291 businesses to benefit from UDB’s inaugural incubation program
Uganda Development Bank (UDB) has launched its incubator program under Enterprise Development Product (EDP) designed to prepare enterprises to become investor ready.The program will train an inaugural cohort of 291 enterprises across the country on management best practices, debt management, good governance, record keeping, and financial management among others.This training is based on UDB’s wider knowledge of the business, the operating environment, and experience gained from funding, implementing, and monitoring such projects.Speaking at the launch, the Managing Director of Uganda Development Bank Patricia Ojangole, represented noted that the program will benefit businesses.“Together with our partners, we have unveiled the incubation program, an initiative that will provide capacity-building training and offer technical support to develop and implement the required processes in the businesses. The objective is to have professionally run businesses that survive the test of time, and that are investor ready,”Ojangole said.“SMEs constitute 90% of the private sector and contribute 80% of all manufacturing output, providing 2.5 million jobs. However, only 30% of them survive beyond their third year of operations. Business sustainability is a major problem among Ugandan SMEs, and as a bank, we recognize these issues and are making deliberate efforts to intervene and build sustainable businesses. This is in line with our mandate of improving the quality of lives of Ugandans.”Babara Kasekende, Head of Business Advisory at UDB highlighted how this program is the heartbeat of the bank.She explained that the EDP was created to bridge the gaps between SMES and access to finance.“This program is aimed at increasing our footprint and impact on Ugandan businesses across the country through Business development services. Handholding entrepreneurs develops the knowledge and skills necessary to grow and sustain their businesses,” she noted.The incubator program will have a hybrid approach that will be implemented by UDB and Makerere Business School Entrepreneurship Innovation and Incubation Center (MUBS EIIC) for a period of 3 to 9 months.The program will offer training with a customized curriculum designed for Ugandan businesses. The curriculum was created based on the feedback and findings from the first cohort and has been improved to cater to the specific needs of the enterprises and the environment in which they operate.Ojangole lauded URSB, UNBS, URA, UIA, NSSF and UWEAL for the critical role in the socio-economic transformation of Uganda and pledged the Bank’s continued commitment towards this agenda.“UDB is committed to collaborating with its partners to innovate pragmatic solutions to promote socio-economic development. The Bank’s aspiration is to continue serving as a trusted partner to our customers by responsibly providing financial and non-financial services that enable socio- economic progress. Our core activities are hinged on extending relevant solutions that ensure the sustainability of these businesses,” she said. https://www.ugbulletin.co.ug/291-businesses-to-benefit-from-udbs-inaugural-incubation-program/
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Ugandan Citizen Abducted, Held in Secret Detention for Three Months, Sparks Outrage and Calls for Justice
A disturbing new case of unlawful detention has surfaced, highlighting the ongoing human rights crisis in Uganda. A Ugandan citizen was reportedly abducted and held in a secret facility, known as a “safe house,” for three months, only to be released without charge or explanation. This incident, reported by NTV Uganda, has sparked widespread condemnation and renewed calls for accountability regarding human rights abuses in the country.
While the details surrounding the abduction remain unclear, reports indicate that the individual was taken without due process and held incommunicado—an action that has long been condemned by human rights organizations. The victim’s release, with no charges filed and no clear justification, has angered activists and citizens, who view this as yet another case of egregious abuse of power by the state.
“This is a recurring pattern,” said one human rights activist. “Abductions, secret detentions, and unexplained releases have become all too common in Uganda. These acts violate fundamental human rights and erode public trust in the justice system.”
The use of “safe houses,” unregistered detention facilities reportedly operated by security forces, has been a focal point in numerous allegations of torture and illegal imprisonment. Despite repeated calls from both local and international organizations for their closure and accountability for those involved, little action has been taken to address these violations.
This case underscores the urgent need for reform within Uganda’s security apparatus and greater accountability for human rights abuses. Observers hope that drawing attention to these injustices will spur concrete action to bring those responsible to justice and ensure the protection of basic human rights.
As frustration mounts, calls for both domestic and international pressure to hold the government accountable for such crimes grow louder. “One day, there must be accountability for all these crimes against our people,” stated one social media user, reflecting the sentiments of many Ugandans.
National Unity Platform (NUP) President Robert Kyagulanyi has accused Ugandan security forces of using excessive force to disrupt a planned NUP gathering. The allegations were detailed in a statement shared on Twitter, following an event held to honor children of NUP supporters who were killed, disappeared, or detained for their political beliefs.
According to Kyagulanyi, security personnel, under the command of an officer identified as Asiimwe, carried out a preemptive operation early in the morning upon learning of the NUP’s plans. The forces allegedly stormed the premises, arrested workers, and deployed tear gas to disperse those present.
“The criminals under the command of one Asiimwe deployed early morning, arrested our workers, and threw tear gas into our premises. They’ve cordoned off the premises and blocked all people from accessing the place,” Kyagulanyi wrote.
Among those reportedly arrested were Saava Peter, Mudenya Samson, and Turyasingura Samson. Kyagulanyi claimed the detained workers were subjected to beatings and interrogated about their political affiliations, with security operatives labeling them as terrorists.
“These JATT operatives asked the workers who they support politically, branding them terrorists and criminals—their only crime being that they work with us. You can imagine the indignity!” Kyagulanyi lamented.
This incident adds to the growing tension in Uganda’s political climate, where opposition parties frequently accuse the government of stifling dissent. Despite the challenges, Kyagulanyi ended his statement with a message of defiance and optimism, proclaiming, “UGANDA WILL BE FREE.”
NUP Gathering Disrupted: Kyagulanyi Alleges Security Force Harassment and Arrests
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Sudan Demands Apology from Uganda Over Army Chief Muhoozi Kainerugaba’s Threat to Invade Khartoum
Sudan has demanded an official apology from Uganda over “offensive and dangerous” comments made by the chief of Uganda army staff, who threated to invade Khartoum, the Sudan Tribune has reported.
General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, son of Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni and CDF of the Ugandan army, posted two comments on the X platform on Tuesday in which he threatened “to capture Khartoum” with the support of the US President elect Donald Trump after he takes office. The posts were deleted later.
“The government of Sudan demands and official apology from the Ugandan government for the offensive and dangerous comments of the army commander,” Sudan’s foreign ministry said in a statement that the Sudan Tribune said it has seen.
Sudan Demands Apology from Uganda Over Army Chief Muhoozi Kainerugaba’s Threat to Invade Khartoum