On the auspicious day of Monday, March 4, 2024, the ceremonial transfer of leadership unfolded as Martin Okoth Ochola, the esteemed former Inspector General of Police (IGP), formally relinquished his role to his Deputy, Maj. Gen. Geoffrey Tumusiime Katsigazi. Culminating his remarkable 36-year tenure within the Uganda Police Force, Ochola opted not to extend his contract, citing pressing personal and domestic matters demanding his attention. Speaking eloquently at the handover ceremony, Ochola expressed gratitude for the privilege to steer the institution and delineated his accomplishments during his commendable tenure.

In his reflective address, Ochola delved into his extensive and illustrious career in the police force, spanning over three transformative decades. Commencing his journey in 1988, he ascended through various key positions, including Deputy IGP, Director of Special Duties, Director of CID, and Commissioner of Legal Department. His crowning achievement occurred in March 2018 when he assumed the role of Inspector General of Police, a position he held steadfastly for a distinguished six years until his retirement.

While at the helm as IGP, Ochola’s focal point was the professionalization and revitalization of the Uganda Police Force’s image. Collaborating with the President and the Ministry of Internal Affairs, he spearheaded initiatives to elevate policing standards, fostering a sense of tranquility and unity within the institution. Ochola attributed his successes to the unwavering dedication of officers and staff who tirelessly upheld the force’s constitutional mandate.

Ochola’s retirement decision stemmed from personal and domestic considerations, a matter he had communicated to the Minister of Internal Affairs in January 2024. Despite bidding farewell to his official duties, Ochola affirmed his allegiance to the ongoing mission of the Uganda Police Force. He urged his successor and the incoming leadership to persist in the pursuit of professionalizing the institution.

Expressing gratitude to colleagues, law enforcement partners, the President, Uganda Police Authority, fellow service chiefs, and development partners, Ochola also extended thanks to his family for their unwavering support. Peering into the future, Ochola acknowledged that not all institutional challenges were resolved during his tenure, highlighting unfinished matters in his comprehensive handover report. Confident in the incoming leadership’s capabilities, he wished them success in addressing these challenges.

In conclusion, Ochola conveyed appreciation to all who accompanied him on his journey in the Uganda Police Force. Fondly reminiscing about his achievements, he expressed hope that the force would perpetuate its role as a beacon of excellence and positive change in law enforcement.

The retirement of Martin Okoth Ochola signifies the closure of a significant chapter in the annals of the Uganda Police Force. His prolonged and distinguished service has etched an enduring legacy, destined to inspire forthcoming generations of police officers. As Ochola embarks on the next phase of his life, he bequeaths a legacy characterized by dedication, professionalism, and profound service to the nation.

Martin Okoth Ochola, born on September 19, 1958, in Agumiti village, Tororo District, Uganda, underwent his formative education at diverse institutions, including Abweli Primary School, Rock View Primary School, Kisoko Boys Primary School, and Namilyango College. His academic journey culminated in legal studies at Makerere University, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Laws degree in 1983.

Post his legal pursuits, Ochola served as a legal assistant in Mbale District and Kampala City Council before transitioning to the Uganda Police Force in January 1988. Over the years, he assumed pivotal roles, such as Cadet Assistant Superintendent of Police, Officer in Charge of Airport Security at Entebbe International Airport, and Deputy Director of Criminal Investigations.

In August 2011, Ochola’s ascendancy continued as he took on the role of Deputy Inspector General of Police, ultimately reaching the zenith in March 2018 when he assumed the position of Inspector General of Police. Throughout his distinguished career, Ochola exemplified a steadfast commitment to professional policing and law enforcement, earning the respect and admiration of both colleagues and the public alike.

As he gracefully exits the stage of the Uganda Police Force, Martin Okoth Ochola leaves behind a legacy characterized by leadership, integrity, and unwavering dedication to duty. His indelible contributions to law enforcement in Uganda will be commemorated and celebrated for years to come.

