One of the most enduring lessons I learnt in medical school was about the death of an African migrant worker in England. His name was Tei Tei, a Nigerian whose death more than 60 years ago was masterfully recorded by Professor Cedric Keith Simpson in “Forensic Medicine,” his outstanding textbook on the subject. Professor Simpson […]
Zimbabwe’s Robert Gabriel Mugabe held court at his home in Harare on Sunday July 29, the eve of an election that did not have his name on the ballot. Watching the live televised event via South African Broadcasting Corporation was a riveting experience. The 94-year-old former president, physically frail, was in great fighting form, his […]
Two great events in the last week. The first, in Chiang Rai, Thailand. The second, in Moscow, Russia. 6,500 km apart. Both involving soccer players. One, extremely high risk and nerve wracking. Twelve teenage lads and their coach, members of the Wild Boars football team, rescued from a cave (really a grave) in northern Thailand, […]
During my time as an inmate of King’s College, Budo, Wednesday afternoons were free. No classes. No set activities. For some, an opportunity to be idle and disorderly. For others, time to do laundry, clean up this and that, play favourite sports or solve the world’s problems through intellectual debates. To the music-addicts, it was […]
Ontario went to the polls last Thursday. A new parliament was elected, with it a new premier of the province. The days of campaigning were the usual non-news that one is accustomed to in these parts. Not much noise. No threats by the ruler to arrest his opponents. Just politicians of all stripes roaming their […]
His Majesty iNgwenyama Mswati III Dlamini has decreed that his realm, hitherto known as Swaziland, shall henceforth be called the Kingdom of eSwatini (or Umbuso weSwatini). He gave two reasons. First, a return to the roots was long overdue. Second, His Majesty was tired of his kingdom being confused with Switzerland. As expected many, including […]
The state of politics in our great lakes region continues to show a worrisome trend. As Kenya celebrates 54 years of independence today, the legitimacy of its government is questioned and challenged by opposition party leaders and members. The results of the elections that returned President Uhuru Kenyatta to the State House were rejected by […]
Human folly. Human greed. Combine the two and you have a human tragedy that is as predictable as death. Yes, you read me right. Death is easy to predict. Nobody has ever survived life, that uniformly fatal condition that the fool takes for granted. How we live with hate and intolerance as though immortal! […]
Uganda’s current rulers and their associates spend millions of public dollars on their healthcare abroad, complete with comfortable digs for their bajanjabi (attendants) and pocket money for a little shopping before returning home. President Yoweri Museveni puts the annual figure at $75 million. This is Uganda’s contribution to the advance of quality health care […]
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