The Clerk of Parliament, Jane Kibirige has written a warning letter Mr. Sam Obbo, the Private Press Secretary to the Speaker over what she terms as unbecoming behavior of indulging in whatsup content which demeans the credibility of the institution of parliament.
Mr. Obbo was hired by parliament to handle the press desk in the office of the Speaker Rebecca Kadaga.
This website has reliably learnt that last week Ms Kibirige wrote a warning letter to Mr. Obbo indicating that Obbo participated in sharing a whatsup content about Members of Parliament when he posted a whatsup discussion to a forum of parliament staff asking to establish the source. In the same letter, Obbo was warned of absenteeism and dodging working.
“Yes it is true; Mr.Obbo has been warned although I don’t know the suspension bit. What happens between him and the Cleark and the Speaker is far beyond my reach” a source said.
Obbo is a seasoned editor and has worked with reputable newsrooms like the Daily Monitor where he rose to the rank of Politics and Public Affairs editor.
Whatsup content
It is alleged that Obbo shared the content to two forums of parliament staff and a section of scribes at parliament. “Obbo was just doing his working of a true watchdog about the institution of parliament and office of the Speaker but unfortunately, some people went to the Clerk bad mouthing his as the originator of the document.
According to sources, Obbo denied allegations are the author of the document but rather said by sharing the document, he was finding from his colleagues on who could be behind the document.
This website has learnt that the content of the document was about a trip Members of Parliament were supposed to travel to Italy to benchmark on parliamentary democracy but within the proposal were an additional allowance indicating that they would travel to China as well.
Uganda Ministry of Health has announced that one person among the 169 tested today has tested positive.
Uganda initially had 53 patients who tested positive and have been undergoing treatment but yesterday three were discharged after completing successful treatment and testing negative.
The country yesterday announced that all 555 samples of people who had undergone institutional quarantine
“One new case confirmed of COVID-19 out of the 169 samples tested today at Uganda Virus Research Institute. The total number of confirmed cases stands at 54 in Uganda. So far, 4 patients have recovered and been discharged from Entebbe Grade B Hospital on 11/04/2020 following recovery from COVID-19″
As part of the measures to curtail the spread of #COVID-19, Ugandan President, Yoweri Museveni imposed a 14 days curfew limiting movements of people and closure of schools and other vital institutions that were perceived to be breeding grounds for the speedy spreading of the virus.
Ever since I learnt of the novel Coronavirus in January this very year, I wasn’t anticipating and expecting certain inconveniences like the present lockdown assuming that it would spread globally, I thought it was a Chinese issue that would be sorted in a few days but I was surprised that even when a very huge hospital was constructed in a few days to deal with the virus, figures showed it was not to stop spreading any time soon in China
What started as a Chinese issue has really surprised the world and mainly the developed countries because when the spread of COVID-19 in China was slowing down, for Italy it was worse and everything was a mess when it conquered the United States, United Kingdom and now the whole of Africa also started getting it from the people who had travelled. Many of the cases in Africa were brought in by business people who were in either Dubai or travelers who were in the States and the United Kingdom for reasons they know better.
Stories were everywhere about LOCK DOWN but this was something that we were not familiar with, a word that described what we never thought could happen in Africa mainly in the pearl of Africa but I am now witness to what a Lockdown is. Several countries and cities like Wuhan, Italy and the USA locked down and some of us thought that whites can do so because they are very organized and respect directives better than us Africans who understand directives but decide to disrespect them.
I have had an experience that will always be memorable to me in all my life not because it’s the best, but because it’s very surprising that I have seen things I never expected would happen . The Coronavirus lockdown has seen parks close their gates, cafes shut down, Bars silent, clubs closed, Arcades silent, roads with only a few cars with stickers, with only their riders, Handwahing containers everywhere including, markets, public transport, supermarkets and gyms. In this case slayers say that Corona virus is very special, it has indeed been special because it has made us do things we have never done like washing hands at all our destinations and sanitizing our hands regularly which I think is good and should be the usual norm even after this pandemic.
