The suspension of Chief Political Commissar Colonel Felix Kulaigye is enshrined in controversy, with some officers saying he was wrongfully punished.
According to a source who spoke to the EagleOnline on condition of anonymity, Col Kulaigye, who is linked to a ‘gold scandal’, was suspended (Katebe) by the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) General Edward Katumba Wamala while on official leave, an anomaly.
“Colonel Kulaigye is on leave and the suspension comes in the middle of his two month leave. He started leave on August 16 and was suspended on August 26; why suspend a person on leave?” the source asked.
The source also says the suspension of Col Kulaigye is suspicious, given that the CDF had earlier said the charges levied against him that include the theft of gold and harassment of civilians were not an ‘administrative’ issue.
The CDF was responding to a raft of correspondences by lawyers for the complainant, Messrs Matrich Holdings Ltd of Richard Kamugisha, a broker Hajji Shaban Jjagwe and, Col Kulaigye’s co-accused, Lieutenant Comrade Nuwandinda, who allegedly helped his boss commit the said offences in Ntinda about a month ago.
The offences involve the theft of gold said to be worth US62.000 and Col Kulaigye and Lt Nuwandinda reportedly committed the said offences with a one Brenda Murungi, said to be the Colonel’s niece.
‘Whereas we take seriously the issues of concern that you raised regarding the above-captioned subject matter, we are of the considered opinion that the complaints and countrer-complaints against the captioned officers are more of legal than administrative,’ Gen Katumba Wamala wrote to Musangala Advocates and Solicitors, the legal representatives of Hajji Jjagwe; Messrs Wameli and Company Advocates, representatives of Mr Kamugisha and Messrs Arcadia Advocates, representing one of the accused, Lt. Nuwandinda.
In the letter dated July 22, the CDF added: ‘We therefore advise that the matters can be best resolved by Courts of law and the UPDF as an institution shall always provide courts the necessary assistance and cooperation to that ensure justice is done’.
Given the position earlier taken by the CDF, the officer wondered why there was a sudden change of heart.
“Why the contradiction? The CDF committed himself in dismissing the case,” the officer said adding” “Is someone using the CDF’s office (to get to Col Kulaigye) or he (CDF) is contradicting himself?”
To augment his position, the officer cited two cases he sad were proof of intrigue. He said former Amisom officer Lt. Col. Bosco Mutambi and Col. Dan Opito of the Airforce had been framed and punished irregularly various offences.
“Lt. Col. Bosco Mutambi who was cleared by the UN investigation team was arrested on orders from a top general at Mbuya and yet he had been cleared by UN investigators on same allegations. and Col. Dan Opito, who was implicated in treason charges, was released on the President’s orders and a day after he was on a plane to the USA for military training,” the source said adding that the CDF should assert his authority to contain the ‘emerging intrigue’.
By press time efforts to contact army spokesperson Lt. Col. Paddy Ankunda on phone were futile.
The Col. Kalayigye’s incident is a drop in the ocean and an eye opener to the ongoing intrigue in the armed forces since the departure of Gen. Aronda Nyakairima as the CDF. EagleOnline was briefed by many sources within the army that whereas the ‘Mbuya top leadership’ is seen as performers, the reality is that they lack assertiveness and the hands on approach which Gen. Aronda implemented to build the force.
“The intrigue, corruption and leadership gap has taken back the army to where Gen. Aronda got it. It is even evident that at military courts the suspects bail the freedom or else, one is convicted on wrongful charges” said a source.
OF AGE: Tooro King Oyo Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV. Photo/africanleadership.co.uk
Last week we brought you a number of Kampala’s posh youth and the names behind their lavish lifestyles in which our own lives pale considerably in comparison. And today, we continue to name these kids of pomp in the hope that a few others might learn the right names schmooze, and the wealthy, cultured and well bred stock.
King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV and Princess Ruth Komuntale
BABY KING: Queen Mother Best Kemigisa helps adjust the young King’s crown. Photo/africanleadership.co.uk
Finally of age, and the centre of attention for many young girls, spinsters and sugar mummies not only in the Tooro kingdom but the entire country, King Oyo Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV is the epitome of good genetics and culture.
