Mike Sebalu, who used to perform with Del Group and is now an MP in the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA);
Mike Sebalu, who used to perform with Del Group and is now an MP in the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA);
It is often thought that good basketball players also know how belt out rap music hits.
National Basketball Association (NBA) players such as Iman Shumpet who played for New York Knicks and Cleveland Cavaliers released a massive hit in 2012 entitled Supaphly , while Brian Shaw who played for Los Angeles Lakers and The Miami Heat in 1994 also belted out a nice song called Everything can happen.
Shaquille O’Neal who played for The Miami Heat, Orlando Magic and Boston Celtics also proved to that he can do well with rap music when in 1993 he released the hit What’s up Doc, which got massive airplay worldwide.
Then there is Cedric Ceballos and Dana Baros who played for Los Angeles Lakers, The Miami Heat and Orlando Magic, who released Ya don’t Stop and Check it in 1992 and 1995, respectively.
The narrative above is one of basketball superstars being able to flourish in the competitive music industry in the US. While basketball and singing may be bedfellows in the US, can singing and politics be bedfellows in Africa’s politics?
Also, can our musicians who are joining politics pull off a feat almost similar to what the NBA basketball players pulled off in the US music industry?
Well, several Ugandan artistes including Daniel Kazibwe, better known by his stage name Ragga Dee, the self-proclaimed Jaaja waba yimbi loosely translated ‘the grandfather of all Ugandan musicians’, has already shaved off his dreadlocks, an indication that he is serious about contesting for the Kampala Lord Mayor position on the NRM ticket in the forthcoming elections in 2016.
Ragga Dee is closely followed by Rachael Magoola of the Obangaina fame under Uganda’s most successful music ensemble, the Afrigo Band. Magoola has decided to give politics a try by contesting for Woman Member of Parliament of Iganga district. Another artiste, Eddy Yawe, a brother to Bobi Wine of the Firebase Crew has decided to put a halt to his music writing and production skills and concentrate on seeking to represent for the people of Kyadondo East, that is if he can oust the incumbent, veteran journalist Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda. Judith Babirye, known of her soul torching music renditions, recently picked forms from the National Resistance Movement (NRM) Secretariat, to contest for the Buikwe Woman Member of Parliament currently held by Dorothy Mpiima. According to Babirye, she was inspired to join politics by the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) Executive Director Jennifer Semakula Musisi.
Then there is veteran actor and song-writer Kato Lubwama,whose 30 year stint in the performing arts might be put on hold in favour of pursuing a rigorouspolitical campaign that might land him in Parliament as the representative of the people of Rubaga South constituency, currently held by John Ken Lukyamuzi aka The Man.
Meanwhile, there are successful politicians who have had a stint in the performing arts and music industry and these include Stephen Kaliba, the former MP for Fort Portal Municipality; Mike Sebalu, who used to perform with Del Group and is now an MP in the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA); Maria Matembe, a former MP and Minister for Ethics and Integrity, who used to act in Luzira Mother’s Union and Minister Suleiman Kyabakoze Madada, the MP for Bbaale county in Kayunga district, who is also the State Minister in charge of People with Disabilities.
Of course, it would be a huge oversight to end this article without mention of President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, the topmost politician in Uganda who has so far managed to release two hit singles, Mpenkoni and Y’engoma, in 2010 and 2015, respectively.
On the international scene, in 2012 US President Barack Obama sang the lyrics of Sweet Home Chicago, an original composition of the Blue Brothers; while veteran Zimbabwe president Robert Gabriel Mugabe, belted out What shall we do with Rhodesians in November 2011 in an attempt to identify with the youth in his country, while at the same time pouring ice on his ‘permanent nemesis’, the Whites.
And, were it not for the Haitian Constitution to bar people who have not lived in the country for five years, famous international singer Wyclef Jean could have become Haitian President in November 2010!
Meeting him on Kampala’s Luwum Street, Kenny Omar doesn’t strike you as extraordinary amongst the hubbub of the occasional Sunday sale that takes place weekly. The street is blocked from all traffic on that particular day in order for the sale to run smoothly. With his immaculately organized attire; well fitted trousers, tucked in shirt and loosely hanging tie, he still manages to stand out amongst the crowd by giving the impression of someone who is sophisticated, elegant and therefore, out of place amongst the milieu of local salesmen and potential buyers.
Omar is amongst a handful of Ugandans who studied piloting at college; it had always been his dream. However, the future dictated otherwise. EagleOnline’s Isaiah Tashobya had a chat with Omar.
So Why Fashion?
