IN THE DOCK: Former Old Kampala DPC Joram Mwesigye
Pastor Kayanja’s prayers dubbed 77 Days of Glory popularly known as 77DOGs have been known as miracle crusades in the past days, ‘changing’ the lives of many.
Among those who testified to having benefitted from the ‘miracles’ is socialite Bad Black, Singer Qute Kaye and comedians Eddie Kigere and Kapere.
CONVICTED: Former Old Kampala police boss Joram Mwesigye.
Perhaps, former Old Kampala District Police Commander (DPC) Joram Mwesigye followed suit for the DOGs77 hoping for a ‘miracle’ ahead of the ruling on a case in which he was charged with three counts ranging from assault, occasioning bodily harm and malicious damage, to the property of journalist Andrew Lwanga of defunct WBS TV.
However, Buganda Road Court Grade One Magistrate Gladys Kamasanyu might not have known about DOGs77 and the ‘miracles’ associated with it; she made a ruling in Mwesigye’s disfavor.
IN COURT: Friends and coleagues of Andrew Lwanga (M) in blue shirt with clutches, follow the proceedings
Accordingly, the former DPC was found guilty of assaulting and inflicting bodily harm on Lwangaand sentenced to a one-year jail term and also ordered to pay the journalist six million. The cop was, however, acquitted on the charges of malicious damage.
Mwesigye has been a regular at Pastor Kayanja’s 77 Dog’s. On his first appearance and subsequently becoming saved, he was allegedly given Shs3million by Pastor Kayanja to help him and his family after he became ‘jobless’ following his suspension from the police force.
On January 12, 2015 at Florida Bar and Guest House along Namirembe Road in Kampala, Mwesigye brutally assaulted Lwanga and one Joseph Ssettimba of Bukedde, a local television.
WOMEN ARE SEEN AS SEX OBJECTS: Mellissa Katto-Onyia
Hollywood’s recent tendency to delve into the past for creativity recently brought to our screens a movie starring actresses Taraji Henson alongside Janelle Monae and Octavia Spencer.
In the movie they act the lives of three African-American women who contributed a great deal to the launch of National Aeronautical Space Agency (NASA’s) first-ever spacecraft despite facing harsh restrictions in the then racially divided America.
Little was known about these women nor thier work until just recently when ‘Hidden Figures’ hit the box office, a clear indication of the inequality that has existed among the two sexes. While history keeps records of many a great man who ever lived, very little is recorded or considered when it comes to the ‘fairer sex’. Truth be told, this is largely because today’s society is largely patriarchal with vices like chauvinism still an enigma.
Anyhow, we are fast approaching that period in the year where public holidays are more than a periodical appearance but rather a constant and this is usually marked by the first significant holiday of the year: Women’s Day.
In recent times women’s rights have moved from the Victorian era where women were no more than a possession to be appraised, to being the most discussed and challenging topics as they continue to fight gender based marginalisation that still exists in society. Indeed, by exercising thier rights and freedoms more women have come to assume roles in society that give them power, courage and equality to shape the world alongside their male counterparts.
In that regard we look up to women like German Chancellor Angella Merkel and our very own political activist Miria Matembe, who has taken it upon herself to ensure the rights of all women in Uganda are respected.
Indeed, today we see women occupy various prestigious positions not only in parliament but in all types of vocations and expertise and these have campaigned vigourously against harmful practices such as female genital mutilation or child-brides.
Intriguingly, the road to equality for women in most societies is still a long and rather sensitive one with new laws coming up and others taken down for either the empowerment or emancipation of women.
History has long served to show us that the fairer sex is far more capable than what is initially assumed by not only biology but society as well, take for example historical women such a St. Joan of Arc or Margaret Thatcher who not only broke traditions but led many into new ones. Even the religious works still evident today hold certain women like Mary the Mother of Jesus and Esther in very high regard.
Indeed, women have broken barriers not only within their families but in society as well; conquering territories they were previously deemed ineligible and performing feats that surpass even the criteria of those already entitled.
So, with the patriarchal order threatened, women continue to suffer at the hand of society where many of the rules and laws are dictated in favor of the man but nonetheless the woman continues to break and challenge the status quo that is involuntarily thrust upon them from the very minute they are birthed.
Needless to say, of recent we have seen the extremities of feminism and women empowerment and the lengths to which women will go to protect what is rightfully theirs.
