Uganda: The big stories of 2023
Dec 30, 2023
A look back at the big stories of the year ending in Uganda.
The Busoga Royal Wedding in November was one of the biggest stories of 2023 in Uganda. (Credit: Eddie Ssejjoba)
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2023 BIG STORIES
January 4, 2023: GEN. SALEH SPEAKS OUT ON LORD MAYOR LUKWAGO
The chief co-ordinator for Operation Wealth Creation (OWC), Gen. (rtd) Caleb Akandwanaho aka Salim Saleh, broke the silence on a note he wrote to the Kampala Lord Mayor, Erias Lukwago, saying the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) strongman must apologise to him.
January 14, 2023: UGANDA CANCELS RAILWAYS CONTRACT WITH CHINESE FIRM
Uganda signed a memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with a Turkish engineering firm, Yapi Merkezi, for the construction of the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) from the eastern border town of Malaba to Kampala. The country ditched its earlier contractor, China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC).
January 23, 2023: INSIDE THE ENTEBBE AIRPORT SCANDAL
Entebbe Airport trended on social media as various passengers shared their ugly experiences of corruption at the airport.
January 23, 2023: NAMUGANZA CENSURED: HOW MPS VOTED
A special Parliament sitting chaired by the Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa successfully censured the state minister for housing, Persis Namuganza over reported misconduct.
January 24, 2023: OIL DRILLING STARTS
President Yoweri Museveni switched on the Kingfisher oil rig, run by China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC), marking the start of the drilling of wells in the oil field near Lake Albert.
February 13, 2023: MPS SSEGIRINYA AND SSEWANYANA RELEASED
After 524 days and several attempts to get bail, MPs Muhammad Ssegirinya and Allan Ssewanyana finally walked out of Kitalya Prison to rejoin their families. The legislators had been on remand in connection with murders in Masaka.
February 26, 2023: MINISTER USES OPM IRON SHEETS FOR ANIMAL SHED
State minister for planning Amos Lugoloobi used part of the 600 iron sheets received from the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) to roof cow sheds on his farm. The minister was among the top government officials who accessed iron sheets, part of the relief items meant for the vulnerable.
March 1, 2023: MUSEVENI RECEIVES PRESTIGIOUS SOUTH AFRICAN AWARD
President Yoweri Museveni was awarded the prestigious ‘Order of South Africa’ medal in recognition of his contribution to the liberation of the people of South Africa from the yoke of colonialism.
March 12, 2023: UGANDA, ALGERIA SIGN SEVERAL PACTS
President Yoweri Museveni expressed the need to fast-track economic integration in order to facilitate modern prosperity of the African people.
March 12, 2023: KARUMA HYDROPOWER TESTING SUCCESSFUL
It was all excitement at the 600megawatts (MW) Karuma Hydro Electricity dam. The test on the first of the six turbines at Karuma was successful.
March 15, 2023: IRON SHEETS SAGA: MUSEVENI REJECTS MINISTERS’ ANSWERS
President Yoweri Museveni rejected the explanations of embattled ministers who picked iron sheets meant for the vulnerable in Karamoja.
March 17, 2023: NNAABAGEREKA TWINS SPARK CONTROVERSY
The autobiography of Buganda’s Nnaabagereka Sylvia Nagginda sparked controversy in the kingdom, even before it was launched. In a twist of events, Mengo threw a spanner in the works with Kasujju Lubinga, the official in-charge of Kabaka’s children, casting doubt on the paternity of the twins the Nnaabagereka revealed in her book.
March 21: 20-YEAR JAIL TERM FOR HOMOSEXUALS
Lawmakers passed the Anti-Homosexuality Bill, 2023, proposing 20 years for engaging in acts of homosexuality. The Bill also came out strongly against aggravated homosexuality, with offender getting the death penalty.
March 22: UGANDA EXPORTS MILITARY GEAR TO EQUATORIAL GUINEA
The uniforms were manufactured and supplied by Southern Range Nyanza Limited (Nytil).
