In an effort to bolster the fight against wildlife trafficking, wardens from various Conservation Areas and wildlife products store clerks are currently attending a specialized training program on the management of wildlife products stores at the Source of the Nile Hotel in Namanve.

The objective of the training is to enhance the skills of participants in combating wildlife trafficking through the implementation of strengthened security protocols for wildlife product stores. Emphasis is placed on preventing the leakage of products, which is a critical component in the overall strategy to protect Uganda’s rich biodiversity.

The training was officially opened today by the Acting Deputy Director of Field Operations, Margaret Kasumba. In her opening remarks, she emphasized the importance of effective store management in the fight against wildlife trafficking.

“This training is essential for equipping our staff with the necessary skills to secure wildlife products and prevent illegal trade. Your role is crucial in safeguarding our natural heritage, therefore ensuring that you are well-trained in managing these stores securely and effectively is a top priority,” Kasumba told participants.

Kasumba also expressed her appreciation to Stop Ivory for their support in making the training possible.

“We are deeply grateful to Stop Ivory for their financial and logistical support. Their commitment to conservation and partnership with UWA is invaluable in our efforts to protect Uganda’s wildlife,” she added.

Participants in this training include Wardens Law Enforcement from Conservation areas and Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) headquarters, who serve as immediate supervisors to the wildlife products store clerks. The clerks themselves, who are directly responsible for the day-to-day management of these stores, are also in attendance. This diverse group of trainees ensures a comprehensive understanding of both supervisory and operational aspects of wildlife product store management.

The training program includes various modules focused on best practices for inventory management, security measures, and protocols for reporting suspicious activities. Participants will also engage in practical exercises designed to simulate real-world scenarios, providing them with hands-on experience in dealing with potential threats to store security.

As wildlife trafficking continues to pose a significant threat to global biodiversity, initiatives like this training session are essential in building a robust defense against illegal activities. Therefore, the collaborative efforts of UWA and Stop Ivory demonstrate a strong commitment to preserving Uganda’s wildlife heritage for future generations.

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The Ministers for Karamoja Affairs, Lokeris Peter and Wamala Nambozo Florence (State Minister) have committed to accelerating programmes aimed at transforming the Karamoja Sub-region.

During their inaugural visit to the region today, the Ministers met with stakeholders in Kotido district to introduce themselves, engage in discussions, and address pressing issues.

“We came to introduce ourselves to you, the stakeholders, interact and discuss issues with a view of tackling them head-on to improve and transform the Karamoja Sub-region,” said Hon Lokeris.

Hon. Lokeris discouraged acts of revenge among criminal elements seeking to perpetuate a cycle of criminality. He appealed to security commanders and local leaders to continue collaborating to maintain security, eradicate criminality, and pave the way for further investment opportunities to accelerate development.

Hon. Wamala Nambozo Florence, the Minister of State for Karamoja Affairs and Woman Member of Parliament for Sironko district, pledged to work closely with local leaders, particularly in efforts focused on combating food insecurity, providing water for production, and ensuring compulsory education for all children.

The meeting acknowledged that the Karamoja Development Agency (KDA) requires swift implementation to realise transformation.

Brig Gen Felix Busizoori, the Deputy Commander of 3 Division, observed that the sub-region enjoys relative peace, attributed to adherence to the existing Presidential Amnesty window, community mobilisation, and cross-border engagements.

Senior Commissioner of Police Elias Kasirabo, Commandant of the Anti-Stock Theft Unit, assured the leaders of continued support to bridge gaps by ensuring access to police services, including canine services, enhancing road checkpoints, and regulating livestock markets to curb thefts.

As a gesture of continued voluntary support for the ongoing disarmament operation, a Karacuna, Pusia Lodomosia from Jimos village, Itakwara parish, Napumpum Sub-County in Kotido district, surrendered a SubMachine Gun (Number 06779) to the UPDF Division leadership.

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The Uganda Traffic Police has revealed that during last week 65 people died and 338 sustained injuries due to road accidents.

SP Kananura Michael, PRO Traffic and Road Safety Directorate said that among the dead were 29 motorcyclists, 18 pedestrians, 07 passengers in motor vehicles, 04 passengers on motorcycles, 03 pedal cyclists, 03 others and 01 Driver.

“Motor cycles alone contributed to 45% of the total fatalities,” SP Kananura said.

He noted that the major crashes of these road crashes were careless overtaking contributing to 26% of the total crashes, speeding contributed to 19% of the total crashes.

