Professor Michael Ssenyimba, the second Bishop of Mukono Diocese and former Vice Chancellor of Ndejje University, has passed on.
Ssenyimba died last evening. His death was confirmed by His Lordship, Rt. Rev. Enos Kitto Kagodo, the reigning Bishop of Mukono Diocese.
He was the second bishop of the Mukono dioceses, having succeeded the late Archbishop Livingstone Mpalanyi Nkoyoyo.
He retired in 2002 after serving for seven years as the bishop of Mukono diocese and passed on the button to Bishop Emeritus Eria Luzinda Kizito. He previously served as the Vice Chancellor of Ndejje University.
Housing Finance Bank has received two accolades for its commitment to advancing gender equality in the workplace at the 2024 edition Empower Her Awards organized by Nation Media Group and KPMG under the theme “Achieving an Equal Future” aimed at exploring the challenges, successes, and strategies for creating a more equitable world for all.
The Bank received commendations in the Empower Her Award and Woman of the Future categories in recognition of the its substantial representation of women in management and decision-making processes and having unique and impactful initiatives that advance gender balance in the workplace.
The Empower Her Awards recognize organisations from various sectors that are addressing fundamental inequalities that are hindering women from becoming leaders and creating a more just, equal, and prosperous world, where women and girls have the same opportunities, rights and influence as their male counterparts.
Ms. Peace Piwang, Chief Human Resource Officer at Housing Finance Bank said it was an honor for the Bank to be recognized for its efforts in fostering an environment where women and men have equal opportunities for growth and success. “These accolades affirm the effectiveness of our efforts in promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion within our organization. We remain committed to continually adopting practices that ensure equality in employment and foster a workplace culture that values and empowers every member of our team, driving innovation and excellence across all levels of our organization.”
These accolades add to the Bank’s track record in promoting gender equality after winning the Gold Award under the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Gender Equality Seal (GES) Programme for Private Enterprises for being more deliberate on equal opportunities within the Bank with women constituting 50% of the entire teams at both Board and Executive Management level, and the entire staff complement.
Mr. Micheal Mugabi, Managing Director at Housing Finance Bank said, “Our success as an institution is intrinsically linked to the empowerment of all our employees, regardless of gender. By championing initiatives that promote gender equality and provide pathways for women’s advancement, we not only enhance our organizational resilience but also contribute to the broader socioeconomic development of our communities.
Mr. Mugabi also added that Housing Finance Bank’s gender equality efforts are not only for its staff but also aimed towards Ugandan women looking for access to affordable housing options as well as grow their business ventures.
He said, “As Housing Finance Bank, we are committed to developing products and forming partnerships with entities to reduce gender inequality in Uganda. This is why we developed an incremental home loan solution called Zimba Mpola Mpola that can support women, regardless of income levels, to become first-time homeowners. However, since we also know Ugandan women are also one of the most entrepreneurial, we partnered with the European Investment Bank to avail €50 million in terms of affordable lines of credit and technical support to support women-owned businesses in the country”
Collectively, these efforts align the Bank’s purpose of enabling sustainable homeownership financial independence and the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals particularly gender equality (Goal 5), decent work and economic growth (goal 8), reduced inequalities (goal 10) and partnerships for the goals (goal 17).
Moses Odongo, a Cheetah security guard who foiled an armed robbery.
Police have applauded Moses Odongo, a Cheetah security guard, for foiling an armed robbery at his guard point of the Tonix Forex Bureau in Bukoto.
The guard fired two shots at two thugs who were vandalizing a Pajero motor vehicle under registration number UBK 519C in front of him. They fled the scene on their getaway motorcycle.
According to Enanga Fred, the Police Spokesperson, the thugs returned with a second accomplice who was armed with an AK-47 rifle, hidden in a bag, and tried to break into Tonix Forex Bureau. The guard opened fire at them and injured the rider and the second suspect with a bag containing the gun.
The third suspect fled from the scene. A police team responded swiftly and recovered an AK 47 rifle with eight rounds, breaking implements, and the motorcycle, a Bajaj boxer, which were all exhibited at Kira Road CPS.
