President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has ordered the closure of illegal gold mining sites in Okemer, Abim District, directing the 5^th Infantry Division of the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) to enforce a strict ban on illegal miners.

This initiative aims to provide the government with sufficient time to regulate and formalise mining activities in the area.

The directive comes in response to a significant increase in mining activities across Alerek and Chamkok Sub-Counties, attracting thousands of individuals, including South Sudanese and Kenyans. The surge, compounded by inadequate sanitation, led the president to call for UPDF personnel to secure the mining regions.

Brig Gen Keith Katungi, Commander of the 5^th Infantry Division, met with local elders to clarify that the UPDF’s presence is focused on protecting government-owned natural resources. He explained, “Individual landowners possess surface rights, but everything beneath the soil belongs to the government.”

During a session with the Kakoka community, Brig Gen Katungi sought to address concerns and foster a spirit of cooperation. He encouraged local miners to formalise their operations by registering as either artisanal miners or local mining companies, which could then partner with international firms facilitated by the government. “The future belongs to the organised,” he stressed, urging the community to prioritise unity over political divisiveness.

He affirmed that the gold reserves in Abim are a national asset for all Ugandans, not just the Labwor community. He drew parallels to oil in the Albertine region and marble in Karamoja, stating, “National resources benefit all Ugandans, but those nearby can gain more through services, jobs, and partnerships, which necessitates good organisation.”

Community member Adei Peter offered a heartfelt apology to the Division Commander on behalf of his peers for previous unfounded allegations against the UPDF. He underscored the importance of unity within the community and the need for proper registration to formalise their operations.

 In a collaborative effort, the 5^th Division and local leaders agreed to take action against any civilian or military personnel found in the gold mines. Offenders, including members of the armed forces, will face a court martial in the region.

In a related matter, Mr John Ariko, chairman of the Abim Local Council 5, expressed gratitude to the UPDF for deploying a helicopter to deter wild animals, including elephants and buffaloes, from Kidepo Valley National Park, which had been raiding local farms and threatening residents. Despite the assistance, he noted the animals’ return and requested further UPDF help in relocating them.

The Division Commander acknowledged that the animals are migrating due to water shortages in Kidepo National Park and poaching from the South Sudanese border. He outlined government plans to desilt all dams in Karamoja, including those within the park, and confirmed that electric fencing of Kidepo National Park has been ordered by the President.

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The Ministry of Internal Affairs investigation is yet to start a probe into illegal holders of diplomatic passports, these include Rugiirwa Katatumba’s alleged possession of the same passport.

As pressure mounts on the Ministry, the public awaits clarity on how an ordinary citizen might have obtained such a high-rank and restricted document.

The ministry has occasionally denied issuing a diplomatic passport to Mr Rugiirwa Katatumba, son of the late Honorary Consul of Pakistan, Boney Katatumba, following a viral social media photo of him carrying this high-rank document.

The Ministry’s Public Relations Officer, Simon Mundeyi earlier addressed the growing public outcry during a press conference held at the Police Headquarters in Naguru on Monday, emphasizing the strict eligibility criteria for obtaining a diplomatic passport.

 “There was a public outcry recently after a social media post by Mr Rugiirwa Katatumba claiming to hold a diplomatic passport. The post went viral, and many of you contacted me for comments,” Mundeyi said.

He added, “We want to assure the public that we have never issued a diplomatic passport to Mr. Rugiirwa Katatumba. He has been summoned to explain whose passport he displayed on social media because it was not issued by the Ministry of Internal Affairs.”

The Ministry went ahead and shared specific details about Mr Katatumba’s passport history, noting he applied for an ordinary passport on April 10, 2021, and collected it from the Ministry’s Passport Center in Kyambogo on November 22, 2021.

Mundeyi said, “His current passport, which was issued in 2021, is valid until October 15, 2031, and it is the only passport we have on record for him,” Mundeyi explained.

The lost passport Mr. Katatumba replaced in 2021 was also an ordinary passport with no diplomatic status, as he has never held any position that would qualify him for a diplomatic passport.

The Ministry used the occasion outline to provide a detailed explanation of who is entitled to a diplomatic passport, which is red in colour and highly restricted. According to the Ministry, diplomatic passports are issued only to individuals holding the highest offices in Uganda, including:

“To get a diplomatic passport, you must meet the legal qualifications. Diplomatic passports are reserved for top government officials and diplomats. This is a serious matter, and the public must understand that it’s not easy to obtain one,” he stressed.

 “The Ministry of Internal Affairs can only have the powers to issue a service passport, ladies and gentlemen, not the diplomatic passport and any other person as the Minister of Internal Affairs may authorize,” he said.

The ordinary passport, which is blue in color, is available to all Ugandan citizens and is meant for personal travel.

He added, “It is the most common passport, issued to every eligible Ugandan citizen for travel abroad, it is blue in colour, electronic in nature, and it costs Shs250,000 the service passport costs Shs400,000 and the diplomatic passport costs Shs500,000 only.”

He further explained that obtaining an ordinary passport requires a valid national ID or national identification number (NIN), highlighting that even if one loses the physical ID card, knowing the NIN is sufficient to apply for a passport. The system, integrated with the National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA), ensures that the identification process is seamless.

However, Mundeyi emphasized that the Ministry follows strict regulations when issuing passports, particularly diplomatic passports, which are reserved for specific individuals.

He noted, “The public should be rest assured that we do not simply issue diplomatic passports. Only those who qualify under the law can receive them.”

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President Yoweri Museveni has vowed that he cannot ban rice imports from Tanzania and affirmed commitment to regional trade and cooperation.

