Stanbic Bank
Stanbic Bank
22.1 C
Kampala
Stanbic Bank
Stanbic Bank
Home Blog Page 1269

Uganda to commemorate World culture day

By
Geoffery Serugo
-
Peace Mutuzo

The State Minister for Gender and Culture, Peace Mutuuzo, has said Uganda will tomorrow join the rest of the world to commemorate World Culture Day.

The day will be held under the theme, “Uganda’s Rich Cultural Diversity, Opportunities for Social Development’, peddled at creating awareness on the importance of cultural diversity in relation to social development.

Currently, there are 65 indigenous communities in Uganda with diverse norms, values, practices knowledge, experiences and skills and domains. The variety calls us to strengthen the way we preserve, identify, organize, sustain and express ourselves.

Among the significance, cultural leaders have always led by example to denounced cultural practices contributing negatively to the development of the country and spearheading campaigns against the spread of HIV/AIDS, Gender-based Violence, Sickle cells and Sexual and Reproductive Health.

According to Mutuzo, government has moved a long way to promote diverse cultures through restoration of traditional or cultural institutions like Buganda kingdom in 1993 and have played a critical role in passing on diverse cultures to the young population.

“As the minister responsible for culture, it is my duty to inform you that the 1995 Constitution of the Republic of Uganda provides for the promotion of culture that is consistent with the fundamental human rights and freedoms.” She noted.

She further said “The ministry has documented key practices in different communities to help preserve culture. It has been done in communities like Ike in Karamoja, Busongola in Kasese, Acholi in the northern region, Alur in Nebbi district, to mention but a few.”

She said government has continued to support and participate in different cultural festivals including the East African Arts and Culture Festival such as JAMAFEST, which will take place in September from 21st to 28th in Dar Es Salaam, the United Republic of Tanzania.

“Culture as we know, evolves and must be in line with the global trends. It is in this regard, that I call upon the young generation first appreciate their cultures as they explore their creativity in the global world.” She said.

She applauded communities, Cultural Institutions and individuals playing a major role in the proclamation, recreation, safeguarding, maintenance and promotion of cultural heritage, which help to enrich our cultural diversity and human creativity.

Stories Continues after ad

Kasekende, Masembe cited in the appointment of Byamugisha as BoU counsel

By
Our Reporter
-
Dr. Joseph Byamugisha

Bank of Uganda (BoU) last week threw out conflicted city lawyers of Lule and Sebalu advocates and instead appointed Joseph Byamugisha to represent them in the recent suit that was filed by city business mogul Sudhir Ruparelia.

In a notice dated May 17, 2019 to the High Court, BoU said Dr. Byamugisha had been appointed as their attorney. Last month, Commercial Court kicked out Sebalu & Lule Advocates, who were on April 29, declared conflicted and therefore unfit to represent BoU in a longstanding commercial dispute.

However, sources say Byamugisha who is also a close ally of Sebalu and Lule Advocates was seconded by Deputy Governor Louis Kasekende. In the twist of events, Eagle Online has reliably learnt Counsel Timothy K. Masembe of MMKAS Advocate who was a lawyer for Dr. Byamugisha during his tenure when was an external lawyer for National Social Security Fund had participated heavily in having Byamugisha replace Lule and Sebalu.

According to sources, Masembe who is a close confidant of the Dr. Kasekende played an inportant role to have Byamugisha appointed BoU lawyer in the current case involving city businessman Sudhir Ruparelia.

As a recap, in December 2017, the Commercial Court disqualified city lawyers Masembe and Mr David Mpanga from the Sh397 billion BoU case against Sudhir Ruparelia, also citing conflict of interest, thus acted in violation of the Advocates (Professional Conduct) regulations.

Eagle Online has also reliably learnt that Dr. Byamugisha was a legal counsel for Mr Masembe representing him on the transaction of the legal fees that were paid by BoU during the Crane bank takeover.

Byamugisha who also comes from Kabale district like BoU Governor Emmanuel Mutebile is also a member of well networked group of influential individuals who hail from same district. He is expected to battle lawyers from Kampala Associated Advocates that represents Sudhir.

The Central Bank in October 2016 closed Crane Bank Limited, previously one of the best performing banks before controversially transferring it Dfcu Bank in January 2017 for a paltry Shs200 billion. The central bank has since come under the spotlight after the closure of Crane Bank Ltd backfired with both Parliament and the Auditor General faulting the BoU officials in the middle of the transaction.

