News Headlines
'Prophet' Mbonye to govt: Trust God over science and open churches
September 19, 2020 by David Lumu
Controversial evangelical pastor, 'Prophet' Elvis Mbonye of Zoe Fellowship Ministries has urged the Uganda government to put trust in God...
First Family critic Kakwenza arrested again
September 19, 2020 by VOA
Security personnel thought to be from Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence (CMI) stormed Kakwenza Rukirabashaija's home in Iganga Friday morning and...
State admits holding NUP's Kibalama 'over his own safety'
September 18, 2020 by URN
Uganda People’s Defense Forces (UPDF) has admitted that its sister security agencies are holding the former founding president of the National...
Govt blocks Shs 100,000 per person US COVID cash initiative
September 18, 2020 by URN
Government has indefinitely suspended the operations of an international NGO, GiveDirectly, which has been sending mobile money to vulnerable Ugandans...
'Sham' Bryan White Foundation deregistered
The National Bureau for Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO Bureau) has cancelled the operating license of Bryan White Foundation, an organization belonging to Kampala city socialite Bryan Kirumira.Speaking to reporters at the Uganda Media Centre in Kampala today, Patrick Onen Ezaga, the senior communication officer of the NGO Bureau said that they had…
Hope to recapture Moroto prison escapees fades
The search for prison escapees in Moroto is yielding fewer results after the inmates reportedly mixed up with the local community.According to Frank Baine, the Prisons spokesperson, 219 inmates overpowered the security at the facility and broke into the armoury before escaping on Wednesday this week. 13 of the prisoners…
PM Rugunda tasks minister Odongo on Kibwetere massacre
The Prime Minister Ruhakana Rugunda has sought parliament’s consideration to have the minister of Internal Affairs Gen. Jeje Odongo present an action-taken report on the Kibwetere massacre as well as compensation for the orphans.Parliament was expecting the premier to present the report on Thursday but in his absence, the government…
Museveni backs Kadaga on Shs 280bn Green Jobs funding
President Museveni has supported the push by the speaker of parliament Rebecca Kadaga to increase the funding of critical programmes meant to uplift vulnerable women and youths from the clutches of poverty. Kadaga at the weekend told asked the president to provide Shs 50bn for Green Jobs programme, Shs 30bn for…
Compensation disparity riles Kenyan victims of 1998 US Embassy bombings
Doreen Oport was on a tea break when she heard the blast. A 15-year employee of the U.S. Embassy in Nairobi in 1998, she said she wasn’t fazed by the sound at first. She thought it was a tire bursting on a busy street. Moments later she felt the unmistakable force…
FDC sweeps all in Rukungiri youth elections
Opposition Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) supporters in Nyakagyeme sub-county Rukungiri district are celebrating after winning in a majority of the villages in the youth elections.FDC youths won in most of the polling stations in the five parishes that make up Nyakagyeme sub-county beating candidates from the ruling National Resistance…
Kibalama to Bobi Wine: I want my NUP party back
The National Unity Platform (NUP) president, also Kyadondo East MP, Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine has to extinguish yet another political storm after Moses Nkonge Kibalama the former founding president of the National Unity, Reconciliation and Development Party (NURP) made a U-turn and says he wants to have his party…
Parliament bus catches fire with COVID-19 patients on board
A bus belonging to the Uganda Parliament that was being used to evacuate 25 Covid-19 patients from Kitgum to Kampala has caught fire. The bus registration number UG 0391 H burst into flames in Koro trading centre in Gulu along Gulu-Kampala highway at around 4 pm today Thursday.
Moroto prison break: 3 escapees shot dead, 7 recaptured
Three inmates have been killed in a fire exchange with security personnel following a prison break at Singila prison in Moroto district.Yesterday, Wednesday evening more than 200 inmates escaped after overpowering prison staff. They accessed the armoury and stole 15 riffles.
