Stanbic Bank
Stanbic Bank
18.3 C
Kampala
Stanbic Bank
Stanbic Bank
Home Blog Page 1762

Lyantonde based journalist acquitted of criminal defamation charge

By
Our Reporter
-
Mr Robert Ssempala welcomed the ruling.

Sadati Waliggo, a Correspondent of Red Pepper newspaper in Lyantonde District has been acquitted of charges of criminal defamation by Lyantonde Magistrates Court.

“I find that the prosecution did not prove or place the accused person on the scene of crime in participation yet every element of the offence has to be proved beyond reasonable doubt. On that basis I find that the prosecution failed to prove the guilt of Sadat Waligo on the offence of criminal libel and I hereby acquit him and set him free. The charge is dismissed,” ruled the Lyantonde Grade One Magistrate Tadeo Muhinda on September 18, 2017.

“I feel very excited that I am now a free man,” Walligo said.

Prosecution led by Anthony Wamibu alleged that Walligo posted on his Facebook page defamatory statements against the Resident District Commissioner (RDC) of Lyantonde, Sulaiman Tugaragara Matojo. The alleged statements are said to have been uttered by Diana Kategaya, a widow of the late Eriya Kategaya the former Deputy Prime Minister of Uganda. The widow made the said statements during a press conference in her home in January 2015 accusing the RDC of conniving with people to steal her cows and entering her house while she was in a bathroom naked.

Welcoming the ruling, Robert Ssempala, the coordinator of Human Rights Network for Journalists (HRNJ) Uganda said: “This is a big milestone in the fight against criminal defamation. It is unfortunate that the innocent journalist has had to wait for a year to get his full freedom back. These kind of charges have a chilling effect on media and should be condemned in the strongest terms possible. However, we are appreciative of the judiciary for ensuring that Sadat is set free.”

 

Stories Continues after ad

Lack of ideology cause of South Sudan crisis- Museveni

By
Isaiah Mwebaze
-
President Yoweri Museveni meeting with Nikki Haley (on his R), the US Permanent Represetative to the UN and her delegation. This was in New York. Looking on are Minister Sam Kutesa and Okello Oryem.

President Yoweri Museveni has said that the conflict in South Sudan is caused by lack of ideology and politicians who push forward identity politics and forget the interests of the people.

“Identity is important but it should not be promoted at the expense of the common interests of the people. Even Uganda was a failed state but was rescued by a student movement that taught people to forget about identity politics,” he said.

Museveni was last evening meeting the United States Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley whom he briefed about the security situation in South Sudan, Burundi and Somalia at Uganda House in New York.

The President is in New York to attend the 72nd Session of the United Nations General Assembly.

He said there was need to unite the various factions of the SPLM and that he was mediating talks to unite the SPLM as the Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn works on the wider unity of the other parties.

According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), an average of more than 1,800 South Sudanese refugees a day have fled to Uganda in the past year. The influx has become the fastest growing refugee crisis in the world. More than 85 per cent of South Sudanese refugees in Uganda are women and children under the age of 18.

In addition to the million refugees now hosted by Uganda, a million or even more South Sudanese refugees are being hosted by Sudan, Ethiopia, Kenya, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Central African Republic.

Ambassador Nikki Haley commended Museveni and the government of Uganda for the support towards the refugees and the reform efforts in Somalia and South Sudan.

“Uganda has been a good example on what it means to take in refugees. US offers its support as you continue to do that,” she said.

The Ugandan Ambassador to the UN Adonia Ayebare, the Minister for Foreign Affairs Sam Kuteesa, the Minister of State International Affairs Okello Oryem and the Ugandan Ambassador to the US Mull Katende attended the meeting.

 

 

Stories Continues after ad

Mubajje calls for referendum on age-limit removal

By
Geoffery Serugo
-
The Chairman of the Inter-religious Council of Uganda (IRCU) Sheikh Shaban Ramadhan Mubajje , addressing journalists today.

The Chairman of the Inter-religious Council of Uganda (IRCU) Sheikh Shaban Ramadhan Mubajje has said that the removal of age limit cap from the Constitution should be subjected to a referendum.

Members of the Chairman of the Inter-religious Council of Uganda (IRCU) led by Sheikh Shaban Ramadhan Mubajje. Others in the photo are the Catholic Archbishop of Kampala Archdiocese Cyprian Kizito Lwanga and the Anglican Archbishop Stanley Ntagali.

“The issue of age limit is not partisan; it should be brought to voters other than leaving it to a section of MPs to decide for the whole nation,” Sheikh Mubajje told journalists during a conference organized by the IRCU.

