Museveni attends FOCAC Summit as China announces US$60bn in funding support to Africa

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December 5, 2015

President Yoweri Museveni has attended the opening session of the Forum on China – Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) summit held at Sandton Center in Johannesburg, South Africa, during which the Chinese President Xi Jinping announced a total of US$60 billion in funding support to Africa.

The support includes US$5 billion of grants in zero interest loans and US$35 billion in preferential facility and export credit loans and concessional loans.

President Xi Jinping also announced drought aid for the continent worth US$156million worth of emergency food aid to affected countries and said his country is greatly concerned about the poor harvest caused by El Nino in many African countries.

President Museveni attended the high level meeting co-chaired by President Xi Jinping and President Jacob Zuma of South Africa, alongside 15 other African Presidents.

The three-day FOCAC meeting is the second time China has brought together African leaders since the forum was launched in Beijing in 2000.

China’s trade with Africa has since overtaken that of the traditional partners, Europe and the United States.

South African President Jacob Zuma said African countries needed Chinese help to process their abundant natural resources, which he said had made the continent vulnerable to exploitation in the past.

The Johannesburg summit which concludes tomorrow with China – Africa Roundtable Discussions chaired by President Jinping and President Zuma is held under the theme: Progressing together: win -win Cooperation for Common Development.

In his remarks, President Zuma said that hosting the China -Africa forum clearly demonstrates mutual trust, equality and partnership between Africa and China. He noted that the new measures highlighted in the forum will take the relationship to the new level.

The current Chairman of the African Union and Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe hailed China- Africa relationship saying that it has stood a test of time. He said that African Union is dedicated to the guidelines regarding the relationship both China and Africa.

Later, President Museveni held several bilateral meetings on the side lines of the forum where he met and held discussions with the first Vice President of the Sudan Mr. Bakry Hassan Salih. The two leaders focused on matters of bilateral nature as well as trade between the two countries.

The President also met several entrepreneurs who showed interest in investing in Uganda especially in the areas of infrastructure.

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NRM losers should stick to the Party

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December 4, 2015

Jessica-Alupo — Education Minister Jessica Alupo is among cabinet ministers that have defied NRM party rules to contest as independents after being defeated in party primaries.

Education Minister Jessica Alupo is among cabinet ministers that have defied NRM party rules to contest as independents after being defeated in party primaries.

Some Ministers and Members of Parliament were voted out during the just-concluded National Resistance Movement (NRM) party primaries in the run-up to the 2016 presidential and parliamentary elections.

Going by recent reports, most of those who lost in the primaries have cried foul over how the elections were conducted and threatened to ditch the NRM and run as Independents.

But that is not a good way of ‘thanking’ the party that has put food at ones table for half a decade, and the losers should put that in perspective.

Of course it is the right of any Ugandan to choose whom to associate with, which means that the losing MPs are free to join any platform they feel will better serve for their interests.

But it is also their moral obligation to serve as guiding examples to other NRM party adherents by showing that one can lose gracefully and not disrupt party cohesionin the process. Indeed, they must be good Ambassadors of democracy, ready to show that they respect the party’s position on internal democracy no matter the circumstances.

There are about seven Ministers who were shown the door, representing about 10% of the entire Cabinet and prominent among them is Education and Sports Minister Jessica Alupo, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Regional Cooperation AsumanKiyingi and the State Minister for Economic Monitoring in the Office of the President Henry Banyenzaki.

Similarly, at Parliament level, a sizeable number of MPs lost their seats in what is seen as ‘punishment for failing to render the appropriate services’.

Never in the history of the NRM party have so many men and women serving in the Cabinet and Parliament been rejected like it was in the last primaries, leading many to speculate about thecapacity of those who lost to ably represent their constituents in the first place.

In fact it is just under five years ago that most of these politicians who lost were ‘elected’, and one wonders what they might have done or failed to do that has disenchanted the voters so much, so as to deny them their next Toyota Land Cruiser or Mitsubishi Pajero and billions in salaries and perks in the Tenth Parliament.

Well, there could be some tricky factors that occasioned certain MPs’ to lose, some of which can be attributed to the party’s Electoral Commission, but the peoples’ general perception is that most of the losing MPs woes boil down to lukewarm representation, the ‘poor delivery of services’ and the inequity some of them represent; ingredients that wrench the nerve-ends of the electorate.

