A recent operation between URA and Interpol successfully recovered stolen vehicles from the United Kingdom in Uganda.
The teams, on July 23, 2024, upon receiving intelligence from the non-intrusive inspection team, verified a container that had the two Toyota RAV4s 2020 models, which they found had fabricated chassis numbers attached.
According to Moses Wanjalo, the former Head of the Joint Port Control Unit, the vehicles are being held in the DAKS Courier’s Bond, Mukono, as investigations into the matter continue to apprehend the suspects.
“We received intelligence reports about a container originating from the Port of London Gateway, destined for Kampala. Once the container landed, we swung into action in collaboration with Interpol and found two motor vehicles with fabricated chassis numbers placed on top of the originals,” Wanjalo said.
He noted that the vehicles had been shipped using false log books.
Interpol Officer SCP Joseph Obwona explained that the origin of the stolen vehicles was ascertained through digital checks.
“We searched into the INTERPOL i24/7 Data System of reported stolen motor vehicles and found the original chassis numbers of the two vehicles that had been reported stolen in the UK,” Obwona explained.
He noted that the joint operation demonstrates the effectiveness of collaboration between national authorities and international organizations in combating vehicle-related crime and ensuring public safety.
“Uganda is haven for stolen cars” was a headline in The Observer in November 2021. According to the reporter, Uganda was the biggest destination of choice for many stolen high-value sports utility vehicles, mostly from Europe.
According to a BBC report, “hundreds of thousands of cars are brought in and out of Southampton docks every year, and police say stolen vehicles being shipped out for sale in Africa is a major problem for the UK.”
Wanjalo highlighted that illegal activities such as importing stolen motor vehicles into Uganda spoil the image of the country.
The Commercial Division of the High Court Judge Thomas Ocaya has confirmed that Haruna Kalule Muwanga, the son to fallen city tycoon Ibrahim Muwanga Kibirige (BMK) breached the Shs1.4 billion agreement he entered with Youth and Children Affairs Minister Balaam Barugahara.
According to the judgment, around July 2021, Muwanga approached Balaam for a financial support of Shs1.4 billion and he accepted because of the long relationship he had with the deceased’s father.
When they signed an agreement, Balaam first advanced Shs1 billion on July 29, 2021 to Muwanga’s bank account No. 01363044169240 in Dfcu bank.
On July 30, 2021, he added the balance totaling to the agreed amount. Muwanga was supposed to return the money given to him in the period of six months.
Balaam told the Court that Muwanga who is one of the BMK empire directors gave him cheques which bounced and later pleaded with Balaam to accept cash payments.
He started by giving him Shs400 million and on March 11, 2022 yet he was supposed to pay him Shs1billion. The remaining balance was supposed to be cleared on July 11, 2022.
When he refused to pay back, Balaam decided to file a case against Muwanga and ran into hiding which forced the petitioner to serve him through substituted service through the New Vision paper.
Even though Muwanga was served through a substituted service, he didn’t file his defense and the matter was determined without his defense.
“The plaintiff has shown that he is a businessman involved in the business of radio, marketing, event management and a series of businesses, and by the defendant not paying, he has deprived him of using his money to invest in his businesses,” the judge noted.
The judge noted that Balaam is entitled to recover his money from Muwanga and should charge an interest rate of 6% from the date of filing the case until the judgment.
Balaam was also awarded with general damages and Muwanga was ordered to meet the costs of the suit.
The judgment comes at the time when banks and other financial institutions are threatening to attach BMK properties including his multibillion matrimonial home in Naguru.
All isn’t well at one of the country’s investigative agencies as allegations that officials from a certain ministry offered a bribe of Shs180 million to the officers to fabricate evidence against senior official currently on remand at Luzira prison.
It is said that the ongoing saga that has involved the members of the legislature has seen money exchange hands so as to make sure the said official is implicated in the ongoing corruption saga.
Recently investigators from this agency tried to lure the leaders from one the top religious sects in the country to pin the jailed official when the trial starts. However, these religious leaders rejected the ploy
Some Opposition Members of Parliament (MPs) have distanced themselves from the Regional Parliamentary sittings organized by Parliament, describing the Shs20 billion budgeted for these sittings as wastage of taxpayers’ money, given that each sitting is expected to cost around Shs5 billion.
