The United States (Embassy) and United Nations missions in Kampala have issued security alerts to their citizens and Ugandans of an imminent attack.
“The Embassy is aware of unconfirmed reports of increased risk of terrorist attacks in Kampala and enhanced security measures by local authorities. American citizens are encouraged to exercise increased caution in public areas including malls, schools and areas frequented by tourists” reads the statement issued on August 13, 2022”.
The Embassy further urged its citizens to remain alert and avoid large public gathering places, keep low profile, be aware of their surroundings among others.
On their part, the United Nations mission said they have gather information indicating of potential terrorist attacks in Kampala.
“As we approach the September 11 attacks anniversary, the likelihood of terrorist organization, extremist groups, associates, and sympathizers launching attacks to coincide with this anniversary cannot be overemphasized. By their nature, terrorist attacks are unpredictable, which highlights the risk that the UN could be affected or may suffer collateral damage” reads the UN mission security alert.
Police Publicist, Kituma Rusoke acknowledged the two security alerts issued by the two missions but also said they coincide with the September 11 anniversary day which terrorist have used to launch attacks. However, Rusoke said Uganda Police remain steadfast as their counter measures remain unchecked.
“We do not take alerts lightly. People need to have background that on September 11 the US was attacked. But our alertness and counter measures as Uganda Police have been consistent. However, it is also good that people need to increase their level of alertness. You go to malls and other places, you clearly see that people have relaxed on these measures. But it should not alarm the population” Kituma said.
National Animal Genetic Resources Centre and Data Bank (NAGRC&DB) has released an ambitious plan for redevelopment and reequipping of Aswa Ranch.
Aswa Ranch is one of the ranches/animal management centres that are managed by NAGRC.
NAGRC was established by the Animal Breeding Act, 2001. It’s one of the statutory semi-autonomous bodies of the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF). Formation of NAGRC&DB was part of the fulfilment of the aspirations in the National Animal Breeding Policy (1997), document and the Action Plan for its implementation providing guidelines to all actors in the animal breeding and production value-chain.
The actors included input suppliers, farmers, companies, researchers, extension workers and civic leaders on suitable breeds for the various ecological and production systems. It also provided for alternative breeding programmes; import, export and trade in genetic materials; breeding and management systems for conservation and sustainable use of indigenous genetic resources and use of modern breeding technologies in the country.
NAGRC Operates 17 farms and ranches situated in all the sub-regions of Uganda (Maruzi ranch in Apac, Got Apwoyo ranch in Nwoya, Aswa ranch in Pader and Lamwo districts, Iriri in Napak district, Kasolwe in Kamuli district, Bulago in Bulambuli, Njeru in Buikwe, Lusenke in Kayunga district, Livestock Experimentation Station in Wakiso district, National Poultry and Piggery Development Centre in Wakiso district, Nshaara ranch in Kiruhura district, Sanga ranch in Kiruhura district, Ruhengyere ranch in Kiruhura district and Rubona stock farm in Bunyangabu district, the National Bull Stud in Wakiso district, the Bukedi Regional Poultry Development Centre in Tororo and the Karamoja Regional Poultry Development Centre in Abim
Nagrc also is involved in skilling and capacity building unit – ARTs and modern animal husbandry practices. Others are National Small Ruminants Resources Unit (goats and sheep), National Pig Resources Development Unit, National Sire Stud Unit for Semen Production, Packaging, Storage and Distribution.
Started in the 1960s, Aswa Ranch measures 165 square miles and is situated in Pader and Lamwo districts
NAGRC Executive Director informed EagleOnline that Aswa Ranch land is titled under Uganda Livestock Industries Limited (ULIL), an agency previously housed under the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development (MoFPED) and currently listed for mainstreaming to MAAIF under the government rationalization bill
“Under the Animal Breeding Act, 2001, Aswa Ranch is among the government ranches placed under the management of NAGRC&DB although the certificate of title remained in the names of ULIL and under custody of MoFPED”.
