Stanbic Bank
Stanbic Bank
19.2 C
Kampala
Stanbic Bank
Stanbic Bank
Home Blog Page 1751

Kalangala hosts World Tourism Day celebrations

By
George Mangula
-
VP Ssekandi meets Andrinico Magatto, the first Uganda to establish a commercial accommodation in Kalangala

Ugandans yesterday celebrated World Tourism Day at Golf Course Lutobboka-Ssese in Kalangala district, one of the famous islands on Lake Victoria. The World Tourism Day falls on September 27, every year.

Kalangala children entertain dignitaries during the World Tourism Day celebrations yesterday

The Vice President Edward Kiwanuka Ssekandi was the chief celebrant at the event held under the theme, ‘Unlocking Uganda’s Tourism Potential for Sustainable Development’, and attended by both local and international dignitaries, among them Tourism Minister Ephraim Kamuntu and his Deputy Godfrey Kiwanda Ssuubi and the Netherlands Ambassador to Uganda, Henk Jan Bakker.

Ssekandi, who represented President Museveni, said sustainable tourism was important for development and job creation. He also called upon Ugandans to preserve the environment and other ecosystems including forests, national parks and water bodies.

During the celebrations, Ssekandi lauded 92-year old Andrinico Magatto, the first person to establish a commercial accommodation facility on Ssese Islands.

In his speech tourism minister Kamuntu stressed the role of sustainable tourism in Uganda’s development and asked Ugandans to embrace local tourism.

The celebration of this World Tourism Day focuses on how sustainable tourism can contribute to development, and reports indicate that Uganda’s current tourism receipts stand at an estimated US$1.4 billion. Government says it wants to add more strategies to raise that figure to US$2.7 billion by 2020, which should see tourist figures rise from current 1.3 million to four million by 2020.

Local tour and travel companies like Jumia Travel and others participated at the event organised by Ministry of Tourism in partnership with the Uganda Tourism Board.

Meanwhile, the UN General Assembly proclaimed 2017 the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development, and following that proclamation it is estimated that tourism will continue to grow at an average of 3.3% annually until 2030.

Globally, over the past six decades, tourism has experienced continued expansion and diversification, and it has become one of the fastest growing and most important economic sectors in the world, benefiting destinations and communities worldwide. International tourist arrivals worldwide have grown from 25 million in 1950 to nearly 1.2 billion in 2015.

International tourism revenues earned by destinations around the world have grown from US$2 billion in 1950 to US$1260 trillion in 2015, with the sector representing an estimated 10% of the world’s GDP and one in 10 jobs globally.

 

 

Stories Continues after ad

We shouldn’t expect meaningful reforms in UN

By
Guest Writer
-
The UN logo

By Andrew Barungi

The General Assembly of the United Nations takes place annually in the Fall (this year, it started on 12 September). It is a ritual during which world leaders travel to New York City to make speeches, many of which are clichés. Some of these leaders continue to update the world about the progress in their countries. Others, mostly from the West, are known for warning other world leaders against violating international law. For some, it is a platform to abuse the Western world.

I have been wondering what the relevance of the UN General Assembly is, or the UN for that matter, especially since we still see conflicts and underdevelopment in several parts of the world. I think the UN General Assembly is just another expensive talking workshop which is a burden to taxpayers, especially those from the developing world who have to cater for the welfare of their leaders at the annual event. The only beneficiary of this talking workshop is New York City, thanks to the foreign delegations injecting money into its economy.

The UN is an intergovernmental organization whose objective is to promote international co-operation and to create and maintain international order. Has the UN achieved its objective? Mr. John Bolton, a former United States ambassador to the UN once said: “There’s no such thing as the United Nations. If the UN Secretariat building in New York lost 10 storeys, it wouldn’t make a bit of difference.” I am inclined to agree with him.

The UN has not prevented coup d’états. It has not punished some dictators for committing atrocities against their citizens. The UN does not have the capacity to punish the P5 (the permanent members of the UN Security Council, which includes China, France, the Russian Federation, the United Kingdom and the USA)  for any of their actions which may be deemed illegal under international law. The UN, with many of its good intentions, is nothing but a barking dog.

