Paparazzi Express

By KUNDU RONALD  Bweyale town was transformed into a vibrant arena of celebration as Hon. Ngompek Linos, the Member of Parliament for Kibanda North, spearheaded the grand finale of the Yoweri Kaguta Museveni (YKM) tournament on Christmas Day. The event, organized for Boda Boda groups in conjunction with the Bweyale Boda Boda Association, highlighted the MP's commitment to sports, youth empowerment, and the National Resistance Movement (NRM). The highly anticipated final match featured Nyakadote United FC squaring off against Kiryandongo Hospital Boda Boda FC in an intense showdown. Nyakadote United emerged victorious, claiming a decisive 2-0 win. The team walked away with a brand-new motorcycle and a gleaming trophy as their prize. The second-place team, Kiryandongo Hospital Boda Boda FC, was awarded UGX 1 million, while the third and fourth-placed teams each received UGX 500,000. In a show of appreciation and inclusivity, all 28 participating teams were giv...

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 ...

Nakasero - The results of the 2021 Grade III Teachers’ Certificate in Primary Teacher Education Examinations were announced last Friday at the State House in Nakasero, revealing a mixed performance by students compared to the previous year. Professor Elly Katunguka, the Vice Chancellor of Kyambogo University, presided over the announcement and shared insights into the examination outcomes. While the overall performance showed a decline in 2021 when compared to 2020, it's important to highlight that all subjects in the 2021 exams achieved an impressive pass rate of 97 percent. One standout improvement was observed in English Language Education, where students achieved a remarkable pass rate of 99.80 percent, a substantial increase from the 94.7 percent recorded in the 2020 Grade III Exams. However, there was a concerning decrease in the performance of students in Mathematics education, with a pass rate of 75.24 percent, down from a robust 96.0 percent in the previous ye...

Uganda, September 30, 2023 - In a significant development, Janet Kataha Museveni, Uganda's First Lady, and Minister of Education and Sports, has issued fresh directives concerning the timeline for educators to obtain a minimum bachelor's degree qualification. This announcement represents a crucial moment in Uganda's education sector and is a response to the evolving challenges faced by educators. The Emergence of Uganda's Teacher Policy in 2019 In 2019, the Ugandan government introduced a transformative teacher policy aimed at revolutionizing the nation's education system. A central component of this policy was the phasing out of lower qualifications for teachers. According to this new directive, teachers at all educational levels, from those instructing nursery to primary students, were required to hold a Bachelor's degree. However, the full implementation of this groundbreaking policy did not occur immediately. Educators were granted a ten-year gr...

Kampala, (UG): The Ministry of Education in Kampala announced on Friday that the government has taken the decision to discontinue operations at 22 Primary Teacher Training Colleges (PTCs) nationwide. These institutions will now be repurposed to offer different educational programs. According to Education Minister Janet Museveni, this move to phase out these institutions comes after extensive consultations with various stakeholders. She emphasized that the actual transformation of these colleges will depend on the availability of financial resources. Among the affected colleges, one will be transformed into a senior secondary school, five will become health training institutions, six will serve as campuses for different public universities, three will focus on TVET (Technical and Vocational Education and Training) skills, one will become a TVET Agro-Vet institution, two will be designated as health tutors’ training institutions, and four will become instructor training instituti...

By Kundu Ronald President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has unleashed his wrath on money lenders in Uganda, expressing outrage at their exorbitant interest rates of 20% per month. This scathing condemnation came during the NRM Caucus meeting held at Entebbe State House on Thursday afternoon, where Museveni directed the Minister for Finance to take immediate action by issuing a statutory instrument regulating the interest rates charged by money lenders. Museveni's fiery statement left no room for ambiguity: "These moneylenders who are causing suicide among our young people, who allows them to operate? Why should someone charge 20% interest on a loan per month? This must stop," he declared. The Ugandan President's comments reflect growing concern over the practices of money lending institutions in the country, particularly their impact on vulnerable borrowers. High-interest rates, often coupled with aggressive debt collection tactics, have pushed many Ugandans to t...

Mityana, Uganda - September 28, 2023 - Territorial police in Mityana are intensifying efforts to unravel the mystery behind a suspected mass food poisoning incident that left over 100 pupils at the Golden Learning Centre Nursery and Primary School in Namungo Central Village in critical condition. The distressing incident unfolded on September 27th when scores of pupils, some as young as 6 years old, began displaying symptoms of stomach ache, headache, and vomiting shortly after partaking in their midday meal of posho and beans, which was served around 2 pm. Alarmed school staff quickly rushed the affected children to nearby medical facilities, including Namungo Health Center III and MUKJ Medical Clinic, for urgent treatment. In response to the alarming situation, police spokesperson SP Kawala Racheal stated that detectives from Mityana swiftly arrived at the scene to gather vital evidence and record statements from witnesses. Two school cooks, identified as Kule Alfred and ...

By Kundu Ronald Kampala – In a recent development, officials from the Federation of Ugandan Football Associations (FUFA) announced their plans for the upcoming AFCON 2027 games, sparking a wave of discussions and concerns about the suitability of Nakivubo Stadium. The stadium's slow redevelopment progress and potential safety issues have drawn criticism from stakeholders, including security and safety officer Dixon Adol Okello. FUFA officials revealed that Akii Bua Stadium, set to be constructed, and Namboole Stadium are the chosen venues for AFCON 2027. However, Nakivubo Stadium, which boasts an artificial turf, failed to meet the standards required by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) for hosting AFCON games. This revelation has left Nakivubo's future in question, as it may only be suitable as a training facility. Mixed Reactions on Social Media The news of Nakivubo Stadium's unmet standards has ignited a storm of social media discussion...