The ambitious plan by NAGRC comes at the time when leaders from Northern Uganda like other parts of the country are pressing government for more funding of the sector.
Breeding and multiplication of beef cattle i.e. the Boran-Zebu crossbreeding program, the Brahman-Ankole crossbreeding program, the Angus-Ankole crossbreeding program, the Simmental-Ankole crossbreeding program
NAGRC intends to acquire the following for Aswa Ranch:
Acquisition of 4500 tropicalized fast maturing grandparent pig stock
Beef cattle (28800 acres – 45 sq. miles)
Establishment of 30 beef cattle feed lots for accelerated breeding and multiplication (5000 beef cattle capacity each)
Establishment of 200 commercial breeding paddocks
Acquisition of two mobile Assisted Reproductive Technological equipment (ARTs)
Acquisition of 150,000 tropicalized beef cattle
Establishment and equipping of a regional semen bank
Establishment of an Embryo transfer services unit for pure Shorthorn Zebu breed multiplication (Disease controlled zone, embryo and egg collection platform, embryo processing laboratory)
Camel breeding program (6400acres – 10 sq. miles)
Acquisition of appropriate camel breeding stock (500)
Establishment of 5 camel disease control units
Establishment of 10 camel breeding paddocks
Establishment of specialised high-capacity camel sheds with corresponding handling facilities
Dairy cattle (12800 acres – 20 sq.miles)
Establishment of 10 high-capacity dairy cattle shed complexes for accelerated multiplication and availing to farmers
Establishment of 50 breeding paddocks
Construction of 10 milking parlours and equipping them
Acquisition of 5000 appropriate dairy cattle
Establishment and equipping of a semen bank
Establishment and equipping of a semen bank
Creation of perimeter and internal fencing as well as biosecurity gates
Establishment of 20 spray races
Establishment of 10 dip tanks with bomas and treatment crushes
Animal fodder and feed production (36480 acres – 57 sq.miles)
Acquisition of 30 heavy-duty (250hp) tractors with compatible primary tillage, secondary tillage, aerial pest and weed control and harvesting equipment
Establishment of five assorted animal feed processing plants
Establishment of 10 high-capacity grain and processed animal feed storage facilities
Acquisition of 10 animal feed haulage trucks
Establishment of radial and converging ranch fire breaks
Acquisition of 5 sets of rangeland management machinery
Establishment of 10 high-capacity hay barns
Water reticulation (300 acres)
Acquisition of 10 sets of mobile pressurized irrigation equipment
Construction of 50 valley tanks with comprehensive water reticulation systems including appropriate water trough points across the farm
Farm administration, skilling and training (340 acres)
Construction and equipping of two learning centers (skilling and knowledge transfer)
Construction and equipping of four hostel blocks
Establishment of 50 farm staff housing units
Establishment of machinery and equipment sheds Conservation, Gene banking & EBV Unit (National & Eastern African Regional gene-banks)
National Poultry Resources Development Unit -67.51 acres at Wakiso
Apiculture Unit for production of food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic grade products, etc.
Fish breeding and conservation Unit
Animal Feed Production Unit –pasture seed multiplication, fodder production & Conservation, and industrial feed production
Liquid Nitrogen Production and Distribution Unit – expanded to include Njeru & Mbarara for decentralized services
Community-based Breeding services & outreach Unit
Embryo Transfer Services Unit – for Pure Breed Multiplication through MOET & In-Vitro Fertilization (IVF)
National Livestock Quarantine & Evaluation Centre (NLQEC)
Businessman Sudhir Ruparelia receive PAP Award from Hajjat Namyalo.
Uganda’s business magnate Sudhir Ruparelia and honorary Consul of Nepal in Uganda Sudhir Ruparelia has been honored with the Pan Africanist Entrepreneur Award of the year at PAP Global Award 2024.
