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LETTER OF AN ACHOLI UNLA OFFICER: AFRICA NOW MAGAZINE, AUGUST 1984

Feb 26, 10 2:11 PM

LETTER OF AN ACHOLI UNLA OFFICER: AFRICA NOW MAGAZINE, AUGUST 1984

The situation in Uganda

I am an Acholi army officer situated at one of the barracks around Kampala . I have, been forced to write this letter because of the numerous Ugandans of the’ Baganda ethnic group who are being killed by us soldiers on orders from our commanders.  These unfortunate and innocent people (young and old, men and women, and even babies) are being killed by us every day at military barracks, in their homes, villages and streets in Buganda .

Instructions to kill are passed on to us by Acholi and Lango officers, and a few trusted Itesots, in the Luo language so that other Bantu soldiers may not know the idea behind the killings. We are ordered to kill Baganda of all ages so that this province with 4 million will be depopulated before the next general elections. By reducing the Baganda to a minority group, it will enable us northerners to rule Uganda without any problems from the Baganda.

Recently, we were sent to the Luwero area with instruc­tions to kill everybody and destroy all the homes, cattle etc.

Thousands of people of all ages were killed, houses bombed, women and girls raped and a lot of property looted. A good number of the soldiers, particularly the Acholis, did this against their will for they see no reason for killing innocent people. The majority of us Acholis now wish to leave the army but are afraid of the consequences which will be brutal. We are told that after successfully depopulating Luwero and Mpigi Districts (which is currently being done) the next area will be Mukono and then Masaka. All this must be completed in 1985.

The purpose of this letter is to draw the attention of the world to the thousands of people who have been killed in government institutions, in villages, etc. and to the fate of innocent Baganda awaiting death. In fact more people have been killed in Buganda during the last two years than in eight years of Amin. History will show this.

I wish to end by appealing to all Uganda Army soldiers, especially the Acholis, to disobey the killing orders and save the lives of the Baganda - for humanity’s, sake and for the sake of our tribe’s future.

(Worried Acholi Soldier – Kampala, Uganda)

Comments (16)

NRM vs IPC? good strategy or dumb politics?

Feb 23, 10 9:32 PM

People:

Now that some of us are in the neither/nor political space in Uganda, it is time to take a look at this IPC thing.  Who benefits from IPC?  Of course I expect most UAH members to come right back that the opposition. But is it true?

Show us the voting intentions of DP, UPC, FDC, PPP, CP, JEEMA and so on members. Ok, do the poll and find out from members of the respective with the simple question. Suppose the opposition was to unite under the IPC-again has it been registered yet-how do you plan to vote?

The point I am trying to alert members of the opposition or proponents of the IPC is that you may be in for a rude shock. It is possible that in the absence of a UPC, DP, CP, or even FDC candidate, the second choice of many voters could be NRM.  And given the ambition or should we say the focus on winning and not so much on the process, there is actually no guarantee than some IPC candidates will not do what Haji Sebagala has now done; quit DP because the elections in Mbale were not free and fair?  Oh, boy.

How many UAH members are comfortable that the opposition parties under the IPC umbrella will not screw up big time? How many can vouch that the IPC will get the process right? How many are sure that rigging will not take place in IPC?  So far what the IPC folks have talked about is IPC and not so much about the process.

For example who will elect the IPC candidates? Will it be ordinary party members, party delegates or members of the respective executive committees? How will votes be shares out among parties? Will all parties that join IPC be treated as equal partners in terms of voting or some arties are more equal than others?

Seeing what you have seen elsewhere, it is very likely that the fallout from a botched IPC could be so huge that a substantial voting chunk will walk right in the hands of NRM.  I am only reminding you to be careful because I do not see folks who believe in winning and nothing else come to terms under the IPC. How genuine is IPC or it is something that could deflate voters at the end?

