A Burundi army general says senior officers are “dismissing” President Pierre Nkurunziza, amid unrest over his bid to be re-elected to a third term.
Maj Gen Godefroid Niyombareh announced that a national salvation committee had been set up to run the country.
However, it is not clear how much support he and the other officers have.
President Nkurunziza is currently in Tanzania meeting other East African leaders to discuss the crisis. His aide dismissed the coup claims as “a joke”.
President Nkurunziza has rejected calls to postpone next month’s election.
Latest Burundi and Africa updates
Gen Niyombareh, in a statement read to reporters in a military base, said he did not recognise the leadership because the president’s bid for a third term violated the constitution.
Soldiers have surrounded the offices of the national broadcaster in the capital, Bujumbura.
Pierre Nkurunziza
Gen Niyombareh’s “national salvation committee” comprises at least five other army and police generals.
One eyewitness told Reuters that crowds who had earlier been out on the streets of the capital protesting against the president were now cheering and celebrating his apparent dismissal.
The unrest began on 26 April and has led to the deaths of more than 20 people.
Tens of thousands of Burundians have fled to neighbouring states in recent weeks.
Protesters opposed to the president were out on the streets again on Wednesday
FUFA President Moses Magogo right, FUFA CEO Edgar Waston middle & FUFA Finance Director Decolas Kizza
FUFA President Moses Magogo right, FUFA CEO Edgar Waston middle & FUFA Finance Director Decolas Kizza
LOCAL soccer governing body, FUFA, needs sh7.5bn ahead of a busy international football schedule.
With the Under-23 side hosting Rwanda on Saturday May 23, 2015 for the first leg and the reverse fixture a fortnight later in Kigali.
The home based players’ visit Tanzania in the first round and, first leg of the 2016 CHAN qualifiers in Dar es Salaam on June 20, and the return leg is on July 4, at Mandela National stadium, Namboole.
While the senior side, Uganda Cranes play their first group game of the 2017 AFCON qualifiers on June 13, 2015 against Botswana at Namboole.
“From the Finance department, Shs7.5billion is needed for the three qualifying campaigns” said Decolas Kizza, the FUFA Finance Director.
Before adding, “The budget proposal to government was done and sent; now we call upon all leading corporates and individual fans to come on board”.
Uganda Cranes Team
Gambia Test
Meanwhile FUFA have also secured a friendly match against West Africa side Gambia on 9th June before the Cranes’ first 2017 AFCON qualifier game on 13th June against Botswana at Namboole stadium.
Uganda Cranes were drawn in Group D against 2013 finalists Burkina Faso, Botswana and the Comoros for the continent’s football ultimate showpiece that will take place in Gabon.
The group winners and two best second placed teams join hosts, Gabon for the final tournament.
Tuesday Results
Entebbe 0-0 URA
Kira Young 0-1 SC Villa
Lweza 2-0 Sadolin Paints
Rwenshama FC 2-3 Soana FC Friday Fixture
SC Villa v Vipers FC
Bul FC v Express FC
Soana FC v KCC FC
SPORTS CLUB VILLA is set to appeal against a FUFA disciplinary committee decision that nullified a ruling by the UPL Board secretariat that awarded the club three points and three goals.
A press statement released by Ivan Kakembo, the Villa Chief Executive Officer, reads in part.
“This statement is to express our displeasure and dissatisfaction with the verdict because there was conflict interest”.
“One member of the committee was supposed to withdraw himself from the committee as stipulated by FUFA disciplinary code, that official never did.
“It’s on that background that we appeal this verdict”.
The committee, comprising of Godfrey Odur (Chairman), Jacob Lubega (secretary) and Edirisa Kasalira (member) nullified a ruling by the UPL Board that awarded Villa three points.
URA FC’s strength of the appeal was the video evidence presented before the FUFA disciplinary committee.
This follows URA appeal that had lodged, protesting the UPL board’s ruling after Villa had filed that URA used Saidi Kyeyune for the game.
“We presented evidence to the committee with the video evidence.
“The report talks of booking a player (Kyeyune) yet he had been substituted. Good enough, we record all our games” Henry Mayeku, secretary of URA noted.
After the verdict, that followed a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Kira Young on Tuesday at Namboole stadium, Villa lies second with two games to play in Uganda Premier League season.
Friday should give us green light on whom between log leaders Vipers and SC Villa wins the Uganda Premier League (UPL) title.
“Our plea to the FUFA appeals’ committee through the FUFA Competitions Committee is to have the game against Vipers (on Friday) postponed until our appeal is disposed off”.
Vipers currently top on 63 points, one ahead of Villa. The two face off at Nakivubo on Friday in the penultimate game of the season.
UGANDA Cranes striker Geoffrey Massa has penned a three-year contract with South Africa’s Bloemfontein Celtic, the club has confirmed.
