FREEMAN NEWS-UG

The Deputy Commander of UPDF Air Force, Brig Gen Stephen Kiggundu, has died, the Defence and Military announced in an obituary on Easter Sunday evening. “Gen Kiggundu died in the bathroom at his official residence in Entebbe, Brig Gen Felix Kulayigye, the defence and military spokesperson, said. “Brig Gen Stephen Kiggundu was well all day until the evening of today when he met his death in his bathroom,” he added Gen Kulayigye did not provide details but sources told the Nile Post that the air force chief was electrocuted in a freak accident while taking a shower Sunday evening. However, it remains unclear how the accident happened.The late Kiggundu, who previously served as the commander of the Soroti Air Force wing, was promoted to the rank of Brigadier General and appointed deputy chief of the UPDF Airforce in November 2022. The appointment of the late Kiggundu back then came in a reshuffle that saw Lt Gen Charles Lutaaya replaced with Maj Gen Charles Okidi –  who was promoted t...

  The Head of the Office of the NRM National Chairman (ONC) SPA/PA Hajjat Hadijah Namyalo Uzeiye has dispelled rumors that there was a stampede at Kololo Ceremonial grounds during the launch of Salaam Bank on Wednesday. Hajjat Hadijah made the remarks on Friday afternoon during a press briefing at the ONC head office. On Wednesday, the Muslim community flocked to Kololo Ceremonial grounds to witness the launch of Salaam Bank making it the first financial institution compliant with Islamic principles to begin operations in Uganda.  President Museveni was the chief guest at the event also saw Muslims walk away with an assortment of food items to aid their Ramadan.  She also responded to reports that people were caned, saying that due to the large number of people that filled Kololo, security was charged with the task of ensuring there was order as food items were distributed to Muslim faithful who turned up. "First of all, I want to express my sincere gratitude for the love...

The Head of the Office of the NRM National Chairman (ONC) SPA/PA Hajjat Hadijah Namyalo Uzeiye has dispelled rumors that there was a stampede at Kololo Ceremonial grounds during the launch of Salaam Bank on Wednesday. Hajjat Hadijah made the remarks on Friday afternoon during a press briefing at the ONC head office. In Wednesday, the Muslim community flocked Kololo Ceremonial grounds to witness the launch of Salaam Bank making it the first financial institution compliant with Islamic principles to begin operations in Uganda.  President Museveni was chief guest at the event that also saw Muslims walk away with an assortment of food items to aid their Ramadan.  She also responded to reports that people were caned, saying that due to the large number of people that filled Kololo, security was charged with the task of ensuring there was order as food items were distributed to Muslim faithful who turned up. "First of all, I want to express my sincere gratitude for the love you show...

  By Kyeswa Hakim Wednesday, March 27, yet again set a landmark date in the history of Uganda as President Museveni launched Salaam Bank, the country’s first-ever bank purely grounded on Islamic Banking and the Sharia law.  The event, hosted at Kololo Ceremonial Grounds witnessed a mammoth crowd, lower and high-class Bazzukulu turn up in large numbers to experience the day with the President, the Chief Guest who congratulated them on fasting for Ramadan, as well as gracing the Dua prayers organized by Hajjat Namyalo, the Manager of the Office of National Chairman - NRM (ONC). Unlike in the past when President Museveni always met the Muslim leaders only during amadan, the narrative this time around changed, thanks to Namyalo’s stellar mobilization skills which saw tens of thousands of Muslims throng Kololo. This did not only mean that Jajja Museveni is loved by Ugandans but rather disputed the analogy that Museveni is not loved by the Islamic community.  The Kololo event a...

Dr. Khanakwa Sarah Bwayo has  Vowed To Run For Woman MP For Namisindwa In 2026 General elections. Currently, Sarah Netalisire is the woman Member of Parliament, representing the people of Namisindwa District and talks have it that she is retiring from politics and is expected to support Dr. Khanakwa to replace her  WHO IS SHE Dr Khanakwa? Dr Khanakwa Sarah Bwayo is a humble Ugandan woman passionate about poverty eradication. Born in Buwasunguyi, Bupoto, Namisindwa district, she is vying for the position of Woman mp Namisindwa district, to be part of the change agents for a brighter Namisindwa. Namisindwa district is located in the southern part of Bugisu, bordering Kenya. This district has faced a series of development challenges. And clearly, Dr Khanakwa who is currently working as head of resource mobilization at the Uganda AIDS Commission (under the Office of the President) has come at a time when Namisindwa needs a youthful and strategic leader. Holding a portfolio of reso...

