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Opposition blocks tabling Museveni life presidency motion again

By
Our Reporter
-
President Yoweri Museveni

Speaker of Parliament Rebecca Kadaga has postponed today’s parliament sitting to tomorrow afternoon after the opposition legislators interrupted the pro-ruling party legislators who were planning to table a motion to amend the constitution and allow President Museveni stand again in 2021.

The motion intends to remove the Presidential age limit which restricts individuals above 75 years to stand for President.

President Museveni who has been in power for 31 years will be 76 in 2021. The opposition politicians say the motion is intended to extend Museveni rule. He came to power in 1986 after leading a five-year guerrilla war.

Last week, parliament sitting was postponed after the opposition legislators caused stamped over the same issue.

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Kitagwenda MP denounces age limit removal

By
George Mangula
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Member of Parliament for Kitagwenda Constituency Abbas Agaba

The NRM Member of Parliament for Kitagwenda Constituency Abbas Agaba is the latest to join daring legislators from the ruling party who have denounced the proposal to remove presidential age limit from Uganda’s Constitution.

Agaba, who served as NRM national youth chairman and also as the Resident District Commissioner (RDC) for Butaleja and Katakwi districts, has urged those proposing the removal of the age limit to instead follow Tanzania, which has had four presidents handing over power peacefully since President Yoweri Museveni came to power in 1986.

“From 1964 to 1985, Mwalimu J.K Nyerere as President of Tanzania laid a strong foundation for the progress and prosperity of TZ. Without any claim of right for his role in the independence and other struggles he paved way for a less known Ali Hassan Mwinyi strategically picked from Zanzibar for the posterity of CMM and the unity and progress of Tanzania,” Agaba said.

According to Agaba, Tanzania is a progressive democracy with peaceful transitions from one president (cabinet) to another and the economy is growing. “Why doesn’t such transition happen here in Uganda? Escapists will say that is Tanzania, South Africa, Kenya, China but don’t want to imagine it here in Uganda.”

MP Agaba said that new leaders are empowered to bring new solutions to emerging challenges as compared to long -serving leaders.

“There are both overt and intrinsic values in changing leaders because new leaders apply new solutions to existing and future challenges while long serving leaders become less sensitive to current challenges.”

“If Nyerere or Mwinyi had chosen to stay forever where would be Tanzania and would it have the great leaders we profoundly refer to?” he asked.

Agaba said that time had come for leaders to protect the national Constitution from its abusers. “For those of us who have been charged with the responsibility to protect this constitution, the time is now to rise up to the occasion for posterity,” he said.

He further said that in 1995 the influential Nyerere (father of the nation) stopped an ambitious Jakaya Kikwete to attempt presidency in favour of a little known Benjamin Mpaka, to the unanimous agreement of the CMM conference.

“Ben Mpaka served a ten-year tenure indeed rectifying and putting in place a number of things that were not seen by Mwinyi then but deemed necessarily for the country at that time,” he said.

According to Agaba, Mr. Mkapa’s predecessor Ali Hassan Mwinyi opened up the seemingly closed Tanzania to trade and investment opportunities for private players, earning him the title of ‘Raisi wa Ruksa’.

Such change of leaders, Agaba said, included change of teams and key players in the politics of Tanzania, with Jakaya Kikwete emerging in 2005- 2015.

Kikwete’s regime was partly tainted by corruption and this formed the starting point of the no nonsense Magufuli currently revered internationally as an anti-corruption icon.

Meanwhile, Kabarole District Woman MP, Sylvia Rwabwogo has come up to oppose the proposal to remove the constitutional age limit for the president, saying that her voters want Article 102 (b) to stay untouched.

 

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ULS launches quarterly report

By
Geoffery Serugo
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Mr Kimara,Lukwago and new ULS members.

The Speaker of Parliament Rebecca Kadaga has today launched the 3rd edition of the Uganda Law Society Quarterly Report, aimed at documenting incidents affecting the rule of law in Uganda.

The report was presented to the public by the President of the Uganda Law Society, Francis Gimara, at Sheraton Hotel, and in her remarks at the function Kadaga said that there is need for a law to address economic rights, emphasizing that they are being grossly abused in the country.

