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#COVID-19: Kyabazinga donates Shs85m

By
Trevor S Baleke
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Busoga kingdom official and Ms Karooro during the handover.

Kyabazinga of Busoga, William Gabula Nadiope IV, Kyabazinga has donated Shs85 million to the National Response Fund in the fight against Coronavirus (COVID-19) in an effort to curb the spread of the deadly virus.

The donation was delivered by the kingdom Premier also Executive Director of the National Planning Authority, Dr. Joseph Muvawala flanked by his 2nd Deputy Osman Noor and two ministers Yudaya Babirye and Hellenah Namutamba.

Muvawala informed the minister of General Duties, Mary Karooro that His Majesty the Kyabazinga is concerned about the situation Ugandans are facing now and has responded to the call by President Museveni to support national efforts.

“His Majesty is also concerned about the impact #COVID-19 could have on his subjects in Busoga and has set up a kingdom #COVID-19 Task-force headed by Owekitiisa Osman under Busoga Royal Concept (BRC) Ltd,” he said.

In her remarks the Speaker of parliament, Rebecca Kadaga thanked Kyabazinga and government for the efforts and requested for quick rural response.

Karoro thanked the Kyabazinga for the support and pledged to inform the president on requests made by the Speaker.

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#COVID-19: Sheraton hotel, Ndejje University send workers home as there is no salary

By
Geoffery Serugo
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Sheraton-Kampala Hotel

 

Ndejje University and Sheraton Hotel have sent workers home as three weeks of the lockdown start.

According the memos seen by Eagle Online,  the two institutions cite hardship that came with the lockdown, as there are no revenue sources for continuation of two institutions to pay salaries.

“This message seeks to caution and implore all of us to use money sparingly since there is no likelihood that salaries of April and subsequent months will be available given that university derives its revenue from students who were unfortunately sent home on March 20, 2020 on account of #COVID-19. Reads staff memo signed by Elijah Kiyingi, the University Secretary.

For Sheraton Hotel, all associates will consume all accrued leave until April while employees on probation have been stopped and paid their allowance and sent home. The hotel further said the affected employees will be first to be considered when the situation normalizes.

“That all employees shall receive full salaries for the month of March 2020 and some employees will be selected by Sheraton Hotel Management to maintain essential activities of the hotel. All other employees will receive 50 per cent of salary for the month of April and should the business position not have improved, all staff will be sent on unpaid leave from May 1,2020 until further notice” reads the memo from director human resources.

Meanwhile Verma Company Limited on April 14, 2020 suspended employment contracts with all its employees.

“As you are aware, the country is under extended quarantine as per the president’s directives of April 14, 2020. It is also in your knowledge that the country closed operations since March 26, 2020, which means we are generating no income and hence it is increasingly becoming impossible for the company to shoulder expenses including salaries” reads an internal memo.

It further adds “In view of the above, management has resolved to suspend all contract obligations of the company and your work obligations as stated in your respective employment contracts effective April 14, 2020 until such a time when the government lifts the quarantine/ or announces that the situation is  safe for reopening  and operation of business”

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God should punish those who want to benefit at the expense of Ugandans

By
Guest Writer
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Mr. Mafabi

 

By Nathan Nandala Mafabi

 

I wish to clarify on the alleged Shs20 million given to Members of Parliament as follows;

I will start by informing the public that I have personally not received any Shs20 million. If some Members of Parliament received the money, then it must have been a selective process which the Budget Committee and Parliamentary Commission need to clarify.

If it’s true as alleged that each MP has been given Shs20 million, then it is very unfortunate and I will add that Uganda is doomed with such leadership!

Those who have been following my views on this #Covid-19 situation, I have been and will continue advocating for equipping health units, protecting health workers and paying health workers better. I was very clear on this when i featured on NTV’s “On The Spot”

During the supplementary budget for #Covid-19, I argued that all this money ought to be managed by Ministry of Health and stated that it was an opportunity for us as a country to equip hospitals and health units.

As usual, being the minority voice, we lost to the majority view.

I want to pledge afore that If at all am paid Shs20 million which am hearing about I promise to add Shs10 million and send it to Buwalasi Health unit to have it equipped with PPE’s and basic health needs of the sick.

Luckily for me, while many people are crying out to their MPs for food, I want to thank my people of Budadiri West who are sending me bunches of Matooke and Bogoya.

They are all concerned that am locked down and I might die of hunger. They know that if am not locked down am always at their service.

With the little I have, I have continued sharing with my neighbours under distress and want to urge each of us to do so. This is not time for greed and self-aggrandizement, I will retaliate that God should punish those people who are stealing items for distressed people and that God should also punish those who want to benefit at the expense of Ugandans.

