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BoU money saga: Kasekende reportedly says he can’t appear before CID for interrogation

By
Our Reporter
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Former BoU Deputy Governor, Dr. Louis Kasekende.

Uganda Police’s Directorate of Criminal Investigation and Crime Intelligence (CID) headed by Assistant Inspector General of Police, Grace Akullo, continues to quiz Bank of Uganda (BoU) and other officials in relation to the ongoing currency consignment scandal.

However, sources at CID say the BoU Deputy Governor Dr Louis Kasekende has told them he won’t appear before them for questioning on grounds that he was not involved in the saga and that he is above the level of the officials to be questioned as regards the matter.

“He has indicated to us that he is not supposed to appear, his juniors who were involved in the saga having appeared,” a source said, adding that the inquiry is likely as well to contact BoU Governor Prof Emmanuel Tumusiime-Mutebile, who said days ago that he called in State House’s Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU) after detecting an anomaly in the consignment of the currency.

Despite Kasekende’s alleged plea that he won’t go to Kibuli for questioning by the CID, Akullo’s department is to ensure effective detection, investigation and prevention of crime in Uganda and it is the reason why it is working with ACU to dig deep into saga where BoU officials, some of them now behind bars, are said to have printed extra currency in Germany as they were sent to pick the Uganda Shilling notes.

Last Friday, two BoU officials were charged at Anti-Corruption court sitting at Kololo Kampala, on allegations of inclusion of unauthorised cargo on BoU chartered plane.

Francis Kakeeto, a branch manager at Mbale and Fred Wanyama were charged with abuse of office and in alternative corruption which they have both denied before magistrate Herbert Asiimwe.

Prosecution informed court that on April 26, 2019 between France, Belgium and Entebbe airport, the duo while on assignment by their employer to carry out a pre-shipment inspection of printed materials in France, in abuse of the authority to offices did an arbitrary act prejudicial to the interest of their employer and allowed the inclusion of unauthorised case on a cargo plane fully chartered by BoU.

And in the alternative, it’s alleged that they failed to refute and report the inclusion of unauthorised cargo on a plane fully chartered by BoU.

The development at BoU suggest there are factions within the central bank, one controlled by Kasekende and another controlled by Mutebile. However, Mutebile looks like he has lost direction and hold onto the mantle at BoU because the latest development indicate it is Kasekende in charge of operations of the central bank.

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Kyabazinga rewards Busoga kingdom’s achievers

By
Isaiah Mwebaze
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His Majesty William Gabula Nadiope IV and Speaker of Parliament Rebecca Kadaga

The Isebantu Kyabazinga of Busoga Kingdom, His Majesty William Gabula Nadiope IV over the weekend held a royal banquet in honour of the Kingdom’s sons and daughters who have excelled in different fields.

Speaking at the ceremony, the Kyabazinga noted that it was time for Busoga to acknowledge efforts by the different sons and daughters who have immensely contributed to the region’s development and promotion of unity.

The Kyabazinga, said the banquet would become a regular feature on the annual calendar to thank individuals and organizations that have a competitive edge over others in the service of humanity.

The King revealed that this year’s theme was ‘enhancement of the girl child’s education’ because future mothers, who are educated and skilled, would definitely expunge poverty from the region.

Speaker of parliament who was among the awardees descried failure by the central government, institutions and individuals to fight environmental degradation.

“Heavy rains and winds which have recently culminated in loss of lives, houses, gardens, and other property stemmed from collective failure on afforestation. The cutting of trees, with abandon, and without attraction of any sanctions is unacceptable, “she said citing an example of Ethiopia that embarked on afforestation, a decade ago, it ensured that 12million trees were planted annually. Today, she boasts of more than 120 million new trees.

The speaker also urged the kingdom leadership and people of Busoga to walk the talk of afforestation. She too revealed that there is need for documenting of a book that showcases tangible contribution to regional, national and international advancement by individuals from Busoga.

Earlier in the day, the Kyabazinga decorated awardees at Bugembe to a mammoth crowd.

The Categories are three and they include;

The Sir William Wilberforce Gabula Nadiope II Medal for distinguished service to Humanity. Awarded to men and organizations which have transformed the lives of many.

The Source of the Nile (Eninha ya Kiira) Medal awarded to achievers and innovative People and Organizations whose deeds promote and preserve the pride of Busoga.

