The Observer

Minister Byamukama orders immediate sacking of Uganda Airlines finance officer Kyeyune In the November 6 letter to Girma Wake, the Uganda Airlines CEO, Byamukama notes that his decision stems from information provided by the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Uganda (ICPA), which disowned Allan Kyeyune that he has never been a certified public accountant to hold that hold as required by law. “I have also done my underground check and I am informed that for someone to become a chief finance officer at Uganda Airlines, they must be a certified professional accountant here in Uganda,” reads part of his letter to Wake. observer.ug/business/byamuka…

UEDCL blames Ugandan transformer manufacturers for power outages Innocent Byamukama, UEDCL’s head of procurement and disposal, said that despite the government’s policy of supporting domestic production and committing more than Shs 104 billion to local manufacturers, the suppliers had been unable to deliver the required 1,000 transformers because of limited production capacity. observer.ug/business/uedcl-b…

Four Kisasi pupils die in suspected poisoning Four pupils of Ta-Alim Primary School and Quran Memorisation Centre in Kisasi, Kampala, have died after falling ill with stomach complications. Police say preliminary findings point to suspected poisoning. Police identified the pupils as 11-year-olds Mariam Nakitende (P.4), Rwahim Kiruta (P.5) and Nasuna Nusufa (P.4), and nine-year-old Nabeta Failuzi (P.3). They all died after reportedly eating oranges offered by a 12-year-old colleague observer.ug/news/four-kisasi…

How thieving workers are killing businesses “Whenever my husband would come to the shop, we would make a lot of money, but on days when none of us was at the shop, the employees would report no sales made,” she recounted in a TikTok video. What she subsequently discovered was even more troubling. According to Aida, rather than selling merchandise already stocked in her shop, employees would wait for customers to place orders, then purchase the requested items from nearby wholesalers. They allegedly kept the proceeds while her own stock remained untouched. observer.ug/news/how-thievin…

It ain't in charge?!

The hidden poison in Uganda’s food Evidence of the problem emerged from a 2025 Makerere University study examining groundnut powder and paste sold in Kampala’s open markets. The research, conducted by W. Mukama, collected 100 samples from the city’s five divisions and examined them using infrared spectroscopy, a technique that can help identify substances by analyzing how they interact with infrared light. The study identified cassava flour in 13 per cent of samples, millet flour in 12 per cent, bean powder in 9 per cent, jackfruit seed powder in 7 per cent, and maize flour in 4 per cent. These ingredients may be cheaper than groundnuts, creating an incentive for dishonest traders to increase the volume of their products while reducing costs. The immediate concern is deception: paying for groundnut paste without knowing that other ingredients have been added. observer.ug/news/the-hidden-…

Forensic experts summoned in case of journalist who claimed Janet Museveni was dead Mukose is facing charges of broadcasting false news and sending false distress signals over allegations claiming that First Lady Janet Kataaha Museveni had died earlier this year. The prosecution alleges that between January and March 2026, Mukose and other individuals who are still at large unlawfully published false information on the Alternative Digital Channel, an online platform, claiming that the First Lady was dead. The prosecution contends that the publication caused distress to President Museveni’s wife. observer.ug/news/forensic-ex…

Why Gen. Saleh’s initiatives on Besigye and country look suspicious Gen. Saleh’s methods and approach are all wanting. With all the powers he has as co-president, Saleh has the power to demonstrate more goodwill and good faith than he has done so far. If he really means well, Dr Besigye, Hajji Lutale and their lawyer Erias Lukwago should be released immediately. Even if they went abroad to receive treatment and refused to return, he would have done his part. How do you negotiate with men in chains – while at the same time, the CDF, Gen. Kainerugaba is endlessly threatening to kill them? Consider if these men died in incarceration for failure to receive urgent medical care. There will be no reason to negotiate with dead men. Of course, there might be no political consequences. Ugandans have been so thoroughly emasculated. But how about legacy, memory and honor, things more precious than money and power? observer.ug/viewpoint/why-ge…

Editorial: Uganda must stop gambling with the food on our plates A 2025 Makerere University study found adulteration in 45 of 100 groundnut powder and paste samples collected from Kampala markets. Another 30 samples could not be conclusively classified. The findings do not establish the scale of adulteration nationally, but they provide sufficient grounds for concern. The key issue is not simply that consumers may receive less groundnut paste than they paid for. It is that a market cannot function fairly when sellers know what they are supplying, but buyers cannot establish what they are purchasing. Honest traders also suffer. observer.ug/viewpoint/uganda…

#SexTalk: That power to destroy… “Love is giving someone the power to destroy you and trusting that they won’t.” Perfect definition. And because you give someone else the power to destroy you, if they do, the next person that dares come up to you to propose a similar love is in for a rough ride. Many marriages are struggling under the yoke of hurt people who entered new unions without first sorting the ones that destroyed them. A wife that survives an abusive marriage gets into the next one with full armour on, and nothing can penetrate that shield unless she deals with past pain. A man whose ex-wife cheated on him will approach a new marriage with constant suspicion that will eventually destroy it. observer.ug/lifestyle-entert…

In @observerug this week 🔹How thieving Ugandan workers are killing businesses From stolen sales to diverted customer payments, business owners say employee dishonesty is eating into their profits. 🔹The hidden poison in Uganda's food - milk, groundnut paste, honey and cooking oil among the most adulterated foods. 🔹Uganda’s growing health crisis: HIV, malaria still kill thousands 🔹Mauritius shows the digital way, but will Africa listen?

