Adjumani District has emerged as the best-performing district under the recently closed Investing in Forests and Protected Areas for Climate-Smart Development (IFPA-CD) Woodlots Programme, surpassing its five-year target and strengthening the supply of timber, poles, fuelwood and other plantation products in refugee-hosting communities.

Implemented by the Government of Uganda through the Ministry of Water and Environment with support from the World Bank, the programme seeks to improve sustainable forest management while creating economic opportunities and increasing tree cover in areas that host refugees.

According to project records, Adjumani had been allocated a target of establishing 368 hectares of woodlots over five years. However, the district exceeded expectations by establishing 544 hectares, making it the top performer among the districts covered under the programme.

Amuru District followed with 482 hectares against a target of 412 hectares, while Moyo surpassed its target of 184 hectares by establishing 219 hectares. Lamwo also registered impressive progress, achieving 291 hectares against a target of 255 hectares. Obongi District, which had the smallest target of 93 hectares, nearly doubled it by establishing 160 hectares.

The achievements come despite the programme experiencing delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and the time required to bring implementing partners on board. Although initially designed as a 5-year initiative beginning in 2020, implementation was delayed and eventually compressed into a shorter period.

Speaking about the project, Denis Emmanuel Oweka, Regional Coordinator for the IFPA-CD Project in the West Nile North-East region, said the programme was designed to support refugee-hosting communities through commercial tree growing while at the same time contributing to environmental conservation.

“The objective of the project is to supply timber, poles and firewood to refugee-hosting areas while also increasing tree cover and contributing to climate change mitigation,” he explained.

He noted that the growing demand for forest products in refugee settlements presents a ready market for farmers.

“We are looking at tree growing as a business. Communities living near refugee settlements have an opportunity to supply timber, poles and firewood directly to the camps, creating an additional source of income for households,” he said.

The programme is being implemented through a consortium comprising NIRAS, Environmental Conservation Trust of Uganda (ECOTRUST), Havilah Company Limited and Green Life International. ECOTRUST has taken the lead in community engagement, farmer mobilisation and training, helping farmers understand tree growing as a long-term investment.

Farmers under the programme have been trained in land preparation, proper spacing, pitting, weed management and pest control. They have also been guided through what the project calls a “Vision Road Journey,” enabling them to plan for the long-term benefits of commercial forestry.

The project has promoted fast-growing clonal eucalyptus species that mature within 3 to 5 years, providing farmers with quicker returns. In addition, farmers have planted Tectona grandis (Sudanese teak), which produces high-value timber and can mature within eight to fifteen years under good management.

Beyond generating income, the woodlots are expected to provide environmental benefits, including carbon sequestration, improved air quality and increased resilience to climate change.

The exceptional performance recorded in Adjumani and other districts demonstrates the willingness of communities to embrace tree growing as a viable enterprise. It also highlights the growing importance of sustainable forestry in supporting livelihoods and addressing the increasing demand for forest products in refugee-hosting areas.

As the programme finally closed, its achievements leave behind a strong foundation for commercial forestry and environmental restoration, with Adjumani standing out as a model of what can be achieved through community participation and strategic partnerships.

Every time a new AI image generator or video tool launches, the same prediction resurfaces: “AI is coming for designers’ jobs.” But that may be the wrong conversation entirely.

The real shift isn’t that generative artificial intelligence has become more creative than humans. It’s that AI has become good enough to produce average creative work in seconds. And that changes everything.

For years, much of the creative industry survived on execution rather than imagination. Beautiful mock-ups, trendy fonts, polished presentations, cinematic transitions, and endless design jargon often masked ideas that weren’t particularly original. A project could look impressive without saying anything memorable.

We’ve all seen it: the logo that follows every current trend but has no personality. The social media post with flawless gradients yet no message worth sharing. The motion graphics reel is packed with smooth transitions but lacks a story. The brand identity is presented with dozens of stylish mock-ups that cannot explain why the graphic design exists in the first place.

Today, anyone can generate a clean poster, remove a background, animate text, create illustrations, or design social media graphics with a simple prompt, completing tasks that once took hours in minutes.

Consequently, if your value lies solely in operating software, AI will inevitably reduce the demand for that skill alone. But true creativity has never been about knowing which buttons to press; it is about the vision behind them.

The designers who will thrive are not those competing with AI; they are those directing it. They understand strategy before style, storytelling before decoration, and communication before aesthetics. They ask better questions, develop stronger concepts, and create work that connects with people emotionally.

While AI can generate stunning visuals, it cannot replace lived experience. It cannot truly understand the deep cultural nuances behind a Ugandan campaign, the emotional heartbeat of a non-profit’s mission, or the human insight that transforms a simple poster into a movement. Furthermore, AI cannot build trust with clients, interpret vague, abstract ideas, or guide a creative team toward a shared, inspired vision. Those remain deeply human responsibilities.

