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Brig Gen. Michael Kabango presides over hand and takeover ceremony of 204 Anti-Aircraft command

By
Simon Kabayo
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(R) is Col Tom Musoke-outgoing commader handing over office files to incoming Lt Col Moses Kaggwa as Brig Michael looks on.JPG

The 4th Infantry Division Commander Brigadier General Michael Kabango presided over the handover and takeover of 204 Ant AirCraft (AAC) Command between the outgoing Brigade Commander, Col Tom Musoke and the incoming, Lt Col Moses B Kaggwa. The function was held at the 4Infantry Division Headquarters in Gulu on Tuesday April 23, 2024.

The Presiding Officer-Brigadier Micahael Kabango congratulated both the incoming and the outgoing upon their tour of duty.

He re-echoed that transfers are normal phenomenons in the army. Noting, “I therefore urge you Officers and Men of 204 AAC Brigade to cooperate and support the incoming commander while in office adding that the AAC unit is very significant in any warfare in all militaries across the globe “AAC is a critical component in any Tactical Military Operation.”

Kabango implored the commanders of AAC to record and keep AAC’s tactical and operational history of the Air Defence unit from its onset so that later AAC personnel will appreciate it.

Brigadier Kabango then thanked the outgoing Commander Colonel Tom Musoke for the job well-done and also requested him to take the same spirit of work and comradeship to his new place of work.   

Col Tom Musoke Buwembo is now the 201 AAC Brigade Commander under first Division HeadQuarters in Kakiri, Wakiso District in the Central Region.

Taking over as the new 204 AAC Brigade Commander, Lt Col Moses Kaggwa in his acceptance remarks thanked the strategic and operational UPDF leadership for entrusting him with command of 204 AAC Brigade. He promised not to water down achievements made by his predecessor but to keep his legacy alive.

“I will command and lead my subordinates professionally with moral so that the brigade meets the expectations of the high command. He later thanked his precursor for the good comradeship, cooperation, excellent mentorship and parental support that he rendered to the unit during his tenure in office.

He then expressed his profound gratitude to the Army leadership for giving him the opportunity to command 204 AAC Unit at a Brigade level and lauded the outgoing Commander for the job well done while still in office.

Speaking at the ceremony, the outgoing commander Col Tom Musoke congratulated the incoming Commander upon his new appointment as 204 AAC Brigade Commander.

He further commended the army leadership for giving him the opportunity to serve AAC Brigade Command for a period of three years.

“It gives me a sense of pride and pleasure to command the AAC Brigade in the first place as the Brigade Operations and Training Officer (BOTO) from 2018-2020 and now Brigade Commander twice,” he said.

The instruments of power that were handed over to the incoming Commander consisted of Office stamps and office files among other items. The function was also attended by the Commanding Officers from AAC unit Brigade, 4Infantry Division Headquarter Staff Officers and Men.

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Housing Finance Bank engages Gulu customers in drive to enhance customer experience

By
Francisco Adongo
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Gulu – Housing Finance Bank recently convened a Customer Service Forum at Boma Hotel for retail, mortgage and business customers across Gulu city as part of continuous efforts to enhance customer experience. The gathering served as a strategic platform for valuable customer feedback, a cornerstone of the Bank’s strategy to enhance its service standards and exceed customer expectations.

Led by a team comprising Mr. John Baptist Kaweesi, Head of Mortgages and Consumer Banking, and Ms. Carolyn Agudo, Head of Customer Experience, Vicky Shunks Ayimaru, Branch Manager – Gulu and Joylydia Apolot, Communications Officer, the customer service forum facilitated comprehensive discussions on the usage, effectiveness and impact of Housing Finance Bank’s suite of financial solutions entailing but not limited to onboarding , transaction, investment and lending geared toward enhancing customer satisfaction and convenience.

Ms. Carolyne Agudo, Head of Customer Experience, expressed gratitude to customers for their loyalty and trust in Housing Finance Bank. She reiterated the bank’s dedication to enhancing customer experience through active listening and proposing optimal solutions to their financial needs. “Customer feedback is pivotal to our success. We highly value the input and suggestions from our customers, as they enable us to tailor our products and services to better serve their financial needs. That’s why we’ve established a 24-hour contact center, ensuring we’re always ready to listen, day or night, at our customers’ convenience,” she said.

