When the ADF terrorists started their inhumane and illegal activities on Ugandans, opposition politicians always reminded President Yoweri Museveni and the NRM government about their responsibility in protecting Ugandans.
So far, our courageous troops, together with our Congolese comrades, have achieved incredible successes. A number of these terrorists have already surrendered to the UPDF, their camps destroyed, weapons captured, among others.
However, amidst the terror attacks on Uganda, a few members of parliament have come up to condemn UPDF’s action. They claim that our army went into DRC without parliament’s approval, which contradicts the Constitution.
However, seeking parliamentary approval would not be safe for UPDF since there is no guarantee for confidentiality because most of the time some MPs operate through media, something which was going to disturb the joint force’s intelligence operations.
It is better and safe to update parliament about the success Uganda has achieved in fighting ADF because it is risky to seek parliamentary approval when the enemy has agents here who can update their camps.
David Serumaga,
serumagadavid916@gmail.com
Youths should use Christmas break well
In Uganda, youths, especially girls, have been given enough time to celebrate Christmas. They either make good decisions or wrong ones.
Some of the wrong decisions they make include joining peer groups, visiting clubs at night, playing unnecessary games which will affect some of them in future due to overexcitement.
Instead, parents should encourage girls to visit their friends and relatives, help with housework, and avoid peer pressure. Parents should prepare their children mentally, physically, emotionally and psychologically to be ready for school.
More to that, teachers should be able to provide counseling lessons for the students. My fellow students, let’s not waste this remaining time doing unnecessary work that will affect our studies.
Lynate Asiimire,
Kampala.
Jail all sexual predators
There was an article in The Observer newspaper of October 21, 2021 titled “How university lecturers prey on their students,” which narrated appalling stories of female students from Makerere and Kyambogo universities who are being harassed
by lecturers demanding for sex, by withholding their marks or unfairly marking their scripts.
I am surprised that this article did not stir up public anger to demand that these white-collar criminals be arrested.
A lecturer in a public university is liable to be charged with crimes of abuse of office, giving a false certificate and indecent assault, under sections 87, 89 and 128 (3) of the Penal Code Act, respectively, if he unfairly marks a female student’s examination script, having propositioned to her but was turned down.
A lecturer in a public university is liable to be charged with crimes of neglect of duty, theft and indecent assault, under sections 114, 254(2)(a) and 128(3) of the Penal Code Act, respectively, if he unfairly withholds a female student’s examination script but provided other students their results, having propositioned to her in the past but was turned down.
A female student has every right to feel grossly insulted if a lecturer with authority over her orders her for sex. Let alone being a married lecturer or old enough to be her father.
Police officers at universities should be trained on handling these white-collar criminals and escorting them to jail, where they can learn to respect the rights of other people. Let the concerned government officials help these students to get justice.
Ronald Eporu,
eporuronald@gmail.com
We should embrace student associations
It is common knowledge here in Uganda and world over that a number of student associations exist in institutions of learning.
Regardless of the level, there will always be at least one arrangement where students are identified by common aims and objectives. These associations are organized on the basis of academic, cultural, social, religious and financial, among other standards.
As a student, you are primarily expected to concentrate on your books. You are expected to score satisfactorily in your tests.
However, I have come to appreciate that life itself is not about books. Life is about how ready one is to face it; it takes a well-prepared person to face life. One ought to know their strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats in order to live a better life.
Therefore, fellow students need to participate in student associations activities in order to live a better life. These associations give us an opportunity to meet other students from other walks of life.
The associations give us a chance to exercise our leadership skills and hence gain experience. These associations are a great conduit for our future opportunities in terms of employment and internship placements.
Student associations give one a chance to serve the community.
Isaac Muyanja,
Mbarara
letters@observer.ug