Unity FM radio based in Lira has been re-opened under stringent conditions after one month of closure. The radio was closed down on November 17, 2018 on allegations of inciting violence.

The Unity FM Manager, Sam Atul said the re-opening was associated with very tough and stringent conditions. “…the radio has been re-opened but the conditions are tough. They have suspended five of our staff from presenting any programme for three months, they have also suspended the program titled Yab Wangi. They ordered us to pay a fine of 10 million shillings and reconnection fee of two million shillings, our license has been suspended for six months as well,” said Atul.

In a letter written to the Managing Director of Unity FM dated 17th December 2018, the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) handed out more conditions to the effect that, “Unity FM shall sign an undertaking not to air content that contravenes the minimum broadcasting standards, Unity FM shall install pre-listening devices, Unity FM’s license shall be put under probation for a period of six months and Unity FM shall suspend the program Yab wangi plus suspending three persons from presenting any programme on Unity FM for a period of three months.”

On November 17, 2018, the then District Police Commander of Lira district Joel, Tubanone ordered for the closure of Unity FM and arrested six (6) Unity FM journalists and two other clients who were found at the station for business. The arrest was allegedly on the orders of the Resident District Commissioner (RDC) Milton Odong for allegedly inciting violence.

Those arrested were Charles Odongo –a technical director, Kenneth Opio -Assistant station manager, Felix Ogwang –a presenter, Moses Alwala -news reporter, Micheal Ogwal -news anchor, Aron Ebwola -producer and Okello Emmanuel Zumulamai and Junior Engola both clients who had brought business to the radio.

The six Unity FM staff were however charged with inciting violence and released on 19th November 2018, have continued reporting to Lira Central Police Station on a weekly basis.

“It is good that Unity FM has finally been reopened. It is however disappointing that the DPC and RDC arbitrarily close down a media house without following the due process of the law, closure of media houses is outside of their sole mandate. Further, the conditions laid down by UCC are so harsh only intended to curtail freedom of expression. Such inhibitive actions against the media house should be challenged in the courts of law,” said the Executive Director of HRNJ-Uganda, Robert Ssempala.

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A Ugandan citizen, a one Brian Atuheire has lodged a case in the high court, pleading that the Minister of Foreign Affairs Sam Kutesa vacates office, reasoning that the US$500,000 he received from the Chinese businessman Patrick Ho was a bribe that makes the minister unfit to hold any public office.

Mr. Atuheire lodged the case Kutesa and the Attorney General on December 18, 2018.

Mr. Atuheire wants the Attorney General through the Director of Public Prosecutions to commence investigations against the wealthy minister.

Kutesa is said to have received the money from Ho to help him secure business dealings in railway services, infrastructure construction, fishing, hydro energy, banking and finance for the Chinese conglomerate CEFC (China Energy Co.).

Mr. Atuheire says Kutesa received the bribe paid via wire transfer from HSBC Bank in Hong Kong (China) through an intermediary HSBC, Deutsche Bank in New York (USA) to Stanbic Bank in Uganda on May 6, 2016.

Atuheire contends that How was found guilty after trial before the United States (US) District Judge Lorreta A Preska in the southern district of New York of one count of conspiring to violate the foreign corrupt (practices Act (FCPA) four counts of violating the FCPA, one count of conspiring to commit international money laundering and one count of committing international money laundering.

He argues that President Museveni on December 10, 2018 admitted that Kutesa received the money. Museveni said Kutesa told him the money was meant for a charity.

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Buganda Kingdom through Buganda Land Board, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Guoji Corporation, a Chinese construction Company to build affordable houses at Sentema Busiro for low income earners.

Witnessing the signing ceremony at Bulange Mengo, Katikkiro Charles Peter Mayiga called on the people of Buganda to utilize the availed chance to get houses which range in their earnings.

According to Katikkiro, a one bedroomed house will cost Shs 37 million ($10,000), two bedroomed Shs 72 million ($20,000) and the three bedroomed houses will cost about Shs 107 million ($30,000).

