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Mugabe wife to be probed over ‘fake Phd’

By
Agencies
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DURING THEIR HEYDAYS: Robert Mugabe and his embattled wife Grace Mugabe

Former Zimbabwe First Lady Grace Mugabe faces a corruption probe following a formal complaint filed by lecturers at the University of Zimbabwe’s Sociology Department over the manner in which she attained her doctorate.

According to media reports, Mrs. Mugabe, who fell from grace when her attempts to succeed her husband Robert Mugabe were thwarted by the Zimbabwe Defence Forces and then sacked Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa in November last year, may face corruption charges as all faculty members have distanced themselves from supervising her research.

The newspaper reports that two senior UZ officials, vice chancellor Levi Nyagura and senior lecturer Professor Claude Mararike, who was supposedly one of Grace’s supervisors, may be arrested within the next few days as the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission is handling the case.

Sources further claim that staff members never handled Mrs. Mugabe’s research proposal as she only allegedly surfaced on graduation day when she was awarded a Doctor of Philosophy Degree on the same day former Vice President Joice Mujuru attained her doctorate.

Lecturers and students are complaining that the awarding of the doctorate to Mrs. Mugabe has undermined the status of the University of Zimbabwe.

The newspaper reports that the awarding of the doctorate to the former first lady allegedly violated certain provisions of the university charter and Zimbabwe’s constitution.

“The fuming academics are demanding a formal investigation to determine whether Grace’s degree and other administrative practices do not violate Chapter 9, sections 194, 196-198 of the Constitution in relation to the governing of the UZ as a public institution,” writes the newspaper, which quoted authoritative ZACC sources.

Mrs. Mugabe was not reachable for comment.

Meanwhile, the newspaper also reports that Mrs. Mugabe’s sons Bellarmine Chatunga and Robert Junior, stepson Russell Goreraza and son-in-law Simba Chikore and several former state officials are facing arrest.

ZACC is said to be investigating them for engaging in serious corruption activities ranging from illegal gold deals to corruption and murder.

 

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Zimbabwe’s president Mnangagwa rules out coalition gov’t

By
Agencies
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Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa,right, chats to Morgan Tsvangirai, the main opposition leader in Zimbabwe during a visit to his residence in Harare, Friday, Jan, 5, 2018. Mnangagwa said Tsvangirai was recovering well to treatment(AP Photo/Tsvangirayi Mukwazhi)

HARARE — Zimbabwe’s president, Emmerson Mnangagwa, met Friday with ailing opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai but ruled out forming a political coalition with him. The opposition welcomed the historic visit, saying it sets the tone for peace ahead of this year’s elections.

Accompanied by Vice President Constantino Chiwenga – the general who led a military operation that brought him to power in November, President Mnangagwa visited former Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai for about half an hour. After that, Mnangagwa quashed speculation about forming a coalition government with Tsvangirai.
“What is the cause? We are a democratic country; people can lobby for anything. Currently, there is no need,” he said.
The 75-year-old Zimbabwean leader also commented on the health of Tsvangirai, who has been battling colon cancer.
“He is fine, he is recuperating very well,” Mnangagwa said. “He says he will soon go again to, for further medical checkups in South Africa.”
Two years ago, Tsvangirai announced that he was being treated for the disease. Since then, he has been frail. On Friday, he did not speak to reporters after meeting President Mnangagwa.
MDC Party Vice President Nelson Chamisa had this to say about President Mnangagwa’s visit:
“It is a welcome thing. It is African to care for one another and it is very Zimbabwean. This is the new politics we want to see in Zimbabwe. We are very appreciative of what has been done,” Chamisa said.

“The politics of peace, the politics of working together and feeling for one another. This is the direction,” he added. “And we hope that it will be the talk that will be walked and the walk that will be sustained, because going forward, we want to see a peaceful election.”
Zimbabwe is scheduled to hold elections around the middle of the year. Tsvangirai has not indicated if he will run, given the status of his health. Already, President Mnangagwa has expressed the intent to represent the ruling Zanu PF party.

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Zimbabwe gov’t targets Mugabe’s farms for repossession

By
Agencies
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Newly-appointed Agriculture minister Perrance Shiri has reportedly ordered an investigation into former President Robert Mugabe’s multiple farms with the intention of leaving him with one farm in line with the country’s one farm per family policy.

The Mugabe family reportedly owns up to 14 farms covering over 16 000 hectares acquired since the fast-track land reform programme began in 2000.

Former First Lady Grace Mugabe was reportedly in the process of acquiring more land, particularly in the Mazowe area, where the family runs the Gushungo Dairy project.

NewsDay is reliably informed Shiri has ordered a probe into the Mugabe family’s land ownership with a view to repossessing some farms, so they remain with one.

