Opinions | MINISTRY OF ICT AND NATIONAL GUIDANCE

02 February 2026

UGANDA’S CREATIVE RENAISSANCE, FROM SIDE HUSTLE TO NATIONAL GROWTH ENGINE

For decades, Uganda’s creative arts, i.e. music, film, fashion, visual arts, crafts, and related cultural industries were often dismissed as informal “hobbies” or secondary sources of income. Today, this sector is increasingly recognized as a vibrant economic engine capable of generating jobs, boosting national income, and shaping Uganda’s global identity. Our creative renaissance is more than a cultural expression but a cornerstone of economic growth and youth employment. More importantly, the government is finally beginning to treat it as such. We didn’t just arrive here and recognition of the pioneers that shaped the creative landscape and the growth we see today stands on the shoulders of those who laid the groundwork and never gave up. Legends like Elly Wamala, Fred Masagazi and others who started out in the early 60s established popular genres like kadongo kamu that set the stage for Ugandas music scene. We later see the birth of modern recorded music styles from stars like Jose Chamileon, Bebe Cool, Juliana Kanyomozi and others who have proved over time that music is a profitable pursuit defining modern Ugandan pop sound. Music producers like Steve Jean have made their contribution, mentoring generations of artists to treat music as a business. Today we see successful record labels like Swangz Avenue founded in 2008 by Benon Mugumya and Julius Kyazze energizing the local creative economy with brand partnerships and concerts. In film, figures like Lukyamuzi “Badi” Bashir have bridged music and cinema, using visual storytelling to diversify Uganda’s creative output. His film Bala Bala Sese brought Ugandan narratives to regional film festivals, elevating both visual art and local talent. This is to mention but a few. We all agree that music functions as entertainment, education and mobilization, often used to sustain momentum even during election campaign periods. Eddy Kenzo’s music tune “YOWERI” with his colleagues added an energetic cultural layer to Yoweri Museveni’s re-election campaign, resonating strongly with youthful and urban audiences. The tune fueled social-media clips that circulated far beyond formal campaign events, keeping the candidate’s presence in everyday public spaces, taxis, markets, and online platforms. Music indeed is a catalyst for social and political revolutions. giving voice to collective pain, hope, and resistance in ways speeches alone cannot. During the Civil Rights Movement in America, songs like “We Shall Overcome” and “A Change Is Gonna Come” unified protesters, sustained morale in the face of violence, and carried messages of dignity and equality into homes and churches across America. At the heart of the creatives transformation in Uganda is the realization that the industry does not merely entertain, they employ, export, and innovate. In recent years, data from the Uganda Bureau of Statistics suggests that the creative sector contributed roughly 3% of GDP, equating to around UGX 4.2 trillion, a figure comparable to long established sectors like mining. This contribution is no small feat. It highlights how music stars, film producers, fashion designers, painters, sculptors, digital creatives, and artisans are not fringe players but central to the economic story of Uganda. This shift in perception reflects a broader global trend as creative and cultural industries worldwide are major economic contributors. What makes Uganda’s creative industries so compelling as drivers of growth is their multiplying effect on the economy. Unlike sectors that require massive capital investments, creative industries often thrive with comparatively low entry costs and directly employ a number of young people, a demographic that faces high unemployment rates. Music concerts, film productions, fashion shows, craft markets, and visual art exhibitions create not only direct jobs for artists and technicians but also indirect opportunities for logistics, hospitality, event management, marketing, and digital services. Beyond jobs, creativity fosters entrepreneurship. An independent fashion label in Kampala selling handcrafted garments online, for example, may generate income directly and indirectly by partnering with textile suppliers, seamstresses, local influencers, and shipping services, creating an entire ecosystem around one creative idea. The industry is also a powerful tool for cultural diplomacy and brand Uganda. Ugandan music, film, and fashion have increasingly reached global audiences, contributing to cultural exports that elevate our profile. The outcome is economically meaningful as it attracts tourism, collaborations, and foreign investment. We can safely say that government has moved from just recognizing the sector to availing resources for growth. For the longest time, the growth of Uganda’s creative economy was driven by grassroots passion and individual innovation rather than structured support. Creatives have faced challenges including limited access to financing, weak intellectual property protection, and a lack of formal infrastructure to scale their businesses. But in the last few years, government has evolved from passive observer to active partner. A turning point came with the 2025–2026 National Budget, where the government earmarked UGX 66 billion specifically for the creative arts industry as part of a broader push into science, technology, innovation and culture. This substantial allocation signals growing recognition that creative sectors should sit alongside technology and industrialization as engines of growth. Beyond budget allocations, the government has introduced targeted funding initiatives aimed at addressing systemic barriers. Most notably, the Creative Uganda Revolving Fund backed by over UGX 28 billion is designed to unlock tailored financing for creative practitioners. This fund acknowledges a core challenge in creative industries which is the lack of access to affordable, flexible capital. Traditional financial institutions often exclude artists because they lack conventional collateral. The new fund responds by creating credit lines through creative domain SACCOs and by enabling intellectual property rights as acceptable security. This structured approach to financing is a meaningful step toward formalizing what has historically been informal, helping creatives grow their enterprises, transition into registered businesses, and participate fully in the economy. Additionally, the government’s involvement in events like the Uganda One Festival, a national platform bringing together stakeholders from music, film, fashion, visual arts, and digital media demonstrates intent to integrate policy, funding, and capacity building around a shared creative agenda. The festival, backed by substantial public financing, aimed to unify the sector to better commercialise work and educate creatives on monetisation and copyright enforcement. While government participation is growing, there are still a few challenges that need to be addressed including the dominance of informal market channels which constrain full economic realisation. Stronger intellectual property regimes, tax incentives for creative enterprises, investment in physical and digital infrastructure, and targeted training programs to deepen skills in areas like digital production and business management are all necessary next steps. At a time when global industries increasingly value stories, experiences, and cultural expression, Uganda is well positioned to leverage its creative assets for broad economic benefit. The government’s recent actions from significant budget allocations and structured financing mechanisms and sectoral dialogues reflect a growing understanding that culture and creativity are not luxuries but legitimate economic sectors. Indeed, the creative arts offer a pathway to inclusive growth, one that empowers youth, champions local identity, and connects Uganda to the world. The government is focused on economic diversification, youth employment, and international cultural influence, and creativity is at the centre of our national development strategy. It is not enough to recognise the value of creative expression, we must continue investing in it, structuring policy around its unique needs, and celebrating its economic impact. With the right blend of government support, private sector involvement, and creative entrepreneurship, it can become one of the most enduring and dynamic forces in Uganda’s economic narrative.

