Author: Times Uganda

Rubaga North constituency, has a longstanding history of electing leaders who support a federal system of government. This loyalty to federalism is deeply rooted in the area’s connection to the Buganda Kingdom, whose headquarters are located within the constituency. But will this pattern hold in the upcoming election? Today, we are going to look at the history of federalist support in Rubaga North and examine the potential challenges this political stance might face in the next election cycle, 2026. The people of Rubaga North have consistently demonstrated their preference for candidates who champion the Buganda Kingdom’s interests, particularly the desire…

Remember the devastating floods of 2020 and 2021 around Lake Albert? Well, it seems like history is sadly repeating itself. Over 500 families in Uganda are staring down the barrel of displacement as the lake’s water levels surge once more. This time, it’s the residents of Fofo, Kijangi, and other landing sites in the Hoima District who are facing the brunt of nature’s fury. Imagine the heartbreak of seeing your home, your only sanctuary, slowly being swallowed by water. One resident, 77-year-old Swizin Tinkamanyire, shared his despair, saying his permanent home was destroyed in the 2020 floods, and now he’s…

Frank Nyakaana Rusa has been named by President Museveni as the Kampala Capital City Authority’s (KCCA) acting executive director. Mr. Rusa is anticipated to lead the troubled City Hall following Dorothy Kisaka’s shocking dismissal on Tuesday. The Presidency confirmed the nomination in a letter on Thursday, and it is effective immediately. “You are hereby assigned the duties of Executive Director. You will hold the post until a substantive office holder is appointed by the Appointing Authority,” the letter partly read. As a result, one of Rusa’s current appointment’s terms and conditions is that he must submit reports on a quarterly…

Once upon a time budding gospel singer, Maggie Kayima alias Nabbi Omukazi has shocked many after she disclosed that she and Pastor Yiga used to chew themselves uninsulated despite knowing his HIV status. The singer became a major figure in the music industry about a decade and half ago. Her fame was catalyzed by controversies surrounding her self-titled prophetess title. She was by then under Pastor Yiga’s Revival Band. Allegations of being the late Pastor’s wife started emanating slowly but they both brushed them aside. She has however now revealed that they used to chew each other and she was…

The high-profile murder trial of Kampala businesswoman Molly Katanga took a shocking turn this week as defence lawyers raised serious questions about the forensic evidence presented against her. Ms. Katanga is accused of shooting her husband businessman Henry Katanga in 2023, but did a police error lead to the wrong gun being examined? Defence attorney MacDusman Kabega grilled police expert Andrew Mubiru, who analysed the alleged murder weapon. Kabega presented evidence suggesting the gun Mubiru examined had a different serial number than the one presented in court. “Do you agree that each gun has specific serial numbers identifying it and distinguishing…

You’ve heard of taxing sugary drinks, but what about cow dung? In a move that’s raising eyebrows (and hopefully some revenue!), Kiruhura District Western part of Uganda has introduced a fee for loading up this unlikely commodity. The district, known for its large cattle population, has seen a steady stream of trucks hauling away dung to be sold as fertilizer in other regions. This “brown gold” is in high demand, with a single Fuso truckload fetching up to a whopping Shs150,000! Local officials, facing a shortfall in revenue collection, saw an opportunity in this unusual export. With collection targets consistently…

Uganda’s government is sitting on a staggering Shs13.2 trillion ($3.6 billion) in unused external loans, raising concerns about debt sustainability and the effectiveness of public spending. This revelation comes from the Ministry of Finance’s latest Debt Statistical Bulletin, highlighting a worrying trend of borrowing exceeding project implementation capacity. The report reveals that this unused debt stockpile grew by a significant Shs1.8 trillion ($500 million) in the last financial year alone, primarily due to sluggish implementation of government projects. Factors contributing to this backlog include delays in acquiring land rights, insufficient government funding, inadequate project preparation, and unmet conditions for loan disbursement.…

The closure of the Karuma Bridge for essential repairs has sent shockwaves through the region, threatening to plunge South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo into a supply chain crisis. The bridge, a vital artery for trade, has been deemed unsafe following the discovery of significant structural damage. This closure has sparked concerns over soaring transport costs and extended delivery times, impacting businesses and consumers alike. The Karuma Bridge, located 266km north of Kampala, acts as a critical link for the transportation of both people and goods between Uganda and its neighbours. Its closure has forced cargo trucks to take…

Robinah Nabbanja, the Prime Minister of Uganda, has been awarded the Global Women Leadership Award in New York, in recognition of her advocacy for gender equality. The award, presented by the UK-based Centre of Economic and Leadership Development, celebrates women who have shown exceptional leadership on a global scale. Hon Robinah Nabbanja received the award at the Global Power Women Conference 2024, held at the Graduate Centre University of New York City on September 26th. The award is given to “visionary leaders who strategically navigate complex challenges and leverage opportunities to create a better world”. During the event, Ms Nabbanja, who…

The high profile murder trial of Molly Katanga took a dramatic turn today as defence lawyers exposed potential holes in the prosecution’s case, raising serious questions about the credibility of key evidence. The trial centres around the death of businessman Henry Katanga, with DNA evidence allegedly linking Molly Katanga and her daughter, Patricia, to the crime scene. Defence Counsel Ellison Karuhanga rigorously cross-examined Police Chief Andrew Mubiru, who also serves as the director of the forensic lab, challenging his claims regarding the lab’s accreditation and independence. Karuhanga presented a letter from the Inspector General of Police stipulating that the lab needed…