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MU-JHU roots for approval of injectable drug for HIV prevention

The medical researchers at Makerere University-John Hopkins University (MU-JHU) research collaboration have called for approval and licensing of Cabotegravir for use in Uganda’s health facilities.

The call was made by Dr Sheila Bamweyana, the study coordinator for HIV Prevention Trial Network-Long Acting Injectable for PrEP at MU-JHU offices in Mulago.

Approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in December 2021, Cabotegravir is a long-acting injectable drug that is effective in prevention of HIV acquisition in people who are at high risk.

Funded by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Viiv Healthcare the pharmaceutical company making the injection, and Bill and Melinda Gates foundation, the research started in 2017 in South African and 2018 in Uganda. The study was conducted across 20 sites in sub-Saharan Africa in Uganda, Kenya, Botswana, South Africa, Eswatini, Malawi and Zimbabwe.

The study was conducted by MU-JHU, Baylor and UVRI. According to Dr Bamweyana, the research was premised on comparing effectiveness and safety on Cabotegravir and the Truvada daily oral pill. The pill was approved and is available for pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) in health facilities in Uganda.

The results indicate that both Cabotegravir and Truvada are safe and effective in preventing HIV acquisition in highrisk women, however, Cabotegravir is superior.

“The results from both these studies were reviewed by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and they gave full approval on December 20, 2021 for use of Cabotegravir to prevent HIV in adults and youths who are at risk of HIV,” she said.

The researcher claims that all the necessary documents were submitted to the National Drug Authority (NDA) for review; however, the authority has not responded.

“We request for the NDA to review the information regarding Cabotegravir for PrEP and make the decision regarding its use within the country outside the research studies,” she said.

She said Cabotegravir injection is administered every two months and is effective for PrEP. It will be a good addition or option to the daily oral pill Truvada for PrEP as it helps in relieving the burden of swallowing the medicine on a daily basis.

Cabotegravir has been added into the national guidelines for PrEP; however, its actual availability to the people of Uganda will depend on the NDA approval and the funding from the government and donors.

Interviewed for this story Abiaz Rwamwiri, public relations manager of NDA, said they received an application from MU-JHU researchers for approval of Cabotegravir.

“I can confirm that the drug has gone through a scientific review and we are working with them to see that it meets all the required standards. The process of approving drugs is not a one man’s job because the drug is going to be used by millions of people so we don’t want to put their lives at risk. The team I will look into their issue,” he said.

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Education minister tips health workers on love for humanity

While technical skills and expertise are crucial for healthcare professionals, the Education and Sports minister, Janet Museveni, is concerned that their ethical behavior is consistently being challenged by the general public, writes YUDAYA NANGONZI.

The minister said Uganda’s healthcare system is affected by unethical behaviors such as poor attitude towards work and absenteeism of health workers.

“There is a big outcry about our health care professionals. Sometimes, they are rude and don’t bother to take care of patients. They are abusing technology by being 24/7 on WhatsApp and other social sites while forgetting patients on the hospital beds,” Janet said, in a speech read on her behalf by the state minister for Primary Education, Dr Joyce Moriku Kaducu, at the 15th graduation ceremony of Uganda Institute of Allied Health and Management Sciences (UIAHMS) Mulago last week.

She expressed her dismay at health workers who fail to handle patients with tenderness and love which are critical to a patient’s mental wellbeing to ease recovery.

“Please be health workers that Uganda needs; full of ethical values and commitment to serve and to drive this nation to another level. Your profession is nothing without love for humanity. You work with sick people who need just a simple smile from the health worker as you take care of them,” Janet added.

At least 746 graduates were awarded certificates, and basic and post-basic diplomas in programs such as pharmacy, audiology radiography, dental technology, anesthesia, and Ear, Nose, Throat, and neck surgery. Janet encouraged the graduates to strive towards acquiring higher qualifications because medicine is dynamic and new diseases are emerging every day.

MORE ALLIED WORKERS NEEDED

According to the UIAHMS chairperson, Dr Charles Matsiko, there’s need to train more allied health professionals to meet the demand of the health sector for both diagnostic and clinical care at all levels.

