Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The siblings of Winnie Byanyima, the wife of former Presidential Candidate Dr Kiiza Besigye have appealed to President Yoweri Museveni to allow Besigye to receive specialised medical treatment outside Luzira Prison, where he has been detained for the past 14 months. In a letter …
Read More »Local Government Elections: Arrests, allegations, and low voter turnout
Mukono, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The local government elections have concluded amid a mix of tension, allegations of malpractice, and low voter turnout in several districts. Across the country, polling stations experienced disputes ranging from voter bribery and denied voting rights to claims of ballot stuffing, prompting heightened security …
Read More »What Uganda’s BVVK failures reveal about Biometric elections
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | On January 15, 2026, during the polling day for Uganda’s general elections, biometric voter verification—introduced to safeguard electoral integrity—became a major source of disruption at several polling stations. Biometric Voter Verification Kits (BVVKs) froze, failed to authenticate voters, or even rejected the identities of polling …
Read More »Uganda Shilling strengthens against Dollar after elections
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The Uganda Shilling has continued to strengthen against the US Dollar in recent months, even as the country went through parliamentary and presidential elections last week. By mid-January, the Shilling was trading at about 3,443 Shillings for buying and 3,453.18 Shillings as the official …
Read More »Museveni praises growing Uganda-China ties
KAMPALA, UGANDA | Xinhua | Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni said on Wednesday that relations with China have continued to strengthen in recent years and that China’s zero-tariff policy for African countries would help boost Uganda’s exports to the world’s second-largest economy. In a statement issued by the State House, Museveni …
Read More »FINANCE MINISTRY: Uganda’s economy to grow 10% in the FY2026/2027
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development now projects Uganda’s economy to grow at 10.4 percent next financial year. This is based on the expected commencement of the flow and exportation of crude oil by the country, with State Minister for General Duties …
Read More »GULU: Voters protest use of plastic buckets for ballot boxes
Gulu, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Polling at Limu Medical Flats Polling Station (OI-LZ) in Laroo-Pece Division, Gulu City, was thrown into chaos on Thursday morning after voters protested the use of transparent plastic buckets instead of the official transparent ballot boxes. The standoff began at about 6:30 a.m. when …
Read More »Voting delays across the country as voters stay away
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Unlike in last week’s presidential and parliamentary elections, where delays were caused by the late arrival of voting materials and malfunctioning Biometric Voter Verification Kits (BVVKs), today the delays are being caused by voters themselves. Across the country, voting materials arrived at polling stations …
Read More »Muwanga Kivumbi detained, amid post election violence claims
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The Uganda Police Force has confirmed the arrest of Butambala County legislator Muhammad Muwanga Kivumbi. He is currently in police custody and will be arraigned in court in due course, police said in a brief issued Thursday. Lydia Tumushabe, the Katonga region, confirmed Kivumbi’s …
Read More »Court orders recount in Kalungu West constituency
Masaka, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The Masaka Chief Magistrate’s Court has granted an application for a vote recount in the closely contested Kalungu West constituency election. The order raised hopes of resolving the dispute that has left voters and candidates anxious. The Chief Magistrate issued orders for the recount …
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The Independent Uganda: You get the Truth we Pay the Price