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Two Arrested for impersonating new URA boss on Facebook

By
Ronard Shabomwe
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Two men have been arrested for impersonating the newly appointed Uganda Revenue Authority Commissioner General John Musinguzi Rujoki on Facebook.

The arrested are; Ronald Muhumuza, 26, and Francis Mutambuzi,38. According to a statement released by the tax body, the duo was running a fake account in an attempt to defraud the public through false promises of jobs and business opportunities with URA.

It is said that a complaint who commenced interactions on April 17 with a fake Facebook account in an attempt to reach out to the commissioner General was instead alarmed when the fraudsters promised him a contract with URA for a kick-back of shillings 10 million.

“The complaint contacted URA about the scheme and investigations duly ensued culminating into the duos arrest,” the statement reads in part adding “…one of the suspects operates a sim card registration business and he takes advantage of clients’ national identification cards forgotten at his shop to fraudulently register sim cards which sim cards he then utilizes to contact and defraud unsuspecting members of the public.”

The suspects are facing criminal charges under the computer misuse Act. Police have over time warned about the increasing cases of fraud, arising out of identity thefts. For instance, the cases increased from 158 reported in 2017 to 198 reported in 2018, resulting in a loss of UGX 610M.

A 2018 study published in International Journal of Computer Science and Network Security, indicates that identity spoofing occurs, when criminals create fake accounts of musicians, politicians, actors and people of influence to gather sensitive data from other people or in hopes of tarnishing their image.

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Great Lakes Energy Company hands over five brand new cars to covid-19 Taskforce

By
Our Reporter
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Great Lakes Energy Company has handed over five brand new cars to the Covid-19 taskforce.

Great Lakes Energy Company (GLE), the investors of Kabulasoke Solar Power Plant, in Kabulasoke has handed over five brand new Nissan Double Cabin Pick-ups worth 134,300 US Dollars (Shs 507m).

The items were handed over to Mrs Mary Okurut, the Minister in Charge of General Duties who heads the Government Covid-19 taskforce.

The five cars will help transport medical workers and distribute food across Uganda as the country continues to curb the COVID-19 pandemic.

GLE has always contributed to the communities where they operate in across Africa by supporting sustainable development projects, mainly in Health, Education and Conservation.

Commenting on the donation, GLE Director Michael Kearns said: “Given the gravity of the ongoing pandemic, we felt it prudent to respond to the President of Uganda’s appeal for additional logistical support to boost the Ministry of Health’s fleet. We are honored to contribute to the alleviation of the COVID-19 pandemic in Uganda by donating these 5-brand new pick-up trucks that will be used to transport food and medical workers to the areas they are needed the most”, he noted.

Speaking on behalf of the COVID-19 taskforce, Mrs Okurut thanked GLE for the donation that will go a long way in providing additional support to the taskforce as it implements the different interventions to curb the spread of the virus.

Guided by two main pillars of strengthening healthcare infrastructure and providing assistance to the most vulnerable communities, GLE allocates funds, separate to the operational business expenditure, to support chosen philanthropic and Corporate Social investment endeavors. Last year, the company worked with local partners to fund a health outreach activity in Rushere district as well as a youth sports tournament to teach Uganda youth about teamwork and leadership.

This donation is part of Janus Continental Group’s Africa-wide COVID-19 response and shows the huge potential of public and private sector partnership, bolstering the efforts of civil society and healthcare institutions. Standing together with governments and societies, JCG is guided by the WHO call for a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic.

In January 2019, GLE completed the $25 million Uganda-based Kabulasoke solar power plant developed in conjunction with the Uganda Electricity Transmission Company Ltd. The 24MW solar power plant, which is already connected to the national grid, serves over five million people in rural Uganda.

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Parliament summons Finance Minister over budget errors

By
Geoffery Serugo
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Finance Minister, Matia Kasaija.

Parliament has summoned Finance Minister Matia Kasaija over discrepancies in the Budget.

The Speaker of Parliament, Rebecca Kadaga, directed the Mr Kasaija to explain discrepancies contained in his Budget speech presented last week and the National Budget for 2020/2021 as approved by the House.

“The Minister is required to come here tomorrow to explain the variances between the Appropriation Bill we passed here and the speech he made on the budget day,” Ms Kadaga said.

She added: “We also want to know if the President assented to this Appropriation Bill, where did these figures come from?”

The directive followed a complaint raised by the Chairperson of Parliament’s Budget Committee, Amos Lugoolobi, who cited figures mentioned by Kasaija on Thursday 11 June 2020 that differ yfrom those within the approved budget.

Lugoloobi said that whereas Parliament appropriated Shs400 billion for payment of arrears owed by government to private sector firms, the minister mentioned Shs673 billion in his address.

He added that although Parliament approved Shs38.5 billion towards the export promotion strategy, the minister mentioned Shs138 billion for the activity.

On the roll out of the Social Assistance Grant for the Elderly (SAGE), Parliament approved Shs66 billion but Minister Kasaija put it at Shs107 billion.

