Over Six hundred (600) Project Affected Persons (PAPs) by the planned Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) construction in Jinja City have raised concerns over inconsistencies in the compensation rates. According to the PAPs, despite being revalued in the post-Covid-19 period, significant changes have occurred in the past two years, making it unfair for the SGR to maintain the same compensation rates.  

They argue that the compensation being offered for their properties is significantly lower than the current property rates in Jinja City. Hanifa Namuyangu, a resident of Budhumbuli cell in Bugembe ward, Northern division, Jinja city, expressed dissatisfaction with the compensation offered for her property affected by the SGR. She stated that the compensation recommended by the government valuer was insufficient to cover the damages to her property.

Faridah Suleiman, another PAP, criticized the proposed compensation of Shs80,000 for a 30 by 45 plot, considering it unreasonable given the current market rates in Jinja city. She called for a fresh evaluation process to ensure fair compensation.

Alex Ngobi, whose property was valued inadequately, urged Jinja city leaders and the SGR to reconsider the compensation rates, especially for elderly PAPs who are unable to resettle with the meager amounts offered.

Annet Namuwanga recounted her experience of being excluded from the final compensation list despite her property being valued at Shs55 million. She expressed frustration over the uncertainty regarding her fate and called for a review of her land ownership documents by SGR officials.

SGR’s senior communications officer, David Mugabe, stated that while 129 fish pond owners have been compensated, 600 PAPs are still awaiting compensation. He encouraged aggrieved parties to petition the SGR headquarters or attorney general to address their grievances and ensure fairness among the PAPs.

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On February 15, 2024, Uganda was re-elected to the African Union Peace and Security Council (PSC) during the 44^th Ordinary Session of the AU Executive Council for a second two-year term from 2024-2026, edging out Ethiopia and Eritrea. East Africa had four candidates for the two seats up for grabs. Tanzania won re-election for the second East African seat.

It is significant to note that Uganda has been elected five times previously and has served in the PSC for a total of 11 years so far. This two-year re-election will make a total of 13 years.

Speaking from Addis Ababa, and expressing his gratitude for the overwhelming support, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Gen. Jeje Odongo said “…Uganda’s re-election is on account of the strong and exemplary leadership of H.E. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, President of the Republic of Uganda on matters of regional peace and security, and his active engagement on the same in Africa”.

During her current term on the Council, Uganda has been actively engaged on several issues affecting the continent, including, devoting significant attention to the situations in South Sudan, Somalia (ATMIS), the Great Lakes Region and countries in transition like Sudan, where, on May 27, 2023, the Council convened a meeting at the level of Heads of State, under the Chairmanship of President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni.

During the same month of May 2023 when Uganda chaired the Council, specific attention was paid to various thematic issues related to governance, peace, security and stability on the continent, including but not limited to Terrorism and Violent Extremism; Humanitarian Action in Africa; Women, Peace and Security; and the Ministerial meeting on Financing Peace Support Operations in Africa.

In building on the outcome of that Ministerial meeting and working with the African Members (A3) of the United Nations Security Council; the UN Security Council, in turn adopted resolution 2719 (2023) which authorized African Union led Peace Support Operations to access UN assessed contributions for up to 75% of their annual budget.

“One of the major challenges to the security policy of the African Union and other regional security mechanisms is the lack of sufficient resources. Resolution 2719 was aimed at providing adequate, predictable and sustainable financing of AU led peace support operations.” said Odongo.

March 30^, 2024 will mark the end of the mandate of 10 members of the African Union (AU) Peace and Security Council (PSC) who were elected for a two-year term in February 2022 during the AU summit and the beginning of a new term for those re-elected. Other members elected to the AU Peace and Security Council include the Democratic Republic of Congo (Central); Equatorial Guinea (Central); Tanzania (Eastern); Egypt (Northern); Angola (Southern); Botswana (Southern); Côte d’Ivoire (Western); Sierra Leone (Western); and The Gambia (Western).

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Irene Batebe, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development, has revealed plans by Gov’t to establish a National Minerals Company that will oversee Uganda’s investment in the mineral sector.

Batebe said, “We do boost significant mineral deposits and we are working to see how these add value and as one of the few policy directives is value addition where we put a ban on export of unprocessed minerals in order to ensure value for money. We are working to put in place a National Mining Company that will be nearing what Uganda National Oil Company (UNOC) is doing.”

Batebe made the remarks yesterday while appearing before Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee where the Ministry had been summoned to respond to some of the queries raised in the December 2023 Auditor General’s report.

“The National Mining Company will hold the stakes commercial interest in the mining sub-sector and it will invest on behalf of Government in our strategic minerals; rare earth elements, cobalt and we are already preparing to ensure that we pilot its investment through Kilembe Mines, so we are working on that, we are already working on capitalization and we are working with Finance to make that happen as we work to fully operationalize that company,” added Batebe.

More than 80% of the country has been surveyed for mineral quantities and locations. New geo-data shows that Uganda has large underexploited mineral deposits of gold, oil, high grade tin, tungsten/wolfram, salt, beryllium, cobalt, kaolin, iron ore, glass sand, vermiculite, phosphates (agricultural fertiliser), uranium and rare earth elements.

There are also significant quantities of clay and gypsum. Investment opportunities exist in mining and mineral processing with special incentives provided to the mining sector, including writing off capital expenditures in full.

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Botswana Vaccine Institute has committed to help Uganda manufacture Foot and Mouth disease vaccine in order to boost the cattle industry in the country.

This was revealed today in the meeting between President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and Botswana scientists at State House, Entebbe. The meeting was also attended by officials from the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries and the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation.

