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MP Kafeero threatens to sue colleague over judges ‘age limit’ bill

By
Peter Etiang
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MOVED 'CONTROVERSIAL' BILL: Nakifuma MP Robert Kafeero Sekitoleko. Photo credit/ugfix.com

Nakifuma Member of Parliament (MP) Robert Kafeero Sekitoleko has threatened to drag his Kilak North counterpart Anthony Akol for libel.

According to Eng Kafeero Sekitoleko, MP Akol recently ‘misled’ Ugandans by imputing that the Nakifuma man ‘dished’ out 27 bags of sugar and one million shillings each to 27 MPs, ostensibly to support his ‘private members bill’ to amend the Constitution, to have the age cap for judges increased. The Nakifuma MP also wants the two-term limit for commissioners of the Electoral Commission (EC) removed.

On August 23, shortly before departing for the Uganda North America Association (UNAA) convention in Boston, USA, Eng Kafeero allegedly took the 24 National Resistance Movement (NRM) and three opposition MPs including Akol to Mayuge, where he allegedly gave them 25kg bags of sugar that were labeled with a 50kg tag.

According to Akol, the tokens, allegedly from the Parliamentary Food and Security Forum, were supposed to influence the MPs to support Sekitoleko’s bill.

But appearing on a TV talkshow earlier today, Sekitoleko turned his guns against Akol, saying he would drag him to court over the allegations that surround a bill that was first tabled last month before Parliament chaired by Deputy Speaker Jacob Oulanyah.

‘I was in Mayuge during the time I am being accused of bribing MPs. I even have evidence,’ he said, adding: ‘Hon Anthony Akol has 48hrs to withdraw his statements or I seek legal redress.’

He added: ‘MP Akol is confusing Ugandans. I’ve never distributed sugar’.

By press time efforts to contact Kilak MP Akol were futile.

The bill tabled by Kafeero Sekitoleko has elicited a lot suspicion from the public, with many saying it is meant to pave the way for the amendment of the Constitution in order to remove the 75 year ‘age limit clause’, purportedly to leverage President Yoweri Museveni.

Currently 72, under the 1995 Constitution Mr Museveni cannot offer himself for president again, unless the law is changed.

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THE UGANDA I WANT TO SEE: Essay competition winners rewarded

By
Our Reporter
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Twelve primary school students have today received prizes after their essays received top scores for the children’s essay writing competition.

The competition, organized by Spark TV and NTV received more than 200 entries from Primary school students in Uganda.

According to Theopista Sekitto the business Manager of Spark TV, students were asked to write an essay under the theme, “The Uganda I want to see.” The winning students received certificates and hampers that included scholastic materials, body grooming products among others.

Ms Sekitto called on other students who have the same passion for writing to keep on participating in such competitions to not only improve their writing skills but also expand their knowledge and horizons

Faith Sentongo, one of the essay winners said her passion for writing and encouragement from her parents pushed her to enter the competition.

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100 Machar fighters get UN medical assistance in DRC

By
Agencies
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TO SUE KENYA: SPLM -IO chief Riek Machar. His group says it wil sue the Kenya government.Photo Credit/Reuters

More than 100 fighters loyal to South Sudan’s sacked vice-president have been found ‘in extremely bad shape’ by the UN in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

They were discovered near the border and have been evacuated by helicopter to receive medical treatment.

Fighting between rival forces in July left hundreds of people dead less than a year after a peace deal was signed.

Mr Machar, who had joined a unity government, fled – and was also aided by the UN in DR Congo a few weeks ago.

South Sudan has suffered more than two years of civil war since gaining independence from Sudan in 2011.

Political differences between Mr Machar and President Salva Kiir ignited a civil war in December 2013 – and they only agreed to settle their differences under intense international pressure, signing a peace deal in August 2015.

Mr Machar returned to Juba in April but battles then broke out between his bodyguards and presidential guards in South Sudan’s capital, Juba, in July.

