Author: rowan

Finance Ministry Defends Revised Allowances for Officials Monitoring Donor-Funded Projects

Written by rowan on November 4, 2026. Posted in All, Updates.

The Ministry of Finance has defended a circular raising allowances for officials who monitor donor-funded projects, after public criticism. The Vice-President’s rate goes up to Shs500,000 a night from Shs210,000, while the Chief Justice’s rate rises by Shs285,000.

Deputy Secretary to the Treasury Patrick Ocailap insists the circular had been misread and that the ministry is “rationalising and not wasting.” Civil Society Budget Advocacy Group’s Julius Mukunda questioned the increases at a time when citizens are being asked to tighten their belts, and called for a return to 2018 rates.

Government Seeks to Market Ugandan Cuisine as a Tourism Product

Written by rowan on October 28, 2026. Posted in All, Updates.

Davids Halongo speaks to the media during the training in Mukono on Tuesday. Photo | Jessica Sabano (Daily Monitor)

The Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities wants Ugandan cuisine promoted as a tourism product, blaming poor marketing for the country’s failure to make the most of its food heritage. Tourism curator Davids Halongo noted that food ranks third behind nature and culture, but “can be number one if we package it very well.”

He spoke at a three-day training on sustainable culinary techniques in Mukono, run by the ministry with COMCEC and Makerere University trainers for chefs, hospitality students and food business operators.

October at ROWAN

Written by rowan on October 19, 2026. Posted in All, Updates.

The land has been cleared and is ready for planting, and the rains have finally begun! We thank God for providing the rain needed to prepare the soil and nurture the crops. We look forward to a growing season filled with hope and provision.
Please continue to pray with us for a fruitful harvest.

We are grateful that all the children are back in school, with their school fees fully paid. This means they can continue learning, growing, and working toward a brighter future without the worry of unpaid fees.
Thank you to everyone who continues to support the children and make their education possible.

We ask you to join us in praying for three of our women beneficiaries — Mirabu, Jane, and Batrice — who are currently facing health challenges. Please pray for healing, strength, comfort, and peace for each woman and her family. May they experience God’s presence and find hope as they navigate this difficult time.

The children are excited to be back in school wearing their new uniforms! Beyond giving them a neat appearance, these uniforms help the children feel prepared and confident as they begin another school term.
We thank God for this provision and everyone whose support helps make these moments possible.

A Little Christmas Hope Is Coming…

Watch your mailbox next month for special invitation to make hope possible in 2027!

UDB Commits Shs100bn Toward Tourism Infrastructure Development

Written by rowan on September 30, 2026. Posted in Updates.

The Uganda Development Bank (UDB) has committed Shs101 billion to support infrastructure development in Uganda’s tourism sector as government seeks to strengthen the industry and increase its economic contribution.

Minister of State for Finance Henry Musasizi said the financing would support infrastructure development in the tourism sector, which remains a key component of Uganda’s strategy to attract visitors and generate foreign exchange.

“Shs101 billion will help in the infrastructure development from UDB,” Musasizi said.

He was speaking at Imperial Royale Hotel in Kampala during the unveiling of the Tourism Development Programme Annual Performance Report.

The report reviews progress against targets set for the tourism sector at the beginning of 2026, with Shs4.36 billion allocated to the sector in the national budget.

https://nilepost.co.ug/businesses/374422/udb-commits-shs100bn-toward-tourism-infrastructure-development

Ugandan Economist’s 2024 Shilling Prediction Plays out as Dollar Reaches Shs3,900

Written by rowan on September 23, 2026. Posted in Updates.

The shilling’s movement is coming amid pressure from both local and international factors.

Ugandan manufacturers and energy companies need dollars to pay for machinery, fuel, raw materials and other imports, according to BoU officials quoted by the media.

Some businesses, such as car dealerships, are also buying dollars in anticipation of higher costs, increasing demand for the US currency.

At the same time, fighting in the Middle East, leading to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz by Iran and attacks by Yemeni fighters in areas surrounding the Bab Al Mandab strait in recent days, has pushed up oil and shipping costs.

