Category: Daily Monitor

As Gender, Labour and Social Development Minister Betty Amongi prepares to relocate her political base to Lira City, attention has now shifted to Oyam County South, where eight aspirants have expressed interest in replacing her ahead of the 2026 General Election.

Among the hopefuls is Ms Queen Dorothy Amolo, an entrepreneur-turned-politician who came second to Ms Amongi in the 2021 parliamentary elections. This time, she says, she is more prepared and confident that her community development record and strong grassroots support will propel her to victory.

In the 2021 race, Ms Amongi, running under the Uganda People’s Congress (UPC), won with 27,024 votes, while Ms Amolo, then an Independent, came second with 14,883 votes. Other candidates included Patrick Obong (NRM) with 5,504 votes, Ishaa Otto Amiza (Independent) with 1,205, Willy Odongo (Independent) with 1,032, Bernard Awuko (Independent) with 358, Alfred Okech (FDC) with 140, and Godfrey Odong (Independent) with 125.

With Ms Amongi turning her focus to Lira City, where she intends to challenge Health Minister Jane Ruth Aceng for the Woman MP seat, the Oyam South race is wide open.

Those vying for the position include Ms Amolo (Ind), Mr Geoffrey Okullu (People’s Front for Freedom), Mr Ishaa Otto Amiza (NUP), Mr Patrick Ogwang Obura (NRM), Dr Anthony Obuku (Independent), Mr Bernard Awuku (Independent), Mr Geoffrey Owili (UPC), and Mr Patrick Ogwang (Independent).

‘Failure made me who I am’

Speaking recently during a homecoming event in Oyam, Ms Amolo reflected on her past political experiences and her resolve to keep trying.

‘When I contested in 2011, I was so broke. I had no penny, no bicycle, no income. I was just a girl from the university determined to lead,’ she recalled. ‘I campaigned with the help of those who had money, and even though I didn’t win, I came second. That contest made me who I am today.’

She added: ‘Failure is the ultimate key to success. Each time I failed, I learned something new. If I hadn’t stood then, I would probably be someone’s housewife. Those experiences made me who I am today.’

Ms Amolo said that while she had the time but lacked resources in 2011, the opposite was true in 2021.

‘You remember I joined the race just two weeks before elections, when others had been campaigning for months,’ she said. ‘I came on December 23, and the election was on January 12. But I am a force to reckon with. From that election, I became the queen of Oyam.’

She said her focus now is on education, health, infrastructure, and trade, adding that she plans to leverage her international networks to attract investment to the area.

Ms Amolo has already spearheaded the rehabilitation of a 17-kilometre community access road connecting Juma Parish to Zambia Parish, which she says has improved transport for farmers and school-going children.

The return of old faces

Former MP Ishaa Otto Amiza, who represented Oyam South between 2007 and 2011, is also in the race. He says his past achievements make him the right candidate to reclaim the seat.

‘I supported the construction of boreholes and springs, organised education conferences to improve PLE performance, and secured funds to rehabilitate schools,’ he said. ‘I stood firm against oppressive legislation like the Wildlife Act and the Land Amendment Bill.’

Independent candidate Dr Anthony Obuku, a public health specialist, said Oyam remains one of Uganda’s most underserved areas.

‘I will improve access to clean and safe water by drilling 100 more wells and provide 1,000 computers to schools,’ Dr Obuku said. ‘I also plan to attract investors for factories in soybeans, alcohol, and sunflower, and support semi-mechanized farming with affordable credit.’

NRM’s Patrick Ogwang Obura said he intends to ‘turn voters’ trust into transformation,’ focusing on education, healthcare, infrastructure, and economic empowerment.

Former parliamentary staffer Mr Geoffrey Owili (UPC) said his campaign will centre on inclusive development for youth, women, teachers, and older persons. ‘These groups deserve improved service delivery,’ he said, citing livelihood projects he has already initiated in the constituency.

