Stanbic Bank
Stanbic Bank
25.7 C
Kampala
Stanbic Bank
Stanbic Bank
Home Blog Page 1291

Candidates to sit for technical examinations rise 9.3% in 2019

By
George Mangula
-
Some candidates that pass examination install solar panels.

The number of candidates prepared to sit for business and technical examinations in May to June 2019 examinations series has increased by 9.3 per cent to 24,161 from 23,560 candidates registered in last year’s examinations series, according to Uganda Business and Technical Examinations Board (UBTEB) which administers the examinations.

UBTEB is set to conduct its 16th examinations series for 24,161 students registered from 202 examinations centres across the country. The examinations started Friday and will end June 17, 2019.

According to UBTEB, The examinations are to be conducted in three phases. The first phase of the examinations that include Technical Diploma and Higher Diploma Programmes begins on May 17, with briefing of candidates and will end on May 31, 2019. Phase two examinations start May 28th and end June 13th. Phase three examinations commence May 31 to June 17.

UBTEB says in the press release that it has continued to register bigger enrollment of candidates in vocational training institutions and other training institutions accredited all over the country.

I adds: “The number of examinations centres has increased to 202 in 2019 from 173 in 2018. The increase in the number of students is attributed to the achievement of the Skilling Uganda Strategy which puts much emphasis on demand driven courses.”

The board further says it registered candidates for Business Diploma and Certificate programmes, Technical National Diploma and Higher Diploma programmes and other specialised training academic programmes like Fisheries, Meteorology, Agriculture, Wildlife, Lands and Survey.

Stories Continues after ad

Rwanda parades spokesperson of FLN

By
Our Reporter
-
Callixte Nsabimana alias Sankara

Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB) has paraded Self-styled Callixte Nsabimana alias Sankara, the spokesperson of a terror group that calls itself FLN, which has mounted terror attacks on Rwandan territory in areas around Nyungwe National Park.

At about 9.10am on Friday morning, a blue and white van carrying Nsabimana arrived at RIB headquarters in Kimihurura and paraded before tens of local and foreign journalists.

In handcuffs, Nsabimana was then led into the room by two police officers. He smiled as he went past the group of journalists. Clad in sunglasses, sky blue shirt, grey pants and black loafers and stood before the media for about two minutes and quickly whisked back to the van which promptly sped off.

The first of such attacks happened last year in June in Nyabimata Sector, Nyamagabe District where two people died and property was looted while other items like a vehicle were burned. Nsabimana would later claim responsibility of the incident in international press.

Another attack was launched a few months later in December, where three passenger service vehicles were attacked by assailants inside Nyungwe Forest.

Two people were killed, while eight were injured and a number of others taken hostage for days before they were rescued by Rwanda Defence Force.

FLN, which is led by another Rwandan dissident Paul Rusesabagina, is said to work in cohorts with other groups like Rwanda National Congress and the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR).

Upon his arrest last month, RIB said Nsabimana was being probed for number of crimes including formation of an irregular armed group, complicity in committing terrorist acts, conspiracy and incitement to commit terrorist acts, taking persons hostage, murder, and looting.

Warning issued

Addressing members of the media; the Spokesman of RIB; Modeste Mbabazi warned those seeking to destabilize the country that there is no place to hide when it comes to bringing to book those sought by the judiciary.

“No place is too far when it comes to seeking justice. Let anyone who wants to destabilize the peace that is enjoyed by Rwandans know that where you may be, you will be brought to book,” he said.

When asked whether the suspect could be visited by family and friends, Mbabazi said that it was still too soon but eventually that would be granted.

“Terrorism crimes have a specific law because they fall in a special category. Right now, he is still under investigation but in the future, there may be opportunities for those interested in visiting him to do so,” he said.

In good health

The accused’s lawyer, Moise Nkundabarashi, who Nsabimana specifically chose to represent him said that his client was in good health and getting access to whatever he needs in detention.

