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Mystery of money and why it is hard to control

By
Guest Writer
-
Mr Nabendeh Wamoto

By Nabendeh Wamoto S.P

Dear my elusive, horrible, foe. How are you doing now days?. Why are you rare in Uganda’s 6 per cent growing economy?

It’s now 1/3 of a whole year now since I last held you in my hands and oh! how I have suffered without you, longed for you, dreamt of you and I believe most Ugandans also. Ms. Money, even when you were Christened mobile money about 10 years ago you continue to stubbornly distance and desert me and that ever since you chose to desert me, I have prayed and wished for your death and I know a multitude of Ugandans would willfully attend your burial. For I have heard many curse, (insult) you to the marrow.

You must understand however, that despite my longing for your abrupt death, I still love you and lust for you. Ms. money, you sometimes come announced and unannounced at the same time. Why do you have to desert me and fellow Ugandans in that manner and for this entire long when financial experts insist that our economy continue to grow for above 6 per cent per annum?. I now think that you feel jealous and decided not to warn me that only denominations of coins, not paper money remain in my wallet. Perhaps you didn’t know that super markets which is now a popular phenomenon in Uganda today do not extend credit facilities to any Tom, Harry, Joe e.t.c. even those social evenings that were a bang in the past is now a nightmare for it seems a fortune not well spent when that old bad looking waitress had within a twinkling of an eye turned into a J-Lo of sorts, when one of my buddies recently failed to top up the amount in his beer bill at a pub in Mbale.

So I unwillingly searched my denim jeans’ pockets and counted only Shs1500 of you in coins and therefore, could not bail him out. Money, on that night which I now dread so much, you stubbornly refused to remind me to spare some of you for my transport back to my nest. My ordeal that followed from that point shall I now demand you to account. It is very cruel, brutal and horrible on your part because I clinically searched all my pockets and found no traces of you anywhere, I turned the pockets inside out but all in vain; money you were gone.

I reached for my wallet and only found my ID, some old business cards and some creased paper that serves the purpose of making my wallets heavy that when seen from the rear, old Jackies, Maggies and Dianas will think I am still loaded. My transport fare home was not that much; it was only Shs1000 after flashing one finger to the taxi conductor but all of a sudden, even three fingers flashed at the conductor indicating to him/her beforehand that I have only Shs3000.

“Sergeant” would not be heeded. My heart was still convinced that somehow somewhere I could have a coin or two of yourself on me to deliver me from evil in vain. I thought hard and the emotion in me whispered to me to walk out of the bar and make a re-entry. I thought if there were still any coins, the bouncer’s metal detector would alarm as he/she checks me. So as I re-entered, a mean looking bouncer’s metal detector screamed and from inside I felt the pulse of my heart as it jumped in artificial delight. My joy was however, short lived when I only found a single coin tucked somewhere in my old jeans’ pockets. On further scrutiny, it dawned on me that the coin was one with a portrait of a cow similar to those recently uprooted and re-installed at Mbarara’s roundabout.
I will not probe further into that miracle of an old wench’s transformation into a J-lo so let me stick to the main issue why I am writing this letter to you my brutal, affectionate, foe, dear money.

Still stuck but in motion, meanwhile time check was around 2:45 am, transport back to my crib (home) so like Rev. Anderson in Bernard Shaw’s “The Devil’s Discipline”, it is in times like this that one finds his true profession. So in my case I would be a thinker, a philosopher if you like.

I hastily remembered I had carried my ATM card and just next to the bar was my bank’s ATM booth. These machines are equally annoyingly too accurate; it made no mistake and flashed the words “your account balance is zero” in my face. If I may be bold enough to ask you dear money, why do you hate me? Why is it that whenever I have you, you always want to run away from me quicker than you came. When I have you, you sincerely never let me to settle in one place but rather keep urging me to dispose of you? These are the critical questions to which straight answers are sought from non-other than yourself (money).

