Category: Daily Monitor

‘Mia eats only bread and tea. This bothers me. She does not enjoy family meals like other children. I feel she is also missing out on a whole lot of nutrients necessary for her growth,’ says Susan, a mother of a 12-year-old. Susan is not alone in this predicament. Some parents who face similar challenges with their children have described picky eating in a variety of ways: not liking a few foods, limited intake of food, resisting texture or appearance of foods, and resistance to new foods.

Parents have also responded to this picky eating by: requiring the child to try the food, making separate meals, and allowing the child not to eat.

Picky eaters consume an inadequate variety of food through rejection of a substantial amount of foodstuffs that are familiar and unfamiliar. What could cause extreme picky eating among children?

Sensory sensitivities: Some children have intense aversions to certain food textures, smells or flavours. Picky eating, as a medical condition, can sometimes be a symptom of underlying medical issues such as anxiety, ADHD, or gastrointestinal problems. In some cases, persistent picky eating can be linked to developmental difficulties. Also, picky eating could be a result of early feeding difficulties, late introduction of lumpy foods at weaning or pressure to eat.

Consequences of picky eating

Limited food choices can result in low intake of essential vitamins, minerals, and fibre, leading to conditions such as scurvy or constipation. Poor growth and weight issues: Children may fail to maintain expected growth curves, leading to poor weight gain, weight loss, or even stunted growth. Delayed development: Significant nutritional deficiencies can impact overall development. Increased health risks: A compromised immune system from lack of vitamins can lead to more frequent infections and respiratory issues.

Social isolation: Fear or anxiety surrounding food can lead individuals to avoid social events such as birthday parties or school mealtimes, impacting their ability to form relationships and participation in group activities. Family stress: The feeding disorder can create distress and difficulties during mealtimes. Anxiety and psychological impact: For some, there is an underlying anxiety related to food, texture, taste, or past traumatic experiences (such as choking or vomiting), leading to heightened stress around eating.

How to deal with picky eaters

Stay calm, it is a developmental stage: Some studies show that from age two to four years, children can be picky in what they eat. This is attributed to nature’s way of protecting them from eating everything they find, so they become picky. Avoid punishing your child to eat. This can create negative association with food, but rather encourage them through positive reinforcement and allow them to make small choices.

Patrick Muhesi, a paediatric nutritionist, says: ‘Avoid becoming a short-order cook and making a completely different meal for your picky eater. Remain neutral and do not force, scold, or punish them for not eating, as this can create a negative association with food.’ Don’t blame the habit on yourself: It has nothing to do with you, especially when their siblings are eating just fine. Doreen says: ‘I used to blame myself due to my son’s picky eating habits. But, then I noticed that his older siblings were not picky, so I decided to work with him to improve his eating than blaming myself.’

Be patient: Research says it takes eight to 15 times to introduce a new food before your child accepts it. Yet, parents typically offer a food three to five times before deciding their child is never going to like it. It can take many exposures before a child accepts a new food. Be a good role model: Eat with your child as often as possible to model good eating habits and show them how you enjoy a variety of foods. Busy as you may be, spare some family time to enjoy meal times with the children.

Be creative: Pair new or disliked foods with a “safe” food you know your child likes. Avoid snacks too close to mealtimes to prevent them from filling up.

Give small portions to start, and then offer more if they finish. Get your child involved in meal planning, grocery shopping, and cooking to increase their comfort and interest in the food. Let your child choose between two different healthy options to give them a sense of control over their meal.

Ask for help: Severe picky eaters may need extra help from professionals. Prior to age 15, children often are not motivated to change. Picky eating is just a developmental stage that most children go through, but if it persists, seek help from a trained paediatrician.

If Church of Uganda Archbishop Stephen Kaziimba Mugalu is qualified for his job, he certainly knows the African proverb about Wakasanke (a small bird personified), who prays for a fight between two cocks to become fiercer and protracted. The kasanke is eyeing the plumage torn from the warring cocks to feather its nest. The canons who elected Dame Sarah Elisabeth Mullally to be the 106th Primate of All England and Metropolitan Bishop of the Province of Canterbury are a system mostly of men.

Being the first woman in that position in the Anglican Church’s 14 centuries of history is a far bigger deal than Mullally’s liberal views on human sexuality, although the latter, of course, has more sensational value, and a greater capacity to divide people. Naturally, Wakasanke’s kinsmen are watching. Some are even cheerleaders, overtly urging the critics of Bishop Mullally’s appointment to fight Canterbury.

It is not often that senior religious leaders in one Christian denomination advise the leaders in another Christian denomination how to resolve their theological and administrative differences. So, ordinarily, it would be considered indiscreet or audacious for leaders of a questionably defined Pentecostal group to vociferously advise Uganda’s Anglican Archbishop how he should proceed after the developments at Canterbury. But that is exactly what Pastors Joseph Serwadda and Andrew Lugoloobi did at their morning talk show on Impact FM last Sunday, a few days after Mullally’s appointment.

