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Uganda, Iran to strengthen business cooperation

L-R: Mr. Gholam Hossein Shafeie, Head of Iran Chamber of Commerce, Mr Seyed Morteza Mortazavi Amb. of Iran to Uganda, Hon Dr. Mohammad Javad Zarif, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Iran, Hon Sam Kutesa Minister of Foreign Affairs of Uganda, Mrs Olive Kigongo, President of the Uganda National Chamber of Commerce, Amb Isaac Sebulime, Director of International and regional Economic Affairs, MOFA

The Minister of Foreign Affairs Sam Kutesa has said that the private sector is the key driver for sustained economic growth in Uganda.

Speaking at the Uganda-Iran Economic forum which took place at the Conference Centre in Kampala this morning, Kutesa, who is leading the Uganda delegation, said the East African country will pursue both domestic and foreign direct investment for increased productivity, job creation and improvement of livelihoods.

The economic forum comprises of business delegations from both Government and the Private Sector of Uganda and Iran, the latter led by foreign minister Dr. Mohammad Javad Zarif.

“Iranian companies and individuals should take advantage of the numerous opportunities available in Uganda, especially in agriculture and agro-processing, oil and gas, minerals, ICT, human resource development, energy, Tourism, and infrastructure development”, he said.  He hailed the Economic Forum as a strong first step that he hoped would yield tangible benefits and help attain the objectives set out in the MoUs signed under the Uganda-Iran Cooperation framework over the years.

On his part Dr Zarif, who is accompanied by  seven of  Iran’s top businessmen, noted that his delegation includes representatives of every sector of business in Iran at their highest level, with investment companies focusing on high-tech agricultural production including nano-fertilizers, pharmaceuticals, bio-tech and manufacturing.

Hon Kutesa meets Hon Zarif of Iran

Later, during a bi-lateral meeting between the two ministers held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dr Zarif emphasized that science-based Iranian companies are prepared to export their products to Uganda, and to also to transfer the technologies for use in Uganda and the EAC, which has a combined population of over 170 million people. 

In response minister Kutesa informed his Iranian counterpart that the same regions were also working on a Tripartite EAC-COMESA-SADC Free Trade Area which comprises of 26 countries with a total of 600 million people and combined GDP of nearly 1 trillion US Dollars, giving Iranian foreign Direct Investments access to a big regional market with Uganda at its center.

Dr. Zarif accompanied is scheduled to meet President Yoweri Museveni this afternoon and the two will preside over the opening of phase one of the Iran-Uganda Clinic in Naguru. 

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Home-based players dominate Cranes squad for last WC qualifier

The Cranes squad

Interim Uganda Cranes coach Moses Basena has released a 32-man squad from which he will select the final team to travel to Congo Brazzaville for the final game of their 2018 FIFA World Cup Qualification campaign.

The squad is mainly dominated by players featuring in the Azam Uganda Premier League (home-based players), with only 8 foreign based stars on the list.

Captain Denis Onyango, Godfrey Walusimbi, Isaac Isinde, Denis Iguma, Murushid Jjuko, Hassan Wasswa, Emmanuel Okwi and Geoffrey Serunkuma are the foreign-based players named.

“We shall use the match to fine tune players for forthcoming international fixtures for the CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup, CHAN in Morocco and the 2019 Nations Cup Qualifiers. The door is not closed for other players” said Basena.

Cranes travel to Congo Brazzaville on November 12 to complete their Group E matches matches on the same day Ghana will be hosting the World Cup bound Egyptian Pharaohs.

“We want to finish on a high in this campaign as positive results create a good attitude from the players and within the camp” Basena told the Fufa website.

The training programme for preparations will be released before the end of this week.

There are five groups of four teams for the African qualification, and Egypt and Nigeria have already qualified. Only one team qualifies from each group.

The Squad:

Goalkeepers; Denis Onyango, Isma Watenga, Ochan Benjamin, Ikara Thomas

Outfield palyers:  Wadada Nicholas, Nsubuga Joseph, Muleme Isaac, Walusimbi Godfrey, Iguma Denis, Isaac Isinde, Jjuko Murushid, Kabugo Savio, Kiyemba Ibrahim, Awanyi Timothy, Muwanga Bernard, Hassan Wasswa, Masiko Tom, Shafiq Kagimu, Gardinho Ghadafi, Mutyaba Muzamiru, Mucuurezi Paul, Waisswa Moses, Owori David, Kyambadde Allan, Mugisa Albert, Kaweesa Hood, Ddumba Sadala, Okwi Emmanuel, Serunkuma Geofrey, Senkatuka Nelson, Karisa Milton, Nsibambi Derick.

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MTN increases innovation awards cash to US$3000

MTN Uganda will host an exhibition for the 45 selected submissions for the MTN Innovation Awards 2017, scheduled for Saturday, October 28th 2017 at the Shoprite Lugogo Mall parking area.

According to a release by the telecom giant, on display will be the 45 finalist entries that have made it to the next phase of the MTN Innovation Awards 2017, with the category winners taking home an improved package of US$3000, up from US$1000 in 2015.

The nominees were selected from over 200 applicants that responded to the call for entries for the 2017 MTN Innovation Awards 2017. The call for entries closed on October 6th 2017 and since then, an independent auditor has been reviewing the entries to come up with a finalist list of 45 entries.

The purpose of the exhibition of the public to view the amazing work done by technology innovators, especially the impact they are creating in society. The exhibition will take place all day starting at 9am. The interaction with the nominees will provide insight into the development and operation of the innovations.

Additionally, the panel of five judges will review each of the nominees in order to make a decision on the eventual winners of the 9 categories.

MTN is seeking to recognize both Mobile and Web-based applications developed by Ugandans. The choice of categories like Finance, Agriculture and Health lays emphasis on MTN Uganda’s commitment to scale sectors critical to the improvement of lives and communities through digital innovations. The awards are in line with MTN Uganda’s mission to make the lives of Ugandans brighter.

The MTN Innovation Awards 2017 will also recognize the Outstanding Woman in Innovation, Innovation Achiever of the Year and Most innovative Mobile App. The winners will be recognized at an Awards Gala to be held on November 8 2017.

In 2015, the winners included, ClinicMaster, BrainShare, Yo! Payments Gateway, Intelligent Works, Outbox, Fezah, Lyndsay Handler of ReadyPay – Outstanding Woman in Innovation and Solomon King of FundiBots – Innovation achiever of the year.

 

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Panic in police as two more senior officers arrested

Police Chief Okoth Ochola

The crackdown on police officers allegedly involved in a raft of crimes is intensifying, with the Commander of Flying Squad in the Kampala Metropolitan Police Abel Tumukunde now arrested.

Similarly, sources told the EagleOnline that the Entebbe Airport Deputy Commandant has also been arrested, following accusations that he held a former senior Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) politician Mbusa Nyamwisi incommunicado without authorization from his superiors.

Over the past few days, the Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence has carried out over a dozen arrests of senior police officers, among them Commissioner of Police CP Joel Aguma, head Professional Standards Unit (PSU) and Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Nixon Agasirwe of the Special Operations unit.

Sources within security say the ongoing investigations into the activities of some senior police officers were ordered by President Yoweri Museveni upon receiving several damaging intelligence reports against the said individuals.

On Monday, the EagleOnline broke the story of 12 police officers who were arrested, and yesterday the sources said more officers were reportedly handed over to CMI in a procedural manner by Deputy Inspector General of Police, Martin Okoth Ochola.

Meanwhile, some of the areas that are of interest to the investigators are that two heads of departments who were picked yesterday were reportedly ‘agents’ of two governments in the region.

One officer, who sources say used his dreaded unit for personal gain, is accused of kidnapping foreigners and incarcerating them in safe houses without the knowledge of the authorities.

 

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Opposition MPs return ‘age limit removal cash’

The money the MPs have returned so far

Six ‘anti-age limit removal’ legislators have today returned the Shs29 million that was credited to their accounts yesterday, ostensibly to facilitate ‘consultative meetings’ in respect to Igara West MP Raphael Magyezi’s private members bill that is aimed at expunging Article 102 (b) that caps presidential eligibility age at 75 years.

So far opposition MPs 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), have collectively returned 174 million, while Gulu Woman MP Betty Ocan Aol said she ‘is divided’ and will consult her voters on what to do with the money.

And, in a press briefing held at Parliament this morning, opposition chief whip Ssemuju Nganda said that opposition legislators had agreed to return the money to authorities in parliament ‘for onward transmission’ to whoever credited it to their accounts.

“This money is what you and me will be asked to pay through different taxes both direct and indirect, therefore we as opposition MPs are taking  it back,” Semujju Nganda, the outspoken Kira Municipality MP said.

