He may not have been a household figure and never held any political office but his controversial political commentary attracted a stream of traffic and made him an authority of sorts.
He was so outspoken that at different times, depending on his mood, he would sting any political authority. On October 24, Jakana, as he was popularly known, breathed his last. He died at Orient Medical Center in Wobulenzi town, Luweero district around 3am on Monday. He was 37 years.
Family members said Jakana was rushed to the health facility on Sunday although he has not been in good condition following an accident he got early this year.
Jakana was little-known beyond his circles but in 2012, he had stormed the then newly-established Kampala University Luweero campus to lead a strike against poor food, hygiene, congestion in the dormitories, quality of lecturers, and allegations of sexual harassment by the teaching staff.
Jakana was an alumnus of KU with a degree in Social Work and Social Administration. Still, he remained below the radar in politics until he rose to the limelight in 2020 when he participated in the NRM primaries to oust incumbent Nakaseke Central MP Syda Bbumba.
It was unfathomable that anyone would stand a chance against Bbumba in NRM but Jakana put up such a spirited fight, the race was decided in teargas and having the army take over the process. He lost the primaries to Bbumba who eventually also lost the seat to NUP’s Allan Mayanja.
A furious Nadduli was angered with the election result and accused Museveni’s brother, Gen Salim Saleh, of rigging the primaries in favour of Bbumba – but his son later showed up on the ballot as an independent candidate in the general election.
Jakana was optimistic about winning the election given the popularity of his father in the constituency. He incessantly attributed his loss to the NUP wave that mainly characterized the 2022 general elections in the Buganda region.
“I was surprised that I didn’t win the election yet my father is a veteran in the area. I agreed with the election outcome, though. I had the favor but on election day, the timing had changed and the NUP wave heavily affected the results. I came as an independent but they didn’t give me chance to join parliament. The person who is there now must ensure that we have effective service delivery for our people because if they ask me to come again in the next election, I will not hesitate to join the race. I have the goodwill of people,” he said.
From then on, Jakana, who had gained a social media following for his taunts against Bobi Wine and NUP, changed the tone of his weekly political commentaries on Facebook and YouTube.
A new Jakana emerged criticizing NRM for everything from the poverty in the country, use of security agents to rig elections and tribalism. Soon, Jakana’s following skyrocketed and he became an instant hit. Some of his clips were viewed by hundreds of thousands.
It was his regular controversial comments on tribalism in Uganda that mostly landed Jakana a following and it didn’t come as a surprise when he was abducted by state security and kept incommunicado for more than a month. He had earlier on been injured in a motor accident that he claimed had been staged by state agents to end his life.
SECTARIANISM CASE
After several weeks of missing and outcries from his father ordering his immediate release whether “dead or alive”, Jakana resurfaced in Luweero court and was charged with promoting sectarianism and remanded to Butuntumula prison after pleading guilty to the offense. He was allegedly tortured by the security operatives.
He was later granted bail on grounds of poor health to enable him to access better treatment outside the prison. The magistrate also barred him from making any statements until the case, which had been adjourned to November 16, is disposed of.
Frank Gashumba, another self-styled political commentator, was among the people who filed complaints against Jakana and he was ready to testify against him in court for repeatedly promoting sectarianism in several social media videos against their Bavandimwe tribe.
LAST WORDS
While appearing on Baba TV morning show on May 13, 2022, Frank Gashumba had no kind words for Jakana for his unending criticism of the “Banyarwanda/Bavandimwe”.
“I respect his father so much, but no one has created divisionism among Banyarwanda like Jakana. He said that we shall be killed and our property taken. Recently, he got an accident and I don’t know why he didn’t die. He wished us dead and we also wish the same for him. When you love, we also reiterate the same. You love us, we love you back. You hate us, we hate you. I still don’t know why he didn’t die [then].”
UGANDA AND BUGANDA CRITIC
Jakana would speak with pride about being a rich historian after having read more than 1,700 books about Buganda and Uganda. He was not only a critic of the ruling NRM party but the Buganda kingdom was not spared.
Despite being a Muslim, he was eloquent and proverbial in his speeches with wide references to the bible. When the public questioned why he dwells a lot on the bible, he had this to say.
“Those who think I know the bible more than the Quran are just adamant. I use the bible more because of two things; the current Ugandan President is a protestant and the Buganda kingdom which I subscribe to is also led by a protestant. Why should I be inclined to use the Quran references which they may not interpret well? These are the only reasons why I use the bible and it doesn’t mean that I don’t understand my religion. I went to Bilal Islamic School in Kakiri; can I leave such
a school without the knowledge of Islam?”
Jakana’s last appearance was on Extra Digest, a YouTube channel, on October 20, 2022 at Serena Hotel. He was commenting on various topical issues. Jakana appeared weak while moving on crutches.
He said the new Computer misuse law is good but for a developed country.
“When we are unleashing these laws, there’s an article that protects the president. Museveni ranks first among those who abuse others. He is very good at abusing some people. He is good at despising tribes. The president accented to this law but his mouth should be tamed too because a law does not work in retrospect,” he said.
REMEMBERED
Jakana’s father is the former Uganda Muslim Supreme Council National Vice Chairman. Mufti Sheikh Ramathan Mubajje described Jakana as an energetic young man who died at a tender age when the country needs him most.
“Oh, Almighty Allah, we humbly beseech your divine face as we dedicate our sorrowful prayers towards the departed soul of your servant Jakana. We fervently supplicate to you that his earthly shortcomings be put aside as you accept all his righteous deeds and favor in your presence. Grant him a lofty place in your paradise among your righteous servants and we also pray for strength, courage, and patience, especially for the late’s father Mzee Haj Abdul Nadduli, and the entire family as they mourn his passing, Ameen”.
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