The Ruparelia Foundation will in the 2019/2020 Academic year offer 1,100 scholarships to students joining Victoria University Kampala.

In a letter to the Ministry of State for Youth and Children Affairs, copied to Victoria University Council, Vice-Chancellor, Students’ Guild President and Admission office, the Ruparelia foundation will offer all qualified youths joining universities a special package of scholarship under the “Rajiv Ruparelia Youth Scholarship.”

The scholarships are to cater for the students who are offering the following courses; Faculty of Health Sciences (200 scholarships), Faculty of Business Management (150), Faculty of science and Technology (200), Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences (250) and lastly, Department of Petroleum and Energy Studies (300).

The scholarships will cover 70% of the tuition and the minimum requirement for the degree programme is two (2) principal passes and one (1) principal pass for Diplomas.

About Victoria University

The university is centrally located in the heart of Kampala City and on the main public transportation routes coupled with ample parking space.

Victoria University is part of Ruparelia Group of Companies, which has a strong presence in the education sector in Uganda and has under its portfolio, Kampala International School Uganda, Kampala Parents School and Delhi Public School International.

The university was opened in August 2010 and has the capacity, the facilities and determination to revitalize higher education in Uganda and in the region.

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The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors approved today a grant of US $150 million (about Shs555 million) additional financing from the International Development Association (IDA) to boost an ongoing project to improve access to basic social services, expand economic opportunities, and enhance environmental management targeting both refugees and communities that host them. The $150 million-project is financed through the IDA 18 Refugee Sub Window.

Uganda is currently the largest refugee-hosting country in Africa and the third largest worldwide. Approximately 1.2 million refugees and asylum seekers are living in Uganda due to ongoing conflicts and instability in some parts of the region.

The Additional Financing builds on an initial US$50 million-project approved by the World Bank Board on May 31, 2016 and which became effective on June 29, 2017. The Development Response to Displacement Impacts Project (DRDIP) covers 11 districts that host the largest number of refugees and therefore bearing a disproportionate amount of strain on existing community social services and infrastructure.

The project is implemented by the Office of the Prime Minister. It supports investments in basic social service infrastructure, integrated natural resources management and income generating activities including alternative livelihoods like value-addition to agriculture produce, and fish farming. The project also seeks to strengthen transparency and accountability while addressing social risk management and gender-based violence.

“Government of Uganda welcomes this support from the World Bank to boost our efforts in responding to the needs of refugees and communities hosting them. It is a strong demonstration of solidarity with us, which we appreciate. As we all know, no one chooses to be a refugee, and therefore, responding to the needs of refugees and the generous communities that host them requires our collective support, “said Dr Ruhakana Rugunda, Prime Minister, Republic of Uganda whose office oversees and coordinates the refugee response in the country.

The Development Response to Displacement Impacts Project is part of a regional operation – also being implemented in Ethiopia, Kenya and Djibouti. The World Bank has significantly scaled up support in Uganda through its Forced Displacement Program. In addition to the DRDIP and the Additional Financing operation, two other projects have already been approved by the World Bank’s Board.

“Uganda’s progressive approach to refugees provides some of the best prospects for self-reliance. This Grant shows that the international community – and the World Bank – greatly appreciates Uganda’s generosity towards refugees. We look forward to working very closely with other development and humanitarian partners to support the Government and the people of Uganda in these efforts,” said Tony Thompson, Country Manager, World Bank, Uganda.

Uganda is the largest refugee-hosting country in Africa and third largest worldwide

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Two judges of the Supreme Court of the seven justices meant to deliver the individual ruling on consolidated Constitution petition on Amendment Bill, 2017, removing the upper age limit of 75 years which barred anybody above to run for president in Uganda, have so far given different rulings as regards the Constitutional Court ruling which in July last year stated that it doesn’t violate the constitution in any way as claimed by petitioners.

“On the issue of amending article 102(b), I am in agreement with my learned friends that amending article 102(b) does not destroy the basic features of the constitution since the people still have the power to choose who they want to rule them,” said Justice Stella Arach-Amoko.

While concluding her ruling she said: “I will, therefore, dismiss the consolidated appeal and the parties shall bear their cost.”

Article 102 (b) of the Constitution does not form the basic structure doctrine. The article is, not among the entrenched provisions of the Constitution, she said.

Justice Arach-Amoko also dismissed petitioner Male Mabirizi Kiwanuka’s preliminary objections regarding claims he was unfairly treated by being asked not to sit at the bar with practicing counsel.

She further ruled said: It is a notorious fact that Mr Mabirizi is not a practicing advocate and has not been called to the bar, therefore he couldn’t have sat with advocates.”

She also ruled that Parliament acted within its powers by amending article 102(b) saying it does not violate the basic structure doctrine and is within the mandate conferred upon it by the Constitution & as representatives of the people.

However, she agreed with the consolidated petition which said that the extension of the term of the current Parliament and Local Councils is null and void from the onset, saying a Private Member’s Bill cannot introduce charges on the Consolidated Fund, by way of the referendum it imposes.

She said that it violated article 93 of the Constitution which restricts Private Member’s Bill on introducing Bills or amendment Bills that will impose charges on the Consolidated Fund otherwise than by reduction.

She also said Speaker Rebecca Kadaga had authority to amend the order paper to allow MP Raphael Magyezi’s private members bill that thought the removal of the presidential age limit. She said the speaker is in charge of the House and its order of business

Justice Arach-Amoko could also not agree with petitioners, saying the MPs ejected from the House during debate on upper age limit removal were so ejected on the basis of their own lack of decorum. She added that whereas the security services were justified in removing the MPs from Parliament, the force used was not justified.