I appreciate that this is not what many in UAH want to hear, but it is possible that for many voters, if UPC, DP, CP, PPP or even FDC is not on the ballot, they could vote NRM. That is for some voters NRM is their second intention just as for some voters in NRM, DP or UPC is their second choice.  That is what you should bear in mind as you match towards IPC.

Now the big question: who benefits if only NRM and IPC were on the ballot in 2011? You do not want to know, do you?

Pole to Haji Sebagala, but as Mr. Sesanga now reminds us “omujjega affa alaba”. Mambo bado.

I saw Mr Yoga’s writing. You know I admire Mr Yoga because he speaks his mind which is not what you young folks want to hear. Actually, you young people are abusive which makes some of shudder what will happen to Uganda if they were to get power. you are also impatient and I see them discriminating against old people or for that matter anyone over 50.  Now if you do not want the 50 plus to lead, why should they vote for you? Granted they are not many in Uganda where the population bulge is dominated by the under 16-they have no vote!

Now reflect on the main message which is that IPC may not be the best strategy to check YKM/NRM for the reason I highlighted. I could be wrong but I do not see folks who only care about winning by any means neccessary come to terms under the IPC umbrella.  They are lying to the gullible Ugandans as usual and setting them up for dissappointment.

The sooner IPC supporters came to terms with the reality in Uganda the better.

WBK

Comments (8)

REPATRIATING DEAD BODIES TO UGANDA

Feb 22, 10 4:47 PM

My friends,
This is an issue that mainly affects Ugandans in the diaspora. At the height of the HIV/AIDS pandemic in the 1990′s here in London, maybe one body a week was being repatriated. To their credit, a lot of organisations sprung to help, including my own. But people are now questioning whether this time-honoured practice should continue for three reasons:
1. Funeral fatigue has set in. Much as people try to help, the need problem is so relentless.
2. In the UK, the legal loophole we used to get money from the social security system to help in the repatriation has been closed now, so family and well-wishers have to bear the cost.
3. Many children have now grown up in the UK. We now have second and even third generation Ugandans and a good number, like mine, have no connection whatsoever with Uganda. It is this generation that argues against repatriation of bodies, in fact they assert openly that they would never allow their mother or father to be buried in a foreign country where they can not visit the grave. The death of their parents alienates them even more and more from Uganda.
On the weekend we had a meeting about the issue and I would appreciate comments from Ugandans in the diaspora who have had to deal with this issue of repatriation.
On a humorous  and less sombre note, one person who attended the meeting tried to lighten up the conversation. He told a story of a  Ugandan couple, both devout  catholics, who went on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem.The wife had usually been a shrew and a bully. Unfortunately, the wife died in Jerusalem and the husband began the process of repatriating her body to Uganda. The travel agents quoted to him $10,000, an amount he could hardly afford. He went to the priest to get advise. The priest told him:
“But why do you want to repatriate her body to Uganda when you can bury her here in the holy place? And it will cost you only $200 . You can bury her in the cemetery of my church”.
The man pondered for a while and then :
Husband: Father, thank you, but I think I will repatriate her to Uganda.
Priest: But why when it is going to cost you a lot of money. You would be pleased for her to be buried in the holy land would you not?
Husband: Father, many years ago, a man died and was buried here and a few days later, he rose from the grave. I DON’T WANT TO TAKE THAT RISK!!!!
George O.Pacu-Otto
Comments (17)

Mao does not represent a United DP

Feb 21, 10 8:22 PM

Confuse or camouflage, that is the question on people's lips when it comes to Mao

Political parties win when they are united. Obviously DP is not united.  It is tough to write about DP matters anymore given the position taken by some that anyone who dared criticize the process as tribalism, old fashioned or against Mr. Mao. Rigging is rigging whether it is perfected by the governing party or the opposition and anyone who tells you that the delegates in Mbale were properly seated is deluded.

Now you will hear them come out and say ex-post: let us come together for the sake of the party. No.  Politics is game of ongoing interaction with voters. You simply do not defect in the first contact and hope for cooperation in later rounds. That is what the Folk Theorem teaches.