Omar: I’ve always dreamt of flying a plane but when I finished university I could not find any work or employment. And I’ve always had interest in fashion, but I took it up as a hobby at that time and when I realized I could earn money and make a living out of it I decided to be serious about it: so I took it up as a career.
Was that when OG Apparrell was born?
Omar: Yes, that was when I decided to focus entirely on this franchise. There wasn’t much else for me to do.
And how have you provided for Uganda’s fashion industry?
Omar: I consider myself a service provider. Here in Uganda OG Apparel is a bespoke tailoring service. What this mainly entails is that you order what type of suit or dress you want and what it should look like and we provide it for you. You don’t have to walk days on end on Kampala’s streets looking for something that you might not find. We can provide it for you, even right at your doorstep.
And how have you found the fashion Industry so far? Is it intriguing?
Omar: Tough, especially for an upcoming fashion designer like me. But on the other hand it is also interesting. I’ve learnt a lot through the hardships I’ve faced.
And what is that goal?
Omar: I aim or hope to open a proper clothing store one day, probably in a place like Village Mall in Bugolobi. This is just a workshop (he says gesturing around the small compact room), then from there I’ll see what the next stop will be.
Why would I want to buy your creations? Why not just go to the first store I see, say Winna Classic! And buy myself a garment. What is so special about your designs?
Omar: First of all, how much are the clothes at Winna Classic or Woolworths? Secondly, do you really get what you want? Here our clothes, like suits for men are at reasonable prices, you can bargain between the range of Shs900,000 to Shs250,000 depending on the material you want and the amount of creativity involved. And I always give the customer what they want, designing their clothes down to the very last detail that they describe to me.
Where do you get these materials that you use to make these clothes?
Omar: We get our materials from downtown-specifically from Fashion House-Eagle Plaza, Luwum Street, as well as Shina Textiles.
Do you see yourself ever going back to pursuing your dream of being a pilot?
Omar: I am definitely changing my career and going back to pursue my first love of being a pilot. This should happen in about three years’ time at most. What I’m doing right now is a skill and I can always carry it on despite what else I take up in the near future.
And how can you describe the fashion Industry in Uganda?
Omar: It’s tough, in that it is very competitive: so many upcoming and good/creative designers. Therefore, it is not easy to make a name for yourself here; this is mainly because there aren’t enough platforms to give you exposure. Maybe apart from the recently introduced Kampala Fashion Week brought about by Gloria Wavamuno. That is why the fashion scene in a place say like Europe is highly advanced due to many more platforms for designers to exhibit their works. But then again we aren’t so bad compared to other African countries like Tanzania.
What has this journey been like for you?
Omar: It’s been both interesting and challenging. I’m up by5am and work till 12am because there is always tons of work to do, deadlines to meet … but I like it and the challenges I face only serve to push me further.
What is your client base like?
Omar: Before it mainly consisted of just young adults, but now it comprises of all age groups, mostly individuals who are planning to get married.
And where do you see OG Apparel in a few years time? Do you plan on establishing this line further still or do you want to leave it entirely and focus on becoming a pilot instead?
Omar: Even after I leave and chase that dream, OG Apparel should still go on: so many people like and appreciate the services I provide, so I see no reason to close shop when it is still needed. I have workmates who are skilled enough to keep this franchise active.
Thank you so much for your time! Any last words?
Omar: Always work hard, believe in yourself and stay humble.
Abubakar Shekau used to appear regularly in Boko Haram videos.
Abubakar Shekau used to appear regularly in Boko Haram videos.
The Nigerian-based Islamist militant group Boko Haram has a new leader, Chad’s President Idriss Deby says.
He did not say what had happened to Abubakar Shekau, but said he had been replaced by Mahamat Daoud – who has not been heard of before.
Mr Shekau has not featured in the group’s recent videos, leading to speculation that he has been killed.
Mr Deby, whose troops have been involved in battling Boko Haram, said Mr Daoud was open to dialogue.
The BBC’s Nigeria correspondent Will Ross says that last year, the Chadian leader was said to be brokering peace talks with Boko Haram.
But the negotiations never happened and were widely seen as a sham so some analysts will question how much credence to give to Mr Deby’s latest comments about the jihadist group, he adds.
Mr Shekau took over as the group’s leader after the its founder, Muhammad Yusuf, died in Nigerian police custody in July 2009.
Under his leadership the group has become more radical and carried out more killings.
Previous reports about his death proved to be untrue.
The last Boko Haram video, which was released earlier this month, showed an unidentified young man speaking in the name of the Islamic State in West Africa calling on people to be patient: “We are still present everywhere we had been before.”
