Friday UPL Results
SC Villa 0-2 Vipers
Soana 2-1 KCC
Bul 0-0 Express FC
Lweza 1-1 Rwenshama
Simba 3-1 Sadolin
Entebbe 0-7 Kira young
SCVU 1-0 Bright Stars
URA 2-1 Police
Edward Golola has lauded his Vipers players for the determination, quality and focus that secured them their second Uganda Premier League title.
Vipers secured the 2014/15 league crown with a 2-0 win over direct title rival SC Villa at Nakivubo stadium, on Friday.
Midst league wrangles and politics, raging from sponsorship packages (Azam and SuperSport), who is mandated to run the league and boardroom decisions affecting the league table standings.
“The environment that these players compete in, it’s so difficult for them to consecrate” Golola noted.
“So for a team to win this league, it’s so hard. Focus, resolve and consistency are key, and these are components Vipers had as a team” he added.
Golola’s’ side went through the first round of the league unbeaten and had only one loss (against KJT_Rweshama).
“I think we were the better side throughout the campaign” he added.
Deus Bukenya opened the scores in the 23rd minute and Farouk Miya added the second in the 55th minute as 2010 league champions defeated Villa 2-0.
Kezron kizito has been Vipers best player
Ready for continent
Vipers will represent Uganda in the 2016 CAF Champions league and Golola is upbeat his side is ready for the challenges.
“We are ready for continental football,” said Golola. “I have so much belief in my boys. They can do everything on the pitch and that makes me optimistic,” he said.
This was Golola’s second league title, having led the side to the 2010 crown.
Vipers on 66 points play Bul FC in Bukiwe, in what should be a crowning ceremony for the club in last UPL games of the season.
The Attorney General has been summoned by court to defend government against charges of failing to pay a debt of about Shs 400 million shillings.
The money in question was incurred after the police hired the services of Fire Masters, a private firefighting and fire equipment distributor, to put out a raging fire that had engulfed the British American Tobacco (BAT) company warehouse in Kyambogo, a Kampala suburb.
The request was made by Assistant Superintendent of Police Simon Musoke of the Fire Brigade and, the High Court Deputy Registrar Festo Nsenga issued the summons against Attorney General Fred Ruhindi, giving the AG 15 days to respond to the accusations. High Court judge Justice Yasin Nyanzi will preside over the case.
Court documents indicate that on January 14 last year Fire Masters Manager Alex Kalenge was contacted by ASP Musoke, to help police put out a notorious fire.
In response, Kalenge deployed firefighting equipment including five trucks and dozens of men, who helped put out the fire in two days.
According to Kalenge, ,.
In the plaint Kalenge also said each of the firemen, 37 in number, were let out at US$50, while each firefighting truck cost US$280 for hire per hour, bringing the total amount under contention to US$184.000, over the two-day operation.
Ten opposition supporters who took part in a failed meeting called by Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago and former FDC leader Dr Kizza Besigye have been remanded at Luzira prison.
Bonifred Sekunvu, Moses Oboke, Godfrey Mugisha and Isaac Kaddu were sent to the coolers on Friday by Grade One magistrate Moses Nabende of the City Hall court, on charges of being a nuisance in public.
Others sent to Luzira include Sam Kalule, Bashir Ibanda, Medard Mugumya, Ronald Kafumbe, Deo Mbabazi and Musoke Sekunsu, who will all return to court on Monday for bail application.
The group was arrested at Nsambya Sharing Hall in Kampala and according to the Prosecutor, the ten and others at large intended to disrupt public order.
As for Lukwago and Dr Besigye, they were made to record statements before being set free by police.
The arrest and subsequent detention of the ten comes in the wake of a national campaign by the opposition, to force government accept electoral reforms, as proposed by the opposition.
Recently, opposition groups and political activists such as the Citizens’ Reform Now (CIREN) and Citizen’s Coalition for Electoral Democracy in Uganda have called for the disbandment of the Electoral Commission and the subsequent firing of its boss, Dr. Badru Kiggundu as part of the reforms envisaged.
The groups have since April 30 been traversing the country to preach their gospel.
UPL Results
SC Villa 0-2 Vipers
Soana 2-1 KCC
Bul 0-0 Express FC
Lweza 1-1 Rwenshama
Simba 3-1 Sadolin
Entebbe 0-7 Kira young
SCVU 1-0 Bright Stars
URA 2-1 Police
Vipers football club defeated SC Villa 2-0 to clinch the 2014/15 Uganda Premier League at Nakivubo stadium yesterday.