Massa, who scored eight goals this season for University of Pretoria, will be introduced to the Siwelele fans ahead of the start of the 2015/16 Premier League Season.
Celtic boss Max Tshabalala tells the club’s website that Massa is a great addition to the squad.
“We are happy that we managed to sign a top player (striker) like Massa. This goes to show that we are serious about our mission to reinforce the squad and challenge for a respectable position on the log.
“His experience and prowess will assist us in achieving our goal, which should top-8 finish” he says.
Career History
Massa began his career in 2004 with Police FC in the Ugandan Premier League before moving to Egypt side Al-Masry Club in 2005.
He played three years in Egypt before moving in 2008 to South African club Jomo Cosmos and for the team he played 14 games and scored one goal.
In 2008 he left the team to return to Egypt and sign a contract with Itesalat. The forward joined on 14 September 2011 to Telsim Super League club Yenicami Ağdelen SK.
In 21 August 2013, he signed a deal with the South African side University of Pretoria and has now left to Bloemfontein Celtic ahead of the 2015/16 PSL season.
Massa has been a target for several clubs including Maritzburg United and AmaZulu despite reports a fortnight ago that indicated the player’s willingness to stay at University of Pretoria.
Geofrey Massa of University of Pretoria challenged by Mzivukile Tom of Golden Arrows during the Absa Premiership
The police is to conduct a one-month course for 110 Senior Six leavers, as part of its community policing programme.
Dubbed the Patriotic Development Course, the course to be conducted at Kabalye Police Training School is to help the students engender the concept of both personal and neighbourhood security.
‘In the course of their stay at the police training school, the students are expected to also benefit from legal and patriotic discussions that will aim at turning themn into security cautious and development-minded young people,’ an official said.
By the time of post it was said that the Inspector General of Police Gen Kale Kayihura would preside over the function.
Sembabule Woman Member of Parliament Hanifa Kawooya has found herself in trouble again after the Supreme Court ruled that the National Council of Higher Education has the powers to verify her academic documents.
The six Supreme Court judges including the Chief Justice Bart Katureebe, overruled an earlier ruling by the Constitutional Court that had cleared Ms Kawooya of any academic malpractices, after she presented documents issued to her in 2001, which documents were challenged by the NCHE.
But in the ruling, the coram noted that the NCHE is mandated by law to verify all higher education academic documents and that to block the body would deprive it of the oversight mandate.
Others judges on the panel included former Chief Justice Benjamin Odoki and Justices John Wilson Tsekoko, Esther Mayambala and Galdino Okello and Christine Kitumba, who delivered the lead judgment.
MP Kawooya sued the NCHE and the Attorney General in 2010, arguing that the oversight body had not given her a hearing, thereby violating the principles of natural justice and in the process, contravening the Constitution. Court agreed with her on this argument.
Ms Kawooya went to court following a directive from Senior Presidential Advisor Maj Roland Kakooza Mutale to NCHE indicating he had new evidence that the MP’s academic papers were suspect and that they be subject to further scrutiny.
But while reading the ruling, Ms Kawooya was also advised by the judges to appear before the NCHE to clear any queries and also to seek judicial review in the High Court if she felt dissatisfied.
Costs of the suit are to be borne by each party, the judges ruled.
Meanwhile, it emerged during the hearing that Knight Bridge University does not exist in the UK, yet the embattled MP used documents allegedly issued by the said university to later pursue Bachelors and Masters degrees.
All promotions of judicial officers in Uganda are based on merit and competence, the Judiciary has said.
Reacting to a group of about 60 anonymous magistrates who operate under a shadowy umbrella dubbed the Marginalised Magistrates Advocacy Plan (MMAP), the judiciary released a statement dismissing claims that the organisation’s members, who are operating clandestinely, had been side-lined in promotions.
According to the statement dated May 12 and issued by the Chief Registrar of Courts of Judicature, Paul Gadenya, members of MMAP have been sending anonymous and threatening e-mails to different Judicial Service Commission (JSC) officials, with a poignant one being sent to the Secretary of the Kagole Kivumbi on May 6, warning him of severe consequences if he failed to ensure their promotion.
In the communication to Kagole Kivumbi, the MMAP members issued a two week ultimatum to him to act on their ‘delayed’ promotions lest he face their wrath.
Some time back over sixty magistrates wrote to the JSC, the body that vets all judicial officers, claiming they had worked for the last ten years without promotion, and that their junior colleagues had surpassed them.
But Chief Registrar Gadenya thinks otherwise: judicial officers should not violate the Penal Code; they should use the established channels that include writing to the JSC through his office.
He then chided the grumbling magistrates: “The occupation of judicial officers is based on competence. You enter on merit and will be promoted on merit. Anonymous messages cannot get anybody promoted.”
