r Ottunu had alleged that the Lira Municipality legislator is a Museveni puppet and is being used by the president
r Ottunu had alleged that the Lira Municipality legislator is a Museveni puppet and is being used by the president
Newly-elected Uganda Peoples Congress president Jimmy Akena has denied allegations levied against him by his predecessor Olara Otunnu that he is a puppet to the ruling National Resistance Movement party.
The on-going bare-knuckled supremacy fight between Mr Otunnu and Mr Akena has reached a heady point and addressing journalists at the party headquarters July 8, Mr Akena reiterated his unreserved commitment to UPC.
“I am UPC and have not been in any other party in my life,” Mr Akena said and added: “so I think Mr Otunnu is wrong; I have given my all to this party and I won’t allow anyone to sabotage these works.”
A day earlier Mr Ottunu had alleged that the Lira Municipality legislator is a Museveni puppet and is being used by the president to forcefully take over UPC, in the interests of the ruling party.
“Akena’s activities are attempts of taking UPC by force and impunity on behalf of Yoweri Museveni,” Mr Otunnu said On July 7.
However, Mr Akena rubbished this talk and said it is an attempt by the former UPC president to divert attention from the funds he is supposed to account for.
“Over 100 million was withdrawn from the UPC accounts and have not been accounted for, so Mr.Otunnu is trying to divert attention from this scrutiny because as a party president
Museveni supporters matching in Mbale earlier today.
Museveni supporters matching in Mbale earlier today.
Mbale; Three supporters of presidential aspirant Amama Mbabazi have been arrested in Mbale as he plans to visit the district on Thursday to start his national consultations ahead of 2016 elections.
Sources in Mbale say Mahamoud Masaba, the NRM Mbale district treasurer who is also the chairman of Mbabazi support group in the district, Mr Ahmed Washaki, the Chairman LCIII Bungokho sub-county and one Wepuhuku, the ruling party delegate for Bulambuli were arrested on Wednesday.
They are being held at the Resident District Commissioner offices in Mbale. Mr Washaki is also the chairman publicity of Mbabazi support group eastern Uganda. Washaki reportedly held a meeting with Hope Mwesigye, the former agriculture minister and a relative of Mbabazi’s wife in Kampala on Tuesday.
Gen Ali has represented Moyo East in Parliament for several years and Museveni has always heavily relied on him to strengthen the Movement in West Nile.
In the third 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.
Karamoja
David Pulkol
David Pulkol, who is from Matheniko clan in Moroto in the Karamoja sub-region, started working for the National Resistance Movement government at a young age; he was first appointed to the position of Deputy Minister for Water and Minerals in 1987, aged 26.
In 1991, he was made the State Minister for Education, serving until 1994. Later, he became the Minister in charge of Karamoja Affairs, between 1994 and 1995.He initially stood for his Matheniko county seat in the then parliament in 1991 and was re-elected in 1996. Later, he resigned on being appointed Director General of the External Security Organisation (ESO), from 1996-1998.
After his stint at ESO, Mr Pulkol was based in Nairobi as deputy director of Unicef in charge of East and Southern Africa, from 1999 to 2000.But after his two-year stint at Unicef, he returned to Uganda, ran for parliament and lost to Samuel Abura Pirir in 2001.He bounced back at ESO for a second stint from 2001-2003.
Although he later fell out with Museveni, he was very important in soliciting support for Museveni in Karamoja.
Peter Lokeris
In 1996, he joined politics, contesting and winning the parliamentary seat of Chekwii County in Nakapirit District. During that same year, he was appointed State Minister for Karamoja, a post he held till January 2005. In 2006, he was re-elected was appointed Minister of State for Primary Education, and was later moved to Minerals, a position he still holds today. Like Pulkol, his role was very significant in delivering results for Museveni in Karamoja.
Teso
Christine Hellen Amongin Aporu
Christine Hellen Amongin Aporu began her career as a primary school teacher from 1980 to 1984.Following her graduation at ITEK in 1986, she became a tutor at a teacher training college, until 1996 when she was first elected to represent Kumi District in 1996. Between 2001 and 2006, she served as a State Minister. Following the national election she was appointed Minister of State for Teso Affairs. As a teacher she was instrumental in leading the Museveni campaign especially in 2001 when Museveni was faced with a lot opposition in the region.