The Omwoyo Gwa Busoga Medal awarded to exemplary people and organizations which diligently protect, nurture and uphold Busogas culture, heritage and selflessness.

The maiden awardees were long serving clerk to council of Busoga Lukiiko elderly Patrick J Mwondha (Omwoyo Gwa Busoga), Abasoga Nseete (Omwoyo Gwa Busoga), inaugural Busoga Premier Keith Mutengu (Omwoyo Gwa Busoga), Eng F G Mulyagonja, (Omwooyo gwa Busoga), Busoga Kingdom Anthem composer Arthur W Musulube (Eninha ya Kiira or source of the Nile medal ), Quiin Abenakyo,(Eninha ya Kiira),His Lordship Samuel William Waako Wambuzi,(Eninha ya Kiira).

Others are Sheik Dactoor Abdu Qadir Muwaya, (Sir W Gabula Nadiope II), Owek Daudi Kintu Mutekanga, (Sir W Gabula Nadiope II), Owek Yekonia Menhya Kibedi Zirabamuzale Kyedumira, (Sir W Gabula Nadiope II), Rt Rev Bishop Dr Cyprian K Bamwoze (Sir WWGN II), HE Specioza Naigaga Ohtana ekyeru Wandira ,(SWW GN II) with Rt Hon Rebecca Alitwala Kadaga (Sir WW GABULA NADIOPE II) making the final list.

The Kyabazinga accompanied by Kadaga among other guests and royals later opened the dance at an event partly sponsored by MTN.

At the same Banquet, the Kingdom Premier Dr. Joseph Muvawala launched the official portrait of the Kyabazinga and Kingdom Certificate. He asked government to return Busoga Kingdom’s properties to bolster its financial muscle.

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Coca-Cola, China dairy firm sign joint Olympic sponsorship deal

By
Agencies
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Officials of the two companies after signing the deal.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC), The Coca-Cola Company and China Mengniu Dairy Company Ltd today announced that they have signed the first-ever Joint TOP Partnership Agreement. The partnership combines the non-alcoholic beverage and the dairy categories into a new joint category, and brings Chinese dairy company Mengniu into the family of Worldwide TOP Partners.

The new joint agreement has a 12-year term running through to the Olympic Games 2032. The agreement includes unprecedented investment in traditional and digital media to promote the Olympic values globally.

This agreement extends The Coca-Cola Company’s association with the Olympic Movement to a historic 104-year-long relationship. The Coca-Cola Company is the longest continuous Partner of the Olympic Games.

Mengniu becomes the first Chinese fast-moving consumer goods company to become a TOP Partner. The Joint TOP partnership supports Mengniu’s ambitious international growth plans, with the company aiming to become one of the top dairy producers in the world by 2025.

IOC President Thomas Bach said: “This long-term agreement is another demonstration of the relevance and stability of the Olympic Games in these times of uncertainty. Having our longest-standing partner, Coca-Cola, an iconic American brand, together with a young Chinese company, Mengniu, joining hands under the roof of our Worldwide TOP Programme is a great example of the unifying power of the Olympic spirit. This partnership will give another dimension to the promotion of the Olympic values around the world.”

ames Quincey, Chairman and CEO of The Coca-Cola Company, said: “We are honoured and privileged to be a part of the Olympic Movement that makes it possible for athletes from all over the world to come together to represent their nations, pursue their dreams and be a part of history. A lot has changed since we sold the first Coca-Cola at an Olympic event in 1928. With a fresh approach to our business and to our sponsorship, we are proud to join with Mengniu to promote and celebrate future Olympic Games.”

Jeffrey Lu, CEO and Executive Director of Mengniu, said: “Membership of the TOP Programme will act as a catalyst for Mengniu to grow around the world. This is a vital step in our international strategy, and we are honoured to have the opportunity to build the positive reputation of Chinese food and beverage brands among consumers globally. As a Worldwide TOP Partner, we look forward to using the unrivalled platform of the Olympic Games to promote health and joy to Olympians and fans alike.”

Worldwide Olympic Partners support every National Olympic Committee and their teams, and every Organiser of the Olympic Games, as well as providing support for athletes’ training and development. In addition, they promote the ideals and values of the Olympic Movement and help create memorable experiences for spectators and fans around the world.

