By Carol Natukunda

Perhaps death remains a mystery because that is what it is – death. For the toddlers in Rakai district whose family members were hacked to death last Monday, life is never going to be easy.

Only until the killers are hunted down and brought to book, perhaps, will they be able to pick up the pieces and move on.

When someone you know dies, or is murdered in cold blood, and with children so young, you are tempted to question the meaning of life.

There are times you feel you should just sit back and let life take its course, if only for a while. But like they say, if the people we love are gone, the way to have them live on is never to stop loving them and carry on their mantle.

And that is just about the same challenge for the family of industrialist James Mulwana, who passed on last week. Let us peek into the main events of the week ahead.

Makerere University (MUK) graduation

If you are a resident of Kampala, brace yourself for a whole week of traffic jam and partying as Uganda’s oldest university holds its 63rd graduation ceremony.

Over 12,400 students are expected to graduate from January 22 to 25. Of these, 6,588 are male and 5,821 are female.

But not everyone will be in the celebratory mood as over 650 students have not been cleared for graduation due to retakes, missing marks and accumulated fees owed to the university.

These will have to wait for the 64th graduation ceremony in January 2014.

NRM anniversary (postponed to January 30)

Just how old were you when the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) took power? Well, this week on January 26, the NRM was meant to celebrate 27 years in power.  But then, a Friday press release indicated that the event was pushed to January 30.

Well, the date has changed, but everything else stays as earlier planned.

Kasese district is expected to host the national function at Nyakasanga Stadium under the theme: “Lessons learnt from our history: NRM’s commitment to create a better future for Uganda.”

Over 3,000 guests are expected to attend. It will not just be speeches and bands, but partying as well. Earlier press reports showed that State House has earmarked sh10m for 10 bulls, food and soft drinks.

President Yoweri Museveni is expected to preside over the national function. He will also launch various projects, including the Kasese Youth Polytechnic, the Bukonzo Joint Micro-finance Project and the district branch of the Uganda Broadcasting Corporation radio.

He will also commission two cages, which are being constructed in Katwe-Kabatoro Town Council on Lake Edward to protect residents from crocodile attacks.

Crocodiles on the lake have attacked, killed and injured several residents in the area since 2009.

Africa Nations Cup (AFCON) 2013

Meanwhile, the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations is on. And as you read this, all eyes are glued to our screens.

This is the 29th tournament organised by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and the host country is South Africa.

The winner of the tournament will qualify for the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup in Brazil as the representative from CAF.

Youth annual conference

And there cannot be a better timing for this year’s annual national youth conference slated to take place from January 22 to 24.

Under the theme: “A new dawn, youth as pillars for national development,” hundreds of young people seeking knowledge on employment and entrepreneurship will sit together to brainstorm on ideas on how to improve their lives.

They will have debates, exhibitions, music talent shows, dance and performances, among others.

There will also be blood donation and testing for HIV and cancer. Be sure to catch all this at the UMA showgrounds, Lugogo.

Vision Group, Coca-cola talent search

And if you want a career in music and arts, worry not. Vision Group, in partnership with Coca-cola, have launched a four-month cross-country search for the best singing talent in the land, dubbed Coca-Cola Rated Next.

Watch out for auditions countrywide.

UPDF murder suspect trial goes on

It an interesting case – with civilians seeming to be supporting the accused soldier. Lance Corporal Herbert Rwakihembo is accused of killing his wife and her two friends on December 10, 2012.

The Court Martial trial is on at Luzira Church of Uganda Primary School.

MP Lyomoki’s woes

Former finance minister Syda Bbumba and workers’ MP Dr. Sam Lyomoki are among several officials who are expected to be summoned by the Police over their role in the mismanagement of sh10b meant for market vendors.

Report on child mutilation

This Tuesday (January 22), UNICEF Uganda, together with HUMANE Africa, launch a report on child mutilation in Uganda.

The report is a result of extensive field research, which took place between June and September 2012, implemented by a number of local partners.

This research project into child sacrifice and mutilation is the first to be based solely on first-hand accounts.