Prime Minister Dr Ruhakana Rugunda described the late Mathias Nsubuga as a patriot and a man of peace.
Preparations for the 5th The Uganda UK Convention slated for Saturday, September 12 are in advanced stages, aimed at targeting investments from both foreigners and Ugandans in the Diaspora.
According to the organisers, the Convention to be held under the theme, ‘turning growth into prosperity’ will be graced by the Prime Minister Dr Ruhakana Rugunda, who will be accompanied to the UK by several Ugandan cabinet ministers and Members of Parliament.
Other personalities include the Nabagereka of Buganda Sylvia Nagginda, the Deputy Governor of the central bank Loius Kasekende, the Commissioner General of Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) Doris Akol and the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) Executive Director Jennifer Musisi Semakula, among others.
The Convention, held in partnership with the Uganda Investment Authority (UIA), will focus on investments in infrastructure development, power and energy, healthcare, real estate development and management, agriculture and agri-business, financial markets, intra-regional trade and diaspora issues.
President Salva Kiir of South Sudan is expected to sign a peace deal today, a development that will ostensibly put an end to the raging civil war in the world’s newest country.
Over the past one and a half years troops loyal to Kiir have been battling those of his erstwhile vice president Riek Machar Teng, causing tens of thousands of deaths and displacing over two million people, prompting the intervention of the international community, led by the heads of state and government of the eight-nation bloc, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD).
Other members of the international community like the US, UK and the United Nations also weighed in, with the UN threatening to refer the matter to the Security Council after Kiir refused to append his signature to the pact last Monday, saying he needed more time for consultations.
But today media sources have indicated that Kiir had softened his stance, and that the president of Kenya Uhuru Kenyatta, his Ugandan counterpart Yoweri Museveni; Sudan President Omar al Bashir and the Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn, would attend the signing in Juba, the capital of South Sudan.
According to the media, the pact compels all the belligerent forces to cease hostilities 72 hours after the signing, meaning the deal is expected to be enforced beginning Friday. All set for
Sudanese and Eritrean Refugee gather in the Levinski Park, and the surrounding areas, in South Tel Aviv, to eat, sleep and socialise in hope of finding work.
Throughout the day, people come to take them as cheap labour to work in restaurants and on building sites. April 27 2011. Photo by Nicky Kelvin/Flash90. *** Local Caption *** ôìéúéí
úì-àáéá
àøéúøéä
ñåãï
ôø÷ ìáéðñ÷é
Israel is set to release 1200 illegal immigrants after the country’s Supreme Court ruled this week that immigrants who had been in custody for 12 months be freed.
According to the Israel interior ministry, there are over 45,000 African illegal immigrants and asylum seekers in the country, with most from strife-ridden Eritrea and Sudan.
But Israel is a close-knit society that faces threats from almost all its Arab neighbours, and in 2012 the country’s Parliament passed the ‘anti-infiltration’ law, effectively making illegal immigration a nightmare for those Africans seeking either asylum or economic emancipation. This also set the pace for the illegal immigrants and asylum seekers to be held without charge.
Media reports also indicate Israel has erected a fence along its border with Egypt, to stem the growing tide of illegal immigration but hasten to add that the Jewish state is not sure of what to do with those already inside its borders.
And, as if in cue, other media reports from Israel indicate that the country had offered to give cash incentives to the freed African immigrants, with further claims that they would also be resettled in the two east African countries of Uganda and Rwanda, the latter development that was dismissed by Uganda.
Indeed, commenting about the issue mid this year the Uganda government spokesman Ofwono Opondo said Uganda cannot carry out any such engagement without the involvement of the United Nations, and he also dismissed claims of any such bilateral agreement with the Israeli government.
“And therefore it is not true, Uganda has no such arrangement to have en-masse deportation or transfer of refugees from anywhere in the world into Uganda,” Opondo was quoted by cctvafrica. com as saying in April.
