President Museveni has promised to fully reopen the economy and the schools in January 2022 regardless of the vaccination status in the country. Mr Museveni however, encouraged all Ugandans to flock their nearest health centres and get vaccinated to reduce any risk of another wave.

According to the president, Uganda will have about 23 million doses of Covid-19 vaccines which are enough to vaccinate more than 12 million Ugandans. These should include 4.8 million frontline workers and other categories of people that are vulnerable like bar attendants.

“If this is done, we shall be able to open schools and the rest of the economy by January 2022. But whether people go for vaccination or not, we shall still reopen the economy. If anything goes wrong, the moral responsibility is yours,” he said.

Regarding the willingness of people to go for vaccination, the president dismissed claims that Ugandans are refusing to respond:  “I don’t believe that Ugandans are refusing to get vaccinated, they are just not told. I now want to inform you that vaccines are available at the health centres.”

He urged local leaders including Chief Administrative Officers (CAOs), Sub County Chiefs, Gisos to try and sensitise the public about the benefits of getting immunised against Covid-19. According to statistics, less than 10% of Ugandans have been vaccinated so far.

Worrying signs for schools

The closure of schools for almost two years has left Uganda’s education sector at the brink of a disaster. Private school owners claim that they are heavily indebted and they are almost losing their schools to lenders like banks. They were calling upon the government to intervene and save their schools. Unfortunately the Minister for Finance, Hon. Matia Kasaija turned this appeal down by advising them to sell some of their property and save their schools from being taken by creditors. Many Ugandan teachers have also been reported to have left for other jobs including travelling abroad to make ends meet while others claim that they won’t return for teaching. According to the report from UNICEF, Uganda’s schools have taken the longest time while closed since the outbreak of the Coronavirus pandemic.

What about security?

Regarding the fragile security situation in Uganda following the two recent bomb attacks in Kampala and Mpigi which left two people dead and others injured, Museveni assured the public to stay calm and strong. He said neither rural-based insurgency nor urban terrorism will defy the government’s capacity.

“Although we had some success in fighting terrorism,  I realised that there were gaps in the policing capacity of the country. There was the infiltration of police by criminal elements that colluded with criminals, laxity, and a serious deficit of technology capacity to fight crime. But I would like to assure the public that neither rural-based insurgency nor urban terrorism will defy our capacity,” he added.

Latest Uganda Covid-19 updates

According to the Ministry of Health, confirmed cases of Covid-19 in Uganda are 125,758. Out of these, 96,510 have fully recovered while 3,209 have died. Total samples tested for Covid-19 are 1,781,878 and the country has so administered 2,854,082 doses of Covid-19 vaccines.

Uganda is endowed with fresh water sources. Water is the cheapest beverage any visitor can access at any part of country. Tapped water in Uganda is relatively safe but not recommended for drinking unless boiled. All tour companies ensure that visitors carry safe bottled water all times.

Where does water come from in Uganda?

Uganda has abundance of fresh water sources including rivers flowing from great natural fountains and snow-capped mountain Rwenzori; and lakes and wetlands. Statistics from World Wildlife Fund Uganda show that about 25% of the country’s surface area is covered by water (lakes, rivers and swamps) combined. For instance, Uganda has four of the 7 great lakes of Africa namely; Lake Victoria, Lake Albert, Lake Edward and Lake George. In addition, the country is home to source of the Nile River, the world’s longest river.

Water from these sources is utilized to serve the population in form of tap water, boreholes and water tanks. There are also several companies in Uganda packaging water that is available throughout the country.

The Uganda Water Supply and Sanitation Sector’s mission is “to promote and ensure sustainable utilization, development and effective management of water and environment resources for socio-economic development of the country”. The Uganda National Water and Sewerage Cooperation (NWSC) has a well-maintained water system that supplies quality piped water drawn from Lake Victoria, Africa’s largest freshwater lake.

Most of the accommodations in Kampala or Entebbe city rely on this national water supply. There also hotels that use water from their own rainwater harvest tanks or wells. Most of the lodges in Kampala and in the national parks, will have a note in their rooms if their water is safe to drink or not from the tap.

