Thirty-eight-year-old Nanozi Sandra* welcomes me with a smile. She is carrying a child on her back as she weighs and packs up plastic bottles in a huge sack. She displays a face of resilience. Sandra is a single mother of five. She collects garbage which she later sells at a recycling plant.

Sandra was forced into marriage at the very tender age of 15 after she had been raped, she narrates nothing but a nightmare in marriage.

“Three years ago, I used to earn 80,000 (roughly $21) shillings at the salon. My husband would take all that I earned. I would be forced into sex. During my first encounter with this man I got pregnant, I was still young and knew little about sex, to make it worse my stepmother was such a fierce woman that I did not tell her what had happened. Instead, she would punish me as it is regarded immoral to talk about sex to anyone in our culture. That is why I escaped from home.”

“I lived on the streets of Kampala. With time I had to move into a stranger’s one-roomed house in Katanga one of Kampala’s biggest slums then. It was indeed not safe staying with a stranger but that was my only hope for shelter.”

The bad marriage

The stranger then became a husband who would take all she had leaving her penniless for several years. As the years went by, she had three other children to look after. “I didn’t know about family planning methods.”

Sandra’s lowest moment in her life that almost drove her to a mental breakdown was when her son, was kidnapped. This happened as the boy played outdoors. “This will forever remain on my mind!” she screams as tears roll down her eyes.

“I was tortured, beaten up for carelessness and often attacked by the child’s father, I had to run away from the marriage.”

Sandra escaped and sought shelter at a church, in Kampala called Mutundwe Christian Fellowship with her children where she got guidance and counselling from one of the pastors.

“After some time, I left the church. I started a new life. Since I had no source of income, I resorted to picking up plastic and selling it to recycling companies.”

“A few years later I was approached by a man who I thought loved me and promised to marry me but got very abusive.”

“He would slap me over a simple disagreement, hit me in front of our children. He hit my face until I had a dislocated jaw. This time he was arrested. He was later released on bail. I had to find my escape route with my children and went to stay further away from Kampala in Masaka.”

Uganda’s newly sworn-in human rights chairperson Jacklet Atuhairwe says, “women must always report gender-based violence cases to the police and get reference number. If the police fail to respond women should approach me and I will ensure that these cases are followed up and dealt with by the courts of law,” she says.

She adds that security amongst women and families is important for peace and development in a country and should therefore be ensured. “I call upon the Ugandan police to respond with urgency and tackle gender-based violence,” she says.

She goes on further to explain that according to the UN violence against women and girls is one of the most widespread, persistent and devastating human rights violations in our world today.

She also notes that it is a major obstacle to the fulfilment of women’s and girls’ human rights and the achievement of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. It occurs worldwide, cutting across all generations, nationalities, communities and spheres of our societies, irrespective of age, ethnicity, disability or other backgrounds.

She pointed out that gender-based violence has a great impact on peace at home and society in general.

Statistics from the Uganda National Bureau of Statistics show 17,664 domestic violence cases in 2020 went up by 29 per cent from 13,693 in 2019. 18,872 victims of domestic violence in 2020: 3,408 male adults, 13,145 female adults, 1,133 male juveniles and 1,186 female juveniles according to the annual police report on GBV and harmful practice of 2021.

She goes on further to call upon the government bodies in Uganda like the Judiciary to implement laws on gender-based violence to strengthen women’s peace and security in the country.

Fredrica Baguma the executive director Rural Health Promotion and Poverty Alleviation Initiative (RUHEPAI) noted that every individual’s abilities could be nurtured and enhanced with the right information and tools to attain economic transformation of their environment.

” Women form the most important parts of development and looking at their concerns leads to changes required for sustainable development,” she states adding that their programmes emphasise learning, actions and practices that derive to desirable livelihoods.

One of her programmes known as Kanyisa promotes increased farm yields and household income. Kanyisa is a local word which means “accumulate” It enables business initiation and enterprise development to enable grassroots women and girls to become self-reliant as owners of resources and this promote economic independence.  She believes economic independence gives control over their lives thus curbing abuse and promotes peace.