Lugoloobi said that the Minister made an error when he mentioned Shs94 billion as credit allocated to small and medium scale enterprises through Saccos, because Parliament appropriated Shs40 billion towards the same intervention.

Lugoolobi highlighted several other discrepancies in the budget speech including Shs225 billion for talent support yet the approved budget had Shs100 billion.

He said it was dangerous to have such a budget speech as there are legal implications regarding the budget process.

“We have a law governing the budget process, if there are changes by government they must be communicated for approval to Parliament before they are pronounced to the public,” Mr Lugoloobi said.

Legislators said it was insufficient for the minister to simply explain the inconsistences to Parliament, proposing that he appears before and offers an explanation to the Committee on Rules, Discipline and Privileges of Parliament.

“I do not think it is sufficient for him to just come here and explain, let him face the Rules Committee, because this is a constitutional matter; it is a serious matter of national importance,” Mr Patrick Oshabe said.

Bugabula South County MP, Maurice Kibalya, remarked “there are things we can allow to be taken for granted but not manipulating the budget, we can’t have the budget that we debated and approved only for the minister to come on the last day to fool us.”

Kadaga noted that this was a unique case saying that for long time, the Minister’s speech delivered on the budget day has been in agreement with Parliament’s approved budget.

She advised that Parliament will base on the minister’s statement to decide if he should appear before the Committee on Rules.

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Gayaza residents petition NEMA over stone crushing facility

By
Our Reporter
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The Noisy stone crushing facility

B

The residents of Gayaza’s Nabutaka and Makenke neighborhoods have called on National environment Management Authority (NEMA) to regulate a stone-crashing facility located in their residential area.

The noisy facility according to residents was set up at the start of this year and works 24/hours a day, every day leaving them agitated, sleepless and is interfering with their children’s hearing mechanism.

The inconsiderate facility is crushing stone into concrete for road and construction works. Efforts to reach out to the owners of the facility have been futile since security has repeatedly denied access to the quarrying area.

“We ask NEMA and Kasangati Town Council to look into our plight. We barely sleep because of the day and night long noise, but also the dust and heavy crushing is affecting our houses. We cannot just look on as our lives are destroyed” said Steven Rwamatsyoro, one of the residents

The Nabutaka residential area has in the recent years been a favorite of settling occupants who have populated it with houses owing to its serene setting surrounded by virgin forests, rivers, undulated hills and the quiet setting outside the busy Gayaza town. Some of the prominent residents include deputy Chief of Defence Forces, General Wilson Mbadi who has quietly but happily settled in with other residents including civil servants, bankers, lawyers, doctors, professors and businessmen.

Grace Margaret, a resident said the facility worries her and places her children in harm’s way. “I am worried for my children. This facility could induce a disability called Noise Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL). The noise once constantly on will affect our children’s hearing health” she said. “Already, we are getting headaches, disturbed sleep and restlessness from the noise” Grace added.

Grace suggests that the facility needs to get a sound tracker since the area in which it operates is curved out for residential use. Sound absorbers once installed will help minimize noise levels.

Area residents affected by the factory’s operations are appealing to the national environment body (NEMA) and other relevant authorities like Kasangati Town Council to come to their rescue since the local area council teams have been unhelpful.

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Covid-19: EC bans Mass rallies a head of 2021 elections

By
Our Reporter
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EC Chairman Justice Byabakama addressing journalists in Kampala recently

The chairperson of the electoral commission, Justice Simon Byabakama, has banned all mass rallies ahead of the anticipated 2021 general elections. Byabakama said the move is in line with president Museveni’s directives peddled at curbing the spread of coronavirus.

Speaking at the release of a new electoral roadmap, Mr Byabakama revealed that the campaigns will instead be conducted mainly through the media.

 “We are going to engage the Media Council, Uganda communication commission (UCC), and the Ministry of information communication and technology (ICT) to make sure the mode of media campaigning is actualized,” he said at the commission headquarters.

He said the Commission will issue specific guidelines for each electoral activity under the revised roadmap in due course and will engage with various stakeholders on the same.

According to the roadmap, Political Parties identify their flag bearers between 22nd of June 21st of July 2020. The nomination of those who want to stand for Member of Parliament seats will take place from 12th to 13th of October.

The nomination of Presidential candidates will take place from 2nd to 3rd of November.

He said the deadline for resignation of public servants aspiring to contest for Parliamentary elections is 12th July 2020 and the polling period for all general elections will be from 10th Jan to 8th February. The exact polling date will be announced after nominations

“The idea of having many voters at once will not be allowed. We shall be issuing guidelines along the way. The idea of postponing elections is not for the EC to determine.”

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Peter Kaujju tenders in his resignation letter

By
Our Reporter
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The Head of Public and Corporate Affairs who doubles as the KCCA Spokesperson, Peter Kaujju has tendered in his resignation letter after serving for nine years.

Kaujju joined KCCA in 2011 as a Communications Supervisor in the Public and Corporate Affairs (PCA) Office and has risen through the ranks over the years until to-date where he’s been serving as the Head of Public and Corporate Affairs Department of the Executive Office.