Is bottled water safe to drink in Uganda?

There are several companies in Uganda that package and produce mineral bottled water. The Uganda National Water and Sewerage Corporation (UNWSC) does a good job of checking continuously the quality standards of water.

A study conducted in 2017 by the National Water and Sewage Corporation technical team showed that at least 30% of their 200 samples were contaminated with micro organisms thus not safe to drink unless boiled or treated. Henceforth the government of Uganda has expanded safe water coverage to even the most remote areas of the country.

Shopping in Uganda

Looking for where to go shopping in Uganda, the best supermarkets, curio shops, arts, crafts are found in Kampala, Entebbe and Jinja towns. These cities are also some of the best places to visit in Uganda for sightseeing city and cultural tours, white water rafting on the Nile River etc. Whether shopping for water, travel gear, souvenir and arts and crafts; better you do it in the towns mentioned above.  In Entebbe town for instance, the Entebbe craft village has jewelry, souvenirs, sculptures, clothing etc. banana boat is the largest craft village in Kampala city and Kilombera workshop in Jinja city, the adventure capital of East Africa. Besides shopping, Kampala, Entebbe and Jinja offer the best outings, adventure and recreation. From cultural experiences to visiting Entebbe zoo, botanical gardens to rafting, biking and zip-lining in Mabira central forest reserve.

Tips to help you drink water safely in Uganda

• Living in Kampala or anywhere as an expat in Uganda, look for big water bottles that range from 5 ltr to 18 liters. Because it’s easy to refill after use.
• Bring water purifying tablets
• Carry an insulated water bottle.

Health issues you can get from drinking contaminated water

There are a number of ailments one can get from drinking contaminated water. The most common water borne diseases include Typhoid fever, cholera, diarrhea and dysentery. However, malaria is one of the leading causes of death in Uganda. Carry your medication because these diseases are preventable. Visit any pharmacy or clinic in Uganda if you get sick or stomach issues from drinking water. There are anti-malaria and diarrhea drugs.

Better be on the safe side. Purchase travel insurance before visiting Uganda.

On September 22^nd 2021, the president of Uganda H.E Yoweri Museveni eased Covid-19 restrictions. During his Address on measures to contain covid-19 situation, Museveni confirmed that Covid-19 transmission rates have continued to decline.

As a result, some of the Covid-19 restrictions were lifted including allowing universities to re-open November this year, increasing vaccination that targets 4.8 million Ugandans. The president also allowed places of worship and entertainment venues to open minus bars. However, curfew time is maintained among other restrictions to prevent a likely outbreak of third wave of covid-19 pandemic.

Covid-19 started in Uganda in March 2020 with Ministry of Health (MOH) Uganda registering its first covid-19 case. The country implemented a total lockdown shut down Entebbe airport and most business, schools, private and public vehicles.

After the first wave of covid-19, Entebbe airport was opened for tourism. But, in May 2021 the country started experiencing a second wave of Covid-19 due to emergency of new highly infectious corona virus variants such as delta variant.

In reaction, the president of Uganda H.E. Yoweri Museveni announced a lockdown for 42 days from June 18^th to July, 20^th 2021 shutting down public transport, schools and entertainment venues.

The lockdown helped to contain the transmission of covid-19 despite the peak of the second wave. Between June and July, the average confirmed daily had reached 1445 but significantly declined to 124 cases. In addition, the number of death also reduced from 57 to 6 people.

During his latest address on the nation, the president brought up-to-date information on the Covid-19 situation in Uganda. He confirmed that as of September 2021, the registered cases of covid-19 in Uganda stand at 122,502 and 3135 deaths.

Furthermore, the Independent newspaper article published on Wednesday, September 22^nd 2021 shows the status of covid-19 patients currently in hospitals. The number of people admitted in public and private hospitals stand at 340 with 272 in public, 66 in prisons and 2 in private facilities. 144 are in intensive care condition which represent 38% of the total number of covid-19 admissions.

With the above numbers, the spread of covid-19 situation in Uganda is stable compared to previous year. However, there are 9 districts likely to have high rate of Covid-19 transmission. These include Kampala, Kalungu, Kabale, Kumi, Soroti, Tororo, Gulu, Nwoya and Yumbe.

