The Democratic Party national treasurer and former Member of Parliament for Kyadondo South now part of Makindye-Ssabagabo Municipality Issa Kikungwe has lost his wife.Kikungwe also stood in the 2016 general elections as a DP flag bearer for Lord Mayor but came third in the race that saw Erias Lukwago emerge as the winner. Details to follow up soon.
Technology was made to help ease most of our day to day activities and even if there exist a number of cons to using it, it’s very important to appreciate the good that has come with it.
A Mobile wallet can be easily defined as; apps or functions that have payment functionalities. Most wallets right now incorporate mobile money and online payments such as credit/ debit cards.
For example; in Uganda, you can pay for your bills using Mobile money and transfer funds off of your bank account to your mobile without leaving your couch.
So why do you need a mobile wallet during your travels?
What is Distance
Not every place you travel to is going to be a big city and yet every destination necessitates you to spend a certain amount of money at some point. Meaning you will have to carry money on you all the time, but with mobile wallets you money woes can be easily fixed by a click on an app and everything will be back to smooth sailing as you enjoy your vacation with no worries.
Bulky Cash Problems
Traveling can become hectic especially when you are carrying huge sums of money that you have to declare to the authorities as to avoid suspicion and legal woes. You want to spend the money but carrying it is an issue yet you can easily access all your finances with a few apps on your phone or maybe send it via mobile money which easily sorts everything out without having to be stopped for carrying huge sums of money.
ATM Issues
Sometimes even banks have internal glitches that affect their ATM systems and this means that you will not be able to access your accounts for a certain amount of time yet, what you want to do does not need to wait that long. Your mobile wallet gives you access to all your funds at all times including late hours when the banks are closed but you need to make transactions.
Payments Made Easy
It goes without saying that no one wants to line up in a bank every month to make payments for the necessary bills, hotel payments, flight booking and several others anymore. Having a mobile wallet enables you to easily complete all your pending payments without going to a bank or customer care centre especially when you are very far from home.
Loans and Savings
In Uganda recently, MTN Uganda a leading telecom in the country started a new service that enables its customers get mobile money loans easily as long as they are registered. As an avid traveler, there are situations where you will find yourself of a quick loan especially when you are a little far to collect the necessary documents. Having such a services eases your mind especially when you have taken some much needed time off. As well as borrow loan from your mobile wallet you can use it save money on the side for more of your upcoming adventure.
Customer Assistance
There are so many banks that are embracing after services for their online customer, this means that even when you are not near their customer care centre; you can still reach out for assistance on their social media or chat with their service assistants on their websites for further help.
Evelyn Masaba is the Public Relations Manager at Jumia Travel Uganda an online hotel booking service with offices in Kampala (Uganda) Lagos (Nigeria), Nairobi (Kenya) and Dakar (Senegal)
President Uhuru Kenyatta says the Jubilee Party is set to be launched during a two-day national convention set for September 9 and 10.
Speaking during a press briefing at State House Nairobi, the Head of State indicated that constituent parties will hold their National Delegates Congress (NDCs) the previous day at the Bomas of Kenya to ratify their merger with the Jubilee Party.
He announced the merger of 12 parties, nine of which have already issued their notices to the Registrar of Political Parties. It should be noted that this comes as the nation is getting ready for 2017 presidential polls and amidst riots by the main opposition party, the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) led by Raila Odinga that seeks for reforms at the electoral commission of the country with a move to have the whole commission reshuffled claiming that the elections next year will not be free and fair with the current members in the commission.
“The parties shall formalise their resolutions to dissolve and forthwith join the Jubilee Party. Thereafter, I as party leader together with the Deputy President who is the deputy party leader shall preside together over the inaugural jubilee national convention on the 9th and 10th of September 2016 where the new grand national movement will be unveiled,” he stated.
The notices are signed by Secretary Generals of respective parties who confirmed that all the procedures have been followed and completed to pave way for the formal merger. President Kenyatta also reiterated that there will be no preferred candidates during the polls and stated that each contender will have to be elected democratically.
“We stand firmly that the success of our party must be based on the party membership, on the mwananchi deciding for themselves who shall represent them in the various positions that will be available in the next general elections,” he said.
The Head of State further indicated that party nominations will be carried out by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission to ensure transparency and fairness in the process.
