When the messenger is beaten
By Alon Mwesigwa
“You are headed for a tough job,” these were the comments of my friends as we watched news about the journalists that were beaten in the just concluded elections but as journalist in the making, I believe those are the hurdles we are set to face to serve the society.
As Ugandans went out to exercise their civic duty in the just concluded presidential polls and disputed Kampala mayoral elections, we hardly thought journalists would be the target of thugs.
A journalist was shot at during the presidential elections and six others were seriously beaten and injured during the mayoral elections. Violence against journalists is not new in Uganda and the habit is growing steadily. This is one form of intimidation that cripples the work of journalists. Unfortunately, the government has not done much to prevent such violence.
Like many other Ugandans, I am fascinated and bubble over when the economy is revamped, policies changed for the better, and Ugandans helped get out of poverty because of a particular story in the media.
Journalists and the media at large have got much to contribute to the development of this country. Among other things; they check on the operations of government, and are critical in the progress of this country. So, you can guess what it means for Uganda when the messenger is denied the chance to operate freely.
Besides weakening the institutional memory by scaring away those who would be willing to join the profession for the service of the society, Uganda is set for misgovernment, stunted development, illiteracy and high levels of poverty if violence against journalists is not checked.
Media houses need take stern action to prevent their journalists against unnecessary violence. The government too has a duty to prevent this instead of enacting laws set to cripple free media. Citizens alike should give the messenger a favourable environment in which to operate.
aamwesigwa@gmail.com
Sunday 20 March 2011
Friday 11 March 2011
Money for closing a case file at police
I thougt Mr Kayihura pays his officers to serve us. On march 11, I was surprised when I went to a police station in Katanga a Kampala suburb to ask for the closure of a file of which the case had been resolved and the officer that attended to me asked for the money to close the file.
The question remains begging in the minds of many Ugandans whether such officers receive their monthly pay or it is just mere greed that is eating them up???
aamwesigwa@gmail.com
The question remains begging in the minds of many Ugandans whether such officers receive their monthly pay or it is just mere greed that is eating them up???
aamwesigwa@gmail.com
Con-men set to milk Mak students dry
Con-men set to milk Mak students dry
By Alon Mwesigwa
Doreen Nagawa, a third year student at Makerere University is uncertain about whether she will be able to complete paying her tuition on time or stand the inconveniences of being denied tests and exams. She has used part of her tuition to pay back her friend's laptop she lost to con-men at the end of last semester. Scared stiff,she says it will be very hard for her mother to raise this semester's tuition.
Doleful as it is, Doreen's experience is not an isolated one. Many students have tested the wrath of being conned. In a statement issued December 10, by the Divisional police headquarters,Makerere University; shows that a big number
of students have silently been robbed of their properties ranging from tuition, laptops, television sets, and some have been sexually abused.
The O.C Makerere University police post, Mr Tusingwire Julius says the female students are the most vulnerable. Noting that cases of breaking and snatching bags have reduced tremendously, he laments that the issue of con-men is still their biggest challenge. Con-men use all tricks there is to actualise their interests, thus; disguise themselves as to University employees, some claim to be promoting products like Vaseline, some claim to have magical or spiritual powers and
others claim to be able to change exam grades of students or save them of retakes.
"As the semester begins, students need to be extra-alert, be mindful about people that claim to be employees in senate and the transcripts office. students should use the police and report any suspicious persons," begs Mr Julius.
Makerere University, however, has put a group of people in plain clothings with the help of a group of students to help curb the issue of con-men.
Con-men also kinown as trickstars are not at Makerere University alone but also making students in other Universities have sleepless nights.
aamwesigwa@gmail.com
By Alon Mwesigwa
Doreen Nagawa, a third year student at Makerere University is uncertain about whether she will be able to complete paying her tuition on time or stand the inconveniences of being denied tests and exams. She has used part of her tuition to pay back her friend's laptop she lost to con-men at the end of last semester. Scared stiff,she says it will be very hard for her mother to raise this semester's tuition.
Doleful as it is, Doreen's experience is not an isolated one. Many students have tested the wrath of being conned. In a statement issued December 10, by the Divisional police headquarters,Makerere University; shows that a big number
of students have silently been robbed of their properties ranging from tuition, laptops, television sets, and some have been sexually abused.
The O.C Makerere University police post, Mr Tusingwire Julius says the female students are the most vulnerable. Noting that cases of breaking and snatching bags have reduced tremendously, he laments that the issue of con-men is still their biggest challenge. Con-men use all tricks there is to actualise their interests, thus; disguise themselves as to University employees, some claim to be promoting products like Vaseline, some claim to have magical or spiritual powers and
others claim to be able to change exam grades of students or save them of retakes.
"As the semester begins, students need to be extra-alert, be mindful about people that claim to be employees in senate and the transcripts office. students should use the police and report any suspicious persons," begs Mr Julius.
Makerere University, however, has put a group of people in plain clothings with the help of a group of students to help curb the issue of con-men.
Con-men also kinown as trickstars are not at Makerere University alone but also making students in other Universities have sleepless nights.
aamwesigwa@gmail.com
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