Deputy Registrar of the Commercial Court Festo Nsenga on Monday April 29, 2019 delivered a ruling in which city businessman Sudhir Ruparelia emerged the victor after seeking dismissal of Sebalu & Lule Advocates from a case involving Crane Management Services Limited (CMS) and Dfcu Bank Limited which had hired the law firm to defend it in a suit where CMS was seeking rent arrears of about Shs3 billion as well as recovering US $385,728.5 from the bank.

The Commercial court is yet to hear the pending applications in the case between Bank of Uganda (BoU) and Ruparelia over sale of Crane bank to Dfcu bank. The BoU sued Ruparelia and his Meera Investments Company for allegedly fleecing Crane bank of Shs397 billion in fraudulent transactions and transfers.

The third application was filed by Ruparelia, demanding dismissal of BoU pleadings. Crane bank was taken over by the central bank on October 20, 2016 and later sold to Dfcu bank in 2017. Ruparelia has denied the fraud accusations and instead counter-sued the central bank, seeking compensation of about Shs28 billion in damages for breach of contract between him and BoU.

However, April 29th’s ruling means that BoU and Dfcu bank cannot hire any lawyers that were in the past employed by any company of the Ruparelia Group on the grounds that such lawyers or law firms have a privilege to some information that they can use against Sudhir and his companies, thus creating a scenario of conflict of interest as agreed by Justice Paul Gadenya Wolimbwa who said there exists an Advocate-client relationship between Sebalu & Lule Advocates and Meera Investments, a member of the Ruparelia Group.

Further the ruling which is a precursor to the main ruling puts BoU in a weaker position as officials BoU were hoping to bank on the knowledge of Sebalu and Lule Advocates in regard to Ruparelia Group businesses. Now they will have to look elsewhere for lawyers who have never worked for Sudhir. It will be hard for new lawyers to present evidence pinning Sudhir.

The ruling also came after parliament’s Committee on Commissions, State Authorities and State Enterprises (COSASE) established that Shs478 billion BoU claimed it put in Crane Bank during receivership was not all used as Shs320 billion is not accounted for. Interestingly CBL needed only Shs150 billion to remain operating, yet BoU handed over CBL assets to Dfcu bank at Shs200 billion. BoU will have to prove how Sudhir fleeced CBL of Shs397 billion in alleged fraudulent transactions and transfers.

Stories Continues after ad

Egypt reveals 2019 Afcon official Mascot

By
Our Reporter
-
Mascot

The buildup to the continental showpiece continues as the Organizing Committee of the Africa Cup of Nations has unveiled the mascot for the tournament, which runs from June 21st to July 19th in Egypt.

The AFCON 2019 Mascot is named “Tut” meaning The Child, was named after the Pharaoh King Tutankhamun.

Uganda are in Group A alongside the hosts Egypt, Democratic Republic of Congo and Zimbabwe.

The 2019 African Cup of Nations was initially scheduled to be hosted by Cameroon. However, Cameroon was stripped of hosting the tournament for serious delays in preparations.

Egypt won the rights to host the tournament after being selected over South Africa.

The 2019 Afcon hosts are the most successful nation in the history of the competition with a record of seven titles including three in a row between 2006 and 2010.

For sports teams and tournaments, having a mascot is considered almost an essential part of marketing and branding.

Just as important as a great logo, the mascot will greatly help the branding and exposure of the tournament. Leaving a lasting impression in the minds of fans is crucial to having them.

Mascots are unique – they have personality and they draw attention wherever they go. They become a spectacle that people look forward to seeing.

Stories Continues after ad

Uganda Cranes: 11 confirmed as 2019 Afcon squad starts taking shape

By
Our Reporter
-
Crane players

Uganda Cranes Head coach Sebastien Desabre has named eleven (11) players from the ongoing residential camp at Kabira Country club that will be part of the squad to Abu Dhabi in preparation for the Africa Cup of Nations tournament.

The 11 players are; Bevis Mugabi, Awanyi Timothy, Hassan Wasswa Mawanda, Godfrey Walusimbi, Muleme Isaac, Khalid Aucho, Tadeo Lwanga, Allan Kyambadde, Waisswa Moses, Sadam Juma and Kaddu Henry.

The full 26 man Squad for the Abu Dhabi trip will be announced on Tuesday 21st May 2019.

The final 23 man squad to feature in the Total AFCON Finals in Egypt will be named after the camp in United Arab Emirates.

Cranes will play friendly matches against an unnamed opponent on 9th June 2019 and then with Ivory Coast on 15th June 2019 before flying to Cairo, Egypt.

Uganda are in Group A alongside the hosts Egypt, Democratic Republic of Congo and Zimbabwe.

Meanwhile Sebastien also named six (6) players from the squad he has been handling to join the COSAFA bound contingent.

