Stanbic Bank
Stanbic Bank
19.2 C
Kampala
Stanbic Bank
Stanbic Bank
Home Blog Page 2078

Gen Sejusa aides sentenced to 15 years in Museveni overthrow case

By
Our Reporter
-
Some of Gen Sejusa's aides in the Military Court Martial dock last year

A military judge on Monday sentenced six soldiers, among them two junior officers of the elite Special Forces Command to 15 years in prison, but said the men’s real punishment for plotting to overthrow president Yoweri Museveni’s government was a life sentence.

“The accused persons didn’t only withhold information but went ahead to mobilize fellow soldiers to join the scheme,” Lt Gen Andrew Gutti of the Makindye-based General Court Martial said adding:“They opted not to pass it (information) despite the fact that it was a threat to country’s security.”

The four other suspects worked in various capacities in the Office of the Coordinator of Intelligence Services, formerly headed by renegade General David Sejusa, aka Tinyefuza.

Those convicted of treachery are Lance Corporals Grace Nasasira Rwakyozi, 39, and Geoffrey Mwebaze Karuhanga, 36, attached to SFC’s Task force Battalion and Tank Battalion, respectively while Mr Frank Ninsiima, who was an operative in Tinyefuza’s office, was found guilty of aiding or abetting commission of offence.

Others are James Karuhanga Nayebare, Moses Nuwagaba Kakarugahi and Abel Twinamasiko, aka Rubanuma.

Prosecution told Court that the two SFC soldiers and others still at large, in or around the months of March to May 2013, and while in the areas of Mityana and Kampala, ‘consciously failed to disclose to proper authorities vital information about the recruitment of people to engage into activities intended to overthrow the legitimate government of Uganda’.

The evidence showed that the recruited forces were to contrive a plot to overthrow the government on grounds that they had gathered intelligence information that President Yoweri Museveni had intentions of making his son Maj. Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba the next president of Uganda.

In today’s ruling Lt Gen Gutti observed that he’s seen many cases involving young people who made bad decisions and had to weigh how the punishment would impact on the victim, the defendants and their families.

The prison term Lt Gen Guti handed down was the minimum allowed by law. The soldiers must serve all 15 years which will run concurrently with the period of three years the convicts have already spent on remand.

Seperately, General Sejusa, 61, was on February 2 in military court charged with absence without official leave, participating in partisan political activities and insubordination. He however petitioned the Kampala High Court challenging the trial by the Court Martial, arguing that he was no longer a serving soldier, an argument upheld by court.

Stories Continues after ad

FDC pulls out of IPOD after Museveni- Opposition meet

By
Our Reporter
-

 

The Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) has pulled out of the Inter-party Organisation for Dialogue (IPOD), party spokesperson Semujju Ibrahim Nganda has said.

Speaking at a media briefing held earlier today at FDC headquarters in Najjanankumbi, Mr Semujju Nganda said his party would not participate in any IPOD activities until a Memorandum of Understanding is signed, “reconstituting and defining the roles of all the members.”

Semujju’s remarks come in the wake of President Yoweri Museveni hosting Democratic Party (DP) and Uganda Peoples Congress (UPC) officials at State House Entebbe on July 1. The FDC members did not attend the first Entebbe meeting, with FDC Secretary General Nathan Nandala Mafabi, who was supposed to lead the delegation, delegating DP Secretary General Mathias Nsubuga, to represent him.

Semujju, who is also the Kira Municipality MP, added that the organization (IPOD) was for only parties that have members in the parliament, a position that had to be reviewed since the Conservative Party (CP) and JEEMA were no longer represented in the august house.

“There is need to have all parties as members even those without their members in the parliament since the organization’s main aim was to advocate for political peace and understanding in the country and therefore leaving out other parties is not a sign of creating peace,” he said, adding however, that the FDC was going to write to the IPOD about the decision to pull out of the organization.