Archbishop Kaziimba and the Global Fellowship of Confessing Anglicans (Gafcon), an outfit most identified with African bishops, were themselves perhaps hasty in responding to Mullally’s elevation, declaring that the Church of England had ‘relinquished its authority to lead’. The bishops correctly recognise that many Africans in and outside the Church are disgusted by same-sex relations. The question is whether to respond to Canterbury with the emotional intensity Kaziimba and Gafcon deploy to satisfy the home base, or to internalise the different cultural settings in which the Anglican Church has been established and over which Canterbury ceremonially presides but does not rule. It is a choice between populism and pragmatism.

Mullally’s elevation from outside the Oxbridge stock and her ideas on morality and spirituality reflect something of the zeitgeist, the tendency of thought in our times. African bishops can show off how holier than Canterbury’s their souls are, or they can commit themselves to finding points of contact and themes encouraging dialogue. When Pentecostals like Serwadda and Lugoloobi urge the Church of Uganda to change its constitution and extend Kaziimba’s reign, or to break all ties with Canterbury and set up something they called ‘reformed’ or ‘charismatic’ as they did on Sunday, they are not talking as allies, but as Wakasanke’s kinsmen.

The so-called reform or charismatic agenda returns Africans to neo-pagan spiritualism, with its emphasis on the power of ancestral spirits, fictitious demons, unintelligible jabbering (tongues), the concoctions of witchcraft and the magical acquisition of wealth. These things add nothing to the depth of Christianity in African minds. The Impact-FM talk show pastors secretly want Uganda’s Anglicanism to descend into the kind of anti-institutional anarchy and cutthroat personal rivalry plaguing Uganda’s Pentecostalism.

If you want, you can wake up tomorrow and build a Pentecostal church and call yourself a bishop even before you are qualified to be ordained a priest. The half-acre of land around your church building is your diocese. Your wife, of course, is the senior pastor serving immediately below you. End of hierarchy. Both of you will hold your positions for life. I greatly doubt whether Kaziimba deserves condemnation to that league.

The week ending saw Uganda mark 30 years of the existence of the 1995 Constitution. In the run-up to the commemoration, a series of events was lined up.

Outgoing Deputy Chief Justice Richard Buteera, while presiding over the launch of the first compendium of public interest litigation cases in Uganda since 1996, decried the non-compliance of court orders, especially by the other two arms of government, the Executive and Legislature.

He cited the Supreme Court’s decision in the Amama Mbabazi vs Yoweri Museveni election petition of 2016, in which the justices proposed 10 recommendations that they believed, if implemented, would greatly improve the electoral process in the country. Some of the recommendations included: extending the filing and determination period of presidential petitions from 30 days to 60, allowing oral testimony in addition to affidavits, increasing the time for fresh elections from 20 days, and enacting a law to regulate the use of technology in elections.

Others were sanction officials who deny equal airtime to candidates on public media, banning campaign donations by all candidates, including the sitting President, to ensure a level playing ground, prohibiting public servants from participating in political campaigns, and enacting the law to include the Attorney General as a respondent in presidential election petitions. But according to Justice Buteera, the other two arms of government have adamantly refused to have most of these recommendations implemented, almost a decade later.

We strongly associate ourselves with the retired jurist’s concerns that court decisions and recommendations shouldn’t be issued in vain. Article 128(3) of the 1995 Constitution demands that all organs of the State must ensure they assist the courts to ensure their effectiveness. Likewise, Article 212(d) demands that the Uganda Police Force cooperates with the civilian authority and other security organs and the general public, a duty which is essential for the administration of justice.

Based on the aforementioned constitutional provisions, all other government institutions, including the Executive and Legislature, should assist the courts in ensuring there is better administration of justice in the country, and more especially around the electoral process. This is because noncompliance with the court orders undermines the powers of the Judiciary and also erodes the general public’s confidence in an institution that is meant to be the last line of defence.

Uganda is currently in the thick of electioneering, and we believe if all the 10 recommendations of the highest court in the land had been implemented, it would have been a big step towards achieving a proper democratic election where a losing candidate would admit to having fairly been beaten.

On a humid afternoon in Nabilatik, the sun hangs high over the semi-arid plains of Karamoja. Inside her homestead, the scent of simmering goat stew mingles with the earthy aroma of freshly harvested vegetables.

As she carefully arranges a plate of millet bread, Anne Risa Maniman Akol speaks with the urgency of someone carrying a heavy vision: ‘Educate a girl, educate a nation,’ she says, her voice firm yet tender.

At 52, Akol has worn many hats; teacher, district education officer, politician, and now farmer, but her deepest identity is that of an advocate for the Karamojong girl child.

Her life’s mission is clear: to break the chains of poverty and cultural norms that have kept generations of girls out of classrooms and trapped in cycles of early marriage and exploitation.