Uganda’s disease burden is dominated by communicable diseases such as HIV/Aids, tuberculosis, malaria, respiratory tract infections, and diarrheal diseases which account for more than 50% of morbidity and mortality.

“Whereas the institution emphasizes practical teaching and learning, we are not training enough frontline health workers to meet
the country’s needs. The institution has limited teaching and learning space for training the required scientists to address emerging health conditions,” Matsiko said.

This is in addition to limited well-trained and established full-time tutors.

“Most of the teaching is done by part-time tutors and mentors in hospitals. This is rather cumbersome and increases the costs of running these programs. The current staffing for full-time tutors stands at 13%,” he said.

Matsiko said UIAHMS, with a population of 2,644 students, also has no administration block to coordinate all the training programs as the institution is still using borrowed premises inside Mulago hospital.

In her message, the UIAHMS principal, Rose Nassali, urged the graduates to offer quality care and be ethical, kind, and committed to their profession as they join the job market.

“Go out to the community to serve and save humanity. Let your service with integrity do more for those in need and the vulnerable, rather than thinking about enriching yourselves at the expense of healthcare. You have been called to serve, rescue the perishing, and to care for the dying,” Nassali said.

Meanwhile, the best-performing graduands from each program were recognized with certificates. Geofrey Ikomba from the Health Management and Leadership program topped the list with the highest CGPA of 4.8. Herbert Asiki and Brian Ssekate followed him from the Clinical and Community Nutrition program, Kennedy Bbosa Ayikofezu (Pharmacy), Joseph Ssegane (Physiotherapy), and Deus Abowe (Health Promotion and Education) – all with a CGPA of 4.6.

FEMRITE honours TZ Nobel laureate

The Uganda Women Writers Association (FEMRITE) starting today hosts a three-day international conference on literature to honour the life and works of Abdulrazak Gurnah.

The conference takes place at Kyambogo University, November 22 to 24, 2023. FEMRITE is working with the Pan-African Writers Association (PAWA) and Kyambogo University, with other key partners in the arts and literary sector, to honour the Tanzanian national Prof Abdulrazak Gurnah who is the 2021 Nobel Prize for Literature laureate.

To emphasise Gurnah’s feat, a statement by FEMRITE said the Nobel Prize, which started in 1901, has so far been awarded to 954 individuals, of whom only 1.7 per cent are blacks. Gurnah is the first in East Africa to receive this prestigious and financial prize.

The conference will feature two keynote addresses, paper presentations, panel discussions, audio-visual screenings and exhibitions. It will also accommodate four book launches: Kamaliloka Lawino, a translation of Song of Lawino into Lumasaba, by Lucy Sophie Lunyolo; Nalule’s Travels and Adventures, by Helen Liebling; When We Heard Echoes, by Taban el Tablaz Nassur; and Mourning Glory by Egara Kabaji.

With theme,‘Celebrating the life and works of Abdulrazak Gurnah for the future of African literature’, the keynote speakers are Prof Tina Steiner of Stellen-bosch University and Dr Godwin Siundu of Nairobi University.

ABOUT ABDULRAZAK GURNAH

Abdulrazak Gurnah was born in Zanzibar in 1948, but he migrated to Britain following the Zanzibar revolution of 1964. He won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 2021, with the official citation for the award stating that he deserved it, “for his uncompromising and compassionate penetration of the effects of colonialism and the fates of the refugee in the gulf between cultures and continents.”

The Tanzanian-born British academic and novelist has 10 novels and many short stories and essays to his name. His novels focus on effects of colonialism, refugee and immigrant experiences and wars, and displacement across the world.

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Banja election as bishop settles tensions in Namirembe diocese

The election of Reverend Canon Moses Banja as the new bishop of Namirembe has been met with both celebration and skepticism.

Amidst the jubilation, concerns were raised about the nomination process. Balaam Muheebwa, the acting provincial secretary of the Church of Uganda, clarified that a probe committee investigated these concerns and found the process adhered to due protocols.

During the House of Bishops’ session in Namirembe on October 4, a petition was presented by elders of the Namirembe diocese, questioning the nomination of Canon Moses Banja and Reverend Abraham Muyinda.

