Members of the West Nile Parliamentary Caucus have strongly criticized the government’s decision to impose fees and time restrictions on the use of roads passing through Murchison Falls National Park, arguing that it unjustly targets citizens. 

The lawmakers asserted that as taxpayers, they should not be treated like poachers for simply using the roads within the park.

Among the MPs raising concerns were Isaac Otimgiw (Padyere County), Lillian Paparu (Arua District Woman Representative), George Bokha (Obongi County), Musa Noah (Koboko North), Isaac Etuka (Upper Madi County), Jennifer Driwaru (Maracha District Woman Representative), Jackson Atiima (Arua Central), and Geoffrey Feta (Ayivu Division). The group voiced their frustrations during a press briefing at Parliament, highlighting the hardships faced by residents following the closure of Karuma Bridge.

“We are not poachers. We are citizens of this country, and this national park is no different from others. We should not be charged for using roads through it,” Lillian Paparu stated.

Paparu also questioned why only travelers to Northern Uganda are subjected to these fees when other national parks do not impose similar charges. She referenced the Masindi-Para Road, which was constructed after the government compensated the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) and called for consistency in policy across all parks.

“When the Masindi-Para Road was built, the government compensated UWA. Why are we now being charged here while others across the country use national park roads without paying? We demand free passage,” Paparu added.

Geoffrey Feta, Chairperson of the West Nile Parliamentary Caucus, highlighted the economic consequences following the September 23, 2024, closure of Karuma Bridge by the Ministry of Works and Transport, which resulted in a 35% increase in transport costs to West Nile.

“The alternative route through Kafu has driven up the cost of transporting goods and people, causing a sharp rise in the prices of essential commodities like sugar, cooking oil, and rice. This will have a detrimental effect on the economy of Northern Uganda and, particularly, West Nile,” Feta explained.

The MPs further criticized UWA’s decision to limit travel through the Tangi-Kikomanyombo Gate to between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., a restriction they say forces travelers to incur additional accommodation costs and encourages speeding, increasing the risk of accidents.

“UWA needs to reconsider these time restrictions and extend the travel window from 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., allowing passengers and vehicles more flexibility and reducing unnecessary costs,” Feta urged.

Concerns were also raised about the safety of travelers along the Kafu-Masindi Road, with truck drivers reportedly being ambushed by robbers. The MPs called on the government to enhance security along these routes and allow free access through the Masindi-Kikomanyombo Gate for all vehicles until Karuma Bridge reopens.

Jennifer Driwaru emphasized the toll these extended travel routes are taking on the health of patients, particularly expectant mothers and those requiring urgent medical attention in Kampala. She also stressed the lack of an emergency air ambulance service in West Nile.

“These policies are severely impacting our people, especially those with medical emergencies who must endure long journeys for treatment. The government must realize that these are taxpayers and voters who deserve better,” Driwaru said.

Previously, lawmakers from the Acholi and Lango sub-regions protested the Shs25,000 fee charged to travelers passing through Murchison Falls National Park after the Karuma Bridge closure. They expressed concern over the heavy financial burden placed on both passengers and vehicle owners, with bus operators paying Shs210,000 per trip and smaller vehicles being charged Shs40,000, leading to an overall spike in transport costs to Northern Uganda.

However, the State Minister for Wildlife and Antiquities Martin Mugarra Bahinduka while addressing journalists, said the Uganda Wildlife Authority-UWA will continue charging vehicles transiting through Murchison Falls National Park.

Mugarra said although they acknowledge the need for people to transit through the park unimpeded, they also have to balance between this and wildlife conservation.

“UWA has provided an alternative route through the park at free cost using the Bugungu gate. This route is about an extra 30 km to Kampala if one travels through Hoima. Given the travel through Kichumbanyobo gate is an additional 50 kilometer in the park and at the speed limit of 40 kilometer per hour, it will take the same time, if not shorter, to pass through the Bugungu gate and with numerous advantages to both people and wildlife,” Mugarra said.

Built in 1963, the Karuma Bridge serves as a vital gateway to Northern Uganda, and its closure on Monday September 23, 2024, has sparked public outcry, a concern echoed by MPs during the plenary session on Wednesday, 25 September 2024.

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President Yoweri Museveni has announced plans to introduce a law aimed at regulating extortion by money lenders.

