President Yoweri Museveni warned that restricting access to the Indian Ocean for landlocked countries like Uganda could trigger future conflicts in East Africa. He described exclusive maritime claims as “madness” and said Uganda relies on Kenya and Tanzania for trade and defence purposes. Museveni cited logistical and infrastructure challenges, including pipelines and railways, and urged stronger regional cooperation to ensure equitable access and maintain East African stability.

Uganda’s parliamentary campaigns opened with more than 2,700 candidates contesting 519 seats nationwide. While some candidates launched high-profile events, many incumbent MPs chose modest campaigns focused on grassroots engagement and performance-based appeals. The Electoral Commission urged candidates to comply with laws against bribery, hate speech, and misinformation. Campaigns will run until Jan. 13, 2026, ahead of polling on January 15, as parties and independents compete across Uganda’s constituencies.

Kenyan activists Bob Njagi and Nicholas Oyoo were released after being secretly detained for about five weeks by Ugandan military forces. Their abduction in Kampala followed their participation in a political event linked to opposition leader Bobi Wine. Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni later admitted they were held “in the fridge.” Their freedom came after diplomatic pressure from Kenya, protests, and legal efforts. The men were welcomed home in Nairobi on Nov. 8, 2025.

The Ugandan government has scheduled a high-level meeting with public service unions to address salary disparities, promotion delays, and other employment grievances. The session will include representatives from the Uganda National Teachers’ Union, the Uganda Local Government Workers Union, and the Uganda Technical and Vocational Trainers Union. The talks follow recent strikes over unequal pay and misclassification of roles. Union leaders expect the discussions to produce concrete reforms and restore industrial harmony.

Zohran Mamdani, a 34-year-old politician born in Kampala, won the New York City mayoral election on a progressive platform focused on reducing inequality and corruption. Mentors in Uganda recall his early concern for economic justice during his teenage internship at the Daily Monitor. His victory inspired Ugandan youths and opposition leaders, who view his success as proof that young people can drive political change even amid restrictive conditions at home.

Kampala Central parliamentary aspirant Abraham Luzzi unveiled an anti-corruption plan that seeks to impose strict penalties, including the death penalty, on officials and private actors who cause major financial losses to the Ugandan government. His proposed Accountability Enforcement Act would fast-track corruption cases, recover stolen assets with interest, and permanently bar offenders from public office. Luzzi says the plan aims to replace impunity with integrity and restore public trust in state institutions.