The trial of Molly Katanga, the prime suspect in the murder of her husband Henry Katanga, has failed to kick off due to Internet glitches.
The trail was expected to kick off today after a one-month hiatus.
Molly was supposed to follow the proceedings from Luzira women’s prison via Zoom because she could not sit in court for long hours. The judiciary could not link Molly on Zoom over difficulties.
Prosecution was set to introduce the 7th witness, Richard Ambayo, a pathologist who examined Katanga’s body. Justice Isaac Muwata adjourned the matter to tomorrow.
Molly Katanga is accused of killing her husband, Henry Katanga. The businessman was allegedly shot dead by his wife on November 2, 2023, at their home in Mbuya, Nakawa Division, Kampala City.
Molly is charged alongside her two daughters, Martha Nkwanzi and Patricia Kakwanza; George Amanyire, a shamba boy; and Charles Otai, a health worker.
Nkwanzi and Kakwanza are accused of tampering with evidence at the crime scene, rendering it unidentifiable for judicial proceedings. Amanyire and Charles Otai, a health worker, are accused of assisting others involved in the crime.
In February, the four were granted Shs2 million in cash bail while their sureties were bonded at Shs20 million and ordered to surrender their passports.
Director of Communication at Parliament, Chris Obore.
Gulu City is set to host the inaugural regional parliament sitting this month. Revelation was made by Chris Obore, the Director of Communications at Parliament.
The northern regional sitting is scheduled for August 28-30 at Kuanda Grounds, Bardege-Layibi division in Gulu City. Other settings will follow in Masaka, Mbale, and Mbarara cities. The regional sittings are aimed at creating a people-centred parliament.
The land question in Apaa, the Karuma bridge, the border concerns, the cattle rustling, the parish development model (PDM), and Myoga sagas by technical persons and politicising government programs are expected to take centre stage.
According to Obore, regional sittings will be a normal parliament sitting; however, some MPs have motions regarding issues in northern Uganda, and those motions will lead to resolutions of parliament.
“Parliament buses will be used for transport, but those who will choose to drive personal cars will be free to do so. Regarding sectoral committee meetings, it will depend on the proceedings of the House, but the focus will be plenary,” Obore said.
Last week the Deputy Speaker, Thomas Tayebwa, defended parliament’s decision to hold regional sittings, noting that the Speaker under Rule 7 of the Rules of Procedure has the general authority to determine where a sitting will take place.
“That is why we used to go to Serena and Kololo. I don’t remember when we had a motion to first debate. Our role will be to ensure that we bring everyone on board,” he said.
Tayebwa refuted media reports that Parliament will spend Shs5 billion for the regional sitting in Gulu City; however, he didn’t reveal the actual amount that will be spent on the regional sittings.
“When we are making statements, we should be very conscious. For example, I don’t think we are spending Shs5 billion for the proposed sitting.”
“I am excited to connect with the communities in the northern part of the country during the Gulu Sittings 2024. Years after the guns fell silent, it’s important to assess the reconstruction programs and hear the perspectives of our people across the region,” speaker Among said earlier today.
The East African Standby Force (EASF) has met in Uganda for a three-day conference with vital stakeholders from Early Warning agencies.
The aim is to enhance regional collaboration towards conflict prevention and resolution, boost situational awareness, and develop a coordinated response to emerging threats and crises, particularly within Uganda.
This Kampala meeting serves as a follow-up to a previous gathering in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, where Uganda played a crucial role in establishing a collaborative framework among member states for effectively implementing early warning mechanisms. The goal is to enhance the functionality of the Early Warning System across the region.
The framework received endorsement from the region’s Policy Organs, which include the Chiefs of Defence Forces and the Ministers of Defence and Security.
At the event held at Hotel Africana, Brig Gen Richard Karemire, representing the Chief of Joint Staff, highlighted the meeting as a testament to the unified commitment of member states towards conflict prevention and fostering a culture of peace building in the region.
“As you are aware, early warning systems in general aim to mitigate the risk produced by disasters. By providing advance notice, early warning systems enable individuals, communities, organizations, and States to take appropriate measures to minimize or deter dangers. I acknowledge the significant strides made by the EASF Department of Peace Operations in developing an integrated and functional EASF early warning response system and a collaboration framework between the early warning system and member states early warning system,” said Brig Gen Karemire.
He further emphasized the necessity of timely information sharing and the adoption of best practices in early warning systems to promote peace and reduce violence.
Brig Gen Karemire called for investment in advanced technologies to strengthen early warning capabilities, support secure information exchange, and enable rapid responses to challenges such as drought, crop failures, and famine, which can ignite conflicts.
