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Uganda Cranes remain static in latest FIFA rankings

By
Our Reporter
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Uganda Cranes

 

Uganda Cranes have remained unchanged in the latest world football rankings released today by the world’s football governing body FIFA.

The Cranes remain placed 80th in the world with 1305 points and sit 16th in Africa.

Neighbours Kenya also remained at 107, Tanzania moved up by 2 slots to 135, Burundi settle in position 144 while Rwanda at 130. Eritrea at 207 is the lowest ranked nation in the Cecafa region.

Senegal (20), Tunisia (29), Nigeria (34), Algeria (38) and Morocco (39) are the top five countries on the continent.

Belgium remain top of the FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking after an action-packed number of weeks in international football which saw 78 friendlies, 74 continental qualifiers and 60 FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 qualifiers take place.

Though the teams in the top ten remain unchanged, there has been some movement. France (2nd, up 1) and Brazil (3rd, down 1) have traded places, while Spain (7th, up 2) are the top ten’s biggest movers.

Other notable upwardly mobile nations include Jamaica (47th, up 5) who have broken into the top 50, Republic of Ireland (28th, up 4), Russia (42nd, up 4), Guatemala (133th, up 11), Suriname (142th, up 9), Montserrat (187th, up 9) and Djibouti (186, up 9), who recently overcame Eswatini (150, down 11) over two legs to advance to the second round of African World Cup qualifying for just the second time.

The Cook Islands are not ranked in the latest standings due to not playing an international “A” match in the last four years. After their next international “A” match, they will be included in the ranking table again with their points total from July 2019 plus/minus the points won or lost in the new match.

The next FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking will be published on 24 October 2019.

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Petitioner drags ISO to IGG over Shs10b paid to illegal staff

By
Our Reporter
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Col. Frank Kaka Bagyenda who has been appointed Uganda's Ambassador to Angola.

 

A concerned Ugandan has dragged top officials of the Internal Security Organisation (ISO) to the Inspectorate of Government for allegedly paying about Shs10 billion in salaries to staff that should have retired long ago.

“Under regulation 33(1) (2) of the security organisations regulation 2018, an officer may after his or her retirement be called to render special service to the security organisation on contract for three years and shall not exceed two terms. However, the said terms which came into existence in 1987 and as amended in 2018 have suffered a setback since they are not followed at all by the leadership,” the petitioner who preferred to remain anonymous says.

The whistle blower says that in 2012, eight members of staff who were retired under the terms before their amendment in 2018 have continued to be on the establishment under non clear terms. Even when the leadership was too formalized, then their two years contract would have ended in 2008 without further renewal. This has resulted into continuation on establishment and no- compatible payments of salaries on the eight for 11 years.

He said by the end of 2016 before the amendment of terms in 2018, 37 members of staff were salted for retirement under the old terms and therefore could not be accommodated by the amended terms to qualify for pension since they were already above 60 years by 1st July 2017.

“Most of the senior management team fall under this category and Col. Don Mugimba who falls under this category has vowed to fight the implementation of the amended terms without his  category benefiting by having the terms amended again to their benefits. This means that 37 staff have been on the establishment and earning salaries for now over two years without contracts,” he says.

“in 2017 and 2018, 48 staff pending retirement under the amended terms which  means that by 1st July 2019, they were entitled to their pension and gratuity as provided for under the amended terms, but still this has remained unclear due to the insider fighting,” the petitioner says adding that 48 staff have been working  and earning a salary for now two  years without contracts.

He also says at the beginning of July 2019, 16 members of staff were due for retirement and they were entitled to their pension and gratuity as provided for under the amended terms.  However, he says, this has remained unclear due to the insider fighting and efforts to award them contracts is not forthcoming because the retirees under three consider themselves as the determinants to award contracts to themselves and others who applied for contracts but who they consider not worthwhile.

The whistle blower also notes that the pensions and gratuity funds could have been diverted by the leadership for personal gains.

When contacted for a comment, IGG, Justice Irene Mulyagonja acknowledged receiving the petition and said her office was still studying document before the launch investigations.

“It is true, I have received that petition but for now, the issues raised are being studied by our officials before we commence inquiries into them” Justice Mulyagonja said in an interview.

 

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Court dismisses libel and offensive communication cases against Drone Media journalist

By
Our Reporter
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Pidson Kareire

 

By our reporter

Makindye Chief Magistrates Court has dismissed a case in which Pidson Kareire, a Drone Media Journalist was accused of criminal libel and offensive communication by Middle East Consultants Limited, a labor export company in Uganda.

This came after HRNJ-Uganda’ counsel Daniel Walyemera prayed to court to have the matter dismissed under section 119 of the Magistrates Court Act after the prosecution lawyer Charles Nsubuga of Muwema & Co. Advocates as well as Gordon Mugyenyi, the complainant failed to appear in court for three consecutive times.