The Ministry of Health (MOH) Uganda and the covid-19 response team has identified measures to further contain the spread of new variants and the possible third wave of Covid-19.

The measures include the following apply to all Ugandan in general across the country.

• Increasing Covid-19 vaccination
• Mandatory testing of covid-19 at Entebbe airport and all 53 land border entry points.
• Safe re-opening of schools and other business that have been lockdown
• Maintaining curfew and Standard Operating Procedures (SOP’s).

Covid-19 Vaccination Situation in Uganda 2021.

Uganda received its first batch of 684,000 doses of AstraZeneca vaccine from India early March 2021. The Uganda government has since carried out extensive mobilization campaign and obtained various vaccines approved by the World Health Organization (WHO).

Data from the Ministry of Health (MOH) shows that the type and quantity of vaccines received and the ones expected to arrive in the country before end of 2021 will total to 12 million doses.

Vaccines Received in Uganda

• 1,647,000 doses of Pfizer vaccines were received September 20^th 2021 donated by United States of America.
• 647,000 doses of Moderna vaccines from USA September 6^th 2021
• 501,000 doses of AstraZaneca vaccine from France arrived on September 22^nd 2021.
• 344,900 doses of AstraZaneca from Belgium arrived on September 22^nd 2021
• 700,000 doses of Sinovac vaccine from China 30^th September

Vaccines Yet to Arrive in Uganda 2021

• 700,000 doses of Sinovac will come from China by end of September 2021
• 3,488,940 doses of Pfizer vaccine from USA by October 2021
• 1,200,000 doses of Johnson & Johnson vaccines will be purchased by Uganda government end of October 2021
• 2,000,000 doses of Sinopharm vaccines will come be bought by Uganda Government end of September 2021.
• 1,000,000 doses of AstraZaneca vaccines from Covax India end of October 2021.
• 350,000 doses of AstraZeneca vaccines shall come from Ireland Mind October 2021.
• 100,000 doses of Jonson & Johnson vaccine shall come from Belgium end of November 2021.

Now with 2,294,000 doses of vaccines administered at Uganda National Medical Stores (NMS), the government aims to vaccinate about 4.8 million people before end of year. Supposing that each person gets two shots, 2.3% of Uganda’s of the 45 million population. Source: World Coronavirus Tracker. The vaccination strategy targets Ugandans aged 18 years and above but not limited to health and security workers, primary and secondary school teachers, elderly persons aged 50 years and above and students in institutions of higher learning.

So far, the vaccination status of the 4.8 million people stands as follows:-

The number of teachers targeted are 550000. Of these, 269,945 (49%) and 96,653 (17.6%) have received their first and second dose respectively. Those unvaccinated first and second dose are 280,055 and 453,347 respectively. 

Health workers targeted are 150,000. So far 112,129 (74.8%) have got their first dose while 56,687 (37.8) % their second dose.

In addition to vaccination, there are measures to further prevent the likely outbreak of third wave and emergency of new covid-19 variants like delta. The president directed covid-19 response team and Ministry of Health (MOH) Uganda to do the following:-

• Increase surveillance through implementation of new Covid-19 testing procedures at Entebbe airport and al 54 land borders. So far, there are 15 test fly laboratories accredited to carry out covid-19 testing with six in Entebbe town.
• Installation of new testing facilities
• Enforcing Standard Operating Procedures (SOP’s).
• Hot spot districts mentioned above continue to be monitored for a period of two weeks.

Covid-19 restrictions that were lifted

To safely re-open sectors under lockdown, the covid-19 task force and Ministry of Health (MOH) considers a number of factors such as; risk of transmission, vulnerability of people and impact on the sector. therefore, re-opening of the following is based on National Health Act guidelines and scientific evidence as well as enforcement of SOP’s.

Institutions of higher learning such as universities will re-open November 1^st 2021.

Primary and secondary schools shall re-open next year 2022 once the vaccination of teachers, no working staff and 330,000 students in post-secondary institutions aged 18 above is complete.

