FREEMAN NEWS-UG

Kabale, Uganda – On April 23, 2026- MTN Uganda, through its Foundation, officially handed over the MTN Spark Hub to Kabale University.  This marks a major step in expanding digital training and entrepreneurship opportunities beyond Kampala to regional areas.  The hub is the first of four regional innovation centers under Phase 2 of the MTN ACE Tech Programme.  It was built and delivered by Centenary Technology Services (Cente-Tech) in partnership with Uganda’s Ministry of ICT and National Guidance. The Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Dr. Aminah Zawedde, commissioned the facility during a colorful ceremony attended by university leadership, government officials, students, and partners.  Breaking the Digital Divide MTN officials described the hub as a response to a common challenge faced by young people outside major cities: limited access to reliable computers, high-speed internet, and collaborative creative spaces.“Ask any young person in Kabale what stands between t...

Pr. Robert Kayanja’s Sodomy Case Takes New Twist as UCC Summons Channel 44 TV Over Alleged False & Distorted Broadcasting. In a surprising development in the long-running Pastor Robert Kayanja sodomy allegations case, the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) has issued a formal notice to Channel 44 TV (the television station associated with Pastor Kayanja’s Miracle Centre Cathedral) and required the pastor himself to appear. According to an official letter from UCC Executive Director Hon. Nyombi Thembo, the Commission is demanding that Channel 44 TV submit: Recordings of content broadcast on 19th, 20th, and 21st March 2026, in which Pastor Robert Kayanja allegedly featured while conducting a church service. Written representations addressing the matters raised in the complaint. The station must comply by close of business on Monday, 27th April 2026. A hearing of the parties has been scheduled for Wednesday, 29th April 2026 at 2:00 PM at UCC House, Bugolobi. Channel 44 TV is requi...

Rough Day for Umukuka of Bugisu, Jude Mike Mudoma, During Tense Visit to Manafwa DistrictManafwa, Uganda. His Royal Highness Sir Jude Mike Mudoma, the Umukuka III of the Bugisu Cultural Institution, faced a challenging reception during his official tour of Manafwa District on Thursday, as underlying tensions within the Bugisu community surfaced amid ongoing debates over cultural leadership and unity. Mudoma, who has held the position since his confirmation by clan leaders, arrived in Manafwa as part of efforts to rally the Bamasaaba people ahead of key cultural events, including preparations for the Imbalu circumcision ceremony.  The visit was intended to promote unity, socio-economic transformation, and stronger ties between the cultural institution and local communities in the Mt. Elgon region districts.  However, sources on the ground described the day as "rough" for the Umukuka.  See Video:  https://youtube.com/shorts/uudEZVYjhYU?si=3kjXcH81xKr-2Lii While some re...

Kampala – With just a few days to go before Uganda’s 11th Parliament dissolves in early may,  2026, the once-bustling chambers of the House have taken on an eerily quiet atmosphere, earning it the nickname “Ghost Parliament” among observers.  Many benches sit empty as lawmakers wrap up their five-year term amid a frantic race to clear a massive backlog of business.  The 11th Parliament, which began in May 2021 under the leadership of Speaker Anita Among, is scheduled to end its mandate in May paving the way for the swearing-in of the 12th Parliament between May 13 and 15, 2026, following the January 15 general elections.  Sources close to parliamentary proceedings report significantly reduced attendance in recent plenary sittings, especially today. Many MPs, particularly those who lost their seats in the January polls or have already shifted focus to personal and transitional matters, have been conspicuously absent. This has left large sections of the 557-seat House ...

MBALE, UGANDA— In a major step towards universal energy access, the Mbale District Resident District Commissioner (RDC)  Mr Bayole Stanley has officially welcomed the Electricity Access Scale-up Project (EASP). Supported by funding from the World Bank, the project aims to bridge the energy gap for households, commercial enterprises, industrial parks, and public institutions across the country. Universal Connectivity for the "Last Person" During a stakeholder meeting held at the Maluku Board Room, Madam Acham Dorothy, representing the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development, outlined the project's primary mission: ensuring that even the most vulnerable citizens are not left behind.  Eligible households that previously could not afford electricity will be connected to the grid at no cost, each household will receive a basic installation consisting of one light bulb, one switch, and one socket for domestic use and implementation is scheduled to commence in the next financ...

The Ministry of ICT and National Guidance is shifting focus from basic digital training to the development and commercialisation of homegrown technology solutions, as part of efforts to strengthen Uganda’s innovation ecosystem and reduce dependence on imported systems. The Permanent Secretary, Aminah Zawedde, said government is working with academia, the private sector, and civil society to ensure that ICT training in schools translates into practical innovation and market-ready products. She noted that while ICT systems and digital solutions remain costly for many developing countries, Uganda’s strategy is to deliberately build local talent capable of designing affordable solutions. “This is not just about training, but excelling in training,” she said, emphasizing that skills development must lead to problem-solving capacity. Zawedde said students are being encouraged to identify real challenges in their communities — including agriculture, education, and tourism — and develop digita...

Kampala, Uganda – April 23, 2026 — With Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba’s 52nd birthday just days  away, the National Resistance Movement (NRM) Secretariat has made a bold statement of solidarity, injecting Shs30 million into the high-profile MK 52nd Birthday Run to galvanize Ugandans behind a powerful national cause. The headline-grabbing financial boost was announced as NRM National Treasurer, Hon. Amb. Barbara Nekesa Oundo, rallied citizens to transform the upcoming civic event into a true platform for patriotism, youth empowerment, and humanitarian impact. The MK 52nd Birthday Run is set for Sunday, April 26, 2026, at Kololo Independence Grounds, starting at 6am. Organized by the Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU), the run has evolved into a major annual spectacle that blends celebration with community service, volunteerism, and national mobilization.During a high-level visit to the PLU Secretariat, Hon. Nekesa Oundo led an NRM delegation and delivered a passionate call to action. “This...

