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Lira, Uganda |Ahead of President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni’s campaign rally at Lira Golf Course on 6 October, UPC supporters and local leaders have publicly endorsed the NRM government, citing its achievements in infrastructure, education, and socio-economic development in Lango subregion. Patrick Okwir Jaramoga, a long-time UPC supporter, on Friday 3 October, said that despite his party affiliation, he trusted President Museveni due to the government’s consistent delivery of key projects. He cited the revamp of the Rwekunyu-Apac-Acholi Bur road, the establishment of Lira University, and Akii Bua construction as examples of the administration responding to local demands. Jimmy Awany Cingmalu, a UPC member and an independent candidate for Lira City West parliamentary race, noted a growing trend of UPC supporters backing the NRM, referencing the 2016 and 2021 elections when the UPC President Jimmy Akena Obote did not contest and UPC members overwhelmingly supported Museveni. He said the same pattern is emerging ahead of the 2026 election. Lira District Woman MP and NRM Chairperson Linda Agnes Auma highlighted that the NRM government has overseen significant socio-economic transformation, with many households rising above the poverty line. She pointed to improved road networks, enhanced trade through upgraded highways, and agricultural initiatives such as the planned multi-purpose mechanisation centre in Agwata Town Council, Dokolo District, aimed at boosting productivity across Lango. Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng, Health Minister, Lira City Woman MP, and NRM Chairperson noted government efforts to expand electricity access in rural areas, leveraging power generated from Karuma. She added that health centers are being upgraded to support regional referral hospitals, and clean drinking water initiatives are being prioritized in peri-urban areas, including Burlobo and Akia. She emphasized that peace and security have improved in the region, enabling safe travel at night and supporting initiatives like Lango cattle compensation. President Museveni officially launched his Lango campaign on 1 October in Amolatar before proceeding to Dokolo later that day. His itinerary continued with visits to Otuke and Alebtong on 2 October, Apac and Kwania on 3 October, while Kole and Lira on 6 October, and Oyam District on 7 October, after which he is scheduled to continue his campaign in West Nile. Source

Iganga, Uganda | A tense standoff unfolded on Friday October 3, as Uganda Police blocked National Unity Platform (NUP) presidential candidate Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu from holding a campaign rally in Iganga Municipality, sparking accusations of selective enforcement and threats to campaign freedom. The NUP leadership said security agencies were deliberately frustrating their campaign trail in the Busoga subregion. Party Secretary General David Lewis Rubongoya described the incident as a violation of the party’s constitutional rights, emphasizing that Kyagulanyi had the right to campaign in all constituencies across Uganda. Rubongoya said the party had been blocked from campaigning in Iganga and that, like other candidates, they were entitled to campaign in every constituency. Kyagulanyi had earlier expressed concerns during a rally in Mayuge, claiming that security forces were intentionally directing his campaign to rural areas in an attempt to weaken his mobilization, a tactic he said was not yielding the desired effect. In response, the Uganda Police Force issued a press release denying intentional obstruction. Authorities explained that Kyagulanyi and his team were scheduled to campaign in Mayuge and Iganga, and while the Mayuge rally went ahead as planned, the candidate’s team diverted from the agreed route to Iganga’s Namungale Grounds. Police stated that the convoy encountered roadblocks on this alternative route and maintained that officers had advised them to follow designated routes to ensure safety and maintain public order. According to police, the NUP team ignored these instructions and opted for the diversion. The police added that the team eventually headed to Jinja City and cancelled their campaign in Iganga, urging all candidates to adhere to security guidelines to ensure smooth and peaceful campaigns. Eyewitnesses reported that Kyagulanyi’s convoy was intercepted at Baale Trading Center by a joint roadblock mounted by police and UPDF officers. Supporters gathered in anticipation of the rally, prompting tension at the scene. Kyagulanyi addressed the crowd briefly, asking supporters to remain calm and not confront security personnel. He emphasized that despite the obstruction, the campaign was not weakening and that his team remained determined to reach supporters. He also said that he intended to petition the Electoral Commission, claiming that security agencies were selectively blocking his movement while allowing other candidates to campaign freely. Despite the disruption, Kyagulanyi assured the people of Iganga that he would return before the end of the campaign period. The NUP team retreated peacefully to Jinja City, where they planned to resume rallies in Bugiri and Namayingo districts on Saturday. Source

