Onduparaka players celebrate after earning promotion to the Azam Uganda Premier League next season. Onduparaka today have also progressed to the finals of the Uganda Cup that will be played on Saturday, 18th June 2016 at Nakivubo Stadium.
Onduparaka’s Cinderella story will continue when they play Vipers SC in the Uganda Cup final after beating Entebbe FC 4-0 on Sunday, advancing 5-0 on aggregate.
Entebbe’s chances of reversing the 1-0 loss from the first leg ended for good when Uganda U20 striker and team captain, Muhammed Shaban scored a brace. Gadaffi Gadinho and Rashid Agau then completed the rout to ensure Onduparaka play George Best Nsimbe’s side in the final on June 18, after it eliminated Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) 2-1 on aggregate in the other semifinal in Buikwe District.
“This comes as recognition of our work,” Onduparaka coach Alan Kabonge said. “I’m proud of our team, although there is still some room for improvement, especially in the final as we make history after qualifiying for the Premier League.”
It will be Onduparaka’s first appearance in the final since it formation a few years ago. Vipers is playing in the final for the third time and have never won Uganda’s oldest tournament.
Vipers progress 2-1 on aggregate having won the first leg 1-0 at Nakivubo stadium
The winner of the Uganda Cup earns a ticket to represent the country at the CAF Confederation cup.
Sports Club Villa who were also eliminated by Onduparaka are the defending champion.
Mr. Musisi is accusing the police flying squad of torturing him and inflicting serious bodily harm
Lieutenant Godfrey Musisi, an Internal Security Organisation (ISO) operative who once made news for beating President Yoweri Museveni’s security detail while in possession of a loaded pistol during a COMESA summit in Kampala, is back in the news and this time is crying out for help from Ugandans to come to his aid saying he is ‘silently dying’ from pain allegedly inflicted on him by police officers.
Musisi, 67, who works as a Covert Operative in the office of the ISO Director General was arrested on June 3 by officers of the Uganda Police Flying Squad on allegations of trying to murder the African Field Epidemiology Network (AFENET) Executive Director, Dr. Kenneth Ofosu-Barko.
Another allegation against Lt Musisi is that he had hired a pistol to a city robber but after the latter was netted in action, the gun was traced back to ISO.
But this has not deterred Lt Musisi, who is currently on the sick bed at a private hospital after he was removed from Mulago National Referral Hospital for fear of being harmed, is demanding for compensation through his lawyers, accusing the police flying squad of torturing him and inflicting serious bodily harm.
Mr. Musisi is accusing the police flying squad of torturing him and inflicting serious bodily harm
“When they arrested me, I was pushed onto a wall and they asked me to handle over the magazines. They then asked me why I wanted to kill a person. The arresting officer tried to shoot me but the bullet wasn’t released and the following day he told me so and added that I was a witch doctor,” Musisi, who is no stranger to controversy, said.
Ironically, it is Musisi’s controversial military and crime background that prompted the police to act the way it did, police Spokesperson Fred Enanga says.
“Considering his military background and previous crime record, there were combined attempts by the Flying Squad as well as the Police detectives at Kampala Metropolitan to ensure that he is actually subdued,” Enanga said.
Mr Enanga added: “He (Lt. Musisi) used a high level of force while resisting arrest. We used reasonable force to subdue him following investigations that linked him to the attempted murder of the executive director of a local NGO; so by any means we had to arrest him.”
Lt Musisi’s influence and reportedly dubious past especially after he was arrested near President Museveni, was best demonstrated in 2014 when he framed Major Herbert Muramagi, then head of Marine at ISO, claiming his superior was in possession of a highly poisonous hyena’s liver that he intended to use to poison senior security officers and prominent politicians.
But this assertion was scientifically discredited, prompting then Chairman of the General Court Martial Maj Gen Levi Karuhanga (RIP) to acquit Maj Muramagi.
Meanwhile, Lt. Musisi was recently reported to Police for attempted murder after he tossed a grenade to his neighbour in Namugongo, after the duo had an argument over piece of land. It is not known what happened to the case.
