Category: Daily Monitor

Christopher Okello Onyum raised the defence of insanity when he was indicted for the murder of four infants, whom he hacked to death on April 2, at the Ggaba Early Childhood Development Centre. During the trial, Okello did not deny killing the children, but stated that he did not act intentionally or deliberately. He stated that although he had been examined and declared mentally sane, he had an undetected mental illness which caused him to kill.

During the trial, Okello stated that he was under the control of some people whom he occasionally called friends and that between January and March, he entered an especially distressing period because he was being watched by some people who were watching him, making many demands of him, and threatening to kill him, and they were following him closely. They began demanding money from him, and he noticed that they were capable of doing harm to him. As a result, he left the Bunga neighbourhood where he was staying and started sleeping on the streets.

He added that he tried several things to end the challenges he was facing, including fleeing the country, attempting to rob a bank and attempting to kill his brother’s family. He invited the court not to honour the murder charges against him because there were circumstances that forced him to kill the children. He further told the court that the people who were carrying out surveillance on him influenced his actions on April 2. Okello, in a nutshell, raised the defence of insanity.

A psychiatrist who examined Okello on April 7 noted that he had a history of past mental illness and was treated between 2016 and 2025 for schizophrenia associated with both auditory and visual hallucinations. He killed his two to three-year-old in 2016 or 2017, reportedly to save him from the troubles of this world. He also attempted suicide in 2023. The doctor noted that Okello was a sickle cell patient on treatment. To the doctor, the findings were suggestive of a mental condition with psychotic episodes.

The murders that Okello committed had the hallmarks of crimes of insanity. The killings were senseless, bizarre, ghostly and

gruesome; he slaughtered four infants for no apparent reason. Neither the children nor their parents were known to him. He killed the children in broad daylight for all to see, and made no attempt to hide the evidence. He acted alone and had no accomplices. He showed no remorse at the time of his arrest and at his trial. In fact, he was often seen chuckling during the trial.

Psychopathy or psychopathic personality is a recently recognised mental disorder and is characterised by impaired empathy and remorse, persistent antisocial behaviour, along with bold, disinhibited and egocentric traits. The psychopath has an inclination to violence and psychological manipulation, impulsivity and narcissism. These traits are often masked by superficial charm and immunity to stress, which create an outward appearance of normality.

The law states that a person is not criminally responsible for an act or omission if, at the time of doing the act or making the omission, the person, through any disease affecting his or her mind, is incapable of understanding what he or she is doing or of knowing that he or she ought not to do the act or omission. A person is not criminally responsible for an act or omission if at the time of doing the act or making the omission, he or she, as a result of any disease, was incapacitated to understand what he or she was doing or omitted to do. However, on the other hand, one will be held liable if that disease does not, in fact, incapacitate the person from understanding what they are doing. It is a rule of universal application that a man cannot be condemned if it is proved that at the time of the offence, he was not a master of the offence.

For the defence of insanity to stand, the defence must show that the accused person did not really understand his or her actions or know that his or her actions were wrong. The defence of insanity is twofold. First, an insane person does not have control over his or her conduct. This is similar to a person who is hypnotised or sleepwalking. Secondly, an insane person does not have the ability to form a criminal intent. Without the ability to control conduct or the understanding that conduct is evil or wrong by society’s standards, an insane person presumably will commit crimes again and again.

The test of insanity in law is the McNaughten Rule, which requires that the following three tests be proved: that an individual suffers from a defect of reason, that the defect was caused by a disease of the mind, and that, as a result, the person does not know the nature and quality of the act or that it is wrong. The unsoundness of mind must relate to the time of the offence, and the inquiry must be in relation to the mental state of the accused person at the time of the alleged offence as distinct from his mental condition at the time of trial.

The defence of insanity seeks to do away with an essential requirement of malice aforethought, which is an ingredient of murder that must be proved beyond reasonable doubt. It seeks to prove that the accused person did not have the intention to cause death or did not have the knowledge that such an act or omission would cause death.

In law, however, every person is presumed to be of sound mind, and to have been of sound mind at any time which comes in question, until the contrary is proved. The presumption of sanity, therefore, puts the burden on anyone who claims insanity as a defence. The person must prove that he or she was not in the right mental state at the time of the act or omission. When insanity is advanced by the defence, the burden of proof is on the defence, although it is not a heavy one. It is not required that this must be proved beyond reasonable doubt, but must satisfy the preponderance of the probabilities; it must establish the probability of what is sought to be proved.

The onus was on the court to establish whether Okello was suffering from the disease of the mind at the time he hacked the children to death, and whether the disease of the mind rendered him incapable of knowing the nature and quality of his actions and whether he knew or did not know that what he was doing was wrong by reason of that disease of the mind.