Well-placed sources within the Department of Lands, which used to be a full ministry under Douglas Mombeshora during Mugabe’s reign, said that Shiri had ordered a compilation of Mugabe’s farms for possible reallocation.

“Minister Shiri has ordered, through our directors, that we compile a full list of the former First Family’s farms and we are already doing it,” a source from the Department of Lands revealed.

The source claimed Shiri gave the order this week to all directors in the department.

Shiri could not be reached for comment, with his aide, who answered his phone, saying the minister was in a meeting.

Mashonaland Central Provincial Affairs minister Martin Dinha, under whose jurisdiction most of the Mugabes’ properties are located, yesterday declined to comment on the issue, describing it as too sensitive.

“I cannot comment. Talk to minister Shiri,” Dinha, who a few years ago was quoted as bragging that he would give Grace as much land as she required, said.

At the time of her husband’s ouster, Grace was in a process of evicting villagers from Manzou in Mazowe to allow for the expansion of the family projects that include the construction of Robert Mugabe University, a hospital and secondary school.

It has also recently emerged that the former First Family was leasing out land controversially seized from Interfresh Holdings Ltd’s Mazoe Citrus Estate in 2013 to businessman,Hamish Rudland, a major shareholder in CFI Holdings.

Mugabe, who was the face of the controversial land reform programme, had been attacking Zanu PF bigwigs for grabbing land, which they were failing to utilise, thereby, threatening agricultural productivity.

The family reportedly owns Gushungo Estates (4 046 hectares) in Mazowe; Gushungo Dairies (1 000 hectares); Iron Mask Estate in Mazowe (1 046 hectares); Sigaru Farm in Mazowe (873 hectares); Gwebi Wood (1 200 hectares) in Mazowe; Gwina Farm in Mazowe (1 445 hectares); Leverdale Farm in Banket (1 488 hectares); and Highfield Farm in Banket (445 hectares). In Norton, they own Cressydale Estate (676 hectares); Tankatara Farm (575 hectares); John O’Groat Farm (760 hectares); Clifford Farm (1 050 hectares) and Bassiville (1 200 hectares), putting the land holding of Mugabe’s family to about 16 000 hectares.

Mugabe’s close relatives that include his late sister Sabina, his nephew Leo, and his brother-in-law Reward Marufu were also reportedly multiple farm owners.

Several other Zanu PF bigwigs are also multiple farm owners.

Mugabe, who had ruled the country since independence in 1980, buckled under pressure from the military in November last year at a time Parliament had initiated a process to impeach him following a nasty fallout with his former deputy, Emmerson Mnangagwa.

 

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Workers MP Lyomoki to stand for presidency

By
Geoffery Serugo
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Dr. Sam Lyomoki, Workers Representative NRM, addressing a press conference at Parliament today, to announce his presidential bid

Outspoken Workers Member of Parliament Sam Lyomoki has said he will contest for presidency to replace President Yoweri Museveni who, at the time of the next elections in 2021, will have ruled Uganda for 36 years.

‘I am ready to be president. I have represented workers for long. I know their plight. On the question of whether I will have the funds to traverse the country, of course I will. Ugandans will help me with finances,’ Lyomoki, one of the longest serving MPs said while appearing on the local NBS TV station.

Mr. Lyomoki’s ‘threat’ comes in the wake of Parliament expunging the age limit clause, Article 102 (b), from the Constitution, a move many say is aimed at paving the way for ‘a Museveni life presidency’.

Mr. Lyomoki has himself proposed that Parliament and all Ugandans address the post-Museveni era, taking into consideration the possible immunities and emoluments to be enjoyed by Mr. Museveni, should the President leave office in 2021.

In one of the most controversial moves, Igara West MP Raphael Magyezi tabled a motion seeking the removal of the 75-year cap that was enshrined in the 1995 Constitution. The development was later to lead to fistfights between the opposition and ruling party members, prompting officers of the Special Forces Command (SFC), prompted by the Inspector General of Police (IGP) General Kale Kayihura, to storm the parliamentary chambers and forcefully evict opposition MPs, in the process injuring Angelina Osegge and Francis Butebi Zaaka.

In early December last year, Parliament passed the age limit removal bill and on December 27, Mr. Museveni, who is now aged 73, assented to the amendment which now allows him to contest for the presidency while aged over 75 years.

The ‘age limit amendment’ drew criticism from sections of the Ugandan community, with some religious leaders across the board like the Catholic Archbishop of Kampala Cyprian Kizito Lawnga and the Mufti Sheikh Ramathan Mubajje saying it does not bode well for the country that has witnessed turmoil for the better part of its 55-year Independence.

Who is Dr. Lyomoki?

A medical doctor and rights activist aged 51, Dr. Lyomoki has been Workers MP for about 17 years, and is the Secretary General of Central Organisation of Free Trade Unions (COFTU).

A ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) party adherent, Dr. Lyomoki is known for being independent, often taking time off to criticize some decisions taken by his party, which he deems unpalatable.

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Former PSU boss seeks respite in High Court

By
Geoffery Serugo
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FLASHBACK: Commissioner of Police Joel Aguma arriving under heavy escort at the GCM in Makindye last year

The former head of the police Professional Standards Unit (PSU) Joel Aguma has sought relief at the High court’s Criminal Division, applying for bail after the General Court Martial declined his application.

Commissioner of Police (CP) Aguma and other suspects including SSP Nixon Agasirwe were this year arrested in relation to the alleged 2013 kidnap of Lt Joel Mutabazi, a former presidential guard in Rwanda, and one Jackson Karemera, who were reportedly deported back to Rwanda.

Yesterday through his layers led by Caleb Alaka, CP Aguma sought to be released on bail, with his lawyer arguing the client has a right to apply and be released on bail.

Earlier, in December last year Aguma was denied bail by the GCM chairman Lt Gen Andrew Guti on ground that his surety, Assistant Inspector  General of Police (AIGP) Colonel Ndahura Atwoki, did not seek permission from Inspector General of Police Gen Kale Kayihura, to stand as surety.

“I therefore dismiss his bail application, because he might interfere with the ongoing investigations,” Lt Gen Guti ruled at the time.

According to prosecution, in 2013 CP Aguma and his co-accused, contrary to the Penal Code Act, arrested Lt. Mutabazi, a former Republican Guard (Presidential Guard) officer who had run away from Rwanda to Uganda citing persecution, and handed him over back to Rwandan authorities.

Lt. Mutabazi was subsequently tried in Rwanda and given a life sentence by a military court.

 

 

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Former Archbsishop Nkoyoyo dead

By
Geoffery Serugo
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DEAD: Former Archbishop Livingstone Nkoyoyo

Retired Anglican Archbishop of the Church of Uganda Livingstone Mpalanyi Nkoyoyo has died.

According to sources, the 79-year prelate who recently returned from London for treatment in June 2017, passed on at Kampala Hospital today.

Archbishop Nkoyoyo, the fifth head of the Anglican Church (Church of Uganda), fell ill in November 2016 and was admitted to a private hospital in Kensington Central London in December the same year.

He needed about £60,000 (about sh265.2m) to cater for his hospital bills and that led to launching of a fundraising campaign, with government contributing Shs82 million towards the costs.

The other Archbishops of the Anglican Church in Uganda

  1. Archbishop Leslie Brown, a British missionary, was the first Archbishop of Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, and Boga-Zaire (1961-1966)
  2. Archbishop Erica Sabiti (1966 – 1974)
  3. Archbishop Janani Luwum (1974 – 1977). Martyred in 1977.
  4. Archbishop Silvanus Wani (1977 – 1983). In 1980, Rwanda, Burundi, and Boga-Zaire became a separate, Francophone Province, and Uganda became its own Province.
  5. Archbishop Yona Okoth (1983 – 1995)
  6. Archbishop Livingstone Mpalanyi-Nkoyoyo (1995 – 2004)
  7. Archbishop Henry Luke Orombi (2004 – 2012)
  8. Archbishop Stanley Ntagali (2012- to date)

 

 

 

 

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Salvador puts smile on faces of disabled children in Jinja

By
Badru Kasadah
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Patrick Idringi and wife Daphine Franstock with the children

Comedian Patrick Idringi aka Salvador has yet again given to the Home of Hope, a home for disabled children in Jinja.

This Salvador has done in fulfillment of a pledge he made during his one man show; Man from Ombokolo 2 (MFO2), held in October 2017 at Grand Imperial Hotel in Kampala.

Salvador, who went in the company of friends and girlfriend Daphine Frankstock, gave the Home of Hope domestic supplies including soap, rice, posho, sugar, toiletries and 1.5 million shillings.

One of his friends, Tony Otoa from the Uganda Chamber of Mines and Petroleum, also gave the home Shs300, 000.

During the preparations for his Singleton sponsored MFO2, Salvador pledged that a percentage off every ticket purchased would be given to support less privileged children.  During the show, Salvador announced that he’d already given Shs3 million to the Home of Hope and he pledged to give more after the show.

Before Christmas, Salvador also gave Angel’s Centre for Children with special needs in Wakiso domestic supplies and Shs1.5 million to take them through the festive season.

Angel’s center similar to the Home of Hope, takes care of children with Celebral Pulse, down syndrome and many other physical and health challenges.

“The one thing that makes me truly happy is to see that I have touched a life positively. I think we should all join our hands to support children with special needs so we can help them live happier lives,” said Salvador.

 

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DTB cleared to sell insurance services

By
Badru Kasadah
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Officials of DTB and IRA show off the licence

Following the amendment of the Financial Institutions Act, the Insurance Regulatory Authority (IRA) has today handed out a bancassurance licence to Diamond Trust Bank (DTB) , to offer insurance services to its customers and the public.

