The East African Legislative Assembly has praised the Uganda government for introducing the ‘third generation’ national identity cards.

Through a resolution moved by Ugandan legislator Susan Nakawuki on August 27, the EALA members noted the Uganda had complied with Article 8 of the Common Market Protocol and they urged other partner states to expedite their card issuing finalisation processes.

In the resolution the Republic of Rwanda, which had introduced machine readable ID cards way before the entry of the Common Market Protocol and the United Republic of Tanzania which had also commenced on the exercise of issuing the cards, were also lauded.

“The ID card is to facilitate delivery of national development based on reliable and verifiable data, enable Governments plan properly and provide easy access to social facilities and services like the Health systems. 

It also facilitates school capitation grants based on verifiable identities and data at local level, facilitates transparent and trustworthy business transactions, reduces level of crime in Community and improves security”, part of the Resolution reads.

 All EAC Partner States have embarked on the process of issuing 3^rd Generation identity cards including the Republic of Kenya which pioneered national ID systems and is now embarking on the upgrade from 2^nd Generation to 3^rd Generation IDs.

 During debate, Ms Hasa Mossi called for accuracy in data management. 

“We can achieve this aim when coming up with the third generation cards”, she said.

Abdullah Mwinyi (Tanzania) said getting right data was fundamental in improving the livelihoods of East Africans.  

“It is not just simply measuring, but reliable data can catalyse change”, Hon Mwinyi said.

Ms Valerie Nyirahabineza (Rwanda) said while commenting on the Common Market Protocol, observed the slow pace of implementation. 

“This Resolution is important as it calls on all Partner States to move with the Protocol.  We urge the Council of Ministers to urge Partner States to fervently implement the provisions of the Protocol,” Hon Nyirahabineza said.

Dora Byamukama (Uganda) lauded the Partner States that have Identity cards and said a time should come when there is total free movement of persons.

Stories Continues after ad

Police is set to summon Senior Presidential Advisor on Political Affairs Major Roland Kakooza Mutale and Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago over the militia groups they formed.

Addressing journalists at the police headquarters this morning, police spokesperson Fred Enanga said that what the two were doing is in breach of the Uganda Constitution and the cop insisted that the mandate to recruit and train such groups is the preserve of certain government departments.

“The Constitution doesn’t allow this; we are monitoring them and who ever associates with them. Constitutionally, the mandate to form such a group or train it is given to an arms government organization,” Mr Enanga said adding: “The police have made arrangements to summon the two and any other person who associates with them.”

According to the promoters, the self styled civilian guards are being trained to monitor the 2016 elections, with both Maj Mutale and Lukwago claiming this will deter the rigging of votes accruing to their respective candidates.

Mutale is currently training militias whose mission, he says, is to ‘eliminate’ anyone who stands in Museveni’s way ahead of the 2016 general elections.

Similarly, Lukwago under his pressure group called Truth and Justice formed the TJ Solida Crew, which he says, is ‘to act as a shield but not the sword to protect the interests of the public’.

Previously, Maj Mutale was infamously linked to the Kalangala Action Plan (KAP), a paramilitary outfit formed in 2001. In 2007, he was also associated with the ‘Kiboko Squad, a ‘vigilante’ group which tried to suppress the riots against the sale of Mabira Forest.

The issue of Maj Mutale’s training of a ‘vigilante’ group has caused a stir in some official circles, with his colleague, one-star General Brigadier Kasirye Ggwanga, threatening to take on the elderly Maj Mutale in the jungles of Luwero. Other personalities who have spoken against Maj Mutale’s trainees include information minister Maj Gen Jim Muhwezi, a two-star General and veteran of the Bush War, and Colonel Shaban Bantariza, another Bush War veteran and current Deputy Director of the Media Centre.

Stories Continues after ad

The Electoral Commission has warned against the creation of militia groups ahead of the 2016 presidential elections.

The EC boss Eng Badru Kiggundu sounded the warning early today, in the wake of reports that a military officer and a politician are involved in the illegal recruitment of youths.