“The Jubilee Alliance has proposed in accordance with article 88 (4) of the Kenya Constitution that party nominations be carried out by the IEBC to guarantee transparency and fairness ion the nomination process. We hope that all political parties will support this initiative,” he stated.
However the opposition leader Raila Odinga warned that the merger would take the country back to a single party system.
Lord mayor Erias Lukwago has today survived lynching by a group of people who claimed they were supporters of police Chief General Kale Kayihura.
Kayihura, who was supposed to appear before the Makindye Magistrate’s court to answer to charges of failing to supervise his subordinates who were linked to beating opposition kingpin Dr Kizza Besigye’s supporters, failed to turn up for the hearing but his supporters made up for his absence, in style.
Carrying placards praising the IGP, the group that included boda boda cyclists and other holoi poloi, descended on Lord Mayor Lukwago, who was in the company of his confidant, Makindye West MP Allan Sewanyana, threatening to beat the lights out of the duo. It took the intervention of newly-deployed Kampala Metropolitan Commander Frank Mwesigwa to instruct his men to save the two, who were then rescued ‘commando style’, escaping from the charged crowd in a double cabin truck escorted by a police patrol vehicle that speedily left the court precincts.
Earlier, there was drama when the same people threatened to beat up those they suspected of being anti-Kayihura, including city lawyer Abdullah Kiwanuka of Lukwago and Company Advocates who, together with 19 other lawyers, pressed the police brutality charges against Kayihura.
It should be recalled that counsel Kiwanuka was once a victim of police brutality when in November 2013, police roughed him up at the City Hall and tore his shirt as he tried to deliver a High Court injunction issued by Justice Yasin Nyanzi to then KCCA councilor Allan Sewanyana, to stop the impeachment proceedings against then Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago.
Meanwhile, the proceedings against Gen Kayihura were adjourned to August 29, after the Makindye Magistrate Richard Mafabi advised the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to formally write to court, seeking to take over the prosecution of the IGP.
Jimmy Michael Akena, the leader of one of the Uganda Peoples Congress (UPC) factions has today absolved the Uganda government of allegations of land grabbing, made by a number of politicians on different media platforms.
Speaking at a press briefing at the UPC headquarters at Uganda House, Akena, husband of Lands, Housing and Urban Development Minister Betty Amongi, was responding allegations that directly fall under his wife’s ministry; which has since moved a motion in Parliament to have the land laws amended.
Akena, who was accompanied by Kole Member of Parliament Fred Ebil Ebil, said those who claim to own land do not have the proper documentation to show ownership, adding that most are speculators focusing on huge compensations after getting to know about government projects in the offing.
He further noted only 15 per cent of Ugandans carried land titles, adding that this has had an adverse impact on matters of compensation as well as on the general economy of Uganda.
“The moneys got to carry out these projects are in most cases loans given out to the government and it is expected to pay back with interests whether the work is carried out or not. So the delay of these projects as the people ask for compensations is a hindrance to the country’s development economically, politically and socially since the money that would be put in other sectors is then used to clear the interest that the government will have incurred after acquisition of the loan,” Mr Akena said.
And, weighing in on the provision for compulsory acquisition of land by government, Mr Akena cited the Land Acquisition Act of 1965 put in place by the UPC government under the leadership of his father Apollo Milton Obote, and said that government can take compulsory possession of land, if necessary.
“The public has an obligation to pave way for the government to acquire the land smoothly since it is for the good of the whole nation; there is also need for the government to speed up the process of documentation to show clear ownership of land so that the government knows who and how to compensate the rightful owners of the land,” Mr Akena noted.
Akena, whose wife Amongi, the Oyam Woman MP, heads the lands line ministry, also said the UPC was ready to support a law to address the issue of speculators, saying they are not different from corrupt government officials because they demand for exorbitant amounts of money yet the government does not start work on any public land without complete compensation.
Mr Akena’s remarks sharply contrast the position of another opposition party, the Democratic Party, which has accused government of land grabbing.
Yesterday, while addressing a press conference, the DP youth leader Christopher Okidi accused government of grabbing public land and selling it to investors.
To counter the move, Mr Okidi said the DP had laid out a number of strategies and plans to carry out the campaign, including visiting all the places they say were grabbed by the government.
The administration at Uganda Premier League club SC Vipers’ desperate scramble to fill their empty seats during match days like local soccer giants Express FC has been well documented.
