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Museveni receives special envoy from Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic

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Our Reporter
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President Yoweri Museveni with the President of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic, His Excellency Brahim Ghali

President Yoweri Museveni received a Special Envoy from the President of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic, His Excellency Brahim Ghali who paid a courtesy call on him at State House Entebbe.

The Special Envoy, His Excellency Mohamed Salem Ould Salek conveyed to President Museveni warm greetings from the President of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic and informed him of events to be hosted soon in their country.

Museveni welcomed the envoy to Uganda and pledged to send a delegation to attend the events.

The Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic, also known as Western Sahara, is a partially recognized state, recognised by 45 UN member states, located in the Western Maghreb, which claims the non-self-governing territory of Western Sahara, but controls only the Easternmost one-fifth of that territory.

The Republic is situated in the extreme North West of Africa and has a population of over 600,000 people.

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Burundi’s Joseph Ntakarutimana elected new EALA Speaker

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Our Reporter
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Rt. Hon Joseph Ntakarutimana, Speaker of the East African Legislative Assembly swears-in

The East Africa Parliamentary Assembly (EALA) has elected Joseph Ntakarutimana from Burundi as the new Speaker of the House, replacing Rwanda’s Martin Ngoga who led the outgoing 4th Assembly.

Ntakarutimana was elected uncontested after his contenders from South Sudan (Hon. Dr. Leonardo Anne Itto and Hon. Gai Deng) pulled out of the race.

The Speaker, who is also the country’s ruling party deputy secretary general, took oath after the EALA’s new members from Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan and recently Democratic Republic of Congo.

EALA will now have 63 lawmakers from the initial 54 after DRC joined the community, the regional lawmakers serve for a term of five years renewable once.

The assembly is governed by Article 9 of the Treaty establishing East African Community. The agreement was first signed on November 30, 1999, and came into force on July 7, 2000.

According to the provisions of the agreement, each country is represented by nine elected Deputies from each member state.

EALA’s goals include passing laws that regulate the community, monitoring government activities, and advocating on various issues that threaten the people of this community.

The House also debates and makes recommendations on the organization’s budget needs and how it should be used, and monitors various reports on the organization’s activities and provides oversight for the EAC.

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Research shows the global popularity of SMS 30 years after the first message

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Our Reporter
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Ivan Ostojić, Chief Business Officer at Infobip

Research from global cloud communications platform Infobip shows the global popularity of Short Message Service (SMS) within customer communications, 30 years after a software programmer sent the first message on 3 December 1992 remains immensely popular despite the rise of new communication channels, with a 75% increase in use in 2022 compared to 2021.

Infobip analyzed more than 153 billion communications interactions on its platform from the first half of 2022 compared to the same period in 2021. The study shows that SMS remains a top three channel in every region worldwide including Africa, Europe, Eurasia, North America, Latin America, the Middle East, India and Asia-Pacific.

With the highest open rates and return on investment, Infobip’s analysis shows that businesses and brands continue to use SMS for timely alerts and security solutions, including two-factor authentication. Highlighting the versatility of the channel, data from the analysis also shows that SMS made up 16% of total customer engagement and marketing interactions.

Ivan Ostojić, Chief Business Officer at Infobip, said: “As we reach the 30th anniversary of SMS, our data shows that it remains as popular as ever. SMS has evolved from a personal messaging platform to a key tool for business to consumer communications. Infobip has played a critical role in this evolution, enabling businesses and brands deliver billions of messages every year through our 700 direct telecom operator connections. As one of the most reliable and practical ways for brands to ensure their message reaches their customers, it is the go-to channel for time-sensitive alerts and security notifications. With its global reach and no reliance on internet connectivity, we expect SMS to continue to play a key role in future business-to-consumer communications.” 

