Blog

Veteran producer Washington has said singer Weasel should be far wealthier given the dominance of the Goodlyfe Crew over the past decade.

For nearly 15 years, the duo of Weasel and the late Moses Radio churned out hit after hit, shaping Uganda’s modern sound and dominating airwaves across the region.

According to Washington, that level of consistency should have translated into significant financial success.

He argued that Weasel ought to be among the wealthiest artists in the country, considering the volume and impact of the music the group produced over the years.

However, the producer acknowledged that the industry at the time lacked proper systems to protect artists and ensure they fully benefited from their work.

“At that time we were just doing things out of excitement,” he said. “I accept that we made some mistakes because we didn’t know what to do. But now we know what to do.”

Washington explained that many songs were recorded and released without formal agreements, clear ownership structures, or proper documentation, making it difficult for artists to earn consistently from their music.

He now advocates for a more professional approach, including signing split sheets, registering songs, and clearly outlining how revenue is shared among all contributors.

“We want to do things in an organized way this time—get the split sheet, register the music, and set the percentages,” he said.

His remarks add to ongoing calls within the industry for stronger systems to ensure artists benefit fairly from their work in the evolving digital music economy.

Don’t want to miss out on any story? For updates on all Sqoop stories, follow this link on Telegram: https://t.me/Sqoop and Whatsapp: https://whatsapp.com/channel

If there were an Olympic sport for online speculation, bloggers and TikTok sleuths would be bringing home gold medals daily. But this week, socialite Zari Hassan made it crystal clear: not every viral “receipt” deserves applause, some deserve a courtroom.

The internet was recently set ablaze with whispers (and screenshots) claiming that Zari’s marriage to Shakib Cham had hit the rocks. The evidence? A conveniently dramatic screenshot that spread faster than Wi-Fi in a teenager’s bedroom. The problem? According to Zari, it was about as real as a three-dollar bill.

In a video that’s now doing its own rounds online, Zari didn’t just deny the rumors but rather dismantled them. With the calm certainty of someone who knows the difference between reality and a poorly generated digital forgery, she labeled the viral image as fake and pointed a finger at what she suspects is artificial intelligence gone rogue.

“That screenshot was made up by critics. I don’t know about it and whoever made it had negative intentions. I suspect it was generated by Artificial Intelligence,” she said.

But this wasn’t just a casual clapback. It was a warning shot.

Zari, never one to mince words, reminded content creators that behind every trending topic is an actual human being, with a reputation, a family, and, importantly, access to legal recourse. Her message? If you’re going to post, you’d better post facts because apologies won’t cut it anymore.

“I need to remind you TikTokers and bloggers of our laws, you will be locked up. You are ruining my reputation, but it’s very easy to track you down. Next time you put up a false statement about me, be sure of what you are talking about. I will sue you and won’t be taking apologies,” she added.

In an era where AI can whip up believable lies faster than you can say “viral,” the lines between truth and fiction are getting dangerously blurry.

The mood among Uganda’s creatives has been one of cautious celebration following the passing of the Copyright and Neighboring Rights (Amendment) Bill, 2025 but for Eddy Kenzo, the moment carries something deeper than legislative success.

Speaking during an interview shortly after Parliament passed the long-awaited law, the award-winning singer explained that the fight for copyright reform was never just about money.

For him and many other musicians, it was about ensuring their life’s work finally carries real value.

Kenzo revealed that the struggle had weighed heavily on artists who for years watched their music generate revenue for others while they themselves earned little to nothing.

“I have done my part,” he said with conviction. “I am a musician, and the reason I came here was because of the problems we had as an industry. That our music did not have any value.”

The Sitya Loss hitmaker described a harsh reality that many performers quietly fear: the day when the spotlight fades and the stage lights dim.

For Kenzo, that future was a powerful motivator in pushing artists to step beyond their comfort zones and demand change.

“I can’t be in a profession where at the end of the day, when I grow old, my children will see me as a joker,” he said. “Today you are energetic; you can jump on stage, you can perform, but reality will come tomorrow when you can’t even jump anymore.”

The new copyright law is expected to change that by strengthening protections around intellectual property and improving how royalties are collected and distributed, particularly from broadcasters and businesses that profit from playing music.

Kenzo emphasized that the push for reform required courage from artists who chose to confront a broken system rather than simply accept it.

“That is why we decided to get out of our comfort zone,” he explained.

Don’t want to miss out on any story? For updates on all Sqoop stories, follow this link on Telegram: https://t.me/Sqoop and Whatsapp: https://whatsapp.com/channel

Makerere University has announced plans to double its postgraduate student population from 3,874 to 7,744 over the next five years, while maintaining — not cutting — its current undergraduate enrollment.
The announcement was made by Vice Chancellor Prof Barnabas Nawangwe while unveiling the university’s five-year Strategic Plan (2025/2026–2029/2030), flanked by senior academic staff. The plan, he said, is designed to widen access to quality education and align with Uganda’s National Development Plan (NDP IV), which targets tenfold national growth.

