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In early 2012, Raila Odinga and Uganda’s President Museveni held a meeting at the former Kenyan prime minister’s home in Kisumu, where they conceived an idea that later came to be known as the Coalition of the Willing (CoW), a breakaway effort of the East African Community (EAC) that would set the tone for the region’s integration – something he did not live to execute, as the presidency eluded him. As the Mwai Kibaki presidency was coming to an end, in the influential Kenyan PM – then seen as a potential president – Museveni sought an ally to drive the Community’s push towards a political federation – even if it meant risking alienating Tanzania and jeopardising Kampala’s relations with Dodoma.

But Museveni also had personal stuff to get off his chest. He had had frosty relations with Odinga after Kenya’s 2007 presidential election whose result caused violence that shook the region, and needed a sit-down to mend their relationship. The desire to smooth things over and thrash out the breakaway confederation was the underlying reason for Museveni’s February 18, 2012 trip to Kisumu, at the invitation of Odinga to launch and fundraise for the Great Lakes University’s Kisumu Education Trust, according to Michael Mukula, a long-time friend of Odinga and ruling party ideologue in Uganda, who spoke to The East African.

In 2010, Mr Mukula, then eastern region chair of Uganda’s ruling National Resistance Movement, brokered the first meeting between Odinga and Museveni, and was involved in subsequent meetings between the two, including the Kisumu CoW talks. According to Mr Mukula, the discussions centred on testing the idea of whether the comprehensive approach the EAC was using to establish a political federation, agreed upon by all member states, would work. The doubts of the two leaders were based on the overly cautious approach shown by some member states such as Tanzania, towards expediting processes that would lead to the fourth and last pillar of integration. The EAC members at the time were Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda and Burundi.

‘If Uganda and Kenya, along with one or two more countries, step forward to initiate the political federation, especially after the elections in Kenya, it would gain momentum,’ Mr Mukula recalled. Odinga and Museveni discussed a lean federation under the principle of variable geometry, allowing countries to cooperate at different speeds, but only if the political federation protocol had been signed. Experts warned not only about the practical difficulties of achieving it but also the negative perception it would send to other member countries, as it would go against the Treaty that establishes the Community.

Moreover, the move would not augur well, considering that Uganda remained one of the poorest implementers of the Customs Union Protocol, and would thus be seen as jumping the gun; this, along with the continued existence of non-tariff barriers in other partner states, would breed a state of dissonance. At the time, Yona Kanyomozi, a former member of the East African Legislative Assembly, said the CoW was an approach President Museveni favoured and had pushed at other forums, borrowing from the United States, whose federation began with only 13 of the current 50 states and the District of Columbia. The Ugandan leader had made this comparison while responding to the report of the 2004 Amos Wako Committee, instituted to study public views and perceptions towards fast-tracking political federation.

Bad blood Museveni rankled Odinga in 2007, when he became the first president to congratulate Mwai Kibaki on an election that Odinga said had been rigged, and which a majority of people had disputed, including Samuel Kivuitu, the head of the electoral commission, who said he did not know who won. When deadly post-election violence broke out in December 2007 and early 2008, unconfirmed reports claimed that Uganda had sent troops across the border. Later in 2009, Museveni was reported to have referred to the Luo, Raila’s tribesmen, in unpalatable language, when some people vandalised the Kenya-Uganda railway line in expression of fury about Uganda.

As fate would have it, Odinga lost the presidential race to Uhuru Kenyatta in 2012, and with it, the initiative to be the co-driver of the lean federation. In June 2013, Kenyatta, Museveni and Rwanda’s Paul Kagame made public what had been crafted by Odinga and Museveni. The three countries are yet to evolve into a political federation, but have undertaken integration projects considered crucial to economic growth, infrastructure improvement, trade facilitation and cooperation.

Silence engulfed the hotel hall in Kampala as Supreme Court Justice Mike Chibita launched his book on facing loss, death, and grief.

In his 183-page book, the Justice of the highest court in the land explains what happens when leaders face loss as a result of death.

