FEATURED

By John Okello Lapok 

MOSCOW- President Museveni has dispatched his Vice President Maj. Jessica Alupo to Moscow, to represent him at the 3rd Russia-Africa Summit scheduled for 28th -29th October. 

The development comes four days after Gen. Museveni praised Russian President Vladimir Vladmirovich Putin for his generosity after gifting Uganda with a USD 53 million worth of Military facilities.

Upon arrival at Domodedovo International Airport, the VP was received by the  Director of the African Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, BASHKIN Anatoly Gennadyevich and Uganda’s Ambassador to Russian Federation Moses Kizige.

SIGNIFICANCE 

Uganda’s participation in the summit comes within the framework of diplomatic moves aimed at strengthening relations between Uganda and Russia, and expanding areas of joint cooperation between the two sides, in light of growing interest in developing Russian partnerships with African countries in the political, economic and trade fields.

The summit is expected to provide an opportunity for the Ugandan delegation to discuss ways to enhance bilateral cooperation, explore new prospects for partnership in sectors of common interest, and exchange views on regional and international issues of mutual interest.

Uganda heads to Moscow to strengthen its partnership with Russia via the African summit

Uganda prioritizes its foreign relations, which are based on diversifying partnerships and strengthening cooperation with various international powers.

This supports its development priorities and provides additional opportunities for economic and investment cooperation. In this context, the Russia-Africa meetings serve as a platform for dialogue on the future of relations between Moscow and African capitals, and the potential for their development in light of current international changes.

The summit is gaining importance as Russia seeks to expand its political and economic presence in the African continent and strengthen its relations with African governments through diplomatic and economic cooperation, while African countries seek to benefit from international partnerships to support development and expand trade and investment opportunities.

The summit is expected to provide an opportunity to discuss cooperation between Russia and African countries, in light of the economic and security challenges facing a number of countries on the continent, as well as their aspirations to strengthen their role in the international system and expand their relations with external partners.

 The participation of the Ugandan Vice President as the head of Uganda’s delegation reflects the level that Kampala attaches to diplomatic representation at this forum, which brings together officials from Russia and African countries to discuss avenues of joint cooperation.

By Nana Edeh 

In GHANA 

Accra, Ghana – Colgate, The Number 1 Oral Care Brand in the world, has launched its 8-week Scholarship Campaign in exclusive partnership with Melcom Supermarkets.

Running from October to December 18, 2026, the nationwide initiative empowers Ghanaians to transform a simple household purchase into a life-changing educational investment. 

The campaign is rooted in the Colgate brand promise: creating smiles that unlock a brighter future. 

Over the next eight weeks, purchasing two participating Colgate products at any of the 54 Melcom stores gives customers the opportunity to nominate a student. 

Winners are drawn weekly, with the campaign awarding a total of GHS 240,000 in scholarships and GHS 120,000 in Melcom shopping vouchers. “We have spent decades caring for smiles across Ghana, but a smile is more than healthy teeth,” said Edward Sonkor, Country Lead of Colgate Ghana. 

“A smile is confidence. It is the power that helps a child walk into a classroom ready to learn. This campaign builds a culture that celebrates learning and ensures no child is left behind.” he said.

To guarantee direct educational impact, all GHS 15,000 scholarships are paid directly to the students’ schools to cover tuition, approved levies, exam registrations, or essential supplies. 

How to Participate:

Visit any Melcom store to buy two participating Colgate products (140g Herbal/Maximum Cavity Protection or 120g Charcoal Gentle Clean). Scan the in-store QR code or WhatsApp ‘Hi’ to 0257483187, linking your Melcom receipt and nominating a student. 

In Ghana, Colgate has been a trusted household name for decades, delivering quality oral care products and investing in community initiatives that promote health, education, and well-being.  

By John Okello Lapok 

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has commissioned and launched a series of military facilities, equipment and training infrastructure under Uganda’s defence cooperation with Russia during a two-day engagement with a Russian delegation led by Lt. Gen. Aleksandr Kshimovskii.

