Benefaciaries of Nankoma primary school receiving support from Owek. Dr. Joyce Abaliwano (left)
NEWS EDITOR newseditor.info@gmail.com
THERE is a jubilant mood allover Busoga and the surrounding areas among parents, guardians and the PLE 2020 candidates after the good performance. According to the results released on Friday by Uganda National Examinations Board,all the sponsored candidates under the Ekigangu kya Busoga/Bidco bursary scheme who sat passed and are eligible to join secondary education. One of the best pupils,Ismael Ntambi with 11 aggregates from Nankoma Primary School in Bugiri District attributed his performance to the availability of school dues courtesy of the scholarship. “As a family,we would encounter challenges in meeting our obligation but with Bidco/Ekigangu paying my school dues,it enabled me concentrate making it inevitable for me to scoop a first grade and am grateful for the support”, Ntambi said pleading for more support in secondary as well. Others who performed well included Flavia Martha Nanyanzi with 12 aggregates from Nankoma Primary School, Bruno Azalwa with 12 aggregates from Iganga Boys Boarding Primary School,Jonathan Musasizi (child with disability) with 14 aggregates from Nabirumba Primary School in Kamuli District,Suudi Mukibi with 16 aggregates from Nabukalu Primary School,Susan Jackline Nyomera with 24 aggregates from Butumba Primary School among others.
Beneficiaries of Butumba Primary school in Bugiri
Owek. Dr. Joyce Abaliwano Mulebeke, Team Leader Ekigangu kya Busoga also Minister for Gender, Women and Children Affairs argues that as an entity within the Kingdom, they look forward to increasing the number of children in school with emphasis on bright but vulnerable children with the girl child taking a lead. “Increasing the number of children moreso girls who stay in school most especially at this difficult time where many girls have fellen prey to teen pregnancy is our top priority.We continue to deepen our crusade in agitating and supporting the education of the girl child and on behalf of management and Managing Directo,Rt.Hon.Rebecca Alitwala Kadaga, we are very grateful to Bidco for partnering with us in this noble cause and we look forward to more of the same”. Dr.Joyce said. She also conveyed greetings from both the Kyabazinga and Prime Minister.
Jonathan Musasizi of Nabirumba Primary School receiving support from Owek. Dr. Joyce Abaliwano (Left) alongside his headmaster
Bidco’s General Manager noted that as a corporate company giving back to the community is a priority under their social responsibility provided the support benefits and serves the genuine cause it was asked for. “As a company, we don’t aim at profit maximization but we also associate with community causes that are geared towards improving the well-being of the people we serve and when the Kingdom team approached us for support moreover with education, we welcomed the idea. No wonder our support impacted on the final performance of the candidates which is encouraging”, the General Manager revealed committing Bidco’s willingness to continue supporting Ekigangu’s pro-people causes since it falls within their core value of their corporate social responsibility. This is the second year running that Bidco continues to support bright but vulnerable children under Ekigangu kya Busoga established by the Kyabazinga of Busoga. Other benefiting students under the Bidco/Ekigangu bursary scheme go to Nabirumba Seed School in Kamuli District, Kidera SS in Buyende District, Bunya SS and Mpungwe SS in Mayuge District, Nkutu Memorial SS in Bugweri District, Walibo Seed School in Luuka District, Kiribaki SS in Iganga District. Banda SS, Kifuyo SS, St.Philips Lwangosia, Buswale SS all in Namayingo District.
Hon. Kiwanda crying after he was forced to step down for Kibedi Nsegumire (left) in a race for Mityana North MP. This was late last year
NEWS EDITOR newseditor.info@gmail.com
UP to now, there are many unanswered questions as to how come, former Tourism and Wildlife Antiquities State Minister Godfrey Kiwanda Ssuubi was on Friday July 16th 2021 shockingly beaten by Kabula man James Kakooza, in the race for NRM flag bearer in the EALA by- election. In this well detailed story, The News editor investigations desk has a must read exclusive story on why Kiwanda lost. For starters, hours to the polls, all indicators showed Kiwanda was winning with a highest percentage afterall he had Party chairman blessings and endorsement of CEC, the ruling party’s highest organ. However, the party caucus gave it to James Kakooza, denying Kiwanda a chance to go to EALA. According to the results released by the NRM EC boss, James Kakooza was declared as the dully elected Member of Parliament to the East African Legislative Assembly 2021. He polled 93 votes (39.2%). Godfrey Kiwanda Ssuubi finished second with 85 votes (35.9%), Abbas Mutumba had 54 (22.8%) votes, Kenneth Nsubuga Ssebagayunga polled 3 votes (1.3%), Nakato Kyabangi got only 1 vote (0.4%) and finally Umar Lule Mawiya didn’t get any vote. Only 1 vote was invalid. Out of over 330 NRM MPs, only 233 turned up for voting. 90 MPs boycotted. We are told, most of the boycotting MPs had issues with CEC where Kiwanda is a member, that many were promised ministerial jobs if they vote Jacob Oulanyah for Speaker, a pledge which was not fulfilled. Now there was nothing to offer to vote for Kiwanda who was CEC’s choice.
LEAKED INTELLIGENCE REPORT Prior to 2021 General elections, there was a drafted intelligence report which was leaked to this news Website implicating Hon. Godfrey Kiwanda in fighting Minister Judith Nabakooba and distablizing NRM in Greater Mityana. She was also the Woman member of Parliament for Mityana district. This report was drafted by the then Mityana District Intelligence Security Officer (DISO) Mr. Fabiano Niwagaba and addressed to his bosses at ISO headquarters in Kampala. According to this report, Kiwanda alongside then Mityana South MP Henry Kamya Makumbi and counsel Joseph Luzige the then Mityana district LCV Chairman allegedly wanted Hon. Nabakooba out of Parliament so that they remain the only NRM bulls in Mityana and position themselves for ministerial appointments in the cabinet reshuffle. The report indicated that, with Kiwanda as a ring-leader, Luzige, Makumbi alongside one Haji Haruna Kibirige Nziiza (former NRM Chairman Mityana District) also plotted against former Minister Vincent Nyanzi who wanted in 2021 to oust NUP man Hon. David Lukyamuzi Kalwanga and bounce back as Busujju County member of Parliament. “These fights have led to the three politicians (Hon. Kiwanda, Chairman Luzige and MP Kamya Makumbi) fielding Mrs. Deborah Kyazike against Hon. Judith Nabakooba and fielding Kato Kasujja against Hon. Vincent Nyanzi in Busujju Constituency”, read DISO’s report. DISO Niwagaba warned how Kiwanda and team’s mission would jeopardise NRM in Mityana and instead pave way for a landslide victory of NUP’ dangerman Hon. Francis Butebi Zaake (Mityana Municipality MP) and other opposition figures. This came into reality in 2021 elections. Apart from Hon. Kibedi Nsegumire who won in Mityana North, all top elective positions in greater Mityana from MPs, Disrict Chairman, Municipality mayor, sub county chairmen and councilors were swept by the opposition. DISO saw this coming according to his intelligence report. He had warned how Kiwanda’s actions in Mityana were going to cost the party dearly in the elections. When contacted about the leaked DISO report, Kiwanda and other leaders pinned by DISO Niwagaba and demanded that he is fired and be punished for what they called, writing nonsense to his security bosses. Angry Joseph Luzige wrote, “Eee, how can someone write such nonsense? Is your intention to finish the Movement (NRM) by wrongly reporting? You are the worst enemy that intends to cause in-fighting amongst us as NRM leaders in Mityana. I am so much disappointed with this DISO.” For Kiwanda he only wondered how DISO can write such a false report against him!