REASONING

The defence of insanity seeks to do away with an essential requirement of malice aforethought, which is an ingredient of murder that must be proved beyond reasonable doubt.

Condoleezza Nakazibwe tested her readiness for the Commonwealth Games at the May 29-31 Kenya Aquatics National Swimming Championships in Nairobi, Kenya.

The para-swimmer, who lost her lower left arm in a motor accident in 2019, showed strength and resilience by taking part in eight individual long course events and three relays for her club Gators.

The Kasarani competition came in just under three months since she competed at the World Para Swimming Series in Lignano Sabbiadoro, Italy in March where her performance secured a bipartite slot to the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland.

‘The competition was very involving and competitive,’ the 13 year old who competed against physically able colleagues in Kasarani and kept within range of her best times in various events, said.

‘I believe after this competition that I am in the right place to give my best in Glasgow. The competition has given me a way to set my times and cut them,’ she added.

Coach Muzafaru Muwanguzi intends to give her every opportunity to learn and grow.

‘Condoleezza is still a little girl and she is still learning a lot. We need to set our goals right for the Commonwealth Games because she is competing in a really competitive class (S9),’ Muwanguzi said.

Nakazibwe, who competed in the 12-13 age group in Kasarani, also shared that she is now a brand ambassador for swimming wear manufacturers Taupoc.

‘Being a brand ambassador of something is not a small deal. It is a nice opportunity that I have taken on and Taupoc will help me push myself to higher limits. I love the colours of the costume and this has boosted my confidence,’ she added.

Individually, Nakazibwe competed in the 200m IM (3:19.89), 200m (3:35.13) and 50m (41.48) butterfly, 200m (4:07.62) and 50m (52.30) breaststroke, 50m backstroke (45.48), plus the 100m (1:21.68) and 50m (35.38) freestyle races.

She also combined with Carissa Komugisha, Berekiah Lutaaya, and Noel Ateesa as they finished third behind Dolphins and Imara in their age group’s mixed; 4x50m freestyle (2:11.04), 4x50m medley (2:32.44), and 4x100m medley relay (5:47.92) relays.

‘We are okay with how we performed because we brought a young team and also gave an opportunity to some of the swimmers that have not travelled to compete at this level.

‘As a club, we are chasing sustainability – how we can perform without some of our best and senior swimmers. To a larger extent we are happy with what we have seen,’ Muwanguzi said about Gators general performance that saw them finish fourth overall with 133.5 points among 81 clubs. They also had five gold, 14 silver, and 10 bronze medals.

A section of taxi drivers on the Kalangala-Masaka route have suspended operations over new guidelines they say will cut daily earnings and inconvenience passengers traveling from the island district to the mainland.

The disputed guidelines were adopted during a meeting of commuter taxi operators in Masaka City on May 30, 2026. Drivers agreed each vehicle would operate only four days a week. The meeting also resolved that only two taxis from Kalangala would be allowed to work daily, down from four, and that morning operating hours would end at 8:00am instead of 11:00am.

A timetable reflecting the changes was drafted and circulated to ferry operators at Bugoma Landing Site in Kalangala and Bukakata Landing Site in Masaka to ensure compliance.

However, some Kalangala-based drivers rejected the resolutions and parked their vehicles pending intervention by district leaders.

Mr Salim Nyonyintono, a taxi driver in Kalangala, said changing operating hours from 11:00am to 8:00am would severely affect business and disadvantage Kalangala operators compared to those from Masaka.

‘We have only four cars coming from Kalangala connecting to Masaka daily. Now they want only two cars to work daily, leaving more cars coming from Masaka to operate for the rest of the day, which is unfair,’ he said.

Mr Nyonyintono wondered why decisions affecting them are usually made in Masaka.

‘What they [Masaka based taxi drivers] decide amongst themselves is what they implement,’ he said.

He explained drivers had accepted previous resolutions to streamline operations, but considered the latest restrictions too harsh.

‘We have been operating up to 11:00am, but now reducing that to 8:00am leaves us with no passengers,’ he said.

Under the new arrangement, the first taxis departing Kalangala begin loading between 4:00am and 6:00am to catch the 8:00am ferry from Bugoma to Bukakata. Traditionally, a second batch loaded between 8:00am and 10:00am for the midday crossing. Taxis from Masaka to Kalangala have used the same schedules.

With the new guidelines, taxis from Masaka mainland will continue operating between 7:00am and 6:00pm.

According to operators, the Kalangala-Masaka stage has 40 registered taxis, with four from Kalangala and 36 from Masaka. Under the new rules, only 20 taxis will operate daily, including two from Kalangala and 18 from Masaka.

Mr Justus Muchunguzi, who coordinates passengers with available taxis in Kalangala, said the changes would hit Kalangala Town Council residents hardest.

