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Thugs attack Ntinda man, beat him into coma

By
Our Reporter
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Mr. Kahiire who is undergoing treatment at Nsambya Hospital.

 

Internal Security Organisation Director General Col. Kaka Bagyenda might have released Paddy Sserunjogi aka Sobi from Luzira prison to help him track criminals causing havoc in the Kampala’s suburbs, but that hasn’t deterred them from coming onto the scene.

As we talk residents of the leafy Minister’s Village in Ntinda are the latest to be victims the ever growing criminality that has left police and other agencies seeking for solutions. Minister village is known for its top of the range residents and it prides itself to the fact that it is one big village with the highest number of cabinet members.

On Monday, a gentleman known as Henry Kahiire was attacked by thugs on Kyambogo view road in Minister Village at about 10 pm and beaten into coma.

Kahiire is currently on life support at Nsambya hospital. Crime along most Ntinda areas has increased with most of them using boda-bodas during peak hours.  The most notorious spot where these thugs operate from is Canon road. However, what makes it interesting is that Canon road is where Minister of Information Communication Technologies, Frank Tumuwebaze resides and also houses the home of late Maj. Gen. Levy Karuhanga. Both homes are guarded by counter terrorism officers of Uganda police and soldiers of military police but with the presence of such well-guarded homes, it hasn’t prevented thugs from attacking civilians on that road.

Eagle Online has also learnt that in a bid to monitor possible targets, thugs now operate outside and around the Old Timer bar waiting for party goers as they retire back.

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Museveni wants private pharmacies out of gov’t health facilities

By
Francisco Adongo
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President Yoweri Museveni has directed the Minister of Health, Jane Ruth Aceng, to oversee the closure of all of all privately-owned pharmacies in government health facilities.

In a letter issued by Mr. Museveni, pharmacies that are owned by health workers who instead of prescribing the use of government medicine, they prescribe their own drugs.

Museveni said by closing all private pharmacies and paying health workers, government can be in position to overcome the practice of its health workers from running parallel clinics or drug shops.

There have been claims that a section of health workers steal public medicines diverting them into their personal pharmacies for private gains hence denying patients free drugs and other health benefits from government.

Government through the State House drug unit has arrested many health practitioners in many instances with government drugs.

In the same letter, Museveni directed, directed both Aceng and her Public Service counter, Muruli Mukasa, to conclude the issue of pay to government scientists and university teachers by moving them to the desired levels.

“Paying medical workers, government scientists and the academicians removes the temptation of double loyalty to the public service and to the private interest of the employee.” He  wrote.

The country has witnessed a number of strikes staged by government medical workers, medical interns under their umbrella body of Uganda Medical Interns Association demanding for pay rise and improving their welfare. Government has since been urging them to report back to their duties amid promises.

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Hoima bye-election: EC denies issuing ballot papers to NRM members

By
Geoffery Serugo
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EC Chairman Justice Byabakama addressing journalists in Kampala recently

 

 

The chairman of Election Commission, Justice Simon Byabakama, has refuted claims that the commission issued ballot papers to the National Resistance Movement (NRM) members a head of the just concluded bye-election in Hoima district.

The hotly contested bye-election was won by the NRM candidate Harriet Busingye who polled 33301 votes against Forum for Democratic Change flag bearer Asinansi Nyakato who garnered 28789 votes.

Upon the declaration of NRM candidate as the duly elected Woman MP of Hoima, the patron of people power, a political pressure group who doubles as the Kyadondo East MP, Robert Kyagulanyi, said the bye-election was marred with violence and high levels of election malpractices. “Security forces have for past few days been deployed in Hoima, not to keep law and order but to help Museveni and his regime rig this election.” He said

However, according to Justice Byabakama, the Electoral Commission received a report of attempted ballot stuffing at only one of the polling station where two agents for Candidate Nyakato namely, Michael Kabaziguruka and Maj. Gen. Mugisha Muntu (Rtd) reported to the commission that a voter attempted to insert pre-ticked ballot papers of an NRM candidate into the ballot box, but was intercepted by the polling constable for that station.

“The pre-ticket ballot papers should have been handed over to police for further investigation  however,  Gen. Muntu insisted that they (ballots) be handed over to the Electoral Commission. The commission assigned one of our senior legal officers to receive them, and a total of 51 ticked ballot papers were handed over to us.” He said in a statement released earlier today.

Mr. Byabakama, said there were acts of suspected forgery by some FDC supporters who made counterfeit accreditation tags and distributed them to their agents for purposes of observing the by-election.

The suspects who include Hakim Kizza a member Democratic Party (DP) and one Walakira, have since been charged with forgery before the Magistrate’s Court at Hoima and are now remanded, as investigations continue.

