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EC clarifies on Jinja Municipality by elections

By
Our Reporter
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EC boss Justice Simon Byabakama Mugenyi

The Electoral Commission has refuted allegations made by Paul Mwiru, one of the candidates for Jinja Municipality East by election, that the National Voters’ Register for constituency has been inflated by over two thousand ‘ghost voters’.

The Commission, in a statement signed by Chairperson Justice Simon Byabakama Mugenyi, also denied that there were 2097 ghost voters on the National Voters’ Register and that 305 others had been wrongly deleted from the Register.

‘The Electoral Commission categorically denies the allegations as false and unfounded’ the release indicates, giving the figure of voters as 29, 973 as at February 21, 2018, as opposed to the 26, 421 for the 2016 elections.

‘The total number of Voters on the Register before update was 28,493. The 2,072 voters Mr. Mwiru alleges are ghosts, were a result of continuous registration by NIRA which was done before the update exercise, and is the difference between the total number of voters at update and the total number of voters for 2016 General Elections,’ the release further states.

The EC also details several other issues it claims were falsely made by Mr. Mwiru, a Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) candidate.

So far eight people including Mr. Mwiru have expressed interest in the Jinja Municipality East by elections ordered by the Court of Appeal, after it threw out Nathan Igeme Nabeta over a ‘falsified victory’.

 

 

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EU deploys Election Follow-up Mission to Uganda

By
Geoffery Serugo
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Officials preparing materials for the 2016 elections

The European Union has deployed a team of experts to carry out a post-election assessment of the 2016 polls.

At the invitation of Uganda, the Election Follow-up Mission (EFM), will be in the country from March 5 to 8, 2018 and their presence follows a preparatory phase and experts’ presence since February 26.

The EFM will be led by Mr Eduard Kukan, a Member of the European Parliament (MEP) from Slovakia and Chief Observer of the EU Election Observation Mission (EOM) to the 2016 general elections in Uganda.

“The EU stands by Uganda in strengthening democratic principles,” said Mr Kukan said, adding: “Since 2006 we have accompanied elections in Uganda. Now is the time for opposition and government to rebuild trust ahead of the coming elections.”

 

The EU release indicates that the EFM will assess the ‘implementation of the 30 EU EOM recommendations, within the context of the current political developments and the next electoral cycle’.

Further, the release indicates the EFM will hold meetings with government officials, political parties, media, civil society and representatives of the international community.

 

 

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Museveni promotes Kasirye Gwanga to Major General

By
Geoffery Serugo
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PROMOTED: Bridgadier Kasirye-Gwanga-

President Yoweri Museveni has promoted controversial Brigadier Kasirye Gwanga, the Special Presidential Advisor on Buganda, to Major General.

According to a release, the now Maj. Gen. Gwanga who joined the army in the 1960s, will retire from the army this year.

Others promoted include Brig Stephen Rwabantu to Maj Gen (Deputy General officer Commanding Reserves); Col Charles Wacha to Brigadier and Director Human Rights and Col Charles Byanyima to Brigadier and Commander Motorised Infantry Brigade.

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Kayihura, Tumukunde sacked

By
Our Reporter
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President Yoweri Museveni has sacked Inspector General of Police Gen. Kale Kayihura and Security Minister, Gen Henry Tumukunde.
Museveni appointed Gen. Elly Tumwine as new Minister of Security.
Museveni also appointed Deputy IGP, Mr. Okoth Ochola as Inspector General of Police. WHILE Brig. Sabiiti Muzeei is Deputy Inspector General of Police.
A statement signed by the President and dated 4th March, 2018, reads as follows:
In the Exercise of the powers vested in the President by Articles 113 (1) and 213 (2) of the Constitution of the Republic of Uganda, I hereby appoint General Elly Tumwiine as Minister for Security, Mr. Okoth Ochola as the Inspector-General of Police and Brigadier Sabiiti Muzeei as the Deputy Inspector General of Police.