NUP President Robert Kyagulanyi has suspended Nyendo Mukungwe MP Mathias Mpuuga from the position of Deputy President. Kyagulanyi has also recommended to National Executive Committee of the party to investigate Mpuuga of engaging in a Ugx 500 bribery plot. The decision was reached at on Thursday. A letter, signed by the Party President, Robert Kyagulanyi, also known as Bobi Wine was sent to Mpuuga communicating the matter. According to Kyagulanyi, Mpuuga failed to satisfactorily convince the leadership at Makerere – Kavule on not engaging in any wrong doing when the Parliamentary Commission awarded him with a Ugx 500 million service award. The commission in 2022 sat and agreed to award each commissioner Ugx 400 and the Leader of Opposition Ugx 500 for their two and a half tenure as members of the Parliamentary Commission. NUP rejected the award upon notice, during the Uganda Parliamentary Exhibition and termed as such as a bribe. The team also asked Mpuuga to resign as Parliamentary Co...

Dr Abed Bwanika has petitioned the Chief opposition Whip to convene a meeting of the Party organs to debate and adopt the party's position on Homosexuality. In a letter dated 25 the March, the Kimanya-Kabonera MP expressed concerns that the Party leader has made statements supporting Homosexuality and has been sighted severally cosing with known Homosexuals and organisations. Detail 👇

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has launched Salaam Bank, Uganda's first ever licensed Islamic Banking institution. Islamic banking is a form of banking based on Islamic principles. Basically, in Islamic banking it is not allowed to pay and receive interest but rather it is based on profit sharing. Islamic banks focus on generating returns on investments through investment tools that are “Sharia” compliant. The President launched the bank today during Ramathan dua prayers organised by the Office of the National Chairman-NRM at Kololo Ceremonial Grounds.  Speaking during the event, President Museveni wished the Muslims a fruitful Ramathan and prayed that God protects them.  He also reiterated his call to believers to make sure that they take part in income-generating activities to improve their livelihoods.  “Where I come from in Ntungamo, we don't entertain laziness. As a norm on that side, every person must have what he/she does like rearing animals, growing crops, fish...

Commissioner Mathias Mpuuga:"Yesterday morning, I addressed the media on the state of affairs in our party. Attached hereunder is my PRESS STATEMENT  Colleagues, I come to you this morning after days of silence and meditation to address two issues on my next plan in the fight for total liberation of our country.  Questions and speculations have been on as to whether, where and when I am going. I wish to state that, I am a founder member of NUP where I serve as a Deputy President. I am not leaving the party I founded and I’m not doing anything that destroys a young party I participated in establishing with conscience and conviction. At least I’m not yet moved to that level. Secondly I have seen a copy of letter circulating on social media. The owner of the copy is visible from the bottom. The letter is addressed to the Rt. Hon. Speaker of Parliament and I’m only informed of the contents by copy. I will not respond thereto, save to restate my position as communicated to the part...

"For clarity, when we communicated to Parliament our decision to withdraw the mandate we had given Hon. Mathias Mpuuga to represent us as a Commissioner, we were aware that Ms. Anita Among would seek to protect him like she has previously done.  Just this past weekend, president Museveni praised her for having brought (read bought) many opposition leaders to him. In any case, the Parliamentary Commission meeting that illegally and immorally allocated the 500 million shillings to Hon. Mpuuga. Our communication, therefore, intended to achieve three objectives: 1. To be on record and officially communicate to Parliament our disapproval of corruption and abuse of office; 2. To reaffirm that given the facts available now, Hon. Zaake Francis remains our legitimate representative on the Parliamentary Commission as he was unconstitutionally removed from that role; and 3. To ensure that when the Parliamentary Commission engages in more forms of ................ as it surely will, no wrongd...

