Ugnews Line

Author: Raymond Hassan Sango

  • Police Chief establishes electoral policing zones ahead of NRM primaries, 2026 General Elections

    Police Chief establishes electoral policing zones ahead of NRM primaries, 2026 General Elections

     

    As the country prepares for the upcoming National Resistance Movement (NRM) party primaries and the 2026 general elections, the Inspector General of Police, Abas Byakagaba, has unveiled a strategic security framework by creating nine electoral policing zones, each with designated commanders.

    The move, according to police spokesperson Rusoke Kituuma, is aimed at coordinating security operations, improving responsiveness, and ensuring a peaceful and orderly electoral process throughout the country.

    “These commanders will work closely with electoral officials, district leaders, and other security agencies to maintain law and order, prevent violence, and swiftly address any security threats,” Kituuma said.

    List of Electoral Policing Zones and Commanders

    The newly appointed zone commanders and their respective jurisdictions are as follows:

    Busoga-Jinja Zone commanded by AIGP Moses Kafeero Kabugo, this zone includes Busoga North, Kiira, and Sezibwa policing regions.

    Northern-Gulu Zone is under under AIGP Stephen Tanui, covering Aswa West, Aswa East, West Nile, and North West Nile.

    Karamoja-Moroto Zone:

    Commanded by CP Patrick Lawot, overseeing Mt. Moroto, Kidepo, Elgon, Sipi, Bekedi North, and Bekedi South.

    Kyoga Zone will be led by CP Paul Nkore, covering North Kyoga, East Kyoga, and South Kyoga.

    Central-Masaka Zone will be commanded by CP Godfrey Bolingo Maate, responsible for Masaka West, Masaka East, Katonga, and Wamala policing regions.

    Kampala Metropolitan Zone under CP Richard Acega, includes KMP North, KMP South, and KMP East.

    Albertine-Hoima Zone, commended by Moses Muluya, overseeing Albertine North, Albertine South, and the Savannah region.

    South Western-Mbarara Zone, led Led by Hillary Kulaige, covering Rwizi, Greater Bushenyi, and Kigezi.

    Rwenzori-Fort Portal Zone, commanded by Dennis Namuwoza, responsible for Rwenzori East and Rwenzori West.

    The electoral policing zones are designed to enable regional commanders to better anticipate, manage, and prevent election-related disturbances.

    Each commander will lead a security task team expected to coordinate closely with Electoral Commission officials, local councils, and community leaders.

     

  • The polyglot registrar: How Calire Ollama Is redefining public service, one language at a time

    The polyglot registrar: How Calire Ollama Is redefining public service, one language at a time

    At first glance, Claire Ollama didn’t seem like the one who would steal the spotlight.

    A cheerful, round-faced woman with short black hair, dressed modestly in a black coat and a green, she quietly took her seat behind the table at the routine joint security briefing held at the Police Headquarters in Kampala.

    The event was expected to follow the usual script, but she turned around this trend.

    Her voice, calm and crisp in English, opened the briefing with practiced ease. But what followed next took the room by surprise. In a fluid, almost melodic rhythm, Ollama shifted from English to Luganda… then Lusoga… then Runyankore, Acholi, Alur, Swahili, and Arabic each delivered as though it were her native tongue.

    By the time she concluded her remarks, composed and precise, journalists and security officers sat in stunned admiration. It was more than public communication. It was a masterclass in linguistic dexterity.

    “If there were Language Olympics,” wrote Patrick Oyulu, a public health specialist, on his X page (formerly Twitter), “Claire Ollama would be taking home gold, and still have enough breath to read the 7 o’clock news.”

    Ollama, the registrar at Uganda’s National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA), has since become a national marvel, not for enforcing policy, but for the grace with which she delivers her message.

    Born and raised in Paidha in northern Uganda, she commands a linguistic arsenal that includes English, Luo, Kiswahili, Runyankore, Luganda, and more.

    But her gift goes far beyond vocabulary. She doesn’t merely translate; she connects, bridging complex bureaucratic information with the warmth of familiar language and cultural empathy.

