Metro

Ugandan man with 12 wives, 102 children, cries out for help

Published

2 years ago

February 2, 2023

A Ugandan man who has 12 wives, 102 children and 578 grandchildren, has cried out for help as he claims he is struggling to provide for his vast family.

Described as the “Ugandan Father of Nations”, the prolific man, Musa Hasahya Kasera, now feels that “enough is enough” and has vowed to put an end to his procreation.

Hasahya, who is in 68-years-old and currently unemployed, took curious reporters on his journey into his large enclave which has become something of a tourist attraction in his village of Bugisa in Butaleja district, a remote rural area in eastern Uganda, revealing that his wives now take birth control to stop the family expanding further.

“My wives are on contraceptives but I am not. I don’t expect to have more children because I have learnt from my irresponsible act of producing so many children that I can’t look after,” Kasera said.

Kasera said he has so many children that he can’t remember most of their names.

“The challenge is I can only remember the name of my first and the last born but some of the children I can’t recall their names.

“It’s the mothers who help me to identify them.

“At first it was a joke… but now this has become a problem. But with my health failing and merely two acres of land for such a huge family, two of my wives left because I could not afford the basics like food, education, clothing.”

Delving into his journey into having such a large family, Kasera said he started out as a cattle dealer and butcher in the village, his status attracted
many villagers who would offer their daughters’ hand in marriage, even some below the age of 18.

He added that he can’t even recall the names of some of his wives, and has to consult one of his sons, Shaban Magino, a 30-year-old primary school teacher who helps run the family’s affairs and is one of the few to have received an education.

A local official who oversees the Bugisa village, who also spoke to the journalists, said despite the challenges, Kasera has “brought up his children very well” and there had been no cases of theft or fighting for example.

“Many members of Hasahya’s family try to earn money or food by doing chores for their neighbours, or spend their days fetching firewood and water, often travelling long distances on foot,” the official said.

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Metro

Zambia: Expert warns of food security threat due to climate change

Published

2 hours ago

December 22, 2024

Isaac Dachen

A prominent Zambian climate-smart agriculture expert, Oliver Bulaya, has warned of a collapse of the county’s agricultural sector with a potential threat to food security due to the worsening impact of climate change.

Bulaya, who bared his mind in an interview with Zambia Monitor on Friday, warned that ignoring the crisis could lead to severe disruptions in the country’s food supply and economy.

“Unless concerted efforts are made, the country will continue facing dire consequences from climate change,” the expert noted.

He lamented a growing trend of farmers relocating to regions experiencing above-normal rainfall, such as the northern block, as they struggle with losses caused by climate variability.

Bulaya emphasized that the once-reliable rainfall areas like North-Western Zambia are now experiencing lower precipitation, as seen during the 2023/2024 farming season and cautioned that poor farming practices, which had already strained the Southern region, could lead to similar challenges in other parts of the country if proactive measures were not implemented.

Metro

Outrage over murder of Nigerian beaten to death by South Africans inside estate security office

Published

7 hours ago

December 22, 2024

Isaac Dachen

The Nigerian community, under the auspices of Nigerian Citizens Association in South Africa (NICASA), has raised the alarm over the murder of a 37-year-old Nigerian, Julius Chukwunta, who was beaten to death by four South Africans inside an estate.

According to the association, Chukwunta, a native of Aninri Local Government Area in Enugu State, was reportedly attacked on Saturday, December 7, while driving to his residence in Midrand Protea Estate.

In a statement issued on Saturday by the President-General of NICASA, Dr Frank Onyekwelu, Chukwunta was blocked by the four men while approaching his residence.

Onyekwelu stated that information available to the association noted that after attempting to pass through, Chukwunta was met with resistance by the assailants, prompting him to seek help at the security office of the estate.

“At that moment, the four men allegedly attacked him, leaving him severely injured with a head wound,” the PG said.

“His female companion, who was sitting in the car, rushed to the security office and discovered him bleeding on the ground.

“In spite of attempts to call for help, the security office and residents did not assist in calling the police or an ambulance.

“After an hour, Chukwunta’s partner contacted her father, who, along with other family members, took him to Tembisa General Hospital.

“Chukwunta was placed on life support but later succumbed to his injuries and died at the Tembisa General Hospital on December 10, 2024.”

Onyekwelu also confirmed that the case was reported to the police by Chukwunta’s partner at the Midrand Police Station and was registered under file number 262/12/2024.

The NICASA President said the four suspects, aged 20, 24, 27, and 28, were arrested, and the case was presented in Alexandra Magistrate Court on December 13, 2024, where they were charged with murder.

“The court proceedings on December 18, 2024, saw three of the suspects granted bail of R10,000 each, while the fourth had not yet applied for bail. The case was adjourned to February 3, 2025.”

Onyekwelu however, expressed disappointment at the proceedings, wondering why three of the suspects were released on bail and vowed that the Nigerian community would continue to demand justice for Chukwunta and support his family.

He emphasised that the community would not rest until justice was served and the value of Nigerian lives was upheld in South Africa.