Mr Machar fled Juba in the wake of the July clashes and was later dismissed as vice-president.

After receiving medical treatment in DR Congo in August, he was flown to Sudan’s capital, Khartoum, where he remains after being discharged from hospital.

His soldiers, who had crossed into DR Congo, were found in an area around the Garamba National Park by UN peacekeepers, UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said.

He said they had suffered mostly from walking in difficult terrain and having no access to food.

Many were in critical condition and were helped ‘on purely humanitarian grounds so that they can receive urgent medical assistance’, Mr Dujarric said.

An internal Congolese army report indicated 500 fighters were evacuated to Goma in the middle of August – a mission that involved three flights a day over three days.

Following UN pressure last week, President Kiir has now agreed to the deployment of a 4,000-strong regional protection force for Juba which would have a more robust mandate than the 12,000 UN soldiers already in the country, however the mandate and size of the force still have to be agreed.

This was a key request of Mr Machar, who said he wanted a neutral force to guarantee his safety.

But US officials are now saying that they do not believe Mr Machar should return to his post.

“Given all that has happened, we do not believe it would be wise for Machar to return to his previous position in Juba,” US special envoy Donald Booth told a congressional subcommittee.

“But this cannot become a justification for President Kiir to monopolise power and stifle dissenting political voices,” he was further quoted as saying.

Meanwhile, the UK is to send an extra 100 troops to South Sudan, joining the 300 already serving in the UN peacekeeping force there.

 

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Museveni appointments 6 women to 9-man Judicial Service Commission

By
Stephen Muneza
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High Court Judge Benjamin Isingoma Kabiito, who is currently based at Fort Portal High Court, has been named the new chairman of the Judicial Service Commission (JSC).

Justice Kabiito replaces one of the most respected Ugandans, Justice James Ogoola, who a few months ago found himself in an unfamiliar spot – accused of irregularly holding onto a government vehicle.

Justice Ogoola while retiring in February boasted of having introduced a raft of reforms at the commission, including advertising the position of Chief Justice in the media.

Justice Kabiito will be will be deputised by Supreme Court Justice Faith Mwondha.

The appointing authority, President Museveni, also named Ms Justin A. Mugabi, Ms Norah Matovu Winyi, Dr Laban Nnini Kirya, Ms Rosemary Nyakikongoro, Ms Ruth Sebatindira and Ms Amongin Aporu as JSC commissioners.

Mr Laban Kirya is the only member of the Ogoola-led commission came into office in 2012 amid a workload of about 400 unheard disciplinary cases that is returning.

Also forced to retire alongside Justice Ogoola were Ms Esther Kisaakye (JSC deputy chairperson), Prof Fredrick Ssempeebwa, Mr Henry Kyemba and Mr Charles Okoth Owor.

judicial

The Constitution gives the chairperson of the JSC, the body that recruits and discipline errant judicial officers, a four-year term contract that is subject to renewal once.

Contacted on Thursday, Solomon Muyita, a senior communications officer at the Judiciary, confirmed the appointments, which have been made about 6 months after the expiry the previous JSC mandate.

They will next Wednesday be vetted by Parliament’s Appointments Committee before assuiming office.

More details to follow ..

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Zimbabwe Court Rejects Ban on Protests

By
Agencies
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TIRED: Anti Robert Mugabe protesters carry a placard denouncing the President.

HARARE — Zimbabwe’s High Court has struck down the government’s two-week ban on demonstrations. The ban was announced last Thursday, a day before opposition parties were to hold an anti-government protest in the capital.

But High Court Justice Priscilla Chigumba ruled Wednesday that the government’s ban was “invalid” because it was not done according to procedure.

Chigumba issued the ruling despite remarks from President Robert Mugabe lambasting judges who allow Zimbabweans to protest against the 92-year-old president’s leadership.

Politician Tendai Biti, a member of Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights who represented the opposition in court, said Mugabe’s statements were inappropriate.

