Former Botswana President Loses 89 Zebras to Drought

The country's second president, Ketumile Masire, who is also a renowned farmer and game rancher, has said the animals died due to water scarcity.

Uganda: I Crawled to School for Six Years - Makula

At the tender age of three years, Makula and his friends were playing outside his family home in Kanisa zone in Makindye Division when something strange happened. Makula suddenly fell to the ground and began convulsing.

Upon hearing loud screams, Alice Ndagire, his mother, who was inside the house doing chores rushed outside and ran towards her son.

Once by his side, she continously tapped him as a way of resuscitating him. She noticed his body slowly folding and resorted to straightening it.

When that did not help, she picked up her son and rushed him to Mulago hospital. Makula's condition was diagnosed as a polio attack despite the fact that he had been immunised before.

Born to Alice Ndagire and Leonard Makula on November 21, 1976, Makula was raised by a single mother, his father having passed away in 2002.

Disfigured and unable to stand and sit well after the Polio attack, the severity of Makula's disability did not become clear to the family until he was eight years of age.

"At the time, I had started studying but then unlike other children who would walk to school, I would instead crawl, sometimes with my buttocks on the ground. I had to do this unaccompanied every day for six years from Primary One to six while covering a distance of about two kilometres to school and back home," Makula says.

"Some of the children who would find me on the way often said mean things including omulema (the lame one) and by then, such a phrase was regarded as an insult."

Makula was then at Kibuye Primary School, a day learning facility, located in Makindye Division. The name calling and the occasional bullying was what discouraged Makula from going to school sometimes.

"There are days I would wake up and tell my mother that I was not going to school. She would then cane me until I agreed to go. Her reasoning was that my disability should not deter me from getting an education," Makula says.

His school uniform was a white shirt and khaki shorts. When it rained, the attire was often plastered with brown muddy stains and the shoes soaked with water.

Turning point

The school administration was, however, considerate to let him study in such a state. Rotary Club of Makindye came to his rescue and donated a wheel chair as he was starting Primary Seven.

Amid the challenges, Makula focussed on attaining good grades and it is no wonder that he scored four aggregates at Primary Leaving Examinations (PLE).

His good grades automatically qualified him to get a placement at Namilyango College, a boy's only Secondary boarding school in Mukono District. His stay there was, however, short-lived after the school administration considered him unfit after just one term.

From Namilyango College, he then joined St Peters Senior Secondary School, Nsambya, where he continued with Senior One from second term up to the third term of Senior Two but left because the school did not have an established science class including a laboratory. For his Senior Three and Senior Four, he went to Lubiri Secondary School in Rubaga.

Then, for A-Level, Makula studied at Busoga College Mwiri in Jinja District.

Life at Mwiri

Boarding school life at Mwiri came with its own share of challenges, says Makula.

"It was tough in that I always had to wake up earlier than the rest of the students to bathe and prepare myself for class so as not to use my disability as an excuse for being late for morning preps. And since the school administration had learnt how to accommodate me, they got me someone to push me to class in my wheelchair."

Makula's helper was a young boy, aged 17, a relative of one of the school cooks.

Other than that, Makula says that what also helped him cope easily was his friendly personality. It is no wonder that it was easy for him to get fellow students to help him out with tasks from time to time.

"One of those boys who assisted me a lot was called Grace Kyagaba to the extent that other students thought we were brothers," Makula says.

It is people like Kyagaba who made his stay in Mwiri worthwhile.

On whether they still keep in touch, Makula who was then studying a combination of Physics, Chemistry and Maths responds in the negative.

"I absolutely have no idea where my former friend is. I did not see him again after completing our Senior Six examinations," he says.

Life at University

Makula's other life chapter started in 1998 when he was admitted at Makerere University to pursue a Bachelor's degree in pharmacy. The enthusiasm he had to study the course, however, dwindled when other students in higher classes taking the same course brought him up to speed with the challenges he was likely to face if he decided to go ahead and study it.

"I was told that there were instances when I would be required to carry out experiments on viruses and bacteria and because I was not physically fit, I would end up making a mistake including doing spills and this would endanger my life. But also, the course involved a lot of movements in and out classrooms and laboratories and my disability was a sort of setback," Makula says.