Gulu University scientist links Nodding disease to contaminated mouldy maize Dr Richard Echodu, director of Gulu University Multifunctional Research Laboratories, says preliminary laboratory experiments suggest that certain amino acids produced by mould growing on maize could trigger symptoms similar to those of Nodding Syndrome. The findings come from research Echodu has conducted since 2008 to identify possible causes of the mysterious neurological condition, first reported in the Acholi sub-region in the early 2000s. To establish the potential relationship, the researchers conducted experiments involving four to five laboratory rats, dividing them into two groups. One group was fed mould-contaminated maize, while the control group was fed clean maize that was confirmed to be free from mould. The researchers closely observed the behaviour of both groups to compare any differences in symptoms. Echodu says the experiment produced striking results, with the rats developing repetitive head-nodding movements and seizure-like symptoms resembling those observed in human Nodding Syndrome patients. observer.ug/news/gulu-univer…

Man shot dead near UPDF checkpoint in Kasese Mugisa Mbasa, a resident of Katiri Trading Centre in Bulembia Division, was shot near Ribona Guest House, close to Katonzi Cell. He died on Tuesday morning at Rukoki Hospital. According to preliminary information, Mbasa approached the checkpoint carrying a sack and a panga. Security personnel stopped him for a search, but he allegedly raised the panga, moved towards them and then fled towards Kasese town. The officers pursued him and caught up with him near Ribona Guest House, where he entered roadside bushes. They fired two warning shots, but Mbasa allegedly charged at one of them with the panga raised. They then shot him in the right thigh. observer.ug/news/man-shot-de…

Police appeal for identification of decapitated woman linked to Masaka serial killer suspect Police spokesperson Kituuma Rusoke said no relative or friend has come forward to identify the woman since her headless body was recovered at Butale Cell, Zzinga village, in Kyanamukaka on September 29, 2026. This is despite investigations and the confessions Kamugisha has made. Her head was found at Kako Cell in Masaka District. Police have released a reconstructed photograph of the woman and appealed to anyone who recognises her, or knows her relatives to contact the authorities. Rusoke said Kamugisha confessed to decapitating the woman and mutilating her body, including removing her heart. Police recovered several pieces of evidence from the scenes but have not been able to establish who she was. observer.ug/news/police-appe…

Besigye’s PFF rejects Gen Saleh’s proposed democracy agreement PFF argues the agreement offers no genuine political reform and may only create opportunities for selected opposition figures to access government positions. The party says talks must be independently convened, jointly planned, broadly representative and backed by an independent guarantor to ensure agreed resolutions are implemented. It described Saleh’s proposal as a possible return to the Movement political system. observer.ug/news/besigyes-pf…

High court warns police, army chiefs over Mugumya’s whereabouts During the second hearing of the application for Mugumya’s production today, Monday, justice Simon Kinobe gave the government three weeks to investigate his disappearance and report back to court. “I do not want to be in a position where people are summoned for not complying with court orders. Those who know me know I am crazy enough to do that,” the Civil Division judge said. Kinobe described Mugumya’s disappearance as both a national concern and a personal matter, warning that failure to hold security agencies accountable could expose any Ugandan to the risk of disappearing without explanation. “Almost two years down the line, we are still doing exchanges of who has this man. We need to know where this man is,” Kinobe said. observer.ug/news/high-court-…. .

UCC dismisses pastor Kayanja’s complaint against KTV, faults his Channel 44 over misreporting The Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) has dismissed a complaint by pastor Robert Kayanja against Kingdom Television (KTV), finding instead that Kayanja’s own Channel 44 and Top Television breached broadcasting standards by misrepresenting proceedings in a criminal case. Kayanja claimed KTV misrepresented the Uganda Police forensic expert’s evidence presented in court on Thursday, March 19, 2026. KTV insisted its reporting was drawn directly from the expert’s testimony that day. On Monday, March 23, 2026, state attorney Jonathan Muwaganya questioned the authenticity of the KTV story. When it was played in court for verification, police forensic expert Enock Kanene confirmed that the facts had been accurately reported. Nakayibale had reported that phone recordings by Ssentongo narrating alleged sodomy against Kayanja in 2017 were played in court. observer.ug/news/ucc-dismiss…

DRC: 66 soldiers sentenced to death for cowardice The court, which sat in Walikale Centre, North Kivu Province, on Friday, handed down the sentences following the trial of 71 soldiers accused of abandoning their military positions and fleeing during fierce fighting with the Front for the Refoundation of the Nation (FRN), formerly the March 23 Movement/Alliance River Congo (M23/AFC). 54 of the soldiers were arrested on October 20, 2026, in Ngora over offences allegedly committed in Waloa Uroba Groupement, Wanianga Sector, Walikale Territory, while the other 17 were arrested later. The soldiers were arrested after abandoning their positions and fleeing during clashes with FRN fighters. Maj Dieudonné Kasereka, the communications officer for the FARDC’s 34th Military Region, said the defendants were facing three main charges: cowardice, military mutiny and refusal to obey orders. observer.ug/news/drc-66-sold…

Uganda 🇺🇬 wins first Africa Women’s Sevens Title and secures World Rugby SVNS 3 promotion The Lady Cranes defeated Tunisia 33-0 in the final after a dramatic semi-final victory over hosts Kenya to lift their first continental title and qualify for World Rugby HSBC SVNS 3.

Nerds mourn grandfather of Nerddom Patrick Stewart has passed away at the age of 86 from complications related to Alzheimer’s and Lewy Body Dementia. You can’t call his passing tragic because he lived a long and fruitful life. That said, nerds the world over cannot help but mourn because Stewart defined nerd culture for multiple generations, partly because he carried the energy of an outsider, if that makes sense. He spent fifteen years honing his craft in the theatre. If you watched Star Trek: The Next Generation and thought Picard had a special quality no other cast member could replicate, Stewart was using his Shakespearean training to elevate the role. observer.ug/lifestyle-entert…