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UNBS destroys goods worth Shs900m in Nakasongola

By
George Mangula
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FLASHBACK: UNBS Executive Director Ben Manyindo verifying the quality of cosmetics on Ugandan market. The agency has stepped up the certification drive for manufacturers

The Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) has intensified the campaign against the sale of fake goods in the country, the latest being the destruction of goods worth Shs900 million at Luweero Industries in Nakasongola District.

The destruction of goods follows countrywide seizures carried out by the UNBS Market Surveillance team and the Criminal Investigations Department of the Uganda Police Force.
The destroyed goods were mainly substandard products which included food stuffs, baby powdered milk, cement, sanitary towels, cosmetics, electronics, steel and steel products, among others.

According to the UNBS Deputy Executive Director in charge of Compliance, Mr. John Paul Musimami, the destruction is part of UNBS’ effort to protect consumers from substandard products. “Substandard products are not only dangerous to the health and wellbeing of consumers, they are also a threat to the economic development of our country,” Mr. Musimami said.

“Our role is to promote fair competition, enhance competitiveness of local industries and protect health and safety of Ugandans and the environment,” he added. The destroyed goods amounting to 4 metric tonnes, the official said, would have otherwise caused increased disease burden and robbed the consumers of their money.

The manufacture or sale of sub-standard products is a criminal offence under the UNBS Act Cap 327, Laws of Uganda.
The UNBS carries out regular market inspections to ensure that traders are selling quality products in right quantities. Any substandard goods found on the market are seized by UNBS Market Surveillance inspectors.

UNBS, last year, inspected 1,090 business outlets and seized goods worth Shs6 billion including solar panels, primary batteries, percolators, sockets, compact fluorescent lamps, tiles, blenders, among others.
“We shall continue to seize substandard products on the market and prosecute traders involved in illicit trade,” Mr. Musimami said, urging the public to report suspicious goods on the market to UNBS.

The UNBS also banned the sale of second hand under garments and beauty products that contain mercury and hydroquinone which are harmful to human health.
However, some of the goods continue to be imported into the Ugandan market by smugglers through porous borders and entry points where UNBS has no presence.
UNBS is responsible for developing and promoting standards and quality of products and services to facilitate fair trade, promote local industries and protect consumers.

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Hospitality: how it can make or break the restaurant and hotel business in Uganda

By
Guest Writer
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By Cynthia Tumwine

First off, before we dive deep into how hospitality is a key anchor in the restaurant and hotel business, we should ask ourselves what the true meaning of hospitality is. Google describes it is as ‘the friendly and generous reception and entertainment of guests, visitors, or strangers’.

According to several reports, Uganda has been declared one of the most hospitable countries to visit in the world. Naturally, Ugandans are warm and receive people with open arms which is not necessarily the case all over the world. This can also be seen clearly in how open our country is to tourists, expatriates, and refugees coming from volatile areas of war and general unrest. This aside however, hospitality becomes even more key for stakeholders in the Restaurant and Hotel business because these come into contact with most of these people on a daily basis. This therefore means it has to be practiced more not just because it comes naturally but on a professional basis. In summary, it is an art that needs to be mastered.
Every single day there will be a person that needs to eat or a bed to lay their head after a long trip or work day especially if they are in a foreign country, region or area. Their experience as they eat or rest in the hotel needs to be top notch. Straight from the point of contact that is: from the waiters or waitresses at restaurants, to receptionists at the hotel or even the managers. As long as someone is directly involved with customer service, hospitality should be considered as they carry out their work. Let us look at some of the ways hospitality can be achieved.

  1. A smile costs nothing and helps the customer feel relaxed and welcome.

This means that they will be able to communicate their needs more comfortably, therefore improving the quality of their experience.

 

  1. Anticipate the needs of the customer

For example in a restaurant, if someone needs the menu as soon as they sit down, or in a hotel if someone needs extra towels or beddings. This helps them to know that the establishment has efficiently trained stuff.

3.         Crisis management and problem solving skills.

These play a big role in how a customer’s experience could go, if for example someone forgets something and needs to purchase it, will you go out of your way to ensure they get it? Payment options in case one method is ineffective or is not working. These are all things that makes the customer’s life much easier knowing you have them covered.

  1. Lastly but very important is attention to detail

In order for a customer to have the best experience, all the services being offered by a hotel or restaurant should be spick and span. For instance, the environment should be clean, and amenities should be in mint condition; which encourages the customer to return.

