<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<rss version="2.0"
     xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/"
     xmlns:sy="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/syndication/"
     xmlns:admin="http://webns.net/mvcb/"
     xmlns:rdf="http://www.w3.org/1999/02/22-rdf-syntax-ns#"
     xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/"
     xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/">
<channel>
<title>Your Local and International News &#45; : Opinion</title>
<link>https://jajjanews.com/rss/category/opinion</link>
<description>Your Local and International News &#45; : Opinion</description>
<dc:language>en</dc:language>
<dc:rights>Copyright 2026 Jajja News Alright Reserved. Designed with 😍 By Zoomer.africa</dc:rights>

<item>
<title>WHY UGANDA’S TAX WAIVERS ARE A FISCAL TRAP, NOT AN ECONOMIC LIFELINE</title>
<link>https://jajjanews.com/opinion-the-shs5-trillion-leak-why-ugandas-tax-waivers-are-a-fiscal-trap-not-an-economic-lifeline</link>
<guid>https://jajjanews.com/opinion-the-shs5-trillion-leak-why-ugandas-tax-waivers-are-a-fiscal-trap-not-an-economic-lifeline</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ The Minister of State for Finance, Henry Musasizi recently tabled an urgent appeal before Parliament to grant tax waivers to three financially distressed entities: the Uganda Printing and Publishing Corporation (UPPC), City Harvest Electrical Installation Supply &amp; Repairs Ltd, and the Diocese of Northern Uganda. Citing acute cash-flow crises, the minister argued that relief is vital to safeguard their operations and protect their economic contributions. 
While the impulse to rescue struggling institutions is politically attractive, Parliament must tread carefully. Uganda’s expanding culture of ad-hoc corporate bailouts and tax holidays directly contradicts the National Resistance Movement (NRM) 2026–2031 Manifesto. Under the banner of the &quot;No Sleep Kisanja&quot; (Kisanja No More Sleep)—an executive mandate explicitly demanding strict governance, high efficiency, and zero tolerance for underperformance—the state must rethink its fiscal generosity. This uncoordinated erosion of our revenue base directly sabotages the country&#039;s collective aspiration of achieving Ten-Fold Economic Growth from US$ 50 billion to US$ 500 billion. 
Evaluating the necessity of these waivers requires looking past individual corporate pleas to confront a stark macroeconomic reality. According to a joint report by the Ministry of Finance and tax experts, Uganda forewent an astronomical Shs5 trillion in taxes during the 2024/25 financial year alone through various tax expenditures, exemptions, and waivers. This is not pocket change. It represents 2.2% of our national GDP and effectively swallows 15.5% of the total tax revenue collected by the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA).
The leakages cut across every major revenue stream. Value Added Tax (VAT) exemptions account for Shs2 trillion of the bleeding, followed by Shs1 trillion in Personal Income Tax, Shs853 billion in Excise Duty, Shs708 billion in Customs Duty, and Shs431 billion in Corporate Income Tax.
A decade ago, annual revenue losses from tax relief hovered between Shs1 trillion and Shs1.5 trillion. By FY 2023/24, that number grew to Shs3.6 trillion, culminating in the record-breaking Shs5 trillion deficit in FY 2024/25. Civil society organizations like SEATINI-Uganda, along with international institutions like the IMF and the World Bank, have repeatedly warned that the massive fiscal costs of these incentives heavily outweigh their realized economic benefits. Uganda is starving its own public services to subsidize selected enterprises.
Beyond blanket industrial exemptions, the country has grown dangerously reliant on a patchwork of case-by-case parliamentary bailouts. In February 2025, Parliament cleared Shs9.5 billion in waivers for entities including J2E Investment Corporation and Nkumba University. In August 2026, an Shs8.7 billion waiver was cleared for Fresh Cuts Uganda Limited. Now, we face an additional Shs16.8 billion bundle of requests for UPPC, K-Roma Limited, and Ankole Western University
Proponents of these waivers argue that intervention is an act of economic pragmatism. In many cases, including the current batch, entities are facing collapse because government ministries, departments, and agencies have failed to pay them for services rendered. Forcing a company into liquidation due to state-induced domestic arrears is counterproductive. Furthermore, entities like UPPC handle critical statutory printing, while religious institutions provide vital social safety nets that the state cannot replicate.
However, the counterarguments are structurally devastating. A &quot;Kisanja No More Sleep&quot; government cannot afford complacency. To achieve double-digit GDP expansion and a qualitative leap in economic management, the Ten fold Growth Strategy prioritizes a very clear pillar: competitively growing the share of the formal economy for a larger revenue base. Handing out endless tax waivers shrinks that revenue base instead of growing it. 
Furthermore, granting ad-hoc waivers creates a severe moral hazard. It signals to the business community that tax compliance is negotiable, and that aggressive lobbying beats sound financial management. It also distorts the free market, giving subsidized companies an unfair advantage over compliant, tax-paying competitors who manage their cash flows responsibly.
Are tax waivers a good move to save the economy? The answer is a conditional yes, but only if they stop operating as arbitrary political or administrative favors.
The Minister’s call for a clear, transparent, and structured criteria to guide future tax waivers is the most vital takeaway from this legislative dilemma. To align with the NRM Manifesto and protect the path to a US$ 500 billion economy, Parliament must immediately codify three strict benchmarks to drastically reduce tax expenditures: [ 
First, the compensatory rule must apply. If an entity&#039;s financial distress is directly caused by government delays in paying domestic arrears, a tax waiver is a justified, necessary correction to offset state-inflicted harm.
Second, we must apply a strict &quot;but-for&quot; test. Relief must be restricted exclusively to inherently viable enterprises facing temporary, external macroeconomic shocks—not structurally mismanaged companies looking for a soft landing.
Third, any tax relief must be tied to mandatory reciprocity. Waivers must legally bind the beneficiary to strict operational restructuring and compliance milestones to guarantee they return to full tax-paying status, rather than returning to Parliament for another bailout in a few years.
While short-term tax waivers may be practically necessary to save critical enterprises from collapsing under the weight of government arrears, continuing down this uncoordinated path will completely destabilize Uganda&#039;s domestic revenue mobilization. A government in an era of &quot;No Sleep&quot; must keep its eyes wide open to the dangers of fiscal leakage. Parliament&#039;s immediate priority should not be passing more isolated bailouts, but rather enacting a rigorous, permanent legal framework to ensure that any future tax relief is transparently justified, fair to compliant taxpayers, and strictly accountable to our shared growth targets ]]></description>
<enclosure url="https://jajjanews.com/uploads/images/202610/image_870x580_6adb2e2c663ca.jpg" length="68920" type="image/jpeg"/>
<pubDate>Fri, 23 Oct 2026 12:46:46 +0300</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Felix Oketcho</dc:creator>
<media:keywords></media:keywords>
</item>