    Speaking in someone’s local language comes with respect. It’s how we preserve our cultures, promote African diversity, and connect with citizens where they are.

    Though Ollama doesn’t wear a uniform, her role at NIRA has evolved into one of public symbolism. The agency itself is often known only in moments of frustration, when an ID goes missing, or biometric data seems to vanish.

    Yet in Ollama’s hands, NIRA’s voice has taken on clarity and credibility.

    “People are starting to pay attention,” said a colleague. “Not just to what NIRA does, but how we speak to them. Claire has made that possible.”

    In an era where public trust in institutions is fragile, her multilingual approach is more than a skill, it’s a strategy for civic engagement. Her delivery is marked not by flair, but by precision and sincerity. It’s not performative; it’s purposeful.

    For journalists, especially, her presence is always a relief at a presser. “We no longer scramble for interpreters,” said one local reporter. “Claire gives us the news in the very languages our audiences understand best.”

    Whoever handles human resources at NIRA, Ollama isn’t just doing her job, she’s transforming what it means to serve.

    As one observer put it: if more public officials spoke to Ugandans like her,  we’d all be lining up early, not out of obligation, but for the honor of being heard.

    For young Ugandans watching her, Ollama is more than a public official, she’s a role model. Proof that you don’t need a title to command a room. Just fluency, humility, and a deep respect for the people you serve, and love for your country.

  • Kyankwanzi PDM boss remanded over diverting project funds

    Kyankwanzi PDM boss remanded over diverting project funds

    The chairperson of the Lubiri Kyankwanzi Parish Development Model (PDM) SACCO, Damiano Ssali, was July 14, 2025 charged with embezzling shs50 million from the government’s flagship poverty alleviation programme.

    Ssali, 35, a laboratory technician and resident of Lubiri LC1, Kyankwanzi sub-county, appeared, before Principal Grade One Magistrate Christopher Opit at the Anti-Corruption Court in Nakasero, where he is seeking release pending trial.

    The accused was first arraigned on July 3, 2025, where he denied the charge and was remanded to Luzira Prison.

    He returns to court today for the mention of the case and a ruling on his bail application.

    Ssali faces one count of embezzlement under sections 18(a) and (iii) of the Anti-Corruption Act, Cap 116. If convicted, he could face up to 14 years in prison, a fine of sh6.7 million, or both.

    According to prosecutor Raymond Mugisa, a senior state attorney from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), Ssali allegedly conspired with others still at large to divert shs50 million from the PDM SACCO, abusing his role as chairperson to gain access to the funds.

    The PDM, launched in 2022 by President Yoweri Museveni, is a flagship government initiative aimed at eradicating poverty at the household level through community-based financing, targeting the poorest living on hand to mouth.

  • “Better to die than go back”: Eritrean migrants in Uganda tell harrowing stories of torture and fear of repatriation

    “Better to die than go back”: Eritrean migrants in Uganda tell harrowing stories of torture and fear of repatriation

    Amid the scorching sun and dry plains of northeastern Uganda, a group of desperate Eritrean migrants clung to each other, despair etched into their faces.

    Their dreams of freedom had collapsed, and now, the looming threat of being forced back home to what they described as a “militarized prison” was so terrifying that some said they would rather die.

    Over the weekend, at least 109 Eritrean migrants, including women, children, and young men, were intercepted by Ugandan security forces in Moroto District, Karamoja sub-region, as they attempted to transit through Uganda en route to Europe.

    After a brief detention, the group was reportedly driven to the Lokitanyala border point on July 5, 2025 and left to fend for themselves in the harsh wilderness.

    With the sun beating down and no shelter in sight, many wandered toward the Kenyan side, too afraid to stay, too broken to move forward.

    For 22-year-old K. Daniela, the thought of being repatriated to Eritrea is unbearable.

    “If we are sent back, we will be detained, tortured, or killed. We will disappear. Our families may never hear from us again,” she said, her voice trembling.

