Nigerian Crooner Skales 'does' his act at Silver Springs Hotel
Nigerian singer Skales served Kampala’s party people a taste of his finest hits as the headline act of the first-ever Ciroc Frost and Pineapple Pool party that took place at Silver Springs Hotel poolside.
Kampala revellers at the Ciroc party
The singer, whose real name is Raoul John Njeng-Njeng, was performing for the first time in Kampala and the Booty Language star gave the city revellers a perfect combined Christmas and New Year gift, with a performance that had the crowd up on their feet.
Skales, also known for hits like I am for Real, Shake Body and My Baby, arrived in the country earlier in the week promising Ugandans a memorable show and he did not disappoint one bit.
The entertainment was served early in the evening, as disc spinners Xzyl and Slick Stuart gave life to the party before performances from artistes including Ykee Benda, Vinka, and UK-based Angelina, all as partiers enjoyed VIP treatment sipping on cocktails by the pool.
One of the revellers at the Ciroc Frost and Pineapple Pool
The Ciroc Frost and Pineapple Pool Party was put together by UK-based events promoter Mz Shan in partnership with Ciroc, as an event to give Kampalans the perfect opportunity to start their Christmas celebration early.
“We are extremely pleased to be giving Kampala people the perfect Christmas. The festive season is about celebration and no celebration is complete without the ultimate celebration vodka, Ciroc,” said Roger Agamba, Uganda Breweries Limited (UBL) Reserve and IPS Manager.
MAIN CELEBRANT OF PARLIAMENT WEEK: Speaker of Parliament Rebecca Kadaga
Kampala High Court has ordered the Speaker of Parliament, Rebecca Kadaga to pay costs to six suspended MPs during the Age Limit debate.
This was after Kadaga, the Attorney General or lawyer Elisha Bafirawala failed to turn up in court for hearing of the case.
In her ruling, High Court judge, Margaret Oguli ordered Kadaga to pay costs to the MPs.
She further issued fresh summons requiring Kadaga and the Attorney General to appear on January 3, 2018 for the hearing of the main suit.
The six MPs, Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda, Gerald Karuhanga, Allan Ssewanyana, Mubarak Munyagwa, Anthony Akol and Jonathan Odur dragged Kadaga to court last week after she suspended them from participating in the Age Limit debate on Monday.
They argued that their suspension from the debate without consideration of the due process and all the tenets of natural justice is a violation of Article 28 and 42 of the Constitution.
They thus requested for an order, restraining the Speaker from keeping them or any other Member of Parliament from attending or participation in the then ongoing proceedings intended to amend Article 102 (b) of the Constitution.
Summons were issued Friday, ordering Kadaga to appear in court in the afternoon, an order she ignored and instead went ahead with the debate which saw Article 102 (b) amended, in effect removing the 75-year age limit cap for President.
Gen. Chiwenga at a conference held at the Zimbabwean Army Headquarters.
HARARE (Reuters) – The army chief who led the bloodless coup that ended Robert Mugabe’s 37-year rule was installed as Zimbabwe’s vice president on Thursday, becoming the most senior of a clutch of military figures to enter government.
Retired Gen. Constantino Chiwenga’s appearance on state television on Nov. 15 preceded armed soldiers taking to the streets, paving the way for Emmerson Mnangagwa to become president hours later.
Mnangagwa, a former chief lieutenant to Mugabe who has promised to push through economic and political reforms, on Thursday also granted his 93-year-old predecessor full diplomatic status and a staff of 23 under a pension settlement.
The president’s governing ZANU-PF party this month moved to draw a line under the era of Mugabe, who during his decades in power became feared as a despot and presided over economic collapse, by formally expelling the ex-president’s wife Grace and her allies from the organization.
But Mnangagwa, who himself stands accused of participating in repression, has steered clear of acts of retribution against the former President. Mugabe has been living at his private home in the plush Borrowdale suburb, and the pension entitles him to “payment of a lump sum which is equal or equivalent to the value of the private residence”, according to the official government gazette.
In a statement in the gazette, Mnangagwa said ex-presidents who have served at least one full term – a category that includes only Mugabe – were also entitled to six security personnel and a fully furnished office.
Mnangagwa is under pressure from would-be foreign investors, opposition parties and ordinary Zimbabweans to implement reforms.
But he is also looking to maintain a unified ZANU-PF as the dominant political force and keep relations with its powerful military smooth in the run-up to national elections scheduled for next year.
Mugabe, who built a reputation for extensive international travel during his rule, will also be provided with a diplomatic passport.
Two weeks ago, in first trip outside Zimbabwe since he was removed from office, he visited a hospital in Singapore, apparently for medical checks.
SCENE OF CRIME: The car in which AIGP Andrew Felix Kaweesi met his death
The year 2017 has been full of newsworthy stories, and below Eagle Online makes a recap
JANUARY:
President Museveni
Museveni approves Shs6bn ‘oil cash bonanza’
The Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) issued a release, indicating that the payment of billions of shillings to government officials involved in a commercial dispute involving two oil companies and the government of Uganda followed standard procedure, including among others, presidential approval.
In August last year, the URA paid out Shs6 billion to 37 senior government officials from different Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) including URA, and the ministries of Finance, Energy and the Attorney General’s chambers.
Ms. Sarah Birungi Banage, the URA Corporate Affairs Manager, said the team brought in a combined total of US$700m into government coffers after a series of Court battles in Uganda’s Tax Appeal Tribunal, High Court of Appeal and High Court of London, Court of Appeal of UK and two international tribunals.
Presidential hand shake was awarded to them in appreciation to work done in that case.
Justice Kavuma blocks debate on 6bn handshake bonanza
Justice Steven Kavuma.
