Representatives from the Eastern Africa Standby Force have met in Uganda for a five-day workshop on Humanitarian Assistance and Natural Disaster Support (HANDS), aimed at improving regional disaster response and humanitarian capabilities.

Organized by the East African Standby Force (EASF), the workshop focuses on mapping and validating the disaster management capacities of member states to address challenges such as floods, landslides, famine, and pandemics.

In his address at Entebbe, Brigadier General David Gonyi, the Chief of Staff of the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) Air Force, who spoke on behalf of the Chief of Joint Staff, emphasized the importance of regional collaboration in tackling humanitarian and disaster crises.

He underscored the African Union’s directive for member states to strengthen collective resilience.

“The need for us to work together, the need to bring different capabilities together; because different individuals, different countries, different agencies, have different capabilities. Bringing them together and synergising those efforts, is what can make us an effective team,” said Brig Gen Gonyi.

He reiterated President Yoweri Museveni’s message on the importance of patriotism and pan-Africanism as vital strategies for fostering unity and addressing humanitarian challenges.

“These principles are vital for addressing humanitarian and disaster challenges, which demand a spirit of cooperation that transcends borders and identities,” he added.

Brig Gen Gonyi stressed that the workshop’s primary aim was to strengthen the East African Standby Force as a viable option for member states in disaster management. He encouraged delegates to seize the opportunity to leave a lasting legacy by contributing to the development of a comprehensive disaster response plan.

Mr Eric Swaleh, a consultant for the workshop, highlighted the workshop’s significance in disaster and emergency management, underlining the need to validate capabilities for effective response and prevent negative outcomes.

Col Anthony Naibei, the regional facilitator, acknowledged the commitment of member states and delegates, emphasising the collective effort required to create a guiding document for others not participating in the workshop.

He observed the importance of the workshop in producing a roadmap to improve disaster response capabilities, urging participants to contribute effectively, as their work could save lives.

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Stanbic Bank Uganda has appointed Mumba Kenneth Kalifungwa as its Chief Executive Officer (CEO).

Mr Mumba now replaces Anne Juuko who was appointed Stanbic Bank’s Regional Head of Global Markets in the group’s Eastern African region.

“We are excited to announce the appointment of Mr. Mumba Kenneth Kalifungwa as our new Chief Executive, effective March 1, 2025,” Stanbic Bank in a statement.

“Mumba brings to our team nearly 30 years of post-qualification experience, 20 of which have been in the banking sector, mostly in senior leadership roles covering business development, risk management, strategy formulation and finance strategy in three African markets including Botswana, Zambia, and for the last five years—Uganda. We are confident that under Mumba’s leadership the bank will continue to experience even more success as we stay committed to our purpose of driving Uganda’s growth,” they added.

Mumba previously served as Chief Financial Officer for Absa Bank Botswana Limited since 2015. Prior to that, he was the Chief Financial Officer for our operations in Zambia.

He is a Chartered Accountant and seasoned organisational leader having over 24 years post-qualifying experience across banking, public and private sectors.

He is currently a fellow of; the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA), the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), Botswana Institute of Chartered Accountants (BICA) Zambia Institute of Chartered Accountants (ZICA).

He also holds an MBA from Heriot Watt University, Scotland and has attended various senior leadership development programs over the years.

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The Nansana Municipal Labour office has ordered Biodiversity International & CIAT to compensate a researcher (names withheld for privacy reasons) Shs1.856 billion following a contentious sexual harassment allegation.

The court found the institution culpable in mishandling the complaint of an alleged sexual harassment involving one of their researchers. The case has drawn much attention due to its implications for workplace safety and accountability in international organizations operating in Uganda.

The court further ordered the organization to pay the researcher’s net salary worth Shs306 million (for 18 months), five times damages amounting to Shs306 million and legal fees of Shs20 million. According to documents seen by Eagle Online, researcher was earning a net pay of Shs17 million per month.

“The evidence presented demonstrated a clear failure by the organizations to uphold a duty of care to their employee. This negligence caused irreparable harm to the complainant’s personal and professional life,” Nansana Municipal Labour Office ordered in a statement.

