Malawi’s President Lazarus Chakwera has conceded defeat in this month’s presidential election to his rival and former leader, Peter Mutharika amid ongoing economic struggles and fuel shortages.

In a televised address, the 70-year-old incumbent acknowledged Mutharika’s clear lead, stating, “It is only right that I concede defeat out of respect for your will as citizens and for the constitution.” Chakwera assured the public of a peaceful transfer of power as the Electoral Commission prepares to release official results later today.

The election, considered one of the most closely contested in recent Malawian history saw voters choose between the two leading parties’ candidates. While preliminary results indicate Mutharika, 85 has a strong lead, the final tally is awaited.

Malawi, one of Africa’s poorest nations continues to grapple with economic hardship. Inflation has soared to 33% and food prices particularly maize and fertiliser have risen sharply. Nearly three-quarters of Malawians live below the $3 daily poverty line with about half suffering from inadequate nutrition.

Chakwera, who took office in 2020 promised to tackle corruption but faced criticism for slow progress. His predecessor, Mutharika was credited with infrastructural improvements and reduced inflation during his 2014-2020 tenure though his administration was marred by allegations of cronyism and electoral irregularities including the 2019 annulment of his victory.

The nation now awaits the official results as Malawi navigates its economic and political challenges.

Residents of Nyakinombe village in Mbaba Parish, Kazo Sub-county, Kazo District are mourning the tragic death of 18-year-old Kabandize Andrew. The young man died yesterday after sustaining injuries from a log he was carrying alongside a colleague.

Kabandize had been in Rugongi Prison in Kiruhura District where his mother, Merab Tuhumwire had taken him due to persistent misbehavior at home and in the community hoping the prison environment would help him reform.

Relatives expressed shock upon hearing of his passing and visited Kiruhura HCIV mortuary to find his body with visible injuries on his shoulder and cheek caused by the log. They were informed that a postmortem would cost UGX400,000 but due to financial constraints they could not afford the fee and were allowed to proceed with his burial.

The family criticized what they described as neglect and poor treatment by prison authorities and called for reforms at Rugongi Prison.

Stanley Turyamureeba, LC1 Chairman of Nyakinombe confirmed that Kabandize had a history of theft and misbehavior which his mother had reported multiple times including paying ransom on several occasions in an attempt to curb his actions.

He urged local youth to value discipline and respect their parents emphasizing the importance of good behavior and self-reliance even for those who have dropped out of school.

Efforts to contact Frank Baine, the Spokesperson for the Uganda Prisons Service were unsuccessful as his phone was unreachable.

Kabandize is scheduled to be buried on September 24, 2025, in Nyakinombe.

Residents of Rumuri I and Rumuri II villages in Kichwamba Sub-county, Rubirizi District were plunged into shock and grief yesterday following a tragic murder-suicide after a 55-year-old man, Niwagaba Amidu, allegedly killed his wife Asiimwe Madina before drowning himself in L. Rwizongo.

According to reports, Niwagaba attacked Asiimwe while she was harvesting coffee in their plantation. Eyewitnesses say he hacked her multiple times with a panga resulting in her instant death. After the attack, Niwagaba fled the scene and later plunged into L. Rwizongo where he drowned.

The couple who had been married for several decades and were parents to 13 children reportedly had a long-standing dispute over inherited family land. Asiimwe had inherited several plots of land from her family and insisted on managing them independently. Her husband, however, had repeatedly pressured her to sell the land to raise funds a demand she refused. Two months prior to the tragedy, Asiimwe resolved to keep the land for their children a decision that reportedly intensified their disagreements.

On the day of the incident while Asiimwe was picking ripe coffee cherries, Niwagaba allegedly stormed the farm and carried out the attack.

Patrick Beyendeza, LC1 Chairperson of Rumuri I, expressed deep shock and sorrow over the incident. The body of Asiimwe was taken to Rugazi Health Centre IV for postmortem examination.

