For years, his writing served as a trusted guide for readers seeking honest reviews of restaurants, hotels and dining experiences across Kampala and beyond. His columns not only critiqued food but also celebrated the people, traditions and creativity behind Uganda’s growing hospitality industry.Friends, colleagues and members of the culinary fraternity described him as a gifted communicator whose work elevated food journalism in Uganda. Many credited him with inspiring a new appreciation for fine dining and professional culinary standards at a time when the country’s restaurant scene was rapidly evolving.“Kadumukasa was among the best in the trade. He understood food beyond taste; he understood culture, presentation and the experience that comes with hospitality,” one mourner wrote in a tribute shared online.

Beyond journalism, Kironde was admired for mentoring young chefs and hospitality professionals. His calm personality, attention to detail and commitment to excellence earned him respect within both media and culinary circles.The news of his death triggered an outpouring of grief on social media, where readers, chefs, restaurateurs and fellow journalists remembered him as a pioneer whose voice carried authority and authenticity.A death announcement issued by A-Plus Funeral Management confirmed that Kironde, a resident of Rubaga Namirembe, died on Monday. Funeral and burial arrangements are still being finalised.As Uganda reflects on his legacy, many say Kadumukasa leaves behind more than memorable reviews and newspaper columns. He leaves a lasting imprint on the country’s food culture and hospitality industry — one built through years of passionate storytelling, criticism and celebration of culinary excellence.His passing marks the end of an era in Uganda’s food journalism, but his contribution to the industry will long be remembered.

Opinion: Nations are not undone in a single dramatic moment. They are gradually weakened when their moral foundations are treated as instruments of convenience. Uganda today stands at such a crossroads. The recent controversy surrounding a postponed Mass offered for political detainees, including Dr. Kizza Besigye, has once again exposed an unsettling fragility in our civic culture, we oscillate between demanding prophetic courage from the Church and condemning it whenever its discernment fails to align with our partisan appetites.

The public theatre that followed was telling. Accusations of capitulation competed with allegations of state overreach. Yet, beneath the surface lay, a deeper and more strategic question arises. What is the rightful place of moral institutions in the architecture of a modern state? And perhaps more importantly, what kind of nation are we constructing when we alternately weaponise and vilify those institutions?

The Strategic Value of Moral Institutions 

Uganda’s formation was neither purely political nor purely territorial. It was civilisational. Institutions such as the Catholic Church, the Church of Uganda, and traditional polities like the Buganda Kingdom were not peripheral actors. They were incubators of literacy, conscience, diplomacy, and leadership formation. They shaped the moral grammar of the state long before constitutions were drafted. To reduce such institutions to mere registrable entities before the Uganda Registration Services Bureau is legally defensible, yet symbolically profound. It signals a shift from reverence to routine administration. There is nothing unlawful about regulation.

However, when moral institutions lose their gravitas and are treated as ordinary interest groups, the state inadvertently impoverishes its own ethical compass. The strategic direction of any country depends not merely on economic growth or security apparatuses, but on the vitality of its moral intermediaries. Those entities capable of speaking uncomfortable truths to both rulers and crowds.

The Peril of Precedent and the Tyranny of Selective Outrage 

It is intellectually insufficient to lament perceived state pressure upon the Church while ignoring previous episodes where public agitation coerced ecclesiastical decisions. When Mathias Mpuuga prepared for a thanksgiving service amid intense political turbulence, sections of society mounted a vociferous campaign against the Church’s involvement.

The pressure was not subtle. It was orchestrated, emotional, and unrelenting. Representation was delegated. The precedent was set. We must be candid.  Societies that legitimise mob interference cannot credibly protest institutional interference. The logic is identical; only the source of pressure differs. Edmund Burke once warned thus; “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.” Yet, he might well have added that the triumph of disorder requires good men to act without principle. Selective outrage corrodes legitimacy. If we defend autonomy only when it favours our cause, we are not defending principle. We are defending preference.

