16 October 2025 Emirates Airlines celebrates 25 years of operations since the inaugural flight to Entebbe International Airport in 2000. Over the years, the largest Airlines globally says it has transported 2.8 million passengers on 15,900 flights, connecting passengers from Uganda, with its vast global network, via Dubai. Emirates Country Manager Mohammed Taher says they have built strong ties and strong partnership with Uganda. Taher notes that for the last two years, Emirates and the Uganda Tourism Board have collaborated to stimulate inbound tourism, promoting the country’s stunning natural landscapes, free-roaming wildlife experiences, thrilling adventure sports and rich culture, in key destinations on the airline’s network. “Uganda is not only a key market on our network, but also one of our most loved destinations in Africa. As Uganda’s tourism and aviation sectors continue to flourish, we are proud to play a pivotal role in connecting international travellers to the country and helping passengers from Uganda explore more of the world in comfort.” Taher said. Taher adds that since January 2025, Emirates has realized a 16% increase in passengers on the Dubai-Entebbe route, with key traffic from the US, China, India, the UK, Thailand and the Middle East, including Saudi Arabia and the UAE. Emirates Vice President Commercial Operations in Sub Saharan Africa Rashid Alardha says the airline currently employs 25 Ugandans noting that more opportunities will be opened up for Ugandans. “This year Emirates plans to hire 17,000 new employees globally and we encourage Ugandans to apply through our transparent online process. Alardha said. Speaking at the same event, Works and Transport Minister Gen. Katumba Wamala hailed Emirates for being an enabler in the development of Uganda’s aviation sector. Story by Wycliffe Sebunya
16 October 2025 Ministers of water , sanitation and environment leaders from across the globe are expected to converge in the Spanish Capital Madrid to discuss ways of ensuring easy access to water , sanitation and climate resilience. The much anticipated engagement will take place from October 22nd to 23rd 2025 and will be co-convened by the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the Sanitation and Water for All(SWA). The Permanent Secretary Ministry of Water and Environment Dr. Alfred Okot Okidi will represent Uganda at the global meet which will run under the theme “Breaking Silos: Uniting Political Leadership to Integrate Water , Sanitation and Climate Action”. The SMM will allow African leaders to exchange experiences, deepen south-south collaboration, and accelerate progress toward Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG 6)— ensuring availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all. “African governments have shown that when political will meets partnership, results follow,” said Muyatwa Sitali, Acting CEO of Sanitation and Water for All (SWA). “The SMM is where global commitments meet local realities — and Africa’s leadership will be critical to achieving lasting change.” The Sanitation and Water for All Partners warn that limited access to safe drinking water , failure to manage sanitation and climate change threaten the health, education , food security and economic stability of a number of countries in Sub Saharan Africa. Statistics by the World Health Organization indicate that nearly 400 million people in sub-Saharan Africa still lack access to safe drinking water, while more than 700 million do not have access to safely managed sanitation. They anticipate that governments will endorse bold, measurable commitments to close gaps in access and strengthen climate resilience and also come up with a framework to track progress. Story by Wycliffe Sebunya.
16 October 2025 President Yoweri Museveni joins regional and global powers in mourning Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Odinga. Odinga died Wednesday after suffering a heart attack while undergoing treatment in India. Odinga served as Prime Minister between 2008 and 2013 He ran unsuccessfully for the presidency five times and rejected the results on each occasion, often saying that victory had been stolen from him. In a statement, President Museveni says hails Odinga for being a freedom fighter, in the tradition of his late father Jaramogi Odinga, the 1st Vice President of Kenya. Museveni says Odinga had patriotic, Pan Africanist orientation and has supported the struggles for the realization of East African dream. Meanwhile, Kenyan opposition leader and lawyer Martha Karua who was running mate for the late Raila Odinga in 2022 Kenyan election says Kenya and Africa have lost a person who continued to fight people’s rights. His death found Karua in Uganda as she represented jailed veteran politician Kizza Besigye in court. The opposition National Unity Platform party presidential candidate Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu mourns Odinga. Kyagulanyi has described Raila Odinga as an icon of African politics. Kenya’s President William Ruto has declared seven days of mourning following the death of Odinga. In a proclamation issued at State house Nairobi President Ruto also announced the suspension of all his public engagements and that Odinga will be accorded a state funeral. Ruto says Odinga’s legacy as a reformist and unifying figure will remain unmatched. Story by Our Reporters
