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Mutebile assures public on PostBank smooth operations after indictment of top bosses

By
Richard Wanambwa
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BoU Governor Emmanuel Tumusiime-Mutebile.

The governor Bank of Uganda (BoU), Prof Emmanuel Tumusiime- Mutebile, has assured customers of Postbank (U) Ltd. and the general public that the mini-lender is safe, strong and resilient with continuing uninterrupted at all its branches countrywide.

Mutebile’s assurance follows an investigation into the top bosses of the bank by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations and Crime Intelligence Department (CIID) and the Office of the Auditor General. They were days ago subsequent arraigned in Court on grounds of abuse of office.

Mutebile said an interim team of senior managers, headed by the Acting Managing Director, Mr. Edwin Keronga, and Acting Executive Director, Mr. Benon Rukundo, and supported by a number of Acting Heads of Department, were appointed to run the affairs of Postbank (U) Limited.

The Bank of Uganda will update the public of any further developments through its formal communications channels” he said.

On April 5, State House team Anti Corruption team, led by Lt Col. Edith Nakalema and police CID detectives and officials from the Auditor General’s office stormed post bank offices and spent nine hours pressing the bank’s top officials over corruption allegations.

Their visit culminated into the arrest of the Managing Director of the bank, Mr Stephen Mukweli, Mr David Mwesige (the head of Information Technology), Ms Safina Wabuna (the executive director for Information and Communication Technology), Mr Augustine Kisitu, (the head of Business Technology) and Mr Emmanuel Mwaka, the finance manager.

Others who were picked included Alex Kayaayo (Executive Director for Credit and Business Growth), Fred Samuel Wasike (Head of Business Growth) and Gilbert Nuwamanya (Sales Manager).

They were produced before Chief Magistrate Pamela Lamunu Ocaya at Anti-Corruption court and leveled with charges of fraud. They denied all charges leveled against them.

According to prosecution, in April 2017 Mukweli and Wabuna altered the sum of contract for conducting ICT test from Shs20.2m to Shs37m contrary to procurement procedures which resulted into overpayment of Shs16.75 million to Aptech Computer Education causing a financial loss to Post Bank.

Mr Mukweli accused of abusing his authority when he signed a contract for supply of e-suit banking system to Compulynx Uganda Limited for more than Shs5.7 billion instead of Shs4.2 billion that had been approved by the contracts Committee.

It is further alleged that on October 29, 2017, at Post Bank Ms Wabuna, Mr Mwesige and Mr Kisitu requisitioned, approved and confirmed availability of additional funding of Shs1.6 billion without the approval of the contracts Committee.

Mukweli, Wabuna, Mwesige and Mwesigwa also allegedly requisitioned, processed, approved and paid Shs2.88 billion to Compulynx Uganda Limited for supply of e-suit Banking System in disregard of the payment structure stipulated in the procurement contract.

On December 19 and 21, 2018, Mukweli, Mwesige and Mwaka effected payment of Shs848.5 million to the same company for supply of the same equipment contrary to the payment structure stipulated in the procurement contract.

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Former Buganda Lukiiko Speaker, Hajj Musa Kaddu Sserunkuuma passes on

By
Geoffery Serugo
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The former Speaker of Buganda Lukiiko, Hajj Musa Kaddu Sserunkuuma has passed on, the Kingdom has confirmed.

Hajj Musa Kaddu Sserunkuuma was appointed Speaker after the demise of Sulaiman Lubega Kaddunabbi during Katikiro Eng. JB Walusimbi reign in 2012 and 2013.

The mysterious cause of his death has not been revealed, however, this website has learnt the deceased has been sick for sometime. Mr. Sserunkuuma was a son to former Lukiiko Speaker, the late Ali Kulumba.

During his time, Sserunkuuma was deputized by late Dr. Higiro Ssemajege (died in 2013).

In 2013, Owek Hajj Musa Kaddu Sserunkuuma launched his book titled ‘Wali Luddawa’ translating into where were you which details circumstances surrounding Uganda’s attainment of independence.

