sqoop.co.ug
@sqoop Fri, 30 Aug 2024 07:23:12
Iryn teams up with Swangz Avenue for only two months
After successfully organising her recent concert at Serena Hotel, musician Iryn Namubiru is not yet done with Swangz Avenue. The artiste has decided to work with the industrial Area-based record label for two months (November and December). The deal is to handle her bookings, strictly. “For all BOOKINGS, here are the contacts. No intermediaries,” Namubiru shared on […]
read moreobserver.ug
@observer Wed, 28 Aug 2024 06:36:19
Meet fearless Habib Buwembo, the man who calls jail his second home
Resoluteness is an understatement when it comes to HABIB BUWEMBO, a politician, human rights activist and serial protestor. Whereas Dr Kizza Besigye is the most arrested politician, it can be argued that Buwembo is the most arrested activist in Uganda. Through activism, he has been to more than 100 police cells on top of his numerous detentions at Luzira, Kigo and Kitalya prisons. In all this, he has never got a single conviction. In fact, he was among the dozens rounded up and briefly incarcerated for participating in the recent march to parliament. Devon Ssuubi unlocks the spirit behind his activism. Buwembo’s activism journey has not been a bed of roses, and for those who don’t know him, it’s difficult to believe that he has been in over 100 police cells on various charges such as public nuisance, inciting violence, organising unlawful assemblies and insulting the person of the speaker, among others, but he has never been charged by the court for these crimes. In this interview, he states that his core values of respecting human rights and fighting injustice have kept him going. He has been affiliated with political parties like JEEMA, FDC and currently NUP. Buwembo had the character trait of being a leader, as he mentioned having held leadership positions since primary four. When he reached senior two, Buwembo started the Nateete Muslim Students Association (NAMUSA) and became its first chairperson; in senior four, he was elected at a district level to become the vice chairperson of the Inter Muslim Association of Kampala (IMUSAK) and later its chairperson.Around 2005, Buwembo was noticed by the NRM district leadership due to the position he held that enabled him to interact with students from over 280 schools. “NRM had calculated that with my position, I would be able to draw more youth to the party so that they would be abled future leaders,” he said.He said that a convoy was sent to his school with an army officer, and they were received in the head teacher’s office, but due to security concerns, he told them that Buwembo had been sent back home for school fees and instructed them to come back the next day. “Immediately after they had gone, the head teacher called me in his office and enquired about the crime I had committed so as to be looked at by the army, and I assured him that I was clean,” he recalls.On the second day, they escorted him to a hotel and conveyed their interest in hiring him as the youth chairperson of NRM Kampala, citing the virtual nature of his office and his extensive network of students. They also presented him with a cell phone for easy coordination, NRM cards, and Shs 150,000. Buwembo (behind bars) talks to a relative as a prison warder looks on Buwembo recognized his potential to contribute to national politics but his heart was never in NRM. He then reached out to the former secretary general of JEEMA, the late Hassan Kyanjo, who successfully recruited him into the party. Buwembo stated that Kyanjo provided him with valuable guidance on navigating the political spectrum.But by the time of the 2011 elections, he had already aligned himself with the FDC because JEEMA was ‘very soft.’ When Dr Kizza Besigye initiated the walk-to-work protest and the subsequent events, Buwembo was among those who accompanied him everywhere he went, drawn by his charisma and patriotism.THE ACTIVISM AND ARRESTS Buwembo’s first time to be arrested was in 2011 during general elections, when he was allocated the responsibility of protecting votes. He was unaware that this marked the beginning of his numerous arrests. He recounts the fateful day when anti-riot police encircled him and others, driving them to Nateete police station, and finally to Kibuye police station.“I had always believed that individuals in police cells were criminals and murderers, but that day challenged my perception,” he recalls.Later, they released him on a police bond. Buwembo claims that this event marked a significant turning point in his life, leading him to overcome his fear of police cells.“I made a resolution to fight the injustices in the country because I don’t think even our children will go through the same,” he says.In 2014, Buwembo, Doreen Nyanjura and others formed a pressure group known as the National Association for the Unemployed (NAU) to fight against the unemployment that was skyrocketing the country, and they chose to write a petition to the then minister of Labour, Janat Mwakwaya.“We held a press conference from JEEMA headquarters, and we were taking a petition to the minister before we were arrested from Mengo and later taken to the Old Kampala police station. A police officer violently tortured a journalist working with WBS during that scuffle, causing damage to his spinal cord,” he says.Social media went viral with the videos, exerting pressure on the police. They issued orders to release all those arrested that day. After a week, Buwembo decided to resubmit their petition due to its undeliverable status. They planned to depart from Constitution square, but once again, they found themselves arrested and detained at CPS. “However, upon learning of our arrest while en route to her office with a petition, the minister instructed the police to release us as her guests. Upon our arrival, she granted us an audience to discuss our concerns,” he says.COURT DEBUTHowever, Buwembo’s first time to step in court was when his group was arrested, attempting to take a written letter to the then IGP, Kale Kayihura, communicating to him about their upcoming rallies and public engagements. While in the dock at Nakawa Magistrate’s court, he developed a fever and started vomiting. “We were remanded and when we reached Luzira prison, I was just taken to the hospital, and that was where I spent the two weeks,” he says.Upon return, court asked each of the seven suspects to pay Shs 500,000 for bail but they refused, complaining it was too high. Court remanded them for an additional two weeks.