Mr.  John Baptist Kaweesi, Head of Mortgages and Consumer Banking, emphasized the paramount importance of the Bank’s customers. “We are delighted to host this year’s first customer service forum in portrayal of our ongoing commitment to ensure they are fully satisfied with our products and services. Today, our objective is to actively listen to our customers, gain insights into how our products support them, and offer advice on the most suitable products and services to positively impact their lives,” he said.

Sharing his journey as a customer, His Worship Alfred Okwonga, Lord Mayor of Gulu city, expressed gratitude to Housing Finance Bank for facilitating his dream of becoming a successful business owner. “When I joined Housing Finance Bank, I was earning a salary of Shs250,000, yet I aspired to establish a school. Despite encountering challenges in accessing credit, the Bank entrusted me with Shs150 million, kickstarting my journey of establishing schools and higher education institutions. Today, I am proud to own four educational establishments, including Gulu School of Health Sciences, Layibi High School and Gulu School of Nursing and Midwifery.”

Housing Finance Bank as a financial institution is steadfast in its commitment to elevating customer service excellence and harnessing customer feedback for service enhancements. The Bank’s customer-centric approach and personalized solutions have solidified its reputation as a trusted financial partner. As Housing Finance Bank continues to empower sustainable home ownership and economic independence for the people of Uganda, it remains dedicated to meeting and exceeding customer expectations. 

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EQUITY BANK AGAIN: Police arrest two security guards over attempted robbery in Soroti

By
Our Reporter
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Police in Soroti are holding two security guards attached to SGA Security Company in connection with an attempted robbery at Equity Bank Soroti branch.

The raid is said to have happened in the early morning hours when thieves allegedly tried to use a ladder to enter the bank, but security was called in and foiled the attempt.

Police and security agencies have secured the area after arresting the guards. Kyoga East Police regional Spokesperson Edison Obukulem said detectives later discovered one of the two guards who were supposed to be on duty did not report for work.

The two suspects in police custody are a security guard and his supervisor attached to a private security firm.

Police spokesperson Fred Enanga said: “Our prior investigations indicate that the suspects escaped from the scene after failing to access the banking hall. No one was hurt, and no property or money was stolen. A security guard and his supervisor are being interrogated as part of our investigations.”

Enanga added that the bank is safe, and its operations are back to normal. The general security situation in Soroti city has remained peaceful and calm. More updates will be communicated in due course.

The management of Equity Bank has said that normal business has resumed. Francis Erumu, the manager of Equity Bank Soroti, says that everything at the bank is intact.

“No property or lives were damaged or lost during the incident. Security agents led by local authorities are currently investigating the incident. Normal banking services have resumed,” Equity Bank said in a brief statement.

This comes at the time when the bank is being investigated for internal money laundering by its employees. Recently an internal racket of employees were arrested over Shs65 billion theft.

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Ugandan, Oman officials negotiate to sign a bilateral labour agreement

By
Geoffery Serugo
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State Minister,Esther Anyakun.

The government of Uganda is in negotiations with the government of Oman over the externalization of labour, Eagle Online has learnt. 

The negotiations follow the signing of a bilateral labour agreement with the Saudi government. The agreement was signed last month. 

The negotiations are led by State Minister for Labour, Employment, and Industrial Relations Esther Anyakun and other ministry officials.

The team is currently in Muscat to negotiate with the state of Oman on a bilateral agreement on labor issues. This is as Uganda explores more lucrative employment opportunities abroad for the country’s skilled labor force to curb unemployment. 

In 2018, Uganda suspended labor exports to Oman over mistreatment of its nationals. Ugandans we beaten often deny meals and pay checks at the end of the end of the month, while others were killed. 

As of June, last year, there were 235 licensed private recruitment companies. Every two years, each company pays Shs2 million in license fees. Annually, the government collects $1.3 billion globally from labor export businesses; the Middle East alone sends in $700 million.

Last year, the Minister of Finance, Matia Kasaija, said that during the #Covid-19 pandemic, the country was surviving on remittances. The contribution of remittances amounted to $1.3 billion in 2022, compared to $1.1 billion the previous year.

The government collects $30 (Shs110,000) in job order fees for each eternalized worker. That money is wired directly to the Uganda Revenue Authority accounts. From August 2021 to August 2022, the government collected over Rs12 billion from job orders.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs says they process 10,000 passports every month, and the biggest percentage goes to individuals seeking to work in the Middle East.

