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City revellers to hold 2km night race courtesy of Tusker Lite

By
Badru Kasadah
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The Tusker Lite brand of Uganda Breweries Limited (UBL) is poised to light up the streets of Kampala with Uganda`s first-ever night run on June 9 this year.

The two kilometre run to be flagged off at 7pm will give revellers a unique opportunity to break a sweat while having fun at the same time.

Organised under the theme Light the Night, the start and finish point of the Tusker Lite Kampala Night Run will be Torino Bar and Restaurant in Kololo.

According to Estella Muzito, UBL’s Head of Beer, this is an event which will combine glamour and excitement, and Tusker Lite is really excited to be at the heart of this unique experience coming to Kampala for the first time.

“There are few things that can beat the pleasure of a night run with friends that is capped by a great party with fun people,” Ms.  Muzito added.

Speaking on behalf of the event organisers, Walter Muleyi confirmed Police had provided assurance that the participants in the night run will be safe.

“We have secured Police and KCCA permissions for this event. There will be security deployment along the entire route and traffic will be managed during the short time the run lasts,” he said.

Meanwhile, organisers say the night will get even better as the end of the run will mark the beginning of the glow in the dark after party, where the finish point will turn into a hive of activity for the runners-turned-partygoers, with drinks and adrenaline jerking games on offer until late in the night.

Participants will set off from Torino Bar and Restaurant, heading for Upper Kololo, through Impala Avenue, onto Lugogo Bypass and then returning to the set-off point.

At the finish line, each participant will be ushered inside for the rest of the night’s activities which will include dancing challenges and German shots, with various prizes at stake.

In keeping in tune with the events fun theme, participants in the run can look forward to an evening where they literally glow in the dark, thanks to various fancy glow accessories that will be available to runners. These will range runners’ kit to glowing wrist bands and other accessories.

Prizes will be given for categories including: shortest time to reach the finish line; first runner-up; second runner-up; most creative runner; most stylish runner; most lit/glowed up runner and; best squad. The prizes will include vouchers for designer sports gear, medals and gym bags.

To top off the night run, will be performances from Fik Fameica, Cindy, Beenie Gunter, Latinum and Allan Toniks with DJ Simples, Ciza and DJ Mary Jo.

Buy a six-pack at selected supermarkets and register for the run. You can also buy tickets at Torino Bar, Definition Store Acacia Mall and online via quicket.co.ug for only Shs30, 000.

 

 

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Govt to promote tourism alongside oil and gas sector – PM Rugunda

By
Geoffery Serugo
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Former Prime Minister, Dr David Livingstone Ruhakana Rugunda.

Government will deliver the best supporting services to the Oil and Gas sector, while at the same time promoting tourism in Uganda, Prime Minister Ruhakana Rugunda has said.

Speaking at an oil and gas forum at the Serena Hotel, Dr. Rugunda noted that the government was also focusing on skills training for the oil and gas sector professionals.

“We are aware of lack skills in the Oil and Gas sector. However, government in collaboration with private companies is bridging the gap through training of Makerere and Kyambogo (university) that award certificates in oil and gas, welding and fabrication in a bid to make the best use of oil resources,” Dr. Rugunda said.

Dr. Rugunda also noted that the Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) is constructing roads in Hoima, Masindi, and Kisoro to connect areas with oil to the crude oil pipeline.

Further, Dr. Rugunda said, electricity is being extended to areas where the Oil and Gas operations are set to be executed, and two big dam projects are being carried out in Karuma and the 183.2 megawatts Isimba Hydroelectric Power Station.

Earlier, the Minister for Trade and Cooperatives Amelia Kyambadde said that alongside creating over 13, 000 jobs for Ugandans, emphasis has given to protecting the environment especially in regard to promoting tourism in Uganda.

It is estimated that Uganda has over 6.5 billion barrels of oil of which about 1.7 billion barrels are recoverable, and commercial production is expected to begin by 2020.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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EA court throws out Basajjabalaba application against criminal prosecution

By
Our Reporter
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Basajjabala's lawyers Fred Mukasa Mbidde (second left) and others lost the case

The First Instance Division of the East African Court of Justice (EACJ) has declined to grant ex parte orders to businessman Hassan Basajjabalaba, to stop the government of Uganda from summoning him for criminal investigation.

