Muniini K. Mulera

Time to get tough on all Ugandan road users

By Muniini K. MuleraUgandaJuly 12, 20160 comments

The escalating carnage on Uganda’s highways has left many people declaring that the roads “are finishing us!” The Kampala-Gulu Highway’s premiere position as the most dangerous appears to have been assumed by the Kampala-Kabale route. In fact the apparent rise in fatalities ...

Where in Central Africa did R.W. Felkin observe a Caesarean delivery in 1879?

By Muniini K. MuleraUgandaJune 24, 20160 comments

The case of a caesarean delivery in pre-colonial Central Africa that was described by Robert William Felkin has caused some unanticipated controversy. Where did Felkin make his observations? Was it in Buganda or Bunyoro? It appears that those who believe that the event took ...

Caesarean section in Buganda in 1879

By Muniini K. MuleraUgandaJune 21, 20160 comments

FROM THE TINGASIGA ARCHIVES: February 1, 1999 Dear Tingasiga: The last palace of Kabaka Mutesa I at Kasubi-Nabulagala, is perhaps the most visible evidence of the grandeur and sophistication of late nineteenth century Buganda. The visitor who beholds the architectural marvels ...

Photoessay of Traditional woven dinnerware

By Muniini K. MuleraUgandaJune 20, 20160 comments

Here are examples of three millet bread baskets from my part of the world (Rwanda and Kigezi). They come in different sizes, shapes and decorations. Please tell me about the baskets and other dinnerware you use in your part of the world for serving millet bread. What stories ...

Ugandans for Peace must insist on non-violence

By Muniini K. MuleraUgandaJune 17, 20160 comments

The news of the multiple murders of people in the military barracks at Makindye, Kampala, has left me deeply saddened. While the circumstances of the killings remain to be fully explained, the irreversibility of the deaths is a dark certainty that concentrates our minds on the ...

Scrap academic requirements for MPs and other leaders

By Muniini K. MuleraUgandaJune 15, 20160 comments

Academic qualifications are overrated as a measure of ability in political leadership. It was my stated view during the Constitution debates in 1994/95 that no citizen should be denied the right to seek any office simply because of arbitrary academic requirements. I continue ...

Uganda Cabinet Ministers on June 6, 2016

By Muniini K. MuleraUgandaJune 6, 20160 comments

The following list of cabinet minister nominees is doing the rounds. It may or may not be correct. Cabinet List Published in The Monitor Newspaper on June 6, 2016 As of 21:00 hours (East African Standard Time), the Official Cabinet Ministers list on the State House Website ...

Meaningful patriotism through community volunteerism

By Muniini K. MuleraUgandaMay 31, 20160 comments

In the months leading up to my brother’s wedding in 1992, very many of his friends and work associates offered him substantial amounts of money in support of his budget. Though he had not planned to hold a kasiki (bachelor’s prenuptial party), his friends insisted on fully funding ...

Uganda Leader of Opposition in Parliament debate settled

By Muniini K. MuleraUgandaMay 26, 20160 comments

The debate is settled. The Party President of the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) will appoint the Leader of the Official Opposition in Parliament (LOP.) Since Wafula Oguttu, the LOP in the 9th Parliament, lost his seat in the February 18 exercise, we expect a new person ...

African solution to Africa's democratization problem

By Muniini K. MuleraUgandaMay 17, 20160 comments

With his arrest last week, Dr. Kizza Besigye joined a growing list of African politicians incarcerated because they declared themselves the duly elected presidents of their countries. Nigeria’s Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola declared himself president in 1994 after Gen. Ibrahim ...

FDC's debate re: Leader of the Opposition in the Uganda Parliament

By Muniini K. MuleraUgandaMay 24, 20160 comments

The debate by Uganda's Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) leaders regarding the position of Leader of the Opposition in Parliament has triggered some questions in my mind. Too lazy to read the Constitution and the laws that govern parliament, I seek guidance from my learned friends. First ...

My hoe is all I have

By Muniini K. MuleraUgandaMay 13, 20160 comments

My hoe is all I have By Muniini K. Mulera I watch my king and president Toast his guests resplendent In garb that fits the best Who rule over the rest They wine and dine and toast Unbothered at all by cost Of life beyond our dreams Reserved for royals it seems I ...

Kampala is burning!

By Muniini K. MuleraUgandaMay 10, 20160 comments

Quick! Stop reading now. Put down your iPad. Look out the window. There is a huge fire burning in the south of town. See the huge smoke billowing up with all the pent up rage of mother Earth? No, it is not teargas. That is kid’s play compared to what is upon you now. And no, ...

Stella Nyanzi’s nudity and the hypocrisy of the morality police

By Muniini K. MuleraUgandaApril 26, 20160 comments

The nude protest by Dr. Stella Nyanzi, a research fellow at the Makerere Institute of Social Research (MISR), in response to the closure of her office by Dr. Mahmood Mamdani, her boss, has triggered an understandable public uproar. Yet she was not the first woman to use her nakedness ...

On the Mamdani-Nyanzi Standoff

By Muniini K. MuleraUgandaApril 21, 20160 comments

The events at the Makerere Institute of Social Research (MISR) are of great concern to me as an alumnus of the great university. I confess to being possessed of limitless pride in Makerere, both because I am a lucky beneficiary of that university and the memory of people who ...