Kampala – In a show of unity and grassroots mobilization, the National Resistance Movement (NRM) Secretariat Donated Shs30 million in assorted kits to the upcoming 52nd Birthday Run organized in honour of General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, the Chief of Defence Forces. The contribution, which includes branded running kits, T-shirts, water bottles, medals, and refreshments, is intended to boost participation, especially among youth and women, and turn the annual event into a powerful platform for fostering national cohesion. Speaking at the NRM Secretariat headquarters, the party’s Deputy Secretary General in charge of Mobilisation, Hon. Rosemary Najjemba, said the gesture reflects the NRM’s commitment to supporting initiatives that promote fitness, patriotism, and intergenerational leadership. The NRM Secretary General Rt. Hon. Richard Todwong, who personally contributed Shs10 million to the initiative, said on Wednesday during a visit to the Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU) Secretariat. He c...

This refers to a dramatic incident today (Wednesday, April 22, 2026) during the high-profile murder trial of Christopher Okello Onyum at the Ggaba Community Church grounds in Uganda.  What Happened TodayDuring the afternoon session (hearing the final prosecution witness), a light drizzle quickly turned into a violent thunderstorm with strong winds and heavy rain.  The main tent sheltering the presiding judge (Justice Alice Komuhangi Khaukha), the suspect (Okello), prosecutors, lawyers, and court officials was ripped apart and blown away.  People, including the judge and lawyers, ran for their lives in panic as the structure collapsed. Background on the CaseOkello Onyum: A Ugandan-American national, is accused of the brutal stabbing deaths of four toddlers at a Ggaba Early Childhood Development Centre (kindergarten/daycare) in March 2026. The trial is being conducted as a rare public/mobile court session in a large tent near the crime scene, ordered to allow community acce...

Kampala, Uganda — Excitement is building for the 5th Edition of the annual Kadodi Karnival, set to take place on Friday, 2nd May 2026 at the UMA Show Grounds in Lugogo, as popular Ugandan artist Winnie Nwagi confirms her attendance as the Buganda chapter official guest performer. The announcement has sent fans into a frenzy, with many already calling it one of the biggest cultural fusion events of the year.  The Kadodi Karnival is a vibrant celebration of Bamasaba culture, featuring traditional Kadodi dances, drumming, and energetic performances blended with modern music and entertainment.  Winnie Nwagi, known for her powerful vocals and hit songs that dominate dance floors across Uganda, is expected to deliver a high-energy set that will have revelers dancing from afternoon into the night. Organizers have described her participation as a major boost to the cultural event, promising a perfect mix of tradition and contemporary vibes.“Kadodi Karnival is where culture meets pure ...

Mbale Uganda – Tensions are rising within the Bamasaba (Bagisu) community as a growing faction of elders, clan leaders, and cultural custodians intensifies calls for the removal of Umukuuka III Jude Mike Mudoma from the leadership of the Inzu Ya Masaaba cultural institution. Critics accuse Mudoma of overstaying his term, undermining the institution’s constitution, and operating without key governance organs, sparking a deepening rift in the Bugisu sub-region.  According to the constitution of Inzu Ya Masaaba, the Umukuuka serves a single five-year term without the possibility of re-election, with leadership rotating among the three traditional lineages of Masaaba’s sons (Mwambu, Mubuya, and Wanale). Mudoma, from the Mwambu clan, was elected by a General Assembly on October 6, 2020, and inaugurated in October 2023.  Many elders insist his term officially ends on October 5, 2025, and processes to elect Umukuuka IV from the Wanale lineage have already begun.  Mudoma’s suppor...

Mp Karim Masaba speaks about the business earning below  UGX 350 million a year will pay not be required tp register for vat. MP Karim Masaba Addresses VAT Registration Threshold for Small BusinessesKampala, Uganda – Member of Parliament for Mbale Industrial Division, Hon. Karim Masaba, has spoken out on proposed changes to Uganda’s Value Added Tax (VAT) regime, highlighting relief for smaller businesses as the Value Added Tax (Amendment) Bill, 2026, makes its way through Parliament.  In recent parliamentary debates, Masaba noted that under the reforms, businesses earning below UGX 250 million annually will not be required to register for VAT starting from July 2026. The current threshold stands at UGX 150 million in annual taxable turnover.  He emphasized that this adjustment aims to reduce the compliance burden on small and medium enterprises (SMEs).  During discussions on the floor of Parliament and in committee reports, Masaba argued that the government’s initial...

Mbale, Uganda – Thousands of youths from the Bugisu region have threatened to stage a massive demonstration, marching from various directions to Malukhu to forcibly evict Umukuka III Jude Mike Mudoma, accusing him of illegally clinging to power long after his five-year term expired. The youths, under groups such as the Bamasaba Concerned Youth, claim that Mudoma’s tenure as the cultural leader of the Bugisu (Bamasaba) people officially ended on October 6, 2025. They argue that despite this, he continues to occupy the position at the cultural headquarters in Malukhu, Mbale, while pushing for extensions or even a lifetime role, sparking widespread discontent.  According to sources familiar with the matter, the planned march aims to pressure Mudoma to step down and allow for the installation of a new Umukuka, following reports that some elders and clan leaders have already elected an alternative leader, Umukuka IV Mayatsa Joram Khambo from the Wanale clan.  The move has deepened ...