Browsing: Opinion

Makerere, regarded the Ivory tower, the highest seat of academic knowledge and one of Uganda/East Africa’s oldest universities, lies in an area of Kampala City that greatly challenges the very existence of this university. First, did you know that the name ‘Makerere’ is derived from the Kiswahili word: makelele meaning noise or ululations. The Kiswahili speakers among early British Colonial administrators who governed Buganda, reportedly would say: “kwamulima huko kuna makelele mingi saana ya wanganga…” I’ve paraphrased the statement that was reportedly made during the late 19th century or thereabout. It literally meant: “how come on that hill, there’s a lot of noise from those witchdoctors…” Apparently, the comment was in regard to noises that used to be made in the shrines by local witchdoctors (Abasamizze) who had built, lived and worked there!

In recent years, the rise of online news portals and social media platforms has revolutionized the way news is disseminated. While this has undoubtedly brought numerous benefits, it has also given rise to a concerning trend of false news and misinformation. One such example is the recent false report of the death of the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) in Nigeria, General Christopher Musa. Reporting false news of such magnitude is not only unethical and unprofessional but also constitutes junk journalism, posing a serious threat to national security.

The North of Nigeria, once admired for its systems and quality of leadership, is now plagued by a leadership crisis. The current leaders and elites in the region, ill-prepared and ill-equipped to lead, driven solely by their ambitions for power and wealth, have failed to address the pressing issues facing the region, resulting in widespread insecurity, poverty, and economic stagnation.