Browsing: News

When 23-year-old Wandukwa Merida joined a peaceful march to protect the Lwera Wetland, she didn’t expect to end up behind bars. But her stand against destructive sand mining and illegal rice farming landed her in prison—while the polluters still walk free. Her arrest has sparked outrage and reignited Uganda’s environmental justice movement. Is Uganda criminalizing climate defenders while turning a blind eye to environmental crimes?

Across Africa, food is rotting before it ever reaches the people who need it. Despite rising production, over 295 million Africans went hungry last year. Why? A powerful new World Bank report says the answer isn’t in the fields—it’s in the roads. From blocked border posts to collapsing ports, the continent’s fragile food supply chains are crumbling under the weight of neglect. “We’re not just losing food,” says the Bank’s Nicolas Peltier, “we’re losing lives.” The good news? With strategic investment and political will, this crisis is fixable—and millions of lives can be saved.

Over 30 million Ugandans still lack access to safe sanitation. But hope is rising. The Uganda Water and Sanitation Network (UWASNET), in partnership with key ministries, has unveiled national WASH Awards to spotlight those turning the tide—through tech, journalism, research, and community action.

KAMPALA — In an inspiring show of ingenuity and purpose, final-year students at Makerere University’s School of Engineering are crafting real-world solutions to Uganda’s toughest challenges. From solar-powered sprayers to oil-cleaning machines and smart cooking systems, these homegrown innovations are proving that Africa’s next big breakthroughs may not come from a boardroom—but from a university lab in Kampala.

From the sacred grounds of Mecca, Elias Luyimbaazi Nalukoola sent a defiant message home: the fight for Kawempe North is far from over. Just days after the High Court nullified his election victory, Nalukoola declared he’s ready to return to the people or the courtroom—and win again.

Sebei Sub-Region cemented its status as Uganda’s distance running powerhouse after dominating the inaugural Coffee Marathon at Africa Coffee Park in Ntungamo. With elite performances across every category, athletes from Sebei walked away with the lion’s share of the Shs116 million prize pot — in a race that blended athletic prowess with a celebration of Uganda’s coffee heritage.

In a groundbreaking report, the World Bank warns that air pollution is not just an environmental issue but a global emergency costing trillions and stealing lives—particularly in the world’s poorest communities. With solutions in reach, why are we still suffocating?

A peaceful student protest against the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) turned chaotic yesterday when police fired tear gas and arrested nine students attempting to deliver a petition to Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB). The students, from Makerere and Kyambogo Universities, were voicing concern over the bank’s financial backing of the controversial pipeline. Critics say the incident marks yet another crackdown on environmental activism in Uganda, where more than 80 anti-oil campaigners have been arrested in the past year alone.

The UPDF Amendment Bill, passed amid protests and walkouts, is reigniting debate over the military’s place in civilian justice. President Museveni’s expected assent could trigger a historic legal fight. “This is not about security,” says MP Nsereko. “It’s about the soul of our Constitution.”

In a world racing toward artificial intelligence, Uganda is at risk of falling dangerously behind. The 2025 Human Development Report paints a troubling picture—stalled progress in education, a fragile economy, and institutions unprepared for the AI revolution. Ranked 157 out of 193 countries, Uganda must act fast to bridge the digital divide or risk deepening inequality for generations to come. From rural students without basic skills to a government struggling with tech readiness, the report is a wake-up call that the future won’t wait.