    Daniela described Eritrea as a nation where freedom does not exist, where leaving the country without permission is considered an act of treason, punishable by indefinite detention, forced labor, or execution.

    “We are not just fleeing poverty. We are escaping a life sentence,” she said.

    Shattered hopes, abandoned Lives

    The migrants say they each paid traffickers large sums of money to escape Eritrea and find a temporary haven in Uganda, hoping to eventually reach Europe.

    But their journey was cut short when they were stopped by Ugandan forces at a checkpoint just 10 kilometers outside Moroto town.

    Since then, their fate has hung in the balance.

    When held, some wept openly, others prayed aloud, and a few stared blankly into the horizon, faces sunken with fear, confusion, and hopelessness.

    “Many of us would rather die here than go back,” one young man said.

    Women among the group recounted harrowing stories of sexual abuse by armed men during their journey. Others spoke of relatives, and partners, who had vanished or died in detention back home.

    “Back home, every family has someone in prison or dead. Journalists, teachers, even teenagers, no one is safe,” said one woman. “We fled to live, not to be sent back to die.”

    Life under fear

    Eritrea, a small nation in the Horn of Africa bordered by Sudan, Ethiopia, and Djibouti, has faced decades of conflict, repression, and economic hardship. The government enforces a system of mandatory and indefinite military service, often described as forced labor.

    Those who resist are subjected to harsh punishment, disappearance, or death.

    Human rights organizations, including the United Nations, have repeatedly accused the Eritrean government of systematic abuses, including arbitrary arrests, lack of press freedom, and the suppression of political dissent.

    Despite the growing exodus of citizens, the country remains largely closed off from the international community.

    “Let the World Hear Us Before We Disappear”

    Ugandan authorities confirmed that the migrants entered the country illegally on June 30 and were intercepted shortly thereafter. However, instead of being processed through asylum channels, they were transported and abandoned at the border.

    The UNHCR has documented that as of 2024, Uganda hosts approximately 59,600 Eritrean refugees and asylum seekers, many of them young people escaping indefinite national service.

    In 2023 alone, about 71,600 Eritreans applied for asylum globally, representing over 2% of the country’s total population.

    “Do not send us back,” pleaded one young man. “Please, let the world hear us before we disappear. We need protection.”

    As international attention shifts elsewhere, the cries of Eritrean migrants stranded in Uganda grow louder and more urgent. For them, the stakes are simple and heartbreaking: freedom or death.

  • Police continue crack down on electricity vandalism in Wakiso, Mityana

    Police continue crack down on electricity vandalism in Wakiso, Mityana

    The Uganda Police Force has sounded a stern warning to individuals tampering with the nation’s electricity infrastructure, labeling the acts as organized criminal activity that will be met with the full force of the law.

    Police spokesperson, Rusoke Kituuma confirmed that a growing number of cases have been reported involving vandalism of power transformers through a method known as “tap changing”.

    he noted that criminals manipulate the equipment and then extort money from entire villages under the promise of restoring electricity.

    “These individuals are not only breaking the law, they’re holding communities hostage,” said Kituuma.

    “We have received reports from Bunamwaya, Kyengera, Nabingo, Gayaza, Kabanyoro in Wakiso District, and Nakibanga in Mityana District. This is widespread and deeply concerning.”

    In addition to transformer tampering, Kituuma highlighted the illegal activities of uncertified electricians who unlawfully reroute village power connections from unstable lines to stable ones.

    He stressed that such unauthorized alterations, along with the theft and resale of electric infrastructure materials, pose serious risks to public safety.

    “We are actively hunting down all those involved—not just the vandals, but also the buyers of stolen electrical equipment,” Kituuma stated. “Let it be known that anyone caught will face severe consequences.”

    According to the law, offenders face up to 15 years in prison or fines of up to one billion Ugandan shillings.

    Authorities are urging residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to the police, the Uganda Electricity Distribution Company Limited (UEDCL), or local leadership.

    “This is a matter of national importance,” Kituuma emphasized. “We call upon every citizen to work with security agencies to safeguard our power infrastructure and ensure reliable electricity for all.”