While the UN should be applauded for adopting resolutions to impose sanctions and carry out military action against rogue leaders, those resolutions have not prevented others from emerging.

There have been many scandals at the UN such as corruption in the UN Mission in Kosovo and sexual abuse by peacekeepers. It should be acknowledged that many have represented the UN well, e.g., whistle-blowers who expose these scandals. But how can reforms take place when some whistle-blowers have been punished for their actions? In 2010, United Nations Development Programme retaliated against a whistle-blower for pointing out corruption in its Somalia aid intervention.

Who will take the lead in UN reforms? Will it be the P5? That’s unlikely since they have veto powers, military might and will most likely promote their own interests.

What about the rest of the world? Some have recommended that more States should be included to join the P5. Even that may not work, considering that the developing world that is demanding for that reform is the one violating rights of its citizens.

In case you did not know, Mr. Ian Khama, President of Botswana usually skips UN (as well as African Union) meetings on grounds that national priorities take precedence. This is something world leaders should emulate since these talking workshops do not improve the lives of ordinary people.

The UN, which has lasted longer than its predecessor, the League of Nations, is here to stay. But it will be foolhardy for anyone to expect meaningful reforms when it has failed to bring peace and promote sustainable development for the last 72 years. Reforms can be achieved when all States share almost similar interests.

Mr Andrew Barungi is a social scientist

 

Stories Continues after ad

OPM rushes to Rubanda district as mudslides kill 17

By
George Mangula
-
Rubanda women console one of the residents who has lost a relative

About 17 people have so far been confirmed dead following a mudslide that hit Rubanda district on Tuesday 26 evening after heavy rainfall.

Martin Owor, the Commissioner for Relief, Disaster Preparedness and Management in the Office of the Prime Minister said yesterday government had confirmed 13 deaths, adding that the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) team was on the way to assess the situation in the district that is located in south western Uganda.

According to Mr Owor, the mudflow washed away Nfasha trading Centre, which hosts people mostly from Bufundi and Muko sub counties. The dead, he said, were 11 from Muko and two from Bufundi sub county.

According to owor, 15 people were injured and were admitted in Kabale Hospital as the mudslide washed away seven homes and damaged over 50 others.

“The number of missing persons is being established through a house-to-house assessment. There are fears some people could have been washed into Lake Bunyonyi,” Owor said.

Officials from the OPM are in the area to assess all the five affected sub counties of Muko, Nyamweru, Ikumba, Ruhisha and Bufundi so as to deliver the appropriate relief items such as food.

Meanwhile, government has dispatched 25 metric tons (one trailer) of relief food for the survivors, while each of the bereaved families will be given three bags (300kgs) of relief food to support mourners.

“The balance of the relief food will be given to registered survivors following the on-going assessment,” the statement reads in part.

 

Sironko Bududa mudslides

As a result of the recent mudslides that hit Bududa and Sironko districts, Owor said Government has delivered 50 metric tons (500 bags or two trailers) of relief food to Sironko. Bududa survivors, he said received 25 metric tons of relief food.

“The bereaved families will receive additional 100kgs of maize flour and 100kgs of beans this week when more deliveries are made to Sironko, Bududa and Bulambuli,” he said, adding that government intends to resume the use of earthmoving excavators in the search for the remaining 8 bodies. The mudslide buried 10 people in Sironko.

 

Kisiizi floods disaster

According to Owor, as a response to floods that hit the area leading to the loss of three children and destruction of facilities, the OPM says it will deliver a donation of 200 hospital mattresses, 200 hospital blankets and 400 hospital bed sheets by first week of October.

Owor also said government has repaired the water supply system, reconnected the hospital to electricity and repaired the generator destroyed by the floods.

The OPM says the main cause of the increasing incidences of climate related disasters is due to wetlands degradation and tree cutting.

 

 

 

Stories Continues after ad

Court summons Arua MP Abiriga for urinating in public

By
Isaiah Mwebaze
-
Abiriga is seen here in the picture easing himself

Arua Municipality Member of Parliament Ibrahim Abirigi has been summoned by Buganda Road Court to answer to charges of easing himself in public.

Abiriga who rose to fame over his trademark of yellow suits and being an overzealous supporter of President Museveni is said to have committed the offence when he urinated on the wall of Ministry of Finance and Planning and Economic Development.

Pictures of Abiriga went viral on the internet when he was committing the alleged offence.

Yesterday Abiriga acknowledged urinating on the wall saying he was badly off as he couldn’t hold urine anymore.

“You journalists are the ones making this a mess, yesterday I was badly off, I jumped a bit and I wanted to urinate and I did it but now you have spread it on Whatsup but for what? I was badly off and how could I keep urine on me?

Abiriga is summoned under criminal number 2571 of 2017 for committing a nuisance. Abiriga is supposed to appear in court on October 6 at City Hall.

 

Stories Continues after ad

Igara West MP Magyezi granted leave to table age-lifting bill

By
Geoffery Serugo
-
Local Government Minister, Raphael Magyezi

Igara West legislator Raphael Magyezi’s motion seeking leave of Parliament to introduce a private members’ bill aimed at removing presidential age has been granted.

Magyezi, a National Resistance Movement (NRM) MP, seconded by Jinja East MP Moses Balyeku, Jackson Karissa and Doreen Amule moved the motion to a one-sided Parliament after 25 opposition MPs were suspended by the Speaker Rebecca Kadaga under rule 80(2) on the grounds of indiscipline, while the remaining ones walked out.

“Age should not be a factor that hinders the rights and freedom of any Ugandan, therefore it should be removed,” Balyeku said of Magyezi’s motion.

The 1995 Constitution set the age limit for presidency at 75 years, but Magyezi wants Article 102 (b) expunged from the Constitution, a development many say is aimed at paving the way for President Yoweri Museveni, who is the Chairman of the National Resistance Movement (NRM), to rule for life.

However, Fort Portal MP Alex Ruhunda, who is opposed to the lifting of age limit, expressed worry, saying that the motion is being moved at a time when the country is on tension. He also said legislators should be allowed to consult people they represent.

Meanwhile, before Magyezi’s motion, there was chaos in the parliamentary chambers, prompting the Speaker Rebecca Kadaga to order for the forceful eviction of Kyadondo East MP Robert Kyagulanyi and his Makindye East counterpart Allan Sewanyana. In the ensuing scuffle Soroti Woman MP Angelina Osege and Mityana municipality MP Francis Zaake Butebi, who is currently admitted at Case Hospital.

The suspended MPs include Allan Ssewanyana, Robert Kyagulanyi, Monica Amoding, Sam Lyomoki, Moses Kasibante, Betty Nambooze, Zaake Francis, Ibrahim Kasozi, and William Nzoghu. Others include Gilbert  Olanya, Muhammad Nsereko, Samuel Odonga Otto, Winfred Nuwagaba.

 

Stories Continues after ad

President Museveni in Brussels for EPA, EAC discussions

By
Our Reporter and Agencies
-
President Yoweri Museveni

President Yoweri Museveni who is also the current chairman of the East African Community has left for Brussels (Belgium) with a the delegation from the East African Community members states to discuss the issue of the Economic Partnership Agreements (EPA) with European Union (EU) that has stalled.

The President was seen off at Entebbe International Airport by Esther Mbayo, the Minister for  Presidency, Mr. John Mitala Head of Public Service, General Kale Kayihura Inspector  General of  Police and Johnson Byabasaija  Commissioner General  Prison  Services.

In previous meeting, EAC heads of State have expressed the need to resolving disagreements regarding EPA including EU sanctions on one of its members Burundi which were imposed without consulting the regional body and the decision by the United Kingdom to exit the EU. The UK is among leading investors in EAC and in Africa. President Museveni said before, that EAC countries still need clarifications on several issues contained in EPA before ratification.

According to reports, upon leaving the EU, the UK will leave EU trade agreements and African countries will lose any preferential access to the UK market that those agreements currently confer. Africa accounted for 5.1 of the global gross domestic product (GDP), compared to 2.4 per cent for the UK as part of the EU.

 

Stories Continues after ad

Speaker suspends 25 MPs from Parliament for the next three sittings

By
Francisco Adongo
-

The Speaker Rebecca Kadaga has named 25 Members of Parliament who have been suspended for the next three sittings and asked them to exit the Chambers.

