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Bobi Wine hid in a hotel room for hours before soldiers broke in and arrested him during the 2018 Arua by-election violence, an ordeal he later said involved severe torture. The National Unity Platform leader, then known as Robert Kyagulanyi, was supporting independent candidate Kassiano Wadri in the August 13, 2018 by-election when violence erupted in Arua. His driver, Yasin Kawuma, was shot dead near Pacific Hotel as security forces responded to chaos surrounding the presidential convoy, which authorities said had been attacked by opposition supporters. Bobi Wine later recounted hiding in a hotel room as soldiers searched the premises. He said they eventually broke into his room, beat him and took him into custody. He was initially charged with illegal possession of firearms before facing treason charges over the alleged attack on the presidential convoy. On August 27, 2018, the Gulu High Court granted him bail. He later travelled to the United States for medical treatment following allegations of torture.

Bobi Wine led protests against Uganda’s 2018 social media tax, forcing the government to reduce the mobile money tax from 1% to 0.5% within weeks of its introduction. The taxes took effect on July 1, 2018, imposing a daily Shs200 charge on access to social media platforms and a 1% levy on mobile money transactions. President Yoweri Museveni had proposed taxing social media use, arguing that Ugandans should pay for online activities he described as gossip. The government defended the measures as necessary to raise revenue and fund public services. However, the taxes triggered widespread public anger, with critics arguing they restricted access to information, increased the cost of doing business and amounted to double taxation because users already paid for internet data. Bobi Wine, opposition politicians, journalists, activists and ordinary users joined the #ThisTaxMustGo campaign. Police used tear gas to disperse demonstrators, while legal challenges followed. The government later limited the mobile money tax to withdrawals, while retaining the social media tax until 2021, when it was abolished.

Gen Kale Kayihura Speaking about life after leaving office in May 2026 :When I left service, you know when you leave public service, nobody wants to come closer to you, even those you used to help. All of them run away from you as if you are suffering from leprosy.

At least 31 people died when the MV Templar, an overcrowded party boat, capsized on Lake Victoria on November 24, 2018, exposing serious failures in maritime safety enforcement in Uganda. The vessel sank near Mutima Beach in Mukono District while carrying revelers from KK Beach in Ggaba to K-Palm Beach in Mpatta Sub-county. Survivors recalled hearing instructions to “balance the boat” as it tilted before overturning and sinking rapidly. About 26 to 27 people were rescued, while the number of passengers aboard remained uncertain, with estimates ranging from 80 to more than 120. The boat was reportedly designed to carry about 50 people. Among those who died were the boat’s owner, Templar Bisase, and his wife, Sheila Bisase. Notable survivors included Buganda Kingdom’s Prince David Wasajja and musician Iryn Namubiru. Investigations cited overcrowding, poor vessel condition, hull defects, inadequate safety equipment and failure to meet registration and inspection requirements.

Prince David Wasajja survived the 2018 MV Templar boat disaster on Lake Victoria after receiving a life jacket and managing to stay afloat before fishermen rescued him from the water. Wasajja, the younger brother of Kabaka Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II, was among the high-profile survivors when the overcrowded party boat capsized near Mutima Beach in Mukono District on November 24, 2018. Fellow survivor Fredrick Mubiru said Wasajja and musician Iryn Namubiru initially lacked life jackets, but some were later found for them. As the boat tilted and overturned, Wasajja reportedly clung to a pole before entering the water. His ability to swim and the life jacket helped him stay afloat until rescuers arrived. Fisherman George Onyango later identified Wasajja among those he helped rescue. However, the prince lost his right-hand man, John Bosco Nyanzi, in the tragedy. Speaking at a thanksgiving mass in March 2019, Wasajja thanked God and the local community for the rescue. He also questioned why passengers should be expected to inspect a boat’s engines before boarding, arguing that safety checks were the responsibility of those operating the vessel.

Abdallah Kitatta, patron of Boda Boda 2010 in 2016 : I am not a policeman. I am his friend and I can’t stand anyone who dares to get in his way. I have the capacity to save the Inspector General of Police and the entire Police force from any enemy… Even if I died now, there are 1000 Kitattas who can save this government from collapsing.”

Jennifer Musisi former Executive Director of KCCA On death threats August 2011 :I have received all sorts of threats; threats of spraying acid on me and armed people coming to my office. They call, write and try to poison me. There is one time, when through my messenger, some people wanted to poison me.

According to reports, government critic journalist Remmy Bahat is reportedly the one who took over the X account that once belonged to the former feared speaker Hon Anita Among. Information indicates that it’s now in the hands of s news start-up, Global Africa Brief.

