President Yoweri Museveni has cautioned members of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) Parliamentary caucus about using their own money in the areas they lead, saying it is a huge mistake which creates leaders who are indebted.

“You will get leaders who are indebted. Indebted leaders are dangerous,” President Museveni warned.

The President, in the company of the First Lady Janet Kataha Museveni, was today opening a 10-day NRM Parliamentary Caucus retreat at the National Army Leadership Institute (NALI) in Kyankwanzi.

He instead called upon the members to preach the NRM agenda for the socio-economic transformation of the people which is for all homesteads to engage in producing goods or services with calculation for sale which will in turn lead to prosperity for all. Government is currently pushing for all Ugandans to join the money economy through Parish Development Model (PDM), Emyooga, and other Wealth Creation programmes.

“Encourage people to modernize. Go from the traditional way of doing things to the modern way of doing things,” the President said.

President Museveni was happy to note that some Ugandans have started listening to the NRM message of socio-economic transformation citing the cattle corridor which has adopted dairy farming, Masaka which is into coffee growing and Kalangala which has embraced palm oil growing.

The Head-Of-State who doubles as the National Chairman of NRM also cautioned the members about blocking his developmental proposals as this delays development.

“Stop blocking my proposals. You are wasting time. By now, Uganda would be very far in development.” 

Furthermore, Museveni cautioned the NRM Caucus members to avoid the politics of identity and instead devote their efforts to the politics of interest noting that the politics of identity seeks to divide the people while the politics of interest brings the people together because it does not discriminate.

“Politics of identity against the politics of interest is what made the NRA differ from Kabaka Yekka party and UPC,” he noted. 

The retreat was called at the turn of two years since President Museveni was sworn in for a new term (2021-2026) whose electoral campaign catchphrase was “Securing Your Future.” The retreat is centered on the MPs involvement in Wealth Creation programmes, among other issues.

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Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja will on Monday be produced before the Anti-Corruption Court for channeling iron Sheets that were meant for the people of Karamoja.

A source told Eagle Online that police questioned her and concluded its investigations into the matter and forwarded her file to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecution (ODPP).

“Her file was forwarded to DPP last week and it was allocated to an independent prosecutor who went through it and a decision was made that she will on Monday appear before the court. Unlike other individuals involved in iron sheets, she will be granted bail that same day,” the source said.

The Source said following her interrogation at police CID, Nabbanja took some time off to mobilize her constituents in awake of the mooted plan to prosecute her.

This website learned that several ministers have their sureties and bank agents ready to deposit money for bail in case they are arraigned before court.

Last month, DPP Jane Frances Abodo revealed that her office is working on 40 files in relation to the abuse and diversion of the iron sheets that were meant for impoverished people in the Karamoja sub-region.

“We opened 40 files from the Vice president, MPs to Chief Administrative Officers- CAO. We are just investigating under which circumstances they received Iron Sheets and then we follow up if one says he gave it to church, we take responsibility and go to the church and ask them if they received iron sheets and then we make our decision,” She said.

At least three ministers including; Dr. Mary Goretti Kitutu, the minister of Karamoja Affairs and Woman MP for Manafwa; Minister of State for Finance, Planning and Economic Development Amos Lugoloobi and State minister in charge of Karamoja  Agnes Nadutu were charged and remanded for mismanagement of Karamoja roofing iron sheets.

Her January 12, 2023, an internal memo to the stores’ department at the OPM read in part, “During community mobilization and peace-building missions, I usually meet vulnerable groups and karuchunas (reformed warriors) who are willing to dissociate themselves from cattle rustling. As part of my intervention, I will be distributing iron sheets to such special vulnerable groups.”

Security operatives arrested Cotilda Kitutu, Michael Nabwaya, and Julius Wabule in February. The accused are the mother, brother, and nephew of Minister Kitutu. The three were allegedly selling OPM-branded iron sheets to residents of Namisindwa district, in eastern Uganda.

Nabbanja is one of the officials who benefited from the iron sheets. According to the information obtained by this website, state minister for primary education, Moriku Kaducu received 200 roofing iron sheets; former speaker Rebecca Kadaga 500; State minister for defence, Jacob Markson Oboth 300; Third Deputy Prime Minister, Rukia  Nakadama 300; Finance minister Matia Kasija 300; Kitutu Mary Gorreti 3000; Government Chief Whip, Obua Denis Hanson 300; Amos Lugoloobi 300; State Minister for Agriculture, Animal Industry, and Fisheries Bwiino Kyakulaga 300; State minister for Karamoja Agnes Nadutu 2300 and others.
Other beneficiaries include; Jessica Alupo- Vice President; Anita Among- Speaker of Parliament; Robinah Nabbanja- Prime Minister; Judith Nabakooba – Minister for Lands, Housing and Urban Development; Rose Lilly Akello – Minister for Ethics and Integrity.

Eagle Online understands that Nabakooba, Nandutu, Kasaija, and Among have returned their shares to the office of the Prime Minister- OPM stores Namannve.

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President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and President Samia Suluhu Hassan have commissioned the integration of the Ugandan and Tanzanian ICT backbone infrastructure in Isingiro District.

