As 2020 sets in, things are not well for troubled Deputy Governor Louis Kasekende as his stay at the Bank of Uganda comes to an end.
According to reliable source at BoU, Dr. Kasekende is supposed to leave the number two slot at the central bank mid January 2020. However, it is understood that given that the board hasn’t renewed or given him an extension of the contract, this has forced Dr. Kasekende to lobby the powerful figures within government without success.
Eagle Online has reliably learnt from credible sources that forced with no clear position on his contract, Kasekende over the weekend sent emissaries and led by former Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Monitoring, Gerald Ssendawula and Catholic clerics to President Yoweri Museveni’s country home of Rwakitura over the weekend to lobby the president with a view of retaining him Kasekende at BoU.
The delegation which is reported to have been dominated by male clerics argued that it is true BoU needs urgent changes but the changes must be uniform and implemented at a given time without necessarily targeting some individuals. It is common in Uganda for politicians and technocrats to run back to religious leaders for protection or seeking job promotion. And given that Kasekende is faced with uncertainty in his contract, an awkward situation with little assistance but rather to fall back to religious and political leaders to lobby the president.
Earlier on, reports emerged that Kasekende had unsuccessfully tried to meet President Museveni in an effort to try and explain himself before the appointment authority. Kasekende could have resorted to lobbying the religious leaders after his key contacts in State House were reshuffled and therefore, it complicates matters for him.
Eagle Online has also been informed that Kasekende over the weekend was in Kabale meeting the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Finance and Secretary to the Treasury Keith Muhakanizi.
Parliament recommended changes at BoU after the Commissions, State Authorities and State Enterprises (COSASE) investigations recommended that there is leadership deficit at BoU.
President Museveni donated Shs370 to William Ruto Leadership Institute
The year 2019 was full of interesting events and news that spread across the country. They covered politics, education, science, religion and so much more. Eagle Online gives a recap of some of the stories that made headlines.
January
LDC Court remands DP activist Moses Bigirwa to Luzira prison
Democratic Party’s political activist Moses Bigirwa, who is also affiliated to people ‘Power Movement’, a political pressure group was remanded to Luzira prison. Bigirwa was arrested from Top Radio offices in Makerere Kavule and whisked off to Kawempe police station. He was with other people on a radio show dubbed Negwozadde moderated by Stephen Busuulwa.
Moses Bigirwa
Director police band passes on
The Commissioner of Police (CP) who doubled as Director of Uganda Police Band the Josephine Kakooza passed on after being admitted to Namirembe Hospital. CP Kakooza breathed her last at Namirembe Hospital where she was admitted due to pressure complications developed when she visited her home in Mukono.
Josephine Kakooza
LDC Court orders for unconditional release of DP activist Bigirwa
Law Development Center (LDC) Court Grade One Magistrate Roselyn Nsenge directed for unconditional release of Democratic Party’s (DP) and people power activist Moses Bigirwa from Luzira prison after being charged under repealed law.
Lilly Ajarova named UTB Executive Director
Lilly Ajarova
Ms Lilly Ajarova was named the new Executive Director of Uganda Tourism Board prior to the restructuring process that had nearly taken two years.
The new ED beat Dr. Andrew Seguya and B Radford Ochieng Robbster to replace Stephen Asiimwe She is deputized by Ochieng who replaced Mr John Sempebwa.
Two foreigners deported over compromising national security
Olivier Prentout, a French national and Annie Tabura, a Rwandan national.
Government deported two foreign nationals, Olivier Prentout, a French national and Annie Bilenge Tabura, a Rwandan national over their involvement in acts of compromising national security.
Both Prentout and Tabura were workers of MTN Uganda. Prentout, the company’s Chief Marketing Officer, was on deported on January 19, 2019 after he was arrested by police upon his arrival at Entebbe airport from a business trip abroad.
On January 21, 2019, Tabura, the MTN Uganda Head of Sales and Distribution, was arrested by unidentified security personnel upon arrival at the MTN headquarter offices, in Kololo, Kampala.
Makerere University suspends MUASA chairman, Deus Kamunyu Muhwezi
Deus Kamunyu Muhwezi
The Chairperson of Makerere University Academic Staff Association (MUASA), Dr. Deus Kamunyu Muhwezi was suspended from the University for allegedly taking part in actions that disrupted and tarnished the reputation of the institution.
His suspension came at a time when President Yoweri Museveni had just lauded Makerere University administrators for expelling and suspending lecturers over indiscipline and participation in unlawful activities.
Entebbe women murders: Three acquitted of all charges
Kampala High Court Judge, Wilson Kwesiga acquitted three people of murder charges which were brought against them following sporadic killing of women in Entebbe, Wakiso district.
Ivan Katongole, a businessman dealing in fish maws at Kasenyi landing site in Katabi town council in Wakiso District, Andrew Kizito and Hellen Nabaggala were on trial over the murder of one Rose Nakimuli, a hairdresser in Entebbe, Wakiso District.
FEBRUARY
MP who encouraged men to beat their wives, weds
Onesimus Twinamasiko and his wife
Kakumiro County Member of Parliament, Onesimus Twinamasiko who recently encouraged men to beat their wives as a form of punishment, is off the hook after wedding Ms. Kyarikunda Florence.
The wedding took place at Damasiko Parish Church of Uganda in Kyekado village, Kakumiro district superintended by the arch Archbishop of Church Uganda the Rt Rev. Stanley Ntagali. The function was graced by the Speaker of Parliament Rebecca Kadaga, State Minister of Finance David Bahati who was also the best man, Robina Nabbanja, Mwine Mpaka among other legislators.
Journalist Solomon Sserwanja,s wife temporary arrested NBS TV’s investigative reporter, Solomon Sserwanja’s wife’s Vivian Sserwanja who works at the Ministry of Health and three others were arrested and freed on police bond. The three journalists Godfrey Badebye, Shafiq Kisame, Rashid Kisame, and Vivian Nakaliika were nabbed for illegally acquiring government drugs allegedly recovered from Sserwanja home situated in Mukono. It was later established that the group was investigating the selling of government drugs.
Bishop Cyprian Bamwoze dies
President Yoweri Museveni, paid tribute to former Busoga Bishop, Cyprian Bamwoze who succumbed to cancer at Uganda cancer institute (UCI), Mulago.
In a plenary sitting chaired by the Speaker of Parliament, Rebecca Kadaga, Prime Minister Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda moved a motion for parliament to pay tribute to the Bishop Cyprian Bamwoze for his contribution towards the development of Uganda.
Buganda kingdom drops Mpanga, as Attorney General
David Mpanga who was dropped out of Buganda cabinet as AG
David FK. Mpanga was dropped as Attorney General of Buganda Kingdom in changes made by the Kabaka Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II.
In document released by Peter Mpanga, the private secretary of Kabaka, maintained Charles Peter Mayiga as the Katikiro of the kingdom deputized by Twaha Kigongo Kaawasa and Robert Wagwa Nsibirwa.
Major Gen. (rtd) Matayo Kyaligonza harass police traffic officer, Sgt Esthers Namaganda
Maj. Gen. Matayo Kyaligonza assaulting the traffic officer.
Uganda’s Ambassador to Burundi Major General (rtd) Matayo Kyaligonza’s driver and his bodyguard allegedly assaulted police traffic officer, Sgt Esther Namaganda Esther in Seeta.