Infobip also finds that many sectors continue to rely on SMS. For instance:

Banking and finance saw 68% more SMS interactions, where firms use SMS for timely alerts

Retail and eCommerce recorded 22% more SMS interactions, where brands use it for retail marketing automation

Telecoms saw 48% more SMS interactions, where firms rely on SMS for reliable, secure messaging with an international customer base

After working with companies from different industries across the East African region for more than 10 years, Marko Reis, Regional Manager East Africa, reflected on the evolution of SMS in the region: “Mobile text messaging has become the core feature of the smartphone era in Africa. With more than 220 million subscribers in East Africa, it is impossible to underestimate the importance and impact of this technology on emerging markets. Due to inconsistent data connectivity throughout the continent, SMS remains at the center of most communications activity across Africa and will continue to drive how people and businesses connect with each other.  Infobip’s built-in compliance engine ensures that messages that businesses send comply with local law and provides additional level of security and compliance for our local clients.”

Ivan Ostojić, Chief Business Officer at Infobip, continued: “The original SMS message sent 30 years ago by 22-year-old software programmer Neil Papworth helped forge a path to global connectivity. That connectivity has evolved and rapidly grown in recent years, and Infobip now handles hundreds of billions of messages every year, reaching 75% of mobile phones globally. We look forward to continuing to be at the forefront of innovation and transformation in omnichannel communications, delighting customers on any channel, anywhere in the world.” 

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EU boosts WFP’s efforts to support refugees, Karamoja food crisis

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Our Reporter
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Refugees

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has welcomed a contribution of EUR 5.1 million (approximately Shs20 billion) from the European Union’s Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations department (ECHO) to provide life-saving food assistance in the form of cash transfers for more than 850,000 refugees in Uganda, and for emergency food assistance and treatment for malnutrition for an additional 183,288 people in the Karamoja region.

“The recent arrival of thousands of new refugees into Uganda is stretching already limited resources and the combined effects of consecutive years of below-average food harvests, poor livestock production and sharply rising food prices, have left half a million people facing hunger in Karamoja,” says Abdirahman Meygag, WFP’s Country Director in Uganda.

WFP supports 1.3 million refugees in Uganda, with more than 50 percent of them receiving food assistance in the form of cash transfers. WFP uses cash transfers to empower people with choice to address their essential needs in local markets, while also helping to boost local economies.

“If we are to reach zero hunger by 2030, it is important that we do not leave any group of people behind. Refugees and the people of Karamoja have all been hit by shocks, and it is our duty to help them survive and thrive,” says Bruno Rotival, Head of the EU Humanitarian Aid Office in Uganda. “The EU considers WFP as an important partner in extending support to those who need it the most.”

WFP, with funding from the European Union’s department for International Partnerships (INTPA), is also addressing the long-term needs of the people of Karamoja by implementing sustainable livelihood activities such as fish farming, beekeeping and homegrown school feeding programmes to build the resilience of vulnerable families to cope with climate shocks such as droughts and flooding.

The contribution of EUR 5.1 million from ECHO comes in addition to EUR 7.5 million received in 2021.

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Gov’t provides funds for CHAN finals, Micho names provisional squad

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Our Reporter
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Uganda Cranes Head Coach Milutin ‘Micho’ Sredojevic

Uganda Cranes Head Coach Milutin ‘Micho’ Sredojevic has announced a provisional squad for the forthcoming African Nations Championship (CHAN) after government finally released funds for preparations to go ahead.

FUFA President Moses Magogo had earlier threatened to withdraw the team from tournament due to absence of funds. The Ministry of Finance then released Shs2 billion of the Shs6 billion needed to participate in the tournament. Parliament also set up an Adhoc committee that is investigating the usage of funds in the National Council of Sports (NCS).

Micho today named a squad of 35 players that will embark on preparations for the biennial tournament that features players currently playing in their respective domestic leagues.

While naming the squad, Micho confirmed the team will enter residential camp on Wednesday in Kisasi and have a pre-tournament in Algeria early next year.

“We have maintained the core of the team that played the Qualifier matches against Tanzania. We have had the first round of the league running and this helps to put the players in good shape,” he stated.

The CHAN tournament is scheduled to kick off on 13th January to 4th February 2023. Uganda is in Group B alongside DR Congo, Senegal and Ivory Coast.