“My client is being detained lawfully. Every suspect has a right to seek medical attention. He is healthy and getting everything that he needs and as of today, he has not had any sickness,” he said.

He pointed out that the full extent of his client’s list of accusations was not yet clear since investigations are still ongoing.

“I have spent time with my client before and during his questioning. The crimes that he is being accused of are contained in a dossier that the Rwanda Bureau of Investigations is investigating and they are tied to terrorism. The details of the crimes that he is accused of will be available when he appears in court,” he said.

Nsabimana first attracted media attention during the trial of musician Kizito Mihigo, who was accused of working with foreign-based dissidents to conduct subversive activities on the Rwandan territory.

Kizito, who has since been tried, convicted and recently granted a presidential pardon, colluded with Nsabimana to plot assassinations of different officials in Rwanda, among other subversive activities.

Before he fled the country, Nsabimana had been dismissed by the then National University of Rwanda now University of Rwanda for what the university called ‘making the university ungovernable’.

He was later dismissed from the university.

Stories Continues after ad

Manchester City eye domestic treble ahead of FA Cup final against Watford

By
Agencies
-
FA Trophy

Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City take on Javi Gracia’s Watford in the 2019 FA Cup final on Saturday, 18th May at Wembley Stadium.

The Cityzens could become the first team to win the domestic treble in England, having already won the Premier League title and EFL Cup this season.

Key stats ahead of the 138th final of the FA Cup:

Manchester City are looking to become just the fourth team to win both major domestic cup competitions in the same season, after Arsenal in 1992-93, Liverpool in 2000-01 and Chelsea in 2006-07.

Manchester City are the ninth different team to reach both major domestic English cup finals within the same season, after Arsenal, Chelsea, Everton, Liverpool, Manchester United, Middlesbrough, Sheffield Wednesday and Tottenham Hotspur.

This will be Manchester City’s 11th appearance in an FA Cup Final and their first since 2013, when they lost 0-1 to Wigan. They’ve won the competition five times (1904, 1934, 1956, 1969 and 2011).

Watford’s only previous FA Cup Final appearance came in 1984 under manager Graham Taylor, losing 0-2 to Everton at Wembley.

Watford’s 35-year wait for a second FA Cup Final appearance is the longest since 1967, when Chelsea appeared in their second Final 52 years after first featuring in 1915.

No team to finish in the bottom half of the top-flight table has ever beaten the side to finish top in an FA Cup Final – the previous lowest was in 1957, when 10th-placed Aston Villa beat champions Manchester United.

Man City have eliminated Watford from The FA Cup in each of their previous three ties, winning 3-1 in 1996-97, 3-0 in 2012-13 and 4-2 in 2013-14; Watford’s only elimination of City in The FA Cup was in the 1985-86 season in the fourth round.

Manchester City have scored 20 goals in the Emirates FA Cup this season, the most by a team in a single season in the competition since Chelsea in 2011-12 (also 20).

Watford have lost their last 10 matches against Manchester City in all competitions, conceding 32 goals in those games. They are winless in 15 games against the Citizens (W0 D2 L13) since a 1-0 win in March 1989 in the second tier.

Gerard Deulofeu is Watford’s highest scorer in all competitions this season (12). Nine of his 12 goals this season have come in his last 13 games, with the Spaniard scoring Watford’s winner in their semi-final victory against Wolves.

Sergio Aguero has been involved in 12 goals in just seven appearances against Watford for Manchester City in all competitions (10 goals, 2 assists), including two hat-tricks – one of which was in a 4-2 FA Cup win in January 2014.

Sergio Aguero has scored 32 goals in all competitions for Man City this season – only in 2016-17 (33) has he scored more in a single campaign for the Citizens.

Since the start of the 2011-12 season, Man City striker Sergio Aguero has scored 18 FA Cup goals – three more than any other player; the Argentinian has scored in every round he’s played in barring the final, failing to score in the 2013 final against Wigan.