Key issues shaping the race

Analysts say the creation of Aber District, accountability, and service delivery will be central issues influencing voter decisions in Oyam South. The area registered 92,887 voters in the 2021 General Election, and competition is expected to intensify as 2026 approaches.

With Ms Amongi gone, the race for Oyam South promises to be one of the most closely watched contests in northern Uganda.

The Islamic Solidarity Games are of significance to Ugandan swimming.

It is where Uganda won its first and only international swimming medal – through Kirabo Namutebi’s women’s 50m freestyle silver at the 2022 edition in Konya, Turkey.

Namutebi is not part of the squad at the 2025 edition in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia but her brother Tendo Mukalazi travelled to the Games alongside Gloria Muzito, Jesse Ssengonzi, and Tara Naluwoza Kisawuzi. They will be looking to make the semifinals and finals of the events they entered.

The swimmers are using the chance to try out events they do not usually do. Mukalazi who usually does 50m and 100m freestyle will add the 50m backstroke and breaststroke.

Ssengonzi and Kisawuzi who usually do 50m and 100m butterfly will add the 50m and 100m freestyle too while Muzito will had 200m freestyle to her 50m and 100m.

“We are trying a few different things to keep happy but also focused,” coach Tonnie Kasujja said from the Games Village in Riyadh.

“The athletes have been encouraged to try out something different to challenge the status quo. However, we are also excited that they took on the challenge and we expect that the performances will be really good,” he added.

Islamic Solidarity Games

Swimming Heats Schedule

Saturday

50m free: Muzito, Kisawuzi, Tendo, Ssengonzi

50m fly: Kisawuzi, Ssengonzi

Monday

100m free: Muzito, Kisawuzi, Tendo, Ssengonzi

Tuesday

50m back, breast: Tendo

100m fly: Kisawuzi, Ssengonzi

200m free: Muzito

They say a picture is worth a thousand words but in El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur, the images speak of unspeakable horror.

Over the past few weeks, satellite photos and shaky cell-phone videos have revealed the scale of massacres unfolding in Sudan’s western region, with bodies strewn across streets, neighbourhoods burned to the ground, and terrified families fleeing yet again into the desert.

On social media, the hashtag #KeepEyesOnSudan was trending at some point, a desperate plea from activists and aid workers trying to force the world to notice. But the truth is grimly simple: the world does see, and yet it does nothing.

In October 2025, the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), successors to the Janjaweed militias that terrorised Darfur two decades ago, stormed El Fasher, the Sudanese army’s last major stronghold in the region. The city became a death trap.

According to reports from the United Nations and the Red Cross, more than 260,000 civilians were trapped without food, water, or medical care. Hospitals were shelled, markets were razed and witnesses described men being separated from women and children, then executed.

Earlier this year, RSF attacks on displacement camps in Zamzam and Abu Shouk killed over 100 people, including more than 20 children and nine aid workers. What is happening is not collateral damage, it is the deliberate destruction of a people, the systematic targeting of ethnic communities whose only crime is existing in the ‘wrong place”.

The international response has been as predictable as it is pitiful. The African Union (AU) and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (Igad), regional bodies that should be leading peace efforts, have issued statements, convened meetings, and proposed ‘dialogues,’ but little else. The United Nations has passed resolutions, deployed envoys, and released carefully worded condemnations. Western powers have expressed ‘grave concern,’ as though concern were a currency that could buy the Sudanese even a loaf of bread. Meanwhile, the killing continues, because those with guns understand that the world’s outrage is mostly noise. Sudan today is not just a failed state, it is a test of the world’s moral spine, and we are failing spectacularly.

This is, without exaggeration, one of the worst humanitarian crises of the 21st Century. More than 10 million people have been displaced since fighting broke out between the RSF and Sudan’s regular army in April 2023. Entire cities have been emptied.

Famine looms in regions once known for their fertile farmlands. Aid convoys are blocked, looted, or bombed.

