People in the Democratic Republic of Congo are voting for a new president in an election delayed for more than two years.
Close to 40m people are eligible to vote for a replacement for President Joseph Kabila – in power since 2001.
But the run-up has been hit by violence and controversy over the decision to exclude almost 1.3m people from voting.
On Saturday, rival candidates also failed to agree on a statement aimed at reducing tension before the poll.
Voting began at 05:00 (04:00 GMT) and ends at 17:00.
What’s the context for these elections?
If everything passes without incident, this will be the first peaceful transition in DR Congo since it gained independence from Belgium in 1960.
The current president took over from his assassinated father Laurent in 2001, but he is barred from running for another term under the constitution.
Outgoing President Joseph Kabila
Five things to know about DRC
He was supposed to step down two years ago, but the election was postponed after the electoral commission said it needed more time to register voters.
The decision triggered violent clashes, as the opposition accused Mr Kabila of trying to cling on to power.
Then last week, the election was delayed again, for seven days, because of problems deploying voting materials to polling sites.
This all came after thousands of electronic voting machines – being used for the first time – were destroyed in a fire in the capital, Kinshasa.
There are 21 candidates, but three frontrunners:
Emmanuel Ramazani Shadary, a former interior minister and Kabila loyalist, who was hit by European Union sanctions for his role in the violent suppression of opposition protests in 2017;
Martin Fayulu, a former oil executive who has promised “a dignified and prosperous Congo”, but who poor Congolese feel may not advance their cause;
Felix Tshisekedi Tshilombo, the son of a late veteran opposition leader who has promised to make the fight against poverty his priority.
EU observers not invited
The three leading candidates and electoral officials met in a Kinshasa hotel on Saturday to, as Mr Fayulu said, “sign an agreement which ensures we will all behave correctly during and after the electoral process”.
But in the end, he and Mr Tshisekedi wanted amendments and refused to sign the text.
This week, voting in three districts was postponed until March, with the electoral commission blaming insecurity and an Ebola virus outbreak.
About 1.2m people will not be able to vote on Sunday as a result.
The decision in effect cancelled their votes, as the new president is due to be sworn in by mid-January regardless.
A crowd attacked an Ebola clinic in the east of the country after the announcement.
Regional observers will be keeping a close eye on voting, but European and American observers, who had concluded previous elections in the country had lacked credibility, have not been invited.
What is the significance of DR Congo?
The vast central African state is rich in mineral resources and is the world’s leading producer of cobalt, used to power mobile phones and electric cars.
However, it has high levels of poverty, bad infrastructure, and a political and business elite accused of enriching itself at the expense of the poor.
It has also been at the centre of what some observers call “Africa’s world war”, between 1997 and 2003.
The conflict, which dragged in regional states, claimed up to six million lives, either as a direct result of fighting or because of disease and malnutrition.
As the year 2018 draws to a close, we look back at some of the most notable sports events that took place in Uganda and all-over the world;
ATHELTICS: Joshua Kiprui Cheptegei completed the double by winning the men’s 10,000m after his 5,000m gold at the ongoing Commonwealth Games in Australia in April.
Cheptegei became the third in history to win the double at the Commonwealth Games. The last Ugandan to achieve the feat was Moses Kipsiro at the Delhi Games in 2010.
Stella Chesang is another Ugandan who won Gold in the women’s 10000m (25 laps) final after clocking a time of 31:45.30. Mercyline Chelangat picked up Bronze after finishing third in the same race.
NETBALL: The She Cranes qualified for 2019 Netball World Cup in August. They beat Zambia 64-52 at the International Youth Olympic Center in Lusaka in August to book the third African slot. They went on to win the 2018 Africa Netball Championship undefeated.
Uganda will be making her third appearance at the Netball World Cup after 2015 and 1979 appearances. The tournament will be staged at the Echo Arena in Liverpool, England in July 2019.
In September, Uganda won the World University Netball title. Uganda hosted the tournament and edged South Africa 44-43 in the final minutes of the tension packed final at Makerere University’s new indoor facility.
Joshua Cheptegei
RUGBY: The Black Pirates side won all the silverware available in the 2017/18 season, winning the Uganda Cup, National rugby league and the National Sevens. They defeated Betway Kobs to be crowned the Nile Special Premier Rugby League champions with a 27-12 score line.
FOOTBALL: On 17th November, Uganda Cranes qualified for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations after beating Cape Verde 1-0 in Kampala. Uganda had spent nearly 40 years failing to qualify for the Nations Cup, but will now contest back-to-back tournaments for the first time since the seventies.
On March 17, KCCA FC beat Ethiopia’s St. George 1-0 at the StarTimes Stadium to advance on a 1-0 goal aggregate and become the first Ugandan club to ever advance to the group stages of the Champions League. Muhammad Shaban scored the only goal.
Uganda-netball-she-Cranes
In May, Vipers SC won the 2017/18 Uganda Premier League with a 4-1 win over army side UPDF FC at the St Marys Kitende stadium. KCCA FC who needed a win to retain the trophy finished second after they could only manage a two all draw against police FC. SC Villa finished third.
