Reflecting on the 1976 incident, President Museveni noted that although the hijacking was a tragic event, the rescue operation became a turning point in weakening the grip of former dictator Idi Amin, whose prestige and fear among the population were significantly shaken by the events that followed.
Michael Phillip Lulume Bayigga, the People’s Front for Freedom (PFF) party Deputy President for Buganda region revealed that the declaration of Karua as Persona Non Grata doesn’t represent Uganda as a leading actor in the East African Community, which guarantees the East Africans the freedom of movement.
“Any person who has carried him as the party leader shall be individually responsible for their harmful actions unless he or she has been given that mandate by the party leader’s conference, through the rightful process,” Oyat said.
“The UPC therefore respectfully calls upon His Excellency President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, pursuant to Article 91(3)(b) of the Constitution of the Republic of Uganda, to withhold assent to the Bill and return it to Parliament for further scrutiny, wider consultation, and reconsideration,” the statement read in part.
According to reports, the geographical area affected so far covers close to 75 acres of land with homesteads and farmlands (downhill) in Bulambuli to Sironko districts.
According to Sharon Oyat, the UPC party spokesperson, 84% of the manifesto implementation lacks transparency, as it appears to be unrealistic based on the continued manifestation of high rates of unemployment among the youth, poor infrastructure, a poor education system, and poor healthcare in the country.
The National Resistance Movement (NRM) party has already fronted Rose Kabagyeni as the flag bearer, Sultana Salim Tana is the National Unity Platform (NUP) party candidate, and Juliet Musanase has been fronted by the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) party.
This is not the first time such an incident is happening in Uganda; in July 2013, over 35 people died and many survived with injuries as they tried to get fuel from a fuel tanker involved in an accident. Many, mainly boda boda raiders,were caught up in the fire and lost their lives.
The Kiteezi landfill incident that claimed over 35 lives and displaced a number of families was decommissioned, and the government has warned residents around the area to vacate because there is a possibility of another collapse, which could be soon or in the near future.
Schools in Uganda closed for the second term holiday break on August 16, 2024, with most schools expected to open up for the third term on September 23, 2024. Holidaymakers are encouraged to engage in productive activities beyond education during the short holidays.