Life in the Uganda has changed like never before in a peacetime. People have been told to stay at home where possible and only leave just to go and buy basics at the markets or even just walk around their premises or to shop for necessities; as key workers continue to work in social care, construction, the media and a number of other industries that have to do production.
For the past two weeks, living under lockdown has become the unreal new normal life that many Ugandans have got used to. Daily life at home and in the house is like being locked up in a prison cell, just that this one is full of panic for the married, bothersome for those with debts, funny for those who cannot access their families because the lockdown found them on duty out of their homes etc.
Empty streets over Coronavirus
Locked down alone at my place has become the worst experience; I experience deep loneliness, of a claustrophobic and urgent nature. The kind of incomprehensible panic that messaging and video calls and social media cannot touch, not knowing when I will next see my mum, or experience affectionate physical contact, or just jump in a taxi and go anywhere around the city. Life has become hard but our president says that it’s a matter of life and death so I must abide and forget that the clubs near my home existed, walking on foot used to be a punishment to myself but right now the easiest means of transport in the country is by use of foot, we are now the footsubish new brand transport means.
The unexpected consolation of distance is that I have never felt more connected, even to those I don’t know. That deceitful phrase that says that “we are all in this together” has finally come true because we are facing it equally, the white, black, the poor, the rich, the employed and the employed etc are all home until everything is ok and the virus is being contained.
Lockdown does not mean you get frustrated in all aspects of life. The one important aspect to remember is that you are not the only one facing the problem. You are asked to stay at home for your own safety and that of the community. So it was not just a lockdown and social distancing that were responsible for bringing down the number of deaths in China, but the country’s community surveillance approach. Since China has had such issues of dangerous viruses, it acted with speed to contain COVID-19 by putting in place several other strict measures, imposing total or partial lockdowns supported by a protective shield of community measures where by every time they found people with the virus, isolating them swiftly, and tracing those they contacted was always the immediate action.
The lockdown has taught me to evolve, upgrade and be resilient to change and overcome the challenges. Not everyone is lucky to see another day nor will we get a chance like this to be at home with people that we take long to meet like our landlords, neighbors and even our families. Life and its chapters will grow but playing around with it by not respecting the measures put in place by our government will lead us to massive death and Uganda will be like Italy and other states in the United states where very many people are dying.
The lockdown has been an extremely stressful and traumatic experience, but I always remind myself that it won’t last forever if we wash our hands regularly with soap, social distance ourselves, avoid shaking hands, avoid hugging and kissing, avoid crowds and most of all STAY SAFE AT HOME.
Police and other security agencies have arrested 32 people for participating in illegal assembly that contravenes the presidential directive on #COVID-19.
The arrested were found in areas of Kisalonsalo zone Kyebando hiding themselves taking local alcohol known as Malwa and other drugs that included marijuana, smoking cigarettes among others
Dickson Ambikiire the OC Kyebando Police post says they were informed by a well-wisher about the group of the people who were convened in Kisalonsalo zone taking alcohol.
Ambikiire said he had warned this same group of people several times as per presidential directives but they acted adamantly.
He says it is a group of people who have been disguising as if they stay in the same setting yet they always gather purposely to take alcohol. Ambikiire told our reporter that when they were informed they swiftly swung in and arrested them and over 18 people have been transferred to the mother division old Kira road police station and they will soon be charged with disobedience of unlawful orders.
Told Eagle Online he was forced to patrol during the day and he realized some people disguise as if they stay in the same place which as well works as a bar and continue drinking and when you come, they hide alcohol and upon seeing you leaving, they converge and resume drinking.
“I urge all Ugandans to take presidential directives so serious because it is very important for the benefit of all of us Ugandans.”OC Ambikiire urges Ugandans.
He further added “When they tell you social distancing, they should understand that it should be social distancing”.
Some of the people at Kyebando police post waiting to be taken to Old Kira Road police Staion.
He says people should be more concerned and serious about this much as people have not taken this as a serious matter.