 

 

Stories Continues after ad

Respect traffic police officers in order to save lives on our roads

By
Editorial
-

The recent gruesome killing of a traffic police officer on duty by an errant driver is shocking and the person who committed the offence should expeditiously be hunted down and brought before the law.

It is unfortunate that in Uganda some people have developed a habit of taking the law in their hands, and in the process harming the interests of several other people who are directly or indirectly connected to the repercussions.

Indeed today, the poor use of our roads must be of concern for every right thinking Ugandan, given that of recent the country has been awash with stories of fatal accidents, most of them arising from speeding, reckless drinking, drunk-driving and the failure to observe the road traffic signs. Such disturbing incidents have gained currency largely due to a breakdown of the moral fibre in our society, an unfortunate development that must be brought to a halt before it fosters the wanton decimation of the many innocent souls that ply the Ugandan roads.

That said however, there is also need for the traffic officers to step up their game by avoiding compromise, normally where it involves the validity of the documents presented by the drivers. Lastly, the police should consider re-testing drivers, mostly those who drive commuter taxis and buses, as this will go a long way in streamlining road use. In turn the initiative will also lead to a return of sanity on the roads.

Stories Continues after ad

Headmistress oscillated Alex Isabirye judgment

By
Our Reporter
-
Isabirye has just acquired CAF A license the highest by Ugandan standards.

Yet to be unveiled Kirinya Jinja SS head coach Alex Isabirye has revealed his personal relationship with the head teacher and patron of Kirinya – Jinja Secondary School Mrs Dinah Nyago helped convince him to leave moneyed BUL FC for the newly promoted side to the Uganda Premier league.

The former SC Victoria University tactician completed a move to across town in Jinja in what was a quick decision after his resignation.

Isabirye a former Uganda Cranes international striker, whose eye for goals won him as many admirers last week parted ways with Uganda Premier League side BUL FC citing interruptions in his duties by the club management who sacked his assistant Bright Dhaira without his consent.

Kirinya Jinja SS in May 2016 defeated Onduparaka 2-0 to win the FUFA Big League championship
Kirinya Jinja SS in May 2016 defeated Onduparaka 2-0 to win the FUFA Big League championship

But, as part of a congratulatory chat from this reporter, Isabirye said an outstanding relationship with the sport-loving Nyago was enough for him to leave the soap makers.

“At the beginning of the new season, I chose to join Kirinja Jinja SS,” he said.

“It is a great club, which has just the most dedicated patron and wants to reach high ambitions I share. The club’s project and the headmistress being a longtime friend and my children go to the same school have convinced me to join this new ambitious adventure.

“I am now waiting to see my new club and give everything for a successful season!”

Isabirye’s football career

In1984, Isabirye had started his career. As a pupil at Iganga Boys’ Primary School, he was the school and district team captain. He was also training with Walukuba FC with the likes of Ali Lukungu and Ronald Mugabi.

From there, Polly Ouma took Isabirye and Mugabi to Nile FC. Ouma was also the Uganda Cranes and Uganda Kobs manager.

At Nile, Isabirye grew into one of the best players and was called to The Kobs team that finished fourth at the 1999 All-Africa Games in Johannesburg, South Africa. He would later join Umeme, Express, Scoul and SC Villa. During the 2001 Cecafa Kagame Cup, Isabirye finished the tournament as top scorer.

The same year, Isabirye got a deal to Bangladesh, where he spent two years. He came back and joined Express and URA, where he retired to take up coaching in 2010. He has since handled Seeta-Misindye first and Bul FC until recently.

At his biggest job, he resigned from URA in early 2013. Incidentally, the coach’s resignation came at a time when Victoria University had just sacked Sam Ssimbwa, hence Isabirye received a soft landing; the story seems the same heading to Kirinya Jinja SS.

