Police in Nsangi have arrested an 18-year-old girl, Swabura Arinda, in connection with the fatal stabbing of her colleague, Grace Anyima, also 18, following a dispute at Dema Bakery in Rabai Estate, Kyengera Town Council.
The incident occurred on the evening of August 12, at around 5:00 pm, and is believed to have stemmed from a disagreement over the use of a shared charcoal stove at the bakery.
According to eyewitness accounts, Arinda allegedly removed Grace’s saucepan so she could boil water first, sparking a heated confrontation between the two.
The altercation quickly escalated, and Arinda is alleged to have stabbed Grace in the back during the fight. Co-workers attempted to rush Grace to a nearby hospital, but she succumbed to her injuries before receiving medical attention.
Responding officers from Nsangi Police Division found Anyima’s body at the scene, bearing a cut wound on the upper left side of her back. A green-handled knife stained with what appeared to be blood was recovered near the body, along with clear signs of a struggle.
Swabura was immediately taken into custody and is being held at Nsangi Police Station as investigations continue. Statements from witnesses have been recorded, and the murder weapon has been submitted as evidence.
“This tragic incident underscores the critical need for peaceful conflict resolution, especially among young people working and living together,” said SSP Patrick Onyango, Public Relations Officer for Kampala Metropolitan Police. “We urge the public to always seek non-violent means of handling disputes.”
Police investigations are ongoing to determine the full circumstances that led to the fatal altercation.
DAR ES SALAAM, Tanzania – Uganda’s top female pool player, Rukia Naiga, delivered a stellar performance to claim the Women’s singles title at the Cue Masters International Pool Carnival held in Dar es Salaam.
Rukia Naiga with his trophy and medal.
Naiga outplayed a strong field of competitors to secure the top spot, followed by Tanzania’s Mercy Phiri in second place. Botswana’s Bionel Kits took third, while Uganda’s Zaimatt Nabafu finished fourth.
In the Men’s singles category, Zambia’s Royd Kabwe pulled off a stunning upset by defeating Uganda’s celebrated cueist and Africa’s Heyball Ambassador, Ceasar Chandiga, in the final. Kabwe sealed the victory with a commanding 13–8 win to take the title.
Zambia’s Kelvin Nkandu, another well-known figure in African pool circles, secured third place, while Uganda’s Ibrahim “The Killer” Sejjemba rounded out the top four.
Ugandan dominance continued in the team event, with Kampala-based club Rox Berry emerging champions. South Africa’s Ghost Nation finished second, while Uganda’s A.T.A and Kenya’s Mchana Knights shared third place.
Ian Kazibwe of Uganda capped off a memorable tournament by being named the Most Valuable Player (MVP) in the team event.
In a pointed address to party members and electoral candidates, senior figures in Uganda’s ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) have issued a stark warning against growing indiscipline, internal sabotage, and personal egos threatening the cohesion and legacy of the party.
NRM Secretary General Richard Todwong.
Speaking during a vetting session for candidates vying for positions on the NRM’s Central Executive Committee (CEC), NRM Secretary General Richard Todwong did not mince words.
He cautioned that the very survival of the movement, Africa’s longest-ruling political force, may be at risk if internal competition descends into personal feuds and political gamesmanship.
He was addressing candidates vying for CEC positions, following clashes and personal attacks among some candidates ahead the party’s national conference scheduled for August 27-28, 2025.
Over 2000 delegates are expected to converge at Kololo Ceremonial Grounds for the showdown.
“Our biggest problem is internal, not external,” Todwong declared. “We have no opposition in Uganda that can match NRM in substance and form. The real threat is ourselves.”
The party treasurer Barbara Nekesa Oundo addressing the meeting.
He criticized some candidates for using misinformation, social media smear campaigns, and divisive tactics in their bid for party positions, arguing such behavior not only violates the NRM Constitution but erodes public trust.
A call for discipline, unity
Echoing this sentiment, NRM’s First National Vice Chairperson, Hajj Moses Kigongo, delivered a passionate appeal for discipline and self-respect among the party’s leadership.
“How can someone buy you like groundnuts?” Kigongo asked rhetorically, drawing murmurs from the crowd. “You must respect yourself. You are on a different level now. People are watching you.”
Al-Hajj Moses Kigongo addressing candidates at the meeting.
