Watchdog Uganda
In 2013, the Batwa dragged the Attorney General, Uganda Wildlife Authority, and National Forestry Authority to Court for being evicted from their ancestral areas that government later gazetted as Echuya Central Forest Reserve, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
The Batwa were scattered in bushes and hills of Kisoro, Rubanda, and Bundibudyo districts. They were left under the mercy of None Governmental Organisations â€" NGOs that bought land and resettled them without giving them any land ownership rights.
On Thursday last week, the Constitutional Court in Kampala ruled that the government was responsible for the suffering of the Batwa after failing to compensate them for their land which was turned into central forest reserves and national parks in South Western Uganda.
A panel of five judges; Fredrick Egonda-Ntende, Elizabeth Musoke, Cheborion Barishaki, Muzamiru Kibeedi and Irene Mulyagonja unanimously ruled that the Batwa have suffered because of their eviction from their ancestral land where they were not compensated by government.
While reacting to the development, Gad Semajeri a Mutwa from Bufundi Subcounty in Rubanda District said they would not celebrate victory until they see government’s response. Semajeri said it was now the role of parliament to exert pressure on government so that the court ruling is responded to.
Ssemajeri, widely known as the lead avocate for the rights of the Batwa singled out Hon. Kamuntu explaining that the legislator had always advocated for their rights even before he was elected as the Rubanda West MP in the last election.
Seemajeri explained that since their eviction from the forests in 1992, they were subjected to severe hunger because they were originally fruit gatherers. He also said their life expectancy had reduced from 120 to 60 years due to poverty,poor health, education and acomodation services among others.
Hon. Kamuntu said the court ruling on the plight of the Batwa was long over due. He said it was inhuman for government to throw the indigenous Batwa out of their dwelling without putting in place a clear plan for their next livelihood out of the forests. He promised to follow up their compesation and resettlement up to the last office responsible.
Kamuntu said the only solution for government to avoid repeating future mistakes on the Batwa community was to consider affirmative action in which they would have representatives at all levels of political leadership, especially in parilament and Cabinet.
]]> Next Media’s Pablo Bashir celebrates birthday with disabled children after getting new lease of life https://www.watchdoguganda.com/entertainment/lifestyle/20210824/119903/next-medias-pablo-bashir-celebrates-birthday-with-disabled-children-after-getting-new-lease-of-life.html Tue, 24 Aug 2021 09:58:09 +0000 https://www.watchdoguganda.com/?p=119903 Pablo Bashir almost lost his life last year when the driver of the saloon car he was travelling in lost control of the vehicle along Masaka-Mbarara Highway.The terrible accident happened on 5 November, 2020 in Kyazanga Trading Centre, Lwengo District. Pablo and his five colleagues were heading to Ruhaama to attend the burial of the late Dr. Anas Kaliisa the director of Salam charity.
The tragedy left Pablo badly injured that news erroneously reached his employers at Next Media Services that he had died. He was unconscious when he was pulled out of the car, profusely bleeding with serious head wounds. There was a fear that he may have suffered brain damage. His friend Badru Mohammad Katongole who was the driver at the fateful night journey died on spot.
Fortunately, Pablo survived.
And to thank God for the new lease of life , the Next Media Services Chief of Protocol Officer on 23rd August decided to celebrate his new age with children living with disabilities.
During the birthday event, Pablo donated assortment of items worth millions of shillings to Uganda Cheshire Home-Katalemwa.
Uganda Cheshire Home-Katalemwa, is a Non Governmental Organisation (NGO) that provides holistic rehabilitation services to children with disabilities.
Children with disabilities at Katalemwa At the function, Pablo revealed that he chose to celebrate his birthday with Katalemwa children in reflection of how Allah saved him out of a deadly accident that ended the lives of some of his friends.