That said however, and the electoral glitches notwithstanding, it is not a plausible option for the losers, who are very strong Movement cadres, to abandon the NRM party and run as Independents because in so doing they are actually telling the electorate that they were in the party for individual gain.

By their very nature elections are competitive and winners are determined by the people, basing on their assessment of the elected leaders’ capacity to deliver on the promises made and other challenges that affect the respective communities they seek to serve.

That is why all those that seek employment in the politics sector must strive to serve the people. They must also try as much as possible to put the interests of the party before the individual, a stance that creates cohesion, stability and sustainability of the ideological choices that the party stands for.

It is important to note that just before the elections, those seeking for electoral posts were asked to commit themselves to the party and I believe any right thinking party cadre should have made a choice then, either to abide by the rules set to create harmony or abandon the mission altogether.

Needless to mention, for any party or political organization to be able to enforce its ideological options in respect to service delivery, there is need for party cohesion and indeed that is whythe NRM Chairman President Yoweri Museveni and the party have reached out to the losers, encouraging them to stay the course and wait for a time when another chance abounds.

That way the party will be able to contain any electoral threats posed by the opposition.

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In remembrance of Alex Ssempijja: Child prodigies need serious attention

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Our Reporter

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December 4, 2015

The death of child prodigy Alex Ssempijja of the Sitya Loss is not only a blow to the music, dance and drama industry, but to Uganda as country and one which should also remind us of our commitment towards the youth of this country.

One of four child artistes, Ssempijja was a classic example of resilience who had somehow managed overcome the challenges of growing up in a ghetto in Uganda through being creative.

In most developing and fast-evolving societies like Uganda child prodigies normally surface, exhibiting recognizable and rare talents at an early age.

However, the fame that accompanies their recognition has some downsides and many are unable to break the chains that come with it and end up in unenviable positions.

Ssempijja came to our lives through the arts, where his performance in Sitya Loss with singer Eddie Kenzo captured the attention of those interested in the youth and their development.

Indeed, Ssempijja, an enterprising young man, seemed destined for greater achievements and that is why his death should also embolden us to the responsibility of supervising the youthful Ugandans who become famous.

In most cases these youthful prodigies lack guidance and in the process get exposed to danger either through recklessness or untempered anxiety.

Just a few years back Uganda was blessed with another youthful prodigy in the names of Andrew ‘Fimbo’ Mukasa, the thrilling Express FC player who broke Jimmy Kirunda’s record goals scored in the Uganda Super League.

Today, Mukasa is a shadow of his glorious past, thanks in part to the indulgences he embarked upon after the fame achieved on the football pitch.

So, as we seek to make our prodigious youth productive through creativity, we should also ensure that we put in place the requisite policies that will help mitigate the perils that come with fame.

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TI to release Africa corruption polls

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November 30, 2015

Transparency International will tomorrow release a public opinion poll report about corruption in 28 African countries.

According to a release by the Africa Press Organisation (APO), the report launch includes a press event later in the day in Johannesburg, South Africa at the Africities 2015 conference.

Dubbed People and Corruption: Africa Survey 2015 Global Corruption Barometer, the survey detailing people’s experiences and perceptions was carried out by TI and in conjunction with the Afrobarometer and interviewed 43,143 respondents in the 28 Sub-Saharan Africa countries.
The new survey follows previous editions of the Global Corruption Barometer, last published in 2013.

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Dar hosts EAC Jua Kali exhibition

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November 30, 2015

The 16^th edition of the East African Community Jua Kali/Nguvu Kazi Exhibition has started today at the Mnazi Mmoja Grounds in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

Held under the theme: ‘Buy Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs) products, Build East Africa’, the week-long exhibition that will end on December 6 has attracted over 1000 artisans with the majority, 520 exhibitors, coming from the host country.

Others exhibitors include 250 from Kenya, 100 from Uganda, 80 from Rwanda and 50 from Burundi.

According to the EAC Principal Trade Officer (Internal) Mr Nduati wa Karanja, the theme portrays the role MSEs are expected to play in the growth and development of the region’s economies.

To participate in the Exhibition, exhibitors from Tanzania, Burundi, Rwanda and Uganda had to register with the respective ministries of Trade and Industry, while those in Kenya registered with the Small and Medium Enterprises Authority.