According to the notice of resignation is effective from June 30, 2020.

Under his tenure, Kaujju was instrumental in successfully establishing KCCA’s brand voice and guiding Management on formulation of a coherent Communications Strategy as well as its execution in the media, relations with our development partners, members of the diplomatic Corps and a larger percentage of the Public while leading the Communications function of the Institution a pillar on which the Institution is and will be hinged for the years to come.

He was critical in building networks and positioning KCCA as a client centric Institution while at the same time strengthening partnerships.

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Court orders Bushenyi tycoon to pay $304,595 to Prime Finance

By
Our Reporter
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High Court has ordered Bushenyi businessman Obadiah Ntebakaine to pay Prime Finance $304,595.

Justice Musa Ssekaana also ordered the businessman to pay Shs12,000,000 as general damages.

On October 2nd 2018,Mr Ntebakaine entered into a loan agreement with Prime Finance and borrowed $200,000.

The loan was for two months and the businessman later issued post-dated cheques worth $210,000.

In its suit,Prime Finance had noted that in the event that the businessman failed to pay the loan,it was to accrue a weekly interest of 0.60% until the outstanding balance was fully cleared.

On November 27th,Prime Finance says it presented the cheques businessman Ntebakaine had offered but they were bounced by the bank because they had insufficient funds.

In January 2019, businessman Ntebakaine deposited $19,980 as partial payment for the loan and a further $28,880 as part payment for his loan obligation.

With the businessman failing to clear his loan,Prime Finance was forced to hire a private lawyer and the matter went to court.

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Businessman Ben Kavuya on the spot again as he flies son, in-law to Nairobi

By
Our Reporter
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Mr. Kavuya

City tycoon Ben Kavuya has again come under fire after he controversially obtained permission to fly two close relatives to Nairobi for treatment.

In a 12th June letter from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, businessman Kavuya was cleared to fly his son Brian Kavuya and daughter-in-law Kara Tanya Komuhangi to Nairobi.

In the letter,the Foreign Affairs Ministry wrote to the Internal Affairs Ministry, Health Ministry and the UPDF Joint Chief of Staff permitting special travel for Mr Kavuya’s close relatives.

“Mr Brian Kavuya Passport Number AOo198227 is the husband to Ms Kara Tanya Komuhangi who was cleared for medical evacuation to Nairobi scheduled on 16th June 2028. He has obtained permission from the Government of Kenya to accompany his wife for medical attention at the Aga Khan University Hospital,”reads the letter.

Mr Kavuya was first in the eye of the storm after his wife,son and grandson were dubiously allowed to be exclusively jetted in from the United States of America.

A private citizen has since taken him to court over flouting restrictions meant to stop the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic.

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Army,Police invade Besigye,Bobi Wine press conference

By
Our Reporter
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A combined unit of the Army and Police today invaded a press conference that was being addressed by opposition leader Kizza Besigye and People Power’s Bobi Wine.

The two opposition principals were addressing a press conference at Flora Hotel in Wakiso when heavily armed soldiers and Policemen invaded the hotel room.

The press conference had been called to unveil a joint defiance campaign dubbed: “no-nedda”.

Under the campaign,Ugandans were urged to either hoot or hammer saucepans during lunch to show anger at the government’s failure to provide lunch for poor citizens during the Covid-19 lockdown.

A police commander found Dr Besigye speaking and immediately ordered him to stop.

Dr Besigye defied the Police’s directives and proceeded with his address.

In his address,Dr Besigye focused on the need for change-seeking forces to unite.

“There is 1 percent of the population that is using guns to keep Museveni in power. I can assure you that they will not defeat us,”Dr Besigye said.

Bobi Wine said change-seeking forces should stop fighting each other.

“We are not enemies.Whenever we fight,we delai change and that is what people are waiting for,”Bobi Wine said.

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Museveni pardons over 800 prisoners

By
Our Reporter
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President Museveni speaking to MPs in parliament at a past event while behind is Speaker Kadaga in her chair.

Prerogative of Mercy ,instruments of PardonPresident Yoweri Museveni has pardoned 833 prisoners who were arrested on minor cases during the Covid-19 lockdown.

On 22nd April 2020, President Museveni pardoned 833 prisoners country wide by exercising his Prerogative of Mercy .

The pardoning of the prisoners is part of efforts to de-congest prisons and curb the spread of the Covid-19 virus on prison facilities.

The pardoned prisoners include petty offenders who had completed three quarters of their sentences, breast-feeding mothers and those aged 60 and above.

Article 121 of the Constitution says there shall be an Advisory Committee on the Prerogative of Mercy.

Article 121 (4) (b) says The President may, on advice of the Committee of grant a person a respite, either indefinite or for a specified period from the execution of punishment imposed on him or her for an offence.

The Attorney General on receipt of the Instruments of Pardon from the President sent detailed guidance to the Commissioner General of Prisons on implementation of the Presidential Directive.

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