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Lift travel ban on Chad, PAP tells US

By
Our Reporter and Agencies
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PAP session, Midrand South Africa

The Pan African Parliament has expressed shock at the decision by the United States to ban Chadians from entering the US and has adopted a motion calling for the immediate lifting of the travel ban.

The motion, which was moved by Hon. Sekou Fantamadi Traore (Mali), expresses solidarity and unwavering support of PAP to the government and people of Chad and calls on the US to rescind its decision to include Chad on the list of countries whose citizens are not allowed to travel to the United States.

In March this year, the US issued the Executive Order, which came into effect on 25 September 2017. The ban was premised on grounds that Chad does not share public safety and terrorism related information. This brings to eight the countries with travel restrictions, namely, Chad, Libya, Iran, North Korea, Somalia, Syria, Venezuela and Yemen. The White House called the ban “a critical step toward establishing an immigration system that protects Americans’ safety and security.”

Meeting in Midrand, South Africa on Monday, 16th October 2017 in its Fifth Ordinary Session, the MPs argued that Chad’s commitment to combating terrorism by deploying its defence and security forces side by side with the regions military forces, points to good intentions by the country and therefore does not deserve such high handedness by the US.

Legislators reasoned that the action by the US to impose travel restrictions on Chad is one of many of its interventionist policies on the sovereignty of African nations.

“The US must be disabused of its attitude of making itself the self-appointed police of the world. This ban is testing the resolve of Africa as a continent. It may be Chad today but tomorrow it will be another country,” said Hon. Hunadi Mateme (South Africa).

“How about us reminding them to focus on governing their country because since their last election, they are yet to embark on governance; they are still in the election mood. They must also move in step with other countries in as far as human rights is concerned. They preach democracy in their country but kill and main people in other parts of the world,” she added.

Just only last week, the PAP MPs had patted themselves on the back for leading a delegation of legislators to the United States and successfully negotiating the lifting of sanctions on Sudan. The African MPs that included Hon. Anifa Kawooya (Uganda) described to the US Congress real life testimonies about the effect of the sanctions on the people of Sudan.

“I will fight for their justice and I call upon all of you, just like we put up a spirited fight in the US Congress in ensuring sanctions on Sudan were lifted, that we do the same for Chad,” Hon. Kawooya said.

According to Chief Fortune Charumbira (Zimbabwe) such action by the US is a manifestation of lack of respect by the West on Africa. He said it was improper for the US to impose such restrictions on Chad without the African Union expressing itself on it.

Professor Morris Ogenga Latigo (Uganda) re-echoes similar opinions. “If really there was a crisis, given the status of Chad in it holding the Chair of the AU, the US ought to have consulted with some key countries such that they take a considered decision,” he said, “Unfortunately for the US, policies at the moment are being driven by the impulsiveness of President Trump who allows his Foreign Secretary to go to negotiate with Koreans and then tells him ‘don’t waste your time’. That is the tragedy of American leadership in the world at the moment.”

Legislators said it was a paradox that instead of supporting the efforts made by the President of Chad with his peace and security forces in combating terrorism in Africa, the US president had unfairly imposed sanctions for inexplicable reasons against Chadian people.

In collective approbation, the PAP said the action constitutes a violation of human rights and affects the free movement of people.

PAP President Roger Nkodo Dang said there is a need for Africans to be united and support all countries that are faced with sanctions.

Uganda’s Members to continental legislature include: Hon. Jacquiline Amongin (NRM, Ngora); Prof. Ogenga Latigo (FDC, Agago North); Hon. Anifa Bangirana Kawooya (NRM, Ssembabule); Hon. Felix Okot Ogong (NRM, Dokolo South) and Hon. Babirye Kadogo (Ind. Buyende).

 

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Stanbic contributes Shs225m towards cancer, maternal health

By
Badru Kasadah
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The Stanbic Bank cheque

Stanbic Bank Uganda, a partner and supporter of the MTN Kampala Marathon, has contributed Shs225 million towards this year’s activity.

The money will be used to combat the exposure of school going children to cancer caused by asbestos roofing in Kampala and improving maternal health services at Kiswa and Komamboga Health centres.

The contribution was presented by Stanbic Uganda Corporate Investment Banking Head, Edwin Mucai during an official handover ceremony held at the Stanbic Bank Head Office.

Speaking at the occasion, Mr. Mucai said the bank was proud to partner with MTN to sponsor a world class event that attracts fun runners and elite athletes from across the globe.

“As a bank, we have supported the MTN Kampala Marathon since its inception and are proud to be associated with the various causes over the years which have supported the vulnerable in our communities,” Mr. Mucai said.