Journalists attending the press conference at the IRCU headquarters

Sheikh Mubajje said the spirit the framers of the Constitution had in mind should be respected and upheld, adding that the removal of the 75-year age limit cap might throw the country in chaos.

“Museveni should respond about the position to move the motion because it might throw our nation into chaos,” Sheikh Mubajje said, and also warned security agencies against partisanship. He also appealed to the legislators to approach the age limit debate “with a nationalistic and non-partisan lens.”

“The spirit that moved the insertion of the presidential age limit in Uganda’s constitution kept in mind and memory the terrible post-independence history of Uganda, therefore it should respected,” Sheikh Mubajje, who is also the Mufti of Uganda,” said.

On September 12 NRM MPs led by Igara West County legislator Raphael Magyezi convened at Parliament with a motive of moving a private members bill that is aimed at lifting the presidential age limit cap.

Meanwhile, ‘rebel MPs’ led by Kampala Central legislator Muhammad Nsereko, accompanied by Buyaga West MP Barnabas Tinkasimire and Wilfred Nuwagaba of Ndorwa East, among others, have vowed to block Magyezi from moving the motion that is expected to be tabled tomorrow. “Disown those MPs, detest them, disassociate from them and isolate them,” Nsereko urged the public.

In a related development, the police and military police have deployed heavily around Parliament, in anticipation of Magyezi tabling the bill this week.

Meanwhile, by press time Makindye West MP Allan Sewanyana had been arrested for allegedly taking part in an anti-age limit removal protest.

 

 

 

 

Stories Continues after ad

Gaming board seizes illegal betting machines

By
Our Reporter
-
Illegal machines

The Lotteries and Gaming Regulatory Board (LGRB) has confiscated illegal betting machines and issued a stern warning to managers of betting centres to stop using such machines that are sneaked into the country illegally.

The LRGB also said that besides the illegal machines, there a number of unlicensed betting centres that are being closed across the country.

“This exercise is part of the continuous countrywide compliance enforcement exercise. It is to cover the rest of Uganda outside the Kampala metropolitan area. We are everywhere concurrently,” Jonathan Kyeyune, the head of Public and Corporate Affairs, said.

According to Kyeyune, there are seven teams are out in the field, one covering the Northern region from Kamdini to Lira and two teams covering Mpigi to Kanungu. He said another team will conduct inspection from Luwero through Masindi to Hoima and Kagadi.

The other two groups are in the Eastern region one going through Mbale to Malaba and another taking the Soroti-Kumi region.

The board has another team from Mityana all the way to Kasese and this team will handle all the districts that are along this route, Kyeyune said.

“We are targeting illegal operators, non-compliant  operators…basically all compliance issues…licenses, security, display of notices, premises hygiene, operational hours among others,” he said.

 

Stories Continues after ad

Kobs win Edward Kitaka Memorial rugby tourney

By
Badru Kasadah
-
Players celebrating their victory

Despite losing 26-7 to the Heathens in the Edward Kitaka Memorial Sevens finals, the Kobs were still crowned as the 2017 Guinness National Rugby Sevens champions after accumulating enough points during the six-leg circuit.

On the final day of the Sevens, all that Kobs needed to be crowned as winners was to make it to the finals, and they did not disappoint; they beat the Rhinos 27-7 in the semifinals.

On the other hand, the Heathens had a different game plan as they were determined to spoil the party for the Kobs by beating them at their home grounds, Legends Rugby Club.

The Heathens had been unstoppable throughout the day and in the semifinals, they beat the Buffaloes 31-7, and advancing to the finals, the Heathens star players were ready to put up a show, with star Kenneth Okong scoring a hat-trick of tries in the finals to give them a comfortable win over the Kobs.

This year’s Guinness National Rugby Sevens were played over six legs and the teams had a fair share of all them.

The Kobs won the Jinja and Kyadondo legs, while the Heathens won the Legends Leg. The Buffaloes won in Gulu. The Mongers won at Makerere.

Now the focus will be turned on the upcoming Africa Men’s 7s Cup that will take place on October 6 – 7 at Legends Rugby Grounds.

Speaking at the finals, Estella Muzito, the Head of Beers at Uganda Breweries Limited said; “We thank all the players, fans and the Uganda Rugby Union for having made the 2017 Guinness National Rugby Sevens a success. We hope to have an even better experience at the upcoming Rugby Africa 7s Cup in October. We encourage the fans to turnout in large numbers and support the Rugby Cranes.”