The Instrumentalisation of Faith 

There is also a sobering spiritual dimension. In moments of national distress, prayer services become symbolic rallying points. But faith must never be reduced to political theatre. It is neither a tactical lever, nor a revolutionary shortcut. The great civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. understood this delicate balance. He mobilised the Church not as a partisan weapon, but as a moral conscience.

Luther`s words resonate across continents. “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” Crucially, he did not ask the Church to echo every political slogan. He asked it to illuminate the moral law above politics. Similarly, Desmond Tutu reminded the world thus; “If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor.”

Yet, Archbishop Tutu’s courage was rooted in spiritual integrity, not populist impulse. He defended the autonomy of the pulpit precisely because its credibility depended upon independence from factional manipulation. Uganda must ask herself; Are we strengthening that independence, or are we eroding it through relentless politicisation?

Religion and Power: A Necessary Tension 

It is tempting to declare, cynically, that religion ultimately bows to politics. History offers examples where this appears true. Yet, history also shows that when politics becomes unmoored from moral restraint, its excesses multiply. Consider the quiet influence of faith communities in transitional societies, how they mediate, reconcile, and humanise.

Even where they lack coercive authority, they possess moral capital. And moral capital, once squandered, is not easily replenished. A state confident in its legitimacy does not fear prayer. A Church confident in its mission does not fear scrutiny. The tension between altar and statehouse is not inherently destructive. It becomes destructive only when one seeks to dominate or instrumentalise the other.

The Strategic Imperative for Uganda 

If Uganda is to chart a stable and dignified future, three strategic recalibrations are imperative. One, Institutional Respect Over Political Expediency: Religious and cultural institutions must not be reduced to platforms for temporary political mobilisation. Their long-term credibility is a national asset. Two, Consistency in Civic Engagement: Citizens must resist the temptation to pressure institutions today and demand their protection tomorrow. Ethical consistency is the bedrock of mature democracies.

And three, Reaffirmation of Moral Leadership: The Church must guard its prophetic voice with prudence and courage, speaking truth to power without succumbing to partisan choreography. As Nelson Mandela wisely observed, “A nation should not be judged by how it treats its highest citizens, but its lowest ones.” How we treat detainees, dissenters, and even institutions with which we disagree reveals the calibre of our democracy.

A Call to National Maturity 

Uganda’s destiny cannot be secured through outrage cycles. It requires moral steadiness, institutional dignity, and leadership capable of transcending factional impulses. Let us therefore elevate the discourse. Let us resist the seduction of mob energy masquerading as civic engagement. Let us protect the sanctity of institutions even when their decisions unsettle us.

For tomorrow, when we seek the Church’s mediation in moments of national fracture, its authority must remain intact. When we seek moral clarity in turbulent times, its voice must not be compromised by memories of having been bullied into submission. The strategic direction of this country will not be determined solely by elections, security deployments, or economic metrics. It will be determined by whether we preserve the moral ecosystems that sustain justice, dignity, and restraint.

Lest I Forget

If Uganda is to rise into a future worthy of its history, then the altar must neither be commandeered by the crowd nor intimidated by the throne. It must stand—calm, principled, and resolute—reminding both citizen and ruler alike that power without conscience is perilous, and that nations endure only when their moral foundations remain unshaken.

Key AI-related Developments & News

The country is moving toward formal regulation and governance of AI, a national AI policy is being drafted to steer ethical use, protect privacy, and support home-grown innovation. The government has formed a national AI task force to guide responsible deployment and ensure AI benefits reach a broad section of society.

Figure 1: National AI task force. (Courtesy Internet)

 Educational and research institutions for example Makerere University and Victoria Univerisity are increasingly playing key roles in AI development. There’ve been conferences and collaborations aimed at leveraging AI for health, education, and local innovation.

Public-sector institutions, including Bank of Uganda, are exploring AI’s potential in finance (e.g. digital payments, possibly digital currency), agriculture, healthcare, and education signaling a push toward data-driven and efficient public services.

How AI Is (or Could Be) Transforming Society in Uganda

Health & Public Services

The offline-capable AI framework for medical supply chains could help deliver medicines and resources more reliably especially in hard-to-reach or crisis-prone regions.

