Alice Zawedde

Ladies and gentlemen, in June 2021, General Katumba Wamala narrowly escaped an assassination attempt in Bukoto, Kampala. Gunmen riding motorcycles opened fire on his vehicle, killing his daughter and driver. The government quickly pointed fingers at the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), presenting the attack as another act of terrorism by the rebel group. But could there be another side to this story? In an exclusive one-on-one phone interview with Lt. Herbert Matanda Mabonga, he made a startling allegation: the ADF narrative was a lie. According to Mabonga, the assassination attempt was an inside job involving members of the Special Forces Command (SFC). Why would anyone want Katumba dead? Mabonga claims it had everything to do with Katumba's growing popularity and his opposition to Muhoozi Kainerugaba's presidential ambitions. But there is another disturbing twist. Following the attack, then Inspector General of Police, Paul Lokech, oversaw investigations that led to the public identification of several suspects. However, the investigation and the circumstances surrounding the subsequent death of Deputy IGP Paul Lokech on August 21, 2021, have continued to raise questions. Lokech's death was officially attributed to a blood clot. But Mabonga makes an even more explosive allegation: he claims Lokech was killed because he had dug too deeply into the assassination plot and was getting close to exposing the network behind it. These are grave allegations, and they demand evidence and independent investigation. If Mabonga's account is true, the implications would be enormous. Who was really behind the attack on General Katumba Wamala? What did the investigators uncover? And what did Paul Lokech know before his death? Let's listen to my conversation with Lt. Herbert Matanda Mabonga. YouTube - youtu.be/Pe2XLBtXCaE

Last week, NUP/People Power leader Kyagulanyi Ssentamu Robert, popularly known as Bobi Wine, appeared at the Atlantic Council headquarters in Washington, DC, for the inaugural Global Leadership Forum—a gathering of leaders from around the world to discuss the challenges confronting their work. What stood out was how composed and unapologetic Bobi Wine was. He spoke candidly about the movement he leads, the brutality of the Museveni regime, and the lawlessness of Museveni's son Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba. In fact, he laid bare Muhoozi’s record of abductions, torture and killings of innocent Ugandans. If Muhoozi ever wanted the world to understand the kind of reputation his conduct is creating, Bobi Wine made that case rather effectively. Bobi Wine also explained how he has personally been targeted for daring to challenge Museveni’s grip on power. But here is the point: despite the intimidation, the threats and the persecution he describes, he is not giving up. And he explained exactly why. The audience listened, understood the weight of his message and responded with a standing ovation. This was more than a political speech. It was another opportunity to take Uganda’s struggle beyond its borders and put the country's political reality before an international audience. Here is the full session, followed by my commentary. YouTube - youtu.be/8rXwMEE9dpU