But some commentators were quick to point out that revered comedian Abby Mukiibi Nkaaga’s appointment as Vipers’ Ambassador with the purpose of promoting its brand wasn’t perfect either.
For starters, the state minister for youth and children affairs, Florence Nakiwala Kiyingi’s arrival at Express last month led to the instilling of singer cum activist Bobi Wine as Express brand manager in what was termed as ‘taking the game to the fans’.
Comic Mukiibi certainly has his concentration issues. He seems to be everywhere in showbiz and surfaces in our faces all the time. He has been there; done everything in theatre, radio as well as the big screen, leaving the public exasperated.
Despite being entirely unknown in Uganda’s sports fraternity, Mukiibi is a media guru. As an actor, comedian, radio presenter as well as emcee, he is one of the most recognizable figures in the entertainment industry, an idol to thousands on top of being an inspiration to those that strive to make a name in showbiz.
But after watching thousands of Express fans follow Bobi Wine to Wankulukuku Stadium when the club on July 1st organized a thanksgiving party, Vipers owner Lawrence Mulindwa felt that the turnout for his club’s games next season at a bigger Nakivubo would turn out a whole lot worse – and now his suspicions are being confirmed by Mukiibi’s signing.
It’s undeniable that there has been a colossal drop in attendance between 2012 when the club was still called Bunamwaya and 2016 when it dumped Buikwe for downtown Kampala.
Looks like the reigning Uganda Cup kings’ inaugural executive meeting at Jevine Hotel Wakaliga was the perfect time to make the announcement.
“I want to take this opportunity to announce Abbey Mukiibi as our brand Ambassador. He will be tasked with promoting the club brand and maintaining its image from now on,” said Mulindwa a former Fufa president.
In the same meeting, all new executive members were officially given their contracts with their duties specified .They will be expected to spearhead and fulfil the club’s 6 point program as declared by Mulindwa recently.
Vipers will take on rivals KCCA FC in the Uganda Super Cup this Sunday 14th at Wankulukuku kick off 4:00pm in a bid to defend the honours they won last year against SC Villa 5-3 in penalties after a barren draw.
Police has recovered a stolen car that was destined for the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Writing on his Twitter account, the Police Director of Interpol and International Relations Assistant Inspector General of Police Asan Kasingye asked the owner of the car, a blue Toyota RAV4 Reg No UAL 643G, to contact the Interpol offices on Mabua Road in Kololo, for further details.
He however, did not give details Reports indicate a number of cars are being stolen from innocent Ugandans, most of them special hire drivers.
In June 2015, Interpol Uganda working with its counterparts from 24 other eastern and southern African countries, launched an operation against transnational crimes dubbed ‘Usalama One’, to crack down on among other crimes, motor vehicle theft. In Uganda, seven vehicles were held in the swoop.
In May this year the Commandant of the Police Flying Squad Herbert Muhangi, announced they had impounded stolen 15 vehicles.
In a related development, in March this year the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) handed over 24 posh sports Utility Vehicles (SUVs) and sedans stolen from the United Kingdom and smuggled into Uganda to the British High Commissioner Ms Alison Blackburn.
The SUVs including Range Rovers, Audis, Toyotas and BMWs were estimated at about 1 million Pound Sterling.
He’s probably used to hanging around football stadiums than attending entertainment events.
But former England international Robbie Fowler is among a slew of star guests set to grace next week’s Uganda Entertainment Awards (UEA).
The 41-year-old Liverpool FC legend is expected to jet into the country early next week on invitation from Pemba Sports Africa (PSA), the organisation that’s bankrolling this year’s UEA.
Organizers say Fowler has already confirmed his attendance at the Aug 19 do due to hold at Serena Hotel in Kampala.
It’s the first time the former Leeds United and Manchester City man is visiting Uganda, and we can reveal he will be working on a number of charity projects with PSA and the Sickle Cell Association of Uganda (SCAU).
Fowler is most remembered for his goal scoring prowess in an illustrious career that lasted over two decades in the English premiership. He was also considered one of the richest sportsmen in the world during his heydays.
The Sky Sports commentator will most likely be drawn to the Best Male and Best Female Sports Personality categories at the awards where Denis Onyango and Peace Proscovia are tipped as frontrunners.
A total of 47 awards will be given out at this year’s ceremony with Eddy Kenzo and Sheebah Karungi leading the nomination pack with six and five nods, respectively.
