Africa Against Ethnic-Politics

20/09/2025

“A man must hold is manhood for his urine to get direction”

Provocative as it may appear, this proverb, West African oral traditions (especially among the Yoruba and Akan people), uses everyday metaphors to teach profound truths: direction requires intention. Just as urine must be guided, so must our actions, choices, and responsibilities. ( African folktales by MS)

20/09/2025

20/09/2025

Do you know your name in full and it’s basic meaning. Can you add two ancestry names to it. If yes, that is your true name

19/09/2025

How are you counting your work time? Is it in minutes, hours or by days. Time is money is you know how to count it.

24/02/2025

Uganda’s Progress: A Nation Stuck in the Past

Over the past few days, I have found myself grappling with numerous questions. Chief among them is why our Head of State continues to measure Uganda's success against the standards of the 1970s. Every time he addresses the nation, every time he presents an argument, he refers to the conditions that prevailed in the 1970s; the education system of the 1970s, the political landscape of the 1970s, the healthcare system of the 1970s, and the economy of the 1970s. For some reason, he considers Uganda's benchmark for success to be a period that existed 50 years ago.

Let me emphasise that 50 years ago, 60% of Uganda's population had not even been born. Yet, the political class in Uganda insists that the measure of our nation's progress should be a time before most of us were not born. They discuss what Amin did, what Obote did. They recount the actions of the army in the 1970s and 1980s. An army that most of us never witnessed, an army that exists only in history books for the majority of the population.

Why do they not compare Uganda's current state with what it was 10 years ago or 5 years ago? Has our economy improved over the past decade? Has our GDP seen significant growth? Have our socio-economic indicators risen? Is our education system better than it was 10 years ago? Has our healthcare sector improved compared to 10, five, or even two years ago? The answer is a resounding no.

And I believe I know why. Because if we assess Uganda in the context of the past 15 years, the reality becomes starkly evident that; our healthcare system has deteriorated, our education system has declined further, our political space has become even more restrictive, and our constitution has been severely compromised. No one in the current political class can credibly compare Uganda today with what it was 10, 15, or even 20 years ago. Instead, they divert our attention to the so-called Stone Age periods of the 1940s, 1950s, and 1960s.

This is a valid challenge because progress should be measured in a way that reflects current realities, not a past that most Ugandans never lived through.

Every time we encounter members of parliament from the ruling party, or ministers travelling around the country in their V8s, these should be our questions:

To the Minister of Education: Has the education sector improved over the past 15 years? Are we sponsoring more students at university? Have we increased the capitation grant for primary and secondary schools? Are we producing better graduates? Is the number of students completing primary school, A-levels, and university increasing? Are more students transitioning from high school to university?

To the Minister of Health: Why was it easier and more affordable to receive treatment at Mulago Hospital five years ago than it is now? What has gone wrong? Why has access to healthcare become more expensive and difficult? Is the sector improving in real, tangible ways? The reality suggests deterioration rather than improvement.

To the entire political establishment: Do we have more political freedom now than we did 10 years ago? Do we enjoy greater freedom of association compared to a decade ago? Yes, we may have more political parties, but how much operational space do they truly have?

Political parties we have without genuine freedom to operate and without space for opposition and civil discourse are just symbolic of blue, red, yellow and orange.

Let us start a conversation focused on the fundamental, present-day issues rather than nostalgic comparisons and unless we start asking these fundamental questions, most of the debates we engage in on public platforms like this are nothing but a waste of time. While they may serve as distractions to help us pass the day scrolling through posts, observing arguments, and gauging the scale of insults exchanged we must shift our focus. It is time to ask the real, pressing questions to the political leaders on these platforms.

23/02/2025

*An Open Letter to President Museveni: Why Can't You Release Dr. Besigye?*

By Isaac Twikyirize

Your Excellency,

I write this letter with a heart burdened by pain, sorrow, and fear. Pain, because a man who once stood by your side in the bush, healing your wounds, saving your comrades, and keeping the dream of liberation alive, is now languishing in illegal detention. Sorrow, because his family and loved ones are crying out for mercy, yet their voices are met with deafening silence. Fear, because in a country where truth has become a crime, writing this letter may make me the next target. But Your Excellency, there comes a time when fear must be cast aside in favor of truth and justice.

