Improvement in client demand supports expansion in new sales
Purchase and staff costs increase
Firms continue to take on additional workers
Investments in advertising and greater product quality were widely cited as drivers of consumer confidence, with all monitored sectors in the monthly Stanbic Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) registering optimism during September.
Compiled by S&P Global, the latest survey data indicates continued expansions in output and new orders, as demand from customers was sustained, but the headline Stanbic PMI dropped slightly to 53.0 in September compared to 55.0 in August. However, this reading is still indicative of a continuous improvement in the overall health of the Ugandan private sector since February 2025.
Readings above 50.0 signal an improvement in business conditions on the previous month, while readings below 50.0 show deterioration. Referring to the September data, Christopher Legilisho, an Economist at Stanbic Bank said, “The Stanbic Bank Uganda PMI remained firmly in expansionary territory in September, although the headline reading moderated materially relative to its six-and 12-month trends. New orders and output remained resilient, consistent with favourable demand conditions, while employment increased across most sectors except services. However, rising backlogs driven by stronger demand and payment delays suggest that firms are facing growing capacity and working capital constraints.”
Many panelists reported greater business activity stemmed from increased new order inflows and successful advertising campaigns. New sales, meanwhile, rose again at the end of the third quarter. Companies stated that sustained demand conditions and interest following promotional activity boosted new business. The monthly Stanbic PMI relies on the responses to questionnaires sent to purchasing managers. The sectors covered by the survey include agriculture, mining, manufacturing, construction, wholesale, retail & services.
The PMI is a weighted average of the following five indices: New Orders (30%), Output (25%), Employment (20%), Suppliers’ Delivery Times (15%) and Stocks of Purchases (10%). At the sector level, the expansion in new orders during September was broad-based, but agriculture and wholesale & retail firms recorded contractions in output levels.
Legilisho said, “Supply-side pressures nevertheless intensified as higher transport and logistics costs strained supply chains. Firms responded by increasing purchasing activity and building inventories in anticipation of sustained demand, providing a buffer against potential disruptions but also increasing exposure to elevated input costs.” The rise in operating expenses was often linked to higher utility, fuel and transportation costs, with firms also recording an uptick in wage bills. Greater total input costs were seen in all five monitored sectors.
Amid accommodative demand conditions and greater input costs, firms sought to pass through operating expenses to their customers via a hike in selling prices. Output charges increased in all sectors except construction where a fall was recorded.In line with greater new orders and signs of pressure on capacity, Ugandan companies took on additional staff in September. Anecdotal evidence suggested that hiring included both temporary and permanent staff.
Backlogs of work, meanwhile, rose for the fourth month running, with some firms highlighting that delayed payments hampered the processing of incoming work. Input buying also increased during September, as firms adjusted their purchasing activity to greater business requirements. Some also sought to build stocks amid expectations of increased new orders in the coming months, with inventories rising for the nineteenth month running. Nonetheless, companies recorded a fresh decline in vendor performance amid international transportation delays and higher fuel costs.
Oscar Ntambi’s 2026 rally season started with a major test in Kenya and ended with him being crowned Africa Rally Championship (ARC) 2 champion. Driving a Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X, Ntambi finished the ARC2 championship with 69 points, seven ahead of Rwanda’s Christian Kanangire on 62. His title was built around strong results in Kenya and Rwanda, but his season was about more than the final points tally. It was a year that tested his speed, consistency and ability to recover from setbacks. His season got off to the best possible start in March when he travelled to Kenya for the WRC Safari Rally Kenya, one of the toughest events on the World Rally Championship calendar.
It was Ntambi’s first World Rally Championship appearance, and he made an immediate impression by winning the ARC2 category. Partnered by co-driver Uthumaan Muhamadi, Ntambi completed the gruelling four-day event despite mechanical challenges, including a broken driveshaft and suspension damage. He eventually finished 22nd overall while taking the ARC2 victory.
For Ntambi, simply finishing the Safari was an achievement. Winning his category made the result even more significant. “Safari Rally is one of the toughest rallies in the world, and it pushes both the driver and the car to the limit. We had some mechanical difficulties, but the main goal was to control the car and finish well,” Ntambi said after the event. The Safari result gave Ntambi an early advantage in the ARC2 title chase. It was also a particularly important achievement because his participation in Kenya was made possible through KCB Bank’s sponsorship. KCB Bank had backed Ntambi as one of the East African drivers it supported for the 2026 Safari Rally, continuing its involvement in motorsport and its wider investment in sporting talent.
The bank’s support was not limited to Ntambi. KCB Bank committed significant resources to the Safari Rally and supported five East African drivers, while in Uganda it continued to back motorsport through its partnership with the Federation of Motorsport Clubs of Uganda (FMU). The next challenge came at the Pearl of Africa Uganda Rally. Racing on home soil presented Ntambi with an opportunity to strengthen his position in the championship, but instead the event ended in retirement. It was a setback for a driver who had started the season with such a strong result in Kenya.
Rather than allowing the result to derail his title bid, Ntambi regrouped and returned to the championship fight. He responded at the Mountain Gorilla Rally in Rwanda, where he finished second in ARC2 with Pius Luggya as his co-driver. The result was important in the context of the championship. After losing points in Uganda, Ntambi was back on the podium and still in contention for the title. His victory in Kenya and second-place finish in Rwanda would ultimately prove decisive in securing the championship.
Oscar Ntambi,(R), and his co driver Pius Luggya
The final chapter of Ntambi’s ARC2 season took him to Tanzania for the Serengeti Rally, held from 2nd – 4th October 2026, where he won the 2026 FIA African Rally Championship 2 (ARC2) title in the final round. All this progression is what makes his 2026 season significant.
