FREEMAN NEWS-UG

The Member of Parliament for Namisindwa county, Metrine Nanzala, has expressed concern over the shortage of health facilities in the district, saying more than nine of its 13 sub-counties lack health centres. While speaking during a parliamentary plenary sitting today, Hon. Nanzala asked the Prime Minister of Uganda, Rt. Hon. Robinah Nabanjja  to explain what plans the government has to address the situation and improve access to healthcare services for residents of Namisindwa. She noted that the lack of health facilities has made it difficult for many people to access essential medical services and called for urgent government intervention to bridge the gap.

In a significant boost to parliamentary cohesion and the ruling party’s legislative agenda, National Resistance Movement (NRM) National Treasurer Ambassador Barbara Nekesa Oundo on Thursday formally welcomed 60 independent Members of Parliament into a structured working relationship with the party. What You Need To Know:  More than 60 Independent Members of Parliament have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) today, Thursday, establishing a formal framework for cooperation in Parliament. The agreement, signed at the Office of the Government Chief Whip, with guidance from the NRM Legal Director, Enoch Barata, allows the legislators to participate in NRM parliamentary caucus meetings, support government business and work with the ruling party in implementing its 2026–2031 manifesto. The cooperation was witnessed by the NRM Deputy Secretary General, Rt.Hon. Namayanja Rose Nsereko and National Treasurer, Amb. Barbara Nekesa Oudo....

KAMPALA — More than 60 Independent Members of Parliament have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) today, Thursday, establishing a formal framework for cooperation in Parliament. The agreement, signed at the Office of the Government Chief Whip, with guidance from the NRM Legal Director, Enoch Barata, allows the legislators to participate in NRM parliamentary caucus meetings, support government business and work with the ruling party in implementing its 2026–2031 manifesto. The cooperation was witnessed by the NRM Deputy Secretary General, Rt.Hon. Namayanja Rose Nsereko and National Treasurer, Amb. Barbara Nekesa Oudo. Deputy Secretary General, Namayanja, said the agreement formalises a working relationship that had already begun before the 12th Parliament was sworn in. Namayanja also credited the Independents for contributing to President Yoweri Museveni's victory in the general election. "Many of you contested as indepe...

  Kampala, Uganda – The Ministry of ICT and National Guidance has launched a high-stakes three-day sector retreat, uniting its agencies to critically review performance in the 2025/26 financial year and set clear priorities for 2026/27. The gathering is designed to strengthen collaboration, confront emerging challenges, and drive forward Uganda’s ambitious digital transformation agenda. Minister of ICT and National Guidance Rt. Hon. Justine Kasule Lumumba officially opened the retreat, urging participants to engage in open and honest discussions, prioritise teamwork, and deliver practical solutions that enhance service delivery for every Ugandan. “Together, we will accelerate Uganda’s digital transformation and deliver better services to every Ugandan,” she said. Lumumba stressed that the success of any single agency is inseparable from the success of the entire sector, calling for a stronger whole-of-government approach aligned with the National Development Plans. The retreat brin...

KAMPALA – In a charged session of Parliament on Wednesday, Bungokho Central County Member of Parliament Hon. Masaba Muhamood Mutenyo raised a matter of national importance, demanding a comprehensive report from the Prime Minister on the long-running boundary disputes involving the National Forestry Authority (NFA) and the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) in Mbale District. The session was chaired by Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Thomas Tayebwa. Hon. Masaba told the House that residents living along the contested boundaries – particularly those bordering Mount Elgon National Park and adjacent forest reserves – are being subjected to harassment, assaults, and the systematic seizure of their livestock and crops by personnel from both agencies. Video According to the legislator, local communities have repeatedly accused UWA rangers and NFA officials of terrorising them under the guise of enforcing park and forest boundaries. Residents claim animals are driven away or confiscated an...

Kampala — In a significant development in Uganda’s ongoing anti-graft drive, Mbale District Health Officer Dr. Wangisi Massa Jonathan (also referred to as Dr. Jonathan Wangisi) was granted bail by the Anti-Corruption Court in Kampala on Tuesday afternoon, August 4, 2026. The release comes just days after the senior health official was arraigned and remanded on charges of abuse of office and corruption through neglect of duty. Court records and official statements indicate he had been held in custody pending the bail hearing scheduled for that date. Dr. Wangisi was among four Mbale District officials charged in late July following arrests linked to the “Expose the Corrupt” campaign spearheaded by Minister of Local Government Hon. Balaam Barugahara. The others were District Education Officer Khaukha Sam Paddy, District Inspector of Schools Walufu Asadi, and Nabumali Secondary School head teacher Nabiryo Betty Wamanga. According to the prosecution, between 2023 and 2024 Dr. Wangisi allege...

The Minister of Local Government, Balaam Barugahara, has ordered the immediate interdiction of Mbarara City Town Clerk Justine Barekye and several senior officials over allegations of causing government losses exceeding Shs928 million through the mismanagement of property tax and irregular payments to a road contractor. The directive was issued on Tuesday during the minister’s meeting with local leaders and stakeholders at Mbarara City Hall to assess government service delivery and address corruption allegations. The affected officials include Deputy Town Clerk Simon Ejua, former City Engineer William Byaruhanga, Trade Officer Allan Karekye, Natural Resources Officer Niwagaba, the Community Development Officer, and several other officials. They have been directed to step aside to allow investigations by the Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID) and the State House Anti-Corruption Unit. Barugahara said preliminary investigations indicate that the officials are implicated in the alle...