FREEMAN NEWS-UG

Bugisu Members of Parliament have resolved to engage the two factions claiming leadership of Bakuka of Inzu Iya Basaba in a bid to peacefully resolve the ongoing cultural dispute ahead of the 2026 Imbalu circumcision ceremony. The initiative is being spearheaded by the Bugisu Parliamentary Caucus, led by its Chairperson, Hon. Godfrey Wakooli Matembu, who is also the Member of Parliament for Butiru County in Manafwa District. The decision follows growing concerns among legislators over the cultural leadership wrangle and its potential impact on preparations for the Imbalu ceremony scheduled for 1st August 2026. The MPs, who met during the ongoing four-day induction seminar for Members of the 12th Parliament at Speke Resort Munyonyo, stressed that the matter should be addressed through dialogue to safeguard unity and preserve the cultural values of the Bamasaaba people. The caucus agreed to hold consultations with both sides claiming the position of Bakuka of Inzu Iya Basaba, together wi...

The Bugisu Parliamentary Caucus has stepped in to defuse growing cultural tensions ahead of the Imbalu circumcision ceremony, resolving to engage key stakeholders to prevent violence and preserve unity in the region. The meeting, chaired by Mr Godfrey Wakooli Matembu MP Butiru County in Manafwa district, brought together legislators attending the ongoing four-day induction seminar for Members of the 12th Parliament at Speke Resort Munyonyo. The legislators expressed concern over the dispute surrounding Buguga and preparations for Imbalu ceremony of 1st August 2026, warning that the standoff should not be allowed to undermine the region's cherished cultural heritage. The caucus resolved to hold consultations with cultural leaders and other key stakeholders to find an amicable solution to the impasse and avert any bloodshed in the Bugisu sub-region. In a phone interview with Bugisu intellectual media,  Julius Nakiyi MP for Budadiri East constituency in Sironko district described Imba...

Kampala, Uganda – In a strategic move aimed at revitalizing government-media relations, the Minister of ICT and National Guidance, Rt. Hon. Justine Lumumba, alongside the Minister of State for National Guidance, Hon. Alioni Odira, and Permanent Secretary Dr. Azawedde, today conducted a comprehensive familiarisation and engagement visit to the Uganda Media Centre. The high-profile delegation was received at the Media Centre as part of a series of ongoing visits by the ministers to key entities under the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance sector.  The engagement centered on three critical pillars: strengthening coordination between government ministries and media houses, enhancing strategic communication frameworks, and improving the overall dissemination of public information to citizens. Rt. Hon. Justine Lumumba emphasized the importance of a well-coordinated media ecosystem in advancing national development goals. “Effective communication is the backbone of good governance,” ...

In a landmark development that is set to reshape Kampala’s hospitality landscape, the Member of Parliament for Budadiri East Hon. Nakiyi Julius has successfully brought a massive new hotel project to the brink of completion.   The impressive multi-storey structure, now dominating the skyline along Lukuli Road in the upscale Buziga-Munyonyo area, stands as a testament to local investment and ambition. Hon. [MP’s Name], through his official X (formerly Twitter) account, shared the exciting update with his followers and the public: “We thank God who has enabled us to bring the construction of Rosewood Hotel Kampala to near close. We are now waiting for furniture to open. We count on your support as prospective clients. Located in Buziga -Munyonyo area along Lukuli Road. This is a sister hotel to Mbale Rosewood Hotel.” The post quickly gained traction, drawing congratulatory messages and expressions of interest from potential clients and residents eager to experience the new facil...

KAPCHORWA – A high-level monitoring team led by the Resident District Commissioner (RDC), Mr. Bayole Stanley, has conducted a joint site inspection to assess the ongoing construction of the Kapchorwa District Administration Block. The monitoring exercise aimed to evaluate the progress, quality, and structural integrity of the project as it transitions into its next critical phase. The inspection brought together key district technical and political leaders to ensure total accountability. The monitoring team included: The Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), The LCV Chairperson,The Procurement Officer, The Chief Finance Officer (CFO),The Natural Resources Officer, The Engineering Department, led by the District Engineer and The Project Contractor. The construction, which is currently in its fourth phase, has hit a major milestone. The ground floorwhich cost  UGX 400 million is now fully completed. With the foundation and initial level successfully secured, the contractor is now prep...

