In Gulu, northern Uganda, young criminal gangs known as aguu instill fear through theft and violence. Patrick Ochen, a 27-year-old former child soldier and ex-agu, now leads efforts to rehabilitate these youths, offering them a path away from crime.

The Lendu tribe, known as Ndrukpa in Uganda, is set to enthrone Jimmy Agenunga as their king, Rapia III, between February and May 2024. The Lendu, a Central Sudanic speaking people, are one of Uganda's smallest tribes and have faced historical subjugation and exclusion, particularly by the Alur tribe. Dr Agatha Alidri, a scholar at Gulu University, has conducted detailed studies on the Lendu, funded by the Carnegie Corporation through Makerere University. The Ndrukpa kingdom, established in 2009 following inter-tribal conflict, seeks to restore dignity and recognition for the Lendu. Despite challenges such as limited land, education, and government attention, the Lendu are hopeful for the future under Agenunga's leadership.

Gulu University researchers, in collaboration with Roskilde University, are working on a paper about reparations for war victims in Northern Uganda. The research highlights the deep psychological trauma experienced by both victims and researchers, emphasizing the need for mental health support for those conducting emotionally sensitive research. The study focuses on the community's strong desire for reparations, including compensation, apologies, and truth-telling, amidst the lingering pain from the Lord’s Resistance Army conflict. The researchers plan to present their findings at the BSU Conference 2022.

The article discusses the efforts of Ugandan farmer Geoffrey Mabirizi Nsereko and organizations like NaCRRI, Cedo, and HarvestPlus in promoting biofortified crops, specifically beans with increased iron content and sweet potatoes enriched with Vitamin A. Nsereko's farm is part of a larger initiative to combat nutritional deficiencies by providing biofortified foods to a billion people by 2030. The article highlights the role of crossbreeding in enhancing the nutritional value of crops and the distribution chain from seed breeders to smallholder farmers. It also mentions the goal of expanding the number of Ugandan families growing biofortified crops to three million households by 2021.

The article criticizes the Uganda Police Force, the Electoral Commission, and the Ministry of Health for their roles in the 2021 elections, highlighting police brutality, biased enforcement of Covid-19 regulations, and the perceived ineffectiveness of these institutions. It portrays opposition candidates Robert Kyagulanyi Sssentamu and Patrick Oboi Amuriat as victims of state violence and criticizes the handling of the pandemic by the Ministry of Health, particularly Minister Jane Ruth Acheng. The text is highly opinionated, reflecting a negative sentiment towards the current government and its institutions.

Universities in Uganda, including Gulu University, are being urged to adopt digital tools for teaching and learning, especially in light of the Covid-19 pandemic. The pandemic has highlighted the necessity of e-learning, which has been supported by research and initiatives such as the Building Stronger Universities (BSU) program. Despite challenges like staff resistance and inadequate ICT infrastructure, there are efforts to integrate digital learning, supported by organizations like the National Curriculum Development Centre and the National Social Security Fund. The article emphasizes the urgency of digital transformation in education to ensure continuity and accessibility.

The article discusses the complex situation in Northern Uganda following the end of the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) conflict, highlighting the challenges of prosecuting individuals who were both victims and perpetrators. It emphasizes the need for transitional justice and criticizes the Ugandan government for its lack of political will and ineffective policies. The International Criminal Court's trial of Dominic Ongwen is seen as a beacon of hope, though it is overwhelmed by the high expectations of the victims. Experts call for a more citizen-driven approach to transitional justice and institutional reforms to ensure accountability.

The National Social Security Fund (NSSF) has initiated a project to set up digital libraries in government-aided schools across Uganda, starting with a UGX 450 million investment. This initiative aligns with the National Curriculum Development Centre's (NCDC) recent rollout of a digital syllabus for secondary schools. The launch event in Jinja saw the distribution of tablets pre-installed with the digital syllabus and financial literacy content to Mpumudde Seed Secondary School. The project, part of NSSF's Corporate Social Responsibility, aims to enhance digital learning in over 10 schools, including Nabumali High School, Sir. Tito Winy SS, and Kasasa SS. The NCDC, in collaboration with Sensal Systems, developed the Virtual Learn project to integrate ICT into education, addressing the evolving technical demands of the modern world.

The article contrasts the author's positive personal experiences in Iran with the negative portrayal often presented by Western media. It highlights the hospitality and cultural richness of Iran, while criticizing the biased reporting by outlets like BBC and Deutsche Welle. The author also touches on the geopolitical tensions between Iran and the US, attributing them to issues of sovereignty and Western influence. The narrative emphasizes the disparity between media reports and the reality observed by the author during his visit.

Uganda is embracing digital learning with the introduction of the 'Virtual Learn' project by the National Curriculum Development Centre (NCDC). This initiative allows students to access the entire syllabus and learning tools via tablets, promoting a shift from traditional teacher-centered methods to learner-centered approaches. The system is designed to work both online and offline, making it accessible even in rural areas. Several schools have already adopted the system, and the NCDC aims to expand its reach. The project is seen as a step towards modernizing education in line with global trends.