He stressed that achieving sustainable peace in East Africa requires a collective commitment from all stakeholders and the empowerment of local communities where conflicts often arise. A proactive approach is essential, drawing on diverse expertise and shared experiences to pre-emptively tackle challenges.
Brig Gen Domitien Kabisa, Head of Peace Support Operations at the EASF Secretariat in Nairobi, described the meeting as a pivotal step towards achieving a key goal for 2024: enhancing collaboration between the EASF Early Warning System and the systems of member states to bolster conflict prevention capabilities and enable timely responses to regional security issues.
Brig Gen Kabisa reiterated the importance of enhanced regional cooperation in improving the capacity to predict, prevent, and manage tensions and to avert violent conflicts in light of the region’s complex history of strife.
He noted that strengthening collaboration between member states’ early warning systems would aid in identifying early indicators of violent conflict and ensure that appropriate interventions are made to mitigate the potential for such violence to escalate.
The Eastern Africa Standby Force (EASF) is a regional peace and security mechanism operating within the African Peace and Security Architecture (APSA). Its legitimacy stems from Chapter VIII of the United Nations Charter, Article IV of the African Union Constitutive Act, and Article XIII of the Protocol establishing the AU Peace and Security Council.
The EASF’s mandate is to promote peace and security in the Eastern Africa region through preventive diplomacy and conflict resolution. A fundamental component of the EASF is its Early Warning System (EWS), which seeks to preemptively address conflicts and crises in the region.
As a regional organization, the EASF comprises ten-member states: Burundi, Comoros, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Seychelles, Rwanda, Somalia, Sudan, and Uganda.
The Uganda Police is deeply concerned about the ongoing incidents of mob justice and urges the public to uphold the principle of presumption of innocence for suspects and to allow the opportunity for conducting proper interrogations.
The warning follows rising incidents of mob justice in different parts of the country.
ACP Kituuma Rusoke, PRO- Police revealed that on August 13, 2024, in Kijungu Cell, Kakoba Ward, Kakoba Division, Mbarara City, a man named Ddungu Amidu was lynched by a mob after he was found in possession of two stolen and slaughtered goats. Police arrived at the scene, collected the body, and transported it to Mbarara Hospital Mortuary for a postmortem examination. Investigations into the incident are ongoing.
Rusoke added that on August 14, 2024, between 1:30 am and 4:00 am in Kibubu Village, Buikwe District, five suspects—Sunday Swaleh Ricky, John (now deceased), Fahad, Emma, and Shadrach Magere—were allegedly involved in the theft of two cows. While transporting the meat on two motorcycles, one of which was registered as UXZ 656P, they experienced a puncture and stopped at Metha Sugarcane Plantation. Observers became suspicious of their gunny bags, believing they contained stolen items. When approached for questioning, the suspects fled into the plantation, prompting a chase by the crowd, which resulted in the arrest of two individuals: the deceased John and Shadrach Magere.
“They were beaten by the mob, but police intervened and rushed them to Kawolo Hospital, where unfortunately, John succumbed to his injuries. The mob continued to search for the remaining suspects, even setting fires in an attempt to flush them out. Sunday Swaleh Ricky was eventually cornered and sought refuge with police officers, leading to his arrest and subsequent detention at CPS Lugazi,” he said.
He added that on the same day, at approximately 5:00 am in Naziga Cell, Kyengera Town Council, Wakiso District, a man named Sekamate John was attacked by a mob that suspected him of theft. Sekamate was found in possession of a hammer and other tools commonly used for breaking and entering. The police intervened to rescue him from being lynched and quickly transported him to Mulago Hospital for medical treatment.
In the Elgon Region, police say they recorded another incident of mob justice. On August 16, 2024, a case was reported to the police involving mob action on Kufu Bukaweka Road in Muki Village, Habutola Sub-County, Manafwa District.
“It is alleged that the deceased, Edwin James Wamutibi, a 30-year-old resident of Bumwangu Ward in Manafwa Town Council, stole a motorcycle with registration number KMFB 463F from Namisindwa District and attempted to sell it to an individual known as Matembu. The motorcycle was being sold at Malwa Joint, owned by Walter Wamagale, a local councilor. While the buyer and seller were negotiating, the rightful owners of the motorcycle, who had been tracking Wamutibi, confronted him. Upon seeing the owners, Wamutibi fled, abandoning the motorcycle,” he reported.
