Minister Balaam closes Yalelo fish shop in Busia Barugahara directed the company to sell off the fish products currently in its store before halting its operations until further notice. The minister issued the directive during an anti-corruption meeting at Busia District headquarters, where traders accused Yalelo of operating illegally at Busia Customs premises, where it has reportedly operated for about three years. The traders claimed the premises are not designated for fish business and that Yalelo does not have a municipal council trading licence. observer.ug/news/minister-ba…

Ebola: UAE lifts travel restrictions on Ugandan nationals The UAE introduced the restrictions on June 6, 2026, suspending the issuance of new visas to nationals of Uganda, DRC and South Sudan as part of measures to strengthen preparedness against Ebola. observer.ug/news/ebola-uae-l…

Measles: Govt targets 7.4 million children in 5-day vaccination campaign The five-day campaign will target all children aged nine to 59 months, regardless of whether they have previously received the measles-rubella (MR) vaccine. The ministry of Health said the campaign is intended to close immunity gaps and respond to a resurgence of measles across the country. Vaccination will be provided free of charge through fixed health facilities, temporary and mobile posts, schools, static outreach sites and other community-based locations. The campaign comes amid declining routine coverage of the second measles-rubella dose. observer.ug/news/measles-gov…

Exposed: Motorists irregularly charged more than double for digital number plates Some car bond operators in Kampala are charging motorists as much as Shs 2 million for transactions involving digital number plates, despite the gazetted fee for a digital number plate being Shs 714,300. For example, a receipt issued by Transedge Interfreight Holdings Co. Ltd to Faida Pamela, dated September 3, 2026, records a payment of Shs 1.485 million under the description: “Taxes + DPC plates + clearance.” Another cash acknowledgement receipt issued by Khams Works Limited records a payment of Shs 2.1 million. A separate receipt issued by Yuku Shipping and Logistics Ltd records a payment of Shs 1.98 million, also in connection with a motorcycle registration transaction. observer.ug/news/exposed-mot…

The pain and anguish in the Albertine Part II “I was raped by two people who covered my eyes with a cloth. I fell while running, and currently I suffer from severe back pain. My oldest son, who was 17 years old, was shot in the shoulder. We now live like destitutes in [the neighbouring] Buliisa district,” she lamented without disclosing her identity. “I was five months pregnant, and I am a mother of five. I was spared from being raped, but they took my livestock, including a cow, which was roasted and eaten,” revealed another victim who was attacked on February 10, 2024, after her husband fled to hide in the bushes. Another victim, who was three months pregnant, was awoken by noises and silhouettes of soldiers. observer.ug/news/the-pain-an…

How Makerere scheme gave hope to 4,000 sex workers to age with dignity The initiative, which started as a savings scheme, was partly designed to help ageing sex workers prepare for life after the trade and reduce the likelihood of their children being forced into the same work because of financial hardship. The beneficiaries say the scheme has given them hope that their children can have better opportunities and avoid the vulnerabilities associated with sex work. Members can save as little as Shs 5,000 and access funds for alternative income-generating activities, including agriculture, as well as school fees. They can also access health insurance through community-based schemes. observer.ug/news/how-makerer…

#SexTalk: Where is your naughty side? Introduce high stakes for winning or losing. Like, if I win, you remove a garment from your body… or if one loses, they must perform a certain erotic task. See how far you go with that game! On special occasions, such as birthdays, anniversaries, or even when your spouse has been really good, or reached an important professional milestone, let there be something you design for the sole purpose of granting magic wishes - a blank cheque to make an erotic wish you will be obliged to fulfill. observer.ug/lifestyle-entert…

Maria Kiwanuka appointed Uganda National Mining Company boss Kiwanuka, who is already a member of the UNMC board, takes over after the resignation of board chairperson James Mukasa Ssebugenyi and the termination of vice chairperson James Byagaba’s appointment. observer.ug/business/maria-k…

Tooro: New king’s children with Amoding out of succession debate Babiito Clan spokesman Rev. Fr. Dr Charles Oyo said that Rebecca Amoding, the wife of Tooro’s king-elect Edward Rukidi Nyabongo I, will retain her official status as queen despite being from outside the kingdom. However, her children are automatically out of any future succession debate because an heir must be born to a mother belonging to one of the recognised clans of Tooro. observer.ug/news/tooro-new-k…

Panic as vehicle catches fire aboard Kalangala ferry Passengers aboard the MV Pearl ferry were sent into panic mode on Thursday after a vehicle on board caught fire shortly before the vessel docked at Bukakata landing site on Masaka mainland. The blaze was quickly brought under control by the ferry crew with the assistance of Uganda Police personnel, preventing any casualties. Michael Duncan Ensinikweri, Kalangala District officer in charge of traffic, said preliminary findings indicate that the fire was caused by overheated batteries in one of the vehicles being transported to Masaka. observer.ug/news/panic-as-ve…