“The president’s statements are unconstitutional,” Biti said. “The first function of the president is to uphold the constitution and the bill of rights. So, if the president fails in that function, he must resign or be impeached.”

 

Tendai Biti, (R), opposition leader and member of Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights, and Dzimbabwe Chibga from the rights group talk to reporters outside the High Court in Harare, Zimbabwe, September 2016. The two represented Zimbabwean opposition parties in court. (S. Mhofu/VOA).
Tendai Biti, (R), opposition leader and member of Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights, and Dzimbabwe Chibga from the rights group talk to reporters outside the High Court in Harare, Zimbabwe, September 2016. The two represented Zimbabwean opposition parties in court. (S. Mhofu/VOA).

 

Rights groups such as Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch also have spoken out against the ban.

“President Robert Mugabe’s statements undermine Zimbabwe’s international law obligations to respect due process and judicial independence,” said Dewa Mavhinga of Human Rights Watch. “Zimbabweans have a right to peaceful protests and to express their views freely, and judges should not be constrained in enforcing those rights.”

It was not immediately known if the opposition

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King Oyo loses an uncle

By
Our Reporter
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Young, King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba and his uncle, Prince Jimmy Mugenyi.

Tooro kingdom is mourning of its princes, Prince Jimmy Mugenyi, a paternal uncle to King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV.
According to Tooro Youth Minister, Vincent Mugume, Mugenyi, was the fourth son of the late King Sir George Rukidi III and a young brother to Rukidi’s successor, Patrick David Matthew Olimi Kaboyo.
Quoting Mugume, he says the deceased’s sister Princess Damalie Komukyeya,Prince Mugenyi succumbed to Hypertension at the age of 69 ,He is survived by four children
Price Mugenyi was key in the upbringing and nurturing of King Oyo when he had just been crowned King at the age of three years, following the death of his father Patrick Olimi Kaboyo in 1995.
“According to Tooro customs, if Kaboyo had not fathered a boy, it was Prince Mugenyi who would have been crowned King”

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NTV faces ‘disappearing act’ blow over staff sent to cover UNAA Convention

By
Badru Kasadah
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The NTV employees at the UNAA Convention pose for a group photo in Boston, US.

We have already heard of the Ugandans who escaped from their hotels in the US, where they had travelled to attend the Uganda North America Association (UNAA) convention in Boston that ended Sunday. Six of them are reportedly from the Ebonies Drama group.

But those may not be the only ones to look for the ‘big pie’ in Uncle Sam’s country, while in search of the American Dream.

And now reports are emerging that the Serena Conference Centre-based Nation TV might lose eight employees; cameraman Peter Sserwanga, Miles Rwamiti, Moses Mulondo, Raymond Walusimbi and Maurice Ochol are reportedly all out for a ‘disappearing act’.

According to a source, speaking on condition of anonymity, Sserwanga has reportedly found himself a Ugandan lady based in the US, and is willing to settle there with her. Little is known as to what will happen to his wife and child back home.

As for Miles Rwamiti, he has reportedly been around aged white ladies throughout his one week stay in Obamaland, and it is believed he has left no stone unturned as he hunts for a way to see he doesn’t return to Kampala’s dusty roads.

For Mulondo and Walusimbi, they reportedly used the trip to tour some of the biggest shops in Boston and New York. Indeed, according to the source, the two are now window-shopping despite Mulondo initially trying to buy a few clothes.

SHOPPING? Moses Mulondo in a clothes' store, looking out for apparel to 'buy'.
SHOPPING? Moses Mulondo in a clothes’ store, looking out for apparel to ‘buy’.

“He had picked a few T-shirts from the shelves but on presenting them at the counter, he realised they were not as cheap as he had thought. He took them back to the shelves and has since stuck to window-shopping,” the source said.

