Alan Tacca

Writer at Daily Monitor

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Articles

Trading in madness and sexism

4 days ago | monitor.co.ug | Alan Tacca

Over three weeks ago, the distinguished Ugandan journalist, Shaka Ssali, made his rendezvous with the mineral neutrality of the universe. Ashes. At his passing, recalling his integrity and authenticity on the Voice of America made one glance at the stuff our broadcasters give us. Uganda Bureau of Statistics (Ubos) was so naughty during the 2024 population census that it will probably not complain if I avoid their numbers and just say that many Ugandans watch television.
Thank modern science for Kabaka

1 week ago | monitor.co.ug | Alan Tacca

When you think about it, the Pentecostals and the other Christians may be chasing different shadows when groping in the chamber of the gods. This crossed my mind on the day of the 12th Kabaka Birthday Run, which this year marked the Kabaka’s 70th birthday. The annual event attracts huge interest, both at home and among Ugandans abroad.
NUP ‘wave’ or NRM ‘mud’?

2 weeks ago | monitor.co.ug | Alan Tacca

The word ‘wave’ has over 15 meanings. When Ugandans speak of a wave on which National Unity Platform (NUP) rode to finish the 2021 General Elections as the leading Opposition party in Parliament, they are referring to a sudden rise and movement of a mass of people following a leader or an idea. There is a strong suggestion that NUP’s followers did not have a well-reasoned argument, but were being pulled by sheer emotional momentum.
The cost of NRM extravagance

3 weeks ago | monitor.co.ug | Alan Tacca

In a random gathering of 5,000 Ugandans over the age of 18, I would not be surprised if fewer than 10 have a comprehensive mental picture of, say, Shs100 billion. By comprehensive, I mean knowing more than the number of digits that describe this quantity of money. I mean the ability to quickly visualise variously sized portions of this money in life-like spending situations, and to play out these imaginary scenarios and register the correct emotional responses to them.
Will Africans wake up?

1 month ago | monitor.co.ug | Alan Tacca

In the good old days, I used to thank the Americans for being very forgiving. Any bigwig could insult them at a public rally today and take to them his begging bowl the following day, assured that they would not want his people to starve. Mr Donald Trump was probably irritated by this relationship. You could not pair the indignity of begging with so much disrespect.
Europe needs less football, more missiles

1 month ago | monitor.co.ug | Alan Tacca

The horror of two American atomic bombs dropped on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in effect ended World War II in 1945. In Europe, everybody could see what Germany under the Nazis had left as evidence of her grim handiwork. So shattering was the experience that mankind agreed to form a body to promote peace, international cooperation and security. Hopefully, this would prevent wanton aggression and things like World War II.
Marriage Bill may need sex police

1 month ago | monitor.co.ug | Alan Tacca

What you need to know:Can justice in a secular jurisdiction be reached through biblical narratives? A few years back, chatting with fellow pastors (Charles Tumwine and Ssalongo Mukiibi) on his Impact FM radio, Pr Joseph Sserwadda narrated how 16 women/girls had confronted his father many years earlier and alleged that he (the pastor) had broken his promises to marry them. Assuming there was no exaggeration, how had all the 16 so grossly deceived themselves?
The Museveni of 2025 probably admires Museveni of 1986

2 months ago | monitor.co.ug | Alan Tacca

He endlessly talks about his Bush War days. He has lambasted European colonialists and inept 19th Century African chiefs. He has described Uganda’s past leaders as ‘swine’. He has slogans on wealth creation and jokes on fighting corruption. However, President Museveni’s most famous quotation is the one identifying Africa’s biggest problem as that of rulers who overstay in power.
Dancing with crippled justice

2 months ago | monitor.co.ug | Alan Tacca

Headaches sometimes come in quick succession. Uganda’s President Museveni and other bigwigs must be still trying to figure out how to sustain their customary opulence, now that Donald Trump has slammed the brake on the flow of American money that gave a semblance of life to our healthcare system.
The cost of NRM deadwood

2 months ago | monitor.co.ug | Alan Tacca

So NRM has started its 40th year in power? NRM, you are marvellous! You have cunning jugglers and spin-doctors. You have differences, but you strictly observe the jungle law of keeping raw power. You have hatchet men ready to chop off the heads of non-NRM contenders trying to be the next alpha male. You have the Treasury at your disposal. And you control the inventors of Byabakamaesque electoral mathematics.Congratulations!But how did NRM do it?Well, I have just told you.