Places of worship, funerals and weddings are allowed to open along with performing arts and entertainment venues such as casinos, gaming, gyms and shopping halls. However, bars, cinemas, disco clubs, beaches, concerts for performing artists remain closed.

To operate smoothly, these must limit the capacity to 200 people and follow the Standard Operating Procedures such as wearing face masks, maintain social distancing, washing hands with soap and sanitizer.

Curfew time has been maintained to limit movement of people at night. Curfew time starts at 7:00pm up to 5:30am. Motorcycles/ Boda Bodas should stop movement before 7:00pm.

Food markets are fully open except in the 9 districts mentioned above.

Uganda located in East Africa along the equator is one of the safe countries to travel to especially for gorilla tours. Among the safety tips for travel to Uganda is to avoid malaria, the leading cause of death accounting for over 27% of lives in the country according to Uganda National Malaria Control Program. Other causes of death in Uganda according to Center for Diseases Control (CDC) Global Burden of Diseases (GBD) include neonatal disorders, HIV/AIDS, lower respiratory infections, tuberculosis diarrhea diseases, road injuries etc.

The risk of malaria on Uganda safari should not scare you. There are ways to prevent and control the killer disease, however, a new study in Uganda revealed that the parasite causing malaria (Plasmodium falciparum) has developed resistance to the primary drug used to treat the disease.

The most used and effective anti-malarial drugs available include Artemisinin-based Combination Therapies (ACT). The key objective of this treatment is to ensure full treatment of Plasmodium parasites from a patient’s blood stream which prevents the disease from getting severe.

The risk of malaria transmission is very high in parts of northern Uganda where a study was conducted in Gulu district between 2015 and 2019 at St. Mary’s Hospital Lacor. Results from the study published in the New England Journal of Medicine September 23, 2021 suggest that there’s high risk of malaria spreading across the East African region. Given that the drugs are losing ability creating conditions where malaria parasite can now resist main line of treatment.

Health authorities in East African Community (EAC) are now concerned to find strategies to combat the high spread of malaria that could put at risk the lives of the region’s 177 million people.

Malaria is so common in Africa according to World Health Organization (WHO), the continent accounts for 90% of malaria cases worldwide. This is due to a number of factors including a very efficient mosquito parasites called Anopheles gambiae complex which is drug resistant and responsible for high transmission.

Rwanda for instance, which is located in Virunga Mountains between East and Central Africa has reported cases of drug-resistant strains of malaria in the remote Southern Province around Nyungwe Forest National Park, where travelers go for chimpanzee trekking and canopy walk.

According to the study findings, some of the measures to treat malaria effectively include use of different Artemisinin-based Combination Therapies (ACTs) and additional partner drugs to treat patients with malaria. ACT’s have been adopted by World Health Organization as the best combination therapy used against malaria and are widely available in Uganda where the End Malaria campaign is helping more than 13 million citizens in 43 districts to stay safe from malaria.

Researchers during the two year study in northern Uganda looked at 240 blood samples. Among the participants who were given artemisinin therapy (ACT), 14 took more than five hours to get rid of malaria casing parasites. But, according to World Health Organization (WHO) standards, the therapy should take at least two hours after treatment to remove the parasite from the patient’s body.

Uganda Travel Safety Tips

• First of all, purchase travel insurance before visiting Uganda.
• No anti-malaria drugs can cure or prevent the disease 100%. No matter the time of the year you want to visit Uganda, bring protective gears. Your packing list should include mosquito repellant, long sleeved pants especially when going for gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park.
• Sleep under a mosquito net.
• Avoid reckless driving and stay safe on the road. Because Uganda has a high rate of road traffic accidents especially along the western circuit. Recommended driving speed within Uganda national parks is 40km/hour. Do not exceed because you pay a fine of $500 for animal accident.
• Uganda Police Emergency contact 999 or 122

• Global protocols for tourism
• Adventure activities, for example gorilla trekking
• How covid-19 threatens the survival of gorillas
• Gorilla trekking rules and regulations
• Taking selfies with gorillas amidst covid-19
• New gorilla tourism rules

How Covid-19 has crippled tourism in Africa

The outbreak of covid-19 and the subsequent global pandemic has largely affected the global economy with many people losing their lives and businesses shutting down.