The Bacassurance licence being handed over

Speaking at the handover event held at IRA headquarters at Legacy House, Nakasero – Kampala, DTB CEO Varghese Thambi said that this service will help the bank to penetrate the market.

“We have 35 branches across the country and with bancassurance service, we will be able to penetrate the market,” Mr. Thambi said.

Under section 28 (1) and 72 (1) of the Insurance Act (Cap 213), the Insurance Regulatory Authority of Uganda has granted licenses to 95 players to transact insurance business in the year 2018.

And out of these, only six are banks and these include the Bank of Africa, Barclays Bank, Diamond Trust Bank, Finance Trust Bank, NC Bank and Stanbic Bank.

The others licensed include 28 insurance companies (19 non-life firms and 9 firms for life assurance business); one re-insurer, five Health Membership Organizations (HMOs), 32 insurance brokers, one re-insurance broker and 22 Loss Assessors/Adjusters.

The Authority renews licences of all insurance players annually as a way of scrutinizing their viability and to protect the interests of policyholders and beneficiaries.

According to IRA, the public should deal with only those licensed to transact insurance business. The IRA also says all licensed persons are by law required to display their licenses prominently at their business premises and in each of their branch offices in Uganda.

“In case of any dissatisfaction with any insurance company or insurance service provider, lodge a complaint with the Authority’s Complaints Bureau which seeks to protect insurance consumers,” Ibrahim Kaddunabbi Ibrahim Lubega, Chief executive officer IRA, advised.

 

 

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Cameroon dropped as opponents for Cranes build-up match

By
Our Reporter
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The Uganda Cranes players on departure at Entebbe Airport

The Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) has confirmed changes in the two international friendly matches that Uganda Cranes will play before the 2018 CHAN tournament gets underway in Morocco.

Cameroon, who were to play Uganda in the first friendly game, have been replaced with Guinea, while  Congo Brazzaville remain the Cranes opponents for the second buildup game. Both the matches will be played in Rabat City, Morocco.

Twenty-five players travelled with the team on Wednesday afternoon for the 10 day training camp in Morocco.

After the two build ups, the final team of 23 players will be communicated by the head coach who is working closely with his other technical staff including goalkeeping coach Fred Kajoba and assistant coach Mathias Lule.

At CHAN 2018, Uganda Cranes is in group B alongside Zambia, Cote D’Ivoire and Namibia. They open their campaign against Zambia’s Chipolopolo on January 14.

 Friendly Matches:

 Saturday, January 6, 2018

Uganda Cranes Vs Guinea

Tuesday, January 9, 2018

Uganda Cranes Vs Congo

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Left-handed persons need special consideration

By
Guest Writer
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LEFT-HANDED: Former US President Bill Clinton

The President signed the controversial age limit amendment bill into an Act on December 27, 2017. This reminded me of one other anti- discrimination initiative that can be introduced, to specifically cater for the interests of the left handed persons.

Available data indicate that there are 500 million left handers on planet Earth and that at least 20 million people in the United States alone are left handed. Additional data indicates that the three Presidential candidates who ran in the 1992 United States Presidential elections: George Bush, Bill Clinton and Ross Perot were all left handed people.

Interestingly, when I was drafting this opinion a soldier friend remarked that he had not even recognised that most war tools have been manufactured specifically for only right handers.

As a young man, being left handed was a challenge since most instruments I used were designed with the right handed individual in mind. An example is the right-sided arm school desks which presented an obstacle to learning for left handed students from early school through university.

Indeed, every single day left handed school children struggle to succeed in a ‘right handed world’; they meet with obstacles and problems that include using scissors, right-handed arm desks, rulers and even note books. Also, left handed students have a hard time when it comes to sitting at a desk with right handed students because they constantly bump elbows.

Even writing poses a problem for left handed individuals because they always move their hand across what they have just written and this smudges the ink all over the paper, and gets smeared on their hands as well.

In many instances in bar examinations and professional board examinations, left handed people are competing for the limited number of left sided-leaning desks.

Even when left handed examinees access the appropriate desk, they are other problems because left-sided leaning desks are arranged in a manner tending to the left side of lecture halls where you have to crane your neck to see the overhead projectors. This is so because few school administrators, teachers, lecturers, maintenance administrators and furniture buyers take infrastructure bias for granted yet this is a problem that maybe easily solved by better informed Members of Parliament, parents, students, school designers and many others..

Also, manufacturers of guns have discriminated against left handed defence and security officers for they are forced to change to right handedness in order to utilize the right-sided guns.

Unfortunately, some students are told to use the right hand which is weaker, something that that also imperils their hand-to-eye coordination, making them less accurate. This can have disastrous consequences!

Nabendeh Wamoto S.P (0776-658433)

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