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Israel PM Netanyahu faces corruption charges

By
Agencies
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Benjamin Netanyahu

Israeli police say that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu should be charged over alleged bribery cases.
A police statement said there was enough evidence to indict Mr Netanyahu for bribery, fraud and breach of trust in two separate cases.
Speaking on Israeli television, Mr Netanyahu said the allegations were baseless and that he would continue as prime minister.
The allegations, he said, “will end with nothing”.
What are the allegations?
One case centres on an allegation that Mr Netanyahu asked the publisher of an Israeli newspaper, Yediot Aharonot, for positive coverage in exchange for help in reining in a rival publication.
Police said the editor of Yediot Aharonot, Arnon Mozes, should also face charges.
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The second allegation centres on a claim that Mr Netanyahu, Israeli prime minister since 2009, received gifts worth at least a million shekels ($283,000; £204,000) from Hollywood mogul Arnon Milchan and other supporters.
The Jerusalem Post says the gifts included champagne and cigars, and were given in exchange for help getting Mr Milchan a US visa.
Mr Milchan, the producer of films including Fight Club, Gone Girl and The Revenant, should face bribery charges, police said.
The police statement said that Mr Netanyahu, after receiving gifts, pushed for the Milchan Law, which would have ensured that Israelis who return to live in Israel from abroad were exempt from paying taxes for 10 years.
The proposal was eventually blocked by the finance ministry.
Police say Mr Netanyahu is also suspected of fraud and breach of trust in a case involving Australian billionaire James Packer.
Israel’s Channel 10 reported in December that Mr Packer told investigators he gave the prime minister and his wife Sara gifts.
Israeli media say Mr Netanyahu has been questioned by investigators at least seven times.
What happens now?
A final decision on whether Mr Netanyahu should face charges will come down to the attorney general’s office. A decision could take months to reach.
Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked said any prime minister who has been charged should not be obliged to resign.
Speaking on Israeli television, Mr Netanyahu said he would continue in his role.
The next legislative elections are scheduled for November 2019. Mr Netanyahu heads a fragile coalition, but on television, he appeared confident the allegations would not spur new elections.
How has Mr Netanyahu responded?
“Over the years, I have been the subject of at least 15 enquiries and investigations,” he said in his TV address.
“Some have ended with thunderous police recommendations like those of tonight. All of those attempts resulted in nothing, and this time again they will come to nothing.”
The 68-year-old is in his second stint as prime minister, and has served in the role for a total of 12 years.
He has faced a number of allegations in his time in office.
After his first term as prime minister two decades ago, police recommended that he and Sara face criminal charges for keeping official gifts that should have been handed over to the state. The charges were later dropped.
In July 2015, the couple was accused of charging the government for the services of a contractor who did private work for them. The charges were later dropped.

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More senior police officers arrested

By
Our Reporter
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WHAT NEXT: Siraje Bakaleke

Professional Standard Unit of the Uganda police has arrested their own senior officers over allegation corruption.
Assistant Commissioner of Police Siraje Bakaleke has been arrested in crackdown on errant and corrupt officers.
Bakaleke is the Kampala South Regional police commander and is detained alongside Assistant Superintendent of Police Munerezo, the officer in charge of crime intelligence at Katwe police station, who doubles as an investigating officer, ASP George Kayongo an operative, Police Constable Kenneth Ziritusa an operative and Patrick Ochen also an operative. Bakaleke has been under investigation for deploying Kaweesi’s bodyguards to protect city socialite Bryan White.
Bakaleke is the current commander of Kampala Metropolitan South which is under the Directorate of Kampala Metropolitan police headed by Commissioner of Police Frank Mwesigwa who reports directly to Inspector General of Police Gen. Kale Kayihura.
Bakaleke’s arrest come at the time when IGP, made changes that has seen Assistant Inspector General of Police, Haruna Isabirye appointed as Director Human Resource Development while his blue eyed boy AIGP, Lemmy Twinomugisha transferred from parliament police to Director Welfare and Production. He has been replaced at parliament by Superintendent of Police (SP) Anabera Nyamiro.