Her husband, Dr George Edward Aporu Okol was once a Deputy Minister of Animal Industry and Fisheries and also a staunch NRM cadre who was instrumental in pacifying the Teso region after war broke out there in 1986.
Flight Captain Mike Mukula
The National Resistance Movement Vice Chairman for Eastern Uganda, Capt Mike Mukula first became close to the Museveni government when he piloted the President in the late 1980s. He joined politics in 1996, when he successfully contested for the Soroti Municipality parliamentary seat. He lost the municipality seat in 2006 only to make a comeback in 2011.
In 2001, he was appointed State Minister for Health, serving in that position until 2006. He was later imprisoned on allegations of corruption related to the Global Fund, but was acquitted. Despite that set back Mukula has always played a big role in mobilizing the Ateso to vote for Museveni especially in 2001 when FDC had proved to be deep rooted in the region. Through the Arrow Boys Mukula also played a big role in neutralising the advances of the Lords Resistance Army into the Teso region.
Musa Ecweru
He once served as the Deputy Resident Commissioner (DRDC) between 1993 and 1998 in Soroti and Lira districts, before being promoted to full RDC and transferred to Nebbi District, serving there until 2000. He was transferred to Gulu Distrcit as RDC in 2000, Kasese District from 2002 until 2004 and Soroti District between 2004 and 2006.
In 2003, he also served as Chief of the Arrow Auxiliary Force, a militia established to counter the excesses of Lord’s Resistance Army. In 2006, he successfully contested for the parliamentary seat of Amuria County in Amuria District and he was appointed State Minister for Disaster Preparedness. He was re-elected in March 2011and also retained his post as Minister. He has been very vital in the struggle to capture votes in the Teso region for President Museveni.
Joseph Ekemu
A lawyer, Joseph Ekemu is a former Member of Parliament for Kaberamaido, a seat he lost in 2001 when he was convicted and imprisoned for two years for forgery and theft. The time when Teso region was predominantly a no go area for Museveni the likes of Ekemu played a leading role campaigning for Museveni.
Steven Ileum Korit
The man from Katakwi has always played a very instrumental part when it comes to elections in his home district. He is one of those responsible for the support that Museveni enjoys in Katakwi t.
Tom Omongole
Tom Omongole hails from Ngora District and his role in the 1996 and 2001 Museveni taskforce has always been mobilizing the people of his District against the Opposition. Museveni’s votes in Ngora are highly attributed to him.
Grace Akello
Grace Akullo hails from Katakwi District and currently is Uganda’s ambassador to Rome. She was among the first women in Teso to support the Museveni government and has persistently encouraged fellow women to support Museveni and the NRM government.
Haji Umar Okodel (RIP)
Umar Okodel was the influential LCV Chairman of Kumi district and was crucial in spreading the gospel of the NRM in his district. He has since passed on.
Lango
Cosmas Adyebo (RIP)
The highest ranking Lango politician since the National Resistance Movement took power in 1986, George Cosmas Adyebo was a politician and economist who was Uganda’s Prime Minister from 1991 to 1994. A staunch UPC-turned NRM supporter, Adyebo was one of the people that were at the forefront marketing President Museveni northern Uganda. He died in 2010.
Jovino Akaki
He served as Minister for Lands, Housing and Urban Development and was an important figure in mobilizing support for Museveni in the Lango region during the early days of the NRM.
Sam Engola
An astute businessman with interests the hotel and tourism industry, Engola is well known in the Lango region. He is the MP for Erute County South, current State Minister for Housing and enjoys good relations with the President. He is also a member of the National Executive Committee of National Resistance Movement. He normally accompanies the President to political rallies during campaigns in Northern Uganda.
Felix Okot Ogong
The Dokolo County Member of Parliament, Felix Okot Ogong hails from Abei village in Kwera sub-county, Dokolo District and his claim to political fame was in 1996 when he defeated his uncle Levi Okodi Macpio to join Parliament at the tender age of 31, making him one of youngest MPs in the sixth parliament. In 2001 he was appointed State Minister for Parliamentary Affairs and later served as State Minister for Youth and Children Affairs. He was instrumental in canvassing for votes for the NRM but in 2006, Okot Ogong announced he was standing for the presidency under the NRM, in effect challenging Museveni for the party ticket. He, however, did not pull through with his ‘threats’.