Humanitarian workers are killed in the line of duty. And yet Sudan barely breaks into international headlines unless a particularly gruesome video makes the algorithmic rounds. The silence is deafening, not the silence of ignorance, but of willful indifference.

It is easy to blame ‘complex geopolitics’ for the paralysis. But complexity is no excuse for inaction. The real problem is a toxic blend of impotence and moral laziness.

The global community has developed a remarkable ability to look busy while doing nothing.

We draft statements, commission inquiries, and announce ‘road maps’ that lead nowhere.

The RSF and its backers in foreign capitals know this script by heart, and they play it expertly.

The cost is measured not in diplomatic communiqués but in human lives, children dying of hunger in makeshift camps, women assaulted in the name of war, men buried in mass graves outside their own homes.

If ever there was a moment for collective conscience, this is it. How can we claim to be God’s children, or even simply decent human beings, while watching this horror unfold before our eyes? The blood of the innocent cries out for mercy and justice, and it cries out to a world too distracted to listen.

It is not enough to ‘keep eyes on Sudan.’ Eyes that see but hands that do nothing are useless.

What is needed now is action: open humanitarian corridors into El Fasher and other besieged areas; enforce real arms embargoes on the RSF and those financing it; support international investigations into war crimes; and deploy regional peacekeepers with clear civilian protection mandates. Words have had their turn, now it is time for deeds.

This is not a distant conflict between rival generals; it is a moral emergency that demands the world’s attention and courage. When history asks what we did as Darfur burned again, our answer cannot be ‘we watched.’

Our silence, our apathy, and our delay will stand as accomplices to the crime. The people of Sudan deserve more than our sympathy, they deserve our solidarity, our outrage, and our action.

The horror show continues, but it doesn’t have to. The world can still decide that Sudan’s story will not end in ashes.

A 27-year-old businessman has been remanded to Luzira Prison on multiple charges of forgery and uttering false documents, including a letter purportedly authored by President Museveni.

Nicholus Male, a resident of Nazibwa Zone, Lubowa Ward in Makindye Ssabagabo Municipality, Wakiso District, on Thursday (November 6) appeared before Buganda Road Court in Kampala presided over by Chief Magistrate Ronald Kayizzi and pleaded not guilty.

The state prosecution led by Ms Viola Tusingwire informed court that investigations into the case are still ongoing.

Asked by the magistrate if he had sureties, Male’s lawyer said he had, but their documents had not yet been uploaded on the Electronic Court Case Management Information System (ECCMIS) as required before court proceedings. The court then remanded Male until November 17, 2025, when his bail application will be heard.

‘Since the documents have not yet been uploaded, the accused is remanded until November 17 for hearing of his bail application,’ Magistrate Kayizzi ruled.

Male faces four counts under the Penal Code Act, including one of forgery and three of uttering false documents.

According to the charge sheet, a copy of which was seen by this reporter, on August 15, 2025, in Kampala City, Male allegedly forged a letter addressed to the Minister of Works and Transport, purportedly authored by the President of the Republic of Uganda. The prosecution contends that the accused made the false document ‘with intent to defraud or deceive’ the recipient.

In the second count, the prosecution alleges that on September 18, 2025, at the Ministry of Works and Transport on Old Port Bell Road, Male ‘knowingly and fraudulently uttered a false document, the same letter allegedly bearing the President’s name and signature.

The third count states that on the same day, September 18, 2025, Male knowingly and fraudulently uttered the same forged letter at the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs along Parliament Avenue.

The final count accuses Male of uttering the forged document at the offices of Nation Oil Distributors Limited in Ndeba, Kampala, on September 18, 2025.

He was charged under sections 319, 324, and 328 of the Penal Code Act, which provide for the offences of forgery and uttering false documents.

