The 12 biggest events that defined Uganda in 2023

Many events defined the past year for the country and we've compiled the 12 most significant ones according to each month of the year they happened.

January: Minister assures Ugandans NSF savings are safe

The State Minister for Finance (General Duties) Henry Musasizi affirmed that savings in the National Social Security Fund (NSSF) were safe.

Musasizi made this assurance as he appeared before the parliamentary committee on finance alongside the Minister for Gender, Labour and Social Development, Betty Amongi, and NSSF Managing Director, Patrick Ayota on Tuesday, January 17, 2023.

February: Chameleone concert

The concert, Ggwanga Mujje, which was supposed to be held 10 days into the second month of 2023), finally happened on Friday, February 24.

Thousands of fans had thronged the concert venue, Lugogo Cricket Oval in Kampala but this was on the back of the stage collapsing a week earlier.

The proprietor of Biggie Events, the company that organised Jose Chameleone’s concert, said the collapse of the stage on February 10 was heartwrenching.

"I think that was my second worst day in life,” said Mariam Mutakubwa, better known as Biggie, “losing my mother was the first."

March: Nagginda book launch

The Nnaabagereka of Buganda Queen Sylvia Nagginda Luswata, the eponymously-named book was launched on March 23 at the Sheraton Hotel in Kampala.

High-level guests from other kingdoms, notable government figures, and diplomats attended the glamorous launch of the biography which had lots of spicy details.

April: Karamoja iron sheets

The Anti-Corruption Court remanded State Minister for Finance and Economic Planning Amos Lugoloobi to Luzira following a decision by the judge to make a ruling on his bail application later in the month.

The prosecution alleged that Lugoloobi, who is also the Member of Parliament (MP) for Ntenjeru North constituency in Kayunga district, wrongly obtained 700 pre-painted iron sheets meant for the Karamoja sub-region.

Lugoloobi, who was accused of misappropriating iron sheets meant for the Karamoja sub-region, was arrested on Friday, April 14, 2023, and held at the Kira Road Police

May: Music Federation leadership announced

Eddy Kenzo unveiled the leadership of the Uganda National Musicians Federation (UNMF) on Saturday morning, May 6.

The UNMF’s organizational structure consists of a General Assembly of members, a Leadership team, Committees focusing on various aspects of the industry, Regional Representatives, a Secretariat, and a Board of Trustees featuring representatives from OWC, UNCC, and NCF.

June: Parliament passes Anti-Homosexuality Bill

Parliament passed the Anti-Homosexuality Bill, 2023 with amendments to five clauses following proposals by President Yoweri Museveni.

While presiding over the House sitting on Tuesday, May 2, Speaker Anita Among commended the commitment of legislators to ensuring the protection of Uganda’s values and culture and urged them to stand firm on their decision.

July: Pope asks Uganda to review anti-gay law

The leader of the Catholic Church, Pope Francis, expressed his reservations about the Anti-Homosexuality Law that was passed by Parliament and assented to by President Museveni.

During a meeting where the world leader met with Uganda’s Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja, Pope Francis said the Catholic Church supports the Anti-Homosexuality Law but would want Uganda to review the death sentence clause.

August: World Bank halts financing

In a bold move echoing a commitment to human rights, the World Bank announced the suspension of future funding for projects in Uganda.

The decision came as a response to the recent enactment of Uganda's Anti-Homosexuality Act, which has sparked global concern over its potential impact on the rights and safety of LGBTQ+ individuals.

September: Bruno K's DNA results

DNA confirmed that musician Bruno K is the father of Seth Kiggundu.

The singer had been denying the fatherhood of Kiggundu whom Vanessa Kirabo Atuhaire gave birth to in August 2020. He started dating Atuhaire, who was 20, in 2018.

The singer said that he wanted confirmation of paternity before he could start supporting Atuhaire and Kiggundu.

October: Tourists murdered in Queen Elizabeth Park

A group of suspected ADF terrorists killed three people, including two foreign tourists and their Ugandan guide during a game drive in Queen Elizabeth National Park.

The assailants reportedly waylaid the tourists who were moving in tour wagon under Gorilla and Wildlife Safaris.

They also set the truck ablaze before fleeing the scene.

November: Museveni calls out foreign governments over Nyege Nyege

President Yoweri Museveni lashed out at the governments of the United States and the United Kingdom which issued stern advisories to their citizens in the wake of the killing of two tourists in Queen Elizabeth National Park.

Moments before the opening of the annual Nyege Nyege festival in Jinja City, the United States embassy in Kampala issued a warning to its citizens not to go to that event for security reasons.

December: Mama D

In a culinary feat, professional chef, Dorcus Bashema Kirabo, affectionately known as Mama D, made history by breaking the Guinness World Record for the longest individual cook-a-thon. This unfolded at her Zoe's Cakes n Bites in Kira Division, where her cooking marathon gathered fans and well-wishers for days.

Pulse Picks: The 12 biggest events that defined Uganda in 2023