The future of design belongs to creatives who combine imagination with intelligent tools. Designers who learn prompting, automation, motion systems, and AI-assisted workflows will work faster than ever before, but speed alone will never be enough.

The true competitive advantage is original thinking. AI has not lowered the ceiling for creativity; it has simply removed the floor. Average work is now automated, making original ideas, meaningful storytelling, strategic branding, and bold visual thinking more valuable than ever.

The question is no longer whether AI will change the creative industry; it already has. The better question is: How will you use AI to become a more valuable designer, motion artist, or creative thinker? Because the future won’t belong to the people who fear AI; it will belong to the creatives who know how to make AI amplify their vision rather than replace it.

Written by Andrew Ssuuna, a creative designer at Capital One Group and photographer at Six Sense Studios.

For nearly two decades, Uganda’s entertainment industry has periodically been shaken by the release of private intimate photos and videos involving celebrities, media personalities, socialites, and, more recently, social media influencers. The trend has been so popular that now and then you see an X post naming a certain celebrity who has “united Ugandans,” a subtle slang to mean that someone has leaked photos or videos.

While these incidents are often remembered as “sex tape scandals,” a closer examination reveals a more complex reality. In many cases, the individuals involved claimed that the material was leaked without their consent, stolen from their phones, distributed by former partners, or circulated as part of blackmail attempts. As a result, these incidents sit at the intersection of privacy rights, cybercrime, public morality, celebrity culture, and evolving digital technology.

On the other hand, some are intentionally released by the celebrities themselves (allegedly) in a bid to keep their name popular and “influential,” them being influencers and all…

The discussion became even more significant following Uganda’s Anti-Pornography Act of 2014, legislation that sparked controversy because some individuals whose private content was leaked found themselves treated as suspects rather than victims.

Here are some of the most prominent publicly reported cases from 2008 to date.

The Evolution of Celebrity Leak Scandals in Uganda

#1. Cindy Sanyu (2008)
Long before smartphones and social media became dominant, singer Cindy Sanyu became one of Uganda’s earliest high-profile victims of leaked nude photographs.

According to later interviews, Cindy alleged that a tabloid journalist attempted to pressure her into paying money to suppress the images. When she refused, the photos were reportedly published.

The incident generated widespread public discussion and remains one of the earliest examples of a Ugandan celebrity confronting digital privacy violations.

#2. Maama Fiina (2012)
Traditional healer Maama Fiina found herself at the centre of controversy after nude photographs allegedly taken without her consent appeared in local tabloids.

The publication of the images sparked criticism of tabloid journalism practices and led to reported legal action by her family.

#3. Judith Heard (2013)
Model and socialite Judith Heard’s ordeal would become one of Uganda’s most discussed examples of non-consensual image distribution.

Heard maintained that private images were obtained from devices stolen during a robbery. According to her account, the perpetrators later attempted to blackmail her before distributing the material online.

The psychological toll was severe, with Heard later speaking publicly about depression, humiliation, and suicidal thoughts following the leak. It was one of Uganda’s earliest documented revenge-porn and blackmail cases.

#4. Desire Luzinda (2014)
No discussion of Ugandan celebrity leak scandals is complete without Desire Luzinda.

In late 2014, Desire Luzinda’s intimate photographs of the “ekitone,” allegedly leaked by her former Nigerian boyfriend, spread rapidly across social media and entertainment websites. The controversy dominated national conversations for weeks.

Desire Luzinda’s leak is arguably Uganda’s most popular celebrity leak story.

#5. Sanyu Robinah Mweruka (2015)
Bukedde TV presenter Sanyu Robinah Mweruka became the subject of widespread discussion after an intimate video allegedly involving her in the act surfaced online.

Although no criminal proceedings followed, reports indicated that the leak affected her professional standing and media responsibilities.

#6. Anita Fabiola (2015)
Television personality Anita Kyalimpa Fabiola faced intense scrutiny after nude selfies circulated online.

Fabiola maintained that the images originated from a stolen phone rather than voluntary distribution.

Unlike several earlier cases, she issued a public statement addressing the matter and temporarily stepped away from her TV job at NTV Uganda.

The Anti-Pornography Act
By 2018, Uganda’s Anti-Pornography Act had become deeply intertwined with celebrity leak cases.

Instead of focusing solely on those who distributed private content, authorities sometimes pursued the individuals whose images had been leaked.

This controversial approach generated criticism from human-rights advocates, legal scholars, and women’s rights organisations, who argued that victims were effectively being punished for violations committed against them.

#7. Judith Heard Revisited (2018)
When previously leaked images resurfaced, Judith Heard found herself facing criminal charges under anti-pornography laws.

The case attracted significant attention because Heard maintained that she was a victim of theft and blackmail rather than an offender.