HERE IS THE FULL INTELLIGENCE REPORT Drafted in November 2019, the report addresses Political Affairs in Mityana district. DISO’s report read; The political situation in the (Mityana) district remains generally calm except political rivalries amongst NRM candidates. In Mityana North (represented by Kiwanda) there is hostile rivalry between Hon. Godfrey Kiwanda Suubi and Muhammad Nsegumire Kibedi (an NRM figure who wants to contest Kiwanda). In Mityana South (represented by Makumbi), rivalry is between Hon. Henry Kamya Makumbi and Apollo Kazungu the district council Speaker. In Busujju Constituency, it’s between Hon. Vincent Nyanzi (former area MP) and Haji Nuhu Kalyesubula. Both want NRM ticket to tussle it out with popular David Lukyamuzi Kalwanga (the incumbent). Then there is a power struggle and fighting for ministerial positions by the LC5 Chairperson Joseph Luzige, Hon. Kiwanda and Hon. Makumbi. The three fighting both Hon. Nabakooba and Hon. Vincent Nyanzi. Each of the three is fighting to catch the eye of President Museveni for political appointments. Another confusion is headed by the funder/sponsor of People Power, the father of Hon. Francis Butebi Zaake who uses ‘NRM cadres’ like John Kabango the NRM Chairman of Mityana Municipality, Kayiwa, Bigambo (NRM Chairman Tamu Division) and Haruna Mabirizi to distablize NRM. They are with NRM in the day, and with People Power at night. The confusion was brought by (then) Acting NRM chairman Mityana district Haji Haruna Kibirige Nziiza who among the four candidates fighting for the flag of NRM candidate for Mityana Municipality, he favours his son Abraham Luzzi. He doesnt want him to follow the due process. Others are; John Mary Bugembe, Kakumba and Charles Sserugga Matovu (Munnakyalo). Nziiza wants Luzzi to run as NRM sole candidate. He doesn’t want him to go through NRM Primaries leaving the three other contenders very furious. Nziiza calls the office of the RDC and that of the DISO biased and therefore belonging to opposition. This is because as Security chiefs, we asked for his son (Luzzi) academic documents. Comments: The (then) NRM Chairman Hajji Nziiza needs to be tamed for he is busy chasing away people from the party and other NRM candidates because of his abusive language and recklessness.
DISO RECALLED Instead of implementing what was in the DISO’s report, we are told, some of the pinned NRM top leaders in Mityana put pressure on ISO boss in Kampala to recall Niwagaba accusing him of writing a bogus report. He was indeed recalled only for his prophesy to come true early this year when Judith Nabakooba was defeated by NUP’s Joyce Bagala Ntwatwa. On losing her MP seat, Nabakooba spent the whole night crying and cursing Kiwanda who is said to have used his position of NRM Vice Chairperson Buganda region to confuse her supporters. She vowed to make him cry one day! Because of the disunity among top guns in Mityana, Kamya Makumbi lost to DP’s Richard Lumu for MP Mityana South, Kibedi Nsegumire narrowly survived NUP’s Gordon Ssematiko in Mityana North, Zaake massively defeated NRM’s John Mary Bugembe in Mityana Municipality, and Luzige was defeated by NUP young man Patrick Mugisha. In Busujju, NUP’s David Lukyamuzi Kalwanga defeated NRM’s Vincent Nyanzi while for Mayor Mityana Municipality, NRM iron lady Esther Ndyanabo was shown exit by NUP’s Faustine Mukambwe Lukonge. In Greater Mityana, NUP took over Kassanda South MP seat, Kassanda North and woman MP Kassanda district. Kassanda mayor is a DP man. Now NRM insiders say, their party humiliation in Greater Mityana was entirely due to political blunders orchestrated by Kiwanda and his team.
NABAKOOBA & KIWANDA ARE SWORN ENEMIES Insiders say, no one influenced Kiwanda’s EALA loss like this President Museveni’s blue eyed girl, Judith Nabakooba. Her camp was the happiest when Kiwanda lost to Kakooza on Friday last week. The two are sworn enemies, Nabakooba camp says no one fought their candidate in the last elections like Kiwanda. In fact her loss is blamed on Kiwanda and his clique. It is believed, on realizing that Nabakooba was a darling to the president, Kiwanda chose to fight her and lose MP seat so that Muzeeyi will have no option but to reappoint him a minister in respect to a cut deal for Kiwanda to leave Mityana North seat to Kibedi Nsegumire. Little did Kiwanda know that Muzeeyi had intelligence briefing about what transpired in Mityana. When Nabakooba lost, Muzeeyi felt sorry and publicly consoled her. President hailed Nabakooba for fighting land grabbing in Mityana. In his new cabinet, Museveni appointed Nabakooba the Lands cabinet minister and dropped Kiwanda! This was a blow to the axed Tourism State minister. To show how angry he was, Museveni did not deploy any one in the Kiwanda clique. When EALA polls came, it was an opportunity for Nabakooba to pay Kiwanda. We are reliably informed, Nabakooba’s camp secretly mobilized MPs not to vote Kiwanda referring to him as a green snake in green grass. Each MP who listened to Nabakooba’s story in Mityana and how Kiwanda fought NRM candidates paving way for NUP’s win, got annoyed and this is how things changed for Kiwanda at the 11th hour. Many Female MPs did not vote Kiwanda accusing him of fighting their own Nabakooba.
