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NRM sets date for vetting of Iganga Woman MP

By
Geoffery Serugo
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NRM EC boss Dr. Tanga Odoi addresses the media

The National Resistance Movement (NRM) Electoral Commission chairman Tanga Odoi has set August 18, 2017, as the date for the party to find a candidate that will fill the Iganga district women parliamentary seat that fell vacant after the death of Grace Haliat Kawuda.

Ms. Kawuda, who was serving her first term in Parliament after she trounced Olivia Kabaale Kwagala in the 2016 general elections, succumbed to pre-eclampsia and died at Kawempe hospital.

And speaking at the NRM EC offices on Kyadondo Road, Dr. Tanga Odoi, said candidates seeking to replace Ms. Kawuda as MP are expected to pick nomination forms up to August 4; get nominated between August 4-5, and thereafter embark on campaigns from August 5-16. Between August 19 and 21, Tanga Odoi said the party EC will hear petitions, if any, arising out of the electoral process.

He also urged NRM supporters to desist from causing violence adding that those who engage in wrongful acts will be punished.

 

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Uganda joins in Astana Expo2017, takes trade potential to central Asia

By
Our Reporter
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The Ugandan flag being displayed at the Astana 2017 Procession

The drive to penetrate international trade has seen Uganda participate in Astana Expo2017 that is attended by over 5 million people, taking the East African country’s trade potential to central Asia.

The Uganda delegation led by Ambassador Gideon Rutazindwa at the Astana 2017 Press Conference

The Astana Expo is an international trade platform that provides ample opportunity for companies, including those in Uganda, keen on penetrating the Kazakhstan market and Eastern European markets to showcase and promote their products and services throughout the three month period. Over 5 million visitors attend the event.

Part of the audience at the Astana Expo2017

The Astana Expo2017 theme this year was ‘Future Energy’, with three major sub themes that include: Future Energy for Africa; Biodiversity in Africa; African Cultural Diversity.  Each country was required to organize a special day at the venue to show case their national achievements. July 24, 2017 was Uganda National Day at Astana EXPO2017.

Ugandan drummers at the Astana Expo 2017

Uganda’s delegation comprises government and private sector teams led by the Charge d’Affaires a.i. Uganda Embassy Moscow, Ambassador Gideon Rutazindwa, Uganda Export Promotion Board, represented by the Executive Director, Dr. Elly Twineyo, Mr Ronald Baluku from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr Baguma from the Ministry of Energy, and representatives from the Private Sector Foundation, Uganda Tea Growers Association and a Ugandan Entertainment group.

The Uganda flag (L) flies at the Astana Expo2017 venue.

Amb. Rutazindwa said that Uganda is proud to have participated in the historic event and invited participants to visit the Uganda pavilion.

“We hope that the people of Kazakhstan get a glimpse of our mountain gorillas and all the beauty that Uganda has to offer, taste of Uganda tea; coffee;  and a catalogue of existing investment opportunities at the Ugandan pavilion,” he said.

He told the participants that he believed there was so much Uganda could learn from Kazakhstan given the impressive ranking as the largest economy in central Asia.   “As we strive to modernize our economy” he said adding: “Uganda will continue to seek support and cooperation from Kazakhstan in developing the following specific core areas of investment; Energy & Mineral resources, Trade and Investment, Agriculture, Infrastructure Development and Tourism.”

According to the envoy, Uganda looked to Kazakhstan’s successful transformation as a model that will provide Uganda with new ideas and lessons to unlock our potential in the oil and mineral sector.

Traditional dancers at the Astana Expo 2017

The highlights of the day included a press conference, a presentation about Uganda, a video on Uganda and entertainment by Ugandan drummers and dancers. The day was crowned by a meeting with business leaders and a dinner.

 

 

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Serbian State Secretary, Minister Kutesa in trade talks

By
Francisco Adongo
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Foreign Affairs minister Sam Kutesa and the State Minister in charge of International Affairs Henry Okello Oryem , meeting a Serbian delegation led by the Serbian State Secretary, Nemanja Steavnovic

Foreign Affairs minister Sam Kutesa and the State Minister in charge of International Affairs Henry Okello Oryem have today met with the Serbian State Secretary, Nemanja Steavnovic at Ministry of Foreign Affairs Kampala, and the trio discussed about trade and investment between the two countries.

