The Uganda Cancer Institute (UCI) will introduce a ‘Cancer screening programme for corporates’ to cater for individuals who, due to busy work schedules, find it difficult to spare time for regular health checks.

Mulago’s pledge for the new initiative follows engagements during last week’s International Breast Cancer Awareness Day, with Stanbic Bank Uganda and the Uganda Cancer Institute (UCI) management.

“We would like to introduce the corporate screening initiative to help bring the services nearer to corporate employees with busy working schedules such as Members of Parliament, bankers, and others,” Dr Israel Luutu, a representative of the Executive Director at the facility said.

Stanbic Bank donated two beds and Pap smear kits that are used to collect cervical cell samples to aid early cervical cancer testing.

While handing over the equipment, Diana Ondoga the Stanbic Bank Uganda Manager for Corporate Social Investment (CSI) said, “the adage that prevention is better than cure is one we very much support and wish to encourage with this modest contribution.

“We are proud of our sustained partnerships with the Ministry of Health to compliment government efforts to finding solutions to our challenges—the idea of a cancer screening initiative for the corporates, when implemented, will further facilitate early testing and we are glad to have the opportunity to be a part of the solution,” she said.

Sarah Nansikombi Lubega, the Manager—Women Banking at Stanbic Bank said, “on this day to mark the International Breast Cancer Awareness Day, we felt it worthy to lend a helping hand in light of a recent appeal by UCI to support its capacity to support the increasing number patients seeking cancer care, 45% of whom, we are informed, are female.”

Lubega emphasized the importance of awareness as a vital starting point in the battle against cancer.

“Knowing more about cancer can also help individuals and their loved ones better understand the physical, emotional, and psychological impacts of a diagnosis,” she said.

As part of its CSI activities, Stanbic Bank supports improving healthcare in Uganda. Last week, the lender, in partnership with Parliament of Uganda, donated over 4,000 Mama Kits to the Ministry of Health to be distributed across different regions in the country to improve access to maternal health services of pregnant women.

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Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) have agreed to remove visa requirements for entry at their respective borders.

At the event held on Saturday, October 14, in Kinshasa, Ugandan Minister for East African Affairs Hon Rebecca Kadaga, and Antipas Nyamwisi, the Minister for Regional Affairs of the DRC, issued a joint statement in which they agreed to waive entry visa fees, promoting the unfettered movement of people across their borders.

President Yoweri Museveni late last year had instructed Ugandan authorities to cease the practice of requiring visas from Congolese citizens entering the country.

He emphasized that crossing East African borders should be unrestricted. The directive followed complaints from locals who were being charged $2.68 (approximately UGX 10,000) for entry into the DRC and the same amount for Congolese entering Uganda.

The proposed implementation of the JPC’s recommendation is expected to facilitate trade among citizens of both countries, especially those residing in border areas.

In order to put the meeting’s proposals into effect, they have also concurred to establish a permanent joint follow-up committee within three months, which will be responsible for generating quarterly progress reports.

Officials from both sides have concurred on the necessity of strengthening their bilateral relations to more effectively address the challenges confronting both nations and enhance the well-being of their populations.

The central objective of the meeting was to pinpoint emerging issues, foster new areas of cooperation, and simultaneously evaluate the execution of numerous bilateral agreements that both countries have entered into. In his opening remarks, John Mulimba, the State Minister for Foreign Affairs for Regional Cooperation, commended the DRC government for its support to Uganda in the realm of peace and security, including the ongoing Operation Shujaa.

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The Norwegian government has announced that it will close its embassies in Uganda and Guangzhou, China in 2024.

In a statement, the Norwegian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Anniken Huitfeldt, said the move is part of the government’s ongoing assessment of its foreign service to best safeguard its development policy priorities in line with available resources.

According to the government, the missions will be closed in 2024 while the diplomat positions from these two missions will be redirected to other Norwegian diplomatic and consular missions.