He said Stanbic plans to build on the 14-year of the partnership, with the bank staff turning up in big numbers to participate in the marathon.

“I am pleased to announce that we contribute the largest number of runners from a single company with over 200 staff members who participate annually. We therefore, encourage the public to participate, run and support this noble cause,” Mr. Mucai added.

Anthony Katamba, the MTN General Manager, Corporate Services thanked Stanbic Bank for its continued support of the MTN Marathon over the years.

“We appreciate the partnership Stanbic Bank has provided through the years by proving shared effort is what is needed to transform lives in our communities,” Mr. Katamba said.

 

 

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NHCC to build 5m units in 10 years – Finance Minister

By
Geoffery Serugo
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Finance Minister Matia Kasaija, speaking at the opening of the 33rd Annual African Housing Conference

The Minister of Finance Matia Kasaija has called for investments by local construction companies, saying  the move is an important ingredient in leveraging the housing multiplier effect.

According to the Minister, the National Housing and Construction Corporation (NHCC) planning to build five million houses in a projected period of 10 years in Uganda

Mr. Kasaija, who was speaking at the opening of the 33rd Annual African Housing Conference slated for 17th to 19th of October at Kampala Serena Hotel, also implored Ugandan engineers to tap into the lucrative market, and to form companies that will enhance infrastructural construction to develop the  economy.

“Government gives money to foreign companies to construct roads yet Ugandan local companies  could have built those infrastructures and invest their earnings in Uganda rather than those who earn here and invest in their countries of residence,” he said adding that the government was currently undertaking the construction of 32 new roads, a figure that will likely shoot up to 40 roads ‘when we add oil roads’.

The minister disclosed that according to the Uganda Housing Policy, one million housing units in Uganda are of substandard quality.

Further, Mr. Kasaija noted that  access to financial services had improved with lower interest rates, adding however, that Africans are poor at saving.

“Africans, let us learn to save money now; Ugandans, no one owes us a living, we have to live on our own, let us start saving because we entirely depend on ourselves,” Mr. Kasaija advised, and noted that affordable housing and construction is through cheap building materials and affordable mortgages.

According to NHCC, by 2020, the housing requirement in Kampala will be at 750,791 units, other towns 1,092,318 units, rural areas 8,482,889 units and nationally 10,325,990 units.
NHCC believes it will multiply its housing stocks by 10 to 15 per cent in the next seven years.
Housing experts say there is need for reasonably priced housing solutions as house prices continue rising between 10 and15 per cent per year, a figure that is unequal to household income.

The annual conference brings together key players in the continent’s housing and housing finance industry to discuss better ways of housing in Africa.

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Standing up for civic engagement, from the US to Uganda

By
Guest Writer
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ActionAid USA Executive Director, Marie Clarke

By Marie Clarke

You know you are making progress when the backlash comes at you. On Wednesday night it came in the form of a police raid of our office in Kampala, Uganda.

When I got word that the staff were being detained, that all communications wires were cut off and that the police were searching our offices in Uganda, I felt a mix of emotions. I felt fear for my colleagues, their faces and names running through my mind. It was 4:30 in the afternoon – they are mothers that have kids who need tending to at home, they are fathers with families depending on them, they are children of elderly parents who need their assistance. They have lives that were being disrupted by this act of intimidation.

I confess I also felt some pride. If ActionAid and our close partners the Great Lakes Institute for Strategic Studies (GLISS) were being raided, we must be making progress. Our work with social movements and many other civil society organizations – to defend women’s rights, land rights and democracy, fight corruption and hold the government to account – must be working.

We expect this to be just the first of a much broader attempt to shrink the space for civic engagement in Uganda. ActionAid and GLISS might have been the first, but we are not likely to be the last, unless a wave of active solidarity rises up from across the world – shining a spotlight on Uganda and all countries to demand that the right to be civically engaged is respected.

There are two important debates in Ugandan parliament. The first, waging on as I write, is about amending the Constitution to extend or remove any age limit for the Presidency. If the limit stands, President Museveni, who has been in power for 32 years, would not eligible to run for re-election in 2021 at age 76.

Recently, Donald Trump hosted a lunch with African leaders, including from Uganda, and said that he has “so many friends going to your countries trying to get rich. I congratulate you. They are spending a lot of money.”

Foreign direct investment in Uganda and elsewhere in Africa has come with a price, often paid by the most excluded people living in poverty in the country. Over the past decade we have seen a rise in land deals, with the backdrop of the second important debate looming in the Ugandan Parliament: an amendment to allow the government to take land for public or private investment without needing the agreement of the land user on the proposed compensation.

