Rose Namuddu,72, is the woman whose enduring image sent tears jerking during the demolition of homes in and around Lubigi wetland, part of swathes of buffer on the northern and western outskirts of Kampala.
NATIONAL | The State Minister for Youth and Children's Affairs, Balaam Barugahara, has sent a "heartfelt apologies" to Rose Namuddu and the elderly as well as young vulnerable community impacted evictions from wetlands.
Ms Namuddu,72, is the woman whose enduring image sent tears jerking during the demolition of homes in and around Lubigi wetland, part of swathes of buffer on the northern and western outskirts of Kampala.
Hundreds of families were affected when the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) rudely brought down homes with all their belongs in July 2024.
Then, Ms Namuddu stood motionless with her only remaining possession - a chicken in her hand. She appeared to be staring into nowhere because the shack of a house that was her everything was no more.
But that image appeared to have elicited no emotions in the hearts of some as Ms Namuddu and 26 others - the majority of them women - were later arrested for defiantly returning to the eviction zone in Ganda-Nasere, Nansana West II B, Nabweru South Cell I, and Nabweru South Cell II in Wakiso District.
"After eviction, Namuddu erected a tent on the land for temporary shelter for her family. She was arrested for that in October and charged with "failure to comply with orders and notices..." said renowned human rights campaigner and lawyer Agather Atuhaire.
"When the lawyers applied for bail, the court said Namuddu doesn't qualify for bail because she doesn't have a permanent place of abode. The same place of abode that was illegally razed down by the same government. It has been two months and the 72-year-old with some of her family members and friends are still in prison."
Charged in October, the group was remanded to Luzira and Kitalya prisons, with Ms Namuddu's plight sticking out like a sore thumb that reminded all and sundry to bury the shame.
A group of social media campaigners led by lawyer and rights activist Agather Atuhaire and Dr Jimmy Spire Ssentongo of Agora and lawyers from Kampala Associated Adocates, stepped up to fight for her freedom.
Ms Namuddu was on Thursday granted a non-cash bail and a campaign to finish her home went into gear.
"As she waits for all the paperwork to be done and she goes home. Everything about this lady has been heartbreaking from day one. Seeing this photo has made me cry. Makes me wonder what the people that have put her through all this have in the place where others have hearts," said Atuhaire in a post with a photo of Namuddu on the floor in Makindye court.
Jjaja Namuddu has been granted bail. Non cash. Thanks to everyone's efforts🙏🙏 I thank the lawyers, the team at @AgoraCFR and @KAAdvocates for giving us a hand. But we are not going to stop until everyone on this charge sheet is free. We wait for their appearance on Monday 9th.... pic.twitter.com/fkQWGdNBcP -- Agather Atuhaire (@AAgather) December 5, 2024
Balaam touched
Ms Namuddu and the thousands of Lubigi wetland eviction are symbolic of the systematic failure of the country's social protection.
Following the eviction, reports emerged that NEMA had approved development in the same area although the environment watchdog insisted the area being developed was only nearby.
NEMA did not compensate the victims and rejected every effort to that effect. For elderly persons like Namuddu, it was probably the reason they returned to the same place to erect makeshift tents.
"How are we able to explain, that this elderly woman, has been in jail for over two months - basically jailed for being destitute," Dr Ssentongo asked.
It was a deeply rhetoric question, one whose answer even the deepest sigh would never find.
"How can we live with this in our consciences? All this in the pretentious name of protecting wetlands, while the Sudhirs, Hams, and other 'investors' are still putting up installations in wetlands in our unbothered watch!
"Just use the Entebbe Express Highway and see what is happening to the wetlands along that road, same with many other wetlands around the country. But when NEMA hypocrites want to pretend to be working, they have to choose such a helpless elderly woman to throw into jail, after knocking down her house! Do you have souls? Does this action bother you at all? As a country, should this be the face of what we call justice, environmental protection?"
Dr Ssentongo's emotional post got the better of Minister Balaam, who admitted that "Mama's situation is heartbreaking".
Ms Namuddu already has a piece of land secured by the National Unity Platform on which the opposition party had started constructing a small house.
The person they bought the land from asked them to halt construction until they pay the full amount.
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"The balance due to the seller is Shs2 million and the balance to finish construction is estimated at about Shs3 million," Ms Atuhaire shared.
Minister Balaam faulted the inaction of NEMA, KCCA and local authorities, saying allowing settlements in sensitive ecosystems over the years is a clear failure.
"We, as leaders, must learn from this and do better to shield our most vulnerable citizens from exploitation and harassment," he said.
"It's our duty to preserve the environment and uphold the principles of sustainable development."
The minister joined the cause to support Ms Namuddu with Shs1 million contribution.
"I urge you, Dr Ssentongo, to lead a fundraising effort to help Mama secure titled land and a small house. Let's come together to make a difference in her life," he added.
The campaigners, whilst pushing the buttons for Ms Namuddu, are also keeping their feet on the gas pedal as they fight for the freedom of the other Lubigi wetland eviction victims.
The group still locked up are scheduled to return to court on December 9 for their bail hearing.