For students and parents who had been anxious about reports of reduced intake, the announcement brings relief. Makerere had previously signalled plans to trim undergraduate admissions from 14,000 to 12,000 annually to create room for postgraduate expansion. That decision has now been shelved.

“Our strategy is to increase the number of graduate students to at least 30 percent by 2030,” Prof Nawangwe said. “Previously, we had almost 50,000 students, which sparked public outcry that students were studying through rumours because they could not fit in lecture rooms. We gradually cut our numbers to about 35,000.”
He added that the University Council had since given a different direction. “The Council is saying it is okay — we can keep the numbers and make efforts to increase graduate numbers and achieve what we wanted to achieve.”

The Vice Chancellor was emphatic about why growing the postgraduate pipeline is not just a university ambition but a national necessity.
“We all know that research is what has liberated many countries. We must train as many PhDs and Masters students as possible to move our country out of poverty. If they are going to be self-sponsored, we are not going to achieve that,” he warned, making a pointed call for government scholarships and loan schemes to support postgraduate students.

His concern is backed by a troubling statistic — only 10 percent of PhD students at Makerere complete their programmes on time, largely due to financial challenges. A PhD programme at the university costs anywhere between Shs20 million and Shs200 million, with science programmes commanding significantly higher fees than humanities.On a more encouraging note, Prof Julius Kikooma, the Director of Undergraduate Training, revealed that 31 percent of graduates at the 76th graduation ceremony were postgraduate students — a figure the university expects to grow to 50 percent by 2030. Students who drop out due to financial constraints are also allowed to return once they secure funding.

Exams Will No Longer Be Everything
In another significant shift, Prof Nawangwe announced changes to how students are assessed. Under the university’s new competence-based curriculum, continuous assessment will now carry 60 percent of a student’s final mark, with examinations accounting for the remaining 40 percent.
This marks a major departure from the traditional exam-heavy model that has long defined university education in Uganda.
“There have been questions about our preparedness to take on students who have undertaken the new competence-based curriculum in high school,” the Vice Chancellor acknowledged. “I would like to reassure the public that the university is not only ready but has always operated on a competence approach.”

Taken together, the announcements paint a picture of a Makerere University in transition — one that is betting heavily on research, postgraduate training, and a more holistic approach to student assessment to secure its relevance in the next decade.
Whether the government responds to Prof Nawangwe’s call for scholarships and loan schemes will likely determine how ambitious these targets can realistically become.
For now, students can breathe easy. The seats are not being taken away. The university is simply working on adding more scholars to fill them.

The 14th edition of Miss Tourism Uganda was officially launched at Kampala Serena Hotel yesterday, setting the stage for a nationwide hunt for a new tourism ambassador, but this time with an eye firmly fixed on the digital age.

Organizers unveiled the theme “AI, Tourism, and Culture,” signaling a bold shift that blends technology with cultural heritage to promote Uganda as a modern, innovative, and culturally rich destination.

Speaking at the launch, pageant administrator Loice Namara Kalamuka said the competition is evolving with the times and looking for a new generation of tourism ambassadors who can tell Uganda’s story to the world in fresh, creative ways.

“This theme reflects a forward-looking approach where innovation and heritage work together to position Uganda as a modern, sustainable, and culturally vibrant destination,” Namara said.

Beyond the glamour and crowns, the pageant is increasingly positioning itself as a platform for young leaders passionate about tourism, culture, and community development.

This year’s search will sweep across 12 regions, including West Nile, Busoga, Buganda, Teso, and Ankole, ensuring contestants represent the rich cultural diversity that defines Uganda.

From traditional dances and storytelling to community tourism initiatives, contestants will be expected to embody the spirit of the Pearl of Africa while demonstrating a strong understanding of the country’s tourism sector.

One of the biggest highlights of the 2026 edition is the introduction of Miss Tourism Metro, a new category designed to embrace Ugandans of mixed heritage and celebrate the country’s increasingly diverse identity.

According to Namara, the category reflects how Uganda’s cultural landscape is evolving while still remaining rooted in tradition.

At the same time, the Man of Tourism competition will return for its second edition, continuing efforts to involve young men in promoting tourism, conservation, and community-driven initiatives.

Registration for both categories is currently underway at Sheraton Kampala Hotel, with auditions scheduled for March 21 and April 4.

Contestants will be evaluated not only on beauty and poise but also on their cultural knowledge, communication skills, community engagement, and digital presence, reflecting the pageant’s shift toward modern storytelling and online influence.

