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.
“The Judiciary is currently grappling with a significant case backlog, with more than 200,000 pending cases as of March 2026. The Judiciary is therefore implementing reforms such as Alternative Dispute Resolution mechanisms, increased use of ICT in court processes, and expansion of court infrastructure to improve efficiency,” Abodo said.
There are plans to establish integrated prison industries, including tanneries, footwear, furniture, and garment manufacturing, and proposed local production of ceremonial regalia like pips for security forces to cut costs.
The rollout of E-IDs is expected to improve security, streamline access to basic services, and expand the scope of financial inclusion. By linking national IDs to a secure digital platform, the government aims to eliminate the use of physical IDs, which are prone to theft. This will provide citizens with protection from exploitation in the form of loan sharks.
The business community came out to complain of the loss of their goods in the process of crossing the bridge, yet it is the only convenient road that connects them to and from the business centers where they move to search for the market for their products to earn a living.