According to the Ministry of Gender, Labour, and Social Development, there are over 150,000 Ugandan migrant workers in Saudi Arabia. Most Ugandans are employed in the informal sector as housemaids, gardeners, cargo handlers, and other jobs.

In 2021, Uganda externalized 89000 Ugandans, of whom 79000 went to Saudi Arabia. Of the 79000, 75000 were female. By June 2022, Uganda had externalized 50,000 nationals, and a high percentage went to Saudi Arabia.

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Creatives to participate in the Africa Creatives Challenge by MoTIV 

By
Our Reporter
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MoTIV Africa has announced the Africa Creatives Challenge, an exciting competition aimed at sparking transformative innovation within Africa’s creative landscape. 

The challenge, according to Marie-Franz Fordjoe, Lead -MoTIV West Africa, is designed to empower creatives across disciplines including art, media, tech, fashion and design, especially those in the early stages of business development. 

Fordjoe said, “The Africa Creatives Challenge targets creatives with innovative projects or ideas but lacks the necessary technical and financial support to bring them to life.” The Challenge will support the top two projects with a $6,000 grant each.

Following its successful launch in Ghana in 2023, this year’s edition targets creatives in Uganda.

Uganda’s creative landscape continues to grapple with multiple challenges, including limited access to financing, an unsupportive policy environment, inadequate infrastructure, and a lack of professional capacity.

 These factors continue to contribute to the sector’s lag. This is compounded by the unawareness or disregard for the sector’s potential to significantly contribute to economic development.

This year’s Africa Creatives Challenge presents a unique opportunity for individuals, teams, and organizations across Uganda to showcase their innovative ideas and contribute to shaping the continent’s creative sector. 

In addition to the prize package, the winners will have access to various capacity building sessions at MoTIV Uganda, mentorship, networking opportunities, and venture development tools to give their ideas the best chance at morphing into sustainable, profitable businesses.

“I urged all creatives across the country to submit their compelling pitches outlining how they would utilize the grant funding to bring their projects to life and contribute significantly to the growth of Africa’s creative economy.” Fordjoe said 

Adding, this challenge is more than receiving a grand but rather building a vibrant community of creatives who can inspire change and drive innovation in the creative economy. 

“Engagement with Uganda’s talented creatives through the Africa Creatives Challenge should be enlightening and wildly innovative. We look forward to receiving dozens of impressive proposals,” Fordjoe said.

MoTIV remains committed to building a resilient creative sector in Uganda by creating pathways that provide essential tools, skills development, and financial opportunities. These initiatives are designed to remove barriers and foster an environment of support, providing access to resources hence unlocking their full potential, driving innovation and growth within the sector.

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Gen Muhoozi applauds retired officers for commitment towards servicing Uganda

By
Simon Kabayo
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Gen. Muhoozi at the ceremony.

The Chief of Defence Forces, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba has lauded retiring senior officers for their commitment to serving Uganda throughout their time of service in the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces.

 “For Uganda, our fatherland, no sacrifice is too great. Officers and men have demonstrated the commitment to serve the country over decades and through countless operations,” said Gen Kainerugaba.

He made the remarks yesterday at the retirement of 150 Senior Officers from the Rank of Major to Colonel under Batch 13B at the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs (MODVA) Headquarters, Mbuya.  They included 33 Colonels, 78 Lieutenant Colonels and 39 Majors.

Gen Kainerugaba assured the retirees that the young Officers left behind serving in different operations like Operation Shujaa, Somalia and Karamoja would carry forward the noble tradition and proudly follow in their footsteps as they continue to carry the banner of the Peoples’ Army.

Juxtaposing the army with monks and priests, Gen Kainerugaba said the army is not a job but a vocation and calling and urged the retiring officers to use the UPDF offices to notify the authorities about essential developments in the country because they remain open to them.

“You do not hear of a monk or a priest retiring, but they can step back from a full-time retirement because theirs is a life commitment to the church. Similarly, we are priests, and our church is Uganda. Our mission to have a secure, peaceful and prosperous Uganda does not end because we stop wearing Uniforms. In civilian life, you remain our listening posts and ambassadors,” said Gen Kainerugaba.

On continued economic engagement, the CDF said that the UPDF will continue supporting veterans economically after retirement by expanding cooperation through veteran SACCOs that are already giving a helping hand to the Chieftaincy of Welfare and Production.