It has been months since Dr. Kizza Besigye was abducted in Kenya and smuggled into Uganda, violating both national and international laws. Your government charged him in a military court for treason, an offense that carries a death sentence. But Your Excellency, the Supreme Court—Uganda’s highest legal authority—recently ruled that trying civilians in military courts is unlawful. That ruling should have been the key to his release. And yet, two weeks later, Dr. Besigye remains behind bars, held without a valid remand warrant, without legal justification.

Your Excellency, Dr. Besigye is ill. His health is deteriorating, and the cries for his release have been met with chilling indifference. Will you wait until he dies in prison before acting? Will you charge his dead body in Court? Will you smile with joy and excitement when he finally dies in prison? Will you allow history to remember you as the man who let his own doctor perish in a cold, dark cell simply for opposing him? Is this justice, or is this vengeance?

As a leader, you once stood for humanity. You fought a war to restore dignity to Ugandans. But what dignity remains when a man who once healed you and your comrades is now left to waste away? Dr. Besigye did not just treat your wounds—he treated your soldiers, he nursed your wounded fighters back to health, and he saved lives so that you could march forward to victory. Today, when he needs nothing but fairness and a chance to live, you have turned your back on him.

Your Excellency, I have seen Eng. Winnie Byanyima, Besigye's wife, weep as she begs for her husband’s release. The same Winnie Byanyima whose father, Boniface Byanyima, supported you when you had nothing, ensuring you got an education. Is this the gratitude you extend to the Byanyima family? Is this the legacy you wish to leave behind?

Your Excellency, your son, Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, has openly declared that your government will execute Dr. Besigye, calling him a traitor. He has threatened opposition supporters, Members of Parliament referring to them as clowns, Supreme Court judges by demanding an apology from them, diplomats, neighboring countries and even fellow soldiers like Gen Elweru whom he referred to as a bafon. Hos words have spread terror across the nation, leaving us to wonder who will be next. Is this the Uganda you envisioned? Is this the leadership you fought for?

You have said that Uganda is not run by judges. But if court rulings can be disregarded at will, then why do we have courts? Why pretend we are a democracy when we are moving towards an absolute dictatorship? In 1995, when the Constitution was promulgated, you swore that anyone who tampered with it would force you back into the bush. Yet, today, Your Excellency, you are the one who seems to be breaking it. Does this not trouble your conscience?

We are not saying that Dr. Besigye should not be charged if he has committed an offense. We are saying, charge him in accordance with the law! Let justice, not revenge, guide our nation.

Your Excellency, history has shown us the fate of leaders who refused to listen. Gaddafi, Mubarak, Bashir, Mugabe, Mobutu—mighty rulers who thought they were invincible, only to fall in disgrace. This is not a threat, Your Excellency Gen Sabalwanyi, but a plea: Uganda deserves better. You can do better. We need reconciliation, not repression. We need healing, not hostility. We need peace, not prisons filled with political opponents.

Your Excellency, I beg you—find it in your heart to release Dr. Besigye and all political prisoners. His life, his freedom, and Uganda’s democratic future are in your hands.

I implore you, Your Excellency. Do the right thing, we shall be glad. Thank you

Isaac Twikyirize
[email protected]

17/02/2025

*A Letter to Dr. Kizza Besigye by EJIKU Justine*

Dear Col (Rtd) Dr. Kizza Besigye,

Life may never present me with the opportunity to stand before you, shake your hand, and tell you what an inspiration you are, a moment I would dearly treasure. Yet, I find solace in the belief that your eyes, though they have endured gallons of tear gas in the relentless battle for Uganda’s freedom, can still read my letter.

They may have thrown you into the cold confines of Luzira, but they cannot dim the blazing fire of hope you’ve ignited across this nation. In a cell, they see you as contained but to us, you are a living testament that no wall, no gate, no chain can ever confine the spirit of justice. You are not just a man; you are an idea, a symbol of unyielding courage that puts fear into the hearts of those who mask oppression as liberation. How do they expect to silence the roar of a lion whose voice echoes in every corner of Uganda, challenging tyranny and inspiring generations to dream of freedom?

You are no ordinary man, Dr. Besigye. You are a revolutionary, a patriot who traded the comfort of a doctor’s coat for the uncertainty of the battlefield, not to destroy, but to heal a nation wounded by tyranny. You stood side by side with the very man who now calls you an enemy. Back then, you carried his hope in your hands as his physician, never imagining that one day, you’d have to carry the torch of resistance against him. What irony! What tragedy!