He spoke in the regional Hausa language, with an accent from the Kanuri ethnic group, to which Mr Shekau belongs.
This unidentified man spoke in the last Boko Haram video earlier this month.
In numerous videos, Mr Shekau has taunted the Nigerian authorities, celebrating the group’s violent acts including the abduction of the more than 200 Chibok schoolgirls in April 2014.
He was last heard from in March, when he released an audio message pledging allegiance to the Islamic State (IS) group.
Last month, Nigeria’s new President Muhammadu Buhari said he would be willing to negotiate with the Boko Haram leadership for the release of the Chibok girls – depending on the credibility of those saying they represented the group.
A previous prisoner-swap attempt ended in failure.
Earlier this year, Chadian troops played a key role in a regional effort to retake towns and villages held in north-eastern Nigerian by Boko Haram.
Founded in 2002, initially focused on opposing Western-style education – Boko Haram means “Western education is forbidden” in the Hausa language
Launched military operations in 2009
Thousands killed, mostly in north-eastern Nigeria, abducted hundreds, including at least 200 schoolgirls
Joined Islamic State, now calls itself “West African province”
Seized large area in north-east, where it declared caliphate
Regional force has retaken most territory this year
Yesterday, members of the opposition in Parliament walked out, protesting against the debate of electoral reforms.
Currently, Uganda is undergoing an important metamorphosis in its political life and there is need for all stakeholders to approach national matters with caution and guided restraint.
The type of political contest obtaining in Uganda espoused today seemingly lacks maturity, with opposing sides usually exhibiting tendencies of intolerance towards each other, and in the process hurting the aspirations of millions of the citizenry.
Indeed, since Independence in 1962, Uganda has never had any peaceful change of government and this should be a matter of concern for all Ugandans because several lives have been lost and property of unquantifiable costs destroyed.
That notwithstanding, it is pertinent to note that both the opposition and government sides’ intentions are hinged on national progress and none of the two groups should claim it has the monopoly of ideas capable of turning around the country in the spur of a moment.
It is against such a background that both parties, the opposition and the ruling party, the NRM, set out to seek and collate information and views from the citizenry, about the best governance practices expected of the Government of Uganda.
As expected, the people poured out their hearts and if we are to go by the Constitution, Article 1 denotes the importance of the citizenry to determine their future.
However, it is also true that not all recommendations by either party will attract favourite response by the opposite side, something that calls for a sober and tactical approach to resolve.
Indeed, the stakeholders should avoid confrontation at the expense of dialogue and social cohesion, both key ingredients to national development.
This therefore means that the differences between our political players should not act as a hindrance to finding a common position, one that can pave the way for a stable and peaceful country that is the pride of every citizen.
Renowned international gospel artiste Kathy Troccoli has arrived in the country ahead of the much anticipated three-day Phaneroo first anniversary celebrations starting tomorrow.
Troccoli, famous for her “Go Light Your World” hit single, touched down last night at 9:45pm at Entebbe airport.
She was welcomed by the Phaneroo and Christ Heart contingent that included the host Apostle Grace Lubega the vision bearer Phaneroo and Bishop Isaiah Mbuga the founder of Christ Heart, among others.
Troccoli expressed gratitude at having been considered to perform at an event of this magnitude and promised a worship evening on Friday, August 14, that will minister to each and everyone in attendance.
“As a minister, my role is ensure that everyone gets to experience God intimately in spite the diversity and varying needs of the congregation. That’s the call upon my life and by the grace of God, I have been able to touch many lives ushering them into the bottomless love of God,” said Troccoli.
Apostle Grace Lubega welcomed to Troccoli to Kampala referring to her as one of the most influential worship ministers of our time whose songs have impacted generations across the world.
Besides “Go Light Your World”, the two time gospel music association dove awards winner, has produced a number of various worship songs that have edified the body of Christ including; Sounds of Heaven, You’re the Heart of Me, Everything Changes, Mission of Love, I Call Him Love and Help Myself to you – her first hit to top the Billboard charts.
Some of the local artistes to grace the stage will include New Testament, Julie Mutesasira, Jackie Senyonjo and the Phaneroo Worship Choir.
The celebrations will start with a grand Phaneroo celebration service tomorrow, followed by the worship evening on Friday, 14 August to be headlined by Troccoli and crowned with the healing service; Healing Chronicles on Saturday August 15, all events will take place at the hockey grounds-Lugogo.
WON CASE AGAINST MUSEVENI: Former UPC leader Olara Otunnu.
Invited.Former UPC leader Olara Otunnu.
Uganda Peoples’ Congress (UPC) has invited former party president Olara Otunnu to attend the National Council meeting that commences tomorrow.
