It has always been their position: East Africa Community leaders meeting for the 3rd Emergency Summit on Burundi have directed the leadership of the tiny central Africa state to postpone its presidential elections from July 15 to July 30.
According to communiqué issued after the meeting on Monday, the leaders have appointed Ugandan president Yoweri Museveni to lead a two-week dialogue between the belligerent parties, with a view to sorting out all the thorny issues before the
Meanwhile, the government and opposition have been told to disarm and disband all armed groups allied to political parties, including the deadly Imbonakure, a militia group allied to the ruling FDD-CNDD party. The AU will deploy forces to oversee the disarmament, while the new election date.
According to the communiqué, the winner of the presidential elections should establish a Government of National Unity, respect the Arusha Accords and the Constitution.
Furtther, the communiqué states that theExpanded Joint Verification Mechanism (EJVM) and Joint Intelligence Fusion Centre (JIFC) of International Conference Great Lakes Region (ICGLR) will urgently deploy to Burundi to verify allegations of the presence of Rwanda rebel group, the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda, the FDLR.
Other recommendations of the EAC leaders’ summit include the regional body sending elections observers to Burundi.
In the past few months Burundi has been embroiled in persistent turmoil following the President’s announcement that he would seek re-election in the polls that were earlier slated for June 15, but have since been rescheduled for July 15.
However, Nkurunziza’s announcement was met with stiff resistance, with several people flooding the streets of Bujumbura to protest. The protests culminated in a temporary coup led by a former intelligence chief, Maj Gen Godefroid Niyombare, staged on May 13.
At the time president Nkurunziza was in Dar es Salaam attending the East African Community Heads of State Summit on the crisis in his country. However, forces loyal to Nkurunziza were to recapture his seat the next day Thursday 14 and landing in his home area of Ngozi, in the north of the country, after which he made a triumphant return to Bujumbura on Friday, May 15.
Time: 7.15 pm-local time in Alexandria, 8.15 pm EAST.
CHAN 2016 qualifiers
Second leg: Uganda 1 – 1 Tanzania
First leg: Tanzania 0 – 3 Uganda
Aggregate score: Uganda 4 – 1 Tanzania (Uganda advances)
A late goal by Chiukepo Msowoya in the 90th minute ensured Malawi overcome Uganda Cranes.
The Ugandan team, largely comprised of U23 players lost the match played at the Kamuzu Banda stadium in Blantyre on Monday and are expected back today night.
Meanwhile, Uganda progressed to the next round of the African Nations Championship (CHAN) 2016 qualifiers despite a 1-1 draw at home against Tanzania in the return leg tie at Nakivubo Stadium on Saturday.
John Raphael Bocco put the visitors ahead after restart to reduce their deficit following a 3-0 first leg defeat a fortnight ago.
But substitute Kezironi Kizito leveled the score to snuff out any hope for the Tanzanians to advance.
Uganda advanced 4-1 on aggregate and will now meet Sudan, with the winner over the two upcoming legs qualifying for the CHAN finals due in Rwanda next year.
Uganda XI:
Mathias Kigonya, Kiyemba Ibrahim, Bukenya Deus, Bakaki Shafik, Kasagga Richard(Captain), Lwanga Taddeo, Yunus Sentamu, Kizito Keziron, Fahad Muhammad Hassan, Kasumba Umar and Kiiza Martin.
Subs: James James, Brian Ochwo, FaroukMIya, Erisa Sekisambu, Abel Eturude, Tekkwo Derrick and Ssemazi John.
How They Polled
Rugby Cranes – 415pts
Vision Volleyball Camp – 350pts
Farouck Daku – 330pts
It’s been nearly five years since the national Rugby team last earned recognition at the monthly sports scribes’ meeting but when it came it was more than appreciated.
Rugby Cranes polled 415 votes to beat Volleyball club, Vision Volleyball Camp (350pts) to the Nile Special/Uspa sports personality for the month of June. Interim coach Robert Seguya led Uganda to their first Elgon Cup triumph since 2012.
Rugby Cranes claimed the 2015 Elgon Cup after edging Kenya on Saturday with a 30-25 score at Legends Rugby grounds in Kampala.