‘Taxis working from Kalangala to Masaka get their passengers in areas of Kalangala Town Council while others also operate in Bujumba and Mugoye sub-counties,’ he said.

Mr Muchunguzi said limiting Kalangala taxis to 8:00am would increase transport costs.

‘Passengers were used to these taxis picking them up from their homes. So, limiting them to only 8:00am means passengers will incur extra costs in hiring boda bodas to reach places where they can get a taxi heading to Masaka,’ he said.

However, chairperson of drivers on the route, Mr Ronald Mutebi, defended the guidelines, saying they respond to declining passenger numbers.

‘We used to have passengers dealing in timber and fish, but such businesses are no longer viable in Kalangala. Sometimes a taxi uses fuel of between Shs100,000 and Shs150,000 to transport only three passengers,’ he said.

‘That is the reason we decided to divide these days in a month so that each taxi can be able to work. It is a way to reduce the number of taxis operating per day while ensuring drivers continue earning a living,’ he added.

Mr Mutebi said operators have increasingly relied on cargo transport because passenger numbers have dropped significantly.

Belgian coach Ivan Minnaert knew all too well that Vipers’ revolving door was one he could hardly survive for long when he was unveiled at St Mary’s Stadium, Kitende, in July last year.

Yet he boldly vowed to sail against the tide and prove his worth. Reality, however, finally caught up with him on Sunday when the Uganda Premier League champions confirmed the end of his uneasy marriage with the club.

To lose a league-winning coach just days after being crowned champions is hardly new at Lawrence Mulindwa’s Vipers.

Success alone has rarely guaranteed job security at Kitende. For Minnaert, the writing had long been on the wall that he was destined for the axe, come what may.

Warning bells

In truth, many observers were surprised he survived beyond August 2025 after Vipers crashed out of the Caf Champions League at the first hurdle.

The Venoms suffered a damaging 2-1 home defeat to Zambia’s Power Dynamos before settling for a 1-1 draw away, bowing out 3-2 on aggregate. For a club owner obsessed with continental relevance, it was a disastrous start.

Even as Vipers marched relentlessly towards an eighth league title, insiders continued to point out glaring cracks in Minnaert’s tactical armour.

Calls for his dismissal reached a crescendo in April despite the club still chasing a domestic double.

The pressure only intensified after eventual champions Kitara eliminated Vipers in the Uganda Cup semi-finals on the away-goals rule following a goalless draw in Hoima and a 1-1 stalemate at Kitende.

Many within the club viewed the tie as a textbook example of poor game management.

The statistics, admittedly, paint a flattering picture. Minnaert leaves with 40 matches in charge, winning 25, drawing 13 and losing only twice.

One defeat came through a boardroom ruling after Vipers refused to honour a league fixture against Kitara during the controversial league-format dispute. His only on-field defeat was the loss to Power Dynamos.

When stats lie

Yet numbers alone never told the full story. Whenever assistant coach John ‘Ayala’ Luyinda was given the freedom to patrol the touchline, Vipers often looked more coherent and purposeful.

It was Luyinda, alongside Fred Muhumuza, who had engineered a league and cup double the previous season before being demoted to accommodate Minnaert’s arrival.

Sad end

Minnaert himself appeared to acknowledge the strained relationship in his farewell message.

“Football teaches many lessons. One of them is that respect is easier to talk about than to practise,” he wrote.

“This season we became champions. We remained unbeaten in the league. We lost only one game all season. Apparently football is not always decided on the pitch. Fortunately values don’t depend on circumstances. I leave this chapter with my head held high,” read part of Minnaert’s farewell message.

It was a familiar ending for a coach whose African journey has taken him through Liberia, Libya, Mali, Kenya, Rwanda, Guinea and South Africa, often with similarly abrupt conclusions.

Lofty ambitions

At the recent Vipers AGM, Mulindwa unveiled a lofty Shs6.5 billion budget and reiterated his desire to transform the club into a continental force while “beefing up the squad to compete domestically and on the continent.”

It sounded like a thinly veiled dismissal of ordinary achievement. One thing is certain. Before August, another expatriate coach will walk through the St Mary’s Stadium doors to tackle one of Ugandan football’s hottest and most precarious jobs.

And just like Miguel Da Costa and Roberto Oliveira aka Robertinho before him, Minnaert’s achievement of delivering Vipers’ eighth league diadem may soon be forgotten.

Every Fifa World Cup is remembered for more than just football. Long after the trophies are lifted and the stadium lights go off, certain moments continue to live in the memories of fans around the world. Among those traditions are the official World Cup songs, global anthems created to unite cultures, energise supporters, and give every tournament its own unforgettable identity.

