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Uganda Open kitty gets Shs500m boost from Tusker Malt

By
Stephen Muneza
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Otile celebrates after becoming the youngest winner of the 2015 Uganda Open. The Fort Portal-bred lad is primed for a phenomenal 2016

The 74rd edition of the Uganda Golf Open tournament tournament that billed itself as among the richest in East and Central Africa, and a challenger to some of the South Africa’s top events, has earned an additional UGX 270 million shillings from top sponsor Tusker Malt Lager set for August.

This is the 6th year Uganda Breweries Limited, through its flagship premium beer Tusker Malt Lager has sponsored the annual tournament.

Fort Portal-bred Ronald Otile became the first-ever to clinch both Amateur and Professional titles at the five-in-one Tusker Malt Uganda Open at the par-72 Kitante course last August. Otile stroked nine-over-par 297 to end four rounds of gruelling golf atop the leaderboard from start to finish.

UBL Managing Director Mr. Nyimpini Mabunda hands over the dummy cheque to Johnson Omolo the President of the Uganda Golf Union
UBL Managing Director Mr. Nyimpini Mabunda hands over the dummy cheque to Johnson Omolo the President of the Uganda Golf Union

Speaking on Monday during the unveiling of the sponsorship deal in Kampala, outgoing UBL MD Nyimpini Mabunda said the Uganda Open was an excellent opportunity for the country to market itself in positive way. Out of the Sh500 million sponsorship, Sh230 million will be in kind and Sh270 million in cash.

Mabunda said the Open also offers local pros a chance to play with the best in world with the hope of winning the event.

“We have increased our sponsorship to resonate with the status that the game of golf has attaining. The Uganda Open provides an opportunity for renewal and development of golfing skills in Uganda, and initiation of new acquaintances while renewing old ones. As all true sports lovers know, the beauty of the whole exercise is not just in winning but in participating,” said Mabunda.

Plenty of entertainment

The Uganda Golf Club Course, which is considered to be one of the toughest courses in the country, will be awash with over 500 amateurs, pros and seasoned pros as they try their hand at not only outsmarting their competition and being bestowed upon the title of 2016 Winner of Uganda Golf Open.

Mr. Johnson Omolo, the President of the Uganda Golf Union explained that in order to attract a sizeable field from the Sunshine Tour and MENA (Middle East and North Africa) regions, the dates for this year’s Uganda Open had been chosen to suit their schedule.

“We had consultations with the Sunshine Tour team and we set our dates for this year’s Golf Open, so that we could have the participants from the tour also participate in Uganda. We are also hoping to attract players from the MENA (Middle East and North Africa) tour. The course at the Uganda Golf Club has been prepared to match the highest global standards. All tests that have been carried out on these luscious grounds have proved that the club has the capacity to handle a tournament of this magnitude,” he added.

Jay Sandhu of Kenya chips from a bunker. The star is expected to be part of the Kenyan contingent whose amateurs are captained by Bo Ciera for the event.
Jay Sandhu of Kenya chips from a bunker. The star is expected to be part of the Kenyan contingent whose amateurs are captained by Bo Ciera for the event.

So far, Uganda Golf Union has received confirmation of 15 national team entrants from Kenya led by Captain Bo Ciera for the Amateur event. Other entrants are from Zambia, Tanzania, Rwanda and Burundi fighting for a prize award of UGX 110 million shillings for the professionals.

The armatures will be playing from 10th – 13th August, 2016 while the professionals will play from 31st August – 3rd September, 2016.

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Uganda closes border with South Sudan

By
Our Reporter
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Fred Enanga, Police spokesperson

EagleOnline understands that there is restricted entrance and no exit at Lobone and other border crossings between South Sudan and Northern Uganda.

Uganda is trying to prevent entry of refugees following fresh fighting in Juba and a new communication from Police stops Ugandans from traveling to South Sudan until the tense situation in the country is resolved.

