8th July started off as any other normal day for Nosiata Andera’s close knit family. In Dwaliro zone, Mayuge town, where the family resides, there was an eerie peace and quiet as 43 year old Nosiata and her two daughters went about their early morning tidy up routine.
For some strange reason everyone in the home seemed downcast. It is just one of those days, Nosiata rationalized. There was not the slightest inkling in her mind that something tragic was about to befall her family. As night fell, the family gathered in the living room for Dinner.
Nosiata’s two sons, 20 year old student Yasin Daka and 32 year old security guard Stephen Owori had just joined in after returning home. After Dinner, Owori bade his sibling’s farewell. He straight away left for his night guarding duties at a nearby Maize mill.
Half an hour later around 9 pm, Nosiata was called out by concerned neighbors. The neighbors were troubled by the presence of an unknown man in the bathroom.  When she came out, she was baffled to find Emma, a close male associate to the treasurer of the Village savings scheme, standing in the bathroom.
A quick flash of intuition after, left Nosiata uneasy. The Kyowola Omwavu village savings and loan association group treasurer, Hajati Wotali Namutamba had on several occasions issued threats to Nosiata in particular on account of her firebrand nature in demanding for proper accountability of the group’s savings.  Namutamba had used Emma in particular to deliver the warnings. Namutamba had on several occasions refused to hand over the wooden boxes containing the group’s consolidated savings to members. This aroused suspicion and as time passed, the members realized she was using their money to her benefit.

Nosiata was keen to know what Emma was doing in her bathroom at night. Emma slyly managed to convince Nosiata that he had been sent by Owori to call Daka, his brother. Emma was on a sinister mission conjured up by Namutamba however. A reluctant Nosiata did not want Daka to go out at such a late hour, even if it was to see his brother.  It was 10 pm, pitch black and almost everybody else in the village had slept off.  Daka nevertheless managed to convince his mother that he won’t take long at Owori’s work station, so he accompanied Emma.

Along the way, Emma excused himself, as Daka and Owori got into a conversation seated on a bench, just outside Owori’s work station. Minute’s later gunshots aimed at both Owori, who was armed and his brother Daka rang out.  Caught unaware, Owori could hardly fire back.
As the shooting subsided, Owori lay dead, killed in cold blood. Daka, his brother however escaped by a hair breadth’s into the darkness, with serious gunshot wounds. Daka rushed to the nearby Mayuge Police station crying out for help but nobody at the police station came to their rescue. Even his screams during the shooting went unanswered. Mayuge Police Station is just opposite the Maize mill where Owori was on night duty.

After a short while, news of the shooting spread through the neighborhood. Inevitably the news reached Nosiata’s home. It was late in the night but she rushed to her son’s work station, only to find him dead and her other son missing. A sobbing Nosiata had cries from the nearby Mayuge Police station.
A bleeding Daka was at the Police station crying out for help but his pleas for help were met with cold shoulders.  Eventually Daka was rushed to Jinja Hospital in an ambulance. All the while, Daka kept mumbling to his mother that he knows the shooter and his 2 accomplices.
Daka said Emma who had lied to him that his brother had wanted to see him, just stood by in the dark and watched as the gun man, a Police officer by the name of Mugoya sprayed Bullets at them. The other accomplices, Namutamba and Godfrey Musobya just stood sentry as the shooting took place.

SUSCIPION FALLS ON NAMUTAMBA

Nosiata unmistakably points an accusing finger at Namutamba.  “Namutamba had gotten unscrupulous and shady with our group savings.  Whenever I and the other cooperating members took her to task about the status of our savings and other requisite group requirements, she would feed us on excuses, false promises and lies. She had unconvincingly told us earlier that burglars had ransacked her home and made off with the two boxes containing our savings. Seeing that we were unrelenting, she started issuing threats. I had no idea she was planning something horrendous. She would often send her emissaries to warn me. Every time, she threatened me, i would report to the Mayuge resident district commissioner’s office. I had saved money to the tune of UGX 1, 640,000. I lost all that. The group consolidated savings were to the tune of UGX, 15,000,000. Namutamba is complicit in the murder of my child because Daka clearly recognized her and her associates Godfrey Musobya and Mugoya, the Police officer who had fired the bullets, moments before the shooting begun,” Nosiata says.

