The Church of Uganda has confirmed that this year’s national Uganda Martyrs’ Day celebrations will be held scientifically, with strict adherence to Ministry of Health Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), according to a press release issued on 28th May 2026.
The Most Rev. Dr. Stephen Samuel Kaziimba Mugalu, Archbishop of the Church of Uganda, recently visited the Uganda Martyrs’ Anglican Site at Namugongo to assess readiness. Uganda Christian University (UCU) has been mandated by the House of Bishops to organize this year’s celebrations on behalf of the Church.
In light of current public health circumstances, the Church has outlined the following arrangements:
National celebrations at Namugongo Anglican Site will be held strictly by invitation, with attendance limited in line with Ministry of Health guidelines.
Dioceses are encouraged to commemorate Martyrs’ Day in their respective parishes across the province.
The official Martyrs’ Day liturgy will be shared through Diocesan Secretaries in due course.
The phrase “scientific celebrations” has become standard terminology in Uganda for events conducted under strict health protocols typically including social distancing, limited crowd sizes, mandatory handwashing or sanitizing, and mask-wearing where required.
The Archbishop has further assigned Uganda Christian University to continue organizing this year’s scientific celebrations and also prepare to coordinate next year’s Uganda Martyrs’ Day celebrations.
The Church of Uganda encouraged all Christians and members of the public to continue observing the Ministry of Health SOPs for the safety and well-being of all.
Uganda Martyrs’ Day, observed annually on 3rd June, commemorates the execution of Christian converts both Anglican and Catholic who were killed on the orders of Kabaka Mwanga II between 1885 and 1887. The Anglican martyrs are remembered at Namugongo, where many lost their lives.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Inquiries: Rev. Canon William Ongeng Provincial Secretary Church of Uganda +256 772 351056 Email: pschurchofuganda@gmail.com
Church of Uganda to Hold Scientific National Martyrs’ Day Celebrations
Spiro, Africa’s leading electric two-wheeler company and operator of the continent’s fastest-growing battery-swapping network, has acquired Coexlion a specialist motorcycle engineering and design firm with roots in the United Kingdom and India.
The deal, announced on 28th May 2026, marks a significant strategic shift for Spiro. Rather than relying solely on external suppliers for vehicle design, the company is now bringing engineering expertise directly into its technology platform.
The goal? To build electric motorcycles that are not just assembled in Africa, but designed and engineered specifically for African roads, riders, and conditions.
Coexlion may be lean, but its track record is substantial. The firm employs 28 engineers who have contributed to more than 25 motorcycle programmes globally. Their expertise spans:
Electric two-wheeler development
Chassis and frame engineering
Vehicle integration
Reliability engineering
Battery systems
Industrial design
Strategically located in India’s innovation hub and the United Kingdom, Coexlion also has experience working across East Africa. That regional knowledge will be invaluable as Spiro looks to tailor its products to local usage patterns from the potholed streets of Kampala to the long-distance routes in rural Kenya.
Spiro currently assembles its electric motorcycles in Africa, with active assembly plants in Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda, and Nigeria. But assembly is only one piece of the puzzle.
The acquisition of Coexlion is expected to accelerate product development cycles, improve localization of components and vehicle architecture, and support Spiro’s long-term objective of building as much of its technology, design, and manufacturing capability in-house and locally as possible.
“We want to progressively own and develop the engineering, design, and product capabilities behind our vehicles,” said Gagan Gupta, Founder of Spiro.
Perhaps the most significant signal of Spiro’s ambition is the announcement that, following the acquisition, the company plans to open its first African R&D centre in Kenya.
Currently, Spiro’s technology platform is supported by an R&D centre in Pune, India, which houses more than 150 engineers and over 30 proprietary patents. An African R&D hub would bring product development closer to the end user allowing faster iteration based on real-world riding conditions and rider feedback.
“This acquisition is an important milestone in Spiro’s long-term strategy to build a truly African mobility platform,” Gupta added.
Electric mobility is still in its early stages across Africa, but the potential is enormous. Motorcycles are a primary mode of transport for millions of people from boda boda riders to delivery drivers to rural commuters. Transitioning that fleet to electric power could slash emissions, reduce fuel import costs, and create new jobs in manufacturing and maintenance.
However, most electric motorcycles available in Africa today are designed and engineered elsewhere often for very different road conditions and usage patterns.
By bringing engineering expertise in-house, Spiro is positioning itself to build vehicles that are:
More durable on rough and unpaved roads
Affordable for African riders
Easier to maintain with locally available skills and parts
Thomas Llewellyn, Founder of Coexlion, said joining Spiro would allow the firm to apply its engineering expertise at greater scale.
“Joining Spiro gives Coexlion the opportunity to apply its engineering expertise at greater scale and in a market with enormous long-term potential,” Llewellyn said. “We are excited to support Spiro’s mission to advance electric mobility through locally relevant design, engineering, and manufacturing.”
Spiro’s acquisition of Coexlion reflects a broader trend: leading African companies are moving beyond being distributors or assemblers of foreign technology. They are increasingly investing in the engineering, R&D, and intellectual property that will define the next generation of African-made products.
