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UNBS urges maize and bean suppliers to embrace certification to ensure quality of output

By
Geoffery Serugo
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Dr. Ben Manyindo
Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) Executive Director, Dr. Ben Manyindo has called upon maize and bean suppliers in the country to embrace UNBS certification to ensure quality of their output.
According to Dr. Manyindo, lack of qualified and certified players in the supply chain creates a huge gap, which is a big challenge most especially now, when the country is battling the #COVID19 pandemic.
“If we had qualified, certified suppliers, we wouldn’t be having challenges of delays. All OPM would do is to get a database of certified suppliers from UNBS and award them contracts to supply maize and flour. This gap in the supply chain has to be corrected moving forward.” Dr. Manyindo said.
The UNBS ED was responding to claims that the UNBS quality checks are delaying #COVID19 relief food distribution.
The remarks were made during the Minister of Trade Industry and Cooperatives, Amelia Kyambadde’s visit to the OPM stores in Kinawataka on Saturday, who had gone to inspect UNBS works regarding #COVID19 relief food quality.
Kyambadde acknowledged that the quality check process takes time, given that the samples got at Kinawataka have to also be transported to the UNBS laboratories in Nakawa for testing. She however recommended the fast tracking of #COVID19 relief food distribution and other items that are supposed to be given out.
UNBS continues to work tirelessly, Monday to Monday, to ensure quality of #COVID19 relief food. So far, the quality compliance of food delivered has improved as results indicate that 77 per cent of maize flour and 79 per cent of beans passed the quality test as at May 2, 2020.
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Evidence Jonathan Mwesigwa works for Apollo Makubuya

By
Guest Writer
-

 

Dear Jonathan,

 

I greet you in the name of our lord Jesus Christ. By way of introduction, my name is Batanudde Kiwanuka, I live in Mukono, Kyaggwe County. I will be 74 years old this September. Regardless of my age, I am a very active person on social media. I also read newspapers a lot, what else do you do in retirement anyway?

I have received the news that the Uganda Police got interested in your writings and that they arrested you to explain your allegation that the Kabaka received a bribe from President Museveni. I had read your article and I was saddened by what you published. In our days, nobody said such things about the Kabaka especially when the allegation looked as far fetched as yours.

Today, I couldn’t believe my eyes when my son in New Jersey sent me a screenshot of Owek Apollo Makubuya’s tweet in which he denied that you work for him. I thought it was photoshop so I did a search and it was all there. In case you missed the tweet, Owek Makubuya says you last worked for him 3 years ago. In my small study, I have a book called Protection, Patronage or Plunder? written by Owek Makubuya which was published in 2018 in which he acknowledged you for the great job you did for his book.

Just in Novermber last year, Owek Makubuya organized an event to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Ssekabaka Edward Muteesa II’s death. This was on November 18, 2019. You were in attendance at the Sheraton. I was there too. I saw you moving aroung the ballroom, sometimes issuing orders to hotel staff and running to Owek Makubuya to get instructions. I remember Owek Makubuya talking glowingly about you and your capabilities as his personal assistant. He didn’t stop there, he acknowledged you in the pamphlet that was published as a result of this event. You can check Page VIII of the pamphlet with the title Sir Edward Frederick L. Mutesa II: Reflections on the Triple Heritage of an African King, Knight and President by Apollo N. Makubuya.

But Owek Makubuya has denied you at your first real time of need. When you need somebody of his caliber and connections to get you out of trouble. He is President Museveni’s Advisor on Covid-19, he can easily call the president and they let you go. But he said he doesn’t know you, just six months of him praising you publicly as an able lieutenant. He said you last worked for him 3 years ago. In November 2019, you helped organize an event that helped him shine! Museveni was there. You may even have shook hands!

And let me tell you Jonathan, you are now too soiled for Owek Makubuya’s ambitions. Him acknowledging you that you work for him today as he did 6 months ago would indicate that he may have approved the missive you published about the Kabaka and the President—the two masters Owek Makubuya shamelessly serves. You were a pawn in a game of chess. He doesn’t need you anymore yet you need him the most. That is how politics works. You were too naïve and perhaps too young to allow yourself to be used.