Having lost 20-17 in Nairobi during their first leg tie, Uganda needed only a 4 point difference against Kenya to lift the Elgon Cup.
VVC, 2015 bronze winners at the Rwanda Genocide tournament on top of clinching gold at the Nkumba and Dr Aporu Memorial tourneys, came second.
Third-placed awardee, the Netherlands-based Light weight boxer Farouk Daku, was recognized for beating Tanzania’s Mbelwa to win the African Middle weight belt at the Nakivubo stadium parking yard.
USPA commended several sports teams for the work well done during the June month.
Kawempe Muslim Secondary School girls’ football team was recognized for winning the inaugural FUFA women elite league, while Buganda region golf team dethroned defending and record holders, Western to win this year’s version of the Inter-regional golf tourney at the par 71 Entebbe golf course.
SC Villa won their 9th Uganda Cup crown after beating KCC 3-0 in the replay of the controversial final that aborted at Kyamate ground over suspect refereeing.
Other commendation was showered to the Uganda Cranes for winning two international matches in June – first the June 13th 2-0 AFCON 2017 qualification victory over Botswana and then the first leg away to Tanzania 3-0 in the CHAN 2016 qualifier.
Yet again another gruesome accident has claimed the lives of three promising Ugandans: two Miss Tourism contestants Norah Atim and Barbra Nakiwolo, and a journalist working with NTV, Resty Namawejje.
The number of accidents on our roads is worrying and something needs to be done and pretty fast. Several reports drafted have indicated that Uganda is one of the African countries with a high rate of accidents.
For instance, according to World Health Rankings, road accidents come in at Number 12 of the twenty major causes of deaths in Uganda.
Of course there are various reasons why accidents are rampant on our roads, the most prominent among them being speeding, impetuousness, driving without cause for other road users, bad roads and drink driving.
And, whereas some of the bad road habits are difficult to tame, bad roads and drink driving can be handled to a degree of satisfaction by the relevant authorities.
In this regard, the Traffic Police should deploy personnel with Breathalyzers, Speed Guns and highway police patrol cars along the busy routes, as a means of announcing their presence and commitment towards protecting the lives of travellers.
Also, while it is true that government has put emphasis on the construction of roads, at times there are indicators of shoddy works by contractors, thereby putting the lives of the users in danger. Similarly, most of the roads in the country lack road signs, another precursor for road carnage. This miscarriage of trust must stop.
Meanwhile, in Uganda the story of road accidents can never be complete without mention of boda bodas. These ‘mobile deathtraps’ have caused untold suffering to both the riders and their passenngers that the National Referral Hospital had to set up a ward known as the ‘Boda boda ward’, specifically for victims of these motorcycles.
Experts at the Department of Orthopedics at Mulago have since evaluated the impact of the boda bodas on the hospital, establishing that commercial motorcycle accidents etch up to 62 per cent of the budget allocated to the department of Surgery, with one victim using up over US$360, about a million shillings.
So, as we mourn the three departed souls of our sisters, there is need for the police to step up its act and make the roads safe for all users.
Rebecca Kadaga is the current Speaker of Parliament
Rebecca Kadaga is the current Speaker of Parliament
In the second part of our series detailing the men and women who have been instrumental in Museveni’s campaigns and eventual election victories in 1996 and 2001, today Eagleonline brings you the ‘king makers’ from the Busoga and Bukediregioions, writes Steven Mandu.
Busoga Region
Rebecca Kadaga
Rebecca Kadaga is the current Speaker of Parliament, who joined national politics when she was elected to represent Kamuli District in the NRC in 1989 and later in 1994 as delegate to the Constituent Assembly. In 1996, she was elected Woman Member of Parliament representing Kamuli District and at the time she also served as Secretary General of the East African Women Parliamentary Association.
From 1996 until 1998, Kadaga was the Ugandan Minister of State for Regional Cooperation (Africa and the Middle East). She then served as Minister of State for Communication and Aviation from 1998 until 1999. Between 1999 and 2000 she was the Minister for Parliamentary Affairs. She was elected Deputy Speaker of Parliament in 2001, a position that she held until 19 May 2011, when she was elected Speaker of Parliament
The above appointments made her a force to reckon on with in Busoga region but more so in Kamuli and she used her popularity to deliver victory for the President.