By Emma Were Belinda

31 January 2026

ANIMAL AND CROP THEFT; THE REAL BOTTLENECK TO WEALTH CREATION IN UGANDA

President Yoweri Museveni is so passionate about wealth creation to Ugandans and has spared no time to do everything in his capacity to fulfill this dream. He has been on every public platform educating Ugandans on how they can shift themselves out of poverty and join the money economy. Social empowerment funds have been released from government to needy Ugandans and good enough evidence is there to see how people’s lives are changing. With the rollout of many poverty alleviation initiatives in the country namely: Bonna Baggagawale; the four (4) Acre Model for smallholder farmers; Emyooga,Operation Wealth Creation, Parish Development Model and Youth Livelihood Programme among others; many of our people in the rural setting are definitely joining the monetary economy and thus ensure the dividends of growth are shared by all. However, all these incredible gains are under threat if not decisively delt with. Theft of animals and crops of our hardworking rural farmers is becoming endemic and hence failing all efforts to poverty eradication. A casual visit to most homes across the country, one is confronted with cries of how unrestrained thieves are failing them in their efforts to create wealth and shift their families out of poverty. In some places people are resorting to hiring private security guards to man their farms especially at night such thieves don’t steal their hard-earned wealth. Others have now have folded their arms and decided to do way with cultivating crops or raring animals like goats, pigs and chicken that attract the attention of thieves. Many families are doing away with crops like vanilla, coffee because they end up enriching thieves instead of themselves. The cries are so loud and are reaching desperate levels. As a result, President Yoweri Museveni has directed the Inspector General of Police, Abas Byakagaba to deploy 18 police officers per sub county with the necessary security facilities to work with leaders at the village level by the use of telephones to deal with the increasing crime rate especially people’s wealth. “Fighting crime in Uganda is very simple now. When the IGP puts the 18 policemen per sub-county with transport, then you have telephones all over the place, it is very simple. These sub counties are no longer big. Therefore, with the communication, which is everywhere, it is very easy to control this crime.” President Museveni is quoted to have directed while presiding over the 35th Heroes’ Day celebrations held on 9th June, 2024 at Mpenja Church of Uganda Primary School playgrounds, Mpenja Sub-county, Gomba District after citizens cried to him about thieves who were failing them to create wealth through farming. Uganda Police is apparently implementing this directive but their effort are yet to be felt across the whole country. Sister institutions like the LC systems and the Judiciary need to up their game. The casualness with which the Judiciary tend to handle issues of deprivation of one’s wealth by the criminal groups that refuse to work and just plot to steal the hard-working ones is very annoying. In fact, some farmers have resorted to hiring armed private security personnel at a huge cost though to secure their farms. The LC leaders are challenged by the interests of the jobs they hold. Most of them don’t want to become so hard on criminals simply because they don’t want to lose the same offices in the next round of elections. The thieves are sons and daughters their village mates. Therefore, they fear hurting their parents and relatives who might gang up to vote them out of office. The new Chief Justice Dr Flavian Zeija has his plate full. The criminal justice system in Uganda, comprising police, courts, and prison services, faces significant challenges despite reforms, with 64% of criminal cases remaining unresolved or awaiting resolution. Key obstacles include severe case backlogs, understaffing, and extensive pre-trial detention. Whatever, the challenge, the issue of criminally depriving the hardworking citizens of their hard wealth must be delt decisively. One cannot steal someone’s cows or coffee and they are arrested only to get court bail in a matter of days and then return to terrorize the same victims who had hoped to get justice. All our justice systems must work extremely hard to protect the poor and vulnerable especially those that strain to make a paradigm shift in their lives. Losing property to thieves carries far higher costs because it creates high levels of demoralisation. Often it results in total irrecoverable loss of assets, substantial reputational damage, and, in some cases, the inability to legally recover stolen goods. Finally, as we enjoy the benefits of liberal democratic systems guided by the full observance of the rule of law, let us make all the efforts to firmly protect the poor and vulnerable. In old days, such criminals would be made to pay with their backs. Corporal punishment of the old days was brutal but much effective. Such elements would be punished in public view and quite often total reformation would be attained. The writer is the Acting Executive Director Uganda Media Centre

