The Ministry of Education and Sports has ordered for the registration of all school going children, starting from the age of 5 years.
According to a communication, the process starts on May 29, 2017.
“The programme seeks to ensure registration of learners and assign them National Identification Numbers (NINs). Those of 16 years and above will be issued with the National Identity Cards,” reads the letter which was issued yesterday by Alex Kakooza, the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary.
The letter, sent to all RDCs, LC V chairpersons, CAOs/Town Clerks, DISOs, Mayors among others, indicates that Registration Forms will be delivered centrally to districts.
“Thereafter all heads of schools and institutions must pick the forms from the districts and ensure they are dully filled. In order to ensure an orderly and efficient exercise, Learners will be availed with registration forms with guidelines to be filled by parents/guardians and returned to the school by 31st May 2017.”
President Yoweri Museveni introducing UIA's Jolly Kaguhangire.
Chinese businessmen have invested US $1.2 billion and generated 45.000 jobs for Ugandans since 2011, a senior government official has disclosed.
“China is one of the top sources of foreign direct investment and in the last three years has, with India, ranked second. Since 2011, Uganda Investment Authority has registered about US $1.2 billion in the planned investment from China,” Lawrence Byensi, the Uganda Investment Authority (UIA) Director of Investment Facilitation, said.
Addressing the press at the Uganda Media Centre Byensi urged investors and other business stakeholders to participate in the forthcoming Uganda – China Economic and Trade Cooperation Forum scheduled for May 5 at the Speke Resort Munyonyo.
He said the Forum, organized in conjunction with China Enterprise Chamber of Commerce, is aimed at taking stock of “Chinese investments, their contribution in the development of the industrial sector and a strategy for the mutual benefit of the two countries.”
Further, Byensi said, Chinese businessmen in Uganda have invested in different sectors including construction, agriculture, energy, manufacturing among others.
“We want to leverage China’s cooperation to fast track Uganda’s infrastructure and industrial development, Byensi said, adding that the Forum will be officiated at by Vice President Edward Kiwanuka Sekandi.
Kenya’s veteran politician Raila Odinga has been confirmed as the main opposition coalition’s presidential candidate for August’s election.
Mr Odinga, 72, is set to face incumbent President Uhuru Kenyatta, the man who beat him in 2013.This will be the fourth time Mr Odinga runs for president.
He also ran in the disputed 2007 poll. The violence that followed led to the creation of a unity government in which Mr Odinga served as prime minister.
Mr Odinga will represent the National Super Alliance (Nasa), which is a coalition of the country’s main opposition parties including the candidate’s Orange Democratic Movement.
The announcement was made at a rally at Uhuru Park in the capital, Nairobi.
Thousands of opposition supporters turned up and live video footage from the rally showed them breaking out into wild cheers as Mr Odinga’s name was read out.
His running mate will be former Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka.
Mr Odinga is trying to run on an anti-corruption message and is also emphasising that he is the candidate of national unity, says the BBC’s Dickens Olewe.
President Kenyatta says that Kenya has achieved a lot of economic development under his government and he has managed to increase opportunities for the country’s large youthful population.
Left: Pastor Bugingo and Aloysius Matovu Jr, right.
Dembe FM presenter Aloysius Matovu Joy Junior, has warned self-styled ‘Pastor’ Aloysius Bugingo of Prayers Ministries, to apologise over burning bibles lest he faces the long arm of the law.
DEADLY GAME: ‘A’postle Joseph Sserwadda, the burning Bibles and ‘Pastor’ Aloysius Bugingo
In a notice of intention to sue served to Bugingo yesterday by Matovu’s lawyers, Wameli and Co Advocates, they accused the self-styled pastor of ‘mobilizing your flock and/or followers to collect all bibles which have the word ‘Holy Ghost’ and/or the bibles with some ‘missing’ scriptures for burning and/or destroying’.
Bugingo was ordered to apologise to Matovu and any like-minded Christians. He was also given only 5 days to withdraw all the utterances and instructions that he made, ordering his followers to burn and destroy some the versions of the Holy Bible.
The Bibles just before they were burnt
“You publish your written withdrawal on your Media houses where you made them and also on all social media platforms like Whatsapp, Facebook, Twitter, You Tube or other media. That you deliver our clients’ copy of the apology and withdrawal at our address.”
“On or around 16/04/2016 (Easter Sunday), you collected several bibles of different versions and languages and indicated to your flock and/or followers that they were to be burnt or destroyed,” reads the letter of intent to sue.
The letter adds: “Following your mobilization, utterances and advice, several members of your flock collected and burnt and/or destroyed several bibles and it is believed that this burning and destruction is continuing amongst several members of your flock.”
According Matovu, the utterances by Bugingo were intended to injure the religious feelings of believers in ‘Jesus Christ and the Holy Bible’, including himself, by ‘referring to them as Ghost Christians who make Ghost prayers’.