AI can strengthen diagnostics, disease surveillance, and data-driven health interventions if local tools and health-system integrations follow through.

Figure 2 Robots support surgery work in Operation rooms. (Courtesy Internet)

Governance, Efficiency & Digital Public Services

The push for policies and a national AI task force suggests Uganda aims to embed AI in public administration responsibly potentially improving transparency, reducing bureaucracy, and making services more accessible.

Digital-first services (e.g. e-government portals, streamlined data management) could help bridge urban/rural divides.

Education, Research & Skill Building

Universities and institutions are pivoting toward AI both in research and training preparing students for a more digital, AI-driven economy.

Over time, this could lead to more local innovators developing context-relevant AI solutions, reducing reliance on imported tech.

Economic Transformation: Finance, Agriculture, Tech Startups

AI in finance (digital payments, data analytics) can increase financial inclusion, transparency, and efficiency. In agriculture, AI tools (and IoT + data-driven frameworks) can help small-scale farmers optimize yields, respond to climate change, and increase productivity. Stimulating a local AI/tech startup ecosystem could drive job creation, especially for youth and tech-savy populations.

What Needs Attention.

 Experts and civil society warn about the risks of AI misuse, digital inequality, and dependence on foreign tech unless Uganda invests in local, context-aware solutions.

There’s concern around data privacy, governance, and potential exploitation — for instance, in copyright law: current Ugandan laws recognise only humans as creators, not AI, which may create legal grey areas.

 Digital infrastructure like internet access, electricity, broadband remains uneven. For AI to benefit broadly, technological access and digital literacy need to expand, especially in rural or underserved areas.

 There’s a risk of widening inequality: those with access to tools, training, and infrastructure could benefit first, while others might be left out. Responsible policy, inclusive education, and local solutions are key.

What Comes Next

Implementation of the national AI policy and how well it balances innovation with privacy and ethics. Growth of local AI/tech startups and home-grown solutions rather than dependence on imported technology. Expansion of digital infrastructure (internet, electricity) and up-skilling of the workforce especially youth and rural populations.

 Use of AI in public services (health, agriculture, education, finance) to improve inclusion, efficiency, and sustainability. Civil society and regulatory measures to ensure fairness, accountability, and to avoid digital divides or exploitation. Overall, AI in Uganda is at an inflection point  there’s strong momentum, interest from government and institutions, and real potential to transform many sectors. If managed well (with good policy inclusion, infrastructure, and local innovation), AI could help Uganda leap forward.

By the AI Ambassador

]]> https://theinvestigatornews.com/2025/11/the-innevitable-change-ai-takes-centre-stage-in-ugandas-digital-future-as-the-country-moves-towards-a-formal-regulation-and-governance-of-ai-policy/feed/ 1 https://theinvestigatornews.com/2025/11/twent-seven-years-after-being-sent-home-to-die-moses-nsubuga-aka-super-charger-proves-hiv-isnt-a-death-sentence/#utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=twent-seven-years-after-being-sent-home-to-die-moses-nsubuga-aka-super-charger-proves-hiv-isnt-a-death-sentence Wed, 26 Nov 2025 17:07:46 +0000 https://theinvestigatornews.com/?p=7926 Moses Nsubuga, codenamed Super Charger, was formerly a Radio personality and singer. Aged approximately 56 years, the lanky subject of this story, has a marvelous story to his side, which is, first of all, a testament to God’s miraculous powers of healing. Based on the HIV scourge, Super Charger’s story is a stark reminder that though the virus is a nightmare, it’s not necessarily a death sentence.

The Gist

27 years ago, Super Charger’s relatives virtually declared him a dead man who was just clutching at straws. Under that stunning belief, an aunt with whom he was staying in Entebbe, returned his cousin to their ancestral village, at least to be closer to his eternal resting place ahead of his looming demise and burial.