NSEGUMIRE FACTOR Since his election as Mityana North MP, NRM’s Kibedi Nsegumire has been hosted on different media platforms and blasted Kiwanda for fighting him during campaigns. While featuring on a certain government owned tv station a few days after elections, Nsegumire said NUP Ssematiko camp had meetings in one of Kiwanda’s home to strategies on how to win NRM. He even talked about NUP vote tallying done in Kiwanda’s home. Nsegumire said Kiwanda was a very bad hearted man who lied that he had stood down for him in Mityana North for him to concentrate on the CEC office. Analysts say, Kiwanda was worried that if Nsegumire wins Mityana North MP seat, he had better chances to scoop the ministerial slot and him (Kiwanda) be dropped. So for Kiwanda to remain the only bull in the kraal, Nsegumire didn’t have to win. For those who were at Kololo say, Nsegumire strongly mobilized for Kakooza.
GREEDY KIWANDA Both Kiwanda and Kakooza were members in the 10th Parliament. One of the Kakooza stong campaign tools, Kiwanda is a CEC member with a deployment in Buganda where the party performed very poorly in last elections. He asked NRM MPs not to overload Kiwanda, let him concentrate on regaining NRM lost glory in Buganda and they send a ‘jobless’ Kakooza to the EALA front. This reasoning won many votes for a soft speaking Kakooza who has no blackspots not like Kiwanda with many crimes committed against party members.
‘MAFIA CLIQUE’ The clique which fought so hard to fail Rt. Hon. Rebecca Alitwala Kadaga Speakership bid this time came for Kiwanda! For starters, Kiwanda worked for this clique and was heard everywhere decampaigming and speaking ill about maama Kadaga. Little did he know that the same clique will come for him. Kiwanda has been referring to himself as NRM’s No.4 not knowing this was annoying this powerful clique. Before cabinet reshuffle, he told his friends how he was the favourite for VP job. Operatives who were monitoring Kiwanda must have written a bad report about him and this ambitious man had to be handled or else he might disturb their project. Political analysts say, Kiwanda has to be extra careful, avoid over talking and much excitement. It’s this that caused him problems. Those who take themselves to be all knowing in NRM, have politically ended badly.
FORMER State Minister for Tourism and Wildlife Antiquites Ssalongo Godfrey Kiwanda Ssuubi is today Friday set to overwhelmingly win NRM Primaries for the EALA by elections after President Museveni’s endorsement. The ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) members of Parliament will today Friday convene at Kololo Airstrip to elect their flag bearer in the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) by election. By today morning, all NRM members of Parliament have been still getting calls from the Deputy Speaker of Parliament Anita Among, Prime minister Robinah Nabbanja and Government chiefwhip Thomas Tayebwa ordering them to vote for Kiwanda because, “He is President Museveni’s choice for this job.” The whole of yesterday, NRM MPs privately met at the Pearl of Africa Hotel in Kampala to be briefed on what to do if the election hour comes. MPs we talked to confirmed being given brown envelopes as transport refund ahead of today’s Kiwanda elections. On Tuesday, NRM Secretary General Richard Todwong released a final list of six party members who presented themselves to contest for this seat. They include: Kabula man James Kakooza, Kiwanda Ssuubi, Kenneth Nsubuga Sebayunga, Umar Lule Mawiya, Abbas Mutumba and Nakato Kyabangi. How the number dropped from 26 to 6 contestants, we shall come back to this later
WHY M7 ENDORSED KIWANDA After the sudden death of EALA MP Mathias Kasamba who doubled as Director Mobilization at the NRM Secretariat, his MP seat fell vacant and had to be filled since there is still a year for the expiration of this term. Kiwanda was last year forced to pull out of the Mityana North MP race for Moses Kibedi Nsegumire since he was contesting for NRM Vice chairman Buganda region was promised a ministerial position in the 2021 cabinet. However, instead, President Museveni dropped him and many think, this was because of the allegations of an intelligence report against Kiwanda on how he frustrated NRM leaders in greater Mityana like Judith Nabakooba who lost to NUP gal Joyce Bagala. On losing the ministerial job, Opposition leaders like Mukono Municipality MP Betty Nambooze Bakireke turned Kiwanda into a laughing stock calling him a political rejectee used and dumped by President Museveni. Kiwanda felt disappointed by his government whose trumpet he has been blowing on different media platforms. He believed was being fought by mafias in government who wanted him sent into early retirement. In fact no one expected Kiwanda to miss out on the new cabinet due to how he had driven and scored highly in the Tourism ministry. We are reliably informed, a crestfallen Kiwanda approached party leaders like Ruth Nankabirwa asking them to plead for him before president Museveni if he had errored any where, to be forgiven. When EALA called for a by election, Kiwanda was quick to show interest and found his way to President Museveni for endorsement. Insiders say, Kiwanda cried before Museveni to the extent that his shirt became wet, begging the party chairman to allow him go and serve the party in EALA. With a parental heart, Museveni said, “Ok Kiwanda, we shall see what to do.” This is when rumours started making rounds on social media that CEC had endorsed Kiwanda. Museveni wanted it done Kadaga-Oulanyah way but party legal brains advised Muzeeyi not to give chance to such an illegality, that the due process must be followed to have Primaries, which the big man okayed. It was opened to all party members with qualifications and this is how 26 aspirants picked papers from the party EC headquarters.
TUESDAY MEETING @ STATE HOUSE President Museveni invited all the 26 candidates for briefing. When he started addressing them, he said this position was for Buganda. “Those who are not from Buganda, please step aside, NRM will find for you something else to do.” Ruled Party Chairman. While selecting EALA representatives, NRM normally considers Regional Balance, Gender and Sheds of opinion. The current first four EALA MPs out of Nine (9) were elected on Regional Balance. These are: Hon. Paul Musamali (East), Hon. Denis Namala (Western), Hon.Odongo (Northern) and late Hon. Mathias Kasamba (Buganda). On Gender balance they had Hon. Mary Mugyenyi and Jon. Rose Akol. The other two MPS Fred Mukasa Mbidde and Chris Opoka represents opposition political parties while Suzan Nakawuki is for independents. So this time the Region whose member died was Buganda Region. It is on this ground that President Museveni asked contestants from other regions to leave this slot for Buganda candidates.
BUGANDA’S 13 CANDIDATES After candidates for other regions pulled down, race remained with 13 candidates. President Museveni asked them to get one candidate to quickien the process. Given a break to sort out themselves, leaders (names withheld) sweet talked some of these candidates to leave for Kiwanda. “Muzeeyi has not been open to you but the truth is, his choice is Hon. Kiwanda. Please don’t complicate this process, just pull out he will definitely deploy you somewhere.” Top party bosses told other candidates. At the end of the break, Seven (7) of the 13 candidates declared how they had lost interest in the EALA by election. Hon. John Bosco Lubyayi (former Mawokota South MP) was the first to speak. He said, “Mr. President, with due respect and for the good of our party, I and other six (6) candidates have agreed to step down. Like you said Chairman, we will serve our party in other deployments as you wish.” A happy Museveni thanked Lubyayi for making his work easy. The six other candidates, none was ready to step aside. However, writing on all walls shows Museveni wants Kiwanda and by the end of today, he will be the official party flag bearer for EALA. By press time, we are told of the six candidates, some had already tipped on leaving for Kiwanda. If Kiwanda goes through as expected, it will be a walk over in Parliament since NRM has the majority meaning, it’s a sure deal, he will beat hands down any other contestant.
