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EAC rolls out regional electronic cargo and driver tracking system

By
Geoffery Serugo
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trucks

The East Africa Community (EAC) Secretariat and its Partner States are set to roll out of the Regional Electronic Cargo and Driver Tracking System (RECDTS) from Malaba, the border between Uganda and Kenya and Mirama Hills, the border between Uganda and Rwanda.

The tracking system provides a surveillance system to monitor long distance trucker’s crew and enable contact tracing. It allows Partner States to electronically share truck drivers’ COVID-19 test results; therefore, minimizing the need for multiple COVID-19 tests in a single trip.

Speaking ahead of the virtual launch, the EAC Deputy Secretary General in charge of Productive and Social Sector, Christophe Bazivamo said RECDTS is expected to support health related protocols and facilitate safe trade in the region.

“The reliance on manual certificates and delayed test results at the borders has been the main reasons for long delays at border points”. The tracking system is expected to be used in all Partner States and will eventually be extended to EAC neighbouring countries, particularly Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) added, Bazivamo.

He disclosed that the European Ambassador to Kenya Simon Mordue is expected to be the guest speaker during the launch of the Tracking System.

A real time live demonstration of driver registration and verification of EAC digital certificate at the borders will be transmitted live from the Malaba and Mirama Hills borders.

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Museveni calls crisis meeting over his family fued in Sembabule NRM politics

By
Our Reporter
-

 

President Museveni has called a crisis meeting to calm down rising tensions between rival camps in Sembabule district.

In a letter dated 7th September 2020, Nickson Kabuye,the Sembabule RDC invited all parliamentary aspirants in Sembabule district,all MPs from Sembabule,all Sub-county LC 3 Chairpersons,all NRM Sub-county Chairpersons and the Sembabule District NRM Chairman.

“I have been directed to inform you and invite you for a meeting with the President on Thursday 10th September at State House Entebbe,”ress the letter.

The State House meeting comes after the NRM Electoral Commission suspended primaries in Mawogola North and Mawogola West amid a spiral on violence.

In Mawogola North, there is a tight race between Shartis Kuteesa Musherure,a daughter to powerful Foreign Affairs Minister Sam Kuteesa,and Godfrey Aine Kaguta, President Museveni’s younger brother.

In Maogola West,there is a tight contest between Hanifa Kawooya and Joseph Ssekabito.

In Lwemiyaga County, Fisheries State Minister Joy Kabatsi has rejected results after it was declared that she lost to the incubent, Theodore Ssekikubo .

There has been heavy deployment in the area commanded by Deputy IGP Maj Gen Sabiiti Muzeyi.

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Shincheonji Church of Jesus, 2nd group of plasma donation – 1,018 people completed

By
Boses Muhinda
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Held at the Daegu Athletics Promotion Center for seven days until the 4th.
Total 1,646 plasma donors in 1st and 2nd donation event as organizations and individuals

The Shincheonji Church of Jesus, the temple of the tabernacle of the testimony completed the 2nd group plasma donation for the development of the Corona 19 treatment.

Shincheonji Daegu Church held a seven-day group plasma donation at the Daegu Athletics Promotion Center from August 27 to September 4.

A total of 1,371 members of the church in Daegu, Shincheonji, who were infected with corona19, participated in the second group plasma donation, and 1,018 of them completed the donation, except for some who were unable to donate plasma due to health or chronic diseases.

Earlier, a total of 628 people have already donated plasma through the first group and individual donation.

As a result, the total of 1,646 members of the Shincheonji Daegu Church completed plasma donation, and 340 (20.7%) participated in plasma donation more than twice, and 312 people (18.9%) actually completed more than two donations.

In order to facilitate the large-scale plasma donation of 1,000 people, Shincheonji Church of Jesus volunteered the entire operation, including temperature check and list preparation for thorough prevention, hand sanitizer installation, shuttle bus operation, and donation guidance.

In addition, during the second round of plasma donation following the first round, they did not get support about 200,000 won to 300,000 won (200-300 US dollars) of transport fee. This is to show appreciation for the free corona 19 test and treatment in Feb, and March conducted by the government and to ease the burden of taxpayers’ money.

Given that it takes three to four hours per person to be in line waiting, testing, and plasma donating, most of the members participated in the donation as they took half of their work vacation or a day. There were many members who were disqualified in the first round and came again to try one more time.