Justice Steven Kavuma of Court of Appeal issued an interim order restraining Parliament and any other citizen from investigating or inquiring about the Shs6 billion ‘oil cash bonanza’ aka ‘handshake’ shared out among 42 top government bureaucrats.
Justice Kavuma’s order followed a petition in filed by one Eric Sabiti seeking to stop any discussion on the share loot.
Mumbere re-arrested outside Court
Rwenzururu king Wesley Mumbere being arrested before being taken to Nalufenya Police Station in Jinja.
Rwenzururu King, Charles Wesley Mumbere was re-arrested hours after Justice Eva Luswata of the Jinja High Court had released him on bail.
Omusinga was re-arrested and bundled on a waiting police van outside Jinja High Court gate.
Mumbere, who was on remand in Luzira Prisons since last year, was charged with treason, terrorism and murder among others. He is currently out on bail.
Museveni appoints Kyabazinga as Ambassador
Busoga Kyabazinga William-Gabula
President Yoweri Museveni appointed the Kyabazinga William Wilberforce Gabula IV as the Ambassador Special Duties. However, Gabula didn’t take up the job.
MARCH:
Mayanja Nkangi dies, honored by Parliament
Former Prime Minister John Patrick Amama Mbabazi lays a wreath on the casket containing the remains of his fallen cabinet colleague Joash Mayanja Nkangi.
The body of veteran politician and statesman Joash Sebakyalyawo Mayanja Nkangi lay in Parliament, where several Members of Parliament led by First Deputy Prime Minister General Moses Ali, eulogized the fallen former Katikiro of Buganda.
Nkangi, who served in various positions including at the ministries of Justice and Constitutional Affairs and Finance and Economic Planning, died at Nakasero Hospital on March 6, 2017 at the age of 85, following a battle with pneumonia.
Police Spokesperson Kaweesi assassinated
SHOT DEAD: The body of Police Spokesperson Andrew Felix Kaweesi
Uganda Police Spokesperson, Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIGP) Andrew Felix Kaweesi, his driver Godfrey Wambeewo and bodyguard Kenneth Erau at Kulambiro were killed by unknown assailants in a shootout at Kulambiro the outskirts of the city.
Since then over 40 suspects were arrested by police and prosecuted in courts of law.
Rwenzururu Premier granted bail
The Prime Minister of Rwenzururu kingdom Thembo Kitsumbire was granted bail by Justice Eva Luswata at Jinja High Court and instructed to pay Shs75 million later.
He was arrested on December 15, 2016 following the massive killings in the Kasese region. The premier followed his king who had already been arrested and remanded in Luzira prison. It is alleged that he was arrested by flying squad from the office of the District Internal Security Organization (DISO) and taken to Rwenzori police headquarters for interrogation.
On his arrest, the police said Kitsumbire is the one who commanded the attack of police officers in the Kasese saga.
AIGP Kasingye appointed police spokesperson
FORMER POLICE SPOKESPERSON: AIGP Asan Kasingye
The Uganda Police made changes in its command structure, with Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIGP) Asan Kasingye being named Chief Political Commissar and Police Spokesperson, replacing the late AIGP Andrew Felix Kaweesi who was killed by assassins on the March 17.
APRIL:
The casket containing the remains of former DP President General John Ssebaana Kizito
Former DP President Ssebaana Kizito dies
Former Democratic Party (DP) President General John Ssebaana Kizito passes on after succumbing to a stroke at Nakasero Hospital.
Ssebaana was the first Ugandan to pursue a master’s degree in arts at the University of Oregon in USA, and together with his business associate Joseph William Kiwanuka, set up the first private insurance company in Uganda, known as Statewide Insurance Company of Uganda (SWICO).
Minister Herbert Kabafunzaki arrested
FORMER MINISTER: Herbert Kabafunzaki with the ‘bribe’ money
The State Minister for Labour Herbert Kabafunzaki was in April arrested and charged with corruption for allegedly soliciting a Shs5 million bribe from AYA Group Chairman Muhammad Hamid.
The Minister was subsequently granted cash bail of 50 million and a non-cash bail of an equal amount by anti-corruption court chief magistrate Agnes Alum.
Since then nothing much is known about the case.
Museveni aide Rwakakamba resigns
RESIGNED: Mr Morrison Rwakakamba,
Morrison Rwakakamba, the head of the Government Citizen Interaction Centre (GCIC) in the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance, resigned.
I AM OUT: The resignation letter by Morrison Rwakakamba.
In a letter dated April 18 addressed to President Yoweri Museveni, the youthful Rwakakamba, the Special Presidential Assistant on Research and Information who joined the Public Service in 2013, indicated he had decided to join the private sector.
Businessman Desh Kananura acquitted of murder
Kananura and his co-accused in Court during the hearing of the murder case.
The High Court acquitted city businessman and rally driver Andrew ‘Desh’ Kananura of murder charges that had been brought against him, his brother Raymond Kananura and three others.
The group had been accused of killing Kananura’s former employee Badru Kateregga at his Ntinda-based Panamera bar on September 31, 2012, following claims that the deceased was in possession of Shs30. 000, against the rules of his workplace.
However in May 2017 the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP) appealed against the acquittal of Kananura and his co-accused and wants the Court to revisit the ruling.
MAY:
Parliament approves IGP Kayihura
CONTRACT RENEWED: IGP Kale Kayihura addresses the media after his re-appointment was endorsed by Parliament.
The Parliament Appointments Committee approved the three-year re-appointment of General Edward Kale Kayihura as the Inspector General of Police (IGP).
The new contract was announced by President Yoweri Museveni early this year.
Government switches off unregistered Sim cards
UCC ED Godfrey Mutabazi regulates communications sector
Government, through the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) switched off unregistered sim cards despite a resolution of Parliament that suggested that registration be extended by a year ahead.