The former Leader of Opposition in Parliament (LoP), Mathias Mpuuga, has declined the National Unity Platform’s (NUP) call to resign his position as parliamentary commissioner.

Robert Kyagulanyi Sentamu, the leader of the National Unity Platform, acknowledged during a press conference in the party courtyard that he had been browsing X, formerly known as Twitter, when he came across the trending hashtag #Parliament Exhibition.

The exhibition unveiled and brought to light corrupt government officials, including Speaker of Parliament Annet Anita Among and other NRM lawmakers implicated in the misappropriation of public funds.

Kyagulanyi revealed that he was taken aback by the involvement of his deputy and the vice president of the National Unity Platform, Mathias Mpuuga Nsamba, who previously held the position of Leader of the Opposition and serves as the legislator for Masaka Mukungwe, in corrupt activities.

The total sum of 500M UGX was a real tribute that was sent personally to Mpuuga. Kyagulanyi says when he asked Mpuuga about the scandal, Mpuuga accepted and said he involved in the corruption scandal.

He proceeded to disclose that he convened with his fellow party leaders, including the Party General Secretary, to deliberate on Mpuuga’s affairs. Subsequently, they initiated an investigation and determined that Mpuuga had been found guilty as charged.

Kyagulanyi consequently summoned his colleague to elucidate the unfolding scandals, prompting Mpuuga to disclose his involvement in the corruption debacle. Subsequently, Kyagulanyi and his associates expressly counseled Mpuuga to judiciously consider the trio of options presented to him;

1-To take back the money which was equivalent to 500M UGX back to the government.

2-To stand in front of their supporters and humbly seek forgiveness from them.

3- To resign from the seat of Parliament commissioner.

According to the recent communication from the NUP, it appears that Mpuuga has opted for the third choice of stepping down. However, what has added an amusing twist to the situation is that in his formal response to his party’s letter, Mpuuga refuted the accusation of resigning from his position.

“I decline the cowardly call on me to resign- Mpuuga alerted.

Recently, there has been a shift in leadership within the LoP, with rumors swirling around the departure of one personality and the ascension of Joel Ssenyonyi to take their place.

My attention has been drawn to an unsigned document purportedly attributed to my party, the National Unity Platform, calling for my resignation, inter alia, based on falsehoods and terrible misapprehension of facts, including basic ones,” Mpuuga said.

“I accordingly decline the cowardly call on me to resign as a parliamentary commissioner, based on spite, envy, and deliberate misrepresentation. The general public is aware and alive to the internal intrigue and machinations unfortunately within this young party over the last two and a half years, during my occupation of the coveted office of the LOP. It became the official style of different party leaders to undermine my work, including the hiring of bloggers to abuse and insult my person,” he said.

The Bukoto South MP Twaha Kagabo blames NUP leadership for mishandling Mathias Mpuuga’s issue, saying it should have been kept private

According to Twaha Kagabo a member of NUP who of these days move with the new Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU), says, what NUP did in dismissing Mpuuga was childish.

What comes to your mind fellow Countrymen!

The National Unity Platform (NUP) has asked Masaka Municipality MP Mathias Mpuuga to resign from his position as parliamentary commissioner following his admission to receiving 500 million shillings.

On Thursday, President Robert Kyagulanyi, the NUP Party president convened a meeting with senior party leaders after corruption allegations surfaced against several NUP officials, including Mpuuga, the former Leader of the Opposition in Parliament, and other commissioners, according to a statement released by the NUP secretariat.

The allegations implicated Mpuuga and other commissioners in irregularly allocating large sums of money to themselves under the guise of service awards, with Mpuuga reportedly receiving 500 million shillings.

The NUP press statement, indicated that the senior legislator Mpuuga admitted to have been part in the said allocation of money and apologized for the same.

“At the meeting, Rt. Hon. Mpuuga admitted that he indeed took part in this wrongdoing and apologized for the same. In light of this, he was strongly advised that the moral thing to do in the circumstances is to step down from his role as parliamentary commissioner with immediate effect,” reads part of the statement.