You try to cooperate for as long as possible and only defect in the last round when you won’t need the support of voters anymore: either you are constitutionally bared from standing again or retiring from politics. But you do not defect or take voters for granted when you are just seeking the big office. Voters are not fools.  They can stay home ala Massachusetts or vote against you period.

Actually some of us have technically moved into the space for a politics of neither/nor. Let me repeat: speaking out about the unfair/rigged process need not imply support for Mr. Mao’s opponents. All some of us wanted was a fair, proper and constitutional process.

So we are put in the difficult position of being neither/nor: neither for NRMO/YKM, nor for the opposition. That is a first for some of us.  If some in the opposition believe that human beings are mere ends/maddala/ladders that does not appeal to some of us.

Let me speak for myself because some will ask who the hell are you anyways? Well, I believe and will continue to believe no matter what that only fair means lead to fair ends.

So you folks in UPC and those in FDC look at DP and do not even try to do what DP did. Be above board because DP in my view has zero credibility to speak about fair and free elections in Uganda.  If they do, taunt them here in UAH and elsewhere because what is good for the goose is also good for the gander. Is it not?  So if fair and free elections are good for Uganda, and they are, they should also be good for DP. Right?

Something funny though happened in Mbale. No women in the top positions! Question: were there no women of substance to deserve consideration or allocation of seats on their NEC?  Another embarrassment is the lack of national breadth on NEC? I have not seen anyone of substance from western Uganda. Are there no DP members from western Uganda?  But I expect the spin that the line up is balanced. Nonsense. Where is the gender balance? And where is the national balance? What does that reveal to Ugandan voters?

Let me retreat to my neither/nor space and watch from the sidelines and perhaps keep our mouths zipped till elections are done in Uganda.  The other thing is that you do not mess up an election you are expected to win?  Obviously not in Uganda.

I know that speaking out has all, but made me non welcome among some DP members. So damn be it. I will retreat to the neither/nor space and shed tears for DP. Kwaheri.


WBK

DP ELDER IN USA

Comments (1)

African leaders dont need to speak a foreign language

Feb 19, 10 6:10 AM

I will address myself to the question of native African languages especially in states where those languages have persisted the colonial brainwashing of our peoples using the premise that whatever is African is inferior and unGodly!
 
many Africans think that a national leader has to speak a European language in order to lead his poeple or deal with foreign leaders. Such people are very un-informed. There are many presidents in different parts of the world notably in Asia and South America who speak no english or French. When they encounter western leaders they speak through an interpreter. I have seen western presidents or leaders respect foreign leaders who do not speak English or French.
 
Because African do not respect or honor our Africaness, we are despised by foreign western leaders and their peoples. Amongst African nations western leaders respect Ghanaians and Nigerians more than the rest and why is this so? because the peoples of Ghana and Nigera do not wear neckties, western coats and pants. They wear their traditioanl dresses. African peoples in other African countries need to consider changing their attires when visiting western nations. It is a question of adopting national attires well fashioned and tailored.
 
The british teased and espised Mahatma Gandhi when he flew to London wearing his loincloth. But Gandhi outsmarted them by fighting for his national political independence. Today this day, Gandhi is very highly respected and honored as an international stateman and hero.
 
Africans- we need to transfrom our national or African image to the international community first by respecting our native languages. Decades ago, I wrote articles in the Ugandan local papers about this matter. I gave examples of why India, China, North Korea and Japan have been able to develop their own techinology and science. They basically teach sceince and technology, medicine and engineering as well as you name it, all in their native languages.
 
There have never been a nation that thinks and teaches in a foreign language that has developed to the optimal creativity of it peoples. Hence one of the reasons why Africa has lagged behind in scientific and technological inventions and developments is because we teach and think in foreign languages. This stunts or stifles our natural creative potential. It is a sceintific fact that westerner will never reveal to Africans.
 