“From Lobone, get exit stamps from South Sudan side, the Ugandan side is not accepting people without stamps. Don’t use Nimule, unless you are willing to forfeit your car to erratic soldiers,” a Ugandan blogger, Sam Agona who on Sunday crossed from South Sudan via Lobone tweeted.

“Our borders remain open except that South Sudan is not giving entry visas now,” Internal Affairs publicist Pamela Ankunda clarified on behalf of the Directorate of Citizenship and Immigration Control (DCIC).

However, unconfirmed reports say Uganda has also suspended issuance of visa to South Sudan.

border

Uganda’s military has been deployed to prevent the conflict in neighbouring South Sudan from spreading to its territory.

Police spokesperson, Fred Enanga announced the ban at Naguru Police Headquarters today, saying the move is aimed at protecting the lives and property of Ugandan traders as the clashes in Juba rage on.

“As a precaution, we urge all business persons and other Ugandans with plans to travel to South Sudan to cancel their plans since the situation is still tense and potentially dangerous,” Enanga said. On Sunday, Police blocked unspecified number of Ugandans and trucks from crossing into South Sudan.

While addressing the press this afternoon at Uganda Media Centre, UPDF Spokesperson Col. Paddy Ankunda did not downplay the rumors of the government of Uganda deploying its troops in South Sudan.

“If the UPDF is to deploy in South Sudan there are procedures to follow,” Paddy categorically stated. He added that, “Let there be no speculation on UPDF deployment in South Sudan.”

Ankunda is however optimistic IGAD extraordinary session will forge a way forward on the South Sudan question. “We may consider evacuating Ugandans from South Sudan if violence escalates,” Ankunda said. We are concerned about the escalating insecurity in South Sudan and Uganda is already experiencing an influx of refugees.”

More than 200 people are reported to have been killed in South Sudan since a new round of fighting broke out between forces loyal to President Salva Kiir and his rival, Vice-President Riek Machar.

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Pan Africanists to be awarded in Uganda

By
Emmanuel Okello
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TO HOST AWARDS: Fairway Hotel

The Pan African Pyramid is set to recognize different personalities who have made a positive contribution to the enfranchisement of the black race.

Addressing the media at Fairway Hotel earlier today, the organisation’s Speaker Andrew Irumba Katusabe said the awards are the first of a kind in Uganda and that the Pan African Pyramid, a non-government organization, intends to bring to Uganda families of renowned Pan Africanists like Martin Luther King Junior, Khalid Muhammad, Nelson Mandela, Louis Farrakhan and Malcolm X. Others to be invited include: former and current African presidents and, social and cultural leaders who contributed to the struggle of Black people’s rights and freedoms globally through spreading the gospel of Pan Africanism.

BLACK RACE CHAMPION: Martin Luther King Junior
BLACK RACE CHAMPION: Martin Luther King Junior

He noted that there was need for Africa to go back to its basics; the unique cultural beliefs and heritage if she were to maneuver strategically in the global village.

Mr Irumba Katusabe, who was accompanied by his deputy Norah Asekenye and the Secretary Sandra Kasule, said those to be recognized include revolutionaries, scholars, writers and, movie and sports personalities among others.

“As Africa gets ready to take up the struggle, recognition, appreciation and awarding of the fore fathers in Pan Africanism from around the world who stood up in the most difficult circumstances of their times and advocated for the rights and freedoms of Black people around the world should be the first step taken so as to instill the spirit of patriotism in the new generation that would emulate the works of the fore fathers,” Mr Irumba Katusabe said.

He added: “These awards are not meant for only Africans but everyone in the world that worked towards equality for the Black race and everyone who had a hand in the promotion of Blacks’ freedom and human rights and that’s why families of people such as Martin Luther King were invited despite the fact that he was an African American living in the United States of America but fought and championed the struggle for freedom for blacks and respect of their human rights.”

Those recognized will receive their awards during celebrations to mark the second anniversary of the organization on August 26 at the Fairway Hotel gardens in Kampala.