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ANC orders Zuma to step down as South African president

By
Agencies
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President Jacob Zuma

South Africa’s ruling party ordered Jacob Zuma on Tuesday to step down as head of state after marathon talks over the fate of a leader whose scandal-plagued years in power darkened and divided Nelson Mandela’s post-apartheid ‘Rainbow Nation’.
Leading members of the African National Congress now want new party leader Cyril Ramaphosa to replace Zuma as president, ANC Secretary General Ace Magashule told a news conference.
But the party’s national executive was split on precisely when Zuma should go, Magashule added, leaving the president’s immediate fate still hanging in the balance.
There was no word from Zuma or his spokesman but Magashule said the president had promised to respond to the order by Wednesday. The rand weakened, with traders blaming uncertainty caused by the lack of a clear timetable.
Magashule said he had met Zuma personally to pass on the decision. “We haven’t given him any deadline to respond,” he said. “The organization expects him to go.”
Zuma had asked the party to give him a notice period of three to six months but that had been rejected, Magashule said. “Timelines? No. The NEC believes that this is an urgent matter so it should be treated with urgency,” he said.
BORROWED TIME
Zuma has been living on borrowed time since Ramaphosa, a union leader and lawyer once tipped as Mandela’s pick to take over the reins, was elected as head of the 106-year-old ANC in December.
Ramaphosa narrowly defeated Zuma’s ex-wife and preferred successor, Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, in the leadership vote, forcing him to tread carefully in handling Zuma for fear of deepening rifts in the party a year ahead of an election.
Despite the damning decision to order Zuma’s “recall” – party speak for ‘removal from office’ – domestic media said the 75-year-old might yet defy the party’s wishes, forcing it into the indignity of having to unseat him in parliament.
South Africa’s economy has stagnated during Zuma’s nine-year tenure, with banks and mining companies reluctant to invest because of policy uncertainty and rampant corruption.
But since mid-November when Ramaphosa emerged as a real ANC leadership prospect, economic confidence has started to pick up. The rand – a telling barometer of Zuma’s fortunes – has gained more than 15 percent against the dollar over that period.
Since becoming president in 2009, Zuma has been dogged by scandal. He is fighting the reinstatement of 783 counts of corruption over a 30 billion-rand (now $2.5 billion) government arms deal arranged in the late 1990s when he was deputy president.
Some within the ANC and the opposition say the Gupta family, friends of Zuma, have used their links with the president to win state contracts and influence cabinet appointments. The Guptas and Zuma have denied any wrongdoing.

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Minister Amelia Kyambade boasts of increased sugar production

By
Steven F Mandu
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Trade Minister Amelia Kyambadde