A spoken person of Shincheonji Daegu Church explained, “The fact that we could join in saving someone’s life through blood donation was a great encouragement to the members who were already cured, and they were able to overcome the intimidated and difficult feelings that they went through at the time of the infection.”

“Thanks to the citizens who gave us a lot of encouragement, the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Korean National Red Cross, the Daegu-Gyeongbuk Blood Center, the GC Green Cross, and the gym, we were able to donate blood plasma safely. We sincerely thank you all. “We realize that the power to overcome Corona 19 lies in tolerance, love and unity,” he said. “We will continue to donate plasma for the development of the treatment.”

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BREAKING NEWS:Minister Rukutana charged with attempted murder

By
Isaiah Mwebaze
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Rukutana

 

Rushenyi County MP and State Minister for Labour, Industrial Relations and Employment Mwesigwa Rukutana will be charged with attempted murder.

A Charge Sheet on CRB 1050/2020 recorded at Ntungamo Police Station indicates that Mwesigwa Rukutana and others still at large on the 5th day of September 2020 at Kagugu village in Ntungamo District unlawfully attempted to cause the death of Rwebirungi Daniel alias Dan contrary to section 236 of the Penal Code Act.

Charge sheet

Mwesigwa Rukutana M/A aged 61 years, Muyankole, is a resident of Kagugu Parish, Rubaare Sub County, according to the Charge Sheet.

Rukutana’s charges stem from an incident on Friday in which he was captured on video grabbing a gun from his escorts and attempting to shoot into a fire that was carrying supporters of his rival Naome Kabasharira.

President Museveni today reiterated that Rukutana will be prosecuted over the violence that marred the NRM primary elections in Rushenyi County.

 

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Court of Appeal dismisses Akena’s petition, orders for election of new UPC president

By
Geoffery Serugo
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UPC's Jimmy Akena hails from the Lango-Northern Region.

The Court of Appeal has dismissed James Michael Akena’s petition seeking to stay as the president of Uganda People’s congress (UPC). Akena was in 2015 declared the Party president following a contested election conducted by the Party Electoral Commission (PEC).

Upon declaring him in July 2015, through their lawyers led by Julius Galisonga of Galisonga and Company Advocates, party members led by Prof. Edward Kakonge, Otto Isaah Amizza and Joseph Bbossa ( deceased) petitioned the High Court seeking for nullification of his election.

In December 2016, the former Deputy Chief Justice, Stephen Kavuma issued an order stopping any party member from challenging the election of Akena. It was later disposed of in July this year and the matter was fixed for hearing.

In December 2015, the High court judge Yasin Nyanzi, quashed the election of James Michael Akena as the president of Uganda People’s Congress. In his ruling, the judge said the election was illegal, null and void because it violated the constitution of the Party. The declaration of Akena by the delegates conference was illegal and void and of no legal consequence because it violated the party constitution.

Akena and his group however, petitioned appellant court to stay his election on grounds that the trial judge erred in the law and fact premised himself on wrong findings and allowed the respondent’s claims among others grounds.

In their ruling, a panel of judges led by Justice Elizabeth Musoke, Christopher Madrama and Irene Mulyagonja dismissed his application and ordered that the party should conduct nominations and elect a new President in conformity with the constitution of UPC.

They ordered that each party should bear its costs.

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I have not clashed with Museveni over Rukutana – Otafiire

By
Our Reporter
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Rukutana during the incident

East African Affairs Minister, Maj.Gen. Kahinda Otafiire has denied social media reports that he had clashed with his boss President Yoweri Museveni over the cancellation of bond he and his colleagues had allegedly secured for Minister of State for Labour Mwesigwa Rukutana who is in police cells over election violence.

In a telephone interview with Eagle Online from Mitoona where he is after bouncing back in the National Resistance Movement (NRM) party primaries, the outspoken minister denied clashing with Mr.Museveni terming it fake news.

“It is good they have written it and it is good for him (president) to read and see how they are concocting things because I haven’t spoken with him over two weeks. It is true I went to Mbarara to visit Rukutana and we joked and he narrated to me how the whole saga unfolded and he even denies that he ever shot at any person. I even never asked for police to grant him bond because I know investigations were ongoing. So just treat whatever is on social media as fake” Gen. Otafiire said.