Early this month the Israel Supreme Court ordered for the release of all illegal immigrants who had spent 12 months in detention, with most having been incarcerated at the Holot Detention Facility, found in the Negev desert. Not surprising however, the decision has put the Israeli government on the spotlight, with observers keen to know the fate of the released immigrants.
But Israel seems to have found part solution, with the Interior Minister Silvan Shalom reportedly ordering those released not to set foot in the capital Tel Aviv and the resort town of Eilat, the two places that play host to the largest African communities and where menial jobs are easily accessible for Africans.
It is not clear when African immigrants started crossing into Israel en masse but in May 1991 the Jewish state carried out the first-ever evacuation of over 14,000 Ethiopian Jews also known as the Falasha into Israel, under an agreement dubbed Operation Solomon, and today, Israel is reportedly home to about 120.000 Ethiopian Jewish citizens, some of who complain of discrimination and lack of job opportunities.
But as the world mulls over the supposed fate of the Falashas, the other disturbing development is about the future of the African immigrants, prompting the question: ‘What next after the release of the African migrants’?
Liverpool made a “major mistake” signing Mario Balotelli, says Jamie Carragher.
The 25-year-old is on the verge of sealing a loan switch back to AC Milan, a year after leaving the Italian giants for Liverpool.
Balotelli mustered just one goal in 16 league appearances for Liverpool last season and Carragher says the Italy international’s signing has proved to be a glaring error on the part of everyone at his former club.
“The Balotelli one was a major mistake from the whole club, not just Brendan Rodgers but the transfer committee in bringing him in,” Carragher said after Liverpool’s goalless draw at Arsenal on Monday Night Football.
“The quicker he is moved on (the better). They have Benteke and Sturridge coming back. I still can’t believe that they signed him. He hasn’t worked out and he has to move on.
“He is kidding some coaches if he gets a move to AC Milan.”
Former Arsenal striker Thierry Henry says Balotelli never looked like a Liverpool player and needs to move on in order to kick-start his career.
“We didn’t see enough of him,” Henry said.
“I don’t think he was a Liverpool player, he didn’t look like a Liverpool player for me and as soon as they got him I didn’t think he was a player the club was going to like.
“It is good for him if he can go to Milan and start his career, because for me it still hasn’t started.”
But fellow Sky Sports football pundit Gary Neville is sceptical about whether the flamboyant former Inter and Manchester City striker will ever fulfil his potential.
“Is he ever going to change? There isn’t a great deal of evidence to suggest he will,” Neville said.
“It’s impossible to do what he does on a football pitch, he doesn’t work hard enough, he doesn’t move.”
The new cabinet of Burundi’s President Pierre Nkurunziza was sworn in on Tuesday with some members of the opposition, drawing criticism from other opponents who said the ministers had no legitimacy after disputed elections.
Burundi, a poor nation in the center of Africa, has been in chaos since late April when Nkurunziza announced he would seek a third term, which opponents and Western powers said violated a peace deal that ended an ethnically charged civil war in 2005.
After months of protests that left dozens dead and prompted 180,000 people to flee the country, Nkurunziza was sworn in on Aug. 20 for another five-year term. His party also won a sweeping victory in a parliamentary election.
Presidential spokesman Gervais Abayeho told reporters in Bujumbura that five of the 20 ministers were from the opposition Amizero y’Abarundi coalition, whose leader is former rebel leader and opposition leader Agathon Rwasa.
Rwasa, like other opponents, had said he was boycotting the polls although his name and those of other opponents had remained on ballot papers for the poll and some won seats.
Rwasa, who after the polls called for a government of national unity, angered other members of the opposition when he and his supporters took up seats in the assembly. He was made deputy speaker of parliament.
Charles Nditije, leader of a group that had been a junior partner in Rwasa’s coalition, condemned the new cabinet.
“We ask the Burundian people to resist, to say no to these illegal and anti-constitutional institutions,” he told Reuters.