Stories Continues after ad

Ugandans celebrate Kazibwe rejection at African Union

By
Shawn Davis Kawalya
-

For one who had been billed as the bookmakers’ favourite to replace South Africa’s Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma as new AU commission chairperson BUT Uganda’s former Vice-President Specioza Wandira Kazibwe failed dejectedly.

Ms Kazibwe dropped out after the first round of voting but then neither of the other two candidates could secure the two-thirds majority needed.

To make matters worse, some countries abstained as there was a feeling that the candidates did not have the required experience.

It should be remembered that Kazibwe was supported and fronted by many big guns in the region including her biggest ally over the years, President Museveni. who gave her Ushs2.5 billion of taxpayers’ money to help her push the bed. This is probably one of the many reasons as to why her fellow countrymen are celebrating her loss on social media;

Yes, they are.

To many others, it is a disappointment that Kazibwe couldn’t even get into the second round but a bigger disappointment because the people that are celebrating her loss should be standing by her.

We can only get further if we stand together, regardless of religion, tribe, or political affiliation.

Stories Continues after ad

Kyambogo University admits 11,500 students for 2016/2017 private admission

By
Isaiah Mwebaze
-

Kyambogo University has admitted more than 11,500 A-level students to various programmes on its private sponsorship, for the 2016/17 academic year.

According to the list released by the academic registrar’s office at the weekend, the number of private students admitted per course ranges from one to 502.

See Full List Here

Stories Continues after ad

Besigye brings Kabale to standstill

By
Hussein Musisi
-

FORUM for Democratic Change kingpin leader Kizza Besigye has received massive support in Kabala town as he leaves court where he appeared for mention of his case.

The five opposition leaders’ procession in Kabale town this morning sent the usually silent south western town into commotion.

besi2

Opposition leader Dr Kizza Besigye, Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago and Kawempe South MP Mubarak Munyagwa are currently appearing before Agatonica Mbabazi, the Kabale Chief Magistrate, for the hearing of their longstanding case of inciting violence and causing malicious damage.

 

besi3

The former FDC presidential candidate had earlier missed a court appearance in June because he was in jail on treason charges. Besigye has since been released on bail, paving the way for him to be in Kabale for today’s court session.

besi4

Besigye’s other co-accused include  Ingrid Turinaawe, FDC secretary for mobilization, Roland Kaginda, Rukungiri municipality MP, Imam Makumbi, the Mbarara Democratic Party chairperson.

 

besi5

Stories Continues after ad

AU: ‘Shs2.5 billion Kazibwe’ bid falls flat

By
Stephen Muneza
-
Kazibwe

Notwithstanding a Ushs2.5 billion kitty of Ugandan taxpayers’ money, former Vice-President Specioza Wandira Kazibwe has not done enough to impress the African heads of state, or their representatives, who Monday refused to elect her as new chairperson of the AU commission.

Kazibwe performed miserably in her bid after she got least number of votes (10) while Dr Pelonomi got highest number of votes but abstention from 28 states stripped her of requisite 2/3 majority to replace South Africa’s Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma. The other candidate was Equatorial Guinea’s former Foreign Minister Agapito Mba Mokuy.

For a candidate to be declared winner, they have to secure two thirds of weight from all the leaders. This equally applies even if the race has a sole candidate.

Sources say at the last minute, Economic Community Of West African States (ECOWAS) fielded a candidate.  They had also raised objections about the quality of candidates lined up as her possible successors.

Election of new AU chairperson pushed to January 2017.The spokesperson for the current head of the AU broke the news (with a papal election reference):

AU

 

Stories Continues after ad

Malema ‘protest’ tweet rubs Zimbabwe the wrong way

By
Our Reporter and Agencies
-
EFF leader Julius Malema

Zimbabwe minister Christopher Mushohwe has lashed out at radical South African opposition figure Julius Malema, for openly supporting regime opponents.

Malema, the leader of South Africa’s Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) political party is a fervent supporter of protestors behind the ‘shutdown of Zimbabwe’ protests, and recently tweeted they (protesters) were going to win ‘just like the country did in 1980’.