Core to the book, Justice Chibita recounts his personal experience in which he encountered numerous deaths in his immediate family and among his colleagues, which saw him go from being born fifth to being elevated to firstborn after his elder siblings all died.

The feelings of sorrow and bad memories of the dead hit the hotel hall on October 16 when the invited panel members recounted the death experience of their dear ones.

One such recollection was that of High Court Judge David Makumbi.

His story was that he lost his wife, Dr Carolyne Peris Makumbi, to metastatic cancer of the liver, a condition she battled for five years, though earlier she had also suffered from breast cancer.

‘. Then, my prayer changed because I was saying to God, For me, I’m accepting your will; whichever way you decide, whether you want her around or you are taking her, I’m surrendering to your will. One thing that I’m asking you is if she is going, don’t let her go in despair,’ Justice Makumbi recounted his ordeal he faced while his wife lay helpless on her hospital bed.

‘One of the greatest leadership challenges I had to face was 48 hours before she died, my late wife was a doctor, and there was no sugarcoating for her; she knew everything that was happening to her and because she had said it was too much (the pain), I called the doctor and consulted and given the persona she was very lively outgoing, ‘I told her it’s ok’ to mean its ok for her to go,’ Justice Makumbi said.

He added that after his wife died, the next challenge was how to explain to his son why his mother, who had gone to the hospital, hadn’t returned.

The other panelists of the night were a couple, Richard and Joyce Wandawa, whose son committed suicide after he developed mental challenges.

Ms Wandawa, while recounting the nature of death that her son succumbed to, broke down emotionally and was only consoled by her husband, who was beside her.

Former Finance Minister Ezra Suruma, who was the chief guest, applauded Justice Chibita for writing such a book that ‘touches everyone.’

‘Your life will not be the same when these words become real to you that you are not just a physical person, but a spiritual person and spirituality in its eternity,’ Dr Suruma said.

He added: ‘Don’t concentrate on bread and butter, but concentrate on eternal life. Die for God’s sake, and you will be at peace because, clearly, death is coming. I’m not threatening, but I’m just quoting.’

The other topics that Justice Chibita discusses in his book include; Opportunity to Grieve, Universal Grief and the Luxury to Grieve, We love, We laugh, We Grieve-It’s Just Another Emotion, Grieving the Missing Part, You are Never Ready for a Mother’s death, African explain death-Witchcraft, Grieving the Finality of death, Farewell and Funerals, So, When do Leaders Grieve, and Hope.

Mutumba,13, loves video games, football, and stays up late watching YouTube. School? Well, that comes second-maybe even third. As his final Primary Six exams approached, he kept saying, ‘I will study tomorrow.’ But tomorrow always turned into another tomorrow. When his teacher, Ms Kasumba, handed out the exam timetable, Mutumba stuffed it into his bag.

The week before exams, Mutumba’s neighbour, Shanita, asked him, ‘Hey, have you revised Science yet?’ she asked. ‘No, not yet,’ Mutumba replied casually. ‘I will cram the notes this week before we start on Monday. I always manage, you know.’ This time, things were different.

On Monday, the first paper-Math-hit him like a tonne of bricks. He stared blankly at the questions. Numbers and formulas danced in his head, but nothing made sense. His stomach churned. The next few days were worse: Science was a mess, English rushed, and History, he left half the script blank. That Friday, Mutumba came home quietly. His mother noticed. ‘What’s wrong, Mutumba?’ she asked.

‘I think I messed up. all of it,’ he mumbled. ‘I didn’t study. I thought I could handle it.’ His mother sat beside him and said, ‘Everyone makes mistakes. What matters is what you do next. The task now is to prepare for Primary Leaving Exams next year.’ As I write, Senior Four candidates have already sat their first paper.

