In early September this year, Praise Aloikin Opoloje, along with Norah Kobusingye and Kemitoma Kyenzibo, was arrested and sent to Luzira Prison after staging a nude protest near the Ugandan parliament. 

Painted in the colours of the Ugandan flag, the trio demanded the resignation of speaker Anita Annet Among over allegations of gross corruption. Expectedly, the bold protest drew mixed reactions. While some admired their courage, others especially the moralists criticized them for “misusing” the female body.

Following their release, Opoloje has broken her silence, revealing the deep-rooted injustices that drove her to such an extreme form of protest. Born in 1999 to a peasant family in eastern Uganda’s Pallisa district, Opoloje grew up witnessing the devastating impact of corruption on her community.

“By the time I could understand the word ‘corruption,’ I bet I had seen more than 1,999 forms of it,” she shared at the recently concluded Human Rights Convention 2024.

Her frustrations stem from firsthand experiences with failing institutions, especially in health and education. 

“I cannot remember a day in Pallisa where I visited the outpatient department and it functioned seamlessly,” she lamented.

“I’ve come to realize that everyone loses under injustice. I cannot wait to lose more before I act. I’m afraid of what we could become if no one does something about it,” she said.

Opoloje, a law student initially dreamed of escaping Pallisa’s hardships through studying hard, getting a good job and running away with her mother. However, as fate would have it, she became pregnant during her third year at Makerere University.

Her tipping point came on August 20, 2023, when she gave birth to her daughter in an under-resourced hospital in Pallisa. She recounted lying in a cramped maternity ward, sharing space with three other struggling mothers, and being attended to by an exhausted midwife and two unskilled interns.

“I laid there for 45 minutes without sutures to stitch me. When my mum asked the midwife for help, she replied, ‘What do you expect us to do?’ We had to bribe her with Shs 5,000 to get hidden sutures,” Opoloje recounted.

That moment, she said, was transformative. “Injustice in Uganda is such a fair giver; everyone gets their fair share. You can run from it, but it will catch up with you.”

"We had no good roads in the city centre, town centre not until about 3 years ago. And it is in that same district where girls drop out of primary six to marry illiterate watermen, and God help her, he doesn't become an abusive partner. For 25 years of my life, I somehow managed to run from all this. I managed to run from the dilapidated school structures and find myself in schools in Mukono, studying with children of ministers."  

Her activism, marked by two arrests and remand to Luzira Prison, has attracted both criticism and praise. Accusations of being funded by foreign forces or seeking attention have not deterred her. 

“I don’t need a foreigner to point out the injustices I live with every day,” she asserted. “I’m not doing this for money. I’m doing this because I’m tired of running from problems. I want to be part of the solution.”

“Before I got where I am today, I used to ask the same questions. I don’t care how much someone pays me. I cannot wake up and put my line on the line for anything."

"It doesn't matter if you're doing something about it, it doesn't matter if you're waiting for Bobi Wine to stage the next march. Now, for me what made me realise this, was having my life at risk on a deathbed. Having my life being valued at a bribe of Shs 5,000 and this what most of us Ugandans do. We're asking ourselves if it's not me then why should I participate?" 

To those who claim she is seeking cheap popularity, she said she chose nonviolence in her pursuit of good leadership based on accountability and the rule of law.  

"How many more mothers will die on their deathbeds? How many more November massacres shall we have? How many children will drop out of school? How many more rights will be violated? How many more conferences shall we sit at and have conversations about issues that require us to go out on the streets and march? That requires us to go out to these communities and call people that are supposed to be accountable accountable."

Opoloje acknowledges the mental and physical toll activism takes, drawing inspiration from figures like Dr Kizza Besigye. She emphasizes the weight of expectations placed on activists.

“People don’t see us as ordinary individuals. For every compliment, there are ten thousand expectations. They ask, ‘Why march nude? You could have done it another way.’ But they don’t realize how exhausting this fight is,” she said.

When asked how she finds the bravery to continue, she said.

"When people ask me where do you get the bravery to be an activist? How do you choose every day to put your life on the line, they could shoot you, they could kill you, you have a daughter, you're not yet even done with school. I tell them these three things. I'm tired of running from the problem and I want to be part of the solution." By URN / The Observer

Sakaja stated that city hall is looking to add value to these spaces by introducing amenities such as food stalls, bouncing castles, recreation facilities, and boat riding. 

Nairobi Governor Sakaja Johnson has clarified that Uhuru Park and Central Park will only be leased for recreational activities in a bid to better serve the public.

Sakaja stated that city hall is looking to add value to these spaces by introducing amenities such as food stalls, bouncing castles, recreation facilities, and boat riding.

He said such services will be provided by interested parties to enhance the experience for the thousands of visitors.

“Uhuru Park is not up for lease. It belongs to the people. On a good weekend, we host between 5,000 and 10,000 visitors. Our goal is to ensure they can relax, enjoy refreshments, and participate in park-like activities,” Sakaja said.

He emphasized that Uhuru Park remains public property and as such cannot be leased or privatized.

He said the new measures aim to make Uhuru Park a vibrant, family-friendly destination while maintaining its legacy as a cherished public space in Nairobi.

“Our public spaces are treasures, and we are committed to preserving and protecting them for future generations,” he said.

The decision to introduce these services was reached during a recent Cabinet meeting, where the executive highlighted the need for such amenities to align with global standards for recreational spaces.

“Globally, parks offer a variety of activities to enhance visitor experiences. These services have been missing in Uhuru Park, even after its renovation,” Sakaja said. 

Sakaja says under the plan, a limited number of food stalls, children’s bouncing castles, and boat riding services will be made available.

He says the county will collaborate with interested parties to provide these amenities while ensuring public interest remains paramount.

“The county government cannot run food stalls or boat rides. Our role is not to make a profit but to facilitate public enjoyment. Those interested in offering these services will have the opportunity to contribute to enhancing the park experience,” Sakaja said.  By Sharon Resian, Capital News

Dong Jun says China willing to work with armed forces of regional countries to strengthen concept of shared destiny, promote systematic maritime cooperation

China’s Defence Minister Dong Jun Thursday met naval chiefs from African nations, stressing the “concept of shared destiny.”

Dong met the visiting naval commanders from Nigeria, Gabon and other nations in Shanghai, according to the Chinese Defence Ministry.

The visiting heads of delegations from 18 countries are attending the 2nd Seminar on the Security Situation in the Gulf of Guinea, organized by Chinese navy.

“The Gulf of Guinea is the common home of regional countries and an important link for China and Africa to strengthen exchanges and cooperation and build a community with a shared future for the ocean,” Dong said.

He said China is “willing to work with the armed forces of regional countries to strengthen the concept of shared destiny, shoulder the common responsibility of maintaining security, promote more systematic maritime cooperation, and continue the traditional friendship of sincere solidarity.”

“It is hoped that all parties will work together to … benefit the people of the region, and actively contribute to the construction of an all-weather China-Africa community with a shared future in the new era,” said the Chinese defence chief.

Dong’s appearance at the seminar comes after UK-based daily Financial Times last week reported that the Chinese defence minister was under probe.

Beijing rejected the reports, calling it unfounded and that of “shadow chasing.”

The Defence Ministry, however, later said that a top Chinese military general was being probed for a “serious violation of rules” and has been suspended from his position.

Miao Hua, one of six members of the Central Military Commission (CMC), is undergoing investigation for suspected serious violation of rules, the ministry said.

“Serious violation of rules,” in Chinese state jargon, usually refers to cases of graft. Dong is not a member of the CMC.   By Riyaz ul Khaliq, Anadolu Agency