PRINCESS ROYAL: King Oyo’s only sister Princess Ruth Komuntale
Of course his sister Princess Ruth Komuntale is of the same genetic fibre and Ugandans have watched the two royals from tender age with keen interest when, aged just three, the oldest of the three kids of Omukama David Olimi Kaboyo (RIP) and Best Kemigisa, King Oyo assumed the throne and his rightful place in the Tooro kingdom and today he has come of age to take over the responsibilities that come with his title. And it is through those mirrors that many Ugandans if not all have a grown fondness and soft spot for this royal hunk, putting him and his sister at the top of our radar.
We can safely conclude that King Oyo is not only one of the few people in Uganda whose pocket change is dollars, but he is the youngest reigning King today. In 1993 renown international fashion magazine Vogue featured the then infant Oyo as he took over from his father, allowing not only Uganda but the world to witness and celebrate his coronation. Born of royalty, this young man’s life was sorted way before he could even pronounce the words ‘Ota Amooti’.
Despite losing their father at a tender age, the King of Tooro and his sister were never short of father figures in their lives, from the president of Uganda Yoweri Museveni to the former president of Libya Muammar Gaddafi, who dotted over him every time he visited the Libya to catering for Princess Komuntale’s education in the best schools that the world has on offer, King Oyo remained the darling of every one with whom he crosses the path of life’s journey.
Intriguingly, with every whim met and fantasy lived one would expect King Oyo to have turned out differently but on the contrary he is a living example of what fine upbringing and stature are made of, continuously engaging his subjects and forging a road for a future prosperous Tooro kingdom. All this despite his cousin, 48-year old Prince David Kaijanangoma, threatening to dethrone him.
The Kutesa kids
The foursome of Inga, Ishta Asiimwe Kutesa, Charlotte Kutesa and Elizabeth Kutesa and have been the apple of their father’s eyes since their mother’s death. And, as if sensing the void which his kids would have to contend with for the rest of their lives, stinking rich foreign affairs minister Sam Kutesa made it a point to ensure that his four children, most especially his only son Inga, will never lack anything for the rest of their lives. With almost a quarter of Kampala under his name, the sky is the limit when it comes to what the Kutesa kids have and are yet to achieve.
Mostly sighted at expensive places such as Kabira Country Club, Speke Resort Munyonyo, the Serena Hotel and at Desh Kananura’s Panamera Bar, Inga Kutesa doesn’t hold back when it comes to spending cash more so when there are females around. Regulars at Panamera Bar in Kololo say that he will buy out the Johnnie Walker. But they also say he is generous to the dot to the extent that when he buys the whole bar and the boda boda guys waiting at the entrance, all drink. Perhaps, for purposes of being fair, it is worth mention that Inga Kutesa, born to Sam and Jenniffer Nankunda (RIP) is a ‘first brother-in law’, his sister Charlotte having gotten married to Uganda’s First Son Major General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, President Yoweri Museveni’s son, who is also the Commander of the Special Forces.
Also in the Kutesa brood is Ishta Kutesa Muganga, married to youthful tycoon Albert Muganga, a co-Director of the Pioneer Easy Bus (PEB) transport franchise.
Natalie Bitature
BEAUTY AND BRAINS: Natalie Bitature, a budding student at the Hultz Business College in California USA.
Following in her father’s footsteps, Natalie has shown a keen interest in the world of business and enterprise. Indeed, with the guidance of her father, tycoon Patrick Bitature, Natalie is slowly but surely being incorporated into the business world through the family businesses and is surely getting a hang of it as she helps run her father’s empire.
Natalie holds a Masters Degree in Business from the Hultz Business School in California, and is currently a competitor in the annual Hultz Competition, where she is tussling it out with colleagues for a grand prize of US$ one million.
Unlike her siblings and peers, Natalie has a mind of her own and is not afraid to show it, which constantly has her falling out with so many of her friends within her social circles: she has a knack for talking to the wrong people at the wrong time earning her the ‘queen bitch’ title, something that has made her a hotspot of snide talk amongst her peers. But who cares when your family’s net worth is worth millions and your journey to success only just started!