Mayiga assured safety to all squarters on Kabaka land saying no one will evicted as being spread by rumormongers, “Buganda has a big chunk of land which is free of squarters where the project is going to be established,” he said at Mengo.

The project will commence next year and Mr. LI Gang the party committee secretary Director, China Development Bank has assured the Kingdom leadership that by the end of 2019 the first phase of the project will be done.

The CEO of Buganda Land Board, Kyewalabye Male signed on behalf of the Kingdom whereas Mrs. Wendy signed for Guoji corporations.

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Parliamentary commissioners will have to be elected by secret ballot at the end of the tenure of the current position holders, the Speaker of Parliament has ruled.

The Parliamentary Commission, which is established by the Administration of Parliament Act, is the top most administrative body in the Legislature. Chaired by the Speaker, it among others comprises, the Leader of Government Business, the Leader of the Opposition, the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development; and four back bench MPs.

The current commissioners were designated by the government and opposition sides at the start of the 10th Parliament, and announced or presented during a sitting of the House. Their term is due to end this December 2018.

Parliament commissioners serve for a period of two and half years.

The current back bench MPs/Commissioners are: Workers MP Arinaitwe Rwakajara, Kakumiro district MP Robinah Nabbanja, Usuk County MP Peter Ogwang who had been re-designated to serve a second term. The Opposition FDC had designated Buhweju County Francis Mwijukye to replace Cecilia Ogwal.

In a detailed ruling, Speaker Kadaga said that although the government and Opposition always designated the backbench commissioners, the House is the constituent college for purposes of election of the representatives.

“I find that the House is designated as the constituent college for purpose of election, from among nominated candidates, of the four back bench commissioners. This is especially so because it is the Members who are the direct beneficiaries of the choice,” said Kadaga.

“These [Parliamentary commissioners] are their representatives to the Commission. In any event, all the decisions of this House are made by voting,” Kadaga added.

She however noted that there was a contradiction between the Administration of Parliament Act, which provides for nomination of candidates for the election; and the Parliament Rules of Procedure, which provide for designation or re-designation of the commissioners.

“To avoid ambiguity we shall read the word designation to mean nomination,” she said.

During the sitting, the Government Chief Whip, Ruth Nankabirwa protested the Speaker’s ruling saying the procedure for filling the positions of commissioner should not change now but could rather apply during the next Parliament.

“I am going to challenge the decision by introducing a motion pushing for the designation instead of the election of the commission members,” she said.

Opposition Chief Whip, Hon. Ibrahim Ssemujju also noted that FDC structures had already taken decisions on the subject.

“This leaves us hanging in limbo because Hon. Francis Mwijukye was ready to take office effective next month,” Ssemujju said.

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Newly crowned Miss World-Africa Quiin Abenakyo has returned to Uganda amidst joy and celebration from fans who escorted her after touching down at Entebbe, the Uganda’s only airport.

Abenakyo was the name on every Ugandan’s lips when she finished among the top five at the just concluded 68th Miss World pageant that was held on December 8, 2018 in Sanya, China. She was there after crown Miss World Africa.

Abenakyo who was accompanied by the CEO of miss Uganda foundation Brenda Nanyonjo, Jetted into the country a board fly emirates.

She was welcomed by the members of Uganda tourism board (UTB), Minister of foreign affairs Sm Kuteesa, state minister of tourism Godfrey Kiwanda Suubi, former minister of lands Daudi Migereko friends and family and is expected to have a dinner president Museveni at state house Entebbe.

“I was glad that I was able to do this for my country, thank you for receiving us, for the love and support, we are excited to be back home. For God and My Country for God and my country,” Ms Abenakyo said after her arrival at Entebbe Airport.

Tomorrow there will be a general welcome dinner organised to celebrate Abenakyo’s success at Kampala Sheraton Hotel.

Mexican national, Ms Vanessa Ponce was crown miss world after beating 118 contestants, followed by Nicolene Pichapa Limsnukan -Thailand, Maria Vasilevich- Belarus, Kadijah Robinson – Jamaica, Quiin Abenakyo –Uganda among other 115 entrants.

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