Lira, Uganda | The Vice Chancellor of Lira University, Prof. Jasper Ogwal Okeng has urged university staff and students to embrace business ventures alongside their academic and professional work as a way to secure financial stability and reduce the risk of poverty in retirement. Prof. Ogwal Okeng made the remarks on October 2 while addressing the 22nd Public Lecture on the NSSF Hi-Innovator Foundation Course, held at the Public Health Board Room. The session was moderated by Adong Juliet and featured presentations from Olweny Denish Sam and Ahabwe Godwin. The Vice Chancellor cautioned against relying solely on salaries, emphasising the need for a cultural shift in how knowledge is applied. He advised staff to translate their skills and academic expertise into business opportunities, stressing that practical application of knowledge could provide additional income and long-term security. He also urged students to take up income-generating activities to ease the financial burden on their parents. He explained that it was important to begin planning for retirement early in order to avoid financial struggles in old age. According to him, engaging in small businesses while still studying would not only supplement parental support but also build resilience for the future. Prof. Ogwal Okeng criticised Uganda’s colonial-era education model, which he said had focused too much on rote learning and theory without instilling practical skills. He noted that the current trend was shifting towards practical application and encouraged both staff and students to embrace this approach. During the lecture, Ahabwe Godwin of Associate Challenges Uganda outlined several viable business opportunities in the country. He highlighted agribusiness ventures such as poultry, dairy, crop farming, and food processing, as well as service-based opportunities including cleaning, mobile money, event planning, and tutoring. He also mentioned retail businesses such as apparel, hardware, and food products, in addition to technology-driven ventures like online retail, digital marketing, and graphic design. He explained that leveraging local resources, addressing market demand, and investing in areas such as food processing, textiles, and digital solutions could lead to profitable enterprises. Olweny Denish elaborated on the objectives of the NSSF Hi-Innovator Business Foundational Course, describing it as an intensive online programme designed to address critical business gaps that hinder growth. He said the course covers modules on personal development, evaluating products and services, building effective teams, and implementing strategies for growth. He explained that the course is flexible, allowing participants to complete it at their own pace before applying for financial support. He added that institutions such as Lira University could apply to join the Enterprise Support Organisation (ESO) group, which provides refinancing opportunities for ongoing business initiatives. According to him, NSSF offers equity grants to enterprising businesses after conducting thorough appraisals and due diligence through its Business Development Team. Dr. Laury Ocen, a senior lecturer at Lira University, welcomed the initiative, describing it as an opportunity that bridges academic theory with real-life practice. He expressed the university’s appreciation for the programme and called on NSSF to extend financial support to staff and students already engaged in business. He further advised that those seeking support should prepare adequately for accelerator opportunities, which he said would allow entrepreneurs to upgrade their skills and position their ventures for growth. He concluded that the lecture had given participants a clearer understanding of practical realities beyond the classroom. Source

