has previously called for calm and unity among the people as arrangements for the transition continue. Recent reports have also highlighted tensions surrounding meetings of members of the royal and kingdom leadership.
The latest position from Omusuga’s sons could further intensify attention on the contents of King Oyo’s Will and the process through which the next Omukama will be installed.
For now, the sons maintain that the late King’s Will should be the guiding document, insisting that their father’s position should not override the succession arrangement left by King Oyo.
The sons of Omusuga Charles Kamurasi, the head of the Babiito royal clan, have broken ranks with their father over the succession of the Tooro throne, accusing unnamed “self-seekers” of misleading him.
The sons insist that the late Omukama Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV’s Will should take precedence in determining who succeeds the late King.
“We disagree with our own father, and it’s surprising that he has taken that turn. The will of the King, Omukama Oyo, supersedes any will that existed in the past,” the sons said.
Their remarks come amid growing debate over the succession of the Tooro throne following the death of King Oyo.
SONS DISTANCE THEMSELVES FROM FATHER
The sons said they were concerned by their father’s position on the succession question, arguing that the late King had already made provisions for who should take over the throne.
They accused unnamed individuals of taking advantage of their father’s position and attempting to influence the succession debate.
According to them, the wishes contained in King Oyo’s Will should be respected rather than relying on documents or arrangements that existed before the late monarch’s Will.
The dispute has now created an unusual situation within the royal family, with the sons publicly disagreeing with their own father over the matter.
OYO’S SON FIRST IN LINE
Details that have emerged from King Oyo’s 2022 Will indicate that the late monarch designated his son as the first heir and successor to the Tooro throne.
The Will further provides a succession order in the event that his son is unable to assume the throne.
Under the arrangement, Prince Komwiswa Yoweri is next in line, followed by Prince Nyaika Solomon, and then Musuga Charles Kamurasi.
The succession order has therefore placed Kamurasi at the fourth position in the arrangement outlined in the Will.
‘WILL OF THE KING MUST PREVAIL’
It is this provision that the sons say should guide the transition.
They argue that the late King’s Will is the most recent expression of his wishes concerning succession and should therefore be respected.
Their position effectively puts them at odds with their father, who is himself named in the Will as a possible successor should the preceding heirs be unable to take up the throne.
The sons say they do not want the succession process hijacked by individuals pursuing personal interests.
SUCCESSION BATTLE
The disagreement adds another layer to an already sensitive succession process in Tooro, where the death of King Oyo has triggered discussions about the future of the monarchy.
The Tooro Kingdom has previously called for calm and unity among the people as arrangements for the transition continue. Recent reports have also highlighted tensions surrounding meetings of members of the royal and kingdom leadership.
The latest position from Omusuga’s sons could further intensify attention on the contents of King Oyo’s Will and the process through which the next Omukama will be installed.
For now, the sons maintain that the late King’s Will should be the guiding document, insisting that their father’s position should not override the succession arrangement left by King Oyo.
The choice of Prince Edward Kijanangoma Rukidi as the next Omukama of Tooro has been thrown into fresh uncertainty after Princess Ruth Nsemere Komuntale publicly challenged the decision.
Kijanangoma was announced on Wednesday as king-elect, with the Ababiito clan saying it had selected him to succeed the late Omukama Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV, who died on August 27 and is scheduled to be buried on Saturday.
Komuntale, however, says the succession should not have moved away from Oyo’s immediate lineage.
According to the Princess Royal, the late king had indicated who he wanted to succeed him, with a second option provided should his first choice be unable to assume the throne.
She argues that Kijanangoma does not feature among the two choices she says were identified by Oyo, and therefore questions the decision by the Babiito elders to endorse him.
At the centre of the disagreement is also a purported will attributed to the late Omukama George David Kamurasi Rukidi III. The authenticity of the document has not been independently established, but it has added another layer to the debate over the royal succession.
Kamurasi, who died in 1965, is said to have outlined a succession plan involving four of his 14 sons.
