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Museveni praises Masolo’s wife over guidance on salons re-opening

 

President Museveni last evening lauded Ms Donnah Masolo, the wife to Robert Masolo, the former Director General of the External Security Organisation (ESO), saying she guided him on how to safely re-open salons.

President Museveni last evening announced that salons will be re-opened with both the hair-dressers and their clients adhering to strict Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) like temperature measurement, hand washing and sanitising. Ms Masolo is the proprietor Sparkles salons in Kampala.

“Mrs Masolo educated me about salons. She is married to one of ‘our people’” President Museveni said, explaining that it’s the wife to the former spy chief that educated him about how salons could safely re-open in order to curb the spread of the Covid-19 virus. That statement by the president was a veiled praise for Masolo, the longest serving intelligence chief in Uganda’s history.

The praising by Mr. Museveni of Ms Masolo is seen as a good remark to the Masolos. Mr. Masolo himself despite being in foreign service, he is rumoured to be carrying out sensitive duties/assignment for the president.

Ms Masolo has since been celebrated on social media, with Ugandans showering praises on her for convincing the President that salons and hair dressers can safely operate during this period.

Her husband, Mr Masolo joined ESO in 1989 and became Deputy Director General in 2000, before he was elevated to Director General in 2007.He was Director General until 2015 when he was transferred to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as a diplomat where he serves as Uganda’s envoy to International Conference on Great Lakes Region, a grouping of 12 countries.

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Dr. Stella Nyanzi resigns from Makerere University

Dr. Stella Nyanzi

Kampala Woman MP Aspirant, feminist and activist Dr. Stella Nyanzi has resigned from Makerere University as a research fellow.

Dr. Nyanzi’s resignation was objected to yesterday and communicated by Lawrence Ssanyu, the Makerere University acting Director Human Resources.

Nyanzi had tendered in her resignation from Makerere University as a research fellow at the Makerere Institute of Social Research (MISR) early this month, a request that was considered by the Jolly Uzamukunda Karabaaya-led University Appointments Board last week on Friday July 17.

Nyanzi resigned after winning a case against Makerere University. In 2017, the activist dragged the university to court after illegally dismissing her from her job. In June 2020, High Court Judge Lydia Mugambe ordered the University to compensate Stella Nyanzi 120 million shillings, promote her to the rank of Senior Research Fellow, pay all her salary emoluments and then reinstate her on job

Nyanzi’s free to contest for any political position in the upcoming general elections. Dr. Nyanzi earlier this month picked nomination forms for Woman MP for Kampala District, the capital City of Uganda on the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC).

The People Power enthusiast was released early in February this year released from jail where she had spent almost 16 months inside Luzira prison for writing a poem on Facebook about Ugandan president Yoweri Museveni’s mother’s vagina.

In the untitled poem, she graphically described the vagina in grotesque terms (one line reads: “I wish the lice-filled bush of dirty pubic hair overgrown all over Esiteri’s unwashed chuchu had strangled you at birth”), framing the president’s emergence from the birth canal as a metaphor for his increasingly oppressive near 35-year rule.

Dr. Stella Nyanzi’s political interest in the Kampala Woman MP seat makes her the third candidate to express interest in the race. Others in the race are FDC divorcee and incumbent Nabilah Naggayi Sempala and Faridah Nambi, the daughter of National Resistance Movement (NRM) vice-chairperson Moses Kigongo.

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Minister Amongi calls for disciplinary action against Kampala Land Board boss

Betty Amongi

The Minister for Kampala, Betty Amongi has petitioned the Executive Director  Kampala Capital City Authority Andrew Kitaka (KCCA) calling for administrative action against the secretary of Kampala District Land Board (KLB) Ms. Jacqueline Kyaligonza.

Kyaligonza was arrested in April pending investigations in respect to alleged allocation of private land to private developers. The land in question is Kira Road Police in Kamwokya which harbors a football pitch.

