Patrick emerged from the shadows of Uganda's civil war. Now he shows other former child soldiers the way out

In Gulu, northern Uganda, young criminal gangs known as aguu instill fear through theft and violence. Patrick Ochen, a 27-year-old former child soldier and ex-agu, now leads efforts to rehabilitate these youths, offering them a path away from crime.

Kebhu: Ironsmiths of West Nile are struggling to keep their identity

The Kebhu tribe in Uganda's West Nile region is striving to preserve its cultural identity and traditional blacksmithing skills amidst challenges of assimilation and historical marginalization. Led by figures like Yekonia Matua, the tribe is working to unite its people and strengthen its cultural institutions. Despite being one of the earliest settlers in the region, the Kebhu face issues of identity loss and underrepresentation in historical narratives and cultural displays. Efforts are underway to document and promote their unique heritage, with calls for the Kebhu to embrace their ethnicity and contribute to community projects.

Uganda's almost invisible tribe to crown king

The Lendu tribe, known as Ndrukpa in Uganda, is set to enthrone Jimmy Agenunga as their king, Rapia III, between February and May 2024. The Lendu, a Central Sudanic speaking people, are one of Uganda's smallest tribes and have faced historical subjugation and exclusion, particularly by the Alur tribe. Dr Agatha Alidri, a scholar at Gulu University, has conducted detailed studies on the Lendu, funded by the Carnegie Corporation through Makerere University. The Ndrukpa kingdom, established in 2009 following inter-tribal conflict, seeks to restore dignity and recognition for the Lendu. Despite challenges such as limited land, education, and government attention, the Lendu are hopeful for the future under Agenunga's leadership.

The stories touched me. I became so emotional. I got so scared.

Gulu University researchers, in collaboration with Roskilde University, are working on a paper about reparations for war victims in Northern Uganda. The research highlights the deep psychological trauma experienced by both victims and researchers, emphasizing the need for mental health support for those conducting emotionally sensitive research. The study focuses on the community's strong desire for reparations, including compensation, apologies, and truth-telling, amidst the lingering pain from the Lord’s Resistance Army conflict. The researchers plan to present their findings at the BSU Conference 2022.

Uganda makes strides in fortified crops

The article discusses the efforts of Ugandan farmer Geoffrey Mabirizi Nsereko and organizations like NaCRRI, Cedo, and HarvestPlus in promoting biofortified crops, specifically beans with increased iron content and sweet potatoes enriched with Vitamin A. Nsereko's farm is part of a larger initiative to combat nutritional deficiencies by providing biofortified foods to a billion people by 2030. The article highlights the role of crossbreeding in enhancing the nutritional value of crops and the distribution chain from seed breeders to smallholder farmers. It also mentions the goal of expanding the number of Ugandan families growing biofortified crops to three million households by 2021.

The villainous trinity of Uganda’s 2021 polls: Police, Electoral Commission, Ministry of Health

The article criticizes the Uganda Police Force, the Electoral Commission, and the Ministry of Health for their roles in the 2021 elections, highlighting police brutality, biased enforcement of Covid-19 regulations, and the perceived ineffectiveness of these institutions. It portrays opposition candidates Robert Kyagulanyi Sssentamu and Patrick Oboi Amuriat as victims of state violence and criticizes the handling of the pandemic by the Ministry of Health, particularly Minister Jane Ruth Acheng. The text is highly opinionated, reflecting a negative sentiment towards the current government and its institutions.

Why universities must go digital

Universities in Uganda, including Gulu University, are being urged to adopt digital tools for teaching and learning, especially in light of the Covid-19 pandemic. The pandemic has highlighted the necessity of e-learning, which has been supported by research and initiatives such as the Building Stronger Universities (BSU) program. Despite challenges like staff resistance and inadequate ICT infrastructure, there are efforts to integrate digital learning, supported by organizations like the National Curriculum Development Centre and the National Social Security Fund. The article emphasizes the urgency of digital transformation in education to ensure continuity and accessibility.

The Northern Uganda Dilemma: Government whipped as the ICC gets overwhelmed with people’s expectations in the Dominic Ongwen case

The article discusses the complex situation in Northern Uganda following the end of the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) conflict, highlighting the challenges of prosecuting individuals who were both victims and perpetrators. It emphasizes the need for transitional justice and criticizes the Ugandan government for its lack of political will and ineffective policies. The International Criminal Court's trial of Dominic Ongwen is seen as a beacon of hope, though it is overwhelmed by the high expectations of the victims. Experts call for a more citizen-driven approach to transitional justice and institutional reforms to ensure accountability.

NSSF gives Gov’t schools digital libraries

The National Social Security Fund (NSSF) has initiated a project to set up digital libraries in government-aided schools across Uganda, starting with a UGX 450 million investment. This initiative aligns with the National Curriculum Development Centre's (NCDC) recent rollout of a digital syllabus for secondary schools. The launch event in Jinja saw the distribution of tablets pre-installed with the digital syllabus and financial literacy content to Mpumudde Seed Secondary School. The project, part of NSSF's Corporate Social Responsibility, aims to enhance digital learning in over 10 schools, including Nabumali High School, Sir. Tito Winy SS, and Kasasa SS. The NCDC, in collaboration with Sensal Systems, developed the Virtual Learn project to integrate ICT into education, addressing the evolving technical demands of the modern world.

The Iran that BBC and CNN do not show you

The article contrasts the author's positive personal experiences in Iran with the negative portrayal often presented by Western media. It highlights the hospitality and cultural richness of Iran, while criticizing the biased reporting by outlets like BBC and Deutsche Welle. The author also touches on the geopolitical tensions between Iran and the US, attributing them to issues of sovereignty and Western influence. The narrative emphasizes the disparity between media reports and the reality observed by the author during his visit.