The three recent high - profile murders over the past few weeks have left the country shaken. On the early morning of May 2, 2023, a military guard, Wilson Sabiiti, shot dead his principal, the state minister for labour, Col. (Rtd) Charles Okello Engola Macodwogo, in Kyanja. Shortly after, the guard shot himself dead at a nearby salon.

According to eyewitness accounts quoted by the media, the guard complained about unpaid allowances and his inability to fend for his family. He purportedly said he had no problem with the civilians.

Barely four days later, on May 6, 2023, a controversial blogger, Isma Tusubira alias Olaxes aka Jjajja Ichuli, was gunned down by an unidentified assailant(s). Isma was shot dead at the gate of his residence in Kyanja Central zone. The assailant did not steal anything from Isma’s car or residence, which imply the assailant was not a robber, but an assassin, who wanted Isma dead.

At the time Isma was killed, he had just recorded and circulated a video, bitterly bashing some unnamed arrogant people in government, who mistreat people that sacrificed to campaign for or defend the ruling party (NRM), at great personal risk. He insinuated that some who sacrificed to ensure President Museveni was elected, were not rewarded.

On May 12, 2023, another high-profile murder was committed right in the city centre in broad daylight. A police constable, Ivan Wabwire, shot dead an Indian businessman, Uttam Bhandhari, described as a prominent moneylender operating at Parliamentary Avenue. It is said the Indian has been the leading moneylender for Members of Parliament. The policeman reportedly complained that he had been fleeced by the moneylender. What is common to all these three murders is that there is an element of disgruntlement relating to money or financial distress. Even in the case of blogger Isma Tusubira, money appears to be a factor in his rantings. While it is possible that Isma made many enemies due to his controversial social media posts, it cannot be ruled out that his eventual elimination was linked to his rantings against the ungrateful arrogant big shots, who treat the ruling party’s foot soldiers worse than dogs.

The point we should not lose sight of is that the financial distress is very widespread and is driving the crime wave across the country. The commonest fliers these days, especially in Kampala and other urban areas, are for people or companies purporting to provide instant financial services — the so-called moneylenders. In virtually all urban areas, moneylenders have set up small offices to provide financial services.

The moneylenders are making brisk business, taking advantage of desperate people. They charge obscene interest rates, borrowers who default, and I guess many, do lose their household items or even land, houses and other valuable assets. Have you noticed that traders dealing in the sale of secondhand household items are on the increase? Probably most of these are items sold off by people who owe money to moneylenders. What does this tell us about our economy and the welfare of our public servants or ordinary workers? I guess a lot of people are sinking deeper into indebtedness. I have noticed that many commercial premises in my neighborhood in Ndejje, Makindye Ssabagabo Municipality, change tenants every few months.

Government economists and policy planners ought to realise that while the official macro-economic figures are quite impressive, the reality on the ground is totally different. A huge portion of the population is financially distressed. It is a time bomb.

The problem, I guess, is the high cost of living. The majority of people do not earn enough money to cope with the ever rising high cost of living.

While Uganda is lauded as an agricultural country, the reality is that food is expensive for the majority of the working class, let alone the public servants. I do not want to mention the cost of health services and education, a real headache for most Ugandans.

It appears talk about the national health insurance scheme has become what the Baganda call; “Gganyana… (you must live long if you are to rear a calf to grow and start giving you milk)

True, the government has come up with many interventions, including the latest, the Katale loan scheme, Parish Development Model (PDM), Emyooga, etc. I believe these interventions will majorly escalate the indebtedness of the families and exacerbate social and economic insecurity that will ultimately impact the politics and country’s stability.

Is it not more prudent to focus on factors that drive high the cost of living, ensuring delivery of quality social services and modernising agriculture for increased production?

This brings me to the loan scheme for students at universities and other tertiary educational institutions. This is a debt trap for students and ought to be scrapped, forthwith.

It is a shame that the Government, for close to three decades, has not increased university students’ scholarships above 4,000 annually, although the country’s population and university admission have more than tripled.

The money under the State House’s scholarships and the students loan scheme should be pooled to increase scholarships at the university and other tertiary educational institutions.