Acholi Region
Walter Ochora (RIP)
For many who were of age and politically active in 1985, the name Walter Ochola reminds them of the ‘one day president’ of Uganda. For starters, he announced the overthrow of Apollo Milton Obote on July 27, 1985 on then Radio Uganda. On that day Ochora, then a Lieutenant in the Uganda national liberation Army (UNLA) held forte for his tribesmen General Tito Okello Lutwa and Lieutenant General Bazilio Olara Okello, until the duo showed up to claim the reins of power a day later. He was a staunch supporter of the NRM in Acholi and the longest serving LC V Chairman of Gulu district until he was defeated by FDC’s Martin Ojara Mapenduzi. He was then appointed by President Museveni as the Resident District Commissioner of the same district, a position he held up to his death in 2011. A retired Colonel of the Uganda Peoples Defence Forces, Ochora was among the few NRM cadres in northern Uganda and played a big role in ensuring Museveni gains ground in Acholi.
Betty Bigombe
Betty Bigombe Oyella was MP from 1986 until 1996, and during that time also she served as State Minister for Northern Uganda. She led the first government team which was tasked with convincing the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) rebels to lay down their arms, initiating contact with the LRA leader Joseph Kony in June 1993, but her efforts were in vain.
In 2006 she left government service and got a job with the US Institute of Peace in Washington, DC. She was to bounce back in local politics when she won the parliamentary seat of Amuru District Women’s Constituency and was appointed State Minister for Water. In 2014 she resigned from Cabinet and took up a job with the World Bank in Washington DC. A recipient of several international peace awards, Bigombe was influential in Museveni’s electoral and peace campaigns.
Henry Okello Oryem
A son of former president General Tito Okello Lutwa, Okello Oryem fled Uganda to the United Kingdom at the ouster of his father in 1986. While there he completed his Law degree and practiced as a legal executive between 1988 and 2000. He returned to Uganda and in 2001 was elected to represent Chwa County, Kitgum District, in the Ugandan Parliament. He has served as state minister in the ministries of education and foreign affairs , and was a member of the Government Delegation to the Juba Peace Talks between the Ugandan Government and representatives of the LRA. In 2011 he bounced back as MP after defeating Uganda People’s Congress stalwart Okello Okello.
As a member of the NRM, he has since consolidated his political space and is a force to reckon with in the greater Acholi sub region.
Alfred Omony ogaba
The current Resident District Commissioner of Lamwo district, Alfred Omony Ogaba is one of the first people from Northern Uganda to have supported the NRM government. At one time he served as the Sate Minister of Education and Sports, something that could have been a reward for his campaigns for the NRM in Acholi.
Betty Akech
Betty Akech was among the few people from Acholi who supported the Movement government at a time when most of the politicians from the region were rooting for UPC. She deputized the late James Wapakhabulo in the Constituent Assembly. Shealso played a remarkable figure in canvassing support for President Museveni.
Grace Betty Akello Akech
Better known as Betty Akech, she has served in Museveni’s government as Minister for security, and a diplomat accredited to Japan and later the Sudan. Her role in mobilizing support for the NRM and Presidentt Museveni can never be underestimated. She played a leading role in the 1996 and 2001 campaigns and was among the people that accompanied the President to rallies in Acholi.
Beatrice Lagada
An education administrator, Beatrice Amongi Lagada worked as Inspector of schools and also as headmistress of St. Katherine’s School before joining politics. She later served as a member of the National Resistance Council, Constituency Assembly Delegate for Apac and a Resident District Commissioner for Mbarara.
She also served as the deputy director for gender at the NRM secretariat from 1997 to 2005. In 2006 she joined the 8th Parliament as women representative for Oyam District.
A woman rights activist, Hon Lagada was Chairperson of the Parliamentary Committee on Gender Labour & Social Development. She is actively involved in fighting for women’s rights and she steered the FGM bill in Parliament and which was a success resulting in a law against FGM.
Ms Lagada is strong promoter of education especially the disadvantaged girl child, and this has given her the influence to easily reach out to the people to solicit support for the President.
West Nile
Moses Ali
General Moses Ali is a veteran and has seen it all; first as a minister in dictator Iddi Amin’s regime and then as Deputy Prime Minister in the NRM government. After the fall of Amin, Gen Ali fled to exile in the Sudan and, under the Uganda National Rescue Front (UNRF1), launched a guerrilla war against the government of President Apollo Milton Obote When Museveni ousted the Okello junta in which he temporarily served, Gen Ali was absorbed into the NRM government and appointed a minister.