During the talks Minister Kutesa noted that Uganda and Serbia formally established diplomatic relations in 1987, a period when the former was promoting the barter trade policy through the Produce Marketing Board (PMB).

At that time, Minister Kutesa said, Uganda and Serbia agreed to the barter trade policy, culminating into the repair of the Mityana-Mubende road and the rehabilitation of the former Apollo Hotel (Kampala Sheraton) among others.

Foreign Affairs minister Sam Kutesa and the Serbian State Secretary, Nemanja Steavnovic

On his part Mr. Steavnovic intimated that his country had a deep interest in working with Uganda to build investor confidence, promote trade and investment; enhance the development of investment projects and, technical cooperation and capacity building in the Defense sector.

Mr Steavnovic hinted particularly at the application of ICT in agriculture, adding that a Serbian company, NOVISAD, is already cooperating with National Agricultural Research Organization (NARO) to transform Uganda’s agricultural sector.

Victoria group, another Serbian private investment group is ready to cooperate in crop production and processing, he added. The company works with over 400 cooperatives and provides farmers with tested, high quality and high yielding seeds (only Non- GMO), Fertilizers, pesticides and financial support.  Victoria group also deals in oil seed processing, technical analysis and testing of oil seed especially sunflower.

The two Ministers agreed on a joint visit to Serbia of Ministers of Agriculture, Defence and Energy to follow up on further areas of cooperation in those respective sectors.

The State Minister in charge of International Affairs Henry Okello Oryem have today met with the Serbian State Secretary, Nemanja Steavnovic

On his part Minister Okello Oryem pointed out that Serbia, which is a renowned consumer of coffee at 31,000 tonnes a year, would find a reliable supply of quality coffee from Uganda.

He encouraged the State Secretary to interest Coffee businesses in Serbia to trade in Ugandan Coffee.

On the Oil industry, Minister Okello Oryem explained that a new area of production of petroleum by-products would also be worthwhile for Serbia to explore.

Mr Steavnovic will be in Uganda for two days during which time he is also expected to have a meeting with President Yoweri Museveni.

 

 

 

 

 

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Mutebile pins BoU supervision boss over Crane Bank saga

By
Francisco Adongo
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BoU Governor Emmanuel Tumusiime-Mutebile.

The Governor of Bank of Uganda Prof. Emmanuel Mutebile has laid the biggest share of blame in the Crane Bank saga on his subordinate, the Central Bank’s Director of Supervision Ms. Justine Bagyenda.

In a tell-it-all interview with a local daily, Prof. Mutebile acknowledged that despite being the overall boss, he was not ‘criminally responsible’ for the irregularities blamed on the management of the now-defunct Crane Bank, which reportedly led to the loss of over Shs400 billion of savers money. Efforts to contact Ms. Bagyenda for comment were futile by press time.

At the time of its closure the Crane Bank, the fourth largest commercial bank in the country, was owned by among other shareholders businessman Sudhir Ruparelia. Last year the bank was boarded off to the dfcu after BoU said it faced pecuniary problems.

‘I am responsible for what went wrong but I am not criminally responsible; ask the Executive Director Supervision (Justine Bagyenda),’ Prof. Mutebile said when prodded during the interview on Sunday. Asked whether he would consider taking disciplinary action against Ms. Bagyenda and her subordinates in the supervision department for the omissions that possibly include collusion, Prof. Mutebile said: ‘I have not seen any evidence though I dont deny categorically the possibility of collusion … I shall decide (on the action against Ms. Bagyenda) after the courts have ruled’.

The interview with the BoU Governor followed the leaking of a forensic audit report by PriceWaterHouseCoopers (PwC) that was initiated by the BoU. In the report the PwC says BoU cannot begin criminal proceedings against Mr. Ruparelia unless the central bank lodges a criminal complaint with police.

But the PwC advice came against the backdrop of civil litigation by the BoU against Mr. Ruparelia and one of his business arms, Meera Investments.