While addressing journalists in Kampala today, ‘new party spokesperson’ Mr. Michael Osinde Orach said Otunnu and his cabinet were invited to discuss dialogue and reconciliation.
Otunnu and UPC president-elect Jimmy Akena are currently locked in a battle over who leads the party, but Osinde said Otunnu would only ‘attend as an observer’ and that he would not participate in any other party activities.
“Not all conflicts are negative, some are positive, that’s what why we want him to be around,” Mr Osinde said, adding that Otunnu’s presence would be a big step towards dialogue. “We need their advice concerning reconciliation.”
However, commenting on the matter ‘former party spokesperson’ Okello Lucima said there was no leadership change in UPC and denied Otunnu had received any invitation. He also said that whatever was discussed wasn’t in the name of the UPC; “it will be in the UPC of Museveni”.
“Otunnu can’t be invited to an organ which he is supposed to call,” Lucima said adding Otunnu hadn’t handed over to anyone.
Commenting about UPC’s position on The Democratic Alliance (TDA), Mr. Osinde said that the party’s stand will be decided by the National Council that sits from August 13 to 15 at Jokas Hotel Bweyogerere.
“We were very clear in the meeting; we are conscious on what members will say and we don’t want to repeat any mistake. TDA is good but the National Council will agree or disagree on that,” he said.
He disclosed that the party’s cabinet had resolved in its first meeting which sat on July 22 to reshuffle members representing UPC in the Interparty Organization for Dialogue(IPOD).
Those dropped include former party spokesperson Mr Okello Lucima, Fr Jacinto Ogwal and Mr Issa Otto.
“IPOD is about party policy and you cannot represent a party when it does not know the views you are going to present,” said Osinde, and advised the three members to attend the NC where more discussions about the matter will be held.
“We wish to urge them to stop and we call upon all donors to take note of this,” he warned.
But Lucima took exception to Osinde’s assertions, saying he was not aware of any changes made in respect to UPC’s representation to IPOD.
“I don’t know about that because it is not Osinde that chose me,” Lucima said.
Meanwhile, Higenyi Hamba, the party’s Publicity Secretary, urged the Council to pay tribute to fallen UPC leaders during the meeting.
Ms Rita Namisango, Makerere University acting Spokesperson.
Ms Rita Namisango, Makerere University acting Spokesperson.
First year students at Makerere University will have to wait for another week before they can report for the first semester of 2015.
This follows a sit down strike organized by non-teaching staff at seven public universities, demanding for increased pay packages.
But in an emergency meeting held on Tuesday, August 11 the University Council resolved to extend the opening of the semester from Saturday August 15 to August 22, while continuing students have their reporting timetable rescheduled by two days, from August 22 to August 24, ostensibly to give more time for negotiations between the government and the striking staff.
“It is true we have pushed the semester for after one week and it’s just to enable the government, public university administration and the non-teaching staff to negotiate,” Ms Ritah Namisango, the Makerere University Public Relations Officer, said.
She said the negotiations between the two parties progressive and that she believes a consensus will be reached soon.
“About the negotiations, I cannot say much but they are going on smoothly and let’s hope for the best. By the end of this week, a communication about them (sic) will be out,” Ms Namisango said.
When contacted for a comment on the progress of the negotiations, the Minister for Education and Sports, Jessica Alupo could neither pick the phone calls nor reply the text messages.
By filing time it was not possible to establish what the other six universities had resolved but contacted, a group of students at Kyambogo University expressed concern at the way events were unfolding ahead of the first semester of 2015.
They said that many who have been in ‘recess’ at the university had to stop as soon as the non-teaching staff started the strike on August 3, 2015.
“We stopped studying because most buildings we use are run by the non-teaching staff. For example the locks of one laboratory that we normally used were blocked with super glue just to prevent us from accessing it,” Rashid Kagoro, a second year student of Information Technology and Computing, said.
Work at the University Senate Building is also at a standstill as one electrician decided to switch off the main power supply when the strike begun, the students said.
On August 3, support staff at the universities of Makerere, Kyambogo, Gulu, Busitema, Muni, Soroti and the Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST), went on strike, claiming they had been discriminated against when in the 2015/16 budget government released Shs50billion to cater for the teaching staff increments.
It is said that under the new structure, a professor will now earn about 6 million shillings, up from about Shs4 million, something that has since rubbed the non-teaching staff the wrong way.
First year students at Makerere University will have to wait for another week before they can report for the first semester of 2015.
This follows a sit down strike organized by non-teaching staff at seven public universities, demanding for increased pay packages.
