The joint security forces are investigating suspected ADF Rebels who on Tuesday evening shot and killed three people including two foreign tourists before burning their vehicle in Queen Elizabeth National Park in Kasese District.

The three, a British national, a South African citizen and their Ugandan guide are said to have been attacked at Nyamunuka along Katwe Road in the Western Uganda district of Kasese, according to Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) spokesperson, Bashir Hangi.

“The deceased, whose names are withheld, include a Ugandan tour guide, a UK citizen and a South African citizen were travelling under Gorilla and Wildlife Safaris, a local tour company,” Mr Hangi said.

He added that UWA had already informed the Uganda Police and other security agencies “who are working diligently to establish the precise sequences of events leading up to this horrific incident and to identify those responsible.”

The Tourist Vehicle in which the two foreign tourists and a Ugandan were traveling when the attack happened in Queen Elizabeth National Park.

The Uganda Police Spokesperson, SCP Fred Enanga linked the “cowardly terrorist attack” on the tourists to the extremist ADF rebels usually based in the east of the neighbouring DR Congo.

“We have registered a cowardly terrorist attack on two foreign tourists and a Ugandan in Queen Elizabeth National Park,” Enanga said in a Tuesday police statement.

 “Our joint forces responded immediately upon receiving the information and are aggressively pursuing the suspected ADF rebels. We express our deepest condolences to the families of the victims,” he added.

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High Court judge, Musa Ssekaana has urged members of the Tax Appeals Tribunal (TAT) to always focus on facts in legal disputes before them rather than dwelling on technicalities that scare away taxpayers.

According to the head of the Civil Division of the High Court Justice Musa Ssekaana, taxpayers are more comfortable having their disputes resolved by the Tax Appeals Tribunal as opposed to a court of law and as such, he has asked members of TAT to be flexible, simple and transparent while handling tax disputes before them.

Justice Ssekaana made the remarks while officiating a week-long training of the TAT members at the Judicial Training Institute in Kampala.

The TAT was established by an Act of Parliament in 1997 and it opened its doors to the public in May, 1999. The tribunal was set up as a specialized court to provide the taxpayer with easily accessible, efficient and independent arbitration in tax disputes with the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA)

However, Ssekaana has reminded them to know that they are a special tribunal which should show their expertise in dissolving tax disputes but desist from copying the operations of courts of law that engage in legal jargons and technicalities.

He also reechoed the functions of the Tax Tribunal as reducing incidences of tax evasion because the taxpayers expect the tribunal to be fair and more transparent than a court of law. He said they should also minimize delays and bottlenecks in arbitration of tax disputes and also create an avenue of interrogation of parties so as to probe further.

Ssekaana explained that if the Tribunal thinks a Uganda Revenue Authority official -URA is hiding something or information, they should demand for it. He said if that official doesn’t want to step before the Tribunal to defend their personal decisions, the Tribunal should summon them and demand explanations as to why they make such decisions that are causing a dispute.

According to Ssekaana, the URA senior officials should stop sending their juniors because when the Tribunal doesn’t engage the top decision makers, they will continue hearing the same cases with the same mistakes instead of them changing and eventually reducing the backlog.

On her part, the head of Judiciary Training Institute -JTI Lady Justice Damalie Lwanga has said the training is taking place when most of the members of TAT are executing their duties and they know what happens. She said the Tribunal members led by Asa Mugenyi the Chairperson, however are going to acquire skills which should benefit both the tribunal and the people they serve.

Lwanga has asked them to avoid case backlog saying it’s not easy and they should deliver their decisions timely. She says they should avoid issues that can cause bias and make decisions that are defensible such that in the end, both the taxpayer and the collector are treated impartially.

“Avoid instances of bias, always serve with integrity, humility, transparency, diligence, utmost sobriety, be effective in execution of your work, make decisions that can be defended in law and resolve the disputes fairly. Treat both the tax collector and taxpayer as equal litigants,” said Lwanga.

According to Lwanga, TAT is becoming more and more visible and vibrant today in Uganda; but also in the justice system and the existence of the Tribunal as an appeals mechanism saves the parties who are dissatisfied with the decisions of the URA from the lengthy court processes.

She said it also relieves the courts of law of having to hear and adjudicate on disputes that could be resolved through administrative channels.

