Many prison systems are struggling to cope, with overcrowding, inadequate resources, limited access to healthcare and other support services, violence and drug use. In 2021, the estimated numbers of people in prisons increased by 24% since the previous year to an estimated 10.8 million people, increasing the strain on already overstretched prison systems.
Drug use is prevalent in prisons. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime estimates that in some countries up to 50% of people in prisons use or inject drugs. Unsafe drug injecting practices are a major risk factor for the transmission of HIV and hepatitis C due to limited access to harm reduction services, including condoms, clean needles and syringes, and a lack of comprehensive drug treatment programs, particularly opioid agonist therapy.
People in prison are 7.2 times more likely to be living with HIV than adults in the general population. UNAIDS reports that HIV prevalence among people in prisons increased by 13% since 2017, reaching 4.3% in 2021. Although data are limited, it is thought that around one in four of the total prison population has hepatitis C.
“Access to healthcare, including harm reduction services, is a fundamental human right, and no one should be denied that right because they are incarcerated,” said Eamonn Murphy, UNAIDS Regional Director for Asia Pacific and Eastern Europe and Central Asia. “Prisons are too often ignored in countries’ efforts to respond to HIV. A multi sectoral, multifaceted approach is urgently needed to save lives, which includes access to clean needles and syringes, effective treatment for dependence on opioid drugs and reducing stigma and discrimination.”
A powerful Permanent secretary in one of the ministries is in love with a media and communications boss of one the government agencies.
Sources close to the two reveal that they have even produced a child together. The PS who hails from central Uganda is said to be love with this lady who is also close to a powerful family in the country. The lady who in love hails from Western Uganda. She is reportedly to have left her earlier marriage with someone from a prominent family in Ankole.
The lovebirds have recently been travelling abroad together to enjoy themselves without the knowledge of the PS’ wife.
The Constitutional Court in Kampala has today nullified the whole of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act 2015 which also prohibited the sale and use of several narcotic and cannabis drugs in Uganda.
In his ruling, Justice Muzamiru Mutangula Kibeedi said, “In the premises, I would declare the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (Control) Act, 2015 null and void for lack of quorum on the part of parliament contrary to articles 88 and 89 of the Constitution and rule 23 of the Rules of Procedure of the 9th Parliament, 2012 made, pursuant to articles 88 and 94 of the Constitution.”
The decision followed a petition raised by farmers of Miraa in 2017 against the law that described the crop as a narcotic drug and consequently banned it in the country.
The farmers of the miraa under their association, Wakiso Miraa Growers and Dealers Association Ltd, petitioned the Constitutional Court seeking for overturning of the decision of parliament which they said was inconsistent with principles of legality, equality, rationality and proportionality guaranteed under the constitution since they were never consulted.
Both Cannabis and Miraa dealers argued that they were aggrieved over the manner in which the law seeks to prohibit the cultivation, possession, consumption, sale, purchase, warehousing, distribution, transportation, exportation, importation and other dealings in the crop arguing that this decision was not backed up by any evidence, scientific or otherwise.
On Friday, the Constitutional Court ruled that the manner in which the entire law was enacted was illegal and the only remedy was repealing it.
According to the panel of five justices including the Deputy Chief Justice, Richard Buteera, Justice Stephen Musota, Justice Muzamiru Mutangula Kibeedi, Justice Irene Mulyagonja and Justice Monica K . Mugyenyi the rules of procedure in parliament require for a quorum before any bill is passed, adding that the rules also provide for what constitutes the quorum and the obligation of the speaker in confirming its existence.
“At the stage of voting, the bill must receive the sufficient number of votes in order for it to be lawfully passed. The sufficient number of votes is prescribed by Article 89(1) of the Constitution. They comprise the majority of the quorum.”
The Justices of the Constitutional Court therefore ruled that any bill passed without the above procedure being followed is null and void.
“I have already established that from the above evidence before this court, the speaker failed to ascertain the quorum as required by rule 23(3) of the rules of procedure of the 9th parliament, 2012. I have also made a finding that the evidence before court supported the petitioners’ claim that there was no quorum at the time of passing the bill for the enactment of the act,” Justice Kibeedi ruled.
While repealing the law, Justice Kibeedi said that the evidence before this court was that said provisions of the impugned Act were not handled by Parliament independent of the rest of the provisions of the Act.
“As such, there is nothing about the impugned Act to be saved,” he ruled.
