City businessman and Company Director at Taifa Partners Limited, Emmanuel Asiimwe who is accused of forging and uttering false documents left many people in a fully parked court shocked by admitting to have committed the offences.

This happened last week after the Chief Magistrate – Buganda Road Court, His Worship Ronald Kayizzi guided the businessman to reveal the truth so as to give a leeway to the out of court settlement. Just like a drowning man who looked for support from a serpent, Asiimwe let the cat of the bag when he put it on court record that the complainant was a beneficiary of the fraudulent bank resolution and Powers of Attorney that were ‘signed’ by the Company Secretary Charles Okello. By saying this, he incriminated himself that he forged the signature of his Company Secretary who is a top witness in the same court matter. Ironically the person Asiimwe claims was a beneficiary is the main complainant against his fraudulent activities.

Asiimwe who was not coached properly by one of his many lawyers, Junior Kanyamuyenga mixed up the criminal matters with a commercial dispute. Despite the guidance by the Chief Magistrate, he continued to confuse court by failing to explain whether it was the commercial dispute that lured him into committing a crime of forgery.

On the inquiry by the Chief Magistrate, the complainant revealed that he has nothing personal against the accused. He said that the charges against the businessman are purely criminal in nature and nothing commercial in them. The accused forged the documents and it gives him a criminal liability.

STATUS OF THE FILE

In order to delay Justice, Asiimwe who earlier kept dodging court, changing lawyers and feigning sickness (acute diarrhea) managed to pull out the file from Buganda Road Court back to DPP’s office for perusal. This is not the first time, he is lodging a baseless complaint. The complaint, similar in nature and presentation was earlier quashed by the DPP. In her letter to the Resident State Attorney at Buganda Road court in November, the DPP guided that the trial should proceed.   

However, through his lawyers M & K Advocates, Asiimwe lodged another complaint on May 1, 2024 to DPP whose contents are similar to the earlier complaint that was quashed.

The letter which this Publication has seen titled “Complaint regarding prosecution of Case Vide Crim No. CRB 386/2023 Uganda Versus Asiimwe Emmanuel goes on to indicate that on August 23, 2023, Asiimwe was arrested and detained at CPS and was later arraigned before the Chief Magistrates Court of Buganda and charged with ten counts. 3 counts of forgery contrary to section 342, 345 (d) (i) and 347 of the penal code and 5 counts of uttering false documents contrary to sections 351 and 347 of the Penal Code Act.

“Our client pleaded not guilty to the charges and was subsequently released on bail on August 25, 2023 pending trial to before the Chief Magistrates Court of Buganda Road by His Worship Ronald Kayizzi. On the October 10, 2023, our client lodged a complaint to the office of the Director of Public Prosecution. Our client has never been informed out the outcome of the investigations until on April 30, 2024. Our client is not satisfied with the outcome of the investigation.

Since the complaint was lodged, our client has found out more information and concerns that he would bring to the attention of your office for further review and guidance,” the letter to the DPP partly reads.

WAY FOWARD

This above complaint however is not different from the one that was lodged by Asiimwe’s lawyers on October 2nd, 2023.  It should be noted the lawyers erred saying their client has never been informed of the outcome when actually, they are in possession of the DPP’s visible reply.

On November 3^rd, the Regional DPP Kampala Catherine Namakoye wrote to the Resident State Attorney, Buganda Road on the matter registered vide CRB 386/2023 of Uganda versus Asiimwe Emmanuel. “Reference is made to the above matter and a complaint addressed to this office from M & K Advocates on behalf of the accused seeking for review of the case file. We have carefully perused and analysed the evidence in the file in light of the complaint lodged and find no merit in the complaint.

There is sufficient evidence on record to show that the contested documents were forged. There is a forensic report to that effect on record. Since the matter is already in court and under hearing, the prosecution of the case should proceed to the logical conclusion. Let the court be given an opportunity to decide on the matter. The file is hereby returned for your further handling….,” the DPP’s letter partly reads.

VERDICT

According to the legal experts, the accused is wasting Court’s time. He has tried all means to frustrate the hearing of the case by changing lawyers all the time and feigning sickness. All the issues raised in his complaint are triable and he has a right to challenge or deny them during trial. “It is very unfortunate that the accused keeps forwarding baseless complaints to the office of the DPP yet a proper investigation was carried out by the same office.