Museveni made the revelation while officially opening the 19^th Southern and Eastern Africa Chief Justices Forum (SEACJF) under the theme “Enhanced Access to Justice: Underscoring Reform in African Jurisdictions” at Speke Resort Munyonyo.

“I want to bring a law to fight money lenders. Money lenders are becoming a problem, they go to our villagers and cheat them, charge them extortionately yet our inflation rate is very low at 3% or even lower but you find these people charging them 240%” he said.

He added, “Of course we are going to make the law” noting that money lenders are claiming there is a document they are following which was signed by an ‘illiterate villager’ in which a lending contract is hidden as a purchase contract.

Last week while commissioning the Karuma hydropower project, Museveni Ugandans in the agriculture sector only borrow money from Uganda Development Bank, PDM and Emyooga SACCOs since they have low interest rates.

“The money lenders are your enemies and I am going to do something to them. I am going to crush the money lenders. They are criminals,” he said.

Highlighting other issues, Museveni urged the guests to embrace University education as a better mechanism to fight Gender Based Violence.

Speaking at the event, Chief Justice of Uganda, Justice Alfonse Chigamoy Owiny – Dollo said that SEACJF was established in 2003 as an association that brings together Chief Justices and Judges from over 16 countries to discuss contemporary issues affecting justice delivery in the region.

He added that the forum helps the leaders to deliberate on contemporary issues affecting justice delivery in different countries and also presents an opportunity for harnessing collective wisdom experience for the distinguished participants.

“We are constantly reminded of the profound responsibility that calls for willingness to learn from one another and change our mindset where necessary,” Owiny – Dollo said.

He highlighted the challenges affecting the judicial system such as inadequate court infrastructure, case backlog, geographical barriers, poverty, high cost of legal services, gender chauvinism, poor technological systems, interference with judicial systems, corruption, ignorance and under-staffing.

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The Minister of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, Frank Tumwebaze, has emphasized the importance of national coffee registration for maintaining access to the European Union (EU) market. With over 60% of Uganda’s coffee exports going to the EU, compliance with EU regulations is crucial.

The EU’s Deforestation Regulation, set to take effect on December 30, 2024, requires Uganda to prove its coffee is produced sustainably. To achieve this, the government has allocated resources to register all coffee farmers and implement a National Traceability System.

Minister Tumwebaze has urged coffee farmers to participate in the registration process, which is expected to enhance sustainability, improve market access, and ensure regulatory compliance. The registration exercise is being conducted by the Uganda Coffee Development Authority (UCDA) and partners.

The benefits of national coffee registration include improved market access, ensuring continued access to the EU market, Uganda’s largest coffee export destination.

“It also promotes enhanced sustainability by encouraging environmentally friendly coffee production practices,” Tumwebaze said—adding that registration ensures regulatory compliance with the EU’s Deforestation Regulation requirements and provides increased transparency through traceability of coffee from farm to market.

By registering, coffee farmers will contribute to Uganda’s efforts to maintain its competitive edge in the global coffee market. “We have to show that there’s something we are doing to comply with EUDR requirements,” he said.

Uganda is the 7^th largest coffee producer globally and 2nd largest in Africa, with approximately 1.8 million smallholder farmers cultivating coffee on 353,907 hectares of land. Coffee exports for the twelve months of the financial year 2023/24 totaled 6.13 million bags worth $1.14 billion.

The registration process will capture geolocation data for all production plots where coffee or related products are cultivated.

A team of enumerators will carry out the registration process on behalf of UCDA and industry players.

Minister Tumwebaze appealed to all leaders, coffee value chain actors, and district local government leaders to support this registration exercise. He emphasized that this is a win for all.

The government has allocated resources for registration, with funding support from Development Partners and mobilization efforts by Civil Society organizations.

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The burial of Onapito Ekomoloit, the former Nile Breweries Board Chairperson, Presidential Press Secretary and respected legislator is scheduled for November.

The revelation was made by the Minister for the Presidency, Milly Babalanda, following a family meeting.

In a statement on Monday, September 30, Minister Babalanda revealed that discussions were held between Ekomoloit’s family, their lawyer, and the National Organising Committee (N.O.C) at the Cabinet library, concluded that the burial plans would respect the wishes laid out in Ekomoloit’s will.

