TUESDAY, JULY 8, 2025

Good Morning! Not much is remembered in Uganda's history on this day. But elsewhere - in 1497 - Mr. Vasco Da Gama set off from Portugal to India, passing by the cape of good hope - the Southern tip of Africa. This new route profoundly affected Africa's history and its interactions with European Powers.

Politics: Election Preparations and Political Dynamics

The Electoral Commission is actively implementing its revised roadmap, which includes ongoing exercises like the display of the National Voters' Register. Political parties are already in campaign mode; for instance, the opposition National Unity Platform (NUP) has launched a significant fundraising drive to raise Ushs 10 billion for campaign funds.

A notable development is the recent launch of a new political entity called the People's Front for Freedom (PFF), which saw a prominent figure, Dr. Bayiga Lulume, defect from the Democratic Party (DP) after 30 years to join the new movement.

President Yoweri Museveni continues to advocate for regional integration through the East African Federation, which he believes will enhance economic prosperity and security.

He has also been actively involved in addressing citizenship concerns, particularly for the Abavandimwe (Banyarwanda community), by initiating local verification processes for national identity cards.

Unfortunately, there have been reports of election-related violence in certain areas, including clashes and property damage during NRM primaries.

Economics & Finance: Growth Projections and Budget Focus

Uganda's economy is on an upward trajectory, with Finance Minister Matia Kasaija projecting a robust 7% economic growth for the upcoming Fiscal Year 2025/2026. This optimistic outlook is underpinned by strong performance across key sectors like agriculture, industry, and services, boosted by government initiatives such as the Parish Development Model (PDM).

The recently unveiled national budget for FY 2025/2026, amounting to Shs72.3 trillion, is themed around the "Full Monetization of Uganda's Economy," emphasizing commercial agriculture, industrialization, and digital transformation.

Significant portions of this budget are allocated to critical areas like infrastructure development, healthcare, education, and wealth creation programs aimed at grassroots economic empowerment.

A major economic highlight is the anticipated commencement of crude oil production in 2026, which is expected to significantly accelerate economic growth, potentially pushing it into double digits.

Furthermore, the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) has reported a remarkable achievement: a Shs 262 billion surplus, marking its first in nearly a decade, a testament to improved tax administration and automation efforts.

Sports: Local and International Engagements

Uganda is participating in the King's Baton Relay as part of its journey towards the 2026 Commonwealth Games.

In football, FUFA re-elected Mr. Moses Magogo as FUFA President and also passed a significant budget for the financial year 2026, and the Uganda Cranes football team is seeing changes in its technical staff and squad selections for upcoming tournaments like CHAN 2024.

In Rugby, the Rugby Cranes is taking on Kenya in the quarter final clash of the Rugby Africa Cup at Mandela National Stadium today at 4PM.

Science & Technology: Driving Innovation and Education

The Ministry of Education and Sports has invested Shs2 billion in procuring science kits for disadvantaged primary schools, aiming to make learning more practical and engaging for young students. These kits include illustrative materials for various scientific concepts, transforming classrooms into "movable laboratories." President Museveni has consistently urged Ugandans, especially learners, to embrace science, innovation, and technology as crucial drivers for the country's transition to a knowledge-based and industrial economy.

There's also news about Uganda's ambitions to manufacture microchips and semiconductors, signaling a push towards advanced technological capabilities.

Social Developments: Citizenship, Health, and Education

The government is implementing a new plan to register 17 million unregistered citizens, including schoolchildren, as part of a broader national identity card drive.

Efforts are also underway to address the challenge of teen pregnancies, with the Parish Development Model being utilized to curb the issue and improve school retention rates for girls.

In the health sector, there's a growing concern over the doubling of diabetes cases, prompting calls for urgent public awareness and standardized treatment.

Additionally, Uganda's recent decision to increase cigarette taxes aligns with the World Health Organization's new global health initiative to curb harmful product consumption and raise revenue for health services.

Uganda is Fun.

My friend was boasting about being amazing at Geography. So i decided to test him, I asked him where Iki-Iki county in Uganda was. His response was:

''In the house of my grandmother''

That's it for today - See you tomorrow -same time.