JUNE:
State of the Nation Address
President Museveni makes State of the Nation Address (SONA)
Apaa land conflicts resume
Women of Apaa protest by lying on the road to block a Minister’s car. Photo credit/adwarping.co.ug
The Woman Member of Parliament for Adjumani Jessica Ababiku accused the government of being complicit in the Apaa land clashes involving the Madi and Acholi, which had started all over again.
In the same meeting Gilbert Olanya, the MP for Kilak county in Amuru district, accused the First Deputy Prime Minister and MP for East Moyo county in Adjumani district, Gen. Moses Ali of being ‘the Godfather of all the chaos between the Acholi and the Madi.’
The land was later given to the Madi people.
Robert Kyagulanyi elected Kyadondo East MP
‘GHETTO FIRST COUPLE’: MP-elect Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine and his wife Barbie Kyagulanyi head to the swearing-in ceremony.
Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine was announced as the duly-elected Member of Parliament for Kyadondo East after garnering 25,659 votes, beating NRM’s Mike Sebalu.
The seat fell vacant after the nullification of Apollo Kantiti’s election on grounds of noncompliance with electoral laws.
Prof. Nawangwe elected Makerere University VC
MUK Vice Chancellor Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe
The Makerere University Council approved Professor Barnabas Nawangwe as the Vice Chancellor of Uganda’s most prestigious and oldest institution of higher learning.
TOP RATED PROFESSOR: The University Senate released a report indicating Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe leading his rivals to the post of Makerere University Vice Chancellor.
The Makerere University Search Committee had earlier issued a report to the University Senate, which put Prof. Nawangwe in the lead ahead of other contestants with 77 per cent. He was followed by Prof. Edward Kirumira with 70 per cent and Prof. Venansius Baryamureeba with 64 per cent.
JULY:
DP’s Mao launches ‘Kogikwatako’ campaign
Democratic Party (DP) President Norbert Mao was arrested on his way to the City Square after launching the Togikwatako campaign, aimed at denouncing any amendment to the Constitution to remove the age limit cap that stands at 75 years.
The age limit clause has since been expunged from the Constitution.
AUGUST:
Tabliq leader Kamoga sentenced to life imprisonment
Sheikh Kamoga with his co-accused in court
Tabliq leader Amir Ummah Sheik Mohammed Yunus Kamoga and three others were in August sentenced to life in prison for terrorism by a three-judge panel of Justices Ezekiel Muhanguzi, Jane Kiggundu and Percy Tuhaise.
The accused conspired to murder Sheikh Mustafa Bahiga and Sheikh Hassan Kirya, and also attempted to attack Prince Kassim Nakibinge, Haruna Jjemba, Swidiq Ndaula, Haji Ssonko and Mahmoud Kibate.
SEPTEMBER:
NRM MPs adopts motion to amend presidential age limit
CHAIRED MEETING: Defence Minister Adolf Mwesige
NRM MPs while in a meeting chaired by MP for Bubyangabu county Adolf Kasaija Mwesige, (with the exception of Kumi Woman legislator Monica Amoding) adopted the motion to amend the presidential age limit.
This followed the tabling of ‘a private members bill’ before Parliament by Igara West MP Raphael Magyezi, seeking to change the age cap from the constitutional 75-year limit as enshrined in Article 102(b) of the 1995 Constitution.
Mubajje calls for referendum on age-limit removal
Members of the Chairman of the Inter-religious Council of Uganda (IRCU) led by Sheikh Shaban Ramadhan Mubajje. Others include the Anglican Archbishop Stanley Ntagali, who is next to Mubajje.
The Chairman of the Inter-religious Council of Uganda (IRCU) Sheikh Shaban Ramadhan Mubajje said that the removal of age limit cap from the Constitution should be subjected to a referendum.
Gen. Muntu urges MPs to resist age limit removal
Former FDC president Gen. Mugisha Muntu
Former Forum for Democratic Change party president, Gen Mugisha Muntu urged Members of Parliament from across the political divide to use all legal means to obstruct or defeat any attempts to have the Age Limit bill from being debated or passed in parliament.
Blows as opposition MPs accuse Minister Kibuule of entering Parliament with gun
Chaos in the Uganda Parliament
There was tension when opposition Members of Parliament accused the State Minister for Water Resources Ronald Kibuule of smuggling a gun into the parliamentary chambers.
This led to a fist-fight and climaxed with suspension of 22 opposition legislators on October 22, 2017
OCTOBER:
Grenades thrown at MPs Kyagulanyi, Sewanyana homes
Chaos at Uganda Parliament
Five man-made explosives were thrown at the homes of Kyadondo East MP Robert Kyagulanyi Sentamu and his Makindye East counterpart Allan Sewanyana.
Earlier, a grenade was thrown at MP Moses Kasibante’s house in Rubaga Division.
At the time MP Kyagulanyi Sentamu said the three explosive devices were brought to his home a day before following several death threats from unknown people over the anti-age limit removal campaign now dubbed ‘Kogikwatako’.
According to Bobi Wine grenades threats castigated wave of fear in his family however he vowed not succumb to intimidations.
‘Magyezi Bill’ referred to Legal Affairs Committee
TABLED BILL: Igara West legislator Raphael Magyezi
The controversial bill by Igara West MP Raphael Magezi seeking the removal of the 75-year age cap for presidential eligibility was referred to the Legal and Parliament Affairs Committee for consideration following the first presentation before Parliament.
Museveni-meeting-members of the-Legal-Affairs-committee
The bill was seconded by MPs Moses Balyeku, Jackson Karissa and Doreen Amule, was granted a 40-day leave by Speaker Kadaga to prepare the ‘Private Members Bill’ seeking the amendment of Article 102 (b) of the 1995 Constitution, something that is viewed by many Ugandans as an attempt to pave the way for President Museveni to stand for presidency in 2021 when aged 77 years, two years over the cap. The bill has since been passed.