The activities, held on October 21 and 22, 2026, covered military training, marine security, modern warfare technology and equipment maintenance, with the facilities intended to strengthen the operational capabilities of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF).

President Museveni, who is also the Commander-in-Chief of the UPDF, began the programme at the Mechanised Warfare College in Kalama, Mubende District, before proceeding to the 15 Marine Brigade Pier in Entebbe on the first day.

He visited the 154 Marine Battalion School at Kalangalo before concluding the programme at Magamaga Cantonment in Jinja District, where he commissioned a mechanised major repair facility valued at $53 million.

At Kalama, President Museveni launched a digital multimedia training classroom designed to prepare military crews to operate the BRDM-2MS armoured reconnaissance vehicle. 

The facility will enable personnel to familiarise themselves with the vehicle’s capabilities before proceeding to practical training.

In Entebbe, the President commissioned marine operational assets and supporting infrastructure, including surveillance radar, eight boats, a floating dock, protective barriers, marine workshops, firefighting equipment, specialised vehicles, a field ambulance and training facilities.

At the 154 Marine Battalion School in Kalangalo, President Museveni urged the military to embrace artificial intelligence (AI), automation and advances in science and technology to improve its ability to respond to emerging security threats.

“Advance on the issue of technology, embrace new technology, more automation, more AI, more range because we need to upgrade it overall,” he said.

The President emphasised that modernising the armed forces requires continuous investment in technology, alongside the development of technical skills and operational capacity.

At Magamaga Cantonment, President Museveni commissioned a mechanised major repair facility valued at $53 million, donated by the Russian government under the bilateral defence cooperation framework between Uganda and Russia.

The facility is expected to strengthen the UPDF’s capacity to maintain and repair military vehicles and other equipment, reducing the challenges associated with servicing complex military machinery.

President Museveni thanked Russian President Vladimir Putin and the Russian delegation for the support.

“First of all, I really want to thank His Excellency President Putin and the Russian delegation for this gift of $53 million worth of equipment,” he said.

He noted that the Russian assistance extended beyond the Magamaga facility to include military training infrastructure at Kalama, marine security facilities in Entebbe and capabilities at Kalangalo.

The President said the installations were intended to enhance the armed forces’ ability to detect threats, protect personnel, maintain equipment and operate more effectively in different environments.

However, he stressed that Uganda should not only acquire modern military equipment but also develop the technical expertise required to operate, maintain and eventually manufacture it.

“We should not only get the good equipment but also learn from them,” he said during the commissioning of the marine facilities in Entebbe.

At Magamaga, President Museveni called for consideration of local production in partnership with Russian technical experts, saying such cooperation could help Uganda build domestic manufacturing capacity.“But these materials, I think, were made in Russia. What if we made them here with the Russians?” he asked.

By Sadique Bamwita  

Management of Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA), has launched the 2026 Annual Weyonje sanitation challenge in Makindye Division with a call to the local leaders to lead the campaign in their respective Divisions. 

The campaign runs from October and will climax in December this year. Last year’s Weyonje sanitation challenge was won by Kawempe Division after seeing off other four divisions that make up Kampala Capital City.

Among the five Divisions in the race include; Makindye Division, Kawempe Division, Nakawa Division, Central Division and Lubaga Division.

However, prior to the launch of this year’s Annual Weyonje Sanitation Challenge in Makindye Division, Dr.Sarah Zalwango, the Director Public Health and Environment at KCCA, who represented KCCA ED Hajat Sharifah Buzeki, first engaged locals of Kitalanga zone in Kansanga parish, Makindye Division, in the weekly Weyonje clean-up exercise for close to three hours . 

During the Launch, Dr.Sarah Zalwango, informed the gathering that the winner will be assessed based on waste management, fecal sludge management, innovation in areas of sanitation and health inspection. 

She, however says to achieve this, involvement of local leaders is very crucial on grounds that they enforce governance in all activities that are done in their respective communities.

Dr. Zalwango revealed that the winning Division will be awarded with a trophy and cash prize , while the 2nd,3rd, 4th and 5th, will also recieve cash prizes.