The two suspects have been identified as Lawrence Kibuuka of Mpererwe, who was armed with a gun, and Ivan Musekule, the boda boda rider.
The security guard did a commendable job by disabling the thugs, which foiled the robbery and also led to the recovery of an AK 47 rifle.
“We also want to applaud the company for his level of bravery, tact, and skill. His quick reaction saved a robbery and loss to the Forex bureau, plus any other lives that could have been affected during the robbery,” Enanga said.
The Crimes Division of the High Court has set a date for the hearing of murder charges against 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.
This decision followed a closed-door meeting between the prosecution, defence, and the presiding judge, Isaac Muwata. The court, however, set July 2, 2024, as the date for hearing the matter.
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 much anticipated Stanbic Match Play Challenge has kicked off with the qualifiers at the prestigious Entebbe Club.
The event will span eight months culminating into a grand finale slated for this October and will feature both professional and amateur players.
Speaking at a dinner at Entebbe Club, Grace Ssemakula CE, SBG Securities said.” This evening on behalf of Stanbic Uganda, we reaffirm our pledge to our long -term support for the sport of golf for the next three years to make the Stanbic Entebbe Match Play Challenge 2024 worth the feel. Uganda is our Home, we drive Her growth, this evening I am proud to confirm that the Stanbic Entebbe Match Play challenge kicked off with a lot of enthusiasm and great skills for gold displayed, although as a new person to golf except Mugisha, I am disappointed that there was no hole in one but hopefully next week.”
He said.” We recognize your financial needs, our friends in golf and at Stanbic Uganda we have decided to partner with you for the success of this tournament, Thank you. We hope that we meaningfully engage and get to know of our various products under our private banking segments and investment opportunities.”
“We are thrilled to be partnering with our friends of Entebbe Golf Club to bring you what we believe shall be an exciting and fun -filled sporting experience and we want to invite all golf lads to participate. We’ve not done this alone, we have partnered with CFAO Motors to provide a truly majestic grand prize of the brand-new Grand Vitara Hybrid. I think that is a big clap of expectation. Our friends, Uganda Airlines, are providing six air tickets to various destinations to the lucky winners and DSTV for Business.” He added
The Stanbic Entebbe Match Play Challenge is a unique blend of golf and entertainment that is going to span eight months in a thrilling match play format. Throughout the eight-month-long challenge, participants will engage in competitive golf.
The journey to the Grand Finale commences today with a qualifying round at the scenic Golf Course at Entebbe Club. Each player together with their partner will face the challenge of stroke play with holding out a must. The best 64 pairs’ scores from the qualifying round will advance to round one of the Match Play Challenge.
Sserwano Walusimbi the Entebbe Club Captain said.” I want to thank all the golfers who played today. I know we had some conditions but I think you understand. But anyway, today we had 208 players in the course. So, thank you very much.”
Jacob Byamukama, the Entebbe Club Chairman said.” This is to officially welcome you here on behalf of the trustees and heads of the Entebbe Club and also on behalf of the members of the Entebbe Club to host you for this event.
A brand new Grand Vitara Hybrid from CFAO Motors awaits whoever hits a hole- in -one.
President Yoweri Museveni has arrived at Atabu Primary School, Bata Sub-County, Dokolo District, to campaign for NRM flag bearer Janet Adongo ahead of the Dokolo District Woman Representative by-election.
The campaigns have intensified, with several leaders of political parties rallying support for their candidates. Museveni is expected to highlight the remarkable achievements of the NRM party and unveil upcoming development programmes for the district.
Adongo is contesting against five other candidates. Currently, Patrick Amuriat, the leader of the Forum for Democratic Change, is in the area campaigning for Dr. Rosemary Alwoc Ogwal; Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu was there on the weekend campaigning for the National Unity Platform’s flag bearer, Harriet Ageno; and the Uganda People’s Congress is conversing support for Aguti Nyangkori.
