Uganda: Top News Highlights of 2023 – January to December

Hope Turyomurugyendo

January 4, 2023: Gen. Saleh Addresses Note to Lord Mayor Lukwago

Gen. Caleb Akandwanaho, also known as Salim Saleh, coordinator for Operation Wealth Creation, urged Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago to apologize for reported misconduct.




January 14, 2023: Uganda Cancels Railways Contract with Chinese Firm




Uganda switched railway contractors, signing with Turkish firm Yapi Merkezi instead of China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation for the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) from Malaba to Kampala.




January 23, 2023: Entebbe Airport Scandal Unveiled

Social media buzzed as passengers shared corruption experiences at Entebbe Airport, highlighting a scandalous state of affairs.

January 23, 2023: Namuganza Censured – Parliament Votes




Parliament successfully censured Housing Minister Persis Namuganza in a special session chaired by Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa.

January 24, 2023: Oil Drilling Commences

President Museveni inaugurated oil drilling at the Kingfisher oil rig near Lake Albert, operated by China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC).





February 13, 2023: Release of Imprisoned MPs Ssegirinya and Ssewanyana

After 524 days, MPs Muhammad Ssegirinya and Allan Ssewanyana were released from Kitalya Prison after facing charges related to murders in Masaka.

February 26, 2023: Minister Uses OPM Iron Sheets for Animal Shed

State Minister for Planning Amos Lugoloobi used relief iron sheets meant for the vulnerable to roof cow sheds, causing controversy.

March 1, 2023: Museveni Receives South African Award







President Museveni received the ‘Order of South Africa’ medal for his contribution to liberating South Africa from colonialism.

March 12, 2023: Uganda and Algeria Sign Pacts

President Museveni emphasized economic integration as Uganda and Algeria signed agreements to foster African prosperity.

March 12, 2023: Karuma Hydropower Testing Success

The 600MW Karuma Hydro Electricity dam conducted a successful test on its first turbine, marking a significant milestone.


March 15, 2023: Museveni Rejects Ministers’ Explanations on Iron Sheets

President Museveni rejected explanations from ministers implicated in the Karamoja iron sheets scandal meant for the vulnerable.

March 17, 2023: Nnaabagereka Twins Spark Controversy

Nnaabagereka Sylvia Nagginda’s autobiography stirred controversy in Buganda, particularly regarding the paternity of the revealed twins.

March 21, 2023: 20-Year Jail Term for Homosexuals

Lawmakers passed the Anti-Homosexuality Bill, proposing a 20-year sentence for engaging in homosexuality and the death penalty for aggravated cases.

March 22, 2023: Uganda Exports Military Gear to Equatorial Guinea

Uganda exported military uniforms to Equatorial Guinea, manufactured by Southern Range Nyanza Limited (Nytil).

March 25, 2023: Rwanda-Uganda Joint Meeting Strengthens Relations

Top officials from Uganda and Rwanda aimed to enhance trade flow and revive the Northern Corridor Integration Projects, signaling improved bilateral relations.


March 27, 2023: Government Takes Over Nalubaale and Kiira Dam Operations

The 20-year concession to Eskom Ltd for operating Nalubaale and Kiira power stations concluded, with the government assuming control.

April 2, 2023: Fugitive Police Officer Nabbed After 5 Years

Former KMP South commander Siraje Bakaleke, who fled in 2018, was arrested for alleged wrongful arrest and extortion of Korean Nationals.

April 4, 2023: Minister Arrested Over Iron Sheets

Police arrested Karamoja Affairs Minister Mary Goretti Kitutu for her role in the iron sheets scandal meant for vulnerable people.

April 6, 2023: Kitutu Sent to Jail in Iron Sheets Saga

Minister Kitutu faced charges of loss of public property and conspiracy to defraud, potentially leading to a 10-year jail term.

April 17, 2023: Minister Lugoloobi Remanded Over Iron Sheets Saga

Minister Amos Lugoloobi faced remand over the iron sheets meant for the vulnerable, part of the relief items.


April 18, 2023: Museveni Commissions Locally Overhauled Helicopter

President Museveni commissioned the first-ever locally overhauled and upgraded Russian helicopter in sub-Saharan Africa.

April 19, 2023: Minister Nandutu Charged and Remanded Over Iron Sheets

State Minister Agnes Nandutu faced charges and was remanded over her role in the iron sheets scandal in Karamoja.

April 22, 2023: COU Breaks Away From Canterbury

Archbishop Kaziimba announced the Church of Uganda’s break from the Church of England due to disagreements over same-sex unions.

April 30, 2023: Mukasa is New Kasana-Luwero Bishop

Pope Francis appointed Msgr. Lawrence Mukasa as the new bishop of Kasana-Luwero Catholic Diocese.

May 2, 2023: Guard Kills Minister Charles Okello Engola

Pte Wilson Sabiiti shot and killed Minister Charles Okello Engola before taking his own life, leading to shock and investigation.


May 11, 2023: River Katonga Floods Cut Off Kampala-Masaka Road

Floods at River Katonga forced motorists to seek alternative routes as the Kampala-Masaka highway became impassable.

May 21, 2023: Crisis at Varsities as Over 1,400 Programs Expire

A crisis unfolded as over 1,400 university programs expired, leading to graduates facing rejection by employers.

May 25, 2023: Uganda Tops Africa in Alcohol Use

Uganda ranked first in alcohol consumption in Africa, with an average of 12.21 liters of pure alcohol consumed per person annually.

May 25, 2023: Museveni and Suluhu Launch Isingiro Power Plant

Presidents Museveni and Samia Suluhu Hassan commissioned the 16MW Kikagati-Murongo hydropower plant in Isingiro district.