The case involving over Shs400 billion and filed in the Commercial Court is yet to take off, but this is not before one of the BoU lawyers being accused of ‘conflict of interest’, having earlier been retained by Crane Bank.

Businessman Ruparelia, denies any wrongdoing on his part, saying he now awaits the court decision on the Crane Bank matter.

 

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Basena, Kajoba start work by naming squad for CHAN qualifier

By
Our Reporter
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NEW CRANES COACHES: Moses Basena and Fred Kajoba

During a press conference held at the FUFA headquarters in Mmengo yesterday, the football governing body appointed Moses Basena and Fred Kajoba as interim coaches after the departure of Serbian coach Milutin ‘Micho’ Sredojevic.

And today, as Basena and Kajoba started their reign they named a 25-man squad for the upcoming CHAN 2018 qualification matches against neighbours Rwanda due on August 12th and 18th. The duo have been deputizing Micho and is also expected to take charge of the national team as it faces Egypt in back-to-back World Cup qualifiers in August and September.

The entire squad named for the CHAN matches is expected to start preparations by holding a training session tomorrow at Mandela National Stadium before the final 18-man team is named for the game.

Uganda beat South Sudan 5-1 to advance to the CHAN final qualifying round in Micho’s final game as coach. Paul Mucureezi scored four goals while Derrick Nsibambi scored the other.

Rwanda qualified after eliminating Tanzania on 1-1 goals aggregate following a goalless draw in the second leg played at Kigali Stadium.

The first leg will be will be played at Vipers’ home ground St. Mary’s Stadium, Kitende on August 12 while the second leg will be in Kigali, Rwanda.

The winner after the two legs guarantees a slot in the final CHAN tournament that will take place next year in January.

Uganda has played in the CHAN competition for two times, in Sudan 2011 and Rwanda 2016 failing to leave the group stages in both.

The CHAN tournament is reserved for players who feature in their respective domestic leagues across Africa, will be staged from January 11 to February 2, 2018 in Kenya.

The team:

Goalkeepers: Watenga Isma (Vipers SC), Keni Saidi (Proline FC), Ikara Tom (Kirinya Jinja SS), Ochan Benjamin (KCCA FC)

Outfield players: Wadada Nicholas (Vipers SC), Adriko John (Sc Villa Jogoo), Muleme Isaac (KCCA FC), Awanyi Timothy (KCCA FC), Toha Rashid (Onduparaka FC), Kabugo Savio (Proline FC), Muwanga Bernard (Sc Villa Jogoo), Waissa Moses (Vipers SC), Bukenya Deus (Vipers SC), Kasozi Nicholas (Synergy FC), Mutyaba Muzamir (KCCA FC), Musamali Paul (KCCA FC), Mucureezi Paul (KCCA FC), Serunkuma Simon (Sc VIlla Jogoo), Derick Nsibambi (KCCA FC), Masiko Tom (Vipers SC), Shaban Muhammad (Onduparaka FC), Frank Tumwesigye (Vipers SC), Kagimu Shafiq (URA FC), Erisa Ssekisambu (Vipers Sc).

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Uganda on notice as Kenya terminates RVR concession

By
George Mangula
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END OF THE ROAD? Kenya Railways has terminated contract with RVR

Uganda, which has been shy to take Rift Valley Railway (RVR) to court for failure to meet concession terms, will mostly follow Kenya to terminate the 11-year concession the two countries signed in 2006 with  (RVR)to manage the Kenya-Uganda Railways.

Early last week, officials from the finance ministry said they were waiting for developments in Kenya which in March, had lodged a case in a Nairobi court to terminate the contract, arguing that RVR has failed over the years failed to meet its contract obligations.

The Kenyan government, having succeeded in court, is in preparations to take over operations of the 100-year meter gauge. RVR will over the next 30 days hand over all concessioned assets to Kenya Railways (KR), ultimately marking the end of its troubled 11 years of operating the Kenya-Uganda railways.

The government and RVR have agreed to establish a joint takeover committee that will ensure a seamless handover of operations and conceded assets, said a joint statement signed by Kenya Railways managing director Atanas Maina and RVR Chief Executive Officer Isaiah Okoth.