This will be the first FA Cup Final between two managers of the same nationality since 2008 (Dave Jones and Harry Redknapp). It’s only the second time it’s happened when the managers aren’t British, with the other being in 2001 between Frenchmen Arsene Wenger and Gerard Houllier.

Either Pep Guardiola or Javier Gracia will become the third Spanish manager to win The FA Cup, after Rafael Benitez (2006, Liverpool) and Roberto Martinez (2013, Wigan).

In his entire managerial career, Pep Guardiola only has a better 100 per cent win record against four teams than he does against Watford (six wins out of six) – Malaga (8/8) and Hannover 96, Werder Bremen and West Ham (7/7).

Pep Guardiola could become just the eighth manager to win the English top flight, League Cup and FA Cup, after Bill Nicholson, Don Revie, Joe Mercer, Kenny Dalglish, George Graham, Sir Alex Ferguson and Jose Mourinho; Mercer achieved the feat with Manchester City.

Stories Continues after ad

2019 AWIEF Awards nominations closing date extended

By
Our Reporter
-
Africa Women Innovation & Entrepreneurship Forum – AWIEF Awards 2019

The closing date for the 2019 Africa Women Innovation and Entrepreneurship Forum (AWIEF) Awards nominations has been extended to Monday, 10 June 2019. The extension gives more women entrepreneurs an opportunity to enter these prestigious, multi-industry awards, and be recognised for their contribution to Pan-African, social and economic agendas.

Women entrepreneurs and business owners are invited to submit nominations in a range of categories, including youth, technology, agriculture and women empowerment in business.

AWIEF has partnered with City of Cape Town, Shell South Africa and the Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Cooperation (CTA-EU), to recognise and celebrate women for their passion and determination in making a difference in their countries and on the continent.

Categories for the awards are: Young Entrepreneur Award, Tech Entrepreneur Award, Social Entrepreneur Award, Global Brand Award, Agri Entrepreneur Award, Empowerment Award, Creative Industry Award and Lifetime Achievement Award. Winners will be announced on the 30th of October at the Westin Hotel in Cape Town.

Previous winners include Wendy Luhabe, pioneered the founding of WIPHOLD, WPEF and more recently, WINDE; Bethlehem Tilahun Alemu, Founder of the global brand SoleRebels; Nomso Faith Kana, Founder Sun and Shield Technologies; Lorna Rutto, Founder EcoPost; and many more.

Nomination guidelines:

Nominations should only be made relating to achievements made by a female entrepreneur and national (or permanent resident) of an African country, with a registered business and operation in one or more African countries.

Nominees can be nominated or self-nominated.

A woman entrepreneur can be nominated for more than one category but different nomination forms must be completed but may be asked to support or verify the evidence you supply as part of the nominations you make.

Three nominees will be shortlisted for each category and invited to the AWIEF Awards ceremony in October of the same year.

Stories Continues after ad

BoU’s extension of Dfcu’s hold on Meera Investments freehold properties is contempt of court

By
Editorial
-
ON THE FIRING LINE: Governor Mutebile and former deputy Louis Kasekende.

The Bank of Uganda (BoU) has controversially extended the duration of Dfcu bank’s possession of freehold properties of Meera Investments Limited for extra 24 months after the first 34 months elapsed, having transferred Crane Bank Limited (CBL) to Dfcu on January 25, 2017 on account of undercapitalisation.

CBL was renting the properties that were wrongfully transferred to Dfcu Bank.

The deal to extend Dfcu bank’s free hold on Meera Investments’ properties was recently reached at between the BoU Governor Emmanuel Tumusiime-Mutebile, Deputy Governor Dr Louis Kasekende and director of Legal department Margaret Kasule on one side and Dfcu bosses on the other side.

The officials penned that deal well-knowing that there is a case in court where Meera Investments which is part of the Ruparelia Group, wants Dfcu bank to return its properties but also pay rent on some of the properties specifically former branches of CBL.

