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Top Generals pledge allegiance to Machar

By
Agencies
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SPLA-IO Generals after Machar announced their promotions.

Two senior South Sudan armed opposition (SPLM-IO) generals Lt. Gen Dor Manjuor and Maj. Gen. Liah Diu say they are in contact and support Riek Machar, who was recently dropped from government.

Last week, President Salva Kiir replaced nemesis Machar with the SPLM-IO’s former chief negotiator, Taban Deng Gai, a move the armed opposition leader described as ‘illegal’.

But Maj. Gen Diu, a senior military officer with the armed opposition, said he and Lt. Gen Manjuor still remain loyal to Machar.

“I have never gone anywhere. I’m still in contact with my commander in chief Dr. Riek Machar. Those who wish me to defect to Taban Deng are great enemies of the movement,” he said.

Forces allied to two senior opposition generals reportedly clashed after one side declared allegiance to Gai at Neemni village and, Diu, said he and Lt. Gen Manjuor conducted a meeting with local chiefs in the area on the replacement of Machar.

Diu claimed most people in the area disagreed with the appointment of Gai, which they alleged was a tactical move by President Kiir to divide the armed opposition faction.

Gai, South Sudan’s newly-appointed vice-president reportedly dispatched Maj. Gen Carlo Kuol from Juba to the area to discuss and mobilize the community to support his new position.

But Diu insists some people were simply misled into backing Gai, stressing that Machar was still the legitimate leader of the armed opposition movement.

“It is not true the statement you received from commissioner and press secretary of Unity State governor. We were in the meeting yesterday as Guit county community on ground, but our position has been misunderstood by members of our comrades,” he explained.

Diu said they communicated to the SPLM-IO leader on Monday and that the latter assured them of his support to the movement and the struggle to fight for a better South Sudan.

South Sudan, the world’s youngest country descended into an orgy of violence after troops loyal to President Salva Kiir fought with those of his rival, former Vice President Riek Machar, leading to hundreds of deaths and thousands of displaced people.

 

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Uganda on way to becoming ‘failed state’ – former MP Mabikke

By
Our Reporter
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CONTROVERSIAL: Former Makindye East MP Michael Mabikke. He says Uganda is on its way to becoming a 'failed state'.

In the wake of the current clamour by some supporters of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) led by Kyankwanzi Woman MP Anne Maria Nankabirwa, seeking the amendment of the Constitution to remove the age limit clause, former Makindye East Member of Parliament Mike Mabikke has said that Uganda is on its way to becoming a ‘failed state’.

Appearing on the NBS TV talk show ‘Morning Breeze’, Mr Mabikke, a former spokesperson of the Go Forward presidential candidate John Patrick Amama Mbabazi, said ‘there is no country that has had the same president for 30 years and remained stable’.

“If a nation can move on without a certain leader, then it’s not a failed. Uganda is on its way to being a failed state.  It will be after Museveni that we’ll establish whether this country has a firm foundation or not,” Mabikke said.

President Museveni greets NRM top brass at the recently-concluded retreat in Kyankwanzi.
President Museveni greets NRM top brass at the recently-concluded retreat in Kyankwanzi.

The 1995 Constitution sets the maximum age for any person seeking to be president of Uganda at 75 years, but yesterday, at the closure of a one-week retreat for Ministers and Permanent Secretaries, Kyankwanzi Woman MP Nankabirwa handed over the age limit removal petition to NRM Chairman Yoweri and pundits say the clamour is aimed at paving way for the President who, according to the 1995 Constitution, is currently serving his last term, to contest for the presidency in 2021.

Born in 1944, Mr Museveni, who has been in power for 31 years since 1986, will be 76 years by the time of the next election cycle in 2021.

Further, Mr Mabikke said the current clamour is somehow akin to that of 2003, which led to the removal of term limits.

“Ugandans shouldn’t be forgetful. We saw how the removal of term limits started. Same trend. It is a carefully choreographed to seem like this is what people want. Mr Museveni is setting a stage for disaster,” the controversial former MP said.

To buttress his point Mr Mabikke gave an example of Libya under former president Muammar Gadhafi, who ruled the oil-rich country for 42 years before being ousted in a bloody war that left the country in shambles.