Basoga Nsadhu
The late David Livingstone Basoga Nsadhu hailed from Kalitumba Village Busiki County in Iganga District. He came in touch with Yoweri Museveni during the National Resistance Army (NRA) days and joined politics win 1989 when he was elected to the National Resistance Council to represent Busiki County. He served as Minister of State for Information from 1997 to 2003 when he passed on. He was very instrumental in soliciting support for Museveni in Busoga region particularly in Iganga.
Specioza Wandira Kazibwe
Dr. Specioza Wandira Kazibwe began her political career as a member of the youth and women’s wings of the Democratic Party. She later won her first election as a village leader, on the ticket of the National Resistance Movement in 1987. She was later elected as Women representative for Kampala and became chairperson of Advisory Committee of Museveni election campaign in 1996.
She first began serving the administration of Yoweri Museveni in 1989, when she was appointed Deputy Minister for Industry, a post she held until 1991. From 1991 until 1994, she served as Minister for Gender and Community Development. She was a member of the Constitution Assembly which drafted Uganda’s new constitution in 1994. In 1996, she was elected Member of Parliament for the constituency of Kigulu South in Iganga District. From 1994 until 2003, Specioza Kazibwe served as Uganda’s Vice President and as Minister of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries.
There is no doubt that having held all these dockets Museveni’s success in Busoga and especially Iganga heavily depended on Kazibwe. She did a lot in wooing female supporters into Museveni’s camp.
Patrick Bageya
Known as the Lion of Iganga (Nsolo Nkambwe), the late George Patrick Bageya was a significant figure in Iganga. He met President Museveni during the anti- Amin struggles while a member of FRONASA. He came to elective politics in 1994 when he was elected as a Constituent Assembly delegate to represent Kigulu South. In 1996, he attempted to go to Parliament but was defeated by Specioza Wandira Kazibwe. In 2001, he made a political comeback by becoming district chairman for Iganga before Bugiri and Kaliro were carved out. He then lost to Mr Assuman Kyafu but was appointed as RDC for Busia. With this background he did a lot for Museveni in Busoga. He died in a road accident.
Victoria Ssekitoleko
She hails from Busoga and served as Minister for Agriculture from 1986 to 1995. She was a member of the National Resistance Council. Her career in Uganda’s politics came to an end in 1995 when she was appointed by FAO to work as Sub Regional Representative to Eastern and Southern Africa, based in Harare, Zimbabwe, till 2004. From 2006 she was FAO representative in China, Mongolia, and South Korea, till 2011.. She also worked with FAO in Ethiopia under the African Union (AU), and to the Economic Community for Africa (ECA) (2005–2006).
Kirunda Kivejinja
Kirunda Kivejinja is a veteran politician, having started his journey under the Uganda People Congress in the 1960s.
In 1986 when Museveni came to power, he was appointed Minister of Relief and Social Rehabilitation. He has since served as Minister of Internal Affairs and Third Deputy Prime Minister of Uganda. Since August 2012 he has been made Senior Presidential Advisor for Internal Affairs to President Museveni. Kivejinja played a great part in mobilizing votes for the Movement and Museveni in particular since he had always been in mobilization since his youth days.
Henry Kyemba
He has seen it all, having served under almost all regimes in Uganda. He was a career civil servant when Milton Obote was ousted from power in 1971. He was later to return and at one time became health minister under Iddi Amin. He fled to exile and on return served in the post-Amin government. He then worked under Yoweri Museveni’s government, serving as minister and later in various portfolios including as chairperson of the Health Service Commission. During his active days in politics under the NRM, he was instrumental in party activities mainly in Busoga.
Fred Mukisa
Following the capture of power by the National Resistance Movement in 1986, Fred Mukisa returned to Uganda and worked as a Political Mobilizer, for the NRM in the Busoga Region from 1986 until 1987. In 1987, he was appointed Special District Administrator (SDA) until 1991 after which he was transferred to the NRM Headquarters in Kampala, where he served as the Deputy Director of the NRM Secretariat from 1994 until 1998.