â€Today am here to celebrate this day with my brothers and sisters in reflection of how almighty Allah saved me last year from an accident that left a couple of my friends dead, who am I?, I think Allah left me alive such that I can be impactful to his people like these Katalemwa children, I am really grateful Ya’Allah,†he said.
Among the items donated by Bashir in collaboration with Kaliro Sugar Company that was represented by its Public Relations Officer, Ms Hellen, included dozens of sugar sacks, cooking oil, boxes of bar soap, liquid soap among others.
Uganda’s leading brown Sugar producers-Kaliro Sugar & Allied Industries Limited is a subsidiary of Alam Group.
Sharing a word of appreciation with Pablo, Nabakooza Oliver a guardian of two kids at Katalemwa, poured heaps of praise upon him for considering them amidst the Covid-19 pandemic season that has hugely affected their living.
â€My son, the truth is, we have been traumatized so much by this pandemic but I am so happy that our good Lord has always provided to us through people like you. I can’t stop thanking God for rescuing Bashir’s life because it is indeed purposeful to Ugandans, people with disabilities like us here inclusive, thanks Bashir,†Nabakooza noted.
After the donation, Pablo was later in the day treated to a surprise birthday party at Tamarai hotel Kololo by his rich friends. The party attracted a number of city corporates and dignitaries.
The deceased passed away on Saturday after months of frail health believed to have resulted from losing an election for the position of District Councillor which he had held since 2011.
Known for wearing his party colors of yellow with unmatched pride, Byansi is reported to have turned down all advice that he ditches his party in favor of the National Unity Platform which was trending in Muwayo at the time. Even when it continuously started appearing he was destined for a loss, the veteran politician would insist he would rather lose in a party whose principles he believes in than winning from where his heart didn’t belong.
As expected, March 2021 brought him a crushing defeat from which he reportedly never moved on. Sources close to the deceased told our reporter that Byansi’s health started deteriorating following the loss and never looked back since. The situation was even made worse by the sudden death of his son, a Parish Chief in Muterere SubCounty in Bugiri District about four months ago.
The two sad moments accelerated bottlenecks in the deceased’s health, amplifying his diabetic situation until his death late last week.
What however shocked the multitudes of mourners who attended his send-off was the threat of †yellow instructions†he penned down to be religiously followed for his burial. Key among them were;
That all NRM members wear the party colors of yellow for his send-off event.
That NRM Secretary-General ( now former) Justine Kasule Lumumba should be the Chief Mourner at his burial.
That all the people to carry the casket with his body to the grave must be NRM members dressed in yellow outfits.
That all the outfits to dress his lifeless body should be yellow and,
That the flag for the NRM party should be wrapped around his casket as it’s sent underground for his final resting destination.
If not strictly observed, the late had threatened that he would refuse to be buried and his spirit would disturb the living.
Lumumba, who was out of the country on official duties was forced to address the mourners on the phone’s loudspeakers in observance of the fallen politician’s final wish.
Lumumba hailed the deceased’s spirit of consistency and sincerity belief in NRM.
She described the late as †a rare kind†who belonged to NRM both in the day and the night. The minister challenged members of the party to emulate late Byansi in exhibiting loyalty to NRM.
Edrine Benesa, the NRM Regional Coordinator for Bukedi Sub Region under the Office of the NRM National Chairman(ONC) described Byansi as an outstanding pillar of the party whose courage, sincerity, and unwavering commitment will keep reverberating among the memories of party lovers. He also tasked the youthful party supporters to use the late as an example.
John Francis Okecho, the National General Secretary for the NRM Entrepreneurs’ League described the late as †a true legend†whose impact will continue being felt even in death.
Byansi, an ardent NRM diehard was first elected to represent Buluguyi Sub County on the Bugiri District Council in 2011. In his first term, he was appointed Chairman of the production committee under the leadership of Hajji Azaalwa Malijan.
When Azaalwa lost the seat after a court conviction, and a by-election brought Hajji Siraje Smanya Lyavaala(RIP), Byansi was appointed Secretary Works, Production and Natural Resources. He would hold the position when he was reelected in 2016 until 2021 when he lost.