Travel to Africa for safari in particular has faced a lot of restriction besides other long-haul travel markets and destinations. This led to loss of tourism revenue for governments, loss of jobs and income to those employed in the sector while a lot of businesses have also closed down.

With the urgency to contain the spread of the first and second waves of corona virus, destinations enforced lockdowns. However, with the rolling out of covid-19 global vaccination process, travel to Africa is slowly opening up following the release of protocols and guidelines for adventure travel and tourism by World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) together with World Health Organization.

Therefore, for tourism to restart, destinations are implementing standard operating procedures (SOPS) such as washing hands with soap, sanitizing and putting on face masks. Fully vaccinated travelers must adhere to these procedures. Once at a destination, a visitor is subjected to mandatory verification, testing and screening.

Thus for anyone wishing to visit any destination in Africa, it is advisable to keep updated on latest developments on covid 19 rules as they keep changing over time. Gorilla trekking is one of the major concerns of the conservationists since the gorillas are highly vulnerable to this pandemic.

Recent research and information available shows that gorilla trekking if not regulated puts the health of mountain gorillas at risk of contracting covid-19 because gorillas share about 98% of their DNA with humans.

Since the start of gorilla tourism in the early 1970’s, conservation history shows that gorillas can suffer and die from respiratory infections including covid-19 among others. For instance, between 2002 and 2003, about 5,500 Western lowland gorillas in DR Congo, at the Lossi Sanctuary, died of Ebola virus (according to CGTN).

As a result, gorilla rules and regulations were put in place to minimize human disturbance and the risk of transmitting diseases to gorillas. That’s why the gorilla doctors scheme was established in order to carry out disease intervention and curing of gorillas that get sick and injured.

You need to know about the gorilla trekking rules and be a responsible visitor.

Gorilla trekking rules

• You are not allowed to visit gorillas when sick
• You must wash your hands before going to visit the gorillas

When with the gorillas

• Do not eat or drink when with gorillas
• You must keep a distance of 7 meters when with the gorillas
• Do not use flash photography when taking pictures of gorillas.
• You are not allowed to touch the gorillas.

Despite these rules, there have been incidences of visitors inconveniencing gorillas as the new study recently published in the British ecological journal “People and Nature” journal and Oxford Brooke University reveals. The study was carried out using Instagram posts that featured 855 gorilla selfies and photos taken between 2013 to 2019. And the results from the paper titled “keep your distance: using instagram posts to evaluate the risk of anthroponotic diseases transmission in gorilla ecotourism shows that tourists were close enough to gorillas than the recommended distance without face masks which could possibly transmit diseases.

New Gorilla Trekking Rules

“Keep your distance and wear your face masks when visiting gorillas” the study warned.

Therefore, gorilla rules have been reviewed limiting tourists from taking selfies with gorillas. This however, does not interfere visitors from getting up close and personal with gorillas. Visitors during gorilla trek can look into the eyes of the mountain gorillas.  

In order to allow for seamless and safe gorilla trekking experience amidst Covid-19, tourists must now put on their face masks. Whether you want to visit gorillas in Uganda, Rwanda or DR Congo.

Important travel information to guide visitors and tourists to Uganda amidst Coronavirus-control measures

In June, the government of Uganda announced a partial lockdown and travel restrictions under new measures to fight the second wave of Covid-19 which started in late May. Under the new circumstances, the government also issued new travel measures to guide travellers coming and departing Uganda.

The government of Uganda established categories for countries in relation to the order of their rate of Covid-19 infections. Countries in category 1 were considered to have the highest rates of Covid-19 infections at the time the list was compiled. India is the only country in category 1. Countries in category 2 include USA, UK, UAE, Turkey, South Africa, Ethiopia, South Sudan, Kenya, and Tanzania.

Incoming Travellers

• According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Uganda grants entry to only travellers with approved visas having applied online. Those who want to apply for a Ugandan visa can do so here. Uganda does not allow entry of travellers from category 1 countries (India).