If successful, this strategy could position Spiro not just as a dominant player in African e-mobility, but as a company that designs and builds technology for the continent by engineers who understand it.
Spiro has acquired Coexlion and will soon launch its 1st African R&D center in Kenya.
This strategic move strengthens our product development & localization. Coexlion’s engineering depth will help us build affordable EVs adapted for African terrain. pic.twitter.com/vdxmFzY53N
The National Unity Platform (NUP) has reappointed Joel Ssenyonyi as Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in Parliament, reaffirming its confidence in the Nakawa West legislator as the party prepares for the 12th Parliament.
The announcement was made by NUP Secretary General David Lewis Rubongoya at the party headquarters in Kampala, ending weeks of speculation over who would lead the opposition bloc in the new parliamentary term.
Ssenyonyi, who first assumed the position in December 2023, will continue to head the opposition in Parliament following his reappointment by Uganda’s largest opposition party. The decision signals continuity in NUP’s parliamentary strategy as the party seeks to strengthen oversight, accountability, and representation in the new House.
Alongside Ssenyonyi’s reappointment, NUP unveiled a new parliamentary leadership structure. Jinja South East MP Paul Mwiru was appointed Opposition Chief Whip, replacing John Baptist Nambeshe, who has been nominated to represent the opposition on the Parliamentary Commission, Parliament’s top administrative body.
Kayunga District Woman MP Harriet Nakwedde was named Deputy Chief Whip, completing the party’s top parliamentary leadership team for the 2026–2031 legislative term.
The decision comes at a time when NUP is seeking to consolidate its position as the country’s leading opposition force following the January 2026 general elections. Despite losing some parliamentary seats, the party remains the largest opposition grouping in Parliament and therefore retains the constitutional right to nominate the Leader of the Opposition.
Ssenyonyi’s reappointment follows a tenure in which he became one of the most vocal critics of government, particularly on issues of corruption, accountability, and governance. During the 11th Parliament, he frequently challenged public spending practices and called for greater transparency within state institutions.
Political analysts say retaining Ssenyonyi gives NUP an experienced parliamentary figure at a time when the opposition is expected to navigate a legislature dominated by the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM).
The reappointment is also seen as an endorsement of Ssenyonyi’s performance in the role and a sign that the party leadership is prioritizing stability as the 12th Parliament begins its work.
With parliamentary leadership positions now taking shape, attention is expected to shift to how the opposition will engage with the new Speaker Jacob Oboth-Oboth and Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa, as well as the legislative agenda of the newly constituted House.
NUP leaders say the opposition’s focus will remain on holding government accountable, defending democratic principles, and advocating for policies that address the concerns of ordinary Ugandans.
As Parliament settles into its new term, Ssenyonyi’s return to the opposition’s top parliamentary office ensures that one of Uganda’s most recognizable opposition voices will continue to play a central role in shaping debate both inside and outside the chamber.
At least 16 students have died and several others were injured after a devastating fire swept through a girls’ boarding school in Kenya’s Nakuru County in the early hours of Thursday.
The blaze broke out at Utumishi Girls Academy in Gilgil, about 120 kilometers northwest of Nairobi, while students were asleep in their dormitories, triggering panic as hundreds attempted to escape.
Kenyan authorities confirmed that 16 students lost their lives in the tragedy, while dozens sustained injuries of varying severity. Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba, who visited the scene, said 71 injured students had been treated and discharged from hospital, while seven remained admitted for further medical care.
According to police, the fire started at around 1:00 a.m. and rapidly engulfed a dormitory housing approximately 220 students. Emergency response teams managed to contain the flames by about 3:00 a.m., but not before extensive damage had been done.
“The dormitory was completely destroyed,” Ogamba told reporters, describing the incident as one of the country’s latest school fire tragedies.
Witnesses said many students were forced to flee in darkness and confusion as the fire spread through the building. Some reportedly sustained injuries after jumping from upper floors while attempting to escape the flames.
Family members who rushed to the school following news of the fire described scenes of fear and uncertainty.
Wambui Nderitu, whose cousin attends the school, said parents and relatives gathered outside the institution desperately seeking information about their children.
“When we arrived, there was confusion everywhere. People were worried because reports had already emerged that some students had died while others had been taken to hospital,” she said.
Nderitu added that her cousin survived the fire but suffered a broken leg during the escape.
Police commander Masoud Mwinyi said authorities were still accounting for all students, noting that some fled into nearby communities during the chaos.
“As we speak, our officers are combing the area because some students fled in shock and fear during the night,” Mwinyi said.
The school has since been cordoned off as investigators work to establish the cause of the fire. Access to the premises has been restricted, with only parents and authorized personnel permitted entry.
Search-and-rescue operations continued throughout the day, while emergency teams from the Kenya Red Cross provided support to affected students and families.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen expressed condolences to the bereaved families and urged the public to avoid speculation as investigations continue.
“It is a very anxious moment. We stand with the affected families in prayer and support during this difficult time,” Murkomen said.
The tragedy has once again drawn attention to the persistent problem of school fires in Kenya, particularly in boarding institutions.