The Aunt took the decision to supposedly spare the family of a two million shillings expenditure. This figure is what it required then, to transport a body back to their Kitalaganya ancestral village, located after Nakasongola, for burial. Upon his arrival at Kitalaganya village, Super Charger’s relatives, who were convinced beyond any lingering doubt of his imminent death, went ahead and dug a grave ahead of his actual demise.

In another dramatic act of advance preparation for his looming demise and burial, the relatives procured the necessary materials required to dress up Super Charger’s body ahead of his imminent death. Thereafter, the relatives reclined and waited for his final hour on earth, ahead of meeting his creator from across the bridge.

The dramatic acts, followed the victim’s failure to regularly take his critical life-saving drugs, which saw the virus developing a stubborn resistance to that critical line of treatment, crucial to boost an HIV victim’s immune system and to suppress the fatal disease.

Frail and unable now, to take care of his fragile situation by himself, Super Charger relocated to his aunt’s residence located in Entebbe. Here, after treating him without positive results, she returned him to the village to die, convinced that his condition was irreversible. But in a miraculous reversal of his misfortunes, a former member of Parliament from Buikwe, Sarah Nyombi, who was Super Charger’s  bosom friend, fortunately, learned of his tribulations.

Immediately, Nyombi picked up the ailing man from Kitalaganya village, where he had been deposited to die. Deturmined to bankroll his required specialized medication, she brought him back to town. Nyombi’s swift intervention proved a game changer, resuscitating a man whose relatives had prematurely written off, leaving him dangerously teetering around his grave.

Nyombi’s action of compassion not only turned around a hopeless situation, but also potentially serves as an inspiration for those positively living with HIV, who may feel inclined to take their lives. Furthermore, the extremely commendable act of compassion potentially serves as an instruction to the relatives of HIV holders who may be nursing ideas of abandoning them to their devices.

Super Charger’s living experience dismantles the misguided notion that simply because someone has HIV, they are therefore as good as dead. The genesis of Super Charger’s HIV positive status, is traced to 1994. But, it was not until 1998 after his positive status was finally medically established.

That followed Super Charger getting unwell and suspected HIV to be the cause of his ill-health, based on his former reckless rounds of sex-capades. As he pondered on his next course of action, curiosity took the better of Super Charger, prompting him to go to the formerly Baumann House, premised at Uganda’s original HIV Testing and Treatment Center. His suspicion was proved spot on.

Upon disclosing to his wife, of his positive status, she unceremoniously abandoned him at Baumann House where, she had accompanied him to take the test. By way of a recap, Super Charger’s has been a story of adversity and of  triumph over adversity all at the same time.

The story is overshadowed by acts of abandonment and of rescue by people who were central to the main actor’s life and heart. Most of all, Super Charger’s is a story anchored on perseverance, hope coupled with a strong desire to live amidst adversity posed by a tragic  disease overcame by his never-say-die spirit.

As he continues to positively and graciously live, Super Charger’s fervent prayer and hope is that the much-awaited for, and still elusive cure for the virus, finds him alive and kicking. His prayer and hope is a pointer to his strong sense of hope that has kept him going since the dark days when he was written off and a grave for him dug ahead of his burial.

As the cure continues to defy top notch scientists, Super Charger, in the meantime, urges those carrying HIV to take the available treatment and life-support drugs religiously and to desist from acts that could spread the disease and those that can endanger as well as lead to premature loss of their lives.

]]> https://theinvestigatornews.com/2025/11/purity-from-the-source-the-story-of-how-national-water-and-sewerage-corporations-vigilance-at-the-tap-safeguards-the-entire-nations-health/#utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=purity-from-the-source-the-story-of-how-national-water-and-sewerage-corporations-vigilance-at-the-tap-safeguards-the-entire-nations-health Wed, 26 Nov 2025 16:23:20 +0000 https://theinvestigatornews.com/?p=7924 In the heart of East Africa, where the sun blesses the fertile lands of Uganda, the most critical resource flows not from the sky alone, but from the taps maintained by the steadfast efforts of National Water and Sewerage Corporation.