By Obed K. Katureebe

28 January 2026

PRESIDENT MUSEVENI’S LEGACY OF RESTORING PEACE AND STABILITY IN UGANDA AND THE REGION

President Museveni's legacy is evident in his efforts to restore peace and stability in Uganda. He successfully ended the brutal conflicts that tore the country apart after independence in 1962, marking a crucial turning point in the nation's history. His government boosted unity by involving all tribes and groups in leadership roles, fostering a feeling of belonging across ethnic lines. This inclusiveness was more than just a political strategy; it was a vital foundation for lasting peace and growth in a nation that had faced considerable division and conflict. Museveni established key institutions, such as a professional military and an organized police force, to maintain order and enforce the law. Facing a turbulent history filled with coups and political assassinations, building trustworthy security forces was essential for restoring public confidence in governance. Uganda also emerged as a regional leader by deploying troops for peacekeeping missions and responding to requests from neighbouring countries seeking help in stabilizing their security situations. These proactive actions not only boosted Uganda's standing in the international community but also played a key role in regional stability. Under Museveni’s leadership, Uganda transitioned from a constant state of war to a stable nation with a vibrant civil society. It now plays a significant role in maintaining East Africa's security amid turbulence and insecurity in neighbouring states. Back in 1986, when Museveni took power, Uganda was battered by years of coups and internal conflicts. The oppressive regime of Idi Amin in the 1970s, followed by further chaos under Milton Obote, left the country reeling. Villages were burned, lives were shattered, and many fled the country seeking refuge. Museveni’s leadership laid the groundwork for a recovery that has allowed the nation to reclaim its identity and dignity. Key Pillars of His Legacy of Peace and Stability. Ending Insurgencies. Museveni targeted the most dangerous threats directly and decisively. The Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) ravaged northern Uganda for over two decades. Led by the notorious Joseph Kony, the LRA was known for its brutality, killing thousands and forcibly abducting children to join its ranks as soldiers. Through a series of well-coordinated military operations, Uganda's army successfully pushed the LRA out of the country by 2006, chasing their remnants into the dense jungles of Congo and the war-torn regions of Sudan. This military victory was not just about defeating an enemy; it was about restoring hope to communities long plagued by fear and despair. The Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), another rebel group, attacked from the west, bombing urban centres like Kampala in 1998. However, determined troops pushed them back, securing important border towns. Today, those areas, once scarred by conflict, are being cultivated again; children go to school, and local markets are lively with activity—a clear sign of the transformation brought about by the suppression of insurgent threats. National Unity and Reconciliation. Museveni recognized the dangers of fueling old divisions based on tribe or religion, which he called sectarianism—a poison that had divided Uganda before. His solution? A call for a sense of patriotism that goes beyond tribal labels. He actively worked to include all groups in society in the army and police, and took steps to end favouritism that deepened division. Leaders from the north, south, east, and west now work together in government, promoting cooperation and mutual respect. Through reconciliation panels, stories from war victims were shared; their struggles were acknowledged, leading to forgiveness and healing that helped move the country forward. This process developed trust among communities and encouraged citizens to imagine a shared future rather than cling to the past. Strong Institutions. Museveni emphasized transforming security forces into capable units guided by professionalism and discipline. The Uganda People's Defence Force (UPDF) underwent major reforms, with troops receiving intensive training and following established protocols. Meanwhile, police forces were restructured to better handle crowd control, focusing on non-lethal methods and de-escalation strategies. Intelligence agencies became skilled at threat detection, allowing pre-emptive action against potential attackers. Furthermore, appointments based on skill rather than connections improved efficiency in government departments. Civil servants were trained to uphold meritocratic values, boosting public trust in government institutions. As a result, crime rates fell, borders remained secure, and major riots became rare—allowing citizens to carry on their daily lives without fear of disruption. Peace has enabled resources and government focus to shift toward building and improving the nation’s infrastructure. Road networks expanded from dirt paths to highways, exemplified by the Kampala-Entebbe Expressway, which cut travel time between two key economic centres in half. Electricity now reaches rural areas through projects like Uganda's rural electrification, led by the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), transforming energy access — more than 40% of homes now have power compared to almost none in the late 1980s. Additionally, programs providing clean water taps to millions have created economic opportunities for families and businesses alike. Farmers can now transport crops to markets more easily, and factories can hire more workers, boosting growth and productivity. Regional Leadership. Uganda sets an example on the international stage, especially in regional security efforts. Troops have been actively participating in the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) since 2007, fighting against the militant group Al-Shabaab and enhancing the stability of Mogadishu, a city that has endured prolonged instability. In the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Ugandan forces have also played an essential role in addressing cross-border threats, effectively stopping insurgents from crossing into Uganda and making sure that the security gains are not weakened by regional instability. Through these joint efforts, President Museveni has built a legacy of peace, stability, and growth—going beyond Uganda's tumultuous history and providing hope for ongoing advancement.

Nanteza Sarah Kyobe

24 January 2026

POLITICAL CASUALTIES OF 2026 ELECTIONS; MAYBE WE NEED A REHABILITATION CENTRE FOR THEM

The electoral political season is getting almost done. The victors are in celebrations. The losers are counting their losses. It’s more difficult for the losers. This is largely due to the nature of investment, both financially and emotionally. The biggest problem with African and indeed Ugandan political actors is conceding defeat where it is clearly deserving. It is indeed hard for those that did not have it in their favour. There are those that might even develop mental breakdown. Others might withdraw from society to first recover from the shock. However, the earlier they recollect themselves and move on the better. After all, in this exercise winners and losers were inevitable. The attrition rate for the sitting Members of Parliament (MPs) is way above 70% and to most Ugandans this was meant to happen. President Yoweri Museveni has warned the MPs on several occasions not to use money or give unstainable promises to the voters. However, the desperation of the contesters to win the election make them go overboard and give false promises that they later fail to achieve. The result is that they get voted out on the next round of the election. Therefore, reading Hon. Medard Sseggona and Hon. Ibrahim Ssemuju’s conceding defeat in the just concluded parliamentary elections sounded rare and shocking. Comments on the why they lost elections were mature, something that is not common in Uganda. They conceded defeat honourably and congratulated the victors. Hon. Ssegona took this a notch higher when he promised to offer any useful advice to the man who defeated him in the event, he requested it. The two members of Parliament were quoted by several media houses accepting the outcome of the concluded parliamentary elections. This is a rare gesture in Uganda where losing an election is unacceptable. In fact, some losers end up doing the most despicable acts like organising goons to attack and harm the victors. Competing for the political offices, however rewarding they can be, should not make people look at each other as enemies. There is always more to live for beyond the rewards that come with such positions. In any case, those positions are not permanent; the very reason they are competed for every five years. To such bad losers, an election is a zero-sum game where the participant expects nothing short of victory. It is a do or die affair. Indeed, in such circumstances the losers end up losing their heads as well and if not restrained can end up with suicidal thoughts. Accepting a political loss after a hot, intensely contested election—often characterized by a public concession speech—is a fundamental, though non-legally binding tradition in healthy democracies. It represents a "graceful celebration of democracy" that signals the end of electoral "warfare," promotes national stability and facilitates the peaceful transfer of power. A concession is a voluntary act where the losing candidate acknowledges the winner, often via a personal call followed by a public, televised speech. This also serves as a necessary ceremony that allows supporters to accept the outcome and begin healing, preventing long-term bitterness between opposing factions. Conceding defeat is not cowardly or showing you weren’t the best candidate, to the contrary it shows humility and maturity. It is a moment to place the country above personal disappointment. It encourages supporters to accept the results, ensuring that the winner can govern effectively. Both Hon. Ssemujju and Hon. Ssegona had represented their constituencies for not less than 15 terms. They had offered all they could to their voters. True, they felt they still had some energy to represent their constituencies, but the majority voters felt they were more convinced by their opponents. This is not to say that they had not represented their constituencies good enough. Far from that. But mankind, being who they are, tend to surprise you when you least expect them. And that is what they exactly did. Graceful acceptance of defeat reinforces the democratic norm that "partisan feeling must yield to patriotism". As a people, we must encourage such a culture if we to advance our democratic gains. A prompt concession signals that the electoral system, despite a heated contest, is legitimate. In contentious elections, refusing to concede defeat can cause deep political divisions and threaten social order. As I write, one of the losers in the last presidential election, Hon. Robert Kyagulanyi has denied conceding defeat and gone into self-imposed hiding. Refusing to concede defeat, won’t change the results the Electoral Commission announced. The only remedy available can only be courts of law that Hon. Kyagulanyi is reluctant to engage. Elections come and go. The 2026 general elections are literally done. It is time to heal and we move on with our lives. It is time to allow peace to return to our towns and villages. Work that propels self improvement had stalled because of the political season. Our people need peace and calm to return to their gardens and other forms of enterprises to work and add value to their lives. The writer is the Ag. Executive Director Uganda Media Centre