Goals from Deus Bukenya and Farouk Miya in either half, where enough as Vipers put in a dominant display to seal their second league title in the club’s’ history.
“It’s been tough, but now it’s time to celebrate, these boys deserve this title” a delighted Edward Golola, the Vipers coach said.
Vipers on 66 points play Bul FC in Bukiwe, in what should be a crowning ceremony for the club and closest rivals Villa (62points) visit Bright Stars in the last UPL games of the season.
“Vipers were the better side on the day and kudos to them” a disappointed Ibrahim Kirya (Villa coach) noted.
Bukenya opened the scores in the 23rd minute and Miya added the second in the 55th minute for Vipers
Frank Gashumba needs no introduction to anyone except those who are not aware there was an attempted coup in Burundi and that Pierre Nkurunziza is now back in Bujumbura after allegedly meeting the omnipotent son of Kaguta. Gashumba is that man who makes more noise than a very old ddeebe (empty tin) and the voices of Burundian coup jokers combined.
The last time The Frying Pun met Gashumba, he was wearing a pair of white gumboots that made him look more like a cadaver handler than those chaps in Basajjabalaba’s meat packers in Industrial Area. The man who boasts of popcorn for a tongue was delivering a goat in a kind gesture to The Kampala Sun team after a story they had covered on how teens get wasted away around Nakumatt.
Meeting him again for this interview, The Frying Pun couldn’t waste time. “What drives you, Frank?” The Pun probed on the dot.
Gashumba merely smiled.
“Frank, I am asking, what drives you? Is that too hard to answer or do you think we are accusing you of living on some strange content from Busabala beach or aviation fuel?” The Pun was hot.
“Well, what do I say? I expected intelligent… you know, mature interview… how old are you, Frying Pun?” he asked.
Gashumba & Daughter(sheila)
“Frank, age is just a number,” the Pun went defensive. “Do you think men getting Sheila [his daughter] ask about her age? They just … her. Let’s not go age things because the only man who is interested in the age thing now is Museveni.”
This rubbed him the wrong way. He rubbed his dry scalp as though some pepperspray had been doused on it, dilated his eyes and swore between his breathe. The Pun apologized for the ‘offence’ and Gashumba relaxed a bit.
“You asked what drives me? It is the desire to seek the best for the society. Too many young people in Uganda cannot prosper because they are not doing enough for themselves and no one is telling them that. They think betting is everything, but that is laziness. I, Frank Gashumba, will not stop telling them that.”
The Frying Pun seized this with gusto: “But they obviously don’t want you or what you are intent on telling them. Why do you make it your business then to keep criticizing them? Are you related to Pierre Nkurunziza who, even after Burundians refused him, sticks on them like a fly on a corpse?”
“Not everyone rejects me,” Gashumba said. “When I went to Makerere, there were even those who wanted me to speak to them. And indeed I went back a few days later and addressed an association of students there. Change doesn’t come because everyone seeks it, it comes because a few people make a compelling reason for change.”
“So, Frank, is it true you are nursing presidential ambitions?”
“I also keep hearing that on Facebook, that I am to run against Museveni and such things. Nonsense,” he said. “But you know, sometimes the most sensible things are discernible in a mad man’s raves. If I realize that the only way to make change and prosperity for the people is through the presidency, then I will consider it.”
“Okay, Frank, don’t tell me you also keep hearing this on Facebook: you are a government spy, planted by Museveni to rave and lure unsuspecting persons into coming out so that government knows who is who and where,” the Pun declared.
“Now that is a funny one,” he said. “What I know is that I am Frank Gashumba and I have nothing to do with a corrupt government system that only prides in buying tear gas and stationing mambas at every major road junction in the city when they cannot station a dosage of malaria drug in Mulago. Gashumba cannot identify with such a government.”
“You haven’t said anything new. You are repeating yourself by saying exactly what I said Museveni pays you to do: make noise, accuse him and his government so donors can say Museveni is tolerant, and people opposed to the system can come out to criticize like you, only to be clamped,” the Pun said.
“I won’t stop speaking out my mind just because of what some scrawny young man thinks of my views. If you think what you think of Frank Gashumba will put food on your table, then increase the level of how you think of me so that you start eating money itself,” he said, wiping sweat on his temple and licking his lower lip.