Trade, Industry and Cooperatives Minister Amelia Kyambadde has hailed her ministry for the high rate at which the sugar industry in Uganda is growing.
While presenting a ministerial statement to parliament on Tuesday, Kyambadde said the sugar industry is one of the fastest growing industries in Uganda contributing over Shs290 billion in taxes in 2016/17 and employing over 60,000 Ugandans directly and indirectly.
According to Amelia, the Industry also produces over 100 megawatts of electricity from bagasse of which over 40megawatts is supplied to the national grid.
However, she noted that the taxes and the power generated have reduced of recent. “Currently, there are 30 licensed sugar mills in the country although only 11 are in operation while the rest are at different stages of development,” she said.
She further revealed that over the last 10 years sugar production has been increasing by nearly 12 per cent annually making Uganda the only sugar surplus producing country in East Africa Kenya produced 327,000 metric turns against page of demand of over 800,000 metric turns in 2017, Tanzania had a shortage of over 200,000 metric turns and Rwanda a shortage of 70,000 metric turns
The Minister also explained the hike in sugar prices last year which hit a maximum of Shs8 500 per kilo in some parts of the Country.
“The hiked prices were as a result of prolonged drought that stretched for a period of nine months from early 2016, increased regional demand of Uganda’s sugar especially in Kenya and Rwanda and increased cost of sugar cane from Shs85, 000 in 2016 to Shs175, 000 in 2017, she explained.
She also said her ministry has confirmed with Uganda Revenue Authority that there is no direct importation of duty free sugar, no dumping of sugar and smuggling which is mainly done by boda bodas through our porous borders and who repackaged in branded bags of Kakira, Kinyara and Lugazi sugar making it difficult for URA to seize.
According to Kyambadde, operations by seized over 55 metric turns of illicit sugar from July to December 2017.
“Sugar millers have stock piled over 0,000 metric tons of sugar as shown below, company sugar stock (MT) as at 12 02 2018 Kakira Sugar 13,712 Kinyara Sugar 22,099 SCOUL Lugazi 8,05 Mayuge Sugar ,000 GM Sugar 2,000 Kaliro Sugar,” she said.
She said smuggling of duty free sugar has not only hurt the sugar industry but also the out growers of sugarcane whose livelihoods entirely depend on supply of sugarcane to the factories, affected electricity generation and shall eventually affect other industries that depend on by products of sugar cane such as distillers of spirits, other beverages, bakeries and animal feed industries
She noted that to bring this current situation under control the government has agreed to undertake operation to curtail smuggling of sugar across borders commencing this week and allow controlled export of sugar to the regional market.
She revealed that she is contacting her colleague from Tanzania to have 25,000 metric turns of sugar exported to Tanzania and also formally contacting Kenyan colleague express our concern to the flow of sugar from across our common borders.

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Kirumira denied bail, sent back to Nalufenya

By
Geoffery Serugo
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FLASHBACK: Muhammad-Kirumira-arrives-for-trial.

Former Buyende District Police Commander Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Muhammed Kirumira has been denied bail after court directed him to present three sureties above his rank.
The police officer was this month arrested by Police Flying Squad officers after they forcefully broke into his house in Bulenga along the Kampala-Mityana Highway a day after he announced his resignation from police.
Last week ASP Kirumira applied for bail and Court Chairman SCP Denis Odongpiny vowed to look into his bail application however in his ruling in the afternoon, Odongpiny said Kirumira must present three sureties above his rank for him to be released on bail.
‘’Kirumira is free to appeal to police council in case he is not contented’’. SCP Denis Odongpiny said in his ruling.
Upon that chaos ensued as Kirumira protested over stringent bail conditions saying that there was no way he could get senior police officers above his rank when all his phones were taken off from him.
‘’I can never be intimidated, which kind of job is this’’. He said as he matched around the tribunal room.
The embattled police officer who is facing various charges of crimes torture, extortion, corruption, bribery, unlawful arrests and excessive use of authority has always been appearing before the tribunal whenever he is required.
Last week the court chairman granted the prosecutor leave to withdraw torture charges that were leveled against Kirumira due to lack of witnesses. After the hearing, Kirumira was driven to Nalufenya

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Coca-Cola Uganda expands product line

By
Badru Kasadah
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NEW: Coca-Cola team launching Fuze Tea at Century Bottling Company, Namanve...

Beverage giant Coca-Cola has announced an expansion of their product line with the official launch of Fuze Tea – a unique blend of tea extract and fruit flavors created through a fusion of tea, fruit, herbs and other natural ingredients.

Launched at the Coca-Cola bottling plant in Namanve, the preservative-free beverage comes in two flavors – Peach and Apple & Lemon Grass.

According to Coca-Cola Uganda Brand Manager, Miriam Limo, consumers’ tastes have evolved and so has Coca-Cola’s offerings and the launch of Fuze Tea is testament to the company’s innovation agenda.