The sides should have waited for court to hear the case before going on with the extension after all court sits early July to hear the case.

The rushed deal to extend the contract for 24 more months could have been calculated to financially benefit the individuals involved especially on the BoU side like Governor Mutebile and his deputy Kasekende as some of the officials are to retire soon or government has no interest reappointing them to those posts. And the rush to sign the deal could have meant to seal a deal ahead of retirement.

In the pending Meera Investments contends that the Commissioner land registration connived with Dfcu bank to transfer the leases of the 46 properties into the latter’s names without the written prior consent of the bonafide owner of the property, which meant the deal was null and void.

Meera Investments wants court to declare that the continued presence of Dfcu bank on its properties, amounts to trespass and that they should be ordered to vacate with immediate effect but now BoU has again extended the deal to have Dfcu bank occupy the branches. Meera Investment contends that it’s the rightful owner of the 46 branches formerly trading as Crane Bank and for that matter dfcu must pay rent arrears estimated to be US $8.6 million

Meera Investments also wants court to direct the commissioner of land registration to immediately cancel out Dfcu bank as being the right full owner of the said 46 properties and reinstate them as the rightful owners.

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

That aside, Ruparelia Group whose Chairman is Sudhir Ruparelia has successful won cases in court prohibiting MMKAS Advocates AF Mpanga, Advocates, Sebalu and Lule Advocates from being on any side against his companies since they worked for him at different times. In particular BoU and Dfcu bank lost as court ruled those law firms cannot represent them against any company of Ruparelia Group. This of course has not gone well with BoU and Dfcu bank who thought they would could gain from the knowledge of the prohibited firms in regard to Ruparelia Group of companies.

Stories Continues after ad

PAP calls for internal democracy in political parties

By
Geoffery Serugo
-

MIDRAND, SOUTH AFRICA: The Pan African Parliament (PAP) has called for internal democracy in political parties in order to build proper democracy at national level.

Debating a report on political parties building vibrant and inclusive democracies in Africa, PAP recommended that political parties should continue to be the champions of the rule of law and strong advocates of the resolution of existing electoral conflicts.

The report was presented by Aboubacar Sidiki Kone, the Chairperson of the Committee on Cooperation, International Relations and Conflict Resolution and considered during a sitting chaired by PAP President Roger Nkodo on Thursday, 16 May 2019.
The report was out of a workshop on elections and democracies held in Midrand, South Africa in March.

During the workshop, members observed that informal actors with an interest in the incumbency or regime change, influence of foreign interests, and an unequal ground between the opposition and ruling parties as some of the challenges faced in organising and holding elections in Africa.
In the debate, members said that although some progress has been made in democracy in Africa, a lot still has to be done to reduce the violence exhibited at election time.

James Kakooza said that there was need for politicians and political parties to be accommodative and not to view their opponents as enemies. He called for better civic education ahead of elections to provide the requisite information and knowledge about the process, candidates and parties.

“We need to emphasise this and have people stop viewing persons in other parties as their enemies but take it as a matter of principle and choice to belong to a different party,” he said.
Prof. Ogenga Latigo commended South Africa, the hosts of the PAP, for holding what turned out to be a hugely successful election last week. He appealed to other countries to copy the country’s example and also provide for voters to be able to vote from anywhere in the country.

Members blamed the high contestation and level of violence during elections in most African countries on the ‘winner takes all’ system, where losers are not considered in the new government.

Members urged political parties to develop policies aimed at fostering inclusivity especially in national resources, public services, job opportunities and public contracts when forming governments. They also recommended that parties develop internal affirmative action policies that will ensure that women and youth are adequately included in the political process.

It was also recommended that political parties develop and implement their own internal code of conduct that will, among others, penalise electoral offenders.

ENDS

Stories Continues after ad

Kansai Plascon, Kyetume to battle for remaining Uganda Premier League slot

By
Our Reporter
-
FUFA big league

Kansai Plascon FC will take on Kyetume FC on Saturday 18th May 2019 at StarTimes Lugogo in the Fufa Big League promoitional play-off final.