Guinness joined the rugby fraternity to help support and build the sport in the country as well as pivot the national sevens team to greater heights. They contributed Shs200 million to the development of the team and sport. Of the contribution, Shs100 million was contributed in cash.

 

Stories Continues after ad

Accountants’ numbers hit 3,000

By
Badru Kasadah
-
ICPAU officials display the results for August

The number of students who passed the Certified Public Accountants (CPA) course since its inception in Uganda has slightly surpassed the 3,000 mark.

At a function held today at Imperial Royale Hotel in Kampala, the Public Accountants Examinations Board (PAEB) revealed that 97 students passed the August exams, bringing the number of students that have obtained a CPA qualification to 3,015 students.

PAEB said the number of candidates that sat for the August exams was 3,607, a drop from 5,498 in June 2017, and that the average pass rate was 31.9%, a drop from 35% for the same period.

The best performed subject was Economic Environment with a pass rate of 80%, followed by Business Management and Information Systems with a pass rate of 76.1%.

The least passed subject was Public Sector Accounting and Reporting, with a pass rate of just 9%.

Speaking at the function the ICPAU President Protazio Begumisa blamed the poor performance on limited study materials, but was optimistic there would be improvement in the next exams.

“The biggest problem has always been limited study materials but recently we received these and they will be used by the next candidates,” he noted.

The examinations, exclusively for the CPA course, were held from Monday, August 21 to Friday, August 25, in Kampala.

Meanwhile, as ICPAU marks 25 years of existence, PAEB is marking 20 years of existence.

“As you may be aware, we have been celebrating 25 years since ICPAU was established. I am happy to note that PAEB has been part of this journey. This year marks 20 years since the establishment of our examinations scheme. The maiden examinations were conducted in December 1997,” Begumisa remarked.

“Whereas we started with 44 candidates in Kampala, we now have over 7,000 active students,” he added.

 

Stories Continues after ad

Toro’s Ronald Rugumayo is new golf champion

By
Badru Kasadah
-
UBL marketing director, Juliana Kaggwa (left) handing over trophy to Ronald Rugumayo (centre) with Uganda Golf Union president Johnson Omolo

Toro Golf Club star Ronald Rugumayo put up a masterclass play to win the 2017 Tusker Malt Uganda Amateur Open Golf championship in one of the most thrilling playoffs golfers have been treated to in decades.

Rugumayo was playing for everything and with every putt, he continued to look like a true champion, outclassing defending champion Ronald Otile, after both players had finished the final day with a gross score of 299.

This meant that the 2017 Tusker Malt Uganda Amateur Open Golf championship was to be decided in the playoffs; and so the players were back on the course to play three holes that would decide who would be crowned champion.

With a fitting stroke, both players teed off on No.12 at Kitante Golf Course where Rugumayo sank a birdie while Otile registered a par.

The players were then set for the second hole which is the Course’s No.17, in what was to be the highlight of the tournament.

Rugumayo pulled off a close to six-meter putt that left the gallery in bewilderment as this would turn out to be the decider. Otile too pulled off a birdie but was still a shot behind and the chase was taken to the final hole, No.18.

Here is where Rugumayo ran away with it as Otile’s luck ran out after driving his ball into the lower bunker. Having landed on the green, a calm and collected Rugumayo went on to sink in his ball that would win him the tournament.

An excited Rugumayo couldn’t believe winning the Tusker Malt Uganda Amateur Open Golf championship as he paid respect to the gallery and also received a true sportsman’s honor from Otile, who had been the defending champion for two years.

“This was the most hard-earned trophy I have won. I had to be focused and have my game on point as the person I was playing against (Otile) is one of the best young golfers of our generation,” said Rugumayo.

The 76th Tusker Malt Uganda Amateur Open Golf championship will go down as the best tournament we have had in years. The players made it so by giving the fans a game they will live to talk about for a while.

Although having lost his title, Otile is as ever optimistic and thankful for the opponent he was up against.

“I have played some of the hardest amateur players in Africa but today’s opponent deserved his win. He put on a game worthy of a true champion,” Otile remarked.

This is the first time Ronald Rugumayo has won the Tusker Malt Uganda Amateur Open Golf championship.

Sponsoring the Uganda Golf Open for the 10th year, Uganda Breweries Limited through its premium brand, Tusker Malt Lager, had increased its cash contribution towards this year’s Open from Shs230 million to Shs250 million. The total contribution amounting to Shs500 million.

Speaking during the awards dinner at the Uganda Golf Club, Juliana Kaggwa, the marketing director of Uganda Breweries Limited said; “The Tusker Malt Uganda Open is not only profiling the sport of golf, but also the players, more so the upcoming young golfers participating in what has been a very tough sport at this level. So it is with genuine admiration that I offer congratulations to the tournament winner, Ronald Rugumayo, after what has been an outstanding performance.