The document reportedly placed Patrick David Matthew Kaboyo as his first choice. Kaboyo later became Omukama Patrick Kaboyo Olimi III and was the father of King Oyo. Following Kaboyo’s death in 1995, Oyo ascended the throne at the age of three.
The purported document also names Christopher Paul Kijanangoma as an alternative successor in the event that Kaboyo died without an heir or became mentally incapacitated.
Christopher Paul Kijanangoma is the father of the current king-elect, Prince Edward Kijanangoma.
The succession list reportedly went further, identifying Stephen Edgar Paul Karamagi as another possible successor should Kijanangoma die without an heir or become mentally incapacitated.
It is this arrangement that Komuntale says raises questions about the latest selection. In her view, the succession should have remained within the branch of Kaboyo and, subsequently, Oyo’s own family before the alternative line could be considered.
The debate has also been fuelled by reports that King Oyo left behind a young son.
After Oyo’s death in the United States, President Museveni said he had been informed by Queen Mother Best Kemigisa that the late monarch had a young son and heir.
The claim prompted calls from sections of the Babiito clan for the alleged child to be presented and his lineage verified before the succession process was concluded.
Omusuuga Charles Kamurasi, head of the Babiito royal clan, had earlier said the alleged heir should be brought before the clan, stressing that the process must be guided by Tooro’s cultural traditions.
Komuntale’s intervention now adds a new dispute to a succession process that was already facing questions over the identity and eligibility of the next monarch.
Her rejection comes only days before Oyo’s burial, meaning the kingdom is preparing to lay its former king to rest while a debate over his successor remains unresolved.
Princess Ruth Nsemere Komuntale, commonly known as the Batebe or Princess Royal of Tooro Kingdom, assumed the title on September 12, 1996, following her installation by her late brother, King Oyo.
Born in 1989 in Fort Portal, Kabarole District, she is a daughter of the late Omukama Patrick Kaboyo Olimi III and Queen Mother Best Kemigisa.
Her intervention places one of the kingdom’s senior royal figures at the centre of the unfolding debate over who should occupy the Tooro throne.
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A total of 2,790 students have been selected to receive government loans under the Higher Education Students Financing Scheme for the 2026/27 academic year.
The beneficiaries were selected from 10,615 applicants seeking financial support to pursue degree and diploma programmes at accredited higher education institutions.
The Ministry of Education and Sports said the number of applications has increased significantly, highlighting the growing demand for student financing.
Michael Wanyama, the Commissioner for the Higher Education Students Financing Scheme, said the ministry received 10,615 applications this year, compared with 7,125 in the previous academic year.
“This time round we received a total of 10,615 applications, way above the 7,125 received in the last academic year,” Wanyama said.
Applications opened on 25 May 2026, with the initial deadline set for 25 July. The ministry later extended the deadline to 31 July to give more time to students whose admissions had been delayed by some higher education institutions.
Students applied online through the Integrated Loan Management System.
To qualify for the scheme, applicants had to be Ugandan citizens, aged 35 years or below, and admitted to accredited programmes at chartered higher education institutions.
The ministry said applicants were assessed using a standardised scoring system designed to ensure that the selection process was fair and free from human interference.
“All applicants are subjected to a uniform scorecard which considers social economic indicators to arrive at the lending decision,” Wanyama said.
The assessment considered several factors, including academic performance, household circumstances, vulnerability indicators such as disability and loss of parents, geographical location and affirmative action considerations.
Of the 10,615 applications received, 8,005 applicants, representing 75.5 per cent, were found eligible, while 2,610 were disqualified. According to Wanyama, most of the rejected applications were incomplete.
The ministry ultimately approved loans for 2,790 students, meaning about 34.8 per cent of those found eligible received financing.
The number of successful applicants has increased substantially from the previous academic year, when 862 students received loans.
Of the 2,790 beneficiaries, 1,400 are female and 1,390 are male.
The beneficiaries include 2,019 students pursuing degree programmes and 771 taking diploma courses.
Sqoop Larma says women are the real bosses of the music industry.