“Success without succession is failure. Libya under Gaddafi had the best housing structure. But all that crumbled,” he said adding that Mr Museveni was once against tampering with the age limit issue.

“Museveni once said he saw more sense in age limit than in term limit. This project is proving otherwise,” he said.

But Senior Presidential Press Secretary Don Wanyama, while acknowledging Mr Museveni received the age limit removal petition, said his boss ‘made no comment’. He however, added that it is the people of Uganda to determine the leadership. “I see nothing criminal/illegal about people calling for an amendment. Law is not cast in stone,” Mr Wanyama added.

Meanwhile, Mabikke, when asked about his former boss Amama Mbabazi, said the Go Forward team was still ‘evaluating’ the situation following the-now contested 2016 elections.

“He (Mbabazi) is in the country. He is evaluating. Uganda is at crossroads so we need evaluation; our performance was great. We never believed in Kiggundu’s (Electoral Commission boss) results,” Mabikke said.

 

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F1 boss Ecclestone’s mother-in-law in kidnap scare

By
Agencies
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SAFE: F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone's mother-in-law Aparecida Schunk hugs a relative after her rescue. Photo credit/dailymail.co.uk

Formula 1 boss Bernie Ecclestone and his wife Fabiana Flosi have recently had to endure a few rather rough days after his mother-in-law was kidnapped on July 22 in Sao Paulo Brazil and held at a ransom of Euros 28 million.

RELIEVED: F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone with his wife Fabiana Flosi
RELIEVED: F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone with his wife Fabiana Flosi

According to reports, Aparecida Schunk, the mother-in-law of Britain’s 4th richest man worth US3.2 billion, was held for nine days and later released unharmed on Sunday night, with no ransom paid.

Brazilian police say that Jorge Eurico da Silva Faria, the Ecclestone family former helicopter pilot and other officials of Formula 1 team were behind the kidnap saga.

The kidnap took place at Schunk’s home in Interlagos, Brazil, when the house maid let them in under the guise of delivery men. Police found Ms Schunk in a one bedroomed flat In Cotia.

Others arrested in connection with the kidnap are Vitor Oliveira Amorim, 19, and 23-year old Davi Vicente Azevedo.

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National boxing coach Katende passes on

By
Our Reporter
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DEAD: Deceased national boxing coach Dick Katende in action. He died this morning.

Ugandans and the boxing fraternity this morning woke up to the sad news of the death of Dick Katende, the long-serving national boxing coach, whose body was found lying in a pool of blood in his bathroom at his home in Naguru..

According to sources, Katende was later this week set to lead the Bombers to the summer Olympics in Rio de Janiero in Brazil.

REST IN PEACE: The long-serving Bombers coach Dick Katende
REST IN PEACE: The long-serving Bombers coach Dick Katende

Katende is a former national middleweight champion and was appointed a national coach in 1992 replacing Cuban Jimenez Lazaros and served for over a decade. He coached the Bombers’ team that included medallists Fred Muteweta and Jackson Asiku, both of who won gold medals at the 1990 Commonwealth Games in Auckland.

He also coached Olympic teams in 2000 and 2004. He was summoned again in 2014, leading Mike Ssekabembe and Fazil Juma Kaggwa to bronze medals at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

In a coaching career that spanned over 15 years Katende, who started coaching in 1985 aged 26, also coached at clubs like Foods and Beverages, Nytil, Meatpackers and East Coast.

He joined boxing in 1971 at Kampala City Council (KCC) Boxing Club, and among his international exploits won silverware at the East and Central Africa Championships in Nairobi in 1979 and Gold at the Africa Championships in Zambia in 1981.

He then embarked on a promising professional career under the legendary Wilfried Sauerland Promotions in Germany, winning all his five bouts between 1982 and 1983.

Katende’s body is currently at Mulago hospital for post mortem and the burial arrangements will be announced.

In a related development, another illustrious Ugandan, the former Prime Minister of Bunyoro Kingdom Eng Yafesi Kiiza, is dead.

According to sources, Eng Kizza, who served as Bunyoro premier for three years between 2009 and 2012, passed on yesterday. He replaced Dr Emmanuel Aliba as premier, and at one time also served the Member of Parliament for Bujenje County and was replaced by Kabakumba Matsiko.