By CNN In a stunning revelation that has sent shockwaves through China's property market, a respected former official has exposed a housing surplus so vast that even the nation's staggering population of 1.4 billion cannot fill it. This revelation serves as a stark reminder of the formidable challenges plaguing China's real estate sector, stemming from the catastrophic 2021 default crisis instigated by China Evergrande Group. Historically hailed as the linchpin of the Chinese economy, the property market began its descent into turmoil following Evergrande's debt default and intensified with the Chinese government's crackdown on excessive borrowing. In a grim twist of fate, prominent developers like Country Garden Holdings continue to hover perilously close to default, perpetuating a climate of uncertainty that has stifled prospective homebuyers. The most recent data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), as of the end of August, paints an alarming...

By Kundu Ronald Mitooma County, Western Uganda - Today, the Parish chiefs of Mitooma County in Western Uganda received a generous donation of brand new laptops from their Member of Parliament and Deputy Speaker of the Parliament of Uganda, Rt. Hon. Timothy Tyebwa. The handover ceremony, which took place on the 24th of September 2023, was met with enthusiasm and gratitude from local leaders. Rt. Hon. Timothy Tyebwa stressed the importance of these laptops in enhancing the efficiency of Parish chiefs in supervising the Parish Development model. In his address, he emphasized the significance of effective record-keeping and streamlined information processing in government projects. He urged the Parish chiefs to fully embrace this initiative to improve service delivery and accountability. "These gadgets are going to help improve record-keeping and processing of required information from the beneficiaries; kindly let's embrace this government project by all means,"...

Kilimanjaro, Tanzania - In a story that has captured the imagination of many, a retired police officer has taken an extraordinary and attention-grabbing step by meticulously crafting an extravagant grave and investing in a costly coffin as part of his preparation for the inevitable eventuality of his passing. This captivating tale unfolds in the picturesque Kilimanjaro region of Tanzania, where a retired police officer, Mr. Sabasita, devoted two years of his life to meticulously creating his own final resting place. Mr. Sabasita's chosen location for his grave is on the outskirts of his homestead, enclosed by a stone wall for added privacy and distinction. The surroundings of this extraordinary grave site are adorned with an array of photographs, including images of the retired officer in his military uniform and portraits of Tanzanian presidents. This unique touch creates an unconventional and thought-provoking ambiance around the burial site. Adding to the intrigue, ...

By Kundu Ronald Kayunga District, Uganda - A tragic incident unfolded today, shocking the local community as it was revealed that the deceased, Charles Kakonge, aged 58, had been impersonating UMEME staff when he was electrocuted at Namagabi Secondary School in Kayunga Town. This revelation has added a layer of complexity to the already heart-wrenching incident. The shocking revelation came to light following an initial report of the tragic electrocution. Authorities soon discovered that Charles Kakonge, a long-serving Physics and Mathematics teacher at Namagabi SS, had been masquerading as a UMEME (Uganda Electricity Distribution Company Limited) employee at the time of the accident. Kayunga District Police Commander, Rosette Sikahwa, expressed deep concern over the impersonation, emphasizing that this deceptive act had resulted in the tragic loss of life. She conveyed her condolences to the family and colleagues of Charles Kakonge, while simultaneously highlighting the n...

Kayunga District, September 23, 2023 - In a move set to reshape the educational landscape in Kayunga District, State Minister for Finance and Ntenjeru North MP, Amos Lugolobi, has officially inaugurated 12 state-of-the-art school buildings. These structures, totaling a remarkable 2 billion Ugandan shillings, were unveiled in a ceremony attended by jubilant parents, enthusiastic students, and dedicated teachers. The dire state of school infrastructure in Kayunga District had been a growing concern for parents and educators alike, casting a shadow over the quality of education in the region. Responding to these concerns, Minister Lugolobi embarked on an ambitious mission to secure funding to revamp the ailing education sector. A decisive victory came when Minister Lugolobi successfully lobbied for the allocation of 2 billion shillings, channeled through the District Education Department, to rejuvenate schools in Kayunga. This substantial investment aimed to provide students ...

By Kundu Ronald In a compelling address to the General Assembly during the High-level week, President William Samoei Ruto of Kenya issued a fervent call for the reform of the United Nations Security Council. He decried the institution as "dysfunctional, undemocratic, non-inclusive, un-representative," marking a resolute stance on the need for change in the highest echelon of global governance. President Ruto minced no words when he criticized the Security Council's current state, asserting, "If any confirmation was ever needed that the United Nations Security Council is dysfunctional, undemocratic, non-inclusive, un-representative and therefore incapable of delivering meaningful progress in our world as presently constituted, the rampant impunity of certain actors on the global scene settles the matter." His impassioned address struck a chord with many world leaders and diplomats in attendance, sparking a renewed debate on the Council's effective...

By Kundu Ronald KAMPALA - In a significant political development, Mr. Okitoi Robert Erisat, the General Secretary of the Uganda People's Congress (UPC) in Amuria district, officially crossed party lines today to join the National Resistance Movement (NRM). This move was warmly welcomed by the NRM Secretary General, Rt. Hon. Richard Todwong, during a ceremony held at the NRM headquarters on Plot 10, Kyadondo Road in Nakasero. During the event, Secretary General Todwong handed over key NRM documents, including the party's constitution, manifesto, and branded shirts, symbolizing Okitoi's official induction into the ruling party. The gesture was accompanied by an encouraging message from Todwong, urging Okitoi to thoroughly acquaint himself with the NRM's core principles. "The items I am offering you confirm that you are a full member of the NRM, and I ask you to read and understand our ideology well," stated SG Todwong. He further congratulated Okito...