In 1998, he was appointed Minister of State for Fisheries, serving in that capacity until 2001. He also served as a member of the Uganda Land Commission from 2003 until 2006.In 2006, he was re-appointed Minister of State for Fisheries. In a space of about six months from November 2010 until May 2011, he lost both his parliamentary seat in a primary election and his cabinet post in a cabinet reshuffle. Mukisa role was always vital for Museveni’s victory both in 1996 and 2001.
Bukedi Region
Paul Etiang
Paul Orono Etiang is a veteran diplomat and politician from Tororo and served as Member of Parliament, Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs under Iddi Amin in 1973 and was also Uganda’s envoy to the OAU in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. He eventually became Deputy Prime Minister under the NRM regime. During the days when he was Minister, he was very influential in Tororo and he helped to deliver victory for the National Resistance Movement and Museveni particularly.
Chango Macho
The late Chango Macho W’Obanda was an academic and politician right from his youthful days as a student in the United Kingdom. He was also incorruptible, blending in very well with Museveni’s policies on zero tolerance to corruption. Chango Macho, who many admired for his steadfast belief in fairness, died about two years ago.
Gabriel Opio
Gabriel Opio served as Member of the National Resistance Council between 1989 and 1996, representing Samia Bugwe in then Tororo district.
In 1996, he joined the Ugandan Parliament, representing Samia-Bugwe South in the newly created Busia District. Later 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.
Opio also worked as gender minister under the NRM and also served in various capacities before eventually fading from the political scene. Available information indicates he is planning a comeback after the 2016 elections.
Emanuel Dombo
Emmanuel Dombo joined national politics in 1996 after having completed university where had served as Guild President. He was elected to Parliament representing the people of Bunyole, a position he still holds. Referred to as the longest serving MP, Dombo at one time attempted disagree with NRM by joining the Parliamentary Advocacy Forum (PAFO), but was wooed back. He has played a great part in preaching the NRM ‘gospel’ in Bunyole, scoring high percentages in both1996 and 2001 elections.
Alleluya Ikote
Alleluya Ikote was Member of Parliament for Paliisa District until she was defeated by Jennifer Namuyangu Byakatonda in 2001. But much as she lost her seat she had been instrumental mobilizing support for President Museveni.
Dorothy Hyuha
Dorothy Hyuha was first elected to the Uganda Parliament in 1996, as the Member of Parliament (MP), for Tororo District, a post she held until 2006. In 2006, after Butaleja District was carved out of Tororo District in 2005, Ms Hyuha contested for the seat of Women’s Representative for Butaleja District, on the National Resistance Movement party ticket but was defeated by the youthful Cerinah Nebanda (RIP).
Ms Hyuha played a key role in ensuring Museveni’s victory in the Bukedi region especially due to her position as Deputy Secretary General of the National Resistance Movement. She lost her husband and is today Uganda’s High Commissioner to Tanzania.
Otheino Akika
He hails from Budama in Tororo District and he is a former MP for West Budama constituency. He has also served as State Minister for Water in the Museveni government. His closeness with the president gave him the strength to influence the people of Tororo to vote for President Museveni both in 1996 and 2001.
Tezira Jamwa
Tezira Jamwa hails from Tororo and came to the political limelight when she was elected as delegate to the Constituent Assembly in 1994. From 1996 to 2001 she was Member of Parliament for West Budama North in Tororo District. She was later appointed Resident District Commissioner, a position she held from 2001 until 2007. This therefore, gave her the mandate to mobilize support for Museveni in Tororo both in 1996 and 2001.
The Police Director of Traffic and Road Safety Dr.Kasiima Steven has warned government and private security organizations against misuse of sirens on Ugandan roads.
Speaking to journalists at the police headquarters in Naguru, Dr. Kasiima said many cars had illegally been fitted with sirens.
“It has come to our notice that many vehicles possess sirens illegally and others are misusing them, an act we are not going to allow.”
Among the violators that Dr Kasiima pointed out include VIPPU lead cars, army cars, funeral organization cars and private cars .These are said to use sirens either illegally or when they are not supposed to use them.