Eng Kiiza was a Ugandan-German-trained civil engineer, who worked with Ministry of Works, rising through the ranks and retiring as a regional Engineer for Western based in Fort Portal, and according to sources, while representing Bujenje he opened up a number of roads using his previous connections with the ministry of works.

It is said that while in office Eng Kizza chaired a kingdom cabinet meeting which approved 10 per cent shares of revenue that will accrue from oil exploitation to go to the kingdom. Eng Kizza later resigned from the kingdom, saying he had been undermined by his juniors, and turned to private work.

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Kabaziguruka in Makindye military court today

By
Shawn Davis Kawalya
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Nakawa MP Michael Kabaziguruka

The Member of Parliament for Nakawa Michael Kabaziguruka is set to appear before the UPDF General Court Martial (GCM) today.

Kabaziguruka, who is charged with treason alongside 22 other people, is being held at Kigo prison but missed the last hearing session after court was informed that he was sick.

In early June the MP was arrested and taken to the Special Investigation Unit (SIU) at Kireka for interrogation and at the time police chief General Kale Kayihura said they had gotten intelligence information linking the MP to some people involved in subversive activities.

And weeks ago, while contributing to debate during the vetting of Ministers, Opposition Members of Parliament have asked the Speaker of Parliament Rebecca Alitwala Kadaga to explain the circumstances surrounding the arrest of their colleague Kabaziguruka.

Led by the Leader of Opposition in Parliament (LoP) Winnie Kiiza, they expressed concern over the arrests by security personnel taking place in the country, including the arrest of Mr Kabaziguruka.

According to the LOP, Mr Kabaziguruka was arrested without serving the Speaker with the summons, which flouts the law.

Elijah Okupa, the Kasilo MP also weighed in and demanded that Mr Kabaziguruka be produced before court, if he has any charges to answer to.

“We demand that if there is a case, let the Hon. Kabaziguruka be produced in court,” Mr Okupa charged.

In response Speaker Kadaga promised to follow up the matter, saying: “I will handle this with the Vice President and ensure that our colleague is handled appropriately.”

However, nothing public has since been heard of the Speaker Kadaga’s efforts over the matter.

 

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Kampala-Juba trade slackens

By
Our Reporter
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Uganda troops on the Nimule-Juba highway, getting ready to cross into South Sudan to rescue Ugandans there during the civil war. Photo credit/todayonline.com

Trade between Kampala and Juba has nearly ground to a halt after recent fighting in South Sudan, with only less than five trucks crossing the Elegu- Nimule border a day.

“There are only one or two vehicles which enter everyday but I don’t know the reason for why not the trade movement has not resumed until now,” the deputy chairperson of South Sudan Chamber of Commerce Lado Lukak said on Sunday.

Lukak however said they don’t have an office in Nimule to conduct further investigations, but a check at Arua Park, the hub of business between Kampala and South Sudan, established that business had almost come to a standstill, with a few passenger buses and goods trucks attempting the route.

Meanwhile, the prices of goods in Juba have continued to rise amid shortages due to looting of some shops and markets during the fighting. Insecurity on the Juba- Yei road has also contributed to the lack of supplies coming into the country, and the decreasing value of the South Sudanese pound has also made goods more expensive.

Recently, the government of Uganda sent troops to South Sudan to rescue Ugandans and people of other nationalities who had been caught up in the fighting between forces loyal to President Salva Kiir and his vice president Riek Machar.

The fighting that has reportedly claimed over 300 lives, has also affected various social and economic activities in the world’s youngest nation.

 

 

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100 raped in UN camps since renewed fighting broke out in S. Sudan

By
Our Reporter and Agencies
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UN peacekeepers patrolling inside a camp in Juba

A recent report by the UN gave horrific accounts of civilian killings and a rise in the number of government soldiers in uniform raping and gang raping women and girls who have taken refuge in UN protection of civilian sites.

According to the world body, about120 cases of sexual violence in South Sudan have been documented in the last two weeks.

“Those responsible for war crimes, crimes against humanity, and other violations of international humanitarian law – including those who order or incite violence, or encourage or contribute to the commission of crimes – will be held accountable,” said State Department deputy spokesperson Mark Toner.