He warned the general public, and particularly stakeholders in the electoral process that forgery of election materials is a criminal act.

“The commission also noted with concern the abuse of social media platforms by some individuals during the electoral process. This was particularly widespread during the tallying of elections results. A lot of falsehood was disseminated, for example, fictitious results from non-existing polling stations.” He said and condemned the behavior saying it misleads the public and other stakeholders and gives voters false hope about the results.

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Man City’s Bernardo Silva charged over racist tweet

By
Agencies
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Bernardo Silva

 

Manchester City’s Bernardo Silva has been charged with misconduct by the Football Association over a controversial social media post comparing teammate Benjamin Mendy with a black cartoon character.

The Portuguese midfielder last month tweeted an image of a young Mendy alongside an image of the character representing the Spanish chocolate peanut brand Conguitos.

He deleted the post but has now been charged.

A statement from the football governing body on Wednesday said “Bernardo Silva has been charged with misconduct” in relation to a social media post on September 22.

The FA statement said it was alleged that the 25-year-old was responsible for an “aggravated breach” of FA rules because the tweet included a reference “whether expressed or implied, to race and/or colour and/or ethnic origin.”

Silva, who could face a ban, has until October 9 to respond.

On the same day as the tweet that has now resulted in an FA charge, Silva posted: “Can’t even joke with a friend these days… You guys…”

Silva last week sent a letter to the Football Association to apologise for any offence caused by the tweet and Mendy has written in support of his friend, saying he had not taken offence at the tweet.

City manager Pep Guardiola has also defended Silva and another of his team-mates, England forward Raheem Sterling, also spoke out in his defence.

Mendy and Silva have been teammates since 2016, having spent a year together at Monaco before they both moved to City the following year.

An Instagram video posted by Silva in 2018 has also attracted criticism for alleged racist undertones. In the video, being studied by the FA, Silva asks Mendy, who is dressed in black, why he is not wearing any clothes.

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Uganda to commemorate World Heart Day

By
Geoffery Serugo
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Dr. John Omagino,

The Executive Director of the Uganda Heart Institute, Dr. John Omagino, has said Uganda is set join the rest of the World to commemorate World Heart Day, geared at raising awareness about heart disease and helping the public have heart healthy lifestyles.

Cardiovascular disease which includes heart disease and stroke is responsible for 17.3 million premature deaths and this is expected to rise by 2030 to 23 million. Currently in Uganda, every 1 in 4 adults has high blood pressure.

Under the theme ‘My Heart, Your Heart’, the day’s activities will take place on October 4, 2019, at the Busoga square in Jinja District. These activities will include an awareness heart walk, aerobics. The theme according to Dr. Omongin calls to action to make your heart promise to cook and eat more healthily and doing more exercise.

He urged parents to encourage their children to be more active, say no to smoking and continue working to reduce the impact of Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) and save more lives.

 “Together we have power to reduce the burden of, and premature deaths from cardiovascular disease, helping people everywhere to live longer, better, heart-healthy lives. We therefore ask you to Make your heart promise, to eat more healthily, do exercises.” He said

He said Ugandans spent about $20 million on just travel abroad on heart-related treatment however this can be prevent through excessive exercise, aerobics and eating health food.

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Uganda’s debt stock swell by 8 %-World Bank

By
Isaiah Mwebaze
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Finance Minister; Matia Kasaija

Total external debt of low- and middle-income countries climbed 5.3 per cent to $7.8 trillion last year, while net debt flows (gross disbursements minus principal payments) from external creditors tumbled 28 per cent to $529 billion, the World Bank’s International Debt Statistics 2020 report shows.

Although on average the external debt burden of low- and middle-income countries was moderate, several countries have been on a deteriorating debt trajectory since 2009, the report indicates. The share of low- and middle-income countries with debt-to-GNI ratios below 30 per cent has shrunk to 25 per cent, down from 42 per cent ten years ago. Similarly, the share of countries with high debt-to-export ratios has climbed.

“To grow faster, many developing countries need more investment that meets their development goals,” World Bank Group President David Malpass said. “Debt transparency should extend to all forms of government commitments, both explicit and implicit. Transparency is a critical part of attracting more investment and building an efficient allocation of capital, and these are essential in our work to improve development outcomes.”

Debt stocks were driven up by a 15 per cent jump in China, fueled by investor appetite for renminbi-denominated assets. Excluding the ten largest borrowers (Argentina, Brazil, China, India, Indonesia, Mexico, the Russian Federation, South Africa, Thailand, and Turkey), external debt stocks rose 4 per cent. Uganda and other Sub-Saharan countries excluding South Africa saw debts stocks swell by 8 per cent on average in 2018, and over half the countries in the region have seen external debt stocks double since 2009.

