Former Northern Ireland Deputy First Minister and former Irish Republic Army (IRA) chief-of-staff Martin McGuinness has died at the age of 66.

Mr McGuinness resigned as Deputy First Minister in January after a decade in the power sharing role with the Democratic Unionists which helped to end 30 years of conflict in the country.

A statement from his Sinn Fein party said he died today in Londonderry following a short illness.

He was diagnosed with a rare heart condition at the end of last year, and died in hospital in his hometown surrounded by his family.

Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams said: “Throughout his life Martin showed great determination, dignity and humility and it was no different during his short illness.

“He was a passionate republican who worked tirelessly for peace and reconciliation and for the re-unification of this country. But above all he loved his family and the people of Derry and he was immensely proud of both.”

Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) leader Arlene Foster said his death “will come as a shock to many people”.

She said: “History will record differing views and opinions on the role of Martin McGuinness played throughout the recent and not so recent past but history will also show that his contribution to the political and peace process was significant.”

Mr McGuinness’ resignation in January, which triggered a snap election, came after he gave Mrs Foster an ultimatum to step aside over the “cash for ash” energy scandal.

Ireland President Michael D Higgins said in a statement: “As President of Ireland, I wish to pay tribute to his immense contribution to the advancement of peace and reconciliation in Northern Ireland – a contribution which has rightly been recognised across all shades of opinion.”

Mr McGuinness helped to negotiate the 1998 Good Friday peace agreement, secured IRA arms decommissioning in 2005 and then shared government with unionist leader Reverend Ian Paisley as deputy first minister.

Prime Minister Theresa May said: “While I can never condone the path he took in the earlier part of his life, Martin McGuinness ultimately played a defining role in leading the republican movement away from violence.

“In doing so, he made an essential and historic contribution to the extraordinary journey of Northern Ireland from conflict to peace.”

In a statement, former Prime Minister Tony Blair said: “There will be some who cannot forget the bitter legacy of the war. And for those who lost loved ones in it that is completely understandable.

“But for those of us able finally to bring about the Northern Ireland peace agreement, we know we could never have done it without Martin’s leadership, courage and quiet insistence that the past should not define the future.”

Ulster Unionist leader Mike Nesbitt said: “I believe no-one needed to die to get Northern Ireland to where it is today.

“Clearly Martin McGuinness very actively disagreed with that analysis, but I also accept in his later years he was on a journey to create change through politics, becoming a pivotal figure at Stormont.”

Mr McGuinness was a former butcher who rose to become a commander in the IRA and promised to lead the republican movement to a united Ireland.

He did not join the IRA until after the British Army had been sent to Northern Ireland in August 1969 to restore order after a pitched battle between the RUC and people in his neighbourhood of Bogside.

Mr McGuinness was jailed for six months in the Republic of Ireland after being caught in a car containing large quantities of explosives and ammunition.

A teetotal, non-smoker who enjoyed Gaelic football, cricket and fishing, he said he left the IRA in 1974.

Other accounts suggest he was made chief of staff of the organisation in 1978 and streamlined it into an urban guerrilla force comprised of small cells.

But years later, in 2012, he was pictured shaking hands with and toasting the Queen in what he hoped would help define “a new relationship between Britain and Ireland and between the Irish people themselves”.

He is survived by his wife Bernie and four children.

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The Lotteries and Gaming Regulatory Board (LGRB) is a body corporate established under the Lotteries and Gaming Act No. 7 of 2016.The Board came in to effect on the 8^th of April 2016.The supporting Regulations came in to effect on 26^th May 2016.This is the first licensing round under the Act.

The LGRB was established to enforce the law relating to the conduct of lotteries, gaming, betting and casinos, to establish the national lotteries and gaming regulatory board, to provide for licensing and regulation of lotteries, gaming and betting; to provide for taxation of casinos, gaming and betting activities.

The Board is therefore mandated by law to supervise and regulate the establishment, management and operation of lotteries, gaming betting and casinos in Uganda, and to protect the citizens from the adverse effects of gaming and betting in Uganda.

LICENSING

The activities licensed are:

1. Lotteries
2. Casinos
3. Betting houses
4. Slot Machine operations

Licensing requirements and criterion;

1. Applications shall be open to registered companies only (proof of incorporation).
2. Investment License for Foreign owned companies i.e. more than 50% foreign owned

• Audited books of accounts for existing operators and Proof of capital adequacy in relation for Lotteries and Gaming (Capital adequacy) Regulations

1. Detailed description of the games you intend to promote /machines you intend to use and how they work. Attach a copy of the specific rules applicable to each game to be introduced.
2. Details of Equipment as to serial numbers, make/model, origin and proof of certification by recognized gaming standard of the equipment and / software intended to be used.
3. Proof of Intended physical address of business/principal location and any other secondary locations if identified. Applicant should attach proof of ownership or intention to lease premises identified or proof of any such arrangements. Premises must comply with premises guideline.

• Detailed business plan. This should detail the following;

1. Clear statement of project objectives,
2. Applicants profile,
3. Details of investment costs and how the proposed investment will be finance: name specific sources of funds and their contracts, terms and conditions of loans if applicable.
4. Projected financial and economic analysis
5. Expected employment generation in Uganda.
6. Proposed implementation schedule and any other relevant information.

• Proof of Tax Registration and attach tax clearance certificate if company has been existing for more than 12 months.

1. Particulars of Directors of the Company. This should include proof of citizenship, their legal status in Uganda and detailed curricula vitae highlighting experience in activities license is sought for.
2. Particulars of key employees (Chief Executive, Chief of Operations, Chief of Accounts and Branch Manager/ Gaming Floor Managers for Casinos).
3. In case of foreign Directors/ foreign key employees work permits, Interpol clearance.

• Bank account details and evidence of start-up funds for New Applicants.
• Security guarantee of prescribed amount as per activity license is sought in the prescribed format (guarantee to be submitted after approval of application by the Board).
• Proof of payment of prescribed fees (application fees). License fees to be paid after application is approved by the Board.

1. Detailed program of corporate social responsibility.

LICENSED OPERATORS 2017.

• The following companies fulfilled all requirements and are licensed for 2017;

Licensed companies should adhere to the Law and Regulations and in particular.

• The minimum size of Casinos, gaming/betting premises must be 30sqms and can only be in a city, municipality or Town council.
• Gaming equipment, systems and software must be authorized by the board before use.
• Key employees must be licensed by the board these include the CEO, Chief of operations, Chief of accounts, Premises managers /gaming or floor managers for casinos.
• Minors who are defined by law as persons below 25 years must not be involved directly or indirectly or engage in gaming/betting activities. Therefore operators must require all punters to show a national ID as proof of age before accessing any gaming, betting or Casino premise.
• Operation times – all gambling operators are required to operate within the prescribed times of 10pm -4 am.Operations carried outside these times are illegal and can result in dire consequences to the operator.

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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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