Samia Bugwe – The National Resistance Movement National  Treasurer, Hon Ambassador Barbara Nekesa Oundo has thrown her full support behind community empowerment initiatives, delivering powerful remarks during a thanksgiving celebration hosted by Hon. Richard Wanyama Hamala over the weekend. Speaking at the colorful event, Amb. Nekesa praised the Member of Parliament for Samia Bugwe Central Constituency for his commitment to uplifting the local community. She emphasized the importance of collaborative efforts between leaders and citizens in driving sustainable development and empowerment programs across the district. “Community empowerment is not just a slogan — it is the foundation for lasting progress,” Amb. Nekesa is reported to have said. She called on residents to actively participate in development projects, urging unity among political, religious, and community leaders to tackle local challenges and seize emerging opportunities. The thanksgiving celebration, hosted by Hon. Ri...

𝘔𝘰𝘯𝘥𝘢𝘺, 29𝘵𝘩 𝘑𝘶𝘯𝘦, 2026 𝘉𝘺 𝘜𝘸𝘢 𝘏𝘦𝘻𝘳𝘰𝘯. On Saturday, the Member of Parliament for Bungokho South Constituency, 𝙃𝙤𝙣. 𝙒𝙤𝙠𝙪𝙧𝙞 𝙂𝙚𝙤𝙛𝙧𝙚𝙮, held his maiden strategic meeting with constituency coordinators drawn from across the constituency to chart a clear roadmap for effective representation and improved service delivery. Addressing the meeting, Hon. Wokuri expressed his heartfelt appreciation to the coordinators for their unwavering commitment, sacrifice and hard work that contributed to his resounding victory in the recent elections. He acknowledged that, beyond the officially appointed coordinators, many volunteers from villages and parishes selflessly mobilized support and facilitated his campaigns without expecting any reward. He pledged to honour the trust placed in him by delivering the leadership and development that the people voted for. "𝘐 𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘤𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘭𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘬 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘦𝘰𝘱𝘭𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘉𝘶𝘯𝘨𝘰𝘬𝘩𝘰 𝘚𝘰𝘶𝘵𝘩 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘰𝘷...

Residents of Bumakika Trading Centre in Bushiende can finally celebrate after a new electricity transformer was installed, ending six months without reliable power. The transformer developed a fault in January and repeated efforts by the community to have it replaced had yielded no results.  Last week, the residents sought the intervention of their Members of Parliament, 𝙃𝙤𝙣. 𝙒𝙤𝙠𝙪𝙧𝙞 𝙂𝙚𝙤𝙛𝙧𝙚𝙮 and 𝙃𝙤𝙣. 𝙈𝙞𝙧𝙞𝙖𝙢 𝙈𝙪𝙠𝙝𝙖𝙮𝙚. The two leaders joined residents and engaged the UEDCL Regional Office in Mbale, where they met the Regional Manager. Following their intervention, UEDCL promptly released a new transformer, which has now been installed to restore electricity to the area. Grateful residents praised the two MPs for their teamwork, commitment and responsive leadership. "Today we have witnessed leaders of action, not just words. We are grateful that we made the right choice and we pledge our continued support," some residents remarked. After overseeing ...

The Member of Parliament for Butiru County in Manafwa District, Hon. Godfrey Wakooli Matembu, has donated UGX 4 million towards the completion of St. Paul Catholic Church Khatsonga in Bukhadala Sub-county. Hon. Wakooli made the contribution after the church leadership appealed for support to help complete the ongoing construction works, which require more than UGX 20 million. The construction of the new church was started following the increasing number of Christians in Khatsonga, which had created challenges for worshippers accessing church services.  Previously, some Christians were forced to travel to Busumbu to attend prayers. According to Kafali Stephen, the church chairperson, the growing population in Khatsonga created a need for a bigger and more accessible place of worship within the community. He explained that the church building is still incomplete, with no plastering, windows, or doors, and the church has struggled to raise enough funds to finish the remaining works. K...

Uganda – In a dramatic escalation of tensions, heavily armed soldiers from the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) surrounded the premises of two of Uganda’s leading independent media houses early Sunday morning, enforcing a direct shutdown order issued by General Muhoozi Kainerugaba. Witnesses described scenes of chaos and fear as military vehicles blocked all entrances to the Daily Monitor compound in Namuwongo and the Nation Media Group-owned NTV studios in Bukoto. Soldiers in full combat gear, some wielding tear gas canisters and batons, prevented staff from entering or leaving the buildings, while power and internet lines to both outlets were reportedly cut. The move follows General Muhoozi’s late-night statement on X (formerly Twitter), in which he accused the two media organizations of “peddling treasonous lies and inciting chaos against the state.” Sources close to the General’s office claim the order was triggered by recent coverage of alleged corruption scandals within the ...