Dr. Zalwango also disclosed that there are other cash prizes that have been lined up for solid waste management, fecal sludge management, health inspection and governance .

Dr. Zalwango, who involved Kitangala locals in tree planting campaign underscored the importance of greening saying this greatly helps to control air quality in Kampala City. 

On this note, she said the panel of Judges will look at the division which has planted the most number of trees, maintained greenery and the wining division will be awarded a trophy for that category.

For the prize of the innovative division , Dr. Zalwango said the Judges will assess the performance of model villages in each division by looking at innovations in areas of recycling and segregation. 

She added that videos will recorded and posted on different social media platforms and locals will use the videos to asses and vote the best innovative division.

Dr. Zalwango further cautioned locals against burning Polythenebags ( buveera), urging them to separate organic wastes from non-degradable wastes. 

She also warned locals against alcoholism saying  alcohol exposes them to risks of liver diseases.

The Executive Secretary for social services at KCCA, Dr.Judith Nalukwago, pledged to mobilize locals in tree planting exercise arguing that whenever the community is involved you expect to see better results.

“There is need for continuous involvement of people we lead in order to achieve the authority’s agenda of having a clean, smarter and livable City. A clean environment culminates into a better health living, ” Dr. Nalukwago emphasised the issue of community involvement.

The Director Physical planning at KCCA, Vincent Biribonwa Byendaimira, warned locals against erecting illegal structures on the drainage channels saying this escalates floods during rain season. 

He added: “It’s illegal to dump garbage in the drainage channels because this causes blockages and consequently expose people to diseases like cholera.

Biribonwa was astonished with the ongoing infrastructure development in the wetland around Kitangala zone, said in a few days he will soon send his team in the area to verify whther the private developers obtained a building occupation permit or not.

By Peter Luzinda

An eight-year-old pupil has died and three others sustained injuries after a windstorm caused a dormitory at Bright Light Nursery and Primary School in Omoro District to collapse.
The deceased, Benisa Lagum, a Primary Three pupil, was among four girls who were reportedly sleeping on beds near the dormitory door when the walls caved in, trapping them under the debris.

The incident happened at about 6:30am on Saturday in Wii Lamin Ayila Village, Paidong Parish, Bobi Sub-county, following heavy rain and strong winds that reportedly blew off the dormitory roof before the walls gave way.

The three survivors were identified as Viola Caffy Apio, 12, a Primary Four pupil; Abigel Atim, 11, a Primary Five pupil; and Gift Lanyero, 10, a Primary Three pupil.

The injured girls were rushed for treatment. Atim remained admitted to Gulu Regional Referral Hospital, while Apio and Lanyero were discharged on Saturday evening.

Police said investigations were ongoing to establish the circumstances surrounding the collapse.
The incident has raised fresh concerns about the safety of school buildings, particularly dormitories where pupils sleep and may have little opportunity to escape when a structure suddenly collapses.

Chris Woo, the Omoro District Secretary for Health, Education and Community Development, warned that the district would take action against unlicensed private schools, including those operating in dilapidated buildings.

His warning comes amid renewed attention to the condition of school facilities and the responsibility of education authorities to ensure that institutions provide safe environments for learners.

School dormitories are expected to offer protection to children during the night and early morning hours. However, buildings with weak walls or roofs can expose pupils to serious danger, particularly during periods of heavy rain and strong winds.
Authorities are expected to establish the circumstances that led to the collapse and determine whether any safety concerns contributed to the tragedy.

For the affected families, the incident has ended in the loss of a young child, while the three injured pupils continue to recover from an accident that has once again raised questions about the safety of school infrastructure.

BUSIA — A 64-year-old Busia Municipal Council enforcement officer has been stabbed to death following a confrontation with a hawker during an operation against street vending, prompting police to launch a manhunt for the suspect.

The deceased, identified as Tusker Ofubo, popularly known as Master, was attacked on Thursday afternoon, October 22, along Tororo Road in Busia Municipality.

Ofubo, a Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) reservist attached to the municipal council, was part of a team enforcing trading regulations and collecting revenue from traders operating outside designated areas.

