The Minister of Trade, Francis Mwebesa has suspended David Ebiru, UNBS boss for six months to pave way for investigations into allegations of bribing the Board with Shs100 million for extension of his contract, misappropriation of public funds and misconduct.

The Minister said before the Parliamentary Committee on Commissions, Statutory Authorities, and State Enterprises (COSASE).

Following the suspension, Joel Ssenyonyi, Chairperson COSASE asked Ebiru to comply with the suspension, so as to allow smooth flow of business at UNBS, as any interference may affect the Bureau’s mandate of ensuring minimum standards of good Ugandans consume.

In a twist of things, Ebiru withdrew his statement earlier made before the committee that he bribed the Board with Shs100 million for extension of his contract, saying the remarks were made out of anger and high animosity between him and the Board.

“I wish to formally submit to withdraw that statement because I took note that it offended many people and it was quoted out of context. So, the issue of offering my chairman Shs100M for protection as reported, I want to withdraw it formally, because I know it was recorded but I want to confirm that it was out of the environment we were operating in, high tempers, high animosity so it was really not intended to harm anybody,” said Ebiru.

The committee is investigating Ebiru, the Executive for misappropriating Shs12.5 billion. 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.

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The trial of Thomas Kwoyelo, a former commander of the rebel Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) has stalled because of lack of money. 

The revelation was made by Flavian Zeija, the Principal Judge. According to Zeija, the Permanent Secretary Pius Bigirimana claims there is money.

“Permanent Secretary has always said that there is no money to facilitate the trial of Thomas Kwoyelo and suspects. I told him that at least some money should be availed every quarter for such cases, ” he said. 

He said the Kwoyelo’ has stayed so long in court because he first contested his trial in the international Crimes Divisions of the High Court till the matter came back for pre-hearing and trial. 

Kwoyelo’s trial resumed on April 17, 2023 at the International Crimes Division of the High Court (ICD) sitting at Gulu High Court.

Having commenced the trial on September 24, 2018, the court had its first prosecution witnesses testify in March 2019 and since then trial sessions have been held periodically between Kampala and Gulu. 

Kwoyelo is grappling with 93 counts of murder, aggravated robbery, extensive destruction of property, causing serious injury to body or health, and inhumane treatment, rape and torture among others that he is averred to have committed against the civilian population of northern Uganda, southern Sudan and the northeastern regions of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

Kwoyelo was abducted by LRA on his way to school in 1987 and remained in captivity and later became Colonel.

The worst attack of the paramilitary group that was under the leadership of Joseph Kony occurred in Haute-Hele Province (DRC) in December 2008, the so-called Christmas massacre where over 200 were killed and over 800 houses razed down.

The rebels split up into groups to attack the villages of Faradje, Batande, Duru, Bangadi, and Burgi. They waited until people had gathered for Christmas festivities, then surrounded and killed them with axes, machetes, and clubs.

In March 2009, Kwoyelo was injured during hostilities between the Ugandan army and the LRA in DRC and brought into Uganda for medical treatment and subsequently into custody.

His trial however commenced in July 2011 before ICD, a division of Uganda’s High Court Constitutional Court resolved that the suspect’s trial should stop as it found grounds for the failure by the DPP and the Amnesty Commission to act on Kwoyelo’s application.

In 2015, Supreme Court decided that Kwoyelo trial should resume.

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Uganda seeks to increase trade with South Africa and invites businessmen with interest in East Africa to consider exploring Uganda’s various business and investment opportunities, the Uganda High Commission in Pretoria said.

The country invites businesses to explore investment in sectors such as agribusiness, infrastructure, real estate, recoverable oil and gas, copper, gold, cobalt, limestone, and various other minerals among others.

Other key sectors of the Ugandan economy include the processing of agricultural products, the manufacturing of light consumer goods and textiles, and the production of beverages.

“The Uganda High Commission in Pretoria is delighted to extend an invitation to South African businesses and entrepreneurs to participate in a trade mission to Kampala, Uganda. This trade mission, organized in collaboration with Wesgro and the Agribusiness Development Corporation, presents an excellent opportunity to explore trade and partnership potentials in Uganda”, said High Commissioner of Uganda to South Africa Paul Amoru.

As part of Wesgro’s international trade and outward investment mission programme for 2023/24, Uganda seeks to foster bilateral relations and uncover new avenues for trade and investment between South Africa and Kampala.

With a strong focus on the agricultural sector, Amoru said the mission will provide networking sessions and business-to-business meetings tailored to the specific areas of interest for the participating delegates.