The CEC, the top decision-making body of the NRM, is in the process of vetting candidates ahead of a major party conference. But rather than a routine procedural event, the process has become a flashpoint for questions about the party’s integrity and future direction.
Todwong outlined the strict guidelines set by the party’s constitution, insisting all candidates must be vetted thoroughly and fairly, without favoritism or manipulation.
He stressed that even President Yoweri Museveni, the NRM’s long-time chairman, submitted himself to the nomination process personally, setting what Todwong described as “a gold standard of party discipline.”
“If the National Chairman can follow the rules, who are we not to?” Todwong asked.
The Secretary General warned that personal ambition, if unchecked, could destroy the very institution many had sacrificed their lives to build. He likened the NRM to a spiritual movement, a sacred trust handed down by past generations and meant to serve future ones.
“You should not be the people who will bring down this party during your time,” he said. “If it means you not being a leader, let others be, for the sake of the organization.”
The statements come at a time when the NRM is engaged in an intensive internal election process, with tens of thousands of candidates vying for local and national positions. According to Todwong, over 3,000 candidates have expressed interest in fewer than 600 parliamentary seats alone.
While the party boasts an unmatched grassroots presence across Uganda’s 72,000 villages, both Todwong and Kigongo emphasized that numerical dominance means little if discipline, loyalty, and integrity are sacrificed for short-term gain.
One of the more urgent concerns raised at the meeting was the growing use of social media to leak internal discussions, attack fellow party members, and stir confusion in the public.
“Never be a source of rumor-mongering,” Todwong warned. “Never engage in corrupt practices. Don’t misuse party or public resources. This isn’t just about politics, it’s about character.”
Al-Hajj Moses Kigongo, the party’s first national vice chairperson, urged leaders to return to the party’s founding values of service and sacrifice.
He reminded candidates that their behavior sets the tone not just for campaigns, but for how the party is perceived nationally and internationally.
“When you use NRM power to antagonize others, you are not leading, you are destroying,” Kigongo said.
He also mocked political opportunism, reminding members that the movement’s resilience lies in its consistency, not in cheap popularity or opportunistic alliances.
Uganda’s NRM is not alone in facing internal divisions within a dominant party structure. Across the continent, from South Africa’s ANC to Ethiopia’s Prosperity Party, ruling parties are contending with factionalism, youth disillusionment, and the pressures of generational change.
The NRM’s call to discipline resonates beyond Uganda’s borders as an example of the perils of complacency and internal erosion.
As the NRM prepares for its national conference and CEC elections, the message from the top is clear: the integrity of the party starts with the behavior of its members.
In a landmark move to strengthen Uganda’s tourism and hospitality workforce, the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities (MTWA) has officially launched the second cohort of its Apprenticeship Programme at the Uganda Hotel and Tourism Training Institute (UHTTI) in Jinja.
The launch signals the Ministry’s deepening commitment to equipping young Ugandans with industry-relevant skills, aligned with national priorities under the National Development Plan IV and the NRM Manifesto.
The initiative aims to address longstanding challenges in the sector, particularly the shortage of skilled local professionals and the dominance of foreign workers.
UHTTI, a fully government-owned institution under MTWA, plays a central role in tourism and hospitality training nationwide.
While presiding over the launch, Permanent Secretary Doreen Katusiime lauded the UHTTI team for their resilience and dedication to workforce development.
“I thank and congratulate the management and staff of the College for executing this mandate with resilience and commitment.
As a Ministry, we are proud of UHTTI’s role in human resource development for the sector,” Katusiime said.
The second cohort builds on the success of the inaugural class of 90 apprentices, whose training has now concluded. Many from the first group have already been absorbed into the workforce, signaling the programme’s effectiveness and relevance.
According to UHTTI Principal Richard Kawere, the programme’s design includes close collaboration with top industry players. Apprentices have benefited from hands-on training with renowned chefs and hospitality professionals from prestigious establishments such as Serena Hotels and Nile Resort Hotel.
The newly launched cohort includes 150 apprentices distributed across key roles including: 49 tour guides, 29 bankers, 28 receptionists, 25 cooks, and 19 waitrons.
The programme also enjoys strong backing from the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development (MoGLSD), which has provided essential technical guidance and support for its approval and rollout.
As Uganda’s tourism sector continues to play a pivotal role in the national economy, driving GDP growth, employment, investment, and foreign exchange, the Apprenticeship Programme stands as a strategic response to the sector’s skills gap.
