Paparazzi Express

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...