Sudhir is also the Chairman of Ruparelia Group of Companies whose investments span education, real estate, insurance, broadcasting, leisure and hotel management and floriculture among others
Sudhir was awarded for his exceptional leadership and entrepreneurial spirit, which has had a great influence on development.
Bishop Joshua Maponga from Zimbabwe a Pan Africanist and Hajjat Hadijah Namyalo, the coordinator in the office of the National Chairman of the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) party attended the function. She presented the award to Sudhir on behalf of PAP.
The theme was “Pan-Africanism + Environmentalism = Humanism,” highlights the importance of collective action and determination in shaping a better future for Africa.
Sudhir returned to Uganda in 1985, with $25,000 earned from several casual jobs including working in supermarkets, factories, and butcheries. He started selling beer and spirits imported from Kenya. In 1989, beer importation was banned to encourage local brewing of alcohol and he realized he could not make beer. But since his customers, who were mainly foreigners, paid him in foreign currency, he started Crane Forex Bureau, the first in Uganda. With his profits, Sudhir ventured into other businesses, including forming Crane Bank in 1995.
The Anti-Corruption Court has granted Trade Ministry Permanent Secretary, Geraldine Ssali a cash bail of Shs35 million with Shs50 million non-cash bail for the sureties, along with other restrictions.
Ms ssali has been battling with allegations of causing financial loss and colluding with Members of Parliament to embezzle cooperative societies’ funds.
Ms Ssali was accused of introducing Buyaka Cooperative yet according to documents from the Ministry of Trade Buyaka was introduced and verified before she entered office in 2021.
According to documents seen by Eagle Online from the Ministry of Trade, Buyaka cooperative was verified by the Internal Auditor General on September 17, 2020.
There are also reports that Ssali could be a victim of internal fights within the government involving politicians who have been pushing business deals in the ministry.
The earlier complaints against Ms Ssali were in connection with Bwavu Mpologoma but a dramatic turn of events she is now facing charges of causing financial loss and abuse of office for allowing payment of Shs3.8 billion to Buyaka Growers Cooperative Society Limited.
Unlike Buyaka which received only Shs500 million out of Shs3.8 billion, Bwavu Mpologoma received all the money and there are no complaints from its members.
“Bwavvu (Bwavu Mpologoma) has never complained to the government that it never received its money. That’s the point of irony,” the source said. “The business of saying Busuluwa got money from or for Bwavvu is fake. Busulwa had dealings with individuals hired by Bwavvu to buy coffee equipment. That’s how Mr Busuluwa gets involved. Bwavvu got its money and started looking for suppliers.”
After her arrest, the Masaka Catholic Diocese threatened to return Shs2.7 billion which the government paid to revive its cooperative Bwavumpologoma Grower Cooperative Union Limited, the leaders citing that the Diocese will not stand the continued tainting of its image yet there was nothing wrong with the procurement.
Last Sunday, the Masaka Catholic Diocese held prayers for Geraldine Ssali to relieve her from the curse of corruption allegations of causing financial loss.
The Diocese is planning to hold a bigger mass in her presence very soon since she is out of prison.
The issues at the Ministry of Trade in the Permanent Secretary seat seem to be a war of who will take over as the top officials are fighting Ssali. While on remand in Luzira Prison, two people were appointed to replace Ssali however, they were all sent off indicating she is clean and fit for her job no matter the fights.
The Assistant Commissioner, Public and Corporate Affairs at Uganda Revenue Authority (URA), Ibrahim Bbosa, has resigned from his position. He resigned last evening, and tomorrow, August 31, is expected to be last day at the tax body.
Bbosa, who joined URA in 2021, replaced Vincent Seruma, who bowed out after a long career at the tax collection body. Since he joined URA, the tax register has continued to grow, improving the revenue collection from Shs20 trillion. This year, URA is projected to collect Shs32. 3 trillion through revenue to fund its budget.
