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UPC mourns Mwondha

By
Our Reporter
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RIP Patrick Mwondha

 

The Uganda Peoples Congress has paid tribute to Patrick Mwondha, saying he was a great Ugandan and Congressman who needed recognition.

At the time of his death the late Mwondha was the UPC Vice President, a position he held since July 2015.

And addressing the press at a memorial held in his honour today, party president Jimmy Akena said the late Mwondha contributed a lot to his country and party in various political capacities.

“The late was one of the senior party members who gave hope for the future, especially with the relentless struggle to return the country to multiparty politics,” Mr Akena said.
He eulogised the deceased as a UPC diehard who prepared for and handled the Wednesday Party Press Conferences at a time plural politics was banned and, a resolute minister who remained firm even after the overthrow of the UPC government (Obote II) in 1985.
“The party has lost an elder, an advisor, a strong pillar who contributed to educating our citizens on nationalism, pan-Africanism and internationalism,” Akena said, adding: “He represented the true image of UPC.”

Mr Akena said that the deceased’s body will not lie in state in Parliament because its campaign time but that the party will move a motion on the floor of the house to honour him.
The late Mwondha succumbed to kidney failure at Mulago Hospital yesterday and his body will be taken to UPC headquarters on Uganda House for public viewing after which it will be taken for burial at Ntanda village in Bugiri.

A seasoned politician, Mwondha served as a Member of Parliament (MP) for Bukhooli North and also as a Deputy Minister for Local Government under the Obote II government, from 1981 to 1985.

Under the Museveni government he represented Bukhooli North in the Constituent Assembly (CA) in 1994.

Mwondha went to Busoga College Mwiri and Makerere University, where he obtained a degree in Statistics.

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Ugandan award winning photographer to speak at UK gallery on Thursday

By
Our Reporter and Agencies
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Joel Nsadha

The Cooperative Gallery 213’s Third Thursday Artists’ Talk for this month will be a conversation with Joel Nsadha, a recent winner of the National Geographic Photo Competition in the People Category.

Nsadha, who recently moved to Greater Binghamton from Uganda, will be giving a slide-show presentation featuring his winning photograph and others, of the people and the landscapes of Uganda.

He will also be talking about his experience of entering and winning the National Geographic Photo Contest, giving some tips for photographers.

“I entered this particular photograph into the 2015 National Geographic contest not because I thought it would win anything, but because I thought Bwengye (the young boy who is the subject of the photo) was very authentic and real,” he said.

Adding“He represents a view of Kampala, Uganda and perhaps Africa that many people around the world haven’t really paid attention to.”

One of the National Geographic judges commented: “This picture challenges people’s ideas about that part of the world, and it is done with dignity.”

Gallery member Bill Gorman said: “Joel’s work is beautifully done and even stunning in some cases. He is an extremely talented, charming and delightful young man. We are lucky to be able to talk with him about his photographs and his life in Uganda.”

This Third Thursday Artist Talk will be held at the Cooperative Gallery 213 (213 State St. in Binghamton) at 7 p.m. The current exhibit at the gallery features the work of regional photographers participating in the Bob Johnston Photographic Competition.

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UPC’s Mwondha dead

By
Our Reporter
-
RIP Patrick Mwondha

The Uganda Peoples Congress (UPC) has lost one of its staunch members.

Party Vice President Patrick Mwondha has succumbed to cardiac complications at the Uganda Heart Institute in Mulago, where he has been hospitalized since December 28, 2015.

A politician, Mwondha served as a Member of Parliament (MP) for Bukhooli North and also as a Deputy Minister for Local Government under the Obote II government, from 1980 to 1985.

Under the Museveni government he represented Bukhooli North in the Constituent Assembly (CA) in 1994.

Mwondha went to Busoga College Mwiri and Makerere University, where he obtained a degree in Statistics.

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Fire erupts at Uganda House

By
Our Reporter
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A raging fire has broken out at Uganda House, trapping many people in the 11-floor building.

The fire, reportedly caused by a transformer short circuit at the the building that houses the headquarters of the Uganda Peoples Congress (UPC) on Kampala Road, broke out at around 3pm but the cause is yet to be ascertained.

A source at the scene said no one died or was injured by the fire, but hastened to add that several people were still stranded in the lifts.

 

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Suruma presides over his maiden MUK graduation

By
Steven F Mandu
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New Makerere University Chancellor Dr Ezra Suruma has today presided over his maiden graduation ceremony, which will see over 14,000 students acquire degrees and diplomas.

Dr Suruma was yesterday handed the University instruments of power by his predecessor Prof George Mondo Kagonyera, who urged him to uplift the image of the institution.

Today’s ceremony, the 66th Convocation, was held at the Freedom Square, and the subsequent ceremonies will take place over the next four days, between tomorrow and Friday, January 22.

