New Vision Uganda

________________ UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Friday he was "furious" after it emerged his sacked US ambassador Peter Mandelson was appointed despite failing security vetting, as the scandal again threatens his hold on power. The beleaguered British leader, who has been dogged for months by the controversy, claimed he and other ministers were not told Mandelson had failed the vetting process, branding that "unforgivable".

_________________ "Vandalism of critical water infrastructure is threatening Uganda’s progress toward universal access to safe water," Silver Mugisha, Managing Director of the National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC), has said. Mugisha was speaking at the NWSC annual performance evaluation and stakeholders’ engagement workshop on Friday, April 17, 2026, at the corporation’s headquarters in Bugolobi, Kampala.

________________ On Friday, April 17, 2026, 285 students from five secondary schools in Kyenjojo District graduated as patriots. Their ceremony took place at the Katooke Town Council playground and was presided over by Thadeo Kasaija, the Assistant Resident District Commissioner (RDC) of Kyenjojo District. Kasija urged the learners to become ambassadors of Uganda by engaging in positive activities such as tree planting, innovation and community service.

_______________ Kits for the upcoming birthday run of Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) and also the National chairperson of the Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU), have been launched. At the launch, on Friday at the PLU headquarters in Kampala, the Secretary General of the Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU), David Kabanda (Kasambya County legislator), said the run will be flagged off on April 26 at the Kololo Ceremonial Grounds.

Against all odds, Nikhil Sachania has carved out a remarkable place in African motorsport as the continent's only paraplegic rally driver. His story is one of resilience, courage, and an unbreakable passion for racing,  qualities that continue to inspire both fans and fellow competitors. Sachania's life changed forever in September 2011 when, at just 22, he was involved in a devastating accident while testing a quad bike in Athi River.

With only three weeks to go before the Pearl of Africa Uganda Rally 2026, the event has received a major financial boost of shs80 million. The money will help run the three-day rally, scheduled for May 7–10 in Mbarara and Kiruhura District. The sponsorship was announced by KCB Bank Uganda during the rally launch in Kampala. This year's rally is especially important because it counts as the second round of both the Africa Rally Championship (ARC) and the National Rally Championship (NRC).

Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) Men’s Volleyball Club has confirmed it will not participate in the 47th CAVB Men’s African Club Volleyball Championship in Kigali, Rwanda, scheduled from April 20 to May 2. Speaking to Vision Sports, General Secretary Ronald Musigo explained that the club had to make a difficult but necessary financial decision. “It was too expensive to sponsor two teams for a continental championship.

Wheelchair basketball coaches from the United Kingdom have praised the standard of Ugandan athletes and urged stakeholders to secure sponsorship to further improve the sport. Abi Clark from Nottingham and Jessie Robinson from Bristol were on a fact-finding mission in Uganda, where they assessed athletes and offered technical guidance during a training session at Lugogo Indoor Arena on Wednesday, April 15. Both coaches have experience in African wheelchair basketball.

Manchester United manager Michael Carrick said he is "massively disappointed" that centre-backs Lisandro Martinez and Harry Maguire are suspended for Saturday's trip to Chelsea after controversial red cards. Martinez was sent-off for pulling the hair of Leeds striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin as Carrick suffered his first home defeat in charge on Monday.

Pep Guardiola said an Arsenal victory at Manchester City on Sunday would end the Premier League title race, but that his side would have a lot more work to do even if they beat the Gunners. Mikel Arteta's men hold a six point lead at the top of the table, but City have home advantage and a game in hand on the leaders. Should Guardiola's side win the battle between the top two and at struggling Burnley on Wednesday, they would go top for the first time in months.