Kanyamunyu granted Shs10m bail
FLASHBACK: Mathew Kanyamunyu appearing in court
Mathew Kanyamunyu, the prime suspect in the November 2016 murder of social worker Kenneth Akena, was granted a ten million cash bail by High Court Judge Wilson Kwesiga.
FLASHBACK: L-R Joseph Kanyamunyu, Cynthia Munangwari and Mathew Kanyamunyu in the dock.
Kanyamunyu, his brother Joseph Kanyamunyu and his girlfriend Cynthia Munangwari are accused of shooting Akena on November 12, 2016 around Lugogo by pass. A day later Akena died at Norvik Hospital along Bombo.
The Aga Khan awarded Uganda’s highest civilian honor
President Yoweri Museveni decorates HH the Aga Khan during the 55th Independence Day celebrations in Bushenyi
His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan was awarded the highest civilian honour in Uganda, the Most Excellent Order of the Pearl of Africa, Grand Master medal, in recognition of his exceptional efforts towards economic development in the country.
The Aga Khan IV, was also the special guest at the 55th Independence Day celebrations that were held in Bushenyi district on October 9.
DPP officers resume strike
ANNOUNCED RESUMPTION OF STRIKE: UAP-President-Baxter-Bakibinga
Prosecutors resumed their strike after the elapse of three months when they voted to suspend the industrial action following government’s pledge to increase their salaries and improve on their working conditions.
UAP President David Baxter Bakibinga said they had to go on strike again till government address their concerns including the improvement of their welfare, salary increments among others.
Court orders for compensation of Kaweesi murder suspects
Lady Justice Margaret Oumo Oguli of the High Court ordered for compensation of Shs 80 million to each tortured suspect in the AIGP Kaweesi murder.
Sheikh Kamoga applies for bail
Tabliq leader Amir Ummah Sheik Mohammed Yunus Kamoga applied for bail as he waits for hearing of an appeal against the life sentence accorded him in August by a three-judge panel of Justices Ezekiel Muhanguzi, Jane Kiggundu and Percy Tuhaise.
MP Kyagulanyi sues Kampala police boss for Shs300m
Kyadondo East legislator Robert Kyagulanyi sued Kampala Metropolitan Police Commander Frank Mwesigwa and the Attorney General William Byaruhanga, claiming damages and punitive measures of Shs300 million for banning his music shows that were supposed to take place on October 21 at Colline Hotel in Mukono.
MP Abiriga fined Shs40, 000 for urinating on Kampala Street
Abiriga is seen in the picture (background) easing himself
The Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) court under Grade One Magistrate Beatrice Kainza fined Arua Municipality legislator Col. Ibrahim Abiriga Shs40, 000 for easing himself in public.
Abiriga pleaded guilty, paid the fine and was released.
MP Kyagulanyi among other legislators returns Shs29m ‘bribe’
Kyadondo East MP Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine talks to the media at his home today
Kyadondo East legislator Robert Kyagulanyi directed his bankers to return the Shs29 million ‘facilitation for consultations’ that was credited on his account by the Parliamentary Commission on October 24.
Among other opposition MPs who returned the money include Muwanga Kivumbi (Butambala), Medard Lubega Sssegona, William Nzoghu (Busongora) Moses Kasibante (Lubaga North), Robinah Ssentongo (Kyotera Woman) and Opposition Chief Whip Ibrahim Semujju Nganda (Kira Municipality), Gerald kalihanga, Angelina ossega, Ronald Mugume, LoP Winnie Kiiza
Igara West MP Magyezi granted leave to table age-lifting bill
Igara West legislator Raphael was granted leave to introduce a private members’ bill aimed at removing presidential age.
Gashumba arrested by CMI
Political activist and vociferous political and social critic Frank Gashumba was arrested and held by the military on charges of impersonating an official in the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and obtaining money by false pretense.
The army said Gashumba was picked on October 31, 2017 night by CMI agents and taken to their headquarters in Mbuya for interrogation in respect to a US$28 million deal he allegedly procured illicitly in August 2011, after impersonating the then Permanent Secretary in the internal affairs ministry, Dr. Stephen Kagoda but he was later released on bail.
NOVEMBER:
Kaweesi murder suspects granted bail
Nakawa Grade One Magistrate Noah Sajjabi granted a non-cash bail of Shs50 million to seven suspects implicated in the murder of the Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIGP) Andrew Felix Kaweesi.
Two of the suspects, Ahmed Senfuka and Umar Maganda, were however, rearrested.
AIGP Kasingye replaced as police spokesperson
Inspector General of Police General Kale Kayihura replaced spokesperson police spokesperson Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIGP) Asan Kasingye with Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Emilian Kayima, and assigned the former to put in place a team of competent officers in an effort to set up a school for political education for the police force.
AIGP Kasingye was also redeployed as the Chief Political Commissar.
Red Pepper directors arrested
Five Directors and three Editors of the Red Pepper Publications arrested after allegedly publishing a story indicating the Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni was hatching plans to oust the government of his Rwandan counterpart Paul Kagame.
The Red Pepper Publications officials include Arinaitwe Rugyendo, Richard Kintu, James Mujuni, Patrick Mugumya, Richard Tusiime, Johnson Musingunzi, Ben Byarabaha and Francis Tumusiime.
The eight were charged with among other crimes, publication of information prejudicial to national security and ‘disturbing the peace’ of President Museveni, his brother General Caleb Akandwanaho aka Salim Salem, and Security Minister Lt. Gen. Henry Tumukunde.