Her organisation also emphasises rural farmers’ resilience and adaptation to inclusive farming systems that advance climate-smart agriculture to attain food security for women and their households.

She also equips them with practical life survival skills with an emphasis on hairdressing and sweater knitting that lead them to gain the power to sustain their livelihoods and become self-reliant. These activities go a long way toward promoting equal rights

Domestic Violence is a silent killer! Women’s security depends on security in the home and protection from gender-based violence. This is why women’s empowerment is such a sustainable solution to gender-based violence in communities and enhances peace and security. This is because sustainable peace involves promoting equal rights plus prevention and response to gender-based violence.

*Names changed to protect the victim of rape

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Namulondo Investments LTD is the official Real estate and property management company for the kingdom and according to The staff of Namulondo Investments only realized when they showed up to work on Monday that their office had been broken into.

Sources have informed our reporter that the intention of this break in is not yet known.

It has been ascertained that some financial documents and other possible relevant documents which have not yet been identified were taken.

Insiders have it that the offices broken into included the CEO’s office, Head Finance offices and the Head Construction Engineers office.

This follows a spate of similar incidences that have happened in Kampala Metropolitan area and other parts of the where unknown people have broken into offices and sensitive information taken from those offices and the resent is the Bukalasa land office in Luweero district.

In the case of Namulondo investments, neither the Safe nor computers were tampered with, all that was taken were important financial documents which raises a question on who would be behind these crime.

Currently land wrangles have dominated the Buganda region and some political analyst have asserted it to the political climate in the region.

It should be remembered that NRM lost in Buganda region in the recent General elections which was carried out in 2021.

As of the time of this report, the case had not been reported to police but we shall continue to follow up on the proceedings.

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The judge found there had been widespread irregularities in the May 21 vote.

This is the first election to be legally challenged since Malawi’s independence. A new vote will take place within 151 days.

According to the electoral commission President Mutharika won May’s election with 38 percent of the votes [Eldson Chagara/Reuters]

There have been regular anti-government protests since the election.

President Peter Mutharika was declared the narrow winner of the May election with 38 percent of votes, followed by Lazarus Chakwera with 35 percent and former Vice President Saulos Chilima third with 20 percent.

The challenge was brought by Lazarus Chakwera (left) and Saulos Chilima (centre) against President Peter Mutharika (right)

The four other candidates collectively got nearly six percent.

The five-judge panel heard arguments that the vote was rigged by the president and electoral commission. Both have denied it.

Malawi’s electoral commission acknowledged receiving 147 reports alleging irregularities including the use of correction fluid to alter some results.

The two main opposition candidates alleged that the irregularities affected over 1.4 million of the total 5.1 million votes cast.

Mutharika and the electoral commission acknowledged some irregularities but argued they were insufficient to affect the election’s outcome.

Map showing Malawi

The months-long court case has been accompanied by sometimes violent street protests demanding the resignation of electoral commission chairwoman Jane Ansah.

“Let’s try as much as possible to have elections that are free and fair. Where nobody feels cheated. These people were not just demonstrating for the sake of demonstrating. They strongly felt that they had been cheated. The system had cheated them,” Martha Chikuni, opposition protester, said.

The Malawi Human Rights Commission late last year released a report accusing the police of serious human rights abuses, including rape and assault, in one confrontation.

The judges themselves have come under pressure. In January, Malawi’s anti-corruption bureau arrested businessman Thom Mpinganjira, who was accused of approaching two judges with an offer of $135,000 to sway justice in favour of the president. The chief justice issued an official complaint to the bureau.

Mpinganjira was later released, however, after a magistrate in another court issued an order quashing the arrest warrant. The High Court then overturned that ruling, questioning the lower court’s conduct and ordering Mpinganjira’s arrest.

The international community, including the United Nations and African Union, has issued several statements before the vote urging people across Malawi to uphold the rule of law and remain calm.

A joint statement by diplomats from the United States, the United Kingdom, the European Union, Japan and others acknowledged the tensions around the ruling.

