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Machar rebels threaten to kidnap Kenyans in South Sudan

By
Agencies
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HELD: Dong Samuel Luak, a South Sudanese activist, who has been detained in Kenya

A senior South Sudanese rebel official has warned Kenya against deporting opposition dissidents to South Sudan, saying it could attract retaliation.

In a statement, Koang Rambang Chol ordered forces loyal to former Vice President Riek Machar not to allow Kenyan nationals to leave the South Sudan’s newly-created state of Bieh.

“I am ordering all security organs, including military intelligence not to allow Kenyan citizens, including those working in the humanitarian organizations to leave Bieh state territory until further directive from my office,” said Koang.

The directive comes barely a week after two South Sudanese opposition figures, Dong Samuel Luak and Aggrey Idris, were detained by Kenyan authorities amid fears they could be deported back to the young nation.

Koang said any move by Kenya to deport the duo would be retaliatory and affect relations between the two nations.

“If Dong Samuel is deported to Juba, I am afraid Kenya government would have hit the last nail on the coffin,” he said.

Several human rights bodies, including the New York-based Human Rights Watch have accused Kenyan authorities of unlawfully deporting several prominent opposition members from neighboring countries to their countries of origin, despite being recognized as refugees under Kenyan law.

“Dong Samuel Luak has been a vocal advocate for human rights in South Sudan for many years, and could face serious mistreatment if returned to South Sudan,” said Leslie Lefkow, deputy Africa director at Human Rights Watch.

“Kenyan authorities should respect his rights, allow him access to legal counsel and United Nations refugee officials, and immediately halt any deportation proceedings against him,” he added.

Kenya has, in recent years, unlawfully deported several prominent opposition members from neighboring countries to their countries of origin, despite being recognized as refugees under Kenyan law and protests by the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).

In November last year, Kenya arrested and deported James Gatdet Dak, the spokesperson for rebel leader, Riek Machar. Dak is currently being held, without charge, at South Sudan National Security Services headquarters.

 

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Airtel to exit Uganda and 14 other countries

By
Our Reporter and Agencies
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EXITING: Bharti Airtel Chairman Sunil Bharti Mittal

Bharti Airtel has announced that it will be exiting 14 African countries including Uganda within a year, with claims that the telecom operator is faced with poor performance across those markets.

The exit would pare the size of operations on the continent and could be completed within a year, Chairman Sunil Bharti Mittal said in an interview.

Faced with an escalating price war in its home market, India, Bharti is looking for ways to pare net debt equivalent to about $12 billion as of September.

The company has sold its Sierra Leone and Burkina Faso operations, as well as some of its tower businesses, as it reorganizes assets it bought in 2010 in a $9 billion deal with Kuwait’s largest mobile-phone operator.

Bharti’s African unit lost $91 million in the quarter ended September, compared with a $170 million loss in the previous year. Some of Bharti’s businesses in 15 African nations would be affected by their exit, he said.

The affected countries include: Uganda, Chad, Congo, Gabon, Ghana, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Seychelles, Tanzania and Zambia.

Bharti’s woes are said to have started from its home market, India; the November 8 late evening announcement by Prime Minister Narendra Modi that canceled 15.4 trillion rupees of the 17.7 trillion rupees in circulation may have an 8 percent to 10 percent impact on revenue.

About 94 percent of Bharti’s India customers use prepaid phone connections and were unable to recharge their phones in the ensuing cash shortages that plagued the nation.

 

 

 

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Former NTV employee appointed CEO of Kwese Sports

By
Our Reporter
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MOVED ON: Former NTV marketer Herbert Mucunguzi, who has since moved on to Kwese Sports TV

Former NTV marketer, Herbert Odankie Mucunguzi is the new CEO of Kwese Sports TV, formerly WBS TV, which was owned by tycon Gordon Wavamuno.

The EagleOnline has reliably learnt that Mucunguzi was confirmed CEO this week, and will reportedly be earning Shs17 million per month.

“When Passion meets Opportunity Herbert Odankie Mucunguzi will never disappoint. I now announce yet another big step in my career as i become the CEO of Econet Kwese Free Sports…and thanks to your prayers Experience, Exposure, Passion, God’s guidance plus YOU are my weapons to success …….Lets promote SPORTS…Odankie promises to look as sportish as he used,” he confirmed the good news.

WBS TV went off air in December last year after being acquired by Econet Media, which is behind Kwese Sports, a brand owned by Zimbabwean tycoon, Strive Masiyiwa.