‘Whenever I see a girl pulled out of school to be married off, I see a wasted future,’ she says.

‘If we can keep them in school, we will transform Karamoja.’

Between two worlds

Akol’s story begins in Lotome Sub-county, Napak District, where she was born as the first child of Joshua William Lokiru Akol, a trailblazer who became the first Karamojong graduate and later served as a Member of Parliament for Moroto North during the Obote II era.

But her childhood straddled two very different worlds. Her father worked in Nairobi as the chief traffic manager for the East African Railways and Harbours, which meant that, for much of her early life, she lived in Nairobi’s relative comfort while her mother remained in Lotome. ‘We grew up in luxury in Nairobi,’ she recalls.

‘We would return home on first-class trains loaded with essentials like sugar, salt, soap, and cooking oil, things our neighbours had never seen.’

Back in Karamoja, the contrast was clear as day. While her family valued education, many around them saw schooling for girls as pointless or even dangerous.

‘At the time, people believed taking a girl to school was like breeding her for prostitution,’ Akol explains.

‘Most girls were married off as soon as they reached adolescence.’

Her father’s own story was a rebellion against such norms. Denied education by his parents, he was hidden for two years at a missionary school before emerging as a pioneer for Karamojong education.

Determined to give his children the opportunities he never had, he enrolled all of them in school. Today, the family boasts eight degrees, five master’s, and two PhDs.

‘My father showed me the power of education,’ Akol says.

‘My mother, though uneducated, supported him through her generosity and strong Christian faith. Together, they shaped my belief that education, especially for girls, is the key to development.’

Forging her own path

Akol’s educational journey reflects both privilege and resilience. She attended Lotome Girls Primary School before joining Tororo Girls School, where she studied from 1984 to 1990.

She later earned a Diploma in Secondary Education from NTC Kaliro and a Bachelor’s in Education from Kyambogo University, where she was part of the institution’s pioneer class.

Her thirst for knowledge didn’t stop there. While raising young twins, she enrolled for a Postgraduate Diploma in Public Administration and Management at Uganda Management Institute (UMI), followed by two master’s degrees, one in Public Administration and Management, and another in Educational Planning and Management from Uganda Christian University.

‘There were days I would leave my children crying to attend evening classes, or stay up late preparing for exams after a full day of work,’ she recalls.

‘It was exhausting, but I knew education was my ticket to making a difference.’ That personal struggle became the foundation of her later advocacy.

‘If I could overcome those challenges, then these girls who face even greater barriers deserve every chance to succeed,’ she says.

Akol began her career as a teacher, drawn to the profession partly because it allowed her to stay close to her children.

‘Teaching was the only ‘breathing profession,’ with weekends and holidays that gave me time for my family,’ she says.

But her leadership potential soon pushed her beyond the classroom. In 2003, she was promoted to District Education Officer (DEO) for Napak.

At the time, the district ranked among the lowest in the country for academic performance.

‘When I took office, we were always at the bottom of the Quality Education Index,’ she recalls. ‘By the time I retired, we had risen to 57th nationally. That was one of my proudest achievements.’

The challenges were immense. Cultural attitudes still prioritised bride wealth over books, leading to rampant early marriages and poor school attendance, especially during the planting and harvesting seasons.

‘In some families, girls were seen purely as a source of wealth through marriage. Convincing parents to keep their daughters in school felt like waging a daily battle,’ Akol says.

Systemic problems compounded the situation. Teachers were poorly paid, and delays in salaries often sparked strikes, further disrupting education in an already fragile region.

Joshua Akol School Support Initiative

Determined to create lasting change, Akol launched the Joshua Akol School Support Initiative (JASSI), named after her father. The programme’s goal is simple but ambitious: to produce food to support boarding schools, giving girls a haven where they can complete their studies without being forced into marriage.

‘Boarding schools are essential for Karamoja,’ she insists. ‘They protect girls from parents who might marry them off and ensure they have consistent meals and study time.’

Through JASSI, she hopes to cultivate 2,000 acres of land to supply food to schools. While the Ministry of Education praised the idea, funding has yet to materialise.

‘The Ministry of Karamoja Affairs told me the budget had already been cleared by the outgoing ministers,’ she says with visible frustration.

‘So for now, we’re relying on well-wishers and local support.’ Despite the setbacks, her dream remains alive. If implemented, JASSI could dramatically increase enrollment, reduce dropout rates, and improve literacy across the region.

Reluctant politician

Akol’s advocacy eventually drew her into the political arena. Inspired by her father’s legacy, she believed that serving as a lawmaker would allow her to influence policy directly. In 2015, she made history as the first woman to contest a constituency seat in her county.

Her bold step was met with fierce resistance.

‘My opponents told voters that women couldn’t lead because they squat to urinate,’ she says bitterly.

