Author: rowan

Dettol Hygiene Quest Uganda, in partnership with the Jinja District Local Government, has signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to permanently integrate hygiene education into the local school curriculum.Signed on January 8, 2026, the agreement marks a transition from donor-funded programming to sustainable, locally owned implementation, ensuring long-term improvements in child health and school attendance beyond the initial funding from Reckitt.The partnership adopts a “Sustainability through Integration” model, prioritizing community-led ownership over short-term aid.

Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni has been declared the winner of Thursday’s election extending his four decades in power by another five years. He gained 72% of the vote, the election commission announced, against 25% for his closest challenger Bobi Wine, who has condemned what he described as “fake results” and “ballot stuffing”.Wine has not provided any details and the authorities have not responded to his allegations, but African Union election observers said they saw “no evidence of ballot stuffing”. Wine has called for non-violent protests.Museveni, 81, first came to power as a rebel leader in 1986 but since then has won seven elections.

Uganda has approved the use of Lenacapavir, a twice-yearly HIV prevention injection, marking a major milestone in the country’s fight against HIV/AIDS.The bi-annual HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) injection, developed by US-based Gilead Sciences, provides a long-acting, highly effective alternative to daily oral medication.With just two injections per year, the drug, endorsed by the World Health Organisation (WHO) in July 2025 and prequalified in October, offers a convenient option for individuals who struggle with adherence, face stigma or have limited access to healthcare services. ROWAN is looking into this for our future care, although much research needs to be done in order to confirm this is the best way forward.

Uganda’s authorities are mulling imposing strict controls on internet use, including the possible blocking of major social media networks, if the spread of false election information continues.The Acting Secretary-Commissioner of the Electoral Commission, Ronald Kamugisha, revealed the potential measures on Friday while speaking to reporters in Kampala.Platforms under review include TikTok, YouTube, Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), and Instagram, all of which could face restrictions ahead of the general elections scheduled for mid-January 2026.

Kampala has recently ranked among the most polluted cities globally, as reported on September 2, 2025. The city’s air quality has been compromised by factors including low humidity, weak winds, and temperature inversions that trap pollutants near ground level. While improvement is expected later in the evening, significant health precautions—especially for individuals with respiratory issues—remain crucial.

Conservation at Ziwa Rhino and Wildlife Ranch continues to deliver hope: the Southern White Rhino population has climbed to approximately 48 by July 2025, up from 33 in late 2021. The sanctuary, spanning ~70 km², remains Uganda’s only site where these rhinos can be seen in a natural habitat. Powered by a partnership between private stakeholders and the Uganda Wildlife Authority, the sanctuary supports a growing ecosystem—including antelopes, hippos, crocodiles, tortoises, and over 40 other species. With around 78 dedicated rangers and security personnel, the facility ensures round-the-clock protection and offers guided trekking, bird-watching, shoebill sightings, and luxury lodging for visitors.

Uganda is pursuing a new funding round from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) after a prior Extended Credit Facility (ECF) of USD 1 billion—initiated in 2021—expired in 2024, with only USD 870 million disbursed. The Finance Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Ramathan Ggoobi, confirms that the proposal for a successor loan will be tabled to the IMF Board after the scheduled general elections in early 2026 (likely January or February). The move stems from mounting public debt, which rose by 17.8% in 2024 to USD 29.1 billion, or 52.1% of GDP.