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Kipoi’s journey from school dropout, witchcraft, MP, rebel and extradition

By
Steven F Mandu
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Former MP Tony Kipoi being 'received' by the Military Police

Former Bubulo West Member of Parliament Tony Kipoi was on Saturday handed over to the Ugandan authorities at Entebbe airport upon his extradition from Botswana, southern Africa.

He was arrested in the first week of February on charges of obtaining over Shs113 million from four Tswana by false pretense. While in southern Africa, Kipoi passed off as a ‘witchdoctor’ capable of treating and healing all manner of illness and problems.

But back home he was wanted by the Ugandan authorities on treason charges related to his activities in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Our reporter met up with a source who has known Mr Kipoi from way back in 1995 at Bubulo SSS, where they were Senior Three lads. At the time he was commuting from his home village of Bugeboro to school before he rented in Bubulo near the school where the source became closer to him.

Anyhow, in order to understand Kipoi better, then one needs to trace his ways from way back in school.

Below is his story as told by the source

At school Kipoi was shrewd guy who apart from academics, participated in sports, music and drama.

“In drama, he always took up lucrative roles which depicted him as a character with power: family head, business tycoon, policeman, army officer/man, minister, ambassador and President, among others, the things he usually fantasized about,” the source said.

Indeed, in one of the drama pieces, there was a character of a thief which all other students refused to take up and Kipoi offered to take up the task which he successfully acted when the act was finally played at the end of term. However, he never got a chance to lead anyone in real life at school, the source said.

Months later, the source said, the shrewd Kipoi was expelled from Bubulo SS in his Senior 4, upon having been arrested with a forged meal card. He was also not paying school fees.

Upon his expulsion from Bubulo SS, Kipoi joined Mulatsi SS, where he completed his UCE. His transcript indicates so.

Later, he was arrested in 1997 with others when they hired a taxi driver and robbed him of the car, leaving him tied to a tree.

They were intercepted at Malaba border arrested and brought to Mbale where they charged and remanded to Malukhu prison.

Having spent some time at Malukhu, they one night put blankets in the cells on fire, made an alarm and when the wardens came to their rescue, Kipoi and a few other prisoners escaped.

After the prison break, Kipoi went to Nairobi, before finding his way to South Africa.

In South Africa, the source said, Kipoi worked in cahoots with other Ugandans to ‘bewitch’ and then pretend to heal people; amassing a lot of money through trickery.

In 2010 he came back to Uganda and contested in the NRM primaries for parliament to represent Bubulo West and defeated the incumbent, Independent candidate Fred Bukeni.

At nomination, Kipoi, then also named Nsubuga, presented a Makerere University certificate of admission that showed he had successfully sat and passed mature entry examinations.

One of the competitors in the race, Ronnie Walukhu, contested Kipoi’s victory in the High Court and won. However, when Kipoi appealed against the ruling, the appellant court ruled in his favor, maintaining him as an MP.

In 2013, he was allegedly arrested in Congo and accused of treason, but he refuted the claims, saying he had fled the country because of bad governance and would only return when President Yoweri Museveni leaves power.

In the same year, he lost his Parliamentary seat upon missing sixteen consecutive Parliamentary sittings, a ground that provides for someone to be expelled from Parliament.

Kipoi has since reportedly been oscillating between the DRC and South Africa, but was wanted by the Ugandan authorities to answer the charges of treason.

Unfortunate for Kipoi, the journey he made to Botswana was to turn sketchy, as he was arrested and plans made for his extradition to Uganda.

And, today morning, Kipoi, in the company of alleged accomplice Robert Kitale, was brought to Uganda under tight security aboard a private plane and handed over to Military Police at Entebbe Airport, bringing the search for the hitherto elusive Kipoi to an end.

 

 

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PAP legislators call for curb on rampant violence

By
Geoffery Serugo
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The Pan-African- Parliament in session

The Pan African Parliament (PAP) legislators have called for ratification and implementation to address rampant armed violence on continent.