KCCA defeated Vipers 1-0 in the Stanbic Uganda Cup final to be champions in a game that was played at Emokori ground in Bukedea district. Julius Poloto was the hero of the day heading in from an Allan Okello cross.
Vipers Sports Club midfielder Moses Waiswa beat KCCA FC’s Allan Okello and Onduparaka’s Vianey Ssekajugo to be crowned Male Footballer of the year in the 2018 Airtel FUFA awards.
Uganda women’s football team, The Crested Cranes, emerged third at the 2018 COSAFA Women’s Championship after registering a hard fought 1-0 win over Zambia at Wolfson stadium in South Africa.
Uganda’s under 17 football team known as ‘Cubs’ won the CECAFA U-17 tournament to qualify for the 2019 Total CAF U17 Africa cup of nations to be played in Tanzania. They are in Group A alongside Tanzania, Angola and Nigeria.
vipers won league
Cameroon lost the 2019 AFCON hosting rights due to unpreparedness. The new host nation will be chosen between South Africa and Egypt on 9th January 2019.
CRICKET: In October, the Uganda Cricket Association were awarded the hosting rights for ICC World T20 Africa regional finals for qualification towards ICC World T20 2020 global qualifiers in May 2019. Six teams will compete at the 2019 ICC World Twenty20 Africa Regional Finals in Kampala. The top 2 teams will advance to global qualifiers for 2020 ICC World T20 in Australia.
USPA: Patrick Kanyomozi was elected president of Uganda Sports Press Association (USPA). Kanyomozi has been serving as USPA secretary-general before competing for the association’s top position. He garnered 64 votes, accounting to 55% of the total votes cast. Aliguma got 36 votes and Mpoza was voted 16 times.
Patrick Kanyomozi
INTERNATIONALLY: In July, France won the 2018 Fifa World Cup overcoming Croatia 4-2 in a bold challenge in a thrilling final in Moscow’s Luzhniki Stadium, Russia.
On April 20, Arsene Wenger made a surprise announcement that he will leave Arsenal Football Club at the end of the season after almost 22 years at the club having won three Premier League titles and a record seven Football Association Cups.
Real Madrid’s Croatia midfielder Luka Modric was named the winner of the 2018 Ballon d’Or breaking Cristiano Ronaldo’s and Lionel Messi’s decade-long hold on the prestigious award.
On 18th December, Manchester United announced that they parted company with their manager Jose Mourinho after two-and-a-half years in charge leaving them in sixth on 26 points after 17 matches, their worst start to a PL campaign.
GULU-The Acholi Paramount chief, David Onen Acana the II has warned members of the public in Acholi to stop engaging in domestic violence as the New Year begins.
His Highness made this remark while delivering his new year message from the Acholi cultural headquarter in Gulu town.
He said domestic violence is still highly prevailing in Acholi among both women and men resulting from poverty, lack of respect, and denial of property rights among others.
He urged that as the people usher in to the New Year they should stop domestic violence which is leading to high family breakdown and contributing to high levels of child neglect to day.
However, reports say many issues have caused women to continually come second place after men , one of the reason hurting women is domestic violence .this is according to research by the United Nation sustainable Development goal program in address to domestic Violence .
More than 1 in 15 women aged between 15 – 49 which is approximately 22 per cent report that they have experienced violence at some point in time as compared with only 1 in 10 (8 per cent) of men cases reported .
The vice has been higher in rural areas than in Urban with highest reported cases for women in Bukedi Region with 39.8 per cent and 12.5 per cent for men in south Central Regions of Uganda.
The Executive director for Uganda bankers association (UBA) Wilbrod Owor (Centre) said the newly introduced Mobile Money Tax risks reversing the inroads made in promoting financial inclusion
UBA holds second annual banker’s conference
Uganda Bankers Association (UBA) held its second Annual Bankers Conference (ABC) 2018 on July 17, under the theme: Financial Sector Stability: Managing Risk in a Growing and Fast Changing Environment”. The conference was held at Kampala Serena Conference Center.
The conference aimed to deliver constructive discussions and recommendations on a range of subject matters affecting the performance and stability of the banking industry at the global, regional as well as domestic level benchmarking on recent bank resolution experiences. It focused on the changing nature of risk and management therein, bank resolution experiences, banking sector reforms, regulation, legal frameworks and safety nets in place.
Other discussion areas included the challenges faced by banks including credit risk, Government fiscal and monetary policy frameworks required for facilitating financial sector stability and investor confidence as well expectations from the wider spectrum of stakeholders on how the banks should drive growth across the economy anchored on stability benchmarks. The conference was expected opened by the Prime Minister, Dr Ruhakana Rugunda. Speakers included the Governor Bank of Uganda, MasterCard’s Division President for Africa, Standard Bank’s Regional Economist for East Africa, Zimbabwe’s Deposit Protection Corporation CEO.
