Mzee order of 1989 is cancelled in 2023: The Buruuli land is given back…

“In 1989, President Yoweri Museveni instructed the Ministry of Lands and Surveys to allocate 10 square miles of land to enable them to set income-generating activities and education multi-faced agricultural projects. The Ministry of Lands identified the five square miles at government ranching schemes in Nakasongola district and another five square miles at the Ssingo ranching scheme which they offered to Makerere University. The Ministry of Lands and Surveys then offered land at blocks 9B and 9C at Buruuli ranching schemes located in Wabinyonyi and Kakooge sub-counties in Nakasongola.However, to date, Makerere University hasn’t taken possession of the land” (Unity Fm 97.7 Lira, 01.12.2023).

It is just rich that as President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni cancels the giving of land to the Makerere University in Nakansongola district or within Buruuli Kingdom. The President gave the land for educational purposes and the University never used the land. Therefore, the cancellation has no effect on the university or their programs.

Alas, as he called Baganda kingdom the “Mengo Semi-Colonialism” in regards to the Buruuli, which was annexed by the Baganda in the early 1900s. That is history, which is definitely remembered by the people of Buruuli. However, the land question here was always on orders and directed by the President.

He can pin blame of weakening the Buruuli on the Baganda, but that isn’t the case here. The President rectified both Kingdoms and they are now side by side. The land question here was an effort, which was instructed by him and now he chose to give it back. It took him 34 years to do so and you can wonder who will take it back now.

The crying of supporters and people of Buruuli wasn’t done because Makerere or the Baganda had did something. No, it was an outcry because Museveni had decided decades earlier. He now changed his own policy and returned the land to the ones living there. This is opposite of what he has done in the North recently, but shows how powerful letters and pleas are in regard to the President. This doesn’t cost him anything either and the University doesn’t lose anything of value.

It is just strange that he pins the “Mengo Semi-Colonialism” line in the letter. When they had nothing directly doing with it or wasn’t connected to this land question. This was all about him and his choices, but he still chooses these words. Just to justify his attempts and lack of implementation of it. Since the government and the university had over three decades to make use of the land and make it educational. However, that never happened and that is saying something.

Just imagine… since 1989 when he instructed the ministry, the University and the State have never been able to do anything about it. They had plenty of time and funds to do so. This just shows that it was never a priority or a willed act. You can wonder why the President did it in the first place and what motivation he had. Alas, that is another story. Peace.

Makerere University Guild Elections: Dangote Campaign Team Press Statement (15.07.2022)

Justice Forum (JEEMA): Press Statement on the Murder of a Visiting Student during Makerere Guild Elections Campaigns (15.07.2022)

Makerere University: Office of the Chairperson of Council – Suspension of Makerere University Students Guild and the Ongoing Guild Elections (14.07.2022)

Opinion: Makerere University VC is as rogue as it gets…

If you thought someone would open the doors or show any sort of liberty. Don’t ever, ever expect that from the Vice-Chancellor of Makerere University Barnabas Nawangwe. The Guild President elections shouldn’t have direct interference from the leadership of MUK. However, in the instance of this year’s election. The VC is involving himself and ensuring a fixed result before the polls.

He has called the National Unity Platform (NUP) aspirants for “indiscipline” and has suspended them. You just know why, because the VC is bleeding yellow, and his mind is corrected by the movement. He is partisan and isn’t even concealing it.

The National Resistance Movement (NRM) just proves the point that they cannot win in a fair fight or election. When the VC and operatives of the state must act with vicious interference and tarnishing an institution. Just so a brother or a sister can get the title. Secondly, it just shows how far the Makerere has fallen from the renegade and the bastion of free speech. As you just supposed to nod along and be a servant of the state.

Because the VC is just a client of the state and a puppet. He cannot even think straight on his own and has to be directed. The VC don’t have the character or the mind capacity to think of the consequences of this. It is a short-sighted attempt of appeasing the regime and their connected officials. However, that will not serve him well in the long run.

We are just seeing what sort of shady character he is. A puppet and a voice of the Movement. Not a man of the people or respecting the institution itself. The VC is just digging his own grave. Because sooner or later the partisanship will lose value. It is not like he can prove the “indiscipline” and it’s only a temporary measure.

The VC should know all of this, but even if he is nearly the head of the educational institution. Don’t expect him to be so bright or understand the long-term consequences of this. Yes, he gets a NRM loyalist elected to the guild. Not on the merits or within the qualifications of the title. No, his there because he wears the right insignia and praises the same overlord.

When that gravy-train has stopped. We can rest assure that the likes of the VC will feel threatened. Since he don’t have the masters or the culprits to support his partisan mission. He isn’t here to make the campus or the university more peaceful. No, his there to serve the purpose of the regime.

This VC isn’t a free thinker or an academic who can hold his own. No, his a just a court jester wanting for the next circus to arrive in town. That’s the sort of fella he is and it’s tragic. The VC is singlehandedly tarnishing the name of Makerere, and it deserves better. However, we cannot expect much when the likes of the VC is reigning supreme. Peace.