URA has since registered a number of successes for the last 30 years, including earning the government’s trust in its capacity to transparently collect and account for all revenues. The tax body has positioned herself among her regional peers as a facilitator of trade in a harmonised environment.
His challenges started during the introduction and implementation of the Electronic Fiscal Receipting and Invoicing Solution (EFRIS). URA started implementing EFRIS in 2021 to address tax administration challenges relating to business transactions and the issuance of receipts.
Due to lack of information, a section of city traders claimed that EFRIS is a new tax, which it is not. EFRIS is a system that monitors the payment of value-added tax (VAT) and provides a platform for businesses to accurately keep records of their transactions and ease the collection of VAT.
The system helps URA assess the right taxes using accurate and authentically generated information. It also enables businesses to thrive with improved record-keeping and monitored stock and sales, among others.
During his tenure, URA conducted 81 workshops downtown, tax hub in Kikuubo for 10 days, registering over 350 participants per day and visiting over 110 shops and more than 15000 shops. Despite awareness campaigns, city traders went on strike protesting the system.
He was accused of not doing enough to enrich taxpayers with the information regarding payments tax and the continued confrontation of tax payers and the tax body.
The implementation of EFRIS aims at ensuring not just equity in tax collection, especially VAT, but also transparency. The system is expected to double total VAT collections from Shs3.5 trillion to about Shs7 trillion.
Tanzania and Rwanda adopted EFRIS over 10 years ago. These countries collect 33% and 30%, respectively, of their total tax revenue through VAT. Uganda is currently collecting about 15% VAT of its total tax revenue, and this amounts to Shs3.5 trillion.
The Force Commander of the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS), Lt. Gen. Sam Kavuma, has commended ATMIS Djibouti and Ethiopia troops for their dedication and commitment to maintain security and stability in their Areas of Operations.
During a familiarization visit to Beletweyne, Hirshabelle State and Dhusamareb, Galmudug State, Lt. Gen. Kavuma affirmed ATMIS’ commitment to security and stability in Somalia.
“Somalia has made significant progress, and together with Somali Security Forces, we are committed to supporting our brothers and sisters in their pursuit for security, stability and peace,” noted Lt. Gen. Kavuma.
Accompanied by the ATMIS Military Chief of Staff, Brig. Gen Kindu Gezu, the Force Commander met with ATMIS Sector Four Commander, Col. Said Waberi, and Deputy Sector Commander, Col. Shumet Telelew Endeshaw, and other senior officials in Beletweyne.
He was briefed on the security situation in the region, ongoing operations, and the achievements and challenges faced by ATMIS forces.
Lt. Gen. Kavuma expressed gratitude to the Djibouti and Ethiopian troops for their contributions to ATMIS’ security gains in Somalia.
“Sector Four, which consists of troops from Ethiopia and Djibouti, has strategically located basecamps that enable forces to monitor enemy movements and ensure the safety of the population,” added Lt. Gen. Kavuma.
The Force Commander also visited the Dhusamareb Forward Operating Base (FOB) in Galmudug State to assess the welfare and combat readiness of the troops, as well as the status of Civil-Military-Cooperation (CIMIC) activities done out by ATMIS to support the local population.
The military base, manned by ATMIS Djibouti troops, safeguards the Ugaas Nuur Airport and other key government installations, including the Presidential palace.
The three legislators and their lawyer in the dock before Anti-Corruption court.
The Anti-Corruption Court has released the embattled Igara East MP Michael Mawanda, Busiki County MP Paul Akamba, and lawyer Julius Kirya.
The three and Elgon County MP Mudimi Wamakuyu are accused of diversion of funds and conspiracy to defraud Shs164 billion meant for compensating cooperative societies. In June, the three applied to be released on bail.
Appearing before Justice Jane Kajuga, the three were granted Shs35 million cash bail each and Shs50 million non-cash for the sureties, together with other restrictions. She ordered them to surrender their passports to court every two weeks.