<item>
<title>GASHUMBA VS KAYANJA: THE SHS 500M BOUNTY EXPOSING UGANDA’S UNTOUCHABLE PASTORS</title>
<link>https://jajjanews.com/Why-the-explosive-standoff-at-Miracle-Centre-Cathedral-proves-that-pastoral-collars-must-no-longer-grant-immunity-from-the-Penal-Code-Act</link>
<guid>https://jajjanews.com/Why-the-explosive-standoff-at-Miracle-Centre-Cathedral-proves-that-pastoral-collars-must-no-longer-grant-immunity-from-the-Penal-Code-Act</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ By Accountability Activist
The high-stakes standoff between media personality Frank Gashumba and Pastor Robert Kayanja of Miracle Centre Cathedral has blown open a conversation that Uganda has quietly swept under the rug for decades.
By putting a Shs 500 million cash bounty on the table—daring Born-Again pastors to empirically prove their miraculous healing powers—Gashumba did not just spark a theological debate. He exposed a gaping wound in our nation&#039;s social and legal fabric.
At its core, this feud is not a personal grievance. It is a symptom of a deeper, systemic crisis: the unmonitored evolution of the Ugandan church from a refuge of spiritual hope into an unregulated marketplace where staged miracles drain the life savings of the most vulnerable.
To understand how we arrived at a point where a spiritual leader issues life-threatening warnings from the pulpit over a demand for accountability, we must examine the history of faith in Uganda, the psychology of modern religious exploitation, and the statutory tools available to the legal system to protect its citizens.
Uganda’s relationship with Christianity has always been intense, dating back to the late 19th-century arrival of Anglican and Catholic missionaries and the profound historical weight of the Uganda Martyrs. For generations, traditional churches operated under strict, centralized institutional hierarchies. They built schools, founded hospitals, and maintained a predictable, somber moral authority.
However, the late 1970s and 1980s birthed a spiritual revolution: the Pentecostal (Balokole) movement. In a country recovering from the trauma of past regimes, the traditional churches often felt too rigid, too closely tied to political history. The Born-Again movement offered something radically different—vibrant worship, a deeply personal relationship with God, and an intoxicating message of immediate, divine transformation. Early pioneers preached holiness, modesty, and genuine communal care.
But as the decades rolled on, a theological shift occurred.
The self-denying holiness of early Pentecostalism was steadily replaced by the imported American phenomenon of the &quot;Prosperity Gospel.&quot; Under this new doctrine, faith became transactional. Poverty and sickness were no longer viewed as systemic social challenges or biological realities; they were framed as spiritual failures, manageable only by &quot;sowing a seed&quot;—a euphemism for financial donations.
As the socio-economic gap widened in Uganda, leaving millions of youths unemployed and desperate for medical or financial breakthroughs, the demand for shortcuts to prosperity skyrocketed. The stage was set for the rise of the modern religious entrepreneur.
In any other industry, making a false claim about a product that results in financial loss or physical harm is called fraud. In the religious sector, it is frequently protected under the guise of &quot;faith.&quot;
The modern &quot;fake pastor&quot; is a master of psychology. They target the desperate: the mother whose child has terminal cancer, the unemployed graduate looking for a job, the businessman on the brink of bankruptcy. These individuals do not walk into churches looking to be defrauded; they walk in carrying the heavy burden of systemic state failure. When public hospitals lack medicine and the economy fails to provide jobs, the church steps in as the ultimate safety net.
The miracles that follow are often carefully choreographed theatrical performances. From hiring actors to simulate paralysis, blindness, or poverty, to using highly charged emotional environments to induce psychosomatic relief, these stages are designed for one purpose: to validate the pastor’s spiritual authority.
Once that authority is established, the financial exploitation begins:
•	Envelopes for &quot;special blessings&quot; are distributed.
•	Properties are deeded over to ministries.
•	Life savings are emptied into church baskets in the tragic belief that God will return it tenfold.
Gashumba’s skepticism is not an attack on God, as his critics claim. It is a rational response to consumer fraud. If a pastor publicly claims to possess the biological cure for HIV or cancer through divine intervention, asking for a medical certificate or empirical validation is not blasphemy—it is a basic matter of public safety.
When the state attempts to regulate the religious sector, powerful lobbies consistently retreat behind the supreme law of the land. They cite Article 29(1)(c) of the 1995 Constitution of Uganda, which explicitly guarantees every citizen the &quot;freedom to practise any religion and manifest such practice.&quot;
However, religious leaders conveniently ignore Article 43(1) of the Constitution, which mandates that the enjoyment of these rights must not prejudice the public interest or the fundamental rights and freedoms of others. Freedom of worship is not an absolute shield for criminality.
When a pastor knowingly stages fake miracles to extract money from a believer, they cross the line from spiritual practice into a criminal offense under the Penal Code Act (Cap 120):
Section 305 (Obtaining Money by False Pretences): The law dictates that any person who, by any false pretence, induces another to deliver money or property commits a felony punishable by up to five years in prison.
Section 304 (Definition of False Pretence): A false pretence is defined as any representation of a matter of fact, past or present, which the person making it knows to be false. Staging an actor to fake a disability to solicit tithes falls squarely under this definition.
Section 271 (Fraudulent Disposition of Trust Property): Leaders who divert congregational funds, land, or corporate tithing to their personal estate can be criminally charged for misappropriation.
The Precedents: Pastors Are Not Immune to Jailing
The argument that Ugandan courts cannot or will not touch religious figures is factually incorrect. The judiciary has previously set strong precedents proving that pastoral titles do not grant legal immunity:
The Jailing of Pastor Sirajje Semanda (2023): In a high-profile case handled by the State House Anti-Corruption Unit, Pastor Sirajje Semanda of the Revival Church in Bombo was convicted by the Buganda Road Magistrate Court for defrauding over 5,000 victims of more than Shs 4 billion. He was sentenced to two and a half years in prison and ordered to pay a Shs 405 million fine.
The Streams of Life Land Fraud Case (2023): The High Court in Kampala found Senior Pastor Gerald Mwebe and his church, Streams of Life, guilty of obtaining land by fraud. The High Court ordered the church to vacate the land, cancelled their fraudulent title deeds, and slammed the pastor with a Shs 50 million damages bill.
These cases prove that when prosecutors and citizens utilize the Penal Code Act, the law can dismantle fraudulent religious syndicates.
The battle line between Frank Gashumba and Pastor Robert Kayanja is a watershed moment for Uganda. It has forced us to ask a question we have long avoided: Where do a citizen&#039;s religious freedoms end, and where does the state&#039;s duty to protect its people from fraud begin?
Freedom of worship must be fiercely protected, but it cannot be used as a shield to practice extortion or endanger public health by discouraging sick people from seeking medical treatment. Uganda urgently needs the Directorate of Ethics and Integrity to pass the National Policy on Religious and Faith-Based Organizations (RFOs) to enforce minimum standards, such as mandatory academic theology qualifications and transparently audited financial accounts.
A pastoral collar should not grant immunity from the Penal Code Act. Until the government musters the political courage to enforce transparency uniformly across all mega-churches, the public will remain vulnerable. Frank Gashumba may not win his theological argument against the pulpit, but by forcing the conversation into the open, he has handed the state the perfect mandate to act. ]]></description>
<enclosure url="https://jajjanews.com/uploads/images/202607/image_870x580_6a4f5cf3a9477.jpg" length="43579" type="image/jpeg"/>
<pubDate>Sat, 17 Oct 2026 11:06:03 +0300</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Felix Oketcho</dc:creator>
<media:keywords></media:keywords>
</item>

