As we continue in true direction to the inertness of the reflux, the roller coaster elections in Uganda, the serious contradictions that embody our governance and politics continue to be hampered.
Dear reader, let’s take a look at some instances that should question why we are overly yoked in the incumbent regime of control. This is not about whether you are blood red for the power of people or withered yellow in a timber bath, but how to achieve Uganda that works in all Ugandan.
On April 6, 28-year-old Officer Suleiman Kemonge was deployed to the burial of 48-year-old Lazarokahangia in a village in Ivanda district. A few hours later, Kemonge was dead even before Kahangia’s burial.
Faced with accusations of attempted murder (over a land dispute that ended in a physical conflict according to the Daily Monitor), Kahangia died on April 4 in a prison in the ibanda district. News of his end-of-mise during remand sparked anger and doubt within his community.
On April 7, services at the Ugandan prison revealed posthumous death that showed Kahangia died of illness (Rober pneumonia and anemia), adding that he had been weak since the start of his incarceration. Inevitably for Kemongen, when he fulfilled his duties at Kahangia’s burial, he finds himself in a hostile and suspicious crowd.
Videos of mobs chasing him as he fires into the air and tries to scare them are painful. You can see the inevitable nature of being hunted like a pest as creeping escalations, trickles of people chasing the kemon grow into mobs.
Given the rage and doubt surrounding the circumstances of Kahangia’s death, many netizens correctly questioned why the police sent lonely kemons on such a deadly mission. Investigating the events that led to the murder of Kemonges, police revealed that Kemon was deployed along with another officer, but that only Kemonges had been buried.
Admiration has shown that police are also investigating their own professional behavior to identify lapses that may have sent Kemon to such violent ends. Within days of Kemonges’ death, police reported that at least 40 people had been arrested at the time of his death.
Again, this deserves praise for the police working so quickly to book the perpetrators. Still, where is this efficiency lies for the Julius Shemwaka family? On December 23rd, Ssemwaka, the truck driver, was on his way to deliver Jerrycans to his client. High gear was the celebration season. Ssemwaka probably enjoyed spending several days relaxing with family and friends over the gorgeous feasts scattered across Ugandan households during Christmas.
Are you sad? On that fateful day, the season of celebration became a brutal end to Ssemwaka and his loved ones with the stuffed animal Nakasero in Kampala. The Nile Post reported that police officer Charles Bahti, who was on top of a police patrol vehicle, shot and killed Ssemwaka after the truck driver failed to give way to the police vehicle.
The witness, Boda Boda Rider, known as Kasim Kasumba, told Daily Monitor that Bahati was not alone in the police patrol vehicle. Therefore, when I revisit this tragic killing, I often wonder about the fellow police officers in Bahati who were with that day.
What went through their hearts as the indicted and armed Bahati jumped out of the police vehicle and confronted the unarmed civilian ssemwaka? Kasumba said the other officers tried to calm Semwaka but failed.
Today, Ssemwaka’s family is still waiting for justice over 120 days later (daily monitor columnist Nicholas Sengoba faithfully maintains the tally). Bahati is still running. Perhaps we should all become police officers to ensure efficiency and that all life is important. To be fair, the police are working hard. But for who?
On April 28, the Opposition National Unified Platform (NUP) was to launch a campaign to encourage young people to participate in the 2026 elections by holding a protest vote. Well, it went south soon.
Police responded by surrounding the royal party headquarters. Police previously warned that they would not allow the NUP to hold events “to maintain public order.”
Police notifications posted to X on their social media accounts did not bother citing laws that uphold the directive. Why does illegality require legality? Dear reader, if you missed it, on April 24, the National Resistance Movement (NRM) launched the 2026 NRM Campaign Slogan through the National Chairman (ONC) led by the ruling party, Hajat Hadiya Namiyaro Uzeye/Chief Muzkul.
The launch of the slogan, “To the best, the M7 is the best” (yes, that’s the slogan – we listen, we won’t judge) was among many fanfares as young people from universities around Uganda swore to support President Yaberi Museveni, the presidential candidate for NRM.
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Supporters appeared everywhere, showing cheerful vitality, hanging out from moving cars decorated with dances, ulcers and Museveni posters. It was the perfect day for NRM camp. This is because it is a luxurious immunity for the incumbent ruling party. They have been partying whenever they like since 1986.
There was no police or chock-full security deployed “to maintain public order.” No one has disappeared and tortured, just like it became a calling card for young NUP members.
Dear reader, we will return to the beginning. This should not be reduced to the political colour that sends your patriotism race. Fight yourself for Uganda, for Uganda, for functioning for all Ugandans. Settle in Uganda, the “best.”
*****
Olivia nalubwama is “Tayaad Muzukulu, tired of mediocrity and immunity” at smugmountain@gmail.com
This article was first published in the Observer