Hospitality is one of the topics that is going to be addressed at the 5th Annual Uganda Hotels Expo, happening at Hotel Africana from August 4-6, 2017. It is important that this message is emphasized for a better quality experience for the different categories of people that frequent restaurants and hotels in the country. Therefore, for all stakeholders like hotel owners and those responsible for customer service and hospitality this expo will be highly relevant.
Stay Adventurous!
Cynthia Tumwine.
The writer is the PR Manager at Jumia Travel Uganda

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Trump: Transgender people ‘can’t serve’ in US military

By
Agencies
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MADE 'SHITHOLE' COMMENT? US President Donald Trump

US President Donald Trump says transgender people cannot serve in “any capacity” in the military.

He tweeted that he had consulted with military experts and cited “tremendous medical costs and disruption”.

The Obama administration decided last year to allow transgender people to serve openly in the military.

But in June, Defence Secretary James Mattis agreed to a six-month delay in the recruitment of transgender people.

The Pentagon said this was to allow the different branches of the military to “review their accession plans and provide input on the impact to the readiness and lethality of our forces”.

Some Republicans have voiced opposition to allowing transgender people to serve at all.

The independent Rand Corporation estimated in 2016 that 2,450 of the 1.2 million active-duty service members are transgender, though some campaigners put the figure higher.

In a series of tweets, Mr Trump said: “After consultation with my Generals and military experts, please be advised that the United States Government will not accept or allow transgender individuals to serve in any capacity in the U.S. Military.

“Our military must be focused on decisive and overwhelming victory and cannot be burdened with the tremendous medical costs and disruption that transgender in the military would entail.”

Critics of Mr Trump’s move are contrasting it with his support for LGBT rights during last year’s election campaign, when he said “I will fight for you”.

The timing of this transgender ban is almost as interesting as the move itself.

Why now? With the Trump administration being buffeted by the Jeff Sessions political death watch, the ongoing multi-prong investigation into the Trump campaign, the healthcare drama in the Senate and the impending Russian sanctions bill, perhaps the administration decided this was a good time to change the subject and rally conservative forces to his side.

Republicans have long used cultural issues as a wedge to divide Democrats and energise evangelicals. As one White House insider acknowledged, this is straight out of that playbook. While Mr Trump campaigned as sympathetic to LGBT rights, he needs the traditional religious conservatives to stay loyal to him now, more than ever.

His populist supporters won’t consider this a top issue, but the president needs more than just his die-hard loyalists in his corner, particularly if he’s going to stoke intraparty discord by continuing to feud with Mr Sessions.

The president’s action will create a furore among liberals and the media commentators whose disdain for the current administration is not a new development. This is a fight the White House will welcome.

While Mr Trump’s decision concerns transgender military personnel, the US military’s ban on openly gay and lesbian servicemen and women – known as “Don’t ask don’t tell” – was lifted in 2011.

Aaron Belkin, director of the Palm Centre, a leading think-tank which studies gender and sexuality in the military, told the BBC that Mr Trump’s decision would force transgender troops to in effect live as gays and lesbians did under “Don’t ask, don’t tell”.

“Don’t ask, don’t tell was a disastrous policy that harmed the military for almost two decades,” Mr Belkin said.

“It’s not clear why the president would want to bring it back now for transgender troops, when all the evidence suggests that inclusive policy benefits the military and discrimination hurts the military.”

LGBTQ campaign group, GLAAD, called Mr Trump’s move “a direct attack on transgender Americans”.

George Takei, equality campaigner and the actor, who played Mr Sulu in Star Trek, accused the president of cruelty and pettiness.

Republican opponents of transgender people serving in the military include Vicky Hartzler, a congresswoman from Missouri, who wants transgender service members honourably discharged.

Others are opposed to the military bearing medical costs associated with transgender recruits, such as gender reassignment.

Trump supporter and political commentator Scott Presler is among those who disagree with the military carrying the cost of such interventions.

While disagreeing with the ban, he added that “generals know more about war than I do.

“I am cognizant that they understand what it takes to go to war… I don’t think this is an attack on the LGBT community.

“I’m mixed, but I have confidence in the guidance that President Trump is receiving,” he said. “I don’t think for a second he’s prejudiced.”