Hon. Mathias Mpuuga, the commissioner of parliament The former leader of opposition in parliament and current commissioner of parliament representing the National Unity Platform party, Hon. Mathias Mpuuga has vowed not to step down as the commissioner of parliament amidst the ongoing pressure inserted on him by National Unity Platform’s leadership led by his president Hon. Robert Kyagulanyi Sentamu. Addressing parliamentary press today at Parliament, Mpuuga hit back at his critics within the party and assured them how he won’t bend towards their call in a party he laid hands for it’s success. “I wish to state that, I am a founder member of NUP where I serve as a Deputy President. I am not leaving the party I founded and I’m not doing anything that destroys a young party I participated in establishing with conscience and conviction. At least I’m not yet moved to that level.” Said Mpuuga Mpuuga made the remarks on Tuesday, just hours after his party, the National Unity Platform, made pub...

The Ministry of ICT and National Guidance, in collaboration with the Internal Security Organization (ISO), is pioneering initiatives to refine the approach to government communication in Uganda. This partnership is key to ensuring that the actions and priorities of the Ugandan government are communicated effectively, aiming to positively impact the citizenry's quality of life. During a retreat in Moroto on March 19, 2024, Dr. Aminah Zawedde, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance, highlighted the significance of collaborative effort among government communicators. She stated, "To reach out and effectively inform the various audiences about the government’s endeavors, it’s crucial that we operate not as isolated entities but in a concerted manner." The agenda of the retreat revolved around modernizing government communications to match the pace of technological advancement and to utilize these developments for public benefit. Objectives includ...

  After being dropped last week as a minister of Karamoja, Mary Minister Goretti Kitutu is yet to get another challenge, as a state house official moves to expose their dirty Goat dubious deal. Our informers have confirmed  to us that war between Kitutu and her former political assistant, who now works in the state house has deepened.  Keffa Mafumo, was once Kitutu's Political assistant before landing the juice job in the state house.  What you need to Know:  Kitutu is battling corruption cases in court, pending judgement.  Earlier last year, Minister Kitutu and other government officials were accused of mismanaging Karamoja Iron sheets, which led to loss of government funds.  Our sources confirmed to us that Keffa is the one who leaked the to state house Anti-corruption unity in regards with what Kitutu had looted from the office of the prime Minister.  How it started:  According to info on our desk, Over 14bn shillings was released in the S...

Mbale, once renowned as the cleanest town in East and Central Africa from the late 1960s to the 1990s, has faced significant challenges in recent years. Sewerage lanes overflow, garbage piles up, and road infrastructure deteriorates, barring smooth access for residents, especially those in outlying areas like Namatala, Nauyo, Mooni, and more. In response to the pressing need, Honorable Karim Masaba, Member of Parliament for the Industrial City Division and Chairperson of the Roads Committee in Mbale City, initiated a garbage clearance campaign.  Prompted by calls from area councilor Honorable Izaya Yakub and distressed residents, Masaba swiftly collaborated with Mbale City Council and Mayor Cassim Namugali to tackle the mounting garbage crisis. Masaba provided 250 liters of fuel for the garbage clearing operation, while the city council deployed trucks and machinery for efficient waste removal.

After scooping bronze in the just concluded Africa games in Ghana, Uganda's Under 20 Women's National team players were sent back to their homes Empty Handed.  The nation landed in Uganda on Friday of this week from Ghana.  According to an insider, the team was taken to a hotel in Kampala, where they spent 2 days and only given 100k as transport to their respective homes.  This annoyed most of the players who went back home complaining.  WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW : Uganda’s U20 Women’s National team, the Queen Cranes on Thursday last week secured the bronze medal in women’s football after a heart-stopping clash against Senegal at the Africa games in Ghana. Despite facing formidable challenges along the road to the bronze medal match, the resilient Ugandan team showcased their determination and skill, ultimately emerging victorious in a dramatic penalty shootout. The journey to the bronze medal match was marked by adversity for the Queen Cranes, who faced a tough defeat i...