Allegations of corruption and conflicts of interest were raised, prompting a deferral of the election and the formation of a probe committee led by Rt Rev. Johnson Gakumba, the bishop of Northern Uganda. The committee included several bishops and a legal advisor, investigating in line with Canon 3.7.30 of the Church of Uganda.

The nomination committee, chaired by Fred Mpanga, initially received 13 candidates for the bishop’s position. However, a meeting to finalize the nomination was marred by disagreements, with concerns that some candidates had not undergone proper vetting. Insider sources suggest that the petitioners supported an alternative candidate but concerns about this candidate’s suitability surfaced.

According to Adams Sadiiki, Church of Uganda provincial spokesperson, the committee’s recommendations will be discussed by the Provincial Assembly Standing Committee to improve future bishop nominations.

The Church of Uganda has seen similar disputes in the past, with some instances leading to legal action. For example, Rev Charles Oode Okunya resigned and established the Reformed Anglican Church after facing hurdles in his bid to become a bishop.

The newly elected bishop, aged 59, implies that Namirembe diocese will soon require another bishop. Muheebwa reassures that age is not the primary concern, emphasizing the importance of qualifications over tenure.

Eligibility for bishop in the Church of Uganda requires ordained priests with a minimum of ten years of pastoral experience, at least 45 years old, holding relevant academic qualifications.

The nomination committee considers various factors, including age, academic qualifications, pastoral experience, spiritual dedication, family life, personal integrity, and societal standing.

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Kampala has priciest housing in the world

As the bustling heart of Uganda, Kampala stands as a vibrant city with a growing economy and a rich cultural tapestry.

However, amidst its prosperity, there exists a unique economic situation for many residents, the soaring costs of housing. As the demand for accommodation rises, the dream of owning a home in Kampala is becoming an increasingly expensive pursuit.

The real estate landscape in Kampala has experienced a notable price surge, making homeownership a formidable task for locals. This was highlighted by Numbeo’s price-to-income ratio, which shows Kampala as the most expensive city.

The price-to-income ratio is a technique that displays the ratio between the current market value of the housing unit that a household intends to acquire and the total yearly income of the household.

Numbeo’s formula for arriving at this index is as follows, ratio of median apartment prices to median familial disposable income, expressed as years of income.

Net disposable family income is 1.5 * the average net salary (50% is the assumed percentage of women in the workforce). The median apartment size is 90 square meters, and the price per square meter is the average price per square meter in the city center and outside of the city center.

Based on this formula, Kampala, as presently constructed has the highest price-to-income ratio in the world by a huge margin. Kampala’s current price-to-income ratio is 79.4, with Shanghai, China following at 49.3, and Douala, Cameroon in 3rd place at 47.1.

No other African region has a price-to-income ratio higher than 40, aside from Kampala, Douala, and Addis Ababa, which has an index of 40.2. Other top African cities have indexes ranging from 25.9 to 1.8.

Despite Numbeo’s assessment, Uganda’s economy has been performing very well, going from an inflation rate of 10.4 in January to 2.4 in October, with each main component of the Consumer Price Index experiencing a drop.

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Why Norwegians are remarkably small and healthy

I recently attended WAN-IFRA’s Newsroom Summit in Oslo, Norway, and realized why these Scandinavians have such good health and happiness indicators (check Google), compared to us in Africa, where food is organic, the weather beautiful and family networks still hold strong.

THEY WALK EVERYWHERE

Unless they are going long distance – and I mean really long distance – Scandinavians in general love to walk. Distances you would normally jump onto a boda boda for, a Norwegian will tell you: “Oh, this will be such a beautiful walk. Let’s do it together!”

And off we would go, brisk-walking in two degrees Celcius weather, up this hill, round that bend, up a set of stairs, across a park, to your venue about 15 minutes later. To put it in context, I have ever taken a leisurely walk from Constitution Square in the city centre to Makerere – 2km away – and it took me 15 minutes.

Now try doing 15 minutes at a brisk walk, because the chilly weather in Norway does not allow you to want to linger too much outdoors; everyone seems to be in a rush. When I remarked about how cold it was (my lips and nose were cracking), they quickly assured me it was still autumn; in winter, temperatures fall to minus-30 degrees Celsius! So, I shut up and walked.