#8. Jack Pemba (2018)
Businessman and socialite Jack Pemba became linked to a widely circulated intimate video.

Authorities publicly alleged involvement and announced intentions to pursue legal action.

However, the matter remained heavily contested, and no widely reported conviction emerged.

#9. Esther Akol (2018)
Police officer Esther Akol was publicly linked to an explicit image.

She strongly denied the allegation and claimed the image had been digitally manipulated, which introduced concerns about image editing, false attribution, and debates surrounding AI-generated intimate content.

#10. Martha Kay Kagimba (2019)
Comedian and content creator Martha Kay became the victim of leaked nude photographs allegedly extracted from stolen phones.

Unlike many earlier cases, investigators eventually pursued a suspect through the criminal justice system.

The Social Media Generation

#11. Christine Nampeera (2023)
DJ and influencer Christine Nampeera became the centre of national discussion after an intimate video of the act with her partner in a public restroom spread rapidly across social media platforms.

#12. Pretty Nicole (2024)
The case involving influencer Pretty Nicole marked a turning point because of her age and the allegations surrounding the leak.

Reports indicated that a former boyfriend allegedly threatened to expose private material before it appeared online. Police reportedly investigated the matter as a child-p*rn*graphy case.

#13. Gloria Bugie (2024)
Singer Gloria Bugie became involved in one of the year’s most widely discussed controversies after intimate footage circulated online.

The incident later evolved into legal disputes involving allegations of pornography and computer misuse.

#14. Kisitu Kirabo (Kabasto Queen)
In 2026, influencer Kisitu Kirabo became the latest public figure to experience widespread circulation of private intimate content.

The incident spread rapidly across multiple platforms and generated substantial online discussion.

#15. Ava Peace (2026)
Recent reports claim private videos circulating online were attributed to singer Ava Peace. However, Ava Peace publicly denied being the woman in the videos and stated she was being falsely linked to the content.

Emerging Influencer Cases
Additional names surfaced in a wave of reported leaks in 2026, including personalities such as Shan Lips, Chicken Chicken, Abba Marcus, and Hajara Idris. The latter is the son of Jose Chameleone.

The FIFA World Cup stands as the biggest sports event on our planet. If you haven’t closely been following the tournament and are considering starting with the 2026 World Cup, the facts below are a good place to begin, as they highlight the changes and milestones that make this edition unique.

#1. The Biggest World Cup Ever (48 Teams)
Previous World Cups, including Qatar 2022, featured 32 teams. FIFA World Cup 2026 expands that number to 48 nations.

This adds 16 more countries into the mix, increasing global representation and changing how qualification and group dynamics play out. More fun!

#2. Three Host Countries
Past world cup tournaments were always held in one country, except for the 2002 edition, which was jointly hosted by Japan and South Korea.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup expands hosting to three countries, the United States, Canada and Mexico, with matches spread across 16 cities.

#3. From 64 to 104 Matches
The increase in teams brings more games.

The 2026 tournament features 104 games, up from 64 in previous world cups, stretching the tournament timeline and giving fans more football.

#4. Eight Matches to Win the Trophy
In 2022, Argentina lifted the World Cup trophy after seven matches.

In the current format, the 2026 World Cup winner will now play eight games. This adds an extra knockout step and increases pressure on teams.

#5. More Third-Place Teams Progress
In earlier formats, finishing third in a group meant going home.

In this world cup, the best-performing third-placed teams move into the knockout rounds, keeping more nations active deeper into the competition and increasing late group-stage tension.

#6. 1,000th Match Milestone
The FIFA World Cup has existed since 1930, about 96 years of history. The Japan vs Tunisia match played on 20 June 2026, marked the 1,000th match in World Cup history.

#7. Longest World Cup in History
Previous FIFA World Cup tournaments usually ran for 28 to 32 days.

The 2026 edition stretches to around 39 days, making it the longest World Cup so far due to the expanded format and increased number of fixtures.

#8. Faster Game Rules
FIFA introduced stricter timing rules to reduce delays during matches.

Starting with this edition, referees now enforce a five-second limit for throw-ins and goal kicks, while substituted players must leave the pitch within 10 seconds.

#9. Mandatory Hydration Breaks
Climates vary widely across North America.

To protect players, short mandatory water breaks are now built into matches, replacing the earlier system where stoppages depended mainly on weather conditions.

#10. Estadio Azteca Stadium
Estadio Azteca in Mexico City is the first stadium in history to host matches across three different FIFA World Cup tournaments.

The stadium previously hosted World Cup matches in 1970 and 1986, and now returns for the 2026 edition.

In a mid-May 2026 interview with Galaxy TV, Ugandan music DJ and promoter DJ Erycom claimed he was the first Ugandan to own a YouTube channel and that the platform awarded him an “accolade” for the milestone.