“As you perform your duties, you must always remember the purpose for which the Tribunal was established. It is a creation of the legislature, intended to resolve disputes through hearing appeals from members of the public who are dissatisfied with the decisions of the URA,” added Lwanga.

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Housing Finance Bank in partnership with Makerere University Business School (MUBS) has introduced an innovative Graduate Trainee Program scheduled to commence in 2024 to empower eligible young graduates with a comprehensive and structured training experience, fostering their capacity to learn, gain valuable work experience, and elevate their employability.

The formalisation of this partnership came to fruition with the recent signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) attended by distinguished representatives from Makerere University Business School, including Prof. Moses Muhwezi, the Principal, Mr. Francis Yosa, the School Secretary, and other senior leadership team members, showcased a collective commitment to the Program’s success. Housing Finance Bank’s delegation was led by Mr. Micheal Mugabi, the Managing Director, and Ms. Peace Ayebazibwe, the Executive Director, further underlining the significance of this strategic alliance.

Amidst the backdrop of 41 percent of Uganda’s youthful population (9.3 million) being categorised as not in employment, education, or training, the Graduate Trainee Program serves as a progressive avenue to confront the challenges of insufficient job creation for youth and the prevailing disparity between labour market demands and educational offerings. By embracing this initiative, Housing Finance Bank aims to harness the demographic dividend and contribute to realising the objectives outlined within Uganda’s third National Development Plan 2020/21-2024/25.

Ms. Peace Piwang, Chief Human Resource Officer at Housing Finance Bank, highlighted how the Program aligns with Uganda’s development plans and the Bank’s strategic intent. She stated, “We view this Program as an extraordinary opportunity to empower our educated youth with the essential skills required for financial independence and employment. By imparting these skills, we enhance their employability and pave the way for their financial autonomy. This, in turn, will significantly contribute to Uganda’s economic growth, as these graduates become taxpayers and seize diverse opportunities.”

Mr. Micheal Mugabi, Managing Director at Housing Finance Bank, emphasised the Program’s significance as the next step following the Bank’s engagement with universities and higher learning institutions through internship programs. He said, “This partnership with Makerere University Business School represents a monumental stride forward. The Graduate Trainee Program is designed to provide comprehensive hands-on training across various spheres, from accounting and finance to treasury operations. Furthermore, it will facilitate acquiring crucial soft skills, fostering effective collaboration among our graduates and staff. We eagerly anticipate the far-reaching benefits of this Program, envisioning it as an integral facet of our Bank’s identity, enriching the lives of our young graduates and the communities we serve.”

Prof. Moses Muhwezi (PhD), Acting Principal of Makerere University Business School, echoed his enthusiasm for this pivotal collaboration at a time when recent graduates confront limited opportunities to acquire industry-specific skills. He remarked, “Housing Finance Bank’s Graduate Trainee Program sets a commendable precedent for businesses nationwide and will undoubtedly have a substantial multiplier effect. Initiatives of this nature directly address the employability challenges faced by students who often lack the requisite skills. By providing essential training, this Program represents an invaluable contribution to shaping the future workforce. We sincerely thank Housing Finance Bank for its visionary commitment to this cause.”

While the Graduate Trainee Program partnership has started with Makerere University Business School, Housing Finance Bank envisions onboarding more universities and higher learning institutions to support Ugandans with clear opportunities for economic transformation and financial empowerment.

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Absa Bank has declined contributing towards the forthcoming King of Busoga Royal Wedding over earlier scheduled commitments in the period.

In a letter, Hellen Busuula, Absa marketing and customer Experience Director said, “We appreciate your request for Absa to attend and contribute towards the Royal Wedding scheduled to take place on Saturday, 18th 2023.”

She added, “Regrettably, we write to inform you that we are unable to support this request due to earlier commitments in the period. Thank you for choosing Absa Bank Uganda in this regard, and wishing the best in your preparations.”

The institution’s decision left citizens furious, saying that this was a negative reaction that will last more than it should and that Absa may lose business and close all branches in Busoga.

“The Basoga can confidently and collectively eliminate Absa from Busoga. Such concessions are good for business development, especially the local markets. If it was the white empire,we would see them offering but rather we see the contrary,” a one Ssetuba Felix tweeted.

Richard Ssbagala said that considering the fallout of Public Relations, he would choose not to respond at all. “I would give a token sum and still not put anything in writing,” he said.

He added that Absa should never put a rejection of a request from such a prominent or potential client in writing.

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