But according to Mr Enanga, Lt Musisi, who is considered an aide to the ISO Director General Brig Ronnie Balya shouldn’t get involved in acts that threaten the lives of unarmed civilians.
The Air Force officer who was captured by a joint arresting team of Special Forces and police from his home in Entebbe has been linked to opposition leader Kizza Besigye currently detained in Luzira prisons.
Colonel Dan Opit Odwee, the Air force garrison Commander was arrested and tied Kandoya (tying one’s hands on the back). His pips, beret were removed and bundled into a van, a security source said.
He is now in detention at Makindye military barracks for getting involved in subversive activities. The army spokesperson Lt. Col. Paddy Ankunda said investigations are going.
The officer who is known to be fearless and combative has previously clashed with Maj. Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba over allegations that he was harassing Special Forces living in Katabi barracks shared by both air force and Special forces.
It’s not clear how the detained officer was subversive but the Inspector General of Police Gen. Kale Kayihura who is said to be working with Maj. Gen. Muhoozi to carry out the arrests have been ongoing in different army units said he was working with Nakawa Member of Parliament, Michael Kabaziguruka who was also arrested for subversion.
Colonel Odwee is among the 30 soldiers already arrested by Special Forces and police in different army units. Last week the arms officer one Capt. Ojara who was responsible for armory in Bombo was arrested.
Justice and Constitutional Affairs Minister, Maj. Gen. Kahinda Otafiire has said he isn’t happy with honors and awards committee.
Gen. Otafiire said the committee didn’t invite him to receive the award and the same applies to some of the intended recipients who didn’t turn up.
Asked why he skipped the annual event in Buike where he was awarded the Kabalega honors, Otafiire said, it was never his fault but those best suited to answer are the awards committee.
“My comment is that I am disappointed with the awards committee. I was never informed on time. I actually got to know that I was on the list when a journalist called me for a comment.” Gen. Otafiire told EagleOnline.
Another notable person who missed the event due to the same reason is former Minister of Information and National Guidance Maj. Gen. Jim Muhwezi. Gen. Muhwezi in response to his failure to attend the function said he was never informed.
More than 650 people were awarded with medals for their distinguished service to the country.
The awardees received their medals from President Yoweri Museveni at a function to mark the National Heroes day. This year’s Heroes day celebration was commemorated at Ssi trading center, Ssi sub-county, Buikwe district, under the theme, ‘Concretizing the gains of our heroes is a duty for every Ugandan.’
The Act enacted in 2007, establishes the Presidential Awards Committee (PAC), and has nine-member committee whose mandate is to identify, vet and recommend potential people for conferment of titles of honour, decoration, medals and awards.
The Act also provides for different categories of awards both for military and civilians. The committee is to advise the president in respect of the persons upon whom the titles of honor may be conferred.
Eagle failed to get a comment from Gen. Tumwine as he didn’t answer his calls to his mobile telephone.
As Democratic Party’s Stephen Ssekigozi’s warms up to grab the new vacant Busiro South constituency seat after winning a High Court petition on Friday, MP-elect Peter Ssematimba has vowed to fight to the last minute.
Mr. Ssematimba of the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) according to Court, was not academically dully verified by the National Council for Higher education.
In his statement to supporters seen by EagleOnline, Sematimba vowed to file his appeal on Monday and hopes to legally remain a legislator throughout his court appeal process.
He said: “I am very sorry for the bad news we got from court yesterday. However, not all is lost. On Monday I am filing my appeal at the Court of Appeal. We’re also informing the Clerk of Parliament of my appeal on Monday. By doing this, I will legally remain the Honorable MP of Busiro South throughout my court appeal process.
“Let no one lie to you therefore that I’m no longer our MP. The truth, is I am the MP and I will remain so throughout the new appeal court process.
“Let me assure you also that I/we are going to win the appeal, in Jesus’ name.
“So be strong, and have faith. The victory is ours in Jesus’ name… and I am still the Hon. MP of Busiro South. I will remain so too. Cheers.
The case
Mr Sekigozi, in his petition filed in court, says Mr Ssematimba only holds a certificate issued by the East African Examinations Council in 1978, which cannot be equated to an Advanced Level certificate, the minimum requirement for nomination in parliamentary elections. He also sued the Electoral Commission for allegedly conniving with Ssematimba to flout several sections relating to the Parliamentary Elections Act.
