Anthony Bugembe, Moses Mugalu and Moses Mulondo
27 December 2008
column
Kampala — AS the year comes to an end, Anthony Bugembe, Moses Mugalu and Moses Mulondo look back at some events in Uganda in 2008.
January 1
Kabaka Ronald Muwenda Mutebi reshuffles cabinet, appointing John Baptist Walusimbi as Katikkiro (premier). The Kabaka also recalled three former katikkiros, Mayanja Nkangi, Joseph Ssemogerere, and Dan Muliika as special advisers.
January 8
NRM candidates, Sarah Mwebaza and Rev. Florence Adong Omwony win the Samya-Bugwe North and Labwor parliamentary elections respectively.
January 13
Vice-President Gilbert Bukenya and Prime Minister Apolo Nsibambi intervene on the rift between Mengo and the central government over the proposed Land Bill. Bukenya invites all MPs from Buganda as Nsibambi invites religious leaders to discuss the matter.
January 21
A report by African Peer Review Mechanism National Commission indicates that Uganda loses sh510b to corrupt government officials every year.
February 4
Over 100 pupils of Sir Tito Winyi Primary School in Hoima District become hysterical (demon possessed), forcing the school to close.
February 11
Kabaka Ronald Muwenda Mutebi vows that as the trustee of Buganda, he would not be stopped from talking about the proposed Land Bill.
February 15
Police brutally arrest Kampala Central MP Erias Lukwago over failure to respond to court summons.
February 19
Hours after the LRA delegation in Juba signs an additional agreement on accountability and reconciliation, a group of LRA rebels kills 11 people and abducts 27 others in South Sudan.
February 26
A team of American and Ugandan doctors carry out the first surgery in Africa to implant a device and restore the hearing of a patient at Mulago Hospital.
March 17
NRM's Steven Baka Mugabi wins the Bukooli North seat in a by-election, beating UPC's Patrick Mwondha.
March 18
Libyan leader, Col. Muammar Gadaffi opens the national mosque, at Old Kampala, named after him.
March 24
A survey the Germany ranks Uganda the 8th most democratic country in Africa.
April 2
NRM candidate, Iddi Kisiki Lubyayi beats DP's Deogratius Kiyingi in a by-election for the Bukomansimbi seat.
April 14
Nineteen Budo Junior School children die in an inferno in their dormitory.
April 20
Mukono District Police Commander James Aurien kills wife Christine Apolot, on suspicion of infidelity.
April 10
Kony fails to show up for the signing of the final peace agreement at Ri-Kwangba, arguing that he needs more time to digest the contents of the agreement.
May 1
Kampala Central MP Erias Lukwago is arrested and held at Lugazi Police Station for alleging that state minister for housing Michael Werikhe was involved in malpractices in the Buikwe South constituency by-election.
May 2
DP's Lulume Bayiga wins Buikwe South by-election with 12,500 votes, beating closest rival and former area MP, Anthony Nsubuga of NRM, who gets 8,359 votes.
May 6
Uganda produces first milk powder as Museveni opens Sameer Agricultural and Livestock group's milk processing plant in Kampala's Industrial area.
May 8
17 traffic police officers held for extorting bribes from motorists in an impromptu operation mounted by the Police's Professional Standards Unit. Sh982,700 is recovered from the officers concealed in their berets, armpits and private parts.
May 13
Police arrests Pastor William Muwanguzi 'Kiwedde' of Holy Fires Ministries for allegedly stealing a Toyota Land Cruiser car, worth sh24m, from Michael Sango.
May 23
Five Ugandan peacekeepers in Somalia are injured in a bomb attack on one of their vehicles in Mogadishu.
May 29
Uganda Police officer John Kennedy Oketcho is killed in Sudan's conflict-torn Darfur region. Oketcho, 39, had been serving under the UN's peacekeeping mission (UNAMID).
June 1
Uganda Medical Workers' Union chairperson Apollo Nyangasi is arrested and detained at Tororo Police Station for allegedly obtaining sh20m by false pretence
June 7
Police storms DP offices in Kampala because of the noise pollution caused by a public address system.
Anti-riot Police disrupts a bicycle rally and football match at Kitebi Primary School in Nateete, organised by Lubaga South MP Susan Nampijja. The MP faints due to inhaling teargas.
Singer Jose Chameleone weds Daniela Atim.
June 9
President Yoweri Museveni honours 20 civilians who were killed for supporting the NRA five-year bush war in Luweero Triangle by unveiling a memorial monument.
Rubaga South MP Susan Nampijja is rescued by Police after being caught up in chaos between two rival groups in Ndeeba market, Kampala.
June 10
Kampala Woman MP Nabilah Ssempala is allegedly undressed, brutalised and arrested by the Police over for holding an illegal rally at St. Balikuddembe Market (Owino) to launch suggestion boxes.
Workers' MP Sam Lyomoki is arrested and charged with disobeying orders after visiting Mbale Hospital forcefully.
June 11
The finance ministry allocates the biggest portion, sh1.1trillion, in the 2008/2009 budget for the reconstruction of the road network in the country.
June 13
Major Muhoozi Kainerugaba, the President's son, graduates at Fort Leavenworth in Kansas, USA after completing a military course.
June 18
Works and transport minister John Nasasira assures Parliament that there will be no more potholes on Uganda's roads in the next three years.
June 22
Ugandan contestant Esther Nabasa, 21, wins the sh130m at the 2nd edition of the Tusker Project Fame Academy, a music contest held in Kenya.