Nabendeh Wamoto S.P (0776-658433)
simonwamoto@yahoo.co.uk

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WHO calls for embracing of World Immunization Week

By
Agencies
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WHO

World health organisation (WHO) has called for embracing of World Immunization Week that aims at promoting the use of vaccines to protect people of all ages against disease.

Immunization saves millions of lives every year and is widely recognized as one of the world’s most successful and cost-effective health interventions. Vaccine preventable diseases (VPDs) claim the lives of over half a million children under five every year in Africa representing 56 per cent of global VPD-related deaths.

The African region has made tremendous gains toward increasing access to immunization in the last two decades. But we need to redouble our efforts too many African children still live without access to life-saving vaccines. Nearly 20 million unvaccinated and under-vaccinated children in the world today.

According to WHO Regional Director for Africa Dr. Matshidiso Moeti, Immunization is key to preventing these deaths and helping children everywhere survive and thrive.

“We need to work together to improve immunization delivery so that all children are protected from preventable disease. Recent disease outbreaks on the continent remind us of the urgency of this goal. Outbreaks of measles in Madagascar and Ebola in the Democratic Republic of Congo underscore the need for increased investments in immunization as a fundamental part of strengthening primary health care systems.” Said Dr. Matshidiso Moeti.

The body also calls on people to celebrate vaccine heroes from across the continent who play an inspiring and integral role in delivering vaccines and saving lives.

This year’s immunization campaign is held under the theme ‘Protected Together: Vaccines Work!’ The campaign will celebrate Vaccine Heroes from around the world from parents and community members to health workers and innovators who help ensure we are all protected, at all ages, through the power of vaccine.

In recognition of this year’s theme’, immunization partners have stressed the importance of utilizing available resources, collaboratively, consistently and effectively fight vaccine-preventable diseases.

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Uganda to host International Muslim Youth Conference

By
Geoffery Serugo
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Sheikh Muhamad Ali Waiswa

The 2nd Deputy Mufti of Uganda, Sheikh Muhamad Ali Waiswa, has said Uganda and World Muslim Communities Council based in the United Arab Emirates are set to host the International Muslim Youth Conference.

The two day conference will be graced and officially opened by President Yoweri Museveni and in attendance will be the Mufti of Uganda Sheikh Ramadhan Shaban Mubajje and representatives from several African countries.

Speaking at Gaddafi National Mosque in Old Kampala, Sheikh Waiswa said the conference will be held under theme; Role of Muslim Youths in the Africa of tomorrow slated to take place from April 26 to 27th in Kampala.

According to Sheikh Waiswa the conference is peddled at raising awareness among Muslim youths about the significance of their role in the sustainable development of Africa.

He said countries which have confirmed their attendance include: Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan, Malawi, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Egypt, Cameroon, Burkina Faso, Gambia, Senegal, Mozambique and South Africa.

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Fighting Museveni isn’t a beauty contest-Besigye tells Bwanika

By
Geoffery Serugo
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FDC-strongman, Dr. Kizza Besigye

Former presidential candidate Dr. Kizza Besigye has responded to Dr. Abed Bwanika saying this is not a beauty contest that they are looking for a new face, rather fighters in the struggle against the leadership of president Yoweri Museveni.

During the re-union of Democratic Party (DP) leaders, Bwanika demanded that the four time presidential candidate should step down to pave way for others to contest against 30 years leadership of president Museveni.

In the same meeting, Kyadondo East MP Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine faulted Dr. Besigye for contesting all the times and thereafter, reasoned that democracy doesn’t exist in Uganda. Bobi Wine stated “you can’t say democracy doesn’t exist without providing another measure of fighting against the incumbency”.

Appearing on NBS-TV morning show, Besigye said this wasn’t a beauty contest. “We are looking for as many fighters as possible. But if they are talking about the leadership of the struggle, let them join and lead the struggle. I have said I have no problem anyone leading the struggle.”