Counsel Walyemera further prayed to court for compensation and the legal costs that the accused person had incurred under section 196 of the Magistrates Courts Act which is to the effect that upon dismissal of any private prosecution by a magistrate’s court, the court may order the private prosecutor to pay to the accused person, in addition to his or her costs, a reasonable sum as compensation for the trouble and expense to which the person may have been put by reason of the charge.

However, court presided over by Grade One Magistrate Okumu Muwonge dismissed the matter for want of prosecution, but did not grant the prayer for compensation and costs, and advised that if the accused person is interested in compensation and costs, he should institute a civil suit.

“I am happy that the matter was dismissed, although I wanted compensation which was not granted. I will however file a civil suit to gain damages and costs,” said Pidson Kareire.

Middle East Consultants which instituted the matter by private prosecution alleged that Pidson Kareire published statements on the internet to the effect that they extort money from job seekers. They claimed that the statements were not true and were intended to defame and expose them to hatred, contempt and ridicule. They further contended that the statements were made with no purpose of legitimate communication and were aimed at disturbing the peace and right of privacy of Middle East Consultants.

“We welcome this new development from Court. It’s unfortunate that people with economic muscles have resorted to framing charges against journalists as a way of intimidating them from holding them accountable. We urge journalists to always carry out their work diligently without fear for intimidation notwithstanding. We also appeal to the judiciary to always exercise its independence and deliver timely justice to victims,” said the HRNJ-Uganda Executive Director, Robert Ssempala

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COMESA records annual inflation rate at 21.8% in July 2019

By
Our Reporter
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Currencey notes of Comesa members

 

 

The Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) region has recorded a 1.3 percent increase in the year-on-year inflation rate due to the escalation in prices of goods and services. This has been measured by the Harmonized Consumer Price Index (HCPI-COMESA) indicating an upsurge from 20.5 per cent recorded in June 2018 to 21.8 per cent in July 2019. However, this figure is a drop from the 22.5 per cent recorded the same time the year earlier.

According to the HCPI-COMESA monthly news release issued in Lusaka, the month-on-month inflation rate in the region stood at 3. 9 per cent for the month of July 2019, up from 2.3 per cent registered in June 2019. It was 2.9 per cent in July 2018.

The HCPI-COMESA comprises of twelve divisions of expenditure. These divisions registered the following average price changes during the month of July 2019 compared with July 2018.

Some of the items that necessitated the increase include food & non-alcoholic beverages, alcoholic beverages and tobacco clothing and footwear; housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels. Furnishings, household equipment and routine household maintenance, health ,transport, communication, recreation and culture, education, restaurants and hotels,  miscellaneous Goods and services also contributed to the rise in the figure.

Participating Member States that contribute to HCPI-COMESA registered the following rates of total inflation in July 2019 compared to July 2018:-

Burundi(+1.8 per cent); Democratic Republic of Congo (+4.1 per cent); Djibouti (+6.8 per cent); Egypt (+9.2 per cent); Ethiopia (+11.7 per cent); Kenya(+6.0 per cent); Madagascar (+4.8 per cent); Malawi (+9.6 per cent); Mauritius(+2.1 per cent); Rwanda (+1.7 per cent); Seychelles (+1.5 per cent); Sudan (+54.3 per cent); Eswatini (+1.9 per cent); Uganda (+2.6 per cent); Zambia (+10.5 per cent); and Zimbabwe (+257.2 per cent).

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Parliament approves Euro 101.8m loan for irrigation project

By
Isaiah Mwebaze
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Some farmers have borrowed money for irrigation

 

Parliament has approved a Euro 101.8 million loan to develop a solar powered irrigation and water supply system across the country.

The loan will be borrowed from the UK Export Finance (UKEF) and will go towards developing 920 water supply systems for domestic use and irrigation across the country, and will be implemented through the Ministry of Water and Environment over a three-year period.

According to MPs, many regions in Uganda have faced dire situations of drought and have often failed to access water to support agriculture that is a major source of livelihood, as well as water for basic human survival.

“We need this loan because our farmers urgently need irrigation projects in their areas. The drought has affected some communities so hard that people borrow water from each other to survive each day,” said Bukooli Central MP Solomon Silwany

Kumi Municipality MP, Monicah Amoding, said the loan would support people in arid areas to attain access to water but called for parity in distribution of the project.

“Teso region is a dry area and we do not often get rain, that is why this project will go a long way in supporting our people but there must equal distribution of the irrigation pumps that will be set up countrywide,” she said.