According to eyewitness accounts, the confrontation began when the enforcement team moved against hawkers selling merchandise in unauthorised locations.

Ofubo reportedly approached a hawker selling electrical accessories, including USB phone chargers, and confiscated his merchandise.

The hawker allegedly demanded that his goods be returned, but the disagreement escalated into a physical confrontation.
Aramazan Karim, a bystander, said the two exchanged blows before the hawker allegedly pulled out a knife and stabbed Ofubo several times in the stomach.

Another eyewitness, Mubarak Kakaire, said the suspect stabbed the officer about five times before fleeing the scene on a boda boda motorcycle.

Despite his injuries, Ofubo reportedly managed to walk to a nearby shop, where he sat down before collapsing as his condition deteriorated.
He was rushed to Busia Health Centre IV, where he was pronounced dead.

Bukedi South Police spokesperson Moses Johnson Mugwe condemned the killing and said investigations were underway to establish the circumstances surrounding the attack and arrest the suspect.

Busia District Police Commander Grace Nyangoma also confirmed that police were pursuing leads to trace the suspect, who remained at large.

Reports indicate that another municipal enforcement officer, Aggrey Efumbi, briefly apprehended the suspect after the stabbing. However, a crowd reportedly intervened, assaulted the officer and helped the suspect escape.

A security source cited in media reports said a boda boda rider subsequently assisted the suspect in fleeing. Police were also investigating reports that he might have crossed into neighbouring Kenya.

Ofubo’s body was taken to Busia Health Centre IV mortuary pending a postmortem examination.
His death left colleagues, relatives and local leaders mourning a man they described as dedicated to his work.

Bashir Wanyama, the Secretary for Works at Busia Municipality, said Ofubo had been carrying out his official duties when the incident occurred.

Wanyama reportedly saw the officer leave the office for fieldwork before learning that he had been attacked.
He described Ofubo as a committed public servant who played a role in enforcing municipal regulations and supporting revenue collection.

A relative, Laban Wandera, also remembered him as a hardworking man who approached his responsibilities with determination.

The killing has drawn attention to tensions between municipal enforcement officers and informal traders, particularly during operations involving the removal of street vendors and confiscation of merchandise.

Some traders have expressed frustration over enforcement operations, while other residents have condemned the violence, arguing that disagreements over confiscated goods should be resolved through lawful channels.

Doreen Kyomuhangi, a fish vendor, said she had previously lost merchandise during an enforcement operation along Tororo Road.

However, local resident Abas Haruna condemned the killing, saying disagreements over municipal enforcement should not end in violence.

Police investigations into the killing and efforts to apprehend the suspect were ongoing.

By Barbara Nansiimbi 

The  Inspector General of Government (IGG), Lady Justice Naluzze Aisha Batala, has acquicted  Bageya Waiswa, the Permanent Secretary (PS) in the Ministry of Works and Transport (MoWT), over alleged corruption and ordered him to resume work as the probe into the Busega -Mpigi Expressway corruption probe continues.

Lady Justice Naluzze communicated to the Head of Public Service and Secretary to Cabinet,  Ruth Nakyobe Mbonye, informing her that investigations conducted by the Inspectorate of Government (IG) on the cost escalations of the construction of Busega- Mpigi Expressway project established that Bageya was not involved in the earlier decisions that resulted in the escalations.

According to investigations, the project was transferred to the Ministry of works and Transport in 2024 from the Uganda National Roads National Authority (UNRA) following the Rationalisation of Government Agencies and Public Expenditure (PAPEX) exercise.

It was further established that Bageya initiated technical audits, funding approval and procurement processes aimed at getting the project back on track after the transfer of the project to the MoWT. It’s against this background that the IGG has cleared Bageya of any wrongdoing.

In related news, the IGG has further directed the Permanent Secretary (PS) in the MoWT, to immediately interdict Eng. Isaac Wani, the Commissioner National Roads, to pave the way for investigations into his alleged involvement in the escalation of the costs of the same project.