Change of course

Rather than feel sorry for himself, he changed to study a Bachelor of Science in Quantitative Economics.

"I never attended classes because they were always held upstairs, in storied buildings. I would instead wait outside the class to ask for notes from colleagues. Some would give me while others made excuses that they were going to read," he says, adding, "On other days though, I would get someone to push me around to different hostel rooms at the university looking for classmates to give me notes.

Life was so difficult to the extent that the lecturers let me do my tests outside the lecture rooms."

Despite the challenges, he focussed on accomplishing his goal of finishing his three years at the university and he graduated in 2001.

The job market

It is tough for persons with disabilities to get employment because of the perception towards them.

Makula was always shunned at job interviews to the extent that he was always questioned on what he was doing there in the first place.

But even during instances where he was allowed to sit for them and actually passed, he was not given the job.

"There was a particular incident where I was even told to go and work in an organisation for persons with disabilities because I would not manage the organisation's work. I tried to tell them over and over again that I could handle but they did not listen," he says.

Having failed to get permanent employment, Makula resorted to doing a few contract projects for a chargeable fee as a way of making ends meet.

He worked for Action on Disability and Development (ADD) International for six months in 2005 as a social worker, Uganda National Action on Physical Disability (UNAPD) for eight months as a research officer in 2008 and then Parliament of Uganda for one year, still as a research officer for persons with disabilities in 2006.

Then in 2014, he came across a job advertisement from the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives for the position of commercial officer. More than 15,000 people applied and went through a vigorous process of both oral and written interviews.

"It was such a competitive position in that I could not believe it when I was eventually informed that I got the job," Makula says.

Other than that, the 39-year-old says that there is no discrimination at the workplace and management is very understanding to the extent that they got him a helper to push him around the building, accompany him to workshops as well as help him out with other tasks.

Makula's job entails examining policies and laws that are trade-related, monitoring conditional grants to districts as well as handling applications for licenses by non-citizens.

How he gets to work

A motor cycle transports him from Nsambya, a suburb of Kampala, to the Ministry's offices located along Parliamentary Avenue. It is the same means he uses to get back home after work in the evening.

In order to avoid inconvenience, Makula leaves his wheel chair at his workplace.

Whenever he arrives outside the office premises in the morning, the helper at work pushes it to where he is.

Eventually, he helps Makula into it and then wheels him to his office located on the third floor of the building using an elevator. The aide does the same thing after work.

Normally, Makula calls any random boda rider on the roadside to take him home.

Home life

Makula laughs and suddenly avoids eye contact when I ask him if he is dating or married.

"It is not very easy for women to accept men in my state. It is the reason I do not have a wife or girlfriend. However, I am optimistic that one day, I will get one," he says.

He does house chores by himself including washing clothes, cooking and ironing, among others.

He moves around the house by crawling.

Makula concludes that life will only get much better when he gets a family of his own.

Polio and immunisation?

Dr Vincent Karuhanga, a physician at Friends' Poly Clinic in Kampala says:

"It is possible to get a polio attack even after immunisation, especially if a child has a low immunity as a result of diseases including cancer and HIV/ Aids.

"But also, if the vaccine has been kept in poor storage conditions, its use may not be that effective once it is administered to a child. It is, therefore, advisable that parents take their children to recognised health institutions to have their children immunised. But also, parents are advised to embrace the mass immunisation exercises that the Ministry of Health carries out from time to time regardless of whether a child has been immunised or not. There is also a booster dose that can be given to children before they enrol for primary school."

Makula's advice to other persons with disabilities:

"Do not beg. Find ways of surviving on your own by striving to be self-reliant."

What Makula wishes government could do to help persons with disabilities:

"Set aside a certain fraction of public service positions for persons with disabilities because competing with able-bodied people for job positions is not an easy feat. Also, it should avail them training opportunities including internship and apprenticeship programmes."

Uganda

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Zimbabwe: Infant Trampled By Jumbo

By Thupeyo Muleya

Beitbridge — A six year old boy from Chituripasi area in Beitbridge was today attacked and killed by an elephant while his sister watched helplessly.

The incident occurred around 11am some 200 metres from the business centre.

