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Star-studded performances lined up for BET Awards 2017

By
Badru Kasadah
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Part of the groups that took part in the BET awards 2017

BET Networks has announced today that R&B’s brightest stars Mary J. Blige, Maxwell, Xscape and El Debarge along with some of hip hop’s hottest talent including A$AP Rocky, French Montana, Gucci Mane, Swae Lee, Khalid and SZA, and musician Kamasi Washington will perform at the ‘BET Awards 17’.

The iconic annual show will also have performances from previously announced hit makers including Bruno Mars, Chris Brown, Lil Wayne, DJ Khaled, Big Sean, Future, Migos, Trey Songz, Tamar Braxton, New Edition, Post Malone, Roman GianArthur and Jessie Reyez. The “BET Awards 17“ has set the standard for one of the most intently unconventional, news-provoking broadcasts.

Hosted by stand-up comedian Leslie Jones, the 2017 BET Awards is sure to have unforgettable moments, appearances and performances you won’t want to miss!

The “BET Awards 17“ will air on 27 June 2017 at 20:00CAT on BET (DStv channel 129).

In addition, hit makers Remy Ma and Irv Gotti, actors and comedians Deon Cole, DeRay Davis and Kofi Siriboe, along with the cast of “Detroit” (Algee Smith, Jason Mitchell, Laz Alonso Jacob Latimore) join as presenters at the “BET Awards” 2017.

Previously announced presenters include Yara Shahidi, Cardi B, Issa Rae, Jamie Foxx, La La Anthony, the cast of Universal Pictures’ “Girls Trip” (Regina Hall, Tiffany Haddish, with Jada Pinkett Smith and Queen Latifah), Trevor Noah,Robin Thede, Cari Champion and Demetrius Shipp Jr. These names represent some of the most accomplished talent and rising stars in the industry today.

BET Networks also revealed iconic R&B group New Edition will be honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the “BET Awards 17.” In addition, multi-Grammy Award winning hip-hop artist and singer-songwriter, Chance the Rapper, will receive the evening’s Humanitarian Award presented by Walmart.

Africa will be greatly represented at the prestigious event with singer and humanitarian Yvonne Chaka Chaka and social activist Ilwad Elman being awarded with International Global Good Star and Power Awards. Eight leading African artists including AKA, Nasty C, Babes Wodumo, Wizkid,Tekno, Mr Eazi, Davido and Stonebwoy will all vie for the Best International Act: Africa category.

“Amazulu” hitmaker Amanda Blackand Tanzanian performer Ray Vanny are nominated for Viewer’s Choice Award “Best International Act”, in conjunction with performers from the UK, South Korea, Canada, Australia and Jamaica.

As previously announced, Beyoncé dominates this year’s nominations with a total of seven including ‘Best Female R&B/Pop Artist,’ ‘Best Collaboration’ with Kendrick Lamar for “Freedom,” ‘Video of the Year,’ and ‘Album of the Year’ for Lemonade. Bruno Mars follows with five nods including ‘Album of the Year,’ ‘Best Male R&B/Pop Artist,’ and ‘Video of the Year’ for “24K Magic.”

Other nominees include Solange, nominated for four awards and who is up against sister Beyoncé for ‘Best Female R&B/Pop Artist.’ Chance the Rapper and Migos receive four nominations as well, Chance the Rapper nominated for ‘Best Male Hip-Hop Artist’ and ‘Best New Artist’ and Migos for ‘Best Group’ and ‘Best Collaboration’ for their #1 hit “Bad and Boujee” with Lil Uzi Vert Award.

 

 

 

 

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Infinix Mobile meets Ugandan fans, gives rewards

By
Badru Kasadah
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HERE WE ARE: Fans who turned up for the Infinix S2 Pro event

The Infinix S2 Pro has gained massive acceptance and wild sale success thanks to its dedication to selfie lovers and freaks.

The world is evolving and at the same time changing, no doubt. The selfie era is here, and with the like of applications like Snapchat, Instagram, Facebook and the likes still in existence, the era isn’t ending soon. The Infinix S2 Pro had to evolve as well to the increased and widespread selfie demands of smartphone users.

One of the phone-winning fans poses for a photo with organisers

Infinix Mobile Uganda often meets its fans and their last meeting was to brief their clients on the benefits of this particular phone – Infinix S2 Pro.

In attendance at the event held at Hotel Triangle in Kampala were fans that have already acquired the phone and Infinix staff.

The chief guest of the day was Zahara Abdul, an award winning photojournalist.

She took the fans through some of the basics that can be enjoyed by only owners of the Infinix S2 Pro courtesy of its 13MP + 8MP front cameras and 13MP back camera.