March 25: RELATIONS: INSIDE RWANDA-UGANDA JOINT MEETING
Top government officials from Uganda and Rwanda agreed to smoothen trade flow and revive the Northern Corridor Integration Projects, marking the beginning of a new era in the bilateral relations.
March 27: GOVERNMENT TAKES OVER NALUBAALE AND KIIRA DAM OPERATIONS
The 20-year concession extended by the Government to Eskom Ltd, a South African firm tasked with the duty of running and maintaining of the 380MW Nalubaale and Kiira power stations, came to an end.
April 2: FUGITIVE POLICE OFFICER NABBED AFTER 5 YEARS
The former Kampala Metropolitan Police (KMP) South commander, Siraje Bakaleke, was arrested and confined at a facility known for holding rogue officers – the Police Railways Grounds in Kampala. The 39-year-old Assistant Commissioner of Police, Bakaleke fled the country in 2018, over allegations of the wrongful arrest and confinement of Korean Nationals Ha Dongsub, Park Seunghoon and Jang Seungkwon, after allegedly extorting sh1.4b from them.
April 4: MINISTER ARRESTED OVER IRON SHEETS
Members of Parliament directed Police to arrest Karamoja affairs minister Mary Goretti Kitutu after she declined to give evidence on oath, regarding her role in the donation of iron sheets meant for vulnerable people in Karamoja.
April 6: IRON SHEETS SAGA: KITUTU SENT TO JAIL
Karamoja affairs minister Goretti Kitutu was charged with two counts of loss public property and conspiracy to defraud. She faced up to 10 years in jail, upon conviction.
April 17: MINISTER LUGOLOOBI REMANDED OVER IRON SHEETS SAGA
The Anti-Corruption Court senior principal magistrate grade one Abert Asiimwe remanded Minister Amos Lugoloobi who is also the Ntenjeru North MP to Luzira Prison.
April 18: MUSEVENI COMMISSIONS FIRST EVER LOCALLY OVERHAULED HELICOPTER
The Commander-in-Chief of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF), Gen. Yoweri Museveni, commissioned into flight the first ever overhauled and upgraded Russian type helicopter in sub-Saharan Africa and praised President Vladmir Putin for stabilising Russia and strengthening his country again following the collapse of the 1980s that cut off all contacts with African countries that were in need of military hardware from Russia.
April 19: IRON SHEETS: MINISTER NANDUTU CHARGED, REMANDED
Karamoja affairs state minister Agnes Nandutu was remanded to Luzira Prison after she was committed to the High Court to stand trial in the iron sheets scandal.
April 22: COU BREAKS AWAY FROM CANTERBURY
Archbishop Kaziimba issued a statement in which he announced the cessation of relations between the Church of Uganda and the Church of England. The Church of England’s General Synod’s decision to provide prayers of blessing same-sex unions and the Archbishop of Canterbury’s enthusiastic support for it resulted in COU breaking fellowship with him and the Church of England.
April 30: MUKASA IS NEW KASANA-LUWERO BISHOP
Pope Francis appointed Msgr Lawrence Mukasa as the new bishop of Kasana-Luwero Catholic Diocese. Mukasa, 66, became the third bishop of the diocese.
May 2: HOW GUARD KILLED MINISTER CHARLES OKELLO ENGOLA
Pte Wilson Sabiiti turned the gun on the minister killing him instantly at his home in Kyanja, a Kampala suburb. After shooting the minister, Sabiiti walked out of the gate while firing in the air and also killed himself in a nearby beauty salon.
May 11: RIVER KATONGA FLOODS CUT OFF KAMPALA-MASAKA ROAD
Motorists were forced to take alternative routes after floods cut off the Kampala-Masaka highway at River Katonga.
May 21: CRISIS AT VARSITIES AS OVER 1,400 PROGRAMMES EXPIRE
Graduating from a university is every child’s dream. However, a number of graduates found themselves rejected by employers over expired programmes. The problem was big and it hit all higher institutions of learning, including universities.
May 25: UGANDA TOPS AFRICA IN ALCOHOL USE
The World Health Organisation (WHO) report ranked Uganda first in alcohol consumption on the African continent. According to the 2023 report released by the global health body, on average, a Ugandan consumes 12.21 litres of pure alcohol annually.
