Mawogola North MP Godfrey Aine Kaguta alias Sodo is opposing his former election rival John Jet Tumwebaze’s bid to represent himself in a petition challenging his victory, arguing that he cannot simultaneously act as his own lawyer and a key witness in the case. Sodo, through his lawyer Paul Kuteesa, raised the objection before Masaka High Court Judge Thomas Ocaya Ojele on Tuesday, as the court continued to deal with preliminary applications delaying the hearing of the main election petition. Tumwebaze, who contested the Mawogola North parliamentary election as an independent candidate, petitioned the court seeking to overturn Sodo’s victory. He alleges that the election was marred by gun violence, intimidation, voter bribery, ballot stuffing and other electoral offences. Tumwebaze has also challenged Sodo’s nomination by the Electoral Commission, alleging that the legislator does not possess the minimum academic qualifications required to serve as a Member of Parliament. Kuteesa told the court that...

The National Animal Genetic Resources Centre and Data Bank (NAGRC&DB) is entering a new phase of its Ankole Longhorn improvement programme at Nshaara Conservation Ranch, with the focus shifting from identifying exceptional milk-producing cows to establishing a genetically stable population capable of consistently delivering higher yields. The programme, launched approximately three years ago in Kiruhura District, seeks to develop a high-milk-yielding pure Ankole dairy population by concentrating desirable traits already present within the indigenous breed. Having recorded substantial improvements in average milk productivity, the ranch is now prioritising the reproduction of superior characteristics across maternal families and successive generations. Dr Innocent Tuwangye, manager of Nshaara Conservation Ranch, said the programme was designed to increase the productive potential of the Ankole without compromising its genetic identity, adaptability and resilience. The initiative began by screening the available Ankole population for desirable dairy characteristics and incorporating superior genetics from recognised sources, including the...

By Evans Najuna KAMPALA — Uganda’s monthly headline inflation has surged to 0.9 percent in September 2026, up sharply from 0.3 percent in August, as rising food, fuel and transport costs put fresh pressure on consumers. The latest figures released by the Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS) on Wednesday show that food prices were the biggest driver of the monthly increase, with Food Crops and Related Items Inflation jumping to 7.0 percent from 1.2 percent. The sharp rise was driven by higher prices of key household staples, including matooke, beans, mangoes, sweet potatoes and milk. Matooke prices climbed 16 percent during the month, compared with an 8.4 percent increase in August, while beans rose 6.3 percent, up from 2.4 percent. Mango prices increased by 25.6 percent, compared with 24.8 percent in August, while sweet potatoes shot up by 13 percent, reversing a 5.6 percent decline recorded in August. Milk prices...

By Amos Tayebwa Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU) mobilisers in Ntungamo District have vowed to reject factions, internal conflicts and divisions as they prepare for a major event to endorse Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba for the 2031 presidential race. The commitment was made on Monday, September 28, 2026, during a press conference at Ntungamo District Headquarters, where PLU officials, political leaders, religious leaders, businesspeople and other stakeholders launched the organisation’s Ntungamo mobilisation drive ahead of the planned endorsement event. The mega function is scheduled for October 17, 2026, at Rubaare Playground in Rubaare Town, Rushenyi County, where organisers say they will endorse Gen. Kainerugaba for President in 2031. The launch was officiated by PLU officials led by Jonan Muhumuza, PLU Coordinator for Ntungamo District, alongside Frank Mwesigye, the PLU Director of Communications, and other PLU officials from Mbarara and Isingiro. Some of the local leaders in Ntungamo for PLU Gen. Muhoozi’s...

By Brian Musaasizi KAMPALA — Boda boda operators have asked Parliament to push Government to slash the cost of digital motorcycle number plates, speed up issuance and provide temporary operating permits for riders stranded by registration delays. The Alliance Transport and Allied Workers Cooperative Union, led by chairman Frank Mawejje, presented the proposals to Parliament’s Committee on Physical Infrastructure on September 28, 2026. The operators said they support the digital plate system because it could strengthen security, curb plate duplication and help formalise the transport sector, but warned that high charges and prolonged delays are threatening riders’ livelihoods. SHS714K PLATE SHOCK The union singled out the Shs714,300 charge for first-time motorcycle registration, saying it is a major increase from the previous Shs125,000 fee. Mawejje told MPs that the increase adds about Shs589,000 to the cost of registering a motorcycle and places a heavier financial burden on boda boda riders. He...