In a ruling delivered by Judges Lady Justice Monica Mugenyi (Principal Judge), Justice Isaac Lenaola (Deputy Principal Judge), and Justice Fakihi A. Jundu, the panel rejected an ex-parte application filed by Mr Joseph Kyazze and Fred Mukasa Mbidde, counsel for Basajjabalaba on April 17, 2018, under a certificate of urgency premised under Article 39 of the Treaty for the Establishment of the East African Community and Rule 21 (2) of the Rules of procedure of the court.

The application was triggered by a letter dated April 9, 2018, requiring Bassajjabalaba to appear before the CID at Kibuli on April 24, 2018, to provide further information in the matter under investigation to facilitate the ongoing preparations for the hearing of the criminal case against him.

In the application Basajjabalaba was seeking ex-parte restraining orders against the Republic of Uganda and its agencies, specifically the Uganda Police and any other security agency, to wit: that the summons issued on April 9, 2018, requiring the attendance of Basajjabalaba before the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to be interrogated or questioned in relation to criminal case No. 3 of 2018, should not be implemented until the hearing of a Reference pending before Court.

Other orders sought are in respect of restraining orders to stop the arrest of the Applicant they are being charged in any court and the reconstitution of any bench of the Constitutional Court of Uganda to re-fix for hearing de-novo (hearing the matter afresh) of the petition No. 3 of 2013, pending delivery of judgment by that Court.

However, court after listening to the arguments, said that it was not satisfied that the Applicants had made a case to warrant the grant of ex parte order in their favour and consequently declined to do so.

Court noted that, it is aware that the applicant on May 8, 2013, obtained orders in petition No.12 of 2013 by the Constitutional Court in Uganda, in which the Respondent (Government of Uganda) was prohibited from court using the processes of any court, so as to initiate and prosecute the Applicants for any charges arising out of or in connection with the issues forming the subject matter of the criminal case mentioned earlier.

The Constitutional Court also ordered that all pending charges and proceedings against the Applicant in the same criminal case No. 3 of 2013 be stayed.

According to Court, the orders issued by the Constitutional Court of Uganda are broad enough to cover the Applicants complaints before it at the ex-parte stage.

The Court also said that, it does not see irreparable injustice the Applicants may suffer if it does not grant any ex-parte orders, as they are already the beneficiaries of protective orders issued by the Constitutional Court of Uganda.

 

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Parliament rejects construction of new analytical labs

By
Geoffery Serugo
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Defence and Internal affairs committee chairperson Judith Nabakooba with President Museveni during campaigns.

The parliamentary committee on defense and internal affairs has recommended that the Directorate of Government Analytical Laboratory (DGAL) equips the existing regional laboratories with the requisite equipment as opposed to constructing new structures.

While on a field visit to eastern Uganda, the members led by chairperson, Mityana Woman MP Judith Nabakooba, noted that despite the completion of the forensic laboratories in Mbale, Mbarara and Moroto in 2014, the said laboratories have not been fully operationalized due to lack of funding.

DGAL provides a full range of general scientific analytical, forensic and advisory services that facilitate effective legal proceedings to dispense justice, safeguard public and environmental health and safety, as well as promote trade.

Meanwhile, in a report the committee members also noted that despite President Yoweri Museveni directing the funding of DGAL in 2016, there has been no funding effected. The members also noted that DGAL is understaffed, with only 50 out of 124 staff it is supposed to have countrywide, affecting its overall operations.

And, according to the committee members, the current case backlog stands at 5,556 criminal cases, 1,524 DNA cases and 3,292 toxicological cases.

“DGAL is still unable to reduce case backlog which negatively impacts the administration of justice,” part of the report reads.

They also noted that government should sponsor the upgrade of DGAL staff through trainings in developed countries where technology has advanced.

“As technology advances, criminals are also advancing their tactics; thus calling for urgency in adapting to the different modern sophisticated methods to match the increasing sophistication in crime,” the report adds.

 

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Celebrated gospel artiste Robin Mark arrives in Uganda

By
Badru Kasadah
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Robin Mark in company of his wife, Jacqueline, on arrival in Uganda

“Just about ready to fly tomorrow in a big metal bird to Kampala the capital of beautiful Uganda! Excited to lead worship at the Virtuous Women’s Conference there over three nights of praise, teaching and reflection!” celebrated gospel musician and pastor, Robin Mark, promised his Ugandan fans Wednesday on social media.