A lawyer, Gen Ali has represented Moyo East in Parliament for several years and Museveni has always heavily relied on him to strengthen the Movement in West Nile.
Catherine Akumu Mavengina
Catherine Mavengina was one of the Museveni loyalists from the West Nile and one time served as State Minister for Public Service in the NRM government. She was one of the leading figures in looking for votes for the President in the Nebbi region.
Francis Ayume (RIP)
Francis Ayume held several influential posts in the Museveni government, rising to become the second Speaker of Parliament, after the demise of James Wapakhabulo. He also served as Minister of State in the President’s Office and Attorney General.
He was very instrumental in consolidating NRM support in Arua and mobilizing for the President.
Zoe Bakoko Bakoru
Zoe Bakoko Bakoru joined national politics as Woman Member of Parliament for Ayivu county in Arua.
She was also appointed Cabinet Minister in charge of Gender Labour and Social Development, but was later to flee the country after she was linked to financial impropriety in the National Social Security Fund (NSSF). But before that she became very influential in West Nile and worked hard to ensure Museveni gets victory in both 1996 and 2001 elections.
Dr Eric Adriko
Dr. Eric Adriko is an academic and politician who once served as 2nd Deputy Prime Minister in Museveni’s government. With his educational background, and strong financial muscle he played a leading role in canvassing votes for Museveni in both elections of 1996 and 2001 in West Nile.
Patrick Okumu Ringa
Patrick Okumu Ringa joined politics in 2001 when he was elected Member of Parliament representing Padyere County. President Museveni appointed him State Minister for Public Service. Before joining politics, Okumu Ringa was a prominent car dealer and majority shareholder in Afro Motors, a company that imported Peugeot models. This made him a powerful figure in the region thus he comfortably campaigned for Museveni given his financial influence.
The United States will not support any individual presidential candidate in the 2016 elections, the US Ambassador has said.
According to Ambassador Scott De Lisi, his country engages with all political parties in Uganda and has no intention abandoning its policies, now or in the future.
“We have not, and we will not, support any particular candidate either now or in the future. Those who suggest that we seek to play such a role betray their fundamental lack of understanding of the United States and of our unwavering belief that the people of Uganda, and no one else, must choose their candidates and, ultimately, their elected leaders,” Ambassador De Lisi wrote.
He also denied online claims that the US had threatened to withdraw assistance to Uganda over some individuals’ candidacy.
“Any online rumors or other assertions that the United States has a preferred candidate in the Ugandan election, or has threatened to withdraw our assistance to the government and the people of Uganda over any individual’s candidacy, is simply not true,” the US envoy wrote and noted that political parties represent various viewpoints that are pivotal in any democratization process.
“Anyone who follows our engagement in Uganda knows that we actively support the development of all political parties in Uganda because their ability to represent a range of views effectively is central to a robust democratic process in which citizens are informed and free to make choices on key issues. It is their voice, not the voice of international partners, that must be respected,” De Lisi wrote.
He said the US is looking forward to a ‘democratic debate’ that will lead to free and fair elections in Uganda.
“Our hope then is that the months ahead will find diverse viewpoints being heard in a vigorous democratic debate that concludes with a free, fair, and transparent election. That is the essence of democracy whether in the United States or in Uganda,” De Lisi said.
I come from Kyebando, Central Kawempe division in Kampala District
Which Schools did you attend?
I attended Kampala Model School for Primary, Comprehensive College Kitetika for my A- Level, Archbishop Kiwanuka Kitovu, City View High School and St Lawrence University where am pursing a degree in IT.
Why didn’t you finish your studies before you continue with music?
Haha I can’t be a risk taker at this time. Once you are somewhere in this industry and you relax, people forget about you completely. In short time i will get back to school.
How many songs do you have?
I have 11 but three are collabos
Which kind of music do you sing?
I do reggae, dance hall music and afro pop but mostly I do urban music
When did you join music and why?
I launched my professional career in 2012 at Hits Factory with producer Zuli Tums and I joined because I have always had a different view about music in Uganda.
Who is your producer?
My official producer is Zuli Tums but I have worked with different producers like Dan Magic at Dream Studios, producer Kinetic at Fenon Records and producer Josh at Troox Records
How old are you?
