Chief Justice Martha Koome has dismissed calls for her resignation, stating that she remains undeterred by critics.
Koome urged those attempting to defame her to reconsider their plan, as she has no intention of stepping down.
The CJ revealed that she has frequently been a victim of cyberbullying and expressed confusion over the motives behind such attacks.
Without naming her critics, Koome emphasized that their disparaging remarks and actions would not deter her from performing her duties.
“When I speak, I always confess that I’m a victim of cyberbullying—or is it called technologically facilitated gender-based violence? But I know the intention. It’s a business model; I don’t know to achieve what. Maybe to scare, distract, defame, or hound me out of office, but they can try something else,” Koome said.
The Chief Justice reaffirmed the Judiciary’s commitment to combating corruption in the country, despite the challenges posed by existential threats and underfunding.
She underscored that these challenges would not deter the Judiciary from executing its mandate.
This comes amid ongoing criticism of the Judiciary from various quarters, including prominent lawyers and human rights organizations, who have accused the institution of corruption.
Koome has been at the forefront of urging those with evidence of corruption within the Judiciary to come forward and present the necessary details to facilitate investigations and appropriate action.
The Chief Justice also agreed on Tuesday to meet with Professor PLO Lumumba to discuss allegations of corruption within the Judiciary.
Stakeholder dialogue
Her decision followed a letter from Lumumba on December 5, requesting a meeting to address ways to restore the Judiciary’s integrity.
Lumumba had criticized the Judiciary over allegations made by lawyer Ahmednasir Abdullahi regarding judicial officers in Mombasa who were allegedly accepting bribes or other inducements in exchange for favorable rulings, a practice he referred to as “JurisPesa.”
In response, Koome confirmed that the meeting would include representatives from the Law Society of Kenya (LSK), the Senior Counsel Bar, members of the Judicial Service Commission (JSC), and court heads.
The meeting’s agenda will focus on creating a comprehensive and actionable roadmap to address corruption and misconduct within the Judiciary.
It will also ensure that complaints from the legal profession and the public include sufficient details for immediate action by the JSC.
Koome added that updates on complaints currently before the JSC would be provided, along with a discussion of mechanisms adopted by the Judiciary to combat corruption and enhance transparency and accountability.
“I have accepted and convened a consultative meeting to comprehensively discuss concerns regarding integrity within the Judiciary and the legal profession,” Koome stated.
Additionally, the Chief Justice has directed the Secretary of the JSC to deploy an investigative team to engage directly with Senior Counsel Ahmednasir Abdullahi over allegations of judicial bribery.
Abdullahi’s claims have sparked intense public debate on the integrity of Kenya’s Judiciary.
However, Koome noted that the allegations lacked critical details, such as the identities of those allegedly involved. By Sharon Resian, Capital News
Sudan has been ravaged by a 20-month-old war Image: Mudathir Hameed/dpa/picture alliance
For the second consecutive year, Sudan topped a watchlist of global humanitarian crises prepared by the International Rescue Committee aid agency.
The civil war in the country that erupted between the army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces in April 2023 has wiped out at least 61,000 people, according to a conservative estimate.
The UN says the conflict has driven 11 million people from their homes and unleashed the world's biggest hunger crisis. Nearly 25 million people, which is half of Sudan's population, need aid, according to UN figures.
Lebanon, Burkina Faso, Haiti, Mali, Somalia, Afghanistan, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Niger, Nigeria, Ukraine and Yemen were also among those likely to face deteriorating conditions in the coming year.
'Don't look away from what's happening in Sudan,' warns aid agency
"With millions of people forcibly displaced and even more in humanitarian need, it’s more important than ever that the world not forget about this crisis. Don’t look away from what’s happening in Sudan," the New York-based organization said in an Instagram post.
Former British politician and CEO of the IRC, David Wright Miliband, said the list was meant to serve as a global call to action.
More than 300 million people need aid
The report "A World Out of Balance" said more than 305 million people across the world need humanitarian aid, with the countries on the list accounting for 82% of them.
"There are more resources to do more good for more people than at any time in history. This makes it all the more bewildering that the gap between humanitarian need and humanitarian funding is also greater than ever," Miliband said in the report.