This is the sixth successive time that Uganda Cranes will play at the final tournament having featured in the 2011, 2014, 2016, 2018 and 2020 editions.

Provisional Squad

Goalkeepers: Nafian Alionzi (URA FC), Mathias Muwanga (Onduparaka FC), Emmanuel Kalyowa (BUL FC), Joel Mutakubwa (Gaddafi FC), Jack Komakech (Vipers SC)

Defenders: Ashiraf Mandela (Vipers SC), James Begisa (URA FC), Grant Matsiko (Wakiso Giants FC), Derrick Ndahiro (URA FC), Isa Mubiru (Vipers SC), Arthur Kiggundu (Express FC), Hillary Mukundane (Vipers SC), Kenneth Ssemakula(SC Villa), Geofrey Wasswa (KCCA FC), Filbert Obenchan (KCCA FC), Gift Fred (SC Villa), Bright Vuni (Arua Hill SC)

Midfielders: Siraje Ssentamu (Vipers SC), Marvin Joseph Youngman (Vipers SC), Saidi Kyeyune (URA FC), Hussein Ssenoga (Express FC), Abdu Karim Watambala(Vipers SC), Moses Waiswa (KCCA FC)

Forwards: Milton Karisa (Vipers SC), Ibrahim Orit (Vipers SC), Travis Mutyaba (SC Villa), Moses Aliro (Wakiso Giants FC), Kagawa Ssenoga (KCCA FC), Rogers Kassim Mato (KCCA FC), Bright Anukani (Vipers SC), Ibrahim Kasule (Wakiso Giants FC), Titus Ssematimba (Wakiso Giants), Frank Ssebufu (Wakiso Giants FC), Najib Yiga (Vipers SC), Cromwell Rwothomio (Vipers SC).

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Archbishop Kaziimba speaks on Homosexuality, Ebola in 2022 Christmas message

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Our Reporter
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Archbishop stephen-Kaziimba

As Christmas Day draws closer, The Archbishop of Church of Uganda, The Most Rev Dr Stephen Kaziimba Mugalu has sent a strong sound warning to people trying to attract children into homosexuality by promising them money and sponsorship.

The archbishop’s message to believers ahead of the Christmas celebrations on Sunday, comes at a time when there are rumours that the Church of England, which is the “Mother Church,” will soon vote to provide some form of blessings for homosexual relationships.

“We are grateful for the Church of England who gave us the Gospel of Jesus Christ. But, we will never follow you in supporting homosexuality. You may be the “Mother Church,” but let’s be clear that such a decision will mean you have abandoned the very faith of Anglicanism you so generously shared around the world,” kaziimba said.

The Archbishop also extended his sincerest sympathies to all those families that will have an empty place as they gather for Christmas dinner. He encouraged them to look to Jesus as he is a “Wonderful Counselor!”

“We have lost people to Covid, and we have lost people to Ebola. We have lost people to senseless road accidents, to crime, and to preventable diseases. I extend my sincerest sympathies to all those families who will have an empty place as you gather for Christmas dinner. Please look to Jesus – he is a “Wonderful Counselor!”

He announced that the theme for 2023 is “United for service and growth.” He added that they have a number of bishops who will be retiring in 2023. “These are men who have worked diligently and who have faithfully proclaimed Christ to the nations,” he said.

Below is the Archbishop’s full message;

I greet you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ from whom all blessings flow!

This Christmas, I call upon us to acknowledge that our God is a God who gives!

He is a God who gave us his only Son so that all who believe in him might not perish but have everlasting life. This was prophesied by Isaiah when he said, “To us a child is born, to us a son is given.”

Our God is a God who also gives us a Wonderful Counselor in Jesus Christ. Too many of us look in the wrong places for answers to our challenges. We look on social media or to our age-mates, but I want you to know that most of the so-called “answers” on social media are not true. People are just forwarding lies.  

If you want “wonderful counsel,” then look to the “Wonderful Counselor.”  Look to Jesus, whose birth we celebrate this Christmas. 