Sgt. Namaganda faced it rough when she stopped Gen Kyaligonza’s vehicles that were wrongfully making a U-turn in the middle of the road at Seeta junction. She was wrapped up by his body guards, RA/221607 L/CPL Bushindiki Peter and RA/230927 Okurut John Robert.
MARCH
Rwanda accuses Uganda of supporting exiled Gen. Kayumba Nyamwasa
Rwanda’s State Minister for East African Affairs, Olivier Nduhungirehe accused some key elements in Ugandan security agencies of helping South African-based dissident Lt. Gen. Kayumba Nyamwasa and others whose aim is to destabilize his mother land. Rwanda would later close its border at Katuna banning the entry of Ugandan goods in its borders but also stopped its nationals from entering Uganda after it said those already in Uganda were being tortured by security agencies. The issue is yet to be resolved as Uganda has denied the accusations.
Makerere University lifts Dr. Kamunyu’s suspension
Makerere University lifted the suspension of the Chairperson of Makerere University Academic Staff Association (MUASA), Dr. Deus Kamunyu Muhwezi after both parties agreed to amicably settle their differences out of court.
Gen. Museveni slams to Gen. Kyaligonza for harassing female traffic officer
President Yoweri Museveni implored Major General (Rtd) Matayo Kyaligonza to seek for permission and be deployed in Somalia other than causing chaos and barking at women.
Museveni was responding to Seeta fracas where Sgt. Esther Namaganda, the traffic police officer was assaulted by Major General (Rtd) Matayo Kyaligonza aides RA/221607 L/CPL Bushindiki Peter and RA/230927 Okurut John Robert.
Gov’t dispatches poisoned food samples to Kenya and South Africa for testing
The government and World Food Program (WFP) dispatched samples of super cereal, a fortified blended food to Intertek Kenya LTD, a laboratory based in Mombasa and Intertek testing Services S.A. LTD in Johannesburg South Africa for analysis, according to Health Minister Dr Ruth Jane Aceng. That was after reports emerged that the food had been poisoned and killed about three people in Karamoja. The food was being supplied by WFP.
Policeman kills welder for following minister Nantaba vehicle
Late Ronald Ssebulime.
A police officer attached to Naggalama police station, David Ssali, admitted that he gunned down the handcuffed suspect, Ronald Ssebulime, saying he did so in order to save State Minister of Information and Communication Technology (ICT), Erios Aida Nantaba’s life. Ssebulime left behind children who were depending solely on him for survival.
APRIL
Barclays Bank staffer arrested for stealing Shs135m from client’s account
The police in Katwe arrested Bar clays bank employee Naigaga Nansamba for allegedly stealing Shs135 million from a client’s account. Ms Nansamba aged between 20-30 years was a cashier at Barclays Bank (ABSA), Ndeeba Branch.
NWSC awarded with utility distinction Water leader accolade
Eng. Silver Mugisha, NWSC Managing Director who is credited with the latest innovations.
One of Uganda’s successful parastatals, National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC) was awarded with utility Distinction Water Leader accolade during the Global Water Awards 2019 held at the Natural History Museum London, United Kingdom.
Security agencies arrest kidnappers of American tourist
A joint security team that led to the rescue and subsequent arrest of kidnappers of Ms. Kimberly Sue Endicott.
The joint security team arrested some of the suspected kidnappers of an American tourist Ms. Kimberly Sue Endicott and a senior tour guide, Jean Paul Mirenge- Remezo, who were rescued.
“The intelligence led operation which was calculated and tactical, in the early stages is now progressing unhindered, with raids and extensive searches in Kanungu district, where the suspects were arrested and the neighboring areas,” said Police Spokesperson Fred Enanga in a press statement.
Besigye arrested as police switches off Mubende FM
Former FDC President and four-time presidential candidate, Col.(rtd) Dr Kiiza Besigye, was arrested after police broke into 106 Mubende FM Radio studios as he argued about the current political tensions and alleged impunity in Uganda police force.
The incident happened barely a week after Jinja Resident District Commissioner (RDC), Erick Joseph Sakwa ordered for the switching off of 88.6 Kiira FM for hosting Besigye, current FDC President Patrick Amuriat and other party members.
MP Catherine Lamwaka narrates her ordeal with horny KIU student James Omara
Omoro District Woman Member of Parliament, Catherine Lamwaka shocked many Ugandans as she disclosed her ordeal with Kampala International University (KIU) student, James Omara, who was arrested and remanded to Luzira Prison over offensive communication.
Omara, a third year student pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science was arrested by the Parliamentary Police, after the female legislator lodged in her complaint, referring to Omara’s love messages as irritating, especially that the defendant knows she is happily married.
Security guard kills IHK doctor
Instead of keeping securing Dr Catherine Agaba’s home, Ronnald Kenny Obony, a security guard, committed murder by killing her and dumping her body in the septic tank located within the premises. The murder shocked the nation that President Yoweri Museveni said the suspect in the murder of International Hospital Kampala doctor, should not have the luxury of going to prison. Before Obony was identified as the murderer, focus was on her alleged boyfriends.
MAY
Bobi Wine unveils Joel Ssenyonyi as spokesperson for People Power
Joel Ssenyonyi being unveiled
Kyadondo East Member of Parliament, Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine, unveiled former NTV journalist, Joel Ssenyonyi as the spokesperson for People power, a political pressure group. Ssenyonyi who r quit his NTV Uganda job, first appeared in protest against social media tax of Shs s200 daily as well as mobile money transactions were been subjected to a 0.5 per cent excise duty.
Former Buganda Lukiiko Speaker, Hajj Musa Kaddu Sserunkuuma passes on
The former Speaker of Buganda Lukiiko, Hajj Musa Kaddu Sserunkuuma passed on, with the Kingdom confirming his demise. Hajj Sserunkuuma was appointed Speaker after the demise of Sulaiman Lubega Kaddunabbi during Katikiro Eng. JB Walusimbi’s reign in 2012 and 2013.
Court Martial finds Abdallah Kitatta, bodyguard guilty as it acquits others
Abdallah Kitatta with his co-accused in the dock at Makindye
The patron for Boda-Boda 2010 Abdallah Kitatta and his bodyguard Ngobi Sowali were found guilty of two counts of unlawful possession of firearms contrary to the firearms act and they were convicted. They are serving jail terms.
“Court finds Amon Twinomujuni, Joel Kibirige, Matia Ssenfuka, Hassan Ssebata and Johnson Kayondo, Hassan Ssengoba, John Ssebandeke, Hussein Mugema, Fred Bwanika and Ibrahim Sekajja innocent of all charges,” said Gen Guti, Chairman of the Court Martial.
Former Buganda minister Arthur Bagunywa passes on
Late Arthur Bagunywa appearing on NBS TV, one of his last appearances. Photo Credit, NBS TV.
The former minister in Buganda kingdom, Arthur Bagunywa Nkalubo passed on at Platinum Hospital along Buganda Road. Bagunywa served Buganda kingdom in many ministerial capacities and these include that of Education, Local Government among other positions.
UK Prime Minister Theresa May resigns
U.K. Prime Minister Theresa May announced her resignation, putting an end to months of speculation over her future because of her handling of Brexit. She was replaced in June by Boris Johnson who wants the UK out of the European Union next year.