Primary Leaving Exams start in November. For those in primary and secondary school, exams can be a source of challenges and stress. As a parent, you play a vital role in supporting and preparing your child to face them with confidence. Try these strategies

Establish a study routine

A consistent schedule helps them understand that studying is a part of their daily responsibilities, not a last-minute rush. With your child to create a timetable that balances study with breaks, meals, physical activity, and sleep. Start early with revision and break down the syllabus into manageable chunks.

Mutumba’s mother met Ms Kasumba together with Mutumba and they designed a plan and structure for his reading. They set up a simple study routine: 30 minutes of focused study each evening, with short breaks. Mutumba’s father helped with Maths problems, and his mother quizzed him on vocabulary while making supper.

Ms Kasumba checked in weekly, giving him small goals and encouraging words. Slowly, Mutumba understood how it works. His grades went up, but more importantly, so did his confidence.

Create a conducive environment

A quiet, well-lit, and organised study space can significantly enhance a child’s ability to concentrate. Remove distractions such as TV, phones, and excessive noise.

Keep necessary materials such as textbooks, stationery, and notes within reach. When children have a designated study area, they are more likely to associate that space with focus and productivity.

Use active learning techniques

Different children have different learning styles. Some are visual learners, others prefer reading, and some learn better through discussion or writing.

Encourage your child to use active revision methods such as summarising notes, using flashcards, drawing mind maps, teaching the material to someone else, or solving past exam papers. These methods enhance understanding and long-term memory.

Monitor progress, no pressure

Regularly checking your child’s progress helps identify areas that need improvement. However, it is important to avoid putting unnecessary pressure on them. Instead of focusing solely on marks, emphasise effort, understanding, and gradual improvement. Praise and encouragement boost self-esteem and motivate children.

Promote healthy habits

Ensure your child gets adequate sleep, eats nutritious meals, stays hydrated, and engages in physical activities. Lack of sleep and poor diet can lead to fatigue, irritability, and reduced concentration. Regular breaks during study time help refresh the mind and prevent burnout.

Teach stress management

Exams can be a source of anxiety for many children. I had a friend at university who would suffer panic attacks during exams. Teach your child simple stress-relief techniques such as deep breathing, focusing on inspirational Bible verses aka meditation, or talking about their worries. Remind them that exams are just one part of life and that doing their best is more important than being perfect. Being emotionally available and patient can help your child feel safe and supported.

So, there was a little storm brewing in the cup with a young nephew aged 11 years! He was born in Greece with a Greek father and a Persian mother, so with both cultures in his background, the boy combines two great dynasties in his family tree portfolio.

It also happens that he is doing very well in school. Besides his excellent academic performance, he is active in sports, traditional Greek dancing and martial arts.

So, having high grades has qualified him for a very interesting role that we do not see enough in schools world over. Moreover, schools have become international and very difficult to associate with just one nationality.

His role is to hold the Greek flag during a parade organised by the school, while marching through the main streets of towns and villages.

One such occasion coming up is on October 28, on which day in 1940, Italy demanded that Greece allows Axis troops to enter Greece, but the then Prime Minister Ioannis Metaxas, said ‘No’ and this created a huge sense of national pride as a symbol of resistance to Mussolini’s ultimatum, the day is now called the Ohi (OXI) day, which means ‘No’ in Greek.

For two consecutive years, my young nephew had the opportunity to hold the flag in front to his school parade and in his young mind, it was clear that everyone appreciated him for being an excellent student. Of course, this brought joy to his parents’ and grandparents’ hearts. However, as success path is not always rosy and smooth.

This year, there were new students who joined the school and the administrators decided to have a lottery between the four best ones, and my nephew lost. Hell broke loose! Of course, it took a lot of counselling to make him understand that it is okay not to be always at the forefront and that sharing with other deserving people is good for everyone. At the end of the day, it all worked out.

He was reminded by his best mentor, his grandmother, that it is not such ranks that make a real difference in his life, but being at the forefront in rendering service to his community that really counts.

Also, having a mother that is always involved in activities and charities that benefit the whole community, his young soul had the best example just in front of him.

