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City shops closed after Besigye arrest

By
Shawn Davis Kawalya
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CLOSED: several traders in the Central Business District have closed thier shops after police and the military fired teargas and live bullets to disperse crowds that had swelled to offer support to opposition FDC leader Dr Kizza Besigye. Photo credit A.Lubowa/Daily Monitor.

Business in Kampala’s Central Business District has come to a standstill with several traders closing their shops and other business premises following the firing of teargas and live bullets by police and the military police.

This development follows the arrest of opposition kingpin Dr Kizza Besigye, who had earlier today stormed the city after beating police a cordon at his Kasangati home, triggering off a frenetic damage-control effort by the security forces.

Currently, Dr Besigye, a leading presidential aspirant who rejected the results of the February 18 presidential elections, has been arrested by police and reportedly taken to Naggalama Police Station.

Dr Besigye’s arrest today comes just a day before the swearing in of his political nemesis President Yoweri Museveni tomorrow at the Kololo Ceremonial Grounds.

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Teargas, live bullets rock Kampala as Besigye is arrested

By
Shawn Davis Kawalya
-

KAMPALA-Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) flag bearer in the Dr Warren Kizza Besigye has been arrested and taken to Naggalama Police Station, in Mukono district, about 15 miles from Kampala.

The development comes just a day before the swearing in ceremony of President Musevenitomorrow.

Earlier Dr Besigye had beaten police deployed at his Kasangati home and stormed the city, prompting police and the army to swing in action and arrest him before driving him through the eastern route of Bukoto in a five-vehicle convoy including a teargas monster truck.

Meanwhile, security forces are engaged in running battles in the city centre to disperse crowds that had swelled to show support to Dr Kizza Besigye.

 

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Yesterday, Dr Besigye vowed to hold an alternative swearing in ceremony at the Constitutional Square, presided over the City Lord Mayor-elect Erias Lukwago.

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TZ’s JP Magufuli arrives for Museveni swearing-in

By
Stephen Muneza
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Pragmatic Tanzanian leader John Pombe Magufuli is in the country to witness the inauguration of President-elect Yoweri Museveni for a fifth elective term in office due tomorrow.

President Magufuli’s presidential jet landed at Entebbe International Airport just after 11am and was received by Uganda’s ambassador to Tanzania Dorothy Hyuha and Works Minister John Byambagambi.

This is Mr Magufuli’s debut visits to Uganda as a head of state.

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Chadian President Idriss Derby of Chad, Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta of Mali and President Niger Mahamadou Issoufou are also expected to arrive later today while the King of Lesotho Letsi III and the Prime Minister of Swaziland Barnabas Sibusiso Dlamini came on Tuesday night.

Police have closed Entebbe-Kampala highway to private motorists beginning today till Friday to allow foreign dignitaries access the city with ease.

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CMI boss to parade PRA exiles from SA

By
Our Reporter
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DEPLOYED TO LOGISTICS AND ENGINEERING: Former: CMI boss Brig. Charles Bakahumura

In what is seen as an attempt to reach out to his political rivals ahead of his swearing in tomorrow, President-elect Yoweri Museveni is extending an olive branch to nemesis.

Accordingly, the Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence (CMI) boss Brigadier Charles Bakahumura is later today set to parade a group of top Peoples Redemption Army (PRA) who fled Uganda and reportedly engaged in subversive activities between 2001 and 2005.

Sources say members of the group, whose return from South Africa was negotiated by Brig. Bakahumura, belonged to the suspected rebel outfit that was reportedly operating in jungles of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), trying to overthrow the government of Uganda.

The group of returning exiles, who also supported then FDC president Col Dr Kizza Besigye in the 2001 presidential elections, is led by Major Tom Mugizi, hitherto one of the top officials of the FDC Chapter in South Africa, who fled Uganda with Col. Anthony Kyakabale and Col. Samson Mande in 2001.

In 2003, while deployed in the DRC town of Bunia Maj. Mugizi, a former Intelligence Officer, defected from the UPDF together with a one Captain Mohammed Kiwanuka of the 35th Battalion.

Thereafter, it is said Maj. Mugizi and others fled to South Africa, where Dr Besigye, who was reportedly the ‘political leader of the PRA’, was also exiled between 2001 and 2005, while Colonels Kyakabale and Mande fled to Rwanda and later relocated to Sweden.

Then, in November 2005, then UN Special Representative to the DRC William Lacy Swing implicated the PRA as one of the foreign armed groups operating in the jungles in the eastern part of the vast and lawless central African country, but Mr Swing’s position was contested by the FDC through a petition to then UN Secretary General Kofi Annan.

By press time efforts to contact UPDF Spokesperson Lt Col Paddy Ankunda over the developments  were fruitless.