Prosecution avers that between 2019 and 2023, Elgon County MP Mudimi Wamakuyu, Leonard Kavundira, the Assistant Registrar of Cooperatives in the Ministry of Trade, Mawanda, Akamba, and Kirya conspired to defraud Shs7.3 billion budgeted for compensation of Buyaka Growers Cooperatives Society Limited.
The prosecution alleges that Mawanda, in October 2021, in Kampala, diverted public funds amounting to Shs1,050,000 to unrelated purposes. Akamba and Wanakuyu allegedly diverted Shs2.3 billion and Shs200 million for their benefit. Kirya allegedly diverted Shs2.2 billion. The suspects also conspired to defraud Shs3.4 billion meant for the Buyaka Cooperative Society.
Last year, the state minister for trade, Harriet Ntababazi, revealed that up to 30 legislators are facing criminal investigation over their alleged role in the embezzlement of Shs164 billion meant for compensation to cooperative societies.
According to the report that parliament sent to CID and the Inspectorate of Government for further investigations, there were only two MPs supposed to be quizzed. They are Elgon County MP Mudimi Wamakuyu and Igara East MP Michael Mawanda, while former Kyankwanzi District Woman MP Anne Maria Nankabirwa is also a target.
In 2011/2012, the Ugandan government allocated Shs164 billion to compensate cooperative societies that lost funds and property during wars between 1979 and 2006. The disbursement of funds has been marred by irregularities, with some MPs and government officials accused of conspiring to embezzle the funds.
I am retired from opposition politics after 40 years in it -When you study Political Science like I did to the highest Iota you are governed by characters and values. Another hidden law in politics is timing.
When you lose value in politics it is because of bad timing. Do some of our Members of Parliament of Uganda understand what Parliament is? Is Parliament a building (Structure)or Is Parliament the people inside the building. The current debate on where to sit is not necessary. Parliament can sit anywhere in the territory of Uganda.
I have decided to answer this by looking for the meaning and I have shortened it here for educative purposes “In modern politics, and history, a parliament is a legislative body of government. Generally, a modern parliament has three functions: representing the electorate, making laws, and overseeing the government via hearings and inquiries”
Now armed with this meaning above I want to educate the young opposition generation in Parliament of Uganda today -In doing so I want to quote one USA Senator called Chris Dodd: I don’t care how long I live. I’ll never be that good.”
These were the words muttered by a shell-shocked Chris Dodd, after spending a few hours in the presence of Bill Clinton, by then several years removed from office. The same words can apply to some leaders of opposition in Uganda
In light of the debate about Parliament doing rotational sittings across the regions I stand with the Speaker Anita Among and others MPs from Northern Uganda. I believe that Parliament is not the building but the people in it and the people they represent.
But in Uganda, the politics that we have today has the types of ideas of political neophytes. The current opposition has a fragmented new leader of opposition whose politics is very immature and subjective.
My question does such politics help the growth of our country? Or it helps to breed conflicts in Uganda. At times I feel sick and sad then look back at 1979 when we had the UNLF politics of “Moshi Spirit” of Prof Edward Rugumayo. President YK Museveni, Magode-Ikuya will agree with me that 1979 politics was better if it had not been spoilt by Binaisa who wanted to arrest us and kill all of us.
The truth is that Uganda opposition parties have not mastered what role to play in governance. In real constitutionalism which I read in the fountain of knowledge in United Kingdom one needs a mind that reads laws and interprets them.
But first the term representatives of opposition (excluding my own clan relative Baptist Nambeshe) have not even read the constitution of Uganda. The Parliament are people and people are found in the rural areas called villages in Uganda – sitting in the Gulu or Mbale City is the best way to listen and feel the poverty issues of those people – that is real point.
As a scholar of political science I rely on the brain and history – Let me bring in another quote by Andrew Young, a one-time staffer to Senator John Edwards who wrote in his tell-all book,-The Politician” I recommend that the LoP in Uganda whose gigantic egos and partisan entrenchment has gone sour must read . One thing that can’t go unchallenged is my greatest exponent of politics .