Years ago in Denmark, my African genes were again shocked when the daily itinerary started with walking to all our appointments, often in pouring rain. In Norway, luckily, it did not rain while we were there, but never had I ever seen an official program that read, “8:30am: Meet in the hotel lobby. Walk to venue.”

I have never walked so much in my life like I did those five days in Oslo; my smart watch must have wondered what was going on! I have never closed my activity rings that fast, and then some. I must admit, I miss it.

Kampala is not a walk-friendly place; what with no proper walkways in most places, and competing for space (and life) with boda bodas, cattle, vendors, cars, VVIP convoys, other pedestrians...

Of course, in Oslo, you can always call a cab, Uber, hop onto a bus, tram, or grab a public bicycle or scooter, but even the motorists, bikers and scooter users treat pedestrians with utmost respect on the road.

NO STRESS

Used to the cutthroat competitive media landscape in Uganda that lately borders on the toxic? You would be blown away by the laidback way Norwegians practice journalism. No stress. No teargas. No kibooko. Perfect newsrooms. And suffice it to mention at this point that Norway has the best media indicators in the world, for several years running now.

Norwegians are also some of the happiest people in the world, due to their work-life balance, return on tax payments and great employment/labour laws. But what amazed us all was that Norwegian journalists and media managers have no qualms sharing content, media platforms, etcetera.

During our engagements, Norwegian journalists made it clear how important it was for them to get a good story out to as many people as possible for maximum impact; so, they freely share tips and scoops (if they can still be called that) with the competition, so the same story reaches different target audiences.

The media houses only have to write or produce the story according to their audiences’ needs, and it is quality and style of journalism that sets the stories apart. This business of jealously guarding a scoop or hunting for that ‘exclusive’ is a thing of the past for Norwegian journalists. They even call one another to discuss newspaper content.

The 98-year-old newspaper Hamar Arbeiderblad, which on September 25, 2023 transitioned into a 100 percent e-paper, also carries 105 other e-papers on its digital platform, to “enlarge our offer to our customers both technically and content- wise. We argue that they get more and keep price the same”, according to the paper’s editor-in-chief Katrine Strøm.

Take a moment and imagine that happening in Uganda... No wonder our stress levels are through the roof. With a population of five million people, Norway has 300 newspapers. Yes. You read that right. Now, let me tell you about the hotel we stayed at – Comfort Hotel Xpress Youngstorget, a nine-storey hotel with super-clean, basic, affordable rooms, but no housekeeping services.

Well, hardly. They tell you in advance that your room shall be cleaned every four days if you are staying that long, and that is also when you get a towel/linen change. If you want fresh towels and bed linens before that, you pick them at the reception. I had no problem with that arrangement – I do not speak for the others, though – because naturally I do not like strangers in my personal spaces.

I liked this hotel’s stress-free business model of micromanaging everything at the reception – no bellboys, no valets, no room service, no bedside telephone or mineral water bottles (tap water is safe for drinking)... just a receptionist-cum-barista- cum-bartender, etc.

If you want more luxury, you could always check into the Thon hotel, a 20-minute walk from the main train station, where we had an amazingly rich breakfast one morning after days of croissants and sandwiches, then promptly walked it all off within minutes as we navigated traffic to get to our next meeting on the other side of the city.

WEATHER/METABOLISM

I have noticed that when I travel to colder climes, I do not need to do much, but within days my weight is falling off. I now believe that we are indeed victims of this warm climate that slows down our metabolism, unless we hit the gyms like maniacs.

For the Norwegians, I do not remember any day when I felt I was struggling with digestion, regardless whether I ate at the neighbourhood Burger King or at the Italian, fancy Olivia restaurant. Within minutes of eating, I would literally feel my system attack the food, in the body’s struggle to keep me warm and get me to my next appointment on foot!

I was very observant and honestly, the only plus-size people I encountered in Oslo were in my group as we waddled up yet another incline and huff-puffed our way across another public park trying to get back to the hotel. There is not much shopping to do at this time of year for an African in Oslo, because stores are stocked with winter apparel.