25
What challenges have you experienced so far?
The biggest challenge is money, which is needed for promotion. There is also a challenge of fake video studios in the country
What pisses you off?
Mostly media personalities want money.
What have you achieved in music?
I am signed to humble management under Dango side music. I do earn a living that enables me to pay my studio bills, videos and rent. Though i believe more good things are coming like houses and land.
What are your future plans?
I want to own the biggest record label in Uganda.
Where do you see Uganda’s music industry?
It is growing fast at the moment. I can see artistes get recognition due to work and talent.
What makes you different from other artists?
I grew up in uptown Kampala not from the Ghetto like many artists in Uganda.
Which Ugandan artiste inspires you?
Jose Chameleone used to be but of late he is not.
Why are there many upcoming artists now days?
I think it is because of the high rate of unemployment among the youths a many try their luck in music so that they get a living.
What should your fans expect this year?
I have a lot for them, they should just be patient.
Are you dating anyone?
No.
How can you fans access your music?
On Howwe Biz ,Hipipo and Mp3jaja. You just google jimcity music and get my stuff. My first album is dropping out soon on 7th December. It is entitled Kendeza Ghetto loving,N inze, Londa and Turn me on. They are playing on various television and radio stations.
First, it was State Minister for Lands Aida Erios Nantaba telling us about land grabbers in Kayunga, her home district.
Second, was in Amuru district. Several women stripped naked before the Minister of Lands Daudi Migereko and his Internal Affairs counterpart General Aronda Nyakairima. Reason? They have come to grab our land, the women thought.
Third, is in Soroti. Two women have been arraigned in court for stripping naked, ostensibly because they think Soroti University wants to grab their land.
The issue of land is a sensitive one the world over and in Uganda government even deemed it necessary to establish a full police unit to deal with land matters.
But how did we get here? Land grabbing in Uganda is so rampant and a walk around the primary schools in Kampala will bring you closer to the tale of the vice; all playing fields that belonged to Nakasero, Buganda Road, Shimoni Demonstration, Kitante and Nnabagereka have been taken over by land sharks, with some erecting shopping malls while others have turned the fields into car bonded warehouses. That is how pathetic the land grabbing issue can get; not even the educational institutions can survive the fraudulent acquisition waves set off by the grabbers.
And, given that this state of affairs seems to be obtaining with impunity, the ordinary people are now weary and suspicious of anyone who comes around purporting to have good intentions in regard to their land. In fact, so scared have they become that they in turn seek to scare off their ‘tormentors’ by adopting strange but ‘effective’ methods like nudity to protect their land.
However, that said, one of the ways of solving the land grabbing issue is to operationalize the digital land title recording system in the Ministry of Lands, a move that will expose those who have been tinkering with the system to the detriment of the true owners.
Minister for Geneneral Duties Prof. Tarsis Kabwegyere (left) receiving the equipment from the Chinese Ambassador H.E. Zhao Yali (right).
Minister for Geneneral Duties Prof. Tarsis Kabwegyere (left) receiving the equipment from the Chinese Ambassador H.E. Zhao Yali (right).
The Office of the Prime Minister has received an assortment of office equipment, donated by the Chinese Government. The equipment was procured within the framework of the bi-lateral cooperation existing between the two sister countries.
The equipment was handed over to the Minister for General Duties ProfessorTarsisKabwegyere, by the Chinese Ambassador to Uganda H.E. Zhao Yali. The handover ceremony,held at the Office of the Prime Minister in Kampala, was witnessed by the Permanent Secretary Christine GuwatuddeKintu among others.The equipment worth millions of shillings included flat screen T.V sets, IPADS, a camera, Printers, Projector Screens and scanners.
On behalf of Government, Professor Kabwegyere thanked the Chinese government for the donation, which he described as a symbol of friendship and cooperation between the two states. ‘China is one of the leading economies in the world and therefore Uganda stands to benefit if it continues with its bilateral cooperation with China’, he noted.
Kabwegerye noted that the Public Service needs to be efficient and therefore donating such equipment will greatly contribute to the efficiency in the Office of the Prime Minister.
On his part, the Chinese Ambassador H.E Zhao Yalipledged his government’s commitment to strengthen the cooperation with Uganda Government. ‘China will endeavor to assist government and the people of Uganda to transform and industrialize the country’, he said.