“We were presented back to court again, we were asked to pay Shs 100,000 each.”Buwembo says that he went on to be arrested on numerous occasions during FDC protests, even when he joined the Jobless Brotherhood, the group that onetime dropped the pigs at parliament.FIGHT WITH KITATTAIn 2018, Buwembo reported that he engaged in a serious confrontation with Abdullah Kitatta, who was attempting to seize control of the Muslim leadership in Lubaga and was encroaching on the 10 acres of Muslim land in Nateete. Kitatta had used his connections to terrorize the Muslim community in Nateete.“During the course of eight months, there was no Friday I wasn’t arrested, and there was a week that I was arrested three times because of fighting Kitatta,” he says.In the end, Kitatta was arrested after he was filmed beating up schoolchildren in the bus together with his group.LEGAL BATTLE WITH KATO LUBWAMAAnother activity that got Buwembo arrested so many times was the legal battle he had with the late Kato Lubwama after the elections of 2016. Buwembo had contested for councillorship and his victory was overturned. He realised later that Lubwama had masterminded the whole process.“I learnt that he had interfered with the results of my election, but I did not take it seriously, but when I got to know that he was doing other things that were not upright, I also chose to investigate his qualifications and found out they were insufficient,” he says. He says when Lubwama realised that Buwembo had got the signatures required to petition court, he connived with the police due to the connections he had, and whenever he was seen on the ground, he would be arrested.“One arrest happened in Ndeeba, and I was sent from the Ndeeba police post later to Katwe regional police station. The second time, they arrested me in Nateete,” he revealed.In the long run, Buwembo won the case, and Lubwama was to pay Shs 1 billion in costs. Upon his death, Buwembo told the family members that he had forgiven the late his debt.ANITA AMONG WOESIn 2022, the speaker Anita Among allegedly downplayed the prevalence of torture in Uganda. During her congratulatory message to MP Francis Zaake for winning gold in the East African Parliamentary Games, she mentioned that he achieved this victory despite enduring torture. Using his pressure group called Rubaga Social Justice Centres, Buwembo and other colleagues organised a press conference to demand an apology from Among within seven days. Days later, he and other activists, using crutches, demonstrated outside the speaker’s Nakasero residence. Subsequently, Buwembo was arrested and brought to Buganda Road court, where he faced charges of computer misuse and was remanded to Luzira prison for three weeks. “I applied for bail, but the application was not heard until after the initial three weeks had passed,” he said. Buwembo would spend 104 days in jail in total before receiving bail. Upon gaining freedom, he held a press conference aimed at addressing the injustices in the judiciary and wore an attire that had the words; the speaker is an iron sheet thief. Yet again, he was arrested. “They charged me from the KCCA court and remanded me for two weeks. It took 53 days before I got bail and the matter is still pending and ongoing,” he says. {loadposition inarticle}
read moreobserver.ug
@observer Wed, 28 Aug 2024 07:35:42
Kiteezi camp hit by disease outbreak
Following the garbage slide at Kiteezi landfill, survivors are grappling with loss and uncertainty as they seek answers and assistance amidst their shattered lives. As one approaches the camp, the scene is marked by the presence of well-wishers and NGOs coming to the aid of the victims, providing much-needed necessities to help them transition to this new phase of life brought about by the disaster. This disaster has resulted in over 356 people losing their livelihoods and the hope they once had. Currently, the internally displaced people affected by the garbage slide are housed at the Kiteezi football pitch, with the camp being managed by the Red Cross and the Office of the Prime Minister. These organizations are providing shelter, food and medical care to those impacted by the disaster.DISEASES SURGE AT THE CAMPAmable Ayebare, the incident commander for the Kiteezi public health response from the Directorate of Public Health and Environment at Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA), spoke to The Observer about the current health conditions at the camp housing victims of the Kiteezi landfill disaster.“Currently, we have quite a number of people on medication, and the majority of cases we’re seeing involve diarrheal disease in children, especially those under the age of two,” Ayebare said. “This has been attributed to the changing environment, changing meals, changing sleeping arrangements, and children interacting with each other. We’ve also observed an increase in coughs and flu among the children, though only a limited number of cases have progressed to pneumonia.”Ayebare noted that the camp is also dealing with cases of gastritis and stomach upsets, which have arisen due to changes in feeding patterns, with many people going from four meals a day to just one or two.“We also have a lot of coughs and flu among adults and a significant number of infections,” she added. “At the start, when hygiene was not yet fully under control, we were seeing a lot of urinary tract infections and cases of candida, but now these are decreasing due to improved hygiene and the availability of medical supplies.”Ayebare highlighted that the outpatient clinic set up by KCCA at the camp includes a psychosocial support arm, with a psychiatric nurse conducting assessments and a team of counselors from the Uganda Counseling Association providing support. This has enabled the referral of victims for additional psychosocial care.She also pointed out that KCCA has provided an opportunity for women to catch up on immunizations and has offered free antenatal services for pregnant women.SURVIVORS SHARE THEIR EXPERIENCES“We have quite a number of pregnant women in this camp—about 12 at different stages of pregnancy,” Ayebare noted. “Since most of them lost all their documents in their houses, we conducted a round of antenatal care services, issued new antenatal cards, and are now able to follow up with them even after the Kiteezi landfill disaster.”When The Observer reached out to some of the survivors of the Kiteezi landfill disaster, they shared their harrowing experiences. Muhammad Kironde, a butcher working with the Kalerewe abattoir and a resident affected by the landfill disaster, recounted his loss. He said he lost four children, his wife and his livestock— goats and cows—in the garbage slide.