Aboneka Writes

By Michael Aboneka Jr For the past few weeks, I have been engaged in debates over some practices that we have ignored as society and yetare harmful especially to children. The conversations raised a lot of dust as this subject touches many hearts as many think it is an attack on their tribes and customs. But if we must progress as a civilized society, we must transcend beyond tribal, cultural and religious sentiments to discussing real issues. Female genital mutilation (FGM) was once a “beautiful” cultural practice until society discovered that it was dangerous to the life of a woman and as such, it is now an offence under the Prohibition of Female Genital Mutilation Act, 2010. In the same vain, rolling of girls over a cliff because they were pregnant was also outlawed because it was repugnant to the Constitution as it undermined one’s right to life. It is within the same ambit that we should discuss the forceful and harmful circumcision for boys and elongation of the labia minora

By Michael Aboneka jr (SOURCE: INTERNET) The right to dissent is by and large an extension of the freedom of conscience, expression, movement, religion, assembly and association enshrined under Article 29 of the Constitution of Uganda, 1995. Uganda too signed the African Charter on democracy, elections and good governance (ACDEG) in December 2008, which espouses the right to dissent and holding opinion important for any democracy. The charter further under Chapter 4 enjoins states to protect such freedoms and under article 27(8), States are enjoined to protect and promote the freedom of expression, opinion and the press and media. Now that Uganda has committed to promote and protect these freedoms, why is the right to dissent in this country becoming increasingly an offence? Recently, a group of students in Makerere university were opposed to the arbitral increment of tuition to which they took to the “streets” of the University for a peaceful demonstration exercising the right

By Michael Aboneka Jr A few weeks ago, the public was shocked with news that over 1000 couples' marriages were null and void as the place of worship that purportedly celebrated the marriage was not licensed and gazetted to do the same. There has been a lot of storm on this matter and notwithstanding this, the Church has not made any comment as to the future of the affected Couples. I have received numerous calls and messages concerning this issue and I think it is unfortunate that the Church, which is supposed to exemplify truth and honesty chose to wed couples well knowing that they had not been licensed and gazetted at the time they conducted the marriages. It will be justifiable for all the couples to sue the Church for damages and other reliefs. In another turn of the events, it has been reported that the MPs raised this issue on the floor of Parliament and the Government's response was that the position of the law takes precedence and therefore all the couples must re-

By Michael Aboneka jr For some time now, there have been certain issues regarding the administration of the judiciary especially with Judicial officers’ logistical details. This was barely a month after the judiciary received a new Permanent Secretary /secretary to the Judiciary. I am not sure whether this was a coincidence or something else. The judicial officers have been complaining of the erroneous deductions of their allowances, failure to avail operation costs, disturbance allowances, kilometrage allowances and settlement allowances. How do we expect judicial officers to carry out their constitutional mandate without facilitation? Why should a magistrate spend a full quarter without operational funds to buy stationery, fix bulbs among others? Why should judicial officers receive the same kilometrage allowances regardless of their different distances of their working stations? All these questions haven’t been answered. Be that as it may, I have carefully reflected on this matt

By Michael Aboneka jr The National Curriculum Review especially for the O'Level section is undergoing review with those in charge saying it is for the good of our education. The curriculum is key to the educational needs of our children who are the future of this country and the Globe at large! There have been proposals made by the National Curriculum Development Centre and I am not aware of any deliberate consultations of Parents and the learners. There can be nothing for us without us, as such, there cannot be a curriculum review without the input of those it is being reviewed for! We have had several proposals coming from different corridors concerning what kind of education our children are getting and the strongest argument has been to design a curriculum that suits our context and needs rather than importing certain systems. How many students or student bodies have been consulted on this process? How many parents have participated in this review! We should not take thi