However, in the same statement Gadenya says the judiciary is equally concerned about the issue of delayed promotions of judicial officers.
And, according to the Chief Registrar, on February 10 2015 he forwarded to the JSC 30 names of magistrates who had not been promoted in a long time, some for as long as 16 years, explaining their plight and how it had affected their work.
Prof. Venansius Baryamureeba of Uganda Technology And Management University (UTAMU) will in March 2016, step down as Vice Chancellor (VC) of the university paving way for a new Vice Chancellor at the fast growing institution. This announcement was made by Ass. Prof. Joseph Kasumba Ssewanyana, the Chairperson of the University Council at UTAMU during a press briefing at the university campus in Bugolobi Kampala.
According to Ssewanyana, the search of the new Vice Chancellor is already ongoing and the university organs are determined to recruit a highly qualified experienced and internationally recognized scholar to head UTAMU.
“UTAMU has come of age and the peaceful transition at the top is a sign of a university destined for greatness as it aspires to become the MIT (Massachussets Institute of Technology) of Africa,” Ssewanyana said.
He further confirmed that the new Vice Chancellor would be installed on 26th September 2015 during the maiden graduation ceremony of the university. The UTAMU council chairperson confirmed that UTAMU’s maiden graduation will be presided over by the University Chancellor His. Excellency Dr. Stephen Kalonzo Musyoka.
Prof. Baryamureeba, who was at the press conference, confirmed this and clarified that he, would still serve UTAMU in a different capacity as faculty but not as Vice Chancellor. “I have already been teaching in different courses and supervising students; Education is my passion and I don’t have to only enjoy it as Vice Chancellor. I am only stepping down as Vice Chancellor but proudly taking on roles as faculty at UTAMU,” Baryamureeba clarified.
He further stressed that he would ensure smooth transition and will stay in UTAMU to serve as a wing for the new Vice Chancellor as he/she leads UTAMU to the promised land.
Prof. Baryamureeba has been the founding Vice Chancellor for UTAMU since September 2012. He previously served at Makerere University as Vice Chancellor. He joined Makerere as a teaching assistant after his bachelor’s degree and grew through the ranks of lecturer, director, professor, dean before finally being appointed Vice Chancellor. During his tenure Barya as he is fondly remembered for transforming Makerere into a first world university.
Prof. Baryamureeba left Makerere University in September 2012 to start Uganda Technology and Management University. In less than three years of operation, he is credited for pushing UTAMU to levels of competing favorably with older universities. With unique and innovative teaching and learning models, highly qualified faculty and strategic partnerships with key institutions at national and international levels, UTAMU is undoubtedly growing to be one of the best universities in the region.
“I have not achieved this alone. I have a great team comprised of highly qualified and experienced faculty. I am proud to have groomed many of them. I have no doubt UTAMU will still be the best with or without me at the top,” Baryamureeba said with his signature smile.
Construction of a state-of-the-art Kisekka market will soon commence.
An official at the site who sought to remain anonymous told Eagle Online that the proposed seven storey complex will cost about Shs62 billion.
He said that currently construction works were at the leveling stage, which will take about two weeks to complete.
‘After the leveling works, the contractors will start construction of their offices and finally construction will begin,’ said the official.
He disclosed that the contractor asked for 25 percent before commencing works and that efforts are underway to settle the costs.
“We are working on getting that,” he added.
During the first phase, he said, four floors will be erected and prices for the stalls therein will range from Shs9 million and Shs45 million, depending on size.
Located in downtown Kampala, Kisekka market was demolished in December last year amid riots by the vendors who were evicted to pave way for the reconstruction.
Many other controversies surround the market reconstruction exercise and early this year the management of the market reportedly disregarded a court injunction.
However, now the market management says the works will proceed since they won the court case.
UGANDA Cranes striker Daniel Sserunkuma has confirmed partying ways with the Tanzanian giants Simba.
The player, who joined Simba in January this year on a two-year deal, posted on Twitter on Monday that the two had reached a mutual agreement to end acquaintances.
“Today, Simba FC, myself and my agent have decided to mutually terminate my employment contract,” wrote Sserunkuma.
The former Gor Mahia, Nairobi City Stars, Express and Victors striker added:
“I would like to thank all the Simba fans and the entire management team for all the love and support shown towards me.”
Where he goes from here remains at large but the former Ugandan Footballer of the Year remains open.
“I will now sit with my agent and decide on the best options available for my career development,” he said.
Sserenkuma, in his mid-20s, joined Gor in 2012 from Nairobi City Stars helping K’Ogalo to two Kenyan Premier League (KPL) titles.
But since his move to Tanzania early this year, the Ugandan has struggled to settle in, thus failing to replicate the good goal-scoring form he had at Gor Mahia.
