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EAC, EU sign 10m Euros for joint response to regional and cross border security threats

By
George Mangula
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Officials signing the agreement

 

 

The EU Ambassador to Tanzania and the East African Community, Manfredo Fanti, and the EAC Secretary-General, Libérat Mfumukeko, have launched a new 10 million Euros joint programme to address regional and cross border security threats in the region.

The programme is a regional response to the various and growing security threats across the EAC region. It will work both on enhancing the technical capacities and building trust between the law enforcement agencies in the EAC Partner States. Without mutual trust, data and information will not be shared. The shared aim is to intercept those engaged in transnational organised crime.

This 45-month programme will be implemented by the EAC Secretariat and the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol). It will complement several other initiatives to provide peace and security to the people of the EAC.

“Cooperation in this area can work only if there is mutual trust among law enforcement agencies and this is what the programme aims at,” said Fanti.

In his remarks, Mfumukeko hailed the long standing partnership between the EAC and the EU in the peace and security sector which he said was a key enabler to the integration process in East Africa.

“The current phase of the EDF11 has set aside 85 million Euros for a variety of interventions supportive to the various integration initiatives, among them peace and security. The EAC is also a beneficiary of the 528 million Euros through a regional enveloped that also covers IGAD, COMESA, IOC and SADC,” said Mfumukeko.

“Since 2007, the EU has extended support to the EAC through various initiatives including the APSA support project (about Euro 10 million cumulative to date) whose 4th phase is still under negotiation, the Conflict Prevention, Management and Resolution Project whose implementation ended in 2012 (4.8 million Euros) and the Eastern and Southern Africa-Indian Ocean (ESA-IO) Maritime Security Project whose implementation ended on 14th October, 2019 (11.6 million Euros),” said the Secretary General.

“The project being launched today will seek to reduce opportunities for transnational and cross border threats to the integration process through support to policy development and implementation, enhanced political accountability, structured and institutional information exchange mechanisms, consolidation and extension of ballistic examination capacity, and extension of I/24-7 connectivity to as many One Stop Border Posts as possible,” he said.

The Secretary General said the efficient implementation of the proposed interventions will enable the law enforcement agencies to, at a regional level, implement information sharing mechanisms that will facilitate rapid and timely response to threats and enhance security as greater gains are made in the implementation of the EAC Customs Unions and Common Market protocols.

This project will also assist the EAC in the implementation of the recently adopted Peace and Security Protocol and feed into the broader African commitment of “silencing the guns in Africa by 2020.”

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Black Friday: Crowds throng Shoprite to buy products at 50% discount

By
Geoffery Serugo
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Buyers at Shoprite

 

As the world marked Black Friday, a significant amount of shoppers thronged at various shopping points including in Kampala where hundreds of buyers started to assemble outside Shoprite and Game Lugogo and a few other related shopping outlets to buy items at 50 per cent discount.

The term Black Friday first began in the US, where it follows Thanksgiving Day celebrated on the last Thursday of November. The day after Thanksgiving has been regarded as the beginning of America’s Christmas shopping season since 1952, although the term ‘Black Friday’ did not become widely used until more recent decades.

There was misguidance that the day was chosen to remember slave traders would sell black slaves for a discount to assist plantation owners when they needed extra help to prepare for winter.

As early as  10 pm, hundreds of shoppers were patiently waiting outside Lugogo Mall, Nalya and Ben Kiwanuka for a chance to grab themselves products from Game and Shoprite at a discounted price as part of the highly anticipated worldwide campaign.

It has been difficult for someone to maneuver through after acquiring all the desired goods since the supermarket was overcrowded. There has been too much congestion and one could hardly get to the counter to be seen off to his or her home. Getting a Parking space has been a hustle during the past 10 hours at Shoprite and game store.

The shopping campaign has mostly been dominated by retailers who were seen during the early hours of shopping, parking merchandise on Lorries, and pickups as others filled car boots. According information obtained the shopping places. Traders hired people to help them get all required products for their customers.

