Africa Pamoja-UG

AfricaPamoja-UG | West Nile Weather Bulletin 1 October 2026 The Uganda Department of Meteorological Services forecasts isolated thundershowers across parts of West Nile today, Thursday, October 1, 2026. In Arua, isolated thundershowers are expected, with temperatures of approximately 27°C during the day and 18°C at night. In Paidha and parts of Zombo District, rainfall and thunderstorms are also possible during the day, with temperatures around 26°C during the day and 18°C at night. The Meteorological Services Department says isolated rains are expected in several parts of Uganda over the coming days. The September–December 2026 seasonal outlook indicates near-normal to above-normal rainfall across most parts of the country.  Public Advisory: Residents are encouraged to remain alert during thunderstorms, avoid sheltering under trees, and take precautions in areas prone to flooding and lightning. Dont forget to move with jackets and umbrella as it's already raining in some parts of ...

By Moses Akuma Odims Development and Governance analyst |AfricaPamoja-UG    “The future of West Nile will not be written by those who wait for opportunity it will be authored by the young men and women who rise to create it.” Youth are not a problem to be solved but they are an opportunity to be harnessed for transformation. West Nile stands at a defining crossroads. A region rich in cultural heritage, agricultural promise and youthful energy is simultaneously weighed down by the heavy burdens of limited opportunity, fragmented leadership pathways and under-utilized human potential. At the heart of this paradox lies the youth  the majority of our population, the engine of our tomorrow, and yet too often the most excluded from the very decisions that shape their lives. If you want tomorrow to be different invest in the young people today what you would like to see tomorrow. I have witnessed both the quiet resilience of young people across Arua, Nebbi, Yumbe, Adjumani, Moyo...

By Oringi Denis| AfricaPamoja-UG The Member of Parliament for Upper Madi Okollo, Hon. Drito Martin, has called for the urgent expansion of piped water services in Madi Okollo District, warning that residents in parts of Okollo Sub-County are relying on visibly dirty water, exposing communities to water-borne diseases. Drito made the appeal while debating the Ministerial Statement on the performance of the Water and Environment sector for the Financial Year 2025/2026 on the floor of Parliament. While appreciating the Minister’s presentation, the legislator said the statement did not adequately reflect the water challenges facing communities in Upper Madi Okollo, particularly Okollo Sub-County. He told Parliament that some residents are consuming water whose quality is visibly poor. “In Okollo Sub-County, the water people drink is what he demonstrated to Parliament — water that appears to be dirty…” Drito expressed concern that limited access to clean and safe water is contributing to th...

By Moses Akuma Odims Development Analyst | AfricaPamoja-UG  An Open Call to District Production, Agricultural and Commercial Officers “ West Nile’s future will not be unlocked by isolated projects or by waiting for others to act. It will be unlocked by the disciplined power of regional coordination — shared vision, joint advocacy, pooled resources and collective accountability.” West Nile stands at a decisive moment. Once defined by conflict and the long shadow of recovery, our sub-region now holds within its soils, rivers and people the ingredients of genuine transformation. The question is no longer whether transformation is possible. The question is whether we—especially those charged with production, agriculture and commerce at district level—will rise to the disciplined, coordinated action that the moment demands. The 6th WENDA Executive Council has placed before us a clear framework: the WENDA Priority Plan 2026–2031. Fully aligned with Uganda Vision 2040, the National Develo...

Haji Yunus Kakande and President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni  Government Reviews Deployment, Performance and Working Conditions of Presidential Representatives By Adiru Charity|@AfricaPamoja-UG The Government of Uganda is set to undertake a reshuffle of Resident District Commissioners (RDCs), Resident City Commissioners (RCCs), their deputies and assistants in October 2026. The planned changes were announced by Hajji Yunus Kakande, Secretary in the Office of the President, as government reviews the deployment and performance of its representatives at district and city level. The reshuffle is expected to involve transfers and possible changes in leadership positions, with the performance of individual officers among the factors being considered. Some commissioners may be moved to new stations, while others could be replaced. Strengthening Government Oversight RDCs and RCCs serve as representatives of the central government in districts and cities. Their responsibilities include monitori...

KAMPALA, UGANDA  September 29, 2026: The security arrangements surrounding Hajjat Hadijah Namyalo have attracted public attention following reports that officers from the Police Presidential Guard (PPG) assigned to her protection have been withdrawn. Namyalo, who heads the Office of the National Chairman (ONC) and also serves as a Senior Presidential Advisor, has recently been at the centre of political discussions surrounding competing positions on Uganda’s 2031 leadership.  The reported withdrawal comes shortly after a public disagreement involving Namyalo’s political mobilisation activities and supporters of the Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU). Reports indicate that members of the ONC Bugisu team recently expressed support for President Yoweri Museveni’s continued leadership beyond 2031, while PLU has been conducting mobilisation activities around Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba’s 2031 ambitions.  However, the specific reason for the reported change in Namyalo’s ...

