EXEMPT FROM TRUMP EXECUTIVE ORDER: Somali-born British multi Olympic medalist Sir Mo Farah
Sir Mo Farah, a multi Olympic Gold medalist is exempt from Donald Trump’s new travel ban, after fearing he wouldn’t be let back into the US where he now lives as he was born in Somalia.
A spokeswoman for Sir Mo said: “We understand from the statement released by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office that the executive order will not apply to Mo, and we are grateful to the FCO for urgently clarifying the situation.”
However, he still ‘fundamentally disagrees with this incredibly divisive and discriminatory policy’, his spokeswoman said.
Although Sir Mo is a British citizen born in Somalia, he is currently training in Ethiopia, and had feared he would not be allowed to re-enter the United States and be reunited with his wife and four children.
Somalia is one of the seven countries from which nationals will no longer be allowed to travel to the US.
But the UK foreign office has now clarified that British citizens who were born in Libya, Iraq, Iran, Yemen, Syria, Somalia or Sudan will not be subject to extra restrictions when travelling to America, unless they are coming from one of the countries in question.
'HONOURABLE' RESIGNATION: Former DP National Chairman Muhammad Baswale Kezaala
The National Executive Committee of the Democratic Party (DP) has named Dr Mayambala Kiwanuka as its acting National Chairman, replacing Muhammad Baswale Kezaala.
Kezaala, a former Mayor of Jinja Town, was last week appointed ambassador by President Yoweri Museveni, and the appointmnet has attracted a lot of condemnation from DP and the public over the ‘continuous inteference of Museveni into other political parties’ activities’.
“The appointment of Kezaala by the President of Uganda without consulting his DP colleagues and which he (Kezaala) accepted arguing that it is a government job which can be performed by any person without being a member of NRM, never augured well with NEC officials who ordered him to write a resignation letter so that it does not appear as a forced move,” a DP source told the EagleOnline. The source added that DP President Norbert Mao will deliver a decision over the Kezaala issue tomorrow.
WARNED MINISTER KIYINGI: DP Vice President Fred Mukasa Mbidde
Meanwhile, DP Vice President and East Africa Legislative Assembly (EALA) delegate Fred Mukasa Mbidde has warned youth minister Florence Nakiwala Kiyingi, a former DP adherent, against meddling in the affairs of Uganda’s oldest party.
WARNED OFF DP AFFAIRS: Youth minister Florence Nakiwala Kiyingi
‘Miss Nakiwala Kiyingi why don’t you leave our party, you left in peace to go and work with M7. Stop financing boys in DP to disorganize our party. These boys have humiliated and abused party leaders and we didn’t know where they were getting money until today. Stay warned,’ DP youth Paul Ssembajjwe posted on his Facebook page quoting Mbidde.
Ssembajjwe also posted a chat believed to be between minister Nakiwala Kiyingi and one of her aides.
Kwesé TV, Africa’s newest satellite network, started broadcasting today, beaming Kwesé’s full suite of superior entertainment and sports programming to households in Ghana, Rwanda and Zambia, which make up the initial phase of the Kwesé TV rollout across Africa.
According to a release by Africa Press Organisation, viewers in these countries can now access Kwesé TV via Kwesé’s own satellite and set-top-box (decoder) available at leading retailers. Other countries will be announced in due course, the release indicates, and adds that Kwesé TV has launched with a full-suite of top-shelf content which is unprecedented for a new broadcaster.
‘Having already showcased its impressive portfolio of sports assets on its premium sports channels Kwesé Free Sports, Kwesé Sports 1 and Kwesé Sports 2, Kwesé TV introduces some fantastic entertainment programming to the mix including some exclusive, first-to-market content as well as original programming’, the release indicates.
The monthly subscription option, which gives subscribers access to the full suite of Kwesé TV programming, is available at US$25 per month excluding VAT.
Commenting on the launch, Econet Media President and Group Chief Executive Office Joseph Hundah said: “We are a dynamic, young company built to respond to the way audiences want to access and consume content, whether you subscribe for the full Kwese TV bouquet, watch amazing sports programming free-to-air or choose to watch TV on the move, we aim to be the first choice for viewers all over Africa by bringing them the best in programming, at an affordable price making it accessible to more people than ever before.”
Kwese TV focuses on Sports and Entertainment bouquet prioritises quality over quantity with a slim bouquet of 50+ channels with content that will appeal to a broad audience base and has been specially curated for Africa’s hip urban youth, young families, movie and drama buffs, professionals and avid sports fans.