Indeed, so many things seem to await this fast moving entrepreneur and despite her lack of societal skills she still makes up for it when it comes to making that paper.
Needless to mention, all human beings enjoy a good rest, something that is essential for a fresh mind, and Natalie always finds it at their ancestral home area in Ibanda where her father built a mansion fit for a King. This is the place she takes refuge when all the Kampala drama gets too hot!
Danny Kigozi aka Navio
SELF-INSPIRED RICH KID: Daniel Lubwama Kigozi aka Navio.
For those preoccupied with the fast life of glamour life, Danny Kigozi (Junior) aka Navio needs no mention. The son of the first National Resistance Movement (NRM) Minister of Works Engineer Dan Serwano Kigozi (RIP) and his doctor wife Maggie Blick Kigozi, Navio was born and has been bred in a cultured manner that is the envy of many ‘rich’ families.
Navio’s mother, Dr Maggie Kigozi, born to the Masaka famed sporting mixed race family of the Blicks including Paddy and Arthur Blick (both senior), was at first the chief health personnel of President Yoweri Museveni’s team at Parliament in the 1980s, from where she retired and was appointed the Executive Director of Uganda Investment Authority (UIA). Dr Maggie Kigozi is now in private practice but somehow finds time to ensure her son flourishes and keeps the family name scaling the heights of Uganda’s musical deportment.
Sources say Navio’s choice of career did not come as a surprise to many; from a very young age he made it a point to entertain whenever an opportunity presented itself, certainly foreshadowing what was to await him in the near future.
But that aside, despite living a top-notch lifestyle and, like most other ‘trustfund’ kids, attending St Andrews Turi, one of Africa’s best private schools, Navio has always been charismatic, kind and very down to earth. This has propelled him to popularity not just amongst his peers but also in the music industry and eventually on Uganda’s social scene.
Tall, handsome, rich and famous, it remains puzzling to many that Navio, an only kid with little to worry about, still refuses to get married.
But his attitude towards marital issues has not deterred the opposite sex and Navio keeps women on their toes as they all vie to get his attention and possibly an engagement ring!
However, Navio also stands out as the leading ‘rich kid’ who has conquered Uganda without as much leaning back to seek support from his mother.
He journey to making money started out with a five-man singing group called Klear Cut, giving Ugandans a bevvy of melodious tunes alongside superfluous names like Da Langman, Papitto, J Baller and The Mith.
Julianna (Jules) Nasasira
FASHION GURU: Juliana Nasasira
After her graduation from fashion school, Juliana Nasasira, daughter to former NRM mInister John Nasasasira Mwoono took Kampala’s runways and fashion houses by storm, unveiling her latest creations and designs and proving to her parents that they did not waste their money when they sent her to fashion school. This is a rarity when it comes to African parents, who believe the ‘education’ is the way to success. However daughter to former roads minister Jules was born a princess and still lives like one today.
Birds of the cloak, cloth together, and true to that Jules has made ties with several other fashion enthusiasts and designers, among them fellow ‘rich kid’ Gloria Wavamunno who, it seems, taught Jules a few tricks when it comes to handling the paparazzi and social scene.
A very rare gem, it is hard not to notice the beauty that Jules is when she steps anywhere outside the fashion world, perhaps explaining why ‘she is still single’.
But this is not to say that the Nasasira girls are not marriage material; Jules sister Lorna Nsiima, a graduate of journalism and communication from the United Kingdom is married to Israeli tycoon Vadim Murmis. “This is my first daughter to give away (sic), more so to as far as Israel. But her getting married in Israel is not a surprise to us because issues of discriminating people have never been heard of in us. Yes, we can have bad people amidst us but not based on what their race, colour, nationality, religion is,” Nasasira, then minister for Information and Communication Technology (ICT) said at the daughter’s giveaway ceremony in Kiruhura in June 2014.
The Mutasingwa brothers
BIG MONEY ON SHOW: Ivan Mutasingwa (Right in blue shirt) with Rajiv Ruparelia, son of Kampala tycoon Sudhir Ruperalia (left) and Sam Muhwezi (centre),a son to former minister Jim Muhwezi Katugugu, having a blast in a yet-to-be identified foreign country.
