News
Speaker joins Ugandan Parliament’s inaugural sitting
The Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, was among distinguished African leaders who witnessed the Inaugural Sitting of the 5th Session of Uganda’s 11th Parliament yesterday.
The event, presided over by Uganda’s Speaker, Rt. Hon. Anita Anette Among, marked the beginning of the final legislative session before the country heads to the polls to elect new lawmakers.
Speakers and presiding officers from Namibia, Congo, East African Legislatures, Kenya’s Senate, South Sudan, and the Leader of the West Africa bloc of the Organisation of African, Caribbean, and Pacific States (OACPS) also attended the session.
In accordance with Uganda’s 1995 Constitution, President Yoweri Museveni delivered the State of the Nation Address, highlighting his government’s achievements.
Using pictorial evidence and videos, he showcased progress in infrastructure development, particularly road construction, and efforts to ensure food security.
The President also emphasized advancements in healthcare, including research initiatives and improved service delivery.
He further noted groundbreaking innovations in science and technology, such as the production and export of the Kirra electric cars.
President Museveni thanked Parliament for supporting government initiatives and pledged more developmental projects, including additional roads across constituencies. As Uganda prepares for elections, he expressed confidence in his National Resistance Movement’s performance while wishing all political parties well.
Following the address, Parliament is set to commence debates next week before receiving the President again for the budget presentation.
Speaker Among commended the President for his support to the legislature and urged Members of Parliament to uphold patriotism and dedicated service.
Bagbin Calls for African Unity
At a dinner hosted for visiting delegations, Rt. Hon. Bagbin, who also chairs the Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers of African Legislatures (CoSPAL), urged Uganda to remain committed to African unity and socio-economic development.
The event reinforced the spirit of Pan-African cooperation as nations strengthen parliamentary ties for continental progress.
News
National Service Authority gets new Director-General
The National Service Authority (NSA) has officially welcomed a new Director-General, Ms. Ruth Dela Seddoh, following a brief handing-over ceremony at its headquarters on Tuesday.
The event marked the formal transfer of leadership from the outgoing Director-General, Mr. Felix Gyamfi, to Ms. Seddoh. Management and staff of the Authority attended the ceremony.
Mr. Gyamfi used the occasion to thank staff for their support during his tenure.
He encouraged them to give the same cooperation to Ms. Seddoh to ensure the continued growth and impact of the Authority.
Ms. Seddoh expressed appreciation to government for the confidence placed in her.
She promised to build on the achievements of her predecessor and called for teamwork, dedication and innovation to help the NSA deliver on its mandate to support national development.
Management of the Authority pledged their full support to the new leadership as the organisation enters its next phase.
By: Jacob Aggrey
News
NSA board sets up committee to supervise digital reforms
The Governing Board of the National Service Authority (NSA) has announced the inauguration of a Transition and Implementation Steering Committee (TISC) to oversee the Authority’s digital transformation agenda.
According to the Board, the move follows a letter dated 17 June 2025 from the Office of the President to the Minister of Youth Development and Empowerment directing the suspension of the existing deployment system, calling for an audit of its operations and instructing the design and deployment of a new digital platform.
The Board explained that the audit had been completed and had found the existing system unsatisfactory.
It indicated that the Minister had written to the Board to begin the necessary legal processes to ensure the contract for the audited system, which expired in August 2025, would not be renewed, and to take further steps toward designing and deploying a new digital platform that would guarantee transparency, security and real-time verification of service personnel postings.
It stressed that the TISC had been established to ensure a smooth and orderly transition from the current National Service Scheme digital platform to a new ICT-led system aimed at improving efficiency, transparency and service delivery.
The Authority outlined the Committee’s mandate as overseeing the phased migration from the legacy system, directing the design and deployment of a modern digital platform, and supervising its operationalisation across core functions including personnel enrolment, postings, payroll, allowances and scheme administration.
It further noted that acting under the directives of the Minister of Youth Development and Empowerment and deriving authority from the NSA Board, the TISC has the power to issue instructions to NSA departments and engage external partners necessary to achieve its mandate through the Governing Board.
The Authority named Dr. Wisdom Atiwoto, a member of the NSA Board and Director of Research, Statistics and Information Management at the Ministry of Health, as chair of the Committee.
Other members include Ms. Ruth Dela Seddoh, Mr. Shadrack Mensah, Ms. Elorm Goh, Mr. Benjamin Freeman Kusi, Ms. Jennifer Opong, Dr. Stephan Nwolley, Mr. Koku Abotsi, Mr. Japhet Kuntu, Mr. Nabil Abubakar Hussayn and Ms. Regina Obenewa Penrose as Secretary.
The NSA Board assured the public and stakeholders of its commitment to innovation, accountability and excellence in service delivery.
It emphasised that there would be no disruption in the fulfilment of its obligations to national service personnel as outlined in the National Service Act, Act 1119 (2024), and indicated that updates on the Committee’s progress would be communicated in due course.
With the collective expertise of its members, the TISC is expected to deliver a robust and future-ready platform that will anchor the next phase of the National Service Scheme’s operations.
By: Jacob Aggrey