Kenya’s termination of the concession after seven months of court battles is expected to entice Uganda, which has also tried to end the RVR concession.
RVR, which is owned by Egyptian-based Qalaa Holdings, has over the years struggled to revive the business, repeatedly failing to meet the concession terms.

While terminating the concession in April, KR said that RVR had defaulted on three key terms of the concession agreement namely maintenance of conceded assets, cargo haulage targets and payment of concession fees amounting to KSh600 million.

In Uganda, RVR failed to meet what is termed as the Golden Standards, according to the past two transport sector reviews. RVR has allegedly failed to extend the services beyond its operations in the central to northern Uganda.

Uganda’s Ministry of Works and Transport top officials were unavailable to comment on this development. But transport analysts said Uganda will have to follow Kenya and terminate the RVR contract though at first they had resisted.

RVR has desperately been trying to salvage the concession through bringing on board a strategic investor but these efforts have not raised any equity.

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Parliamentary Commission finally conducts job interviews

By
George Mangula
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Clerk to Parliament Jane L. Kibirige

Over 3000 job seekers have appeared for aptitude tests in a bid to join Uganda’s Parliamentary Service Commission. This comes two weeks after the interviews were postponed due to computer system failure, the Parliament’s Director of Human Resource Department Jackson Kumakech, said.

“Despite efforts to restart the system and have the candidates sit the assessment, the failure recurred forcing the postponement of the exercise to this week,” Mr Kumakech said.

The Parliament of Uganda

The recruitment, which will raise the number of parliamentary staff from 435 to 465, was necessitated following the increase in the number of Members of Parliament in the 10th Parliament.

And, speaking about the two-day interviews that have been conducted at the Makerere University College of Computing and Information Science,  Jane Kibirige, the Clerk to Parliament, said the Commission wants to fill 30 vacant positions which include Accountant, Clerk Assistant, Engineering Officer (Automotive) and Technician.
Other positions are Administrative Assistant, Assistant Editor of Hansard, Engineering Officer (Mechanical), Information & Public Education Officer, Librarian, Procurement Officer, Protocol Officer, Publications Officer, Research Officer (Publication) and Research Officer (Statistician).

The Parliamentary Commission is charged with appointing, promoting and exercising disciplinary control over persons holding public office in Parliament. It also reviews the terms and conditions of service, standing orders, training and qualifications of persons holding office in Parliament.
The Commission was established by the Administration of Parliament Act, 1997 and is chaired by the Speaker of Parliament. It comprises the Prime Minister, Minister of Finance, Leader of the Opposition, Government Chief Whip and four Backbench Commissioners.

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Rest in peace our gallant soldiers, you are great Heroes

By
Guest Writer
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UPDF soldiers carry the caskets containing the remains of their colleagues killed in Somalia

By Michael Woira

I sit here tonight in mourning over the death our peace makers and enforcers. Indeed, it is such a sad moment for us Ugandans and the families of the deceased men in uniform who are our heroes.

However, it is very sad to know that part of our society doesn’t appreciate the sacrifice made by our troops, proof being the social media criticism and politicization that followed news of the deaths.

Many Ugandans used social media and other forms of media to politicize the incident that happened not knowing that a soldier who goes to war ideologically bears in mind that coming back from the battlefield can be an additional advantage but the major issue is making sure the mission is executed well.

Some people in this country think FREEDOM is free, well it isn’t. Look around the media, turn on the TV and look at the heroes that have died for this country; the Black, Yellow and Red insignia on their uniforms.

They truly love Uganda and the entire world and they wish peace for everyone as well as you who is reading this because deep down you feel it in your heart. I believe only service members’ families know how it feels to have someone in war die than the government and the army sometimes, because the latter expect that to happen in war ravaged areas.

We should all as Ugandans celebrate the life of these gallant servicemen who were in Somalia to make sure our brothers and sisters that side are peaceful; it’s an obligation for us all to always pray hard for those people who sacrifice their time and forego sleep, happiness, nice meals and family just to make sure we are safe in our areas of residence.