Let’s share what we have with those that don’t; let’s keep the social distancing; let’s wash our hands. We shall defeat this #Covid 19.

 

Stay safe. Stay home

 

 

 

 

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Too much greed exhibited by Ugandan MPs

By
Editorial
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Chaos in Parliament of Uganda over age limit debate.

 

 As Uganda and the rest of the world gamble on how to fight Coronavirus code named #Covid-19 in form of resource mobilization and budget support, Uganda’s legislators better known as Members of Parliament (MPs) have reported asked and already paid Shs20 million ($5,500) for alleged mobilization in their constituencies.

However, the demand by MPs is far beyond greed as the country struggles to mobilize resources to combat the deadly virus. How can they ask for money when the country’s leaders have asked the population to contribute assistance to the taskforce to fight #COVID-19?

The Ugandan legislators are among the best paid in Africa and secondly, how would the MPs who are under lockdown like the rest of the members of society mobilize the population when they cannot travel? What is urgent that they must be engaged in the #Covid-19 fight?  Ugandans in their humble ways of survival have heeded to the call by President Yoweri Museveni to contribute whatever they can to the Taskforce and thanks to those that have already done so including a Boda-boda rider, a teacher and police woman who donated their earnings.  Whereas it is not a must that everybody must contribute, but is also a good example for leaders like MPs who earn above Shs25 million to donate to the Taskforce.

However, these MPs have instead turned round and are try to grab the little from the government to pocket it in the form of #COVID-19 fight and yet the government is asking the poor to contribute.  Based on the above, shouldn’t Ugandans ask for a referendum on whether we still need the services of MPs?

The leadership of Parliament led by the Speaker Rebecca Kadaga should come clean on the matter than play hike and seek with the population. Kadaga and the Parliamentary Commission should not hide behind #COVID-19 to mobilize resources for their future political campaigns?  You should not hide behind #COVID-to do your usual ways looting the country in form of ‘mobilization’.

Why don’t you have hearts for the poor? Whereas leaders in other parts of the world are either donating their full/half salary, the Ugandan legislator is busy trying to grab the little that would have been used to equip the health worker with protective gears and possibly an increase in her/his allowances. Otherwise your extravagant spending may one day lead to another revolution and we hope you all remember the French revolution.

Leadership must be seen in a leader by demonstration and taking the lead role but for Ugandan legislators, you are using the leadership position to fleece the country of the little resources that would go to the vital area of need. Why too much greed?  In a situation like this where even the head of state has postponed all the activities and locked down the country, what would use that money for?  STOP THE GREED; DON’T PRESS MUCH FROM THE POOR.

 

 

 

 

 

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EU delegation to give Uganda Shs120b grant in the face of #COVID-19

By
Ronard Shabomwe
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Amb. Attilio Pacifici

 

The European Union delegation to Uganda has said it will release Euros 30 million about (Shs120 billion) in budget support to Uganda amidst #COVID-19 pandemic.

In a press statement, EU said their priority is to save lives and heal the sick but above all support health and economic systems.

“To help Uganda address both the health emergency caused by the #Covid-19 pandemic and its longer-term socio-economic impacts, the European Union (EU) Delegation to Uganda is re-focussing its existing cooperation and mobilizing additional funding. The EU will disburse a total grant amount of Eur30 million (around Shs120 billion) to Uganda’s National Treasury. This sum will be made available by urgently speeding up budget support disbursements due later this year. Part of this amount will be directed to support the short-term response of the Ministry of Health to the pandemic” reads the statement sent to newsrooms.

The European Union further said that its Member States are working to contain the spread of the Coronavirus both in Europe and beyond. “Our joint priority is to save lives, heal the sick, protect the vulnerable, and strengthen research, support health systems and economies”.

It adds “The European Union stands by Uganda in the fight against Covid-19. The Coronavirus pandemic requires united, global action in response. This is a global fight that we will either win or lose together,” said EU Head of Delegation to Uganda, H.E Ambassador Attilio Pacifici. “The re-focussing of our support to Uganda is part of a global exercise that the EU is undertaking to help address this crisis in Africa and beyond.” Additional support to the work done by the Ministry of Health to implement the #Covid-19 Preparedness and Response Plan will also be provided through civil society:

The delegation said that the EU Delegation will reorient some of the existing programmes and launch new calls for proposals amounting Eur2 million (about Shs8 billion) for example to raise awareness on hygiene and to curb domestic violence. “Furthermore, the EU in Uganda is also well aware that private sector, the biggest job provider in Uganda, is being hit very hard by the #Covid-19. In follow-up to the highly successful Uganda-Europe Business Forum on 9-10 March 2020, we will bring Ugandan private sector access to finance,” said Ambassador Pacifici.