Ntambi’s success has also highlighted the role of private-sector investment in Ugandan motorsport. In March, KCB Bank announced a Sh380 million sponsorship for Ugandan rally drivers, including Ntambi, Nasser Mutebi and Mike Mukula Jr. The bank also entered a partnership with FMU to sponsor the entire National Rally Championship season. For Ntambi, that backing opened opportunities beyond the domestic championship, most notably his WRC debut at the Safari Rally Kenya.
“If there was no support from KCB Bank, I would never have made it to the Safari Rally. They put in a lot to keep the car running and were happy that we finished as winners,” Ntambi said after his Safari victory. The experience also gave him a taste of international rallying. The Safari exposed him to longer competitive stages, international competition and the demands of a World Rally Championship event.
“There’s a lot to take in long distances, reconnaissance techniques, and how international rallies differ from ours in Uganda. This debut has given me insights that I will use in future competitions,” he said. FMU General Secretary Reynolds Kibira said Ntambi’s achievement reflected the progress Ugandan drivers are making on the continental scene.
“For FMU, this achievement is a strong demonstration of what Ugandan talent can accomplish when allowed to compete at the continental level,” Kibira said. For Ntambi, the ARC2 title represents the biggest achievement of his career on the continental stage.
“This championship means a lot to me because it has taken a lot of work from the whole team. We had good rallies, and we also had a difficult one in Uganda, but we kept working and came back. Winning the ARC2 championship is something I am very proud of,” he said. His 2026 season therefore goes beyond the championship points.He won ARC2, made his WRC debut at the Safari Rally Kenya, won his category on the world championship stage, and completed the ARC season with the Serengeti Rally in Tanzania.
More importantly, he showed that a difficult rally does not necessarily define a season. After retiring in Uganda, he came back in Rwanda, stayed in the title fight, and eventually secured the ARC2 crown. With KCB Bank’s continued backing and the experience gained across Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda and Tanzania, Ntambi now has a stronger platform from which to build his next chapter in international rallying.
Investment will support skills development, enterprise and community empowerment in Kitovu
Kampala: dfcu Bank has contributed UGX 30 million towards the completion of the Archbishop Kiwanuka Empowerment Centre in Kitovu, reaffirming its commitment to supporting institutions that empower communities, develop practical skills, expand economic opportunity and contribute to Uganda’s long-term socio-economic development.
The contribution was announced during a fundraising dinner held at the Sheraton Kampala Hotel Boardroom in support of the Centre, an initiative inspired by the enduring legacy of Archbishop Joseph Kiwanuka. His leadership, commitment to education and investment in strong institutions continue to influence generations of Ugandans.
Once completed, the Archbishop Kiwanuka Empowerment Centre will provide a platform for skills development, entrepreneurship, mentorship, knowledge exchange and community engagement. It will help individuals build practical capabilities, strengthen networks, pursue enterprise and create opportunities for themselves and their communities.
Speaking at the event, Margaret Karume, Executive Director and Chief Credit Officer at dfcu Bank, said the Bank was proud to support a project whose vision aligns with its longstanding commitment to investing in people and strengthening the institutions that enable communities to thrive. “For more than six decades, dfcu has invested in people, businesses and institutions that drive Uganda’s development. Our contribution towards the Archbishop Kiwanuka Empowerment Centre reflects our belief that sustainable progress is achieved when communities have the skills, knowledge and opportunities they need to thrive. We are honoured to support an initiative that will create lasting value for many Ugandans.”
Karume noted that the Centre reflects the spirit of institution-building that has defined dfcu’s journey since its establishment in 1964. Founded as the Development Finance Company of Uganda, dfcu was created to provide long-term financing to businesses and development projects that would help strengthen Uganda’s economy.
More than six decades later, dfcu Bank continues to support Uganda’s development through financing, partnerships and initiatives across key sectors, including agriculture, manufacturing, trade, infrastructure, education and healthcare. The Bank’s work is anchored in enabling individuals, enterprises and communities to pursue growth and create shared prosperity.
“The most enduring institutions are those that invest in people and continue creating value across generations. The Archbishop Kiwanuka Empowerment Centre represents that kind of vision. It will help people acquire skills, pursue enterprise and unlock their potential, ultimately strengthening communities and contributing to national development,” Karume added. The UGX 30 million contribution forms part of dfcu Bank’s broader commitment to creating shared value through strategic investments in social and economic development. Through partnerships with communities, faith-based organisations, educational institutions and the private sector, the Bank continues to support initiatives that advance inclusive growth and sustainable transformation.
By supporting the Archbishop Kiwanuka Empowerment Centre, dfcu Bank joins the Diocese of Masaka and other partners in advancing a vision rooted in leadership, service, empowerment and opportunity, while helping to preserve and extend Archbishop Kiwanuka’s legacy for future generations.
Sironko District Woman MP Hon. Mafabi Asha Nabulo has tabled a motion urging government to develop and enact a legal framework for the national smallholder farmers’ transformation and climate resilience programme.
This website has established that, Hon. Mafabi wants smallholder farmers who continue to face persistent challenges which undermine their productivity and profitability prepared, protected and empowered.
According to her the competitiveness of smallholder agriculture across the country is low yet once this programme is implemented, Uganda would be able to feed the whole of East and Central Africa and 89% of small scale farmers will be lifted out of poverty and will have enough food thus improving the health and life expectancy of our population.