It's a deadly war......Nup officials, members and supporters are questioning Bobi wine.."where is diaspora money u have been collecting since 2021???? Nup officially have become worried about how Bobi wine brothers & Sisters have quickly built mega houses....one vocal Mp was heard saying..where do they get all that money?? What is the known source of the money??? One Mp...went further to say that Bobi wine is using imprisoned Nup supporters to solicit money from the diaspora....and he doesn't want them released. Nup house is burning over accountability.......and family rule over party. Alot is yet to be revealed by disgruntled Members.

Office  Of the National Chairperson (ONC) boss, SPA/PA Hajjat Hadijah Namyalo Uzeiye has received a donation of Ten (10) tons of maize seeds from Mrs Rose Kabagyenyi, Senior Presidential Advisor Agriculture matters under state house . The handover happened the 25th/4/2024, at the ONC headquarters in Kyambogo Kampala. In her remarks, Hajjat thank Kabagyenyi for the donation saying it is a timely to the campaign to empower the youth in Uganda. Explaining why she donated the maize seeds, Kabangyenyi said she had been inspired by Hajjat Hadijah's efforts to boost household incomes of especially the youth and women across the country. The donation came from her office.

In a bid to bolster digital development and innovation, Uganda proudly hosted a three-day validation workshop at the Golf Course Hotel in Kampala. The event, titled "Validation Workshop of the Policy and Regulatory Frameworks for Optical Fibre Infrastructure under the Enhancement of Governance and Enabling Environment Programme," drew esteemed delegates from various regional economic communities, international organizations, and government representatives. Led by Mr. Leonard Chitundu, the COMESA Secretariat representative, and attended by delegates from Member States of Eastern Africa, Southern Africa, and the Indian Ocean, the workshop aimed to review and refine policy and regulatory frameworks for optical fibre infrastructure development. The Permanent Secretary Ministry of ICT and National Guidance Dr. Aminah Zawedde highlighted government's commitment to digital development as a priority area for driving prosperity and economic growth. "From a global perspective,...

    Nigeria's President Bola Tinubu has announced a three-month travel ban on all cabinet members and government officials.  Tinubu's Chief of Staff, Femi Bajabiamila, said the move stemmed from the president's concern over the increase in the cost of government officials traveling abroad.  The new ban will come into effect from April 1.  Frequent foreign trips by President Tinubu and officials of his administration have been widely criticized in the country.  Tinubu has traveled abroad at least 15 times since he was sworn in as president in May last year.  The Nigerian president has spent at least 3.4 billion naira (about $2.2 million) on domestic and foreign travel in the first six months of his term in office, more than 36 percent of the total annual budget for his 2023 tour, according to a report in the country's Punch newspaper last January.  .  Femi Bajabiamila said the travel ban would reduce the cost of Nigeria's current economic chal...

  Dr. Aminah Zawedde, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of ICT & National  Guidance recently hosted an Iftar dinner at the Ministry's headquarters, gathering  influential leaders from the Muslim communities. The event, aligned with the  observance of Ramadan, saw the participation of imams, community leaders, youth  activists, and other notable figures.  Muslim faithful across the globe are currently observing Ramadan, a sacred period  dedicated to fasting, prayer, reflection, and community. Fasting during this month is  regarded as one of the five pillars of Islam, underscoring its spiritual and communal  significance. The Iftar dinner at the Ministry of ICT headquarters was not just an occasion for breaking  the day's fast but also a profound opportunity for fostering dialogue and strengthening  ties among various religious and community groups. The event highlighted the Ministry’s  commitment to promoting inclusivi...

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has defended the Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Anita Annet Among against those attacking her on social media over alleged corruption and irrational expenditure of Parliament.  For weeks now, the Speaker has been in the limelight over alleged misappropriation of funds by Parliament. This has been done through social media under the hashtag Uganda Parliament Exhibition.  “I have been hearing some people attacking her and other MPs. These young MPs, most of them are learners, they come from the university and because of democracy, they are elected. Sometimes, they may be excited, get loans and get into debts. Sometimes they make other mistakes but within the NRM, we always get together and see how we help out people and help them out of the mistakes they may be involved in,” President Museveni said.  The President made the remarks today while addressing the residents of Bukedea at Emokor Grounds. The address came hot on the heels of his com...