As the year ends, the temptation by most news organizations is to do articles on people who have shined in that given year. One could rightly argue these stories inspire others to do more and also be recognized. However, rarely do media houses flip the coin and look at the other side. Today Bbeg Media has done just that. We look at 10 individuals who exhibited poor behaviour, judgement or failed to do what they ought to have done in 2024. We are not drawing any conclusions. We are just pointing out that they performed terribly in 2024. Enjoy
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!***********************************************
Alien Skin (aka Patrick Mulwana)
He might be popular among the youth in the ghettos but Alien Skin’s behaviour in 2024 left a lot to be desired. In November after one of his gang mates died at Nsambya Hospital, the artist and his crew roughed up a doctor and security guards claiming they had not done enough to save their friend’s life. He was briefly remanded to Luzira before he was released on bail. Then in December, his crew raided National Unity Platform (NUP) offices at Kavule and vandalized property. Alien Skin may be popular but this should not give him a license to sow violence. He needs to be a better version of himself in 2025.
Prof Barnabas Nawangwe
Architects are known for building/designing great stuff but this does not apply to Prof Barnabas Nawangwe, the Vice-Chancellor of Makerere University. 2024 showed that he was Makerere’s destroyer-in-chief, and he needed to be saved from himself. In November he suspended three students who had protested the delay in releasing food and housing allowances. After a public outcry, he rescinded the decision. Clearly, Nawangwe should not bring this confusion to 2025.
Mariam Wangadya, the chairperson of the Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC) did not fare better. The commission skirted around the main human rights violations and went for the low-hanging fruits of condemning those that perpetuated these acts. Wangadya, as usual kept quiet about the rampant abduction of NUP supporters and other violations. She needs to pull up her socks in 2025.
Dr Chris Mukiza
In 2024, Dr Chris Mukiza, the executive director of Uganda Bureau of Statistics proved the point that some of the solutions to our problems do not need people with a PhD. He came under fire over several inaccuracies and inconsistencies were identified in the Census Report. Instead of eating the humble pie and apologizing, he reminded us how he is “one of the best statisticians” in the country. “I have a PhD,” he said at one press briefing in defence of the report. Yes, he does but what question was he responding to? He can redeem himself in 2025.
Dorothy Kisaka
Dorothy Kisaka and his technocrats at KCCA had a terrible 2024. Yet as the boss, she should take all the flak. Kisaka, to be honest, never got going as executive director of KCCA. She was too withdrawn and detached from the challenges of city dwellers. The Kiteezi landfill collapse could have triggered her eventual ouster but really, she never showed up in the three or so years she was at the helm of the authority.
Joel Ntabu
Joel Ntabu, a CID officer attached to CPS came under the spotlight after some of the youths arrested in the March to Parliament protests claimed that he had overseen their torture. According to testimonies from some of the youths, Ntabu directed officers to kick them and beat them up while in detention. Police denied the allegations and urged the youths to report the case to…police. They did not. There can never be smoke without fire and the implication of Ntabu, not any other officer, means something was amiss.
Sam Mayanja
In 2024, Sam Mayanja, the minister of state for Lands, continued with his tirades against Buganda, which we don’t have a problem with. However, in many land cases, he rushed to make judgment and to order police to arrest the “so-called land grabbers.” He loved displaying his power and authority before wanainchi. However, in some of the cases, courts ruled against his directives meaning that the victory of the wanainchi was short-lived. Land grabbing must be fought but not in the manner Mayanja did in 2024. As an experienced lawyer, Mayanja needs to follow the rightful legal procedures in handling land issues in 2025.
Michael Mawanda
Igara East MP Michael Mawanda was arrested in June over alleged mismanagement of Shs 164 billion meant for war veterans. Mawanda was accused of theft, corruption, and attempted fraud involving Buyaka Growers Cooperative Society. He was later released on bail but the case was a stain on his already tattered reputation (He was detained in India in 2013 over alleged exhortation). As a senior leader in the Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU), the charges reflected badly on the organization. There is room for change in 2025.
Anthony Akol
Anthony Akol, the Kilak North MP turned his colleague Francis Zaake of Mityana Municipality into a punching bag after an altercation over a seat. Even when Zaake fell to the ground, Akol continued punching away like a possessed beast. It took the intervention of other members to halt Akol. The same MP beat up Odonga Otto, the former Aruu County MP in the 11th Parliament. Akol exhibited behaviour nor befitting of a legislator and he is one of our worst people of 2024.
Cissy Namujju
Cissy Namujju, the Lwengo Woman MP was detained in August alongside two colleagues on accusations that they tried to solicit 20% of the enhanced budget of the Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC). She claimed she could use her influence to ensure that the budget is increased. The same MP had been implicated in several exhortation efforts before with reports that President Museveni had personally cautioned her. She did not take heed.