Hon. Mafabi Asha Nabulo
The Motion is expected to be supported by all understanding and caring MPs including her voters in Sironko who are predominantly small holder farmers in the shops of Mt Elgon.
Analysts say , No MP has ever thought of such a wonderful and magical Policy till Hon Mafabi Asha Nabulo had come up.
Kampala: Police have arrested businessman Rtd Captain Charles Byaruhanga in connection with the fraudulent sale of land belonging to companies belonging to the late businessman Dr James Musinguzi Garuga, as detectives tighten the net around two other suspects.
Byaruhanga is expected to be taken to Makindye Chief Magistrates’ Court where he will face charges arising from land transaction that investigators say involved Block 1004 Plot 2, Freehold Register Volume LUW 38 Folio 3, at Bulemezi-Ngoma in Nakaseke District, a property described in the charge sheet as belonging to Incafex Limited.
Lawyer Agaba Maguru and businessman Henry Hapa Nganwa are also wanted by police over the same investigation.
The trio participated in the execution of a sales agreement and transfer documents without a valid board resolution or lawful corporate authority and allegedly in defiance of a Supreme Court injunction.
Police state that the transaction was executed on July 16, 2025, barely three weeks before the death of Garuga on August 6, 2025.
The charge sheet indicates that the suspects conspired to deprive Incafex of the property and further accuses Maguru and Nganwa of making or circulating disputed corporate documents concerning the directorship of Garuga Properties Limited, Kinkizi Development Company Limited and Incafex Limited.
The police charges come against the backdrop of a long-running corporate and shareholding battle surrounding Incafex and companies opened by the late Dr James Musinguzi Garuga.
The Supreme Court had already become involved in the Incafex dispute. In Incafex Limited v Rukikaire, Civil Application No. 8 of 2023, decided on November 17, 2023, the Supreme Court considered measures aimed at preserving property pending the implementation of a special audit and consequential orders.
The Court recognised its inherent power to preserve property so that the fruits of an earlier judgment were not rendered nugatory.
That 2023 injunction is now central to the police case, with the charge sheet stating that the July 2025 transaction was carried out in contravention of the subsisting Supreme Court order.
URSB Nail In Maguru Coffin
The corporate fight took another dramatic turn in July 2026 when the Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB) Registrar of Companies ruled against disputed appointments that had placed Maguru in control of the Garuga-linked companies.
In Mathew Rukikaire v Garuga Properties Limited and Others, decided on July 24, 2026, Assistant Registrar of Companies Daniel Nasasira ordered the expunging of disputed resolutions and Company Form 20 filings appointing Maguru as a director of Garuga Properties Limited, Kinkizi Development Company Limited and Incafex Limited.
The ruling found among other things, that a shareholder had not been properly notified of the extraordinary general meeting at which the disputed appointment was made.
The Registrar held that a meeting convened without the required notice was null and that the resulting filings had been wrongfully obtained and were liable to be removed from the Companies Register.
Even more damaging, the Registrar found that the purported ordinary resolutions authorising Maguru to represent Garuga Properties in the affairs of the subsidiary companies had not been found on the Companies Register.
The disputed appointments of Maguru in the three companies were consequently ordered expunged.
GARUGA DIED — COMPANY WAR ERUPTED
The corporate storm intensified after Garuga’s death.
Garuga died at Nakasero Hospital on August 6, 2025, aged about 72.
He was a prominent businessman, lawyer, farmer, property investor and political figure and was widely known for his investments in agriculture and business as well as his role in Uganda’s opposition politics.
At the time of his death, Garuga was associated with major business interests, including Kigezi Highland Tea, while Garuga Properties was a majority shareholder in Kinkizi Development Company and Incafex.
His death was followed by a bitter struggle over control of the companies and the estate.
URSB records show that the disputed appointments of Maguru were linked to meetings held in August 2025 just days after Garuga’s death.
The Registrar later found that the challenged corporate filings were wrongfully obtained and ordered them removed.
It is against that background that police have moved against Byaruhanga.
The charges say fraudulent transfer of title and conspiracy to defraud alongside issuing false corporate statements and disputed company records.
The police case further state that the suspects purported to exercise corporate powers without the necessary board authority.
With Maguru and Nganwa still being hunted, investigators appear determined to bring all the principal suspects before court for Luzira coolers.
The Profiles of the Best 100 Law Firms in Uganda recognized by Public Opinions will be published in the Public Opinions Journal and on the public Opinions Global Portal.
On 5th October 2026, Public Opinions recognized the best 100 law firms in Uganda, and their profiles are set to be published in the prestigious Public Opinions Journal for Certified Responsible Investments and Development Champions 2026–2027. The journal will be distributed to over 2,000 Chief Executive Officers, Members of Parliament, Cabinet Ministers, Ugandan diplomats abroad, foreign diplomats in Uganda, heads of NGOs, traditional and religious leaders, and political leaders. The induction of the Best 100 Law Firms in Uganda is key in promoting a strong commitment to the actualization of international best practices and standards within the legal sector.
As of September 2025, Uganda had 1,333 law firms approved by the Law Council under the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs. Out of these, based on a comprehensive survey conducted by Public Opinions, 100 met all benchmarks to be recognized as the best law firms and receive the Responsible Investment Global Award from Public Opinions.In the Public Opinions survey, 200 law firms were nominated and 100 law firms were voted by the public—especially CEOs, business owners, and Members of Parliament—as the best law firms in Uganda for the year 2026, according to Public Opinions.