Justice Ekirikubinza locked in Shs 150m row with Judiciary
Prof Lillian Tibatemwa-Ekirikubinza, a justice of the Supreme court, is demanding Shs 150m in damages from the Judiciary for failure to reimburse her for two separate trips to USA and South Africa. In a notice of motion issued on August 12, the lady justice has asked for leave to file an…
Moroto prison break: Soldier shot dead as 50 inmates escape with 30 guns
One Uganda People's Defense Forces (UPDF) soldier has been shot dead after more than 50 inmates escaped from Moroto Government Prison. The inmates escaped at around 5:00 pm today Wednesday after reportedly breaking into the armoury and stealing about 15 guns.
Electoral Commission deal that sank 4 bosses
The sweeping staff changes at the Electoral Commission (EC) headquarters have decimated the influential power structure of Sam Rwakoojo, the recently sacked secretary of the commission. However, the purge against Rwakoojo loyalists has bred discontent and threats of sabotage just six months before the country goes to polls, writes BAKER BATTE…
Extortion scare rattles Bobi Wine
At first, National Unity Platform (NUP) officials roundly rejected any suggestion that the party’s flag was up for sale to moneyed political aspirants. But last week, there came a detailed, new admission from NUP president Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu aka Bobi Wine. To contain the harsh criticism and growing anger over claims…
2021: Why clergy don’t want to vote Museveni
Some top leaders of Uganda’s traditional churches have served notice that they may not be ready to support President Museveni’s re-election bid next year. They have aired a range of complaints against the ruling NRM and party chairman President Yoweri Museveni. On September 11, Godfrey Kiwanda Ssuubi, the Tourism minister, set…
Isimba dam Chinese contractor, govt in $42m payment dispute
A $42 million payment dispute between the Chinese contractors for Isimba dam and Uganda Electricity Generation Company Limited (UEGCL) has escalated further with counteraccusations of contract violations. A meeting convened by the speaker of parliament, Rebecca Kadaga on Tuesday to resolve the impasse, recommended legal interpretation of the contract after both parties…
How Senegal is beating Covid-19
“You don’t need to be a rich country to handle Covid. You just need to be serious.“Senegal snagged the No. 2 slot in a recent analysis looking at how 36 countries have handled the pandemic. The United States landed near the bottom: 31st of the 36 countries examined by Foreign…
100 Ugandans repatriated from Rwanda
The first batch of 100 Ugandans who were stuck in Rwanda because of the Covid-19 pandemic restrictions returned to Uganda on Tuesday. The group which was flagged off by the Charge d’Affairs of the Ugandans Embassy in Rwanda’s capital Kigali, Anne Katusiime travelled in four coaches belonging to Volcano Bus company…
Bregma clinic in Kitgum closed after death of COVID-19 patient
Kitgum district Covid-19 task force has temporarily closed Bregma medical centre, a private health facility after a coronavirus disease (Covid-19) patient passed on from their facility last week.The former Kitgum district vice chairperson Billy Graham Odongkara was admitted at the facility located in Kitgum Municipality last Wednesday with the low blood…
Pallisa Woman MP Alupo dies at Mulago
Pallisa Woman MP Faith Alupo is dead. Alupo passed on today Tuesday from Mulago hospital. Alupo lost in the recently concluded ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) party primaries to Kevin Kaala Ojinga.