<item>
<title>THE OVERLOOKED REALITIES OF BREAST CANCER IN UGANDA</title>
<link>https://jajjanews.com/the-overlooked-realities-of-breast-cancer-in-uganda</link>
<guid>https://jajjanews.com/the-overlooked-realities-of-breast-cancer-in-uganda</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ By Dr. Aleesha Adatia
Every October, the world is painted pink. The pink ribbon has done a phenomenal job of bringing breast cancer into the public consciousness. In Uganda, we see more women coming into clinics for breast examinations and mammograms during this month than any other time of the year. However, as an oncologist, I often see patients who delayed seeking medical attention because their symptoms or risk factors didn’t align with what
they traditionally understood about the disease.
In Uganda, breast cancer is the second most commonly iagnosed cancer among women,with approximately 3,000 new cases estimated in 2022, according to GLOBOCAN.
To truly combat breast cancer, we must move beyond basic awareness and address the critical nuances of this condition that remain dangerously overlooked by many women.
One of the most pervasive myths I encounter is the belief that a cancerous tumour must be painful. When women feel a lump that doesn’t hurt, they often dismiss it as a benign cyst, a swollen gland, or a temporary hormonal change.
Many breast cancers present as a painless lump, particularly in the early stages.
However, breast cancer can also be painful or tender. Any new or persistent breast lump,whether painful or not, requires prompt medical assessment. Pain is not a reliable indicator of whether a lump is cancerous.
Public health messaging heavily emphasises finding a “lump,” leading many to incorrectly believe that the absence of a lump means the absence of cancer. However,breast cancer can present in several other, easily overlooked ways.
Skin changes like unexplained redness, flakiness, or dimpling of the breast skin sometimes resembling the pitted peel of an orange can be early indicators of underlying
issues. A nipple that suddenly turns inward should never be ignored.
New spontaneous nipple discharge, particularly if it is unilateral, bloody or clear,warrants medical assessment. Any new or unexplained swelling, bulging or change in breast shape or symmetry should also be evaluated.
Many women know to ask about their mother’s or sister’s history with breast cancer. But  what about the father’s side? Genetic mutations that significantly increase breast cancer risk, such as pathogenic variants in BRCA1 and BRCA2, can be inherited from the paternal line just as easily as the maternal line.
Furthermore, relying entirely on family history is a flawed strategy. The vast majority of women diagnosed with breast cancer have no known family history of the disease. A clean family tree does not grant immunity.
There is a lingering misconception that breast cancer risk increases with age, younger  women can and do develop the disease. Women of every age should be aware of what is normal for their breasts and promptly seek assessment for a new or persistent change.
Formal screening should be guided by age and individual risk, with earlier or additional imaging considered for women at increased risk. Young women must be just as vigilant with breast self-awareness and clinical screenings as directed by their physicians.
Finally, an often-overlooked element of breast cancer is the psychological toll of the diagnosis and treatment. The fear of a cancer diagnosis is frequently rooted in the outdated belief that it is an automatic death sentence or that treatment is unbearable.
Today, breast cancer care is advancing rapidly. Treatment may include surgery,radiotherapy, chemotherapy, endocrine therapy, targeted therapy or immunotherapy,depending on the cancer subtype and stage. At C-Care Uganda, our aim is to offer
personalised, evidence-based care. Equally important are psychological support,symptom management, supportive and palliative care when needed, and attention to quality of life throughout treatment and beyond.
While Cancer is advancing rapidly, at C-Care Uganda, we provide comprehensive,personalized treatment plans that include the latest chemotherapy and targeted therapy options. But medical intervention is only half the battle. Cancer attacks the mind and spirit as much as the body. Holistic care, including psychosocial support, stress and anxiety management, and even tailored aesthetic advice for skin care post-chemotherapy, plays a crucial role in a patient&amp;#39;s recovery and long-term quality of life.
This Breast Cancer Awareness Month, I urge Ugandan women to commit to true body awareness. Know what is normal for your breasts so that you can recognise what is abnormal. If you notice any changes, do not wait for pain, and do not wait for a lump.
Early detection can significantly improve treatment outcomes. Know your risk, seek medical assessment promptly for breast changes, and speak to a healthcare professional about the screening approach appropriate for your age and individual risk.
“One of the most dangerous misconceptions about breast cancer is that it must hurt, or that there must be a lump. Breast cancer does not always announce itself that way. A new change in the breast, whether it is a lump, skin dimpling, nipple inversion,
unexplained discharge or a change in shape, deserves attention. And importantly, having no family history does not mean you are not at risk. Know what is normal for your breasts, know your individual risk, and do not wait for pain before seeking
medical advice.”
Dr. Aleesha Adatia is a Medical Oncologist and Palliative Care Specialist and Head of Department, Oncology, at C-Care International Hospital Kampala. ]]></description>
<enclosure url="https://jajjanews.com/uploads/images/202610/image_870x580_6ad25cd8d8012.jpg" length="65181" type="image/jpeg"/>
<pubDate>Fri, 16 Oct 2026 20:14:07 +0300</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Felix Oketcho</dc:creator>
<media:keywords></media:keywords>
</item>