 

And as promised, Robin arrived in Uganda Thursday at 2:45pm in company of his wife, Jacqueline.

The couple was received by church leaders from Christ Heart Ministries and journalists before driving off to Kampala.

The veteran artiste is in Uganda for the Virtuous Women’s Conference where he is to lead worship at the event.

“I am honoured to be part of this 3 day celebration,” said an excited Robin.

The Virtuous Women’s Conference is scheduled to last three days beginning with today.

The conference will kick off today in Jinja at Omega Christian Hotel from where it will shift to Imperial Royale, Kampala on Saturday before winding up on Sunday at Christ’s Heart Church Mukono.

 

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North Korea’s Kim crosses world’s most militarised point

By
Agencies
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North Korea leader Kim Jong Un with his southern counterpart Moon Jae-in

Kim Jong Un made history when he became the first North Korean leader to cross the heavily fortified Demilitarized Zone into South Korea on Friday morning.

Kim was met by South Korean President Moon Jae-in ahead of the historic inter-Korean summit set to take place throughout the day. The two leaders are expected to discuss the potential denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and efforts to forge a peace treaty between their countries.

Experts, however, remain skeptical about the meeting, with some warning that the North will not give up its nuclear arms easily.

As Kim crossed into the South, he shook hands with Moon before bringing his counterpart back over the border to the North for another handshake. They then held hands and crossed back into the South, where Kim was met with an honor guard.

A coterie of senior North Korean officials accompanied Kim, including his sister, Kim Yo-jong, who has become one of the most recognizable envoys from the North after her appearance at the 2018 Winter Olympics.

The leaders then ventured into the South’s Peace House, which had been outfitted head to toe in custom furniture and artwork heavy with symbolism. Kim signed a guest book and the two leaders went in for negotiations.

“A new history begins now ― at the starting point of history and the era of peace,” Kim’s notation read, alongside his signature and the date.

Opening comments between the pair were cordial, with Kim cracking several jokes about noodles and even the early-morning missile launches conducted by North Korea in recent years.

“Today, I’m here with a mindset that I would fire a flare to kick-start a new history of peace, prosperity and better inter-Korean ties,” Kim said in his opening remarks to Moon. “I hope that we will have heart-to-heart conversations on issues of mutual interest, and bring about good results today.”

Moon responded with praise for his counterpart for helping turn the DMZ from “a symbol of division into one of peace.”

“I’d like to thank you for your brave decision to make this summit happen,” Moon said. “I hope that we have broad, frank talks today so that we can reach an agreement and produce what the peoples of our countries and the whole world dearly desire to see: Peace.”

The first round of talks broke promptly at noon, and the two leaders went to eat lunch separately. Kim was driven back to North Korea in a limousine as a dozen bodyguards in Western-style suits jogged next to the vehicle.

 

South Korean officials have expressed optimism ahead of the summit.

“I think the summit will be considered successful if we can clearly put into words North Korea’s clear intention to denuclearize,” Im Jong-seok, Moon’s chief of staff, told reporters on Thursday, according to The Washington Post.

Kim is expected to meet with U.S. President Donald Trump in the coming months, and Friday’s summit is poised to set the groundwork for those discussions.

Trump himself has toned down criticism of Kim in recent weeks and just days ago said the North Korean leader has been ‘very honourable’ going into the negotiations.

“We think that’s a great thing for the world,” Trump said. “We’re having … very good discussions. Kim Jong Un, he really has been very open and I think very honorable from everything we’re seeing.”

 

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Court allows Mbidde’s application to join case challenging the election of EALA Speaker

By
Isaac Imaka
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Fred Mukasa Mbidde

The First Instance Division granted leave to Uganda’s EALA representative Fred Mukasa Mbidde, to join as an intervener in the case challenging the legality of the election of the Speaker of the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) that was filed by the Attorney General of the Republic of Burundi versus the Secretary General of the East African Community (EAC).

Mbidde’s application for intervention was made under Rule 36 (4) of the Court Rules of procedure which provides that “If the Court is satisfied that the application for leave to intervene is justified, it shall allow the intervention and fix a time within which the intervener may submit a statement of intervention and the Registrar shall supply to the intervener copies of the pleadings.”

The Court in its ruling said that, it has carefully considered the merits of the Application and deduce no injustice or prejudice whatsoever to be suffered by the First Respondent (Republic of Burundi) in the event that it is allowed.
The Court added that, on the contrary, “We deem it to be in the interests of justice as well as the best interests of the Community that a Member of the house who was present when the decisions underlying the impugned election were made, be granted leave to intervene in the matter.”