For those Ugandans who might not have opportunity to research I summarize what is related to Uganda current opposition politics of betrayal -This book is an Insider’s Account of John Edwards’s Pursuit of the Presidency and the Scandal That Brought Him Down is a 2010 tell-all book by Andrew Young chronicling over a decade working behind the scenes with former North Carolina senator and presidential candidate John Edwards”
So it was with an unexpected wave of pathos that when I watched and listened from Geneva to the LoP in Uganda Parliament deliver I concluded it was time to educate but not confront . I have chosen to start few lessons for the young opposition that could help them understand the Parliament and the people.
The statement that I heard from far away was in bad light. It looked like saying he hates going to sit in Northern Uganda which could rekindle Luke’s dream in 1978.I instantly thought back to 1978 about the late President Prof. Yusuf Kironde Lule speech during the Inauguration “in case anyone has forgotten, Lule behaved like the current Leader of Opposition(LoP)
Lastly let me offer free education to Ugandans ,First, this is a young party NUP, needs education on Parliament and people .They must separate tribal sentiments that could remind us about regional politics that brought chaos in Uganda.
Second, that this NUP is a party boasting a deep bench. A party that is frozen if not on the verge of senility and it has suddenly that it has not got talented communicators.
I want to say it here without fear that like Dodd, none in NUP can beat President Museveni in his prime. I want to praise NUP with faint damn. This is a party in rude health with the iniquities and idiosyncrasies that can be seen from one million miles away from Uganda.
In summary Parliament are People not buildings and Parliament for the People. It can sit anywhere in Uganda and make laws as long as the tools of making those laws are available to all Members of Parliament. So, Speaker Anita Among is again right on this one.
The writer is a Pan Africanist based in London, Political scientist & International Relations expert, studied conflict Resolution, a member of Royal African Society (RAS) Founder /Chairman Pan African Forum (UK)Ltd @MatsangaDr
President Yoweri Museveni has clashed with Speaker of Parliament Anitah Among over his 4-Acre model project, a key agricultural initiative.
The clash brewed up during today’s regional parliamentary sitting in Gulu city where the Speaker criticized the model, arguing that it is not a one-size-fits-all solution and fails to account for the reality faced by many Ugandans.
Responding to the Speaker’s comments, Museveni, who seemed unhappy, asked Among to stop lying to Ugandans that the directive does not work. He directed Among to end her confusion since this directive has been in place and helped many Ugandans in different regions.
“I want to tell the Speaker who says that the 4-Acre model does not work here, it does. Do not bring a new confusion. I don’t agree with that lie.
Museveni said that the 4-Acre Model was a rescue operation for the parts of the country that had already fragmented land to apply seven enterprises; one acre for a coffee plantation on one acre, fruits (citrus and mangoes, pineapples, pasture) on the second acre, pastures for feeding the livestock on the 3rd acre, and 4th acre for the food stuff and in the backyard put poultry when near a wetland put fish farming.
“Use intensive agriculture to fight poverty using a small piece of land. But if you have a bigger piece of land, you can use four acres to plant coffee and other enterprises,”
According to the President, this approach directly assists the current Parish Development Model (PDM) by helping farmers transition from subsistence farming to commercial agriculture where communities will unlock economic prosperity and sustainable livelihoods.
Looking for children plot away from busy tight schedules of dropping and picking children from school? Look nowhere else apart from Speke Resort Munyonyo.
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But it’s not just about the kids Commonwealth Resort Munyonyo has something for everyone. While the youngsters are busy with their adventures, adults can unwind and soak in the tranquility of their lush surroundings. Whether you’re lounging by the pool, enjoying a peaceful stroll by the lake, or indulging in a rejuvenating spa treatment, relaxation is always within reach. Parents too can cool off the evening with a dinner and a drink as the weekend comes to an end.