As for Ochol, the source said, he has stuck by the over 50 Ugandan MPs who travelled for the UNAA event, tight-marking them from his arrival that side to date. And if he were to get ‘bread’ from every MP as has been doing, he is likely to quit work for he would be having “enough money to start up a reasonable investment,” the source said.

So, according to the source, it is only Ochol who might return to Uganda.

I AM ALSO HERE: Sheilah gashumba in the US
I AM ALSO HERE: Sheilah Gashumba in the US

Meanwhile, another NTV staff, Sheilah Gashumba is also reportedly still in the US two days after the UNAA convention ended, and little is known about her plans to return following the refusal by her employer to include her on the official NTV list of those who travelled.

 

 

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‘Police tormentors’ of Besigye supporters have case to answer, police says

By
Hussein Musisi
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TO DEFEND SELF: Ex Wandegeya DPC, Moses Nanoka appearing before the Police Disciplinary Court.

After a series of pre-trial sessions held at the police disciplinary court at Naguru, all the nine police officers and one ‘crime preventer’ accused of beating up supporters of Dr Kizza Besigye have a case to answer, the police court has declared.

The suspects were sent to the police disciplinary court at the intervention of police boss General Kale Kayihura, following allegations that they conducted themselves in an unprofessional manner while on duty during processions by supporters of key opposition figure Dr Besigye, after he was released from Luzira following a two-month incarceration on charges of treason.

ORDERED PROSECUTION: IGP General Kale Kayihura
ORDERED PROSECUTION: IGP General Kale Kayihura (foreground).

At first Gen Kayihura had praised his officers for ‘a job well executed’ but then turned around and ordered their prosecution after watching footage about the fracas that took place along the Entebbe and Kasangati roads on two consecutive days that followed Dr Besigye’s release on bail by Nakawa High Court Judge Masalu Musene.

The officers were then charged with use of excessive force while conducting their duties before court presided over by Senior Commissioner of Police (SCP) Dennis Odongpiny.

The officers, Senior Superintendents of Police (SSP) Samuel Bamuzibire and Andrew Kaggwa, Superintendent of Police (SP) Moses Nanoka, and Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Patrick Muhumuza were jointly on a holding charge of ‘neglect of duty’, contrary Section 44 Subsection 1 code 19A of the Police Act. The four also face two other charges of unlawful/unnecessary conduct of authority and discreditable/irregular conduct with Police Constables Robert Wanzaala, Willy Kalyango, Sula Kato, Deneth Muhangi, Moses Agaba and crime preventer Dan Tandeka.

According to prosecution, the extra charges are contrary to Section 44 of the Police Act, subsection 1 code 24b and subsection 1 code 12, respectively.

Of the 10 police officers facing trial, only SP Nanoka and PC Wanzala were ready to begin their defence while the rest asked for time to prepare their defence by Wednesday, September 14.

And when he took to the stand, Mr Nanoka said he did not see any of his officers beating up the civilians because he was preoccupied with other responsibilities. Nanoka also denied taking part in any form of assault, and said he would produce two witnesses to testify in his defense.

As for PC Wanzaala, he told court that he only held a cane which he used to scare away people near the patrol pickup on which he was deployed.

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South Sudan deposits ratification instruments with EAC SG

By
Agencies
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Chair of the EAC Council of Ministers, Amb. Dr. Augustine Mahiga receives document of instrument of ratification from H. E. Hon. Aggrey Tisa SabunI

Just days after ratifying the Accession to the Treaty for the Establishment of the East African Community, South Sudan has today deposited the qualified instrument of ratification to the Secretary General Ambassador Liberat Mfumukeko at the EAC Headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania.

The depositing of the instrument with the EAC Secretary General means South Sudan is now a new family member of the bloc with full and equal rights, obligations and privileges.