By Obed K. Katureebe

14 January 2026

DON’T LET POLITICS CAUSE DIVISION; LIFE CONTINUES AFTER ELECTIONS

It is essential to ensure a peaceful election process as we approach January 15th, the election day, because life must go on after the votes are counted. Politics often divides people and fuels hostility. One musician sang: “Tugende tulonde naye tulonde mudembe obululu tebutwawula, Tuve mukuyomba olwabo abesimbyewo obululu tebutwawula,” which means “we all go and vote in peace; votes should not divide us.” This meaningful message emphasizes the importance of citizens participating peacefully in elections, promoting unity over tribal or personal conflicts, and discouraging internal strife. Besides encouraging peaceful voting, it is also important to focus on informed voter participation. Being an educated voter is just as vital as casting a ballot. Voters should take time to learn about the candidates, their platforms, and the potential impact of proposed policies and measures. When people make informed decisions, it strengthens democracy and reduces the chances of manipulation by those seeking to exploit societal divisions for personal gain. It is wise to follow the Electoral Commission's guidelines to ensure a calm election. We all know that elections will produce both winners and losers, as determined by the voters. By following the rules and accepting the authority of the Electoral Commission, citizens can participate in a process that reflects the true will of the people and helps build trust in democratic institutions. Trust in the electoral process is essential to the long-term health of our democracy and encourages more people to participate. Recognizing defeat and congratulating the winner is not a sign of weakness; it shows understanding that there will always be opportunities to run again. In many democracies, graciously conceding is seen as a sign of political maturity. It demonstrates respect for the democratic process and the collective decision-making that elections symbolize. If dissatisfaction with the election results arises, legal options are available for review, provided there is sufficient evidence to justify a recount or annulment, rather than causing disorder that could threaten peace and stability, requiring police to maintain law and order and the military to ensure national security. Ignoring election outcomes can have serious consequences. We are aware that deploying security forces may include using tear gas, rubber bullets, and making arrests. Such actions not only risk personal safety but can also discourage people from voting in future elections, creating a cycle of voter disenfranchisement and disillusionment. It is vital to understand that a peaceful election benefits everyone and sets an example for future elections, showing that respectful dialogue is possible even during disagreements. It is important to face the truth, even if it’s uncomfortable. The military will not remain idle if someone tries to destabilize the country; it must defend the nation, while the police are responsible for maintaining law and order. Our country has experienced enough unrest and conflict recently. We should not reopen that chapter, as it threatens our progress. Promoting peaceful participation today inspires hope for future generations, reminding them of the value of unity and shared responsibility in exercising democratic rights. Furthermore, community efforts to promote dialogue and understanding among different groups can be very beneficial during the election period. Workshops, town hall meetings, and social media campaigns focused on peace and unity can significantly improve the electorate's readiness to engage respectfully with opposing views. Working together to understand one another strengthens our society and helps us move forward as one, prepared to face the realities of democracy. Ultimately, our goal should be to build a culture that values reflection, cooperation, and peaceful transfer of power, creating a brighter, more stable future for all citizens. This election isn’t just an event; it is a pivotal moment that can redefine our national identity, emphasizing cooperation over conflict. conflict. The writer works with the Uganda Media Centre