“Some of these vehicles should not have the sirens constitutionally like the funeral cars and the private security vehicles, the VIPPU cars also decide to play their sirens even when they do not have any dignitary they are escorting,” he said. We are therefore going to apprehend all the drivers we find in such actions and organizations that acquire these sirens illegally,” he added.
Legally, the Ministry of Works and Transport is the only institution mandated to approve whether a vehicle should have a siren and lead cars issued to different persons are given when the Inspector General of Police authorizes.
Uganda’s Security Minister Amama Mbabazi meets with Russia’s counterpart Sergey Lavrov, not pictured, in Moscow on Thursday, March 31, 2011. (AP Photo/ Alexander Zemlianichenko)
KAMPALA:Police might be poised for a showdown with former Prime Minister and presidential hopeful Amama Mbabazi, following the latter’s avowed stance to hold ‘consultative meetings’ around the country.
Mr Mbabazi, who was addressing the media in Kampala on Monday, said police have no powers to stop any public assembly, warning that police should not dare stop his meetings, scheduled to start in the eastern town of Mbale on July 9.
“I am stickler to the law. Police has neither authority nor a role in organizing these meetings,” he said.
Mr Mbabazi and his legal team were planning to meet today before he starts his scheduled meetings setting the stage for a probable clash between his supporters and police.
The former prime minister who is planning to challenge his former ally Yoweri Museveni, who is now a rival in the ruling party, called for peaceful transition of power from Museveni to the next leader.
“One of the greatest things we have not achieved in Uganda is peaceful handover of power. It’s time for peaceful change,” he said.
He warned the economic successes made in 30 years under NRM would go to waste if violence breaks out in 2016 as a result of “rigged elections”.
Mr Mbabazi said he would not abandon “the democratic path” even if he loses the NRM party primary elections unfairly. He did not explain the kind of democratic path he would take.
Mr Mbabazi’s statement comes in the wake of police warning it would block any meeting the former PM has scheduled.
Addressing journalists this afternoon Police spokesperson Fred Enanga said Mbabazi’s scheduled meetings were illegal and breach the Public Order Management Act.
He also said that Mr Mbabazi has not come to a consensus with his party, the National Resistance Movement and that the Electoral Commission has not given him the green light to carry out the consultations.
“We are monitoring the situation and we have information that Hon.Mbabazi is to start his meetings in Mbale; however these meetings are illegal and no one should deceive the public,” Enanga said adding, “We shall take all measures we can in case he violates the law.”
Mbabazi is set to start his national wide consultative meetings on July 9th in Mbale and the Kinkiizi West MP has insisted that the police does not have the power to stop him from carrying out national consultations.
But quoting the Section 3 of POMA, Enanga maintained that it is the Inspector General of Police Gen Kale Kayihura with power to regulate the conduct of public meetings ‘in accordance with the law’.
Dr. Kizza Besigye and Major General Mugisha Muntu, the party president were nominated to contest for the party presidential flag bearer
Dr. Kizza Besigye and Major General Mugisha Muntu, the party president were nominated to contest for the party presidential flag bearer
The Forum for Democratic Change has today launched its party flag bearer’s campaigns.
Addressing party members at the party headquarters in Kampala, the FDC electoral commission chairperson Mr. Dan Mugarura said the elections will be fair and that there will be no disagreements. “Follow your candidates basing on strategy,” said Mugarura.
Last week former FDC president Dr. Kizza Besigye and Major General Mugisha Muntu, the party president were nominated to contest for the party presidential flag bearer, after Moses Byaruhanga was disqualified because of age, leaving the two veteran politicians to tussle it out.
In his address, the former FDC president said that free and fair elections were needed by the whole country so as to create change. “Many citizens are determined that change happens,” said Besigye, adding, “we have always fought for free and fair elections.”
Dr. Besigye noted that the ‘liberation struggle’ wasn’t personal but a nationwide issue that needed unity from all Ugandans. He further noted that as FDC they had the experience to deal with the ‘military government’ that the struggle for free and fair elections aimed at ending the holding onto power by the ‘warlords.’
