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Articles by Pat Larubi
Uganda community group restores shea groves and livelihoods
In northern Uganda’s Pader district, a women-led cooperative is leading efforts to replant shea trees, restore deforested land and improve local livelihoods through the processing and sale of shea products. The Pader Shea Nut and Agro-processing Society, which started with just six members in 2004, has grown to more than 1,400 members.
Shea's silent guardians restore Uganda's traditional parklands
In Uganda’s Pader district, communities are reviving shea parklands — traditional agroforestry systems where farmers have maintained shea trees alongside crops for generations. These managed landscapes support both farming and biodiversity while providing crucial ecosystem services through carefully spaced trees and traditional management practices.
Of Mbale’s simple life and the rise of Kifesi gangs
I have lived in Mbale since 2003. I have attended school here right from primary three to university – where I am today. What I can say is that Mbale is a pretty place to live in. Wait a minute! I am not sure things will be the same in the coming few years. Every day I wake up to savour Mbale’s beautiful plains, green hills and the soothing arms of Mount. Elgon. Here, my life is simple. Bagisu form the most dominant tribe here. Lugisu, Luganda and English are the most spoken languages.
Sex slavery thrives as government look on
Aisha Muhammed, not real name, left for Dubai from Kampala at the beginning of April 2018, on a promise of securing her dream job as a supermarket attendant. She had heard of not-so-rosy tales of Ugandan girls who had allegedly committed suicide or had been tortured by their bosses, but she was comforted that she would not endure similar treatment since she had gone through a registered company. On arrival in Dubai, Aisha was dismayed when she was taken in as a house help or maid.
Will Ramathan end the rampant kidnaps and killings in the country?
Ladies smartly clad in Hijab rule the streets the Kampala during Ramadhan Forget about the past holy months. Ramathan 2018 has come at a time when Uganda needs more of a heavenly touch. With much going on, from poverty traps to leader’s greed, many people have lost love for humanity. They have resorted to kidnaps, rape and brutal murders. Much as the security system claims the State is in control, every woman feels she is some kidnappers’ target.
Wonders of Dolwe Island
It is a bright morning at Bwondha landing site on the shores of Lake Victoria. I am heading to Dolwe Island, eastwards, on a three to four hour journey by boat to see and touch the rock art and paintings done about 300 to 500 years ago by the early inhabitants of the 4.7 square mile Island famous for the most artistic rock formations. Golofa, which looks like a storied building; Ndege, in the shape of a plane, Singiro, Bukangawa and Mwango portray the beauty of rock art in pictures.
Rape remains deeply rooted in our society
Though modern society is progressively intensifying security on women, rape is still a common problem and sexual assault is common place. Anyone can be the target of sexual assault, regardless of age, gender, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, sexual history, or social class. There is no stereotypical victim or rapist. It is also true that nearly 85% of all victims of sexual assault knew the person who raped or assaulted them.
‘Disaster’: Scientists Condemn GM Law Amendments
A number of scientists have expressed shock and anger at the proposed restrictive requirements that were included in the long-awaited law on Biotechnology with some labelling them a disaster and a huge setback for the country. The angry reactions come in the wake of a new report that was recently tabled in Parliament by Eng.
Our trust in medics should have a limit, let’s monitor their work
Sometimes we believe in our doctors and end up trusting them with our lives. To some people doctors are like semi-gods that know everything about our lives. A young lady confessed that she can never comfortably allow any man see her private parts except her gynecologist. This is the level of trust people have in their doctors. It is quite unfortunate that the very people we trust end up messing with our lives.
‘when time is up’
I swore not to keep quiet, until something happens. You will discover that if you begin to become unafraid to try to accomplish things, you will eventually hold a truly big thing in your now completely empty hands. I am still under huge pressure but we are ready to whip our competitors and foes, until they give up. You are led by arrogant men who were, unfortunately, a lot of years ago very poor. I will expect nothing from the majority of old men or women clinging on power today.
NCA not quitting Gospel music
The award-winning Gospel group, New Chapter Africa (NCA), is seemingly losing sight in the eyes of its fans. This group gained popularity with its songs like, Nabibuuse, OMG and Bingi. Bingi is considered their world-class song since it has won them many Gospel awards, both local and international. Despite the group having topped all Gospel musical charts, these three songs have been lost from the industry and musically. It has taken the NCA trio a long time without producing a hit.
Why Social Media tax is proving a hard sell
President Yoweri Museveni has tasked the Minister for Finance Matia Kasaija to introduce new taxes on social media usage, as a means of widening the tax base. In his March 12, 2018 letter to the Finance minister, Museveni wondered why communications on social media go tax free yet it would be another avenue for expanding the government purse.
