Dear Joshua, let Raymond eat

What the report says

Nile Post published an opinion piece responding to criticism of journalist Raymond Mujuni’s move into a new job, after another writer had accused him of “gaslighting” readers about the political meaning of the decision. The author, Michael Wadada Lawel, says he knows Raymond as a capable journalist and argues that the new role should be judged by what Raymond does in office, not by assumptions made at the outset.

The piece frames the dispute around a broader dilemma for young Ugandans: skilled people often face limited and imperfect choices when trying to support their families while also wanting to improve the country. Lawel suggests that joining a state-linked institution does not automatically make someone a collaborator, and he says the moral question should depend on conduct, not simply on the employer or on past activism.

The article also challenges comparisons with colonial or apartheid-era systems, saying such analogies can be too sweeping if they treat all public servants alike. It argues that people working inside government may still have influence and may be better placed to see and document failures from within.

At the same time, the author says the concerns raised by critics are serious, especially for those who have spoken with victims of political repression. He concludes that Raymond should be accountable if his work ends up serving abuse, but that final judgment should rest on evidence of his actions over time rather than on the job change itself.