Plus, the city is super expensive. Now, because of the dry, cold weather, you will inevitably drink a lot of water, because you feel constantly dehydrated. It made sense why doctors from these Western countries advise us to drink at least two litres of water daily. Easy-peasy thing for them; I think I was drinking at least three litres a day. They should really put a disclaimer on these health tips of theirs, like: “depending on which part of the world you live in!”

Even when they say, let your last meal of the day be at 7pm, latest, they do not factor in the small detail that these Scandinavians will go out for a four-course dinner at 6pm, then walk home afterwards. Now, for you Nakirijja to proudly eat your dinner at 7pm then promptly jump into bed, I don’t think the health benefits will be the same.

AND THE FOOD...

Of course, the food. I have never eaten so much bread and pastries in a few days. By day two, my Tanzanian colleague was moaning, “So, this is breakfast?” when faced with yet another choice between a croissant and a sweet pastry, and a small cup of coffee.

Minister Kasolo’s ‘beat the poor’ comment triggers anger

A recent statement by Haruna Kasolo, the state minister for Microfinance, has ignited a nationwide controversy.

Speaking on poverty eradication strategies, Kasolo suggested that the government might consider legislation to physically punish “lazy –poor people” to motivate them into wealth acquisition. This remark has raised serious concerns and widespread criticism.

Critics argue that Kasolo’s proposed method is inhumane, counterproductive, and a violation of human rights, undermining the dignity of individuals. The statement has sparked a broader conversation about the ethical and moral implications of using force as a government policy to promote development.

This discussion aligns with the global conversation on poverty eradication principles that respect human rights. The World Bank’s recent data suggests that Uganda’s poverty rate could decrease from 41.7% in 2023 to 40.7% by 2025, albeit challenged by households’ limited adaptive capacity.

The pace of poverty reduction is dependent on factors such as food access, affordability, and environmental shocks. The United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals advocate for the eradication of poverty in all forms but do not endorse the use of force.

Instead, they advise governments to create environments conducive to generating employment opportunities for the poor and marginalized.

Dr. Samuel Ssekajja Mayanja, an entrepreneurship and project management consultant and lecturer, responded to Kasolo’s statement by emphasizing the need for investment in skills and equipment over punishment to combat poverty. He pointed out that high-interest rates and production costs hinder poverty alleviation.

Additionally, Dr Samuel Ouma, a clinical psychologist and lecturer, countered the notion of Ugandans being inherently lazy. He highlighted the issue of low wages in workplaces, contributing to persistent poverty. Citing research on women working in the Middle East under harsh conditions, he suggested that improved working conditions and wages would be more effective in combating poverty.

Dr Patrick Mutimba, director of the Financial Sector Management Programme at MEFMI, stressed the importance of financial literacy and education in empowering people to overcome poverty.

The Ugandan government has implemented initiatives like Operation Wealth Creation and the Parish Development Model, focusing on integrating the marginalized poor into the money economy.

Minister Kasolo’s controversial statement underscores the complexities of poverty alleviation and the need for compassionate and inclusive strategies to address socio-economic challenges in Uganda.

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The heavy price of annoying Speaker Among

Perhaps there is no politician, other than President Museveni, who in recent memory has punished those who have criticised him or her more than the Speaker of Parliament, Annet Anita Among.

The list of culprits is extensive. It includes Mityana Municipality MP Francis Zaake, who was impeached as a commissioner for tweeting against the Speaker, and the State Minister for Housing, Persis Namuganza, who was also impeached, primarily for actions that displeased the Speaker.

Then there’s former Kamuli Municipality Member of Parliament contestant, Moses Bigirwa, who was imprisoned for unclear reasons but relating to the Speaker, and journalist Moses Mugalula, also imprisoned for several days for reasons also relating to the Speaker. Not to forget social media user, John Ssentamu, aka Kerry Slender, who did a stint at Luzira prison for tweeting something the Speaker didn’t like when she visited Pope Francis.

However, perhaps there is no one who has paid a heavier price than political activist Habib Buwembo for challenging Among. Between 2022 and 2023, Buwembo has been in prison twice, for a collective total of 157 days.