On the basis of Mr. Ssematimba’s claim to being qualified with a Diploma in Engineering and Electronics which he claimed to have obtained from the Pacific Coast Institute in USA, the NCHE granted him a certificate of Advanced Level equivalent to enable Mr Ssematimba participates in the Busiro South Constituency parliamentary elections.
NCHE executive director, Prof John Asibo told court that the error on his Advanced Diploma in Technology from the International College of Excellency 2009 did not touch on the authority of Mr Sematimba’s award.
“Ssematimba’s certificate of equivalence shows that the council considered three academic qualifications yet when printing out, it indicated four qualifications,” he explained.
The witness maintained that the fourth qualification was not considered because it was a transcript upon which Mr Sematimba was admitted to Asuza Pacific University.
However High Court Judge Lydia Mugambe blamed the council of proceeding to issue the certificate without verifying the validity of his papers.
Ssematimba’s political journey spanning 11 years has been a tumultuous one, with the media proprietor-cum pastor having previously failed to become the Mayor of Kampala.
Some 17 men have been arrested in South Sudan, accused of trying to make themselves fat for a banned fattest man competition, reports Radio Tamazuj
The Gogrial state government has provisionally banned so-called fattening contests saying they promote laziness.
Fattening is a practice in the Dinka culture where men leave their homes for weeks with up to 15 milking cows.
They feed on milk only and do not work in order to become very fat.
They return to their home towns to compete to see who is the fattest.
A drum can be hung on a stand and one of them beats it and if the stand breaks and the drum falls down, then that person is the winner of the competition.
But this year the government of Gogrial state said this cultural practice is not good as it encourages laziness in the society because it is carried out during the farming season. Abraham Gum, the state governor explained, “It is a problem of youth whom I have given a provisional order that there is no person to make any fattening this year because it is a year for hunger.”
“When you took some cows to go and make your fattening alone it is prohibited from the state and I got some people from Apuk East and Apuk South, they were 17 in number and they are more than that. Some ran and we captured 17 and I put them into prison in Liet Nhom now and they are going to be taken to court because they have violated the provisional order,” added the governor.
He was speaking after his return from his home area Apuk.
Also the traditional leaders of Apuk and Aguok communities at a recent peace conference held at Pan Nyuom have unanimously agreed to prohibit fattening in all 13 counties of the state with effect from the time the conference was concluded.
Dr. Besigye has today made 32 days in prison without trial. Photo Credit, New Vision.
The Secretary General of the United Nations Ban Ki Moon has asked the Ugandan government and more so President Yoweri Museveni why Dr Kizza Besigye is prison.
Mr. Ki-Moon wondered why the former Forum Democratic Change flag bearer in the 2016 general elections who garnered 37 per cent of the votes is in prison without trial.
Government has twice failed to produce Dr.Besigye in court citing security concerns. The first time appeared in court, he was denied access to his attorneys.
According to the statement released on Friday by the UN, the issue of Dr. Besigye’s brought up for discussion by Mr Ki-Moon while in consultation with Ugandan Prime Minister Ruhakana Rugunda as they discussed the recent issues on human rights violations, including sexual exploitation and abuse by Ugandan soldiers in the Central African Republic.
Today, Dr. Besigye has made 32 days in prison at Uganda’s maximum prison which houses hard core criminals and he faces allegations of treason.
Just few days, an opposition legislator was arrested and subsequently his home searched and a string of other opposition figures were too rounded up in a claim that they are working closely with Dr. Besigye and renegade Gen. David Sejusa with a view of toppling the Kampala regime. However, Opposition Spokesperson, Semujju Nagenda dismissed the claims saying the allegations are part of the wider schemes to implicate and other opposition in subversive activities.
VOICE OF REASON: Dr Winnie Byanyima, the Oxfam boss and wife to presidential candidate Dr Kizza Besigye.
Ms. Winnie Byanyima, wife to former Forum for Democratic Change party presidential candidate Dr Kizza Besigye has taken to twitter to beseech Luzira Prison authorities for a chance to communicate with President Museveni’s leading opposition challenger.