The minister said despite arrest, and ongoing investigations, Mr. Kitaka has opted to let Kyaligonza resume her duties. This has sparked up arguments in public domain questioning how she can be reinstated pending investigations.

In tandem, the minister faulted Kitaka for not taking action on officers related to the collapsed building  in Kampala.

“I therefore, direct you to take administrative action against Kyaligonza by relieving her of her duties as the secretary Kampala land board to pave way for investigations.” The minister said

She added “The Acting  director legal is here directed to assign a component officer from the legal department to perform duties of the secretary Kampala district land board with immediate effect”.

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CDF flags off UPDF aviation unit to fight Al-Shabaab in Somalia

Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) for the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF), Gen David Muhoozi, has flagged-off a UPDF Aviation Unit due to deploy under the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM). The unit under the command of Col Moses Amanya was flagged off at Nakasongola UPDF Air Force (UPDF – AF) Wing.

The CDF said that the operations against the Al-Shabaab insurgents will be much easier with the presence of air support.

“The presence of airpower will offer us extensive asymmetric advantages over the unconventional and dispersed enemy in Somalia. With air assets, we will be able respond quickly with precision fires or inject a quick reaction force once the enemy assembles,” he said.

He added that the presence of air assets will also not only guarantee dominance of firepower for the UPDF over the enemy but also provide marked advantage on technical intelligence, among other benefits.

“Once eventually fully injected on the operation theatre with all the assets, we are confident that you will provide the ground forces with the necessary firepower that was missing to subdue the enemy. Airpower is also an important intelligence capability, enhancing surveillance and reconnaissance that we have been operating without for over a decade,” he said, urging the Air Force team to fully cultivate the advantages they can offer to the ground forces so as to bring a quick end to the Al-Shabaab menace.

The Commander Air Forces, Lt Gen Charles Lwanga Lutaaya said the deployment is based on a tripartite Memorandum of Understanding between the African Union, United Nations and Government of Uganda.

The MOU authorized the aviation services to include, but not limited to, timely evacuation from hostile environment, transportation of dangerous goods, quick insertion and extraction of troops, aerial surveillance and reconnaissance, armed escorts, armed air reconnaissance, main supply routes support, combat search and rescue, support for airmobile operations, close air support, deterrence operations, air cover, armed patrols, interdiction and troop resupply in hostile environment missions and transportation of personnel and cargo.

Lt Gen Lutaaya noted that the UPDF Aviation Unit should have deployed earlier but it was affected by a setback of the 2012 aircraft crash on Mt Kenya during the deployment phase.

“Despite the air crash set-back, UPDF-AF vision was not exterminated. We learnt from that tragedy and have put energies together over time with the support from our partners to form an Aviation Unit that is ready to deploy for AMISOM operations,” said Lt Gen Lutaaya.

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UPDF SACCO acquires 51 refurbished computers from Dfcu Bank

dfcu Bank’s CEO, Mathias Katamba handing over the refurbished computers to State Minister for Defence and Veteran Affairs Christopger Kibanzanga

Dfcu Bank has handed over 51 refurbished desktop computers to the Ministry of Defence and Veterans Affairs to facilitate the operations of Veteran Savings and Credit Cooperative Organizations (SACCOs). The donation is part of dfcu’s commitment to offering a broad range of financial solutions to retired servicemen, widows, and orphans through different Veteran SACCOs across the country.

In February 2020, dfcu signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs to provide financial solutions as one of the ways of driving financial inclusion among the Veterans. The services include: free financial literacy sessions, business & basic computer skills for a period of three years, access to the Investment Club/ SACCO App, Quick Banking, Agent Banking services in areas where dfcu doesn’t have branch presence and Twilight Insurance cover to the retired service men and their families.

Speaking during the handover, dfcu Bank’s Chief Executive Officer, Mathias Katamba commended the work being done by the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs to enhance the welfare of its retired servicemen and their families.