For decades, you have borne the scars of Uganda’s struggle on your back. Rigged elections, trumped-up charges, tear gas, beatings, exile, imprisonment, what haven’t they thrown at you? But with every blow they deliver, you rise stronger, leaving them terrified of what you represent: courage, resilience, and the audacity to tell the emperor he has no clothes. You, Dr. Besigye, are the mirror in which their greed and corruption are reflected, and that’s why they fear you.

Doctor, we have not forgotten. We have not forgotten how the oppressor has taken away your friends, isolated you, and most recently bought out those entrusted with managing the party you so dearly loved and cherished, the FDC. We show the betrayal, the greed, and the shamelessness of those who sold the party’s soul for a handful of millions. Yet you have refused to forgive them, and rightly so. History will not remember them kindly, it will etch their names as thieves, betrayers, and conmen and women who abandoned a nation’s hope for personal gain. But you, Dr. Besigye, will stand apart, enshrined in history as a true patriot, a fearless hero who chose integrity over compromise and inspired a people to believe in the power of resilience and justice.

Dr. Besigye, your resilience embarrasses the regime. They build highways to nowhere, erect monuments to their own egos, and parade their stolen wealth, yet they cannot match the legacy you’ve built through sacrifice. They sit on thrones of corruption while you stand tall in the hearts of the oppressed. They spend billions on repression, yet your courage costs them their peace of mind. Who is truly imprisoned? Those behind bars or those living in fear of the truth you speak?

As you sit in Luzira, know this: we see you. We honor you. We stand with you. They may take your freedom, but they cannot take the movement you’ve built, the fire you’ve sparked, or the hope you’ve given us. You are the conscience of this nation, and no prison walls can contain that. The opposition you’ve fought so tirelessly to build has not fought for you with the same vigor. While you have endured tear gas, prison cells, and endless sacrifice, some amongst us have doubted you. Like the thief on the cross who mocked Christ, they question your struggle, dismissing your suffering as diversion or games with the oppressor. But know this, Dr. Besigye, there are those of us who stand as the grateful thief on the other side, recognizing your sacrifice for what it truly is: a selfless quest to liberate this nation.

We remember the 28th of April, 2011, when you were arrested during the “walk-to-work” protest. They pepper-sprayed you, dragged you from your car, and sought to stifle the voices of the many Ugandans crying out against the rising cost of living. But even as they tore at your flesh, they ignited a fire across the streets of Kampala, where riots broke out in anger. In the face of brutal violence, at least two lives were lost, but they could not extinguish the flame of protest. And let’s not forget the 360 arrests that followed, the names of those you fought for are etched into history, alongside the powerful message that no oppression, however deep, will keep the people silent.

We have not forgotten October 1, 2012, when the police, with heavy deployment outside your home, tried to prevent you from holding a rally at Kiseka Market. Your escape was a testament to your resilience, but the fact that they eventually caught you reminds us of the lengths they’ll go to stop you. But Colonel, no matter how many times they lock you up, no matter how many rallies they block, your spirit remains unbroken. It is not their jails or their forces that can defeat you. It is the truth you carry within you that will forever be invincible.

In 2016, when the election was stolen right before our eyes, you did what any true leader would do, you refused to be silent. Even when the votes were falsified, the intimidation was clear, and the rigging was blatant, you stood tall. You swore yourself in as president, refusing to accept the theft of your victory. They locked you up, but what they didn’t understand that by doing so, they only made your message louder. You founded “The People’s Government,” and in doing so, reminded us all that the power lies with the people, not with those who seek to keep it in the hands of a few.

And now, as your life faces uncertainty in the kangaroo court, we remember that it is not just your freedom they seek to destroy, but the hope you represent. When Winnie Byanyima announced your abduction in November 2024, the world heard it loud and clear. You were taken from Kenya, and brought back to Uganda, to stand trial for crimes they invented because they could not silence your voice. But even as you stand before their military court, you are not alone. The entire nation stands with you.

As I show you appear with a frail face before the courts of the oppressor, I could hear you without waiting to see your lips open. Your face speaks volumes, not just to us but to the world. The lines on your face and the weight in your expression are a profound testament to a lifetime of sacrifice, resilience, and courage in the face of oppression. That frail, tired, and seemingly broken appearance is not a sign of defeat but the face of a warrior who has borne the weight of an entire nation’s aspirations for justice and freedom.