GROUPS of people from Rubaga Constituency have raided the home of their MP Aloysius Mukasa commonly known as ‘Taata Lubaga’ demanding to be given food before they die of hunger. Led by a one Damali Nansubuga from Ndeeba, Nsiike II Zone, these people claimed they had lost hope in Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja’s Covid-19 relief package of 100,000/= (One hundred thousand shillings), now they want their MP to bail them out. “Our MP, you are now our last resort. Hunger is killing us. Our businesses were locked down by the government and we have waited in vain for Prime Minister Nabbanja’s money. Our children are crying, we can no longer feed them. You are our voice in Parliament, please find a way of giving us food or we will surely die.” Said Nansubuga as hundreds of youth mostly bodaboda riders and taxi drivers who have spent almost a month without working cheered her on. Notably among those who raided MP Mukasa’s home were reknown NRM, FDC, DP and NUP supporters. In fact, a one Kaggwa who is a bodaboda rider at Kabuusu stage was heard saying, “We have not come here for a political rally. I don’t subscribe to the opposition. You all know me I am NRM 311. Hon. Mukasa is an MP for us all. I hear he is a generous man, he is our hope, we want food.” Many of these people were speaking ill about government’s pledge to give the vulnerable people 100,000/= for food, a promise they have failed to fullfil. By press time, voices were still coming from different parts of those districts that government had promised to send the 100,000/= for the vunerable poor saying it lied. Addressing a group of Lubaga people who raided his home, Hon. Mukasa sympathised with them and vowed to raise this as a matter of National Importance in Parliament for the Prime minister to bring lists of who ever received 100,000/= A tough speaking Hon. Mukasa said, “We all saw Prime Minister Nabbanja happily launching giving out the Covid-19 relief of 100,000/= Since then, press is reporting how the vulnerable people are getting this money but in the actual sense, this is not true.” “As your MP, I will ask the Speaker of Parliament to cause Rt. Hon. Prime Minister to present before Parliament lists of all beneficiaries. There must be something fishy. How come our people have missed on this list yet they registered? Who are those vulnerable people receiving this money? Some one must explain this circus.” Vowed NUP legislator Hon. Mukasa. A no nonsense Mukasa said the House can’t fold hands when people they represent we’re promised air yet the money was released. Meanwhile, on giving them food, Mukasa, a reknown MP who has a benovalent heart assured his people that he will do everything possible to lobby for them what to eat. “I won’t represent dead people in Parliament. I want all of you alive and healthy. It’s my duty to make legislation for you but also, to lobby for my constituents. You know me, I used to stand with you in every situation before I contested for MP, I will still stand with you come rain, come sunshine. I will never change.” Said Hon. Mukasa. We are told, there after, MP Mukasa privately engaged the group leaders and that is when their people left his Najjanankumbi home, of course with a smile. In last year’s Covid-19 lockdown, Aloysius Mukasa, then aspiring MP Rubaga South fed thousands of hungry Lubaga people. This time again, they have run to him after government failed to deliver on its pledge. For starters, if you have seen the recent news covers highlighting the unspeakable conditions in which thousands of children, youth and mothers of Rubaga South in Kampala Uganda’s Capital, survive especially during the Covid-19 pandemic you will with no doubt be as horrified. Before the pandemic, many of these families were already struggling to pay for rent, food, and other basics. Now with the growing number of businesses laying off low-wage employees, these families find themselves with zero income and a lot of uncertainty about when relief will arrive. Rubaga South Constituency is located in Lubaga, the most densely populated Municipality with over 1.3 Million people. It has suffering and starving children, youth and pregnant mothers. Children and youth in Lubaga South are facing an unimaginable tragedy, as Covid 19,hunger, disease, homelessness, acute poverty, unemployment and starvation ravage them. Over 450, 000 innocent girls and boys sleep on empty stomachs and thousands of children are malnourished, they don’t even have energy to cry. Can you imagine such a situation in the heart of the city.
IT was this News Website which carried an investigative story unmasking a one Julius Katongole who approached many of you asking for financial assistance to reach out to starving families of NUP political prisoners, but instead ate this money and enjoyed your sweat with juicy women around Kampala! Now, Kamwokya based National Unity Platform bosses have picked interest in the matter and want thorough investigations in an operation to weed out such Conmen from the party. A heartless Katongole, didn’t only pocket money for political prisoners, but even money that was allegedly sent to facilitate the struggle! We are reliably informed, NUP bosses were shocked to learn that Katongole didn’t spare party principal Hon. Robert Ssentamu Kyagulanyi. He is said to have solicited money lying to supporters that he was taking it to the Party president to help facilitate the struggle against ruling Government. This money wasn’t delivered to either Hon. Kyagulanyi or any one at NUP headquaters. What we have just gathered is that Nakawa West MP Joel Ssenyonyi who doubles as Party spokesman has been directed to immediatey intervene and warn Katongole to stop using the party name to con NUP supporters both in Uganda and the Diaspora, lying that he is going to reach out to starving NUP members and their families. “Let our supporters especially in the Diaspora be alerted not to deal with this conman Julius Katongole. Who ever does it, does so at his or her own risk, Katongole does not represent NUP Party and we have never authorised him to solicit money for any of our members. He is doing all this to taint the good name of our party something we condemn in the strongest terms.” NUP top bosses told Spokesman Ssenyonyi. This comes at a time when NUP political prisoners who Court martial recently released on bail from Kitalya Government prison are continuing to mount pressure on the Party to handle Julius Katongole who used their suffering in the Prison to extract money from party supporters lying that he was going to use it to reach out to their starving families something he did not do. Led by Bobi Wine’s blue eyed boy commonly known as ‘Sky Soljah Uganda’, NUP heroes want Katongole to vomit millions he collected from NUP supporters to help families of political prisoners and also to face party disciplinary committee. Through his face book post on his page, Sky Soljah said Julius Katongole is a conman who shouldn’t be trusted by any one, for he ate money that was intended to be for the families of political prisoners. Sky Soljah was on June 14th 2021 released on bail by Court Martial chaired by Lt. Gen. Andrew Gutti alongside Bobi’s body guard Eddy Ssebufu alias Eddie Mutwe, Ali Bukeni also known as Nubian Li, producer Daniel Brenny Oyerwot alias Dan Magic and 14 others. They had spent about six months on remand following their arrest in December last year in Kalangala where they had accompanied the National Unity Platform (NUP) president, Mr Kyagulanyi alias Bobi Wine, on a campaign trail. Sky says, Julius Katongole approached NUP supporters and asked for financial contribution to, “Help us and our starving families which money he got from our generous friends but he instead pocketed it.” Katongole is also accused of eating money he collected on behalf of journalist Ashraf Kasirye. We are told he has been promising air to family members that he will deliver the money, to date. “We gave up on him, he is a liar. Who ever sent money through Katongole to Ashraf Kasirye just know, that money got lost on the way.” Said a family member.