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Treason Accused MP Kabaziguruka tells court he’s ‘not a soldier’

By
Our Reporter
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GRANTED BAIL: Nakawa MP Kabaziguruka

Jailed Forum for Democratic Change (FDC)’s deputy electoral commission chairman Nakawa Division MP Michael Kabaziguruka, has challenged his trial before the army court in a civilian court.

Giving his own account, Kabaziguruka’s lawyers Rwakafuuzi and Company Advocates, petitioned the Kampala High Court saying is ‘unconstitutional’ to try him in the army court when he is not subject to military law.

Kabaziguruka requests the High Court to direct the Makindye court to stop hearing the case until the case in which he challenges its jurisdiction is disposed off.

The court heard from the petitioner that he is not comfortable appearing before court martial on grounds that this court was constituted by President Museveni as Chairman of High Command, and is most likely to be impartial while hearing the allegations that he (Kabaziguruka) attempted to kill the President.

President Mr Museveni, earlier this week while meeting Inter-Party Organisation for Dialogue (IPOD) officials, allegedly said Dr Besigye , the incarcerated second-place finisher in the just concluded general election and Gen Sejusa, the former coordinator of intelligence services wanted to destabilise Uganda. He also reportedly claimed jailed Nakawa MP Michael Kabaziguruka was behind schemes to assassinate him.

“He [Kabaziguruka] came to Kisozi [Museveni’s farm in Gomba] to assassinate me,” Museveni reportedly told the meeting.

Kabaziguruka on June 28 was arraigned together with 21 soldiers in the Military Court Martial in Makindye on treason charges, contrary to section 130 (1) (F) of the UPDF Act and Treachery contrary to section 129 (c) of the UPDF Act. The arraignment came a day after he was rearrested from his Luzira home and briefly taken to Nalufenya detention facility in Jinja. He was first arrested on June 5 and locked up at the Kireka-based Special Investigations directorate (SID) before police severally-searched his home.

Kabaziguruka has previously been investigated over allegations of treason and illegal possession of a fire arm by Police.

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It is the time to bring Kiir, Machar to order

By
Julius Mwesigye
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The guns that had gone silent for about one year in South Sudan have once again roared to life, claiming about 200 lives in just four days of raging exchange of fire.

South Sudan, the world’s youngest country, was due to celebrate its 5th Independence Anniversary on July 11, but the day instead turned into one of fighting as troops loyal to President Salva Kiir and his First Vice President Dr Riek Machar, started shooting at each other on Thursday following a ‘minor’ disagreement.

The implementation of the peace process is one of the pillars that will help ensure the return of normalcy in South Sudan, and the two men should be made to understand this unconditionally since it seems dialogue is not the pill that will help solve the crisis.

This therefore, means that Kiir, Machar and any other parties that are participating in the current mayhem should be held responsible for the renewed fighting and one of the measures to bring to a halt their misadventures is to effect sanctions including an arms embargo and travel restrictions.

Indeed, the UN Security Council has discussed these measures before and this should be the time to act before the blood of more innocent South Sudanese souls is lost.

Meanwhile, in the foregoing, it is worth noting that that all the stakeholders like the African Union (AU); the Inter-governmental Agency for Development (Igad) and the ‘troika’ of the US, UK and Norway that supported the peace process have come up, condemned the fighting and also called for dialogue between the belligerent factions.

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IGAD summons meeting in response to fighting in Juba

By
Agencies
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War in South Sudan.

In response to the escalation of violence in South Sudan, Foreign Ministers from the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) countries will hold a meeting in Nairobi on Monday.

They will be joined by members of the TROIKA that manages the Southern Africa Development Community organ on Politics Defense and Security as well as other members of the international community.

In a statement, the IGAD secretariat which, “continues to demand for a total cessation of hostilities and a return to normalcy in South Sudan,” said the meeting had been called to take stock of the deteriorating situation and to decide on the way forward including holding those responsible accountable.

It comes as global leaders expressed alarm at the escalation of violence in the young nation.

On Sunday, President Uhuru Kenyatta weighed in on the fighting urging that troops and heavy weaponry be removed from civilian spaces.