The Deputy Joint Staff – Human Resource Management Brig Gen Kaweesa Kigozi observed that retirement is an important milestone that one can use to throw themselves into their favourite hobby, start new adventures and enjoy more time with family, among others.

“As we strive for the professionalisation of the Force, retirement of personnel is fundamental since it ensures a balance in having an effective Force. Retirement, therefore, is an institutional way of rejuvenating the forces by replacing seasoned and experienced guards with young guards. It allows smooth career progression, assures force continuity, ushers retirees life after the military and not only network with the civilian community but also invest their retirement package wisely when still capable,” said Brig Gen Kigozi.

Col Jaffari Kasirivu, who spoke on behalf of the retiring officers, paid tribute and acknowledged the critical role played by the fallen heroes, both combatants and civilians, in support of having paid the ultimate price of the people who are mutual as well as sympathising with the innocent souls that lost their lives to the brutal regime.

He thanked the President and Commander-in-Chief of the UPDF, H.E Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, who led the liberation of Uganda, the UPDF leadership and the people of Uganda for allowing them the opportunity to serve the nation in the military, especially when the country needed them most.

“Our achievements are yours, built on the foundation of new solicited ideas and shared commitment. As we retire, therefore, we carry forward the legacy of patriotism and service, having fulfilled the historical mission of our generation,” Col Kasirivu said.

He called upon his fellow retirees to use their packages carefully and wisely per the guidance during the retirement sensitisation and documentation exercise, adding that retirement comes with complications and costs.

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Health Ministry to consider nationwide malaria walk

By
Francisco Adongo
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Minister of Health Jane Ruth Aceng.

The Minister of Health, Dr Jane Ruth Aceng has promised to ensure the nationwide strategy of eliminating malaria.

Aceng’s remarks follow Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa’s call that the Ministry of Health should come up with a strategy on a countrywide spraying against mosquitoes so as to eliminate malaria in order to save lives and reduce the high costs of treating malaria.

“I want you (Minister of Health, Dr. Ruth Aceng) and World Health Organisation (WHO) to reconcile your positions on spraying because countries which have eliminated malaria have sprayed. We don’t need to go and invent the wheel, let us make a decision as a country that we are going to spray and we Parliament we shall give you that money to spray. Because a person from Mitooma doesn’t know your negotiations and politics of you disagreeing with WHO, they don’t even know WHO though it is our biggest partner, what they want is eliminating malaria,” said Tayebwa.

Tayebwa added, “The other time, Parliament said we can’t spray, now this is a new Parliament, we are going to take charge. We are going to push it on the floor, we shall provide the money and Parliament will not interfere as long as you feel that is the right thing to do. If Rwanda has sprayed, if Kenya has sprayed, if Tanzania has sprayed and malaria has gone, you scientists, agree with each other.”

Aceng assured the public that the ministry will carry out a nationwide strategy and also called for increased funding to malaria elimination using locally generated resources in order to cover the gap that will be left by donors who have indicated plans to reduce funding to Uganda in order to focus on more global challenges.

“Re-planning requires that we identify a safe chemical that can be used so that we can carry out the spraying and bring down this burden of Malaria and we stop putting ourselves as number three in the race against donating Malaria. As a Ministry, we shall go back and re-plan and develop the strategy and present it to Parliament. That will be after presenting it to the Cabinet because it has to start from the top,” said Aceng.

She added, “We are very much aware that funding for malaria is levelling off from all our partners. Recently, when they called a meeting from the 10+1 countries, which are the countries with the heaviest burden of malaria in the world, and Uganda is number 3 in donating, following Nigeria and Democratic Republic of Congo, we are number 3. In the conference, we all signed a commitment to end malaria in our own countries using our own domestic resources. It is for Uganda to mobilize its own domestic resources to end malaria.”

Malaria Walk was held in Kampala and it comes at the time the World Health Organisation ranks Uganda 3rd on the list of global burdened countries with at least 12 million malaria cases reported annually, while the 2021 World Malaria Report ranked Uganda as the 5th top contributor to global malaria deaths.

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Museveni suspends EFRIS, directs traders to reopen their businesses

By
Our Reporter
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President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni on Friday, April 19 met and held discussions with the leadership of traders in Kampala and upcountry districts at State House Entebbe and indefinitely suspended the implementation of the Electronic Fiscal Receipting and Invoicing Solution (EFRIS) till further consultations are made.