The rising Ugandan recording artist and songwriter made the claim during a sit-down on Rewind while discussing his fanbase, which many believe is mainly female.
Larma said women can determine how well an artist does, depending on whether they appreciate the music.
Girls are the bosses of music in case you did not know. Women run the industry. If they do not appreciate you, things will not work out for you well enough.
He also pointed to music shows, where women not only attend but, according to him, can influence men to turn up as well.
Women are the ones who attend shows. They also influence men to attend shows.
The “Byebyo” hitmaker then summed up his view in four words.
At 52, Samalie Kristensen wears many hats: dedicated social worker, mother of four, active gardener, and passionate humanitarian.
Living in Denmark, she balances a full-time career supporting families within the Danish welfare system with an unwavering commitment to vulnerable children back home in East Africa.
As a core advocate for TDC Charity and Orphanage, Samalie dedicates her free time to expanding educational opportunities, healthcare, and daily support for orphaned children in both Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Having spent her early years studying at Kololo High School in Kampala, Samalie eventually relocated to Denmark to build her professional career.
Yet, despite the physical distance, her heart remained deeply tied to the community that raised her.
TDC CHARITY & ORPHANAGE REACH
Operating directly out of Kampala and extending its vital support to Bukavu in South Kivu (DRC), the charity serves as an essential lifeline—providing shelter, nutritious meals, access to education, and emotional grounding to children who have lost their parents.
For Samalie, the mission isn’t just about providing basic aid; it is fundamentally about restoring dignity and providing a sustainable sense of direction.
“Every child deserves to believe they have a future. My role is simply to help them hold on to that hope.” – SAMALIE KRISTENSEN
Life in Denmark keeps her grounded. Between her professional responsibilities and her international advocacy work, Samalie finds peace in the quiet, nourishing rhythms of home.
She tends to her vibrant garden, keeps a backyard beehive, practices digital marketing, loves to sing, and enjoys long walks with her dog, Rex.
Her life beautifully bridges two very different worlds—one rooted in European social care, the other in East African community empowerment.
Through her work with TDC Charity and Orphanage, Samalie proves that distance is no barrier to impact, demonstrating how personal dedication and compassionate purpose can connect continents to transform young lives.
A 30-year-old businesswoman in Rukungiri is in police custody after she was accused of sexually abusing a 15-year-old secondary school student.
Police identify the suspect as Akankwasa Caroline, a resident of Rwabuteneka Cell in Rukungiri Municipality.
According to police, the incident allegedly happened on August 26 when Akankwasa called the teenager to her home at around 3pm.
Police allege that the minor was sexually abused and later given money.
Akankwasa is being held at Rukungiri Central Police Station as investigations continue.
Kigezi Regional Police spokesperson SP Nelson Tumushime has urged parents and guardians to protect children and called on the public to report suspected defilement cases immediately instead of settling them for money at village level.
Only 2,790 students have been approved for government higher education loans for the 2026/27 academic year, leaving thousands of applicants without financial support despite a sharp rise in demand for the scheme. The Ministry of Education and Sports received 10,615 applications, up from 7,125 in the previous academic year, representing a 48.9 percent increase.
Of the applications received, 8,005 applicants, or 75.4 percent, met the initial eligibility requirements, while 2,610, representing 24.6 percent, were found ineligible. The figures were released on Thursday, September 10, 2026, by Commissioner for the Higher Education Students’ Financing Scheme Michael Wanyama at a press briefing at the Uganda Media Centre.
Acting Minister for Education and Sports John Chrysostom Muyingo said the increase reflects growing demand for government support among students struggling to finance higher education. “Applications increased by 3,490, from 7,125 to 10,615, translating into a reported 48.9 percent increase.”
The ministry attributed part of the increase to greater public awareness and outreach through print and social media, community radio and television. The application deadline, initially set for July 17, 2026, was also extended to July 31 to accommodate students affected by delayed admission processes at some higher education institutions.