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Africa’s key Oil and Gas territories are making big announcements at Africa Oil Week

By
George Mangula
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Uganda's Energy Minister Eng. Irene Muloni.

 

 

As ever, Africa Oil Week to take place soon in Johannesburg, South Africa will be the place for major national roadshows in the oil & gas sphere. 30 ministries including Uganda’s Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development, are taking part this year, with over 20 presenting. This is the best chance to get insider knowledge on key opportunities, legislation changes, bidding rounds and more – direct from the companies and government intimately involved in leading them.

Here are some highlights of the National Roadshows and Bidding Rounds happening this year.

National Roadshows at Africa Oil Week 2019

Sierra Leone

Sierra Leone will be announcing details of a new bidding round at Africa Oil Week 2019.

Led by the Minister of Mineral Resources Hon. Foday Rado Yokie and Timothy Kabba, Director General of the Petroleum Commission of Sierra Leone, and supported by Jonathan Copus, CEO of Getech, the nation’s delegation will be announcing the opening of a fresh round of exploration rights.

Only eight wells have been drilled there since 1982, with the latest coming from Lukoil in 2013, following three wells drilled by Anadarko (now Occidental) in 2009, 2010 and 2012.

Cameroon

The world of African oil & gas legislation requires closer scrutiny as new changes emerge. Cameroon is one nation that has recently made changes to its Petroleum Code.

Jean-Jacques KOUM, Advisor for SNH will present on how these changes will provide greater scope for operators, investors and the wider finance community to find new ground in Cameroon.

One of the key changes is tax holiday for oil and condensate development, and a further seven years for gas development. What’s more, production sharing contracts (PSCs), can be modified to allow companies to recuperate “exploration expenses” from production based on Cameroonian on or offshore acreages.

Somalia

The Horn of Africa is open for business. Somalia’s Petroleum Law and Revenue Sharing Agreement entered force in May 2019. The nation also unveiled its inaugural offshore licensing round.

Keynote speaker Hon. Abdirashid Mohamed Ahmed, Somali Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, will lay out the future of Somali oil & gas for an international audience of financiers and operators this November.

“This year is a landmark year in the development of Somalia’s natural resources,” Minister Ahmed said. “The Ministry has worked successfully with the federal member states to create and equitable and transparent framework to develop natural resources for the greater good of Somalia.”

Nigeria

No continental hydrocarbons summit would be complete without representatives from Africa’s largest oil producer. Hon. Timipre Marlin Sylva and Melee Kolo Kyari, GMD, NNPC will be leading the Nigerian delegation, and Bala Wunti, Group General Manager, Corporate Planning and Strategy, NNPC, is on hand to give the latest updates and opportunities from Nigeria.

Nigeria continues to attract significant international attention. According to the NNPC, China is emerging as one of its key partners. Data from the NOC reveals that Chinese investments in Nigeria’s oil sector have reached $16bn.

Even so, the nation is aiming at 70% indigenous participation in oil & gas projects by 2027, so there’s a lot of interest in how Nigeria’s hydrocarbons sector will develop in the coming years.

Mozambique

Mozambique represents 23% of all future African capEx, making it the second largest recipient of investment anywhere in the continent going forward. In particular, natural gas projects are set to receive a major boost – up to a potential $50bn in capital expenditure.

Following on the from the success of significant large-scale projects like Anadarko’s $20bn Mozambique LNG project, players from across the globe are turning towards Mozambique with great interest. A proposed $5bn EXIM bank loan to fuel further development is only making the nation more attractive for investors.

Forming part of the Africa Oil Week 2019 National Roadshow programme is a look at Mozambique and the promise it holds for international players. Two of the key individuals helping transform Mozambique’s oil & gas industry into something truly world class are speaking at Africa Oil Week this year. Chairman of the INP, the National Petroleum Institute, Carlos Zacharias will be there to discuss his country’s ongoing development, alongside NOC ENH’s CEO Omar Mithá.

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Winners of Standard Chartered Cup – Road to Anfield 2019 – Uganda Civil Aviation Authority flagged off to Liverpool

By
Simon Kabayo
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Uganda Civil Aviation Authority flagged off to Liverpool.

