AFCON 2027 must be more than football; it must be a defining moment for @jumuiya , a celebration of unity, a demonstration of our collective strength, and a lasting legacy of progress, partnership, and shared prosperity. The time to turn commitments into action is now. Together, we can achieve more! #AFCON27 #EastAfricanUnity #RegionalIntegration #StrongerTogether #NewWeekNewGrace

KADAGA PLEDGES ACTION ON LONG-STALLED DISABILITY BILL AS EALA SESSION ENDS By Bishop Samuel Rt. Hon. @RebeccaKadagaUG Alitwala Kadaga, Chairperson of the EAC Council of Ministers, concluded her tour of duty at the 1st Meeting of the 5th Session of the @EA_Bunge in Arusha, Tanzania, with a renewed commitment to advance regional inclusion for persons with disabilities. During the sitting, members considered key motions on regional value chains, the @jumuiya Political Confederation, hazardous pesticide management, and the rights and accommodation of persons with disabilities. The debate on the motion urging Partner States to promote the rights of and provide reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities stood out as the most compelling. Members passionately revisited a legislative proposal that has remained pending for nearly a decade, calling for urgent action to address barriers faced by persons with disabilities across the region. Moved by the depth of debate and the Assembly’s united voice, Rt. Hon. Kadaga assured members that the matter would be presented before Council meetings for consideration and follow-up. She emphasized that the Council remains committed to advancing policies that promote equality, dignity and full participation of all East Africans in the integration process. As the session drew to a close, Kadaga reaffirmed the Council’s resolve to transform Assembly resolutions into tangible action, underscoring that an inclusive East African Community can only be achieved when no citizen is left behind.

Kadaga Advances Regional Agenda at EAC Headquarters Arusha, Tanzania - Rt. Hon. @RebeccaKadagaUG continued her official engagements at her designated office at the @jumuiya Headquarters in Arusha, where she met the President of the @EACJCourt , Hon. Justice Nestor Kayobera, who paid a courtesy call accompanied by Court officials. Later, in her capacity as Chairperson of the EAC Council of Ministers, Kadaga joined Members of the @EA_Bunge in the Chamber. The Assembly considered motions on haemophilia and inherited bleeding disorders, unhealthy food environments and ultra-processed foods, Regional Centres of Excellence in health, and inclusive regional value chains. She delivered the Council’s responses and received warm appreciation from Members for her leadership in promoting the recruitment, inclusion and empowerment of persons with disabilities. The entire House applauded her contribution. The First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for @meaca_ug continues her tour of duty in the United Republic of Tanzania, advancing Uganda’s interests and strengthening regional cooperation.

Kadaga Leads High-Level EALA Mission to Review Tanzania's AFCON 2027 Infrastructure Readiness. Rt. Hon. @RebeccaKadagaUG, Uganda’s Minister for @meaca_ug and Chairperson of the @jumuiya Council of Ministers, today Members of the @EA_Bunge in Arusha for a high-level engagement with officials of the Government of @tanzania and contractors overseeing the construction of the Arusha Stadium. The meeting formed part of EALA’s oversight mission to assess the state of preparedness for the 2027 @afcon2025 , which will be jointly hosted by Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania under the East Africa Pamoja Bid. In her remarks, Rt. Hon. Kadaga emphasized that AFCON 2027 is more than a sporting event, describing it as a strategic opportunity to deepen regional integration, strengthen cooperation among Partner States, and showcase East Africa’s collective potential. She called for continued coordination, accountability, and timely implementation of key infrastructure and support systems required for a successful tournament. Rt. Hon. Kadaga remains in the United Republic of Tanzania on a seven-day working visit and will continue participating in a series of EAC activities, all of which are progressing according to schedule.

The road to host @afcon2025 #Arusha @tanzania #WorkinProgress @EA_Bunge

#UgandaAt64 #UgandaIndependence #Uganda #PearlOfAfrica #VisitUganda #UgandanTikTok #UgandaNews