“As a result of your utterances, acts and/or omissions, our clients’ religious feelings and the religious feelings of other like Christians have been and are continuously being wounded. This is to warn that these utterances, acts and/or omission are unlawful, illegal and criminal under the laws of Uganda and our clients holds you liable as such,” the letter adds.
OFF WETLANDS! The Minister of State Minister of State for Environment Dr. Mary Gorret Kimono Kitutu
All Ugandans who obtained fraudulent land titles for wetlands must return them before July 27, the Minister of State Minister of State for Environment Dr. Mary Gorret Kimono Kitutu, has directed. According to the minister, the errant land owners must also evacuate the wetlands immediately.
Dr. Kitutu gave the order ahead of Uganda hosting the African Great Lakes Conference aimed at climate conservation and development scheduled for between May 2-5, expected to bring together delegates from 11 countries including hosts Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Malawi, and Rwanda among others.
“We will share evident-based information, disseminate it to the public and discuss ways of implementing polices. It (conference) will link together regional authorities, policy makers, scholars and many other decision makers across the region to pave away of sustaining these vital resources,” Dr. Kitutu said today, while addressing media practitioners at the Media Centre.
The Minister added: “Lakes support diverse industries and provide ample investment opportunities in agriculture and fishing among others. However, theses must be developed sustainably to secure their services in the long term and reduce negative impacts on people and environment,”
In the recent months, Uganda has had climatic change challenges resulting from massive deforestation and land reclamation. As a result the country has experienced drought leading to massive famine and a widespread contagion of pests and disease. Consequently, massive conserved forests and wetlands have been encroached upon.
IN HOSPITAL: Betty Nambooze, with singer Ronald Mayinja in hospital. She was left with injuries on the head and chest .
Mukono Municipality Member of Parliament Betty Nambooze who was allegedly shot on the head with a rubber bullet during protests is steadily recovering.
The altercation followed the blocking of a meeting Nambooze’s faction of the Democratic Party (DP) had organised in Masaka against their party president Norbert Mao, who suspended her from the party a few days back.
Nambooze, who was with other politicians including MPs Mathias Mpuuga and Medard Lubega Ssegona, who are also members of the DP splinter group, was left with injuries on the head and chest and later collapsed in the police cells.
But close confidante, singer Ronald Mayinja, who visited the embattled legislator in hospital yesterday, said she is responding well to medication and that her health has greatly improved, contrary to reports that had gone viral on social media.
Early this week social media was awash with reports claiming the legislator had succumbed to the injuries but according to her caretakers, that was not true.
“We have allowed Ronald Mayinja to access the sick Hon. Nambooze on behalf of you all her supporters to confirm that she is down but not out…its true yesterday she was in not so good a condition but she has greatly improved….,” they said yesterday.
“Hon Nambooze’s condition, according to medics, needs a lot of rest to facilitate a quick recovery. This can’t be achieved if thousands of her supporters are allowed to come and see her. Ignore the rumours, please. She is in hands of qualified and experienced doctors and God is fully in charge.”
L-R: Marketing Director, Pfizer, Winston Ailemoh; Chairman of the occasion, Lere Baale; president, Nigerian Cardiac Society, Associate Prof. of Medicine & Consultant Cardiologist, Dr Amam Mbakwem; Medical Director, Pfizer, Dr. Kodjo Soroh; during the 25 years commitment to Cardiovascular Health in Nigeria held at Sheraton hotel, Lagos, Nigeria.
As the world marks the World Immunization Week, Pfizer, a manufacturer and developer of pharmaceutical medicines has expressed commitment to address the practical constraints experienced by health workers operating in Uganda and the East African region.
Hon. Sarah Achieng Opendi the State Minister of Health-General Duties, Republic of Uganda, during MoH of Uganda AVW media breakfast meeting at Kampala Serena Hotel. Next is Neren Rau, Professor Anthony Mbonye, Director General of Health Services MoH Uganda, and PATH representatives
This will come be attained through both vaccines’ provision and training of health workers and, Pfizer has already announced the introduction of a new vaccination presentation that will help to significantly reduce the cost and access of vaccines against communicable diseases in developing countries.
Pfizer Medical Director Kodjo Soroh, noted that vaccines have significantly reduced the threat of diseases that were once widespread and sometimes fatal.
Today, more people benefit from safe and efficacious vaccines than ever before – and the list of diseases that vaccines can help prevent continues to grow, Soroh says.
He said the new presentation will help to significantly reduce storage requirements and shipping costs in communities with health systems that are still developing. The new multi-dose vial- MDV being rolled out was prequalified in accordance with World Health Organization’s ‘open container policy.’ With its ‘open container’ attributes, it allows for the fourth dose to be used for up to 28 days after the first dose is drawn and provided the recommended cold storage requirements have been met.