I explained that Africa needs to change her educational academic curriculum to begin teaching all elementary classes in native languages where possible- there must be a starting point towards tranformation. This is what Africa, Uganda needs to do. if we are to reach our optimum creative potentil. Then we need to identify our super-gifted children and help educreate but not teach them.
 
There are two ways of identifying these children; by making them your companion from an early age and observing them in every possible way and manner. Of course you must be knowledgeable of this subject. The other method is by applying esoteric scientific means, using astrology and numeroloy to identify them. Without these children and a special program for them, African will remain importing technology. Yet even up to this day, the US and other developed nations have special programs supporting creative or inventive citizens in their borders. Every day new inventions are made.
 
I wrote a paper on this subject and gave it to the Commissioner for Education in Kampala and I gave a copy to Hon Francis Babu when he was in the education ministry but they mistook it for special education which is about retarded children. Up to this day nothing has ever done aabout this matter.
 
I fully support the idea of nationalizing at least four major native languages in Uganda; one from the Four regions of Uganda; Luganda, RRRR, Luo and Iteso. If these languages are taught in schools there will be a positive difference in the consciousness of our peoples within ten years from today. Our view of each other will shift to a better and higher perspective. The citizens of Uganda based at Sseesamirembe gave this same suggestion to the Constitutional Draft Commission in the early years of Museveni’s regime. It was of course never adopted. But is nevertheless vital a step towards national unity and respect for one another.
Bhuka Bijumiro-Jjumiro
Virginia, USA.

Comments (1)

Evidence on whoactually want Federo in Uganda

Feb 18, 10 3:58 PM

Refusal of Federo.jpg

Comments (2)

After Mbale, will DP leaders who emerge from there have the moral authority to attack the EC about 2011 elections in Uganda?

Feb 18, 10 3:49 PM

Dear Ugandans,

Without getting into the thick DP mess, which I have to say is very saddening, the DP constitution is clear.  The issue all along has been interpretation. But since when did Ugandans care about constitutions? They talk about them all the time, but truth be told never really mean what they say. That is how Uganda got into this mess and that is how DP has found itself into this deep shit. And it is shit. It stinks kabisa.   History has habit of repeating itself in that wretched country.

Unfortunately, the narrative about DP has been framed in terms of ethnicity. If you question the process, you are labeled anti-Mao. Dare to question the process or seek information and they will call you names.  Actually, I am not supposed to say this because for some DP members, the process does not matter. It is the end that matters.

If you had any doubts that Ugandans are impatient with process and not just in politics, but in all activities, you now have it. It is haraka haraka.  That is why we have the damn history we have in that wretched country.

Now this is the question some of us have wrestled with, after Mbale, oh dear Mbale, will DP leaders who emerge from there have the moral authority to attack the EC about 2011 elections in Uganda?  To put it mildly, DP has been badly exposed. It is naked. Undressed in public, left bare to be laughed at and mocked.  How can DP talk about fair elections in Uganda, but somehow cannot do the same for DP?

But being Uganda where people have no shame whatsoever,  expect them to come out of Mbale, with demands of free and fair elections in 2011.  And the media will swallow, hook and sinker without asking any questions. Oh, Boy!Please do not buy the nonsense you read in the media. There are no saints periods.

Obviously, I say these things with a very very heavy heart. I tried to restrain myself from saying anything on the DP circus, but shit keeps hitting me in the face on UAH and in the Ugandan media. I am ashamed and frankly embarrassed beyond words that DP failed a simple test: fair elections.

To be honest with you, I do not know.  Short term, it is going to be more confusion and ofcourse litigation. But I can tell you as someone who has been neutral; I just saw the letter from NEC dismissing the PG, Mr. John Ssebaana Kizito. And DP’s constitution is on NEC’s side.  The move by NEC creates another dilemma for DP: how can they talk about rule of law and constitution when they cannot respect their own constitution?  I believe that is why NEC moved quickly.Now whether the NEC meeting was properly constituted with the right forum may be the issue. But I suspect NEC members covered their bases. I knew -and Mr. Ssebaana Kizito too must have known-all along that if the battle moved to NEC that is what was likely to happen.