 

 

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BoU, DFCU confirm Crane Bank takeover

By
Badru Kasadah
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TAKEOVER: Bank of Uganda bullion vans ferry documents from Crane Bank on Kampala Road.

Bank of Uganda has confirmed the takeover of Crane Bank by DFCU Bank.

In a statement issued Friday, the BoU said it had exercised its powers as receiver under section 95(1) (b) of the FIA and transferred the liabilities (including deposits) of Crane Bank to DFCU Bank Limited (‘DFCU Bank’) and in consideration of that transfer of liabilities has conveyed to DFCU Bank, Crane Banks assets.
The news was welcomed with excitement from DFCU Bank, which issued a statement minutes later announcing to their clients the takeover of Crane Bank.

“Growing bigger and better; DFCU Bank has acquired all Crane Bank assets and assumed all liabilities. To all customers, both new and old, we look forward to serving you…with pleasure,” reads a statement by DFCU.

It will be recalled that on October 20, 2016, Bank of Uganda took over the management of Crane Bank and issued a notice to the public, setting out the reasons for the takeover. Since then, Crane Bank has been conducting banking business but under the management and control of Bank of Uganda.

Subsequent to the takeover, Bank of Uganda, as required by law, appointed an independent external auditor to make an inventory of the assets and liabilities of Crane Bank exercise confirmed that Crane Bank’s liabilities, as at 20th October 2016, being the date of takeover, grossly exceeded its assets and that it was insolvent, which insolvency has continued to date.

On January 24, 2017, BoU progressed Crane Bank from statutory management to receivership, with the central bank as Receiver.

“All customers and depositors of Crane Bank shall now have their accounts operated by DFCU Bank through its wide branch network, which will now include some of which were formerly branches of Crane Bank. Bank of Uganda congratulates DFCU Bank upon this significant milestone that will certainly make the bank’s footprint wider,” reads a statement by Bank of Uganda.

 

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Al-Shabaab attack KDF base

By
Our Reporter
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Exactly one year after Al Shabaab militants attacked the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) camp in El Adde killing over 100 soldiers, the militants have this morning attacked the KDF Kulbiyow camp.

The attack was confirmed by Military Spokesperson Col Njoroge and media sources indicate the number of casualties remains unconfirmed.

“We are under massive attack and there is a massive exchange of fire,” Col. Njoroge was quoted as saying.

 

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Kiyonga named envoy to China in ambassadorial reshuffle

By
Isaiah Mwebaze
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ENVOY: Former defence Minister Bukhonzo West MP Dr Crispus Kiyonga

Long-serving National Resistance Movement (NRM) cadre Dr. Crispus Kiyonga has been named Uganda’s new Ambassador to Beijing, China, replacing Charles Wagidoso.

Since 1986 when the NRM came to power Dr. Kiyonga has held several top government jobs, the last appointment being Minister for Defence.

In 1980 Dr. Kiyonga, who hails from Kasese, was the only Member of Parliament elected on the ticket of the Uganda Patriotic Movement (UPM), a party founded by current NRM Chairman Yoweri Museveni. During those elections Mr Museveni contested in Mbarara on the UPM ticket but lost to Democratic Party’s Sam Kahamba Kutesa, the current Minister of Foreign Affairs and also an in-law to President Museveni.

Another notable appointment is that of Democratic Party National Chairman and former Mayor of Jinja Muhammad Kezaala, who has been named Deputy Ambassador.

Last night the EagleOnline broke the story of the appointment of Busoga King William Wilberforce Gabula as Ambassador Special Duties Office of the President.

FULL LIST:

  1. Brig. Ronnie Balya – JUBA
  2. Kibedi Zake Wanume – COPENHAGEN
  3. James Kinobe –  KHARTOUM
  4. Prof Sam Turyamuhika – MOGADISHU
  5. Mubiru Stephen – ANKARA
  6. James Mbahimba –  KINSHASA
  7. Onyanga Aparr Christopher – GENEVA
  8. Nelson Ocheger – ABUJA
  9. Dr Kiyonga Chrispus – BEIJING
  10. Hyuha Samali Dorothy – KUALA LUMPUR
  11. Wonekha Oliver – KIGALI
  12. Sam Maale- CAIRO
  13. Olwa Johnson Agara – MOSCOW
  14. Nimisha Jayant Madhvani – ABU DHABI
  15. Nduhura Richard – PARIS
  16. Nsambu Alintuma – ALGIERS
  17. Betty Akech Okullu – TOKYO
  18. Katende Mull Sebujja – WASHINGTON
  19. Maj Gen. Matayo Kyaligonza – BUJUMBURA
  20. Moto Julius Peter – LONDON
  21. Blaak Mirjam – BRUSSELS
  22. Solomon Rutega – GUANGZHOU
  23. Grace Akello – NEW DELHI
  24. Phoebe Otaala – NAIROBI
  25. Tibaleka Marcel – BERLIN
  26. Napeyok Elizabeth Paula – ROME
  27. Dr Kisuule Ahmed – RIYADH
  28. Rebecca Otengo –  ADDIS ABABA
  29. Ruth Aceng –  OTTAWA
  30. Prof. Joyce Kikafunda – CANBERRA
  31. Nekesa Barbara Oundo – SOUTH AFRICA
  32. Dr. Ssemuddu Yahaya – TEHRAN
  33. Ayebare Adonia – NEW YORK
  34. Richard Kabonero – DAR ES SALAAM
  35. His Highness Gabula William AMBASSODOR-SPECIAL DUTIES – OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT.

 

DEPUTY AMBASSODORS:

  1. Ocula Michael
  2. Mohammed  Kezaala

 

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Former SPLA chief defects – Kiir aide

By
Agencies
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General Deng Ajac (L) with other senior SPLM/A officials facing trial for treason in 2014.

The office of South Sudan President Salva Kiir has said that former Chief of General Staff of the Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA) has finally decided to join the armed opposition.

Presidential spokesperson, Ateny Wek Ateny, said General Oyai Deng Ajak had rebelled, and wondered what could have prompted him after he had the opportunity to hold top positions.

“Only greed and exceeding thirst for power, can the one time respected Commander of Operation Jungle Storm (OJS), in the one-time powerful and united SPLM/A duration and after the war of liberation, the former Chief of General Staff, briefly under the former leader John Garang and under Gen, Salva Kiir’s leadership of the then autonomous Southern Sudan, a Minister for Investment briefly at independence, a Minister of National Security in the Office of the President, again becomes the Chief of General Staff of ill-conceived rebels movement- what a world of greed? It is a laughing stock, if not absolute idiocy. God save South Sudan,” said Ateny on Thursday.

The presidential spokesperson did not provide the source of this information, and also no official statement was released by General Oyai, or any group to which he is reportedly linked.

It is also not possible to know which group Ajak has joined since there are several rebel factions operating in either inside or outside the country.

Some observers associate Oyai with the National Democratic Movement of Lam Akol Ajawin, the former agriculture minister who resigned from his position in protest of lack of implementation of the peace agreement.

Ajak had being detained with Pagan Amum and other leading former members in the South Sudanese government in December 2013.

During his trial on April 9, 2014, he was accused of rebellion and treason, after allegations that he and the other political detainees had attempted to overthrow the government of President Kiir.

However, the court ordered their release on  April 24, 2014 ‘in order to promote peace and reconciliation among our people’.

 

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Museveni appoints Busoga King as an ambassador

By
Francisco Adongo
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Busoga Kyabazinga William-Gabula

President Yoweri Museveni has appointed the Busoga King William Wilberforce Gabula IV as the ambassador special duties.

His majesty Gabula was raised by his maternal grandmother in Jinja. He started his Primary Education at Victoria Nile then Lohana Academy from 1995 until 2001. In 2002, he entered Busoga College Mwiri for his O-Level studies until 2005. He continued with his A-Level education, at Kyambogo College School, graduating in 2007.

He was admitted to Kyambogo University, graduating in 2011, with the degree of Bachelor of Arts in Economics. At the time of his coronation, he was employed as an Economist in the Uganda Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources. He then went for further studies in the United Kingdom and graduated in 2015 with a First Class master’s degree in Business Administration (Management) at Coventry University.

William Wilberforce Kadhumbula Gabula Nadiope IV is the reigning Kyabazinga of Busoga, a constitutional kingdom in modern-day Uganda. He is the fourth Kyabazinga of Busoga.

It is a rather surprising move by the president who has appointed a culture leader as an ambassador for the first time.

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Barrow returns to Gambia, faces VP choice test

By
Agencies
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TO RETURN: Barrow takes the Presidential Oath in Senegal. He returns to The Gambia later today.

The Gambia’s new president Adama Barrow will return to the capital Banjul later today, and his first job is to deal with an internal crisis after it emerged his choice of vice president, Fatoumata Jallow-Tambajang, may be too old, constitutionally, for the role.

