YEAR ENDER: Remembering 2021

July

9^th – Fight breaks out between Covidex maker Prof. Ogwang and his employer Mbarara University of Sceicne and Technology (MUST) over copyright issues. Covidex, a covid19 remedy, became popular among Ugandans for its healing properties when cases spiked during the second wave.

15^th Museveni names new permanent secretaries. Economist Ramadhan Ggoobi is named Permanent Secretary at Ministry of Finance, Lucy Nakyobe is appointed Head of Public Service and Beti Kamya IGG among changes.

19^th  -Global media investigations reveal that the phones of Uganda’s ex-Prime Minister Ruhakana Rugunda, former foreign affairs minister Sam Kutesa, former Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) were tapped using Israeli spyware called Pegasus.

30^th Lockdown partially lifted with noted reduction in cases. Inter district travel is opened, cars allowed to move and boda bodas allowed to operate. Schools remain closed.

August

3rd– Ugandan Turkish-based vlogger Fred Lumbuye goes missing in Istanbul. His disappearance raises a storm with fears arising of him having been targeted by government because of his viral videos announcing the death of President Museveni.  

7th-   14 UPDF Generals are retired from the army alongside hundreds of other junior officers. Notable names included Ivan Koreta, Pecos Kutesa, Jim Owoyesigire, Robert Rusoke, and Fred Mugisha who had long clamoured for retirement.

23^rd – Gen. Paul Lokech dies mysteriously at his home in Kampala after eight months as deputy Inspector general of Police. Post mortem report cites blood clot but speculation abounds on what felled the battle tested General at his prime.

30^th Silverbacks, the national basketball team get stuck at a hotel in Kigali, Rwanda after they run out of cash while at a tournament.

September

5^th Guinea President Alpha Conde is toppled in a coup. First Son Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba fires off controversial tweet about UPDF intervening to save deposed leader.

7^th – Two prominent opposition MPS; Allan Ssewanyana and Mohammed Ssegirinya are charged with murder in the Masaka Magistrates Court in connection with mysterious killings in the district.

27^th Security re-arrests Ssegirinya over alleged treason, just after being granted bail by the High Court.

28^th – Museveni meets NRM caucus over a proposal to scrap bail. The meeting happened amid the detention of two opposition MPs denied bail while facing terrorism and murder charges.

October

7^th -Veteran politician Dr. Kizza Besigye launches Peoples Front for Transition, a new political vehicle aimed at fighting for a political transition in Uganda. With a symbol of a red card, the Front is made up of old Besigye allies and it was notable for its snub of Bobi Wine’s NUP.

23^rd – An explosion goes off at a pork joint in Komamboga, a Kampala suburb killing a waitress and sparking fear in Kampala. This was days after a UK-issued terror alert.

25^th Another explosion goes off inside a bus on the Uganda-Masaka Highway killing the suicide bomber

November

6^th– Medical interns go on strike over delayed pay of their allowances. There are over 1400 medical interns in the country including doctors, graduate nurses and pharmacists in the country.

16^th – Two bombs go off in Kampala killing six people including three suicide bombers. Bombers struck in front of Central Police Station and near the parliament building. Over 30 are reported injured.

27^th Nsenene vendor aboard Uganda Airlines causes storm. The vendor, a Ugandan Dubai trader says it was all for a TikTok video.

30^th – Uganda launches revenge bombings on the ADF in retaliation for killings of Ugandans and bombs in Kampala in recent months. 

December

7^th– CMI boss Maj. Gen Kandiho is sanctioned by the US over alleged torture of Museveni opponents and other human rights abuses.

7^th– Omicron, the new covid19 variant, is detected in Uganda.

12^th– Museveni reshuffles ambassadors appointing Maj. Gen Rusoke as new envoy to Rwanda. Lt. Gen. Charles Angina is sent to Egypt.

13^th– Senior Doctors at Makerere University declare their intention to join the medical doctors strike countrywide

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