In fact in a recent yearly campaign for cancer awareness week, he was actively participating as a volunteer alongside his mother, helping in raising funds that are earmarked for buying hospital equipment to help cancer patients. He was even interviewed by the local radio station as one of the youngest volunteers in this year’s campaign.

As a member of the Baha’i Faith, I grew up reading and learning by heart this quote by Bahá’u’lláh, the Prophet founder of the Baha’i Faith, where he says ‘It is not for him to pride himself who loveth his own country, but rather for him who loveth the whole world. The earth is but one country, and mankind its citizens’.

Of course, this does not negate our love for our countries; on the contrary, it merges love with the love for the whole world. Indeed Earth is one country and we are all its citizens.

Perhaps, Deus Muhumuza’s lowest moment in his glorious career as Cricket Cranes’ all-rounder came in 2017.

It wasn’t on tour but rather on home soil in a match against Canada at the Lugogo Oval during the ICC World Cricket League Division Three championship.

With Uganda fielding first, Muhumuza dropped Rizwan Cheema on three runs and the Pakistani-born player ended up a match-winning half-ton of 91 runs off 44 balls including 10 sixes and three boundaries.

The 66-run defeat got the hosts on a perfect relegation route in that tournament. ‘It hurt. As a trusted boundary patrol fielder, I let my team down,’ said Muhumuza about that pricey error.

‘It was a tough experience but there were more tasks ahead and I never played with a limbo mentality,’ said the man now in charge of coaching the senior national women’s cricket team – the Victoria Pearls.

Now eight years later, Muhumuza and Cheema will meet again in Lugogo on Monday morning, both as coaches as their countries Uganda and Canada face-off in T20 International matches of the Victoria Series over the next week.

Of course, revenge innately should Muhumuza to guide his charges that are attempting to recover from a recently failed ICC Twenty20 Africa World Cup Qualifier in Namibia early last month.

However, it won’t be about the emotions of 2017. ‘?It’s going to be a great opportunity to discuss ways to support our young players’ growth and development. As coaches, our focus is on creating an environment where they can showcase their skills and reach their full potential,’ Muhumuza said of his meeting with Cheema.

Muhumuza and his assistant Brian Masaba expect consistently in the partnerships atop the batting order from Esther Iloku, skipper Janet Mbabazi, Immaculate Nakisuyi, Rita Musamali and Stephanie Nampiina.

With the ball, Sarah Akiteng should have learnt a thing or two more about her pace variation before any impact from overs by Musamali and Nampiina is needed. Newcomers Sarah Tino, Jimia Mohammed and Teddy Oyella will want to stand up and be counted too.

For Cheema, it is an opportunity to grow his team, which is ranked 31st by ICC, 13 places below Uganda. ‘Playing in Uganda will challenge our team in new conditions and help us grow as a unit. It’s an exciting opportunity for player development and team building,’ he said.

Canada has played 21 T20Is in six years with 11 wins and 10 defeats, often facing Brazil, Argentina or the USA. The North Americans have now embarked on a tour of Africa with Tanzania their next stop, all in a bid to grow.

Canada, who promise to host Uganda in similar engagements in the future, arrived on Saturday and skipper Amarpal Kaur who bats at three, will hope they can rely on openers Achini Perera and Indomatie Goordial-John for runs.

Unlike Uganda, this is going to be Canada’s first T20I match since March and they as well trust that the bowling lines of right-arm medium fast Vandana Mahajan and off-break pairing of Terisha Lavia and Kaur are tidy.

CANADA WOMEN’S TOUR OF UGANDA

VICTORIA T20 BILATERAL SERIES

MONDAY AT LUGOGO (10AM)

1st T20I: Uganda Women vs. Canada Women

VICTORIA PEARLS SQUAD: Janet Mbabazi (C), Esther Iloku, Immaculate Nakisuyi, Rita Musamali, Stephanie Nampiina, Proscovia Alako, Kevin Awino, Consy Aweko, Sarah Tino, Sarah Akiteng, Naome Amongin, Kevin Amuge, Jimia Mohammed, Teddy Oyella

One day, when the NRM leaves state power, in its wake will be a Uganda that is almost beyond repair or rebooting. On the face of it, the NRM has achieved impressive results, for example, in increasing the number of enrolled children in school from the primary to secondary level. There are more than 30 universities in the country, spread across all four main regions. It’s only when one goes beneath appearances and scratches on the surface that one realises that all this is a half-baked affair.