The Coca-Cola Company has had a presence at the Olympic Games since the 1928 Games in Amsterdam. With its current agreement with the IOC ending in 2020. The Coca-Cola Company will now continue its partnership with this new Joint TOP agreement through to the Olympic Winter Games 2022 in Beijing, the Olympic Games 2024 in Paris, the Olympic Winter Games 2026, the Olympic Games 2028 in Los Angeles, and the Olympic Games 2030 and 2032. The host city for the Olympic Winter Games 2026 will be named later today.

The Joint TOP agreement also includes marketing rights for the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) and the Paralympic Games through the IOC-IPC long-term collaboration agreement, as well as for the Youth Olympic Games.

Olympic marketing programmes are based on the fundamental principle of exclusivity within a specific product category and territory. The current Beijing 2022 domestic partner’s exclusive rights in its designated category in the Chinese market will not be affected.

Jiri Kejval, IOC Marketing Commission Chair, said: “We are very excited to continue our relationship with our long-standing Partner Coca-Cola for many years to come, and to begin working with Mengniu. The agreement represents an unprecedented commitment to support the IOC to engage young people and promote the Olympic values around the world. We are also delighted to bring another Chinese company to the Worldwide Olympic Partner family as part of this collaboration.”

Bea Perez, Chief Public Affairs, Communications, Sustainability and Marketing Assets Officer for The Coca-Cola Company, said: “We’ve been a part of bringing so many incredible moments to Olympic Games fans over the years – moments that have been inspired by the pursuit of excellence, the possibility of opportunities, the spirit of competition, and a vision for a better world. With the past 90 years as our foundation, we can’t help but be excited for what the future holds.”

Yong Zhang, Vice-President of Strategy at Mengniu, added: “The Olympic Movement and Mengniu are naturally aligned. We both aim to bring health and joy to people, and Mengniu’s brand advocates ‘Born for Greatness’ – another natural fit with the Olympic values. Mengniu reaches hundreds of millions of consumers worldwide and will encourage more people to follow and participate in the Olympic Movement, while also contributing ‘China’s strength’ to the global development of the Olympic cause and successful hosting of future Olympic Games.”

The International Olympic Committee is a not-for-profit independent international organisation made up of volunteers, which is committed to building a better world through sport. It redistributes more than 90 per cent of its income to the wider sporting movement, which means that every day the equivalent of 3.4 million US dollars goes to help athletes and sports organisations at all levels around the world.

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Court finds businessman Ssebuwufu guilty of murdering his client Donah Katushabe

By
Geoffery Serugo
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Late Donah Katushabe. Inset is Muhammad Ssebuwufu

High Court judge, Flavia Anglin Ssenoga, has 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.

One of the witnesses said he reached the crime scene and saw Ssebuwufu kicking and boxing the late Donah on the breasts and in her private parts. The convicted have however been remanded to Luzira till July 1, 2019 when they will be sentenced.

Ms Katushabe was reportedly tortured on October 21, 2015, at Pine Car Bond on Lumumba Avenue in Kampala and later killed by a group of people led by city businessman Muhammad Sebuwufu, a dealer in second hand cars and owner of Pine car bond on Lumumba Road, after the deceased failed to clear a debt of Shs9 million.

Court records indicate that Katusabe acquired a Toyota Premio registration number UAX 481H from Ssebuwufu at sh17 million and remitted sh8 million thereby remaining with a balance of sh9 million debt with is said to have caused her murder.

The seven found guilty include; Paul Tasingika, Shaban Odutu alias Golola, Philip Mirambe, Kayiza Godfrey, Stephen Lwanga, Yoweri Kitayimbwa, and Damaseni Ssentongo.

Initially, they were battling the charges together with former Kampala Central Police Station commander, Aaron Baguma but his charges were dropped at the commencement of the trial last year.

In January last year, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has today withdrawn all murder charges brought against the former Central Police Station (CPS) District Police Commander (DPC) Superintendent of Police (SP), Aaron Baguma, charged in relation to the murder of businesswoman Donah Katushabe.

In 2016 Katushabe’s relatives wrote to DPP requesting that charges against SP Baguma be dropped, owing to the support he had rendered the family of the deceased, which, among others, includes facilitating the relatives to meet the Inspector General of Police (IGP) General Kale Kayihura.