Nambooze exposes Kamya
AT LOGGER HEADS: MP Betty Nambooze and Kampala minister Betty Olive Namisango Kamyaality Member of Parliament Betty Nambooze Bakireke, has once again come out to accuse Minister for Kampala Beti Olive Namisango Kamya, of trying to hoodwink Ugandans with a project allegedly aimed at developing Kampala, but ‘in actual sense’ seeks to grab people’s land as well as disenfranchise people from choosing their leaders.
Kampala expansion project:
Mukono Municipality Member of Parliament Betty Nambooze Bakireke, has once again come out to accuse Minister for Kampala Beti Olive Namisango Kamya, of trying to hoodwink Ugandans with a project allegedly aimed at developing Kampala, but ‘in actual sense’ seeks to grab people’s land as well as disenfranchise people from choosing their leaders.
Celebrities’ expensive lives
Some of us who saw the Oscars 2018 could not believe what we saw. The fact is that celebrities wore up to $ 30 millions in watches and jewelry alone. You know, dressing up for the Academy Awards is an important part of the festivity. Stars, especially those who are potentially winning an Oscar, want to look their best during the ceremonies, and that means donning top looks from head to toe. Not only is the dress important, but also the shoes, the hair and makeup, and, of course, the accessories.
‘Power and Money’
You were greatly disappointed by the people you elected to the august house, last year. We are in the New Year and now everything is still being done by experts here and you will all therefore get what you need. Power and money have gone to the heads of African leaders. The results that you today see were expected by the wise and, more is to be seen even this year. I today do what was years ago called impossible. Unlike in the past, I today write and market people’s products with ease.
Huawei Contributes to World Customs Conference
Leading global ICT solutions provider, Huawei, contributed to the World Customs Organization’s 4th Authorized Economic Operator (‘AEO’) global conference hosted by Uganda Revenue Authority in Kampala through its strategies and operations. According to Huawei Uganda’s Managing Director, Mr. Stanley Chyn, “Huawei is willing to participate, and to make its contribution to this customs revolution by aligning our strategies and operations.
Fashion beyond disability
Cissy Nagawa and Brenda AretoKotber are two of a kind. They are disabled and fashion designers. Both were initially normal walking human beings, but by the fault of fate, they became unduly crippled. Nagawa, 24, recounts that her condition resulted from a fever attack; it left her almost lifeless. “I was rushed to the hospital with all my legs straight and paralyzed, like I had never before walked in my life. To date I don’t know what really happened.” She adds: “I cried and felt bad.
Kireka vendors cry out as they choke on garbage
The Kireka Farmers’ Market is one of the largest food markets in Kira Municipality, Wakiso District. What strikes a new comer here first, however, is not the food but the poor sanitation – and the situation is worse during the rainy season. Uncollected garbage, blocked trenches and thick mud define the environment in which people here work. Robert Magumba, a market vendor thinks they are in this state due to the legal status of the market.
Why GMO’s fiercest critic became its foremost advocate
About this time twenty years ago Mark Lynas would be collecting machetes and calling up fellow environmentalists across England to join him to invade and destroy crops on private farms or agricultural research stations which they suspected had Genetically Modified (GM) crops. They were told by seasoned environmentalists from internationally reputed organisations like Green Peace that such crops were dangerous to the environment and to human health.
Culture Institute to give ethics awards
The Institute of Work Culture Ethics (WCE) is to give out awards to employees who implement ethics at their work places. For the second time, in the process of promoting an ethic work culture in Uganda, and in partnership with Uganda National Cultural Centre (UNCC) and Ministry of Public Service department of IWCE is to give out the ethic awards. The IWCE Executive Director, Sam Bwaya, said.
Uganda’s under-utilised music talents un-masked
Forget about the musicians you meet in local bars and popular annual concerts, think about the burgeoning talent developing in the community. It is arguable that the music industry is steadily growing. Note that Uganda is endowed with a lot of underlying talent, but indisputably, it has been stagnant with yet no popular style to identify as Uganda’s music. The 1990s witnessed the love affair with Jamaican Reggae style.
Can groundwater reserves solve water scarcity?
The water trapped beneath the earth’s surface in Africa is more plentiful and cleaner than surface water. The key is regulation and cooperation. Travelling across rural Uganda, one is sure to see women, men and children carrying jerry cans on their heads or bicycles. They are usually on their way to or from a well to collect water. It’s the way thousands of households across the country access the water they need to survive. However, many of these wells can become infected or dry up.