Applications were submitted exclusively online through the Integrated Loan Management Information System (ILMIS), which the ministry says has enabled students to apply from anywhere in the country while reducing processing time and errors. However, the increased reliance on online applications also makes access to reliable internet connectivity and digital literacy important for prospective beneficiaries.
Of the 8,005 eligible applicants, only 2,790, representing 34.8 percent, were eventually selected. The approved cohort comprises 1,390 male students, or 49.8 percent, and 1,400 female students, or 50.2 percent. The number of female beneficiaries has increased substantially from 862 in the 2025/26 academic year to 1,400 under the new intake.
The new cohort also includes 64 students with disabilities, comprising 46 males and 18 females, who will pursue both science and humanities programmes. The ministry says the selection framework was designed to promote geographical equity, gender inclusion and support for vulnerable groups. The largest number of beneficiaries are pursuing Bachelor of Science with Education, with 581 students, followed by engineering with 498, computer science with 313 and health-care management with 284.
The concentration of beneficiaries in education, engineering, computing and health-related programmes reflects the government’s priority on fields considered critical to human capital and economic development. For the 2026/27 intake, the ministry adopted a three-tier selection model developed in line with recommendations from Parliament.
Under the model, 30 percent of beneficiaries are selected through district quotas, another 30 percent are allocated to districts and cities according to their share of eligible applicants, while 40 percent are selected based on socio-economic vulnerability. The ministry says the approach is intended to balance merit and financial need with geographical representation.
Applicants were assessed using a Proxy Means Test (PMT) embedded in ILMIS. The system considered socio-economic background, academic performance, household characteristics, and vulnerability factors such as disability and parental loss, alongside geographical and affirmative-action considerations.
According to the ministry, the PMT score was generated automatically without human intervention in the scoring process. The selection exercise produced beneficiaries from across the country, including districts that have historically recorded relatively low participation in the scheme.
These include Amudat, Buvuma, Kalangala, Karenga, Kotido and Moroto. The Higher Education Students’ Financing Scheme operates under the Higher Education Students’ Financing Act, 2014, as amended in 2024. The scheme is intended to expand equitable access to higher education, support qualified students who cannot afford tertiary education, promote regional balance, finance programmes considered critical to national development and maintain a sustainable revolving loan fund.
For the 2026/27 intake, applicants had to be Ugandan citizens admitted to accredited institutions and programmes, submit the required documentation, and be aged 35 years or younger at the time of application. Applicants were also required not to be beneficiaries of another scholarship or funding programme. The approved annual tuition ceiling under the scheme is 7.6 million shillings.
For the current intake, financing is primarily targeted at approved STEM programmes and tourism and hotel-management programmes, while students with disabilities can apply for accredited undergraduate degree and diploma programmes, including humanities. Incomplete applications accounted for the largest share of the 2,610 applications that were rejected.
The ministry said 1,452 applications were incomplete because the applicants had not submitted all the required documentation. A further 279 applicants applied for programmes that were not eligible for financing, while 87 were continuing students despite the scheme targeting first-year entrants.
The government has allocated 10.72 billion shillings for the new cohort. The ministry said the original budget was designed to support 2,400 students, but the available funds have allowed the number to rise to 2,790 because many beneficiaries are enrolled in relatively low-cost programmes. Bachelor of Science with Education accounts for a significant share of the beneficiaries and was identified by officials as comparatively less expensive than several other programmes.
The loans will cover tuition, functional fees and research fees payable to higher education institutions. The money will not be paid directly to students but will instead be disbursed to their respective institutions. Successful applicants are required to sign loan agreements with the ministry before the funds are released.
The number of universities participating in the scheme has also increased from 25 in 2025/26 to 33 this academic year. Of the 33 universities, 11 are public, and 22 are private chartered universities, in addition to other tertiary institutions offering eligible diploma programmes.
Despite the expansion in government support, the figures show that demand continues to outpace available financing. Only 2,790 of the 10,615 applicants secured loans, meaning roughly one in every four applicants received support. Even among the 8,005 applicants who met the initial eligibility requirements, fewer than four in ten ultimately obtained funding.
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