Authorities have launched investigations into the circumstances surrounding the tragic event.

Tragedy has struck Rweyeshera cell in Kyabandara ward, Sheema Municipality following a devastating house fire which resulted into the death of a mother and her three-year-old child.

The deceased, Juliet Nuwaha perished along with her young child after flames gutted their home consuming all household belongings including beds, cooking utensils and a Bajaj Boxer motorcycle. Her husband, Godwine Nuwaha, a boda-boda rider from Kabwohe town narrowly escaped the inferno and is currently receiving treatment at Kabwohe Health Centre IV in critical condition.

Speaking to our reporter, Nuwaha recounted that he returned home from work around 11:00 pm and found a matchbox placed on a stool in the bedroom. He added that upon entering, he noticed the room was already engulfed in flames which made it impossible to save his wife and child. The cause of the fire is yet to be determined but preliminary investigations suggest an electrical fault or accidental ignition.

Authorities have visited the scene and are conducting thorough investigations. The community has expressed shock and grief over the tragedy emphasizing the need for increased awareness about fire safety and proper electrical wiring in homes.

A total of 297 iron sheets were delivered today to Kagaramira and Rwemikyenkye primary schools in the sub counties of Nkungu and Engari respectively to complete roofing of their classroom blocks. The initiative aims to provide sheltered learning environments for students at both schools which currently lack proper roofing.

A joint verification team comprising officials from the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) and Kazo District Local Government confirmed the roofing needs of the schools before the delivery.

At the district headquarters, Zakayo Tumuhimbise, Headteacher of Rwemikyenkye Primary School expressed his happiness noting that leaking roofs during the rainy seasons have disrupted classes.

Similarly, Stella Akatukunda, Headteacher of Kagaramira Primary School said that their school had been without a proper classroom block for six months after it was destroyed by heavy rains. She explained that the new iron sheets would help prevent sickness caused by excessive sun exposure and improve students’ learning conditions.

Seith Byaruhanga, Kazo District Minister for Works and Transport stated that the roofing support would help improve pupils’ performance by providing a safe and conducive learning environment.

The National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC) Managing Director, Dr. Silver Mugisha has called on residents of Kakanju Sub County to support the ongoing water supply project emphasizing its long-term benefits for the community.

While engaging residents of Rushinya, Katunga and Nombe parishes during a water supply sensitization campaign, Dr. Mugisha assured that the extension of water services would be completed in the shortest possible time. He highlighted that improved access to water would enable households to save time and energy previously spent fetching water from distant sources allowing them to focus on more productive activities.

Dr. Mugisha also urged residents to play their part in protecting the environment, particularly along the banks and source of River Warugo in Kakanju where an investment valued at UGX 11.8 billion is at stake.

Kakanju Sub County Chairperson, Lauben Kananga expressed optimism that the Warugo Augmentation Project would effectively address the long-standing water crisis affecting residents.

The initiative aims to enhance water accessibility, improve sanitation, and foster community development in the area, reflecting NWSC’s commitment to providing reliable and sustainable water services.

Rukiga District Police are investigating the suspicious death of 28-year-old Henry Mugume alias Kaboy, a boda boda rider from Kirimbe cell, Kandago Parish, Bukinda Sub County. Mugume’s body was discovered along Muhanga-Ntungamo highway on the morning of September 19, 2025 amid reports that his motorcycle had been stolen.

It is alleged that Mugume was riding Motorcycle Reg. No. UMA 409AG which belongs to Nyegye Memory of Rwamucucu Sub County. Witnesses say Mugume was last seen around 2:00 am at Rukiga Campus Bar, where he appeared intoxicated.

Elly Maate, the Kigezi Region Police Spokesperson confirmed that Mugume’s body was found with signs of strangulation with a rope tightly tied around his neck. The body was recovered approximately 50 meters from Rukiga Campus Bar and was transported to Kabale Referral Hospital for a postmortem examination.