“We would like to applaud the efforts by the Ministry of Defence and Veterans Affairs to ensure the wellbeing of the retired servicemen and their families. The officers and men in uniform under difficult conditions, often build resilience and develop a strong sense of team orientation, discipline and a problem-solving attitude while in service. But, they often face challenges with financial stability especially as they transition into civilian life,” said Mathias Katamba.

“We believe that financial literacy, which is part of the skills we will offer over the next three years, is an important determinant of financial protection of the veterans and their families. Additionally, the Investment Club/SACCO App will simplify the day to day management of the group savings by providing a real time view of all financial activities, tracking contributions, managing group lending and collections; effective reporting and general administration,” he added.

Speaking at the handover, State Minister for Defence and Veteran Affairs, Christopher Kibanzanga, said; “We thank dfcu Bank for the support they are giving to our servicemen, veterans, orphans and widows. It is in such times that a collective effort to support our communities and each other is highly admirable. The wellbeing of all our servicemen and their families is paramount to the continued success of our defence forces. We believe that our continued partnership will bear more fruits as our relationship grows.”

There are over three hundred and fifty-seven (357) Veteran SACCOs across the country with a membership of over 145,000 veterans including ex-service men and women from UPDF, Police, Prisons and widows and orphans.

Dfcu Bank has a history of promoting a savings and investment culture that dates as far back as 2007 with the introduction of the Savings and Investment Clubs proposition to foster group savings. Over 25,000 active Investment clubs and SACCOs.

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Judges for Sanyu FM Hot Mic search unveiled

 

Sanyu Fm has unveiled a list of judges who will deliver a final judgment for the winner of its recently launched talent search dubbed “Hot Mic Search”

One of the judges announced today is Chris Ireland the founder and leader of the famous Code 9 band.
Chris Ireland shot into the spotlight as one of the first presenters on Sanyu FM in 1993, the first FM radio station in Uganda.

He will be joined by several other important personalities to choose the winner of the search which will end this Friday 24, 2020.

The winner will take home 3.000.000 shillings and a 3 year job contract from Sanyu FM.

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More queries over police attack on Rajiv

RIP: Rajiv Ruparelia.

 

Police has come under the spot after gangs suspected to be police officers violently attacked Rajiv Ruparelia, the son to city tycoon Sudhir Ruparelia on the Friday morning of 17th July

Anti-terrorism police officers suspected to be attached to Bank of Uganda(BoU) on Friday morning attacked Rajiv and attempted to run over him as he was jogging in the leafy suburb of Kololo near the gate of his father.

Shortly after the incident, Police claimed it had launched expeditious investigations and would release a detailed report but five days later, authorities in the Force remained muted over the status of the probe and if it was started anyway.

Police has failed to explain why operatives claiming to be its officers were camouflaged in plain-clothes and recklessly driving an unmarked vehicle in a residential neighbourhood.

Police officers, driving at break neck speed tried to knock down Rajiv but he quickly dashed off the road, though his dogs and a dog handler were left nursing serious injuries and had to be rushed to hospital in order to save their lives.

Police has come under the spotlight with questions emerging over what the officers were doing in Kololo and driving at over 100Kms per hour in a residential neighbourhood where the speed limit is marked at 30 Kms per hour.

Rajiv was concerned because there has been a public outcry about negative elements in the Police that engage in criminal activities like exhortation while also operating hit squads.

The attack also come at the time when Rajiv and his father are engaged in a legal battle with BoU and what makes the attack more suspicious is the involvement of BoU officials in the fracas. The fracas that looked like an attempted assassination or failed kidnapped cannot go without being investigated give the person of Rajiv’s status.

Commenting on the incident, Rajiv wrote on Facebook that the attack was partly racially motivated because he simply questioned why Police officers were moving in an unmarked car and driving recklessly in a residential neighbourhood.

“I stopped to tell them that it was not safe for anybody to ride that fast in a residential neighbourhood. I and my dogs were walking and I asked why an individual can drive that recklessly in a residential neighbourhood. I requested in a simple way but an officer angrily responded to me that this is not India, this is Uganda. This was a racial attack, “Mr Rajiv wrote on Facebook.

