The Anti-Corruption Court has issued an order for the arrest of the former Executive Director of Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) Livingstone Ebiru, for failure to appear before court.

He is required to appear in court on August 31, 2023, to address corruption charges.

Ebiru was last week sacked from the job for alleged bribing of UNBS board members with Shs100 million to keep his contract.

Appearing before the Parliamentary Committee on Commissions, Statutory Authorities, and State Enterprises (COSASE) last week, Ebiru admitted to bribing the entity’s board with Shs100 million to retain his job.

The committee is investigating Ebiru, the Executive for misappropriating Shs12.5 billion. During the committee proceedings, the Chairperson of the Board of UNBS, Charles Musekuura said that the Ebiru had caused financial loss at the entity and was at the helm of corruption and numerous irregularities.

He revealed that out of the total $4.9 million in the account, only $1.5 million had been sent to the consolidated fund, while the remaining $3.4 million was converted and utilised to support the bureau’s operations at its source under the authority of the director.

“The $3.4 million was used at the source which, to my understanding, was contrary to the law and I am mindful that whatever it is that I have to do at the bureau, I am guided by the law,” Musekuura said.

Stories Continues after ad

Government through Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning has signed a 10-year contract with Ithuba Holdings Limited to run Uganda National Lottery.

Through their local company, Ithuba Uganda Limited was issued with a license and this marked the start of business in Uganda.

Ministry of Finance through National Lotteries and Gaming Regulatory Board issued the licence to Ithuba Uganda Limited.

The Nation Lottery is one of the tools conducted by or on balf of the Ministry responsible for finance with a view of raising funds for defined purposes.

Finance Minister, Matia Kasaija welcomed issuance of signing of the national lottery agreement with Ithuba Uganda Limited. He said the above initiative shall support the implementation of the national budget, national development plan and good causes in areas of public infrastructures, education, health and sports development.

“Effective today, the government of Uganda will partner with Ithuba Uganda Limited to conduct the National Lottery for an exclusive period of ten years subject to annual licence conditions and fulfillment of conditions stated in the agreement and the laws of the Republic of Uganda” Minister Kasaija said at the signing ceremony that took place at the Ministry headquarters.

Kasaija further called on Ugandans to participate in National Lottery to enable government to achieve the above objectives.

Ithuba Uganda Limited board chairperson Bob Kabonero said the issuance of the licence and official signing of the partnership between Ithuba and Uganda Government is a significant milestone.

“The Uganda National Lottery signifies a new era of progress and possibilities with its multifaceted capacity to contribute to the gross domestic product, propagate job creation and wealth” Businessman Kabonero said.

He said in recognizing the youth as a driving force of this nation, they acknowledge that the National Lottery can play a pivotal role in nurturing underdeveloped yet widely cherished sectors that include recreational sports, the arts, and youth programmes.

NLGRB board chairperson Aloysius Mugasa Adyeri revealed that Ithuba Uganda Limited had secured irrevocable funding to fiancé the operation of the National lottery as it shall construct an in-country data centre.

“As a board, we are confident that the National Lottery shall contribute significantly to raising the required revenue for funding government programmes but also promote social responsibility through its operations”

NLGRB Acting Chief Executive Officer Mr Denis Mudene Ngabirano said the journey to bring Ithuba on board started in December 2021 in their quest for a suitable candidate to conduct the National Lottery.

“Our due diligence process was thorough and exhaustive.  We assessed Ithuba Uganda Limited’s track record, financial stability, expertise and their commitment to responsible gaming practices which has always been at the core of our mandate. We also scrutinized their operational procedures, security measures and player protection policies”. Mr Ngabirano said.

Stories Continues after ad

Parliament of Uganda is set to host the Sixth sitting of the National Youth Parliament on Friday August 11, 2023.

The sitting that is expected to bring together 250 participants will be held under n the theme, ‘Green skills for youth: Towards a sustainable world’.

The annual event that has been running since 2018 is organised by Faraja Africa Foundation with support from the European Union (EU) and the German Corporation for International Cooperation (GIZ).

While addressing the media on the upcoming event, the Chairperson of the Uganda Parliamentary Forum on Youth Affairs, Phiona Nyamutoro said the event will foster participation of youth in governance and democratic processes.

Nyamutoro, who is also the Female Youth Representative added that the deliberations from the National Youth Parliament will inform a petition that will be presented to the Speaker of Parliament.