In Uganda, a significant portion of the population relies on biomass energy for cooking, with firewood being the most common source. The country's forest cover has drastically decreased from 24 percent in 1960 to 11 percent in 2015, largely due to agriculture and energy needs. Innovations in energy-efficient cooking stoves and charcoal production methods, such as retort and casamance kilns, have been introduced to combat environmental degradation and improve cost-effectiveness. These technologies can increase charcoal output from wood by up to 40 percent. The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development has been promoting these innovations since May 2014 in various districts. Despite the benefits, the cost of these technologies may be prohibitive for some.

The article discusses the traditional Ugandan grass-thatched house, highlighting its environmental benefits and adaptability to weather. It contrasts this with modern housing trends in Uganda, where more permanent materials like bricks and cement are preferred as a status symbol. The piece also introduces the concept of the Earthship, a sustainable housing model developed by Michael Reynolds in response to the 1970s energy crisis, which uses renewable and upcycled materials. The author suggests a potential return to traditional housing methods, modified to meet modern needs, as a logical response to climate change and health concerns.

The Ugandan Parliament approved a Ushs200 charge for accessing social media platforms, a measure proposed by the Ministry of Finance. This tax, aimed at generating UGX270 billion annually, has sparked controversy and confusion regarding its implementation. The government claims to have procured technology capable of distinguishing social media use from other internet activities. The tax will target all devices using SIM cards to access the internet, with telecom companies expected to pass the cost onto consumers. The tax will be applied each time a user logs into a social media app or website.

Human rights advocates in Uganda commend Inspector General of Police Martin Okoth Ochola for disbanding the Flying Squad unit, a move seen as progress in reducing human rights abuses and restoring public trust in the police. Dr. Livingstone Sewannyana of the Foundation for Human Rights Initiative and Robert Ssempala of the Human Rights Network of Journalists Uganda both express approval of the decision. Ochola has also closed the Nalufenya detention facility and reassigned the Flying Squad's commandant, Herbert Muhangi. The activists urge further actions to combat corruption and improve the police's investigative capacity.

Supporters of Simon Muyanga Lutaaya, a talk show host, have initiated a fundraising campaign to secure his release from prison. Lutaaya was imprisoned for failing to pay petition costs to Kenneth Lubogo, a lawmaker. Lubogo denies involvement in the arrest, suggesting Lutaaya may have staged it for public sympathy. Despite the controversy, the fundraising drive continues, led by former minister Asuman Kiyingi and former MP Salaam Musumba.

The proposed landlord-tenant bill in Uganda has sparked significant controversy, particularly over the issue of charging rent in foreign currencies. The bill, which includes provisions requiring national IDs for tenancy agreements and allowing landlords to determine rent increases, has faced criticism from various stakeholders, including tenants, property managers, and government officials. Critics argue that the bill favors landlords and lacks industry expertise, potentially harming the property market. The debate highlights the tension between protecting tenants' rights and accommodating landlords' interests.

The Islamic University in Uganda (IUIU) has expressed gratitude to the Nigerian government for supporting higher education in Uganda by sending and financially supporting Nigerian lecturers. IUIU Rector Dr. Ahmed Kawesa Sengendo highlighted the arrival of 18 Nigerian expatriates, with more expected, to fill gaps in various academic fields. The Nigerian government covers their salaries, while the university provides accommodation and other benefits. The initiative aims to strengthen bilateral ties between Uganda and Nigeria, with Nigerian officials ensuring the expatriates' comfort and mission success.

The article discusses President Yoweri Museveni's efforts to promote local solutions to climate change in Uganda, such as irrigation techniques and water conservation. It highlights the president's past environmental mistakes, including allowing deforestation for palm oil production, but acknowledges his recent initiatives to encourage adaptation to climate variability. The journalist, who is also the President & CEO of the Uganda Science Journalists Association, reflects on a project called 'water smart agriculture' under the Global Water Initiative East Africa managed by CARE, which demonstrated that smallholder farmers could increase yields through water conservation methods. The article emphasizes the importance of local, low-cost innovations in agriculture to combat the effects of climate change and ensure food security in Uganda.

Jackson Kitamirike, a water quality specialist, observes the environmental degradation in western Uganda's Fort Portal and the challenges of managing water in the Albertine Rift valley. The region has faced destructive floods, with rivers Mubuku and Nyamwamba contributing to siltation in Lake Albert. Uganda's Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) initiative, influenced by international conferences and supported by Denmark, aims to address these issues through coordinated development and management of water and land resources. Despite efforts, including tree planting by WWF-Uganda, challenges such as poverty, institutional weaknesses, and lack of coordination hinder progress. The urgency of IWRM is underscored by the potential for increased natural hazards and the necessity to adapt to climate change.