His spokesman Manoah Esipisu said the President had spoken to President Salva Kiir and urged both him and former rebel leader Riek Machar to act swiftly and restore peace to the capital of Juba.

Over 200 deaths have so far been reported in the fighting that began Friday the United States has also called for an immediate end to the violence.

The battles are the first between the army and ex-rebels in Juba since rebel leader Machar returned in April to take up the post of first vice president under wartime enemy President Kiir, following the three-year conflict that has killed thousands and sparked a humanitarian crisis.

The US State Department said it was ordering all non-essential personnel out of the country.

Washington pressed both leaders and their political allies and commanders to immediately restrain their forces from further fighting, return them to barracks and prevent additional violence and bloodshed

 

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Burundi peace talks resume tomorrow

By
Agencies
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Inter-Burundi Facilitator, former Tanzanian president Benjamin Mkapa.

The second round of the inter-Burundi Dialogue resumes tomorrow following a series of meetings convened by the Mediator, Uganda President Yoweri Museveni and the Facilitator, former Tanzanian President Benjamin Mkapa with different stakeholders.

A cross section of the delegates to the Inter-Burundi Dialogue: (Front line)-Ministers representing Government of the Republic of Burundi.
A cross section of the delegates to the Inter-Burundi Dialogue: (Front line)-Ministers representing Government of the Republic of Burundi.

According to a release by the East Africa Community (EAC), a number of issues including  the status and implementation of the Arusha Peace and Reconciliation Agreement for Burundi, the Constitution of Burundi, the security situation, political and democratic space, state of economy and the role of the East African Community member countries as well as other neighbors, were discussed.

The July 12-14 meeting will be held at the Arusha International Conference Centre (AICC).

‘There is therefore, the need to discuss substantively and, more importantly, to agree on a common basis for stability, development and the future of Burundi. In this regard, the objective of the forthcoming discussions will be to validate these findings, to prioritize them, and eventually set the agenda for a meaningful dialogue,’ the release states in part.

Mr Museveni and president Mkapa have since met representatives of the Government of the Republic of Burundi, Former Heads of State, representatives of Political Parties, Religious Leaders, Civil Society Organizations, Women and Youth, Chamber of Commerce and the Burundi society in the diaspora.

 

 

 

 

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Ugandan troops ready ‘to cross Sudan border’

By
Stephen Muneza
-

Uganda’s military has been deployed to prevent the conflict in neighbouring South Sudan from spreading to its territory.

Army spokesman Lt.Col. Paddy Ankunda is addressing journalists about the fighting in Juba at the Uganda Media Centre in Kampala and said UPDF was already at the border to ‘prevent a spillover’.

“If the UPDF is to deploy in South Sudan there are procedures to follow and let there be no speculation on UPDF deployment in South Sudan,” Ankunda has said.

“We are concerned about the escalating insecurity in South Sudan and Uganda is already experiencing an influx of refugees,” Ankunda added.

Ugandan state minister for foreign affairs Henry Okello Oryem and his colleagues from the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) member states are currently in the Kenyan capital Nairobi, holding an emergency meeting on the fast deteriorating security situation.

The fighting has forced IGAD, the regional body that brokered the peace deal between the two warring forces to immediately start looking for a fresh solution which is most probably asking Uganda to deploy in Juba once more.

“We hope the IGAD extraordinary session on South Sudan will take position on what to be done,” Ankunda said.

The IGAD decision aside, the United States representative at the UN Security Council said they have called for regional countries led by Uganda to begin preparing troops for possible deployment into South Sudan.

Ambassador Samantha Power said the Council expressed its readiness to enhance the UN Mission in South Sudan’s role in responding to the crisis.

The recent violence in the world’s youngest country represents yet another blow to a shaky peace deal that has so far failed to end the civil war that broke out in December 2013 when President Salva Kiir accused his rival Riek Machar of plotting a coup.