‘They even claimed that women on their menstrual cycle weren’t fit to sit in Parliament.’

Tribal divisions further complicated her campaigns. Rival groups exploited tensions between the Bokora and Pian communities, spreading fear that her leadership would disrupt the balance of power.

In her most recent election bid, she says, voters were warned that electing her would bring ‘permanent peace’ that would prevent them from reclaiming stolen cattle, a twisted narrative that cost her crucial support.

‘I have been a serious victim of tribalism,’ she says. ‘Politics here isn’t just about ideas, it’s about manipulating people’s fears.’

After three unsuccessful campaigns, Akol remains philosophical. ‘Politics is a dirty game,’ she says. ‘But my fight was never just about me. It was about giving voice to girls and communities who have been silenced for too long.’

Reinventing herself

After retiring from public service, Akol turned her focus to farming, seeing it as both a personal livelihood and a community development tool.

‘Farming keeps me busy and provides immediate returns, unlike a monthly salary,’ she explains.

On her two-acre model farm, she grows vegetables while planning to expand into commercial agriculture next year. Her goal is to create jobs and generate income to support her education initiatives.

‘Uganda is an agricultural country,’ she says.

‘Through commercial farming, families can educate their children and break free from poverty.’

When asked about her hopes for Karamoja, Akol’s eyes light up. She envisions a region transformed by education, peace, and economic opportunity. ‘In 10 years, I want to see a Karamoja that is peaceful, self-reliant, and united,’ she says.

‘With our mineral wealth and fertile land, this region can become Uganda’s economic basket.’ But she is quick to point out the obstacles: illiteracy, resource exploitation by outsiders, unemployment, and divisions among local leaders.

‘Unity among leaders is the stem of peace-building,’ she says. ‘When leaders are divided, communities suffer.’

Her top policy priority? Boarding schools for all Karamojong children. ‘Without boarding schools, we will keep losing our girls to early marriage,’ she warns. ‘If the government adjusted its policy, we would see a dramatic rise in literacy and economic development.’

Lunch, laughter, legacy

As we finish our meal, Akol shares a lighter side of her life. A typical day begins with writing down her ideas for Karamoja’s future, followed by tending to her garden and reading novels, her favourite pastime.

She draws inspiration from leaders like Nelson Mandela and Mwalimu Julius Nyerere, as well as from Maya Angelou’s book I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings.

When asked how she wants to be remembered, her answer is simple yet profound: ‘I want people to remember me as the woman who dared to contest a constituency seat against men, and as someone who never gave up on the dream of educating Karamoja’s girls.’

She pauses, then adds softly, ‘My legacy will be in the girls who finish school, rise to leadership, and transform this region.’

As the sun dips behind the hills, Akol walks us through her vegetable garden, pointing out rows of green shoots that promise future harvests.

It is a fitting metaphor for her life’s work: planting seeds of hope in a region long defined by hardship. Her journey from a privileged girl in Lotome to a relentless advocate for education is a testament to resilience and vision.

And while the road ahead is fraught with cultural, political, and economic challenges, she remains undeterred.

‘These girls are the future of Karamoja,’ she says, her voice resolute. ‘If we educate them, we will end the cycles of violence and poverty. We will build a Karamoja where every child, especially every girl, can dream and achieve.’

Bank of Uganda, the overall kings of the 2024 Annual Bankers Sports Gala, are plotting to defend their ultimate prize by picking valuable points in different sports disciplines at the 2025 edition.

In the CEO Golf Challenge at the Uganda Golf Club, for instance, despite missing out on the men’s gold medal, BoU gathered 138 points-the highest total-to win discipline.

In the men’s category, Stanbic Bank’s Samuel Bulenzi took gold with 42 points, BoU’s Kenneth Egesa took silver with 39 points while Equity Bank’s Peter Sekyanzi settled for bronze with 35 points.

But BoU’s Patience Musiime, of Namulonge Golf Club, stood tallest among the ladies, scoring 34 points. Equity’s Elizabeth Wahito came second with 29 points, while NCBA’s Olivia Nakuya finished third with 28 points.

At the end of the day, the central bank tallied the highest points, followed by Equity with 134 points, and NCBA in third place with 120 points.

In the swimming challenge at Hotel Africana, the 29 banks competed in the men’s and women’s individual races before the men and women teamed up for the mixed relays.

Last year, Ecobank and dfcu won the men’s and women’s swimming races respectively, while Ecobank won the relays.

This year, however, dfcu’s royal blues came in finer form bagging the overall title. Defending champions Eco Bank came second while BoU came third.

Meanwhile, 1885 bankers participated in the fitness challenge which ended Sunday October 5, with over 600 successfully completing the challenge of walking 5,000 steps daily for 30 days, which guarantees them a medal.

Elsewhere, after answering a variety of questions ranging from the world’s longest river to the first rocket to land on the moon, dfcu landed the overall trophy in the quiz challenge. Finance Trust Bank came second, while BoU came third.