The crisis in Sudan was the largestsince the report began recording conflicts and wars more than 15 years ago. It accounts for 10% of all people in need of aid.
Yesterday, at least 127 people, mostly civilians, were killed in Sudan, with the fighting having turned increasingly bloody as cease-fire efforts remain stalled. Deutsche Welle
Move marks anniversary of Tanganyika’s independence from British rule
Tanzania's President Samia Suluhu Hassan on Monday granted a presidential pardon to 1,548 prisoners in honour of the 63rd anniversary of independence for Mainland Tanzania.
Of those pardoned, 22 were released immediately, while the remaining 1,526 will serve reduced sentences.
In a statement issued on Monday, the Ministry of Internal Affairs expressed hope that the pardoned individuals would successfully reintegrate into society and contribute positively to nation-building.
"The Government expects that the prisoners released today will return to society, cooperate with their fellow citizens in building our nation, and avoid actions that would lead them back to prison," the ministry said.
The annual celebrations of independence not only reflect on Tanzania’s freedom from colonial rule but also emphasize its enduring values of unity, justice, and progress. This year’s presidential pardon serves as a reminder of the balance between compassion and accountability in fostering a more inclusive and harmonious nation.
Mainland Independence Day commemorates Tanganyika’s historic liberation from British colonial rule in 1961, marked by the lowering of the British flag and the raising of its own. The Freedom Torch, symbolizing hope and liberation, was famously placed atop Mount Kilimanjaro, representing a vision of progress for all of Africa.
This independence also set the stage for the 1964 union with Zanzibar, leading to the formation of the United Republic of Tanzania. By Lulu Angelo Sanga, Anadolu Agency
Nearly half of the population is facing acute hunger according to the United Nations, while famine has already been declared in the Zamzam displacement camp.
Sudan has become the "biggest humanitarian crisis ever recorded" after 20 months of devastating war between rival generals, the International Rescue Committee said in a report released Wednesday.
"The country accounts for 10 percent of all people in humanitarian need, despite being home to less than 1 percent of global population," the New York-based organisation said in their 2025 Emergency Watchlist.
Since April 2023, a war between the Sudanese regular army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces has killed tens of thousands of people and uprooted 12 million.
Nearly nine million of those are displaced within Sudan, most in areas with decimated infrastructure and facing the threat of mass starvation.
Across the country, nearly 26 million people -- around half the population -- are facing acute hunger, according to the United Nations.
Famine has already been declared in the Zamzam displacement camp in the western Darfur region, and the United Nations has said Sudan is facing the worst humanitarian crisis in recent memory.
IRC's report highlights the 20 countries at greatest risk of humanitarian deterioration, with Sudan ranking highest on the list for the second year in a row.
They said a total of 30.4 million people were in humanitarian need across the northeast African country, making it "the largest humanitarian crisis since records began", the IRC said.
There is no end to the war in sight, with both parties intensifying strikes on residential areas in recent weeks.
The IRC warned of total "humanitarian collapse", as the health crisis was set to worsen and both sides continued to "choke humanitarian access".
Around 305 million people worldwide are in need of humanitarian support, according to IRC, with 82 percent of them in watchlist areas such as the occupied Palestinian territories, Myanmar, Syria, South Sudan and Lebanon.
"It is clear that 'the world is on fire' is a daily reality for hundreds of millions of people," IRC chief David Miliband said.
"The world is being cleaved into two camps: between those born in unstable conflict states, and those with a chance to make it in stable states." The New Arab
The Association of Money Lenders of Uganda has petitioned Attorney General Kiryowa Kiwanuka and Finance minister Matia Kasaija, opposing the recent decision to cap interest rates for moneylenders.
The contentious cap, set on November 8, 2024, limits the maximum interest rate to 2.8 per cent per month (33.6 per cent per annum) under Section 89(1) of the Tier 4 Microfinance Institutions and Money Lenders Act.
REGULATION AND HISTORICAL CONTEXT
Moneylenders in Uganda are regulated by the Uganda Microfinance Regulatory Authority (UMRA) under the 2016 Tier IV Microfinance Institutions and Money Lenders Act. Historically, lenders had the freedom to set their own interest rates, often leading to exploitation, with rates reportedly reaching as high as 240 per cent annually.
