The Deputy Commander of the Special Forces Command (DCSFC), Brig

Gen. Asaph Mweteise Nyakikuru, has revealed that the Uganda

People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) Peace keeping troops in Somalia, the

Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan, have been able to

perform exceptionally because of professionalism and the trust the

soldiers have in the Commander-In-Chief (CIC), H.E Yoweri Kaguta

Museveni and the Chief of the Defence Forces (CDF), Gen. Muhoozi

Kainerugaba.

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni continues to express frustration

about those failing to implement the government policy of free education

across the country, calling upon leaders at all levels to ensure that the

program is fully implemented.

“I don’t want to use force on this matter. Discuss the issue of free

education in government schools, including the technical schools. If we

need to add more money to the government schools, we shall do it,”

President Museveni said.

The President made the remarks today, while commissioning the

Greater Mubende Presidential Zonal Skilling Hub in Kibuye-Vuga

Village, Kitenga Sub County, Mubende District.

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has emphasized the urgent need to prioritize household income generation, describing it as a cornerstone of national development.

During a leaders meeting held at Mwanzi Parish, Mirembe Maria Catholic Parish in Kasanda District yesterday, President Museveni reminded Ugandans that, just as spiritual teachings guide priorities, “Seek first the Kingdom of God and all these things shall be added unto you”, the nation must apply the same principle by seeking household income first.

The meeting was part of the ongoing Presidential performance assessment tour on wealth creation and Parish Development Model (PDM) in Greater Mubende.

The Jonam Cultural Institution (Kaal Ker Kwaro Jonam) KKKJ has distanced itself from claims that it has endorsed certain political aspirants ahead of the 2026 general elections.

According to Mr. Silvious Okwong, the Deputy Prime Minister of Kaal Ker Kwaro Jonam, the institution only blesses candidates with what he termed as "good luck" but does not take sides in political contests.

"I want to make it categorically clear that, we do not endorse any person that this is our candidate, we do the jonam thing that we give you 'Lam' (Blessings) go ahead and do your thing."

Mr. Okwong warned politicians against dragging the institution's name into politics and cautioned them against raising public expectations on sensitive issues such as land in Palango, fishing operations, and matters related to Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA). He noted that while such issues may seem minor, they carry significant weight.

"The Palango issues and the Fisheries issues are something if you are going to trade on trade very carefully... do not say that I will finish it, those are serious issues."

He further urged the Jonam community to elect leaders who are truthful, consult the people regularly, and refrain from making unrealistic promises.

"If I go there am going to do these, yet the roles of Memebers of Parliament and Local Council Five are very clear. Perhaps you are supposed to and lobby for us" Okwong sates.

Meanwhile, Phiona Atimango, the Assistant Resident District Commissioner of Pakwach, called on aspiring leaders to speak facts and avoid misleading the public. She emphasized that presidential directives and executive orders should not be used as campaign tools, but rather addressed through formal government channels.

"Much as you are out there in to the community in this political error, go and state the facts... if you give them wrong informations how do expect the responsible people to go and clarify those facts" she said.

Over 154 herds of cattle were on Sunday, 6th July 2025 successfully loaded and transported from holding grounds in Madi Okollo to Karuma, as part of the ongoing Operation Harmony to peacefully evict Balaalo herders.

According to security officials, the cattle were transported using five trucks, with only 39 herds remaining at the site pending transit.

The 65-day operation, now in its second week, was ordered by the President and is being implemented under the supervision of the District Security Committee and local leaders.

West Nile Police Public Relations Officer, Asea Collins, confirmed that similar "operations are underway in other parts of West Nile and North West Nile to enhance the safety of both residents and the herding communities."

Local leaders and stakeholders in the greater Nebbi have expressed concern over the growing trend of commercializing politics, saying the practice undermines citizens' right to freely choose legitimate and capable leaders.

They argue that lump sum payments given to voters by political aspirants distort democratic processes and encourage short-term interests over long-term leadership quality.
Innocent Onega Geoffrey, the Mayor of Paidha Town Council, said some politicians are openly persuading voters with money, urging intensified civic education to help citizens elect leaders of integrity.

"There are people who are now publicly preaching and praising the rich 'Wubol Kwir No Juma Gimiyu Iwu Bim', It's happening now in Paidha," Onega reveals.

Okurulal Pastore, a resident of Nebbi Municipality, advised voters to evaluate candidates based on leadership skills, character, and behavior rather than financial incentives.

"You have to carefully choose the person you want to become a leader, that's very very important. You see the UPC, we voted the right person that even now, the country talks of it." Okurulal strongly interjected.

Savior Rwothomio Kakunda, Nebbi District Youth Council Chairperson, cautioned young people, who make up about 75% of Uganda's population, not to allow politicians to buy their votes. He urged them to choose leaders committed to improving service delivery.