“The nation will recall that the values of the National Unity Platform are discipline, reliability, inclusiveness, integrity, patriotism, and service. All actions of corruption and abuse of office go contrary to these values.”

For the past four days, internet has been awash with an online protest led by Makerere Don, Dr. Spire Ssentongo, and other activists using the hashtag #Uganda Parliament Exhibition to expose the abuse of office and gross management of public affairs in Parliament.

In the exhibition, several allegations have been made against the speaker of Parliament, Anita Among, and Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa, as well as the ruling NRM Members of Parliament and the opposition MPS.

Among the allegations made include these top officials fraudulently lobbying for their relatives to secure jobs in Parliament and engaging in corruption deals to unlawfully enrich themselves.

On Monday, Chris Obore, Director of Communication and Public Affairs said that Parliament had acknowledged the exhibition and said that they were actively studying the specific concerns raised.

“Parliament acknowledges concerns raised in the ongoing #UgandaParliamentExhibition on the institution. Though the discussion is laden with distortions, in the spirit of openness, accountability, and transparency, we are duty-bound to study the specifics of all concerns and conclusively address them.” reads a statement Obore posted on X (Former Twitter).

The Minister for State for Foreign Affairs, Hon. Oryem Henry Okello, and Her Excellency Mrs. Fatima Fernandes Juarez, non-resident Ambassador of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela held a bilateral meeting on February 29, 2024.

The meeting, held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Kampala, marked a pivotal moment in fostering bilateral relations between Uganda and Venezuela, their mutual commitment to enhancing diplomatic ties and exploring avenues for collaboration across various sectors.

Minister Okello and Ambassador Juarez expressed optimism about the prospects of deepening cooperation between Uganda and Venezuela. Their discussions were centered on areas of potential cooperation, with a focus on agriculture, security, culture, tourism, and oil and gas. Both sides acknowledged the significance of leveraging their respective strengths to promote sustainable development and mutual prosperity.

In particular, they highlighted their intention to establish a Joint Permanent Commission later this year, underscoring the importance of regular high-level engagements to advance shared interests.

They emphasized the importance of fostering robust partnerships that contribute to the socio-economic advancement of both nations and underscored the role of diplomacy in addressing global challenges.

The meeting concluded with a commitment to further strengthen the bonds of friendship and cooperation between Uganda and Venezuela. Both parties look forward to the forthcoming Joint Permanent Commission and the opportunities it presents to deepen bilateral engagement and explore new avenues of collaboration.

The International Criminal Court (ICC) ordered a total of €52 million (about Shs 221 billion) compensation towards the thousands of victims of former Lord’s Resistant Army (LRA) rebel commander Dominic Ongwen.

In an amended decision made on Wednesday, the judges at the Trial Chamber IX noted that the reparation will be made collectively to the victims given the magnitude of the atrocities and the number of victims.

The judges noted that an estimated 49,772 direct and indirect victims of Ongwen’s atrocities will benefit from the reparation order.

Ongwen was convicted by the ICC to a 25-year jail term in 2021 for a total of 61 crimes comprising crimes against humanity and war crimes, committed in Northern Uganda between July 1, 2002, and December 31, 2005. He is currently serving his jail term in Norway where he was transferred in December last year.

The judges however in the reparation decisions noted that Ongwen is not in a position to pay the victims and asked the Trust Fund for Victims to foot the compensation cost.

The ICC registry has since been ordered to start the identification and registration of the victims for reparation in Northern Uganda within 30 days of the reparations decision.

The judges also rallied the ICC member state countries and well-wishers to financially support the Trust Fund for Victims which is currently cash-strapped.

Ongwen is the first senior LRA commander among the five indicted by the ICC in 2005 to have been captured, tried, and sentenced to jail over war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in Northern Uganda. LRA leader Joseph Kony remains in hiding.