 

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Sheebah, Lutalo to market Africell

By
Shawn Davis Kawalya
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Local artistes Sheebah Karungi and David Lutalo have landed into things. The duo has signed multimillion deals to be the face of Africell replacing MunG whose contract ended early this year.

Sheebah whose latest Nkwatako single is topping the charts will woo the elite subscribers while Lutalo will be the face for the downtown crowds.

The top selling artists will be the faces on the bundle’s print and billboard ads plus they have also voiced the broadcast adverts for radio and television.

“I want all my fans and Sheebaholics to embrace the brand because it will give them the best services,” says Sheebah who also markets smartphone brand Idroid.

Lebanese owned Africell is also introducing an all in one Tokota Nnyo bundle that combines talktime, data and SMS.

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The Ultimate African Travel Bucket list

By
Evelyn Masaba
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 “I hope you have an experience that alters the course of your life, because after Africa nothing has ever been the same again…” Suzanne Evans

To many of us in Africa, we never understand the strange fascination that foreigners have for our continent and the fact that most of them think Africa is just one large country; with several wild animals and mud wattle huts and kids with hungry bellies that have not been fed in a while.

The thing is, Africa is more than the ads you see on TV asking you to contribute to a hungry child by sending money to an organisation. Africa is several different shades of people, speaking different languages in several different countries scattered all over the continent and brought together by the love of community.

You have not travelled until you have moved out of your country to see the beauty that our continent has to offer and we have an ultimate bucket list that you need to experience at some point in your life.

Victoria Falls Zambia- Zimbabwe

Located on the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe off the Zambezi River in South Africa, these falls are the widest of their kind all over the continent and one of the best tourist attractions. The falls would make the ultimate destination for any thrill seeker with an amazing water rafting, bungee jumping off the Victoria bridge and even better, have a walk over the falls with a guided tour and wait for the moonbows that occur when the moon light rays hit the waterfalls; creating a cascading play of lights.

Trek The Ethiopian Highlands

Ethiopia is a traveler’s gem, you have to add this country to your African travel bucket list any day. The highlands are rugged mountains located in the “horn of Africa” are sometimes referred to as the “Roof of Africa” and reach into Eritrea.

They were formed when Magma from the Earth forced its way into the surface. They used to be home to the ancient kingdom of Kaffa which has several remnants that were dug up by archeologists and make a good history lesson on your tour.

The highest peak of the highlands is the Ras Dashen from the Semien Mountains.

Marvel At The Old Quarters of Zanzibar

Zanzibar is just off the main coast of Tanzania and will make a good destination for your wandering feet. You will love the architecture of the old stone city with the slave quarters that were used to hold slaves before they were shipped off albeit the sad history that the city holds.

There is an overwhelming vintage beauty within that tiny coastal town filled with churches and mosques built years ago with a mixture of Portuguese and Arabic architecture styles, a distance from the expansive ocean.

Frolic With The Gorillas

Rwanda is beautiful; even more beautiful is its green lush countrysides filled with the wonders of the wild, ready for your eyes to explore. You will see the several endangered mountain gorillas on your trek in their green natural habitats and if you get the chance you will also spot the lake Burera and Ruhondo almost at the border of Uganda with beautiful waterfalls and hills.

See King Khufu’s Pyramid

Also known as the Pyramid of Giza, this is the oldest pyramid in Egypt that was built around 2560 BC. The pyramid is said to be the tomb of the Pharaoh Khufu who is also known as Cheop and used to be the tallest manmade structure in the several wonders of the world.

The pyramid has several structures within it divided into chambers for the Pharaoh and his wife plus servants. There is a very beguiling history surrounding the pyramid and the more you learn, the more you understand how superb the structure is. Take care not to climb to the top of the pyramid because it is illegal.

Sossusvlei Dunes

You need to see them to marvel at their beauty; the dunes are located in the southern part of the Namib desert in Namibia. The name is both Namib and Afrikaan meaning “dead-end marsh” due to its structure and formation that acts as a drain for the Tsauchab River.

The sand dunes are very high and are estimated to be over 200 meters with the highest being 380 meters.

Cape Winelands

The Winelands are located in the North-East of Cape Town with some of the best views in South Africa and are easily accessible from Cape Town through tour buses and by car. You can visit some of the best vineyards in the country that are usually open through the week till the weekend, so you get a chance to taste the wines on site and enjoy a walk through the expansive vineyards.

Bird Watching In The Mabira

The Mabira forest located in Eastern Uganda is an expansive stretch of mixed tree species that harbour different animals within the thick vegetation. The best of the sights are the various bird species that are considered indigenous to Uganda and quite rare. There is an estimate of over 300 bird species such as; Dusky Long Tailed Cuckoo, Grey Parrot and several others that call Mabira home; including the undocumented or not yet sighted birds.