The MPs were contributing to debate during a two-day PAP regional seminar organized under the theme ‘connecting the dots, supporting agenda 2030, and Arms Trade Treaty implementation through increased parliamentary engagement and action in international processes’.

During the seminar held at PAP headquarters in Midland South Africa, the MPs vowed to raise issues of national concern by identifying threats posed by among others, unregulated private security companies.

Prof. Ogenga Latigo, one of the Ugandan representatives to PAP.

“The heart of the problem of gun violence in Africa is in politics and the ability to establish governance systems where people find equity, where everybody feels they belong,’’ Prof. Ogenga Latigo, one of Uganda’s PAP legislators, said.

He further noted that legislators should work heard to ensure that the Executive upholds and implements its international commitments.

Karin Alofsson, the Secretary General of Parliamentary Forum on Small Arms and Light Weapons, said the situation in the world related to armed violence is very serious. Each year, he added, over 875 million small arms and light weapons are in circulation worldwide leading to the tragic death of thousands of individuals.

‘’The risk of gender based violence heightens in conflict situations and it is estimated that more than 45 percent of African women have experienced violence as a result of armed conflict, this is unacceptable,” Alofsson said.

Lilian Timveos (Zimbabwe) also noted that there is a lot of criminality and armed robberies arising from the prevalence of small arms and light weapons, ‘’Governments must task themselves with a mandated of regulating  the flow of small arms and weapons,” she said.

‘’People must know that if they have weapons, the consequence will be heavy, and if they use these arms, the consequences will even be heavier.’’ Ignatienne Nyirarukundo (Rwanda) said.

The Arms Trade Treaty entered into force in December 2014.

Among other issues that PAP MPs are set to discuss include the development of the model law on disability mainstreaming,  promotion of the Maputo Protocol in Southern and Central Regions; Implementation of the Protocol on free movement of people and African Passport among others.

According to President of PAP, Roger Nkodo Dang, Permanent Committees will also discuss the repeal of defamation laws to promote Press Freedom in Africa, the status of peace and security on the continent, illicit financial flows and the taxation system.

 

 

 

 

 

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Uhuru family buying NMG, wants Daily Monitor out

By
Our Reporter
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A Daily-Nation-ePaper-post

Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta’s family is set to buy Nation Media Group, people familiar with the matter have intimated to Eagle Online.

Nation Media Group (NMG), the biggest and one of the most influential media houses in East and Central Africa, which NMG also owns Monitor Publications Limited in Uganda, the publishers of Daily Monitor, and NTV Uganda, has been bold in speaking truth Mr Kenyatta’s presidency.

Credible sources have told Eagle Online from Nairobi that the deal could have been already concluded but what is holding the rope is the issue of Monitor Publications.

“What is holding the deal is that President Uhuru isn’t interested in the Daily Monitor and therefore, wants Daily Monitor left out,” the sources said.

In corroborating the source’s information, Eagle Online has learnt that indeed two top bosses from NMG are currently in Kampala talking the Daily Monitor shareholders to see how they can carry on the Nairobi deal without necessarily affecting the operations of The Monitor.

President Kenyatta is also reported to have come to Uganda on a private visit last evening, a visit, our source says, was about discussing the NMG deal with local stakeholders.

A commentator who refused to be named for fear of wrongly reading the tea leaves because the deal is yet to be signed, however, interpreted the move as a checkmate in clamping down on critical press.

“The man has the money. It is a classic card of simply buying out the media and silencing it. It is even clear and works for the Kampala government which has been rattled by Daily Monitor’s journalism for a while.

“You buy your control into NGM Nairobi and help your comrade in Uganda by breaking Daily Monitor’s financial spine,” the source said.

Daily Monitor is NMG’s flagship product in Uganda alongside NTV-Uganda.

That Aga Khan, the biggest shareholder in NMG with a 44.7 percentage, is considering selling is not news.

Just last week, February 23, Business Today, a Kenyan news outlet reported that the NMG principal shareholder Aga Kan could be considering divesting from media business in Kenya. According to Business Today, the move that could see him sell off his vast interests in print and broadcasting industries in Kenya.