Dr. Esther Akulo Obat Otad and Dr. Grace Anna Lalam, both independent candidates, are in the area, persuading voters to consider them on the polling day.
The District Woman Representative seat for Dokolo became vacant following the death of the former Representative (MP), Cecilia Barbara Atim Ogwal, which occurred on January 18, 2024. Mrs. Ogwal succumbed to a cancer-related illness at an unrevealed hospital in India, where she had been evacuated for specialised medical care.
The Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) has reportedly infiltrated into the country.The revelation was made by Col. Deo Akiiki, the Deputy Spokesperson of the Uganda People’s Defense Forces (UPDF).
Last year, in late October 2023, 10 ADF terrorists under the command of Kamusi and Njovu infiltrated the country through Kasese district and caused deaths to tourists, attacked Lhubiriha Secondary School and killed students, and burned a truck carrying traders with their merchandise.
They later crossed to Kamwenge district and attacked innocent civilians. Since then, their commander, Kamusi, was killed, and his second in command, Njovu, was captured and is currently undergoing trial. The group was destroyed, and operations have further scattered the ADF elements into the jungles of the DRC.
These revenge acts of terrorism were occasioned by sustained joint operations of the UPDF and FARDC (Armed Forces of the DRC) under Operation Shujaa and strategic airstrikes unleashed on the ADF and their hideouts in areas of the Eastern DRC, in general areas of Irumu, Mambasa, and later Komanda, about 146 km from our common border with the DRC.
“Our attacks on ADF terrorists in the Eastern DRC have not stopped. Joint intelligence forces have now confirmed that two days ago, another group infiltrated the country with the same mission,” Akiiki said.
The group is suspected to be under the command of notorious ADF commander Ahamed Muhamood Hasssan, aka Abu Waqas, a Tanzanian-born ADF bomb expert.
Others include Muhammed Issa, Amigo Kibirige, aka Simba, Muhamad Lumisa,and Nasser Hamid Diiru, and one of them is suspected to have been sent by Abu Waqas for the current mission.
“Other sister security agencies have been informed and are on alert, and we will continue working together to protect Ugandans as we have always done. It is simply suicidal for these terrorists to continue making terrorism adventures into Uganda,” he said.
He said that having been hit hard in areas of Kamanda inside the DRC, the ADF has gone on rampage in the DRC, killing civilians far away from where our forces are jointly operating with FARDC. UPDF is sharing all plans with our counterparts, including some of the proposals the two Heads of State of Uganda and DRC shared on the deployment of LDUs (local vigilante groups) to stop these killings.
Singer Agella Katutumba is wanted by police headquarters over defaming Kampala businessman Shukla Mukesh, and other offences, according to Police Spokesperson Fred Enanga.
Katatumba’s defamation case is registered at Jinja Road Police Division under File No. CD REF.79/13/03/2024, Mukesh having complained to the police about the singer making defamatory statements about him.
A defamatory statement is one which is false and causes damage to a person’s reputation or otherwise does them harm
In a related development, the police have also appealed to whoever has any information which may lead to the arrest of Angele Katutumba and one Lino Odwit are required to pass the information in confidence to the nearest police station or call telephone numbers 0703026011 or 7859399652
Another suspect in the offences committed is Kampala businessman Drake Lubega whose file was opened at Jinja Road Police Station under SD Ref: 64/13/03/2024.
Katatumba’s family and Mukesh have been embroiled in the property wrangle for several years.
Lujja Bbosa Tabula, the prime suspect in the murder of Eng. Bbosa.
Daniel Bbosa Murder: Police doubles cash rewards against prime suspect Lujja Bbosa Tabula
The Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID) has increased the reward against the prime suspect implicated in the gun down of Daniel Bbosa, the former Ndiga Clan leader.
Bbosa was fatally shot on February 25, 2024, by assailants as he was approaching his residence in Kikandwa Zone, Lungujja Parish, Lubaga Division. The assailants, riding on a motorcycle, opened fire at Bbosa’s motor vehicle, bearing registration number UAH 637X, resulting in his immediate demise.