• Travellers from category 2 countries are subjected to a PCR Covid-19 test at their own cost ($65) at all arrival points including Entebbe International Airport. However, fully vaccinated and asymptomatic travellers from category 2 countries who have proof of their vaccination status are exempted from the PCR test at arrival.

• All In-bound travellers are subjected to temperature and health screening upon arrival at Entebbe International Airport and other entry points.

• Travellers who exhibit signs or symptoms of an infectious disease will be transported to an isolation center and tested for a COVID-19 and must remain, at their own cost, until the results of the test are received. Those who test positive will be taken to a Ministry of Health facility for treatment or given the option to be repatriated (for foreigners), at their own cost.

• Upon arrival, travellers are transported to a holding area near the airport where they are tested and wait for their results. Travellers also have an option to check in at another designated hotel to wait for their test results at their own cost.

• Travellers who test positive for Covid-19 are evacuated by the Ministry of Health and taken to a designated Covid-19 isolation facility for treatment at their own expense. Children who test positive of Covid-19 are also be evacuated to the designated isolation Covid-19 facility with their parent or guardian.

• All travellers coming to Uganda must have a negative PCR Covid-19 test taken within 72 hours before departing for Uganda regardless of their vaccination status.

• Children below 3 years are not required to have a negative PCR test certificate provided they are accompanied by parents or guardians who have a negative PCR test certificate.

• Only Ugandans with a Ugandan passport returning from India are currently allowed into the country. Uganda has blocked entry of any traveller who was present in or travelled through India in the 14 days preceding their arrival in Uganda.

• All travellers must have negative Covid-19 results obtained from a certified PCR Covid-19 test taken no more than 72 hours before departure for Uganda. Airlines making flights to Uganda are encouraged to receive Covid-19 test results from travellers before confirming their flight bookings.

Departing Travellers

All departing passengers from Uganda are required to present a negative PCR Covid-19 test taken not more than 72 hours before departure. This is a mandatory requirements for all passengers departing Uganda regardless of the requirements of the destination country.

Departing travellers are encouraged to take their Covid-19 tests from accredited laboratories or at Covid-19 sample collection points approved by the Ministry of Health.

Out-bound travellers are also encouraged to review and comply with testing requirements for transit and destination countries.

Uganda’s Covid-19 vaccination status

According to the Ministry of Health, Uganda has so far recorded 119,915 cases of Covid, out of these, 95, 578 have recovered while 3,012 have died. 1,579,638 people have been tested for Covid-19 so far, 1.3 million people have at least received one dose of the Covid-19 vaccine and out of these, 242,000 have been fully vaccinated. The vaccination process is progressing well in Uganda and the country has acquired more doses to speed up the exercise. Covid-19 vaccines available in Uganda include AstraZeneca and Sinovac and the government is trying to acquire more vaccines including Pfizer. Updates to COVID protocols announced by the Government of Uganda on July 30 include:

COVID protocols announced by the Government of Uganda on July 30 include:

• Public transport may operate at 50% capacity.

• Private transport may move across districts with a maximum of 3 occupants, including the driver. Tourist vehicles can continue to move under SOPs.

• Places of worship, gyms, saunas, indoor sports, pool halls, casinos, bars, discos, sports betting, and cinemas remain closed. Outdoor sports are allowed under SOPs and without spectators.

• Salons, restaurants, malls, and arcades may open under SOPs.

• Schools remain closed until a sufficient number of children aged 12 to 18 are vaccinated.

• Social gatherings (including burials and weddings) must be restricted to core family only and have no more than 20 persons in attendance provided masks are worn and social distancing of two meters is followed. 

• A curfew of 7:00 p.m.-5:30 a.m. is in place. Motorcycle taxi (boda-boda) drivers must cease their movements by 6:00 p.m. and may carry cargo or one passenger only. Passengers traveling on flights will be allowed to travel to the airport upon presentation of a valid ticket.

• Workplaces should ensure that not more than 30 percent of staff in formal sectors – works from the office at any one time.

• Conferences, workshops, and seminars are prohibited except with explicit permission from the Ministry of Health and related Government of Uganda Ministries and Departments.