“I don’t know what to do next. I have lost everything. We get food and supplies from the camp, but I don’t know what comes next moving forward because everything I had was destroyed on that fateful day when the garbage slide occurred. I had cows, goats, and rental houses; it all went away, and I was left with nothing,” Kironde shared with this newspaper.Additionally, Kironde expressed his concerns, telling this newspaper, “There have been rumors that the government wants to relocate survivors to Ddundu in Mukono district, but they haven’t informed us officially. It’s not right for the government to move us to an unfamiliar place when they found us on our properties and chose to dump garbage in the area where we lived.”Although President Museveni ordered compensation payments to the victims—five million shillings for each fatality and one million shillings for each injured person—Kironde pointed out that most of the garbage slide survivors have not received their promised compensation in full. “I lost five people and have only received five million shillings so far, yet the government promised five million shillings per victim lost in the garbage slide. When I inquired about this with the head of police at the internally displaced camp, he assured me that it’s being handled. So, I’m waiting for feedback, but I’m confused and don’t know what to do next with my life because all of my investments were destroyed in the garbage slide,” he lamented.Lauya Nalubega, a mother of two who lost her husband during the garbage slide at Kiteezi landfill, broke down in tears and was in a state of despair while speaking to correspondents of this newspaper. She expressed gratitude for the help coming from well-wishers, organizations like the Red Cross, and government institutions such as the Office of the Prime Minister, but she is deeply worried about how she will raise her children on her own without a place to live or money to support their education.“Before the landfill disaster, my husband used to collect grass to feed the cows that provided us with milk, which we sold to earn a living. But now, with my husband gone, I’m worried sick about how we are going to survive without his help. I fear my children won’t be able to go back to school,” Lauya shared.Hussein Kato, another survivor from the Kiteezi landfill disaster, shared his harrowing experience with this paper, revealing that he lost both his wife and child. He is still waiting to recover his child’s body. “I am hoping and being patient. I believe God has a plan and a reason for everything that happens. One thing I have learned in this world is that God knows everyone’s destiny here on earth,” Kato said.Jane Namanda, another survivor of the Kiteezi landfill disaster, told The Observer that she lost her house and a rental unit she had worked tirelessly to establish.“After the landfill disaster, I was traumatized and couldn’t speak properly, but thanks to the psychological services provided at the camp, I was able to come to terms with the situation. However, I’m still not used to sleeping with so many people in one tent. Sometimes, I feel like leaving the camp and renting a small house so I can have some peace of mind,” Namanda stated. She also expressed concern for her children, who are currently staying with a friend, and hopes to rebuild what she lost in the disaster.COMMENTS FROM THE OFFICE OF THE PRIME MINISTERWhen The Observer reached out to Charles Odongotho, spokesperson for the Office of the Prime Minister, to inquire about the plans for relocating and resettling those affected by the Kiteezi landfill disaster, he said, “The cabinet is going to have a meeting on Monday, August 26, to discuss and plan how to relocate the survivors of the Kiteezi landfill disaster.”Odongotho also clarified that, “It may be true that some survivors haven’t received their compensation because steps are being taken to ensure that the money doesn’t end up in the wrong hands.”He further explained that the disaster at the Kiteezi landfill led to the destruction of 51 houses, with 24 additional houses removed to create space for excavators to recover bodies. As of now, over 35 bodies have been retrieved from the landfill, though the search for the 28 missing bodies continues.Odongotho noted that the people affected by this disaster fall into three categories: “Those whose homes were destroyed by the garbage slide, those whose houses were demolished to make way for excavators, and the group of people found within 200 meters of the landfill to create a buffer zone.”COMMENTS FROM THE SPOKESPERSON OF RED CROSSIrene Nakasiita, the head of Communications at the Uganda Red Cross Society, expressed deep gratitude for the outpouring of support from Ugandans in response to the Kiteezi landfill disaster.“We’ve seen people coming through every day to offer their support. It hasn’t been easy, but since we called for help, numerous groups have contributed whatever they can. We are incredibly grateful, honored and appreciative. Thank you, Ugandans, for the great spirit of compassion and family that you have shown to the people of Kiteezi. We continue to call upon others who may have anything to offer. Anything you can give means a lot to the lives of these people,” Nakasiita said. Nakasiita noted that although the camp currently houses over 356 people, she anticipates that the number of residents will increase due to the government’s plan to evacuate people living within 200 meters of the landfill, which will likely lead to more individuals seeking refuge at the camp.Addressing the challenges faced by the Red Cross in managing the camp, Nakasiita highlighted that children are experiencing issues with pneumonia, exacerbated by the rainy season and cold winds. She praised the health team from KCCA for their diligent efforts in addressing the health concerns of the displaced residents. Critical cases have been referred to nearby health centers for further treatment.{loadposition inarticle}