He said the struggle is not a Besigye struggle, it’s a people’s struggle who want to liberate themselves from those holding them in captivity. A struggle takes time. When the British were holding us here, it was through struggle that it became impossible for them to stay. Our grandparents fought to force the British out of our country. The people must fight for themselves, we cannot fight for them” He said.

Adding “So how do we fight? We first create awareness so that people understand their situation and that is why we participate in elections because we use every situation to reach out to people. During elections, it’s when we have space to create more awareness at National level.”
“After creating awareness, then we organise and build networks of people to offer leadership”.

Besigye said leadership is critical and relating to an incident in 2009, when the Kabaka was stopped from going to Bugerere, he said people took over government for three days but they were not organised.

Below is the interview.

Qn Did you win elections and where is the evidence?

We won elections and have evidence. But you must know that winning elections and taking power are different. When you win an election, you must be declared winner and given Instruments of power. But the military Junta will not handover power even when we defeated it. So even if we win, we shall not be declared winners or the losers handover power. It will not happen. It does not only happen here in Uganda.

You saw it in Gambia, Yahaya Jammeh was defeated but refused to handover power. It took the intervention of ECOWAS and Senegalese military forces to force Jammeh out.

Qn Some people are saying you must retire and give way.

You see, we are not fighting for leadership positions. We are fighting to get a country because we don’t have a country. The struggle today is not a struggle for leadership, we have nothing to lead and we have to first regain the country. The struggle is to end the rule of the few.

The contests we have are contests for liberation. It’s ridiculous to suggest that a fighter should give way or retire. The only time a fighter in the liberation retires is when he dies and you bury him or her and salute them for their contribution to the struggle.
In the struggle, every fighter is needed. It doesn’t matter whether the fighter is old or young. However, in fighting a dictatorship, the dictator will always try to cause despondency.

Qn But Abed Bwanika says they need a new face of opposition.

Is this a beauty contest that we are looking got a new face? We are looking for as many fighters as possible. But if they are talking about the leadership of the struggle, let them join and lead the struggle. I have said I have no problem anyone leading the struggle.

I have repeatedly said that I have never sought to look for a position. Even in 2001, I was never meant to be a candidate. Someone else (Bidandi Ssali) was to be a candidate.

So whoever wants to be a leader of the struggle, come and lead us? I don’t enjoy being in Teargas and bullets. I never see those people in the heat of moment. Let them come and lead us. I am really not anxious to be in the teargas. I have never seen Bwanika in the heat of things, who has stopped them?

Paid Propaganda is serious business. When you say something repeatedly, people get to believe it. Some people, even in opposition have been saying Besigye and Museveni are the same. Can you believe? If I lead protests against Museveni how does that help him? Anybody who says that I work for Museveni is completely out of his or her mind. If you ask them what is it that Besigye does that is almost what Museveni does, you will not get a response.

Qn Bobi Wine says you have contested four times so you should not tell us there is no democracy, he believes democracy exists.

The reason why we go to school is to learn the experience of others. Every subject that is taught in class be it science or arts, from primary to university, is about experience of others.
Similarly, in politics, we go through many experiences that form a body of knowledge. It’s this knowledge that new politicians pick lessons which they learn from, let me stop it at that.

Police say they stop us basing on Public Order Management Act (POMA), do we need police permission to appear on a radio station? How did I come to this NBS TV? If it is about Public Management? where is the public to be controlled by police in these studios?

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Sudhir Vs Lule & Sebalu conflict of interest, ruling postponed to next week

By
Our Reporter
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Chairman of Ruparelia group of companies Sudhir Ruparelia and his son who is the Managing Director of Crane Management Services, Rajiv Ruparelia take questions from the press at Commercial Court.

Commercial Court has postponed the day it will give its ruling on the case involving city tycoon Sudhir Ruparelia and attorneys from Lule & Sebalu advocates, from Wednesday, April 24 to Monday April 29, 2019.