The Electoral Commission has set June 14, 2023, as a day for the Bukedea LCV Chairperson by-election, following the death of Moses Olemukan.
During the electoral programme, the Commission will also fill positions of Councillors in Local Government Councils in the district where vacancies exist.
The by–election programme will commence with an update of the National Voters’ Register from Monday 8th to Friday 12th May 2023 at update stations in each of the one hundred and fifty-two (152) parishes and wards in Bukedea District.
The Commission has appointed Friday 12th May 2023 as the cut-off date for applying for registration as a voter and for transfer of voting location in the district. The registration and transfer of voters from one polling station to another within Bukedea District will not take place after Friday 12th May 2023.
The display of the Voters’ Register will be conducted for a period of ten (10) days, that is, from Wednesday 17th May to Friday 26th May,2023, at all the one hundred and eighty (180) polling stations in Bukedea District.
The Display of Parish Tribunal Recommendations for deletion from/or inclusion on the Voters Register will be conducted for six (6) days, that is, from Friday 26th to Wednesday 31st May 2023 at the respective Parish/Ward Headquarters.
The nomination of candidates will be conducted on Monday 5th and Tuesday 6th June, 2023 at the Office of the District Returning Officer, Bukedea.
Nominated candidates will conduct campaign meetings for six (6) days, that is, from Wednesday 7th to Monday 12th June 2023.
The polling District Female Workers Councillor and the Sub-county Male Youth Councillor representing Kocheka Sub-county, will be conducted on 13th June 2023, and shall be by the Electoral College.
Polling and tallying of results for by-election of the District Chairperson, Bukedea; the District Directly-elected Councillor for Bukedea Sub County; the Sub County Woman Councillor for Mukongoro Sub County and the Sub County Directly-elected Councillor for Kotiokot Sub County, will be conducted on Wednesday 14th June 2023, at all polling stations in the affected electoral areas.
The District Chairperson seat for Bukedea District fell vacant following the death of the former Chairperson, Moses Olemukan on 17th December 2022, while the other Local Government vacancies occurred due to resignation of the elected Councillors.
The Africa Road Builders Selection Committee has named Madagascar’s President Andry Rajoelina, the winner of the prestigious Babacar Ndiaye Trophy, for his commitment to infrastructure development in the island state. He succeeds Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu, who won the award in 2022.
According to a press release by the Committee, members chose President Rajoelina at a meeting held in Dakar on 28 April 2023, “for his personal leadership, commitment and investment to provide Madagascar with mobility infrastructure fully aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals.”
The committee cited the construction of the Iarivo ring road, the highway encircling the capital Antananarivo, as the symbol of sustainable mobility infrastructure built by the Malagasy leader. The highway has pedestrian and cycling lanes alongside the roadways. It also has secure bus stops and garbage drop-off points.
The works also include the expansion of Iarivo airport, including facilities for people with reduced mobility and improved car parks. Rajoelina’s investments also span strengthening transport connectivity in rural areas.
President Rajoelina will receive his trophy on 26 May 2023, on the sidelines of the Annual Meetings of the African Development Bank Group in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt,” according to the press release.
Sponsored by the African Development Bank Group, the Babacar Ndiaye Trophy, also known as the Super Prize, is awarded by Acturoutes, a platform providing information on Africa’s infrastructure and road network and the organization Media for Infrastructure and Finance in Africa (MIFA), a network of African journalists specializing in road infrastructure.
The award was created in honor of Babacar Ndiaye, president of the African Development Bank Group, from 1985 to 1995. Each year, the Africa Road Builders Selection Committee assesses ambitious realized projects that impact the mobility of people in Africa.
Past winners of the award, since its launch in 2016, were Heads of State from Morocco, Zambia, Côte d’Ivoire, Ethiopia, Gabon (2016), Senegal, Rwanda (2017), Kenya (2018), Gambia (2019), Egypt (2020), Nigeria (2021) and Tanzania (2022).
Government seeks to borrow Shs852 billion to rehabilitate the Kampala- Malaba meter gauge railway.
The new loan offer from the African Development Bank working in concert with the Corporate Internationalization Fund of Spain comes with a Shs221 billion grant.
In 2021, Parliament approved a running loan amounting to £327 million for the same purpose but a letter from the African Development Bank (ADB) informed the government that under the same terms, a new facility worth Shs852 billion is available.