May 25: MUSEVENI, SULUHU LAUNCH SH372B ISINGIRO POWER PLANT
President Yoweri Museveni and his Tanzanian counterpart Samia Suluhu Hassan commissioned the 16MW Kikagati-Murongo hydropower plant in Isingiro district.
May 29: PRESIDENT, FIRST LADY LAUNCH UGANDA’S JOINT BID TO HOST AFCON
President Yoweri Museveni with the First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Mrs Janet Museveni, launched Uganda’s joint bid for East Africa to host the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in 2027.
May 29: MUSEVENI SIGNS ANTI-HOMOSEXUALITY BILL INTO LAW
President Yoweri Museveni finally signed into law the Anti-Homosexuality Bill 2023, paving the way for the criminalization of various forms of unnatural sexual acts in Uganda.
June 7: STATE OF THE NATION ADDRESS
President Yoweri Museveni delivered the State of the Nation Address where he announced the Economy would grow at 7%.
June 8: MUSEVENI IN ISOLATION AFTER COVID-19 TEST
President Yoweri Museveni went into self-isolation after testing positive for COVID-19. Museveni delegated some of his immediate national assignments including Heroes’ Day celebrations in Luwero district to Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja.
June 13: DPP DROPS CHARGES AGAINST KING MUMBERE
The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) dropped terrorism, treason, attempted murder and aggravated robbery charges against the Rwenzururu king, Charles Wesley Mumbere and 218 other accused persons.
June 15: 2023/24 BUDGET TO BOOST HOUSEHOLD INCOMES
Finance minister Matia Kasaija presented to Parliament what he called a ‘pro-people budget’ of sh52.7 trillion, majorly focusing on boosting household incomes for the poor.
June 17: 42 KILLED IN KASESE SCHOOL ADF ATTACK
An attack on a soft target by the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) left 39 students dead. The terrorists attacked a school in Kasese district, western Uganda. They also killed a security guard of the school and two community members, raising the attack death toll to 42.
June 25: IRON SHEETS: DPP CLEARS PM, VP AND SPEAKER
The Prime Minister, Robinah Nabbanja, the Speaker of Parliament, Anita Among and 15 other government officials were cleared of diverting iron sheets meant for Karamoja sub-region. This was after the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Jane Frances Abodo, closed 17 of the 23 files that had been opened, for lack of evidence.
June 29: LUWERO BISHOP-ELECT DROPPED OVER ADULTERY
The House of Bishops of the Church of Uganda nullified the election of Can. Godfrey Kasana Ssemakula as the fourth Bishop of Luwero Diocese. However, sources confirmed that he was disqualified following a petition from a section of Christians, who accused him of infidelity.
July 12: IRAN PRESIDENT RAISI VISITS UGANDA
Iranian President Sayyid Ebrahim Raisolsadati, commonly known as Raisi, arrived in Uganda for a two-day official visit on the invitation of President Yoweri Museveni.
July 12: IRAN ANNOUNCES VISA WAIVER FOR UGANDANS
The Iranian government exempted Ugandan nationals holding diplomatic and service passports from visas to Iran. According to a memorandum of understanding signed between the two governments, Ugandans holding such passports would enter Iran visa-free.
July 13: MUSEVENI ISSUES SECURITY ORDERS TO FIGHT TERRORISM
President Yoweri Museveni issued new security directives to fight terrorism threats and ordinary crime in the country. In a televised address to the nation on the status of security in the country, Museveni directed that 18 policemen, fully equipped with firearms, should always be deployed per sub-county across the country.
July 20: 200 MUKONO SCHOOL CHILDREN POISONED
Shock gripped parents, teachers and the community in Nakifuma-Naggalama town council, Mukono district, after over 200 students of Nakanyonyi Senior Secondary School were hospitalised after consuming suspected poisoned food.
July 23: GOVT REPATRIATES 58 FORMER LRA COMBATANTS, FAMILIES
The Government of Uganda repatriated 59 ex-fighters of the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) and their families in what was described as a bloodless rescue military operation.