Your weary eyes reflect the battles fought, the injustices endured, and the pain of witnessing a dream for a liberated Uganda deferred by the forces of tyranny. Yet, within them, there remains an ember of hope, a steadfast refusal to bow or surrender. This face is not a sign of weakness but of fortitude, carrying scars that symbolize the struggle of millions who stand behind you. It reminds us that even when weighed down by oppression, the human spirit can rise above, refusing to be silenced or subdued. This face is not merely yours, it is ours, a mirror of our shared pain and our relentless hope for a better tomorrow. You are a living testament that one man’s fight can inspire a continent to dream, to resist, and to rise.

We will not forget, Colonel. Your name will forever be associated with the courage to speak truth to power, the courage to stand up when others cower, and the courage to fight for a better Uganda, no matter the cost. No matter how many times they arrest you, no matter how many trials they put you through, we know this: they will never break you.

Dr. Besigye, you may be like a farmer who has planted and tirelessly watered a fruit tree. You’ve nurtured it with sacrifice, resilience, and unyielding love for this nation. While life may deny you the privilege of enjoying its fruits, rest assured that the tree will bear fruit, and those who come after you will reap its sweetness. Even as the oppressor scoffs, thinking we are weak and cowardly, let them not be deceived, our strength lies in the seeds of hope you’ve sown. One day, we will rise, reclaim this country, and mold it into the nation of your dreams, a Uganda where justice prevails, and freedom reigns supreme. Your efforts will never be in vain, for the tree you’ve planted will stand tall for generations to come.

Stay strong, Colonel. The road is long, but victory is certain. One day, Uganda will remember not the cowards who oppressed you but the hero who stood tall against them.

*With unwavering solidarity,*
*EJIKU Justine*

16/02/2025

THE LONELIEST FIGHTER- THE AGONY OF DR. COL (RTD) KIZZA BESIGYE .

By Cde Newton Noble Odongo

A picture can capture a moment, but some images hold an entire nation's conscience hostage. This month, the most harrowing image on the internet is one that tears through the soul—a depiction of a man who once roared like thunder against oppression, now reduced to silence by the very injustices he fought against.

Dr. Col (Rtd) Kizza Besigye, a warrior of justice, a relentless voice of truth, now lies at the mercy of a regime that has crushed dissent with iron fists and boots of brutality. His only crime? Dreaming of a Uganda where all citizens are treated with dignity and fairness. His body, frail yet unyielding, bears the scars of decades of struggle. His spirit, though caged, still flickers with the embers of defiance. But where is the nation he bled for? Where are the people whose rights he fought to defend?

The image speaks volumes—of betrayal, of a collective conscience numbed into silence. He is left alone, his cries swallowed by the void, his sacrifices repaid with abandonment.

Former allies, colleagues, religious leaders, cultural heads, civil society organizations—those who once stood beside him have either retreated into the shadows or chosen the comfort of indifference.

Even the ordinary citizens, those whose voices he amplified, those for whom he took bullets, those for whom he endured endless arrests, teargas and solitary confinement—now watch from the sidelines, as though his suffering is a distant spectacle. As though his pain is not a wound on the nation's very soul.

And so, like a fallen lion, he lies on the edge of life, surrounded by vultures. They hover, waiting for his breath to fade, for his body to be discarded into the wilderness of forgotten heroes. They circle above, knowing that Uganda has become a land where justice is a crime and truth is punished with suffering.

How did we get here? How did we, as a people, allow ourselves to abandon the one who stood for us? What kind of hearts do we have, to watch in silence as injustice swallows one of our bravest sons?

God knows. History will remember. And our silence today will be our shame tomorrow.

19/01/2025

The creation of new administrative units is a burden Uganda cannot afford

(The views expressed here are not personal towards any office or individual mentioned.)

I have a serious issue with the creation of new administrative units in Uganda, particularly in areas where they are not necessary. I find it difficult to come to terms with the creation of Rukiga District and Rubanda District. In my humble opinion, neither of these areas was ready to take on the responsibilities of a district. And although my reasoning may appear street like its non the less reality. I stand to be corrected, but I believe Rukiga currently has two elected Members of Parliament. If the current trend is anything to go by, we may soon have a third MP once Muhanga is elevated to municipality status.