“On the 19-05-2024 at 04:30pm at River Namatala bridge along Naboa-Butaleja Road a single fatal crash involving M/V UAM 969P T/IPSUM, was registered. The crash claimed the lives of seven (07) people. The crash occurred when the driver of the said vehicle while on his way from Mpigi to Butaleja carrying 07 passengers and himself making a total of 08 occupants in the vehicle, while at Naboa along Naboa-Butaleja Road in Budaka District lost control and drowned into the waters of River Namatala, 07 people lost lives due to drowning, at first only six bodies had been found but later late in the evening 01 which was missing was also found whereas the driver managed to get out the vehicle through the open glass of his door un injured,” SP Kananura reported.

He added that the bodies were removed and taken to Budaka HC IV and the postmortem was done. The motor vehicle was towed to Budaka Police station pending IOVs Inspection.

He said, “The cause according to the preliminary report is that the driver was fatigued and dosed off making him lose control.”

SP Kananura however said that operations are going on to track Boda-bodas especially those without reflective jackets and helmets and all those without valid licenses i.e out of class, expired and those without at all. Illegal sirens, roof lights, modified lights and violation of one way rules will be considered.

He added that concerning over-speeding issues, road safety sensitizations to promote behavioral change will continue to be implemented.

“During this week, there are a number of activities that are likely to affect the normal flow of traffic across the country. These include the processions of the pilgrims to Namugongo and children going back to schools. The Directorate of Traffic and Road safety therefore reminds all road users to be cautious with road safety tips,” he guided.

He urged pedestrians to be visible by wearing bright or reflective clothing to make themselves visible to drivers. Also to follow traffic rules by obeying traffic signals, pedestrians’ signs and markings where they are available.

“Use designated crossing points, zebra crossing where they are available. Look left, right and left again before crossing a road, check for traffic in both directions before you cross. Avoid distractions; put away your phone and avoid listening to music while texting while walking on the road. Stay alert, be aware of your surroundings and watch out for potential hazards. Use pedestrians’ paths; use designated pedestrian paths and sidewalks where available and be cautious at night; be extra careful when walking at night, as visibility is reduced,” Kananura advised.

He encouraged the pilgrims to move in teams or groups for easy monitoring, noting that these groups will be led by the traffic officers who will be handing them over to next traffic officers in their command.

SP Kananura guided, “Groups of pilgrims should keep to the left side of the road. Use the footpaths if there is one. Persons wearing bright or light colored clothing preferably a high-visibility jacket with reflective strips should be positioned at the front and back of the group to watch out for traffic. We also encourage well-wishers to give to them reflectors to enable them to be visible to motorists especially in the night.”

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The Crimes Division of the High Court has further denied bail to Molly Katanga, the widow of the late city businessman Henry Katanga.

Molly Katanga is accused of killing her husband, Henry Katanga. The businessman was allegedly shot dead by his wife on November 2, 2023, at their home in Mbuya, Nakawa Division, Kampala City.

Through her lawyers of Kampala Associated Advocates alongside Tumusiime and Kabega Company Advocates, Mrs. Katanga applied for bail following her committal to the high court in February.

She contended that she is of advanced age and requires specialised medical treatment after undergoing multiple surgeries on her head and her hands to address the injuries she sustained on the fateful day of her husband’s death.

She noted that she has a fixed place of residence in Mbuya, which is within the court’s area of jurisdiction. She also told the court that she is the sole breadwinner of her family and a mother of tender children, which requires her presence.

After appearing before High Court Judge Isaac Muwata, Mrs. Katanga was denied bail. He ruled that she was not too old to be in jail, and the medical officers at Luzira Women’s Prison had not informed the court that they had failed to manage her health.

“Since the matter has been fixed for hearing, it is better that the applicant prepares for trial,” he ruled.

Following the denial of bail, Molly didn’t relent; she filed a new application. Appearing before High Court Judge Isaac Muwata, Molly’s application was objected.

“I find no new ground indicating that your ailment can’t be managed at Luzira Prison. Accordingly, the application can’t be granted,” the court ruled.

Molly is charged alongside her two daughters, Martha Nkwanzi and Patricia Kakwanza; George Amanyire, a shamba boy; and Charles Otai, a health worker.

Nkwanzi and Kakwanza are accused of tampering with evidence at the crime scene, rendering it unidentifiable for judicial proceedings. Amanyire and Charles Otai, a health worker, are accused of assisting others involved in the crime.

