Author: admin

On Saturday evening, Johnnie Walker Uganda set the tone for what promises to be an exciting season ahead, unveiling its new class of cultural influencers at Silo in Kampala.

The carefully curated cohort features dynamic voices shaping Uganda’s creative and nightlife scene, including television personality and DJ Lynda Dane, celebrated selector DJ Kas Baby, rising Fashion powerhouse Azarya, and crowd-favourite host MC Timothy Code.

Each of the newly unveiled Walkers brings a distinct edge to the collective, reflecting the many ways progress shows up in today’s culture. Lynda Dane continues to shape conversations across television and nightlife, seamlessly blending media influence with her growing footprint behind the decks.

DJ Kas Baby has built a reputation as one of the most exciting selectors on the scene, known for his ability to move diverse crowds while staying true to his sound. Azarya represents the new wave of creative expression, bold, fluid, and unafraid to challenge convention, while MC Timothy Code commands stages with charisma and precision, turning every event into a shared experience.

Together, they embody the Johnnie Walker ethos of progress, individuals who are not only excelling in their respective fields but are also continuously evolving, pushing boundaries, and inspiring others to keep walking. Their journeys are defined by consistency, reinvention, and a commitment to craft, making them a natural fit for a brand that celebrates those who move forward with purpose.

Speaking at the event, Christine Kyokunda, Johnnie Walker East Africa Brand Manager, said

“At Johnnie Walker, we celebrate individuals who are constantly pushing boundaries and redefining culture through their craft. This new generation of Walkers represents the spirit of progress that sits at the heart of our brand. Lynda Dane, DJ Kas Baby, Azarya, and Timothy Code are not only influential voices in Uganda’s creative and nightlife scene, but they are also individuals whose journeys reflect ambition, authenticity, and a relentless drive to keep moving forward. We are excited to walk this journey with them as we continue to celebrate culture, creativity, and the bold spirit of those shaping what’s next.”

More than just an unveiling, the evening was an intentional deep dive into the world of Johnnie Walker. The new Walkers were taken through an immersive brand experience, exploring the rich heritage of the whisky, understanding its distinct flavour profiles, and mastering the art of ritual serves that define the Johnnie Walker experience.

The mentorship session underscored the brand’s commitment to building a community of storytellers and tastemakers who don’t just represent it but embody its ethos of progress and bold self-expression.

The unveiling marks the beginning of an exciting journey as the new Walkers gear up for the highly anticipated Johnnie Walker Afro Exchange Takeover, set to take place on 12^th April at Silo. With this new wave of cultural influencers at the forefront, the stage is set for an immersive celebration of music, culture, and progress.

Related

For decades, conservation in Uganda was often seen as a strict choice between people and nature. Protect a forest, the old logic went, and you had to keep humans out. Communities living near forests were treated as obstacles rather than allies. For rural families, this often meant losing access to land, firewood, and other resources they depended on to survive.

But today, that narrative is changing. Across the country, conservation is becoming less about guarding forests and more about partnering with the people who live alongside them. This modern approach recognizes that when communities are empowered, both nature and people can thrive.

The Environmental Conservation Trust of Uganda (ECOTRUST) has been at the forefront of this shift since 1999. A not-for-profit organization, ECOTRUST works to conserve biodiversity while improving social welfare through innovative environmental management. Its focus is simple but powerful: communities are not the problem, they are the solution.

“Conservation cannot succeed if people see it as taking away their land or livelihood,” says an ECOTRUST official. “When we empower communities to manage their resources, they become the strongest stewards of the environment.”

Standing forests are not just scenic, they are natural factories for sustainable income. When allowed to grow, forests provide high-value non-timber products such as honey, medicinal plants, and essential oils. These goods often fetch premium prices in international organic and fair-trade markets.

Farmers are also exploring agroforestry, planting coffee, cocoa, or vanilla under the forest canopy. The trees themselves act as natural infrastructure, preventing soil erosion, enriching the land, and reducing dependence on costly chemical fertilizers. In effect, a healthy forest both feeds the soil and the family.

This approach transforms forests from “forbidden zones” into assets. Rather than being forced to cut trees illegally to survive, families now see the forest as a partner in their economic growth.

ECOTRUST’s model, known as Conservation Finance, turns environmental protection into a business opportunity. Communities are organized into structures that attract private sector investment, linking local efforts to global markets.

A flagship tool is Payments for Ecosystem Services (PES). Under PES, landowners are financially rewarded for managing their land in ways that provide ecological benefits.

For instance, through carbon credits, communities earn income by protecting and growing trees that absorb carbon dioxide. International companies seeking to offset their emissions buy these credits, turning standing forests into marketable assets. Biodiversity credits reward communities for protecting wildlife corridors and maintaining healthy ecosystems.

For many households, this creates new “restoration businesses.” Families run tree nurseries, practice sustainable beekeeping, and restore degraded land- all while earning reliable income.

ECOTRUST’s Trees for Global Benefits (TGB) programme is a global model for community-led carbon offsetting. Combining restoration with performance-based payments, it has already restored more than 30,000 hectares of land in Uganda.

Beyond income, TGB addresses one of the biggest challenges for rural farmers: human-wildlife conflict. By restoring forest corridors and mapping wildlife movement routes, animals can travel safely without destroying crops. This careful planning allows people and wildlife to coexist, reducing tension and losses for farmers.