“The process of making the law is rigorous and can take a long time, we need to work together to see that the laws move faster. We have a long way to go on the issue of social and economic rights with the tendency being focusing on the political rights of assembly,” she said

In his speech the ULS President Francis Gimara said human rights were grossly being abused in Uganda. He also accused the police force of taking a partisan approach while executing it duties.

“I implore the Parliament to implement the provisions of the Anti-torture Act to curb the rampant incidences of torture by the police” Gimara said.

On his part Prof. Fredrick Ssempebwa, the Chairperson of the Council,  said that issues of constitutionalism including the land amendment bill and age limit debate should be subjected to wide consultation.

“Harassment of those opposed to the age limit, invasion of Parliament by armed forces and others; these are (all) signs of poor rule of law,” Prof. Ssempebwa said.

 

 

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Presidential age limit bill: A round-up of events during today’s plenary

By
Priscilla Alma
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Speaker Rebecca Kadaga

Today, Parliament had the late inclusion of a motion by Igara West MP Raphael Magyezi, seeking to amend Article 102 (b) of the 1995 Constitution, to expunge the age limit. Magyezi’s bill has caused anxiety and anger, with the MPs exchanging blows in the afternoon amid accusations of Water Resources State minister Ronald Kibuule entering with a gun in the Parliamentary Chambers.

Below we reproduce part of today’s proceedings in Parliament.

Kadaga: I know that sometimes members enjoy bright colors especially looking bright but I want to invite the MPs from this side to remove their bandanas. You are in breach of Rule 73 which requires decorum in this House.

I have spent a bit of time trying to rationalize a number of requests, motions for amendment of the Constitution so I will be amending the order paper to permit those which are eligible to be presented and I will be talking about that a bit later.

For a long time, we have been demanding government presents Constitutional amendment, the last time we discussed it, was one year ago when we asked them to bring a comprehensive amendment. They haven’t done so. I am now constrained; I don’t know how long I can continue stopping members from bringing motions. So, I think now that Government has failed, members should proceed and bring motions so that we do our part.

For me to include that notice on the Order Paper, the Speaker must have received that notice by September 21st 2017.

The following have met the test to be included on the order paper.

Motion for Leave of Parliament to introduce constitutional amendment by Magyezi to amend the constitution to provide the time ( in regard to all presidential and parliamentary elections)also had both draft motion and bill.

Lyomoki to amend the constitution and article 98 to provide for a transitional time for physical smooth and transition for the first president or provide immunities, exemptions to the same individual when they cease to be president and amend article 105(2) to introduce term limits on the office of the president.

The notice was received on 21st September 2017 and there was a slight amendment on the 25th September and a copy received by the office of clerk to Parliament.

Nsamba

Resolution of Parliament urging government to urgently constitute a constitutional review commission to comprehensively review the Constitution. This notice was received on 18th September 2017.

Not Competent for Inclusion

Leave of Parliament to introduce the constitutional amendment to amend the constitution to remove all restrictions imposed in the constitution for all elective offices. Received on 22nd September 2017, it wasn’t copied to the clerk, it had a draft motion which came on the 25th September 2017

Motion for leave of Parliament to amend the constitution moved by Nambeshe to require MPs once appointed to Ministerial position to relinquish their Parliamentary seats received on 22nd September 2017 not copied to clerk and didn’t have a draft motion and draft bill.

Motion for leave of Parliament to introduce a constitutional amendment moved by Muyanja Mbabali to amend the constitution to create a second chamber so that Parliament constitutes two Houses, a lower chamber and the upper chamber received on 18th September 2017, copied to clerk and had no draft bill.

Ssenyonga of Mukono South Constitutional amendment to make provision for the issue of federo.

Proposal received on the 25th September 2017 not copied to Clerk and had no draft motion.

Constitutional to amend constitution to remove all academic requirements for all eligible offices 22ndSeptember 2017, not copied to clerk

Constitutional amendment once appointed to relinquish parliament seats not copied to clerk

Jaquiline Amongin: I need to be heard. Today when I was moving to this house, I was stopped by people putting on red, I don’t know why red is in the House, wouldn’t be procedural rise even ribbons aside, probably there is a function.