ICC prosecutor Karim Khan last year however asked judges for authorization to hold a hearing to confirm the charges against Kony in his absence. Kony is suspected of allegedly committing 36 counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity between 2002 and 2005 in northern Uganda.

The ICC has however terminated proceedings against Raska Lukwiya, Okot Odhiambo, and Vincent Otti who were involved in the arrest warrants.

The recent torrential rainfall at Kyambogo University not only drenched the campus but also brought down a venerable symbol of Uganda’s educational heritage: a majestic Canarium tree, affectionately known as Muwafu in central Uganda. This tree, steeped in over 150 years of history, held a profound significance as the site where pivotal moments in Uganda’s educational and cultural evolution unfolded.

Legend has it that beneath the sprawling branches of this ancient Muwafu tree, the 30th King of Buganda, Walugembe Muteesa I, once convened with the renowned American explorer Henry Morton Stanley. It was here that a historic letter was penned, extending an invitation to Anglican missionaries, a missive that would ultimately shape the trajectory of formal education in Uganda.

The fall of this historic tree not only marked the loss of a tangible link to the past but also stirred reflections on the importance of preserving cultural heritage and fostering critical thinking. For archaeologists at Kyambogo University, the felling of the Muwafu tree served as a poignant reminder of the fragile yet enduring connections between the past and the present.

In 1877, inspired by Muteesa’s letter, the first cohort of Christian missionaries embarked on a journey to the Buganda Kingdom under the auspices of the Church Missionary Society (CMS). Their arrival heralded a new era of educational enlightenment, as they introduced both Christian teachings and formal schooling to the region.

The significance of the Muwafu tree extended beyond its role in facilitating historical meetings and correspondence. Situated within the grounds of the Banda Palace, the tree bore witness to pivotal moments in Uganda’s history, including the famed encounter between Muteesa I and European explorers John Speke and James Grant in 1862.

Recognizing the profound cultural and educational legacy embodied by the Muwafu tree, stakeholders at Kyambogo University rallied to preserve its memory. Plans to construct a Teacher Technical Education Building were reconsidered, with calls for the site to be commemorated as a symbol of Uganda’s educational roots.

Prof. Elizabeth Kyazike, an archeologist at Kyambogo University, underscored the tree’s significance, emphasizing its role as a beacon of educational heritage. “We are proud of this tree because it is the beginning of our formal education,” she remarked, advocating for the preservation of its legacy.

Dr. Stephen Kasumba, who bore witness to the tree’s collapse, echoed these sentiments, calling for the establishment of a museum to honor its memory and safeguard its historical significance. His plea was echoed by Mr. Moses Jjuuko, President of the Kyambogo University History, Archaeology, and Heritage Students Association, who emphasized the tree’s broader cultural importance.

As efforts to preserve the memory of the Muwafu tree gain momentum, the university administration has pledged to replant a new sapling in its place. Additionally, plans are underway to study the fallen tree’s remains and collaborate with the Buganda Kingdom to ensure that its legacy endures.

In reflecting on the loss of this venerable symbol, Buganda Kingdom Prime Minister Charles Peter Mayiga remarked, “That is the tree under which Kabaka Muteesa I sat when he was writing the letter to Queen Victoria in 1875.” His words serve as a poignant reminder of the enduring legacy of the Muwafu tree and its pivotal role in shaping Uganda’s cultural and educational landscape.

Ugandan activists are up in arms over revelations that the former Leader of Opposition in Parliament, Mathias Mpuuga, received a hefty sum of 500 million Ugandan Shillings as a ‘service award’ after just two years in office. This news has sparked outrage among citizens, who question the justification for such a large payout.

Who is Mpuuga?

Mathias Mpuuga is a Ugandan politician, lawyer, and teacher. He served as the Leader of the Opposition from 2021 to 2024. Prior to that, he was a Member of Parliament for Masaka Municipality from 2011 until 2021. Mpuuga is currently the Deputy President of the National Unity Platform (NUP) political party, which is led by Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu.