But I also sensed something; the Judiciary in Uganda is playing games. It is deputy court registrars and not judges issuing orders after order.  Will they now respect DP’s constitution?

So ,Ugandans, and I tell you this with a very heavy heart, but it is truth, a careful interpretation of DP’s constitution which I have here that if the battle is fought in NEC and the courts respect  DP’s constitution, Mzee Ssebaana Kizito and the other suspensions are legal.  But does DP’s constitution matter in their scheme of things? Bizibu.

It is mind boggling that things got to this point. But in Ugandan anything is possible. Still, I am surprised and saddened at the turn of events especially about Mr. John Ssebaana Kizito.In the short run, it may be a good idea to let Mrs. Rainer Kaffire from Kibuku, Budaka-Bugwere serve as acting PG and cool tempers.

I also believe that both FDC and NRM win in the short run.Now in the long term, who knows?  But DP will rise from the ashes as it has always done. Bizibu

I pleaded with DP not to go first because unlike in say trade, there are no first mover advantages in politics. We pleaded that the process should be right and once the process was right, things would be okay irrespective of who wins.  In plain English, in politics it doe snot pay to go first. In fact, it is best to move last. The pleas were obviously ignored.

Unfortunately, all some DP members wanted was to hold the NDC before any other party. Why? Now ask them: what have they achieved?  So expect NRM to go last with their NDC after the opposition parties have torn each other.  President YKM will have a field day with his rib cracking sayings ridiculing the opposition.

And the lesson for the other opposition parties notably UPC and FDC is to get the process right, especially genuine party primaries to elect delegates to the NDC. They should also check their rhetoric. There are those I liken to the “Interahamwe” in the three opposition parties.

Mr. John Ssebaana Kizito is a decent man, who was held hostage by “interahamwe” like crooks in DP.  I will not name them, but they are known.   Of course you see what they have done to DP. And they could do it to FDC and UPC too. I am concerned about the rhetoric from senior party leader in FDC and UPC too. For example, General Muntu is being called all sorts of things by senior FDC people using their media outlets to spew hate towards him. You know what has happened to your UPC. The war of words is likely to escalate even more.

So plead with your UPC, hopefully they can listen to you to get the process right and not so much on personalities or the end. UPC or DP is bigger than individuals. I do not believe in the nonsense from the Ugandan media and some UAH folks that a particular individual can ‘save’ DP or UPC. That is total BS. What will save opposition parties are open processes and respect for their respective constitution.

And they should make sure to invite the media to chronicle those party elections just in case. Ask the media cheerleaders in UAH whether they witnessed genuine party primaries and they are likely to resort to personalities.

I now understand why the Judge was pleading with DP to go and settle matters out of court. He was essentially telling them to go and search their constitution and do as the constitution says.

But being Uganda, you will likely here on faction cite questionable court order issued by deputy registrars and not the constitution. The question that should be asked is not about Mr. Mao or Mr. Lubega anymore, but about the DP constitution.  Do those seeking to lead DP and by extension Uganda believe in the party constitution? If they do not respect DP’s constitution, how can promise to respect the Ugandan constitution? I pray that there is still a media soul who can ask such a question. The Ugandan media cannot simply look the other as opposition hopefuls ignore their respective part constitution because old habits die hard.

I bet you we are likely to have a situation similar to what happened when a prominent opposition MP married a married man and the Bishop who wed them kept on citing the Constitution of Uganda, while the aggrieved woman invoked the bible.  Kyonka Uganda!

Now what does the words “Ebishuma’ mean?

Sad.

WBK

Comments (4)

Alleged Owner of Bwebajje CHOGM Hotel is dead!

Feb 15, 10 10:32 AM

The owner of Avemar near Barclays Luwum and alleged owner of JM Hotel at Bwebajja has been called by his creator.  It is reported that he died this morning (Monday 15th Feb. 2010).  The death is at a time when the Parliament Committee instructed him to get Share Certificates to the general public as the means for Government to recover US 1.2 million given prior to CHOGM when there are even no guests who utilized the facility.