The Spirit of Owiny Akullo Weeps: Will Lango Rise Together or Sink Alone? By Dr. Bob M. Achura The waters have come again to Lango. But this time they do not bring the promise of abundance, they bring only devastation, displacement, and despair. As I write, more than 40,000 households across our beloved sub-region are displaced. Their lives are shattered like clay pots dropped on stone. In Dokolo, 15,430 souls wander homeless. In Kwania, over 12,000 families clutch at what little they salvaged. In Otuke, 8,500 households watch their futures wash away with the floods. And yet, inexplicably, the corridors of power echo with the sound of business as usual. Where is the Lango that once made the earth tremble with collective action? Where are the descendants of Owiny Akullo, the paramount chief who stood as a giant among his people from 1845 to 1947? This was the leader who forged historic alliances with Omukama Kabalega of Bunyoro, a friendship so deep that Kabalega named his son Tito Owiny in his honor. Our ancestors understood what leadership meant: standing with your people when storms raged, not disappearing into air-conditioned offices while constituents sleep under the stars. Today, as floodwaters devastate nine districts, our political, technical, and cultural leaders have chosen silence. The cries of displaced families have become background noise. The destruction of homes, crops, and livelihoods is treated as someone else’s responsibility. Worse still, our district memoranda, which should carry the desperate pleas of our people to the center, whisper almost nothing about rehabilitation or flood recovery. Have we forgotten that the first duty of leadership is not to oneself, but to those who depend on you for protection? As fate would have it, the President himself is in Lango this week, on what reports suggest is his first major campaign engagement with our people. He is the fountain of honor, the man with the constitutional power to declare emergencies and mobilize national resources in hours. But even he cannot give what has not been asked for. Leadership flows in two directions: those who would receive must also know how to ask; those who would lead must also know how to hear. We have seen emergency interventions in other parts of Uganda when leaders carried their people’s voices with urgency. Yet you cannot pour water into a broken vessel, and you cannot answer a cry that is never raised. The rising waters of Lake Kwania and Lake Kyoga have exposed more than flooded homes. They have exposed the erosion of our collective spirit. The Lango of old would have moved as one body when disaster struck. Clan leaders would have mobilized. District chairpersons would have camped at ministerial offices. Members of Parliament would have transformed sessions into emergency assemblies for their people. Instead, today we see silence. Our people suffer as representatives discuss everything except the floods that consume their communities. Cultural leaders remain muted, forgetting that leadership is not a title to be worn, but a burden to be carried. The result is heartbreaking. Families that once fed the nation now face food insecurity. Children who should be in school wander displaced camps. Mothers who once sang lullabies now weep over ruined homes. Fathers who built livelihoods with their bare hands stand with empty palms, watching their labor dissolve beneath the floods. The spirit of Owiny Akullo calls to us: true leadership means standing tall when the waters rise, not seeking higher ground while others drown. We are not asking for charity, we are demanding accountability. We are not seeking handouts, we are calling for leadership. The Constitution of Uganda makes it clear: the protection of citizens and their property is not a favor; it is an obligation. To our political leaders, your silence is complicity. Every day you fail to raise the alarm for 40,000 displaced households, you betray your oath of office. To our technical officers, expertise without action is empty. The floods are not just data points; they are human lives unraveling before your eyes. To our cultural leaders, you are guardians of our conscience. Silence in the face of suffering is nothing less than surrender. And to His Excellency the President, your visit to Lango must not be remembered for promises, but for action. You can turn this tragedy into a story of responsive governance, if our leaders give you the chance. In the vacuum of leadership, it has fallen upon the people themselves to rise. The Dokolo North Community Initiative (DNCI), a community-based, non-profit organization founded and championed by sons and daughters of Dokolo district both at home and abroad, led by Prof. Constant Okello Obura, has chosen to act. Hearing the cries of parents, siblings, and elders in dire need, DNCI has launched a flagship fundraising and advocacy Marathon event under the theme: “Running for Resilience: Rebuilding Lives Beyond the Floods.” And Corporate Charity Dance; scheduled for 6th December, 2025, in Lira city. This initiative seeks to mobilize national solidarity and resources to support flood-affected households in Dokolo North and beyond, families who otherwise risk being forgotten in silence. The waters will recede. The floods will pass. But history will remember how we responded when our people needed us most. Will we be the generation that rediscovered the spirit of Owiny Akullo and rose as one to defend our people? Or will history write us down as the leaders who let Lango drown in silence? The choice is ours. The waters are still rising. God save Lango. But first, let Lango save itself. Source