 

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MTV VMAs spoil Ghetto Kids would be unforgettable year

By
Badru Kasadah
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OFF WE GO! The 'Ghetto Kids' pose with the Uganda and US national flags at Entebbe International Airport shortly before their departure for the US

French Montana’s “Unforgettable” ft. Swae Lee is truly unforgettable especially to the Mama Hope Organization and the young dancing triplets, the “Ghetto Kids”.

The Ghetto Kids did not only get a chance to feature in an international video but also got an opportunity to perform for millions of viewers when they performed at the BET awards.

And it wasn’t just the Ghetto kids that benefitted from the video, the Mama Hope Organization benefitted more as they were given US $100,000 by French Montana.

Montana, too, benefitted from the relationship as his music video has been a success. It has registered close to 200million views in just three months.

Sadly, even with such success, the video never made it to this year’s MTV Video Music Awards.

According to the 2017 nominations announced Tuesday, rapper Kendrick Lamar landed the most nods for his video “Humble.”

Right behind Lamar’s eight nominations were Katy Perry and the Weeknd, who were tied with five nominations each.

Videos released between June 25, 2016, and June 23, 2017 are eligible for this year’s VMAs.

In keeping with the changes that MTV instituted for the MTV Movie & TV Awards, the gendered categories of Best Female Video and Best Male Video were replaced by a more general award, Artist of the Year. One new award was also added: “Best Fight against the System.”

The MTV Video Music Awards will air live on Sunday, Aug. 27 on MTV.

Here is the full list of nomination

VIDEO OF THE YEAR

Kendrick Lamar – “HUMBLE.” (TDE/Aftermath/Interscope)

Bruno Mars – “24K Magic” (Atlantic Records)

Alessia Cara – “Scars To Your Beautiful” (Def Jam)

DJ Khaled ft. Rihanna & Bryson Tiller – “Wild Thoughts” (Epic Records/We the Best)

The Weeknd – “Reminder” (XO/Republic Records)

 ARTIST OF THE YEAR

Bruno Mars (Atlantic Records)

Kendrick Lamar (TDE/Aftermath/Interscope)

Ed Sheeran (Atlantic Records)

Ariana Grande (Republic Records)

The Weeknd (XO/Republic Records)

Lorde (Republic Records)

BEST NEW ARTIST (Presented by Taco Bell®)

Khalid (RCA Records)

Kodak Black (Atlantic Records)

SZA (TDE/RCA Records)

Young M.A (3D)

Julia Michaels (Republic Records)

Noah Cyrus (Records)

BEST COLLABORATION

Charlie Puth ft. Selena Gomez – “We Don’t Talk Anymore” (Atlantic Records)

DJ Khaled ft. Rihanna & Bryson Tiller – “Wild Thoughts” (Epic Records/We the Best)

D.R.A.M. ft. Lil Yachty – “Broccoli” (Atlantic Records)

The Chainsmokers ft. Halsey – “Closer” (Disruptor Records/Columbia Records)

Calvin Harris ft. Pharrell Williams, Katy Perry & Big Sean – “Feels” (Columbia Records)

Zayn & Taylor Swift – “I Don’t Wanna Live Forever (Fifty Shades Darker)” (Republic Records)

 BEST POP

Shawn Mendes – “Treat You Better” (Island Records)

Ed Sheeran – “Shape of You” (Asylum/Atlantic Records)

Harry Styles – “Sign of The Times” (Columbia Records)

Fifth Harmony ft. Gucci Mane – “Down” (Syco Music/Epic Records)

Katy Perry ft. Skip Marley – “Chained To The Rhythm” (Capitol Records)

Miley Cyrus – “Malibu” (RCA Records)

 BEST HIP HOP

Kendrick Lamar – “HUMBLE.” (TDE/Aftermath/Interscope)

Big Sean – “Bounce Back” (Def Jam)

Chance the Rapper – “Same Drugs” (Chance the Rapper LLC)

D.R.A.M. ft. Lil Yachty – “Broccoli” (Atlantic Records)

Migos ft. Lil Uzi Vert – “Bad & Boujee” (300 Entertainment)

DJ Khaled ft. Justin Bieber, Quavo, Chance the Rapper & Lil Wayne – “I’m The One” (Epic Records/We the Best)

BEST DANCE

Zedd and Alessia Cara – “Stay” (Interscope)

Kygo x Selena Gomez – “It Ain’t Me” (Ultra/Interscope)

Calvin Harris – “My Way” (Columbia Records)

Major Lazer ft. Justin Bieber and Mø – “Cold Water” (Mad Decent)