Under Objective 4 of the Tourism Development Programme, the MTWA is focused on employment-based skilling, reskilling, and upskilling of unemployed graduates, particularly in tourism, leisure, and hospitality.
With enhanced government funding, the programme is set to train at least 150 apprentices annually.
The MTWA and its partners hope that by institutionalizing such hands-on training initiatives, Uganda will not only build a competent local workforce but also reduce overreliance on foreign professionals in the tourism industry.
As the National Resistance Movement (NRM) ruling party prepares to endorse the new Central Executive Committee (CEC), party’s electoral commission was warned against using derogatory and abuse language during consultation campaigns.
The party’s election chairperson, Tanga Odoi the language used during the campaigns is unacceptable and should stop.
Addressing journalist, the NRM Electoral Commission Chairman Dr. Tanga Odoi, has issued a clear call for discipline and decorum among candidates vying for positions in the party’s CEC, ahead of the upcoming elections scheduled for August 27, 2025.
She noted that the party is to meet with all candidates on in a meeting set for August 12, 2025 at the party EC offices headquarter to engage the candidates on several issues.
He emphasized the importance of unity and respect during the campaign period.
The meeting he said only excludes the party chairperson, and President of Uganda, Gen. Rtd Kaguta Yoweri Museveni Tibuhaburwa who is unposed.
Odoi explained that the meeting aims to provide guidance on the electoral process and to curb the rising tensions marked by the use of abusive language and negative rhetoric among contenders.
“We want to remind our leaders that the level of decorum and integrity expected in this election should be high,” Odoi said, noting that the commission, in collaboration with the party secretariat and Secretary-General, seeks to clarify the rules and procedures ahead of the vote.
The chairman revealed that the elections will take place in Kololo, a change from Namboole National Stadium due to the ongoing African Nations Championships (CHAN).
The meeting will also serve as a platform for candidates to share their input on the electoral arrangements, ensuring transparency and inclusion.
Odoi stressed that the Commission intends to engage these senior party leaders more closely than even members of parliament, to dispel rumors and misunderstandings about the electoral process and the Commission’s role.
Responding to recent accusations and speculation circulating in the media, Dr. Odoi defended the independence and strength of the Electoral Commission.
“This Commission has not suffered any ‘multiple organ failure,’ as some have suggested in jest,” he remarked, referring to a meme circulating on social media.
He reassured the party members that the Commission, composed of seven commissioners, will oversee a fair and transparent election and that no individual, including himself, has the power to manipulate the outcome.
Odoi made it clear that the party chairman does not interfere with the electoral process, underscoring that the Commission operates independently.
“The chairman is a law-abiding citizen who respects the independence of this Commission,” he said.
In a broader reflection on the role of CEC, Odoi highlighted its significance as the party’s policymaking body and the “cream de la cream” of the NRM.
He emphasized that the CEC should be a think tank contributing innovative ideas and financial support to strengthen the party, not a forum for rumor mongering or personal attacks.
The CEC is responsible for ensuring alignment between the party manifesto and government policy, especially given the NRM’s status as the ruling party.
Addressing rumors questioning his impartiality, Dr. Odoi firmly rejected claims that he might have conflicts of interest, including allegations linked to his son’s candidacy.
“There is no law preventing a family member from standing for office, and I will not influence the process in any way,” he affirmed.
Odoi concluded called on all candidates to maintain respectful discourse and to focus on securing voter support through their own merit rather than casting aspersions on the Commission or each other.
He expressed confidence in the Commission’s ability to conduct elections transparently, ensuring that the results reflect the true will of the party members.
Uganda is set to host the prestigious Afro Arab Youth Congress 2025, a landmark event aimed at uniting young leaders from Africa and the Arab world to champion peace, unity, and development.
The announcement was officially made today by the State Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Balaam Barugahara Ateenyi, during a press briefing held at the Uganda Media Centre.
Scheduled to take place from October 6th – 10th 2025, at Speke Resort Munyonyo in Kampala, the Congress is expected to draw over 1,000 delegates, including youth leaders, government officials, innovators, development partners, and civil society representatives from across both regions.
Under the theme “Amplifying Youth Voices for Peace, Unity, and Development,” the Congress aims to serve as a high-level platform for joint action, innovation, and policy dialogue. It is jointly organized by the Afro Arab Youth Council in collaboration with Uganda’s Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development.