If the Aga Khan-Uhuru Family deal materializes, it will realign media business in Kenya to give the Uhuru family the biggest control over media in the country, something good for political business.

Already, the family has significant interest in Mediamax Networks.

It is reported, however, that Mr Uhuru is selling of his stakes in Mediamax’s K24 TV and People Daily newspaper to his deputy William Ruto, which means that the President will only be left with Kameme TV and the radio stations, which could merge with the NMG products.

 

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Museveni summons BoU top officials again

By
Our Reporter
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Prof. Emmanuel Tumusiime-Mutebile

President Yoweri Museveni has reportedly summoned the top brass at Bank of Uganda for a second meeting in just under a week. They are to face him next week, sources said.

President Museveni first met the team on Thursday this week and briefed them on the forthcoming amendments to the BoU Act.

This time round, Eagle Online has established, the President is interested in current bicker at the lender of last resort.

“Yes the Governor and a selected team met the President on Wednesday but it is a continuing engagement as government is in the process of amending the Bank of Uganda Act,” the source said.

Government last week revealed that Cabinet was in the process of amending the Bank of Uganda Act. Information and Communication Technology Minister Frank Tumwebaze said the Bill would be introduced in Parliament after being prepared by the First Parliamentary Counsel.

The reported meeting with Mr Museveni comes at the time when BoU is embroiled in internal squabbles including the sacked former Executive Director in charge of Bank supervision, Justine Bagyenda refusing to handover office to her successor Dr. Tumubweine Twinemanzi.

Recently, Cabinet also endorsed the changes at the BoU which saw the reshuffle of 30 top officials including the long-serving Bagyenda, who was sent into retirement.

Bagyenda, whose contract at BoU was supposed to end June 2018, went on annual leave on January 22, but in a reshuffle announced by Prof. Mutebile, was retired.

It has also emerged that those that were angered in the restructuring have petitioned several government oversight bodies, including the government Ombudsman (IGG), to have Mr Mutebile probed over the changes.

Those fights, our sources say, are what prompted the President to summon the bank’s top brass because he is apprehensive the changes could affect the already limping economy.

 

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Government should act swiftly, not lament after danger

By
Our Reporter
-
The late Susan Magara

Following the kidnap and subsequent killing of Susan Magara, daughter to businessman John Magara, government has issued tough warnings on the issuance and sale of SIM cards.

Susan Magara, whose body was found dumped along the Southern By Pass in Wakiso District, went missing for twenty days before she met her brutal death at the hands of assailants.

Her kidnappers are said to have used 17 different unregistered SIM cards as they communicated with the late Magara’s family, asking for ransom.

It is said they kept switching phones numbers as they communicated, meaning that they destroyed the SIM cards used as well as the phones.

Consequently, government is up in arms with telecommunications companies for issuing out numbers which are not registered as required by law.

Government has also issued directives prohibiting sale of SIM cards from the streets and ensuring that all cards that are issued out are fully registered by the telecoms using a personal National Identification Number (NIN).

In fact, in his own condolence message to the family of the deceased, President Yoweri Museveni alluded to the existence of unregistered SIM cards and lack of cameras as one of the key factors perpetuating crime.

However, in my own view, government is just in panic and must own up to their mistakes at a time when they seem to have failed to play their role.

For example, after the killings of former Assistant Inspector General of police (AIGP) Andrew Felix Kawesi and Prosecutor Joan Kagezi, government promised to get tough on registration of SIM cards using the NIN.

The authorities also promised to install CCTV cameras on the streets of Kampala as a way of curbing crime.

This therefore means that almost one year after Kaweesi’s death and three years after the death of Kagezi, government should not be giving the same excuses to Ugandans.

In fact, government should ensure that the right measures are in place before the worst has happened, just like in the cases of the Wakiso and Entebbe murders.

The law on registration of SIM cards is clear and when the citizens complained of the short time given to register their cards, time was allowed and those who had not registered after the deadline had their cards switched off.