The meeting followed a five-day strike by traders who closed their businesses, expressing their discontent against the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA)’s EfRIS system.

The discussions mainly centred on the taxation levied on their businesses, especially through the unpopular EFRIS system.

During the meeting, Museveni informed the traders that he would meet the technocrats from the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development and URA on the 24th, April 2024 for wider consultations.

“The President also noted that he will then meet with all the traders on 7th May 2024 at Kololo Ceremonial Grounds,” a press statement issued after the meeting indicated.

President Museveni further directed that all penalties should be suspended by the URA for the meantime to give room for wider consultations.

The leaders of the traders agreed to reopen their businesses as they continue to consult further with the government.

The delegation of 61 leaders was led by Mr.  Kabanda John, the leader of the Federation of Uganda’s Traders Associations (FUTA) and Dr. Musoke Thadeus Agenda, the leader of Kampala City Traders Association (KACITA).

The meeting was also attended by Mr. Issa Ssekito, the Spokesperson of KACITA.

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Sudhir, Nepali Residents Association in blood donation campaign

By
Our Reporter
-

City tycoon Sudhir Ruparelia in partnership with the Non-Resident Nepali Association in Uganda have allied with the Blood Bank of Uganda for an annual blood donation drive to support efforts to have enough stocks of blood in Uganda’s health sector.

The drive is slated to take place on Sunday, April 28th, 2024 at Kampala Parents School, (from 8 am to 6 pm).

Supported by the Honorary Consul of Nepal to Uganda, city tycoon Sudhir Ruparelia, the Nepali community hopes to support the Uganda Blood Transfusion Services efforts to collect 300,000 units of blood every year needed to save lives in this country.

“Kindly support the campaign plus marketing the donation drive,” Dr. Sudhir Ruparelia Honary of Nepali alerted.

The Nepali Non-Residents Association conducts this activity every year.

International Nepalese Blood Donors Association (INBDA) is a humanitarian, non-religious, non-political and non-profit organization founded in 2014 A.D with the aim to increase regular Nepalese Blood Donors globally.

The main objective of the organization is to assist and motivate the Nepalese communities worldwide to regularly donate blood; to assist in organizing blood donation drive in various countries

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Ruto, Odinga mourn helicopter crash victim, Gen. Ogolla

By
Our Reporter
-

The president of Kenya, William Ruto and his processor Raila Odinga have mourned the fallen Chief of Defence Forces General Francis Ogolla. Gen. Ogolla died yesterday after a military helicopter crashed.

In a brief meeting, Ruto described Gen Ogolla  as a gallant officer who died in the line of duty.

Gen Ogolla was appointed by Ruto in April last year, after serving as the Commander of the Air Force and Deputy Chief of Defence Forces.

“Our motherland has lost one of her most valiant generals, gallant officers, service men and women,” Ruto mourned.

Ruto noted that Kenya will observe a three-day period of mourning, commencing on Friday 19 April. The flags in the Republic of Kenya and in Kenyan missions abroad will fly at half-mast.

Raila Odinga said that he was deeply saddened and profoundly shocked by the passing of General. Francis Ogolla, the Chief of Defence Forces.

“We join the nation in mourning his loss. Gen. Ogolla was a true patriot, a highly decorated soldier, and a consummate professional who served our country with unwavering dedication. Our hearts go out to his family, his colleagues in the KDF, and the entire nation as we grieve this immense loss.” Odinga said.

He added, “We also extend our very heartfelt condolences to the families of the KDF team who were accompanying Gen. Ogolla. We know that at this moment words will not be enough to console your tremendous grief. We pray the Lord may give you comfort.  May the souls of all those who have departed find eternal peace.”

Gen Ogolla first joined the Kenya Defence Forces on 24 April 1984, according to the Kenyan defence ministry’s website.

He began his career as a 2nd Lt in the country’s air force, where he trained as a fighter pilot with the US Air Force, the ministry says. In 2018, he became Commander of the Kenya Air Force – a role which he held until becoming the country’s military chief.

Gen. Francis Omondi Ogolla, died alongside 9 other military personnel following a tragic air accident in Elgeyo Marakwet County.

The two people that survived are in a critical condition and under intense treatment.

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