The revelation was made by Joel Ssenyonyi, Leader of Opposition, during a press briefing at Parliament, where he accused the top leadership of Parliament of committing taxpayers’ money in a process whose concept he says doesn’t make both logical and financial sense to Ugandans, given the challenges the country is currently grappling with.
“We understand that about Shs5 billion is going to be spent on each of these sittings, not all of them, each of these sittings. The first one being in Gulu, then there will be another in Mbarara, then another in Mbale and one of the Central Uganda districts. This expenditure is difficult for us to explain to the public and the people we represent. It is total wastage, so we are saying, for this which doesn’t make logical, financial sense, it is a problem we don’t want to be part of,” said
The Leader of Opposition warned that the continued involvement of Parliament in activities that are wastage of taxpayers’ money will attract more anger from the public that is already disgruntled with the corruption and abuse of office currently happening at Parliament.
“The general public has been bashing Parliament and rightly so, because they have been hearing of the grand theft that has been happening in this institution, in different offices, beginning with the top office in this institution, and then you come out and do such a thing which isn’t explainable at all, it doesn’t make sense,” said
Ssenyonyi also wondered why these funds aren’t available to the Committees to carry out their oversight roles, which would see them go to the Communities to listen to people’s concerns, and have a report written and debated by Parliament.
“That is why you hear some sections of the public saying that maybe this is another ploy to account for money that is being stolen. Our (Opposition) participation is difficult to justify. We have Committees of Parliament and these Committees go and work on behalf of Parliament, why don’t we empower committees? Many times, committees complain that they aren’t able to go out to the field. Why don’t we empower committees as opposed to doing it this way,” noted Ssenyonyi?
“Medical interns are protesting because they aren’t being deployed, only a small group and the Ministry of Health is saying, the reason we aren’t deploying is because we don’t have resources. Give us more money and we shall deploy all of them. Police officers are saying, we were promised a pay rise, but they are saying we have been duped and they are only getting a small fraction of that which was promised and where is the other money that was promised to us? Will the public understand us when we are spending Shs5Bn to go to Gulu, Mbale, Mbarara and the Central Region? They will not understand because it doesn’t make sense at all. It is a waste,” Ssenyonyi remarked.
“There might be some people who might be excited that all MPs have come to meet in their area, but beyond the excitement, then what? Aren’t we able to sit here and deliberate on issues that are of concern to Northern, Eastern, Western and Central Uganda, and then push through to make sure those matters are addressed? And that is why we don’t want to be part of this unexplainable process, which is very clear wastage and not justifiable at all. So, it doesn’t make sense for you to say, you are going to transport the entire Parliament and then spend a lot of money, which money could do several things,” added
Uganda’s best athletes, Joshua Cheptegei and Jacob Kiplimo have withdrawn from the 5,000 metre men’s Olympics race following exhaustion from the recently concluded 10,000 metre race due to take place tomorrow.
The duo’s withdrawal was confirmed by the Minister of State for Education and Sports, Peter Ogwang, having been informed by the Uganda Athletes Federation.
“We have been informed by the technical team of Uganda Athletics Federation Uganda Athletics Federation that due to exhaustion of the athletes following the 10,000m race, both Joshua Cheptegei and Jacob Kiplimo have been regrettably withdrawn from the 5,000m race,” Minister Ogwang revealed.
Ogwang said that the ministry respects their decision because the physical and mental health of athletes is paramount.
Uganda will be represented by only Oscar Chelimo, the 2022 World Athletics Championships Bronze medalist.
“Let us put all our support on Oscar Chelimo who will participate in the 5,000m race tomorrow, Wednesday. We wish Cheptegei and Kiplimo a full and quick recovery and wish the rest of Team Uganda the best of luck in the remaining events,” Ogwang said.
Last Friday Joshua Cheptegei broke a record and won the gold medal of 10,000 metre race and is the first-ever Ugandan to win this competition twice with a gold crown.
“We regret to inform the public that Joshua Cheptegei and Jacob Kiplimo have withdrawn from tomorrow’s 5,000m semi-finals due to recovery from the demanding 10,000m race. Their bodies need more time to recover. Consequently, Oscar Chelimo will represent us alone,” Uganda Athletes Federation announced.
Late BoU-Governor Emmanuel Mutebile with-Twinemanzi-Tumubweine the Executive Director Supervision who has been removed from his docket.