“We look forward to hearing the voices of the young people amplified as well as getting their ideas centralised in government planning and processes,” said Nyamutoro.

She commended Faraja Africa Foundation for organising the event which she said makes the work of Youth MPs in Parliament easier through having voices channeled from the grassroots.

“Some of the resolutions that come out of the Youth Parliament get to the Floor of Parliament as motions and some are sent to committees for further scrutiny. The Speaker can also direct relevant ministries to take action on some of the matters,” Nyamutoro added.

The Executive Director of Faraja Africa Foundation, Emmanuel Wabwire said the event is an advocacy space that has hosted regional parliaments in different parts of the country ahead of the national sitting.

“One of the key things we believe in is amplifying young people’s voices, not speaking for them. We give them a platform to speak and advocate for the issues they face,” he said.

He also commended the Uganda Parliamentary Forum on Youth Affairs for leading the voices of the youth in Parliament.

“We also extend our gratitude to the Speaker and Clerk to Parliament for graciously granting us a safe space to advocate for youth matters,” Wabwire added.

He said that the theme focusing on climate change issues is a call on government and development partners to put resources and create opportunities for young people to get skills on tackling climate challenges.

Stories Continues after ad

Uganda Police Force (UPF) and Rajagiri Hospital based in Koch –India have partnered to provide specialized medical services to the personnel of the Uganda Police Force.

SCP Enanga Fred, Police Spokesperson revealed that a police delegation led by the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Martin Okoth Ochola will be travelling to Kochi -India, to finalize the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between the Uganda Police Force and Rajagiri Hospital.

SCP Enanga said that this is a significant welfare step, where Rajagiri hospital in fostering partnerships and cooperation with the UPF, will offer the medical services at very friendly rates.

“It is our vision that every police officer deserves the right to compassion, dignity, respect and comfort as they work,” Enanga said.

He added, “We are proud of this valuable partnership as it will add to our significant contributions to the UPF’s health services. The agreement will guarantee the delivery of the highest levels of advanced healthcare to the beneficiaries at Rajagiri Hospitals.”

He further revealed that Uganda Police is happy to fulfill its social responsibility obligations by providing and attending to the needs of the police staff. Arrangements will be made for the police officers requiring medical assistance and treatment to attain it at Rajagiri.

“The full details of the strategic partnership and framework for cooperation, between the UPF and Rajagiri Hospital, India, will be shared, after the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding,” he noted

Stories Continues after ad

The former presidential candidate Dr. Kiiza Besigye has revealed that there is a coup in the party, and it’s now moving on decrees. Besigye said while responding to the elders’ committee report which was released last week.
Currently there has been an ongoing battle between the Amuriat and Party Secretary General Nandala Mafabi and the former party President Dr Kizza Besigye. Besigye accuses Amuriat of getting money from the ruling party, the National Resistance Movement (NRM) to finance his campaigns.
Besigye said the task given to the FDC Elders Committee was strange. Their main task was to reconcile him and Nandala to bring harmony to the party.
“I did not have and don’t have any personal issues with Nandala Mafabi. In fact, until this money issue arose, I considered him not just a colleague but a friend. It was on that basis that he entrusted me with Shs 300 million. I told the Elders Committee that there are no issues between me and Nandala that merit reconciliation,” Besigye said.
“I pointed out to the National Council that formed the Committee and told them that the two things they needed to look at were where the money came from and the management of the party. I narrated to the Committee incidents from the time Nandala entrusted me with his Shs 300 million up to the time I reported to the National Council,” he said.
“Nandala told me he was giving me the money because he feared the revenue authority. They were demanding money from his companies and if he placed it on his accounts the authority would pounce on it and it would be difficult to recover it,” he stated.
He said; “I told Nandala that my home was not secure. My home is always being surrounded and sometimes searched. I told him I could not keep the money with. My first concern came with the arrival of the money. The money arrived at my home at 10 pm. Nandala rang me saying that “The other thing we talked about is about to arrive.”
“I asked him where the money was passing because there was a curfew at the time and people were not allowed to move. He told me not to worry and before long his driver alone handed me a big box of money. After failing to make progress with this Shs 300 million and after consulting with my colleagues on the problematic money, we had taken the decision to return it. However, there was the hullabaloo of elections going on,” he said.
He claimed that that money was later given back to the Nandala and team and they received it from his petrol station in Nsambya.

Stories Continues after ad