The details of Male’s letters are yet to be made public. However, a source at State House said one of the forged letters claimed that Mr Museveni, 81, had instructed the Minister of Works and Transport to renew the contract of Nations Oil Distributors Limited (NODL) to continue managing MV Kalangala for another 15 years, a false assertion.

NODL, a Ugandan company that primarily operates maritime services on Lake Victoria, manages ferries like the MV Kalangala and the new MV Rafiki.

The source in the State House Anti-Corruption Unit further said Male had earlier presented himself to the Director of NODL, claiming that he worked with the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) and knew several senior government officials, and that he could assist in securing the renewal of the MV Kalangala management contract.

The charge sheet describes Male as a businessman but does not specify what kind of business he deals in.

If convicted, Male will spend up to a maximum of three years in prison for forgery and at most seven years for the offence of uttering false documents.

Former Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) Executive Director Ms Dorothy Kisaka has launched a new poverty eradication campaign in Busoga Sub-region, aimed at empowering communities to improve household incomes and reduce dependence on handouts.

Speaking during the launch of the ‘NEYENDEIRE’ initiative at Elohim Primary School in Kiyinikibi Zone, Bugiri Municipality, on November 4, Ms Kisaka said the project seeks to tackle poverty from the grassroots by promoting practical, income-generating activities and mindset change.

‘I have visited every district in Busoga, and the biggest challenge is that local leaders have not mobilized people to get involved in productive ventures,’ she said. ‘Through NEYENDEIRE, we want to change that mindset and promote self-reliance.’

She explained that the project will focus on three pillars, economic empowerment, health, and hygiene, noting that poor health practices have a direct link to poverty.

‘Many families spend most of their income treating preventable diseases. If we improve hygiene and promote good health, people will be stronger and able to focus on improving their livelihoods,’ Ms Kisaka said.

The NEYENDEIRE initiative will encourage families to embrace vegetable farming, both for nutrition and income generation, as a way of diversifying household sources of food and revenue.

‘Vegetables are not only a source of food security but also vital in fighting malnutrition, especially among children and the elderly,’ she added.

Under the program, over 2,000 households will be sensitized to become model homes, showcasing best practices in sanitation, sustainable agriculture, and small-scale entrepreneurship.

Ms Kisaka said the long-term goal is to reach 4,700 villages across Busoga in partnership with government agencies and development partners.

‘As NEYENDEIRE, we are working closely with the government to ensure Busoga becomes one of the most transformed regions in Uganda,’ she said.

According to Ms Hadija Bagye, the project’s vice chairperson, the initiative will place a strong emphasis on empowering women.

‘This project mainly targets women because they play a key role in driving household transformation. We are seeking both political and community support to ensure its success,’ Ms Bagye said.

Statistics from the Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS) show that Busoga remains the poorest sub-region in Uganda, largely due to over-reliance on sugarcane farming and limited economic diversification.

Through NEYENDEIRE, Ms Kisaka hopes to shift communities toward a more diversified and self-sustaining rural economy.

I have been seeing my boyfriend for two years, and everything seemed ideal until his best friend came between us. She has been part of his life much longer than I have, and although I have tried to accept their friendship, her attitude towards me has been openly hostile. She constantly messages him behind my back, pointing out my flaws and criticising how I treat him. He insists they are just friends and trusts me completely, but I can feel the tension whenever she is around. Last week, I found messages where she was trying to plant seeds of doubt, telling him I am ‘changing him’ and that he is ‘not himself anymore.’ I do not want to sound insecure or controlling, but this situation is eating me up inside. I love him deeply, yet I am beginning to resent the presence of someone who clearly does not want to see us happy. How do I approach this without pushing him away or making it seem like I am jealous of their friendship? Nakato

Dear Nakato,

This situation sounds both frustrating and disappointing, and, understandably, you are feeling this way. A third party with no boundaries, especially one who fails to respect your current relationship, can easily cause emotional pain and make you feel excluded or unwanted. It is even more difficult when your boyfriend seems unaware of the hostility directed toward you because his long history of friendship with her blinds him from noticing how her actions are affecting you.