Museveni threatens to dismiss striking doctors
President Yoweri Museveni, while addressing a rally at Karambi sub county headquarters in Kabarole district, threatened to sack striking medics, saying government is soon getting ‘good doctors’ to replace them.
DECEMBER:
Victoria University launched alumni association
Victoria University launched its Alumni Association that is aimed at strengthening the bond between the institution and its former students.
The launch at Munyonyo Speke Resort Hotel was graced by the university’s Promoter Rajiv Ruparelia.
Nurses and midwives call off strike
Uganda Nurses and Midwives Union (UNMU) called off a strike following a meeting with President Yoweri Museveni at State House Entebbe, during which it was resolved that their concerns would be addressed, the UNMU Secretary General Paul Bukenya said
Doctors call off planned strike after talks with finance minister
Doctors suspended the industrial action after the government, through the Ministry of Finance, committed itself to a supplementary budget to address the chronic lack of medical supplies, the Uganda Medical Association chairman Dr. Ekwaru Obuku said.
However, Dr. Obuku vowed that doctors under UMA will go on strike again in April 2018 if government doesn’t address their grievances in the budgetary allocations.
Court declines to halt Age Limit proceedings
Assistant court registrar of High Court Joy Kabagye dismissed an application filed by former presidential candidate Abed Bwanika, Asuman Basalirwa, president general of the Truth and Justice Forum (JEEMA) and former legislator for Rubaga South John Ken Lukyamuzi.
The three had asked court to block the amendment of Article 102 (b) and instead take it through referendum.
The bill has since been passed.
Former Police PSU boss Aguma denied bail
The former head of the police Professional Standards Unit (PSU) Joel Aguma was on December 18, 2017Commissioner 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 Jackson Karemera who were reportedly deported back to Rwanda.
Red Pepper journalists granted bail
Five Directors and three Editors of the Red Pepper Publications who were arrested in November after allegedly publishing a story indicating the Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni was hatching plans to oust the government of his Rwandan counterpart Paul Kagame, were granted bail by the Buganda Road Chief Magistrate James Eremye Mawanda.
The Red Pepper Publications officials include: Arinaitwe Rugyendo, Richard Kintu, James Mujuni, Patrick Mugumya, Richard Tusiime, Johnson Musingunzi, Ben Byarabaha and Francis Tumusiime.
The eight were charged with among other crimes, publication of information prejudicial to national security and ‘disturbing the peace’ of President Museveni, his brother General Caleb Akandwanaho aka Salim Salem, and Security Minister Lt. Gen. Henry Tumukunde.
Suspended MPs drag Kadaga to court and denied entry to Parliament
Six legislators suspended on December 18 by the Speaker of Parliament Rebecca Kadaga on December 20 petitioned High Court seeking redress against her decision as the house debates the controversial age limit bill.
Jonathan Odur (Erute South), Allan Ssewanyana (Makindye West), Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda (Kira Municipality), Gerald Karuhanga (Ntungamo Municipality), Anthony Akol (Kilak North) and Mubarak Munyagwa (Kawempe South), who are expected to miss the next six plenary sittings, want court to stop the Speaker from suspending opposition MPs without ‘clear reasons’.
DAR ES SALAAM (Reuters) – Tanzania has threatened to revoke the registration of religious organizations that “mix religion and politics” after a cleric criticized President John Magufuli’s leadership in a Christmas sermon. Opposition leaders in Tanzania say tolerance for dissent has been rapidly disappearing since Magufuli took office in late 2015 with pledges to reform East Africa’s third-biggest economy and crack down on large-scale corruption. Tanzania’s constitution protects freedom of worship, but religious organizations must register at the country’s Home Affairs Ministry to get a license to operate legally. “Recently, some leaders of (religious) societies have been using their sermons to analyze political issues, which is contrary to the law,” the permanent secretary in the Ministry of Home Affairs, Projest Rwegasira, said late on Thursday. “Any violation of the law could lead to cancellation of the registration of the concerned religious society,” he said in a statement. The warning was issued just days after the head of a Pentecostal church in the commercial capital Dar es Salaam criticized Magufuli’s leadership, saying his government was closing democratic space. Zachary Kakobe, self-proclaimed bishop and founder of the Full Gospel Bible Fellowship Church, accused the Tanzanian government of “quietly turning the country into a one-state rule by systematically banning political activity.” The Home Affairs Ministry responded by issuing a public notice to religious organizations after the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party accused Kakobe of mixing religion and politics. Tanzanian police banned political protests and rallies indefinitely in June last year, saying political activity would only be allowed during elections. Magufuli, nicknamed “the Bulldozer” for pushing through his policies, has won some praise from Western donors for an anti-corruption campaign and cuts to wasteful public spending. But opponents accuse him of increasingly undermining democracy by curbing dissent and stifling free speech. Magufuli has publicly denied the allegations, saying he is no dictator. But several newspapers have been shut and more than a dozen suspects prosecuted for allegedly insulting the president via WhatsApp and other social media platforms.
The CCM won 42 of 43 local government elections in November, prompting the main opposition parties to announce a boycott of several parliamentary by-elections early next year, citing foul play. Smaller opposition parties will participate in the polls. Tanzania, one of sub-Saharan Africa’s most stable democracies, has held five relatively peaceful multi-party elections since 1995, all won by the CCM.
Former football star George Weah has been elected as Liberia’s president.
With nearly all ballots from Tuesday’s run-off vote counted, Mr Weah is well ahead of opponent Joseph Boakai with more than 60 per cent of the vote.
As news of Mr Weah’s victory emerged, his supporters began celebrating in the capital Monrovia.
He will succeed Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Africa’s first elected female president, in Liberia’s first democratic handover in decades.