Public Opinions’ awarding of the best law firms in Uganda is not about the physical size of the law firm, but fundamentally about its commitment to promoting and upholding international best practices and standards, promoting the 30 principles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the competence of its lawyers, and the astuteness of its managing partner, as stated by Buyinza Adam Luzindana, CEO and Team Leader of Public Opinions. Public Opinions is the leading field based firm offering Diplomacy and Investment Advisory, responsible investment promotion, issues research, public awareness, information dissemination, etc.
Public Opinions’ strict policy of awarding law firms focuses on those that respect the rights of workers, especially female professionals. Noting that not all law firms support productive Corporate Social Responsibility (pro bono work) or remain loyal to their clients, Luzindana Adam Buyinza, Team Leader of Public Opinions, stated: ‘We recognize the best 100 law firms in Uganda that support productive Corporate Social Responsibility (pro bono) and are dedicated to engaging female lawyers in all legal transactions
The Best 100 Law Firms in Uganda were honored and set to be inducted into the Public Opinions Journal for Certified Responsible Investments and Development Champions because of their commitment to: supporting productive Corporate Social Responsibility (pro bono work), respecting the rights of workers (especially junior employees), employing female lawyers, understanding Uganda Vision 2040 and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs), promoting and upholding international best practices and standards, paying taxes, maintaining competent, hard-working, and focused lawyers, delivering quality services, showing unwavering loyalty and accountability to clients, demonstrating true leadership (more than just a title), and applying a sense of fairness or ‘rough justice.As of September 2026, Uganda has approximately 6,760 licensed lawyers (enrolled advocates) registered with the Judiciary of Uganda. Around 6,760 advocates are officially enrolled, while historical cumulative enrollment figures managed by the Law Council remain under 10,000 total advocates since formal record-keeping began in Uganda in 1962.
Since 2009, Public Opinions has been recognizing the best-performing companies and organizations within and outside Uganda, celebrating law firms that are committed to the attainment of Uganda Vision 2040 and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. In May 2026, Public Opinions recognized the Secretary to the Judiciary, Pius Bigirimana, as the Uganda Judicial Reforms Champion at a high-level ceremony held at his High Court office. Additionally, H.E. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, President of Uganda, was recognized by Public Opinions as the Uganda Peace and Development Champion at a ceremony he presided over.
Public Opinions has also recognized and accredited prominent lawyers such as Mr. Edwin Karugire, Mr. Cephas Birugyi Kagyenda, Dr. Allan Shonubi, Mr. Justus Karuhanga, Mr. Apollo Nelson Makubuya, Haji Usama Ssebuwufu, Mr. Enoch Barata, Mr. Francis Nshekanabo, Baker Mugaino, and Hon. Kiryowa Kiwanuka, among others.
Since 2009, Public Opinions has recognized numerous companies, organizations, and personalities, including H.E. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, who was awarded the Responsible Investment Global Certification Award as The Uganda Peace and Development Champion. Over 300 companies and organizations have been accredited by Public Opinions, including Diamond Trust Bank, Roko Construction, the Electricity Regulatory Authority (ERA), the World Bank, USAID, the European Union, SMS Construction, Riley Packaging Limited, Heifer International, and Standard Chartered Bank Limited.
The 2026 Uganda’s Best 100 Law Firms recognized by Public Opinions with the Responsible Investment Global Award.
K&K ADVOCATES
Best Corporate Law Firm
AB & DAVID
Best Corporate Law Firm
ABMAK ASSOCIATES
Best Natural Resources Law Firm
AF MPANGA ADVOCATES
Best Commercial Litigation and Advisory Law Firm
AKAMPURIRA & PARTNERS
Best Civil Litigation Law Firm
MMAKS ADVOCATES
Best Commercial Transactions Law Firm
ALP EAST AFRICA
Best Integration and Regulatory Affairs
AMBER SOLICITORS
Best Property and Land Law Firm
ANGUALIA BUSIKU & CO. ADVOCATES
Best Business Law Firm
ARCADIA ADVOCATES
Best Real Estate & Conveyancing Law Firm
ALAKA & CO. ADVOCATES
Best Constitutional Law and Criminal Defense Law Firm
ASIMWE ADVOCATES & SOLICITORS
Best Corporate Advisory & Dispute Resolution Law Firm
KASANA,MPUNGU & CO.ADVOCATES
Best Land Transactions Law Firm
ASPIDA ADVOCATES
Best Family and Employment Law Firm
BYAMUGISHA GABRIEL AND CO. ADVOCATES
Best Commercial Litigation and Commercial Resolution Law Firm
ASTRAL Advocates
Best Corporate Advisory & Regulatory Compliance Law Firm
ATNA ADVOCATES
Best Microfinance and Fintech Law Firm
AYIGIHUGU & CO. ADVOCATES & SOLICITORS
Best Business Litigation Law Firm
NAMBOOZO & CO. ADVOCATES
Best Real Estate Transactions Law Firm
BAMUGEMEREIRE & CO.ADVOCATES
Best General Counsel Services Law Firm
BARENZI & PARTNERS ADVOCATES LLP
Best General Business Advisory Law Firm
BBAALE & PARTNERS ADVOCATES & LEGAL CONSULTANTS
Best Financial and Investment Advisory Law Firm
BIRUNGYI BARATA & ASSOCIATES
Best Taxation and Legal Advisory Law Firm
BKA ADVOCATES
Best Commercial Agreements and
Risk Management Law Firm
BLUEBELL LEGAL ADVOCATES
Best Corporate Financing Law Firm
BNM ADVOCATES
Best Business Law Firm
BUWULE & MAYIGA ADVOCATES
Best Intellectual Property Law Firm
AGABA MUHAIRWE & CO. ADVOCATES
Best Transaction Advisory Law Firm (Oil and Gas)
BYENKYA KIHIKA & CO.ADVOCATES
Best Property Acquisition and Management Law Firm
CAPITAL LAW PARTNERS AND ADVOCATES
Best Assets and Project Finance Law Firm
CITADEL ADVOCATES
Best Technology and Telecommunications Law Firm
CMS & CO.ADVOCATES
Best Corporate Finance and Restructuring Law Firm
CR AMANYA ADVOCATES & SOLICITORS
Best Employment and Immigration Law Firm
CRISTAL ADVOCATES
Best Energy and Private Equity Law Firm
DENTONS ADVOCATES
Best Corporate Lending and Syndicated Loans Law Firm
DIDAS NKURUNZIZA & CO.ADVOCATES
Best Non-Criminal Disputes Litigation Law Firm
ENGORU, MUTEBI ADVOCATES
Best Commercial Contracts and Joint Venture Law Firm
ENS UGANDA
Best Corporate Transactions and Restructuring Law Firm
39. NYANZI, KIBONEKA AND MBABAZI ADVOCATES
Best Commercial Arbitration Law Firm
GEM ADVOCATES
Best Natural Resources Law Firm
H&G ADVOCATES
Best Corporate Advisory Law Firm
IVORY ADVOCATES
Best Family and Estate Management Law Firm.