By Ayoo Teddy, Reporter | @AfricaPamoja-UG |Tooro Culture  FORT PORTAL, UGANDA  Traditional rituals to install Prince Edward Rukidi Kijanangoma as the new Omukama of Tooro have been completed, paving the way for the formal public coronation at Karuziika Palace in Fort Portal today, Tuesday, September 29, 2026. The overnight traditional ceremonies, conducted from September 28 into September 29, marked the transition from the mourning period for the late Omukama Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV to the beginning of the new reign. During the rituals, Prince Edward Rukidi Kijanangoma, now known as Edward Rukidi Nyabongo I, led a men-only torch-lit procession from Rwengoma Palace through Fort Portal to Karuziika Palace. The traditional proceedings included his entry through the Mugabante Gate following a symbolic mock battle, the spearing of a bull and his seating on the royal throne. He also turned the royal drums upright and struck them nine times each, while other r...

  By Adiru Charity journalist @AfricaPamoja-UG FORT PORTAL, UGANDA - A fresh legal challenge has emerged in the final hours before the planned September 29 enthronement of the next King of Tooro, introducing uncertainty into an already closely watched succession process. A petition was reportedly filed at the High Court in Fort Portal on September 28 by two individuals and a civil-society organisation seeking an interim order to halt the coronation. The petitioners reportedly argue that an alleged will of the late King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV contained provisions concerning the succession, including the naming of his son, or alternatively a cousin, as heir . They contend that the process through which the next king was selected did not comply with those provisions. The legal challenge comes as the Tooro Kingdom and government authorities continue preparations for the September 29 enthronement, following a succession process conducted through the customary structures of ...

By Moses Akuma Odims is the Executive Director of the West Nile Development Association (WENDA), a regional body involved in coordinating development efforts across West Nile. @AfricaPamoja-UG West Nile’s long experience of welcoming refugees is increasingly being tested by pressure on land, public services and local resources, prompting calls for stronger systems to support both refugee and host communities. The region has hosted refugees fleeing conflicts in neighbouring countries, with communities sharing access to schools, health facilities, markets, farmland and other resources. However, growing demand on these services has raised concerns about whether existing planning and financing arrangements are sufficient. A recent policy analysis by the West Nile Development Association (WENDA) highlights the need for Uganda to strengthen the practical systems that guide refugee-hosting areas. The analysis points to challenges involving land access, service delivery, financing, coordinatio...

 KAMPALA | 28 SEPTEMBER 2026 The Attorney General’s Chambers has issued guidance on the status of public officers and civil servants who remain under interdiction while undergoing criminal prosecution, including cases where the initial six-month period of interdiction has expired. In a letter dated 25 September 2026 and addressed to all Permanent Secretaries, Accounting Officers and Chief Administrative Officers, the Attorney General refers to Regulation 38 of the Public Service Commission Regulations, 2009, which provides for the interdiction of public officers in circumstances including disciplinary proceedings or criminal prosecution. According to the legal opinion contained in the letter, a public officer who is still undergoing criminal prosecution continues to remain under interdiction until the prosecution is concluded and results in the officer’s acquittal. The guidance further states that an officer should not regain or resume their position, or have the interdiction lifte...

South Africa is facing renewed concern over gun violence after two separate mass shootings near Johannesburg and Cape Town left at least 28 people dead and more than 40 others injured within hours. The attacks occurred at places where people had gathered for ordinary social activities, with gunmen opening fire on patrons at a tavern in Wedela, west of Johannesburg, and later at a shisanyama entertainment venue in Lwandle, near Cape Town. Police investigations into both attacks remain ongoing. Wedela: 18 killed as police hunt eight suspects The first attack happened at about 9:30 p.m. on Saturday in Wedela township on Johannesburg’s West Rand. Police said eight armed men, reportedly carrying AK-47 rifles and pistols, opened fire on people outside a tavern before entering the premises and continuing the shooting. Initially, 17 people were confirmed dead and 15 others wounded. The death toll subsequently rose to 18 after one of the injured victims died in hospital. Police are still search...