Your legion of fans who applauded, liked and shared every post that you wrote making one allegation after another about the kingdom are also silent. Some even say they saw this coming just as Owek Makubuya says now. They can’t even bring you water! Should this be a long legal battle, you will know who your friends are—you already know Owek Makubuya isn’t one of them. He denied you already in broad daylight on a platform that has a global audience and he did that in less than 140 characters. You aren’t even worth a Twitter Thread or a letter. Less than 140 characters and you no longer matter. At least Judas denied Jesus deep in the night using darkness as his cover. Owek Makubuya told the world in broad daylight!

I will write to you another letter soon focusing on your boss, Owek Makubuya’s pet subject—federalism, which you had even tried to co-own, publishing similar pamphlets forgetting who was boss.

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Cabinet extends lockdown by two weeks as private cars, legal & construction firms are allowed to operate

By
Geoffery Serugo
-
President Yoweri Museveni

 

Cabinet with the advice of the health experts has allowed to extend the lockdown but also resolved to open and ease the lockdown in areas deemed critical as the country phases out the lockdown.

Sources that attended cabinet told Eagle Online that private vehicles will be allowed to operate with strict instruction of carrying only two people on board. “We also agreed to allow legal firms, construction shops and sites and printery shops. We cannot risk to fully open because we are still establishing on cases like the Masindi where one person tested positive from the community” the source said.

Just two days ago, a Ugandan male from Masindi district tested positive from the rapid assessment survey which is undergoing countrywide.

Cabinet further resolved to intensify border security with further deployment of both security personnel and health workers at the nearby border posts and health facilities.

Cabinet will sit tomorrow to further scrutinize on the issues of food and schools especially on candidate classes. However, schools and hotels are being considered for opening after two weeks.

“Bars, churches, Mosques hotels and lodges will be considered later on like public transport because they as well attract big gatherings”

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Apollo Makubuya PA arrested to explain Kabaka bribe allegation from Museveni

By
Our Reporter
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Arrested Jonathan Mwesigwa

 

A team of security operatives led by Uganda Police and other sister agencies have arrested Jonathan Mwesigwa, the Private Personal Assistant to Apollo Makubuya, the former Deputy Katikkiro of Buganda Kingdom to help in investigations that the Kabaka of Buganda received a bribe from President Yoweri Museveni.

Mwesigwa, a lawyer, made the allegations in an article published on his Facebook page and circulated widely on Whatsapp and other platforms that when President Museveni visited the Kabaka at the Bbanda Palace, he took a bribe to the Kabaka that led Mengo to forego federo and settle for vehicles and wages for ministers.

Reliable sources say that Mwesigwa is being kept at Kireka where investigators are questioning him to provide evidence of the bribe. Bribery is a serious crime and the allegations, sources say, have the potential to cause anarchy within the Kingdom of Buganda and Uganda at large as they portray the government as one that gives bribes and the Kabaka as one who accepts bribes.

Mwesigwa must have had evidence before he published these allegations given that he is the Private Personal Assistant to Apollo Makubuya, who is a Senior Palace Advisor to the Kabaka of Buganda.

“We want him to help us in our investigations that the Kabaka of Buganda received a bribe from the fountain of honor, His Excellency the President of the Republic of Uganda. We believe that given his closeness to Owek Makubuya, he must be having concrete evidence,” a senior member of the JATT team that carried out the arrest said.

The offending article titled “Mmengo Chose Cars Over Federo to Fight Covid-19” was published on Sunday April 18, 2020 on Facebook and Whatsapp.

In the article Mwesigwa alleges that “you may recall that on February 5, 2019 Kabaka Mutebi II hosted President Museveni at his Bbanda Palace over secret talks—the official version of which was reported by the press. One wonders, though, why the eleven car consignment of i.e., eight Toyota Land Cruisers and three Toyota TX Prados was not declared as part of the deal! The answer, one believes, lies not solely in some fundamental moral failings of the current (mis)leadership at Mmengo, but rather in understanding why it chose to “hire” corruption and yield to Museveni’s apparent politics of patronage—fully knowing (B)Uganda’s objectives of severing his cords of manipulation, exploitation, encirclement and strongman-ness inter alia.”

Mwesigwa further alleges that the Kabaka reshuffled his cabinet that led to dropping Apollo Makubuya from his position of Deputy Katikkiro as a direct result of Museveni’s visit to Bbanda Palace.