The monumental achievement brings both nations closer together in their pursuit of reliable and high-speed internet connectivity, which plays a pivotal role in driving socio-economic development and fostering innovation.

On March 16, 2023, the National Information Technology Uganda (NITA-U) through its parent Ministry embarked on a campaign to establish immediate contact with the Tanzania Telecommunications Company Limited (TTCL) to access affordable internet services through the Tanzanian National ICT Broadband Backbone.

In a remarkable physical bridging of the Uganda and Tanzania National ICT backbones, a pair of dedicated Fiber Optic Cables (FOC) were deployed at Mutukula, No Man’s Land, establishing an alternative route to the undersea cables through Tanzania.

The integration of the ICT backbone infrastructure is aimed at enhancing Internet Infrastructure, Promote Cross-Border Collaboration and Expand Digital Services.

Dr. Chris Baryomunsi, the Minister for ICT, expressed his immense pride in the successful commissioning of the integration of the Ugandan and Tanzanian ICT backbone infrastructure.

“This achievement symbolizes the unwavering commitment of both countries to progress, innovation, and inclusive development,” he said.

“Uganda and Tanzania share a common border and have a long history of friendly relations. Both countries recognize the importance of reliable and high-speed internet connectivity in driving socio-economic development and fostering innovation,” he said.

Museveni said this landmark milestone will serve as a catalyst for transformative change and ignite a new era of collaboration, connectivity, and prosperity for the people of Uganda and Tanzania.

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At least five bodies have been retrieved following Thursday’s mudslides in Buluganya Sub-County, Bulambuli District. The disaster was triggered by heavy rains in the area.

The deceased include; a couple, their two daughters, and a shelter-seeking neighbor. The mudslides buried their house as it rained for more than seven hours.

Two people have reportedly been admitted at Muyembe Health Centre IV. Other areas affected by the landslide include; Masugu, Namakere, Kagulu and Namagugu villages.

Since 2018, over 60 people have perished in landslides in Bukalasi Sub-County, Bududa District and other areas in the region.

In July 2018, President Yoweri Museveni commissioned the Bulambuli Resettlement Project in Eastern Uganda’s Bugisu Sub-Region. The resettlement project offers a home environment that will see the landslide affected people from the districts of Bududa, Bulambuli, Sironko, Manafwa and Namisindwa settle once and for all however several people have declined to leave due to fertile soils.

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The Prime Minister Robbinah Nabbanja has urged all African leaders and Businessmen to always give priority to products from their continent before thinking about exporting the same from foreign countries.

While representing President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni at African Liberation day celebrations at Kololo Air strip Kampala, Nabbanja expressed worry that there are some African countries exporting products and services that are produced within.

This year’s African Liberation day celebrations were held under the theme “Acceleration of AFCFTA Implementation to ensure the Economic Independence of Africa.”

“Why do you export products like Cheese, Ghee and butter, poultry products, fish, beef, peas beans and maize from Europe when your neighbors are producing the same products in surplus and moreover organic. As brothers and sisters, it’s important we talk about the Quality and quantity of our products rather than donating our opportunities to already developed economies when our economies are still struggling?” Nabbanja asked.

She called upon business communities in Africa to invest heavily in value addition on products to increase competitiveness.

“I would like to emphasize the need for each African country to exploit its comparative advantage so that we can collectively as a continent achieve self-reliance. Covid19 taught us a lesson that we can have a period when the whole world is locked and you have nowhere else to get essential products and services, therefore we need each other and together we shall succeed.”

At the same event, Nabbanja asked all individuals present to always remember and appreciate the contribution of African heroes and heroines who paid the ultimate price in the African peace support mission for peace and Security of the continent.

“African Liberation day is an important day in African history, this 60^th Anniversary is the opportunity to recognize the individuals who have contributed to political liberation.”

Dr. Mugabi Lubahamya,the National coordinator of Pan African Federights Movement, clarified that some people when they hear Pan Africanism they think of people that are racists or anti other races but Pan Africanism are pro Africa who are not against anybody else.

“We believe in a common brotherhood and sisterhood, we believe in the equality and justice of all humanity across the world.” Mugabi added

Gen Kahinda Otafiire, Chairman for Global Pan African Movement in his message read by Robert Musasasizi, Otafiire called upon all Africans to unite and help some African countries to gain total independence.

“Pan Africanism is currently facing a new form of challenges of scramble and petition by some super power countries; some parts of Sahara are under control of foreign Jihadists who are anti people and anti-democratic. We call upon all people to unite and support the struggle of Mali, Burkina Faso, Benin struggling to liberate their territories against Jihadists.”

He added that as Nkwame Nkrumah said on May 24, 1963, that if Africa is not united, the Neo Colonialists will always interfere in its military, Economy, Education, Agriculture, Health and Education. “Our economic infrastructure is in their hands through the International Monetary fund (IMF) and World Bank. The Neo Colonialists are using Non-Governmental Organizations to promote cultural imperialism like Homo sexuality and others.” he added

Kahinda Otaffire called upon all people to join Uganda which will be hosting the 8th Pan African conference which will take place in Kampala next year.

Participants called upon the Government through the Speaker of Parliament to declare this day as a Public holiday so that all people can always join these celebrations without any hindrance.

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