Gov’t launches operationalization of five cities
Republic Street in Mbale town
Government announced the upgrade of five municipalities into cities effective July 2020. The earmarked cities include Arua, Mbarara, Gulu, Fort Portal and Jinja. But it would create uproar as residents of municipalities like Mbale, Masaka demanded that they also be considered as cities in financial year 2020/2021 and not in 2021/2022 financial year as proposed by government. Government would later concede and award city status to Masaka and Mbale in financial year 2020/2021. However, some leaders and residents of Kabale Municipality also want city status. On May 20, 2019, Cabinet approved the phased operationalization of nine cities which will be spread over three financial years.
JUNE
Former Prime Minister Prof. Nsibambi passes on
RIP: Prof. Apolo-Nsibambi
The former Prime Minister Prof. Apolo Nsibambi died. President Museveni while eulogized the late for being incorruptible and serving his country with due diligence. Museveni said in condolence message delivered by his vice, Edward Kiwanuka Sekandi at Namirembe cathedral where mourners convened to pray for the late academician who was known for timekeeping.
Kasese leaders again threaten to drag Museveni to ICC over mistreatment of King Mumbere
Kasese MPs led by Winnie Kiiza address a press conference.
Kasese leaders, including the former Leader of Opposition in Parliament (LoP) who doubles as the Kasese woman MP, Winnie Kiiza, threatened to reconsider the dragging of president Museveni, Maj. Gen peter Elwelu and Assistant Inspector General of Police Asuman Mugenyi to International criminal Court (ICC) over the attack of Rwenzururu kingdom in 2016 and blocking of king Charles Wesley Mumbere from attending the burial ceremony of his mother.
In December 2016, a group of members of parliament from the Rwenzori sub-region, petitioned ICC, requesting for investigations into the infamous Kasese killings. Over 100 civilians were killed during the assault and scores left injured, with the king currently facing terrorism prosecution.
Court finds businessman Ssebuwufu guilty of murdering his client Donah Katushabe
NABBED: Pine Car Bond boss Muhammad Sebuwufu in court
High Court judge, Flavia Anglin Ssenoga, found the proprietor of Pine Car Bond, Muhammad Ssebuwufu and seven others suspects guilty of murder, kidnap and robbing of businesswoman Donah Katusabe.
According to evidence adduced by 26 witnesses, Flavia Anglin Ssenoga ruled that the accused unlawfully picked Donah Katushabe from Bwebajja over a loan of Shs 9 million before torturing her, which eventually led to her death. Ssebuwufu was handed 40 years in jail. The convicts were also ordered to compensate family of the late with Shs 100 million.
MP Zaake acquitted of charge of escaping from lawful police custody
MP Zaake
Arua Grade one Magistrate, Mr Swaleh Asiku, acquitted Mityana Municipality MP Francis Zaake Butebi of charge of escaping from lawful police custody during the Arua Municipality by-election fracas where different opposition politicians were arrested included People Power leader Bobi Wine whose drive Yasin Kawuma was killed by security operatives.
Rwenzururu Kingdom woes: Omusinga Mumbere strips his brother Kibanzanga of traditional title
State Minister for Agriculture Christopher Kibazanga who doubles as chief prince of the Rwenzururu kingdom.
The King of Rwenzururu Kingdom, Charles Wesley Mumbere, withdrew the title of Chief Prince from his brother, State Minister for Agriculture Christopher Kibanzanga, “for abusing the rights and responsibilities of his title and watering down the integrity that befits the position.”
In a suspension letter dated June 25, Mumbere said, “By the virtue of powers entrusted to me by the constitution of Obusinga Bwa Rwenzururu and the royal family and Abanya Rwenzururu, I hereby suspend your position and title of the Chief Prince that you have been holding in the royal family until further notice.”
Museveni assents to Uganda Wildlife Act 2017
President Yoweri Museveni signs the visitors book as Speaker of EALA, Rt Hon Daniel F. Kidega and Speaker of the Parliament of Uganda, Rt Hon Rebecca Kadaga look on
President Yoweri Museveni assented to Uganda Wildlife Act 2017 that was passed by parliament early this year. When caught poachers involved in killing endangered species will face life imprisonment or pay fine of Shs20 billion or both.
The law entails wildlife User Rights: hunting, farming, ranching, trading, and educational and research and general extraction use rights. This program is based on the principle that economic benefits from wildlife can lead to better custodianship of wildlife resources.
Catholic Church consecrates Msgr. Severus Jjumba as the new bishop of Masaka diocese
Msgr. Severus Jjumba being consecrated as the new Bishop of Masaka Diocese. Photo credit, CBS radio online.
Msgr. Severus Jjumba was consecrated as the new Bishop of Masaka Diocese following the resignation of his Lordship Rt. Rev. John Baptist Kaggwa who attained the retirement age of 75 years.
On April 16, Pope Francis has appointed Rev. Msgr. Severus Jjumba the new Bishop of the Catholic diocese of Masaka. His appointment was announced by Archbishop Luigi Bianco, the Apostolic Nuncio to Uganda. Until his appointment, Rev. Msgr. Jjumba was serving as Vicar General for Masaka Diocese. He replaces Bishop John Baptist Kaggwa, who resigned
The ceremony was led by the outgoing Bishop Rev. John Baptist Kaggwa at the arena grounds of Kitovu in Masaka District.
Former IGP Kisembo passes on
Late John Kisembo
Former Inspector General of Police John Kisembo passed away. The deceased was the IGP from 1998 to 2001. Kisembo died at Platinum Hospital where he was admitted for treatment. He replaced John Cossy Odomel and joined Police in 1980 as a graduate.
Kabaka calls for revival of cooperative unions as a move to fight poverty
The Kabaka of Buganda, Ronald Muwenda Mutebi, called for revival of cooperative societies/unions in Uganda saying the move would play a significant role in a fight against poverty among Ugandans. He said this during his 26th coronation ceremony at Nkumba University, Wakiso district. Started way back in 1913, the Kabaka said cooperative unions originated in Buganda region and they boosted people’s earnings and later they gave birth to now defunct Cooperative Bank in 1964.
AUGUST
Besigye scoops continental award
The Former presidential candidate, Dr. Kiiza Besigye, was recognised with African Hero Award over his courageous struggle for political freedom in Uganda.
Uganda’s strongest opposition leader, was recognized by the Voice Achievers Award at Loius Leakey Hall, national museum in Nairobi, Kenya’s capital. He has been President Museveni’s opponent since 1999 when he exited Movement system and stood against former commander of 1981-1986 bush war.
Church of Uganda announces new Archbishop
The Archbishop- elect Kazimba was announced by dean of the province who doubles as the Bishop of Kumi Diocese Rt. Rev. Thomas Edison Irigei at the Provincial Office of the Church of Uganda, Namirembe. The new archbishop was elected under secret ballot by the house of bishops that comprised 33 of the 37 active Diocesan and Assistant Bishops who were eligible to become archbishop. Bishop Kazimba will be installed on March 1, 2020. About One billion shillings is needed for his enthronement.