As his claim continues to spark debates, let’s see whether the facts back DJ Erycom up or…

So, who is DJ Erycom?
Eryck Paul Mutebi (born 9 October 1989), professionally known as DJ Erycom, is one of the pioneers of uploading Ugandan music online for free downloading and listening through his website, djerycom.ug. Despite ongoing accusations of promoting music piracy, Ugandan artists continue to build their early audiences through free music download sites like Erycom’s.

As the self-proclaimed “Local but Global DJ,” DJ Erycom remains a household name among Ugandan music lovers. If you have ever heard the iconic “Remember where you got it first… www.djerycom.com” tag in a Ugandan song, that’s him!

Was DJ Erycom the First Ugandan to own a YouTube channel?
Let’s start by setting out some facts. YouTube was launched on 15 December 2005.

DJ Erycom claims he created his channel in November 2006, describing it as “two months after Google bought the platform.” However, Google finalised its acquisition of YouTube on 13 November 2006.

He also added that YouTube awarded accolades to the first users who created YouTube channels in each country, claiming he received the accolade for Uganda. However, there is no evidence in YouTube’s official history or creator policies to prove the existence of any programme of this nature.

So, was DJ Erycom the first Ugandan to create a YouTube channel? Keep reading… there’s more.

DJ Erycom on YouTube
On the platform, the veteran DJ currently operates a YouTube channel titled DJ Erycom Uganda under the username @DJErycomUganda.

At the time of this publication, the channel features 31 uploaded videos and has 46.6K subscribers. The interesting part? Its metadata indicates the account was created on 8 December 2011, a date that warrants close attention.

This disparity raises an obvious question: if DJ Erycom created a historic YouTube channel in 2006, where is that digital footprint today?

History of YouTube in Uganda
While global access to YouTube began in 2005, Google launched the Ugandan localised domain (youtube.co.ug) on Friday, 2 December 2011. The introduction of youtube.co.ug adjusted YouTube’s system to surface more locally relevant content on the homepage while still operating alongside the global version. The rollout was officially commissioned by then Minister of ICT, Dr Ruhakana Rugunda.

From a timing perspective, this places DJ Erycom’s existing YouTube channel creation just six days after the launch of the localised Ugandan YouTube domain.

So, was he the first?
Our checks also identified Ugandan channels that predate his verified YouTube channel. Among them is NTV Uganda, which joined YouTube in November 2007, and Bebe Cool, whose channel dates back to January 2009.

Conclusion: There is no evidence that DJ Erycom was the first Ugandan to create a YouTube channel. Several claims he made around this topic during the interview are also inaccurate.

The African CSOs Biodiversity Alliance (ACBA) has launched the ACBA Biodiversity Academy (ABA), a new learning platform that will bring together biodiversity practitioners, community leaders, researchers and conservation organisations from across Africa. The Academy aims to promote African-led learning, knowledge sharing and practical solutions to biodiversity loss and climate change.

The Biodiversity Academy has been created as a shared learning space where African voices and experiences take centre stage. It is designed to promote knowledge sharing, practical learning, and innovation in biodiversity conservation.

“Across the continent, there is a wealth of knowledge, innovation, and experience in biodiversity conservation. The Biodiversity Academy seeks to bring these voices together, creating a space where African practitioners can learn from one another and build a shared vision for a sustainable future,” said Yemi Katerere, ACBA Executive Director.

The Academy is rooted in the belief that effective biodiversity conservation must be informed by local realities and community experiences. Through webinars, peer-learning exchanges, case studies, and practical training opportunities, ABA aims to strengthen the capacity of biodiversity practitioners while amplifying African narratives and success stories.

At the centre of the launch is the Environmental Conservation Trust of Uganda (ECOTRUST), one of ACBA’s founding members and a long-standing leader in conservation finance and landscape restoration. For over 27 years, ECOTRUST has become a trusted voice in designing practical conservation models that work for both people and the environment.

ECOTRUST’s “Landscape Restoration as a Business” model encourages communities and stakeholders to treat environmental restoration not only as an environmental duty but also as an economic opportunity. The model promotes investment in tree planting, forest restoration, sustainable farming, and nature-based enterprises that generate income while restoring ecosystems.

Following the official launch of the Academy, ECOTRUST has begun leading a three-part webinar series under ABA. The first webinar, which took place on 12 June, 2026, introduced participants to ECOTRUST’s conservation finance journey and its practical lessons from Uganda.

The opening Webinar was delivered by Pauline Nantongo, Executive Director of ECOTRUST, where she guided participants through the evolution of ECOTRUST’s work, explaining how the organisation developed its conservation finance model and how it has supported communities to benefit from environmental restoration activities.

The webinar focused on how conservation projects can be designed as sustainable investment opportunities. Participants were introduced to the idea of making nature investible by turning a biodiversity or climate challenge into an investment opportunity that creates long-term financial, social and environmental benefits when structured in the right way.

