At least 112 health workers supported by Medical Teams International (MTI), with funding from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), have been recalled, validated, and redeployed across 15 integrated health facilities in Adjumani District, bringing relief to a health system that had been under severe strain.

The development follows the January layoff of 243 health workers previously supported by UNHCR through MTI, after funding constraints disrupted service delivery in the refugee-hosting district.

Adjumani District Health Officer, Dr. Dominic Drametu, welcomed the reinstatement, saying it is expected to restore critical health services that had been significantly affected.

For months, the district has been grappling with a shortage of medical personnel, raising concerns over a potential health crisis in a region that hosts one of Uganda’s largest refugee populations.

Adjumani District LC5 Chairperson Ben Anyama earlier confirmed that the mass layoffs had left a serious gap in service delivery across integrated health facilities.

The layoffs triggered alarm among leaders in the West Nile sub-region, who warned that essential services such as maternal healthcare, disease prevention, and emergency response were at risk of collapsing if no intervention was made.

In response, district authorities held a series of urgent engagements with implementing partners and humanitarian agencies to seek a solution to the crisis.

Adjumani District currently hosts more than 230,000 refugees across 19 settlements, placing sustained pressure on already stretched health infrastructure and personnel.

Medical Teams International had earlier attributed the layoffs to funding constraints, while UNHCR also acknowledged financial challenges affecting continued staffing support in integrated health services.

Despite the partial reinstatement, district leaders have renewed calls for long-term and predictable funding from development partners and government to avoid recurring disruptions in service delivery.

They warn that without sustainable financing mechanisms, both refugee and host community health systems remain vulnerable to sudden shocks.

The return of the 112 health workers is now being viewed as a stabilising step for the district’s healthcare system, although stakeholders insist that deeper structural solutions are still urgently needed to secure continuity of care.

Police in Terego District have launched investigations into the fatal shooting of a 21-year-old boda boda rider in what is suspected to be an aggravated robbery along Katrini Secondary School Road.

The deceased, identified as Bill Yamindu, a resident of Ora Village in Olua Parish, Katrini Sub-county, was shot dead yesterday at around 10:00 a.m. The incident was reported to police approximately 30 minutes later.

According to preliminary findings, the attackers posed as passengers and hired Yamindu from a boda boda stage at Ojipaku Trading Centre before directing him along Katrini Secondary School Road.

West Nile Regional Police Spokesperson, SSP Josephine Angucia, said the suspects later changed their plan after noticing people working in nearby gardens.

She added that the attackers immediately fled the scene with the victim’s motorcycle, a red Bajaj, whose registration details are yet to be confirmed by the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA).

Police later visited the scene, recorded witness statements, and transported the body to Arua Regional Referral Hospital for postmortem examination.

In a breakthrough, one suspect identified as Moses Otori was arrested with the help of community members and is currently in custody assisting with investigations.

The case has been registered under Terego District, with police continuing efforts to track down other suspects and recover the firearm used in the attack.

Authorities have warned that the circulation of illegal firearms continues to pose a serious threat to public safety, particularly in rural communities.

The incident has heightened concern among residents over rising insecurity, especially targeting boda boda riders who are increasingly being attacked by criminals posing as passengers.

Uganda has officially launched the Girl Champion Awards (GCA), a national initiative aimed at recognizing and supporting girls and young women who are making a meaningful impact in their communities through leadership, innovation and resilience.

The launch, held at the Uganda Media Centre, brought together key stakeholders who highlighted the importance of creating platforms that amplify the voices and contributions of young women across the country.

Organisers noted that nominations for the awards will be conducted online to ensure wider reach and participation.

Representing the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Balaam Barugahara, the Commissioner for Children, Mondo Kyateeka, described the awards as a competitive national campaign designed to empower girls from diverse backgrounds.

He emphasized that the awards are not only about recognition but also about inspiring more girls to take up leadership roles and contribute to national development.

Patron of the initiative, Maggie Kigozi, noted that the program goes beyond celebrating achievements by equipping beneficiaries with practical skills that can help them build sustainable futures.

The Girl Champion Awards cover a wide range of categories designed to reflect the diverse contributions of girls and young women.

These include Girl Champion of the Year, Girl Earth Award, Survivor Advocate Award, Girl Education Award, Unique Abilities Award, SRHR Girl Champion Award, Girl Innovation Award and SDG Champion Award, among others.

Organisers highlighted that past winners demonstrate the growing influence of the initiative. Among them is Caroline Atim, who was recognized under the Girl Earth Award for her work in environmental conservation, and Achom Nowel Gift, who received the Girl Unique Abilities Award.

Nowel is currently pursuing a degree in Social Sciences at Makerere University, while Atim is studying at Makerere University Business School, both continuing to build on their achievements and advocacy efforts.

Stakeholders expressed optimism that the initiative will continue to inspire and support more girls across Uganda, helping them unlock their potential and contribute meaningfully to their communities and the country.

Kenya's President William Ruto has been forced to respond to the backlash over his recent remarks suggesting Nigerian-accented English was incomprehensible.

His clarification came at a mining conference in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi, attended by Nigeria's Minerals Minister Henry Dele Alake, who told the gathering: "President Ruto, the people of Nigeria have mandated me to inform and assure you that Nigerians speak good English."

Too much laughter, Ruto took to the stage to explain his comments to Kenyans living in Italy last week were intended to be private and had been "taken out of context".

President Ruto reminded the audience at the mining development conference that Nigerians were his in-laws - one of his daughters, June, is married to a Nigerian.

Following an explanation about how he felt he had been mispresented, the president ended by saying: "It is as well that we can have this conversation - my in-laws I hope there will be no consequences for whatever was done,"

The good-natured banter was in sharp contrast to barrage of criticism President Ruto has faced online.

Last week, he had boasted about how Kenya's education system was producing some of the best human capital in the world, with strong English proficiency.

Kenya and Nigeria are both former British colonies and share English as an official language but have distinct spoken varieties with different phonetic structures.

These differences reflect the influence of indigenous languages - Nigeria has more than 500 languages which shape its cadence and intonation, while Kenya's Bantu, Nilotic and Cushitic mix give rise to its own accents.

Relegation threatened Buhimba United Saints and Lugazi face off in a relegation six pointer at Royal Park, Butema today.

The two sides are currently enjoying a purple patch with Buhimba winless in over 13 matches and have lost eight matches on the bounce coming into this clash.

Buhimba have won just one game in the last fifteen matches and sit second from bottom with only 15 points.

Lugazi, on the other hand are also in indecent form at the moment, winless in nine matches in all competitions. Simon Peter Mugerwa’s men are on 20 points, five off the drop zone and are aware that defeat will move them closer to the red zone.

The reverse fixture ended in a 5-2 win for Lugazi at Najjembe in a game that ignited investigation. At Kiira Road Police Arena, Police host UPDF with the latter still fighting for their lives.

The army side is on 21 points and need maximum points to confirm stay in the topflight. Elsewhere, KCCA host table leaders Vipers at Kitende while Calvary visit Entebbe UPPC at Fisheries Ground, Bugonga.