Goons kill NGO staff Maria Nagirinya
Late Maria Nagirinya
The staff of a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), Community Integrated Development Initiatives (CIDI), Maria Nagirinya, was reportedly kidnapped from the gate of her Lungujja home and murdered. Her body was dumped at Nakitutulu village, Nama sub-county in Mukono district. It is said the deceased was kidnapped by two men who reportedly trailed her as she returned home. According to her family members, assailants accessed her vehicle registration number UBA 570V, Spacio, moments after her young sister had just opened her gate. The matter is not yet concluded.
DPP drops murder charges against Nantaba, three police officers
The Director Public Prosecution (DPP), Mike Chibita dropped murder charges against State Minister for ICT Aida Nantaba and other suspects who were implicated in the extrajudicial killing of Ronald Ssebulime. According to withdrawal letter addressed to Mukono Chief Magistrates Court, DPP said his office has resolved to discontinue with the murder charges against some of the suspects.
Standards Court convicts city businessman Drake Lubega for dealing in substandard products
Drake Lubega
The Standards and Utilities Division of the High Court convicted City Businessman, Drake Francis Lubega, who is also the owner of Jesco Industries Limited, for manufacturing plastic bags commonly known Kaveera that do not meet standards. Lubega was found guilty on two counts of producing goods that do not conform to standards of plastic bags and for making a false representation on a commodity.
Former Supreme Court judge Justice Tsekooko passes on
Justice Tsekooko
Former Supreme Court judge, Justice Wilson Tsekooko passed on at Norvik Hospital. The retired judge had been unwell for some time. He served for over 15 years Supreme Court, Two years at Court of Appeal and five years at High Court.
CCEDU boss Crispin Kaheru resigns after nine years at helm
The Coordinator of a non-government organisation (NGO), Citizens’ Coalition for Electoral Democracy in Uganda (CCEDU), Crispin Kugiza Kaheru, tendered in his resignation letter after serving for nine years.
Assuming that role, at the age of 26, Kaheru, a journalist by profession, made a personal commitment to serve in this position for a maximum of nine years. Kaheru has made great strides in ensuring that CCEDU recruits and retains enthusiastic professional staff, who are capable of delivering on the Coalition’s mandate.
Over 18 million children immunized against Measles-Rubella and Polio
Uganda immunized about 18 million children against Measles and Rubella. In the recent past, the country has experienced Measles and Rubella outbreaks in over 60 districts. At the same time, Polio remains a big threat given evidence of wild and vaccine-derived strains circulating in neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan. However, at the immunisation exercise some reports emerged that the medicines had caused defects on some children.
Ethiopia plane crash: Remains of late Commissioner of Police Christine Alalo identified.
The remains of the departed Commissioner of Police, the late Alalo Christine, who perished in the Ethiopian Airways, have been identified.
The officer was returning from Italy to Mogadishu, Somalia and was one of the victims in the Ethiopian Flight ET 302, which crashed on March 10, 2019 killing all occupants aboard.
At the time of her death, CP Alalo Christine was serving as the Acting Police Commissioner, AMISOM, and her tour of duty was expected to end in June, 2019. She joined the police as a Cadet/ ASP on 18/08/2001, and served in various capacities of command. She was a highly respected member of the force who loved her job.
Rev. Bukomeko James elected 5th Bishop of Mityana Diocese
Rev. Dr. Bukomeko James has been elected the 5th Bishop of Mityana Diocese. He will be consecrated and enthroned as bishop on February 2, 2020 at St. Andrew’s Cathedral. Rev. Bukomeko will succeed the Rt. Rev. Dr. Stephen Kaziimba Mugalu who was elected the 9th Archbishop of the Church of Uganda and will automatically become the Bishop of Kampala Diocese.
NOVEMBER
Minister Kasaija appoints new Road Fund boss
Dr. Eng. Andrew Naimanye
The Minister of Finance Planning and Economic Development, Matia Kasaija has appointed Dr. Eng. Andrew Naimanye as the Acting Executive Director of Uganda Road Fund effective November 1, 2019.
Dr. Eng. Andrew was appointed on the recommendation of the Fund’s board of directors who convened and deliberated to second him for the post.
Bobi wine listed among the next 100 influential people in the world
Bobi Wine
Kyadondo East MP, Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu aka Bobi Wine has been listed among the next 100 rising and most influential stars shaping the future of business, entertainment, sports, politics, science, health and more.
The MP has been listed by the USA Magazine time.com under the category of ‘phenoms’. Phenoms Recognize people who achieve a lot very quickly and Bobi Wine is listed alongside Kenyan filmmaker Wanuri and South Sudanese model Adut Akech.
Court grants 20m cash bail to five Total Uganda staff members
Five senior members of staff of a petroleum firm, Total Uganda were granted 20million cash bail after spending four days in jail. The company dragged its staff to court on allegations that they caused a financial loss of Shs 28 billion stolen through collusion between company staff and the fuel dealers during a period of two years at total head office and other offices in Mukono, Wakiso and Kampala.
Gov’t receives bodies of Ugandans shot in Rwanda
Bodies of Ugandans killed by Rwandan authorities
The government of Uganda received two bodies of Ugandans who were shot dead as they tried to make their way into the country. Ugandan team was led by Prikeria Muhindo Mwiine, the Rukiga Resident District Commissioner (RDC) and the Rwandan side, was led by the Mayor of Nyagatare district David Claudian Mushabe. The handover took place at Buziba border post, at Kamwezi Sub-County, where officials from both sides signed documents confirming receipt of the bodies. The two men are identified as Job Ebindishanga and Bosco Tuheirwe were shot dead in Tabagwe Sector, Nyagatare district, Eastern Province.
Tycoon Mohan Kiwanuka floors his doubted son in court for second time
Mohan Musisi Kiwanuka
Disgraced Jordan Sebuliba Kiwanuka, who claims to be a biological son of Kampala businessman Mohan Musisi Kiwanuka, has for the second consecutive attempt, lost the case which he filed against his alleged father at High Court Family Division where he sought orders to run the defendant’s line of businesses.
According to the petition, Jordan Sebuliba Kiwanuka, alleged that Mohan Kiwanuka was suffering from a debilitating and degenerative condition of Alzheimer’s or dementia, which is presumed to have been progressive over the last six or so years but has become quite severe and imposing on the respondent’s health in the recent past.
UHRC boss Medie Kaggwa passes on
Late Meddie Kaggwa
Medie Kaggwa, the Chairperson of Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC) died in his vehicle as he was driving to work. Kaggwa died near Mulago round about. Kaggwa was praised for championing the observance of human rights in Uganda.
Tycoon Wavamuno earmarks Shs1b for new television channel
Gordon Wavamuno
The founder of the defunct Wavah Broadcasting Services (WBS), Gordon Wavamunno, has put a side about Shs1billion for setting up a new television station in Uganda.
In 2016, Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) placed a local television station, WBS under receivership over Shs7.2b tax arrears. This process was to ensure that the tax arrears are paid. The station later on December 14, 2016 ceased to operate as a public broadcaster.
The TV was reportedly sold off to Kwese Sports, a continental sports TV owned by Zimbabwean businessman, Strive Masiyiwa and it was renamed ‘Kwese Sports’.
DECEMBER
DPP Mike Chibita, two others appointed to Supreme Court
Justice Mike Chibita
The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Justice Mike Chibita and two other judges were appointed to the Supreme Court after being shortlisted along 13 other judges and individuals.