Makerere Law Society: Statement on the Suspension of Students at Makerere University (08.02.2022)

Dr. Stella Nyanzi fled into exile in Nairobi

“Ugandan academic cum political activist, Dr Stella Nyanzi, has fled to Nairobi, Kenya. This was confirmed by her lawyer, Prof George Luchiri Wajackoyah, who cited political persecution by President Yoweri Museveni’s government for the move” (Washington Gikunju – ‘Ugandan activist Stella Nyanzi flees to Kenya’ 03.02.2021).

The Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) Member of Parliament (MP) Aspirant Dr. Stella Nyanzi who came third on that MP Kampala Woman race. She has now fled the Republic in fear. Dr. Nyanzi already knows the cost of her activism and been behind bars for her outspokenness.

She has paid a huge price being bold and active. After this election she has been vocal about defending Bobi Wine and wanting to protest his arrest. However, she haven’t had the same reach and finesse as earlier. She is famous and known. That because she has dared to insult and mock the President.

Stella Nyanzi is a critic and a person fighting the junta. Nevertheless, that costs. Anyone who has followed has seen that. Hopefully, Stella Nyanzi have her kids with her and is safe. There are enough activists, supporters and mobilizers of the opposition figures who is abducted, incommunicado and detained at un-gazzetted safe-houses. Therefore, her fleeing the regime makes sense.

Nyanzi deserves safety and so does everyone else fighting the cause of the dictatorship. You know it is bad when someone see the need to go into exile. This is seeking political refugee. That says it all about the current regime in Kampala. How far and how bad the state of affairs is. When its better to cross the borders from Kampala and flee to Nairobi.

This is really tragic. As Dr. Nyanzi have a role at Makerere University and as a political operative. She has a place and voice, which matters. Her ways is maybe unconventional, but she gets her point across. Where she has cared for the health of woman and their rights to be heard. That is always important and hope that she never looses her steam. But that she soldiers on and continue to fight the good fight.

Yes it has cost and will continue to cost. However, she is not forgotten and we know that she has fought though tribulations. She has suffered and paid a price. Been in prison and been charged. She has lost her job and been re-constituted it. If someone knows what it cost to go against the dictatorship. She is one who knows.

We don’t know for how long this will last. Nevertheless, it is tragic, that someone has flee a nation for this reason. Peace.

Makerere’s Ivory Tower burned

There are now was speculations going on as the Makerere University Ivory Tower started to burn and several departments of the University was caught on fire. This is just happening as the Makerere University was hit with a 8 billion shilling financial scandal. The evidence just vanished and the financial records just disappeared in the flames.

It is just so convenient that it happen now. Now that there was supposed to be an investigation into the lost funds of the University. That the fire just happen where the paperwork and the paper-trail was left behind. Just to ensure, that they cannot find the evidence and the proof of the mismanagement and loss of funds.

What is more striking is that the old building, the historical building, the UNESCO site burned yesterday. The building which was started on in 1939, but finished in 1942. A building with rich history. We can wonder what sort of documents, historical artefacts and other things that went into the flames yesterday. Things and papers, which cannot be replicated, unless they were digitally stored on some cloud server. Alas, that we don’t know at this point.

What we do know is that it’s fitting the fire happens now. It is just in time and with the spirit of a cover-up. Where the leadership, the ones who has a oversight of the University suddenly lost the proof of their misdeeds and misuse of funds. These documents that just went missing in a fire. So, that the investigation have to be halted. As there are no proof of the acts and the deeds done by University leadership.

That is how this is looking to the blind eye. Where the University just looses its face. Where they have to restore and rebuild the famous building. The Ivory Tower, who just happens to burn when a financial scandal hits it.

What will also happen, the 8 billions lost in the scandal will be nothing in comparison to rebuilding this structure. Ensure the building is intact and built on the principals of the early 1940s. Now there will expeditions to the senate building of University of London. As this building and architecture was build to resemble.

Therefore, this is a tragedy and it strikes when the University is rocked with a scandal. That is why it’s to easy to the motives behind it. Though, we know there will be no one taken into custody as culprits. The fire was done and ones behind it will walk free.

We can just wonder what is up next. The aftermath will show, but for now… we have to dwell on the fires and wonder what went lost. Other than the financial records, which just happens to there. Because, Makerere have no lost something. Uganda have lost something. Yet again. While the leadership is acting like they can just rebuild it like nothing. Well, it won’t be that easy. This will take time and will cost a fortune. While trying to hold onto the remains of the past. That will not be easy. Peace.

Opinion: The “Zaake Parliamentary Report” reads like a hit-job

After reading the bleak 23 pages report on the “misconduct” of Hon. Francis Zaake during a meeting of the Committee on Educations and Sports, as they were investigating into the violence, the army presence and the raising intuition at Makerere University. This report was made in January 2020, but was published now recently.

What is striking is that everything is pointed at Zaake from the get-go. There is no denying in it. You can read that this was pre-programmed. Even if there was questions into the manner and ways Professor Nawangwe as well. Still, his all of the hook, no questions into his lacking will to answer or even say what really was going on there.

