Uganda’s civil society sector stands at a pivotal moment demanding stronger governance systems, ethical leadership, and transparent operations. In response to this need, the Fidelis Leadership Institute (FLI), with support from the Austrian Development Agency (ADA), convened a transformative two-day Governance and Accountability Training for Civil Society Organisation (CSO) Leaders on 23rd–24th October 2025. The training brought together 226 leaders 88 in-person and 138 online—representing 62 organizations across governance, health, education, youth empowerment, gender justice, and disability inclusion. What emerged was not merely a workshop, but a powerful leadership awakening anchored in FLI’s core values of Faithfulness, Availability, and Teachability...
The Digital Tide and Shifting Sands: Commercial Transactions in Uganda’s Future.
Uganda’s economy stands at a momentous crossroads, where the traditional handshake deal is fast yielding to the digital click. The future of commercial transactions isn’t just about simple buying and selling; it’s a high-stakes evolution driven by mobile phones, impending oil wealth, and critical regulatory catch-up. Businesses and legal minds must master this new game, or risk being left holding the bag as the economy surges forward. The most profound shift shaping the future of commerce is the digital transformation. With internet and mobile penetration continually expanding, commercial transactions are increasingly migrating to electronic platforms, creating a fertile ground for...
The 1995 Constitution at 30: A Call to Uphold Its Living Promise.
The air around us thrums with a heavy significance. This year, the 1995 Constitution of Uganda comes of age, marking its 30th anniversary. It stands not merely as a document of law, but as a towering monument to a collective dream a social contract born from the ashes of political upheaval and forged in the crucible of broad public participation. It was, in its infancy, a bright and shining star, promising to steer our nation away from the dark waters of tyranny and toward the safe harbour of democratic governance, with the sovereignty of the people serving as its bedrock....
Court Ruling Reinforces Importance of Ethical Business Conduct: Aya Investment Ordered to Pay UGX 1.46 Billion Debt.
The High Court Commercial Division has issued a landmark ruling directing Aya Investment Uganda Limited, the proprietors of the Pearl of Africa Hotel, to pay UGX 1.46 billion to a contractor who supplied the hotel with electrical materials and related services. This judgment underscores the growing importance of ethical governance, financial accountability, and responsible corporate leadership—principles that the Fidelis Leadership Institute strongly advocates for across Africa’s business ecosystem. Background: Contractual Obligations and Non-Payment According to commercial filings dating back to 2023, General International Technical Co. (L.L.C) was contracted to deliver a wide range of high-value electrical, safety, and communication installations...
Why ESG Is the New Boardroom Imperative for Africa
In boardrooms across Lagos, Kampala, Nairobi, Johannesburg, and beyond, the agenda is shifting. Where conversations once centered solely on revenue, costs, and market share, today’s forward-thinking institutions recognise that Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) concerns are no longer optional. They are foundational to long-term success and competitiveness. Once seen as a Western import or a corporate “nice-to-have,” ESG has rapidly transformed into a strategic necessity for African organisations, driven by climate vulnerabilities, investor expectations, regulatory shifts, and the continent’s evolving socio-economic dynamics. As the CSR | ESG Training Institute puts it:“ESG is no longer a ‘nice-to-have’. It’s Africa’s business imperative.”...
The Evolving Tapestry of Public Interest Litigation in Uganda.
Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in Uganda, though a relatively young legal phenomenon, has undergone a significant transformation since its formal constitutional adoption. Far from the traditional adversarial model where litigation is purely a contest between two private parties, PIL has emerged as a strategic legal tool used to enforce collective rights, hold public authorities accountable, and drive systemic social change. Its evolution mirrors the country’s journey towards constitutionalism since 1995. The foundation of PIL in Uganda is firmly laid by the 1995 Constitution. Specifically, Article 50(2) is the engine room, providing that “any person or organisation may bring an action...
Fidelis Leadership Institute and Austrian Embassy sign agreement to deliver governance and accountability training for Civil Society organisations
KAMPALA, UGANDA; October 18, 2025. The Fidelis Leadership Institute (FLI) and the Austrian Embassy/Development Cooperation have signed a landmark partnership agreement to deliver a two-day governance and accountability training for Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in Uganda. The training, themed “Strengthening CSOs through Governance and Accountability under Ugandan Law”, will take place on October 23–24, 2025, at Fairway Hotel, Kampala. This initiative aims to strengthen CSO leadership, enhance transparency, and ensure accountability in line with Uganda’s legal frameworks, including the Non-Governmental Organizations (Amendment) Act, 2024 and the Companies Act, 2012. Up to 50 CSO leaders will be equipped with practical tools...
In Loving Memory of Raila Amolo Odinga (1945–2025)
A Champion of African Trade and Unity With heavy hearts, we mourn the passing of Raila Amolo Odinga, the Rt. Hon. former Prime Minister of Kenya, who left us on October 15, 2025, at 80 in Koothattukulam, India, following a cardiac arrest. Known as Baba Agano, Raila was a visionary whose relentless pursuit of intra-African trade transformed the continent’s economic landscape. Raila’s leadership was pivotal in strengthening the East African Community (EAC), where he championed policies that reduced trade barriers and fostered cross-border commerce. As members of the East African Business Council (EABC), we benefited immensely from his efforts, which...
Amplifying Youth Voices: FLI & French Embassy Empower Emerging Leaders
Theme: “Amplify Your Voice, Shape the Future: Empowering Emerging Leaders”Date: September 25, 2025Venue: Avoda Entrepreneurship Institute The Fidelis Leadership Institute (FLI), in partnership with the French Embassy in Uganda, hosted a powerful one-day Advocacy and Leadership Development Training for final-year students and recent graduates of the Institute of Gender and Development Studies, Makerere University. This transformative event brought together young changemakers eager to develop the skills, confidence, and clarity needed to lead with impact. Why This Training Mattered Young people represent a significant part of Uganda’s population, yet their voices often remain underrepresented in leadership and policy spaces. This training...
Celebrating Uganda’s Constitutional Legacy
Through the PIL Compendium and JSC Debate As we marked 30 years of Uganda’s 1995 Constitution on October 7th and 8th, 2025, I, Pheona Nabasa Wall, was deeply honored to witness and contribute to two pivotal events that reinvigorated our commitment to constitutionalism: the launch of a historic compendium of landmark public interest litigation cases and the Uganda Law Society (ULS) Judicial Service Commission (JSC) candidates’ debate. These moments, coinciding with the Constitution’s anniversary, sparked robust conversations about judicial independence and the enduring power of our constitutional framework. The compendium, unveiled on 7th October, is a testament to the Constitution’s...