July 25: CABINET EXTENDS LCS’ TERM OF OFFICE
Cabinet endorsed the extension of the political term of office of over 81,000 local council (LC1 and LC2) chairpersons for 180 days.
July 27: NRA DOCUMENTARY BY FIRST DAUGHTER NATASHA LAUNCHED
First Daughter Natasha Museveni Karugire’s documentary on the National Resistance Army/Movement (NRA/M) was described as a turning point for Africa by renowned African philosopher Dr Arikana Chihombori-Quao. She was speaking as a special guest during the launch of the eight-episode documentary, which premièred at Arena Mall in Nsambya, Kampala.
July 28: MUSEVENI MEETS PUTIN
President Yoweri Museveni met with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin during the second Russia-Africa Summit in Saint Petersburg.
July 28: KENYA, UGANDA SIGN NEW DEAL ON STANDARD GAUGE RAILWAY FINANCING
Kenya and Uganda signed an agreement on the financing and development of the Naivasha-Kisumu-Malaba Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) and the Malaba-Kampala SGR in the respective countries.
July 30: MAGISTRATE REMANDED OVER SITTING EXAMS FOR WOMAN
Musa Amaari Ssemwogerere, one of the newly recruited Grade One Magistrates was arrested on allegations of sitting exams for his girlfriend. Ssemogerere was dropped hardly two weeks into his appointment and before he could be sworn in.
July 30: 20-MILLION-YEAR-OLD ANIMAL FOSSIL DISCOVERED IN KARAMOJA
Researchers from Uganda, Germany and France museums unveiled the latest discovery of the season, a femur bone fossil of a giant animal, the hippo-sized anthracothere, believed to date back over 20 million years.
August 3: MUSEVENI TO BUY ELECTRIC CARS FOR ARMY, PARLIAMENT, SCHOOLS
President Yoweri Museveni made a grand promise to innovators that the Government would buy locally made electric vehicles (EVs) for some institutions as a way of supporting off taker demand in the economy.
August 5: HOW 67 SIM CARDS WERE USED TO STEAL SH380M FROM TOP CITY BANK
In the mysterious realm of cyberspace, a mischievous clique of criminals decided to put their hacking skills to use and struck Stanbic Bank. The thieves targeted the bank’s internet banking system and hacked into over 20 bank accounts, walking away with over sh380m.
August 5: LUWERO GETS NEW BISHOP
The Rt. Rev. Msgr. Lawrence Mukasa was installed as the third Bishop of Kasana-Luwero Catholic Diocese during a colourful ceremony that attracted hundreds of believers from near and far.
August 6: SHE CRANES ARE NUMBER 1 IN AFRICA, 5TH IN THE WORLD
In a thrilling match against South Africa, the She Cranes secured a remarkable fifth-place finish after beating the hosts 49-47 at the Netball World Cup. This solidified their position among the world’s top five teams and Africa’s best.
August 7: UN HUMAN RIGHTS OFFICE QUITS UGANDA
The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) ended all its activities in Uganda. The move by UN to formally close its human rights office in Uganda was triggered by a decision by the Government not to renew an agreement between the two parties.
August 12: UGANDA WINS SH1.9 TRILLION ALGERIA MILK DEAL
Uganda won the deal to export powdered milk worth $500m (about sh1.9 trillion) to Alegria, as the Government looked for new alternatives for Ugandan products in the wake of a ban imposed by Kenya on Ugandan products, including milk and eggs.
August 18: NSSF GETS NEW BOSS
The deputy managing director of the National Social Security Find (NSSF), Patrick Ayota, was confirmed as the new Managing Director (MD), of the fund.
August 20: LONDON COURT ORDERS BITATURE TO PAY BACK SH130B
Kampala businessman Patrick Bitature was ordered to pay an outstanding loan of $35m (sh134b) owed to Vantage Mezzanine Fund II partnership, a South African entity lest his property be auctioned to settle the debt.