Lira, Uganda | Police in North Kyoga Region have recovered household property stolen from the home of a resident in Lira City West Division, following a burglary that occurred on the night of 30 September 2025. The victim, identified as Onyii Brian, reported the break-in to Lira City West Division Police. A joint team of detectives, canine handlers, and uniformed officers responded on 1 October 2025 at about 8:00am. Upon inspection of the scene, officers noted visible barefoot marks, prompting the deployment of a police dog. The canine tracked the scent through gardens, vegetation, and several homes before leading investigators to a grass-thatched house in Akolodong Cell, Amuca Ward, approximately two kilometres from the crime scene. A search was conducted at the premises, and officers recovered all the stolen items. The property included three plastic chairs (one blue and two light blue), one blue plastic table, a 32-inch Global Star television, a Golden Star 70-amp solar battery, one inverter, one wheelbarrow, a striped long-sleeve shirt and black cap, four circuit breakers and three bulbs, one extension cable, a television remote and wall mount, one bedsheet, three green plastic cups, a pair of curtains, two green carpets, one lamp holder, and a television box cover. The recovered items were transported to Lira City West Division Police Station as exhibits. Police said statements are being recorded, and a case file will be forwarded to the Resident Chief State Attorney (RCSA) for perusal and legal guidance. North Kyoga Regional Police Spokesperson, SP Patrick Jimmy Okema, confirmed the successful recovery and highlighted the role of the canine unit in combating burglary and theft. He said the unit has consistently supported operations by leading officers to recoveries and, in some cases, arresting suspects. SP Okema urged residents to report incidents promptly and preserve crime scenes to aid investigations. “Timely reporting and protection of evidence at crime scenes remain vital in helping police bring offenders to justice,” he stated. Police say they will continue strengthening community security operations in Lira City West Division and across the North Kyoga Region. Source

By Woo Chris Oyam, Uganda | The Ministry of Water and Environment has handed over seven construction sites in Oyam District worth UGX 3.18 billion under a European Union-funded project. The projects, which will be implemented by Kejatu Quality Services Ltd, include classrooms, dormitories, staff houses, girls’ changing rooms and toilets. The beneficiary schools are Abdallah Anyuru SS, Atapa West Primary School, Atapara SS, Amati Primary School, Dr Oryang SS and Minakulu Primary School. They are among 24 schools in Oyam set to benefit. During the handover, Oyam Deputy RDC Francis Behangana asked the contractor to ensure quality and timely completion. He also cautioned technical staff against misconduct in the communities. Oyam LC5 Vice Chairperson Christ Ongom warned the contractor against diverting funds, while District Works Secretary Brian Ogutu urged them to hire local labour and source materials within the district. Kejatu Quality Services director James Olwal pledged to deliver the works within the nine-month contract period. Dr Oryang SS headteacher, Christopher Oyeng, said the new facilities will improve accommodation and sanitation, noting that lack of dormitories had forced some students to transfer to other schools. The projects fall under the WASH and Infrastructure Facilities in Schools programme in Northern Uganda – Lot B. Source

Kampala, Uganda | Vipers Sports Club has announced that it will not participate in the newly introduced FUFA league format, citing lack of consultation, disregard of concerns, and threats to the integrity of the game. In a letter dated October 2, 2025, club president Dr. Lawrence Mulindwa said Vipers had raised several issues regarding the timing and appropriateness of the reforms during engagements with FUFA in August and September, but no formal response had ever been given. The club noted that instead of addressing the petitions, FUFA subjected them to ridicule, blackmail and rebuke on both mainstream and social media. Vipers expressed disappointment that FUFA had gone ahead to include them in the 2025/26 season fixtures and even advertised them for a double-header against Kitara FC this Saturday at Namboole Stadium without resolving their concerns. The club described the move as unethical, disrespectful, and a total disregard of the efforts of privately-owned clubs in developing Ugandan