Afrojack ft. Ty Dolla $ign – “Gone” (Wall Recordings/Latium/RCA Records)

 BEST ROCK

Coldplay – “A Head Full of Dreams” (Parlophone/Atlantic Records)

Fall Out Boy – “Young And Menace” (Island)

Twenty One Pilots – “Heavydirtysoul” (Fueled by Ramen/Atlantic Records)

Green Day – “Bang Bang” (Warner Bros. Records)

Foo Fighters – “Run” (RCA Records)

 BEST FIGHT AGAINST THE SYSTEM

Logic ft. Damian Lemar Hudson – “Black SpiderMan” (Def Jam)

The Hamilton Mixtape – “Immigrants (We Get the Job Done)” (Atlantic Records)

Big Sean – “Light” (Def Jam)

Alessia Cara – “Scars To Your Beautiful” (Def Jam)

Taboo ft. Shailene Woodley – “Stand Up / Stand N Rock #NoDAPL”

John Legend – “Surefire” (Columbia Records)

 BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY

Kendrick Lamar – “HUMBLE.” (TDE/Aftermath/Interscope) (Scott Cunningham)

Imagine Dragons – “Thunder” (KIDinaKORNER/Interscope) (Matthew Wise)

Ed Sheeran – “Castle on the Hill” (Asylum/Atlantic Records) (Steve Annis)

DJ Shadow ft. Run the Jewels – “Nobody Speak” (Mass Appeal Records LLC) (David Proctor)

Halsey – “Now or Never” (Astralwerks/Capitol) (Kristof Brandl)

 BEST DIRECTION

Kendrick Lamar – “HUMBLE.” (TDE/Aftermath/Interscope) (Dave Meyers & the little homies)

Katy Perry ft. Skip Marley – “Chained To The Rhythm” (Capitol Records) (Mathew Cullen)

Bruno Mars – “24K Magic” (Atlantic Records) (Cameron Duddy & Bruno Mars)

Alessia Cara – “Scars To Your Beautiful” (Def Jam) (Aaron A)

The Weeknd – “Reminder” (XO/Republic Records) (Glenn Michael)

 BEST ART DIRECTION

Kendrick Lamar – “HUMBLE.” (TDE/Aftermath/Interscope) (Spencer Graves)

Bruno Mars – “24K Magic” (Atlantic Records) (Alex Delgado)

Katy Perry ft. Migos – “Bon Appetit” (Capitol Records) (Natalie Groce)

DJ Khaled ft. Rihanna & Bryson Tiller – “Wild Thoughts” (Epic Records/We the Best) (Damian Fyffe)

The Weeknd – “Reminder” (XO/Republic Records) (Creative Director: Lamar C Taylor / Co-creative Director: Christo Anesti)

 BEST VISUAL EFFECTS

Kendrick Lamar – “HUMBLE.” (TDE/Aftermath/Interscope) (Company: Timber/Lead: Jonah Hall)

A Tribe Called Quest – “Dis Generation” (Epic Records) (Company: Bemo/Lead: Brandon Hirzel)

KYLE ft. Lil Yachty – “iSpy” (Atlantic Records) (Company: Gloria FX/Leads: Max Colt & Tomash Kuzmytskyi)

Katy Perry ft. Skip Marley – “Chained To The Rhythm” (Capitol Records) (Company: MIRADA)

Harry Styles – “Sign Of The Times” (Columbia Records) (Company: ONE MORE/Lead: Cédric Nivoliez)

BEST CHOREOGRAPHY

Kanye West – “Fade” (Def Jam) (Teyana Taylor, Guapo, Jae Blaze & Derek ‘Bentley’ Watkins)

Ariana Grande ft. Nicki Minaj – “Side To Side” (Republic Records) (Brian & Scott Nicholson)

Kendrick Lamar – “HUMBLE.” (TDE/Aftermath/Interscope) (Dave Meyers)

Sia – “The Greatest” (Monkey Puzzle Records/RCA Records) (Ryan Heffington)

Fifth Harmony ft. Gucci Mane – “Down” (Syco Music/Epic Records) (Sean Bankhead)

BEST EDITING

Future – “Mask Off” (Epic Records/Freebandz/A1) (Vinnie Hobbs of VHPost)

Young Thug – “Wyclef Jean” (300 Entertainment/Atlantic Records) (Ryan Staake & Eric Degliomini)

Lorde – “Green Light” (Republic Records) (Nate Gross of Exile Edit)

The Chainsmokers ft. Halsey – “Closer” (Disruptor Records/Columbia Records) (Jennifer Kennedy)

The Weeknd – “Reminder” (XO/Republic Records) (Red Barbaza)

 

 

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Crane bank saga: We don’t sanction charges on a matter that hasn’t been investigated by police-DPP

By
Francisco Adongo
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DPP Justice Mike Chibita

The office of the Directorate of Public Prosecution has said it hasn’t sanctioned charges against Crane bank shareholder Sudhir Ruparelia.