Just last year, now famous Makerere academic and human rights activist Stella Nyanzi stripped naked in protest to an unlawful termination of her research contract at Makerere University.
After the incident that earned her with a fairly large number of followers (especially on social media) Stella Nyanzi has been at it, not only barraging big organisations but individuals in the public with a foul mouth that has largely contributed to her new-found fame. Her recent social media rants focused on the First Lady Janet Kataha Museveni and the failure of the NRM government to provide sanitary towels for student girls, as promised during election campaigns by President Yoweri Museveni.
This undertaking has landed Nyanzi under the microscope of recent investigations by police due to a Facebook post(s) she ever so candidly shares with her following.
But she is relentless and has challenged the government by setting up a charity fund to facilitate acquisition of the desperately needed sanitary pads and so far the charity has managed to get about US$1000 in donations.
What other women who have persevered say:
PERSEVERANCE IS KEY: Annette Ninsiima
Annette Ninsiima
“A lot has changed over the years from back in the day when we were growing up and women weren’t as free, but still there is still much to be done and a long way to go as far as women’s rights are concerned. The idea here in Uganda is that women are expected to drop everything and become housewives after marriage but at least with today’s communication, awareness is brought to so many of us; its why today we can see so many highly educated women and now female doctors are a good number,” Ms 40-year old Annette Ninsiima, a businesswoman who owns Ambishion, says.
According to her, despite women progressing under the current government, there is a lot to be done.
“For example, I don’t believe that there can be no sanitary pads for girls going to school: it is part of a girl’s right to have freedom to move freely including going to school” Ms Ninsiima says.
She adds: “How can she do so if she is hindered by nature and government? Also laws requiring child support from both parents should be implemented for single mothers and fathers shouldn’t leave all the work to the mothers just because they are not married.”
Ms. Ninsiima says she looks up to some inspirational women.
“Some of the women I look up to these days are Jessica Kayanja who is also a mother, businesswoman and spiritual leader as well as Michelle Obama who has really been a strong leader and paved way for many black women but always keeping her family first,” she says.
Mellissa Katto-Onyia
Ms Melissa Katto-Onyia, 35, a scholar, businesswoman and mother of two living in the diaspora is concerned about the political influence women have in today’s society.
“As concerns women’s rights and freedoms, we can now vote, there is access to education for more girls and also jobs although they are not fully there as concerns equal gender rights. Some roles are considered as ‘male roles’ or have male dominance and it’s a glass ceiling to break, look at Hilary Clinton,” she notes.
Indeed, she believes that in most developing countries where culture is strong, women are to be seen and not heard to an extent.
She also says women have better maternity rights to spend time with thier children outside of work but that domestic work is still largely left as a woman’s role and not a joint effort.
Further, according to Katto-Onyia, the sex industry is still a huge problem.
“Today women are treated worse than before when it was conservative and now women are being seen more as sex symbols and wives as possessions,” she notes.
Amina*
WE ARE CAPABLE OF CARRYING OUT ANY TASK: Amina*
For Amina *, a hawker-cum-taxi tout along the Kampala-Ntinda route, women have all it takes to take on any tasks considered daunting.
“Before I became a taxi conductor I was a hawker with two children and I was never able to make things meet. I suffered mainly because the father of my two children refused to help me. It was only until Jennifer Musisi and her team came and gathered a group of us young women and gave us support that we were able to support ourselves,” Ms Amina says.
She adds: “I have been able to make a living from this taxi business for three years now. I must say that it has not been easy working in such a male dominated environment but the woman of today is far more aware and active than the Ugandan woman of the past.”
According to Ms. Amina, the government should continue being innovative and identify programmes which can help helpless mothers and young girls to find jobs and an education.
“These areas are still grey despite the fact that we are capable of contributing equally to development like our male counterparts.”
The Supreme Court has granted relief to a herdsman, one Moses Rwabugande, who was convicted of murder in 2011. Court reduced his jail term from 35 years to 21 years.
This followed an appeal in the Supreme Court in which he challenged the ruling of the Court of Appeal.
He faulted the judges of the Court of Appeal for erring in law when they held that the he participated in killing of the deceased without ample evidence. He further faulted the judges for rejecting his defence that he is not the one who caused the death of the deceased but rather a one Kafesi, thereby causing a miscarriage of justice. He also argued that the learned Justices of Appeal erred in law when they held that the appellant was liable under the principle of ‘common intention’ yet there was no such intention.
