Muniini K. Mulera

In praise of Nkuba Kyeyo

By Muniini K. MuleraTingasigaFebruary 22, 20160 comments

Many Ugandans despise us. We are the Nkuba Kyeyo, a Luganda phrase that literally means: “I am a sweeper”, as in sweeping the streets and other facilities in foreign lands. It is used as a derogatory term for the Ugandan Diaspora, rooted in a culture that despises manual labor. ...

Africa's National Anthems Betrayed

By Muniini K. MuleraTingasigaFebruary 22, 20160 comments

One of the enduring creations that were bequeathed to us by Africa’s independence leaders was a plethora of glorious national anthems. As each country lowered its colonial flag, the new flag soared towards the blue sky and the uniformed service band struck a new anthem that ...

Caesarean section in Buganda in 1879

By Muniini K. MuleraTingasigaJune 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 ...

Ugandans should say no to violence, yes to dialogue

By Muniini K. MuleraTingasigaApril 5, 20160 comments

Letter to a Kampala Friend By Muniini K. Mulera In Toronto Dear Tingasiga: It has been a while since I wrote. My friends and I have been working on a website that we trust will broaden our dialogue and give voice to many who are unable to be heard through the traditional ...

My first pair of shoes

By Muniini K. MuleraTingasigaDecember 27, 20160 comments

My wife and I once shared an apartment with a Ugandan friend. Born and raised in Kampala, Nakalema (not her real name) was incredulous when, at a dinner conversation, I casually mentioned that I did not wear shoes in primary school. “Olimba! (You are lying),” she exclaimed. “They ...

The African and the Tall Poppy Syndrome

By Muniini K. MuleraTingasigaFebruary 24, 20160 comments

African culture is endowed with many positive qualities that one hopes will survive the powerful influence of American culture as it steadily conquers the world. African social interactions, especially our love of neighbour and our respect for the elders, are but a few of these ...

Worrisome political trends in Africa’s Great Lakes Region

By Muniini K. MuleraTanzaniaDecember 12, 20170 comments

The state of politics in our great lakes region continues to show a worrisome trend. As Kenya celebrates 54 years of independence today, the legitimacy of its government is questioned and challenged by opposition party leaders and members. The results of the elections that returned ...

Tanzania loses funding over the Zanzibar election

By Muniini K. MuleraTanzaniaMarch 30, 20160 comments

March 30, 2016: Fumbuka Ng’wanakilala of Reuters in Dar es Salaam has reported that the Millenium Challenge Corporation (MCC), a US aid agency has suspended approximately $472.8 million of funding for Tanzania because of the disputed March 20, 2016 elections in Zanzibar, in ...

Worrisome political trends in Africa’s Great Lakes Region

By Muniini K. MuleraRwandaDecember 12, 20170 comments

Muhabura- The Guide: a photo-essay

By Muniini K. MuleraRwandaJanuary 11, 20170 comments

All photos in this essay shot with a cellphone. She straddles the Uganda-Rwanda border with a silent majesty. Muhabura (The Guide), an extinct volcano (or so they say), whose date of last eruption is unknown, was completely covered with mist and clouds when we arrived ...

Paulo Ngorogoza of Kigezi: the tragedy of neglect

By Muniini K. MuleraRukigaApril 2, 20180 comments

My sadness at the state of the neglected palace of Ankole’s last king and the house of its first prime minister pales compared to the grief I feel each time I visit the once beautiful houses of Kigezi’s greatest leader. Those houses, one in Bukinda and the other in Kabale, Kigezi, ...

Kisiizi Hospital tragedy a wake-up call for all of us

By Muniini K. MuleraRukigaSeptember 20, 20170 comments

Mparo farms after the floods - Photo by Ezra Sebahire, Sept. 17, 2017 In recent days, the springs of the great deep have burst forth, and the floodgates of the heavens have been opened all over Uganda. Landslides and floods have exacted painful disruption on hundreds ...

Success of Uganda's new districts depends on you and me

By Muniini K. MuleraRukigaJune 26, 20170 comments

The anticipated birth of Uganda’s latest districts on July 1, 2017 triggers different emotions in different people. Some are hopeful. Others are despondent. Some are anxious. Others are confident. Some have a mixture of these emotions. A few are so opposed to the idea of mini-districts ...

From Kisiizi, Kigyezi to Keystone,Florida: Disaster preparedness is national security

By Muniini K. MuleraRukigaSeptember 12, 20170 comments

The Atlantic Ocean is angry. Hurricane Harvey, a devastating tropical cyclone, has left Houston and other Southern Texas communities disabled by floods. Seventy people are dead. $180 billion in damage. Then Hurricane Irma. An even more savage tropical cyclone that has swept ...

No contradiction in being political but non-partisan

By Muniini K. MuleraRukigaJuly 25, 20170 comments

Can a group or organization be politically active but non-partisan? Is it possible for people who support different political parties to engage in healthy, nonpartisan political discussions? Is it possible to ban partisan content from social media discussion groups while promoting ...

Rukiga District needs a small and efficient government

By Muniini K. MuleraRukigaJune 18, 20170 comments

There is divided opinion about the purpose and consequences of the unprecedented speed at which Uganda has been curved into smaller and smaller districts since independence. From 15 districts in 1962, Uganda now has 117, with 5 more to be born on July 1 this year. By July 1, ...