<item>
<title>At a Crossroads: Can Uganda’s Premier Builder Survive the Next 60 Years?</title>
<link>https://jajjanews.com/at-a-crossroads-can-ugandas-premier-builder-survive-the-next-60-years</link>
<guid>https://jajjanews.com/at-a-crossroads-can-ugandas-premier-builder-survive-the-next-60-years</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ The National Housing and Construction Company Limited (NHCC) has stood as a central pillar of Uganda’s urban development for six decades. However, as the parastatal marks 60 years of existence, it finds itself at a critical crossroads. Confronted by acute funding gaps, high borrowing costs, and rigid bureaucratic protocols, the state enterprise is actively shifting its focus away from residential housing to survive.
The depth of this systemic crisis came to light on October 8, 2026, when NHCC Chief Executive Officer Eng. Kenneth Kaijuka appeared before Parliament’s Committee on Commissions, Statutory Authorities and State Enterprises (COSASE). Responding to queries raised in the recent Auditor General’s report, Kaijuka delivered what he termed &quot;sad news&quot;: NHCC is actively scaling down its low-cost residential housing projects, choosing instead to pivot toward commercial government construction contracts.
This shift leaves a glaring void in Uganda’s national housing strategy. The state cannot treat affordable housing as a self-sustaining commercial venture while expecting a public welfare outcome. Relying on presidential directives for direct procurement contracts might keep NHCC solvent as a general contractor, but it completely defeats its purpose as a national housing engine. To close the current housing deficit, the government must directly fund the NHCC for three critical reasons.
The fundamental problem facing NHCC is that it is mandated to serve a social good—providing affordable housing to low- and middle-income Ugandans—while being forced to operate under the same punishing commercial realities as private real estate developers. Unlike its regional counterparts, NHCC receives no state subsidies, operates without tax incentives, and must acquire land and construction materials at volatile market rates.
To finance its residential estates, the company has historically relied on commercial borrowing. Auditor General Edward Akol explicitly decried this structural neglect in his recent report, urging the state to immediately step up. The Auditor General highlighted that NHCC management had resolved to capitalise the company to the tune of Shs 231.5 billion through a rights issue, with the government expected to contribute Shs 118 billion.
Instead, the state starved the entity:
“Government allocated only Shs 30 billion, which is just 25 per cent of the expected contribution.”
The consequences of this undercapitalisation are mathematically devastating. The Auditor General noted that due to the undercapitalisation of NHCCL, only 1,474 units [2.12 percent] out of the planned 69,288 units were constructed during the strategic plan period.

