By MONDAY AKOL AMAZIMA
In the late hours of Saturday 6th May 2023, Ugandans in the country and in the Diaspora especially Sweden received very disturbing news. At first, many thought it was a joke that should not turn true. The news was not only sad but also painful to believe. Renown vlogger Ibrahim Tusubira alias Isma Olaxes, also popularly known as Jjaja Iculi and president of Ugandan bloggers had been shoot dead on his way home in Kyanja one of the suburbs of Kampala city. The cause of his death is an open secret, his wide and loud mouth. He would talk the truth and his mind without fear or favour.
The Ugandan community in Sweden was heartbroken especially fellow renowned blogger Peng Peng who said that he had warned and advised Isma Olaxes aka JJaja Iculi against relocating to Uganda from Sweden. When Jjaja Iculi left Sweden where he had spent about ten years for Uganda, he assured Peng Peng that he would be safe in Uganda and that he had been assured of protection by his friends in government. Peng Peng’s point of argument then and now that is currently shared by a good section of Ugandans, especially in the media and the civil society is that Uganda is no longer safe for people that are seen to be critical. And indeed as Peng Peng had predicted Jjaja Iculi was unceremoniously put out of action. Many believe had he remained in Sweden, at least he would have been still alive.
As we come to terms with the loss, speculation is that the immediate cause of his assassination was triggered by his scathing remarks after the labour Sate Minister Hon Col Charles Engola was shot dead by his bodyguard and killed in cold blood. Jjaja Iculi like a section of the disgruntled Ugandans though fear to speak out their mind was on the defence of Wilson Sabiti the bodyguard that killed the minister as he criticized the minister for not taking the welfare of his workers seriously. Ironically the minister in charge of labour was shoot dead a day after the celebrations of international labour day where he was present as they assured Ugandans of better working conditions.
The killing of the minister summarises the situation in Uganda. Most employees given a chance would strangle or harm their bosses. Injustices at work and harsh working environments have widened the gap between the managers and their staff in most organizations be it private or government. Body guards and drivers of most government VIPs have nasty stories to tell; ranging from their bosses not giving them their travel allowances in time to being undermined and humiliated publically as though they are lesser of human beings.
The rate at which people condemned the deceased minister and glorified the criminal Wilson Sabiti points to a much-hidden fact in our society- people are bitter and not better. A section of people is angry with whoever is seen working for the government, which is attributed to the widening gap between the common man and their leaders regarding economic growth and prosperity as Hon Nobert Mao said as he eulogized the late Minister Hon Engola we need as a country to dialogue and build the nation together.
Isma’s death reminds many of cases of journalists being attacked and their work equipment destroyed or confiscated. The unlucky pressmen have been injured in the processing. Some journalists for their own safety have fled the country silently and abandoned the profession. Media houses being threatened and some being closed are incidences that have been witnessed and all point to the narrowing civil space.
Jjaja Iculi like Mohammmed Kirumira the vocal police officer has been gunned down to show there is a group of powerful people that are not comfortable with people that are seen to be critical. And they are ready to go the extra mile to silence them in whatever way possible. Iddi Amina during his time as present in Uganda used to say, ‘There is freedom of speech but freedom after speech I cannot guarantee’. This implied one would have to censor their speech at all times so as to be safe.
The death of Jjaja Iculi is a warning to all bloggers and journalists that are critical, you either go slow or face the consequences. If those that are supposed to point out ills in society are now being eliminated, then who is going to check and speak about excesses in government and of leaders? It is time all sober minds realized that the messenger (bloggers and journalists) should not be killed or harmed but rather look at the message and pick relevant lessons or points of action for the betterment of Uganda.
The author is a journalist, teacher, and Pan African based in Stockholm Sweden
Email:homelandnewspaper@gmail.com