Acting chief executive officer for Beitbridge Rural District council, Mr Peter Ncube said they had since sent a local safari (Three Way Safaris) to hunt for the jumbo.

"We have notified the police and the local safari operator. The elephant is reported to be still in the area," he said.

"Indications are that the now deceased was coming from pre-school in the company of an elder sister and another minor when they came across the jumbo".

Mr Ncube said the sister fled to the other side of the road while the now deceased tried to flee to the nearest homestead.

The boy was then attacked and killed by the elephant which, after the act, stood guard for a while before disappearing towards the Limpopo River.

Chituripasi Ward (1) councillor, Mr Enock Ndou said the elephant had earlier on been spotted by villagers near the local business centre though it didn't look agitated.

He said the villagers were now living in fear and wanted the local safari operator to take action.

Police spokesperson for Matabeleland South Assistant Inspector Nkosinathi Sibanda could not be reached for comment.

Elephants have become a perennial menace in areas along the border where they trample on people or destroy irrigation schemes and crops.

Botswana: Largest Diamond Found in 100 Years Named 'Our Light'

The 1 111 carat diamond discovered in Botswana has officially been named "Lesedi La Rona", which means "our light" in Setswana.

This is the largest diamond to be discovered in 100 years and is second in size only to the Cullinan diamond in the British Crown jewels.

The company that found the diamond - Lucara Diamond Corporation - held a naming ceremony at the Investing in African Mining Indaba on Tuesday.

The diamond will go on a road show under tight security, and it will likely be sold by mid-year. Lucara won't polish or cut the diamond before selling it.

The naming of the diamond comes after a naming competition in which 11 000 email entries and 1 000 SMSs were submitted.

The winner of the competition, Thembani Moitlhobogi, will win 25 000 pula (about R35 600). He said in his entry that the diamond is the pride and hope of Botswana and is a part of its heritage.

The diamond is a type IIa, which makes up 1.8% of gem diamonds, according to Wikipedia. "These diamonds are almost or entirely devoid of impurities, and consequently are usually colourless and have the highest thermal conductivity."

Many large famous diamonds are type IIa, like the Cullinan and the Koh-i-Noor.

The company's focus on mining the south lobe was perfectly timed with the commissioning of their recent plant modifications, enabling the recovery of these large, high quality exceptional diamonds, said Lucara CEO William Lamb.

The Vancouver-based company's assets include the Karowe Mine in Botswana, two Precious Stone Exploration Licenses in Botswana and the Mothae Project in Lesotho.

The 100% owned Karowe Mine is in production, while the 75% owned Mothae Project is currently being divested.

Source: Fin24.

The Lucara diamond, measuring 1,111 carats, is the second-largest high-quality diamond ever discovered on Earth.

Tanzania: First Lady in Tearful Reunion, Farewell At Mbuyuni School

First Lady Janeth Magufuli failed to hold back tears as she bid farewell to pupils and staff room colleagues at Mbuyuni Primary School in Dar es Salaam where she had taught for 17 years.

Mrs Magufuli also received her primary education at the same school. While some school pupils and teachers also burst into tears on the other side, it was all ululation and joy as they also could not hide their happiness at seeing their longtime colleague assuming the new role of assisting her husband, President John Magufuli, in his day-to-day activities.

On arrival at the school, situated between Oysterbay and Msasani Mikoroshini in the city in the morning, Mrs Magufuli was directed to the staff office. Once inside the room she headed directly to her former desk instead of the high table prepared for her.

In an exchange of views with her former colleagues, the first lady was briefed on the challenges the school still faced, including shortage of staff rooms, whereby they had to convert a classroom into an office, therefore denying pupils of learning space.

After the greetings and briefing, Mrs Magufuli went to the school's grounds for the farewell ceremony. Both teachers and pupils applauded and broke into a song in which they congratulated her on her elevation as First Lady.

Acting Kinondoni Municipal Education Officer, Ms Grace Mtesigwa, extended her appreciation for the performance of the Fifth Phase Government. She requested the government to turn its attention to teachers' welfare, including giving them better perks.

Also in a speech read by a Standard Seven pupil, Jane Andrew, the pupils said they were happy that the first lady had visited them. They told her that they did not have enough teachers as pupil intake at the school had shot up.