Earlier on, there were reports on social media that Otafiire had clashed with Gen. Museveni over the cancellation of police bond and that Rukutana had spent a night at a home of another Minister, Bright Rwamirama. Accordingly the reports allergy that  after getting this intelligence, Museveni called police to cancel bond and have Rukutana back in the cells as he awaits

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Mutebile announces seven banks to handle competitive bidding in primary market for Gov’t securities

By
Geoffery Serugo
-
Late Emmanuel Tumusiime-Mutebile

The Governor of Bank of Uganda Emmanuel Tumusiime-Mutebile has announced seven banks that will handle competitive bidding in the primary market for government securities.

This was part of the reforms done by the Bank of Uganda in collaboration with the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development to increase efficiency and enhance liquidity in the financial market. The primary dealer banks have been appointed for a period of three years.

The appointed banks include; ABSA Bank, Bank of Baroda, Centenary Bank, DFCU Bank, Housing Finance Bank, Stanbic Bank, and Standard Chartered Bank.

The reforms have in part included automation of the auction processes to enhance efficiency and price transparency, which has increased the global visibility of Uganda’s financial markets.

“In order to enhance liquidity in the secondary market, effective October 01, 2020, competitive bidding in the primary market for government securities shall be limited to only Primary Dealer Banks,” he said.

According to Mutebile, the reforms have been successful in promoting a vibrant primary market, challenges nonetheless remain in the secondary market, as the trades have remained persistently low. In FY 2019/20, the turnover in the secondary market was recorded at 41 per cent of the total outstanding stock of government securities.

“This means that 59 per cent of the total outstanding stock of government securities was not traded at all, and was simply held till maturity. This is quite low compared to say, South Africa, where secondary market turnover amounts to 1,200 percent of the total outstanding stock of government securities. This means that in South Africa, the total outstanding stock of government securities changes hands 12 times in a year, which substantially increases liquidity in the market,” he said.

He said the increased liquidity of the government securities market enhances the attractiveness of the securities as it facilitates the ease of entry and exit into the financial market. It also strengthens a country’s ability to withstand exogenous shocks to the economy, as offshore investors would be more assured of stability in prices as opposed to the expectation of heightened volatility in liquid markets.

He said Investors should continue submitting their bids to their respective commercial banks as usual, where they will be well served.

All commercial banks will continue to access the primary market for non- competitive bids (below Shs200 million). However, for competitive bids (those above Shs200 million), Non-Primary Dealer Banks will access government securities from the Primary Dealer Banks in the secondary market.

“I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the new Primary Dealer Banks and to say that the Bank of Uganda looks forward to a more vibrant secondary market for Government securities in Uganda.”

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Online media publishers, TV and radio stations given one month to register with UCC

By
Geoffery Serugo
-
UCC

The Uganda Communication Commission (UCC) has given one month ultimatum to all persons offering or planning to commence the provision of online data communication and broadcasting services to obtain authorization before offering services to the public.

The service providers include but not limited to blogs, online televisions, online radios, and online newspapers, audio over IP (AoIP), Internet Protocol TV (IPTV), Video on Demand (VoD), Digital Audio radios and televisions, internet/web radio and internet/web television.

UCC was established under section 4 of the Uganda Communications Act, 2013 (the Act) as the regulator in the development of a modern communications sector that includes telecommunications, broadcasting, radio communications, postal communications, data communication and infrastructure.

In accordance with sections 2, 5 and 27 of the Act and Regulation 5 of the Uganda Communications (Content) Regulations 2019, UCC is mandated to license, regulate and set standards for the provision of all communication services in Uganda, including radio communication and online broadcasting. Regulation of communication services is intended to promote and safeguard the interest of consumers, operators, viewers and listeners.

“All persons engaged in the provision of the above services are accordingly advised to regularize their operations by obtaining the necessary authorisation from UCC by 5th of October 2020.” Reads in part of the statement released by UCC.

According to UCC, the Authorized Entity undertakes to abide at all times to the provisions of the Uganda Communications Act 2013 and all other laws in Uganda, make all its content available to the Commission immediately on demand, the Commission may cancel this Authorisation by notice in writing for breach of any of the above provisions in which case the Authorized Entity thereupon will immediately cease offering its online publishing services and others restrictions.

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AU awards Ugandan troops in Somalia

By
Our Reporter
-
AU awards Ugandan troops in Somalia.

The African Union has awarded service medals to Battle Group twenty-seven (BG XXVII) troops of the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces, in recognition of their contribution to execution of the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) mandate.