 

 

Standard Chartered Bank has today officially flagged off the Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA) football team that beat NWSC 6-0 to lift the Standard Chartered Bank Cup 2019. The once in a lifetime ‘Money Can’t Buy’ trip to UK was the grand prize for this year’s SC Cup tournament which saw 34 corporate teams participate and tussle it out for top spot at Mandela National Stadium, Namboole on Saturday, May 18, 2019

The flag off event took place at Merryland Secondary School in Entebbe and combined a soccer clinic, motivational talks and a press conference. The soccer clinic involved a Coaching session where over 100 students were trained in football and given football tips by the Bank’s sports league members and the UCAA football team in partnership with Edgars Youth Programme. The footballers also had a chance to mentor and inspire several more students at Merryland when they addressed them on various topical and inspiration issues like pursuing one’s dreams, taking risks and determination.

The team of six players will travel to Liverpool, UK on an all-expenses-paid trip by the Bank on Wednesday October 2, 2019 and return on Monday, October 7, 2019. While in Liverpool, the team will engage in the activities like;  Watching the Liverpool vs Leicester City game live at Anfield on Saturday, October 5,  2019, attending a professional training session with Liverpool Football Club Legends at the LFC academy, private tour of the Anfield stadium and LFC museum and tour Liverpool town and visit key sites

During the send-off, the UCAA team comprising of Kato Paul – Goal Keeper, Moses Mugwanya – Defender, Tonny Zziwa – defender, Steven Selubiri – Mid-fielder, John Bosco Basi -Mid-fielder, Ali Sulaiman – Striker and Fred Kadde – Striker were handed their air tickets.

The UCAA team’s representative, Andrew Wafula while addressing the press conference expressed his team’s enthusiasm and emphasized that this was a dream come true for the team that was traveling for the very first time.

“We are very pleased to be the title holders of the Standard Chartered Cup 2019 after a very stiff competition. Our boys badly wanted this win after having lost to Cipla last year so we trained harder. We would like to thank Standard Chartered Bank for organising this futsal tournament which has granted us this opportunity to travel to the UK and watch LFC play live,” hr said.

Wafula  also lauded their employer, UCAA for investing in and promoting sports in our organization. Without their support, we wouldn’t have been able to compete, train regularly as a team or even register as a corporate team so we acknowledge this opportunity resulting from that strong support. The team is looking forward to training at the Liverpool academy and of course watching the Liverpool stars at Anfield,” Wafula said.

John Mwesigye, the Chief Information Officer and Chairman Organizing committee of the SC Cup tournament at Standard Chartered Bank praised the teams for the spirited and intense fight that they displayed during the tournament that saw them crowned saying;

“We wish to congratulate CAA for winning this year’s SC cup tournament and to wish them safe travels as they prepare to depart tomorrow for Liverpool, UK. In the same spirit, I also want to appreciate them for heeding our call when we opened up the registration exercise in February. They exhibited enthusiasm by fielding two strong teams which increased their chances of winning and they also displayed great sportsmanship on the pitch.

We also want to thank all the teams that participated, it’s because of them that we still run this exciting futsal tournament. Since the inception of this tournament in 2015, it keeps growing and has registered great success with our clients who continue to embrace to and respond positively towards. We commit to continue staging this competition to benefit and reward our customers by extending our Liverpool sponsorship to them. We wish them the very best as they head to the United Kingdom to enjoy the fruits of their well-deserved win,” Mwesigye said.

Speaking at the conference, the Ag. Director General UCAA, Mr. Fred Bamwesigye expressed enthusiasm at his team’s win saying;

“CAA is honoured and grateful to Standard Chartered for giving us the opportunity to participate in the SC Cup tournament once again. At CAA we appreciate the importance of sports in promoting a strong culture, brand, engagement and motivation of our employees and we will continue to invest in our employees to avail them opportunities such as these.

We are truly excited that our players’ hard work paid off, they trained intensely the whole year with their eyes set on winning this tournament so it was a relief for them to carry the trophy at the end of the day. I appeal to our team to fly Uganda’s flag high during this visit even as they enjoy this once in a lifetime experience. We look forward to listening to the stories of what transpired on the trip and we wish you the very best,” Mr. Bamwesigye said.

The tournament is designed in a Round Robin structure which is divided into (Group Stages, Round of 16, Quarter finals, Semi Finals and the Finals).

 

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SC Villa, Vipers renew rivalry

By
Our Reporter
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players of both teams Villa and Vipers.

SC Villa Jogoo host Vipers SC in one of the league’s biggest rivalries in the StarTimes Uganda Premier League on Wednesday 2nd October at the Namboole stadium under the floodlights.

Unlike last campaign, the hosts are in different mode this time around with 10 points and find themselves second on the 16-team log although they have played two more games than 5th placed Vipers who are on seven points.

The last visit for Vipers in Namboole ended in a 3-1 victory last season and they will need to keep their momentum against a much improved Villa side.