Ivan and Bella mutasingwa live a life that is completely foreign to so many Ugandans, especially those whose imaginations have taken them to destinations, only to come back wearing shirts from downtown claiming they are ‘souvenirs’.
Ivan and Bella seriously enjoy the riches the Mutasingwa family has to offer and their life is one tale of travel, luxury and fun, and despite staying in Australia and the United kingdom where they are pursuing university education, the two make it a point to visit a new and foreign land if not two, every year.
As proof of that they have taken selfies at the top floor of the Buhj Al Arab in Dubai; camel rides in Egypt to a quick getaway in Mykonos or a quick stop over in Sandton South Africa.
Nonetheless these two stand out amongst their peers and ‘web stalkers’ out there because they are sickeningly wealthy but still manage to rub it in our faces in such a humble and nonchalant way!
Uganda's leading opposition figure Dr Kizza Besigye
Ugandan opposition leader Kizza Besigye is currently on a trip that will see him visit the United Kingdom and the USA, where he is urging the country’s diaspora to continue to push for democracy in Uganda.
“I think that they have two or three roles. One is to continue their engagement with the governments of the countries where they stay and indeed to solicit their support in their engagement with the regime at home, and also their engagement with those of us who are challenging the status quo,” Besigye said while on a visit to Britain, where he is meeting members of the diaspora. He travels later this month to the United States.
Besigye was released on bail in July after months of detention and house arrest following the February presidential poll. He came in second in the vote but the opposition said there were voting irregularities, and Besigye called for an independent audit of results. He later declared himself president and was charged with treason.
The February 18 poll saw longtime president Yoweri Museveni win a fifth term in office.
The government has repeatedly accused Besigye and the opposition of trying to destabilize the country, something Besigye denies.
“Our struggle is in fact very, very clearly a nonviolent struggle,” Besigye said.
In the run up to the poll, Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International expressed concern about police brutality, restrictions on the right to assemble and arrests of opposition leaders.
A group of private lawyers has brought suit against Inspector General of Police General Kale Kayihura and seven of his commanders for alleged police brutality against Besigye supporters in July.
Hon Mike Sebalu of Uganda contributing to debate on integration. The legislator called for the promotion of Kiswahili in the region
The East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) has adopted a key report of its outreach and sensitisation activities and called for more awareness among the people on the benefits of EAC integration.
According to the Assembly, specific interest groups including youth, women, civil and co-operative societies should be fully involved in the integration process and the pillars of integration including the Political Federation, fast tracked. In Uganda, the Members met Ugandan Vice President Edward Ssekandi; the Speaker, Rt Hon Rebecca Kadaga, the Third Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for EAC Affairs, Rt Hon Kirunda Kivejinja and his counterparts, and the Ministers of Trade, Finance, Justice and Constitutional Affairs.
The Chapter also held series of meetings with traders and transporters association, clearing industry association agents and shippers’ association before calling on district leaders in Lyantonde, Rakai and Sembabule.
Contributing to the debate, Hon Chris Opoka said traders in the region would benefit if the Common Market protocol is fully embraced. The legislator added that the issue of multiple membership of regional blocs needs to be analysed to assess benefits thereof.
“The Council of Ministers need to critically look into the rationale whether it is really necessary for Partner States to be members of multiple blocs and to spread the resources further, or if they should be co-ordinating their efforts at EAC”, Hon Opoka said.
Hon Dora Byamukama called for amendment of the Treaty to cater for the dynamic process of strengthening integration. She said it would be important if the regional Assembly can be constituted into a constituent Assembly to look into the Political Federation.
Third Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for EAC Affairs, Rt Hon Kirunda Kivejinja lauded the Assembly for undertaking sensitisation and said the Council would ensure institutionalisation and adequate financing.
The growing stature of Kiswahili also captured the attention of the legislators, with members observing the growing interest of the stakeholders in embracing and learning the language that is spoken across the EA region as a medium of communication to facilitate trade. Contributing to debate Hon Mike Sebalu, rooted for Kiswahili as a key language that bonds and enables citizens of the region to communicate effectively and efficiently.
