Inside Parliament’s hunt for ghost staff “This exercise has shown us that there were people earning free money from Parliament,” one source said. “Most of them do not even know the departments where they belong or work from, while others were seen wandering around looking for where to seek [assistance]. In actual sense, their faces would tell that they do not belong here.” Another staff member put it bluntly: “Every staff member is appearing and presenting their documents, qualifications and promotions. How did you get the promotion? Do you have the qualifications, and how did you join? It is basically a look into former Speaker Anita Among’s human resource practices.” observer.ug/news/inside-parl…

How a ban on charcoal threatens survival for urban vendors Ivan, a charcoal seller in Kamwokya, explained that many vendors took out loans through government poverty-alleviation initiatives like the Parish Development Model to stock their businesses. Abed, a chapati and rolex vendor in Kamwokya, spends about Shs 50,000 every two weeks on charcoal, fearing that shifting to gas will inflate his overhead costs. Similarly, Scovia, who runs a small eatery in Kiira, spends roughly Shs 30,000 a week on charcoal. observer.ug/news/how-a-ban-o…. .

Parliament orders removal of MPs’ phone numbers from public platforms Tayebwa said investigations had established that fraudsters were obtaining MPs’ telephone numbers through Google searches and parliamentary websites before using them to solicit money under false pretences. Several MPs have reportedly received persistent calls from individuals claiming to need financial assistance or impersonating senior government officials to solicit money. observer.ug/news/parliament-…

How poverty, stress silently kill Ugandans Dr Nassanga believes financial stress, changing diets, and declining physical activity are contributing to the problem. “The non-communicable diseases have been there, but we’re stressed. People are poor. People are stressed, the lifestyle, the food that people are eating. Gone are the days when people used to walk long distances and take part in physical activities – community games, football and netball matches,” she said. observer.ug/news/how-poverty…

Court upholds Nameere’s election despite recount irregularities In a judgment delivered by Justice Bernard Namanya, the court ruled that although there were irregularities in the recount of votes, the petitioner, Nalubowa had failed to prove that they substantially affected the election results. “In conclusion, although the recount was conducted in non-compliance with the electoral law after the integrity of several electoral materials had been compromised, the petitioner, Nalubowa Rose did not prove that the figures certified by the Chief Magistrate were erroneous,” reads the judgment in part. “Even if those excluded (1,353 votes) were added to Nalubowa Rose’s tally, her total would rise to 24,529 votes, leaving Nameere Justine ahead by 973 votes. The exclusion of the 1,353 actual votes therefore did not affect the election results in a substantial manner observer.ug/news/court-uphol… #UGVotes26

High court dismisses Mabirizi’s appeal against CDF Muhoozi, PLU Mabirizi’s complaint stemmed from the launch of the PLU on February 7, 2024, at Plot 7, Sandler Lane, Naguru, Kampala. He accused the respondents, most of them politicians, of managing or assisting in managing an unlawful society, conspiracy to commit a felony, holding themselves out as members of an unlawful society, and making speeches intended or likely to encourage support for such a society. The PLU is a pressure group associated with efforts to mobilise support for Muhoozi’s presidential ambitions. On the allegation that the PLU was an unlawful society, Wolimbwa said the supporting affidavit did not identify any declaration, instruction, decision or course of action showing that the organisation intended to interfere with or resist the administration of justice. He emphasised that supporting the political ambitions of a serving military officer did not, in itself, automatically render an organisation unlawful. observer.ug/news/high-court-…

Could the Gashumba saga with Pentecostals be a smokescreen for bigger storm? We love gossip and gossip loves idle and gullible Ugandans. Over the past week or so, it emerged that government entered into one of the worst-ever deals to lease off vehicle number plates production. What’s more, the elephant in the room is the spiraling fall of the shilling! But everything just seems to be normal. Yeah…the number plates Gordon Wavamunno used to provide for just Shs 100,000 are now costed at Shs 720,000. And everything is supposed to be normal because they are ‘digital numberplates.’ We really are a nation of jokers. As a result, hundreds of billions have been lost in this scheme. But just as the public comes to terms with the extent of the loss, a totally uncalled-for battle emerged regarding spiritual miracles to divert us. observer.ug/viewpoint/could-…

#Uganda’s youth are sleeping on a global #technology opportunity In those markets, much of the routine work involved in developing technology products is being commoditized. Tools such as Codex, Claude, Lovable and Replit are lowering the barrier to building software. Founders who once needed a sizeable development team to get an idea off the ground can now prototype, test, and ship with fewer people. Here is what matters to a young person in Kampala, Gulu or Mbarara: the companies being created in these Western markets still need work done. Lots of it. Marketing creatives. Product videos. UI/UX design. Website assets. Copywriting. Research. Social media operations. Build samples, take feedback, learn to deliver to a brief and prove your competence. The client wants the work done, not a speech about your potential. Even a $100 contract is meaningful money for someone starting out. observer.ug/technology/ugand… #AI #youth

Editorial: Clean up Parliament, punish those behind fraudulent recruitment The exercise, which began on October 19, offers Parliament an opportunity to confront allegations that have damaged its reputation. Reports of irregular recruitment, nepotism, ghost workers and appointments outside the approved staffing structure suggest something more troubling than administrative negligence. If substantiated, they would expose a system in which public employment became a privilege distributed through personal connections rather than merit. These allegations must be investigated fairly, without assuming that every appointment made under the previous leadership was irregular. But fairness must not become an excuse for inaction. Parliament occupies a special place in Uganda’s constitutional order. It makes laws, scrutinizes government expenditure and holds public officials accountable. observer.ug/viewpoint/clean-…