The Prime Minister Dr Ruhakana Rugunda has reiterated Government commitment to transforming the country to a lower middle income status by 2020 and to an upper income status by 2040 as contained in Uganda Vision 2040 which will be achieved through successful implementation of five-year National Development Plans.
The Premier made the remarks during the second National Partnership Forum at Sheraton Kampala hotel on Tuesday.
Government launched the National Partnership Policy in 2013 as part of the effort to increase the effectiveness of development assistance in Uganda and ensure transparency and accountability in the management of development cooperation.
The first National Partnership forum was held in December 2014.
At the second partnership forum, Government and its Development Partners agreed on fivekey priority areas under the national partnership framework and these are: infrastructure development, population, human capital development, inclusive growth and employment as well as accountability.
“This Forum is the epitome of a strong and meaningful partnership that will lead to an improved service delivery and lasting positive results for Uganda and its people,” said Dr Rugunda.
He informed the forum that Government had established a delivery unit in the office of the Prime Minister to improve the implementation and service delivery of the prioritised initiatives.
The Premier also said Government remains committed to pursuing inclusive and equitable growth and development through affirmative action programmes like NUSAF III and PRDP III now in the offing.
“Through these initiatives there has been a verifiable increase in people’s productive assets and improved incomes resulting in improved livelihoods and improved access to public services,” said the Premier.
On behalf of the Local Development Partners’ Group, the United Nations Resident Coordinator, Ms Ahunna Eziakonwa-Onochie congratulated Government for launching NDP II which she said represents a key milestone in Governments efforts towards attaining vision 2040.
She pledged the continued support of Development Partners in the economic transformation of the country.
Other critical issues discussed at the forum included environment and climate change, professionalization of the procurement function and effective control of the country’s population growth.
The National Partnership Forum was attended the First lady and Minister for Karamoja Affairs Janet Museveni, Cabinet Ministers, Ministers of State, Ambassadors and
Tourists display their certificates after successfully tracking gorillas at Bwindi impenetrable national park recently(standing middle) is Molina
Tourists display their certificates after successfully tracking gorillas at Bwindi impenetrable national park recently(standing middle) is Molina
The Prime Minister Dr Ruhakana Rugunda has invited more tourists to Uganda to experience the unique natural beauty of the pearl of Africa.
The Premier said Uganda was ranked among the top tourist destinations in the world.
Dr Rugunda made the remarks while meeting American tourists and investors who have been in the country at his invitation to see for themselves what Uganda has to offer in the tourism industry.
The team included Raul de Molina, a television talkshow host working for Univision network in Miami, in the United States of America.
Molina’s talkshow is followed by over 53 million viewers and he is also followed by millions of people on Facebook, twitter and Instagram.
“Raul will use his huge following globally to market Uganda as one of the top tourist destinations in the world,” said the Premier.
He said tourism remains an important pillar, contributing significantly to Uganda’s economy.
According to the National Development Plan (NDP 1), tourism was ranked as one of the fastest growing service sectors of the economy and a major foreign exchange earner.
Uganda was voted in 2012 as number one tourist destination for 2012 by Lonely Planet the largest travel guide book and digital media publisher in the world.
The team visited and tracked gorillas at Bwindi impenetrable forest national park (BINP) which is one of UNESCO’s heritage sites best known for its mountain gorilla populations.
According to Ezuma Pontious, the chief warden at BINP, Bwindi is home to almost half of the world’s mountain gorillas (about 400 of the total 880).
In one of his messages on social media, Molina posted, “Having a wonderful time in Uganda-Unique travel experience with the silverback gorillas.”
The American tourists also visited Bwindi community hospital and Uganda nursing school Bwindi which are direct beneficiaries of the tourism industry.
Bwindi hospital was rated as one of the best hospitals in Uganda, specifically for providing quality healthcare by the Uganda Protestant Medical Bureau.
The tourists also visited the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National park (QENP) too see the famous tree climbing lions. and the main QENP.
At the Queen Elizabeth national park, Uganda’s most popular and scenic, they were able to see buffalos, hippos, elephants, antelopes, lions, Ugandan Kobs, leopards and over various bird species.
Tourism is Uganda’s single largest export earner and generator of foreign exchange, at USD 979 million per annum (UBOS, 2013). This represents more than twice the earnings of coffee, the country’s second biggest export.