Forcing NHCC to borrow Shs 200 billion on the open market forces the parastatal to price apartments in the hundreds of millions or billions of shillings just to break even. This commercial strain has directly compromised operational efficiency:
The Naalya condominium project, valued at Shs29.83 billion, stood at just 24% completion by its target date despite being heavily booked by citizens.
Direct government capitalization breaks this cycle. If the state funds the initial capital expenditure and land acquisition, NHCC can build projects efficiently, hit its completion timelines, and sell units at actual cost.
Uganda is facing an unprecedented urban youth bulge. For young professionals aged 25 to 40 seeking entry-level housing within 30 kilometers of Kampala, the state-backed entity offers no viable alternative to the exorbitant private market. As Kenneth Kaijuka noted during parliamentary reviews regarding the private market&#039;s failures:
Most of the land is privately owned, which means that nearly every Ugandan becomes a builder... Families, lacking the means to negotiate with financiers, typically design homes based on what they can afford, leading to many rudimentary bungalows.
Without structured 10-to-15-year state-subsidized mortgage frameworks, NHCC is structurally restricted from addressing Uganda&#039;s vast urban slum deficits. If young professionals earning decent formal wages are priced out of safe, structured urban centers, Kampala’s surrounding areas will devolve into dense, unserviced slums. Slum expansion devalues the capital city, strains municipal sanitation, and breeds social unrest.
Compounding these domestic strains, COSASE revealed that NHCC is currently trapped in a legal chokehold due to its historical shareholding. Libya acquired a 49% stake in NHCC in 2005 through a US$20.3 million (Shs35 billion) paper debt swap, while Uganda retained 51%. Following the fall of the Muammar Gaddafi regime in 2011, global UN sanctions barred Uganda from transacting with or locating its Libyan partners, completely freezing the company&#039;s governance and blocking dividend collection.
Operating under an extraordinary High Court order as a &quot;single shareholder&quot; means NHCC cannot attract fresh international equity or conventional corporate financing without extreme legal risk. It is completely paralyzed on the open financial market. Direct government capital injections are not just a policy preference—they are the only lawful financial lifeline available to keep the company functioning.
The Auditor General&#039;s report also exposed internal governance hurdles and compliance failures that stem directly from a cash-strapped company trying to cut corners to stay afloat. The parastatal was faulted for bypassing the Government Chief Valuer when renting out its commercial properties, as well as utilizing single-sourcing methods rather than competitive bidding for contracts worth Shs201 million. Furthermore, the report warned of financial leakages, pointing out that government laxity in collecting its 0.82% indirect share dividends from institutions like Housing Finance Bank deprives the state of critical revenue that could otherwise be re-allocated to public works.
While these administrative and procurement issues require stringent internal oversight, they must not serve as an excuse for the state to abandon its funding obligations. In fact, full government capitalization acts as a regulatory anchor: with direct funding comes strict parliamentary oversight, transparent milestones, and structural compliance.
Every shilling the government directly injects into an NHCC low-cost housing development triggers a massive economic multiplier. Massive housing projects create thousands of immediate jobs for young artisans, masons, and engineers. Furthermore, it drives sustained local demand for Ugandan-made cement, steel, and structural timber, directly supporting the Build Uganda, Buy Uganda (BUBU) initiative.
To address its urban deficit, Kenya shifted from a developer-led model to an aggressive, state-driven ecosystem under the Affordable Housing Programme (AHP). This model provides an actionable blueprint for Uganda by leveraging structured state intervention across three main pillars:
If the company is to ever return to its original mandate of transforming slums and building homes for the average citizen, Uganda must implement targeted policy interventions:
Establishment of a National Housing Fund: Uganda needs a dedicated statutory fund to shield housing projects from the volatile commercial banking sector. This would enable NHCC to access capital at 0–3% interest, passing those savings directly to young prospective homeowners.
Legislating Rent-to-Own Legal Frameworks: Parliament needs to pass specific real estate guidelines protecting tenant-purchase agreements. This would allow young professionals to occupy a starter unit immediately and have their monthly rent legally recognized as equity contributions toward full ownership over a 15-year period.
Ultimately, NHCC cannot solve a public welfare crisis using purely commercial instruments. If the state wishes to change the aesthetic and structural reality of housing in Uganda, it must stop treating NHCC as a standalone commercial business and start funding it as a vital piece of national public infrastructure. ]]></description>
<enclosure url="https://jajjanews.com/uploads/images/202610/image_870x580_6ac8c6852b6b1.jpg" length="67330" type="image/jpeg"/>
<pubDate>Fri, 09 Oct 2026 13:25:57 +0300</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Felix Oketcho</dc:creator>
<media:keywords></media:keywords>
</item>

<item>
<title>Uganda at 64: Translating Sovereignty from a Ceremony into a Call to Action</title>
<link>https://jajjanews.com/uganda-at-64-translating-sovereignty-from-a-ceremony-into-a-call-to-action</link>
<guid>https://jajjanews.com/uganda-at-64-translating-sovereignty-from-a-ceremony-into-a-call-to-action</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ The theme for Uganda’s 64th Independence Day, “Embracing our sovereignty with hope and visionary leadership,” arrives at a critical juncture in the nation’s history. Sixty-four years after the lowering of the Union Jack, sovereignty remains not just a historic achievement to be celebrated, but an active, evolving responsibility. This theme serves as both a retrospective acknowledgement of how far the nation has come and a forward-looking roadmap for what it must become. By intertwining the concepts of self-governance, optimism, and strategic guidance, it challenges Ugandans to re-examine the true meaning of independence in a rapidly changing global landscape.
To truly embrace sovereignty requires moving beyond the literal definition of freedom from colonial rule. True sovereignty in the 21st century is measured by economic independence, institutional integrity, and the ability of a nation to dictate its own destiny without undue external coercion. For Uganda, safeguarding this independence demands a resilient domestic economy and strong democratic structures that protect the rights and potential of its citizens. Geopolitical autonomy is only as strong as the internal stability supporting it.
However, autonomy alone can stagnate without the driving force of hope. In this context, hope is not a passive wish for a better future, but a vital societal catalyst. Uganda possesses one of the youngest populations in the world, a demographic reality that represents either a massive developmental dividend or a profound socioeconomic challenge. Infusing this young generation with genuine hope requires creating tangible opportunities. When a population operates from a place of hope rather than disillusionment, civic engagement thrives, innovation accelerates, and national unity strengthens. Hope turns the abstract concept of sovereignty into a personal stake for every citizen.
The final and most crucial pillar of the theme is visionary leadership. Sovereignty provides the canvas and hope provides the energy, but leadership provides the direction. Visionary leadership requires moving past short-term political gains and focusing instead on long-term national transformation. It demands leaders who prioritize sustainable development, transparency, the rule of law, and institutional strength over individual consolidation of power. For Uganda to navigate the complexities of regional integration, climate change, and economic volatility, its leadership must be adaptive, inclusive, and unyieldingly accountable to the people.
For this theme to be more than a ceremonial slogan, visionary leadership must urgently translate geopolitical autonomy into concrete economic policy and youth-centered development:
Leadership must prioritize reducing external debt dependence and broadening the domestic tax base equitably. Uganda’s economic policy must pivot from exporting raw agricultural commodities to aggressive local manufacturing and value addition. Crucially, these frameworks will only succeed if leadership aggressively curbs corruption and ensures transparent resource management.
Uganda&#039;s sovereignty remains vulnerable if its youth are economically marginalized. Hope must be backed by massive job-creation strategies in technology, commercial agriculture, and the creative arts. Education policies must be aggressively overhauled to align with market demands, shifting from theoretical learning to technical, vocational, and digital skills. Furthermore, governance must lower barriers to credit for youth-led Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), allowing the younger generation to become drivers of economic growth.
Ultimately, Uganda cannot fully embrace its sovereignty while shackled by economic vulnerabilities and high youth underemployment. Realizing the promise of 1962 in the daily lives of all its citizens requires bold, accountable leadership that transforms economic structures and empowers the youth to build a self-sustaining nation. As the country marks more than six decades of self-rule, the collective focus must shift toward bridging the gap between this noble vision and the everyday realities of governance and development. ]]></description>
<enclosure url="https://jajjanews.com/uploads/images/202607/image_870x580_6a4f5cf3a9477.jpg" length="43579" type="image/jpeg"/>
<pubDate>Tue, 06 Oct 2026 14:43:02 +0300</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Felix Oketcho</dc:creator>
<media:keywords></media:keywords>
</item>