“About 75% of diseases in Uganda are preventable. Strengthening prevention would reduce hospital patients and lower medicine budgets,” —@BaryomunsiChris. #HealthPromotionUg26

Rehema Nanfuka broke a major barrier in Uganda’s film industry in 2018 when she became the first woman to win the Uganda Film Festival’s Best Director award, establishing herself as one of the country’s leading filmmakers. Nanfuka, an actress, director, screenwriter and producer, won the award for Veronica’s Wish, which also claimed Best Feature Film and several other honours at the festival. A Makerere University graduate and Maisha Film Lab alumna, she began acting in 2008 before gaining international recognition for her role in Imani (2010). The performance earned her the Africa Movie Academy Award for Most Promising Actress and Best Actress at the African Film Festival of Córdoba. Her acting credits also include Queen of Katwe, Imbabazi, Yat Madit and The Girl in the Yellow Jumper. In 2017, she won the Uganda Film Festival’s Best Actress in a TV Drama award for Yat Madit. Nanfuka has continued to build her reputation behind the camera, winning Best Director and Best Feature Film for Nkinzi at the 2025 Uganda Film Festival. She also shared the Best Screenplay award for the film. Another prominent figure in Uganda’s film industry is Tracy Kababiito, who has built a career spanning acting, broadcasting, voice work and digital content creation. A Uganda Christian University graduate in Mass Communication, Kababiito previously worked as a presenter on NTV’s The Beat and radio before gaining wider recognition as the lead actress in the television series Sanyu. In 2023, she won the Uganda Film Festival’s Best Actress in a Feature Film award for her title role in Nana Kagga’s Mukisa. She has since appeared in Prefects, an International Emmy-nominated series, while continuing to work across film, television, podcasting and performance training.

Joshua Cheptegei made history at the 2024 Paris Olympics by winning the 10,000m gold in an Olympic-record time of 26:43.14, completing his journey to the top of distance running after years of world records and global titles. Born on September 12, 1996, in Kapsewui, Kapchorwa District, Cheptegei initially excelled in football and field events before turning to distance running. At 17, he announced himself on the international stage by winning 10,000m gold at the 2014 World U20 Championships in Eugene, United States, in 28:32.86. He finished fourth in the 5,000m. He made his Olympic debut at the 2016 Rio Games, finishing sixth in the 10,000m and eighth in the 5,000m. He later won gold in both events at the 2018 Commonwealth Games and claimed the 2019 World Cross Country Championships title before adding 10,000m gold at the World Championships in Doha. In 2020, Cheptegei rewrote the record books, setting world records of 12:35.36 in the 5,000m in Monaco and 26:11.00 in the 10,000m in Valencia. His breakthrough at the Olympics came in Tokyo in 2021, where he won 5,000m gold and 10,000m silver, becoming the first Ugandan athlete to win two medals at a single Olympic Games. He strengthened his legacy by winning successive 10,000m world titles in 2022 and 2023 before achieving Olympic glory in the event in Paris in 2024. A police officer and one of Uganda’s most decorated distance runners, Cheptegei has become a national icon, inspiring a new generation of athletes from the highlands of Kapchorwa.

A story from @ntvuganda that is hard to watch dry-eyed. Father-Daughter love on display in terrible circumstances where she has to care for her now crippled father after rest of family fell away as his bills and medical care became overwhelming. Not to mention the justice system (what's new!?) failing him.

Why Researchers Must Prepare Communities Before Disease Outbreaks youtu.be/Tkrzl1jOYQM?si…

At just 21, Makerere University engineering student Esther Nabaasa Mugizi made history in 2008 by becoming the first Ugandan to win Tusker Project Fame, earning KSh 5 million and a recording deal with South Africa’s Gallo Records. Born in Mbarara, Nabaasa, also known as Esther Nabaasa or Estar, auditioned in Kampala before surviving weekly eliminations in Nairobi to win the second season of the regional singing competition in June 2008. She defeated finalists, including Kenya’s Wendy Kimani. In 2009, she released her debut 11-track album, Rock in the Country Soul, largely written and recorded in Johannesburg. The album blended pop, R&B, soul, country and rock influences. She released a second album in 2013 before shifting much of her attention to songwriting and music production. Her credits include co-writing and performing “Yoga Yoga” and “Sip from the Nile” for Uganda’s 2012 independence jubilee. She has also contributed to Bebe Cool’s Go Mama, Juliana Kanyomozi’s Bits and Pieces, Gabriel K’s albums and the soundtrack for Natasha Karugire’s film 27 Guns. Her work extends to theatre compositions and commercial music. Married to music producer Michael Fingers, Nabaasa has children and continues to make occasional releases and performances.

A failed audition nearly ended Davis Ntare’s Tusker Project Fame dream, but the Kampala singer returned a year later to win the regional competition and take home KSh 5 million in December 2010. Hillary Davis Ntare, also known as Davis Ntare or Davis Hillary Ntare, was a Makerere University industrial art graduate who had previously auditioned unsuccessfully for Season Three. Before his breakthrough, he worked as a backup singer for Maurice Kirya, taught music and produced songs. At the Season Four finale in Nairobi, Ntare delivered an energetic rendition of Michael Jackson’s “Billie Jean”, beating finalists including Tanzania’s Peter Msechu and Kenyans Stephen Nyabwa and Amileena Mwenesi. Alongside the cash prize, he secured a recording deal, medical cover and other rewards. He later said he invested part of his winnings in land and band equipment. Ntare subsequently returned for the Tusker Project Fame All Stars edition, where he ranked among the strong performers, although Rwanda’s Alpha Rwirangira won the competition. After the show, Ntare released “Sheka Sheka” and collaborated on projects including the Whistle Anthem. He later spent time performing in Nairobi before returning to Kampala’s music scene around 2015–2016.

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