For the EASF, the immediate challenge is turning political commitments into practical capacity. Its leadership wants the force to move beyond being a regional arrangement on paper and become a properly funded, politically supported and operationally ready mechanism capable of responding when crises emerge.

The proposal has sparked concern among Kampala property owners, who fear that moving government offices could leave commercial buildings without tenants and weaken the city’s economy.

Colby, who is visiting the Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand, and Cambodia this week, said discussions with Indonesian leaders had created new opportunities for a mutually respectful partnership. He stressed that the United States was not asking countries to choose sides, but instead sought to help them strengthen their ability to protect their own security and territorial integrity.

“During our regional meetings, we shall use this platform to talk to parents, religious leaders, political leaders and cultural leaders to stand up and speak out about Uganda being under siege so that we can all as one stand up and change this country,” Kabuye added.

The spokesperson said the new arrangement breaks with previous practice, under which government catered for these necessities and paid monthly internship allowances. She added that it also undermines the Collective Bargaining Agreement, which provided for enhanced allowances and better welfare for health workers.

The ministers’ “Expose and Fight Corrupt Officials in Local Governments” campaign has taken the fight to different districts, where officials have been questioned over issues such as misuse of public resources, abandoned projects, revenue leakages and poor service delivery.

The new ministers are Ambassador Adonia Ayebare, the Minister of Foreign Affairs; Shartsi Kutesa Musherure, the Minister of State for Finance, Planning and Economic Development in charge of Microfinance; and Juma Witonze, the Minister of State for Internal Affairs.

“We have information that Besigye might be admitted to Mbuya Military Hospital. But why did they transfer him there, because he needs to continue with his specialized medication in Mulago? If he is not treated in Mulago, where else can he be treated? Maybe abroad, but not in any facility in Uganda apart from Mulago,” Turinawe noted.