Leader of Opposition in Parliament, Joel Ssenyonyi has criticized the government for proposing new taxes without showing any service delivery for the taxes collected, saying it is not right for the government to put a chokehold on the citizenry like the traders protesting downtown Kampala over high taxes, yet the money ends up being stolen by thieves of the regime.

Ssenyonyi made the remarks during the presentation of the Alternative National Budget Priorities for 2024/25 at Parliament where he urged the government to listen to the cries of the traders.

“It is no wonder that the government is proposing to increase taxes on certain commodities and services, which are further going to burden the population that is already not seeing adequate service delivery for the tax money that they pay currently. We need to save this money that is stolen by the thieves, so that we don’t need to dig deeper into the pockets of the struggling citizenry. And yet they see this money they pay in taxes being stolen, and that is why the traders are saying no and that is why we want to encourage them as citizens of this country to speak out,” said Ssenyonyi.

Joel Ssenyonyi said that the opposition’s alternative budget is more than a financial plan, but rather, a document that is intended to illustrate the Opposition’s commitment to strengthen communities through effective service delivery as well as paint a picture to Ugandans of what ought to be done for the country.

“The human right based approach that we have adopted informs the foundation of our alternative budget, demonstrating our consistent commitment to defending the basic freedoms and rights of every citizen in Uganda. We hope that by adopting this approach, the budget process will become an effective instrument for social justice and equitable development. Therefore, in order to ensure that no one is left behind, it is imperative that the government allocates resources in a manner that promotes accountability and transparency,” Ssenyonyi added.

Robert Kyagulanyi, Principal of National Unity Platform warned that as much as these alternative policies might be attractive, it would be impossible to achieve them if the leaders in charge of Ugandans resources can’t rise above their petty selfishness.

“We must resist, we must reject, in fact, we must eject all forms of corruption in public administration otherwise, all this will be going to waste and our resources will continue sinking down the long drain of personal greed at the expense of our collective wellbeing and, at the lives of our people and children. As a National Unity Platform, we shall continue taking decisive action in that regard,” said Kyagulanyi.

Miria Matembe urged MPs to stand firm by their beliefs and principles, saying when she opposed removal of term limits, she was thrown out of Gov’t without pension and gratuity.

“Have you ever seen me shaken by anybody? I worked for a good 30 years for this country but when I said no, you can’t remove the term limits, I was thrown in the garbage. No pension, no gratuity. I don’t tell you to accuse those people, but I tell you how those people can rob you. I was robbed. Have you seen me lacking? But I continue to serve for a legacy that when I am long gone, and when you stand with the people of Uganda, God will stand with you,” said Matembe.

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The Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces 3 Division Commander, Major General Don William Nabasa, has implored the Jie and Dodoth communities of Kotido and Kaabong districts, respectively, in North Karamoja, to explore the formation of a meaningful and peaceful alliance to combat cattle theft and reduce tension.

Maj Gen Nabasa made remarks yesterday (Saturday, April 6) during an inter-district security community meeting held at Moruitit village, Sidok Sub-County in Kaabong district. 

“I implore the two communities to form a peaceful alliance to foster brotherhood, reduce counter-accusations and curb cattle theft in your locations,” Maj Gen Nabasa said.

The 3 Division Commander observed that the sub-region continues to witness relative peace with adherence to the existing Presidential Amnesty window, despite the accusations and counter-accusations between the Jie and Dodoth communities that prompted an inter-district security meeting in Moruitit in Sidok Sub County, Kaabong district.

Maj Gen Nabasa stressed that the Turkana pastoralists factor is being addressed to maintain relative peace along the Uganda-Kenya borderline.

He urged the local leaders to cooperate closely with the UPDF’s 405 Brigade Commander. He tasked Battalion Commanders to identify the reformed warriors who would be able to work alongside security forces.

He underscored that reformed warriors know the terrain, routes, hideouts and their networks and, therefore, can be used to curb criminality in Northern Karamoja.

Capt (Rtd) Chris Mike Okirya, the Resident District Commissioner (RDC) for Kaabong, appealed to communities and rustlers still possessing guns to peacefully hand them over to security to become beneficiaries of government incentives and services.

On their part, the two district Chairpersons, Hon. Meri Jino (Kaabong) and Hon Lotee Paul, known as Kacheri Boy (Kotido), agreed to spearhead the drilling of three boreholes along borderlines to solve water scarcity and facilitate deployment along the Uganda- Kenya board line.

Ms. Judith Nakut, the Karacuna mobiliser, pledged to intensify the mobilisation of targeted groups to voluntarily surrender illegal firearms, noting that some Karacuna had fled to the wilderness due to conflicts between the Jie and Dodoth communities.

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Geraldine Ssali, the estranged Ministry of Trade and Co-operative Permanent Secretary has been dragged to police by a senior lawyer in the same ministry after she reported slapped her.

Ssali who is not new to controversy has been dragged together with her bodyguard. The incident took place on Friday evening at the Ministry headquarters and has since been reported at Central Police Station.

Sandra Aneno, the senior lawyer is said to have been assaulted confirmed the incident to the New Vision saying “I reported the matter on fiday evening and I was given medical forms to go the police doctor for examination. I have also been to my doctor at Bugolobi for a scan. My back was paining and I couldn’t bend and they did some physiotherapy on it. They gave me some medicine “she is quoted.

After assaulting Ms Aneno, Ssali on the same day went ahead to draft an interdiction letter suspending her from duty.