‘In order to support promotion of the Jua Kali/Nguvu Kazi sector of the regional economy, the EAC Secretariat in collaboration with the Partner States and Confederation of Informal Sector Organization East Africa (CISO-EA) has organized the annual exhibitions since 1999. The exhibitions have proved to be strategic avenues for promoting the sector’s products, transfer of technologies and promotion of the regional integration process’ a release from the EAC states in part.

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EALA passes regional forest bill

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November 28, 2015

The East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) sitting in Kigali, Rwanda has passed the EAC Forests Management and Protection Bill 2015 in effect putting in place a regional framework to conserve the environment.

The Bill seeks to operationalize Article 112 (1) d) of the Treaty for the Establishment of the EAC in which Partner States undertook to co-operate in the management of the environment and agreed to take necessary disaster preparedness, management, protection and mitigation measures especially for the control of natural and man-made disasters.

The Bill whose mover is Hon Christophe Bazivamo sailed through at its 3^rd Reading after the Committee stage scrutinized its various clauses, proposing amendments.

Once amends are integrated, the Bill is expected to undergo assent by the Heads of State in line with Article 63 of the Treaty for the Establishment of EAC.

During the last EALA Assembly sitting in Nairobi in October 2015, debate on the Bill was adjourned at Committee stage following a successful motion tabled by the Chair of EAC Council of Ministers Dr Harrison Mwakyembe, seeking for more time to enable the United Republic of Tanzania to make input.

Dr Mwakyembe then informed the House that Tanzania was expected to go to the polls in October and that it was necessary for the debate to be put on hold until such time that a new Government is in place to effectively enable the Partner State to make its input.

‘The Bill delineates the roles and responsibilities of Partner States and seeks to promote uniformity and integration in the area of Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) and management. Finally, the Bill seeks to create a regional mechanism which would enable a timely intervention in disaster situations’ a release by the EALA Secretariat indicates in part.

The Bill has five parts with the Preliminaries and objectives contained in Part 1. Part two covers general measures on forest management and protection while Governance and institutions of forest management and control are entailed in part 3 of the Bill. Part 4 amplifies trade in forest related products while section 5 envisages co-ordination matters under a Board known as the EAC Forests Board to be operationalized by the Council of Ministers.

The Report of the Agriculture, Tourism and Natural Resources was presented by Judith Pareno on behalf of the Chair, and the Plenary sitting resumes on Tuesday next week.

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Ugandan CSO wins US$100,000 prize

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November 28, 2015

A Ugandan forest advocacy group, the Support for Women in Environment and Agriculture (SWAGEN), has won the 8th Annual ONE Africa Award.

The Award is given to civil society organisations, non-governmental organisations and other groups based in Africa that have demonstrated a commitment and success in advocacy to promote the attainment of one or more of the Millennium Development Goals. SWAGEN is based in the Rwoho Natural Tropical Forest of Uganda, and what began in 1992 as a small group 30 people/women responding to a national policy that restricted access to the forest has grown into a 3,000 member organization with strategic partnerships across the continent and world.
SWAGEN is a member based organization that uses indigenous knowledge to adapt to, mitigate and improve environmental and sustainable development policies that impact forest dependent communities.
Gertrude Kenyangi, Co-Founder and Chairperson of SWAGEN said her organisation was honored to be recognized. “On behalf of our members, our board and our community, I thank the ONE Campaign and look forward to continuing to make a difference in the lives of those in forest dependent communities,” Ms Kenyangi said.
SWAGEN’s impact in advocacy stood out from a pool of 252 impressive applications from 33 countries across Africa; the organisation is credited with negotiating a national policy reform on Forest Conservation in Uganda that recognizes the rights of the forest dependent communities.
SWAGEN members built on that reform to secure and develop a Collaborative Forest Management Agreement with the National Forest Authority of Uganda. Their list of accomplishments include planting more than 2,000 hectares of the Rwoho National Forest buffer zone to work towards regenerating that portion of the forest and establishing sustainable beekeeping and honey production businesses.
And congratulating SWAGEN, Nachilala Nkombo, ONE Africa Acting Executive Director said: “Today, we join SWAGEN in celebrating their success in ensuring that members of forest communities in Uganda have a chance at a better life that doesn’t compromise the needs of generations to come.”
Nkombo added: “As the world grapples with agreeing on a climate deal that addresses the needs of the poor and future generations, SWAGEN has demonstrated what sheer commitment to securing systemic changes in natural resource management can do to benefit local communities in a way that lifts them out of poverty and also inspires similar achievements. As the world prepares to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030, it’s the foundation of MDG success laid by such groups as SWAGEN that will be the SDG game changer.
Each year, The ONE Africa Award celebrates and highlights innovation and progress made by African led civil society organisation towards achieving the 2000 MDGs. The $100,000 prize money is underwritten by an endowment from The Howard G. Buffet Foundation. The MDGs were replaced this year in September by the UN through the new global goals agenda called the Sustainable Development Plan.