The Jogoos have put their hopes in Ambrose Kirya and Emmanuel Kalyowa, who two goals each this season to continue and flourish. Their goals hero last season Bashir Mutanda is yet to find the back of the net.

There are no major injury concerns in the Villa camp after confirming that goalkeeper Samson Kirya returns to training from a long term injury.

The team news from Vipers; Fabien Mutombora is expected to start in goal having recovered from the fever that saw him miss the 2-2 draw with Mbarara City.

Similarly Innocent Wafula is also back and will be available for selection against the Jogoos.

Geofrey Wasswa is fully fit to make his first appearance in nine months after undergoing a knee surgery. The versatile player is expected to make the match day squad.

Farouk Musisi continues to serve his two match ban but should be available for Vipers next game against Proline FC. Aziz Kayondo returns to left back.

Karim Watambara and Frank Tumwesigye may be selected to feature having looked impressive in training.

Ibrahim Tembo returns from a compassionate leave and a decision on whether he will play will be made by the technical team.

The side could also unleash Muhammad Shaban whose debut has been delayed by a knee injury.

Stats

Overall, it’s going to be the 29th meeting between the two clubs, with Vipers commanding the lion’s share statistically having registered 12 wins, 10 Draws and only 6 losses. The Venoms have scored 37 goals, conceding 31 out of the previous 28 meetings.

Vipers has lost only once in an away fixture to SC Villa in the past seven seasons dating back from the 2012/13 football season.

Vipers lie in 5th position while SC Villa currently lead the 16 team league table with 10 points from 5 matches but the Venoms have 2 games in hand.

The Venoms biggest win over SC Villa was a 4-1 win during the 2011/12 second round fixture at Namboole Stadium whereas the heaviest defeat to the same team was a 4-0 loss which occurred in 2006 at Namboole during the Venoms debut season in the top flight league.

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Poverty rises among refugees and host communities in Uganda – World Bank report

By
Geoffery Serugo
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Tony Thompson

The newly released World Bank report, has indicated that poverty among refugees and host communities in Uganda has significantly increased.

Currently, Uganda is hosting 1.3 million refugees making it the country with the highest number of refugees in Africa and the third largest in the world. Refugees in Uganda access the same social services as their local host community and are free to move and work.

Despite feeling safe and secure in Uganda, about half of the refugee population live under extreme poverty, compared to 17 per cent of the host population.

According to the report, released by World Bank Country Manager for Uganda, Tony Thompson, West Nile region a region that hosts the Bidi-Bidi, a refugee camp with the highest number of asylum seekers, 60 per cent of refugees are poor and around 30 per cent of hosts are poor.

 “More that 54 per cent of refugees depend on humanitarian assistance as their main source of income as compared to less than two per cent for the hosts. Their inability to generate income is constrained by low levels of human capital as less than eight per cent have received skills or job training.” Reads the report.

According to Thompson, progressive and welcoming approach towards refugees is a good model for other host countries however much more is needed to improve the social and economic well being of refugees and host communities.

“The people of Uganda have been incredibly generous towards refugees, and this generosity of the host communities should be recognized by supporting them to have a higher quality of life. This study provides an evidence-based understanding of the living conditions of both refugees and hosts, which we expect will inform policy and programming for the national refugee response,” he said

The report shows that about 95 per cent of refugees and 66 per cent of hosts have access to improved water while access to electricity stands at around 50 per cent for both. Primary school enrollment is almost at par with refugees at 65 per cent and hosts at 68 per cent. Completion rates and secondary enrollment rates remain low for both populations but particularly for refugees, and the same goes for improved sanitation.

The health and healthcare access of both populations however, remains similar. More than 80 per cent of refugees and hosts reported consulting a healthcare provider when sick. Refugees are geographically closer to health centers, with at least 75 per cent traveling three kilometers to reach a healthcare center when ill, compared to 65 per cent of hosts. This is made easier by Non-Governmental Organizations that provide healthcare services for refugees within or very close to the designated refugee settlements.

The report indicates that, refugees contribute significantly to the local economy, by purchasing goods and services in the local markets and operating businesses. About one in five employees of refugee enterprises is a Ugandan and around 54 per cent sell off their crops. However, weather shock and low access to agricultural inputs constrains their productivity which makes them food insecure and to rely on humanitarian assistance.

The bank has however recommended for measures to improve self-reliance of refugees and communities that host them to enhance both their living conditions, and contribution to the Ugandan economy. These include raising the productivity of agricultural activities through the provision of inputs and extension services, as well as creating job opportunities in non-agricultural sectors.

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