The DPP’s head of the Public Relations and International Cooperation Department, Ms Jane Akuo Kajuga said that despite the prosecution agency receiving a complaint from Bank of Uganda on the matter, it is the mandate of police to investigate and sanction charges upon which DPP can act.  However, Ms Kajuga reaffirmed that their office is still studying the compliant by BoU.

DPP’s clarification on the matter could ease the tension which is building between the two parties and also affecting the business interests of entrepreneur Sudhir. Earlier speculation was high when it was alleged that government had sanctioned the take over some of Sudhir’s property but this too was dismissed by Tourism Minister Prof. Ephraim Kamuntu.

BoU lodged a case at the High Court against Sudhir for allegedly tapping money from Crane.The Central Bank wants Sudhir compelled to return Shs 397billion, which he is accused to have illegally extracted from Crane Bank, as well as the bank’s land titles that he transferred to his company Meera.

However as the DPP came out, this website learnt that properties worth about six hundred billion shillings (Shs600bn) deposited as security in the now-defunct Crane Bank by dozens of customers who defaulted on loans is majorly responsible for tycoon Sudhir Ruparelia’s current woes, sources have said.

Speaking to the EagleOnline on condition of anonymity, the source said the Shs600bn was written off as ‘bad debt’ but that some senior officials in the Central Bank’s Supervision Directorate that is under Ms. Justin Bagyenda have an interest in the money for personal gain, despite efforts by the former owners of Crane Bank to prove that the securities deposited by loan defaulters were of a higher pecuniary value, and could be sold to offset any debt.

 

 

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Zari gave expensive Ivan Semwanga’s car to Diamond Platnumz – in-laws

By
Badru Kasadah
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Zari

Barely three months since Ivan Ssemwanga’s death, Zari Hassan has sold off almost everything left behind by her late ex-husband, Ivan Ssemwanga.

According to her inlaws, she has already sold off two of the expensive cars left behind; a Lamborghini and BMW X6 while she has given the Range Rover Sport to her current husband, Tanzanian musician Diamond Platnumz.

Muyanja Lawrence also known as King Lawrence, a cousin to the late says that it’s Diamond Platnumz who has been cruising the vehicle. Sadly, Zari sold off the vehicles without consulting the others three members who were assigned to manage Ssemwanga’s estate.
The other three members include King Lawrence, Ritah Ssemwanga (sister) and George Ssemwanga Pinto (elder brother).

These informed their uncle, Herbert Luyinda about the ongoing conflict among the managers of the estate and as you read this, Luyinda is in South Africa. He is scheduled to chair a crisis meeting today at Semwanga’s home in South Africa.

Meanwhile, Zari admits she sold off two of Semwanga’s cars but defends the decision, saying she wanted to raise money to pay off debts left behind by the late.

As for the Range Rover which is allegedly being driven by Diamond Platnumz, she says she “hid” it to prevent it from being impounded over taxes.

Among the properties that were left behind were the expensive cars, two houses in Sandton and Pretoria respectively and schools that include Brooklyn College also located in South Africa.

 

 

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Kidega to grace the 2017 UPL Awards

By
Our Reporter
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Dan Kidega

The Azam Uganda Premier League Awards 2017 edition will be presided over by Dan F. Kidega, the Speaker of the East African Legislative Assembly.

According to the Uganda Premier League (UPL) chairman, Arinaitwe Rugyendo, Dan Fred Kidega will be the guest of honour to grace the crowning night as the chief guest.

The best player of the season to be chosen from KCCA’s top scorer Geoffrey Sserunkuuma, SC Villa’s Emmanuel Okwi and Muhammad Shabaan of Onduparaka will walk away with a price of a brand new Subaru Forester this evening.

The event will be at Imperial Royale Hotel in Kampala to reward the best performers from the 2016/2017 season in various categories starting at 6pm.