In 2022, he was initially arrested for speaking out against the Speaker after she allegedly downplayed the prevalence of torture in Uganda. During her congratulatory message to MP Zaake for winning gold in the East African Parliamentary games, Among said he had achieved this victory despite enduring torture.

Zaake had been walking with a cane for several months due to multiple beatings by security forces. Buwembo, along with other activists, organised a press conference to demand an apology from Among within seven days for her insensitivity towards torture victims. However, before the press conference, which was scheduled at Pope Paul Memorial hotel Ndeeba, could conclude, the police surrounded the venue.

Many, including Bu-wembo, managed to escape and evade arrest. Two days later, other activists, using crutches, demonstrated outside the Speaker’s Nakasero residence, reiterating their call for her to apologize. They also symbolically threw a pig painted yellow with red lipstick at the parliament building to express their discontent.

It’s worth noting that Buwembo didn’t participate in these two demonstrations, but despite this, the police arrested him for his involvement in the earlier press conference.

“My home was surrounded by plainclothes men, and they eventually arrested me. They confiscated my two phones and my laptop before forcing me into their double-cabin vehicle, which was later joined by three other police patrol vehicles. I was then driven from my residence in Busega directly to the Kibuli CID headquarters,” Buwembo recounts.

Upon arrival at Kibuli, he was subjected to interrogation in the office of Charles Twine, who served as the spokesperson of the Criminal Investigation Directorate of the police until May 2022. Twine has since been transferred to the police CID at the parliament.

“Twine picked up his phone and made a call, saying they had apprehended me. Then he said, ‘Yes, sir, IGP.’ Following their conversation, he ushered me into another office and inquired, ‘What is the issue between you and the Speaker of Parliament?’ He played videos of our statements from the press conference and asked if it was me, to which I confirmed. However, I questioned how that could be considered illegal,” recalls Buwembo.

According to Buwembo, Twine then informed him that the Speaker had lodged a complaint with the Inspector General of Police (IGP), alleging that he (Buwnembo) was leading the groups trailing her. A few days earlier, Among had informed parliament that there were individuals seeking to harm her, although she didn’t specify their identities.

“I explained to him that the Speaker is a public servant paid by taxpayers, and as a taxpayer myself, I have the right to express my dissatisfaction if she isn’t fulfilling her duties properly. However, I emphasized that I was not involved with anyone intending harm to her,” Buwembo states.

Following the interrogation, he was transported to Jinja Road police station, where he spent a night. The next day, without legal representation or notifying his relatives, he was brought before Buganda Road court. There, he faced charges of computer misuse. On February 24, 2022, he was remanded to Luzira prison for a period of three weeks.

He applied for bail, but the application was not heard until after the initial three weeks had passed.

PARTICULARLY UNUSUAL

What was particularly unusual was that the magistrate requested an additional two weeks to deliver her ruling on the bail application.

“After the two weeks,” Buwembo recounted, “the ruling stated that I had only presented relatives and friends as sureties. However, as a politician, I couldn’t be compelled to rely solely on friends and relatives. They requested that I provide fellow politicians as sureties, and I was further remanded for an additional two weeks.”

Yet, on the day he was scheduled to appear in court once more, the state prosecutors were attending a seminar, causing the court proceedings to be postponed again. Consequently, he was remanded for another two weeks. Upon his return after the two weeks, Buwembo encountered a situation where the magistrate was unavailable to address the matter, resulting in his being further remanded for an additional two weeks.

This extended detention period, now totaling twelve weeks, took a toll on him. Frustrated by the continuous delays, he instructed his lawyers to file a bail application in the High court. He felt that the lower court was engaging in protracted legal proceedings.

However, the High court declined to hear the case and referred it back to the Buganda Road chief magistrate. Even there, it took a significant amount of time before the case could be heard and determined. In total, Buwembo spent 104 days in prison before finally being granted bail.

During this time, the charges against him shifted from computer misuse to threatening the life of Anita Among, the deputy Speaker of Parliament. Buwembo continued to attend court hearings until June 2023, when the case was ultimately dismissed due to lack of prosecution.