  • “Don’t turn insults into a strategy” — Dr. Spire’s bold appeal to NUP foot soldiers sparks online buzz

    “Don’t turn insults into a strategy” — Dr. Spire’s bold appeal to NUP foot soldiers sparks online buzz

    In a moment equal parts serious and spirited, academic and cartoonist Dr. Jimmy Spire Ssentongo offered a gentle, but firm, wake-up call to the most outspoken supporters of Uganda’s National Unity Platform (NUP).

    Speaking at the party’s headquarters, Dr. Spire addressed the so-called “foot soldiers,” urging them to dial down the verbal aggression that has become part of their political engagement toolbox.

    “Don’t turn abusing into a method,” he said, with his trademark mix of wit and wisdom. “Yes, I understand the passion and the struggle. But even in battle, we must be thoughtful about how we fight.”

    His message, though met with a somewhat chilly reception from the party members, resonated across social media, igniting a firestorm of praise, and criticism.

    “Some of you graduated as foot soldiers,” he noted. “And you’re doing great work on the frontlines, pushing back against narratives. But it’s important to ask: what do your actions make others think of us?”

    Dr. Spire confessed that even he isn’t immune to frustration, “I too get annoyed. I’ve abused, but I do it through cartoons not direct like you.”

    While some in attendance may have bristled at the message, others online applauded his courage.

    “It took bravery and courage to say this,” wrote @ProsperAhabUG. “He knew it wouldn’t be popular, but he said it anyway.”

    “We will change if that’s what it takes for the struggle to succeed,” echoed @djawuma.

    Others were less enthusiastic.

    “….he is busy undermining the party and you are seating comfortably listening,” posted @otaribanga9992.

    Some interpreted his remarks as indirectly aimed at NUP leader Bobi Wine, with user @muko_stanley suggesting, “Bobi Wine was not comfortable with his speech.”

    Dr. Spire wrapped his remarks with a call for emotional intelligence: “Whether you’re on this side or that side, it’s always wise to tame ourselves” stressing that not every question deserves a war.

    In a country where politics can often get personal, his words serve as a timely reminder that the loudest voice isn’t always the most persuasive, and sometimes, restraint speaks volumes.

  • Mobile Money robbery foiled after dramatic chase, one suspect killed

    Mobile Money robbery foiled after dramatic chase, one suspect killed

    A daring daylight robbery attempt at a mobile money outlet in Kitintale erupted into gunfire, a dramatic chase, and a fatal shootout, leaving one suspected robber dead and another in custody.

    According to Kampala Metropolitan Police Spokesperson Patrick Onyango Onyango, the incident unfolded early Wednesday morning July 9, 2025, near the Access Building in Kitintale when two armed men stormed a mobile money shop operated by one Ibrahim Ssebanenya and Rashid Kyeyune.

    The suspects, wielding firearms, threatened the agents and began stuffing cash into bags.

    But what they didn’t expect was a swift and courageous response.

    “The victims managed to escape and raised an alarm, prompting residents to alert Kitintale Police,” Onyango explained. “Our officers immediately responded and, with support from vigilant members of the community, launched a pursuit as the robbers fled towards Bugolobi.”

    As the suspects ran, the situation intensified. One of the robbers, identified as Matovu Farouk, was apprehended with the help of civilians and is now detained at Jinja Road Police Station, Onyango revealed.

    The second suspect, however, attempted a desperate escape. “He kept discharging bullets into the air, attempting to scare off both pursuing officers and boda boda riders who had joined the chase,” Onyango said.

    The pursuit ended fatally when a Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) soldier guarding a private residence in Bugolobi engaged the fleeing suspect, shooting and killing him on the spot.

    “After securing the scene, police recovered a rifle with two short magazines from the deceased,” Onyango stated. “We are currently processing the scene, investigating the circumstances, and trying to establish the exact amount of money that was stolen.”

    Onyango commended the quick response of the community and security forces, emphasizing that such collaboration is vital in combating urban crime.