Shoprite has operated in Uganda since 2000 when it launched its first store in Uganda, It started with a high-end store in downtown Kampala on Ben Kiwanuka Street, before opening two others in Lugogo and Naalya. Currently, it has five branches in the country employing over 300 employees.

For Jumia online shopping , products have been offered between one per cent to 60 per cent discounts depending of the product.

 

 

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Declare that no dam will be built at Murchison Falls-activists plead with Museveni

By
Isaiah Mwebaze
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Murchsion Falls

About twenty civil society organisations (CSOs) keen on environmental matters in Uganda have appealed to President Yoweri Museveni to declare that no dam will be built at Murchison Falls or any other place in Murchison Falls National Park which is a great tourist attraction.

“Your Excellency, you should address the country and commit that your government will never build a dam at Murchison Falls and or allow any other harmful activities in the Murchison Falls landscape,” they said in an open letter to the president, adding that only his word can be trusted by Ugandans.

This follows recent revelation that government okayed South African energy firm Bonang Power and Energy to carry out a feasibility study in the contested spot to see if a hydropower dam can be built there.

The CSOs in their letter want Museveni’s government to cancel the contract for a feasibility study as well, thus if it has been reached.

“In view of the fact that ERA had already invited the public to comment on Bonang’s application for a feasibility study for the proposed dam, we call on you and your government to cancel any undertakings with Bonang Power and Energy to avoid future legal liabilities that may be used as an excuse by government to change positions to allow a dam to be built at the Murchison Falls.”

The activists instead urge government to invest the resources that would have been spent on the dam into clean renewable energy “especially off grid solar that can meet the needs of poor and vulnerable groups such as women, youth, rural communities and others.”

In September 2019, the Minister for Tourism, Ephraim Kamuntu, indicated that cabinet had agreed to instruct the Electricity Regulatory Authority (ERA) to stop the feasibility processes by Bonang Power and Energy that preluded construction of a dam at Murchison Falls. This followed a call by ERA in June 2019 to interested stakeholders to submit comments on an application by Bonang Power and Energy to undertake feasibility studies for construction of a dam at Murchison Falls.

There was a huge public outcry against the planned feasibility studies. This prompted Kamuntu to make the aforementioned cabinet pronouncement. However, the minister did not provide information as to whether the instructions to ERA to stop the feasibility processes were a government commitment or a mere statement that can be changed any time. As a result, Ugandans and all those who love nature continue to live in fear of the plans to develop a dam at the Murchison and Uhuru Falls.

The economic value of Murchison Falls landscape is a God-given gift to Uganda and should be protected, they say.

The 2017 study conducted by NEMA with support from UNDP on the economic value of the Murchison Falls conservation area and Budongo forest clearly indicates that the economic value of the above ecosystems is over USD 60 (Shs114 billion).

The environmental activists say that the biodiversity values are benefits in perpetuity and are enjoyed by the majority equitably. This is unlike the benefits that will be enjoyed from the proposed dam and or oil developments.

 “As you are well aware Your Excellency, todate, only over 20% of Ugandans have access to electricity despite huge investments being made in the sector. To make matters worse, over 90% of Ugandans still depend on biomass to meet their cooking energy needs because electricity is unaffordable.”

The Murchison Falls remain one of the most iconic tourist attractions and it is the reason why the Murchison Falls landscape has been attracting some of the highest numbers of tourists in the country. This means that the falls contributed to the above tourism earnings. No serious country committed to equitable development would destroy such a vital tourism asset in exchange for electricity, they say.

Some of the CSOs that have petitioned Museveni are; Oil Refinery Residents Association (ORRA),

Citizens Concern Africa (CICOA), Action Coalition on Climate Change (ACCC), Africa Institute for Energy Governance (AFIEGO, South Western Institute for Policy and Advocacy (SOWIPA) and Action Coalition on Climate Change (ACCC).