“The two front cameras work well both in low and normal light. The flash can be set to normal or strong as per one’s preferences,” she began her lecture.

With an aid of a projector, she showcased some of the photos she had taken with her Infinix S2 Pro. “I normally prefer taking a photo without a flash. The flash always directs light to the object and the reflected light makes it lose its quality.”
She proved this by showing photos of the same object taken with and without light. Indeed the photo of an image taken with a flash on was shinny, and the words on it were hardly visible contrary to one taken with the flash off.
“Always try as much as you can to avoid a flash. You should also utilize the feature of thirds. This will help you take some of the most amazing photos. While using this feature, never place the object in the middle. Always place it on the sides. You’ll come up with beautiful photos. Soon, taking photos might become one of your passions,” Zahara said.

She added: “These photos can be shared on your social media or can be entered in competitions where you stand a chance of winning yourself some money.”
Zahara with her photo ‘Seeking Light’ won a first prize worth 1,500 euros last month at the photography competition sponsored by the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung, which attracted around 200 (hobby) photographers.

Meanwhile, fans also took their photos and shared on social media. The fan who had most ‘likes’ walked away with a brand new

 

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Assist refugees by investing in Uganda, UIA boss implores investors

By
Geoffery Serugo
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Uganda Investment Authority (UIA) boss Jolly Kamugira Kaguhangire

The Executive Director of Uganda Investment Authority (UIA) Jolly Kamugira Kaguhangire has urged humanitarian organizations and individuals involved in efforts to support refugees to invest in Uganda.

According to Ms. Kaguhangire, Arua and other refugee hosting districts have huge investment potential that provides market and varied skills that can sustain businesses.

“There is a need to think of projects that employ them (refugees) and make use of their skills,” Ms. Kaguhangire said in an afternoon session of the Uganda Solidarity Summit for Refugees held under the theme ‘How can private sector take part in the supporting refugee efforts in Uganda’, held at the Serena International Conference Centre, and attended by UN secretary General Antonio Guterres.

During the session Ms. Kaguhangire also noted that the private sector can create sustainable solutions and investments that can change the lives of refugees and host communities, adding that Uganda offers tax holidays of up to 15 years to investors that inject in the industrial sector.

“Investing in refugee hosting communities is not a case of philanthropy, it has a strong business case for private sector,” she said, adding however, that emphasis should be put on averting the conflict that is prevailing in South Sudan than mobilizing funds and managing refugees.

She also discouraged handouts to the refugees, calling for practical initiatives “to engage them for sustenance of their livelihood.”.

“Offering them with education will contribute to the development of the country,” she added.

The Summit seeks to raise US$2 billion for humanitarian help to towards refugees over four years.

 

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Uganda bans sale of waragi sachets

By
Francisco Adongo
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BANNED: Ambassador Julius Onen's letter banning waragi

The government has banned the sale of packaged local brew commonly known as crude waragi, sold in satchets, effective September 30.

In a statement by signed by Ambassador Julius Onen, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Trade and Cooperatives, the ban follows a grace period given to Alcohol Sector Stakeholders to adjust their operations.

‘The purpose of this letter therefore, is to remind you to guide the implementation of the Minister’s directive and also to resist the measures that are contrary to government position.’ Amb. Onen wrote to all Chief Administrative Officers (CAOs).

He also implored district local leaders not to allow the sale of ‘all unregistered alcohol’ in their areas.

Previously, a number of districts, mostly from Northern Uganda, have banned the sale of waragi in sachets to little avail.

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EU offers Uganda Euros 85m for refugees

By
George Mangula
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South Sudanese refugees in camp in Uganda

The European Union has said it will provide Uganda 85 million Euros to help fund relief operations for hundreds of thousands of refugees flowing into Uganda from neighbouring South Sudan.

The announcement made today came ahead of meeting in Uganda’s capital Kampala on Friday, aimed at raising some US$2 billion to help Uganda’s surging refugee population. The money would fund operations for 12 months from June.

Uganda is hosting about 1.3 million refugees, of which an estimated 950,000 have arrived from South Sudan, displaced by the country’s escalating civil war that has left hundreds killed.

“Many refugees have fled conflict in South Sudan, seeking sanctuary from violence, hatred and hunger. Uganda’s example of helping vulnerable people cope with displacement is an example for the whole region and the world,” Christos Stylianides, the EU’s commissioner for humanitarian aid and crisis management, said in a press release today.

Fighting broke out in Africa’s youngest nation in December 2013 between the soldiers allied to President Salva Kiir and his then deputy, Riek Machar.

