By Rising Nation Editorial Desk In a bold and strategically targeted initiative, the Government of Uganda, under the stewardship of President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, has launched a game-changing intervention aimed at catalyzing inclusive economic transformation. The Affordable Empowerment Credit Program (AECP), officially unveiled on May 2, 2025, through the office of the Senior Presidential Advisor on Political Mobilization, Mr. Moses Byaruhanga, seeks to empower Uganda’s low-income earners—particularly market vendors and boda boda riders—by providing accessible, non-collateralized credit facilities at significantly subsidized interest rates. The AECP represents a nuanced response to Uganda’s entrenched structural constraints within the informal sector, which constitutes…
Author: Rising Nation
This article delves into the internal tensions within Uganda’s National Unity Platform (NUP), offering a critical examination of how political indiscipline can fracture youthful political movements. Drawing on global parallels—from Kenya to Bulgaria—it explores the strengths and limitations of youth-led parties and proposes strategies for sustaining cohesion and ideological clarity. In an era where generational change is redefining political engagement, the piece underscores the urgent need for discipline, structure, and foresight in emerging democracies. In any democracy, political parties serve as the principal vehicles of ideological articulation, electoral mobilization, and governance continuity. The cohesion and internal discipline of these parties…
By Gloria Sebikari, Manager Corporate Affairs, Petroleum Authority of Uganda Uganda’s Petroleum sector dominated the headlines during the first quarter of 2025, with landmark achievements. The East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) project secured the first tranche of debt financing, ensuring the continued development of the 1,443 km conduit that will transport Uganda’s crude oil to the international market. Capping off this streak of progress, on 29th March 2025, the Government of Uganda signed an implementation agreement with Alpha MBM Investments for the design, construction, and operation of a 60,000-barrel-per-day refinery in Hoima—yet another critical stride toward the country’s energy…
President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has hinted at possible significant reforms in Uganda’s labour sector. He said the government is preparing to engage more deeply on key issues, including the establishment of a minimum wage, the phasing out of casual labour, and stricter regulation of employment agencies. The President made the remarks today during this year’s International Labour Day (ILD) celebrations at Nakaale Grounds, Nakapiripirit District. The event ran under the theme: “Consolidating on the Gains of the Parish Development Model (PDM) for Increased Productivity and Inclusive Job Creation”. President Museveni informed workers that the Cabinet would revisit these matters in…
In a remarkable milestone for Uganda’s scientific and technological advancement, a group of 20 young engineers has returned home after completing a prestigious two-year Master’s program in Malaysia. Their journey, supported under the Presidential Initiative on Science Development, symbolizes a bold step toward building a skilled, innovation-driven workforce capable of transforming Uganda into a modern, knowledge-based economy. A cohort of 20 Ugandan young engineers has triumphantly returned home after completing an intensive two-year Master’s program in Malaysia, marking a pivotal step in Uganda’s journey towards technological transformation. The team, supported under the Presidential Initiative on Science Development, touched down at…
At a pivotal juncture in Uganda’s developmental trajectory, President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni recently convened with the Education Policy Review Commission, led by Col. (Rtd) Nuwe Amanya Mushega, at State House Entebbe. The meeting, which underscored Uganda’s resolve to overhaul its entrenched and outdated education framework, marks a significant shift from a colonial relic to a vision anchored in competence, productivity, and national relevance. The Commission’s proposals—which include a national education philosophy, a fully integrated competence-based curriculum, and the institutionalisation of vocational training—signal an earnest attempt to redress the structural inefficiencies and historical misalignments that continue to stifle the system’s transformative…
In a bold step towards shaping Uganda’s industrial future, the Uganda Investment Authority (UIA) is leading the charge to transform traders and importers into manufacturers and value-addition champions. This initiative is not just about changing how business is done – it’s about unlocking the potential of local entrepreneurs, fostering innovation, and paving the way for Uganda to become a key player in global manufacturing. The goal is simple but ambitious: transition Uganda’s traders into the heart of manufacturing. With the right tools, skills, and support, these traders will move from simply exchanging goods to creating and adding value to products…
Under bright blue Roman skies, the world gathered today in a moment of profound mourning and reflection to lay to rest Pope Francis, the beloved “pope among the people.” Concluding a transformative 12-year papacy, he leaves behind a legacy of humility, compassion, and an unwavering commitment to building a more inclusive Catholic Church. The funeral Mass, held in St. Peter’s Square, drew an extraordinary gathering of humanity—over 250,000 mourners filling the vast square, among them world leaders, royalty, refugees, prisoners, and the homeless whom Pope Francis tirelessly championed throughout his life. More than 50 heads of state attended, including U.S.…
The construction sector is undeniably a cornerstone of Uganda’s national development — a vital engine for infrastructure growth, a reservoir of national wealth, and a catalyst for employment creation. Yet persistent challenges such as bureaucratic delays, inefficiencies, and unethical practices continue to inhibit its optimal performance. Recognizing the urgent need for reform, Col. Edith Nakalema, the Head of the State House Investors Protection Unit (SHIPU), has called for the accelerated adoption of automation systems within the construction industry. Speaking at the closure of the 3-day Annual National Building Review Board (NBRB) workshop at Lake View Hotel in Mbarara City, Col.…
Entebbe, Uganda – In a strategic move to bolster Uganda’s telecommunications infrastructure and national security framework, top government officials and industry leaders have reaffirmed their commitment to safeguarding telecom towers and accelerating power connectivity to remote sites. The dialogue, held at State House Entebbe, featured key representatives from American Tower Uganda (ATC Uganda), the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance, and the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC), underscoring the growing urgency to integrate telecom resilience with national development priorities. Infrastructure at the Core of Connectivity ATC Uganda, a leading wireless communications infrastructure provider and a subsidiary of the global American Tower…