President Yoweri Museveni has been vocal about the issue, describing moneylenders as a growing problem.
“They deceive people, charge exorbitant interest rates, and disguise lending contracts to seize property, especially from illiterate borrowers,” Museveni said in October, vowing to strengthen legal protections against such practices.
LEGAL AND ECONOMIC PUSHBACK
The rate cap has sparked outrage among moneylenders, who argue that it unfairly targets their industry while overlooking similar practices by commercial banks and other financial institutions. Edgar Ayebazibwe, a lawyer representing the Association of Money Lenders in Uganda criticized the decision as inequitable.
“Moneylenders contribute Shs 1.7 trillion to the economy and provide financial services to those excluded from formal banking,” he said.
Ayebazibwe also noted inconsistencies in the government’s approach, pointing out that banks and Tier IV institutions charge higher rates, yet moneylenders are restricted. A moneylender, speaking anonymously, echoed these concerns.
“We borrow from commercial banks at 30 per cent per annum, which leaves us with only a 0.8 per cent monthly profit after lending at the capped rate. This margin doesn’t cover our operational costs, including taxes, employee salaries and rent,” he said.
He also highlighted risks specific to the industry, such as loan defaults, and expressed frustration over the government’s focus on licensed moneylenders while ignoring unregulated “briefcase lenders” who exploit borrowers with rates exceeding 50 per cent.
INDUSTRY FRUSTRATION AND WIDER IMPLICATIONS
Jonathan Akandwanaho, chairperson of the Association of Money Lenders in Uganda (AMLU), decried the lack of consultation and warned of the economic implications.
“We are being unfairly targeted while other institutions charge up to 7 per cent monthly. The lending industry, with a turnover of 1.4 trillion shillings and 1,800 registered lenders, serves a significant population,” he said.
Akandwanaho also emphasized the industry’s role in financial inclusion. With lenders typically aged between 29 and 30, the sector bridges the gap for many Ugandans unable to access formal banking services.
ECONOMIC CONTEXT AND THE PATH FORWARD
Critics of the cap argue that it fails to consider the high operational costs faced by moneylenders and the competitive landscape, where app-based and telecom lenders charge rates between five per cent and eight per cent monthly.
Supporters of the regulation, including President Museveni, see it as a necessary measure to protect borrowers from exploitation. However, the petitioners plan to challenge the cap in the High court and Constitutional court, seeking an injunction against its implementation.
As the debate unfolds, the government faces the dual challenge of balancing borrower protection with sustaining a sector that serves as a lifeline for Uganda’s financially underserved populations. The resolution of this conflict could set a precedent for how Uganda navigates financial regulation in the years to come.
The Observer has uncovered that Uganda hosts over 60,000 informal lenders, many of whom many remain in the black market despite efforts by the Uganda Microfinance Regulatory Authority (UMRA) to formalize the sector. The recent cap on interest rates, which limits lenders to 2.8 per cent monthly (33.6 per cent annually), could unintentionally push many of these lenders further underground, according to industry experts.
Some licensed lenders have already scaled back operations, citing financial constraints caused by the cap. Historically, moneylenders have played a crucial role in supporting marginalized groups such as market vendors and schoolchildren, who often face rejection from traditional banking institutions.
CALLS FOR MARKET-DRIVEN SOLUTIONS
Akandwanaho emphasized that interest rates should be driven by market forces. “Let supply and demand dictate the rates,” he argued.
“If one company offers loans at 2.5 per cent per month and another at three per cent or four per cent, clients can choose what works best for them.”
He pointed to global examples, such as the United Kingdom, where moneylenders charge daily rates of 0.8 per cent. He noted that the lending industry is indispensable, stating, “This industry is here to stay. We are working to formalize it and encourage fair practices through our association.”
While he acknowledged the existence of lenders charging exorbitant rates, Akandwanaho argued that such practices are mostly confined to unlicensed lenders. He stressed that banning or over-regulating the entire sector due to a few bad actors would harm the economy and leave underserved populations without access to credit.