• The Kampala Capital City Authority has established a 24-hour Metro Emergency Medical Service Call Center: 0800-990-000; 0792-310-927.

• Emergency numbers issued by the Ministry of Health for Covid-19 related cases include (+256) 0800 203 033, 0800-100-066, or 0800-303-033, all Toll free.

What to do and see in Uganda

Uganda, famously known as The Pearl of Africa, is one the best tourist destinations in Africa. The country is richly endowed with natural beauty of beautiful scenery composed of glamorous lakes, rivers, mountains and valleys as well as stunning forests.

For wildlife lovers, Uganda poses a variety of amazing wildlife species protected in over 10 national parks across the country. These include the primates like the endangered mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, chimpanzees, golden monkeys, baboons, among others. A variety of game species including lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, rhino, zebra, giraffe, antelopes, among others are commonly available in the country’s savannah parks like Murchison Falls, Queen Elizabeth, Kidepo Valley, and Lake Mburo national parks. Other popular tourist activities in Uganda include bird-viewing, mountain climbing at the Rwenzori, nature walks as well as cultural and historical tours.

Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB) has released the 2020 results of Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education (UACE) with female candidates outshining their male counterparts this time round.

During the release of the results on Friday, UNEB Executive Secretary Mr Daniel Odongo mentioned that although female candidates were fewer, they managed to perform better than their male counterpart.

“The percentage passes at the upper levels (3P and 2P) are higher while percentage passes at lower levels and failure rate among female candidates are lower than for the males,” Odongo said.

Individual subject results show that boys performed better than girls in Chemistry, Biology, Agriculture, Art and General paper while girls were better in Arts subjects as well as Mathematics and Physics. There was a general improvement in last year’s performance compared to 2019 according to Mr. Odongo.

“An analysis of the overall candidates’ performance in the examination shows that a very high percentage of candidates (99.2%) qualified for the award of the UACE, more than the 98.6% of 2019. There is better overall performance than that of 2019,” he said.

However, there was a decline in the total number of candidates who registered for last year’s exams compared to those of 2019 as well as a decline in the number of examination centres.

Only 98,392 candidates registered for 2020 exams from 1,952 centres compared to 104,476 candidates from 2,094 centres in 2019, indicating a decline of 6,084 candidates.

The actual number of candidates who wrote the exams was 97,084 of which 41,190 were girls.

26,602 candidates passed with a minimum of 2 principle passes, 19,015 got one principle pass while 9,616 passed one subsidiary subject. Candidates who failed completely without a single point were 796 decreasing from 1,433 who failed in 2019.

According Mr Odongo, only 68,013 (69.8%) of candidates qualify to join University having attained a minimum of the two principle passes as required by higher institutions of learning. However, 99.2% will qualify for the award of the UACE certificate.

In Uganda, land is considered as the biggest asset one can ever own in their lifetime. Buying land is always the main target for everyone working including young people just beginning their career. Owning land in Uganda is considered as a key determinant in making wealth and the common formular followed is, make money, buy land and build a house.

This high demand has caused the scramble among the population to own land which has led to very many problems including evictions, civil conflicts, property destruction and sometimes loss of lives. The Uganda government has on several occasions tried to solve the land problems including enacting land laws to address the issues but with no success. The failure by the government to address land problems in the country is due to very many factors and here are some of the major ones;

Land tenure system

Most of the land in Uganda is privately owned in what is known as a ‘freehold’ system. However many people fail to interpret who are the rightful owners of land under this system. Many fraudsters and corn-men exploit the loopholes in the freehold system to confuse tenants on such land by claiming ownership. There is no clear interpretation for people to distinguish between privately owned land and public land which has led to more conflicts. The Mailo land system which is common in central Uganda allows people to own land privately while part of that land belongs to the Kingdom of Buganda and institutions like churches. This system was introduced by the British colonialists who awarded mailo land to Buganda Kingdom as a reward for its collaboration and helping the British in conquering other parts of the country. Since then, tenants on mailo land are required to pay annual rent to either the Kingdom authorities or to the private owners who obtained it from the King as a reward for their services in the kingdom and loyalty.

