Pope Francis has expressed closeness to all those affected by the severe floods that have devastated the East African country of Kenya causing at least 170 deaths, massive displacement and destruction.

Pope Francis on Wednesday asked for prayers from the many people who are suffering the effects of flooding in East Africa.

“I wish to convey to the people of Kenya my spiritual closeness at this time when a severe flood has tragically taken the lives of many of our brothers and sisters, injuring others and causing widespread destruction,” he said, speaking during the General Audience.

He urged Christians to join him in prayer for those suffering brothers and sisters. “I invite you to pray for all those who are suffering the effects of this natural disaster.  Even in the midst of adversity, let us remember the joy of the risen Christ,” he said.

Atleast 170 people have died and 185,000 have been displaced since heavy rains battered the country since March. Kenyan authorities are discussing measures to tackle the disaster triggered by the unusually heavy monsoon rains, compounded by the El Nino weather pattern that has engulfed towns and rural areas in Kenya and in neighbouring Tanzania.

In the worst single incident, which killed nearly 50 villagers, a makeshift dam burst in the Rift Valley region before dawn on Monday, sending torrents of mud and water gushing down a hill and swallowing everything in its path.

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I&M Bank Uganda has partnered with the Nnabagereka Fund for the inaugural Queen’s Ball, a prestigious dinner event aimed at supporting women, youth, and children in Uganda.

The Queen’s Ball, scheduled to take place on May 9, 2024 at the Kampala Serena Hotel’s Victoria Ballroom, aims to raise public awareness and funds dedicated to shining a light on mental health issues that are impacting the youth, women and children in the country.

Speaking to the media at the press briefing, I&M Bank CEO Robin Bairstow noted that the partnership between I&M Bank and the Nnabagereka Fund underscored the bank’s commitment to community development and social responsibility.

“As a socially responsible institution, I&M Bank Uganda is honoured to partner with the Nnabagereka Fund for the Queen’s Ball. Mental health is a critical issue facing our society, and through our collaboration with the Nnabagereka we aim to make a meaningful impact in the lives of women, youth, and children in Uganda,” said Bairstow.

“This year is particularly very special for us because as we celebrate our Golden Jubilee these are the causes and projects that make it special – effecting change and being part of those creating a real impact in the community,” Bairstow added.

Founded by Her Royal Highness, Nnaabagereka Sylvia Nagginda Luswata, Nnabagereka Fund has been a beacon of hope since its establishment in October 2022, providing essential assistance in areas such as mental health, education, healthcare, and economic empowerment.

“I have seen the transformative power of compassion, understanding and support, this spirit of empathy drives us forward today as we strive to have a community where no one suffers in silence. Let us recommit ourselves to the cause of mental health advocacy, let us pledge to be beacons of hope to those who are struggling, to be allies to in the fight against stigma, and to be agents of change in our communities,” said Her Royal Highness, Nnaabagereka Sylvia Nagginda Luswata.

“We are delighted to join forces with I&M Bank Uganda for the Queen’s Ball. Together, we can shine a light on mental wellness and create lasting legacies for future generations,” she added.

The Queen’s Ball promises to be a memorable occasion, bringing together entrepreneurs, executives, diplomats, corporate sponsors, Buganda Kingdom officials, and media personalities in support of a noble cause.

With a focus on culture, networking, and philanthropy, the event aims to unite influential individuals from diverse industries in Uganda, with Nnabagereka Fund serving as the binding force.

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Parliament has approved Shs446 billion loan request from Standard Chartered Bank to finance the construction of Kitgum-Kidepo Road.

The approval followed Hamson Obua, government Chief Whip’s motion to suspend the rule requiring a report from the Committee on National Economy on the loan.

The loan approval comes at the time the Auditor General, John Muwanga, put Uganda’s total public debt as of June 30, 2023, at Shs96.16 trillion, comprising of domestic debt stock of Shs43.69 trillion and external debt stock stood at Shs52.472 trillion. Muwanga said in January 2024 that Uganda’s debt had grown by 107% within five years.

During the reading of this financial year’s budget, President Yoweri Museveni said the government is set to undertake the construction of 325 km of tarmac roads and airports in various areas to facilitate the tourism sector in Uganda.

The roads include Kitgum-Kidepo (116 km), Lake Bunyonyi-Kisoro-Mgahinga (74 km), Karenga-Kapedo-Kaabong (70 km), and Kisoro-Rubuguri-Muko (65 km). The airports will be established in Karamoja and others for the easy movement of tourists.

Currently, Uganda is deemed the best tourism destination, with various national parks such as Kidepo, Murchison Falls, Queen Elizabeth, Lake Mburo, Elgon, Rwenzori, Kibaale Forest, Bunyonyi, and many game reserves across the country. Uganda’s tourism sites rank highly among international media outlets and global tourism agencies.

In the next financial year, the government aims to strengthen wildlife conservation at Mgahinga National Park, Lake Mburo, Semliki, Kibaale, Murchison, Kidepo Valley, Katonga, Toro Semliki, and Queen Elizabeth.

The 2023 Tourism Uganda Ministry of Tourism Wildlife and Antiquities performance report indicates a surge in the number of tourists coming into the country.