But in an emergency meeting held on Tuesday, August 11 the University Council resolved to extend the opening of the semester from Saturday August 15 to August 22, while continuing students have their reporting timetable rescheduled by two days, from August 22 to August 24, ostensibly to give more time for negotiations between the government and the striking staff.
“It is true we have pushed the semester for after one week and it’s just to enable the government, public university administration and the non-teaching staff to negotiate,” Ms Ritah Namisango, the Makerere University Public Relations Officer, said.
She said the negotiations between the two parties progressive and that she believes a consensus will be reached soon.
“About the negotiations, I cannot say much but they are going on smoothly and let’s hope for the best. By the end of this week, a communication about them (sic) will be out,” Ms Namisango said.
When contacted for a comment on the progress of the negotiations, the Minister for Education and Sports, Jessica Alupo could neither pick the phone calls nor reply the text messages.
By filing time it was not possible to establish what the other six universities had resolved but contacted, a group of students at Kyambogo University expressed concern at the way events were unfolding ahead of the first semester of 2015.
They said that many who have been in ‘recess’ at the university had to stop as soon as the non-teaching staff started the strike on August 3, 2015.
“We stopped studying because most buildings we use are run by the non-teaching staff. For example the locks of one laboratory that we normally used were blocked with super glue just to prevent us from accessing it,” Rashid Kagoro, a second year student of Information Technology and Computing, said.
Work at the University Senate Building is also at a standstill as one electrician decided to switch off the main power supply when the strike begun, the students said.
On August 3, support staff at the universities of Makerere, Kyambogo, Gulu, Busitema, Muni, Soroti and the Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST), went on strike, claiming they had been discriminated against when in the 2015/16 budget government released Shs50billion to cater for the teaching staff increments.
It is said that under the new structure, a professor will now earn about 6 million shillings, up from about Shs4 million, something that has since rubbed the non-teaching staff the wrong way.
AIG, a leading global property, casualty and general insurance company has launched the ‘AIG Cyber Edge’ in Uganda.
Speaking at the launch of the first Cyber Insurance product in Uganda, Anna Othieno, the AIG Uganda Managing Director noted that cyber security is crucial now that the internet has become an integral part of all sectors of the economy.
“Cyber exposures are one of the most prominent risk concerns on a business’ radar and in a digital age this trend is set to continue. The threat represented by cyber risks is now as tangible as physical threats to a company’s assets and has serious knock-on effects. It is this kind of chain reaction that Cyber Edge has been designed to help counteract,” Ms Othieno said at the launch.
She explained that managing cyber-attacks, threats and risks is always challenging especially when changes in technology happen rapidly creating potential gaps in highly sensitive company information.
“We are excited to launch Cyber Edge, an insurance product designed to protect against the full potential impact of a cyber-breach; the solution covers financial, legal, investigative and reputation exposures from a single premium,” she added.
According to Ms Othieno, the Cyber Edge product has already proven effective in Europe with policyholders benefiting from leading forensic and legal professionals after a cyber-breach.
Meanwhile, in the recent past, Ugandan commercial organisations, financial institutions and government bodies have suffered from several cybercrime attacks, leading to among others, equipment failure, destruction of intellectual property, physical damage to property and devastating financial loss.
A lawyer, Francis Ayume held several influential posts in the Museveni government, before becoming the Speaker of Parliament, following the demise of James Wapakhabulo. He also served as Minister of State in the President’s Office and Attorney General. Ayume died in an accident in 2005 as he returned from his home in Arua.
Agard Didi
Born in 1944, Agard Didi is a lawyer who also held many influential positions, with stints at the Uganda Airlines and in security in the Museveni government. He was also at one time a Member of Parliament for Moyo West and served as State Minister of Foreign Affairs in charge of Regional Cooperation. He died of heart attack at his home in Luzira in 2009.
Catherine Mavenjina
Catherine Akumu Mavenjina is a lawyer and politician who hails from Nebbi, in the West Nile region of Uganda. She served as a magistrate before joining elective politics as a Constituent Assembly Delegate (CAD), and participated in the Constitution-making process of the 1995 Constitution. She also served as Minister of State for Public Service, after which she worked as a Resident District Commissioner of Moyo district. She also served as Member of Parliament and was the Chairperson of Uganda Women Parliamentary Association. She is a member of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) party.
Onegi Obel Senior
Obel was born on April 4 1932 in the West Nile District of Nebbi and attended Ngetta Catholic Primary School in Lira, St. Aloysius College in Nyapea, Nebbi District and Namilyango College.
He attended university in Canada, graduating with aBachelor of Arts in Economics. He transferred to theUniversity of Toronto where he obtained the degree of Masters of Arts, returning to Uganda in 1965.