Mutebile sacks Justine Bagyenda as he mad staff changes
BoU Governor Emmanuel Tumisiime-Mutebile
As he made changes in his staff, the Bank of Uganda Governor Prof. Emmanuel Tumusiime-Mutebile in February sacked the then executive director in charge of bank Supervision, Justine Bagyenda, Dr Tumubweine Twinemanzi who was formally working with the Uganda Communications Commission. Ms Bagyenda would later run the IGG protesting her dismissal which came a few months before her official retirement. It would later cause a public spat between Tumusiime-Mutebile and IGG Irene Mulyagonja and was only cooled by president Museveni.
The other staff appointed: Mary Katarikawe as Executive Director Operations. Joyce Okello was made the new Executive Director and Personal Assistant to the Governor. Richard Mayebo was appointed Executive Director Risk and Strategic Management. The then director in charge of Communications Christine Alupo was shifted to head the Board Affairs Department and was replaced by Charity Mugumya. Hannington Waswa posted to head Commercial Banking Department and Ben Sekabira as head of Financial Markets Development Coordination while Edward Mugerwa will serve as director IT Operations Department.
Hot seats, Kasekende consults Mutebile in the COSASE committee.
Parliament starts probing BoU on Controversial Closure Of seven banks
The Parliamentary Committee of Commissions, Statutory Authorities and State Enterprises (Cosase) in late October started the process to investigate queries raised by the Auditor General John Muwanga’s special audit report of Bank of Uganda on seven defunct banks namely; Teefe Trust Bank, Greenland Bank, International Credit Bank, Cooperative Bank, National Bank of Commerce, Global Trust Bank Uganda and Crane Bank Limited.
The committee headed by MP Abdu Katuntu as Chairman probed BoU Board and senior staff. The probe whose process is still on-going has unearthed the rot in the central bank where officials were found to be disorganized to the extent that they have failed to avail some of the required documents relating to the sale of banks. Cases of fraud have not been ruled out. Worse still the officials have failed to account for some of the money used. For instance they have failed to account for Shs478 billion ploughed into Crane Bank Limited during the takeover period. The probe also established that Tumusiime-Mutebile was not in full control of his senior staff and takes the biggest blame.
PROMPT SUCCESS: Dr-Josephine-Wapakabulo-the-CEO-of-The-Uganda-National-Oil-Company
UNOC holds 2nd annual general meeting of shareholders.
The Uganda National Oil Company Limited (UNOC) on December 11, held the second Annual General Meeting (AGM) of shareholders at its Head Offices in Nakasero, Kampala. The shareholders of the company fully owned by the government, approved and adopted the Annual Financial Statements for the years ended 30th June 2017 and 30th June 2018, including the reports of directors and external directors. The shareholders also resolved: UNOC invests and holds 15 percent equity in the East African Crude Oil Export Pipeline (EACOP); UNOC invests and holds up to 40 percent equity in the Refinery Project to be developed in Kabaale, Hoima district; UNOC invests and holds at least 51 percent equity in the Kampala Storage Terminal (KST) to be located at Namwabula village in Mpigi district as well as manage and operate it; UNOC operates and manages the Kabaale Industrial Park (KIP) to be located in Kabaale, Hoima district; and UNOC commences and engages in petroleum exploration activities within the boundaries of the Republic of Uganda to ensure sustainability of the oil and gas development.
Nuclear power plant in Sudan
Uganda hosts Africa nuclear experts meeting
In August experts from several African countries were in Uganda to review the status of radioactive waste management, update national inventories and develop the work plans and implementation strategies for strengthening radioactive waste management among member countries.
The meeting at Hotel Africana in Kampala was also attended by experts from International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), which supports safe and peaceful use of atomic technology.
Honey Malinga, representing the Minister of Energy and Mineral Development, while opening the meeting on Monday, said proper radioactive waste management is essential for a healthy environment. He said that the energy ministry was developing specific objectives for radioactive waste management adding that “We should create awareness on proper radioactive waste management to ensure that both people and the environment are healthy and safe.” The mention of nuclear energy raises fear about nuclear and Atomic weapons and threats to the environment but some participants at the meeting insisted that the nuclear, and atomic technology, once safely applied, can be used to address a range of problems especially energy.
First Deputy Prime Minister Gen Moses Ali, at the Energy Review Week
Uganda hosts Energy week
In September, Kampala was once again host to the annual Energy week bringing together various stakeholders in the renewable and energy sub sector.
The convergence being held at the KCCA groups is being anchored under the theme Transforming Uganda’s Energy sector through increased innovation investment and integration for future sustainability.
Job Lakal, a Research Analyst with EPRC explains the BCI findings for the Northern region in Arua
Micro economic factors, electricity hiccups, low demand, substandard products and tax policy have been listed as key business constraints in Northern Uganda for the period spanning between 2016 and 2017.
This was revealed during the Business Climate Index (BCI) dissemination held in Arua District recently by Economic Policy Research Centre (EPRC).
Job Lakal, a Research Analyst with EPRC’s Macroeconomics Department while sharing the BCI findings for the Northern region said taxes were a major impediment to business registration. Uganda is ranked 108/190 in Protecting Minority Investors’ (shareholders) rights.
Reactions from participants drawn from Northern Uganda were in line with EPRC findings. Taxes and electricity woes were their biggest challenge in doing business.
Jackson Lee Atima the Chairperson Uganda chamber of Commerce, Arua District and proprietor Hilltop Hotel believes that taxes are unfairly charged. “Am a serious victim, my account was frozen due to a 4 million shilling debt without notice,” he said.
He added that many businesses are left un-assessed and unregistered making the tax body dwell on a few that are registered something which strains turnover.
Atima also decried lack of industrialization in West Nile. “You don’t see industries in West Nile, you don’t see them in Arua, that is a very serious drawback for us,” he said urging government to connect West Nile to the national electricity grid.
According to Atima, power outages have affected small business like salons and printing hubs. This phenomenon does not spare Gulu district either. On November 20, 2018 police dispersed demonstrators in Gulu municipality who were protesting against persistent power outages.
Arua Resident District Commissioner, Nahori Oyaa encouraged the locals to demand for electricity and called for exploitation of solar energy to enable continuous running of industries and general businesses.
Paul Lakuma, a Research Fellow with EPRC, notes that in the past the challenge was lack of electricity but government intervened producing 250-megawatts in excess capacity.
The prevailing paradox however, pertains to stability of power and the cost. “Ugandans pay 15 percent more for power compared to neighboring countries like Kenya, Rwanda and Tanzania” Lakuma said.
He called for more even distribution to ease cost sharing once the greater portion of the population is accessing power. So far about 20 percent of Ugandan households use power from the national grid.
World Bank, Sustainable Energy for All reported 26.7 Ugandan to have had access to electricity by 2016. Uganda is ranked 173/190 in terms of cost of getting electricity.
Other BCI issues raised during the dissemination include limited structural transformation. Industrialization contributes 22 percent to GDP. The agriculture sector, which has continued to lag- although absorbing 40 percent of the labour force, yields only 26% to GDP.
To raise agricultural productivity, participants called for mechanization and irrigation as well as value addition to increase earnings for local farmers.
The BCI summary for Northern Uganda indicates that momentum in business environment did well for most of 2017 across Northern Uganda; it dropped below potential in early 2018 subduing turn over and profitability.
The cost of inputs remained high while new employment is below potential, and in decline. Optimism is below potential and continues to decline.
A similar dissemination was held in Tororo district in November 23, 2018 involving stakeholders drawn from select districts of Eastern Uganda. Gayathry Venugopal, a Research Analyst with EPRC’s Macroeconomics Department shared the summary of BCI findings for Eastern Uganda.
Majority of the business constraints shared with the Northern Uganda community remerged. These include substandard products, unfair taxes among others.
Wazemba David, the in charge Uganda Revenue Authority (URA), Malaba Office called for transparency, pooling of efforts and more awareness to expedite tax collection and ease tensions. This followed an outcry that some URA officials were rude once faced with inquiries and during inspections.
Business owners also complained of unending extortion at the border and on roads leading to the border. For instance, one may encounter 14-16 roadblocks from Malaba to Busitema.
Much as the aim is to maintain security and check on bad trade, some unscrupulous security personnel use these stoppages to extort money from traders.
During the Eastern Uganda BCI dissemination, it was also raised that whereas no Ugandan can cross into Kenya with merchandise, Kenyan traders along the border were easily accessing Uganda soils and trading freely.
George Etyama the District Commercial Officer, Tororo District says government was implementing the village agent model where agents are positioned in villages to connect farmers to traders who have access to exporters. This he hopes will check on standards and ease access to regional markets for local producers.
Access to favorable loans still a challenge
During interactive sessions of the BCI dissemination, inadequate access to soft loans was a matter of concern for both Eastern and Northern region.
This participants say, has bred dubious loan dealers who are often quick on taking over borrowers’ property incase of nonpayment. This is said to be one of the causes of untiring domestic violence.
At least borrowing from commercial banks does not favor most local entrepreneurs.
Paul Lakuma attributes the high interest rates to monopoly saying that 4 banks own 80 percent of banking assets in Uganda. “To protect their interests, such banks can always collude and have a mark up on the price of their products,” he noted.
A few local entrepreneurs have been able to harness and properly manage low interest government loans channeled through avenues like the Uganda Women Entrepreneurship Programme and the Youth Venture Capital Fund.
Aswa Region confirmed 48 places across Acholi sub region that shall display fireworks, Jimmy Patrick Okema the police public relation officer for Aswa River Region while addressing journalists in Gulu during the news conference said the places that have been granted to display fireworks must advertise widely using local media in order not to mislead and disappoint community.
He added that the fireworks to be displayed must be of 1.5 types and should only take five minutes and all the area district police commanders have the authority to stop the display if not satisfied with the guideline they have to adhere to.
The fire work materials will be kept at the central police stations and shall be escorted and supervised by counter terrorism personnel in the respective places of displays and any firework materials not displayed must be handed to the counter terrorism and the display must be conducted by a person with explosive plaster licenses to avoid injuries while tasking the public against making too much alarm as they usher in to the new year since it confuses police who will be on duty making them to be suspicious .
A total of 762 fireworks will be displayed country wide this year.
Museveni signs controversial age bill into an Act, January 2, 2018
President Yoweri Museveni signed the controversial age limit bill into an Act after majority of NRM MPs voted to remove both the upper and the lower presidential age limit caps of 75 and 35 years, beyond or below which, respectively no individual would run for the position president in Uganda. Over 317 legislators voted for removal of age limit while 97 Voted against as two MPs abstained. The private members bill was drafted Igara West MP Raphael Magyezi and seconded by MP Moses Balyeku
Minister Amelia’s husband Kyambadde released from Luzira, January 9, 2018
Wilson Kyambadde, husband to trade Minister Amelia Kyambadde was released from Luzira Prison after spending six months there. On July 10 last year Mr. Kyambadde had been on July 10, 2017 sent to prison by the High Court after he failed to pay a debt of Shs1 billion to city businessman Amdan Khan. The businessman had accused Kyambadde of defrauding him in 2012 of US$300,000 (about Shs1 billion), as down payment claiming that President Museveni had given him a house and was selling it. But the house never existed.
DEAD: Former Archbishop Livingstone Nkoyoyo
Former Archbishop Nkoyoyo dead, January 5, 2018
Retired Anglican Archbishop of the Church of Uganda Livingstone Mpalanyi Nkoyoyo passed on. The 79-year prelate died months after he had just returned from London for treatment in June 2017, he died at Kampala Hospital. Nkoyoyo, the fifth head of the Anglican Church (Church of Uganda), fell ill in November 2016 and was at one time admitted at a private hospital in Kensington Central London in December of that same year.
Flamboyant and untouchable cop, Aron Baguma.
DPP clears former CPS boss Baguma of murder charges, January 10, 2018
The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) withdrew all murder charges brought against the former Central Police Station (CPS) District Police Commander (DPC) Aaron Baguma, charged in relation to the murder of businesswoman Donah Katushabe. Superintendent of Police (SP) Baguma was facing the murder charges with among others, Muhammad Sebuwufu, a used car dealer, who was allegedly owed Shs9 million by Ms. Katushabe. While appearing before High court judge Justice Flavia Anglin Ssenoga, Principal State Attorney Alex OJok presented a letter signed by DPP Justice Mike Chibita withdrawing charges against SP Baguma.
OUSTED: Former Jinja East MP Nathan Nabeta Igeme
Nabeta thrown out of parliament, January 12, 2018
The Jinja East parliamentary seat hitherto held by MP Nathan Igeme Nabeta was declared vacant by a panel of three appellant court judges. In 2016 Nabeta was declared as the duly elected Member of Parliament by the Jinja district returning officer Anthony Mwaita who would later be forced to resign after he postponed the declaration of the winner of the election. In their ruling he three appellate judges: Steven Kavuma, Richard Butera and Paul Mugamba ruled that Nabeta was wrongly declared MP in the 2016 elections and ordered for fresh elections which he lost to Paul Mwiru.
Mulago cancer machine commissioned, January 19, 2018
Prime Minister Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda commissioned the new Cobalt- 60 radiotherapy machine at the Uganda Cancer institute (UCI) in Mulago. The Shs2 billion came in at the time when the old one had served over 22 years crashed in April 2016.
RIP: Musician Moses Sekibogo Nakintije aka Mowzey Radio
Singer Mowzey Radio dead Feb 1, 2018
Singer Mowzey Radia real name Moses Nakintijje Sekiboga died after being brutally beaten by the bouncer Godfrey Wamala aka Troy in De Bar in Entebbe. Radio died at Case Hospital where he had spent almost two weeks on treatment. His tormentor would on February 7, 2018 be remanded to Kigo Prison by Entebbe Magistrate’s Court.
The late Susan Magara
Susan Magara body found, February 27, 2018
The body of Susan Magara, who had been kidnapped by goons demanding money from the father was found dumped along the Southern By-pass. Ms. Magara had been kidnapped while on her way home in Lungujja, Lubaga Division. Some of the individuals suspected to have killed the youthful lady are in jail while others are believe to be at large.
RIP Teddy Seezi Cheeye
Cheeye is dead, March 1, 2018
Veteran journalist Teddy Seezi Cheeye passed on after he was knocked dead by a Boda Boda cyclist in Nakawa. A Nairobi-trained journalist during the 1980s, Cheeye was running the Confidential newsletter. Police would later arrest suspect identified Roger Kirya who was hiding in Mbuya after a serious manhunt. Cheeye, who served as the Director of Economic Monitoring in the President’s Office, had spent 10 years for embezzlement.
Former IGP Kale Kayihura handing over to his sucessor Okoth Ochola. Looking on is new Deputy IGP Brig. sabiti Muzeyi.
Former IGP Kayihura hands over to Okoth Ochola, March 15, 2018
Eleven days after being relieved of his duties as Inspector General of Police (IGP), General Kale Kayihura handed over office to his successor Martin Okoth Ochola. At a function held at Police Headquarters in Naguru, Gen. Kayihura, clad in full military attire, congratulated IGP Ochola and his deputy, Brigadier Sabiiti Muzeeyi. Kayihura said then that he was satisfied with his performance as IGP which, among others, included a drop in crime rates across the country.
Embattled former Executive Director in charge of Supervision at Bank of Uganda Justine Bagyenda.
MTN apologizes to Bagyenda over leaked Shs500m mobile money transactions, April 5, 2018
Mobile Telecommunication giants MTN apologized to former Executive Director in charge of Supervision at Bank of Uganda Justine Bagyenda over leaked account details of her mobile money transactions. Eagle Online exposed the account details of Ms. Bagyenda with particulars indicating that she had transacted ‘Shs500 million in three years on her mobile money account.
“We however, wish to clarify that the alleged incident of breach of confidentiality has been extensively investigated internally. The allegations of abuse and unlawful disclosure of confidential information relate to mobile money transaction records of Ms Justine Bagyenda. Reads the apology.
Paul William
UK MP implores Museveni to quit, April 19, 2018
The United Kingdom Member of Parliament (MP) for Stockton South Dr. Paul Williams urged President Yoweri Museveni to leave power, saying that the Ugandan leader is ‘a barrier’ to development. Dr. Williams asked the UK International Development Secretary Penny Mordaunt to use the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) to tell President Museveni that it’s time to go. President Museveni is in United Kingdom for the 25th Commonwealth Heads of Governments Meetings (CHOGM)
: Makerere University Senior Administrative Assistant Edward Kisuze has today been granted shs2 million cash bail by Buganda road magistrate Eremye Mawanda
Makerere University suspends Administrative Assistant over leaked sex video, April 17, 2018
Mr Edward Kisuze, a senior administrative assistant in Makerere University was suspended over allegations that he sexually harassed Ms. Njoroge Rachael Njeri. His suspension follows a viral picture of him purportedly licking Ms Njeri’s private parts in his office. The female had finished studies at the university and decided to leak the sex photos on social media, accusing the administrator of harassing her sexually.
Al Hajj Ali Akbar Adoko Nekyon
Former Minister and Obote cousin Adoko Nekyon dead, May 4, 2018
Veteran politician Al Hajj Ali Akbar Adoko Nekyon passed on at Nsambya Hospital aged 86, reports indicated. A cousin to former president Milton Obote, Adoko Nekyon was the first post-Independence Minister of Information, Broadcasting and Tourism in the 1960s. He also served as Minister for Health and Minister of Rehabilitation and Social Services between 1988 and 1990, under the National Resistance Movement (NRM) government.
WARNED POLICE OFFICERS AGAINST TORTURE: IGP, Okoth Ochola.
IGP Ochola dissolves Flying Squad as Elly Womanya bounces back to CID, May 8, 2018
The Inspector General of Police Martins Okoth Ochola disbanded the notorious Flying Squad Unit of the Uganda Police. The officers in the unit had been under Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Herbert Muhangi, who now heads the Human Power Audit Department of Police.
Col. Ibrahim Abiriga
MP Ibrahim Abiriga gunned down, June 8, 2018
Col Abiriga and his brother, who was doubling as bodyguard, Said Kango were showered with live bullets by unknown gunmen a few meters to his home in Kirinnyabigo, Kawanda the outskirts of Kampala.
MP Abiriga laid to rest as Museveni promises to end killings, June 11, 2018
The slain legislator for Arua municipality Rtd Col Ibrahim Abiriga was laid to rest at Rhino camp in Lukudu Village, Lower Madi Constituency.
Col. Abiriga and his brother, who doubled as his bodyguard, Said Kango were on Friday showered with live bullets by unknown gunmen a few meters to his home in Kirinnyabigo, Kawanda the outskirts of Kampala.
Confirmed Former IGP, Gen Kale Kayihura, in picture with black beret, arriving at Court Martialarrested, June 13, 2018
The former Inspector General of Police, Gen. Kale Kayihura was arrested and detained at Makindye Military Barracks until he was produced before the Military Court Martial. He would later be given bail on account of his poor health. He was also accused of failing to protect war material by issuing arms to unauthorised persons including Boda Boda 2010 members led by jailed Abdallah Kitatta between 2010 and 2018. His case is still pending.
Museveni commissions Entebbe Express Highway., June 15, 2018
President Museveni and the deputy Premier of china Wang Yang commissioned 49.5 kilometers Kampala -Entebbe expressway that was constructed by China Communications Construction Company (CCCC).
The construction of the ShsUS$476m expressway project began in 2012. Museveni said the expressway was part of the measures to de-congest the Central Business District to enhance trade movement through, within and out of the Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area.
Former LoP Winnie Kiiza
Winnie Kiiza dropped as the LoP as Mafabi bounces back, August 3, 2018
Forum for Democratic Change has dropped Kasese Woman Member of Parliament Winnie Kiiza as the Leader of Opposition in Parliament in a reshuffle announced by party president Patrick Amuriat. MsKiiza was replaced by Gulu Woman MP, Betty AoL Ochan. Kira municipality MP Ssemujju Nganda has been maintained as the Opposition Chief Whip in Parliament.
The party also dropped Bugweri County MP Abdul Kamuntu and appointed Kawempe South legislator Mubarak Munyagwa to head Committee on Commissions, Statutory Authorities and State Enterprises (COSASE) deputized by Rubaga North MP Moses Kasibante.
Police confirms arrest of Bobi Wine being arrested by police officers plus three MPs, August 14, 2018
Police confirmed the arrest of Kyadondo East legislator Robert Kyagulanyi and others following a scuffle in during the Arua municipality by-election where one of president Museveni’s motorcades was pelted with stones. The president was in the town to campaign for NRM candidate in the race to replace the late Ibrahim Abiriga. The Independent candidate Kassiano Wadri won the race even as the voting happened while he was in prison. Other MPs arrested then were Mityana Municipality MP Francis Zaake, Ntungamo Municipality MP Gerald Karuhanga, Jinja East MP Paul Mwiru, former MP Michael Mabikke, a one Fred Nyanzi, Wadri and others. The politicians would later be produced in court and then given bail.
RIP: Muhammad Kirumira.
Muhammad Kirumira shot dead, September 8, 2018
Former Buyende District Police CommanderMuhammad Kirumira was killed in hail of bullets alongside one Resty Nalinya by unknown assailants travelling on motorcycles as he proceeded to his home after attending a party of a senior police officer. He was driving motor vehicle UAJ 228V Toyota Corona. Some of the suspected killers of Kirumira are in jail as investigations continue.
TURNEB AROUND CITY: KCCA former Executive Director Jennifer Musisi Semakula
KCCA ED Jennifer Musisi resigns, October 15, 2018
The Executive Director for Kampala Capital Authority, Jennifer Musisi Ssemakula resigned. Musisi would officially leave office on December 15, 2018. “This is to submit my resignation from the position of Executive Director, Kampala Capital City Authority with effect from December 15, 2018. Your Excellency, over the last seven and half years, we have made progress towards transforming Kampala and below are some of our performance highlights” Musisi wrote.
I warned: Gen. Sejusa.
Gen. Museveni retires Gen. Sejusa from army, October 30, 2018
Former Coordinator of intelligence services Gen David Sejjusa aka Tinyefuza was cleared to retire from the army, UPDF spokesperson Lt. Col. Deo Akiiki confirmed. Sejusa’s retirement was ordered by president Museveni. Sejusa is expected to be included on the list of retiring officers in 2019.
Gorilla is one of Uganda’s tourism attractions.
Uganda named among top four African places with rich tourist attractions, December 5, 2018
Uganda was listed among the four African destinations that have made it to National Geographic Traveler’s Cool List of 2019. The list has 19 places a tourist would not miss in 2019. The list, according to a US based magazine, places feature everything from futuristic cityscapes and modernist architecture to pristine rain-forest and rehabilitated wildlife. The magazine indicates that Eritrea, Kwazulu-Natal, Uganda and Zimbabwe make up the list which also looks at the destinations around the globe that will drive tourist numbers in the coming year, 2019. Other Places include: Setouchi, Antarctica, Pittsburgh, Corsica, Cambodia, San Miguel de Allende, West Yorkshire, Hong Kong, Guyana, Oslo, Bhutan, Dundee, Matera, Indonesia, and Sibiu.
Electoral Commission and CCEDU officials
EC to spend Shs868b in 2021 elections, December 11, 2018
The chairperson of Electoral Commission Justice Simon Byabakama confirmed that a total of Shs868 billion is required to conduct the 2021 general elections that will take place between 10th January and 8th February 2021.
Speaking at the launch of electoral road map, justice Byabakama said, there was a slight increase in electoral body’s budget by Shs368 billion due to continuous improvement in the electoral process, comprehensive voter education and sensitization of stake holders, inclusion of Supreme Court recommendations, price changes and exchange rate fluctuations.
He said their budget is also alluded to increase in the number of districts from 112 to 141, municipalities 80 from 39, sub counties 2000 from 1398, parishes 9500 from 7431, villages 65200 from 57, 842, polling stations 35,000 from 28, 000, Registered voters 19,400,000 from 15,277,198.
CHARGED IN COURT MARTIAL: Abdallah Kitatta has a case to answer-Gen. Gutti, December 17, 2018
The chairman of Makindye General Court Martial (GCM), Lt. Gen. Andrew Gutti ruled that the embattled patron for Boda-Boda 2010 Abdullah Kitatta had a case to answer in the criminal charges leveled against him. Kitatta was on Jan 20, 2018 arrested by a joint force of Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) and Internal Security Organization (ISO) and is currently facing five counts including failure to protect war material and being in unlawful possession of military stores contrary to the UPDF Act.
After the conclusion of prima facie session, court established that Kitatta, Sowali Ngobi, Ibrahim Sekajja, Joel Kibirige, Hassan Ssebata, Hussein Mugema, John Ssebandeke and Amon Twinomujuni have a case to answer. Gen. Gutti acquitted three of the suspects and these include Johnson Kayondo, Hassan Ssengoba, and Sunday Ssemwogerere on grounds that they were not involved in any activities conducted by the group.