June 24
Premier Apolo Nsibambi blocked from addressing mourners at Sulaiman Kiggundu's burial, on allegations that the Government was against Kiggundu.
Former chief magistrate of Mwanga II Court, Gaster Mugoya, is charged with forgery and utterance of false documents
June 25
Stephen Mujoroto, a veteran UPC supporter, forcefully circumcised after his Bagisu youth tribesmen ambushed him in the city centre for dodging Imbalu.
June 27
President Museveni hands over the EAC chairmanship to Rwanda's Paul Kagame.
Angelina Kyomugisha of Rugyerera village in Kashari County, Mbarara district, chops off Godfrey Mugarura's penis for allegedly defiling her 10-year-old daughter.
July 1
Police chief Kale Kaihura refuses to apologise to DP over Police raiding its offices.
July 5
DP rules out alliance with FDC or any other opposition political party in the 2011 general elections. Members are fronting Gulu LC5 chairman, Nobert Mao for president.
July 13
President Museveni launches association of bibanja holders at Jagala Kavule in Wakiso.
July 16
Buhaguzi County MP Tomson Abwooli Kyahurwenda is charged with the murder of his half sister and is sent on remand at Kiryatete Prison in Hoima district.
July 18
Buganda ministers Medard Lubega, Peter Mayiga and official Betty Nambooze are arrested by Police over inciting violence and sectarianism.
July 24
Lubega, Nambooze and Mayiga are re-arrested just moments after being freed in Kyenjojo.
July 25
Two of the three Mengo officials, Medard Lubega and Betty Nambooze, are charged with sedition at the magistrate's court in Nakawa and released on bail. Peter Mayiga, the third official, is not charged but released on Police bond.
July 27
The Police arrest 100 parents in Kakiika Sub-county, Mbarara district, for refusing to take their children to school
July 29
Isingoma Kanyamaisha from Bushenyi District, hacks his wife and three children to death, and stabs himself.
The National Social Security Fund chairman, Edward Gaamuwa, announces that the fund is doubling interest for its members, from 7% to 14%.
Margaret Kasanda of Kamwokya strangles her four children to death and tries to kill herself, but her husband, Gerald Mukwandi, saves her on returning from work.
October 7
The Government stops Kabaka Mutebi from visiting Nakasongola District over security concerns.
October 14
Eight people are killed and one injured when a wall collapses at the construction site of the NSSF pension building on Lumumba Avenue in Kampala.
October 17
Uganda elected as non-permanent member of the 15-member UN Security Council for a two-year term.
October 19
Six NRM MPs on the committee probing the NSSF-Temagalo land deal disagree with the main report and write the minority report.
Director of Economic Affairs in the President's Office, Teddy Sseezi Cheeye, is charged with 26 offences related to the mismanagement of Global Fund money.
October 26
Twelve-year-old Joseph Kasirye's head is severed off, genitals cut and the rest of the body dumped in a swamp in a suspected ritual sacrifice.
October 29
A minority report exonerating Mbabazi and Ezra Suruma of any wrongdoing in the NSSF-Temangalo land deal is presented to the Speaker Edward Ssekandi.
October 31
Prince Edward Wambuzi elected Busoga Kyabazinga despite a court injunction.
November 2
Juliana Kanyomozi is crowned Pearl of Africa Music awards artiste of the year becoming the first female to receive the award.
November 4
21 pupils of Mbuulire Primary School, Masaka become hysterical and miss Primary Leaving Exams.
November 5
President Museveni commissions a 50 megawatt thermal power plant at Namanve. It is expected to reduce daytime load shedding.
November 6
Parliament clears security minister Amama Mbabazi, Finance minister Ezra Suruma and the NSSF board of any wrong doing in the purchase of 463 acres of land at Temangalo. Opposition MPs disagree and storm out.
November 10
Speaker Edward Sekandi says Parliament did not clear Mbabazi and Suruma.
November 13
Government releases sh50b in pension arrears to 4,735 beneficiaries including teachers, UPDF widows, local government workers and other civil servants.
November 17
Mufti Shaban Mubajje, Hassan Basajjabalaba and Edris Kasenene acquitted over fraud and embezzlement in the disposal of Muslim trust property.
November 19
The third National Integrity Report reveals the Police as the most corrupt institutions for the second time. Police is followed by the Judiciary, Uganda Revenue Authority and UMEME.
November 27
Kampala tycoon Godfrey Kajubi Kato accused of the ritual murder of 12-year-old Joseph Kasirye hands himself over to Police after weeks of being hunted.
NOVEMBER 30
LRA Joseph Kony fails to show up and sign the final peace agreement.
December 4
Finance minister Ezra Suruma suspends NSSF chief David Chandi Jamwa and Deputy Mondo Kagonyera.
NRM's Robert Kasule Sebunya wins the Kyadondo North parliamentary by-elections.
December 5
18-year-old Rehema Caesar Nasur, wife to Arua Municipality MP Hussein Akbar Godi is shot dead near Mpoma satellite in Mukono District.
December 9
British government returns sh116,895,187 to Uganda. The money was recovered from a presidential advisor convicted in London for fraudulently soliciting if from a security contractor ahead of the commonwealth summit last year.
December 12
Godi is charged with murdering his wife Caesar Nasur and remanded to Luzira Prison.
December 14
Uganda, South Sudan and DR Congo jointly attack Kony's hideout in Garamba Forest.
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