If you want the best answers to your challenges, then look to Jesus, who the prophet Isaiah says is the “Wonderful Counselor.”

Since I stood here a year ago, we have lost loved ones – our elders, our leaders, and we have lost children.  We have lost people to Covid, and we have lost people to Ebola. We have lost people to senseless road accidents, to crime, and to preventable diseases. I extend my sincerest sympathies to all those families who will have an empty place as you gather for Christmas dinner. Please look to Jesus – he is a “Wonderful Counselor!”

We also thank the Ministry of Health, Health Care Providers, and, especially, community leaders in the Ebola-affected areas. Because of your dedication and cooperation you have brought us to where we are in the Ebola outbreak. I thank God that Mubende and Kasanda Districts will be able to travel and enjoy Christmas. Like our God who gave his Son to the world this Christmas, you have followed in his footsteps by giving yourself to bring the outbreak to an end. Thank you!

Let us all continue to be alert and careful about conditions that can spread diseases like Ebola and Covid. Let us also remember that malaria has killed more of us than Ebola and Covid combined. Please make sure every member of your family sleeps under a treated mosquito net.

We want to also thank all teachers and Head Teachers for your great efforts to help make this as much of a normal year as possible for our children going to school. You have faced many challenges. On behalf of the children and all families, we thank you for your dedication and commitment to restoring a stable educational environment for our children. Like our God who gave his Son to the world this Christmas, you have followed in his footsteps by giving yourself to educate our children. Thank you!

I urge all families to reduce their spending this Christmas a little, so you have enough to pay school fees in January. Inflation is still very high and it is pinching all of us. Be wise about how you spend at Christmas!

I also want to alert all students, parents, and teachers that there are bad people trying to attract children into homosexuality by promising them money and sponsorship. Children – please report such people to your Head Teacher and to your parents. I urge the government to set up a simple system whereby children can report these people to the relevant authorities who can investigate and take appropriate action.

Parents – please watch over your children during the school holidays. Spend time with them, and disciple them. Just as God gave his only Son to us at Christmas, so you must also give yourselves sacrificially to your children.

I especially appeal to parents to encourage their boy children to grow up into God-fearing men who respect their mothers, grandmothers, sisters, and all people. Let’s raise a new generation of boys who honour and respect the women in their families so we can put an end to the majority of gender-based violence in this country.

To those who are recruiting children into homosexuality, I want to sound a very strong warning to you. These are not my words, but the words of Jesus: “If anyone causes one of these little ones…to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.  (Matthew 18:6)

I want to make it very clear that the Church of Uganda will always uphold the Bible’s teaching that marriage is between one man and one woman, and that is the God-ordained context for sexual relationships. We don’t support fornication; we don’t support adultery; and, we don’t support homosexuality.

There are rumours that the Church of England will soon vote to provide some form of blessings for homosexual relationships. We are grateful for the Church of England who gave us the Gospel of Jesus Christ. But, we will never follow you in supporting homosexuality. You may be the “Mother Church,” but let’s be clear that such a decision will mean you have abandoned the very faith of Anglicanism you so generously shared around the world. You may still be the Church of England, but you will no longer be Anglican, because Anglicans uphold the Bible. This is why the Church of Uganda is so passionate about the Gafcon fellowship of Global Anglicans and why we support the 4th Gafcon Conference in Kigali in April 2023.

I am pleased to announce that our theme for 2023 is “United for service and growth.” This is taken from Ephesians 4:11-16. We have a number of bishops who will be retiring in 2023. These are men who have worked diligently and who have faithfully proclaimed Christ to the nations. As I have visited dioceses this year, I’ve seen the fruit of their servant leadership; sustainability projects are coming up and evangelistic outreaches are bringing people to Christ. I urge all dioceses to stay focused on unity so that you can maintain this momentum. So you can build on the foundations laid in the past and continue to grow. It takes hard work to preserve unity, and I call on all leaders in dioceses to give yourselves to the vision of being “united for service and growth.”