“My fellow Liberians, I deeply feel the emotion of all the nation,” Mr Weah wrote on Twitter after the results were announced.
“I measure the importance and the responsibility of the immense task which I embrace today. Change is on.”
Who is George Weah?
Mr Weah, who was raised in a slum in Liberia’s capital Monrovia, starred at top-flight European football clubs Paris St-Germain (PSG) and AC Milan, before ending his career in England with brief stays at Chelsea and Manchester City.
He is the only African footballer to have won both Fifa World Player of the Year and the prestigious Ballon D’Or.
How a footballer became president
When sports stars make a run at politics
He entered politics after his retirement from the game in 2002 and is currently a senator in Liberia’s parliament.
His former club, PSG, congratulated him on Twitter.
How did we get here?
Liberia, founded by freed US slaves in the 19th Century, has not had a smooth transfer of power from one elected president to another since 1944.
Mrs Sirleaf defeated Mr Weah in the presidential election run-off in 2005 and took office a year later, after the end of a brutal civil war that saw President Charles Taylor forced out by rebels. Taylor is now serving a 50-year prison sentence in the UK for war crimes related to the conflict in neighbouring Sierra Leone.
This time Mr Weah’s campaign – under the Coalition for Democratic Change banner – appealed to the youth vote, while incumbent Vice-President Boakai was seen as old and out of touch.
But Mr Weah’s election is not without controversy, as his running mate was Jewel Taylor, former wife of the jailed president.
The biggest trophy of his life
At the scene: Umaru Fofana, BBC News, Monrovia
Hundreds of jubilant supporters of George Weah took to the streets shortly after the electoral commission chairman announced the result.
Election observers, both domestic and foreign, have praised the conduct of the election and say it showed a marked improvement from the first round in October.
This is third time lucky for a man used to winning trophies but who found it hard to win this, the biggest award of his life. And he has his work cut out for him.
Liberia has stabilised in the past decade after a long and bloody civil war. But it is still struggling with acute poverty and corruption. From producing Africa’s first elected female president, now it has produced its first ex-footballer head of state.
Why a run-off?
Mr Weah, 51, won the first round of the presidential election in October with 38.4 per cent of the vote, compared with the 28.8 per cent won by second-placed Mr Boakai, 73. The failure of any candidate to secure an outright majority forced the run-off.
The National Elections Commission (NEC) said on Thursday that with 98.1 per cent of the run-off vote counted, Mr Weah had won 61.5 per cent of the vote while Mr Boakai was far behind with 38.5 per cent.
Turnout was low – put at 56 per cent by election officials – for the vote, which had been delayed from its initial date, 7 November, following a legal challenge brought by a representative for the opposition Liberty Party, Charles Brumskine.
Mr Brumskine said the first round vote – which he came third in – had been marred by “massive fraud and irregularities”, but in December the Supreme Court ruled evidence of fraud was insufficient to merit a re-run of the opening round.
Election observers have praised the conduct of the poll.
More than two million people were eligible to cast their ballots in the nation of 4.6 million people.
2017 has had several business events and as the year comes to an end, Eagle Online brings you a recap of some of the events which made headlines.
URA says Museveni approved Shs6b ‘handshake’
URA Commissioner General Doris Akol when she appeared before COSASE
In January this year, the country woke up to news from the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) that President Yoweri Museveni approved the Shs6 billion ‘handshake’ shared between 42 highly-placed public officials.
The money was drawn from the URA coffers and the authority Commissioner General Doris Akol was also named among the beneficiaries, most of who got over Shs50 million. Other prominent beneficiaries included former URA CG Allen Kagina, KCCA Executive Director Jennifer Musisi, Finance PS Keith Muhakanizi, former Attorney General Peter Nyombi, and Solicitor General Francis Atoke.
The money that they shared out accrued from a legal challenge in which the government of Uganda sued two oil companies, Heritage Gas and Oil and Tullow Oil, and won US$700 million in compensation through international arbitration.
Following public outcry the Speaker of Parliament Rebecca Kadaga constituted a parliamentary committee and directed the Committee for Commissions, Statutory Authorities and State Agencies (COSASE) chairperson, Bugweri County Member of Parliament (MP) Abdu Katuntu, to investigate the Shs6b matter and report the findings to Parliament in two months.
However, nine months down the road, the report is yet to be produced despite the assurances by Parliament.
A photo montage of BoU Governor Emmanuel Tumusiime Mutebile, businessman Sudhir Ruparelia and Crane Bank
JANUARY: DFCU Bank ‘buys’ rival Crane Bank
One of the controversial business activities of 2017 was DFCU Bank’s ‘purchase’ of Crane Bank’s assets and liabilities in late January. The said ‘purchase’ was later to make DFCU grow its footprint by 50 percent and making a profit of Shs14 billion in half year. Needless to say however, the issues surrounding the selling of Crane Bank are before the Commercial Court and are yet to be concluded. However, city businessman Sudhir Ruparelia, one of the shareholders of Crane Bank has already floored the BoU in one aspect of the litigation, when the Commercial Court ordered BoU lawyers Timothy Masembe Kanyerezi of MMAKS Advocates and David Mpanga of AF Mpanga/Bowmans Advocates off the case for acting in conflict of Interest to the detriment of Mr. Ruparelia.
APRIL:Minister Herbert Kabafunzaki arrested over ‘bribe’
Detectives pick the money that was allegedly given to former Minister Herbert Kabafunzaki as a bribe.
The highlight in the month of April was the arrest and suspension of State Minister for Labour Herbert Kabafunzaki on allegations of soliciting a bribe from Aya Group chairman Muhammad Hamid, whom police was investigating over accusation of sexual harassment brought against him by a former female worker.