“The launch of Kwesé TV completes the story we started telling 18 months ago. We have spent the past few months building this diverse media company which will showcase the very best in international content and act as platform to showcase the best that our continent has to offer. Kwesé TV promises to engage and entice through our unique mix of channels and programming,” says Hundah.
Outside of the initial launch markets viewers can access selected Kwesé programming including Africa’s largest and only Pan-African Free-To-Air channel Kwesé Free Sports through Kwesé’s mobile app, the release states.
Meanwhile, the management of Kwese TV last week appointed Herbert Mucunguzi as head of the company’s operations in Uganda.
Former Kenyan UNMISS Commander Lt Gen Johnson Mogoa Kimani Ondieki.
Kenyan soldiers are poised to rejoin the United Nations peacekeeping mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) after President Uhuru Kenyatta and the new UN Secretary General Antonio Gueterres agreed to reset relations.
The two leaders agreed to the new terms during a meeting held on the sidelines of the ongoing 28th AU Summit in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa.
Strained relations between Kenya and the UN developed late last year following an attack on the world body’s installations in South Sudan that led to the sacking of the UNMISS Contingent Commander Kenyan Lt. Gen. Johnson Kimani Mogoa Ondieki by former Secretary General Ban Ki Moon. Following Mr Ban’s decision, President Kenyatta in his capacity as Commander-in-Chief, ordered for the withdrawal of the Kenyan contingent.
Meanwhile, Guinea’s President Alpha Conde has been named the new chairperson of the African Union.
As they prepare for their performance in Uganda, Morgan Heritage is also preparing its upcoming album, which has a cover of Jimmy Cliff’s Reggae Night, produced by DreZion who also makes a guest appearance on the track.
“We love to pay tribute to our legends and Jimmy Cliff is one of Jamaica’s unsung heroes. He has done many songs to heal the world, and this is one of those feel-good songs that makes your spirit happy and brings you to a happy place. It’s a great song. Bless up to Mr Cliff,” says Gramps Morgan, a group member of Morgan Heritage.
He was tight-lipped about the album, which is scheduled for release mid this year. It is the follow-up to 2015’s Grammy-winning Strictly Roots which sold over 4,000 copies in the United States, according to Nielsen Music.
“The name of the new album is a secret for now. We are not giving away the name until a later date, but the keyword for now, just know that it will be magic,” he said.
Originally recorded in 1983, Reggae Night is from Cliff’s album The Power And The Glory, which was released by CBS/Columbia Records. Co-written by Amir Bayyan and LaToya Jackson, it has also been covered by Jackson for her 1991 album
Cliff’s version topped Jamaican charts and entered several European tables as well as Canada, New Zealand and South Africa. It peaked at number 89 on the Billboard R&B Singles Chart.
The royal family of reggae, Morgan Heritage is set to perform in Uganda for the first time in April.
CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSBILITY: Mr. Joseph Zheng Biao (C), the Ag. Country Manager CCCC Uganda receives a Certificate of Appreciation from Mr. Louis Apenya (L), the Program’s Director SOS Children’s Village Uganda. This was during the hand over a variety of basic needs (Assorted food stuff, mattresses, mosquito nets and scholastic materials) donated by CCCC to SOS Children’s Village in Entebbe Municipality, in an effort to improve the welfare of up to 900 children at the village.
China Communications Construction Company (CCCC) Uganda, has donated a variety of basic needs to SOS Children’s Village in Entebbe Municipality, in an effort to improve the welfare of up to 900 children at the location.
The items which include; assorted food stuff, mattresses, mosquito nets and scholastic materials were handed over by CCCC to SOS Children’s Village in Abayita Ababiri at a handover ceremony graced by the Mayor of Entebbe Municipality Vincent De Paul Kayanja.
Speaking at the ceremony, Joseph Zheng Biao, the Acting Country Manager CCCC Uganda noted that the donation was part of the company’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programme through which it delivers social value to the communities in which it operates.
“At CCCC, our mission is to build a connected world, by constructing world-class transport infrastructure including; roads, railways, and bridges. This mission, however, cannot be complete without society and people. We are here today because, we believe people deserve to live in the best conditions of life to achieve their full potential. The humble contribution we are making is therefore, towards the good welfare of the Children in this Village. It is also testament to CCCC’s commitment to the people of Uganda and a win-win relationship,” said Mr. Biao.
CCCC Uganda is undertaking the construction of the 51.4 km Kampala-Entebbe Expressway, as well as expanding the current Entebbe International Airport, to make it a world-class and competitive international airport.
Receiving the items, Louis Apenya, the Program Director, SOS Children’s Village Entebbe, commended CCCC Uganda for the good gesture extended to the children.