The accused’ numerous complaints are another tool to delay further the trial at Buganda Road Court. This is very unfair to the complainant and the witnesses who travel long distances every time the court is in session. The main witness tendered his evidence in court in November last year but the accused’s lawyers deliberately refused to cross examine him. Justice delayed is justice denied. The Accused’ complaint is a waste of Court’s time and it should be ignored,” the legal experts weigh in.

FACTS OF THE CASE

The facts are that Okello Charles’ (former Company Secretary) signatures were forged by the accused person for the purposes of revoking the Powers of Attorney previously granted by the Company (Taifa Partners Ltd) to Assa Tumwesigye to be their authorized representative for the contract reference UPN/WRKS/2020 – 21/00490 under Uganda Prisons Service.

Contrary to Asiimwe’s claims, the above matter was handled under Company Petition No. 21783 of 2023 by URSB and the forged documents (Company resolution and powers of Attorney) were all expunged from the URSB registry.

Assa Tumwesigye holds valid Powers of Attorney of the Company as per the URSB ruling and order. Okello Charles though he ceased to be a member of the Company is a competent witness in this criminal case and there is no law that requires a witness to be a member of the Company especially when it is his signature that was severally forged by the Accused.

It should be noted that the forgeries were all committed before another shareholder Davanti Union Ltd came on board as a shareholder and member of the Company. To shy away from the truth, the accused is trying to use Davanti Union Ltd as a scapegoat for his crimes.

The accused has the liberty of getting his own handwriting expert report which can be used in his defense and this cannot be the work of the DPP to procure an expert report when it already has a report from the prosecution /police.  

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Parliament has pledged to stand with the three incarcerated legislators following their arrest and subsequent remand to Luzira Prison.

Yesterday, the Anti-Corruption Court remanded Lwengo District Woman MP Cissy Namujju; Busiki County MP Paul Akamba and Bunyole East County MP Yusuf Mutembuli over corruption.

The prosecution alleges that while at Hotel African on May 13, 2024, the three solicited for a bribe from the executive Chairman of Uganda Human Rights Commission, Mariam Wangadya, to enhance the commission’s 2024/25 budget. The group would take 20% of the enhanced budget.

 While officiating the handover ceremony of the new leadership of the Uganda Parliamentary Forum on Youth Affairs (UPFYA) at Parliament, Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa urged MPs not to hide from attending the reading of the 2024/25 budget due to fear of arrest.

“Parliament will stand by the three MPs arrested over corruption until they are pronounced guilty, and this decision shouldn’t be viewed as Parliament condoning corruption,” he said.

He assured MPs that President Museveni is happy about the performance of the 11th Parliament, and that reports about rackets of corruption have been swirling around since the 9^th and 10^th Parliaments, and he urged all MPs to support the cleansing exercise.

He noted that Museveni is narrowing down and they must support efforts aimed at cleaning the institution, and the only way they can support the efforts is by checking their behaviour, behaving in a more transparent manner and avoiding small things.

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Officials from Northern Uganda have accused Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) and security personnel currently managing Karuma bridge, of bribery and extortion, claiming that truck drivers are being ordered to pay Shs300, 000, while buses Shs200, 000 per route to use the bridge at night, saying such greedy and selfish acts are endangering lives of people using a bridge that was closed off after developing cracks.

The MPs included; Gilbert Olanya (Kilak South), alongside Judith Peace Achan (Nwoya DWR), Boniface Okot (Youth Northern), Linda Auma (Lira DWR) & Denis Oneka (Kitgum Municipality) raised the concern during a press briefing at Parliament, where they decried the high cost of living in their region following the closure of the bridge, due to disruptions in trade.

“The trucks and buses come during day time, and park near Karuma bridge. At night hours, the truck owners pay Shs300, 000 and are allowed to cross the bridge which was closed. The buses are paying Shs 200, 000 to cross Karuma. Now we are looking as if UNRA must be conniving with security personnel that are blocking the bridge to extort money from the truck owners and buses that are moving to Northern Uganda. As if at night hours, the bridge becomes stronger and during day time, the bridge is weak,” said Gilbert Olanya (Kilak South).

Judith Peace Achan (Nwoya DWR) noted that there has been a high increment in transport fares and inflation in commodities for the men and women who do business in Northern Uganda just because of that diversion.