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The Power of Storytelling

By
Guest Writer
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Dr. Victor Oladokun

I’ve always been fascinated with stories. It’s one of the reasons why in high school I jettisoned physics, chemistry, and math in favor of literature and history. The decision has served me well in my media and communication career.

I realized early on – to quote the poet Muriel Rukeyser – that “the universe is made up of stories, not atoms”.

The truth is, stories are not loaded with hard data but rather with something more powerful: emotional data. That’s why we remember good stories long after we first hear them.

Jesus was a master storyteller. At the age of 12, he theologically confounded the teachers in the Temple. But it was his capacity to tell stories that deeply stirred the souls of those who followed him. He wove familiar elements that his audience could relate to into his stories – pastures, hills, farmers, sheep, oil and lamps, coins, bandits and highway robbers, etc.

In workshops, seminars, or conferences on public speaking or communication, my advice is always simple. “Don’t complicate your presentation. Tell stories. Your audience will thank and remember you for it.”

Whether in journalism, public speaking, or business presentations, the most effective speakers tell stories. What sets them apart is an innate understanding of the needs of their audiences. They know how to connect on an emotional and sensory level, rather than a cerebral one. How do they do it? Stories.

Sports legend and entrepreneur Magic Johnson, the world’s richest man Jeff Bezos, Virgin Atlantic Founder Richard Branson, and Kenyan Pan-Africanist lawyer Patrick Lumumba, distinguish themselves by their amazing storytelling abilities. They connect on a powerful and emotional level when they speak.

Why are stories important and so powerful?

Simply because oral tradition has been a part of our DNA for millennia. We are addicted to stories, especially in a digital world of social media dominated by Instagram, twitter, WhatsApp and Facebook. And because stories help bring issues into sharp focus.

Stories are also important because every single one of us is looking for answers. We connect with appropriate and authentic stories that help us build bonds and bridges. Stories help us recognize that our own experiences are not necessarily unique. Stories help us understand that we are not alone as we navigate this journey called life.

Good stories should always have three key elements:

*Honesty, authenticity, and vulnerability:* Audiences can tell a fake from a mile away. Your unique life experiences have prepared you well. Tell your stories.

*Inspiration:* Life is tough. Your speech or presentation should be a lift and not a burden. Give your audience something to believe in. Inspire them to want to change their world one life at a time.

*Clear Lesson:* Before you deliver your speech or presentation, ask yourself, “what is the key takeaway? What’s the lesson I want my audience to leave with? Is it clear and easily understood? Is my logic sequential? Does the story fit the circumstance and needs of the audience? Does it resonate?

As Plato once said, “those who tell stories rule society.”

Stories make us laugh. They make us cry. They help change the way we think, perceive and act. They enlighten and provide new insights. They teach values and pass on ancient wisdom. Revolutions have changed nations on account of the narrative-changing power of stories.

Most importantly, stories transcend the mind and speak deeply to the heart.

Your authentic story is your power.

Dr. Victor Oladokun is the Director of Communication and External Relations at the African Development Bank.

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Continental forum to honour President Sall as “Africa Oil Man of Year”

By
Our Reporter
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Africa Oil & Power, the continent’s premier platform for energy investment and policy, will in October present ‘Africa Oil Man of the Year’ award to Senegalese president Macky Sall at its annual Oil and Power conference in Cape Town, South Africa.  Sall is renowned for his efforts to revive Senegal’s economy and create an attractive market for oil and gas. Sall will provide a keynote address at Africa Oil & Power 2019.

Sall will be presented the award during the conference, during which he will also present the keynote address.

Senegal is a global hotspot for oil and gas discoveries — well-known as the place in Africa to make major oil and gas finds, due in large part to a decades-long campaign by Sall to improve transparency, create an attractive investment environment and spark new growth.

“As African countries across the continent aim to spur growth and diversify economically, Senegal is a prime example of a country making energy work — creating an enabling environment for business to succeed, attracting huge international investments, while providing for a strong local capacity and downstream investment options,” said Guillaume Doane, CEO of Africa Oil & Power. “H.E. Macky Sall is one of Africa’s top leaders, not just in oil and gas, but as an advocate for overall economic success. We are honored to present him this award.”

Sall first worked as the CEO of Petrosen from 2000 – 2001, before becoming the country’s Minister of Mines Energy and Hydraulics in 2001. After a long political career in Senegal, Sall was elected president of Senegal in 2012, and pushed through a series of reforms to revive Senegal’s economy and attract international investors.