The government is set to overhaul its public education funding framework, scrapping the long-standing per-pupil capitation grant system in favour of a cost-based model. Under the new funding model, funding for all public education institutions, spanning primary, secondary, and tertiary levels, will no longer be determined solely by student numbers. The development was confirmed by Dr Kedrace Turyagenda, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education and Sports, who stressed that the plan is still a proposal under development. “The current model has its own issues, and we think what is being proposed is better. We will be updating the public and stakeholders as time goes on. We are still in discussion, but it will be happening,” she said. Ivan Ogwang, the Acting Principal Economist for Strategic Planning and Project Formulation at the Ministry of Education and Sports, said that if the new model is adopted, future budgetary allocations will...

The Chief Magistrate’s Court in Jinja has ordered the Electoral Commission to gazette Prossy Magoba as the duly elected female councillor for Jinja South West constituency, overturning the declaration of Mariam Nalumansi. The ruling means Nalumansi, who has been serving as the deputy mayor of Jinja City, loses her seat on the council unless she successfully appeals the decision. Chief Magistrate Gumtwero ruled on Tuesday that evidence presented in court showed that Magoba had won the election with 1,694 votes against Nalumansi’s 1,515. Gumtwero said the evidence showed that the election petition filed by Magoba had merit and proceeded to declare her the duly elected female councilor for Jinja South West. He advised Nalumansi to appeal if she was dissatisfied with the ruling and awarded costs to Magoba. However, the magistrate adjourned the matter, saying a date for discussing the costs would be communicated to the parties. Magoba, the National...

President Yoweri Museveni has challenged Uganda’s cultural institutions to work with the central government to preserve indigenous languages, cultures, and traditional family values, saying these areas are being neglected in the modern education system. Museveni made the remarks on Tuesday during the coronation of Omukama Edward Rukidi Nyabongo I at Karuziika Palace in Fort Portal City. The President said his support for the restoration of cultural institutions was influenced by his desire to protect aspects of African society that were at risk of disappearing. He said indigenous languages were among the areas facing the greatest threat as children increasingly communicate in English and other dominant languages. Museveni cited Runyankore, which he described as one of the richest languages, saying it contains words and expressions that are difficult to find in English. He said cultural institutions should work with government to ensure indigenous languages are taught and preserved for the young...

NANSANA — A suspected money-lending debt crisis has taken a deadly turn in Nansana West Ward after a landlady allegedly set fire to her rental block, killing herself and two tenants in the early hours of Monday. The three victims have been identified as landlady Violet Nanyombi, tenant Annet Namulondo and her husband, Isabirye Bumali. Police said the fire broke out at about 2:00am in a building that had been partitioned into six rental units. Before the blaze, Nanyombi reportedly took her nine-year-old daughter out of the house, gave her money to clear outstanding school fees and handed her a handwritten note containing what local leaders described as a will. The note reportedly identified who should look after the child and manage Nanyombi’s property until she turns 18. But the note also revealed another troubling detail — Nanyombi allegedly had a loan and was paying Shs60,000 every day. Nansana West...

MASAKA — There was drama at the Masaka High Court when Lwengo District Woman MP Cissy Dionozia Namujju admitted giving voters hoes, yellow plastic chairs and other items, but insisted the donations were made before the 2026 election campaign and were not intended to influence voters. Namujju, who is also the Lwengo District NRM Chairperson, made the admission while testifying before Justice Rosette Comfort Kania in a petition challenging her victory in the January 15, 2026 general elections. The petition was filed by former independent candidate Dr Sarah Nkonge, who alleges that Namujju and her campaign agents bribed voters with branded tents, yellow plastic chairs, hoes and money during the campaign and on polling day. The case took a dramatic turn during cross-examination when Nkonge’s lawyer, Moses Kabega, presented a video dated January 9, 2026, showing a woman identified as Namujju distributing hoes and yellow plastic chairs after addressing a...