The Frying Pun was about to say something when Gashumba interjected. Clearly, he had been fried. “Your mentality makes it clear to me that Museveni had played every Ugandan around so badly that they can never trust their own pubic hair now. A typical Ugandan will undress and begin to think it is Museveni who has planted hairs on his pubes and that is very bad for this country. When shall we emancipate ourselves? This kind of brain-washing is the reason we can’t defeat Museveni.”
“Frank, it’s easier to trust Sejusa than you,” the Pun said. “This is a fact, not an opinion. You know it too well that you say any crap about this government and no one cares. But if Besigye or Lukwago said half of what you say, they would be accused of being the Gen Godefroid (Niyombare) of Burundi coup joke infamy.”
“You are still going on and on with that nonsense?” he asked sarcastically.
“Okay, to change the subject, most of what you say, the quotable quotes, the punchy lines, are actually lifted from other intellectuals. Given that you were once fined for fraudulent activities and had two or more other cases related to fraud, can I say you are a congenital fraudster?”
“All the cases against me were dropped. I tend to ignore your lot. However much a mad man rants and raves, it will not stop the sane people from tying him to a tree, so beware of what you say, young man.”
“Exactly, you are right,” the Pun cut in sarcastically as well. “Just like we also tend to ignore much of your rant, a more diplomatic way of tying the mad you to a tree. Did you even help Aisha Nabukeera or did you use her for your own gain?”
“Aisha is now an adult. She vividly remembers the tribulations she went through so she can tell you her story. I have spoken for her all these years, but now she can even speak for herself,” Gashumba said. “Go ask her what you want to know.”
“But you could have played the cards so well she sees only the angel in you,” the Pun said. “The public is wont to believe that a man who ignores his other daughter won’t be able to care for a stranger for that matter.”
“You have gone too far, mister. I am sure you also went through Makerere University given this sickening attitude you hold. It disgusts me and I pity you for that though I wouldn’t feel sorry if I found you eating kikomando for dinner.”
The word for years among those who know and have listened Moses Golola is that he doesn’t particularly care much the status and caliber of his opponents.
Golola goes into tomorrow (Saturday) fight against Thailand’s Kamusuntorn Wathaporn at Kati Kati restaurant, Lugogo confident and unruffled as always and never disappointed with his vocal artillery at the official weigh-in and media briefly at HTB Hotel.
“I kicked the zero to hero. I am not afraid of the white colour, I will beat him” Golola echoed.
Kamusuntorn Wathaporn (Thailand)
Kamusuntorn Wathaporn, accompanied by his trainer, Win Panyaparichot who did not utter a word but was left amused by Golola’s unending comments.
“My fighter will put in a decent show on tomorrow” Panyaparichot remarked in his brief speech.
Golola Heavier:
At the actual weigh-in time, Golola was half a kilogram heavier than the opponent, weighing 73 k.gs compared to 72.5 kg of Kamunstorn.
Fight promoter, Maureen Mulangira promised an action paked night of action dubbed ‘Dream Night’ for the fans.
“It should be a great night of kick boxing and boxing fights. Everything regards preparations has been finalized with maximum security and entertainment from performing musicians” Mulangira, proprietor of Inter Sport International Promotions added.
In the main under card kick boxing fight, Sharif Bukenya (68.5 kg) and Hamza Funzu.
Boxing Bouts:
In the boxing contests lined up, David Basajja Mivule (79.5 k.g) takes on Charles Kaka de (81 k.g), Mustafa Mongolia (68 k.g) will battle with Julius Hitman.
Richard Ndifuna (69 k.g) will play Mubarak Seguya and Sserunjogi (71 k.g) takes on Hotloaf Mugarula (70 k.g).
To every spectator, there will be a free Smart phone line and a free rock boom energy drink. Gates open by 6 p.m.
“You are giving me news; but if that decision was taken I would be one of the first people to know,” Beyanga, who is the KFM Programmes Manager and direct supervisor of Ms Alibhai, said.
On Saturday May 9, about 350 kilometres from Kampala, a big political event was happening in Eastern Uganda. Flamboyant politician Capt.Mike Mukula, who has been Soroti Municipality Member of Parliament, was calling it a day in office. A big function attended by hundreds of supporters was held in the town that serves as Teso’s main commercial hub. As he bade farewell to his supporters, Capt. Mukula asked those eyeing his seat to come forward. Several people—all men—walked forward. One lady stayed rooted to her seat in the VIP tent. Capt.Mukula called her out. The light-skinned lady with a gorgeous figure, who immediately got a rapturous applause, was none other than Aisha Alibhai.