The country has recorded numerous deadly dormitory fires over the years, with investigators often linking incidents to arson, overcrowding, poor safety standards, and inadequate emergency preparedness.
One of Kenya’s deadliest school fire disasters occurred in 2001 when 67 students died after a dormitory was set ablaze at a secondary school in Machakos County.
More recently, a dormitory fire in central Kenya claimed the lives of at least 21 students in 2024, while other incidents in 2022 and 2017 also resulted in deaths and widespread destruction.
Government data has previously highlighted the scale of the problem. The Ministry of Education reported 126 cases of school arson between January and November 2020, underscoring ongoing concerns about safety in educational institutions.
As investigations into the Gilgil tragedy continue, authorities are expected to review safety measures at schools across the country to prevent similar incidents in the future.
The Ministry of Education said students would be released to their parents and guardians as investigations and recovery efforts proceed.
An in‑depth analysis of how global networks and local fintechs compete and collaborate to serve the unbanked.
Africa’s digital payments sector is booming. In early 2024, the number of FinTech companies on the continent had risen to about 1,263, nearly triple the 450 recorded in 2020. These firms captured roughly 60 percent of all African equity funding, underscoring investor confidence. Yet the market remains largely untapped: hundreds of millions of Africans still pay with cash, and more than 400 million remain unbanked. Into this opportunity have stepped global card networks Visa and Mastercard.
Visa’s strategy centres on partnerships with banks and mobile network operators. By embedding its payment rails into mobile money wallets and bank apps, it aims to connect the continent’s fragmented payment landscape. The company has piloted interoperable QR codes and contactless cards in East and West Africa and backed infrastructure projects like Ghana’s real‑time interoperable payments system. Mastercard, by contrast, emphasises grassroots initiatives. It invests in digital tools for small merchants and rural cooperatives, helping them to accept electronic payments and manage inventory. It has launched community‑level programmes in Kenya, Rwanda and Nigeria that bundle payment services with credit and savings.
Both firms face challenges. High mobile data costs, patchy internet coverage and complex regulatory environments make it hard to scale. Indigenous payment providers, many supported by government and regional bodies, are competing fiercely with global brands. Fintech platforms like Flutterwave, Paystack and M‑Pesa already handle most peer‑to‑peer transfers, while regional projects such as the Pan‑African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS) promise to simplify cross‑border payments. To remain relevant, Visa and Mastercard must offer services that go beyond plastic cards and partner authentically with local innovators.
The outcome of this contest will shape Africa’s digital economy. If Visa, Mastercard and African fintechs cooperate on open, low‑cost and interoperable systems, consumers will enjoy easier remittances, safer online shopping and a wider array of financial products. If competition stifles interoperability or entrenches monopolies, the continent risks replicating old inequalities in a new digital guise.
Digital payment rails underpin trade, investment and everyday commerce. Understanding the competitive dynamics between Visa, Mastercard, and local FinTechs helps policymakers craft rules that foster innovation while protecting consumers. It also highlights the need for open platforms and regional payment infrastructures that lower costs and accelerate financial inclusion. A collaborative approach will ensure Africa’s digital payment revolution benefits everyone, not just corporate giants.
For Owembabazi Moureen, darkness once came with danger hiding inside it.
In her home in Bukalango, Wakiso District, a single candle flame nearly changed everything forever.
Like many families living without reliable electricity, Moureen depended on candles to bring light into the night. The flame was small, fragile, and ordinary, until the moment it almost became fatal.
The fire came suddenly. And in those terrifying moments, Moureen and her two children nearly lost their lives.
Afterward, nights no longer felt safe. Every flicker carried fear.
Every evening reminded her how close she had come to losing everything.
But then Solar M7 arrived. And for the first time in a long while, darkness stopped feeling dangerous.
Today, her home glows with clean, steady light. There is no smoke filling the room. No open flame threatening the children as they sleep. No fear of another candle turning into disaster during the night.
The atmosphere inside the house has changed completely.
Safer. Calmer. Peaceful again.
“When the fire happened, I feared for my children and for my life,” Moureen shared during her interview. “But now we have safe light at home, and I sleep without the fear candles once brought into our lives.”
According to Doreen Nanfuka, many families across underserved communities continue risking their safety every night because safer energy alternatives remain out of reach.
“People often normalise candles because they are common,” Doreen explained. “But behind many candle-lit homes are stories of burns, fires, injuries, and trauma. Safe solar lighting changes that reality completely.”
Innocent Kawooya says one of the most powerful impacts of Solar M7 is helping families replace fear with safety and dignity.
“Reliable solar light protects households from dangers many people have silently accepted for years,” he noted. “Families deserve lighting solutions that support life rather than threaten it.”
Today, evenings inside Moureen’s home feel different.
Two children sleep safely beneath reliable light.
A mother rests with peace instead of fear.
And in a house where a candle flame once nearly ended everything, Solar M7 now shines as something far greater than electricity.
It shines as survival. It shines as peace.
Watch the full story of Owembabazi Moureen from Bukalango, Wakiso District, Uganda across our platforms:
