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Uganda set to celebrate global wildlife Day – Kamuntu

By
Geoffery Serugo
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Prof. Kamuntu and team see off the captured crocodileto Murchison falls. File photo.

Uganda is set commemorate global wildlife Day aimed at raising awareness about the plight of wildlife and galvanizing support for the many global and national actions to save iconic animal species.

March 3rd, is World Wildlife Day proclaimed on December 20, 2013, during 68th session of the UN General Assembly aimed at celebrating and raise awareness of the world’ s wild animals and plants.

According to Minister of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities Prof. Ephraim Kamuntu, the celebrations will be premised under the theme ‘Creating Harmony between Wildlife and People’ adding that the main functions will be held on March 3, 2019 at the Boma Gardens in Arua District.

“This year we will be celebrating Uganda’s wildlife richness which has also won us numerous global accolades. We must protect wildlife, in tourism these are nature assets. I’m pleased we are succeeding just by the show of number of tourists coming into the country,” He said in Kampala

Being the best tourist destination in Africa and the 4th in world according to international rankings, Uganda is privileged with wildlife beauty and there has been effort to gazette game reserve national parks and cultural sites.

The minister said they have organized various events leading up to the wildlife day celebrations, including Uganda wild life marathon on 24th February 2019.

“For Uganda wildlife is a heritage of the country. Every time you poach, you create an imbalance in the concentration of wildlife, animals and plants that live in the wild have an intrinsic value and contributes to the ecological, genetic, social, economic, scientific, educational, cultural, recreational and aesthetic aspects of human well-being and sustainable development,” he said.

According to UN, World Wildlife Day is an opportunity to celebrate the many beautiful and varied forms of wild fauna and flora and to raise awareness of the multitude of benefits that conservation provides to people. the Day reminds us of the urgent need to step up the fight against wildlife crime and human induced reduction of species, which have wide-ranging economic, environmental and social impacts.

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Dfcu bank top executives Ssekabembe, Kisaame put on oath for contradictory statements on Crane Bank Limited sale

By
George Mangula
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Former Dfcu MD, Juma Kisaame taking an oath before MPs. He is accused of having presided over an illegal transfer of Meera properties.

Two top executives of Dfcu bank were on Thursday put on oath by parliament’s Committee on Commissions, Statutory Authorities and State Enterprises (COSASE) after they made contradictory statements as regards to the transfer of Crane Bank Limited assets to Dfcu .

William Sekabembe, the Chief Executive of Business Development at Dfcu bank said CBL statutory manager Edward Katimbo Mugwanya handed CBL assets to Dfcu bank, but Mugwanya while appearing before the committee last year alongside Bank of Uganda (BoU) officials, said he didn’t have chance to hand over CBL to Dfcu.

Katuntu played to Dfcu Bank managers an audio recording of Mugwanya denying he ever handed over CBL to them (Dfcu bank).

Former Managing Director of Dfcu bank Juma Kisaame also was put on oath as MPs were tired of his contradictory statements on the acquisition of Shs570 billion bad book (written off loans). But Dfcu bank officials failed to convince MPs on the Shs570 billion written of loans taken from CBL, yet it was not in the Purchase and Assumption of liabilities agreement.

William Ssekabembe, put on oath for contradictory sstatements on Crane Bank Limited sale.

such as Sekabembe said Mugwanya handed over CBL assets to DFCU Bank, he could not present any copy of the handover report. The MPs also established that DFCU Bank does not have the Chief government valuer’s report on CBL assets.

The MPs also established that the monetary values attached to each of CBL’s properties by independent valuer and government valuer differ sharply. For instance the independent valuer tagged one of the buildings in Kampala at Shs500 million while the government chief valuer put it at Shs2 billion. Another building valued at Shs400 billion by an independent valuer was valued at Shs1.6 billion by the chief government valuer.

The MPs believe some CBL assets were undervalued by Dfcu bank to make profit.

BoU sold CBL assets based on due diligence of Dfcu bank without the central bank making its own evaluation of the assets. Dfcu bank signed confidentiality agreement on November 13,2016 before the commercial bank bid for the assets of CBL on December 20, 2017. Dfcu bank said it relied on a partial inventory report by PwC before entering into P & A with BoU on January 25, 2017.

Kisaame could not give the MPs satisfactory explanations about the process that led to transfer of CBL assets to its rival. Dfcu bank officials also struggled to satisfy the MPs with explanations concerning the status of 46 branches of CBL whose landlord was Meera Investments that wants Dfcu bank pay rent arrears.

The Dfcu team was led by new Managing Director Mathis Katamba, the legal team and representatives of the shareholders.

The former owner of CBL, Sudhir Ruparelia and his lawyers were also in the house listening to Dfcu bank officials present their case.

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Village Power Uganda and APCL pto deliver Renewable Energy Solutions across the country

By
Our Reporter
-

Village Power Uganda and All Property Consultants Ltd (APCL) have today announced a trade partnership that aims at delivering renewable energy solutions across the country through APCL’s Awega Marketplace Initiative, an e-commerce platform that extends various products and services to the APCL registered members that include but are limited to farmer groups, schools and construction companies.

Village Power, a solar solutions company that provides affordable and reliable electricity to off-grid areas and solar backup solutions will have its wide range of products available for purchase on the Awega Marketplace- a Community Development Management System (CDMS).

‘‘We are excited to partner with APCL Uganda! This partnership comes at the time when Village Power is expanding its focus on farmer segments. The Awega Market place will enhance our distribution and access to Village Power quality solar systems in order to boost members’ enterprise activities and cut on their energy costs’’ noted Ali Balunywa, the Managing Director-Village Power Uganda during the MOU signing ceremony that was held today at the Village Power head offices in Kololo.

Village Power Uganda is currently present in all the regions and has 15 Village Power Service Centers across the country. ‘‘At Village Power, we believe everybody can have a better life, and we empower them to do so’’ Balunywa added Speaking at the MoU’s signing, APCL’s David Byoona highlighted that APCL combines technology and investment through their platform, which investment groups view as suitable for fulfilling their objectives in delivering commercial and humanitarian projects.

“This platform looks to facilitate sustainability by availing the resources needed for delivering economic and social development. APCL is confident that its initiative with Village Power will effectively articulate technology and finance to deliver sustainable solutions to the renewable energy sector across Uganda’ Byoona noted

Headquartered in Baar, Switzerland, Village Power is proud to provide families and small businesses with environmentally friendly, reliable, and cost-effective access to off-grid power solutions in the form of Solar Home Systems and solutions. We provide our customers with a range of Solar Home Systems that are designed to match their needs and supported by financing options. Each Village Power Solar Home System is professionally installed by a trained Village Power technician and is backed by warranty.

At Village Power, we believe that everybody can have a better life and we empower them to do so by building a customer centric last mile distribution service network. Village Power Uganda’s goal is to empower five Million Ugandans by 2030. www.village-power.ug About APCL APCL is a commercial enterprise specializing in the development and management of Projects across various sectors through creating sustainable enterprises and delivering services efficiently.

APCL continues to broaden its Services and Product portfolio to include critical sectors focusing on Community Development. APCL, together with its partners, have consolidated their collective experience and expertise, to implement initiatives that create Sustain

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Ministry of Health job politics behind the raid at NBS TV’s Solomon Serwanjja’s home

By
Geoffery Serugo
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Mr. Serwanja

Police continues with the hunting for NBS TV’s senior investigative News reporter and anchor, Solomon Sserwanja over 14 boxes of government medicine including Hepatitis drugs that are averred to been found at his home.

According to inside sources, the boxes allegedly found at Sserwanja’s home were apparently a setup as due to the internal fights at Ministry of Health where Sserwanja’s wife works. It is allegedly that the fight has been intense as some top officials wanted her out of the job.

Last night security operatives carried out an operation that led to the raiding of his home however, he was not in the house and has since they nabbed his wife Vivian Nakaliika Serwanjja.

Speaking at central police station (CPS), Kampala metropolitan Police spokesperson Patrick Onyango confirmed the arrest Vivian Nakaliika Serwanjja, BBC journalist Kassim Mohammed and cameraman Godfrey Badebye who are detained at CPS.

“We have since contacted him (Serwanjja) and said he is coming. We are waiting for him to clarify on government drugs that were found in his house and a number of other issues,” he said adding that of yet no charges have been leveled against them.

Journalist tasked him to explain why they police is hunting for him yet they have his wife in the custody who can properly explain to them on how the medicine came to be in their house.

According to impeccable sources, and BBC journalist have been working on a security related story and abuse of power processes in this country.

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Miss Curvy Uganda beauty pageant undermines the dignity of women- Archbishop Ntagali

By
Geoffery Serugo
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Outgoing Archbishop Church of the Province of Uganda, Most Rev. Stanley Ntagali.

The Archbishop of Church of Uganda, the Most Rev Stanley Ntagali, has condemned the proposed Miss Curvy Uganda beauty pageant that was recently launched by the state minister of tourism Godfrey Kiwanda Suubi.

On Tuesday, Junior Minister of Tourism, Kiwanda launched Miss Curvy Uganda beauty pageant aimed at using Ugandan curvaceous women as a tourism product. The strategy has however attracted criticisms from various sects of society.

According a statement released by the head of the Anglican Church, the tourism marketing strategy undermines the dignity of women and all of what the church has worked for to advance girl-child education and opportunities for women to take their part in contributing fully to their national and family development.

“It is a disgusting display of exploitation and brings shame upon our families and our country. The government is promoting trafficking to increase tourism,” he wrote.

The Archbishop implored sponsors and partners to cancel it saying that, present such a programme is to demonstrate how low Uganda have fallen as a country. “We cannot accept it and we insist that it be cancelled.”

Yesterday, Uganda Women’s Network (UWONET), an advocacy and lobbying network of national women’s NGO’s called on Mr. Kiwanda to discard the strategy saying the move undermines women’s dignity.

According to minister, the Miss Curvy Uganda beauty pageant has been misinterpreted. He said it is like Miss Uganda pageant that recognizes slender and slim women and Ugandans have always been happy and voting for their favorite participants.

“Tourism starts with people. Uganda is beyond just animals, its people are the biggest tourism product. That’s why we have been voted several times as happiest people in the world and most hospitable,” Minister Kiwanda said when contacted by this website.

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Central Bank maintains CBR at 10% in January

By
George Mangula
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The Late BoU Governor Emmanuel Tumusiime-Mutebile

The Central Bank-Bank of Uganda (BoU), has maintained the Central Bank Rate (CBR) at 10 per cent in January 2019, this is according to a Monetary Policy Statement issued to the press by Governor Bank of Uganda, Prof. Emmanuel Tumusiime – Mutebile

BoU raised rates for the first time in three years last October, citing concerns about rising inflationary pressures. They subsequently left them unchanged at their December meeting.

Economic growth was on a steady path, with output slightly ahead of the economy’s potential, Governor Emmanuel Tumusiime-Mutebile said during the press briefing in Kampala on Thursday.

“The inflation outlook in the intermediate period has improved, largely driven by a relatively stronger shilling and a good crop harvest,” he said.

Rising trade protectionism around the world could however hurt demand for Uganda’s exports, Tumusiime-Mutebile said, adding the damage would however not be enough to dent this year’s growth forecast.

“The economy is projected to grow by about 6.3 percent in fiscal year 2018/19 (July-June) and remain on a steady growth trajectory over the coming years,” he said.

The growth was partly supported by the bank’s accommodative policy stance and the effects of public infrastructure investments ensuring strong domestic demand and improved agricultural performance, he said.

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Bill Gates to address leaders at African Union Summit 2019

By
Our Reporter
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Bill Gates

On February 9-10, Bill Gates, Co-Chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, will be delivering remarks at the African Union Summit 2019 and the first annual Africa Leadership Meeting: Investing in Health in Addis Ababa, according to the latest media statement from organisers.

Speaking to an audience of Heads of State and Government, representatives of the African Union and business leaders, he will highlight the remarkable progress made in the fight against poor health and the urgent need to further commit to and support investment in human capital to ensure this progress is not lost.

The Africa Leadership Meeting: Investing in Health will be the first platform bringing together governments, private sector and the global development community, to coordinate and accelerate progress toward achieving Universal Health Coverage. Hosted by the African Union on February 9th ahead of its 32nd Summit, the meeting marks the launch of a new Africa-led initiative to deliver increased, sustained and more impactful financing for health across Africa.

Bill Gates will be joined by President Paul Kagame of Rwanda and Chairperson of the African Union, Moussa Faki Mahamat, Chairperson, African Union Commission, Erna Solberg, Prime Minister, Norway, António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations.

During the AU Summit on February 10th, Bill Gates will deliver opening remarks, drawing on his, and the foundation’s experiences in Africa to discuss progress and challenges in reaching the development goals and making access to health services a reality for the world’s poorest.

With more than half of Africa’s population lacking essential health services, investing in health is a priority for the foundation, and key to unlocking productivity and innovation and driving economic growth across the continent.

Signalling the foundation’s ongoing commitment to supporting African development, Bill Gates will be accompanied during his visit to Addis Ababa, by Cheikh Oumar Seydi who was recently appointed Africa Director at the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Leading the foundation’s work across the continent, Cheikh Oumar Seydi will lead on partnering with African countries and supporting the mission of healthcare and poverty eradication.

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Former BoU member Dr. Kalema chased away from Parliament as he licensed Corperative Bank Limited twice

By
George Mangula
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Dr. William Kalema after he was chased out of Parliament. He is one of those accused by COSASE for licensing the Cooperative bank trice.

There was drama in parliament on Thursday when it came to light that The Cooperative Bank Limited which was closed by Bank of Uganda (BoU) on May 19, 199 was licensed twice by the central bank to the extent that Mps probing the central bank over closure of banks could not establish which bank was closed on May 19, 1999.

This came to light as MPs on Parliament’s Committee on Commissions, Statutory Authorities and State Enterprises (COSASE) were probing former owners of The Cooperative Bank Limited who were arguing that their bank be opened for business.

BoU closed the bank for because of continued poor performance and non-compliance with regulatory capital adequacy requirements. But the first one was registered under the Cooperative Act 1964 while another with the same name was incorporated in 1997. That goes against the Financial Institutions Act, 2004.

The licensing of the company twice means it has two certificates for operation. The latter bank was registered By Dr William Kalema and others on the board of the bank. Kalema is said to have signed as a business consultant of Uganda Manufacturers Association (UMA). Kalema also served the board of DFCU Bank since 2000 to 2012.

Dr Kalema told parliament that the Ministry of Financial officials asked them to register the new bank. Dr. Kalema sits on BoU board since 2012. The Auditor General John Muwanga said he signed on behalf of the Ministry of Finance even as MPs said documents showed he signed as an individual. It also emerged that United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has interests in Cooperative Bank.

Dr. Kalema would later clash with MP Odonga Otto who asked him how he came to register the new company in the names of The Cooperative Bank in 1997 yet he knew of its existence. Otto earlier seemed to indicate that Kalema is synonymous with the controversies closure of banks.

Meanwhile cooperators and clients in Cooperative Bank said a syndicate was formed between BoU officials and those of Cooperative Bank to fleece clients of money and their properties by not giving the official liquidator full information.

The Cooperative Bank had its loans amalgamated with those of In the case of International Credit Bank and Greenland to the tune of Shs135 billion which included Secured loans of Shs34.5 billion which had valid, legal or equitable mortgage on the real property and were supported with legal documentation but were sold to Nile River Acquisition Company at a 93 percent discount.

According to BoU, The Cooperative had just over Shs65 billion in liabilities but the Auditor General John Muwanga in his audit report report of August 27, 2018 said that amount had reduced to about Shs16.5 billion as the liquidation process was winding up.

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Uganda drop two places in latest FIFA rankings

By
Our Reporter
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DROPPED TWO PLACES: Uganda-Cranes

Football governing body FIFA has announced the first rankings of 2019 with Uganda dropping by two places to position 77 and 16 in Africa.

The drop comes due to an inactive time with the Cranes not playing any competitive matches for almost two months.

Neighbours Kenya also dropped by one place to 106, while Uganda’s next 2019 Afcon qualifiers opponent Tanzania improved by one slot to 137, Burundi came at 138 and Rwanda also improved by two slots to 135.

The top five countries in Africa remain unchanged; Senegal (24), Tunisia (28), Morocco (43), Nigeria (46) and Congo DR (51).

Belgium, France, Brazil, Croatia, and England also remain unchanged as the best five countries respectively in the world.

Newly crowned Asian champions Qatar have climbed to 55th in the latest FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking, gaining 38 places – and reaching their best position since 1993 – on the back of their stunning success in UAE.

North Korea were the worst movers, dropping down by 12 ranks.

The format used by FIFA is named “SUM” as it relies on adding/subtracting points won or lost for a game to/from the previous point totals rather than averaging game points over a given time period as in the previous version of the World Ranking.

The points which are added or subtracted are partially determined by the relative strength of the two opponents, including the logical expectation that teams higher in the ranking should fare better against teams lower in the ranking.

The next FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking will be published on 4th April 2019.

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FIFA to investigate former Kenyan defender over match-fixing in world cup qualifier

By
Our Reporter
-
Ex-harambee defender George Owino.

Fifa are investigating a Kenyan footballer on allegations of match-fixing, including a 2010 World Cup qualifier against Tunisia.

The move by football’s world governing body follows a preliminary investigation into the roles of former Kenya international George Owino and convicted match-fixer Wilson Raj Perumal.

The famous 2010 Fifa World Cup qualifier between Kenya and Tunisia that was played on October 11th 2009, is among the matches suspected to have been fixed.

Owino is said to have earned millions between June 2009 and 2011 in a match-fixing scandal that the world football body is investigating at the moment.

Fifa is also said to be in possession of emails that are suspected to be exchanged between the player and Wilson Raj Perumal.

Owino appeared to make with Perumal whereby the Kenyan would be recruited by an unidentified football club in Australia to influence matches.

“The purpose I am gonna bring you there is for business,” Perumal purportedly wrote to Owino in an email dated 27 March 2010.

“But you are to remain loyal to me only… Salary each month 30,000 US. If I say loose (sic) u do as I say. Or else you wont see your salary. DEAL.”

Two days later, an apparent reply from Owino’s account stated: “Fine no problem cz even me a wnt a good life 4 my family so I will do as u say so. is there trials or is jst direct signin.”

The final part of the evidence presented in the Fifa report are emails said to be from Owino in which he admits receiving money from Perumal.

“Yes, thank u very much n may u b blessed,” one such e-mail reportedly stated.

Perumal, who was arrested for match manipulation offences in Finland in 2011, has revealed in the past that he has successfully infiltrated several African countries.

There are further claims that Perumal wanted unidentified games at the Nile Basin tournament in Egypt in January 2011 to be manipulated.

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