Nanteza Sarah Kyobe

10 January 2026

MUSEVENI’S MEDIATION ROLE IN SUDAN AND THE QUEST FOR REGIONAL STABILITY CAN’T BE TAKEN FOR GRANTED

In November 2025, the African Union (AU) appointed President Yoweri Museveni to mediate the conflict in Sudan. This war has plunged the country into one of the gravest humanitarian crises in recent history. The conflict, which began in April 2023, has claimed more than 24,000 lives and displaced over 13 million people. It sets the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), led by Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, against the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) commanded by Gen. Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo. The AU believes President Museveni’s long experience in regional diplomacy makes him a suitable choice to lead mediation efforts, especially after several international initiatives failed to bring the warring parties to the negotiating table. Under this mandate, President Museveni is expected to urge an immediate cessation of hostilities, facilitate the opening of humanitarian corridors, and promote inclusive political dialogue aimed at restoring peace, stability, and national reconciliation in Sudan. In March 2025, President Museveni also deployed the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) to South Sudan at the request of President Salva Kiir Mayardit. This intervention followed deadly clashes in which soldiers loyal to then Vice President Riek Machar mutinied and killed troops loyal to President Kiir in Nasir and parts of Juba. At the time, South Sudan stood on the brink of another devastating civil war that would likely have collapsed the government and created yet another failed state in the region. The UPDF remains deployed as regional leaders continue to pursue a lasting political solution through dialogue. South Sudan has lived on the edge of instability since the death of its founding leader, Dr John Garang, in a plane crash on July 30, 2005. His successor, President Salva Kiir, has struggled to build a cohesive leadership with his former deputy, Dr Riek Machar, whose political ambitions have repeatedly fueled internal conflict. The country’s fragile tribal dynamics have further deepened divisions, leaving scars that may take generations to heal. The Dinka, led politically by President Kiir, often view themselves as the principal architects of South Sudan’s liberation struggle, having sacrificed immensely in the fight against domination from the Arab north. They accuse the Nuer, led by Dr Machar, of collaborating with the Khartoum regime during the war. Conversely, the Nuer regard themselves as more educated and internationally exposed, pointing to Dr Machar’s academic credentials, including a PhD in Strategic Planning, as evidence of his suitability to lead the country. What South Sudan urgently needs, however, is a reconstituted and professional national army, guided by patriotism rather than ethnic/tribal loyalties. Despite repeated calls for the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), the African Union, and the European Union to deploy peacekeeping forces before the eventual withdrawal of the UPDF, little tangible action has been taken. As a result, Uganda has shouldered a disproportionate burden in preventing what could have escalated into genocide. Ironically, rather than being commended, some actors, both within the region and internationally, have accused President Museveni of being a partisan actor in the South Sudan conflict. This narrative is far from the truth. As efforts intensify to restore peace and stability in both Sudans, President Museveni deserves the support of all peace-loving global actors. The two countries remain the “sick men” of the region and require sustained international attention and assistance. Beyond Sudan and South Sudan, Uganda continues to play a stabilising role elsewhere in the region. The deployment of the UPDF in Somalia and eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is yet another sacrifice aimed at restoring peace. Somalia, once considered a failed state dominated by clan militias and Al-Shabaab terrorists, is steadily rebuilding, thanks in part to Uganda’s contribution alongside other partners. In eastern DR Congo, the UPDF, at the invitation of the Kinshasa government, entered Ituri Province in November 2021 and dismantled Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) cells responsible for mass killings and displacement. Working jointly with the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (FARDC), the UPDF has helped restore relative stability, allowing communities to return home and cross-border trade between Uganda and DR Congo to flourish once again. The spirit of Pan Africanisim will forever be his DNA. Reason why Ugandans should without blinking an eye vote for the man with a hut come January 15th 2026. The writer is Ag. Executive Director Uganda Media Centre

By Obed K Katureebe

27 December 2025

DISCREDITING THE ELECTORAL COMMISSION (EC) IS SHEER OPPORTUNISM

Scholars have defined political opportunism as aiming to increase one's political influence at any price, or a political style that involves seizing every and any opportunity to extend political influence, whenever such opportunities arise. Typically, opportunist political behavior is criticized for being short-sighted or narrow-minded. However, most politicians especially those in developing countries like Uganda have no sense of shame to grab any opportunity to make both short and long term gains. Like they say, wonders never cease to happen especially in our dear country Uganda. Why on earth would a presidential candidate like Robert Kyagulanyi of the National Unity Platform (NUP) spend most his time discrediting the Electoral Commission a body mandated by law to organize an election where he is fully a participant. Kyagulanyi has made many statements to the effect that the EC chaired by Justice Simon Byabakama Mugenyi is up for a mischief come the voting day in 2026. What is ironical though is that Kyagulanyi, like most of his supporters at parliamentary and local council, have registered to participate in the January 2026 elections and without a doubt they expect a free and fair outcome. This in my view is sheer opportunism and blackmail. The very EC NUP leadership is now discrediting is the same election body that declared 57 members of parliament in their favour in 2021General Election making them the biggest opposition party in Uganda. It is the same EC that announced Kyagulanyi’s legitimately earned votes of 3,631,437 million people in the same election. One wonders why this same body is now under such attacks. Of course all this attacks are calculated attempts to malign EC as an independent arbiter such that in the event results are not in their favour, they will cry foul and say we saw it coming. The EC is a credible arbiter the reason hundreds of thousands from all political parties are running as independent candidates after they were not satisfied with the results in their party primary elections. Ugandans might look naïve and gullible but what is very clear is that they are not that daft like some of our political actors tend to think. They have rejected such parochial attempts by their leaders every now and then and who selfishly want to mislead them. The NUP call can only depict them as potential bad losers who are unwilling to accept any result as long as it is not in their favour. In fact, they risk being isolated by those moderate Ugandans who prefer peaceful and mutual coexistence irrespective of what the coming elections will present as the final outcome. NUP should know that elections are not a zero same game. Irrespective of our political affiliations we must tolerate each other and live and work together and trust institutions mandated to do their work. Mistrust and incitement is a clear way of inviting anarchy where everybody is s loser. Mature politics calls for respect to the institutions mandated to play certain roles in this critical role of General Elections. Any deliberate efforts to undermine these critical institutions can only bring on board situations that we shall all can only regret. Political tolerance and respect among other things calls for the willingness to extend basic civility and respect to persons and institutions that play different roles in this exercise. It is a central tenet of a liberal democracy. This respect applies to either group….the political players and the various institutions mandated to manage this exercise. Therefore, for NUP to continue casting doubt on the impartiality of the EC call is not only politically very absurd but equally dangerous. The EC has done everything possible in openness including but not limited to the following; open registration of all eligible voters, open display of all the registered voters and displayed them all parishes in Uganda, brought in Biometric Machines to be used during elections in order to curb multiple voting during election day and, open voting and tallying that will done on each polling stations. These on top of many other mitigating procedures that are meant to deliver a free and fair election. Of course building and maintaining faith in democratic institutions is a crucial and ongoing global challenge, requiring concerted efforts from both citizens and governments. Therefore, the need to exercise caution and maturity in such circumstances is what is needed. Finally, NUP and its leadership had better realize that all attempts to blackmail the EC in this exercise are attempts in vain. What is interesting is that majority of NUP supporters and participants are very reasonable Ugandans and have total faith in the EC. This explains the reason they have participated in large numbers. They hate incitement of nay form against the institutions meant to govern them and appreciate the benefits of an all inclusive society where people must live and work together irrespective of their political differences. The Writer is the Ag. Executive Director Uganda Media Centre