    He said investigations are ongoing into the case.

  • NIRA raises concern over low turnout for ID registration and renewal

    NIRA raises concern over low turnout for ID registration and renewal

    The National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) has expressed concern over the low turnout for the ongoing mass registration and renewal of National Identification Cards, commonly known as endagamuntu.

    The nationwide exercise, which began in May, has so far attracted only 5.3 million people, the majority seeking renewals, despite being offered free of charge.

    Claire Ollama, the Registrar General at NIRA, noted that although many people are turning up, most are only interested in renewing their existing IDs, with very few registering for new ones.

    “The uptake of new registrations is disappointingly low. While we are seeing large numbers, they are mostly coming for one service, renewals. That’s why I’m making this appeal,” she said.

    Ollama cited data from the Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS), which estimates the country’s population at 45 million, with half being children.

    “If there’s one message I want to emphasize, it is this: register children, register children, register children,” she urged.

    To address the gap in child registration, NIRA will soon begin registering school-going children. Parents will be required to complete learner declaration forms, which will be distributed through schools.

    “Toward the end of July, we will start registering children in schools. Although this wasn’t the original approach, we’ve been compelled to shift because schools offer an organized environment where children can easily be reached,” Ollama explained.

    She also warned against the practice of registering on behalf of others, particularly for purposes such as SIM card acquisition, calling for stricter enforcement.

    In addition, NIRA announced a special window from July 21–25, 2025, for those wishing to update their ID details. Ugandans will be required to pay UGX 200,000 for changes due to personal reasons or preferences. However, corrections arising from NIRA’s own errors will be made at no cost.

    “Beginning July 22, it will be possible to change your name. So we urge people to start preparing their deed polls and statutory declarations if they wish to update their records,” she said.

    Ollama confirmed that production of new IDs is underway and notifications for collection will be issued once ready.

    To ensure smooth execution of the mass registration exercise, NIRA has established district-level mass enrolment committees, including members from the District Internal Security Office (DISO) and District Police Commanders.

    These teams have been empowered to take legal action against individuals attempting to disrupt or undermine the program.

  • LEGS II Appraisal Mission Visits Kyejonjo,  Katakwi to support expansion to 55 Districts

    LEGS II Appraisal Mission Visits Kyejonjo,  Katakwi to support expansion to 55 Districts

    The Government of Uganda, through the Ministry of Local Government, in partnership with the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) and the Lives and Livelihoods Fund (LLF), recently conducted a field appraisal mission to assess the progress of the first phase of the Local Economic Growth Support (LEGS) Project.

    The mission aims to inform the design and implementation of Phase II, which will expand the initiative from 17 to 55 districts.

    As part of the assessment, the delegation visited Kyejonjo and Katakwi districts, engaging with local leaders, project beneficiaries, and implementation teams to evaluate the impact of LEGS interventions on livelihoods, service delivery, and community resilience.

    Key project sites visited included the Kanapa solar mini-grid in Magoro Sub-county, the Orungo Corner piped water scheme in Katakwi District, and the Kaizikashya water supply project in Kyejonjo. The field visits provided valuable insights to guide the project’s scale-up, with a strong emphasis on climate change adaptation and sustainability.

    Speaking during the visit, Mr. William Sunday, a resident of Kiredu Village and a beneficiary of the Kaizikashya scheme, shared:

    “We now have a public tap stand in our trading centre. Before this, we fetched water from a stream shared with animals. A 20-litre jerrycan now costs just Shs100—very affordable, and our children no longer have to walk long distances or risk their safety. We are grateful to the government and hope other villages still waiting will also be connected to clean water.”

    At the Orungo Corner water scheme, Ms. Achom Stella, in charge of Aakum Health Centre, highlighted the project’s transformative impact on healthcare delivery:

    “There were times when mothers gave birth without water to clean up. Today, we have clean water right here at the clinic. This project has solved so many challenges for us.”