“In a continent where border disputes have held back the development of offshore resources, President Macky Sall insists on a more productive outcome. He worked with his counterpart of Mauritania, H.E. Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz, to secure an agreement to jointly develop offshore resources for the mutual benefit of both countries,” said Jude Kearney, former Deputy Assistant Secretary for Service Industries and Finance at the U.S. Department of Commerce during the Clinton Administration and currently President of Kearney Africa Advisors.

This form of agreement represents the best practice for the development of cross-border resources, and in this particular case is based on the landmark Frigg Agreement of 1976 between the UK and Norway. That case showed that when leaders work together resources can be developed peacefully to benefit the people of both nations.

“The agreement between Mauritania and Senegal paved the way for the development of the Tortue field through cross-border unitisation, with a 50%-50% initial split of costs, production, and revenue, as well as a mechanism for future equity redeterminations based on field performance. It takes leadership, vision and foresight to get this done”. Continued Kearney

Today, Senegal has one of the fastest growing economies in the world, and is the fastest growing economy in West Africa. Sall has closely guided the development two multi-billion dollar oil projects off the coast of Senegal — the world-class SNE oilfield and the Greater Tortue/Ahmeyim gas project. The Greater Tortue project reached FID in December of 2018, and has already awarded several initial contracts, including the EPCIC contract for the development of the needed FPSO to Technip for an estimated $500 million to $1billion. The SNE oilfield is expected to reach FID this year. Both projects are scheduled to start producing export revenues in the early 2020s.

To ensure the country’s new oil revenue will directly benefit the country, Sall advocated for a new hydrocarbons code, which was approved by the national assembly this year, and he also created the agency Cos-Petrogaz to oversee the oil and gas sector and issue licenses. Other reforms aimed at promoting transparency included limiting the presidential terms from seven years to five years, to be renewed once, and launching the Emerging Senegal Plan in 2014, which provides detailed planning for Senegal’s continued social and economic development.

The fourth annual Africa Oil & Power, to be held from Oct. 9-11 in Cape Town, has a theme of “Make Energy Work” that will focus on how oil, gas and power can generate greater opportunities for the people of African nations and stimulate sustainable economic growth.

Africa Oil & Power industry leaders will celebrate Sall’s notable achievements and spark conversations on Making Energy Work throughout the continent.

The last recipient of this award was OPEC Secretary General, Mohammed Sanusi Barkindo. Barkindo guided OPEC through one of its most turbulent periods, with a sustained oil price decline and a loss in global market share. He is credited with restoring market stability on a global scale through the landmark deal between OPEC and non-OPEC members to cut oil production.

Attachments area

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Fighting corruption: Massive staff changes at URA customs department

By
Our Reporter
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The Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) has made changes in its human resource personnel, where 66 staff in the customs department have been transferred to new work stations across the country.

The transfer of the staff was done by Dickens Kateshumbwa, the URA Commissioner Customs, who also appointed five staff as in-charges of bonds.

The communique concerning the latest staff transfer in URA was released on June 21, 2019 even though Kateshumbwa in that message said most the affected staff would be at their new work stations on July 1, 2019. Five of the transferred staff will be at their new work stations on August 1, 2019.

Though Kateshumbwa did not give the reasons as to why he carried out the transfer of staff, other sources told this website that is one of the ways of fighting corruption in the sense that when some workers when over stay in a location they form syndicates with others in the private sector to dodge paying a fraction or all the taxes charged on some items.

List of affected URA staff

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KAGAME Full Interview: We were ready to mess up Uganda in April…Uganda is involved in supporting armed groups against us

By
Our Reporter and Agencies
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President of Rwanda Paul Kagame speaks during a press conference in the Ugandan capital, Kampala on December 12, 2011 a day after he received the Lifetime Achievement Award for inspiring the young generation in Africa to desire for change and better life. Rwandan President Paul Kagame rejected allegations that his government was behind the killing in Kampala earlier this month of a journalist critical of his government. "That is merely one of the assumptions and I don't think we need to work on just one assumption and neglect the facts. It is wrong, absolutely wrong," Kagame told journalists at a press conference. AFP PHOTO/Michelle SIBILONI (Photo credit should read MICHELLE SIBILONI/AFP/Getty Images)

German newspaper, Taz interviewed Rwandan President Paul Kagame on the sidelines of an international conference in Brussels, Belgium mid this week. He responded to Rwanda-Uganda relations among other issues of regional significance.