Under this batch, 286 students attained first class degrees, obtaining a Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of above 4.40 to graduate with honors at one of the best ranking universities on the continent and the oldest in the country.

In his speech Dr Suruma, who was appointed to head the 94-year institution last year following the expiry of Prof Kagonyera’s term, urged the graduates to be innovative, hardworking and disciplined in order to uphold the reputation of Makerere University.

Dr Suruma served as Minister of Finance before being appointed Presidential Advisor on Finance.

 

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EC demonstrates Biometric kit

By
Our Reporter
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The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) has today demonstrated the Biometric Voter Verification System (BVVS), aimed at improving the integrity of the electoral process through authentication of voter identity.

According to the IEC Chairman Eng Badru Kiggundu, the Commission has acquired 32,334 machines to cater for the 28,010 polling stations in Uganda during the forthcoming General Elections on February 18. The system uses fingerprints to match voter details in a bid to help the election officer to confirm that a particular voter is on the roll of that polling station.

‘The Electoral Commission has taken the necessary measures to ensure that only eligible persons appear on the Voters’ Register, and that such persons (voters) do no vote more than once for the same election,’ Eng Kiggundu said today while unveiling the BVVS at Hotel Africana, on the fringes of Kampala city.

A release by the IEC states that the public demonstration was attended by several dignitaries including the Speaker of Parliament Rebecca Kadaga and representatives of the political parties that are fielding candidates in the elections scheduled for next month.

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Viber opens ‘public chats’ channel

By
Our Reporter and Agencies
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Viber, one of the leading messaging and calling apps with more than 664 million unique users worldwide, announced today that it has opened its latest social channel ‘Public Chats’ to partners in Africa and the Middle East.

Brands, organizations, celebrities, public figures and social influencers from these countries can now join Viber’s global platform to reach a local and regional audience.

Public Chats are live discussions that Viber users can follow, like and share with their community. Released in beta version in November 2014 with select global partners, this feature offers a new kind of social experience – tapping into live conversations from celebrities, personalities, brands and organizations. Mobile users can discover new communities, follow interactive chats in real-time and share original pieces of content with friends and contacts.

“The Middle East and Africa are important markets for Viber, and we are pleased to welcome local influencers and brands to our Public Chats platform,” said Mark Hardy, CMO, Viber. “We are sure they will enjoy chatting, commenting and debating live on this active social channel whilst sharing tips, news, and local content to our constantly connected mobile audience across the region.”

Selected partners in Africa and the Middle East, at Pan-African level and in key markets such as South Africa, Kenya, Nigeria, Ghana, Senegal, Ivory Coast and Egypt, have joined Public Chats for this regional launch in a bid to be the first players to offer local conversations on Viber. African users can now start to follow them from the Viber Public Chats explore page.

Super star of African Music, Youssou NDour, the internationally acclaimed Senegalese singer and composer just joined Viber Public Chats.
Jumia, the leading ecommerce platform in Africa, recently opened Public Chats in Egypt and Nigeria and were one of the first partners to join this new social channel in the Middle East and Africa. Viber users can expect more Jumia Public Chats to open in the African continent in the coming months.

“We are really excited with this partnership,” stated Jeremy Doutte, CEO of Jumia. “As new African customers discover the Internet first through their mobile, we want to address them wherever they are. Viber is a mobile first company with an outstanding reach in Africa. Jumia is also a mobile first company and the first online shopping destination in Africa. Joining forces will enable both Viber and Jumia to deliver quality content and good vibes to our users.”
Other Pan-African partners include Brand Africa a non-profit organisation and intergenerational movement to create a positive image of Africa, celebrate its diversity and drive its competitiveness; fashion influencer and stylist Louis Philippe de Gagoue; as well as Gareth Pon, Africa’s top instagrammer, filmmaker and social influencer with proficient knowledge in the use of mobile photography apps.
In addition, more than 50 partners have joined Public Chats in key African markets. Viber users can now follow Vanessa Haywood, Actress and Model in South Africa, Xtian Dela, Radio Presenter, Blogger & Social Influencer in Kenya, Bella Naija top lifestyle media in Nigeria, Filfan the first entertainment platform in Egypt, Live FM radio in Ghana, WIW Sport the number 1 Sport news portal in Senegal and Serge Beynaud, Afro Pop Musician and Composer from Ivory Coast.

Global brands, celebrities and public figures on Public Chats include online media platforms such as Huffington Post, Mashable, BuzzFeed and the BBC; the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi; Pop star Pixie Lott and Model and Actress Karolina Kurkova.

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Officials swindle US$2bn for fight against Boko Haram

By
Our Reporter and Agencies
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Senior Nigerian officials stole billions of dollars including 2.1 billion dollars appropriated to buy weapons to fight against Islamist group, Boko Haram.