Police has also failed to answer why they were driving in a vehicle with civilian number plates because all police vehicles on operations must have police number plates and those with civilian or no plates, its occupants must clearly identify themselves and what kind of operation they are undertaking. The incidents shows clearly how police was violating the Traffic and Road Safety Act which they must protect.

 

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Prof. Mahmood Mamdani appointed Chancellor of Kampala International University

New KIU chancellor

Director of Makerere Institute of Social Research at Makerere University, Prof. Mahmood Mamdani has been appointed as the new Chancellor of Kampala International University (KIU).

His appointment follows a successful end of tenure of Prof J. M. P. Sebuwufu, who has served diligently and with total commitment, for which the University is greatly appreciative.

Prof. Mahmood Mamdani has influenced global higher education and other aspects of human development. KIU will immensely benefit from his rich academic, professional and international repute. KIU, remains the leading Private University in Uganda.

Present position

Herbert Lehman Professor of Government, Anthropology / MESAAS, Columbia University,New York, 1999 to present

Director and Professor, Makerere Institute of Social Research, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda, 2010 to present

Publications in field of expertise

Selected books

2020 – Neither Settler Nor Native: The Making and Unmaking of Permanent Minorities, Cambridge, Mass: Harvard University Press, November printing

2017- Citizen and Subject: Contemporary Africa and the Legacy of Late Colonialism (with a new preface),

Princeton University Press, Wits University Press, Jo’berg and MISR Book Series, Kampala First Published, 1996, Princeton University Press

2012- Define and Rule: Native As Political Identity, Cambridge: Harvard University Press

2009 – Saviors and Survivors: Darfur, Politics, and the War on Terror, New York: Pantheon Books

2007- Scholars in the Marketplace: The Dilemmas of Neo-liberal Reforms at Makerere University, 1989-2005,

Kampala: Fountain Press; and Dakar: CODESRIA

2004 – Good Muslim, Bad Muslim: America, the Cold War and the Roots of Terror, New York: Pantheon Books; (Translations available in German, Finnish, Japanese, Turkish, Bengali, French, and Malyalam)

2001- When Victims Become Killers: Colonialism, Nativism and Geno-cide in Rwanda, Princeton: Princeton university press; Cape Town: david phillip; kampala: fountain; and london: james currey

Selected professional honors, prizes and fellowships

2017 – Corresponding Fellow, British Academy

2012 – Chair, Aga Khan Architecture Jury Award Geneva, Switzerland

2011- Lenfest Distinguished Columbia Faculty Award Columbia University, New York

2010 – Nominated as Member of Advisory Group of Eminent Persons, United Nations High Commission for Refugees [UNHCR]

2010 – Recipient of Honorary Doctorate University of Johannesburg, South Africa

2010 – Recipient of Honorary Doctorate Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia

2008 – Ranked 9th among “The World’s Top 20 Public Intellectuals,” Foreign Policy (USA) and Prospect (UK)

2002 – Citizen and Subject: Contemporary Africa and the Legacy of Late Colonialism nominated ‘One of

Africa’s Hundred Best Books for the 20th Century’ by a Pan-African Jury of 15 emi-nent persons set up at the 1998 Zimbabwe International Book Fair

2001 – Invited to present one of nine papers at the Nobel Peace Prize Centennial Symposium on “The Conflicts of the 20th Century and the Solutions for the

21st Century,” Oslo, December 6-8

1999 – University of Cape Town Book Award for Citizen and Subject: Contemporary Africa and the Legacy of Late Colonialism

1997 – The Herskovits Award of the African Studies Association of USA “for the best scholarly work on Africa published in English in the previous year,” for Citizen and Subject: Contemporary Africa and the Legacy of Late Colonialism

1991- Fellow, African Academy of Sciences the Board of Trustees, University Council, University.