The journey will culminate in a grand finale on September 4, 2026, at Kampala Serena Hotel, where the next national tourism ambassador will be crowned.

Don’t want to miss out on any story? For updates on all Sqoop stories, follow this link on Telegram: https://t.me/Sqoop and Whatsapp: https://whatsapp.com/channel

The Deputy Head of the RDC Secretariat, Sr. Grace Akiror has held an interface with the technical, political, security and the special interest groups on government service delivery in Mubende District as part of the routine country wide monitoring.

During the meeting held yesterday, Sr.Akiror thanked the district team for massive support to President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni of 71.4 percent garnered in the district thus protecting the gains.

To this, she implored the stakeholders to get down to foot and champion the government service delivery, she called up on participants ensure proper implementation of the government programs and projects to the last dot. During the meeting the participants laid strategies on how to best implement the government programs and projects in the next five years and beyond all aimed at national development.

Sr. Akiror further underscored the need to join hands towards fighting the HIV/AIDS in the District.

Sr.Akiror further met the special interest groups on service delivery, these included the leadership of the youth, drivers, disabled elderly etc. They appreciated the government funding for the vast programs towards them, they also raised critical issues inclusive of increase on the funding so that many people can be able to benefit. Over all the engagement was positive and all pledged to be supportive on national development.

The Resident District Commissioner Mubende ,Fred Nayebare appreciated the people of Mubende for entrusting NRM and President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni with yet another term.

He noted that all the government programs in the district are performing above the average and further noted that security is calm.

He reiterated the RDCS office commitment towards fighting corruption and engaging the community on the wealth creation.

On the other hand the Chief Administrative Officer Doreen Khakusuma commended government for funding various government programs and projects and pledged total implementation or national development.

The Vice Chairperson Mubende District Mrs Kellen Besigye assured the participants of team work towards implementation of the government programs and projects, She noted that reconciliation is key especially after the political season and called form peace and calmness.

Mubende District is in the Central Region. It borders Kassanda District in the East, Kiboga and Kyankwanzi in the North, Sembabule and Gomba in the South, Kyegegwa and Kakumiro in the West. The District headquarters is located 160 Kilometers West of Kampala. It covers a total area of approximately 2,713Km2.
The District Local Council is the highest political authority in the District. It has 38 members headed by a District Local Council Chairman who serves as the Political head of the district.

The District Local Council has a technical team divided into eleven departments namely – Management Support Services, Finance, Production & Marketing, Health, Education & Sports, Works &Technical Services and Water, Natural Resources, Community Based Services, Planning Department and Internal Audit. The Technical Team is headed by a Chief Administrative Officer.

Mubende District is divided into 4 Counties/constituencies (Mubende Municipality, Buwekula, Buwekula South and Kasambya), 13 Sub-counties, three (3) town councils, 65 parishes, 14 wards and 525 villages. The Municipal Council has three (3) divisions, 18 wards, 75 cells.

According to National Population and Housing Census (NPHC) 2024, Mubende District Total population was 522,015 persons, male 251,165(48%) and Female 270,850(52%). Mubende District Population by age group, children aged 0-17 years 268,838(52%), Adults aged 18 years and above 253,177(49%), Youth aged 15-24 years 103,073(20%), youth aged 18-30 years 117,618(23%), Working aged 14-64 years 287,271(55%), older persons 60 or more year 21,720(4%),

Number of Youth aged 18-30years in household 114,820(22%), Number of youths employed 59,411 and unemployed youth 5,082, unemployment youth rate 7.9% and number of youths Not in Employment, Education or Training NEET) 48,422(42.2%). Number of Youth aged 15-24 years in household 101,181, Number of youths employed 42,936 and unemployed 3.987, unemployment rate 8.5% and number of youths Not in Employment, Education or Training (NEET) 38,883(38.4%).

Number of Persons aged 15 years and above inside labour force 153,745, number unemployed 8,993 and unemployment rate 5.9%.

Number of Persons aged 14-64 years inside labour force 151,607 and unemployed 9,043(6% unemployment rate).

According to NPHC 2024 results revealed that, PDM Household population was 516,081, Number of households 132,046, average household size 3.9 and household in subsistence economy 37,524(28.4%) and PDM beneficiaries were 7,131(19%).

Currently PDM Number of households 132,046, average household size 4, household in subsistence economy 72,524(55%) and PDM beneficiaries were 16,410(23%).

Household population headed by youth aged 15-24 years 38,610 number of households headed by youth aged 15-24 years 18,901 and average household size 2.0 persons. Household population headed by youth aged 19-30 years 108,624 number of households headed by youth aged 18-30 years 42,044 and average household size 2.6 persons.