<item>
<title>We Must  Take  Capital  Markets  To the Common Man To Secure The Future</title>
<link>https://jajjanews.com/we-must-take-capital-markets-to-the-common-man-as-we-celebrate-30-years-milestone</link>
<guid>https://jajjanews.com/we-must-take-capital-markets-to-the-common-man-as-we-celebrate-30-years-milestone</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Thirty years ago, the Capital Markets Authority was a small institution with a very big idea.The idea was that Uganda could build a market through which savings could become investments; businesses could raise long-term capital; ordinary Ugandans could participate in wealth creation; and capital could help finance the development of our country.
Today that idea has become an institution and that institution now carries even bigger responsibility from possibility to Scale.
Thirty years ago, the fundamental question was:Can Uganda build a functioning capital market?Today, we know the answer.
Yes, we can. And yes, we have.But the question before us today is different.How large can it become?How inclusive can it become?
How innovative can it become?
And, most importantly, how much impact can it have on Uganda&#039;s development?These questions have become even more urgent because Uganda has set itself an extraordinary ambition – to build a USD 500 billion economy by 2040.
That transformation will require enormous amounts of capital.
And we must recognise something very clearly:We cannot bank-finance our way to a USD 500 billion economy. Banks will remain critical to our economy. But transformational development also requires long-term, patient capital. It requires equity,pension and institutional capital, innovative investment vehicles and capital markets capable of connecting Uganda&#039;s savings with Uganda&#039;s opportunities.
As I speak of 30 years’ journey, Assets under management in Collective Investment Schemes reached approximately UGX 7.06 trillion. Total funds mobilised through the capital markets reached approximately UGX 23.4 trillion,Public understanding of capital markets rose to 60.8 percent,CIS investor accounts grew to over 241,000 and dDomestic market capitalisation on the Uganda Securities Exchange surpassed UGX 15 trillion.Segregated fund assets exceeded UGX 6 trillion.
And CMA today regulates more than 160 licensed market participants.Those numbers would have been difficult to imagine when CMA began its life in a few modest rooms in the basement of the Bank of Uganda.
OUR Vision 
One of our most important ambitions is participation.Within the life of our Strategic Plan, we want to see one million funded Collective Investment Scheme accounts.Why one million?Because behind every account is a person.A teacher who has decided to invest part of her salary,an entrepreneur building wealth beyond the business,f farmer investing the proceeds of a good harvest and  young Ugandan who begins with UGX 10,000 or UGX 20,000 and discovers that investing is not something reserved for wealthy people. That is the Uganda we want to build.
For many years, financial inclusion has largely meant access to a bank account or mobile money.That was an important first step.
But the next frontier must be investment inclusion.It is not enough for Ugandans only to transact.Ugandans must also invest, own and build wealth.
BEYOND GOVERNMENT SECURITIES
Government securities will remain an important part of Uganda&#039;s financial system.But a mature capital market must offer investors more.We therefore want to accelerate the development of instruments such as Real Estate Investment Trusts, infrastructure bonds, green bonds, asset-backed securities, private capital solutions and Islamic finance instruments.
We are particularly committed to supporting the operationalisation of Uganda&#039;s inaugural sovereign Sukuk.And this is about much more than introducing another financial product.It is about widening the pool of investors that can participate in financing Uganda.
It is about opening our market to new sources of global capital.
And it is about ensuring that Uganda participates meaningfully in the rapidly growing global Islamic finance ecosystem.
SUSTAINABILITY AND THE CAPITAL OF THE FUTURE
The market we build must also be ready for the capital of tomorrow.
Globally, investors are increasingly asking questions about sustainability, climate, governance and long-term impact.
Uganda must be ready for those conversations.
Through ESG disclosure frameworks, sustainable-finance guidelines, green-finance instruments and Islamic-finance initiatives, we are positioning our market to compete for these emerging pools of capital.
We therefore enter our 30th year proud of our progress, honest about our gaps and ambitious about our future.
TAKING CAPITAL MARKETS TO THE PEOPLE
Throughout this anniversary year, we will therefore take capital-markets education and engagement across the country.
We will engage universities and young people through the University Quiz Challenge with, work with opinion leaders across Uganda, in partnership with the Uganda Financial Literacy Association.
We will take market intermediaries into downtown Kampala and Kikuubo, supported by multilingual radio programming.
We will work with farmers through initiatives such as the Seeds of Gold programme.
And we are launching one campaign that I particularly like:
“Explain Capital Markets to Your Grandmother.”
Because if we cannot explain what we do to our grandmother in language she understands, perhaps we have not understood it well enough ourselves!Capital markets must cease to sound like something that belongs only to economists, lawyers, investment bankers and people wearing complicated suits.
They must become part of everyday conversations about saving, investing, ownership and wealth creation.
And yes – we will take that conversation to YouTube, TikTok, Instagram and wherever else the next generation is having its conversations.