“You deceive the enemy you are not there yet you are there,” said Besigye amidst cheers from his supporters.
He criticized those opposed to his contesting for party flag bearer, saying term limits apply to individuals that hold public offices. “Is being a party candidate an office?” asked the former FDC president.
Fellow contestant and current party president Major Gen. Mugisha Muntu encouraged unity within party members, adding that the flag bearer elections were not about him or Besigye and that those who thought otherwise were wrong.
He said that for the party to progress, a working strategy was needed and advised voters to consider the various strategies by both candidates before making their decision. “We will both sell our strategies and the delegates will decide,” said Muntu.
The FDC flag bearer elections are expected to run for two months and the two candidates will visit the various constituencies canvassing for votes. The elections are slated for September 2nd at Mandela National stadium, Namboole.
Kampala has become one crazy area, with sirens blaring all over the place.
It has been common to find a mix of cars; ambulances, convoys, bullion vans, motorcyclists all sending off the whining sound as if there are no regulations governing road use. Similarly, the way ‘authorised vehicles’ use our roads is at times suspect, necessitating the traffic police to be vigilant.
Indeed, at one time it was reported that a driver of an Ambulance who was carrying matooke and bags of charcoal set off the siren to clear the way, only for police to foil his silly trick. He was reportedly cautioned!
That aside, most motorists are aware of the authorized vehicles scheduled, and tend to give way when they are approaching, save for a few cases when the traffic jam just can’t permit quick vacating.
But there are various abuses on our roads, which are simply ignored, yet they can cause problems for both the driver and his entourage on the one hand, and for the other road users on the other hand.
So, given that our drivers and cyclists seem recalcitrant, there is need to strengthen all traffic rules and regulations, with strict penalties for those that abuse them.
For instance, it is not uncommon to find a truck or pick-up vehicle mounted with a blaring loud speaker and advertising a new product or concert somewhere.
Such abuse is in total contempt of the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) Act, yet the law enforcement agents just look on as this happens.
It is such attitude that makes those culpable for road misuse think they are above the law.
Kibuuka cut his teeth in the comedy industry after winning a 5FM comedy talent search competition.
Another local comedian is set to proudly represent the African continent in the US as he prepares to join Trevor Noah on The Daily Show.
David Kibuuka has already earned himself a name in comedy circles, having worked with Loyiso Gola as a contributor on e.tv’s Late Night News, a satirical show that sees the funny side of current affairs.
Kibuuka’s family moved to South Africa from Uganda in the 80s when they fled the regime of tyrant leader Idi Amin.
“I was coming from Idi Amin to apartheid, so it was going to be a chaotic time,” he said. But after endless moves to new countries and schools, “things stabilised, like the history of this place stabilised,” he told the BBC in a 2012 interview.
He also said that what makes comedy interesting is the fact that you can touch on anything and not be held accountable for it.
“Comedy is the one [thing] that allows us to do the racial thing. That’s why comedy here is so race-based. It’s the only outlet where people can legitimately laugh without being taken to court,” he said.
“But I’m not antagonistic. Even in life. I want people to have a good time. That’s why I’m ‘Dave’ on stage – like, ‘Dave the neighbour – can I borrow your lawn mower?’”
Now, the comedian who is not afraid to touch on any subject will be joining Noah as a staff writer for The Daily Show, according to a report by Comedy Central Africa.
Kibuuka cut his teeth in the comedy industry after winning a 5FM comedy talent search competition.
He has enjoyed tremendous success and his first one man show, David Wasn’t Built in a Day, which he did in 2011, received a Standard Bank Ovation Award for the Best Comedy Show at the Grahamstown Arts Festival.
Apart from being a contributor on Late Night News, Kibuuka also got a taste of being a sports reporter, when he got a gig to cover the Fifa World Cup in Brazil last year for eNCA.
Amongst his achievements, he also holds an Honours Degree in Finance from Wits University.
Additional Reporting: BBC, Comedy Central, Entertainment Online
It has always been their position: East Africa Community leaders meeting for the 3rd Emergency Summit on Burundi have directed the leadership of the tiny central Africa state to postpone its presidential elections from July 15 to July 30.