BY OBED KATUREEBE

21 December 2025

DESPERATE VOTE HUNTING AND THE NEED TO CONTROL RECKLESS TONGUES TURN INTO UPPERCASE

In one of our animated discussions in a journalists’ chat group, a colleague, Derrick Wandera of the Daily Monitor, questioned why the National Resistance Movement (NRM), and particularly the security agencies, are placing so much emphasis on what he described as “ghetto political slogans” used by NUP presidential candidate Robert Kyagulanyi. According to Wandera, slogans such as Tubayisemu Egaali (a ghetto expression implying the subduing of those one disagrees with through force), Kuzoganya (unsettling one’s enemies), and Mukakuume mukabanje (protect the vote and demand answers if one is dissatisfied with the results) are harmless political statements. In his view, the government, especially security agencies, is panicking by reading too much into these rallying calls, which, he argues, should not be interpreted beyond their face value. He is wrong. To security agencies, these are not innocent slogans. They are deliberately coded statements designed to incite sections of the population to take the law into their own hands during an election season. To understand why security is concerned about such language, one does not need to look far; our region offers painful lessons on what political incitement can do in a highly charged political environment. During the 1994 genocide in Rwanda, perpetrators began by coining coded language to incite ethnic Hutus against Tutsis. Words such as Inyenzi (cockroaches) were used to dehumanise Tutsis and justify violence against them. This systematic use of language was a powerful tool of incitement. We all know what people do when cockroaches invade their homes: they exterminate them. The result of this dehumanisation was the genocide against the Tutsi, which claimed close to one million lives in just three months. Similarly, during Kenya’s 2007–2008 post-election violence, explicit and coded language was widely used to incite ethnic hatred and violence. Politicians and their supporters employed terms such as Madoadoa (blemishes or spots), a coded reference in the Rift Valley to “non-host” communities, particularly Kikuyu and Kisii, who were accused of supporting the wrong political choices. The implication was that these “spots” needed to be removed. Other phrases included “beasts from the west,” reportedly used by some Kikuyu politicians to describe Luo supporters of opposition leader Raila Odinga, while some Kalenjin supporters retaliated by referring to the Kikuyu as “vermin.” The phrase “clear the weeds from the grass” echoed Rwanda’s genocidal rhetoric and was a coded call for the physical removal of non-Kalenjin communities from the Rift Valley. Another expression, “the mongoose has stolen the chickens,” alluded to historical land grievances, portraying the Kikuyu as land grabbers. The consequences were devastating. Tribal clashes, particularly between the Luo and the Kikuyu, displaced thousands of people. Property, infrastructure, and industries were destroyed; about 1,000 people were killed; and many more were displaced. For the first time, Uganda received hundreds of Kenyan refugees fleeing the violence. Therefore, when security agencies act cautiously in response to inciting statements and innuendoes, they should not be dismissed as panicky or overzealous. Instead, they should be commended for restraining desperate political actors who seek votes by any means, including those that endanger communities and national stability. The use of coded language and slogans by the leadership of the National Unity Platform (NUP) to incite citizens must be condemned by all. While campaigning in Luweero District, NUP presidential candidate Robert Kyagulanyi crossed a dangerous line when he told a cheering crowd that if one is a true son of Buganda and votes for President Museveni, then “something is wrong with your head.” Such rhetoric is deeply inciting, and his team and advisers should restrain him. Ironically, before entering the often reckless world of politics, he once sang, “Akalulu tekatwawula” (elections should never divide us). For Christians, the Bible offers a sobering warning about the power of words. In James 3:5–6, the apostle uses vivid imagery, comparing the tongue to a small spark capable of setting an entire forest ablaze. He illustrates how reckless speech can cause immense destruction, corrupting individuals and communities alike. The scripture reads: “So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire! And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting the course of life on fire, and itself set on fire by hell.” These biblical words highlight the disproportionate power of the tongue to cause immense destruction, comparing its small size to the massive scale of a blaze that can consume an entire forest or wild bush.” The writer is Ag. Executive Director Uganda Media Centre

BY OBED KATUREEBE

20 December 2025

GREG MUGISHA MUNTU’S PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN: THE LACK OF GRAVITAS

Only thirty days left to the general election polling day, and retired UPDF Maj. Gen. and former army commander for nine years, 1989-1998 Gregory Mugisha Muntu has still failed to gain visible traction on the campaign trail. If he was a tree in a plantation, many would be right to describe him as the laggard. And yet from the visual demeanor, and a clean-slate career background, of the bee-line candidates, you are perhaps the next best to President Yoweri Museveni, also the ruling NRM presidential candidate. You Mugisha Muntu, what for really. One true bill is a point when in the last election you got only 67,574 votes ( 0.65%) in the national presidential vote. You have come back again but the signs are clearly ominous for you. Second attempt makes a line and that line points to another very poor performance, after which you should hang it up after strike two rather than go down swinging the bat like your friend, and former UPDF comrade Kizza Besigye. Your looming unprecedented rejection makes it even clearer that your return should never have seen the light of day. It may now point to evidence of your vindictiveness against President Yoweri Museveni, the man who propped you up to become his army commander at just 29 years old in 1989 when many people believed you did not possess qualities or expertise to become one. He jumped you in career and professional ladders becoming so far, the only army commander to hold the rank of colonel for only two months, was skipped that of Brigadier, straight a Maj. Gen. and then appointed army commander, which caused murmurs, with Kampala shops closing at midday. I remember, Museveni warning, rumoured coup plotters, that they go ‘six feet underground.’ Muntu, you are now like that prosecutor who tries to return to the same case with the same facts and evidence even when the jury repeatedly declines to endorse a trial. But we should wish him good luck. But listening to the man who was Chief of Military Intelligence, Commander 5th Infantry Division based in Lira, Chief Political Commissar (CPC), and eventually the Army Commander for nine years, and couldn’t end the wars, now speaking so casually as if running government is so easy, baffles me. A steely authoritarian, under whose watch corruption in NRA/UPDF was commonplace, and indisciplinados thrived leading to the terminology of kateebe, Muntu isn’t exceptional. Although Muntu singings of building ‘systems’ but as the Organising Secretary, and later president of FDC, the party stalled and degenerated. And today, we are all witnessing how the Alliance for National Transformation (ANT), the party he founded in 2017 is almost a stillbirth. Ugandans do not want Uganda to go that direction. Surely, Muntu, with that record, shouldn’t be so dismissive of Museveni’s overall performance in delivering Uganda from the abyss to security, stability, rebuilding the state, country and socio-economic transformation underway. Watching his public rallies, or rather a gatherings of a few people surrounding him at these sojourns appear not to touch his sides. Muntu is not in competition with any other candidate over crowd sizes or media coverage. A few people who do not know his tour of duty within the NRM, hailing him as ‘disciplined and uncorrupt’ are tempted to suggest that he should possibly be the president Uganda ought to have after President Museveni, but only if, he could return to the NRM. Unfortunately, the cruelty of Uganda’s shallow democratic politics is birthing the kinds, that going by opinion polls, ought not to have been on the ballot paper in the first place, and should be an embarrassment to NRM’s flagship mantra of clean and quality politics.