Let’s, for argument’s sake, assume that each MP takes home 20 million shillings a month (forgive me if my estimate is inaccurate). This totals 40 million shillings monthly and 480 million shillings annually. Here is the critical question: does Rukiga generate a net revenue collection or income of 480 million shillings a year to sustain these Members of Parliament? If this burden of maintaining them were reversed. Imagine if this amount were invested in the district annually. To emphasise, I am only referring to the cost of maintaining two administrators.

I will save you the headache and ignore the cost of running a district, which includes expenses for drivers, secretaries, tea boys and girls, commissions, departments, the RDC, their three or one assistant, and local council members. The list is endless.

The creation of new administrative units is placing an enormous burden on the very limited resources this country possesses, with no tangible benefits for the ordinary citizen.

For God’s sake, we are talking about a country where more than half of the budget is funded by borrowing. Over 50% of our budget comes from borrowed money. Let me ask this: how much, or what percentage, of the collected revenue did Rukiga or Rubanda invest in community services last year?

Students are in desperate need of chairs and textbooks in their classrooms—assuming classrooms even exist in some areas. Our mothers are crying out for essential drugs in health centres. Communities are yearning for clean water nearby, while doctors are struggling without proper accommodation, resulting in late arrivals to work.

Simply put, the prioritisation of political administration over essential services is failing the people it is meant to serve. Until we address these pressing needs, the creation of new administrative units will remain a misplaced priority and an unnecessary strain on Uganda’s already stretched resources.

06/01/2025

Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV): An Overview

Human metapneumovirus (HMPV) is a respiratory virus that primarily affects the upper and lower respiratory tracts. Discovered in 2001, it belongs to the Paramyxoviridae family, which also includes respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and parainfluenza viruses. HMPV is a significant cause of respiratory illness, particularly in young children, older adults, and individuals with weakened immune systems.

Symptoms

HMPV symptoms often resemble those of other respiratory infections, such as the flu or RSV, and can range from mild to severe. Common symptoms include:
• Mild cases:
• Runny nose
• Cough
• Sore throat
• Fever
• Severe cases:
• Wheezing
• Difficulty breathing
• Bronchiolitis
• Pneumonia

Transmission

HMPV spreads through respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks. It can also spread via contact with contaminated surfaces or objects, followed by touching the face (mouth, nose, or eyes).

Who Is Most at Risk?

While anyone can contract HMPV, certain groups are at higher risk of severe illness:
• Infants and young children
• Older adults, especially those over 65
• People with underlying medical conditions (e.g., asthma, COPD)
• Immunocompromised individuals

Diagnosis

HMPV is diagnosed using laboratory tests, including:
• PCR testing: Detects viral RNA in respiratory samples.
• Antigen testing: Identifies viral proteins.
• Viral culture: Isolates the virus from a sample.

Treatment

Currently, there is no specific antiviral treatment for HMPV. Management focuses on relieving symptoms and includes:
• Rest and hydration
• Over-the-counter medications to reduce fever and pain
• In severe cases, supplemental oxygen or mechanical ventilation may be required

Prevention

Preventing HMPV involves standard respiratory hygiene practices, such as:
• Washing hands frequently with soap and water
• Avoiding close contact with sick individuals
• Disinfecting frequently touched surfaces
• Covering coughs and sneezes with a tissue or elbow

Epidemiology

HMPV infections occur worldwide and tend to be more common during late winter and spring. It often circulates alongside other respiratory viruses, making it challenging to distinguish without testing.

Future Directions

Research is ongoing to develop vaccines and targeted treatments for HMPV. Improved awareness and diagnostic tools are also critical for managing and mitigating the impact of this virus.

Human metapneumovirus remains a significant but under-recognized cause of respiratory illness. Understanding its transmission, risk factors, and prevention strategies can help reduce its burden, especially in vulnerable populations.

20/03/2024

One reason I say someone is lying to us all.

In the meeting we were not, did Hon. Mpuga admit to having taken the so called dirty money?

We all know Hon. Mpuga to be a seasoned lawyer and for that fact one who understands the consequences of admitting to have participated in wrong doing.

By that admission Mpuga would have made himself a witness. So how many believe Hon. Mpuga can knowingly put himself in a witness stand? And the answer is non.

So who is lying to us?