Start on a lighter note by having a private conversation with your boyfriend when neither of you is angry, defensive, or rushed. Choose a calm moment when you can both talk openly. Begin by reaffirming your love and commitment to the relationship. Let him know that you recognise and respect his long-term friendship with her. You can say something like, ‘I know how important she is to you, and that is why it is not easy for me to bring this up.’ Express that this conversation comes from a place of love and not jealousy. Then, gently explain how their current interaction makes you feel uncomfortable and how it has been affecting your emotional well-being.

Shift the focus of the conversation from her to ‘us.’ This helps your boyfriend see the issue as one that affects your relationship as a couple rather than a personal conflict between you and his friend.

By doing this, you create an opportunity for teamwork and understanding instead of defensiveness. You can then request that he establishes healthy boundaries that allow both of you the space to grow together without unnecessary interference from a third party.

It is important to frame this request respectfully; avoid setting harsh ultimatums such as ‘If you do not stop talking to her, I will leave.’ Instead, calmly explain the behaviours that hurt you and suggest practical solutions. For instance, you could ask that if she brings up negative discussions about you, he should calmly change the subject or discourage such conversations.

This approach teaches his friend to respect you while also showing that he values your relationship. Remember, her disrespect towards you continues only if he allows it; when he listens or even adds to her derogatory remarks, it reinforces her behaviour.

Be very clear about what you want him to know. Use specific examples of the compromising situations or interactions that make you uncomfortable. This helps him understand exactly where boundaries are needed.

After your conversation, observe how things change. If he agrees to set boundaries and you notice improvements, such as reduced tension or increased respect, consider it a positive step for your relationship. You will have created a healthier space for both of you to connect and grow. However, if his friend’s behaviour remains unchanged and he continues to dismiss or trivialise your feelings, it may be a sign that your relationship is not a priority for him. In that case, it might be time to carefully evaluate the relationship and make a decision about your next step.

Ultimately, a healthy relationship thrives on mutual respect and emotional safety. If your boyfriend values your feelings and takes steps to protect your space as a couple, it will strengthen your bond and build deeper trust. However, if he continues to ignore your concerns, it may be a sign to reconsider whether the relationship is truly meeting your emotional needs and offering the respect you deserve.

Reader Advice

Give him space

Rosie Prince. Excuse yourself and give him space to sort things out. If he becomes ready to commit and offers you clear, undivided attention, you can reengage. Do not compete for his affection or lower your standards; trying to win him despite unclear intentions will likely cost you dignity and the relationship.

Do not compete

Praise Alex. Step back and give them breathing room; observe their behaviour without pressuring or monitoring. Space reveals priorities and intentions. If he values the relationship, he will act to clarify and commit. If he remains distant or indecisive, accept that his actions reflect his choice, and protect your heart accordingly. Always.

Set your boundaries

Joshua Kirungi. Address the rival calmly and directly; state your intentions and boundaries without insults. If she is pursuing marriage, make your expectations clear so there is no confusion. Put the decision back to the man: ask him to choose and commit or step away. Early clarity prevents prolonged heartache and wasted time.

Communicate clearly

Benon Mugisha. Communicate clearly and respectfully. Tell him exactly what you want and deserve. If he hesitates or avoids commitment, do not plead; step aside and observe. A serious man will clarify his intentions quickly. Uncertainty only breeds heartache. Confidence in yourself will attract the kind of love you deserve.

Protect your heart

Davis Okello. When someone hesitates between you and another, they have already made a silent decision. Do not fight to stay where you are tolerated. Step away gracefully, regain your focus, and keep your dignity. The right person will not confuse you; they will choose you without second thoughts.

Talk to friends, mentors

Grace Nansubuga. Talk to trusted friends or mentors who will give you honest advice, not just comfort. Sometimes we ignore red flags because of feelings. Listen to your instincts. If he is still undecided, let him go. Real love does not hide behind mixed signals or uncertainty; it shows through commitment and consistency.