"Right now, all minds and everything are tuned to money...As NRM carders we are supposed to be interested in improved service delivery... The challenge is now, people who think they have money and who think that money can pull others, that's where we need to reorganize ourselves and put away money issues and look at what we call service delivery for our people." Kakunda implores.

The Assistant Resident District Commissioner, Stephen Olama known as Terminator, encouraged voters to take the money if offered but remain firm in voting for the leaders they truly believe in.

"Let them give you their money, you eat. Let them play with your stomach but not your Brain." Olama tells the locals in the greater Nebbi.

TotalEnergies EP Uganda on Monday hosted its inaugural Tilenga Project Agri-Business Forum under the theme "Empowering Farmers and Enabling Linkages: An Agriculture Value Chain Networking Forum."

The forum, held at Buliisa District headquarters, brought together over 200 farmer groups. It aimed to bridge knowledge gaps, promote entrepreneurship, and strengthen sustainable agricultural value chain linkages across Uganda.

Since its inception, the Tilenga Project has supported over 10,000 households across Buliisa, Hoima, Kikuube, Nwoya, and Pakwach districts through livelihood restoration programs. These include the provision of improved seeds, livestock breeds, and training, alongside the establishment of demonstration farms and farmer groups.

Over 20,000 bags of cassava cuttings and 25,000 kilograms of maize seeds have been distributed under these initiatives, helping farmers access markets and improve productivity.

Divan Ogen, a member of Dikiri Ber Farmers Group in Pajabar Central Cell, Pakwach Town Council, said they grow groundnuts, tomatoes, and practice apiculture. He noted the group's activities have enhanced food security and improved members' livelihoods.

"In that group, we are producing organically made G.nuts, and the mission of this group is to improve the livelihoods of the youths and food security of the community of Pajabar Central Village and Pakwach District at large," Ogen said.

Sunday Ayao from Got Apwoyo Sub-county, Nwoya District, shared that her group received 15 kilograms of groundnut seeds and harvested 27 bags. From this, they replanted 5 bags and recently harvested 40 bags.

"Macalo wan group, dong watye ki cuk, wai ki store ma mwa ka iciri ibi nongu kukunu" Ayao reveals.

George Stephen Mwait, CEO of Yola Uganda, based in Wakiso District, said his organization focuses on the cassava value chain. He highlighted challenges farmers face with post-harvest losses and limited market access, despite high production.

"They produce a lot that they cannot consume, so we are off taking and adding value," Stephen states.

Godfrey Lukwako, Stakeholder Engagement Manager at TotalEnergies, speaking on behalf of the General Manager, said the forum was long overdue. He emphasized the company's commitment to promoting value addition and securing ready markets for farmers.

"We already feel we are at the point where we have to take it to the next level, and that is to ensure that we can think about value addition, and farmers have access to markets beyond their home districts, to regional markets, and several others," Lukwago says.

Benjamin Aijuka, Programs Manager at the East Africa Grain Council, expressed concern that while 80% of Ugandans rely on agriculture, the sector contributes only 20% to GDP. He urged a shift from subsistence to structured, market-led agriculture.

"The Agribusiness Forum that Total Energies and its partners have organized is one of the responses that enables our commitments to empower our partnerships and potential structured Agribusinesses to be able to deliver an inclusive growth and long-term sustainability," Aijuka states.

Pennina Aheebwa, Director of Economic and National Content Monitoring at the Petroleum Authority of Uganda, said the oil sector can indirectly create jobs through agriculture, tourism, transport, and other sectors that support economic growth.

"As the Uganda petroleum of Uganda we have done several studies to try and identify and define those linkages in different sectors, and so for local leaders who are here, the opportunities are not only in Agriculture but there are also in other linkages like, housing, tourism, and transport among others," Aheebwa advised the locals.

TotalEnergies E&P Uganda has awarded full scholarships to 100 students to pursue nursing and midwifery studies at St. Mary’s Nursing School in Lacor, Gulu.

The beneficiaries were drawn from six districts within the Albertine Graben that are affected by oil and gas activities, namely Hoima, Kikuube, Pakwach, Masindi, Buliisa, and Nwoya.

According to officials, the top 15 performers were selected from Hoima, Kikuube, Pakwach, and Masindi. In contrast, 20 students each were selected from Buliisa and Nwoya due to their proximity with the oil and gas projects and higher impact levels.

Martin Opio, Manager for Corporate Social Responsibility at TotalEnergies EP Uganda, said the one-time scholarship program was introduced as part of the company’s health sector support following its centenary celebrations last year.

"This scholarship is a one-way scholarship, not going to be annual next year, it's not going to be there like other scholarships, it's an onetime appreciation to train nurses and midwives. But it also depends on how much the stakeholders can lobby, it's not written in stone, it can be changed." Martin says.