This clean and clear water is the very lifeblood of the nation, an indispensable force for survival and the cornerstone of all sustainable development. Yet, this access, which many may take for granted, remains a desperate challenge in parts of the world, leading to devastating consequences like malnutrition, severe dehydration, and in the most tragic cases, loss of life.

This is where the silent, critical role of water quality management becomes a hero’s tale. It is this rigorous process that ensures the safety and cleanliness of every drop used for drinking, cooking, and sanitation by Ugandan families.

With effective water quality management, the National Water and Sewerage Corporation acts as a powerful shield, preventing the spread of ancient water borne diseases like typhoid, dysentery and cholera among others, making water truly safe for consumption and neutralizing the high health risks posed by invisible toxins that find their way into water sources through industrial processes and poor management of toxic wastes.

The consumption of clean and safe water directly elevates the hygiene and sanitation of entire communities, guaranteeing that the water used in homes is safe. National Water has regional testing laboratories in the regions of Uganda, Mbarara (West), Gulu (North), and Mbale (East) and in the central laboratory in Bugolobi. It is a simple equation: unsafe water bridges room for diseases, while treated water builds a foundation for community health and sanitation.

This is not a passive endeavor; it is an active, ongoing mission. The process involves meticulous testing, expert treating, constant monitoring, and vigilant protecting of the precious water sources that serve the nation. It is absolutely mandatory that this regular water quality monitoring continues relentlessly. This is how the National Water and Sewerage Corporation and other institutions make informed, decisive decisions to provide clean water that meets the highest national compliance standards.

This diligence is a vital safety measure, a non-negotiable commitment to promoting the good health and perfect wellbeing of every citizen. This protection is especially crucial for the most vulnerable among us, the children, elderly, and expectant women who are most at risk and must be guarded against consuming unsafe water.

Therefore, every time a water quality test is conducted, it is an act of profound care. It is a process to identify and eliminate the pollutants that cause disease, ensuring a stronger, healthier Uganda. This unwavering commitment upholds the fundamental truth that clean and safe drinking water is not a privilege but a fundamental right for every Ugandan.

Uganda’s film industry is at a turning point. Once considered a creative niche space, it is now emerging as a vibrant sector with rising talent, improved production quality and growing commercial potential. Yet behind the glitz on screen lies a complex business ecosystem that stakeholders say needs deliberate investment, strong regulation and recognition of film as both an economic driver and a cultural pillar.

This call to action dominated discussions on the first episode of The Ugandan Podcast Season 4, organised by the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance in partnership with MultiChoice Uganda. Brian Mulondo, Local Content Manager at MultiChoice Uganda, highlighted the industry’s transformation over the past six years, crediting sustained investment in local productions. “Since the launch of Pearl Magic channels, we’ve seen a boom across all aspects of the industry,” Mulondo said. “Uganda has moved from having only a handful of professional cinematographers and sound engineers to a thriving ecosystem of skilled talent thanks to initiatives like the MultiChoice Talent Factory.” Today, Uganda can support multiple large-scale productions simultaneously with no shortage of competent crews. Mulondo added that MultiChoice’s commissioning model has empowered independent filmmakers to produce high-quality content now recognized on continental platforms such as the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards. Through commissioning and content acquisition, filmmakers earn, grow and retain ownership of their work after licensing periods.

From a regulatory perspective, Ruth Kibuuka, Manager of Content Development at the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC), stressed that the industry cannot thrive without structural and policy support. “Twelve years ago, UCC introduced local content quotas for broadcasters, but we quickly realized that while broadcasters were willing, the available content lacked quality,” she said. This prompted UCC to invest in capacity building, training over 10,000 filmmakers in directing, producing, scriptwriting and cinematography. Kibuuka emphasized film’s economic and cultural significance, noting its potential to employ millions while preserving Uganda’s heritage. She underscored the need for strong regulatory frameworks for quality assurance and intellectual property protection, citing UCC’s collaboration with the Uganda Registration Services Bureau and the Uganda Film Festival as key milestones.

