Questions linger over the untimely death of Uganda gov’t abrasive critic

A notoriously fearless government critic was announced dead on Monday morning, October 24,  2022. He had been recovering from a near fatal allegedly staged road  accident. He was also on bail facing charges of sectarianism for his regular online programmes hosted by various bloggers.

An eloquent and highly informed lawyer by training, Jakana Suleiman Nadduli was the son of the now elderly veteran bush guerrilla fighter retired Major Abdul Nadduli, who fought alongside incumbent President of Uganda retired General Yoweri Museveni, to oust the government President Milton Obote. Abdul Nadduli is also formerly a long-serving District administrator and government minister, but appeared to have fallen out with President Museveni in recent years, a fact he has publicly insinuated about on numerous occasions.

Jakana and his father had become abrasively critical of the government of President Museveni, and had spoken out publicly about their fears and concerns of being targeted for elimination because of their criticism. Jakana, like his father, had a knack for historical facts, especially about the composition of the various tribes and ethnic groups that make up Uganda today, a topic that is touchy and sensitive as it evokes controversy. He nevertheless never shied away from it, choosing instead to wade where others dare not and even querying the citizenship and legitimacy of very senior members of the ruling regime. He was loved and loathed in equal measure for his bravery and outspokenness.

In March 2022, he was involved in a grave road accident while riding on a motorbike, which almost cost him and his relative co-rider their lives. A truck said to have been used by the military was reported to have rammed into the duo and dragged them underneath for hundreds of metres before coming to a halt. That they survived is still unexplainable and considered to nothing short of a miracle. Jakana had since undergone two serious and extremely expensive corrective surgeries to his intestines and body graft.

His controversial views notwithstanding, there appears to be general consensus about his sharp intellect, vast knowledge and legendary bravery that have characterised his political and social activism. In Uganda, a country with a notoriously a poor and tainted human rights record,  you can  only criticise the regime at your own risk, and only the lucky ones get away with their lives. Many don’t live to see the light of day, others are tortured and maimed why many are disappeared without trace.

At the time of writing with still scanty information about the exact  cause of Jakana’s untimely death, the jury is still out about who the culprits are. He has only reported to have been found dead – whether it was as a result of the injuries he sustained in the accident or further foul play is still unclear. What is clear is that the country has lost a patriot who genuinely love his nation Buganda and his country Uganda from who, at 37 years of age, we all stood to gain a lot as a people. This country is all the more poorer without him and he will be sorely missed by those who treasure the right to freedom of expression and thought.

Condolences go to his family, especially his father who risked and dedicated his prime years of life for the defence of his nation Buganda and the good of Uganda generally. He sacrificed children and spouses killed during the war, and the last thing he would have expected is to now lose Jakana who was born after the war, at such a young age. Many more compatriots both in Luweero district, in Uganda and in the diaspora are mourning and will greatly miss him.