“I wish to express our sincere gratitude to CCCC for the support to the Village. The food stuff will help nourish our children, while the scholastic materials will help promote academic excellence at school by inspiring the pupils to learn. On the other hand, the mattresses and mosquito nets will provide comfort to the children while they sleep and protect them from malaria,” Mr Apenya said.
SOS Children’s Village runs two programs namely; Family Based Care (FBC) for 152 children who are without parental care and Family Strengthening Program (FSP) for 748 children at the risk of losing parental care.
As part of its CSR programme, last year, the company built and handed over walkways worth shs320 million to St. Mary’s College Kisubi (SMACK), to facilitate a good learning environment for over 1,000 students at the school.
Over the last decades SOS Children’s Villages Uganda has grown to realize proficient child-centered community programs in Kakiri, Entebbe, and Gulu and Fort Portal and has supported the provision of comprehensive care to over 10,000 of vulnerable children in vulnerable communities.
TALKS: President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni interacting with the UN Secretary General HE Antonio Guterres at the African Union conference centre on Sunday 29th January 2017.
President Yoweri Museveni and the new United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres have engaged in a series of discussions ranging from the security situation in Somalia to South Sudan to Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo and pledged to strengthen efforts to develop sustainable peace and development in the region.
President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni interacting with the UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres shortly before their meeting at the African Union conference centre on Sunday 29th January 2017.
The two leaders who were meeting at the sidelines of the 28th Ordinary Summit of the AU in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia agreed on the need for the building of a national political ideology and national army in Somalia, and a need for the leaders in South Sudan to embrace democracy and fight sectarianism for the sake of peace in the newest nation and the importance of dialogue for all stakeholders in Burundi.
The UN Secretary General Antonia Guterres hailed President Yoweri Museveni’s influence and role in ensuring peace and security in the region and for his efforts as mediator in the Burundi conflict to ensure dialogue by all stakeholders.
The President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni interacting with the UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres
He pledged to push for reforms at the United Nations as more countries rally to see a more reformed world body.
Uganda used its presidency of the UN General Assembly at the 69th session to push the African agenda on the reform of the United Nations.
President Museveni said then, that Africa and individual African countries can form credible partnerships beyond the continent’s shores and that reforms as will be agreed by all, will strengthen the United Nations not otherwise.
During the meeting, President Museveni urged the United Nations to help Uganda deal or handle the refugee situation, which is posing growing challenges each day. Uganda is the second largest refugee hosting country after Turkey in the world.
The two leaders agreed to host a solidarity conference on refugees in March with both Uganda and the United Nations as conveners.
President Museveni also urged the United Nations to support Uganda’s efforts on environment reclamation if its to meet SDG 15 of the United Nations development goals to protect, restore and promote sustainable use of the terrestrial ecosystems, sustainable manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss.
President Yoweri Museveni has called on regional leaders engaged in the fight against the Lords Resistance Army (LRA) insurgency in the Central African Republic to commit themselves and allow military commands to jointly work out a plan to flush out remnants of the LRA and put an end to the suffering of the civilian population.
“It is true the capacity of the LRA has been reduced. In the past they would ambush our troops and try to fight, they no longer do that. Are they attacking troops in camp? No. Are they attacking troops on the move? No. The LRA no longer has that capacity. What they do is attack soft targets. That is not a strength; it is a weakness but it embarrasses governments because then they are not protecting their people enough. This is dangerous because it still attacks civilian populations,” President Museveni said during a meeting of regional leaders held at the sidelines of the ongoing 28th Ordinary AU heads of State and government Summit at the AU headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
President Yoweri Museveni meets with South Sudan President Salva Kiir on the sidelines of the 28th AU Summit in Addis Ababa.
The meeting was chaired by President Yoweri Museveni and included the President of the Central African Republic Faustin-Archange Touadéra, the President of the Republic of South Sudan Gen. Salva Kiir, Ministers from the Democratic Republic of Congo and Sudan and representatives from the United Nations, European Union, USA and African Union among other delegations.
“They (LRA) have been downgraded. Our concept of counter insurgency is for mobile forces to go in to hunt the terrorists by foot and chopper. Once we receive credible intelligence information, we must move in day and night and hunt them down. After, we must have a zonal force which remains there. The force must be disciplined…not killing, looting, raping women or talking badly to the people. This will give confidence and security to the people,” Museveni said.
Delegates attending the meeting on LRA that was chaired by President Yoweri Museveni.