From Ricky Martin’s electrifying ‘La Copa de la Vida’ to Shakira’s iconic ‘Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)”, World Cup songs have evolved into cultural events of their own, often becoming just as memorable as the football itself.

For the 2026 Fifa World Cup, the spotlight now belongs to ‘Dai Dai”, the new global anthem by Shakira and Burna Boy.

The song has officially emerged as the soundtrack for the historic 2026 tournament that will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Built around explosive percussion, emotional melodies, multilingual chants, and stadium-ready hooks, ‘Dai Dai’ aims to capture the passion, unity, tension, celebration, and emotion that define the World Cup experience.

The phrase ‘Dai Dai’ roughly translates to ‘come on’ or ‘let’s go’ in Italian, fitting perfectly with the song’s energetic football-chant atmosphere. The anthem moves across several languages, including English, Spanish, French, Italian, and Japanese, symbolising the international spirit of the tournament and the diversity of football fans worldwide.

For Shakira, the song represents another major chapter in her already legendary World Cup legacy. The Colombian superstar famously delivered one of football’s greatest anthems, ‘Waka Waka’ during the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa, a song that went on to dominate charts and stadiums globally. She later returned with ‘La La La’ for the 2014 tournament in Brazil.

Now, over a decade later, she teams up with Burna Boy, one of Africa’s biggest global music exports, whose Afrobeats influence brings a modern and vibrant edge to the anthem. The collaboration blends African rhythms, dance-pop, reggaetón, and cinematic production into a song designed for packed stadiums, fan parks, and celebrations across continents.

The pairing of Shakira and Burna Boy has already generated excitement online, with many football and music fans praising the chemistry between the two artists and the song’s festival-like energy.

Interestingly, ‘Dai Dai’ reportedly became FIFA’s official anthem after another proposed song faced heavy criticism from fans.

According to reports circulating online, the initial song considered for the tournament was ‘Lighter’ by Jelly Roll and Carín León. However, football fans quickly pushed back against the country-rock-inspired track, criticising it for lacking the excitement, rhythm, and emotional intensity usually associated with World Cup music.

Social media discussions surrounding the song reportedly became overwhelmingly negative, with many fans calling for a more energetic and globally appealing anthem. Eventually, FIFA moved in another direction, paving the way for ‘Dai Dai’ to take centre stage.

Released through Sony Music Latin as part of FIFA’s official music rollout, the anthem is also attached to a wider humanitarian initiative. Part of the song’s royalties will reportedly support the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, helping improve access to education and football opportunities for children around the world.

FIFA World Cup Songs through the years

The tradition of official World Cup songs stretches back more than six decades, with each host nation introducing a soundtrack that reflects the culture and atmosphere of its tournament.

1962 Chile – ‘El Rock del Mundial’ by Los Ramblers

1966 England – ‘World Cup Willie’ by Lonnie Donegan

1970 Mexico – ‘Fútbol México 70’ by Los Hermanos Zavala

1974 West Germany – ‘Fußball’ by Maryla Rodowicz

1978 Argentina – ‘El Mundial’ by Ennio Morricone

1982 Spain – ‘Mundial 82’ by Plácido Domingo

1986 Mexico – ‘El Mundo Unido por un Balón’ by Juan Carlos Abara

1990 Italy – ‘Un’estate Italiana (Notti Magiche)’ by Gianna Nannini and Edoardo Bennato

1994 USA – ‘Gloryland’ by Daryl Hall and Sounds of Blackness

1998 France – ‘La Copa de la Vida’ by Ricky Martin

2002 Korea/Japan – ‘Boom’ by Anastacia

2006 Germany – ‘The Time of Our Lives’ by Il Divo and Toni Braxton

2010 South Africa – ‘Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)’ by Shakira and Freshlyground

2014 Brazil – ‘We Are One (Ole Ola)’ by Pitbull, Jennifer Lopez and Claudia Leitte

2018 Russia – ‘Live It Up’ by Nicky Jam, Will Smith and Era Istrefi

2022 Qatar – ‘Hayya Hayya (Better Together)’ by Trinidad Cardona, Davido and Aisha

Now, with ‘Dai Dai’ leading the charge into 2026, FIFA appears ready to continue the long-standing tradition of creating music that brings the world together through football, rhythm, and shared emotion. Whether inside packed stadiums or on streets filled with celebrating fans, the anthem is already positioning itself to become one of the defining sounds of the next World Cup era.

Thirty-two years ago, in the middle of last month, Mr Charles Peter Mayiga wrote a lengthy letter in which he debunked arguments that the demand for a federal system of government was a Buganda affair. The letter, which was published by the Daily Monitor on May 20, 1994, stated that whereas Buganda’s voice seemed to be louder, other regions of the country were also interested in Federalism.