There is controversy surrounding the actual owner of this hotel. It was once said that this rich man was previously selling pan cakes and out of that he gradually graduated to the ranks of the rich!  It is true, many people we see in Uganda purportedly to own properties actually are used by the actual owners who disguise their identity for reasons best known to them.

In such circumstances, more heart attacks may be registered.  The dead man has followed a good number of workers who died at the site when one hotel building collapsed on them earlier.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kv3ORSdPFtE

Willy Kituuka

Comments (23)

Baganda dominate Uganda’s ambassadors

Feb 15, 10 9:01 AM

Forumists,

One Ugandan lady posted a query asking why there are more Rwabyomeres and not Nakigandas as Ugandan ambassadors abroad. Personally I don’t mind about the tribe of whoever is appointed Ugandan ambassador so long as they do their job well.

This lady’s  insinuation is that there are more Banyankole or westerners than Baganda appointed as ambassadors. Facts are stubborn things and I list below, all Uganda’s ambassadors for you to make your judgements.

1-Denmark:        Ambassador Joseph Tomusange (Muganda)
Deputy Ambassador Danny Ssozi (Muganda)
2-UN Geneva:     Ambassador Maurice Kagimu Kiwanuka (Muganda)
3-Australia:        High Commissioner Dr James Lukabwo (Muganda)
4-Ethiopia/AU:    Ambassador Mull Katende (Muganda)
Deputy Ambassador Edule Amoko (Lango)
5-Egypt:            Ambassador Umar Lubulwa Migadde (Muganda)
6-Iran:              Ambassador Mohammad Kisule (Muganda)
7-Japan:            Ambassador Wasswa Biriggwa (Muganda)
Deputy Ambassador Princes Ndagiire (Muganda)
8-Libya:             Ambassador Moses Kiwe Ssebunya (Muganda)
Deputy Ambassador Aisha Ismail (Nubian)
9-UAE:              Ambassador Prof. Semakula Kiwanuka (Muganda)
10-Tanzania:     High Commissioner Ibrahim Mukiibi (Muganda)
11-Saudi Arabia: Ambassador Aziz Kasujja (Muganda)
12-DRC:            Ambassador Maj. James Kinobe (Muganda)
Deputy Ambassador Nurhu Byarufu (Munyoro)
13-Belgium/EU:  Ambassador Katenta Apuuli (Mutoro)
Deputy Ambassador Mirjam Blaak (Dutch-Madi Ugandan)
14-Italy:           Ambassador Deo Rwabiita (Munyankole)
15-France:        Ambassador Elizabeth Napeyok (Karamojong)
Deputy Ambassador Philip Odida (Acholi)
16-Canada:      High Commissioner George Marino Abola (Acholi)
Deputy High Commissioner Alex Mukubwa (Muganda)
17-China:        Ambassador Charles Madibo Wagidoso (Mugisu)
Deputy Ambassador Solomon Rutega (Mukiga)
18-Germany:   Ambassador Francis Butagira (Munyankole)
Deputy Ambassador Joseph Omodo (Lango)
19-India:        High Commissioner Nimisha Madhvani (Indian Ugandan)
20-Kenya:       High Commissioner Angelina Wapakhabulo (Tanzanian-Mugisu-Ugandan)
Deputy High Commissioner Agnes Kalibbala (Muganda)
21-Russia:      Ambassador Dr Moses Ebuk (Lango)
Deputy Ambassador Sam Barteka Sakajja (Sebei)
22-Sudan:      Ambassador Betty Akech Okullu (Acholi)
Deputy Ambassador Ahmed Ssenyomo (Muganda)
23-Burundi:    Ambassador Brig. Matayo Kyaligonza (Munyoro)
24-Rwanda:    Ambassador Richard Kabonero (Mukiga)
25-UK:           High Commissioner Joan Rwabyomere (Mutoro)
Deputy High Commissioner Mumtaz Kassam (Indian Ugandan)
26-S. Africa:   High Commissioner Kweronda Ruhemba (Munyankole)
Deputy High Commissioner Kayiza Matovu (Muganda)
27-Nigeria:     High Commissioner Davit Etuket (Teso)
28-USA:         Ambassador Prof Perez Kamunanwire (Munyankole)
Deputy Ambassador Charles Ssentongo (Muganda)
29-UN:          Permanent Representative Dr Ruhakana Rugunda (Mukiga)
Deputy Permanent Representative Patrick Mugoya (Musoga).