Kadaga: I have already addressed that. The matter you are raising has already been addressed.

I can’t control what is on the street; my business is in the House.

Kiiza Winnie: When we were sitting on this chamber the presiding speaker that the matter of pending motion won’t come as a surprise. For purposes of all Ugandans to know. Is it procedurally correct for us to be ambushed, but a ruling had been made on the matter. Time and again we have had to abide by ruling of the speaker, in a way of ambush when the order paper was brought out early enough

Kadaga: are you questioning the powers of the speaker.

Sseggona: I am alive to the fact that I is within your powers but leaders especially you are known by their consistency you have maintained over time. I was very keen on the order of presentation. Deal with these motions in their order of dates, nsamaba would have to come in first

I would appeal to otafiire responsisible for this commi=otion, if I were him, I would be more descent at listeniong. If otafirre knew what he was dealing.

A matter of priveledge

Kadaga: The surgeant has assured me there are no guns.

Please take your seats and I investigate what is happening. Ssewanyana and Kibuule, Ssekikubo

Mbwatekamwa, Bobi Wine, Dhamuzungu Geofrey

William Nzoghu raised on point of order

The House is full to capacity some members are not safe because some guns have been sneaked into the House. For the safety of MPs I wish to seek you indulgence, to get out and they celan us one by one, even you, you aren’t safe in that seat.

Sseggona

I must confess with difficulty I am introducing this but an issue touching safety of members has been raised, issue of safety that guns have been raised, this is a matter, wouldn’t be procedurally right that we get searched. Some cann object. Where mu

Kadaga: I think we shouldn’t work on allegations

Musumba: I was raising on point of order. Allegations can’t be entertained in this House, if the bare they in order to allege there are guns in this House.

Can I request kibule to exit the chambers? 3:17pm

Rukutana: This is a well-orchestrated plan removed huis

Kadaga: so let us speak with our mouths, let us not use fists. It is part of Parliament etiquette to listen to others.

Kadaga: Ssewanyana can you please either take your seat or get out.

Kadaga: Substantiate the allegations.

Ssemujju: when I entered this parliament at 2pm, crossed from the other =side and actually warned me that today, I am going to face death. We can get that evidence from the camera. The issue of our security, MPs takes president over anything else including the report she is reading. We requested we get, was sandwiched and he came waving his coat, we can’t pretend and sit until we have been searched and there is no body found to have a gun. I am raising this because I have been personally told I am going to face death, the gun has now gone missing. You have told me but we aren’t here to be killed by Kibuule. I want to ask you that before we proceed with any business we check each MP maybe for you you don’t care and I don’t want to persuade you to care about youyr life. Whether we can proceed as if nothing has happened.

Kadaga: If you are saying threats were issued, I will get the evidence from our cameras.

While all this was going on, Magyezi was seen hiding in the armpits of Lawrence Bategeka (Hoima Municipality); Amoding even crossed and was seen seated on the Opposition side.

Semujju: I am being insulted by Guma who was in jail over murder. It is important that people discuss the issue of oil when the atmosphere outside isn’t. Students in Kyambogo and Makerere are being beaten by the army. There can be excitement but those of us who have been here for long, I saw here Mbabazi (Amama) and you know where he is.

 

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Blows as opposition MPs accuse Kibuule of entering parliament with gun

By
Geoffery Serugo
-
WITH GUN IN CHAMBERS? Water State Minister Ronald Kibuule

There has been tension during today’s plenary sitting when opposition Members of Parliament accused the State Minister for Water Resources Ronald Kibuule of smuggling a gun into the parliamentary chambers.

In the ensuing chaos Makindye East MP Allan Sewanyana, draped in a red bandana just like all his colleagues in the opposition, threw a chair at the government side, and then continued prodding Minister Kibuule.