“In a rapidly changing world, it is essential for us to have diplomats in the places where they can monitor global issues that have implications for Norway and promote Norwegian positions. At the same time, we must continually assess where it is best to maintain a presence in order to safeguard Norwegian interests optimally with the resources we have,” Minister Huitfeldt is quoted as saying in a statement on the official government website.

The government says as part of the changes, Norway will have fewer, but more robust Foreign Service missions while more diplomatic staff will be posted to the Norwegian Embassies in Accra, Addis Ababa, Dar es Salaam, Kinshasa and Nairobi “in order to strengthen efforts in priority areas such as food security, business development and regional security in Africa.”

Their Embassy in Beirut will be given a new diplomatic position dedicated to working with aid to Syria.

The Norwegian Embassy in Kampala is responsible for representing Norway in Burundi and Rwanda. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it is now working on solutions to safeguard Norway’s diplomatic representation in these countries once the Embassy in Kampala is closed.

Starting in 2024, the Norwegian Embassy in Beijing and the General Consulate in Shanghai will be responsible for tasks currently carried out by the Consulate General in Guangzhou, they said.

However, the minister said the development cooperation with Uganda will continue.

Norway provides substantial aid to Uganda. In 2022, Uganda received NOK 382 million in earmarked funds from Norway for efforts in priority areas such as civil society, education, energy, refugees and women’s rights.

“The closure of the Embassy in Kampala does not mean that Norwegian aid to the country will be discontinued, or that there will be less focus on the rights of women and minorities. The decision has been taken based on an assessment of the Foreign Service’s overall resources,” the minister said.

“Norway will continue to invest significantly in development cooperation with Uganda through its civil society partners and multilateral organisations. We will also maintain our engagement in promoting human rights in the country, particularly the rights of women and minorities,” said Minister of International Development Anne Beathe Tvinnereim.

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Vivo Energy Uganda, the exclusive distributor of Shell-branded fuels and lubricants in the country, unveiled its exciting ‘Bikula Bonnet and Win’ promotion, in partnership with Shell Helix motor oils.

‘Bikula Bonnet,’ which translates to ‘open your car bonnet,’ is designed to reward over 15,000 motorists with instant prizes when they either top up their engine oil or service their vehicles with Shell Helix motor oils.

Rebecca Nassiwa, the Lubricants Brand Manager of Vivo Energy Uganda, emphasized the superior engine cleanliness, improved fuel economy, and enhanced engine performance provided by Shell Helix motor oils for a wide range of vehicles.

As part of this ten-week promotion, customer champions at Shell service stations nationwide will encourage motorists to open their bonnets for engine oil level checks, assess oil quality, and review service history. Customers who choose Shell Helix motor oils for their top-up or servicing needs will automatically qualify for instant prizes, including fuel top-ups, car service discounts, and exclusive Shell Helix merchandise.

Johan Grobbelaar, the Managing Director of Vivo Energy Uganda, highlighted the company’s commitment to rewarding loyal customers for their preference for Shell Helix motor oils. He invited all drivers to visit participating Shell stations, top up or service their vehicles with Shell Helix, and seize the opportunity to win fantastic prizes.

Beyond the promotion, Vivo Energy Uganda looks forward to enhancing customer satisfaction by improving vehicle performance and delivering extraordinary experiences. They encourage all motorists to discover the exceptional benefits of Shell Helix motor oils and transform their driving experience.

The Shell Helix ‘Bikula Bonnet and Win’ promotion will run throughout October and the festive season. Get ready to enjoy the rewards and benefits of Shell Helix motor oils for your vehicle.

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The Uganda Civil Aviation Authority has temporarily suspended all study tours to Entebbe International Airport citing congestion due to increasing numbers and the on-going expansion works.

The announcement has been revealed by Vianney Mpuuga Luggya the Manager Public Affairs at Uganda Civil Aviation Authority

Vianney Mpuuga said, “Owing to a growing number of users of the facilities at Entebbe International Airport and in light of the on-going expansion works, which have led to condoning-off of some areas of the car parking, study tours have been temporarily suspended to reduce on the congestion.”