Minister Rukutana released on bail
The state minister for Labour, Employment and Industrial Relations Mwesigwa Rukutana has been granted bail. Rutukana is battling charges of attempted murder, assault, malicious damage and threatening violence.Rukutana was arrested with three of his bodyguards from his home in Kagugu in Rushenyi on September 4 and subsequently appeared in court on September…
Death toll in Rhino refugee camp clashes rises to 10
The death toll in Rhino Camp Refugees Settlement violent clashes in Madi Okollo district, northern Uganda has risen to 10 after two more bodies were recovered.The bodies of Nyadeng Mangol, 25, and her one-year-old daughter only identified as Nyadeng were recovered in a nearby bush by authorities at the refugee camp on…
Masaka hospital registers first COVID-19 death
Masaka Regional Referral hospital has announced its first coronavirus disease (COVID-19) death.The deceased is a 56-year-old male police officer attached to Lwengo police station. Masaka hospital director Dr. Nathan Onyachi announced the sad news on Monday.According to Onyanchi the deceased has been a known diabetic patient and he has been…
Murdered Akena family 'forgives' shooter Kanyamunyu
The family of the late children rights activist, Kenneth Akena Watmon, who was killed by Kampala businessman Matthew Kanyamunyu in 2016 has accepted his apology and forgiven him through Mato-Oput, an Acholi cultural reconciliation ceremony. This follows a successful two-day protracted dispute resolution negotiated by elders from the two families at…
Malawi’s former Information minister arrested for stealing donated computers
Police in Malawi have arrested two former Information officials for allegedly stealing computers and generators that were meant for a state-owned news agency. The arrests are the latest since President Lazarus Chakwera came to power promising to eradicate corruption that flourished under former President Peter Mutharika. The arrest Monday of…
South Sudan returns Uganda's stolen cattle
South Sudanese authorities have handed back eight head of cattle looted recently by cattle rustlers from local farmers in Lamwo district, northern Uganda.A five-member delegation of security personnel from South Sudan’s Torit state accompanied by political and cultural leaders handed back the animals to Lamwo district leaders at Apiriti border…
COVID-19 takes toll on Kenya’s medical workers
John Muichuhio is one of the thousands of Kenyan medical workers treating COVID-19 patients. The stress of the pandemic has been bearing down on him, and in late July he also tested positive for the coronavirus, which causes the COVID-19 disease. “As a human being, I am also thinking around that…
Man arrested with child's head at parliament
Police are investigating a man who allegedly delivered a child's head at the parliament building disguised as a wrapped gift for speaker Rebecca Kadaga.
Residents accuse Lira police of using tear gas to rob them
Locals in Wigweng village, Lira in northern Uganda have accused police officers of deliberately firing tear gas to disperse them so as to create a disarray situation where they can extort money and rob them of their property. According to the residents, some police officers attached to Lira Central police station…
NUP Jinja coordinator arrested over wearing red beret
The National Unity Platform (NUP) women coordinator in Jinja city, Manjeri Kyebakutika has been arrested over donning a People Power red beret in public.Kyebakutika was arrested while addressing the media soon after attending the Kyabazinga's coronation anniversary at Igenge palace in Jinja on Sunday. Police officers led by the officer…
COVID-19 kills 3 more in Kampala as police arrest Gulu pastor
Three more Ugandans have succumbed to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19). According to the ministry of Health, the new deaths were registered in Kampala city, raising the country’s total deaths to 55. Details of the deceased have not been released by the ministry.
Cave-in buries 50 gold miners in DRC
Informal gold miners in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo scoured rubble Saturday for more than 50 colleagues presumed dead after a mine collapsed under the weight of heavy rain. Hundreds of young men in rubber boots crowded around the site of Friday's cave-in, with some removing rocks by hand from the…
UTB launches 8-week campaign attracting local tourists
The Uganda Tourism Board (UTB) has announced an 8-week campaign, ‘Take On The Pearl’ aimed at attracting local tourists to experience the treasures and attractions of their country. As the coronavirus pandemic with its international travel and lockdown restrictions continues to bite the tourism sector hard, UTB is now focusing…
Women take over Uganda Law Society leadership