His remarks come amid rising concerns from Ugandan rice growers that the rice from Tanzania is cheaper than theirs thus hindering their businesses and local production.

Museveni made the remarks while commissioning the 600MW Karuma hydropower project in Kiryandongo district.

“I cannot ban rice from Tanzania. If I do so I will be making four mistakes; I will cripple Tanzanian rice growers and if they don’t have enough buyers, then they will leave the business for other things and collapse,” he said.

He added, “I will be punishing Ugandans by making them buy expensive rice to please inefficient Ugandan growers and this is a sin to God. I will also be crippling Ugandan rice growers from competing with the same other growers in looking for the markets. They must be able to compete.”

Museveni added that if he bans the rice from Tanzania, the Tanzanians too will ban something from Uganda hence forgetting the protocol of the East African Community.

“This leadership is not as simple as you people think. To be a leader you must be able to see far. Let us talk to all our people. We open up the markets so that we sell what we produce, what we produce best and they buy them,” Museveni advised.

He called upon Ugandans to foster regional integration and boost local production competitively without isolation, citing that the internal market is not enough.

Museveni added that the economy of Uganda will have four sectors; commercial agriculture with irrigation, manufacturing sector with factories, the service sector and then ICT. Noting, “In order to modernize these sectors, you must have low transport cost for the business to exist. The railway is the cheapest means. We are going to build a new Standard Gauge Railway so as to have low transport cost.”

He also urged the Ugandans in the agriculture sector to 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. 

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The Electoral Commission has declared November 14, 2024 as the day for the by-election for Kisoro District Woman Representative to Parliament.

The by-election comes in the wake of a tragic vacancy left by the late Sarah Nyirabasitsi Mateke, whose untimely passing on September 7 left a void not just in politics, but in the hearts of many in the region.

In a statement, the Electoral Commission laid out the road map for the by-election, starting with the update of the National Voters’ Register, set to begin on Friday September 27 and concluding on October 1 2024. During this time, voters are urged to ensure their names appear on the register.

“This is the time for every eligible voter to make sure their voice will count on November 14. No registration or transfer will be possible after October 1st,” emphasized the Electoral Commission spokesperson. “Every vote matter,” EC revealed.

With the 71 parishes/wards preparing to ensure that every eligible citizen is registered, a ten-day period has been slated for the display of the Voters’ Register, running from October 14 to October 23, 2024, at all 322 polling stations. This is expected to allow ample time for any challenges to be addressed.

“The process must be transparent and inclusive. We are leaving no room for error or voter manipulation,” remarked EC.

Candidates vying for the Woman MP seat will have their moment of truth on October 30 and 31, 2024, when nominations are to be officially held. From there, the race will begin with a twelve-day campaign period from November 1 to November 12. A variety of candidates are expected to throw their hats into the ring, each hoping to win the support of Kisoro’s politically astute voters.

“This is an important election, not just for the candidates, but for every woman in Kisoro. The late Mateke was an incredible leader, and her successor must live up to her legacy,” said a community elder. “We need a voice that will fight for us in Parliament.”

Before the spotlight shines on the main polling day for the Woman Representative seat, November 11, 2024, will see special elections held for Local Government Councillors representing Special Interest Groups. These local elections are often overshadowed but are seen as crucial to shaping policies at the grassroots level.

“Polling and tallying of results for the by-election of councillors representing Special Interest Groups will take place on Monday, November 11, 2024, while the polling day for the District Woman Representative to Parliament and other Local Government Councillors will be conducted on Thursday, November 14, 2024,” EC confirmed. 

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The Turkish Company, Summa Construction Company charged with the construction of Hoima Stadium meant to host AFCON 2027 has been subjected to investigations over  forcing workers to test for HIV/AIDs and those found HIV-positive have been dismissed from their duties.
The revelation was made by Joseph Ruyonga (Hoima West) who asked the Government to investigate the allegations and punish the people responsible for this cruel and discriminatory practice, saying that such practices further entrench the stigma around HIV/AIDs in Uganda. He made the appeal during yesterday’s plenary sitting.
“Casual labourers working in some departments in Suuma Company are being subjected to involuntary HIV testing without informed consent and those who have been found positive, have been terminated. The act of discrimination driven by ignorance and stigma surrounding HIV underscores the broader systemic issue with some companies operating in Uganda. It is both illegal and unethical to dismiss an individual based on their HIV status,” explained Ruyonga.
“The treatment of terminated employees based on their HIV status not only violated their dignity but also contradicts Uganda Labour laws and international human rights,” added Ruyonga.
Ruyonga also called on the Government to ensure the immediate reinstatement and compensation of staff that have been terminated, based on their HIV status and ensure that all companies operating in Uganda adapt and implement comprehensive HIV workplace policies.
“All companies and employers should be required to conduct regular training and implement programmes for employees to eliminate stigma and promote understanding of HIV and should emphasize the rights of workers living with HIV and the legal consequences of violating these rights,” he added.
He called upon the Government through the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development to investigate some of these companies and ensure they comply with Uganda Labour laws. Noting, “This happened in Hoima, I couldn’t mention the staff who were terminated because I never got written consent from them.”
However, Dr. Joyce Moriku, Minister of State for Primary Education described the development as sad and promised to ensure that the Ministry of Education and Sports investigates the allegations and takes appropriate action against the culprits.
“It is so sad to hear that there is compulsory testing for HIV for the workers who have been recruited to support the construction work and they have dismissed those who are HIV positive. This is against the labour laws and if it is true, permit that the Ministry follows this case closely and then we take action, and probably we will give you feedback where necessary,” said Dr. Moriku.

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