… SESUPO RANTSIMAKO The UDC government’s flagship promise to provide free sanitary pads to female learners is facing a major implementation test, with supply interruptions threatening to undermine…
… That team can work within the DCEC still independent,” Mohwasa said.Upon assuming government, following the historic win during the 2024 General Elections, the UDC government commissioned a forensic audit to expose the corruption that has transpired over the last 10 years.
… The standoff between the unions and the administration emanates from the failed salary negotiations.Close to two years now, the UDC government and unions have not reached any agreement in their talks with their qualms escalated to the courts to mediate. …
… SESUPO RANTSIMAKO Opposition parties have accused the UDC government of lacking commitment to political party funding, arguing that the administration is using financial constraints to delay implementing a law passed by Parliament in 2024. …
Speaking during a press conference held at Tsholetsa House in Gaborone on Tuesday, Balopi said the UDC government has failed to meet the expectations of Batswana since assuming office following the 2024 General Election. …
The Manual Workers Union alleges that centralising recruitment for 367 gardener and cleaner posts could be intended to reward UDC activists, a claim the Directorate of Public Service Management has not answered.
The Manual Workers Union alleges that centralising recruitment for 367 gardener and cleaner posts could be intended to reward UDC activists, a claim the Directorate of Public Service Management has not answered.
The UDC selected Galebotse as its candidate for the Sefhophe by-election through a consensus process among three interested members, following the death of former councillor Christopher Motsholapheko. The party is seeking to maintain control of the ward.
Government reports its free sanitary pads programme has reached 80,498 girls nationwide, but supply interruptions threaten the scheme's reliability as a public service.
During a parliamentary response, Minister Mohwasa revealed that the government will establish an independent special team—rather than relying on existing investigative bodies—to act on findings from a forensic audit commissioned to expose corruption over the last decade.
Labour movements have concluded that the UDC government has failed to address pressing issues from its 2024 election campaign and should make way for another administration. The standoff stems from nearly two years of stalled salary negotiations between unions and the government, with the dispute escalated to the courts.
UDC spokesperson Molutsi said the party president and deputy president's demanding government responsibilities make it difficult for them to attend NEC meetings, though he maintained the NEC continues to meet with representatives from coalition parties and communicates with the two leaders through briefings and resolutions.
Opposition parties have accused the UDC government of lacking commitment to political party funding, arguing that the administration is using financial constraints to delay implementing a law passed by Parliament in 2024.
A total of 700 companies submitted notifications of intention to retrench workers to the Commissioner of Labour between January 2024 and May 2026, with 5,392 employees losing their jobs during that period, according to Minister Sesupo Rantsimako.
At a BPP leadership forum in Francistown, Molapise said the party's participation in the UDC remains critical, and that all affiliate parties should evaluate their contribution to the coalition, recommend policy changes, and review policies that are not delivering for citizens while maintaining their own organisational strength and political identity.
A growing petition against Botswana's private healthcare taxation is challenging President Duma Boko's pledges on affordable healthcare and human rights, with campaigners warning the policy could reduce medical care affordability.
The Botswana National Front, Alliance for Progressives and Botswana People's Party plan to hold policy fora during the holiday period to scrutinise existing policies, debate their relevance and recommend changes. The discussions align with the UDC-led government's intention to review laws and regulations it believes hinder economic growth and public service delivery.
The Botswana National Front, Alliance for Progressives, and Botswana People's Party plan to hold policy fora during the holiday period to scrutinise existing policies and recommend changes. The discussions align with the UDC-led government's stated intention to review laws and regulations it believes hinder economic growth.
A fellow MP praises Minister Kelebeng for bringing youthful energy to Parliament and the sport and arts fraternity, crediting him with sponsoring three Bills including the Cinematography Bill, and overseeing the successful hosting of the World Relays. Kelebeng and his colleague met during opposition student activism at the University of Botswana.
At a press conference, Balopi said the UDC government has failed to meet citizens' expectations since the 2024 election, with particular frustration over challenges in health and agriculture sectors. He contended the government has not adequately addressed public concerns about healthcare access and livestock farmers' welfare.
The Alliance for the Future (AP), a UDC affiliate party, plans to hold a policy forum this month where members will review existing policies, assess their alignment with the UDC's policy agenda and Purple Vision, and hear presentations from AP ministers on sectoral policies.
BPP secretary-general Mmatlha Sankoloba said the UDC's clean sweep of all by-elections held since assuming power demonstrates citizen confidence in the coalition government, countering narratives that Batswana have lost faith despite economic and socio-economic challenges.
In the Tati by-election, the UDC won with 335 votes while the BDP came second with 299 votes. BDP Secretary General Kentse Rammidi said the party sees the result as a sign of gradual revival and rejected claims that the BDP has become politically irrelevant.
In a by-election, the UDC candidate won 335 votes (37.6%) in Tati Siding, defeating the BDP's 299 votes (33.5%) and increasing the coalition's winning margin from one vote in the 2024 general election to 36 votes. The UDC gained 14 additional votes compared with the general election, demonstrating stronger voter confidence.
Leadership wrangles have intensified following the removal of former council chairperson Kabo Ketshogile, triggering legal action. A BPF member has taken PDC and the Ministry of Local Government to court to challenge the minister's endorsement of Ketshogile as PDC chairperson, citing a dispute over councillor voting.
Gaborone City Council Mayor Oarabile Motlaleng postponed council proceedings for 14 days over disagreements about his official speech, exposing deepening fractures within council operations and raising questions about leadership coordination and internal political cohesion.
Politician Tshere was re-elected with 73% of the vote and a 58-percentage-point margin of victory, the highest vote share and margin attained by a non-BDP candidate in Botswana's electoral history. The UDC recorded a substantial 21-percentage-point increase in its vote share compared to the 2019 election.
BCP vice president Taolo Lucas told a rally in Selebi-Phikwe East that voting for the UDC had been a mistake, arguing the coalition failed to meet expectations and is struggling to govern effectively, and that the BCP's departure from the coalition has been validated by subsequent developments.
The Tati Siding North ward proved highly competitive in the 2024 General Election, with the UDC winning by just one vote (321) over the BDP (320), followed by the BCP (283) and BRP (211), indicating no clear favourite for the upcoming by-election.
The Botswana Congress Party will hold Executive Leadership elections in 51 days to prepare for the 2029 general elections, with the incoming leadership expected to contrast sharply with the current UDC government.
The UDC held a well-attended rally on Saturday to strengthen the ruling coalition's presence ahead of the 2029 General Election, welcoming more than 50 new members and celebrating growing support in the area.
At a rally in Selebi-Phikwe East, UDC leaders acknowledged difficulties facing the nation and committed to improving citizens' lives. An MP noted the party inherited an economy with depleted funds but said the focus is on transforming Botswana and creating opportunities.
The Botswana Federation of Public Sector Unions has raised concerns over government silence on a controversial Facebook pseudo account known as "Happy Omang," alleging it has been used to harass politicians, union leaders and other public figures.
Following closure of a budget meeting, a UDC figure said Parliament has a persistent attendance problem, with sessions adjourning due to lack of quorum on several occasions.