Judithiana Namazzi, a TV host and producer, pointed to professionalism as a persistent challenge. “Many entrants lack training, which affects execution,” she said, urging creatives to embrace research, continuous learning and constructive criticism. “Excellence matters. If you accept a job, do it well because you never know who is watching,” Namazzi advised, adding that spotlighting women in film is critical to inspiring more female participation.

Award-winning filmmaker Loukman Ali noted that while Uganda’s creative talent is growing, the business ecosystem remains underdeveloped. Drawing comparisons with Nigeria, he observed that brands there actively seek product placement opportunities because they understand film’s commercial value. “In Uganda, brands still view film with skepticism, which forces filmmakers to self-fund, a cycle that affects quality and distribution,” Loukman said. He called for accelerated policy processes, warning that bureaucratic delays often render regulations outdated in a fast-evolving industry. “Technology is shaping the industry quickly and by the time policies come to light, the industry has already moved a step further,” he added.

Uganda’s film industry is brimming with potential, but unlocking its full value requires more than talent. It demands investment, robust policy frameworks and a mindset shift among brands and stakeholders to view film not just as art but as a business capable of driving economic growth and cultural influence.

Centenary Bank has once again affirmed its position as a leading digital-first financial institution after scooping four major accolades at the Digital Impact Awards Africa (DIAA) 2025, one of the continent’s most prestigious platforms celebrating digital excellence and financial innovation.

The Bank walked away with top honors in the categories of Digital Brand of the Year, Digital Banking Excellence and Banking Innovation Excellence, all being gold awards, while securing a diamond award for Community/MFI Banking Excellence.

The wins reflect Centenary Bank’s continued investment in digital transformation, customer-centric innovation, and financial inclusion through technology.

Speaking about the achievement, Micheal Bulyerali, Manager of Digital Marketing and Communications, said, “This recognition is a powerful affirmation of our commitment to delivering simple, secure, and transformative digital banking solutions. Over the past years, we have focused on reimagining how our customers interact with the bank, whether through mobile, agent banking or our online platforms such as internet Banking. These awards demonstrate that our digital strategy is truly empowering millions of Ugandans every day.”

The Bank has several digital transaction channels, including the Cente Mobile App, internet Banking, Cente Agents, and the recently launched service in partnership with Inter switch, the Inter switch Quick Teller Agent Service. This service aims to improve financial inclusion in the country by expanding access to banking services through Interswitch’s Quick teller agent network, bringing financial services closer to communities in both urban and rural areas.

Commenting on the milestone, Beatrice Lugalambi, the General Manager Corporate Communications and Marketing, applauded the Bank’s customers and partners. She said, “Winning four awards at the Digital Impact Awards Africa is humbling and inspiring. It speaks of the trust our customers place in us and of the effort of our team, which continues to innovate with purpose. It also aligns with our vision as a Bank, to be the preferred provider for innovative financial solutions, especially in microfinance. These awards belong to the people we serve.”

Centenary Bank remains committed to accelerating Uganda’s financial inclusion agenda by championing innovation, strengthening digital security, and building products that respond to the evolving needs of customers across all segments.

Key achievements include a sharp increase in fecal sludge management coverage from 32% in 2020 to nearly 70% in 2025, major upgrades to treatment facilities such as Nakivubo and Nalukolongo, and the rollout of modern public toilets through innovative public-private partnerships. These developments have improved access to cleaner facilities and helped reduce the spread of sanitation-related diseases.

Yet despite these gains, Kampala still faces major hurdles on its road to achieving universal sanitation. Only about 15% of the city’s population is connected to the central sewer network, leaving the majority reliant on pit latrines and septic tanks, many of which are poorly constructed and vulnerable to overflow during heavy rains.

Even with the expansion of fecal sludge management services, only 44% of collected waste is safely treated. The rest is often illegally dumped into storm drains, wetlands, and open spaces, fueling groundwater contamination, waterborne diseases, and environmental degradation. These sanitation-related challenges are estimated to cost Uganda up to 3% of its GDP annually in health and economic losses.