Washington reminded all parties that the peace agreement provides that the Hybrid Court for South Sudan will have jurisdiction over violations of international law committed during the transitional period, including those committed during the ongoing violence.

The United States also warned those taking actions threatening the peace, security, or stability of South Sudan, and those responsible for attacks on civilians or United Nations premises, saying they may be subjected to sanctions under UN Security Council Resolution 2206 (2015).

The Intergovernmental Authority for Development (IGAD) and the African Union issued similar concerns on the matter.

Meanwhile, the US says the ‘short-sighted’ actions of South Sudan’s leaders in recent weeks have exacerbated an already intolerable humanitarian crisis as large portions of the country are facing emergency levels of food insecurity.

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Lam Akol resigns from Kiir’s cabinet as machar wages war

By
Shawn Davis Kawalya
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Dr. Lam Akol

South Sudan Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Dr. Lam Akol has resigned from government.

Dr. Akol who at one time served as a cabinet in greater Sudan before the split held several dockets that include  Foreign Affairs, Transport and Cabinet affairs before returning to South Sudan after the referendum that led to the division of the former biggest country in Africa.

Dr. Akol cites failure by his colleague to uphold the Addis Ababa peace agreement. Akol, Foreign Affairs Minister Deng Alor Kuol, Transport Minister John Luk Jok and sacked Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister Cirino Hiteng and Rebeca Nyandeng de Mabior, wife of late John Garang de Mabior were among the former detainees who returned into government after the signing of the Addis Ababa Peace Agreement.

Dr. Akol, twittered “I have today made public my resignation from the TGONU as agreement collapses”

 

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Policemen to be suspended for knocking down Besigye supporter

By
Hussein Musisi
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CP Enanga

A police driver who knocked down an unidentified man on the roadside will be suspended together with the commander of the patrol vehicle.

On or around July 12 and 13, a police pick up truck was captured by a journalist on video, knocking down an unidentified man who was in a procession of supporters of Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) former presidential candidate Dr Kizza Besigye.

‘We do admit the alleged actions by the police driver in the footage are concerning and highly regrettable by the management. As a result, the Professional Standards Unit (PSU(, after reviewing the footage, is working hard to identify the victim, the police pick-up, its driver and the car commander which officers will have to be suspended from operational duties, pending outcome of the investigations…’ police spokesperson Fred Enanga wrote in a communiqué.

According to Enanga, due to the negative publicity generated by police ‘brutality’ over the past one month, the institution has stepped up its public order policing by engaging its officers on the ‘use of minimum force’. He, however, added that the gesture should not be misinterpreted by the populace to engage in disrupting police duties.

‘Although many questions have been asked about our policing and accountability have been asked in the last one month, we highly encourage the filming and release of videos on sensitive police related incidents, as a very important step in in promoting transparency in the course of our duties, provided it does not interfere with a police officer on duty…’ Mr Enanga said.

Of recent the police has come under severe criticism for beating peaceful citizens, and currently about 10 senior officers are facing disciplinary action.

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Fufa offers discounted tickets for fans

By
Our Reporter
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CHANTING FOR VICTORY: Uganda Cranes fans show off their support for the team.

Football lovers in Uganda remain optimistic that Micho, the current Cranes coach and his men will make history by breaking the barrier and bring happiness to them with a win against Comoros in the last group fixture.

Given that there is a slight increase in the ticket prices at all entries to Namboole stadium for the Comoros game, Fufa has decided to give back to the fans for their relentless support by offering discounted tickets.

The Federation offered a discount of 18% off the ordinary tickets for the first 2,600 fans. The discount of 4500/- is off the ticket of 25,000/- for the 2017 AFCON Qualifier match between Uganda and Comoros.

The discounted tickets will also be used to watch the friendly game between Kenya and the Cranes on the 30th August, 2016 at Namboole stadium. Other seats remain at the price of 60,000/-(VIP Blue seats) and 150,000/- (VVIP).

The tickets are only be purchased from the FUFA house in Mengo from the 1st to 10th of August, 2016 between 9am to 5pm.

Uganda must win and take the vital 3 points to qualify for the tournament in Gabon next year.

 

AFCON Qualifiers

3rd September, 2016

Uganda Vs Comoros

Namboole stadium (4 p.m)

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