The Masaka Mukungwe legislature born on October 12, 1975, in what is now called Lwengo District in Central Uganda. He did very well in school. He got a degree in teaching from Makerere University. Then he got another degree in economics from the same school. He also got a law degree. After that, he went to the Law Development Centre where he studied law.

The decision to grant Mpuuga this substantial sum was made during a meeting of the Parliamentary Commission on May 6, 2022. Present at the meeting were key figures including Speaker Anita Among, Mpuuga himself, and several Parliament commissioners. The meeting aimed to review the benefits provided to elected officials, including the Leader of Opposition and backbench commissioners.

In addition to Mpuuga’s payout, the backbench Parliament commissioners were also awarded 400 million Ugandan Shillings each as a similar ‘service award’. It’s worth noting that one of the conditions of this payout was that it would remain unchanged regardless of the length of tenure in office.

This revelation has stirred controversy, with activists like Agather Atuhaire expressing dismay over the size of the awards. Atuhaire highlighted the stark difference between the outgoing officials receiving substantial sums and their incoming replacements receiving nothing from these funds.

The decision to replace Mpuuga with Joel Ssenyonyi as the new Leader of Opposition came amid public concerns that Mpuuga was too closely aligned with the ruling NRM party. However, it’s important to note that Ssenyonyi will not benefit from the same financial arrangements as Mpuuga, as the payout was specifically tied to the individual holding the position at the time.

This revelation has sparked debates about accountability and transparency within Uganda’s political system, with many calling for more oversight and regulation regarding such financial matters. The sizable sums awarded to outgoing officials have raised eyebrows and prompted calls for greater scrutiny of how public funds are allocated and disbursed.

One calm morning in Kagadi, something very sad happened. There was a bad accident on the usually quiet streets of Iguruka. The accident happened during a time when people were not happy with the way things were going in the town. Sadly, a young person named Magezi Tumuhaise, who was only 25 years old and came from Rwenzori Cell, lost their life in the accident. It was a really sad event that affected many people.

The genesis of this calamity lay in the fervent grievances of the local populace, residents of Muhoro, Bwikara, and neighboring areas, whose voices rose in protest against the ravages of nature and neglect. Deteriorated roads, rendered impassable by the relentless onslaught of rain, became symbols of their collective frustration. In solidarity, a group of boda boda riders joined their cause, amplifying their plea for attention to their plight.

As tensions simmered and tempers flared, the local government’s response was swift, with the area LCV chairperson and his team mobilizing to assess the situation. Yet, in the chaotic throes of the demonstration, tragedy struck with unforgiving force. A vehicle, bearing the registration UG 6998M and emblematic of the District Health Office, careened through the tumult at alarming speed. Behind the wheel, Tibihikira Stephen, a stalwart of the Kagadi local government, found himself ensnared in a fateful moment that would forever alter the course of multiple lives.

The collision proved fatal, robbing the world of Magezi Tumuhaise’s promise and potential. Amidst the chaos, the driver, gripped by panic, chose flight over facing the grim reality of his actions. Yet, the long arm of justice would not be denied, as Tibihikira Stephen was later apprehended, compelled to confront the consequences of his actions.

After this tragedy, a community grapples with profound loss and introspection. The vibrant spirit of Magezi Tumuhaise, silenced too soon, serves as a poignant reminder of the fragility of life and the cost of unchecked haste. As his body finds its rest in the solemn confines of the mortuary, a call resounds for unity and dialogue. Community leaders urge their constituents to seek recourse through lawful channels, advocating for the pursuit of amicable solutions over the tumult of unlawful assemblies.

In the wake of devastation, the resilience of the human spirit is tested, and the bonds of community are forged anew amidst the crucible of shared sorrow. May the memory of Magezi Tumuhaise endure as a beacon of hope, guiding us towards a future where understanding and empathy triumph over discord and despair.