The Author Ms. Josephine Ossiya is Chief Executive Officer  Capital Markets Authority ]]></description>
<enclosure url="https://jajjanews.com/uploads/images/202609/image_870x580_6a97c03a74beb.jpg" length="62838" type="image/jpeg"/>
<pubDate>Wed, 02 Sep 2026 08:24:49 +0300</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Felix Oketcho</dc:creator>
<media:keywords></media:keywords>
</item>

<item>
<title>Local Council I (LC I) and Local Council II (LC II) Structures remain the Bedrock of Uganda’s Decentralised System of Governance</title>
<link>https://jajjanews.com/local-council-i-lc-i-and-local-council-ii-lc-ii-structures-remain-the-bedrock-of-ugandas-decentralised-system-of-governance</link>
<guid>https://jajjanews.com/local-council-i-lc-i-and-local-council-ii-lc-ii-structures-remain-the-bedrock-of-ugandas-decentralised-system-of-governance</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ The Local Council I (LC I) and Local Council II (LC II) structures remain the bedrock of Uganda’s decentralised system of governance. Since the introduction of decentralisation, Government has deliberately brought leadership and decision-making closer to the people, enabling communities to actively participate in identifying priorities, monitoring public services and holding leaders accountable.
This commitment to citizen participation has been demonstrated through the bold engagement of communities during recent visits by Ministers of Local Government to the Bugisu Sub-region, where citizens openly exposed corrupt practices, highlighted service delivery challenges and demanded greater accountability in the management of public resources.
As Uganda prepares for the Village (LC I) and Parish/Ward (LC II) elections, citizens have another opportunity to strengthen this democratic foundation by electing leaders of integrity, competence and commitment to public service.
The Ministry of Local Government continues to champion decentralisation as an effective approach to promoting good governance, accountability, inclusive development and citizen participation. Through decentralisation, communities become active partners in development rather than passive beneficiaries of government programmes.
The LC I and LC II Executive Committees are designed to ensure that every aspect of community life is represented through dedicated office bearers, including the Chairperson, Vice Chairperson, General Secretary, Secretary for Finance, Secretary for Defence and Security, Secretary for Production and Environmental Protection, Secretary for Information, Education and Communication, Secretary for Youth Affairs, Secretary for Persons with Disabilities and Secretary for Women Affairs, as provided for under the Local Governments Act.
This structure ensures that residents know where to seek assistance on specific community matters while promoting inclusive, accessible and responsive local governance.
The LC I Executive Committee plays a central role in village administration by implementing council decisions, convening meetings, mobilising citizens to participate in government programmes, maintaining law and order, promoting sanitation and environmental protection, identifying vulnerable households for government interventions, safeguarding public property and monitoring service delivery.
The Committee also serves as the vital link between communities and higher levels of Local Government by communicating local priorities, challenges and development needs.
LC I and LC II leaders occupy a unique position because they are the closest elected leaders to the people. Their understanding of community realities enables them to respond quickly to local concerns while ensuring that government programmes reach the intended beneficiaries.
Their responsibilities extend beyond administration to mobilising communities to participate in national development initiatives such as the Parish Development Model (PDM), Emyooga, immunisation campaigns, environmental conservation and community sanitation programmes.
These leaders also play a crucial role in maintaining peace, security and social harmony. Working closely with security agencies and residents, they identify emerging security concerns, resolve neighbourhood disputes and promote peaceful coexistence.
One of their most valuable responsibilities is resolving disputes involving land boundaries, family matters, domestic conflicts and other community disagreements before they escalate into lengthy and costly court processes. Through mediation and reconciliation, Local Councils strengthen social cohesion while reducing pressure on the formal justice system.
Equally important is their role in promoting transparency and accountability. As Government intensifies efforts to eliminate corruption, communities must recognise that the fight against corruption begins at the grassroots.
Honest and vigilant Local Council leaders help safeguard public resources by verifying beneficiaries of government programmes, monitoring public projects and reporting cases of corruption, abuse of office and poor service delivery.
The courage demonstrated by communities in exposing corruption during recent ministerial visits illustrates the important partnership between citizens and Government in strengthening accountability and protecting public resources.
The forthcoming LC I and LC II elections therefore present an opportunity for communities to elect leaders who place public interest above personal gain.
Citizens should carefully assess the character, honesty, commitment and track record of those seeking office. Communities deserve leaders who are approachable, accountable, hardworking and committed to serving all citizens without discrimination.
Such leadership strengthens public trust and creates an environment where development programmes can succeed.
Decentralisation is founded on the principle that decisions affecting communities are best made with the active participation of those communities.
Through elected Local Councils, citizens influence local priorities, participate in planning processes and contribute to monitoring government performance. This participatory approach strengthens democratic governance while enhancing community ownership of development initiatives.
The Ministry of Local Government remains committed to strengthening Local Councils through continuous policy support, capacity building and collaboration with other government institutions.
Strong Local Councils translate into stronger Local Governments, improved service delivery, greater accountability and more responsive governance.
As Ugandans prepare to elect their next LC I and LC II leaders, every eligible voter has an important civic responsibility.
Participating in these elections is not simply about choosing individuals to occupy leadership positions; it is about shaping the future of our communities. Every vote contributes to strengthening decentralisation, promoting peace and security, improving accountability and accelerating socio-economic transformation.
The Ministry of Local Government therefore encourages all eligible citizens to participate actively in the electoral process by offering themselves for leadership where qualified and by voting peacefully and responsibly.
Together, through strong Local Councils and effective decentralisation, Uganda will continue to deepen democratic governance, improve service delivery and build resilient communities that drive sustainable and inclusive national development. 
The strength of our nation begins at the village and parish level, where citizens and their elected leaders work hand in hand to transform communities and realise Uganda’s development aspirations.
 The Author Mr. Ben Kumumanya is the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Local Government ]]></description>
<enclosure url="https://jajjanews.com/uploads/images/202607/image_870x580_6a6874740e822.jpg" length="80097" type="image/jpeg"/>
<pubDate>Tue, 28 Jul 2026 12:21:34 +0300</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Felix Oketcho</dc:creator>
<media:keywords></media:keywords>
</item>