Wastewater management presents another critical challenge. Although the Nakivubo Wastewater Treatment Plant has a design capacity of 45 million liters per day, it currently treats only about 35% of that volume. During the rainy season, some residents open up their onsite sanitation systems, allowing untreated sewage to flow into stormwater drains that feed into wetlands and Lake Victoria, worsening pollution levels and threatening public health.

Experts say that addressing these issues requires a combination of short-term interventions and long-term infrastructure investments. Immediate priorities include expanding fecal sludge management services, enforcing regulations on private emptiers to prevent illegal dumping, and upgrading public sanitation facilities. Community-driven efforts such as the Weyonje campaign have already shown success in promoting hygiene and behavioral change, but scaling up these initiatives remains vital.

The National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC) and Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) are leading several transformative initiatives — from upgrading wastewater treatment plants and digitizing pit-emptying services to advancing CWIS programs that target underserved communities. NWSC is also exploring biogas production and resource recovery solutions to make sanitation more sustainable.

Still, authorities emphasize that progress depends not only on institutions but also on citizens. Kampala residents are urged to use licensed pit-emptying services, maintain household sanitation facilities, connect to nearby sewer systems where possible, and take part in community clean-up campaigns. Simple actions like responsible waste disposal and regular handwashing can significantly cut health risks.

Kampala’s sanitation journey is on a promising trajectory, but the path ahead requires collective action. As policymakers work to strengthen regulation and financing, and residents embrace their role in maintaining a cleaner environment, the city edges closer to a vision of a healthier, more sustainable future for all.

Senior Human Resources Officer, Mr. Julius Oyet, explained that overhead cranes, whether fixed or mobile, fall under the Occupational Safety and Health Act (2006), and stressed that safe handling of such equipment is not just a legal requirement but also a safeguard against operational disruptions that could affect water supply.  “When our teams operate safely, the entire service chain, right up to the customer’s tap, remains secure,” he said.

The sessions were conducted in phases to ensure full participation from all shifts, with each overseer taking charge of their team. Shift A was led by Mr. Bagenda Thomas, Shift B by Mr. Bright Godfrey, Shift C by Mr. Akandwanaho Daniel, and Shift D by Acting Senior Shift Overseer Mr. Kato Richard. All overseers, who also serve on the Katosi Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Committee, carry the responsibility of enforcing safe practices across the plant.

The training followed recommendations from the Water Production Directorate’s OHS audit report, which emphasized the importance of equipping staff with specialized knowledge for lifting operations. “Workplace safety is a shared responsibility and must be embedded in everything we do,” said Mr. Oyet.

Beyond protecting staff, the refresher course covered NWSC’s mandate to safeguard plant efficiency and ensure uninterrupted service delivery. With their skills refreshed, Katosi teams are now better equipped to manage operations safely, maintaining the reliability of a facility that supplies millions of Ugandans with clean water every day

Just another Journo, I thought. In between hoops into the media industry, I bumped into him with Kodili aka Gazaa Gazaman at the Red pepper briefly and regularly at bars in Kireka. In, or about Febuary 2013 , a colleague that I had prior worked with at the Red pepper, Stanley Ndawula aka Ndugu, had had an idea of starting an online newspaper.

On the day, he called at the time I had just parted ways with Chimp Reports. Hence, there was no way of refusing to meet him at the Golf Course Hotel for what I thought was just a drink. Anyone that knew Stanley then, we enjoyed froth, aka the bitter, and was sure of getting drunk as well as ‘facilitation’.

Unlike our other meetings, he didn’t beckon me to the sitting bar area but the verandah loungue and in a few minutes, we were joined by Dalton Kaweesa. This was not a drink-up meeting of sorts. It was a project plot on how we started the investigator online newspaper. Days later, I was at Rajja Chambers along Parliamentary Avenue at his money lending company called G.I.A where, we set base to start the www.theinvestigatornews.com website.

With the G.I.A staff like Perry, Grace, and yes ‘Hajatti’ Zainab, the two of us sat and penned stories like manna on day one. Dalton, still missing in action, we soldiered on, in between movements to Cafe Papa for him whilst I went to enjoy a drink at Mateos with the boys .