Female lawyers have taken over all the top leadership positions of the Uganda Law Society (ULS). Following Saturday's elections, Pheona Nabasa Wall was elected as the new ULS president, replacing Simon Peter Kinobe who has served in the position for the last two years. Diana Angwech was elected as vice president while…
Kanyamunyu finally admits to killing Akena, to pay 10 cows to family
Kampala businessman Mathew Kanyamunyu, a prime suspect in the shooting of child rights activist Kenneth Akena Watmon, has this afternoon confessed to the crime and agreed to pay reparation for the offence.Kanyamunyu was arrested in 2016 on suspicion that he drew a gun at Akena after he reportedly accidentally knocked…
3 more succumb to COVID-19 in Kampala, 326 more infected
Uganda has today recorded it's highest daily confirmed coronavirus infections of 326 cases from the 4,106 samples tested on Friday.Results released today by the Health ministry also indicate that another 3 more people succumbed to the virus within Kampala, raising the total deaths to 52. Details of the deceased have…
Record flooding kills 100 in Sudan
Sudanese authorities have declared a three-month state of emergency after record flooding left over a hundred people dead and tens of thousands homeless. Floodwaters are also threatening to damage Sudan's ancient Meroe Pyramids, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The River Nile has crested to its highest level in one hundred years. At…
Uganda, Total sign crude oil pipeline deal
The Uganda government and the French oil giant, Total E&P have reached a major milestone that paves the way for a final investment decision (FID) on the production of Uganda's oil.This came during a meeting between President Yoweri Museveni and Patrick Pouyanné, chairman and CEO of Total, and the signing…
24-year-old woman arrested over defiling 5 boys in Masindi
Police in Masindi is holding a 24-year-old woman on allegations of defiling at least five boys. Scovia Nyamusana, a resident of Kamurasi cell, Nyangahya division in Masindi district was arrested today on allegations of defiling the juveniles aged between 8 and 11 years, also residents of the same area. Julius…
Kampala floods: Two bodies recovered from Nakivubo Channel
Police have recovered two bodies from the Nakivubo Channel in Kampala following today’s heavy downpour. The two bodies were recovered near Total fuel station, where they were carried by floodwater from different parts of the city.
All Nkose residents ordered into self-isolation as Kalangala registers 2nd COVID case
The Kalangala district Covid-19 task force has quarantined at least 1,000 residents at Nkose island after the district recorded its second coronavirus disease case. The new case is of an adult female whose samples were collected in Buvuma health centre IV on August 28 but she later moved to Nkose landing…
Tumukunde 'itching' to cross-examine CID boss Grace Akullo
In an ironic legal twist of the hunter becoming the hunted, Lt Gen Henry Tumukunde is trying to drag CID director Grace Akullo to the dock. Tumukunde accuses Akullo of using the attorney general's services for her personal defense and wants to grill her in court over an earlier affidavit she…
Bobi Wine social media tax case halted, sent to Constitutional court
The case in which National Unity Platform president Robert Kyagulanyi and four others are charged with disobedience of lawful orders has been referred to the Constitutional court for interpretation. The file was sent by Buganda Road court Grade One magistrate Doreen Olga Karungi. Kyagulanyi is jointly charged with four others including…
Laid off Vision journalists start Aicerit newspaper
Former Vision Group journalists who were laid off when Etop newspaper shut down earlier this year have started a weekly Ateso language newspaper called Aicerit.Aicerit, which literally means 'star' in Ateso, hit the streets of Soroti city and other towns on Wednesday morning. It comes five months after Vision Group…
Who will win Uganda Law Society presidency?
This weekend on September 12, the Uganda Law Society (ULS) membership will converge at the High court premises to elect a new leadership. The eagerly-anticipated polls were postponed from April due to the Covid-19 lockdown of the country. At stake is the position of president, vice president and treasurer but Ritah…
Lira COVID-19 treatment centre fills up, runs out of food
Lira district Covid-19 treatment centre at Lira Regional Referral hospital, northern Uganda, has filled up and run out of food for patients. Currently, the treatment centre has 32 patients admitted instead of the recommended 20 patients.Milton Odongo, the Lira resident district commissioner who also doubles as the chairperson of the…
Demonstrators in Bamako show support for Mali junta
Hundreds of people demonstrated in Mali's capital on Tuesday in support of the junta that has seized power in a coup, as debate rages over the timeframe for the country's return to civilian rule. Months of protests over the simmering jihadist insurgency, bloody ethnic violence and endemic corruption in the country…