Dr Besigye was recently charged with treason at the Nakawa court and remanded to Luzira prison.
The Oxfam International Executive Director has for the past week been accusing authorities at Luzira of denying her chance to speak to her husband.
She said that officials told her when she tried to call in at the country’s biggest penitentiary; that speaking to her husband would not be possible.
After the ‘frenzied’ appeal on Saturday, her followers told her that it was no help counting on Dr. Johnson Byabashaija but rather call President Museveni with whom she shares a great past relationship. Ms. Byanyima immediately replied in affirmation and revealed she would give it a try.
Previously, Winnie Byanyima had said added that, “I won’t beg them but continue to demand the right of a prisoner to a family visit and call.”
Ms. Byanyima held that shortly after Besigye was remanded; she was able to speak to him “any day.” Later however, she was told that she could only speak to him on Tuesdays and Thursdays until yesterday when they said speaking to him would not be possible.
Ms Winnie Byanyima talks to journalists at Luzira prison recently where her husband and Opposition leader Kizza Besigye is being held. (Courtesy Photo)
She had earlier also claimed the government has acquired unnamed “toxic agents,” which could be used to harm political opponents and specifically accused the Judiciary of being “complicit in the abuse of State processes to persecute Besigye.”
However officials in the Prisons and Judiciary have always dismissed her claims, insisting the two institutions are not being used by the Executive to fix Mr Museveni’s political opponents.
Actually the Uganda Prisons Spokesperson Frank Baine told repothers that it was unlikely that a prisoner would be denied their right to speak to their family.
“That is interesting,” Baine said. “What I know is that the service at that moment must have been overwhelmed. This Prison holds more than 3000 people all of whom have a right to a telephone call. It is likely that the numbers would not allow for Mrs. Byanyima to speak to her husband at the moment.
He added, “Our officers must be allowed to take decisions depending on the circumstances; they must ensure that there is balance and everyone has access to facilities.”
WARY OF KAGAME IN 2006: UPDF Commander-in-Chief Generakl Yoweri Museveni
Two days after the UN had announced that rebels believed to belong to Ugandan rebel Lord’s Resistance Army had kidnapped nearly 100 people in northeast Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Uganda plans to withdraw troops involved in an operation to hunt down Joseph Kony in Central African Republic.
According to Reuters’ Elias Biryabarema, President Museveni who is also the Commander in Chief has plans to withdraw Ugandan troops involved in the LRA operation by the end of this year, a military spokesman said on Friday.
Uganda has 2,500 troops tracking the rebels, notorious for mutilating their victims and kidnapping children, and their leader Joseph Kony. Most of the soldiers are in the Central African Republic, though there is a small contingent in South Sudan.
Spokesman Paddy Ankunda said the withdrawal did not mean Uganda was ending the operation. But while he said the African Union (AU) favored keeping the troops in place, he said Uganda had been discouraged by insufficient international support.
“Even when we have international indictments on some of the (LRA) characters, there seems to be no serious goodwill on the part of international actors or stakeholders to participate or contribute toward the ending of the LRA problem,” he said.
The International Criminal Court has issued arrest warrants for the arrest of Kony and other LRA commanders.
Ankunda said Uganda had not yet considered the AU request to maintain its troops in Central African Republic.
Although its ranks have dwindled to several hundred fighters, the group still launches attacks against civilians. In April, an organization tracking the LRA said more than 200 people had been kidnapped in eastern Central African Republic since January.
After only taking the oath of allegiance, Busiro South Member of Parliament Peter Sematimba has been kicked out of the August House.
In a ruling delivered today by High Court Registrar Alex Ajiji on behalf of Lady Justice Lydia Mugambe, it was decided that Sematimba lacks the requisite academic qualifications to be MP.
According to Justice Mugambe, the National Council for Higher Education (NCHE) did not verify the diploma tendered in as proof of meeting the education standards of MP as set out under the laws of Uganda.
Sematimba’s political journey spanning 11 years has been a tumultuous one, with the media proprietor-cum pastor having previously failed to become the Mayor of Kampala.