]]> BIG BROTHER NAIJA DAIRY: Liquorose blasts lover Emmanuel, accuses him of offering political answer about their affair https://www.watchdoguganda.com/entertainment/big-brother-naija-dairy/20210824/119892/big-brother-naija-dairy-liquorose-blasts-lover-emmanuel-accuses-him-of-offering-political-answer-about-their-affair.html Tue, 24 Aug 2021 06:55:45 +0000 https://www.watchdoguganda.com/?p=119892 During the live eviction show last Sunday, Ebuka asked Emmanuel why fellow housemates think his relationship with Liquorose was one sided.“We have an understanding,†Bbn season 6 shine your eye housemate Emmanuel told Ebuka.
Emmanuel has been flirting with a number of females in the house including Angel, JMK, Saskay, Maria, Jackie B among others.
He has also repeatedly told male housemates that he’s just cruising and nothing more. He also denied being married when the housemates jokingly called him if he was a married man back home.
The Emmarose couple has been sharing a bed since week 1, showering together, making joint breakfast, cuddled daily and sometimes kissed.
However Emmanuel continued to play games in his response to Ebuka which pissed Liquorose off because she thought he was going to clear the confusion which he didn’t. This was followed by a late night heated urgument where the Nigerian Instagram sensation asked him if their relationship was really one sided.
However Emmanuel said the love was genuine and promised to act better. Emmanuel knows that he needs the million strong backup of Liquorose fans â€" never forget White Money advised him to play loyal to her fans and warned him that if he annoys their Queen, they’ll hang him.
The couple got back together and were involved in a heated romance afterwards…
]]> BIG BROTHER NAIJA: Lucky girl Liquorose wins Head of House https://www.watchdoguganda.com/entertainment/big-brother-naija-dairy/20210824/119890/big-brother-naija-lucky-girl-liquorose-wins-head-of-house.html Tue, 24 Aug 2021 06:53:03 +0000 https://www.watchdoguganda.com/?p=119890 Big Brother NAIJA 6 shine your eye housemate Liquorose is the new head of house (HoH).The Alpha female of season six has finally acquired the HOH title which was expected any time because of her determination.
She has always told her house lover Emmanuel before the game of chance challenge that she wanted to win HoH so badly and felt bad whenever she didn’t but still congratulated her fellow housemates who emerged winners.
As HOH she has been given a special treat by showmax and asked her to pick four other housemates that she would like to go with for the movie 
night. Her picks were Maria, Emmanuel, WhiteMoney and Tega.
Liquorose is one of the lucky housemates who have won sponsors tasks back to back.
And she is also the richest female housemate as of now.
Congratulations Liquorose!
Review by Rheetur N.
]]> BBNaija6 Diary: Have you missed anything on Big Brother Naija SEASON 6? https://www.watchdoguganda.com/entertainment/big-brother-naija-dairy/20210824/119882/bbnaija6-diary-have-you-missed-anything-on-big-brother-naija-season-6.html Tue, 24 Aug 2021 06:50:00 +0000 https://www.watchdoguganda.com/?p=119882 Big Brother Naija “Shine your eye season†is taking place in Nigeria’s capital, Lagos.It’s already Week 5 of
Big Brother Naija, the reality TV show version of Big Brother series â€" BBN6 started on 24th and 25th July 2021 with 22 housemates who were later joined by four others in Week 2. The four additional housemates were JMK, Queen, Micheal and Kayvee who entered the house after the first eviction of the season which saw Yerrins, Niyi and Beatrice exiting the bbnaija house.
During Week 3, Arin and Princess were also evicted from the bbnaija house during the live eviction show the other Sunday.