The players are; Charles Lukwago, James Alitho, Okello Allan, Balinya Juma, Mujuzi Musitafa and Dan Serunkuma.

The 6 players will resume training today under the watchful eye of coach Abdallah Mubiru who is handling the Uganda Cranes squad to COSAFA as head coach Sebastien Desabre is with the National senior team preparing for the AFCON Finals.

The Cosafa Cranes bound team will face Lesotho in the quarter finals on 1 June 2019 in South Africa.

Stories Continues after ad

PAP honours Uganda on handling refugees

By
Isaiah Mwebaze
-
Pan African Parliament MPs shortly after the official opening of the session

The Pan African Parliament has recognised Uganda for its treatment and hospitality to refugees in host communities.

In one of the resolutions adopted Friday, the Pan African Parliament encouraged African countries to consider the model of refugee administration, where refugees are integrated in host communities.

PAP also honoured Rwanda and Algeria for “being model countries in their treatment of and hospitality towards refugees in host communities and called upon African countries to emulate those best practices.”

The resolutions were adopted at the end of the Second Ordinary Session of the Fifth Parliament held in Midrand, South Africa, 2 – 17 May 2019. It brought together representatives from all AU Member States, under the AU year’s theme: “The year of refugees, returnees and internally displaced persons: towards durable solutions to forced displacement in Africa.”

Uganda is home to over one million of Africa’s over six million refugees.
PAP condemned acts of inhumane treatment of refugees and displaced persons and asked the African Union to take necessary measures to achieve the agenda of silencing the guns by 2020.
The PAP noted that violent conflicts and the effects of climate change are the two major causes of displacement in Africa, owing largely to poor governance. It also noted that refugees and internally displaced persons often live in deplorable conditions and are deprived of human rights and basic social services.

“Curbing violent conflicts and ensuring effective management of displacement in Africa could contribute significantly to the economic development of the continent and the attainment of the objectives of Agenda 2063,” reads part of the resolution.
It emphasized that the eradication of all forms of violent conflicts in Africa would significantly reduce the number of refugees and internally displaced persons.
PAP asked the AU to investigate the alleged sale of migrants in Libya and take urgent action to address the matter; and engage the European Union in handling migrants that are prevented from entering Europe.
PAP called upon the AU to help conflicting parties in Africa to resolve their differences to allow refugees to return to their countries; and to help set up effective early warning systems to detect and prevent the eruption of new conflicts.

African governments were also called upon to take the issue of natural disasters into account in their national strategies, to resolve the problems of refugees and internally displaced persons. Governments were also asked to ratify, domesticate and implement African Union instruments on refugees, internally displaced persons and returnees and also accede to the global compact on refugees.

PAP President, Roger Nkodo, adjourned the session, appealing to legislators to reflect on the problems faced by Africans and try to put their speeches into action.
“Reflect on the problems of the African people; dedicate the will and efforts to meet the interests of the people,” he said.

ENDS

Stories Continues after ad

Ronwen Williams pips Onyango to PSL Goalkeeper of the season Award

By
Our Reporter
-
PSL awards

SuperSport United FC goalkeeper Ronwen Williams has been voted the ABSA Premier Soccer League (PSL) goalkeeper of the season ahead of Mamelodi Sundowns’ Denis Onyango.

The 34-year-old Uganda Cranes captain missed out on the accolade despite playing a huge role in helping Sundowns secure a record-extending ninth PSL title while SuperSport finished sixth.

Denis Onyango has previously won the award two times in his career while in South Africa (2015 and 2016).

Mamelodi Sundowns manager Pitso Mosimane won the Coach of the season after leading Sundowns to a ninth league title while Orlando Pirates’ Thembinkosi Lorch won the PSL Player of the Season and the PSL Players’ Player of the Season awards.

The Footballer of the Season award was voted exclusively by the 16 coaches in the Premiership, while the Player’s Player was voted by players, but players were not allowed to vote for their teammates.

The awards ceremony was held at the ICC Convention Centre in Durban on Saturday night.

The PSL awards is an awards evening held to honour South African football players, coaches and officials. It is conferred by the National Soccer League. The PSL awards are given to people pertaining to the Premier Soccer League and National First Division.