Fake land titles

Some people have manipulated the weak land system in the country to print fake titles claiming ownership of land which doesn’t belong to them. In some cases holders of fake land titles go on to sale such land leaving buyers, owners and tenants in bitter conflicts.

Disgruntled land owners

Most of private land owners especially those under the mailo system claim that they don’t benefit from their land due to low rent rates paid by tenants while others default completely. When called upon buy land owners to buy their plots of land to gain full ownership, many tenants claim they are unable to do due financial constraints. Due to this, many of them end up selling their land to others in order to gain some substantial financial benefit. This transfer of land from one owner to another results into fresh clashes between tenants and the new owners who in most cases try to evict them forcefully and sometimes destroy their property like crops and buildings.

Coming of investors

Sometimes the government assigns land to an investor in order to establish large scale businesses like factories, hospitals, among others. Conflicts always arise on such land between the tenants occupying and the investors who usually try to evict them and start their projects. Such tenants always demand for full compensation from the government before they vacate the area even when the government claims they settled their illegally in the first place.

False claims of land ownership

Some people get involved in land fraud by printing documents claiming ownership of land which initially was state-controlled. This is usually done in cases when such people anticipate that the government is soon using that for a development project like road construction. Such people go on to obtain fake titles to claim ownership of such land so that they can get compensated by the government when the project is due.

Corrupt land officials

Many land conflicts have come up as a result of corrupt land officials who connive with fraudsters to issue more than one land title for a particular piece of land. They create a situation where you find different individuals claiming ownership of one piece of land with each having a title.

Delayed justice in land cases

Courts of law handling cases in Uganda have also done very little to help solve land problems. Land cases in such courts tend to drag on for too long without delivering the required justice leaving tenants facing forceful evictions from their land in most cases. Magistrates in those courts have also been accused of taking bribes from wealthy parties involved in the case denying justice to other complainants.

Family conflicts

Family misunderstandings regarding land have also resulted into land wrangles amongst members of the same family. These are mostly common in cases of land inherited from deceased parents where children fail to agree on how land should be divided amongst them. Some children go on to sale this inherited land without agreeing with the rest hence leaving them in trouble with the buyers.

Illegal settlements

Some people go on to occupy land without first seeking permission from the owners which later results into conflicts. Sometimes this land belongs to institutions like schools and churches which demand evacuation of all those who occupied their land illegally.

Joshua Cheptegei has won an olympic gold medal in the men’s 5,000 meters final in Tokyo on Friday. The 24-year-old won the race ahead of Canada’s Mohammed Ahmed and USA’s Paul Chelimo who finished second and third to claim silver and bronze respectively.

Cheptegei, the world record holder in men’s 5000 meters clocked 12:58.15 while Ahmed registered 12:58.61 in the second position.

Cheptegei’s gold has extended Uganda’s Olympic medals to four for the first time in the country’s history. His medal came in addition to another gold medal won by Peruth Chemutai in the women’s 3000m steeplechase final and another silver and bronze medals won by Cheptegei himself and Jacob Kiplimo in the men’s 10000m final. Cheptegei has also become the first Ugandan in history to win two Olympic medals.

“It’s really a great moment. I made a small mistake and I was regretting having to become a silver medallist. I came here to become an Olympic champion and my dream has been fulfilled today in a beautiful evening,” said Cheptegei after the race.

Jacob Kiplimo finished 5th in the same race while their his compatriot Oscar Chelimo finished last.

Uganda’s Peruth Chemutai has won an olympics gold medal in the women’s 3000 steeplechase in Japan. She has become the first Ugandan woman ever to win an olympic medal.

The 22-year-old out-sprinted USA’s Courtney Frerichs on the final lap to win by 20 meters and setting a new national record. Chemutai timed 9min 01.45sec on her way to the top prize.

Frerichs, who had to settle for silver in the second place registered 9:04.79 while Kenya’s Hyvin Kiyeng came third to claim bronze with 9:05.39.

Meanwhile another Ugandan Winnie Nanyondo had just finished qualifying for women’s 1500 meters finals after finishing fourth just before Chemutai’s success.