August 20: CHEPTEGEI WINS THIRD WORLD TITLE
On a hot evening in the capital of Hungary, Cheptegei delivered a cool performance, dripping with confidence, tactical nous and power to win the men’s 10,000m final. This was his third consecutive 10,000m world title and his fifth major medal in the discipline, having also claimed silver at the 2020 Olympics and silver at the 2017 World Athletics Championships.
August 24: MUSEVENI STOPS IMPORTATION OF USED CLOTHES
President Yoweri Museveni announced a ban on the importation of second-hand clothes, electricity meters and electricity cables, as a way of supporting investors who have heavily invested in manufacturing of essential products.
August 26: MUSEVENI CELEBRATES 50TH MARRIAGE ANNIVERSARY
President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and the First Lady Janet Museveni celebrated their 50th marriage anniversary at a colourful ceremony. They first exchanged their marriage commitment vows at Kyamate Church of Uganda, Ntungamo district, at a function presided over by the Archbishop of the Church of Uganda, His Grace Dr Stephen Kaziimba Mugalu.
August 27: KIPLANGAT WINS UGANDA’S SECOND GOLD
Victor Kiplangat won the men’s marathon during the World Athletics Championships in Budapest, Hungary.
August 30: KAYIHURA FREED, REVEALS NEXT STEP
With both fists clenched, hands raised, the former Police chief, Gen. Kale Kayihura, punched the air — a sign of victory as he was finally cleared of all charges at the General Court Martial (GCM) in Kampala.
September 1: MUSEVENI LAUNCHES RAILWAY SLEEPERS FACTORY
President Museveni launched Uganda’s first railway concrete sleeper factory at Kawolo in Lugazi, Buikwe district.
September 7: KYABAZINGA FINDS LOVE
The Kyabazinga of Busoga officially unveiled the Inhebantu to the public. She is Jovia Mutesi. The historic announcement that caused ripples of excitement in Busoga and the country was made by Busoga kingdom’s prime minister, Dr. Joseph Muvawala, at the cultural institution’s headquarters, Bugembe in Jinja city.
September 16: NANDALA MAFABI DECLARES 2026 PRESIDENTIAL BID
Nathan Nandala Mafabi, the secretary general of the crisis-hit Forum for Democratic Change (FDC), declared intention to stand for president in 2026. Mafabi, who has been an MP for 22 years, declared his presidential ambitions at a time his party was embroiled in a financial scandal.
September 27: UGANDA WINS AFCON BID
Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania will co-host the 2027 Afcon Tournament after winning the rights to stage the 36th edition of the biggest showpiece in African football. CAF president Patrice Mostepe made the revelation at an executive meeting of the football governing body in Cairo, Egypt.
September 28: CHINA TO GIVE SH10 TRILLION FOR OIL PIPELINE
Uganda is just a step away from breaking ground on the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) after China, with the second biggest economy in the world, announced that they were coming on board as co-funders of the project.
September 29: UGANDA TOPS EAST AFRICA AS MOST REWARDING ECONOMY FOR INVESTMENT
The Africa Risk-Reward Index compiled by Oxford Economics Africa, ranked Uganda as East Africa’s most rewarding economy to invest in after posting one of the biggest positive movements in their overall risk-reward scores between last year and this one.
October 4: ROW HITS NAMIREMBE BISHOP ELECTIONS
Controversy erupted over the election of the new bishop of Namirembe Diocese, after elders petitioned the Archbishop of the Church of Uganda, Dr Stephen Kaziimba, to halt the process, claiming there was fraud.
October 4: EXCITEMENT AS MUMBERE RETURNS HOME AFTER 7 YEARS
It was all pomp as hundreds of people thronged the Kasese airfield, dancing the Kikonzo cultural dance to welcome the king of Obusinga Bwa Rwenzururu, Charles Wesley Mumbere. His return ended seven years of him not accessing the kingdom since 2016.
October 5: INVESTMENT DREAMS TURN TO ‘FEATHERS’ AS CAPITAL CHICKEN CLOSES SHOP
Thousands of Ugandans cried foul after they were allegedly fleeced in a fake chicken investment scheme. The scam came to light after some of the victims reported cases to the Police. It was reportedly orchestrated by a company that ran by the name, Capital Chicken.