On the other Justice while looking giving the different merits of the petition said: ‘Prayer for nullification is allowed, I order that each party meets its own costs.’

Justice Mwanguhya upheld the Constitutional Court’s decision to decline to summon and cross examine Speaker Kadaga, saying since there was sufficient material on record to deduce an informed decision.

He ruled that the actions by Police to restrict MPs’ consultation was unconstitutional, and also quashes the extension of the terms of Parliament and Local Councils including an amendment proposed by MP Nathan Nandala Mafabi to introduce presidential term limits.

Mwangusya on suspension of MPs; he said, the rules of procedure clearly show procedure to challenge the suspension. The members should have taken the procedures because the court cannot intervene.

If all majority of the judges on the bench in Supreme Court uphold the Constitutional Court ruling, it means President Yoweri Museveni who has already been endorsed by his NRM party members as the party’s sole candidate, will be able to run for the position in 2021 when the country goes for polls.

Museveni will be above the current constitutional 75-year age-limit for one to run for presidency in 2021. The timing and vibes around the amendment(s) could be interpreted as attempts to remove any legal hurdles that would deter Mr Museveni (as an individual who will be above 75 years) from running for presidency in 2021.

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KAMPALA – Allegations of impropriety against the National Water & Sewerage Corporation (NWSC) and it’s Managing Director Eng. Silver Mugisha have been dismissed as unfounded and “intended to achieve political blackmail”.

According to officials familiar with the issues as raised in a document circulating on social media and WhatsApp platforms, some of the allegations are on the other hand, being spearheaded by agents of a bitter bidder, who lost a multi-billion water works procurement deal, awarded to Sogea Satom.

The French firm is currently implementing the project for the waste treatment plant and transmission in Katosi-Mukono, estimated at Euro 150 million.
The document sent to the head of the Anti-Corruption at State House Col. Edith Nakalema, alleges that the  IGG’s office has failed to handle the investigation.

Eng. Mugisha speaks:
Asked about this allegation, Eng. Mugisha said: “The fact is, the IGG has in the last five years investigated National Water including myself – six times. In all these investigations, the IGG has found no substance.” 

The document also alleges that Eng. Mugisha, has through the Bamugisha Community Welfare Limited (BCWL), been misusing resources of the corporation to fund positive community initiatives.

BCWL is a non-profit company, limited by guarantee, that implements incentives aimed at improving welfare of especially rural communities. The private company is run by Eng. Mugisha’s wife, Ms. Annet Katusiime Mugisha. 

According to returns filed at Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB), the company started running in 2014, and according to records, it has audited accounts up to December 2018.

“As you can see from the record, there has never been any transfer of funds from NWSC to this organisation,” a senior official at URSB commented.

Eng. Mugisha said on Wednesday, April 17, that he was surprised by the allegations as contained in the document, because the private company apart from being fully compliant with the URSB returns process is also “declared to the IGG in accordance with the Leadership Code”.

The document makes allegations about the procurement process at NWSC as being influenced by the MD, but according to the records at the Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets Authority (PPDA), the big procurement at NWSC are subjected to an annual audit, and have up to the latest 2018 report, found compliant. 

“The MD comes into the process at the tail end – contract signing; and is not part of the process either at initiation, evaluation or award,” an official at NWSC said.

The document also makes allegations against one of the contractors of NWSC Ms Vambeco Limited, which has, in the last five years, only executed one project, the Kapeeka Water Project, that had since been successfully completed. 

AG finds project okay:
The Auditor General Mr. John Muwanga has since conducted a value for money audit into the project and gave it a clean bill of health. 

It is thought that agents of a rival bidder, particularly in the Euro 150 million Mukono Water treatment plant and transmission project in Katosi are bitter that the contract was awarded to Sogea Satom, which emerged the best evaluated  bidder, for quoting the lowest price. 

The bitter bidders took the matter through the administrative appeal both at NWSC and the PPDA and lost. The matter was later referred to the Procurement Appeals Tribunal which too ruled in favour of Sogea Satom, according to the records. The bitter bidders then decided to go to court which too ruled against them.

“Their agents now want to sort out the issue using social media and have targeted the MD for blackmail,” an official remarked. 

The document addressed to Col. Nakalema also accused NWSC of carrying out irregular recruitment of staff, harassment of a senior manager by the MD, and that Eng. Mugisha has been meeting Opposition political figures from his office.

According to records, NWSC uses a hoist of methods to recruit staff  – including open sourcing/advertising, selective sourcing/head hunting and the Graduate Training Programme, among others – all provided for in the Human Resources Manual.

Eng. Mugisha told Eagle Online that recruitment in the corporation is carried out with a purpose of identifying the right competences, being fair and achieving regional balance. No one single method can deliver on this criteria.

The NWSC MD said the allegations that he has constantly harassed a senior manager Mr. Richard Muhangi, are unfounded, the matter having been discussed and resolved by the NWSC Board chairman Dr. Christopher Ebal in January this year.

On allegations of the MD meeting Opposition political figures at his office, it is understood that the corporation reports to one of the accountability committees of Parliament which is led by Opposition MPs, in accordance with Parliament’s Rules of Procedure.

On this, Eng. Mugisha said: “NWSC is a public entity that is answerable to the different arms of government including Parliament. These different arms of government especially Parliament is made of both ruling party MPs and Opposition MPs, who are all free to visit and seek information  from the corporation.”

He said in an interview on Wednesday, April 17 that there’s no substance in all the allegations, adding: “NWSC systems are working well and are open to public audit.” 

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