However, while delivering the ruling on the matter, the five Justices of the Supreme Court; Bart Katureebe, Jotham Tumwesigye, Stella Arach-Amoko, Eldad Mwangusya and Lillian Tibatemwa-Ekirikubinza were in agreement with the findings of the lower court.
“The sentence imposed by the learned trial judge is not illegal. It is neither manifestly harsh nor excessive considering the fact that the maximum penalty for the offence of murder is death. We find no reason of interfering with the discretion of the trial judge and we accordingly uphold the sentence,” read part of the ruling of the Court of Appeal.
The Court of Appeal had found that the trial judge had proved beyond reasonable doubt that the appellant was the owner of the cows and was part of a group of people that went to the deceased’s home on the night of December 24, 2010, to rescue them and unlawfully assaulted the deceased with sticks.
“When two or more persons form a common intention to prosecute an unlawful purpose in conjunction with one another, and in the prosecution of that purpose an offence is committed of such a nature that its commission was a probable consequence of the prosecution of that purpose, each of them is deemed to have committed the offence,” read part of the judgment of the Court of Appeal.
The only instance where the Supreme Court deferred with the Court of Appeal was the sentence.
“We note that the issue of the trial Judge not considering the remand period was not challenged in the Court of Appeal. What was challenged was the harshness of the sentence. A question which then follows is whether this court can address an issue which the first appellate court had no opportunity to rule on but was nevertheless brought to the attention of this Court. The general rule is that an appellate court will not consider an argument raised for the first time on appeal.”
“In light of the above, we will thus proceed to address the issue of failure by the lower court to consider the remand period even though it was not raised on first appeal. A sentence arrived at without taking into consideration the period spent on remand is illegal for failure to comply with a mandatory constitutional provision.
We therefore find that in re-evaluating the sentence, the learned Justices of Appeal erred in failing to take into account the period the appellant had spent on remand and instead upheld an illegal sentence.”
The sentence was reduced to 22 years and further to 21 years.
“To arrive at the appropriate sentence, we have considered both the aggravating and mitigating factors on record as well as the period spent on remand. We agree that the offence committed was grave and that the sentence to be given must reflect the enormity of the accused’s unlawful conduct. On the other hand, it was pleaded in mitigation that the appellant was a first time offender and was aged 24 years. Considering that the appellant committed the offence at a relatively young age we are convinced that it is necessary to give him a prison sentence which will enable him to reform and be re-integrated back into society.
“We come to the conclusion that in the circumstances of the case, a sentence of 22 years is appropriate. However, in line with Article 23 (8) of the Constitution, the appellant will serve a sentence of 21 years which will run from the time of conviction.”
Meanwhile, this was a second appeal, brought against the decision of the Court of Appeal, which upheld the judgment of the High Court (Justice Monica Mugenyi), sitting at Luweero on December 15, 2011.
The Appellant was indicted, tried and convicted of the offence of murder contrary to Sections 188 and 189 of the Penal Code Act Cap 120. He was sentenced to 35 years imprisonment. On appeal to the Court of Appeal, the conviction and sentence were upheld.
The brief background to this appeal is that on December 24, 2010, a scuffle ensued between the deceased and Rwabugande together with his herdsman on the other, over an impounded herd of cattle. The deceased was hit with a herdsman stick twice on the head. He sustained bodily injuries which led to his death. The High Court and Court of Appeal found the appellant guilty of murder.
At the hearing of the appeal, the Appellant was represented by Counsel Andrew Sebugwawo, on State Brief, while the Respondent was represented by the Principal State Attorney, Kulu Idambi John Boniface.
If you are a fan and worried about songstress Irene Ntale’s future in the music industry, please, don’t lose heart!
According to Ntale, as a solo artiste she is stronger than when she was still managed by Swangz Ave.
And, doesn’t she miss the financial support of Swangz Ave – to record audios, videos and promotions? Well, she says she has got some little money that will help her push on; she has already used part of that money to produce five songs and one of those, ‘Omutima Gwesibye’ is already enjoying reasonable airplay on the airwaves.
The song was released shortly after her return from Rwanda where she had travelled for shows.
We’ve also learnt that the ‘Gyobera’ hit maker is headed for bigger things; she will be away for over a month, performing in both Europe and America. She has shows lined up in Germany, Norway, Sweden and the US.