It is clear that the US Administration will likely not be allies to civil society actors that desire to ensure that people’s food and land rights are respected and that people can give free, prior and informed consent to any deals that would impact their land and livelihoods.

However, we have also seen throughout history that when people stand together, bolstered by those in solidarity across the world, power yields to the demand for justice. Now is the time for us to weave stronger and stronger bonds of solidarity so that we can defend the space of civil society to influence policies across the world.

Marie Clarke is Executive Director ActionAid USA

 

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Sheikh Kamoga applies for bail

By
Geoffery Serugo
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APPLIED FOR BAIL Sheikh Yunus Kamoga

Tabliq leader Amir Ummah Sheik Mohammed Yunus Kamoga has today applied for bail as he waits for hearing of an appeal filed by his lawyer.

City lawyer Friday Kagolo told court that the Constitution allows anyone convicted of any crime to appeal against all charges slapped on him or her.

“We have only applied for Sheikh Kamoga among the six convicts because he is sickly and doesn’t feel well and is of advanced age more than the others. We hope that the Court of Appeal will abide with our client’s plea and release him on bail depending on his appeal,” Kagoro said.

In August, a three-judge panel of Justices Ezekiel Muhanguzi, Jane Kiggundu and Percy Tuhaise sentenced Sheik Kamoga, Sirajje Kawoya, Mutwalib Bukenya and Fahad Bukenya to life in prison on charges of terrorism.

Sheik Kamoga and his 13 co-accused had been on trial for a close to three years on changes of terrorism and the murder of prominent Muslim clerics in Uganda.

Two of his co- accused , Sheik Yusuf Kakande and Fahad Kalungi, were  sentenced to 30 years imprisonment ‘because they were just followers’, while Sheik Amir Kinene, Hakim Kinene Muswaswa, Abdulhamid Mubiru Sematimba, Hamza Kasirye, Twaha Ssekitto, Rashid Jjingo, Musa Issa Mubiru and George William Iga, walked free due to lack of evidence to convict them.

The convicts were however, acquitted of all murder charges filed against them in relation to murder Sheikh Mustafa Bahiga and Sheikh Hassan Kirya, and also the attempted attacks on Prince Kassim Nakibinge, Haruna Jjemba, Swidiq Ndaula, Haji Ssonko and Sheikh Mahmoud Kibate.

 

 

 

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AUPL: KCCA have opportunity to go top

By
Our Reporter
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KCCA's Saddam Juma in action

KCCA FC today host Bright Stars at the StarTimes Stadium in Lugogo with the Kasasiro Boys having a chance to go top of the table if they pick up the three points.

The reigning Azam Uganda Premier League champions are 4th with 9 points from five games and hope to maintain their unbeaten run this season after their first away win, a 3-1 victory at BUL over the weekend.

Midfielder Saddam Juma returns from a long-term injury and ready to make his first start for KCCA this season to boost confidence and add creativity in Mike Mutebi’s side.

Kirinya Jinja SS host on-form Proline FC in Jinja who have won their last two consecutive games, scoring five without conceding.

Kirinya are fifth on the league table with eight points and could ascend to the top or at least the second spot depending on other results if they win today while Proline are 7th with seven points from the 5 games played.

URA play BUL at Namboole stadium with both clubs tied on 5 points. BUL FC are set to bounce back after their 3-1 loss to KCCA over the weekend.

Richard Wandyaka, an old boy at URA will be key for the visitors as well as midfielders Yunus Sibira and Abdu Mayanja in the middle of the pack for BUL.

Police FC still top the Azam Uganda Premier League table with 10 points from 5 games, tied with Vipers and Onduparaka but lead on goal difference.

 

AUPL TODAY’s FIXTURES:

Kirinya Jinja SSS Vs Proline Bugembe Stadium, Jinja 4:00pm

KCCA FC Vs Bright Stars FC StarTimes Stadium, Lugogo 4:30pm

URA FC Vs BUL FC, Namboole stadium 4:30pm

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Mehta Group on the spotlight over billions in tax evasion

By
Richard Wanambwa
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Government is reportedly losing anywhere between five and six million US dollars annually through multi-faceted scams including among others, under-declarations made by the Mehta Group while purchasing different raw materials, mostly copper and aluminum for their cable manufacturing industry, a source has said.

According to the source, the Mehta Group, prominent for the manufacture of sugar but which also has interests in various businesses including the manufacture of electric cables under the Lugazi-based Cable Corporation Limited (CCL), is engaged in a conspiracy with different top bureaucrats from among other agencies, the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA), the Uganda Electricity Transmission Company Limited (UETCL), Umeme Limited and officers of the Police Criminal Investigations and Intelligence Directorate (CIID), to defraud the government of the billions by making false declarations.