The Headteacher, Ms Dorothy Malecela, pointed out that the school faced shortage of classrooms, desks and toilets, staff quarters and teachers.

Kinondoni District Commissioner Paul Makonda pointed out that they were finalising discussions with commuter bus owners so that teachers can be rushed to school earlier without paying any fare.

Tanzania: Five Nabbed in Connection With Chopper Attack

Helicopter pilot Roger Gower, right, assists with anti-poaching activities in Tanzania’s Katavi National Park. On January 28, he died after he was shot by poachers while trying to track them down. (file photo)

Ethiopia: 'Fish Rain' in Dire Dawa

It was on (20th of January, 2016) around 11.30pm in DireDawa, Eastern part of Ethiopia, that happened one of the most astonishing event. Diredawa had a fish rain. Yes, you read that right, a rain pouring fish. People in the city have taken the situation as a blessing from God .

As per some reports, a scholar from Haromaya University department of Metrology,Mr Efrem Mamo, has justified the circumstances as common in areas where ocean currents and winds are heavier than the usual.

Other explanations have been made by several scientists though out time: André-Marie Ampère was a French physicist who addressed raining animals for the first time (1775 – 1836). Ampère suggested that at times frogs and toads roam the countryside in large numbers, and that violent winds could pick them up and carry them for a long distances. Nonetheless, there have been many unproven circumstances that have occurred in fair weather conditions and in the absence of strong winds or waterspouts like the situation in DireDawa.

Tornadic waterspouts analysis is a much agreed scientific explanation: saying tornadic waterspout transports animals to relatively high altitudes, carrying them over large distances. This proposition appears to be supported by many and the type of animals carried in such rains are usually small and light, (most of the time aquatic). Such kind of rain is often preceded by a storm. Though, the theory does not account for how all the animals involved in each individual incident would be from only one species, and not a group of similarly-sized animals from a single area.

It might be a blessing for a nation that is fighting a drought.

Source: Addis Insight

Tanzania: Five Held Over British Pilot Murder

Arusha — Five suspects have so far been arrested in connection with the incident in which a British Pilot, Roger Gower (37), was killed after gangsters gunned down a helicopter that was patrolling the Maswa Game Reserve over the weekend.

Minister for Natural Resources and Tourism Prof Jumanne Maghembe said here yesterday that the suspects were cooperating with security organs and soon more people making up the poaching syndicate will be brought to justice.

Apparently it is the first time that an incident like this is reported in Tanzania. Prof Maghembe added that, it was high time major operations were conducted in National Parks and Game Reserves especially those located in areas bordering villages as some poachers may pose as residents.

The late Roger Gower who had come to Tanzania about seven years ago was piloting the chopper 5HFGF sent out on a mission to track the criminals who had reportedly killed three elephants.

The culprits reportedly fired on his aircraft belonging to the Friedkin Conservation Fund as it flew over the Meatu District in Simiyu Region bordering Serengeti National Park.

His co-pilot, Mr Nicky Bester was badly injured in the incident and early reports indicated that he managed to jump from the craft, mid-air following the explosion.

The Public Relations Manager for Tanzania National Parks (TANAPA), Mr Paschal Shelutete, said that three elephant carcasses were found; indicating that whoever shot the chopper down was on a serious illegal hunting spree.

Mr Shelutete added that the incident was a clear evidence of the heavily armed poachers the government is dealing with, calling for concerted effort from the public in revealing the culprits.

"These people who are heavily armed with sophisticated military weaponry killing elephants in our conservation areas live in the neighbourhood, those with information should come forward. We all need to work together to end the killings of elephants and people fighting poaching," he explained.

In a message posted on its website, founder Mr Dan Friedkin said the organization was "profoundly saddened by the loss of our dear friend," he said, adding that "Roger was killed while piloting a helicopter during a coordinated effort with the Tanzanian wildlife authorities to track down and arrest active elephant poachers.

In the course of this action the poachers fired upon the helicopter and Roger was fatally wounded. Friedkin assured that his organization was committed to honouring Roger and his work.

"We are also committed to ensuring that those responsible for this attack are found and brought to justice and believe that Roger can best be honoured by redoubling our commitment to protect elephants and our priceless wildlife heritage."