If proved true, then Kibuule becomes the second MP accused of going to the parliamentary chambers with a gun, after Uganda Peoples Defence Forces MP General Elly Tumwine in 2002. At the time, fiery legislator Jacob Oulanyah, then an opposition politician representing Omoro County, engaged the General, prompting the latter to leave Parliament hurriedly after intervention by General Salim Saleh.

Meanwhile, today as Speaker Rebecca Kadaga entered into Parliament, she first ordered the opposition members to put off the bandanas donned on their heads.

“I know sometimes people enjoy colors, but let me call on members to remove their bandanas. It breaches Rule 73,” Kadaga said.

The opposition is against a private members bill sponsored by the Igara West legislator Raphael Magyezi, seeking the removal of presidential age limit cap of 75 years.

Opponents of the bill argue that the motion, once passed, will give a green light for President Yoweri Museveni, the Chairman of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) party to contest for the presidency in 2021 when aged  77 years.

Meanwhile, during the heated session, the Speaker introduced eight bills that came in to her office but only three of them sifted through including the private members bill.

And, by press time live transmission of the chaotic proceedings had been blocked.

 

 

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ABS TV, NBS TV fight over Irene Namatovu’s song

By
Badru Kasadah
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Pastor Augustine Yiga of ABS TV.

The latest on our desk indicates that ‘Pastor’ Augustine Yiga’s ABS TV has threatened to sue NBS TV for playing Irene Namatovu’s song titled ‘Sanyu Lyamulenzi’.

The song is said to have played on NBS Tv’s ‘Omudigido’ program that is hosted by Omukunja, and Pastor Yiga says he has a copyright to the song and that no other TV station is supposed to play it apart from ABS TV.

Early this year Yiga signed several artistes including Mathias Walukaga, Irene Namatovu, Geoffrey Lutaya and Fred Sebatta.

Under the agreement, it was only his station, ABS TV that was reportedly supposed to play their music for a certain period of time.

 

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IFC okays US$160m refinancing for Bujagali hydropower project

By
George Mangula
-
The Bujagali hydropower project

The International Finance Corporation (IFC) of the World Bank is to provide Bujagali Energy Limited (BEL) with a refinancing loan of US$160 million to help the company that manages the 250 MW Bujagali Hydropower dam repay the existing loans in a move that should see a reduction of electricity tariffs.

“IFC intends to provide an A loan of up to US$100 million and a B Loan of up to $60 million. In addition, IFC will also help raise the debt financing needed to complete the financing plan and will provide client risk management instruments,” reports say.

The company needs US$500 million to refinance its existing loans and to fund costs associated both with the prepayment of existing loans and the refinancing. The amount is expected to be financed through long-term senior debt.

The US$100 million will be utilised to refinance the company’s existing debt.

However, the new proposed refinancing investment is not expected to result in any change to the project’s physical or operational footprint or to its current power transmission arrangements.

“The refinancing will lengthen the tenure of the company’s existing loans and therefore reduce the amount of annual debt service and, in turn, lower the project’s tariff under the power purchase agreement with UETCL,” officials say.

The new loan is expected to make the electricity in Uganda more affordable and is expected to support the government’s increasing electricity access agenda in the country. Bujagali’s power generation tariff stands at US$0.13 (Shs467) per unit, to US$0.5 (Shs179) per unit.

Located on Dumbbell Island, on the Nile River 8 km north of Jinja, Bujagali was commissioned in 2012 and sells its entire output under a 30-year power purchase agreement with Uganda Electricity Transmission Company Limited. The project generated 44 per cent of Uganda’s electricity in 2016.

Large manufacturers under the Uganda Manufacturers Association (UMA), have consistently said the high electricity tariffs are causing local products to become non-competitive against foreign goods.

The government undertook to reduce electricity prices by granting of a five-year corporate income tax break to BEL. This measure alone was expected to reduce BEL’s generation tariff by US$0.87 (Shs31). But that meant government would have to sacrifice Shs80 billion (US$22 million) it would have collected from BEL in taxes.

 

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SC Villa condemns the violence by their fans at St. Mary’s stadium

By
Our Reporter
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SC Villa fans fighting at the St. Mary's Stadium

SC Villa has condemned the violent acts by their fans during the match against Vipers in Kitende and labelled the culprits as people who want to destroy the club’s image.

