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Pope apologises to Rwanda over genocide

By
Our Reporter and Agencies
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Popoe Francis and Rwandan President Paul Kagame hold talks

The Holy Father, Pope Francis, has today held talks with Rwandan President Paul Kagame at the Apostolic Palace in Vatican City, with the latter apologizing over the Catholic Church’s involvement in the 1994 genocide.

Foreign Minister Louise Mushikiwabo, who accompanied President Kagame to the Vatican, said the two discussed the Catholic Church’s role in the most tragic chapters of Rwanda’s past, the Tutsi genocide in 1994.:

“Today’s meeting was characterised by a spirit of openness and mutual respect. It is a positive step forward in the relationship between Rwanda and the Holy See, based on a frank and shared understanding of Rwanda’s history and the imperative to combat genocide ideology. It allows us to build a stronger base for restoring harmony between Rwandans and the Catholic Church.

Minister Mushikiwabo also said the President commended the Church’s contributions to Rwanda’s socio-economic development, particularly in the education and health sectors.”

Rwanda’s progress in reconciliation and economic development was also noted, including the fact that survivors and repentant perpetrators have learned to live and work side-by-side, and that shared Catholic faith has facilitated these efforts and provided comfort.

 

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Uganda Cranes begins preparations for World Cup qualifiers

By
Our Reporter
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Emma Okwi fights for the ball with Eastern Select side player.

In preparation for World Cup and AFCON 2019 qualifiers, the Uganda Cranes team defeated the Eastern Uganda select team in the first regional tour of 2017 played at Kamuli Park Municipal Stadium in Kamuli, Eastern Uganda.

Since 2015, the Uganda Cranes have been playing regional tournaments against select regional teams as part of efforts by Airtel Uganda, their official sponsor, to offer different regions in the country an opportunity to play against the national team.

These tours have also served as training for the Uganda Cranes, who are bidding to qualify for the 2018 World Cup and 2019 AFCON tournaments.

The balanced Uganda Cranes team with a couple of experienced and youth players edged the Eastern select team 3-0.

During the first half, the Cranes showed class with the passing of the ball and had numerous attempts on target which eventually resulted in 3 goals against the Eastern Select side.

The first goal was scored by Proline Striker Nelson Senkatuka in the 111th minute, swiftly followed by two goals in the 22nd and 30th minutes from SC Villa’s attacking force of Martin Kiiza and Emma Okwi respectively.  Half time ended 3-0 in favor of the Uganda Cranes and the game ended 3-0.

Speaking after the match, Airtel Uganda’s Brand Strategy Manager, Noella Byuma congratulated the Uganda Cranes upon their win and thanked the fans for showing support towards the national team. She also spoke about the company’s efforts to rally Ugandans to support the national team in the two upcoming qualifiers.

“As the official sponsor of Uganda cranes, Airtel Uganda is calling upon all Ugandans to support the team and as they endeavor to qualify for World Cup 2018 and AFCON 2019,” Byuma concluded.

 

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‘Big Brother Naija’ takes interesting twist

By
Badru Kasadah
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The Big Brother Nigeria 2017 Housemates at the beginning of the show.

After 78 days of exciting moments in the house, ThinTallTony has been evicted from the on-going Big Brother Naija competition, putting an end to his dream of winning the coveted prize of 25m Naira and an SUV.

This came following last week’s nomination which put up four housemates: Efe, Debie-Rise, TBoss, and ThinTallTony for eviction. After a suspense-filled moment, which sparked tension among the nominated housemates, Ebuka Obi-Uchendu, the show host announced that Efe and Debie-Rise had been saved from eviction.

Their joy knew no bounds as Efe fell flat on the floor while Debie-Rise was momentarily speechless.  This limited the contest to TBoss and ThinTallTony. As fate would have it, ThinTallTony was announced the seventh real housemate to be evicted from the big brother house.

Interestingly, Efe led in this week’s popularity test with a wide margin of 51.97 percent. Debie-Rise came a distant second with 21.78 percent, followed by TBoss and ThinTallTony with 14.57 percent and 11.68 percent respectively.

