Self-declared Rn’B Kyabazinga, Singer Ronald Maro aka Maro made Uganda proud when he was lined up as a guest artiste at a festival in Germany.
Singer Maro on stage
The ‘Nzira Nago’ hit maker performed this week at a festival held at Millerntor Stadium in Hamburg, Germany. His sterling performance came barely a week after Uganda was yet again represented at another big event.
Over the weekend, the Triplets popularly known as ‘Ghetto Kids’, represented Uganda at this year’s BET Awards in the US as backup dancers for French Montana and Sway Lee while performing their new song, ‘Unforgettable’.
The official video for the song was shot in Uganda.
The Minister of State for Primary Healthcare Joyce Kaducu (Pictured Centre)
Cancer patients will have to wait until November 2017 to use the Radiotherapy Machine.
In a statement tabled on the floor of Parliament this afternoon by the State Minister for Primary Health Care, Joyce Moriku, there are a number of steps to be conducted before patients writhing in pain at the Cancer Institute can use the machine.
Ms Moriku informed MPs that works by Arab Contractors to refurbish the old Radiotherapy bunker was completed in April 2017.
Additionally, she said, final inspection of the bunker by the Atomic Energy Council to assess its readiness to receive the Radiotherapy Machine per IAEA recommendations was carried out in May 2017.
According to Moriku, the inspection turned out positive and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) informed by the Atomic Energy Council in Uganda that the Bunker was ready.
Following the secondment by the parent body in Uganda, the IAEA authorized the manufacturer to ship the machine.
In her statement, Moriku informed MPs that the machine is expected at Mombasa port on July 28, 2017 and Ugandans can have a glimpse of the machine upon arrival in Kampala at Uganda Cancer Institute in the first week of August 2017.
Following the arrival, installation will then commence and is anticipated to take 4-6 weeks.
After the successful installation, ‘acceptance tests’ will be conducted for one week by IAEA.
This will then be followed by the commissioning process which will involve the visit and assessment of the machine by four IAEA teams before it is fully commissioned for clinical use.
A team comprising of IAEA Radiation Therapy Technicians, Medical physicists, and Radiation Oncologists will come in to assess the safety of the newly installed machine.
The Uganda Cancer Institute team will be required to radiate a set of specific Thermo luminescent dosimeters which will then be sent for auditing purposes to IAEA in the final assessment of the safety and efficacy of machines.
Authorization to possess the nuclear has been requested for from Atomic Energy Council is awaited. Commissioning and service reestablishment is expected to be completed by first week of November.
Full time clinical usage of the radiotherapy machine will therefore commence in the first week of November.
PRESENTED RESULTS: President of ICPAU Protazio Begumisa (L)
Accounting Technicians Diploma is the best performed course according to the latest results released by Public Accountants Examinations Board of the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Uganda.
According to the results released Wednesday at Imperial Royale Hotel, the average pass rate of the 286 candidates who sat for the June 2017 examinations is 44.3%. However, this was a decline from 48.5% the average pass rate registered in November last year.
Begumisa displays some of the ICPAU results
The second best performed course is Certified Tax Advisor (CTA) having registered an average pass rate of 42.2% from the 86 candidates that sat for the course. This was the second sitting for the CTA course since its inception last year.
The worst performed course was the Certified Public Accountants of Uganda. The average pass rate in this course was 35.0% compared to 43.6% in November 2016.
The president of ICPAU Protazio Begumisa blamed the decline and general poor performance on several factors. Among those pointed out was the lack of study materials and little time for the courses.
“The decline in performance was caused by variations in study conditions. Many of our students are working and are engaged most of the time,” Begumisa said further adding that the performance in the CPA course had declined.
“Having all students in one session at ago is a huge challenge. Majority of our students are upcountry and hardly interact with the institute, which makes orienting them very hard. The little information they have is from the internet. Yet we are not a teaching institution or University that we ask what is taught….. We ask what professionals ought to know,” he added.
He further urged his senior colleagues in the profession to come to the help of most.
“We have so many good people in the profession but unfortunately, many don’t want to class (as lecturers) because it’s less paying than where they are employed. It’s only a few of us doing it and we are doing it out of passion and the love to help others. We call upon other senior members in the profession to join us (as lecturers),” Begumisa noted.
Meanwhile, he also informed the press that they had put some measures in place to counter the decline in performances. Some of that is the securing of study materials which are now available and in use.
“These are high quality materials. Purchase of study materials (Shs50, 000) will be a condition for the first time registration for an examination in a subject. This condition starts with the November 2017 examinations. We want to be sure that the students preparing for examinations have accessed the same basic study materials,” Begumisa added.