Over the past few weeks Major Roland Kakooza Mutale has been involved in the recruitment and training of youths under the Kalangala Action Plan (KAP), ostensibly to ‘protect’ President Yoweri Museveni’s votes in 2016.

Similarly, some time back the Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago, also announced the formation of another ‘youth brigade’ code-named Truth and Justice, claiming it is to counter Mutale’s activities during elections.

But while launching a voter education module at Hotel Africana today morning, Kiggundu said enforcement of law and order is a preserve of the Uganda Police and that it is illegal for anyone to recruit militias.

Kiggundu said he would engage the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Police to ensure that such groups are disbanded and those responsible for their promotion prosecuted.

“I have been hearing about formation of youth brigades in the media but now that you have confirmed to me that they truly exist, I am going to engage the Police to ensure that this is handled once and for all,” Emg Kiggundu said at the launch of the 13^th module on voter education that was prepared by UPIMAK in collaboration with (CECU).

In his remarks, the UPIMAC CEO Steven Nyabango said there was need for the different stakeholders to carry out voter and civic education in order to enable the citizens make correct decisions.

“As we go for party primaries, we want the people to choose the right leaders who can effectively represent them at different levels,” Mr Nyabango noted, while the Head of Programmes at Democratic Governance Facility (DGF) Ms Helen Mealins applauded UPIMAC for its role in ensuring voter education takes place throughout the country.

Meanwhile, the new National Identity Cards will be used in the coming elections, the EC has said.

“When you get the identity card, please keep it safely because currently there are no replacements and even it is made it will be at a cost,” Eng Kiggundu stressed and hastened to add that all Ugandans who registered will have the IDs by election time next year.

Mr Kiggundu also lauded the civil society organizations for partnering with the Electoral Commission to ensure voter education is carried out and also urged the media to be independent and accurate while covering the election process. He also warned against announcement of results without official clearance by the EC.

The 2016 presidential elections have caused excitement in the country, with many citing the entry of former Prime Minister and National Resistance Movement (NRM) Secretary General John Patrick Amama Mbabazi, into the race.

Similarly, the endorsement of NRM Chairman Yoweri Museveni by his party as ‘sole candidate’ and the return of former Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) boss Col Dr Kizza Besigye has also excited some Ugandans, making the 2016 elections a highly contentious, unpredictable and electrifying poll.

Already, the political tempo has been put to test, with Dr Besigye taking on FDC President Maj Gen John Gregory Mugisha Muntu in a live television debate last night.

The first of its kind in Uganda, the debate saw the two former ‘Bush War’ comrades exhibit both tough and light emotions as they campaigned to become the FDC flag bearer, a position that will be determined this Wednesday.

Stories Continues after ad

The East African Legislative Assembly has adopted a report on climate change, with calls on the five partner states to promote proactive approaches to preparedness in light of climate change.

 The report is based on recommendations made during an EALA workshop held in the Burundian capital, Bujumbura in March this year.

The objectives of the workshop was to create awareness amongst Members of EALA on the critical cross-cutting subjects of climate change and gender; and to consider existing international and regional policies, strategies and regulatory instruments and frameworks on climate change and gender.

At the same time, the workshop sought to identify the role of Parliamentarians in implementation of Gender Sensitive Climate Change Policies and Practical measures.

Meanwhile, the Report, the Regional Parliamentarians Policy on Climate Change and Gender, that calls for the inculcation of approaches such as early warning systems and modalities for flood and drought management, was presented by the Chairperson of the Agriculture, Tourism and Natural Resources Committee, Christophe Bazivamo during a plenary session held in Kampala.

During debate Abdullah Mwinyi called for demarcation of specific areas for cattle keepers so that enough fodder is realized and sustainability is realised.

“Farmers are predominantly women while cattle keepers are predominantly men”, he said.  “There is need for a region-wide policy to deal with any imminent clashes that may arise”, he added.

Mumbi Ngaru (Kenya) said natural and man-made events both contribute to Climate Change.  “We have the Disaster Risk Reduction Bill pending before the House. It needs to brought forth immediately by the Council of Ministers”, she said.