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Arts and culture: Uganda takes part in Cannes Film Festival

By
George Mangula
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Delegates at event

Ugandan delegates join the rest of the world for Pavillon Afrique at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival in France. In its first year at Cannes, Pavillon Afriques is set to become the busiest, unique, networking and business hub at the festival this year, running from May 14-25, 2019.

Uganda is joining a line-up that includes participants from African countries including Nigeria, Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa, Ethiopia, Rwanda, Niger, Togo, Ghana, Burkina Faso, Gabon, Djibouti, and its diaspora from countries such as Jamaica, USA, Brazil, Guyana, Guadeloupe, Martinique.

Ugandan film heavyweights like Director, Writer and Actress Nishi Kalema, Director and Writer Malcolm Bigyemano, Writer, Director and Actress Kemiyondo Coutinho, Director, Isaiah 60 Productions Natasha Karugire, Producer, Director and CEO, Tadoba Pictures Isaac Simba, Screenwriter, Director and writer Sharpe Ssewali, and many more industry experts will be at the pavilion.

According to Godfrey Mutabazi, the Executive Director of Uganda Communications Commission, “With this project, Uganda is creating a unique venue for its local Film trade and promotion that outlines the diversity and plurality of Uganda at the International level in television content. Our ambition is to become a centre for filming in Africa, through this exclusive business platform where film industry stakeholders meet, discuss, trade, make deals and take advantage of the unique atmosphere of the Festival de Cannes.”

Pavillon Afrique will be the first tent within the Film Market section of the Cannes Film Festival dedicated exclusively to the business of Film in the African continent and among its diaspora. It is appropriately situated within the heart of the Marché du Film, which is the world’s biggest gathering of film industry professionals who come to sell films, find partners and expand their professional network.

With the theme ‘Connecting the Past, Present and Future’; Pavillon packs a full schedule with a mix of private and public sector roundtables, discussions on film financing and content distribution, a series of country produced destination seminars, celebrity-hosted panels, leadership workshops, film screenings and more, the program is set to be the most fascinating hub out of Cannes in 2019.

It will feature a dynamic line-up of some of the biggest names in film and entertainment from across the globe including entrepreneur and educator Stedman Graham, Tech Entrepreneur John Gosier, Ghanaian Entrepreneur Roberta Annan, USA former VP IBM USA, Marilyn Johnson, Rich Tanksley, Chief Operating Officer at DataCa.sh. and Owner, Pulse Nigeria, prolific writer Tsitsi Dangarembga, Founder of AFRIFF (African International Film Festival) Chioma Ude, Joyce Fissoo, CEO, Tanzania Film Board, Nollywood icons Joke Silva and Rita Dominic, Kumawood Director Shirley Frimpong-Manso, Nollywood director Kunle Afolayan, and many more.

Also participating in some of the sessions will be top executives of international festivals and events Sundance, European Film Market, Rotterdam Film Festival and the support of Uganda Communications Commission, Uganda Tourism Board and top broadcaster Canal plus.

Confirmed activities include screenings, seminars, workshop, round tables, country 5forums, an auction, art exhibition, haute cuisine, mini-concerts and so much more. Networking and promotional activities will include product presentations, receptions, cocktail parties, brunches, B2B, B2G and G2G meetings.

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For a Better Future, Sudan Must Confront Its Past

By
Guest Writer
-
El Safi

By Ezzaddean El Safi

I was born in Nyala, the capital of Southern Darfur state in Sudan. I still remember how divided our community was, with Arab and African tribes clashing over the two most important resources for animal breeders and subsistence farmers: access to water and land.

In 2003, that conflict erupted into violence, as Sudanese government forces, government-backed militias, and Darfuri rebel groups clashed. Since then, hundreds of villages have been destroyed and the land taken over by government-allied tribes, leaving Darfurians without the food and water they need to survive.

In recent weeks, Sudan has been in the news again. A popular protest movement has forced out President Omar al-Bashir, and the military has taken control. The protestors have not left the streets and are demanding the dismantling of the single-party state, the regime’s armed bodies and opening up the economy to Sudanese from outside the ruling circle.