Exams were done from seven examination centres of Arua, Fort Portal, Gulu, Kampala, Mbale, Mbarara and Nkozi. They were held from May 29 May to June 5, 2017.
There will be a showdown between Uganda’s national team goalkeepers Denis Onyango and Robert Ondongkara in the CAF Champions’ League group stage this Saturday that features South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns against Ethiopia’s St. George.
Onyango is the Cranes captain, and normally first-choice goalie, while his opposite side Robert Ondongakara is the second choice keeper for Uganda.
Ethiopia’s St. George goalkeeper Robert Odongkara
The two shot stoppers are main starters for either club with Onyango playing a crucial role for the defending champions just like Odongkara for the Ethiopian giants.
Onyango’s contract was recently extended by another four years, keeping him at the club up to the end of 2020-21.
The other Ugandan is Yassar Mugerwa who plays midfield for St. George FC who will look to help his team secure the 3 points against Onyango’s Sundowns.
Mugerwa has also formerly played in South Africa for Orlando Pirates football club.
Both Mugerwa and Odongkara are regular starters at St George and helped the team win their 14th league title with 62 points.
Odongkara featured when his side St George settled for a goal-less draw in South Africa during the first leg in South Africa.
Onyango and company arrived in Addis Ababa on Thursday morning and they will stay in Capital hotel.
Mamelodi are second in the group leading St. George on goal difference, and their final fixture will be against AS Vita at home.
Espérance Sportive de Tunis from Tunisia are the table leaders who will face DR Congo side As Vita and face Ondongkara in the final fixture.
CAF Champions League
Saturday, 1st July 2017
St George (Ethiopia) Vs Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa) – Addis Ababa Stadium
DEPLOYMENT: The Police on 'standby' in Kasangati, ready for action against Bobi Wine's supporters
There is tension in Kasangati as police engages in running battles with hundreds of area residents in Kasangati who are accusing supporters of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) candidate Sitenda Sebalu, of having of pre-ticked ballot papers hidden inside Kasangati Resort Centre.
Police in Kasangati
Residents that lined up to vote in the Kyadondo by-elections that are pitting Independent candidate Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine against NRM’s Sebalu, said they spotted an area where ballot stuffing was taking place, resulting in clashes between the police and voters, who claimed that the police was protecting the people with pre-ticked votes hiding inside the Kasangati Resort Centre, allegedly ticked in favor of Sebalu.
However, Kasangati District Police Commander (DPC) Andrew Mwesigwa denied any foul play, imploring the aggrieved parties to report to police.
But the residents are not done, and are insisting that police search the Kasangati Resort Centre to clarify their claims. “Instead of chasing people, the police should open up and search the area and this should be done with a few residents for clarification,” one of the residents said.
The residents have also threatened to sue the Electoral Commission for the flaws in the by- election.
Voting kicked off at around 7am, but with few delays at polling stations such as Kasangati A-L.
The by-election follows of nullification of the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC’s) Apollo Kantinti as the Member of Parliament for Kyadondo East by the Court of Appeal, which ruled that both Kantinti and the Electoral Commission failed to comply with electoral laws.
Extension of Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) into Uganda will boost Bukedi sub region investments
The construction of the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) will boost investments in the Bukedi Sub region, which is endowed with fertile soils and minerals, the Uganda Investment Authority (UIA) has stated in its latest profile of the region.
UIA, the lead agency charged with the promotion of investments, has profiled the region that borders south western Kenya at the key border towns of Busia and Malaba, through which Uganda exports and imports its goods.
In the profile code-named ‘Bukedi Investment Profile 2017’, the UIA says: “Coupled with this is the expected development of offshoot industries and services which will project Bukedi region in the right direction to boost employment and incomes of the locals.”
The region comprises the districts of Tororo, Busia, Pallisa Butaleja, Budaka, and Kibuku, all with high potential for the development of commercial agriculture and agri-business, tourism as well as quarrying and mining.
According to UIA, the region and particularly Tororo district, is going to be the hub of the SGR where the eastern and northern routes from Kenya will be divided. The eastern route will run from Tororo to Kampala through Iganga and Jinja (261km) while the northern route will run through Gulu to Nimule (476km) with a spur to Pakwach (117km).
The region currently is served by a network of tarmac and feeder roads including the Mombasa-Kampala highway in the northern corridor.
Bukedi sub region is synonymous with cotton growing and ginning although there are few farmers engaged in robusta coffee farming. The region also has potential investment opportunities in improved fruit such as mangoes, oranges, pineapples.