Alibhai is a presenter on KFM, a sister radio station to Daily Monitor, which is the major Ugandan media outlet of the Nairobi-based Nation Media Group. The group that was founded by the spiritual leader of the Ismaili Muslim sect, the Aga Khan, also owns NTV Uganda.
The Monday press (both New Vision and Daily Monitor) carried the story of Mukula’s impending exit from politics. They also made mention of Alibhai’s presence at the function. That explains the editor’s early Monday morning presence at Daily Monitor premises. His godfather, who is also a senior politician in opposition, and a respected journalist, is reported to have sent him on an urgent mission; to establish exactly what happened in Soroti and on which political party ticket Aisha Alibhai would be contesting to replace Mukula.
After making several calls on this Monday, this particular editor established that Alibhai would be running on an NRM ticket. He was also told that she was seen as a front-runner, having been the only candidate at the function to speak fluent Ateso and seemed to have greatly excited the women voters present.
This information was quickly relayed to the politician who in turn, reportedly made a phone call to Monitor Publication Limited’s managing director, Mr Tony Glencross. The South African citizen who was appointed MPL’s MD in March this year previously worked at the Vision Group where he oversaw its marketing campaigns. He holds a diploma attained after attending a series of management workshops for CEOs and top business managers.
The politician’s instructions to Glencross were clear: “Fire Aisha Alibhai. Why are you letting her campaign on the NRM ticket yet she works on our radio?”
On Tuesday morning, Glencross reportedly summoned Alibhai to his office on the third floor of the building. After mumbling stuff about the poor ratings of the D’Mighty Breakfast that Alibhai co-hosts with Chris Obore, he went to what was burning him.
“OK, tell me about this MP thing. Is it true you are running for Parliament?” he asked Aisha.
“What is true is that I was at the function,” replied Aisha. “Hon Mukula asked me to greet the voters which I did. I am still consulting friends and family on whether I should run even when it is obvious people seem to love the idea of me running.”
“Anyway, “a senior politician/journalist” called me yesterday,” Glencross chipped in. “He has asked that I relieve you of your duties. I want to know by this Friday if you would have made up your mind,” the MD reportedly told the presenter.
And as Aisha walked out, he added: “And just know this “politician” is disappointed with you running on an NRM ticket.”
Friday is not here yet. Friends in whom Aisha has confided in have told her not to give in into this politician’s bullying. If indeed Glencross accepts to implement the directive, this will not be the first time this year that MPL sacks people on the premise of ‘supporting’ the ruling NRM party.
In January there was a national debate after the newspaper sacked its Managing Editor for the daily editions, Mr Don Wanyama, on grounds that he had published the results of an opinion poll that painted opposition candidates including ex-premier Amama Mbabazi as being weaker than President Museveni. Again, it was this politician and his protégé who were said to be at the centre of Wanyama’s sacking. That time the call was placed to stand-in MD, Steven Gitagama, who, with the help of then Executive Editor, Malcolm Gibson, wielded the axe. The action was clothed as a restructuring exercise. Unable to contain the pressure emanating from that action and with government reviewing his work permit, Gibson was showed the axe and returned to his American homeland where he is looking after his ducks.
A month before Wanyama’s exit, MPL had again sent its Managing Director, Alex Asiimwe, packing on grounds of poor business leadership. Watchers, however, suggest that again this mafia could have had a hand in Asiimwe’s sacking.
As Aisha awaits her fate, the irony is that another lady called Hadijah Mwanje, who is News Editor of MPL’s Luganda station, Dembe FM, has gone public about her intentions to run for a woman MP seat in one of the central region districts. She posts updates of her political activities on social media and has on several occasions used both Dembe and KFM to promote her candidacy.
But observers say that MPL management and MD Glencross see no problem with this. Why? Because unlike Aisha who is on the NRM ticket, Ms Mwanje is standing on opposition ticket, they argue.
However, contacted on phone Mr Joseph Beyanga denied the gorgeous babe had been axed.
“You are giving me news; but if that decision was taken I would be one of the first people to know,” Beyanga, who is the KFM Programmes Manager and direct supervisor of Ms Alibhai, said.
Beyanga added that he met Ms Alibhai today (Friday) after she had completed her slate for the week, and added that in the course of their interaction there was no hint whatsoever that the presenter had been fired.
