A Special Forces Command (SFC) officer has been sentenced to death by a military court after pleading guilty to the murder of five of his relatives in Mayuge District, Uganda.

The court that was presided over by Chief Justice Lt. Col. Moses Nabasa, convicted Pt. Herbertson Birivumbuka for murder, sending a strong message on the gravity of using firearms unlawfully.

The horrifying incident took place in June when Pt. Birivumbuka visited the home of Isaac Isabirye Mudhasi, where the five relatives were gathered. Driven by long-standing tensions over land ownership, Pt. Birivumbuka admitted to taking the lives of the men in a fit of rage over what he described as a deeply rooted family conflict.

In his ruling, Lt. Col. Nabasa emphasized that this sentence serves as a reminder to all officers to uphold the honor and responsibility that comes with carrying a firearm.

He acknowledged the severity of the offense and stressed that Birivumbuka’s actions reflected a misuse of military-issued firearms, which should be handled with utmost discipline and care.

“The sentence imposed on Pt. Birivumbuka is not only a response to the loss suffered by his family but also a deterrent measure to prevent similar actions among other officers,” Lt. Col. Nabasa stated.

“The misuse of firearms, especially in personal disputes, is not only a breach of trust but also an infringement on the rights and lives of others.”

The military court’s ruling marks a pivotal moment in Uganda’s approach to handling cases where military personnel are involved in civilian disputes. The sentence of death by hanging is

one of the harshest punishments under Ugandan law, reflecting the court’s intent to uphold strict standards of discipline and the rule of law within the armed forces.

This case has brought to light the escalating problem of land disputes in Uganda, an issue that affects countless families across the country. Such disputes often lead to violent confrontations, and the involvement of firearms by military personnel is a worrying trend that requires firm action.

The Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) has announced that work on the rehabilitation of Karuma Bridge is nearing completion, with a new concrete deck currently being constructed.

In a recent update shared on UNRA’s official X (formerly Twitter) account, the agency noted that the project has achieved major milestones and is moving quickly toward completion.

This renewed bridge is expected to play an important role in supporting traffic for both local and regional travel.

Eng. Lawrence Pario, who leads the bridges and structures division at UNRA, shared that the formwork installation—a critical part of the bridge’s construction—is now nearly 80% finished, marking a significant step forward.

“After demolishing the old concrete deck, we are now working on casting the new deck,” he explained. “Once we complete the formwork, we will install steel beams, followed by concrete casting. Our goal is to have the bridge open before Christmas.”

The project aims to improve the bridge’s durability and ensure it can withstand the demands of modern transportation.

The bridge, which serves as an essential link between northern Uganda and the rest of the country, is expected to support safer and more efficient travel for both passenger vehicles and freight, helping to enhance connectivity and economic development in the region.

Constructed in 1962, Karuma Bridge had exceeded its designed lifespan by more than a decade when serious structural issues emerged earlier this year.

The government subsequently restricted access for heavy vehicles like buses, trucks, and trailers in May, allowing engineers to begin initial repairs, which were expected to last three months.

However, the bridge was found to need a more comprehensive overhaul, requiring a nearly complete renovation.

This included strengthening the main structural supports and fully refurbishing the bridge’s surface. During the closure, traffic was redirected through Murchison Falls National Park.

UNRA’s commitment to completing the project efficiently and safely highlights its dedication to enhancing Uganda’s infrastructure.

For travelers and transporters, the reopening of Karuma Bridge, anticipated in time for the holiday season, will greatly improve travel convenience and safety.

The bridge’s completion will bring a much-anticipated boost to travel in the area, supporting both community connectivity and economic growth across northern Uganda and beyond.

Police recently detained 11 students from Kyambogo University who were allegedly involved in a protest against recent decisions made by university administration.

The protests stem from students’ dissatisfaction with the university’s decision to halt student council elections, opting instead to install a temporary council. This move sparked outrage among the student body, who feel that an interim council lacks the democratic legitimacy of a properly elected body.

Reuben Twinomujuni, Kyambogo University’s spokesperson, confirmed the arrests, stating that while students cited the election suspension as a reason for their protest, the administration had legitimate grounds for their decision.

Twinomujuni explained that the university appointed the Dean of Students to serve temporarily as the student council head, a decision backed by university policies. The move came in response to issues involving the head of the university’s student electoral committee, who allegedly engaged in fraudulent practices. When the time for elections approached, this official reportedly disappeared, causing a halt in election preparations.

According to Twinomujuni, an investigative interim committee has now been established to look into the electoral irregularities and examine the events leading up to the student protests.

In the meantime, Kyambogo University assures students that it remains committed to maintaining a fair and transparent leadership process while ensuring a safe environment for all students.

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has argued that certain government agencies, which operate without generating revenue for the national treasury, have become a financial burden, costing taxpayers around 2.2 trillion Ugandan Shillings annually.

This insight, based on a 2017 study led by General Salim Saleh and other experts, reveals that non-revenue-generating agencies are contributing heavily to unnecessary public expenditure.