The Chairperson of the Committee on National Economy, Syda Bbumba, said that the goal of the project is to improve the quality of life and livelihoods of the population through enhanced agricultural production and increased access to safe water.

“The project will benefit youth and women and will empower them economically through increased production from irrigated growth of high value crops. The project will create more jobs in the agricultural sector and also reduce walking distances,” she said.

Some MPs, however, raised concerns that could likely hinder the progress of the project when the loan is approved, including among others, the availability of land on which to set up the irrigation schemes.

“We have a problem of landholding in Uganda that has affected water production. This project is welcome but we need to advise our people against land fragmentation that could impact on this project,” said Jonam County Emmanuel Ongiertho

The House also tasked Government to present a clear report on the performance of a previously approved loan to support water projects across the country, and suggested the project ought to target areas that actively engaged in agricultural production.

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Mubiru names final Cranes squad to play Burundi in CHAN 2020 qualifier

By
Our Reporter
-
Cranes players in training

 

 

Uganda Cranes interim head coach Abdallah Mubiru has confirmed 18 players that will travel to Burundi for the first leg of the second round of the 2020 African Nations Championship (CHAN) qualifiers.

The team was named after days of intense residential training which climaxed with a friendly match against the Hippos that ended in a goalless draw.

Joel Madondo (Busoga United), Paul Mucureezi (Mbarara City, David Owori (SC Villa), Saidi Kyeyune, (URA FC) Mugabi Yasin (Wakiso Giants), Benson Tahomera (Kyetume FC) and Galiwango Arafat (Police FC) are the players who miss out on the final squad.

The most notable inclusion is KCCA FC forward Sulaiman Mike Mutyaba who last played for the Cranes in 2014 in a world cup qualifier match against Liberia. He had retired in February 2017 but made a U-turn in 2018 when called coach Mike Mutebi recalled him.

FUFA Executive Committee member Rogers Mulindwa is the head of delegation.

Uganda Cranes eliminated Somalia in the first round of the qualifiers with a resounding 7-2 aggregate win.

The first leg will be played on 20th September in Bujumbura and the 2nd leg on 18th October 2019 in Kampala.

The aggregate winner over the two legs will qualify for the final tournament in 2020 that will be staged in Cameroon.

Uganda Cranes are seeking for their fifth appearance at the 16-team tournament, having played at four CHAN champions in 2011 (Sudan), 2014 (South Africa), 2016 (Rwanda) and lately 2018 (Morocco).

The competing national teams in this championship must be composed of only players playing in their domestic league. That is, a Ugandan player is only eligible to play for the Uganda Cranes if he is playing for a Ugandan club.

Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have won it twice, holding it the most times while Morocco are the defending champions.

The competition will be hosted between January and February 2020 in Cameroon. It is held after every two years.

Squad:

Goalkeepers: Alitho James, Charles Lukwago

Outfield players: Halid Lwaliwa, Mustafa Kizza, Paul Willa, John Revita, Paul Patrick Mbowa, Bright Anukani, Nicholas Kasozi, Musitafa Mujuzi, Shafiq Kagimu Kuchi, Allan Okello, Muzamiru Mutyaba, Yusuf Ssozi, Dan Muzeyi Serunkuma, Mike Mutyaba, Fahad Bayo Aziz, Viane Ssekajjugo

 

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China to tap pork reserves as swine fever hits industry

By
Agencies
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Pork meat

 

 

China is set to release pork supplies from its central reserves as it moves to tackle soaring prices and shortages caused by an outbreak of swine fever.

A state-owned firm will auction 10,000 tonnes of frozen pork from its strategic reserves on Thursday.

China, the world’s biggest producer and consumer of pork, has struggled to control the spread of the disease.

Beijing has slaughtered more than 1 million pigs in a bid to contain the incurable pig virus.

The highly contagious disease is not dangerous to humans, but has hit China’s crucial pig-farming industry and driven up costs for consumers.

Pork prices jumped 46.7% in August on a year earlier, official figures showed.

In a bid to stabilise prices, a state-owned company that manages the pork reserves will auction imported frozen pork from countries including Denmark, France, the US and UK.

Only 300 tonnes will be sold to each bidder at the auction.

China created its strategic pork reserve in 2007 but the size of the stockpile is unclear.

How important is pork in China?

Pork is one of China’s main food staples and accounts for more than 60% of the country’s meat consumption. The industry produced close to 54 million tonnes of pork last year.

Higher pork prices have put a strain on household incomes, putting a fresh drag on an already slowing Chinese economy.

The meat is used widely in Chinese festivals, and the pork auction comes as the country prepares to celebrate a week-long national holiday for the 70th anniversary of the People’s Republic of China.