Andrew Kitaka
Andrew Kitaka appointed Acting ED for KCCA, December 18, 2018
Minister for Kampala, Betty Olive Namisango Kamya appointed Eng. Andrew Kitaka Mubiru as the Acting Executive Director for Kampala capital city authority (KCCA).The appointment proceeds the resignation of Jennifer Musisi Semakula after serving for seven years since her appointment in 2011.
The in-fights within the Forum for Democratic Change party could undermine the good work of Committee on Commissions, Statutory Authorities and State Enterprises (COSASE).
Just months after assuming the office of Leader of Opposition in Parliament, Ms Betty Aol wants to assert her powers but the assertion could as well undermine the already fragile internal politics within the FDC given that just months, former party leader, Maj. Gen. Mugisha Muntu and a host left for a new party.
Ms Aol wants to have control of the party wing at parliament and that means she must have troops that are loyal to her but at whose expense does she serve? Is it for the party or the country that pays her and her colleagues? Basing on the above, Ms Aol ought to appreciate the played by other players before she was named in as LoP. Her current showdown with the Speaker over whether to extend the tenure of COSASE is basically looking at two people, Abdu Katuntu and Anite Among.
The party differences shouldn’t be dragged to parliament at the expense of national interests. The recent change of Commissioners in parliament from being appointed by party to election could justify why party interests should suffocate national interests.
Ms Aol, named Kawempe South legislator Mubarak Munyagwa as the chairperson of COSASE with Rubaga North’s Moses Kasibante as his deputy, However, the changes are good for the operation of the party and opposition in general as they show maturity and rotation of leadership roles. Nevertheless, Ms Aol should not be used to target moderates that don’t entirely agree with the status quo at Najjanakumbi.
Why would LoP refuse to grant extension of time for the committee to accomplish its work even after the Speaker of Parliament has requested? The Katuntu, Anite Among plus other committee members should be granted an extension to finish their work without necessarily indulging the Munyagwa committee into affairs they didn’t start.
Could FDC be playing in the hands of Bank of Uganda? The acts of LoP can indirectly mean that as a party, FDC isn’t interested in positive results but just having another of their own to steer the committee. The fact is that Abdu Katuntu like any other person has short comings but those short comings shouldn’t be used to purge him and his committee at the crucial time.
Despite the two sides having arguments over the extension of the committee, Katuntu has emerged as one the best level coolheaded legislator in handling matters related to investigations and whether the executive and parliament implements or doesn’t, that is none of his business because his is to see through the inquiry and make recommendations.
Yes, Munyagwa isn’t being loathed because of him being a failure but it isn’t good for him to start from nowhere especially on a matter like BoU probe.
Katuntu is leading the probe into BoU’s closure and sale of seven commercial banks following an Auditor General report that pointed and possible corruption among BoU officials and beneficiaries of the takeovers.
The banks are Teefe bank, International Credit bank ltd, Greenland bank, The Cooperative bank, National Bank of Commerce, Global Trust bank, and Crane bank.
The probe discovered that some banks were sold via mobile phone, using archaic laws and passing on “confidential information to would be buyers. In the case of Crane Bank, Shs478 billion was spent by BoU to keep the bank operational for three months before it was taken over by Dfcu Bank. The same bank needed a capitalisation of Shs157 billion.
Whether Katuntu or Munyagwa, what is needed is fine report at the end of the day.
The State House Anti-Corruption Unit in partnership with officials from the Office of Auditor General on Wednesday raided the Wakiso district zonal lands offices over allegations that officials there connive with brokers to fleece government of taxes in form of stamp duty as well as denying the public quality services.
The Wednesday raid was led by Lt. Col. Edith Nakalema helped by detectives of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID). The operation is said to have been sanctioned by president Museveni after receiving reports on the rot in the land offices of the district.
Sources say staff in the lands office connivance with middlemen to place low values on the land transacted so as government receives less revenue while the remainder is shared between them.
Ms Nakalema was told a senior lands officer has closed her officer for one month as she son her annual leave. Meanwhile the investigators ordered all staff out of their rooms so they could carry out a search on documents and others.
Museveni launched State House Anti-Corruption Unit over a week ago to enable the people to call directly to report cases of corruption in public offices. The unit works hand in hand with other agencies like the IGG and CID.
Makerere University has released a four-day schedule for the forthcoming graduation ceremony where 10,216 students are expected to graduate, having fulfilled all the requirements such as passing exams and paying all the tuition fees, graduation fees and others.
Dr. Alfred Masikye Namoah, the Academic Registrar, says the ceremony will begin on January 15, 2019 with the graduation of students in the colleges of; Natural Sciences, Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, Education and External Studies and that of Health Sciences.
On January 16, 2019 students from the College of Business and Management Sciences, College of Computing and Information Science and College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resource and Bio Security will graduate.
Over 3000 students from Makerere University Business School (MUBS) will be passed out on January 17, 2019 after which the Colleges of Engineering, Design, Art and Technology, College of Humanities and Social Sciences and the School of Law graduate their students on January 18, 2019.
The students are also expected to go home with their transcripts immediately after graduation.