read moreobserver.ug
@observer Wed, 28 Aug 2024 08:46:18
How banks, developers fleece buyers of apartments
As Ugandans increasingly adopt condominium living for its numerous benefits, concerns have arisen over developers who market substandard apartments, taking advantage of people’s hard-earned money. Last October, a group of diaspora condominium owners petitioned the inspector general of government (IGG), raising issues such as collapsed roofs, water seeping through walls, poor ventilation, and defects in plumbing and electrical systems. Represented by real estate lawyer Deo Kalikumutima of Kalikumutima and Co. Advocates, the homeowners expressed disappointment with some regulators who, after being compromised by developers, neglected their responsibility to monitor construction quality. The meeting included representatives from the ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development; Directorate of Housing; Engineers Registration Board (ERB); Architects’ Registration Board (ARB); National Building Review Board (NBRB); Citizenship and Immigration Control Board; and Kira municipality officials. IGG Beti Olive Kamya ordered investigations into the allegations, while State Minister for Housing Persis Namuganza promised to pursue the matter. On Tuesday, February 13, 2024, Namuganza toured four condominium apartments in Najjeera and Kungu villages, located in Kira municipality, Wakiso district. She was appalled by what she found. “I am very disappointed. This is corruption of the highest order. The apartments are congested, and the workmanship is poor, yet people paid a lot of money,” she said. “In one, garbage greets you at the entrance, and the children’s play area is too small; moreover, it was turned into a dumping site for construction materials.” CHILDREN’S PLAY AREAS Namuganza emphasized the importance of children’s play areas in any gated community, noting that they are often neglected in these developments. “We are sitting on a time bomb. The buildings are new, but they look very old, and all have deep cracks. These developers don’t care about clients’ lives, only about maximizing profits,” she added. Namuganza, accompanied by engineers and architects from various government agencies, pledged to visit all condominium apartments across the country. Following these inspections, her team will issue a report on their findings. The ministry also plans to engage with developers, warning that those who fail to adhere to guidelines risk losing their licenses. “We would rather grapple with a housing shortage, which needs urgent solutions, than risk people’s lives,” she emphasized. However, developers present at the meeting shifted blame to their clients, accusing them of poor maintenance and attributing the defects to their negligence. Ugandan law allows both citizens and non-citizens to own property. However, real estate lawyer Deo Kalikumutima pointed out that these rights are not absolute, stating, “You cannot enjoy them to the detriment of others. If you are a property owner or developer, you are supposed to do what is expected of you, and if you are a regulator, ensure compliance and implementation.” Kalikumutima further criticized developers for focusing more on flashy presentations than on actual construction quality. “These developers invest more in graphics than the actual work. They go to the diaspora community with cosmetic presentations but do shoddy work on the ground,” he said. “The apartments have issues of structural integrity, poor plumbing, and electrical installation. We can surely do better than this.” He advised developers to conduct thorough market analysis before investing, considering market demands, tastes and preferences, and prioritizing quality. He also recommended benchmarking from other countries to improve standards. In this 21st century, he emphasized, developers should adopt a customer-centric approach rather than being solely profit-minded. In condominiums, individual ownership of land is not granted; instead, all the land in the project is jointly owned by all homeowners. IGG Beti Kamya, while presenting findings from recent inspections, revealed how commercial banks often collaborate with real estate developers to lure Ugandans into purchasing these properties. “They [developers] use the banks to do their marketing. An unsuspecting Ugandan goes to the bank, and sees a complete block with beautiful condominiums, and they fall for it. The bank connects them to the investor, and then the investor sells them some condominium that is not even yet built, say at around Shs 200 million,” she explained. Kamya pointed out that banks often lend Shs 200 million to buyers for properties that don’t yet exist, with the money immediately paid to the investor. “This transaction occurs before any construction begins. The buyer then spends one or two years repaying the loan with interest, only to receive a substandard, fake and dangerous house,” she said. “This leaves the buyer spending the rest of their life complaining and unhappy.” The report detailed significant defects in some sampled condominiums, including cracked ceilings and floors, substandard swimming pools, poorly connected and leaking sewerage systems, and inadequate plumbing installations. Other issues included flat roofs prone to water retention and flooding, the use of low-quality construction materials necessitating early replacements of fittings and fixtures, poor electrical wiring, the absence of fire escapes, damp walls both inside and out, and small septic pits. Moreover, many of these condominiums lacked occupation permits, raising concerns about how they were approved for sale. Homeowners affected by these defects have resorted to contracting engineering firms at their own expense to address the problems. The properties inspected included Swan Residences on Kireka- Namugongo road, developed by Universal Multi-Purpose Enterprises Ltd; Leo Zodiac in Najjeera, also by Universal Multi-Purpose Enterprises Ltd; Lotus Vicinia in Najjeera 2, Kira Municipality, developed by Fakhruddin Properties Uganda; Waves in Kungu, Kira Municipality, developed by Fakhruddin Properties Uganda and later sold to Aqeeq U Ltd; Hazel Apartments in Naalya, developed by Fakhruddin Properties Uganda; Casa Marcella in