Vianney Mpuuga added that the move is aimed at enhancing service provision as the facilities are being upgraded for a better passenger experience.

“Members of the public will be informed as soon as the suspension of study tours is lifted. We regret the inconvenience caused,” he noted.

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A city businessman and company director at Taifa Partners Limited, Emmanuel Asiimwe was yesterday October 11, 2023 arraigned before Buganda Road Chief Magistrate and pinned for forging and uttering false documents.

The trial which was postponed on September 26, 2023 after Asiimwe changing a lawyer, the proceeding kicked off despite the accused lawyer raising unsubstantiated concerns to adjourn the matter. Having failed to convince the Chief Magistrate, the trial started at 11:30am with the first witness and former shareholder Charles Okello telling the fully parked court that while he was upcountry doing official work for the company, his co-director Asiimwe forged his signature and made special company resolutions without his knowledge. The certified documents were submitted to His Worship Ronald Kayizzi and put on court record.

Okello, a former worker at Asiimwe’s other company, Integrated Agritech Uganda Ltd as a mechanical engineer was appointed director after he bought 5 percent shares in Taifa Partners Ltd. He told court that after allotting him 5 shares, 10 shares were also allotted to Assa Tumwesigye (also director with powers of attorney) and Asiimwe was appointed the Managing Director with 85 shares in the company.

While serving as the Managing Director, he made a special resolution on November 23, 21 and appointed Okello a company secretary. After a short time, he made another resolution transferring the 10shares meant for Tumwesigye to himself. He possibly did this to acquire 95 percent shares possibly to make it difficult for other shareholders to demand for a poll in making decisions. As an MD with a sole signatory role, he accessed all the company accounts. At some point, Asiimwe recalled Okello from upcountry and told him to raise money so that they further grow the company to which the latter was not in position to do. Asiimwe coerced him to sell his 5shares and they were allotted them to another investing company, Dapanti Union whose directors were not mentioned in court. With Okello and Tumwesigye ceasing to be directors at Taifa Partners Limited, Dapanti Union came on board. Later Okello was stripped of the role of company secretary. He continued working as a mere company mechanical engineer till February this year when he ceased to have any business with Taifa Partners Ltd.

However, around August this year, Tumwesigye whose shares were transferred through a special resolution without his knowledge confronted Okello and blamed him for conniving with Asiimwe to revoke the powers of attorney to sign contracts with Uganda Prisons and Rwimi Agro processing plant.

 It was at this point that forgery was detected, Okello started realizing that most of the documents carried his name as company secretary with a forged signature since he would not even be in Kampala at the time the documents were signed.

On landing some documents with his name and a forged signature, he gave instructions to a law firm to dig up other documents from various offices including URSB. To his utter shock more than 5 documents that were tendered in court without Asiimwe’s lawyer objection were forged.

Tumwesigye also petitioned the URSB and a ruling to reinstate his powers of attorney was made. On August 11, 2023, the matter came up before Solomon Mulisa of Companies at the Uganda Registration Services Bureau and upon reading the petition, the declarations in support, reply and rejoinder and perusing the written arguments the petitioner’s lawyer, the petitioner (Tumwesigye) succeeded on merit. It was ordered that “…the special resolution dated July 15, 2022 appointing Emmanuel Asiimwe as authorized representative for the contract awarded by Uganda Prisons Services for the construction and commissioning of a grain processing and storage plant facility at Ibuga Prisons Farm and registered on July 20, 2022 together with Powers of Attorney registered on July 20, 2022 under instrument no. G22070-6077 be expunged from the register and rendered to be of no legal effect. The powers of Attorney registered on August 31, under instrument no. G210831-4681 in favor of Assa Tumwesigye be reinstated for having been unlawfully revoked. As the trial kicks off, Asiimwe remains in trouble since forging resolutions to give self, powers of attorney – once prosecuted well may attract a life sentence. The matter was adjourned pending Okello’s cross-examination to November 6. 2023.  

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