In Uganda, a rift has emerged in the music industry as some musicians who previously opposed the government are now accepting bailouts and attending events organized by President Museveni's brother, General Salim Saleh. This shift follows a period where musicians ran as opposition candidates and criticized the ruling party's corruption. The government's actions, including training programs and financial support, have attracted struggling artists but also led to accusations of buying off musicians to silence dissent. Key figures like Robert Kyagulanyi (Bobi Wine) have criticized fellow artists for betraying the public's trust, while others defend their actions as necessary for industry improvement. The situation has polarized the music sector and led to public skepticism about the artists' integrity.

The ban on commercial charcoal trade in Uganda, decreed by President Yoweri Museveni, has been met with mixed reactions. While environmentalists welcome the move to protect forest cover and reduce carbon emissions, the abrupt implementation has devastated the livelihoods of many, including traders like Hamidu Ssenyondo and Irene Nabantanzi. The ban has led to a surge in charcoal prices and illegal production, with traders resorting to bribery and smuggling to continue their business. Authorities are enforcing the ban with the help of community volunteers, but corruption allegations persist. Alternatives to charcoal, such as hydropower and 'green charcoal,' are being discussed, but the lack of infrastructure and policies for these alternatives has left many former sellers and buyers of charcoal feeling they were sacrificed without adequate support or preparation for the transition.

Uganda's anti-homosexuality law has led to increased reports of police blackmail, harassment, and torture against LGBTQ+ individuals. Clare Novia, a transgender woman, experienced assault by police officers and has since moved due to trauma. The law, which includes severe penalties for same-sex acts, has been criticized for contradicting human rights conventions. The Ugandan Public Prosecutor's Office is now requiring legal opinions before filing charges, and a plan to educate police and prosecutors is in progress. Human rights lawyer Frank Mugisha and others argue the law should be repealed, and activists are challenging it in court, with a hearing set for October 12. The law has resulted in evictions, job losses, healthcare access issues, and increased violence against the LGBTQ+ community.

Lawrence Okettayot and Morris Opiyo, two Ugandan entrepreneurs, have developed an eco-friendly, low-tech thermal dehydrator called the 'Sparky Dryer' to help reduce food waste by drying fruits and vegetables. The dryer uses heat from briquettes made from waste paper and other natural materials, which is a sustainable alternative to charcoal, the common source of energy in Uganda. The invention aims to address the issue of food spoilage, which is significant in Africa, with about half of crops lost post-harvest. The entrepreneurs have sold 43 dryers across Uganda and other African countries and are planning to expand. The Ugandan government faces challenges in implementing food preservation due to limited funds and a shortage of extension workers. The dryers are priced affordably to be accessible to local farmers, and the creators are also considering an academy to train youths in manufacturing the dryers.

Uganda's LGBTIQ community is struggling to access HIV medical care following the enactment of a harsh new law criminalizing homosexuality and its promotion. The law threatens to dismantle a decade's worth of healthcare systems built for the community, increasing stigma and discrimination. Human rights activists and organizations like Ice Breaker and TASO are working to ensure continued access to treatment despite the challenges. The international community, including the USA and the World Bank, is reconsidering its financial support to Uganda, which could further impact the healthcare sector. The situation is particularly dire in rural areas, where conservative communities have forced the closure of some healthcare providers serving marginalized groups.

In northern Uganda, revered shea trees, vital for local medicine, cooking, and cultural rituals, are under threat from illegal logging for charcoal production and climate change. Despite a 2018 government ban on cutting and transporting shea trees, illegal felling by charcoal dealers continues, exacerbated by extreme weather that reduces fruit production. Local clan leader Justine Tooyero and his community are working to protect the trees, with over 200 arrests made this year. The Center for International Forestry Research notes the environmental and economic importance of shea trees, which are also part of the 'shea belt' across Africa. Efforts to save the trees include grafting methods to speed up maturation, distributing seedlings, and promoting alternative livelihoods like beekeeping. Cultural leaders are also invoking traditional beliefs to discourage tree cutting, but there are calls for stricter enforcement of the ban.