Naalya, developed by Comfort Homes Ltd; and Sunrise Apartments in Naalya, developed by Universal Multi- Purpose Enterprises Ltd. The IGG also revealed that they are investigating a building under construction in Lubaga division on Wilberforce Kakama road, where no activity was observed during the inspection, and the property developer remains unknown, as no site billboard was displayed. The IGG plans to establish a committee to investigate and take necessary action against investors involved in developing substandard properties. “Unfortunately, these developers fall outside our direct mandate as they are private entities, but we have tasked relevant agencies, including the ministry of Lands, the ministry of Works, the Uganda Investment Authority and NEMA, to take charge and report back,” said Munira Ali, the IGG spokesperson. Flavia Bwire, the executive director of the National Building Review Board (NBRB), acknowledged that the board has received numerous complaints regarding substandard developments, citing issues such as leakages and the use of poor materials by developers like Comfort Homes. She mentioned that in response to these concerns, the NBRB has engaged the attorney general to explore ways to assist affected homeowners. Bwire emphasized that the board has issued reports on substandard home developers and specific buildings, which were provided to the homeowners who lodged complaints. These reports confirmed the defects that had been raised. “NBRB is also in the process of developing a checklist to guide homeowners on what to look for in a house before occupation. We recognize that some home developers deliver a final product that differs from the design originally presented,” she explained. Bwire further noted that while the NBRB works with local committees to monitor and supervise construction, the absence of these committees in certain areas of Uganda complicates the board’s ability to effectively carry out its mandate. jjingoernest1@gmail.com {loadposition inarticle}
read moreobserver.ug
@observer Wed, 28 Aug 2024 07:14:25
Katanga trial: Defense alleges pathologist bias, report backdating
On August 20, the High court, presided over by Justice Isaac Muwata, resumed the trial of Molly Katanga and four co-accused individuals charged with the murder of Henry Katanga. This resumption followed a court vacation that had begun on July 15, 2024. Before the vacation, six witnesses had been cross-examined, with a seventh witness, Naomi Nyangweso, the sister of the deceased, scheduled to testify. However, her testimony was delayed due to a language barrier and the unavailability of a Runyankore translator at short notice.On the day the court was expected to adjourn, technical difficulties disrupted the proceedings. A failure in the network and internet connection prevented the accused, Molly Katanga, from joining the courtroom via the Zoom application. Citing the legal requirement for the accused to be present during their trial, Justice Muwata adjourned the session to the following day.The trial resumed on August 21, with testimony from Dr Richard Ambayo, a pathologist who had performed the post-mortem examination on the deceased.POST-MORTEM EXAMINATIONThe post-mortem report, as explained by pathologist Ambayo, was requested by Bugolobi police station under Detective Sergeant David Beteise. The deceased’s body exhibited a 17cm linear surgical scar on the left buttock and a 3cm by 4cm traumatic scar on the right leg. The body was wrapped in a pink mattress cover, with the upper half naked, and wore two pairs of boxer shorts. The deceased had short hair with some grey areas and a black-grey moustache.Rigor mortis was fully set, and hypostasis was observed on the back. Clotted blood was found on the face, shoulders and arms, and blood was oozing from the nose and left ear. A star-shaped gunshot entry wound was located on the left temporal area of the scalp, with an exit wound on the right meatus. The bullet caused significant fractures and lacerations to the skull and brain, ultimately exiting through the Petrous bone.No defensive injuries were noted, and the internal organs, except for a fatty liver indicating liver disease, were normal. Samples for DNA profiling and toxicology tests were taken. The post-mortem concluded on November 2, 2023, with no bullets or fragments recovered from the body.The indictment stated that on November 1, 2023, Henry and Molly Katanga had dinner and retired to their room. The next morning, a strange noise was heard from their bedroom, followed by what sounded like a struggle and a loud blast. When their daughters arrived, they found Henry in a pool of blood. Molly was assisted downstairs and taken to the hospital.CROSS-EXAMINATIONThe witness, Dr Richard Ambayo, a 48-year-old medical doctor with the Uganda Police Force, currently serves in the directorate of Police Health Services at Mulago City Mortuary, a position he has held since 2019, though officially employed in 2021. During the prosecution’s examination, it was revealed that Dr Ambayo holds a master’s degree in Medicine and Pathology from Makerere University, obtained in 2020, and a bachelor’s degree in Medicine and Surgery from Gulu University. He has been practicing since 2010 and is a master’s student specializing in medico-legal examinations, including post-mortem examinations and the examination of victims and perpetrators of crimes.Dr Ambayo explained the process involved in handling cases at the mortuary, stating, “We receive dead bodies at the mortuary brought in by police, accompanied by Police Form 48A and attached to it is 48B.” Form 48A is a police request for a post-mortem examination, while Form 48B is where the medical doctor’s report is documented. The post-mortem request is identified by a PM (post-mortem) number, generated using a serial number sequence that runs from the beginning of the year to the end.During the trial, Counsel Jonathan Muwaganya from the prosecution presented a form to Dr.Ambayo, asking him to identify it. Dr Ambayo confirmed it as Police Form 48A, which was a request for the postmortem of Henry Katanga, bearing the PM number PM3338/2020. The request for the post-mortem examination was made on November 2, 2023.When asked by the prosecution if he could identify the report he made, Dr Ambayo responded, “Yes. It must carry the names of the doctors that participated in the