Yesterday, Chris Obore, the Director of Communications and Public Affairs at the Ugandan Parliament confirmed Shs13 billion had been received from the Ministry of Finance, adding that each of the MPs would get Shs29 million for the two-week exercise.

But according to Semujju, the IGG and Auditor General should investigate the source of the money, since it was not budgeted for by Parliament.

“You are aware on October 13 Mr. Museveni was coaching NRM legislators on how to use it, specifically some MPs told him they don’t want to be taught how they will consult instead they want the money,” he added.

According the MPs opposed to the age limit removal, President Museveni  is trying to bribe and influence their thinking to accept and support age limit bill which is currently under scrutiny before the legal and parliament affairs committee, headed by Jacob Oboth Oboth.

In his reaction to the Shs29 million, Butambala legislator and shadow internal affairs minister Muwanga  Kivumbi, said: “a good leader must bring hard-earned money not dirty money.”

Developing story

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Rukungiri death caused by bullet, postmortem report indicates

Dr. Besigye arriving at the Rukungiri court

Despite the claims by police that Edison Nasasira, the man killed during the chaos in Rukungiri was hit by a stone, a post-mortem carried out indicates he died of gunshot wounds.

The postmortem was conducted at Karoli Lwanga Hospital – Nyakibale and Nurses Training Centre by doctors Julius Mbiine, Ronald Luyimbazi and Stephen Jjinjo, indicates that Nasasira had ‘circular bullet entry wound on the left nasal bone about 0.5cm and a circular exit wound behind the head while other body parts remained normal’.

The deceased met his death when police was trying to disperse Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) supporters who had convened for a rally that was organised last Wednesday in Rukungiri by FDC’s presidential candidate Patrick Amuriat Obol, who was accompanied by former party flag bearer Col. Dr. Kizza Besigye and FDC Mobilisation Secretary Ingrid Turinawe among other leaders.

And, after Nasasira’s death, the Police spokesman for Kigezi region Elly Maate said the deceased was hit by a stone that instantly killed him, a claim that has now been disproved by the postmortem results.

Since then Dr. Kizza Besigye, Ingrid Turinawe, FDC presidential candidate Patrick Amuriat Obol and Rukungiri councilor Innocent Tashobya, who were on Thursday detained at Naggalama police station in relation to death of Nasasira, have today been granted a non-cash bail of Shs. 5 million, while their sureties were given a Shs 50m non-cash reprieve.

The group has been charged with incitement to violence, malicious damage of property (police car), disobedience of statutory duty by magistrate’s court in Rukungiri.

Dr. Besigye arrives at the court in Rukungiri

In a strange twist of events, the Nakifuma magistrate Sylvia Nvannungi who had promised to deliver judgment in regard to a petition filed yesterday morning by Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago seeking the release of the four, has today been taken by surprise after the suspects were produced in a court in Rukungiri.

Yesterday, following Lukwago’s petition magistrate Nvannungi had put  Naggalama OC Labu Chapcule and DPC Jessica Naawe on notice, to give reasons as to why the suspects were not arraigned before court or released on police bond.

 

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The Murchison Falls Hotel experience from the Reservation Manager’s perspective

It can be fun at the Murchison Falls

By Cynthia Tumwine

An Accounts Assistant at Great Lakes Safari/Uganda Lodges, Emmanuel Mwani Ojara, had time to fill us in on the amazing Murchison Falls. Having worked for two years with the company which owns Primate, Simba and Budongo lodges, he told us that the hospitality industry is a very busy one as people are always coming into the country. This, Ojara said, also boosts the enthusiasm of local tourists. And, according to Ojara, the high season lasts from July to September.

Elephants in Murchison Falls

Asked why people come to visit Murchison Falls specifically, he pointed out that the area is great for Chimpanzee tracking and that several people from far and wide come to see these interesting animals.

Rhino_tracking is also done in Murchison Falls

He also noted that the area is also popular for bird watching, forest walks, hiking to the top of the falls, game drives and boat cruises. On the way to Murchison Falls you could also pass by the Zziwa Rhino sanctuary.

Ojara says that one of his personal favourite memories in Murchison Falls National park is taking a selfie with a herd of elephants at a close distance.