“As you are well aware, this afternoon in the execution of my normal duties as a Permanent Secretary and Accounting Officer and while issuing you with instructions, you exhibited grass unbecoming behavior such as abusive language against me, assaulting, threatening me, throwing items at me and insubordination which is irregular for a public officer of your caliber. Your actions were in total disregard of the provisions of the Uganda Public Service Standing Orders 2021 section F-r Para-1. As laid out in section F-r Para in 4 and 5 (a), (b), (c), (d), (e), (i), (k), (t) and 7 (a) those actions constitute to gross misconduct” Ssali wrote.

She further continued “You are hence forth interdicted from duty with immediate effect in accordance with sec-F-S para 14 of the Uganda Public Service Standing Order 2021. While on interdiction you will;

• Receive half of your basic salary for the period under interdiction
• You shall not leave the country without express permission from the responsible officer
• Handover your office and you will not appear in the office premises except if required on matters relating to the case of which you have been interdicted for. In the same reference, you are required to show cause why institutions of disciplinary actions should not be taken against you, this should reach my office with seven working days in any case not later than April 16, 2024”

Ms Ssali is not new to bad working ethics as this incident isn’t the first, she first hit the scene who she clashed with her boss then Mr Richard Byarugaba at National Social Security Fund (NSSF). Lately reports allege that she has been on bad terms with ministers at the Ministry of Trade. Her husband has also been mentioned to have received compensation money meant for co-oporatives.

In October last, she was dropped by the Permanent Secretary and Secretary to the treasury Ramathan Ggoobi after a report by Parliament trade committee endorsed her suspension over fraud and irregularities that were committed at the ministry on her watch.

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Forum for Democratic Charge party iron lady Sarah Eperu is dead

She has been unwell for sometimes. Ms Eperu after losing elections in Ngora, she gave politics little time.

She is reported to have died at Life link hospital in Kyaliwajjala this evening. Former FDC president Kizza Besigye extoled her as a great leader.

“Just been given the very sad news of the passing of our veteran political activist Sarah Eperu, devastating” Besigye posted on his social media handlers”

FDC party also announced the passing on of their former spokesperson of the women league and until her passing on, she was the chairperson of Kapir County constituency in Ngora District.

“It is with heavy hearts we announce the untimely passing on of our comrade and dedicated member of the part Sarah Eperu” the party wrote.

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As the holy month of Ramadan comes to a close, Housing Finance Bank underscored its commitment to supporting communities in need with a donation of assorted items to the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council (UMSC). The donation, delivered to the UMSC headquarters in Old Kampala, was presented by Housing Finance Bank’s Chief Operations Officer, Mr. Michael Opira, on behalf of Managing Director, Micheal Mugabi, to the Mufti of Uganda, His Eminence Sheikh Shaban Mubaje, and the UMSC leadership which will be distributed to over 20 mosques across the Kampala Metropolitan area.

The gesture reflects Housing Finance Bank’s ongoing commitment to integrating aspects of environmental, social and governance (ESG) principles within its operation in order to create value and enhance welfare for the communities in which it operates while supporting Uganda’s transition to a climate-neutral and resilient economy.

While speaking at the handover ceremony, Michael Opira, Chief Operations Officer of Housing Finance Bank, expressed gratitude for the opportunity to collaborate with UMSC and support the Muslim community during the Ramadan season. He said, “At Housing Finance Bank, we recognize the importance of unity and compassion, especially during significant religious observances like Ramadan. It is our honor to stand in solidarity with the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council and that drove us to share these items with our brothers and sisters of the Muslim faith.”

In response to the generous contribution, His Eminence Sheikh Shaban Mubaje conveyed appreciation for the Bank’s goodwill gesture, stating, “On behalf of the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council, I extend our heartfelt gratitude to Housing Finance Bank for their generous donation to fasting Muslims from the 20 mosques around Kampala who will benefit from this assorted range of items. As the saying goes – a friend in need is a friend indeed – and so, for all those Muslims who have been in need of futari items, Housing Finance Bank has come to support you. We look forward to collaborating with you in more aspects such as financing to strengthen our partnership.”

This donation is a continuation of Housing Finance Bank’s longstanding support to the Muslim community with previous initiatives, including a career guidance lecture and contribution of Shs12 million to water harvesting and tree planting initiatives at the Islamic University in Uganda (Kabojja campus) in addition to donating assorted essential items to Nakifuma Orphanage Centre. Housing Finance Bank remains dedicated to creating a positive impact within the communities it serves and extends warm wishes to the Muslim community during this season.

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Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS) has received 100,000 tablets ahead of the national census. The revelation was made by Chris Mukiza, the Executive Director of UBOS.

According to Mukiza, UBOS ordered for 120000 tablets costing Shs132 billion from local and international suppliers to carry out the national census. However, 100,000 have been delivered, while the remaining 20,000 will be delivered towards the end of April.

The technologically driven National Population and Housing Census (NPHC) 2024 will be carried out from May 10–19, 2024. The first day of enumeration, which is set for May 10, 2024, was approved a Census Public Holiday by the Cabinet and declared by the President to ensure easy recall of the Census Night during the period of enumeration.

The National Population and Housing Census was last conducted in 2014. At that time, Uganda had a population of 34 million people. The census is carried out every 10 years, and this year’s exercise was expected to take place on August 24 and 25, but it was postponed due to the delayed procurement of tablets.

Speaking during the training of trainers of the enumerators, Mukiza said after the census, 30000 tablets will be given to the National Identification Registration Authority (NIRA) for mass registration of people and verification of voters by the Electoral Commission.

“Local governments will retain others to pick up data for community information systems. This will later be picked up by UBOS for the generation of statistics for better planning for the country,” he said.

He said the geo-mapping of household and enumeration area boundaries stands at 97.5.3%, and the exercise is scheduled to stop before the end of April.

Currently, Uganda is estimated to have 45 million people. The figures can only be verified after the national census. Currently, the Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS).

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