Uganda to hold 1st ever Water Week
The Ministry of Water and Environment (MWE), will this week, 17th to 22nd March, hold the first-ever Uganda Water and Environment Week in Entebbe. It is going to be an annual event. In collaboration with key stakeholders, MWE is following the tradition where such events have been successfully held in other countries. The US, United Kingdom, Germany and Kenya have previously has such events.
New era dawns for agricultural extensionists
Experts in agricultural advisory services mostly known as extension providers met in Kampala this week to chat a new path for the industry. The meeting, the first of it’s kind in many years, drew over 200 agricultural extension participants mostly from Uganda as wall as Europe, the USA. The 3-day event was organised by the Uganda Forum for Advisory Services (UFAAS) with support from USAID and its Africa wide umbrella body – the African Agricultural Advisory Services (AFAAS).
Sacked Tillerson warns of Russia’s ‘troubling behaviour’
Fired US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson is quitting one of the most influential jobs in the world with a warning to the US and the World about what he called Russia’s “troubling behaviour and actions.” President Donald Trump sacked Tillerson on Tuesday March 13, after a prolonged period of frosty relations between the two former businessmen turned politicians. The former ExxonMobil chief had a series of public rifts with the White House after being appointed last year.
Albinos Woes: Government Action needed
As they strive to access the basic rights such as; education, health and social welfare, Uganda Albinos continue to face extreme human rights violations, including: kidnap, fatal physical violence, rape and severe discrimination. Most of them prefer to hide away from the public because many people consider them sub-human. Albinism is a global but rare genetic disorder. The myth and superstition surrounding issues albinism is grave.
Misery for farmers as coffee trees wilt
In September last year, Godfrey Ssekankya, a prominent coffee farmer from Miseebe, Bulera sub-county Mityana District, had high hopes of getting a good yield from his coffee farm come round this harvest season starting April. The sense of optimism arose from the heavy flowering he witnessed, coupled with good rains that ensured the flowers would bear fruits. But when I met him last week, Ssekankya was distraught.
Mengo lashes out on abolishing Mailo land
The reported proposal by the Lady Justice Catherine Bamugemereire Commission into Land matters to abolish ownership rights currently represented by Mailo land tenure continues to attract criticisms from sections of the public. However the commission that is currently holding public hearings in Tooro denies having issued out such a recommendation but rather urged that the different land tenure systems in Uganda should be fused into one tenure system.
Aisha Bahati: The Blind Hairdresser
She is blind but talented, and she brings light to darkness. She is Aisha Bahati, 21, a blind hair dresser who can plait all sorts of hair styles. It is magical how she does it all. Aisha’s hair saloon is in Kibuli. Her saloon is a busy house with young girls plaiting and others learning how to plait. She came over to me with a smile and ushered me to feel at home.
Angry woman bites off Gulu LCIII Chairman’s ear
In Acholi traditional folklore, a person who bites another is believed to inject a deadly poison into their victim. This is what Monalisa Aber did to Moses Abonga, three days ago, in Gulu Municipality during a community election. But as Abonga was led away, with his left ear bleeding, it is not yet known if the injury will be fatal. It was during the Gulu Municipal Development Forum (MDF) elections for its executive.
Religious leaders join MOH to fight Malaria
In the race to kick Malaria fever out of Uganda, the religious leaders have joined Ministry of Health (MoH) to fight the disease. Following the specialist World Health Organization (WHO) research, sleeping under insecticide-treated mosquito nets is one of the most effective ways to prevent this tropical disease in Africa. And since last year MoH has been in the Long Lasting Insecticide Nets (LLIN) campaign in which 24 million are being supplied allover Uganda.
US donate 156 bikes to MOH
The United States Government has donated 156 Yamaha and Honda motorcycles and 248 ThinkPad laptops to the Ministry of Health to facilliate Handing over the items to the Minister of Health, Ruth Aceng, US Ambassador, Deborah Malac, called it a “single spirit to Uganda’s frontline healthcare providers.” She added: “Over the years our Government has been a key partner in supporting the modernization of health-commodities supply chain in Uganda.
World AIDS Day celebrations to focus on reducing new infections
Uganda joins the rest of the world today, Friday, December 1st, to celebrating the World AIDS Day. This year’s celebration is under the theme: “Reaching to Men, Girls and Young Women to Reduce New HIV Infection”. It will be held in Acholi and Lango region of Northern Uganda.
LC Elections await Court verdict
The Electoral Commission (EC) has clarified that due to legal technicalities, the Local Council (LC) polls are on halt until the High Court disposes off the petition which blocked their being carried out. Addressing the press recently, the EC Acting Chairperson, Aisha M. Lubega, said, “We are ready to do what the Constitution requires us to do, but our hands are tied by the courts of law.