With pressure unremitting, Namutamba was arrested and detained at Iganga Police station. She admitted to having swindled the money and promised to refund members money lastest, 1st July 2014, with the assistance of her husband. 
Namutamba was however released after the husband paid a paltry 3 million shillings to the saving group members, with promises to pay more in the subsequent months.
Prior to that, Namutamba had sought the services of a law firm claiming the saving member’s demands for her to account for 15 million shillings were unfounded. Ultimately however, her means to an end was to scare off those hot on her heels.
Nosiata took the lawyer’s letter to the Resident district commissioner. The commissioner referred her to the District Police Commander. Eventually she was referred to the District Police criminal investigations department. Nosiata was told the letter from Namutamba’s lawyers was only meant to scare off the saving group member’s.

DAKA’S ACCOUNT OF WHAT HAPPENED

On that ill fated day, Daka says Owori left for his work station after dinner. “I was exhausted so I could not see him off. Mom however was insisting I go the shops to buy milk. I was reluctant but eventually I rushed to the shops and got back as soon as possible because I could not find milk. On coming back I found mom with Emma. Emma told me Owori wanted to see me. I had no premonition whatsoever that there was a looming danger,” Daka says.
Daka says they passed by Namutamba’s house which is within sight of Owori’s work station. He says he saw 3 people following him behind. On reaching Owori’s work place, he sat down and asked Owori why he had called him. Owori denied sending anybody to call him.
“It was then that 3 people whom I could see clearly passed just nearby us. One whom I recognized as Mugoya suddenly walked towards us and started firing at us with an AK 47. He shot me first twice in the right leg, left forearm and thumb. Thinking he had finished me off, he started firing rapidly in my brother’s direction. It was about that time that I raised an alarm, whilst I ran into the thicket nearby for safety. Mayuge Police station was just opposite us but not a single Police man came to our rescue, even as they heard my screams for help and the gun shots,” Daka says.

Daka is currently bed ridden receiving treatment in Mulago Hospital orthopedic ward.

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The Imbalu Candidate above knows his time of reckoning has come. To be recognised as a man in Bugisu,Eastern Uganda, one has to undergo Imbalu (Circumcision) and it’s no Joke.
The Black swamp mud smearing ritual that the guy above is being taken through does not take place in a domestic setting. It takes place in a muddy swamp associated with Kumusambwa Kwe’Imbalu, or the ancestral power of Imbalu.
It’s carried out partly to determine if one is intent on Imbalu. It’s the last stage of the three day Imbalu rituals. After this ritual, the Imbalu candidate is taken for the cut.

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From Entebbe’s aero beach, it took us approximately 25 minutes to get to Lake Victoria’s Equator Island.
The winds were blowing mildly and the lake’s blue waters were tranquil. Our destination was an Island on the lake where the lake’s waters straddle the equator.
It is said the Equator line runs through two of the lake’s Islands, principally Damba and Lwaji.
Before we embarked on our voyage however, we had to bid some time, spending close to half an hour, waiting for the mechanics to prepare the ferry’s decks for the ride on Africa’s largest lake.
Excitedly waiting with me, were the East African Mariners, most of whom seemed very eager to stand a treat of their maiden voyage on the famed lake.


The excitement was written on almost everybody’s face. Aside of the adventure, the mariners also had a worthwhile cause to accomplish that day. They were on a mission to donate life saving jackets to the Islander’s fishing communities.
Going by the accounts I heard before we set forth, majority of the lake’s fishermen go on ill-advised fishing expeditions without life saving jackets, even deep in the night when even people without aqua phobia would be dead frightened to ride on the ominous looking waters.
When we finally departed, it was an exhilarating experience. It was a joy ride devoid of bumps and grinds, due to the fact that the lake’s waters are free of reefs and there was not a single trace of a tidal wave. Those sitting down as we rode were heard saying, the ferry was going perpendicular, straight like the way the crow bird fly’s. From the vantage point of the deck however, one could see that the ferry was making turns.


