Independent candidate Robert Kyagulanyi Sentamu aka Bobi Wine has been released following negotiations with police and Electoral Commission representatives, to change the venue of his last rally.
Political temperature had risen in the Kyadondo East campaigns for by-election, and Bobi Wine had earlier arrested and temporarily detained at Kira Police Station for failure to comply with police orders to shift his rally from Kasangati to Gayaza.
According to the EC schedule, Bobi Wine was supposed to officially hold a rally at Kasangati but police blocked him claiming that President Yoweri Museveni is expected in the area to campaign for the National Resistance Movement (NRM) candidate Sitenda Sebalu.
In the ensuing melee Bobi Wine agreed to change venue to Gayaza, saying he did not want ‘to cause a presidential embarrassment’ to Mr. Museveni.
President Museveni is expected to preside over Sitenda Sebalu’s rally ahead of the voting tomorrow to fill the Kyadondo East parliamentary seat that fell vacant after the nullification of Apollo Kantinti’s election as the constituency Member of Parliament by the High Court Judge Isabirye Kaweesa on grounds that the Electoral Commission did not comply with the electoral laws.
WARNED: Mufti Sheikh Ramathan Mubajje addresses Muslim faithful during Eid prayers at Old Kampala mosque
The Mufti of Uganda Sheikh Shaban Ramadhan Mubaje has decried the rivaling Muslim countries in the Middle East, saying they were damaging the image of Islam as a religion of peace.
“Islam is known for being a religion of peace but how can we convince the world when Muslims are fighting themselves?” Mubajje wondered in his Eid Message that delivered to tens of thousands of Muslims who turned up for today’s National Eid El Fitri prayers at Gaddafi Mosque, Old Kampala.
Mubajje was reacting to the current crisis amongst Gulf countries, in which a Saudi-led coalition that includes Egypt, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain cut ties with Qatar on 5 June, accusing it of ‘harbouring a multitude of terrorist and sectarian groups that aim to create instability in the region’.
He advised the warring countries to abandon fighting and adopt dialogue as the best way of addressing misunderstandings. He also appealed to all world leaders, especially those in the Arab world to respect humanity by directing resources towards supporting those in need instead of spending on weapons that cause only bloodshed.
“Instead of spending millions of dollars to buy weapons, let us use this money to feed refuges and encourage peaceful means of solving conflicts as well as supporting development initiatives,” the Mufti said.
The Mufti’s sermon comes in the wake of a recent trip by US President Donald Trump to Saudi Arabia, where he announced a $110bn arms sales package to Saudi Arabia.
Meanwhile, Republican chairman of the Senate foreign relations committee, Bob Corker has said the US Congress will hold up approval of arms sales to the Gulf as a result of the Saudi-led blockade of Qatar.
ISSUED STERN WARNING AGAINST HOMOSEXUALITY: Tanzania's Home Affairs Minister Mwigulu Nchemba
Tanzania has threatened to arrest and expel activists, as well as de-register all non-governmental organisations that campaign for gay rights.
Homosexuality is a criminal offence in the East African nation, where the law states that suspects convicted of having ‘carnal knowledge of any person against the order of nature’ could face up to 30 years in jail.
At a rally, Tanzania’s Home Affairs Minister Mwigulu Nchemba said both domestic and foreign campaigners for gay rights would now face punitive measures in the country.
“Those who want to campaign for gay rights should find another country that allows those things,” Nchemba said in the capital Dodoma.
“If we establish that any organisation registered in our country is campaigning for gay rights … I will deregister that organisation. If a Tanzanian national is doing that campaign, we will arrest him and take him to court … and if it is a foreigner, we will immediately order him to leave the country.”
The planned crackdown comes amid repeated warnings against “immoral behaviours” by President John Magufuli, who is nicknamed “the Bulldozer” for pushing through his policies.
Last week, he rejected calls to lift the decades-long ban on pregnant students from attending state schools, drawing criticism from rights groups.
Nchemba said Magufuli’s decisions were final and non-negotiable.
Since his ascent to power in 2015, Magufuli has been praised by some Western donors for his bid to stamp out corruption and cut wasteful government spending.
Opponents, however, accuse him of becoming increasingly authoritarian by curbing political activity and cracking down on dissent.
Plans are underway to launch a shs48 billion (Euros 12 million) Fund to support Uganda’s small and growing agri-businesses positioned in the agricultural supply chains, it has been stated.
