The late Archbishop Dr. Livingstone Mpalanyi Nkoyoyo has been remembered. Nkoyoyo who died in 2018, served as Archbishop of the Church of Uganda from 1995 to 2004.

Speaking at the inaugural Archbishop Nkoyoyo memorial lecture at Uganda Martyrs Anglican Site in Namugongo, Archbishop Stephen Kaziimba said the Late Archbishop Nkoyoyo was multi-talented, from being a Mechanic to ordained Minister and later Archbishop.

“He was very generous. He identified people’s gifts and empowered them. He sent me to Nakanyonyi to study a Lay Reader’s course and mentored me in ministry,” he said.

He was the vision bearer of the development of the Uganda Martyrs Anglican Site, Namugongo to a world class faith based tourism site. Before the Holy Communion Service and memorial lecture, Kaziimba and other dignitaries visited the ongoing projects like the museum, school, Church and amphitheater.

“I thank Maama Ruth Nkoyoyo for keeping her late husband’s legacy alive by living an exemplary life. I thank the development committee led by Bishop Jackson Matovu for championing the development of this site. Finally, I thank President Yoweri Museveni for supporting the development of the Anglican Martyrs Site,” he said.

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The Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces together with Uganda Police Force in a joint operation has arrested five UPDF soldiers attached to the guard Battalion for conducting illegal operations against their assumed adversary in Kakoola Ssabagabo in Wakiso District.

The accused UPDF soldiers raided a police station and rescued two of their colleagues who had been arrested and detained for staging an illegal roadblock on Kakoola Ndejje road.

The guards’ illegal operations affected the movement of vehicles which attracted police and Military deployments in Mutungo to swing into action and arrested the soldiers.

The deputy army spokesperson, Col Deo Akiiki in a statement said the officers’ actions contravene the UPDF Cord of conduct and is against the good order and discipline of UPDF.

He added that the soldiers will be arraigned before the Court Martial.

“UPDF condemns such behavior in the strongest terms. Such indiscipline shall never be tolerated as it jeopardizes the good working relationship between the two sister forces. The said soldiers shall be arraigned before the court martial,” Col Deo Akiiki said.

Those in custody include: Corporal Kasaija Niclous, Private Oleti Isaac, Corporal Leti Jacob and Private Kazibwe Javira.

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Justice (Rtd) Elizabeth Ibanda-Nahamya has passed on. She died on January 5, 2023 in the Netherlands.

“It is with deep sorrow that we announce the death of Retired High Court Judge, Elizabeth Ibanda Nahamya which occurred earlier today in the Netherlands.Burial arrangements to be communicated later,” the Judiciary announced on twitter.

Elizabeth was a Ugandan lawyer and judge, who, in March 2018 appointed Judge of the Mechanism for International Criminal Tribunals (MICT).

She was appointed by António Guterres, the Secretary General of the United Nations. Her appointment replacement followed the resignation of Judge Solomy Balungi Bossa, who was elected to the International Criminal Court.

She served as a High Court judge of Uganda, where she was assigned to the International Crimes Division of that court.

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16 people have been killed in a nasty road accident at Kamdini in Oyam District. Police confirmed the accident saying the cause is yet to be established.

The accident involving motor vehicle Reg UAT 259P belonging to Roblyn bus company that was traveling from Kampala to Gulu rammed into a stationary trailer UAZ 381A/UBD 318C killing 12 people on spot while four died moments after reaching the Atapara Hospital.

It is alleged the trailer was loading at Adebe trading center just one kilometer to corner Kamdini checkpoint when the incident occurred.

Police said the identities of the deceased and the injured are yet to be established. Some of the victims remain in critical condition at Atapara Hospital where they are receiving treatment.  Bodies conveyed to Anyeke Health IV pending postmortem.

The cause of the accident is yet to be established but preliminary findings indicate wrong parking by the trailer driver with no warning signs.

“It’s a very unfortunate incident. We call for calm from members of the public. Our condolences to the bereaved families,” Police added.