In a letter addressed to the Speaker of Parliament, Rebecca Kadaga, President Yoweri Museveni appointed Justice Chibita, Ezekiel Muhanguzi and Percy Tuhaise to Supreme Court under the powers vested in him in the 1995 Constitution of Uganda.
“I hereby forward their names and CVs for approval by the appointments Committee of Parliament,” Museveni wrote.
Court sentences Chicken Tonight security guard for assaulting local musician Angela Katatumba
The Chief Magistrate’s Court in Makindye sentenced Chicken Tonight security guard, Okirot Denis to one and a half years in jail for assaulting local musician Angela Katatumba and the visiting Jamaican artiste commonly known as Kuzi Kz.
The ruling was made by Magistrate, Allan Gakyaro after Prosecution proved that at Chicken Tonight, Denis unlawfully caused grievance harm and robbed her Shs6 million in April 2018.
FDC marks 15th year anniversary
The leading opposition political party, Forum for democratic Change (FDC), marked 15 years anniversary at Mandela National Stadium Namboole, Kampala.
The event according to the party spokesperson who also doubles as Kiira Municipality MP, Ssemujju Nganda, will help reinvigorate its members ahead of the anticipated 2021 general elections.
FDC was founded as a merger of various pressure groups has established itself at the centre of the pro-democracy fight in Uganda, and its first leader Col Kizza Besigye is still one of Uganda’s leading opposition figures.
Church of Uganda launches Archbishop Janani Luwum Foot Pilgrimage
COMMEMORATION: The late Archbishop Janan Luwum
The Archbishop of the Church of Uganda, The Most Rev Stanley Ntagali and Prime Minister Dr Ruhakana Rugunda launched the first ever Archbishop Janani Luwum Foot Pilgrimage. The Pilgrimage will begin on January 29, 2019 at Namirembe Cathedral and end on February 14, 2019 in Mucwini Kitgum ahead of Janani Luwum Day, commemorated every year on February 16th, since 2015. The pilgrimage is aimed at evoking spiritual and historical milestones of the late bishop, remembrance and thanksgiving for the extraordinary life of Archbishop Luwum. It is also an opportunity for renewal and deepening of faith of Christians in Uganda.
The newly released United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Human Development Report the in Uganda, indicates that new dimensions of inequalities are opening up around education, technology and climate change pushing the wealthiest ahead, undermining further progress and making it harder for those left behind to catch up.
According to the report, the new face of inequality is not beyond solutions and warns that climate change will affect the poor and widen existing inequalities.
These inequalities extend to essential services like education and health, 42 percent of adults in low human development countries have primary education compared with 94 percent in very high human development countries. Similarly, “Only 3.2 per cent of adults in low human development countries have a tertiary education compared with 29 percent in developed countries.
The report also shows that in most cases, inequality begins before birth, grow and may be passed across generations. To that end, it recommends that measures to address inequalities must start at or before birth from pre-natal care, to education, to the labour market and retirement.
“Between 2030 and 2050 climate change is expected to cause an additional 250,000 deaths a year from malnutrition, malaria, diarrhea and heat stress. Hundreds of millions more people could be exposed to deadly heat by 2050, and the geographical range for disease vectors such as mosquitoes that transmit malaria or dengue will likely shift and expand.” reads in part of the report launched by David Bahati, the State Minister for Planning today at the Golf Course Hotel
The report adds that, Climate change will hit the tropics harder first, and many developing countries are tropical.
In agreement with the report findings, Ms. Elsie Attafuah, the Resident Representative UNDP said, “What is clear is that inequalities, once they exist among people, regions and several divides, tend to be intergenerational and extremely difficult to break. The poor have higher chances of remaining poor. Once ill-educated, with poor health standards, the off- springs and their descendants will most likely follow the same path.”
She said the report gives us a message of hope; that inequalities can be addressed if action is taken now before imbalances in economic power become entrenched.
According to the report, Africa has experienced one of the most significant improvements in human development as measured by Human Development Index (HDI). Between 1990 and 2018 life expectancy increased by more than 11 years.
For the first time this year, an African country, Seychelles –has moved into the very high human development group. Four countries Botswana, Gabon, Mauritius and South Africa are also now in the high human development group, while 12 countries Angola, Cabo Verde, Cameroon, Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eswatini, Ghana, Kenya, Namibia, Sao Tome and Principe, Zambia, and Zimbabwe are in the medium human development group. Botswana enjoys the region’s highest increase in HDI rank between 2013 and 2018, rising 11 places in the rankings.
While poverty rates have declined across the continent, progress has been uneven. If current trends continue, the report asserts that, nearly 9 of 10 people in extreme poverty more than 300 million will be in Sub-Saharan Africa in 2030.
And among countries that are off track to achieve the SDGs by 2030, most are in Africa. South Africa experiences the highest rate of income inequality in the world with over half the country’s income is held by the richest 10 percent.
The report puts Uganda’s HDI value for 2018 to 0.528 which places it in the low human development category positioning it at 159 out of 189 countries and territories. The rank is shared with Tanzania. Between 1990 and 2018, Uganda’s HDI value increased from 0.312 to 0.528, an increase of 69.1 per cent.
Uganda’s 2018 HDI of 0.528 is above the average of 0.507 for countries in the low human development group and below the average of 0.541 for countries in Sub-Saharan Africa. From Sub-Saharan Africa, countries which are close to Uganda in 2018 HDI rank and to some extent in population size are Madagascar and Tanzania, which have HDIs ranked 162 and 159 respectively.
In terms of HDI indicators, between 1990 and 2018, Uganda’s life expectancy at birth increased by 17.1 years, mean years of schooling increased by 3.3 years and expected years of schooling increased by 5.6 years. Uganda’s GNI per capita increased by about 131.0 per cent between 1990 and 2018.
The publication also reports on the performance of nations in Gender Inequality Index (GII), which reflects gender-based inequalities in three dimensions reproductive health, empowerment, and economic activity. Reproductive health is measured by maternal mortality and adolescent birth rates; empowerment is measured by the share of parliamentary seats held by women and attainment in secondary and higher education by each gender while economic activity is measured by the labour market participation rate for women and men.
According to the report, Uganda has a GII value of 0.531, ranking it 127 out of 162 countries in the 2018 index. The report says that 34.3 per cent of parliamentary seats in Uganda are held by women, and 27.4 per cent of adult women have reached at least a secondary level of education compared to 34.7 per cent of their male counterparts.
On the other hand, for every 100,000 live births, 343.0 women die from pregnancy related causes; and the adolescent birth rate is 118.8 births per 1,000 women of ages 15-19. Female participation in the labour market is 67.2 per cent compared to 75.0 for men.
The report also goes beyond income and reports on the deprivations that people face using a
Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) which identifies deprivations suffered by individuals in health, education and standard of living and 10 indicators. The report shows that 55.1 per cent of the Ugandan population are multidimensionally poor while 24.9 per cent are vulnerable to multidimensional poverty.
If the deprivation score is 33.3 per cent or greater, the household (and everyone in it) is classified as multidimensional poor. Individuals with a deprivation score greater than or equal to 20 per cent but less than 33.3 per cent are classified as vulnerable to multidimensional poverty.
Prof. Pamela Mbabazi, the Chairperson National Planning Authority said that most of the report findings align with observations made in Uganda’s national planning frameworks and its prescription of areas for redress align with development priorities identified in Uganda’s third National Development Plan now in its final stages of design.