The vote in May returned the sitting president to power, leading to deadly confrontations and widespread unrest [Amos Gumulira/AFP]

“Malawi can draw on an impressive history of institutions and leaders stepping forward to safeguard your democracy and ensure peaceful resolution for internal tensions,” the statement said, urging all parties to respect the court’s decision – as well as the right to appeal.”For those who choose to exercise their right to demonstrate, we urge you to do so peacefully and legally, and for security personnel to proceed with balance and restraint,” it added.

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The process of restructuring Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) party structures in villages and districts is ongoing and so far, it has been done well in Luwero district says John Kikonyogo the FDC deputy spokesperson.

Addressing a press conference on Monday at the FDC headquarters in Najjanakumbi, Kikonyogo informed journalists that the party has embarked on restructuring its offices in villages and districts countrywide.

John Kikonyogo the FDC deputy spokesperson

Kikokonyogo informed journalists that, they wrote to Police informing them about the process they are carrying out.

He said they are, however, surprised that during the process of restructuring, a Police constable identified as Sekalema in Mubende districts has gone ahead to disrupt the process.

“We appeal to the Inspector General of Police to inform Police officers regarding the restructuring process the party is carrying out so as to avoid any inconveniences from  Police or Police officers  ” Kikonyogo added.

He further informed journalists that they expect the restructuring process to be completed by the end of this month.

Kikonyogo added that the party has begun celebrating its 15th anniversary. FDC marked 15 years in existence on December 16 last year and yesterday, it started with the Eastern districts of Buikwe, Iganga, Jinja, Busia, Budaka, Kumi, Soroti and Namutumba.

He, however, informed journalists that they don’t expect any interruptions from Police and that in case there is any, they would react.

Kikonyogo further added that the party will on 23 of this month head to the West to continue with its anniversary celebrations and is expected to begin with Ankole.

Source: The New Vision

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Brian Isiko, 25, a student of YMCA College of Business Studies in Jinja, was facing charges of cyber harassment and offensive communication against Ms Rwabwogo.

Isiko the YMCA student in Jinja accused of sending love messages to MP Rwabogo.

However, when the case came up today for hearing and cross examination of Ms Rwabwogo, magistrate Stella Amabilisi dismissed the case for lack of prosecution witnesses.

“From 2018, the witness has never appeared in court yet the accused has been appearing. This shows that the witness is not interested in the matter. In the interest of justice, the case has been dismissed and the accused is set free unless charged with other offences. Bail money should be refunded,” she ruled.

The court’s decision came after the submissions of Isiko’s lawyer Mr Ramathan Waiswa who asked court to have the matter dismissed after the state failed to present the witnesses in court.

“The record reflects that this court had ordered the witness to be in court and the court had said that failure to appear, the case would be dismissed. We pray that the case be dismissed,” he submitted.

Kabarole Woman MP, Sylivia Rwabogo

In July 2018, Court heard from MP Rwabogo that the accused had for a long while persistently sent her love messages that his desire was that the two be together.

“I love you so much and want to protect you. My love is for you alone and since there is no one taking care of you, I will do it,” one of the messages sent by Isiko to the MP read.

These texts began as early as last year prior to the passing of the controversial Age Limit Amendment Bill.

The boy’s pursuance of the legislator followed an interview by one of the dailies in which in the MP revealed that she was still single. When the texts persisted, a worried Sylivia reported the case to police and they set a trap where the student was nabbed.

The MP said they weren’t just mere messages but that Isiko was being used by selfish individuals in a mission to lure her (Rwabogo) and kill her.

However, Isiko’s lawyers during one of the examination of the MP said his client’s messages were extracted for International Artists such as Don William, Iglesias Enrique and Akon, and so they do not carry any harm.

He demand that court first listens to the songs he had put on the Compact Disk on the court file so as to determine whether they are offensive in nature.

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HRDs during press conference

The post Rights body expresses concern over escalating human rights abuses in Uganda first appeared on Uganda Multimedia News & Information.

Boys’ dormitory at Namirembe Hillside High School goes up in flames

February 

18^th February – Fire burnt a dormitory at St. Anthony Roman Catholic Primary School in Nakasongola District, destroying property worth millions. According to the school head teacher, Ms. Allen Musoke, by the time the dormitory caught fire, the pupils had gone for morning lessons at about 5: 30 am and no one was injured. The dormitory was housing boys in Primary Five, Six and Seven.

