The kidnappers held her captive for nearly three weeks, demanding up to $1 million before accepting about $200,000 (approximately UGX 700 million). During her captivity, they cut off two of her fingers and sent them alongside a video of her pleading for help to pressure her family into paying the ransom.
Akena referred to historical statements by President Museveni acknowledging the destruction of food supplies and the destitution of about 2.7 million people during that period. He argued that the loss of cattle deprived communities of daily nutrition, household income, school fees, draft power, and soil fertility, leaving effects that continue to be felt today.
“We are to demand performance from both the NRM and the opposition. As long as you are getting money from the government, you must check what is happening on the ground,” Museveni said.
The Commission, led by Chairperson Winnie Agnes Kabogoza-Musoke, presented its annual report for Financial Year 2023/24 and asked Parliament to increase its budget from the current Shs12.1 billion to UGX 21.8 billion to meet their targets.
The Parliament of Uganda is set to hold four regional sittings, with the first one starting on August 28, 2024, at Kaunda grounds in Gulu, and they are to hold other sittings in Mbarara, Mbale, and Masaka. Each sitting is to cost over UGX 5 billion, and many people have criticized the relevance of these regional sittings as they seem not to have a direct impact on the constituents.
The Ugandan government has failed in the skyrocketing youth unemployment with over 70%, delivering on promised programs like youth livelihood, exploitation by politicians, suppression of freedom of expression and association, entrenchment of corruption, and nepotism, among others.