The Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) Mountain division commander Maj Gen Dick Olum has assured all residents of Rwenzori region of security and stability of the region.

While officiating as the chief guest at the pipping ceremony of Uganda Police Force (UPF), officers of Rwenzori West elevated to higher ranks, Gen Olum dispelled rumours doing rounds that the districts of Rwenzori had been infiltrated by Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) rebels.

This was after earlier panics that went around leading the RDC Kyenjojo to order for closure of nightclubs and bars. “Let Mzee’s Bazukulu enjoy themselves, the UPDF, the police, working with other security agencies is here to protect you” Gen Olum said in his remarks.  “Disregard the rumours, though you must remain vigilant,” he counselled.

Gen Olum also warned security personnel who move around with guns in civilian clothes to reconsider their act as such acts help fuel rumours and cause fear in the ‘Wanainchi.’ He said when people see such a person, especially at night, rumours start circulating.

On the promoted officers, Gen Olum congratulated them and urged them to work even harder for the trust entrusted to them.  “You were not promoted because of your tribe, or colour. You were promoted because of hard work and discipline.  Promotion means service and working even harder. Let’s work together to protect the people”

Gen Olum thanked the regional police commander (RPC) Rwenzori West Assistant Commissioner of Police Norman Musinga for transforming the policing in the region. “The police here is different, it’s quick and proactive, it works with everyone, thank you Musinga”

The RCC Fort Portal city Mrs Catherine Tumwine thanked Gen Olum for sparing time from his busy schedule to come and attend the function. We know you came from DRC this morning, but you were here in time, we thank you for your commitment to the people of Rwenzori ” She said she also warned those misusing social media to cause fear amongst the ‘Wanainchi.’

The RPC Rwenzori west ACP Norman Musinga thanked Gen Olum for always being present whenever they called upon him. He pledged continued cooperation.

265 officers from the Rwenzori west region were elevated to different ranks. The function was held at the district police headquarters Kabarole located in the Fort Portal tourism city.

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Church of Uganda has distanced itself from the appointment of Erich Kasirye who is popularly referred to as the Chaplain of Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA).

The Church of Uganda Provincial Secretary, Rev. Canon Wiliam Ogeng, revealed that the church has never appointed anybody to KCCA as a Chaplain.

“As the Provincial Secretary of the Church of Uganda, I would like to make it very clear that the Church of Uganda has never appointed a Chaplain to KCCA. Kampala Diocese has not appointed a Chaplain to KCCA. Namirembe Diocese has not appointed a Chaplain to KCCA.”

“We don’t know any Chaplain on the staff of KCCA, and definitely don’t know Erich Kasirye. Erich Kasirye was originally ordained in Busoga Diocese and later however, Namirembe Diocese no longer considers him to be a priest of the Diocese. We don’t have any dealings with that person. He is no longer a priest of Namirembe Diocese.” The Diocesan Secretary said.

He added that Kasirye has been for long associated with the defrocked 2nd Bishop of West Buganda Diocese, Christopher Ssenyonjo, known for his active support of LGBTQ activities. (Ssenyonjo was defrocked in 2008 for presiding at a consecration as “Bishop” of a rebel priest into a non-existent denomination.)

“Kasirye worked with Ssenyonjo in his LGBTQ support organization because of the funding he got and, presumably, because he believed in the LGBTQ cause.” Rev. Canon Ogeng revealed.

He further added that Erich Kasirye is not an official spokesperson for the Church of Uganda. He is not a Communications Officer for the Church of Uganda. He was never appointed a Chaplain by any Bishop or Diocese under the Church of Uganda.

Rev Ongeng said that Erich Kasirye has a long history of deception and lack of integrity and the Church of Uganda distances herself from anything he says or writes and urges the public to not believe the lies he publishes in the media.

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The Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) Executive Director is under investigation by the Committee on Commissions, Statutory Authorities, and State Enterprises (COSASE) for misappropriating Shs12.5 billion shillings which occurred without obtaining the required clearance from the Secretary to the Treasury and approval from Parliament.

During a meeting on Tuesday, 18 July 2023 between the committee and the bureau, the Chairperson of the Board of UNBS, Charles Musekuura said that the Director, David Livingstone Ebiru had caused financial loss at the entity and was at the helm of corruption and numerous irregularities.

COSASE is scrutinizing the report of the Auditor General on the financial statements of UNBS for the financial year ended 30 June 2022.

According to Musekuura, UNBS maintains a collection account for money received from PVoC suppliers, a programme that involves inspecting and verifying goods through appointed inspection agents in the exporting country, which generates royalties.

However, he said that all funds from this account are intended to be transferred to the Consolidated Fund.

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

“The US$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.

He said that money moved from the PvOC account to a Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) account, a programme that was being run by the UNBS.  The account was meant specifically to receive money from donors.

Additionally, Musekuura commented on five members of staff who caused a financial loss of Shs9.2 billion and were still at the office to date.

Upon receiving information about staff involved in malpractice, the director initiated an internal investigations committee.

Subsequently, the investigations revealed that five individuals had a case to answer and the report was submitted to the director in October 2022.

However, the director ordered another investigation to ascertain the exact amount lost.

As a result, two implicated staff have since left the bureau while the other three are still in employment.
“The meeting resolved that the ED evaluates the report of the Shs9.3 billion and takes appropriate action given that it is not a disciplinary report; it was an investigations report. So that management meeting did not think that it would be a disciplinary matter,” he said.

Museruuka said when he attempted to find out what an appropriate action he took through a letter to the director, the infighting started.
He added that although the UNBS Council recommended a special audit related to the happenings at the bureau, the director couldn’t allow this.

When asked by the Committee Chairperson, Hon. Joel Ssenyonyi to explain what happened, the Director, Ebiru stated that indeed he had broken the law by appropriating money without clearance, but there was an urgent need.

“Our budget was cut by over Shs20 billion and it was core operating activities. I wrote to the Secretary to Treasury that this limits the bureau as it will not be able to meet staff obligations like payment of gratuity,” he said.

When asked by Ssenyonyi how much he spent at the source, Ebiru said he did not have the figures readily but pledged to provide them in the subsequent meeting.

Ssenyonyi said that Ebiru had asked for a supplementary budget of Shs27 billion, questioning whether this was the amount that he used at source since it is what he had asked for.

“I did what the chairman is not very happy with and of course, what is contrary to the Public Finance Management Act on the basis that I tried my best to keep the institution running rather than creating arrears for the government where I would personally be held liable, so these are legitimate expenditures,” he said.

Ssenyonyi ended the meeting, asking the bureau to provide all documentary evidence of the transactions including certified bank statements, official meeting minutes and letters and correspondences from the minister responsible.

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