SSENYOYI QUIZZES JULIUS KATONGOLE On receiving directives from party bosses, a tough speaking Ssenyonyi called Katongole on phone, asking him why he cons NUP supporters of their money hiding in helping starving families of NUP political prisoners. “Tell me Katongole, when did the party authorise you to solicit money from our supporters using the party name? Which families of political prisoner have you ever reached out to? You must report to my office immediately and you are also directed to stop henceforth these conning tendencies. Please stand warned.” NUP Spokesman Ssenyonyi while questioning Julius Katongole. According to our source who was around Ssenyonyi’s office at the time he called Katongole, the angry party Spokesman said any NUP member who obtains money by false pretence from party suporters and friends will be dealt with. He singled out Katongole saying they have received a number of complaints about him on issues of conning people.
WHAT YOU DON’T KNOW ABOUT KATONGOLE For starters, Katongole’ parents had a dream that their son will be a Catholic priest. They took him to the Seminary but his misbehaviour couldn’t be torelated. He was expelled. It is believed, this is the network he uses to extract money from the diaspora for the cause of the struggle but he doesn’t deliver to the beneficiaries. “I know Katongole, he is good at masquerading. Very capable of doing all crap, he can do the least expected if he wants money.” Said a close person to Katongole.
BOBI’S BOY SPEAKS OUT The whistleblower Sky Soljah Uganda has today morning assured this news website that him and other political prisoners whose names Katongole used to extract money from supporters in Diaspora, want Katongole exposed. “I am calling spade a spade not a big spoon. We are looking for justice from within our Party. Katongole was on social media collecting money in our names while we were rotting in Kitalya Prison. He pocketed all money collected.” Sky Soljah said in a new missive. He said after NUP supporters asked them on their release whether their families received money sent to them through Katongole, he looked for him to know about it but the guy playing hide and seek. “In this struggle, we are not looking for riches but it hurts when someone uses your name and the situation you are in to amass wealth. Truth will set me free. Katongole is a conman, he must be exposed.” Said Sky Soljah. We are told, investigations into this matter are ongoing and will keep you updated.
ALL preparations are underway for Uganda to host His Excellency Ahmed Bin Mohammed Al Jarwan, President and Founder of Global Council for Tolerance and Peace headquartered in Malta. In an exclusive interview with Mr. John Naku, the Acting Country Manager for the global organization, President Al Jarwan’s visit is meant to popularize the relevance of peace in modern times. “As an organization, we believe in peaceful co-existence with one another as one way of cherishing and promotion of humanity. When we promote peace, the world becomes a better place to live in and we view each other equally as enshrined in the holy books”, he noted before revealing that his boss will sooner than later visit Uganda to officially commission a Ugandan chapter representing their values among others. “Before the pandemic intensified, the President was meant to be in Uganda to create rapport with key stakeholders in addition to popularizing the organization. However, we rescheduled and the down to earth global peace icon will be here with us”. Mr. Naku asserts that the peace icon is a dedicated, hardworking, committed and pro-active person who has a drive to have a broad impact in the Arab and world community in respect to tolerance and peace. He Possesses vast experience of initiating, developing, resolving, leading and managing all project activity, providing clear guidance and leadership to meet the objective of promoting tolerance and peace. A confident communicator with strong interpersonal and analytical skills who blooms on social interaction reflecting on the serious Arab and International issues is all that can best describe the President. To show his determination towards peace, His Excellency Al Jarwan has been to Senegal, Ivory Coast, Kosovo, Russia, USA, Albania, Armenia, Comoros, Costa Rica, Macedonia among others all in the name of promoting peace.
WHAT YOU DON’T KNOW ABOUT AHMED BIN MOHAMMED AL JARWAN As said earlier, he is the Founder and President of Global Council for Tolerance and Peace. He is the President of Arab Experts Union since 2018 to date, ex-member National Federal Council of United Arab Emirates, ex-President Arab Parliament (2012-2016). He was also a member of Federal National Council of UAE (2011-2019). He was a Member of the Board of Directors of Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (2008-2012). Between 2001-2002, he was a Deputy Military Attache at the UAE embassy in London,UK and he had earlier on been Deputy Military Attache at the UAE embassy in Washington DC,USA (1996-2001). He is a member of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry in UAE and committee member of the International Commercial Arbitration in Sharjah UAE. Between 2007 to 2012, he worked with Sharjah Old Cars Club and Museum as a Founder and Manager. He also worked with the UAE armed forces as a Staff Colonel Engineer between 1979 to 2007. Academically, he boasts of a Honorary Doctorate from La Haye Applied Science University, Netherlands (2018). A Master of Arts in Political Science, La Haye Applied Science University, Netherlands (2018). He acquired training in Diplomatic affairs from Zayed University in UAE, Intensive Studies in International Affairs at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy alongside Leadership though Diplomacy under Georgetown University-USA, International Defence Management Course,Naval Postgraduate School,Monterey-California, Higher Technician University Studies (Electronics) at University Pierre et Marie Curie-Paris 6, France. Others are Certification of Maintenance Management at University Pierre et Marie Curie-Paris 6, France, Introduction to American Military Institutions and Military Protocols USA, Aviation Maintenance Training at Avions Marcel Dassault Berguet Aviation, France, Formation Generale et d’instruction technique et de maintenance, Societe Nationale d’Etude et de Construction de Moteurs d’Aviation,Paris-France, Technician certification for maintenance 1st and 2nd degree option cellule moteur,Thomson-CSF-Cooperation France, Master Mechanical and Aeronautical techniques,Institute Universitaire de Technologie de ville d’Avary-France and Avion Mirage 5, Materiels Messier-Hispano-Bugatti,Messier-Hispano-Montrouge France. He has received several global awards and honors to wit; ● Top Executive by Marquis Who’s Who 2020 ● Mahatma Gandhi International Award 2020 to Global Leaders for spreading Peace and International Understanding ● Order of the “Service of Russia” first class by Prof. Kamshilov Valery Vasilyevich ● Albert Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award by Marquis Who’s Who ● Order of Democracy in the Extraordinary Grand Cross degree by the President of Columbia ● San Juan Medal of Argentina ● Key of Tirana from the Prime Minister of Albania Republic ● Good Will Ambassador by the Republic of Kosovo ● Ambassador of Peace by the President of the Universal Peace Federation ● Medal of the Arab Parliament ● National Order by the President of Djibouti ● National Order by the President of Comoros ● Military Service Medal from United Arab Emirates Armed Forces ● Leaders’ Shield from Sharjah Municipality ● Honors by the Governor of Beirut-Lebanon.
