Kyenjojo, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT |  President Yoweri Museveni has directed Local Government Minister Raphael Magyezi to urgently address concerns regarding the distribution and management of Parish Development Model (PDM) funds in Kyenjojo District. The directive follows reports of mismanagement and discriminatory practices in the allocation of funds, which were intended to support local wealth creation efforts, particularly for youth, women, and persons with disabilities. Museveni made the remarks on Tuesday while campaigning in Kyenjojo, where he addressed a massive crowd as part of his concluding campaign trail in the Rwenzori region. The President emphasized that the funds allocated to the PDM are meant to empower all Ugandans and help reduce poverty at the grassroots level. “I have heard that some people are stealing PDM funds and giving them to their relatives. I will send my auditor to investigate. I’ve also directed Minister Magyezi to intervene and ensure that funds...

By Michael Jjingo The question is not simply whether mutual funds are worth considering, but why they remain such a powerful tool in building long-term wealth. In a world where financial choices are growing more complex and investment options seem endless, many people still find the idea of investing intimidating; stocks, bonds, real estate, private equity, the landscape is crowded and noisy. Yet in this crowded marketplace, one investment vehicle continues to stand tall for both beginners and seasoned investors: mutual funds/ unit trusts. At their core, mutual funds are disciplined investment structures that pool money from many investors to buy a diversified basket of assets: stocks, bonds or a combination of both. But the real power of mutual funds is not in their structure. It is in the strategic advantages they offer to ordinary investors seeking growth, stability and financial direction. One of the most compelling benefits of mutual funds is diversification. Diversification...

    Currently, HIV treatment involves taking a daily pill that combines three or four medicines that work together to control the virus Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | A new study done in three African countries has found that injectable HIV treatment, Cabotegravir/Rilpivirine (CAB LA + RPV LA), administered every two months, is safe, well-tolerated, and preferred by most HIV patients. The Month-12 results from study sites in Uganda, Kenya, and South Africa, offers renewed hope for adherence to HIV treatment, reduced HIV related deaths, and enhanced overall quality of life for people living with HIV. The IMPALA study, a 24-month randomised controlled trial, was conducted in partnership with the Medical Research Council and the Uganda Virus Research Institute, which served as the coordinating center. It was sponsored by the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine and funded by the Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson. Despite major...

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, the National Chairman and Presidential flagbearer of the National Resistance Movement (NRM), has pledged to continue improving the road infrastructure in the Lango sub-region. Addressing more than 15,000 NRM leaders gathered at Lango College in Lira City on Sunday, December 7, 2025, President Museveni acknowledged concerns raised about regional connectivity and pledged to review the issue of eastern access to ensure fair and balanced infrastructure development across the entire sub-region. “I’m going to study the issue of eastern access, the one you talked about. That one makes sense,” President Museveni said. “It makes no sense for someone from Namasale in Amolatar to travel all the way through Lira, Kamdini, and Karuma when Nakasongola is just across the water.  Somebody from Namasale is only 80 miles away from Kampala. But when you make them go around, it’s not fair,” President Museveni said. He was responding to one...

Lira, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, the National Chairman and Presidential flagbearer of the National Resistance Movement (NRM), has pledged to continue improving the road infrastructure in the Lango sub-region. Addressing more than 15,000 NRM leaders gathered at Lango College in Lira City on Sunday, December 7, 2025, President Museveni acknowledged concerns raised about regional connectivity and pledged to review the issue of eastern access to ensure fair and balanced infrastructure development across the entire sub-region. “I’m going to study the issue of eastern access, the one you talked about. That one makes sense,” President Museveni said. “It makes no sense for someone from Namasale in Amolatar to travel all the way through Lira, Kamdini, and Karuma when Nakasongola is just across the water.  Somebody from Namasale is only 80 miles away from Kampala. But when you make them go around, it’s not fair,” President Museveni...