Museveni stated that, as part of the government’s plan to streamline operations, agencies such as the Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA), Uganda Coffee Development Authority (UCDA), the National Agricultural Advisory Services (NAADS), and the Dairy Development Authority are among those under review.

The study suggested that the budget allocated to these agencies, which should ideally return value to the treasury, is instead largely consumed by salaries and administrative costs. The President expressed frustration, emphasizing that these funds could be better utilized elsewhere to address national priorities.

One major example Museveni highlighted was UNRA, whose primary role is to oversee the awarding of contracts to road construction contractors. However, despite significant expenditure, the agency’s impact remains questionable, he noted. In his view, restructuring or eliminating such agencies would enable a leaner government that channels resources more effectively.

Specifically addressing the UCDA, Museveni mentioned that its responsibilities, particularly quality control in the coffee industry, would shift to the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock, much like quality monitoring for other produce, such as bananas, which falls under the Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS).

Similarly, former UCDA experts and personnel would transition to the Ministry of Agriculture, allowing them to continue supporting farmers without the added overhead costs associated with running an autonomous agency.

Museveni also criticized the lavish spending on board members across various agencies, a practice he views as draining public resources without contributing to national revenue.

He clarified that agencies generating income for the treasury, such as the National Enterprise Corporation of the Army, National Housing Corporation, Uganda Development Corporation, and Uganda National Electricity Company Limited, would remain operational. However, he stressed that entities that fail to produce returns and only add to fiscal pressures would face closure or restructuring.

In closing, Museveni underscored that his administration is committed to tackling corruption and inefficiency in public agencies, marking this move as a step toward a more fiscally responsible government.

A majority of the Members pf Parliament have approved the government’s proposed bill that aims at abolition of the Uganda Coffee Development Authority (UCDA) for a second reading.

According to the rules governing the conduct of business in parliament, if a bill is read a second time, it is close to passing and it is rare for the bill to fail to pass.

The government of Uganda would like the UCDA be dissolved and transfer its responsibilities to the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock.

Amidst the tension in parliament that was caused by hot exchanges between several Members of Parliament who wanted the agency to remain and those who supported the government plan, the speaker was forced to adjourn the session for a while, to allow the clerk of parliament to count the number of MPs against and in favor of the bill read a second time.

In the end, 77 MPs opposed the second reading of the bill, while 159 MPs voted for the second reading of the bill.

Once the speaker of parliament announced that the bill was read by a majority, he sent it to indefinite recess.

It is expected that when parliament returns from recess the bill will be read a second time, then parliament will consider the articles on which the government relied to abolish the UCDA later passed.

The same speaker, ordered that any list of MPs who supported and opposed the abolition of the agency be posted on parliamentary websites for future generations to read.

The UCDA, according to the government, was suspended for three years while the government rectified the irregularities in the Ministry of Agriculture, which will take over the responsibility it has been doing.

Various MPs who did not support the bill, remained critical of the government for its plan which they said would destroy the banana crop and keep the citizens in poverty.

Interim Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) Chairman Frank Rusa Nyakaana has declared a determined focus on combating corruption to enhance the reputation of KCCA.

Frank Nyakaana, addressing the media about his priorities for his three-month term, acknowledged that corruption within the agency has been a growing concern voiced by residents, business owners, politicians, and leaders from various sectors.

Nyakaana shared that he and his fellow interim leaders are dedicated to addressing these issues. In fact, under his leadership, the KCCA has already suspended some employees found to be involved in corrupt practices. He emphasized that strict measures are in place to address corruption, and such incidents will not be tolerated during his term.

During his speech, Nyakaana outlined a plan that includes increasing the completion rate of ongoing road projects from 20% to 40% by the end of his term. The KCCA has also set an ambitious target to collect UGX 31 billion in revenue by December 2024. Additionally, he highlighted a goal to beautify Kampala, comparing the capital to a living room in a home, which must be clean and inviting for residents and visitors alike.

This beautification drive will involve a comprehensive city clean-up and the planting of grass to create a greener, more attractive environment.

Furthermore, Nyakaana mentioned an upcoming review of potential contractors to develop the Kiteezi landfill. He clarified that the Ghanaian company Jespong, previously associated with this project, was not formally recognized by the KCCA.

The review aims to ensure that the selected contractor follows all necessary procedures and standards.

In light of these goals, Nyakaana’s anti-corruption focus is especially significant, as it addresses a critical need for accountability within the KCCA. His leadership follows the recent tenure of former KCCA officials Dorothy Kisaka, Eng. David Luyimbaazi, and Dr. Daniel Okello, who are currently on bail facing charges of negligence.

They stand accused of failing to prevent a tragic collapse at the Kiteezi dump site, an incident that led to the loss of 35 lives, with reports indicating that more individuals may still be missing.

Nyakaana’s efforts to improve the image of KCCA through rigorous anti-corruption measures and infrastructure development could bring much-needed change to Kampala’s leadership, setting a new standard of transparency and accountability for Uganda’s capital.