    In addition to improving water access, the LEGS Project is delivering clean energy to off-grid communities through solar mini-grids. The Kanapa Solar Power Association, a registered community-based group, manages the solar system with technical support from the district engineer.

    The scheme now powers shops, juice processing units, and small-scale manufacturing enterprises in areas previously without electricity, some located nearly 40 kilometres from the national grid.

    The association has already saved over UGX 2 million from community contributions to support future maintenance.

    To ensure evidence-based planning and effective implementation of LEGS Phase II, the Ministry is collaborating with international technical partners such as the Millennium Promise Alliance (MPA) and the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT).

    These organizations bring global expertise in integrated rural development and climate-smart agriculture, which will be critical in maximizing the project’s long-term impact.

  • Uganda to mark World Population Day 2025 with focus on unlocking demographic dividend

    Uganda to mark World Population Day 2025 with focus on unlocking demographic dividend

    Uganda will join the global community in commemorating World Population Day this Friday (July 11, 2025) with national celebrations set to take place in Kayunga District.

    Under the theme “Promoting Population Health and Well-being through the Parish Development Model (PDM),” this year’s event places a sharp focus on unlocking Uganda’s demographic dividend by investing in population health, youth empowerment, and inclusive economic growth.

    With a youthful population, over 70% under the age of 30, according to the 2024 census, Uganda stands at a pivotal moment.

    Leaders emphasize that this demographic structure, if well managed, presents a golden opportunity to propel the country into a new era of productivity and prosperity.

    “Population is not just a number, but the heartbeat of Uganda’s future,” said Prof. Pamela Mbabazi, Chairperson of the National Planning Authority (NPA). “This youthful energy is Uganda’s greatest asset, but it requires bold investment in education, health, and economic inclusion.”

    Central to Uganda’s strategy is the Parish Development Model (PDM), a community-focused program aimed at transitioning millions from subsistence to the money economy. With 33% of households still engaged in subsistence agriculture, the PDM offers a grassroots framework for delivering services and boosting productivity.

    “This year’s theme is aligned with the Fourth National Development Plan (NDP IV), a blueprint under our Tenfold Growth Strategy,” noted State Minister for Economic Planning Amos Lugolobi, while addressing journalists at the Uganda Media Centre.

    “Our goal is to grow Uganda’s GDP from USD 53.7 billion in FY2023/24 to USD 500 billion by 2040.”

    The PDM emphasizes inclusive growth by promoting access to healthcare, education, and economic opportunities at the parish level, laying the groundwork for unlocking the demographic dividend.

    A wide range of community-driven initiatives are being rolled out across Kayunga District in the lead-up to the national event.

    These include: Health outreaches, such as cervical cancer screening, family planning, and medical camps; maternal and child health support, including distribution of 15 delivery beds, 5 incubators, 12 stethoscopes, 200 mama kits, and other essential medical supplies; and a donation of 21 desktop computers to schools and solar installations at Kanjuki SS and Busaana SS.

    Water and sanitation improvements, including new water tanks for schools like Kangulumira UMEA P/S and Busaale P/S; youth empowerment, through training in menstrual health and the production of reusable sanitary pads, supported by 10 sewing machines; and planting of trees across the district.

    “We are determined to mainstream population issues across all sectors of development with measurable results,” said Prof. Mbabazi. “Reducing teenage pregnancies, expanding family planning, and strengthening health systems are all vital to harnessing our demographic potential.”

    To further mobilize communities, regional dialogues involving 17 local governments are scheduled for July 10 at Katikomu Hotel to align local and national development goals.

    The celebration also includes sports tournaments, a bicycle race, and school debates to encourage physical activity, teamwork, and civic engagement.

    President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni is expected to preside over the national celebrations and officially commission the Kayunga–Baale–Galiraya–Kasokwe Road, a major infrastructure project set to enhance regional trade and connectivity, further strengthening the economic foundations necessary for demographic transformation.

    “World Population Day 2025 is not just a celebration, it is a national call to action,” Minister Lugolobi said. “Let us invest in our people today to unlock Uganda’s full potential tomorrow.”