A peace deal in 2015 briefly halted the conflict, but lingering rivalry exploded into deadly warfare again in July last year.

The ensuing fighting and violence, which has often taken place along ethnic lines, has uprooted about a quarter of the country’s population, with both government troops and rebels accused of committing crimes including rape, killings and pillage.

Relief resources have become smaller as Uganda has struggled to cope with the overwhelming numbers of South Sudanese refugees, forcing the UN food agency WFP to cut food rations.

Friday’s summit is jointly organised by the UN and Uganda and will be attended by UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres.

 

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Makerere University perimeter wall fence project revived

By
Francisco Adongo
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MUK Vice Chancellor Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe.

Stalled plans to have Makerere University get a perimeter wall fence have been revived after a one-year lull, to be carried out under an agreement that was originally agreed upon between the university and the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA).

Speaking to the EagleOnline, sources said that under the plan that was spearheaded by the university Deputy Vice Chancellor in charge of Finance and Administration Professor Barnabas Nawangwe, the KCCA had agreed to a raft of undertakings including among others the construction of a 350-metre new perimeter wall fence along the entire stretch of Makerere Hill Road, between Jjunju Road and the Sir Apollo Kaggwa junctions. The wall is in ‘cross-compensation’ of the university land that would be taken up to construct Makerere Hill Road.

Also to be handled under the cumulative Shs7bn mutual agreement was the construction by KCCA of walkways and, the installation of solar lighting street systems around the whole university, all of which were completed and handed over to the university authorities.

“In the entire arrangement with KCCA there was no money involved; everything was to be done through trade-offs between Makerere and KCCA, on mutually agreeable and contributory terms,” the source said.

However, according to the sources, the original plan by the two stakeholders, the university and the KCCA, had been put on hold for one year between March 2016 and March 2017, after a very senior official at Makerere University wrote to the World Bank, faulting the project.

“The university top official opposed to the project wanted to have money replace the trade-offs with the KCCA. After getting frustrated because the project involved the element of non-financial trade-offs, he wrote to the World Bank faulting the project, leading to the one year suspension,” the source added.

The source said development came in the wake of the university searching for the replacement of outgoing Vice Chancellor Prof. John Ddumba Sentamu.

Recently, the university VC search committee shortlisted three candidates: DVC/FA Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe and, Professors Edward Kirumira and Venasius Baryamureeba to vie for the top job at Makerere.

Last week the trio made graphic and oral presentations, and the committee is expected to name to new VC after June 26.

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Onyango keeps clean sheet as Mamelodi Sundowns picks up vital away point

By
Our Reporter
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Mamelodi Sundowns in action

Onyango’s Mamelodi Sundowns also known as ‘The Brazilians’ picked up a valuable point away from home against table leaders Espérance Sportive de Tunis at the Olympic stadium in Rades, Tunisia.

This was Denis Onyango’s second clean sheet in the 2017 CAF Champions league campaign. The Ugandan shot stopper made clear saves to deny the hosts a scoring chance for the match to end in a goalless draw.

The vital point saw the defending African champions move to second spot on the four team log on five points, three points behind Esperance in Group C.

The visitors shut out the North Africans, who only had a chance from range, with the ball sailing wide of Onyango’s goal, and another as the clock was running down to the 90th, which the Ugandan-born goalkeeper saved.

Mamelodi’s next assignment will be away to St George, who they lead on goal difference, and the final fixture against AS Vita at home.

The Brazilians clash with St. George on the July 1 in Addis Ababa.

AS Vita of DR Congo occupy bottom of with three points.

 

Starting line up: Denis Onyango, Anele Ngconca, Motjeka Madisha, Tebogo Langerman, Soumahoro Bangaly, Hlompho Kekana, Themba Zwane, (Lucky Mohomi), Anthony Laffor, (Thapelo Morena), Yannick Zakri, Percy Tau.

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Farmers urged to embrace the agricultural insurance scheme

By
George Mangula
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Insuring growing crops helps farmers to avert financial losses for individual farmers

Ugandan farmers have chance to recover financial losses caused by natural calamities if they can fully participate in the agricultural insurance scheme launched mid last year by the finance minister, Matia Kasaija.

The Uganda Agriculture Insurance Scheme (UAIS), formed through a public-private partnership, was meant to provide insurance cover for farmers’ crops and animals but insurers claim the farmers, especially small-holder ones, have been slow to seize the opportunity as natural calamities like drought and pests destroy their farms.

The insurance policy provides cover against physical loss or damage to growing crops and animals by uncontrollable pests and diseases, drought, fire, malicious damage, riots and windstorms, accidents among others.