According to EALA, the sensitisation report presented by Hon Patricia Hajabakiga, Chair of EALA Rwanda Chapter, is a culmination of outreach and sensitisation activities carried out in the Partner States by the various country Chapters of EALA in June 2016. The activities held between June 9th to 28th, 2016 were anchored under the theme: EAC Youth Agenda: Accessing the Gains. The Assembly also recommended that the EAC Anthem and the flag should go hand in hand with respective national ones (flags) at all times.
Hon Frederic Ngenzebuhoro stresses a point during debate on the report on Sensitisation.
Members set out among other things to sensitize the people of East Africa on the integration process; create awareness among the people of East Africa on the gains and challenges of integration and enhance mutual relationships and sustainable networking between EALA and the people of East Africa.
Hon Maryam Ussi makes her contribution
During the sensitization program, EALA country chapters engaged several stakeholders including media, local Government authorities, institutions of learning, Private Sector, women, Youth Councils, Civil Society, Members of Parliament and embassies. Other targeted groups were the border communities, Government institutions as well as Ministries. The Ministries responsible for EAC Affairs in all Partner States coordinated the activity.
A picture illustration of the developments that have come with the palm oil project
Bidco Africa has said the protesters that picketed outside Standard Chartered and Barclays Banks in London on Tuesday are con artists trying to blackmail the company.
The company says it has been fighting an anonymous and faceless group of online con artists masquerading as activists for over a year.
According to BIDCO, the group has been harassing the company and its partners on social media and via email. It has also been staging fake protests in various locations, and says the London Protests lack credibility.
“These guys are just bodies for hire. If you watch the video the incredible thing is they cannot even get the company name right. They are protesting against ‘Bisco’ and ‘Vamil Shah’, that tells you all you need to know about these people,” CEO Vimal Shah explains.
“At one point they asked for US$500,000 to stop the harassment and we said ‘no’ and so they have kept coming,” he adds.
“There is no activism here. We know who is behind it and what they hope the pressure will lead to but we will not buckle. We will not give in to extortion.
“We also know they have been approaching PR agencies in Nairobi trying to recruit them to run a smear campaign against. We have this information,” Vimal Shah says.
KEPSA, the apex private sector body in Kenya received emails from the group but when they invited them to present evidence-no one showed up, he said.
“We asked them to come forward and prove their claims but have heard nothing from them since,” the CEO Carole Kariuki says.
Bidco Africa insists the claims made by so called activists are outright lies and distortion of facts. The company also says the claims of deforestation are manifestly untrue.
“No forests were taken in Uganda; there have been four independent Environmental Impact Assessments done and they all give the project a clean bill of health. On the question of land, out of 9000 hectares acquired for the project, there is only one dispute with one farmer who was a squatter on someone’s land and the case is in court,” Kodey Rao, the Bidco Uganda Managing Director says. The Uganda unit has different ownership and management from its Kenyan counterpart.
“1750 farmers earned 1.5 Billion Ugandan Shillings last month, I wish someone could talk about that and how their lives have changed, the houses they have built, the cars they have bought and how they are taking their children to private universities,” he adds.
“Or the 44 Million USD that has gone into infrastructure on the island, the jobs, the tourism and the total economic transformation of the district. It used to be one of the poorest in the country, position 71 out of 76 and that is now one of the top ten in the country.”
The company says its labour record is being misrepresented.
“The pictures you see on social media are a big joke. There are 1800 employees at Bidco HQ – If they go on the streets to protest, everyone will know. It won’t be 10 or 20 guys.” Zipporah Mburu the executive in charge of Employee Welfare says.
“It’s annoying to see people who have never even set foot in Bidco purporting to represent our interests,” Linus Muendo a union representative at the company says.
“They know nothing about the company and how we live.”
Vimal Shah says the allegations of tax evasion are the most saddening.
“We are a proudly Kenyan company. We gladly pay on average about 70M USD a year in taxes and just because we have one dispute over the computation of one tax bill we are bad guys. The case is in court, why not let the courts decide?”