He was later to join the Ministry of Finance where he worked as Commissioner for Taxation. In 1968, he was appointed Deputy Governor Bank of Uganda and in 1973 he was elevated to Governor of Bank of Uganda, serving in that capacity until 1978.
In 1994, he was elected to the Consentient Assembly that drafted the 1995 Ugandan Constitution.
He died of natural causes in 2008.
Geoffrey Onegi Obel
The son of Onegi Obel Senior, Geoffrey was born in 1955. His most prominent position was Chairman of the National Social Security Fund (NSSF), a position that also made him run into trouble with the law.
In 2003, he floated a special purpose vehicle called Premier Developments Limited, a 50-50 joint venture between NSSF Uganda and Mugoya Estates Limited. NSSF’s contribution was 400 acres (160 ha) of land that NSSF acquired from former Prime MinisterAmama Mbabazi and businessman Amos Nzeyi at a value of about US$2.75 million (about Shillings 8billion now). However, the project was cancelled by government and corruption charges were preferred against Onegi Obel and others. The case was dismissed, the prosecutors re-filed it a second time but he was cleared all charges.
Engineer Eric Adriko
Eric Adriko hails from Arua, West Nile, and is a holder of a mechanical engineering degree from Queen Mary College, University of London, graduating in 1966. Later Adriko was awarded a Commonwealth Scholarship for a doctorate in Mechanical Engineering at the same university under the system called ‘Fast Track Scheme’ which enabled him to do a PhD without having to do a master’s degree.
Upon completion of studies in 1970, he came back home and founded the Faculty of Technology at Makerere University, where he worked until 1972 later joining private business. While in business, he founded Adrikos, a family business that was involved in making gin and wine.
After 1986, Adriko joined politics and was elected to the National Resistance Council representing Vura County. Subsequently, he was appointed Minister for Industry and Technology, and later rising to the post of Second Deputy Prime Minister. He resigned from active politics in 1996 and in 2004 he was appointed the Chancellor of Kyambogo University. A seasoned and keen golfer, Adriko is currently living a low-profile life, serving as the Executive Chairman of Adriko Group.
Dr Henry Opiote
Dr Henry Opiote was a personal physician to former Ugandan president Dr Apollo Milton Obote. He studied medicine at the Chance University, Prague in Czechoslovakia, graduating in 1977. It is said he recently returned from exile in Zambia, where he had stayed since the overthrow of Obote in July, 1985. He lives a low profile life.
Dr Moses Tako Apiliga
Dr. Moses Tako Apiliga, first rose to national fame when he was appointed as the Minister of State for Supplies under Milton Obote’s government from 1980 to 1985.
Apiliga studien human medicine at the University of Glasgow, Scotland.
A strong UPC apparatchik, Dr Apiliga also served as Principal Special Adviser to Obote on foreign affairs. In 2006 he tried his hand at politics again, contesting against former Ambassador to China and Internal Security Organisation boss Ambassador Philip Idro, for the Moyo west constituency.
Jovino Ayumu Akaki
He is a politician and teacher who resigned his teaching job and joined politics in 1996 as a Member of Parliament for MaruzI County, Apac district.
He was appointed State Minister for Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities. In 2006 Ayumu Akaki lost the seat to David Ebong Abong.
Prof Shem Masaba
A professor of Zoology, Shem Masaba was the first minister of veterinary and animal industries under the NRM/A government in 1986.
He served for only a year, leaving the Cabinet in 1987 after he criticised fellow ministers for being ‘corrupt’.
“All ministers must be corrupt because they all lived a good life, which could not be financed from their official salary,” Prof Masaba said on the floor of Parliament, eliciting fervent protest from his colleagues who called for his resignation, citing the ‘collective responsibility’ mockery. He then retreated to Makerere before retiring to private work including opening a secondary school in Kapchorwa District.
Wanjusi Wasieba
He joined politics in 1994 when he was elected to the Constituent Assembly to represent Bubulo West. In the same year he was appointed Sate Minister for works. In 1996 he was elected Member of Parliament for Bubulo until he was replaced by the late Kamana Wesonga after of Wanjusi’s nomination was canceled over ‘lack of academic qualifications’. He then went back to school, enrolling Kampala University.
When the former Speaker of Parliament and MP for Mbale Municipality James Francis Wamboga Wapakhabulo passed on in 2004, Wasieba replaced him as MP. In the 2006 elections Wasieba lost the municipality seat to Ambassador Jack Wamai, but was later on appointed the Resident District Commissioner (RDC) for Bududa district.