‘The struggle for a federal form of government should not be depicted to appear like it’s Buganda’s affair alone. I do know that many other areas like Busoga, Bunyoro, Tooro, West Nile, Lango, Acholi are pushing for the same. The only difference is that Buganda speaks loudest because they are near the megaphone and mostly do so in large numbers,’ Mr Mayiga wrote. Mr Mayiga, who was the minister for information and also the official spokesperson of the kingdom, has since risen to become the kingdom prime minister, a post he has held since May 2013.

The letter was in response to an article ‘What colour of dress should Uganda wear?’ which was authored by Mr Charles Onyango Obbo and published on May 17, 1994. In his letter, Mr Mayiga accused Mr Obbo of taking what he described as an ‘anti-federal stance’, which he said was similar to the one that Milton Obote had towed in an effort to justify the abrogation of the 1962 Constitution. At the time Mr Mayiga wrote, Obote was living in exile in Zambia, having been deposed by the military in July 1985. The former president and leader of the Uganda Peoples’ Congress (UPC) died on October 10, 2005, succumbing to kidney failure in a hospital in Johannesburg, South Africa. He was 79.

Simplistic

Mr Mayiga claimed that the argument that the demands for a federal structure were being made by mainly the middle class in Buganda was ‘simplistic’, adding that most of them were actually a regurgitation of what others had stated before in what he described as ‘their attempt to preserve for themselves the totalitarianism of the 1967 Constitution’. ‘I completely disagree that national ‘unity and stability’ is impaired by federalism; if anything, in the period when unitarism was introduced in Uganda (especially between 1967 and 1986), we saw a terrible derogation of that virtue so much so that if it hadn’t been for our lucky stars, come January 1986, Uganda was moving towards ‘Rwandaism’,’ Mr Mayiga wrote.

It was not possible to establish what the term ‘Rwandaism’ was meant to mean or why he used it. The reference to January 1986 was in connection with the National Resistance Movement/Army (NRM/A) shooting its way to power. Mr Mayiga also did not have kind words for some critics of federalism, saying some of their comments bordered on conclusions that national unity was an abstract concept. ‘National unity is forged when democracy prevails. And democracy demands that all people’s values and interests are well catered for and protected. In the case of Uganda, our society is made up of people with diverse backgrounds, which we should respect right from the bottom until we reach the centre,’ Mr Mayiga wrote.

Ask Odoki

He encouraged those who were claiming that the demands for federalism were being driven by the middle class to consult with Justice Benjamin Odoki, who chaired the Constitutional Review Commission. ‘As Justice Ben Odoki, the chairman of the Constitutional Commission, will tell you, no Baganda proposed tearing up the country. They only wish to operate as a unit, just like it was in 1894, 1900, 1955, 1962 up to 1966. There are no political privileges for Buganda and its king that will be achieved through federalism. In any case, monarchism in Buganda doesn’t thrive on federalism, but on the Kiganda Clan System. Indeed, the internal administrative structure of Buganda up to 1966 had a unitary relationship to Mengo,’ he wrote.

It should be remembered that the Odoki Commission commenced work in 1988 and came up with the draft that formed the basis of work by the delegates who were elected on March 28, 1994, to debate and write the 1995 Constitution. The delegates were elected following the debate and passage of the Constituent Assembly (CA) Statute, 1993, by the National Resistance Council (NRC), which served as the country’s fifth Parliament.

‘I believe that if it were not for the love of the people of Buganda to have Uganda as one country, in which case Buganda would be an independent nation, its form of government would have been unitary, given its traditional administrative units mentioned above,’ Mr Mayiga added. He, however, hastened to add that Buganda had never been desirous of seceding, adding that the May 19, 1966, resolution by the Buganda Lukiiko ‘requesting’ the government to quit Buganda’s soil could not be said to have been proof of such a desire.

‘I have stated before that that resolution was not based on Buganda chauvinism, rather it was a desperate (and perhaps unreasonable) reaction to the machinations of an upcoming despot who had no respect for constitutionalism and the rule of law,’ he wrote.

Build up to resolution

He then gave a chronology of the events that led to the May 19, 1966, resolution. They included the August 24, 1964, Obote dissolved the Kabaka Yeka (KY)/UPC alliance and called a referendum on the lost counties of Buyaga and Bugangaizi. It should be remembered that it was thanks to the alliance with KY, which had swept most constituencies in Buganda, that UPC was able to form the first post-independence government, which saw Kabaka Edward Muteesa and Kyabazinga William Wilberforce Kadhumbula of Busoga become President and Vice President.