She is currently managed by her kid sister, Sandra Ntale.
All money received by the immigration department including visa fees and that collected from the issuance of work permits to foreigners is receipted and accounted for, a senior official has said.
The response comes in the wake of accusations by MPs led by Kawempe North’s Latif Ssebagala that the immigration directorate was not remitting all monies collected from Uganda’s entry points.
But speaking to the EagleOnline, the official, talking on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the matter said the relevant offices had been satisfied with the explanations of accountability by the immigration directorate that is headed by Godfrey Sassaga.
Visa fees per individual range from $50 for six months single entry; US$100 for multiple entry for 1 year; US$150 for a two-year multiple entry visa; and US$200 for a three-year multiple entry visa.
“This issue has come up on a number of occasions but we have always come out clean; all offices that are concerned were satisfied with our explanations. However, some of the issues being raised are sensitive and need to be handled carefully” the source said.
Further, the source said that the issue is being fuelled by individuals who lost a lucrative deal to supply digital kit to the department.
Over the years the directorate has handled matters to do with passports, and most recently was instrumental in the successful launch of the National Identity Card project.
This Website understands that the introduction of depositing money directing to the bank account by visa applicants is what has prompted the allegations that money isn’t receipted. However, Immigration departments with the recent introduction of online visa application, all payments are going to be made online.
NOT YET AWARE OF LETTER: Prof. John Ddumba Ssentamu
The search for a new Vice Chancellor of Makerere University has begun in earnest with the appointment of two officials to head the committee.
University Council Vice Chairman, lawyer and rights activist Irene Ovonji Odida, has been named alongside Bruce Balaba Kabaasa, to head the search committee, whose five-man composition will become complete in the next two weeks following the naming of the other three persons.
The current Vice Chancellor Prof. John Ddumba Ssentamu’s five-year renewable tenure ends in August this year, and he is eligible to retain the post if the committee deems it fit.
So far no names have come up and, by press time it was not possible to establish whether Prof. Ssentamu will seek ‘another term’.
Since inception as a Technical College in 1922, Makerere has had 15 top administrators among them seven Principals and eight substantive and acting Vice Chancellors.
Former Uganda President Yusuf Kironde Lule was the first indigenous Principal of Makerere College, while Frank Kalimuzo was the first Ugandan Vice Chancellor of Makerere University.
Other VCs, acting and substantive include Prof. Asavia Wandira (1973-1975, 1979-1986); Prof. Senteza Kajubi (VC, 1977-1979, 1990-1993) ; Prof. Barnabas George Kirya (VC, April 1986-November 1990); Prof. Pancas John Mukasa Lubowa Ssebuwufu(VC, 1993-2004) ; Prof. Livingstone Serwadda Luboobi (2004- Nov 2009) ; Prof.Lilian Tibatemwa Ekirikubinza Acting Vice Chancellor(April – Oct, 2009); Prof. Venansius Baryamureeba Acting Vice Chancellor (Nov 2009 – August 2012), and Prof. John Ddumba Ssentamu (2012 -).
IMPEACHED: Former South Korean President Park Geun-hye who was impeached early today, visited Uganda in May and held bilateral talks with her counterpart Yoweri Museveni.
South Korea’s President Park Geun-hye has become the country’s first democratically elected leader to be forced from office.
Judges unanimously upheld parliament’s decision to impeach Ms Park over her role in a corruption scandal involving her close friend, Choi Soon-sil.
She now loses her presidential immunity and could face criminal charges.
There have been angry scenes outside the court. Police said two protesters had died.
The court ruling is the culmination of months of political turmoil and public protest. An election must now be held within 60 days.
Ms Park’s office said she would not be leaving the Blue House, South Korea’s presidential palace, on Friday nor making any statement.
Acting President Hwang Kyo-ahn has called for calm, saying the government should remain stable to prevent internal conflict from spreading.
At the heart of the drama lies the close friendship between the president and Ms Choi, who is currently on trial, accused of using her presidential connections to pressure companies to give millions of dollars in donations to non-profit foundations she controlled.
Ms Park is alleged to have been personally involved in this, and to have given Ms Choi unacceptable levels of access to official documents.
Parliament voted to impeach Ms Park in December and the Constitutional Court has since been deciding whether to uphold or overturn this.