SUPERVISOR: Edward Matsiko, Fund Manager, Yield Uganda Investment Fund
The Fund code-named Yield Uganda Investment Fund is a partnership of European Union Delegation to Uganda and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), says Edward Matsiko, the Fund Manager.
The two organisations have provided initial funding of Euros 10 million. Another Partner, the National Social Security Fund (NSSF) of Uganda has staked Euros 2 million in the Fund as it expands its investment portfolio.
With the new Fund, organised agri-businesses will borrow at low interest rates or turn their businesses into equities in partnership with Fund managers.
Matsiko advises agri-businesses struggling with funding to turn them into equity, saying that this type of investment is getting much better than it was ten years ago.
“What is important is for investees to run SMEs as businesses with clear management and accounting practices and be as transparent as possible,” he says, adding that: “This kind of investment comes with free technical support.”
Initiators of the Fund intend to increase the size to Euros 25 million by November 2017 as due diligence on prospective investors continues.
The Fund, initiators say, comes at the time when Uganda’s macroeconomic environment is conducive for future economic activities.
“The outlook of inflation and interest rates shows gradual declines over the next five years 2020, which will provide a conducive operating environment for businesses,” they say.
Matsiko says the Fund is timely especially as the agriculture sector employs 65% of the population.
“Agriculture continues to be the most important sector in Uganda’s economy in terms of raw materials for industry, food security, employment and exports to regional and international markets,” Matsiko says.
VICTORIOUS: Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine and his wife Barbie Kyagulanyi.
Police has arrested Kyadondo East Independent candidate Bobi Wine, for allegedly trying to ‘breach peace.’
According to source, Bobi Wine, who is contesting in a by-election, defied orders to keep off Kasangati grounds where he was supposed to hold a rally today as per the Electoral Commission schedule.
This, the source said, was aimed at giving way for a rally by National Resistance Movement (NRM) candidate Sitenda Sebalu, which will reportedly be attended by President Yoweri Museveni.
Further, the source said, Bobi Wine’s supporters also thronged the grounds in support of their candidate, forcing the police to disperse the crowds and arrest the singer-cum-politician.
Bobi Wine is contesting against Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) candidate Kantinti and NRM’s Sebalu, after the latter’s election was nullified by the Court of Appeal.
South Sudan’s armed opposition, the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army-In Opposition (SPLM/A-IO) under the leadership of former First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar issued a stern warning, saying there is a looming collapse of Juba’s regime and that South Sudanese government should prepare for its ‘complete disintegration’.
The warning comes less than two days after the leadership of the SPLM/A-IO announced in a statement that it will honor its soldiers who were killed in July 2016 when government forces launched surprised attacks on rebel troops at J1. The armed opposition also calls on all its supporters worldwide to honor those killed in Juba last year.
Johnson Wal Hoth, an official with rebel military command said the current South Sudan’s transitional government of national unity is fake and that it is being run by “thugs and visionless leaders” who wouldn’t even know when their time is up.
“The SPLM/A-IO has been working for peace but Salva Kiir is not for peace, he wants to keep the same system that destroys the country,” Hoth told the media at rebel headquarters, Pagak.
“So, our main goal now is to topple Salva Kiir’s genocidal regime. There is an imminent collapse of Juba regime,” Hoth asserted, adding, “Juba is run by thugs and visionless leaders” who don’t care about the future of the country.
“Juba regime should prepare for its complete disintegration,” he warned.
Hoth, who refused to give details on his statements when pressed also stated that the armed opposition will never be part of what he described as “Kiir’s self-serving national dialogue and the so-called SPLM reunification.” He further warned that Kiir’s refusal to abide by the August 2015 peace will result in a humiliating end.
Presidents Joseph Kabila of the DRC and Jacob Zuma of South Africa
Citizens of the Democratic Republic of Congo expressed disappointment at the South African government for hosting embattled DRC President Joseph Kabila in the country.
Kabila and his delegation were in South Africa for a bi-national commission.
A handful of DRC citizens protested outside the gates leading to the Sefako Makgatho presidential guesthouse where Kabila and Zuma met behind closed doors.
“Mr Kabila has held us as hostages in our own country. We are prisoners in our own country‚” said Jean Bwasa‚ a human rights activist and spokesperson for the Congolese community living in South Africa.