Buyaga and Bugangaizi counties had been part of Bunyoro Kitara, but had been, with the approval of the colonial administration, annexed by Buganda. As independence was approaching, Bunyoro demanded their return, but the British granted Uganda independence without addressing the matter. On August 24, 1965, the government tabled before Parliament a Bill that aimed to resolve the matter. Buganda was opposed to the Bill.

The Archbishop of the Church of Uganda, Most Rev Stephen Samuel Kaziimba Mugalu, has slammed the government for withdrawing allowances for medical interns, yet it spends billions on luxury.

He pointed out that Uganda’s health system has been left at the mercy of medical interns, the same people the government is inconsiderate about their welfare.

He criticised the government’s luxurious lifestyle, allocating Shs158 billion to Members of Parliament for purchasing vehicles yet it maintains that it cannot afford Shs28 billion required for the medical interns.

‘You cannot say that you have Shs158 billion to purchase cars for Members of Parliament and then claim that you do not have Shs28 billion to pay medical interns’ allowances, with the excuse that it would crush the economy.”

By the way, doctors are rarely in the hospitals. It is the medical interns who are everywhere doing the donkey work,’ Archbishop Kaziimba added.

The decision by the government to scrap the monthly upkeep allowances for medical interns under the new National Education and Training for Health Policy and tasking medical students to complete a mandatory one-year internship before they are awarded their degrees continues to receive criticism from different members of society.

Currently, medical interns are paid a monthly allowance of Shs1 million, down from Shs2.4 million shillings monthly that was initially agreed following a 2021 presidential directive.

The Archbishop was on Sunday speaking during a service at All Saints’ Cathedral, Kampala, to ordain and install seven deacons, one priest, two clergy canons and one lay Canon.

The clergy canons installed include Rev. Dr Henry Majwala, Canon for Administration and Management, and Rev. Emmanuel Kalagala, Canon for Ministerial Formation and Clergy Welfare.

Rev Canon Henry Majwala was installed as the Diocesan Secretary of the Diocese of Kampala, while Rev. Canon Emmanuel Kalagala is the Archdeacon of Kisugu Archdeaconry in the Diocese of Kampala.

The Provincial Fathers’ Union President, Mr Samuel Bakutana, was installed as Lay Canon for Men’s Ministry.

Day and night travel on the Karuma-Olwiyo-Pakwach highway can be smooth, but drivers must exercise caution while navigating Murchison Falls National Park.

The 107-kilometer stretch from Karuma to Pakwach tempts motorists to speed, yet the park is home to giants like elephants that roam in both wet and dry seasons searching for pasture. During the prolonged dry season in Pakwach, animals come closer to the road for fresh grass, and numerous accidents have occurred.

Uganda Wildlife Authority marks the stretch with warning signs for animal crossings and speed limits, but the lesson remains hard-learned.

UWA Assistant Commissioner for Communication, Mr Bashir Hangi, told Daily Monitor the rule is simple: ‘Follow the guidelines on the road. Always reduce speed in areas known for wildlife crossing. Watch for road signs warning about animals crossing.’

He urged motorists to avoid speeding in parks day or night. ‘Be careful because animals can cross at any time. Observe speed limits,’ he said.

Mr Hangi warned against the idea that humans and wildlife can freely coexist. ‘We discourage ideas that they can coexist with animals in communities. It is not practical. People should report to us so that we take precaution. We have scouts who blow equipment to chase the animals. They are wild,’ he said.

Driver Mr Joseph Ongom said patience is key when animals appear. ‘When you see an elephant or any other crossing, do not rush it by hooting. Give it time to cross because it also has a right of way. Some of them can turn wild when you hoot or flash them with lights,’ he said. He advised using dim lights and monitoring animal movement.

The danger is real. Driver Mr Musa Ali recalled a night in 2024 just after Purongo town in Nwoya when a huge shadow appeared ahead.

‘I got scared and slowed down. It turned out that elephants were crossing from the left to right side of the road. The mother elephant spread her ears and stood protectively beside her calves,’ he said.

‘I had to stop and reverse to a safe distance. I switched off the bright headlights and waited quietly. I then told the passengers never to take photos because it would flash at them. After five minutes, they crossed into the bush and we left peacefully,’ he said.

One passenger later sighed: ‘If we had continued speeding, we could have crashed into them or would have angered the elephants. And we would have died.’

‘On this road, patience saves lives,’ Mr Ali told him. That one careful decision got them home safely.

The risk extends beyond the road. When rains return, elephants move deeper into the park, but during drought months like May, hunger pushes them toward gardens. Ms Joyce Acirocan, 49, of Pakwach said elders taught her never to confront an elephant. ‘They also told us not to run blindly or use obstacles to hide,’ she said.

