Venturing out, nocturnally

It ain't all that funny, deciding after half-a-day in the room, doing nought but contemplating, to stroll out and stretch my muscles, rather, strain my muscles (with a friend). Down the lane. Past Wandegeya. Past CMI (Chief Military Intelligence) headquarters. CMI can be equated to the infamous Nyayo House during the Nyayo era in Kenya.
The streets are dimly lit, in neon street lights scattered here and there.
On a bodaboda (the almost nuisanceous motor cycles Kampala is notable with), straight to Uchumi supermarket, located right within the Palatial and Princely setting of Garden City. Nelly, a friend and media colleaque, confided to me the place where Garden City stands was once a swamp, gazzetted as a no-go-zone for any developer. But, the utmost authority in the powers-that-be, having vested interest in the wetland, put up the princely hotel cum shopping mall, an addition to their innumerous investments.
The wetland is strategically located, bordering the city centre, just across the main asphalt road, where a high school once stood. It was demolished and word had it that it was to be sold to a Saudi Prince at a cost of ush.300M. (The government has a policy, since it assumed power more than two decades ago) of attracting investors). The Saudi Prince would build a five star hotel to host the CHOGM (Commonwealth Heads of State and Government Meeting) delegates. However, the hotel was never constructed. Media reports (with the exception of the government media) revealed scandulous consignments that surrounded the land.
Just a thought.
Back to Garden City. Into Uchumi supermarket. Nelly had hoped to buy wine only. He needed it badly, a reason for our nocturnal venture to the supermarket where he confided to me he often got the good wine at better rates. But, all brands are too expensive for an ordinary bloke to afford. Food prices having skyrocketed globally, should be no excuse for the dear price of wine. Is wine food? Why is it too expensive, but with limited quantity? Oil prices are at their peak. What of wine? It ain't supposed to be as exorbitantly priced as we noticed at the supermarket.
Any how, he goes ahead to purchase several other stuff, after sorting out a relatively cheaper brand of wine. I get juice and blue band, which he pays for (a very generous chap I ever met).
It's quarter to ten. We walk to a restaurant for drinks. After we are done with fanta and coke, the former, which I prefer, we walk out. At the entrance, as we stroll out, we spot a journalist who works for a leading media house. 'Ebazanye,' Nelly reminds me. I saw him in the past, and I've seen him often at his desk at The New Vision. "He has brought his chick here for fun," Nelly and I conclude as we ooze out of the cozy palatial supermarket and the entire Garden City.
The venue is fantabulous.
Just a memory.

Book launch in honour of Yvonne Namaganda

THE Minister of State for Higher Education and Sports Hon. Charles Bakkabulindi on Tuesday launched a book in honour of the late Budo junior pupil, Yvonne Namaganda at Kitante High School in Kamwokya.
Speaking at the function, the Minister, who was represented by Mr. Omagor-Loican Martin, Commissioner Special Needs Education, Guidance and Counseling said the book, ‘Understanding Student Leadership’ describes leadership as the process of influencing others towards achievement of a common goal.
“As student leaders, you must note that the influence referred to here is not towards negative aspects like school strikes, burning of schools, dodging classes and others,” the Minister said.
“I commend the authors and Mrs. Rose Izizinga for paying tribute and dedicating their book to Yvonne Namaganda, a selfless young leader who laid down her life in service of others and I urge young leaders to emulate her,” the Minister added.
The Minister further commended the authors of the book, Allen K. Baguma and Alex R. Mujuni in calling upon school administrators to endeavour to empower young people most especially the student leaders by promoting virtues of good governance.
“This is quite welcome especially at such a time when the country and Africa in general is being faced with enormous challenges like poverty, disease, ignorance, war, hunger and HIV/AIDS.”
Speaking at the same function, the head teacher of Kitante High School, Ms Rose Izizinga, in paying tribute to Yvonne Namaganda, noted that student leaders face the dilemma of leadership while studying and doing what is right.
“I thank the authors for seeing it fit to pay tribute to Yvonne Namaganda, the young leader that died so that others could live and who discharged her duty to the end,” Ms. Rose Izizinga said.
Nakityo Betty, the Town Clerk of Mubende Town Council and grandmother to the late Yvonne Namaganda stated that the late granddaughter was a class prefect and a good sports personality.
“As a class prefect, she used to make sure the class was kept clean and in good order,” she said. “However, leadership has its own costs.”
Hon. Florence Bavunya Ngalubo, Minister for Youth and Employment in Mengo government comforted the family of the late Yvonne Namaganda at the book launch.
During the book launch, a copy of ‘Understanding Student Leadership’ was auctioned at ushs. 300,000. The proceeds, together with a souvenir, were handed over to the family of the late Yvonne Namaganda.
Joshua Masinde

No more years at Makerere

THE university senate formulated a regulation in a meeting held in July 14th to guide students on withdrawal from studies and to forewarn those who overstay their stipulated years at the institution.
In a letter circulated by the Academic registrar, Mr. Amos Olal-Odur, a student can apply to his/her respective Board of Studies for permission to withdraw from studies at any time of the semester. The reasons for withdrawal from studies should be given in the letter of application.
“Permission to withdraw shall be granted by the Faculty/School/Institute Board only on compassionate grounds or in cases of illness or financial constraints, serious social or domestic difficulties or exceptional professional commitment which can be demonstrated to have adversely affected the candidate.”
Resumption of studies will also require the student to follow the same procedure of application. However, he or she “shall indicate that the circumstances that made him/her withdraw can no longer affect his/her studies.”
The student will only be allowed Permission for withdrawal a maximum of two withdrawals on an Academic Programme and each withdrawal shall not exceed a period of one academic year.
The regulations also affect the students who overstay their academic studies at the university. Students will no longer be allowed to overstay their welcome unnecessarily as this creates a backlog and congestion at the university which already has more than thirty thousand students to manage.
“A student who has overstayed on an Academic Programme by more than two years beyond the period of candidature stipulated in the Programme shall be discontinued from his/her studies at the University,” states the letter.
Joshua Masinde