“Mr Jacob Zuma should not have allowed or hosted Mr Joseph Kabila because he is illegitimate.”
Bwasa explained that as stated in the DRC constitution‚ Kabila should have organised fresh elections in December last year in preparation for his successor.
This did not happen.
He lambasted Kabila for failing to adhere to a Constitution which the country drafted with the assistance of the South African government.
Meanwhile, Esale-Prince Mpinda of the National Council of the Congolese for Development in SA said the meeting between Zuma and Kabila would be fruitless.
“When the DRC officially has a new government‚ whatever agreements are reached between Zuma and Kabila would be regarded void‚ Mpinda said.
”It is a private meeting and the Congolese government tomorrow will not consider any signature which Kabila puts down‚” he added.
Mpinda said Zuma’s failure to address the concerns of the Congolese nation made him an “accomplice to what is happening in the DRC”.
Bwasa said freedom of speech was non-existent in the DRC and issues such as rape continued to thrive under the watch of Kabila.
“Over 450‚000 women are raped monthly in the DRC‚” said Bwasa. The small group of protesters‚ armed with a loud hailer‚ DRC flags and placards said they were glad that “the red carpet was not rolled out for Kabila”.
“He did not use the official entrance which means that he has run away from only 10 citizens from the Congo. What is he running from if he really is president? Why can he not come and address the citizens of his country‚” questioned Bwasa.
HAPPY EID! Nabbika residents in Nakaseke District receive rice and meat donated by Spa Finance Services for the Eid Mubarak festivities.
Residents of Nakaseke used the Eid Mubarak celebrations to warn politicians who are fuelling land wrangles in the area.
Residents singled out Nakaseke South MP Semakula Luttamaguzi as the brainchild of a campaign that is inciting quarrels over land in the area-with a strong message to politicians to leave land owners utilise their land as they wish.
Nakaseke has been a flashpoint of disputes but Spa Financial Services, an investment firm, has been pulling all the stops to ensure legal acquisition of land in the area.
Speaking after the Eid prayers in Nabbika parish, Nakaseke sub-county, Nakaseke, locals indicated that they are willing to sell land to genuine land buyers and praised Spa Financial Services for its role in developing the local community.
Mukungu Muzamir said the area was previously rife with unemployment but with Spa Financial Services,locals have been offered jobs to work on projects like land clearing,bringing in a steady flow of income .
“Over 1000 local residents are working on clearing the land. Residents who were previously not earning any money are now taking home something to sustain their families,”Muzamir said.
Spa Financial Services has so far acquired 300 acres is in the process of finalising the acquisition of an additional 200 titles.
Betty Namuyanja said politicians like Luttamaguzi should desist from using local radio stations to cause confusion over land acquisition, saying Spa Financial Services is setting an example of genuine land acquisition.
“If someone what’s to sell his or her land, that person has a right to do that and politicians should not try to stop sell of land on a willing buyer, willing seller basis,”Namuyanja said.
As part of its Corporate Social Responsibility(CSR) Spa Financial Services donated a cow and 100kgs of rice to 10 mosques in Nabbika parish, Nakaseke sub-county, Nakaseke district.
Giving a sermon at Kyambogo Msque (Masqid), Sheik Muhamud Ssebuliba rallied the Muslims against sabotaging development projects in their area by encouraging peaceful settlement of disagreements in line with the Koran teachings.
“We should embrace development and work for unity. We should not go back to the bad behavior since the Ramadan month has ended,” Sheik Ssebuliba said.
Nakaseke LCIII Chairman Mr John Mugerwa thanked Super Finance Services for donating the rice and beef for Muslims at the different Masgid in Nakaseke Subcounty.
“We are blessed to get development partners who have volunteered to maintain our roads as a give back to the community, including the donation of rice and beef to residents for the Eid Mubarak festivities, Mugerwa said.
Spa Financial Services has also sponsored construction of a road in the area-connecting villages that were previously disturbed by a poor road network.
Presidents Yoweri Museveni Alpha Conde of Guinea, who is also Chairman of the African Union.
Presidents Yoweri Museveni Alpha Conde of Guinea, who is also Chairman of the African Union, have reiterated their commitment at efforts aimed at accelerating the implementation of strategic issues of high importance to Africa.