BYAMUGISHA ADVOCATES
Best Constitutional & Human Rights Law Firm
KAFEERO & CO.ADVOCATES
Best Business Law Firm
KALIKUMUTIMA & CO.ADVOCATES
Best Foreign Investment Advisory Law Firm
KAMPALA ASSOCIATED ADVOCATES
Best Commercial Litigation Law Firm
KASIRYE, BYARUHANGA &. CO. ADVOCATES
Best Wealth and Tax Management Law Firm
KATEERA AND COMPANY ADVOCATES
Best Project Finance and Capital Markets Law Firm
KATS (KATENDE, SSEMPEBWA & CO. ADVOCATES
Best Banking and Finance Law Firm
KMA ADVOCATES
Best Regulatory and Government Affairs Law Firm
KENTARO MUGERWA AND COMPANY ADVOCATES
Best Regulatory Compliance Law Firm
KIRUNDA & CO.ADVOCATES
Best Technology, Media and Telecommunications Law Firm
KNT ADVOCATES
Best Finance Securities Law Firm
KTA ADVOCATES
Best Infrastructure Development Law Firm
KYAGABA & OTATIINA ADVOCATES
Best capital markets and Islamic finance Law Firm
KYEYUNE,KASEKENDE & LEGAL CONSULTANTS & ADVOCATES
Best International Law and Human Rights Law Firm
LARRY ADVOCATES
Best Procurement and Real Estates Property Law Firm
LEX UGANDA ADVOCATES & SOLICITORS
Best Commercial Practice and Intellectual Property Law Firm
LIGOMARC ADVOCATES
Best Corporate and Financial Law Firm
PACE ADVOCATES
Best General Litigation Law Firm
MAGEZI,IBALE & COMPANY ADVOCATES
Best Foreign Investment and Insurance Law Firm
CRYSTAL ADVOCATES
Best Public Law and Policy Advocacy Law Firm
MBIDDE & CO.ADVOCATES
Best Constitutional and Human Rights Law Firm
MBS ADVOCATES
Best Corporate and Investment Advisory Law Firm
META LAW CHAMBERS
Best Commercial Transactions Law Firm
MMAKS ADVOCATES
Best Corporate Advisory and Banking Law Firm
MSM ADVOCATES
Best Advocacy Litigation and Arbitration Law Firm
MUDIOBOLE & CO.ADVOCATES
Best Civil Litigation and Political Advocacy Law Firm
MUKUBUYA MUSOKE ADVOCATES
Best Project Development Law Firm
MUMTAZ KASSAM & CO.ADVOCATES
Best Natural Resources and Corporate Advisory Law Firm
MUSANGALA ADVOCATES AND SOLICITORS
Best Mineral Law Firm
NSHEKANABO & PARTNERS ADVOCATES & SOLICITORS
Best Intellectual Property and Financial Advisory law Firm
NAMBALE NERIMA & CO.ADVOCATES
Best Local Government Law Firm
NANGWALA REZIDA & CO.ADVOCATES
Best Private Equity and Industrial Relations Law Firm
NATMBIRWEKI KANDEEBE & CO.ADVOCATES
Best Corporate & Administrative Law Firm
NEPTUNE ADVOCATES
Best Corporate Governance Advisory Law firm
NGOBI NDIKO ADVOCATES
Best Legal Consultants and Family Law Firm
NUWAJUNA ASSOCIATED ADVOCATES
Best Transactional & Business Consultancy Law Firm
ORIGO ADVOCATES
Best Procurement and Disposal of Assets Law Firm
ORTUS ADVOCATES
Best Financial Advisory and Dispute Resolution Law Firm
OS & KAGERE ADVOCATES
Best Corporate Governance and Bank Recoveries Law Firm
OSH ADVOCATES
Best Oil & Gas and Extractives Industry Law Firm
S&L ADVOCATES
Best Financial Services Law Firm
SAGE ADVOCATES
Best Employment and Labour Law Firm
SAIL ADVOCATES
Best Trade and Property Law Firm
SIGNUM ADVOCATES
Best International Arbitration Law Firm
SIPI ADVOCATES
Best Intellectual Property Law Firm
SM & CO ADVOCATES
Best Energy and Infrastructure Law Firm
SPATIUM ADVOCATES
Best Corporate Structuring and Regulatory
Compliance Law Firm
STRAND ADVOCATES
Best Construction and Procurement Law Firm
SPRINGS ADVOCATES
Best Trade and Investment Law Firm
KMA ADVOCATES
Best Transactional Law Firm
TASKK ADVOCATES
Best Commercial Litigation and Arbitration Law Firm
TARA ADVOCATES
Best Contract Drafting and Negotiation Law Firm
TASLAF ADVOCATES
Best M&A and Private Equity Law Firm
TUMWEBAZE EMMANUEL ADVOCATES & SOLICITORS
Best Law Firm in Western Uganda
TERRAIN ADVOCATES
Best General Litigation Law Firm
TROPICAL LAW ADVOCATES
Best Finance & Corporate Advisory Law Firm
VERMA & PARTNERS ADVOCATES & SOLICITORS
Best Domestic and International Syndicated
Loan Agreements Law Firm
WALUSIMBI & CO.ADVOCATES
Best Litigation and Transactional Law Firm
WANAMBUGO & CO ADVOCATES
Best Banking and Microfinance Law Firm
WEB ADVOCATES & SOLICITORS
Best Commercial and Immigration Law Firm
KLEEVA ASSOCIATED ADVOCATES
Best Business Transactions and Legal Interpretation Law Firm.