“Two other immediate outcomes of that ‘visit’ comprised: the ejection from Mmengo’s Cabinet of those officials opposed to her current policy course—several of them senior in rank; and also, the creation of clogged Ministries to be run by yes men—all under the guise of meriting a small but ‘efficient’ admin,” Mwesigwa alleged.

The senior rank officer that left Mengo in the said reshuffle was Owek Makubuya. Mwesigwa was until then an employee of Buganda Kingdom who Makubuya directly recruited dispensing with normal recruitment processes at Bulange. With Makubuya’s sacking, Mwesigwa resigned and went on to continue working with Makubuya as his Private Personal Assistant, a position he still occupies today.

Mwesigwa further alleged that “Mmengo ought to know that the salary and car deal is disastrous to Buganda’s reputation, the well-being, will, wishes and aspirations of her people; and to the trifling harmony and unity with fellow Ugandans.”

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#COVID-19: Uganda confirms two new cases as Kenya truck drivers test positive

By
Our Reporter
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Trucks parked waiting for clearance

Uganda has registered two new cases of #COVID-19 as of this morning from two truck drivers from Kenya.

According to the information from Ministry of Health, the two bring the total number of #COVID-19 83. Uganda has registered a successful #COVID-19 progress with over 50 patients undergoing treatment and being discharged.

“Two new #COVID-19 cases confirmed today out of the 2,071 samples tested today.The confirmed cases are both Kenyan male truck drivers aged 55 years and 27 years respectively who arrived via Busia and Malaba. This brings #COVID-19 confirmed cases in Uganda to 83″.

Uganda government has issued new guidelines in regards to the long distance cargo drivers who are now the new transmitters of #COVID-19. The new rules require drivers to stay in one designated place and driving with no stop overs.

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#COVID-19: NRM to postpone its primaries

By
Trevor S Baleke
-
President Museveni

 

The ruling party, the National Resistance Movement has postponed internal party elections due to Coronavirus.

Uncertain of when the country and the world at large shall overcome the #COVID-19 pandemic and for avoidance of electioneering all the time, the ruling National Resistance Movement is considering to have its internal elections postponed to earliest August and September.

The party national chairman who doubles as President, Yoweri Museveni has said he is through the Secretary General, Justine Kasule Lumumba consulting with the members of the party’s Central Executive Committee for possible postponement.

This is contained in his April 22 letter written response to the Speaker of parliament and Second National Vice chairperson of the NRM, Rebecca Kadaga.

“I have received your letter of the 23rd of March, 2920 regarding the NRM primaries. I totally agree with the idea. Tue country should minimise the time spent on electioneering. Therefore August and September 2020 are reasonable,” reads Museveni’s letter in part.

Currently the country is battling Coronavirus and key among the measures in place is avoidance of crowded places on top of regular washing of hands with soap.

At the recent National Delegates Conference, NRM amended its constitution to vote by lining up. This would be dangerous at this period of #COVID-19.

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KCCA fumigates USAFI market

By
Ronard Shabomwe
-

Ministry of Health through its vector control division, in conjunction with Kampala Capital City Authority have fumigated USAFI market.

KCCA sprayed on walls of the market, sleeping areas, under the stales, surrounding areas and areas with stagnant waters.

Moses Arineitwe a disease control officer in Vector Control Division told said that they are doing it because they are preventing malaria within the city.

“Following the pandemic COVID-19, and presidential directives, there are people who started sleeping in markets and there was a need to protect them against malaria. So we are spraying parts within in and around the market that we think are the breeding areas to kill adult mosquitoes.”Arineitwe said.

At the market, many people received treated mosquito nets

Arinaitwe said by the end of this week, they will be done with central division. He said each division has a team that is working there.

They target water pond areas because they harbour mosquitoes and act as breeding ground.

Mega Bagalana Kimbugwe chairperson LC1 Kibuli zone, Kisenyi 3, and a leader of vegetable section in USAFI market, said that so far there are over 100 people sleeping in this market. She said she is very happy for this action because it will help them work well since mosquitoes that have been disturbing them are killed.

 

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#COVID-19: DJ Nimrod arrested over food distribution

By
Ronard Shabomwe
-
DJ Nimrod, courtesy photo.