This week in @observerug 🔹Poverty, stress silently killing Ugandans 🔹Inside Parliament's hunt for ghost staff - more than 150 people may have been smuggled onto the payroll. 🔹NSSF’s record 22.53% returns: A windfall or a warning sign? 🔹To replace charcoal, govt should promote gas cylinders of 1kg, 2kg 🔹Deaf at 18, Enrika Kabagenyi is conquering the runway and breaking barriers 🔹In defence of Raymond Mujuni: Why the best critics make the best public servants Purchase the e-copy at only UGX 2,000. observer.ug/product/the-obse…

Four killed as perimeter wall collapses onto houses in Bweyogerere Police identified the deceased as David Okoth, 25, Angella Inebe, 28, Lucy Alaba, 28, and a juvenile whose identity had not yet been established. The juvenile was Alaba’s son. The victims were reportedly asleep when the wall collapsed. observer.ug/news/four-killed…

Uganda Airlines to launch Entebbe-Accra flights next week Uganda Airlines will launch flights between Entebbe and Accra, Ghana, next Tuesday, as it expands its regional network ahead of the planned introduction of the Entebbe-Kigali route. The Entebbe-Accra service, which the airline has marketed as direct, will include a stopover in Lagos, Nigeria. Uganda Airlines says the route will operate four times a week using a Boeing 737-800 aircraft. The airline has advertised a promotional return fare of $550 (about Shs 2.3 million), offering passengers an alternative to existing connections through Nairobi and Addis Ababa. Kenya Airways and Ethiopian Airlines currently serve the Uganda-Ghana route through their respective hubs in Nairobi and Addis Ababa. Their return fares range from Shs 2.4 million to Shs 3.8 million for Kenya Airways and Shs 2.2 million to Shs 3.3 million for Ethiopian Airlines, depending on demand and booking time. observer.ug/business/uganda-…

Iganga businessman arrested over faking Shs 5m robbery In his initial statement, Waiswa reportedly said the suspects were travelling in a Toyota RAV4 without number plates and had disguised themselves as traffic police officers. They allegedly intercepted his truck, registration number UA 717BN, and demanded money, threatening to kill him if he refused. Police subsequently reviewed highway CCTV footage, which reportedly showed that the truck had not travelled beyond Iganga town on the day of the alleged robbery. Investigators also analysed telecommunications data that reportedly placed Waiswa around Busei village in Nakalama sub-county, Iganga district, on October 18, contradicting his account of being attacked along the highway. Police re-interrogated Waiswa on the evening of October 19, when he allegedly admitted that the robbery had not occurred. observer.ug/news/iganga-busi…

High court orders Roko to pay Shs 5.7bn for Mulago Hospital doors Commercial Division judge Stephen Mubiru awarded Assa Abloy $1,391,667.58, together with interest at nine per cent per annum from August 20, 2020, until payment in full, and the costs of the suit. The dispute arose from supplies made for construction works at Mulago Hospital, where Roko was the contractor. Court records show that Roko placed an initial order in June 2017 for 2,398 steel door sets, frames, wooden leaves, transom panels and fixing accessories valued at $1.57 million. observer.ug/news/high-court-…

#SexTalk: Too much sex?! Carol and Irene disagree. For Carol, the woman's body needs occasional breaks from sex, but Irene insists "spouses should be 'fed' on demand" Full episode: youtube.com/watch?v=C2u_ADXM…

Rwandan ex-soldier, government critic beheaded in Uganda Robert Kabera, 50, popularly known as Sergeant Robert, was a former instructor and soloist with the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) Army Jazz Band. His headless body was discovered on Saturday, October 17, at a eucalyptus plantation in Luwala village, Kamengo sub-county, where he was building a house. Kabera fled Rwanda for Uganda in November 2020 with his wife, saying he feared for his safety. On October 23, 2023, he reportedly survived an attack in Kampala, with the assailants warning, “even if you run to America, we will find you and kill you” observer.ug/news/rwandan-ex-…

Bank of Uganda gives SACCOs March 2027 licensing deadline The warning comes as the central bank intensifies efforts to bring eligible SACCOs under its regulatory framework, with licensing intended to strengthen financial management, protect members’ savings and improve access to affordable credit. “As a caution: Money speaks only one language; if you save me today, I will save you tomorrow. These licences also bring greater responsibility. Boards must provide effective oversight; management must maintain adequate capital and liquidity buffers, effectively manage credit risk, submit accurate returns to support regulatory oversight and protect members’ interests. Risk management and prudent management must be fully embraced” observer.ug/business/bank-of…

Truck driver killed, two injured in Kampala–Gulu highway accident The crash occurred at about 11:50 am in Nkondo village, Nnyimbwa Sub-county, approximately 40 kilometres into Luwero district. Savannah Region police spokesperson Sam Twiineamazima said preliminary investigations indicate that the Sino truck was travelling from Gulu towards Kampala when it suffered a tyre failure. The truck reportedly burst four tyres, causing Ssegujja to lose control and collide with the oncoming Mitsubishi Fuso. The impact forced the Fuso off the road before it overturned in a maize garden. observer.ug/news/truck-drive… #RoadSafety

Businessman Nteziyaremye, wife shot dead in Kisoro Prominent Kisoro businessman Africano Nteziyaremye and his wife, Peace Kyompeire, were shot dead by gunmen at the gate of their home in Kisoro Municipality on Saturday night. The couple was killed at around 11pm in Zindiro village, Northern Division. Residents said they were returning home in a double-cabin pickup truck after work at their wholesale shop. observer.ug/news/businessman…