This year’s event which climaxes October 19, is jointly organised by the Uganda Institute of Banking and Financial Services (UIBFS), and the Uganda Bankers Association (UBA) under the theme: ‘Beyond the finish line.’

GOLF MEDALLISTS

MEN

Samuel Bulenzi (Stanbic) 42pts

Kenneth Egesa (BoU) 39pts

Peter Sekyanzi (Equity) 35pts

WOMEN

Patience Musiime (BoU) 34pts

Elizabeth Wahito (Equity) 29pts

Olivia Nakuya (NCBA) 28pts

SWIMMING

MEN

1 – Ecobank

2 – dfcu

3- Stanchart

WOMEN

1- Bank of Uganda

2- Ecobank

3- dfcu

RELAYS

1 – dfcu

2 -Bank of Uganda

3- Ecobank

Projections by Stanbic Bank have indicated that East African Community (EAC) trade growth projection is to hit 30 percent in the next five years from the current 11.5 percent.

The projections show that intra-EAC trade is growing twice the size of GDP, which is at 12 percent growth, yet GDP for EAC states is growing at six percent.

‘The growth of trade is being accelerated by mainly tourism across the EAC member countries, mainly among Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and Rwanda and free movement of people,’ the projections show.

It further adds that emphasis on infrastructure development by respective governments in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and Rwanda is fostering tourism inflows. The lender indicates that most of Kenya’s tourists hail from the United States of America (USA).

The number totals 10 percent, followed by Uganda (9.5 percent visitors) and Tanzania (8.4 percent visitors) in that order.

Stanbic Bank projects this will be driven by free movement of services and service suppliers. This aims to help the region increase services trade-within the EAC and beyond-in pursuit of the aims of the EAC Treaty.

Achieving the above calls for a two-pronged approach.

This, for starters, necessitates putting in place enabling framework to address the multitude of different crosscutting and sector-specific regulatory, procedural and business environment obstacles that make it difficult for EAC services firms to do business across the border in other EAC Partner States.

It also, secondly, requires putting in place to support EAC services firms build their productive and export capacity in order to actually make trade in services happen.

Based on this, the strategy is guided by a vision of a globally competitive services sector for equitable and sustainable economic development of the EAC region with a Mission to facilitate an integrated, globally competitive, export-oriented EAC services sector.

The Church of Uganda has acknowledged that its stand on homosexuality and same-sex marriage has led to a significant decline in donor funding. However, the church remains optimistic that God will continue to bless it with supporters who share its mission and vision.

According to Mr Balaam Muheebwa, the acting Church of Uganda Provincial Secretary, the church’s main sources of funding include offertory, thanksgiving, tithe, personal commitments, and donations.

However, donations have greatly dwindled following the donor pull-out triggered by the church’s decision to condemn homosexuality and same-sex marriage.

Despite the decline in donor funding, the Church of Uganda has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Paxtel Telecom, which will guide their partnership and potentially lead to new opportunities.

The Archbishop of the Church of Uganda, the Most Rev. Stephen Samuel Kaziimba Mugalu, described the partnership as a “Kingdom opportunity to transform the lives of God’s people.”

“We treasure the coming of Paxtel Telecom. We are forever grateful,” Mr Muheebwa said amid thunderous applause. The partnership aims to harness the power of technology to serve the community, foster development, and create a more connected and prosperous society.

The Church of Uganda has been vocal about its stance on homosexuality, with Archbishop Kaziimba recently opposing the appointment of Rev. Sarah Mullaly as Archbishop of Canterbury due to her reported support for behaviors that contradict biblical doctrines.

Despite the challenges, the church remains committed to its mission and vision. Mr Muheebwa noted that the church is seeking like-minded partners who can support its work.

“Our stand as Church of Uganda is very clear, and we are not about to compromise that, and we have no apologies,” he said.

The partnership with Paxtel Telecom comes at a time when the church is facing financial challenges, including a decline in offertory collected during services due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The church has to finance various projects, including the pension scheme for retired church leaders and investing in its idle land.

Paxtel Telecom and the Hamilton Telecom family donated Shs50 million to the Church of Uganda to improve the welfare of retired bishops. The company also donated Shs 10 million to the diocese of Karamoja. The chairman of Paxtel Telecom, Mr John Kamya, said the strategic partnership is a shared vision to harness the power of technology and serve the community.

Desire at Dawn, a captivating story that explores themes of resilience, hope, and personal development. It centers on Desire, a stereotypical young girl from a remote Ugandan village, as she embarks on a moving journey of life. It is a choreography of rich storytelling, vivid imagery, and heartfelt portrayal of a girl’s pursuit of her dreams through education and self-empowerment amidst significant obstacles.