These include improving the quality of education, jobs creation, reducing dependency on subsistence economy, combatting climate change cover, enhancing value addition in key growth opportunities, digitization of the economy and reducing vulnerabilities.
Today, there are more refugees in the world than directly after World War II. That is almost 26 million people who have been forcibly displaced from their homes and fled across borders from situations of fragility, conflict and violence (FCV).
This week, the Global Refugee Forum has highlighted what the global headlines often miss: that 85 percent of all refugees are hosted by developing countries, and three quarters of refugees are still displaced after five years. Such long displacements can be devastating.
All refugees, especially women, are exposed to higher levels of violence and exploitation. Those seeking work often find few opportunities and may be forced to work illegally or in dangerous conditions. A ‘lost generation’ of refugee children may miss out on good health, education and a stable childhood, and are left with few productive skills or job prospects.
Access to jobs, opportunities and long-term health and education for refugees are among the reasons our shareholders are asking the World Bank to get more closely involved in addressing forced displacement. They recognize that development investments can take a long-term approach and complement the immediate humanitarian responses to crises, helping reduce the damaging impact of prolonged displacement. Moreover, this approach is aligned with the needs of host communities in developing countries, many of whom are calling for comprehensive approaches that consider their needs along with those of refugees.
The World Bank has therefore been scaling up its support to refugees and host communities for several years, in response to the growing global crisis of forced displacement. At the Global Refugee Forum this week, I announced that the IDA19 replenishment includes a dedicated window for host-communities and refugees (WHR) of $2.2 billion over the next three years, a further increase compared to the $2 billion allocated under the previous IDA cycle.
While the WHR is the principal source of financing for refugees and host communities in IDA, it is complemented by up to $1 billion from other IDA resources like the dedicated FCV allocation, which was doubled to $14 billion under IDA18. Looking ahead, the new IDA19 package increases this allocation to $18.7 billion in support for countries affected by fragility, conflict, and violence. These countries are also expected to receive a large part of a new $2.5 billion funding window to boost the private sector and create jobs.
Moreover, the World Bank’s Global Concessional Financing Facility (GCFF) that provides concessional financing to middle income countries hosting large numbers of refugees has also ramped up its financing. Grants made to middle income countries have doubled over the same period from $160 million to $320 million.
As well as helping refugees and host communities directly, by addressing the underlying drivers of fragility and conflict the World Bank aims to reduce the factors that can cause people to flee their homes. The IDA19 package will address several areas that are most critical for long-term focus, including:
Education – because over half of refugees are children, we want to do all we can to prevent a lost generation;
Jobs – because they are key to self-reliance and dignity, for both host communities and refugees who often live in lagging regions;
Gender – because of the terrible ordeal many women and girl refugees are going through;
Prevention and preparedness – because we ought to reduce these crises and better manage them; and
Data and evidence – because this helps ensure our interventions reach the right people and have the desired outcome. For example, to measure better the impact of refugee inflows on their hosts and inform our responses we have established the Joint Data Center on Forced Displacement with UNHCR.
This expanded focus reflects our commitment to shared responsibility, ensuring that that we are doing our part to support the longer-term needs of refugees. It also reflects a broader recognition at the World Bank that our mission of ending extreme poverty will lead us to implement more operations in situations of fragility, conflict and violence – by 2030, almost half of the extreme poor worldwide are likely to live in these places, and our financing will follow.
The World Bank is already more actively engaged in support of refugees and host communities as part of its development mission. We have already evolved to address conflict and fragility before, during and after crises, and to ensure support and inclusion for the poorest and most vulnerable. Moreover, our support is designed to complement humanitarian efforts and tackle the medium-term economic and social dimensions of the crisis.
Early next year, we expect to finalize our draft World Bank Group strategy for Fragility Conflict and Violence. This will systematize our institutional commitment on FCV through financing, policy dialogue, analytics, operational shifts and partnerships. Our focus on refugees, host communities and vulnerable people in fragile countries is here to stay.
The Writer is World Bank Managing Director of Operations
2019 has been a busy sports year and Eagle Online looks back at some of the most notable sports events that made headlines in Uganda and all-over the world.
The 2018/19 StarTimes Uganda Premier League season was won by KCCA FC who were crowned champions for the 13th time. Nyamityobora, Ndejje University and Paidha Black Angels were relegated to the Fufa Big League while Kyetume, Proline and Wakiso Giants were promoted to the top tier.
Proline FC walked away with their first-ever domestic double, winning the FUFA Big League and the Stanbic Uganda Cup. They edged Wakiso Giants 1-0 in the Big League final and fought back to win 5-4 in post-match penalties against Bright Stars in the Uganda Cup after a one-all draw in normal time
Uganda Cranes defeated Eritrea 3-0 to win a record 15th regional 2019 CECAFA senior Challenge Cup on 19th Decmber. Bright Anukani, Mustafa Kizza and Joel Madondo scored for the Cranes. The tournament was hosted at STartTimes stadium in Lugogo, Kampala.
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Cranes qualified for the 2020 TOTAL Championship of African Nations (Chan) finals after humbling Burundi in the qualifiers. The tournament that features only home-based players will be played in Cameroon.
Acholi Province were crowned champions of the 2019 FUFA Drum Tournament. The land mark feat was achieved after winning against Bukedi 5-3 in the post-match penalty shoot-out following a goal-less draw in normal time.
Allan Okello and Juliet Nalukenge were crowned as the best Airtel Male and Female respective most valuable players of the year, 2019 during a glamorous awards night held at the Speke Resort Munyonyo in Kampala. Both players were rewarded by Shs 1M, a trophy, medal and drove home with a car each.
FUFA President Eng. Moses Magogo was elected as the new Caf Executive Member for the East and Central zone. Magogo obtained 33 votes out of 54 defeating the President of Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) Tenga Leodegar who received 19.
FIFA suspended Magogo for two months and fined him Swiss franc CHF 10,000 (approximately 37M Ugshs) after investigations into the 2014 FIFA World Cup ticket saga. He returned to office on 10th December.
Desabre Sebastien in the middle training with Cranes players.
On July 7, Sebastien Desabre resigned as the Cranes head coach after Uganda suffered a 1-0 loss to Senegal in the Africa Cup of Nations round of 16 match.
On September 30, Northern Irish UEFA Pro licensed football manager Johnathan McKinstry was appointed the new Uganda Cranes head coach on a three year contract.
McKinistry
Uganda finished ninth overall out of the forty-three nations at the 2019 IAAF World Athletics Championships in Doha, Qatar with two gold medals. The first gold medal came in women’s 800m race when Halimah Nakaayi clocked a time of 1:58.04, a national record. Afterwards, Joshua Cheptegei won the last event of the World Athletics Championships, taking gold in the 10,000m race with 26:48.36.
Long distance athlete Joshua Cheptegei won the final 5,000m race of the IAAF Diamond League in Zurich, Switzerland. Cheptegei set a new personal best of 12.57.41 to win a Diamond Trophy at the prize money of $50,000 (Sh184 million). Ethiopia’s Hagos Gebrhiwet came second within a time 12:58.15.
algeria
Algeria were crowned Africa Cup of Nations champion for only the second time in their history, edging past Senegal 1-0 thanks to Baghdad Bounedjah’s early deflected goal.