Ojok Okello is spearheading a community development project in his father's home village of Okere, Uganda, aiming to transform it into 'Okere City'. Growing up amidst international aid projects and having earned a master's degree in development, Okello understands the importance of community involvement in such initiatives. He has personally funded the project, which includes a kindergarten, an adult literacy program, a clinic, a shea-processing operation, a boxing club, and a market. Despite the challenges of funding, Okello is determined to continue investing in the project, emphasizing the need for trust, collaboration, and aligning with the community's needs rather than imposing external agendas. The project has received some donor support, but sustainable funding remains a concern.

The Uganda Ministry of Water and Environment's irrigation scheme, supported by the African Development Bank with 27 billion Ugandan shillings, failed to meet expectations, leading to food insecurity and low crop production in Agoro. Farmers, facing adverse climatic conditions, have turned to quick-maturing crops like maize and beans. The government contracted Gets Technical Services Limited for a second rehabilitation, which is delayed, causing further concern among farmers. The Nile Basin Initiative's analysis suggests that climate change and population growth are increasing water demand, and recommends efficient water use and crop selection. Uganda's National Irrigation Policy aims to increase irrigated agriculture by 2040. Environmental scientists advise against the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides due to potential river contamination and suggest planting trees to control water runoff. Farmers are adapting with smart farming methods, but the completion of the irrigation scheme remains uncertain.

The article discusses the controversial proposal by Uganda's President Yoweri Museveni to eliminate bail for capital offences. This has been met with resistance from various quarters, including some members of his own party, the National Resistance Movement (NRM), and the opposition. The case of Muhammad Ssegirinya, an opposition MP from the National Unity Party (NUP), and his co-accused Allan Ssewanyana, highlights the issue. They have been denied bail despite facing murder and terrorism charges, which they claim are politically motivated. Opposition figures argue that the proposed bail reforms are an attempt to further suppress political dissent. The article also touches on the history of the NRM using legal amendments to consolidate power and the potential for these changes to backfire on members of the ruling party.

James Malish, a refugee from South Sudan residing in Uganda's Bidi Bidi settlement, has created a Facebook page called 'Daily Refugee’s Stories' to share personal narratives of refugees, humanizing their experiences. The page has gained attention and facilitated aid, such as donations and the repair of water facilities. Malish, who learned digital storytelling through a World Food Program course, has since founded Afri-Youth Network, teaching digital storytelling skills to youth. His work has been recognized by the World Economic Forum, and he plans to expand his program to all refugee settlements in Uganda.

The article tells the stories of former 'wives' of the convicted LRA commander Dominic Ongwen, who were abducted and forced into marriage and motherhood by the rebel group. Dilis Abang and Evelyn Aromorach, among others, faced severe trauma during their captivity and were subsequently shunned by their communities upon their return. They found solace and support in each other, forming a new family unit. The women are now seeking compensation from the ICC as war victims, although the process is complicated and their eligibility is uncertain. They continue to face economic and social challenges but are determined to build a future together.

In response to the PPE shortage amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Takataka Plastics, a social enterprise in Gulu, Uganda, shifted from turning plastic waste into building materials to producing recycled plastic face shields. Co-founders Peter Okwoko and Paige Balcom began manufacturing the shields after a request from a local hospital. The enterprise has made about 1,200 face shields, selling some at low cost and donating others to public hospitals. The initiative not only addresses the PPE shortage but also combats plastic pollution. The World Health Organization has reported severe disruptions in PPE supplies globally, and Uganda's Ministry of Health has acknowledged shortages. Takataka Plastics aims to expand its operations and continue fighting COVID-19.

In Uganda, farmers like Mr. Okello are facing crop destruction due to elephants from Murchison Falls National Park. Traditional methods like using chili peppers and electric fences to deter elephants were ineffective. A trip by local leaders to Kenya, organized by the International Fund for Animal Welfare, revealed that elephants are afraid of bees. This led to the adoption of 'hive fences' in Uganda, which have proven to stop about 80% of elephant intrusions. Beekeeping presents its own challenges, such as the cost of hives and the labor involved in maintenance. Despite this, hive fences have become a dual solution, protecting crops and providing additional income through honey production. The Uganda Wildlife Authority suggests other measures like trenches and electric fences, and a bill for compensating farmers for crop damage by wild animals is awaiting the president's signature. Mr. Okello and other farmers continue to rely on their bees as a defense against elephants.