post-mortem and the stamp of the facility.” He was then presented with a document, which he examined thoroughly and confirmed as the post-mortem report on Form 48B from Katanga’s post-mortem. “It has my names and signature plus those of my colleague, Male Mutumba, and a KCCA mortuary stamp,” he noted.Dr Ambayo explained that the post-mortem examination was conducted jointly by two doctors, who examined the body, took notes, and compiled a report in the presence of AIP Eenyuthi Vonirick, the investigator in charge. The cause of death, as determined by the doctors, was a gunshot to the head. Dr Ambayo testified that the gunshot injuries indicated a near-contact range, with the gun muzzle being about the length of a standard ruler from the body before the shooting. Photographs taken during the autopsy were presented to Dr Ambayo for identification. These included images of the brain on a silver platter in the mortuary, the upper view of the body, the mattress cover, clotted blood on parts of the body, and clear pictures of the entry and exit wounds. As Dr Ambayo shuffled through the pictures, explaining their contents to the judge, the accused’s daughters, who were standing in the dock, looked away. Molly Katanga, visible on the screen, lowered her head and averted her eyes from the gruesome images of her husband’s lifeless body with a hole through his head.The prosecution then applied to tender the police forms and the eight photographs as evidence, which the judge admitted before the defense took the floor.DEFENSEDefense counsel, Elison Karuhanga, began by requesting the judge to ensure that each photo was well marked for clarity. He then asked the doctor to clarify a few points, stating, “One of your roles is to carry out a medicolegal post-mortem, correct? Would I be right to suggest that the term ‘medicolegal examination’ can also mean ‘forensic post-mortem’? Would I be correct to call a forensic post-mortem a medical examination of a de- ceased person’s body to determine the manner and time of death?”The witness affirmed the correctness of the first two questions but partially agreed with the last. He explained that “forensic” is not only limited to determining the cause and manner of death but also allows for deducing the time of death, known as the post-mortem interval, the time between death and the autopsy.Defense counsel then proceeded to question the witness’s qualifications to conduct a forensic post-mortem. Referring to authoritative texts available at Makerere’s Albert Cook Library, such as Simpson’s Forensic Medicine (11th edition) and Gunshot Wounds, which the witness deemed outdated, the defense asked whether the witness agreed with the statement on page 16 of Simpson’s Forensic Medicine: “The performance of an autopsy should ideally only be carried out by a pathologist trained in the techniques. However, it is appreciated that the ideal situation is impractical in many places due to lack of personnel, facilities, and finances. A poorly performed autopsy may be worse than no autopsy at all.”The witness responded, “That is the author’s opinion, not mine.” The defense then pressed the witness to confirm whether he had specialized training in forensic pathology. The witness replied, “My lord, I’m an expert.” When the judge instructed him to answer with a simple “yes” or “no” due to the nature of cross-examination, the witness added, “I did training as a course unit in my master’s, and I refer you to the police form, which requires a medical officer, and I am above that position.”During the examination, it was revealed that the witness neither holds a degree in forensic pathology nor has completed a fellowship in the field. Additionally, he was unaware of whether any doctors in the country possessed such qualifications. The defense handed the witness a book, directing him to page 311, which discussed who should perform an autopsy. The court then adjourned for a one-hour break.Upon returning from the lunch break, the defense resumed its questioning of the witness, focusing on the post-mortem report. Defense counsel asked the witness to confirm that Form 48B was a complete report by the witness, which he affirmed. The defense then referred the doctor to page one of the report, asking him to confirm that his conclusions must be supported by the available literature on gunshot wounds, a point the witness agreed with.The defense further noted that while the witness may not agree with certain authors’ opinions, he did agree that the terms used in his report are also defined in much of the literature on gunshot wounds, to which the witness conceded. The defense then directed the witness to an authoritative text that outlined how to identify gunshot wounds as entry or exit wounds. The book stated that there are specific characteristics of a gunshot entry wound that are well-documented, both in literature and in general medical practice, a point the witness also confirmed.The defense then asked the witness to confirm that he had described both wounds on the left and right sides of the deceased’s head as stellate-shaped, which the witness did. However, the defense pointed out that there was nothing in the witness’s report distinguishing the right wound from the left, except for the size of the wounds. This led to a tense exchange between defense counsel Elison Karuhanga and the pathologist, Dr Ambayo. When asked to show the court where he had recorded any differences between the wounds in his report, the witness was unable to find any.The defense continued by questioning the witness on the general principle that entry wounds are typically smaller than exit wounds. The witness agreed but added that this is not always the case, as factors such as the gun’s range also play a role. When pressed further on whether his statements were supported by medical literature, the witness initially replied, “I don’t know,” but later confirmed that his assertions were indeed consistent with medical writing. The defense then highlighted several details that were omitted from the post-mortem report, such as beveling—a classic indicator of gunshot entry and exit wounds. According to the defense, the beveling’s shape is often considered an indicator of the direction of fire, yet this was not mentioned in the witness’s report. When asked why this important detail was omitted, the witness requested a soda and a