One farmer, living near the restored corridor, recalls how elephants used to raid his crops every season. Today, thanks to a restored corridor, he harvests his maize without fear, and the elephants have a clear path through the forest. “We are learning to share the forest, not fight it,” he says.

The benefits of modern conservation extend beyond direct income. Communities involved in forest restoration report improved land health, better crop yields, and greater resilience to climate change. Children attend school more regularly because families have reliable income from forest products. Women, often key players in agroforestry and beekeeping, are gaining financial independence and a stronger voice in household decisions.

ECOTRUST also acts as an intermediary in the market, helping communities sell carbon and biodiversity credits internationally. By connecting rural Ugandans to global environmental markets, it ensures that small farmers benefit from initiatives that were once only accessible to large corporations or government projects.

Uganda’s shift from “guarding” nature to partnering with it is more than a moral choice; it is both an ecological and economic necessity. By investing in people, the country invests in its forests, its wildlife, and its future.

Modern conservation demonstrates that protecting the environment does not require sacrificing livelihoods. When communities are empowered and forests are valued as economic and ecological assets, the result is a win-win.

Related

A high-ranking official in the Ministry of Energy has been embroiled in a scandalous job fraud case. Solomon Muyita, the Principal Communication Officer, has been accused of submitting fraudulent academic credentials and concealing a compromised employment record to secure his position.

The Inspectorate of Government (IGG) now wants Muyita to be punished after investigations pinned him.

The new development follows a tip off from a whistleblower alleging that Muyita was irregularly appointed as Principal Communication Officer (PCO) in the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development (MEMD) by the Public Service Commission (PSC).

It was specifically alleged that he lacked the required academic qualifications and that his employment record was questionable.

The IGG hit the road running and the truth have now been discovered.

IGG investigations into the matter established that the academic qualifications required for the position of Principal Communication Officer (PCO) at the time of Muyita’s appointment in 2021, as stipulated by the Uganda Public Service required an Honors Bachelor’s degree in Mass Communication, Journalism, Communication Studies, Public Relations, Public Administration, International Relations, Arts, Law, Social Sciences or relevant field of study from a recognized University / Institution plus a postgraduate qualification in the same fields.

Investigations by the IGG show that Muyita applied for the job in 2021 which he eventually secured,but: he submitted documents claiming to have a Master of Arts in International Relations and Diplomatic Studies from Makerere University, which he supposedly attained on 18th January 2019.

However, following investigations, records obtained from Makerere University by the IGG, revealed that he actually attained the qualification on 17th February 2023, two years after his appointment as Principal Communication Officer.

Consequently, the IGG makes it clear that Muyita did not possess the required qualification at the time of his appointment.

This discrepancy raises serious questions about Muyita’s eligibility for the position of Principal Communication Officer, which required a postgraduate qualification in a relevant field at the time of application.

The IGG investigation found that Muyita’s submission of a fraudulent Master’s Degree document to the Public Service Commission (PSC) was an attempt to advance his career within the Uganda Public Service contrary to established laws.

The IGG has cited relevant legal and regulatory provisions that Muyita’s actions may have contravened. Section (A-c) paragraph 18 of the Public Service Standing Orders 2010 provides that any person who presents false documents for the purpose of appointment into the Public Service shall be liable for criminal proceedings. Additionally, Section 351 of the Penal Code Act states that any person who knowingly and fraudulently utters a false document commits an offence of the same kind and is liable to the same punishment as if he or she had forged the thing in question.

The IGG investigation also uncovered that Muyita was dismissed from his previous employer, British American Tobacco Uganda (BAT U), due to issues of defective accountability, illegal activities, gross negligence, and misappropriation of company funds.

The IGG opines that this demonstrates that Muyita had a compromised employment record prior to joining the Public Service.

In light of the findings, the IGG has directed the Ministry of Energy to refer Muyita to the PSC for disciplinary action.

“Given the submission of a fraudulent Master’s Degree document to the PSC and a compromised employment record, it is deemed appropriate to refer Mr. Solomon Muyita to the PSC for disciplinary action, in accordance with the Commission’s authority to review its decisions as outlined in Section 41 of the Public Service Commission Regulations, 2009. In view of the above, you are hereby DIRECTED to refer Mr. Solomon Muyita to the Public Service Commission for appropriate disciplinary action regarding the misconduct outlined,” reads the directive, seen by this publication, dated 28th April, 2025 and signed by deputy IGG Anne Twinomugisha Muhairwe

The Ministry has been instructed to provide an update on the action taken within 14 days. The PSC has the authority to review its decisions, as outlined in Section 41 of the Public Service Commission Regulations, 2009.

The 14 days given have since elapsed and it’s not clear whether action was taken or not.

Contacted for a comment last Friday to find out whether the Energy Ministry PS adhered to the IGG’s directive, Dr. Patricia Litho, the Ministry’s Assistant Commissioner for Communication said she was unaware of this new development. She however promised to follow up with the PS and revert back to us.

“Unfortunately, I am not privy to this development and communication. However, it is important to note that Mr.Muyita is a common cadre officer who is subject to transfer and was posted to the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development in 2021 from his previous station of the Judiciary. Please also note that MEMD is not the recruiting authority of government but rather a recipient of personnel who are posted to the Ministry following recruitment. I will follow up with the PS, ” Dr.Litho told this publication.

Efforts to talk to Muyita were futile by press time.

There are however whispers that following this development, Muyita, quietly left the Energy Ministry to avoid escalation of the matter.
We shall be back with a follow up once we confirm this.

About Post Author