The winners:

PSL Footballer: Thembinkosi Lorch (Pirates)

Absa Premiership Player’s Player: Thembinkosi Lorch (Pirates)

Absa Premiership Coach: Pitso Mosimane (Sundowns)

Absa Premiership Young Player: Teboho Mokoena (SuperSport)

Absa Premiership Goalkeeper: Ronwen Williams (SuperSport)

Absa Premiership Defender: Ricardo Nascimento (Sundowns)

Absa Premiership Midfielder: Hlompho Kekana (Sundowns)

Absa-lutely Awesome Goal: Vincent Pule (Pirates)

MTN8 Last Man Standing: Peter Leeuwenburgh (CT City)

Telkom KO Player of the Tournament: Elvis Chipezeze (Baroka)

Nedbank Cup Most Promising Player: Terrence Mashego (TS Galaxy)

Nedbank Cup Player of the Tournament: Zakhele Lepasa (TS Galaxy)

MDC Player: Sipho Chaine (Celtic)

Referee of the Season: Abongile Tom

Assistant Referee of the Season: Emmanuel de Sani

Stories Continues after ad

DANIDA earmarks Shs33.5b to boost informal cross border trade and standards

By
George Mangula
-
Danish Ambassador, Majbrit Holm Jakobsen shakes hands with TMEA's Richard Kamajugo while Minister Amelia Kyambadde looks on.

The Government of Denmark through her development arm – Danish International Development Agency (DANIDA) is to invest some US $9 million (about Shs33.5 billion in improving informal cross border trade and goods standards across Uganda.

The money which will be channeled through TradeMark Africa comes as a major boost for the thousands of informal traders plying their businesses at the different borders as it will ensure that their working environments are improved. Over 70 per cent of informal cross border traders in Uganda are women.

In addition, part of the money will go towards the improving of the standards of goods manufactured in Uganda.

The Head of Mission of the Danish Embassy, Majbrit Holm Jakobsen notes, “Denmark is passionate about promoting private sector development in Uganda. We appreciate Uganda’s efforts to improve the business environment, but more needs to be done, that is why Danida is glad to further partner with TradeMark East Africa in increasing trade in the region by creating the necessary conditions for the private sector especially the informal traders who constitute the majority of cross border trade in Uganda. Informal trade directly impacts on the livelihood of the bottom of pyramid which is a key element of Denmark’s engagement in development aid.”

Richard Kamajugo, the TMEA Chief Operations Officer notes, “We appreciate the continued partnership with the Danida in its support to the Government of Uganda through TradeMark East Africa. Danida has already funded the implementation of the Uganda Electronic Single Window which has had a real impact on the economy, it is therefore a great pleasure to see that more funding has now been committed focusing on cross border trade and standards”.

Moses Sabiiti, TMEA Uganda Country Director says, “In Strategy 2, TMEA seeks to deepen engagement with borderland communities with the key aim of thinning borders so as to increase access to Markets. TMEA will take a two pronged approach- build upon ongoing infrastructure work such as the One Stop Border Posts (e.g. Busia, Elegu, Mutukula) to address key trading challenges faced by both formal and informal cross border traders. This will not only cement Uganda’s position as a regional logistics hub for both informal and formal trade, but will also further consolidate gains in increasing ease of doing business in Uganda.”

Cross border trade (CBT) is important in diversifying Uganda’s exports. Cross border trade enables the movement of produce across borders from surplus to deficit areas and is therefore significant not only in providing employment and livelihoods within border communities, but also in promoting food security.

Uganda’s cross border exports, from formal and informal trade, have grown from under US $1billion in 2011 to over $1billion in 2016 and account for between 25 per cent and 35 per cent of total exports. The informal cross-border export earnings in the Financial Year 2017/18 were estimated at US $595.51 million, representing 17.08 per cent of Uganda’s exports. The main informal commodities included beans, maize, sugar, other grains, bananas, fish, among others. DR Congo was the main informal partner of the country with total informal export trade amounting to US $291.48 million in 2017/18. It was followed by Kenya at US $149.94 million; Rwanda at US $19million.

Despite having a steadily improving trade environment, Uganda still faces some constraints in cross border trade. These include the lack of appropriate infrastructure; non-tariff barriers to trade and costly trading standards; gaps in transparent trade processes and systems; a sub-optimal regulatory environment; limited export capability; exclusion of women and small businesses; and uncoordinated support to

Stories Continues after ad

Glamour and pomp as Ruparelias open Kingdom Mall Kampala

By
Our Reporter
-
Ms Ruparelia cuts the tape to open Kingdom Mall.

22,000m2 of lettable retail & office space.
Parking for up to 450 cars.
Sprinkler fire suppression system.
400 CCTVs for security.
3 backup generators.
6 Lifts, with combined 72- passenger capacity.
Double Glazzed.
90% of the workforce local
Construction material local

There was glamour and pomp as Sudhir Ruparelia family was joined by other guests on Sunday to witness the opening of Kingdom Mall-Kampala to the public.