Everyone seemed buoyant when we caught sight of the first Island. There was lots of hoopla all around us. Smiles seemed not locked away. Face’s lit up, by the endless repertoire of jokes, coming courtesy of the many happy go lucky emcees we had onboard. Amazing charms struck our eyes as we rode off on the rather placid waters that characterized the lake that day. It seemed only natural when an old gentleman seated at the back of the ferry exclaimed, God is great. It was spell binding watching the different varieties of birds chirping and flapping away. We caught glimpses of Kingfishers and the egrets flying low on the surface of the water, eager to catch some prey. It was fun too watching all the revelers on the sandy beaches we were leaving behind in our wake.

The Kamikaze fishermen paddling their canoes past us however seemed non chalant. Most looked all too consumed up in their trivial round. Regardless, the sight of them trying to catch fish with their baits ticked the fancies of many on the ferry.
Midway through our voyage, Uganda air force planes hovered over us. Luckily we had some UPDF marines on deck to charm everybody down.
Lake Victoria has many ring shaped archipelagos that many of the fishing communities’ inhabit. They are eye candy especially when you are riding on a ferry.

On the face of it, many of these communities abode in old corrugated iron sheet shelters. All the structures seem provisional. When we went past one of the inhabited Islands, a group of 6 bark naked men were taking a bath on the edges of the Island. Some even had the nerve to wave at us in their birthday suits. As our ferry cruised past the many archipelagos on our way to our destination, almost everybody wanted to catch a glance of these curiosities of nature. It is said Lake Victoria has 84 of them.

We finally reached our destination, Lwaji Island. Plenty of Bird life exists here, going by what we saw when we alighted the ferry. There were many birds flying in and out of their nestling grounds. What fascinated us most however, is the fact that this particular Island seems un-inhabited, save for the few UPDF marine soldiers we found there. Some bits of the Island are cleared of bushy vegetation whilst the rest seems more like bear garden.

On this picturesque Island, one can enjoy a wide view of the lake, the Entebbe airport run way and the other surrounding Islands. The atmosphere and breeze all around us was pleasantly refreshing. On the Island too, you will be able to spot a tree that has incredibly grown on the Island’s rocky surface. The Island can be a good respite, place if you fancy a quiet place to lay your life issues to heart. If sightseeing is your cup of tea too, this island is the perfect get away The Island just like the rest on Lake Victoria are of considerable conservation value but nothing seems to show this particular one is or has been visited or revamped of recent. Before our tour ended, we lined up for photo opportunities at the Equator line. There is a signpost designating the spot where the equator line passes just like in Masaka. ACCESS To get to Lwaji Island, one will have to part with a small amount of money. There are ferry’s that take visitors there often. Ask when you reach Entebbe town or aero beach.

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 It is often said a traveler who does not observe is like a bird without wings. Like the rest of us, a bird without wings, hardly ever experiences what birds with wings experience, that panoramic and picturesque view of Mother Nature
For you the Ugandan or the Visitor with cast about eyes, quite an eye candy feast awaits you, that is if you travel around Uganda often, especially to regions of the country which are virgin territory in terms of visits. One such place is Wanale Mountain in Bugisu.
It may be hypothetical to say but there is some degree of truth in the oft-held narrative that Ugandans are apathetic as regards things like tourism. The picture could not any clearer, looking at it from the Wanale perspective. Visitors and recreationists visiting Wanale have kept on dropping through the years.
That said however, Uganda, without a shadow of any doubt, still remains one of the best endowed nations, nature wise. When you pay a visit to Mountain Wanale, you will agree with me.
Perhaps the highest praise Uganda ever got was from Sir Winston Churchill, he bestowed on Uganda, the Laurel-Pearl of Africa.
To bear witness to what Churchill said, travel around the country often. You will stand a treat of the best nature has to offer in its majesty.
Churchill did not visit Mbale but if he had, he would definitely say something about the undisputed grandeur of Mountain Wanale. This is a place of such transcendent beauty. If your are into Mountain climbing or trekking, Wanale should be a great attraction. The ascent to its peak is an exhilarating experience.
Wanale or Nkokonjeru Mountain as some people call it, is an impressive mountain splendour, replete with precipices, escarpments, deep valleys, water streaked cliffs, caves, rocks and rugged crags.
Standing at a length of 7.67 kilometers, Wanale can be viewed from all areas in Mbale. It covers a huge portion of Bugisu’s land surface. Mbale town literally lies at its foot. From town, one can discern three splendid looking waterfalls. These all originate from the mountain top.
From the mountain top too, one will have an amazing panoramic view of mbale town.
“Wanale is Bugisu’s temple of nature. From the days of old, many visitors expressed instinctive awe at the sight of this mountain. The waters that flow from Wanale spread to every river in Uganda,” States 86 year old Muyesa Francis, an elder in Mukhuwa village
Named after one of the sons of Masaba, the patriarch/father of the Bagisu, Mountain Wanale is believed to be the place where Nabarwa, the Kalenjin woman who prevailed upon Masaba to get circumcised before they got married, came from, on her way from Kenya.