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Musicians under their umbrella body the Uganda Musician’s Association (UMA) have called upon Uganda Revenue Authority to consider other creatives in the industry and not focus solely on singers for tax purposes.

While they are ready to comply, musicians have advised that the creative industry spans further to include song writers, DJ’s, film makers and comedians among others.

Geoffrey Ekongot, the Head of programs UMA, made this submission during an engagement between the UMA leadership and URA at the URA headquarters in Nakawa.

Ekongot advised that URA could collect up to a tune of Shs1 trillion from the industry if more avenues other than concerts/public entertainment events are explored.

Josephine Mugerwa aka Phina Masanyalaze, UMA secretary said creatives are trying to formalize their craft and are aware that tax is an essential part of that journey. She also asked for better collaboration between the two entities to ensure compliance from the industry players.

“There is a need for mindset change on both sides so we request for a partnership with URA to jointly put out essential information as mobilization is easier done through the likes of UMA. The musicians are willing to contribute to developing Uganda together,” she said.

President of the association Cinderella Sanyu asked for tax amnesty where past taxes, penalties and interest would be waived so that members can start on a clean slate as well as exemptions where equipment or other such tools are imported for use by the industry.

In response, Edward Biryetega from URA Business Policy advised that Voluntary Disclosure is available for musicians and appeals for amnesty or exemptions can be made in writing to the Commissioner General and the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development.

Ibrahim Bbosa Assistant Commissioner Public and Corporate Affairs appreciated the response from UMA saying it is a sign that the industry is willing to cooperate with URA. He also demystified talk that URA wants to put people out of business saying, “URA seeks to understand the entertainment sector and through partnership, develop Uganda together.”

Musicians were advised to embrace pre-engagements with URA and guidance on the various taxes for easy clearance before and reconciliation after events.

This engagement follows a recent publication on the Taxation of Public Entertainment Events that caused a stir from the sector.

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Court of Appeal has directed Daily Monitor newspaper to pay Shs450 million to Pius Bigirimana as compensatory damages for defamation.

Bigirimana, who is the current Permanent Secretary to the Judiciary sued the newspaper over defamatory stories published about him between 2012 and 2015 at a time he served as Permanent Secretary to the Office of the Prime Minister.

The judgment delivered on January 5, 2023 by Deputy Registrar comes following an appeal by Daily Monitor challenging the judgement of the High Court Judge Musa Ssekana which he delivered on December 10, 2021.

Judge Ssekana awarded costs to Bigirimana worth Shs450 million in a lawsuit where the PS demanded Shs1 billion of general damages for defamation and a permanent injunction restraining the newspaper and or their agents, editors, publishers, from making, publishing, circulating any further defamatory stories against or about him. He also sought an order compelling the newspaper proprietors to publish an apology in the newspapers.

Court of Appeal agreed with Judge Ssekana that the right to reputation is acknowledged as an inherent personal right of every person.

Court of Appeal’s Judge, Lady Justice Elizabeth Musoke ruled that the statements by Daily Monitor are deemed to be bonafide until a Court finds them to be defamatory.

“The claim in that case concerned one defamatory publication while the present case concerns 15 different defamatory publications, published over a space of 3 years. The sum of Shs 350,000,000/= was therefore adequate and I would maintain it. I would not enhance the amount awarded as in my view, the sum is substantial enough to vindicate the respondent’s damaged reputation. I would also not interfere with the award of Shs100,000,000 exemplary damages,” she said.

“In conclusion, all grounds of appeal having failed, I would dismiss the appeal and uphold the judgment and orders of the learned trial Judge save the order for the 1^st defendant in appellant to publish an apology to the respondent, which is set cross-appeal. I would award the aside. I would also dismiss the appeal with ¾ of the total of the costs of the appeal, less the costs of the cross-appeal. Since only Gashirabake, JA agrees, the Court, by majority decision (Kibeedi, JA dissenting in part), dismisses the appeal, but modifies one of the orders made by the learned trial Judge in the manner stated in this judgment,” she ruled.

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