Kadaga Warns Against Threats to Ugandans, Demands Respect for Citizens and Businesses Across East Africa By Bishop Samuel KAMPALA, October 7, 2026 "Good neighbourliness must never mean silence where the safety, dignity and lawful economic interests of Ugandan citizens are threatened." With those words, Rt. Hon. @RebeccaKadagaUG, Uganda's First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for @meaca_ug , delivered a firm message that Uganda will continue safeguarding the interests of its citizens while remaining committed to regional integration and peaceful coexistence within the East African Community.“ Addressing a press conference in Kampala, Kadaga responded to growing concerns over allegations that some Ugandan nationals living along the Uganda-Kenya border are being registered to participate in Kenya's 2027 General Election, as well as reports indicating that Ugandan-owned small and medium enterprises are facing closure and operational restrictions in South Sudan. Kadaga categorically stated that Uganda has no role in Kenya's electoral processes and does not interfere in the internal affairs of neighbouring states. She emphasized that the responsibility for voter registration, voter eligibility and electoral integrity rests entirely with Kenyan institutions operating under Kenyan law. While reaffirming Uganda's respect for Kenya's sovereignty, she warned against attempts to turn unverified allegations into collective suspicion against Ugandans living and working in Kenya. She noted that communities along the border share deep historical, cultural, family and commercial ties that should not be jeopardized by political disagreements. The Minister further condemned threats, intimidation and any form of violence targeting Ugandan citizens based on allegations that have not been lawfully established, stressing that electoral integrity and the protection of human life must go hand in hand. Turning to South Sudan, Kadaga said government had received concerns from Ugandan traders and investors regarding business closures and restrictions affecting their operations. She observed that Ugandan entrepreneurs have made significant contributions to employment creation, trade, revenue generation and regional economic integration, and therefore deserve protection under existing legal and diplomatic frameworks. She acknowledged South Sudan's sovereign right to regulate businesses operating within its territory but urged that such actions be undertaken fairly, transparently and without discrimination. She called upon affected Ugandan traders to document their grievances and channel them through relevant diplomatic missions and government authorities to facilitate constructive engagement with South Sudanese counterparts. Kadaga maintained that Uganda remains committed to peaceful coexistence, lawful cross-border trade and stronger regional cooperation, but insisted that defending the rights and welfare of Ugandan citizens should never be mistaken for hostility toward neighbouring states. She urged political leaders, public officials and institutions across the region to approach the matters responsibly, avoid inflammatory rhetoric and allow investigations to establish facts before conclusions are drawn. According to Kadaga, the challenges confronting East Africa can only be resolved through dialogue, evidence-based decision-making, institutional cooperation and respect for the rule of law. The Minister concluded by reaffirming Uganda's commitment to maintaining strong relations with both Kenya and South Sudan while ensuring that the interests, safety and dignity of Ugandan citizens remain protected wherever they live, work and invest within the region. @WilliamsRuto @jumuiya

"The EAC cannot just be a talk show!" Rt. Hon. Rebecca Kadaga is absolutely right. We've moved from a Customs Union to a Common Market, but true prosperity for East Africans requires the ultimate leap: a Political Federation. It's time to walk the talk. Are we ready for a United States of East Africa? @jumuiya @RebeccaKadagaUG @KagutaMuseveni #EAC #Kadaga #EastAfricanCommunity #PoliticalFederation #Africa #EACMSMEsTradeFair #KigaliRwanda

Kadaga Unveils Uganda’s Strategic Push for 26th EAC MSMEs Trade Fair in Kigali Addressing the press at the Kingdom Kampala Building, Rt. Hon. @RebeccaKadagaUG, First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of EAC Affairs, articulated Uganda’s robust preparedness for the 26th EAC MSMEs Trade Fair. Scheduled for @RwandaGov from October 30th to November 8th, 2026, this seminal event underscores the government's commitment to regional integration. With the theme "Advancing Regional Value Chains in Leather and Horticulture," the Ministry aims to catalyze industrial growth and import substitution. Uganda targets over 350 exhibitors, building on the 305 who excelled in Nairobi, where 80% were women-led. The fair serves as a conduit for intra-EAC trade, offering MSMEs cross-border business acumen and market access to 330 million consumers. Kadaga emphasized the 7th November "Uganda Day," dedicated to recognizing women in trade champions, urging unregistered enterprises to seize this pivotal economic opportunity. END

We should not be so myopic as to celebrate an online visa application as though it is a grand concession. South Africans have long enjoyed visa-free access to Uganda, entering with far greater ease than Ugandans entering South Africa. Digitizing the application process is merely administrative convenience, not reciprocity. True fairness and mutual respect between nations are reflected in equal treatment of citizens. Until mobility is genuinely reciprocal, the imbalance remains.