Nicholas Bwebare skillfully illustrates the rural landscape with poetic elegance, immersing readers in Desire’s world. This vivid setting not only grounds the story in a tangible reality but also symbolically reflects Desire’s internal journey from a humble background to a new environment of hope and opportunities.

The novel’s character development is another commendable aspect. Desire emerges as a resilient and hopeful protagonist, with her inner strength and vulnerability played against each other. Her journey from adversity to empowerment resonates deeply, inspiring readers with her perseverance, faith, and unwavering belief in her dreams.

The supporting characters-her mother Anna, Claus, Kevin, and others-are portrayed with warmth and depth, embodying themes of support, mentorship, and community. Nicholas’s narrative is rich with moral and educational messages, emphasizing the importance of education, community support, and self-belief. The inclusion of reflective questions and a glossary at the end encourages reader engagement and introspection, transforming the book into both a story and an educational tool. The book’s structure, with detailed chapters exploring various aspects of Desire’s life-her struggles, dreams, setbacks, and triumphs-creates a compelling arc that keeps readers engaged. The emotional depth and honesty foster a strong connection between the reader and Desire’s character.

Weaknesses

While the book excels in its narrative and thematic depth, it occasionally becomes bogged down by excessively detailed descriptions and introspective passages that can decelerate the story’s momentum. For those who favour a brisker plot, certain sections might feel prolonged or repetitive, particularly in the reflective chapters that explore Desire’s internal struggles. Moreover, the novel’s focus on Desire’s inner life and moral lessons can sometimes seem didactic. Although the messages are uplifting, a finer depiction of societal and cultural challenges could have enriched the storylines with greater depth and realism.

For instance, the portrayal of societal expectations and gender roles is somewhat idealized, which, while encouraging, might overlook some of the more profound systemic issues faced by girls and women in similar situations. The book’s extensive use of metaphor and poetic language, though a strength, might render it less accessible to younger or less experienced readers. Some parts could be clearer and more straightforward to engage a broader audience. Lastly, certain plot elements, such as Claus’s support or sponsorship challenges, are depicted with an idealized simplicity. More complex character interactions and conflicts could have added layers of realism, making Desire’s journey even more engaging and relatable to readers.

Conclusion

Desire at Dawn is a beautifully crafted, emotionally resonant novel that celebrates resilience, hope, and the transformative power of education. Its strengths lie in its vivid imagery, authentic characters, and inspiring themes, making it an uplifting read that encourages perseverance and self-belief among readers. While it could benefit from a more balanced pace and nuanced depiction of societal issues, its overall impact is profound. This book is highly recommended for young adults and readers interested in personal growth, social change, and cultural resilience. It serves as both a compelling narrative and a motivational call for readers to pursue their dreams regardless of their circumstances, embodying the timeless truth that hope can dawn even after the longest night.

Book Title: Desire at Dawn

Author: Bwebare Nicholas

Year of Publication: 2025

Price: Shs 20,000

Pages: 104

Author’s contact: 0784786687

In 1937, Chief Ajai of the Madi people stood before his council and made a decision that would echo through generations: to set aside an expanse of land along the Nile for the protection of the white rhinoceros. For the Madi, the rhino was never just another animal. It was their emblem, a symbol of strength, identity, and continuity. Its image was etched into their folklore and culture, representing the greatness of a people whose history is deeply tied to the wild plains of northwestern Uganda.

Chief Ajai foresaw a looming danger; the majestic creatures were being hunted for their horns and meat. By creating a protected sanctuary, he hoped to save them from extinction. But history, as thinker G. Michael Hopf once wrote, moves in cycles: ‘Hard times create strong men, strong men create easy times, easy times create weak men, and weak men create hard times.’

Despite Chief Ajai’s foresight, the Madi people would face their own cycle of hard times. By 1967, the reserve still held 60 rhinos. By 1978, only seven remained. The political upheavals of the 1970s turned Uganda’s wild places into hunting grounds for soldiers and poachers. By 1980, just two rhinos walked the land of the Madi. Within a few years, there were none. Today, four decades later, the Madi people are preparing for an extraordinary homecoming. In December, the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) plans to reintroduce 20 southern white rhinos to the Ajai Wildlife Reserve, a move hailed as a significant cultural and ecological milestone.

The Homecoming

For the people of Madi Okollo District, the return of the rhino is personal. ‘The white rhinoceros is more than an animal,’ says Nights Zahara, the district tourism officer. ‘It is part of our cultural heritage. There are even places named after it, like Rhino Camp. This shows how deeply it is part of our identity.’ The Ajai Wildlife Reserve, covering over 140 square kilometres, is at the heart of this identity. It is a landscape rich with rivers, hills, and history. Zahara says that while the reserve has long been home to species like kob, warthog, and bushbuck, it has always felt incomplete without its signature species.

‘Beyond the rhinos, our district has unique attractions like Ajai Hill, where a Madi forefather is buried, and Onji crater lake,’ she explains. ‘But the rhinos were always the centrepiece. Their return will not only restore the ecosystem but also heal something spiritual for our people.’