Susan Nakawuki (Uganda) lauded the City Council of Arusha for greening the city by planting more trees.

‘We should all borrow from the successes of the city’, she said and called on the Partner States to ensure the EAC Climate Change Fund received funding.

Valerie Nyirahabineza (Rwanda) said the Assembly could champion the importance of the Climate Change Fund.  “As an Assembly, we can support the Fund in a symbolic manner”, she said.

Other EALA members including Dora Byamukama (Uganda), Dr. Odette Nyiramilimo (Rwanda) and Sarah Bonaya (Kenya) also supported the report.

In the past, EALA has passed several environmental Bills including Transboundary Ecosystems Management Bill (2010), the EAC Polythene Material Control Bill, 2014. The EAC Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Control Bill (2014) is under consultation, while work has also commenced on the EAC Climate Change Bill and a Climate Change Fund.

Stories Continues after ad

A leading German biometrics manufacturing firm Dermalog has been awarded the ‘2015 African Biometrics Company of the Year Award’.

Dermalog Identification Systems is one of the world’s leading companies for biometric identification, offering its Automated Biometric Identification System services to governments and private organisations in Europe and other major markets like Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East.

So far Dermalog has delivered 150,000 fingerprint scanners to over 70 countries and also delivered over 130 ‘large ABIS’ installations that have helped in registration and immigration processes for governments around the world.

According to a release, Dermalog was given the award in recognition of its work in 20 African countries including Nigeria, where the Hamburg-based company is carrying out a US$50 million project secured with the Central Bank in 2013 and, also offers services to 23 other commercial banks in the heavily-populated West African country with a history of fraud.

And, since 2013 Dermalog’s ABIS has helped detect over one million individuals attempting to obtain double or multiple identities in Nigeria, thereby preventing fraud and money laundering in the financial sector. The company has also been able to register over 18 million bank customers in the vast African country.

‘Using Dermalog fingerprint scanners and software, all participating banks can ensure that for all transactions, the identity reliably matches the customer because the customer must always be physically present for the registration,’ the release states and adds that in the near future, registered bank customers in Nigeria will also be able to withdraw cash from ATMs and pay at cash machines using their fingerprints.

Other African countries where Dermalog operates include Angola, Ghana, Tanzania, Zambia and in South Africa, where the award issued by consulting company Frost & Sullivan, was handed over.

‘It contributes sustainably and decisively to solving local challenges such as identity theft, corruption, demography, and migration as well as the economic development of these countries,’ the release by Africa Press Organisation (APO) states in part.

Stories Continues after ad

Non-teaching staff at public universities will not get a salary increase this financial year, President Yoweri Museveni has said.

Museveni, made the remarks recently as he met representatives of non-teaching staff of the six public universities at State Lodge, Mbale, and added that the government had prioritized infrastructure development after which it would address other pressing national issues. The delegation was led byJackson Betihamah, the chairperson of the Public Universities Non-teaching Staff Executive Forum (PUNTSEF), following a petition to the President to help them address the issue of salary enhancement and equity.

On August 3 non-teaching university staff from Makerere, Kyambogo, Mbarara, Busitema, Gulu and Muni went on strike, demanding that government enhances their salaries at the start of the new academic year this month.

In response the President assured the delegation members in Mbale that the government will increase their salaries in the next financial year.

“My proposal to you is in principle, we are not against you. We cannot increase salary this year because there are so many things to be done. Ministry of Finance may increase the salaries next year. We are not against the principle of equity but it’s only the timing. We began with the most urgent and later we shall support the rest,’’ he said.

He said while government now collects Shs. 12,000 billion per year, it prioritizes its spending according to the urgency and added that in the past government concentrated on paying salaries to civil servants and supporting the Army and in the process this led to dependency on the donor funding ‘which was too little to support all government developments’.

The President also disclosed that government spending on road repairs had risen to Shs3000 billion, up from Shs3 billion, after his intervention and added that many roads including the Tororo-Mbale-Soroti had been constructed using government funds.

Stories Continues after ad