Meddie Wahab, the Local Defence Unit operative who led the fellow LDUs told Eagle Online that these people had ignored several warnings.
According to Patrick Onyango the Kampala Metropolitan Police Spokesperson, people who are found of being in bars drinking alcohol must be careful in this lockdown period because it might cost them highly.
According to Ministry of Health, today, Saturday, April 11, 2020, three people who have been completely healed of the Covid-19 disease in Uganda and will be discharged to return home.
We thank God for this first victory in the national response against the Coronavirus pandemic. It’s indeed a great milestone and a welcome Easter present for all Ugandans who have braved the inconveniences that come with fighting this enemy and stayed home in the past two weeks as the country observes guidelines enumerated by President Yoweri Museveni and the Ministry of Health which are highly important and necessary to stop the spread of the novel Coronavirus.
Minister of Health, Dr Jane Ruth Aceng
We also congratulate the country for temporarily flattening the infections curve as all 439 samples tested on Good Friday returned negative — for the second day running! Our cases remain at 53 for Easter, and with continued discipline required of everybody, we should hope for the best.
Although we are yet to hit the epidemiological flat curve, this milestone in Uganda happening at a time when the global case and death rates are still growing on average by 2.68% and 6%-10% respectively, is surely a success worth celebrating!
We, the Online Media Publishers Association of Uganda (OMPA) exceedingly commend all our healthcare workers, the leadership of our Ministry of Health under Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng and colleagues and the technical wing under Dr. Diana Atwiine and colleagues.
Special mention also goes to the staff of the Uganda Virus Research Institute (UVRI) who have done a commendable job in testing.
We also higly commend the political leadership of the country under President Yoweri Museveni and the national taskforce headed by Prime Minister Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda for being focused on the fight against the pandemic.
This concerted and commendable leadership and effort has given the country ability to identify, isolate and test suspected cases on an average of 11% daily. To date, 4,301 cases have been tested.
We also commend the leadership of the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance under Hon. Judith Nabakooba and colleagues and the technical wing headed by Hon. Vincent Waiswa Bagiire for harnessing the media effort towards the national educative responses to the pandemic, which efforts have been key in ensuring that the public gets to grip with the threat that the spread of Coronavirus poses.
We therefore would also like to thank all our media colleagues who, daily dedicate time, resources and valuable media space to keep the masses educated.
And, to all the individuals and organisations that have contributed materially and financially to both controlling the disease and easing the pain of the knock-on effects of the disease, Uganda is eternally grateful!
We salute all the people of Uganda- for heeding to the government’s advice to #StayHome and #StaySafe.
We ask you to continue heeding the guidelines of government as informed by the Ministry of Health, until the country overpowers the threat caused by the Coronavirus.
We at OMPA, pledge to continue dedicating time and resources to educate the Ugandan masses — over 50% of whom rely on the internet for timely and updated news, by creating timely, accurate and truthful news and functional information.
#Stay Home and #Stay Safe!
Happy Easter to you all
The Online Media Publishers Association- Uganda (OMPA-U) brings together owners and journalists working in Uganda for 24 of Uganda’s leading online media houses.
Abid Alam, a city businessman of Pakistan origin who was arrested earlier in the day by State House Anti-Corruption Unit led by Lt. Col. Edith Nakalema will be charged with attempted murder once the investigations are finished.
Col. Edith Nakalema has arrested Abid over alleged violence and torture of Mityana residents by his employees.
On Wednesday, the State House Anti-Corruption Unit headed by Nakalema directed Abid Alam to record a statement at Kasanda Police Station.
Late last week, a group of over 50 people suspected to be Abid Alam’s employees attacked homes and farm at Bukompe village cutting down all the plantations and demolishing houses.
Sources told Eagle Online that Abid will face charges of malicious damage to property, aggravated robbery and gang rape allegedly committed by Abid his workers.
Under Reference number Kassanda Police Station CRB 234/2020). The alleged crimes were committed on Saturday night.
