President Yoweri Museveni has congratulated Uganda People’s Congress candidate (UPC) Dr. Eunice Apio Otuko for winning Oyam by-election having defeated NRM’s flag bearer Engola.

“Congratulations to our allies, the UPC and for the candidate, Eunice Apio, for winning the Oyam by-elections. Congratulations also to the NRM and the candidate Engola Junior because the difference between the two was very small,” Museveni applauded.

However, he said if UPC cheated in any way, the NRM can follow the legal channels. He further condemned and demanded action against the law-breakers that are said to have ticked the ballots on behalf of the voters. And referred to the action as treason and urged NRM never to ever take part in that crime.

“It is the Opposition that has been doing that around Kampala, with the incompetent NRM officials failing to catch them. If the voters cannot do so genuinely and influence the choice of the candidates and Parties, then how can the People guarantee their future and discipline leaders? This is why the NRM went to the bush. Vote rigging, bribery, violence, lies, etc., must be banished from our elections,” Museveni said.

He insisted that all voting must be electronic, using the thumb prints to avoid the pre-ticking of the ballots.

Museveni said that UPC has been, in recent years, positive and not disruptive and so has Democratic Party been. Adding, “That is why I congratulate them, although I would have preferred the NRM to win. Nevertheless, both the UPC and the DP should pay attention to what I said at Icheme recently.”

Museveni regretted the sabotage of the Uganda National Congress (UNC) by the DP in 1954 and the sabotage of the UNLF in 1980 by the UPC and the DP, which denied Uganda a broad-based political force that could guarantee peace in Uganda, the way Tanu and Afro-Shirazi did in Tanzania. The two of them, again, since 1994 (the CA time), have been trying to sabotage the broad-based NRM but the People of Uganda have rejected their efforts.

“Therefore, the surviving UPC and DP members -people like Rwakasisi, John Kawanga, and Joyce Ssebugwawo (KY) – should sensitize their members about the historical mistakes that disadvantaged Uganda,” Museveni urged.

Stories Continues after ad

The Deputy Speaker of Parliament Thomas Tayebwa has mourned the late Apollo Nyegamahe alias Aponye and described him as a mentor and father figure.

“Mr. Apollo Nyegamehe’s death has deeply saddened us! Since we received the heartbreaking news last night and gathered at his residence in Lubowa, we have been unable to come to terms with this tragedy,” Tayebwa said.

Aponye lost his life in a tragic road accident along the Ntungamo-Mbarara Road in Itojo which involved two motor vehicles bearing registration numbers UBF 300Z (Land Cruiser) and UAZ 767D (FUSO).

Tayebwa described Aponye as a mentor and father figure, recalling their first meeting in Juba in 2008. Tayebwa acknowledged Aponye’s support not only in business but in all of his personal achievements.

He extended his heartfelt condolences to Aponye’s wife, Mrs. Vangi Nyegamehe, and their children, including Harold Nyegamehe, Brodis, Patience, Arvin, Lynette, Peter, Yvonne, Kevin, Jackie, Martina, and Annet.

Preliminary reports from the police indicate that the accident took place at around 9 pm when Aponye’s vehicle, a Land Cruiser with registration UBF 300Z, collided with a stationary Fuso Truck with registration UAZ 767D in Itojo along the highway.

According to SP Samson Kasasira, the spokesperson for the Rwizi Region Police, Aponye’s car was traveling towards Kabale when the driver lost control and crashed into the parked Fuso truck. The truck had encountered a mechanical problem and was stationed on the side of the busy road.

“The initial investigation reveals that the Land Cruiser, heading towards Kabale, collided with a stationary Fuso truck registered as UAZ 767D. The Fuso truck had encountered a mechanical problem and was parked alongside the road in Itojo along the Ntungamo-Mbarara Road,” SP Kasasira said.

Tragically, Aponye lost his life at the scene of the accident, while his driver and another passenger in the vehicle sustained critical injuries. They were promptly transported to Mbarara Hospital for medical treatment.

Stories Continues after ad

City businessman and proprietor of Aponye City Mall, Capital Shoppers, Mega Standard Supermarket and Aponye fleet trailer suppliers Apollo Nyegamahe has died in an accident on Kabale Mbarara road.

It is said that he died another family member.

Developing story

Stories Continues after ad

JINJA-The UPDF Deputy Chief of Personnel and Administration (D/CPA) Brig Gen Godfrey Kigozi has advised UPDF senior officers who are yet to retire this financial year to have a retirement plan with a positive mind in the new life they are to begin.

This was said at Gaddafi barracks Jinja cantonment where 99 officers from the rank of Major to Colonel were gathered for documentation and sensitization exercise.

“As you go for retirement, have a purposeful plan with a positive mind so that you can invest your retirement package wisely,” Brig Kigozi urged.

He further said that the purpose of this exercise is to offer financial literacy for retirees and for them to understand what they are signing for a smooth and transparent process.

 Brig Kigozi implored them to pay attention to the financial literacy lessons they will be taught and also to go and be good ambassadors to protect the good name of UPDF.

The commissioner human resource of the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs (MODVA) Mr. Cox Anguzu while addressing retirees said they have worked for their money and their money should now work for them, when they get the lump sum money which they should invest and save part of it.

Commissioner Anguzu advised them to avoid unnecessary spending and live in good health in order to live longer.

Col Kamurali who is one of the retiring officers thanked the UPDF for organizing such programs to enlighten them on the new life they are to begin.

He said, “Retirement begins the day you join the forces. The biggest problem to retirees however, has always been ignorance and lack of financial literacy which is no longer the case.”

The documentation for retiring General officers from the rank of Brigadier to General will be done in Mbuya on Monday July 10, 2023.

 The total number of UPDF officers retiring in this batch 13A from the rank of Major to General is 110.

Stories Continues after ad