The winner will join Wakiso Giants FC and Proline FC as the three promoted clubs for the 2019/20 StarTimes Uganda Premier League season.

Kyetume FC defeated Dove Football Club 3-2 in penalty shootouts after normal time ended in a two-all draw.

Ali Ngongo and an own goal from Wahab Lwanga gave Kyetume the advantage but Ronald Kyamunywa’s goal and goalkeeper Hussein Ndungwa’s penalty in added time for Dove FC forced the game into penalties.

In the other game played at the same venue, Kansai Plascon ejected the army side UPDF FC in the kicks from the penalty mark after a one all draw in the 90 minutes.

Both goals came in the second half after a goalless first half. Henry Kitegenyi of Kansai Plascon put the hosts ahead with a superb header in the 82nd but later leveled by Muwonge Amos who scored a memorable goal in the added minutes of the game.

Kansai Plascon converted five (5) out of six(6) while UPDF converted four(4) out of six of their kicks from the penalty mark.

Ndejje University FC, Nyamitobora FC and Paidha Black Angels SC are the three clubs that were relegated from the Uganda Premier League.

Saturday, 18 May 2019

Promotional play-off final

Kansai Plascon vs Kyetume FC – 2pm

Fufa Big League final

Wakiso Giants vs Proline – 4pm

Stories Continues after ad

Catholic Church set for Africa Bishop SECAM Golden Jubilee

By
Our Reporter
-
Ruhinda South MP Thomas Tayebwa receives a portrait of Pope Francis from UEC Chairman Bishop Antony Zziwa as SECAM Vice President, Bishop Mathieu Madega, of Mouila, Gabon

KAMPALA – The Catholic Church in Uganda is ready to host the Golden Jubilee Celebrations of the African Bishops Assembly under SECAM, due in country July 19-29 this year, Bishop Joseph Antony Zziwa, and the Chairman of the Uganda Episcopal Conference has said.

Bishop Zziwa says the country expects over 400 international guests that have confirmed to attend the celebrations to mark the 50 years of The Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM), with delegates from Africa, Europe, the US, Asia, and others.

The delegates include Cardinals Archbishops and Bishops. Pope Francis had been invited to preside over the celebrations but earlier in the year, the Pontiff informed President Museveni that he was not able to make it.

It is understood that the Pope will be represented by a delegation from Vatican, which is likely to include the African Cardinals serving at the Holy See — Peter Turkson from Ghana, Robert Sarah Guinea, and Archbishop Protase Rugambwa of Tanzania, who works as the Secretary for the of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples at the Vatican.

On May 10, Bishop Zziwa launched a fundraising drive at Sheraton Hotel, Kampala, intended to raise about UGX one billion that is needed as part of the local church’s support to organising of the celebrations and praised the role of the laity Christians in supporting the church. “The SECAM Golden Jubilee will require some funding and it is for that reason that we are gathered here to look for support of individual companies and other people of good will to assist us in raising about four billion (Shs4 billion), which is our budget. The funds will be used for accommodation, upkeep, food and transport of the delegates and organization,” Bishop Zziwa, who was flanked by SECAM Vice President, Bishop Mathieu Madega, of Mouila, Gabon and SECAM the Secretary-General, Fr. Joseph Komakoma said.

Eng. JB Kariisa, bought a portrait of President Museveni at Shs11 million.

The UEC Chairman said the Ugandan bishops are always happy and proud of the contribution of the laity to the growth of the Church, and for the support rendered to her projects.
Bishop Zziwa announced that a Core Organising & Planning Committee has since instituted at the begging of the year was at the forefront of the activities.