“After consultations involving the family, the legal representative of the late Onapito Ekomoloit, and the N.O.C., it has been agreed that the burial will be in late November, as stipulated in his will. Further details will be provided by the N.O.C., family, and Parliament early next month. Our thoughts and prayers remain with the bereaved family during this difficult time,” Babalanda stated.

Ekomoloit, who passed away on the morning of September 27, had a varied and notable career in journalism, politics, and business. He began as a senior reporter at The Monitor (now Daily Monitor) and went on to establish his own publication, The Crusader.

Last week, President Museveni granted Ekomoloit an official burial recognizing his significant contributions to the country.

His political journey saw him serve as the Presidential Press Secretary, later being succeeded by Tamale Mirundi. After his tenure in public service, Ekomoloit joined the corporate sector as the Director for Corporate Affairs at Nile Breweries, eventually becoming the Board Chairman upon his retirement—a role he held until his untimely demise.

Ekomoloit’s death is a significant loss to Uganda, and particularly to the Teso community, where he was revered for his contributions to the region’s development

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The Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF), through its Directorate of Pension, Gratuity, and Compensation (DPGC) has concluded the sensitisation and documentation exercise for Non-Commissioned Officers (NCOs) at the Defence Rehabilitation and Vocation Centre (DRVC) in Mubende.

This marks a significant moment as the UPDF becomes the first to organise a dignified send-off for disabled officers.

Brig Gen Julius Biryabarema, Director of Pension, Gratuity, and Compensation, reassured the NCOs, who are set to retire on 31 October 2024, that the delay in their retirement, particularly for those with disabilities, was not due to the government’s reluctance but to ensure they received proper rehabilitation and essential support. This includes providing equipment such as wheelchairs and artificial limbs to help ease their transition into civilian life.

“Now we have an existing policy that caters to their needs during retirement,” Brig Gen Biryabarema stated, highlighting the significance of this exercise in preparing retiring officers to reintegrate smoothly into society.

He stressed that the pre-retirement programme helps them transition from the structured military environment to civilian life, enabling them to manage their post-service lives effectively.

The Brig Gen urged local communities to welcome these veterans warmly, noting that the army is deeply connected to the very communities from which its personnel are drawn. 

He also expressed gratitude to the families of the retirees for their unwavering support during their loved ones’ service, encouraging the officers to use their leadership skills, discipline, and experience to drive social and economic change in their areas, rather than remaining idle.

Brig Gen Biryabarema advised retirees to remain connected through Wazalendo SACCO for access to affordable loans, avoiding the high costs of commercial banks. He emphasised that they should take pride in their well-deserved retirement, using their time to contribute to the development of their communities.

Brig Gen Moses Kwikiriza, Commandant of the Defence Rehabilitation and Vocation Centre, expressed thanks to the Commander-in-Chief for ensuring that disabled veterans receive a well-earned retirement package. 

He encouraged the retirees to take advantage of the country’s prevailing peace by engaging in revenue-generating activities and using their skills and experience to positively impact their communities.

Brig Gen Kwikiriza also cautioned the veterans to safeguard their pension earnings from fraudulent individuals, urging them to be vigilant in protecting their hard-earned benefits.

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The Uganda Bureau of Statistics-UBOS has revealed that it will release the final 2024 notional population and housing census final results on Thursday October 3.

In June, UBOS released preliminary results of the census indicating that the total population currently stands at 45.9 million.

Addressing journalists, UBOS spokesperson, Didacus Okoth said in accordance with the census roadmap, they are now ready to release the final results on October 3, 2024 at Kampala Serena Hotel.

 “This is in line with our census roadmap. The final census report will answer the three questions of how Ugandans are living, what they own and where they access services,” Okoth said.

He said the preliminary results only touched on how many Ugandans are and where they are including population size, sex, age and where the people are located.

According to UBOS, the main report will give a detailed analysis of the population in the country.

“The final report will have rich information for planning and investment decisions which require statistical information. It will give figures for referencing for the next 10 years and for benchmark purposes for other surveys until the next census.”

“For example, we were asking people about mental health and the main report will provide information on how many are disturbed mentally. It will also show how people are accessing services like education and health among others, by what distance do children move to access primary and secondary school, how are people living? How many have permanent structures? All these will be provided by the detailed report.” Okoth said.

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