The house went cold when Kayvee had a sudden exit on Monday morning due to his mental health problem â€" this made his fellow housemates and viewers concerned as no one expected such a sad exit. That very week housemates were asked by big brother to perform an educative drama on mental health issues. Believe me, most people can relate to this subject in one way or another. #WearewithyouKayvee.
No evictions twist
A new twist to show came when Big brother gave the housemates an eviction break but asked Head of House (HOH) Maria to prank them by convincing them that she was going to evict 2 housemates who have least impressed her during her reign. Which assignment she accomplished
. Her fake names for housemates up for possible eviction were Jaypaul, Emmanuel, Angel, JMK,Yousef and Pere. Well done Maria…
We are now in week 5, stay tuned for the romance, fun, drama, betrayal, hypocrisy and so much more.
Follow big brother Naija on DSTV channel 198 and channel 329 on Gotv.
By Rheetur N.
]]> SACCO Chairperson arrested after ‘sharing’ Shs30m Emyooga cash with mother and sister https://www.watchdoguganda.com/news/20210824/119880/sacco-chairperson-arrested-after-sharing-shs30m-emyooga-cash-with-mother-and-sister.html Tue, 24 Aug 2021 06:47:49 +0000 https://www.watchdoguganda.com/?p=119880 The Kabale Resident District Commissioner Darius Nandinda has directed the arrest of Moses Henry Tahoreraho,the Chairperson of Kabale Municipality journalists Emyooga SACCO and some of his board members over mismanagement of Shs30 million.Tahoreraho was also unanimously removed from office by the annual general meeting that was held at Kabale Rukiiko hall. He was replaced by Hope Radio FM station manager Andrew Binyindo.
Tahoreraho’s arrest comes after he failed to account the Shs30 million grant the Sacco received in May this year, including Members’ savings amounting to Shs6 million.
According to RDC Nandinda, Tahoreraho granted loans to his mother and sister,who aren’t journalists.
Nandinda directed non journalists who took loans to immediately refund them before they face arrest. None journalists who attended the meeting and had eaten loans were immediately arrested. Among them include Bright Manure,who was the acting treasurer, Mbabazi Pierre and Chairperson Tahoreraho.
]]> ‘Be a leader who listens’, Nakyobe tips new State House Comptroller Barekye https://www.watchdoguganda.com/news/20210824/119875/be-a-leader-who-listens-nakyobe-tips-new-state-house-comptroller-barekye.html Tue, 24 Aug 2021 06:10:13 +0000 https://www.watchdoguganda.com/?p=119875 NAKASERO, KAMPALA: Lucy Nakyobe Mbonye on Monday handed over the office of State House Comptroller to her successor Jane Barekye, formerly the Special Presidential Assistant responsible for Economic Affairs.“I take this opportunity to hand over the office of State House Comptroller to you and wish you good luck,†Nakyobe said.
The handover ceremony took place at the State House Administration block at Okello House in Kampala and was attended by all senior management officers.
In her handover statement, Nakyobe commended and thanked President Museveni for the opportunity he gave her to serve as the State House Comptroller since May 2010.
“Today as I hand over the office of Comptroller following my promotion as Head of Public Service and Secretary to Cabinet, I want to thank the President for the trust and confidence he put in me for all these years†Nakyobe said.
Recently, President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni promoted and appointed Mrs.Lucy Nakyobe Mbonye as the new Head of Public Service and Secretary to cabinet replacing Mr. John Mitala. He also appointed Mrs. Jane Barekye as the new State House Comptroller.
Mrs. Nakyobe said that it has been an incredible journey working with all staff at State House and serving H.E the President in particular and Uganda in general.
She congratulated the new State House Comptroller, Mrs. Barekye and advised her to be a leader who listens, who knows the way and shows the way.
“Congratulations Mrs. Jane Barekye. I implore you to be a leader who knows the way, shows the way and goes the way. Trust and believe in your team and you will achieve all the success†Mrs. Nakyobe said.