Minister Kabafunzaki was arrested as he reportedly picked a sh5 million bribe as partial payment of sh10 million he had allegedly solicited from Hamid to ‘protect’ the businessman from sexual harassment accusations.
MAY: a) The Lotteries and Gaming Regulatory Board (LGRB) launched
REGULATION THROUGH PARTNERSHIPS: The Lotteries and Gaming Regulatory Board CEO Edgar Agaba
On May 9 the Lotteries and Gaming Regulatory Board (LGRB) was launched at the Kampala Serena Hotel, with the Chief Executive Edgar Agaba imploring sector players to observe the strictures of gaming in Uganda.
The launch was officiated at by the State Minister for Finance (General Duties) David Bahati and also graced by the Board chairperson Manzi Tumubweine and Board Member Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIGP) Grace Akullo.
The President Yoweri Kaguta Musevenio interacts with Tanzanian President John Pombe Magufuli
President Yoweri Museveni and Tanzania President John Pombe Magufuli in May signed the East Africa Crude Oil Pipeline agreement, an important step towards construction of the 1,445km pipeline from Hoima to the Tanga Port on the Indian Ocean. The two leaders would later in November lay foundation stone to symbolise start of the construction of the proposed USD 3.5 billion pipeline.
Museveni deploys UPDF at UIA to catch corrupt individuals
The month of May also saw President Yoweri Museveni station UPDF officers at the Uganda Investment Authority (UIA) offices to man the 0800100770 telephone number as the ‘Anti-Corruption Hotline’ that investors would use to report those frustrating their efforts to set up business in Uganda. The soldiers would also handle complaints about delays in approving investment projects.
Foreign business delegations
The second half of the year, saw Uganda receiving delegations of investors interested in participating in Uganda’s development agenda through investments. Some of the delegations that arrived in the country came from the UK, Germany, India, China, Iran, Egypt and Netherlands among other countries. According to the Uganda Investment Authority, Uganda has business opportunities in sectors such as agriculture and agro-processing, oil and gas, ICT, energy, minerals, manufacturing, tourism, finance services, among others.
JUNE: Reading of Shs29 trillion 2017/18 Budget
Uganda Minister of Finance Matia Kasaija displays the briefcase carrying National Budget.
In June, Uganda’s Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development Matia Kasaija read the largest ever Shs29 trillion national budget for the financial year 2017/18, with almost half of the money going to pay the public debt. The huge part of the remaining money went to infrastructure development projects. Commenting on the budget in Parliament, President Yoweri Museveni said his government had prioritised infrastructure development such as energy, roads and the railway to boost development.
JULY: Annual Bankers Conference 2017
MAIN HOST: Fabian Kasi, Chairman Uganda Bankers Association
Uganda Bankers Association, an umbrella body of licensed commercial banks in Uganda, held their first banking conference in mid-July at Kampala Serena Hotel, to take stock of and gain insights from global, regional and country specific issues, trends and drivers in the banking and financial services sector. Delegates also discussed the dynamics that are increasingly shaping sustainability strategies in banking and finance. This premier event attracted participants including banking and non-bank financial sector executives, fin-techs, international development partners and multi-lateral agencies, investment advisors and regulator. It also attracted research associates and academia, legal experts, legislators, policy makers, technocrats from governments. Private sector players from key sectors like agriculture, energy, tourism, housing, education, health, and telecoms also attended.
AUGUST: URA hosts ATAF
URA Commissioner General Doris Akol.
In mid-August, the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) hosted a two-day inaugural high level tax dialogue under the African Tax Administration Forum (ATAF) at Serena Hotel, Kigo. The event was held under the theme ‘Forging the nexus between tax policy and tax administration in Africa’ and attracted officials of revenue authorities from over 30 African countries, particularly bringing in the East African regional tax bodies like the Kenya Revenue Authority, Tanzania Revenue Authority and the Rwanda Revenue Authority.
President Museveni shares a light moment with show goers when he visited UMA show grounds to open the 25th Uganda International Trade Fair at Lugogo. PPU Photo
OCTOBER: a) UMA holds 25th UGITF at Lugogo
The Uganda Manufacturers Association held the 25th Uganda International Trade Fair in October, attracting local, regional and international exhibitors. As Chief Guest, President Yoweri Museveni directed officials from Ministry of Finance, UMEME, UDB, Bujagali and Uganda Investment Authority to have interactive sessions with manufacturers for better responses to their various issues of concern. UMA President, Barbara Mulwana said some issues had stagnated the manufacturers’ economic contribution. She cited the issues like the high interest rate of borrowing from commercial banks, the delayed infrastructure development of the Industrial Park, the need to refinance UDB and the high cost of capital for the manufacturing sector.
b) Uganda hosts Giants Club Conservation and Tourism Investment Forum
Also in October Uganda hosted the Giants Club Conservation and Tourism Investment aimed at launching a new initiative to attract tourism into Uganda and make it a destination for high-end paying clients, and secure long-term sources of funding for the protection and maintenance of Uganda’s Protected Area network. Tourism has distinguished itself as a productive sector with the ability to transform Uganda from a predominantly peasant society to middle income level.
The Investment Forum specifically sough to create strategies to contribute to increase Tourist arrivals from the 1,323,000 in 2016 to 4,084,000 in 2020; foreign exchange earnings from US$ 1.371 billion to US$2.7 billion in 2020; promote job creation; and increase the contribution of tourism to GDP from Shillings 7.3 trillion to shillings 14.68 trillion at the end of the FY 2020.
Bags of coffee beans for export
Coffee exports fetch USD564 m
The Uganda Coffee Development Authority (UCDA) in its October 2017 report said Coffee exports for 12 months (November2016 to October 2017 ) totalled 4.78 million bags worth $ 564 million comprising Robusta 3.75 million bags worth $420 million and Arabica 1.03 million bags worth $1 44 million.