But in a statement, Information, Media and Broadcasting Services Minister Dr Mushohwe said Malema’s attempt at ‘turning himself into a trans-border politician on behalf of reactionary forces in the region and beyond, exposed his agenda and ignorance of regional politics’. “Zimbabweans, (too), cannot understand how a politician pretending to be on the side of the still disinherited Southern African peoples can be at one with politics that win the active support of ambassadors of countries whose role in the history of colonisation and raping of the continent of Africa is a matter of poignant, painful record,” Dr Mushohwe said.

He added: “Much worse, Zimbabweans who cherish peace and reject politics of violent and destructive demonstrations as shown by their rejection of the failed lockdown called for this week, cannot understand, let alone appreciate, how a politician masquerading as an economic freedom fighter sides with fringe political upstarts bent on reversing the gains of the liberation struggle.”

At home in South Africa Malema, a radical politician is giving the African National Congress (ANC) and its president Jacob Zuma a restless time.

 

Stories Continues after ad

‘Machar faces sack’ – South Sudan official

By
Agencies
-
DURING 'BETER' DAYS? South Sudan's President Salva Kiir (L) and his First Vice President Riek Machar .

South Sudanese President, Salva Kiir, has given his first deputy Riek Machar, ultimatum to return to the national capital, Juba, and resume his duties or risk being replaced with someone from his faction, media sources indicate.

Machar fled from Juba on Monday, July 11, following a deadly armed confrontation at the presidential palace, resulting in the death of more than 300 rival soldiers and civilians, with 37 soldiers reportedly from Machar’s side.

President Kiir, according to a presidential source, said he started consultations with some of his confidants and some officials from Machar’s faction of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM-IO) in unity government about the matter.

“The transitional government of national unity cannot be held hostage because of Riek. If he does not want to come out from his hiding despite all the assurances of protection, even with the president coming [out] himself to declare to chairman of Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (JMEC) and special envoy of the African Union that he will stay together with him if he feels unsafe staying alone, then the president has the right to appoint anyone from SPLM-IO to replace him,” a presidential source was quoted telling the media on Sunday.

The official said there were several senior members of Machar’s armed opposition faction from whom a nominee could be found to replace him to continue with the implementation of the peace agreement as well as rendering services to the people instead of waiting for other negotiations.

“There are many members of the SPLM-IO here in Juba. The minister of Mining, Taban Deng Gai, who was chief negotiator during the peace talks can be appointed,” he revealed.

Also, Bol Makueng, Secretary of Information in the SPLM faction of President Salva Kiir on Sunday revealed in a statement over the South Sudan Broadcasting Corporation (SSBC) that if Machar did not return within a given time, he will be replaced with an alternative leader.

He said this was resolved in the SPLM political bureau meeting under the leadership of President Kiir.

Sources said Taban Deng Gai and Ezekiel Lol Gatkuoth are leading a campaign to replace Machar, but other SPLM-IO officials have reportedly refused.

Taban Deng has been a controversial figure in the SPLM-IO, with allegations since last year suggesting that he was recommended to President Kiir by the Jieng [Dinka] Council of Elders (JCE) to replace Machar.

But others said Deng has no popularity among the Nuer and his ascending to the senior government position may drive away President Kiir’s Bul-Nuer allies who disliked him.

The South Sudanese president this week dismissed the deputy minister of foreign affairs and regional cooperation, Cirino Hiteng. The official is from the former detainees and the decision to remove him was seen as a violation of the peace agreement.

In the agreement, President Kiir has no power to replace an official from another partner in the transitional government of national unity unless recommended to him by the top leader of that particular party.

 

Stories Continues after ad
1...2,0772,0782,079...2,383Page 2,078 of 2,383

© Eagle Online. All rights reserved.

About Us

Popular Category

Editor Picks