After her handover report, Nakyobe presided over a ceremony as the new SHC Barekye took the oath of secrecy that was administered by the Human Resource Commissioner of State House Mr. Ronald Kiberu.
Nakyobe commended staff for the support and cooperation given to her during her tenure for all the years and urged them to support the new State House comptroller to ensure that she takes the institution to greater heights.
A hand over report was given to the new State House Comptroller together with all other necessary office documents by the outgoing Comptroller.
In her statement, Mrs. Jane Barekye thanked the outgoing Comptroller for the support rendered to her during her tenure and during the transition period.
“Thank you for allowing me to work with you and I have learnt a lot from you during your period as State House Comptroller,†she said.
Mrs. Jane Barekye thanked President Museveni for her appointment and pledged not to let him down because he has put trust in her.
“I would like to thank God and the appointing authority for trusting me with this appointment and pledge not to let him down. I call for team work and pledge to work with all of you as we serve the Presidency. I will continue with the open-door policy and encourage all of you to work with me. Let’s guide each other as we execute this mandate,†she said.
She pledged to work with everybody in their capacities at State House and asked for guidance whenever it is needed.
]]> UACE 2020: Dedicated SHACK maintains slot among top performing schools in Uganda https://www.watchdoguganda.com/news/20210824/119865/uace-2020-dedicated-shack-maintains-slot-among-top-performing-schools-in-uganda.html Tue, 24 Aug 2021 05:43:34 +0000 https://www.watchdoguganda.com/?p=119865 St Henry’s College-Kitovu (SHACK) is one of the few educational institutions that have lived up to educate all and sundry in the country for the last 99 years.Over the years, SHACK has been one of the best performing schools in the country’s national exams and it has done it again after producing some of the top 2020 Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education (UACE) candidates.
Situated on Kitovu Hill in Masaka City, SHACK walked the talk and passed with flying colors in the 2020 UACE exams under the formidable leadership of Augustine Mugabo, the 14th head teacher of the college.
The soft-spoken Brother Mugabo, 45, is a teacher of English language and literature in English, who has made great strides in the teaching profession for 28 years.
He is optimistic that the college under his leadership is transforming but referred the writer to his co-workers for further analytical and exploratory interview.
The Katikiro of Buganda Charles Peter Mayiga speaking to St Henrys College students on SHACK’S Day recently. PHOTO BY BRIAN MUGENYI. Mugabo, dressed in an orange shirt and brown trousers, pondered that the college can’t be managed by a single individual despite his reputation as the head teacher, a position he attained in 2005.
Tumusiime John Baptist, 40, the director of studies at SHACK shared the Centennial milestone the college has lived up to but consistency and discipline remains the focal ingredients that have moved them this far.
“I’ve been at SHACK for the last 8-years as the director of studies and I strongly believe that this year’s results have been a testimony to many of us at the college,†shared Tumusiime.
As a college, Kitovu has lived up to the leadership of the Catholic Church from Uganda Martyrs University under brothers of Christian Instruction alias Brothers of Kisubi as well as the Masaka Bishop Severus Jjumba remains the overseer of the entire institution.
“Now that the college is performing well term per term, the task is to ensure that we maintain and consolidate the old students to return back here and support their institution both literally and financially,†said Tumusiime, a Masters degree holder in Education Management from Uganda Martyrs University.
Tumusiime articulates that as a College, St Henry’s remained a giant in Masaka City basing on its competent tutors and students who are ready to learn and explore for good grades irrespective of their home background.
“It is a struggle to maintain the institutional performance well and when one achieves it the future ceases to be lightened,†added Tumusiime.
Based on last year’s result, as a college, St Henry’s had 110 students and only 2 were below 10 points.
“As a college, we’ve worked as a team and had a key guidance; effective time management and making everybody in the college as an agent of change,†added Tumusimme.
It is the unique discipline among the students and their tutors that have fostered their performance,†shared Tumusiime.