According to the Tourism master plan (2014-2024), more than 150,000 additional jobs will be created in the tourism industry by 2024.
signed by all District NRM chairpersons and NRM MPs from the Elgon region, the Minister of Energy and Minerals Irene Muloni noted that the group is opposed to Mbabazi’s aspirations.
signed by all District NRM chairpersons and NRM MPs from the Elgon region, the Minister of Energy and Minerals Irene Muloni noted that the group is opposed to Mbabazi’s aspirations.
Thousands of people have flocked the streets of Mbale town chanting pro- Museveni slogans in support of his sole candidature that was endorsed at the NRM retreat in Kyankwazi last year.
The demonstrations come in the wake of an impending visit to Mbale by the former Prime Minister John Patrick Amama Mbabazi tomorrow, and people have been mobilized from all the surrounding Districts of Manafwa, Sironko, Budadiri, Bududa, Butaleja, and Palisa to protest against Mbabazi’s decision to contest against Museveni, the current chairman of the NRM.
According to a source that spoke to Eagleonline, the region’s prominent NRM leaders are gathered at the Mbale cricket grounds and these include Connie Galiwango, Woman MP Mbale, Simon Mulongo, (Bubulo East), Micheal Werikhe, (Bungokho South), Rose Mutonyi, (Bubulo West), Yahya Gudoi (Bungokho North), Irene Muloni (Bulambuli Woman), and the LCV chairman of Mbale district Bernard Mujasi.
The source further says there are also processions of people dancing around the whole town and shouting that Mbabazi should not travel to Mbale because they do not need to see or hear from him. Also, boda boda riders, taxi drivers and touts and some businesspeople have abandoned their work to join the anti-Mbabazi demos.
Mbabazi, who announced last month that he would compete in the party elections for presidential flag bearer, has declared he would tour the country to present himself to the electorate, starting in Mbale.
But the police say the ex-Premiers move is illegal, describing it as ‘early electioneering’.
And now in Mbale many of Mbabazi’s supporters are said to have crossed to Museveni’s camp, notable among them Muhamood Masaba, who has been one of the coordinators of Mbabazi’s task force in the eastern town. He now says he had ‘made a wrong decision and is back home’.
According to the source, people in Mbale are saying that Mbabazi’s structures that he had created in Mbale during his days as Minister for Security and Secretary General of NRM have been dismantled and his supporters have crossed over.
And reading a statement signed by all District NRM chairpersons and NRM MPs from the Elgon region, the Minister of Energy and Minerals Irene Muloni noted that the group is opposed to Mbabazi’s aspirations.
“We will not participate in any of Mbabazi’s activities when he comes to Mbale tomorrow,” reads the statement in part.
The Bungokho South MP Michael Werikhe said that Mbabazi and Museveni have worked together for long and that the former has not revealed what bad Museveni did to him.
“He should take his war somewhere else not in Bugisu,” Werikhe said with his Bungokho North counterpart Yahya Gudoi, concurring.
“We should go back home and tell the people that we don’t want to fight and that Mbabazi should not take his personal ego into fights in Mbale,” Gudoi said.
Not to be outdone Bubulo West MP Rose Mutonyi Masaba, said Mbabazi will know his fate tomorrow when he goes to Mbale.
“Let us say no to Mbabazi. Are we fools to allow him in Mbale?” Mutonyi asked. Simon Mulongo of Bubulo East wondered why Mbabazi did not start his countrywide tour from his home district of in Kanungu.
“Can he tell us why he chose Bugisu and Teso or he was chased from his home,” Mulongo wondered.
The Mbale LC V Chairman Bernard Mujasi, the unity and fruits of Museveni’s leadership are known, “so Mbabazi should not cause disunity in Bugisu,” Mujasi said while the State Minister for Trade, James Mutende Shinyabulo emphasized that the people of Mbale are comfortable with Museveni and that he is still loved.
In a related development the Director of Operations in the Uganda Police Force, Andrew Alex Kaweesi is in Mbale trying to ensure that security is not compromised although the crowds seem unruly. There is also heavy deployment of policemen in the whole town and business has come to standstill as people are running up down, the source says.
Meanwhile, by the time of filing this report it was not clear if Mbabazi would cancel the trip since he has always insisted that the police have no right to stop him from consulting since he is an aspiring candidate.