Through the arrangement government pays 30 per cent and 50 per cent of the premium incurred by the small-scale farmers and large scale farmers, respectively. Insurance companies charge 5.5-10 per cent of the premium as income, depending on the location of the farms and choice of risks to be insured against.

“This an opportunity that our farmers should take as way of mitigating the effects of climate change,” says Vincent Musoke, an executive from National Insurance Company (NIC) General Insurance Company.

Musoke, however, says that small-holder famers in a given area can form groups to enter the scheme collectively, saying that it makes them enjoy economies of scale. “A farmer with one acre of crops can join with that one with two, five, or more acres,” he says.

“We now know the armyworms destroyed many crops in the gardens in the months of March and April but I can tell you that most farmers in the country made losses as they had not insured the crops;” Musoke says.

The policy value of the crops to be insured is derived from the cost of production which includes costs of fertilizers, chemicals, weeding, among others or A farmer can enter into agreement with the insurers. This, according to insurance companies, requires farmers to keep farm records. For animals, insurance cover can be based on the value of the animal.

Crops covered under the scheme include main cash crops like coffee, cotton, tea as well as maize, beans, rice, bananas, Irish potatoes, oil seeds and barley.

For animals, the policy covers cattle, poultry, pigs and fish.

Georwell Emanu, a prominent fish dealer is optimistic that the scheme will help fish farmers who he says face challenges of drought and malicious damage. “I am sure that with the government subsidy, fish farmers will insure their cages and ponds,” says Emanu, whose company-Geossy Limitd, exports fresh fish to the region.

A coalition of ten insurance companies provides the insurance cover through, a consortium- Agro Consortium. Some of the companies are First Insurance, Lion Insurance and APA insurance.

The National Policy for Disaster Preparedness and Management highlights that in the past two decades, on average more than 200,000 Ugandans were affected every year by disasters.

While Agricultural economists in Uganda estimate that the overall economic impact of agricultural risk is estimated to amount to US $606 million-US $804 million.

Agriculture employs more than 65 per cent of the households and contributes 78 per cent of the country’s export earnings.

 

 

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Congo to withdraw peacekeepers from CAR amid rape allegations

By
Agencies
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Congo Republic UN peacekeepers in the CAR

The United Nations has said that Congo Republic will withdraw its troops from a UN peacekeeping mission in Central African Republic after a review sparked by sexual abuse accusations found “systemic problems in command and control.”

The country has some 630 troops on the ground in Central African Republic, according to the latest UN figures. A UN database of sexual abuse and exploitation accusations showed three reported incidents involving Congo Republic troops in Central African Republic this year. Nine were reported in 2016.

“The review of the deployment of uniformed military personnel from the Republic of Congo found that the nature and extent of existing allegations of sexual exploitation and abuse, in their totality, point to systemic problems in command and control,” the United Nations said in a statement.

“These problems have also been compounded by issues related to the preparedness, overall discipline, maintenance of contingent owned equipment, and logistical capacity of these troops,” it said.

The world body said the review was shared with the Congo Republic authorities who then “decided to withdraw their military personnel.”

The 13,000-strong peacekeeping mission is seeking to contain violence in a multi-year conflict driven by ethnic and religious grievances and vying over vast diamond resources.

The United Nations said some 140 Congo Republic police would remain part of the peacekeeping mission in Central African Republic because “failures identified with the military contingent are not reflected by the performance of the police.”

 

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Zuma to answer queries on Gupta connections

By
Agencies
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What next for President Jacob Zuma.

President Jacob Zuma will respond to his detractors when he answers questions about state capture in Parliament today.

Zuma is under pressure from civil society, opposition parties and alliance partners amid accusations that he is under the sway of the politically-connected Gupta family.

Leaked emails show the family’s alleged influence over government departments and parastatals with Zuma’s son, Duduzane Zuma, at the centre of the controversy.

Zuma has been found wanting by the courts after opposition parties took him to task over the Nkandla scandal.

Anti-Zuma protesters have called for his removal and under his leadership, the Acan National Congress lost key metros in last year’s local government elections.

But it is the issue of state capture that has invigorated opposition against him.

In her ‘State of Capture’ report, former Public Protector Thuli Madonsela recommended that a judicial commission of inquiry be appointed.

President Zuma is legally challenging her report.

Zuma is expected to explain his approach to the matter when he addresses MPs in the National Assembly.

He will also be asked about whether his government intends forging ahead with its proposed nuclear build programme after the Western Cape High Court found agreements and processes related to the project were unlawful and unconstitutional.

 

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