Paparazzi Express

By Kundu Ronald In a passionate plea directed towards the leaders of the Bunyoro-Kitara kingdom, Musao Matthew, the Kiryandongo District Male District Councilor, has called for the advocacy of full bursaries for vulnerable students within the region. Matthew's heartfelt concern stems from the pressing need to address the alarming rate of student dropouts, a persistent issue that undermines the educational aspirations of numerous talented individuals in the community. During a recent gathering between the Kiryandongo District council and representatives from the kingdom, it was revealed that half bursaries are currently accessible. However, Matthew contends that these partial scholarships still impose a substantial financial burden on students. Highlighting the fact that financial constraints should not impede deserving students from pursuing their education, Matthew emphasizes that many promising young minds are forced to abandon their academic pursuits due to economic ...

By Kundu Ronald Kiryandongo District, Uganda - October 14, 2023 In a watershed moment for the Ranch 11 communities, the Ministry of Finance, Planning, and Economic Development has made a significant financial commitment, bringing the promise of permanent resettlement closer to reality. On September 25, 2023, Hon. Karubanga Jacob Ateenyi, the Member of Parliament for Kibanda South, sent a letter to the Minister of Finance, reminding the government of a commitment made by the Permanent Secretary and Secretary to the Treasury to allocate funds for the Ranch 11 resettlement initiative. His plea for action was heard, and the funds were officially released on October 10, 2023, marking a significant milestone in addressing the prolonged land disputes in the area. The Ministry of Finance's release of 100,000,000 Ugandan shillings in its second-quarter budget allocation is set to be a game-changer for the Nubian and Kibyama communities on Ranch 11. This financial infusion is des...

By Kundu Ronald Kampala – The Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB) has issued a stern warning against examination malpractice following the joint arrest of nine individuals involved in the sale of counterfeit UNEB examination papers. This incident has sent shockwaves through the educational community and the nation as a whole, prompting UNEB to take a proactive stance in preserving the integrity of the examination system. Of the nine arrested, six have already appeared in court and have been remanded to Luzira prison, while the remaining suspects are still at large, evading the authorities. Fred Enanga, the Police Spokesperson, confirmed the ongoing pursuit of these fugitives, expressing determination to bring them to justice. The suspects, including some teachers, have primarily been traced back to urban schools in Kampala, Wakiso, and Mukono Districts. Evidence suggests that these individuals were part of a network responsible for distributing counterfeit examination...

By Kundu Ronald Buganda sub region's National Resistance Movement (NRM) Vice Chairperson, Hon Godfrey Ssuubi Kiwanda, has lauded the Rt. Hon Robinah Nabbanja for her remarkable efforts in bridging the gap between the Prime Minister's office and the grassroots communities. Kiwanda's appreciation was expressed during the ongoing national farmer mobilisation campaign, where the Prime Minister is actively engaging in raising awareness about the four sectors and seven strategies for wealth and job creation. This campaign recently unfolded in the districts of Kagadi, Kibaale, and Kakumiro over the weekend. Prime Minister Nabbanja has been at the forefront of urging agricultural extension workers to follow her example by leaving their offices and directly transmitting important messages to farmers, ensuring the adoption of key activities. During an Agricultural expo in Kagadi, she stressed the importance of extension officers encouraging farmers to focus on...

Kampala, Uganda - October 7, 2023 In a significant move to bring transparency and accountability to the real estate business in Uganda, Lands Minister Judith Nabakooba unveiled 'The Real Estate Bill' during her address at the 2nd National Housing Symposium, coinciding with World Habitat Day celebrations at the Mestil Hotel in Kampala. Minister Nabakooba disclosed that the bill had already been presented to the cabinet, where it received initial approval based on its principles. However, the cabinet has tasked the ministry with further consultations and benchmarking in countries with successful real estate regulation systems. "I presented it (Real Estate Bill) to the cabinet, and they approved its principles but tasked us to expound on our consultations and benchmarking in a few countries on how they are running their real estate services," stated Minister Nabakooba. As part of these efforts, a delegation from the Ministry of Lands embarked on benchmarking ...

By Kundu Ronald, Education Correspondent Uganda, September 30, 2023 - The Ministry of Education and Sports recently imposed a compulsory requirement that every teacher in the nursery and primary section must possess a minimum of a bachelor's degree by the year 2030. While this directive is aimed at elevating educational standards, it has been met with criticism from the teaching community. Many teachers argue that this requirement fails to consider other critical factors, such as salary increments, and could lead to a shortage of qualified primary teachers. Traditionally, individuals interested in becoming primary school teachers in Uganda would complete their Ordinary Level education and then join Primary Teacher's Colleges (PTCs). However, this same requirement has led to the government scrapping 22 PTCs, leaving aspiring teachers with an alternative path. Now, those wishing to teach in primary schools are compelled to complete their Advanced Level education and ...