In 2010 he resigned his position as RDC Bududa, but lost to Tonny Kipoi in the NRM primaries for Bubulo West in Manafwa district and is currently at his home village of Bugobero.
Jack Maumbe Mukwana seen here standing next to President Museveni during the re-union of Former Minister Michael Werikhe and Mbale LCV Chairman Bernard Mujasi.
Jack Maumbe Mukwana
Jack Maumbe Mukwana first rose to national prominence in 1986, when he was appointed the Deputy Minister of Information and Broadcasting. When he left cabinet, he was posted to Tororo as RDC.
However, before that Maumbe’s name was to surface in theMustard Seed, a book written by president Museveni, detailing his political experiences before he assumed power in 1986.
In the book, Museveni talks about a narrow escape from the jaws of death in Mbale, where he had taken refuge in Maumbe’s house in Malukhu Estates.
Today Maumbe Mukwana lives a low-profile life but his wife, a teacher by profession, is now an RDC.
Engineer Abner Nagwale
Engineer Abner Nangwale was born in Bukigai, in present-dayBududa, in 1932 and served as the Minister of Works in the administration of Milton Obote from 1980 until July 1985.
He was elected as an MP of the Parliament for Manjiya County.
Eng Nangwale died at his home in Bududa in January 2013, aged 79.
Seth Edward Mungati Nakhamwa
Edward Seth Mungati is a valuation surveyor who started out as a graduate trainee valuer in London County Council, UK. Born in 1937 in Mbale, Uganda, he worked through the ranks, to become Deputy Minister in the Ministry of Works and Housing, quitting in 1981 to start the East African Consulting Surveyors and Valuers, where he is currently the Managing Director.
Perez Musamali
Perez Musamali was the head of the Uganda Patriotic Movement (UPM) in Mbale and contested on the party’s ticket and lost in the 1980 elections. Musamali was said to be a close ally of Yoweri Museveni during the bush war days, at times reportedly playing host to the then guerilla leader at his home in Buwabwala. He has since passed on.
Aggrey Awori Siryoyi
Born in 1939, Aggrey Awori is a seasoned politician and one time diehard UPC supporter, Aggrey Awori Siryoyi has contested at highest levels in Uganda, for the presidency in 2001.
In 2007 he defected from the UPC and joined the NRM and in a surprise move, and in 2009 he was appointed the Minister for Information and Communications Technology, serving in that capacity until 2011 when he was dropped from the cabinet and replaced by Ruhakana Rugunda.
Earlier in 1996, he had contested for the Samia Bugwe South constituency and won, joining Parliament.
Awori belongs to one of East Africa’s most renowned families, with his brother Arthur Moody Awori a retired prominent politician in neighbouring Kenya, who rose to the position of Vice President.
Early in his life, Aggrey Awori attended Harvard University in the US, where he studied Political Economics. After Independence in 1962, he became the first Director of Television at the then Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. He also served as Uganda’s Ambassador to the US between 1980 and 1985 after which he was transferred to Belgium by the Tito Okello regime in the same year, before being dropped by Museveni in 1987.
An alumni of Nabumali High School and Kings College Buddo, Aggrey Awori was also an outstanding athlete, who represented Uganda at the 1960 and 1964 Summer Olympics in Rome and Tokyo, respectively.
Photo credit. The New Vision.
Boloki Chango Machyo W’Obanda
The late Boloki Chango Machyo W’Obanda was an academic and political activist right from his days as a student in the United Kingdom. He was also incorruptible, blending in very well with the Museveni government’s policies of zero tolerance to corruption. Chango, as he was commonly referred to by many, served as the political head in the ministries of Rehabilitation and, Water and Natural Resources under the Museveni government.
He was also at one time the National Political Commissar of the NRM and at the time of his death in died in 2013, the 86 year-old Chango Machyo was a Senior Presidential Advisor on Political Affairs.
Opio holding a mic
Gabriel Opio
Between 1993 and 1996, he served as a member of the National Resistance Council representing Samia-Bugwe constituency of the then Tororo district. In 1996, he was elected to the Ugandan Parliament, representing Samia-Bugwe South in the newly created Busia District. In 1999, he was appointed State Minister for Finance, responsible for Planning and Investments, serving in that position until 2001 when he lost his parliamentary seat to Simon Mayende.
Between 2002 and 2006, prior to his appointment to the Gender portfolio, Opio served in various capacities, including as Director of National Water Sewerage Corporation, Director of Centenary Bank, and Commissioner of the Uganda AIDS Commission.