The event that attracted Kampala’s top businessmen and executives was presided over by Ms Jyotsna Ruparelia, the Managing Director of Meera Investment and Mr. Rajiv Ruparelia, the Managing Director Crane Management Services.

The only person from the Ruparelia missing was Mr. Sudhir Ruparelia who was said to be out of the country for other business engagements.

Rajiv revealed that they were happy for having completed the building on time as the country gears up for oil production and as such, they intend to contribute on the provision of fine office space to the oil executives.

“We are here today to observe the opening of Kingdom Mall-Kampala, it is a former Shimon Primary School that acquired and now we have completed phase one of our building which is an open building and which is one of the very few in Uganda and it has been launched at the strategic time when we are trying to target the upcoming oil sector and other sector that require office space.” He said.
Adding “We have 42,000 square meters of office space and it has been long journey of two years with our teams here but finally today we can say we are there”

Kingdom Kampala Mall is the latest additions to Kampala’s skylines as Uganda’s city changes its outlook year in year out as it attracts investors who want to do business in the Central Business District (CBD).

The state-of-the art building has a parking space of up to 450 cars, ensuring that owners don’t have stress looking for where to park in town.
Sprinkler fire suppression system, boosted by 400 CCTVs makes the building safe and secure for clients. Backup generators to keep clients’ business and offices running.

The building has six lifts with 72 passenger capacity. With an estimated height of 39.78 meters and 11 floors above ground, the building should provide the best shopping and business environment.

Stories Continues after ad

Top Ministry of Justice official using sexual harassment allegations to fight proxy war

By
Our Reporter
-
Samantha Mwesigye is said be fighting a proxy war.

A top official at the Ministry of Justice has been cited as the person behind Senior State Attorney Samantha Mwesigye in order to deny Deputy Solicitor General Christopher Gashirabake chance of being appointed judge at the Constitutional Court.

Mr Gashirabake and 23 others have applied for vacant posts at the Constitutional/Appeal Court but his application has robbed one of the officials at the ministry in the wrong and hence the allegation of sexual harassment.

The said official who is known to be uncooperative at ministry is alleged to be using Samantha Mwesigye because he has been fight Gashirabake but when they news of his being an applicant at the Constitutional Court. Sources say what is perturbing authorities is how come Ms Samantha Mwesigye is bringing the issue of sexual harassment in 11 years as she alleges.

“We are not ignoring the allegations but how come this lady is only resurrecting the issue now? And that is to say it happened. Why did she report it since she was an intern? However, what is worse is that this girl found it fit to return to the ministry and same department where the alleged rapist was/is. And what has happened that she is coming out to cry louder now?” said a top Ministry official who didn’t want to be quoted.

Sources say this top official never want Gashirabake to be Deputy Solicitor General but what is again perturbing is that it is the very official fighting Mr. Gashirabake from moving on as it would pave for way for him to carry on with his dealings.

Stories Continues after ad

KCCA flags off construction of five roads

By
Geoffery Serugo
-
KCCA Executive Director Eng. Andrew Kitaka and other officials at the function.

A new set of roads have been handed over to two international firms to start construction work in effort to ease transportation around the city.

KCCA Executive Director Eng. Andrew Kitaka said while handing over the roads said, “After an exhaustive procurement process, KCCA has signed agreements with two firms to construct five roads. We assure residents of Kampala of quality work. All five roads will be completed within 18 months.”

The roads are to be constructed under the Kampala Institutional and Infrastructure Development Project Phase Two.

Eng. Kitaka said both construction firms were vetted and cleared by the project financier, the World Bank.

The planned new roads will have traffic signalized junctions, marked lanes, walkways, closed drainage, and solar street lights. The roads include: Acacia/John Babiiha Avenue – about two kilometers long; Nakawa-Ntinda Road – about three kilometers long; Kulambiro; Ring Road and Najeera Link – six kilometers long; Kabusu-Bunamwaya-Lweza Road – nine kilometers long and Lukuli Road – eight kilometers long.

Actual road construction, is anticipated to start in July 2019. The contractors have till end of June 2019 to relocate utilities – electricity, water, telephone lines, among others; confirm road designs; bring in equipment that will be used for road works; and recruit personnel and workers, and more.

Good roads are a must for over 2.5 million residents of Kampala who enter the city daily for work. These additional five roads shall improve commute challenges such as, time lost in travel and congestion during peak hours.

Stories Continues after ad
1...1,2681,2691,270...2,381Page 1,269 of 2,381

© Eagle Online. All rights reserved.

About Us

Popular Category

Editor Picks