The new development was communicated to all parties who were eagerly waiting in court by Justice Gadenya Wolimbwa who notified to them and that the ruling was ready.

Sudhir in a suit filed in December 2017 argues that Sebalu and Lule Advocates shouldn’t be representing BoU and Dfcu bank as this amount to conflict of interest as the law firm already represented Crane Management Services which is part of the Ruparelia Group the holding company of former Crane Bank Limited.

Crane Management Services sued Dfcu bank demanding rental arrears amounting to Shs2.9 billion and US $385,728.54 in respect of tenancies of suit properties that were formally owned by Crane Bank Limited (CBL).

Ruparelia also wants the court to issue a permanent injunction, restraining Sebalu & Lule Advocates from appearing as defence counsel for dfcu bank in the other court case that the two principals are battling out.

In December 2017, the Commercial disqualified Masembe and Mpanga from the Sh397 billion Sudhir Ruparelia’s case against Bank of Uganda (BoU), citing conflict of interest.

In his ruling delivered on December 21, 2017, Wangutusi stated that David Mpanga of A.F. Mpanga Advocates and Timothy Masembe of MMAKS Advocates acted in violation of the Advocates regulations.

Section 4 of the regulation says that an advocate shall not accept instructions from any person in respect of a contentious or non-contentious matter if the matter involves a former client and the advocate as a result of acting for the former client is aware of any facts which may be prejudicial to the client in that matter.

Court documents indicate that when Dfcu Bank took over the assets and liabilities of Crane Bank, it also took over occupation and use of the said rented properties from which the real estate company wants to recover accumulated rent arrears from Dfcu bank.

Some of the properties cited include; Crane Bank branches at plot 9 on Market Street, plot 1-13, Jinja Road, plot 47, Republic Road-Mbale, Speke Hotel (1996), Pot 19 Cooper Road (Crane Plaza), plot 20, Kampala Road –Crane Bank ATM.

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Senegal, Morocco complain to Caf over age-cheats at U-17 Afcon

By
Our Reporter
-

The Senegal Football Federation (FSF) and Morocco have filed a complaint with Caf against Guinea and Cameroon respectively for alleged age-cheating at the Africa Under-17 Cup of Nations (U17 Afcon) finals currently taking place in Tanzania.

Senegal claim they have evidence that two Guinea players forged their date of births to be eligible for the tournament. Both the implicated players featured when the Guineans beat Senegal 2-1 in a Group B match last week.

Morocco have threatened to report Cameroon for allegedly fielding over-age players at the ongoing tournament in Tanzania.

Cameroon beat Morocco last week to qualify for the semi-finals and reach the U17 World Cup in Brazil later this year, but Morocco want them thrown out.

Nigeria, Guinea and Angola have also booked World Cup places but Moroccan FA (FRMF) president Fouzi Lekjaa, a big wheel within African football, says CAF has been far too weak in dealing with the issue of over-age players even though six were banned before the tournament started, three of them from Cameroon. Other teams who had players failing the MRI tests were Guinea and hosts Tanzania.

Lekjaa says rather than stopping the guilty parties from participating, the most suitable sanction would be the expelling the countries involved.

“I will not keep quiet about what is happening at the Africa U17 Afcon in Tanzania. It’s scandalous,” Lekjaa was quoted saying according to insideworldfootball.

“I am sorry to say CAF is totally unable to handle this case relating to the age of the players. It is not enough to suspend players who are above the legal age. They (CAF) should rather disqualify these teams and punish officials who are responsible for this situation.”

“I called the president of CAF to express my anger. The Morocco national team fielded a squad of young players under the age of 17 against Cameroon who had players who are 25-years-old. We are studying the possibility of resorting to FIFA,”

“CAF must suspend the competition and perform all necessary tests to ensure that all players who are above the legal age are punished.”