“The Nkokonjeru name that Semei Kakungulu’s people used to refer to that mountain came from the legend that Wanale, son of Masaba, reared only white chickens. Wanale lived on top of the mountain Friends from Bugisu called Wanale, Singokho or someone who likes chicken. The Baganda chose to name the mountain Nkokonjeru because of the many white chickens, Wanale reared. They assumed every inhabitant on the mountain reared white chicken,” narrates Mzee Moses Wakitonyi, an elder in Mutoto, Mbale
Wakitonyi says many of the mountain’s earliest inhabitants lived in caves. “There are many caves on the mountain, though people know only one. The early Bamasaba who called Wanale home dwelled in these caves. Wanale has 4 hills. Few people know about this too. A hike through a trail at the western end of the ridge will lead one to Khaukha cave, which is the most prominent cave of them all,” Wakitonyi says
Legend has it that Khaukha cave which is embossed with unique calligraphic inscriptions on its walls, has an ill fated water stream. Wakitonyi says the tale told of the stream is true. Many people thought it was an illusion until 4 men became lame when they crossed the stream. Nobody could explain how that happened. It was and is still a mystery,” Wakitonyi explains
The other wonders that Wanale offers are its many waterfalls. If you are a mountain recreationist, you will be spoilt for choice.
The beauty of Wanale’s waterfalls is unmatched.
Namatsyo waters falls for example, falls two miles down from the mountain top and submerges in rocky tunnels deep.
“The waterfall disappears down in the rocks under. It is completely obscured and immersed. The water reemerges and hits the surface from its underground pathway in villages like Bumboi and Mooni,” Wakitonyi states
HOW TO GET THERE
From the high court in Mbale, that is if you decide to walk, it is approximately 18 miles to reach Wanale.
To get to Wanale with a taxi or personal car, brace yourself for a 30-40 minute road ride.
Take a left turn road after the Mbale high court and follow the road that goes down to Busamaga Primary School.
On reaching the aforementioned Primary School, take a right turn, follow Bumboi road. Proceed along the main road.
From Busamaga Primary School, it will take one roughly 15-20 minutes to reach the peak of Wanale.
The other routes to the mountain top may be slightly risky, especially if one is making a maiden visit.

Accommodation
Enroute to Wanale, accommodation can be got at the nearby Elgon suites in Mango village.
It is on the highway as one heads to the Mountain top. Accommodation can also be got in senior quarters, Mbale.
If you love mountaineering or you are that person who just wants to have an aesthetic appreciation of nature, make it a point to visit this magnificent temple of nature.
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"A work of real merit finds favour at last" so runs an old adage.
There are places in Uganda however where artists/musicians, find little to no favour at all, however good their craft or music is. Longevity does not do them any favours as well.
“I have been working hard all these years to perfect my craft, but I have faced long odds. Making believers and fans out of people here in Bugisu is really tough. To be appreciated here, one has to patiently wait like they wait for raindrops in a harsh drought,” says 35 year old Mbale Musician Betty Nafuna Salima(R.I.P).