For views/comments on this story, reach us on 0792735159
PHOTO: Julius Katongole who is accused of pocketing NUP Political Prisoners’ money
NEWS EDITOR newseditor.info@gmail.com
LUBAGA based National Unity Platform (NUP) sex siren Julius Katongole who was few months back released from Kitalya government prison on rape charges, is again in hot soup. A group of NUP youths want party top brass to force him vomit millions he has been soliciting from party friends and supporters meant for reaching out to the families of political prisoners, something he did not fulfil. Katongole is accused of pocketing this money and spending it exavangantly on daughters of Eve, a game this guy is said to enjoy so much! The whistleblower is none other than Bobi Wine’s blue eyed boy commonly known as ‘Sky Soljah Uganda‘ who busted Julius Katongole for conning NUP supporters especially from the Diaspora of millions pretending he was going to support starving families of People Power political prisoners.
WHISTLE-BLOWER: Sky Soljah with NUP President Bobi Wine
Through his face book post on his page, Sky Soljah said Julius Katongole is a conman who shouldn’t be trusted by any one, for he ate money that was intended to be for the families of political prisoners. Sky Soljah was on June 14th 2021 released on bail by Court Martial chaired by Lt. Gen. Andrew Gutti alongside Bobi’s body guard Eddy Ssebufu alias Eddie Mutwe, Ali Bukeni also known as Nubian Li, producer Daniel Brenny Oyerwot alias Dan Magic and 14 others. They had spent about six months on remand following their arrest in December last year in Kalangala where they had accompanied the National Unity Platform (NUP) president, Mr Kyagulanyi alias Bobi Wine, on a campaign trail. Sky says, Julius Katongole approached NUP supporters and asked for financial contribution to, “Help us and our starving families which money he got from our generous friends but he instead pocketed it.” Katongole also accused of eating money he collected on behalf of journalist Ashraf Kasirye. We are told he has been promising empty air to family members that he will deliver the money, to date. “We gave up on him, he is a liar. Who ever sent money through Katongole to Ashraf Kasirye just know, that money got lost on the way.” Said family member.
BELOW IS NUP BOY ‘SKY SOLJAH’ MISSIVE ABOUT KATONGOLE This is Katongole (posting his photo). We always prayed for him when he was in (Kitalya) Prison. We never knew the details of the rape case he was charged of but just because is one of the Revolutionarists we had to be there for him. But ever since he came out of Kitalya, after the elections, he has been soliciting money from supporters and friends of NUP saying he was going to help political prisoners and their families. He lied! Of the 49 political prisoners, none of us has ever received even a single token from Julius Katongole. So Mr. gundi, I remember people saying that it was your bufere which landed you into problems hence being imprisoned on charges of rape. Behave like a man, don’t use our names to earn a living. Many of our comrades are still in jail and you are enjoying money using their names. Sorry, for you, we have got all evidence and information that people sent you money to help us which help we never received.
Sky Soljah with Eddie Mutwe days after they were released from Kitalya. None received what Katongole claimed to be soliciting for them while in Prison
Personally, i have never received even a coin. I am not saying all this because i want money but because of people like Katongole hiding in the struggle to make money using names of suffering comrades. When we got out of Kitalya, some people have been asking us about financial help sent through Julius Katongole. We couldnt thank them because we did not recieve what they sent. Katongole you are a shame for stealing in the names of political prisoners.
FLASH BACK: KATONGOLE RAPE ACCUSATIONS Last year, Security teams lead by Flying squad numbering over 100 were deployed a house in Kyebando where this Julius Katongole was hiding. He was smoked out and arrested like a chicken thief on allegations of raping a one Aisha. Katongole on realizing that the game was over, tried to plead with Aisha not to take issues that far and opted to settle them out of court and pay her all sums of money she wanted but the young girl refused. “I want justice to prevail. You raped me and stole my belongings including money and phones, ran out of your muzigo very late night, barefooted and very helpless. Katongole you must be taught a lesson never again to rape other girls.” Vowed Aisha as on his arrest. Aisha who spoke to journalists later said, Julius Katongole tricked her, impersonated himself to be one of the MP aspirants who was ready to bankroll the recording of her campaign song. “Julius Katongole played on my head, calling himself MP aspirant Aloysius Mukasa so that my conscience is corrupted to think that he is the one and I couldn’t hesitate meeting ‘the MP hopeful’ to pay for his would be campaign song. He is a liar, a criminal and impersonator. Let him pay for his sins.” Aisha told journalists insisting she was was later raped by Julius Katongole.
SHOCKING: HOW AISHA NARRATED RAPE STORY I came to Ndeeba in Lubaga South to visit my mother who is a resident. I live in Seguku on Entebbe Road. At my mother’s home, a certain lady who is our neighbor heard me singing for family members. She came closer and asked me if I can compose a campaign song for one Aloysius Mukasa who was then aspiring for MP Lubaga South. I said yes, provided he pays me because composing and singing is one of my sources of income. That lady who introduced herself as a Mukasa supporter there and then called someone who when i talked to him said he was Hon. Mukasa (i later realized that it was Julius Katongole the impersonator). On phone he asked me whether I can get him a very good campaign song listing all he has done for Lubaga South and what his manifesto has. I said yes. “Ok tell that lady to give you my phone contacts, call me tomorrow and we make an appointment so that we discuss what is needed from me.” He told me on phone. I however asked him to instead talk to the lady himself and communicate what he wanted me to do.