Tunisia’s Esperance were declared winners of the African Champions League by CAF following a long legal battle after Wydad Casablanca stormed off in protest during the second leg of the final in May due to a fault with the Video Assistant Referee.
Barcelona forward Lionel Messi has won the Ballon d’Or award for the world’s best player for a record sixth time. It is the 32-year-old Argentine’s first Ballon d’Or since 2015 and comes after he scored 54 times for club and country in 2018-19, in which Barca won La Liga.
Lionel Messi also took home the leading honour for The Best FIFA Men’s Player after his outstanding 2018/19 campaign which saw him scoop club silverware and individual accolades.
Eliud Kipchoge
Eliud Kipchoge became the first athlete to run a marathon in under two hours, beating the mark by 20 seconds. The Kenyan, 34, covered the 26.2 miles (42.2km) in one hour 59 minutes 40 seconds in the Ineos 1:59 Challenge in Vienna, Austria
Gianni Infantino was re-elected in June as the president of football’s world governing body FIFA for the next four years. The 49-year old Swiss-Italian was re-elected unopposed at the 69th Fifa’s annual congress in Paris.
Tiger Woods
Tiger Woods showed he still has claws as he tore through the field on the final round at the Masters on April 14 to win his first major in 11 years. The 43-year-old Woods started the final day clad in his famous Sunday red and two shots behind Francesco Molinari. Woods held his nerve as he won his 15th major and fifth Masters.
liverpool-super-cup-win
Liverpool did not walk alone as they won Europe’s top club competition for the sixth time. A tepid final in Madrid was effectively settled by a controversial penalty award in the second minute (2-0 in fulltime). The most memorable moment came at home at Anfield in the semi-final on May 1 when the Reds, trailing 3-0 from the first leg deficit, beat mighty Barcelona 4-0. The Kop roared and their team responded.
South African players lift Rugby World Cup trophy
South Africa outmuscled, out-thought and outplayed England to confound the pundits and win their third Rugby World Cup 32-12 in Yokohama on November 2nd.
Spain beat Argentina 95-75 to win the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup in Beijing Wukesong Arena, their first title in 13 years.
The year is ending soon and since I have written from the start, I have to make sure I end it with some piece that shows my discomfort with some of our leaders in this good country. When 2019 started, I thought it was a year of friendship, hard work and development but to my surprise it hasn’t been as expected because of a few characters who have taken politics everywhere spreading lies and creating a a bad image for our country.
In this country, people are, for the most part, relatively well educated and prosperous which of course is good for all citizens as the president has always advised that children should be taken to school but just this year I have seen how important and less important education has done for this country. It’s this very year that I have seen people with too many books speaking in tongues and on topics that totally do not concern us as Ugandans, many have also moved around the world spreading bad gospel about Uganda which maybe beneficial to them in one way or the other.
It is a paradox of our modern democracy that we have the conditions and tools to enable our political system to work better than ever before, yet all that seems to be discussed today is its dysfunction. In politics, as in other aspects of life, abundance can be good but excess is often harmful. You can end up with too much of everything, and I think that’s what we’ve got in Uganda’s politics today.
People talk too much of nonsense just to make sure they win some hearts and its becoming unpredictable especially as we get to the electioneering year because a lot of lies are being spread on social media by some politicians and to my surprise many Ugandans are believing in the lies just because we don’t take time look at issues as they are, but we look at issues as they are presented to us by others.
I wish this could reach the Speaker of our parliament before she rests back in Kamuli for Holiday, I know she knows and has heard about information concerning the adults that she mans at Parliament, a good number of them have been so disrespectful this year and the past years and I personally think this should be left in this year.
Uganda has had several opposition members of parliament but their conduct hasn’t been so nasty like for the few members in today’s opposition. The other day a member of parliament attacked Professor Nawangwe on camera and I wondered whether that’s what the Acts of parliament say.
Let me say this, the matter of respect is core in politics all around the world. From there we can consider Trust as the other powerful issue to consider in our politics. So if our politicians look at the two as useless then we are heading for hell years to come. Some of our Politicians behave badly and thanks especially to the all-pervasive media for televising parliamentary sittings because this has really helped the ordinary people to hear and see how their representatives behave while in the house.
It’s a source of perennial wonderment to me that MPs are aware they are disgusting and infuriating the public by often conducting themselves, especially in parliament, like out of control adolescents, but they fail to curb this conduct. We regard them as responsible people but at times we look at them from afar and describe them according to how they behave and conduct themselves.
Whatever drives MPs, behaving in a manner that would be unacceptable in almost any other workplace is costly to them and to the political process in our country and could be easily changed by a bit of collective restraint. Sure, parliament will always have its moments, but chaos and insult-throwing should not be the norm at all time during sessions and even out in the corridors of parliament.
It’s usually a different picture in the public arena. Voters would like to see some acknowledgement from time to time that the other side has had a good idea, and more co-operations on worthy projects but what happens in our parliament madam speaker is that we always see you mediating encounters, statement exchanges and fights in parliament just because one side doesn’t believe whatever the other says. For the opposition side, all they do in parliament is mainly to disagree with their fellows on the other side of the ruling party and that’s the real description of opposition in Uganda.
All this said madam speaker, I wrote this just to alert you of what has been happening in your parliament and to also report to you that do something to make sure your members are respective because each day the country is experiencing many ugly scenes of your members misbehaving especially one who has literally taken the award of being the most disrespectful opposition politician who doesn’t even give any respect to the president. He has composed songs attacking the president calling him names and not even honoring him in anyway which is so disrespectful, I have seen politicians here but I have never seen any like this one who totally shows total disrespect to the fountain of honor just because he has a few people out there praising him and enchanting people power our power. Mukulu funa kumpisa next year.
A maize garden: The EA region is leading other African regions in agriculture development.
By Evelyn Lirri
Universities in Africa need to take a lead role in harnessing the power of technology and innovation as a way of improving the continent’s agricultural systems, experts have said.
With over 60 per cent of the continent’s population engaged in agriculture, the sector is expected to remain a key source of employment and livelihood for majority of the young people.
Yet without prioritising research and innovation spearheaded by institutions of higher learning, much of the agriculture remains rudimentary. Currently, despite comprising a quarter of the world’s arable land, Africa remains a net importer of agricultural products.
“Advancement in knowledge and skills is shifting how agriculture value chains are organised. Africa’s success to meet the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) will depend on the commitment to address these challenges,” said Dr Abebe Haile-Gabriel, the assistant director general and regional representative for Africa at the UN Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO).
Speaking at the recent annual general meeting of the Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Africa (RUFORUM), held at the University of Cape Coast in Ghana, Dr. Haile-Gabriel said the African continent still lags behind in terms of generation and application of innovation and knowledge systems.
Climate change and post-harvest loses, he said continue to remain big challenges for the continent, a problem which could be addressed if universities invested in finding solutions and the right technologies. Experts say incorporating innovation to agriculture could help boost food security and combat rural hunger and poverty.
“Our universities and research institutions must be motivated to research more in the agriculture sector for sustainable growth,” said Haile-Gabriel.
He added that FAO and RUFORUM are currently undertaking an initiative to place graduate students in six-months community based field attachments as a way of fostering knowledge transfer between the students conducting research and rural host communities.
RUFORUM is a network of 121 African universities in 38 countries, which is coordinated by a secretariat hosted by Makerere University, to build capacity in agricultural research and development.