Nditije did not outline any specific action but ruled out protests. “We will use other peaceful methods not necessarily protests that may claim lives of protesters. There are other safe and non violent methods we may resort to,” he said.
He called for African states and the international community to push for dialogue to form a transitional government that would lead to elections.
Ruling officials have previously ruled out any new elections before the end of the new five-year term. But a government spokesman Philippe Nzobonariba said new talks were possible.
“The government is not against dialogue respectful of the law. It’s up to the mediation to schedule them (talks) not the government,” he said.
Ministers from Rwasa’s coalition are not members of a recognized party, which should bar them from office according to constitutional rules. The presidential spokesman said the constitution would be amended to make it possible.
The video showed Mr Macia struggling with police on 26 February 2013 after apparently parking his vehicle illegally in Daveyton, east of the city of Johannesburg.
Police officers then overpowered the taxi driver and tied him to the back of a van by his arms before driving off, the footage showed.
Mr Macia later died in police custody, the prosecution said.
The policemen had pleaded not guilty to murder.
They said Mr Macia had fallen out of the van and the handcuffs “accidentally hooked on to the back on the van”.
South Africa’s police have often been accused of brutality.
Analysis: Pumza Fihlani, BBC News, Johannesburg
The numerous cases against some in the South African Police Service over the years have tainted their reputation here.
If they are not in the news for bungling investigations, it’s for alleged involvement with crime syndicates or police brutality.
The ruling against the eight policemen in this particular case has been welcomed as a victory for many who have been victims of assault at the hands of police officers.
The ruling may even go some way in showing those who are entrusted with enforcing the law that they are not above it.
Magistrate Pieter du Plessis in court emphasised the principle that people have rights, even during an arrest – rights that some in the police often flout.
He lambasted the police for not ensuring that Mido Macia got the medical care he needed. For the Macia family, who were in court for the first time today – the sense that justice has been done may help to bring them healing.
Liverpool maintained their unbeaten start to the Premier League season as they played out a thrilling goalless draw with Arsenal at Emirates Stadium.
In a game littered with chances, brilliant goalkeeping and defensive mistakes, it was almost beyond belief that neither side could carve out a victory and deliver an early psychological blow among the contenders at the top of the table.
Liverpool dominated the first half but found Petr Cech in magnificent form as the former Chelsea goalkeeper saved miraculously from Christian Benteke and turned Philippe Coutinho’s shot on to a post.
Coutinho also struck the bar in the third minute – and while Arsenal’s opportunities were few, they were furious that Aaron Ramsey’s early strike was ruled out for offside.
Arsenal regrouped and dominated much of the second half, Alexis Sanchez hitting the post and Liverpool keeper Simon Mignolet producing a fine reflex save from Olivier Giroud.
The Reds will be delighted with a third successive clean sheet on the back of victories against Stoke City and Bournemouth, while Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger will be equally pleased by the character shown by his side after a difficult first half.
Cech shows his worth
When Arsenal bought Cech for £10m from Chelsea in June, the instant wisdom was that his presence alone could be worth an extra 10 points to the Gunners.
Time will tell, but this was the night when the 33-year-old showed just how important a signing he could be as the Gunners try finally to mount a serious Premier League title challenge.
Cech was castigated to an exaggerated degree after a poor debut in the home defeat by West Ham, but he was magnificent here when Liverpool laid siege to his goal in the first half.
He spread himself brilliantly to turn away Benteke’s close-range effort when it seemed certain the Belgium striker would score, then showed he still retains the old athleticism to stretch and tip Coutinho’s curling shot against an upright.
If any Arsenal fans harboured doubts about his purchase, this was a display to dispel them.
Coutinho plus Benteke equals danger
When Liverpool almost won the title in 2014, it was spearheaded by the superb attacking triumvirate of Luis Suarez, Daniel Sturridge and Raheem Sterling.
Liverpool floundered last season with Suarez at Barcelona, Sturridge injured and Sterling disaffected and out of sorts before his £49m move to Manchester City.