Be wise with your time

Irene Mbabazi. If he cannot commit now, he probably will not later. Do not pause your dreams waiting for his decision. Move forward gracefully. The right partner will meet you halfway, not make you stand still in confusion. Freedom from emotional games is real happiness.

Focus on your happiness

Cecilia Namutebi. Focus on yourself; your peace, goals, and confidence. If he truly wants you, he will come back willingly. But if he chooses another, let him go. This is better than wasting your love on someone who doubts it.

Hello Paul, I am often confused as to whether use of AC (Cold/Hot Air) consumes a lot of fuel. Or should I open the window screen in order to save fuel. Which is which? Angela

Hello Angela, using your car’s air conditioning (AC) while driving does increase fuel consumption because the system places an additional load on the engine. It is always a trade-off between comfort and fuel economy, and the choice depends on individual preferences.

Opening your car windows instead of using the AC can help improve fuel economy, but only to a point.

When driving at speeds above 50 km/h, the strong air entering the cabin creates drag (wind resistance), which in turn increases the engine’s workload and reduces fuel efficiency.

To minimise this effect, it’s best to open your windows only slightly when driving at higher speeds.

Many modern cars are equipped with an Eco Mode that balances AC use and other power demands to maintain maximum efficiency.

This feature allows you to stay comfortable without significantly compromising fuel economy.

Check if your car has an Eco or Econo mode and make use of it for better performance and fuel savings.

River Agago has burst its banks following heavy rains, causing flooding that has displaced hundreds of people, destroyed properties, and crippled transport and trade across several parts of Agago and Pader districts.

In Agago District, River Agago burst its banks last week around Patongo Town Council, submerging roads and washing away homes and crop fields. The flooding has displaced families whose grass-thatched houses were destroyed, while the vital Patongo-Lukole-Kalongo road remains impassable.

Ms Susan Akot Moro, the Agago deputy resident district commissioner, said the floods would only subside after the persistent downpours ease. ‘The river burst its banks and blocked roads, forcing people to wade through the waters. It has disrupted transport, business, health, and education services in the area,’ she said.

The Agago Bridge, which connects Patongo and Adilang sub-counties, has also been submerged. By Tuesday afternoon, major routes linking Adilang, Lukole, Patongo, and Kalongo remained cut off. According to Ms Moro, several culverts on feeder roads have been washed away, isolating communities in Adilang, Parabongo, Kalongo, Lukole, Ajali, and Lira Kato sub-counties.

Mr Mohamed Okwir, the chairperson of Adilang Sub-county, said an assessment was underway to determine the extent of the damage, noting that hundreds of acres of crops were underwater. ‘We are assessing all four parishes-Labwa, Nam, Lapyem, and Lukoga-to establish the full damage. Many houses have been washed away, livestock have died, and properties have been destroyed,’ he said.

Maize and sunflower, key crops in the area, are the most affected. Mr Okwir said the Adilang-Abim road had also been cut off at Amita Bridge, with Lapyem Parish being the most devastated. ‘Many houses were washed away in Namodiyo, Namabili, Labwa, Omugo, and Lela-Kagere villages. Vehicles cannot pass these feeder roads anymore,’ he said.

In neighbouring sub-counties such as Lira Kato, Lira Palwo, Lamiyo, Parabongo, and Lukole, residents have resorted to digging trenches around their homes to redirect water away from their compounds. In Pacer Village, Parabongo Sub-county, more than 100 houses were destroyed last week. Mr Maurencio Okot, a resident, attributed the recurring floods to the flat terrain of the area. ‘We have lost livestock, cassava, maize, beans, and simsim. The floods have persisted for weeks, and we expect more disasters this November before the dry season begins,’ he said.