This was at the heights of it all with all the massive reports, speculations and even the horror viral videos of what was happening at the halls of Makerere University. While the Professor didn’t want to answer to this. That is why the Parliamentary Report on the actions done is toothless too. Just like the Professor said the MPs where. They are spineless and won’t have the ability shift the power, which is from “high above”. That evident with this report too.

Because, it points to Zaake. Not the reason behind it all, the stress of an MP who is in direct connection with the youths and students of Makerere. A man who cares and who isn’t ruthless. This is how it all seems now.

Zaake is the fall-guy. The guy to pin blame on for shouting, interrupting and questioning the Professor. As he was supposed to be accountable and transparent.

It is funny that the recommendations speaks of the integrity, decorum and manner of which a committee should work. They are pinning blame on Zaake without any consideration. Even when there are other allegations put on him with no evidence and not even captured on CCTV cameras. This all seems more like they had a pre-disposal and planned effort. That Zaake was a bad boy and need to punished.

While they can so easily do this to him, they didn’t do anything and haven’t pushed for the Recommendations in the Parliamentary Reports on the strikes and violence at Makerere University. These are just briefcase reports, but when it hits an opposition character like Zaake. Than, he will be muted and silenced by some manner. Because, protocol and decorum matters in the likes of him, but expect that a NRM MP can scream and shout. Expect a Cabinet member being allowed to go all “gung-ho” and “an-march”.

Yes, there’s is a need in a meeting for protocol, respect and manner. This is well-known, but that is from both parties. And the other MPs should know the invested interest for Zaake in this matter. It is not like his a total outsider and activists he knew was in trouble there. That is why, the army acting out and speculations into the vile activity would make anyone spark at a leader of the institution deflecting the questions.

Zaake might be wrong, but at the same time. He has done it with a purpose, which the report never states. Neither does the Vice-Chancellor or Professor deserve to let of the hook. Because of his reluctance to answer the committee and the allegations against him. What is striking is that the other members didn’t address that, but asked for human treatment. Meaning they are really weak and not bothering about gathering evidence towards Makerere. When they are just addressing Zaake and not even considering the actions that triggered him.

That is why this Report is a hit-job. It was meant from the get-go. There was no other meaning of this one. To censor or to give Zaake a message. That he got to relax, be more chill and just watch Netflix. Peace.

Makerere University: Parliament Report strikes hard at the authorities

The Parliament made a report into last year’s violence and demonstrations at the Makerere University. The Report was made in December 2019, but only released in public now in February 2020. Therefore, I got it in hand today and will dwell on some aspects of it. As it shows what sort of fashion that went down and what the MPs see as vital information for the public to know after the deeds was done at the campus.

As the report states: “the demonstration led by the 85t1, Female Caucus was legitimate in nature [Article 29 of the Constitution of the Republic of Uganda] and did not merit the brutal conduct of the University administration and the security operatives in managing the protests” (..) “there was lack of evidence to suggest that the University Students’ Disciplinary Committee headed by Justice Precious Ngabirano had convened meetings to hear and determine allegations levelled against the affected students. The Committee notes that it is now coming to two months without any report from the University Disciplinary Committee” (Parliament Report, 2019).

Just by these simple paragraphs shows the extent of force used to a demonstrations that had merit, which the University combined with the authorities escalated. As we known by following the events to a violent path.

As it further states: “The Committee observes that the deployment of the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces [UPDF] to participate in the management of the protests at the University were not justifiable” (Parliament Report, 2019). With these words in mind, it is not strange that the UPDF and the authorities, which was not justified, misused their means on civilians and students alike. The acts of ill towards citizens and students demonstrating at unfair raise of student fees. Which is a natural reaction to sudden change of livelihood.

While the minority report stated this for instance: “the senior Minister of Education and Sports makes a public apology in light of the statement she made depicting Makerere University as a drug infested institution. We presume the statement is an indictment to the students and the university at large, and her apology would restore confidence and trust on Makerere University” (Parliament report, 2019).

Also, states a reason why there was no evidence in the majority report of sexual harassment: “The Committee on Education and Sports did not spare time to specifically inquire and interface with alleged victims of sexual harassment at the Campus of Makerere University” (…) “One female student [names uithheld] testified that she was subjected to verbal sexual insults inside the hostel and at Wandegeya Police Station after her arrest. Among the insults, a uniformed security officer threatened called her a prostitute and threatened to put his genitalia in her mouth” (Parliament Report, 2019). Therefore, the concerns of these actions made by security personnel, neither police nor soldiers on the ground. Show, that there was no actions being done to ensure their hurt nor their stories to collaborate with the alleged sexual harassment. This could have further shown the ills that were done and the amount of pain the students went through those weeks of last year.

Let me end with a final statement from the Minority report: “The recent students’ demonstration at Makerere was indicative of the fact that some interests were ignored by the University authorities” (Parliament Report, 2019). That is enough. Peace.