Rural Initiative for Community Empowerment West Nile trained Purongo communities on safety measures. One night at 1am, elephants entered gardens. Villagers rushed out with torches, drums and whistles, knowing noise can scare them off. But when one charged, they remembered rangers’ advice: never run in a straight open path. ‘Use obstacles. Hide behind large trees or anthills. Stay downwind if possible,’ conservationists had told them.

Tour operators say the highway demands respect. Boniface Kadabara, Team Leader for West Nile Birding and Safari, said: ‘The Karuma-Pakwach highway is a critical artery where regional commerce, local transit, and fragile ecosystems collide.’

‘For the tourism sector, navigating this road requires a fundamental shift in mindset. We must collectively stop treating park roads as high-speed transit corridors and instead approach them with the absolute reverence, caution, and patience that a world-class wildlife sanctuary demands,’ he said.

Kadabara urged strict defensive driving and said vehicles should be ‘mobile ambassadors for wildlife conservation.’ He called for eliminating night driving through protected areas because ‘large mammals like elephants possess dark hides that blend seamlessly into the night, making them virtually invisible to speeding drivers.’

‘We urge all motorists-from commercial truck drivers to private commuters to remember that we are merely visitors in the animals’ home, and driving with humility is the highest form of respect we can offer,’ he said.

UWA requires drivers to report injured animals or dangerous situations. For now, the message from drivers, rangers and communities is the same: slow down, watch the signs, and let the elephants pass.

THE DO’S

Inform UWA rangers

Observe speed limit to 40Km per hour

Use safe hiding places.

Follow the road signage

Make coordinated noise from a distance.

For farmers, dig deeper elephant trenches

Use chili ropes, watchtowers, and beehive fences.

And most importantly, respect wildlife

Stop at a distant when you see an elephant

Be patient, allow it to cross

THE DON’T’S

Never hoot

Do not rush/speed

Never chase elephants with a vehicle.

Do not speed while on the road.

Do not throw food for the elephants

Do not flash at them with headlights or using cameras while at night.

Never confront an elephant

Elephant/wildlife is not your friend, don’t befriend them

Do not assume it is scaring you

Avoid running downhill in open ground because elephants move very fast.

Don’t waste time climbing weak tree branches.

Human rights defenders and legal experts have criticised a recent Constitutional Court ruling that struck down provisions of the Human Rights (Enforcement) Act, saying the decision weakens safeguards against torture and could embolden security agencies to violate suspects’ rights.

In a unanimous decision delivered last week, a panel comprising Justices Oscar Kihika, Margaret Tibulya, Moses Kawumi Kazibwe (Deputy Chief Justice designate), Musa Ssekaana and Asa Mugenyi declared Section 11(2) of the Human Rights (Enforcement) Act unconstitutional.

The impugned provision allowed courts to nullify criminal proceedings and acquit accused persons where their non-derogable rights, including freedom from torture, had been violated by state security actors.

“In light of the foregoing, we are persuaded that Section 11(2) of the Act is inconsistent with, and therefore contravenes Articles 28(3)(a), (b), (c) and (d) of the Constitution,” the justices ruled.

The court held that acquittal should not automatically result from allegations of rights violations but should instead be based on a structured evidentiary inquiry consistent with constitutional requirements.

But the judgment has since sparked strong reactions from rights advocates, who argue that it removes one of the strongest deterrents against torture during criminal investigations.

Dr Livingstone Ssewayana, the executive director of the Foundation for Human Rights Initiative (FHRI), said the judgment undermines efforts to combat torture.

“We disagree with the court decision. The essence of creating the Human Rights Act was to stop torture and to ensure courts do not rely on evidence obtained through torture. Accepting evidence procured through torture is more of granting a licence to perpetrators,” Dr Ssewayana said at the weekend.

Adding, “It reverses the gains we had made in fighting torture. It gives liberty to perpetrators knowing that even if they torture suspects, their trial will still continue.”

Dr Ssewayana noted that freedom from torture is protected under Article 44 of the Constitution as a non-derogable right.

The Uganda Law Society (ULS) also criticised the ruling, describing it as a setback in the protection of fundamental rights.

“The Court’s declaration that Section 11(2) of the Human Rights (Enforcement) Act, 2019 is unconstitutional represents a regrettable retreat from the protection of non-derogable rights,” the lawyers’ body said in a statement signed off by its president, Isaac Ssemakadde, read in part.

“It undermines core constitutional, regional and international safeguards against torture and other gross violations,” it added.

The ULS argued that the ruling prioritises the completion of criminal trials over the absolute prohibition of torture and other rights violations.

Constitutional lawyer Erias Lukwago said the judgment had weakened an important constitutional safeguard.

“With this decision, our constitutional jurisprudence has been watered down. Those rights are non-derogable. This is now a licence for the State to torture citizens with impunity,” Mr Lukwago said.