  The Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU) has opened an online public endorsement exercise for Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba in relation to the 2031 presidential race. According to the PLU website, members of the public can register their endorsement through the organisation's online platform plu.org.ug. The process requests basic personal information, including name, gender, National Identification Number, age group and district. PLU says the National Identification Number is used privately to help prevent duplicate entries, while individual endorsement details are kept in a protected record. The endorsement drive forms part of PLU's wider mobilisation activities surrounding Gen. Kainerugaba's 2031 presidential bid. Recent PLU activities have included regional endorsement campaigns and the distribution of endorsement books. Official endorsement platform: PLU Public Endorsement Portal AfricaPamoja-UG

Adiru Charity @AfricaPamoja-UG  When the Family Breaks Down, Society Feels the Impact The family is more than a group of people living under one roof. It is where values are introduced, character is shaped, responsibilities are learned, and relationships are built. The strength of a community often begins with the strength of the families within it. In many homes, however, communication is gradually being replaced by silence, misunderstanding and emotional distance. Parents may be overwhelmed by work and economic pressures, while young people face challenges that they sometimes struggle to discuss with those closest to them. A healthy family does not mean a family without disagreements. Differences are inevitable. What matters is how those differences are handled. Listening before judging, correcting without humiliating, apologising when wrong, and creating space for honest conversations can prevent small misunderstandings from becoming permanent divisions. Parents and guardians ha...

ZOMBO | EDUCATION By Ocaya Kennedy @AfricaPamoja-UG The Resident District Commissioner (RDC) of Zombo District, Festus Ayikubua, has urged headteachers of secondary schools to strictly operate within government policies, laws and established education guidelines. Mr. Ayikubua made the remarks during an engagement with secondary school headteachers organised by the Zombo District Education Department to streamline the management and operations of secondary schools in the district. The meeting was held today at the Health Boardroom, where district officials addressed concerns surrounding school administration, fees and other charges imposed on learners and their parents. District officials condemned what they described as extortion and unnecessary charges imposed on learners, stressing the need for schools to adhere to government regulations governing education. The meeting resolved that the practice of demanding unauthorised payments from parents for boarding fees, meals, learning mater...

By Ocaya Kennedy | @AfricaPamoja-UG PAIDHA, ZOMBO — Youth undergoing skills training at Life Concern Skills Development Centre are today undertaking a national assessment conducted by the government technical examining body. The assessment is aimed at evaluating the learners’ practical skills, knowledge and competencies acquired during their technical and vocational training. The exercise brings together trainees undertaking various skills programmes as they take an important step toward certification and preparation for the workplace, entrepreneurship and further skills development. Technical and vocational education continues to provide young people with practical competencies that can support employment, self-reliance and community development. The ongoing assessment also highlights the growing role of skills development institutions in preparing young people to participate meaningfully in Uganda’s social and economic development. Learners at Life Concern Skills Development Centre u...

By Adiru Charity @AfricaPamoja-UG Education remains one of the most important foundations for individual growth, community development and national transformation. Beyond academic qualifications, quality education equips learners with knowledge, skills, discipline and confidence to participate meaningfully in society. For Uganda to achieve sustainable development, greater attention must continue to be placed on improving the quality of education at all levels. This includes supporting teachers, improving learning environments, providing adequate instructional materials and ensuring that children have equal opportunities to access and complete their education. Parents, teachers, school administrators, communities and government all have important roles to play. Parents can support learners by encouraging regular attendance and creating a positive environment for learning, while teachers have the responsibility of guiding, mentoring and inspiring learners to reach their potential. School...

HEALTH JOURNAL | SICKLE CELL AWARENESS & ADVOCACY By Okirya Moris @AfricaPamoja-UG The Ministry of Health Uganda has brought together stakeholders for an engagement focused on strengthening awareness, support and care for people affected by sickle cell disease. The engagement brought together representatives from civil society organisations, development partners and other stakeholders committed to addressing the challenges associated with sickle cell disease in Uganda. Among those participating was Joyce Bagala Ntwatwa, Executive Director of Rooted Life Foundation, alongside representatives from Raising Hope International, friends and other Civil Society Organisations (CSOs). The stakeholders emphasized the importance of collective action in responding to sickle cell disease, particularly through increased public awareness, community support and strengthened collaboration among organisations working in the health sector. They noted that the fight against sickle cell disease require...

By Birungi Teddy | @AfricaPamoja-UG BUNYANGABU — Two Bunyangabu District Local Government officials have reportedly been remanded after appearing before the Anti-Corruption Division of the High Court on allegations of abuse of office arising from the procurement of land for a local government authority. The officials are Bajenje Kenneth, Town Clerk, and Kitalengwa Beatrice, Senior Treasurer. They were reportedly charged over actions allegedly committed while serving at Nyakigumba Town Council in Bunyangabu District. According to the allegations, in 2022, the two officials participated in the purchase of land in Kisomoro II Cell, East Ward, Nyakigumba Town Council, on behalf of the council. The prosecution alleges that the acquisition was carried out without following the mandatory procurement procedures required of a local government when acquiring property. It is further alleged that the land acquired was less than the quantity that had originally been planned for, resulting in an all...