BY OFWONO OPONDO

19 December 2025

GOVERNMENT YOUTH-SKILLING PROGRAMMES ADDRESSING THE UNEMPLOYMENT QUESTION

One of the strategies the Government is using to transform Uganda from a peasant society into a modern and prosperous nation is strengthening economic fundamentals and addressing key development bottlenecks, as outlined in Vision 2040. To tackle the challenge of youth unemployment, the Government has created avenues to empower young people with practical skills that translate into real jobs for both urban and rural populations. Over the past few years, the Government has significantly expanded youth skilling through programmes such as the Youth Livelihood Programme (YLP), the Presidential Initiative on Skilling the Youth, industrial training centres, and the broader effort to link skills development with industrial parks and local enterprise growth. These initiatives are already yielding tangible results, moving thousands of young people from unemployment into the money economy. There are many success stories across the country. In Kibuku District, a 22-year-old graduate of the Bukedi Industrial Hub completed training in tailoring and bakery, then used start-up capital from the programme to open a small bakery. He now supplies bread and pastries to local markets daily and earns a steady income. In the Karamoja region, a former street youth trained in welding and metal fabrication has started a workshop repairing motorcycle frames and metal gates. His enterprise now employs two other trained youths, turning idleness into productive work and community service. There are also numerous stories of single mothers who, after completing their training, have joined together to start businesses in tailoring, salon work, baking, and handcrafted shoe production ventures that were previously out of reach. The National Skilling Programme under the State House now operates 19 zonal/industrial skilling hubs across the country, equipping youth with employable skills that foster self-reliance, entrepreneurship, and reduced unemployment. These hubs are located in regions with high unemployment and limited access to technical training. Each hub trains 600 youth per year, totalling 12,600 trainees across all centres annually. By the end of 2023, approximately 2,523 trainees had graduated since the programme’s inception. To support post-training enterprise creation, the Government has committed substantial funding through SACCOs linked to the skilling programmes. So far, UGX 8.8 billion has been injected into these SACCOs as start-up capital for graduates. These figures demonstrate a nationwide push to make skilling a central pillar of economic inclusion. The programmes offer a wide range of vocational skills, including carpentry and joinery; welding and metal fabrication; tailoring and fashion design; hairdressing and beauty therapy; bakery and confectionery; leatherwork and shoemaking; building and construction; masonry; and, in some hubs, agriculture and agribusiness, including farming under the “Four-Acre Model.” These success stories are not isolated. They represent a broader shift in mindset away from the pursuit of scarce salaried jobs toward small enterprise creation, skills utilisation, and participation in local economic transformation. Many university graduates and diploma holders have enrolled for vocational training and are now running thriving workshops that support their families and employ others. Beyond improving individual livelihoods, youth skilling is part of a broader Government vision to strengthen local industry, reduce reliance on imported goods, and stimulate domestic enterprise. Many graduates are now able to supply products and services from baked goods and clothing to leather products and construction services, contributing to import substitution and boosting local production capacity. Efforts to institutionalise vocational training are also underway. Plans to establish a Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) University will allow vocational graduates to progress to diploma and degree training without having to rely solely on the traditional academic pathway. By aligning skilling hubs, industrial parks, and enterprise support mechanisms such as SACCOs and start-up funding, the Government aims not only to reduce unemployment but also to build a strong base of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) capable of driving national economic growth. Given that many beneficiaries come from vulnerable backgrounds including urban slums, marginalised regions, and rural poor communities, these interventions also deliver broader social benefits. Access to skills, tools, and start-up capital provides alternatives to idleness, crime, or risky migration. Beyond economic inclusion, vocational skills have restored dignity and confidence to trainees. Many graduates are now self-reliant and productive members of their communities, with some even becoming employers. This promotes social cohesion, reduces poverty, and strengthens local economies. The Government’s efforts to skill the youth have produced undeniable progress. Looking ahead, sustaining long-term economic impact will require strengthening linkages between vocational training, industrial parks, markets, and supply chains to ensure products and services from skilled youth find reliable demand. Expanding access to mentoring, business development services, and financial literacy training will also help graduates grow their enterprises beyond the start-up phase. The writer works with the Uganda Media Centre