The UIA profile shows that agri-businesses can also invest in food crops such as rice, cassava, beans, maize, onions, sunflower, millet as well as livestock farming.
Further, the UIA indicates that the sub region has proven deposits of gold at Tira and Amonikakine in Busia, while magnetic iron ore and 45 million tonnes of phosphate exist at Sukulu. Other minerals include titanium and rare earth elements.
The region already hosts industries such as Tororo Cement which mines limestone and Uganda Clays which manufactures building materials such as tiles and blocks.
The fact that Bukedi strides the border of Uganda and Kenya, the location offers numerous cross border trade opportunities in produce rice, fish, beans, coffee, maize which have lucrative market in Kenya. UIA says Bugisu sub region, with Mbale town, is also a good market for Bukedi’s products.
However, UIA says the region faces challenges like low prices of produce, inadequate storage facilities, inadequate skills and low urbanization which is characterised by low presence of banks, internet booths and shopping malls.
But the challenges, UIA says can be turned into opportunities by the investors.
Uganda’s coffee exports went upwards in the month of May as they rose 25.2% to reach 408,454 60 -kilo bags from the 326,232 bags exported in April, the Uganda Coffee Development Authority (UCDA) says in the latest report released just hours ago.
UCDA is the lead agency responsible for the development of the coffee subsector, and its report shows that the May coffee exports earned the country USD$47.6 million, which was 20.8% higher that the USD$39.4 million the country earned in April. The May exports were higher, given that UCDA had anticipated exporting 300,000 bags.
Uganda grows both Arabica and Robusta coffee, much of it produced by small-holder farmers. The country produces more Robusta than Arabica coffee but Arabica coffee fetches high prices on the world market because its sweet aroma.
The country exported 324,640 bags of Robusta coffee, accounting for 79.48%compared to 83,814 bags of Arabica coffee.
‘June exports are projected at 420,000 bags since the fly crop from central and eastern regions has started ripening and the main season in Masaka and South western region has also started’, UCDA says.
The May report further indicates that the Authority has given out 102, 401, 992 coffee seedlings to farmers across the country.
UCDA also divulged that coffee farmers’ registration pilot study in Mukono is continuing, with 25,000 households registered so far.
Uganda is Africa’s number one coffee exporter while Ethiopia, which consumes most of its coffee. is the continent’s largest coffee producer. Most Ugandans consume tea instead of coffee.
Uganda exports her coffee mainly to the European Union, Sudan, Algeria and India. Other countries that import Uganda’s coffee are Tunisia, Morocco, USA, Japan, South Africa and China, among others.
The Makerere University Council has early today approved Professor Barnabas Nawangwe as the next Vice Chancellor of Uganda’s most prestigious and oldest institution of higher learning.
The Council voted 16 in favour of Prof. Nawangwe, followed by Venansius Baryamureeba with 4 votes and Prof. Edward Kirumira with 2 votes.
Prof. Nawangwe’s name will now be forwarded to President Yoweri Museveni, who is the Makerere University Visitor, for endorsement.
Yesterday, the Makerere University Search Committee issued a report by the University Senate, which put Prof. Nawangwe in the lead ahead of other contestants with 77 per cent. He was followed by Prof. Kirumira with 70 per cent and Prof. Baryamureeba trailed with 64 per cent.
The only Professor of Architecture in Africa, Prof. Nawangwe is a distinguished scholar who has served in various high profile academic positions, and is the incumbent Deputy Vice Chancellor of Finance and Administration (DVC/FA) at Makerere University.
Prior to that he also served as the founding Principal of the College of Engineering, Design, Art and Technology (CEDAT) at the same university.
EFFECTING CABINET ENDORSEMENT: Lands, Housing and Urban Development minister Betty Amongi.
A cabinet meeting chaired by President Yoweri Museveni has endorsed the compulsory acquisition of any contested land for infrastructure development purposes.
In a letter by Savino Katsigaire on behalf of the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, he indicates that a number of development projects have stalled due to financial contestations between the Chief Government Valuer and the Project Affected Persons (PAPs).
According to the lands ministry official, in a bid to propel Uganda’s economy to a middle income status by 2020, the government has embarked on development of various infrastructure projects that require acquisition of land for implementation.
‘During a meeting chaired by H.E the President at Nakasero State Lodge on 21st June 2017, it was observed that a number of development projects are delayed due to contestation of the compensation awards approved by the chief government valuer and the project affected persons have stalled projects for a long period of time,’ Mr. Katsigaire wrote.