The police, led by the local crime scene team examined and documented the scene. The motorcycle has also been recovered but the suspect(s) involved remain at large.

Maate stated that investigations are ongoing to establish the circumstances surrounding Mugume’s death and to identify

Teachers in Mbarara City have defied pressure from local authorities to return to classrooms, reaffirming their commitment to strike until the government fulfills its promise to improve their salaries. The ongoing industrial action led by the Uganda National Teachers’ Union (UNATU) has brought learning to a halt in numerous schools leaving thousands of pupils stranded as the third term kicks off.

Ronald Ayebare, UNATU’s chairperson for Mbarara City called on more teachers to join the strike emphasizing the importance of unity in pressing for their demands. While some schools have distanced themselves from the strike, Ayebare stressed that a collective stand is crucial for achieving tangible results.

Ben Patrick Twahiirwa reaffirmed the teachers’ resolve, stating that they will not be intimidated or pressured to return until the government addresses their concerns regarding improved remuneration. The teachers remain firm in their stance urging authorities to fulfill their commitments to ensure a swift resolution to the ongoing industrial action.

Nominations for candidates vying for subcounty chairperson and municipal division seats in Bushenyi District have entered their fifth day with six subcounties yet to register any candidates, the district returning officer Joseph Tumwijukye revealed this evening.

Tumwijukye identified the subcounties as Ruhumuro, Kakanju, Ibaare, Kyabugimbi, Kyamuhunga and Kyeizooba. He explained that the nomination exercise which began mid-last week has so far seen approximately 26 candidates nominated to contest various electoral positions predominantly from the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) party and independent contenders.

As of press time, the number of candidates contesting for councillor positions at the subcounty and division levels has increased significantly with 88 candidates in Igara West, 78 in Igara East and 62 in Bushenyi-Ishaka Municipality.

Notably, among those nominated today is Bruno Mugizi, a seasoned journalist who is contesting as an independent candidate for Kitagata Subcounty. Also, James Tukwatse the mayor of Bitooma Town Council is running as an independent candidate while Steven Karuti who previously lost to Kijjanaman Omutuze for the Central Division seat in Bushenyi-Ishaka Municipality has also been nominated.

The nomination process continues amid anticipation for the upcoming elections, with stakeholders urging candidates and voters to adhere to the electoral guidelines and ensure peaceful campaigns.

Police in Kanungu district are investigating circumstance surrounding the death of a 62-year-old man identified as Sorobina Kabangari resident of Muramba Parish in Mpungu Sub County

Kabangari was found dead after a violent altercation linked to a dispute over livestock. The incident occurred in Muramba Parish raising concerns over escalating tensions within the community.

According to police reports, the trouble began on September 14, 2025 around 1:30pm when Twinomugisha Edisa reported to Kahunyira Nado that her two goats had been injured by Sorobina Kabangari, a 30-year-old resident of Kyambeya Cell in the same parish. In response, the Chairperson mobilized local residents, who apprehended Sorobina Kabangari who reportedly confessed to injuring the animals.

Further investigation revealed that Sorobina had been given a panga (machete) by a man identified as Bagyenyi, near his home in the area. As the group was escorting Sorobina to Mpungu Police Station, he disclosed this information which provoked anger in Bagyenyi. The suspect allegedly retrieved a panga and attacked Sorobina, cutting him on the head multiple times, leading to his instant death.

Police responded promptly, transporting the body to Mpungu Health Center IV for a postmortem examination. The scene was thoroughly processed and documented, and relevant statements from witnesses and involved parties were recorded.

The Chairperson LC II, Kahunyira Nado, was arrested to assist police with investigations. Meanwhile, Bagyenyi, the primary suspect in the attack fled the scene and remains at large.

Police authorities confirmed that inquiries are ongoing as they work to apprehend the suspect and establish the full circumstances surrounding this tragic incident.