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Renault trucks storm Ugandan market

By
Isaiah Mwebaze
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Renault trucks

 

Ugandans can now buy a new model of trucks after French Multinational Automobile Manufacturer Renault, in partnership with Victoria Motors Limited, the distributor, introduced Renault Trucks codenamed Safety+ Edition Trucks to the Ugandan market.

According to the manufacturers, The Safety +Edition Trucks come with additional and enhanced features like High Power Retardation, Neutral Inhibition while at slopes, Hill-start Anti-runaway parking brake, all aimed at enhancing the truck driver experience while improving on safety.

The features ensure a high level of safety for the driver, other road users and at the same time improving productivity and revenues for business owners.

While launching the trucks at the Kampala Serena Hotel, Dickson Mwesigwa the Victoria Motors Uganda Sales Manager said the introduction of the Safety+ Edition Trucks is to purely respond to safety issues on the road.

Road Fatalities and Traffic Accidents are a growing problem with statistics from the Uganda Police Force indicating that in a span of 20 days in June 2017, they registered over 53 deaths as a result of road accidents.

Majority of these accidents are as a result of human error, defective vehicle condition of which the two combined attribute to about 90 percent of the causes. Road condition only accounts to about 5 per cent.

Aside from introducing the Safety+ Edition trucks, Victoria Motors also embarked on a campaign aimed at reducing road accidents by providing robust services and training drivers in order to equip them with for their safety, that of other road users and that of the goods carried.

Derrick Feta, a Renault Truck Trainer while talking about the Optifuel Driver Challenge that was started with the express aim of rewarding the best eco-efficient and safe drivers, said that 20 drivers were shortlisted for the final competition testing their rational driving skills in the areas of coasting, retarder use and eco-driving.

“Taking advantage of the topography and the truckload, the driver is able to maintain a constant speed and hence improve fuel efficiency on the full journey.

Renault produces a range of cars and vans, and in the past has manufactured trucks, tractors, tanks, buses/coaches, aircraft engines, and auto rail vehicles.

Attachments area

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Pictural: Kampala Parents holds graduation for lower classes as schools closes for Xmas

By
Our Reporter
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Pupils of KPS after graduation.

There was pomp and glamour as Kampala Parents School pupils and parents came together for end of year party/ graduation for the school lower classes.

The function that was graced by the school owner who happen to be Uganda’s richest man Sudhir Ruparelia and his son Rajiv Ruparelia who is also the director of the school saw several pupils recognized in excelling in different categories  during the ending academic year.

During the function Patrick Senyonjo aka Fresh Kid who is a pupil at the school performed to his fellow pupils thanking the Ruparelia Foundation that sponsors his education for giving him chance to study at the prestigious school that has produced top cream of Uganda’s society.

Kampala Parents is Uganda’s number one top performing primary school  and it is also rated as the best in terms of facilities.

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Kasese chief magistrates Court holds first open day court in five years

By
Our Reporter
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The Kasese Chief Magistrate’s Court has commenced its Open Day court and encouraged the public to embrace the new access to justice initiatives such as Mediation, Plea Bargaining and Small Claims Procedure. The court was last held five years ago.

The Open Day Court was presided over by Fort Portal Resident Judge, Wilson Masalu Musene, who was welcomed by Fort Portal Assistant Registrar Henry Twinomuhwezi, the Chief Magistrate Emmy Sayekwo and Magistrate Grade I Edgar Karakire.

Justice Karakire said this was a great platform for judicial law and order sector (JLOS) Institutions to freely interact with the people they serve.

Members of the public were given an opportunity to raise concerns affecting access to justice which ranged from need for community sensitization, corruption in police and the need to regulate the conduct for advocates and bailiffs.

Inmates were equally given an opportunity to give feedback on the justice system. Many asked about the right to bail.

