Botswana Minute.
Saturday, 13 June 2026
Botswana’s news, on the hour · Est. 2026
Saturday, 13 June 2026
Gaborone—:—London—:—New York—:—Beijing—:—
Botswanan press · Organization

Umbrella for Democratic Change

Umbrella for Democratic Change — ruling political party in Botswana since 2024, advancing legislative agenda including Constitutional Court reform.

2026-04-202026-06-13

In coverage

Verbatim sentences from the source article.

  1. June 2026
  2. Daily News Botswana

    It will also reflect the country’s historic democratic transition of power from the Botswana Democratic Party to the Umbrella for Democratic Change.

    Bodutu commits to culture preservation through art
  3. Mmegi

    Ketshogile is the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) councillor, whilst Ikanyeng is the Botswana Patriotic Front (BPF) councillor.

    PDC suspension sparks political fallout
  4. Weekend Post

    However, sources familiar with the matter say the government has quietly scaled back the initiative since the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) took office in 2024.

    BPS denies reports of elite crime unit shutdown
  5. The Botswana Gazette

    GAZETTE REPORTER The Botswana Patriotic Front has wrestled control of the Palapye District Council chairmanship after councillors voted to remove Umbrella for Democratic Change councillor Kabo Ketshogile…

    BPF Oust UDC From Palapye Council
  6. Mmegi

    The Botswana Congress Party (BCP) has dismissed growing political activity in Selebi Phikwe East, insisting that the constituency remains firmly under its control despite intensified campaigns by the ruling Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC).Addressing a rally on Saturday in Se

    I’m going nowhere – Nkawana
  7. Weekend Post

    The increasing activity from both the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) and Botswana Congress Party (BCP) signals the early stages of what promises to be a fiercely contested race in 2029.

    Mohwasa vs. BCP: The battle for Selebi-Phikwe East takes shape
  8. May 2026
  9. Mmegi

    Articulating the strength of his primary political home, the Botswana Peoples Party (BPP) of the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC), he traces it to “presence, history, humility and consistent engagement”.

    Ntsima: Using politics as a vehicle to convalesce people’s lives
  10. Mmegi

    Upon assuming office, the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) government commissioned a forensic audit to expose the rot by assessing the effectiveness of governance, procurement, and financial management, amongst others.

    I'm not implicated in the audit – Saleshando
  11. Daily News Botswana

    Today, under the Umbrella for Democratic Change government, that lesson matters deeply.

    From the Trenches to Reflection Honouring Festus Mogae Beyond Politics
  12. Mmegi

    Speaking during the Labour Day commemoration organised by the Botswana Federation of Public, Private and Parastatal Sector Unions (BOFEPUSU) in Letlhakane on Friday, Boko made it clear that the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) administration will press ahead with the reform,

    We aren't backtracking on ConCourt – Boko

Wednesday 10 June

  1. Artist Wame Bodutu celebrates African culture through visual art

    Wame Bodutu, an Afrocentric visual artist from Molepolole, has pursued art since primary school in 2008 and graduated from the University of Botswana with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in 2024. After mentorship from artists Bezuba Kaunda and Rodney Keitemoge, she has moved into mural painting and sold artworks, inspiring other women to pursue creative careers.

    10 June 2026 · Daily News Botswana

Tuesday 9 June

  1. Minister suspends Palapye council over leadership dispute

    The minister suspended the Palapye District Council and all its committees after councillors removed PDC chairperson Kabo Ketshogile (UDC) and voted in David Ikanyeng (BPF) as preferred chairperson, citing governance failures and the need to restore stability.

    9 June 2026 · Mmegi

  2. BPS denies elite crime unit shutdown amid scaling-back reports

    The Botswana Police Service has rejected claims that the City Police Unit (CPU), launched in December 2023, has been suspended, though sources say the government has quietly scaled back the initiative since the UDC took office in 2024, citing resource shortages and a reported shift toward the Safer City Project.