“We got disturbing information that the traders are being charged and from the time they do business, they don’t meet the deadline. Sometimes, the good get rotten on the way because they have to wait for the time that they can bribe the security men at the bridge,” noted

Linda Auma (Lira DWR) stated that this is putting the users of these means of transport at risk because they are aware that UNRA temporarily closed the usage of this bridge especially for heavy trucks because of its status at the moment that is not safe for human usage.

She stated, “The security team that is manning this bridge is using it for its financial advantage, by putting the lives and businesses that are being transported at risk due to their selfish interests of getting money at night.”

Boniface Okot (Youth Central) said that Northern Uganda is part of Uganda and Northern Uganda has 8million citizens and all these are people who pay taxes they always have to organize press conferences in order for these people to access a public good. There was a commitment from UNRA that it will take them only three months to have a re-construction of Karuma but until now when you go to the bridge, there is hardly any progress; there is no equipment on site. Adding, “We are wondering what kind of calendar UNRA uses. Do they use the Gregorian calendar or the Hebrew calendar to make these commitments?”

Okot added, “Northern Uganda is bleeding because we need urgent and affirmative action on infrastructure projects and bridges. UNRA needs to inform the region if they derive pleasure when the poorest region in the country with a very high poverty rate is being charged very high prices of commodities on account of their failure to properly manage the reconstruction of this bridge, their extortions, their delays and their diversions.”

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Uganda Tourism Board (UTB) is seeking to boost the country’s tourism growth through international missions.

UTB CEO Lilly Ajarova while speaking at a four-day Joint Regional Economic and Commercial Diplomacy Retreat with heads of Uganda Missions stationed in neighboring countries called on Missions abroad to support Uganda’s tourism efforts, particularly in branding, marketing, and attracting investors to the much sought-after Explore Uganda campaign.

The ‘Ring States’, as they are referred to in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, include Rwanda, Tanzania, Kenya, DR Congo, Somalia, South Sudan, and Burundi.

“We are calling upon our missions abroad to support us in our tourism efforts, particularly in the areas of branding and marketing, as well as attracting investors to our Explore Uganda campaign. We have seen the success of this collaboration in the past, where our missions have brought potential investors to assess our country’s offerings, and we hope that with their continued support, we will yield even more positive results,” said Ms. Ajarova.

Despite the challenges posed by COVID-19, the UTB boss said that Uganda has made significant progress in tourism development, rising from an unknown destination to become the 10th best destination on the continent for Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) in 2018.

“The country currently ranks seventh and aims to become one of the top five destinations in Africa,” she said.

She added, “The recent addition of the Speke Resort and Convention Center has enhanced Uganda’s competitiveness, allowing the country to host large conferences and attract more travelers. The UTB targets flexible travelers who are likely to extend their stay, spend more, and generate more economic and social benefits for Uganda.”

Ajarova expressed confidence in the support of missions abroad, which she believes will help achieve Uganda’s vision of becoming a top destination in Africa.

“We count on our missions abroad to help us achieve this goal by identifying opportunities, lobbying for Uganda to host international meetings, and supporting our Explore Uganda destination brand,” she said.

Ambassador Richard Kabonero, Head of Regional Economic Cooperation said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is developing a new framework aimed at promoting economic growth through commercial diplomacy. The initiative he said seeks to guide Uganda’s missions abroad in marketing and attracting investments to the country.

“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs decided to come up with a framework under which we can guide our missions abroad to market the country in three main areas: increasing our exports, attracting foreign direct investments, and attracting tourists,” Amb. Kabonero explained.

The initial phase of the program will involve 10 missions and two consulates in areas with high potential for investment, such as ATM, agriculture, tourism, mineral development, and science and technology. “We need to measure results and then scale up to all other 37 missions that Uganda has abroad,” Ambassador Kabonero noted.

Amb. Kabonero emphasized the importance of addressing non-tariff barriers, including standards, competition, and lack of compliance with regional trade protocols. “Our missions are charged with addressing those NTBs,” he said. The ministry is also working to address tariff barriers, infrastructure challenges, and standards and certification issues to increase exports.