According to Robert Afayoa, the Assistant Head teacher in charge of Advanced Level and has enjoyed the good, bad and ugly side of living at the college, every year they set targets and work hard like a Trojan to full-fill them.
“Every parent needs disciplined children and where there’s discipline there’s light and success,†shared Afayoa.
Afayoa emphasized teamwork and unity among the driving forces that have seen them succeeding regardless of the working environment and ethical dilemmas as they execute their work.
“We’ve intensively managed to talk to students. They’ve listened, accepted what we normally tell them and they’ve succeeded,†added Afayoa beaming with a lot of confidence.
Since 1922 when the college was established, the target of the staff altogether has been emerging the best within the country.
Today, the college-Kitovu consists of 10500 students and the working environment plus the tranquil environment have propelled many teachers to send their children to the college.
Afayoa says that since the college comprises mainly scientists, 70% they ensured that they instill a formidable staff and the laboratory alone is manned by competent staff.
“The parents, especially those with science students, are responding positively to the institutional demands which gives us a reason to believe,†added Afaoya.
Among the successful students who led in the 2020 academics was Jonathan Nyanzi who was also a needy student and later picked up from nuts by old boys at the college.
Nyanzi T. Jonathan(PCB-SM) In Summary (2020- Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education; UACE)
4 students with 20 points
John Lubega (LEG)
Savero Kanakulya (BCM)
Jonathan Trevor Nyanzi (PCB)
Mubaraka Lawrence (PMTD)
]]> ANDREW MWENDA: Lokech, the passing of a giant https://www.watchdoguganda.com/op-ed/20210824/119863/andrew-mwenda-lokech-the-passing-of-a-giant.html Tue, 24 Aug 2021 04:55:28 +0000 https://www.watchdoguganda.com/?p=119863 On the morning of Saturday August 21st, I was driving to Fort Portal but got a puncture 20km before Mityana. While trying to fix my car by the roadside, a friend called me. Andrew, he said, our friend Paul Lokech, is dead.What? When? How? Why? I asked! Andrew, he is goooone. He is dead. I have been struck by so many death of friends that I’ve been wondering why! Do I know so many people? But this was not the case before October 2020. I do not know how to digest these developments.
I had talked to Lokech on Thursday night and he was in good health and buoyant mood. He had had a minor accident and was staying and working from home and was recovering well. In fact he had called on Wednesday but I was away from my phone. He then sent me a WhatsApp message and I reproduce it here: Hi Andrew, You wrote avery good article and I will send it to the Defence college of the USA.†The defeat of liberal imperialism â€
I returned his call on Thursday night and, in his usual joking manner, said he was going to arrest me for a “very†delayed return call. He told me that he had loved the article and had sent it to the US defense college at Fort Leavenworth, where he studied. “I asked my lectures to read it and think deep about it†he said, thereby massaging my ego a little bit. I did not know it would be our last conversation.
I met Lokech in Mogadishu in 2012 and we became instant friends. He was Uganda’s contingent commander in AMISON, the AU mission to Somalia. My brother, Maj Gen Kayanja Muhanga, was the battle group commander working under Lokech. They had fought pitched battles against the Al Shabab, and chased it out of the city. These battles cemented their friendship. Both Kayanja and Lokech admitted Al Shabab was a tough cookie.
When he was appointed DIGP in December last year, I called him to congratulate him. We then began talking about the challenges to security in Kampala, especially during the elections. Lokech got interested in what I was saying. In characteristic style, he drove to my home so that we can have a face to face discussion. At my house we talked for five hours nonstop and he left at 2am the next day.
In November, police had arrested leading opposition presidential candidate, Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine. This sparked off mass demonstrations most especially in Kampala. The police had not coordinated with other security agencies about the arrest; and it was ill prepared to handle the situation. As a result, the different security agencies deployed, but there was lack of centralized command and control leading to many people dying in the crossfire. Lokech wanted ideas.