According to Nigerian finance minister Lai Mohammed, the money meant to curb the six-year Islamic uprising in which 20,000 people have been killed, was instead diverted to funding former president Goodluck Jonathan’s election campaign.

Mohammed said overall the thieves, about 55 in number and among them former governors, Cabinet ministers and government workers, stole $9 billion dollars from Nigeria’s treasury.

Mohammed made the allegations as he kicked off a ‘national sensitization campaign’, appealing to Nigerians to join the fight against corruption that is crippling what should be a rich nation with Africa’s biggest economy, population and oil production.

He said the looted 1.35 trillion Nigerian naira, stolen between 2006 and 2013, could have built 36 hospitals or educated 4,000 children through university. At the time the naira stood at about 150 to the dollar, half today’s value. Mohammed did not identify the 55 accused but said bankers and businessmen are among them.

Jonathan lost March 2014 elections to former military dictator Muhammadu Buhari, who has promised to halt corruption and the insurgency.

Buhari said Monday that a multinational force has driven Boko Haram into “fall-back positions” and uprooted them from all territory they held.

Mohammed denied that the war against corruption was a vendetta against the opposition. He said, “If we don’t kill corruption, corruption will kill Nigeria.”

Nigeria’s judiciary is critical to the fight, he said. Three different courts have granted bail to Jonathan’s former national security adviser, Sambo Dasuki, who is accused of being instrumental in the theft of the $2.1 billion and has said he diverted the money on Jonathan’s orders. But Buhari has said he will not allow Dasuki out of detention.

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Senegal President wants shorter terms

By
Our Reporter and Agencies
-

 

In a marked departure from many of his colleagues across the African continent, President Macky Sall of Senegal is seeking to have the term of office in his country reduced from seven to five years, with a maximum two-five-year mandate.

The change is part of several proposals for constitutional reforms which are to be put to a referendum and according to the president’s office, the move is aimed at strengthening democracy.

Several African presidents have over time changed constitutions to extend their time in power.

The new constitution would not allow a president to run for more than two consecutive terms in office.

According to media reports, after reducing his term in office, Mr Sall is then expected to put himself forward for re-election in 2017 instead of 2019.

Other suggested amendments to the constitution include an upper age limit of 75 years.

The date of the referendum is yet to be announced.

Mr Sall, 54, was elected in 2012, defeating Abdoulaye Wade, who had controversially sought a third term in office.

Term limit debate flares across Africa:

  • Rwanda held a referendum in December which voted overwhelmingly for the country’s current leader, Paul Kagame, to seek a third term and potentially stay in power until 2034.
  • In October, a similar referendum has already made it legal for Denis Sassou Nguesso, in Congo-Brazzaville, to run again in 2016. He has been in power for 31 years. Protests against the constitution change were brutally repressed.
  • Uganda’s Yoweri Museveni, who has been in power for nearly 30 years, is seeking re-election this month. Term limits were scrapped in 2005.
  • Burundi has been engulfed in months of protests since President Pierre Nkurunziza announced last April he would run for a third term. Hundreds have died, there has been an attempted coup and a rebel movement has formed.
  • Elections are due in DR Congo this year but they may be postponed, enabling President Joseph Kabila to remain in office.
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Uganda signs €51.7m financial treaties with French agency

By
Our Reporter
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The deal with the French Embassy in Uganda was inked by the Minister of Finance Matia Kasaija, French Ambassador to Uganda Sophie Makame and the Director of the French Development Agency (AFD) in East Africa, Yves Boudot.

 

Water sanitation and the rural electrification projects in Uganda have received a shot in the arm after the signing of three new financing treaties worth €51.7 million.

The deal with the French Embassy in Uganda was inked by the Minister of Finance Matia Kasaija, French Ambassador to Uganda Sophie Makame and the Director of the French Development Agency (AFD) in East Africa, Yves Boudot.

The total cost for the project amounts to €55.5 million, based on a soft loan of €42.9 million for the 1,500km medium voltage and 1,300km low voltage, as well as a €8.3 million grant secured through the EU-ITF (Infrastructure Trust Fund) to reduce the connection costs and support capacity building.

Two of the financing contracts are aimed at accelerating extension of rural electrification from the national grid to local communities, implemented by the Rural Electrification Agency. Regions to benefit from the project are Rwenzori, the mid-west and southwest and north-western areas of the country.

“This project is expected to significantly enhance the implementation of the Sustainable Energy For All initiative for which Uganda is a front-runner,” said Ambassador Makame.

Another €500,000, the third financing grant, will support feasibility studies and capacity building activities for the forthcoming extension of water distribution in Masaka and Mbarara, to be carried out through the National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC).

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