 

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Uganda’s coffee exports rise 1.67% in August

By
George Mangula
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Uganda coffee

 

According to Uganda Coffee Development Authority (UCDA),  coffee exports for eleven months of 2018/19 coffee year (October 2018 to August 2019) totaled to 4,078,069 bags worth US $400 million compared to 4,010,922 bags worth US $433 million the previous year,  an increase of 1.67 per cent in quantity and a drop of 7.66 per cent in value respectively.

Coffee exports in August 2019 amounted to 489,184 60-kilo bags worth US$ 46.34 million. This comprised 414,940 bags of Robusta worth US $38.09 million) and 74,244 bags of Arabica worth (US $8.25 million). “This was an increase in both quantity and value of 40.19 per cent and 29.87 per cent respectively from the same month last year,” says UCDA.

By comparing quantity of coffee exported by type in the same month of last coffee year (August 2018 and 2019), Robusta registered a percentage increase both in quantity and value OF 39.76 per cent and 30.05 per cent respectively.

Arabica exports also registered a percentage increase in both quantity and value of (42.64 per cent and 33.70 per cent respectively.

Coffee exports for the first two months (Financial year 2019/20) amounted to 952,893 60-kilo bags worth US$ 91.04 million compared to 741,974 60-kilo bags worth US$ 76.37 million the previous year, a 28.42 per cent and 19.22 per cent increase in both quantity and value respectively.

UCDA attributes the increase in production to a big main crop from South western region and exporters releasing their Robusta stocks to fulfill their contractual obligations.

Uganda’s coffee exports in September are projected to be 370,000 bags as the main harvest season in Greater Masaka and Greater Bushenyi is at its tail. “Actors are expecting a good main and fly harvests on account of favourable weather in 2019,” UCDA says.

Meanwhile, world coffee exports amounted to 11.34 million bags in July 2019, compared with 10.36 million in July 2018. Exports in the first 10 months of coffee year 2018/19 (Oct/18 to July/19) increased by 10.2 per cent to 109.41 million bags compared to 99.28 million bags in the same period in 2017/18.

Global coffee consumption is estimated to grow by 2.1 per cent to 164.77 million bags in coffee year 2018/19. Despite the ongoing demand growth, a global production surplus of five million bags is expected in coffee year 2018/19.

 

 

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CAF sets date for AFCON U-23 draw

By
Our Reporter
-
CAF super cup

 

The historical Montaza Complex in the Egyptian city of Alexandria will host the draw of the final tournament for the Total U-23 Africa Cup of Nations Egypt 2019 on Thursday, 3 October 2019 at the Haramlek Palace.

The tournament will run from November 8th to 22nd this year.

The eight teams namely host Egypt, Cameroon, Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana, Mali, Nigeria, South Africa and Zambia will know the identity of their opponents at the iconic 19th century palace, built on a high hill and overlooking the beautiful beaches of Alexandria.

Uganda were eliminated at the 2nd round of the preliminary stages by South Sudan in November 2018 with a 2-1 aggregate win. Mustafa Kizza scored Uganda’s only goal.

Only players born after January 1st 1997 are eligible to take part in the tourney.

The representatives of the qualified teams are expected to be in attendance for the event that will set the tone for the final tournament scheduled for 8-22 November 2019.

The Egyptian capital, Cairo will host all games with matches at the Cairo International Stadium and Al Salam Stadium.

The top three finishers at the final tournament will qualify to represent Africa at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.

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Uganda to mark World Food Day

By
Our Reporter
-
Food-items in Ugandan market.

 

 

Uganda is  set to join the rest of the World in commemorating the World Food Day that calls for action across sectors to make healthy and sustainable diets affordable and accessible to everyone.

The day will be held under the theme ‘Our Actions are Our Future. Healthy diets for a Zero Hunger Uganda’ and the commemoration will be marked at the Bulindi Zonal Agricultural Research and Development Institute in Hoima District on the 16th of October.

According to the State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World 2018 report, an estimated 821 million people suffered from chronic hunger in 2017 of which 60 percent of the world’s hungry are women.

The activities in Uganda are coordinated by the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF), the National Agricultural Research Organisation (NARO) in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations.

Agriculture ministry notes that 70 percent of the world’s extreme poor live in rural areas. Most of them depend on agriculture. Hunger kills more people every year than malaria, tuberculosis and AIDS combined and about 45 percent of infant deaths are related to under nutrition. Stunting still affects 151 million children under the age of five years.

To meet demand, according to ministry of agriculture, in 2050, the sector will need to produce almost 50 percent more food, feed and biofuel than it did in 2012. One third of the food produced worldwide is lost or wasted. Food losses and waste amount to roughly US$ 680 billion in industrialized countries and US$ 310 billion in developing countries, or nearly US$ 1 trillion in total.

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