“The importance of agriculture cannot be overstated, as it employs 72% of the workforce in the Western Cape and contributes to 24% of the region’s gross domestic product (GDP), he said, adding that Uganda provides tremendous potential for South African businesses looking to expand their operations internationally.

South African exports to Uganda have primarily consisted of apples and pears, valued at USD 1.87 million, which accounts for 13.53% of all exports from the Western Cape. Wine exports rank second at a value of USD 1.80 million (12.85%), followed by agricultural crop protection products such as insecticides, rodenticides, fungicides, herbicides, and anti-sprouting products, valued at USD 1.22 million (8.81%). Together, these three categories make up 35.19% of the total product exports.

Ambassador Amoru pledges to deepen bilateral ties and promote commercial & economic diplomacy.

He reiterates that Uganda has established firm frameworks of cooperation with key departments of South Africa through the Department of International relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) to Promote trade and investment. Uganda and South Africa have now signed many agreements including Agreement on the promotion and protection of investments, Agreement on Bilateral trade, agreements establishing Joint Commission of Cooperation (JCC), MoU on cooperation on tourism, MoU on cooperation in Transport related matters and MoU on cooperation in the field of ICT among others.

The trade mission to Uganda will undoubtedly create a platform for South African businesses to establish valuable connections, explore trade partnerships, and unlock new avenues of growth in the Ugandan market.

The mission will investigate opportunities for outward investment in Uganda and establish firm trade relations with companies and other key strategic partners. The objective of matching South African and Ugandan businesses for possible partnership and enhancing trade and investment flow between our two countries.

This follows an inaugural session of the Uganda-South Africa trade, tourism and investment summit hosted by DTIC from 27th to 28th February, 2023 at Gallagher Convention Center in Midrand, Gauteng on the sidelines of the State Visit of President Museveni to South Africa from 28th to 1st March, 2023 on the invitation of President Ramaphosa.

In June 2023, Wesgro hosted in collaboration with the Uganda High Commission a significant Business Forum in Cape Town, where potential investors committed to participate in this scheduled trade mission to Uganda now confirmed to run from 25th to 30th September 2023. This mission is expected to involve the participation of over 50 companies. The Uganda High Commission in Pretoria, in partnership with Wesgro and the Agribusiness Development Corporation, encourages South African businesses to express their interest in participating in this trade mission or request further information by contacting the Ugandan High Commission

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President Yoweri Museveni has directed that former Archbishop of Mbarara Diocese, His Grace Paul Bakyenga be accorded an official burial.

The directive has been revealed today by the Prime Minister, Robinnah Nabbanja in a letter as she offered sincere condolences on behalf of the Government to the Catholic Church, the bereaved family, friends and all the people of Uganda upon the death of the Emeritus Archbishop of Mbarara, His Grace Paul Bakyenga which occurred on July 18, 2023.

“H.E the President of the Republic of Uganda, Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has granted Archbishop Bakyenga an official Burial in honour of his contribution to our country,” Nabbanja revealed.

Nabbanja added that Archbishop Bakyenga was a humble and dedicated servant of the Lord, who touched many lives through his spiritual work.

“He significantly contributed to the development of the Church and our and our country. Archbishop Bakyenga has left a strong legacy and will be fondly remembered. May his soul rest in eternal peace,” She said.

The body of Paul Kamuza Bakyenga, will be laid to rest on Sunday within the sacred confines of Nyamitanga Cathedral in Mbarara City.

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Doctor Eunice Apio Otuko has been sworn in as the new Member of Parliament for Oyam North County.

Accompanied by the Jimmy Akena, one of the faction leaders of Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) and other party members, Otuko was sworn in during the plenary, chaired by the Speaker Anita Among.

On July 7, 2023, Oyam District Returning Officer Richard Onoba declared Otuko as the newly elected Oyam North County legislator.

She defeated the National Resistance Movement’ (NRM) Samuel Engola Okello, the son to the deceased State Minister of State for Labour late Col. Charles Okello Engola Macodogo, National Unity Platforms’ (NUP) Daniel Okello and the Forum for Democratic Change’s (FDC) Newton Freddy.

The Oyam North Parliamentary seat fell vacant following the death of Okello Engola on May 2, 2023.

Engola was on May 2, 2013 shot and killed by his bodyguard, Pte Wilson Sabiiti at his residence in Kyanja, a Kampala suburb. The killer fired several shots at close range before fleeing the scene up to the trading center where he entered a salon and shot himself dead.

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