On Friday, a panel of eight judges ruled Ms Park’s actions ‘seriously impaired the spirit of… democracy and the rule of law’.
The court said she had broken the law by allowing Ms Choi to meddle in state affairs, and had breached guidelines on official secrets by leaking numerous documents.
But the judges dismissed some charges, including accusations Ms Park had infringed on freedom of the press by creating a media blacklist of cultural figures, and criticism of her response during the 2014 Sewol ferry disaster.
Ms Park was already suspended from presidential duties, with the prime minister taking over her responsibilities.
But she must now leave office – and her official residence – and a presidential election will be held within the next 60 days.
She has also lost her presidential immunity so could now face criminal charges over allegations she colluded with Ms Choi, whose 40-year friendship with the ousted president has cost her the presidency and an honourable place in history. It may now put her behind bars.
The de-facto head of Samsung, Lee Jae-yong, is also on trial for a string of corruption charges linked to the scandal.
Analysts say the protests in recent months have sent a strong signal that the close relationship between politicians and the chaebols – large family businesses that dominate the economy – needs to change.
There is also a personal tragedy here; Ms Park is the daughter of Park Chung-hee, the General who seized power in 1961 and who set the country on a route towards industrialisation and democracy. He was assassinated, as was her mother.
RETURN: Nigerian President Muhammad Buhari greets officials who received him on his return from London.
President Muhammadu Buhari has returned to Nigeria at around 4.amon Friday, March 10 after an extended medical leave in London. The president was expected back into the country at the end of January after a 10-day vacation, but sent a letter to the National Assembly informing of his decision to extend his vacation citing medical reasons.
Media sources said on return the president landed at Kaduna airport after which he was choppered to Aso Rock Villa.
His indefinite vacation fuelled speculation about the state of his health with rumours being spread that he was dead although this was refuted many times by his media aides, Garba Shehu and Femi Adeshina.
Saraki insisted after meeting the president that he was hale and hearty and said he was in his usual high spirit.
Apart from the delegation led by Saraki, the president also received high-profile visitors at the Abuja House in London including All Progressives Congress (APC) leader, Bola Tinubu and Chief Bisi Akande.
His wife,Aisha also paid him a visitto confirm to Nigerians that he was hale and hearty as well as Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun.
The last visitor he received before his return to Nigeria was the Most Reverend Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury who visited on Thursday, March 9.
CONVICTED: Former Old Kampala police boss Joram Mwesigye.
The High Court will tomorrow deliver final judgment in a case lodged against the former Old Kampala Police Station District Police Commander (DPC) Joram Mwesigye, who allegedly assaulted journalist Andrew Lwanga.
‘Let’s stand in solidarity with Andrew Lwanga and the media at large in seeking justice and pushing for a more secure working environment as we attend court to witness delivery of the much-awaited judgment,’ a statement by the Human Rights Network for Journalists Uganda (HRNJ-U) reads in part.
The on-off trial of Mwesigye began in 2015, and has been ongoing for almost two years.
‘Trial has raged on since 2015 to now 10th March, 2017 when court is set to deliver its final judgment on the matter. This case has been a center of attention and generated interest of many journalists -both local and international, media fraternity, Civil society, Non-Governmental Organisations, the International and Donor community, politicians, government and the general public, among others,’ the statement adds.
On January 13, 2015, it took a group of journalists, led by HRNJ-Uganda, to resort to a peaceful demonstration from the city center to the Police headquarters in Naguru for the police to take action and arrest Mwesigye, charging him with assault and malicious damage to property at Buganda Road Court. He was released on bail on the same day.
UNDER SPOTLIGHT: UNRA Executive Director Allen Kagina.
The Executive Director of Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) Allen Kagina has today launched green right way project aimed at tree- planting along all the major highways in Uganda.
The campaign is being carried out jointly with other government agencies including the National Forestry Authority (NFA), the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), the National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC) and utility company UMEME.
Speaking at the function Ms. Kagina urged the road contractors to ensure that they spearhead environment protection, while on the other hand she implored those with structures in road reserves to vacate before demolitions commence.
“Those in the areas where the trees have been planted should own them because it is one way of protecting them,” she added.
Speaking at the function, Eng. Isaac Wami, a director with UNRA, said the type of trees was preferred because of their absorption capacity of greenhouse emissions and control of soil erosion.