The SECAM Organising Committee is headed by Msgr. John B. Kauta, the Secretary General of the Uganda Episcopal Conference. Key Committee heads include the President of the Catholic Laity in the country Mr Gervase Ndyanabo for Protocol & Security, Fr. Dennis Lwegaba for Liturgy; Fr. Phillip Odii heads the Publicity and Communications, Ruhinda North MP Thomas Tayebwa for Finance and Fundraising, Dr. Emmanuel Kiiza Aliba for Construction and Sanination, Dr. Patrick Birungi for Transport and Ms Cissy Kagimu for Reception and Welfare.

Msgr. Kauta said the committee has been working very hard to prepare everything possible for a successful celebration. He reported that President Museveni had already donated the vestments to be used during the celebrations and had offered government’s support to pay the costs of hotel accommodation for the delegates to the celebrations.

“I want to thank the committee, and especially the Finance subcommittee under the leadership of Mr. Thomas Tayebwa, which is working very hard to make sure we organize the celebrations successfully,” he said.

The Chairman, Uganda Episcopal Conference Bishop Joseph Antony Zziwa of Kiyinda-Mityana Diocese, greets SECAM Finance Committee Chairman Ruhinda North MP, Thomas Tayebwa

During the fundraising launch, a total of Shs180 million was raised in cash and pledges. The Chief Fundraiser, King Caesar Mulenga donated Shs25 million. His financial pledge was announced by Dr. Francis Runumi, who represented him at the function.

Mr. Mulenga also bought a portrait of Pope Francis at Shs15 million. Other prominent donors included Bukedea District woman MP Anita Among (Shs20 million), Mogas Chairman Mr. Godfrey Rugazoora (Shs10 million), Centenary Bank (Shs10 million) and Eng. John Bosco Kariisa, who bought a portrait of President Museveni at Shs10 million, Gen. David Muhoozi, (Shs1 million), and Lt. Gen. Joseph Musanyufu (Shs1 million).

About SECAM:
The Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM) is a body that brings together all Catholic Bishops in Africa was born in Uganda at the time when St. Pope Paul VI visited the country in 1969.

It is the body that brings together all the Catholic Episcopal Conferences of Africa and the Islands to work in solidarity and collegiality at pan African level to promote the Catholic Church’s participation in education, spiritual, medical, social and economic development of the continent.

Msgr. John B. Kauta, Chairs the Catholic Church’ SECAM Core Planning Committee

It was founded in Uganda
The Bishops of Africa, during one of their recent plenaries, decided that they hold the organization’s golden jubilee celebrations here in Uganda, where it was also founded.

Stories Continues after ad

Premier League club funded by £3m loan from Osama bin Laden’s family, court hears

By
Agencies
-
Osama Bin Laden

Newly promoted Premier League side Sheffield United has been funded by a £3 million loan from the family of Osama bin Laden, a court was told on Thursday, according to Daily Mail.

The Blades are in court as their club is embroiled in a power struggle between co-owners Kevin McCabe and Prince Abdullah Bin Mosaad Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.

But on Thursday, the fourth day of the hearing, it was revealed that a £3m loan received by the club, named ‘Project Delta’, can be traced back to the family for of the former Al Qaeda figurehead.

Barrister Andreas Gledhill QC, who is leading Abdullah’s legal team, alleges that McCabe knew who the money came from.

The Sheffield Star report that Mr Gledhill said Mr McCabe ‘knew the money had come from another source, namely a member of the Bin Laden family’.

Emails from Jeremy Tutton, a colleague of Mr McCabe’s at a property business who was added to the Sheffield United board of directors in 2017, were disclosed in court, one of which said he feared the local newspaper would run a story with the headline: ‘Blades launder money for extremists’.

Mr McCabe quickly quashed the content of the email, claiming it to be ‘banter’, but Mr Gledhill contested that it confirms he knew the origin of the money.

Mr McCabe, 71, and Prince Abdullah, 54, each have a 50 per cent stake in the the Bramall Lane club, who secured promotion to the Premier League for next season.

The pair met in 2013 when Mr McCabe was seeking new investors and agreed to work together, on the proviso Prince Abdullah pumped £10m into the club, but reportedly fell out in 2017.