According to the report, Uganda registered 1,274,210 tourists in 2023, compared to 814,508 who visited the destination in 2022. Arrivals from Africa continue to dominate Uganda’s inbound tourism, with a share of 89.2%. Asia (4.4%), Europe (3.1%), and the Americas (1.9%) continue to be the biggest contributors to overseas tourist arrivals.

The growth was largely driven by an increase in arrivals from Mainland Africa and growth in the country’s traditional overseas source markets, such as the UK, USA, and India. At least 126,136 tourists arrived from overseas, while 1,136,216 came from various African countries.

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President Yoweri Museveni is set to officiate at International Labour Day celebrations.  The revelation was made by Esther Davinia Anyakun Esther, State Minister for Labour, Employment, and Industrial Relations.

Under the theme; ‘Improving Access to Labour Justice, a Prerequisite for Increased Productivity’, the day will be marked at Mukabura Grounds, St. Leo’s College, Fort Portal City.

The National Labour Force Survey 202l indicates that many workers are exposed to hazardous working conditions, including exposure to dust, fumes, and violence, with many lacking protective gears.

While 898, 000 workers had suffered accidents or injuries in the 12 months preceding the survey, data from the Insurance Regulatory Authority’s Annual Insurance Market Report 2022 reveals that only 30,555 lives were insured under 2,347 workers’ compensation policies in 2022.

“Workers in Uganda face challenges in accessing labour justice despite existing frameworks. Issues such as unfair dismissal, unpaid wages, and unsafe working conditions are widespread, particularly among vulnerable groups like women, youth, and informal sector workers. Many employers do not contribute to social protection, leaving workers financially insecure in old age,” she said.

She noted that the Ministry plays a crucial role in ensuring access to labour justice by formulating policies, enforcing legislation, overseeing dispute resolution mechanisms, providing capacity building and awareness programs, and collaborating with stakeholders to promote fair labour practices.

Amidst all this, Anyakun said the Ministry faces constraints such as a lack of a web-based system and national database for labour statistics, an integrated case management system for labour complaints and dispute settlement, as well as staffing shortages, insufficient tools, logistics, and court facilities.

“As we commemorate International Labour Day, it’s important to recognise and address the barriers that hinder workers from seeking redress for workplace disputes. The Ministry is committed to enhancing access to labour justice and seeks the support of Parliament in addressing the constraints,” she said.

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Lawyer to city businessman and company director at Taifa Partners Limited, Emmanuel Asiimwe who is accused of forging and uttering false documents told court on Monday that his client is suffering from acute diarrhea.

To win the sympathy of the Chief Magistrate – Buganda Road, His Worship Ronald Kayizzi, the lawyer’s tone reflected a fact that Asiimwe’s “kipindupindu” is so bad that he could not even be saved by diapers to appear in public. The soft-spoken Chief Magistrate had no option other than adjourning the matter to Friday May 3, 2024.

However, this left some of the witnesses very disgruntled and complaining that this could be one of the tricks used by Asiimwe to buy time and frustrate them.

One of the witnesses and a former shareholder at Taifa Partners Limited, Charles Okello travels from Gulu to Kampala every time there is a court session. He believes Asiimwe is playing some monkey tricks to drain him financially. “Asiimwe keeps looking for excuses to postpone the matter. He keeps changing lawyers to make the proceeding impossible as the new entrants ask the Chief Magistrate to give them ample time to study the file. He has done this more than four times. On sensing that the trick has lost its steam, a new lawyer in the matter has raised the issue of diarrhea. At this rate, Asiimwe’s lawyers will tell the court that their client is dead, pending resurrection to appear in court,” Okello jokingly said on Monday after the matter was adjourned.

Despite having all the core witnesses in court whenever the matter comes up, the trial that started last year has continued to slow down.

Asiimwe is cognizant that he has a very bad case with evidence all over to pin him.  During the presentation pending cross-examination last year Okello pinned his co-director Asiimwe on forging his signature and making special company resolutions without his knowledge, and certified documents were submitted to the Chief Magistrate and put on court record.

Okello is a former worker at Asiimwe’s other company, Integrated Agritech Uganda Ltd as a mechanical engineer and was appointed director after he bought 5 percent shares in Taifa Partners Ltd. He told court that after allotting him 5 shares, 10 shares were also allotted to Assa Tumwesigye (also director with powers of attorney) and Asiimwe was appointed the Managing Director with 85 shares in the company. While serving as the Managing Director, he made a special resolution on November 23, 21 and appointed Okello a company secretary. After a short time, he made another resolution transferring the 10 shares meant for Tumwesigye to himself. He possibly did this to acquire 95 percent shares to make it difficult for other shareholders to demand a poll in making decisions. As a Managing Director with a sole signatory role, he accessed all the company accounts. At some point, Asiimwe recalled Okello from upcountry and told him to raise money so that they further grow the company but the latter was not in position to. Asiimwe coerced him to sell his 5 shares and they were allotted to another investing company, Dapanti Union. With Okello and Tumwesigye ceasing to be directors at Taifa Partners Limited, Dapanti Union came on board. Later Okello was stripped of the role of company secretary. He continued working as a mere company mechanical engineer till February this year when he ceased to have any business with Taifa Partners Ltd.

As the matter is adjourned to May 3, 2024, Asiimwe remains in trouble since the matter of forging resolutions to give self-powers of attorney, once prosecuted very well, attracts a life sentence.

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