“ECOTRUST treats every participating household as an individual economic unit,” Executive Director of ECOTRUST, Pauline Nantongo noted. “The financial incentives from carbon and biodiversity credits allow families to safely shift their financial planning away from short-term, degrading cycles (like sugarcane or maize) toward long-term, sustainable forestry.”

The ongoing webinar series will continue with more technical sessions, learning how ECOTRUST has successfully worked with local communities to restore degraded landscapes while improving livelihoods through income-generating activities. These will cover topics such as: nature markets, conservation financing tools, and community-owned investment models. The goal is to provide practical knowledge that organisations can apply in their own conservation work.

The series will also share real community experiences where ECOTRUST will present case studies from farmers and local groups in Uganda who have successfully participated in restoration programmes. These stories will show how conservation efforts can directly improve household incomes while protecting natural resources.

As the webinar series unfolds, the ACBA Biodiversity Academy is already positioning itself as a key platform for learning and innovation. With ECOTRUST at the forefront, the initiative is helping to show how African-led knowledge can drive real change in biodiversity conservation and create a more sustainable future for communities and ecosystems across the continent.

If you are reading this, there is probably that one superhero who has been your favourite as long as you can remember, or perhaps one you are just starting to like, or are at least curious to learn more about.

You are in the right place. See, the love for superheroes, why people love Superman and many other superheroes, is not just about their powers, but also their personal lives, many of which are built on tragedy, especially the death of one or both of their parents. Under this title, I list popular superheroes who are orphans, how their parents died, and how being an orphan shaped some of them to become your favourite or least favourite heroes.

Batman (Bruce Wayne)
In Christopher Nolan’s Batman Begins (2005), young Bruce Wayne witnesses his parents, Thomas and Martha Wayne, being gunned down by a robber as they leave an opera performance early because of Bruce’s fear of the bat-like performers. Orphaned by this tragedy, Bruce Wayne is raised by the family’s butler and legal guardian, Alfred Pennyworth.

This dark moment, fuelled by Bruce Wayne’s guilt and fear, drives him to transform his trauma into a symbol of justice, eventually becoming the Dark Knight of Gotham to fight the crime that shattered his family.

Superman (Clark Kent)
In Man of Steel (2013), when Superman’s biological parents, Jor-El and Lara Lor-Van, realise that Krypton’s core is collapsing and General Zod has launched a violent coup, they sacrifice their lives to send baby Kal-El to Earth.

Growing up with the Kents, Clark Kent fully embraces his identity as Superman to protect his adopted home, Earth, and his widowed mother, Martha Kent, after General Zod threatens her life in an attempt to turn Earth into a new Krypton.

Iron Man (Tony Stark)
One could argue that the 1991 death of Iron Man’s parents, Howard and Maria Stark, did not initially create a hero, but rather a casualty. Unlike Batman, whose tragedy sparked an immediate quest for justice, the loss of Tony Stark’s parents left him a directionless, 21-year-old “playboy” billionaire who used his inheritance to fund a decade of recklessness.

It wasn’t until his near-death experience in Afghanistan that Tony Stark finally grew out of the shadow of his orphanhood. By building the Mark I suit in Iron Man (2008), Tony Stark didn’t just escape a cave; he finally accepted the weight of the Stark name, transforming from a grieving heir into a man determined to redeem his father’s complicated legacy.

Spider-Man (Peter Parker)
Following the death of his parents, Richard and Mary Parker, who died in a plane crash, as later shown in The Amazing Spider-Man (2014), Peter Parker found a new home with his Aunt May and Uncle Ben. In The Amazing Spider-Man (2012), after a heated domestic argument that sent Peter storming out into the night, Uncle Ben left the safety of their home to search for him. While out, Peter petulantly let a thief escape, coldly stating it’s “not my policy” to help. Just minutes later, that same thief encounters and kills Uncle Ben, who was looking for his nephew, Peter Parker.

See, for Peter Parker, being an orphan carries irony: he grew up wondering why his biological parents had “abandoned” him, only to realise that he had failed the man who raised him. This guilt becomes the engine of his heroism. When Spider-Man fights crime, he does it to ensure no one else suffers because of his silence.

Fun fact: While many fans write it as “Spiderman,” it’s actually Spider-Man with a hyphen. Co-creator Stan Lee added the hyphen to ensure it didn’t look too similar to DC Comics’ Superman.

Magneto (Erik Lehnsherr)
In X-Men: First Class (2011), Erik Lehnsherr’s origin as an orphan is perhaps the most tragic on this list. Separated from his parents in a Nazi concentration camp, young Erik is forced to watch as his mother is killed by the scientist Sebastian Shaw, who seeks to trigger Erik’s magnetic abilities.