seat, explaining that he was exhausted from standing. He then stated that there was no beveling because the gun was fired at close range, though there were comminuted fractures at the point of entry.The defense also questioned the witness about the term “blackening” (blood clotting around gunshot wounds), which the witness was familiar with. The defense pointed out that the witness reported no blackening, yet a photograph of the deceased presented to the judge clearly showed a black clot in the right ear, where the bullet exited. The witness maintained that there was no blackening, stating that he did not observe any during his examination of the body.The court then adjourned the trial for the next day, with the witness expected to finish his testimony and continue cross-examination. During the trial, the defense counsel focused on discrepancies in the witness’s report, particularly omissions related to the nature of the wounds found on the deceased. Referring to various texts and journals cited in previous sessions, the defense argued that the wound reported as the exit was, in fact, the entry wound, and vice versa.They asserted that the lacerations on the right wound matched the descriptions of an entry wound according to the references provided to the court. This led the defense to question the competence of the pathologist, suggesting that he failed to make accurate deductions in his postmortem, which is central to the case.Ambayo, however, stood by his findings, explaining that in some cases, both wounds can present similar characteristics. The defense further contended that the witness might have been cognitively biased when drafting the report. They argued that the witness may have had a prior conversation with Detective David Beteise and others who had already formed an opinion about the entry wound being on the left, potentially influencing the witness’s conclusion without thoroughly examining both wounds.In response, the witness told the court, “My lord, I wasn’t biased, and Beteise did not share his view with me.” The defense highlighted inconsistencies in the postmortem report, noting that it was dated 2nd November 2023, yet the witness, Ambayo, admitted that this was not the day it was sent out. “My lord, I don’t remember the exact date, but I can confirm it wasn’t 2nd November,” Ambayo stated. When the defense suggested that the report was backdated based on the stamps, the witness clarified that it was the mortuary’s policy to use the date when the body was brought in, not the date when the report was finalized. The defense also accused the witness of leaking the postmortem report to UPDF soldiers, who allegedly used it to initiate investigations into Katanga’s death. They pointed out that the same report was published by an online news website on November 21, 2023. “Are you aware that your report was first published on an online publication, Chimp Reports?” Karuhanga asked. He then approached the witness dock to verify whether the published report was the same as his. Ambayo responded, “My lord, it’s so faint I cannot see it clearly.”Furthermore, the defense accused the witness of lying in his report, specifically regarding the identification of the body. The report claimed that the body was identified at the mortuary by Martha Nkwanzi, Katanga’s daughter, but the defense argued that Martha was not at the mortuary at that time.Defense lawyer Macdosman Kabega continued the cross-examination, questioning whether Ambayo had a conflict of interest, given that he works for the police, the same force that requested the autopsy. “Are you in the police, the same force investigating, and it has even indicated to you what they wanted? Do you think that report is credible?” Kabega asked. He suggested that Ambayo should have distanced himself from the examination to avoid any potential bias, especially since other pathologists at the mortuary were not attached to the police. In response, Ambayo defended his role, stating that he was the qualified medical professional on duty at the time and that it would not have been fair to distance himself from the examination. He also refuted the claim that the police had influenced the autopsy report.Kabega then questioned the possibility of the gun picking up the accused’s DNA from the marital bed where it was found. “You know what goes on in the double bed, and as a scientist, you know it’s possible for the gun to pick up DNA if placed on the bed,” Kabega argued. However, Ambayo clarified that he was not a ballistics expert and could not provide an answer to the DNA question. After a short break, the court resumed with the prosecution lawyer, Muwaganya, reexamining the witness. Muwaganya argued that the journals used by the defense during cross-examination were based on standards set by the National Association of Medical Examiners, which apply to the United States but are not applicable to the Ugandan context. This, he suggested, rendered them irrelevant to the case at hand.The prosecution then confirmed that the witness is a registered medical professional with the Uganda Medical and Dental Practitioners Council and is, therefore, adequately trained according to the requirements for a pathologist in Uganda. With this, the court was adjourned to August 27. {loadposition inarticle}
read moreallafrica.com
@allafrica Fri, 30 Aug 2024 06:54:02
NIRA Preaches Birth Registration Gospel At National Music Competition in Mbale
[Nile Post] The National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) used the national primary schools music, dance and drama festival in Mbale to preach the gospel of birth registration to both parents and children.
read moreallafrica.com
@allafrica Fri, 30 Aug 2024 06:54:02
Museveni Asks MPs to Mobilise Ugandans On Wealth Creation
[Nile Post] President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has implored the Members of Parliament to mobilise Ugandans to take part in wealth creation initiatives in order to stabilise their homestead income.
read moreallafrica.com
@allafrica Fri, 30 Aug 2024 06:54:04
Sorting Garbage Now Mandatory As KCCA Introduces New Solid Waste Management Approach
[Nile Post] The Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) has unveiled a new approach to managing solid waste in the city, following a tragic incident at the Kiteezi Landfill that resulted in the deaths of over 30 people.
