#Uganda

The Ugandan Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development has suspended gold mining activities in Kayungwe sub-county, Kanungu district, due to unlicensed operations, environmental degradation, and public health concerns. This decision follows an influx of residents to Kanoni village over the past two months, drawn by reports of gold deposits in the area.

The Uganda Law Society (ULS) has criticized President Yoweri Museveni for his remarks regarding the ongoing treason trial of opposition politician Dr Kizza Besigye, claiming that his comments interfere with the administration of justice. Museveni, in a televised address, accused Besigye of hindering the progress of his own trial.

MTN Uganda experienced a significant outage starting around midday, affecting calls, internet access, and Mobile Money services. Subscribers reported issues with making and receiving calls, accessing mobile data, and completing transactions. The disruption intensified around 1 p.m., and after several hours, MTN Uganda confirmed the outage was due to a power failure.

According to Kotido district authorities, at least 15 people have died from suspected hunger-related illnesses due to a prolonged drought that has devastated crops and left thousands of households facing severe food shortages. The deaths have been reported since June across several sub-counties, including Napumpum, Longaroe, Maru, and Rengen, as the food crisis worsens in the region.

Shyam Jay Tanna, the newly elected Member of Parliament for Tororo Municipality, has urged the Indian community in Uganda to enhance their integration with local communities. He emphasized the importance of mutual respect and harmony to foster shared prosperity during a recent high-profile gathering in Jinja, Uganda, according to Watchdog Uganda.

Civil society organisations have expressed concerns about the lack of transparency in ongoing discussions between Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo regarding potential joint oil development in the Albertine Graben. Groups such as Notre Terre Sans Pétrole (NTSP) and Stop EACOP warn that the discussions could lead to significant environmental and social impacts.

Entebbe UPPC FC is in advanced negotiations to sign offensive midfielder Ibrahim Mugulusi from BUL FC, whose contract expired last month. Mugulusi is seeking a new challenge after spending six years with BUL FC, having previously joined from Busoga United in 2020.

The departure of ITHUBA Uganda Limited from the National Lottery has highlighted the challenges and resilience of Uganda's expanding digital gambling sector. This transition has prompted the regulatory body to intervene, raising questions about the stability of the industry as it continues to grow.

The first group of 273 Ugandans evacuated from South Africa under the government’s voluntary repatriation programme has returned home. This group, which included 18 infants and 255 adults, arrived at Entebbe International Airport on Friday morning aboard the first evacuation flight. They were accompanied by Uganda’s High Commissioner, according to Matooke Republic.

The NRM Parliamentary Caucus has elected Fred Rwakaizi, who received 127 votes, and Stella Kiryowa, a long-time contender with 99 votes, to run for the two vacant EALA seats, according to Uganda Update News.

At the end of a week-long induction seminar for Members of the 12th Parliament held at Speke Resort Munyonyo, Uganda's Media Center Boss, Kasujja, encouraged the new MPs to promote Uganda's progressive agenda. This seminar aimed to prepare the parliamentarians for their roles and responsibilities in the legislative process.

The Ugandan Embassy in Ethiopia has initiated a campaign to attract Ethiopian athletes and tourists to the 2026 Tusker Rwenzori Marathon. This effort included a promotional run at Entoto Park, which saw participation from over 500 individuals, including runners, tourism professionals, journalists, and diplomats. This event is part of a larger strategy to promote the marathon and enhance tourism connections between Uganda and Ethiopia.

Edison Kirabira, the Operation Wealth Creation Civil Coordinator for the Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area, has encouraged landowners, landlords, tenants, and prospective buyers to utilize the newly launched Land Management Centre. This initiative aims to address issues such as land grabbing, fraudulent transactions, and ownership disputes in Uganda, according to Watchdog Uganda.

The Government of Uganda has evacuated 424 Ugandan nationals from South Africa due to recent anti-migrant protests and xenophobic violence, which resulted in the deaths of at least three Ugandans and the displacement of hundreds. The first group of 273 returnees, including 255 adults and 18 children, arrived at Entebbe International Airport on an Ethiopian Airlines flight.

Nation Media Group (NMG) is contemplating the removal or reassignment of its Uganda managing director, Susan Nsibirwa, amid a standoff with Ugandan authorities that has led to the closure of the Daily Monitor newspaper and NTV Uganda, according to sources familiar with the discussions.

More than 750 attendees participated in the Euro Cranes Tournament held at Bijlmersportpark in Amsterdam, an annual event for Ugandan diaspora football teams. The tournament saw a debuting team from the United States win the title in its first appearance, marking a significant expansion of the competition.

Jose Chakala, a prominent Ugandan content creator, has gained a significant following on various online platforms through his comedic skits. He has achieved success in the entertainment industry by collaborating with leading artists and representing Ugandan content creators internationally. Chakala aims to expand the reach and influence of the comedy industry.

A high-level Ugandan delegation has successfully participated in the World Agro-Tourism Conference in Scotland, highlighting Uganda's increasing involvement in the global tourism sector. This event marks a significant achievement for the country in promoting its agro-tourism initiatives.

Former Makerere University Vice Chancellor, Prof. Venansius Baryamureeba, has urged for investigations into Deputy Speaker of Parliament Thomas Tayebwa and Clerk to Parliament Adolf Mwesige regarding allegations of financial impropriety. He emphasized that all public officials accused of corruption should undergo due process, as stated in his message on X (formerly Twitter).

The National Resistance Movement (NRM) has appointed three women Members of Parliament to represent backbenchers on the Parliamentary Commission, as part of the process to establish the leadership and administrative framework of the 12th Parliament. This decision was made by the party's Central Executive Committee (CEC), which is led by President Yoweri Museveni.