“We have had long talks on various issues in Africa. Also, Guinea is a valiant country, a proud African country whose politics and ideology are important. Its also a country with rich natural resources,” he said.
The President Museveni who held a bilateral meeting with his guest shortly before addressing a joint press conference urged African leaders to push for non-sectarian tendencies to avoid conflicts and confrontation in situations where there are problems.
President Museveni welcomes his Guinea counterpart Alpha Conte
President Condé who was on a two-day State visit to Uganda is a man on a mission with a message that is galvanizing hope by Africans to reclaim the right of the continents destiny back in their hands.
He said African leaders need to speak openly and frankly so that when Africa speaks, it does so with one voice that is heard.
President Alpha Conde on arrival
“We need to take charge of our own affairs. When we are united, we win. You don’t have to be super intelligence to know that the problem faced by Africa is interference in its affairs. We need to use our own resources to fund our organization (AU) ourselves. Currently our main funding is by the European Union. How can you speak freely if you are funded by someone else,” he said.
President Conde, while addressing a joint Press Conference with President Yoweri Museveni, said with a new dynamism in Africa, the continent will realize its vision.
‘Our champion for reform is President Paul Kagame. In these changes President Museveni is one of our founding fathers of this new dynamism. With this new vision, we discuss further how to bring these positive changes about. Museveni is one of our champions and is in charge of political integration,” he said.
President Conde said they have already established the African Renewable Energy Initiative Agency to push access to cheap energy and more recently united as a continent to support an African to the World Health Organisation. Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus from Ethiopia is due to assume office on July 1st, 2017.
“Our challenge is to show that we are capable of taking charge. Am here to consult President Yoweri Museveni ahead of the upcoming AU summit,” he said. President Museveni is the current chairman of the East African Community.
“We have experienced what President Museveni has done to move forward in development. My visit is to show admiration and support what he has done for Uganda. I always have admiration for Museveni, for his frankness and courage of speaking his mind even when it does not please others,” he said.
President Conde said during the summit they would discuss various issues including conflicts in Libya, DR Congo, South Sudan and Mali including the continuous occupation of UN forces in the DR Congo even when there is no progress.
“President Museveni has a great track record and can help us move forward. Museveni is focused and has the ideology. We want to use that to be able to deliver with our new vision. Our countries need to be managed for the benefit of the youth and the women. Our wealth needs to be used for the good of our peoples. We want no interference but also no impunity. We need to have our own and not be told what to do.
On the situation in Libya, President Conde said AUs goal is to stop the crisis. “It’s not easy but it has got to be done. We must find a solution. It’s like a cancer, if we don’t solve it, it will spread to the rest of Africa.
On the issue of African countries pulling out of the ICC, President Conde said it is not individual countries deciding but rather but the AU. “In ICC what do you notice, big countries who have never ratified treay are not affected. It’s only African leaders. We can’t accept that any longer. Majority voted to withdrawal but we also can’t support impunity that is why we want an African count in place,” he said.
Conde said as the AU they can no longer accept for a country to be isolated.
“Three weeks ago I was in Sudan to show support of AU to Bashir. Is it an International Criminal Court or is it a court against Africans,” he said.
On the issue of a refugee fund for the AU, Conde said the fund is not practical but rather leaders should work towards stopping causes of conflict.
“Its good to have funds in place, but isn’t it better to fight causes of conflict. Fight the causes that push people from their homes. We are against countries closing their borders. We are for solidarity in Africa,” he said.
President Yoweri Museveni has urged the Muslim community to boldly face the challenges of poverty, which lead to poor living conditions.
Writing in his Eid El Fitr message to the Muslim community, the President noted that Ugandans need to harness the country’s natural resources to ensure a decent and harmonious living.
“On behalf of the government of the Republic of Uganda and on my own behalf, I congratulate the Muslim community upon the successful completion of the sacred month of Ramadhan and wish you happy Eid-El-Fitir celebrations.
God has given us a beautiful country with enormous natural resources. The challenge now is for us to have the wisdom to effectively use these resources to ensure a decent and harmonious living among our people. Our task therefore, is to boldly and with knowledge, face the challenges of poverty which lead to poor conditions of living among our people.
I wish you a happy, peaceful and joyous Eid-El-Fitir,” he wrote.
The President added: “Freedom of worship is among the fundamental human freedoms, which this government has guaranteed and ought not to be misused in any way.”