“More will follow in the coming weeks in partnership with the government of Uganda and the EU Member States.” additional grants and guarantees to contribute, facilitate and broaden European and Ugandan private sector access to finance,” said Ambassador Pacifici.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Parliament approves Michael Ating-Ego as Deputy Governor

By
Our Reporter
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Deputy Governor, Dr Michael Atingo-Ego

 

The Speaker of Parliament, Rebecca Kadaga has written to President Yoweri Museveni informing him that parliament under the appointments committee which she chairs had cleared Dr. Michael Ating-Ego as Deputy Governor of Bank of Uganda.

“Reference is made to your letter addressed to me, Ref: PO/19 dated March 18, 2020, in which you forwarded the name of Dr.Michael Ating-Ego for parliamentary approval as Deputy Governor, Bank of Uganda”  Kadaga wrote.

She added “Pursuant to Article 161 of the Constitution of the Republic of Uganda and the rules of procedure of the Parliament of Uganda, the appointments committee of parliament has interacted with the above named person and found him suitable and therefore, approved his appointment as Deputy Governor Bank of Uganda”.

President Museveni on March 29, 2020 appointed Dr. Ating-Ego to replace Dr. Louis Kasekende. Museveni also forwarded the details of Dr. Atingo-Ego to parliament for vetting.

Just days before Dr. Ating-Ego was appointed,  Mr James Kahooza, a board member at Bank of Uganda had appointed Adam Mugume in acting  capacity to replace Dr. Louis Kasekende whose contract ended in January.

Dr.  Atingo-Ego is a former director of Research at Bank of Uganda before he joined the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

 

 

 

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Ochola makes changes in police

By
Our Reporter
-

The Inspector General of Police J.M Okoth Ochola has made changes in deployments that take immediate effect.

Among the newly appointed officers is Assistant Commissioner of Police Sarah Kibwika who is now the Commandant Professional Standards Unit (PSU).

ACP Kibwika has been the Deputy Commandant of PSU and she now replaces ACP William Okalany who has been transferred back to the Directorate of Human Rights and Legal Services. ACP Kibwika has formerly served in the Directorate of Traffic & Road safety & she brings to PSU a number of experiences including Leadership skills and a clean service record.

Other transfers and appointments include:

CP Moses Binoga has been sent to Oil and Gas Division as an administrator. CP Binoga has been at the Directorate of Counter Terrorism until his latest deployment. ACP Dinah Kyasimire Bugondo has been sent to Directorate of Human Resource and Legal Services as Head Legal Advisory Services Department from Nairobi where she has been with the East African Standby Force (EASF).

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Extension of 2021 General Elections to 2023 legally possible, but it will not happen

By
Guest Writer
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Mr. Deus Mukalazi

 

 

By Mukalazi Deus Mubiru

 

On Wednesday 18th March 2020, the President of Uganda addressed the nation on the issue of COVID19. By then Uganda had not registered a single case. Subsequently, the Public Health (Control of Covid-19) Rules as gazetted on 24th March 2020 outline a number of measures and guidelines to be followed in a bid to contain the outbreak of the pandemic. The guidelines mainly target control of public gatherings and emphasising social distancing. All manners of activities that bring people together were henceforth banned until 18th April 2020. Rule 9(1)(e) of the rules bans all public meetings, including rallies, conferences and cultural related meetings, until 18th April 2020.

Subsequent presidential addresses came with different directives resulting into a lock down where only essential service providers and businesses are allowed to operate and movement of people restricted. On Tuesday 14th April 2020, the President extended this lock down by another 21 days meaning the status quo remains until 5th May 2020.

The COVID19 outbreak in Uganda and the subsequent measures taken to manage the disease happen at a time when Uganda is preparing for general elections. The Electoral Commission had issued a road map which goes all through to February 9th, 2021. The lock down has affected the execution of the road map and some activities like the election of Special Interest Groups which were to happen in April 2020 have been postponed already.

Neither the President, nor the Electoral Commission have commented about the fate of the 2021 general elections. Sections of the media have reported that the Inter Party Dialogue (IPOD) has asked government to start the debate on the issue of postponing the 2021 elections. Perhaps the boldest move on the issue came from two, legislators representing Uganda at the East African Legislative Assembly Paul Musamali and Denis Namara, who on Wednesday 8th April 2020 urged government and the Electoral Commission to consider postponing the forthcoming general elections from 2021 to 2023. The justification for this proposal is more economic than political according to the proponents who argue that the money that would be spent on elections should instead be used to resuscitate the ailing economy. And apparently a section of the legislators warmed up to the idea.