Counsel Jude Byamukama, one of the lawyers involved in the proceedings, expressed hope that the Supreme Court would overturn the decision on appeal.

“We hope the Supreme Court will overturn it. It is not only about torture but also about non-derogable rights and a fair hearing. The law created a provision that if there is no fair hearing, the charges are dismissed. That principle exists in many jurisdictions that value the protection of citizens’ rights like USA, UK, and even Kenya here,” he said.

Human rights lawyer Nicholas Opiyo also faulted the ruling, saying it rolled back progress made in enforcing the prohibition against torture.

“Respectfully, the Justices of the Constitutional Court got it absolutely wrong, and I hope the appellate court will correct the misapplication and misinterpretation of the law,” Mr Opiyo said.

“The protection of an accused person’s rights is the cornerstone of the criminal justice system because of the disproportionate power of the State during investigations and prosecutions,” he added.

Mr Opiyo argued that balancing the rights of complainants against those of accused persons in such circumstances risks favouring the State and legitimising abusive investigative methods.

The Constitutional Reference arose from proceedings involving Paul Akamba, a co-accused person in corruption-related cases before the High Court.

Akamba alleged that after being granted bail in one criminal case, he was abducted by security agents from court premises, detained incommunicado for seven days in an ungazetted facility, tortured, and pressured to confess to criminal charges.

He subsequently filed an application seeking dismissal of criminal proceedings against him under the Human Rights (Enforcement) Act on grounds that his non-derogable rights had been violated.

During the hearing of the application, lawyers representing the Attorney General challenged the constitutionality of Sections 7, 8 and 11(2) of the Act, arguing that they allowed accused persons to be acquitted without a trial, thereby denying victims and society the opportunity to have criminal allegations adjudicated by a court.

The Attorney General argued that while the Constitution requires protection of human rights, remedies for violations should be proportionate and should not automatically terminate criminal proceedings.

The Constitutional Court agreed with that position, holding that the impugned provisions were inconsistent with the constitutional framework governing fair hearing rights.

The ruling is expected to be appealed to the Supreme Court, where a final determination could have significant implications for the enforcement of non-derogable rights and the conduct of criminal prosecutions in Uganda.

As the Ebola outbreak threatens communities in DR Congo and Uganda, an international response worth hundreds of millions of dollars is racing to stop the virus from spreading further.

Documents released by the US Department of State on June 5, 2026, show an emergency network of governments, health workers and volunteers working across borders to contain the outbreak.

The US announced nearly $38m on June 5 as additional funding, bringing direct State Department support to over $200m. This comes on top of $350m already allocated for Ebola response and humanitarian aid in DR Congo, Uganda and South Sudan, making the US the largest financial contributor.

According to a circular from the Office of the Spokesperson, Thomas Tommy Pigott, the Department of State is working with the US CDC, Uganda and DR Congo governments, and humanitarian agencies to strengthen surveillance, treatment, prevention and community engagement.

A significant portion of the funds is targeting disease detection at airports and border crossings to prevent cross-border transmission.

In DR Congo, the International Organization for Migration has delivered thermo-scanners and infection prevention materials to airports and strategic points. In Uganda, IOM has deployed over 100 health screeners and data clerks at 13 official entry points.

Dr. Wilson Musone, a health expert in Buliisa district, said border surveillance remains one of the most effective tools for containing Ebola in regions with frequent cross-border movement.

‘Substantial investments are being made in water, sanitation and hygiene interventions. These are crucial because Ebola spreads through direct contact with bodily fluids, making hygiene and infection prevention essential,’ Dr. Musone said.

In DR Congo, UNICEF has distributed infection prevention supplies to three Ebola treatment centres and 28 high-risk health facilities.

World Vision says it has reached over 400,000 people through door-to-door campaigns, church gatherings and market outreaches, and trained nearly 400 volunteers on Ebola detection and prevention.

Ishameal Baguma, a health science specialist, noted that misinformation and community resistance have historically complicated Ebola response, making public awareness key.

Momentum Integrated Health Resilience is training over 1,500 healthcare workers, teachers, religious leaders and community leaders in Goma and border zones to identify symptoms and educate communities.

Dr. Mugenyiyi Henry said burial management is one of the most sensitive aspects, since the virus remains infectious in the dead. US-funded teams are supporting safe and dignified burials while respecting cultural practices and educating communities.

To improve diagnosis, FHI 360 has deployed a testing machine to Mongbwalu in DR Congo to reduce confirmation time. The DR Congo Ministry of Health said rapid diagnosis allows early treatment and faster isolation of cases.

At treatment facilities, International Medical Corps has trained 125 frontline workers on detection and infection prevention, and supported clinics that have screened over 540 people. The World Food Programme is providing food to patients, caregivers and health workers in treatment centres.