Journalists defenders condemn detention of Red Pepper journalists
On Monday November 27, Five Directors and Three Editors of the Red Pepper Publications were arraigned before Buganda Road Chief Magistrate James Eremye Mawanda and charged with libel, offensive communication and publication of information prejudicial to security. The charges however came after the seven spent a week at Nalufenya, an ‘illegal’ detention centre located in Jinja and operated by the Police.
Black Friday shopping craze at Shoprite
Shoprite Supermarket along Ben Kiwanuka street is experienced something probably never seen before as thousands of people poured into the store this morning to take advantage of its Black Friday shopping promotion. The Black Friday shopping promotion, an American tradition, has seen most people brave early morning showers to line outside the store in order to enter. Those that had entered earlier, were forced to carry their merchandise in the rain as there was no space to wait.
Travel and Tourism: Nalubaale
Could this rock be the origin of Lake Victoria’s local name? Africa’s largest lake sits calmly in a shallow basin, surrounded by green vegetation. In 1858 British explorer John Speke named it Victoria, after the Queen of England. The locals in Buganda, however, already had a different name for it, Nalubaale. Where did the name Nalubaale come from? The answer could be found in a small rock the size of a bus leaning against Mpata Island in Buvuma district.
Non-graded education best - Canadian Prof.
Canada’s 12 year-old, Diki Suryaabnadja, was last year admitted to Waterloo University in Ontario, to study for a Bachelor of Science degree. This is unusual for a child of that age, because he had just finished seventh grade. It is roughly an equivalent to Primary 7 in Uganda. Not in Canada. Suryaabnadja was able to do this because of the non-gradable curriculum system obtaining there. It has a non-graded curriculum of education as opposed to Uganda’s graded one.
No salary enhancement for Doctors now-Gov`t
Dr. Aceng said that although the government signed recognition agreements with Public Service Labour Unions including the Uganda Medical Workers’ Union and Uganda Nurses and Midwives’ Union, for purposes of negotiation and collective bargaining on matters concerning the welfare and working conditions of workers, government is unable to make an increases in their salaries.
KIU loses six students in horrific accident
Six students of Kampala International University (KIU) perished in a road accident on Yesterday, Saturday evening along the Kampala-Gulu highway. The accident happened at Kakooge in Nakasongola district along the Kampala – Gulu highway when a commuter taxi that was carrying 13 of them rammed into another taxi. The students were returning from a wedding party for one of their colleagues when the hit an ongoing vehicle at Kakooge at around 10PM.
Ex-MP Issa Kikungwe dead
According to DP’s President General Norbert Mao, Al Hajj Kikungwe did not recover from an Oct. 27 surgical operation at Mengo Hospital, in Kampala. Mao said on his facebook page that: “Our colleague did not regain consciousness after a surgery he underwent on Friday 27 October 2017 to remove a brain tumor which had recurred after a successful surgery a few years ago.” “He was always committed to doing what he believed to be right.
The costs of GMO delays in Uganda, Kenya revealed
Researchers from Wageningen University in the Netherlands have concluded that over 5,500 Ugandans could have died from food related problems arising from delays to enact the Biosafety and Biotechnology law that could have averted hunger and malnutrition.
Indecisiveness, conflict of interest, pretense;
Mr. President, it increasingly becoming clear that your government can no longer do anything until it can do everything.
The jobless generation:
Tracing the root causes and plotting for solutions The problem of unemployment in Uganda and much of Africa is a serious one, and growing. The 2014 census report revealed that a great majority of Uganda’s population is below the age of 15 with 14 year-olds being the most numerous age group, an indication of a steep climb facing the country in terms of creating jobs, food and social services for the millions of young people in a matter of years from now.
Nodding syndrome Horror: Agony of Government’s long silence — Sunrise
Monica Alaroker is 18 years old. Since 2006, she has been grounded by the “Nodding syndrome,” a condition that weakens the neck muscles and makes the head to loll on the shoulders. Alaroker was born normal in Ayom village, Pader district, but for the last 11 years, her family has been nursing her – with no sign of improvement. She cannot walk, talk or even eat on her own. Her hands and legs, too, have become paralyzed. She is isolated in a small grass-thatched house.
Tusker unveils Lager for Blankets and Wine festival
Preparations are in the final stages for the 17th edition of this year’s premier Afro-based musical festival, Blankets and Wine Kampala, sponsored by Tusker Malt Lager. The event will play host to more than ten artistes and deejays from around East Africa. Blankets and Wine Kampala, is the first event of its kind to come in the year.
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