A number of legal commentators and politicians seem to argue that general elections in Uganda especially Presidential elections must happen as planned and that our constitution does not provide for an extension. However, a closer look at the constitution and reading various provisions indicate that it’s possible to extend elections beyond May 12th, 2021 when the current tenure of President expires, only that the President must step aside. Article 105(1) provides for President elected under the constitution to hold office for a term of five years and the extension of this tenure can only be done through a referendum as per Article 260(1)(f). Conditions that would necessitate extension of presidential elections cannot allow a referendum to be held. So, the option of extending the President’s term of office is out of the question. It therefore means, the currentPresident cannot serve beyond 12th May 2021 without causing a constitutional crisis.

The above scenario does not mean that elections can’t be extended beyond the current tenure of the President though. The constitution under Article 104(7) had envisaged a situation where the term of the President may expire, and we have no new elected President much as the scenario there is different from the current crisis of an epidemic. Under 104(7) the circumstance would have been if Presidential elections are successfully challenged twice. However, the same provision can be adopted to the current situation. And in that case the Speaker of Parliament would perform the functions of the office of the President until a new President is elected and assumes office. According to Article 109(9) the whenever the Speaker assumes office under such an arrangement, a presidential election shall be held in accordance with Article 109(2) which provides for elections to be held within six months. What the constitution envisaged is that a country can be without a substantive President but under no such circumstances would a country be without parliament.

For the above scenario to happen, the President has to announce a state of emergency as per Article 110(1) and parliament can keep extending it under clause 3 of the same article.  Parliament will have to extend its tenure as per Article 77(4) which provides that where there exists a state of war or state of emergency which would prevent a normal general election from being held, parliament may, by resolution supported by not less than two-thirds of all members of parliament, extend the life of Parliament for a period not exceeding six months at a time. Once that is done, it would fill the gap that may arise should the President’s term expire before elections. Then parliament exercising powers under Article 103(3)(d) will determine the period within which the elections shall be held. The extension period can only be for six months at a time but for as long as the conditions subsist this can be done for infinite times. It’s therefore not possible, at least constitutionally, to announce the extension of the 2021 elections to 2023, at once.

The President has against the advice of the Speaker and another unnamed top Minister as was reported in the media, refused to take the option of announcing a state of emergency and instead chose to work under the Public Health Act. It’s inconceivable that he would do the same in the near future. This is partly because a declaration of state of emergency takes away the powers of the President and revoking it requires parliamentary approval. The thought of an extension that will see the President temporarily relinquish power to the Speaker is something that President Museveni is not likely to allow and therefore the elections will happen as planned,  however shabby, not because of lack of legal framework to have them extended but largely for political reasons.

 

Mukalazi Deus Mubiru

 Research Associate, Democracy and Rule of Law

 Great Lakes Institute for Strategic Studies (GLISS) 

deusmukalazi@gmail.com

 

 

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#Covid-19: Kabaka donation leads to Mengo fall out

By
Our Reporter
-
Apollo Makubuya

 

When Kabaka Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II donated Shs100m worth of maize flour, the majority of Baganda were not very happy. They wondered how could the Kabaka give as little as Pastor Bugingo and other individuals? “The Kabaka should have mobilized us to give like we did before than embarrassing our great kingdom. We are Buganda, not some cheap chiefdom,” people ranted on Facebook and Twitter.

Information has now leaked on exactly what led to the Kabaka’s dismal donation. While appearing on HDTV over the weekend, maverick Senior Presidential Advisor Tamale Mirundi known for his exclusive information has opened the lid on the crisis at Mengo. Tamale Mirundi revealed what was already in circulation that the maize flour came from a certain businessman linked to the sale of tyres, car spare parts and oil products who owns a major maize mill in Busega. The businessman also owns a chain of popular restaurants mainly located at his petrol stations.

The deal for the Kabaka to donate so embarrassingly was hatched by Apollo Nelson Makubuya, the former Mengo Deputy Katikkiro who is also the businessman’s lawyer. Makubuya is the Managing Partner of MMAKS Advocates, a law firm that was the lead arranger in the fraudulent sell of Crane Bank. Previously, Makubuya was involved in the dubious sell of Sembule Bank where he worked as a legal officer. “Makubuya is the leading Mafia at Mengo,” Tamale Mirundi said.