Public Opinions is the leading field firm that organise field and online or digital training and mentorship sessions leading to Award of international Certificate in Public Leadership and international Certificate in Business Leadership. Participation is only 100 usd. Every participant to be accredited with an International Certificate should write a 800 opinion on his or her area of interest affecting the community, district, region or country with facts and figures. Enrol today. Become a Certified Public Opinions International Leadership Fellow and be part of The Public Opinions International Fellowship.
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Recognised by Public Opinions Kampaal,Uganda Web:www.publicopinions.net Tel:+256774992426
Ninsiima Rominate, an SGA receptionist and avid USSD bettor from Kira, Wakiso, has won the fourth motorcycle in the KBET & VROOOM giveaway from Kagwirawo. Rominate’s win came with an unusual twist — she had lost all her recent betting receipts.
Despite the missing receipts, Rominate was still eligible for the draw and emerged as this week’s winner, taking home the fourth motorcycle in the ongoing giveaway. The win highlights one of the key features of the promotion: every bet counts towards the draw, whether it wins or loses.
Ninsiima receiving her keys
For Rominate, what started as another betting week ended with the keys to a motorcycle in her hands.The KBET & VROOOM giveaway continues, with more prizes still available for customers participating through the eligible KBET betting channels.
Customers can participate through the KBET website or USSD: Online: www.kbet.ug
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KBET & VROOOM No minimum stake required. All draws will be held live, and winners contacted via 0326 333 050 / 0200 401 000.
KBET is a fully licensed and regulated online sports betting platform under Uganda’s Lotteries and Gaming Regulatory Board.
Kampala: Uganda is sitting on an estimated 500 million tonnes of iron ore underground, a mineral endowment that could fundamentally transform the country’s industrial base if it is commercially mined, beneficiated and converted into iron, steel and higher-value manufactured products for the East African market.
But according to EABC Board Director Oscar Kamukama, the real opportunity is not simply to extract the ore.
It is to turn Uganda’s underground mineral wealth into above-ground industrial wealth and build a steel industry designed for East Africa.
Kamukama, who doubles as Business Development Manager at Steel & Tube Industries Ltd, says Uganda must move decisively from a mineral-exporting economy towards an integrated iron and steel value chain capable of supplying the region’s rapidly growing infrastructure, construction, energy, manufacturing and housing sectors.
“Let us build a unified Ugandan industrialisation story, one that begins with Ugandan iron ore, moves into Ugandan processing, produces Ugandan iron and Ugandan steel, transforms into value-added Ugandan fabricated products, and directly powers national and regional infrastructure projects.”
Oscar Kamukama
He made the remarks during the 15th Annual Mineral Wealth Conference and Expo 2026, held at Speke Resort Munyonyo in Kampala from September 29–30.
500 MILLION TONNES: FROM UNDERGROUND WEALTH TO INDUSTRIAL WEALTH
Kamukama said Uganda’s iron ore deposits should no longer be viewed simply as geological resources waiting to be extracted.
They should be viewed as the potential foundation of a major industrial ecosystem.
“If we have the ore underground but continue importing substantial quantities of industrial steel products, then we have not fully captured the economic value of our mineral wealth,” Kamukama argued.
The objective, he said, should be to ensure that a growing proportion of the value created from Uganda’s iron ore is captured inside Uganda through processing, manufacturing, employment, technology transfer, industrial investment and exports.
EAST AFRICA SHOULD BE THE MARKET
As an EABC Board Director, Kamukama said Uganda must think beyond the limits of its domestic market.
The East African Community should be regarded as Uganda’s immediate strategic market for industrial products.
The region’s growing population, urbanisation, infrastructure requirements and expanding manufacturing base are creating long-term demand for steel.
“This is the market Uganda must be thinking about,” Kamukama said.
“We should not build an iron and steel industry whose ambition ends at the Ugandan border. We must build an industry that can competitively supply East Africa.”
Uganda’s geographical position gives it access to major markets across Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Somalia, while the wider Great Lakes region offers additional opportunities.
The implication is significant: Uganda does not have to consume all the steel it produces.
It can manufacture for the region.