In the letter Mr. Katsigaire drew the attention of the other relevant stakeholders, informing them that Cabinet had approved amendments to Article 26 of the Constitution of Uganda, to pave the way for the acquisitions.
The addressees include the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development Dr. Stephen Isabalija; the Executive Directors of Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA), Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) and Uganda Investment Authority (UIA): Jennifer Musisi, Allen Kagina and Jolly Kamugira Kaguhangire, respectively.
Others are the Managing Directors of Uganda Electricity Generation Company Limited; Uganda Electricity Transmission Company Limited (UETCL); Uganda Electricity Distribution Company Limited (UEDCL) the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) and the Project Coordinator of the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR).
‘Where the parties are unable to agree on the fair and adequate compensation payable under clause (2)(b)(I), the government shall deposit in court or with any competent authority the market value of the property as evaluated by the Chief Government Valuer and the government shall take possession of the property pending determination by the court or other competent authority of the disputed amount of the compensation,’ the Minister further writes.
The Minister added: ‘For the avoidance of doubt, the owner of the property shall not stop government from taking possession of the property where government has deposited the evaluated compensation amount referred to in clause , but shall have a right to claim the disputed amount that may be determined by court or other competent authority’.
Minister Amongi asks the addressees to provide her office with the requisite information including the names of affected projects, particulars of the PAPs, the cost implication to government and, the ‘percentages of PAPs contesting compensation awards approved’.
EFFECTED CHANGES OF COMMITTEE CLERKS: Clerk to Parliament Ms Jane Kibirige
Four of the nine Parliament Committee clerks who were affected a mini shuffle effected by the House Clerk Jane Kibirige were accused of drunkenness, poor working relations with committee chairpersons and absenteeism.
Although the reasons were not explicitly stated in the Loose Minute Ms Kibirige wrote on Monday June 26, communicating the changes, sources in Parliament that Eagle Online spoke to said the shuffle was done after committee chairpersons complained about the clerks: Ms Esther Nadunga, Ms Ida Kusiima, Gilbert Aineomugisha and Justus Karyaijah.
“Although shuffling of committee clerks happens all the time especially in a new Parliament session, three of our colleagues had particular complaints against them,” the source said.
Ms Nadunga, the source said, was moved from Government Assurance to Human Rights Committee over complaints about her ‘working methods’.
Ms Nadunga couldn’t comment via a phone interview saying, “may be you just have to come to Parliament and you tell me physically the basis of your information because I have never heard of such complaints personally.”.
Poor working method was the same accusation against Ms Ida Kusiima who has been moved from Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee to the Committee of Business/Rules, Privileges and Discipline.
The source said Ms Kusiima was earmarked by the committee membership as ‘very argumentative and disorganized’.
When contacted, Ms Kusiima said: “That is not correct. I cannot comment on that really. The best-placed person is the Clerk to Parliament. Please speak to her and she will explain anything you want clarified,” she said.
Mr Gilbert Ainomugisha was moved from Health to Presidential Affairs over insubordination, the source added.
“He went on a 21 day trip without the permission of his Chairperson a thing that stalled committee business. He couldn’t miss the 21 days per diem,” the source said.
When contacted, Mr Ainomugisha denied having been moved because of being AWOL.
“I would not say that was the reason I was moved. I did travel with PAC and it was not a 21 day trip and it was without permission. Plus that is not a reason sufficient enough to move a clerk from a committee. It was just about time,” he said.
Mr Justus Karyaijah, the source said, consistently let the tipple get the better part of him, the reason he was moved from Presidential Affairs to Government Assurances.
Mr Karyaijah’s known phone number was off when we tried to reach him for a comment.
Others affected in the shuffle but not for similar reasons are: Mr Leonard Okema who was moved from Equal Opportunities to Physical Infrastructure, Mr Max Komakech who was moved from Physical Infrastructure to Legal and Parliamentary Affairs. Ms Diana Amero is now in ICT to replace Mr John Sentumbwe, who has since moved to Health.
SPEAKER WANTS RESULTS! Parliament’s Director of Communications Chris Obore
Parliament Communications and Public Affairs Director, Chris Obore, said that although changes in service are normal, it is a message to Clerks that it is no longer business as usual.
“The Speaker announced that she needs key committee s to perform and promised to crack the whip on any committee which is not performing. She also tasked the Clerk to ensure that technical staff are up to task,” he said.
He added: “These changes are to ensure that committees function well. The overall motive is that every committee has been tasked by the Speaker to show results. Without results it is no longer business as usual. We want reports tabled in the House and committee clerks are very significant in that.”