football. The Kitende-based side has now confirmed it will not feature in the scheduled fixture against Kitara FC or any further engagement under the new format until FUFA provides a formal response and resolution of the issues raised. According to Vipers, the reforms, if enforced without addressing their concerns, pose an existential threat to the club and undermine the integrity of the competition. Dr. Mulindwa stated that the club will continue to pursue lawful means within football regulations to protect its rights and seek justice as an independent and full FUFA member. Copies of the objection have also been shared with the Minister of Education and Sports, the National Council of Sports, the Uganda Premier League, sponsors, partners and fans. Source

Dokolo, Uganda | President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has pledged to tarmac the Dokolo–Amolatar road and strengthen development programmes in Lango Subregion as he addressed a large rally at Dokolo Technical School on Wednesday, 1 October 2025. The National Resistance Movement (NRM) presidential flagbearer for the 2026–2031 elections outlined his government’s record since 1986, citing restored peace, improved security, expanded electrification, and major road projects such as the Soroti–Lira–Kamdini and Rwenkunye–Lira–Puranga roads. He also promised upgrades to the Dokolo–Ochero–Amolatar, Lira–Alebtong–Otuke and Bobi–Loro roads, alongside an increase in Parish Development Model (PDM) funds to UGX 15 million per parish if re-elected. Museveni urged residents to embrace commercial agriculture and the money economy, warning that poverty would persist if families rely solely on subsistence farming. He gave the example of an engineer from Amolatar Okello who adopted his wealth creation message and now earns UGX 480 million annually. He further warned that any misuse of PDM funds should lead to exposure and arrest. The President encouraged communities to adopt fish farming instead of cultivating wetlands, saying it would provide a sustainable path to prosperity. He also emphasised cattle restocking, noting that the system of giving each household five cattle had been endorsed by cultural leaders in Lango and Teso. During the rally, Museveni formally handed the NRM flag to Joseph Jones Ogwal Omara (Dokolo North), Felix Okot Ogong (Dokolo South), James Otoo Apili (District Chairperson), and Janet Adongo Elau (District Woman MP). Speaker of Parliament Anita Among, who accompanied the President, commended him for maintaining peace and rehabilitating roads such as Soroti–Lira–Kamdini. She appealed to the people of Dokolo to vote overwhelmingly for Museveni in 2026. Geoffrey Opio Ekong, the NRM Chairperson for Dokolo District, pledged to deliver more than 85% of the district’s votes to Museveni and NRM candidates. Government Chief Whip and NRM Vice Chairperson for Northern Uganda, Denis Hamson Obua, said cultural leaders had already declared support for Museveni by handing him a shield symbolising unity. He pointed to three campaign pillars, peace, development, and wealth creation, arguing that only Museveni could guarantee them. He cited the defeat of insurgents and cattle rustlers in Lango, the establishment of Lira University, and ongoing projects such as Akii-Bua Stadium, Apac–Lira–Puranga road, and Soroti–Lira –Kamdini road. Joseph Jones Ogwal Omara, the Dokolo North flagbearer, said education in the district is facing a serious challenge, with only 1% of 10 learners progressing beyond primary school, implying that rest of the learners needs vocational training to cater to those unable to reach higher institutions, alongside addressing teenage pregnancies and land rights issues. He emphasised the importance of empowering cultural leaders to protect customary land and ensure vulnerable households secure titles. Ogwal said Museveni’s manifesto is clear and achievable, adding that he is confident of winning Dokolo North and securing more than 90% of the presidential vote in the constituency. Museveni launched his Lango campaign earlier in the day in Amolatar before heading to Dokolo. His itinerary continues to Otuke and Alebtong on 2 October, Apac and Kwania on 3 October, Kole and Lira on 6 October, and Oyam District on 7 October before moving on to West Nile. Source