With Covid-19 in Uganda, Makubuya saw an opportunity to make a deal that would endear himself to the Kabaka and benefit the businessman. “Makubuya promised the National Covid-19 Taskforce that he would bring the Kabaka to donate a mere Shs100m worth of posho. He promised that the Baganda would give a lot to this cause once the Kabaka shows up,” Tamale Mirundi said. “The Kabaka donating posho? Can you imagine, he even put his name on posho as if there was no rice. Kabaka wa Buganda agaba atya akawunga? Ateeka atya erinnya lye ku kawunga,” Tamale Mirundi asked.

“Makubuya then promised the businessman that he would convince his friends in the taskforce to give him the contract. Robert Kabushenga was to bring the media to drum up the support while Francis Kamulegeya was to provide auditing services,” Tamale Mirundi who is known for his bwino revealed. “I have an audio recording between Makubuya and the businessman and I can release it if he denies,” Tamale Mirundi insisted.

The plan involved Kabushenga, the Vision Group CEO and Kamulegeya, the Managing Partner of pwc, one of the biggest auditing firms in the world. The trio went to Namasagali College and were classmates. They have a special bond and always do deals together. “Makubuya lied to President Museveni to have this team mobilise money for covid-19. Trust me, they are going to fail,” Mirundi said.

Makubuya sold the plan to Nabagereka Sylvia Naginda and Kabaka’s young brother David Kintu Wasajja. Makubuya promised commission to Wasajja from what the businessman would get if the entire deal goes through. Kabaka Mutebi, Nabagereka, Wasajja and the businessman were to appear and hand over the posho to Prime Minister Rugunda. However, at the last minute, the Kabaka said Wasajja would represent him and he stopped Nabagereka from attending.

“The Mengo administration was not aware of Makubuya’s plan that is why you didn’t see Katikkiro Mayiga there. Official Mengo business is handled by Mayiga or he delegates to his close associates. None of them was available at the hand over. The Mengo administrators are smart people, they saw the problem with this Makubuya deal and stayed away,” Tamale Mirundi revealed. “I am sure they could have advised the Kabaka to stay away from this sham donation,” Tamale Mirundi further said.

With the Kabaka quickly learning that this is a sham donation, he ordered quickly for a live televised address to his subjects. Makubuya asked to be part of the address and re-assure the angry Baganda that this wasn’t a bad donation but the Kabaka refused because he realized that Makubuya had misled him.

“It is true that the maize flour from the Kabaka is coming from the maize mill in Busega. They have so far delivered posho worth about Shs30 million. We hope they will deliver all of it,” a source at OPM revealed.

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#COVID-19: Kadaga’s rival assistants arrested giving out food relief

By
Geoffery Serugo
-
Sam Kirisa one of the two picked distributing food items.

 

Police in Kamulu is holding two men for disobeying presidential directives.

Sam Kisira and Stanley Ngobi were on Easter Monday nabbed from Luzinga Trading Centre in Wankole Sub County while giving out food stuffs and sanitizers to a group of gathered residents.

“We have in custody two men; Sam Isabirye and Stanley Ngobi who were giving out relief items with inscriptions that promote a politician. This is illegal because the president directed that whoever has items to donate must take it to the District Taskforce in the fight against COVID-19 pandemic,” said Michael Kasadha, the Busoga North Regional Police Spokesman.

This website has established that the duo are main campaigners of Betty Naigaga who last year declared her intentions to contest for Kamuli woman MP seat, a position currently occupied by speaker, Rebecca Kadaga. To make the matter even worse, Naigaga’s team made announcements on Luzinga Community Radio lauding her for what to them was standing with the vulnerable poor.

Eagle Online has further learnt that Naigaga is a member of the ruling National Resistance Movement.

We could not readily get her for a comment but the Kamuli District NRM Administrative Officer, Trevor Solomon Baleke could not confirm whether she is their registered member.

“That is not how the members of NRM do things. For us as party, we are adhering to the directives of the president because it is in our interest that Uganda as a country wins the battle against Coronavirus,” he said.

“Whoever disobeys the presidential directives does it as a person and has to be treated as an enemy of the people. Our cadres are not using the pandemic to look for cheap popularity, because we are all aware that gathering people is risky in this critical period,” Baleke explained.

On Tuesday March, 31, President Museveni said that distribution of food to a group of people equates to attempted murder.

Museveni advised those who may want to reach out to the vulnerable poor to channel the items through either the national task force committee headed by the Prime Minister Dr Ruhakana Rugunda or the taskforce committees at the district headed by RDCs.

He directed the police to arrest individuals who would be found distributing food to people.

Most politicians adhered to this directive and indeed the duo in custody become the first persons to be arrested on such charges.

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