Previous ONE Africa Award winners are:

2014 – Friends Africa of Kenya supports the fight against HIV/AIDS, TB and Malaria in partnership with the Global Fund.

2013 – Agricultural Non-State Actors Forum (ANSAF) of Tanzania, a network of non-state stakeholders in Tanzania’s agricultural sector that brings the voices of struggling smallholder farmers to the policy-making table.

2012 – Positive-Generation of Cameroon which uses a variety of advocacy tools and methods in its efforts to ensure quality lives for those living with HIV/AIDS in Cameroon.

2011 – GF2D of Togo which works to empower Togolese women to exercise their right to participate in the decision-making processes of their country by deploying paralegals into communities to share legal knowledge and by training women to run as candidates in local and national elections, amongst other activities.

2010 – SEND Ghana which works to educate and empower citizens to take part in the political process and access the services available to them.

2009 – SIDAREC of Kenya, a community-based organisation founded by young people in Nairobi’s slums, engages and empowers disadvantaged youth in the urban slums of Kenya’s capital—specifically to prevent violence.

2008 – Devcoms of Nigeria which works with the media in Nigeria to train and education journalists and editors on public health issues, especially on those concerning women and children.

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Pope Francis leads Namugongo prayers

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November 28, 2015

Pope Francis I has called on Ugandans and the global population to embrace tolerance and reconciliation.

The Pope, who was early today leading prayers at the Namugongo Martyrs Catholic Shrine, also lauded Uganda for playing host to thousands of refugees.

Of the refugees, the majority hail from South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Burundi and several congregants at the shrine said the Pope’s message also resonates with the mood in Uganda, coming just about two months before the presidential elections slated for February next year.

The four-hour mass also celebrated by the Kampala Archbishop Cyprian Kizito Lwanga, was attended by several dignitaries led by Presidents Yoweri Museveni and his South Sudan counterpart Salva Kiir Mayardit. Other dignitaries included the three other Archbishops of the Catholic Church: John Baptist Odama of Gulu Archdiocese; Emmanuel Obbo of Tororo Archdiocese and John Bakyenga of Mbarara Archdiocese, and other Catholic clergymen and women.

Others were the Archbishop of the Anglican Church of Uganda Rt Rev Stanley Ntagali; Kabaka of Buganda Ronald Muwenda Mutebi and his wife Nnabagereka Sylvia Nagginda and the Omukama of Bunyoro Solomon Gafabusa Iguru; presidential aspirants Col (rtd) Dr Kizza Besigye and John Patrick Amama Mbabazi and, several clergy and leaders among others.

In a surprise move, the Assistant Inspector General of Police Andrew Felix Kaweesi read the Second Reading of the mass, sending the congregation into wild ululations.

Security at the newly-refurbished shrine was very tight with several security operatives taking charge, led by the Commander of the Special Forces Command (SFC) Brig Muhoozi Kainerugaba, the President’s son.

According to Police Spokesman Fred Enanga, the police also deployed heavily, with regular officers being beefed up by about 5,000 Crime Preventers.

Earlier, the Pope, who arrived for Mass at about 8am, had been to the Anglican martyr’s shrine, where he was received by Archbishop Ntagali and several other dignitaries and religious leaders.

Meanwhile, the Pope, who is in Uganda on a three-day pastoral visit will later today address a gathering of the youth at the Kololo Ceremonial Grounds, after which he will head to the Nalukolongo House of Charity.

He will later meet the Catholic Archbishops and Bishops at the Kampala Archbishop’s home, after which he will meet priests, the Catholic laity and other religious leaders at Rubaga Cathedral.

Pope Francis I, who is accompanied by dozens of Cardinals and other Catholic clergy, is on a weeklong pastoral visit to Africa and has so far visited Kenya. He departs for the Central African Republic tomorrow.