The pair will go neck and neck in Artiste of the Year and Video of the Year categories.
Nigerian songstress Yemi Alade of the Johnny fame, Tanzania’s Ali Kiba and South African TV host Bonang Matheba are some of the other international celebrities expected to grace the red carpet fete.
Matheba will host the red carpet show for E! in the second only African show to be televised by the American TV giant after the South African Saftas in March.
Tickets to the event are selling at Shs 50,000 and Shs 100,000 for ordinary and VIP seats, respectively. Corporate tables go for Shs 3m each. You can now buy your ticket online at jumia.com or easyticket.co.ug as well as Serena Hotel.
The defiance exhibited by supporters of Inspector General of Police, General Kale Kayihura this morning at a Kampala Court is an indicator that the IGP has finally joined the ranks of Dr. Kizza Besigye in pursuit of individual rights.
Gen. Kayihura was supposed to appear before the Makindye Magistrate’s Court to answer criminal summons in relation to the brutal beating of opposition supporters and innocent citizens who had lined up Gayaza-Kasangati road to welcome back Besigye from two months detention at Luzira over treason allegations.
However, Gen. Kayihura didn’t show-up but a statement was made by his supporters when they took-over court, making business at the ever calm court premises nightmarish.
It all started when the men and women invaded court with placards denouncing the prosecution of the police boss, stating that those against the IGP are not after him as an individual but rather want him off the helm of the Uganda Police.
In the usual Ugandan style, had the demonstrations at court been carried out by non-supporters of the IGP (or the regime), it would have been considered ‘defiance and organized outside their mandate’ as the demonstrators didn’t seek police permission to organise, such ‘illegal assemblies’ that are prohibited under the Public Order Management Act (POMA).
Contrary to the known norms, most Ugandans have come to terms with today’s siege by the ‘friends of Mr Kayihura’ at Makindye but at a cost: however much Gen. Kayihura and his juniors keep on condemning the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) kingpin Besigye, all isn’t lost as the General also believes that for someone to be accepted or to have justice, one has to defy the status quo.
With happened in Makindye Court today, it is evident that Kayihura has finally accepted to join Kizza Besigye in the ‘defiance’ campaign if he is to get justice and therefore, those that see defiance as a useless method to advocate for rightfulness have to rethink, since the man who was until yesterday criminalizing defiance, is a Saul turned Paul. It is the written word of the Lord, check Acts 9.
Witnessing the fracas at court today reminds one of the stories of ‘bad regimes’ of Idi Amin and Milton Obote and how bad they were. Nevertheless, one would imagine that Gen. Kayihura, a lawyer, should have used the chance availed to him by court in regard to the allegations brought against him and his juniors, to prove a point that he appears and indeed that indeed the National Resistance Movement (NRM) party fought for the restoration of rule of law and ‘that is why I have appeared before court and subjected myself to the due process of the law’. And had the IGP done so, it would dispel the theories that ‘some people are more equal than others’ and also the trending allegations that indeed the police is a brutal force.
Back to Makindye, the rowdy Boda Boda cyclists reportedly mobilized by a one Abdul Kitata, whose ascendance into the ‘rank and file of police’ is only known to himself, was at it again when he over powered police led Kampala Metropolitan Commander who looked on helpless as the ‘friends of Kayihura’ made it unruly for court business, and for business in the neighboring areas!
The boda boda fellows, who outnumbered the police and who had a clear access to the court, made it rough for traffic flow and other people who were at court but perceived to be anti-Kayihura.
For example they stormed one office and assured lawyers for the plaintiff that they are marked people and would face revenge for having accepted to prosecute ‘their man’, Gen. Kayihura.
“You will leave to regret and we know where you stay and your movements, we will work on you,” one man holding a placard reading ‘Kayihura is hero’ said to Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago and city lawyer Nicholas Opiyo.
However, instead of police intervening to separate the two sides, they instead ordered the lawyers to vacate the courtyard and in the process, the lawyers hit back saying “Takeaway your goons who want to beat us.” Not a rosy affair, if you ask!
Intriguingly, the boda boda guys evoked the name of Jennifer Musisi, asking why no Ugandan had sought the prosecution of the KCCA Executive Director, who they claimed, should also have been prosecuted, ostensibly for the death of two-year old Ryan Semaganda in November 2014 and the wanton beatings of street vendors in the city by KCCA law enforcement officers.