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KCCA FC win 13th league title

By
Our Reporter
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KCCA players celebrate

Kampala Capital City Authority football club (KCCA FC) are the 2018/19 StarTimes Uganda Premier League champions following their one-all draw with Ndejje University at the Arena of Visions on Tuesday afternoon.

The draw meant that the Kasasiro Boys moved to 60 points, 7 ahead of Vipers in second place with 2 games left to play and cannot be overtaken even if they failed to win their remaining two matches.

A 61st minute strike from second-half substitute Ibrahim Sadam Juma cancelled out Anwar Ntege’s first half goal in a match the relegation strugglers Ndejje needed the maximum points for their safety.

The title win moves KCCA to its 13th, just three short of record winners SC Villa Jogoo with 16.

Also, this is Mike Mutebi’s third league title as the KCCA head coach since returning to the club in 2015 and the clubs’ 5th in the last 7 years.

The trophy will be officially handed to them in their last home game against Maroons at the StarTimes stadium in Lugogo and they will take part in next sesason’s Caf Champions League.

Elsewhere, Nyamityobora became the second club to be relegated this season after Paidha Black Angels. The Abanyakare were thumped 3-0 by Tooro United in Mbarara with a brace from Allan Kayiwa.

Vipers SC managed to overcome a stubborn Police side with a 2-1 win in Lugogo but that was not good enough to keep them in the title race.

SC Villa Jogoo took a huge step forward in their relegation fight after beating Maroons FC 1-0 in Luzira. Ronald Magwali scored the only goal in the first half that separated the two sides.

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Kenya set to host the 9th East African Petroleum Conference and Exhibition 2019

By
Our Reporter
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President Uhuru Kenyatta of the Republic of Kenya.

Kenya is set to host The 9th East African Petroleum Conference and Exhibition 2019 (EAPCE’19) at the Pride Inn Paradise Beach Resort, Convention Center and Spa in Mombasa.

The conference organized by the East African Community (EAC) Secretariat and the EAC Partner States is expected to attract more than 1,000 participants taking place on 8th to 10th May, 2019.

Under the theme East African Region: The Destination of Choice for Oil and Gas Investment Opportunities to Enhance Socioeconomic Transformation, aims at promoting the region’s petroleum potential and investment opportunities.

The EAC has been holding the East African Petroleum Conference and Exhibition biennially since 2003 to promote exploration, development and production of oil and gas.

The Conference and Exhibition is aimed at promoting investment in the oil and gas sector by demonstrating to the world the potential that lies within the region and sharing information on the status of development of the sector in each Partner State.

Technical papers, paper posters, e-posters and exhibitions aligned to the conference theme are lined up to produce stimulating interactions among conference delegates. Field excursions to selected sites of geological and touristic importance in the region are being planned to give the delegates an unforgettable experience.

It offers a wide range of technical presentations reflecting developments in the oil and gas industry in East Africa and around the world, forum for discussing the legal and policy framework and the overall business environment prevailing in the region.

The Conference and Exhibition programme integrates field excursions to selected sites in each Partner State for delegates to see the rich geological variety that the region possesses as well as the touristic attractions that the region is well known for. The exhibitions and field excursions have become a popular feature of the Conference, attracting more and more participants with each successive Conference.

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African leaders convene in an emergency meeting in Egypt over Sudan and Libya

By
Agencies
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Former Sudan President Omar Al Bashir

African leaders have gathered for an emergency summit in Egypt peddled at to discussing and seeking for solutions over the new developments in Sudan and Libya.

This is the first meeting since the two nations were rocked by protests that led to ousting of President Omar al-Bashir and Commander Khalifa Haftar bid to overthrow current government powered by the United Nations.

Deadly sporadic protests in Sudan that culminated into the overthrew of president Bashir started way back in December last year after hiking prices of bread, a common food consumed in the country.