Lira, Uganda | Police in Lira District are holding five people in connection with the mob killing of a 28-year-old man accused of stealing goats in Okeno Village, Agweng Sub-county. The deceased was identified as Otodi Solomon, a resident of Okeno Village in Angolocom Parish, according to North Kyoga regional police spokesperson SP Patrick Jimmy Okema. Police findings indicate that the incident happened at around 12:30am on October 1 when a resident, Ayugi Rose Ogwang, allegedly heard her goats making unusual noise. On checking, she discovered that two goats were missing and noticed a motorcycle speeding away. She raised an alarm which attracted residents who pursued the motorcycle. During the chase, one goat fell off and the owner confirmed it as hers. At about 5am, clan leaders of the Ogora clan reportedly arrested Otodi. They interrogated him and he allegedly confessed to stealing the goats, saying he had taken one of the animals to a man identified as Ayeni Sam of Alenga Village. The clan leaders, angered by his confession, beat him until he sustained serious injuries which later claimed his life. The LC1 chairperson of Okeno Village, Ocen Augustine, later reported the matter to Agweng Town Council Police Station where a case of mob action leading to murder was registered. Police said the scene of crime was visited and documented with the help of the Scene of Crime Officer (SOCO), and statements were recorded from relevant witnesses. The body of the deceased was conveyed to Lira Regional Referral Hospital mortuary for a postmortem examination. The suspects arrested to aid investigations include the goat owner, Ayugi Rose Ogwang, three clan leaders – Okec Martin, Otim Bosco, and Omara Santao – as well as the deceased’s father, Minyang Francis. Police described the incident as unfortunate and called on the public and clan leaders to respect the rule of law. They urged communities to report suspected criminals to the authorities for arrest and prosecution rather than resorting to mob justice. Source

Soroti, Uganda | Soroti City authorities have officially commissioned two major projects worth over UGX 209 million, including the Soroti City Finance Building and a newly completed maternity ward at Moru Apesur Health Center III. The projects, funded through locally generated revenue, began in March 2024 and were completed by June 2025. The Moru Apesur maternity ward was first initiated by Soroti City East MP, Hon. Herbert Edmond Ariko, who supported construction up to wall plate level before handing over the project to government for completion. The finance department block, meanwhile, underwent urgent renovations after deteriorating conditions affected service delivery. City Engineer Eng. Robert Kairu praised the collaboration between government, city authorities, and the community. He revealed that the maternity ward cost UGX 113.2 million, with JOJOHE Agencies Limited handling roofing, plastering, and finishing works. He warned that neglecting proper maintenance could shorten the lifespan of the facility. The finance block renovation, focusing on roofing and interiors, cost UGX 96 million, with UGX 43 million paid and UGX 52 million pending due to limited local revenue inflows. Mr. Ojoo James, Managing Director of JOJOHE Agencies, confirmed that his company delivered the projects on schedule despite design challenges, adding that the remaining retention payment would be released within six months. The Soroti City Resident City Comissioner (RCC) John Micheal Okurut described the commissioning as a “major milestone” for the Moru Apesur community. He hailed the NRM government and President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni for prioritizing health infrastructure as outlined in their manifesto and commended Hon. Ariko for initiating the project. Deputy Mayor Juliet Ipagi welcomed the funding for the maternity ward and called for additional resources to renovate other health facilities. She also praised the renovation of the finance department block, noting it would ease office space challenges. Soroti City East Mayor Paul Omer thanked the government, city council, and the late Mzee Cuthbert Ojangor’s family, who donated land for the facility. He urged the recruitment of more health workers to support the currently understaffed maternity ward. Town Clerk Joseph Mwesigwa assured residents that all funds were accounted for and that the projects reflected community priorities. Soroti City Health Officer Dr. Alfred Anyonga revealed that the maternity ward serves a population of 37,000 people, with 911 deliveries recorded between July 2024 and June 2025, and an additional 406 deliveries already registered since July 2025. The facility features delivery units, antenatal and postnatal sections, four wards with 10 beds each, and an immunization room. He noted that private health facilities, including Opuyo Medical Facility and Clinison Medical Centre, are partnering to fill service gaps. The Chairperson of the Health Center Management Committee, Ms. Florence Ayupel, appealed for more staff to strengthen services. LC1 Chairperson Justine Eligu described it as a relief for a community that had long struggled with inadequate space, while residents, including Ms. Nantube Esther Joan and Ms. Mary Lucy Amuge, praised the new ward for offering dignity, space, and better conditions for mothers. Source