By Jako David Waluluka
Many scenarios were premeditated and lethally filtered through social media when one Martha Ahumuza sadly collapsed at the exclusive hangout Mezonior and was later declared dead at a hospital in Kampala.
It is alleged that Mezonior, owned by Grace Kellis and her brothers Eddie Mugabo and Joseph Kalanzi (also known as DJ Spinny), was Martha’s last known destination before her passing. Additionally, Martha had reportedly visited several other locations earlier that same day.
It is claimed that Martha visited several locations in Kololo, including a prominent restaurant with a brand name featuring the letter O. Accompanied by her close friend Dorecca, also known as Miss Deee, Martha allegedly attended two other private gatherings in the same area, known for wild parties involving alcohol, illicit substances, and orgies.
Although the Mezonior incident remains under investigation, its reopening a few days ago suggests that it may no longer be a focal point of the inquiry. This development could potentially exonerate Eddie and his brother, who are still in custody, from any involvement in Martha’s death.
Several scenarios have been proposed as possible causes of death, including alleged poisoning, drug overdose, or accidental ingestion.
According to the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime, Uganda has not been immune to the rise of heroin trafficking along the southern route, which has expanded in East and Southern Africa in recent years. As reported elsewhere, this trend has evolved from a coastal trade into a well-established regional drug economy.
According to a recent Risk Bulletin, the implementation of Uganda’s Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (Control) Act, which took effect in 2016, has inadvertently created a more favorable environment for drug traffickers. Meanwhile, the punitive measures outlined in the act have been applied by the courts, resulting in harsh penalties for individuals who use drugs.
Fieldwork conducted in December 2019 explored emerging trends in drug trafficking in Uganda. While our primary focus is on the evolving dynamics of heroin markets, we also observed significant recent shifts in other drug markets, including those for cocaine and marijuana.
Uganda’s national borders lack effective checks due to the limited capacity of border staff to identify narcotics, and detecting drug precursors poses an even greater challenge. Furthermore, the low monthly salaries of border force and law enforcement officials, approximately 600,000 Ugandan shillings (US$154), render them vulnerable to bribery.
Uganda’s numerous understaffed border crossings create additional vulnerabilities along its borders. Entebbe International Airport remains a significant exit point for heroin trafficking. According to Ugandan law enforcement officials, Entebbe’s appeal to drug trafficking networks can be attributed to the country’s weak laws.
A new route has been identified, spanning overland from Uganda to Juba, the capital of South Sudan, which is approximately a four-hour drive from Uganda’s northern border.
Traffickers reportedly exploit the lack of security checks at Juba Airport to transport drugs to Europe. Due to the absence of direct flights, traffickers often transit through Addis Ababa or, to a lesser extent, back through Uganda via Entebbe Airport, taking advantage of lighter security checks on transit passengers.
The harsh reality is that Uganda, particularly urban areas like Kampala, faces a significant drug problem. Kampala has effectively become a large-scale drug hub, with a well-organized supply network.
The days when food and drink were the primary offerings at Kampala’s restaurants are behind us. Many of these establishments, masquerading as restaurants and bars, actually generate most of their revenue from a sophisticated drug trade that caters to a specific clientele, rather than from food and beverages.
In many of these establishments, commonly abused substances like alcohol, marijuana, and khat (mairungi) are not typically part of the openly available offerings, but rather, a more discreet selection is available.
What is on offer after strictly establishing that you are clean or knit ( without Links to security) include ; hard drugs such as cocaine, heroin and methamphetamines and this is a tip of the iceberg.
Did you know that ‘Ice’ is one such drugs that is now very common among these party goers.
At many of these places, it is not the alcoholic drinks or food that are mainly ordered but rather Tea, Cakes and cookies, that are laced with drugs.
The tea is christened by names like herbal tea, Dawa or Bogota, these are teas that are adulterated with either dry marijuana ( Njaga) or heroine . A small half litre flask goes for about 30k while a full flask ranges from 50k -300k depending on the quality,class and place of order.
These teas are selectively delivered to top offices and residential addressees in the city. The ‘Happy’ cookies and Cakes are also a hit and many drug pushers are making a killing out of them.
A pack that has about twelve cookies will set you bak a whooping 60k while a whole medium sized cake will go for 250k. There are also those who sell smoothies, ice cream , toffees and chocolate also laced with the same drugs.
Sadly the purchasers of these high end drugs and laced products are many of the so called big wigs and assumed ‘clean’ members of our A and B class crop, who include; Legislators,,lawyers, doctors, politicians men and women in uniform,, clergy businessmen /women, name it.
Their off springs most especially children have also been sucked into the vice and now instead of school are spending more time in rehab.
There is a minister and three top Generals, who are spending millions of dollars on rehab trying to reclaim the lost lives of their once cherished children.
Sadly though is that most of the pushers of this trade, include the high and mighty in this country, who until the vice comes to their doorstep, do not realize its negative gravity to the youths of this country.
Not until the government and yes the narcotics police department realizes that we are sitting of a drugs time bomb, will it start trying to save the lives of youths before it is too late.