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi who doubles as the chairman of African union is expected to moderate the discussion that will be attended by among others South Africa’s Cyril Ramaphosa, president of Rwanda Paul Kagame, Somalia’s Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed, Chadian president Idriss Deby and Dijbouti’s leader Ismail Omar Guelleh.

According to Egyptian leader, they will discuss the most appropriate ways to address the evolution of the situation and to contribute to stability and peace in Sudan.

The AU on April 15 threatened to suspend Sudan if the military does not hand over power within 15 days of that date to a civilian authority.

President of the African Union commission Moussa Faki is also expected to participate in the discussions, along with officials from Ethiopia, South Sudan, Uganda, Kenya and Nigeria

Another summit on Libya, which will bring together the leaders of Rwanda, South Africa and the Congo will focus on launching a political process and the elimination of terrorism in the war razed country.

Early this month, Haftar’s Libyan National Army launched an offensive attack against Tripoli the city that hosts internationally recognized Government.

Egypt is a strong ally of Haftar and is alleged to have been backed by the UAE. He is the is the leader according to the White House who was consulted by US President Donald Trump in a phone call last week.

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Title, top four and pride at stake in massive Manchester derby

By
Agencies
-
Manchester Derby

Even by the rarified atmosphere of Manchester derbies, there will seldom have been so much on the line for both sides of the city when Manchester United host Manchester City on Wednesday.

For City, the Premier League title is at stake with Pep Guardiola’s men needing to win their remaining four matches to be sure of becoming the first side since United a decade ago to retain the title.

Those days of dominance are long gone for the Red Devils with just a place in the top four and Champions League qualification their target.

However, United also have to restore some sense of pride after a 4-0 thrashing at Everton on Sunday.

Defeat at Goodison Park was United’s sixth in eight games, a run that has seen them crash out of the Champions League and FA Cup, as well as slip back down to sixth in the Premier League.

But with Tottenham, Arsenal and Chelsea also faltering, they remain just three points off the top four.

The momentum and feel good factor built up by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s first few months in charge has gone.

Now the Norwegian, only hired on a permanent basis last month, has to show he has the ability to arrest the slump even before a major restructure of his squad takes place in the summer.

Solskjaer questioned the work rate and desire of some of his players on Sunday, making it clear that big changes are needed.

However, he is clinging to the hope that those he currently has to call on will be shocked into a short-term response.

“Against City at Old Trafford on Wednesday, that’s the biggest incentive we can have,” said Solskjaer after the Everton embarrassment.

“Old Trafford at home, in front of our fantastic fans, they were unbelievable again and they never ever moaned at our players, which they could have, but they’ve been supportive and I’m sure they will be on Wednesday night.”

Yet, there is a dilemma even for United fans keen to halt City’s rise.

Should City fail to win at Old Trafford, Liverpool — historically United’s fiercest rivals — will be just three games away from a first league title in 29 years.

Liverpool have already set their highest ever points tally in the Premier League era of 88 to lead City by two points.

However, Guardiola’s men have a game in hand and should they move top once more with a win on Wednesday, would just need to see off Burnley, Leicester and Brighton to guarantee the title.

“With this Liverpool side, our side we know if we lose what happens,” warned Guardiola.

City’s quest for a quadruple of trophies fell short by the finest of margins as they lost on away goals to Tottenham in the quarter-finals of the Champions League last week.

However, they can still claim an unprecedented domestic treble by winning the league and FA Cup over the next month to go with their League Cup win in February.

“I love my team being there,” added Guardiola.

“I am not going to criticise them because we are out (of the Champions League). I see every day what we have done over the past two seasons, they show me character every three days.

“I have good players, but they have to do it. And when people expect them to do it, it’s harder to do it. That’s why we push them but they respond really well. I love my team.”

City gained a small measure of revenge on Spurs with a 1-0 league win on Saturday, but victory came at a cost with Kevin de Bruyne unlikely to play again this season due to a hamstring injury. – AFP

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