With the new offer, cabinet, in a letter to Speaker Anita Among written by Acting Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, Hon. Henry Musasizi, states that, the old running loan is to be stopped since the terms are similar, and the new one adopted.
“In light of the above, this ministry proceeded to Cabinet to rescind the earlier approval and authorize the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development to seek the authorisation of Parliament to approve the amended proposal and consider making changes to the Resolution of Parliament dated 11 May 2022,” said Musasizi, in a letter to Speaker Among.
The loan request has been sent to the Committees of Physical Infrastructure and National Economy for scrutiny.
The new offer from ADB comes after the bank upped Uganda’s debt sustainability status from low risk to “moderate risk of debt distress”, according to Mr. Augustine Ngafuan, who made the new offer to Uganda on behalf of the continental lender.
The Attorney General, Hon. Kiryowa Kiwanuka okayed the new arrangement but hinged his approval of the loan on the Ministry of Finance obtaining new authorization from Parliament.
After hitting a deadlock with financiers over the proposed construction of the Standard Gauge Railway due to unfriendly terms and exorbitant interest rates, government chose to, in the interim, resuscitate the old railway and also utilize Lake Victoria as a viable alternative corridor for bulk transportation, especially of petroleum products and imports.
In a first, Speaker Among said there is need to have the request scrutinized by two committees to harmonise positions and ease the work of the whole House.
She further asked the committees to expeditiously process the request.
Hudu Hussein has today assumed office as the new Masaka City Resident City Commissioner (RCC)
He has been in Lwengo as the Resident District Commissioner since November 2022.
“I have officially assumed office as the RCC of Masaka City today. I thank the appointing authority for trusting me with the opportunity to serve the people of Buddu,” Huddu said.
He added, “Together, we shall advance economic growth and security of persons and property in our city.”
Prior to his transfer to Lwengo, Hudu was in Yumbe District serving in the same office for about eight months having seen a massive reshuffle from being Kampala’s Resident City Commissioner (RCC) in March 2022.
Hudu Hussein as RCC for Kampala is remembered for having ordered all street vendors and hawkers to vacate the Kampala streets in January 2022 in attempts to decongest the capital city.
The 3rd Division Commander of Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF), Brig Joseph Balikudembe has left office in Karamoja as he prepares to undergo a strategic course at the National Defence College – Uganda.
Balikudembe who commanded and controlled the division covering greater Eastern Uganda since 2019, is among the army generals and senior officers who were recently nominated and announced by the UPDF strategic leadership to undertake the prestigious course at National Defence College, Uganda (NDC-U) Intake 02. “I am so proud and happy for this rare gesture extended to me by the strategic leadership in my career development. I can’t wait as this has been my lifetime dream, which has come true,” said the excited General.
National Defence College – Uganda (NDC-U) is the highest military institution of learning in Uganda where policy analysis and ground strategy formulation for strategic security, stability and prosperity take place. The course is a career undertaking in leadership development and is done by commanders identified to take on key positions and responsibilities in government and other institutions.
During his tenure as the Division Commander and chairperson of the disarmament committee, Brig Balikudembe is credited for overall command, control and coordination in the conduct of disarmament operations making significant strides with 1,128 and 11,177 guns and ammunition recovered respectively since 2019.
He will always be remembered for overseeing one of the most recent (April 2023) bloodless operations against the Turkana armed pastoralists where the joint security forces recovered 31 guns at Lokiriaut village, Nadunget Sub County in Moroto district.
The joint security concept notes that if it was not for rearmament stemming from the neighbors (Turkana, Pokot and Toposa) criminal elements who trade in small arms proliferation, the security situation would be much better and desirable.
Balikudembe leaves at a time when local leaders through inter-district security meetings are on board in the fight against the criminality of armed cattle rustling.
As he spearheaded the security mobilization, the resolutions and outcome are bringing about peaceful co-existence among the Karamojong, Iteso, Bagisu and Sabin communities. As a result of various security meetings, tension among some local leaders who used not to see eye to eye has been diffused. Relatedly, some livestock recoveries are being made by the locals themselves without the involvement of security forces.
On the other hand, Brig. Balikudembe is well known for having no compromise with some local leaders who would plead for the premature release of their relatives caught committing crimes.
Brig. Balikudembe has been instrumental in cross-border security engagement and mechanisms with Turkana County leadership to end gun violence and foster harmonious co-existence among the pastoralist communities.