“We recognize that our consumers’ have diverse tastes and preferences, and the launch of Fuze Tea gives us a unique opportunity to give our consumers a refreshing beverage to enjoy as they go about their busy schedules. This brand promises to deliver a unique great tasting refreshment with the benefits of tea,” Ms Limo said.

Following the launch of Fuze Tea, Coca-Cola will hold a series of activations with the aim of creating awareness and availing an opportunity for consumers to sample and purchase the refreshing drink.

“We shall set up Fuze Tea booths at universities, workplaces and malls to give our on-the-go consumers an opportunity to interact with the refreshing beverage,” stated Coca-Cola’s Marketing Manager Maggie Kigozi.

During the breakfast launch, media and staff were invited to sample the different Fuze Tea flavors and learn more about their ingredients.

Fuze Tea is currently available in 52 countries worldwide and is currently launching in 37 other countries across Europe. In East Africa, Uganda is the first country to launch Fuze Tea, with rollouts expected to follow in other markets.

 

 

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Big Brother Naija: Real nominations begin

By
Badru Kasadah
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BIG BROTHER NAIJA HOST: Nigerian lawyer-cum-media personality Ebuka Obi-Uchendu.

After spending the last week awaiting feedback on their fate in the House, the Big Brother Naija housemates were on Sunday able to collectively heave a sigh of relief upon discovering the evictions were a hoax.

Hosted by the ever suave Ebuka Obi-Uchendu, Sunday’s live show was yet more entertainment for studio guests and viewers at home as Nigerian songbird Niniola thrilled with her hit tracks Maradona and Sicker.

The housemates’ relief was however short-lived as they were yet again tasked with competing for the Head of House title.

An interesting twist occurred as all the male housemates and Vandora were disqualified from the challenge following their failure to adhere to Big Brother’s instructions.

Khloe subsequently emerged as Head of House after competing with previous contentants Ifu and Bam Bam.

Things are however bound to get testy as the real nominations happen on Monday the 12th of February with the first set of evictions to follow on the next live show, with host Ebuka announcing that more than one pair of housemates will be evicted.

Voting for nominated housemates begin at 6.30 Nigerian time, and viewers can vote via SMS, mobile site and website.

To vote via SMS, simply text the word “Vote” followed by the team name to 32052. Voting costs N30 per SMS.

To vote via mobile site & website, simply register on africamagic.tv/bbvote with your mobile number & password, then enter the OTP number and vote for free.

Voting opens at 6:30 on Monday and closes at 9:00pm Nigerian time on Thursday.

 

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DP to punish renegade party leaders

By
Steven F Mandu
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DP President Norbert Mao

The Democratic Party (DP) is set to summon leaders advocating for the censure of party President General Norbert Mao.

The development follows the tabling of a report by a probe committee chaired by Polly Mukiibi that was appointed by the DP National Executive Committee (NEC) last year, and tasked to investigate the behavior of top party leaders who are reportedly saying that Mao had failed to manage the DP.

In a press briefing held at party headquarters, Mao said NEC will meet and discuss the report that will culminate into punishing whoever will be found culpable of undermining his authority.

Some of those who could face disciplinary action include Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago of now-defunct splinter group Solida; Mukono MP Betty Nambooze Bakireke of ‘rebel’ group ‘Bad DP’ and Samuel Walter Lubega of the Truth and Justice Forum, all of who have, at different times during Mao’s presidency, been accused of dividing DP along tribal lines.

Meanwhile, Mao has said that the DP National Council will meet in Mbarara to honour the late Boniface Byanyima for his contribution to the party. At the Mbarara NC meeting, Mao added, members will also formulate policies that will guide the party in various undertakings.

According to Mao, the party will also rally behind Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) candidate Paul Mwiru in Jinja East by-election.

“He (Mwiru) stands for a common voice; in the next elections the party will continue advocating for the voting out of legislators who supported the removal of presidential age limit,” Mao said.

 

 

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UPDF officers beat up journalist covering land wrangle in Kimaka

By
George Mangula
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Brig. Karemire, Confirmed the death.