May 29, 2023: President Launches Uganda’s Joint AFCON Bid

President Museveni launched Uganda’s joint bid with East African nations to host the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in 2027.


May 29, 2023: Museveni Signs Anti-Homosexuality Bill into Law

President Museveni signed into law the Anti-Homosexuality Bill 2023, criminalizing various forms of unnatural sexual acts in Uganda.

June 3, 2023: UNBS Recalls Several Juice Brands

The Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) recalled several juice brands due to health concerns and substandard quality.

June 15, 2023: VP Oulanyah Criticizes Police

Vice President Jacob Oulanyah criticized the police force for human rights abuses and called for reforms during a parliamentary session.

June 21, 2023: New NSSF Tower Launched

The National Social Security Fund (NSSF) Tower, the tallest building in Uganda, was officially launched in Kampala.

June 27, 2023: FDC Withdraws from 2023 Elections

The Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) announced its withdrawal from the 2023 elections, citing electoral irregularities and violence.


June 30, 2023: Kadaga Resigns from Parliament

Rebecca Kadaga, former Speaker of Parliament, resigned from her parliamentary seat, marking the end of a political era.

July 5, 2023: Uganda Approves GM Mosquito Release

Uganda approved the release of genetically modified mosquitoes to combat malaria, aiming to reduce the spread of the disease.

July 11, 2023: 14 Killed in Kasese Clashes

Clashes in Kasese led to the death of 14 people, prompting security forces to intervene and restore order.

July 15, 2023: Oil Pipeline Construction Begins

Construction commenced on the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP), a major project connecting Uganda’s oil fields to the Tanzanian coast.

July 22, 2023: Makerere University Strike Ends

A two-month-long strike at Makerere University concluded as the government and staff reached an agreement on salary arrears and working conditions.


July 29, 2023: Uganda Experiences Internet Blackout

A nationwide internet blackout occurred, raising concerns about freedom of information and communication disruptions.

August 7, 2023: Museveni Reshuffles Cabinet

President Museveni reshuffled his cabinet, making changes to key positions and ministries.

August 15, 2023: Uganda Launches Climate Change Policy

Uganda officially launched its National Climate Change Policy, outlining strategies to mitigate and adapt to the effects of climate change.

August 21, 2023: Ugandan Athletes Shine at World Athletics Championships

Uganda celebrated athletic success as its athletes won several medals at the World Athletics Championships in Budapest.

August 28, 2023: Museveni Criticizes Western Intervention

President Museveni criticized Western intervention in African affairs, emphasizing the need for African solutions to African challenges.


September 2, 2023: Cabinet Approves National Health Insurance Bill

The Cabinet approved the National Health Insurance Bill, a significant step toward achieving universal healthcare coverage in Uganda.

September 8, 2023: UNRA Dismisses Over 1,000 Workers

The Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) dismissed over 1,000 workers as part of a restructuring process.

September 15, 2023: Uganda Hosts East African Community Summit

Uganda hosted the East African Community (EAC) Summit, fostering regional cooperation and addressing key issues affecting member states.

September 22, 2023: EAC Leaders Sign Trade Agreement

East African Community leaders signed a trade agreement aimed at boosting economic cooperation and integration in the region.

September 29, 2023: NSSF Scandal Erupts

A scandal involving the National Social Security Fund (NSSF) emerged, raising questions about financial mismanagement and corruption.


October 6, 2023: Museveni Marks 40 Years in Power

President Museveni marked 40 years in power, making him one of Africa’s longest-serving leaders.

October 11, 2023: Opposition Leader Arrested

A prominent opposition leader was arrested on charges of inciting violence and disrupting public order.

October 18, 2023: Uganda Launches Digital Currency Pilot

Uganda took a step into the future by launching a pilot program for its digital currency, exploring the potential of blockchain technology.

October 24, 2023: Kabaka Mutebi Celebrates Silver Jubilee

The King of Buganda, Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II, celebrated his silver jubilee as the reigning monarch.

October 31, 2023: Parliament Approves National Health Insurance Bill

Parliament passed the National Health Insurance Bill, a crucial development in the quest for comprehensive healthcare coverage in Uganda.


November 7, 2023: Uganda Wins Bid to Host 2027 AFCON

Uganda celebrated a successful bid to host the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in 2027, promising a memorable tournament.

November 14, 2023: Uganda-China Summit Strengthens Ties

President Museveni and Chinese President Xi Jinping held a summit, reinforcing diplomatic and economic ties between Uganda and China.

November 20, 2023: Kasese Floods Displace Thousands

Heavy rains caused severe flooding in Kasese, displacing thousands of residents and prompting a humanitarian crisis.

November 28, 2023: Museveni Unveils Industrial Parks Plan

President Museveni unveiled plans for the establishment of industrial parks across the country, aiming to boost economic growth and job creation.

December 5, 2023: Uganda Marks World Soil Day

Uganda joined the global community in marking World Soil Day, emphasizing the importance of soil health for sustainable agriculture.


December 12, 2023: Oil Pipeline Construction Faces Protests

Communities along the route of the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) protested against displacement and environmental concerns.

December 18, 2023: NSSF Scandal Investigations Intensify

Investigations into the NSSF scandal gained momentum, with calls for transparency and accountability in the handling of pension funds.

December 22, 2023: Christmas Celebrations Amid Economic Challenges

Ugandans celebrated Christmas amid economic challenges, with concerns about inflation and the cost of living.

December 29, 2023: Museveni’s New Year Message

President Museveni delivered a New Year message, reflecting on the year’s challenges and outlining priorities for the year ahead.

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Hope Turyomurugyendo has a pivotal role as the Jobs and Tenders Notices Publisher at The Ankole Times. She is driven by a passion for connecting job seekers, entrepreneurs, and businesses with valuable opportunities in Uganda.
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