The permanent secretary ministry of works has further been directed to make interim arrangements to ensure the uninterrupted discharge of the office during the period of interdiction.

During the course of investigations, the IG established that Eng. Isaac Wani was the Director Network Planning and Engineering at the defunct UNRA when the costs for the construction of the project were escalated.

KAMPALA, 22 October 2026 – The Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Jacob Marksons Oboth, has called on stakeholders in the Legislation, Oversight and Representation (LOR) Programme at Parliament to plan, fund and measure their work together.

He said this collective approach is essential to ensure that Parliament’s actions translate into real change in the lives of Ugandans.

The Speaker made the call this morning while officially opening the LOR Programme Annual Review Workshop, organised by Parliament’s Corporate Planning and Strategy Department.

The workshop was attended by the Clerk to Parliament, Hon. Adolf Mwesige; the Opposition Chief Whip, Hon. John Baptist Nambeshe; Commissioners of Parliament; Members of Parliament; officials from the National Planning Authority; and Directors and staff of the Parliamentary Service.

This is the first annual review workshop of the 12th Parliament. It assesses how the programme performed during the first year of implementation of the Fourth National Development Plan (NDP IV) and Government’s Tenfold Growth Strategy, under the second LOR Programme Implementation Action Plan.

“The LOR Programme exists to serve the people of Uganda. When we enact good laws, scrutinise how public resources are used, and speak for our constituents, we turn the promises of government into real changes in people’s lives,” the Speaker said.

He challenged participants to reflect honestly on the programme’s performance. He asked whether laws at national and local government levels are enacted on time, whether oversight leads to the change citizens expect, whether citizens’ concerns are considered during appropriation, and whether the programme is contributing to the Tenfold Growth Strategy.

Speaker Oboth outlined three priorities. First, under Government’s programme-based planning and budgeting system, the LOR Programme must be planned, budgeted for, implemented and reported on as one programme.

Second, the programme must be owned by all its partners and actors, who should take part in setting priorities, implementing the action plan and accounting for results.

Third, its work must be driven by evidence, with sound data, clear indicators and timely reporting.

He also called for stronger coordination with the Office of the Prime Minister, the National Planning Authority and other programme actors, so that the programme’s recommendations lead to better services for citizens.

The Speaker urged participants to engage actively in the workshop and leave with practical commitments for the coming financial year. He thanked the Parliamentary Commission, the Clerk to Parliament, programme partners, Parliamentary Service staff and the LOR Programme Secretariat for organising the review.

In a lighter moment, he commended Members of Parliament and staff for their punctuality, noting that the workshop had started on time.

The workshop continues with an orientation presentation by the Director, Corporate Planning and Strategy.

KAMPALA, 22 October 2026 – The Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Jacob Marksons Oboth, has proposed parliamentary diplomacy as a way to break the bureaucratic deadlock holding up several agreements between Uganda and the Islamic Republic of Iran.

The Speaker made the proposal this morning at the Speaker’s Chambers.

He was receiving H.E. Majid Saffar, Iran’s Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Uganda, who paid a farewell call at the end of his four-year tour of duty.

Ambassador Saffar briefed the Speaker on the state of bilateral relations.

He noted that earlier high-level engagements had produced signed agreements on judicial cooperation, customs, banking and trade. However, these agreements have stalled at the final stage of administrative review.

In response, Speaker Oboth drew on his background in defence. He observed that executive channels often encounter significant bureaucratic bottlenecks.

“Parliament could step in to create direct frameworks, incentive laws and business connections between the two countries,” he said.

To anchor the initiative, the Speaker committed to reviving the Iran-Uganda Parliamentary Friendship Group and appointing a new cohort of Ugandan legislators to it. The two leaders agreed to inaugurate the group and to keep channels of cooperation open.

The Speaker and the Ambassador also discussed Iran’s offers in trade, technology, health and education. These include supply routes for steel and fertilizers, drones for agricultural irrigation and security, and fully funded scholarships for Ugandan students.

Speaker Oboth thanked Ambassador Saffar for his four years of service in Uganda and wished him success in his future endeavours.