Uganda Peoples Defence Forces (UPDF) officers attached to Kimaka Army Barracks on February 12, 2018 attacked Ivan Lubega, a Jinja-based journalist attached to Kiira FM and Bukedde TV, inflicted him with injuries on his right hand and destroyed his camera in the process.

Lubega was covering a scuffle in Jinja that had ensued over land in Kimaka which is next to the military barracks. The wrangle between army officers attached to Kimaka military barracks, parents, teachers and pupils of Guardian Kimaka Primary school started at about 9:00am.

It is alleged that the said school is located on land belonging to the army, and a letter written to the Headmaster James Muwaya directed him to close business by the end of 2017. However, on February 2 the school secured an interim court order restraining the army from accessing the land until the matter is disposed of.

When contacted, Lubega told Human Rights Network for Journalists-Uganda that while he and his colleagues Hakim Kanyere and Isaac Kintu of NBS and NTV, respectively, were covering the scuffle, the army officers started chasing after them but his colleagues managed to escape.

“Although I told the army officer that I am a journalist, he could not stop beating me…. he told me ‘toa kamera yako’ meaning, remove your camera. I sustained injuries on my right hand and my camera was destroyed,” Lubega told HRNJ-Uganda.

Lubega, who filed a case of assault and malicious damage to property vide SD 30/12/02/18 at Jinja Central Police Station, added that while at the police station, he met the army officer who was commanding the operation, a one Col Kihuta who allegedly told him: “The best you can do is to go back home and treat yourself because the army is part of the government and you cannot succeed in this case,” Kihuta told Lubega.

The Busoga sub region army spokesperson Lieutenant Amos Nsamba told HRNJ-U that he was disappointed with the manner in which the journalists were handled, adding that he does not support acts of beating up journalists in the line of duty. He advised journalists to wear press jackets for easy identification.

“We condemn this act of violence against journalists and the response Col. Kihuta gave towards the assaulted Journalist. It’s wrong for the state agents to use their powers to influence the justice system. We implore the Uganda Police Forces to handle the matter professionally and timely so that the journalist gets justice,” the HRNJ-Uganda National Coordinator Robert Ssempala, said.

And contacted on phone today, UPDF spokesperson Brigadier Richard Karemire said: “We look at the whole incident; the background, how it built up upto yesterday and solve it amicably. We bring all the sides together and solve it. I am issuing a statement shortly.”

 

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Kitatta remanded to Luzira

By
Steven F Mandu
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Abdallah Kitatta with his co-accused in the dock at Makindye

Embattled Boda Boda 2010 ‘patron’ Abdallah Kitatta and his thirteen co-accused have been remanded to Luzira Prison till March 27 by the General Court Martial sitting in Makindye.

The others charged alongside Kitatta are Matia Ssenfuka, Joel Kibirige, Hassan Ssemata, Jonathan Kayondo, Ssengooba Hassan, Sande Ssemwogerere, John Ssebandeke, Hussein Mugema, Fred Bwanika and Amon Twinomujuni.

The group appeared before the GCM chaired by Lieutenant General Andrew Gutti, and was charged with unlawful possession of military firearms.

According to prosecution, three of the suspects were in January arrested at Wakaliga in Rubaga division and found in possession of an SMG rifle and a pistol without a valid fire arm certificate.

‘Abdallah Kitatta, Sowali Ngobi and Ibrahim Ssekajja were found in unlawful possession of a fire arm contrary to Section 3 and section 2 of the fire arms act’, Lt. Gen. Gutti read the charges.

They were arrested on January 20 in a joint security agencies’ operation, charged by the Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence (CMI) Unit Disciplinary Committee (UDC) and remanded to Kigo prison.

If convicted, the suspects face death or life imprisonment sentences because the charges against them are capital in nature.

All the suspects denied the charges, and asked court to avail them with an interpreter for Luganda.

 

 

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