The researcher was accused sexual assault. The allegations not only shook the organizations but also ignited gaps in institutional mechanisms for handling such sensitive matters.

The court directed the organization to implement comprehensive reforms to prevent future incidents. Byamugisha Gabriel & Co. Advocates emphasized that the institution failed to act decisively in addressing the allegations.

“This judgment is a call for all employers, especially international organizations, to ensure a safe and supportive environment for their staff,” the judge remarked.

“…This is therefore to request and demand that you immediately clear his name and consider a handshake by a way of compensation. Those who mismanaged the investigation should be brought to book,” Court directed.

The organization was also given a seven-day ultimatum to respond to the court order or else be dragged to the industrial.

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The Minister of Works and Transport, Gen. Edward Katumba Wamala has called on road users to prioritize caution and respect for others on the road.

Addressing the public, Katumba emphasized, “In the lead-up to the festive season, we are appealing to road users to avoid conducting themselves in a manner that exposes and undermines the rights of others to safely use the shared road space.”

The appeal comes following road traffic statistics of last year’s festive season where close to 60 lives were lost between December 23, 2023, and January 1, 2024. In the first nine months of 2024 alone, 3,790 lives have been lost with over 12,430 individuals sustaining serious injuries in road crashes across the country.

Katumba called for vigilance and urged all road users to exercise caution during the busy holiday period.

To ensure safe travel during the festive season, the Ministry of Works and Transport issued a series of directives aimed at minimizing road accidents and ensuring compliance with safety standards.

Buses covering distances exceeding 300 kilometers will not be permitted to make return journeys within 24 hours. Additionally, only buses with valid route charts and Public Service Vehicle (PSV) licenses will be authorized to operate. This measure is intended to curb driver fatigue and ensure that only certified vehicles are on the roads.

The ministry has also restricted unauthorized passenger transport. School buses and private vehicles not authorized by the ministry to carry passengers for hire are strictly prohibited from operating during this period.

To further enhance safety, all bus drivers are required to carry valid driving licenses and driver badges. Each bus must display a photo of its driver to enhance accountability and transparency for passengers.

Traffic enforcement will be heightened across the country, with the Traffic Police focusing on keeping roads safe throughout the festive season. This nationwide effort aims to deter reckless driving and other road violations, ensuring safer journeys for all.

Measures to mitigate this are in place with the operationalization of the Non-Motorized Transport (NMT) Policy.

“Current road designs within the city now have provisions for NMT as a requirement! We also have an NMT corridor along luwum street and Namirembe road dedicated to pedestrians,” he said. 

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Sixteen people have been remanded to Arua prison over the murder of Dr. Paul Drilaba, the District Health Officer of Arua and his surveyor.

The murder incident occurred on 23rd November 23, 2024, in Oyeku Village, Ajia Sub-County.

The suspects were charged in court on December 5, 2024 and remanded to prison as the case is capital and can only be tried by the High Court.

They face charges of murder and aggravated assault which sparked from the violent attack that claimed two lives.

Dr. Drilaba was attacked by a group of unidentified individuals as he was at the site with his lawyer, surveyors and workers to demarcate boundaries of land he had recently acquired in Oyeku Village in September 2024.

A conflict broke out when a resident questioned their activities resulting in a violent attack by a group of over 50 armed individuals wielding machetes, axes, bows and arrows. Tragically, Dr. Drilaba and one surveyor were killed in the attack, while others managed to escape. The District Health Officer succumbed to his injuries before law enforcement could arrive at the scene.

According to SP Collins Asea, the Police Spokesperson and Regional Criminal Investigations Officer (RCLO) for the West Nile Region said that preliminary findings suggest that the land in question was contested by members of the Oyeku clan who claim historical ownership.

“We are working closely with the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions to ensure the case is prosecuted effectively. Evidence collection is ongoing to build a strong case against those involved,” SP Asea said.

SP Asea urged the community to remain calm and allow the legal process to proceed. The 16 will appear before the High Court on December 23, 2024.

He added, “The Uganda Police Force is committed to upholding the rule of law and ensuring justice for Dr. Drilaba’s family and the community.” 

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