16 October 2025 Emirates Airlines celebrates 25 years of operations since the inaugural flight to Entebbe International Airport in 2000. Over the years, the largest Airlines globally says it has transported 2.8 million passengers on 15,900 flights, connecting passengers from Uganda, with its vast global network, via Dubai. Emirates Country Manager Mohammed Taher says they have built strong ties and strong partnership with Uganda. Taher notes that for the last two years, Emirates and the Uganda Tourism Board have collaborated to stimulate inbound tourism, promoting the country’s stunning natural landscapes, free-roaming wildlife experiences, thrilling adventure sports and rich culture, in key destinations on the airline’s network. “Uganda is not only a key market on our network, but also one of our most loved destinations in Africa. As Uganda’s tourism and aviation sectors continue to flourish, we are proud to play a pivotal role in connecting international travellers to the country and helping passengers from Uganda explore more of the world in comfort.” Taher said. Taher adds that since January 2025, Emirates has realized a 16% increase in passengers on the Dubai-Entebbe route, with key traffic from the US, China, India, the UK, Thailand and the Middle East, including Saudi Arabia and the UAE. Emirates Vice President Commercial Operations in Sub Saharan Africa Rashid Alardha says the airline currently employs 25 Ugandans noting that more opportunities will be opened up for Ugandans. “This year Emirates plans to hire 17,000 new employees globally and we encourage Ugandans to apply through our transparent online process. Alardha said. Speaking at the same event, Works and Transport Minister Gen. Katumba Wamala hailed Emirates for being an enabler in the development of Uganda’s aviation sector. Story by Wycliffe Sebunya
16 October 2025 Ministers of water , sanitation and environment leaders from across the globe are expected to converge in the Spanish Capital Madrid to discuss ways of ensuring easy access to water , sanitation and climate resilience. The much anticipated engagement will take place from October 22nd to 23rd 2025 and will be co-convened by the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the Sanitation and Water for All(SWA). The Permanent Secretary Ministry of Water and Environment Dr. Alfred Okot Okidi will represent Uganda at the global meet which will run under the theme “Breaking Silos: Uniting Political Leadership to Integrate Water , Sanitation and Climate Action”. The SMM will allow African leaders to exchange experiences, deepen south-south collaboration, and accelerate progress toward Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG 6)— ensuring availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all. “African governments have shown that when political will meets partnership, results follow,” said Muyatwa Sitali, Acting CEO of Sanitation and Water for All (SWA). “The SMM is where global commitments meet local realities — and Africa’s leadership will be critical to achieving lasting change.” The Sanitation and Water for All Partners warn that limited access to safe drinking water , failure to manage sanitation and climate change threaten the health, education , food security and economic stability of a number of countries in Sub Saharan Africa. Statistics by the World Health Organization indicate that nearly 400 million people in sub-Saharan Africa still lack access to safe drinking water, while more than 700 million do not have access to safely managed sanitation. They anticipate that governments will endorse bold, measurable commitments to close gaps in access and strengthen climate resilience and also come up with a framework to track progress. Story by Wycliffe Sebunya.
16 October 2025 President Yoweri Museveni joins regional and global powers in mourning Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Odinga. Odinga died Wednesday after suffering a heart attack while undergoing treatment in India. Odinga served as Prime Minister between 2008 and 2013 He ran unsuccessfully for the presidency five times and rejected the results on each occasion, often saying that victory had been stolen from him. In a statement, President Museveni says hails Odinga for being a freedom fighter, in the tradition of his late father Jaramogi Odinga, the 1st Vice President of Kenya. Museveni says Odinga had patriotic, Pan Africanist orientation and has supported the struggles for the realization of East African dream. Meanwhile, Kenyan opposition leader and lawyer Martha Karua who was running mate for the late Raila Odinga in 2022 Kenyan election says Kenya and Africa have lost a person who continued to fight people’s rights. His death found Karua in Uganda as she represented jailed veteran politician Kizza Besigye in court. The opposition National Unity Platform party presidential candidate Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu mourns Odinga. Kyagulanyi has described Raila Odinga as an icon of African politics. Kenya’s President William Ruto has declared seven days of mourning following the death of Odinga. In a proclamation issued at State house Nairobi President Ruto also announced the suspension of all his public engagements and that Odinga will be accorded a state funeral. Ruto says Odinga’s legacy as a reformist and unifying figure will remain unmatched. Story by Our Reporters