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BREAKING: Bobi Wine launches Political Party

party symbol

Kyadondo East Member of Parliament who doubles as the patron of People Power Movement Robert Kyagulanyi Sentamu commonly known as Bobi wine has launched a political party dubbed National Unity Platform (NUP) with an umbrella as its symbol.

This follows leaks that government was in final stages of banning People Power Movement before Mr.Kyagulanyi would use the movement for nominations for president.

At the end of 2018, the People Power legal team tried to reserve the name ‘People Power’ however as expected, they found that this name had been reserved and flagged so that we could not register it. Since then, they have continued to struggle as a political and social movement advocating for change.

“I announce to the nation that we are unveiling the National Unity Platform as the political wing of the People Power Movement. The National Unity Platform is a political organisation duly registered with the Electoral Commission and our symbol is an umbrella.” he announced at people power officers in Kamwokya.

He said the symbol is definitely one of the things that attracted us to this political organisation. “We believe in national unity. We believe in having a platform that will bring in all oppressed Ugandans, and that is why we are launching the National Unity Platform whose symbol is an umbrella.”

As Mandela taught us, “A freedom fighter learns the hard way that it is the oppressor who defines the nature of the struggle, and the oppressed is often left no recourse but to use methods that mirror those of the oppressor.” Having realised that the People Power Movement itself would never be registered by the Museveni regime, it became very urgent and expedient to find a solution.

In the coming days, Kyagulanyi said the Party shall embark on the process of formalising the People Power Alliance. The People Power Alliance shall comprise of different political formations which we have been working with and those that will be willing to join us. Formal engagements with many of these brothers and sisters have already been ongoing and they will continue.

Throughout history, liberation strugglists have often found themselves having to run their course with a political wing and an activist or military wing. The ANC is a political party in South Africa, but circumstances demanded that they form an armed wing called uMkhonto we Sizwe.

“We are a non-violent movement and we have no plans of establishing a military wing. What we are doing today is to launch a political wing of our Movement so as to ensure that our mission to use the election as a strategy within the liberation struggle succeeds.”

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Museveni defends Health Minister days after flouting covid-19 guidelines

Health Minister, Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng

President Yoweri Museveni has applauded Health Minister Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng for being hardworking and committed in the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic. Museveni remarked days after she was filmed flaunting Covid-19 guidelines.

The minister was filmed addressing a congregation of people without observing social distance on top of not wearing masks. In response, the minister refuted all claims that she was not holding a political rally rather launching the distribution of face masks in Aromo Sub-County and training people on how to properly use the masks on Friday July 10, 2020.

During last night’s address on COVID-19 pandemic situation in Uganda, president Museveni said Dr. Aceng together with her team have done a great job in preventing the spread of Coronavirus in the country.

“One time I had gone to Lira in the days when we were fighting the terrorists and I found there a young lady hardworking, very dedicated, I noted her and then later alone I brought her because I could see that she was committed. I brought her to the ministry I said you come and bring the devotion I saw in Lira and she worked as Director General of Medical Services until when I appointed her a minister” he said

He said due to her remarkable efforts in fighting COVID-19 in Uganda, Langi people wrote to him requesting that he allow the minister represent them in parliament, an idea he initially didn’t support until she publicly declared her interest to stand for the Lira woman MP seat.

”Before that she had told me that she wanted to go and stand in Lira, I said no don’t because you don’t need to stand, your constituency is Nakasero. You do your work, your constituency is here. That’s when we were in Togo in January. So I thought I had convinced her to leave these Langi alone and concentrate on the medical work at the Ministry” revealed Museveni.

While commenting on the viral pictures and Video in which Dr. Aceng was seen interacting with people with no facemask and not observing social distancing, president Museveni said he doesn’t think the minister did it intentionally as she didn’t invite people to converge.

“I don’t think she’s the one who said you come and we have a rally, the problem was to put herself in a situation where these people would converge” said the president.

He advised politicians to do as much as possible to avoid crowds until the situation normalizes.

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