To get to Murchison Falls it would be a 5 hour drive non-stop using two routes either through Masindi then the Pakwach highway. Alternatively one may decide to take on the Budongo forest route that will provide magnificent views overlooking Lake Albert from the direct position of the rift valley escarpment over Butiaba or you can also access the Falls from the north through Chobe Gate, Karuma Falls along with Tangi. The Gate that is close to Pakwach covers an area of about 25km2 to paara in addition to Wankwar Gate close to Purongo. Once you get there you would have to pay park entry fees.

“The rates are also quite affordable. If you are a Ugandan resident to enter the park you pay 15,000 UGX and for the non-residents they have to pay 40 dollars,” says Mr. Ojara.

You can book your trip to Murchison Falls to find out firsthand what a beautiful destination it is.

Stay Adventurous!

The writer is the PR Manager at Jumia Travel Uganda

 

 

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Court okays former Crane Bank employees to sue DFCU for Shs6b compensation

AT THE CENTRE OF STANDOFF: Former Crane Bank

Over 400 former employees of Crane Bank whose services were terminated by DFCU Bank prematurely are sure High Court will hear their case, having been given permission yesterday to sue the bank.

The Deputy Registrar in- charge of civil matters Sarah Langa yesterday gave  the authority to the ten former employees to file a representative suit on behalf of the rest of the terminated employees with a similar interest. One of the affected employees said their lawyer Isaac Semakadde Kimeze of the Centre for Legal Aid, was finalising the file.

Counsel Semakadde Kimaze, who represented the plaintiffs yesterday, said he was ready to file the case in court against DFCU Bank. The former ex-Crane Bank employees want DFCU Bank to pay them over Shs6 billion as compensation.

They say the wrongful dismissal has caused them mental anguish as well as damage to their reputation and finances.

The group that consists of Managers, tellers and cleaners claim, they were discriminatively laid -off within one month after DFCU took over Crane Bank in January this year.

In August this year, DFCU Bank announced it had posted Shs 114 billion for the first half of this 2017 up from Shs23 billion in the same period last year. Management at the time attributed the profit to changes in equity holders of the company.

The company’s balance sheet jumped from Shs1.8 trillion in December 2016 to Shs3.05 trillion as at June 30, 2017. Its customer numbers grew by 50 per cent in the period under review and its branch network grew from 43 to 67 with 100 ATMs as a result of acquiring Crane Bank.

The former employees criticize DFCU for failure to respect their pledge when soon after taking over Crane Bank; they promised workers that they weren’t going to be terminated. Officials from Bank of Uganda and DFCU assured workers at a press conference of job security but hardly two months after their takeover had they sacked them. DFCU is majorly owned by foreign investors with very small local interests.

 

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CMI summons Barooza as more police officers spend a night in the coolers

SUMMONED: Jonathan Barooza

Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence has summoned former Aide De Camp to the Inspector General of Police Jonathan Barooza in the ongoing grilling.

Sources told EagleOnline that Barooza who is in Algeria has been summoned to appear before CMI at Mbuya for questioning on a wide range of issues. The investigations into operations of senior police staff was ordered by President Yoweri Museveni.

EagleOnline has learnt that officers who turned last afternoon have spent a night in the CMI detention cells as the military operatives dig deeper.

However, the investigation has caused panic in force with several officers not certain about their fate. Sources say that the inquest that is like a commission of inquiry of sorts comes in place after failure by police leadership to clean its own house after President Museveni complained that the force is full of thugs.

On Monday, 12 police officers were arrested by military intelligence on orders of President Museveni. This website understand that the arrests  are in connection to the revelation by  a woman  known as Christine Mbabazi Muhoza who claims she was a close friend of Kaweesi and could have had information to the killing of Kaweesi.

This woman is at the centre of investigations as she made both police’s flying squad and army that were deployed by Director General of Internal Security Organisation clash at her home. Both the army and police were subsequently withdrawn and replaced by Special Forces Command guards.

 

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Former Museveni aide Rwakakamba gets top job

Bridge School country Director, Morrison Rwakakamba.

Morrison Rwakakamba, a former aide to President Yoweri Museveni, who resigned his job to join the ‘agriculture’ sector in April this year, has been appointed as Country Director for Bridge International Academies in Uganda.

‘I have made a decision to rejoin non-State sector and focus on agricultural production, public policy inquiry and international public interest consulting’, wrote Rwakakamba, who joined the Public Service in 2013.

Eloquent, Rwakakamba served as Museveni’s Assistant on Research and Information before he was appointed by Information and National Guidance Minister Frank Tumwebaze Kajiji to head the Government Citizen Interaction Centre.

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