THE STEEL MARKET IS BIGGER THAN UGANDA
Kamukama said the case for investment in integrated steel making becomes stronger when Uganda looks at the combined regional market rather than domestic consumption alone.
The EAC’s Seventh Development Strategy for 2026/27–2030/31 places the regional population at more than 341 million people.
That population represents demand for:
– Roads and bridges
– Railways and transport infrastructure
– Housing
– Industrial parks
– Energy projects
– Oil and gas infrastructure
– Commercial buildings
– Water infrastructure
– Manufacturing facilities
– Agricultural infrastructure
All require steel.
“The question is not whether there will be demand,” Kamukama said.
“The question is whether Uganda will position itself to supply that demand competitively.”
FROM ORE TO FINISHED PRODUCTS
Kamukama said Uganda’s ambition should not stop at producing iron ore concentrate or even billets.
The country should progressively develop the capacity to manufacture increasingly sophisticated steel and fabricated products.
Beneficiated iron ore can feed ironmaking and steel making operations, producing billets that can subsequently be transformed into products such as reinforcement bars, hollow sections, angle bars, round bars and other structural and fabricated steel products.
That creates multiple layers of economic activity — from mining and processing to manufacturing, construction and regional trade.
For Uganda, he said, this means more jobs, more industrial capacity, more tax revenues, more exports and greater participation in regional supply chains.
UGANDA MUST COMPETE — NOT JUST PRODUCE
Kamukama cautioned that having hundreds of millions of tonnes of iron ore does not automatically make Uganda a steel power.
The country must develop a competitive ecosystem around the mineral.
This includes:
Affordable and reliable energy.
Modern technology.
Efficient logistics.
Competitive transport costs.
Access to long-term financing.
Economies of scale.
Quality standards.
Skilled human capital.
Predictable industrial policy.
“The question is not whether Uganda has iron ore,” Kamukama said.
“The question is whether we can convert that ore into competitively priced, quality steel and move it efficiently into the EAC market.”
That, he said, should be one of the central questions confronting policymakers, investors, financiers and manufacturers.
FROM UGANDA’S INFRASTRUCTURE TO EAST AFRICA’S INFRASTRUCTURE
Kamukama said Uganda’s own infrastructure programme provides an important anchor market, but the long-term ambition should be regional.
A strong domestic steel industry could supply Uganda’s infrastructure while simultaneously developing the scale and competitiveness required to export.
This creates what he described as a potentially powerful industrial cycle:
“The EAC gives us the immediate regional market, while AfCFTA gives us the continental horizon,” he said.
«Our objective should be to manufacture in Uganda, create value in Uganda and export from Uganda to the region and Africa.”
EAC INTEGRATION MUST MEAN INDUSTRIAL INTEGRATION
As a member of the East African Business Council (EABC) Board, Kamukama said regional integration should increasingly be measured not only by the movement of goods, but by the development of regional value chains.
Uganda should therefore seek to participate in regional industrial supply chains rather than simply remaining a market for finished products manufactured elsewhere.
A competitive Ugandan steel industry could supply construction and manufacturing businesses across the EAC, while regional infrastructure projects could provide the scale necessary to support further investment in production capacity.
This, he said, would turn regional integration into a practical industrial strategy.
FROM MINERAL WEALTH TO INDUSTRIAL POWER
Kamukama said Uganda’s mineral wealth must ultimately be judged by what it produces for the economy.
The objective should not simply be to say that Uganda has hundreds of millions of tonnes of iron ore underground.
The real achievement would be to say:
Uganda mined it.
Uganda processed it.
Uganda made the iron.
Uganda made the steel.
Uganda manufactured the products.
Uganda built its infrastructure.
And Uganda exported the surplus to East Africa and Africa.
For Steel & Tube Industries, Kamukama said participation in the Mineral Wealth Conference was an opportunity to place manufacturers at the centre of Uganda’s mineral-value-addition conversation.
“The time for summits, forums and workshops must now translate into action. We need to get the minerals out of the ground, process them here, manufacture here and build the regional markets that will sustain the industry.”
He said Uganda should now begin thinking seriously about an East African steel strategy — one that connects mineral exploration and beneficiation with manufacturing, infrastructure, regional trade and export competitiveness.
The opportunity, Kamukama said, is no longer simply to have iron ore beneath Uganda’s soil.
It is to build an industrial powerhouse above it — and make Uganda a competitive steel supplier to East Africa and the wider African market.
Gulu: Bell Lager, the flagship brand of Uganda Breweries Limited (UBL), has announced its role as the lead premium sponsor of Congolese music icon Koffi Olomide’s live concert in Gulu City. The concert will take place on Friday, October 9, 2026, at the Northern Pearl Hotel Garden along Gulu-Kitgum Road and is organized by Open Mic Uganda. Bell Lager’s participation in this concert forms part of Obafest, the brand’s ultimate beer festival platform, which brings people together around music, beer, and food to create memorable social experiences.
Koffi Olamide
The Gulu edition extends this experience to Northern Uganda, allowing consumers to celebrate with their crews over live performances and ice-cold Bell Lagers. Koffi Olamide is one of the most influential figures in Congolese rumba and soukous. His catalogue includes some of the most widely recognized songs in African popular music, among them; Loi, Effrakata, Papa Bonheur, Tcha Tcho and Selfie. Audiences in Gulu will hear these songs and more performed live, backed by the stage production, dances and musicianship for which his shows are known.