The engagement was a follow up on the bilateral meeting between President Museveni and President Mokgweetsi Eric Keabetswe Masisi of Botswana on January 22, 2024 at Speke Resort, Munyonyo, on the sidelines of G77+ China Third South Summit.

Botswana Vaccine Institute scientists have since corrected samples from the cattle affected by foot and mouth disease in the cattle corridor and other parts of the country affected by the disease. These samples will be taken to Botswana Vaccine Institute to find a vaccine that will help prevent the infection.

President Museveni welcomed the Scientists from Botswana and agreed to the partnership to develop a vaccine for the disease in Uganda.

“The other time, I also discussed with H.E Mokgweetsi about animal feeds, if the Botswana companies could come here because we have a lot of maize. For instance, the other year we produced five million tonnes but we consumed one million tonnes internally, so if there are companies which want animal feeds for local consumption and also for export back to Botswana, they are welcome,” President Museveni said.

Frank Tumwebaze, the Minister of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, informed the President that scientists from Botswana Vaccine Institute agreed to partner with the National Agricultural Research Organization (NARO, to develop a vaccine to combat foot and mouth disease in Uganda.

“In our discussions, they agreed to the idea that they can partner with us- NARO, to develop their kind vaccine. They are now serving Southern Africa, so they believe they can also help us to produce for East Africa,” Tumwebaze said.

Tumwebaze also said that they convinced the delegation from Botswana to also buy milk from Uganda, explaining that it is of high quality, and it is not from the affected areas where there is foot and mouth Disease.

Mr. Andrew Madeswi, the CEO- Botswana Vaccine Institute said that the mission of collecting samples has been achieved and the next step is testing the samples, and the final findings of the report will be out on March 29, 2024.

The Technical Director of Botswana Vaccine Institute, Mr. Mokganedi Mokopasetso said that while collecting samples, they visited three districts in the western part of the country, three districts in the Eastern part of the country and they were also able to visit some sub counties where they visited farms, and they were convinced that their mission was successful.

The meeting was also attended by Dr. Monica Musenero, the Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Judith Nabakooba, the Minister of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Bright Rwamirama, Minister of State for Animal Industry, Ambassador Paul Amoru, High Commissioner of Uganda to South Africa, Maj Gen. David Kyomukama Kasura, the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, among others.

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At least two people have been confirmed dead in revenge attacks between the Acholi and Madi communities over Apaa land in Adjumani district. The death was confirmed by the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) fourth division spokesperson, Capt. Ahmad Hassan Kato.

The first incident happened on Sunday when a group of 30 men from the Madi community armed with bows, arrows, pangas, hoes, and knives attacked the home of one Akekwas at Kamjdin village, Kalachut Parish, Pekele subcounty in Adjumani district.

They torched down a number of huts, destroyed property, and also arrested Akekwa, undressed him, and tied him to a tree. They later proceeded to his neighbours, where they burned 16 huts and destroyed property.

In a bid to avenge the earlier attack by the Madi, the Acholi attacked the Madi community of Eloku Village in Kalachut Sub County Adjumani district and killed two people. They also destroyed a number of properties.

“We have made some reinforcements in the area north of Pabbo to beef up security in the affected area, but also to monitor the situation, possibly avert any further violence, and restore normalcy and calmness,” Capt. Kato said.

He urged both communities to desist from violence but also cooperate with security in providing timely and accurate information to enable the UPDF to provide security and ease tension in the area.

“We shall continue to provide security in the general areas of Apaa until the matter is resolved by the government,” he said.

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Letshego Uganda has offered an education bursary of four years to the needy Fortunate Atuhairwe at MaryHill High School, Mbarara.

Fortunate Atuhairwe who appeared on TV West without hopes of joining secondary level due to financial constraints, had an outstanding performance in the Primary Leaving Examinations (PLE) from Kyabuhambo Primary School in Buhweju district where she emerged with an aggregate four (4). Her story caught Buhweju County Legislator, Franscis Mwijukye’s attention and pledged to pay the girl’s fees, however, Letshego Uganda came in and took the charge. 

Atuhairwe is a daughter to Leo Byaruhanga and Immaculate Komugisha; rustic farmers in Buhweju, who have been fighting tooth and nail to see the child complete her primary education though with no hopes of finding funds for the secondary level.  

Commenting on the offer, Mwijukye said, “Fortunate is Fortunate. Finally, the young girl Fortunate Atuhaire from Buhweju, who scored aggregate 4 at P7, but had no hopes of joining secondary school to achieve her dream of becoming a medical Doctor has today reported at her Dream School, Mary Hill High.”

He added, “I pledged to pay her fees and along the way, Letshego Uganda asked to come in and I am happy to partner with them. Thanks, Letshego for embarking on the mission of changing lives of the poor and vulnerable. Thanks to the parents, for bringing up a hardworking and God fearing Fortunate.”

Letshego Uganda through their Sustainable Community based Corporate Social Responsibility-CSR announced the offer with the aim of alleviating the financial burden on Fortunate’s family and empower her to pursue her academic aspirations of becoming a doctor without hindrance.

Letshego Uganda CEO, Giles Aijukwe remarked that investing in education not only impacts individuals but also benefits communities at large, creating a ripple effect of positive change.

“Through these bursaries, we aim to uplift marginalized individuals, enabling them to reach their full potential and contribute meaningfully. The education bursary awarded to Fortunate Atuhairwe comprehensively covers her tuition at MaryHill High School from Senior 1- 4,” Aijukwe said.

Aijukwe added, “Under our tagline Improving Lives; it underscores the company’s commitment to making a positive impact beyond financial services. Letshego partnered with MaryHill High School not only because it was Fortunate’s first choice but hugely because of the rich heritage and alumni over the years.

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