The Fort Portal Assistant Registrar appreciated the JLOS support toward administration of justice especially with the recently concluded Sexual and Gender Based Violence cases where a recent session in Kasese concluded 50 cases.

The Judge urged the public to utilize the free legal services offered by Justice Centres whenever there is need. He equally appreciated the work of the Judiciary PR and Communications Unit in carrying out mass sensitization.

On the issue of rogue lawyers, he urged the public to report such advocates to the Law Council. For undisciplined bailiffs, the Judge urged the public to report such matters to the office of the Chief Registrar which is concerned with the regulating their conduct.

Judge Musene appealed to court bailiffs to follow the law and stop issuing their own costs or risk being prosecuted and their licenses revoked. Musene sounded this warning following an outcry from the public that court beliefs were over charging clients and arresting some of them.

As he moved a vote of thanks, the Judiciary Senior Communications Officer, Mr Solomon Muyita, appealed to the public to use the Judiciary toll free lines to report any matters of maladministration of justice in the courts.

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Global civil aviation body announces new boss

By
Our Reporter
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Salvatore Sciacchitano

The 36-member governing body of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), the ICAO Council, has elected an Italian Salvatore Sciacchitano as its president for a three-year term, beginning January 1, 2020. He succeeds Dr. Olumuyiwa Benard Aliu of Nigeria, who has held the position for two consecutive terms since 2014.

Sciacchitano’s candidacy had been endorsed by the 44 General Directors of the European Civil Aviation Conference. His election follows an accomplished 39-year career in aviation, during which he served inter alia as General Director of the Italian Airworthiness Authority (RAI), as Deputy General Director of the Italian Civil Aviation Authority (ENAC), and many other international positions including as Executive Secretary of the European Civil Aviation Conference (ECAC; 2010–2018).

He has also participated in several ICAO Assemblies as Chief or Alternate Chief of the Italian Delegation to ICAO, as well as the Chief Delegate of ECAC. He had also recently been appointed to the Italian Delegation to the ICAO Council.

Sciacchitano is fluent in English, French and Italian. He graduated as a Master in telecommunication engineering “cum laude” from the University of Catania, and has an extensive educational background in both aviation and management.

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Kadaga to lobby gov’t support for film industry

By
Our Reporter
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Rebecca Kadaga

The Speaker, Rebecca Kadaga, has pledged to lobby government to support the local film industry in Uganda.

Kadaga was officiating at the 2019 Uganda Film Festival held at Acacia Mall, Kampala days ago.

She said that she regrets the fact that the film industry has no home in terms of a Ministry and that the copyright law in Uganda is too weak to protect products of the industry.

“The film industry needs a home that can look out for it and where it can go for support; it also needs strong copyright laws in place so that the content is protected,” she added.

She promised to raise the two issues with Minister of Justice and Constitutional so that they can be addressed.

The Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) Executive Director, Godfrey Mutabazi, said that they are working towards making sure that the local film industry grows to an international level.

“We want to see our film industry rival industries like Hollywood in USA, Nollywood in Nigeria and Bollywood in India; we want to foster local talent in the industry,” he said.

He pledged to keep supporting the local film industry.

As part of the film festival, a local movie, Leila, was premiered at the Century Cinema, located at the mall.

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Unai Emery sacked by Arsenal

By
Agencies
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Unai Emery.

Arsenal FC have sacked Unai Emery after 18 months in charge.

The statement from Arsenal website read;

“We announce today that the decision has been taken to part company with our head coach Unai Emery and his coaching team.

“Speaking on behalf of the Arsenal board and our owners Kroenke Sports & Entertainment, Josh Kroenke said: “Our most sincere thanks go to Unai and his colleagues who were unrelenting in their efforts to get the club back to competing at the level we all expect and demand. We wish Unai and his team nothing but future success.”

“The decision has been taken due to results and performances not being at the level required.

“We have asked Freddie Ljungberg to take responsibility for the first team as interim head coach. We have full confidence in Freddie to take us forward.