While there can be no comparisons with that trio, there are so many signs of promise in the understanding already established between Coutinho and £32.5m summer signing Benteke.
Coutinho’s darting runs and fast footwork are dangerous on their own while also looking for an outlet in Benteke, whose easy movement shows he is so much more than a big target man.
They have shown Liverpool can offer a different type of threat this season – and manager Brendan Rodgers will face an intriguing conundrum when Sturridge finally declares himself fit.
Will either of these teams be title contenders?
Top four is more realistic for both and they don’t look like threatening Manchester City on this very early evidence.
Liverpool, however, will be delighted at maintaining their recovery from the trauma of last season, with a third successive clean sheet and more signs that confidence is slowly returning.
Arsenal showed great spirit to recover from a first half in which their defending was horrendous to have the better of the second.
It should be placed in context by the fact they were robbed of their first-choice central defensive partnership of Per Mertesacker through illness and Laurent Koscielny with a back injury.
Mark Miles, CEO of Hulman & Co, the parent company of IndyCar, said it was a “monumentally sad day for IndyCar and the motorsports community as a whole”.
He added: “Justin’s elite ability to drive a race car was matched by his unwavering kindness, character and humility – which is what made him one of the most respected members of the paddock.
“As we know, the racing industry is one big family, and our efforts moving forward will be focused on rallying around Justin’s family to ensure they get the support they need during this unbelievably difficult time.”
Wilson, from Sheffield, is survived by his wife, Julia, and two daughters.
He competed for Minardi and Jaguar during the 2003 Formula 1 season, contesting 16 races in the series, scoring his only career point at that year’s United States Grand Prix.
He drove in major US open-wheel racing since 2004 and was making his 174th IndyCar start in Sunday’s race.
Karam, who was leading the race at the time of the crash, has been released from hospital after treatment for heel and wrist injuries.
Devaluation of China yuan is a global concern especially to Africa and young nations doing trade with China.
Devaluation of China yuan is a global concern especially to Africa and young nations doing trade with China.
Chinese stocks are again down, a day after their worst plunge since 2007 caused market losses around the world.
The global sell-off was driven by fears that China’s slowing growth might pull down other economies.
The benchmark Shanghai Composite was down 4% at midday on Tuesday, after dropping 8.5% on what state media called “Black Monday” – overnight, stocks inEurope and the US also fell.
Other Asian markets opened lower on Tuesday, but recovered in later trade.
The Shanghai index opened 6.4% lower but recovered slightly to end the morning session of trade down 4.3% at 3,071.06 points.
The 3,000 point level is seen as psychologically important for investors – falling below that could trigger panic selling.
Investors globally are worried that firms and countries which rely on high demand from China – the world’s second largest economy and the second largest importer of both goods and commercial services – will be affected by its slowdown.
Carrie Gracie, China editor, BBC News: ‘Beijing thinking hard’
Some investors had hoped that the government might make a dramatic intervention to help.
But after two months of attempting and failing to shore up the markets at a cost of hundreds of billions of dollars in state funds, even Beijing now seems to be thinking hard about what stock prices are sustainable in the long term.
For a government whose legitimacy rests on economic competence, and which had hoped that a rising stock market would help ease the problems of a wider economic slowdown, this financial crisis still carries real political dangers.
In recent months, the Chinese government has intervened in financial markets, in an attempt to try to maintain momentum in the economy.
But the central bank’s devaluation of the currency, the yuan, two weeks ago, raised fresh concerns globally the economy could be in worse shape than previously thought.
A cheaper currency lowers the price of China’s exports, making them more attractive to global firms.
Elsewhere in Asia and Australia on Tuesday, markets beat expectations, opening lower but then returning back to positive territory by lunchtime:
Tanzania's Edward Lowassa (r) has abandoned the bright green colours of the CCM to join the opposition.
Yoweri Museveni is hoping Ugandans will back him for another term.