And for those on the peace keeping mission in Somalia and all security agencies in Uganda and all over the world, we are so proud of you! You have proven that valor and honor still exist.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for keeping our country safe and permitting us to be free. My thoughts are with you always and may God rest the souls of our fallen soldiers.

Patriotic Ugandan

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DP to storm ‘City Square’ over age limit removal

By
Geoffery Serugo
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DP leader Norbert Mao

Top officials of the Democratic Party (DP) have vowed to march to the Constitutional Square (former City Square) on Thursday to put up a banner expressing their opinion about the lifting of the presidential age limit.

ARRESTED: DP President Norbert Mao being whisked away by police.

Recently, the DP President General Norbert Mao was intercepted by police under the command of Kampala Regional Police Commander Siraj Bakaleke as the former his led colleagues to the City Square, where they intended to address crowds, castigating the lifting of the 75-year constitutional age limit cap for anyone to be eligible to hold the Office of the President.

Since then, party members who have been giving out banners, flyers, motorcycle stickers have been arrested in different areas around Kampala, something Mao says is earning the DP more popularity.

‘’This time I don’t hope to see any interferences by police because we already wrote to police chief Gen Kale Kayihura among other police commanders in Kampala,” Mao said while addressing the media on a range of issues at DP headquarters.

He also decried acts of violence, and criticised the humiliation of Kassanda South MP Simeo Nsubuga, by political activist William Ntege aka ‘Kyuma kya Yesu’.

“I can see the anger that Ugandans have over the lifting of the presidential age limit,” a laughing Mao said about the incident that happened at Kabaka Ronald Muwenda Mutebi’s 24th coronation ceremony that was held in Mityana.

Mao also urged the public to strive to ensure the withdrawal of the land amendment bill that was tabled by the Deputy Attorney General Mwesigwa Rukutana, that seeks to pave the way for the government to acquire land for infrastructure development in lieu of the Government Valuer’s report.

“There is no need to amend Article 26 of the Land Act since compensation is in place unless there is a motive behind its amendment,” Mao said.

He added: “We are not opposing government programs however it should be done in a civilized manner. Many people have been evicted in Naguru, Shimoni land on claims of putting up a hotel instead all have turned out be white elephant projects.”

Mao called for the speedy compensation of claimants and also decried the ‘amorphous corruption that is eating up officials of Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA)’, who he said, compensate a few after being bribed ‘to be connected to get compensation funds.’

 

 

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Multi-billion Kenyan sports betting firm wants Uganda to streamline taxes

By
George Mangula
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SportPesa CEO Ronald Karauri

Top Kenyan sports betting company, SportPesa, a new entrant in Uganda’s gaming industry, has called for a better tax system in the country to enhance  betting and gaming activities.
The Chief Executive Officer Sportpesa, Ronald Karauri, made the appeal recently while meeting the Deputy Speaker, Jacob Oulanyah at Parliament.
Karauri said that the existence of informal gaming platforms in Uganda makes it difficult for authorities to tax them as they should since they are difficult to regulate.
“We would like the government to simplify the tax structure especially on withholding tax and tax on gross income. Charging a fee on the initial license and an annual fee would be a better idea. We believe that gross revenue is hard to monitor especially for informal betting shops,” Karauri said.
He proposed that gaming companies should be formally set up and monitored through an online platform in order to weed out the unscrupulous betting set ups. “This will help bring in more revenue and popularise the game,” he said.
Karauri said that SportPesa plans on sponsoring a variety of the local Clubs, especially Express FC, the Federation for Uganda Football Association and the national league.
The Deputy Speaker Oulanyah advised the company to lobby the government, stating that the amendment of any law comes with a proposal of government.
“Revenue laws come once in a year and they might come next year in May.  I suggest that you come in and be part of the change in the law instead of waiting for the proposed amendments to be made before establishing yourself,” Oulanyah said.
The Minister for Youth and Children Affairs, Florence Nakiwala Kiyingi said that SportPesa is primarily engaged in developing the sports sector worldwide.
SportPesa currently operates in Kenya, Tanzania and the United Kingdom, specialising in the development of sports.

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