The suspended MPs are; Ronald Kibuule, Allan Ssewanyana, Monica Amoding, Sam Lyomoki, Moses Kasibante, Betty Nambooze, Robert Kyagulanyi, Zaake, Kasozi, William Nzohgu and Gilbert Olanya.

The other suspended MPs are; Angeline Osegge, Winfred Niwagaba, Odonga Otto, Nandala Mafabi, Mubarak Munyangwa, John Baptist Nambeshe, Mbwatekamwa and Roland Mugume.

Joseph Ssewungu, Barnabas Tinkasiimire, Muwanga Kivumbi and Medard Lubega Ssegona are the others suspended.

The Speaker has suspended the sitting to allow the MPs exit the House or be evicted by the Sergeant at Arms.

Sources said those thrown out were arrested and taken to different police stations including Kiira and Naggalama.

Meanwhile, the Archbishop of Gulu John Baptist Odama has called for sanity in Parliament following the chaos that has engulfed the house for the last two days, after MPs exchanged blows over the presidential age limit.

Archbishop Odama also said there is no reason as to why the Constitution should be amended.

“The age limit safeguard has never been tested by any president why amend it without any cause,” Bishop Ondama said adding that it is even not clear why there is even a debate.

He urged Ugandans to avoid partisan attitudes while dealing with national issues and to respect the values of the people of Uganda.

 

Stories Continues after ad

Ayew brothers dropped from squad to face Uganda

By
Our Reporter
-
The Ayew brothers, Andre and Jordan

Ghana coach Kwesi Appiah has unveiled his 26-man provisional squad for the game in the 2018 Fifa World Cup qualifiers against Uganda on October 7 in Kampala, excluding the Ayew brothers.

For the second time Andre Ayew, who plays for West Ham United and his brother Jordan Ayew of Swansea City failed to make the Black Stars squad for the game against the Cranes next month and, earlier the two did not feature in a recent qualifier against Congo, which the Black Stars comfortably won 5-1 in Brazaville.

The Black Stars are expected to camp in Kenya on October 4 ahead of the game against the Cranes in Namboole. The first leg ended in a goalless draw in Tamale sports stadium in Ghana.

With two games left for each team in Group E, Ghana is third, two points behind second placed Uganda Cranes with 7 points from 4 games. Egypt lead with 9 points.

 

Full squad:

Goalkeepers: Richard Ofori (Martizburg, South Africa), Lawrence Ati (Sochaux, France), Joseph Addo (Aduana Stars)

Defenders : Harrison Afful (Columbus,USA), Daniel Opare (Augsburg, Germany) Agbenyenu Lumor (Portimonese, Portugal), Abass Mohammed (Harrisburg City, USA), Kasim Nuhu (Young Boys, Switzerland), Daniel Amartey (Leicester,England), Jonathan Mensah (Columbus Crew,USA), Nicholas Opoku (Club Africain, Tunisia), Vincent Atingah (Hearts of Oak)

Midfielders: Thomas Partey (Atletico Madrid, Spain), Joseph Attamah (Bakaksehir, Turkey), Christian Atsu (Newcastle United, England), Kingsley Sarfo (Malmo, Sweden) Alfred Duncan (Sassuolo FC, Italy), Ebenezer Ofori (Stuttgart, Germany), Thomas Agyepong (NAC Breda, Holland), Frank Acheampong (Tianjin TEDA, China), Isaac Twum (Inter Allies), Patrick Twumasi (Astana FC, Kazakhtan)

Forwards: Asamoah Gyan (Kayerispor, Turkey), Raphael Dwamena (FC Zurich, Switzerland), John Antwi (Misr Lel-Makkasa, Egypt), Richmond Boakye Yiadom (Crvena Zvezda, Serbia)

Stories Continues after ad

Siemens optimistic about Uganda’s oil industry prospects

By
Agencies
-
Siemens-Future-Energy-MoU

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) recently stated that the oil reserves in Uganda may account for around four percent of the country’s economy annually in the next few years if managed well.

These sentiments were echoed by speakers and delegates attending the Uganda International Oil & Gas Summit in Kampala, Uganda.

Addressing government officials and delegates, Patrice Laporte, Vice President of Siemens North American Oil & Gas Division, presented a keynote titled ‘Digitalization in the Oil and Gas Sector’.

