Author:
Justine Nakimuli K Odwongo
Psychiatric Nurses Consultant in the National Health Service -UK
Since 15/02/2026, many have observed that Martin Bukenya’s mother has been harshly criticized for her perceived failings. Sudden tragedies are being exploited by online bloggers for content, putting people’s psychological well-being at risk.
Martin’s mother, sister, and immediate family will be permanently affected.
As president of the Uganda Nurses and Midwives Association (UK) and a mental health practitioner for many years in the UK. I am deeply aware of how social media discourse—often based on unverified claims—can compound pain and retraumatise those who are grieving. In Uganda, we have recently seen the death of two young people, TikToker Skys and Martin Bukenya. The death of both has, tragically, been accompanied by exploitation and content that lacks sensitivity. This article calls for compassionate reporting, urgent access to mental health support for such families, and a recommitment by bloggers and platforms to ethical, trauma-informed storytelling.
Online content is data that lives beyond the moment; it does not simply disappear. We should advocate for ethical reporting that allows people to mourn safely, in confidence, and with dignity. Families affected by tragedy should be supported to seek psychological help rather than judged or subjected to further harm.
Martin’s mother has reportedly faced significant distress during this period. In the face of ongoing media scrutiny, it is crucial that bloggers refrain from intrusive or sensational interviews and that authorities provide timely, respectful updates to the public. This supports not only the family’s well-being but public understanding of the case.
My thoughts also go to the young lady in hiding, hoping that everything will disappear with time. This is only the beginning, and the impact could be detrimental.
A CALL FOR ACTION:
For those close to such families, please signpost them to immediate access to culturally appropriate mental health support.
A practice for Ethical reporting by bloggers and media platforms: verify information, avoid sensationalism, respect privacy, and provide helplines or resources.
Transparent communication from police and authorities to aid public understanding while protecting the family from harassment.
Depression, suicide, severe anxiety, psychotic depression, and trauma can all be triggered by insensitive reporting. We must learn from this tragedy and prioritize mental health and community healing.
Respect for mourners is essential to protect mental health and to uphold human dignity in a time of grief.
Justine Nakimuli K Odwongo
President Uganda Nurses And midwives’ association-UK
Nurse consultant NHS
PHD Research Student LJMU
This is a beautiful, articulated article. Thanks for raising these issues and I hope social media can learn a lesson in situations like these.
Thank you Justine.
This is sweet information, thank you musawo for clarifying more
I have retralily followed this case ‘Martin’s ‘ for for some good time since it happened.I was deeply touched and disappointed about how people on internet ‘bloggers’ handle cases. These people’s words can totally bring much pain to the mourners and the government has done nothing about it…
These people can be controlled because it’s not a big circle.. And for this case schools completely left out providing moral guidance and education to learner claiming that the world has changed hence putting our children at risk because at times they are not aware of the outcome of what they do.
By
WALAKIRA JULIUS.
Thanks
Yes mummy, it’s really very sad for a mother to lost his only son,went one mother cry we all cry n mourn with her, it’s very painful seeing 👀 the killer of ur child alive, now to us parents let us learn how to control pur anger banaye at list he would ve taken him to police instead of killing him ,as a single mother I felt his my follow single Mother’s pain we need justice for Martin justice, justice justice we the mothers of the nations need justice for our follow mothers. MHSRIP Amen 🙏 🙌 👏