How Unra built the Busega-Mpigi road that it had no contract for A peek into the other eight decisions that highlight the moment the Shs 547bn project escalated into a possible Shs 1.3tn national debt with potential to cripple the economy. On January 17, 2022, Kagina chaired a meeting on the Shs 1.3tn figure and resolved to instruct works at contract rates. A deferral, not a cure. On February 8, 2022, DRBD sought approval for km 8+700 to 21+000. Kagina signed the same day: 12.3km more road, seven weeks after being told the price was unlawful. observer.ug/news/how-unra-bu…

Matovu was not intentionally killed, says ‘girlfriend’ According to a statement attributed to his alleged 'girlfriend', Rose Tumusiime, she and Matovu returned to her room at about 2 am and remained there until around 5 am, when her alleged former boyfriend knocked on the door. Tumusiime said she refused to open the door, prompting the man to become violent. He allegedly attempted to break down the door and smashed the windows. After breaking the windows, the man reportedly saw Matovu inside the room. Tumusiime said she told him that the man was her father, but he rejected the explanation and became more aggressive. “She told me that she gave the deceased a cup of water and escorted him to his vehicle on the road, but the prime suspect jumped at her and started slapping her,” Tukamuhebwa said. He said Matovu got out of the vehicle and attempted to intervene, asking why the woman was being beaten, before the suspect allegedly turned on him and punched him. observer.ug/news/matovu-was-…

Moses Matovu killed in love triangle – police The circumstances surrounding Matovu’s death echo those of other prominent Ugandans whose lives have ended in similarly tragic circumstances, as aptly captured by veteran journalist and media trainer, Wilson Akiiki Kaija. "These deaths! 1. Wee hours, 16 May 1997, Bunga, a Kampala suburb. Rally driver Gerald Kiddu is gunned down at the house of a female friend, Harriet Kansiimire. 2. Late night hours, Kweba Zone, Rubaga, Kampala. Ebonies star, Paul Katende aka Dr Dick Walusimbi, is gunned down shortly after dropping off a female friend and fellow artiste Harriet Nalubwama. 3. Wee hours, 10 November 2009, Wabigalo, Namwongo, a Kampala suburb. General James Kazini is killed at the home of a female friend, Lydia Draru. 4. Wee hours, 24 September 2026, Kibuli, a Kampala suburb. Veteran musician Moses Matovu is killed at the home of a lady now identified as Rose Tumusiime." observer.ug/news/moses-matov…

Four people acquire HIV every hour in Uganda The country recorded about 34,400 new HIV infections in 2025. Young women account for about 80% of new infections Masimbi attributed continued HIV transmission to several behavioural and social factors, including multiple sexual partnerships, HIV status discordance and non-disclosure, transactional sex, low condom use, alcohol and drug abuse, and complacency associated with access to antiretroviral therapy. He also cited poverty, wealth disparities and gender inequality as factors contributing to continued HIV transmission. observer.ug/news/four-people…

Throwback to April 2022: Can Afrigo Band survive without its supremo, Moses Matovu? He said the future of live music is bright, because it is what most people love; not karaoke or lip-syncing. Against that, he sees no reason why Afrigo band cannot outlive him. Not that he is planning on retirement or – God forbid – death, soon! “Retirement would be senseless. I can still sing, compose, produce music and perform the different instruments like the saxophone and flute. So, the only time I will bow out is [when] I am unable to do the aforementioned functions,” Matovu said. observer.ug/lifestyle-entert…

Thugs kill Afrigo Band’s Moses Matovu in Kibuli Matovu, 77, breathed his last at Kibuli hospital on Thursday morning, where he had been rushed after the attack. observer.ug/news/thugs-kill-…

Is your building on govt’s demolition list For owners of old buildings along Kampala’s major streets, an “X” painted on the property could soon carry an unsettling message: the government believes the building no longer belongs in the city it wants Kampala to become. The exercise will start in Kampala before extending to other cities and municipalities, according to the minister, potentially placing owners of older properties at the centre of a difficult debate over redevelopment, property rights and what Uganda’s rapidly changing cities should look like. observer.ug/news/is-your-bui…

How Angela Ssemwogerere’s smart house shut down during the election’s internet blackout "First of all, my house shut down. I couldn’t switch on the lights… Literally everything in my home is smart... Yes. The cameras, everything was down. I had TV and it couldn’t do nothing...there was nothing like waking up and you’re like, “Alexa…” So, for me, that detox was real. It was a mental cleanse. Because if you’re so used to, you know, a robot that cleans and your hands are kind of…" observer.ug/lifestyle-entert…

Whistleblower petitions IGG over illegal airline operating at Entebbe When we made a search at the Uganda Registrations Services Bureau, it revealed there is no such company. The whistleblower further how Pearlsky manages to publish a flight schedule complete with flight numbers on their website and even fly government VIPs and ministers. “Someone in UCAA must be surely protecting them because they cannot illegally do all this much in front of UCAA with an office rented by UCAA in a prime place. They also illegally use the international public announcement system at the airport to announce their flights. How do they get access if they are not protected by UCAA?” wonders the whistleblower. observer.ug/news/whistleblow…