The First Lady, Janet Museveni was the chief guest during last year’s Uganda Premier League awards that took place at Serena Hotel, Kampala.

Joseph Ochaya, Miya Farouk, Robert Ssentogo and Brian Umony are the past winners of the top accolade.

 

 

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KCCA grilled over Shs8b NSSF monies

By
Priscilla Alma
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KCCA ED, Musis whose authority hasn't remitted workers savings to NSSF.

Officials at Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) were this morning put to task to explain why they have been deducting monies on staff salaries for NSSF, yet haven’t ben remitting the monies to the Fund.

Led by Deputy Executive Director, Sam Serunkuuma, the officials were this morning appearing before the Parliament Committee of Commissions, Statutory Authorities and State Enterprises (COSASE) to respond to audit queries raised in the 2014/2015 Audit report.

This follows concerns raised by the Auditor General, John Muwanga who revealed that the Authority hasn’t been remitting staff savings to NSSF, with the debt hitting Shs1.47 billion.

Richard Lule, Director Administration and Human Resource told the Committee that the arrears accrued as a result of misinterpreting the NSSF Act on whether political heads, revenue officers, enforcement officers and casual workers were eligible to remit money to NSSF.Lule however assured the legislators that the monies have since been cleared, following the harmonization of the law.

However, his explanation fell on deaf ears, with MPs; Moses Kasibante (Lubaga North) and Michael Tusiime (Mbarara Municipality) were quick to raise questions on where the authority got the money to hurriedly remit the money to NSSF yet it has never been budgeted for.

KCCA’s Lule informed the committee that the funds had been availed in the subsequent budget and the five per cent that was meant to be paid by staff had been recovered from the employees.

However, it didn’t take long before Lule’s lies were laid bare when Tusiime tabled evidence before the committee that indicated that NSSF is demanding Shs7 billion from KCCA. This prompted the committee to put Lule on oath.

Having been pushed to the corner, Lule confessed his sins revealing that although KCCA paid the monies, the fund ordered the authority to pay the fine as a result of delaying to remit the funds in time.

It was then that Serunkuuma chipped in to save face, pledging to remit all outstanding arrears to NSSF by end of December 2017.

 

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US-based Ugandans ‘export’ rigging to the UNAA presidential elections

By
Badru Kasadah
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FIDDLING WITH ELECTIONS? Incumbent UNAA president Monday Atigo

“Uganda remains Uganda no matter where you find it!!!” one Muzeyi Vicent remarked about the upcoming Ugandan North American Association – UNAA presidential elections. This is after one of the candidates Daniel Kavuma suspended his campaigns citing irregularities, allegedly occasioned by the UNAA Electoral Commission and incumbent association president Monday Atigo.

“After receiving contradictory information from the UNAA Electoral Commission and consultation with my team and some supporters, I have made the decision to suspend my campaign for UNAA President immediately,” Kavuma announced yesterday.

“I will not legitimize a fraudulent election process unless we return to the regulations that were agreed upon at the beginning of the campaign,” he added.

Kavuma accuses the UNAA EC chairman Franco Wantsala of arriving at a decision to eliminate absentee voting just 30 days to the Election Day without consulting the concerned stakeholders, arguing that the decision was only intended to benefit his opponent.

“Some members of the UNAA EC are saying they were not present when such a vote was conducted and one member is in Uganda. Who is making the decisions in the UNAA EC? Many questions and not enough answers. This is not a sign of a free and fair election.”

Some Ugandans in the US supported Kavuma’s move. One such person is Herman Mawanda.

“The UNAA offices are virtual hence operated in “absentia”. The communication was done via email in “absentia” payments for membership and other fees have always been done via online in “absentia” The many from Uganda who have always wished to attend the UNAA conventions have paid for registration fees in. “Absentia” recently we discovered that the President was lobbying for funding at a restaurant at Twegaite by simply swiping the card meaning the emoney was applied in “absentia” of liquid cash. What is so complicated with members voting for their President in “absentia” when campaigns have also been done in “absentia” via social media” moreover the electoral commission indeed requested the candidates to present their campaign videos, another “absentia” technique,” Mawanda wondered.

Son Muhwezi: When a Ugandan lizard goes to America, it doesn’t turn into a crocodile. Ugandans remain Ugandans wherever they go.