The regional leaders are frustrated that despite a strong regional effort to deal with Joseph Kony and his LRA, the lack of a decisive action to deal with the remnants has led the insurgency force to continue wrecking havoc among the civilian populations and in the process prolonging the war.
Ambassador Smail Chergui, AU Commissioner for Peace and Security said the humanitarian situation caused by the LRA has worsened despite the elimination of the LRA from CAR leading to a secure country.
“The elimination of the LRA has led to a secure country and the insurgency force has been reduced to about 150 – 200 men including their dependants. The 120 armed fighters frequently move between the DRC, CAR and South Sudan with their main source of livelihood in Garamba forest in the DRC where they hunt down animals for ivory and loot gold and other minerals from miners. The LRA has made it impossible for communities to do their daily activities,” he said.
President Salva Kiir said the LRA coupled with negative forces have forced populations from his country to flee into northern Uganda causing a humanitarian crisis.
The President of the Central African Republic is Faustin-Archange Touadéra said since the operation in Garamba forests, the LRA broke out in several groups creating havoc in the region. He said despite their capability being reduced due to the presence of the regional force, essential activities of the LRA still happen in CAR and the embargo on CAR arms has made it difficult for the country to reinforce its security.
President Museveni urged the international community to support the regional force to flush out the LRA remnants and put an end to the war by supporting their efforts through reinforcements of multiplier forces like helicopters, airlifts, a disciplined army, relief and aid support and infrastructure for both populations and army to move.
“Accurate intel both human and technical is critical. Kony cant use satellite or mobile phones, not even radios, we can locate them. We need cross-border cooperation and aid and relief for the affected people,” President Museveni said, adding that he supports the lifting of the arms embargo on CAR to allow its forces build its capacity.
“I agree in principle, the joint regional effort has been critical but efforts are not enough and not complete. We still have a big problem because there are gaps we leave behind. 120 armed people are still dangerous,” he said.
The meeting agreed that the Minister of the DRC be allowed to consult President Kabila on cross border cooperation in the Garamba forest. They also agreed that the AU commissioner follows up with the respective governments on the military command of each country to work out a plan to make a final push and end the LRA insurgency.
CORDIAL TIES: President Yoweri Museveni-meets-Uhuru-Kenyatta
President Yoweri Museveni has held a series of bilateral talks with African leaders at the sidelines of the ongoing 28th Ordinary AU Heads of State and Government leaders summit at the AU headquarters in Addis Ababa, taking time off to introduce Uganda’s candidates at various international platforms to Heads of State.
According to a release, Mr Museveni introduced Dr Warren Namara and Lady Justice Solome Balungi Bbosa to among others the President of Equatorial New Guinea Theodreo Nguema Obiang and President Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya.
Uganda is fronting Dr. Namara, currently UNAIDS Resident Representative in Tanzania for the post of Commissioner Social Affairs at the AU, while Lady Justice Bbosa is a candidate for the post of judge of the International Criminal Court (ICC) whose elections will be held in December 2017. Justice Bossa’s name was submitted to the AU Commission for an early consideration to allow her adequate time to campaign. Justice Bossa is competing with two other candidates from Lesotho and Benin.
Meanwhile, the President also rallied leaders for a stronger joint effort to end the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) operations in the Central Africa Republic (CAR); to push for dialogue in Burundi and a peaceful resolution of the conflict in South Sudan, Somalia and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
FLOATED FOR AU CHAIR. Kenya's Cabinet Secretary for Foreign Affairs and International Trade Amb. Amina Mohamed
The 28th ordinary summit of the African Union is underway in Ethiopia’s capital Addis Ababa, where leaders are expected to elect the new commission chairperson to replace outgoing leader Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma.
Five candidates are in the running to replace Dlamini-Zuma, a former South African minister and first female AU leader.
The candidates in the race are: Kenya’s foreign minister Amina Mohamed, who is representing the East African region; Senegal’s Bathily Abdoulaye, special UN envoy for Central Africa; Botswana’s foreign minister Pelonomi Venson-Moitoi; Chad’s foreign minister Moussa Faki Mahamat and Equatorial Guinea’s foreign minister Agapito Mba Mokuy.
Both Mokuy and Dr Venson Moitoi competed for the post last July alongside Ugandan candidate Dr Speciosa Wandira Kazibwe but none won an outright majority, leading to the current re-run.
Meanwhile, during the summit, Morocco could return to the African Union after more than a three decade absence from the continental body. The request to rejoin made by the North African country is expected to be deliberated by member states.
This year’s summit is being held under the theme: ‘Harnessing Demographic Dividend through Investments in Youth’.
