Author: Jamal Junior

The National Unity Platform (NUP) has defended supporters who accepted plea bargain agreements after spending years in detention without trial, saying the decisions were driven by desperation rather than an admission of guilt. In a statement issued on July 8, 2026, the opposition party said more than 150 of its supporters remain in detention while facing what it described as politically motivated or “trumped-up” charges. According to NUP, repeated denial of bail applications, coupled with public remarks by Yoweri Museveni discouraging the release of some detainees, has left many prisoners with few legal options. The party said that under such…

The Parliament has taken the first step toward changing how the Leader of Opposition (LoP) is selected after granting Buyaga West MP Dennis Namara leave to introduce the Administration of Parliament (Amendment) Bill, 2026. The private member’s bill was approved through a voice vote after it was formally moved and seconded on the floor of Parliament. If enacted, the proposed legislation would scrap the current system under which the Leader of Opposition is appointed by the largest opposition party represented in Parliament. The position is currently held by Joel Ssenyonyi of the National Unity Platform. Under the proposed changes, the…

Uganda’s Minister of Water and Environment, Kahinda Otafiire, has strongly denied allegations that he grabbed land in Njeru, Buikwe District, insisting that he is the lawful owner of the property in question. In a detailed statement shared on his X (formerly Twitter) account, Otafiire dismissed reports claiming he had taken over the entire government stock farm, describing the allegations as false and intended to mislead the public. According to the minister, the land he owns forms part of the former Plots 3 and 4, Block 295 in Njeru, which he says he legally purchased in 2016 from the late Fred…

Former Speaker Anita Among has been assigned to the Committee on Government Assurance, marking her latest role in Uganda’s 12th Parliament following her departure from the Speaker’s office earlier this year. Among, who served as Speaker from 2022 until May 2026, will now serve as an ordinary member of the committee after leaving the parliamentary leadership position. In one of the notable committee appointments, opposition legislator Francis Zaake has been named chairperson of the Committee on Government Assurance, while Anna Adeke will serve as the committee’s vice chairperson. The appointments are part of Parliament’s broader reorganization following the 2026 General…

Veteran politician and former Second Deputy Prime Minister Gen. (Rtd) Moses Ali, 87, has been handed new responsibilities after Uganda’s 12th Parliament approved his appointment to two key parliamentary committees, ICT and Subsidiary legislation. The long-serving legislator will now serve on the Committee on ICT and National Guidance and the Committee on Subsidiary Legislation, adding to his decades of service in Uganda’s legislative and public affairs. The appointments were announced as part of Parliament’s wider rollout of committee leadership and membership for the 12th Parliament. The designations were presented by party whips in accordance with Parliament’s Rules of Procedure, confirming…

Ugandan singer Weasel Manizo has sparked fresh debate in the music industry after revealing that he received Shs285,498 in royalties from the Uganda Performing Right Society (UPRS). The Goodlyfe star shared a screenshot of the mobile money payment on social media and sarcastically captioned it, “UPRS best cheque ever,” a comment that appeared to show his disappointment with the amount. The payment came shortly after UPRS announced that it had distributed Shs200 million to registered rights holders, including musicians and other creators. The payout has since opened up discussions among Ugandan artists and fans about how royalties are calculated, how…

Gideon Tugume, the Information Secretary for the Moses Nkonge Kibalama-led faction of the National Unity Platform (NUP), was reportedly forcefully taken from his home just days after making controversial comments about Chief of Defence Forces Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba. According to reports circulating on social media, Tugume was allegedly abducted by unknown individuals under unclear circumstances. His reported disappearance has sparked widespread concern, with many Ugandans demanding answers about his whereabouts and safety. The incident comes shortly after Tugume appeared on Balaam Barugahara’s Radio 4 program, where he claimed that Gen. Muhoozi is not the biological son of President Yoweri Museveni.…

The Katikkiro of Buganda, Charles Peter Mayiga, has called on the government to intensify the fight against corruption, saying meaningful progress can only be achieved if the campaign begins with powerful officials occupying the country’s highest offices. Mayiga made the remarks on Tuesday, July 7, 2026, while hosting a high-level delegation from the Central Government at Bulange. The delegation, sent by President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, was led by Vice President Jessica Alupo, whom the Katikkiro warmly referred to as “Namakula,” and included several Cabinet ministers. During the meeting, Mayiga reaffirmed the Buganda Kingdom’s commitment to working closely with the Central…

People’s Front for Freedom (PFF) President and former Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago has made an emotional appeal to the court, asking to be released on bail as he battles what he describes as a life-threatening health condition. Appearing before the court via Zoom rather than in person, Lukwago told the presiding judge that his health has deteriorated significantly and that he urgently requires specialized medical treatment. He revealed that doctors at Mulago National Referral Hospital treated him for several weeks before concluding that they could no longer manage his condition. According to Lukwago, a medical report prepared by Dr.…

Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa has broken his silence on the rejection of Dr. Lawrence Muganga’s ministerial nomination, defending Parliament’s decision and responding to criticism surrounding the matter. Speaking during the induction seminar for Members of Parliament of the 12th Parliament, Tayebwa addressed concerns raised after Dr. Muganga questioned why his nomination was turned down by Parliament’s Appointments Committee. Dr. Muganga, the Vice Chancellor of Victoria University, was nominated for a ministerial position but failed to secure Parliament’s approval. During the vetting process, concerns were raised over his citizenship status, particularly his dual citizenship involving Uganda and Canada. The committee also…