Botswana Minute.
Friday, 11 September 2026
Botswana’s news, on the hour · Est. 2026
Friday, 11 September 2026
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Botswanan press · Organization

United Democratic Coalition

Also known as: UDC · UDC government

United Democratic Coalition — governing coalition that took power in 2024 election, comprising multiple affiliate parties including BNF, AP, and BPP.

2026-04-222026-09-11

In coverage

Verbatim sentences from the source article.

  1. August 2026
  2. The Botswana Gazette

    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…

    Free Pads Hit Supply Gaps
  3. Mmegi

    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.

    Boko to unveil special team to act on forensic audit
  4. Mmegi

    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.

    Unions turn up the heat on UDC
  5. The Botswana Gazette

    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.

    Opposition Presses UDC on Funding
  6. July 2026
  7. Mmegi

    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.

    Balopi delves into UDC ‘doubtful’ governance
  8. May 2026
  9. Mmegi

    The sharp contrast between the BCP leadership that will come in on July 21 and the UDC government should be anticipated.

    We are ready to save Botswana - BCP

Wednesday 9 September

  1. Manual Workers Union alleges political patronage in recruitment

    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.

    9 September 2026 · The Botswana Gazette

Monday 7 September

  1. UDC picks Galebotse as consensus candidate for Sefhophe by-election

    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.

    7 September 2026 · Mmegi

Wednesday 26 August

  1. Free pads programme reaches 80,498 girls amid supply gaps

    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.

    26 August 2026 · The Botswana Gazette

Thursday 20 August

  1. Government to form special team to investigate forensic audit findings

    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.

    20 August 2026 · Mmegi

Monday 17 August

  1. Unions call on UDC to step down after failed salary negotiations

    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.

    17 August 2026 · Mmegi

  2. UDC leadership absences attributed to government responsibilities

    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.

    17 August 2026 · Mmegi

Sunday 9 August

  1. Opposition accuses UDC of delaying party funding law implementation

    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.

    9 August 2026 · The Botswana Gazette

Monday 3 August

  1. Over 700 companies notified labour of retrenchments

    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.

    3 August 2026 · The Botswana Gazette

Monday 27 July

  1. BPP leadership says strong affiliates strengthen UDC coalition

    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.

    27 July 2026 · Mmegi

Sunday 19 July

  1. Petition against private health tax challenges Boko government

    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.

    19 July 2026 · The Botswana Gazette

Friday 17 July

  1. BNF, AP and BPP to hold policy review forums

    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.

    17 July 2026 · Mmegi

  2. UDC coalition parties to review policies during holiday period

    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.

    17 July 2026 · Mmegi

Tuesday 7 July

  1. Kelebeng brings fresh parliamentary energy through sports and arts background

    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.

    7 July 2026 · Mmegi

Monday 6 July

  1. Balopi criticises UDC government's governance and public service delivery

    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.

    6 July 2026 · Mmegi

Friday 3 July

  1. AP to hold policy forum this month for alignment review

    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.

    3 July 2026 · Mmegi

Monday 29 June

  1. UDC swept all by-elections since taking power, BPP says

    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.

    29 June 2026 · Mmegi

Tuesday 23 June

  1. BDP draws encouragement from Tati by-election second place

    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.

    23 June 2026 · Mmegi

  2. UDC widens Tati Siding ward victory to 36-vote margin

    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.

    23 June 2026 · Mmegi

Monday 22 June

  1. Palapye council dispute escalates amid UDC internal tensions

    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.

    22 June 2026 · Mmegi

Friday 19 June

  1. UDC internal tensions disrupt Gaborone city council operations

    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.

    19 June 2026 · Mmegi

Thursday 4 June

  1. Minister Mohwasa denies bid to replace Vice President Gaolathe

    Minister for State President, Defence and Security Moeti Mohwasa has dismissed claims that a long-term political scheme aims to position him as the future Vice President, saying the claims are meant to divide the UDC.

    4 June 2026 · The Botswana Gazette

Wednesday 3 June

  1. UDC's Tshere re-elected with record 73% vote share

    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.

    3 June 2026 · Mmegi

Tuesday 2 June

  1. BCP vice president says UDC betrayed voters

    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.

    2 June 2026 · Mmegi

  2. Tati Siding North by-election shaping up as closely contested race

    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.

    2 June 2026 · Mmegi

Friday 29 May

  1. BCP prepares for 2029 elections with new leadership

    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.

    29 May 2026 · Mmegi

Tuesday 26 May

  1. UDC rally draws public backlash ahead of 2029 election

    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.

    26 May 2026 · Mmegi

  2. UDC party leaders promise progress amid inherited challenges

    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.

    26 May 2026 · Mmegi

Sunday 10 May

  1. BOFEPUSU alleges harassment via "Happy Omang" Facebook account

    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.

    10 May 2026 · The Botswana Gazette

Wednesday 22 April

  1. UDC says low MP attendance is unparliamentary conduct

    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.

    22 April 2026 · Mmegi

United Democratic Coalition — Botswanan press coverage · Botswana Minute