This trauma creates a dark, “orphan-turned-conqueror” duality. While superheroes protect society, Magneto believes society is broken. This cynical worldview is reinforced decades later in X-Men: Apocalypse (2016), when he loses his wife and daughter to unfair prejudice. For Erik, these repeated tragedies prove that the world will always fear and destroy what it doesn’t understand, which is why, throughout the entire film series, Magneto fights to ensure mutants never become victims again.

Wolverine (Logan/James Howlett)
In X-Men Origins: Wolverine (2009), James Howlett’s life as an orphan begins in 1845 when his bone claws first appear. In a moment of rage, 13-year-old James kills his biological father, Thomas Logan, immediately after Thomas murders John Howlett, the man James believed was his father. This tragedy forces James and his half-brother, Victor Creed (Sabretooth), to flee, spending more than a century fighting in major American conflicts from the Civil War to Vietnam.

By the time Logan joins the X-Men, he has lived for well over 170 years and carries the weight of nearly two centuries of loss and bloodshed. Because of his healing abilities, the wolverine outlives nearly everyone he loves, including many of the X-Men, leaving him emotionally isolated across generations. His journey finally comes full circle in Logan (2017), where he stops running from his past and becomes a father figure to X-23 (Laura).

The Flash (Barry Allen)
In The Flash (2014 TV Series), Barry Allen’s mother, Nora Allen, is killed by a time-travelling speedster called Eobard Thawne (the Reverse-Flash), who frames Barry’s father, Henry Allen, for the crime.

This tragedy pushes Barry Allen to become a forensic scientist in hopes of proving his father’s innocence. That path eventually leads him to the particle accelerator explosion and lightning strike that give him super-speed, turning Barry Allen into The Flash, the fastest man alive.

Black Panther (T’Challa)
In Black Panther (2018), T’Challa ascends to the throne of Wakanda following the assassination of his father, King T’Chaka, in Captain America: Civil War (2016).

Scarlet Witch (Wanda Maximoff)
Wanda Maximoff and her brother, Quicksilver (Pietro Maximoff), in Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015), are orphaned by a bombing during childhood before later joining the Avengers.

Black Widow (Natasha Romanoff)
In Black Widow (2021), Natasha Romanoff and her sister figure, Yelena Belova, were separated from their families at a young age and taken into the Red Room programme, where they were trained as elite assassins known as Black Widows. After escaping the Red Room, Natasha Romanoff joined S.H.E.I.L.D and went on to become one of the founding members of the Avengers.

Star-Lord (Peter Quill)
Peter Quill’s cosmic journey in Guardians of the Galaxy (2014) begins on the very night his mother, Meredith Quill, succumbs to a brain tumour. Shortly after, Peter Quill is abducted from Earth and raised by space pirates.

Which superheroes would you add to this list?

Alright! For some reason, you want to change the name on your National ID but aren’t sure where to start. How about a walk-through from someone who has actually done it? I’m assuming you want to change the name on your National ID from, let’s say, Anita Among to, uhmm, Aisha Magogo. Even if it’s just one name you’re dropping, read on…

#1. Get a Deed Poll
A deed pool, in this case, is a legal document declaring a change of name; that’s renouncing your old name for a new one.

That word ‘legal’ is why you need a lawyer to draft the deed poll and have you sign it. Lawyer charges can range from anything for you, my friend, to any amount you two agree on. I doubt it’s standard.

Commissioning Deed Poll & URSB Registration
The same lawyer will help you have the signed deed poll commissioned by the Commissioner for Oaths, after which you’ll register it with the Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB)

Registering a deed poll with URSB costs UGX 55,000, and you’ll receive a certified copy as confirmation.

#2. Publishing Certified Deed Poll with Uganda Gazette
Next, take the URSB-certified copy of the deed poll to Uganda Printing and Publishing Corporation (UPPC) to have it published in the Uganda Gazette.

Publishing a certified deed poll in the Uganda Gazette as a notice of intention to change name will cost you UGX 450,000. Publishing the notice will take about two weeks.

Once published, you’ll receive a copy of the Uganda Gazette containing your notice. You’ll then take it, along with supporting documents like your birth certificate or academic papers, to the National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) offices, ideally at Kololo Ceremonial Grounds.

#3. Nira Form & Payment
At the NIRA offices, you’ll be required to fill out a form after a bank payment of UGX 200,000. That’s it! The rest is waiting for NIRA to contact you once your new National ID is ready.

And if the wait is taking longer than planned, you can reach out to NIRA; they have a form that can even allow you to get a passport under the new name while the National ID is still processing.

Oh, not mentioned in this guide is a police letter, but with a lawyer, that shouldn’t be a problem.

To ensure we are on the same page: the process above is primarily for adopting entirely new names, for example, changing from Namagembe Florence to Kwagala Sanyu. This same process applies when adding or dropping names due to marriage, divorce, or religious conversion, for instance, from Anita Among to Aisha Among.