In the meantime the CEO says there are plenty of other things to talk about.
“Talk about the 4,500 entrepreneurs who form our supply chain or the 12,000 plus farmers who have a guaranteed market for their farm produce. Or our investments in new industries and technologies.
That’s what Bidco is really about.”
About Bidco:
Bidco Africa Ltd is Kenya and East Africa’s leading manufacturer of edible oils, fats and hygiene care products. Established in 1985, the company has manufacturing units in Kenya, Tanzania and Madagascar and a footprint in 16 African countries.
Bidco is home to some of Kenya’s most famous and loved brands such as Kimbo, Elianto, Golden Fry, Chipsy, Biddy’s, Gaea, Powerboy and Gental.
PROTESTERS HIT BACK
The Bidco Truth Coalition, www.No2Bidco.org, an alliance of East African activists exposing bad business ethics of Bidco Africa, strongly condemns Bidco’s claim that the coalition’s actions amount to extortion.
No2Bidco.org has never demanded anything from Bidco other than good governance.
Once again, Bidco and its CEO, Vimal Shah, are hiding behind the veneer of a carefully crafted image that deceives the public and the company’s partners about Bidco’s cruel labour practices, mass deforestation and large-scale tax evasion.
The press release issued by Shah (above), following a successful protest by No2Bidco.org in London, shows that this veneer is cracking, as No2Bidco.org reveals the truth about the Shah family.
In his accusations, Shah claims that the demonstrators are “bodies for hire” because they could not pronounce his and the company’s names correctly. Not only is this attack arrogant and insensitive toward peoples with different dialects, languages and accents, it reveals publicly Shah’s reportedly racist tendencies, which permeate Bidco, according to present and former workers.
Remarkably, in his statement Shah does not deny that his company deforested 18,000 acres of pristine land in Kalangala District, on Bugala Island, Uganda. Further confirmation of this travesty is provided by photos posted by Bidco in social media, showing oil palms as far as the eye can see. This is where some of the most lush and beautiful rainforest in the world once stood, before being mowed down so the Shahs could line their pockets with more ill-gotten gains.
No2Bidco.org is not anonymous and faceless. Countless courageous members have spoken out publicly about their treatment by Bidco. Dozens of independent media and NGOs have reported on them – from The Guardian to Agence France Presse and USAID to Friends of the Earth. From the shores of Bugala Island to the dusty slums of Thika in Kenya, where Bidco workers live, members of our coalition have names and faces, and they live in fear of Shah’s henchmen coming to silence them.
The situation in Kalangala District is far from the ideal Bidco presents in its statement. While Bidco takes credit for building wide roads to accommodate the company’s fume-spewing trucks, a report called “Pro-Poor Land Records, Palm Oil and Prosperity: Any Proof from Bugala Island, Uganda?”, presented at the Annual World Bank Conference on Land and Poverty on 23 March 2015, found that “a hospital or dedicated public medical facility is still lacking on the island, alcoholism and HIV/AIDS have been on the rise and require intervention, and environmental risks concerning the chemical fertilizer required for the palms are expected to reduce the fish stock in the medium term.”
Meantime, Kalangala’s outgrower farmers have protested Bidco’s low payments for their crops. In March, the farmers resorted to processing their own oil when Bidco’s prices failed to meet international standards stipulated in their contracts. More than a dozen farming families are suing Bidco in Uganda after the company grabbed their land.
The only positive words Kalangala’s farmers have for Bidco can be found in a 2015 propaganda video produced by Bidco management. The farmers later said they spoke under duress.
With the facts clearly on the side of No2Bidco.org, Shah has resorted to calling in his Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA) puppet Carole Kariuki to defend him. No2Bidco.org sent Kariuki several court decisions that prove Bidco’s labour violations, as well as more than 500 pages of documents which implicate Bidco in a Sh5.7 billion ($57 million) tax evasion, but she lamely states that No2Bidco.org “has refused to come forward to prove their claims.” What many in Kenya know is now proven publicly by Kariuki herself: she and Shah have turned the organisation into a lobby for Bidco’s interests, and KEPSA is party to Bidco’s crimes.