20^th February – Fire gutted a boys’ dormitory at Najjanankumbi City Academy in Makindye Division in Kampala, destroying lots of property including books, suitcases, utensils and beddings.

21^st February – Fire gutted a dormitory at St Jude Primary School in Nakasongola District and claimed the life of Favor Itaro, a Primary One pupil. Itaro died of suffocation, according to a postmortem report released by police. Seven pupils were injured. District authorities closed the school for one week. The ill-fated dormitory had burglar proof windows, which could have made it difficult for the pupils to escape the fire.

24^th February – A boys’ dormitory at Sembabule Parents Primary School was destroyed by fire when pupils were attending evening classes. The affected dormitory was housing 35 boys and a lot of property was lost.

28^th February – Another fire gutted St. Anthony Roman Catholic Primary School in just a space of 11 days, leading to its closure. The Thursday fire destroyed the girls’ dormitory housing over 18 pupils.

March

20^th March – Fire gutted a boys’ dormitory at St James Secondary School in Mubende District, destroying property worth millions of shillings.

April

4th April – Property worth Shs800 million was destroyed in a dormitory fire at Forest Hill College Mukono (State minister for higher education JC Muyingo’s school). The boys’ dormitory was housing at least 225 students of senior three to senior six. Authorities say no one was hurt by the fire that destroyed students’ mattresses, books, jerrycans, clothes and money, among others.

May

27^th May – Fire gutted a boys’ dormitory at Kisoso Parents Primary School, a day after pupils reported for second term, destroying some property including suit cases which involved pupils’ belongings and beddings. According to the Southern Police spokesman Paul Kangave, the incident happened at around 7:30pm on Monday. It is suspected that the fire could have been a result of a wrongly installed solar panel system at the dormitory, according to Charles Nsereko, the school director.

Mr. Kangave said the dormitory accommodates about 160 pupils, but by the time of the incident, only 60 had reported and none were injured.

July

20^th July – Fourteen students were injured in Nakaloke Islamic School in Mbale District after a fire suspected to have started from one of the dormitories near the mosque reduced properties to ashes before it was contained by the Police Fire Brigade. Textbooks, classroom work, mattresses, case boxes, clothing and utensils, belonging to 50 students were all destroyed.

25^th July – students of Namirembe Hillside High School in Kitetika, Wakiso District lost property worth millions of shillings after a fire gutted one of their dormitories.

Property worth Shs800m destroyed in a dormitory fire at Forest Hill College Mukono

September

18^th September – Pupils of Happy Times SS, Masajja in Wakiso District lost a lot of property when fire gutted one of the dormitories.

21^st September – Just three days later, another fire gutted a dormitory at Kyotera Infant and Primary School. The fire started at the door of the boys’ dormitory and quickly spread to the rest of the facility. No lives were lost but pupils’ belongings such as mattresses, shoes, suit cases, clothes and books were burnt to ashes.

Caution is needed

This alarming rate of fire outbreaks calls for more caution from school authorities to always ensure that they have working firefighting equipment, and that learners have the knowledge of how to operate it.

The post List of 2019 school fires in Uganda first appeared on Uganda Multimedia News & Information.

Gender Based Violence is an umbrella term used to describe any harmful act that is perpetrated against a person’s will on the basis of unequal relations between women and men, as well as through abuse of power. GBV in particular, sexual and physical violence is widespread in Uganda and is mainly committed against women and girls.

Much as the girls and women are the common victims, it notes that it affects all people irrespective of their social, economic and political status because it occurs in families, communities, workplaces and institutions.

The Uganda Demographic and Health Survey (UDHS) 2011 indicate that 56% of women aged between 15 and 49 years in Uganda have experienced physical violence at some point in life, 28% of women in the same age group have experienced sexual violence, compared to 9% of men.

What GBV really is

Ali Male a counsellor at a-z counselling centre says people have a tendency of confusing gender based violence and restricting it to women being battered but they should know that it happens in several other ways that they need to identify in order to avoid being an ignorant victim.