The Joint security team has arrested two suspects for defying the Presidential directives intended to curb the spread of #COVID 19. The suspects are Disc Jockeys (DJ) Nimrod Nabeta and Shafiq Walakira.

According to Patrick Onyango the Kampala Metropolitan Police Spokesperson, Nimrod claims in his statement to police to have secured the food from the Office of the Prime Minister- OPM to distribute to fellow DJs

The duo was picked by security team from Makindye Division, Kampala while distributing food. Its alleged that the Prime Minister’s office had given them to distribute the food that was donated by well-wishers to all the DJs.

Nimrod instead of distributing food to the allocated group, he called people and started distributing it without observing the social distance.

Onyango says he was supposed to deliver the food to DJs without gathering a crowd and he did the opposite.  He is currently detained at Katwe Police Station on charges of doing acts likely to spread infectious disease.

Onyango said the Investigations into the allegations are underway.

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Jinja RDC granted bail, prohibited from addressing the media

By
Trevor S Baleke
-

The Chief Magistrate of Jinja Court, Jessica Chemeri has given embattled Jinja Resident District Commissioner, Eric Sakwa bail until May 13 when court begins hearing charges preferred against him. But Sakwa’s bail has a condition of ensuring that he doesn’t speak to the media about the matter. The UPC turned NRM man is very vocal and Media hoses in Busoga have always fought for him to be hosted on their shows.

Sakwa was last Friday arrested and sent to Kirinya Prison by the same court on charges of manslaughter, robbery and malicious damage.

“In Jinja, the bail application hearing for Jinja RDC, Eric Joseph Sakwa (manslaughter, robbery and malicious damage charges) is ongoing before Chief Magistrate, Jessica Chemeri via ZOOM Conferencing Technology between Jinja Court and Kirinya Prison,” the Judiciary announced on its social media page Twitter.

Sakwa presented four sureties who include: Hon Nelson Lufafa, Hon Moses Walyomu, Jinja Mayor Majidu Batambuze and LC5 chairman Titus Kisambira.

Initially Court had pronounced that Sakwa will reappear in court on the 13th of May.

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It is morally wrong for MPs to give themselves money for personal use when people are hungry -Museveni

By
Geoffery Serugo
-
President Museveni addressing parliament in a past event while Speaker Kadaga is the chair.

President Yoweri Museveni has said it was morally wrong for Members of Parliament to allocate themselves Shs20 million at the time when the country was struggling with the Coronavirus pandemic.

Gen. Museveni said this while addressing the nation on the current situation in the country in regards to the #COVID-19 pandemic.

“It is morally reprehensible for MPs to give themselves money for personal use when the country is in such a crisis; and totally unacceptable to me and to the NRM,” he said. When I met with the Speaker, I told her they should get out of that trap and the best way to do it is by not spending this money on themselves. I agreed with the her to donate that money to the district task forces,” Musevebi said.

The president further said the Auditor General would be invited to probe those Members of Parliament who utilized the Shs20 million by purchase all sort of stuff without the approval of state since the money belongs to the state. He said for those Members of Parliament who have donated the money to the district task forces, no action would be taken against them since they passed on the money to the task forces.

“I heard that some MPs went and bought things, that is not good enough. You are not the purchasing officers of the state. I have been in State House for 34 years, I have never even bought a roll of toilet paper. Many Ugandans are angry but please don’t be angry, it will be sorted” he said.

Museveni also asked why security and police only arrested Mityana Municipality Member of Parliament, Francis Butebi Zaake when he attempted to distribute relief foods while his only party MPs and Ministers where not apprehended. “Why arrest MP Zaake and then you leave other people including NRM ministers?”

On the issue of truck drivers being left to drive past the border points, the president said it would be suicidal  for Uganda to stop cargo trucks coming in at the moment because of lack of alternative means to transport cargo from the sea to Uganda and neighbouring countries.

“So these truck drivers can come and go  where they can go. The Ministry of Works is going to designate these places where they stop and rest.Secondly, there are other are other parts of Africa where there is no  railway. they are part of us and they consume our products.” he said before adding “Secondly stay away from these truck drivers. I am told our daughters have been depending on those people but i have told our people to get them (daughters) what to do”

 

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