  Turning Agriculture into a Sustainable Source of Income. Agriculture remains one of the most importan sectors of Uganda’s economy, providing food,employment and income to millions of households. However, for farming to become a reliable and profitable business, farmers need to move beyond subsistence production and embrace modern, planned and market oriented  agriculture. One of the key steps toward successful farming is proper planning. Before planting, farmers should identify the crops or livestock enterprises suitable for their area, estimate production costs, assess available resources and, most importantly, understand the market for their products. Farmers are also encouraged to adopt improved farming practices such as timely planting, proper spacing, soil fertility management, water conservation, pest and disease control, and the use of quality seeds and planting materials. These practices can contribute to better yields while reducing unnecessary losses. Diversificati...

 FROM ARUA CITY ROADS TO WEST NILE’S WIDER CONCERNS. By Oringi Denis The parliamentary record of Hon. Atima Lee Jackson Buti during Uganda’s 11th Parliament presents a broad range of issues raised on behalf of Arua Central Division and the wider West Nile subregion, covering infrastructure, education, health, security, agriculture, aviation and public financial management. Between 2021 and 2025, Atima used parliamentary questions, statements and interventions to bring a number of constituency and regional concerns before Government, according to the parliamentary material reviewed for this report. The issues ranged from delayed Parish Development Model (PDM) funds and teenage mothers seeking to return to school to insecurity in Arua City, inadequate firefighting equipment, unpaid tobacco farmers and concerns over road maintenance and public expenditure. However, the record also highlights an important distinction in assessing parliamentary representation: raising an issue in Parlia...

Pakwach, September 21, 2026 — Pakwach District Security and Anti-Corruption team has arrested seven people, including a GISO, an Officer in Charge of Police, a fisheries officer and a district councillor, over alleged extortion of fishermen and traders in Dei Sub-County, Panyimur area, along Lake Albert. The operation was led by Pakwach Resident District Commissioner Nsubuga Bewayo Stephen RwothOmio, who also chairs the District Anti-Corruption and Integrity Committee, together with the District Internal Security Officer (DISO). Those arrested include: GISO, Dei Sub-County Officer in Charge of Police Station, Dei Fisheries Officer District Councillor representing Dei Sub-County Three other suspects The suspects are reportedly being detained at Pakwach Central Police Station (CPS) as investigations and interrogation continue. According to fishermen at Dei Landing Site, some have allegedly been required to pay up to Shs 20,000 per day to marine police officers before being allowed to car...

  The reported proposal by the Government to amend the Local Government Act and give the Minister responsible for Local Government powers to discipline or disband errant District Service Commissions has opened an important conversation about accountability, merit and independence in Uganda’s local government system. Principal Ethics Officer at the Directorate of Ethics and Integrity, Robinson Oduka, said the proposed amendment is intended to strengthen the process through which civil servants are recruited, with the stated aim of ensuring that appointments are based on competence rather than corrupt practices.  The issue deserves careful attention because District Service Commissions have a significant role in Uganda’s local government structure. Under the Local Governments Act, District Service Commissions are responsible for appointing, confirming, disciplining and removing many officers serving in district and urban councils. The law also provides that the commissions shoul...

 The Zombo District LCV Chairman was reportedly involved in a road accident near Migera in Masindi while returning from Kampala. Preliminary information indicates that the Chairman and his driver survived the crash without apparent injuries. These details have not yet been independently verified. The accident reportedly resulted in the death of a pedestrian, who is said to have died at the scene. The vehicle involved also sustained extensive damage. Authorities have not yet released full details about the circumstances of the accident. Further information is expected as investigations continue. Preliminary information indicates that the Chairman and his driver survived the crash without apparent injuries. These details have not yet been independently verified. The accident reportedly resulted in the death of a pedestrian, who is said to have died at the scene. The vehicle involved also sustained extensive damage. Authorities have not yet released full details about the circumsta...

 Sunday reflection on gratitude, purpose, personal growth and hope for the week By Byamukama Henry AfricaPamoja Media Team Sunday, 20 September 202 A SUNDAY TO REFLECT AND GIVE THANKS Sunday gives us a valuable opportunity to pause from the demands of the week and reflect on where we have been, where we are, and where we are going. Today, I am grateful for the gift of life, the people who continue to walk with me, the opportunities before me, and the lessons that each day brings. Life is not always easy, and every week comes with its own challenges. However, difficult moments can become opportunities to learn, grow, and develop greater strength and wisdom. LEARNING FROM THE WEEK BEHIND US The past week may have brought successes, disappointments, unexpected challenges, or moments of happiness. Whatever the experience, there is something to learn from it. We should celebrate our progress without becoming complacent, acknowledge our mistakes without losing hope, and use every experie...