In so doing the boda boda fellows sought to relate Musisi’s ‘failure to supervise her subordinates’ including that of the driver of the KCCA vehicle and the KCCA enforcement officers, to the charges related to police brutality Gen Kayihura is currently facing.
Anyhow, as the situation continued to degenerate, KMP Commander Frank Mwesigwa intervened to calm the situation, promising the rioting ‘friends of Kayihura’ that the plaintiffs’ lawyers would vacate the court premises and that allegations against KCCA Executive Director Jennifer Musisi ‘would be investigated’.
THE JOURNALIST INTERVIEWED THE DEAN OF SCIENCE AND TECH. MAXIMUS BYAMUKAMA
ICT ROLE IN THE JOB MARKET: UNIQUENESS OF VICTORIA UNIVERSITY OFFERING
What are the ICT-related courses offered at Victoria University?
The faculty of science and technology at Victoria University houses 3 courses. The Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, The bachelor’s degree in Information Technology and the degree in Business Information Systems. We also have Ordinary Diplomas in IT and Business Information Systems.
Why should students study these courses from Victoria University and not anywhere else?
Our ICT courses at Victoria University are developed by well refined experts in the field, with a battery of experience both in academia and industry. These courses are IEEE compliant. For example, our Computer Science curriculum is based on the 2013 Curriculum Guidelines for Undergraduate Degree Programs in Computer Science by The Joint Task Force on Computing Curricula, which is part of the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) in the IEEE Computer Society. As such, our students are well placed when searching for employment opportunities in IT-driven organizations and are guaranteed of being considered for graduate studies in the world’s leading universities.
Our courses have also core modules in other crucial areas such as business management, ethics and critical thinking. We groom the whole individual and deliver to the nation a well formed professional and not just a computer expert.
We also have very well qualified staff in the faculty, with international academic exposure and relevant work experience.
How is IT integrated into your education techniques at VU?
Not only do we have a well-stocked computer laboratory with hassle-free internet but also teach using interactive smart boards. All our students have laptops given by the university so it is easy for some lecturers to conduct wireless lectures if need be.
And to make all this easy for all students, we have a compulsory introduction to ICT course in the first semester of first year. All students, regardless of the course they enrolled for, have to study this course. We also encourage lecturers to handle assignments electronically and minimize paperwork.
Are there any IT innovations that VU has developed?
Because we practice what we teach, you will find that some of the software we use at VU to manage organizational processes has been entirely developed in house! For example, our student’s results management system has been entirely developed by us. We want to make it a culture that students’ projects in class relate directly to the needs of the organization and its affiliates, as well as other businesses. That way the university and the student both benefit.
What are the requirements for a student to join your faculty?
If you would like to study computer science, we look for good grades in mathematics or any of the physical sciences at advanced level. For information technology and business information systems, we are open to students who have studied arts at advanced level but we still need good scores in mathematics at O Level. We could also admit you if you have an ordinary level certificate with good grades in a diploma in an ICT related field.
The beauty with applying to VU is that if you meet the minimum requirements, we handle you individually and can even ask you to come in for an interview to assess where we can best place you.
How do you prepare your students for the job market out there?
That is a very good question. We are actually the only university that looks for internship positions for its students while they are still with us. Our faculty, through the university, has MoUs with many institutions where to send our students for internship. Not only do they get real life experience but also make develop networks with people already working in ICT related jobs.
How practical are your courses?
Very practical! In fact, some of our modules are almost 100% practical. This doesn’t mean that theory is not important. It is, since it is the basis for the practical components of our courses. It is irrelevant if it’s not backed up by a hands-on approach. For example, in our computer programming lectures, students always use the lab and study by writing real computer programs. This is also made easy by the fact that our student to computer ratio is, at any one time, one to one (1:1). In our computer networking classes, the VU computer network is used as a case study and students get to see all the components and how they interact.
What new things do you have planned for your faculty?
We have started plans to start some good short courses in the near future including general literacy courses which should prepare people for accredited certifications like ICDL (International Computer Drivers License) and also specific certifications like the Certified Forensic Computer Examiner Program (CFCE). We want our faculty to be a one-stop point not only for students seeking quality education in computing but also for organizations looking to snatch well cultivated and professional IT scholars.
TOP 10 REASONS to Join Victoria University