Sources allege that over 60 of his workers attacked the farm of Mr. Mugyenyi Arthur who is a resident of Bukoba village, Nalutuntu Parish, Nalutuntu Sub-County in Kassanda South Constituency. During the attack they cut the head of Mr. Kyabale Samuel the cattle keeper of Mr. Mugyenyi, destroyed two houses, cut three acres of banana plantation.
Last year, the land probe commission warned Mr. Abid not to interfere in the said land. He was dragged to the commission by the residents of the area. Abid was given police bond this evening but he will report back tomorrow.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has promised to help Uganda during the #COVID-19 period to curtail the further spread of the Coronavirus.
“Spoke on phone to President Yoweri Museveni about the challenges arising out of the COVID-19 pandemic. India will support, in every way it can, Uganda’s efforts to control the spread of the virus” PM Modi wrote on his social media platforms.
In his response, Ugandan president Yoweri Museveni acknowledged the long relationship the two countries enjoy saying both countries can build synergies to deal with the Coronavirus pandemic.
“Appreciate the call Your Excellency. I am confident our countries can cooperate and build synergies to defeat this pandemic. Looking forward to a stronger relationship between Uganda and India”. President Museveni wrote.
Uganda and India enjoy a long history of cordially relationship that had dated for over four centenaries. Uganda’s top entrepreneurs are of Indian origin though most of them Ugandans whose parents and grandparents were born here.
India is among the top five economies of the world and it has progressed due to innovation, research and manufacturing.
The Rotary District 9211 which covers Uganda and Tanzania has responded to the #COVID-19 crisis by partnering with the respective Ministries of Health and the National Task Force both in Uganda and Tanzania.
At a meeting with the Uganda Minister of Health Jane Ruth Aceng held yesterday, District Governor, D 9211, Francis Xavier Ssentamu said that Rotary will contribute Personal Protection Equipment, Test kits and Wash facilities , all valued at one billion Uganda Shillings.
Rotary District 9211 through its 168 clubs in Uganda and Tanzania has also contributed enormously to risk communication and community mobilization to create awareness of the government guidelines for the control of the #COVID-19 spread.
When the #COVID -19 crises broke out in the region, the District Governor Francis Xavier Ssentamu set up a #COVID-19 emergency response committee to mobilize over 5000 Rotarians and Rotary partners in the district into raising and contributing to the national efforts in both countries.
Ssentamu however, appealed to Rotarians to stay safe by abiding to their national guidelines while working remotely online to mobilize resources and respond to the needs of the communities around them.
A few groups of Rotarians that have been authorized by the respective National Task Force will distribute the donated items, including educating the communities on staying safe to avoid COVID-19.
Rotary District 9211 joins many other companies, individuals and institutions who have also donated monies, vehicles, jerrycans, food stuffs, salt, sanitizers, mattresses etc.
There is looming fear among Kikoni residents, a city suburb which is a hub of Makerere University student’s hostels of contracting Coronavirus.
The fear is that the people who attend to those in the quarantine come outside and mingle with the residents which put them at risk because they do not know if they are safe since they attend to suspects.
Ministry of Health hired Douglas villa hostel, Nyumbani Hotel and Grand global Hotel as quarantine centers which are found in Kikoni area for #COVID-19 suspects and returnees from different countries.
Wilson Kalanda the chairperson LC1 Makerere ward cell B Kikoni says they are in too much fear over people who are in quarantine centres because the centres has little measures put in place to prevent Coronavirus spreading to the rest of the community members.
“We have fear of these centres which are in our zones, and residents are extremely worried because the people who are attending to these suspects come outside the place, buy things and associate with us.” Says Kalanda, LC1 Chairperson Makerere ward cell B Kikoni.
He further urges the ministry to disinfect the centers like they are doing to Entebbe International Airport which is undergoing a massive disinfection exercise aimed at ensuring that any surfaces that may have been contaminated with coronavirus (COVID-19) are cleaned. The 30-day exercise is undertaken by A&M Executive Cleaners.