The troops of Battle Group XXVII have completed one year and five months in the Horn of Africa country. The usually one-year tour of duty was extended by five more months, in the wake of the covid-19 pandemic that came along with international flight restrictions.

After take over from Battle Group XXIV in April 2019, the outgoing battle group had been conducting anti-insurgent operations against Al-Shabaab in the Lower Shabelle region that include areas of Arbiska, Albao, Baledogle, Afgooye, Lantabur, Seaport, State house, Parliament, Basecamp and Aljazeera 1,2 and 3.

The group will be replaced by Battle Group XXX (BG XXX), which will assume security responsibility of the same areas.

While presiding over at the scientific function held while observing covid-19 Standing Operating Procedures (SOPs), the AMISOM Deputy Force Commander in charge of Support and logistics Maj Gen George Owinow said that UPDF has been the cornerstone of AMISOM operation, having been the first Troop contributing country in 2007, and appreciated the payment of taxes by the citizens of Uganda, which cater for uniforms, salaries and equipment of the military. “So, it means that every citizen of our troop contributing countries is contributing to the peace process in Somalia and it cannot be taken lightly,” He said.

Gen Owinow further commended the professionalism and focus which the UPDF has exhibited in Somalia, while alluding to the joint effort made with the Somali National Army (SNA) and partners in liberating key towns from Al-Shabaab control. “Col Kutesa and your team, as you go back home, be proud of the contribution that you have made, be proud of the achievements and also the losses because the achievements cannot be made without some losses,” said General Owinow at the medal awards and send off ceremony held at Sector One headquarter in Mogadishu.

The Deputy Sector One Commander Col John Winston Mugarura congratulated Battle Group XXVII on behalf of the Sector One and Uganda Contingent Commander, Brig Gen Richard Otto and the entire sector one, for successful completion of their tour of duty. “You have not left Somalia the same, your contribution to the peace process in this country has not only made a positive mark in the hearts and minds of the Somali people, but also impacted positively on the regional peace and security.” Col Mugarura told the soldiers during the medal awards ceremony.

Col Mugarura also expressed gratitude for how fast Battle Group XXVII responded to the covid-19 pandemic, through the mitigation measures put in place, and further revealed that there is no registered case of covid-19 in the rotating out Battle Group.

The Battle Group Commander Col Sam Kosiya Kutesa thanked the entire AMISOM leadership and Sector One headquarter under the stewardships of His Excellency Ambassador Francisco Madeira and Brig Gen Richard Otto, respectively, for the relentless support and guidance that enabled the Battle Group to successfully complete their stint in Somalia.

Col Kutesa further expressed gratitude to the UPDF leadership for availing him and his entire team of the Battle Group the opportunity to contribute efforts to the quest for peace and stability in Somalia.

“I congratulate and also thank BG XXVII troops for the job well done and for the successful completion of their tour of duty in Somalia. They have learnt from the Somalia experience. Therefore, I urge them to utilize and share the knowledge gained for individual growth and with others back home.” Col Kutesa said at the ceremony.

The BGXVII and former Contingent Armour Asset commander, who was also a medalist, Lt Col Fred Kakaire said he was very happy to see that his service in Somalia has finally been recognized, “I feel great having been recognized internationally by being awarded an African Union medal and certificate” he joyously added in a side interview with the AU/UN media team.

Present at the ceremony was the Deputy BG XXVII commander Col Rogers E Okiror, Sector One Chief Administrative Officer Col Elvis T Byamukama, senior and junior officers at the Sector headquarter, among others.

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Senior medical officer in Lira dies of COVID-19

By
Geoffery Serugo
-
Covid-19 testing kits

A Senior Medical Officer of Lira Regional referral hospital has died of COVID-19. The revelation was made by the Public Relations Officer in the Ministry of Health Emmanuel Ainebyona.

He said the hospital has been conducting mass testing for COVID-19 among its staff. Four of the health workers were confirmed for COVID-19, of which two of them work in the operating theatre.

The theatre has since been temporarily closed for disinfection and contact tracing and arrangements are being made to handle emergency surgeries.

“The Ministry commiserates with the staff of Lira hospital and the entire medical fraternity on this untimely death,” he said.

All other health services however remain open to the public with strict adherence to standard operation procedures (SOPs) in place to combat the spread of the deadly virus. The procedures include frequent washing of hands or sanitizing, maintaining social distance and wearing of face masks.

Currently, there are 3,667 confirmed cases of Covid-19 and 41 deaths in Uganda.

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