“Gender based violence can be physical or psychological for instance being sexually harassed both at home and work, being denied the right to education, facing dangerous traditional practices, being forced into marriage, battering is the most evident one but this does not sum up the list since people should look out for what they do not agree with,” says Male.

Why it is still an issue

He says the biggest hindrance in curbing the issue is failure of the victims to come in the open to report the case and this is common with the corporate people who feel they will lose respect if they talk about it that is why much of the statistics shows that it is people in the rural areas who are victims.

Rosemary Komuhanda, a worker at MIFUMI says the mind-set is what has led to the prevalence of the crime because the society still believes that women are supposed to be subordinate to men and failure to do so leads to violence.

A photo of Angella Katatumba a Ugandan musician who was beaten at chicken tonight. Net photo

“When we speak about gender based violence, the women are the first victims to come to mind because they have been subjected to all kind of torture because of the gender inequalities that have stood in the way of the people trying to fight it,” says Komuhanda.

Just like Komuhanda, the ministry of gender report states that Uganda has a strong legislative and policy framework that supports gender equality and women’s empowerment, based on commitments under the Constitution well as other international obligations on gender equality. However, Ugandan society is characterized by strong patriarchal beliefs that value male supremacy and women’s subordination.

Komuhanda says this mostly happens in rural areas where people are still rigid to the old beliefs and men expect the women to do as they say without objecting to it.

What is being done by the authorities?

She says government and organisations are doing their level best to make sure that the victims have places they can seek help and refuge from which has enabled them to do follow ups and have the perpetuators answer for their actions something that has helped fight gender based violence.

She says much as the law is present, some other institutions have not helped fight the crime because there is a lot of corruption which in most cases favours the one who can pay for the services they need for instance Esther Okalany says she failed to get her share of property from her husband because she could not pay the required money for investigation and to date her husband is still possessing them.

She believes that he must have bribed the police personnel who have since then paid a deaf ear to her cries so all she has to do is collect the money so that the investigation can take place.

Photo of men charged of Sexual violence against women. Net Photo

Asan Kasingye, the assistant inspector general police says that the police is taking the matter seriously that is why most police stations have a department known as the sexual gender based violence and child protection unit which takes on the cases and does all the investigations.

He says if only the problem is solved then allot will be saved for instance the victims o through psychological torture, rejection, have physical effects, children suffer due to broken families, an individual may suffer rejection in the community which affects that peace and development of the individual.

He notes that it will take a collective effort for gender based violence to be erased in the country instead of leaving it to a specific section of the law.

A video analysing the rate of Gender based violence globally

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Bobiwine was arrested by police on his way to the police Criminal Investigation Department (CID) headquarters in Kibuli,where he was summoned to answer related charges including possession of dangerous weapons and taken to Nagalama police station in Mukono district .

His arrest caused a lot of havoc in town as his supporters protested and blocked roads forcing the police to fire teargas to disperse the crowd.

Bobi Wine was welcomed with praises by prison inmates as they sung his freedom tunes to and fro the Buganda Road court.

Grade One magistrate Esther Nahirya, read Kyagulanyi’s cases where he is of holding a public meeting (anti-social media tax demo) on July 11, 2018 without notifying police contrary to provisions of the Public Order Management Act (POMA) and also failed to cooperate with police to ensure that all demonstrators are unarmed.

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The 28-year-old’s body was found in the wreckage of a light aircraft in the English Channel two weeks after the plane vanished near Guernsey.

“We are aware that a picture reported to be of Mr Sala’s body has been shared on social media channels and are disgusted that somebody did this,” a Dorset Police spokesman said.

“It is clearly a very difficult time for Mr Sala’s family and they should not have to endure additional pain that this shameful act will undoubtedly cause.”

“We are investigating this incident and are working together with a number of agencies to establish how the picture was taken and who is responsible,” he added.

The Argentine striker had been travelling in a Piper Malibu plane to his first training session at Cardiff City, after completing a £15m club record move from Nantes FC, when it crashed on 21 January.

The body of the pilot, David Ibbotson, from Crowle, North Lincolnshire, has not been found.

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