Music fans in Bugisu have long become a by word for undermining local talent.
"Mbale music fans are like broken reeds," States Samuel Doto Bonzo, a local music critic and audio producer.
Even if an artist is as real as the air people breathe in, they will get suffocated by the lack of support.
Venerable artists like The late Phillip Massa, Rashid Musoke, Idi Masaba, Tom Namanda {R.I.P}, Juliet Mugirya, Tom Weboya, Tshila and San Crazy receive very few to no laurels at all, during performances or during radio interviews.
Local music fans here are unreliable and not receptive at all, says Wakhetenge Peter, an Auditor and Local music aficionado.

Thinking of starting a music career in Bugisu, you had better give it every bit of your second thought. I have seen music careers in Bugisu take nose dives. I have observed many Bagisu musicians worthy of a name looking destitute, broke and out of sorts. It is as if musicians here are under some spell, States Fred Wazemba, another of Mbale’s Premier Audio producers/artists.
“The prize of failure can be huge. It is only in Mbale where local musicians are criminally unappreciated and held in the lowest of regards. Fans in Mbale are indelicate. Somebody invests his money, making good music but you trash him with no benefit of doubt. It is not out of the ordinary to witness local musicians been booed off stage. The contempt music fans here have for local artists is just unprecedented and so pathetic,” Wazemba notes.
Favour from local fans is what every established musician in Mbale has been waiting on for ages but have not got. “Look at Idi Masaba, Betty Nafuna Salima and San Crazy, three of Mbale’s best musicians. They are testament to that harsh reality. Masaba, Salima and Crazy sing a genre of local music that appeals and resonates with the lowest common denominators in Bugisu, but they hardly draw big crowds at shows they organize,” states Doto Bonzo.

As it seems, the apathy and lack of appreciation is handed down from the past. It is going to take a lot of time bidding before our local artists are fully appreciated for their work like the artists in Buganda, Bonzo states.
“It just seems like the disdain towards local artists is set in stone. It is something that has been going on for a long time. Breaking that jinx is going to be hard. Besides grappling with the local fan scorn, artists too have to grapple with the lack of radio air play,” explains Bonzo

Notwithstanding that, however, Bugisu principally Mbale, is brimming with thoroughbred musical talent. Pick of the bunch artists like Idi Masaba, Betty Salima Nafuna, San Crazy, Juliet Mugirya, Elukana Wanzala, K-mas, Tom Weboya, B.B Jimmy are all household names in their own right, despite the lack of support.
The harsh reality though is that they have very little to show for their efforts.
Idi Masaba whose claim to fame has mostly been Imbalu folk songs, has bore the harshest brunt of the local fan aversion.
“You can literally wipe a smile off your face meeting Idi Masaba in the street. He is supposed to be our Jose chameleon but yuck. I mean here is a guy whose music resonates with so many people in Bugisu but he is all disheveled and untidy. If he was a success, he would not be in such an ebb state,” Wazemba says
“Idi Masaba is by far, the best musician to emerge out of Bugisu. Go for shows he organizes and the ones, visiting Kampala artiste’s organize however to see how criminally unappreciated he is,” says Nsubuga Joseph, a Radio host on Signal F.M in Mbale.

In recent memory, Idi Masaba’s star tends to go in the ascendant during the Imbalu year. That is, by reason that his imbalu songs resonate well with people. It is also during Imbalu season that his songs get some fair share of rotation on some radio stations, Nsubuga adds

The blame storms have brewed for long but in my opinion, Mbale’s radio stations are the most culpable in denying local artists a chance to shine, Wazemba says
“Most radio hosts are half hearted in their support. They hardly give Lumasaba music any rotation. The focus is always on Luganda music. They have the music in their music libraries but for some reason, they do not play it. If they do play it, it is just for a few minutes,” Wazemba stresses

Idi Masaba says he wants to leave a musical legacy. A legacy he says is one that speaks to the fact that when one sings in the Lugisu local dialect, they can impact and strike a chord with many, even if it does not necessarily translate into financial gain.
“The most important thing is my music speaking to people’s souls. I create and sing Music that is timeless and therapeutic. Music that can one can draw inspiration from,” Masaba says

With a repertoire of timeless lugisu songs in the vault, Idi Masaba will surely win laurels one day.

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