When ThinTallTony was asked to leave the house, his female ally, Bisola buried her face in her palms and wept inconsolably. Bally on the other hand was transfixed momentarily as ThinTallTony made his way out of the house.

While on stage with Ebuka, the 5ft 7 dancer said: “I’ve waited for 12 years to be here. I lived it to the fullest. I’m living the dream.” He added, “It is heartbreaking that I was evicted, but it’s all good. Life goes on.”

When asked about his romantic relationship with Bisola, ThinTallTony said: “That wasn’t real. No offense to anybody but that’s pure honesty. She is an incredible woman, but we spoke about it and she took it maturely”. He however said his friendship with her would remain for life.

Then Ebuka brought up the much talked about issue of his marriage, the now ex-BBN housemate openly stated, ‘Like I said in the game, I never spoke about my family. I kept it really separate, I don’t want anyone to know about that part of my life because the truth is, I’ve done research before about people, humans, and how they think, not just in Nigeria but around Africa.

When I did that research, I realized there is a way people look at you when you are married, especially in the game, and I’m married. Nobody knows I am.” He was however shocked when Ebuka told him that his marriage was public knowledge, even to his fellow housemates.

ThinTallTony however pointed out that he was misquoted. He said: “When I said my family is dead, what I was referring to are my grannies, brother and sister who I hold in high esteem.”

In what appears to be a shift from the norm, the Head of House task, which used to be a Monday affair was done immediately after the eviction.

This time, the housemates were asked to burst lots of balloons to uncover some hidden ballots containing different alphabets to correctly spell “Head of House”. According to Biggie, whoever wins this task will automatically become the ultimate Head of House. Efe beat fellow housemates in the HoH race to emerge winner.  Efe’s victory has abruptly ended Bassey’s reign as HoH.

This week’s eviction show was quite thrilling as CEO of Marvin Records, Don Jazzy was a celebrity guest, seated among the live crowd as one of his proteges, Reekado Banks treated the audience to two of his hit tracks, ‘Oluwa Ni’ and ‘Ladies and gentlemen.” DNA Twins, finalists on The Voice Nigeria competition, also serenaded the night with their latest track “How Can”.

 

 

 

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FDC calls for special investigations into high profile killings

By
Our Reporter
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MP Paul Mwiru

The deputy spokesperson of Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) Paul Mwiru has called for an independent investigation into the gruesome and high profile killings in Uganda including the one of Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIGP), Andrew Felix Kaweesi.

Addressing the media today, Mwiru first paid tribute to the late Kaweesi and later recounted those who had fallen victim of assassins, including Prosecutor Joan Kagezi and 12 Muslim clerics including Major Sheikh Muhammad Kiggundu. He also talked about last year’s killings in Kasese and other incidents that include the burning of the Kasubi Royal Tombs, Owino and Park Yard markets.

“They should resolve conflicts surrounding these murders and should not hesitate to seek professional help from international investigators  in order to get the root cause of all these gruesome murders and restore public confidence,” Mwiru, a former Member of Parliament, said.

Asked on comments related to President’s remarks about boda boda cyclists when the Head of State visited the slain officer’s home in Kulambiro, Mwiru said: “The President is in the state of panic and therefore he was not serious about it. However, they should collaborate with the outside security agencies such as FBI to bring these culprits to book.”

Mwiru also called for the restructuring of security agencies in the country, saying they could be a haven for criminals.

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Mary Hill crowned Western Uganda quiz giants

By
Badru Kasadah
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Students of Mary Hill High School with the Stanbic Regional Manager Ronnie Muganzi and Martin Muhwezi, the Programme Director

Mary Hill High School has been crowned Western regional winner of the ‘Stanbic National Schools Championship’ for 2017.

They beat off stiff competition from four other schools and will now represent the region at the Grand finale set to be held in Kampala on April 29.

Congratulating the team from Mary Hill High School at the prize-giving ceremony, Ronnie Muganzi, Stanbic Bank Regional Manager said: “This is great news for Mary Hill High School, it wasn’t an easy competition but they are brilliant talented students and this clearly came through, I am very excited for them and wish them the best in the finals.”