The website www.No2Bidco.org is a reference tool for all information that the Shah family has tried to hide for years. The articles and documents are from independent sources that have much more credibility than Bidco’s empty pronouncements. We urge the public and Bidco’s partners to study the information and come to their own conclusion about Bidco Africa. Some of the greatest changes in companies and society have come through activism, and this inspires us.
Atletico Madrid, Barcelona, Real Madrid and Sevilla have learned their opponents for the Champions League Group Stage.
Holders Real Madrid are in Group F with Borussia Dortmund, Sporting Lisbon and Legia Warsaw.
Last season’s beaten finalists Atletico get Bayern Munich, PSV Eindhoven and Rostov in Group D.
Barcelona, winners in 2015, are drawn against Manchester City, Borussia Monchengladbach and Celtic in Group C.
And Europa League winners Sevilla find themselves in Group H with Juventus, Lyon and Dinamo Zagreb.
The first round of group games taking place over September 13-14, the group stage concluding on December 6 and 7, and the final, in Cardiff, on June 3.
Champions League Group Stage draw in full:
Group A:Paris Saint-Germain, Arsenal, Basel, Ludogorets
Group B:Benfica, Napoli, Dynamo Kyiv, Besiktas
Group C:Barcelona, Manchester City, Gladbach, Celtic
Group D:Bayern Munich, Atletico Madrid, PSV Eindhoven, Rostov
Group E:CSKA Moscow, Bayer Leverkusen, Tottenham Hotspur, Monaco
Group F:Real Madrid, Borussia Dortmund, Sporting, Legia Warsaw
Group G:Leicester City, Porto, Club Brugge, Copenhagen
PUNISHED: The junior police officers who appeared before the police court on accusations of wantonly beating civilians
The Naguru based police disciplinary court has today set the date for the trial of the brutal police officers which is due on September 6.
This followed the final amendment in the charge sheet by the state prosecutor D\SSP Katherine Kusemererwa by including the negligence of duty.
The new charge is an addition of the initial two charges of unlawful conduct of authority and discreditable or irregular conduct.
The new charge is in respect to Mosses Nanoka, Andrew Kaggwa, Samuel Bamuzibire and Patrick Muhangi. The four police officers are to face the additional charge of negligence of duty.
However the other police constables, Robert Wanzala, Sula Kato, Deneth Muhangi, Willy Kalyango, Moses Agaba and crime preventer Dan Tandega all share the initial two charges with their police bosses.
All pleaded not guilty to the respective charges which are against them by the IGP.
“All defaulters who are meant to be at Bwebajja for the police training should be aware that the police disciplinary court is still on going and should keep reporting whenever they receive a court sermon’’ says Denis Odong Odongpiny the chairperson of the court.
He also cautioned the defaulters to be prepared with their defense as the wait for their fate come September 6 when the court will give a ruling whether they have a case to answer or not.
It should be noted that some of the defaulters are on the run after having failed to appear to the police Professional Standards Unit (PSU) yet others could not easily be identified due to the direction of the camera in the video clips which only showed their backs.
The PSU commandant CP Fortunate Habyala was the first principal witness followed by ACP James Akiki Rhuweza the operations commander KMP, then a human rights expert Pollar Awich.
The witness exhibits included NBS television news video clip, registered statements, and testimonies of fellow police officers.
The police disciplinary court makeup is ACP Sarah Kibwika, CP Herman Owomugisha and SCP Denis Odong Odongpiny who is the chairperson
Justice and Constitutional Affairs Minister Gen. Kahinda Otafiire said there is no money for organising LC1 elections.
Parliament today gave government two weeks within which to set the election date for LC1 chairpersons and their committees.
The directive came after a close to thirty minutes debate on the fate of the Local Council one councils with MPs questioning whether government still takes them as important to the democratic governance of the country.
The debate started by Mukono Municipality MP Betty Nambooze who rose on a matter of national importance and asked the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, “to precisely inform Parliament when Government intends to carry out elections of the Local council 1 elections.”