Community Expectations

The return of the rhino also brings expectations of development. Zahara says locals are eager to see tangible benefits. ‘The community has high hopes,’ she says. ‘They expect roads to be improved, jobs to be created, and a fair share of tourism revenue to come back to them.’ Infrastructure remains a pressing concern. Currently, access roads are rough, especially during the rainy season. ‘For tourists to come and for the rhinos to be safely transported, the roads must be upgraded,’ Zahara adds.

The community also wants to be directly involved in conservation. ‘People here want to be trained, not just in tourism jobs, but also in financial literacy and wildlife management,’ Zahara explains. ‘They need to understand how to coexist with wildlife and benefit from it.’ For many residents, the reintroduction of the rhino is seen as a second chance, a way to revive both their culture and their economy.

Preparing the Land for Rhinos

According to UWA spokesperson Bashir Hangi, the decision to reintroduce rhinos to Ajai followed a careful feasibility study comparing several potential sites, including Murchison Falls and Kidepo Valley national parks. ‘Ajai ranked as the most suitable location,’ Hangi says. ‘It has the right habitat, strong cultural significance, and support from the local community.’

Preparing the reserve has been a massive undertaking. ‘We are building a secure sanctuary with an intelligence fence, ranger outposts, and water systems,’ he explains. ‘Rhinos are highly vulnerable to poaching, so security must be extremely tight.’ Hangi emphasises that local support has been vital. ‘We have compensated community members for crops inside the reserve to address past encroachments,’ he says. ‘The leaders here understand that the rhino is their cultural symbol, and they’ve been very supportive.’

A Carefully Orchestrated Move

Dr. James Musinguzi, UWA’s executive director, says the translocation will be part of a larger 10-year national rhino strategy. ‘At Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, we currently have 48 rhinos,’ Musinguzi explains. ‘The population there has grown so much that they now need additional space. Moving 20 to Ajai is essential not only for tourism but also for genetic diversity to prevent inbreeding.’

The relocation will involve meticulous planning. ‘We are manipulating the habitat at Ajai to ensure there is enough food and water,’ he says. ‘Rhinos like to wallow in mud to cool themselves, so water reticulation is a priority.’ Musinguzi likens the move to a gift to the nation. ‘Our goal is to complete the critical infrastructure by December so that the rhinos can be moved as a ‘Christmas gift’ to Ugandans,’ he says.

Global Support

The effort to restore Uganda’s rhino population has attracted international attention. H.E. Lisa Chesney, the UK High Commissioner to Uganda, visited Ziwa to see the progress firsthand. ‘What has impressed me most is the deep connection between the rangers, the community, and conservation efforts,’ Chesney says. ‘It’s not just about protecting rhinos, it’s about creating jobs and ensuring that nature looks after people.’

She adds that the UK has been a long-term conservation partner with Uganda. ‘For over 30 years, we’ve supported projects that combat illegal wildlife trade and promote biodiversity,’ she explains. ‘Conservation done well also boosts tourism and economic growth.’ Chesney says she plans to return on September 22, World Rhino Day, to participate in UWA’s ‘Name and Save the Rhino’ campaign. ‘It’s not just a symbolic gesture,’ she says. ‘It’s a way to sustainably fund conservation and raise awareness about why rhinos matter for Uganda’s development.’

The Name and Save the Rhino Campaign

Juliana Kagwa, CEO of the Uganda Tourism Board (UTB), says the upcoming campaign will be a celebration of progress and possibility. ‘We’ve multiplied the rhino population from six to 48 at Ziwa,’ Kagwa says proudly. ‘Now we have 17 baby rhinos that need names, and this campaign will help us raise funds to relocate them to Ajai.’

The event, to be held on World Rhino Day, will bring together government officials, private partners, and international stakeholders. President Yoweri Museveni is expected to preside over the ceremony. ‘This isn’t just about conservation,’ Kagwa emphasises. ‘It’s about marketing Uganda to the world. We want everyone to see that our conservation efforts are world-class and that Uganda is a premier destination for responsible tourism.’

A Future Beyond Ajai

While the December move will focus on Ajai, UWA has broader ambitions. Dr. Musinguzi says that future phases of the strategy will include reintroducing rhinos to Kidepo Valley and Murchison Falls National Parks. ‘Our vision is to have thriving rhino populations across Uganda,’ he says. ‘This will diversify our tourism products and create new opportunities for communities.’ For the Madi people, however, the immediate focus is on their own reserve. Zahara believes the return of the rhino will inspire pride and unity. ‘This is about more than tourism,’ she says. ‘It’s about healing a wound that has been open for decades.’