The Deputy Governor Bank of Uganda (BoU), Michael Atingi-Ego, recently made changes in the top management of the institution, although the changes were made to silence those who wanted to stick to the work principles of the late Governor Emmanuel Tumusiime-Mutebile who at the time of his death was not in good terms with his then retired deputy Dr Louise Kasekende whose name was so prominent in the irregular closure of some of the commercial banks in Uganda, leading to public outcry.
One of the senior staff changes that have shocked staff in the central bank is the elevation of David Kalyango, who has been the Executive Director of Finance to Executive Director Supervision, replacing Dr Twinemanzi Tumubwine. Twinemanzi, who replaced Justine Bagyenda in 2018, was transferred to serve as Executive Director, National Payments Systems.
“Following the Board approval of the new Organization Structure on 07 May 2024, and in consideration of the skills, qualifications, competencies and experience, this is to inform you that with effect from 06 August 2024, Heads of Directorate and Department at the rank of Executive Director and Director respectively have been deployed,” said Atingi-Ego in a staff memo on Monday, August 5, 2024.
Mackay Aomu, who previously served as Director in charge of National Payments Systems has been moved to head the supervision arm of non-bank financial institutions.
Dr Jacob Opolot, who has been holding the position of Executive Director and Economic Advisor to the Governor, has been appointed head of operations which runs the currency docket.
There is concern that all those elevated to new positions are friends of Michael Atingi-Ego who has been fighting Twinemanzi Tumubwine. Insiders say Twinemanzi Tumubwine, who had been number three at BoU has done a good job since he came in, ensuring that the country’s banking industry is stable. There was no good reason to demote him.
Others say Jacob Opolot is not fit to hold the new position of head of operations (currency centre) but because the current deputy governor wants to frustrate those he does not like, such changes have to happen.
There is concern that Atingi-Ego is a friend to Kasekende, and with his inner circle, he wants to tame those who still revere Tumusiime-Mutebile, yet hard working.
Phillip Wabulya, who has been the Executive Director Petroleum Investment Fund and Chairman contracts committee, will head Risk and Strategy at the central bank.
Background
In 2023, BoU staff resisted plans to restructure the central bank, saying the move targeted officials who were loyal to late Governor Emmanuel-Tumusiime Mutebile.
The staff argued that the restructuring process also sought to reward those loyal to current Deputy Governor Dr Michael Atingi-Ego.
However, the Central Bank has defended the new structure, saying it was being implemented following a review by a consultant, KMPG and that it had even been suggested by the deceased governor.
“BoU acknowledges that implementing comprehensive structural changes to achieve ambitious goals may present challenges in structural adjustments and their impact on individual staff,” said BoU then.
President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has revealed that he will be meeting cultural leaders in Uganda in September this year.
The President says that the meeting will focus on sharing the National Resistance Movement (NRM) government’s vision with the cultural leaders.
“We have been active from the 1960s. We started as a student movement and then we became a fighting force because of our internal politics here. We later became a political movement but we have got very strong views which we would like to share with the traditional people so that we don’t clash because for us we are very firm. We cannot change,” he said.
President Museveni made the remarks yesterday, Monday August 16, while meeting a group of cultural leaders in Africa led by the Umukuka III of the Bamasaba Cultural Institution, His Highness, Jude Mike Mudoma at State House, Entebbe.
During the meeting, the President implored the cultural leaders to sensitize their people to create wealth and uplift their livelihoods.
He said as a government, they have always advocated for prosperity among Ugandans.
“Our starting point is a question. Do you want prosperity in Africa or not? If you say you do, then the question is how will it be achieved? Can it be achieved by begging Europeans? If begging was the solution, Africa by now would be rich because they have been begging for the last 70 years almost. Begging has not worked that is why you see crises everywhere in Africa which means that the issue of prosperity is yet to be addressed,” he said.
“Our view is that prosperity will come from each adult person producing a good or participating in producing a good or a service and selling it sustainably and getting money; that money will help me get rich and solve my problems.”
President Museveni further explained that prosperity will come from wealth creation that is why the government spends money (Parish Development Model) to villages to create wealth for every homestead.
“If you say that is the way to get prosperity, then the next question is who will buy what you produce? Our analysis, like me I’m from a tribe that keeps cows.