A whole generation of Ugandans has grown up on sub-standard education. Most can’t get the spelling and punctuation right in a single sentence, both in English and their own languages. Less than 40 percent of university graduates can write a formal application letter. Not many LCI chairpersons in the country can do so.

Poor customer care is one of the most frustrating daily experiences for Ugandans. The only immediate and medium-term solution, as far as I can tell, is artificial intelligence (AI).

Figures from the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) indicate that the number of smartphone handsets in the country as of 2024 was 18.2 million.

If true, this is more than is required to be put to use to rescue this unfortunate country. A concerted effort involving all kinds and levels of leadership must be made toward this goal. Ugandans must be made to see that there’s more to a smartphone than being used for sports betting and watching short videos on TikTok.

AI software and apps, in effect, turn every smartphone into a premium handset in the same league as Apple’s iPhones and Samsung’s Galaxy series.

Internet search engines like Yahoo!, AltaVista, and Lycos in the late 1990s did so much to fill in the gap left by the decline and eventual disappearance of public libraries in the main towns. They also plastered over the numerous incompetencies of civil service and Local Government offices. The search engine Google, in the mid-2000s, completed and improved upon this desperately-needed informational service. However, even with information retrieved online, one still had to turn it into school homework and university coursework, website content and government reports, and here the inadequacy of the Ugandan workforce was revealed.

Low-hanging fruit that AI can handle at the lowest level of Ugandan society includes such things as drafting application letters or letters of introduction.

It can do spellchecking (although even if this were all it did, it would be such a crucial contribution to Uganda). At a more advanced level, AI can help area politicians, such as MPs and District chairpersons, write development plans or do basic research. Hundreds of thousands of school-age Ugandan children have been left to their own devices in UPE schools, in which they simply stand no chance of ever competing with children from the more expensive private schools.

Furthermore, AI can help the tens of thousands of small businesses research the market for their products and services.

One is left heartbroken to see so many small businesses across the country struggle in markets they have no accurate information on, and for which just a little business research could help them more efficiently find customers. In our many rural or peri-urban government health centres with their unmotivated doctors and nurses, AI can increase their access to up-to-date medical information to the same level as the leading private hospitals in Kampala. The Ugandan news media, itself, could do with five times more AI than it currently uses. Over the last five years, the media has lost much of its self-confidence as audiences migrate in droves to social media platforms.

Ironies of AI

As I’ve mentioned on social media, one of the ironies of AI is to return to traditional media and other established names as the main sources of material for systems like Google’s Gemini, Microsoft’s Copilot, and OpenAI’s ChatGPT. Because of its erratic and unedited nature, social media is the least reliable source of reference material for the AI chatbots. For all the many weaknesses of traditional media, at least some basic editing, fact-checking, and legal consultation are done before content is aired or printed, giving established media a much better score on reliability than social media.

If the over-abused idea of holding workshops and seminars can be rehabilitated, this would be the one time the country could do with workshops. As I noted here at the start of the 2026 General Election campaign season, not one of the presidential candidates or ruling and Opposition parties is discussing AI in any shape or form.

This alone indicates that there is little hope for a better Uganda, regardless of the outcome of the 2026 General Election. The more one travels through or thinks about Uganda’s many districts, with their skeletal staffing and resources, and the poor rural population that suffers daily under these conditions, the more one sees AI not just as a fancy toy for tech nerds, but a vital force multiplier in a society and economy such as is Uganda. AI, if put to use, will be the tool that smelts the huge pile of Ugandan manpower ore and turns it into bars of copper.

AI is Uganda’s last remaining hope.