“Immunization is widely recognized as one of the most successful and cost effective health interventions. Pfizer’s goal is to protect lives with innovative vaccines to fight serious diseases worldwide and make vaccination against potentially deadly diseases available,” said Soroh.
“As we mark World Immunization Week/World Meningitis Day, let’s be aware about the critical importance of immunization bearing in mind that vaccination is a key strategy to containing Meningococcal meningitis,ensuring continued protection for the current and future generation while taking into consideration the current outbreak of Meningitis in the region,” said Margaret Olele, Pfizer Corporate Affairs Director.
MoH and different stakeholders from PATH, WHO, UNICEF, CDC during the AVW media breakfast meeting
To ensure the efficient use of the multi-dose vial, Pfizer is also supporting Gavi countries with a refresher training of trainers program on a variety of immunization topics including the proper handling of multi dose vials with open container policy.
A Mississippi man has filed a lawsuit against Robert Sylvester Kelly aka R. Kelly, accusing the singer of wrecking his marriage and inflicting emotional distress upon him.
According to the court document, Kenny Bryant claims that Kelly carried on a years-long extramarital affair with his wife, Asia Childress, which allegedly caused an alienation of affection.
He is seeking punitive damages.
In his lawsuit, Bryant claims that Childress had a relationship with Kelly before their 2012 wedding, but she told her new husband that they were no longer involved.
“Thereafter, Childress did not have sexual relations with Plaintiff from October 2012 until February 2013. Childress was treated for chlamydia during this time period. Childress contracted this sexual disease from her extramarital relationship with R. Kelly,” states the lawsuit in part.
Bryant claims that Childress also convinced him to move from Mississippi to Georgia for her career, though in reality, he said that she wanted to be closer to Kelly. He claims that that move was ‘financially ruinous’, as he was unable to find a good job after the relocation.
He also claims that Childress’s subsequent request for a divorce was the result of Kelly’s ‘blatant disregard for Bryant’s and Childress’ vows’.
“Bryant tried every avenue to hold his marriage together, but his efforts could not prevail against R. Kelly’s continued sexual overtures to Childress,” the lawsuit states.
David Shearer, the SRSG of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan ( UNMISS
East African states and South Africa believe that allowing South Sudanese rebel leader Riek Machar to return to the war-torn country would not ‘necessarily be positive at this stage’, said United Nations envoy David Shearer.
NOT WELCOME TO JUBA: South Sudan rebel leader Riek Machar
Machar, who fled to Democratic Republic of Congo in August after fierce fighting in South Sudan, is being held in South Africa to prevent him from stirring up trouble, diplomatic and political sources said in December.
Shearer, who heads a UN peacekeeping mission in South Sudan, confirmed that was the case. “The feeling very much within the region is that his role, in terms of bringing him back, wouldn’t necessarily be positive at this stage, so that’s the decision of regional governments and South Africa,” Shearer said in New York.
South Sudan descended into civil war in 2013 after President Salva Kiir fired Machar as his deputy, unleashing a conflict that has spawned armed factions often following ethnic lines.
Shearer said Festus Mogae, the former Botswana president who heads the international mediation and monitoring body JMEC in South Sudan, and UN envoy for Sudan and South Sudan, Nicholas Haysom, had both visited Machar.
“What’s the most important thing — and I have made this point to everybody including President Kiir — is that the constituency he represents must be part of any peace process and any process that moves forward,” Shearer said.
The United Nations has warned of a possible genocide as millions have fled their homes, the oil-producing economy is in a tail-spin, crop harvests are devastated because of the worst drought in years and millions face famine.
The United States recently slammed Kiir for the African state’s ‘man-made’ famine and ongoing conflict, urging him to fulfill a month-old pledge of a unilateral truce by ordering his troops back to their barracks.
UN sanctions monitors reported to the Security Council last month that South Sudan’s government is mainly to blame for famine in parts of the country, yet Kiir is still boosting his forces using millions of dollars from oil sales.
ANNOUNCED ELECTION DATE: Angolan President Jose Eduardo Dos Santos
Angolan President Jose Eduardo dos Santos has signed a decree setting August 23 as the date for the country’s general elections.
Dos Santos, who is 74, will be stepping down after some 38 years in power but will retain sweeping powers as president of the ruling MPLA party after the polls are held.
“At the suggestion of the president of the republic … the nation’s cabinet approved August 23 as the date for Angola’s general election,” cabinet spokesman Joao Maria de Sousa said in a press conference broadcast on national radio.
Dos Santos’s party, the MPLA has been in power since independence in 1975, and has chosen Defence Minister Joao Lourenco, as its presidential candidate going into the polls.
“All the political, parliamentary, financial, logistical and security conditions are in place for transparent and unhindered general elections,” said Sousa, who also serves as the country’s chief prosecutor, apparently quoting Dos Santos.
Under dos Santos’s tight control, Angola has seen an oil-backed economic boom as well as reconstruction of infrastructure devastated by a 27-year civil war that ended in 2002.