But it remains unclear how much of a say, if any, civilians will have in what comes next. The decision by the African Union to extend the deadline for the handover of power from the military council and the growing influence of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Egypt are all real causes for concern.

In this time of uncertainty, it is imperative that people not rush to forget the tragedy and pain of the past. With massive economic and political challenges, there is understandable pressure to sweep the past under the carpet and move on. But the answer to the question of what kind of country post-Bashir Sudan will become depends on how it deals with its past.

I understand the desire to forgot and move on. During my ten years working in Darfur, I saw horrible things, including the killing of 55 young men from my clan who all died in one day of the tribal conflict in August 2013, only two years before I joined the Open Society Foundations in Tunis.

I do not like to remember those events, but they have shaped me, and have shaped the Sudanese. When I saw what was happening, I was compelled to action and began working in emergency response, conflict prevention and peace building interventions led by UN entities and international organizations. I witnessed how the National Intelligence and Security Service got their orders directly from President Omar al-Bashir, assassinated, tortured and detained people without charge for years. These tragedies have influenced the lives of many Sudanese, whether through the loss of loved ones or leaving the country in search of a more peaceful, and stable, life.

Violence was not Bashir’s only legacy. Bashir and his family were the spearhead of political and institutional corruption. They had a complete monopoly on essential commodities such as wheat flour, cooking gas, and oil in Sudan. A Wikileaks cable from 2009 speculated that Bashir had stashed $9 billion in foreign bank accounts. He accumulated all this wealth at a time when 76 percent of Sudanese people lived under the poverty line according to a World Bank 2016 report.

Over the past three decades, the ruling party abused its power to fuel wars; to commit genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity; and to divide Sudan’s citizens by region, religion, and ethnicity.

This heavy inheritance of disorder requires a clear vision to move toward that is inclusive and based on its multicultural, multiethnic, multireligious and multilingual approaches. We need to enforce transitional justice and open up legal investigations into all crimes committed against civilians, and fair trials for the perpetrators to ensure that there is no impunity. In parallel, we need to rebuild political and economic institutions to ensure an equitable share of power and a fair distribution of wealth. Doing this is the best way to remember the injustices of the past and break with Bashir’s legacy.

People in the Sudanese diaspora, like myself, have a role to play. With at least 5 million Sudanese living abroad, we are not only an important source of financial support, but of knowledge.

I and others recently created an association for international professionals to develop local governance and development strategies. We plan to conduct a comprehensive assessment to map out the local needs and priorities, and share the final report. Different groups have taken on other pressing tasks. Another group of international advocates volunteered to report on all money and assets stolen by the former regime worldwide. For us, it is a way of remembering where we are from and the circumstances that forced us to leave.

When I think back on my childhood, I long for a Sudan that has moved beyond the tribal divisions that defined it. A representative government that addresses injustice is the best way to achieve that. If we can do that, Sudan can become truly post-Bashir. If not, he will still be with us for years to come.

The writer is a program manager for the Open Society Middle East and North Africa Program.

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Manchester City could be banned from the Champions League for a season

By
Agencies
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Uefa investigators want Manchester City to be banned from the Champions League for a season if they are found guilty of breaking financial rules.

However, according to one well-placed source, a final decision is yet to be made by chief investigator Yves Leterme.

The former Belgian prime minister, chairman of the investigatory panel of Uefa’s independent financial control board, is set to make a recommendation this week.

With no vote in such cases, the final say lies with him but several of his colleagues are understood to have firmly expressed the view at a recent meeting that a season-long ban would be a suitable punishment if City are found guilty.

Leterme and his team have been looking at evidence first uncovered in a series of leaks published by the German newspaper Der Spiegel last year.

The reports alleged that Manchester City had broken Financial Fair Play regulations by inflating the value of a multimillion-pound sponsorship deal. City were fined £49m in 2014 for a previous breach of regulations.

The Premier League champions denied any wrongdoing, and Uefa said it could not comment on an ongoing investigation, but according to the New York Times, investigators now want rules upheld and City punished with a ban.