Relations between the two men have been fractious since South Sudan won independence from Sudan in 2011, and rival troops loyal to both Kiir and his first Vice-President Machar began shooting at each other on the streets of Juba last week.

Their forces have fought a civil war. But despite a peace deal last year ending the conflict, both sides retain their military capabilities and have continued to accuse each other of bad faith.

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Al Shabaab attack Somali military base, kill 10

By
Agencies
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Members of the Islamic terrorist group Al Shabaab. Photo credit/wsj.com

Al Shabaab Islamist militants have rammed a car packed with explosives into a Somali army base southwest of the capital and stormed inside, killing at least 10 soldiers, the group and a military officer said.

“A suicide car bomb rammed into the base and then al Shabaab fighters stormed it. At least 10 soldiers died,” Major Ahmed Farah said from the nearby town of Afgooye.

An al Shabaab spokesman said its fighters were behind the raid and said 30 soldiers had been killed. The group often cites a higher death toll than official figures.

Meanwhile, the Somali National Army had conducted raids on al Shabaab camps in the lower Shabelle region over the weekend, seizing weapons and other equipment used by the militants, local media reported quoting a statement from the defense ministry.

Bases of the AU-backed mission in Somalia (AMISOM) have been a regular target of the al Shabaab militant group which seeks to topple the Western-backed government.

AMISOM fights the Islamists alongside the Somali National Army.

In January, the al Shabaab militia launched an early morning attack on an AMISOM base in the town of El-Adde, near the Ethiopian border. More than 100 Kenyan soldiers were reportedly killed in the dawn attack.

 

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Riek Machar condemns killings in South Sudan, attacked

By
Stephen Muneza
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South Sudan rebel leader Dr Riek Machar

Embattled South Sudan Vice-President Riek Machar has spoken out about the hundreds of people have been killed in clashes between his forces and those loyal to President Salva Kiir.

The fighting has stopped flights to and from Juba airport but according to UPDF spokesperson Paddy Ankunda, Ugandan troops will soon be deploy in South Sudan upon official request from the government there.

Dr. Machar is hiding at the residence of France ambassador in Gudelle West of Juba city, reports Sudan Tribune.

On Monday afternoon, EagleOnline’s reporter in Juba said heavy gunfire and large explosions could be heard all over the city; he said heavy artillery was being used.

Dr Machar then took to his Twitter account to react to the fighting, and his posts showed a fierce leader shaken.

“I urge calm and restraint throughout these skirmishes. I’m safe. No one should take laws in their own hands to destabilise this country,” Machar wrote.

Another tweet said: “In the last 2 hrs, we went through heavy bombardments by President Kiir helicopters. This tells that our partner is not interested in peace.”

“In all these, I’ve hope that we’ve a future as a country. We came to Juba knowing that a country needs all of us. I’ve not lose that hope,” he added.

As expected, some civilians questioned his commitment to stopping the killings. One Taban Alex Donato ‏@tabanDona1 told off Machar saying South Sudan’s future are children being denied inalienable rights to live in peace and questioned who is responsible for their deaths in the last 48 hours.

A Kenyan blogger Jackson Muigai had a sterner accusation on his twitter handle:”@drriekmachar you make people die in Juba while you hide your family in Nairobi? Shame.”

Riek MacharThe situation in South Sudan has echoes of the days before the civil war began, in December 2013, when skirmishes between troops loyal to Mr Kiir and Mr Machar escalated into a national bloodbath, killing tens of thousands and displacing two million.

As artillery fire rings out in the capital Juba and a helicopter gunship buzzes overhead, desperate work is under way to try to calm the situation and to prevent the clashes from spreading.

But huge distrust remains between Mr Kiir and Mr Machar and between their forces. The leaders may even be struggling to control their own troops.

Relations between the two men have been fractious since South Sudan won independence from Sudan in 2011.

Their forces have fought a civil war. But despite a peace deal last year ending the conflict, both sides retain their military capabilities and have continued to accuse each other of bad faith.

A number of peace deals have been signed – so far, none has led to lasting stability.

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