From the cows, I get milk and beef and I sell them. When I sell them, I get money which I use to build a better house and solve my problems. We also produce bananas in my tribe. But the problem I have is that people in my tribe don’t buy from me because they produce the same products like me,” he noted.
“The ones who buy bananas and my milk and beef are the other tribes in Uganda because they are the ones who don’t have what we have. They also have something that we don’t have. You find that Uganda is the one which helps my tribe to be prosperous because they buy what my tribe doesn’t buy. That is why we tell our people that the tribe is important but love Uganda-Patriotism. Why? Because you need it for your prosperity.”
He further noted that when people produce more, they will realise that the local market is not enough, thus the need for the African market.
“That is why we tell our people that we also need Africa to get a market for our surplus goods. That is why our principle number two is Pan-Africanism,” he asserted.
“Socio-economic transformation is also crucial. Our people must change. They must become modern. They can’t continue being where they were before.”
President Museveni also cautioned the leaders against bad politics of dividing people based on tribes, saying that it hinders development.
On his part, the Umukuka expressed gratitude to President Museveni for the unwavering support towards Bugisu sub region.
“I thank you for gracing my inaugural ceremony with your presence through Her Excellency, the Vice President of the Republic of Uganda who ably represented you and for your support during the burial of the late Emeritus Wamimbi when you directed that he be granted an official burial and my recent imbalu cultural festival launch which took place on August 3, 2024 in Mbale city,” he said.
“The success of the Imbalu cultural festival launch was largely due to the support received from the government and particularly from you, Your Excellency. We greatly appreciate your continued steering of this great nation to higher heights through your visionary leadership.”
The Umukuka also thanked President Museveni for developing the country through various initiatives like the Parish Development Model (PDM).
“As a leader of Bugisu Sub region which is my area of jurisdiction, I’m thrilled to report that we have received over Shs100 billion in just one year alone. This has never happened in my lifetime, this is a tremendous achievement and we are forever grateful for your visionary leadership in implementing this transformative program,” he said.
“The PDM has brought unprecedented development and empowerment in our communities, and we are witnessing tangible impact on the lives of our people.”
He further pledged that as Bamasaba cultural Institution, they will continue working tirelessly to ensure the success of PDM and other government programs to build a brighter future for Ugandans.
On the other hand, the Umukuka commended President Museveni for fostering cultural institutions in Uganda through an enabling law.
“Your leadership and vision for a united Africa are truly inspiring; we are committed to walking this path with you using our culture and heritage as a foundation for our collective progress.”
His Royal Highness, Torgbui Amenya Fiti V, the President of the Forum of Kings, Queens and Traditional Leaders in Africa, also Paramount Chief of Aflao Traditional Area-Ghana, thanked President Museveni for his spirit of Pan-Africanism and solidarity.
The Minister of State for Trade, Wilson Mbadi, has reaffirmed his support for the decentralisation of Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) services, aimed at reducing the cost of doing business for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).
During his visit to the UNBS Northern region office in Gulu city and the One Stop Border Post (OSBP) in Elegu, Minister Mbadi acknowledged the challenges faced by UNBS, including limited financial and human resources. He assured UNBS Executive Director, Eng. James Kasigwa, of his commitment to increasing funding and staffing to enhance service delivery and revenue generation.
“I applaud UNBS for the work done using the meagre resources, and I commit to support the increase of UNBS funding and staffing to strengthen the decentralisation of UNBS services,” Minister Mbadi said.
Minister Mbadi emphasized the need for UNBS regional offices and presence in all ten Agro ecological zones and industrial parks to support quality production and fast-track certification of MSMEs.
“We need to have UNBS regional offices and presence in all the ten Agro ecological zones and all planned industrial parks in the country to support production of quality products and fast track certification of MSMEs,” he added.
UNBS has made significant strides, certifying over 5,000 products and 1,600 MSMEs in the financial year 2023/2024.
Eng. Kasigwa noted that UNBS is operating at limited capacity, affecting service delivery and revenue generation. “We request for the Minister’s support in terms of increased funding and staffing for UNBS to support the government’s priority of export promotion, import substitution and industrial growth,” he said.
The Youth league of the Patriotic League of Uganda, a non-partisan civic organization that was formed by Patriotic Ugandans have demanded President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni to peacefully hand over the presidency seat to his son, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba.