Uefa’s adjudicatory chamber would have to decide whether it agreed with any recommendation from Leterme – expected in the next 48 hours – although it is unlikely to apply to next season’s competition because City could appeal, and even take their case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

But it would still be a major blow for a club desperate to win Europe’s most prestigious club competition for the first time, and who could also soon face a transfer ban, with the FA, Premier League and Fifa also currently investigating City over their signing of youth players.

Earlier this season, a statement from Manchester City said: “The accusation of financial irregularities is entirely false.

“Manchester City welcomes the opening of a formal Uefa investigation as an opportunity to bring to an end the speculation resulting from the illegal hacking and out of context publication of City emails.

“The club’s published accounts are full and complete and a matter of legal and regulatory record.”

Financial Fair Play was introduced by Uefa to prevent clubs in its competitions from spending beyond their means and stamp out what its then president Michel Platini called “financial doping” within football.

Under the rules, financial losses are limited and clubs are also obliged to meet all their transfer and employee payment commitments at all times.

Clubs need to balance football-related expenditure – transfers and wages – with television and ticket income, plus revenues raised by their commercial departments. Money spent on stadiums, training facilities, youth development or community projects is exempt.

The Club Financial Control Body (CFCB), set up by Uefa, has the ultimate sanction of banning clubs from Uefa competitions, with other potential punishments including warnings, fines, withholding prize money, transfer bans, points deductions, a ban on registration of new players and a restriction on the number of players who can be registered for Uefa competitions.

In 2014, Qatar-owned Paris St-Germain received a similar financial punishment to the one City received.

PSG were deemed to have breached FFP rules when the CFCB decided their back-dated £167m sponsorship contract with the Qatar Tourism Authority, which wiped out their losses, had an unfair value.

That meant the French side exceeded allowed financial losses by a wide margin when, under FFP rules, clubs were limited to losses of £37m over the previous two years.

They received a fine, a spending cap and were only allowed to register 21 players for the Champions League for a season.

PSG also remain under investigation for their 2017-18 finances when they signed Neymar from Barcelona for a world record £222m euros (£200m) and Kylian Mbappe from Monaco, initially on loan, for 180m euros (£165.7m). – BBC Sports News

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Man sentenced to death for farting in Mosque during Ramadan

By
Agencies
-
Handcuffs

A Pakistani judge has sentenced a man to be executed after he was expelled 17 times from 6 different mosques for excessive farting during the period of the Ramadan reports the Islamabad Herald this week, according to world news daily report.

The Ramadan is the most important religious festival for Muslims and the judge declared that he had indisposed people of the faith and even caused 53 people at one time to leave the mosque during a prayer, a “blasphemous act” which should be punished “according to Allah’s will.”

The judge was lenient, have admitted many experts in the region, as he gave the convicted man the choice of being beheaded or stoned to death.

“The law is clear, he should be stoned to death, beheading is a very light sentence and saves him from any suffering,” protested the government prosecutor.

A rare medical condition

Muhammad Al-Wahabi, 33, suffers from chronic flatulence, “a rare medical condition” he argued in his self-defense, as no lawyer would take his case.

“No lawyer is crazy enough to bet his career on this issue. If his client his condemned, as in this case, the lawyer would face prosecution and possibly the same faith as his client” admits legal expert Andrew Jones, a Middle Eastern law expert.

Al-Wahabi did not contest the judgment and even said the judgment was fair and that he hoped Allah would be gracious enough to pardon his blasphemous actions.

Al-Wahabi also admitted that he put a tampon in his rectum several times in a desperate attempt to mask the noise and odor.

“A disgraceful and insidious act” the judge declared, visibly disgusted.

“Muslims are not allowed to insert any objects inside their anus, not even a finger, it is forbidden by the Koran,” said the judge.

“As a judge, I must set an example for other Muslims. This is clearly unacceptable under Shariah law,” he concluded.

Al-Wahabi admitted to the judge he had failed his God, his religion, and his people and was terribly sorry for what he had done, and asked for his two wives and seven children’s mercy in court and thanked the judge for his verdict. – story via world news daily report.

