Hoima City stadium Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The Ministry of Education and Sports has warned that sharp budget reductions for the 2026/2027 financial year threaten key commitments in education and sports, including teacher salary enhancement, preparations for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). Presenting the Sub-Programme Budget Framework Paper to the committee of Education on Tuesday, State Minister …

Allan Bulamu signing on EC forms Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | National Resistance Movement (NRM) candidate Allan Bulamu has been declared the winner of the Kira Municipality mayoral election, amid fierce protests from opposition contenders who accused electoral officials of fraud. The declaration, made by the returning officer after a heated hour-long exchange followed by a lunch break, ignited …

Okiding Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The Army Council has elected ten representatives of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) to Parliament, with Deputy Chief of Defence Forces Lt. Gen. Sam Okiding emerging top after securing 340 votes. According to results declared by the Electoral Commission Returning Officer, Diana Tumusiime Kateeba, Lt. Gen. Sam Mugira, the Chief Executive Officer …

Denis Hamson Obua in yellow shirt is gifted a cockrel by his loyal supporters during parliamentary campaigns in Ajuri Alebtong, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Government Chief Whip Denis Hamson Obua has conceded defeat in the Ajuri County parliamentary race, bringing to an end his 15-year tenure in Parliament. His decision sealed one of the most dramatic political upsets in …

Hundreds of elderly persons in Acholi live in dilapidated houses such as this. Kitgum, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Every morning, 78-year-old Justino Okello sits alone on a wooden stool outside his grass-thatched hut in Oryang Ojuma B, in Labongo Amida Sub-County, Kitgum district, watching passersby head for their various activities. Okello’s wife died 5 years ago, his four children, …

  Candidates reviewing results. Opposition NUP candidates alleged rigging, as their DR forms seemed not to tally with the results being declared by the returning officer. Wakiso, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The tallying of votes from Wakiso’s recently concluded municipal elections has descended into chaos, marked by slow progress, emotional outbursts, heated arguments, physical scuffles, and raw anger. When …

One of the groups of children being used to Display campaign pictures on voting day. Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Concerns emerged during voting in Nakawa Division after children were seen engaging in campaign-related activities near several polling stations, particularly in Ntinda and Kigowa–Kalinabiri areas. From the early morning hours, groups of minors—some appearing to be of primary school …

Dr Sarah Bireete appearing before court Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The Buganda Road Chief Magistrates Court has granted a one-million-shilling cash bail to Dr Sarah Bireete, the Executive Director of the Centre for Constitutional Governance, who has been on remand for three weeks over alleged violations of the Data Protection and Privacy Act of 2019. Senior Principal Grade …

Why East Africa tops Africa’s 2026 economic projections [Grapghics: Hope Muakmi] The UN expects East Africa to lead Africa’s growth in 2026, powered by Ethiopia’s reform push and Kenya’s diversified economy. Big infrastructure bets are lifting the outlook, but high debt costs and tight global finance remain key constraints.   SPECIAL REPORT | BIRD AGENCY | East Africa is expected …

EC officials display one of the Biometric Voter Verification Kits (BVVKs). Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | There were disagreements at several polling stations in Kampala and other parts of the country after Biometric Voter Verification Machines (BVVK) rejected some cast ballots during vote counting. The BVVK machines, which are being used for the first time in the 2026 election …