Mr McCabe’s company, Sheffield United Ltd, allege ‘conspiracy’ and ‘unfairly prejudicial conduct’ while Prince Abdullah’s company, UTB LLC, wants declarations in respect of its rights under an investment and shareholders’ agreement.

The trial will continue over the next few weeks.

Osama bin Laden was disowned by his family in 1994 and killed in Pakistan in 2011 by US Navy SEALs.

Sheffield United will be a Premier League team next season after earning promotion from Championship.

Stories Continues after ad

Joel Ssenyonyi is no virgin, politically speaking

By
Guest Writer
-
Joel Ssenyonyi being unveiled

By Norbert Mao

Joel Ssenyonyi, newly appointed spokesperson for Robert Kyagulanyi and People Power, has joined the fray with a bang. He has jumped into the pool with a splash. And the noise and accompanying sprinkle is causing discomfort. In a veiled tweet (read threat) Don Wanyama declared his readiness to unleash whatever he can at Joel. In an acerbic tweet, Evelyn Anite reminded Joel of his failed attempt to become Youth MP in 2011. Others have accused him of having been a partisan political operative hiding behind the mask of media objectivity.

The truth is Joel Ssenyonyi is not being ignored. The government spin doctors, quacks and hacks have opined that Joel is part of the anti-Government sleeper cells hiding behind the veil of journalism. That argument is used to bolster the bogus and illegal attempt by the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) to arm-twist some media houses into sacking certain journalists.

Needless to say, these arguments are bogus. Journalists like all citizens have the right to hold political views and opinions. They are only bound by the ethics of journalism as a profession. This expectation is that they are impartial. Not neutral. Impartiality is not neutrality.

But Joel Ssenyonyi is no novice. He is well read. His first degree is in Statistics from the famed Institute of Statistics and Applied Economics (ISAE). He also has over a decade of journalism experience under his belt. From his life story he also knows how to hustle. He has overcome many odds and therefore it is no surprise that he has found himself in the inner circles of the People Power honcho.

In 2017, in a widely publicized story, Ssenyonyi confessed that he was a virgin. Uganda Christian News, an in-line portal, attributed the following statement to Joel: “I’m a virgin, some people might think that maybe I do not have opportunities, or that my ‘things’ don’t function. Of opportunities, they are immense. In fact, I was about to report a police case. About the ‘things’ God blessed me with, they are working. However, just because they work, doesn’t mean I go all over putting them in every place.” This may not be a necessary qualification for his current assignment, but it speaks volumes about his self-discipline and his ability to sacrifice current pleasures for the sake of larger future goals. It also gives him an advantage since it is well known that state operatives deploy a bevy of women to tempt rising male politicians who can keep their zippers up. The reverse is also true. Some young and rising women leaders have been baited by weaponized hunks facilitated to lure them with worldly pleasures only to end up as fodder for the tabloids. Joel is thus bullet proof in this department – so far.

Another online news outlet quoted him saying “The leader in me has always been there. At one point I looked at things around me and said how can I be part of making things different? I said let me run for political office.” Rumor has it that he may run for parliament in the next elections. If that is true then his media celebrity as a news anchor and the high profile platform he has stepped on as the spokesman for Robert Kyagulanyi, has given him a head start.

Joel brings his celebrity brand to his new assignment. Expectations are high. He is expected to be knowledgeable in public affairs, public speaking and writing. A spokesperson must be a true believer. He has to be someone who shares the goals of the person or the organization he or she speaks for. A spokesperson should represent the organization’s position even when they are in conflict with his or her position.

It is hoped that Joel will be creative and bring gravitas to the job. It would be sad if there’s so much icing and no cake in his performance. He should be a spokesperson in the strict sense of the word. We don’t expect him to be a mere publicist.

Stories Continues after ad
1...1,2901,2911,292...2,401Page 1,291 of 2,401

© Eagle Online. All rights reserved.

About Us

Popular Category

Editor Picks