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Uganda lineup friendly with Ivory Coast in Afcon build-up

By
Our Reporter
-
Ivory coast-vs-Uganda

Cranes Head coach Sebastien Desabre confirmed that an international friendly has been lined up for Uganda Cranes to play Ivory Coast on Saturday, 15th June 2019.

“We shall play two friendly matches against an unnamed opponent on 9th June 2019 and then with Ivory Coast on 15th June 2019 before flying to Cairo,” the Frenchman said during a media Q&A session.

Both teams will use the match to prepare for the upcoming 2019 Total Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) that starts on 21st June in Egypt.

The two teams last met in January 2017 when Ivory Coast defeated Uganda Cranes 3-0 in Abu Dhabi, in a game which was also a buildup to the 2017 Afcon.

Uganda are in Group A alongside the hosts Egypt, Democratic Republic of Congo and Zimbabwe while Ivory Coast are in Group D alongside Morocco, Namibia and South Africa.

Meanwhile, Desabre will name the list of 26 players on 21st May 2019 (including foreign-based players) for the Abudabhi camp from which 23 players will make the final Squad to Egypt for the AFCON Finals.

The team is already in a residential camp which will take a fortnight in which period two practice games will also be played on Thursday 23rd May against the COSAFA bound Cranes and the second one on the 25th May 2019 with a team yet to be known at Mandela National Stadium, Namboole.

International Friendly

Saturday, 15th June 2019

Ivory Coast vs Uganda

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Afcon 2019: Cranes players enter camp to start preparations

By
Our Reporter
-
Team in training

The Uganda Cranes’ players entered the camp to start preparations for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations on Monday with a preliminary squad of 19 players at Kabira Country Club in Bukoto, Kampala.

The residential camp will take a fortnight in which period two practice games will be played on Thursday 23rd May against the COSAFA bound Cranes and the second one on the 25th May 2019 with a team yet to be known at Mandela National Stadium, Namboole.

The list of 26 players will be named on 21st May 2019 (including foreign-based players) for the Abu Dhabhi camp from which 23 players will make the final Squad to Egypt for the AFCON Finals.

The team shall play two friendly matches against an unnamed opponent on 9th June 2019 and then with Ivory Coast on 15th June 2019 before flying to Cairo.

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

Cranes will open their campaign on 22/6/2019 against Democratic Republic of Congo, followed by Zimbabwe on 26/6/2019 and take on Egypt on 30/6/2019.

Players who have reported to Camp

Goalkeepers: Charles Lukwago (KCCA FC), James Alitho (URA FC),

Defenders: Bevis Mugabi (Yeovil Town FC), Disan Galiwango (Express FC), Godfrey Walusimbi (Unattached), Awanyi Timothy (KCCA FC), Halid Lwaliwa (Vipers SC), Mujuzi Mustafa (Proline FC)

Midfielders: Khalid Aucho (Churchill Brothers), Hassan Wasswa (unattached), Ibrahim Sadam Juma (KCCA FC), Tadeo Lwanga (Vipers SC), Allan Okello (KCCA FC), Moses Waiswa (Vipers SC)

Forwards: Daniel Isiagi (Al Nassr FC- Egypt), Allan Kyambadde (KCCA FC), Juma Balinya (Police FC), Patrick Kaddu (KCCA FC), Dan Mzee Sserunkuma (Vipers).

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Global partners offer US$61.8m to boost African Development Bank initiative for women entrepreneurs

By
Our Reporter
-

The Governing Committee of the Women Entrepreneurs Finance Initiative (We-Fi) has approved a funding allocation of US$61.8 million for the African Development Bank’s Affirmative Finance Action for Women in Africa (AFAWA) program.

We-Fi is a partnership among 14 donor governments, eight multilateral development banks, and other public and private sector stakeholders, established in October 2017 and hosted by the World Bank Group.

“This substantial support from the Women Entrepreneurs Finance Initiative, We-Fi, will help us scale up our actions and achieve greater results for women entrepreneurs across the continent. Our ambition with AFAWA goes beyond regular assistance to women in business,” Vanessa Moungar, the Bank’s Director for Gender, Women and Civil Society said about the announcement.

