Perhaps overwhelmed by the con-artistry ravaging the country, the United Nations (UN) System in Uganda has issued a fraud alert, asking people to be on the lookout for criminals posing as UN staff.

According to the UN, represented by 20 agencies in Uganda, some of the fraudsters solicit for money from unsuspecting people ostensibly to get them jobs and tenders, among other things.

‘The public is warned against fraudsters posing as United Nations staff members attempting to solicit money and other material benefits in exchange for jobs, tenders, food, international seminars and other benefits. Some of these fraudsters use forged identity cards or fake email addresses similar to those of UN agencies, conduct fake job interviews, offer fake letters of employment; and use forged contracts in an attempt to obtain goods and services. These scams are criminal offences that must be reported to government authorities immediately,’ a release by the UN indicates in part.

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Following endless mayhem orchestrated by the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) law enforcement agents against vendors on the city streets, a law is reportedly in the pipeline to regulate their operations.

According to Samuel Sserunkuuma, the KCCA acting executive director, the proposed law was submitted to the Council on Wednesday. He added that if passed by the councilors it will help improve KCCA’s tainted image.

“We strongly believe that if an ordinance to regulate this enforcement team is made, it will help us get well trained personnel to enforce the law in the city,” Mr. Sserunkuuma said.

The development comes on the heels of a heated controversy surrounding the recruitment and deployment of the law enforcers whose crude way of operation that has so far claimed two lives, has been condemned by the public.

Early this month, KCCA Lord Mayor, Erias Lukwago, faulted KCCA law enforcers over the death of a woman identified as Olivia Basemera, 38, a resident of Mengo in Kampala, who jumped into the Nakivubo Channel in a desperate attempt to escape arrest, and drowned. Eyewitnesses said Basemera was vending handkerchiefs when she was confronted by the ruthless KCCA officers.

“I have personally been engaging several people who were at the scene and several accounts from eyewitnesses point to the reckless and criminal conduct of our officers,” Lukwago said while addressing journalists at his chambers.

But KCCA spokesperson Peter Kaujju maintains that on seeing the vehicle carrying enforcement officers, the deceased decided to run, ‘unfortunately falling’ in the channel where she drowned.

In a related development, four KCCA enforcement officers were arrested and charged for manslaughter before Lillian Bucyana, the Nakawa Chief Magistrate, contrary to section 187 and 190 of the Penal Code Act.

The four charged are Tito Kigiro, Eria Waswa, Moses Tebyasa and Farouk Mpima.

Ntwiba Kaine, the State Prosecutor told court that on August 4, 2017 while at Mukwano Round about in Central Division in Kampala District, the four unlawfully caused the death of Oliver Basemera.

This is not the first time the KCCA enforcement officers are cited in the death of hapless Ugandans; in 2014 their actions led to the death of toddler Ryan Ssemaganda, who was knocked by a KCCA vehicle at the Authority’s headquarters as the mother was waiting to be arraigned before court for street vending.

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At least 35,000 people across the country, in more than 30 towns, have already bought tickets for this Sunday’s Rotary Cancer Run, organisers have said.

“We are expecting more than 30,000 people to take part in this year’s Rotary Cancer Run across the country. We have runs in 32 venues countrywide and the response so far has been very good,” said Denis Jjuuko, a member of the organising committee.

Last year, Rotary and its partners managed to get the Linear Accelerator, which is a cancer treatment machine that offers a safer alternative where cancerous cells are destroyed without affecting the surrounding tissue.

This year, the purpose of the run is to raise at least shs3.6 billion to build its bunker at the Rotary-Centenary Bank Cancer Centre at St. Raphael of St. Francis Hospital, Nsambya.

Statistics at the Uganda Cancer Institute indicate that on average 1,700 new patients are diagnosed with cancer each year, of these about 700 (40%) are children.

Besides the Kampala edition slated to be held at the Kololo Ceremonial Grounds, other runs will take place in Kisoro, Kabarole, Entebbe, Masindi, Apac, Arua, Bugiri, Bushenyi, Bwera, Gulu, Hoima, Iganga, Jinja, Kabale, Fort Portal, Kabwohe, Kalangala, Kasese, Kitgum, Kumi, Kyotera, Lira, Lukaya, Masaka, Mbale, Mbarara, Ntungamo, Rukungiri, Soroti, Tororo, among others, simultaneously.

Runners will take part in the 5km, 10km and 21km races.

Tickets for the run are still on sale at Centenary Bank branches, Game Stores and all Capital Shoppers branches at Shs20,000.

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High Court judge Yasin Nyanzi has refused to grant bail to jailed murder suspect Mathew Kanyamunyu.

Kanyamunyu, who is accused of killing social worker Kenneth Akena Watmon on November 12 last year, has so far been denied bail for three times. Akena died at Norvik Hospital on November 13.

And in his ruling today Justice Yasin Nyanzi, who presided over the bail application hearing, said Kanyamunyu has right to apply for bail as many times, but not before same judge, under similar circumstances.

Mathew Kanyamunyu, the Executive Director of Quantum Express Logistics, is facing the murder charge with his brother Joseph Kanyamunyu and lady friend Cynthia Munwangali, the latter two who were granted bail on March 27 by Justice Nyanzi.

Previously, Mathew Kanyamunyu had presented Moses Karuhanga, Julius Kanyamunyu, Timothy Tumusiime and Stella Barungi Karuhanga as his sureties, but the state objected to the bail application, arguing that nothing has changed to compel court to change its earlier decision.

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