“As a substantial number of Ugandans both old and young, pro and against NRM and civil society, have been advocating for a peaceful transition/transfer of power to the next leader and stability. As Patriots, we too support this position and appeal to President Museveni to seriously consider handing over power to another elected Person in 2026,” the youth said.
From their side therefore as young patriots, the preferred Candidate for 2026 is General Muhoozi Kainerugaba.
“While in Nebbi on Saturday President Museveni clearly stated that it’s not wise for NRM leaders to impose candidates on the people but the People choose those they prefer to lead them among themselves,” reminded President Museveni.
The youth noted that Muhoozi has been a target of many forces over the years and they have unfairly maligned him. The youths have carefully observed his tolerance, humility and his dedication to fighting for Uganda.
“He could have chosen to do business because he was not short of startup capital. He could have chosen to ride on the political influence of the Father to easily be elected and rise in political ranks quickly. He could have also chosen to be a strong power centre that runs and influences the entire government machinery. “He did not choose any of the above”. He chose to go and roll himself in the mud, endure months, and years of training in pursuit of the soldiering profession,” the youths commended Muhoozi’s commitment.
The youths added that Muhoozi’s record of engagement in combat operations/ Warfare in the jungles of Galamba, Semuliki, Northern Uganda and the low-lands of Teso to fully pacify the country is known to all and sundry. His role in inspiring many young graduates to join the UPDF and turn it into an elite force is equally known.
“We do not, therefore, support him for President because of just being merely the son of the President we support him as a man of record and performance,” they said.
PLU believes that Muhoozi is the right candidate to rid Uganda of all impunity and Corruption and will also be a uniting factor for all the political actors and their outfits and dismantle the intrigue currently prevailing in government and political parties, which is all driven by greed.
“We therefore appeal to the President to consider retiring Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba from the UPDF and allow him to freely interact with Ugandans for political consultations,” the youths appealed.
The youths acknowledged and saluted His Excellency Museveni’s fundamental leadership of turning Uganda from being a failed state to a functional state.
The youths noted that Uganda changed from being a raw material based economy and with deficient supplies of essential commodities to now a booming manufacturing economy with not only enough supply of essential commodities but also a surplus for exports to regional and international markets.
Museveni turned the UPDF into a National and pro-people Army that has helped to build a strong foundation for growing the economy that has now propelled Uganda to a middle-income status.
“We also thank the President for building the most diverse political base that created the largest democracy on the continent. Ugandans elect their leaders from the village level to the Presidential level all through adult suffrage. Indeed this model has been benchmarked by many developing countries on the continent,” they added.
Kira Municipality MP Ssemujju Nganda, Kampala Deputy Lord Mayor Doreen Nyanjura, Harold Kaija, Ingrid Turinawe, and other officials from the Forum for Democractic Change (FDC) Katonga faction have been arrested.
The group was attempting to march to the Kenya High Commission in protest against the 36 nabbed and deported supporters of from Kenya.
The 36 supporters were last month arraigned before Nakawa Chief Magistrate’s court and charged with terrorism.
The three dozen were arrested in Kenya and handed over to Ugandan authorities by Kenyan security last week. The group is alleged to have been engaged in covert activities suspected to be subversive to Kenyan security forces.
The prosecution alleged that on the 22nd and 23rd of July 2024, the 36 traveled to Kisumu, Kenya, to receive terrorism training. They have been remanded till August 13th.
According to Dr. Kizza Besigye, on July 23rd, 36 of our (FDC) colleagues traveled to Kisumu for a week-long leadership workshop. They were allegedly cleared by Ugandan immigration and security.
He said a few hours later (during the night), their residences at Ukweri Catholic Pastoral Centre, Kisumu, were violently attacked, doors broken, and all brutally arrested. This was by a combination of Ugandan security officers and the Kenyan military.
Their properties were confiscated, including computers and phones. They were tortured and several were injured during and after arrest. They were driven that night back to Uganda—this time without going through Kenyan or Ugandan immigration.
“They were detained in “safe houses” of Uganda’s External Security Organisation (ESO) until they were brought to Kololo grounds to be paraded before the media as having been handed over by the Kenyan government for engaging in suspicious circumstances,” he said.