Earlier this month, the police put up a Shs10 million cash prize for anyone who will lead to the arrest of Lujja Bbosa Tabula, the prime suspect.
“CID has increased the reward offered for the arrest or credible information that can lead to the arrest of Lujja Bbosa Tabula, aged 38, who is wanted for alleged masterminding the murder by shooting of Eng. Daniel Bbosa, a businessman and former “NDIGA” clan leader, from Shs10 million to Shs20 million,” police spokesmen Fred Enanga said.
Last week, Mwanga II Magistrate Court remanded five suspects to Luzira prison over the murder of the former esteemed leader of the indigo clan.
The five suspects include Noah Lugya, Harriet Nakabale Nakiguli, Ezra Mayanja Ezra, Milly Naluwenda, and Joseph Nakabale.
Uneven development progress is leaving the poorest behind, exacerbating inequality, and stoking political polarization on a global scale. The result is a dangerous gridlock that must be urgently tackled through collective action, according to a new report released today by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
The 2023/24 Human Development Report (HDR), titled “Breaking the Gridlock: Reimagining Cooperation in a polarized world”, reveals a troubling trend: the rebound in the global Human Development Index (HDI) – a summary measure reflecting a country’s Gross National Income (GNI) per capita, education, and life expectancy has been partial, incomplete, and unequal.
The HDI is projected to reach record highs in 2023 after steep declines during 2020 and 2021. But this progress is deeply uneven. Rich countries are experiencing record-high levels of human development while half of the world’s poorest countries remain below their pre-crisis level of progress.
Global inequalities are compounded by substantial economic concentration. As referenced in the report, almost 40 percent of global trade in goods is concentrated in three or fewer countries; and in 2021 the market capitalization of each of the three largest tech companies in the world surpassed the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of more than 90 percent of countries that year.
The widening human development gap revealed by the report shows that the two-decade trend of steadily reducing inequalities between wealthy and poor nations is now in reverse. Despite our deeply interconnected global societies, we are falling short. We must leverage our interdependence as well as our capacities to address our shared and existential challenges and ensure people’s aspirations are met,” said Achim Steiner, head of the UN Development Programme. “This gridlock carries a significant human toll. The failure of collective action to advance action on climate change, digitalization or poverty and inequality not only hinders human development but also worsens polarization and further erodes trust in people and institutions worldwide.”
The report argues that advancing international collective action is hindered by an emerging ‘democracy paradox’: while 9 in 10 people worldwide endorse democracy, over half of the global survey respondents, express support for leaders that may undermine it by bypassing fundamental rules of the democratic process, as per data analysed in the report. Half of people surveyed worldwide report having no or limited control over their lives, and over two-thirds believe they have little influence on their government’s decisions.
Political polarization is also a growing concern with global repercussions. Along with a sense of powerlessness, report authors say, it is fueling inward-turning policy approaches – starkly at odds with the global cooperation needed to address urgent issues like the decarbonization of our economies, misuse of digital technologies, and conflict. This is particularly alarming in light of 2023’s record-breaking temperatures, which emphasize the immediate need for united action to tackle the climate crisis, or in the advent of artificial intelligence as a new and fast-evolving technological frontier with little or no regulatory guard rails.
The report highlights that deglobalization is neither feasible nor realistic in today’s world and that economic interdependence remains high. It points out that no region is close to self-sufficiency, as all rely on imports from other regions of 25 percent or more of at least one major type of goods and services.
In a world marked by increasing polarization and division, neglecting to invest in each other poses a serious threat to our well-being and security. Protectionist approaches cannot address the complex, interconnected challenges we face, including pandemic prevention, climate change, and digital regulation,” Steiner added. “Our problems are intertwined, requiring equally interconnected solutions. By adopting an opportunity-driven agenda that emphasizes the benefits of the energy transition and of artificial intelligence for human development, we have a chance to break through the current deadlock and reignite a commitment to a shared future.”
The report emphasizes how global interdependence is being reconfigured and calls for a new generation of global public goods.