DAY ONE OF MEETING After composing the song, Aisha called Julius Katongole to fix an appointment. He directed her to Tri Star Hotel in Ndeeba – Kabowa from where the two were to meet so that Katongole (calling himself Aloysius Mukasa) listens to the song and see how to record it. Shockingly, all this was happening behind Hon. Aloysious Mukasa’s back. He had neither heard about the girl nor the song! Aisha told us, “I reached at the Hotel and was given a seat after telling the person I found there that I was called by a certain big person.” In a few minutes, Julius Katongole called and instead asked Aisha to get out of the Hotel premises, take a small path nearby which led to his office just behind Tri Star Hotel. “I was shocked to find one calling himself an aspiring member of Parliament in a small rented house. But that being none of my business, I let it go.” Said Aisha. At the moment, she met Katongole distributing maize flour from his office to different people. This waa during the last lockdown. Later, he called Aisha in. “Hello lady, you are welcome to my office. I am called Hon. Aloysius Mukasa. Let me listen to the song you have composed for me.” Said Katongole. She played it from her phone and Katongole asked her to share the song on his phone. He there and then shared it on different Lubaga South Whatsapp groups and all were praises for the artist due to her voice and how she had pacakaged the message for Aloysius Mukasa. Back to Katongole and Aisha’s meeting, Julius Katongole told lies to the young girl how he was Hon. Aloysius Mukasa, bragging of being extremely wealthy (although by the virture of his appearance and a shoddy small room he was renting he looked like a conman). “He asked me what I wanted and my answer was simple. Give me money, I go and record the song then after, we sit and agree on how much i wanted for my song.” Aisha told journalists. “True the song is nice but missing some very important message. Go back and remodify it, return on April 27th 2020 with a final copy ready for recording.” Said Katongole. He saw her off with 5 kgs of maize flour and UGX 10,000 (Ten thousand only). “The maize flour and the money I gave it to my mother and briefed her how I was asked to first fine tune my song before I am given money for it.” Said Aisha. In a recorded phone call of Julius Katongole to Aisha’s mother, she was very grateful for the maize flour and Shs 10,000 he gave to her daughter. The two, Aisha and Katongole kept on communicating on Whatsapp telling her how the song was going to fetch her millions. But the poor girl had not realized that guy was an imposter.
THE DAY AISHA SAID JULIUS KATONGOLE RAPED HER According to Aisha’s statement, “I went back to his office with my fine tuned song to finalise about recording it and how much i will be paid. This time I refused sharing it but he listened to it from my phone.” “Yes this is it. You are the best. This day you will go back to your mum’s place the richest girl. But give me time, I finalise some stuff, we go to Fire Base studios and record it. We want it to feature Nubian Lee.” The poor girl believed in Katongole lies. It was already going to 7pm. Aisha asked about how will they move when it’s already curfew time but Julius Katongole assured her how he was untouchable, they can move at night. “But my mum can’t allow me move at night. It’s risky. May be we shall record it some other time. It’s late, let me go.” Pleaded Aisha. Katongole adamantly picked his phone to call Aisha’s mother, assuring her how daughter was safe, they were going to record the song and that she will be driven back home. The mother objected to this saying her daughter must return home before curfew time but Katongole begged her not to obstruct thr daughter’s opportunity to become a rich girl. “This song has opened the gates of wealth for your daughter. Allow her finalise it, she returns with millions.” Katongole assured the poor mum who reluctantly let it go. The two were seated in a small office which room doubles as Katongole’s bedroom. Time was approaching 8pm and there were no signs of going to Kamwokya to record the song. “I was shocked to see Katongole coming were I was seated and started caressing my thighs, touching my boobs and bums. I shouted at him to stop what he was doing because he was commiting a very serious crime. All was in vain, he said he wanted sex from me to take me to a first class studio.” Aisha’s Statement reads. She tried to fight and escape from the devil’s den but Katongole had locked all the doors, ready to rape this poor girl. “I was overpowered, I was helpless, I groaned, shouted but all in vain. He forcefully manhandled and raped me.” Aisha told us, breaking into tears on remembering this incident. Now that Katongole had achieved his mission, Aisha said, he opened the door to go ease himself. Aisha managed to escape that late night and aided by a near by garage night watch man to reach Ndeeba police station from where she record a statement. Due to the panic and fear after being rape, Aisha accidentally picked Katongole’s two phones, leaving behind her bag having hair spray, her phone and shoes.
In our next story, we will bring you shocking details on how Katongole was released from Kitalya, sex stories from his former landlords and comments from NUP supporters about eating political prisoners’ cash. For comments/details on this story, please sms us on 0792735159
FELLOW leaders, it is with great concern that i highlight the outcry of the elected City division councillors representing Kimaanya/Kabonera in Masaka City about how you have chosen to abuse your authority, just a few days into office. This is by executing your duties in their areas of jurisdiction without their involvement which you very much know is a grave mistake in your political life. Masaka people who voted for opposition, hoped you would work as a team since you are all members of the National Unity Platform (NUP) Party, they had a lot of expectations more so in service delivery. However, before your 1st anniversary celebrations, you have turned into a disappointment. By fueling the disunity among other leaders, you are digging your political graves. It has been noted that before and within this second locked down, Kimanya-Kabonera MP Dr. Abed Bwanika has through his campaign agents continuously and selfishly donated coffee seedlings and food relief to locals in different wards of the city division without the involvement of the ward councillors. Going your way, It would have been fine but you need to know that whenever these donations are mismanaged and are insufficient to locals, the blame goes to councillors who people think know more about the area MP’s programmes yet they were sidelined. Hon. Bwanika, why not copy the approach of the Rt. Hon. Leader of Opposition Mathias Mpuuga on how he serves his constituents of Nyendo-Mukungwe constituency? In politics, consultations especially from your seniors is very important. Masaka politics has principles and norms which Hon.Mpuuga mastered and that’s why he has kept winning in every election. You need to learn from him. To you Your worship The city mayor Florence Namayanja, you have to clean your house before it’s too late. You seem to be ill-advised by the enemies of Masaka City. You very much know how you would have struggled to win again in Bukoto East as an MP, thank God for the creation of Masaka city which must have saved you from the embarrassment. As if your advisors and those of mayor Namayanja were breast fed by the same woman, you have also kicked out and completely sidelined local leaders from your programmes. I am told your political game is to make sure most of these leaders are dropped in the next election so that you remain the only political bull in the kraal. That is a grave mistake you too are making. The leaders you are sidlining are grounded right from their villages and can easily cause your downfall if you are not careful. What is so hard about involving ward councilors in say youth programmes, women or elderly programmes? Why deliberately leave out councillors for special interest groups who would have easily championed their people? I am aware, Hon. Bwanika and Mayor Namayanja you formed an association for the campaigners (Kakuyege) known as TUMACAS which according to me was a very brilliant idea, for these people need to be appreciated. However, due to your influence and opportunistic tendencies, TUMACAS, through its leaders is tending to be a threat to the authority of the elected councillors which of course will land you two into problems with these local leaders. In my view, TUMACAS should be under the tight supervision and command of councillors or else councillors have the mandate to pass a resolution in their council and ban it from their area of jurisdiction something which i think will not be good for the development of the Kabaka’s new City. A special call goes to Hon.Mathias Mpuuga to help and save us from this fracas which may lead to the downfall of some leaders. With due respect, we call upon the Leader of Opposition to mediate between these two top leaders and local leaders of Kimaanya/Kabonera, take them through the principles, values and norms of the Masaka locals when it comes to leadership because we believe for him he has mastered them. Otherwise, this political mistrust among the children of the same house will easily pave way for the enemy to infiltrate Masaka and don’t be shocked if in 2026 NUP registers political casualties. Hon. Bwanika and Mayor Namayanja, issues of leadership are not like a Kiganda saying that ‘Omusajja omu talya nkoko ye….’, in politics it is ‘United we stand, divided we fall.’ You either chose to work with local leaders in service delivery or be ready to face your political guillotine come 2026.