Prior to his official departure, he served as the chairperson of the Joint Defence Committee (JDC), a security panel between Uganda and Kenya that is tasked to formulate concepts and possible deployment of the regional force. Recently, the JDC recommended the need to align security forces to coordinate and synchronize actions against livestock rustling including deployments by Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) in Lokiriama, Orumu, Nakitongo in Turkana County as well as Konyao and Alale in West Pokot County to curtail proliferation of small arms.
As joint security forces (UPDF, UPF, ASTU, UPS and intelligence agencies), we thank him for his stewardship and leadership role that have enabled cohesion and positive direction for the right course. We pray for the Almighty to bless and grant him good health and much wisdom while on course and in other assignments as the leadership will deem fit.
The UPDF strategic leadership looks forward to seeing smooth continuity of the disarmament operations in the Karamoja Sub-region.
Marie Stopes in partnership with Dfcu Bank has successfully concluded a one-month wellness campaign aimed at offering free medical check-ups and financial literacy training women entrepreneurs
The initiative called ‘Every Stage of Woman’ which was run under the Dfcu Women in Business program started at the beginning of April and benefited over 150 women over its 1-month duration.
Ruth Asasira, Dfcu Bank’s Manager Women in Business and Special Program welcomed the attendees and expressed her appreciation for the participants who spared their time to attend the medical camp and financial training.
“We are delighted to have partnered with Marie Stopes Uganda to bring these health services closer to our clients. Our commitment to empower women in business goes beyond providing financial services and it includes initiatives that cater to their overall well-being.”
“Through this partnership, we have been able to provide our clients with both subsidized and free medical services, as well as financial literacy; a vital tool in helping them to make informed financial decisions. We remain committed to supporting our clients in all aspects of their lives, and we look forward to exploring more opportunities that will enable us to do so,” said Asasira.
The financial literacy training at the medical camp was facilitated by Nicholas Senuungi, a certified financial trainer, who applauded Dfcu Bank for providing opportunities for women to succeed in the economy and gave valuable advice on how to manage finances. He advised the audience that to understand money and tame it, they need to focus on four things: earning, spending, saving, and investing.
Dfcu Bank representatives, Denis Kitandwe and Damalie Ikiriza, also spoke to the audience, sharing an overview of Dfcu Bank products including Fixed Deposit Accounts, Smart Plans, Treasury Bills and Bonds.
The health camp ended with a presentation from Dr. Erias Waguma, a representative from Marie Stopes Hospital & Maternity who provided attendees with valuable information on managing their personal health including illustrations on how they could perform breast cancer self-examinations at home.
The one-month wellness campaign, which offered free and subsidized healthcare services, and exposure to financial services for women entrepreneurs, was a great success. Dfcu Bank’s commitment to supporting women in all aspects of their lives was evident throughout the campaign, and the successful conclusion of the health camp and financial literacy training was a testament to that commitment.
State Minister for Karamoja Affairs, Agnes Nandutu has been granted a Shs10m cash bail having been in prison for more than two weeks by the Anti-Corruption Court in Kampala.
The presiding Judge, Jane Kajuga Okuo ruled that Nandutu’s sureties including; MP Nandala Mafabi are substantial and that she presented herself to police upon learning that she was needed.
“They hold positions of responsibility in society and are mature enough with the capacity to influence her to attend court when required. The three sureties are therefore substantial in the circumstances of this case,” Justice Okuo said
Nandutu has also been asked to deposit two land titles registered in her names and each of her three sureties ordered to execute a noncash bond of Shs50 million as security to ensure her return to court whenever required.
She was also ordered to deposit her passport before the Registrar Anti-Corruption Court and barred from traveling out of the country until the case is heard and concluded.
“The accused should deposit her passport with the court and should not travel outside the jurisdiction of this court without permission,” Justice Okuo ruled.
This is after the judge dismissed prosecution’s allegations that Nandutu had disappeared before she handed herself to police for interrogation and that she had switched off her phones. Prosecution also alleged that she had abandoned her home.
The minister is accused of dealing with 2000 suspected stolen iron sheets meant for the vulnerable people of Karamoja.
Prosecution states that during the month of June 2022, Minister Nandutu dealt with 2000 pre-painted iron sheets of gauge 28 marked “Office of the Prime Minister” by receiving and holding them with reason to believe that they were acquired as a result of loss of property.
She is expected to return to court on May 25, 2023, for hearing of the case