The four were last month granted Shs2 million in cash bail, while their sureties were bonded at Shs20 million and ordered to surrender their passports.

The trial of Molly and other suspects is set for July 1, 2024.

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Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has halted the consideration of the December 2023 Auditor General’s report about the Ministry of Trade’s after Geraldine Ssali, the Permanent Secretary, accused the Auditor General of authoring a biased report.

During the audit exercise, the Auditor General accused ministry officials of refusing to hand over documents about the accountability for cooperatives’ compensation funds.

Muwanga Kivumbi (Butambala County) accused the Ministry of Trade PS, who appeared before PAC on Monday, of trying to impeach the powers of both the committee and Parliament when she questioned the authenticity of the Auditor General’s report.

He wondered why Ssali did not seek a legal opinion from the Attorney General on addressing her concerns on the report and instead opted to use desk office lawyers.

Muwanga said: “I would be the last person to consider a response where an Accounting Officer is attempting to impeach the powers of the Committee and Parliament on matters of approval. Is it your legal person who did this? You have the Attorney General and he is the same for Parliament and if you wanted the Attorney General’s opinion, you should have written to him, expressed your concerns, sought his opinion, and got his opinion to us. Did you get the opinion of the Attorney General on this interpretation?”

However, Ssali denied accusations of attempting to impeach powers of Parliament.

Ssali said, “I don’t even want to use the word impeachment because I remember how that word was over used in the US, it was alien to me, it isn’t anything that we intended to impeach powers of Parliament in anyway and it isn’t possible that we can do that. If our submissions came out in any way to suggest that, insinuate we apologize for that.”

Ssali also accused the Attorney General, Kiryowa Kiwanuka of ignoring her two requests for legal interpretation on how the Ministry of Trade should proceed with Cooperatives and how her ministry was meant to disburse money to third parties, saying the two times she sought an opinion, she never got a written response.

“I didn’t think it was fair for the Auditor General to say that records of the cooperative unions were missing and I think there was a miscommunication between my office and Auditor General office but at that time when records were requested, of the 8 cooperatives were requested, they were given,” said Ssali.

Parliament was reviewing the Auditor General’s report about the Ministry of Trade for the period ending December 2023.

The parliamentary committee on trade in its report recommended that Ms Ssali be further investigated and prosecuted after making several findings against her husband, Mr Victor Busuulwa, who is accused of having irregularly received some of the money advanced to a cooperative on behalf of his wife.

The committee investigated an August 25 directive by House Speaker Anita Among. The directive was to “conduct an inquiry into the status, governance, resourcing, and value for money for public funds allocated to Cooperatives during the period of Financial Year 2011/12 to 2022/23.”

In the letter, the Speaker raised concerns that there were queries regarding the budgetary allocations and disbursements to various cooperatives. The queries raised red flags about whether public funds were indeed disbursed to beneficiary cooperatives and utilised for their intended objectives. The Committee conducted visits and public hearings to selected cooperative societies in various regions of Uganda.

On November 25, for example, more than Shs1.7 billion was paid to Masaka Diocesan Treasury on behalf of Bwavumpologoma Growers Cooperative Union Limited. The Cooperative Union received its Registration Certificate on March 4, 2022, yet the parallel verification committee was instituted on March 21, 2022, a clear indication that Bwavumpologoma Growers Cooperative Union Limited was paid prior to its re-registration and verification.

The committee found that since its re-registration, Bwavumpologoma Growers Cooperative Union Limited did not follow the prescribed procedures laid down in Section 4 of the Cooperative Societies (Amendment) Act, 2020. Its re-registration was therefore deemed irregular.

Ms Ssali, according to the committee, used her position as permanent secretary to influence payment to Bwavumpologoma Growers Cooperative Union Limited after she was appointed the Permanent Secretary in the same Ministry.

The committee established that the re-registration of Bwavumpologoma Growers Cooperative Union Limited was irregular since it was handled by Ms Ssali in her own private capacity and having vested interests in its revival.

The committee found that there were several substantial withdrawals from the bank accounts of Bwavumpologoma without corresponding requisitions.

On May 16, 2021, for example, Bwavumpologoma deposited on an account held by Wilson Kasule Martin Shs350m and on the same day he withdrew the same amount.  That very day, Shs300m was deposited in Mr Busuulwa’s account in Centenary Bank Kabalagala Branch. Mr Busulwa is Ms Ssali’s husband.

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