Prof. Adipala Ekwamu, the executive secretary of RUFORUM noted that with universities increasingly being seen as a catalyst for agricultural transformation, training scholars with the relevant skills is critical.
RUFORUM, he said, is currently leading four initiatives aimed at strengthening higher education and Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) in Africa by promoting digital technologies for agricultural transformation, strengthening staff capacity and increasing pool of women scientists in African universities, increasing innovation and entrepreneurship capacity and building sustainable innovative technologies.
Dr. Irene Annor Frempong, the Director of Research at the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA) said promoting agriculture, science and innovation is crucial in achieving the African Union’s Agenda 2063 economic and development plan.
Through the 2063 Agenda, the AU hopes, among other things to strengthen the quality of higher education on the continent by making it relevant to the needs of the population.
Prof. Amon Murwira, the Minister for Higher and Tertiary Education, Science, Technology and Innovation in Zimbabwe said the African education design must include elements of research, teaching, innovation and industrialization for the continent to develop.
“We must ensure that the education system causes industrialization in its basic form. This therefore means that if we want to develop as a continent, we must reform our education system to meet these aspirations,” said Prof. Murwira.
He said young African scientist should also be mentored and encouraged to take on innovative research projects that have the potential to transform and develop the continent.
Dr. Kwesi Atta-Krah, the Director, Country Alignment and Systems Integration, International Institute of Tropical Agriculture said universities should do more to make agriculture appealing as a profession and with business orientation, not just as a course of study.
Dr. Brian Mushimba, the Minister for Higher Education in Zambia noted that as the continent’s population continues to grow, currently estimated at about 1.5 billion people, the need to educate and skill young people and find innovative solutions to improving agriculture as an engine of growth for most African countries is critical.
“We must invest in higher education. It is the answer to addressing our problems today and the challenges of tomorrow. Higher education is the key driver in developing human capital,” said Dr. Mushimba.
Dr Elioda Tumwesigye, the Minister or Science, Technology and Innovation
The Constitutional Court has thrown out Minister Eloda Tumwesigye and five other legislators out of parliament on grounds that they were elected in constituencies that were non-existent.
Dr. Tumwesigye who is Minister of Science, Technology and Innovations represents Sheema Municipality that was recently curved out of Sheema South. He is the only Minister affected in the latest Constitutional Court ruling.
The others affected by the decision are MPs, Justice Forum (Jeema) party president and Bugiri Municipality legislator, Asuman Basaliriwa, Mr Patrick Ochan (Apac, UPC party), Tarsis Rwaburindore (Ibanda, NRM party), Hashim Sulaiman (Nebbi, NRM party), and Abraham Lokii (Kotido, NRM party).
The Justices of the Constitutional Court in unanimous decision held that the elections in the aforementioned municipalities, were conducted neither in general elections nor as a way of by-elections which are the only recognised ways of electing MPs into Parliament.
“In the premises, I would hold that elections conducted in the six affected municipalities mentioned in the judgment are not elections for an office of Member of Parliament existing under the Constitution because they are not general elections or by-elections. Secondly, the seats contested for did not have a vacancy and were already represented by elected MPs in the general elections of 2016,” held Justice Christopher Madrama who wrote the lead judgment.
The petition was was filed by former Bufumbira East legislator Eddie Kwizira argued that creation of the six municipalities was done without the involvement of the Electoral Commission and yet one of its crucial mandate under Article 63 is to demarcated boundaries of constituencies.
Mr. Kwizira had argued that parliament can only create constituencies/ municipalities through an act of parliament and not by a mere resolution.
A court in Saudi Arabia has sentenced five people to death and jailed three others over the murder of the journalist Jamal Khashoggi last year.
Khashoggi, a prominent critic of the Saudi government, was killed inside the kingdom’s consulate in the Turkish city of Istanbul by a team of Saudi agents.
The Saudi public prosecutor said it was the result of a “rogue operation” and put 11 unnamed individuals on trial.
A UN expert has concluded that it was an “extrajudicial execution”.
Special Rapporteur Agnes Callamard called for Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to be investigated over the killing.
He has denied any involvement, but in October he said he took “full responsibility as a leader in Saudi Arabia, especially since it was committed by individuals working for the Saudi government”.
The trial, which took place behind closed doors, did not meet international standards and Saudi authorities had “obstructed meaningful accountability”, Human Rights Watch said.
The 59-year-old journalist, a US-based columnist for the Washington Post, was last seen entering the Saudi consulate on 2 October 2018 to obtain papers he needed to marry his fiancée Hatice Cengiz.
After listening to purported audio recordings of conversations inside the consulate made by Turkish intelligence, Ms Callamard concluded that Khashoggi was “brutally slain” that day.
Eighteen people were arrested in Saudi Arabia and five senior government officials were sacked as part of the kingdom’s investigation into the case. The officials included Deputy Intelligence Chief Ahmad Asiri and Saud al-Qahtani, a senior aide to Prince Mohammed.
In January, 11 individuals were put on trial at the Criminal Court of Riyadh in connection with the killing, and the public prosecutor asked for the death penalty for five of them. The identities of the defendants were not released.
Ms Callamard said in June that the five people who faced the death penalty were Fahad Shabib Albalawi; Turki Muserref Alshehri; Waleed Abdullah Alshehri; Maher Abdulaziz Mutreb, an intelligence officer who the US said worked for Saud al-Qahtani; and Dr Salah Mohammed Tubaigy, a forensic doctor with the interior ministry.
The other six defendants were Mansour Othman Abahussain; Mohammed Saad Alzahrani; Mustafa Mohammed Almadani; Saif Saad Alqahtani; Muflih Shaya Almuslih, reportedly a member of the consulate staff; and Ahmad Asiri, the former deputy intelligence chief.
The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Martin Okoth Ochola has admitted that this year has been full of challenges and computing demands on crime and safety because of the selected incidents of violent crimes that created fear in the public.
In his Christmas message read by Polly Namaye the deputy police spokesperson in a weekly police press briefing at Naguru, IGP Okoth Martin Ochola noted that some of the registered selected violent incidents included murder by shooting, aggravated robberies, kidnappings, murder of boda boda riders among others
IGP Ochola said that police adopted several strategies and initiatives that included an expensive crime prevention initiative, response effectiveness through community outreaches, DNA finger printing and automated fingerprint analysis among others which have helped in the crackdown of these selected violent incidents.
He also maintained that police would continue with their operational activities in the New year with a focus on serious and dangerous criminals who always tend to undermine the safety of the public and Visitors to the country.
Ochola revealed that so far the festive month is generally peaceful because they encountered and disrupted the advance preparations of criminals early enough with coordination of other security agencies like UPDF, ISO, CMI among others. He appealed to the public to remain vigilant and consider their safety as the first priority while they celebrate.
Rwanda’s State Minister for East African Affairs, Olivier Nduhungirehe accused some key elements in Ugandan security agencies of helping South African-based dissident Lt. Gen. Kayumba Nyamwasa and others whose aim is to destabilize his mother land. Rwanda would later close its border at Katuna banning the entry of Ugandan goods in its borders but also stopped its nationals from entering Uganda after it said those already in Uganda were being tortured by security agencies. The issue is yet to be resolved as Uganda has denied the accusations.