I told him that the problem of Kampala is not primarily a security one in need of military intervention, although riots make it seem so. It is at root a political problem, which needs police to engage the different stakeholders in the city to gain control of angry youths. Police needs to reach out to stakeholders in markets, garages, mosques, churches, taxi and bus parks, streets where vendors work, carpentry and metal workshops, etc. It is through these engagements that police can win youths away from riots.
Lokech went to work. He pulled me closer to him and asked me to help him reach some these stakeholders. I now was able to watch the man work his magic at close range. He went to great lengths to meet all the leaders of different social groups that make up Kampala, including opposition politicians and Western diplomats. I attended most of these stakeholder meetings.
His message was simple: my job is to ensure a peaceful election. We do not want rioting. We have credible intelligence that some people are planning to burn down Kampala. The youths involved in this are being misled by unscrupulous politicians. As police our mission is to protect the life and property of all citizens. If such rioting to burn down this city happens there will be no winners. All of us will lose.
Police, backed by the army, can crush any riot but that is not what we want, what uganda needs. Uganda needs all of us to work together to deliver a peaceful election. Aggrieved parties can seek redress through the courts but we cannot allow rioting that destroys lives and property. I am not here to change your political views. That is your right. I am here to work with you for a safe country.
For the most part, all the leading pillars of opinion in the churches and mosques, in the streets and markets, in garages and taxi and bus parks listened and were won over by this tall, lean general. His tone was sincere, his manner simple and his voice genuine. In less than three weeks, Lokech had turned the tables and the city was no longer the bastion of hostility teaming with youths planning to burn it down.
Yet as a security professional, Lokech did not leave anything to chance. He proceeded to work with UPDF to build a security plan for Kampala. If all the engagements he had done did not deliver cooperation as he expected, he put in place Plan B: an airtight security cordon that anyone who dared burn down Kampala would be apprehended and neutralized.
I was so impressed by his political and security skills that I went on radio, television and elsewhere and told people that if one stone is thrown on Election Day I was willing to go to jail. I organized a group of western ambassadors to receive a briefing from him on election eve and they were so impressed by his command of the situation, his overt confidence and yet simplicity in his work, they could not hide their feelings.
That is the man Uganda has lost: thorough, meticulous, dedicated, smart, exemplary. Police has lost a pillar. His career was heroic, and I am the least qualified to give testimony. Those who worked with him can do better.
He was in the rebel Uganda Peoples Democratic Army (UPDA). He surrendered with others to NRA, now UPDF, and became one of its most loyal officers. He fought in northern Uganda, DRC, CAR, South Sudan and Somalia. At one time he led his forces on a 750km trek on foot from Kisangani to Uganda. At another time he went into CAR and restored a government that had been overthrown by a military upstart.
That was Paul Lokech. Simple but tough. Jolly but thorough. He was a workaholic who left office at 3am and was back in office by 7am. He ate little, and tragically did little or no exercise as well, a factor that I suspect contributed greatly to his early death. He was straightforward, and told it as he saw it. No mincing words. He was loyal and kept his friends. He loved good things yet pleasure never interfered with his duties.
But most importantly he was a great listener and learner. He was quick witted and could smell a good point quickly and was not shy to accept it and use it. He understood that he had a short temper and kept close to him friends who helped him manage it better. He was firm and decisive in his style. Once he has decided on a course of action, Lokech proceed with speed and clarity. He did not allow anyone to doubt his intentions and his commitment.
When he joined the police, he qualities became manifest. He was blessed to have a boss, an IGP in Martin Okoth Ochola, who gave him space to employ his boundless energy and zest. Ochola is a great leader because he knows how to delegate. Lokech had ideas to reform police and had began his work in earnest. It is sad he was only eight months on the job. He has stayed a few years, Uganda would have seen the fruits of this giant of a man.
Rest well my friend, you played your role with dedication and distinction. Your works will forever live in the memory of those of us who saw them, felt them and experienced them. Uganda is proud of you.
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