read morekfm.co.ug
@kfm Fri, 30 Aug 2024 02:44:20
Kawempe bow out with bronze, CBE qualify
By Makhtum Muziransa Kawempe Muslim earned a sweet 2-0 revenge over Tanzania’s Simba Queens to finish third in the Caf Women’s Champions League zonal qualifiers that ended on Thursday in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Coach Ayub Khalifa retained trust in 18 year old goalkeeper Josephine Nambuya despite mistakes in the semis. But with Hadijah Babirye out, Sharifah Nakimera,19, played central defence with Ritah Mushimire. Sixteen year old Dorcus Kisakye was given another run in midfield after convincing in the first half of their 3-0 loss to Simba in the group stages and she ensured captain Phionah Nabulime was not missed. Read more
read morekfm.co.ug
@kfm Fri, 30 Aug 2024 04:00:06
NMG-U donates relief items to Kiteezi victims
By Priscilla Maloba Nation Media Group-Uganda (NMG-U) has donated an assortment of items to victims of the Kiteezi landfill collapse. Yesterday, a team from NMG-U visited the area and donated milk, millet flour, toys and ropes for the children to play with, among other items. The visit followed an assessment that the company made last week to ascertain the needs of the victims. “Now today (yesterday), we are here to support the people in Kiteezi, the people who were internally displaced after the collapse of the landfill and now this comes in the wake of our MD visiting this place last week and doing a needs assessment,” Mr Joshua Jaafa Watwaluma, the brand manager of Monitor Publications Limited, a subsidiary of […]
read morematookerepublic.com
@matookerepublic Fri, 30 Aug 2024 06:06:42
I&M Bank boosts Jose Chameleone’s ‘Legend in Gold’ concert to further golden legacy
Ugandan music legend Joseph Mayanja aka Jose Chameleone, is set to celebrate 25 years in music with a concert dubbed ‘Legend in Gold,’ slated for this Saturday, August 31, at the Kampala Serena Hotel. I&M Bank Uganda, who celebrated their golden jubilee (I&M @50) at the same venue in June, are the official bank partners […] The post I&M Bank boosts Jose Chameleone’s ‘Legend in Gold’ concert to further golden legacy first appeared on Matooke Republic.
read morematookerepublic.com
@matookerepublic Fri, 30 Aug 2024 06:01:14
CAF launches VAR Academy to elevate officiating standards across Africa
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has launched the CAF Video Assistant Referee (VAR) Academy for the 54 CAF Member Associations, a move aimed at elevating the standard of officiating in Africa. Following CAF’s recent hosting of one of the most successful AFCON tournaments in Ivory Coast, which highlighted the quality of officiating, CAF is […] The post CAF launches VAR Academy to elevate officiating standards across Africa first appeared on Matooke Republic.
read moresqoop.co.ug
@sqoop Fri, 30 Aug 2024 05:22:23
I will not contest for any political position – Kenzo
Despite being appointed Senior Presidential Advisor on Creatives by President Yoweri Museveni, singer Eddy Kenzo still insists he is not into politics. “Do not expect me to contest for any political position anywhere because I’m not a politician. I tried my best to go back on ground and help my friends because charity begins at […]
read morekfm.co.ug
@kfm Fri, 30 Aug 2024 05:31:07
Gulu parliamentary sitting ends today
The Gulu regional parliamentary sitting that commenced on Wednesday is set to close today, August 30, 2024. The sittings are expected to proceed to the East, West, and Central parts of the country. The meetings are aimed at putting the citizenry at the center of legislation and bringing Parliament to the people. The regional plenary met resistance from a section of opposition Members of Parliament, some of whom boycotted the sitting. While in Gulu on Thursday, President Yoweri Museveni asked the communities to embrace his 4-acre model for prosperity. He also wants them to use the available road infrastructure well before the government moves in to work on other major roads in the area.
read moreallafrica.com
@allafrica Fri, 30 Aug 2024 04:48:45
Mpox Is Infecting Children in DRC - and Spreading to Uganda and Beyond
[Global Press Journal] Munigi, Democratic Republic of Congo -- Health officials in Uganda told Global Press Journal to ignore information provided by health workers at the border.
read morematookerepublic.com
@matookerepublic Fri, 30 Aug 2024 04:00:00
From Rough Nights in Nairobi to Ugandan Heights: Looking back at Jose Chameleone’s 25 years in the music industry
In rapper Atlas’ opening monologue to Jose Chameleone’s smash hit “Vumilia,” a Swahili term referring to the hustle, he asks, “Do you know what it took to get here?” In a precise response, he states, “Blood, sweat, tears, and many years,” a statement that perfectly sums up Joseph Mayanja, alias Jose Chameleone’s, journey to the […] The post From Rough Nights in Nairobi to Ugandan Heights: Looking back at Jose Chameleone’s 25 years in the music industry first appeared on Matooke Republic.
read morekfm.co.ug
@kfm Fri, 30 Aug 2024 03:16:15
Kamala Harris vows tougher approach on migration, supports weapons for Israel
BY REUTERS Kamala Harris vowed a tougher approach to migration along the U.S. southern border and said she would not withhold weapons to Israel, in her first interview with a major news organization since becoming the Democratic nominee for president. Harris’ interview with CNN anchor Dana Bash reflected an effort to show she is in command of the issues and give Americans a sense of her policy positions with little more than two months until Election Day on Nov. 5. Harris said she would renew a push for comprehensive border legislation that would tighten migration into the United States and vowed to “enforce our laws” against border crossings. “We have laws that have to be followed and enforced, that address […]
read morekfm.co.ug
@kfm Thu, 29 Aug 2024 10:03:35
Sudan’s rains spread wartime suffering across the country
BY REUTERS Since floods swept away their home in eastern Sudan, Ahmed Hadab and his family have survived by drinking water mixed in with milk from his last surviving goat. “We don’t have any food,” he said after days of walking, trying to find something to eat, somewhere else to stay. “The sorghum and flour was taken by the torrent, and two of my goats and my donkey.” Floodwaters from heavy rains that started surging in earlier this month have brought devastation across a country already shattered by 500 days of fierce fighting between the army and paramilitary Rapid Support Forces. Now, the natural disaster has spread destruction further than the conflict. Near the town of Tokar, in the country’s […]
read more