The concert is scheduled over Uganda’s Independence Day holiday weekend, giving residents of Gulu and neighbouring districts, as well as visitors travelling to Northern Uganda for the holiday, an opportunity to attend a headline international performance close to home. Gates will open at 2:00 PM and the programme will run until 4:00 AM on Saturday, October 10, providing a full night of live entertainment.
Olomide’s performance will be supported by a line-up of Ugandan artists. Dancehall artist Cindy will perform alongside local acts Eezzy, Batman, Jelly G and Lucky David. Comedian Patrick Salvado will host the programme, guiding the audience through the evening’s performances.The sponsorship reflects Bell Lager’s investment in live music, creative arts and social experiences across Uganda. Through Obafest, Bell Lager is taking its celebration of music, beer and food beyond Kampala and creating opportunities for audiences in different parts of the country to experience the brand in a lively social setting.
Olamide Koffi is set to perform in Gulu
Lilian Kansiime, Brand Manager for Bell Lager, said: “As Uganda’s very own beer, Bell Lager celebrates culture, social connection and the arts. Bell Obafest is a celebration of how Ugandans come together to enjoy music, beer and food. By bringing the experience to Gulu in partnership with the Koffi Olomide concert, we are giving consumers in Gulu an opportunity to be part of that celebration. As Uganda’s Very Own beer, Bell Lager has a long history of standing alongside Ugandans to celebrate in these shared moments, where friends come together and celebrate their connections and create memories. This is the spirit we want to bring to life through Bell Obafest, The partnership for the Koffi Olomide concert in Gulu reflects our commitment to bringing premium music experiences to consumers. We are proud to support Open Mic Uganda in delivering an international performance of this scale alongside the Ugandan artists who will share the stage.”
Tickets for the concert are available in five categories. Ordinary Advance tickets are priced at UGX 50,000 and Ordinary Gate tickets at UGX 100,000. VIP Advance tickets are priced at UGX 150,000 and VIP Gate tickets at UGX 200,000. Platinum Packages, designed for groups, are available at UGX 3,000,000.
Purchasing in advance secures the lower price in both the Ordinary and VIP categories, and attendees are encouraged to buy early ahead of the Independence Day weekend. Tickets are being sold in Gulu at Northern Pearl Hotel, Stop Over Bar, and Davinci Café, and online at www.MTicket.com
Thousands of people turned up at Kololo Independence Grounds on Saturday for Plascon India Day 2026, an event that brought together Indian music, dance, food and culture while raising support for healthcare initiatives in Uganda.
Held on October 3, the celebration was organised by the Vishwadharma Foundation in partnership with the Indian Association Uganda, with Kansai Plascon Uganda as the headline sponsor.
The event attracted members of Uganda’s Indian community and the wider public for a day of cultural performances, exhibitions and entertainment.
The programme opened with a flag-hoisting ceremony and colourful parades, followed by activities spread across about 30 stalls showcasing Indian cuisine, cultural displays and community services.
Nearly 400 performers entertained the crowd with traditional, classical and contemporary Indian dance performances.
The celebrations were attended by Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja, Minister of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives Sanjay Tanna, Minister of Local Government Balaam Barugahara and Minister of Information, Communications Technology and National Guidance Justine Kasule Lumumba.
Other guests included Minister of State for Energy and Mineral Development in charge of Minerals Phiona Nyamutoro and Senior Presidential Adviser Evelyn Anite.
Business leaders and community representatives were also present, including Indian Association Uganda chairman Paresh Mehta and representatives of the Ruparelia, Madhvani and Mehta business groups.
The entertainment programme reached its peak in the evening with a performance by Indian singer Neha Kakkar, who thrilled the audience with some of her popular songs before being joined on stage by her husband, singer Rohanpreet Singh.
The two performers got the crowd singing and dancing along as the cultural celebration came to an energetic close.
Healthcare commitment
Beyond the music and festivities, this year’s Plascon India Day placed significant emphasis on healthcare, with Kansai Plascon Uganda and its partners committing to support 100 heart surgeries for Ugandan children under the age of five and 1,000 cataract operations.
The commitment builds on last year’s pledge to support 100 heart surgeries, which the company said was successfully fulfilled.
“Last year we pledged to support 100 heart surgeries and that took place. This year we are again committing to 100 heart surgeries,” Kansai Plascon Uganda Managing Director Dr Santosh Gumte said ahead of the event.
Under the new programme, children with serious heart conditions will be identified for specialised treatment in India, followed by post-operative care.
The cataract initiative will target patients from different parts of Uganda who require surgery.
Gumte said the partnership with the Indian Association Uganda demonstrates how organisations can combine resources to support communities and expand access to essential services.
The company said its previous healthcare interventions had helped facilitate 265 heart surgeries. Ahead of this year’s celebration, Gumte also met some beneficiaries who had benefited from the earlier programme.
The healthcare initiative gives the annual cultural event a wider social purpose by linking the celebration of Indian culture with practical support for Ugandans facing serious health challenges.
Culture and community
Plascon India Day has increasingly become a platform for members of the Indian community to showcase their culture while engaging with the wider Ugandan public.
The event featured Indian cuisine, music, dance and cultural displays, giving visitors an opportunity to experience different aspects of Indian heritage.
The celebrations started on Friday with a corporate dinner for sponsors and partners, where violinist Amal and electric veena player Soundarya provided live instrumental performances.
The main event on Saturday brought together culture, entertainment, business and community initiatives, highlighting the longstanding relationship between Uganda and its Indian community.
For organisers and partners, the healthcare commitments added another layer to the celebrations, ensuring that the event was not only about entertainment but also about supporting children, families and patients in need of specialised medical care.