Reacting to his opponent, the incumbent president Monday Atigo laughed off the allegations, saying: “In the famous words of former first lady Michelle Obama, ‘When they go low, we go high’. Leadership is more than cheap shots to gain political mileage. UNAA has travelled a long journey with substantial gains in the last 4 years. We simply have to continue building onto what we have started.”

Meanwhile, Kavuma’s protest has prompted Wantsala to come up with a hasty statement on the matter.

“Dear Members of UNAA Community, many of you have reached out to me reacting to the Press Release regarding our voting process that was sent out from UNAA Electoral Commission last night. The UNAAEC position is that this document was still being reviewed and pending input from all stakeholders including candidates before it could be shared with the public. It’s easy to say that this document was sent out prematurely, and as the chairman of the UNAAEC, I apologize for any inconveniences it may have caused,” reads part of the statement issued yesterday.

The UNAA presidential elections are to be held during this year’s UNAA convention scheduled to take place between September 1-5 in Miami.

Founded in 1988, UNAA is the oldest and largest Ugandan diaspora organization. But following a conflict within the organization, a faction broke away to form a parallel organization, the UNAA Causes.

 

 

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AEON and VIBES: Taking the Ugandan nightlife by storm

By
Isaiah Mwebaze
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Revellers at the Aeon and Vibes event

Uganda this year upstaged a number of countries to become one of the best tourist destinations in Africa. Indeed, this came as no surprise since Ugandans were also voted as the ‘friendliest’ people in the world.

This, coupled with the country’s various scenic destinations and rich-diverse heritage, made the party scene a vibrant and ever eventful affair that caters for not only the locals but international community as well.

Nightlife in Uganda takes on various forms and a visitor is never short of options in Kampala’s after-hours. However, as a third world country, there is little to be excited about the fluctuating shilling, an antidote for what one would call a good time in various hotspots.

Oftentimes, Kampala plays host to local and international artistes who put up live performances at events/gigs such as Blankets and Wine or Nyege Nyege but one wonders what is in it for the average Ugandan.

 

This is a puzzle David Kakuba, 25 and Brian Muhumuza, 29 sought to solve while trying to analyse the entertainment industry, in which they both hold a considerable stake under Company brands: Optimus Events and Valhala Bar, respectively. This year the Vibes Warehouse event was launched on April 7 in Industrial Area and followed shortly by the electronic and high energy AEON-Smirnoff party at The Square-Industrial area on July 14, 2017.

Interestingly, unlike most creative gigs on Kampala’s contemporary social scene with it’s quick-to-bore crowd; both gigs were a success despite the traditional courtesy and marker of Ugandan youth empowerment.

The Aeon and Vibes events bring back a classical regeneration of both the arts and culture intertwined to provide the Ugandan with an atmosphere of a modern day fraternity that mainly entails the idea: ‘Party as you learn’.

From highly sought after discjockeys (DJs) to a number of high-end designers including Thandi and Elijah McQueen who showcased a number of their various works in jewelry and clothing lines.

An open art gala that showcased a number of unique, beautifully-imagined and moving pieces of art work that transported many and set a sophisticated tone that was quickly relieved by a beer or glass of vino. Poetry and music took centre stage as different artistes took to the stage to share their refined words and rhythm. Despite an Al-Fresco setting and minimal seats, the energy of guests and well-wishers was at maximum as they readily offered a heap of praises, dance moves and ululations to the infectious tunes the Deejays performed throughout the night.

Despite the electric charge and high anticipation prior to the night’s events, it was the reasonable charges and fair pricings that were set to make this event a success. A concept started by two companies: Valhala Bar and Optimus Events together with Arena Sports bar and Smirnoff, all aiming to provide Ugandans with the most conducive environment Kampala has to offer at reasonable price.

“Aeon is a house, electronic event and the whole concept rotates around energetic music with deejays like Aleczandah, but if you like upcoming rappers, spoken word and Deejays like Naselow we also cater for that in events like Vibes which we launched earlier this year. Then we also deal in fashion and clothes, we look to give Ugandan designers a platform that is cheap and at the same time effective to promote their works and then last but not least we involve art through film: infact we are going to be showing short films done locally and we’ll see how we develop from that.” Kakuba is the CEO and founder of Dash Investments, an Umbrella for Optimus Events also renowned for its good job in organizing a number of top-notch events in and around Kampala.

When contacted for feedback on the Aeon-Smirnoff party, a number of guests suggested it be made a bi-annual event since it was more affordable and entertaining than most events hosted during the year.

 

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