The source, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the booty accruing from the scams, which is estimated in millions of dollars, is then expressly forwarded in cash, to some of the owners of CCL in India by proxies including one Brian Mukasa, then an Assistant Marketing Manager based in Nakasero, opposite the premises of former Capital Shoppers.

‘Copper is being sold based on London Metal Exchange (LME) prices with 5-10 per cent premium…but Cable Corporation buys at 40 per cent premium…which can be proved by incoming custom bills. It is mainly bought through Indian export merchants who give the balance in cash to Cable Corporation owners in India. This way Cable Corporation is able to show low profits hence less tax to be paid to government,’ the source told the Eagle Online, naming the CCL officials involved in the scams as Director Hemnabh Khatau, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO)/Resident Director one TS Sundaram, and Chief Finance Officer (CFO), a one Pandeya.

Further, the source said: ‘this racket is mainly involved in copper and aluminum buying whose cost is huge…may be around 5-6 million USD every year. In 2016 they did huge false invoicing more than Shs1billion ….which was done to various government and private customers like Civil Aviation (Authority) …etc’.

According to the source, in October 2016 he exposed a big scam involving over Shs1 billion which ultimately cost him his job and subsequent deportation to India after 7 days in February this year.

‘In October 2016 I exposed a big illegal racket of around Shs1.3 billion and even lodged the complaint with CID…but later on found that all old high level officials were involved and this racket was going on for decades. Ultimately I was forced to close the case with CID and asked not to explore it further; this racket involved false billing, fake production and fake purchases,’ the source said.

Further, the source said: ‘The CID report contains all names, amounts and even officials’ names involved from UMEME, UETCL etc…This CID report could be the main evidence and basis of all investigations then auditing of Mehta Group by independent Auditors’.

Also, according to the source, part of the scam involves the expansion of the factory that was, for purposes of evading tax, allegedly quoted at US$1 million yet in actual circumstances the works are estimated at about US$400. 000.

‘Bank loans are being taken to show expansions and then various machines are being purchased at high prices and difference of price taken under the table. Even these customers do not know that these false invoices were raised which is being done to fool URA,’ the source said.

The source added: ‘Already factory expansion plan of approximately USD1 million is under progress…whose actual cost is less than 400 thousand USD’.

The source also disclosed that all the copper, aluminum and even machinery which is being bought is exempted from custom duty.

Contacted SC Sharma, the Mehta Group Africa Director referred the EagleOnline to his colleague, Hemnabh Khatau, a Director based in Uganda.

“There is absolutely no basis in that allegation. We are regularly audited by URA and I know the source of that story; those are disgruntled former employees,” Mr. Khatau said on phone.

Meanwhile, efforts to speak to Brian Mukasa, the former Cable Corporation marketing official who allegedly disbursed the money accruing from the said fraudulent copper and aluminum deals, were futile by press time.

Part of Brian Mukasa’s statement recorded by Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID) officer, Detective Constable No. 40663 M. Mukoza

However, in a statement by Mr. Mukasa and recorded by Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID) officer, Detective Constable No. 40663 M. Mukoza, the former implicated Umeme officials including the Procurement Officer, one ‘Mr. Amatos’, for receiving money in the form of bribes.

Mukasa’s statement

In his statement Mr. Mukasa also says that the company would spend about Shs1 billion in bribes a year, and that he was a poster-boy linked to UECDL and UETCL officials including ‘Hillary, James and Eddy and Doreen’.

‘This happened on several times from 2011-2016. For UECDL and UECTL I used to give the money to Mr. Sundram and he would give it to the procurement officers of the companies.

I don’t have the exact amount off my head unless if we got the bank statements as all the money used to go through company accounts to me and then to the final destinations,’ he added.

According to Mr. Mukasa’s statement, he fell out of favour with his bosses, Sundram and Sindaji, when US$ 250, 000 of the bribe money was allegedly stolen from him the Nakasero outlet.

‘However, during the year 2014, I was given money (US$250, 000) and the money was stolen from me at Nakasero branch. When this happened, I explained …’ Mr. Mukasa stated.

 

 

 

 

 

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NSSF ‘Friends with Benefits’ campaign to attract hundreds

By
George Mangula
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GOOD PERFORMANCE: NSSF boss Richard Byarugaba

The National Social Security Fund (NSSF) financial literacy campaign dubbed ‘Friends with Benefits’ that was launched recently has started receiving positive responses from the public and is expected to attract hundreds of participants, Fund officials have said.