In his remarks, Barugahara emphasized the significance of youth involvement in global discourse and development, particularly in regions where the youth population represents the majority.
He called on Uganda’s youth to seize this opportunity to engage, learn, and take on leadership roles in shaping the future of the Afro-Arab community.
“This Congress will not only amplify the voices of young people but also position Uganda as a hub for regional cooperation and youth-led transformation,” he said.
He further appealed to the local media to actively promote the Congress, spotlighting Uganda’s role in advancing youth-centered international dialogue.
One of the key moments of the event will be the official launch of a fundraising campaign for the construction of the International Headquarters of the Afro Arab Youth Council.
This ambitious capital project is set to be built in Uganda and will include an office complex, international sports stadium, hotel, university of science and technology, and a cultural heritage center celebrating African and Arab identities.
Throughout the week, delegates will engage in a variety of activities, including ministerial keynotes, innovation showcases, thematic breakout sessions on peacebuilding, climate resilience, digital inclusion, and entrepreneurship.
A non-elective General Assembly will also be convened to address internal governance issues, constitution review, and membership strengthening.
The Congress will culminate in the adoption of joint declarations and action frameworks designed to enhance youth-led development and regional cooperation.
Target participants include youth leaders aged 18–35 from Afro-Arab member states, representatives from government ministries and agencies, development partners, civil society organizations, the African Union, Arab League, academia, media, and the private sector.
As the world grapples with a growing list of global challenges, from conflict and migration to climate change and economic disparities, this Congress signals a renewed Afro-Arab commitment to empowering young people as key agents of peace, sustainable development, and intercultural understanding.
Uganda’s hosting of the Congress and the planned headquarters marks a significant milestone in positioning the country as a central player in international youth engagement and Afro-Arab solidarity
As Uganda’s election season unfolds, a series of bitter intra-party battles have exposed the fractures within political families and the ruling party itself. Recent disputes over party nominations have not only put longstanding relationships to the test but also raised questions about the integrity of internal electoral processes.
At the heart of one dramatic conflict are David and Cadet Benjamin Katureebe, sons of former Chief Justice Bart Katureebe, whose rivalry for the Bunyaruguru County seat in Rubirizi District has captivated and divided local elites.
Benjamin, the younger brother, was initially declared the party’s flagbearer in the primaries which were concluded last month on July 24, but his victory quickly became the subject of fierce contestation.
David, alongside incumbent MP John Twesigye Ntamuhiira, challenged the results, alleging electoral fraud and calling for nullification and a fresh vote.
David Katureebe framed the dispute not as a family quarrel but a fight for development, emphasizing the need for a fair process.
“If you are trying to work for your country, don’t involve issues of being related,” he said. He further questioned his brother’s effectiveness, recalling Benjamin’s previous term as MP as insufficient.
Benjamin, however, dismissed the accusations as unfounded, stressing his deep grassroots support and claiming a significant margin of victory.
The brothers’ tense but measured exchanges reflect the complicated intersection of family loyalty and political ambition, a dynamic that many Ugandans recognize all too well in the political arena.
In Kampala, where waste and poverty remain pressing challenges, two Ugandan women are leading a quiet but impactful transformation.
Scovia N. Swabrah, Communications and Research Specialist at FINCA Uganda, and her colleague Justine Nabawanuka, a Marketing and Research Officer, are behind “Waste to Wealth,” a grassroots initiative funded by the 2024 Rupert Scofield Vision Fund. Their approach is simple yet transformative. They are turning urban waste into eco-friendly briquettes that fuel homes, cut emissions, and create livelihoods in Uganda’s low-income neighborhoods.
Their work began in underserved areas like Namasuba, Zana, Bwebajja and Namugongo, and will extend to similar settlements such as Bwaise, Kamwokya and Kawempe, where uncollected waste and dependence on charcoal or firewood are daily burdens. Here, the cost of living is high, but the cost to the environment is even higher.
According to a 2022 report by the National Environment Management Authority, Kampala alone produces over 2,500 tonnes of solid waste every day, with less than half of it collected formally.
Through this initiative, Scovia and Justine are advancing global efforts aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, specifically Goal 13 on Climate Action and Goal 8 on Decent Work and Economic Growth. By reducing environmental degradation and creating environmentally friendly enterprises, “Waste to Wealth” is turning these global ambitions into grassroots realities.
