By Mubatsi Asinja Habati Two weeks ago Makerere University held its 60th graduation ceremony in which some 13,766 students graduated in various disciplines with different degrees. One thing that got many people talking is the high number of first class degrees doled out at this graduation ceremony – 220 in …
Read More »Good deeds in Uganda prisons come at a price
By Ariel Rubin In the office-cum-waiting room of the African Prison Project (APP) house in Luzira, a big green poster board is plastered with photographs of groundbreaking ceremonies and newspaper clippings extolling the many achievements of the NGO and its 24-year-old founder and Director General, Alexander McLean. Also, emblazoned is …
Read More »Lose a marriage or fake up a pregnancy? A womans dilemma
By Rukiya Makuma For nine long months, 27-year-old Francis Nkugwa was convinced his wife was pregnant. Like an ardent parent who was expecting a child, he took it upon himself to look after the expecting mother till her due date. However this hope made a U-turn on Tuesday, January 8, …
Read More »Royal guards terror
By John Njoroge Bunyoro kingdom ruling by old rules? In 1999, Fred Atugonza of Hoima town, left his home in the wee hours to pray at a church near the palace of the Bunyoro king Rukirabasaija Agutamba Solomon Gafabusa Iguru I. The good Christian he was and an ardent follower …
Read More »Failure to tell your HIV status could land you in jail
By Rukia Makuma Each one of us has lost a relative, parent, spouse, sibling or friend to HIV/AIDS. December 1 was World AIDS Day and people from all walks of life came together to commemorate the day and to think of a way forward about the pandemic. The commemoration is …
Read More »AIDS war: Are we advancing, retreating or in disarray?
By Bob Roberts Katende Loss of a dear one is one thing that different people react to differently. Not even the mighty on earth can easily come to terms with this somber moment. The awakening I received in Primary 5 at only 11 years was rude enough to make me …
Read More »Eritrean prison break
By John Njoroge Journalist tells how Afewerkis regime abuses press freedom Yonas Embaye smiles softly as he tells his story in the calmest of voices. He sounds like someone talking about sweet fond memories. Only his emotionless brown eyes and his unkempt mane of shaggy hair offer the first hint …
Read More »Guards earn peanuts to watch over millions
By Mubatsi Asinja Habati John Okumu was recently recruited as a guard with Saracen Uganda Limited, a private security firm. Okumu says his financial situation has been harsh ever since he began his job. After the six weeks of training Okumu and his colleagues spent footing the rent and feeding …
Read More »New breed of conmen in town
By John Njoroge Your next caller could be a fraudster Sometime in August, operatives attached to the Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence (CMI) arrested one of Uganda’s biggest fraudsters ever. The 21-year-old Michael Mugarura had for over three years been impersonating President Yoweri Museveni by imitating his voice. He would use …
Read More »Power, sex and scandal
By Joshua Masinde Power, sex and scandal have been known to go together since man started living in organised communities, the first recorded incidents being in biblical times. Often, the mix has ended in tragedy but more often in blushes and a little embarrassment depending on how high the personalities …
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