Uganda imports 100% of its refined petroleum products, meaning higher international oil prices increase the amount of foreign currency needed to pay for fuel.

That can eventually affect ordinary Ugandans through higher transport, food and production costs.

https://chimpreports.com/ugandan-economists-2024-shilling-prediction-plays-out-as-dollar-reaches-shs3900/

Today in History: Three-Year-Old Oyo takes Tooro Throne

Written by rowan on September 16, 2026. Posted in Updates.

Saturday, September 12, 2026, marks another significant moment in his story as Tooro lays Rukidi IV to rest, exactly 31 years after the three-year-old prince was crowned king.

In 1995, three-year-old Prince Oyo was crowned Omukama of Tooro at Karuziika Palace in Fort Portal, following the sudden death of his father, King Patrick David Matthew Kaboyo Olimi III.

Oyo, born on April 16, 1992, was only three years and four months old when his father died on August 26, 1995. His accession came against the backdrop of the restoration of Uganda’s traditional kingdoms in 1993, after President Museveni’s government restored their constitutional recognition following their abolition in 1967.

https://nilepost.co.ug/news/370376/today-in-history-three-year-old-oyo-takes-tooro-throne

Uganda Launches Project to Bolster Climate Resilience, Food Systems

Written by rowan on August 19, 2026. Posted in Updates.

The Uganda government has launched a three year initiative aimed at strengthening food systems, improving land governance and building climate resilience among farming and pastoral communities.

Launched on Thursday 6, August 2026, by the Minister for Lands and Housing Development, Mrs Judith Nabakooba, at Protea Hotel, Kampala, the Accelerating Food Systems Transformation for Resilience to Climate Change in Africa Project, funded by the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, the African Union, the Intergovernmental governmental Authority on Development and other development partners, will assess four areas; land tenure security, livestock value chains, index livestock insurance and climate land information systems.

The lands ministry noted that the findings will inform policy reforms and improve the country’s broader agenda on climate adaptation and food systems transformation.

Climate change continues to threaten livelihoods, food security and economic growth through prolonged drought, floods, land degradation and escalating conflicts over natural resources.

Hope Clinic Update!

Written by rowan on August 12, 2026. Posted in Updates.

God is at work through the Hope Clinic and Maternity Center, and we want to share what that’s looked like lately.

1,196 patients have been treated for various conditions, and 1,136 children received deworming tablets to support their health.

We also welcomed two new team members:

Sarah Akello, our new clinical officer now leading the medical center,

Jeremiah Nkayimbi, our new radiographer.

Because of Jeremiah, our ultrasound machine is back in service, and since scanning resumed in November, 46 patients in Mawanga and the surrounding community have already benefited from it.

This is what your support makes possible. Give today and be part of what God is doing through Hope Clinic.

👉 loverowan.org/donate

#LoveROWAN #HopeClinic

Opio and Trevor Noah to Host Julia Roberts, Tom Brady, and Fabrizio Romano

Written by rowan on August 5, 2026. Posted in Updates.

Ugandan comedian Joseph Opio and Trevor Noah have unveiled their latest guest lineup for their viral World Cup watch party, which has racked up millions of views online.

Julia Roberts joins for the third-place playoff, Tom Brady for the Final, and Fabrizio Romano for the first semifinal, alongside stars like Aitana Bonmatí, Marta, and Trinity Rodman.

The show’s debut drew 730,000 viewers, and it’s the latest collaboration between Opio and Noah following “The Daily Show” and “The World According to Football.”

Over 150,000 Public Servants Get Pay Rise in Uganda

Written by rowan on July 29, 2026. Posted in Updates.

More than 150,000 Ugandan public servants are receiving a salary increment this month. According to the Minister of Public Service, Gen. Katumba Wamala, the enhancement covers teachers, chief administrative officers, deputy town clerks, assistant commissioners, and local government department heads, among others.

This follows the government recently increasing its wage bill to Sh9.7 trillion as part of a plan to enhance pay for all civil servants whose salaries haven’t changed since 2014, with local politicians’ salaries expected to follow in 2027/2028.

Some district officials say the increase, while appreciated, still falls short of their targets.