The crowd that had been pursuing him chased him to Kufu along Bukhaweka Road, where he was stoned to death. His body was later found lying by the roadside. After the attack, the assailants fled the scene, leaving the motorcycle behind. The police transported the body to the mortuary in Mbale City and seized the motorcycle as evidence. Investigations are ongoing.
President Yoweri Museveni has appointed new Resident District Commissioners (RDCs), Resident City Commissioners (RCCs) and RDC Secretariat Commissioners across the country.
“In Exercise of the Powers conferred upon the President of the Republic of Uganda by Articles 99 and 203 of the 1995 Constitution (as amended); I hereby, appoint the following persons as Resident District /City Commissioners, Deputies and Commissioners at the RDC Secretariat,” Museveni stated.
Below are the names of the reshuffled and appointed RDCs, RCCs and RDC Secretariat Commissioners as signed under Museven’s hand on August 15, 2024.
The 14th Annual UK-Africa Investment Summit is set to take place on September 6, 2024 with a special focus on East Africa at The May Fair, A Radisson Collection Hotel in London.
The event is under the theme “Accelerating Growth Through Partnerships for Global Market Expansion”.
The UK’s premier business event in Africa is also designed to bolster investments and expand exports by engaging specifically with target markets.
The 14th UK-Africa Investment Summit (UK-ABS) is focused on enhancing investment and boosting exports between the UK and East Africa. The summit highlights economic opportunities, regional cooperation, and technological advancements, bringing together leading figures from government, business, and finance.
UK-ABS provides a unique platform for East African business leaders and the public to connect with UK investors and partners. By addressing issues such as climate change, economic development, and youth empowerment with collaborative and innovative solutions, this summit aims to transform challenges into opportunities. Policymakers, business leaders, financiers, and visionaries are gathering for crucial dialogues and networking to drive sustainable and inclusive growth in East Africa.
Participants will gain insights into innovative strategies for reaching ethnic audiences and expanding market reach. The event promises opportunities for professionals from diverse backgrounds to engage and build lasting partnerships.
This year’s summit aims to enhance investments, expand exports, and engage with target markets by focusing on sectors such as ICT, finance, real estate, tourism, energy, agriculture, infrastructure, manufacturing, renewable energy, and health.
By fostering partnerships and promoting sector-specific investments, the summit seeks to boost international trade, advance East African exports, and strengthen global trade links, particularly for the African diaspora.
As Uganda continues to position itself as a prime destination for investment, the collaborative efforts of SHIPU and initiatives like the Uganda-UK Trade Summit play a crucial role in building investor confidence and driving economic growth.
Uganda’s former Attorney General, Prof Kiddu Makubuya has died at 75 years. He served as Uganda’s Attorney General between 2005 and 2011, breathed his last in the wee hours of Monday morning according to family sources.
The former minister and MP for Katikamu South Constituency had been battling an illness for a while until Sunday evening when his health condition deteriorated.
Born on July 30, 1949, Makubuya held a First-Class Honors Bachelor of Laws degree from Makerere University, which he obtained in 1974.
He also held a Master of Laws degree and a Doctor of Juridical Science, both from Yale Law School and obtained in 1976 and 1979 respectively.
On returning to Uganda, he joined the Law Development Center where he completed his Diploma in Legal Practice between 1981 and 1982. He enrolled as an advocate of the Uganda High Court in 1985.
Makubuya worked as a special assistant at the faculty of law, at Makerere University, in 1974 and 1975. In 1979, he was promoted to lecturer at the same university, a position he held until 1982 when he became a senior lecturer.
In 1984, he was promoted to associate professor. He was also a partner in a private law firm, Kasolo & Khiddu Advocates.
Makubuya was a member of the Uganda Constitutional Commission, which was instrumental in drafting the 1995 Constitution of Uganda.
He was a member of the Commission of Inquiry into Violations of Human Rights. Between 1984 and 1987, he was the editor-in-chief of the Uganda Law Society Review.
He once headed the Department of Law and Jurisprudence at the faculty of law, at Makerere University, until 1995, when he was appointed director of the Uganda Human Rights and Peace Center.
After joining politics in the late 1980s he was elected Member of Parliament for Katikamu South Constituency in 1996.
He was later appointed State Minister for Luwero Triangle in the Office of the President. In 1998 his office as Minister of State in charge of Luwero Triangle was transferred to the Office of the Prime Minister.
In the same year, he was appointed State Minister for Foreign Affairs (International Cooperation), a portfolio he held until April 5, 1999, when he was appointed Minister of Education and Sports.
He served as Uganda’s Justice Minister and Attorney General, from January 14, 2005, until May 27, 2011, when he assumed the position of Minister for General Duties in the Office of the Prime Minister.