Political activities have not been spared either. When National Unity Platform (NUP) presidential candidate Robert Kyagulanyi, aka Bobi Wine, ended his campaigns in East Acholi last Saturday, he expressed frustration after spending nearly five hours stuck in the mud near Lira-Kato Sub-county while returning to Kampala. By Monday afternoon, the Pajule-Acholibur road, linking Kitgum Town to Lira City, was impassable, with several vehicles, including trucks, stuck for three days near Pajule Ginnery in Pader District.

Mr Tonny Olanya Olenge, an independent candidate for Aruu North County, warned that the situation could disrupt election campaigns. ‘Most village and parish roads in Pajule and Acholibur are impassable. Businesses are struggling because the Kitgum-Lira road is in its worst state. Things will worsen as campaigns begin,’ he said.

In Pajule Sub-county, the worst-hit areas include Ociga West, Pongdwongo East, Ociga East, Lupara, Bungalela West, and parts of Oryang and Otok parishes.

Mr Philip Adonga Obalim, the district secretary for education in Pader, said many teachers at Kibong Primary School in Paiula Sub-county were displaced after floods submerged their homes and classrooms.

‘The situation is worsening. Without urgent intervention, restoring learning will be difficult in the coming weeks because the rains show no sign of stopping,’ he warned. Transport costs have also soared. Mr Robert Ocira, the secretary of Pader Traders Association, said transport fares between Pader and Lira had risen from Shs20,000 to Shs30,000.

‘The flooded roads have caused fuel consumption to increase, and vehicles are frequently stuck. Traders and travellers now spend nights on the road when vehicles break down,’ he said. According to Mr Ocira, many traders have lost goods to accidents. ‘Some vehicles overturn, others sleep on the road, and goods spoil. We don’t know when the rains will stop,’ he added.

At 34, Zohran Kwame Mamdani could be New York City’s youngest mayor since 1892. But 18 years ago, he was the youngest reporter in the Daily Monitor newsroom. Zohran, as he preferred to be known, was born in Africa – Nsambya, Kampala, Uganda, in 1991.

In 2007, Zohran walked into the Monitor newsroom at the tender age of 15, not necessarily to become a journalist, but ‘trying to find himself out,’ as then-chief sports editor Mark Namanya recalls.

He had studied in South Africa and the United States, where his family lived at the time, before returning to his birthplace in 2003 at age 12. His debut in journalism, or writing, came nearly three years before he graduated from the Bronx High School of Science in Kingsbridge Heights, New York, in 2010. He earned his bachelor’s degree in 2014.

Thanks to his father’s connection with the newsroom, Zohran bypassed the conventional intern entry route, but he made sure his time counted.

According to our archives, his byline appears in sports articles from August 2007 and July 2008, many of which received notable prominence.

He mostly wrote about football – or soccer, as most New Yorkers call it. His first story was a multi-sport report titled ‘utl sponsors World University Games team,’ published on August 1, 2007. It was a solo effort ahead of the Games in Thailand and hinted at the team’s inadequate government funding.

The story appeared just below a Uganda Cranes article and Mark Ssali’s legendary ‘Mark My Word’ column, one of the most-read features of the time.

Zohran’s piece got attention. His August 3 story announced Sports Betting Africa, Uganda’s first professional betting house. Some of Zohran’s stories were event-based, others follow-ups. But most importantly, they appeared regularly: between August 1 and 7, his byline appeared four times.

You don’t know what that means to an intern, much less a 15-year-old. Perhaps Zohran’s excitement didn’t hit the ceiling, given his father Mahmood Mamdani is a renowned academic, author, and global opinion leader, and his mother Mira Nair is a celebrated filmmaker. August 7, Zohran combined with Eden Kironde for the story: ‘Kipsiro clinches UTL-Uspa Award for month of July.’ Moses Kipsiro had recently won 5000m gold at the All-Africa.