Secretary General of the East African Community (EAC) Amb. Liberat Mfumukeko displays document of instrument of ratification from S.Sudan
Secretary General of the East African Community (EAC) Amb. Liberat Mfumukeko displays document of instrument of ratification from S.Sudan

‘’I would, therefore, like to seize this opportunity to commend President Salva Kiir, the Government and the entire people of the Republic of South Sudan for their tireless efforts and commitment that enabled them to achieve this important milestone,” the Secretary General said at a brief ceremony attended by the Chair of the EAC Council of Ministers and Tanzania’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation, Amb Dr Augustine Mahiga.

A group photo opportunity, delegation from South Sudan, EAC Partners States Ministers, EAC Executives and other officials
A group photo opportunity, delegation from South Sudan, EAC Partners States Ministers, EAC Executives and other officials

Others present included Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of East African Community, Labour and Social Protection, Phyllis Kandie; Burundi’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Alain Aime Nyamitwe, and the one in the Office of the President responsible for EAC Affairs, Hon. Leontine Nzeyimana; Permanent Secretaries/ Principal Secretaries from Partner States, EAC Deputy Secretaries Generals, Counsel to the Community and members of media.

Those who represented South Sudan included Secretary General, South Sudan EAC Secretariat, Mou Mou Athian Kuol, South Sudan Ambassador to Tanzania, Mariano Deng Ngor, Director of East African Community, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Amb. Agnes Oswaha and Legal Counsel, Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, South Sudan, Lawrence Loro Kamilo.

Presidential Envoy of the Republic of South Sudan, H. E. Hon. Aggrey Tisa SabunI having chat with Amb. Liberat Mfumukeko. All photo courtesy of EAC.
Presidential Envoy of the Republic of South Sudan, H. E. Hon. Aggrey Tisa SabunI having chat with Amb. Liberat Mfumukeko. All photo courtesy of EAC.

Amb. Mfumukeko disclosed  that now that South Sudan have taken a step further, the Secretariat will seek guidance from the Council of Ministers on developing a detailed roadmap for integrating the war-ravaged country into the ongoing EAC projects and programmes.

“We shall be informing the Leardership in Juba of every step we shall be taking in this regard”.

The EAC Chief called upon the media to fully participate in integrating the Republic of South Sudan in the EAC by reporting objectively on the issues at hand.

He said EAC attaches great importance to the role of the Media in promoting awareness, discourse and involvement of the broad range of stakeholders in the East African regional integration process.

On his part, the Presidential Envoy of South Sudan Aggrey Tisa Sabuni, said membership in EAC means that the country will never be the same again.

“The EAC integration process is important for South Sudan. Currently, the EAC is the most advanced Regional bloc on the African continent,” Mr Sabuni said, adding: “deep regional integration programmes that South Sudan shall soon undertake are likely to enhance overall EAC competitiveness which will lead to higher economic growth, employment creation and poverty reduction”.

South Sudan applied to join the EAC on June 10, 2011, and was admitted to the bloc on March March 2 this year during the 17th Ordinary Summit of the EAC Heads of State.

 

 

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SGR to cost US$20bn in EAC region

By
Peter Etiang
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TAKING SHAPE: The Kenya section of Standard Gauge Railway (SGR). Photo credit/http://constructionreviewonline.com

The construction of the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) in the East African Community (EAC) region will cost the participating countries US$20 billion, the SGR Director Derrick Lichti, has said.

Mr Lichti made the revelation during a media interview in Kigali, Rwanda, where he is attending the Global African investment Summit (GAIS) that focused among other issues industrialization, trade and Infrastructure development.

The SGR is a component of the East African Railway Master Plan that aims at rejuvenating the obsolete railway system in the EAC and Horn of Africa countries of Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan and Ethiopia.

In Uganda, the SGR construction contract worth US$8 billion (approx.Ughs20 trillion) was awarded to the Chinese firm, the China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) in August 2014. And, in March last year the government rededicated itself to the construction of SGR, sealing the CHEC deal to also construct the Malaba-Kampala and Kampala-Katuna sections of the railway line.

Other sections of the SGR in Uganda include Kampala-Kasese and Kampala-Nimule, at the border with South Sudan.

 

 

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