 

Read on,

 

TAZ: Mr President, you came to Brussels for the European Development Days. What was your message?

 

Paul Kagame: It is not the first time I came to the European Development Days. This time the topic was sustainable development goals, focusing on how we fight inequality. So it was of interest to us. How does development become sustainable when there is inequality at the same time? It should be inclusive, narrowing the gaps. It is what we are trying to do in our country. That is what this partnership between Europe and Africa is all about.

 

Until recently, you were the chairman of the African Union. What were the main achievements under your presidency of the organisation?

 

I combined a number of things. Before I became chairman of the African Union, I had been selected by the African Union to lead the reform process. I still continue with the active role of seeing through the reforms. Most of the reforms will be on the agenda in the forthcoming summit in Niamey (Niger). The continental Free Trade Area is going to be in effect because the number of signatories and ratifications has reached the point that allows it to be in effect. I am chairman of the East African Community (EAC) as well. I have been working on some important integration issues, like the formation of an air transport common market.

 

At the same time, we have seen tension between Rwanda and your neighbour Uganda. What’s the current situation? To what extent do these tensions affect trade and the economy in the EAC?

 

Any tension will necessarily affect the stability of the economy, of trade, of all kinds of things. There is no question about it. That’s why we don’t need tension at all. But with politics (smile), we always see these things in any part of the world! We have had an easy relationship during many years. Tension comes and goes. We hope one day we can get rid of it forever. This time around is part of this history. We have seen Uganda getting involved in supporting (armed) groups against us because they (in Kampala) think we don’t stand for the interests of Uganda. They just don’t appreciate that Rwanda has a different government and would wish Rwanda to pay allegiance to them, something like that.

 

Some of it is not very visible. We see people being arrested in Uganda. We have Rwandese in their hundreds, actually in prison in Uganda. Uganda keeps telling all kinds of stories, they say these people are there illegally, that these are spies … And we have raised this because we have collected information about it and then they say: how do you know these details? It is because you (Rwandan government officials) have people here (in Uganda) and in fact they (the Ugandan officials) say they are against us. But the arrests have been indiscriminate: they arrest women, men, young people, they even picked some pupils from schools. The last time I met with (Ugandan president) Museveni I said these accusations have no credibility. Two hundred people were arrested, they failed to charge even one. That shows the magnitude of the problem. That resulted in fact in us telling people not to go to Uganda. And we cannot tell Uganda what to do. We have asked them, we have begged them, we have even told them it’s ok, if you have people in custody who committed offences, bring them to the courts of law, don’t keep them in prison. People come and tell us they have been in prison for nine months or a year, for nothing. But we have kept calm. People fear fighting between us. I don’t see it coming because I think Uganda understands the cost of it. We don’t want to go down that road because everyone will lose something.

 

You warned Uganda in April. You said “if you mess up, we will mess up big time“…

 

Yes, (meaning) if you cross the border. You can do whatever you want on your territory, like arresting people. But if they crossed our border and wanted to do things in our territory – that’s what I meant.

 

On Tuesday, the former Prime Minister Twagiramungu…

 

Is he still living? (laughter)

 

He is still alive. In a press conference in Brussels, held while you were addressing the European Development Days, he was blaming you for these tensions with Kampala…

 

He would blame me for everything! He is blaming me for taking refuge in Belgium. I didn’t chase him ! There is no case against him.

 

Faustin Twagiramugu and Paul Rusesabagina’s group made a call for unity of the opposition. What do you make of this?

 

They are a creation of the media more than anything (laughter). These things have been there forever. So, I don’t look at one side as the media does. I look at all sides. There were more people at the place where we were, ten times more than for Twagiramungu’s group, getting aware about the progress Rwanda is making. And I am looking at those Rwandans, saying what we are doing is what we should be doing. This is for me the message. Secondly: These people, Twagiramungu and Rusesabagina, they are there in Europe, using the generosity of the Belgians, turning themselves into democrats, civil society that is fighting for freedom. But they are just a bunch of hooligans! OK, but I can understand also Europeans sometimes, and I forgive them. It is like they are looking at Rwanda’s progress, they don’t like Kagame for whatever reason and they can’t stop us making progress, and there is nothing they can do about Kagame. So they think the best way to attack is to back this group

 

 

 

Concerning regional integration, President Félix Tshisekedi of the DRC said Congo would apply to become a member of the East African Community…

 

I think it is a good thing! When an African country asks to be part of an organisation like the East African Community, I think it is a welcome thing, because in that we gain as a country, as a region.