ECONOMIC AND REGULATORY CHALLENGES
The interest rate cap could have broader economic repercussions, Akandwanaho warned.
“At the macro level, the financial sector will be affected. Investors considering Uganda may be discouraged by overly restrictive regulations. Where banks decline to lend, we step in to fill the gap,” he said.
UMRA has historically denied licenses to lenders offering rates above 10–15 per cent, yet many lenders operate at slightly higher rates to account for risks and operational costs. Akandwanaho noted that while lowering rates is ideal, it must align with market realities.
“It’s better to lend at a lower rate and recover your money than to lend at a higher rate and fail to collect,” he added.
He also highlighted UMRA’s limitations, pointing out that the regulator has only 35 staff overseeing over 1,800 lenders, many of whom operate in remote areas. Akandwanaho criticized the merging of UMRA with the ministry of Finance, describing it as a move that increased bureaucracy and stifled efficiency.
THE NEED FOR TAILORED REGULATION
Akandwanaho stressed the importance of distinguishing between online lenders, financial institutions, and traditional moneylenders.
“Different types of lenders serve different market needs. It’s important to categorize and regulate them appropriately,” he said.
To address these challenges, He suggested closer collaboration between the government, regulators and stakeholders in the lending sector. He reiterated the association’s commitment to formalizing the industry, ensuring fair lending practices, and supporting UMRA’s efforts to bring informal lenders into the fold.
MONEYLENDING IN UGANDA
Accessing loans from banks in Uganda depends on a borrower’s transaction history, the collateral provided, and the loan amount sought, according to a source who is also a moneylender. The interest rates for such loans are not fixed but vary between 10 per cent and 20 per cent, depending on the perceived risk of the borrower’s business and the bank’s lending policies.
“The interest rate is negotiable,” the source said, highlighting that banks assess risk and collateral to determine the terms of their loans.
THE IMPACT OF MONEYLENDING PRACTICES
The challenges of moneylending extend beyond commercial banks, particularly for those involved in informal or unregulated lending. In August 2023, the speaker of parliament, Anita Annet Among, raised concerns over exploitative practices by some moneylenders targeting members of parliament (MPs).
Among threatened to terminate the memorandum of understanding (MoU) between parliament and certain moneylenders following complaints of harassment and exorbitant interest rates imposed on MPs. She emphasized the financial distress many legislators faced, which often resulted in court battles and public embarrassment.
HIGH-PROFILE LOAN DEFAULTS
Several MPs have fallen victim to severe financial consequences due to defaulted loans. Among them are: • Robert Mwesigwa Rukaari, who was charged with failing to repay a loan of Shs 700 million. • Davis Kamukama, who owed Shs 69.1 million. • Dr. Patrick Mutono, who was remanded for defaulting on a Shs 300 million loan. These cases exemplify the financial strain some lawmakers face and highlight the high-risk nature of money lending agreements.
• Last month, former MP Isaac Musumba was sentenced to six months in prison after failing to repay Shs 160 million borrowed from one Charles Wakwale. Musumba had promised to repay the amount within four days of receipt but failed to fulfil his obligation.
A GROWING CONCERN
The financial difficulties of high-profile borrowers illustrate a broader issue in Uganda’s moneylending sector, where high interest rates and strict repayment terms can lead to legal consequences and reputational damage.
The rising trend of borrowers falling into financial distress has prompted calls for tighter regulation and greater transparency in the moneylending business to protect borrowers from exploitative practices.
As parliament reviews its agreements with moneylenders, the debate over fair lending practices remains a pressing issue in Uganda’s financial landscape.
A DELICATE BALANCING ACT
The debate over the interest rate cap reflects a larger tension between protecting borrowers and sustaining a vital industry. While the cap aims to curb exploitative practices, it risks sidelining the very lenders who serve Uganda’s financially excluded populations.
As policymakers and regulators navigate this complex issue, the focus must remain on creating a balanced framework that ensures borrower protection without stifling the industry’s ability to thrive. A collaborative approach, informed by data and stakeholder input, will be key to achieving this equilibrium. By GEOFREY SERUGO, The Observer
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