How then can it come be that criminals have and are using SIM cards that are not registered using the NIN?

Could it be that criminals are conniving with elements in the telecoms to do this? And if so, where is UCC? Can’t it detect this?

Ugandans should never feel insecure in their country with an elected government in place charged with responsibility to protect them.

 

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Bulamu medical camp puts a smile on the sick in Sheema

By
Our Reporter
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Medical personnel at the Bulamu International camp in Sheema

Bulamu Health International recently wrapped up its seventh medical camp held in Sheema District, the place where it all started way back in February 2015, when the organization officially launched its first-ever medical camp in Uganda.

Bulamu Health medics interact with Sheema locals during the camp

The organization’s second outreach in Sheema was nothing but successful, bringing together a record number that by far surpassed that of its initial camp held here two years ago.

Despite unfavorable conditions such as heavy rainfalls, long distances and poorly accessible roads, medics in the camp treated up to 7740 patients in rural Shema at the Shuuku Health Centre IV, through joint undertakings by the area local government and the Bulamu team.

The camp, like several others before, was teeming with life as nurses, volunteers and doctors run to and fro, providing medical care and aid to the many patients that thronged the venue; about 1500 a day, with some being helped to give birth.

 

Other services provided to the area locals included post and antenatal care, male circumcision, dental surgery, health education including cervical cancer screenings and the introduction of rumps (homemade sanitary pads) among others.

“I know people’s lives have been impacted greatly, especially those patients with chronic conditions that were demystified by the likes of Dr Babu Nganwa, who cured these complications and restored many lives through the countless surgeries performed here. People have been tested and have finally found out their statuses which also gives them confidence. We also have had some complicated cases that have been referred to Entebbe or Mulago for further treatment all at the expense of the Bulamu organisation that has taken responsibility for the travel and care of these patients and through this it has also decongested the health centres in the district.” Canon David Kabigumiira, the LC5 chairman of Sheema District, said.

He urged organizations like Bulamu to fight the stigma, saying many are ‘fearful of their statuses during diagnosis’.

“Most people don’t attend these camps because they consider them curative and not preventive; this makes it quite hard to convince many people to attend these camps or volunteer to participate,” Mr. Kabigumiira added.

Jordan Cowan, 27, a Peace Corps volunteer, advised girls to adopt the use of Rumps, saying it will help many girls stay in school and complete their studies.

“We need to be able go back to these communities to ensure that they are taking up the use of these homemade rumps. It is easy and very convenient for people living in rural areas,” Cowan said.

The rump, a homemade sanitary pad is not only easy to make (fabric, needle, thread and absorbent) but also reusable therefore making it very cost effective and reliable, Bulamu officials say.

Also, of import to note, during the camp in Sheema, the ‘Angel Programme’ was launched, to facilitate critical cases that require treatment outside the camp such as referrals to Mulago Hospital and Entebbe.

And as the ambulances the patients boarded ambulances destined for Mbarara or Kampala for further treatment and diagnoses, Prof Richard Chandler, a Director at Bulamu International, walked the media through the new initiatives that include among others, the introduction of Village Health Teams (VHTs) that will follow up special cases in need of further treatment or checkups.

The VHTs, Prof. Chandler said, would also be in charge of data entry and management during these follow-ups, allowing the easy access to medical records of the various patients treated at the camp.

“We want to introduce digital records and software that would be able to transfer information to other health facilities where these patients are admitted after the camp. This is our first demonstration camp and we hope that it will greatly improve with checkups or monitoring and follow ups of these patients, especially the VHTs that will be out in the field,” Prof. Chandler said.

Meanwhile, as the Bulamu organization continues to grow, so does it’s outreach, a development proved by the increased number of camps it holds each year.

Staff of EKM Hope Foundation at the camp

The organization, that was joined for the Sheema assignment by teams from EKM Hope Foundation, the Red Cross and the area local authorities, will hold the next camp in March.

 

 

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