Similar name-related National ID changes that cost UGX 200,000 at NIRA but follow a simpler process include changing names to match documents such as a passport, academic papers, or birth certificate. This, in particular, requires the URSB registration and the document itself. (For more NIRA name-update categories, see page 11).

If you have looked toward Kampala’s skyline recently, you have likely noticed a towering new addition. A massive Ugandan flag that now flies high above Mbuya Hill.

And if you are one of those wondering what the flag is about or where exactly it is located, here is the full story.

The flag is situated at the under-constructed headquarters of the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs, which also serves as the General Headquarters of the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF). Standing on one of Kampala’s most prominent hills, the Uganda flag installation, according to the CDF, was erected as a landmark of national pride, “making our Fatherland[sic] Uganda great”

However, as impressive as it already looks, it is not actually finished yet.

According to a tweet by the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), Muhoozi Kainerugaba, the flag monument is still under construction. While it already dominates the skyline, the CDF noted that the final structure, awaiting the return of the Uganda cranes, could end up even taller and possibly bigger than what the public currently sees.

The choice of Mbuya Hill appears strategic. As one of the city’s highest points, the flag can be seen from several suburbs, including Nakawa, Bugolobi, Kyambogo, Kireka, and Mutungo. It also joins a small list of giant flags in the city, including the one at the Next Media building in Naguru, even though the Mbuya installation is expected to become the most iconic due to its scale and military significance.

So, the next time you’re on Jinja Road and spot that giant Uganda flag waving on a white pole atop Mbuya hill, know that it is at the UPDF headquarters.

Fun fact: Did you know that during the 2026 Uganda general election, publicly raising the national flag could actually get you arrested? Security forces strictly enforced a colonial-era law requiring Ugandans to get ministerial permission before hoisting the flag. While the government argued they were protecting the flag’s “dignity,” many saw it as a move to stop opposition supporters from using the flag as a patriotic symbol.

Sworn-in Members of Parliament (MPs) in Uganda are scheduled to elect their Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the twelfth Parliament on Monday, 25 May 2026.

The election of Speaker and Deputy Speaker will take place during the first sitting of the 12th Parliament following the swearing-in ceremony of the newly elected legislators, which took place from 13 May to 15 May, 2026.

The election will be conducted in accordance with Rule 5 of the Rules of Procedure, which, among other rules (Pages 19 to 23), states:

The election of the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker of Parliament must be presided over by the Chief Justice or a judge designated by the Chief Justice.

Eligibility: The Speaker is elected by Members of Parliament (MPs) from among their own number. However, the Vice President and Ministers are not qualified to be elected as Speaker.

Order of business: When the office is vacant, no other business can be transacted in Parliament until a speaker is elected.

The second part of the first episode of Let’s Talk About It, Sheebah Karungi’s new podcast on her YouTube channel, has, much like the first, sparked even deeper conversation around the artist’s shocking views on who she is attracted to, relationships, and marriage, after openly sharing that she would be comfortable becoming a man’s fourth or even tenth wife in a polygamous marriage.

Titled Nobody Called It “Too Much” When I Was Silent II, the part saw Sheebah Karungi speak with unusual openness, with the 36-year-old singer and mother to baby Amir revealing a side of herself many Sheebaholic fans may not have expected, especially from an artist who for years built her image around independent woman, “self-reliance,” and openly questioning traditional marriage.

“I have decided I can now be the fourth or even tenth wife to my husband, and even live with my co-wives in the same house, as long as they’re okay with it,” Sheebah Karungi admitted with laughter.

She went even further, explaining that if honesty, transparency, and peace exist, she could genuinely love and peacefully coexist with co-wives, even organising birthday parties for them. For the Queen Karma, love today appears less about exclusivity and more about emotional safety, mental connection, and having someone you can truly talk to.

“I don’t mind being Hajjat number 10,” – Sheebah Karungi

Motherhood seems to have played a role in that shift. After welcoming her first child, son Amir, in November 2024 with UK-based Ugandan music promoter and businessman Jaffar Suleiman, Sheebah appears to be viewing relationships through a different lens, as Jaffar has publicly confirmed that Amir is his son. The pair have been spotted together on several occasions, further fuelling public interest in Sheebah’s evolving outlook.

“Marriage has never been one [of] my dreams…,” Sheebah Karungi tweeted in 2015.

Many now see a softer, more reflective side of the artist, as Sheebah Karungi, who once appeared firmly focused on her music career, independent woman, and “never settling for less,” now sounds more open to compromise, harmony, and unconventional arrangements like polygamy.

During the same podcast, she also addressed long-running rumours about her sexuality, stating she connects with people based on character rather than gender, adding another layer to an already shocking conversation.