The former minister and MP resigned from cabinet in February 2012 amid allegations of misappropriation of government funds.
Preparations for his burial are underway, and further details are expected to be released soon. As Uganda mourns the loss of this remarkable individual, his family, friends, and colleagues remember his dedication, expertise, and commitment to public service.
Speaker Anita Among pose for a group photo with Kampala businessmen.
Kampala tycoon Sudhir Ruparelia and a host of other city businessmen have attend the launch of Bukedea Sports Complex owned by Speaker of Parliament, Anita Among.
The facility is to be opened by President Yoweri Museveni this afternoon.
“Tomorrow (today)we will welcome our great leader and father Yoweri Museveni to Bukedea. He will officially open the Bukedea Sports Park, which includes a football stadium, an indoor sports arena, and an Olympic size swimming pool hosting the FEASA games. This new facility will greatly promote sports in our community” Speaker Among wrote on her X space yesterday.
As she launched the facility, she also hosted top Kampala businessmen led by chairman of Ruparelia Group and Chairman Kwagalana group, Godfrey Kirumira, Hamis Kiggundu among others to witness the launch.
At least 1,775 school teams from Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, and Rwanda have arrived and registered to compete in this year’s East Africa Secondary School Games, which will officially begin in Bukedea District on Sunday.
Bukedea Comprehensive School and Amus College are hosting this year’s games, which will feature sixteen sports disciplines. Host director and Speaker of Parliament Annet Anita Among has challenged the government to build modern sports facilities in each district of Uganda to support the development of sports.
Businessman Rugiirwa Katatumba has come under spotlight for falsifying that his criminal prosecution was between himself and City tycoon Sudhir Ruparelia.
Prosecution avers that between September, October and November 2019 Rugiirwa obtained Sh120 million from Prime Finance Company Limited located at Crane Chambers in Kampala and promised with an interest.
He however, failed to service the loan after issuing several bouncing cheques which resulted into criminal offense. A case between him and Uganda government was brought against him in courts of law.
after the July court ruling Rugiirwa has gone of the offensive about his criminal case dragging in the name of city tycoon Sudhir.
“It is misleading information that Rugiirwa Katatumba defeats Sudhir Ruparelia in court yet it is public knowledge that government sued Rugiirwa in court. The Magistrate errored, she was totally out of order as she decided to give back the car given as security when the creditor was not party. Criminal cases are about arrests and fines are not release of security”.
Appearing before the Buganda Road Court Magistrate, Fidelis Otwawo, Rugiirwa was charged with obtaining money by false pretense.
Rugiirwa was subsequently remanded to Kitalya prison after he failed to clear Shs120 million. Katatumba is a son to the deceased businessman and former Consular of the Pakistan Islamic Republic in Uganda Boney Katatumba.
A recent a Magistrate ordered that the criminal case had been dismissed and the accused acquitted of the offences of obtaining money by false pretense. This ruling is what is making Rugiirwa drag in the name of Sudhir Ruparelia and yet his was criminal case involving government.
Chief of Defence Forces Gen. Muhoozii and the chairman of Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU).
The Chief of Defence Forces, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba has directed the United States of America (USA) to apologize to Uganda for removing the country from the African Growth and Opportunity Act (Agoa) and also called for immediate reinstating.
“The USA must apologize to Uganda for removing us from AGOA. We must immediately be reinstated. Then we will talk about compensation for all the soldiers we lost in Somalia. On their orders,” Muhoozi said via his X handle.
He added “The USA owes at least $100 billion for the work in Somalia. We did a lot better than the people in Ukraine. It seems their specialty is running from Russians. We are waiting for payment”
Muhoozi was dismayed by the decision made by the USA, the country he loves so much for kicking out Uganda because it stood against homosexuality and he cited it as a crime. He added that Africa has dealt with homosexuals for ages.
“What the West never understands about Africa is that our civilization is older and more sophisticated than theirs. Take for example the very small issue of homosexuals. Africa had them for ages, much longer than the West. We never killed them or oppressed them. For the USA, a country I love so much, to kick Uganda out of AGOA over this non-issue is a crime. All we want is to be respected!” Muhoozi said.
Uganda was struck off from AGOA after President Museveni assented to the anti-gay law passed by the Ugandan lawmakers, which introduced serious repercussions, including life imprisonment or death, for same-sex relations in the country.
Uganda, South Sudan, Somalia, and Burundi are the countries unable to benefit from the preferential trade agreement with the US. Juba was suspended in 2015 due to the rise of ethnic conflicts.