Household population headed by older persons aged 60+ years 76,289 number of households headed by older persons aged 60+ years 17,265 and average household size 4.4 persons. Household population headed by older persons aged 65+ years 47,021 number of households headed by older persons aged 65+ years 11,064 and average household size 4.2 persons. Household population headed by older persons aged 80+ years 10,563 number of households headed by older persons aged 80+ years 2,801 and average household size 3.8.

Out of the total households 132,046 Households with improved sanitation were 53,054(40.2%), households with improved source of water 77,340(58.6%), Households using solar electricity for lighting 114,667(87%) and households using grid electricity for lighting 17,379(13.2%).

Out of the total households 132,046 Households engaged in Agriculture were 85,848(65%) and households that were food insecure were 36,313(27.5%) According to NPHC 2024 results revealed that, Mubende District had 1,100 refugees out of which male 556 and female 544 persons.

On the Parish Development Model Twenty four billion, two hundred ninety seven million six hundred sixty-eight thousand three hundred thirty eight shillings (UGX 24,297,668,338=) has been disbursed to 24,215 households (beneficiaries) each receiving Shs 1,000,000 as parish revolving fund over a three-year period (2021/2022, 2022/2023 , 2023/2024, 2024/2025). The enterprises supported are Coffee, Dairy, Piggery, Goats. Mubende continues to champion development and service delivery towards the transformation of the district and the nation at large.

Do you have a story in your community or an opinion to share with us: Email us at Submit an Article

The Deputy RDC of Nakapiripirit, Sunday Steven Komakech, has pledged to take decisive action against corruption in the district and improve service delivery.

He made these remarks on March 17, 2026, during a District Integrity Promotion Forum (DIPF) held in Nakapiripirit District.

The forum was organized by Karamoja Anti-Corruption Coalition (KACC), Multi-Community Based Development Initiative (MUCOBADI), the Anti-Corruption Coalition Uganda (ACCU), and the office of the RDC Nakapiripirit.

It was attended by Heads of Cooperation from the embassies of Denmark, Ireland, Sweden, and the Netherlands. These embassies, led by the Royal Danish Embassy, jointly support state and non-state actors in promoting accountability, civic engagement, and human rights to strengthen governance and improve service delivery, particularly in the Karamoja and West Nile sub-regions.

Also in attendance were the Commissioner from the Directorate for Ethics and Integrity in the Office of the President, Mr. Nicholas Abola; the Commissioner for District Inspection from the Ministry of Local Government, Stephen Koma; the Director of Anti-Corruption at the Inspectorate of Government, Robert Lugolobi; officials from the Nakapiripirit District Local Government, community monitors, police, judiciary officials, and Civil Society Organizations.
Several key issues were presented during the forum.

These included the non-remittance of hard-to-reach allowances for teachers at Nakapiripirit Seed Secondary School; inadequate support for learners with disabilities due to a shortage of teachers trained in special needs education; and the increasing problem of uncontrolled charcoal burning, which is depleting indigenous tree cover and contributing to environmental degradation and rising temperatures.

Concerns were also raised about Nabulenger Health Centre III in Namalu Sub-county, which serves an estimated population of 21,000 people but faces significant challenges. These include a cracked maternity ward, a shortage of staff housing, inadequate supplies of essential medicines, and insufficient funding for drugs.

During the forum, John Baguma, the Team Leader for MUCOBADI in the Karamoja region, called on the government to increase investment in the health sector to improve service delivery.

Dr. Ayub Mukisa, Executive Director of the Karamoja Anti-Corruption Coalition, expressed appreciation to the embassies of Denmark, Ireland, Sweden, and the Netherlands for their continued support to the Karamoja sub-region. He also commended the Office of the President, through the RDC, for its support of accountability initiatives in the region.

Do you have a story in your community or an opinion to share with us: Email us at Submit an Article

Singer John Blaq has shared his top three favorite songs of the year, highlighting some of the biggest hits currently dominating the music scene.

Speaking in an interview with a local television station, John Blaq praised fellow artists for their hard work and consistency in releasing quality music.

He ranked Fefe Bussi’s club banger Nzalina in third place, followed by Acidic Vokoz and Ava Peace’s collaboration Tobigamba in second position.

Taking the top spot was Vyroota’s hit track Kunsi.

“Musicians are really working tirelessly this year and the work is out there. In third position I will go with Fefe Bussi’s ‘Nzalina’, then Acidic Vokoz and Ava Peace’s ‘Tobigamba’, and ‘Kunsi’ by Vyroota at number one,” he said.

John Blaq added that with the current momentum, Ugandan musicians are likely to perform even better this year compared to 2025, as competition and creativity continue to rise.