The regional quiz competitions are the third stage in the National Schools Championship which started with classroom competitions and an essay challenge in February; held in each of Uganda’s four regions the students are tested in a team quiz format on financial literacy, life skills, logical thinking and general knowledge.

Giving an update on the progress of the competition so far Cathy Adengo, Head of CSI and Communications, said that the bank was very happy with progress of the programme and pleased to see the amazing talent from across the country.

“The level of enthusiasm and support from the students has been incredible and we are pleased that this competition is moving on to the next level that will show us the greatest minds in the country,” Ms Adengo said.

Speaking about the next stage of the competition Martin Muhwezi, the Programme Director of the implementing partner revealed: “The teams who make it to the Grand finale are expected to develop and run a bank simulation project over a one month period. At the end of the month they each make presentations before a panel of judges on their project. The team deemed by the Judges to have conducted the best project wins the grand prize which is a fully paid trip to South Africa for the two team mates and their patron teacher plus lunch with the Chief Executive of Stanbic Bank.”

Forty schools and 4,000 students have taken part in this year’s competition and these include both Government and Private Schools chosen with due consideration by Stanbic Bank’s partners in the competitions, the Ministry of Education and Sports.

 

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Upcountry traffic officers get training on vehicle inspection

By
Francisco Adongo
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The SGS Automotive vehicle inspection centre at Kawanda along Bombo Road.

Thirty four traffic officers drawn from central and mid-western Uganda have undergone training on motor vehicle inspection, carried out by inspection firm SGS Automotive in conjunction with the Ministry of Works and Transport.

The training at the firm’s centre in Kawanda along Bombo Road, attracted officers from Mpigi, Mbarara, Kabale, and Masaka. Others were drawn from Rukungiri, Bushenyi, Ntungamo and surrounding areas.

The training is part of ‘Safe Drive Uganda’ – the mandatory vehicle inspection exercise that started November 2016 in Kampala, which will be rolled out across the country by June 2017.

According to a release, SGS and the Ministry of Works and Transport will work together to make sure the program actively contributes to the enhancement of road safety and the reduction of transport related vehicle emissions.

“The mandatory motor vehicle inspection exercises will help reduce on road carnage in Uganda. We welcome the move by government to have vehicles tested for road worthiness. We are sure the safety of people will improve,” Ronald Amanyire, the Secretary for the National Road Safety Council, said during the training.

He noted that the core objective of the mandatory exercise is to compel motor vehicle owners and drivers to use safe and well maintained vehicles.

During the training Bbale Francis, the Operations Integrity Manager of SGS Automotive Uganda Limited said that vehicles will be subjected to detailed inspections of systems and items, which directly or indirectly influence safety of the owner, passengers and safety of other road users including pedestrians.

The officers were taken through the background and objectives of the project, the whole car inspection process, authenticating a genuine inspection car sticker plus the rules and regulations governing the SGS and Ministry of Works and Transport partnership

Currently, the Kawanda Inspection Centre has the capacity to test 200 vehicles in a single day. The other stations opening soon include Namulanda on Entebbe Road, Nabbingo on Masaka Road, and Namanve on Jinja Road. An additional three stations will be constructed in Gulu, Mbale and Mbarara. Three mobile inspection trucks will also serve areas with sparse vehicle population.

SGS is the world’s leading inspection, verification, testing and certification company and following an international tender process, the Ministry of Works and Transport awarded SGS Automotive an exclusive contract to design, implement and perform roadworthiness inspections in Uganda.

 

 

 

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VEHICLE INSPECTION: The end you didn’t see coming

By
Our Reporter
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A taxi undergoing the mandatory vehicle inspection at the SGS Automotive centre in Kawanda.

Uganda is one of the African countries with the highest rate of road accidents, a World Health Organization report on road safety says. More than 20,000 people die every year in traffic accidents in Uganda. Road accidents are actually the leading cause of death among people aged 18-32 years. The majority of road accidents involve public transport buses, taxis and boda-bodas (commercial motorcycles). However, private vehicles also are responsible for a sizeable portion of road accident cases.