“As more and more technology per barrel is required, oil and gas projects are becoming increasingly complex and the need for an integrated solution is important,” said Laporte, adding: “The anticipated positive economic impact in Uganda from the oil and gas sector is indeed promising but the full effect of this will only benefit the country and its citizens through judicious planning and implementation of the proposed pipeline.”

Uganda is a new entrant into the oil and gas market, and the proposed oil pipeline stretching from Uganda oil fields to the Tanzanian port of Tanga will be the world’s longest electrically heated crude oil pipeline. It is estimated to be one of the most expensive projects to develop upstream, midstream and downstream infrastructure and the country is looking to capitalize on lessons learned in other developing oil & gas markets, as well as from established producers.

“With an estimated 6.5 billion barrels of oil and close to 500 billion cubic feet of gas, Uganda is a promising site for exploration. Siemens has a proven track record of delivering fit-for-purpose technical solutions on a large scale in remote locations. This expertise and knowledge can play a decisive role in ensuring the performance and on-time delivery of a key infrastructure project of this magnitude,” added Laporte.

Siemens is considered one of the technology leaders in the industry because of its full spectrum solutions, products and services. “For many years Siemens have been supplying industrial automation, power generation and power distribution strengths and experience to the oil and gas industry.”

“What makes this special is that our expertise and technology is not only of benefit at the inception of a project but along the full value chain and throughout the entire lifecycle of an investment. Our innovative technical solutions ensure the sustainability of projects with a key focus on reliability, performance and economic efficiency.”

Siemens involvement in the third Uganda International Oil & Gas Summit follows on the back of its participation at Future Energy Uganda earlier this month as well as the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding in May this year at the World Economic Forum in South Africa.

The company is collaborating with Uganda on a number of fronts related to the country’s immediate and long-term energy and infrastructure ambitions as well as actively investigating the best option to establish a local presence based on business sustainability.

Sabine Dall’Omo, Siemens CEO for Southern and Eastern Africa recently commented while in Uganda, “Siemens is a company that invests for the long term and is optimistic about the long-term fundamentals of the Ugandan market. We want to support sustainable development – with solutions and projects in Africa, for Africa and are actively reviewing the requirements for the organization to open an office in Uganda taking into consideration business sustainability.”

Stories Continues after ad

AUPL: Vipers go top as Proline earn first victory of the season

By
Our Reporter
-
Vipers SC in action

Vipers SC moved top of the Azam Uganda Premier league table standings after a 2-0 away result against newly-promoted Masavu played at the Fisheries Training Institute play ground in Bugonga, Entebbe.

A goal in either half from Milton Karisa and Steven Mukwala were enough to ensure the Vipers first away victory of the season.

The two-time champions open a three point gap ahead of Police, who face Onduparaka in Arua on Wednesday.

Proline earned its first victory of the season at the Star Times stadium in Lugogo with a 2-0 win against Soana. Fahad Bayo and Joseph Mandela were a pain for the hosts as they held onto their opening victory of the campaign.

Meanwhile, Bright Stars staged a comeback to win their first game 2-1 at their Champions Stadium, Mwererwe against visiting Kirinya-Jinja S.S. Musa Esenu put the visitors ahead before Nelso Ssenkatuka bagged the equalizer.

Joshua Kawadawa scored the winner 14 minutes from time to secure the maximum points.

The league continues on Wednesday with 5 matches, a continuation of match day 4 matches.

Tuesday, September 26 results:

Proline 2-0 Soana

Masavu 0-2 Vipers

Bright Stars 2-1 Kirinya-Jinja S.S

 

Wednesday, September 27

URA Vs KCCA – Mandela National Stadium, Namboole

Onduparaka Vs Police – Betway Green Light Stadium, Arua

SC Villa Vs Mbarara City – Masaka Recreational Stadium

BUL Vs UPDF – Kakindu Stadium, Jinja

Express Vs Maroons – Mutesa II Wankulukuku Stadium

Stories Continues after ad
1...1,7501,7511,752...2,399Page 1,751 of 2,399

© Eagle Online. All rights reserved.

About Us

Popular Category

Editor Picks