Kalanda urged government to test all people near quarantine centres and if they become victims, it will help them to get on treatment when it is still early. However, there is no treatment for corona virus yet.
He says if the security around can monitor the movements of these people; it can reduce on the fears.
Darius Nabaasa a businessman near Douglas villa hostel says that the place is not safe, and since all these people were from abroad and the people who attend to them come out and mingle with other people outside.
A female business lady source who preferred anonymity says If Coronavirus is to catch them, it will because like they are in business, these people bring money and buy what they want.
She said that people should make sure that they also protect themselves; she says she holds money with carefully that clients bring because she can not refuse to receive money simply because it is from Coronavirus suspects.
Many people worldwide are still confused and do not know if #COVID-19 is an airborne disease, however, William Ristenpart, a Professor of chemical engineering at University of California, Davis says that People infected with #COVID-19 may spread the disease when they speak and breathe, not only when they let out a hearty cough.
He says that although these modes of transmission could help to explain how asymptomatic and mildly infected people fuel the virus’ spread, researchers don’t yet know whether tiny particles expelled in breath infect more people than large droplets spewed through coughs, experts told Live Science.
“There’s a possibility” that #COVID-19 primarily spreads via fluid particles less than 0.0002 inches (5 microns) in diameter, known as aerosols, which can be emitted when people speak, said William Ristenpart, a professor of chemical engineering at University of California, Davis.
According to Ministry of Health, Uganda as of now has 53 confirmed cases, with no confirmed deaths, 377 individuals discharged from institutional quarantine, 1,271 individuals tested, 2,661 travellers identified, 602 under institutional quarantine, 834 under follow up, and 141 under self-quarantine.
Health Minister Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng receives donations from Housing Finance Bank Managing DIrector, Michael K. Mugabi and Executive Director Peace Kabunga.
Housing Finance Bank has joined the fight against COVID-19 in Uganda, through contribution of Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) to the Ministry Of Health.
During the handover ceremony today Thursday March 09, 2020, the PPE constituted 30 medical mattresses with PVC covers, 50 litres of hand sanitizer and 30 boxes of non-sterile medium disposable gloves.
According to the Managing Director, Housing Finance Bank, Mr Michael. K. Mugabi, COVID-19 is a global pandemic that affects us all in one way or another hence the need to stand and fight together, in ensuring that we curb its spread and further eliminate the Corona Virus for good.
“As a fully- indigenous Bank, identifying with our communities and meeting them at their respective points of need is one attribute that we hold as a financial institution. We are cognisant of the fact that the COVID-19 pandemic is not only a global concern but a national issue, critical to all of us. Therefore, in the spirit of ensuring good health and well-being as a key driver in sustainable growth and development, we have contributed Personal Protective Equipment, to help in the various response plans and execution of all recommendations by the government of Uganda through its Ministry Of Health.”
The Minister Of Health Dr. Jane .Ruth Achieng applauded Housing Finance Bank for contributing such important items to the Ministry.
“I thank Housing Finance Bank for choosing these specific items. Personal Protective Equipment are very important items to us because these are the very items used by our front facing staff. The mattresses are medical mattresses with PVC covers plus the hand sanitizer and gloves are much more needed by our staff at such a critical time. Thank you so much Housing Finance Bank, for standing with us, as our Bank and above all affiliating with us at such a time of need”, she said.
Mugabi further adds that, the Bank has endeavoured to implement all the recommended measures and guidelines across its operations for the mutual benefit of staff, customers and communities at large.
“We believe that through everyone’s concerted effort, we shall bring our best feet forward, fight and beat COVID-19 together”, he says.
COVID-19 was declared a global pandemic by the World Health Organisation on March 11, 2020 and has continued to affect various countries on the global scene. Uganda has so far registered 53 confirmed positive cases of COVID-19 and no death to date.
Housing Finance Bank was founded in 1967 as a housing finance company. The company became a fully licenced commercial Bank in January 2008, after acquiring a commercial Banking licence from the Bank of Uganda. Housing Finance Bank is the leading mortgage lender in the country.