“The search for a new head coach is underway and we will make a further announcement when that process is complete.”

The Gunners have won only four of their 13 Premier League games this season and are now eighth, eight points adrift of the Champions League places.

Former Arsenal winger and member of ‘The Invincibles’, Freddie Ljungberg, will take charge of the first team while the club searches for a permanent replacement for Emery.

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Innovative WHO HIV testing recommendations aim to expand treatment coverage

By
Our Reporter
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The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued new recommendations to help countries reach the 8.1 million people living with HIV who are yet to be diagnosed, and who are therefore unable to obtain lifesaving treatment.

“The face of the HIV epidemic has changed dramatically over the past decade,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. “More people are receiving treatment than ever before, but too many are still not getting the help they need because they have not been diagnosed. WHO’s new HIV testing guidelines aim to dramatically change this.”

HIV testing is key to ensuring people are diagnosed early and start treatment. Good testing services also ensure that people who test HIV negative are linked to appropriate, effective prevention services. This will help reduce the 1.7 million new HIV infections occurring every year.

The WHO guidelines are released ahead of World AIDS Day and the International Conference on AIDS and Sexually Transmitted Infections in Africa (ICASA2019) which takes place in Kigali, Rwanda on 2-7 December. Today, three in 4 of all people with HIV live in the African Region.

The new “WHO consolidated guidelines on HIV testing services” recommend a range of innovative approaches to respond to contemporary needs.

Responding to changing HIV epidemics with high proportions of people already tested and treated, WHO is encouraging all countries to adopt a standard HIV testing strategy which uses three consecutive reactive tests to provide an HIV positive diagnosis. Previously, most high burden countries were using two consecutive tests. The new approach can help countries achieve maximum accuracy in HIV testing.

WHO recommends countries use HIV self-testing as a gateway to diagnosis based on new evidence that people who are at higher HIV risk and not testing in clinical settings are more likely to be tested if they can access HIV self-tests.

The Organization also recommends social network-based HIV testing to reach key populations, who are at high risk but have less access to services. These include men who have sex with men, people who inject drugs, sex workers, transgender population and people in prisons. These “key populations” and their partners account for over 50 percent of new HIV infections. For example, when testing 99 contacts from social networks of 143 HIV-positive people in the Democratic Republic of Congo, 48 percent tested positive for HIV.

The use of peer-led, innovative digital communications such as short messages and videos can build demand- and increase uptake of HIV testing. Evidence from Viet Nam shows that online outreach workers counselled around 6 500 people from at-risk key population groups, of which 80 percent were referred to HIV testing and 95 percent took the tests. The majority of people who received counselling had never been in contact before with peer or outreach services for HIV.

WHO recommends focused community efforts to deliver rapid testing through lay providers for relevant countries in the European, South-East Asian, Western Pacific and Eastern Mediterranean regions where longstanding laboratory-based method called “western blotting” is still in use? Evidence from Kyrgyzstan shows that HIV diagnosis which took 4-6 weeks with the “western blotting” method now takes only 1-2 weeks and is much more affordable resulting from policy change.

Using HIV/syphilis dual rapid tests in antenatal care as the first HIV test can help countries eliminate mother-to-child transmission of both infections. The move can help close the testing and treatment gap and combat the second leading cause of stillbirths globally. More integrated approaches for HIV, syphilis and hepatitis B testing is also encouraged.

“Saving lives from HIV starts with testing,” says Dr Rachel Baggaley, WHO’s Team lead for HIV Testing, Prevention and Populations. “These new recommendations can help countries to accelerate their progress and respond more effectively to the changing nature of their HIV epidemics.”

At the end of 2018, there were 36.7 million people with HIV worldwide. Of these, 79 percent  had been diagnosed, 62 percent were on treatment, and 53 percent had reduced their HIV levels through sustained treatment, to the point at which they have substantially reduced risk of transmitting HIV.

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