Leaders and residents of Kamwenge District on Monday praised President Yoweri Museveni for restoring lasting peace in the region by crushing Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) rebels who once posed a major threat to their communities. Agriculture Minister and Kamwenge District NRM Chairperson, Frank Tumwebaze, said the district owes its stability to the President’s swift and decisive military action when rebels attempted to infiltrate the area. “I would like to thank the President for defeating the ADF rebels,” Tumwebaze said. “When the rebels attacked us, he quickly deployed soldiers, and within hours they had dismantled and neutralized the threat.” He added that the President’s consistent message against sectarian politics had helped unify communities in Kamwenge. “When we came here, we found the Batooro community, and today we are working together as one united force,” he said. Tumwebaze also applauded Museveni for transforming livelihoods through commercial agriculture, the Parish Development Model (PDM),...

  Edrae Kagombe and John Waigo, pose with there Overall trophies after winning the UCAA-sponsored Seniors Open at Uganda Golf Club. COURTESY PHOTO Kampala, Uganda | PHILLIP CORRY |  John Paul Waigo and Edrae Kagombe have won the Uganda Civil Aviation Seniors Open held Sunday at Uganda Golf Club. Waigo beat a field of senior golfers from all over the country by returning the best score of 136 nett, while Mbarara Sports Club’s Edrae Kagombe was Ladies Overall winner with a score of 129 nett. John Muchiri and Dr Katy Kabenge claimed the gross titles with scores of 162 and 175 gross. The Seniors Open is an annual event organised by the Uganda Seniors Golf Association led by current chairman David Balaka. The golf event was part of activities of Aviation Week by main sponsor Uganda Civil Aviation Authority. Several activities are marked in the week, including golf, chess and...

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has called upon the leaders of Bukedi sub-region to preach the National Resistance Movement (NRM)’s wealth creation message, stressing the need to promote modern farming, value addition and enterprise development. He made the remarks on Sunday 7th December, 2025 while addressing over 10,000 NRM leaders gathered at Pallisa Secondary School playground in Pallisa district. The meeting, organised by the Speaker of Parliament and NRM’s Second National Vice Chairperson, Rt. Hon. Anita Annet Among brought together leaders from the districts of Pallisa, Tororo, Busia, Butebo, Butaleja and Kibuku aimed at strengthening mobilisation and advancing socio-economic transformation. President Museveni emphasised the NRM government’s commitment to expanding economic opportunities in the Bukedi sub-region, declaring that the government will help to aggressively promote fish farming in the sub region to boost household incomes and empower communities. “This is something we are going to promote aggressively here in the Bukedi region....

CCTV image of a daylight robbery on Kampala Road. COMMENT | MATHIAS RUKUBA | In today’s fast-paced world, many of us are so consumed by our daily routines and the struggle to make ends meet that we forget to stay mindful of the environment around us. This is especially dangerous in Uganda, where most people live in unpredictable environments and crime patterns continue to evolve. Situational awareness, your ability to detect, interpret, and respond to potential threats, is no longer optional. It is a personal security requirement, a mindset, and a survival skill. Being aware of your surroundings, recognizing suspicious behaviour, and taking proactive steps to mitigate risks can be the difference between safety and danger. Today’s security challenges demand not only stronger security systems but also a more conscious and vigilant society. Why Situational Awareness Matters More Than Ever Effective security management is built on a comprehensive understanding of...

An inquiry into the cost of electricity from the 250MW Bujagali Hydropower Dam has revealed that government has over the past seven years paid USD 213.1 million (about UGX 775 billion) in deemed energy, money paid to Bujagali Energy Limited (BEL) for power generated but not taken by the national grid. The investigation, whose findings have been shared across government agencies, shows that between January 2018 and April 2025, BEL continued to invoice Uganda Electricity Transmission Company Ltd (UETCL) for energy that could not be evacuated due to low national demand and excess generation from several hydropower plants on the River Nile. Between January and April 2025 alone, BEL billed UETCL USD 7 million (approximately UGX 24.8 billion) in deemed energy.“The model under the Power Purchase Agreement requires us to pay for capacity whether it is used or not,” a senior official at the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development...