Training the youth in Namugongo
Scovia and Justine’s intervention focuses on training women and youth to convert banana peels, paper, and sawdust into clean-burning briquettes. These briquettes offer more than just an environmental solution—they are financially transformative. A 2023 study by Makerere University’s Department of Environmental Management found that households using briquettes cut their monthly fuel spending by up to 52%, while reducing indoor air pollution by more than 60%.
“Most families here spend an average of 120,000 shillings a month on charcoal. With briquettes, that drops to around 60,000,” says Justine. “But more importantly, we are changing how people see waste. It is no longer something to throw away but something to work with,” adds Justine.
Justine-gathering-trash-for-the-training-session
In Namasuba, women who once faced daily income struggles now run small businesses selling briquettes. In Namugongo, partnerships with groups like the Equal Youth Empowerment Network have helped shift young people’s mindsets. Waste is no longer seen as a problem but as a resource. “Young people are realizing they do not have to wait for formal jobs,” says Scovia. “There is opportunity in every discarded piece of waste.”
By promoting recycling and alternative fuels, the Waste to Wealth initiative is addressing deeper issues like unemployment and environmental degradation from the ground up. Its success lies in its simplicity and community-led approach.
In a city struggling with the weight of its own waste, these two women are showing that the future does not have to be buried in garbage. It can be shaped from it—one briquette, one saved tree, and one empowered household at a time.
Last week, Esther Awor, represented the team at the Mama Tendo Symposium on Parental Involvement, Sex Education, and Children’s Wellbeing.
The event opened with a powerful keynote address by Dr. Ruth Ssenyonyi, who urged parents and caregivers to consider the emotional worlds of children. She posed a critical question: What happens to children when they are emotionally hurt and cannot speak, or when their parents are unapproachable?
Dr. Ssenyonyi emphasized that emotional neglect can leave deep, invisible scars. When children feel silenced or dismissed, they may internalize their pain, often resulting in isolation or harmful behaviors. She called on families and communities to break this culture of silence and to cultivate emotionally safe environments where children feel seen, heard, and supported.
The symposium’s Chief Guest, Hon. Janet Kataaha Museveni—Uganda’s First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports—underscored the role of parents in leading early conversations about sex education. Reading Sarah Escapes from the House of Danger to the children and audience, she highlighted the importance of equipping children with the language and confidence to protect themselves from abuse.
Her message was clear: meaningful sex education must begin at home. It should be age-appropriate, grounded in trust, and delivered in a language children understand.
The symposium served as a timely reminder that the wellbeing of children depends not only on policy, but on the everyday choices parents and communities make to engage, educate, and empower the young.
At least 68 African migrants died and 74 remain missing after a crowded boat capsized off the southern coast of Yemen early Sunday (August 3, 2025), the United Nations’ migration agency confirmed, marking one of the deadliest maritime tragedies in the region this year.
The vessel, carrying 154 Ethiopian migrants, sank in the Gulf of Aden near the province of Abyan, according to Abdusattor Esoev, head of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in Yemen. Only 12 survivors were rescued from the wreckage.
The bodies of 54 migrants were discovered along the shores of Khanfar district, while another 14 were recovered and transferred to a hospital morgue in Zinjibar, the provincial capital.
This latest tragedy underscores the growing peril faced by thousands of East African migrants, many of whom risk their lives on treacherous sea routes in pursuit of better opportunities in Gulf nations. Yemen, itself grappling with a prolonged conflict and humanitarian crisis, has become a key transit point for these desperate journeys.
The IOM and international rights groups have repeatedly raised alarms about the dire conditions and exploitative networks that prey on vulnerable migrants fleeing poverty, political instability, and conflict in the Horn of Africa.
While thousands make it across each year, many perish at sea, often in unseaworthy vessels operated by human smugglers.
“This is a stark reminder of the urgent need for comprehensive regional responses that prioritize migrant safety, strengthen legal migration pathways, and tackle the root causes of displacement,” Esoev said.
Meanwhile, critics point to glaring inequalities between those fleeing poverty and instability and the political elites in their countries of origin. “Poverty remains rampant back home, yet those in power and their inner circles live lavishly, spending fortunes in places like London and Paris, far removed from the suffering of their people,” said one regional analyst who spoke on condition of anonymity.
The IOM has called for increased international support to bolster humanitarian efforts in Yemen and across migration corridors in East Africa and the Arabian Peninsula.