 

You would support it?

 

I would absolutely support it!

 

You recently attended the funeral ceremonies for the DRC President’s father, the late Étienne Tshisekedi, in Kinshasa. Can we expect greater collaboration between Kinshasa and Kigali?

 

I think so. It is already happening. For example, we asked the previous government of President Kabila to have our airline Rwandair to connect Kigali and Kinshasa. And they refused. I didn’t understand why. It was just politics. Under Tshisekedi they have allowed the flights. And the traffic is huge. The plane is always full. We can’t even have enough! So it shows already a very positive thing. We are even formalizing defence and security cooperation so that we deal with troublemakers along our border.

 

 

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2019 Afcon: LoP excited, wishes Uganda Cranes good luck

By
Boses Muhinda
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Gulu Woman Member of Parliament and Leader of Opposition in Parliament, Betty Aol Ocan, is excited and has wished the Uganda Cranes good luck as the team prepares to take on neighbours DR Congo this evening in the second Group A match of the 2019 African Cup of Nations in Egypt.

 

“Good luck and God’s blessings to Team Uganda, the Cranes,” she posted on her Facebook page where she went ahead to congratulate the team upon reaching the biennual continental showpiece.

 

“I congratulate the Uganda Cranes team upon reaching the Afcon tournament. I call upon the rest of Ugandans to support the Cranes in all ways possible. I also thank fans who have travelled to Egypt and urge them to stand strong with the team,” she posted.

 

She urged Ugandans to support the team plays DR Congo, Egypt and Zimbabwe in Group A. “I call upon the rest of Ugandans to support the Crane in all ways possible. I also thank fans who have travelled to Egypt and urge…them to stand strong with the team,” she wrote.

 

  1. She urged the rest of Ugandans should also watch television and listen to radio so as to closely follow up on the tournaments.

 

 

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Experts call for global inclusive digital economy

By
George Mangula
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By Geofrey Serugo

 

Affordable, inclusive connectivity, coupled with digital skills and literacy, are essential elements in the fight against inequality in the digital age, experts at the 2019 European Development Days (EDD) Forum, have emphasized.

 

“One of the most impactful sector reforms that we have seen in Africa over the past two decades has been the mobile revolution and this innovation has spread to mobile money and other services,” said African Development Bank Vice President for Private Sector, Infrastructure and Industrialisation, Pierre Guislain, who spoke on a panel discussing digital technology for inclusive growth.

 

The theme for this year’s forum which took place in the Belgian capital Brussels from 18-29 June, was: Addressing inequalities: Building a world which leaves no one behind. Guislain’s panel conversed about bridging the digital divide.

 

The panel, comprising experts from international institutions, governments, the private sector and civil society, discussed key ways to improve digital access and the potential of digital technology to bring social and economic benefits to all Africans.

 

“If adequately enabled, digital transformation can build on this strong track record and accelerate the achievement of the SDGs in Africa”,” Guislain said.

 

EU Commissioner for Digital Economy and Society Mariya Gabriel cautioned that we must not close our eyes to the shortcomings of digital transformation: “while it creates enormous benefits in terms of goods and services, it can also worsen existing divisions between countries, regions and communities,” Gabriel said.

 

The panelists stressed the enabling nature of digitalization across sectors such as health, agriculture, services, financial and energy, to drastically accelerate social and economic inclusion.

 

“This is fundamentally about how to make use of technology that is being offered to us, as an enabler to improve the lives of our people and institutions,” said Dr. Amani Abou-Zeid, African Union Commissioner for Infrastructure and Energy.

 

The panel also highlighted the main recommendations from the report of the joint European Union – African Union Digital Economy Task Force (DETF), co-chaired by Guislain and Ghanaian Minister of Communications Ursula Owusu-Ekuful.

 

The report, ‘New Africa-Europe Digital Economy Partnership’ Accelerating the Achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals, presents steps forward for cooperation between the AU and the EU in the digital age. It will be discussed in various African fora and will be followed by a concrete action plan for its implementation.

 

 

 

 

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