WORRIED OVER SINKING ECONOMY: Finance Minister Matia Kasaija
The International Monetary Fund has disclosed that the rate of inflation in the country has increased.
According to the IMF, an inflation that has been contained at low rates oscillating at between 3 and 5 per cent has been experienced despite the depreciating shilling.
In a release issued May 14, a visiting IMF team noted that inflation had risen from 3.1 per cent in December last year, and is expected to stabilize at about 5 per cent in the medium term.
In the release titled ‘Fourth PSI Review’, the team led by
Ana Lucia Coronel, the IMF Mission Chief and Senior Resident Representative for Uganda, the Fund said its staff had completed a ‘combined 2015 Article IV and Fourth PSI Review Mission to Uganda,’ aimed at reviewing the country’s economic programme, supported by the Policy Support Instrument (PSI).
“Uganda’s recent economic performance has been favorable. The GDP rebasing revealed an economy that is 17 percent bigger than earlier thought, although growth rates in the last few years have been more moderate. Nonetheless, real economic growth is projected to reach a robust 5.3 percent in the current fiscal year and 5.8 percent in FY2015/16, compared to 4.5 percent in FY2013/14,” the release by Ms Coronel states in part.
During the visit the IMF team met with finance minister Matia Kasaija, central bank Deputy Governor Louis Kasekende and the Secretary to the Treasury Keith Muhakanizi, and urged the government officials to ensure that Ugandans benefit from the current growth that is being realised.
“Fiscal and monetary policies have supported the growth and inflation objectives. The supplementary budget before parliament reallocates rather than increases spending, using savings from improvements in the payment
and payroll systems to address emerging needs,’ the team leader states.
Ms Coronel further notes that the improvement was due to ‘scaled-up public investment and a recovery of private consumption supported by stronger credit growth’.
She noted that subdued inflation, reserves of above four months of imports, a sound financial system and relatively low government debt, currently estimated at about 30 percent of GDP, had shielded the Ugandan economy against shocks.
In the release Ms Coronel also noted that compared to the targeted figure, tax revenue had increased due to favourable packages introduced in the Financial Year 2014/15.
‘The mission welcomes the efforts underway to improve tax collections, and a combination of new measures and efficiency gains is projected to result in an additional tax-to-GDP ratio increase of about 0.5 percent,’ the release adds.
Ms Coronel said the PSI was satisfactory, with the December 2014 fiscal and external targets met.
Other issues deliberated upon included among others, delayed execution of hydroelectric projects; public investments; petroleum revenue management; reduction in energy and transport infrastructure bottlenecks; job creation and the containment of expenditure in the run up to the elections.
It should be noted that in November 2014 Bank of Uganda Governor Prof. Emmanuel Tumusiime Mutebile said he had been misled into financing some elections activities during the last elections in 2011, sending the country’s economy in spiraling descent. He has since said he will not fund any electioneering in the forthcoming elections in 2016.
However, Mutebile’s revelation made late last year seems to have awakened the IMF into focusing on the forthcoming election expenditure.
Chief coup plotter, General Godefroid Niyombare, is still on the run as President Pierre Nkurunziza returned to Burundi on Thursday.
The general, a former intelligence chief who was fired three months ago, had declared a coup as President Nkurunziza was in Tanzania attending the East African Community Summit on Burundi.”We have decided to surrender, I hope they don’t kill us,” General Niyombare was quoted as saying by AFP.
But bursts of gunfire in the capital and fighting for control of the state radio during the day indicated there was still determined opposition to the president, who sparked protests and the coup attempt by his move to seek a third term.
Critics said his re-election bid violated the Constitution and a peace deal that ended an ethnically fuelled civil war that ended in 2005, after plunging the nation into a deep political crisis.
But before announcing his return, loyalists of the president said they were in control of the major strategic assets, such as the airport and presidential offices. They also said they still controlled the state broadcaster despite the heavy fighting.
“President Nkurunziza is back in Burundi after the attempted coup. He congratulates the army, the police and the Burundian people,” said a brief phone text message from the presidency.
A presidential official confirmed the statement, but would not say where Nkurunziza was in Burundi or how he had returned.
Nkurunziza was in Tanzania at a summit of regional leaders on Wednesday when Maj Gen Niyombare, who the president sacked as intelligence chief in February, declared he was dismissing the president and his government.
A day later, Army Chief of Staff General Prime Niyongabo said the coup had failed. “Loyal forces are still controlling all strategic points,” he said in a state radio broadcast.