By Carolyne Muyama

15 December 2025

A PEACEFUL ELECTION IS A DUTY OF EVERY PEACE-LOVING UGANDAN

Uganda is in the middle of an election cycle, with campaigns steadily ongoing at the presidential, parliamentary, and local council levels. While the general process has largely been orderly and the public continues to enjoy the campaign season, unfortunately, there have been reported isolated incidents of violence. The Electoral Commission, the Uganda Police Force, and other security agencies are working collaboratively to manage the situation in a manner satisfactory to all stakeholders. However, the Electoral Commission cannot guarantee a fully peaceful and seamless electoral process if citizens, especially the principal actors in the elections, fail to adhere to established rules and guidelines. Continued violations of Electoral Commission guidelines by some presidential candidates have complicated efforts by both the Commission and the Uganda Police to ensure smooth and peaceful campaigns. In recent weeks, the Uganda Police have been placed under intense public scrutiny, particularly regarding their handling of campaign activities for one presidential candidate, Robert Kyagulanyi, in locations such as Gulu City on December 6; Kawempe on November 24; Kiira on November 25; Kayunga on November 27; and Iganga on November 28, 2025. These incidents are highly regrettable. Nonetheless, a closer examination suggests that such confrontations are likely to persist as long as the National Unity Platform (NUP) continues to disregard Electoral Commission guidelines. The party appears to be following a strategy similar to that once employed by former opposition leader Dr. Kizza Besigye, who openly advocated political defiance as a means of challenging President Yoweri Museveni’s leadership. It is therefore important for social commentators, election observers, and peace-loving Ugandans to subject Kyagulanyi and his team to equal scrutiny and to ask critical questions about their persistent defiance of Electoral Commission regulations. There is growing concern that Kyagulanyi and the NUP leadership may be deliberately violating these guidelines to provoke confrontations with the police, resulting in negative media coverage that they appear to embrace. NUP seems intent on portraying itself as a victim, potentially laying the groundwork for defiance should it suffer electoral defeat. Notably, the party has already announced a “protest vote,” a signal that it may reject the Electoral Commission’s final results. The situation was further exacerbated when the NUP presidential candidate assembled his own security detail, which reportedly confronted individuals perceived to be opposed to the party, including police officers. Incidents in Lira and Abim on October 28 and 29, 2025, respectively, resulted in attacks on police personnel, damage to police vehicles, and injuries to officers. In response, the police were compelled to adopt firmer measures to contain this emerging indiscipline. These developments appear to have been deliberately orchestrated to destabilise an otherwise peaceful electoral process. All presidential candidates are provided with specialised anti-terrorism police protection, and their logistical requirements are funded by the Electoral Commission. There is therefore no justification for any candidate to establish private security groups or militias under the guise of protection. The Electoral Commission guidelines clearly require peaceful arrivals and departures from agreed venues, the use of designated routes, avoidance of unauthorised rally locations such as markets and trading centres, and strict adherence to traffic regulations. These include prohibitions against reckless driving or riding, unsafe passenger practices, and processions along highways or within towns and cities. A meeting between the Electoral Commission and representatives of all eight presidential candidates was held on December 3, 2025, at the Commission’s headquarters to harmonise positions on peaceful conduct and compliance with campaign guidelines. Despite this, continued defiance, particularly from the NUP camp, has persisted. For instance, the Gulu City confrontation arose after the presidential candidate refused to use an agreed police-designated route that was less than two kilometres from the rally venue. Insisting on passing through the city centre led to the ensuing disorder. The Uganda Police Force has a duty to safeguard the rights and freedoms of both political actors and the general public, including hardworking citizens going about their daily activities. Any individual who breaches the law must be dealt with appropriately. This balance is delicate but essential, and neither interest can be pursued at the expense of the other. The government cannot suspend effective societal management simply because the country is in a campaign period. Statements from the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and sections of local and international media alleging that the Government of Uganda is employing repressive tactics against the opposition are misplaced. No country relinquishes its responsibility to protect citizens during election periods. Political competition must not override public order, as some actors may resort to violence in pursuit of victory and must therefore be restrained. The country must remain peaceful and calm throughout this period, regardless of the status of any political actor. There must be zero disruption to daily life, particularly for investors and the business community whose stability is vital to national development. The writer is the Ag. Executive Director Uganda Media Centre

BY OBED KATUREEBE

13 December 2025

UNDERSTANDING THE NUP COPYCAT PROTEST VOTE MANTRA

When the process for the general elections now underway was called, the National Unity Platform opposition party, led by Robert Kyagulanyi alias Bobi Wine chose a mantra, it named ‘Protest vote’ leaving many Ugandans wondering what they meant yet they were participating. In many respects, NUP and some of its leaders look so desperate, more like Dr Warren Smith Kizza Besigye Kifefe of 2006-2011, when in his political heydays hoping to employ bellicosity, intransigence, confrontation, and violent civil disobedience to topple Yoweri Museveni but ended in tears. As political amateurs, NUP leaders seem not to understood or learnt any useful lessons from Besigye’s episodes, and as poor copycats, are trying to practice from the same tired scripts. First, they have tried to cast doubt and sow negativity against key government institutions starting with the electoral commission which is directly responsible for organizing the elections, and lead personnel, the chairperson Justice Byabakama Mugenyi Simon. This is similar to Besigye and FDC against Eng. Badru Kiggundu, then EC Chairperson. Next, they have built a posture of confrontation with the police and other security services by unreasonably defying their instructions on law enforcement regulations even when lawful and necessary for the common good. Many perhaps still remember FDC and the so-called ‘walk-to-work’, defiance and civil disobedience. NUP has tried to disregard every regulation governing the conduct of public campaigns, polling, counting, tallying and declaration of election results so as to create a situation of permanent discontent and tension so that a narrative of unfairness is perpetuated in the public mind. In fact NUP plans, as they did in 2021, that in areas it believes are strongholds, to prevent those who do not support them especially NRM members from voting. These lines are being picked directly from Besigye’s failed notebook where he had the so-called Power10 vote protectors, a private tally centre to declare his victory, and the eventual swearing-in as ‘the people’s president.’ Furthermore, copying from the script of Tanzania’s recent elections, NUP plans to disrupt polling, vote-counting or tallying so as to create situations of anarchy as a precursor for violent riots which they hope to use to overrun government. And of course they expect a hard response from law enforcement agencies that could as well fuel mass arrests and possibly blood on the streets to blight the government. This is the reason NUP is defiantly calling on its supporters to remain at the polling stations countrywide half-cleverly claiming it is meant to protect vote fraud and theft even when they know that the law permits every candidate two official polling agents at the station to observe the entire process. The mavericks aware of their vulnerabilities have recruited heavy-hitting, but shallow ‘foot-soldiers’ to do the lifting. Now eclipsed by NUP, the guards in DP, UPC, FDC, JEEMA, and ANT, fearful to be run down, cannot afford to tell Kyagulanyi gangsters that they are taking the wrong path. PFF and DF, competing with Kyagulanyi for the same tribal attention within Buganda can only whisper from under their beds. None from both groups can dare tell Kyagulanyi that he is incompetent or unfit to lead Uganda, so the pander on, waiting for the nightmare to end, because they cannot topple his ratings. And Kyagulanyi thinks that they may collapse and picks the dregs seeking safe seats as he did in 2021. We foretold FDC and Besigye in their good days when Ugandans still favoured them, that blind political hubris may last for a while but eventually evaporates, and hopefully they have painfully learnt a lesson. FDC and Besigye are empty political shells today. Kyagulanyi and his surrogates ought to read that brief history and know they cannot win a democratic process simply by ramming their heads against the hard wall of the NRM revolution.

BY OFWONO OPONDO

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