At Christmas we see that our God is a God who gives and a God who forgives. I call  upon all  Ugandans to love one another  and forgive each other. He gave us his only son. So, I urge you to also give yourselves to the cause of forgiveness and “unity for service and growth.”

I send warm Christmas greetings to President Yoweri Museveni, Maama Janet and their entire family and all our government leaders.  All the Bishops and their wives, the Clergy, Lay Readers and Christians of the Church of Uganda. I also send my sincere greetings, along with prayers for a blessed Christmas for our Roman Catholic, Orthodox and Pentecostal brethren, and all those who have looked in hope for the coming of Jesus, who is the “Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 9:6)

HAPPY CHRISTMAS TO YOU ALL!

The Most Rev. Dr. Stephen Samuel Kaziimba

ARCHBISHOP OF CHURCH OF UGANDA

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KCCA announces new leaders to manage the Boda-boda industry in Kampala

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Our Reporter
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KCCA announce new Boda-boda leadership

Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) has named the new interim leadership to lead boda boda operators from all the five city divisions.

This was revealed at the final sensitization event organized by KCCA at the Kololo ceremonial grounds. The event was graced by the KCCA Deputy ED, the Deputy RCC for Lubaga Division, officials from traffic police, NIRA and the Ministry of Works and Transport among others.

The KCCA Deputy Executive Director Engineer David Luyimbazi noted that key on the agenda for this final sensitization and training event was to introduce the interim leadership to the boda boda operators.

“The new interim leadership was arrived at through consensus amongst all boda boda leaders from the five divisions” Luyimbazi said.

The new interim leadership committee is headed by Frank Mawejje as the chairperson, Siraji Mutyaba as the vice chairperson and other members chosen by this leadership.

Eng. Luyimbazi noted that KCCA has been doing sensitization and training of all boda boda operators in all the divisions as a way to help streamline and organize the transport industry in Kampala. During these trainings, the boda boda operators have been educated on the processes through which they can acquire different requirements for riding in the city like the driving permit, the national ID, the gazetted stages and more as guided by KCCA.

The Deputy RCC for Lubaga Division Burora Anderson thanked KCCA, Ministry of Works and Transport, the Prime Minister’s office and other stakeholders for the strides taken to streamline and address the challenges in the boda boda industry.

“We must agree that over time boda boda has been used by wrong elements to achieve their goals but this is no more, KCCA, The Ministry for Kampala Capital City and Metropolitan Affairs, the RCCs office wants nothing but to organize the boda boda industry,” Burora said.

Burora further cautioned the riders to desist from always being on the wrong side of the law but rather abide by the law to avoid arrests and penalties.

Burora asked the new interim leadership to revive the Emyoga and PDM saccos so that riders can benefit and also be able to buy themselves motorcycles other than running to money lenders.

Frank Mawejje the incoming interim committee chairperson thanked the riders and their leaders in different divisions for entrusting him with the responsibility to lead them.

“We are presented with a huge challenge of organizing ourselves but also organizing and professionalizing our job which is the boda boda business,” Mawejje said.

“I kindly request my fellow riders to allow and we work together to streamline our job because this is the job that has paid school fees for our children, taken care of our families and more, therefore we have to organize it to a level where our children and other people are not ashamed of introducing us as boda boda riders,” Mawejje said.

Mawejje thanked KCCA for recognizing their interim leadership and affirmed to his subjects that this was the start and way to the good things.

“We have missed so many opportunities because we were not organized and did not have leadership but now we are and we can easily get recommenders,” Mawejje said.

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Karamoja, Teso sub-regions push for continued co-existence

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Our Reporter
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Senior Civil, Political and Security leaders from the districts of Nabilatuk, Napak, Kapelabyong and Katakwi held an inter-district security coordination meeting at Olilim, Katakwi District.

Presiding over the meeting the Deputy Resident District Commissioner (D/RDC) for Katakwi, and chair explained the purpose of the joint meeting as an effort to harmonise the security of the two subregions that share a common origin. “We have convened to iron out man made security challenges between the two subregions”, remarked Mr. Okwi Vincent.