Villa fans caused various damages to Vipers’ home ground including breaking the fence, after accusing referee Alex Muhabi of biased officiating. In addition, they threw bottles on the pitch and towards the VIP section. The damages are expected to be worth 10 million Uganda shillings.

The match was won by hosts SC Vipers following the lone strike of former KCCA FC player Tom Masiko 30 minutes into the first half.

SC Villa CEO released a statement explaining the unfortunate incident.

“SC Villa Jogoo wishes to condemn the acts of hooliganism at the concluded game against Vipers on Saturday, 23rd September 2017 at St. Mary’s stadium Kitende which ended 1-0 in favour of Vipers and as Sc Villa Jogoo wish to express our concerns as people masquerading as club supporters to dent Sc Villa’s image.” writes SC Villa CEO Valley Mugwanya.

“We blame the police for having failed to manage the few people who were ring leaders in the act of hooliganism, throwing bottles onto the pitch and VIP section which the police failed to arrests the culprits,” the statement further reads.

SC Villa host Mbarara FC tomorrow at Masaka Recreation Ground. They are seventh on the Azam Uganda Premier League table with just 4 points collected from their 3 league games.

 

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MP Magyezi ‘private members bill’ on Order Paper

By
Geoffery Serugo
-
Igara West legislator Raphael Magyezi

Igara West legislator Raphael Magyezi will this afternoon table his ‘private members bill’ that is aimed at lifting the 75-year presidential age limit cap.

This development follows the late inclusion of the bill on the Order Paper.

Earlier today, the bill was not on the Order Paper and the MP had said he would petition Speaker Rebecca Kadaga seeking for explanations as to why it had not been included on the Order Paper for two consecutive plenary sittings.

In an interview at Parliament, Mr. Magyezi said he followed all the procedures to table the motion, which sections of the public say is aimed at paving the way for President Yoweri Museveni, who is currently constitutionally-barred from contesting for presidency, to stand again in 2021. Currently, President Museveni is 73 years.

“The Order Paper is the prerogative of the Speaker; she is the one to decide on what should be included on it. But I followed the right procedures, filed a notice for motion with a draft copy of the bill,” Magyezi said at the time.

According to Magyezi, his motion is intended to make Ugandans ‘happy’ in that they will have a chance to elect a leader of any age.

Last week Magyezi expressed worry that he is receiving threatening messages from Ugandans who are against the controversial age limit debate.

 

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Central Bank urges public to report illegal charges

By
George Mangula
-
Centenary Bank, one of the local financial institutions

As tough economic times bite hard, the Bank of Uganda has urged the public to report commercial banks charging higher-than-official-service fees..

“Bank customers who are being offered/charged differently from what is published are advised to report to the Bank of Uganda,” the BOU said as it published the different interest rates and service fees charged by the various commercial banks operating in the country.

The Central Bank says the publication of interest rates and bank charges for personal accounts is one way of promoting transparency and competition in the banking services.

The publication shows that 24 commercial banks operate in the country, many of which are foreign-owned with mother banks in their home countries. Centenary Bank, Housing Finance Bank and Finance Trust Bank come up as the only commercial banks with a home base in Uganda.

The publication of the commercial banks’ services shows prime lending rates (PLRs) ranging from 19 percent to 25 percent as of July 1,2017. But Stanbic Bank, one of the largest by assets and capitalisation, currently has its PLR tagged at 18 percent.

Stanbic Bank and Bank of India offer cheapest PLRs compared to NC Bank’s PLR of 25 percent. Other banks offer PLRs of between 20 percent and 23.5 percent.

However, the PLRs offered by commercial banks do not match with the central bank rate (CBR) which stands at 10 percent.

BOU, which is the regulator of the fiscal policy as well as the banking sector wants commercial banks to cut their PLRs down towards its CBR of 10 percent to spur private sector credit growth.

However, commercial banks insist that their lending rates are cautionary given the high rate of the non-performing loans (NPLs) that has left many banks making huge losses.

 

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