<item>
<title>GOVERNMENT LAND INVENTORY IS TIMELY AND NECESSARY</title>
<link>https://jajjanews.com/government-land-inventory-is-timely-and-necessary</link>
<guid>https://jajjanews.com/government-land-inventory-is-timely-and-necessary</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Government has witnessed increasing cases of encroachment, illegal occupation and fraudulent acquisition of Government/public land. In many cases, these challenges are not the result of deliberate wrongdoing by public institutions but rather the consequence of historical gaps in documentation. ]]></description>
<enclosure url="https://jajjanews.com/uploads/images/202607/image_870x580_6a4f5cf3a9477.jpg" length="43579" type="image/jpeg"/>
<pubDate>Thu, 09 Jul 2026 11:34:13 +0300</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Felix Oketcho</dc:creator>
<media:keywords></media:keywords>
</item>

<item>
<title>UGANDA POSITIONS YOUTH AS CENTRE OF ECONOMIC TRANSFORMATION AT THE 4TH NATIONAL LABOUR CONVENTION</title>
<link>https://jajjanews.com/uganda-positions-youth-as-centre-of-economic-transformation-at-the-4th-national-labour-convention</link>
<guid>https://jajjanews.com/uganda-positions-youth-as-centre-of-economic-transformation-at-the-4th-national-labour-convention</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Since its inception in 2023, the Annual National Labour Convention and Expo has evolved into a cornerstone platform for dialogue and action on employment, productivity and inclusive growth. The 2026 edition builds on previous successes, aligning with Uganda’s long-term development frameworks, including Vision 2040 and the National Development Plan IV. ]]></description>
<enclosure url="https://jajjanews.com/uploads/images/202603/image_870x580_69c22686648aa.jpg" length="55375" type="image/jpeg"/>
<pubDate>Tue, 24 Mar 2026 08:52:25 +0300</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Felix Oketcho</dc:creator>
<media:keywords></media:keywords>
</item>

<item>
<title>WOMEN’S AGENDA HAS TRANSITIONED FROM GRASS ROOT ACTIVISM TO INSTITUTIONALISED MOVEMENT</title>
<link>https://jajjanews.com/womens-agenda-has-transitioned-from-grass-root-activism-to-institutionalised-movement</link>
<guid>https://jajjanews.com/womens-agenda-has-transitioned-from-grass-root-activism-to-institutionalised-movement</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ In the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development, we are laser-focused on the key fundamental drivers that will enable women and girls to achieve true freedom and empowerment. Together with our partners across MDAs, civil society organizations, and the private sector, we are making real changes. ]]></description>
<enclosure url="https://jajjanews.com/uploads/images/202603/image_870x580_69c2253fbaaec.jpg" length="54065" type="image/jpeg"/>
<pubDate>Tue, 24 Mar 2026 08:46:53 +0300</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Felix Oketcho</dc:creator>
<media:keywords></media:keywords>
</item>

<item>
<title>NO WOMAN SHOULD GIVE BIRTH WITHOUT CLEAN WATER</title>
<link>https://jajjanews.com/no-woman-should-give-birth-without-clean-water</link>
<guid>https://jajjanews.com/no-woman-should-give-birth-without-clean-water</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ They are the midwife who must deliver a baby without being able to wash her hands properly. They are the mother who arrives at a health center hoping for safety, but finds no water and soap that put her and her newborn at risk. They are the newborns exposed to infections that could have been prevented with provision of clean water and soap. ]]></description>
<enclosure url="https://jajjanews.com/uploads/images/202603/image_870x580_69c2203ce8809.jpg" length="57940" type="image/jpeg"/>
<pubDate>Tue, 24 Mar 2026 08:25:31 +0300</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Felix Oketcho</dc:creator>
<media:keywords></media:keywords>
</item>

<item>
<title>&amp;quot;MAKE ONE LAPTOP PER CHILD POLICY AND DIGITIZE EDUCATION TO ACHIEVE TENFOLD GROWTH,&amp;quot;DR MUGAIGA LAWRENCE</title>
<link>https://jajjanews.com/make-one-laptop-per-child-policy-and-digitize-education-to-achieve-tenfold-growthdr-mugaiga-lawrence</link>
<guid>https://jajjanews.com/make-one-laptop-per-child-policy-and-digitize-education-to-achieve-tenfold-growthdr-mugaiga-lawrence</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ I write to you today with deep respect, appreciation for your decades of service to our nation, and a passionate conviction that I must share an urgent message that could change everything for Uganda, for East Africa, and potentially for the entire African continent. ]]></description>
<enclosure url="https://jajjanews.com/uploads/images/202603/image_870x580_69c0e5419a488.jpg" length="35835" type="image/jpeg"/>
<pubDate>Mon, 23 Mar 2026 10:01:47 +0300</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Felix Oketcho</dc:creator>
<media:keywords></media:keywords>
</item>

</channel>
</rss>