Road accidents are caused by a myriad of factors. Distracted driving for instance; where the driver crashes because they were distracted by a text, or someone else. Speeding, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, bad weather, poor seatbelt and motorcycle helmet culture, running red lights, inexperienced or unlicensed drivers, overloading, driving tired and animals crossing are other major factors facilitating our status as the country with the some of the most road accidents on the continent.

We always tend to place the blame for an accident squarely on the shoulders of the driver for their choices and decisions in the moment that the accident occurs. However what we often fail to realize is that with driving there is always a silent accomplice in every accident.

The car

Road safety analysts have proved that a country with a higher incidence of road accidents tends to also be a country with vehicles that are on average, unworthy of being on the road. In our country, cars in dangerous mechanical condition go unchecked as there aren’t many rigorous exercises in place to ensure that the cars that aren’t 100% road worthy will never get onto the tarmac/murram.

A slight shortcoming in the tires, lights, suspension, transmission, wipers and brakes can make all the difference in the crucial micro seconds that make the difference between a narrow escape and a horrifying accident. Unfortunately for us as road users, we are humans, not robots and therefore easily disregard the mechanical health of our vehicles not knowing that in a crisis on the road; your car is either your strongest ally or your deadliest threat.

Road accidents are always things that happen to other people. Until they happen to you. 

It is due to this reality that the Ministry of Works and Transport, following an international tender process, awarded SGS Automotive an exclusive contract to design, implement and perform roadworthiness inspections nationwide. SGS was tasked to ensure that all vehicles on Ugandan roads are subjected to safety and emission inspections and issued roadworthiness stickers.

SGS Automotive is the world’s leading inspection, verification, testing and Certification Company, employing over 90, 000 people in over 2000 offices worldwide.

The vehicle inspection exercise started in November in a mandatory exercise campaign branded ‘Safe Drive Uganda’ and has been ongoing ever since. Currently, there is one main inspection station in Namanve along Bombo Road and two mobile stations based at Namboole. Several other stations are under development and will be launched later in the year at Kawanda, Namanve, Nabbingo and Namulanda and various towns upcountry.

It is a simple exercise lasting roughly 30 minutes but it could save you all years of your life.

“Vehicle degradation happens slowly over a long period of time,” explains Susan Nava Communications Manager for SGS Automotive, says, adding: “As such, many people probably have it at their back of their minds that their car is safe, even when it is not the case.” 

Traffic Police together will other shareholders have been conscripted to aid the Ministry in working to fight back against the scourge of road accidents. However, stronger participation on the part of the public would go a long way to make the entire process easier for all.

The truth is, you never know that the car you are driving, (or the car that you are being driven in) is going to betray you until it is too late. Stay Safe. Stay Sure. Get your car inspected and advise others to do the same so that

 

 

 

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Motor vehicle inspection firm to employee 300 by June

By
Isaiah Mwebaze
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VEHICLE INSPECTION: An employee at the vehicle inspection centre in Kawanda.

SGS Automotive Uganda, the firm contracted by government for vehicle inspection roadworthiness, is to recruit 300 people by June this year in a bid to help the company successfully execute its operations across the country.

Susan Nava, the Communications Manager for SGS Automotive, said the company has so far recruited over 100 people at its current motor inspection station in Kawanda along Bombo Road.

“Right now we have only one operational inspection station,” Nava said, adding: “But by June we will have over 300 employees working at Kawanda, Namanve, Nabbingo and Namulanda inspection stations and at the two mobile stations at Mandela National Stadium.”

Among the personnel recruited are first aiders, fire marshals, customer service officers, inspection technicians, security personnel, other support staff at the company Head Office along Kira Road in Kamwokya.

Currently, the Kawanda Inspection Centre has the capacity to test 200 vehicles in a single day. An additional three stations will be constructed in Gulu, Mbale and Mbarara.

Meanwhile, Nava said that inspection started in November in a mandatory exercise campaign branded ‘Safe Drive Uganda’ and has been ongoing.