NSSF Workers House in Kampala

 

The campaign, now in its second edition and aimed at promoting savings and investments in the country, runs as a TV show that profiles former NSSF members who received and invested or used their retirement benefits to do something inspirational and life changing.

“Our objective is to inspire both our existing and potential members, especially the younger generation to save for their retirement. As was the case in the first season, we shall showcase stories of willing NSSF beneficiaries to demonstrate various projects one can undertake to improve their lives using their NSSF benefits,” said Barbara Arimi, NSSF’s Head of Marketing and Communications, during the launch.

The inaugural campaign held last year had the Fund register a significant increment in its Voluntary Saving Plan, with over 400 people joining and shs670 million collected between September and December 2016 when the TV show aired.

“At the end of the first campaign, 95% of interviewed Ugandans showed more willingness to save for their retirement.

Beneficiaries are required to submit a short and compelling story, stating how they utilized their NSSF savings and transformed their lives.

In addition, relatives and friends can also share stories of beneficiaries they know whose lives have been transformed because they put their benefits to excellent use.

The top 16 successful stories will be aired in a compelling TV show where winners will be selected through voting by the public and an expert panel of judges. Three winners will then be rewarded with a total of Shs55 million to further improve their lives.

Over 500 submissions were received in the first season and Harriet Balyama emerged winner of the campaign, walking away with shs30m which she used to complete construction of rental units.

The Friends with Benefits second season will run for a period of six months.

 

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Police Flying Squad rescues kidnapped siblings

By
George Mangula
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The rescued children rejoin their parents

Police Flying Squad has rescued two children who were kidnapped by two men from Herb Kindergarten School in Nsangi, Wakiso District.

The children, Ahmed Buwema and Hadijja Nayigaga are biological son and daughter of Twaha Kibirige and Faridah Nabunya, from who the kidnappers demanded a ransom of Shs150 million.

The school management told the police the two men came to the school, picked up the children and left their contacts behind, after which they started calling the parents, Kibirige and Nabunya, with threats that they would never see their children again if they did not pay the ransom.

Consequently, a team of police negotiators joined the hunt and bargained with the kidnappers until they agreed on paying a ransom of Shs80 million.

“When the kidnappers came to receive the money were descended on by plain clothed police officers and arrested them on spot”, the Commander Flying Squad Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Herbert Muhangi, said.

The suspected kidnappers were later identified as Reagan Kibuuka and Emmanuel Kiweewa, both residents of Lukaya in Masaka district. They are currently detained at Central Police Station in Kampala as investigations continue.

It is said that cases of child kidnap have become rampant especially as unscrupulous people try to find ways of making money, and the police has advised school owners and parents to be more vigilant.

 

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Panic as Standard Chartered Bank phases out upcountry branches

By
George Mangula
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In what appears to be a cost-cutting strategy, Standard Chartered Bank plans to close its branches in Gulu and Mbarara, one of Uganda’s biggest towns.

The bank closed its Mbale branch some time back in a move many analysts said signaled bad business despite the town being one of the busiest in the country.

A source within the bank, told this website that the bank wasn’t closing shop in the Ugandan market but rather closing upcountry branches and concentrating in the city.

“It isn’t true that we are closing operations in Uganda but our new Chief Executive Officer has emphasized scaling down and have operations within the city” said a source.

However, another senior source within the banking sector has told EagleOnline that the bank is phasing out in stages as the ultimate goal is to pull out of the Ugandan market.

The launch of the bank in Uganda was not welcomed by the majority of Ugandans as it targeted high-end individuals and companies. Its services were so expensive for the majority to afford, hence sending them away to cheaper banks.

The latest development in the bank’s business comes at the time when banks are facing slow business growth, affected by among others non-performing loans and generally a slowed economy.

However, some banks claim that the uptake of technology is making expansion of branches irrelevant. Crane Bank was closed by Bank of Uganda on flimsy reasons because DFCU bank that acquired it made abnormal profits within the past six month.

 The bank was founded in 1912, the bank is Uganda’s the oldest commercial bank in the country and has maintained a continuous banking presence in the country since its establishment.

In 1998, Standard chartered Bank Uganda acquired four branches of the former Uganda Cooperative Bank and as of November 2013, the bank had 13 branches and 32 automated teller machines and with a work force of 600 people.

As of December 2015, it was the second largest commercial bank in Uganda by assets, with an estimated asset base of Shs2.68 trillion, behind Stanbic Bank. As of December 2012, shareholders’ equity stood at Shs372 billion and as of June 2013, Standard Chartered Bank Uganda owned an estimated 16.2 per cent of total bank assets in the country.

The bank is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Standard Chartered Bank Group, an international financial services conglomerate, headquartered in London.

 

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