Mr. Okwi mentioned that the people of Teso and Karamoja Sub regions share the same origin and have similar interests which call for peaceful co-existence. “With a sober mind, we are on the right truck to find solutions to cross livestock criminality” he said, adding that natural resource sharing requires natural justice to avoid any eventuality.

The 3rd Division Commander of the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) Brig Gen Joseph Balikudembe said that the joint meetings seek remedies and foster harmony among the people of the neighboring districts in the two regions. “We need to have a turning point and solutions to livestock recovery, identification and harmonious co-existence,” remarked Brig Gen Balikudembe.

He cautioned leaders against multiple rebranding of livestock and delay to expedite hand over of recovered animals, a vice which turns security forces into victims of circumstances.

The Division Commander recounted a number of significant operational achievements which resulted in the calm enjoyed in the last one and a half years.

Brig Gen Felix Busizoori, Deputy Division Commander appealed to leaders at all respective levels to mobilize and sensitize communities to embrace the prevailing peace and conditions necessary for socio-economic transformation.

Commissioner of Police, Elias Kasirabo the commandant of Anti Stock Theft Unit (ASTU) implored leaders to correctly exercise their authority to regulate animal movements. “Animals movements from villages or any locality must be sanctioned by the local leadership as road check points augment on regulatory efforts”, CP Kasirabo told the leaders.

“Last week, ASTU reinstated check points in the area of operation to scrutinize animal documents, letters of no objection, movement permits issued by veterinary officers in order to curb livestock thefts on transit and markets”, the ASTU commander explained.

The Chairperson of LC V for Napak, Mr. Kodet Paul asked fellow leaders to always communicate, coordinate and cooperate with security forces whenever there are any animal thefts for ease of trucking and subsequent recovery.

He appealed to leaders not to mix issues of administrative boundaries with the political will to fight criminality for the sake of their people.

The Chairperson LC V for Kapelabyong district, Mr. Akorikin Francis re-echoed the good news of the prevailing relative calmness ushered by security forces and supported by district authorities as compared to the early months of 2022.

He recognised the inter-connectivity of the people socially, economically and advised pastoralists to buy land in Kapelabyong district, water animals and settle rather than move unnecessarily which makes them lose out on some ingredients of life such as health and education among others.

Mr. Omolo Geoffrey, the Chairperson LC V for Katakwi and his counterpart, Mr. Lokol Paul for Nabilatuk district requested top commanders to further enhance deployments and secure grazing borderline belts (pink line) between Teso and Karamoja Sub regions.

They called for improvement on the security roads surface (mostly in affected sub counties) in order to enhance troops’ deployments and movement of civilians.

The inter-district security coordination meeting for four local governments and top security commanders settled for a number of workable strategies and resolutions to sustain peace and harmonious co-existence between Teso and Karamoja sub-region.

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Three more Kenyan athletes banned after failing drug tests

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Agencies
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Athletics track

Three Kenyan athletes have been banned for a collective period of eight years after breaking anti-doping rules.

The Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) has banned marathon runners Alice Jepkemboi Kimutai and Johnstone Kibet Maiyo for three years, and sprinter Mark Otieno for two.

Otieno, 29, tested positive for the banned anabolic steroid Methasterone moments before the 100m heats at the Tokyo Olympic Games.

It meant he was not allowed to compete.

Otieno, a three-time national 100m champion, will have his ban backdated from the Games and end in July 2023.

The suspension for November’s Porto marathon winner Kimutai – who tested positive for the male hormone testosterone – began on 16 November.

Maiyo’s ban started on 20 July for returning a positive test for erythropoietin (EPO).

Last month the east African country avoided a sanction by governing body World Athletics – despite having 55 athletes serving suspensions – after committing to spend $25m over the next five years to combat doping.

Kenya’s sports minister Ababu Namwamba then announced they intended to criminalise doping in athletics in an attempt to bring an end to a string of cases in the sport.