For fans who have long admired Sheebah’s “better single than settling” mindset, her current stance has sparked mixed reactions. Could this be a sign of maturity, a response to hidden struggles, or simply a reality check that has reshaped one of Uganda’s most outspoken feminist actvists?

One thing remains clear: Sheebah Karungi is still getting people talking, only this time, not through music, but through her personal views and reflections.

You’ve probably heard of Christopher Nolan, the acclaimed film writer and director behind hits like Inception (2010), Batman Begins (2005), Dunkirk (2017), Tenet (2020), Oppenheimer (2023), and The Odyssey (2026).

And if you are a true fan, you likely also know he has a younger brother, Jonathan Nolan (often called Jonah). Jonathan is a respected writer in his own right and one of Christopher’s closest collaborators. Jonathan Nolan’s short story “Memento Mori” became the basis for Christopher Nolan’s breakthrough film Memento (2000).

The two Nolan brothers have since continued working together on major film projects, including The Prestige (2006), The Dark Knight (2008), The Dark Knight Rises (2012), and Interstellar (2014).

What many fans don’t realise is that there is a third Nolan brother, and he is actually the older brother of both Christopher and Jonathan Nolan.

While this might seem ordinary for most families, the life of the eldest Nolan brother took a dramatically different path, one far removed from Hollywood and, unfortunately, far from commendable.

The Nolan Family
The three Nolan brothers were born to a British father, Brendan Nolan, and an American mother, Christina. They grew up splitting time between London and the United States. Matthew Francis Nolan (known as Matt), believed to have been born in 1968, is the eldest. He is followed by Christopher Nolan, born on 30 July 1970, and by Jonathan Nolan, born on 6 June 1976.

Christopher Nolan married producer Emma Thomas in 1997, having met at university. She has been a key partner in nearly every phase of his career, producing many of his films, including The Prestige, Dunkirk, Tenet, and Oppenheimer. They have children and have long kept their family life private.

The youngest brother, Jonathan Nolan, is married to American filmmaker Lisa Joy. Together, as creative partners, they co-created and produced HBO’s Westworld (2016) and Amazon’s Fallout (2024) series through their company, Kilter Films.

But then there’s the eldest brother.

Matthew Francis Nolan has very little verified public information about his life, apart from his name appearing under the “siblings” section on his brothers’ Google panels. Some older reports note he once lived in Chicago with a wife named Erika and two sons, while working ordinary jobs.

Despite the dark cloud hanging over his name, almost like something out of his brothers’ twisted films, people who knew the family have described Matthew Nolan as the most charismatic, likeable, and engaging of the three Nolan brothers. Public photographs of Mathew Nolan are scarce. In fact, many people only learned of his existence after his name surfaced in legal reports in the late 2000s.

Mathew Nolan’s Criminal Record
In 2009, Matthew Francis Nolan’s name made international headlines when Costa Rican authorities linked him to the 2005 killing of American businessman Robert Cohen. Investigators alleged that Matthew was involved in the kidnapping and murder of Cohen in an attempt to recover funds tied to an investment fraud scheme. The case drew intense media attention, fuelled in part by his connection to his two celebrated younger brothers, who were already high-profile filmmakers at the time.

When Matthew Nolan was arrested by the FBI in Chicago in February 2009, the Costa Rican government requested his extradition for the kidnapping, torture and murder of Robert Cohen in Costa Rica.

However, in 2010, a U.S. judge ruled that there was insufficient evidence to extradite him on the serious murder and kidnapping charges. The judge approved extradition only for a lesser passport fraud charge. In the end, the full extradition never took place.

According to a report by The Times, Matthew at some point wrote a letter to an unnamed friend in high places expressing his deep fear of being sent to Costa Rica. In the letter, he stated: “You are right about my situation. If they get me down to the Southern Cross [sic], I won’t be coming back.”

While awaiting extradition proceedings in 2010, Matthew found himself in even more trouble when he was accused of planning a daring escape from prison. Authorities reportedly discovered a 31-foot rope made from bedsheets, a metallic pen clip altered into a handcuff key, a razor blade hidden in a bar of soap, along with other tools intended to help him break free from prison.

He later pleaded guilty to the escape attempt and served prison time for it.

During the investigation, further allegations emerged, including claims that he falsely presented himself as being connected to the financing of his brother Christopher’s film The Dark Knight (which was partly shot in Chicago) to gain trust for his fraudulent schemes, as well as his involvement in cheque-kiting operations.

After serving his sentence, Matthew Nolan disappeared from public view. To this day, he remains as mysterious and ambiguous as the ending of one of his brother’s films.

But here’s the missing part of the story.

As The Times wrote back in 2010: “Nobody in the Nolan family, including Chris or Jonah, will comment publicly on their brother’s dire plight.”

More than fifteen years later, that silence remains unbroken. Neither Christopher nor Jonathan Nolan has ever spoken publicly about their older brother, Matthew Nolan. Not once.