    9 June 2026 · Weekend Post

Friday 5 June

  1. BPF gains Palapye Council chairmanship via no-confidence vote

    The Botswana Patriotic Front has taken control of the Palapye District Council chairmanship after David Ikanyeng was elected following a successful motion of no confidence against UDC councillor Kabo Ketshogile.

    5 June 2026 · The Botswana Gazette

Tuesday 2 June

  1. BCP insists Selebi Phikwe East remains firmly under control

    The Botswana Congress Party dismissed growing political activity in Selebi Phikwe East, with Member of Parliament Kgoberego Nkawana assuring supporters at a rally that he remains committed to the BCP despite intensified campaigns by the ruling Umbrella for Democratic Change.

    2 June 2026 · Mmegi

  2. Political tensions rise in Selebi-Phikwe East ahead of 2029 election

    Political activity from the UDC and BCP in Selebi-Phikwe East signals the early stages of a fiercely contested 2029 election race, with tensions already escalating three years before the general election.

    2 June 2026 · Weekend Post

Monday 25 May

  1. Ntsima uses politics to improve lives, especially youth

    A parliamentary member and Minister of Trade and Entrepreneurship says his conviction that politics must serve to improve people's lives—especially young people, entrepreneurs, and ordinary communities—was shaped by university experience and civil society work. His background in business consulting has reinforced his belief that government should make it easier for citizens to start and grow businesses.

    25 May 2026 · Mmegi

Wednesday 13 May

  1. Saleshando denies involvement in government audit investigation

    A forensic audit commissioned by the UDC government for P57 million identified more than 80 current and former senior officials and 150 contractors, suppliers, and counterparties for special investigation, according to a summary report received by President Duma Boko.

    13 May 2026 · Mmegi

  2. Reflection on Festus Mogae's political legacy and opposition critique

    An opinion piece examines Festus Mogae's role in Botswana politics from the perspective of early 1990s opposition figures who viewed him as representing an establishment they considered cautious and elitist, amid political tensions over inequality, land allocation, and governance issues including the National Development Bank crisis.

    13 May 2026 · Daily News Botswana

Wednesday 6 May

  1. UDC administration will proceed with Constitutional Court reform

    Speaking at a Labour Day event in Letlhakane, Boko stated that the UDC administration will not back away from its Constitutional Court reform proposal, describing it as a "principled position" grounded in expert legal opinion and thoroughly examined by lawyers, advocates, scholars, and experts.

    6 May 2026 · Mmegi

Sunday 3 May

  1. PAC report renews DIS accountability allegations against UDC government

    A Public Accounts Committee report has reopened allegations against the Directorate of Intelligence and Security involving contract interference, hidden business interests, and court defeats, testing the new UDC government's promise to restore accountability.

    3 May 2026 · Botswana Sunday Standard

Tuesday 28 April

  1. Parliament passes 17 bills to support development agenda

    The 13th Parliament passed 17 bills and three key national policies during its recent session, marking a significant legislative milestone that will support the government's transformative agenda once they are assented to by the President. The bills and policies were passed as part of the government's effort to review and renew laws to ensure their relevance to national development and emerging regional and international issues.

    28 April 2026 · Daily News Botswana

Sunday 26 April

  1. BPP president assures Batswana UDC promises will be fulfilled

    Botswana People's Party president Motlatsi Molapisi addressed delegates at the party's first leadership forum, assuring Batswana that UDC coalition promises—including a P4,000 minimum wage—will be implemented as funds permit, and reiterated the BPP's commitment to the coalition while expressing concern that most of the party's councillors and MPs were absent.

    26 April 2026 · Daily News Botswana

Monday 20 April

  1. Boko urges BNF to unite around faith and economic reform

    At the BNF's 60th anniversary gala, President Duma Boko emphasized leadership driven by faith and long-term vision, while warning that diamonds account for about 80 per cent of national revenue and calling for urgent economic diversification through infrastructure projects, improved bureaucratic efficiency, and production-based empowerment. He also stressed the need for rule of law and institutional reform.

    20 April 2026 · Daily News Botswana

Umbrella for Democratic Change — Botswanan press coverage · Botswana Minute