Investing in Security

Challenges Ahead: Despite the optimism, challenges remain. Hangi notes that improving the road network is critical. ‘Rhinos are sensitive animals, and a rough journey could harm them,’ he warns. ‘We’re working closely with the Ministry of Works to ensure safe transportation.’ Poaching is another concern. Dr. Musinguzi says UWA is investing heavily in security and community engagement to prevent past mistakes. ‘Conservation must be community-driven,’ he stresses. ‘If the local people see benefits, they will become the first line of defence.’ Chesney agrees, pointing out that awareness must start young. ‘Education is vital,’ she says. ‘When children understand why conservation matters, they grow up to be stewards of the land.’

Various partners affirm that farmers can adapt to an unpredictable climate through Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) technologies, offering a vital lifeline to Uganda’s smallholder farmers facing erratic weather, floods, and droughts. Insights from stakeholder engagements highlight that their collective efforts strongly signal a resounding ‘yes’ to the question of whether farmers can adapt underscoring collaboration and innovation as the driving forces to ensure farmers not only survive but also thrive amid climate change.

Adapting to an unpredictable climate

For smallholder farmers, who typically cultivate just enough land to support their households, climate change poses a significant threat. During an interview Joshua Okonya, the programme officer, technology and innovation at ASARECA, emphasised that while natural disasters like floods cannot be prevented, farmers can adapt. “You cannot stop the floods or God from coming, but they will be able to manipulate the environment and be able to survive, not only to survive, but to thrive,” he said.

Through initiatives like the Accelerating Impacts of CGIAR Climate Research for Africa (AICCRA) project, ASARECA is working with farmers in adopting CSA practices, focusing on soil health, water conservation, and increasing crop productivity. For instance, promoting drought tolerant maize varieties like Narrow Bin 6 in districts ensures high-yielding, early maturing crops suited to local conditions, boosting adoption and resilience. Beatrice N. Luzobe, Chief Executive Officer of UFAAS, highlighted practical CSA successes. During a recent visit to Zimbabwe, she observed farmers using improved pasture management, planting forage in pits enriched with manure and recycled water.

“The whole of Zimbabwe was dry, but in these places, it was like it had been raining all the time,” she noted. These practices allow farmers to produce during harsh dry seasons, helping them withstand climate shocks like droughts. Luzobe stressed that CSA equips farmers to sustain agriculture year-round, enabling them to adapt to and overcome environmental challenges. ‘The farmers need to be able to sustain their agriculture in and out of season, given any other shock, they will be able to do it’ she added

Collaboration as the Cornerstone of Change

This engagement underscored the power of collaboration in scaling CSA technologies. Okonya noted the enthusiasm of diverse partners government institutions, research organizations like the National Agricultural Research Organisation (NARO), NGOs, private companies, youth, women’s organizations, and universities uniting to combat climate change. “We cannot beat climate change when we work alone,” he said. By pooling limited resources, including funds and technical expertise, these groups aim to deliver effective solutions to farmers. The agreement to work together marks a significant step, likened by Okonya to “going to our league now,” ensuring a unified approach to promoting proven technologies. Daisy Atukunda, Government Relations Lead at One Acre Fund, emphasized the need to make innovations accessible to the smallholder farmers who feed the nation.

“It’s one thing to be innovative, but it’s another for your technology to be applicable,” she said. Operating in regions like Jinja, Mukono, and Mubende, One Acre Fund focuses on soil health, erosion control, and water retention, while distributing over 2.1 million trees for agroforestry since 2021. Their work with high-value crops like macadamia and coffee further boosts farmers’ incomes. Atukunda highlighted new partnerships formed during the event, such as with a tomato factory seeking supply, which could enable their 46,000 farmers to access new markets by growing crops in previously unsuitable areas.

A Vision for a Resilient Future

CSA technologies promise more than survival they offer a path to prosperity. Okonya stressed that farmers are investors seeking a return on investment. By promoting verified technologies, stakeholders ensure farmers increase productivity and secure surplus income to support healthier families and better soils.

Atukunda’s team is exploring follow-up partnerships to bring innovations like irrigation systems and fertilizer blends to farmers, ensuring practicality and impact. Luzobe believes that if farmers embrace these practices, climate change could cease to be an insurmountable problem.

“Humans learn how to survive,” she said, noting that adversity drives adoption of resilient practices. With various partners and farmer groups uniting under initiatives like AICCRA, the question remains: can the widespread adoption of CSA technologies secure the future of farming? The answer lies in continued collaboration, ensuring that innovations reach smallholder farmers’ fields, empowering them to feed their communities and the nation, no matter the climate challenges ahead.

Joint Collaboration

Through initiatives like the Accelerating Impacts of CGIAR Climate Research for Africa (AICCRA) project, ASARECA is working with farmers in adopting CSA practices, focusing on soil health, water conservation, and increasing crop productivity.

For instance, promoting drought tolerant maize varieties like Narrow Bin 6 in districts ensures high-yielding, early maturing crops suited to local conditions, boosting adoption and resilience.