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Colorado Springs: Three killed in shooting at Planned Parenthood clinic

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November 28, 2015

_86925743_030332713 — People who escaped the centre were led to safety by police

A shooting at a family planning clinic in Colorado Springs has left two civilians and a police officer dead, with the suspected gunman under arrest.

Nine other people were injured during the standoff at the Planned Parenthood clinic, which lasted five hours before the suspect surrendered.

A number of people were trapped inside the building as shots were exchanged.

The motive remains unclear. The Planned Parenthood group has drawn anti-abortion protests in the past.

A law enforcement source identified the suspect as Robert Lewis Dear, from North Carolina. No other details were given.

“I want to convey to the loved ones of the victims, this is a terrible, terrible tragedy that occurred here in Colorado Springs today,” Mayor John Suthers told a news conference.

“Obviously, we lost two civilian victims. We mourn the loss of a very brave police officer.”

The dead policeman was named as Garrett Swasey, 44, who was married with two children.

Colorado Springs Police Chief Peter Carey said five police officers were among the injured, who were being treated in local hospitals.

Police had sealed off streets around the centre as officers tried to make contact with the suspect.

“We did get officers inside the building,” police Lt Catherine Buckley said.

People who escaped the centre were led to safety by police

What is Planned Parenthood?

A healthcare non-profit-making group with 59 affiliates and 700 clinics around the US
The largest single provider of abortion in the US
Its clinics provide many other healthcare services including cancer screening
Dates back to 1916 when social activist and nurse Margaret Sanger opened the first birth control and family planning centre in Brooklyn, New York
In the 1960s and 1970s, Planned Parenthood affiliates were at the fore of many court fights to make abortion legal

A controversial service

“They were able to shout to the suspect and make communication with him and at that point they were able to get him to surrender and he was taken into custody.”

Police said the suspect had been seen carrying “some bags” into the building and teams were combing the area for possible explosives.

The suspect’s car which was found nearby was also being checked for explosives, CNN reported.

The manager of a nearby hair salon, Denise Speller, said she had heard as many as 20 gunshots in under five minutes.

She told a local newspaper she had seen one of two police officers appear to fall to the ground and the other attempt to get the wounded officer behind their police vehicle.

Police had told shoppers at a nearby centre to stay indoors.

In a statement, Planned Parenthood said it was not yet clear “if Planned Parenthood was in fact the target of this attack”.

“Our concern is for the safety of our patients, staff and law enforcement,” said itsCEO, Vicki Cowart.

New York’s city police said it had deployed critical response vehicles to Planned Parenthood sites in the city because of the Colorado incident, but said there was no threat in the city.

Planned Parenthood is a healthcare non-profit-making group with 59 affiliates and 700 clinics around the US, some of which provide abortion services.

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Police deploys 12,00 officers for Pope’s visit

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November 24, 2015

Police will deploy 12,000 personnel to man security in and around Kampala during the Pope Francis’ visit.

Similarly 800 traffic police officers have been lined up to ensure free flow of traffic during the Pontiff’s visit this week.

Speaking to journalists yesterday at the weekly press conference at the police headquarters in Naguru, Police spokesperson Fred Enanga said police will deploy at key areas that the Pontiff’s delegation will use.

He cited Entebbe International Airport, Entebbe Highway, Kololo, Munyonyo and Namugongo Martyrs Shrine.

“The Pope has a big delegation and therefore we have a good policing job, we shall deploy 12, 000 police officers with additional resources from the army to ensure law and arder during the Pope’s visit,” said Mr Enanga.

Pope Francis is expected to visit Uganda between 27 and 29 November this year.

Most of the roads leading to Namugongo and Kololo where the Pope’s delegation will visit shall be restricted.

Mr Enanga said the police is designing a traffic floe map which will be released tomorrow.

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Museveni attends FOCAC Summit as China announces US$60bn in funding support to Africa

NRM losers should stick to the Party

In remembrance of Alex Ssempijja: Child prodigies need serious attention

TI to release Africa corruption polls

Dar hosts EAC Jua Kali exhibition

EALA passes regional forest bill

Ugandan CSO wins US$100,000 prize

Pope Francis leads Namugongo prayers

Colorado Springs: Three killed in shooting at Planned Parenthood clinic

What is Planned Parenthood?

Police deploys 12,00 officers for Pope’s visit

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