Health Ministry cites ongoing Ebola outbreak in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo as reason for border restrictions.
Uganda's Ministry of Health has restricted mourners from the Democratic Republic of Congo from attending the burial of King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru IV of Tooro. The advisory comes as the kingdom prepares to receive thousands of visitors for the burial of the 31-year-old monarch, who died after battling brain cancer. Charles Olaro, Director General of Health Services, stated that the ministry anticipates a large influx of mourners, including subjects of the Tooro Kingdom residing in eastern DRC, an area currently experiencing an Ebola outbreak.
The King's remains arrived in Uganda on Friday and were met by crowds along the route to Fort Portal City. Tooro Prime Minister Calvin Armstrong Rwomire indicated that international dignitaries, including kings from Nigeria, DRC, and Eswatini, are expected. However, the Health Ministry's advisory explicitly states that no mourners from eastern DRC will be permitted to travel, citing the ongoing closure and restriction of the Uganda-DRC border.
Uganda itself was declared Ebola-free weeks ago by the World Health Organization, having completed the required 42-day surveillance period without new cases. The country had recorded twenty cases in an outbreak that began in May, with the initial case imported from the DRC. Despite having no active cases, the nation remains under active surveillance to prevent any further spillover events from neighboring regions.
Why it mattersMourners from the Democratic Republic of Congo are barred from attending the burial due to an ongoing Ebola outbreak in their region, posing a health risk.
Read in ASJ →The Athletics Integrity Unit provisionally suspended Herbert Kibet, 21, after banned substances were detected in his sample.
Ugandan long-distance runner Herbert Kibet has been provisionally suspended by the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) over allegations of using prohibited substances. Laboratory analysis detected triamcinolone acetonide and exogenous steroids following Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometry (IRMS) analysis. The case is being handled under World Athletics Anti-Doping Rules, and the AIU has issued a Notice of Allegation, meaning the case is still under investigation.
Kibet, who represented Uganda at the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo and recently achieved a fourth-place ranking on the all-time world road 10-kilometre list, is the fifth Ugandan athlete to face suspension for doping. This follows similar cases involving Mercyline Chelangat, Belinda Chemutai, Janat Chemusto, and Peter Maru, raising concerns about the integrity of Uganda's distance running program.
Former Olympic champion Stephen Kiprotich called for enhanced anti-doping education in training camps, stating that repeated cases could damage Uganda's reputation. National coach Grace Chesang expressed concern that such news could instill fear in aspiring young athletes. The AIU emphasized that a provisional suspension is not a final sanction and Kibet retains the presumption of innocence.
Why it mattersHerbert Kibet faces a potential ban from athletics, impacting his career and Uganda's international standing in the sport.
Read in ASJ →Commissioner of Police Ecotu Agapitus, deputy commander of the Field Force Unit, has died at Mulago National Referral Hospital.
Commissioner of Police Ecotu Agapitus, who served as deputy commander of the Field Force Unit (FFU), has died at Mulago National Referral Hospital. The FFU is responsible for public order management, riot control, and tactical operations. Ecotu's career included roles in administration, field operations, counter-terrorism, and international peacekeeping.
Before his FFU role, Ecotu worked in the Directorate of Human Resource Administration and the Counter-Terrorism Directorate, including the Oil and Gas Protection Division. He also held command responsibilities in the Rwenzori region, involved in operations following 2016 clashes. In June 2023, President Yoweri Museveni promoted him to Commissioner of Police.
Ecotu also had international experience, including assignments with the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) and training Somali police. Colleagues described him as disciplined and dependable. Police spokesperson ACP Kituuma Rusoke confirmed the death, stating an official statement with details on the cause and burial arrangements would be released.
Why it mattersThe death of a senior police officer affects the leadership and operational capacity of the Uganda Police Force.
Read in ASJ →Amnesty International has raised serious human rights concerns over proposed EU migrant return hubs in Uganda and Rwanda.
Amnesty International has voiced strong opposition to plans by five European Union member states to establish migrant "return hubs" in Uganda and Rwanda. The organization warns these arrangements could lead to severe human rights violations, including arbitrary detention, torture, and forced deportations. Eve Geddie, Director of Amnesty International’s European Institutions Office, stated that these centers risk becoming "cruel black holes" where European governments outsource detention and deportation responsibilities.
The criticism stems from concerns that Uganda and Rwanda, cited as potential locations, have poor human rights records amidst regional instability. Amnesty highlighted that such policies reflect unequal power dynamics and an attempt by European nations to shift migration burdens to Global South countries already hosting large refugee populations with fewer resources. The organization also pointed to the Italy-Albania arrangement as an example of disproportionate impacts on racialized migrants.
Amnesty International is particularly worried about a reported plan for a facility in Uganda that could become operational in 2027 and house up to 10,000 individuals. The organization cited Uganda's history of repression, unlawful detention, deportations, and its Anti-Homosexuality Act as reasons for concern. Amnesty intends to continue challenging the legality and human rights implications of transferring migration control responsibilities outside of Europe.
Why it mattersMigrants facing deportation from Europe are at risk of arbitrary detention, torture, and forced returns if EU plans for return hubs in Uganda proceed.
Read in ASJ →The High Court granted Bryan Kirumira, known as Bryan White, mandatory bail after he spent over 180 days in custody without trial.
Kampala socialite Bryan Kirumira, known as Bryan White, has been released on mandatory bail by the High Court after 293 days in remand. Justice Gadenya Paul Wolimbwa ruled that Kirumira had a constitutional right to bail after exceeding the 180-day limit for individuals facing offenses triable only by the High Court. Kirumira, arrested on November 13, 2025, is jointly charged with four others on six counts, including human sacrifice and manslaughter, related to the alleged killing of Caroline Nalubwama on October 22, 2025.
The prosecution had opposed bail, citing the gravity of the charges and the risk of Kirumira interfering with witnesses or investigations. However, Justice Gadenya stated that the seriousness of the charges could not override the constitutional right to mandatory bail once the prescribed period had passed without committal to the High Court. The judge noted that the 180-day period expired on May 12, 2026, with Kirumira remaining in custody for an additional 113 days.
Granting bail, Justice Gadenya imposed strict conditions, including a Shs 10 million court deposit and two sureties each executing a non-cash bond of Shs 50 million. Kirumira must also reside at a fixed address within the court's jurisdiction. The judge emphasized that the constitutional period for mandatory bail is determined by time elapsed, irrespective of who caused the delay in committal proceedings.
Why it mattersBryan Kirumira, facing serious charges including human sacrifice, has been granted mandatory bail due to prolonged pre-trial detention, impacting the legal process and his sureties.
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