The writer Hon. Ronald Kasekende is a generational leader and former youth councilor for Nyendo/Senyange Division formerly in Masaka Municipality, Masaka district. He is now based in Germany. WhatsApp him on 0753 777501
ANALYSIS BY: BRIAN MUKALAZI email: bmukalazi@ecmafrica.org
ACCORDING to a June 8th 2021 World Bank Report, the Coronavirus (Covid-19) shock has caused a sharp contraction of the Ugandan economy to its slowest pace in three decades. Due to the lockdowns instituted in 2020, household incomes fell, jobs were lost and this raised the vulnerability of the poor, especially those in the urban informal sector. Yet, in his national address on June 18th 2021, President Museveni announced a new 42-day total lockdown, which came against the backdrop of rising Covid-19 cases and deaths. By June 18th, Uganda had registered 68,778 Covid-19 cases, of which 1,700 cases were reported within the three weeks leading up to that day. The reported total deaths were 542 and these have since soared beyond 1,900. The two scenarios described above portray the kind of dilemma our government and leaders could be currently grappling with: a stark trade-off between losing lives (public health) versus losing livelihoods (economy). So, the one-million-dollar question is: How do we defeat this ugly pandemic and get out of this nightmare while effectively managing both scenarios? On one hand, lockdowns, especially in the densely-populated regions like the Kampala metropolitan, have been regarded as the best option in containing the spread of this deadly virus and preventing hospitals from getting overwhelmed.
President Museveni has been at the fore-front in the fight against Covid-19. Will he save Uganda’s sinking economy?
In many ways, like never before, Covid-19 has exposed and produced a vivid picture of Uganda’s healthcare system.With an acute shortage of drugs, oxygen and intensive care beds in both private and public medical facilities, the country has lost over 500 people in the last three weeks to Covid-19. And to some extent, Covid-19 has temporarily erased the inequalities between the rich and the poor. Silent and unseen, the disease has, in this second wave, unceremoniously travelled through the entire Ugandan society, oblivious of the person’s wealth or status. Many patients and their care-givers have been left helpless after being turned away by hospitals due to limited facilitates, human resources and the exorbitant medical bills. On the other hand, just like the previous ones, the current lockdown measures have immobilized businesses, slowed down productivity and have led to a mini-economic crisis. I don’t want to sound like a cynic but this economic crisis could be a pandemic far deadlier in the long term than the covid-19 pandemic. A few days back, I watched Finance Minister Matia Kasaijja admit with startling honesty that Uganda’s current debt levels, which have now surpassed the 50 per cent safety threshold, had become worrisome. In the just concluded financial year that ended June 30, 2021, Uganda borrowed heavily in order to shore up budget shortages together with Covid-19 related expenses. With limited government support for private enterprises and individuals, more people appear to be sliding back into poverty. This means lower economic growth and lower levels of trust in government institutions. Could this be the time to consider economic reforms? I guess so! Of course, whereas the media has been filled with lots of heart-breaking accounts of dead people in the recent weeks, it’s worth mentioning that thousands of lives have been saved thanks to the tireless efforts of our medical workers. And by the time of writing this, the number of reported cases were on a decline. For now, despite these difficulties, despite the current tensions and setbacks, I believe that the key priority is for us to stay alive because with (good) health, people can choose which direction to push themselves, their societies and their country. But to compliment this, we expect key changes in government attitudes so that at the end of the day, all Ugandans are regarded and treated as “essential citizens”.
THE fight against the highly contagious Coronavirus (Covid-19) continues to define our daily lives. With the President of Uganda instituting a second Nation-wide lockdown in a space of less than 18 months due to the rising Covid-19 cases and deaths, Ugandans appear to be currently living in a cruel limbo. And many are desperate to get back to their normal lives. For some people, a return to normal would mean restored health and financial stability. To others, it’s a world of parties and gatherings, hugs and handshakes. There’s nothing wrong with being optimistic and hoping for a more stable future but at this point, this may likely be a long-term fantasy. If we thought that Covid-19 was like a short 120-minutes movie that was bound to end in a couple of weeks or months, we were dead wrong! As it turned out, this is a blockbuster movie series made up of endless episodes that are being released every passing day. Even if the economy returns to normal, human beings will not. From death and horror caused by the pandemic, I believe, there will be many deep, lasting social and psychological consequences including fear, depression and purposelessness among the citizenry. By some measures, we will find wearing a mask to be just part of daily life. Shaking hands and embracing will become less common. And most of our daily interactions may start occurring virtually rather than physically. In effect, our social systems may forever be altered. With a shaky healthcare system coupled with lack of a proper treatment plan for Covid-19, Ugandans have turned to steroids and other available medication, in form of both traditional and modern medicine. However, experts have warned that irregular and overuse of these steroids may cause severe infections and dwell unpredictable side effects. In fact, many people have been reported to be experiencing other health problems, including damaged lungs, kidneys, and other body organs, after their initial Covid-19 recovery. And much is still unknown about the long-term effects of the Covid-19 medications. This may cast doom on our life span in the years to come. In addition, some experts argue that whereas Covid-19 may eventually be eradicated, other diseases or pandemics are likely to occur in the nearby future. This could be partly explained by our encroachment on nature. In his new book, Ten Lessons for a Post-Pandemic World, author and CNN host Fareed Zakaria contends that the Covid-19 pandemic can be thought of as nature’s revenge on human kind. According to Zakaria, the way we live now is practically an invitation for animal viruses to infect humans. The American Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that three-quarters of new human diseases originate in animals and this was the case for AIDS, EBOLA, bird flu, and swine flu. Realistically-speaking, prayers and positive thinking alone will not get us through this pandemic. But as Zakaria advises, people should listen to the experts (doctors and scientists) and the experts should also listen to the people. Through open debates, a strong consensus between both parties can be built. As a country, we have gone through wars, plagues and economic shutdowns and yet the human mind has survived and flourished. Therefore, I have no doubt in my mind that we shall eventually beat Covid-19 but we have to adjust to the realities of the ever-increasing instabilities. We need to use the knowledge and experience garnered from this pandemic to embrace the new era that is unfolding.
The author Mr. Mukalazi is the Country Director of Every Child Ministries Uganda. You can reach him at: bmukalazi@ecmafrica.org