Barrow’s return comes days after long-standing ruler Yahya Jammeh, who initially disputed the election results, was forced into exile.

Barrow had to be inaugurated in neighbouring Senegal as regional powers threw their weight behind the new leader and threatened military intervention if Jammeh refused to stepped down after 22 years in power.

Barrow aide Amie Bojang said yesterday the priority would be ‘putting into place the pillars of reform and human rights’.

Barrow will be staying at his own home until further notice while State House, Jammeh’s former seat of power, is assessed for potential risks.

Residents in the capital said Barrow’s arrival would mark the beginning of the healing process after divisions created by Jammeh’s regime.

Jammeh, a former military officer, finally stepped down on Saturday and went into exile in Equatorial Guinea under diplomatic pressure and after troops from the Economic Community of West African States, or ECOWAS, crossed into The Gambia.

Jammeh’s government gained a reputation for the torture and killing of perceived opponents and many Gambians are furious that he will not face trial at home for those abuses.

About 4,000 West African troops remain in The Gambia charged with ensuring safety, as it is believed rogue pro-Jammeh elements remain in the security forces that were once under his personal control.

Barrow must also deal with latent ethnic tensions between Jammeh’s minority Jola people and the majority Mandinkas, to whom Barrow belongs.

Marcel Alain De Souza, the head of ECOWAS, told a briefing in Nigeria on Tuesday that the troops were working to secure Banjul and the surrounding area for Barrow’s return.

Jammeh pitched The Gambia into turmoil in December when he refused to accept his loss in an election to Barrow and demanded another vote.

Barrow has assured Jammeh that he will have all the rights legally ensured to an ex-president, which under Gambian law include immunity from prosecution, barring a vote by two-thirds of the national assembly.

The new government has also confirmed that Jammeh will be permitted to keep a fleet of luxury cars, while authorities have accused the former strongman of plundering state coffers before heading into exile, making off with $11m.

In New York, the UN envoy for West Africa, Mohamed Ibn Chambas, briefed the Security Council on The Gambia during a closed session and stressed that the United Nations was working to bolster stability.

Chambas is due to accompany Barrow when he returns to Banjul later today.

 

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Museveni directs on ‘control’ of jet set government employees

By
Isaiah Mwebaze
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FLASHBACK 2017: President Yoweri Museveni addresses people who turned up for the NRM/A 31st anniversary celebrations in Masindi. Photo credit/NBS TV

President Yoweri Museveni has lashed out at government employees who spend most of the time on planes, saying they need to be ‘controlled’.

The President’s remarks made today at the celebrations to mark the 31st anniversary of the National Resistance Movement/Army (NRM/A) government which came to power on January 26, 1986, come in the wake of estimates that Uganda spends over US$400 million on foreign travel for government employees annually.

“Government officials should stop going abroad. What are you always going to do there?”Mr Museveni said, adding: “When I go abroad I suffer a lot. But government officials like traveling. These people should be controlled.”

In his speech that focused on several facets Mr Museveni thanked Ugandans for the support rendered to the NRM/A and urged them to focus on producing for export.

“This year, we are going to be more of an exporting country than importing,” he said, adding: “Let’s be a producing country, if we are to buy, let’s buy powerful things like airplanes and long range machine-guns.”

Speaking about oil, Mr Museveni noted that government had agreed with the oil prospecting companies on a number of issues among them the refinery and pipeline, and how much oil to be recovered from the ground.

“We’re emphasizing pumping our oil from the ground. These oil companies have been playing games with us but we’ve finally agreed,” he said.

The president also called for the promotion of small-scale manufacturing, saying it would help ‘stop exalting the dollar’.

“We are going to start producing clothes, furniture, shoes, cars and these hair extensions you go to buy in China … so that expenditure rates and exalting the dollar is stopped,” he said.

He also gave an example of furniture local manufacturers, who he said, should be helped.

“What is being done for Nsambya should be done for people at Kubbiri and Kireka. These people  are manufacturers and they must be assisted; those people at Nsambya can make whatever furniture you want. I recently gave them some good machines,” he said at the celebrations in Masindi held under the theme: ‘Uganda’s Success Story Under NRM Is A Shared Victory’.

The ceremony was attended by several high-ranking officials including among others the Speaker of Parliament Rebecca Kadaga, Chief Justice Bart Magunda Katureebe, Prime Minister Dr Ruhakana Rugunda and the Minister for the Presidency Esther Mbayo.

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