The complainant, Anita Among, never appeared in court, nor did she present any witnesses. Following the dismissal, Buwembo calculated the cost of his imprisonment and subsequently filed a case in the High court in July, alleging malicious imprisonment and prosecution.

LOSSES AND DAMAGES

“However, to this day, the matter has never been scheduled for a hearing. This compelled me to file a civil suit in September, enumerating the losses and damages I suffered, which amounted to Shs 10 billion,” Buwembo explains. “I then decided to make this known to the public. On September 22, I invited the press to my office in Nalukolongo, which is how the police became aware of it.”

Unlike the press conference he successfully held in February 2022, this time the police prevented him from proceeding. They surrounded his home, his office, and even his wife’s workplace. Buwembo received numerous phone calls ordering him not to discuss the Speaker if he wanted to avoid trouble.

However, he remained determined to hold the press conference and was arrested shortly after arriving at his office, where the press conference was scheduled to take place. He was then taken to Nateete police station, where he was questioned about his actions, as they were receiving orders from their superiors to ensure his arrest.

Subsequently, he was transported from Nateete to Kibuye police station and then to the Crime Intelligence office at Kololo.

“A detective then reviewed my file and noticed that I had been charged with unlawful assembly. He considered it a minor offense that couldn’t be dealt with there. Instead, he suggested that I should be taken back to Nateete police station. I spent four days at Nateete police station. On the fourth day, during the parade, I made it clear that I wouldn’t willingly return to prison. I insisted that if they intended to use force, they should go ahead, as I had already spent the mandatory 48 hours in detention as per the law. I told them that they either needed to take me to court or release me on bond. They assured me that they were working on my case,” Buwembo recalls.

On that very day, he was brought to City Hall court, where he was charged with malicious communication for referring to “the Rt Hon. Speaker Anita Annet Among as a Karamoja iron sheet thief, well aware that this was unlawful and intended to harm and ridicule the reputation of the Speaker.”

Subsequently, Buwembo was remanded to Luzira prison until October 10th. Upon returning to court, he found himself remanded once again, this time for an additional two weeks, with his next appearance set for the 25th of the same month. When he returned for his bail application, the magistrate requested an additional two weeks, extending the process until November 10 to deliver his ruling.

Finally, he was granted bail, consisting of a three million cash bail and Shs 10 million non-cash bail for his two sureties. However, even on the day of the bail hearing, he wasn’t released immediately because, by the time they completed the payment process, the magistrate had already left.

Consequently, he was only released on November 13th, after spending one month and 23 days in detention. Among the conditions for his release was the requirement to refrain from engaging in social media campaigns involving the Speaker of Parliament. Failure to adhere to this condition could result in the cancellation of his bail.

“The Speaker has silenced everyone. I encountered five young men in prison who were arrested on allegations of trespassing at the Speaker’s residence. They accused me of engaging in malicious communication, and I’m eagerly awaiting the commencement of that case to present the evidence that she indeed stole Karamoja iron sheets. Initially, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) had opted not to charge the Speaker for the Karamoja iron sheets, but now she has initiated the case herself, and I’m committed to seeing it through to its conclusion,” Buwembo asserted.

When approached for comment regarding what appears to be a stringent response to criticism by Speaker Anita Among, Chris Obore, the director of Communication at Parliament, emphasized the importance of distinguishing between legitimate criticism and blackmail.

“The Speaker has never declared immunity to criticism, but the individuals you mentioned were arrested due to their violation
of existing laws. Is blackmail synonymous with constructive criticism? Is The Observer newspaper advocating for blackmail and hate speech as a means of survival? Criticism is a tool for intelligent and well-intentioned individuals, whereas blackmail is employed by deceitful individuals,” Obore remarked.

bakerbatte@gmail.com

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Oscar Kampala shines at Zikomo Awards with double win

In a ceremony held in Zambia, the illustrious fashion stylist Oscar Nyesiga, better known as Oscar Kampala, emerged triumphant by clinching two highly coveted accolades at the Zikomo Awards. The Zikomo Africa Awards, an annual celebration recognizing outstanding contributions in fashion, music, entrepreneurship, arts, and humanitarian endeavors, awarded Oscar Kampala the titles of Best Zikomo […]