“When will Government carry out LC1 elections and district councilors? I have people in my constituency asking and waiting to campaign for their candidates” said Nambooze
The Minister for Justice, Maj.Gen. Kahinda Otafiire turned and tossed steering clear of committing government on the exact date for the elections reasoning that government doesn’t have money since Parliament did not budget for the activity
“I don’t want to tell lies, we don’t have money for the LC1 elections, but if you have money you can fund this election” said Otafiire
The Deputy Speaker,Jacob Oulanyah however, could have none of that.
“I am guiding that the Minister of Justice reports to Parliament in two weeks’ time telling us the exact date the elections will be held. Nothing less and nothing more,” he said.
If the Minister adheres to the order, it will put an end to the close to 10 years since the LC1 have been operating illegally.
As if to provide a joke in the middle of a serious debate, MP Fungaroo Kaps (Obongi County), asked government if it was okay for the opposition to collect funds and carry out the LC1 elections seeing that government had failed to find money for the elections
Gen Otafiire responded, “If you so wish.”
Meanwhile, the Speaker Oulanyah, on the instigation of the Chief Whip, Ruth Nakabirwa, asked the Attorney General to return to the House next week and give a legal opinion on the status of transactions the LC1 committee have been executing yet they are illegal entities.
Background:
The LC1 elections debate has been an ongoing one from the 9th Parliament as the house passed the local government Amendment Act 2014. The amendment suggested that citizens line up behind the candidate of their choice. The amendments were suggested after Gen. Otafiire informed Parliament of governments lack of Shs200 billion to carry out the elections.
The bill was passed, however, Parliament did not appropriate money for the elections during the budget for financial year 2016/2017. Currently, all LC1’s all over the country are occupying the structures illegally for their term expired for more than 5 years
Democratic Republic of Congo authorities have declare Mr Sam Mugumya, the Aide de Camp to Forum for Democratic Change kingpin, Kizza Besigye an Allied Democratic Forces rebel.
The Congolese authorities say Mugumya who was arrested in the Eastern parts of the DRC with four others will appear in court next week to answer charges of conducting a rebellion in the Congolese territory.
Mr Mugumya’s name is among the 200 names that were released by the government claiming that they are rebels belonging to ADF. ADF, is a rebel outfit that waged war against the Kampala regime. However, it has been weakened along the way as years went on with the rebel top commander now in government detention in Nalufunya in Jinja after he was captured in Tanzania.
However, the FDC party has refuted the latest claims and the party has instead contacted lawyers to dispatch to Congo to defend Mugumya and his colleagues.
“We are recruiting lawyers who will be travelling to Congo to defend to Mugumya and others because the Ugandan government hasn’t cared about its nationals” Harold Kaija, the FDC Deputy Secretary General said.
Mugumya who hails from Rukungiri is a few kilometres from Congolese boarder and he was arrested in North Kivu province. His arrest was announced by the Uganda People’s Defence Force’s spokesperson, Lt Col Paddy Ankunda in 20143 on social media and then to the media. He also said Mugumya had been arrested in company of four others with huge sums of dollars and documents linking them to some rebel outfit in eastern DRC with intentions of overthrowing the Ugandan government.
However, as the Mugumya goes on trial, little is known about the former Bubulo West legislator Tony Kipoi who the Congolese authorities arrested in the same province during the war between M23 and the Kinshasha regime.
Fairway-Golf Course Junction (affected route along Acacia avenue)
Motorists going to Metropole Hotel, Lower Kololo Terrace junction and the Uganda Golf Course, have been advised to use Mulago roundabout via Yusuf Lule or Kamwokya through Acacia via Lower Kololo Terrace roads.
Kampala Capital City Authority said the 200m section of Acacia Avenue road is under repair.
The China Railway Seventh is repairing the road from Metropole Hotel – Lower Kololo Terrace junction and the Fairway-Golf Course Junction which is nearing completion.
Acacia Avenue will be closed off to traffic on Saturday, 27 August 2016 starting 11pm through Sunday 28 August 2016 to allow for final touches on a 200m section along the road.
“The contractors have closed the road to avoid interference from motorists,” a KCCA official told EagleOnline.