SGS Automotive is the world’s leading inspection, verification, testing and certification company, and on March 17, 2015, following an international tender process, Uganda’s Ministry of Works and Transport awarded the company an exclusive contract to design, implement and perform and certify all roadworthiness inspections nationwide.

 

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Pope to visit Egypt in April

By
Agencies
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Pope Francis I with Egyptian President Al Fatah Sisi

Pope Francis will visit Egypt April 28-29, the Vatican has said, giving the pontiff another opportunity to promote better relations between Catholics and Muslims.

A statement from Greg Burke, the Director of the Holy See Press Office, confirmed that Pope Francis will visit Egypt in late April.

“In response to the invitation from the President of the Republic, the Bishops of the Catholic Church, His Holiness Pope Tawadros II and the Grand Imam of the Mosque of Al Azhar, Sheikh Ahmed Mohamed el-Tayyib, His Holiness Pope Francis will make an Apostolic trip to the Arab Republic of Egypt from 28 to 29 April 2017, visiting the city of Cairo,” the statement read.

In Cairo, Egyptian President Sisi issued a statement on the Pope’s forthcoming visit.

“Egypt welcomes Pope Francis and looks forward to this significant visit to strengthen peace, tolerance and inter-faith dialogue as well as to reject the abhorrent acts of terrorism and extremism,” Sisi said.

Christians, mostly Orthodox Copts, account for about 10 percent of Egypt’s population, which is overwhelmingly Sunni Muslim. Sectarian violence sometimes erupts over disputes on issues related to church building, religious conversions and interfaith relationships.

Francis has put great emphasis on improving inter-faith relations since his election in 2013, and a year ago he met the grand imam of Al-Azhar, Sheikh Ahmed al-Tayeb in the Vatican.

That meeting unfroze relations after Al-Azhar, a 1,000-year-old mosque and university center, cut contacts with the Vatican in 2011 over what it said were repeated insults towards Islam from Francis’s predecessor, Pope Benedict.

Benedict had denounced what he called ‘a strategy of violence that has Christians as a target’ following a bomb attack outside a church in the Egyptian city of Alexandria that killed 23 people.

A bombing at Cairo’s largest Coptic cathedral killed at least 25 people and wounded 49 in December.

Pope Francis has urged an end to what he called a ‘genocide’ against Christians in the Middle East, but he has also said it is wrong to equate Islam with violence.

 

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Kaweesi requiem mass: Archbishop Lwanga calls for reconciliation

By
Badru Kasadah
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REQUIEM MASS: Archbishop Cyprian Kizito Lwanga saying mass. He called for reconciliation. NBS Photo

Archbishop Dr Cyprian Kizito Lwanga, has condemned the rampant murders of people in Uganda.
While leading the final mass for the late Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIGP) Andrew Felix Kaweesi at Lubaga Cathedral, Archbishop Lwanga said that many people have been murdered mainly by iron bar hitmen and gunmen. He called upon all of the evil doers to
repent.
“People forgot the Ten Commandments. People do not remember that life is God-given. You shall not kill. Anyone who kills will answer for it before God. I call up those doing it (killing) to stop and come for reconciliation. Murder is a daily routine……” he told the
congregation that included several high profile people.
“Let us remember our national motto; For God and My Country. Can you kill a person and say you killed for God? Let us remember our motto and that everything we do is for God and our country.
Let us make peace starting from our families to the top,” the Archbishop implored.
He described AIGP Kaweesi as having been a good son of the country.
“The entire country was shocked and saddened by the murder of our dear friend Kaweesi. On behalf of the archdiocese, our sympathy goes to the entire nation.
“He was always full of humility. Caring for others has been Kaweesi.
Let us be humble and also do the needful. Our presence in such big
numbers reflects that Kaweesi has touched many lives in this country.”
The Archbishop noted that Kaweesi was a very faithful person that always put God at the centre.
“AIGP Felix took the first reading when the Pope came to Uganda. This surprised members of the Pope’s entourage,” he said of the officer whose life was cut short by assassins’ bullet at the rather youthful age of 43.

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