In the national election cycle of 2011, he lost his parliamentary seat of Samia-Bugwe South to Julius Maganda, an independent political candidate who is the incumbent MP for the constituency.
Balaki Kirya
Kirya was born in 1924 in Petete in Bukedi currently Pallisa district. He served as a soldier in the King’s African Rifles (KAR) before joining politics under the Uganda National Congress, where he was in charge of the Mbale branch. Kirya, one time an MP representing Bukedi, was also one of the architects of the UPC/Kabaka Yekka Alliance and was rewarded with the cabinet post of Minister without Portfolio immediately after Independence. Two years later Obote appointed him Minister for Water and Mineral Resources but the two were to fall out, with Kirya later being arrested and detained in Luzira prison without trial.
In 1971 he when Amin came to power, Kiirya was released but fled to exile in Kenya when Amin started killing some of Obote’s former ministers.
Unfortunate for Kirya, he was abducted from exile in 1982, and Obote again imprisoned him on allegations of involvement in rebel activities. He was charged with treason and was in prison until the Okellos captured power in July 1985
And when Museveni and his National Resistance Army (NRA) captured power in January 1986, Kirya was appointed security minister in the Office of the President in March 1986. He died in the mid 90s was buried in his home village.
Ambassador Francis Butagira
Born in 1942, Ambassador Francis Butagira is a lawyer, politician and diplomat, who studied at Ntare School before joining Dar es salaam University for a degree in law. After graduation he served as a magistrate and was High Court Judge between 1974 and 1979, prior to becoming a member of the National Consultative Council (NCC) from 1979 to 1980. He was Speaker of Parliament between 1980 to 1985 and also served as the Chairman of the Legal and Security Affairs committee in the National Assembly between 1989 to 1996.
Butagira also served as President of the European Economic Community and the African Caribbean and Pacific (EEC/ACP) group of States, and has held several other diplomatic accreditation. His last posting was as Uganda’s Ambassador to Germany between 2009 and 2012.
China’s Central Bank has again cut the guiding rate for the national currency, the yuan, a day after Tuesday’s record 1.9% devaluation.
The move sent fresh shockwaves through Asian markets, but the bank has sought to calm fears, saying it was not the start of a sustained depreciation.
This is now the biggest two-day lowering of the yuan’s rate against the dollar in more than two decades.
The commerce ministry said the lower rate would boost struggling exports.
Figures released at the weekend showed Chinese exports fell more than 8% in July, adding to concerns the world’s second largest economy is heading for a slowdown.
There were further signs of weakness on Wednesday, when figures showed industrial production in July rose 6% from the previous year. The rise was smaller than expected and was also below the 6.8% increase seen in June.
Fixed asset investment, a measure of state spending on infrastructure, expanded 11.2% for the first half of the year, also below estimates and at its lowest since December 2000.
However, the action on the yuan has sparked fears of a global and destabilising “currency war”. There has been criticism from the US, where markets fell sharply overnight.
On Wednesday, China’s central bank fixed the “official midpoint” for the yuan down 1.6% to 6.3306 against the dollar.
The midpoint is a guiding rate, from which trade can rise or fall 2% during the day.
Until Tuesday, that rate had been determined solely by the People’s Bank of China (PBOC) itself. But the rate will now be based on overnight global market developments and how the currency finished the previous trading day.
The bank, which had called Tuesday’s 1.9% cut a “one-off” adjustment, sought to reassure financial markets on Wednesday.
“Looking at the international and domestic economic situation, currently there is no basis for a sustained depreciation trend for the yuan,” it said in a statement.
Analysis: Karishma Vaswani, Asia Business Correspondent
But the question we should be asking isn’t how much did China’s devalue its currency by – but why now?
China’s been under international pressure to allow its currency to be driven by market forces as opposed to by the government for years. The US has been its biggest critic – saying that Beijing keeps the currency artificially low to help boost exports.
So in theory, China says it is doing what the US and the international community wants. According to the language of the Chinese central bank – China will now allow the yuan’s value to be more flexible.
Backing from IMF
The International Monetary Fund said the move to make the rate more market-based “appears a welcome step”.
“Greater exchange rate flexibility is important for China as it strives to give market-forces a decisive role in the economy and is rapidly integrating into global financial markets,” the international lender said in a statement.
“We believe that China can, and should, aim to achieve an effectively floating exchange rate system within two to three years.”
The IMF added, though, that the decision would not affects its considerations of Beijing’s hopes for the yuan to be added to the “special drawing rights” (SDR) reserve currencies.
These are currencies which IMF members can use to make payments between themselves or to the Fund.
China has long been lobbying to have the yuan included alongside the dollar, euro, yen and the British pound.