During the hearing in March 2018, Mr. Donald Deya, representing Hon. Mbidde said that, if the order sought by the Republic of Burundi in this case was granted, it would affect the Applicant (Mbidde) and other Members of the Assembly and the substantive Speaker, which will deprive the work of EALA that had spent six months without operating, hence a risk if he is not involved in the matter.

Deya also argued that the Applicant filed the matter on his own behalf and on behalf of other EALA Members interested in the case.
Deya added that because the Applicant and other Members of EALA were present on the day of the election, therefore they have knowledge, evidence, information and insights about the election process which he wants to bring to the attention of the Court which will assist the court to arrive at the best decision.

The Court’s ruling on the argument above, said that, the express wording of the Resolution of the House that was availed to it, in turn reads as follows: “Now therefore, this House do resolve to: 1) grant leave to Fred Mukasa Mbidde and any other Member of the Assembly who may want to intervene, and or to appoint lawyers to represent it in the case Reference No. 02 of 2018 in the East African Court of Justice ; 2) Grant leave to Hon Fred Mukasa Mbidde to use the records of the House in case Reference No. 02 0f 2018.”

The Court therefore from the above wording of the Resolution, said that, it does not amount to authorizing Hon Mbidde to act on behalf of such other Member of the House as would be interested in intervening in the said Reference (Case).
The Republic of Burundi in the main case (Reference) is challenging the election of the Speaker of EALA, arguing that, the Assembly did not follow Rule 12 of the Rules of Procedure of the Assembly, which requires the quorum of one third (1/3) of the elected Members from each Partner State, yet Burundi and the United Republic of Tanzania did not participate in the elections.

Burundi is therefore asking court to declare that the election violated rule 12 (1) of the EALA Rules of Procedure and order for the re-election of the Speaker in accordance with the Rules of Procedure.
Mbidde (Applicant) was present in Court to receive the Ruling. The ruling was delivered by Honorable Judges Lady Justice Monica Mugenyi (Principal Judge), Justice Isaac Lenaola (Deputy Principal Judge), and Justice Fakihi A .Jundu,

Martin Ngoga (the current Speaker) from the Republic of Rwanda was elected Speaker of EALA on 19th December 2017. Rt Hon Ngoga polled 33 votes in the second round of voting against Leontine Nzeyimana of Burundi who amassed 3 votes while Adam Kimbisa of the United Republic of Tanzania did not receive any vote. Ngoga replaced Daniel Kidega from the Republic of Uganda whose term expired. According to the Treaty, the position of the Speaker of EALA is rotational.

Article 40 of the Treaty provides that: A Partner State, the Secretary General or a resident of a Partner State who is not a party to a case before the Court may, with leave of the Court, intervene in that case, but the submissions of the intervening party shall be limited to evidence supporting or opposing the arguments of a party to the case.

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NSSF boss urges Ugandans to invest in mortgages

By
George Mangula
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Ugandans should do away with constructing individual houses and instead use the mortgage platform to acquire affordable houses, the Managing Director of the National Social Security Fund (NSSF), Richard Byarugaba, has said.

Byarugaba made the call on Thursday at the Pearl of Africa Hotel in Kampala while addressing participants attending the Second Innovations Series organised by Braincild Burson- Marsteller under the theme; “Making Real Estate Ownership a Reality.
“Most of people in the western world have developed because of mortgages,” he said that most individuals in Uganda don’t have ready money to finish up projects as early as possible and as such locks the money that should have been used to gain profit.
Supporting Byarugaba’s argument, the Managing Director of Housing Finance Bank, Mathias Katamba said that Uganda as a country has less than 10,000 mortgages, compared to about 25,000 mortgages in Kenya.

Katamba urged Ugandans to utilize mortgage facilities offered by the Bank, saying that individual construction of houses is not good for the real estate business, which is supposed to provide affordable housing units across the country.
He said that even people working in the informal sector, if well organised, can be able to acquire decent houses via the mortgaging platform.

On the other hand, Byarugaba said NSSF has in its data base 2.1 savers from different entities who can be able to acquire mortgages, stating that he has always encouraged his staff to acquire mortgages.

Meanwhile, Samuel Malaba, the Commissioner, Human Settlements, Directorate of Housing in the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, said that government has put in place an enabling environment by capitalizing Housing Finance Bank to provide mortgages for those who want finished houses, and other products.

Addressing the participants, Buganda Land Board Managing Director, David Kyewalabye Male, said that the campaign by the kingdom administration to provide land titles to ‘Bibanja’ holders has paid off as holders can now use the documents to mortgage their properties, or use them to acquire money for different purposes.

He added that the land titles have now provided those staying on Kabaka’s land security of tenure, as no one can come and evict them from their plots.

Addressing participants, innovators in the real estate sector said they have adopted technologies to provide low-cost housing units. The argued that permanent houses have become expensive to construct because most developers use expensive inputs.
One of the innovators, Stephen Jjuuko Kwagala, the MD of Innovation Consortium, showcased some of the cheap materials his company uses to build low cost housing units. He said the appropriate technologies they use as they construct houses also protect the environment.

Another innovator of solutions for low cost housing, Yusuf Kazibwe, urged government to allow in cement imports, saying that the current Shs40, 000 charged for a bag of cement is too high and that it has hit hard the real estate sector.
The Innovation Series event brought together business leaders, managers, government technocrats, individuals and the media to discuss topical issues affecting the real estate sector in Uganda.

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Tanzanian anti-gov’t protests flop as Magufuli calls for peace

By
Agencies
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Tanzanian President John Pombe Magufuli.

Tanzanians largely ignored on Thursday a U.S.-based activist’s call to stage nationwide protests against President John Magufuli’s government.

Nine demonstrators marched in Tanzania’s commercial capital, Dar es Salaam, on Thursday. They were quickly arrested.

Mange Kimambi, a self-styled Tanzanian democracy activist based in the United States, tried to organize the demonstrations through social media to coincide with Thursday’s anniversary of the union between mainland Tanzania and the Indian Ocean archipelago of Zanzibar.

“As Tanzanians, we must defend our peace. We should not allow ourselves to be used by our enemies,” Magufuli said in his Union Day speech to the nation, broadcast live on state television.

“I will defend our union at all costs. We will not have mercy on anyone – inside or outside the country – who tries to destabilize us.”

Some shops were closed in several towns, but most of the country was peaceful, with no reports of street protests, according to witnesses.
Heavily armed police have patrolled major towns and cities across the country over the past three days. One senior police officer warned on Wednesday that protesters would be “beaten like stray dogs”.

The main opposition party, CHADEMA, said several of its leaders were arrested by the police in various parts of the country on allegations of inciting Tanzanians to take to the streets.
Police in Dar es Salaam on Thursday confirmed the arrest of a leader of CHADEMA’s women’s organization for mobilizing Tanzanians to march against the government.

Tanzania’s JamiiForums online platform said on Thursday it suffered from a cyberattack designed to disable it, forcing it offline temporarily.

“We are back,” JamiiForums tweeted. “We were offline due to a distributed denial of service attack. We apologize for the inconvenience this attack has caused and we are currently reviewing the incident to ensure any learning points are used to enhance our protection in future.

JamiiForums did not say who was behind the attack, but its co-owners are facing criminal charges over a user privacy battle with the government. Authorities had accused website administrators of obstructing a police investigation by refusing to disclose the identity of some of its users.

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Oryx, Petro City stations cited in adulteration of fuel

By
Geoffery Serugo
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A graphic impression of an Oryx Petrol Station

Three Oryx Petrol Stations: in Bukoto, Kazinga/Bweyogerere and Kiwatule and, Petro City in Kisenyi have been cited on a list of over 100 petrol stations that sell substandard fuel in the country.

However, according to statistics, over 1000 petrol stations in Uganda sell adulterated fuel contrary to the Petroleum Act, 2013.

And, in a report, the Daily Monitor newspaper reported that fuel adulteration is mainly done by adding inferior quality substances including among others diesel and paraffin to petrol. This, the reports indicated, result into malfunctioning of engine, failure of components and compromising safety.

According to the act, the ministry of energy that is responsible for regulating companies interested in the oil and gas business, can penalize an operator by revoking a license or fining the wayward operator.

Daily Monitor reported that fuel adulteration is as a result of inadequate members of staff to monitor all fuel dealers in the country and the continuous proliferation of districts.

Over years, adulteration of fuel has been a crucial issue where customers has been lamenting over substandard fuel and inappropriate measurements.

 

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