The announcement of Nkurunziza’s return suggested the government was now back in effective control, although periods of relative calm in Bujumbura on Thursday were broken by bouts of gunfire. By evening, the city had a semblance of calm.
In an earlier broadcast, Nkurunziza offered amnesty to the rebel troops. “I thank soldiers who are putting things in order, and I forgive any soldier who decides to surrender,” he said from an undisclosed location in the country.
But he is coming home to a nation where thousands of people in the capital spent more than two weeks protesting against his third-term election bid, often waging fierce street battles with police, and then cheered when his ouster was announced.
Nkurunziza justifies his bid for another five years in office by pointing to a constitutional court ruling which said the president could run because his first term, when he was picked by parliament rather than by popular vote, did not count. Critics say the court is biased.
Burundi’s army is a symbol of national reconciliation but it has displayed alarming rifts.
In the civil war, the army was commanded by minority Tutsis who fought rebel groups of the majority Hutus, including one led by Nkurunziza. Now the military is a mixed ethnic force and has absorbed rival factions.
But the coup attempt suggested divisions in the ranks remain just below the surface, threatening a return to ethnic blood-letting that has worried Burundi’s neighbours.
The United Nations says more than 70,000 Burundians have already crossed the borders for fear of an upsurge in violence, unsettling a region with a history of ethnic fighting.
African nations condemned the takeover attempt.
“East African leaders are determined to find a lasting solution to Burundi’s crisis,” Tanzanian Foreign Minister Bernard Membe said in Dar es Salaam. “Africa does not want the leadership of any country to be assumed by the barrel of a gun.”
The African Union criticised any attempt to seize “power through violence” and called for dialogue to resolve the crisis.
The 15-nation U.N. Security Council said it would “respond to violent acts in Burundi that threaten peace and security” and condemned “those who facilitate violence of any kind against civilians and those who seek to seize power by unlawful means.”
Western donors, which provide vital aid to finance Burundi’s budget and other institutions, have urged Nkurunziza not to run again and have criticised the police crackdown on protesters.
After Wednesday’s coup attempt, the United States, which helps train and equip the army, told all sides to end violence.
The European Union, Belgium and the Netherlands have all suspended some aid due to the unrest, particularly donations linked to the elections, which include parliamentary polls scheduled for May 26 and the presidential vote on June 26.
Meanwhile authorities have arrested three generals for their role in the attempted coup in Burundi.
Of those arrested, one was a police general and two others were army generals, including former Defence Minister Cyrille Ndayirukiye, loyalist forces spokesman Gervais Abayeho told Reuters. He said Maj Gen Niyombare, who led the coup attempt, was “still on the run, his whereabouts are not known to us.”
People celebrating Nkurunziza' s arrival in Bujumbura
People celebrating Nkurunziza’s arrival in Bujumbura
Mr Nkurunziza was in Tanzania when the coup was launched after protests against his bid for a third term.
He arrived in Bujumbura in a huge convoy and was met by supporters dancing and celebrating. He is expected to address the nation later.
More than 105,000 people have fled the country since the unrest began last month, the UN says.
After returning from Tanzania, Mr Nkurunziza initially travelled to his northern hometown of Ngozi, before continuing to Bujumbura.
He arrived in a huge convoy and was met by supporters in party colours dancing and celebrating, a BBC journalist in the capital reports.
He is expected to address the nation later.
Nkurunziza to address rally
The situation in Burundi still seems to be precarious as it emerged that embattled President Pierre Nkurunziza has delayed his return to the capital Bujumbura.
According to media reports, Nkurunziza, whose quest for a ‘third term’ triggered off widespread riots that culminated in an attempted coup on Wednesday, May 13, is set to address a rally in his home town of Ngozi in the north of the country, later today.
On that day disgruntled soldiers led by a former intelligence chief Major General Godefroid Niyombare announced that they had toppled the government of President Nkurunziza, while the Head of State was attending the East African Summit on Burundi in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
But in a strange twist of events later in the day the coup was reversed by loyalist troops led by the army Chief of Staff General Prime Niyongabo, paving the way for Nkurunziza to return home on Thursday evening.
It is said the Head of State has not been seen in public since his return to the country but this has not helped the coup plotters, as several of them including a former defence minister, General Cyrille Ndayirukiye have been arrested. Also among those arrested are several police officers.
While his whereabouts are still a well-kept secret, President Nkurunziza has since thanked his loyalist troops for averting the coup and urged the plotters to apologise to the nation.
