𝐄𝐗𝐏𝐋𝐎𝐑𝐄𝐑 𝐍𝐄𝐖𝐒 𝐑𝐎𝐔𝐍𝐃𝐔𝐏 *𝐈𝐒𝐒𝐔𝐄 1259* 🅐🅕🅣🅔🅡🅝🅞🅞🅝 🅔🅓🅘🅣🅘🅞🅝 *June 17, 2025* 🇺🇬🇺🇬🇺🇬 https://explorer.co.ug/ 🇺🇬 *NRM collects Shs6.9 Billion in nomination fees ahead of 2026 elections* 📌The ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) has amassed Shs6.9 billion from nomination and expression of interest fees as it prepares for internal party elections ahead of the 2026 General Election. According to the party’s Electoral Commission chairperson, Dr. Tanga Odoi, a total of 2,718 aspirants have expressed interest in contesting for various positions, including Members of Parliament (MPs), District Chairpersons (LC5), City Mayors, and Lord Mayors. The party’s nomination process is now underway and scheduled to end on June 30, 2025. 🇺🇬 *President Museveni to launch Mengo Industrial Hub in Kayunga, boosting youth employment* 📌President Yoweri Museveni is scheduled to commission the Mengo Presidential Industrial Hub in Gangama Village, Nazigo, this Friday, June 20, 2025. The facility is one of several presidential hubs established across Uganda aimed at equipping youth with practical, certified vocational skills. These centers provide free training in high-demand trades such as welding, tailoring, carpentry, and confectionery, awarding graduates with a Uganda Vocational Qualifications Level One Certificate to help them secure employment or establish their own businesses. 🇺🇬 *UBOS resumes nationwide school census to eliminate ‘ghost’ students and teachers* 📌The Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS) has restarted its Baseline Education Census on June 17, 2025, aiming to accurately count students and teachers while eliminating “ghost pupils” and “ghost teachers”. The census, initially launched on May 7, 2025, was temporarily paused after the first school term but has now resumed, starting with data collection in the Central region before expanding to Eastern Uganda. The exercise covers all primary, secondary, and higher institutions. The initiative seeks to curb financial losses, improve resource allocation, and enhance education delivery. 🇺🇬 *Zambaali Bulasio Mukasa threatens to ditch NUP: Labels Bobi Wine “a double dealer”* 📌https://explorer.co.ug/zambaali-bulasio-mukasa-threatens-to-ditch-nup-after-losing-tv-job-in-pursuit-of-party-flag/ 🇺🇬 *Uganda faces Kenya in high-stakes CECAFA Women’s Championship clash* 📌Uganda’s women’s national team is set to battle Kenya’s Harambee Starlets today, June 17, 2025, in a highly anticipated showdown at the CECAFA Senior Women’s Championship in Tanzania. The tournament, featuring five East African teams, serves as a crucial platform for showcasing talent and promoting women’s football in the region. Uganda heads into the match with momentum, having secured a 5-0 victory over South Sudan in their previous fixture. Meanwhile, Kenya has demonstrated strong form, recently defeating Burundi 3-0. 🇺🇬 *NWOYA: Stolen goat tip-off leads police to hidden SMG rifle in Purongo Sub-county* 📌A stolen livestock report in Nwoya District unexpectedly led police to recover a hidden SMG rifle believed to be tied to local crimes. The June 14, 2025, operation began after villagers in Nyamukino and Gotapwoyo flagged a suspicious white Toyota Ipsum carrying 11 goats. Authorities arrested 28-year-old broker Omony Dicken from Gulu City, who then guided them to the rifle stashed near an electric pole in Purongo Sub-county. No ammunition was found with the weapon. Police are now pursuing further suspects linked to the crime. 🇺🇬 *RUKUNGIRI: PWDs receive UGX 41M in Gov't Grants to boost livelihoods* 📌Ten disability groups in Rukungiri District shared UGX 41 million in government grants on June 16 under the Special Enterprise Grant for Older Persons (SEGO) program. Nine groups received UGX 4 million each, while one was allocated UGX 5 million to fund income-generating projects. During the handover at the District Production Offices, officials stressed proper fund use, unity, and accountability. Mrs. Twesiime Charline, Principal Community Development Officer, urged beneficiaries to invest the money wisely in poverty reduction and education. 🇺🇬 *KWANIA: Akali Sub-county authorities arrest parents over school absenteeism* 📌Five parents in Kwania District were briefly arrested on June 16, 2025, in a crackdown on chronic student absenteeism after over 300 pupils failed to return to Aderolongo Primary School for Term II. Akali Sub-county Chief Alan Aboc found that only 295 of 600 enrolled students reported back three weeks after term began. Many absent children were kept home for fieldwork, including guarding sunflower crops. The Sub-county Chief vowed to expand the crackdown, stressing that education is a right. 🇺🇬 *SOROTI: Gov’t launches solar-powered oxygen systems in Teso to curb child mortality* 📌The Ministry of Health has launched a solar-powered oxygen therapy initiative in the Teso sub-region to combat child mortality caused by hypoxemia, a severe condition often linked to pneumonia. The newly installed solar-powered oxygen systems include pulse oximeters and SPO2 concentrators, capable of serving four children simultaneously, ensuring uninterrupted oxygen access in remote areas. Health experts have welcomed the initiative, emphasizing its potential to save lives and improve Uganda’s pediatric healthcare infrastructure. *ACROSS BORDERS* 🌍🌍🌍 🌍 *NAIROBI: Kenya ranks highest in Africa for digital fraud attempts, new report finds* 📌Kenya is facing the highest incidence of digital fraud in Africa, according to a new report by TransUnion Africa. The most prevalent scheme identified was third-party seller scams on legitimate online retail websites. Fraudsters reportedly used a combination of email, online platforms, phone calls, and text messages to lure their targets. Cybersecurity experts recommend adopting advanced fraud prevention technologies, such as robust identity verification processes, IP address intelligence, and device reputation tracking, to better mitigate the risks and protect against financial losses. 🌍 *NAIROBI: Ruto signs anti-money laundering law after Kenya’s EU Grey Listing* 📌President William Ruto has signed the Anti-Money Laundering and Combating of Terrorism Financing Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2025 into law, just days after the European Union (EU) placed Kenya on its money laundering grey list. The EU flagged Kenya as a high-risk jurisdiction for money laundering and terrorist financing on June 10, 2025, citing strategic deficiencies in its financial oversight. Speaking at State House Nairobi on June 17, 2025, Ruto emphasized that the new law reinforces Kenya’s commitment to financial integrity and regulatory reforms.