Games in Algiers and the sports press gave him 565 votes, 120 more than badminton ace Edwin Ekiring. Express FC captain Badru

Kiyega got 315 votes. Kipsiro would soon win bronze at the World Championship in Osaka, Japan. Every writer hopes their stories are backed by photos – it lends visibility and importance. Most of Zohran’s stories had that. That suggests a good relationship with editors, potential, and to some extent, luck. Zohran may have fused all three. Many of his stories were collaborations with experienced reporters, some of whom are now US citizens like him, or immigrants. That’s how good writers are groomed.

The August 4, 2007 story ‘GTV unveils Shs8.3b 5-year sponsorship’ may have been his first back-page article, co-written with Douglas Bugingo and Lambert Rusoke. He shared another back page with Yasser Kalyango: ‘Csaba still Cranes coach – Mulindwa,’ published July 16, 2008, amid speculation that Laszlo Csaba was set to join Hearts of Midlothian in the Scottish Premier League.

On the same page, Zohran hit a double, co-authoring another story with Innocent Ndawula, who would later become arguably Uganda’s best cricket reporter. (Ndawula, who still reports with this paper, recalls Zohran playing cricket with Nile Cricket Club in Uganda.) Together, they broke the story about Micho’s interest in succeeding Csaba as Cranes coach.

Two days later, the Zohran-Kalyango duo returned with ‘Fufa hands coach Csaba ultimatum,’ reporting that the Hungarian coach had ‘absconded’ duty and signed a more lucrative contract with Hearts. Fufa’s threats, however, were likely pretentious. Csaba relocated to Edinburgh. On July 19, 2008, just days before the Beijing Olympics, Zohran wrote an update: ‘Dstv upgrades Olympic coverage to 24 hours.’

On July 22, Zohran and Ismail Dhakaba Kigongo co-authored ‘Obua’s ascent,’ detailing striker David Obua’s historic transfer to Hearts, reuniting with former Cranes manager Csaba. You may not see Zohran’s handwriting in that one, but he was included because of his recent reports on Csaba and the Cranes. That’s how you motivate rising stars.

Consistency is key to any journalist’s growth. On July 23, Zohran and Kalyango returned with ‘Csaba refutes Fufa claims.’ Fufa was demanding Shs330m ($200,000) from Csaba for walking out on his contract. But Csaba responded via The Scotsman newspaper, accusing Fufa of repeatedly failing ‘to meet its bargain of the contract.’

He even claimed that Fufa president Lawrence Mulindwa had blessed his move, saying: ‘Okay, if you want to go, we can’t keep you. We don’t want to cut your career, you’ve done a very good job here and after negotiations you can go to Hearts.’ That may have been Zohran’s final article for the Monitor sports desk during his two stints as a fledgling writer. He was too young to write features, but his precocious storytelling hinted at the orator who, 18 years later, would persuade New York voters to discard their biases and cast a history-making ballot.

Police in Jinja District have arrested a 48-year-old man accused of repeatedly raping women as they returned home from work at night.

The suspect, a mandazi hawker and resident of Wanyange Lake in Budhumbuli-Bugembe, Jinja City, has allegedly been terrorizing women in the area for some time.

According to police, most of his victims had previously feared reporting the assaults due to his threats to kill anyone who exposed him.

Kiira Regional Police Spokesperson, Mr James Mubi, confirmed the arrest, explaining that the suspect’s latest victim was attacked on her way home.

‘The suspect threatened to kill the victim if she refused to sleep with him. After he committed the act, she gathered courage and reported the incident to police,’ Mr Mubi said.

He added that the suspect is believed to have assaulted several other women in the same area.

“Some victims reportedly chose to remain silent to protect their identities, as they personally knew the assailant.”

Police have protected the identity of the latest victim, who has appealed to any other women who may have suffered similar attacks to report to Kakira Police Station and help pin the suspect.

Police reaffirmed their commitment to combating gender-based violence and protecting victims of sexual assault through the prompt arrest of perpetrators, speedy case handling, and community sensitisation.