A few weeks later, the investigator had caused a media storm, people like Joel Isabirye and Simon Kasiyate and Timothy Karyegira started passing by. True to Stanley style, he was always willing to ‘show around and off’ how things worked. It is at this time that bwana Steven Kasozi Muwambi, walked in with a lanky fellow with whom, I had prior shared a drink too many times at Kireka’s Ada Pub, Victoria or Pride in Bweyogerere.

Instantly, the duo joined our team and so did Arthur Kintu from Newvision along side Almedah Karemani, and Fred Daka Kamwada Kamwada. Stanley later incorporated his home squad of Farid Jemba, RobertNdawula, and Geoffrey in IT department, and oh yes, Drucillar Arinanye aka Dru.

The investigator was now almost fully established, crime – investigations with Stanley, Entertainment belonged to yours truly Jako, Court dedicated to Steven Kasozi Muwambi, Politics to Kamwada, while Daniels Tatya, specialized in sports and Frank Mugisha in sports.

Boy, the Investigator rocked until Stanley begun his riff taffy stuff with money bags Sudhir Reperaria, his now estranged buddy. With our cultural roots embedded and entwined, Tatya found a ‘drink’ comrade in me and ho, we drunk. What shocked many inspite of our imbibing was the teams unmatched work ethic and breaking news superiority.

As Stanley launched another warfare with Gen. Edward Kale Kayihura, and the Kampala CDB becoming risky, we shifted from Rajja Chambers to the Village Mall , in Kyanja. Along the way, many of our colleagues left as Tatya and I soldiered on with Stanley. Tatya, even got a place of abode adjacent the village courtesy of Stanley.

As things got better, they returned briefly so did our route opener, Uncle Sekamate.
Things got tough as Stanley opted to venture into a bar-restaurant business with some fellow on Bukoto Street. His penchant for news was wanning, he and a one Kabanda, always moved together, to a ‘same dots’ joint with a Franchesca, as Tatya and I pondered our next move at the office.

Later, we all chose to part ways for the good of our financial wellness. About a year later, duty called after Stanley social media pages and mine had been hacked, allegedly by the ‘tycoon’. A.quick meeting was arranged between us and later joined by Muwambi and Ivan Kayuki, aka George, for us to revamp the investigator news.

Indeed, it was for a couple of weeks until I asked Stanley for premission to seek out the services of Tatya. Gwe, those days Stanley wouldn’t do anything without consulting me or later his best man, Friday Kagoro.Finding Tatya was quite easy but he at the time, had been bitten by the bitter while I had quit drinking anything alcoholic till today.

His work ethic was in tandem, but a bit slower, however, the Investigator was back at Yaya Lounge. His love for Arsenal was phenomenon and braggy. Later on, under the auspices of Anderson Luzze, the investigator youtube channel idea was birthed. Tactfully, I stayed out the first shooting sessions that were done by Stanley and Tatya, but subsequently later, I took over the mantle.

During that period, with financial demands piling up and our boss more interested in the eatery and bar business, I calmly walked out. Tatya, then took over the mantle both at the website and the channel. We certainly had no issues between us until we chose to part professional ways over our personal interests.

When he was involved in that boda-car accident, I set aside our differences and went to Gwatiro hospital, only to be told that he had been transferred. Recently, he surprised me by requesting me to talk to Dean Saava Lubowa over the Kibalama issue that he wasn’t part of the panel and indeed he wasn’t.

In my true style, I boldly told him that I had no business in being dragged into that issue and that if Dean had called, then they should conclude their business. On the night of 30th September 2025, while in the Kulambiro road vicinity at about 10pm, I was informed that Tatya had been admitted to Mulago hospital.

Before shooting today’s TV 10 show during the dry run, I brought Dean to speed about this development.Hours later, after the show, boom… boom… I picked up a call from an insider at Yaya. Daniels Nabongo Tatya, had passed on. Such a cruel sad ending of a man who had finally branched into family life. Sail well Ndugu.