October 23: SPEAKER AMONG GETS TWINS
Anita Annet Among, the Speaker of Parliament, welcomed twins at a South African hospital. Among revealed she was pregnant while meeting Pope Francis in Rome in August and asked him to bless her baby.
October 28: UGANDA LAUNCHES BONE MARROW TRANSPLANT UNIT
President Yoweri Museveni commissioned the bone marrow transplant centre at the Joint Clinical Research Centre (JCRC) in Lubowa, Entebbe road.
October 28: PRESIDENT COMMISSIONS MAYUGE MARINE PIER
President Yoweri Museveni, who is also the commander-in-chief of the armed forces, commissioned a marine pier at the Sustainable Base in Ntokoro, Mayuge district.
November 1: GOVERNMENT LAUNCHES DIGITAL NUMBER PLATES
The Government officially launched the Intelligent Transport Monitoring System (ITMS) project, better known as the digital number plates, four months later than planned, following logistical challenges.
November 2: INVESTORS GRAB GOVT HOSPITAL
Parliament asked the Directorate of Public Prosecutions to investigate individuals involved in the alleged fraudulent change of ownership of the Iran-Uganda Hospital in Naguru, Kampala, to a private company. It was discovered that the hospital which was constructed based on the public-private partnership arrangement, a private company has since taken over its entire ownership.
November 2: PRESIDENT COMMISSIONS TWO BEVERAGE PLANTS
President Yoweri Museveni commended the chairperson of Hariss International Limited, Yasser Ahmed, for contributing to the development of Uganda’s economy. President Museveni was commissioning the new modern manufacturing facility and distribution warehouse of Hariss International Limited in Ttula, Kawempe in Kampala.
November 2: MUSEVENI COMMISSIONS NAKASONGOLA FRUIT FACTORY
President Yoweri Museveni commissioned Kike Tropical Fruits Limited, an extraction and refinery plant. Situated in Kakooge, Nakasongola district, the factory deals in fruit processing.
November 2: PAUL PUT APPOINTED UGANDA CRANES COACH
FUFA boss Moses Magogo alongside CEO Edgar Watson and communications director Ahmed Hussein announced the appointment of Paul Put as the new coach of the Uganda Cranes at the FUFA house in Mengo, a Kampala suburb.
November 5: KAGEZI CASE: KEY SUSPECTS ARRESTED
Security captured four key suspects, including the man who is said to have pulled the trigger in the murder of senior prosecutor, Joan Kagezi, eight years after her assassination on March 30, 2015.
November 12: OIL PIPELINE WORKS KICK OFF IN UGANDA
The Government and its partners under the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) project commenced civil works for the construction of the pipeline in Uganda.
November 15: 33 GOVT ENTITIES PHASED OUT
Government concluded the development of the Omnibus Bill to facilitate the rationalisation of government agencies, which includes merging some of them.
November 18: ROYAL WEDDING: KYABAZINGA, MUTESI SAY I DO
The Kyabazinga of Busoga, William Wilberforce Gabula Kadhumbula Nadiope IV and Inhebantu Jovia Mutesi exchanged marriage vows at Christ’s Cathedral in Bugembe, Jinja. The Church wedding was led by the Archbishop of the Church of Uganda, Dr Stephen Samuel Kaziimba Mugalu.
November 20: NAMIREMBE GETS NEW BISHOP
The provincial secretariat announced that the House of Bishops had elected Banja, who had been the Archdeacon of Luzira Archdeaconry in Kampala as the new Bishop of Namirembe. The election of Ven. Canon Moses Banja as the new bishop of Namirembe Diocese finally settled the anxiety of the long-awaited successor of Bishop Wilberforce Kityo Luwalira.
November 24: APPOINTMENT - NYOMBI IS NEW UCC BOSS
Former ICT state minister Nyombi Thembo was appointed the new Executive Director of the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC). ICT minister Chris Baryomunsi appointed the 59-year-old former Kassanda South MP to lead UCC for the next five years.
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