In our series of letters from African journalists, Joseph Warungu notices that as election fever sweeps across East Africa, politicians are peeping across the borders to see if there are lessons to be learnt from their neighbours:
In Tanzania, campaigning for the October general election began on Sunday.
In Uganda, President Museveni and his National Resistance Movement are getting ready to battle it out with the opposition in the run-up to elections in 2016.
While Rwandans are taking initial steps to change their constitution to increase the presidential term limit to three, across the border in Burundi President Pierre Nkurunziza is faced with dangerous tensions stirred up by his recent re-election.
Here in Kenya, elections are still two years away, but it already feels like campaign season has begun.
With all this election activity, it’s inevitable that the five countries comprising the East African Community (EAC) – Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda and Burundi will learn lessons from one another – both good and bad.
Has Burundi’s Pierre Nkurunziza (l) picked up tactics from Rwanda’s Paul Kagame.
For example, President Nkurunziza of Burundi learnt from Rwanda that it’s OK to seek a third term of office if the first two were short and sweet.
But unlike Rwanda, where they’re planning a national referendum on the issue, Burundi’s leader forgot to ask the people if they were OK with it.
Meanwhile in Uganda, President Museveni can’t see what all the fuss is about.
By his thinking, if the people love you, it’s fine to clear away any obstacles that might prevent them from expressing that love, like for example, term limits, which were removed from Uganda’s constitution a decade ago.
In Tanzania, the opposition has decided to learn a big lesson from Kenya.
After trying and failing many times to remove President Moi and his ruling Kanu party from power, the Kenyan opposition figured that if they rallied behind only one presidential candidate, Kanu would fall.
And sure enough in 2002, all the main opposition parties threw their weight behind Mwai Kibaki, under the national rainbow coalition.
Kanu came tumbling down and President Moi went into retirement.
Tanzania’s Edward Lowassa (r) has abandoned the bright green colours of the CCM to join the opposition.
Now, it’s Tanzania’s turn to try the same tactic.
After weeks of discussions, the main opposition parties, who adopted the umbrella name of Ukawa, have finally agreed to support only one presidential candidate.
His name is Edward Lowassa, a former prime minister in the ruling CCM party.
Until recently, he could still be heard singing the ruling party’s praises, only to have a change of heart and join the opposition when his presidential ambitions in the CCM were frustrated.
Mr Lowassa appears to have learnt survival skills from Amama Mbabazi in Uganda.
Like Mr Lowasaa, Mr Mbabazi is also a former prime minister.
Just as Mr Lowassa was a close ally of Tanzania’s President Jakaya Kikwete, Mr Mbabazi had been the right-hand man to Uganda’s President Museveni since the 1970s.
And like Mr Lowassa, Mr Mbabazi was dropped as prime minister.
So for both men, when their thirst for power could not be quenched within the party, they decided to seek a refreshing drink from outside.
Mr Mbabazi has now said he wants to run for president as an independent candidate in the Ugandan elections, although his arrest in July while preparing to go and canvass support showed that any campaign he attempts is likely to be fraught with challenges.
As its name suggests, the ruling National Resistance Movement in Uganda has a habit of resisting things. And people.
Rwanda’s Paul Kagame had strong words for one Kenyan who criticised his third-term ambitions.
Next door in Kenya, there’s lots of talk about what’s going on in Rwanda.
Both countries are going to the polls in 2017.
One Kenyan on social media, who opposed moves to clear the way for President Kagame’s third term, found himself personally rebuked by the Rwandan leader.
Kenyans rushed to defend their insulted compatriot, using the hashtag #SomeoneTellKagame to launch their rebuttals.
wanda has welcomed Kenyan expertise in many sectors of its economy, but politics is one lesson it’s not too keen to learn from its neighbour, which has had its own serious problems when it comes to running elections.
So, however much East Africans are listening to one another, it seems as though there are still many who are happy to ignore their neighbours and continue doing their own thing.