With the We-Fi funding, AFAWA intends to improve access to finance for 40,000 women-owned/led small and medium enterprises in 21 African countries, mainly in low-income and fragile countries, where women entrepreneurs face greater challenges in accessing finance, markets, knowledge, and mentoring programs. Specifically, the program’s activities will be implemented in Botswana, Burundi, Chad, Comoros, Côte d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Kenya, Mali, Mauritania, Mozambique, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Tanzania, Tunisia, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

The activities funded by We-Fi will be aligned with AFAWA’s three-pronged approach to holistically addressing the $42 billion financing gap between women and male entrepreneurs.

The first AFAWA pillar aims to increase access to finance for women through innovative and tailored financial instruments, including guarantee mechanisms to back up women entrepreneurs.

In collaboration with strategic partners, the second pillar focuses on providing capacity-building services to women entrepreneurs, including access to mentoring and entrepreneurship training courses. AFAWA also helps financial institutions address the specific needs of women-owned/led businesses through tailored financial and non-financial products.

The third pillar concentrates on improving the business environment for women by engaging in policy dialogue with central banks and other relevant authorities and stakeholders.

Lastly, the We-Fi funding will reinforce initiatives of the Bank and partners, such as UN Women and CARE International, in favor of women entrepreneurs in various sectors that are frequently overlooked by traditional financiers, donors and governments. These special initiatives include Fashionomics Africa and the African women tech entrepreneurs program.

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Japanese agency to help Ministry of Defence carry out infrastructural projects in Uganda

By
George Mangula
-
Officials at ceremony

The Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs and the Government of Japan have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to enhance the development of infrastructural projects in Uganda.


The Minister of State for Defence and Veteran Affairs, (Rtd) Lt Col Dr. Bright Rwamirama, expressed gratitude for the Japan African Development Corporation, saying the partnership will help Uganda boost its investment in infrastructural projects for economic growth. He noted that Japan’s involvement in the construction of a health facility, a rehabilitation and resettlement centre for military veterans, solar manufacturing plant and the provision of agricultural inputs, among others, will improve the welfare of Ugandans.

He said that the donation of five ambulances, solar pumps, solar panels and five firefighting trucks will ease government operations, while 100 modern ultra-sewing machines will make a positive impact on military veterans. “These donations will be put to good use,” Rwamirama said.


Rwamirama however, decried the poor state of waste management, logistics and transport sectors in Uganda, prompting Japan to increase on the donation of transport trucks to 60 in number, five trucks per month for a period of one year.
He further said that government is committed to the improvement of the lives of military veterans, their spouses and children in recognition of their selfless efforts towards bringing peace and stability in Uganda.


During the same meeting, the Head of the Japanese delegation and Special Advisor to the Japanese Cabinet, Professor Isao Iiijima commended the Uganda Government for recognizing his government’s involvement in efforts aimed at enhancing infrastructural development by Katanayagi Corporation.

He said that Japan has got the required finance and technology to help when need arises.
Prof Isao also announced that the Japanese Government has donated 100 sewing machines to Women Groups through the President’s Office.


The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of the Ministry Mrs.Rosette Byengoma said the Japan Africa Development Corporation has come at a time when the Defence Ministry is designing a strategy aimed at smoothening the transition of military veterans to civilian life.

She said the solar panels and pumps from Eiki shoji Company, that await testing for the establishment of the solar plant and the 100 sewing machines to military veterans will settle and re-integrate them into civilian life.


The General Manager for the Japan African Development Corporation Masanori Yamazaki signed the MOU on behalf of the Japanese Government while the Deputy Managing Director of the National Enterprise Corporation (NEC) Brig. Ddiba Sentongo signed the MoU on behalf of the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs.


The signing of the MOU was also witnessed by the Chief of Defence Forces Gen. David Muhoozi, UPDF Joint Chief of Staff Lt Gen. Joseph Musanyufu, and Commissioner in charge of Psycho-social support, resettlement and rehabilitation in the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs Mr. Mike Mabonga, among others.

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