Fact 1:  Out of 29 ambassadors, 12 are Baganda while 7 deputy heads of mission are Baganda.
Fact 2:  Out of 29 ambassadors, 4 are Banyankole, 2 are Acholi, 2 are Bakiga; the rest you can calculate.

Bottom line: Museveni must hate Baganda so much to give them such a disproportinately high number of ambassadors.

Lesson: Rehema, when you see tribalism in everything, you are either a hate-monger or an obscurantist. You can build Uganda without distorting facts!


I rest my case, for now!

Billie Kadameri

Comments (33)

Tragic end of Paul Sebuliba 82, a World War II Veteran

Feb 15, 10 8:58 AM

Friday, February 5 2010, World War II Veteran Paul Sebuliba 82 years was knocked down by a boda boda cyclist who was carrying  fish just at the Uganda Clays narrow bridge at Kajjansi Trading centre.  The cyclist who was coming from Entebbe side knocked mzee Sebuliba from the back and broke his leg in the knee.  It is said that the accident occurred at around 11.00am.  Sebuliba had just been with Nsaale who had helped him ring some gentleman in Kampala alleged to be responsible for allocating land to World War II Veterans.  It is alleged that on ringing the man concerned, Sebuliba was given a go ahead to go and meet the said man in Kampala.  As he walked towards where Kajjansi taxi’s park, just around the Uganda Clays’ Bridge, he was knocked down.  It is said that the fish which was being carried got stolen by the people as the owner run away.

Sebuliba was later put on a Patrol vehicle which took him to Mulago Casualty.  It is said that he had been talking and he breathed his last at the Casualty before he got attended to, but had been registered.  It is alleged that the mzee died due to bleeding.  Relatives say that while at the Casualty Sebuliba was asked how much money he had and he said shs 2,000, and he did not get attention till death.  It is not clear how true this allegation is.

The relatives on learning about the accident got to search for Sebuliba, but could not trace him.  He had been registered in Casualty Ward but they failed to locate the Ward he had been taken to.  After failing to trace the man it is said these people went back to Casualty where they learnt that two people had died from Casualty; and Sebuliba was one of the dead.

The story of Sebuliba is what many other people go through in this country and up to their death; they are desperately following up to get what is due to them which a good number die before getting.  It is not clear why Government is not transparent about the dues to the World War II Veterans.  It can be remembered that when Uganda hosted CHOGM, some veterans asked the organizers for an opportunity to meet the Queen; and I think they were not accorded the opportunity.

Secondly, we have the notorious killer boda boda’s.  These have remained the cheapest means of transport or at least they are convenient to those who need the service and very flexible.  However, even from the operations mounted by the Police, the truth is that many people have lost lives due to accidents involving boda’s while others have been deformed or maimed.

There are also killer spots on our roads; and Kajjansi Uganda Clays Bridge seems to be among the potential killer spots given that it is narrow.  It is not clear why the Ministry of Works has not widened this stretch of the road, hence exposing users to great danger.  People on foot and the cyclists are in real danger at this spot.

Finally, as long as the NRM Government pays lip service to the welfare of the medical practitioners, you can be sure, none of us is safe.  Many times when one gets an accident, it is 3rd party who have to care for him before the relatives get to know, however, given the medical workers’ situation, all of us can be victim of neglect.  With better services, chances are that Sebuliba would be alive.

Willy Kituuka

Comments (2)
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