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DTB joins hands with MasterCard to deepen financial inclusion in the West Nile region

By
Ronard Shabomwe
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Diamond Trust Bank has announced its partnership with Mastercard to increase financial inclusion in the eleven districts of Uganda’s West Nile region. These districts include Arua, Koboko, Yumbe, Zombo, Maracha, Nebbi, and Adjumani among others.

The drive intends to increase the usage of formal banking services in the region through use of affordable banking services backed by state of the art DTB Platinum Debit Mastercard.

Communities in Uganda’s West Nile region will be transformed to appreciate and utilize formal banking services with minimal cash handling while doing business or any form of financial transaction. Customers will be utilizing the DTB Platinum Debit Mastercard to make payments locally and internationally.

The DTB Platinum Mastercard offers a vast array of benefits to cardholders namely, access, security, convenience, control, and lastly recognition. The DTB Platinum Debit Mastercard offers more distinguished and personal services that have been hand-picked for its customers, including lifestyle, travel, and peace of mind benefits.

Speaking during the drive event at Hotel La Confidential, Arua, Uganda, DTB Managing Director, Varghese Thambi, revealed that over 50 people have been recruited to sensitize and enroll communities in the region into formal banking. These will be signed up on the DTB Digital Banking savings account which will automatically give them a DTB Platinum Debit Mastercard.

According to Thambi, this partnership and drive aligns with the bank’s commitment to ensuring quality banking services and access to everyone in the West Nile Region and Uganda at large.

“We believe financial inclusion and access to banking service is a right that everyone should enjoy. The products we are introducing in the region are accessible through over 22,000 agents on a shared banking platform, ATM, POS and usable by everyone. These will change your financial experience as they are very affordable for all to utilize,” said Varghese Thambi, Managing Director, DTB.

Hon. Evelyn Anite, Minister of State Privatization, and Investment was present during the drive roll-out event where she signed up as a customer and received a DTB Platinum Debit Mastercard. Hon. Anite urged communities in West Nile to embrace banking services and utilize cash free facilities like Mastercard for ease of doing business that are secure for customers.

According to Shehryar Ali, Country Manager for East Africa, Mastercard, the collaboration with DTB comes at a time when access to useful and affordable financial products and services that meet the needs of individuals and businesses is more critical than ever as we move towards the advancement of a cashless society. This further supports Mastercard’s goal of including 1 billion people and 50 million micro and small businesses into the digital economy by 2025.

“Mastercard is committed to providing digital solutions that help customers make safe and seamless transactions. We are proud to collaborate with DTB Uganda to enhance the drive to access financial services enabling more people to enter the digital economy. The cards space is fast-evolving globally, and as a leader in the payments technology industry, we will continue to innovate to always provide our customers with the best solutions and experiences,” said Shehryar Ali, Country Manager for East Africa, Mastercard.

As part of the peace of mind feature of the card, DTB provides some of the most comprehensive protections to take care of their cardholders both at home and away, including an array of travel insurances (inconvenience & cancellation, medical, lost luggage) as well as purchase protections (extended warranty and price protection).

Customers who sign up for the launched services will be able to access financial services at over 22,000 agents across Uganda, 34 DTB Branches and other Bank ATMs branded with Mastercard. Mastercard service is available in over 210 countries.

Diamond Trust Bank Uganda (DTBU) is an affiliate of the Aga Khan Development fund. DTB has presence in Kenya, Tanzania, and Burundi. DTBU has 34 branches, 51 ATMs and over 600 agents across the country. Founded in 1946, DTB is regulated by the Bank of Uganda and offers an array of banking services to the population. DTB’s mission; Make the customers prosper, staff excel and create value for their stakeholders.

Mastercard is a global technology company in the payments industry. Its mission is to connect and power an inclusive, digital economy that benefits everyone, everywhere by making transactions safe, simple, smart, and accessible. Using secure data and networks, partnerships and passion, their innovations and solutions help individuals, financial institutions, governments, and businesses realize their greatest potential. 

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