Nabumali, Uganda – Bungokho Central Member of Parliament Hon. Masaba Muhamood has issued a strong warning to white foreigners operating a retirement home in Nabumali Town Council, accusing them of interfering in local affairs and “colonising” his constituents. The MP made the remarks while addressing a gathering at Nabumali Town Council offices, where he was the guest of honour. The meeting was attended by the District Police Commander (DPC), Regional Police Commander (RPC), LC3 chairpersons, councillors, GISOs, and other stakeholders. Masaba demanded that the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) return all music systems confiscated from bars and malwa points in Nyondo Sub-county and Nabumali Town Council unconditionally.  He argued that NEMA failed to adequately sensitise the community before carrying out the operation.He accused several area leaders of siding with the foreigners to terrorise local residents for personal gain.  Those named include Nyondo GISO Nyon...

Munyonyo, Uganda — The Uganda Printing and Publishing Corporation (UPPC) has achieved a remarkable financial turnaround, posting a profit before tax of UGX 7.27 billion in the first seven months of the 2025/26 financial year.  This strong performance was highlighted during the UPPC Board Retreat at Speke Resort Munyonyo, where Minister for the Presidency Hon. Babirye Milly Babalanda commended the leadership of Prof. Suudi Nangoli.  The announcement marks a dramatic recovery for the state-owned enterprise, which had previously struggled with losses, governance challenges, and operational inefficiencies. In FY 2022/23, UPPC recorded a loss of UGX 3.06 billion. Under the new leadership, it swung to a UGX 1.2 billion profit in FY 2023/24 and UGX 1.4 billion in FY 2024/25, setting the stage for the current year’s impressive results.  Minister Babalanda attributed the success to decisive intervention by President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, who appointed a new Board chaired by Mr. ...

The Ministry of Information and Communication Technology and National Guidance is in the final stages of developing the National Guidance Policy, which officials say will serve as a framework for shaping Uganda’s national vision, values and collective identity. The ministry is currently traversing different regions of the country to gather views and input from stakeholders, which will be incorporated into the final draft before it is submitted to Cabinet for approval. According to ministry officials, the policy is intended to provide direction on how citizens, institutions and leaders can work together to build a cohesive society anchored on patriotism, integrity and productivity. Ismail Kibedi, the Principal National Guidance Officer at the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance, said the policy has been in development for a long time and is now nearing completion. He noted that government has been grappling with social contradictions, particularly corruption, despite ongoing intervent...

Abdallah Difee, the NRM Chairperson for Sironko Town Council, has been elected unopposed as the overall chairperson of the 42 NRM sub-county chairpersons in Sironko District. Difee was elected on Tuesday during a meeting he convened and fully funded at Sironko Town Council Hall, bringing together NRM sub-county leaders from across the district following the party's recent general elections. Other members elected to the executive committee include Boniface Mugamba as Vice Chairperson, Mubayi Nazalasi Job of Bukulo Sub-county as General Secretary, Godfrey Wandoba of Bukyabi Sub-county as Finance Secretary, and Ali Wolude of Buwalasi Sub-county as Publicity Secretary. Committee members include Madoi Charles, Mwambu Situwati, James Mungawu, and Wazara Robert. In his acceptance speech, Difee thanked God for the new responsibility, saying leadership comes from God and that he was humbled by the trust placed in him. “I am grateful for the confidence you have shown in me. I am not the best...

DNA results released at Naguru Police Headquarters have confirmed that out of 25 individuals who claimed to be children of the late Kadongo Kamu legend Paul Kafeero, only 4 have been verified as biological children. The confirmed children are: Kafeero Bendicto, Kafeero Simon Peter, Kafeero Thomas, and Nagawa Elizabeth (in the picture). The exercise was overseen by Minister Balaam Barugahar, alongside officials from the Police Forensic Directorate and the Government Analytical Laboratory, including Director Andrew Mubiru and Kepher Kuchana Kateu. The forensic process was conducted to resolve long-standing paternity claims involving individuals who had come forward over the years claiming lineage to the late musician.

Arusha, Tanzania — In a significant boost to regional digital integration, Dr. Aminah Zawedde, Permanent Secretary of Uganda’s Ministry of ICT and National Guidance, is representing Uganda at the high-level Jumuiya Digital for Development (D4D) Forum 2026, currently underway in Arusha, Tanzania. The forum, convened by the East African Community (EAC), has drawn policymakers, regulators, central bankers, tech entrepreneurs, and development partners to chart practical pathways for accelerating the region’s digital economyUganda’s Digital Powerhouse Dr. Aminah Zawedde Leads Charge for East Africa’s Tech Revolution at D4D Forum 2026.  Key focus areas include e-commerce and digital trade, seamless cross-border payments, bankable digital projects and partnerships, as well as e-government services and regional digital solutions. Participants are exploring strategies to strengthen regional integration, reduce barriers to digital trade, and unlock inclusive growth opportunities across the ...