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.…
Author: Rising Nation
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…
President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has called for judicial reforms and ordered a thorough investigation into a controversial land eviction in Kiboga District, which he described as a form of injustice. The President made the appeal today during the swearing in ceremony of the recently appointed Deputy Chief Justice, Dr. Flavian Zeija at State House, Entebbe. President Museveni commended the outgoing Deputy Chief Justice, Hon. Justice Richard Buteera for his 44 years of service to the judiciary, and congratulated Dr. Zeija upon his appointment. “I thank the retiring Deputy Chief Justice, Hon. Richard Buteera, who has served the judiciary for over…
The Governments of Uganda and Kenya, in collaboration with the Nile Basin Initiative (NBI) through itsNile Equatorial Lakes Subsidiary Action Programme (NELSAP), have launched the implementation phase of the Angololo Water Resources Development Project, a $137 million transboundary initiative designed to transform lives across the shared Sio-Malaba-Malakisi (SMM) River Sub-basin. The signing ceremony of the bilateral agreement of a project which is aimed at transforming livelihoodsthrough sustainable water resources management, took place yesterday at Busia Breeze Hotel, BusiaCounty, Kenya. The project, funded by the African Development Bank (AfDb) and the NEPAD-IPPF Special Fund, was first identified in 2010 and is…
The world today bows in reverence and solemn remembrance of His Holiness Pope Francis, who passed away at the age of 88 on Easter Monday, April 21, 2025. Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, Argentina, his journey from the son of Italian immigrants to the first Latin American Pope, the first Jesuit Pope, and the first non-European pontiff in over a thousand years, was nothing short of providential. His papacy was not marked by the grandeur of position but by the grace of proximity. He chose to live not in the Apostolic Palace but among his clergy and visitors…
In the pantheon of Uganda’s export commodities, coffee remains an indomitable force—both as a historical economic mainstay and a potent lever for future transformation. Yet, for decades, Uganda’s position in the global coffee value chain has been marked by its relegation to the lower echelons of raw material supply, with value accruing disproportionately to foreign roasters, packagers, and retailers. The persistent export of unprocessed green beans has limited the country’s ability to capture higher margins, stifle domestic industrialization, and deepen dependency on volatile commodity prices. Amidst this backdrop, a paradigm shift is being advocated by Odrek Rwabwogo, through the Presidential…
In a significant demonstration of international solidarity and enduring diplomatic ties, the Government of Japan has extended a fresh contribution of US$6.6 million to support Uganda’s humanitarian and development priorities. This vital funding will enhance efforts across critical sectors—ranging from refugee support and food security to climate resilience and emergency health preparedness—further solidifying Japan’s role as a reliable development partner in Uganda. The announcement was made during a joint press conference held at the Office of the Prime Minister in Kampala on Wednesday, 16 April 2025, officiated by H.E. Sasayama Takuya, Ambassador of Japan to Uganda, and the Right Honourable…
President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni today visited Kyankwanzi District as part of his ongoing countrywide assessment of the Parish Development Model (PDM)—Uganda’s flagship initiative designed to eradicate household poverty through commercial agriculture and financial inclusion. A Model Beneficiary: Mr. Matovu Patrick During his visit to Bugomolwa Parish in Nkandwa Sub-county, President Museveni met with Mr. Matovu Patrick, a successful PDM beneficiary whose experience illustrates the program’s transformative potential. Mr. Matovu received UGX 980,000 under the PDM, which he invested strategically: Six months later, Mr. Matovu sold 10 chickens at UGX 45,000 each, earning UGX 450,000. He also raised UGX 400,000 from…
In an era characterized by accelerating globalization, technological disruption, and socio-environmental reconfigurations, the imperative to preserve and reinterpret cultural heritage has become more salient than ever. Uganda, a nation endowed with profound historical textures and cultural heterogeneity, positions itself at the intersection of tradition and transformation through its commemoration of International Museum Day 2025 (IMD 2025). Spearheaded by the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities, this year’s observance under the theme “Preserving Heritage, Transforming Communities” is more than ceremonial—it is emblematic of a broader national strategy to recalibrate the cultural sector as a fulcrum for inclusive development and civic cohesion.…