Touch The Sky At Kilimanjaro and Rwenzori

How would you write a bucket list without adding the two most climbed mountains in East Africa? Mount Rwenzori is found in Western Uganda and is famous for its glaciers and several beautiful views of the wildlife parks in the areas surrounding it plus the lakes. Then, Mount Kilimanjaro crowns off in Tanzania with a beautiful sky-high limit with its three top summits. The two mountains are breathtakingly beautiful.

Experience Mozambique’s Coastline

Almost similar to Zanzibar, the long and beautiful coastline is almost beguiling to experience; you will love touring it via several dhows and seeing how expansive and lively it is. It used to be one of the main slave ports along the shores of the Indian ocean and since Mozambique was once colonised by the Portuguese, you will find several old but beautiful church structures mixed among the many mosques in the small towns along the shores.

Tee Off  At The Legends Golf Course

An ardent golfer would definitely have to experience this very famous golf course in Limpopo with the extreme 19th hole only being accessible by helicopter. Limpopo is located in South Africa.

Rush Through Kampala to The Parks

You would think going through traffic jam in the city centre would not be part of a thrill, but that makes Uganda. Anyone that has never done it finds it very thrilling, take a boda in the busy Kampala city center amidst several moving cars and tour the hidden gems of the city. The boda boda is another important form of transportation in Uganda that makes it faster and easy to reach your destination, even better when doing budget tours in the National Parks; several people seem to opt for the certified boda guides.

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Thursday declared public holiday for Museveni’s inauguration

By
Our Reporter
-

The government has declared Thursday the 12th of May 2016 a public holiday to pave way for Ugandans to attend the inauguration of President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni the Kololo Cremonial Grounds in Kampala.

The disclosure was made on Tuesday, May 10, by the First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Public Service, Henry Muganwa Kajura via a statement shared by the Uganda Media Centre.

Turning to preparations for the inauguration ceremony, government spokesman Ofwono Opondo said all is set for the event, adding that international artists have been invited to perform together with local artists.

President Museveni will be inaugurated after polling over 60 percent of the vote in the 18th of February harmonised elections while his main rival, Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) candidate, Dr Kizza Besigye got 37 percent.

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Some of the African leaders expected in Kampala for Museveni’s swearing-in ceremony include Nigeria’s Muhammadu Buhari, , Tanzania’s John Pombe Magufuli, DRC’s Joseph Kabila, Salva Kiir of South Sudan and South African leader Jacob Zumaand Zimbabwean strongman, Robert Mugabe.

Though invited for the ceremony, Mr Besigye’s home remained restricted by police since May 5 after for a nationwide strike on May 12 against Museveni’s re-election.

The government, however, moved swiftly and called for a ban on live media coverage of the protest, saying those who defied the ban risked having their licences revoked.

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Cindy: I am single & not searching, love will find me

By
Our Reporter
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Singer Cindy Sanyu

Singer Cindy Sanyu had an interview with Kenyan publication and she talked about her signing to Grandpa Records to do her promotions, nudes and relationship status.

The interview is as below;

Pulse: What brought you back to Kenya after many years of absence from showbiz?

Cindy: I have been getting my career back on track as you would know that a lot has changed in the music scene since the days I was working under Blu3. Besides having a good command in Uganda, I wanted my music brand to make a good presence in Kenya and Tanzania as well as other parts of the continent. That is why I am in Kenya now.

P: What is the deal with Grandpa Records whom you are now working under?

C: We signed a two-year contract for them to do my promotion in Kenya and Tanzania. We have just released a new song Still Standing and I am working on a number of projects with artistes besides doing the Kenyan tour that started last week.

P: A lot has changed in the music industry since 2005 when you started off. There are new faces, more competition and media dynamics have also changed the way things used to work…

C: True. A lot has changed and that is part of the reason I took a break to remap the industry and Cindy the brand. I have also come to learn that with fame also comes many challenges and haters also work hard to put you down.

P: What are some of these challenges?

C: You recall how my nude photos created such a negative buzz around the Cindy brand? People even paid to keep the story going on for years. Nothing has ever hurt me like that. But at the same time, that also made me stronger at the end of the day.

P: Some people actually thought it was a stunt keep your publicity running…

C: That is not true. I would do nude photos but not such (photos). That was too malicious. I know am not perfect and I don’t work hard to show that I am a perfectionist. Sometimes it is crazy how the media sits and creates falsehood around musicians, something that is common with Ugandan tabloids.

P: What keeps you moving with all these controversies trying to break you?