Let's not confuse digitization with fairness. An e-visa simply moves the queue online. Ugandans still pay, apply, wait, and risk rejection, while South Africans travel to Uganda visa-free. Real fairness begins when mobility is mutual. @wekesa_amos @GovernmentZA

Photography is the only language that can be understood anywhere in the world. 📸 @RealBishopsam

At the National Women’s Leadership Conference, a pioneering woman leader delivered a keynote address on “Leaving a Legacy.” She shared her journey of breaking barriers, championing women’s leadership and economic empowerment, and advancing women’s participation in trade and community life across the region. Rt.Hon @RebeccaKadagaUG

Kadaga Calls for Greater Investment in Women as Drivers of Economic Transformation.

Beyond the Ballot: How One Woman's Journey Shaped Uganda's Gender Agenda By: Bishop "The work is still enormous. It is important that as leaders we are able to encourage fellow leaders to strategise on sustainability and leverage the gains and networks that, as women of Uganda, we have." These were the words of Rt. Hon. @RebeccaKadagaUG, Uganda's First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for East African Community Affairs, as she addressed participants at the National Women's Leadership Conference organized by the Forum for Women in Democracy @FOWODE_UGANDA at Golden Tulip Hotel in Kampala on September 25, 2026. Speaking under the theme "Beyond the Ballot: Charting a Collective Women's Agenda," Kadaga reflected on a leadership journey that has spanned decades and left a lasting imprint on Uganda's political and gender landscape. She recalled breaking barriers as Uganda's first female Speaker of Parliament, a position she held from 2011 to 2021. During her tenure, she not only shaped parliamentary leadership at home but also raised Uganda's profile on the international stage. She led delegations to Inter-Parliamentary Union assemblies in Geneva, Bangkok, and Panama, successfully championed Uganda's bid to host the 126th IPU Assembly in 2012, and later served as President of the African Geopolitical Group at the IPU. In 2019, Uganda hosted the 64th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference under her stewardship. Kadaga said some of her proudest achievements came through advancing the women's rights agenda. Working closely with the Uganda Women Parliamentary Association (UWOPA), she helped drive legislation aimed at improving the lives of women and girls across the country. These included laws promoting gender-responsive budgeting, combating human trafficking, prohibiting female genital mutilation, expanding women's inheritance and land ownership rights, strengthening protections against workplace sexual harassment, and providing support for victims of domestic violence. She noted that progress was not limited to legislation. Under her leadership, women secured 40 percent of parliamentary committee chairperson positions, while affirmative action policies opened up government procurement opportunities for women and youth. Now serving as First Deputy Prime Minister| Minister for @meaca_ug and Chairperson of the @jumuiya Council of Ministers, Kadaga said the struggle for women's empowerment must also be viewed through the lens of regional integration and economic opportunity. She pointed to the growth of intra-EAC trade from US$7.4 billion to US$9.5 billion between 2023 and 2025, and the increase in exports to the rest of the world from US$47.3 billion to US$77.7 billion over the same period. She emphasized that initiatives such as the Simplified Trade Regime have particularly benefited women involved in cross-border trade by allowing consignments valued below US$2,000 to move without import duties. Looking back on her journey from private legal practice and human rights advocacy to some of the highest offices in government, Kadaga said her story demonstrates what can happen when women are given the opportunity to lead. However, she cautioned that passing laws alone is not enough to transform lives. "We must translate the legislation put in place into practice," she urged, calling on women leaders to work together, strengthen networks, and ensure that the gains made over the years are sustained for future generations. Her message to the conference was both reflective and forward-looking: winning elections and securing positions of leadership is only the beginning. The greater challenge lies in using that leadership to create lasting change, expand opportunities for other women, and build a legacy that endures long after individual leaders leave office. END

First and foremost, it is deeply saddening that Afrigo Band and Uganda have lost a calm, humble, and iconic musical figure in Moses Matovu. His contribution to the country's music industry is immeasurable, and his passing is a painful loss to family, friends, fans, and the nation at large. However, it is important to separate grief from speculation. The woman currently in police custody was taken in primarily for her own protection against possible mob justice. There is no indication that she participated in the murder of the late Moses Matovu. From all accounts, she was a significant part of the music legend's life, and it is highly unlikely that this was the first time he was either picking her up or dropping her off at her residence. Rather than rushing to judgment, attention should be focused on identifying and apprehending the individual or individuals responsible for ending the life of one of Uganda's greatest musical icons. In moments like these, emotions run high, but justice is best served through facts, evidence, and due process, not assumptions. The real priority should be finding the person who took the life of a man whose music touched generations. @DailyMonitor @PoliceUg @TheAfrigo