“Congratulations are also in order to all the award winners – your hard work and dedication is truly appreciated. Thank you for what you do for the game.”

The Tusker Malt Uganda Open will return on 27th September – 30th September, 2017 for the Pros category at the Kitante Golf Course.

 

 

 

 

Stories Continues after ad

Museveni, Africa 50 discuss infrastructure development

By
Our Reporter
-
Africa 50 CEO Mr. Alain Ebobisse

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has today held a meeting with Africa 50 CEO Alain Ebobisse and Ms. Carole Wamuyu Wainanina, the Chief Operating Officer at Park Hyatt Hotel in New York, United States of America.

President Museveni who is in New York to attend the 72nd Session of the United Nations General Assembly and his visitors discussed how the private sector could play a significant role in delivering the infrastructure that is necessary to support strong economic growth in Africa.

Africa 50 is an investment Bank for infrastructure in Africa that focuses on high impact national and regional projects in energy, transport and water sectors.

In 2012, in their Declaration on the Program for Infrastructure Development in Africa, African Heads of State called for innovative solutions to accelerate infrastructure delivery. After broad consultations with African stakeholders, the African Development Bank established a new investment vehicle called Africa 50.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs Sam Kutesa and Uganda’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Adonia Ayebare attended the meeting.

 

Stories Continues after ad

Museveni woos Qatar industrialists to invest in Uganda

By
Francisco Adongo
-
FLASHBACK: President Museveni and First Lady Janet, on visit to Qatar, together with their host, Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani,

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has said Uganda is fast becoming a middle-income country with vast investment opportunities in agro-processing, industrialization and the service based sector.

The President made the remarks while meeting a delegation from Qatar Investment Fund, led by the CEO Sheikh Abdulla bin Mohammed bin Saud al-Thank at Park Hyatt Hotel at the sidelines of the UNGA in New York.

The President, who is in the United States on a working visit, will this week join world leaders attending the 72nd session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

The President said investment in the four critical areas including in ICT would reduce the cost of electricity and business transaction in Uganda and promote industrialisation as Uganda moves to becoming a middle income country.

Sheikh Abdulla expressed interest to invest in infrastructure development projects in Uganda such as electricity, agro processing industries and the hospitality business.

The Qatar Investment Authority (QIA) is Qatar’s state-owned holding company that is characterized as a National Wealth Fund. It specializes in domestic and foreign investment. The QIA was founded by the State of Qatar in 2005 to strengthen the country’s economy by diversifying into new asset classes.

 

 

 

 

 

Stories Continues after ad

Kenyan ‘secessionists’ move to court over parts of Eastern Uganda

By
Francisco Adongo
-
A map showing Jinja in Uganda and parts of Western Kenya

In a move that is likely to raise eyebrows in Ugandan corridors of power and also rekindle stories about the Migingo Islands, two men who claim that a large chunk of Eastern Uganda belonged to the ancestral kingdom to which they belong, the Abaluhya Kingdom, have moved to court in Kenya, claiming the people from the said area should be allowed to determine their future.

In their plaint, Kenyan ‘secessionists’ Mathew Okwanda Mwilitsa and Alex Misigo Matisa, want court to first grant the secession of Kenya’s Western province, a move they want to be followed by a referendum for the people in eastern Uganda to declare their allegiance to the Abaluhya Kingdom.

Mwilitsa and Matisa have sued Uganda, Kenya and the United Kingdom, the latter which they accuse of destabilizing the Abaluhya Kingdom, then under King Wanga Mumia. The Abaluhya of Kenya are closely related to the Babukusu Gisu of Uganda, and usually exchange visits, some arranged by the ‘kingdom’.

Previously it was the Kenyan and Ugandan governments that engaged in territorial disputes at official level but now sources say this new twist involving the two individual ‘secessionists’ might lead to suspicions between the countries and complicate the already ongoing negotiations, primarily over Migingo Islands.

By press time it was not possible to get comment over the matter from the Ugandan side.

It should be recalled that in the mid 1970s, then Ugandan President Idi Amin declared the western part of Kenya as belonging to Uganda. The ensuing tension led then Kenyan President Jomo Kenyatta to deploy heavily at the border between the two countries, prompting General Amin to back off the claim for fear of an outbreak of war.

Stories Continues after ad
1...1,7611,7621,763...2,399Page 1,762 of 2,399

© Eagle Online. All rights reserved.

About Us

Popular Category

Editor Picks