C: You have to create a strong brand around you and that is what I have done. I have content, songs that keep my fans happy with my. From Dat Dat, Selecta, Sample Dat, Yes Man and many others. The style I also do is unique. I take music professionally and so I have a strong management team around me researching the market and getting me a step ahead of competition.

P: Talking about your songs like the Sample Dat video, you come out as bold… and suggestively sexy. Is that just art at work or it is your real persona?

C: That is me in real life. I write my songs and so I don’t hide my emotions like it was the case with Sample Dat that people said was too sexual. I love life, I am single and happy so… why not show a little of that?

P: You said you are single?

C: Yes I am but I am not searching. You can’t search for love. It finds you. When love finds me, I will embrace it.

P: We understand that you have also worked on a song with Wahu and Dufla, the Tempo hit maker. Tell us about that.

C: Working with Wahu is something I have always wanted to do. We have been friends and I guess it is only that the timing has never been right. The song was directed by Nameless and J Blessing and I just can’t wait for it to be released. Dufla is a very talented star. When I heard his Tempo song in the club, I asked who he was and that is how we ended up recording together. There are many other artistes am looking forward to working with here as well as across the region.

 

 

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Gov’t chooses Kenya over USA for Carol cancer surgery

By
Our Reporter
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Atuhirwe Carol has an operation for her lungs scheduled very soon

Ms Carol Atuhirwe, a Uganda Christian University student suffering from throat and lung cancer will be flown to nearby Kenya for further treatment after efforts to be treated in the United States got frustrated.

According to Mr Muhereza Kyamutetera, the coordinator of the ‘SaveCarol Campaign’ which raised the required Shs.270million for her treatment at the University of Cleveland Hospital in the US, on Uganda Cancer Institutes’ recommendation, Ms Atuhirwe will seek more advanced treatment the Aga Khan Hospital, Nairobi.

READ: OOPS! Carol Atuhirwe was ‘burnt’ by Mulago radiotherapy machine

 

This was reached on after extensive reviews by both Uganda Cancer Institute and the same visiting medical team from the US led by Dr. Chad Zender, the family was told that due to the delicate situation that Carol’s health had gone into, she would be unable to safely fly to the US.

“Following the new communication, the family has been engaging the health ministry (Uganda Cancer Institute) for other alternatives and following another meeting today May 10th- it has been agreed that Carol’s case be referred to Aga Khan Hospital, Nairobi for further attention,” Mr Muhereza said.

READ: Promoter Balaam’s son survives cancer

READ: Lukwago to swear-in Kizza Besigye on Thursday

Despite Nairobi being next door, it should be noted that Carol will have to wait much longer with the Ministry of Health allegedly playing the same tricks of “delaying” Carol’s travel documents like was the case last week.

“The family is still waiting for the referral papers and once ready, Carol should be flown to Nairobi for further attention,” Mr Muhereza reveals.

Another delay will threw the Ministry of Health under more negative light.

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Museveni rejects Income Tax Amendment Bill

By
Richard Wanambwa
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PRESIDENT Museveni says what moral authority can Parliament or government have to encourage the public to comply with their tax obligations when Members of Parliament have granted themselves special status?

Kampala-President Yoweri Museveni has rejected the Income Tax (Amendment) Bill 2016 in which Members of Parliament passed a law exempting themselves from paying tax.

Museveni said the decision by Parliament does not promote good practice because it risks to undermine the integrity of both the Courts and Parliament.

“I do not support the decision of Parliament and am accordingly returning the Income Tax (Amendment) Bill for reconsideration by the house,” he said.

The President has now written to the Speaker of Parliament, Rebecca Kadaga, detailing his reasons for rejecting the bill including the need to enhance revenue collection if we are to meet the ambition of transforming Uganda into a middle income country by 2020 as well as meeting the short term demands for infrastructure development and social services.

“The decision by Parliament to grant themselves a tax exemption status is not only injurious to our revenue effort, but it is not politically and morally correct,” he said, “pointing out that small income earners like teachers, nurses and other public employees cannot be expected to pay income tax on their consolidated meagre salaries and yet Members of Parliament who earn considerably well are exempted.”

Recently Parliament passed the Income Tax (Amendment) Bill 2016, in which it decided to amend Section 21 (1) of the Income Tax Act, Cap 340, to exempt the employment income of members of Parliament, except salary, a decision that provoked public outrage and projected government in bad light as not being sensitive to the priorities of the country and the general economic conditions of the citizenry.

“As a principle, salaries for all employees were consolidated to minimize abuse which was hitherto rampant through disguise of salaries in form of allowances. This was part of our efforts to change the tax paying culture in the country and improve tax effort,”

Museveni wrote. Adding, “What moral authority can Parliament or government have to encourage the public to comply with their tax obligations when Members of Parliament have granted themselves special status? This would tantamount to applying double standards,” he said.

 

 

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