He added that a strict selection process was followed, prioritizing high-performing students from vulnerable households who passed their National  Examinations and pre-entry exams, and are natives of the listed districts.

"We wanted to prioritize students who come from homes that could not send their children to school if they are not supported, so... And at least we make sure the Local Council ones to confirms the status of that family in terms of their vulnerabilities," Matin reveals.

Gilbert Ochan, a parent from Fualwonga Parish in Pakwach District, emotionally knelt down while deliberating on behalf of parents of selected students, thanked TotalEnergies, revealing that his daughter, Hope, achieved top grades despite financial struggles and family hardships, including his wife’s mental illness and frequent hospitalizations in Butabika.

"If everyone is supposed to tell their story, they are heartbreaking. This girl was at home; she should be in Senior Five doing BCM. There was no money to cater for that. Now we are happy she is willing to go to Lacor Nursing school," Gilbert deliberates.

Another beneficiary, Brian Ocungirwoth from Pakwach Town Council, said he lost his father in primary six and has since relied on the support of well-wishers. His mother, a charcoal vendor in Pakwach Town Market, has struggled to support his education.

"Even during my Primaries, I was being helped by the school because my father had a stroke when I was in Primary Six, I have my brothers who are peasant farmers, and my mother is a charcoal seller," Ocungirwoth states.

However, local leaders in the region are calling for more involvement in the selection process. This follows concerns that the manager of Corporate Social Responsibility for TotalEnergies, Mr. Opio, revealed that some selected students in Nwoya District declined the offer despite meeting all the set criteria.

Meanwhile, Pennina Aheebwa, Director of Economic and National Content Monitoring at the Petroleum Authority of Uganda, urged communities to embrace all opportunities offered by TotalEnergies and its partners in any sector, including health, agriculture, tourism, transport, among others. She made the remarks on Tuesday, 8th July 2025, during the Agribusiness Forum held in Buliisa District.

"You may not have obtained a job in oil and gas, or having a contract, but there are other ways you can benefit from the oil and gas sector. So we want us to take these initiatives very, very seriously." Pennina advised.

The End.

Financial institutions and agricultural NGOs have advised farmers in West Nile and Bunyoro sub-regions to treat farming as a serious business by attaching monetary value and setting clear targets for their day-to-day activities.

Speaking at the recent Agribusiness Forum on Tuesday, 8th July, 2025, in Bulisa District, the Branch Manager of Centenary Bank in Buliisa, Samuel Bwete, emphasized that even small-scale farmers cultivating less than five hectares should track their production with clear financial goals to contribute meaningfully to individual and national economic growth.

He says, "Most of our things have to be quantified in real money. When we say Uganda has become the best coffee producer, it has a monetary value. So, if we can't define the monetary value of im doing on my farm, then I don't have it."

Statistics from the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization indicate Uganda can feed over 200 million people. While 80% of the country’s land is arable, only 35% is under cultivation. Agriculture accounts for 24% of Uganda’s GDP, 35% of export earnings, and employs 68% of the workforce, according to UBOS.

In a joint meeting held on March 12th, 2025, in Pakwach District, institutions, including Nyaravur Farmers SACCO and other cooperatives in the district, encouraged farmers to overcome fears of agricultural financing and only seek loans that they can repay.

"Other farmers have fear that if I go to the bank, where do I begin, so don't be afraid that reaching the banks is hard. We are here to serve you," a Nyaravur Farmers SACCO employee told the local farmers.

Joseph Bemba of Sasakawa Global 2000, an NGO supporting smallholder farmers, urged farmers to adopt what he called a “safe approach” by producing with the market in mind. He advised them to “produce to sell,” rather than “sell what they produce.”

"To summarize it, we say, produce to sell but don't produce and sell, because when you produce and sell, that is when you start struggling. Am I selling to, who wants it?  We are stuck here with everything," Bemba explains.

Sam Ayesiga from Volcano Ventures, which serves eight districts in Bunyoro, dealing in certified Organic  Agricultural Products, called on farmers to obtain Participatory Guarantee System (PGS) certification under the National Agricultural Organic Movement of Uganda. He noted that PGS is affordable and helps farmers address market challenges related to pricing, quality, and standards.

"We are all doing small-scale, so you can't get to the market yourself,  it's very expensive, that's why you will need a middleman. And I mentioned that they do a good job but to the disadvantage of the farmer." Ayesiga stated.

Wycliff Katulinde, Production Officer of Buliisa District, highlighted that West Nile and Bunyoro are well-positioned for agricultural enterprises such as fishing, poultry, apiculture, horticulture, and citrus. He added that "these ventures  are compatible with the Parish Development Model agenda, also they are the same enterprises that we are supporting, for example, we have the local poultry, Bees, Piggery, etc."