The UCDA reported that Uganda’s coffee was exported to 25 destinations with the European Union, Sudan, Algeria, USA and Morocco being the top importers.
Uganda is Africa’s leading exporter of coffee much as Ethiopia leads the production of the cash crop.
TURNING AROUND THE FUND: NSSF Managing Director Richard Byarugaba
NSSF beats global funds of similar size in investment performance
The National Social Security Fund (NSSF) outperformed other pension funds of its size across the globe on key investment performance indicators, according to the 27th edition of the Annual CEM Investment Benchmarking survey, commissioned by the International Social Security Association (ISSA). The survey released in November, conducted worldwide by CEM Benchmarking, was to determine the competitiveness of pension and social security funds on a global scale based on international standards on a peer-to-peer basis. The key areas assessed are Return on Investment, Net Value added and the Investment Cost. The Fund was benchmarked in a category that included 310 pension funds, with asset sizes ranging from the equivalent of Shs 2 trillion to Shs7 trillion based on the financial results for the Financial Year 2015/2016.
“I am pleased to announce that on all aspects, the Fund performed much better than its peers. A comparison of our investment returns, value added and costs to the global universe shows that we are not only competitive but we outperformed all global funds of our size. This is a vindication of our aggressive but prudent investment strategy we have implemented over the last seven years,” Patrick Ayota, the Deputy Managing Director of NSSF said.
The CII India East Africa Conclave 2017
Uganda hosted the first ever regional CII India-East Africa Conclave 2017 from November 20-21. The two-day event mainly attracted Indian businessmen with interest to invest in Uganda. Officiating at the forum at Speke resort Munyonyo, President Yoweri Museveni told the Indians that Uganda was ready for business and that this is the right time to invest in the country’s sectors such as energy, oil and gas, mining, agro-processing, ICT and finance services among others.
The United Nations peacekeeping mission in Democratic Republic of Congo has announced the closure of four military bases in the restive north east of the country.
The bases, which will be closed next week, are in Bukiringi, Geti, Mambasa and Bogoro, all in Ituri province.
Bogoro was the scene of a high-profile massacre in 2003 that left some 200 villagers dead and led to a war crimes trial at The Hague, which resulted in militia leader Germain Katanga being sentenced to 12 years in prison.
“We have been forced to make a big budget cut while the work expected from us is enormous on the ground. That’s why we are obliged to reduce the number of bases without reducing our operational capacity,” said Julius Fondong, a spokesman for the UN mission, known by its acronym MONUSCO.
Many local people in Bogoro have publicly opposed the closure of the base due to continuing concerns over security, with some even considering leaving the village and following the peacekeepers.
“Our troops will be stationed at three operational bases: Komanda, Aveba and Bunia,” Fondong said.
The decision follows a number of other UN military base closures in the DRC. In July, the UN announced the closure of five bases in neighbouring North Kivu province despite the presence of several militia groups.
The announcement comes after UN peacekeepers suffered their worst attack in nearly a quarter of a century when on December 7, 14 peacekeepers were killed and 53 wounded in an ambush by several hundred militiamen, whose weaponry included rocket-propelled grenades.
The United Nations has some 19,000 soldiers, police and military observers deployed in DR Congo, its biggest and costliest peacekeeping mission, with an annual budget of more than $1 billion.
Bryan White hides his face from the cameras after his arrest last week
Socialite Brian Kirumira aka Bryan White is to spend the festive season in jail after his fate was sealed by Makindye Chief Magistrate Erias Kakooza, who sent him on remand.
Bryan White, who appeared before Kakooza this afternoon for mention of attempted murder charges against him, will now return to court on January 8, 2018.
Bryan White is accused of shooting his neighbour Victor Bitwire in the Kampala suburb of Buziga last week, and appeared in court today with his ‘bodyguard’ Corporal Thomas Okoth, a Police officer attached to Kabalagala Police Station.
Ugandans at the Katuna border after blocking traffic to the Uganda's southern neighbour, Rwanda
Ugandans residing at the Katuna border post in Kabale have blocked traffic from crossing to and fro Rwanda, accusing the southern neighbour of arresting Ugandans at will.
The development follows the arrest of one Justus Twongyeirwe, allegedly by the Rwanda Police on hitherto unsubstantiated charges.
‘The businessman banked 170 million shillings at the boarder (sic) with intent to move to Kigali and purchase goods as his usual business. He wasn’t aware that Kigali Police was right outside waiting for him; he was first charged with forgery and immediately taken to prison,’ an unofficial document seen by this Website indicates in part.
According to the document, the police turned around and later claimed that Twongyeirwe was taking the money to aid ‘subversive elements’ in Rwanda.
‘Rwanda has now turned around claiming this money was for (Lt. Gen. Faustin) Kayumba, (exiled former Rwanda Defence Forces commander), that it is meant to organize crime in Rwanda after failing to show forgery,’ the document adds.
This development comes in the wake of seemingly frosty relations between Uganda and Rwanda, with the latter arresting police officers allegedly linked to the kidnap and subsequent repatriation of Rwandan refugees and asylum seekers including one Lt. Joel Mutabazi, a former bodyguard of Rwandan President Paul Kagame.
Lt. Mutabazi was subsequently arraigned before the court martial and sentenced to life in prison, a senior police officer, Commissioner of Police (CP) Joel Aguma, is currently being charged by the Army Court Martial for among other crimes, Mutabazi’s forceful return to Rwanda.
Meanwhile, in a related development it has been reported that Rwanda’s High Commissioner to Uganda Major General Frank mugambage has written a ‘protest note’ (Note Verbale) to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, protesting the alleged arrest of Rwandan nationals in Uganda.
