The East African Community (EAC) has formed a network to promote the exchange of information between criminal justice and law enforcement counterparts among Member States of the East African Community on issues pertaining to the fight against cybercrime, the Monitor reported.

Under the arrangement, Uganda Kenya and South Sudan as well as Ethiopia and Somalia formed the Eastern African Cybercrime Criminal Justice Network to create a network of focal points for law enforcement agencies, prosecution services, and central authorities in order to facilitate informal and formal modes of cooperation in criminal matters involving cybercrime and electronic evidence.

The Eastern African Criminal Justice Network on Cybercrime and Electronic Evidence seeks to facilitate and promote formal and informal international cooperation among member states against cybercrime and exchange information on best practices, harmonisation of national laws and technical assistance needs in the field of international cooperation to combat cybercrime.

The network is charged with establishing a database of cybercrime cases and compiles information on patterns and trends of cybercrime in the region; facilitate and coordinate training and capacity building activities for the member states, cooperation on legal issues pertaining to cybercrime, including the use of electronic evidence. It is envisaged that the network will promote and facilitate any other form of cooperation as may be beneficial to the needs of member states and the functioning of the network itself.

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The population of Uganda has risen by four million people over the last fourteen years, pushing the figure to 34 million people, the Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS) has announced.

However, according to a census report by UBOS, the country’s population growth has declined from 3.2 to three per cent, over the same time.

The shillings 200 billion National Census was carried out in 2014 but the delayed results have been released two years after, and speaking at the release of the census report today President Yoweri Museveni noted that population growth was a major factor within the region.

“The bigger population in the region is the bigger our quest is in attaining market,” he said at the function held today at the Serena International Conference Centre.  Mr Museveni also urged the respective ministries to prioritise immunisation and provision of clean water.

According to the 2014 Census findings, the number of females was dominant at 51% out of the total population, while the fertility rates in the country dropped from 7% to 5.8%.

Further, the report indicates that the infant mortality rate has reduced, with fewer children dying before the age of one, while life expectancy increased from 50 to 63 years.

The report placed Wakiso as the most populated town with a total of two million inhabitants, while Kalangala district was ranked least populated with a mere 54,000 inhabitants.

It notes that 10% of the entire population has not attained an education and that 10% of the children under ten years are not in school.
It further revealed 8% of households still lack toilets, while subsistence farming remains the highest source of income at 69%.

Meanwhile, although the report establishes that there has been an increase in electricity distribution from 8% to 20 percent, there are many who still use candles/tadobas in rural areas.

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Staunch Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) adherent, city lawyer Yusuf Nsibambi has been reappointed the Kampala District Land Board (KDLB) chairperson and in his inauguration speech, promised to resolve all land wrangles and also to recall all land tittles which were illegally acquired.

Speaking at the swearing in of thirty Kampala District Land Board (KDLB) committee members appointed by KCCA council, Mr Nsubuga, also said the members will tackle illegal land evictions and ensure that residents especially in slum areas enjoy peace. The function took place today at the Office of the Prime Minister in Kampala, and while addressing the new team the Minster for Presidency and Kampala Affairs Frank Tumwebaze Kajiji appealed to the new KDLB members to avoid double land titling. He also urged them to emphasise development linked with planning, saying this will help to resolve Kampala land disputes.
The KDLB is chaired by city lawyer Yusufu Nsibambi, and he will be assisted by Elly Ocheng  Dambyo of Makindye; Owek. Ssava Sserubili of Lubaga, Eng Musoka Kiberu of Kawempe; John Kizito Kaggwa of Nakawa and Patrick Mugisha of Central, all of who will serve five-year terms expiring in 2021.

And, swearing in the officials, the KCCA legal chief Moses Nabende urged them to respect the oath of office, avoid corruption and to emphasize good land policies.
 

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