Regarding data and communications, Amb. Kabonero stressed the need for a regional data framework to improve data affordability and access to the sea cable. “We need to discuss data affordability and access to the sea cable. Most of our traffic to the sea goes through Kenya, but it’s a bit of a risk. So, we need an alternative route,” he explained. The initiative is seen as a significant step towards boosting Uganda’s economic growth and promoting regional trade. “We look forward to a summit of heads of state to harmonize data rates, cross-border payment systems, and increase trade,” Amb. Kabonero said.

Ms. Julianne Mweheire, Director of Industry Affairs and Content Development at the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC), noted that over the past two years, there has been a significant shift in data consumption trends, with an increasing number of users opting for video communication, leading to a substantial change in the way data is utilized. According to Mweheire, the cost of data has significantly decreased by 51% since 2019, with mobile operators reducing data prices.

The price per gigabyte of data in Uganda is relatively low compared to other East African countries, at $0.86 per GB, compared to $0.76 in Rwanda, $0.97 in Kenya, $1.53 in Tanzania, $4.00 in South Sudan, and $0.83 in South Africa. However, despite this progress, Mweheire noted that the penetration of digital devices remains low, with only 16 million smartphones in use, out of 35 million active SIM cards. She attributed this to high taxes on smartphones, which hinder their adoption.

Vincent Bagiire, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, noted that the 40% tax on smartphones is counterproductive, as telecom companies generate more revenue from data usage than voice calls. He argued that reducing the tax would lead to increased smartphone penetration, resulting in higher tax revenues for the Uganda Revenue Authority. “We need to rethink the 40% tax on smartphones,” Bagiire emphasized.

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Do you have a policy with ICEA LION Insurance? These were Bob Tayebwa’s parting words at the end of the interview, signaling his passion for selling insurance and providing a glimpse into the drive that earned him the title of Best Life Insurance Agent of 2023.

Tayebwa has consistently topped the charts as the best sales agent at ICEA LION for four consecutive years since 2020, earning him prestigious rewards including overseas conventions to Mauritius, Dubai, Thailand, and the Netherlands. In 2023, he outperformed his peers across the entire insurance industry in Uganda, solidifying his reputation as a sales guru.

Bob’s journey in sales began over 13 years ago during his career in banking. His path to insurance was inspired by an encounter with an ICEA LION Insurance agent who convinced him to invest in a Toto education plan for his newborn son, Jeremiah. The rapport he built with the agent, who was earning significantly more than he was, inspired Bob to switch careers. “I built rapport with the agent after purchasing the policy, we became good friends and along the way I inquired about her work and how lucrative it was,” he recounted. With mentorship and determination, Bob made the leap to join ICEA LION Insurance in 2019.

Despite a slow start, signing just four policies in his first month, Bob persisted. His sales quickly escalated from a handful of policies to an impressive eight-figure monthly commission. By 2023, he was surpassing his monthly sales targets by 50% and the monthly premium target by 100%.

Bob’s unique approach to selling insurance has helped him overcome industry challenges such as lack of trust, low saving culture, and bias towards insurance. “Most agents talk about death, disability, and uncertainty. Who wants to hear that? Instead, I focus on people’s goals,” he explained. By understanding clients’ aspirations and discussing their goals for the next five to ten years, Bob builds a strong rapport, making insurance feel more like a partnership than a mere transaction.

Regular follow-ups with clients through scheduled calls and in-person appointments are key to Bob’s success. He uses Google Calendar to manage his engagements, ensuring he never misses a meeting. “My calendar has scheduled appointments up to 2027, and I intend to follow up until then,” he added.

Expanding his sales circle through referrals from existing clients has been a major objective for Bob. This strategy has consistently helped him grow his market and maintain his top-performing status.

Bob attributes his success to his faith, commitment to his job, support from ICEA LION, mentorship, and his wife’s invaluable encouragement and moral support. “I extend my heartfelt gratitude to IRA and UIA for their commitment to maintaining a level playing field for agents. Special thanks to ITC for equipping me with invaluable insurance knowledge. I’m also deeply appreciative of the supportive network of fellow agents and the nurturing leadership at ICEA LION,” Bob expressed with sincere appreciation.

His advice to fellow and upcoming agents is to remain professional, persistent, and continuously willing to learn in order to succeed in the challenging industry. While some agents lose credibility by fear-mongering, Tayebwa earns clients’ trust by aligning with their hopes and dreams through empathy, negotiation, and focus. His authentic passion for helping people achieve their goals is what made him the Best Life Insurance Agent of 2023.

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